SATYAN 5
-7. Ray Of Hope

As Vasudev was leaving, the King called out to him, “Satya!”  Vasudev turned behind and found him standing with outstretched arms.  The noble King of Chandrapur rushed and cuddled himself in the King’s arms just like a child would in the loving arms of his parents.  They stood in that position for some time and then Vasudev looked at the King’s eyes.  Sensing what was going on in his mind, Bharadwaj smiled and said, “There are no tears in my eyes, Satya!  I know you cannot see my cry!”

At this instance, Vasudev felt a lump in his throat and he could not thwart his eyes from becoming moist.  He yet again embraced the King and then left his presence.  The Mahatma had to go before his emotions got the better of him.     

 As Vasudev disappeared from his eyesight, the eyes of Bharadwaj were blinded with tears.  He went inside the chamber and wept bitterly like he had never before.  His body trembled as he gave vent to his emotions.  A few moments later, he wiped away the flowing tears and refreshed himself by splashing cold water on his face.  Thereby, he lay on bed and closed his eyes.  He gave a deep thought to all the events that had occurred now and then finally opened his eyes.

Meanwhile, Chitralekha decided to go to the chamber where Vasudev had escorted her Lord.  She was getting worried for Bharadwaj was all alone in that chamber and in a very somber state of mind.  Vasudev wanted to accompany her but Chitralekha asked him to be with his wife.  A guard was called over and the Queen left with him.

Vasudev asked Manorama to meet Rishabd.  “I know that he must be crestfallen!  Somalatha must be having a hard time consoling him.  If he sees me, it might only help in intensifying his grief.” 

Manorama agreed and took her leave leaving the King alone. 

Vasudev sat on the bed and looked at the marble floors and wondered whether his family would ever agree with his views. 

As Chitralekha was making her way to the resting chamber with the guard, she found King Bharadwaj coming towards her!  “Where are you going, my Lord?”  She asked with concern.

“I am going to meet Rishabd. Let me see if I can bring down the severity of his sorrow.”  The old King responded grimly, “Don’t we know as to how that child must be feeling at this moment?    We have to suppress our grief for his sake.”    Asking the Queen to wait for him in the chamber, Bharadwaj took his leave.  Although he appeared to be dealing with this situation grittily, Chitralekha knew how shattered he would be inside his heart.  She was aware that although her King could withstand many a calamity, he could not bear to see anything inimical happening to Vasudev!  Such was the deep affection Bharadwaj had towards his Satyan!

Meanwhile, Somalatha tried her best to console her grieving King but to no avail.  Tears flowed down his eyes in a continuous stream.  Just then Manorama entered the chamber and sat beside her son.  Seeing his mother, Rishabd rested his head on her lap and lamented, “How do we agree to father’s wishes, O Mother?” 

Manorama softly touched her son’s head and replied, “What other choice do we have?  It is your father’s desire that we give a proper thought to the boon that the Lord wants to offer him which we must obey.  These are testing times for us, Rishabd.  You must not forget the fact that you are a ruler!  You cannot shed tears like this.  You must face this situation bravely.”

These words hardly mitigated Rishabh’s sorrow.  He still allowed his tears to flow down in rivulets.  Just then Bharadwaj made his appearance in the chamber.    All of them rose to welcome him.  Rishabd wiped away his tears but in a few moments, they made their presence felt again.  Bharadwaj sat beside the grieving King and tried to pacify him, “Be brave, Rishabd!  There are a couple of factors that you must consider here.  Foremost, when the Lord offered that boon to your father, he could have instantly accepted it which he did not do.  He thought of first taking his family into confidence before deciding his next course of action.  When he accords such importance to his family, is it not binding upon us to do justice to his aspirations?” 

Rishabd gave the King a puzzled look.  What he was trying to say, the young King wondered.

“Do not get me wrong!  Your father wants us to think about this matter pragmatically.  Getting so emotional is certainly not the best way to satisfy his wish.  Secondly, the Almighty often puts him to tests.  When he comes out of it successfully, the Lord uses that as an opportunity to show the world as to how one should lead life.  It could be that even this boon is part of a test!  Once it’s purpose is achieved, everything may eventually be alright!”  Bharadwaj deduced.

Gone was the puzzled expression on Rishabd’s face.  He now looked at the King with a ray of hope in his eyes.  Even Manorama and Somalatha had not thought from this perspective.  Rishabd glanced at his mother who agreed with the views of Bharadwaj but also sounded a note of caution.  “Your grandfather may be right!  He may be wrong as well!  We must prepare ourselves to face any eventuality, Rishabd.  Your parents are now aging and therefore you must prepare yourself to bear their exit.  After all we cannot be with you throughout your life!  You have to bid your old parents farewell someday and continue to do your duty as a ruler.” 

Both Bharadwaj and Somalatha appreciated her views in their mind.  However, these words disturbed Rishabd extremely and he hung his head down in despair.  “My child!”  Manorama continued, “Being his wife, you can imagine my state of mind if something happens to him.  But then, we are left with no other option!  If he does not accept that boon, then he may have to suffer much throughout his life.  Can you bear to see that?”