QUEST FOR JUSTICE
-7. Victory At Last!

Some of the King’s ministers who came out of the palace saw Shubam sitting under a tree.  When they asked him, Shubam told them that he was undergoing a fast till the time the King does not meet his demands.  He also told them that the King was aware that he was sitting there.  One of the ministers even went up to the King to discuss in this regard.  However, King Rajneesh only said, “That’s okay!  I will take care of that boy!  Leave him alone!”  The King abstained from discussing about Shubam’s demands with his minister.  What Sage Sadanand had told Shubam about him was going on in his mind and he wanted to decide on this matter by himself.   After much thinking, Rajneesh called over Shubam to his chamber in the afternoon.  “Look, Shubam!  I will agree to your first two demands with some slight alteration.  In the first instance, I will allow you and your villagers to take water from that pond like you used to do earlier, that is, daily in the afternoon.  I agree to your second demand completely.  However, I do not want to commit myself to your third demand.  This discrimination between Brahmins and Sudras has been going on for ages and I cannot change that all of a sudden.  Besides, if I give equal rights to the people of your community, the Brahmins will go against me and there will be utter chaos and disharmony in my kingdom that I do not want.  Although you did not demand this, I will also announce that there is no need for you to leave your village, like the Panchayat had decided, and can stay back.  Now I want you to break your fast and go back to your village.  I will make my decision known to your Panchayat.” 

Shubam did not respond.  He stood there for a few moments and shaking his head in the negative took his leave.  The King, at once, realised that Shubam was not satisfied with his decision.

Six days passed by.  Shubam continued his hunger strike which was now having it’s toll on his health.  He felt so weak that he could barely stand and walk.  King Rajneesh could not bear to see this young boy dying in front of his own eyes.  Finally after much thought in isolation, he himself came to meet the lad on the night of the sixth day of his fast and made known his decision, “Shubam!  I have decided to agree to your first two decisions, as you want.  Besides, there will also be wells dug out in your village so that you need not always come all the way to that pond for taking water.  As I have already told you, I will allow you to go back to your village.  However, your third demand needs more consideration, Shubam!  Mind you!  I am not saying that I will not abide by it as I had said earlier.  I will slowly implement some steps that would fulfill your third wish.  But I cannot do it instantly.  It will take some time.  Since I have catered to your other wants, you must believe me when I say that with time I will also meet your final one.”  Shubam agreed.  Thereby, the King took him to the palace and asked him to break his fast.  Shubam took a juice and even ate some fruits.  Rajneesh asked him to take rest in the palace and escorted him to a chamber.  However, Shubam preferred to sleep on his mat, which he spread over on the floor.  He was quite relieved that night and slept peacefully.  The very fact that the King had offered him to sleep in the palace was enough indication for Shubam that he would meet his third demand in the future.

The next day, the King announced all that he had told Shubam through his drummer.  He, however, restrained from making Shubam’s third promise public and once again assured him that he would look into it.  The boy thanked the King and left for his village. 

As soon as his villagers saw Shubam, they lifted him up shouting slogans of victory and danced around him.  Shubam was surprised to see this.  These villagers who had refused to even support him were now treating him like a hero!  However, he kept quiet and let the villagers do as they wished.  Later, Shubam was informed that yesterday some Brahmins alongwith some sturdy men had launched an extensive search for him in the village.  On not finding him, they had issued a stern warning that whoever provided him with succor would be dealt with severely.

From that day onwards, the Sudras used the village pond at any time they wanted during the day.  The Brahmins were, no doubt, furious at this but did not have the nerve to protest for they did not want to go against the King’s orders.  The owners of the houses where Shubam used to work as a servant agreed to continue rendering his services.  They did not tell him anything for he did not come to work for the past few days. They feared that he would again raise in protest that may land them in trouble!

A few days passed by.  One day, a rich merchant who was dealing with selling ornaments paid a visit to King Rajneesh.  After they were comfortably seated, the merchant told the King about the purpose of his visit.  “Maharaj, the Lord Mahavishnu temple which I was building has now been completed.  The day after tomorrow is an auspicious day, which is when I intend to open the doors of the temple for the people.  I would be obliged if you come and inaugurate the temple on this day.” 

The King was pleased to hear these words of the merchant and gladly accepted his invitation.   Later, after the merchant had left, an idea struck the King.  He personally went to meet him and spoke his mind, “Gopinathji, I want to tell you something and will be gratified if you accede to it.” 

“Oh, Maharaj!  Your wish is my command.  You say it and it will be done!”  the merchant assured him.  Rajneesh began.