Departure of Mahendra and Sanghmitra
“You’re my eldest son and an heir to this throne, Mahendra,”
the emperor said. “Whom would people of Magadh look upon with a hope now? They
see their emperor in you. They need you.”
“They need you more than they need me, father,” Mahendra
said. “You know that, don’t you? I know that you had a chance to leave your
responsibilities and walk out of all in search of peace. Toward Nirvana. But
you didn’t. Because if you had walked away, then this empire which you’ve made
the greatest empire in the entire world, would’ve perished again. All that you’ve
endured, all that you’ve dreamt of, would’ve been gone in vain. You chose the
tough path. But I can’t. I know that I’m your eldest son and an heir to this
throne. And I’m doing my duty as both. An ideal son should follow his father’s
path and achieve what his father couldn’t. An ideal heir-apparent should do
what his empire needs the most. And it needs Dharma. It needs righteousness. It
needs you. There are very few people who could establish and re-establish righteousness
in this world. But there are even fewer who can maintain the balance of that
righteousness. Apparently, you’re the only one who has both power and knowledge
to accomplish this. I didn’t deserve this throne anyway. No one deserves this
throne. You… Your glory has made it so pure that no man could think of staining
it with impurity of his heart. Not even me. Besides, I’m passing my crown of
heir-apparent to Kunal. So allow us, father, so that I and Sanghmitra could
spread yours and Lord Buddha’s messages around the world.”
The emperor sighed and glanced at Sanghmitra.
“Sanghmitra! You’re married. You’ve a family. Then why do
you want to go?” the emperor asked.
“Firstly, I’m your daughter. And it is my duty to accomplish
my father’s dream, just like Brother Mahendra has,” Sanghmitra replied
confidently.
“I named you Mahendra – the conqueror of the worlds. I hope
you conquer the world with your Dharma,” the emperor said and glanced at
Sanghmitra. “If your mother were here, she would have been proud on both of
you.”
“She is always with us,” Mahendra muttered. “However the
history will remember only one man as the conqueror of the worlds, who has
conquered three worlds with his purity and righteousness. You, O father! We
have never seen Buddha. But we’ve seen you. We have seen the worst and the best
of you. We’ve seen what divinity looks like.”
“Very well. Start your journey from the southern boundary.
Beyond the ocean, there are kingdoms who awaits for righteousness to knock on
their doors. Take a branch of Mahabodhi Tree and plant it there. It’ll grow
into a great tree of righteousness. May you both succeed in your journey!” the
emperor blessed.
Both Mahendra and Sanghmitra bowed before their father,
their emperor for the last time before departing to a new world.
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