The Sage Prince: Legend of Avanti
Long ago in the heart of the Indian subcontinent, there was a kingdom known as Avanti, famed for its prosperity and enlightened ruler, King Akshay. King Akshay had one flaw; he was childless. One day, a hermit named Rishi Vishwavasu visited the court. Moved by the King's worry, the saint blessed him, promising him a son, on the condition that this prince would devote his life to spiritual pursuits.
In due course, a son was born whom they named Vidur. True to Vishwavasu's prophecy, Vidur excelled spiritual studies more than warfare or statecraft. He spent hours meditating and reading scriptures, displaying wisdom beyond his years. However, his indifference towards royal duties displeased King Akshay.
Meanwhile, the neighbor kingdom Sindhura was ruled by the wicked King Durjay. Hungry for expansion, Durjay decided to conquer Avanti. Upon learning about Vidur's lack of interest in warfare, Durjay saw it as an opportunity and declared war.
Despite having an exceptional army, the citizens trembled with fear, doubting Vidur's leadership in the absence of his father, who was severely ill. To their surprise, Vidur accepted the challenge of war boldly, assuring the people of his commitment to protect Avanti.
As the war began and the enemies clashed, Vidur sat in quiet meditation in his chariot, away from the battlefield. Days turned into weeks, and although Avanti's soldiers fought bravely they were being overwhelmed by the enemy force.
One particular night, when all hope seemed lost, the soldiers saw Vidur rise from his meditation and walk into the battlefield. He raised his arms, and as if commanded by an unseen force, the winds blew fiercely, turning up the dust and creating a blinding sandstorm that disoriented the enemy soldiers.
In that chaos, Vidur walked calmly towards King Durjay, his eyes glowing with divine power. He lifted his finger and pointed it at Durjay, 'You shall retreat', he said in a thunderous voice that echoed across the battlefield. The enemy king, suddenly stripped of his arrogance, ordered his forces to retreat immediately.
As dawn arose, the battlefield was empty, save for the Avanti soldiers looking in bewilderment at their prince, their savior. King Durjay, humiliated, realized the might of spiritual power and vowed never to attack Avanti again. Vidur returned to his mediation, leaving the administration to his capable ministers.
King Akshay, on his deathbed, expressed pride in his son and passed his legacy to Vidur. The prince, with his spiritual prowess, brought peace and prosperity to Avanti, demonstrating to his people and the surrounding kingdoms that true strength stems from inner peace and wisdom rather than brute force.
Mysteriously, Prince Vidur vanished one day, leaving behind a prosperous kingdom and legacy of peace. His disappearance, some believed, was his transcendence to a higher spiritual plane. He became a legend, inspiring generations to embrace spirituality and deploy it in the service of peace and prosperity.