A Contest with the Prince
The Fall of a King
In the kingdom of Vijaypur, King Amardev had two sons: Veerdev and Shursingh. Upon King Amardev’s death, Veerdev ascended the throne, and Shursingh, devoted to his elder brother, supported him in every way possible.
The General’s Vacancy
Suddenly, the general of Veerdev’s army died. Veerdev decided to appoint his younger brother, Shursingh, to the vacant position. However, the chief minister interjected, “My lord, we have a long-standing tradition for selecting our generals. According to this tradition, a contest is held among aspiring candidates. The one who wins is appointed to the post.”
A Minister’s Assurance
Veerdev remained silent, but the minister sensed his displeasure. “Do not worry, my lord. Let there be the traditional contest. Shursingh will emerge victorious,” he assured the king.
“I am not so sure,” replied the king. “But I am sure, my lord,” the minister said with a knowing smile. The king, who had great faith in his minister, consented to the arrangements for the contest.
The Contest Begins
The contest was announced, attracting many ambitious men to participate. However, when they learned that Sudhanyu, the young man renowned for his bravery and fighting skills, was also competing, they all withdrew. This left only two candidates: Sudhanyu and Shursingh.
The First Rounds
The contest drew a large crowd. Initially, there was a wrestling match between the two; both proved equally strong and skilled. The next day featured an archery contest, in which Sudhanyu excelled Shursingh.
Veerdev, who was anxiously watching the events unfold, looked saddened. “My lord, tomorrow there will be a fencing contest. Rest assured, Shursingh will win,” the minister whispered in the king’s ear.
A Turning Point
As scheduled, the fencing match took place the next day. During the game, Sudhanyu’s sword broke unexpectedly. The referee promptly announced, “The contests are over. We are satisfied that Prince Shursingh deserves the post of general.”
Sudhanyu’s Dismay
Sudhanyu stood there, stunned. He could not comprehend how the sword, provided by the organizers, had broken! He was bewildered that a flaw in his equipment could lead to his defeat.
He looked at the king, searching for justice. Yet, the king appeared uninterested, focused instead on his own thoughts. Sudhanyu then turned to the minister, hoping for support, but saw the minister gazing at the king, seemingly indifferent to the proceedings.
Justice Denied
Next, Sudhanyu cast his eyes upon the sword, hoping it would provide clarity, but the crowd was already applauding the prince’s victory. The outcome had been declared, and Sudhanyu suddenly felt a surge of wild frustration erupt within him.