The Godly Qualities

 

In the kingdom of Kashi, King Anandamitra had two sons: Mahinsasa, the eldest, and Chandra Kumar, the younger. Mahinsasa, blessed with divine wisdom and compassionate nature, was revered by the people as a future king with godly qualities, including a radiant presence and magnetic personality. A tragic event struck the royal family when the queen passed away, casting a shadow over the kingdom. After a year of mourning, the king remarried to a princess from Ayodhya, and in time, they welcomed a third son, Surya Kumar.

Fifteen years later, as the king grew older, the queen seized the opportunity to use a promise the king had made her long ago, requesting that her own son, Surya, inherit the throne. The king was deeply troubled by the injustice this posed to his eldest son Mahinsasa, who was the rightful heir. Despite his inner conflict, he honored the queen’s wish, explaining his predicament to Mahinsasa and Chandra and sending them into exile, hoping they might someday reclaim their rights.

To everyone’s surprise, Surya, loyal to his brothers rather than his mother’s ambitions, chose to accompany Mahinsasa and Chandra into exile. The three brothers journeyed together through the Himalayas, visiting sacred sites. They eventually reached a lake guarded by a Yaksha, a divine being who would only allow those who understood "the qualities of a god" to drink from the lake. Chandra and Surya failed to answer the Yaksha’s question and were imprisoned.

When Mahinsasa arrived and encountered the Yaksha, he answered wisely: "A true god does not speak ill of others, does not show false pride, avoids quarrels, and works for the welfare of all." The Yaksha, impressed, offered to free only one of his brothers, and Mahinsasa chose Surya, explaining that Surya had willingly sacrificed his royal future to join his exiled brothers.

Recognizing Mahinsasa’s selflessness, the Yaksha released both Chandra and Surya, bestowing them with divine gifts. Upon their return, following the death of the king and queen, Mahinsasa was rightfully crowned king, with Surya as the Crown Prince and Chandra as commander-in-chief. United by loyalty and wisdom, the brothers ruled with harmony and justice, embodying the godly qualities Mahinsasa had so perfectly expressed.