the immortal of maluha
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‘We know many things, my friend.’<br />
‘My entire life is meaningless without her.’<br />
‘I know,’ smiled <strong>the</strong> Pandit. ‘Perhaps I can help you.’<br />
Shiva frowned. This was unexpected.<br />
‘You want her to reciprocate your love. But how can she when you don’t even understand<br />
her?’<br />
‘I think I understand her. I love her.’<br />
‘Yes, you do love her. But you don’t understand her. You don’t know what she wants.’<br />
Shiva kept quiet. He knew <strong>the</strong> Pandit was right. He was thoroughly confused about Sati.<br />
‘You can hazard a guess towards what she wants,’ continued <strong>the</strong> Pandit, ‘with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ory <strong>of</strong> transactions.’<br />
What?’ asked a flummoxed Shiva.<br />
‘It makes up <strong>the</strong> fabric <strong>of</strong> society.’<br />
‘Excuse me, but what does this have to do with Sati?’<br />
‘Indulge me for a little while, Neelkanth,’ said <strong>the</strong> Pandit. You know <strong>the</strong> cloth that you wear is<br />
created when cotton threads are woven toge<strong>the</strong>r, right?’<br />
‘Yes,’ answered Shiva.<br />
‘Similarly, transactions are threads that when woven toge<strong>the</strong>r make up a society, its culture.<br />
Or in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> a person, weaves toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>ir character.’<br />
Shiva nodded.<br />
‘If you want to know <strong>the</strong> strength <strong>of</strong> a cloth, you inspect <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> its weave. If you want<br />
to understand a person’s character, look closely at <strong>the</strong>ir interpersonal behaviour or <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
transactions.’<br />
‘Alright,’ said Shiva slowly, absorbing <strong>the</strong> Pandit’s words. ‘But transactions are...’<br />
‘I’ll explain,’ interrupted <strong>the</strong> Pandit. Transactions are interactions between two individuals. It<br />
could be trading goods, like a Shudra farmer <strong>of</strong>fering grain for money from a Vaishya. But it<br />
could also be beyond material concerns, like a Kshatriya <strong>of</strong>fering protection to a society in<br />
return for power.’<br />
Shiva nodded in agreement. ‘Transactions are about give and take.’<br />
‘Exactly. So going by this logic, if you want something from someone, you have to give that<br />
person something <strong>the</strong>y want.’<br />
‘So what do you think she wants?’ asked Shiva.<br />
‘Try and understand Sati’s transactions. What do you think she wants?’<br />
‘I don’t know. She is very confusing’<br />
‘No, she isn’t. There is a pattern. Think. She is probably <strong>the</strong> most eminent vikarma in history.<br />
She has <strong>the</strong> power to rebel if she wants to. She certainly has <strong>the</strong> spirit since she never backs<br />
<strong>of</strong>f from a fight. But she does not rebel against <strong>the</strong> vikarma law. Nei<strong>the</strong>r does she fade into <strong>the</strong><br />
background like most vikarmas and live her life in anonymity. She follows <strong>the</strong> commandments,<br />
and yet, she does not whine and complain to o<strong>the</strong>rs. However unfairly life treats her, she<br />
conducts herself with dignity. Why?’<br />
‘Because she is a righteous person?’<br />
‘That she is, no doubt. But that is not <strong>the</strong> reason. Remember, in a transaction, you give<br />
something because you want something in return. She is accepting an unfair law without trying<br />
to make anyone feel guilty about it. And most importantly, she continues to use her talents to<br />
contribute to <strong>the</strong> good <strong>of</strong> society whenever she can. What do you think a person who is giving