SATYAN3
-9. The Chaste King

Overwhelmed by this gesture, both Bharadwaj and Amulya folded their palms in gratitude and after gracefully accepting the crowns placed them firmly on the heads of Vasudev and Manorama. At this moment, the blowing of conches and trumpets reached a crescendo and all those assembled in the durbar showered petals on the newly crowned King and Queen.
Bharadwaj embraced Vasudev endearingly and wished him. The eyes of Sage Amulya were glistened with tears of joy who had never ever dreamt that his daughter would one day become the Queen of a kingdom! Vasudev’s friends were proud of him and prayed for his success in his new role. Thereby, King Dharmaraja addressed everyone wherein he expressed great happiness in Vasudev succeeding the throne after him. He articulated that Vasudev would prove to be a just ruler and asked his subjects and ministers to co-operate with him and lend him a helping hand in his endeavour to serve them better.
All the guests were treated to a feast in a grand hall and were offered gifts in celebration of this momentous occasion which left them happy and satisfied.
The next day, most of the guests took their leave. King Bharadwaj and the three friends prolonged their stay in the kingdom by a few days on Vasudev’s request. All of them had a great time together. One evening when all the royal couples were having a general conversation, King Dharmaraja made an announcement. “I would like to tell something to all of you.” As all of them listened keenly, he continued, “Both me and Satyaki have lived life to the fullest. We have performed all our duties and have also had the privilege of seeing our daughter happily married and settle down in life. God has also given us a grandson who is now taking education under a renowned sage. What more can we ask for? Now we feel that we should be allowed to lead a life of our liking where we want to renounce everything and retire to the forest to lead the life of ascetics for the rest of our lives!”
Chitralekha’s face suddenly became pale with shock. The others gave each other pensive looks not knowing how to react to this decision of Dharamaraja and his Queen.
“Please do not despair. Try to understand that it is only now can we hope to fulfill this desire of ours. We want to renounce all worldly pleasures and lead a life in seclusion and in meditation of God. I feel that we do have a right to do so.” Dharmaraja opined. Chitralekha knew that once her parents made up their minds on any factor, it was difficult to change their decision. Displaying remarkable resilience, she nodded her head in consent without any further mark of dissent and remonstration. Bharadwaj made her head rest on his arms in an attempt to pacify her heart which he knew was poignantly grieving inside. “When do you want to leave for the forest?” he asked softly.
“Let Vasudev settle down as the King. We will leave after that.” Dharmaraja replied. Although Vasudev smiled at this response of the King, he was very disturbed at the turn of events but did not say anything for he did not want to aggravate the sorrow of the Queen. Dharmaraja and Satyaki spend some moments with their daughter and tried to placate her melancholy.
After Bharadwaj, Chitralekha and his friends had left for Somnapur, Vasudev began his sojourn as the ruler of Chandrapur where he strived hard for the welfare and happiness of his subjects. His gentle and magnanimous attitude soon won the hearts of everyone including Dharmaraja’s ministers whom he treated with due respect and honour. His genial attitude was also mixed with sternness whenever the situation demanded. He was a strict disciplinarian and hated non-compliance of duties within the specified time limit. Under such circumstances, he made his displeasure clearly known and therefore to avoid such unpleasant scenarios his ministers showed adherence in timely execution of their duties. Vasudev also paid surprise visits to different parts of the kingdom to see if his ministers were doing their job and if everything was fine with his subjects.
Vasudev empowered Panchayats to resolve all problems faced by villagers. He announced attractive cash incentives for such villages which managed to solve it’s grievances and complaints at the Panchayat level so that the people could get speedy justice. Besides, this move was also aimed at relieving some of the burden off his shoulders that would enable him to concentrate on more urgent matters. Vasudev’s tender heart was always moved whenever he came across orphans whom he sent to ashrams for getting proper education so that they do not swerve in the wrong path in the absence of suitable guidance from their guardians. He had himself been a victim of this where he had resorted to committing heist for eking a living after the demise of his parents. He laid special emphasis on education which he knew had the efficacy to keep superstition and unemployment away from his kingdom. He exhorted sages to groom the talents in their students which could serve as a benchmark for them to get self-employed once they grew up. He also requested them to make their pupils aware that all of them were equals and that they should recognize each other not by caste or religion but as human beings.
Dharmaraja was thoroughly impressed by the chaste thoughts of Vasudev and his just rule. The former King was now sure that Vasudev had comfortably settled down in his new role and the kingdom would continue to prosper under his rule. Dharmaraja declared that he would retire to the forest alongwith his Queen. His people were very distressed to learn about his decision for they loved him and the Queen and wanted them to continue staying in the palace.
As soon as Bharadwaj got this news, he and Chitralekha immediately set out for Chandrapur. A few days after their arrival, Dharmaraja and Satyaki wore the garbs of ascetics and set out to the forest in a chariot. Everyone assembled in the streets to bid a tearful farewell to the royal couple. Chitralekha looked glum but yet again managed to suppress her emotions. Bharadwaj was by her side ready to give her support at this moment of grief. Vasudev and Manorama stood beside Bharadwaj dejectedly watching Dharamraja’s chariot move away from their eyesight. There sorrow only multiplied when they saw the chariot returning empty after leaving the elder couple in the forest. A few days after Bharadwaj and his Queen had left, Dharmaraja and Satyaki went for a two-month long pilgrimage.