CHAPTER 49: Proposal of Chandrashekar

As the flying hero realized these actualities, he admired the vision and vast perception of the sage.   

Certain that the threat to Ravichandran’s life had completely dissipated, Aryaman decided to remove his chain of arrows.  As his arrows could be moved only at his own will, Aryaman inculcated in him the wish to separate the chain. 

Thereby, he held one complete chain of arrows and laid it on the ground.  Likewise, he continued to perform this action till the opening of the well was cleared of all his arrows.  He, then, flew inside the well, took the King in his arms and came out in a flash.  His father in silent appreciation was watching all this.

“I am sorry for my self-regarding attitude, Aryaman!  All along, I just wanted to use you for my own gains!  I will now reform myself and make peace with Chandrashekar!”  The King affirmed.

“Thanks, Maharaj!  If you agree, we can go to the battlefield and see if King Chandrashekar is still there.  If he is, then you can make amends!”  Aryaman stated.

Ravichandran agreed and Aryaman requested his father to follow him.  He then extended his right hand towards the King.  Soon, he was up in the skies alongwith Ravichandran whose hand was firmly held by him, followed by his father!

Soon they reached the battlefield and landed.  Chandraskehar had just completed reading the scroll contents.  He, too, was moved by the intended sacrifice of Aryaman.  Looking at Ravichandran, the King’s face frowned with anger but when he learnt from Aryaman about the former’s intentions, he calmed down. 

Ravichandran came near him and grinned.  He then held his neighbor in a warm embrace!  Chandrashekar was taken by surprise by this move.  Initially, he did not react and looked at Aryaman uncomfortably.  It was at the capped hero’s gesture that he slowly moved his hands around Ravichandran’s back and reciprocated his action. 

“As neighbors, let us always be friends and never meet each other in battle again!”  Ravichandran proclaimed and extended his hand of friendship towards his new ally.  Chandrashekhar could feel the authenticity in the body language of the King of Pallava and shook his hand firmly with him! 

Later, Chandrashekar decided to make a confession, “After Aryaman’s advent in Pallava, I was a very worried man!  This thought always pestered me that with you by his side, someday Chandrashekhar may wage a war to capture my entire kingdom for reasons of expanding his territory. 

Thus, when the emissary came to invite me for peaceful talks a plan struck me!  I decided to put forward a proposal of declaring Amlanagar an independent province once again and make you its ruler! 

I hoped that this would develop a soft corner for me in your heart and you may not side with Chandrashekar if he indeed possessed such vile plans!  I wanted to raise this topic when you came to see me but then when I learnt about your peaceful character, I realized that you do not hold any threat to me. 

This realization refrained me from making that offer.  But now, from the bottom of my heart I feel that Aryaman could be the able ruler of Amlanagar!  The people have suffered much owing to our hostilities. 

They deserve a ruler who would take care of them like his family.  However, I know that his father will have some reservations!”

Of course, I do!  Rajaveera thundered in his deep voice.  “He is my son and the rightful successor to my throne!  I want to take him along with me!”

Aryaman smiled and made his stand clear, “O King!  I feel honored that you consider me worthy of this position!  However, I have no intention to be the ruler of Amlanagar!  If you take my opinion, you can certainly think of anointing one of the learned men who are now imparting education to the children as the ruler of Amlanagar. 

After all, they are erudite and have a vision for the future development of this province.”