SAMRADITYA SAGA Part 2 - TANGLES OF HATRED

Anand became the crown prince

The prince was named Anand.
Nursemaid Lalita took care of the prince in a separate palace.
The king used to go to that palace everyday. He pampered Anand a lot. Kusumavali remained completely away from him. Anand was given good education since childhood. In his youth, he became proficient in the art of weaponry and warfare. On one hand, he was growing up. As he grew old, wisdom increased as well as anger and separation towards the king for no reason. The values of enmity in the incarnation of Agnisharma started awakening.
Anand entered his adolescence. He would often humiliate the king. Instead of obeying the king, he would rather make fun of him and use abusive language. His arrogance kept on increasing and sometimes crossed limits. He used to respond to the king’s love with negligence.
The king loved Anand.
However, Anand did not like the king at all.
Sometimes, the king would think, ‘The karmas of his previous life are responsible for such inappropriate, thoughtless and unreasonable behaviour. In this world, karma pushes beings to do good or bad. It seems that we have been in such kind of a relationship since our last incarnation. But whatever happens, he is the heir to my throne after all. He is going to be the king of this empire. Shall I give him the title of crown prince? Maybe his sense of responsibility will increase and irresponsible behavior will improve. But for this, I should know the opinion of the ministers and noblemen. I will also ask Kusumavali. Although she is not even willing to hear his name, I’ll still ask.’
The king invited the chief officials of the state in his cabinet. They assembled on time.
Putting forth his point, the king said, “There is only one reason for calling you all to my cabinet. I wish to title Anand as the crown prince. I wish to be aware of everyone’s opinion on this. First of all, I would like to hear the opinion of the leading minister.”
The minister stood up, bowed to the king and said, “Your majesty, I agree that the prince will have to be titled as the crown prince today or tomorrow. However, I find him lacking maturity at the moment and the seriousness of maintaining the glory of the crown prince. He needs to be more mature in politics and dealing with people. If there is no qualification as per the position, then that person is ridiculed in the world. Therefore, I request you to reconsider this.”
The minister sat down on his seat. The king looked at Commander Jaipal.
Commander Jaipal stood up and said clearly, “Your Majesty, I do not see any ability in Anand to become the crown prince or king in the future. Don’t be angry, I don’t see any of the required qualities in the prince. What more should I say?”
Nagarshreshthi Dhanpal stood up, bowed to the king and said, “Your majesty, I know you have exclusive love for the prince. So it will hurt you if I say anything against him. But since you have called us to know our opinion, I am compelled to say that he is absolutely not worthy of the post of the crown prince. Still, if you keep him on the post, then we will certainly be happy, you can be sure about this.”
Judge Sudhir expressed his opinion saying, “King, I do not find it appropriate at all to promote the prince’s adamance by making him the crown prince.”
The king was lost in thoughts. His heart felt miserable. He didn’t say anything. There was silence in the cabinet.
The minister broke the silence and said, “Your Majesty, think more deeply. After all, we will accept whatever your decision is.”
The king said, “I will call you again and tell you my decision. You all may leave!”
Everyone went towards their respective places.
The king went straight to Queen Kusumavali’s room.
Kusumavali welcomed the king.
The king sat on the seat and said, “Devi, I wanted to know your opinion about one thing, but only if you will not be sad.”
“No, I won’t be sad.”
“That’s why, I was clearing it first.”
“If it is necessary to ask, then ask. Don’t worry about my sorrow.”
The king spent a few moments in contemplation. “I want to give the title of crown prince to Anand. Tell me whatever your opinion is.”
The queen said, “If you want to give milk to a snake, then it is your wish. But that milk is going to become poison and that snake is going to bite you! So whatever you do, do it with utmost care.”
After talking to Kusumavali, the king left.
Despite everyone’s opposition and refusal, Sinhraja made Anand the crown prince. After becoming the prince, he became more rude and insane.
He started insulting the officials of the state. He started harassing the subjects and insulting the king himself in the  assembly. No one could either say anything to him or even talk to him!
Kusumavali also got agitated by the king’s insult being done by the prince. She used to console herself thinking ‘whatever destiny holds.’
One day, the spies of the state came to the assembly and said to the king, “Your majesty, King Durmati, the king of the areas bordering this kingdom, harasses the villagers of our kingdom. He is proud of his army and strength! If he is not taught a lesson on the right time, he will create more trouble!
“He will surely have to be taught a lesson. Commander Jaipal, either you yourself go with the army or send the Vice Commander Virendra with the army.”
Vice Commander Virendra marched towards the fort of Durmati with a small army. Durmati got the news that Virendra is coming to attack with an army. He also prepared his army and reached his outskirts.
Virendra saw the huge army of Durmati. He appeared to have his assumption proved wrong. Durmati’s army was way bigger than his army.
The war took place but Virendra’s army was defeated.
King Sinh got the news of his Vice Commander’s defeat. His courage boiled.
He immediately called Commander Jaipal and ordered, “Prepare your huge army. I myself will go to the battlefield. I will see what kind of a man Durmati is! What is the status of his army?”
Jaipal tried to convince him. “You don’t need to go to fight with a common king like Durmati. Leave it on me, I will go by myself.”
“No Commander, you have to come with me. We have to leave tomorrow morning!”
With great military preparation, the king departed.
Here, before the king left, Prince Anand had secretly left for the border province with four of his selected companions.
After a continuous journey of a few days, they all went straight to the camp of Durmati. As soon as he entered the camp, Durmati’s soldiers caught him and made him stand in front of Durmati.
“Who are you?”
“We are friends. We have come to extend a hand of friendship.”
“Any reason?”
“The cause and purpose can be known later. At this time, let’s tie the bond of friendship!”
“But what is your background?”
“I am Prince Anand of Jaipur!”
“Oh! King Sinh’s Prince Anand!”
“Yes!”
Durmati was stunned by the surprise. He could smell some conspiracy but he did not let his thoughts emerge on his face.
“Listen to me first. Your audacity to confront King Sinh will bring sad results. The king will catch you alive and then you will have to be behind the bars for years. After that, your state will be merged into the state of Jaipur. Think with a very calm mind!”

