FULL STORY THE PANCH PARAMESHWAR ( Munshi Premchand)

THE PANCH PARAMESHWAR 

Jumman Sheikh and Algu Chowdhari enjoyed a deep friendship. They cultivated their lands jointly. They trusted each other deeply. When Jumman went to Mecca for Haj, he left his house in charge of Algu and whenever Algu went 2way from the village, he would leave his house with Jumman. They did not share the same religion, but they used to think alike. This is the true meaning of friendship. 

Jumman Sheikh had an old aunt. She had a little property but no close relatives. After making many false promises, Jumman persuaded the old woman to transfer the property in his name. Till the papers were registered in the court,he showered her with attention. He would bring her sumptuous food and sweets. But the final stamping of the transfer deed put an end to this glorious period. Jumman's wife Kariman's sharp tongue was now added as a curry along with the roti. Jumman also grew more cruel and indifferent. The poor aunt had to listen to a lot of unhappy talk.avery day, 'God knows how long the old woman will live!She imagines that by giving us three big has of and she has bought us! She is unable to chew her roti unless there is ghee in her dal! With the amount of money spent on feeding her,we could have bought the whole village. 

The aunt tolerated this kind of talk as long as she could, then she complained to Jumman. But Jumman felt it would be unwise to interfere in the functioning of the 'oficer on duty'- the mistress of the house. Somehow things carried on like this for a few more days. At last one day the aunt said to Jumman, I don't think i can live with you any longer. Just give me a few rupees and I'll cook my own food.' 

Jumman answered rudely, 'Does money grow on trees here? The aunt pointed out politely, My needs are very little, but * must make my ends meet all the same. 

Jumman answered with great seriousness, 'I had no idea that you were determined to live forever' 

The aunt was upset. She threatened to go to the village panchayat. Jumman laughed to him   a hunter does,when he watches his prey walk towards the trap. "Yes. Go to the panchayat. The matter must be settled. I too don't ike these daily arguments.' 

Jumman had no doubt who was going to win at the panchayat meeting. After all, who was therein all the nearby villages who was not obliged to Jumman in many ways? 

In the days to follow, the old aunt, a stick in her hand, went around from village to village. Her back was bent like a bow. Every step she took was painful.Buta problem had come up; it was necessary to solve it. 

The old woman poured out her lament to every goodman who was willing to listen to her. Some tried to console her and put her off; others cursed the cruel times. There were very few who were law-abiding, kind and considerate, who listened attentively to the sad story and offered her consolation. In the end she reached Algu Chowdhari. She put down her stick, sat down, and rested. Son,you too must come to the panchayat meeting, if only fora few minutes. 

There will be many others from the village who will be attending the panchayat. Why do you want me to go? T have told my sad story to everybody, she said, now it is up to them to come or not.' 

T ll come along, but I won't open my mouth during the panchayat.' But why she asked. 

What answer can I give to this? Its my wish. Jumman is an old friend of mine and I can't afford to spoil my relationship with him.' 

Will you tum your back to justice for fear of ruining your friendship? 

We have a tendency not to bother about our religious traditions; we would even let them be destroyed. But we are always aroused when a challenge is thrown at our faces. Algu had no reply to her question, but her words kept resounding in his mind-will you turm your back to justice for fear of ruining your friendship? 

The panchayat met under a tree in the evening. Sheikh Jumman had already spread coverings on the car then floor. Of course, he himself was sitting some distance a way from Algu Chowdhari, and whenever anybody arrived at the meeting, he would greet them Wally. When the sun had set and the birds had settled down to their own noisy meeting on the tree, the panchayat started. Every inch of the sitting area was packed, but most people were only spectators. 

The panchayat sat down. The old aunt appealed to them: 

Members of the panchayat! Three years ago I transferred all my property to the name of my nephew. All of you know this. In return for this, Jumman had agreed to feed and clothe me. Somehow, for a year, I managed to suffer through, but now I cannot bear their ill-treatment. I neither got enough food nor adequate clothes. I am a poor helpless widow, unable to fight in a court or durbar. Except for you all, who else will listen to my grief? Iam willing to accept whatever you decide. If you think I am at fault, you can punish me. If you find Jumman guilty', explain matters to him. Why does he want to suffer a helpless widow's curse? I will be happy to abide by your decision.

Ramdhan Misra, whose many clients had been given shelter by Jumman in the village, said, 'Jumman Mian, better settle with the old woman now. Otherwise whatever the panches decide, you will have to accept. Or name your own head panch. 

