Chapter 13: chapter 13

After 25 years ..............Anantsen was the king of Agyatpur.On the 22nd birthday of Dharmasen, Anantsen declared him the crown prince of Agyatpur. Dharmasen was the only child of Anantsen and Bhanumati, princess of Matysapura.After Urvashi refused to marry the Crown Prince of Agyatpur, Anantsen broke down. He couldn't understand the logic of Urvashi that a ruler cannot breach the laws of society. Anantsen couldn't convince her that people are not for rules; rules are for people. So, if needed, it should be changed. Seeing shattered Anantsen, Chandravardhana took him to his native village, where they spent a few months till Anantsen was ready to move on in his life.When Dharmasena was proclaimed the Crown Prince, as per the treaty, his marriage proposal came from Matsyapura for the daughter of the Chief Minister of Matsyapura. But Anantsen refused the proposal saying that Dharmasen would choose his life partner. Dharmasen may consider the proposal, but Anantsen wants his son to meet the proposed bride to decide the proposal. Ten years ago, when Anantsen became the king of Agyatpur, he had declared that 'love marriage' no longer would be a crime in Agyatpur. Everyone, irrespective of class and gender, has the right to choose their life partner. At that time, the older generation opposed the change in law, but the new generation welcomed it warm-heartedly. King of Matysapura took the refusal as an insult and withdrew the proposal. Ignoring the fact that the current queen of Agyatpur is his sister, he declared the act of refusal as a breach of the treaty. Bhanumati tried to convince her husband, Anantsen, but he remained firm in his decision. He wanted his son to choose his life partner and set an example that the royal family also abide by the law.Anantsen knew that Matsyapura would not take the breach of the treaty on a good note and could send soldiers for a coup. So he sent more soldiers to the border of Agyatpur and Matsyapura. On the advice of the chief advisor, Chandravardhana, Anantsen sent messages to all the army training centres. Anantsen sent a special message to Vasumitra's ashram at Kumbharwada, which was still the best of its kind in the whole country, but he received a denial message stating that student's of the ashram would not join the royal army.Anantsen knew that Vasumitra was no longer alive, and one of his students was continuing his ashram. Is it Urvashi? Anantsen thought. Because apart from Urvashi, no one else has a reason to refuse Anantsen's request. But Chandravadhana informed that a young man named Durjay runs the ashram of Vasumitra, and he is one of the best teachers in the country. Hearing about Durjay, Anantsen expressed his desire to meet him. Accordingly, on behalf of King, Chandravardhana sent an invitation to Durjay to visit the palace and requested him to come as soon as possible.As soon as Durjay got the message from the king, he came to Udaipur to meet the king. It was his first trip out of his village. As he had never seen a city before, everything was surprising to him - high rise buildings, crowded markets, narrow streets- but he liked nothing of it. To him, his Kumbharwada was the best place to live, where nature has given all its best.When Chandravardhana received information of Durjay's arrival, he arranged a meeting for Durjay with Anantasen, in which Chandravardhana and Dharmasen were also present. But on seeing Durjay, both Anantsen and Chandravardhan were shocked. His eyes were also intoxicating same as the one on which many years ago, then Crown Prince Anantsen had become intoxicated. All the memories started flooding into Anantsen's mind. He was so engrossed in his memories that he didn't reply to Durjay's greetings. Chandravardhana managed the situation and welcomed Durjay warm-heartedly.After some initial formal conversation, Chandravardhana asked Durjay about his family. 'I am the son of Urvashi and grandson of Vasumitra.'Both Anantasen and Chandravardhana were praying that what their mind was saying should not become the truth, but who can change the destiny. (Continued ..... )