Jailer

Author(s): Abhayshekharsuri, Sujata P Kapadia
Publisher: Harshadray Private Limited

Page 56

losing his composure. How many people can take such a grave loss lightly and refrain from reacting without feeling anger, aversion or revenge?
Reverting back to our story - Based upon Aghat's mother's dream and the characteristic marks on his body, the priest had made a forecast that the child was going to become King. Moreover, despite King Sughat's many attempts to kill the child, nature had not only saved him unfailingly but had also made the garden bloom in its full glory. The child had been handed over to the extremely cruel and heartless executioner, yet the executioner had risked his life by not obeying the King's order to kill the child. The King was aware of all of the above. He could have accepted nature's decision to make Aghat the King, understanding this to be his fate. “If it is his destiny to become the King, so be it”. However he was not prepared to accept the fact that it was only nature's intention that prevailed. He had a false notion that since he was the King, he had the power to change his predetermined course, if he so wished.
He started planning other devious means to kill Aghat. He persuaded Devdhar to let him have Aghat as he was an expert at weaponry. He sent Aghat to Mathura to undertake the task of its systematic administration. Aghat received a very grand welcome there. He thought of appointing loyal, skilled officers and strong soldiers under him. He called for a thousand such men from his native place and designated them to different positions. He then started living as the ruler of Mathura. This irked King Sughat even more and fuelled his intentions to take