SYNOPSIS- Satyan 4 - Future Obstacle

When Prince Vasu had disappeared from the palace, Chitralekha had accused Vasudev that he may relax his principles when it came to his son.  This was now proved false.  The King knew what was going on in his wife’s mind but did not touch upon that issue.  He only spoke about his concerns at Vasudev’s latest decision.  “I hope his family understands him, O Chitra!” 

The Queen agreed in the affirmative although she herself was worried about the outcome of Vasudev’s proposal.

Vasudev met his Queen and apprised her about his plans to which she acquiesced.  Although happy at her consent, the noble King yet again made attempts to learn her opinion regarding this issue.  She gave a similar response.  Thereafter he met his son.  When Rishabd learnt about what his father had in mind, he folded his hands and said tersely, “Your wish is my command, father!” 

Touched at his son’s response, Vasudev held him close to his heart and praised him, “I am proud of you, my son!” 

These words made Rishabd puff up with pride and he thanked his father for his compliments. 

The King then visited Abharan who was overwhelmed at this offer.  He asked for some time to think over this matter to which Vasudev readily agreed.

Satisfied, Vasudev returned to Bharadwaj and Chitralekha and acquainted them with the developments. 

The elderly couple were happy at the turn of events but had a nagging feeling of something inimical was just waiting to happen!   

Vasudev was in for disappointment as Abharan met him two days later and denied his offer.  He insisted that he would continue to serve his kingdom only in the capacity as a minister.  The King tried to persuade his minister to give a second thought to his suggestion, but he was adamant. 

Bharadwaj and the Queen were quite relieved to hear this as they felt that Vasudev would now hand over the complete leadership of his kingdom to his son.  Manorama expressed her surprise at this move of Abharan but maintained that they had to respect his decision. 

Unable to witness his father being upset, Rishabd made a significant move of meeting the senior minister where he tried to change Abharan’s stance!  Although he failed this selfless move won him accolades from his family. 

Later when Vasudev informed them about his future course of action, Bharadwaj was so impressed at him that he affirmed, “There can be none like you, O Satya!  You are indeed blessed!”

Vasudev called a durbar where he familiarized everyone about the recent developments.  He then continued, “…Since I feel that my son is most capable of succeeding me, I intend to crown him as my successor.  However, it is quite possible that my love towards my son is making me overlook his limitations.   Thus, I have decided to give my subjects a couple of weeks’ time to think over this.  During this period if any of you has any concern or reservation about my son ascending the throne then you are welcome to approach me with your objections and reasons for the same.  I promise you that if I find your concern or objections to be genuine I will not coronate my son till the time they are allayed.  Please rest assured that I will not hold any bitterness against that person who will not be subjected to any form of harassment.  Still if you are reluctant to approach me you can even write your objection and reason in a piece of paper and put it in a wooden box that would be kept a few miles away from the palace street.  This spot would be left unguarded so that you can exercise this option without any fear.”

Everyone hailed Vasudev’s decision and felt that this move was in perfect line with the severe austerity that he had maintained all through in his life ever since his transformation. 

Time passed by and soon it was the evening of the last day of Vasudev’s two-week period that he had offered his subjects.  So far neither did anyone come to meet him regarding this issue nor was any complaint paper put in the wooden box.  Besides Vasudev’s aides brought him the news that everyone was in favour of his son succeeding him to the throne. 

After his aides had left, a guard informed him about the arrival of a sage, Ajanma.  The King came out to receive him.   Near the entrance stood a round-faced saffron clad sage who was of a medium height and complexion.  His eyes expressed tranquility and a sweet smile played on his lips.  His black hairs were matted, and he sported a long beard.  The King welcomed him inside and after they were seated enquired about the purpose of his visit.  Ajanma replied, “Maharaj, I am your well-wisher.  I only want that the crucial decision which you are about to take of choosing a suitable successor to the throne is impeccable.  Now, your son Rishabd appears to be a perfect choice.  I was eager to know whether even in the future he would continue to follow in the footsteps of his father and be a just ruler that you expect him to be.  For this purpose, using my yogic powers I peeped into his future and discovered something disturbing.  O King, after you bid adieu to this world your son would go into a deep depression from which he would never recover!  He would lose interest in everything and just sit in a corner in utter distress thinking about you.  I would not like to reveal as to when this would happen, but this appears a certainty.” 

Vasudev appeared shocked to hear this.  The sage continued, “Since you also intended to make Abharan a ruler I also saw through his future where I found no glitch.”  He thereby quickly clarified, “Maharaj, I do not in any way intend to come in the way of your son’s progress.  I am telling you this only because I felt I should.  Please do not get me wrong!”