THE SEEDS OF UPHEAVAL
-4. Cause For the Calamity

As the two friends conversed, Dhurjaya was looking at King Bhupendra with contempt!

Although Bhupendra had initially planned to stay there for a couple of days, he prolonged his visit by another three days after seeing the sad condition of Paramjeet.  During this time, he spent the entire day sitting by the side of Paramjeet and speaking with him.  When he saw the others struggling to give medicines and juices to the young Prince, his eyes became moist.  He quickly managed to withhold his tears from flowing down for he did not want to stimulate the emotions of Paramjeet’s parents.  He himself volunteered in feeding the Prince without much success.  He also spoke to Sukumaran and was deeply worried over the fact that the physician was not providing any assurance for the recovery of the Prince.  Bhupendra also had the privilege of meeting Sage Anantu who came every evening and narrated some stories to Paramjeet.  The sage reminded the Prince of some events in the ashram and told him as to how eagerly his friends were awaiting his recovery.  Dhuranjaya made his musicians play before his son and even made arrangements for various kinds of flowers to be brought to his chamber so that the Prince could smell them, as was recommended by Sukumaran. 

Finally, it was time for Bhupendra to take leave.  Asking his friend to have trust on God and assuring him that he would be back soon, Bhupendra left for Kameshti.  On the day when Bhupendra left, Sage Anantu met the King and informed him that he would be away from town for a couple of weeks to attend a yagna that was organised by none other than his guru.  “….Do not despair, O Rajan!  I will pray for the quick recovery of Paramjeet and if the Lord is kind enough, he would gain conscious by the time I am back.”  Anantu said hopefully. 

“Let us hope that happens, O Sage!” Dhuranjaya exclaimed and wished the sage a safe journey and a successful yagna.

A couple of days passed by.  There was still no improvement in Paramjeet’s health.  In the evening, after Dhuranjaya returned from his evening rounds – which he did regularly despite his personal tragedy –  Dhurjaya asked for a private audience with his brother.  The King left his Queen, Dayanti, to be with his son and then went to Dhurjaya’s chambers.  After they were seated, the younger brother, who was appearing very restless, spoke up, “Brother, I think I know the reason as to why this calamity has befallen us!” 

As the King listened intently, Dhurjaya continued, “It is due to the mistake you committed nine years ago!” 

“Mistake?  What are you getting at, Dhurjaya?”  the King asked perplexed. 

“You handed over the custody of your daughter, who is now called Aditi, to your friend, Bhupendra!  I am talking about that incident.” Dhurjaya pointed out. 

“What nonsense!” Dhuranjaya snorted with annoyance, “…How is that incident related in any way to this tragedy?” 

“It is very much related, O brother!  Children are the boon of God.  By giving away Aditi to your friend you did not accept this boon of God which has made him angry.  This tragedy is the manifestation of his anger, brother.” Dhurjaya argued. 

“You have gone out of your mind!  How can you even think in these terms?  I understand that you are disturbed at what has happened to my son but that does not mean that this incident should affect your thinking in such an adverse manner.  You know that I gave Aditi to Bhupendra with noble intentions.  I did not have any prejudice towards Aditi for she was a girl.  I have not done any injustice to her but just gave her to a couple who were longing to have a child.  Today, can Aditi say that she has been deprived of parental love and care?  You know very well how Bhupendra and Chandraki love her.  Still, you talk in this manner!”  Dhuranjaya thundered with rage. 

“Brother, did I ever say that you gave Aditi to Bhupendra with any wrong intentions?   Let’s take it in this way.  Today if I offer you a gift and tomorrow if you give that to someone else, would I feel happy about it?  I am bound to feel offended.  The Lord blessed you with Aditi for he wanted you to be her parents.  And you gave her away to someone else!  Your action made it appear that you do not have any regard for what God wished that has upset him and he is now making you pay for it!  Let me specify that such thoughts have not clouded my mind only now.  If you remember, even at that time when you were planning to give Aditi away to Bhupendra I was opposed to the idea.”  Dhurjaya deduced.

“Enough!  I am disturbed by your mode of thinking.  Instead of trying to be supportive and helping me to be in good spirits, you are only compounding my misery and sorrow in this hour of crisis!”  So saying,  Dhuranjaya got up from his seat and stormed out of the chamber leaving Dhurjaya sulking in anger. 

Queen Dayanti was taken aback to see the King so disturbed.  “What happened?  Why do you look so upset?  Where is your brother?” 

“Just forget it!  My brother has gone out of his mind!  There is no substance in his thinking!”  the King replied gruffly. 

After much persuasion, Dhuranjaya took the Queen to the main hall of his chamber and told her about the conversation he had with his brother.  “….Do you think that there is any logic in what he has said?”  he asked the Queen. 

“Certainly not” the Queen replied instantly and then both of them sat near their son in a grim mood. 

Later, Dhurjaya returned to the King’s chamber but then there was no exchange of words between them. 

Meanwhile, King Bhupendra apprised his Queen, Chandraki, of what he witnessed in his friend’s place.  Chandraki was deeply pained to learn about the sombre condition of Paramjeet.