CHAPTER 50: Repentance of Rajaveera

Aryaman continued, “…I leave the decision to both of you to resolve the dispute amicably as early as possible keeping in mind the better interests of the people.”  He then paused and looked at his father, “You are now aware of my commitment given to my guruji!” 

“Yes, I am, my son!  Prathameshwar wanted you to abstain from implementing your thoughts in Asurloka as long as I am the ruler.  I am prepared to hand over the reins of leadership to you which would give you a free hand in managing everything in the way you want!”  Rajaveera articulated. 

“You too can thrive to fulfill my mother’s dream, O Father!  I have some unfinished task here!  I want to witness the people of Amlanagar being served well by their rulers!  I have some little friends whom I want to prepare for my eminent exit!   I require some time, O Father!”  Aryaman requested. 

It took some time for Aryaman to convince his father.  He then asked Rajaveera, “Did not guruji ever make an attempt to stop you from coming here?  He must have known the true identity of Aryaman!”

“He did!  He told me that you could be some deva in disguise and thus there was no question of expecting anything from you to meet our cause!  I believed him. 

Later, I began to feel like doing severe penance to please Lord Shiva so that I can seek a boon from him to defeat the Devas!  The Himalayan ranges are a very sacred place for such causes.  I handed the throne to the sage temporary and was on my way to Prithvilok when my thoughts underwent a change!  I felt like finding more about you and your powers and if convinced of your prowess, I wanted to make an attempt to convince you in achieving my dream!  That would save me both the time and energy of doing penance!  Thus, I came here with these intentions!  Your guru is not aware about my visit here!”  Rajaveera claimed.

“Did you execute the plan of kidnapping the devas?”

“No, my son!  After you left I lost interest in that plot!”  Rajaveera replied.

  Both Ravichandran and Chandrashekar decided to resume the peaceful negotiations with immediate effect.  Chandrashekar offered his ally to come over to his palace for this purpose, which Ravichandran accepted. 

Soon, the rulers bid adieu to Aryaman and his father.  Chandrashekar took the King of Pallava in his chariot and they departed alongwith the army. 

“Ghatotkacha had a boon wherein he could appear before his father the moment the latter thought about him!  I, too, am blessed with such a boon!  Although I will return on my own, in case you need me for any purpose just think of me!  I will be there by your side!” 

  “I will, my son!”  Looking at his son with pride, he asked him, “Where do you stay here?”

“In the jungle!” came the reply.

“What!  But why?  Didn’t Ravichandran accommodate you in his palace?”  The asura King demanded startled.

“O Father!  Life is entirely based on your attitude!  If you have made up your mind, even a jungle can be a heaven for you!  I am fine!  Trust me!”  Aryaman assured his father.

Rajaveera was least convinced and it took a while for Aryaman to calm him down.  Aryaman touched the feet of his father, which yet again stoked the latter’s emotions.   Rajaveera’s heart burned with the repentance of his arrogance and haughtiness. 

He touched his son’s head and blessed him.  Helping him to his feet, the asura King hugged him tightly.  “Please come back soon, my son!” he urged.

Aryaman promised.  Rajaveera, then, flew away in the sky waving his hand at his son.

Aryaman closed his eyes and thanked Sage Ananya.  He, then took to the skies, looking down watchfully if he could come of any aid to the needy.

                              ————————–

Sage Suryananda who was narrating this story continued, “After much more meetings which involved many deliberations and discussions, both the rulers decided to anoint a very learned person, Pancham, who natively belonged to Amlanagar as its ruler. 

They decided to offer him with any assistance so that he was able to form a very competent and trusted team, which could, collectively work towards the development and prosperity of the province. 

Aryaman had a tough time convincing the children about his departure.  He had to promise them that he would come to see them at regular intervals. 

He had to go a step further with his little friend Aditi wherein he had to agree of even taking her to his world for a trip sometime in the future! “

The sage paused and then asked his students, “What message does this story convey?”

“Determination!” “Will-power!” cried aloud many students in chorus.

“Well said!”  The sage acknowledged and concluded, “What better inspiration do we require than in an insight into Aryaman’s life for leading a noble life?  If you are determined enough, you can overcome all odds and achieve your goals. 

Remember, that what you are is neither determined by your race nor birth, but only by your deeds.

We may not possess the super powers of Aryaman.  However, as human beings God has bestowed in us unique powers, which we should always utilize for the benefit of society. 

There is  something to be learnt from little Aditi that we should be grateful to God for what we possess in life!

Let me also make a mention of Sage Prathameshwar.  Despite the position he enjoyed in the court of Rajaveera, he was never happy in life! The fact remained that Rajaveera gave him that status only to make him feel happy.  It was not done with a very serious consideration of consulting him first before any crucial administrative decisions were taken. 

Despite a Rajguru at the helm, the Asura King took decisions as per his preferences, which was not appreciated by the sage. 

Prathameshwar knew that the King was already disillusioned with his son’s education.  Thus, he feared that if he voiced his dissent over this matter, the King in his anger might even strip him of the post!  

Apart from this dissatisfaction, the sage always possessed a guilt in his heart for being the cause of the father-son separation, which robbed him of peace of mind.  Thus, God duly punished him for his crass self-attaining attitude.

In addition, this story highlights the inefficacy of wars.  While wars may provide temporary benefits, it is only love, friendship and amity that are everlasting and bonds us together.

Let us ensure that virtuous souls like Aryaman are not an exception but only a beginning.