The Belly Pleads!

 Sham S. Misri

 One day a dispute arose among various parts of the body, each organ saying to the other "I am more useful than you." The brain said, "I am the master of the body," the heart said, "I am equally important." Turn by turn every organ pleaded their case. Then, one day all the organs of the body sat together and discussed,     

It occurred to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food. So they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work till the Belly consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two, the Hands refused to take the food, the Mouth refused to receive it, and the Teeth had no work to do. But after a day or two the Members began to find that they themselves were not in a very active condition: the Hands could hardly move, and the Mouth was all parched and dry, while the Legs were unable to support the rest. So they found that even the Belly in its dull quiet way was doing the most important and necessary work for the Body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces and die. Even after death the human body has long had commercial Value. Body snatching for medical research became a lucrative business in the 18th century. Historians describe how in the grave robbing era, “Corpses were prized for use of human body organs and tissue."

Books by the Author(s)

Lal Ded Of Kashmir Saint Poetess: A Catalogue of Lal Vakhs

Kashmir Shaivism and Modern Science

Kashmir - A Concise History: Mahabharata Epoch 3067 BCE to Modi Era 2016 A.D

The Aryan Invasion Theory - A Subterfuge: A Scientific Look

Tibet: Earthly Paradise

Kali Maa: The Dawn of Woman and Beyond

Maa Ganga: Mythology, Mystery and Science

The Ten Departures of Kashmiri Pandits

Tales from Kashmir, Part-1

Tales from Kashmir, Part-2

Tales from Kashmir, Part-3

Tales from Kashmir, Part-4

Tales from Kashmir, Part-5

The Wandering Pandit

Wonderful Stories for Children, Book-1

A Peep Into America's Past

Silkworm Breeding Made Easy

Collected Poems of Pt. Krishen Joo Razdan, By J. N. Misri, Vol. 1, 2,3,4,5 and 6[Edited and Published]

Travels Through America And Canada

When I Met Her

The Ultimate Fishing Rod

Kashmir: The Book of Anecdotes

Tour to 5 Countries in Europe

Cleopatra-Harmachis-Part-1-Love-Lord

Cleopatra and Harmachis - Part-2: The Finding of Treasure

How the Prince Won the Princess

Sham S. Misri

There was a king who had an only son, who would go out to hunt. One day the queen, his mother, said to him, "You can hunt wherever you like on these three sides; but you must never go to the fourth side." This she said because she knew if he went on the fourth side he would hear of the beautiful Princess Labam, and that then he would leave his father and mother and seek for the princess.

The young prince listened to his mother, and obeyed her for some time; but one day, when he was hunting on the three sides where he was allowed to go, he remembered what his mother had said to him about the fourth side. He determined to go and see why she had forbidden him to hunt on that side. When be got there, he found himself in a jungle. In the jungle there were some parrots. The young prince shot at some of them, and at once they all flew away up to the sky.  Only one parrot, their king was left. He was called Hiraman parrot.

When Hiraman parrot found himself left alone, he called out to the other parrots, "Don't fly away and leave me alone when the king’s son shoots. If you desert me like this, I will tell the Princess Labam."

Then, all  the parrots all flew back to their king, chattering. The prince was greatly surprised, and said, "Why, these birds can talk!" Then he said to the parrots, "Who is the Princess Labam? Where does she live?" But the parrots would not tell him where she lived. "You can never get to the Princess Labam's country." That is all they would say.

The prince grew very sad when they would not tell him anything more; and he threw his gun away and went home. When he got home, he would not speak or eat, but lay on his bed for four or five days, and seemed very ill.

At last he told his father and mother that he wanted to go and see the Princess Labam. "I must go," be said; "I must see what she is like. Tell me where her country is."

"We do not know where it is," answered his father and mother.

"Then I must go and look for it," said the prince.

"No, no," they said, "you must not leave us. You are our only son. Stay with us. You will never find the Princess Labam."

“I must try and find her," said the prince. "Perhaps God will show me the way. If I live and I find her, I will come back to you; but perhaps I shall die, and then I shall never see you again. Still I must go."

They let him go. His father gave him fine clothes to wear, and a fine horse. And he took his gun, and his bow and arrows, and a great many other weapons;

He mounted his horse and set for the journey. His mother took her handkerchief and wrapped some sweetmeats in it, and gave it to her son. "My child," she said to him, "when you are hungry eat some of these sweetmeats."

