Detached From Her But Attached

My grandmother narrated the same story again and again. I had a common complaint that She never completes her story. How could she complete this story? This is a never-ending story of King Bhratihari. In fact, it was not her story but she narrates it beautifully in a melodious voice. Yes. She sings the tragedy and asked a question –Why king became detached to this world and started abhorring material life. In fact, King got a miraculous fruit (Amrit fruit) which he gave it to her wife Queen. The queen gave this fruit to her lover. Her lover gave this fruit to another lady. This lady gave the same fruit to the same king and as a result, the king becomes detached to this world.

So this story is not so small and many grandmas will not narrate this story to their grandchildren. As there is caution that the person listens this story shall become detached to this worldly or material life. Probably, she knew only one story. Those days, my father was in suspension and he was getting only half of his salary and accordingly, I came to my village and had the opportunity to listen to this famous myth. When his suspension was revoked, he came to my native place and I was very happy to see parents and more happy that I will be going back to Bokaro steel city life. I was assigned many duties during my stay at the village. I have to collect breakfast and take it to the fields for my grandfather and workers who work in my field.

My grandfather was a good singer and a romantic person. I never saw him in the village big house. People use to say that he came to sleep only five times and he had five sons. So for all who came to my field to collect grass, they were served hot tea in separate class kept outside a small hut surrounded by fields, orchard and a small fish pond. He used to prepare some short of medicine in a small box and he was a magician. He never narrated a story rather he will ask me a table. I could write tables but I could not memorize. So usually, I left the food outside the hut (Known as Machine). On return, I have to rush for school and at 1,00 PM we were given Lunch break.

I don’t remember, how could I manage this because just after lunch I have to go back to school and return at 4.00 PM. In the evening, I have to again go back to fields and bring back all animals OX, Buffalo. They were good and they remember the path and they never troubled me. My cousin's brother (Arvind) did not like me because he was staying with grandparents from the beginning. Many times, they tried to send him with his parent but the next day again he was back to the village. At times, within a few hours, he returned back. He managed his school as he bunked most of the classes and manhandled many teachers and students. He used to go to the fields and believed himself the real owner of the whole property.

He was not interested in the story and was in the bad company of friends and liked smoking. I never understood and got slapped unnecessary many a time. So, my grandpa was the king? And my grandma was queen Pingla another wife of King Bhratrihari? I remember the question still today- I love her so much but she loves someone else!