“Devi, the sun has set, did you not light a lamp in the house yet?” Brahmadutt asked Jalini as soon as he entered the house.
“No, I didn’t!” Jalini replied bluntly.
“Did you not even prepare food?”
“No.”
“Did you prepare hot water for me to wash my hands and feet?”
“No.”
Brahmadutt changed clothes and lit a lamp. He saw Jalini sitting in one corner of the house. Shades of anger were visible on her face. Even her clothes were old and shabby. Her hair was messy.
Brahmadutt went to Jalini.
“Devi, is there any reason for such displeasure?”
“Reason? You very well know. Why do you pretend to ask me?”
“It is not my habit to ask despite knowing.”
“Why did you keep me unaware and nurture your son in another place? Didn't you know that I don't even like to see that boy? Yet, you brought him to my house. Why did you bring him here?”
"Will you give any reason for hating our son or just keep igniting hatred towards him?"
“I don't know the reason. I don't like him and that is a fact. Listen, I am telling you clearly that I don't want this boy in my house.”
“You don't like him, but I like him very much. For me, he is the apple of my eye. What a handsome, virtuous and humble son! Such a son is attained through good fortune.” The feelings hidden in Brahmadutt’s heart finally came on his lips today.
“Alright then, keep him in your house. I won't live in this house. Either that boy will stay or I will.”
“Do not put me in such a difficult situation, Jalini. Both of you are dear to me. I cannot let either of you leave the house. It is not possible to remove any of them. Both eyes have their own place.”
"Then, listen carefully - as long as Shikhi stays in this house, the food and water of this house will be unacceptable for me.”
"Don't be so ruthless, Jalini."
Brahmadutt sat on the swing with his hands on his head.
***
This is the story of Koshambi City in Western Mahavideh Region. Brahmadutt was the son of Buddhisagar, the leading minister of Koshambi. His wife was Jalini.
Jalini is the reincarnation of Prince Anand.
Prince Anand killed his father, King Sinh. The prince’s soul went to hell after death. After completing the life span of hell, his soul wandered through several lives in the animal kingdom. For innumerable years, he suffered great sorrow and many of his sinful karmas were destroyed. He was now born as a girl in a Brahmin family in Koshambi. Her father's name was Indrasharma and mother was Shubhankara. Their daughter was named Jalini. Since the time she was born, she used to hurt people with her anger, rashness and abusive behaviour. She always made people sad.
● She was beautiful but lacked virtues.
● She was young but did not have patience.
Since her childhood, she was short-tempered, stubborn and rude. She was married to Brahmadutt, the son of Buddhisagar. Brahmadutt’s personality was a combination of smartness and humility. Even though he was young, he was not rude. Despite being rich, he was not dominating. He was friendly and wise.
That’s why, his life journey with angry and stubborn Jalini was going on somehow.
A few years had passed since their marriage.
One night, Jalini dreamt that a golden pot filled with water entered her mouth, reached her stomach and immediately came out again, fell on the ground and broke into tiny pieces.
She panicked and woke up. When she thought of the dream, a mixed reaction of happiness and sadness began to emerge on her face. Actually, Jalini got pregnant that night.
The soul of Sinh that had gone to heaven, spent a life span of innumerable years there. It then reincarnated in Jalini’s womb after experiencing the divine pleasures of heaven.
Father and son of their previous life became son and mother in this one.
Jalini did not talk to Brahmadutt about the dream. Brahmadutt got to know that Jalini was pregnant, on his own. He was feeling blissful. But seeing Jalini's sad and angry face, Brahmadutt could not express his joys to Jalini. However, it was also a difficult riddle for Brahmadutt - 'Jalini has got pregnant after many years, she should have been happy about it. Yet, why does she remain sad and irritated?' But he did not think it was appropriate to ask anything about it to Jalini.
It was not Jalini’s nature to talk straightforward. She had a habit of being rude and frivolous. Brahmadutt did not like all of this, but he would adjust without any complaints. And since a long time, he had been talking to Jalini only when it was necessary.
A few months passed like this.
One day, Jalini expressed her displeasure to Brahmadutt and said, “You don't care about me. You don't even ask me anything. Don't you know that a pregnant woman has a lot of desires.”
“Tell me, what are your wishes? Whatever wishes you have, I will definitely fulfill them as per my capacity.”
“But shouldn’t you have asked me?' said Jalini.
"It was my fault."
“No, it’s not your fault. Actually, you don't love me at all. You only love your mother and father!” Jalini started crying.
Brahmadutt calmed her and said, “Devi, love isn’t something that is shown. It is an internal quality. I cannot show the love I have towards you in my heart. You can trust me and tell me what your wishes are.”
Jalini calmed down.
Explaining her wishes, she said, “The desires that arise in my mind are :
I want to make all the living beings happy, donate food to the hungry, water to the thirsty and clothes to the needy.
The second wish is to perform rituals in all the temples.
The third wish that arises is to worship the great saints with devotion!
The fourth wish is to listen to teachings that uplift my soul.”
Brahmadutt expressed joy.
He said, “Devi, these four wishes will be fulfilled. You should tell me whatever other wishes arise. I will try to fulfill every wish of yours!”
Brahmadutt made arrangements to fulfill all the wishes of Jalini.
As Jalini's wishes got fulfilled, her happiness increased.
