SAMRADITYA SAGA Part 4 - DISORDER OF ENMITY

Distance in attachment

Nagarshreshthi Vaishraman and Shreshthi Purnabhadra agreed to get Dhanshri and Dhankumar married. Vaishraman informed Dhankumar. Dhankumar was overwhelmed. Purnabhadra told Dhanshri. Dhanshri remained quiet. Dhanshri had hatred and hostility towards Dhankumar’s soul. Her state of mind was divided into attachment and hatred.
She said to her mother, Gomti, “Mother, I do not wish to marry Dhankumar.”
Gomti said angrily, “Why are you telling me? Whatever you want to say, go tell your father! He has promised Nagarshreshthi. Now if you want to embarrass your father and make him feel ashamed, then its up to you!”
Dhanshri stomped off in anger and went to her room. She laid her face down on the bed and started crying. A storm of thoughts rose in her mind.
‘Why is my mind so confused? Sometimes, I feel affection for Dhankumar and sometimes I feel resentment towards him. Sometimes I feel like embracing him and sometimes I don’t even wish that his shadow comes close to me. Such anger arises within me! God knows how will our marriage life survive? However, I am sure there is no such confusion in his heart. He might surely be having affection for me! Or else, he wouldn’t keep his proposal for marriage. It’s my fault; I accepted his proposal. Fine, now our fathers have decided to get us married. There is no other option now!’
Vaishraman and Purnabhadra held a lavish wedding ceremony for Dhanshri and Dhankumar. The king and all the citizens participated in the celebrations. They gave their blessings to the newly married couple. Sridevi and Vaishraman danced with endless joy. They gifted expensive clothes and ornaments studded with precious stones, to their daughter-in-law. Purnabhadra gifted Dhankumar various boxes of gold, silver and precious gems. Both the families were glad.
• Dhanshri and Dhankumar were drowned in the ocean of love.
• They continued to enjoy materialistic pleasures.
• For several years, their good fortune remained intact.
But in this world, ignorant beings are unable to understand when good fortune run outs and sinful karmas start giving their results. Suddenly, a rock fell in Dhankumar and Dhanshri’s ocean of love and caused innumerable ripples!
There was a maid named Nanda in Vaishraman’s mansion. She had come to his mansion at a very young age. Vaishraman himself had got her married. Nanda’s husband, Bhadrak, was also a servant in Vaishraman’s mansion. They were blessed with a son named Nandak. Nandak was also raised in this mansion. He was as old as Dhankumar. He must have been a year younger than Dhankumar, but Dhankumar never treated him like a servant. In fact, he treated him like a trustworthy friend. Nandak too was completely loyal towards Dhankumar.
Inspite of being the son of a servant, Nandak was handsome. He had a strong physique. His voice was sweet and he was efficient in his work. Though he was not well educated, he was street smart. Vaishraman and Sridevi adored him. Nandak used to move around freely in the mansion. He would talk openly with Sridevi and even Vaishraman would joke around with him! Dhankumar was already his friend.
Gradually Dhanshri also started talking to Nandak. Slowly and steadily, she started joking around with him. This way, she started getting attracted towards him. There was one other uncommon reason for Dhanshri to be attracted towards Nandak.
When Dhanshri’s soul was living as Agnisharma, at that time, Nandak’s soul was a servant named Sangamak in their ashram. Agnisharma and Sangmak were close friends. Then in the second and third lives, the two souls hadn’t met. In this fourth incarnation, they reunited in Vaishraman’s mansion. He was a servant here as well. But the values of affection of the previous lives reignited. The way Dhanshri was getting attracted towards Nandak, Nandak too was getting attracted towards Dhanshri.
However, Nandak’s love was not lustful whereas Dhanshri’s attraction was full of lust. Her heart was drooling over Nandak more than Dhankumar.
When a third person enters the married life of a couple, a rift is created. Nandak’s entry created a rift in Dhanshri and Dhankumar’s life. However, Dhankumar was genuine and had complete trust on Dhanshri. He used to see Dhanshri and Nandak talking, laughing and exchanging things but he was never suspicious about them. It wasn’t his nature to be suspicious.
