The Greedy Brahmin [part-I]

Panduranga Sharma the village priest hurried towards his home after a day long ceremony at the village head Shankara Shastry's house. The village head had performed his father's annual ceremony that day without holding back any effort on his part as a son.

Panduranga Sharma's mother fondly called him as "Babu" and half the village elders called him by that name. He had been recently married to Saraswati, a simple, plain village girl who didn't say much and had her head bent at all times. Babu was doing everything he could to make ends meet, and even travelled to nearby villages to offer prayers on behalf of people on various occasions - birth and death meant the same to him. He was gifted with a loud voice and clear speech, making his renderings very impressive. He was shrewd and knew how he could always make a fast buck!

Now as he washed his feet, he couldn't get his mind off of something at the village head's house. The food! There were so many varieties and of such good quality - the pooja in the afternoon had been followed by a discussion of re-birth and some quotes from the hols scriptures. But, Babu's mind was full of thoughts of food - he was obsessed with the idea of getting his fingers into the delicious spread that lay before him. The lines between religion, beliefs, knowledge everything merged for him at his point of obsession.

His wife Saraswati fed him a sumptuos meal and sat by him to talk about her impending trip to her mather's place for Diwali. She was disgusted about how he remained absent minded most of the times - she got up and lay down in their little bedroom in the corner of the house.

As Babu lay under the stars, in front of him came the image of Sindhu the village head's wife serving his favourite food. She stood tall and beautiful - with eyes that could haunt you and expressions meant only for those who caught them!

He heaved a sigh...he wanted to be places, do things and possess things he had always aspired for...

A few weeks later Babu happened to be back at the house of Shankara Shastry and they were debating the issues at the village temple. Shankara Shastry was a person of very strong principles - unable to compromise with anything that fell short of his expected level from everyone around him. His wife Sindhu unfortunately always happened to be a victim to all of his anger when someone broke his rules, his expectations, and for everything else that went wrong.

The way he punished her was by his silence - he simply said nothing. And she, on her part craved for his attention, his affection and everything else she expected from a man in her life. She loved him and held him with high respect nevertheless. She bloomed at his praise, danced at his smile, the Earth slipped below her feet when he was angry, died when he was unhappy, shivered at his touch - and did everything she could to please him...

She hated the days he was in a foul mood.

Sindu stood at the doorway holding the bowls of sweet 'Payasam' she had so lovingly prepared for Shankara Shastry. But, just the sight of her staning at the doorway where people could see her enraged Shankara Shastry - he bellowed "Sindhu, I would be happy if you left - please ask one of the servants to bring the food here" The house seemed to shake!Sindhu quickly turned and dissappeared...

Shankara Shastry did not think it necessary to throw an explanation at his audience.His arrogance did not let him makke anyone worthy enough to be discussing matters pertaining his family especially his wife...Sindhu. He loved her- but, in his own ways.He did what he thought was good for her, did what his ancestors did with women. He didn't sing her praises, didn't recite poetry for her but loved her in his own strong, steady ways - he respected her in twisted angel and could not bear to think that anyone was even worthy of her sight!

Babu sat on the porch as he ate the delicious 'payasam' - perplexed and slightly shaken with all that happened around him.Sindhu always seemed like a mystery to him.

Later that afternoon, he had an opportunity to talk to her as he waited for a cup of tea at the kitchen door.She casually asked how things were with him and his wife. So, he responded that he was looking for some money so that he could buy a gold chain to please his wife on their first wedding anniversary.Sindhu hesitated for a minute, went to the cupboard in the store room and came out with some cash and gave it to him. She said "take this and make her happy". Before Babu could say anything, she dissappeared....