SAMRADITYA SAGA Part 4 - DISORDER OF ENMITY

Life is more valuable than gold

As there are murderers in this world, there are saviours too. Dhan was suffering from a grave disease. His physical strength had become nil. On falling into the sea all of a sudden, he had definitely become distraught. But the next moment, he started fighting with death. Nobody knows from where he got the strength. He started swimming and trying to protect himself in the strong sea. Sometimes, he would go underwater and then with all his strength, he would push himself back up. While doing so, he got a big wooden plank. It seemed to be of a broken ship! Dhan held the plank and started swimming with its help.
Sometimes the salty water of the sea would go into his mouth; he would spit it out. Devoid of strength due to illness, his body was getting drenched in the salty water. Day after the other, the sea was lashing. Dhan kept swimming and getting swept while lying on the plank. The plank had become his support, like a boat.
He spent seven days and nights in the middle of the salty sea. Finally, the plank took him to a coast. He got off on the coast. He pulled the plank out of the water and kept it on the sandy coast! He bowed down to the plank as if it was God’s idol. He looked at his drenched clothes. The clothes had torn due to the salty water. He looked at his body. Miracle! It was a miracle! The holes on his hands and feet from which blood and pus were oozing out, those cuts had healed. The bloated stomach had now become flat. His hands and feet which had become bony, were now filled with blood and flesh. His dead hunger had reignited. He was extremely happy. ‘It seems to be the miracle of the salty sea water or the plank. Whatever it is, what the innumerable herbs and medicines couldn’t do, was done by the salty sea water or the medicinal plank!’
Dhan seemed to have gotten a new life. He went and sat under the shade of a tree at the sea coast. He thought of Dhanshri and a storm of sorrow rose in his heart.
‘So that was her true nature! I could never have even imagined in my dreams that she could be so cruel and inhuman. She herself pushed me into the sea! Why? I never thought she had so much enmity towards me in her heart! Since the time I fell sick, she had been extra loving towards me. She was looking after me and talking sweetly. This was all her plan, what else? It was betrayal! I never behaved badly with her nor did I ever think bad for her. Even then, why did she commit the severe crime of killing me? It was so cowardly of her! Anyway, she had no mindfulness. Her behaviour towards me was often unreasonable. I never used to take it to my heart. I would forgive her every time. She was arrogant because of her beauty. She had several flaws. But whatever happened, it was for the greater good! If she wouldn’t have pushed me into the sea, then I would have died due to my illness. Anyway, I had left all the hopes of surviving. It seems my good fortune is still with me. The salty sea water became my remedy and the wooden plank became my saviour.
Now, I do not have to think of Dhanshri. I have to forget her! Wise people always say that we should forget the past! I should now think of the future. I should not get disappointed. When destiny has gifted me a healthy body and a new life, I should move ahead with more enthusiasm!’
Meanwhile Dhan remembered his mothers words, “Son, even in problems do not lose your excitement. With enthusiasm, even the most difficult problems can be solved.”
‘A woman is not a big deal. I should not think about her. I should think about what I have to do now. I should move ahead from here. I am hungry also. If I can find some fruits from here, then I can fill my stomach.’
He got up and started walking on the sea shore. He had barely walked ten steps when he saw a dead body of a woman on the sand. Tied to the clothes of the dead body, was a precious necklace. He took the necklace in his hand inspected it closely.
“Oh! This is made of gems called Trailokyasara. However, this is not mine. It belongs to the dead woman. But she is dead, so it is of no use to her. It may be useful for me. I have found it due to my good luck. I am in need of money right now. I will sell it at an appropriate place and get some gold coins with which I can do business. The profit that I make, I will use it for a good purpose. I will distribute it among the poor and orphan.”
He hid the precious necklace in his clothes and started moving ahead.
A wave of repentance rose within him. ‘I used to donate to the poor and needy people, and today, I’m in such an awful condition that I had to pick a necklace from a dead body. Life goes through so many ups and downs!’ As he was walking lost in his thoughts, he saw a hermit standing near the shore. The hermit also saw him. He looked intently at Dhan and recognised him. He was very happy. But he was sad and astonished seeing Dhan’s miserable state.
“Oh! What is this? You are here? In this state? What’s the matter? What is the reason behind such a condition of yours?” 
Dhan did not recognise the hermit. He replied, “My ship broke down in the sea. The ship sank. But luckily, I caught one plank and I came till here with its support!” Dhan thought carefully and lied. ‘Women of the house should not be maligned in front of others.’ He had that wisdom. That’s why, he did not speak the truth.
The yogi said in a sweet and serious voice, “A person’s happiness and sadness is based on his karmas. Even rich and eminent people come on the streets due to their karmas. They become dependent for every morsel of food. And Goddess Lakshmi is fickle, she does not stay with one person forever. Today, she’ll be with you, tomorrow with someone else! Lakshmi keeps changing her home. The truth is that this household life itself is sorrowful! Otherwise, how could such a benevolent and philanthropic man like you, be in this state!
But whatever happened, it is normal and insignificant. All this keeps happening in life! The full moon itself becomes a new moon and the new moon becomes a full moon and shines brightly. Today, you might be experiencing dark days, but slowly everything will be okay. You will become happy again soon!
You must be knowing that even the heavenly gods become sad. Then how can men be spared? You do not worry! Do not be disappointed! You are a great man. I know you. Strengthen your soft heart. Only then will you will be able to face the difficulties. I believe a person should have problems in life. In times of difficulties, one can differentiate between genuine and fake people. Who is selfish and who truly loves us, everything gets tested. During problems, our good and bad luck is checked! And a courageous person works hard to change his destiny.
Till an incense is not lighted, its fragrance will not spread. It smells good only on being burnt!
