SATYAN3
-15. Return of Prince Vasu

“My child, it pains me to see you so downcast. If treading the path of honesty is having its toll on you and if you feel that it is slowly becoming a burden on you, then I am prepared to relieve you from your pledge. Thereafter, you would be free to speak a lie atleast for the benefit of others like Queen Chitralekha wanted.” The Lord suggested with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
Vasudev smiled at him. “You are right when you say that I am downcast. The son of my beloved King is untraceable and thus it is natural for me to feel sad about it. I also feel that I am responsible for this in a big manner, even though not deliberately, which makes me feel more distressed. However, I am also aware of the fact that you will never make me adopt any path that would cause harm to anyone. Despite my sorrow, there is a hope that this matter would finally end on a happy note with the safe return of the Prince. O Lord, I am after all human and therefore am bound to be swayed by emotions. Under no circumstances would I circumvent the virtuous path you have asked me to choose and disappoint you.”
The divine face of the Lord beamed in satisfaction. “I was precisely expecting such a reply from you, my child! There is a lesson for all to learn from your resoluteness. Still, what Chitralekha told about the Mahabharata war is true. I had indeed motivated Yudhisthira to speak that one lie he spoke in his life. Don’t you then feel that I am resorting to double standards?” He asked yet again in a mischievous tone.
Vasudev yet again smiled at him, “I look at this incident from a different perspective, my Lord. It could be that you did so to test Yudhisthira’s resolve in holding on to his honest means even in such trying circumstances, in which he unfortunately failed. I do not want to fail in any of the tests that you put me through, my Lord.”
The Lord cuddled him in his arms. “O Vasudev! I have never felt so proud of bringing humans into existence!”
Vasudev blushed at the compliment and asked the Lord about Vasu’s whereabouts.
“The Prince will return on his own tomorrow! Thus, do not go in search for him! You will be in a way responsible for this return!”
Although thrilled at this news, Vasudev was puzzled at the Lord’s latter statement. At this, the Lord smiled at his devotee and intoned, “Just wait for tomorrow, Vasudev! Everything would become clear to you! Also, soon you will have two visitors! Do not go back without meeting them!”
Vasudev’s excitement only grew! Since the Lord was not prepared to disclose anything further, he had no choice but to wait!
He thereby made a reference to his wife’s threatening illness. “Why do people face the prospect of embracing death at such a young age?”
For the first time, the smile on Lord Krishna’s face vanished and he replied sedately, “I do agree that this is a sad phenomenon. It also hurts me to see people meet an untimely death. However, bound as I am by the obligation to not interfere with anybody’s fate except in such rare occasions where angel like you take birth, life must be accepted in its cruel form. Still, I will point out that our fate is not only determined by our actions but even by those of others. When people learn to value life and live for others, such unfortunate incidents would be brought to the minimum, O Vasudev. I can assure you of that.”
Vasudev agreed and yet again touched his lotus feet. The Lord blessed him and then disappeared.
Vasudev opened his eyes and found darkness around him. He realized that he had yet again had the darshan of the Lord in his dreams.
Meanwhile, King Bharadwaj and the Queen just could not sleep for the thought of their son troubled them. Where could he be? Would they ever be re-united with him? These disturbing questions pestered them and robbed them of any rest.
In a short while the royal couple found Vasudev standing at the entrance. Gone was the sorrow on Vasudev’s face and he appeared quite refreshed and excited! Had he got some news about the Prince? As they looked at him in anticipation, Vasudev revealed the reason behind his happiness which delighted them. Bharadwaj hugged him tight in joy. Although the Queen was incensed at Vasudev, she had no reason to doubt the authenticity of his dream. She was witness to how he had miraculously been cured of his ailment by the grace of the Lord who had appeared in his dream years ago.
With her anger against him slowly melting away, she was now filled with remorse for all that she had told him. After he had left, she told the King about the conversation she had with him. Although he was much pained to hear this, the King found that Chitralekha regretted her action. He quietly led her to Vasudev’s chamber who was preparing to sleep. The King of Chandrapur welcomed them inside and was alarmed to see their distraught faces. The Queen sought pardon for all that she had told him.
“Q Queen, please do not embarrass me thus. Although I was disturbed by your words, I can well understand your trauma as a mother. You are justified in your feelings. Please let bygones be bygones. Let us all now just wait in eager anticipation for the arrival of the Prince tomorrow.”
The Queen thanked him and looked at her lord who came forward and yet again held
Vasudev close to his heart.      “You are indeed a blessed soul!” he exclaimed emotively.
Thereafter, the couple took their leave.
The next day, the King did not make any attempts to search for his son because he had unimpeachable faith in what Vasudev had told him about the Lord’s prognostication. Just as the sun shone in all its brilliance in the afternoon, a tired looking Prince Vasu made his appearance in the King’s chamber! His parents had decided that they would not be harsh towards their son for what he did and gave him a warm welcome. While the Queen lost her emotions, Bharadwaj barely managed to show restraint. Vasudev too had wet eyes and looked at the proceedings silently. portentous