Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
In the previous episode: You read how the incomplete information from a village family ignited a deep curiosity in Kumar Vikramaditya’s mind about Princess 'Suvarna' of Chandangarh. Will Dhruvdev be able to come up with a trick to convince the King? Or will Kumar Vikramaditya head towards Chandangarh against his father's orders? Will the golden aura of Suvarnapur add new colors to Kumar's life? And the biggest question—what will this curiosity of Kumar lead to? Now, read on...
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Kumar and Dhruvdev brainstormed extensively on the plan to go to Chandangarh.
Dhruvdev said, "Kumar, please give up this stubbornness. I don’t understand what excuse we will use to seek permission from the King, especially since he has already ordered us to return. If you listen to me, you should return to the palace; I will bring news of Chandangarh. You just have to make some small excuse for me before the King."
Kumar smiled and said, "Now that I have committed to this stubbornness, why leave it midway? As for permission, when will this 'troubleshooter' brain of yours finally come in handy?"
Dhruvdev sighed dramatically, "Alas! Ever since we left home, I have been grinding my brain. Now this brain itself is craving almond laddoos made by the Queen Mother. But what do you care... you just want to eat the wild berries of Chandangarh!"
When Dhruvdev made a long face, Kumar burst into laughter. Just then, hearing the noise coming from outside, his laughter stopped abruptly. People outside were talking excitedly in high voices. Both friends immediately went out.
A few people were gathered there, engaged in a serious discussion—'This is terrible', 'We must petition the King's court ourselves', 'The crops will be ruined this way', 'Look, he even took away Sumer's calf!' Hearing such words, Kumar and Dhruvdev approached them. Upon inquiry, they found out that these people had come from the border areas of Sauvira-nagar, the forest region adjacent to Chandangarh. Wild animals had caused massive havoc there. On one hand, herbivores were destroying crops, while on the other, fierce predators were attacking livestock and humans. Local officials had sent word to the King, but due to the great distance, no help had arrived yet.
Hearing all this, Kumar and Dhruvdev fell into deep thought. They returned to their room and began reconsidering the situation.
Dhruvdev said, "It seems a solution for both the people's problem and your 'stubbornness' has been found at once."
Kumar agreed, "Yes, this is the right path. We will write a letter to Father. Our letter will reach him directly through Karn Singh Ji. I am fully confident that we will get permission. When the subjects are in distress, we cannot turn our backs and return."
Dhruvdev nodded— "Then why the delay? You write the letter immediately, and I will dispatch it right away through Karn Singh’s messenger."
Kumar sat down to write the letter immediately, and Dhruvdev dispatched it by hand. After this, both went to sleep peacefully amidst food and discussions.
Although they hadn't told Karn Singh anything clearly, an experienced man like him had an inkling. He noticed that even after receiving the King's order, Kumar was procrastinating his return. Suspecting that the two friends were hiding something, he ordered one of his trusted servants to keep a secret watch on them and left for the King with the letter.
In a special chamber of the palace, Karn Singh handed over Kumar's letter to the King and took his seat appropriately. The King opened the letter and began reading it seriously:
Kumar’s Letter...
“To,
The Lotus Feet of the Most Worshipful Father, the King, I offer my respectful salutations.
Father, in compliance with your command, we were ready to return to the capital, but on the way, we became aware of the dire situation in the border areas. It has been learned that there has been an unexpected increase in the number of wild animals in the nearby forests, causing destruction of standing crops and spreading fear among the common people. As a Prince, it is my primary duty to alleviate the suffering of the subjects.
Therefore, Dhruvdev and I humbly request you to grant us permission to remain 'anonymous' in these border forests for a few weeks for hunting and military practice. This secret stay will not only give us real knowledge of the public problems in the border regions but also strengthen our practice of archery.
If you grant this permission, please send a special royal permit through respected Karn Singh Ji, addressing us by the pseudonyms ‘Jivandas Singh’ and ‘Munh-bola Singh’. We will protect the border forests with this disguised identity for some time. Other news will reach you through Karn Singh Ji. Please convey our respects to our revered Mother. Tell her that we will appear before her soon after fulfilling our responsibility.
Your obedient son,
Vikramaditya”
The King read the letter calmly and said to Karn Singh, "Kumar has sought permission to stay and hunt in the border forests. I have no objection. I will write a reply; you may take it with you." Then, looking into Karn Singh's eyes, he asked, "Do you want to say something, Karn Singh?"
Karn Singh said, "Yes, Maharaj! I feel from the behavior of Kumar and Dhruvdev that they are hiding something from us. I haven't been able to find out their true intention yet. What are your orders?"
The King smiled, "Hmm... let them do what they want. After replying to the letter, keep a secret eye on them. I have full confidence in you and the capabilities of both of them."
Karn Singh returned with the King's reply. He handed over the King's response and the special permit in the names of ‘Jivandas Singh’ and ‘Munh-bola Singh’ to Kumar. After this, he himself disappeared and began keeping such an eye on both of them that they didn't even realize it.
After Karn Singh left, Kumar eagerly opened the King's letter:
The King’s Letter...
”May you live long, son Vikramaditya!
Your letter was received. I am satisfied to see your sensitivity towards the subjects and your readiness to alleviate their suffering. For a future King, there is no ritual greater than the protection of his subjects.
Therefore, we gladly grant you and Dhruvdev permission to stay in the border forests for military practice. But be careful, son! The dense forests of the borders are as uncertain as they are beautiful. Do not be even slightly careless about your safety. Convey our blessings to Dhruvdev as well. We await your proud return.
With best wishes,
Maharaj, Sauvira-nagar”
After reading the letter, Kumar handed it to Dhruvdev. The King's permission had cleared the way for both of them.
Dhruvdev smiled and said, "Here you go, now your path is clear. What are your thoughts now?"
Kumar said with a low laugh, "What else? We will travel this path in the guise of travelers. I want to see that golden aura of Suvarnapur."
Dhruvdev teased him, "Yes, and take a look at the aura of Princess Swarnaprabha as well!"
Both friends burst into laughter and set about their preparations.
'To be continued'
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In the next episode: Kumar and Dhruvdev have set out in search of a mystery as 'Jivandas' and 'Munh-bola', but what is the past of 'Princess Suvarna' for whom they have taken this risk? What is Chandangarh like? And how was Suvarna's childhood? To find out, read the next part— 'An Old Memory, An Unknown Fear'.
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Next Recommendation:
Indian Folklore: Start your journey through the unsolved mysteries of Chandangarh and the saga of Princess Suvarna here:
🔗 Episodes 1 to 11 available now (and upcoming episodes too): https://meetu2nishabd.blogspot.com/2026/03/princess-suvarna.html
✍️ Pen by ‘Nishabd’
🖌️ Image created with the assistance of Gemini & ChatGPT
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