A SOULFUL LOVE

There was a hillock surrounded by the shrub jungle. It was situated at suburban area where a royal family was living in a beautiful palace . A young man named Abinash was also a member of the family whose parents were educated and lover of nature. Though Abinash was a graduate and a modern youth, he could not overlook Indian culture. His moral character was also enchanting his parents and all the neighboring ones.

One day during cold winter he went into the jungle to enjoy the natural beauties while he came across a virgin girl who was busy on collecting brush woods for fuel. Her name was Shankari. She was living in a cottage with her parents who belonged to a tribal community.

That was forenoon. Sun's rays were unable to minimise the effect of wintry coldness and foggy atmosphere. All of a sudden

a sharply pointed thorn pierced into the right palm of Shankari. The wound caused severe pain to her with excessive outflow of blood. She fell down under a banyan tree and began to cry. God saves the shorn lamb. At the nick of the time Abinash ran to her aids. He drew out his hanky from his pant-pocket and fetched some herbs. He bandaged the palm of Shankari and accompanied her up to her cottage. After leaving her under the custody of her parents, Abinash got relaxed. Shankari's father was the headman of the tribal village. His name was Moti. He was a good man who was ever loyal to his family consisted of three member. As Shankari was his only one daughter, he

 was loving her much. He was happy that his daughter was taken care of by Abinash in time that saved her life inside the jungle. So Moti thanked God and embraced Abinash with fondness.

Then he told him, " My dear son! today I am extremely proud of your benevolence. One question arises in my mind. Would I ask you? " " OK you may ask me whatever you can. " replied Abinash.

Parent's heart is always tender towards their offsprings that cannot be avoided. Hence Moti preferred to introduce him with his wife Chepi. The trio sat together and engaged themselves in cordial gossip. Moti told, " Shankari is my only daughter. She is very innocent. Now she is in her marriageable age. I want to give her in marriage soon. Please don't take me amiss as she has taken interest in you. She was telling her mother about her option to marry you. Do you agree with this proposal ? Tell me clearly so that I will make arrangement of the ceremony next marriage date. "

A bachelor young man while undergoes such assurance given by the elder one draws ample enthusiasm out of it. However it was not possible on the part of Abinash to give positive reply to such question instantly. Therefore he told Moti, " Dear uncle I can never reply to your question now unless I get confirmation from my parents at first. So please allow me a few days whereafter I will inform you. If possible please come with me to our palace tomorrow to have a consultation with my parents as I prefer. " After hearing it Moti got self satisfaction and said, " OK son I will do. " Chepi, mother of Shankari, was delighted and complied with their proposal too.

Next day Moti, Chepi and Abinash went to the palace and held the discussion on the proposal with Deviprasad and Bijaylaxmi, parents of Abinash . Although they were aristocratic, they had not cherished caste or stratification feelings. Above all they took it for granted that mankind comprises two castes only viz. Man and Woman since their feeling was cosmopolitan.

Keeping in view the crying need of the hour, the parents of Abinash and Shankari decided to perform their marriage ceremony at an early date. So they fixed the date of marriage as per Hindu Calendar in consultation with the local astrologer. On the other hand Abinash and Shankari got a chance in between to more familiarize themselves with premarital romantic practices freely nevertheless their romantic affairs was not carnally motivated rather

it was motivated cordially and eternally. By the by both the young lovers were able to know each other more introvertly before marriage and also tasted the flavour of eternal and soulful love.

However on the due date, marriage ceremony was over with much enthusiasm and gaiety. All the attendees and relatives enjoyed the marriage ceremony which was held in the ancestral royal palace of Deviprasad and Bijaylaxmi exceptionally as well. All exclaimed, " Really the love affairs between Abinash and Shankari was worthy of their names with supra mental consciousness. This marriage is a token of eternal love factually based on proper humanhood. May Lord Jagannath bless the newly married couple so as make their conjugal lives sublimed by His spirit for ever with eternal embrace.

     

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