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of all, we need to get him down the bed.” So they quickly descended the steps.
Thinking so, two men came near, to carry him. But there But where can Sundari go? So Dharmadas made a fierce
was a problem. Dharmadas was sleeping with both legs verbal a ack, "What is all this? Is this your love and is this your
fastened with a pillar. They tried to loose them but couldn't chas ty? Has anyone bewitched you alone or me? I died, so I'm
release them. They used more force to unlock the knot of legs, a wretched and unlucky man? You are alive, so you are
but here Dharmadas was far strong enough to keep ght the prosperous and lucky. Right? Your dad didn't select a be er
leg-knot. So when they failed to open it, they said to the lady, husband. So he is a donkey and I am wicked. Isn't it? You just
“Sister ! Do you have a saw? Let's cut this pillar and wanted lus ul enjoyments like sparrows! You were just fond of
carry him away.” Sundari felt a blow in her heart! She called him play of skin! So you considered the sparrows more lucky than
near and told him, you! And did God give you all these troubles? Were you insane,
“Do you have any wits in your head? I'm widowed who gone crazy calling God an idiot? Previously you used to say 'I
would earn and erect me a pillar that you are cu ng it. And by feel my life being deserted and devastated even if, a li le
the way, he is already dead and is going to be burnt. Then what trouble comes to you. Why don't I die before I've to see your
is the use? Don't you understand even this, my brother?” trouble?' Then how did you relish rich, sweet dish before my
The cemetery man said, “Oh yes! Your idea is absolutely corpse? Over here, I didn't have a li le trouble but complete
correct! We understood, very well understood. C'mon now death. Even then, you felt no hesita on! You happily savoured
let's cut his legs.” food and drinks with great interest. Besides, you made safe the
safes and delighted for a aining wealth! Wow! I admire your
The conversa on took place before the believed-to-be-
dead Dharmadas. Dharmadas heard this talk and was life!
bewildered and shocked. He thought 'What am I hearing this? I Did you remember religion a bit? How can religion come
used to consider her as a great chaste woman! Now in this in your mind? You even made me forget religion! You were
examina on, do I've to see how much do they cut? No, happy with the fact that I was completely engrossed in sinful
absolutely no.’ Dharmadas quickly thought 'A er all, this is just enjoyments. Then why would you care of religion yourself?
a test. She may be of whatever kind. But now, if they would put What were you telling to the people' My forehead is
saw on my feet, I would die really! Now the test suggested by broken...He died away, killing me together…' How false were
my friend has come to an end. So let me get up'. So as soon as those words? Is your forehead broken or mine? You were alive.
the saw given by his wife touched his foot, Dharmadas at once Having understood the fact, you could have diluted and
sprang up! Looking him alive, some people got angry, while diminished the infatua on for me. Thus, you could have got
some thought this as wife and husband's plan to tease and involved in religious prac ces and improved your life, improved
make fun of them. They felt shy thinking that "We even got and sparkled your fortune. In the real sense, only my forehead
ready to strike the saw on his leg. Oh! It was our foolishness." is broken, my fortune is washed off, because I was completely
102 Selfish World 103
