CHATURBHUJ
- Mission

Salya continued with his confession, “…As Chaturbhuj rightfully pointed out, I did guess that, may be, you had kept the ring in the locker of your inner chamber.  Thereafter, all that which happened during the day of theft is precisely like Chaturbhuj has pointed out.  After committing the theft, I came to my chambers, hiding the ring inside my crown!  I wanted to personally give the ring to Narendra but certainly could not do so at this juncture.  I took the calculated risk of assigning this task to my trusted aide.  I gave the beautiful red box, which contained the divine ring to my aide and asked him to give it to Narendra. I gave him specific
instructions that he must tell Narendra to open this box only when he was alone. Thereafter, I returned to your chamber for attending the meeting.  Yesterday morning, this aide returned and told me that he had successfully done what I had told him to do.  He told me that although Narendra did not open the box in his presence, he did see what the box contained alone in his chamber and then told my aide to tell me that the “gift” I had send did not fit in his fingers.  This was something I expected for I had observed, during our meeting, that his fingers were much thinner than yours.  Thus, if the ring did not fit in your fingers, it would apparently not fit in his fingers as well.  Thereby, he asked my aide to leave appearing very thrilled.  After my aide left, I grew restless.  I desperately wanted to know as to when Narendra would launch an attack on our kingdom.  I met you in the morning to ask you if I could help you in any way to get the ring only to show you how caring I was.  Then, I went out for some administrative work and returned only late in the evening.  Today, in the Durbar, I was not very happy at Vigneesh’s arrival for he seemed to have just come to enquire about your well being after his visit to a nearby kingdom.  I felt that he would be of no use to me to know about Narendra’s future plans.  In fact, when he came to my chambers I was deeply thinking of some ruse to go to Narendra’s kingdom and meet him.  You are well aware as to what transpired in the conversation between Vigneesh and me, Maharaj.  After Vigneesh left meeting me, I was confident that it was only a matter of time before Narendra attacks our kingdom, defeats you and makes me the ruler!” Salya concluded.

“Fiend! You will be accorded severe punishment for committing an act of treason.” King Sukhdeva snarled at Salya. 

All this while, Chaturbhuj stood silently watching the proceedings.  Sukhdeva ordered his guards to jail Salya and went to his chambers alongwith Chaturbhuj. 

“Oh, Chaturbhuj!  I did not believe you when you cautioned me about Narendra’s intentions!  How could I?  He acted as if he was so close to me!  And now Salya?”  Sukhdeva bewailed. 

“Ever since you did not believe all that I told about Narendra, I was thinking of ways and means to somehow make you see through facts.  However, I was not able to reach any conclusion.  Now, I am happy that your friend has been exposed before you.”  So saying, Chaturbhuj came close to the King and clasped his hands.  “Please do not despair, O King!  What has happened has happened!  Let us forget the past and think about the future.  Ever since my spies told me about Narendra, I have been closely monitoring him.  In an attempt to learn everything about him, I have known about his likes and dislikes through my spies who have made extensive enquiry in this regard.  I could have learnt this even from you but did not do so for I was unsure if you would help me in this regard for I considered Narendra to be our enemy.  Yesterday night after meeting you, I have devised a plan which, if executed perfectly, would not only keep away Narendra’s evil eyes from our kingdom forever but also retrieve the ring.” 

Sukhdeva was stunned to hear this.   “What’s in your mind, Chaturbhuj?” 

“Maharaj, my spies tell me that Narendra has great respect and regard for sages.  Therefore, I will go to his kingdom in the guise of a sage with a mission of spreading the message of love and peace among his people and meet him.”  Thereafter, Chaturbhuj informed the King about his plan.  After the minister had finished with a detailed explanation of his supposition, the King did not appear too pleased. 

“Your plan is good but very dangerous.  What if your identity is revealed?  You would fall in trouble!” 

“I am going to employ the services of Niketu who is an expert in helping you change your appearance. Even though King Narendra has seen me during his visits here, I am sure that he will not be able to recognise me after I dress up like a sage with the help of Niketu.”  Chaturbhuj replied confidently.

Before the King could say anything further, Chaturbhuj spoke with reliance, “Maharaj!  We have no time to waste.  Narendra may attack our kingdom any time.  Please permit me to go to his kingdom and put forth my plan into action.” 

Seeing the determination in Chaturbhuj’s eyes, Sukhdeva agreed.  “Thanks, Maharaj!  I will soon return here after changing my attire to that of a sage!”  So saying, Chaturbhuj went away to his chambers and called for Niketu.

Meanwhile, King Sukhdeva was anxiously sitting on his throne waiting for Chaturbhuj.  He had liked his minister’s plan very much but feared for the safety of his life if he was caught.  He closed his eyes and implored the Almighty to help him and his minister.  After a long time, he heard someone call out to him, “Maharaj!”  As Sukhdeva looked in the direction from where he had heard the voice, there was a sage clad in orange coloured dhoti with his hair in matted locks, having a white tilak on his forehead, serene eyes and had a thick and long beard.  He also wore a scarf over his shoulders whose colour matched with that of his dhoti and carried a mat and a kundala in his hands.   Sukdeva was amazed to see the sage. 

“Wow!  I can recognise you only because I have been expecting you!  You look very much like a sage!” the King exclaimed gleefully. 

“Thank you, Maharaj!  I have come here to bid you adieu!  Please wish me success!”  The King embraced him and spoke lovingly, “May success come your way, Chaturbhuj!  I will pray for you!” 

Thereafter, Sukhdeva accompanied the minister till the palace gates.  Chaturbhuj bid him adieu, mounted a chariot which was specially arranged for him and the charioteer raced off to Narendra’s kingdom.