King Yayati and other royal people were present there to welcome him.
Saket reached the palace. He was welcomed by his father and the other royal people. But Saket's eyes were searching for his mother.
'Where is my mother, my lord? I have been waiting for years to see her.' Saket questioned his father.
King Yayati was stunned, he was not able to utter a word, as Prince Saket was still unaware of his mother's death.
'You… your mother is not here right now. She is on a trip to…. the great… Kali Mandir. So… she went to the Aravalli hills.' King Yayati was hesitating while explaining this to his son.
'Didn't she know that I am arriving?' Saket felt quite sad.
'No…no, she is not knowing. Otherwise,…. you know her very well, she can't stay away from you.' King Yayati was afraid of telling him the truth.
'It has been years that I met her. I will have to wait for some more time now.'
Then the sounds of a wheels of chariot strikes the ears of Prince Saket, he turned back. Surjan was returning to the palace.
He stared at Surjan, 'Who is that person coming towards our palace?' Prince Saket asked his father.
'He is your younger brother, Surjan.' King Yayati cleared the doubts of his son.
'He is my brother? If this is truth, then I am really ashamed of this guy.' Saket was annoyed, he was staring at him.
King Yayati was astonished, 'Why? Why you are saying such type of words for your brother?'
'He was going to kill a ten years old child, just because he blocked his path for a while.' Saket kept his point of view.
'He is just a kid, he didn't went to Gurukul for any higher education. Today, he went out of this palace for the first time. Perhaps, that's why he didn't know how to behave with the common people.' King Yayati tried to defend his son.
'But why he didn't go to the Gurukul till now? I have been there, since I was ten years old.' Saket was astonished.
'Come inside the palace son, we'll talk it about later on. You came from a long journey, you must be tired.' King Yayati tried to skip the conversation.
Within a prahar, a court was arranged in the palace of Ekchakranagari. All the ministers, army chief and Prince Saket were called in the court, but Surjan was not in the court. King Yayati stood up from his throne and announced.
'My elder son has returned from the Gurukul. After sixteen years of educational training, he has turned into one of the great warriors of Aaryavart. And today, I have called this court for an important announcement. Today, I am leaving for a journey which will last for a month. So, I think tll then I should handover the responsibility of this kingdom to my elder son. Today, I declare Prince Saket as my successor, he is the crown prince of Ekchakranagari.'
The people in the court were delighted by this announcement. They all clapped in the honour of the new crown prince of Ekchakranagari.
Thereafter, the crown prince of Ekchakranagari stood up from his throne, 'As a crown prince of Ekchakranagari, I have to make an important announcement. Bring Prince Surjan in the court.'
'What happened son? Why you are calling him?' King Yayati was quite astonished.
'I am the crown prince of 'Ekchakranagari'. And it's my duty to punish that every person, who creates havoc among our people.'
Surjan was brought in the court.
'He has tried to create havoc among our people, so he should be punished.' Prince Saket announced.
Surjan's eyes were filled with flames. But he controlled himself and joined his hands towards the King, and tried to explain, 'I have not done anything wrong. I have worked just as the King of Ekchakranagari instructed me.'
'What…..What rubbish you are talking? You mean that King has instructed you to kill that ten years old child.' Saket was astonished.
'No, I am not saying that. First of all I was not going to kill that child, but I was properly instructed that my journey should not be blocked, otherwise it will be great bad luck for our kingdom. I was just punishing that child for blocking my path.' Surjan explained.
'He is saying right, I have only given this instruction. So he has not committed any crime.' King Yayati tried to defend his son.
'But he should be punished for this, my lord. He should know how to behave with the common and innocent people. That's why he should be sent to Gurukul, for learning his moral duties.'
These words of Saket lead to change in expressions of Surjan, he thought in his mind, 'I am really a stupid. How can I forget that he is my brother? He will never think wrong for me.'
'No, he can't leave this kingdom.' King Yayati was in pain while saying this.
'But why? Why you want to restrict him within this palace?' Saket asked.
'I am asking you the same questions since years, my lord. I also wish to see the world outside. Why you want to restrict me within this palace?' Surjan asked his father.
King Yayati stood up from his throne, and came downstairs near Surjan. 'Are you not satisfied with your mentor, Sage Prajapati?'
