Manan, a man in his sixties is still trying to clear his board exams. It’s Varanasi, the holiest Indian city with so much spiritual peace, still there is less peace in Manan’s heart.
Manan used to go multiple times to his school for clearing his backlogs, as he used to fail miserably in all subjects. And whenever he used to get prepared to go for his exams, Manohar teased him- ‘Dahi Shakkar Khao,aur pass hokar aao!’ (Eat curd and sugar before going for your exams, surely you will pass this time!)
A new month has opened in 2021, when people make new resolutions and Manan’s desire remains unchanged, he is yet to get tired. Manan was sitting with closed eyes and recalling Dahi Shakkar.
Let us know more about Manan.
Manan and Manohar were twin brothers born in a business man’s family. Both the brothers got admission in the same school and they studied together.
Manohar was a very bright child and he was an obedient son too, unlike Manan who was known for his thick-headed nature.
Manan’s father was very much respected in his community because of their ethical and spiritual standards along with their flourishing business of embroidered Indian Sarees, in their locality near Assi Ghat.
Dahi Shakkar
But their relatives and the neighbors always used to compare Manan with Manohar.
Manohar was brilliant in mathematics. He was aware of Manan’s weak arithmetic skills. Being a responsible brother, he used to come to Manan to help him out. But Manan used to get irritated and leave the place for that time.
Manan used to observe that Manohar was not only academically brilliant but also he was very much into spirituality and whole heartedly helped his father organize monthly satsang (spiritual gathering) at their home. Manan avoided being an active participant in this system.
Manan disliked Manohar’s way of insisting him to take Dahi Shakkar before exams, as there is an Indian saying that its auspicious!
Dahi Shakkar
Manan was remembering all these with his closed eyes, as he was sitting peacefully in his verandah.
Forty years have passed, Manan lives all alone in this big house. His father and wife had long left the world and his brother Manohar had left Varanasi many years ago;, he never returned.
Manan was still resting on a chair when he saw his son Kantaprasad coming with his seven-year-old son Murli and was standing at the main door.
‘Father, Murli’s school is yet to open and his mother insisted me to take him to his grandfather’s house. In this way we can spend some time together. Isn’t it great!’
Kantaprasad had long settled in Delhi. As he was a doctor at a very reputed hospital he could not take much holidays to come to his hometown. Manan’s eyes filled with tears as he saw his grandson, whom he had last seen five years ago!
Manan hugged Murli tightly and said, ‘I am so happy you arrived.’
Murli merrily hugged him back and started playing in the entire open area of the house. He suddenly stopped near the wall, where Manohar’s photo frame was hung.
‘Dadaji (Grandfather) who is this?’
Manan replied, ‘He is my brother Manohar, he has left us long back, he has left Varanasi we believe.’
Murli looked at Manan with suspicious eyes and said, ‘Really!’
Manan however, didn’t continue the conversation and asked both Murli and Kantaprasad to wash their hands and feet and then they can have lunch together.
While having lunch Manan saw little Murli was praying to god before starting his meal. It was a practice Manohar used to do many years back. Manan never taught Kantaprasad this spirituality.
After lunch Manan took both Murli and Kantaprasad to places near Assi Ghat. Manan saw along with Kantaprasad Murli was also walking confidently in the places surrounding Assi Ghat!
At evening when they all returned Manan saw his grandson Murli standing in front of Manohar’s photo frame and looking deeply at it.
Next Morning Manan was getting ready to go to exam center and he informed the same to Kantaprasad, he said he will be back in a few hours after completion of his board exams. Kantaprasad was well aware of his father’s academic abilities.
Manan was tying his shoes, while he saw Murli was standing before their house temple and with his small hands he was applying Tilak on his forehead.
Manan closed his eyes, and suddenly all memories started rolling in flashback!
Dahi Shakkar
It was during winters, Kumbha Mela had started in Allahabad, and Manan took Manohar with him to the fair. Before going to the fair Manohar applied tilak on his forehead. And they started going out together.
Manan always had less good feelings for his brother, because he thought Manohar always got more care and affection from all than him.
It was winter and while still in the Kumbh Mela amid thousands of holy saints and pilgrims, Manan locked Manohar in a room of a moving ferry boat and started leaving quickly from there. While walking away quickly he could hear Manohar banging the door and requesting to let him out, but because of much noise and crowd in the fair, his voice was not significantly audible.
Manan left him and ran away. Nobody knows what happened to Manohar, as Manan had a cooked-up story ready which everybody believed.
Manan abruptly opened his eyes, and as he was about to go, he put his right foot outside his home.
Murli said softly, ‘‘Dahi Shakkar Khao, aur pass hokar aao!’’
3 Comments
Apt tagline! Do keep writing and enriching our thoughts!
Thanks a ton.
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