Stories From Rajatarangini: Tales of Kashmir by Devika Rangachari

Author:Devika Rangachari [Rangachari, Devika]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Stories, Religion, Hindu, Shaivism, Kashmir, India
ISBN: 8170119081
Amazon: 8170119081
Publisher: Children's Book Trust & Riddler
Published: 2001-10-19T18:30:00+00:00

A Cry For Justice

There was once a Brahmin couple who lived in Kashmir. The man, a person of great learning, spent his time teaching several students. His wife watched over him like a protective lioness. The lack of a child had drawn them close.

One day the Brahmin developed a sudden illness. He lay on his cot, his body burning with fever and eyes wide in pain. Shocked at this change in him, his wife fetched the physician. When she returned, her husband was gasping for breath, his body contorted in agony.

"Speak to me," she begged in despair. "What has happened to you?"

The Brahmin stared at her with near-sightless eyes. The physician examined him and the frown on his face deepened. The Brahmin shuddered and died.

"He has passed away," said the physician. "It was too late for any remedy. I have never seen a death like this. I cannot think of a single cause for his ailment." He shook his head and left her staring down at her husband's body with a kind of calm despair.

Word of the Brahmin's death soon spread and the humble abode thronged with friends and relatives who had come to mourn his death. Preparations were made for the funeral pyre while the Brahmin woman sat remote in a corner. While she was sitting thus, some friends informed her of a rumour they had heard.

"Your husband was killed by witchcraft," said one.

"And the culprit is a sorcerer who lives in Makshikasvamin. He was always jealous of your husband and hated him," said another.

A red colour suffused the woman's cheeks. "How are you sure of this?" she asked.

"This is what everyone is saying," they replied.

The widowed woman rose to her feet, her eyes smouldering with rage. "Then I will not rest till I see justice done," she said.

"But," began the others, "there is no proof. How will..."

"God will help me," she interrupted, fiercely. "God will help me. He will give me proof." She approached the mourners.

"I will not join my husband on the pyre," she said firmly. "I will punish the murderer and only then will I burn myself."

The following day, the resolute woman went to the palace. She was stopped at the gates by the guards. "The king is busy," they said. "He has no time for petty problems."

"Then I will wait till you let me in," she retorted and sat down at some distance from the gates. The hours passed; she did not move.

As twilight approached, the guards grew uneasy. "She has not eaten all day," said one.

"Let her sit there," said another, "she will soon tire of this."

Some friends came in search of the woman, who firmly refused to return home. "I will fast to death here," she

said. "If God does not grant me justice, I will join my husband in this way."

On the third day of her fast, some officials took her in to see the king. She bowed before king Chandrapida's imposing figure, unmindful of the rich and magnificent surroundings.

"Why are you starving thus?" the king asked.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.