7th STORY OF BHETHALA

THE STORY OF VEERA VARDHANA

Vikramadithya again caught Bhethala and walking towards Brahadaranyam to fulfill the wish of the Saint Gnana Seela. Bhethala started a story.

Once in a city, called Sarabha Puram, there was a king Sugreeva. He was good and capable. In that city there was a Brahmin, by name Veera Vardhana. He had learnt all war arts. He was a very good warrier. Veera Vardhana had approached the king Sugreeva to get an appropriate job. The king was impressed by his ability and appointed him in a job to protect the palace on the salary of 1000 gold coins per month.

Veera Vardhana had divided that salary into 4 parts. He spent one part to God and devotional programs. He spent one part to scholars, one part to guests and with the remaining one part; he was looking family comfortably and happily. Days were passing. One day Veera Vardhana was on duty. He was watching the safety of royal palace. At that time, there was heavy wind and rain. It seemed there was a cyclone. The trees were swinging. Suddenly there was a big sound from the outside of city. The king Sugreeva said, “What is that sound? Is there anybody to go and know?”

Veera Vardhana said, “Yes Maharaja! I’m ready”. He left the palace with weapons. The king’s curiosity was much high. Hence, he had followed Veera Vardhana. Veera Vardhana didn’t suspect this. He reached the outside of city. There he had seen a woman who was crying. He asked her, “Oh Mother! Who are you? What is your name? Which is your place? Why are you crying like this?”

She said, “Oh, the best of the Brahmin! I’m the Goddess of this city Sarabha Puram. My name is Sarabheswari. There is death to the king of this city, Sugreeva within 3 days from this day. After his death, what will happen to this city. I’m crying by estimating this.”

Veera Vardhana said, “Oh Mother! You are mother of all the people in this city. Is there any plan to prevent the danger to our king Sugreeva?” Goddess Sarabheswari said, “Yes! If there is any person capable to prevent, there is alternative.” Veera Vardhana said, “Oh Mother! If you bless me, I can fulfill this. If I have your blessings, it may not be impossible. Please tell me how to prevent the danger.”

Goddess Sarabheswari said, “Veera Vardhana! The king, to lead long life, you should give head of a 16 years aged boy, who is resident of Sarabha Puram to please the Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga’s temple is near to this city. This is the way to save the life of the king.”

Veera Vardhana said, “Well Mother! I’ll perform the sacrifice.” He had reached his house. He told everything to his family members. Along with them, he had gone to the temple of Goddess Durga. He had performed pooja [devotion] there. Then he had offered the head of his son aged 16 years as sacrifice and kept it on the altar. His wife and other children got severe shock. They felt sad. With the grievance, all of they had died. Veera Vardhana cried like anything for this. He had cut off his head in front of Goddess Durga.

The king Sugreeva had seen all of this from a hidden place. He felt so bad and repentance. He got up to offer his head to Goddess Durga. Then Durga Devi was pleased with him. She appeared in front him. She had given boon to him and made all of them alive. The king returned to palace before Veera Vardhana and his family members noticed him. Veera Vardhana had returned to his duty.

In the morning, the king was in the court. He asked Veera Vardhana as “Veera Vardhana. You had gone on night to know what the big sound was and where it was coming. What do you know about it?” Veera Vardhana said, “Maharaja! When I had gone to watch, there I had seen a woman crying. When I asked her as why she was crying, she didn’t give reply. That’s all! Nothing else.” The king Sugreeva felt happy and said, “My dear courtiers. Veera Vardhana sacrificed himself and his family to save myself.” He narrated everything to them. He had well treated Veera Vardhana.

Bhethala said, “Vikramadithya Rajendra! This is the story. In this story, which is great, either Veera Vardhana or Sugreeva?”

Vikramadithya said, “Certainly Sugreeva, the king. Because Veera Vardhana was sub-ordinate to the king. It is his duty to save the life of his master, the king. But that king was ready to die for the sake of his people i.e. family of Veera Vardhana. Hence the king Sugreeva is great.”

Since the silence was broken, Bhethala disappeared along with the corpse on the shoulder of Vikramadithya.

OUT COMING SKILLS: In this story, Veera Vardhana didn’t reveal his sacrifice for the sake of king, which he had done. This is his sincerity. He didn’t do such sacrifice by expecting rewards from the king. This impresses children to do good thing without expecting its result.