SYNOPSIS- Culprit Exposed
Mythology Moral Stories - The Dreaded Conspiracy - 18
Story so far:
Raghunathan proposed the name of Biksham to be his son's guru that the Queen promptly accepted. Biksham accepted the responsibility. The King had specifically selected him for Biksham was his most trusted minister and having an adept knowledge in the field of warfare. Besides, he also possessed sound administrative skills. For the next twelve years, his son Vijaya took education under the minister.
A discerning event which occured in this period was the successful suicide bid by Vikrant in his cell. While asking the guard to call the King, he had set the cell and himself on fire with the mashaal
After Vijaya's education was complete, Biksham put him to a test in front of his parents.
The Prince had to protect a green flag from being felled by the minister with his arrows. Vijaya had to presume that the flag meant everything to him - wealth, subjects and pride. The test began and continued for some time. On one occasion, Vijaya broke the string of his guru. The Queen felt that the battle was now over but Raghunathan was not so sure!
In this chapter 'Culprit Exposed': Biksham tied the string of the bow with remarkable speed and continued with the fight, just as Raghunathan had expected.
Eventually, the test ended where Vijaya won as his guru was not able to fell the green flag. When Biksham asked him if it was only to show his prowess that the Prince had won the fight, he replied that it was for his subjects and wealth which he could utilize for the benefit of his people, that he was determined to win the contest. Both the parents were pleased at their son's response. It was evident that Vijaya had imbibed good qualities from his education and would prove to be an able administrator in the future.
In the evening, Raghunathan called a Durbar for two reasons. What were they?
Read the interesting Part 19 of this story to find out!
THE DREADED CONSPIRACY
18. Culprit Exposed!
Biksham did not disappoint the King! With remarkable swiftness, he tied the string of his bow!
Then, he quickly dispatched an arrow, which broke the shaft of Vijaya’s approaching arrow that was aimed at breaking his bow!
Vijaya admired the acuity displayed by his guru in his mind. The Queen could not believe what she saw! At that moment, she realised as to why the King had choosen Biksham as Vijaya’s guru.
Raghunathan looked at Biksham smiling even as the battle continued. Finally, Biksham took the final arrow in his quiver and fixed it in his bow. He glanced at his pupil, took aim at the green flag of Vijaya’s chariot and pulled the string! Vijaya, too, took his last arrow and let it go! Both the arrows collided in mid-air and fell to the ground broken in pieces!
The battle had come to an end! Vijaya had won the contest as he had successfully defended his green flag from being felled to the ground!
The King and the Queen cheered their son’s victory and hugged him. “Very well done, Vijaya!” Biksham complimented his pupil, “I am proud of you! You were very determined to win this contest!
Was that determination only to show off your capability and prowess to your parents or was it for something else?”
Vijaya smiled at his guru and answered with reverence, “O Guruji, you had told me that for this contest, I should consider myself as the King! You said that the green flag represented my subjects and wealth.
For a King, what is more dearer than protecting his subjects and preserving wealth so that he can utilise them for their welfare? Any enemy who poses a threat to these two invaluable entities should be dealt with sternly by the King.
Or else he has no right to be the ruler of the kingdom! Of course, I wanted to prove myself to my parents but more than that I thought from this perspective which gave me the determination to win the contest.”
These words of wisdom pleased Vijaya’s parents and his guru. Biksham blessed him and then the King and the Queen escorted their son inside the palace.
After Vijaya was given a royal welcome and made to wear his princely robes, the King and the Queen sat with him and asked him to narrate all that he had learnt under Biksham.
Thereby, Raghunathan asked his son, “Did not your guru ask for any gurudakshina?”
“I did talk to him about it, father! However, he told me that he would ask me about it at a later date! I do not think that he ever will!” Vijaya groused.
“That’s because he does not expect anything in return, my child! You should be proud of your guru!” exclaimed the Queen in delight. The King only smiled at Vijaya.
Later, Raghunathan announced that he was holding a Durbar in the evening where all his ministers and subjects, especially those who belonged to Rameshwaram, which was a territory of his kingdom, were asked to attend.
Till evening, the parents spend time with Vijaya. Padmavati was all praises for the King for opting Biksham to be their son’s guru.
In the evening, all the ministers and the subjects of Rameshwaram assembled in the Durbar. In a short while, all of them stood up when it was announced that the King was arriving in the durbar alongwith his son and Biksham.
Padmavati arrived in the upper chamber of the durbar and took her seat watching all the proceedings below.
After climbing the stairs, which led to two majestic thrones that were sparkling in gold, the King addressed everyone, “Today is one of the happiest days of my life! My son, Vijaya, has completed his education under Biksham.”
Raghunathan looked at Biksham and asked him to come near him. “Biksham, you have done a very good job! I want to offer you a gift which is one of the two reasons as to why I called this Durbar!” He, then, looked at the people and promulgated,
“If Rameshwaram is on the road of prosperity today, the credit for this goes to Biksham! He was the one who took the initiative to build pucca roads, dharmashalas, dispensaries and beautified the place with parks that is now being used not only for recreation purposes but also by learned men for educating children.
Thus, on this occasion I have decided to gift Rameshwaram to Biksham. In other words, I proclaim Biksham as the King of Rameshwaram!”
The entire Durbar hailed this decision of the King including the Queen and Vijaya.
Biksham bowed low before the King, “O Maharaj! I feel honoured!”
Raghunathan smiled at him. After all the excitement over the King’s announcement died down the durbar fell silent. Everyone could see that the cheerful expression on the King’s face had suddenly turned into a very grim look.
Raghunathan spoke in his deep voice, “I now come to the second reason for which I have called this Durbar.” He gave a pause and then continued, “Let me tell you some more achievements of Biksham so that the veneration you have for him in your heart would rise!”
As everyone listened intently, Raghunathan intoned, “Your King tried to kill my son!” The look which the King gave Biksham after making this startling allegation had both rage and grief in it which sent a shiver down the spine of the minister.
This statement sent a shock wave among all those present in the durbar. The Queen and the Prince could not believe what the King had just said. Raghunathan came near Biksham and growled, “Am I speaking the truth?” Biksham could not utter a word and looked at the ground with his eyes clearly expressing fear!
(To Continue)
