Previously in Suvarna:
Prince Vikramaditya and Dhruvdev, having left the palace of Suryapur in disguise, were wandering through the towns and villages of their own kingdom to understand the lives of their people. During their journey, they heard news of a grand annual fair. Drawn by childhood memories and the sweet allure of fresh Jalebis, the two friends enthusiastically set out to join the bustling crowds. Now, moving forward...
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The fair was teeming with a vibrant crowd. It was a testament to Karnasingh’s ingenuity that the artificial scar on the Prince’s face and the faux mole on Dhruvdev’s cheek had completely transformed their appearance. Karnasingh had not only disguised them but also taught them the finer nuances of maintaining their look. Furthermore, at his suggestion, both had grown their beards, making them appear slightly older than their actual age.
As they walked, their eyes fell upon a poor family ahead of them, heading toward the fair with great excitement. From their attire and demeanor, it was clear they were a couple with their small child. Enchanted by the child’s sweet, lisping chatter, the two friends began to follow them closely.
Upon reaching the fair, they offered prayers at the Shiva temple and then immersed themselves in the lively atmosphere, observing the people as they shopped. The Prince noticed that the people's enthusiasm didn't stem merely from material comforts, but from their mutual love and bonds. Seeing them buy small things with their hard-earned money and plan for expensive items in the future led him to a profound realization. He understood that comforts earned through one's own labor provided far more satisfaction and pride than any charity received as a gift. He realized that the true success of governance lies simply in providing a secure environment and equal opportunities, allowing the subjects to write their own destiny.
Eventually, the two friends settled at a confectioner's stall and relished the Jalebis heartily. Dhruvdev managed to devour twice as many as the Prince! Finally, letting out a satisfied sigh, he smiled and said, "Hmph! Now you are finally debt-free... though this was just the interest; I haven't even touched the 'principal' amount of Jalebis yet!"
The Prince burst into laughter, replying, "I won't even feed you those! I get far more joy seeing your face puffed up like a 'sulking queen' (Roothi Rani)."
Dhruvdev glared at him with mock anger, making the Prince laugh even harder. After wandering through the fair for a while longer, the two friends began their journey back.
On the way back, seeing the glowing faces of the passersby, the Prince remarked, "Friend, today I feel envious of these ordinary people. Look at them—how carefree and happy they are amidst basic necessities! Today, I witnessed their hard work and realized that labor is indeed the mother of happiness." A faint trace of sadness drifted into the Prince's voice as he spoke.
Dhruvdev countered, "Labor is important, but the role of destiny is no less significant. Didn't you see? When two people went to buy the same garment, and both had their hard-earned money, destiny favored the one who reached the shop first. After all, it is destiny that decreed you be born in a palace and me in a minister's house; it is but the fruit of our accumulated deeds from past lives."
The Prince interrupted, "There may be some truth in what you say, but destiny itself is shaped by labor."
Dhruvdev smiled, "Certainly, but when destiny is powerful, it changes the very direction of labor. As we just saw, both friends headed toward the garment, but destiny prompted one to buy vegetables first, and by the time he reached the shop, that garment belonged to someone else."
The Prince’s curiosity piqued. He said, "Prove it, and only then shall I believe!"
Dhruvdev accepted the challenge, "I shall prove it! Just give me that gem-studded gold ring of yours."
The Prince slid the simple gold ring, set with a small gemstone, off his finger and handed it to Dhruvdev. They were standing in the shade of a massive tree by the roadside. Dhruvdev peered out and saw the same poor family returning from the fair—the ones they had followed earlier.
Dhruvdev swiftly moved to the middle of the path, dropped the ring onto the ground, and hurried back to hide beside the Prince. The Prince watched everything with great curiosity. The family was now very close. The child was crying, insisting on riding the swings again, while his mother comforted him, saying, "You've already had so many turns, Lalla! We’ll let you swing again at the Morena village fair." But the child would not be pacified.
Then the father came up with a clever plan: "Alright, let’s play 'Ankh-munwa' (Hide and Seek). If we catch Munna with our eyes closed, we get to eat all the Rewaris (sweets) in the bag. But if we lose, they are all Munna’s!"
Immediately, both parents closed their eyes and ran with outstretched arms to catch the child. Forgetting his tantrum, the child began to giggle and dodge them. This entire game took place exactly where the precious ring lay. The Prince and Dhruvdev watched in amazement as the whole family, followed by several other passersby, walked right over the ring, kicking up dust, yet not a single person noticed the sparkling gem.
With a triumphant smile, Dhruvdev looked at the Prince, went over to pick the ring from the dust, cleaned it, and placed it back in the Prince's hand. His point had been proven.
The Prince asked in astonishment, "How did you know that no one would pick it up?"
Dhruvdev replied with a mischievous grin, "I didn't know, my friend. I was simply gambling!"
The Prince had no choice but to glare at him, while Dhruvdev’s laughter showed no signs of stopping.
To be continued...
In the next episode: The Prince and Dhruvdev’s journey in disguise continues to add new layers of thrill, humor, and profound life lessons. What fresh experiments or experiences await our hero in this exciting quest? And will these new adventures lead them toward an unforeseen challenge?
To find out, read the next chapter of Suvarna!
Read the next episode here:
https://meetu2nishabd.blogspot.com/2026/04/suvarana-saga-episode-7.html
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