Life Eternal
While Brahna Dutt was ruling Banaras, there was a vassal king called Nagarjun who was an incarnation of Bodhisatva was minister for Chirayu.
Nagarjun was both kind and charitable. He was also an expert in checmical and herbal preperations. He discovered a chemical agent by which he made himself as well as the king free from old age and death. But as it was a matter of very rare checmicals and involved extra ordinary cost, he could extend his immunity to none else.
Now the best loved son of Nagarjun, a brilliant boy named Somadev happen to die plunging his father in deep sorrow.
“There shall be no more deaths,” Nagarjun swore. “I shall find the means to conquer death at all cost”.
Chemicals were too costly and too limited to serve the entire mankind. So Nagarjun carried on his research with herbs, intensely and for a long time. At last they bore fruit and he was in the final stage of preparing the Nectar of Eternal Life.
Indra the Ruler of Heaven, was annoyed when he heard of Nagarjun’s experiments. He called upon Ashwins, the divine physicians, and told them, “Go to earth and frustrate the experiments of Nagarjun by every means at your disposal.”
“There shall be no more deaths,” Nagarjun swore. “I shall find the means to conquer death at all cost”.
Chemicals were too costly and too limited to serve the entire mankind. So Nagarjun carried on his research with herbs, intensely and for a long time. At last they bore fruit and he was in the final stage of preparing the Nectar of Eternal Life.
Indra the Ruler of Heaven, was annoyed when he heard of Nagarjun’s experiments. He called upon Ashwins, the divine physicians, and told them, “Go to earth and frustrate the experiments of Nagarjun by every means at your disposal.”
The Ashwins changed themselves in to human beings and called upon Nagarjun.
“I, wise Minister, being yourself a passt master in administration, why have you embarked upon a scheme which would upset the entire administration of Universe?” they said.
“You are transgressing the Divine Law which makes man mortal.
You are also excroaching upon the rights of the Gods who alone have the privilege of conferring immoratality upon souls.It is not proper that you should take upon yourself. If the task of removing distinction between mortals and immortals. You are, no doubt, aggrieved that your son was dead. But we assure you he is happy in Heaven.”
Nagarjun was not completely convinced by this logic. But being a reasonable man, he debated within himself whether his aim was really correct.
Soon after this Jayasen, the son of Chirayi was crowned future king. Great perpations and destivities were organised for the crowning ceremony.
In the meantime the Aswins returned to Indra and reported to him that they were not successful in persuading Nagarjun to give up his quest for universal immortality.So Indra disguised himself as an old Brahman and went to Crown Prince Jayasen.
“I am very sorry for you, young man,” he said. “Though you are crowned as the future king, you have no future as a king. You must be aware that Naharjun has already made your father immume from old age and dealth.You’ll only dies as Crown Prince.
The young man was crestfallen on hearing this. He never had a chance to sit on throne. What this old Brahmin said was true. The old king would be still on the throne after his great grand childeren too were dead. How corwining ceremony was a cruel farce.
“However ,” said Indra , “There is a way of getting over this difficulty, if you follow my advice. Nagarjun never denies anuthing to any one before he sits for his meal. Go to him and ask him boldly for his head. You’ll see that your way to the throne will be clear.”
Crown prince, Jayaden followed the old man’s advice and asked Nagarjun for his head, Nagarjun did not hesitate for a moment. He gave the young prince a sowrd and said, “Take my head”.
But Nagarjun was already immune from old age and death, and the sword bounced away from his neck without even scratching it.
Meanwhile the king heard of the whole affair and came running anxiously. He tried to disuade his son from foolish attempt.
“do not find fault with your son, O King,” Nagarjun said. He is only an instrument in bigger hands. I am aware of the entire scheme behind his request. I have given up my head in 99 times in my past births. Let this be hunderedth time.”
Nagarjun applied the juice of herbs to the edge of the sword and asked the prince to sever his head. This time, with a single stroke of sword the prince separated Nagarjun’s head from his body.
Seeing this atocity, King Chirayu too, tried to kill himself but Naharjun’s head said to him, “Grieve not, my king. I am always with you.”
In utter disgust the king renounced everything, sat his son on the throne and went into the forest to spend his time in penance and meditation.
Thus Jayasen got his throne and indra had the satisfaction of frustrating Nagarjun’s attempt to impartial Eternal Life to all human beings of all ages. What Nagarjun almost succeeded in achieving no one attempted again. That is why we are all still mortals.