'I am not saying that, my lord. But he is not present here every time, he has a family too. And I want to leave the palace. I want to explore the world.' Surjan tried to justify himself.
'No, you can't, it could be dangerous for your life.' King Yayati was quite disturbed while saying this.
Saket also came downstairs, 'What are you saying, father? From sixteen years, I have been training in the Gurukul. And he still defeated me in a duel even when he is just sixeteen years old. He need to learn many new things as he is amateur right now. He is capable enough to defeat at least hundred soldiers at a time. I just want his strength and capability should not be wasted. He deserves and also requires the better training and guidance, which will surely strengthen our kingdom.' Prince Saket explained arrogantly.
Surjan smiled at him, 'I agree with views of elder, my lord. I also want to leave this palace.'
King Yayati was in a great dilemma. He was not able to think what he should do, as Sage Omeshwar has strictly warned him not to let Surjan cross the border of Ekchakranagari. So he tried to skip the conversation.
'He means my world to me, I just don't want to keep him away from me. But you are also right, Saket. I can't take any decision right now as I am leaving for a voyage. I will be in deep sea for a month and I need to be mentally prepared for that. I will take this decision after one month, when I will return from my voyage. The fourth prahar of the day is about to pass. So I must leave now.'
'As you wish, father. We'll wait for your return.' Surjan respected his father's decision.
Within few time span, the chariot was filled with all the required things. Thereafter, King Yayati ascended on the chariot and proceeded towards his voyage.
'Let's go back, Surjan. And remember one thing, don't misbehave with the common people again.' Saket strictly warned Surjan.
'Ya.. Ya, of course, elder.' Surjan agreed.
Both the siblings were walking towards the palace. Saket asked his younger one.
'How is our mother? Actually, I just want to know, how she looks like nowadays. I am very eager to see her.' Saket was very excited to meet his mother.
Surjan was taken aback with surprise listening this, 'What are you saying, elder? I have not seen my mother since my birth. Of whom you are talking about?'
This was a deep shock for Saket, he was unable to utter a word, 'It means, my father lied to me. What could be the truth? If my father is the one lying to me, how could I trust others in the palace?' Saket was in deep thought.
'What happened, elder?' Surjan enquired about the reason of his silence.
'Ah…., nothing much. You go to the palace, I will join you after a little while.'
'But why, why you can't come with me?' Surjan asked.
'Ah.., actually I have returned to our kingdom after years. So, I need to talk with the common people of Ekchakranagari. I just want to know about the condition of the people of Ekchakranagari.' Saket avoids Surjan so that he can stay alone for sometime.
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'But you can't go there alone. You should take some security guards with you.' Surjan suggested.
'No, I cannot. I will dress up as common man and after that no one can recognize me. Don't worry, I'll be fine. You go to the palace.'
'As you wish, elder.' Surjan proceeded towards the palace.
Thereafter, Saket went to a secret place and dressed up as a common man, so that no one can recognize him. He went to a village and got mingled among the common people.
He was walking in search of someone, who could clear his doubts. Suddenly, he collides with an old man.
'Are you blind?' The old man was drunk.
'I am sorry, I am sorry sir.' He helped the old man get back on his feet.
That old man shouted at Saket, 'Can't you see, young man. Wait…., wait a second, who are you? I have never seen you before in this village.' That old man stared at Saket.
'I am a citizen of this village. Actually, I have returned after years. I think, that's why you are not able to recognize me.' Saket explained.
'Oh… really. Even if I believe you words, then tell me who I am?' That old man asked Saket.
Saket was unable to find out a way out and answer the old man.
'I was the chief of this village. Do you remember?' That old man asked.
'Yes, Yes of course, of course, I remember you. You were the chief.' Saket went with the flow.
'Ha.. Ha..' The drunk old man laughed at him.
'Why you are laughing so much?' Saket was confused.
'The youth of this kingdom is just following the path shown by that wretch Prince Surjan. Just like him, you are also a liar, with a mind filled with conspiracies. I am living here only since two years, how can I be the chief of this village. Actually, I just want to say and would rather advice you that you just go and do whatever you want to, I don't care.' That old man stepped forward, leaving many unanswered questions in Saket's mind.
'Wait, Wait old man.' Saket turned back and kept his hand on the shoulder of that old man to stop him.