He rode on and on till he came to a jungle in which were a tank and shady trees. He bathed himself and his horse in the tank, and then sat down under a tree. "Now," he said to himself, "I will eat some of the sweetmeats my mother gave me, and I will drink some 'water, and then I will continue my journey." He opened his handkerchief and took out a sweetmeat. He found ants in each of the sweetmeats. "Never mind," he said, "I won't eat the sweetmeats; the ants shall eat them." Then the Ant-king came and stood before him and said, "You have been good to us. If ever you are in trouble, think of me and we will come to you."

The king’s son thanked him, mounted his horse and continued his journey. He rode on and on until he came to another jungle, and there he saw a tiger that had a thorn in his foot, and was roaring loudly from the pain.

"Why do you roar like that?' said the young prince.  "What is the matter with you?"

"I have had a thorn in my foot for twelve years," answered the tiger, "and it hurts me so; that is why I roar."

"Well," said the prince, "I will take it out for you. But perhaps, as you are a tiger, when I have made you well, you will eat me?"

"Oh no," said the tiger, "I won't eat you. Do make me well."

The prince then met an old woman, "You are my aunty," said the prince; "let me remain with you for this one night. You see it is evening, and if I go into the jungle, then the wild beasts will eat me."

"Well," said the old woman, "you may stay here tonight; but to-morrow morning you must go away, for if the king hears you have passed the night in my house, he will have me seized and put into prison."

Then she took him into her house, and the king’s son was very glad. The old woman began preparing dinner, but he stopped her. "Aunty," he said,” I will give you food." He put his hand into his bag, saying, "Bag, I want some dinner," and the Bag gave him instantly a delicious dinner, served up on two gold plates. The old woman and the prince then dined together.

After they finished eating, ‘the old woman said; "Now I will fetch some water."

"Don't go," said the prince. "You shall have plenty of water directly." So he took his bowl and said to it, "Bowl, I want some water," and then it filled with water. When it was full, the prince cried out, "Stop, bowl!" and the bowl stopped filling. "See, aunty," he said, "with this bowl I can always get as much water as I want."

By this time night had come. "Aunty," said told the prince, "why don't you light a lamp?"

"There is no need," she said. "Our king has forbidden the people in his country to light any lamps; for, as soon as it is dark, his daughter, the Princess Labam, comes and sits on her roof, and she shines so that she lights up all the country and our houses, and we can see to do our work as if it were day."

When it was quite black night the princess got up. She dressed herself in her rich clothes and jewels, and rolled up her hair, and across her head she put a band of diamonds and pearls. Then she shone like the moon and her beauty made night day. She came out of her room and sat on the roof of her palace. In the daytime she never came out of her house; she only came out at night.

The prince watched the princess quietly, and was very happy. He said to himself, “How lovely she is!"

At midnight, when everybody had gone to bed, the princess came down from her roof and went to her room; and when she was in bed and asleep, the king’s Raja's son got up and sat on his bed. "Bed," he said to it, "I want to go to the Princess Labam's bed-room." So the little bed carried him to the room where she lay fast asleep.

The young prince took his bag and said, "I want a great deal of betel-leaf," and it at once gave him betel-leaf. This he lay near the princess's bed, and then his little bed carried him back to the old woman's house.

Next morning all the princess's servants found the betel-leaf, and began to eat it.

"Where did you get all that betel-leaf?" asked the princess.

"We found it near your bed," answered the servants. Nobody knew the prince had come in the night and put it all there.

In the morning the old woman came to the prince. "Now it is morning," she said, "and you must go; for if the king finds out all I have done for you, he will seize me."

"I am ill to-day, dear aunty," said the prince; "do let me stay till to-morrow morning."

"Good," said the old woman. So he stayed, and they took their dinner out of the bag, and the bowl gave them water.

When night came the princess got up and sat on her roof, and at twelve o'clock, when every one was in bed, she went to her bed-room, and was soon fast asleep. Then the prince sat on his bed, and it carried him to the princess. He took his bag and said, "Bag, I want a most lovely shawl;" It gave him a splendid shawl, and he spread it over the princess as she lay asleep. Then he went back to the old woman's house and slept till morning.

In the morning, when the princess saw the shawl she was delighted. "See, mother," she said; "God must have given me this shawl, it is so beautiful." Her mother was very glad too.

