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26
THE WAY OF LIFE
second question is this. It was improper to offer the position of Chief Minister to Sthulabhadra, who possessed no merit or ability required for the post. The tradition of the son of a King becoming the King; the son of a minister becoming a minister etc. was a wrong one. A position of great importance and responsibility should be given only to a man of merit and ability. Was not Shriyak worthy of occupying the position?
Maharajashri Both the questions are of great importance. Sometimes, it happens that even a man of absolute integrity and honesty is suspected. On account of this, the nobility of the person's family does not end. Shri Ram suspected Sita's chastity. Pavananjaya suspected Anjana's chastity but did they lose family-honour on account of this? On account of the effect of a sinful Karma, even an absolutely innocent man is. accused of having committed some crime or sin. The brahmin, Vararuchi the court-priest hatched a conspiracy against Shakatal and Shakatal fell a victim to that conspiracy. I think you know that story. Those events that took place in Pataliputra are really exciting. Sometimes, in the sphere of politics such conspiracies and diplomacies raise their heads.
Having followed Sthulabhadra into the garden, Shriyak saluted his feet and began to weep bitterly. Sthulabhadra's heart overflowed with affection for his brother and he embraced him. Affectionately, stroking his brother's head, Sthulabhadra asked him to narrate the entire story. Shriyak wiped his tears with his uppercloth. Then both the brothers went into a bower and sat together in it. Shriyak narrated to his brother, how enmity appeared between Shakatal and Vararuchi, and how Vararuchi prejudiced and poisoned the King's mind against the Chief Minister. He also narrated how his father made him kill him in order to save the lives of the members of his family. Having narrated this story, Shriyak began weeping bitterly.
WHY DID THE SON KILL HIS FATHER?
The Chief Minister Shakatal when he found out that the King Nandaraja suspected his loyalty and was furious on
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