A Tale

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         B.P Koirala

Literal Comprehension                                                                                                   

Long ago a man wanted to become a god by his penance. He went to the remote jungle leaving the family, friends, and society and got victory over his body and mind by sitting in front of the seven-tongued fire in summer and plunging into the ice-cold water in winter. While he was in the meditative trance, the grass around him grew tall, the grass beneath him died and termites built their nest on his legs. He achieved the inner light. He felt the brilliance of a thousand suns exploding within him. On the other hand Indra, the king of gods didn’t want human beings to become the god. So he sent the beautiful nymph to destroy the penance of the sage. She took off her clothes and bathed in the river playfully. To see her naked body, he opened his eyes. He felt there was no difference between his inner peace and the nymph. So he married her and they started a simple domestic life. But the neighbors couldn’t forgive them. When he was living with his wife he still experienced the ecstasy and bliss he felt in the jungle.

Interpretation

 The story is trying to show us that the state of ecstasy that is achieved from the jungle and the enjoyment of extreme beauty is no different. The sage achieved inner peace while living in the jungle. He had neglected the love of family, friends, and society. But when he saw the naked body of the nymph, he was so much attracted that he felt there was no difference between the inner peace and the nymph.

Critical Thinking

 The story is interesting but there are some points with which we don’t agree. The gods, who didn’t hesitate to get the help of human beings shouldn’t have become angry with them when they tried to become gods by their penance. Can a man stay motionlessly when termites build a nest on his body? Can tigers, Lions, deer, and hare live in perfect harmony? Is it possible for a man to stay in front of seven tongued fire in summer? How can a man survive by plunging into the ice-cold water in winter? The writer talks about gods but if there are gods, why we can’t see them. Isn’t there really no difference between ecstasy achieved from the jungle and the maiden? 

Assimilation:

 The story has reminded me of the event of Adam and Eve. God had forbidden Adam and Eve to eat the fruit. Because of Eve, Adam ate the forbidden fruit. So he had his downfall.