Dhanshri interpreted this behaviour of Dhankumar as naive and stupid. ‘He has blind trust on Nandak and me. What if we take advantage of this trust that Dhankumar has on me?’
Nandak’s heart was pure and he knew his limits. One day, Dhanshri got the solitude she needed. Dhankumar had gone out. Vaishraman and Sridevi were not at home either. She became eager to hug Nandak. She called Nandak to her bedroom. Nandak went to her room casually.
As soon as Nandak entered he room, Dhanshri shut the door. Nandak got scared.
He said, “Please do not shut the door.”
Dhanshri said sarcastically, “Nandak, we have gotten lucky today. We are absolutely alone. Come, let’s extinguish the fire in our hearts. Fulfil my desires!”
Saying this, Dhanshri walked towards Nandak. Nandak moved away to one side.
He said, “No! What you are doing is inappropriate! It’s wrong. You are crossing your limits. I cannot break the trust of my master and friend.”
Dhanshri said furiously, “Oh you idiot! A beauty like me wants to make you hers, though you are just a servant. And you are making tall claims about trust. Leave all these petty talks! Enjoy yourself. Drench me with your love!”
Nandak was in trouble! Dhanshri hugged him. Nandak’s dormant lust awakened. Instead of trying to release himself, he surrendered to her acts. When he became conscious of his actions, he hurriedly got up, opened the door and ran out. After reaching home, he burst out crying.
Dhanshri was content. She thought, ‘Since Nandak has been with me once, now his hesitation will go away. He will not be in a dilemma now.’
After starting the pretence of physical intimacy with Nandak, Dhanshri started getting detached from Dhankumar. She began staying away from him. Even then, Dhankumar would look at her with utmost trust.
On the other hand, Dhanshri and Nandak’s bond was growing deeper. Gradually, even Dhankumar became upset with Dhanshri. He would spend most of his time with his father Vaishraman. Even at night, he would sleep away from Dhanshri. That is what Dhanshri wanted! She never asked Dhankumar to come close to her!
It was the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima. Dhankumar was walking down the royal path with Nandak. Many poor people and orphans had gathered in the courtyard of a huge and beautiful mansion. A young man was donating generously. The poor and orphan were blessing him. Dhankumar stood there watching this incident. Nandak gave the introduction of that man to Dhankumar.
He said, “This young man is Samudradutt, the son of an industrialist. He went to foreign lands, did business and earned immense wealth. And he donates his wealth to the poor and orphans on festivals this way. He does many works of philanthropy!”
“That’s great, Nandak!” Dhankumar appreciated the young man.
They proceeded forward. Nandak kept talking about the good deeds practised by Samudradutt. Dhankumar listened to everything attentively.
Both friends went home. Nandak went to his house. Dhankumar went to his room. It was dusk. The sky was slowly turning red in the west. Dhankumar went and stood in the balcony. All sorts of thoughts arose in his mind. He was anyway a little sad and depressed. He wasn’t enjoying in his mansion anymore. On hearing about Samudradutt, he also wished to go abroad. ‘Even I should go to foreign countries and earn with my hard work and intelligence! Even though my father has immense wealth, but a son who lives on the wealth earned by his father, does not achieve fame. Hardworking and intelligent sons should earn money by themselves! And with this excuse, I will be able to go far away from this city. I will get to visit new countries, meet new people and get various kinds of experiences. But how will my affectionate parents accept this wish of mine? They will not agree. If I insist on going abroad, then they might get an intense shock. They will be extremely upset! What should I do?’ Dhankumar got restless. These thoughts made him anxious!
He neither spoke anything to his father nor did he speak nicely with his mother! He even stopped going to the park with Nandak for a walk. And his relationship with Dhanshri had completely faded.
Days passed by. Even Nandak got worried. He was also scared. ‘Dhankumar, who couldn’t stay without me even for a minute, hasn’t met or spoken to me since fifteen days. What could be the reason? I don’t know what might have happened. Is it possible that he found out about my relationship with Dhanshri? He might not be telling me anything due to our friendship. But it seems like there is no place for me in his heart now. His bond with Dhanshri had broken apart. He is angry even with me. The outcome of this will be so terrible! Really, Dhanshri has got me entangled in a mess!’
