This avaricious, this greedy disciple, was then cast into prison to await his execution, and bitterly did he repent that he had not followed the advice of his “Guru.” Thus mourning over his fate, he aroused the sympathy of his gaoler, who good-naturedly offered to send a messenger to tell his “Guru” what had happened to him, and to bid him return.
This messenger went off in great haste, and managed to come up with the “Guru” and his party at no very great distance from the city. He gave them a full and distinct account of all that had passed, and how that his disciple had been tried and sentenced to death; “But,” he added, “the day of execution was not fixed when I left the city.” He told the “Guru” moreover, that the King always made it his business to be present at all times when there was capital punishment to be carried out.
The “Guru” and his disciples then hurriedly returned with the messenger to the city, and when they entered the walls they ascertained that the execution had been arranged for the day following.
When the morning broke they hastened to the place of execution, and all the city turned out to witness it. The “Guru” shortly after saw his disciple, surrounded by a number of police, being brought from the prison. He at once accosted the Chief Officer and asked his permission to say just a word or two to the prisoner before his death. It was not usual to allow this, but as he was a “Guru” and a spiritual teacher and held in great reverence by all Hindus, leave was granted him to do so.
He had only just time to say to his disciple, “See what you have brought on yourself by your greediness and avarice; and now do as I tell you. When you see me prostrate myself before the King, call out at the top of your voice, ‘No, I will not suffer my holy “Guru” to die for me; I must and will die, so go on with the execution.’ Mind you do this, for I intend as I prostrate myself to offer my life in exchange for yours.”
He had scarcely spoken the words when there was a stir amongst the people, for the King was approaching; and now the King had reached the spot prepared for him, and with him was a large concourse of nobles and courtiers, indeed a goodly retinue, accompanied with all the pomp and display so essential to all Oriental potentates when they move from their Palaces in State and on Public occasions. As soon as the tumult had ceased the “Guru” approached as near the Presence as he dared, the people making way for him as he was a “Guru.” He then bowed in submission and made the usual obeisance, and asked leave to speak.
When the Prisoner saw his “Guru” prostrating himself before the King, he called out in a loud voice the very identical words that he had been instructed by his “Guru” to pronounce. The King was beyond all measure astonished, for he heard the Prisoner’s words distinctly, and motioning to the “Guru” to come nearer, His Majesty said, “This is a most remarkable thing; I have never known anything before like this to take place at an execution. You, a learned “Guru” of our Faith, offer your life as a substitute for the Prisoner’s, and the Prisoner asks to die at once, and seeks no mercy! It is usual rather for one condemned to death to solicit pardon at my hands. Can anyone solve this mystery?” And turning to his nobles and courtiers he sought for a reply, but none was then given. Then, appealing to the “Guru,” His Majesty said, “Can you interpret this wonderful procedure, for it passes man’s understanding?” Whereupon the “Guru” said, “Yes, oh King! I can; for is not this the very day, and almost the very hour of the day, when, by our ancient Sanscrit “Vedas” it has been foretold that whosoever on this day and hour shall suffer death, or die in a public place, shall in very truth be transported to endless happiness and bliss?”
“Is it so?” responded the King, and then summoning to his side his own learned “Gurus,” who in his belief could work miracles and forgive sins, he demanded of them if such had been predicted. Quite oblivious as to what was passing in the King’s mind at the time, they one and all replied, “True, oh King! such is the record.”
Then turning to his Vizier he commanded that the Prisoner should at once be set free, “For,” said His Majesty, “I now see that fate has reserved for me this propitious opportunity, that I myself should obtain the spiritual rewards promised in our sacred writings. Behold me then, all of you, the substitute, and not the “Guru.” Whereupon he drew his “Kuttan,” or dagger, from his belt, and plunged it into his breast.
So died the devout King of this wonderful City, and was gathered to his fathers, to the unutterable grief of all his Court and people.