CHATURBHUJ
- Salya's Confession

CHAPTER 6: SALYA’S CONFESSION

Chaturbhuj continued, “…Agreed, that our King never mentioned as to where he had kept the ring.   However, it was not impossible for someone like you who had been to his inner chamber so many times to guess that the ring could well be in that locker.  Besides, being there on numerous occasions, you might have even observed both the locker and it’s handle.  On that fateful day, you happened to come to the King’s chamber for the meeting well before time.  Just like I did, you went to the inner chambers to see if the King was around where your eyes fell upon the locker.  You must have realised that the handle of the locker was not placed where it used to be normally, that aroused your suspicions if the locker was unlocked.  Since you already had a feeling that the ring could be inside this locker, you tried to open it and found the ring inside!  Initially, I could not understand as to how you came to know that the ring you found in the locker was the one you were looking for.  Then, I realised that since it was the gift of the Lord, it could be that the ring had some divine glow to it that gave it a unique look.  Therefore, any stranger looking at it may realise, at once, that the ring was no ordinary one.   You had told us that you did not wait in the main hall for the others to arrive for the meeting and had retired to your chambers.  This made me feel that, may be, you could have gone to your chamber for keeping the stolen ring in a safe place. 

I met the King and spoke my mind.  Although he found it hard to believe me, he did not ignore what I had said.  I told him that I had a ruse to trap you for which I wanted any of his aides to pose as King Narendra’s minister and meet you. I was not sure if you had sent the ring to King Narendra or still had it with you.  However, after reading the message that the falcon had brought, I was certain that you not only had informed King Narendra about the loss of ring of our King but also that you were the cause of it’s disappearance. Thus, I wanted the King’s aide who would act as Narendra’s minister to begin speaking with you by saying that ‘with regards to the ring, King Narendra is very pleased with you!’  I knew that this would make you confide in that person for he was aware that King Narendra was pleased with you for the loss of our King’s ring.  I was confident that your response would prove to be your nemesis, which is what happened.  Thereafter, I wanted that person to cleverly communicate with you as you respond and then tell us all that happened. 

As this task could only be accomplished by a very wise and trusted aide, after much deliberation, King Sukhdeva appointed Vigneesh for the job.  He was made to come to the Durbar only to let everyone, including you, know that Narendra’s minister had arrived.  The rest of the plan worked well and we discovered that you were, indeed, the culprit.”   Chaturbhuj concluded.

Later, in his confession, Salya reminisced of a private meeting he had with Narendra when the minister had been to his kingdom as Sukhdeva’s representative for attending a function.

** In that meeting, Narendra asked Salya, “If I make you the ruler of your kingdom, how would you feel?  Do you think that your King to whom you have being so loyal would ever make such an offer?” Narendra asked. 

From the expression of excitement in Salya’s face, Narendra realised that he could easily take him in his stride by making an interesting offer.  “W..Why do you want to do this?”  Salya queried faltering in his speech. 

“I want you to do something for me for which I will reward you.”  Narendra slowly revealed his mind. 

As Salya listened with his interests aroused, Narendra posed another question before him, “How close are you to your King, Salya?” 

“Quite close!”  Salya responded. 

“Good!  I expected it!  If you can somehow give me the divine ring of your King, you will become a ruler!” 

“But how do I do that?  No one knows where the King has kept the ring including me.”  Salya said disappointed at Narendra’s demand. 

“I know that no one knows where the ring is.  It is your job to find out where the ring is and give it to me.  It is a challenging task and I am giving you a handsome reward for it.  I have heard that the ring has a red pearl on it’s outlet.  Once the ring goes away from him without his knowledge and comes under my custody, he would become vulnerable to defeats.  I will be easily able to defeat him not only due to the holy ring that I would possess but also because I am far superior to him in warfare.  Just like that ring brought good fortune to your kingdom, I am sure that it will be favourable to me and to anyone else who would take over it’s custody.  After I accomplish my task, I will make you the King of that kingdom.  Of course, you would have to function as per my behest.”  Narendra disclosed his plans. 

“Tell me something, O King!  You are supposed to be the best friend of my King.  Then how is it that you are conspiring against him?”  Salya wondered. 

“I want to win over his confidence so that he never realises or believes in my true intentions!  I like to take my enemy by surprise!”  Narendra explained with a wicked smile on his lips.

“Okay, Maharaj!  I will try my best!”  Salya did not appear confident in his assurance.

“I not only want you to try your best but succeed!  I know you can do it!  You know, Salya, that I am so eager in getting that ring that I have already thought about a secret place to hide it!”  Narendra said expansively.

“That means you are not going to wear the ring?”  asked Salya.

“No!  I feel that it will be more secure if I keep it somewhere!” pointed out

Narendra.  

The meeting came to an end.**

Continuing with his confession, Salya informed King Sukhdeva, “…You may have realised that ever since I returned from that function, I worked more diligently in an attempt to get more closer to you.  After all, it is to people who are close to us with whom we share our most intimate secrets.  I had hoped that, may be, someday reposing faith in me you may tell me about the location of the ring which however never happened.  I spent sleepless nights wondering as to where you would have kept that ring….”