Return of the Demon Lord Durbheeksh

by Utkarsh Srivastava

  Demon King Dushal was shocked to listen that, 'What type of allegation is this? I was never having any intention of attacking on any kingdom of Prithvilok.'

  Sage Omeshwar smiled and said, 'I know, Dushal. That was a conspiracy. I got some hint of it, when I noticed your patience while talking with Vakrbaahu. Vakrbaahu was continuously challenging you, but I was amazed to notice your patience level. I was your enemy, then also you joined your hands in front of me before talking. This proves that you are the true scion of Lord Mahabali. Also you were surprised by our arrival, I felt that you haven't been preparing for any war. Therefore, I concluded that there is some misunderstanding…….'

  Vakrbaahu was astonished to listen that, he interrupted in between, 'Why you have done this Gurudev? If you were aware of the truth, then you should have interrupted in between our fight.'

  Sage Omeshwar turned furious, he confronted Vakrbaahu, 'Just because of this nature of yours, I didn't stop you. At that time also, before I could say anything, you started challenging and humiliating the Demon King. I didn't stop you, because I was very sure about the result. You were overrating yourself too much, and I was knowing that, your this ego will surely take you to your defeat. I was just wanting you to learn a lesson from this fight, that's why I didn't stop you.'

  Vakrbaahu was feeling guilty, he was not able to utter a word. He was just standing like a sculpture, staring the ground with his eyes.

  'Now you don't have a single word to utter'. Sage Omeshwar looked at Vakrbaahu with compassion.

  'I am sorry, Gurudev, it was my fault. I was just searching for the reason of life, the actual motive for which I have born, the reason of my strength.' Vakrbaahu was feeling embarrassing.

  The Demon King Dushal stared at Vakrbaahu and came nearer to him, 'I have seven little brothers, but they are very young. Lakhs of demon's army, lots of demon warriors working under me. But the actual truth is, I don't have a single friend, with whom I could share my feelings. I have everything in my life, but not a single friend on whom I can trust completely. The fierce warrior Vakrbaahu, will you be that friend of mine.' Demon King Dushal offered his friendship to Vakrbaahu.

  Vakrbaahu was just staring at Dushal. Sage Omeshwar turned at Dushal, he kept his hand on his shoulder and smiled, 'You are the actual scion of Lord Mahabali, Dushal. A fierce warrior having lot of patience, a big heart with full of compassion in it.'

  Thereafter sage turned at Vakrbaahu, 'Look at his patience, you challenged and fought him. Then also he is offering you his friendship. An ideal warrior should have these qualities in him, Vakrbaahu. You are my disciple, and I am proud of you, but still you have to learn lot of things, and I cannot teach these things to you. Only your experience can teach you these things.'

  Vakrbaahu stepped forward and said, 'This was my first lesson of life, Gurudev. You are right, the Demon King Dushal is not just a fierce warrior. He is the most ideal person after you I have ever seen. And his friendship is honour for me.'

  Vakrbaahu stepped forward, Dushal also stepped towards him. Both of them joined their hands, and hugged each other. Sage Omeshwar was still smiling.

  After this, Dushal stepped towards him, 'O Sage, I have never seen a Brahmin like you. Your enlightening face proves that you are a proven sage, as like I have never seen before.'

  Vakrbaahu stepped forward, and kept his hand on Dushal's shoulder, 'He is Sage Omeshwar, the proven sage having divine power of five elements.'

  Dushal was appearing to be shocked, he was not able to utter a word.

  'What happened, friend? Why you are seems to be disturbed?' Vakrbaahu was also astonished seeing the expression of Dushal.

  'I was…..just,…. I was actually totally unaware of his identity.'

  Dushal turned towards Sage Omeshwar, 'Sage Omeshwar, heard lot of things about you, about your divine power, your austerity. I….I just can't believe you are standing in front of you, I just can't believe.' He lied down on his knees.

  'It's my honour to serve you sage, it's my honour. Please forgive me for my sins.'

  Sage Omeshwar brought him up and smiled, 'Not only I, a day will come when all the leading rulers of Aaryavart will respect you and your policies from heart. You are the true scion of Lord Mahabali, he was the greatest warrior of his time period. He was honoured by the great 'Vaman Avtar'. Also the great 'Vaman Avtar' is guarding his palace at 'Sutallok'. He will be proud of you when he will get to know about your policies.'

  Thereafter, Sage Omehswar turned towards Vakrbaahu, 'Now it's time to get to know about the conspiracy going on in Ekchakranagari. I am very sure that the Prajapati, whom we met was actually some other person, who impersonated as Prajapati to misguide us. I have to search for him, because may be something very wrong is going on in 'Ekchakranagari'.'