Behind all these auspicious wishes was a driving force, the divine soul in the womb! The good and bad karmas of the unborn child affect the thoughts of the parents as well. If they are auspicious, auspicious wishes are born. Inauspicious karmas produce inauspicious desires.
The same way, the mother also bears fortunate and unfortunate karmas. Those karmas keep motivating the mother to do auspicious and inauspicious deeds.
One night, a terrible idea arose in Jalini’s mind.
‘I’ll get an abortion. I do not like this being in the womb. My mind is restless.’
The seeds of enmity which were sown in the Agnisharma's incarnation, sprouted in the life of Prince Anand. Anger emerged towards the father without any reason. He killed his father. That hatred was becoming stronger in this life. This was the beginning of that anger.
To get an abortion, she called her close friend Malini. Malini was stunned on hearing her intentions.
She said, “Jalini, you have got pregnant for the first time in your life, and you are thinking of abortion? Why have you turned into such a stone hearted person?”
“Honestly Malini, since the time this being has come in my womb, I have neither been joyful nor happy. Infact, I just feel hateful. I just feel like killing this child. I often get such thoughts.”
“You go to the temple, worship God and visit the saints. Listen to the teachings of the enlightened. Your mind will become pure. There will be a transformation in your thoughts. Abortion is a big sin. My friend, don't get an abortion under any circumstances.”
Jalini said, “Your point is right. Abortion is indeed a big sin. But I have to do it. Until then, I can't be at peace. Give me a medicine to abort the child. You have to do this for me Malini.”
Malini was drowned in thoughts. ‘This woman is out of her mind. She has no idea what she is thinking. She wants to kill the minister’s heir. What if this message reaches the minister? What if Brahmadutt gets to know this? But how to explain her? She has a habit of doing whatever she feels. She is a really stubborn woman. What should I do?’
Jalini got angry and said, “Being my friend, won't you do such a small thing for me? Fine! You go home! I will get it done by some other maid.”
“Oh! You are getting angry for no reason. When did I refuse? I was wondering where to bring the medicine from? No such medicine is available openly in general stores.”
“I know that you will find it from somewhere.”
“I am doing it just because it's your work. Otherwise it's a big sin.”
“You give your sin to me. I will go to hell in exchange for this sin of yours! You go to heaven.”
“Jalini, it’s not just a matter of heaven and hell. Negative deeds give their results in this life itself. Let's say, you got an abortion. What if you don't get pregnant again? Will the minister’s lineage end here?”
“But what can I do about that? I can't bear this pregnancy, I feel restless.”
Malini was a sensible woman. She thought, ‘If I don’t get her the medicine, then she will get it through someone else and abort the child. It's better that I get her the medicine. I’ll bring such a low-impact and non-harmful medicine that causes no miscarriage and Jalini continues taking that medicine.’
Malini agreed and said, “Jalini, I will get you the medicine from anywhere by tomorrow. I will bring it to you, then you won't be angry, will you?”
Jalini showered love on Malini through her eyes.
Malini brought the medicine and gave her. Jalini started taking the medicine.
Malini put the matter of abortion in Brahmadutt’s ears. She also assured him that abortion will not occur but some arrangements will have to be made so that she doesn’t kill the child after birth.
After thinking for a while, Brahmadutt said, “Malini, take away the child as soon as it is born. If you convince Jalini wisely, she will be ready. Anyway, she considers the child to be her enemy. So you ask her to hand over the child to you. I will make arrangements to protect him and secretly take care of him.”
Malini said, “Your plan is appropriate. I will bring the baby and hand it over to you.”
Malini started staying with Jalini. The miscarriage did not happen even after seven days.
Jalini said, “Malini, how is this child! The medicine has no effect on it. It isn’t dying.”
Malini said, “Devi, this happens sometimes. Even after taking a lot of measures, one does not die. A creature that has come with powerful karmas does not die.”
“Do one thing. Bring another strong medicine. As soon as the medicine goes in the stomach, the womb should either melt, rot or fall.”
“Well, since you say that, I will bring another strong medicine. But keep one thing in mind, strong medicine can harm the womb. It also has a bad effect on the mother’s health. So you think over it, then don't be angry with me.”
“What do you mean by side effects on mother?”
“Yes, the mother gets mentally disabled, injures her stomach and can even become a victim of death.”
“No! I don't want to take any such medicine. It’s okay if this baby does not die. I will look into it after its birth,” Jalini said with clenched teeth.
Malini said, “Don't worry about it. You give me the baby as soon as it is born. I will hide it and tell everyone that Jalini has delivered a dead son. How is my plan?"
Jalini liked Malini's plan.
Days passed. Jalini gave birth to a son.
Malini wrapped the son in a cloth and went straight to Brahmadutt. Handing over the son to Brahmadutt, she returned to Jalini and whispered in her ears, 'Work is done. Now you can relax.”
Brahmadutt kept the son in the house of a close friend and made good arrangements for his upbringing. He appointed a nursemaid and provided all the appropriate facilities.
• Fair skin tone, oval face
• Big forehead and tender body
• Big attractive eyes and crimson lips
Seeing the child, Brahmadutt became ecstatic. 'Even though the son is smart and handsome, Jalini doesn't like him. Even my enemies would like him. But Jalini abandoned him. What a misfortune! Well, if she does not like him, I will make sure he's brought up properly. I will also make sure that all his needs are fulfilled. When he grows young, I will take him home. At that time, Jalini will surely like him.’
But even then, young Shikhi was not liked by Jalini.
