SATYAN3
-16. A Remorseful Friend And The Remedy

Vasu fell at his parents’ feet and sought apology for moving away from them. His parents readily forgave him, and the Prince thereby disclosed the reason for his decision and whereabouts.
“Already the reason which father told me as to why he did not want to tell me the truth about Queen Maitreya was having its impact on my mind. Apart from this, Bharat completely manipulated my mind!”
These words shocked his parents and confirmed the worst fears of Vasudev. Thereby, the Prince informed them about his conversation with Bharat. “What he said was so convincing that it re-kindled in me the desire to become a sage! With this intention in mind I walked out of the palace in the dead of the night and had been to Dhanavantinagar – a neigbouring kingdom – to have a look at the ashram which was once the dwelling place of my gurji’s ancestors. I introduced myself as a traveler who liked to be in the presence of sages and stayed there for a while. From there, I was to go to a far-off kingdom where I had decided to live the life of a hermit for the rest of my life. While I was leaving, I found a youth, probably of my age, taking utmost care of his aged parents.
This incident compelled me to do a self-introspection. While that boy took such great care of his parents, what had I done? I had deserted them in pursuit of my self-centric goals. This thought troubled me and at that time I remembered the gurudakshina that my guruji had asked of me. He wanted me to be a good ruler and never disappoint my subjects. By running away from my kingdom, was I not denying him his gurudakshina? I also thought about you, O Vasudev uncle! Despite being a ruler, you have managed to lead a life of utmost disciple and ethics. Thus, it is incorrect to mention that this position makes it hard for us to escape from the evil quality of the greed to have more and more power, like Bharat had pointed out. All such thoughts made me repent my act and I returned.”
This made Vasudev comprehend his Lord’s prediction that he would be in a way responsible for the coming back of the Prince!
Vasu took an oath that he would never repeat this act again in his life. Although the parents were happy at this, Bharadwaj was very incensed with Bharat for his machination. Vasudev calmed him down for following the Prince’s return, Bharat’s cabal had lost its relevance. Later the Prince met his guruji and sought the latter’s pardon for moving away from his parents and responsibilities. Seeing that his student had realized his folly, the sage readily forgave him.
A couple of days later King Bharadwaj and his family had surprised visitors in the form of Bharat and his father Somadatt! Both appeared quite relieved to see Vasu back in the palace. Somadatt enquired with the King whether Vasu had told them about the conversation he had with his son. Although Bharadwaj did not reply, the indignation that was writ large on his face was enough for Somadatt to get his answer. Thereby, he folded his palms before the King and said, “When your associates brought news of Prince Vasudev’s disappearance, I made a sketch of the Prince with the help of my son and asked my men to search for him in the kingdom. This did not yield in any positive result.
The day before yesterday Bharat had gone for hunting. He always took pride in venturing out all alone to enjoy his favorite pastime. This time, too, it was no exception. As fate would have it, there was a sudden heavy downpour and he completely lost his way in the jungle where he had to spend the entire night. All this time when he was alone in that jungle, he only craved to return and be with his family. It was during this period that he realized what you, as parents, must be going through at your son’s disappearance for which he was largely amenable. A feeling of guilt overcame his heart and after he returned yesterday he confessed all that he had done back here. It was the jealousy that he was nursing against your son at the future position that he is going to occupy which made him do all that. I wanted him to personally seek pardon from you for his culpability and therefore have accompanied him here. Please forgive my son, O King!”
Bharat came forward and sought apology for his culpability.
The remorseful tone of King Somadatt and the efforts he had made to trace his son calmed down the temper of Bharadwaj. He also glanced at Vasudev who slightly nodded his head in the affirmative with a grin. This gesture of Vasudev was enough for the King to make up his mind and he forgave Bharat instantly. Queen Chitralekha and Vasu also followed in his footsteps.
Later, Bharat met his guru who severely reprimanded him for his wrongful act. Bharat listened silently with his head hung down and then fell at his feet seeking his pardon. After much insistence the sage finally forgave him. He took an oath from his pupil that he shall never repeat this mistake and expunge his evil quality of jealousy from his heart. After Bharat and his father had left for their kingdom Sage Pradayumna came to the palace at dusk. He was received with great reverence by everyone in the palace. After they were seated he revealed the purpose of his visit. “O Vasudev, if you recollect I had expressed hope that someday I will find a cure to your wife’s illness. I am glad to tell you that I finally have!”
Vasudev instantly rose and embraced the sage. Bharadwaj and Chitralekha too were delighted at this wonderful news. Thereby, the sage continued, “She has to take some fruits like grapes and apples. Also, let her also drink onion juice before she takes anything in the morning daily and consume honey. All this would go a long way in treating effectively the blockage in her heart. I had recently come across a patient who had similar symptoms like Manorama. I have been trying this treatment on him for the past few months and it is showing very encouraging results! Now, I shall recommend it for your wife and she, too, would be fine! I had been to your kingdom but then learnt that you were here. Thus, I came here to tell you about this!”
Vasudev fell at the feet of the sage and thanked him for his efforts. It was only then that he got the opportunity to tell them and then later to Manorama’s father Amulya that he had revealed the truth of his wife’s illness to her. All of them were happy to see the excellent spirit in which Manorama had taken this fact. This incident clearly showed that even when it came to matters relating to him, Vasudev was not prepared to budge from his virtuous principles. This made Queen Chitralekha recollect the accusation she had hurled at Vasudev which made her feel more embarrassed.
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Sage Parmananda who was narrating this story concluded, “As King Somadatt had made the disappearance of Vasu public, Bharadwaj decided to tell his subjects about all that had happened before they got this news from other sources. He called a Durbar and apprised the people of all that had happened. He also made a very pleasant announcement where he pardoned both Sridhar and Shiva for their wrongdoing owing to their excellent conduct in the ashram! Besides, he was grateful to them for the efforts they had taken in keeping a constant watch on his son and making Vasu realize his future duty as a ruler. Vasudev was beset with joy as he heard this. He thanked the King effusively and revealed this news to his friends. They hugged each other in jubilation and had tears of joy in their eyes. Vasudev thanked his Lord for these moments of glory.
Just as Sage Pradayumna had expected, Manorama began to respond positively to his treatment in a couple of months! This was yet another moment for Vasudev to cherish in his eventful life.
Bharadwaj also put back Queen Maitreya’s painting in the exhibition hall.
O children,Vasudev is an epitome of honesty, austerity, determination and self-discipline. All of us make mistakes in our lives for after all, it is human to err. However, he who learns from his mistakes and takes utmost precaution to ensure that he does not repeat it any other time in his life is truly great. Vasudev’s wife Manorama has shown us to always have a positive outlook in life. Death is inevitable and therefore what is important is how well we lead our precious lives given to us by God.
This story also highlights the fact that we should never blindly allow others to guide our actions. What Prince Vasu realized after he saw a youth taking good care of his parents, would have dawned on him much earlier if he had used his sound mind and sense of reasoning. There is nothing wrong to have a passion in life. However, with growing age and maturity we must realize that not all passions can be pursued. We must understand our duties and make that our passion. Vasu took a long time to realize this factor.
O students always devote your life for the welfare of others.         If you do so, you shall become very dear to God like the noble Vasudev.”