QUEST FOR JUSTICE
-8. Yet Another Protest

“Gopinathji”, the King said, “Your temple is the only one of it’s kind in our village.  Therefore, I want this temple to be open to people of all caste and creed of my kingdom.  If you only agree to this condition of mine, will I agree to inaugurate the temple.” 

This put the merchant in a fix.  He did not want people belonging to the low caste community to come to his temple.  Still, he agreed to the wish of the King for he did not have the courage to go against him.  Rajneesh was beset with joy and effusively thanked the merchant for agreeing to what he had asked for.  Although the King wanted to implement steps to meet Shubam’s third demand without hurting the sentiments of the Brahmins, he had realised that this caste discrimination cannot be put to an end without making any harsh moves.  Thus, allowing all the people to come to the temple of Lord Vishnu was the first step in this direction.  That very evening, the King pronounced that people, no matter belonging to any religion, were free to come to attend the inaugural festival of the temple on the auspicious day choosen.   This once again sent an air of festivity among Shubam and his villagers.  Shubam was very happy for he knew that the King was keeping the promise, which he had given him.  The Brahmins, were no doubt, furious at the King’s decision and some of them even went up to him to protest.  However, the King turned their remonstration saying that the caste prejudice in his kingdom had reached alarming proportions and he had decided to put an end to it.  The Brahmins went away disgusted.

The next day, a crestfallen Gopinath came to meet King Rajneesh.  “What’s the matter, Gopinathji?  Why are you looking so worried?”  the King asked alarmed.  Rajneesh made the merchant sit and then the latter disclosed the reason for his disturbed state of mind.  “Maharaj, yesterday I saw a dream which was both good and bad.”  As the King corrugated his forehead unable to grasp as to what the merchant was saying, he expounded, “O King, yesterday I had the privilege of having the darshan of Lord Vishnu in my dream.  However, the Lord looked very angry and did not even allow me to touch his feet.  He warned me that if the lower caste people were allowed to enter his temple or of any other deity, a terrible calamity would befall our kingdom!  Before I could even say anything, he disappeared.   Maharaj, ever since I saw this dream, I have lost my peace of mind.  I leave the decision to you.”  So saying, he walked away leaving the King in trepidation.   

That evening, the King again sent a message to his people that he was reverting what he had announced yesterday.  He made the dream of the merchant public and maintained that only Brahmins would be allowed to attend the Mahavishnu temple that was to be inaugurated on the morrow.  This message shocked Shubam and his villagers.  After all, they had never been inside a temple and thus were waiting with so much anticipation and anxiety for the next day’s event!  After some thought, Shubam decided his next move but he wanted to seek the permission of Sage Sadanand whom he now considered as his guru, before putting it into action. However, as he was in another kingdom taking part in a yagna, it was difficult for Shubam to go and see him.  Besides, the boy was wary about what the others would feel seeing a Shudra in the midst of a yagna.  That night, he woke up from his sleep with a smile on his face!  The next day, he met his villagers and said in a crisp voice, “Yesterday after hearing the King’s decision, I had decided that I will defy his orders and forcibly go inside that temple.  I do not believe in the dream of the merchant.  Since I wanted my guru’s consent for this, I did not tell you about this earlier.  Yesterday I had a dream where my guru made his appearance and not only agreed to my plan but also maintained that the merchant had spoken a lie regarding his dream!  However, it was not possible to implement this plan successfully on the day of the temple’s inauguration, as there would be a tremendous crowd out there.  He asked me to observe the temple for a few days, get to know as to when the crowd is minimal and then get inside the temple at such a time.  He further told me that we will drive long term benefits with this move. This was the reason as to why he was agreeing to my plan.”  Shubam paused and then asked everyone, “Tell me!  How many of you are going to support me in this?” 

Many hands went up.  Shubam was pleased to see this, “Good!  This means that you believe that what the merchant saw in his dream was false!” 

The villagers agreed. 

From the next day onwards, Shubam and a few villagers observed the temple from afar without raising anybody’s suspicions.  They learnt that barring a few hours very early in the morning, devotees thronged the temple in large numbers throughout the day.  They also observed the lack of security in the temple.  Thus, it was decided that Shubam and his men would enter the temple early morning on an appointed day.

On the day of reckoning, Shubam and his villagers got ready to go to the temple at dawn.  Before leaving, Shubam addressed his men, “In case the Brahmins or pundits at the temple try to prevent us from entering the temple, I will try to intimidate them by saying something.  However, just in case they harm us, do not retaliate in the same mode!  Or else, what will be the difference between you and them?  We know that we are not doing any mistake.  That temple belongs to this kingdom of which we are very much a part.  Therefore, it is our right to see that temple.  Surrender yourselves to the Lord and let him protect you.  If he is with us, we will overcome all barriers that comes our way and have his darshan.  There should be no fear or panic in your heart.”  Everyone agreed to what Shubam had said and marched to the Mahavishnu temple.