'Now what? Do you want something from me?' That old man was in doubt.
'Ah…., actually I want to know what you are talking about. Why you are using such harsh words for Prince Surjan?'
'Now, I am very sure, that you are not the citizen of this kingdom. You are asking, why I am using such words for Prince Surjan? Don't you know about the recent incident? That wretch Prince Surjan harassed a ten years old child, just because he blocked his path for a while.' That old man was quite furious.
'That could be a mistake by an amateur prince. That child is safe, and I don't think that, it is a crime that couldn't be forgiven.' Saket tried to defend his brother.
'Oh…. Really. It's not just the matter of harassing a child. That Prince Surjan is such a wretch, that he killed his own mother.'
Saket was completely stunned. He stared at that old man for a while, and sat on a small rock, so that the old man couldn't see his expression. It was almost impossible to believe for him, that his mother is dead.
'What happened young man? Why you are so much disturbed?' The old man asked.
Saket tried to control his expressions, 'Ah… nothing, nothing much. Can you tell me, how Prince Saket killed his mother?'
'There are rumors, he was born with the symbol of bad luck on the backside of his neck. He always use to create havoc among the common people, his mother always hated him. That's why he killed his mother by poisoning her food.' That old man lied to Prince Saket. But why? It was tough to guess.
Saket was still in deep shock, he stood up from the rock, and stepped forward to reach his palace.
'Where are you going, young man?' The old man asked.
'It's high time now. The criminals needs to be punished. And I am going for the same.' Saket went towards his palace.
That old man was still smiling. Thereafter, he transformed into his actual form. It was the evil demon's mentor Bhairavnath, who impersonated as an old man to misguide Prince Saket.
'Plan successful. Now Surajn will work for the demon's race.' Bhairavnath laughed.
It was the sixth prahar of that day. Saket reached the palace of Ekchakaranagari, and called for an urgent court.
Soon all the ministers, army chief and other royal people were present in the court.
Prince Surjan was also present there. Everyone was surprised because of this urgent call of the court. They all were having lot of questions in their mind. Saket was continuously staring at Surjan. He then turned towards a minister.
'I am going to ask you a question. And I want to listen the truth from you.' There were flames in the eyes of Prince Saket ascended on the throne.
'Yes…Yes, of course. I will surely tell you the truth.' That minister was quite afraid.
Thereafter, Saket raised his finger towards Surjan and asked his minister, 'I have come to know that this wretch is responsible for my mother's death. I just want to know it is true or not.'
Surjan was shocked, 'What type of allegation is this? I have not…'
'You just keep your mouth shut.' Saket confronted Surjan. Thereafter, he turned the minister.
'So it is true or not?'
'It is true prince, but….'
But before that minister could complete his words, Saket signaled him to shut his mouth. He closed his eyes for a while. After few moments, he opened his eyes and stared at Surjan.
'Surjan come near to me.' He ordered his younger one.
Surjan came near to Saket.
'Turn back.'
Saket looked over the neck of Surjan. He was shocked to notice the demoniac sign on the back side of his neck.
'It means that the old man in that village was right.' Saket was in deep thoughts. Thereafter, he stared at Surjan. He stood up from the throne and declared.
'It's time to punish this wretch criminal. He has to leave this palace as well as this kingdom before midnight.'
'What, why? How could you?' Surjan was unable to guess for what he is being punished for.
'You are my sibling, that's why I am not killing you. Get lost, you murderer. You are expelled from this kingdom.' Saket shouted at Surjan.
All the ministers and other royal people were also surprised. Saket was blaming Surjan, as if he would have intentionally killed his mother. But no one dared to put a question on his decision seeing the burning flames of his eyes.
Soon Surjan was on the border of Ekchakranagari. Hundreds of common people of the kingdom were also present there. It was midnight, Saket was ascended on the chariot with some of his soldiers. He stood up and announced among the people of Ekchakranagari.
'Humiliate him as much as you can, so that he could never return to this kingdom. Get lost, you murderer.' Saket thrown a stone towards his younger brother.
'Follow me.' Saket shouted.
Firstly that ten years old boy, who was harassed by Surjan, thrown a cow dung at him.
'Get lost, you murderer.' That boy shouted at him.
Return of the Demon Lord Durbheeksh Page 5