I am a hermit. Your problems are not going to last long, they will last only a few days! That’s why, you need not worry! Now you tell me, how can I help you? Though I do not have money or wealth, but I have a mantra. My Guru Vinatanand had taught me this spell. I have sat on this sea coast and obtained this mantra. The name of this mantra is ‘Garud Mantra!’ If any man has been bitten by any type of snake, no matter how poisonous; the poison will be removed by reciting this mantra. I will give you this mantra, you take it. 
With this mantra, you will earn fame and also get opportunities to carry out good deeds.” 
Dhan thought, ‘Truly, hermits are selflessly affectionate. What I had heard earlier, I have seen it today. The hermits shower affections and kindness on sad beings. I am witnessing this myself! He wants to give me such a great mantra. But how can I take it? I have not given him anything. I cannot take anything without giving something in return! That is why, I’ll gently refuse to accept the mantra.’
“Oh hermit! You have obliged me. You have given me appropriate reassurance! You have calmed me down! You thought of my welfare, this is your great obligation on me. You have given me such a knowledgeable teaching. This is your highest blessing. The person who has the blessings of hermits, nothing can happen to him! For me, your blessing is equivalent to the mantra. I do not want any other mantra! Anyway, we are householders. We are tend to be more careless. What if we make some mistake or disregard the God of Mantras? The God of Mantras is furious in nature. What if in the process of making a profit, I actually make a loss? I do not want such a mantra,” Dhan said with joined hands.
“You do not need to worry. The God of this Mantra is Saumya. I know because I have sat here on the sea shore and worshipped the Gods of Mantras. The God is gentle! So, you accept this mantra without any hesitation!”
“Please do not force me to accept the mantra. I have not offered you anything. I have not helped you in any manner. Then how can I be obliged by you?”
The hermit thought, ‘Oh, this man has still not recognised me! I thought he has recognised me! But now I will have to introduce myself!’
“Have you not recognised me? Alright, at that time, I was a householder. Today, I am a hermit with a bun on my head and a beard on my face. May be, that is why, you cannot recognise me. I will introduce myself! Great man! Do you remember Tamralipti? You were going for a bath in the sea with your servants. On the way, a gambler came and fell at your feet. Remember, you paid sixteen gold coins and freed him from his debt? Then you took him to your house, made him have a bath and gave him beautiful clothes to wear, food to eat and forced him to accept money to start his own business. Do you recall that incident now? That gambler is actually me! My name is Maheshwardutt. You had motivated me so much! You had heartily encouraged me to make efforts to earn money and stay away from bad habits like gambling.
Had you not saved me from the enemies? Had you not gifted me fearlessness, clothes and food? If at that time, you had not protected me, then the gamblers would have killed me! Which obligation can be bigger than that? There is no greater obligation than the gift of life.” 
Dhan recalled the incident that had taken place on the main road of Tamralipti one morning. 
He said, “I recall the incident you narrated. But when and how did you become a hermit of this faith?”
“We will discuss all that at the ashram! First, you accept this mantra from me so that I feel lighter from the burden of your endless obligations on me!”
“As you wish. I cannot refuse you now!”
Maheshwardutt gave the mantra to Dhan righteously.
Dhan bowed down and touched his feet.
Maheshwardutt said, “Now, let us go to the ashram! You can rest there. You haven’t eaten since many days, have you? Today, I have received the opportunity to serve you.”
“You are right. As the ship broke, I was sitting on the plank for seven days and nights. That plank had become my saviour. There was no question of eating or drinking.”
They went to the ashram. Dhan was troubled due to hunger and tiredness! He sat under the cool shade of the dense trees. He went and lay down on a platform. As soon as Dhan lied down in that environment of cool breeze and melodious chirping of birds, he fell fast asleep!
There were many different varieties of trees in the ashram. There was a well of sweet water. Streams flowed down the small hills. Around them there were plants with colourful flowers. Various pavilions were made with vines. There was a temple on the right side to the entrance of the ashram. Behind the temple, small huts were made.
Maheshwardutt got different types of fruits in a banana leaf and water in an earthen vessel. He noticed that Dhan was fast asleep, so he did not wake him up. He sat beside him. Dhan slept peacefully in deep sleep for almost three hours. Suddenly, his eyes opened. He woke up. Maheshwardutt’s face lit up with a smile.
“You got some good rest here, didn’t you? Are you feeling refreshed? Now you eat some fruits and drink the sweet water of the well. First do this, then we will talk later! Leave everything that you have to do and eat first.” Maheshwardutt served different types of fruits to Dhan. Dhan ate well, drank water. He felt satisfied.
“Now tell me, do you want to sit here or rest in the hut? If you wish, you can have a tour around the ashram.”
“Let’s sit here only. In the evening, we will go for a stroll and at night, we will rest in the hut. Right now, I am eager to hear your story!”
“After leaving your house, I went to the sea shore. I thought over many things there. I had understood how pointless the efforts made for earning are! I decided to make efforts for spiritual welfare. As it is, my life was burdened with various sins. I wanted freedom from all my sins with the help of spirituality! I knew that my sins would push me into the pit of painful incarnations. And I didn’t wish to go there. I wanted to improve my afterlife! That is why, this was the only solution! 
But who would guide me on this path? I did not know anything about religion. I remembered my father’s friend. His name was Yogi Vinatanand! He knew me as well. When my father would be upset of my bad habits, Yogishwar would calm him down and encourage him! Sometimes, he would even come to our house!
I knew Yogishwar’s ashram was close to the sea! I kept walking and I reached here! I went to Yogishwar and bowed down at his feet. I cried a lot. Yogishwar did not stop me from crying. He did not say a single word.
I said, ‘Guide me on the spiritual path!’
‘Become a hermit!’ he said.
And I became a hermit under him.”