SATYAN 5
-4. Vasudev And The Lord Again

King Chandravarkar and his Rajguru Chakrabandhava also visited him.  The King asked his daughter to take proper care of her father-in-law.  Vasudev assured him that Somalatha was looking after him like a daughter.  Both the visitors were very happy to hear this.  Thereafter, they spent some time with Rishabd and Manorama and took their leave the next morning.

Ever since his transformation into a noble and virtuous soul, Vasudev always liked to be agile and work for the welfare of his people.  He now felt miserable to just lie down on bed throughout the day.  As time progressed, there was marginal improvement in his health.  He requested Manavendra to atleast allow him to go for a short round in the evening.  After much deliberation the physician consented much to Vasudev’s relief. 

Rishabd began to take his father in his chariot for a small round in the evenings which refreshed and rejuvenated the old King.  Although the people were delighted to see him, they were saddened to see that he had lost weight and looked frail owing to the illness.  As Vasudev looked at his subjects he smiled and waved at them.  Rishabd ensured that the trip was kept short so that his father did not strain himself in his eagerness to mingle with the people. 

In one of his visits Vasudev witnessed two instances where some groups of people were carrying dead bodies to the graveyard.  It pained him when he learnt that both the dead were young men who had fallen victims to some illness.  He returned to the palace in a very disturbed state of mind.  Although his Lord had told him that fate cannot be changed, he still developed a feeling that the Almighty should not allow fate to be so cruel and merciless.  He could understand when people like him died owing to their advanced age but how could death befall youngsters?  This thought made him very restless and distressed.  No one could do anything to calm him down.  After that day, Vasudev decided to just go to the palace garden and have a stroll in the evenings.

After more than a month had gone by, the lump in Vasudev’s stomach had drastically shrunk, much to the glee of everyone.  But alas!  Just as he was on the path of recovery, he again began to experience the familiar symptoms of fever and loss of appetite.  Manavendra examined him and discovered that this time it was an altogether new illness that was related to his lungs which had become infected.  He maintained that there was nothing to panic but the path to recovery would yet again take a few days.  

Everyone in the palace was very upset at the turn of events.  Risbabd was of the opinion that the great Sage Pradayumna be called over to examine his father.  However, Vasudev did not second his views.  According to him, their physician Manavendra was a very forthright person who would not take any responsibility that was beyond his means.  Thus, Vasudev felt that the physician should be allowed to do his job without any aspersions being cast on him.  The others concurred with his mode of thinking to which Rishabd eventually agreed.

Lying down on bed, Vasudev began to develop some disturbing thoughts.  He tried to ward them off by thinking about his Lord Krishna which calmed him down momentarily.  However, at some point of time they returned to haunt him yet again that made him restless.  One night when he was sleeping, he yet again slipped into the realm of his incredible dreams. 

In this dream, he found himself sitting on one of the steps that led to a beautiful pond which had crystal water that shimmered in the gentle rays of the full moon.  It was a pleasant and cloudless sky that allowed the twinkling stars to freely make their presence felt.  A cool breeze blew along at intermittent intervals that made the trees swing around cheerfully.  All this failed to enliven the perturbed mind of Vasudev who just sat there with a distraught face.  He closed his eyes and invoked his Lord.   In a few moments, he heard the melodious tune of a flute being played!  He instantly opened his eyes and looked to his right.  And there he found the Lord himself sitting near him and playing his golden flute with closed eyes.  Mesmerized, Vasudev did not realize when he rested his head on the Lord’s lap and listen to the dulcet tones of the flute with closed eyes.  Lord Krishna continued to play his flute till his devotee had buried all his worries and his heart was filled with tranquility and felicity.   Finally, Krishna opened his serene eyes and moved the flute away from his lips.  Looking at his devotee with an endearing smile, he touched the head of his admirer who was still lying on his lap.    This made Vasudev wake up with a start!  He, at once, stood upright and folded his palms before the blue-coloured deity.  Even as Vasudev sought pardon for resting on his lap without his permission, the Lord smiled and spoke in his deep voice that was laced in a mischievous ting, “In that case, I must also thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve my greatest devotee!” 

As Vasudev blushed, the Lord laughed and spread his arms in embrace.  “This is indeed a privilege, my child!  When you were sick years ago, I had myself made you lie down on my lap.  Remember?” 

Vasudev nodded in reminiscence and cuddled himself in the arms of the Lord.    During this divine embrace, a feeling passed Vasudev’s heart that all his worries were devoid of meaning for he had Lord Krishna, his mentor, by his side who would take care of them.

 Later, observing him minutely, the Lord queried, “Why are you so downcast?  Tell me, what is bothering you?”

“My Lord, you must be aware that I am not keeping good health for the past several days.  I have something to ask of you.  Pray give me a reply!”

As the Lord gestured him to proceed, he continued, “Am I going to remain sick like this for the rest of my life?” 

Lord Krishna’s face turned grim and for the first time in all his conversations with Vasudev, he lowered his eyes and did not respond.