SAMRADITYA SAGA Part 2 - TANGLES OF HATRED

Accusation for the sake of friendship

Acharya Shri Amarguptsuriji had started his autobiography from the incarnation of Soma in which his soul had attained right perception.
• Second life was of an elephant
• Later, he became Chakradev the son of an industrialist. His story is described below :
The life span of my incarnation in heaven came to an end. My soul incarnated in the region of this western Mahavideh.
In a city named Chakrawalpur, there lived a noble and popular businessman named Apratihat. His wife’s name was Sumangala. I was born from Sumangala’s womb.
I was named Chakradev. I was brought up with great affection and given good education and values. My father wanted me to imbibe the qualities with which he had attained the love of the king and the subjects.
My father had a lot of wealth. He used to deal with justice, ethics and honesty. He used to donate generously to the needy. He used to offer alms to the saints. Among the Rajya Sabha and the folks, he was known to be :
• Benevolent
• Virtuous
• Compassionate
King  Chandshasan used to give respect to my father. He had great affection for my father. My father was also completely loyal to the state and the king.
My mother was very loving and an idol of affection. She was simple and calm. She was soft in nature. I was his only son. She had great love for me.
She used to take utmost care that I don’t do anything wrong and no bad habit or wrong deeds enter my life.
***
That parrot died and became a guest in hell. After suffering harsh tortures of hell, he was then reincarnated in Chakrawalpur. Karma brought us together in the same city once again.
Rajpurohit Somsharma’s wife Nandivardhana gave birth to him. He was named Yagyadutt. He and I were almost the same age. We both studied in the same school. Fortune played with me again. I extended a hand of friendship with Yagyadutt.
• My friendship was with a sincere heart
• His friendship was full of deceit
My father was richer than his father. My parents were more popular and honourable among the king and subjects than his parents. That’s why, a spark of jealousy had ignited in Yagyadutt’s mind. But he used to hide it. Moreover, his behaviour with me was just normal.
We grew up; reached the threshold of youth. Our friendship was unbroken. But don’t know why, Yagyadutt was eager to find my fault and defame me. He was looking for an opportunity to bury my respect in the soil but he failed. He could not find any such flaw in me. Along with my parents, day by day, my name was also getting popular in the Rajya Sabha and among the people. I was respected. People used to say, "Like father, like son. One day, this son will earn higher fame than his father."
My praise couldn’t be tolerated by Yagyadutt. There was only one thing stuck in his mind, ‘How to defame Chakradev? How to get Chakradev’s name buried in the soil? His wealth should be looted. He should be killed!’
I was simple. Unaware of his negative side, I used to visit his house many times and have food with me. He used to come to my house and eat with me. We would go for a walk in the garden. We would roam together! Whenever I got some nice things, I would give it first to him.
But he never realised the value of my friendship. Fire of enmity kept burning in his heart towards me. Ultimately, he found a way to set the palace of friendship on fire. He thought of a very disgusting plan. He planned to accuse me of theft.
In our town, there lived another well-known businessman like my father. His name was Chandan Shresthi. He had a good relation with my father. Chandan Shresthi also adored and respected my father. He was an admirer of my father’s qualities.
Yagyadutt stole gold ornaments from Chandan Shresthi’s house. He stole jewellery made up of precious gems and pearls. Stuffing the stolen goods in a sack, he came to my house early in the morning after.
I asked him, “What’s the matter, friend? What made you come here so early in the morning?”
He said, "Friend, I have brought some valuables. You have keep them safely in your house. You have to do this much work for me.”
I got suspicious.
I thought, ‘At this time, he has brought so many valuable things. What if they belong to someone else?’
I asked him, “Whom does this belong to?”
He said in a confident voice, "Don't worry at all, these are mine. I myself will come and take them at an appropriate time.”
Assuring me, he left the sack and went away.
I could not refuse him because of friendship. I kept that sack in my room.
Not even three hours had passed post sunrise when the word spread in the entire city that robbery had taken place in Chandan Shresthi’s house. Hearing this, my head was shaken. My doubt got stronger.
‘Did Yagyadutt steal all this and hand it over to me? He doesn’t have so much wealth. From where did he bring it?’
I reached Yagyadutt’s house immediately.
Taking him in one corner, I asked, “The parcel that you gave me, whose is it? Tell me the truth, why did you do this?"
He said "What are you saying? Don’t you trust me? Believe me, don’t think anything else. I handed it over to you to hide it from my father. I’m speaking the truth."
Yagyadutt spoke in such a manner that I had no choice but to trust him. I believed him. However, unexpressed doubts were present in my mind.
***
Chandan Shresthi went to King  Chandshasan. He complained to the king, "You Majesty, theft has taken place in my house." 
The king asked shockingly, "What has been stolen? Meet the minister and give him the list of stolen items with their weight, price and other details. I will get it announced and searched in the city.”
Chandan Shresthi gave the information about the stolen items. The king proclaimed in the city, "These things have been stolen from  Chandan Shresthi’s house. Whoever has come across any of these things, will have to go to the Rajya Sabha and give inform the king. If this is not done and the items are found in his house by our officials, then the king will confiscate all his wealth and put him in jail. He will be punished severely."
Yagyadutt was looking for such an opportunity. He did such a heinous act only to entrap me. He let four days pass.