Nandak’s body was soaked in sweat. 
‘Even then, I will ask Dhankumar the reason for his sadness! He will never lie. He will tell me very clearly whatever the truth is!’  
Here, even Sridevi was worried! ‘Why is Dhankumar upset since so many days? What has happened to him? What problem has occupied his mind? He neither has any sweets nor dry fruits! He doesn’t even talk or laugh with me! Should I ask him what’s wrong? No, Nandak might be aware. First, I will ask Nandak.’
Sridevi asked Nandak.
Nandak said, “Dhankumar isn’t talking to me either. Today, I will go and ask him myself. You don’t worry, mother! I will find out and let you know!”
Nandak went to Dhankumar’s room. As usual, Dhankumar didn’t call or talk to him! He just looked at him. Nandak went and sat there quietly. Nandak’s heart was not clean and hence, he was scared.
Nevertheless, he gathered courage and asked, “Dhan, what is the problem? What is the reason behind such sadness? I have never seen such sadness on your face before. What is the matter?”
“Nandak, if you are ready to accompany me, then both of us shall go abroad. We will go there and earn a lot of wealth.”
“I am ready! That’s it? If there is anything else, please tell me clearly!”
“What will happen with your approval? The permission of parents is necessary. You know how much they love me! I know that my mother feels heartbroken due to my sadness! She gets upset, but what can I even do? I am not at all happy here! I don’t like it in this mansion anymore! I don’t even like this city now! That is why, I stay unhappy. And you know, I cannot pretend!”
Nandak was shocked hearing the last sentence. ‘I am pretending to be trustworthy after breaking his trust. I hope Dhan is not taunting me.’
“Alright, don’t pretend! But you can tell your parents whatever is in your mind, can’t you?”
“That is what my problem is! If I say this to my father, he will be very upset. Even mother will lose her sanity. That’s why, I am not saying anything!”
“Then how will your wish be fulfilled?”
“You will only have to find the solution to this!”
Nandak started thinking. As it is, he had no intention of accompanying Dhankumar to foreign countries. He knew that Dhan would not be taking Dhanshri with him. Nandak was restless without Dhanshri. Nevertheless, he agreed to accompany Dhankumar. 
He said, “Fine, I will meet father and talk to him about your wish.”
Clouds of thoughts started hovering in Nandak’s mind. ‘Surely, Dhankumar is talking about taking me abroad in order to separate Dhanshri and me! Otherwise, where does he have any shortage of wealth? He has so much wealth and property! Anyway, how could I refuse his proposal? Alright, first I will talk to the Nagarshreshthi. Then I will think what is to be done!’
He went to Vaishraman.
He greeted him and said, “If you won’t get upset, I want to request you something!”
“Say! Without worrying or being scared, say whatever you have to!”
“Dhankumar wishes to go abroad and earn money by himself. And for that, he needs your permission!’
“What is this madness? Is there any dearth of wealth? What is the need for Dhankumar to go abroad to earn money? You only think. How much wealth do I have! He can use that wealth the way he wants! Nobody has as much wealth as me in this city. And it all belongs to Dhankumar only, doesn’t it?”
“You are absolutely right. But Dhankumar wants to earn wealth with his own efforts and wisdom. Without doing so, he is not going to be happy. He is upset since the past fifteen days for this reason only! Neither does he talk to anyone nor does he leave the mansion. He stays alone, depressed and silent.”
“But why does he have to be depressed and silent? His father is still alive to fulfil each and every wish of his.”
“Both you and mother will be sad if Dhankumar goes abroad. With this thought, he is upset and unable to fulfil his wish despite wanting to do so.”
“Nandak, parents’ hearts are anyways weak when it concerns their child.”
Tears welled up in Vaishraman’s eyes. His voice choked with emotions. It was a father’s heart after all! Dhankumar was his only son and he had extreme affection towards him. And when the shadows of separation appear in attachment, everything gets blurred!