“Pinda Daan! Pinda Daan! Duties! Duties! Duties! How many times must I be reminded of that,” remarked Vikram to his father, Narjun.
‘Vikram! Mind your manners!” replied his younger brother Betal.
Bital and Vikram were two sons whose father was a devout Bhagavan Vishnu Devotee. They lived in the little village of Kelly in a small dirt house. Their mother had died from cancer five years ago and the boys had to be more obligated to their duties.
Vikram, unlike his father and brother, was very lazy and wasted his time doing sinful activities. He never helped his brother in his daily duties and always complained when he was asked to do something. One day their father became very ill and while lying in bed, he was worried about his sons’ relationship with each other. He loved the both of them very much and wondered which of the two should receive his blessings. Narjun summoned both sons and informed them about a rare lotus flower that could help his condition. He sent the both of them to find the flower at the banks of the Caroni River which was located five miles away. He told them that the one who finds the flower first will receive all his blessings and land. Narjun informed the boys that they must set off before sunrise the next morning but must ensure that their duties are fulfilled before leaving.
The next morning, as the rooster crowed, both boys got out of bed to get an early start on their journey ahead. Before leaving, the younger son, Betal, knew that his duty was to offer prayers and incense to Lord Vishnu in their mandir. He also ensured that his ailing father was well taken care of and had everything he needed for the day. However, his brother, Vikram, was not loyal to his duties and was more concerned on getting the flower before his younger brother. Secretly, he packed a bag and left quietly through the darkness without telling his father or brother goodbye.
Vikram travelled for a mile on foot through the dense sugarcane along a dirt road. Eventually he came across a farmer and his beautiful wife on a donkey cart. They had made an early morning harvest and were heading back home. As Vikram approached the couple, he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the young woman was. However, her husband was intoxicated.
“Sita Ram bhai,” the man slurred. He then introduced himself and his wife, “My name is Ajamil and this is my wife Indira. What yuh doing out here this hour?”
Vikram replied, “Meh pitaji send meh to get some stuff.” Indira smiled shyly and Vikram was charmed by her beauty. He thought to himself, “She must be around my age. Wuh she doing with dah old man?”
Vikram was clever for his age and somehow he managed to fool the drunken farmer into leaving his wife alone. The boy seized the opportunity and grabbed Indira’s hand and ran through the canefield like he never ran before. Indira didn’t seem to mind as she later told him about her abuse when Ajamil becomes drunk. While walking, Vikram questioned her about the things she liked. It so happened that she mentioned the lotus flower first. A smile was lit upon his face and he excitedly questioned her about where he could find it. He promised that he would get one for her without mentioning his true intentions. Vikram left Indira waiting under an unusually large Tulsi tree and headed towards the bank of the Caroni River next to the cremation site.
Betal was about a mile behind and did not see his brother anywhere in sight. His intentions were for the both of them to get the flower together so that they can both receive their father’s blessings and wealth.
Vikram finally spotted the flower. It was beautiful and seemed to be glowing blue. As he was about to pick the flower, he heard a strange voice calling, “Turn back, your father needs you.” Betal also heard the voice from where he was. He immediately knew that something was wrong and headed back home. However, Vikram ignored the calling because he wanted his father’s riches and blessings first. Without stopping to think, he picked the blue flower and placed it in a calabash pouch. It was already evening and it was getting late. Betal made it home just before sunset and his father, Narjun, welcomed him home. He stretched out his hand and gave him his blessings and wealth. Narjun told Betal to continue fulfilling his duties and being devoted to Lord Vishnu. He also mentioned to him about his brother’s sinful ways. He told him that he must continue being kind to Vikram and ensure that he does his duties and to encourage him to change his sinful ways. Sadly and peacefully he passed away.
It was already dark and Vikram was hustling home with the blue flower. He did not know that after his father’s death the flower became cursed and had turned red. While walking through a dark lonely track, out of nowhere, a red demon suddenly appeared in front of him. It had two heads and eight hands. At the sight of this, Vikram froze with shock and fright. The evil thing harassed him and chased him around for hours until he cried and cried promising to change his sinful ways. He then ran home thinking that his father was still alive. As he pushed open the wooden door, Betal, his younger brother, noticed that his hair was wild and his eyes were blood red.
Betal exclaimed, “What’s wrong bhai?” Vikram did not reply. Instead he gazed at his deceased father and fell to the ground crying. Betal ran to his aid and comforted him. Vikram murmured, “I only wanted to get the flower.”
He opened the calabash pouch and instead of seeing a blue lotus flower, he saw a note which read, “God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right, even though I think it is hopeless.”
Simran Sookoo
Form 2 Student- SWAHA Hindu College
