PART 2

The transcription is a collection of different stories and information. It starts with a description of forts in India, particularly focusing on the fort at Devagiri. It then moves on to talk about the Bahmani and Adilshahi dynasties and their respective forts. It also mentions the Ahmednagar fort being used as a prison during the freedom struggle and the famous prisoners held there. The transcription then abruptly switches to a story about a wealthy merchant who loses his fortune and learns the importance of faith in God. After that, it briefly mentions a historical event in cricket and the creation of world records in athletics. Finally, it mentions a man named Teertha Kumar who aims to break a world record in long distance running. The transcription ends with a mention of a book called "New Tales of King Vikram and the Vampire." Forts of India. Strongholds of the Lekha. The fort at Devagiri was regarded the gateway to South India because of its strategic position. Perked at it as it was on a rock, solid granite rock in the middle of plateau. There was a small fall around in the city and between the city and the base of the rock on which the fort stood. There were several defence walls and three moats. The water level in the inner most moat could be controlled and during an attack the water level would be raised to submerge the cause away across it. If the enemy crossed the bridge, he gained access to a tunnel. The tunnel was the only route the citadel. It was dark and full of dangers. Soldiers would hide inches in the rock to cut down intruders. With the enemy in large numbers, the tunnel could be filled with smoke and turned into a gas chamber. The tunnel branched out into three passages towards there. Only one of the passages led to the outside. The other two led to traps which would inflict a horrible death on the enemy. After emerging out of the tunnel, the enemy had to overcome many more obstacles in which the king and his nobles resided. The fort dates back to the Saddava Hanas of the 2nd century AD. The Adavas ruled here for 100 years before they lost it to Alauddin Khilji in 1294 AD. When Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq saw the fort, he felt it would be the safest place on earth. For a few years, he made Devagiri, now called Dhawardabad, his capital. Bahamanshah, one of the chieftains who served Tughlaq, founded the Bahmani dynasty with Gulbarga as his capital. Bahamanshah's successors shifted the capital to Bidar, which had a strong fort with a triple moat. Some of the oldest Muslim structures of South India are found in Bihar. The Bahmani empire began to crumble towards the end of the 15th century. In 1490, Yusuf Adil Khan of Bijapur broke away to establish the Adilshahi dynasty. The tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah, the most illustrious king of this dynasty, is known as the Golgambas. Its tomb is the second largest in the world. Adil Shah built an efficient water system to carry water through underground pipes and aqueducts from distant springs and rivers. Another governor who broke away from Bahmani empire was Ahmed Nizam Shah who founded the Nizamshahi dynasty of Ahmednagar. The Ahmednagar fort was decided by the Mughals in December 1595. Chand Bibi, who was acting as regent for her brother's son Kutta Pashtaut defense. It is said that when fort ran out of ammunition, she had cannonballs made out of gold in the treasury. A treaty signed in February 1596 brought temporary peace. During the freedom struggle, the Ahmednagar fort was used as a prison. Many famous political prisoners including Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Abdul Kalam Asad and Acharya Kripa Ani were imprisoned there at various times. Pandit Nehru wrote this book at his discovery of India while serving a term at the fort. Long long ago there lived a very wealthy merchant. He was not only rich but very proud of his riches. Whenever he saw people praying for wealth and prosperity, he would mock at them and say, what's the use of remembering God. He said to their prayers, look how I am well off by myself. No one has helped me. One day he really wanted to ascertain whether people who usually prayed for wealth would still continue to have faith in God once their desire had been fulfilled. So he made a unique plan. He came out into the street and announced with the beating of a drum hanging from his neck. He who will proclaim in public on a broad daylight that he no longer has faith in God will receive as reward five bags full of gold. But alas, all those who heard him, including the poor, and the needy, replied angrily, fee, you wealthy wicker fellow, how dare you purchase your faith in the Almighty with weak coins of gold. We'll continue to depend on God's bounty till the last breath of our life. Oh, how foolish you all are, asked the rich man. At last he came across a thin, wendy skin, in tattered clothes, chanting the name of God. You unfortunate will change instantly, said the rich. I have no interest in that kind of change. Stop relying on God and take these bags of gold. Revive your starring self. The beggar extended his hands for the bags. He spoke not a single word, for he hardly had any