Recap:
Arjun is sad that his son is going to die on his 16th birthday.
His wife Kaveri asks him to leverage his great friendship with god to extend their son’s lifespan.
If their son Arya dies, she threatens to kill herself.
Arjun runs to the temple, panting and crying.
‘Prabhu, please save my son.’
God smiles, ‘But you already knew that he was going to die on his 16th birthday. Why are you making requests that contradict destiny?’
‘I don’t care about destiny. That’s your job. I am a simple man. I care about my family. And I know that you can help them. Please, please help them.’
God stared at him with empty eyes.
‘Okay Arjun,’ he said with a smile, ‘I give Arya the gift of life.
‘But you can’t have it your way. He will pass away at midnight on the night of his wedding. So you get to decide his fate.’
A relieved Arjun walked back home, happily informing Kaveri that their family is safe.
But something in Kaveri’s eyes told him that his troubles hadn’t ended.
As years passed, they raised Arya into a fine man. He was intelligent, kind and respectful of others. Everyone fondly called him ‘Devdutt,’ meaning: gift of god.
His beauty, demeanour and values attracted women.
But among them all, he fell in love with Siddhi.
Unaware of the deal between his father and god, he asked her to marry him.
She happily agreed. But when they shared the news with his parents, they turned pale.
Arya and Siddhi were confused, but eventually convinced the parents to reconsider.
The conversation between Arjun and Kaveri was heated.
‘We can’t push him to his death,’ he fumed.
‘I know. I love him as much as you do. But shouldn’t he decide how to spend his life?’ refuted Kaveri.
‘Even if it means sure-shot death? He doesn’t know the condition god has put on his life – but you do!’ he said angrily.
‘Calm down. I do. I haven’t forgotten anything – neither the pain of being childless nor the joy of holding him in my arms and kissing his cheek.’
‘Then why do you want to lose him – and your joy?’
‘I’m never going to lose him. He is Devudutt. And just like always, god will listen to your request and protect his gift.
Let’s go ahead with this wedding. All you need to do is convince god to change his plans.’
Arjun breaks down. He’s conflicted.
As a parent, he too wants to see his son marry the love of his life.
As a human, he wants to continue nurturing the life he birthed.
As a devotee, he doesn’t want to interfere with the divine plan.
Unable to think or act, he freezes on the spot.
Kaveri lovingly assures him that all will be fine and goes out of the room to give their blessing to Arya and Siddhi.
What do you think happens next?
Will god change his plan once again?
Will Arya figure this out and stop the wedding?
Or will his fate take him to the grave, as originally intended?
Destiny is a tricky puppeteer. Let’s wait until next week to find which strings will it pull.
