The Banishment

THE BANISHMENT
(A short story)

P. SUBBAYYA SASTRI
(Translated by POTHUKUCHI SURYANARAYANA
from the original in Telugu)

“Vakula! send word to Siddhanti garu that I solicit his presence here once,” ordered Rani Chandramadevi. It was surprising for her entire private retinue in the harem to see their mistress absent-minded and with a grief-stricken face, right from the morning. To the intimate personal attendants of the Rani, who had on the previous night seen the Maharajah emerge from the bed-chamber with eyes red with rage, the words “My Lord! I am blameless. I may be pardoned”, uttered by Chandramadevi appeared to come out of a dream. It was true that they, standing there transfixed, were shaken on seeing the face of the Maharajah. There had been never an occasion or necessity for them to encounter the Maharajah in anger. It was beyond their imagination to know what had happened. To question the Rani about it was impossible. So all of them had been silently immersed in their respective duties since the morning. But the Yuvarajahs who had come to take the blessings of their parents early in the morning had to satisfy themselves with those of their mother alone. Rani Chandramadevi was more deeply depressed on hearing that the Maharajah refused audienee to his Sons. She did not know what to do. She could not recollect any dereliction in her attending on the Maharajah the previous night. It was not as if the Maharani did not exactly know what engendered such unprecedented indignation in the Maharajah who was a fine sport, learned in all the arts and a pastmaster in erotics. The Rani could never for a moment imagine that the Maharajah would manifest such anger on his discomfiture in Cupid’s battle as he wouldon his defeat in the war field. It was an indelible blemishto the chivalry of the Maharajah. Whatever it be, the result had been disastrous. The situation having worsened, was unbearable. The Rani was frightened even to imagine how long this unhappy situation would continue. She therefore sent for the court astrologer.

A profound scholar in astronomy and astrology, the heritage handed down from generation to generation in his family, and a distinguished descendant in the line of sage Vasishta, Sri Pidaparthi Sitarama Sastri garu entered the harem as if he were the science of Astrology in motion, and seated himself on an appropriate seat. The members of his family had been court astrologers for two or three generations and have been enjoying hereditarily the Agraharam granted by the Maharajah. Their daily duty was to give counsel to the Maharajah, according to astrological science, on all matters consulted. Having known the arrival of Sri Sastri garu through her attendants, Rani Chandramadevi entered the room in which he was seated. Standing behind a blue curtain and surrounded by her attendants, Chandramadevi folded her hands in salutation, saying “My namaskarams to Sastri garu.” Sri Sastri said: “May you have a long and blissful married life! May your family prosper as long as the sun, moon and the stars exist! My lady, it appears you have sent for me on some urgent business. May I know what it is?”

Rani Chandramadevi bowed down her head. She did not know what to speak.

“Sastry Garu! You have knowledge of the Divine and always wish the prosperity of our family. There is nothing that you do not know. I have a question to ask and I hope you will answer me,” gently said she.

Sri Sastry keenly cogitated for a while. He grasped the configuration of the planets at that moment. It did not take much time for him to know what her question was. He also could foresee all the possible future repercussions and effects issuing therefrom. “Madam! I see you are now the target of our Lord’s anger. This is a very calamitous period. I very much regret to say that circumstances would not turn favourable for sometime to come. But there is no doubt that in the end happiness alone would ensue. In my opinion this separation is only temporary. Don’t you grieve; none of us can escape from the distress ordained on us by Fate. You must develop fortitude. Forbear for some time, keeping in mind the episode of Sakuntala” said Sri Sastri in a deep resonant tone, and taking leave of the Maharani, made his exit. The Rani’s mind was agitated. But, as Sri Sastri forecast that the future was hopeful she took courage and retired into her private chamber.

Some time passed on like that. There did not seem any end for this separation from the Maharajah. The Yuvarajahs also were helpless, being kept out of the grace of the Maharajah. This was a more tragic situation. The Dewan could not divine the cause of all this misfortune. He was much perplexed at the indifference shown by the Maharajah towards the Rani and the Yuvarajahs. The other courtiers also felt very disturbed in their minds, not knowing what it was all about. To Sitarama Sastri garu alone was known the root cause of this mishap. But, as it was an extremely personal affair it was not possible for Sri Sastri to divulge it. He was suffering a lot within himself. He was also anxiously looking forward to the day when the circumstances would be set right.

Having come to know that Ramachandra Sastriji who was the court astrologer of the Mysore Maharajah, with very mighty powers of divination and who had plumbed the depths of the science of Astrology, was arriving to have an interview with the Maharajah, Sri Sitarama Sastri felt immensely glad. He expectantly hoped to know of the finale of the conspiring, complicated circumstances prevailing in the harem.