strength to do so. Have patience, dear fellow, put in the rich man with a mocking smile. You'll receive the reward not before you declare that you no longer believe in the existence of God. That's not possible for me. But protested the mendicant falteringly. I'll never cease to depend on God's mercy, even if I die of starvation. Do what I say, and your fortune will change instantly, said the rich man. I have no interest in that kind of change. But know this, my fortune can change if God wills, and that alone will be true change. Alas, isn't there a single soul in town who does not have faith in God? I don't believe in God's existence, yet I am wealthy and I am not short of anything. Whereas these unfortunate people who don't even have a roof over their head, not enough to eat and yet go on chanting God's name, mutter the rich man and return home with bouncing steps. But in the course of the passing years, things began to change. One of the immediate changes that time brought about was that the merchant gradually lost all his wealth and finally became a pauper. He left the town and set out to seek a better fortune somewhere else. Soon he reached a beautiful city, tired after this long journey, his stomach gnawing with hunger and his throat parched with thirst. He collapsed under a tree. It was not before long that the king of the realm was on his way to the forest for hunting. Suddenly he saw this starving man with tattered clothes lying unconscious under the tree. He stopped, dismounted and stared at him. Minister, take this man into the palace as my guest. Feed him well, clothe him and bring him to me when he has rested enough and regained his health, he ordered. After some days the stranger was brought to the presence of the king. He reconquered his sorrowful tale. Now, dear friend, said the king soothingly, wipe off your tears. But do you recognize me? The merchant intently peered at the round little man with thick moustache sitting on the throne. But he did not appear to be familiar. I am none other than the half-naked starving mendicant whom you had met years ago. You offered me a bag full of gold on condition that I stop having faith in God's mercy, said the king. The traveller stood awestruck and his mouth fell open. Indeed, he was the man he had met, for the small scar was still visible on his forehead. But, your majesty, how come you are wearing a crown now? stammered the merchant nervously. It so happened that the king of this land, on his deathbed, had told his militias that the throne would remain vacant as long as they had not found a man who was totally without greed. They were travelling in disguise and they overheard our dialogue. After you left me, they led me straight to the palace. He stood speechless. The king paused and said again, It's all due to God's will that in a twinkle of an eye, my fortune changed and I ascended the throne. The poor merchant bowed and said, Indeed, your highness, how right were you then, how my wealth and pride had blinded me. This happened at Lodz more than a hundred years ago. On June 10th, 1864, MCC were playing against Oxford University, H. E. Bull of MCC was batting. A ball came and he hit it twice. How sad, you may ask. Well, you have to figure it out yourself. Anyway, he was sent off the field, a first time event in cricket history. A crop of world records, the first one week of June saw three new world records being created. On June 5th, Heghi Kabeseri of Ethiopia clocked 26 minutes, 43.53 seconds in 10,000 meters at Hengi low in Netherlands. This was an improvement on 26.53 set by William Seji of Kenya in Oslo in July last year. Heghi converted half of the distance in half time, we thought, which shows at what steady pace he ran from start to finish. The same day, in Moscow, Russia's Olga Kuzenkova threw the hammer with a heave of 68.14 meters, bettering the record 66.85 meters of Mahalia Melite of Romania, made of Bucharest last March. Till then, the world record of 68.82 meters had remained with Olga. She had created that record at Adler, Russia in February 1994. On June 8th, Mos Kiptoni of Kenya broke the world record in men's 5,000 meters, running it in 12.5530 minutes at Rome. He slashed one and a half seconds from previous record 12.5696, set by Heghi Kabeseri of Ethiopia in June last year. Finishing second at Rome was Daniel Komen, also of Kenya, who clocked 12.56.12, which for juniors is a world mark. Earlier record that 13.02.75 by Kirwi Ismail of Kenya, running for life. When Teertha Kumar of Calcutta was just 8, he took a fancy for long distance running, and he practiced very regularly, thus losing that much of energy system needed. He has now come to such a pass for 20-year old sports assistant in a well-known film that he had to run 25-30 km every day for the next 15 years if he does not want to be affected by paralysis. He is determined to convert this cure into a world record. The Commonwealth champion Dr. Ron Hill ran a total of 206.039 km between September 3, 1956 and May 19, 1994. Teertha Kumar aims at this record run in his half-time 15 years. He did attempt a record in 1990 when he ran non-stop for 6 days together at the Getheset Stadium in London, but he was short by 