Stories

The king's two advisors: Ranjan and Bhanjan

There was once a King who had many good qualities, but he also had one glaring bad quality, and that was his undying greed for flattery. If anybody flattered him, then that person could get anything from the King for the asking.

This King had two advisors: Ranjan and Bhanjan. Ranjan was very wise and just. He would only tell the right thing to the King. He was humble and devoted to the King, but he would not flatter the King, because he was not of a flattering nature. Bhanjan, on the other hand, was a cruel person and a rogue. He used to flatter the King whenever he got an opportunity; therefore, the King appreciated him more than he appreciated Ranjan. Even so, Bhanjan was very jealous of Ranjan, because the King's subjects all appreciated Ranjan for his good qualities.

Using all his flattery, Bhanjan would often advise the King to be more strict with his subjects. To him strictness meant cruelty. He would tell the King that since his subjects were not extremely devoted to him, he should punish them and also raise the taxes on everything so he could get more revenue. In every way Bhanjan encouraged the King to be unkind to his subjects.

But nothing remains secret. In a palace there are many servants who are eager to eavesdrop on private conversations, and then to increase their own importance by telling others what they have overheard. So the subjects knew that the King's unkind actions were actually instigated by Bhanjan. They were very disgusted with him, and they wanted to punish him, but since he was the King's favourite advisor, due to his ceaseless flattery, what could they do? They only inwardly cursed him and waited for the day when they would have the opportunity to kill him.

Finally one day a young man named Bijoy formed a daring plan to punish Bhanjan. With the hope that they would spread the story, he told all his friends and neighbours that he had had a dream, and in the dream he had married the King's daughter. This story finally reached the King, who was quite indignant that an ordinary subject could have the audacity to say he had had such a dream.

Bhanjan was quick to seize the opportunity. He said to the King, "See, I told you that your subjects were not respectful enough. One of them even wants to marry your daughter. I am sure he comes from a very low family, whereas you are the greatest ruler in the land. He should be punished in some way for his audacity. He should be brought here and hanged." In this way, by first flattering the King's sense of self-importance, Bhanjan fanned the flames of the King's anger against Bijoy.

When Bijoy was brought before the King, the King asked him, "How did you dare to have this kind of dream?"

But Bhanjan interrupted before Bijoy could answer, and said, "Instead of asking him questions, your Majesty, just punish him immediately. Today he has dreamed it, and tomorrow he will try to make his dream a reality. This kind of impertinence on the part of your subjects must not be allowed. I strongly advise you to hang this rogue immediately. It is obvious from his dream that he is hoping to usurp your power."

The King turned to Ranjan and said, "What do you think of this man's audacity?"

Ranjan said, "O King, we have no control over our dreams. One moment we can become the King and the next moment we can become the poorest person on earth. How can we be expected to control our dreams?"

"No," insisted Bhanjan, "that is absurd. We should be held accountable even for our dreams."

The King was a little bit thoughtful, and Bijoy said, "Your Majesty, I do not think you have heard my dream correctly."

"What was your dream?" the King asked.

Bijoy explained, "I was forced to marry not your daughter, but the daughter of the neighbouring King."

The King said, "That King is my friend. To marry his daughter is as good as marrying my own daughter. How could you dare to dream such a thing?"

Bijoy said, "Your Majesty, I was forced to marry the princess, but I can't tell you the rest of my dream."

The King was curious. "Why not?" he asked.

Bijoy said, "Even now I am frightened to death when I think of it."

"Tell me," ordered the King.

Bijoy said, "O King, all of a sudden you were attacked by that King. You put up a very brave fight, but unfortunately the soldiers of that King were very powerful, and they killed you. Everybody in your palace started crying for you, except for one person. That person immediately went to the conqueror and fell at his feet, saying, 'O supreme King, please accept me as your humble servant. I will always be faithful to you and please you in your own way.' The conquering King immediately gave that person the post of chief advisor."

The King said, "Who was that person?"

Bijoy said, "Your own advisor, Bhanjan."

"Bhanjan!" the King cried. "And what did Ranjan do?"

"Ranjan killed himself immediately when he saw that you had been killed," said Bijoy. "His last words were, 'I cannot live without my Beloved King.'"

The King turned to Bhanjan in a fury. "What kind of treachery is this?" he demanded.

Bijoy reminded the King, "But it was only a dream, your Majesty. There is no reality in it. If your wisdom would not have allowed you to punish me for what I did in the dream — for marrying the princess — then of course you should not punish Bhanjan either."

The King turned to Bhanjan and shouted, "Get out of my palace, you snake. I will kill you if I ever see you again, so the best thing is for you to leave my kingdom immediately."

Then the King said to Ranjan, "I am ashamed that I have ever taken the advice of such a cruel and dishonest person. Please tell me what I should do now."

Ranjan said, "O King, you are good and kind by nature. You like to please your subjects, and your subjects do appreciate your good qualities. Bhanjan was deceiving you all the time. But since you accepted Bhanjan's advice and had this young man brought here, now I think you should reward him, for he has shown you what kind of unreasonable advice you were getting from Bhanjan all along. I think he comes of a noble family. If you want to reward him, then allow him to marry your daughter."

The King made inquiries and found that, indeed, Bijoy came from a highly respectable family, so he agreed that Bijoy would marry the princess.

Bijoy fell at the feet of the King and said, "O King, you are truly kind and generous. It is only because you used to listen to the advice of that fellow Bhanjan that your subjects used to suffer."

The King embraced Bijoy and said, "From now on I will only listen to Ranjan, and whatever advice he gives I will follow. I know he will always give me wise advice. I will not torture my subjects anymore. I definitely want you to marry my daughter. You will be a member of our family."

Turning towards Ranjan the King said, "My heart is all gratitude to you. From today on, I shall have only one advisor. You will be my chief advisor, as well as my best friend and my wisest mentor in my entire kingdom."