THE GHOST
-2. The Invisible King

Initially, King Mahirat had great difficulty in walking for he could not feel the ground.  He felt it very uncomfortable to take proper steps so much so that at one stage he decided to give it all up and spend the remaining days of his life in the jungle in meditation.  However, the one good quality he had maintained till now was pertinacity.    He was a fighter against all odds and in times of adversity it was this quality that had always come to the core and eventually to his rescue as well.  That day was no exception.  Slowly, he began to entertain such thoughts in his mind that he should take this curse as a challenge and come out triumphs against it.  After all, everything was not lost.  Sage Pariketu had given him a glimmer of hope of liberating him from the curse a couple of months hereafter.  He made his mind believe that he was indeed feeling the ground and tried to walk normally.  Gradually things began to improve and his discomfiture was mitigated considerably.  This gave him the confidence to face the situation courageously. 

After a long walk, he managed to come out of the jungle.  By this time, it was already dark.  A little afar to his right, he could see an animal standing which was his horse, Chaitanya that he had left behind before venturing into the jungle of Champa.  The Stallion was grey-coloured with coats of white hair and had beautiful blue eyes.  He was waiting dutifully for his master not knowing the curse that had befallen the King.  The King tried to touch him but found his hand just passing by his body owing to the effect of the curse.  He knew that there was no much sense in staying back with the horse for he would not be in a position to help the animal should any danger befall.  Still, he decided to stay there until some help arrived.  He utilized his time for some self-introspection. 

Sage Pariketu had severely criticized his character.  Was there any element of authenticity in it, the King began to wonder.  The answer was not too difficult to seek.  Ever since he and his bosom friend King Bhagirat had set their eyes in annexing territories of other kingdoms a few years ago, both of them had indeed changed for the worst.  As they succeeded in their endeavor, their success went into their heads which resulted in arrogance.  With arrogance came superciliousness where they began to get the feeling that they were superior to all, that ultimately resulted in discourteousness.  Or else why would he accord such a hoarse treatment on this day to Sage Pariketu?  Was he not aware that the sage would actually not have heard his shouts for he was deeply lost in meditation? 

As thoughts like this crossed his mind, he realized that the sage was right in his arguments.  Oh God!  What kind of a heartless animal he had turned out into, the King wondered!  He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes in disgust pondering as to why he had allowed things to get to such a pass.  Why it required a curse like this to make him realize his folly, the King asked himself.  Just then, he heard the sound of horses coming towards him and looked in that direction.  He could see some men coming on horseback holding mashaals.  Owing to the darkness, he could not recognize them till they had come closer.  It was his minister, Aditya, with his coterie of guards!  He had expected this. 

“See!  A horse and it is the King’s!”  Aditya exclaimed. 

“But where is Maharaj?”  asked a guard. 

“This means that he has not yet come out of the jungle from hunting.  Come on!  Let us quickly go into the jungle and search for him.” 

All of them dismounted from their horses and holding their mashaals aloft in their right hands, disappeared into the jungle in quest for their ruler who actually stood right in front of them looking at them helplessly!  

After a while, they returned with disappointing faces.  The guards tried to take Chaitanya alongwith them but the horse did not budge an inch!  Aditya decided to return with the horse-keeper to take Chaitanya back to the palace and all of them mounted their horses with their mashaals and soon disappeared in the dark. 

King Mahirat was moved to see the loyalty that his horse possessed towards him.  He could not do much to express his emotions except look at his faithful companion with passionate eyes. 

After a long time had elapsed, Aditya returned with his guards.  This time he had arrived in his chariot and had the horse-keeper, Shyamalan, with him.  Shyamalan tried to gently persuade the horse to move along with them and when that did not work, he sternly called out to the animal, “Chaitanya!”  In the past whenever on the few occasions Chaitanya had displayed some hostility, Shyamalan had managed to calm him down with this tone.  Fortunately, this tactic worked on this day as well!  As all of them got ready to return, Mahirat quickly took his seat in Aditya’s chariot. Without getting the feeling of it, he felt very strange and uncomfortable to be seated!  

As the chariot raced along, there was only a solitary conversation when Shyamalan asked Aditya pensively, “Sire, I hope the King is safe in the jungle!” 

The minister only nodded in agreement. 

 Finally, after a long journey they reached the palace.  The guards opened the huge iron-grilled doors and let them inside.  While Shyamalan led the horse to the stable, Aditya hurried to meet the Queen Mandira followed by the invisible King.  As they entered her chamber, they found her standing by the window.  “Maharani!” Aditya called out to her. 

The Queen looked back that revealed her comely face which had large eyebrows, striking big eyes and thin lips.  She was of a medium complexion with flowing hairs. 

“The horse has returned.  As we had discussed, tomorrow we shall again begin our search for the King.”  After a moment’s pause, the minister continued, “Please do not despair, O Queen!  By God’s grace our King will return safely tomorrow.” 

The Queen glumly shook her head and Aditya took his leave. Mandira retired to her inner chambers and Mahirat followed her.  She sat on the bed and put her head down.  How helpless was the King feeling at this moment!  There he was standing before her but neither was the Queen able to see him nor was he in a position to tell her that he was safe!  The King feared that the Queen was losing her emotions.  Just then, the Queen lifted her head.