51 km. This year, 2010 or sometime earlier will tell us whether Teertha Kumar will have a record in his name. New Tales of King Vikram and the Vampire. Three Conditions. Dark was the night and weird the atmosphere. It rained from time to time. Gusts of wind shook the trees. Between the thunderclaps and the moaning of jackals could be heard the eerie laughter of spirits. Flashes of lightning revealed fearsome faces, but King Vikramaditya did not swerve a bit. He climbed the ancient tree once again and brought down the corpse. However, as soon as he began crossing the desolate cremation ground with the corpse lying on his shoulder, the vampire that possessed the corpse spoke, O King, you seem to be making untiring efforts and without respite. As if you wish to achieve something, I pity you. You should have enjoyed comfortable sleep on a cosy bed. You are still coming after me. I have a doubt whether you are overlooking your own capabilities. It may all end up as a futile exercise. Someone may become fortunate, but he may not know how to convert it to his advantage. His qualification, experience and capabilities may be overlooked by others. With the best example of this, in Suryaprabha, he sent to her stone. The vampire then began his narration. Suryaprabha was the only daughter of King Prabhakara of Veeradurga. The princess was not only very beautiful, but was clever in chess. Though there was none in the kingdom who could beat her in the game except probably the king himself. It was he who taught the princess how to play chess. The princess grew into womanhood. Prabhakara was aware that the time had come to find a husband for her. He decided to ascertain her wish in a matter. Darling, it's time you get married. I must find a bridegroom for you. Do you have any views in that matter? Father, I have decided it this way. Suryaprabha told him, whoever beats me in chess will be a good suitor for me. But if he were to get defeated, he must suffer a hundred lashes. But if he fails the second time, then he must take a vow that he will never marry. If he were to challenge me a third time and get defeated, I would have to sentence him to death. King Prabhakara was stunned when he heard this condition said by the princess. But then he realized that as a father, he had the responsibility to see her wish. So they arranged for suitable announcements to be made in Vizag as well as the neighboring kingdoms. Most of the princesses had heard about Suryaprabha's beauty and each one wished to make her his bride. So they took up the challenge and reached Vizag to play chess with her. Quite a few of them returned ashamed after they subjected to a lash from a whip. They did not dare play a second game with her. The king was worried if this went on, he would be left to marry the princess. King Amarendra of Amarapuri had ascended the throne when he was quite young. As he spent all his time in the king's side of the kingdom, he had no opportunity to contemplate marriage and had therefore remained a bachelor. Now we too had heard all about princess Suryaprabha's beauty and the conditions she had imposed before she chose her husband for herself. The only way he could win her hand was to defeat her in chess. Unfortunately, he did not know how to play chess. But he was determined to meet her challenge. So he called his experts in the game and began learning from them. He went about the whole thing very methodically and thoroughly. Devanarayana, who was one of those coaches who coached him in the game, remained with Amarendra for six months, during which time he had taught the king all that he should know in chess. When Amarendra was confident of his knowledge of chess, he went over to Veeradurga and made known his willingness to take up the princess' challenge. King Prabhakara made all arrangements for the contest between Suryaprabha and Amarendra. As the game was being played, after several days, they were proud to watch the two match their wits against each other. They watched the play with bated breath. Both made very clever moves, but the princess proved to be more of a cautious player and she had no difficulty in trouncing Amarendra in the first game. Cheese went up from the audience. Amarendra got up and said he was ready to hit his lashes. Suryaprabha felt sorry for him. If he were to take the punishment, he too might go away. But the king of Samaripuri was not one to give up so easily. He said he would play a second game of chess with the princess. Suryaprabha was surprised. I hope you are aware of the second condition. King Prabhakara reminded Amarendra. You still want to try your luck. I know that very well, replied Amarendra. I shall not marry anybody other than your daughter, O king. The second game started. This time Amarendra played very carefully. The princess maintained her lead for a long time. Amarendra concentrated on each of his moves. Suryaprabha found it difficult to check his progress. For one moment he took his eyes off the board thinking that he had succeeded in making a checkmate. It was not. Suryaprabha freed herself by clever move and declared that the game was lost. Amarendra then promised that he would never marry in his life. Suryaprabha now