The Vetaal Tales - That thing call'd friendship!

Kanhaiyalal aka the Vetaal had taken me prisoner for a reason as he put it. "It's for your own good my friend, and in my interests as well. I'll let you go but before that, i want you to answer a few questions i have in store for you my friend. Beware, the questions seem almost childish but if you dare bungle with the answers, you'll roam Neverland forever..."

"Shall we begin sir? I'm sure you're quite okay with the conditions, not that you have a choice of course!". This Vetaal sure had a sarcastic sense of humour indeed, but i guess it comes with endless traveling between the worlds and grilling God alone knows how many other hapless souls like me!

Vetaal: "Let's begin with something simple. Tell me something about friends. Why do you need friends? Who, according to you is a good friend?"

Verma: "A friend is the response from the universe to your cry for help. Two pair o' hands work better than just one, it pays to have someone guard your back in a world of backstabbers! If nothing, a friend is good fun to have around you when you're plain bored and want to enjoy the world..."

Vetaal: "You were born alone, this journey of life, you must but chart alone, and when its time to go, Death won't wait for your friend to join you. Then why do you need a friend?"

Verma: "It's true that a great majority of life has to be charted alone, but a friend's help nevertheless is required at some point or the other. Let me ask you to guage this universe, can you tell me how small is it? Have you traveled across the different stratas of it, how far have you reach...."

Vetaal: "Haahahahaa, i have no mortal form and i'm free to roam across the Universe except the highest and nether regions where the... "

Verma: "I'm not referring to your present avataar Vetaal, i'm talking of the time when you were just Kanhaiyalal, and not the spiritual Vetaal!"

Vetaal: "Aye, that may be true. A friend is like having an additional pair of all the senses and a mind. A friend may not think like i do, and that could be quite useful. But what you talk about is idealistic, and not true. True friends are hard to come by and the rest who walk around are all gold diggers. Running around with you until their purpose has been met and served! Hah, i could do very well without such creatures for sure..."

(frowns and grimaces and a sour mood takes hold of Vetaal at this moment)

Verma: What you say may hold true but for a few. A friend is a mirror image of your soul, which means you'll find a friend who exactly mirrors your true nature! If you're a good person at heart, there's no reason you must worry 'bout finding a good friend!

Vetaal: So you're calling me a blackheart eh? Although i rightfully should kill your soul for this but you still haven't breached my original condition, so let you live still! I remember the story of two men, the best of friends and how they finally parted ways as mortal enemies. Let me check when and where did this happen...

(pulls up a pair of glasses and after a while of fumbling, fetches a scroll and begins reading from the scroll)

Vetaal: Ah yes, don't bother about the names so let's call them A and B but this happened not very long from now. In the very heart of Mumbai were two friends, mind you, the best of friends ever since childhood. They were together since the age of 7 uptil they joined Don Bosco College of Engineering Studies where they met Shweta.

Both boys had feelings toward Shweta, but A felt more deeply for Shweta than B. B merely had a passing crush on her and wanted to bed her and get rid of the feeling! A however trusting his friend B deeply, poured out his heart's feelings toward Shweta to B. A desperately wanted to propose his feelings to Shweta but was unable to do so. Why so? A was an introvert whilst B was a flirt. B

listened to A's story carefully and promised to help A out with his dilemma and elected to speak to Shweta and tell her all about A's feelings toward her.

My good friend, what do you think of this...?

Verma: That's so noble of B to do. Overruling his own heart's feelings, he's opted to woo Shweta for A. Aye, that's what true friends are all about. You're disproving your point Vetaal, and i'm certain you wouldn't do so. So, come to the finale as to what happened next?

Vetaal: Yes, you've understood me or atleast you understand where i'm coming to. That's jolly good! Returning to the topic, there was a inter-college tournament for football and A opted to play for the program which'd last a fortnight. During this period, it was decided mutually by A and B that B would try his best and woo Shweta for A and tell her all about A's feelings for her. B nodded in agreement, and promised Shweta'd greet him with open arms when he returned with the trophy from the tournament. A was so happy that day, he could kiss B and his heart sang in joy thinking of the future he'd have. If only A didn't hold such deep feelings for both Shweta and B...

The fortnight passed and A returned to college to find Shweta and B together. Smiling joyfully, he greeted them and indeed Shweta greeted him with open arms. Later during that day when A and Shweta were alone, A mustered some courage and tried speaking with Shweta. I remember those words so very clearly, they ring in my ears to this day...

"Hi Shweta, did B speak to you about me? It's a bit tough for me to express it but then i've..." A had hardly completed when Shweta cut him short. "I have some joyful news for you A, B and i are together. He expressed his feelings toward me during the fortnight, and after a week's courtship, i've responded positive! You're B's best friend since childhood, don't you think we make a great couple?"

A was shell-shocked and heart broken. Tears welled up in his eyes and his tongue refused to speak except in stammering sobs, and yet "Yes, B's a good man, he'll keep you happy Shweta. Wish you'll a happy future" and left the place in pain and misery. B was too cowardly a man to confront A after this incident, and A left college and re-joined his Engineering program someplace else in the country. I never came across him ever after that. B eventually had what he wanted. After a few month's worth of sexual dalliance, he dumped Shweta for another female. I tell you Verma by God if i could ever lay hands on him, he'll burn in the depths of Hell for eternity...

