QUEST FOR JUSTICE
-9. The Divine Darshan

After a long walk, the villagers reached their destination.  They observed that no one was near the temple. The temple stood on a raised, square platform, which was built in marble.  Its central dome and the entire structure of the temple were made in gold, which sparkled, in the placid rays of the morning sun. On either side of the temple, there was a garden that was replete with a variety of blossoming flowers whose sweet aroma added a flair of refreshment in the air and enlivened the hearts of everyone.  The villagers quickly climbed the steep steps, which were made in marble that led to the platform where the grand temple stood.  There was a gigantic door made in gold, which was kept open that was the entrance to the temple. As Shubam and his men entered the temple, they found that the floors inside were studded with gold lacquered tiles and on either side, ten medium-sized avatars of Lord Vishnu were on display. On the left side were the Matysa, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha and Parashurama avataars of the deity.  On the right side stood Lord Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki, all of them carved in pure gold.  Even the pillars were made of gold.  As they were admiring this marvellous piece of art, two pundits came by.  They were shocked to see these villagers whom they, at once, realised to be of a low caste community.  “What are you people doing here?  Are you not aware that you should not come to a holy place like this?  Get out from here!”  one of them shouted hoarsely. 

Shubam looked at the man and said calmly, “Sire, you are only two while we are so many!  How many of us will you stop from going inside this temple?  Do you think you can succeed?” 

Shubam’s words of caution did the trick as it instilled fear in the hearts of the pundits that they may be harmed if they try to stop their path. The pundits became quiet and the villagers made their way ahead in the temple.  

Immediately after passing the idols of Lord Vishnu which were on display on either sides, to the left there was a passage, which led to another golden door that was open.  However, no one could have a view of what was inside for the entrance was covered with a silk-white curtain.  Shubam and his villagers went through this path and put aside this curtain.  And there inside that spacious room was a gigantic golden idol of Lord Vishnu!  He was facing them and was seated on the serpent, Sheshnaag, and was smiling as if welcoming his devotees to have his darshan!  The villagers entered in and sat on the floor watching the idol in awe. The Lord carried a shankha, a gada   and chakra in three hands while the fourth hand was raised in a blessing form with ‘OM’ beautifully carved on it. He wore a glittering crown, two golden and shinning earrings, a garland of flowers, and a gleaming gem around the neck.  He had a red coloured tilak on his head and his face was a picture of amity and sanctity.

Just then, the merchant Gopinath entered the temple.  When the pundits told him what was going on inside, he went delirious in fury.  He asked them to follow him and went through the passage that led to the room where Shubam and his villagers were there.  Gopinath could not bear to see the villagers seated inside the large idol of the Lord.  “Come on!  Let’s hold them by their necks and throw them out of here!”  he ordered the pundits.  No villager looked back for they were so engrossed seeing the magnificent idol of the Lord.   The merchant and the pundits started beating the villagers and pushed them out of the temple.  “How dare you enter this temple when you are prohibited from doing so?”  the merchant snarled at the sudras.  “I will take you to the King and let him do justice in this matter.  Are you coming along or should I use force?” 

The villagers agreed and they were led to the palace of King Rajneesh.  When he heard all that had happened, the King was furious.  He, at once, recognised Shubam who was standing in the forefront among the villagers, “What is all this I hear, Shubam?  I never expected you to be involved in this!  Just because I had announced that you cannot enter that temple did not mean that I would never abide by your third wish.  I was thinking of some other means to make a start in that direction of the fulfillment of your demand and now this has happened!  You could have met me once before doing something like this!” 

Shubam broke his silence, “Maharaj, foremost each one of us who have entered that temple today do not believe in the dream of this merchant.  Secondly, just like he (the merchant) saw a dream, I also saw one where Sage Sadanand, who is my guru, made an appearance.  He not only gave the nod to go ahead with my plans but also told me that the dream of the merchant was false which he had fabricated to satiate his religious compulsions.  Thus, I was sure that I was not making any mistake in entering the Lord Vishnu temple alongwith my villagers.  Thirdly, meeting you before making this move would not have served any purpose for you would not have allowed us to enter the temple for obvious reasons.  Fourthly, there’s something I would like to mention, O King!  I have heard that people of all caste and creed are allowed to enter the temples in our neigbouring kingdom of Aravalli.  This has been the case over there for years!  No calamity has befallen there and in fact, the kingdom has only prospered.  Thus, Maharaj, when the lord is not angry when people of any religion enter his temple in Aravalli, why should he get annoyed when that same practice is followed here?” 

King Rajneesh had no answer to this question posed by Shubam and he glanced at the merchant.  After an uneasy silence, which prevailed in the Durbar, the King spoke up, “I am not bothered about what happens in Aravalli.  Why should I be?  I am concerned about what happens in my kingdom.  You will not go unpunished for this.  Till the time I decide upon your punishment you will be held as prisoners in a dungeon!”