expected Amarendra to return to his kingdom. But she, like everybody else, including Prabhakara, was shepherded. Amarendra declared that he would play one more game with her. King Prabhakara took pity on him. That would be foolish, young man, he said. Don't lose your head. I am grateful to you for warning me. Amarendra responded. After all, success and failure were guided by one's fate. Let me try my luck once again. Suryaprabha was in a dilemma. She went up to her father and said, Father, I shall not play another game. I am considering defeat. She shooed by the king coldly. Everybody was surprised. My darling daughter, said King Prabhakara. You have taken the right decision at the right time, complimented the princess. The vampire concluded his narration there and turned to King Vikramaditya. Okay. Then King Amarendra realized even from the first game of the princess, Suryaprabha was a better player. Then why did he agree to play a second time? He got defeated in that game also. Even then he came forward to play a third time knowing fully that he would lose his life pen if he was defeated a third time also. Suryaprabha felt sorry for him. That's why she decided to concede defeat so that she could marry him. Didn't she? Did she do the correct thing as her father complimented her? If you know the answer to this question and yet decide to remain silent, you know what's happened. Your head will be blown to pieces. The vampire cautioned him. Vikram did not take much time to give his reply. Amarendra knew that he would never be able to defeat Suryaprabha in chess. Still he was ready to play even third time because of his extreme love for the princess. More than his life, marrying Suryaprabha was dear to him. He wished to prove that and Suryaprabha got the opportunity to choose a suitable husband for herself in Amarendra. She had set three conditions only to find out who among the suitors would profess real love for her. But many of those princesses cared for their lives and went back without taking up for the challenge. Amarendra on the other hand was willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of making Suryaprabha his wife. King Prabhakara realized what was in her mind and complimented her for her wise decision. The vampire knew that Vikramaditya had outwitted him once again. He flew back to the ancient tree carrying the corpse with him. The king threw his sword and went after the vampire. We increase our wealth when we assert our desires. Defile not your mouth with impure words. Procrastination is a thief of time. Channamama, Sept. 81 Common trees of India Pride of India Seen mostly in swamps or on the banks of rivers in the trees which gives us the queen's flower. The botanical name Lagesh-Piyo-Mia-Floris-Reginier was given to it after Swedish botanist Magnus V. Lagesh. It is described as Floris-Reginier meaning flower of the queen. The flowers are very attractive. At first they are mahog-purple or pinkish in color. But turn white before they fall. They are seen in a bunch, sometimes even two feet in height. The petals are real crumpled and wrinkled. Therefore people also call them crepe flowers. The two flowering seasons are April-May and July-August. The leaves are a bright green top and a pale green below. The under surface is full of thick vines. The leaves grow alternately on the branches. Fresh leaves appear during April-May. The fruits are initially green in color. They turn black and can be seen on the tree for a long time. Sometimes have a wink in the next flowering season. The timber is considered next only to teak and is used for building boats, bollock or horse paths and even for harbor pipes and posts. The local names are Jeroen, Azad, Taman, Patvali, Varagogu, Kadali, Atampu and Chella. Sages of India 5. Markandeya A great sage named Markandeya who lived in Himalayas was unhappy because he had no son. He prayed to Lord Shiva for the boon of a son. The Lord asked him in his meditation whether he would like to have a wise son who would live only for 16 years or would he like to have a foolish one who would live very long. Since Vikhanda respected learning and wisdom, he went for the first option. So was blessed with a son who was named Markandeya. The child had hardly attained his 10th year when scholars and seekers began flocking to him in order to be taught by him. By 12 he was renowned as a sage and a teacher. But as a boy grew in age, his parents became sad. However, when Markandeya entered his 16th year, they could not control their tears. The young Markandeya was very curious. His parents then had to tell him that his days were numbered. However, if his parents were to sacrifice the remaining years, he would live long. Markandeya's seekers thought that he would not be able to live for long. So they decided to make him a sage. However, if his parents were to sacrifice the remaining years, he would live long. Markandeya's seekers were anguished with many comforting words. And then, he retired to a lonely place and sat in meditation, invoking the grace of Lord Shiva. When the time for his death came, the servants of Yama, the god of death, tried to approach him. But they were blinded by his aura. It was so bright