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In the magnificent kingdom of Champänagar, King Singhrath ruled with wisdom and justice, and his son, Prince Shripäl, was adored by all. However, tragedy struck when Shripäl was just a young boy, as King Singhrath suddenly passed away, leaving the throne vacant.
Seizing this opportunity, Singhrath's ambitious brother, Ajitsen, hatched a wicked plan to claim the throne for himself. Aware of Ajitsen's sinister intentions, Shripäl's mother, Queen Kamal-prabhä, became filled with fear for her son's life. Realizing they were in grave danger, she made the heart-wrenching decision to flee Champänagar with Shripäl.
As they escaped, Ajitsen's soldiers pursued them relentlessly. Desperate and running out of options, Kamal-prabhä spotted a group of lepers on their path. In her desperation to save Shripäl, she implored the lepers to take him into their custody, despite the risk of him contracting leprosy from them.
Understanding the dire situation and moved by Kamal-prabhä's plea, the lepers hesitated but ultimately agreed to protect the young prince. They cared for Shripäl as their own, and he grew up to be a bold and handsome young man, loved and respected by the people of the leper colony.
Unfortunately, as time went on, Shripäl himself contracted leprosy. Despite his condition, the lepers recognized his leadership qualities and named him Umar Ränä. Under Umar's guidance, the group of lepers embarked on a journey, traveling from place to place until they reached the bustling city of Ujjayini, the capital of the Mälwä region.
Ujjayini was ruled by King Prajäpäl and Queen Rupsundari, who had two intelligent and beautiful daughters, Sursundari and Mayanä-sundari. King Prajäpäl, impressed by Sursundari's knowledge and accomplishments, decided to test Mayanä's wisdom.
Mayanä, a firm believer in the concept of karma, answered all the king's questions satisfactorily but attributed her skills and blessings to her own past deeds rather than the king's favor. Enraged by this unexpected response, the king decided to teach Mayanä a lesson.
He commanded his men to find the ugliest man in Ujjayini, unknowingly selecting Umar Ränä, who had disguised himself as a leper. In a fit of disdain, the king married Mayanä to Umar and sent them away with minimal provisions.
Mayanä, accepting her fate and true to her principles, devotedly took care of Umar, her new husband. Seeking a solution for Umar's leprosy, they sought guidance from Ächärya Munichandra, a renowned scholar. He advised them to observe the Navapad penance, known as Äyambil Oli, which had the power to cure all types of diseases.
Determined to restore Umar's health, Mayanä and Umar diligently followed the penance. They practiced Äyambil, a form of fasting, where they consumed only plain food without spices, milk, sugar, salt, oil, butter, fruits, or vegetables. For nine days, twice a year, they meditated on the Navapad, fervently seeking healing.
Miraculously, Umar's leprosy began to fade, and he was eventually completely cured, regaining his previous appearance. Overjoyed by the outcome, Mayanä credited her unwavering faith in karma for the change. She continued to observe the penance with Umar, recognizing the profound impact of their actions on their lives.
One day, while visiting a temple, Queen Rupsundari happened to catch sight of Mayanä and Umar together. She was astonished to see her daughter with a handsome man instead of the leper she had sent her away with. Mayanä explained the entire story to her mother, who was both relieved and delighted to learn the truth.
Rupsundari shared this revelation with the king, who finally understood the significance of karma. Filled with remorse for the misery he had brought upon his daughter, the king extended an invitation to Mayanä, Umar, and Kamal-prabhä to return and stay with him in the palace.
Umar's true identity as Shripäl was revealed, and the family rejoiced in their reunion. Shripäl, now known as Umar Ränä, spent joyful moments with his beloved wife Mayanä, grateful for her unwavering support throughout their arduous journey.
However, Shripäl felt an ardent desire to regain his rightful kingdom of Champänagar. Seeking permission from Mayanä and the king, he embarked on a new journey, determined to reclaim what was rightfully his.
Throughout his travels, Shripäl faced numerous challenges and obstacles, but he never wavered in his devotion to the Navapad and his faith in karma. Through his unwavering determination and the accumulation of wealth and followers, Shripäl managed to amass a formidable army.
Finally, he returned to Champänagar, ready to confront his usurping uncle, Ajitsen. In a fierce and decisive battle, Shripäl faced Ajitsen and emerged victorious, capturing his treacherous uncle. Displaying his magnanimity and newfound wisdom, Shripäl released Ajitsen from captivity.
Realizing the futility of his actions and burdened by guilt, Ajitsen renounced his worldly life, seeking redemption for his past deeds. Shripäl, now the rightful king of Champänagar, ruled with wisdom, fairness, and compassion, bringing a golden age of peace and harmony to his kingdom.
Shripäl, along with Mayanä, Kamal-prabhä, and their newfound family, lived the remainder of their days in joy and tranquility. Their remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of faith, the importance of one's actions, and the profound impact of believing in karma.
It teaches us that our actions and beliefs shape our destiny and that true happiness and contentment can be attained regardless of our circumstances. The story of Shripäl and Mayanä reminds us to remain steadfast in our faith, strive for righteousness, and trust in the intricate workings of karma.