“Okay, your point is worth thinking about. But it’s too late now. King Singh is knocking on my door with his entire convoy!”
“There’s still time. If life is saved, you will get more wealth in future. It is my advice to you that you go before the king and accept his refuge. The king is kind, he will forgive your crimes.”
“But I wonder why you’re showing so much sympathy for me.”
“I want your friendship!”
“Friendship of mine? Why so?”
“Because if you take refuge of the king, then you can come to Jaipur without any hesitation, we can sit together, think about each other’s welfare, make plans to glorify each other’s kingdom and be able to help each other!”
Durmati got ‘Durmati’ i.e. a person with bad intellect got another similar person. A snake’s arrival at a snake’s house! Durmati was convinced by Anand’s word. Unwise and selfish Durmati became a victim of Anand’s trap. Durmati agreed to accept the king’s refuge. Anand also returned happily!
***
The king was moving forward with a huge army. In between, there were army camps. This way, the fourth stop was on the banks of River Sindhu.
The king’s elephant was walking along the banks of the river. Sitting above, the eyes of the king were admiring the waves of the river. At some distance away from the shore, a group of men was making noise. The elephant turned towards him and the king saw a frightening scene there.
A dreadful, thick and firy ember-eyed python was trying to swallow a scary creature named ‘Kurur’ by its tail. The creature was trying to swallow an old snake. That old snake had clenched its jaws on a fat frog. The frog was screaming.
The king had heard about the concept of big fish eating the small fish whilst itself consuming smaller ones. Today, he saw that exact same sight. Immediately, the king thought, ‘Whom should I save? Should I rescue the frog? Save the snake? But nothing was possible, everything was about to end. No one was ready to leave each other. The one who was himself being swallowed, was eager to swallow others.
The king had shivers down his spine! He moved the elephant forward and reached where the army had halted. He got busy with daily tasks. As soon as it was night, the king dosed off.
The king’s eyes suddenly opened at midnight and that scene began to emerge in his imagination.
The python, Kurur, snake, frog! The circle of thought became dynamic.
Strong people like snakes torment weak people like frogs. They are then trapped by people like Kurur who are more powerful than them. And they are further victimised by people like python. And people like pythons ultimately succumb to death. This is the physical world and its strangeness! These are the colours of this colour-changing world!
Living in such a world and enjoying materialistic pleasures now is mere ignorance. It’s utter foolishness!
And this empire? It’s just a booster of false pride! False pride is the root of all misery! Anyway, empire means an underworld of desires! It can never be filled! No matter how much we expand the kingdom, desires will never end! Even on fulfilling the wishes, they never come to an end!
Apart from all kinds of deceit and conspiracies here and there, what else is there in administration? ‘I am the king’ – this is nothing but false ego! Alright sensory pleasures are achieved, but what is the result? Only downfall in future, isn’t it?
Just like the brides of the city are admirers of wealth, similarly, the state is also crazy behind splendor!
Many snakes reside in burrows. Likewise, there are various types of dangerous people in the state. Snakes have to be kept safely in a cage. Similarly, even the state has to be handled with alertness.
Just like a prostitute’s youth is the target of many people’s dreams, the wealth of the state also keeps many people drooling over it!
Indeed, this kingdom is a big hurdle in the path of spiritual practices in future. I should renounce the kingdom at the earliest. My mind is anyway getting detached from worldly pleasures.
Alright, for time being I have come on a war journey. If I go back midway, it won’t be appropriate. For the safety of the people, Durmati will have to be taught a lesson. After defeating him, I will return to Jaipur and then I will prepare to accept monkhood without any delay.
The entire night was spent flowing in the stream of spiritual contemplation.
In the east direction, the sun was about to rise. The king got busy with his morning chores.
While the discussion of the battle was going on with the ministers, an armed soldier came there.
Bowing down, he said, “Your majesty, King Durmati is standing at the gate of the cantonment. He has tied an ax around his neck, which is a symbol of refuge. He is accompanied by five other companions! They are saying that they are deeply sorry for violating the orders of the King. They want to meet the king and ask for forgiveness! We’ll do as you command.”
The king looked towards Minister Sumtisagar.
The minister used to sense the king’s intention in gestures.
He said, “Okay, let them come in!”
As Durmati entered, he bowed down at the feet of the king and said, “Here’s my head and this axe!”
The king said solemnly, “Okay Durmati, you are granted freedom! You have come to our shelter. Seekers of refuge are granted fearlessness. From now on, you will neither disobey my orders nor try to cross the dignity of the kingdom!”
“No, king! I promise you.”
Sinhraja treated Durmati with hospitality and after bidding him, he returned to Jaipur with the entire army.