and dazzling. Then came Yama himself, who threw a noose to capture the boy. But the noose was seen tied to the symbol of Shiva, which the boy had clutched. Right when, Shiva sprang up from the symbol. And the god of death was vanquished. Because of this incident, Shiva came to be known as Mrityunjaya, or the victor over death. Of course, Shiva was soon appeased and the god of death came to life again. But the moment for Markandeya to die has passed now. Now, with the blessings of Lord, he had a new destiny. It was so ordained that he would never cross the age of 16. He would forever remain young. The legend has great significance. Markandeya did not die at the appointed time because he had lost his own individual identity and had become one with Shiva, who is eternal and deathless. Markandeya was not to age beyond 16 because in his consciousness he had become timeless. There were no times past, present and future for him, but only eternity. That is a very great spiritual state to be achieved. According to Brahmin boy's curse, the last day of life on earth for King Raghavendra had dawned. The well-known physician, Kamejana, who suggested only one cure for the king's illness, a herb from the hermitage of Dhamana. The very mention of sage's name sent a chill down the spine of everyone present in the king's bedchamber. It would be like putting one's head into the lion's mouth. But time was running out fast and some things had to be done before night. One of the king's trusted guards, Suman, was picked up to go to the hermitage. Kamejana gave him a description of the herb. Sage Yogananda, who had reached the palace to give Raghavendra the moral courage to meet his fate, called the guard and whispered into his ears, When you approach Dhamana, don't straight away ask for Sugandha. Tell him how grievously ill the king is, so that he would want to help him in his hour of calamity. When he asks you what help he could extend, only then should you ask for the herb. Suman started in the king's own chariot, driven by Rama, and raced to the hermitage. Meanwhile, everyone in Kanaka prayed that the herb he brought him brought in time to save the life of their beloved king. King Raghavendra himself tried to put on a cheerful face, but in his heart of hearts he was feeling miserable. One can only imagine the agony in a person who knows that he has not another day to live. Queen Savitri, too, was greatly perturbed. For her husband's sake, she put out a fine smile. Prince Raghava was too young to understand what was going on, except that something was terribly wrong with his father. That day, time stood still in the entire kingdom. Two months ago, nobody had a good word for the king, but now everyone was praying for him. People gathered in groups and remained talking about the king in hushed tones. In one group of four men, three of them were talking while the fourth person was silent and keenly listened to their conversation. In fact, he had just joined the group. He was rather surprised to see them praise the king and appeared quite angry with him. One of the three men stared at this quiet person who looked like a boy in his late teens and asked, What did you say? Did our king survive? He looked at them scornfully and said gruffly, Remember, he is under a curse. Without saying anything more, he moved away from them. The man who asked for his feelings turned to the other two to detect if there was anything wrong. The others shrugged their shoulders, their faces remained expressionless. The boy walked away feeling indignant and at the same time confused. After walking for some distance, he stopped and stood against what he saw. By now some people seemed to have recognized him and were gesturing to others to look at him. That boy was surprised to see a grand temple some distance away from him. He walked towards the temple and realized it was the Ganesha temple. He entered and worshipped for some time. He then went round the entire temple and was overjoyed. When he came out, he found people had gathered near the temple and were just staring at him. As he was about to leave, two guards blocked his way. Two men who had come with them pointed at the boy, There he is. The guard went up to him and said, Please come with us. The king wants to see you. The boy asked the girl, Me? Why? Does he want to kill me? Just then a man from the crowd stepped forward, Please don't say that. He said, The king has been searching for you ever since you went away. After cursing him. He had a grand feast two days ago when this temple was opened. He made sincere efforts to reach you, to invite you to the feast. Tell me, if he really wanted to kill you, would he have thought of inviting you to the feast? The boy was none other than Ramayya who had cursed the king two months ago. He did not answer the question posed by the man but quietly went with the guards. When they reached the place, he was escorted to the king's chamber. On seeing him, Raghavendra asked him to sit by his side. Which he did quietly. Where had you been, my child? Said the king, full of remorse. All these days I have been searching for you. I wanted to apologize for the impermeable loss I had caused you. Please pardon me. The