When it was morning the old woman said to the prince, "Now you must really go."

"Aunty," he answered, "I am not well enough yet. Let me stay a few days longer. I will remain hidden in your house, so that no one may see me." So the old woman let him stay.

When it was black night, the princess put on her lovely clothes and jewels and sat on her roof. At midnight she went to her room and went to sleep. Then the prince sat on his bed and flew to her bed-room. There he said to his bag, "Bag, I want a very, very beautiful ring." The bag gave him a glorious ring. Then he took the Princess Labam's hand gently to put on the ring, and she started up very much frightened.

"Who are you?" she said to the prince. "Where do you come from? Why do you come to my room?"

"Do not be afraid, princess," he said; "I am no thief. I am a great king’s son. Hiraman parrot, who lives in the jungle where I went to hunt, told me your name, and then I left my father and mother and came to see you."

"Well," said the princess, "as you are the son of such a great king, I will not have you killed, and I will tell my father and mother that I wish to marry you."

The princess told her mother, "The son of a great king has come to this country, and I wish to marry him." Her mother told this to the king.

"Good," said the king; "but if this king’s son wishes to marry my daughter, he must first do whatever I bid him. If he fails I will kill him. I will give him eighty pounds weight of mustard seed, and out of this he must crush the oil in one day. If he cannot do this he shall die."

In the morning the prince told the old woman that he intended to marry the princess. "Oh," said the old woman, "go away from this country, and do not think of marrying her. A great many kings and prince’s have come here to marry her, and her father has had them all killed. He says whoever wishes to marry his daughter must first do whatever he bids him. If he can, then he shall marry the princess; if he cannot, the king will have him killed. But no one can do the things the king tells him to do; so all the kings and prince’s who have tried have been put to death. You will be killed too, if you try. Do go away." But the prince would not listen to anything she said.

The king sent for the prince to the old woman's. House and his servants brought the prince to the king's palace. There the king gave him eighty pounds of mustard seed, and told him to crush all the oil out of it that day, and bring it next morning to him to the palace. "Whoever wishes to marry my daughter." he said to the prince, "must first do all I tell him. If he cannot, then I have him killed. So if you cannot crush all the oil out of this mustard seed you will die."

The prince was very sorry when he heard this. "How can I crush the oil out of all this mustard seed in one day?" he said to himself; "and if I do not, the king will kill me." He took the mustard seed to the old woman's house, and did not know what to do. At last he remembered the Ant-king, and the moment he did so, the Ant-king and his ants came to him. "Why do you look so sad?" said the Ant-king.

The prince showed him the mustard seed, and said to him, "How can I crush the oil out of all this mustard seed in one day? And if I do not take the oil to the king to-morrow morning, he will kill me."

"Be happy," said the Ant-king; "lie down and sleep; we will crush all the oil out for you during the day, and to-morrow morning you shall take it to the king." The prince lay down and slept, and the ants crushed out the oil for him. The prince was very glad when he saw the oil.

The next morning he took it to the king.

Then the king showed him the trunk of a tree that was lying near his court-house. It was a very, very, thick trunk. He gave the prince a wax hatchet, and said, "Tomorrow morning you must cut this trunk in two with this wax hatchet."

The prince went back to the old woman's house. He was very sad, and thought that now the king would certainly kill him. "I had his oil crushed out by the ants," he said to himself. But now what can I do? How can I cut that thick tree-trunk in two with a wax hatchet?"

At night he went on his bed to see the princess. "To morrow," he said to her, "your father will kill me." "Why?" asked the princess.

"He has told me to cut a thick tree-trunk in two with a wax hatchet. How can I ever do that?" said the prince. "Do not be afraid," said the princess; "do as I bid you, and you will cut it in two quite easily."

Then she pulled out a hair from her head and gave it to the prince. "To-morrow," she said, "when no one is near you, you must say to the tree-trunk, 'The Princess Labam commands you to let yourself be cut in two by this hair. Then stretch the hair down the edge of the wax hatchet's blade."

The prince next day did exactly as the princess had told him; and the minute the hair that was stretched down the edge of the hatchet-blade touched the tree-trunk it split into two pieces.

