SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - New Impediment

Regaining his composure, Vasudev spoke with reverence, “No, O Sage!  I am, in fact, grateful that you told me about your discovery.  Can we utilize your information for my son’s benefit?  I mean, like preparing him for my impending death so that his trauma is minimized when it happens.  Would that make any difference?”

“That is hard to say, Maharaj.”  The sage confessed.

 Vasudev was much dismayed to hear all this.  After some thinking he addressed the sage, “Tomorrow I have called a durbar where I now intend to put forward your discovery before everyone.  Let us see if some good suggestions come out from my ministers and the people that would help us come out of this impasse.  O Sage, I would be obliged if you can come to the Durbar.”

The sage declined the offer with the words, “Maharaj, I have told you all that I wanted to.  My job is done!  How you shall interpret my findings and act upon it is entirely your wish.  I may be kindly excused from being involved in any future course of action which you may take in this regard.”

 Vasudev agreed without much resistance as he did not want to displease him.  As the sage got up to leave, the King posed a question to him, “Please do not mind my asking, O Sage.  I have never seen you before.  Do you belong to Chandrapur?”

That impressive smile was back on the sage’s lips.  “Maharaj, we have met before.  Of course, you are not to blame if you do not remember me.  After all, you meet so many people in your hectic life.  You are certainly not expected to remember everyone you meet!”

“In that case, I offer my sincere apologies!”  Vasudev expressed his regret. 

“As I said, it does not matter!”  The sage paused and continued, “I have spent one of the most eventful days of my life taking education under my guru, Muneshwar, at Avantipur.   Thus, I consider Avantipur as my place of origin.”    The sage thereby took his leave.

Much anguished at the turn of events, Vasudev met Manorama and informed her about all that had happened.  For the first time, he could observe an element of frustration and anger in her face.  “Who is this Ajanma?” she thundered.  “If he can foresee the future, then he has to be a sage of great repute.   Then how is it that we have never heard of him?”

Vasudev came near her and put his hand on her head.  “Calm down, my dear wife!  Calm down!”

Manorama continued as if she had not heard him, “I think this is unfair, Maharaj!  In this manner anybody can come and say anything about our son.  Do we believe in all of them?  Can we deprive our son to be a ruler only because of some unforeseen future event?  Does this mean that you would yet again think about making Abharan the ruler of this kingdom just because Ajanma predicts his future to be without any glitches?  Ultimately what if the sage is wrong?”

“Calm down, O Manorama!  Let us sit and think over this.  Losing your temper is not going to provide us with any solution!  As far as Abharan is concerned, he has declined my proposal.  Thus, when he is not interested, there is no point in me persuading him any further in this matter.”  Vasudev averred. 

Manorama closed her eyes tightly and wet her lips.  “I am sorry, Maharaj!” she apologized.    “Why don’t we ask King Bharadwaj whether he has heard about the sage?”

“We will, Manorama!  However, both he and the Queen may have just woken up after their afternoon slumber.  Let them freshen up and we will do that!  You just relax and stay calm!”  Vasudev insisted.

Manorama agreed.

In a short while, both Bharadwaj and Chitralekha joined them.   Vasudev told them about the recent developments. Even they had not heard anything about the sage before.  They, too, seemed to concur with Manorama’s views.    However, they knew that like in all other instances Vasudev would, even in this case, act in accordance with Dharma.   Thinking in this line, Bharadwaj offered a suggestion, “Satyan, to the best of my knowledge it is only Sage Pradayumna who can see the future.  Thus, why not verify these facts with him?  Also, if what Anjanma says is true it shows the intense love Rishabd has for you.  Thus, you would be the best person to speak with your son in this regard and learn his mind.  If need be, you can make him realize the fact that death, although a poignant happening, is inevitable.”

Vasudev smiled and thanked the King for his valuable advice.   He decided to set out to meet Pradayumna on the morrow and postpone the Durbar meeting to a later date.  Bharadwaj also wanted to dispatch some delegates to Avantipur for finding out more about Ajanma and his guru.  Vasudev was reluctant to accept this suggestion.  “The sage has given me as much information about himself which he deemed fit I should know.  Thus, if we try to learn more about him through external factors, it may go against his wishes.”  He opined.

“That’s what we need to find out, Satya!  What are the things he is trying to hide from us and why?”  Bharadwaj countered.

Seeing the others support the King’s views, Vasudev finally relented.  He called for his trusted aides and apprised them about their mission.  They were to report back to him in a week’s time.

 Rishabd had been on his regular round in the kingdom to learn whether everything was fine with his people.  He returned late in the evening and after having dinner met his father and updated him about the outcome of his visit.  Satisfied at the positive results, Vasudev made his son sit beside him.  Thereby, he slowly touched upon his conversation with Sage Ajanma.