SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - Happiness Galore!

Prince Vasu tried to assuage the King’s apprehensions to the best of his ability where he assured him of taking great care of his daughter and providing her with all the happiness that she desired for.  He concluded with the words, “…O King, if the moment of parting ways with Pallavi ever arrives you can be certain that I have embraced death.”

Somaiya looked straight into the eyes of the Prince which reflected the sincerity and genuineness of his statement.  Vasu, thereby, took his leave.

As dusk was setting in, both King Bharadwaj and his son got ready to go to the Durbar to listen to the grievances of the people.  At that instance Somaiya entered his chambers.  As all of them stared at him, he declared, “I am ready for this marriage!”  The air of uncertainty and tautness was soon substituted with elation and joy!  All of them thanked King Somaiya for his decision.  Vasudev thanked his Lord for this happy moment.  Bharadwaj and the Prince hugged Vasudev.  Yet again this noble soul had come to the rescue of his beloved King and family!

That very night with the help of a priest it was decided that Prince Vasu would be engaged to Pallavi in a month’s time and the marriage date would be fixed after this occasion.  The next day, Bharadwaj promulgated this to his people who celebrated it by distributing sweets, decorating the streets with flowers and spraying fragrance that was a propitious harbinger of the upcoming occasion.

Before Somaiya left, the Prince had a question for him, “Maharaj, would Dushantha agree to this marriage?”

The King smiled and replied, “He was not agreeable until now after learning your past.  Do not worry, O Prince!  Agreed that my son is intemperate, but I know him better than anyone else.  He will not go against his father’s wishes.”

After Somaiya had left Vasudev met his friends and spend some happy moments with them.  He was elated to learn that Hari’s drawings were fetching quite a good sum from his customers which had made him financially sound.  He also met others who were close to him like Manorama’s father Amulya, Dyanchand and Udhyog all of whom were making good progress in life.  He felt delighted to learn that Udhyog was not only managing his father’s business but had also opened a subsidiary in another part of the kingdom.  Besides, there was also an addition to the family in the form of a female child!

Sage Amulya was very relieved to learn that his daughter was showing great signs of improvement under the treatment of Sage Pradayumna.  He also paid a visit to the Laxmi-Narayan temple where he had the darshan of his idol of Lord Krishna.  

Soon, Vasudev took his leave and left for his kingdom.  He gifted a golden chain and ring to his charioteer, Varuna, who thanked him effusively.  After reaching Chandrapur Vasudev broke the happy news to Manorama who was delighted to hear about it.  “I told you that there is nothing to worry about!”  She reminded him.  Vasudev agreed and hugged her endearingly.

A few days passed by.  One afternoon Sage Badrinath visited Vasudev who received him with veneration and escorted him to his chambers.  After they were seated, the sage opined, “O Maharaj, I am sure that this visit of mine would help to dispel any misconceptions among the people about any stain in our relationship.”

Vasudev agreed.  Looking at the King, the sage smiled and further spoke up, “You are indeed a great soul, O Vasudev!  I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to come across a gem of a human being like you!”

These compliments took Vasudev by surprise.  As he looked at the sage perplexed, Badrinath expounded, “Even after my brother Chakrabandhava did such gross injustice to your friend, Shiva, you extended your hand of friendship to him.  This speaks volumes of your chastity and magnanimity.

That day when you told me that you had taken my brother to a nearby spot where a deer lay dead, I wondered as to why you had thought it necessary to take him alongwith you.  It did not take a long time for me to realize that you did not want me to know the actual reason behind your move.  I did not want to take undue advantage of your honesty and compel you to tell me the truth.  Therefore, I exercised restraint.”  These words of the sage instantly brought memories of King Somaiya to Vasudev who had precisely done the opposite!  The sage continued, “Later I touched upon this topic with my brother and learnt everything from him.”

Vasudev folded his palms before him, “O Sage!  I hope that you do not possess any hostility towards your brother.”

The sage smiled and responded, “O Vasudev, you are an epitome of love, equanimity and amity.  After coming in close contact with such a pure and blemish less soul, how can I get angry or hate anyone?  I have forgiven him.”

Vasudev was pleased to hear this.

“I want to state something else.  Recently I came across a little girl who has been rendered an orphan.  I found her begging on the streets.  I have decided to take her as my student!”

Vasudev was delighted to hear these words.  He thanked the sage for his decision and offered, “O revered one, I would be only obliged if you can open an ashram in my kingdom.”

“Certainly, O King!  It would be both my honour and privilege to begin an ashram in your kingdom.  What you said that day should have been an eye-opener but still my self-esteem did not allow me to change my parochial attitude.  However, now I have decided to shun my ego and follow the righteous path just like you always do!”