  'Sure Gurudev, let's go.' Vakrbaahu was eager to help his mentor.

  'No Vakrbaahu, you need not to. I am the chief mentor of Ekchakranagari, and it's my duty to keep my eyes on the conspiracies going within the clan. You should stay here with your friend Dushal.' Sage Omeshwar stepped towards his horse.

  'But.. But, wait Gurudev.' Vakrbaahu tried to stop him.

  'That's my order, Vakrbaahu, just follow it. Dushal needs you, he has just ascended on the throne. So he needs a moral support.' Sage Omeshwar stared at Vakrbaahu.

  Vakrbaahu was unable to utter a word. Sage Omeshwar ascended on his horse, 'We'll meet soon Vakrbaahu.'

  He proceeded towards the 'Ekchakranagari', his disciple was continuously staring at him.

  'He is a proven saint my friend, let him do his work.' Dushal kept his hand on the shoulder of his friend.

  'Yes of course, he is a proven saint. There must be some reason behind this act.' Vakrbaahu accepted the truth.

  'I think so, actually I agree with you. But now you should come with me, the clan of Patallok is waiting for his Army Chief.'

  Birth of the two legends

  'Army Chief…, what you just said?' Vakrbaahu was astonished to listen those words of Dushal.

  'Yes my friend, you deserve this honour. I was looking for the right person who deserve this post. And I am feeling very proud to say that, you are the person whom I was looking for.' Dushal says proudly to his friend.

  Vakrbaahu was hesitating, Dushal tried to convience him, 'Come, let's meet our people. You should know them very well before you take over this responsibility.'

  'Sure my friend.' Both the warriors went to meet their people i.e. the demon's army.

  While on the other side, Sage Omeshwar reached 'Ekchakranagari'. As soon as he reached there, he called his one of his disciple, 'Call Prajapati, as soon as possible.'

  'Sure Gurudev.' That disciple went in search of Prajapati.

  Soon Prajapati was in front of Sage Omeshwar.

  'When did you return from your journey, Prajapati?' Sage Omeshwar questioned his disciple.

  'I returned yesterday, Gurudev.'

  Sage Omeshwar stood up, he was quite worried.

  'What happened, Gurudev? Why you are so worried?' Prajapati asked his mentor.

  'Five days before, some unknown person came to us. He looks as like you, I don't know actually who he was.'

  'What, what are you saying Gurudev? I've returned yesterday only, how this is possible?' Prajapati was shocked to listen that.

  'I know you are innocent, but that person impersonated you. He misguided us, I think he just want to keep us away from this kingdom for few time.'

  'May be Gurudev, I am totally unaware of this incident. So what should be our next step?'

  'We must go to the palace of 'Ekchakranagari'. I want to ensure that, everything is fine in Ekchakranagari, as the prince of 'Ekchakranagari' is going to take birth within the current time period.'

  'Sure Gurudev, I am ready to come with you.'

  Sage Omeshwar and his disciple Prajapati proceeded towards the palace of 'Ekchakranagari'. Within a day they were in front of the palace.

  'My lord, Sage Omeshwar has arrived, he wants to me
et you.' One security guard of the palace informed the King.

  'Why didn't you brought him here? He don't require any permission to meet me. Bring him here you fool.' King Yayati confronted his troop.

  'Today my son is going to take birth, and the chief mentor of 'Ekchakranagari' is also here. May be this a sign of a great luck.' King Yayati was delighted by the information of arrival of his mentor.

  Sage Omeshwar and his disciple were soon in front of King Yayati.

  'What happened, Sage? Why you are so much disturbed?' Yayati was quite astonished, when he noticed the expression of his mentor.

  'First, tell me when is your child going to take birth, my lord?' Sage Omeshwar asked King Yayati.

  'Why you are asking such question, Gurudev? I had told you six days earlier, that my son could take birth anytime within a week or ten days.' King Yayati was quite astonished.

  'What are you saying, Sage….' Prajapati tried to interfare.

  But Sage Omeshwar grabbed his hand and indicated him to keep quite.

  'What happened, Sage? Is there anything wrong?' King Yayati was still confused.

  'Nothing, nothing wrong, my lord. Let's wait for your child to take birth.' Sage Omeshwar didn't wanted to tell about the conspiracy of that unknown person.

  Prajapati was astonished. He was unable to guess that what his mentor was thinking of.

  Soon one maid came and informed King Yayati, 'My lord, the pain has began, your child could take birth anytime.'

  'Well that's the matter of joy, go and give me the good news as soon as possible.' King Yayati was excited.

  A prahar passed, the second child of King Yayati opened his eyes.

