Nevertheless,
the Maharaja was apparently overcome by some mysterious anxiety; his face was
losing effulgence. The lapse of a few years did not improve matters. Despair
wrote its deep lines firmer on his brow.
One
day, he revealed the cause of his gloom to his queen Sudakshina, "Darling!
We have no children, and sadness is overpowering me as a consequence. I am even
more affected when I realize that this Ikshvaku dynasty will terminate with me.
Some sin which I committed must have brought about this calamity. I am unable
to decide the process by which I can counter this malign destiny. I am eager to
learn from our family preceptor, the sage Vasishta, the means by which I can
win the Grace of God and make amends for the sin. I am very much agitated by
grief. What do you suggest as the best means to win Grace?"
Sudakshina
did not take time even to think out the answer. "Lord! This same fear had
entered my mind too, and caused me much grief. I had not given expression to
it. I smothered it in the mind for I cannot, I know, reveal my fears, without
being prompted by you, my Lord. I am ever willing and eager to support and
follow implicitly what appeals to you as the best means of overcoming our
sorrow. Why should there be any delay? Let us hasten to consult revered
Vasishta", she said.
Dileepa
ordered the chariot to be brought for the pilgrimage to the hermitage of the
Preceptor. He directed that no escort or courtier need accompany him that day.
In fact, he drove the vehicle himself and reached the simple cottage of his
Gurudev.
At
the sound of the chariot, the hermits on the out-skirts of the Asram went into
the cottage and made known to their Master the arrival of the Ruler of the
Empire. Vasishta showered his blessing on him as soon as he saw him near the
door and lovingly inquired about his health and the welfare of his subjects and
his kith and kin.
Sudakshina
fell at the feet of the sage's consort, the famed Arundhathi, embodiment of all
the virtues which adorn the noblest of women. Arundhathi lifted her into her
arms and fondly embraced her prodding her with questions about her welfare. She
led her into the inner part of the hermitage.
As
befitted the monarch of the realm, Dileepa acquired from Vasishta whether the
Yajnas and Yagas the ascetics had to perform as part of the cultural tradition
were being carried out without any handicap, whether the anchorites were
experiencing any difficulty in acquiring food and carrying on their studies and
spiritual practices, and whether their sylvan campuses were terrorized by wild
beasts. He was yearning, he said, to make their studies and spiritual exercises
progress well without any distraction due to adverse environment or
counter-influences.
Continued.......
Love.
