Read part 1

Vidyapati crossed the forest in a few hours. Tired, he dismounted from his horse and ate the food Lalita had so lovingly packed for him .

Visvavasu would not know of the theft until the next day. It is only when he would visit the cave at dawn, with a palmful of flowers that he would find his Deity gone! By that time Vidyapati should have safely reached his destination. Vidyapati was happy that he had accomplished his mission. He was happy that he had come out of the dark forest into the plains flooded by sunlight, but as soon as he looked at the forest he had left behind, his heart was overcast by a gloom. It is sure that he had accomplished his mission, but at what cost? Had he not betrayed the trust of the kind-hearted Visvavasu and the innocent Lalita? Visvavasu will no doubt be heart-broken. Can Lalita stand the shock of his betrayal and the anguish of her father? “O God!” muttered Vidyapati, “I had to do what I have done. But, was not my act mean, treacherous and unpardonable? Only if this act serves some greater purpose, something ordained by Thou, I can recover my peace. He then remembered Visvavasu and Lalita and silently begged of their pardon. He hopped onto his horse and galloped forth, struggling with his gloom. Faster and faster he rode, as if thereby he could leave his tormenting’ thoughts behind! By sundown he approached the charming town, Puri. Straight he went to the palace of Indradyumna. An official who had spotted him at distance had already rushed to the palace ahead of him to inform the king of his arrival. He knew how anxiously the king awaited him. King Indradyumna came out hurriedly and embraced Vidyapati. “Young sage, not only your bright face, but also the dream I dreamt last night tells me that you have not returned empty-handed. You have brought the thing for which I have been waiting so eagerly-counting every moment and passing sleepless nights.” “My lord, I’m convinced that I’ve got the invaluable thing for which I set out, but…”Vidyapati’s voice was choked.”Go on, my friend, I know that no one can achieve anything really great without confronting some difficulty or obstacle. Let us hear your problem. We will do everything possible to resolve it,” said the king in great earnest.

Vidyapati shook his head. “No, no, my lord, none can help me come out of my anguish. I had to steal the object of my quest, and that too from one who was my host, my benefactor and whose daughter I married. I betrayed the father and the daughter. I shudder at the thought of their shock when they shall come to know of my betrayal. That will be in the morning. “Vidyapati, you must root out such disturbing thoughts from your mind. Thousands of artisans have offered their labour to the building of the temple. We have offered our resources. Similarly, if someone has been obliged to lose something he valued, what is wrong in that? I am directed in my dream to await a log that will come floating in the sea by the morning. What you have brought is charged with the presence of Vishnu. Am I right? This is to be placed inside the image that will be carved out of the log. Once the image is installed in the magnificent temple, your host will be only too happy to see it,” said the king, patting Vidyapati on the back. Vidyapati felt consoled. The king, his ministers and Vidyapati were all present on the seashore an hour before the dawn. A mild mist spread on the waters and it had dimmed the horizon. By and by the eastern sky grew rosy. The king looked agog with excitement as if the sunrise was taking place for the first ever time! The sun sprang up. The waves recorded a million golden ripples.

The mist began to fade. “There! There it is!!” cried out the excited king. “Can’t you all see it rolling over the waves?” A huge round log was seen rising with the surging waves and gliding down as the waves subsided. As the king pointing it out, a dozen waiting boats dashed into the sea. They surrounded the dancing log. Men in the boats leaned towards it and began pushing it towards the shore. A floating log needed but a little push to move! But the log would not move. Some of the surprised boatmen, expert swimmers, jumped into the waters and tried to move it, but in vain. The boats came closer and pressed against the log, but there was no change in the log’s position. The men then threw ropes around the log and pulled it towards the shore. When that yielded no result, more ropes were brought and fastened to it. Bigger boats were pressed to service, but the situation remained unchanged. The king’s face paled as time passed. The ministers were worried. Soldiers were summoned! They did their best to bring the log ashore, but they failed.

“Whoever has heard of a floating log proving heavier than a hill!” said the king. “There is something wrong not with the log, but with us.

However, I’ll not budge until the log has been brought ashore. I hope, it does not drift away!” said the king. The day passed and the evening made way for the night. Riding a golden palanquin came Queen Gundicha.

“You don’t mean to pass your night in the open!” she complained to her husband mildly, “I don’t really know what I am going to do!” answered the king in a kind of daze. He closed his eyes. It was a moonlit night.

Soldiers and boatmen were still trying their strength against the strange log. “Stop!” shouted the king suddenly. The ministers passed the order on to those struggling with the log. “I know why the log refuses to come,” said the king. Then, looking at Vidyapati, he said, “Lead me to the blessed devotee who was the custodian of the sacred thing you’ve brought. His touch alone will move the log!”

—To be continued