In this period dedicated to the ancestors during Pitru Paksha, he had been deprived of the chance to worship his forefathers and offer them tarpan. Even Shreya's final rites could not be performed properly. Ever since then, he had been behind bars. Now, only japa and fasting remained as the means through which her soul could perhaps be liberated.
Before leaving for Kashmir, he had given her his phone number, yet she had never once called or messaged him—not even by mistake.
He too had kept no expectations. Shreya wanted to rid herself of Raghav and all the bitter memories associated with him, so that she could forget the past and make the right decisions for her future.
One day, Madhav Kaka said to him, "Son, observe the fast of Indira Ekadashi for your wife. Her soul will suffer a little less torment, and it may open a path toward her liberation. You too will be able to rise a little above the burden of your destined karma."
After drinking a glass of water that day, he began the regular chanting of mantras, thinking that perhaps her suffering might lessen. "If that is her wish," he resolved, "then I will chant eleven malas of the mantra for her every single day."
"Madhav Kaka, you are a spiritual man. You understand people deeply and possess far more wisdom than ordinary folk. Then why have you been serving a life sentence in prison?"
A faint smile touched Madhav Kaka's lips as he replied, "In this world, it is the straightforward and simple-hearted man who suffers the most. The soul chooses this birth precisely to learn how to become clever and cunning.
The torments of prison are perhaps what make one truly equipped to live in this world. Accept every fault as your own and thereby free yourself."He took the young man's hand and said gently, "It happens, son. Everyone has a story in their life. No matter how good you are, you cannot escape your prarabdha—your destined karma.
I too am merely one who has borne its consequences."To become the victim of an accident is also a crime when there is no proof of innocence. Often, circumstances alone turn a person into a criminal. Not every person serving a prison sentence possesses a criminal nature. Sometimes, bound by situations and the decisions of others, an innocent man becomes the scapegoat for a crime.
Not every inmate is a wrongdoer, yet he endures the sufferings of prison. At times, one even finds a strange peace within these walls. Most prisoners are not guilty; the crime is thrust upon them, and they fail to prove their innocence in court. Some endure punishment for another's deed, believing that the money they will receive in return will support their family. Others, like you, become victims of circumstance. And then there are those who, out of attachment or fear of family dishonour, willingly take the blame for someone else's crime to protect the honour of the household.
Today's virtuous deeds can improve our accumulated karma and shape a better future. Yet one must still endure one's prarabdha, no matter how much japa and tapas one performs. Even the wise, the sages, and the gods themselves could not escape their destined karma, my son. Then how can you and I—mere ordinary human beings—hope to do so?
One day, during a conversation, Ranjana told him that "Shreya has started going out for evening walks." Hearing this, Arjun felt a small measure of relief. At least her life was slowly coming back on track. Perhaps now he too could breathe a little easier.
One evening, Shreya said to her mother and Ranjana, "I have got a job as a physiotherapist at a physiotherapy centre. I start tomorrow morning."She had not asked for anyone's advice; she had simply come to inform them of her decision."I want to become self-reliant,"
she declared. "How long can I keep depending on all of you? Arjun already has so many responsibilities. I don't want to become an additional burden on him. I am capable. I can earn my own living. I don't need anyone's support."
Her mother replied softly, "Daughter, you are not a burden on us. Don't embarrass us by saying such things. I have never treated you and Ranjana differently. There is nothing wrong in working; it will keep your mind occupied and help you come out of this difficult phase."
Then, hesitating a little, the mother asked, "Does Arjun know?"
Shreya answered without any hesitation, "No, not yet. Now that you know, you can tell him whenever you speak to him.
"That day, the mother's heart sank. This girl doesn't even talk to Arjun anymore. There is no point in hoping for anything from her now. We endured humiliation for her sake, yet she doesn't care. To her, we are outsiders after all.
All he had ever wanted was one true companion with whom the journey of life could pass in peace and comfort. Instead, life had led him through rugged mountains and stony paths, all the way to prison. Now even the destination, his courage, and the road ahead appeared blurred.
He had begun to accept failure as his fate. No ray of hope was visible. Along with his honour, reputation, and job, he had also lost Kavya's love. Everything he had cherished had slipped away. What he had planned had remained unfulfilled, and what he had never even imagined was now his reality. He felt that by now Kavya must have erased him completely from her heart and mind.
Arjun would often say, "The biggest advantage of us ordinary-looking people is that we never have to participate in the race of external beauty. Looking in the mirror feels like a waste of time, because we know that true radiance does not lie in the face but in one's work and noble thoughts. Even if I was not blessed with a handsome face, God has given me an invaluable gift—an honest and beautiful character that makes both the inner and outer self beautiful."
Kavya would tell him, "Why do you call yourself ordinary?
You speak so clearly and honestly—sometimes almost too bluntly. You are a promising son and a wonderful brother. And sometimes you make even me feel special.
Isn't that your greatest quality? Is that not enough, or should I list a few more?"
© Copyright Pushpa Chaturvedi
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