king's eyes were moist with tears. The Brahmin boy had in the least expected such kindness from the king. He never thought the king would make him sit by his side and offer apologies so emotionally. He did not utter a word. The king continued, I am grateful to you for cursing me, my child. The words surprised the boy even more. And he stared at the king with wonderstruck eyes. But for your curse, I would never have realized what my duties are towards my subjects. All the love and affection I am now getting from my people are only because of your curse. But for the curse, I don't think I would ever have had the privilege of meeting the esteemed sage Yogananda. At that very moment, Yogananda, who had gone to console the queen, entered the room at once and recognized the boy. On seeing him, Ramayya got up and prostrated before him. The sage blessed him. You have come at last, Ramayya. The king had been desperately wanting to meet you and apologize to you. Seeing the calm and serene face of the sage, then noticing the pathetic condition of the king, all the hatred and fury which had welled up in his heart slowly melted away. Ramayya was now feeling disturbed over the king's tragic state of affairs. For the first time since his arrival in the palace, Ramayya spoke in a tear-soaked voice. He said, Your Majesty, had you been so kind-hearted that day when I came to you for help, all this would not have happened. The king nodded in acceptance. I am now myself responsible for your impending death. Ramayya continued. O king, I didn't have any feeling in my heart when I cursed you that day. Now all of a sudden I am filled with an unknown sorrow. Your act of cursing me has completely justified myself. I did commit a crime by refusing help which I could have done easily rendered. I have been solely responsible for the causing death of your father. And I deserve this punishment. In fact, I deserve to be cursed by all my subjects as I have been unjust to them by not paying any heed to their grievances and problems. When I think of my inexhaustible behavior towards the people, I realize how cruel a ruler I had been. The king covered his face with his hands. Ramayya realized that the king had undergone a conspicuous change in these two months. He just stood there not knowing what to do or say. The king asked him where he had been all these days. Your Majesty, I lost my mother when I was barely three. After her death, my father had given everything to me and when he also died, I couldn't bear the loss. Cut off with life, that night itself I left for Khatakha forest to lead life of ascetic. All these days I remained in that forest. Ramayya hesitated to say anything anymore. The king smiled. I know you turned today to see if your curse was coming true, didn't you Ramayya? I knew that not many in my neighborhood recognized me as I was not very much around to make myself familiar to them. The people who flocked around me thought that night when I cursed you were from houses close to the palace and even they would find it difficult to recognize me. As two months had gone by, that's how I made up in my mind to return to the kingdom. I was therefore surprised when I heard people praising you, holding you in high esteem. I was also attracted by the Ganesha temple you had built in the atonement of your sins. When I came out, your guards approached me. Ramayya went on to confess that he had determined to end his own life of cursing and bring the death of the king. That you shall never do Ramayya, said the king. Now sitting up in bed and catching hold of the boy's hands, you loved your father, didn't you? Do you think he would be happy to see you rashly end your life? If not for my sake, you must live to achieve all the dreams your father had for you, Bhagyavendra said. He rinsed Ramayya, said Yogananda. You must live like a Brahmin and not an ascetic. Do all that is destined for a noble Brahmin to do. Returning to the forest and leading the life of an ascetic can be done when you are old. Now is not the time. Just then, Prince Raghu came in the room, seeing Ramayya. He innocently asked his father, Is the doctor trying to heal you, your illness, father? Raghuvendra smiled, He is the doctor who will give me permanent relief from all my sufferings, my son. Raghu went to Ramayya, Please make him alright. I want him to play with me like before. Ramayya forced his smile back and took pity on the little boy. After he had gone away, he said, In my anger, your majesty, I did not realize that I was doing great injustice to the queen and the prince who did not commit any crime. Just then, Queen Savitri came in and pleaded with Ramayya to take back his curse. She even requested him to say whether he knew of any remedy for king's illness. Ramayya did not have the slightest idea, but the queen was adamant. She would not let him go unless he had given an answer. Sage Yogananda and others tried to persuade the queen and sent her back to her chambers. Ramayya could not see the pitiable sight and he rushed out of the palace. It was now almost time for his son to sit. Still there was no sign of Suman the god. Everyone was impatiently waiting for his return. Even the chariot that had