SATYAN3
-14. Yet Another Divine Meeting

Hours later, the King’s men returned with no news of the Prince! They told him that they had only informed the head of all ashrams in the kingdom about Vasu’s disappearance and given strict instructions to prevent this news from spreading. They further apprised the King that when Vasu’s guru, Sage Amegha learned about this, he was shocked. He was to come and meet the King in the evening regarding this matter.
The King thanked them for the news and then sent them on their next mission as was earlier decided. Their return was expected only the next day.
After they had left, Bharadwaj turned to Vasudev and his wife, “If they do not bring any positive news, then I will make Vasu’s disappearance public and extend the search to other kingdoms.”
Both agreed to the King’s suggestion.
A little while later, the guard informed the King about the arrival of Sage Amegha. Bharadwaj hurried to meet him accompanied by Vasudev. The King of Chandrapur could witness the rush of emotions on his King’s face as he saw the sage. To his credit, the King quickly managed to restrain himself and welcomed the sage inside. Vasudev was filled with sorrow seeing the plight of his King. He could well understand the emotions that would be wrecking his heart inside. If only he could do something to mitigate circumstances! He prayed to his Lord for the end to these moments of grief and uncertainty.
Sage Amegha himself looked shaken at the turn of events. “My pupil cannot fail me like this! It is a fact that more than being a ruler he desired to be a sage! His fondness towards sages mainly stems from the appreciation he has for their austere life and the selfless dedication that they possess to serve the society. I had told him that although this is an honorable thought on his part, he cannot let this affection deviate him from his actual line of duty, which was to become a ruler one day. He had understood my viewpoint. Then how did this happen? Pray tell me what happened which made the Prince take this horrendous decision!” He implored the King.
Bharadwaj narrated to him the complete sequence of events that led to his son’s disappearance.
“Tell us, O Sage! How reliable a person is the Prince’s friend, Bharat?” Vasudev asked him.
“He was a bright student! The only problem which I found in him was his jealousy! He could not tolerate if others took a march ahead of him! I have tried my best to obliterate this evil quality of his. Speaking of the other bright side of his character there have been a few moments when he has helped our Prince in his studies! I do not feel that Bharat could have had a hand in his disappearance. It may be that it is due to the love I have for my student that is making me say this!”
Although Vasudev appreciated this gesture of Bharat of helping Vasu in his education, he got a nagging feeling of the former’s complexity in the Prince’s disappearance. Bharadwaj could not arrive at any conclusion regarding his son’s friend. Chitralekha just sat lost in her seat without giving any response. Seeing her condition, the sage conversed with her, “I know that there has been an aberration from Vasu’s part. But then, knowing him all this while I am sure that he will soon realize his folly and return to you. Mark my words, O Queen!”
The Queen just gave a slight nod and looked at the floor in silence.
When the sage realized that none of them had imbibed proper food during the day, he requested them to have something for dinner. At his insistence, all of them had some fruits. The sage interacted with them for some time and then left for his ashram. He exhorted the King to inform him of any help that he could render to locate the Prince. Bharadwaj agreed and thanked him for his support.
After the sage left, all of them decided to retire for the day so that their highly disturbed minds can find some relaxation.
Vasudev came to his chambers and lay on bed. A few moments after he closed his eyes, tears started to flow down his face. The distraught faces of Bharadwaj and the Queen came to his mind and he could no longer stop his tears from trickling down which were pleading to be released from his eyes! Besides, the harsh accusation of the Queen was still playing in his mind. It was after a long time that sleep finally overcame his grief.
In a short while, he felt that his room was filled with great radiance. He found it difficult to even open his eyes owing to the brilliance of the light. Just then, he heard the playing of the flute which was so melodious that it at once relieved him of all his stress and sorrow. He managed to look in the direction from where he heard the flute and lo! There was Lord Krishna standing a few feet away from him!
The Lord looked resplendent in his blue form, glittering crown which had the bedecked peacock feather, beautiful eyes which were closed and pink lips which were curved as the result of playing the flute. He wore silk yellow robes and stood cross-legged engrossed in playing his golden flute. Vasudev felt completely refreshed as the mellifluous tone of the flute resonated in his ears. In a short while, the Lord opened his tranquil eyes and released the flute from his lips. He stood smiling at Vasudev who ran up to him and fell at his lotus feet. The Lord helped him to stand and hugged him.
“O My Lord! I am so happy to see you! You play the flute so beautifully! If only I could keep on hearing it throughout my life!” Vasudev exclaimed jubilantly.
“Thanks for the compliments, Vasudev!”        The Lord acknowledged in his deep voice.
“But then everything should come to an end after it has achieved its purpose!”
Vasudev nodded in understanding.   He realized that the purpose of the Lord playing his flute was to rejuvenate him.