After many years, his prophecy did come true! Both were released released from jail on the same day too! Rishikesh had won Rihan’s confidence.
“Come, I’ll take you to my abode – in the Himalayas,” Rishikesh said. He revealed himself as a saint. This didn’t come as a surprise to Rihan at all. “Where is your ashram? (monastery)?” he asked. Rishikesh replied, “The town is my namesake.”
Rishikesh is a religious town in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by the Kumaoun Himalayas, this is a place of divine beauty. As soon as they reached the ashram all people stated to greet Rishikesh. After they had settled down Rishikesh said, “Listen carefully, Rihan. I’ve got a very important advice for you. You’ve committed a grave sin by killing the minister. You need to pay back for it or Lord Shiva – The Destroyer, will destroy you. I got this divine revelation just yesterday. I care for you, friend.
Rihan was reluctant to do as his friend cum Guru bid. He was a Muslim, how could he surrender to the Hindu ways? And now suspicions grew against this man – Rishikesh. What crime had he committed? He had said, ” I murdered truth by running towards it; that’s what I did.” But later he came to know that he had been arrested because he had murdered a Christian missionary. But it wasn’t quite sure if he did really commit the murder or not…maybe that’s why he was released soon…
But Rihan had no other option but to stay, and was he to stay, he had to do as Rishikesh told. So, he decided to give it a try. He took part in ‘poojas’ (deity-worship) and ‘yajnyas’ (fire offerings), etc. The moment he chanted “OM” he experienced unbound bliss. All his doubts were cleared, well, so it seemed.
One day he was strolling through the ashram when suddenly he heard a familiar voice, “Guruji (teacher), he can be brainwashed very easily. He is a valuable gem for us.” He peeked through the window of the room…there they were! All four of the ‘Revolutionaries’! Beside them stood Rishikesh. “Yes, yes. We’ll see. You’ve managed my work well when I was in jail. Well done!”
Was Rishikesh related to them? Were they branches of the same tree? The same black tree? No, Rishikesh must be the trunk of the tree. He stormed inside. They all were shell-shocked!
(To be continued…)
Beauty & Tragedy 