Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 52

Walk With Me
Nandivardhan was eager to tell but he said, "Honorable Gurudev, I was too young to remember Vardhaman's birth. Actually, we should ask Ajja Sarika. She has been in the palace since Maharaja Siddharth's young days. She is our 'Dasi', but she raised both Vardhaman and me. She is like our grandmother; therefore, we call her Ajja Sarika. She is somewhere at the samosaran today to see her dear Vardhaman."
It was not too difficult to find the frail, old, Ajja Sarika. We took her away from the crowd. Nandivardhan told her about me, and asked her to tell me about Vardhaman's birth. The old lady was very sharp. She said, "I will tell you all about him, but first tell me, "Are you taking good care of him?" She began her story only after I assured that her
Vardhaman was well looked after.
"I have been the palace Dasi (maid) since Maharaja Siddharth was about 18 or 19 years of age. I witnessed his wedding to Maharani Trishala, and I know all about Vardhaman's birth and about the grand celebration that followed. By that time, I was already senior enough to become Maharani's personal Dasi.
Vardhaman was very special, even before his birth. Mother Trishala was unusually serene, and at peace with herself this time. During pregnancy her mood was bright, bubbly, and happy. Her body had a wonderful glow. She walked and talked as if she was on cloud nine. Everyone in the palace knew that the Maharani was pregnant, and wanted her every wish fulfilled. Maharani Trishala, was content and happy, and was thinking only about the little life that was wonderfully
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