The king said, "Now you can marry my daughter." Then the wedding took place. All the kings of the nearby countries were asked to come. There were great rejoicings. After a few days the prince said to his wife, "Let us go to my father's country." Princess Lebam’s father gave them a quantity of camels and horses and rupees and servants; and they travelled in great state to the prince's country, where they lived happily.

Remarkable escape!

 

Sham S.Misri

Arion was a famous singer. He had acquired huge wealth. One day he had to go to a neighbouring country to perform a show. To reach there he had to go by a ship. He boarded a ship, and sailed in the sea. While on the ship the sailors found that he had plenty of wealth with him. They decided to rob and murder him. First they seized his gold and silver, and then told him that he might either kill himself or jump overboard into the sea. If he would kill himself on board the ship, they would give him decent burial when they reached the shore.

Arion, the singer, was at a loss. He had to decide whether to get killed on board or jump into the sea. After having thought for a while, he told the sailors that he would throw himself into the sea. The sailors agreed. Arion was sad. He thought that he had to die. He had passion to sing. He told them that before his death he wanted to sing his last song. For this, he asked their permission. He wanted to sing them one of his melodious songs before he took the fatal plunge. They consented. He went into the cabin, and dressed himself magnificently in the grand and richly-ornamented robes in which he had been accustomed to appear upon the stage. After dressing himself, he reappeared, and took his position on the side of the ship. He had a musical instrument in his hand.  When he had finished his song performance, he leaped into the sea. When the sailors saw him dive into the sea, they divided their plunder and pursued their voyage.

Arion, however, instead of being drowned, was taken up by a dolphin that had been charmed by his song. He was borne by the dolphin that followed the ship up to the destination. There Arion landed in safety. From there he proceeded to the king. He was wearing the same dress in which he had plunged into the sea. On his arrival, he complained to the king of the crime which the sailors had committed, and narrated his wonderful escape. The king did not believe him, but put him in prison to wait until the sailors would be called. The king summoned the sailors into his presence. He asked them if they knew anything of Arion, the famous singer. Arion himself had been previously placed in an adjoining room, ready to be called in as soon as his presence was required. The sailors answered to the question which the king put to them. They said that they had seen Arion but they had left him there. Arion was then himself called in. His sudden appearance, clothed as he was in the same dress in which the sailors had seen him leap into the sea, so terrified the conscience-stricken criminals, that they confessed their guilt, and were all punished by the king.

A marble statue, representing a man seated upon a dolphin, was erected in his name to commemorate this event, where it remained for centuries afterward, a monument of the wonder which Arion had achieved.

Tenaliram Wins The Greatest Fool Award

Sham S.Misri

Long ago there was a king who used to celebrate Holi festival with great pomp and show. It included the selection of the 'greatest fool' of the kingdom. Many cultural and humorous items were organized on this festival. On this day the king would announce the greatest fool award. It was a very valuable award. People used to act in the funniest manner to get this award and the title. Tenaliram would always win the award by his intelligence and wit. The other courtiers used to get jealous of Tenaliram.  

Once on the festival of Holi the jealous courtiers decided to stop Tenaliram from attending the function. They tricked Tenaliram through his servant. They made the servant give a lot of drug (Bhang) to Tenaliram. The drug had its effect due to which Tenaliram got up in late noon. When he got up he dressed up and reached the venue of the function.

As Tenaliram entered the hall where the show was held, the king spotted him and spoke in anger: "Hey you fool Tenaliram! How could you forget the time of the function?”

All the courtiers were happy to see Tenaliram being abused by the king. But Tenaliram was unaffected and he said: "You are right, Your Majesty! I'm not only a fool but the greatest fool!"

"Yes Tenaliram! You are really the greatest fool" the king roared in rage. "Thanks a lot, Your Highness", replied Tenaliram: "Now you have yourself announced me as the greatest fool. Please give the award also!"

All the courtiers were confused. The king couldn't help uttering "Tenaliram! You are really very intelligent. The king had to award Tenaliram that year also with the award of “The Greatest Fool."

Weighing an Elephant

Sham S.Misri

Long ago, there was a king He had an elephant. The king loved the elephant very much. One day some of his servants were criticizing one minister of the king. They claimed that he only sat around and did not do any work. The king reminded them that to become a minister needs skill and intelligence. The king declared that he would give a test to everyone, including the minister to find out their intelligence. Whoever could pass the test could become the next minister.  

