“Bitterness is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Dighavu moved one step closer to Brahmadatta, his father’s murderer. Will he avenge himself?

Dighavu waited on the king; he always spoke politely and conducted himself in a pleasing manner. Dighavu’s keen intelligence and responsiveness allowed him to gain a position of trust with the king.

One morning Brahmadatta summoned Dighavu and said, “Today I would like to go hunting. Gather my huntsmen together. Harness my chariot and bring it around.”

“As you wish, You Majesty,” responded Dighavu, and he proceeded to organize the expedition. The hunting party gathered in the stable yard, and when Brahmadatta arrived, Dighavu gave him his weapons, escorted him to his chariot, and ceremoniously handed him the reins.

“You may drive my chariot today,” said Brahmadatta.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Dighavu led the men out of the gates of Benares, through the countryside, and into the forest beyond. As they raced through the tangled trees, Dighavu told the king, “Your Majesty, I am quite familiar with these woods. I know a better way.”

“Very well,” said Brahmadatta, and Dighavu drove the chariot away from the rest of the party, deep into the untamed woodlands.

After a time, Brahmadatta called out, “Stop, I am weary. Let us search for a place to rest.” Dighavu found a secluded glade and unharnessed the hoses from the chariot. Both men unbuckled their swords and sat down, side by side, underneath a banyan tree. “I am tired,” said the king. He rested his head on Dighavu’s lap and fell sound asleep.

Ddighavu looked at the king asleep in his lap. He remembered his mother and father being marched through the city streets and his feelings of helplessness and rage. From the shadows of his mind, there arose a menacing thought.

Slowly, he unsheathed his sword and held it above Brahmadatta’s head. “Now, I could kill you. I could satisfy my anger and avenge my parents,” he said to himself.

Will Dighavu finally take vengeance?

Next time:”The Up-raised Sword”