(By this time Verma too was gripped by emotion and both sprite and man maintained silence for a few moments) 

Verma: That was cruel of B to do, specially knowing his friend's feelings toward the girl, and that too for just a short sexual affair! What a pity Shweta couldn't see through B's falsity and A's love.

Vetaal: That's the way the world runs my friend. That's friendship for you. Heh, you expect true friendship can be expected in this age? From a human that too? Did you know my death was caused by not an enemy's bullet but a friend's treachery. That's an incident far too long ago, and i won't dwell on it. So Mr.Verma, tell me now what's your opinion on friendship? It should've changed by now right? (sniggers cruelly)

Verma: I still hold on to my opinion of friends Vetaal, i still believe there'd be a good friend somewhere for everyone among us out here. Tell me truthfully, did you not meet one good friend in your life? Did you not trust your life and everything that mattered with that one someone ever? Did someone not trust you with their life ever? Were you not someone's friend sometime?

Fiends always stalk even among the best of us, and the heart is but a fickle being. Aye, the heart can twist and malign the best of men into base creatures unworthy of mercy and salvation. But despite the best efforts of Fate, there exist a few who'd live their lives and perhaps when the need arise, sacrifice their own lives to save their friends. You must've surely heard of Karna, the famous Pandava brother who fought alongside the Kaurava clan in the battle of Kurukshetra...?

Vetaal: Ermm, Ved Vyas was a good writer but his writing never really caught my fancy, but yes i've heard of him somewhat!Verma: Karna was the epitome of what a man must ever be in his life.

Vetaal: You mean fight his own kinsmen in favour of their enemies. Funny principles you have in life Verma!!

Verma: Don't cut me down Vetaal, not when i'm far from complete. Karna never knew the truth of his birth and parentage until the eve of the battle. Karna was always teased and taunted by the Pandavas and when he was at his lowest, Suyodhana, the Kaurava crown prince stepped in and helped him, granted him the kingdom of Anga, and regarded him as one of his brothers.

Suyodhana was a noble man but his hatred for the Pandava knew no limits and in order to get even with them, he crossed the line of honour and steeped in treachery. Despite his lowest deeds and atrocities toward the Pandava which earned him very many enemies,

Karna never gave up on him. He did try and warn him, tried stopping him as much as he could, and when he realized Suyodhana was beyond correction, stepped forward to receive the crown of thorns for his sins.

He fought against the Pandava even when convinced otherwise by none other than Krishna. For him, his loyalty toward his friend was more important than righteousness in life and conduct. And fighting God, he met his cruel end before the battle of Mahabharata ended. Upon his death, even Krishna, the Omniscient Ruler of them all, praised him for his loyalty, placing him much higher above Himself.

That my friend is true friendship. Bleed your heart for the one who acknowledges you as a friend, love that friend, correct them and bring them to the path of right conduct. And if not possible, step forward and joyfully accept the punishment due for that friend...

I hope that answers your question...

Vetaal was silent all the while and Verma could feel him loosening his grip on his neck.

Verma: All said and done Vetaal aka Kanhaiyalal, tell me about yourself and how'd you come here. Tell me else i won't let go of you!

Vetaal: (Laughs) You are but wise Verma. You gave me the answer i was expecting. For this i must let go of you today. We'll meet again sometime soon. For now, your family's waiting for you and don't forget to buy those brinjals your wifey asked you to buy!

In the twinkling of an eye, Vetaal shoots off and Verma is transported back into the real world, stunned and stupefied for a moment. He recovers of course and heads off to buy those brinjals...

The Vetaal returns to haunt, after the break!

"There's nothing black, nor there's anything white. The world's a smoky illusion of grey" - Old jungle saying

Life exists in the strangest of places, in the strangest of forms. We refuse to believe certain life forms exist because we cannot see or perceive their existence. That's because we're attuned to a set of images our mind has formed about the places we live in and travel. We refuse to see anything beyond these images, and only when there's a gross change in the picture is when we're forced to accept this change in the picture. This is called conditional vision or perception, a game played by the mind.

So, we're seeing in effect only what the mind wants us to see! And how does the mind know all of this? This happens indirectly when our likes and dislikes become strong enough to voice out their opinions, and begin colouring the mind. Once this happens, the mind shows us only what we want to see, and nothing else. This is our make believe world ladies and gentlemen!

And in this make believe world, i, Prakash Verma too had a small piece of earth to call my own with a roof over my head. Living off the land, working at famous corporation who'd invested deeply here and earning a bit more than my neighbours. This slight advantage made my life a bit more enjoyable, and to put things in a nutshell, i was living in my own designer cocoon!

Life can get a bit dull once the challenges have been settled and there's not much turbulence to everyday life. We're a paradoxical people, us humans! We crave for a small measure of peace and quiet in times of trouble, and when we attain this peace, we begin to feel "bored" and seek further challenges to spice up life! Funny isn't it...?

