SATYAN3
-7. The Painful Separation

After a brief conversation, the friends got up to leave. They hugged Vasudev and allowed their tears to flow as they could no longer repress them. “We will miss you, dear friend!” They said in distress.
“Me too!” Vasudev mumbled holding them tightly in his arms. “Promise me that you shall never again swerve from the path of righteousness.”
“We promise!” the friends assured him and departed. Vasudev looked at his friends leave from the window till the time they disappeared from his sight. He prayed to the Lord to be with his friends and always guide them in the proper direction.
Later, on request, Vasudev got a chance to meet Udhyog in the ashram where he was getting education. He was keeping a regular tab on the boy’s progress who was faring quite well in his studies. The once little child was now gradually becoming a young man. His broad forehead, long eyebrows, expressive eyes, curly hairs were features that resembled with his father. He had a fair complexion that gave him a personable look. As Udhyog tried to touch the feet of Vasudev, the latter stopped him mid-way and hugged him.
“My blessings are always with you, my child!” He told the boy with compassion.
Thereby, Vasudev filled him in about his future plans that terribly upset the boy.
“This is how life is! Nobody stays anywhere permanently. For me, this is not only a call of duty but also the desire of my Maharaj which I must respect. I want you to promise me that you shall always make attempts to lead a life of dignity like your parents. You must be proud of your father who is now leading a reformed life. He has learnt from his mistakes which is the hallmark of a great human being. You may be aware that he has now been released from jail and is now looking after the family business alongwith your mother.”
“I know, uncle.  I promise to always follow your advice!”
Vasudev smiled in appreciation. He spent some time with Udhyog and then took his leave. Udhyog stood his ground and watched his dear uncle till he faded away from his eyes. He then turned around and slowly made his way to the ashram.
Later during the night, Vasudev along with Manorama went to Hari’s residence who had invited them for dinner. They had a hearty meal and then Vasudev spent some moments with Hari where the friends had a reminiscence of some of their past events. Manorama spoke with Hari’s wife Vasanti and the two soon discovered that they were enjoying each other’s company! Hari was in tears when his bosom friend got up to leave. Vasudev could not do much to pacify Hari for he himself was in a distraught state of mind. “Be in touch with Shiva and Sridhar. Ensure that they lead a dignified life like you!” Vasudev appealed to his friend. Hari agreed.
The next morning after he had got ready to leave for Chandrapur, Vasudev went to the King’s chambers followed by Manorama. On not finding the King in the main hall of his chamber, they went to the inner chamber where they found him seated on a bed and vacantly staring at the floor. “Maharaj!” Vasudev called out to him. Bharadwaj looked at him and his blank expression suddenly changed into a smile. He immediately got up from the bed to welcome his adorable minister. They hugged each other for a long time without speaking a word under the fear of losing their emotions if they did so. Thereafter, Vasudev tried to touch the King’s feet who stopped him from doing so mid-way and then embraced him. Thereby, Vasudev folded his palms before Bharadwaj and spoke softly, “O King! I have come to seek your permission!”
The King touched his folded palms gently and sighed, “I know the time has come!” Taking a deep breath, he continued, “O Satya! Rule your kingdom justly and make us proud!”
Vasudev nodded in agreement. Bharadwaj turned towards Manorama who stood beside her husband silently. “O Manorama! Please look after my Satyan! He is now your responsibility. Sometimes he gets so engrossed in catering to the needs of his people that he forgets to take care of himself.”
“Please do not worry about him, O King!  I am there for him!” Manorama affirmed.
Just then the Queen entered the chamber. She wished Vasudev and spoke words of encouragement with him and his wife. Thereby, all of them came out of the palace where King Dharmaraja’s chariot stood waiting for them. A large crowd had also assembled near the palace gates to bid their beloved minister adieu.
As soon as the people saw him, chants like “Maharaj Vasudev Ki Jai!” rent the air! Bharadwaj liked his subjects referring Vasudev in this manner which gave some happiness to his sober heart. Vasudev’s friends waved out to him from the crowd who responded similarly. Sage Amulya who stood beside King Dharmaraja near the chariot came forward and wished Vasudev success in his upcoming task. Vasudev thanked him and then took his blessings followed by Manorama. Dharmaraja spend some time with Bharadwaj where he thanked his son-in-law for agreeing to his proposal. Thereby, he alongwith Vasudev and Manorama mounted the chariot. As the carriage began to move slowly, Vasudev fixed his gaze on the King and his friends. He felt as if he was moving away from some much-prized possessions of his life. The chariot gradually gained momentum which soon deprived Vasudev the sight of his King and friends. He closed his eyes tightly unable to bear the agony of the crust of emotions that was brewing inside him. Understanding his state of mind, Manorama asked him to be seated and then made his head rest on her lap. Dharmaraja sat beside Vasudev and tried to pacify him, “O Satyan! I can understand your feelings! But then the fact remains that if we meet, we have to part ways someday. When I first aspired to make you the King of my kingdom, there was also a feeling of guilt within me that I would be the cause of your separation from Bharadwaj, should things happen as I desired. However, since I had a good reason behind my decision, I somehow managed to stem this feeling in my heart. But then, should you continue to be in such melancholy then that guilty feeling would start troubling me, dear! Why don’t you divert your mind elsewhere that may give you some peace of mind?”
Vasudev agreed to the suggestion of the King and fixed his mind on Lord Krishna which assuaged his mental distress to some extent.
Meanwhile, in Somnapur it was not only King Bharadwaj but the entire kingdom which was plunged in gloom at the departure of Vasudev to Chandrapur. Although the King had Chitralekha by his side to give him moral support, the thought of Vasudev constantly came to his mind that made him heartrending. Bharadwaj had never felt so downcast and dispirited ever since the death of his parents. His friend Dyanchand regularly visited him just to be by his side at this juncture.
King Dharmaraja’s chariot reached his palace in Chandrapur the next morning. Queen Satyaki welcomed the King and the young couple was escorted to a very spacious chamber where they were to reside till the time Vasudev stepped into the shoes of Dharmaraja.