Vedha: The Protector of Dharma (Part 2)
The sun had set, and a heavy silence mixed with restless anxiety filled the palace walls. Queen Vasundhara paced the courtyard, her heart troubled. Today was no ordinary day; King Suraj had departed the palace long before sunrise, heading toward the lake without a word to anyone. As the shadows of the night deepened, the Queen's mind was filled with dread. She wondered, "When will the King return?"
Suddenly, a mantry rushed in with news. "My Queen! The King is returning to the palace!"
A spark of hope lit up the Queen's eyes. "Is he alone?" she asked urgently. The mantry bowed low and replied, "The King is coming, and in his arms, he carries a newborn infant." Overjoyed, the Queen exclaimed, "Can this be true? Is it real? I shall go myself to welcome my Lord!"
She quickly prepared her chariot and set out toward the city gates. When she finally met the King, the sight was supernatural. The King was in a state of total renunciation, nearly naked, his body bloodied and torn by thorns and brambles as if he had returned from a grueling spiritual trial. Yet, in his arms lay a child whose radiance shone as bright as the sun. Seeing the child's brilliance, the villagers and courtiers alike bowed in reverence.
The Queen halted her chariot. With tearful eyes, she said, "My Lord! What have you done to yourself? Where were you all this time? You left without telling anyone; we were so worried! Please, step into the chariot now. Let me take you to the palace with the honor you deserve."
The King replied in a low but firm voice, "No, Vasundhara! This is the command of the Almighty. I must carry this divine child to the palace on foot." The villagers also pleaded, "O Protector! Your feet are bleeding and your condition is frail. Please, take the shelter of the chariot." But the King remained resolute: "This is the penance for my past lives; I shall complete this journey only on foot."
Seeing her husband's unwavering vow, Queen Vasundhara also stepped down from her chariot. She walked beside him barefoot, sharing his struggle. By the time they reached the palace, the King's strength began to fade. The Queen immediately ordered the attendants, "Bathe the King, offer him food, and arrange for his rest. All discussions shall wait until after sunrise." Before retiring, the King summoned his loyal Minister Anuruddh and commanded, "Minister, make a proclamation throughout the kingdom. Tomorrow morning, a grand assembly of all kings and the common folk shall be held in the 'Courtyard of Mangal'."
That night, as the Queen applied healing salves to the King's wounds, she asked softly, "My Lord, why did you put yourself through such agony? What was my fault that you abandoned the palace so early in the morning?"
The King replied with a heavy heart, "Vasundhara, I am the one at fault. For ten years, you could not know the joy of motherhood because of the burden of my past karmas. I felt so wretched that I could not give you an heir." The Queen took his hand and comforted him, "Forget what has passed, Maharaj. Whatever the Lord does is for the ultimate good."
While the King slept, Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and spoke: "O King! In your previous life, you were a hunter. You once destroyed a bird's egg, and the grief of that bird caused you to suffer the pain of childlessness in this life. However, despite being a hunter, you spent the rest of your days protecting and serving sages and saints. It is because of that service and your generosity the you were granted this kingdom." The Lord continued, "You once served Sage Kaaldant with such selflessness that he was deeply pleased. It is through his blessings and grace that this child has come to your door."
At that very moment, a scream echoed from the next room. The King and Queen Vasundhara rushed to find a maidservant trembling with fear. She cried out, "My Queen! This... this child just spoke!" The Queen was stunned. "How can a day-old infant speak?"
Then, the child opened his radiant eyes and reached his hands toward the Queen. In a clear voice, he said, "Mother, please feed me. I have been hungry for the last 200 years!" Everyone stood frozen in shock. The child's eyes were a stunning, deep blue—so beautiful that anyone who looked into them could not turn away. He was so handsome that he seemed carved from divine light. Though the maid was frightened, the Queen's motherly instincts took over. She took the child in her arms and fed him.
The next morning, the 'Courtyard of Mangal' was packed with thousands of people and visiting kings. King Suraj stepped onto the balcony, lifting the child high with both hands, and announced:
"My dear citizens and noble Kings! Today, I introduce you to the light of my lineage. This child is the blessing of Lord Vishnu himself, the fruit of years of penance and atonement. From this day forth, he is your Prince, and his name shall be— Veerbhadra! And we shall all affectionately call him Bhadra."
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To Be Continues...