It was at a time like this that i met him. Enroute to the railway station, a dense grove of banyan trees grow thickly in a small space of earth. The roots droop downward, dig back into the earth and at another corner of the plot, re-emerge as another tree.

This cluster parented from one ancient banyan, was now 6 trees thick! This cluster is of paramount importance for the events that are about to transpire.

Legend has it that the place is a bloody grove. Indeed, a murder was reported when i was a school boy. The blood had seeped deep into the dark brown soil, but was still visible on the surface. There was a marsh nearby where wild boar used to haunt, and the whole place had an eerie and spooky appearance. All of it has now but gone, but the banyan cluster remains.

I usually gave this place a miss when returning from office, but once in a while i would come via this less trampled path only because it was quieter than the traffic congested stretch of M.G.Road. And on just another regular evening, close to dusk i met Vetaal. 

Vetaal in colloquial Hindi means a sprite or a celestial being, usually a mischievious prankster, something like Casper the lovable ghost! Vetaals across India have different attributes, some even border on the verge of murderous beings capable of dangerous manipulations, while others are lost souls damned to haunt the nether world, neither hell nor earth until the time of Judgment or when their sins would be forgiven, whichever came first.

The vetaal i met was an altogether different creature or being, bearing no semblance whatsoever to anything or anyone who could call himself a sprite! He looked every bit like just another old man on the street. Tucking in his dhoti (an Indian sarong) between his legs, and wearing a knotted piece of cloth as a turban and a white kurta covering his torso, he looked like a traditional headman from someplace in rural Gujarat or Rajasthan.

Squatting in the shade of the tree the way only an Indian can squat, he had a look of peace and content on his face. The sun was dipping in the western horizon, and after yet another day at the place i called my place of work, tired and hungry i headed back home when he called out to me. It was October and the season we call "second summer", the weather was a bit sultry. Yet there was a strange chillness when i passed by the banyan grove. Must be because of the tree cover i thought.

"Time kya ho raha hai bhaisahab" a slightly accented voice called out from my right handside. Turning to locate the source of this voice, we locked gaze. Vetaal saw me, and i saw Vetaal."Pouney saat" i spat out without much effort or attention spare a glance at the wristwatch. I didn't intend having a conversation with this stranger, and i'd answered the man's question. That's enough as far as public courtesy's concerned!

"Rushing home to savour supper Prakash Verma?" the old man who called himself Kanhaiyalaal called out in a snide tone to me. Surprised more than shocked, i turned back to see him squatting still, but smiling deviously. A few teeth were missing in what could be called a toothy grin.

"Reality can be stranger than fiction, 1 plus one's not always two, logic is a make believe truth!" the words were coming in a flurry, and he was looking at me with a devilish expression, and the above dialogue happened in English! Quite surprising for someone who looked like he needed a bit of education in English (i'm such a bourgeoise bugger at times!)

The incidents happening in the next few seconds have been the most terrifying moments of my life, it was a wonder i didn't have a heart attack! In the twinkling of an eye, the guy squatting on the ground leaped up into the air with a cackling laugh and before i could realize was piggybacking me with his hands firmly twisting around my neck.

"What the...??? What do you want you %^&^%#$#$3" and i tried grappling him down on the earth where i could teach him some manners.

But the twist around my neck was as firm as a vice grip, and try as much as i may, i couldn't get him off my neck! "Relax Prakash Verma, i won't kill you unless i have to. I'm not trying to kill you now, so please don't force me to kill you now!

All i want you to do is answer my questions and i'll let you go" the weird cackling laugh now screaming loud in my left ear. If you're wondering what happened to the quiet and sparsely but populated street, we were there but then the time zone seemed like we'd traveled sometime back in time, a few millennia would be quite an accurate number.

"Who're you mister, and what do you want? You're not just another local, and you're something far from human. Are you some kind of a poltergeist or a spirit? Or some celestial being?..." The questions just kept coming in a flurry "The wallet's in the bag, you can have my soul if you want to, what'll you give me in return for my soul, are you the one they call Beelzebub...?"

"Shut up Prakash Verma, and listen to me for a change. Just fucking listen to me! Just keep walking, and talk when i ask you to, do i make myself clear?" curtly he shut up my whining. The place we were walking through was the same banyan grove lane, just that it didn't have any signs of civilization and it was nightfall and it looked every bit like a forest, something it was until just a few decades ago!

We walked for a good distance in silence, the weird travelers walking through a forest which obviously had wildlife everywhere and were audibly vocal after sunset. "Can i know who're you kind sir, and why do you enjoy piggybacking on my back?" this time i was more calm and composed.

"Good evening Prakash, my name's Kanhaiyalal or must i say that was my name until i died. Humans are one miserable race. The moment i died, or just left my human body, they called me spirit. Fate has it that i roam the earth until God knows when.

Overpopulation's not a problem only on earth, even the celestial abodes are having tremendous queues, and i didn't quite know any famous saint or politician to gain a VIP entry, so..." And from here began a journey i would later term as my path to evolution...