The Penance of Gunkar

The unsuccessful penance of Gunkar

Once again Vikram caught hold of Betaal and started walking carrying him on his shoulders. As usual, to pass their time Betaal started with another story. In the city of Ujjain, lived a poor Brahmin who had a son named Gunkar. Gunkar had a bad habit of stealing from his house and gambling. As usual, one night he stole money from his father’s cupboard and set out for gambling. Meanwhile, the moneylender’s men came to the Brahmin’s house for the money as he had promised them to repay on the full moon night. The Brahmin asked them to wait as he was ready with the money. Just as he picked up his pillow to take the keys, he was shocked as the keys were not there. He realized that Gunkar had taken away his money. The moneylender’s men did not believe him and thought that he was playing the fool so they caught hold of him and took him away. The moneylender thrashed him very badly. He then made the Brahmin his captive and ordered his men to go and tell his family members that if they wanted him to be released, they should deposit all the money and then take him away. Gunkar’s mother gave away all her jewelry and got her husband released. Meanwhile, Gunkar was still in the gambling house. When he went home, his father was very angry and threw him out of the house. Gunkar left the house and the city also. He kept walking without knowing where to go. He realized how difficult it was to survive as there was no love, mercy or favor in this society. He wandered here and there hungry and thirsty. He fell down under a tree and a Saint who was passing by picked him up and took him to the cave where he resided. Gunkar told him that he was very hungry and he wanted to eat.

The Saint asked him what he wanted to eat. Gunkar replied that he would eat anything given to him. The Saint got a betel leaf with magic and asked him to eat it. As soon as Gunkar ate that, his stomach was full. Later, the Saint asked him to rest inside. As soon as he went inside, he was shocked to see a palace and a beautiful woman stood there. When Gunkar asked her who she was, she said that she was the power of Baba (Saint) and he had asked her to take special care of Gunkar. Gunkar then went back to Baba and asked him what was going on. Baba replied that these were his supernatural powers and he should not question him further. Gunkar told Baba that he would like to stay there forever but Baba refused saying that he could stay there as a guest for only eight days. He lived a luxurious life for eight days. After this, Baba came and asked him to leave. Gunkar requested Baba to teach him the mantras with which he acquired the supernatural powers. Baba refused saying it was very difficult to attain that, but Gunkar was adamant on achieving it. Baba agreed to it but said that he would have to do it in two steps, the first step being meditation, mantras and penance. Gunkar agreed and started his penance. Gunkar completed the first step and came back to Baba. Baba was very happy with him and asked him to go towards the next step. But Gunkar said that before going for the second step, he wanted to go and see his family. Baba agreed and with his powers Baba got gifts for his family members and money for his father. Gunkar left for his town. His parents were happy to see him and so he stayed there for few days and later returned to Baba. He completed the second step of his penance and came back to Baba. He was very happy that he could get anything he wanted now. Baba asked him to get food for him. Gunkar called for food, but nothing came. He was surprised and asked Baba why he did not get the super natural powers.

Saying this, Betaal stopped and asked Vikram why Gunkar could not attain super natural powers in spite of completing all the steps of austerity and penance. Once more he forced Vikram to reply. Vikram replied that Gunkar could not acquire those powers because he went to see his family mid way. To acquire a goal one should concentrate and not let his mind deviate to any other matters. Gunkar got distracted because of this and so could not achieve his goal. Betaal once again succeeded in forcing Vikram to speak up and he flew away.