Charitar 5

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For Information only The moral of stories in Charitropakhyan are based on Gurmat, Guru's wisdom. There is no historical significance of these stories. A Gurmukh will interpret, analyse and learn from the Gurmat issues and morals highlighted in these stories. No Manmat ideas are acceptable or should be linked to these stories. If you have any comments, please discuss them here

Chritar 5: Tale of Sehaj Kala

There lived a yogi in the forest in a cottage built in a tree trunk. One day, from the nearby city, he kidnapped Sehaj Kala who was the daughter of a trader called Kasikar and brought her to his cottage. There he live with her and used to make love to her. In the morning, he used to leave the girl and go to beg in the city. On his return, he used to clap his hands and the girl used to open the door and let the yogi in.

One day, the Raja's son followed the Yogi to the tree cottage and observed the secret life of the yogi. When the yogi left in the morning, the Raja's son clapped his hand and was let into the cottage by Sehaj Kala. Then the two were engaged in passionate love making. The Raja's son served her delicious food and looked after the girl. From then on, she disregarded the yogi and planned to leave with the Raja's son which she eventually did.

Background of Charitropakhyan

Charitropakhyan is conversation between a wise adviser (minister or "manteree" ਮੰਤ੝ਰੀ s ) to Raja (king) Chitar Singh; each charitar or trick is mainly in connection with the wiles of women (plus a few connected with men) and other worldly tales of life, in order to save his handsome son Hanuvant from the false accusations of one of the younger ranis (queens). The minister tries to explain to the Raja that there can be trickery in human behaviour and that one needs to analyse the situation carefully before drawing any quick conclusions. Charitar means Function or behavior

Guru Gobind Singh has given these "opakhyan" (already told) stories to Khalsa, as a guide to upholding morality. The tales highlight Human psychology and behavior, by people driven by desires, lust, jealousy and/or greed, ignorance etc. and tell how these evil doers can utilize tricks or deception or charm or other activity to cover their tracks. The purpose of the stories is for us to learn about negative(Manmat) and positive(Gurmat) human behaviour by people who are driven by evil intent. One needs to tread carefully in life and understand the many negative traits exist in some evil doers. These Charitars includes Male and Female Charitars.

Charitar - the Tale

Dohira

The Raja had, then, put his son in the prison and early the next morning he called him over.(1)

Chaupaee

The Raja sent his son to the prison and early next morning called him back. The Minister conversed with the Raja so as to eliminate his afflictions.(2)

A Yogi lived in the woods in a cottage inside a tree trunk. Through some incantation he abducted the daughter of a Shah.(3)

Chaupaee

The trader was known as Kasikar and name of his daughter was Sehaj Kala. The Yogi had taken her away and put her in a tree in the woods.(4)

Dohira

In the tree, he had carved a house with a window in it. The Yogi made love to her every day and night.(5)

Closing the door he used to go to the town during the day to beg, and come back to the tree in the evening.(6)

On his return he always clapped his hands and the girl, hearing the sound, opened the door with her own hands.(7)

Every day he acted like this and (to pass time) played the sweet music on the flute. Although he displayed all his Yogic feats, Sehaj Kala never commented.(8)

Dohira

In the city there lived the clever son of the Raja. He was endowed with virtues and power like Indra, and the passion of Cupid.(9)

Wives of the deities, demons, celestial musicians, Hindus, and Muslims, all those were entranced with his splendour and charm.(10)

Chaupaee

Without letting him know, the Raja’s son followed the Yogi. When the Yogi had entered the tree, the Raja’s son climbed the tree.(11)

Next morning when the Yogi went to the town, the Raja’s son came down and clapped his hands. And, then, daringly, the prince made love with her.(l2)

Dohira

He served her many savoury viands. He was very much delighted and again made love with her.(13)

The Prince captured her heart immensely. From then on the lady disregarded the Yogi.(l4)

Arril

When something propitious is available, the adverse one is ignored, and is not cared for by the wise-ones. Why would a woman, getting a wealthy and wise young man, go to a simpleton, poor and unwise old man,(15)

Dohira

The Shah’s daughter requested the prince to take her with him,‘I will abandon the Yogi and make passionate love with you.’(16)

(Said the prince,) ‘Yes, I will take you with me if you call the Yogi for me,‘Who will play love-tunes with both his eyes shut and resonantly clapping his hands.’(17)

(As planned) The women found an auspicious moment, when the Yogi kept his eyes shut and played the love-tunes while she made love with the son of the Raja.(18)

Dohira

The prince, at the end, closed the door behind in the tree. Taking the lady with him, he mounted the horse, and left for the city.(19)

Fifth Parable of Auspicious Chritars Conversation of the Raja and the Minister, Completed with Benediction. (5)(120). To be continued.

What does a Gurmukh learn from this?

For a Gurmukh, many lessons can be learnt from this short tale. Ponder over the following questions that are raised by this tale and you will become aware of various issues raised by this charitar and the need for these issues to be resolved?

  • Shouldn't a yogi have control over his lust? So it does not matter if one is young or a yogi or an ascetic or a celibate, the internal emotion of lust can plays havoc with the person's mind; without a proper course of action, this internal disease can get out of control. What in your opinion is the Gurmat (Guru's advice) to subdue this animal instinct?
  • If one does not have this control over his or her desires of lust, is it not better to live a life of a householder with a wife/husband?
  • Why kidnap or even "force" a person to live a life they do not want or have chosen? It is clear from this tale that without proper personal standards of conduct the person will get trapped by bad and evil habits driven by uncontrolled emotions and internal hormones. What should someone walking on the path of Sikhi recommend to such people?
  • When you subject someone to force, will they ever be loyal to you? The answer has to be, No. Relationship born out of force don't last; they will break at the first hurdle.
  • How can one be loyal to their partner? The tale provides a clear message that without a properly constituted monogamous relationship, there is no loyalty between the partners; the act of love making becomes a solution to overcome biological needs rather than a life long loving relationship between a man and woman to raise a family and connect with God as stipulated by the Sikh Gurus. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a monogamous relationship and a polygamous relationship?


References