FIRM GOAL

In the war that ensured, as was expected, King Vikram had managed to defeat Kankaraj, thereby annexing his kingdom.  He had appointed one of his trusted ministers, Devarayya, as the official ruler of Magadha although he held the final authority in his hands.  Devarayya was only a puppet who had to act as per Vikram’s bidding.  He had very minimal powers to take independent decisions as a ruler.

King Vikram was very puzzled to see the mysterious disappearance of Queen Satyabhama.  The King had lost his wife after she had given birth to a boy and later, after her death he was invited to the swayamvar of Satyabhama.  He was so enraptured and smitten by her beauty that he could not resist his temptation to have her as his Queen even after she had chosen Kanakaraj as her Lord. 

It was no secret that the primary purpose behind King Vikram’s attack on Magadha was to defeat Kankaraj and acquire the Queen!  He knew that Kanakaraj was a great warrior, and it was not easy to defeat him in a fair battle.  Thus, he had sent his trusted sardars incognito to Magadha who secretly plotted against the King by offering exorbitant bribes to the army officials, thereby spreading disloyalty among the troops.  

Vikram made extensive search for Queen Satyabhama all over the kingdom, but all his attempts turned futile.

Meanwhile, Satyabhama’s father, King Prabhat, got the news of his daughter’s mysterious disappearance after the attack of Vikram.  Beseeched with anger he launched an attack on his kingdom!  This was despite the fact that some of his wise advisors implored him to desist from such a misadventure but to no avail! 

Prabhat, who loved his only daughter very dearly could not bear to see Vikram pulverizing Satyabhama’s happily married life which filled his heart with vengeance.  Ignoring the pleas of his well-wishers, he attacked Vikram’s kingdom of Sanghvi only to face defeat at the latter’s hands! 

After defeating Prabhat, Vikram asked the old King if he knew about his daughter’s whereabouts.  When he declined to say anything, Prabhat was taken as prisoner and his kingdom annexed by the vile Vikram!

At this time in the forest, Satyabhama developed plans to somehow inform her father about their place of hiding.  However, Vaidehi wisely cautioned the Queen to exercise restraint till Vikram’s interest in locating her did not die down.

Meanwhile, King Vikram paid a visit to Magadha where he was received warmly by Devarayya.  He also had his trusted minister Biswajeet with him.  The King wanted to spend some time in the kingdom he had recently annexed. 

Later during the day, Devarayya took him in his chariot and took a round in the interiors of the kingdom.  Vikram always derived immense satisfaction from being above one and all when people bowed before him as a mark of respect and acknowledged his supremacy as a ruler.  That day was no exception.  When people prostrated before him, he shook his head in admiration and twirled his moustache in vanity. 

As evening dawned, the rulers got ready to go hunting, which was Vikram’s favourite pastime.  The rulers armed themselves with bows and arrows and set out to the jungle with a few soldiers.