THE RING

The ring

Dharam Bhaiya was working in Hanuman-nagar sugar mill. He was very popular and gentle. He was a very spiritual person. Seeing his keen interest in worshiping gods and reciting rhymes, the owner of the sugar mill built a decent hanuman temple and put him there as the priest. He freed him from the mill’s duty.

I am giving a brief introduction of Daram Bhaiya. His father was G. Jha. He was living at village Chakauti. He married K.Thakur’s granddaughter Anandi. She was his second wife. His first marriage was some other place. The first wife died earlier leaving some children. On the request of renowned Thakur family, he began to live at Karmauli. His earlier grown up children remained at Chakauti. I have seen them on so many important occasions.

At Karmauli G. Jha had three children, one daughter and two sons from Anandi. The daughter Bhagvati was the eldest. She was married toB. Jha of village Sukki. B. Jha’s father K. Jha was the richest person of the village. Those days, having elephant on the door was the sign of richness and he had it. Whenever he came to Karmauli, he brought his elephant and we rode on it. He was my maternal grandfather. His grandson Sadanand was my fast friend. The reserves seldom give better result for children. When we were busy in studies, Sadanand was enjoying luxurious life. He is not doing job but he is himself a big land owner who can employ so many unemployed. Dharam Bhaiya was younger to Bhagvati but three years older than his 2^nd brother G. Bhai. Dharam Bhai was not so qualified. He had visited high school and knew some English also. He had good knowledge of Karmakand and daily worshipping. I was a student of middle school and curious to learn more and more. When someone visited Karmauli I with my friends gathered and talked a lot. Dharam Bhaiya asked some new things like what was the meaning of ‘to stop train pull chain’ since he read it in train journey. Other questions were ‘where is nine (na-in Hindi) in Durga-Saptasati; where is murga (cock) in Durga etc.’

Once Hanman Sugar Mill owner’s son came to Karmauli with Dharam Bhaiya. He was a new face for rural people. Children and youths of our tola always surrounded him. He and the villagers enjoyed each other’s conversation. I heard about him and joined the group. He became my close friend. Before my meeting he was a little bit afraid from the village people regarding cheating and stealing about his valuables. But seeing my behavior he became fearless. He gave his valuable ring to me. I was a simple clever less village child and simply thought it a symbol of deep friendship. I visited so many important places with him and some other people, near to our village like Dokahar, Janakpur, Dhadhahara gachhi etc. and enjoyed too much. He was a good singer and sang on musical instrument harmonium. We also accompanied him. After one week he was to depart. We were very sad. His departure time was early in the morning. I had gone somewhere. When I came home, heard that he had gone to catch a bus from Kaluahi, the nearest bus stop. I was very sorry. His valuable ring was with me. I didn’t understand whether he had given the ring to take care or had given as a gift. I at once started to Kaluahi. He was in the bus and the bus was to start. I entered the bus and reached to him. I was preparing to give him his ring. But, to my bad luck, he asked for the ring before my telling. I quickly gave it to him and came down saying him good-bye. The bus started and we came home. Whenever I remember the event I feel ashamed. Had I given the ring before his asking about it, it would have been the best.----OHM NAMO BHAGVATE SRI RAMANAY.