CHAPTER 3 The Magic Spell

“Why should our community always be treated in this inhuman manner? Are we not humans like you? Why are we being treated worse than animals? My violation of this so-called ‘practice’ was a culmination of despair and dissent for which I have no regret. When I was confronted, I just spoke my mind. What right did that person have to slap me? Isn’t that audacious? When physically attacked I believe that I have every right to reciprocate in a similar fashion.”

“See his impudence!” one of the Panchayat snapped in rage. “Let us accord him severe punishment so that it serves as a stern warning to other impressionable minds!”

The others calmed him down and a senior member addressed the youth, “Look, Shailendra! Please answer with caution. Remember that what you say may even go against you. An honest admission of your guilt may reduce the severity of your punishment!”

Shailendra grinned faintly in disgust. “I have done nothing wrong! You may punish me in whatever way you deem fit!”

This assertion of the youth set many tongues wagging among those assembled. People began to predict his fate in hushed tones. Some derided him for his superciliousness while there were others who appreciated his stand but did not muster the courage to voice their support openly.

The Panchayat went into a huddle and soon arrived at a decision.

The Panchayat decided that the youth would be whipped twenty times – ten for each of his guilt. At their behest two husky men came forward with whips in their hands. Aryaman decided that it was now time to intervene. In a matter of moments, he had regained his normal self, soared swiftly in the sky and stood in front of the two approaching whip men! Everyone looked at him in amazement. Who was he? How could be fly like that? Was he human? Questions like these lingered in the minds of the people. His sudden advent even halted the two men who looked at him in surprise.  

“Leave him alone! I believe that he has not committed any such crime that merits this kind of punitive action.” Aryaman pointed out in his deep voice.

“Who are you? Why are you interfering in our internal affairs?” snapped a Panchayat member.        

“I am Aryaman. It is the right of an individual to intervene when injustice is happening around him. I am duly exercising this right!” Aryaman replied calmly.

“Get aside! Or else you too would be thrashed!” the member bellowed.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Aryaman obeyed by moving to a side and allowing the whip men to proceed! As they raised the whip to thrash the ‘accused’, Shailendra closed his eyes tightly to gather the mental strength to bear the pain. At that time, Aryaman diverted the whip-men’s attention to him by calling out to them, “Look at your whip!”

As the guards looked up, they were horrified to see that the brown leather strips of their whips grew in length on their own and moved towards them! Even as they dropped their grip over the handles of the whips in shock, the overgrown leather strips wound up their bodies in a coil!

“Why have you dropped the whips?” asked the Panchayat in perplexity.  

The two failed to respond and looked at each other in fear and helplessness.

“Useless fellows!” So saying, they asked two other guards to come forward with their swords and attack Aryaman.

Even as they neared, Aryaman suddenly remarked, “Look at your swords!”

As the guards looked up, they found that the lower portion of their swords until the pointed edges had titled towards them!

“Do not move or else your swords may just get unfaithful!”   Aryaman cautioned derisively.