SATYAN 5
-10. The Generous Abharan

Sridhar’s thought-provoking ideas did have its impact on the duo.  Still, the sorrow of losing Vasudev was too much for them to bear.  Sridhar too was mourning inside his heart, but the only difference was that he did not allow his emotions to get the better of his sane thinking.  After a long time, Shiva and Hari did manage to get back their composure.  They decided to meet their friend.  Just then Bharadwaj came to meet them.

Meanwhile, Vasudev was spending time with Manorama in his chamber.  He continued making attempts to make her mentally strong over his slated departure.  After a while, she expressed her desire to tell him something to which he readily permitted. 

“I wanted to tell you this for a long time but could not do so under the fear of disgracing myself in your eyes.  However, the burden of hiding this fact from you is increasingly affecting me mentally of which I want to relieve myself.”  Looking at Vasudev straight in his eyes she confessed, “Initially Abharan declined to accept the responsibility of the kingdom leadership not only because he was disinterested in it but also because of something else!”  The Queen took a deep pause and was about to proceed when Vasudev interrupted, “There is no need for you to tell anything more!  I know about it!” 

Manorama looked at him bewildered!  Vasudev calmed Manorama and yet again gave her a testimony of his very sharp intellect which helped him learn this truth.

**When Manorama admitted before Vasudev that it was not in her nature to go against his wishes, she had also told him of apprising Bharadwaj of this fact.  Immediately thereafter she had faltered.  This gave Vasudev a feeling as if she unintentionally blurted out this fact which she otherwise would have never revealed before him.  Stranger was the fact that King Bharadwaj never touched upon his meeting with Manorama wherein she made this admission.  He wondered as to what was so secret about this meeting.  To get the answers, he summoned one of the guards who stood on vigil outside the Queen’s chamber.  He asked the guard if he had ever seen King Bharadwaj meet Manorama during his previous visit.  The guard responded affirmatively.  He told his King that he remembered Bharadwaj coming to meet the Queen in a very disturbed state of mind.  He could not tell Vasudev as to what happened in that meeting but maintained that even while leaving the old King appeared quite perturbed.  Shortly thereafter, Abharan was called over by the Queen. 

Vasudev instantly met Abharan and referred to the meeting that the guard had informed him.  He demanded to know the matter that was discussed in it.  True as he was to Vasudev’s principles whom he considered his mentor, Abharan had no option but to spill the beans!  Vasudev was both shocked and angry to see that his wife could stoop to such a level only to satiate her vested interests.  He came near Abharan and spoke with remorse, “My family has used you like a pawn in this matter!  You have been asked to desist from ascending the throne and then accept it in total disregard to your actual feelings.  I seek pardon on my family’s behalf!” 

Abharan joined his palms before his mentor.  “Please do not embarrass me, Maharaj!  What I wanted at that time is now immaterial!  The truth is that I have assumed this responsibility and my only aim now is to fulfill it to the best of my ability.  Nothing else matters to me now!” 

“You are truly a gem of a person!  You not only do not possess any lust for power but are also ready to compromise with your principles for the sake of others!  Despite promising the Queen that you shall never accept the throne, you broke that pledge only for the sake of my family’s happiness!  What a blessed soul you are, Abharan!  There is no need for you to mention about our meeting with anyone.  Should the Queen suspect that I know the truth and asks you about it, which I know will never happen, only then can you tell her about this meeting!”

Abharan agreed and attempted to touch the feet of the great King.  Vasudev thwarted his move and embraced him with an endearing smile. 

Much deliberation in this matter helped to calm Vasudev’s rising temper at his Queen’s infamous act.  After all, he knew that she did not suffer from any ignoble mindset.  She got unduly swayed by her motherly emotions and committed this blunder.  Considering it as a one-off aberration, Vasudev pardoned her offence in his mind.  He never raked up this matter with her for it was her wish that he never came to know about her mistake!  As for his King Bharadwaj, it was a fact that he literally compelled Abharan to agree to his plan.  However, all that Bharadwaj did was for the welfare and happiness of his family.  Thus, he decided to put this issue behind the back of his mind and only take the positivity of it with him which was the greatness of Abharan that shone in all its glory.  His heart puffed up with immense pride at the fact that he had chosen such a selfless soul to hold the reins of his kingdom. **

When Manorama heard all this, she was filled with great sorrow and remorse.  Even when she had committed such a sin, her Lord was giving so much importance to her wish!   She also found it incredible that despite knowing the truth he had managed to shower the same love and affection on her like before.  Not once had he made her feel that he was anguished by her actions!  She tucked herself in his arms and Vasudev lovingly moved his hand over her head.  “How can you be so generous and understanding all the time?  At times, I do get this feeling that you are not human!”

“I am sorry to disappoint you, my dear Queen, but the fact remains that I am human!”  Vasudev said in a lighter vein.  “Let us not underestimate what we humans can do!  As for me, I always think whether the next action that I am going to perform would please my Lord!  For this, I try to get rid of anger.  Once this is achieved our mind becomes very clear thus paving the way for sensible thinking.  Had I displayed any animosity towards you, would that have pleased him?”  Vasudev asked his Queen pointing skywards.  “Never!”  He continued, “He always wants us to spread the message of love, brotherhood and happiness!”