FIRM GOAL

Queen Satyabhama decided to leave the hideout the next morning.  With no other place to stay, it was a very tough decision for the Queen, but she had to make this choice for their protection from the enemies. 

Meanwhile, in the palace on the morrow, Biwajeet met both the Kings and apprised him of his viewpoints. “Maharaj, we are aware of the mysterious disappearance of Queen Satyabhama and her young son Amritraj. 

Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to trace their whereabouts.  It is palpable that they may be hiding at such a place which is hard for anyone to conjecture.  Thus, what better place than a lonely place in a jungle which may serve as a perfect hideout for her and Amritraj?”

Both the rulers exchanged puzzling looks.  “How can a Queen live in a forest and endure its eccentricities alone?”  Devarayya reasoned.

Vikram agreed with his views.

“It is for this very reason that this could be a fact, Maharaj!  The Queen must hide in a place that looks highly improbable so that she is not located!”  Biswajeet justified his stand with a contented smile.

This left the rulers thinking and eventually they concurred with his views.  In a short while, Vikram sent his men to that antique to see if Satyabhama and her son would be discovered this time around. 

Fortunately, by that time the Queen had already left the hideout along with her son and the maid. 

Though Vikram’s men failed to find the Queen, they did manage to locate the secret passage after very minute examination.  They searched for Satyabhama in the passage which turned futile. 

Thereafter, Vikram ordered his men to launch an extensive search for the Queen in that entire jungle as he had a gut feeling that she may not have gone far enough from her hideout.

Meanwhile, Satyabhama, her son and Vaidehi wandered in the jungle for quite a few days.  At times, the jungle was only surrounded by bushes and huge trees that bore no fruit.  Thus, they had to make do without any proper food and did not have a proper place to rest for the night.  However, they withered not!  

Displaying remarkable perseverance, they continued to wander till they found a place where they could stay safe from the cruel Vikram.

On one instance, they heard the noises of horses coming their way.  Vaidehi urged the duo to hide among the bushes nearby.  Later, they realized that it was some men moving around with spears in their hands.  They suspected that these could be Vikram’s men who could be in the lookout for them. 

Vaidehi implored them especially the young Prince to maintain complete silence till the time those men did not pass by them, thereafter, which all of them heaved a sigh of relief and continued their journey. 

It was now dark.  As the Queen and the others were wandering around, suddenly they found some jungle tribes marching towards them with spears.  All of them were petrified! 

One of the tribesmen came forward and had a good look at them.  He was bulky, dark complexioned with hairs that stood up like a porcupine.  He asked them for identification. 

Vaidehi boldly came forward and introduced herself and the others.    The jungle man appeared quite bewildered on learning about their identity. 

“What are you doing in this jungle?” he asked, perplexed.    

Vaidehi explained to him all that had happened.  Hearing her story, all the of the jungle men stood awed!  They could not believe that it was the Queen of Magadha who was standing near them!  And the little boy who stood beside his mother?  He was the Prince of the kingdom! 

All this was too much for them to imbibe! 

In a short while, the surprise looks gave away to celebration as the jungle folks formed a circle and began to dance singing some folk loudly.  Thereby, the person who had asked for their introduction informed the Queen he was the chieftain of that tribe.  He, then, asked his men to bow before these royal guests! 

As was their custom, if these jungle men were to bow, they happened to prostrate before that person.  Thus, in a few moments the entire tribe performed this act together which caused much uneasiness among the Queen and Vaidehi.  The little Prince watched the proceedings amazed!

They just did not know what to do or say.  They waited patiently till all of them were back to their feet and then the chieftain spoke with reverence to the Queen, “You have nothing to fear from us.  Please come and stay here. 

We shall make all arrangements to make your stay as comfortable as possible!”

Though Satyabhama expressed happiness at this offer, she was not certain if they could manage to stay with these people!  However, she and the others had little choice!  Her enemies were, after all, in the constant lookout for her and therefore, she had to take a safe shelter somewhere! 

Soon, the Queen along with her son and Vaidehi followed the jungle men and the others to their new abode in the jungle!

All of them stayed in small huts and the chieftain’s abode was comparatively better as it was a much larger hut.  He escorted his guests to his house and spread a mattress on the ground.