A TALE

- BP KOIRALA

Summary:

Many years ago, human beings, competed with the gods who would request the
human beings to help them in fight against the demon. God did not hesitate to
request for help with human beings. The human beings wanted to become gods
through penance (Remorse for your past conduct) but gods used to be
envious (jealous) and tried to destroy the penance of the people who left all the
worldly pleasures. The clever gods broke their penance by sending beautiful
nymphs. 

Once, a man wanted to achieve supreme knowledge and godhood. So, he went to
the forest for penance. He lived in the forest ate wild roots and drank water from
the river. He started hard penance. He sat in front of tongued fires in summer and
plunged into ice-cold water in winter. The wild animals surrounded him as guards.
Tigers and bears tiptoed (आवाजननिकालीहिड्ने) not to disturb the sage. Termites (white
ant/धमिरा) build their nest on his leg. But the sage went on sitting motionlessly in a
deep meditation. The sage's penance started to threaten the seat of Indra. So, Indra,
king of gods sent an attractive and beautiful nymph in the forest to destroy the
sage's penances.

She came down and started playing in the river which was near to the sage. She put
off her clothes and stepped into the river, playfully sprinkling its water. Her breasts
seemed so lovely like twin birds. At that very moment, the sage's eyes were
suddenly opened as he was going to get godhood but he left his penances. He went
towards the nymph because she was so attractive.

They married in the forest. The sage and his wife built a house in village. Looking
at such, king becomes happy and appreciates the sage. They gave birth of sons
(two) and started living a normal life. They helped their neighbors, nursed sick and
fed hungry people. But the villagers did not like the woman because she destroyed
the sage's penance. This story may be trying to give massage that people can easily
be defeated by the beauty.

The writer may be trying to tell us that over ambition leads towards destruction. He
is also trying to tell us that the state of bliss and relax of beauty are similar. Passion
is very strong and undying. It blocks the path of progress. One, who cannot control
his senses, can hardly reach his goal. Running away from our own desire to
achieve unknowable is not justifiable, reasonable and praiseworthy. We need to
adjust and make balance between our heart and mind, desire and need. Being
idealistic is against our practical life, happiness and better future. Even great
personalities get defeated against desire. Inner peace and outer peace are two parts
of life. We should be able to balance them. This story tells us that passion or lust is
great and never dies. Some people look indifferent to family life and even leave
home to get peace but ultimately they return home.