Jumman noticed that most of the panchayat members were people who were obliged to him in one way or another. He said, T will accept the decision of the panches as the decision of God. Let my aunt select the head panch. I have no objection.' The aunt shouted, "You creatures of God! Why dont you come out with the name so thatI should also know?'

Jumman replied angrily, 'Don't force me to open my mouth.It's your problem. Name whoever you want.'The aunt realised that Jumman was trying to put all the blame on her. 

She said, "Son, you should fear God! The panch is nobody's friend or enemy. What kind of talk is this? If you can't trust anybody, then let it go. I am sure at least you trust Algu Chowdhari. I will propose his name as the head panch.' 

Jumman Sheikh was overjoyed, but he hid his feelings. In a calm voice he said, 'Whether you select Algu or Ramdhan it makes no difference to me.' 

Algu did not want to get involved in their quarrel. He tried to back out. 'Aunt, he said,'Jumman and I share a deep friendship.' 

The aunt replied in a sober voice, No one will turn his back to justice for the sake of a friendship. God resides' in the heart of a panch. They speak in God's voice. 

Algu Chowdhari's nomination was accepted. Algu Chowdhari said, 'Sheikh Jumman! You and I are old friends. Whenever the need arose, we helped each other. But at this moment, you and your old aunt are both equal in my eyes. Now you can make your statement to the 'panchayat. 

Jumman was confident that he had won the round and that Algu was talking for effect. So he said peacefully, 'Dear members! Three years ago my aunt transferred her property to me. In return I had agreed to look after her needs, and as God is my witness, I have caused her no trouble till today. I treat her as my own mother, as it is my duty to look after her. But there is always friction between the women in a household. How can I be blamed for that? My aunt wants a separate monthly allowance from me. You all know how much property there was. There is not enough income from it to pay her a monthly allowance.Apart from this, there is no mention of any monthly allowance in our agreement otherwise i would not have taken on this unnecessary headache 

That is all I have to say The panchayat is welcome to decide as it wishes Algu Chowdhari used to visit the courts frequently. So he knew a great deal about law. He began to cross-examine Jumman. Each question hit Jumman like a blow to the heart. Jumman was wondering what had happened to Algu. Only a little while ago he was talking so differently. Was their old friendship going to prove of no use? Jumman Sheikh was lost in such thoughts when Algu announced the decision:'Jumman Sheikh! The panches have considered the matter. It seems to them that the aunt should be paid a monthly allowance. lt is our opinion that there is enough income from her property to pay her such an allowance. This is our decision. If Jumman is unwilling to pay her the allowance, the agreement should be cancelled.' 

Jumman was stunned. His own friend! Who would have thought he would behave like an enemy and stab him in the back? It is in such situations as this that one comes to recognized one's genuine friends from false ones. What a trick of fate! Being let down by the very man he trusted most! 

But Ramdhan ar.d other members of the panchayat were openly praising the just decision. This was the true panchayat. Friendship is all very well, but it must be kept'a its proper place. Man's primary duty is to be just and true. It is the righteous who support the world. Otherwise it would have perished long ago. 

This decision shook the found action of the friends hip between Algu and Jumman. Now they were not seen talking with each other. Their old friendship which had stood firm like a tree could not withstand the first blast of truth. Now when they met, they were formal with each other. They greeted each other coldly as a sword greets a shield. 

Algu's betrayal played on Jumman's mind all the time. He lived now only to take revenge. It takes a long time for the results of a good deed to show, but the results of an evil deed can be seen at once. 

Jumman did not have to wait long for his revenge. The previous year Algu Chowdhari had bought a pair of beautiful,long-hornedoxen from Batesar. For months people came from neigh bouring villages to admire them. Unfortunately,a month after the panchayat decision, one of the oxen died. Jumman told his friends,"This is the punishment for treachery. Human beings can act in whatever way they like but good sees the good and bad behind one's deeds. 

Algu suspected that Jumman had poisoned the ox. His wife also blamed Jumman for the mishap. One day she and Jumman's wife had a violent argument about it. All sorts of hateful, rude and sarcastic words were exchanged. Somehow Jumman managed to quieten the warring sides. He scolded his wife and persuaded her to come away from the battlefield. On the other side, Algu also quietened his wife with a firm stand. 

One ox is of no use to a farmer. Algu searched for a matching ox, but could not find one. He finally decided to sell the animal. The trader, Samjhu Sahu, in the village, drove an ox-cart. He used to take gur and ghee to the market and return with salt and oil which he sold to the villagers. He thought if he could lay his hands on the ox, he could make three trips to the market daily, instead of one. He inspected the ox, took it on a trial run, and then after some haggling brought it home and tied it in his courtyard. He promised to pay for it within a month. Algu was so anxious to get rid of the ox that he did not mind if the money came in later. 

With a new ox, Samjhu started making three, even four trips in a day. He was careless with the food and water for the animal, nor did he give it proper rest. At the market place, he would throw some dry straw before it. The poor animal had barely rested, before he was tied up to the cart again. 

At Algu's house, the ox had been looked after well, with fresh water to drink. Apart from fodder, it was given grain and even a touch of ghee. Morning and evening it was cleaned and massaged. Its comfortable past had given way to a life of torture. It became hal fits size and its bones stuck out. 

One day, while making his fourth trip, Samjhu overloaded the cart. The poor animal was tired after the long day-it could barely lift its feet. Samjhu began to whip it and it began to run. After a few yards it paused to rest, but Samjhu was in a hurry and he began to beat the animal mercilessly. The poor ox again tried to pull the cart, but its strength failed and it collapsed on the ground. This time it was unable to get up. Samjhu hit the dead animal a few more times, complaining, 'If you had to die, why didn't you wait till you reached home. Now who will pull the cart?" 

The cart had been loaded with several tins of ghee, some of which had been sold and two hundred and fifty rupees from the sales were tied in his waistband. Apart from this were loaded bags of salt which he could not leave unguarded. In the end he decided to spend the night in the cart. When he woke up in the morning, he found his money gone along with several tins of oil. He beat his head with sorrow and wept. He reached home in a state of shock. When his wife heard the bad news, she cried and started abusing Algu Chowdhari. That mean fellow! His unlucky ox has ruined us! All our life-long savings have been stolen!" 

Several months went by. Whenever Algu demanded the price of the ox, Samjhu would reply nastily, 'Here we have lost our life savings and you want money for the ox! You cheated me! You gave me a sick ox! You expect me t pay you? Do you take me for such a fool? I come from a trading family and am not going to let you fool me. 

Finally some villagers suggested that the matter be decided in a panchayt, and both Samjhu and Algu agreed. 

The Panchayat sat down. Ramdhan Misra asked, Now what is the delay? Let us select the members. Well, Chowdhari, whom do you nominate?" 

Algu said very politely, Let Samjhu choose them. 

Samjhu stood up and said, Tpropose Jumman Sheikh. 

Hearing this, Algu's heart began to beat fast, as if someone had slapped him. Ramdhan was Algu's friend. He understood. He said, 'Chowdhari, do you have any objections? 

Resignedly, Chowdhari answered, No, I have none.' The knowledge of one's responsibility helps to improve our relationship with others. Whenever we behave badly, this inner realizations helps to bring us back to the right path. 

As soon as Jumman Sheikh was appointed sarpanch, he felt a sense of responsibility for his high position. He thought, I am sitting on the highest throne of justice and dharma. Whatever comes from my lips will be treated with the same respect as the words of God. I must not stray even an inch from the truth. 

The panches began to question both the factions. For a long time, both sides and their supporters argued back and forth. They all agreed that Samihu should make payment for the ox. But two of the men favoured the idea that Samjhu should also be compensated for the loss of the animal. Others insisted Samjhu should be punished to set an example to other villagers not o their animals with such cruelty. Finally Jumman announced the decision. 

Algu Chowdhari and Samjhu Sahu, the members have considered your case very thoroughly. It is only proper that Samjhu should pay the full amount for the ox. When he bought the ox, it was in good health. If he had paid cash down at the time, the present situation would not havearisen. The diedbe cause it was made to work very hard, and it was not fed or looked after properly. 

Ramdhan Misra spoke, 'Samihu has deliberately killed the animal, and he should be punished for it. 

Jumman said, "That is a different matter. We have nothing to do with that. Jhagru Sahu pleaded, 'Samjhu should not be treated so harshly." Jumman said, 'That is upto Algu Chowdhari. If he wants to give a concession, it will be because of his own goodness.' 

Algu was delighted. He stood up and shouted, 'God bless the sarpanch. The entire crowd joined in 'God bless the sarpanch.' Everyone praised the decision. This is not the work of man; God lives in the heart of a panch. This was His blessing. Before the panch, falsehood will be swept away. 

After a little while, Jumman came to Algu and embraced him. Said he, 'My brother! Ever since you became sarpanch and decided the case against me, I have been your deadly enemy. But today I learnt as a panch that I am neither anybody's friend nor anybody's foc. A panch cannot see anything except justice. Today I am convinced that (God speaks through a panch's lips. Algu began to cry. His tears washed away the misunderstandings that had accumulated in their hearts.

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