SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - Sage Ajanma Vindicated

“What she did is against her character, O Chitra!  It is that strong desire in her heart to see her son as the only ruler of this land which has made her do this.”  Bharadwaj inferred.

After a long while, Manorama arrived.  She informed them that she sought apology from Abharan and thereby urged him to accept the leadership of half of the kingdom as was proposed by her husband initially.  She told him that King Bharadwaj would somehow make Vasudev agree to this.  After much persuasion, Abharan had agreed!

Bharadwaj took a sign of relief and complimented Vasudev’s Queen for her efforts.  He then decided to wait till Sage Pradayumna arrived before making his next move.    

Vasudev implored Bharadwaj to prolong his stay in the palace till this imbroglio was not resolved.  The King agreed and then Vasudev sent his representative to Somnapur to inform Vasu about it.

Six days thereafter Sage Pradayumna came to the palace.  The sage was, in fact, looking more appealing now than during his younger days.  Everyone in the palace took his blessings and then they assembled in Vasudev’s chamber.  Their heart pounded as they waited in anticipation for the sage’s findings.

“I would like to tell you my experience in some detail before eventually concluding with my findings.  Initially, no matter how much I tried I could not find out anything about Rishabd’s future.  This baffled me as this has never happened to me in the past.  After careful consideration I realized the reason!  Until now whenever I saw the future it was for the benefit of others.  However, this time the jealousy that I had allowed to creep in my heart of someone else being able to see the future like me over-shadowed everything else.  Thus, the Almighty duly punished me for my culpability.  I somehow managed to weed out this evil quality and tried to look into the future with the sole aim of helping Rishabd and his family.  And lo!  I finally succeeded!”  The face of the sage took a discerning look as he continued, “I am sorry to say but Ajanma is right!  Rishabd would indeed go into a depression after your death, Vasudev.  I would not like to say as to when that would happen for that would mean I am revealing too much.  I can assure you that it is not going to happen in the immediate future, though.  I could not see whether the Prince would be in that state throughout his life.  As far as my vision went, I did find him completely depressed and losing interest in all worldly pleasures after your departure, Vasudev.”

 Bharadwaj, who had ensured that his Queen sat beside Manorama while he sat near Vasudev, gripped the latter’s hand in consolation.  Chitralekha put her hand around Manorama’s arms and asked her to maintain her calm.  Rishabd felt miserable seeing his parents in grief.  He knew that he was the cause of their sorrow but still could not muster the courage to give his father the required promise.  He sat helplessly watching his parents with painstaking eyes.  He looked at the floor with a heave of guilt overcoming him.  His mother wept silent tears.  Vasudev exhorted her to maintain her composure lest it affected her health.  He decided to take her into the inner chambers and make her rest awhile.  As he led her in, Rishabd followed suit.  Bharadwaj led Pradayumna to the palace garden where the sage collected some herbs and quickly made a mixture of those.  He, thereby, made Manorama imbibe it which made her go into a slumber after a while.  While Risbabd stayed with his mother, the others came to the main hall.  Soon thereafter the sage was led to the visiting chamber.  Pradayumna urged Vasudev to not unduly worry about this factor.  “…The Lord is there to protect you and your family.  Therefore, relax and make attempts to advise your son to accept reality.” 

Vasudev agreed. 

“I would like to meet Ajanma, Vasudev!  After all, it is because of him that I have managed to eliminate an evil quality in mine!” the sage expressed his desire.

“My men should be coming any moment now with information about him, O Sage!  Once that happens, all of us can go and meet him.”  Vasudev opined. 

The sage concurred smiling and then Vasudev returned to his chamber where Bharadwaj was waiting for him.  Chitralekha had also retired to her chambers leaving the King alone to converse with Vasudev.  The elderly King made his former minister sit beside him.  Bharadwaj told him about his conversation with Abharan.  “…O Satya, your initial desire to anoint both Abharan and Rishabd as joint rulers has now become my wish.  Your minister and Manorama have agreed to it.  Now it is your turn to reciprocate.”

Vasudev looked at him with reverence and spoke softly, “I understand that it is your love and affection towards me and my family which is making you do and say all this.  However, if ultimately Abharan must shoulder the complete responsibility of this kingdom, why not hand over the leadership to him alone?  Why should I make my son the King knowing fully well that he would not do justice to his duty in the future?” 

“Because Manorama desires so, Satya!  In your quest to always act as per moral principles and values, you should not end up being unfair to your wife!  Although she would not show it, Chitralekha has gauged the deep desire in her to see her son crowned as King.  As a mother, she is absolutely justified in her feelings which you should respect.  Just like you strive for the happiness of your subjects, you should do the same for her as well.  Manorama cannot bear to see her son deprived of the throne.  Should this happen, it may not only stain your relations with her but may also hamper her health adversely.”    

“Maharaj, I realized on that day when I told Manorama about Ajanmaji’s prediction as to how she was craving inside her heart to have Rishabd crowned King.  She had angrily asked me whether I would again think about making Abharan the ruler of this kingdom just because Ajanmaji has predicted his future to be without any glitches.  It dawned on me that she was agreeing to my proposal of crowning both Abharan and Rishabd as Kings only to please me.  I never touched upon this topic with her for I did not want to put her in any uncomfortable position.  Being a father myself, I respect her feelings.  However, as a ruler I cannot adhere to it.”  Meeting the King’s eyes, he continued, “You are right, Maharaj when you say that it is my duty to keep my wife happy.  However, if in that process I have to satiate such desires of her which are not concurrent with moral ethos and principles then my hands are tied up!  I can, at best, try to make her see the reason behind my decision beyond which I am helpless.”

Vasudev breathed hard and continued, “As a father, even I desire to see my son crowned King.”  He paused in grief and then continued, “…. However, I cannot ignore the predictions of his future which a reputed sage like Pradayumna has now confirmed.  You are aware that I even told Rishabd of ignoring all this if he promises me to do his duty as a ruler, come what may in his personal life.  He is yet to respond positively to that.”

 “Satya, I am not saying that you are in the wrong.  However, the fact remains that I am not in the wrong as well!  I am concerned about the ramifications your possible decision of not making Rishabd the ruler could have in your married life.  Thus, I do not want to argue in this matter any further.  If you hold any respect or regard for me, then you will grant me my wish!”    So saying, Bharadwaj trooped out of the chamber. 

Vasudev did not know how to react for some moments.  He slowly crouched down on a seat and covered his face with his hands.  Circumstances were getting harsh on him.  Still, in his mind he was undaunted.  He decided not to veer from his virtuous path even in these trying moments.  He got up and walked to the inner chamber where he found Manorama fast asleep and Rishabd staring blankly at the floor.  The Prince could hear some muffled voices in the main hall which he could not comprehend.  However, he got the feeling that he was the core of discussion.   Seeing his father, he stood up with a start.  Vasudev asked him to relax and told him that he had to go the Durbar where his people would be waiting for him.  He wanted his son to continue to be by the side of his mother. 

As the King moved out, he felt a warm touch on his right arm.  He looked behind and saw Rishabd looking at him with remorseful eyes.  “I am sorry, father!  I am still trying!”