  'My lord, your son has opened his eyes, but….…'. The maid was quite afraid.

  'My son has taken birth, this is a matter of joy. Then why you are so scared….?' King Yayati was confused.

  'Your son is fine, but the queen is dead, my lord. We failed to save her.' There was terror in the eyes of maid while delivering these words.

  King Yayati was stunned, he was unable utter a word. This was a disastrous moment for him, he fell down on his knees. He was in deep shock. At that moment he was not able to believe what happened.

  Sage Omeshwar looked over him, he then stepped forward to convey him.

  'We have to think of future, my lord. You can't be weak.'

  'My elder son, Prince 'Saket' has left for his Gurukul just a month ago. How will I face him when he'll return after years?' Strips of tears fell from the eyes of King Yayati.

  'But you have to be strong. Not just for your son, your people need you too.'

  King Yayati didn't replied, he was unable to utter a word. Sage Omeshwar tried to heal him.

  'Let's see the face of your newborn child.'

  'Sorry to say Sage, but I don't want to see the face of that child.' King Yayati was quite high tempered.

  'I can understand, my lord. Do it as you wish. Come Prajapati, let's see the face of the newborn child.'

  Sage Omeshwar and Prajapati went in the room where that child was kept.

  'But he looks like a normal infant, Gurudev. Then what could be the conspiracy of which we are looking for.' Prajapati looked over the child of King Yayati and said.

  Sage Omeshwar lied down on his knees, and inspected the child carefully. Thereafter, he picked up that child in his arms.

  'No he is not a normal child. He is born with the power of five elements, so his face should be enlightening like a divine child. But he is looking like a normal child.' Sage Omeshwar turned that child to inspect his backside.

  At the very next moment he was stunned, 'So this was the conspiracy of the demons, and they succeeded in it.'

  'What happened, Gurudev? What are you talking about?' Prajapti was quite astonished.

  'Look at the sign on the backside of his neck, it is the sign of demons. An evil spirit has entered in his body. No, no, no..., actually I am not right. He himself is an evil spirit now, an evil spirit with the power of five elements.' Sage Omeshwar was quite disturbed.

  'Then we should kill him Gurudev, as soon as possible.' Prajapati was quite afraid.

  'I can't do this Prajapati. He is born with the power of five elements, I can't kill him.'

  'But Sage, you are also having the power of five elements. And you have only told me, a person with the power of five elements can only kill the person with the same.' Prajapati was quite astonished.

  'I have earned these powers through intense meditation. But he is born with these powers, I can't defeat him alone.' Sage Omeshwar was looking quite helpless.

  Prajapati was totally disturbed, 'Now what to do, Gurudev? He is a demon, with the power of five elements. How will we stop him?'

  'There is one way Prajapati. The power of five elements is not so easy to practice. Now it's your duty to keep your eyes on him, Prajapati. He should not get into contact with any demon or any evil mentor. The Demon King Dushal is also a demon, but he is not evil. So there is a chance, that this child won't do evil Karmas in his life. But I am very sure about one thing, that this is the conspiracy of that wretch demon's mentor Bhairavnath.' There were flames of anger in the eyes of Sage Omeshwar.

  'How did you get to know it, Gurudev?' Prajapati was quite astonished.

  'No one else can dare to do it, Prajapati. Demon King Dushal could not fulfill his desires, so he might be looking for the new leader for the Demon's race. You take special care of this child, he should not get to know about his powers. And it's your responsibility now, stay here with him.'

  'As you command, Gurudev. But where are you going?' Prajapati questioned.

  'Perhaps, a time may come when his evil power will surely rise. I have to get a solution for this.' Sage Omeshwar left after this.

  He came to King Yayati, he was still mourning. This annoyed Sage Omeshwar, he confronted King.

  'You are a King, my lord. You can't be so selfish, you can't be so weak.'

  'I am so..sorry, Gurudev, I turned weak for few moments.' King Yayati was guilty, and he joined his hands in front of his mentor.

  Sage Omeshwar calmed down, 'I know you are in pain, my lord. But you have to live for your people.'

  'I know Gurudev, I know.' King Yayati tried to strengthen himself.

  'Now what I am going to say, you have to strictly follow those instructions.' Sage Omeshwar said strictly.

  'Sure Gurudev, just tell me.'

  'These are the instructions about your son. Don't send your son to Gurukul for higher studies. My disciple Prajapati will stay here, and will take special care of him and his studies. He could bring the bright future of your kingdom, but only if you follow these instructions.'

  'Sure Gurudev. I'll never let my son go away from me, but I want one more favour from you sage.'

  'And what's that?'

  'You only give name to this child, Sage. Because I won't be able to do this.' King Yayati requested.