Once upon a time, a young traveler was passing by the glorious city of Ujjaini on his way down south. This young chap- Vidhyadhar didn't have enough money to rent a lodge, so he rested in a Shivalaya just outside the city gates. While Vidhyadhar slept as hot summer sun was at its peak, a few royal guards entered the temple on a routine patrol. They instantly woke up and arrested the innocent traveler under suspicion of being an enemy spy and presented him to the King's chief adviser- Mahamantri Chatursen. Chatursen was lost in his own thoughts at that moment. The city of Ujjaini was at its vulnerable best. As the perilous moment he dreaded for the past five years had arrived last night.
Ujjaini had a terrible problem- Andhakasur. He was a fierce and insatiably hungry demon who had made his abode in the nearby forest centuries ago. This demon rested for five years on the trot and woke up for one single night. After five years of continuous sleep, he used to turn so famished that he attacked any nearest places of population, killing and consuming as many men and beasts as possible. Sometimes, he killed way more than he could even consume in that single night because of a blinding hunger. Hence, the name Andhakasur, the blind demon.
After all the weapons of men proved futile against the demon's brutal powers for decades, five years ago, the city council assembled. They agreed upon by mutual consent to plead a deal with the demon himself. They promised to send a bullock-cart full of chhappan bhog (56 types of delicious food items), along with a healthy man steering that cart. Demon would eat up the food, the pair of bullocks and the man himself at his cave as a doorstep delivery, in exchange of sparing the townspeople with peace. Andhakasur was rather happy to enjoy his one precious night savoring his food rather than hunting and pillaging for food. He agreed, albeit with a warning. Now the next problem the city council was posed with, whom to select to become the demon's dinner every five years.
Chatursen- the royal adviser raised his hand and spoke with a grave voice- "The cost of a human life is too great. The only thing we can pay back for this sacrifice is the keys to our city door itself. Ujjaini would appoint an honorable man as their new king, who would rule with the council's help and at the end of his reign, would volunteer to save it from the demon's wrath. And then this cycle would repeat itself every five years. So who is brave enough to volunteer and become our next king?" One solitary hand rose and all the eyes moved towards him. He was Samarth- Chatursen's own son. With moist eyes and a heavy heart, Chatursen chanted out- "Maharaj Samarthsen ki...", and the royal courthouse echoed with- "Jai, Jai, Jai"
Five years had elapsed and yesterday, despite Chatursen's paternal love making him plead his son- the King to send somebody else in his stead, King Samarthsen departed on the bullock-cart. Never to return again. His son was gone. But more importantly, the city now needed another brave and honorable man to fill Samarth's large shoes. These were testing times, as the news of king's demise was to be kept under wraps till the appointment of a new one. Talks of enemy spies and hostile takeovers were in air.
In that delicate moment, soldiers presented Vidhyadhar to the Mahamantri. Chatursen questioned him and figured out instantly he was a wise young brahmin boy and no spy. But his duty bound mind put a different scheme altogether in his mind. Chatursen told Vidhyadhar the whole story and said- "Vidhyadhar, now you see you have two options. Either, you take up the charge of the throne for next five years. Or we will have to execute you under the suspicion of being a spy. In any case, neither can we allow the news of king's demise spread, now can we keep the throne empty for long." Vidhyadhar was however, not entirely puzzled. His analytical mind started running. An imminent death or the one after five years of luxurious life? The choice was easy for him and thus Ujjaini was crowned with a new king now.
It's understandable when a poor man gets his hands on such a large fortune, he'd spend it like there is no tomorrow. The very first thing this new King asked Chatursen was to call up the architects. He discussed various designs for his new comfortable palaces in great detail. Then he called up the top masons and sculptors to create beautiful gardens, adorned with fruit trees and ravishing statues around these palaces. Finally, he called for the best of the chefs in his city to prepare lavish feasts for him and his palace guards once every week over there. Chatursen watched all this unnecessary luxury causing the treasury running thin year by year silently, but he made peace considering the bloody cost of peace compared to the larger problem. At the worst, it'd be a matter of just five years.
Those five years flew by in no time. The judgement day came. Chatursen arrived to the royal court that morning to inform the King. But to his surprise, the King remained passive. He didn't show any signs of worry or a haste to savor any last few luxuries yet to be enjoyed. Instead, he said- "Worry not Mahamantri ji. Let the demon come. I will handle him myself." And with this, Vidhyadhar retired to his palace for his afternoon nap. Chatursen became extremely worried and urgently called up the city council. By the time he could gather the council, it was already a sunset and the demon had perhaps awakened by now. All the wise and senior councilmen gathered in the court couldn't muster courage to venture out, fearing an insatiable demon wandering out causing riot. Whole night they remained within those halls under the protection of guards who were worried themselves.
By the time morning broke, not a single soul had slept. They came out of the hall and were surprised to see a normal panorama on the streets. Vendors selling fresh vegetables and milkmen on their supplies. shopkeepers dusting off their posts and soldiers carrying on their morning drills. Housewives, children, average citizen were out on the streets bearing no signs of any carnage last night.
Councilmen ran back to check on the king, but to their dismay, the King had just woken up and came out to meet the group of old puzzled people. He understood their predicament and signaled them to join him for a walk.
With a small troop of soldiers, this large group followed their King to his newest summer palace a few miles away. They saw the water fountains destroyed and beautiful statues decimated around the palace.
Then they moved on to another palace a few miles further, only to see large fruit trees uprooted throughout its vast gardens. Hundreds of fresh ripe fruits on the ground, as if trampled by an elephant.
Making a note of this destruction, the King led this worried group to an older palace built in his first year a few more miles ahead. Here they saw hundreds of large pots of rice, sweets and dishes of many kinds thrown out discarded. As if an entire battalion had feasted off here.
Finally, the King led the group to a small road leading to the forest with trees planted on both sides and carcasses of animals and blood stains sprinkled along the way.
King Vidhyadhar now addressed this group- "I have completed my allotted five years as your King. You are free now to appoint a new one."
Chatursen saw how Vidhyadhar had foxed everyone including himself. He built those palaces not as a resting place for himself but along the demon's route to slow him down. He arranged cattle-stock along the road to diminish the immediate hunger of Andhakasur and then satiated his taste buds with chhappan bhog dishes. Whatever still remained of his violent nature, the King tackled it with allowing him to destroy life-size statues and fountains and huge fruit trees in the garden palace. After completely satisfied with fun and food, the demon had no wish to visit the town anymore. And that's how King was so sure to sleep peacefully.
Admittedly beaten by the boy King's sharp wit and wisdom, Chatursen spoke with folded hands and a humble smile- "With due respect sire, we don't need another King anymore. We would make do with you for as long as the fate blesses us with your rule."
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