Hi, Everyone! This is the last short
story until Savarkar’s birth anniversary on May 28. Instead, I shall be posting
a quick study of Savarkar’s biography in 20 short posts beginning from April 2.
Today’s short story has
a preamble of a translation of an anecdote re a puja. There was an interesting
incident during the function. It is this incident that I have fictionalized
into a story.
The
Anecdote:
Mi
Pahilele Savarkar
(The Savarkar I saw) by Moreshwar Damle,
Veer Gaurav Samiti Publication, Pune; pages 9-10.
“To
the Mahar caste, the Chambhars are just like Brahmans
At
the time, a Chambhar caste family lived in Shirgaon. In the days that Tatya
resided with us, they had a Satyanarayan Puja at their home. Tatya and our
family were also invited along with many others. To attend a Satyanarayan Puja
in the house of a Chambhar and accept the tirth-prasad
was a social solecism of great magnitude in those days. But since Tatya set
off to attend the puja that night, naturally, we had to follow suit.
We
were welcomed there with great honor and respect. First thing Savarkar asked
was if the Mahar brethren had been invited there or not. Immediately, upon
hearing the “no,” Savarkar said, “In that case, I too am unable to accept your
invitation. You rejoiced that Vishnupant and his family and I, though Brahmin,
came to your home, and that is good too. But just as we Brahmins consider you
inferior to us, you too consider our Mahar brethren as inferior. We are your
Brahmins, and you are the Brahmin’s of the Mahar.”
As
a result of this scolding, an immediate invitation was posted to some Mahar
families. Four-five Mahars even came to the puja. Only after that did the puja
proceedings commence. Tatya even gave a small speech. He stressed and
elaborated on the fact that all Hindus are born equal.”
Below is the incident that follows
this anecdote:
Savvy Savarkar
The Satyanarayan Puja was concluded. The
Chambhar family members were distributing tirth-prasad
to all fellow caste guests. The priest was given the responsibility of giving
it to Savarkar and the Damle family, as they were of the superior Brahmin
caste. That didn’t at all go down well with Savarkar. “What’s this? We would
like to get tirth-prasad from family members too! In fact, I insist upon it.”
Unthinkable to ignore
Savarkar’s words! Immediately the family members handed out tirth-prasad to
them. Savarkar quickly drank the tirth and put the Prasad in his mouth.
Vishnupant, traditionally bent, was certainly not going to put any food touched
by one of inferior caste in his mouth. He held his tirth-laden hand a few
inches from one eye and then other; and folded the Prasad leaf-bowl into a packet.
The boys were in a fix.
If they were to partake of the tirth-prasad the wrath of their father was sure
to crash upon their heads. And yet if they didn’t Savarkar would be most
displeased. Surreptitiously they eyed each other. What to do? What to do? They queried silently. Savarkar was quick
to spot their dilemma.
“Arre you boys, what are you waiting for?” he asked. “Go ahead eat
the tirth-prasad. Your father’s case is different. He has been brought up in
the old ways. He can be allowed to avoid eating it. But you youngsters must
certainly follow the new customs—not a trace of untouchability, birth-based
inequality, or inferiority-superiority must be in your hearts and minds. Isn’t
that so, Vishnupant?”
Impossible for
Vishnupant to do anything but acquiesce! The boys were very relieved to come
out of this unscathed.
But Savarkar was not
done yet. “One more thing,” he added, wagging his pointer finger, “no one will
change their clothes or take a cleansing bath when we get home. Mind you well!”
Even Vishnupant didn’t
dare take a bath after this admonishment.
- Anurupa
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