been taken had not come back. Then suddenly people saw the chariot racing along towards the palace. They were horrified that it did not carry the charioteer or the god. A pall of gloom fell all over. The fate of the king was now sealed. News reached the palace about the empty chariot. The queen nearly fainted and the king was petrified. What had happened to Suman and Ramu? Only Sage Yogananda could offer an explanation. He had the power to guess what would have happened. There is nothing in this world that you are not aware of, O Sage, said the king. Pray, tell me what has happened to them. All right, Raghavendra, I shall tell you what had happened to Suman and Ramu. Listen, they reached the hermitage of Sage Damana, where Ramu accompanied Suman to get hold of his health. Much to their joy, they located the herb easily. Unfortunately, Sage Damana was not in the hermitage. They impatiently waited for his return, but he did not turn up for a long time. They were afraid they might be late in getting back to the palace. Still they waited. There was no sign of the sage. Finally, they decided to pluck the herb and hurry back. As luck would have it, as they were plucking the Sugandha, Damana returned and was terribly outraged to see them plucking the plant without his consent. He did not wait for any explanation, but cursed them to turn into stones, so that they could not do no more mischief in their life. Terrified at this sight, the horses ran away, dragging the chariot and reached here. Before Yogananda could say anything anymore, a guard went up to him and said softly, The Brahmin boy, Ramayya, wishes to see you in private. He is waiting outside the palace. The sage excused himself from the king and rushed outside. He knew how upset the boy was when he witnessed the agony of Queen Sarvatri and now how he had rushed out of the palace. Somehow he had a soft corner for the boy. And seeing the sage, Ramayya frustrated before him once again. O sage, I want to help the king, and I don't mind even sacrificing my life. How I wish I could take back my curse. I might have succeeded if I had attempted it before the curse had started and affected the king. Please tell me what can I do, what should I do? The boy fell at his feet and grabbed them as he was desperate. Yogananda lashed him to his feet and affectionately patted him on his back. All right, I shall send you on an errand. I am not certain whether you will succeed in your mission, but that's the only resort left. He then told Ramayya what happened to Suman and Ramu. I shall arrange for a chariot to take you to the hermitage. It will then depend on your ability to secure the herb, Sugandha, from the sage and rush back to reach here at least one hour before midnight. Let's all hope the king may not breathe his last breath before then and he will live till then. He advised Ramayya how he should tackle the sage. It was another chariot that now went to the hermitage this time. It reached there a little after dusk. Fortunately, the sage had not retired for the night. When he came out of the hearing, he stopped near the hermitage. Ramayya ran to him and first prostrated before him and then caught his hold of legs. Oh, revered sage, you must save me. Tell me who are you and what has brought you here, said Dhamana. As he rang the boy to his feet, Ramayya revealed his identity and told him how his curse had affected the king and how the king was now a thoroughly reformed person, full of remorse and that he should be saved at any cost. Dhamana was surprised that such a young Brahmin boy acquired enough powers to pronounce a curse that too on a king. He sympathized with him especially because of the tragedies he had to face at a very young age. He also took pity on the king. Ramayya almost felt that he had won his mission but the sage might help him. But he had an objection to Ramayya pleading the hermit after sunset. Oh, sage Sugandha, alone will cure the king and he had not many hours left on his life, pleaded Ramayya with the sage. Dhamana thought for a while. If you pluck the plant now, another one will not grow there again. The sage warned him. You may be able to save the king but not anyone else after that. You must save the king. Oh, sage, pleaded Ramayya once again very pathetically. I can only hope that no one in this kingdom will need his help for many years to come. After all, the king's illness was caused because of my curse. Oh, sage, I may take it as if I were your consent to pluck the plant. Time is running out. I must rush back. The sage led him to the sprawling compound of the hermitage and showed him the plant. He plucked it by his shoes before he climbed it on the chariot. Ramayya once again prostrated before Dhamana and took leave of him. Rama, if you ever care to learn more about herbs, you are welcome to come over here and stay with me, said the sage. There was no trace of his legendary ire on his back. In fact, he was smiling when the chariot moved away from the hermitage. As people had seen Ramayya going in a royal chariot, they had lined up in the streets in an anxious wait for him. So when they saw the chariot rushing towards the palace, this time with the driver and the rider, a cheer