The king said, "Take this big elephant, weigh him and let me know the exact weight."  The ordinary men were baffled. Those days there were no big weighing scales available. How could they weigh  an elephant?  They could not do anything.  They came back to the king with no information.  Then the king turned to his minister and asked, "Will you kindly weigh this elephant?"  So in six minutes he came back and reported, "It is twenty mounds [1,920]."  The other men were standing open-mouthed in surprise.  "How is that?" they asked.  "Within six minutes he came back and he gave the exact weight!"  The king asked, "How did you weigh him?  Did you get some very big scale?"  "No sir," replied the minister.  "It is not possible to weigh the elephant on a scale.  It is very difficult."  "Then how did you weigh it?"  "I took it on a boat.  When I got him on the boat then I saw the watermark and I marked it.  Then, after getting the elephant off the boat, I added weight onto the boat, and when it came to the same watermark, and then I understood."  So the king addressed the servants and cautioned them, "Now you see the difference?"  They agreed, "Yes."

Lembi Manz Pamposh (Lotus)

Sham S.Misri

The Lotus is a symbol of beauty, purity and integrity. It is the national flower of India. Poets have used the lotus to represent the female beauty. It grows from the muddy bottoms of lakes and ponds.

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is often visualised with a golden lotus.  The lotus has fragrant flowers, usually pink or white. The stems are hollow and straight while the leaves are waterproof because of a network of small, closely-set hairs. After the lotus

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The Trumpeter’s Fault

Sham S. Misri

Long time ago, a dispute arose between two countries regarding their border territory. As the two armies were fighting against each other in a battle field over it, there was an announcement. The battle came to a standstill.  A trumpeter, who was making the announcement and was bravely leading on the soldiers on one side, was captured by the enemy. He cried out to his captors, "Pray spare me, and do not take my life without cause or without inquiry. I have not slain a single man of your troop. I have no arms, and carry nothing but this one brass trumpet."

 "That is the very reason for which you should be put to death," they said; "for, while you do not fight yourself, your trumpet moves all the others to battle."

Say No to Anger

Sham S.Misri

Long ago, a saint was once sitting quietly in the shade of a tree. One day a man came to him and started abusing him. The man spoke in a loud and vulgar voice for some time but the saint sat quietly without saying anything in reply.

Finally the man got irritated and said to the saint,”Don’t you have anything to say?”

“No,” said the saint.

“What do you mean?” asked the man angrily.

“If someone gives you a gift and you don’t want it, to whom will the gift belong?” the saint asked.

“To the person who gave it, of course.” Replied the man.

The saint smiled.

“I refuse to accept your anger,” he said. “So, you’ll have to keep it to yourself.”

The man understood, and from that day, he became a disciple of the saint.  

The Lion and the Brainless Ass

Sham S.Misri

Lion the king of the jungle one day thought of having an ass for his dinner. The lion told his assistant, the Fox, to bring one ass for him for dinner. The fox went in search of an ass. Finally, when the fox found one ass, he told him,”The king of the forest, the Lion, wishes to discuss a marriage alliance with you.”

“A royal alliance!” exclaimed the ass, unable to contain his excitement.

“I would be honoured to come with you,” the ass said to the fox.

As soon as they reached the lion’s den, the lion pounced on the ass and knocked him down.

“Keep a watch over my dinner while I take a nap,” the lion told the fox.

The cunning fox kept a watch for a while. He got tempted to eat ass’s brain. He quickly took out the ass’s brain and ate it before the lion could wake up.

            After some time the lion woke up and immediately began to eat the ass. He looked all over the ass’s brain and when he could not find it, he grew suspicious.

            The lion roared,”Fox, did you eat the ass’s brain!”  

The quick witted fox replied, “Master, the ass did not have a brain. Only brainless ass would believe in a royal alliance!”

            “That is true,” said the lion, laughing in agreement.

The Beautiful Priest

Sham S.Misri

Once, a young man was engaged in a king’s temple as a priest. One day he went to the market to buy some fruits. A group of people saw him and decided to pull his leg. One of them told him,” I have seen many priests but none as handsome as you!. If you are so beautiful your parents must be good looking too. Tell us all about yourself. Are you the child of your father or your mother?”

          The priest understood that the men were having fun at his expense. “I come from a poor family and so I don’t know how to answer your question. I don’t know whether I should feel honoured or embarrassed by your compliment. I really don’t know how to answer your question. Can I ask a question instead?”

