SATYAN3
-1. Royal Proposal

Sage Suryananda took his seat beneath a banyan tree and looked at his students who were eagerly awaiting his recital of a new story that evening. All his stories taught the children to follow good principles and be virtuous in life. The Sage glanced at his students and addressed them benignly, “Dear students, today I am going to narrate a prequel to the story ‘Satyan’. Like in the earlier installments, this version would yet again highlight the importance of being noble, generous and honest in life. Listen!” As the students listened with rapt attention, the sage began the narration of his story. ***************** The birth of Prince Vasudev – who was fondly called Vasu – was a reason for much celebration among the people in the kingdom of Somnapur which continued for days together. Everyone thronged the palace to get a glimpse of the little prince and offer their wishes to the royal couple. This overwhelming love of the people touched King Bharadwaj and Queen Chitralekha who expressed their felicity by thanking them with folded palms. Seeing both of them in such delightful mood only gladdened the heart of their favourite minister Vasudev for whom nothing mattered more than the happiness and well-being of the King and Queen.
A few days passed by. One day, King Dharmaraja came to the palace and met the royal couple. He posed a question to his son-in-law, “Give me an unbiased opinion, O Bharadwaj. Will a kingdom benefit if placed under the leadership of your beloved Vasudev?”
“There will be Ram Rajya firmly established in that kingdom, O King!” Bharadwaj replied tersely. “But then why do you ask?”
“I am now ageing and would not be able to continue to rule my kingdom for long. At first, I felt that you could be the successor to my throne. But then, you already have Somnapur to take care of. Thus, if I offer you my kingdom, what would you do? You may appoint someone else in your place to look after my kingdom. In that case, would it not be better if I myself select someone else whom I believe would be an ideal King to my subjects? I am not very impressed by my ministers who are very self-centric. They always put their personal goals and gains ahead of the interests of the people. They are swayed by popular sentiments and desist from taking any risks or bold decisions even if that may prove beneficial to the kingdom as a whole in the long run. As I was thinking in this matter suddenly the thought of Vasudev came to my mind. I am well versed with his greatness and virtuous qualities. When you came to attend my 25th wedding anniversary, didn’t he take very good care of your kingdom? This shows that he has merits of a good leader in him. Therefore I felt like talking to you about him in this regard.”
The King and the Queen were quite impressed to hear his decision. “O King! Your choice is inarguably the best! However, I would like to point out that had this been anyone else he would have jumped with joy at this news! But then, Satyan is different! He does not like such a responsibility and on the couple of occasions when he did take up this task, it was only for my sake! I, thus, doubt whether he would agree to it! Besides he is now taking education under Sage Adirath.” Bharadwaj mused.
“O Bharadwaj, I am aware about his on-going education. I am ready to wait for seven more years till he completes his studies but after that I would like him to take over this responsibility. I am telling you all this now so that you can have considerable time at your disposal to convince him for taking up this task. You are the best person to talk to him for obvious reasons!” Dharmaraja reasoned.
Bharadwaj looked at the Queen who smiled at him and supported her father’s views.
“O King, your ministers are bound to feel let-down by your move. It is quite possible that after Satyan is anointed as King, they may swoop to hatch a conspiracy to get rid of him.” Bharadwaj observed.
“I shall instruct my spies to keep a close watch on the activities of my ministers and inform Satyan immediately if they find anything amiss. But then, Bharadwaj, this risk factor is faced by every ruler. All we can do is to be alert against our enemies. That is all I can say in this regard.” Dharmaraja deduced.
“Alright! I shall meet Satyan tomorrow and discuss with him about this matter!” Bharadwaj declared.
The next day Bharadwaj met Vasudev in his cottage. At first, he spoke with him on general matters and then he slowly began, “Satya! I have a request for you!”
Vasudev folded his palms before him, “Maharaj! Your request is my command. Thus, command me and I will do your bidding.”
The King smiled and apprised Vasudev in great detail about his meeting with Dharmaraja. As Vasudev looked dazed at the King, he continued, “…I endorse his views for I also want my father-in-law’s kingdom to be safe and continue to prosper under an able administrator once he relinquishes his crown. I know that any kingdom which has you as it’s ruler would, indeed, be blessed, Satya! I understand that we would have to undergo the painful experience of parting ways for King Dharmaraja’s wish to fructify but then we have to make this sacrifice for the benefit of his kingdom. I request you to accept his proposal! I am not asking you to give your nod immediately. Take your time and then let me know what you have decided!” So saying, Bharadwaj took his leave.
Vasudev sat on the floor mystified!