The time went by. The excitement continued to build up as the delivery period closed in. The king had stopped going to the royal court. He was camping in the palace permanently so as not to miss the new born’s cry signalling his arrival in the world of the mortals.
The royal physician also stayed with the king to provide instant advice to the nurses maids of the queen as and when required. The nurses were getting nervy as the momentous hour kept closing in.
Then, that long awaited hour arrived. The nurse maids ran around frantically in the inner chamber as the queen went into labour pains. A maid ran to the king and informed him of the development. Mixed feelings of joy and happiness appeared on the face of the king.
He got up and began to pace the foot. The royal physician asked for some physical details from the maid. Then he assured the king that there was nothing to worry about.
The hectic activity continued in the queen’s chamber punctuated by her moans.
It was the night of the 13th of the ascending moon phase of a spring month of the year 599 B.C. At about midnight time a newborn’s cry pierced the air of the palace. And with that rose murmurs and squeals of the joy of the nurse maids and other servants.
In the king’s chamber lines of worry disappeared from the face of Siddhartha. An ear to ear smile lit up his face. The royal physician lost no time in congratulating the king. The king thrust a bag of gold coins in his trembling hands. The two waited for the confirming news to arrive. It materialised in the shape of the old nurse maid who was incharge of the handling of the queen’s delivery.
The nurse maid babbled, “O king! It is a healthy male child. A million thanks to God and a million congratulations to Your Majesty.”
The king rewarded her with a box of jewels. She led the king to the chamber of the queen. The queen gave him the biggest ever smile as he approaches her bed. By her side lay a bundle of divine joy, the living fruit of the blessing of the Lord Rishabhdev.
The king wanted to pick up the newborn but looked hesitant and overawed. The queen through an eye signal encouraged him to do what he wanted. So, he picked up the newborn and looked at it adoringly from point blank range. The newborn greeted him with a toothless smile without opening his eyes. The king kissed him gently and replaced him by the side of his mother. After patting the queen’s head and pressing her hand the king walked out a proud father.
The old nurse ‘Priyamvada’ walked him to the door and bowed to pay her obeisance. The king told her that she more needed to work since besides the gift of the boxful of jewels she would be rewarded with a palatial house and a cash amount that would keep her seven generations in luxury. Priyamvada prayed for the long life of the king and the newborn.
King Siddhartha summoned the city chief and ordered him to decorate the city as never before to hold the free festivities during which no one was to look sad and in want of something. Dance and music was to take the happiness to the highest pitch possible. The king made it clear that the coffers of the state treasury would be thrown open for the mega celebration.
The city chief had never seen the king in such a generous mood. He obediently said, “Your Majesty! Your orders would be carried out to the last letter. We will celebrate this occasion the citizen would talk about all their remaining lives.”
“I want it just like that,” said the king and gave the city chief permission to leave and organise the programmes.
The city chief indeed did a fine job. In the morning the citizens of Kundgram woke up to find their town beautifully decorated overnight as if by magic. Soon everyone learnt why their town was in festive mood. The people were being told about the midnight arrival of the prince by the state functionaries with the drum beats.
The royal mass feasts were being organised. Fairs were being held. The professional entertainers were converging on the town to add colour and music to the occasion. In no time the citizens were in festive mood. The women and children were getting in their best attires.
A huge crowd had gathered under the wall of the palace. The king appeared on the balcony with the newborn and showed it to the people who began cheering wildly.
The celebrations continued for two weeks. On the twelfth day naming ceremony of the child was fixed. On that occasion great many scholars, priests, astrologers and prominent citizens were invited. The astrologers suggested more than a dozen names for the newborn to choose from. The king and the queen pondered over the suggested names.
King Siddhartha liked one name better than the others which was ‘Vardhman’. It literally meant ‘the causer of the prosperity’. The queen also agreed with him. It was noticed that inspite of heavy spending on the celebrations the royal treasury had not depleted. Infact income had exceeded the expenses. There was an unexplained phenomenal increase in tax collections.
The king and the queen atrributed this surprise windfall to the luck brought in by their newborn. Accordingly the king declared, “Respected guests! I am very pleased to inform you that since the arrival of the new prince in our lives we are experiencing a miraculous prosperity. So, we have decided to name the new born ‘Vardhman’. What do you say?”
The declaration was hailed by everyone which signified the general approval.
Then, the royal priest took over saying, “So, with the consent of all I christen the youngest prince born on Chaitra 13th Shukla ‘Vardhman’ formally. Hence forth he shall be called by that name which means ‘the causer of plenty’ or ‘breeder of good tidings’ or ‘multiplier factor’ or ‘prosperor’ or anything to that effect you may imagine. I am very proud to tell you that he indeed has already proved to be a good luck to us all. Inspite of increased spending the royal treasury is going stronger. Everyone has been gaining in one way or the other. It is amazing. Serendipity is sweeping our land. In the times to come I can assure you that he will bring us the unprecedented prosperity and happiness to justify his name. Glory be to our young prince.”
The guests greeted the announcement with loud cheers and clapping. Everyone hailed the king, the queen and the young prince.
The christening ceremony concluded with the feast for all the invited guests and after the feast the guests received their respective gifts. Everyone went home in euphoric mood. The generosity of the king had made beggars an extinct species for the time being. The secret of the younger prince was known only to the royal family.
The young one began to grow up pampered on by the fawning parents and fussing over siblings. He had become the centre of every attention. Even the maid servants of the palace vied with one another to run errands connected to the darling prince.
Vardhman was a source of joy for all.