          The leader nodded his head and the priest clapped his hands loudly.

“Please tell me which of my hands made the sound?” said the priest.” The right or the left”

“The sound was made by both the hands together!” said the leader.”The right or the left hand alone cannot make the sound.”

“That is right,” said the priest. “My reply to your question is also the same. I’m the child of both my parents and not of my father or of mother, alone. And so far my good looks, I think you should ask my parents!”

          The leader of the group felt ashamed. He shook hands with the young priest saying,”you are not only good looking but also very wise.”

Rasool Lonun Soun ( Gold)

Sham S. Misri

There was a man. He was very simple in living and thoughts. His name was Rasool Lone. One day when he was walking on the road side two ladies met him. Both were sad, depressed and gloomy. They told him, “O brother, Do you have any silver with you?  We will make
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Woman’s Half Pomegranate

Sham S Misri

 Once Lord Buddha fixed a day for collections of charity. He sat under a tree and began receiving gifts.  One King came and gave him deeds of lands, houses, and valuable properties. Then a Prince came with rich and valuable gifts. Wealthy merchants also .came and Buddha accepted all their gifts by extending his right hand in token thereof.
Then an old, shriveled woman came and said to him, “Lord, I heard about your appeal for charity only this morning. I am a poor old woman and have nothing. I was eating this pomegranate, and had eaten half when I heard the news. I had nothing else to give but this half pomegranate. So I brought it along. Please, Lord, accept this.”
She looked at him appealingly. Buddha at once came down himself and accepted the gift with both hands, in deep gratitude.
The kings and princes , and all who were there were immensely surprised. “O Blessed one,” asked one king , “why did you receive her gift with both hands, coming down yourself from your dais, when you took our gifts merely by extending your right hand?”
”Buddha replied, “she gave her all. The rest of you merely gave a fraction of what you have.”

The Mouse and the Gita

Sham S. Misri

A guru had a Brahmin disciple.  He ordered the Brahmin that he should perform Bhakti by reading Gita every day.  So he sat in a cave, reading the Bhagavad-Gita.  But there was a small mouse that came to nibble at the Gita, when it was not being read.  He became tired of scaring the mouse away, so he thought, "I need to get a cat to take care of the mouse."  And he got a cat.  The cat kept away the mouse, but it started making sounds because it was hungry.  Now he had to feed the cat.  Then he thought, "I need a cow in order to feed the cat milk."  He had to take care of the cow.  Gradually he started giving less and less time for his reading of the holy book Gita.  As he had to give the cow so much attention, he thought, "I need someone to take care of the cow," and he hired a man.  The man took care of the cow, but he found that he had to have someone to watch the man; otherwise he would not do his work properly.  He thought, "This is becoming a little complicated.  I have to get married, and then the wife will watch over the man who will take care of the cow, who will feed the milk to the cat, to keep away the mouse."  He got married, but his wife wanted certain things.  So there were children, and now he needed some money.  He started some business enterprise and brought some land.  One day, the guru came back to see his disciple.  He said, "What happened?  I had  ordered you to read the holy book Gita, but I see you have got wife, children, family, business, workers and so many things.  You have forgotten the Gita?  Tell me what happened."  He replied, "Gurudev, I am simply doing all this in the service of the Gita.  In order to read the Gita, I had to do all this.  This is all Gita-samsara."

The God of Death Falls in Love

The God of Death  Falls in Love  

Sham S. Misri

Once upon a time Yama, the god of death, fell in love with a mortal woman. He disguised himself as a mortal man and won her hand. As she was mortal, the god of death lived with her on earth.   After some time he discovered that the wife he had chosen was quarrelsome and a shrew.

She became even worse after she bore him a son. The son was named Yama Kumar. The god of death –Yama,  frequently disagreed with his mortal wife over Yama Kumar’s upbringing.  The wife argued so violently with her husband god of death that in the end he agreed to whatever she said.

Finally, the god of death couldn't bear her bad temper anymore and returned to his kingdom.  From there he kept an eye on his son whom he loved very much. Unfortunately, his wife was unable to raise the boy properly and he grew up without learning anything to make a living for himself.

One night the god of death  appeared before his son and promised him the gift of healing if Yama Kumar work very hard and learn about medicinal herbs and plants. The young Yama Kumar  accepted his father’s gift. After some time, the young man became a qualified doctor.