At long last the day had arrived. The Mysore Siddhanti, having been duly honoured in the Durbar, pleased the Maharajah and the courtiers with the show of his scholarship. When the conference was about to close, Sitarama Sastri garu stood up, saluted him and humbly submitted, “Sastriji! I have a question to ask. I pray you to give me the answer.” The Maharajah was amazed. He wondered what his court astrologer, who had seen the extreme frontiers of astrological knowledge, had to know from another astrologer. It was beyond his imagination. The astrologer from Mysore intensely pondered. He carefully considered in his mind the configuration of the planets. Turning to Sastri garu and looking at him thoughtfully he said, “Sastri garu, I have grasped the particular point you have been anxious to know from me. I have also realised what dire and distressing circumstances impel you to put such a question. The future is very hopeful. The situation will become favourable ere long. And, the Maharajah is deeply learned in all the Sastras. This situation which has stained the escutcheon of his chivalry and good sportsmanship is only temporary.” So saying, he turned to the Maharajah and smiled. Sitarama Sastri garu felt glad. “Are not the blessings of Pandits, with purity of speech, flawless and prophetic? So there is a great possibility for circumstances turning favourable.” So thinking, Sri Sastri satisfied himself. The Maharajah could not understand that. But, as it was no opportune moment to know further, he kept silent. The Durbar came to a close. The Mysore astrologer went to his apartment. The Maharajah, the Dewan, and Sri Sastri were going into the harem. Thinking that it was the appropriate time to know further about what had happened in the Durbar, the Maharajah queried Sri Sastri: “Sastri garu, I fail to understand why the Mysore astrologer looked at me and smiled while answering your question. Moreover, what was the reason for his commenting on my chivalry?”

As Sri Sastri was in an expansive mood and as he believed that the news that these distressing circumstances would come to an end soon would gladden the Maharajah, he replied thus: “My Lord! The question I put relates to your Lordship’s personal affair. Your Lordship has heard the answer given by him in regard to the tragic situation in the harem.” The Maharajah stood there for some time, motionless. The Dewan and Sri Sastri also stood still. The Maharajah’s face reddened with rage. Suddenly drawing his sword from its sheath he attempted to pounce on Sri Sastri. Sastri garu trembled like a leaf in whirlwind. The Dewan at once caught hold of the Maharajah’s hand and dissuaded him in his attempt, saying: “My lord! The sin of killing a Brahmana...Your Lordship must forbear and be merciful.”

“Dewanji ! Sri Sastri has exposed to the public a strictly confidential affair of the harem. What insult it is to me! I now know the meaning of the words uttered, and the significance of the smile exhibited by the Mysore Astrologer when he came to grasp this matter. A matter that ought not to have crossed the threshold of the harem has gone far and wide, beyond the borders of this country. How insulting it would be to me if the Maharajah of Mysore were to know of this! This is a matter in respect of which one should feel as if beheaded. The source of all this is Sastriji. He cannot be excused. From today onwards may he and all his descendants be banished from our court!.....They cannot enter the Durbar. Resume their Agraharam and annex it to our estate. There can be no occasion for him to show his face to us....”, So saying he flurried away.

Sri Sastri was aghast. He realised that this disastrous happening was due to the innocence and straightforwardness naturally inherent in members of a Srotriya family. Now the inner significance of his act became apparent to Sri Sastri. But it was too late. It was he that committed the mistake and therefore he had to undergo punishment, bowing down to the force of circumstances. But, as he was born in a reputed family which never bowed down before anybody, Sri Sastri. did not supplicate for the mercy of the Maharajah or crave for the indulgence of the Dewan. The Agraharam was taken over into the estate. Sri Sastri could no more enter the Durbar.

It did not take long for the affairs in the harem to get straight. The Rani and her sons could share the grace of the Maharajah very soon. Everything ended happily.

But the situation of Sri Sastri remained the same. Nobody could dare broach this topic before the Maharajah. Some years rolled on in this way. The Maharajah had passed away. His eldest son was installed in his place. He was ruling the country as its Maharajah. Sri Sitarama Sastri had grown old, and being in troubles contracted many debts for his living and was thrown into abject misery in his last days. Sri Sastri by himself did not go and beg for an interview with the Maharajah; nor did he seek the favour of the Dewan. Therefore, there was no opportunity for the Maharajah to consider Sri Sastri’s affair; nor was the Dewan interested to apprise the Maharajah of the same. One evening the Maharajah and the Dewan went for a stroll into the city, on horse. While passing through the royal thoroughfare, the Maharajah saw before him Sri Sitarama Sastri, weak and wrinkled in body but with an aura of effulgence about him. Seeing the Maharajah, Sri Sastri blessed him with raised hands and sidled himself away. The Maharajah having proceeded a few steps said: “Dewanji! He is...” “Yes, my lord, he is Pidaparthi Sitarama Sastri garu. He was in your father’s court. On a particular occasion...”

“I have heard of it...Now, his situation is...”

“Very miserable, my Lord! After the Agraharam was taken over, he had been subjected to so many troubles. He is in heavy debts...”

“Dewanji! When was his Agraharam taken over?”

“Fifteen years ago, my Lord!”

“Deliver the Agraharam to him at once, together with the income for these fifteen years. Debarring him from entry into the Durbar alone is condign punishment for his offence”. so ordered the Maharajah.

Even to this day, the descendants of Sri Pidaparthi Sitarama Sastri have been in possession and enjoyment of the Agraharam. But the right of entry into the Durbar of that estate has never again been granted to them.