FIRM GOAL

Queen Satyabahama was aghast hearing this news.  Kanakaraj comforted her by asserting that he would win the war. 

Exactly, as the spies had informed, within a couple of hours, Vikram and his army launched a dreaded attack on the kingdom of Magadha. 

Though Kanakaraj fought valiantly, to his horror he realized that his army chief Abhijit and many of his army sardars were not offering much resistance to the enemy onslaught!  This aroused his suspicions, and he was now certain that Vikram might have hatched a conspiracy to defeat him by bribing his army and able army officials including the chief. 

This realization dismayed the King, but he still did not give up.  He decided to fight till the last breath of his life.  During his fight, the King had a chance to meet one of his trusted ministers, Gopinath. 

“You are aware of the deplorable intentions of Vikram if he wins this war!  Quickly go to the palace and guide Satyabhama, her maid Vaidehi and my son to the secret passage in my apartment before it’s too late!”

Vaidehi was the Queen’s maid right from her childhood who always took great care of all her needs.  They had grown so close to each other that the Queen even shared her personal moments with Vaidehi. 

Witnessing this bond, Satyabhama’s parents had decided that it was best that Vaidehi accompanied their daughter to Magadha after her marriage to Kanakaraj to which the King had agreed.

Although Gopinath did not have the heart to leave his King at this critical juncture, he grasped what the latter was trying to say.  He managed to safely move inside the palace and hurried to the Queen’s apartments. 

Gopinath found the Queen apprehensive and her little son, Amritraj, was watching the losing battle of his father from the window.  The child knew that his father’s life was in danger. 

As soon as he saw the minister, he rushed at him with tears rolling down his cheeks.  “Father needs help!” he cried aloud. 

Queen Satyabhama called over the weeping Amritraj to her and asked him to repose trust in the Almighty.  She exhorted him to not shed tears and support his mother by being brave in these trying times.   Gopinath thereby acquainted her of the King’s orders and concluded with the words, “…O Queen, please do not deny the King’s orders for there is no other option.” 

Satyabhama slightly gave a nod in the affirmative after thinking awhile.  Her emotions choked her throat, but she managed to show restraint for the sake of her son.  Vaidehi was quickly called for and she was apprised of the developments.  Looking at Satyabhama, the maid could easily realize her state of mind. 

Vaidehi gently thrusted her hand on the Queen’s head.  Satyabhama looked at her, pursed her lips and slightly shook her head in dismay. 

Soon, the trio made their way to the King’s chambers.  The maid was carrying the little Prince in her arms.  Gopinath had no difficulty in tracing the tile on the floor that had to be pushed aside to enter the passage. 

While all the other tiles on the floor were closely attached to each other, this tile had a very minute partition with the adjacent tile. 

The loyal minister moved this tile and there lay a passage inside which was pit dark.  With the help of a ladder that was attached just beside the entrance, the three of them climbed down. 

Vaidehi was very watchful in her moves as she had the prince in her arms.  After they had got down, Gopinath asked Vaidehi to quickly push over the tile with the help of a hook that was affixed beneath it.     

“Just go ahead and you shall find a Mashaal!” Gopinath informed them.

As Vaidehi closed the lid, they found Gopinath bidding them adieu and that was the last they saw of him.  They were now surrounded by darkness and had to make careful yet swift steps to quickly come out of the passage. 

As they moved carefully, just as the loyal minister had pointed out, there was a Mashaal kept attached to the wall by a cliff.  The Queen picked it up and led the way while the maid who was carrying the prince followed close behind.

Throughout the journey Amritraj showed remarkable obedience towards his mother.  After she had asked him to stop crying, he had not shed a tear and maintained silence. 

On the other hand, the Queen was very worried about her Lord.  What fate would have awaited him?  Her heart pounded as this thought crossed her mind.  She prayed to God for ensuring his safety.