"I am proud of you, my son," Yama said, "Now any time you approach a patient, if you see me sitting at the patient’s head, that means the patient will die. Then you should refuse to treat that patient."

The boy followed his father’s instructions and soon became widely known for his excellent diagnosis and treatment.

Some years later, the princess became very ill. Royal physicians came from far and near to cure her but they were all unsuccessful. The princess grew weaker and weaker. The king’s courtiers then told the king about Yama Kumar. The king decided to let Yama Kumar try to cure the princess.

Yama Kumar was thrilled at the opportunity to compete with the royal physicians. But as he approached the princess’ bed he was dismayed to see his father sitting there.

"Oh father!" Yama  pleaded, "Please spare her life! She is so young and beautiful. Must you take her life away now?" Yama loved his son very much and wanted to let the princess live, but he was also duty bound to take her. Finally he agreed to let her live for just three more days.

Thanking his father, Yama turned to the king and queen who could not see or hear the conversation between father and son.

"Your majesties, your daughter is very ill" Yama Kumar told them. "I think she may have only three days of life left. However, if she outlives these, she will live to a ripe old age." Saying this he sat down beside her and thought hard of a plan to save her life. Yama Kumar never left the princess’ bedside

Finally, on the third day, he saw his father approaching from a distance. Before Yama could reach the princess, Yama Kumar mysteriously  called out, "Oh mother! It  is  nice of you to  come and to see father!"

Upon hearing his son’s words, Yama immediately fled before he could even reach the princess’ bedside. Yama’s  sense of duty could not overcome his fear of his shrewish wife! Yama Kumar’s trick had worked!

As soon as Yama left, the color began to return miraculously to the princess’ cheeks. After a week had passed, Yama Kumar announced to the king that his daughter was cured.

So happy were the king and the queen that they married the young man to their daughter and the couple lived happily to a ripe old age.

Why Alexander the Great wept

Sham S. Misri

Alexander was the great king of Macedonia. When  Alexander with his little army won all the western part of Asia,  he said, "The world is my kingdom,."

He conquered Persia, which was then the greatest and richest country known. He burned the mighty city of Tyre. (Tyre is an ancient city in Lebanon and houses one of the nation's major ports. The city has a number of ancient sites, including its Roman Hippodrome, a hippodrome was a Greek stadium for horse racing and chariot racing..After these conquests Alexander made himself the master of Egypt. He built, near the mouth of the Nile River, a splendid new city which he called, after his own name, Alexandria.

Then Alexander asked "What lies west of Egypt?".

"Only the great desert," was the answer. "To the farthest bounds of the earth there is nothing but sand, sand, burning sand."

So Alexander led his army back into Asia. He overran the country beyond the great river Euphrates. He crossed the grassy plains that lie along the shores of the Caspian Sea. He climbed the snowy mountains that seem to overlook the world. He gazed northward upon a desolate land.

"What lies beyond?" he asked.

"Only frozen marshes," was the answer. "Mile after mile, to the farthest limits of the earth there is nothing but fields of snow and seas of ice."

So Alexander led his army back toward the south. He overran a large part of India. He subdued one rich city after another. At last he came to a mighty river.  He would have crossed the river, but his soldiers would not follow him.

"We go no farther," they said.

"What lies to the east of this wonderful stream?" asked Alexander.

"Only tangled forests," was the answer. "Mile after mile, mile after mile, to the farthest bounds of the earth there is nothing else."

So Alexander caused ships to be built. He launched them on another river called the Indus, and with his army floated down to the sea.

"What lies farther on?" he asked.

"Only trackless waters," was the answer. "Mile after mile, mile after mile, to the farthest limits of the earth there is nothing but the deep sea."

"Truly, then," said Alexander, "all the inhabited world is mine. West, north, east, and south, there is nothing more for me to conquer. But, after all, how small a kingdom it is!"

Then he sat down and wept because there were no other worlds for him to conquer.

When Alexander the Great, entered northern India in 327 B.C. and pitched his camp on the river which he called Hydaspes, influences were started which were to bear upon the subsequent history of Kashmir for generations. The fabulous Hydaspes of classic fame is the modern Jhelum, the great placid waterway of Kashmir. Not far from the northern boundary of Kashmir, where the river makes a bend, Alexander fought a battle in the course of which his beloved charger (Horse), the renowned Bucephalus, was slain. In his honor Alexander built a memorial city on the west bank of river near modern Jalalpur.

