True
to his words, ten months later, Raghu was blessed with a son, dazzling like a
diamond! The rites of baptism and naming were performed by the palace priests;
he was named 'Aja'.
He
was a very charming baby. He grew into a sprightly boy, eager to learn all the
arts and sciences. He became an adept in each of them. His fame as a great
scholar and a very accomplished lad spread throughout the land.
In
course of time, Raghu also felt his father's urge to place on the prince's head
the burden of the sceptre and himself retire into the forest for the
contemplation of God. He too called on the ministers to arrange for the
transfer of authority by
Indumathi,
the sister of Bhojaraja, the ruler of Magadha, was the bride chosen to be the
life partner of Aja. After the installation of Aja on the throne, the royal
parents left for their forest hermitage.
Aja,
with the queen as his loving partner, won the loyalty of the subjects by his
wisdom and sympathy; they scrupulously followed the advice given by Raghu on
the ways and means of administration. Aja loved and revered the world and its
inhabitants as the reflections and images of the Indumathi he loved so deeply;
so, he was full of happiness and exaltation. They used to spend days and weeks
in beautiful sylvan retreats, admiring the glory and grandeur of Nature.
Meanwhile,
the queen gave birth to a son. The parents were overjoyed at this happy event;
they had the news communicated to their revered preceptor, Vasishta. They
wanted ceremonial rites to be done for the newborn baby. He was named Dasaratha.
Dasaratha
was, indeed, the pet of everyone who saw him and who had the privilege of
fondling him. The child waved and tossed its limbs about as if he was all
vitality and joy. It appeared as if it was fed on Ananda and it lived only for
imparting Ananda to all.
One
day, Aja and Indumathi betook themselves into the forest, as was their wont,
for recreation in the lap of nature. The silence and the sublimity of that day
were even more appealing than on other days. They sat in the shade of a tree
and conversed endearingly, when a wind rose heavy and strong. It brought a
fragrance, sweet beyond description. And, they could hear the captivating
strains of divine music! They rose and searched all around them for the cause
of these mysterious gifts.
They
found high above their heads, between the clouds in the sky, Narada, the
"mental son" (Maanasa Putra) of Brahma, moving fast somewhere. Even
as they were watching him, a flower from the wreath he was wearing on his tuft,
unloosened itself and wafted by the wind, it fell right on top of the head of
Indumathi. Aja was amazed at this incident; but, he was shocked to find that
the queen fell instantly on the ground in a faint and closed her eyes forever!
Love.
