SATYAN 2
-6. Yet Another Competetion

Sridhar and Shiva stood hanging their heads down in shame.  “Disgusting!” Vasudev beamed in anger.  “You have completely let me down.”  He took the three of them to the King and told him all that had happened.  Bharadwaj was aghast to hear the machination of the duo.  He wanted to utter some harsh words in his anger but then exercised restraint owing to Vasudev’s presence in the chamber.  “I want to consult my council of ministers before deciding upon their punishment, Satyan.  Till that time, they will be kept in the dungeon.”  The King could see the anguish in the eyes of Vasudev as he pronounced his decision but then he was helpless.   When someone had wronged, it was his duty as a ruler to punish that person without any discrimination and he was certain that Vasudev, even at this moment of poignant sorrow, would appreciate his impartial attitude in this case.

Later in the evening, the King met his ministers and councilors that included Vasudev, where it was decided that Sridhar and Shiva would hereafter not be allowed to continue in their respective professions apart from undergoing three years imprisonment.  Both the friends broke down as the King proclaimed his judgment.  Vasudev pursed his lips barely managing to sustain his gushing emotions. 

Neelkant, who was shocked at these developments, proposed to hold a contest between Mandhavi – the runner-up in the finals – and Mukund.  The King decided to inform Madhav about Neelkant’s decision the following day. 

Later, the King went to meet Vasudev in his cottage who, at that time, was standing before his idol of Lord Krishna which he had kept on a raised wooden platform.  The King stood behind his young minister and waited patiently till the time he had finished his prayers.  As Vasudev turned, he saw the King and immediately greeted him by folding his palms.  Bharadwaj could see that the eyes of Vasudev were wet with tears.  He tightly clasped Vasudev’s hands and spoke softly, “I am sorry, Satyan!  I know what you must be undergoing at this moment.  I must say that I am proud of you!  You could have so well concealed this truth to save your friends but you did not do so.  You knew that your friends could be severely punished for their culpability and the sorrow that this would cause you.  Still, you came out with the truth which shows the remarkable sense of moral rectitude in you.  O Satya!  I cannot bear to see you in this condition.”  So saying, he held Vasudev close to his heart.  “Shed off your sorrow!”  Tears now rolled down freely from the eyes of Vasudev.   As he wept, Bharadwaj moved his hand tenderly over his head.  “I am vexed because my friends wrought their own downfall by their folly.   Their life is ruined, O Maharaj!  Just when I felt that everything is fine with them, this happened!”  Vasudev moaned. 

“Everything is the will of fate, Satyan!  Perhaps something good would come out of this!  What else can we hope for?”  the King consoled his minister.

“I did not tell you about the conversation I had with Shiva that evening, Maharaj.  I did not want to bring disrepute to his name and I also felt that after I refused his request, the matter was settled.  How was I to know that he would do all this?” 

The King nodded his head in agreement. 

Bharadwaj did not leave the chamber till the time Vasudev regained his composure.  Vasudev thanked the King for his visit and the emotional support which he had lent him all this while.  Later, Queen Chitralekha also visited him and extolled him for coming out with the facts in this case. 

The next day when Mukund was informed about all that had happened, his eyes glinted with tears.  He had reposed such faith in his friend only to learn that Shiva had betrayed him to win a competition!  He flatly refused Neelkant’s offer for yet another competition with the runner-up contestant Mandhavi for he had lost all interest in this contest.  However, Vasudev spoke with him and managed to change his mind.  It was decided that in a week’s time there would be a competition held between Mukund and Mandhavi. 

Later, Hari met Vasudev and expressed shock at the turn of events.  Thereby, both of them met the other friends in jail.  Sridhar and Shiva were a picture of remorse and begged Vasudev to pardon them.  Initially Shiva was incensed at Vasudev for taking up this matter with the King.  But then, with the passage of time and some admonition by Sridhar, it dawned on him that Vasudev disclosed this matter to the King not because of any acrimony which he possessed towards them but only to uphold justice and the path of virtue which he had pledged to adopt ever since his idol of Lord Krishna deserted him. 

A week later in the royal hall, everyone were treated to yet another singing extravaganza between Mukund and Mandhavi.  This time, the young girl showed no signs of nervousness and sung with great confidence and determination which clearly showed that she did not want to miss upon another opportunity for proving her mettle.  However, Mukund, too, lived up to the task and gave a riveting performance.  Neelkant did not make their task any easier by making them sing in the most difficult of ragas.  Finally, unable to decide who the better was, Neelkant proclaimed both of them as winners!  Queen Chitralekha was ecstatic to see Mandhavi win and hugged her.  Vasudev was not only happy at the result but also because justice was finally done!  More than seeing the euphoria in the hall over the verdict of Neelkant, King Bharadwaj was pleased to see a smile on Vasudev’s face after a long time.

(To Continue)