Invitation: Page 6

Both friends sat in the car and the vehicle started on its smooth journey. On the way, a thought worried Pandit Chintamani: What if I am taken for Moteram's sidekick and not shown adequate respect? Pandit Moteram too was troubled by his own thoughts: This man may well turn into a rival and impress the rani-sahiba. Both began planning their strategies to counter such exigencies.

Both were out of the car the moment it stopped at the gate of the rani-sahiba's vast mansion. Moteram wanted to reach the rani-sahiba first and inform her he had brought along Chintamani, while Chintamani wanted to be the first so as to impress her. Chintamani, being lighter, had a head-start; Moteram had to run to keep pace with him. Chintamani, not to be outdone, also started running. It was again like two rhinos chasing each other. Finally, Moteram could not endure it anymore, and panting wildly pleaded, "It is not good etiquette to run to the mansion."

Chintamani: "Then, why don't you walk slowly? Who asked you to run?"

Moteram: "Wait a minute, there is a thorn in my foot."

Chintamani: "Remove it; I will go ahead."

Moteram: "The rani-sahiba would not have invited you if I had not suggested."

Moteram tried every excuse to stop Chintamani but the latter wouldn't listen. He reached the mansion. The rani-sahiba was writing something, and from time to time she lifted her head to glance at the door. Pandit Chintamani came up and started eulogizing her.

Rani-sahiba: "What is the meaning of all this? State your purpose."

Chintamani: "Accept my blessings Madam for inviting me, Chintamani. I cannot express my gratitude in words."

Rani-sahiba: "So you are Chintamani! Where is Pandit Moteram Shashtri?"

Chintamani: "He is following me; he is my disciple and cannot dare to walk by my side."

Rani-saiba: "Oh, he is your disciple!"

Chintamani: "I don't wish to blow my own trumpet, madam. The wise must be humble, but the truth cannot be concealed from the world. It is against my principles to argue with anyone; my disciples sometimes declare themselves to be my masters but I don't object to that. The truth is known to everybody."

Meanwhile, Pandit Moteram reached huffing and panting. When he saw Chintamani standing with a serene and pious look on his face, Moteram thought it wise to stay quiet.

Rani-sahiba: "Pandit Chintamani is very wise and learned. Although you are his disciple, he refuses to describe you as such."

Moteram: "Madam, I am his servant."

Chintamani: "Madam, I bow down to him."

Rani-sahiba: "Both of you are venerable; please come and join in the repast."

Sonadevi was waiting for her husband. She was feeling angry at Moteram's sudden affection for his friend. The elder boy wasn't likely to give her any trouble but she feared that the youngest may fall asleep. She was trying to keep him awake by telling stories. A servant came up to escort them to the dining hall. The two pandits, like two great warriors, sat facing each other eager to display their valour.

Chintamani was getting impatient since there was a delay in serving the food.

"Have patience, all the food will be brought and served at one go," the cook told him.

Moteram: "Enjoy the aroma till then."

Chintamani: "Aroma, humph! We don't care about aroma; we like to dig into the food straight away."

Moteram: "What will you eat first?"

Chintamani: "I think I should go into the kitchen and hurry up things."

Moteram: "Have patience."

Just then the rani-sahiba entered the dining hall; Chintamani immediately began chanting hymns. When Pandit Moteram saw Chintamani employing this ruse he, too, wanted to show off his knowledge. But he could not recall any hymns or mantras, so he began chanting the name of Lord Rama loudly. Chintamani had to raise his voice to make himself heard. Moteram was not to be outdone and he raised his voice still louder. The cook came and ended the competition by announcing that food was ready and it was time to make the first offering to the gods. The boys became alert following this announcement, and they picked up the worship articles - someone picked up the bell; someone, the cymbal; another, the conch shell; while Chintamani began the worship. Moteram once again found himself pushed into the background.

The worship was over and everyone was about to start eating when a dog appeared out of nowhere. Sacrilege! Pandit Moteram was aghast.

Chintamani looked at Moteram with pleading eyes imploring him to work out a solution.

Moteram let out a deep sigh of regret and said, "What can be done now? From where did this dog come?"

The rani-sahiba was standing nearby; she was appalled. "How did the dog enter the house? It is always kept on a leash; how did it get loose? Now the kitchen has become defiled and the food is unfit for consumption!"

Chintamani: "Madam, the sages have advised that under such circumstances ....."

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