Mahashraman Mudit Kumar
The Armour of Insistence
Once a virtuous woman of a noble family was pulling a peepul (bo-tree) by tying a rope round it. Her hands were bleeding, the body was trembling and tears rolled down the cheeks ceaselessly. Even then the obstinate tree did not move an inch. Just then a traveller passed by the spot. He saw the whole scene and spoke in a calm tone, "Sister, what are you doing?" She said, "Brother, my mother-in-law has asked for a bo-tree and so i am trying to take it home. But it is extremely obstinate and does not respond to me at all." She again pulled forcefully but the tree did not move.
The passer-by said, "Sister, the tree will not go like this." He then climbed the tree, broke a twig and extending it towards her, said, "Take this peepul and give it to your mother-in-law.
This ignorance is an instance of acquired insistence. No one can reach the truth without destroying the armour of insistence.
Story 4
Sarthvah Dhanya who lived in the town of Rajgrih had four sons-Dhanpal, Dhandev, Dhangpp and Dhanrakshit. All of them were married. The names of their wives respectively were Ujjhita, Bhogvati, Rakshika, and Rohini.
Dhanya Sarthvah was very farsighted given to contemplation of the future. After acquiring a ripe age, he started thinking, "I am in, the grip of old age. How will the family remain well organised after my death? It would be better for me to decide matters while I am alive." Having thought on these lines Dhanya decided upon a plan in his mind.
According to the plan, one day he invited to his house his caste fellows, Kinsmen, friends etc. He showered respect on them by feasting them and by other actions. Thereafter he called all the four daughters-in-law before the invitees and giving them each five grains of rice, said, "Return these five grains when I ask you to do so."
The first daughter-in-law, Ujjhita thought, "Father-in- law seems to have lost all sense in his old age. During such a big function he felt like giving this trivial gift. On top of it he wants it to be returned when asked. The stores are full of heaps of rice. When he asks me to return these I shall take five grains out of them and give them back to him." Having said so to herself she threw away the grains of rice on the garbage heap.
The second daughter-in-law thought, 'May be these grains have no value at all. But after all they are a preset from father-in-law. It will be improper to throw them away." With these thoughts she ate them.
The third one thought, "My very practical, experienced and well-to-do father-in-law has given these grains during such a big ceremony. Surely, ha must have some purpose in doing so. Therefore, they should be preserved and kept carefully." Having thought on these lines she put them into a small box and started taking good care of them.
The fourth daughter-in-law, Rohini was very 'wise. She at once apprehended that behind the gift was a deep hidden meaning. Those grains could be used as a testing device. She sent all the five grains to her parents' house. As per her instructions they sow them separately in a field. By repeating the exercise annually, with the passage of time big harvests filled a whole store. Five years elapsed. Then Dhanya Sarthvah arranged another function similar to the one held earlier. The very same invitees were called again. All were again paid respect to by feasting and garlanding them. Thereafter the four daughters-in-law were summoned and they were asked to return the five grains of rice given five years earlier.
The first one went to a store, brought five grains from there and handed them over to him. When asked, if they were the same grains, as she had been given, she told Dhanya Sarthvah the truth. He was angry and ordered her to henceforth undertake the job of sweeping and dusting the house. That is what she deserved, he told her.
The second one told him that taking the grains as a blessed gift she had eaten them. Sarthvah figured out her disposition and ruled that she would in look after the kitchen.
The third one had preserved al the five grains and therefore she was named the treasurer of the family.
The fourth one said, “father those grains cannot be brought here without being transported in carriages. Several carriages will be needed to do the job.” On being asked by Dhanya Sarthvah to explain, what she meant, she related what had been done, Carriages were sent. Heaps of rice was unloaded. Dhanya was very happy to see it. He praised Rohini before everyone present. She was installed as the overall mistress of the household. He said to her, “Daughter, you deserve all commendations. Through your glorious grace this family will remain happy and prosperous.”