Yayati

Yayati  

Sham.S. Misri

Sukracharya was the teacher of Asuras (demons). He had a daughter  Devayani, who was spoiled by her father's luxury. The Asura king  greatly respected Sukracharya as he knew the secret of a drug that brings the dead back to life. The king also has a daughter called princess Sharmishtha.

One morning, the princess, came to Sukracharya's hermitage with her friends. She asked Sukracharya to allow Devayani to accompany them for a bath in a nearby lake. Sukracharya agreed. They soon reached the lake and left their clothes on the bank to go into the water. Suddenly a storm blew up and scattered their clothes. The girls hurriedly came out of the lake and got dressed. It so happened that the princess Sharmishtha, by mistake, clad herself in Devayani's  clothes. Angered by this, Devayani insulted the princess. Argument began and the princess Sharmishtha pushed Devayani into a dry well and left. Now Devayani was in the well, full of tears.

It so happened that Yayati, the king of a nearby state, came hunting in the forest and was looking for water to drink. When he came near the well he was surprised to find Devayani lying at the bottom. Devayani introduced herself and said that she fell into the well. She then requested the king to pull her out. Yayati helped her out. Devayani demanded that Yayati marry her as he has held her by the right hand. The king Yayati was alarmed and turned down her request on the ground that he belonged to lower warrior caste, and Devayani was a Brahmin (priestly) maid. Yayati then left , and Devayani continued to sit under a tree.

When she did not return, Sukracharya set out in search of her. He found his daughter Devayani under a tree, with eyes filled with tears . When Sukracharya inquired, Devayani told her father everything, carefully hiding her own faults. She refused to return to the kingdom as she was badly insulted by the princess, Sharmishtha. Failing to change her mind, Sukracharya returned to kings palace and announced that he was leaving the Asura kingdom because of his daughter Devayani's unhappy conflict with princess Sharmishtha. The king begged Sukracharya to stay. Sukracharya left the decision with his daughter Devayani.

The king  wasted no time and went to Devayani taking his daughter Sharmishtha along. He begged forgiveness for his daughter. Devayani agreed to return on one condition that Sharmishtha be her handmaiden for the rest of her life. Sharmishtha agreed for the sake of her father, the king. Devayani was pacified and returned to her father's hermitage. But Devayani was vindictive. She humiliated Sharmishtha by asking to massage her legs and run errands.

One day, king Yayati passed that way. Devayani introduced Sharmishtha as her maid and reminded Yayati that he should marry her. Yayati repeated that he could not marry a Brahmin maid. Devayani then took Yayati to her father. Sukracharya gave his blessing on their marriage. They were soon married and led a happy life. Devayani had two sons.

Sharmishtha continued to stay as Devayani's maid. Yayati made a palace for Sharmishtha at the request of Devayani. One day Sharmishtha secretly met Yayati and told him what happened between her and Devayani. Yayati was sympathetic. Sharmishtha begged Yayati to take her as the second wife. Yayati agreed and married her but without the knowledge of Devayani. Sharmishtha had three sons.

One day, Devayani met the three sons of Sharmishtha. She asked the boys the name of their father. They pointed to Yayati. Devayani was shocked. She felt deceived and ran to her father's hermitage. Sukracharya was enraged and cursed Yayati with premature old age. Yayati begged for forgiveness. Sukracharya and Devayani felt sorry for him. Sukracharya then said, "I cannot take back my curse, but if any of your sons is ready to exchange his youth for your old age, you will be young again as long as you wish."

Yayati, now an old man, quickly returned to his kingdom and called for his eldest son. "My dutiful son, take my old age and give me your youth, at least for a while, until I am ready to embrace my old age." The eldest son turned down his father's request and so also the next three older brothers. Then came the youngest, Puru. He agreed and immediately turned old. Yayati rushed out as a young man to enjoy his life. After years spent in vain effort to quench his desires by indulgence, Yayati finally came into senses. He returned to Puru and said, "Dear son, sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence any more than fire is extinguished by pouring oil on it. Take back your youth and rule the kingdom wisely and well."

Yayati then returned to the forest and spent the rest of his days in austerities, meditating upon Brahman, the ultimate reality. In due course, he attained heaven.