SATYAN 2
-2. A Sour Request

Vasudev’s three intimate friends – Shiva, Sridhar and Hari – were now settling down in their lives in the city of Panchami.  While Shiva earned a livelihood by imparting his art of singing to a group of students, Hari used to draw beautiful pictures and made a good fortune by selling them to interested parties.  Although Sridhar had a passion for learning weaponry initially, there happened an incident which changed his choice of profession.   Once when Sridhar was practicing archery in his ashram with one of his fellow students, an arrow that he shot injured his opponent who fell to the ground groaning with pain.  Sridhar was alarmed! From the outside it appeared as if the wound was quite deep.  However, his guru, who also was a noted physician came to his fallen disciple’s rescue and revived him with his medicinal herbs.  After this event, a thought passed Sridhar’s mind that while weapons cruelly snatched away lives, medicines saved them.  This thought underpinned his interest in this subject and later made him a physician. 

Vasudev felt that ever since he began to stay with the King, he was losing communication with his friends.  Therefore, he had asked his friends to come to his place every week where they sat in confabulation.  Sometimes, they even had hilarious moments when the friends pulled each other’s leg just to have fun! 

It did happen that on a few occasions, the friends were not able to turn up for this meeting owing to some work but nevertheless all of them were happy with this arrangement and enjoyed the weekly reunion immensely.

The very next day after his meeting with Neelkant, King Bharadwaj, through his drummer, made the decision of the singer public which sent an air of excitement and anticipation among the people.  Queen Chitralekha sent a special message asking women to actively participate in this contest. 

Incidentally, this also happened to be the day when Vasudev had the weekly meeting with his friends.  When all of them met, Shiva expectedly appeared vivid for he was going to take part in this competition.  The others wished him success.  Thereafter, the topic became general.  Throughout the meeting, on quite a few occasions Shiva glanced at Vasudev as if to say something only to fall silent.  Vasudev noticed this glance of his friend but did not attach much importance to it for after their metamorphosis, he and his friends had become very candid among themselves.  There had not been an instance where they had to waver or conceal anything from one another.

In the night after having his food, Vasudev was resting in his cottage when his friend Shiva came over.   He immediately got up and welcomed him in.  He lay a mat on the floor and after they were seated, Shiva who looked uncomfortable spoke his mind, “Vasudev, I know that you would not serve from the path of righteousness.  But then, there is still something I would like to ask you and hope that you agree to it only for the sake of your friend.”  He paused for a moment as Vasudev looked at him questioningly and continued, “You know how much this competition means to me, dear friend!  Getting employed in the palace and that too in a coveted position is a dream come true for anyone!  After all, there is so much fame, recognition and veneration involved in it!  I know that I have a good chance of winning but then as you will admit there would be many contestants participating in this mega event.  Thus, there is the possibility of some bettering my performance.  In such a case, I lose the chance to be the winner.  Vasudev, you have been living in the palace for a long time and therefore may be in good rapport with Neelkantji.  If you can tell him about me and request him to show some leniency towards me, I would be obliged!  Even when we were with our other friends I wanted to tell you this but then decided to do so in privacy.” 

Vasudev was upset to hear his friend speak thus.  “Shiva, I just cannot do what you are asking me!  This will be an insult to Neelkantji who is very principled and straight-forward.  This will also be a grace injustice to all those aspiring participants who are going to sing in this event.  By such talks, you are not only letting yourself down but accepting defeat even before the competition has begun!” 

“Please, Vasudev!  If Neelkantji would not agree to this, you can speak about me to the King!  We all know that he is so indebted towards you and will cater to any of your request.  Once you talk to King Bharadwaj, he would take it upon himself to speak with Neelkantji about me.  How can Neelkantji or anyone for that matter then go against the King’s bidding?”  Shiva reasoned.   

“Shiva!”  Vasudev called out in dismay.  “You want me to take such undue advantage of the love and affection which the King has towards me!  This conversation is reaching no end and therefore it is best that we stop it here and now.  Shiva, if you cannot win on merit, it is best that you stay out of the competition.”   

Shiva was hurt to hear these words of his friend.  He got up and darted out of the chamber.  Vasudev was pained to see that Shiva was infuriated at him without trying to understand his viewpoint.  Still, he was prepared to stain relations with his friend for the sake of showing adherence to his strict principles.    

All the three rounds of this contest – that was to be spread over in as many weeks – were to be held in the royal hall that looked splendid with marble floorings and golden stucco.  The participants were to be seated at the far end of the hall.  On either side were seats for the audience.  At the center of the hall was a raised marble platform where Neelkant and the musicians were to be seated.  Any voice that emanated from this platform could be heard very loudly and clearly even from a far away distance which formed it’s unique feature!  Thus, all the contestants were to sing from this platform.  Facing the participants and the audience was another raised platform at the other end where there were two glittering thrones studded with gold for the King and the Queen.

(To Continue)