ARYAN
CHAPTER 1: GENEROUS KING
Sage Suryananda took his seat beneath a banyan tree and looked at his students who were eagerly awaiting his recital of a new story that evening. All of his stories taught the children to follow good principles and be virtuous in life. “Dear students”, the sage addressed everyone in a crisp voice, “…always remember that it is not necessary that if the parents are following an evil path, even their children will follow suit. In the Ramayana, in a clad of impious Rakshahas, was there not a conscientious person in the form of Vibheeshna? Today’s story is based on this theme.” He then narrated the following story to his students who listened with rapt attention.
A small boy was standing at the corner of a road with a begging bowl in his hand. When people passed by, he plainly looked at them with glum eyes and did not ask for anything. Yet some people took pity on him after seeing his pathetic condition and dropped a coin in his bowl. Another beggar who was observing this boy for quite a while came up to him. “Is this the way to beg? When people pass you, extend your begging bowl and ask for money with deep pain in your eyes. See my bowl! It’s full of money! And see yours! Do not get me wrong! I sincerely do not believe that you can survive if you beg like this.” But the boy only looked at him with an expressionless face.
“Why don’t you say something? Can’t you speak?” the other beggar asked irritated.
Still there was no response. Finally, the beggar gave up and went away murmuring something in disgust. The boy looked at the man go and continued to beg in the manner he did until now. Certainly, all that the beggar had said had fallen on deaf ears!
One evening, the boy saw some men on horseback with a chariot leading from the front coming in his direction. As they neared him, a man in royal robes gestured the others to stop. He got down from his chariot and came close to the boy. He was a handsome youth with curly hairs, thick moustache, fair complexioned and composed eyes.
“I feel deeply hurt to see such a young boy like you sitting here with a begging bowl in your hands. I am Dharmaraja, the king of this kingdom. Please tell me as to what has compelled you to beg for money – whether it is any family problems, or you are being made to beg just because your parents are perhaps doing this or is it due to the fact that you do not intend to do anything in life? Be frank and I will come to your rescue.” Dharmaraja spoke with reliance.
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The King’s words failed to invoke any response from the boy who looked at him with a sulky face.
“Speak up, my child! It is my wish that I should not see any beggars in my kingdom. I want everyone to get proper education and lead a life of comfort and prosperity. With this mission in mind, I have decided to personally visit all beggars, know their problems and help them to lead a decent life. Tell me your grievances and I will certainly help you.” The King persisted.
The boy remained numb.
After much effort, the King went up to his ministers who had accompanied him and said, “Either he cannot speak or he may be mentally unfit. I’ll take him to the palace and get him checked by our physician.”
He came close to the boy and patted him lovingly on his shoulders, “I want you to come along with me to the palace. Do not worry. You will enjoy all comforts there!”
The noble King made the boy sit in his chariot and asked his charioteer to go to the palace. His men followed suit behind.
On the way, suddenly the boy looked at the King for some time to which he responded with an endearing smile. Dharmaraja found that the eyes of the boy were slowly being glistened with tears.
“What sorrow are you suppressing in your heart, my child? Tell me about it! You will feel better.” As soon as the King spoke these words, hot tears began to flow in rivulets from the boy’s eyes and he began to weep silently. Dharmaraja held the boy close to his heart, which surprised his fellow men. They had never seen any King being so compassionate to a beggar before! They knew that their kingdom of Siddinagar was only going to prosper under his able leadership.
“Do not weep, my child! I will not compel you to tell me anything now. Let’s go to the palace where you can eat delicious delicacies and rest for as long as you like. Then when you feel all right, we can speak. Okay?” Dharmaraja said affectionately.
For the first time, the boy responded as he nodded his head in the affirmative.
“There’s something I would like to ask you, my child. When you are with me in the palace, I do not want your parents to search for you all over the place. Tell me where they live so that we can inform them. I would also like to speak with them.”
“I do not have any parents.” the boy spoke up for the first time. Dharmaraja was happy to hear him speak but was aggrieved to learn that he was an orphan.
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