A collection of folklores and bed time fairytales told in District Sargodha (Central Punjab, Pakistan).
Courtesy note: The cover, graphics and paintings in the stories belong to their creators. I've just got them from Google.
Maharaja Raam Das was a well-known governor of a state, Chak Raam Das in the Sub-continent before partition. He was prosperous and famous due to his kindness. Maharaja had a huge palace, having eight doors. It is told that not a single person ever returned empty-handed from any of those eight doors. Whenever the harvesting season came, Maharaja announced the free ration for each and every person of the state and suburbs. The poor and destitute families throughout the state and suburban areas used to flood the palace and collect the grains for the whole year. The act of charity was a great source of pleasure to Maharaja. He was called, ‘The Hatim Tai* of the Sub-continent’. Raam Das was an apple of everyone’s eye. All the statemen were the well-wishers of Maharaja. The rains were the sole source of irrigation in those days. Once there spread acute femine in the land due the lack of rain. Every individual was in a miserable state because they knew that their families would die without food. In the state of dilemma and misery, they headed towards Maharaja’s palace. Maharaja listened to them and announced the ration for everyone. The statemen returned to their houses in a state of gratitude and satisfaction. “My lord, You know very well about the condition of main stock of the grain in the royal storeroom. We’ve a limited stock of grains which would be hardly enough for the usage in the palace. Please, review the anouncement regarding the ration and take it back.” one of the state advisors spoke anxiously to Maharaja. “You’re absolutely right but how can I see my people die due to the shortage of the food.” replied Maharaja. “But how will we manage it?” inquired the other one. “I don’t know but I’m hopeful that we would be blessed.” affirmed Maharaja. At night, Raam Das raised his hands before God and prayed in a spiritful and pitiful manner. “O God! I don’t know what to do. Your creature is struggling for life. We don’t know what crime we committed for which we are being belittled. I’m, the leader of this state, beggs to the Leader of the world, please do something.” begged Maharaja in a trembling and painful voice.
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Maharaja slept in the state of Sajdah* and saw a dream in which he found a seraphic figure. The old man had a white beard and his face was beaming with a kind of celestial light. He rubbed Raam Das’ head politely and asked him to awake. Raam Das got up and inquired reverentially, “Who are you, Baba G**? What do you want from me?” “I’m a grain merchant and I have come to deliver the grain which you have ordered. The grain is loaded on one hundred camels and they are there at your door. Please come there and receive them.” replied the old man. “ I think you are mistaken. You have got the wrong person. I haven’t ordered any kind of grain. Please, make sure first that to whom you want to deliver.” responded Raam Das in amazement. “I know who are you. Don’t be worried. Accept it as a gift from our King.” answered the old man hastily, realizing the astonishment of Raam Das. “Who is your king? Where does he reside?” questioned Raam Das imarvellously! “GOD! The King of the kings.” saying that the old man vanished. Maharaja woke up at once. He wiped the streams of sudor from his face and went straight to the main door of his palace. As he opened the door, he found a long line of cambels loaded with the sacks, containing grain. Raam Das' mind, at once, clicked to the dream and he came to know all the matter. Maharaja fell into the position of Sajdah and thanked God for that benevolence. The next day, there was an immense gathering of the people before the palace who had come to collect the grain for their families. At first, Maharaja informed them about the dream and the miracle. The whole crowd was in a state of gratitude. Maharaja distributed the grain and the people took leave for their homes.
Copyright @M.K Aassi
Sajdah*: The most humble state of prayer. Baba G**: Urdu word for an old man, full of respect.
Note: Images are taken from Google search engines.
