The Devil’s Lieutenant
The Merchant’s New Mansion
There was a wealthy merchant who once constructed a magnificent mansion for himself. To ensure everything was in order, he called upon the village astrologer, Parmanand, to inspect the house and advise him on the auspicious moment to formally move in.
A Bad Omen
Upon arriving at the new mansion, Parmanand noticed a tabby cat playing with her kitten before the door.
“Good God! This is a very bad omen!” Parmanand exclaimed with a heavy sigh. “You should not occupy this house. The devil has set his sights on it!”
The Merchant’s Dilemma
“But I have spent a fortune to construct it! Are you suggesting that all my efforts would be in vain?” asked the worried merchant.
“Not quite!” replied Parmanand, rubbing his bald head. “You can still use the house if you perform a special rite known as the ‘Thunder-Appeaser Yajna.’ As part of this rite, you must gift a golden cat to a great pundit, like myself, who can appease the devil.”
The Astrologer’s Greed
“I am prepared to do that. You are the right person to perform the yagna and receive the golden cat,” said the merchant.
Unbeknownst to the merchant, Parmanand was merely exploiting his ignorance and superstition. He was delighted that his scheme was coming together.
The Ritual Gathering
The merchant invited a dozen Brahmin scholars from nearby villages to perform the formal rites on the day he moved into the new mansion. Among them was Krishna Bhatt, a scholar well-versed in all rites and rituals. Krishna was astonished to see Parmanand receive a golden cat after conducting a peculiar ceremony he called the ‘Thunder-Appeaser Yajna.’
Confrontation with Krishna Bhatt
Once the other scholars had departed, Krishna Bhatt approached Parmanand and said with a smile, “Brother, with all my study of the scriptures, I have never encountered anything like the ‘Thunder-Appeaser Yajna!’ I have neither read nor heard about a gift of a golden cat to a Brahmin. Could you please enlighten me about this strange occurrence?”
Realizing he could not deceive Krishna Bhatt, Parmanand spoke in hushed tones, “Come to my home at night; I will give you your share of the gold.”
A Deceptive Plan
“But there are several other scholars who participated in the function. What about their share?” demanded Krishna Bhatt.
“Please meet me at night. I will provide enough gold to satisfy all of them,” said Parmanand.
That evening, Parmanand discreetly warned the merchant, “I have no doubt that I have appeased the devil, but beware of his lieutenant—a mischievous character. He is likely to appear before you tonight disguised as one of the Brahmin scholars. When he comes, give him a merciless beating.”
Krishna’s Resolve
The merchant agreed to follow Parmanand’s advice. That night, Krishna Bhatt arrived at Parmanand’s house, but Parmanand rudely told him, “Get out, you fool! I owe you nothing; do whatever you wish!”
“I will expose your lies before the merchant!” threatened Krishna Bhatt.
“Go to hell!” yelled Parmanand.
The Merchant’s Mistake
Enraged, Krishna Bhatt marched straight to the merchant’s mansion. As he knocked on the door, the merchant raised his stick, preparing for confrontation.
“Why are you raising the stick?” a family member asked.
“Parmanand warned me that the devil’s lieutenant would come to harm me, disguised as a scholar. I intend to give him a good blow!” replied the merchant.
Fortunately, Krishna Bhatt overheard this and fled immediately, determined to teach Parmanand a lesson.
A Trap Set
He summoned his servant and provided specific instructions. The servant went to Parmanand’s house and informed him, “Sir! The merchant wishes to see you urgently.”
Parmanand rushed to the merchant’s mansion and knocked on the door. It opened immediately, and before Parmanand could speak, the merchant shouted, “You devil’s servant! You have the audacity to take the shape of the esteemed scholar Parmanand!”
Permanand’s Reckoning
In that instant, the merchant brought down his heavy, iron-studded stick on Parmanand’s head. Parmanand collapsed, and the merchant shut the door behind him.
Krishna Bhatt and his companions, who had been lurking in the shadows, emerged, lifted Parmanand, and carried him to his home. “I believe good sense will prevail now,” said Parmanand, shamefacedly acknowledging the merchant’s stick. He then decided to share the gold cat with all the scholars.