(1)

In the days of the Hussain Shahi dynasty’s golden rule in Bengal, Vaishnav Dharma spread like wildfire through all of Bengal, burning the sins of Kaliyug and liberating many people. Caste and creed were burned to ashes in its light, upsetting many Brahmins; its waves tore down the shackles of religious oppression of many Qazis.

Only years before, its centre was Navadwip, a place where Vaishnavs believed the eternal Shyam was reincarnated as their beloved Gora. But with all its success, conflicts rose with yet another sect- the Shaktas who worship the Divine Mother in Her many glorious forms.

To Shaktas, Vaishnavs were heretics who withdrew from the truth; Vaishnavs took the Shaktas to be Tamasic and ignorant.

Once a vairagi came to a village, where the temples of the Mother and the Balagopala were situated nearby. The townsmen fought over their beliefs daily! Once a great quarrel rose amongst them; whom to give these wonderful nectar-sweet fruits yielded by nature, Shakti or Shyam? And thus quarrelling over this relentlessly, the Shaktas and Vaishnavs ultimately went to the vairagi and asked, “Oh wise one! Please say, these wonderful fruits yielded by nature, who we should give them to as Prasada? Balagopala or Maa Kaali?”

(2)

Keeping quiet for a while, the vairagi said, “Listen closely, of a foolish bhakta of Navadwip, and if you were to understand him, your hearts shall be free from shackles of ignorance!”

“In Navadwip, there lived two Shakta brothers. They lived together, happy without a scuffle between them. But the youngest one’s heart grew fonder to the ecstatic love of Krishna, and taking Deeksha from a wandering sage, he became a practising Vaishnav.”

“And behold the throne of Kalipurush, who established itself in the hearts of the brothers. From small differences to uncompromising hate against one another, soon their relationship would decay and they won’t live under the same roof. And thus, they separated; one worshipping the Maa Kaali, the other Lord Kesava, and soon they not only had two houses and two temples within, but neither would they see each other’s face, nor will they talk.”

“All but a single banana tree was divided, and being only one, they hesitatingly agreed to share the fruits of the tree. And it went for a while, until once by providence, a great number of bananas were yielded by the tree.”

(3)

“Both the brothers were dead set on offering this to their god, and none would offer to share. And an argument broke off; the issue was then put off for a while for the sake of peace. Advised by neighbours, the youngest decided to raise the matter in front of the village elders the next day. Yet conspiring beforehand, the eldest cut the stalk of bananas in his brother’s absence, and offered them to Mother Kaali!”

“When this was discovered, the youngest found himself in great anger. “Oh, Lord! I have failed you! O Mukunda, my brother, who is filled with tamasic gunas cause of his diverted faith to the Cruel Goddess and in ignorance he deprives You of Your own creation!” Then he vowed to retrieve the stalk of bananas for His worship alone and in senseless anger barged into his brother’s mansion, and angrily went up to the Shakta temple to retrieve the offering to Kesava.”

“You have done it now! I will punish you!” the screams of his older brother were heard. Attempting to stop the youngest he chased after him, but by old age, he fell behind.”

“He hastily climbed the stairs the only to find his younger brother lying unconscious on the doorsteps to the Holy Space. The door was opened, yet the stalk of banana lay as before. Letting out a sigh, then, out of the brotherly concern that he had once deeply shackled in his heart (which now tore down these foolish walls of hate), he ran to save his dear brother. The families, once broken, came together in a hurry. A vaidya was called.”

“Soon, the brother woke up, but he couldn’t speak even a bit at first. When he finally had spoken, he muttered: “Where are they?”

“Whom? What happened? Why are-“

“The Mother and Child! I saw them!”

“Huh? Whom? Where?”

“Inside your temple!! Both were of dark complexion, and I saw Mother feeding the bananas to the Child!”

“What nonsense you are talking?” they said, “the room is empty!”

“Ignoring them, he shouted aloud, “Oh Kesava! Forgive my ignorance! In my foolish ignorance, I hated what was none else, and in anger, I insulted You!”

(4)

“His family won’t be able to understand him, but upon him, a great change would come. He would then never quarrel with his kin, and happily the family lived. Years later, when the eldest had passed away, the youngest left home forever, chanting the name of God, taking vairagya.”

Having said that, he looked upon the townsmen, who having heard thus, asked in confusion, “Who were they? The mysterious Mother and Child?”

“Who can they be? Of such dark complexion as the night sky itself?” He laughed.

And having been well versed in the Truth of Dharma, he said in ecstasy, “Oh what You are! Oh, Lord! What’s your Maya?! What’s the difference between Krishna and Kaali? What but ignorance!”

And remembering his past, his heart was filled with joy. Remembering the day when he saw Them, tears of joy rolled down his eyes. “Give to whomever you want!” he said, “The Prasada will end up with Him only!”


© iamjusta_storyteller