On the fifth day, he went to the court, bowed down at the feet of the king and said, “Your Majesty, I know that it is not at all good to reveal the fault of a friend. But if a friend acts against the state, people and administration, and harms himself as well, then he doesn’t remain a friend. Even after knowing the person who harmed the king or the subjects, if I ignore him, then I will also be called a criminal. My friend is the one who robbed Chandan Shresthi’s house.”
"Who is that friend of yours?” The king asked looking at him sternly.
"Chakradev, the son of Apratihat Shreshthi.”
“How do you know this?”
“I heard this from the family close to Chakradev. The man who said this, is reliable. He has hidden all the stolen goods in his mansion.
The king said, "This is absolutely wrong. Why would a pious and virtuous man like Chakradev steal? I can not believe it. He was born in a noble family and has been raised with good etiquettes. Moreover, he has a lot of wealth. Why would he rob in someone else’s house like this? This accusation is pointless."
Yagyadev got scared. He felt his plan was almost failing.
Yet with the intention of making one more claim, he tried to validate his point, “Your Majesty, what you said is absolutely correct. He is my friend too. But you only say, whom doesn’t greed pull down? Whom doesn’t ignorance push on the wrong path? So what if he was born in a noble family. Don’t insects breed even in the best and most fragrant flowers? I request you to get his house searched. Then as you wish. I have fulfilled my duty, now you look into it.”
The king felt it would be inappropriate to get a popular and reputed businessman’s house searched for items of theft.
The king was confused. He thought a lot. ‘Nevertheless, the house will have to be searched, but politely.’ This decision was taken by the king.
Calling the chief officials of the state, the king ordered, "Go to Chakradev’s mansion. Take the mahajan of the city with you. Also take Chandan Shresthi’s treasurer along and find out whether the stolen goods are in Chakradev’s mansion or not.”
The state officials were shocked listening to the king’s orders!
“Looking for stolen goods in the house of an elite and ethical citizen like Chakradev?" They left the palace and went straight to the Mahajan. The mahajans gathered. The officials told them the king’s order. Everyone  started staring at each other’s faces. They found this act inappropriate and beyond limits. But it was also not appropriate to argue in front of the king’s orders. They were also afraid of the king.
Chandan Shresthi’s treasurer was also called.
The officials told him, "You have to come with us to Chakradev’s mansion with a list of the stolen items.”
The treasurer was shocked to hear this.
"What did you say? Chakradev’s mansion?"
The officials nodded their heads and said yes. With dejected hearts and sorrowful faces, they entered my mansion.
Welcoming everyone, I asked, “Any special purpose for coming here?"
The chief officer said in a polite language, "We have come to ask you if you have come across any belongings of Chandan Shresthi during your dealings with him or anyone else?"
There was not even the slightest doubt in my mind.
I said, "No, not at all. There is no chance of Chandan Shresthi’s belongings landing up at my place."
The officers said solemnly, "If you don’t mind, we will have to check your house. As per to the king’s order, we have come here to search."
I said, "There is no question of feeling bad about it. The king must remain alert for the sake of the subjects and their protection. You can check without any hesitation. The officers began searching my house.”
I had hidden the items given by Yagyadutt at different places in my house.
The clever officer discovered a golden vessel. Chandan Shresthi’s name was written on it.
He asked Chandan Shresthi’s treasurer, “Look, is this pot yours?”
The treasurer saw it, his heart shook.
He said, "Looks like it, but can’t say for sure that it’s ours!”
The officer said, Something is written on this pot. Look for your list of stolen items. Is there any mention of a vessel like this?"
The faces of the officer and the treasurer bowed in shame.
The chief officer told me, "Sir, how did this golden pot come to you?”
I said, "It is mine."
"Then how is Chandan Shresthi’s name inscribed on it?”
I don’t understand, it is possible... have come while sending utensils to each other’s house, have changed."
For the sake of my friend, I resorted to a lot of lies. I thought, ‘How can I reveal the name of a friend who has complete confidence in me? If I tell the name of the friend, it would be cheating.
Not only this, his life may be in danger. The king will punish him severely. Therefore my friend should save me in any case."
The officials said, “What would be the cost of this pot?”
I said, "I don’t remember exactly. You decide the price."
The treasurer of Chandan Shresthi had written the price in his list. Ten thousand gold coins. When the closed vessel was opened, ten thousand gold coins were found in it.
Mahajan and the officers were astonished.
A leader of the Mahajan said, "What will the son of Apratihat steal? Why would he? It’s strange. I don’t understand what is happening!”
The officers asked me to prove me innocent, "Prince, this is the king’s order. Therefore, it is necessary to state the clear and correct fact. How did this item come to you?”
I was dominated by the strong feeling of protecting my friend. Instead of speaking the truth, I gave the same mugged-up answers.
The officer got angry.
He said sternly, "Apart from this, is there any other thing stolen from Chandan Shresthi in your house? If yes, then tell me.”
I said, "No, not a single thing."
The officers started searching my house again. One after the other, all the things came in hand. All those items had the name of Chandan inscribed on them.
The Mahajan became furious.
The anger of the officer burst upon me, “We will have to take you to the king right now."
I walked with him towards the palace. There was only one thought in my mind, ‘Yagyadutt has kept faith in me. So, I shall maintain that faith at all costs.’ I didn’t even think about my parents. Nor did I think of the nobility of my family.
There were so many gossips going on in the city.
Yagyadutt’s filthy heart was rejoicing.
I came to know later that Yagyadutt himself had gone to the king and accused me of theft and he had also planned a conspiracy to get me caught.