arose from the crowd and was echoed up to the palace gates. Yogananda was the first to receive Ramayya, who reverentially placed the plant in the sage's hands. A magenta was behind him and the herb was passed on to him. The physician rushed to the royal kitchen to prepare the potion for the king. I shall meet the king tomorrow, said Ramayya. You must now permit me to go home. Yogananda smiled. Yes, Ramayya, now that you have ensured a rebirth for the king, I shall wait to see you receive the king's blessings. Ramayya left the palace and appeared contented. Did he take back his curse in some way? Sage Yogananda, who was narrating the story to his disciples, concluded thus, You see, the need to lead a virtuous life, whether you be an ordinary person or the ruler of a kingdom, one must be virtuous and carry out one's duties and responsibilities to the satisfaction and happiness of others. Always love others, help others, as it is only then that a person can survive in life. Not an eyesore. Paramananda was a wealthy landlord. His neighbor was Sitamma, who had her but near his palatial house. He did not like her at all. It was like the pox mark on a beautiful face. He somehow could not reconcile to the fact that such a lowly hut should exist right in front of his house. He planned to acquire that place and pack off Sitamma from there, so that he could demolish her hut. For days together, he wondered what strategy he should employ to send her away from that place. He sent for the old woman. Can't you see how ugly it looks to have a thatched roof in front of my house? She asked him. It's better that you vacate the place at the earliest. She was not willing to agree to his suggestion. She told him that though a small unassuming hut, it was there that her ancestors had been born and died. How could she consider it was an eyesore? And just because it was being demanded by someone wealthy, she was not ready to vacate and give up the place. Hey woman, I am not asking for it in fee. Paramananda tried to pacify her. I shall give you a good price. You take the money and pull up a hut, put up a hut somewhere else. Sir, that hut is my only possession, protested Sitamma. If I sell it away, where do I and my little grandson go? For generations my people had been living here and for me it's like a palace. There is no question of disposing it off. Paramananda now changed his tactics. He tried to threaten her. If you don't vacate it by tomorrow, I shall see that it is demolished. All your things will be thrown out. My people would ensure that no trace of you both is left here. Don't try to scare me, sir, said Sitamma nonchalantly. You may try all that on anybody else. I shall go about telling everybody about your meanness. Let them know what kind of a character you are. Next evening, things happened the way Paramananda had planned. These goondas came and demolished the hut and threw out whatever they found inside. They even harassed the old woman and her grandson and forced them to leave the place. Sitamma approached the elders of the place and explained to them how she had been driven out of her ancestral home. They conveyed a panchayat and sought an explanation from Paramananda. The old woman's son had borrowed five hundred rupees from me. He did not repay the amount. I didn't even get any interest all these five years. How long can I wait for my money? I must retrieve the loan amount and its interest. As the old woman cannot repay the amount, this is the only way I can get hold of my money. That's why I asked her to vacate her hut. He then showed some document in support of his argument. It was actually a false paper, but the elders and some of the prominent people believed what had been written in the document and decided the issue in favor of Paramananda. Poor Sitamma, she moved out to the outskirts of the village, put up her hut and began living there with her grandson. Soon afterwards, Paramananda made plans to build a pakka house where Sitamma's hut had stood. The men started digging the place for the foundation. He was surprised to see Sitamma and her grandson watching the work going on there. Have you come to pick up a quarrel with me? he asked her. Why should I quarrel with you, sir? Sitamma replied very courteously. As you are digging for a foundation, I just want some earth from this place. After all, my ancestors had lived here for long. Here, I brought a basket. You may fill it up and I shall go away with it. Paramananda could have no objection to her request. You only want some earth. Give me the basket. I shall fill it up for you. She did that and was about to keep the basket on her head. But she could not even lift it. She stood to be well there. See, you can't even lift this much of earth. How are you then going to dig all that earth where my hut stood? Sitamma laughed. Paramananda now realized his folly and the injustice he did to Sitamma. Please forgive me, Sitamma, and help with folded hands. I know how unjust I was to you. You may take back your place. I shall construct a pukka house for you at my expense. Soon he had a house constructed in the same plot in front of his house and asked Sitamma for unfurled plants and she stayed there forever.