रविवार, जुलाई 05, 2009

ABHAYKUMAR AND MATANGPATI

King Shrenik loved his queen Chellana very much. Once he decided to construct a special palace for her. At his wish Abhaykumar arranged for a magnificent palace erected on one single pillar. People marveled to see such a palace. All sorts of comforts and luxuries were provided there.
Around the palace, he also arranged for setting up a beautiful garden with specially bred plants and trees that gave different types of flowers and fruits all the year round. Chellana was very pleased with this garden. She used to pluck the flowers herself for adoring her hairs and also for preparing garland for her husband. Shrenik thus used to enjoy there every pleasure of life along with his beloved queen.
There was an aboriginal tribe known as Matang. They used to undertake the cleaning work of the city. Their chief, known as Matangpati, was a highly accomplished many Vidyas. e.g. he could stay invisible, etc.
Once his wife, while she was pregnant, begot a strong urge to eat mangoes. She asked her husband to get mangoes. Matangpati ridiculed her untimely desire because it was not the mango season. She however pointed out that the mango trees of queen Chellana's garden used to yield mangoes throughout the year and asked him to get mangoes from that garden.
Since he could stay invisible, he could enter the garden unseen. High up on the trees he saw the mangoes. By his magic spell he charmed one of the mango trees to bend down. He then plucked the mangoes from that branch and took them home. His wife thanked him very much for bringing the delicious mangoes.
In the morning, as the queen came for plucking the flowers, she noticed the loss of mangoes. On inquiry, he realized that somebody must have stolen the mangoes and therefore asked the gardener to keep better watch.
The second night too, Matangpati came there and plucked away the mangoes. The next morning the gardener noticed the loss of the mangoes once again. He reported to the queen that he had been vigilant throughout the night and did not notice anyone come in. Still the mangoes had again disappeared from the same mango tree. It was hard for the queen to believe that any burglar could dare to enter her garden. She however made arrangements for additional watchmen to protect the garden from any unauthorized entry.
As Matangpati's wife could not resist the temptation of eating the delicious mangoes, the disappearance of mangoes continued. Thereupon, Chellana brought this mysterious disappearance to the notice of the king.
Shrenik was wild to know that anyone in his kingdom could dare to indulge in such burglary. He asked Abhaykumar to get hold of the burglar. Abhaykumar kept vigilant watch during the night. He also could not notice anyone even approaching the garden. Yet he noticed in the morning that some mangoes had disappeared.
The next night he decided to keep closer watch. By his minute observation he could notice at midnight, the lowering of the branch of the mango tree and the mangoes being plucked without anyone getting within the garden. He could make out that there was some invisible hand involved.
Then, he arranged for the expert force of watchmen to stay concealed near the mango tree. Next night Matangpati came to the garden and charmed the mango tree as usual. But as soon as the mango tree bent down, the watchmen came out of their hiding place and surrounded the tree as per instructions of Abhaykumar.
Matangpati was not visible but the mangoes that he plucked were visible. It was therefore hard for the burglar to escape piercing the live wall that watchmen had formed. He had to ultimately give way and made himself visible. He was then arrested.
As he was produced in the royal court the next day, king Shrenik was impatient to sentence him to death, because he intended to set an example by beheading the culprit for his daring burglary. Abhaykumar was however impressed by Matangpati’s art and intended to put it to the state use. He had also found out that the accused was not a professional burglar and had resorted to plucking the mangoes simply to satisfy the desire of his pregnant wife. Abhaykumar knew very well how irresistible such desires could be. He had therefore developed a soft corner for the accused and had thought out a plan to save his life.
Accordingly, he suggested that before punishing the accused, the king should learn from Matangpati the mysterious art that he possessed. The king welcomed the idea and asked Matangpati to teach his art. The poor man had no alternative but to comply.
For this purpose he was brought to the palace. There, the king was seated in the royal seat and standing in front of him, Matangpati began teaching the mysterious charms. He used all his diligence. Somehow, Shrenik could not memorize them. He reproached the accused that he was not seriously teaching him.
Abhaykumar thereupon pointed out that the king could not learn, because he was not giving the respect due to a teacher. Shrenik too realized his mistake. He therefore asked Matangpati to occupy the royal seat and the king, himself stood before him as a student. He could then quickly learn the secrets of that art.
Shrenik then consulted Abhaykumar about the appropriate punishment for the culprit. Abhaykumar pointed out that since Matangpati had become his teacher, the king should extend to him the appropriate reward as a preceptor. And what could be a better reward than sparing the life of the preceptor ? The king was pleased with the idea and set Matangpati free.

कोई टिप्पणी नहीं: