Bhola Saves The Day – Part III

The havan was organised promptly. Shyam’s parents, desperate to banish the evil spirit residing inside Shyam’s body, made all necessary arrangements despite their modest incomes. Apart from paying for all the requirements and Guruji’s dakshina, they also promised to feed eleven cows daily for eleven days.

“Worry not, my dear, if we have to go without food for a few days,” Shyam’s father said. “I will work  hard to bring more money to feed the cows. We have made a divine vow and we shall dare not break it.”

“Food is not of concern to me,” Shyam’s mother replied. “I will pretend that we are fasting in His holy name. It is my child’s safety that troubles me. Once he gets better then surely our lives would see brighter days.”

The havan was a ritualistic affair where Shyam was made to sit in the center of the room with a holy fire in front of him. The fire was surrounded by numerous frankincense sticks; together they gave off enough smoke to frighten any mortal being; but here we were dealing with the supernatural and hence the rituals were justified.

Guruji chanted vehemently, periodically sprinkling a few drops of oil, grains and ghee into the fire, as Shyam’s parents sat behind him with folded legs and folded hands. Their eyes were shut and they repeated the verses after Guruji. Bhola, standing in a corner of the room, observed the proceedings with folded hands. He was hoping and praying that his best friend be cured. He knew as much as anyone else how much Shyam had already suffered due to the invasion of this evil force.

The havan lasted over an hour post which Guruji opened his eyes and stared at Shyam.

“How are you feeling now?” Guruji asked.

Shyam burst into tears. His parents didn’t move lest they break the impact of the puja; but Bhola ran to console him. He put his arms around him and asked him what the matter was.

“The ghost is very angry because of the puja,” Shyam sobbed. “He is whistling very loudly now.”

“My estimate was right,” Guruji said, meditatively. “This evil spirit is more powerful than what we first thought. We will have to resort to extreme measures to purify the child.”

“What should we do now?” Shyam’s parents asked, pleadingly.

“Two nights from now a full moon will adorn the skies,” Guruji said, stroking his long, white beard. “At the stroke of midnight we shall tie the child to the giant oak tree in the center of the village and whip him with a hundred lashes.”

“A hundred lashes?” Shyam’s parents exclaimed.

Guruji nodded, “Fifty each from both of you.”