Adventures in the Forest
It was evening when Govind, the young traveler, arrived at a village. The village appeared prosperous, with many well-built houses, but what surprised Govind was how deserted the roads were.
He stepped onto the veranda of a house and could hear people talking inside. However, the moment he knocked on the door, silence fell.
“I am a traveler seeking shelter. Will you please open the door?” he shouted, but there was no response.
Strange Behavior
Moving on to the next house, he peered through a small chink in the door and saw two or three people sitting around a lamp. “Will you please open the door?” he asked. Instantly, those around the lamp lay down on the ground as if they were fast asleep. Govind was perplexed by their odd behavior.
At one end of the village stood a deserted temple. That night, Govind spent the night there.
The Villagers’ Fear
In the morning, he found the villagers going about their day. He inquired why everyone had kept themselves confined to their homes the previous evening. They explained that for the past fortnight, they had been terrorized by a group of bandits who looted houses and killed or injured anyone they found outside. This was why panic set in as soon as evening fell.
Soon, Govind noticed a large number of people heading toward the forest, about a mile from the village. Upon inquiry, he learned that there was a hermit in the forest who sat in meditation for six days a week, choosing the seventh to see and bless the people.
The Hermit’s Promise
“Since how long has he been in the forest?” asked Govind. “For about a month,” replied the villagers. “Before that, he was in the Himalayas.”
Govind decided to follow the villagers into the forest. Under a vast banyan tree sat the hermit, clad in ochre robes, sporting an impressive beard and a pyramid of hair. Behind him stood three bearded disciples.
As Govind approached, his dog began to snarl at the hermit. Govind was aware that his dog was typically gentle with innocent people and only barked when sensing trouble.
“Why do you come so close to me? Can’t you stay with the others?” asked the hermit sternly.
“I felt shy to speak in front of others. I am looking for a good bride for myself. Please bless me so I can be successful in my search,” Govind said humbly.
Revealing the Truth
“All right, your desire will be fulfilled,” the hermit replied.
Govind merely wanted to hear the hermit speak up close. As he did, Govind could detect the smell of wine lingering around him.
Govind stepped back and stood behind the crowd. Some leading villagers approached the hermit and said, “O pious one, we have come with the same plea we made last time. Please save us from the menace of the bandits.”
“I have heard your prayer. In meditation, I have learned that the bandits are a group of tantriks aided by ghosts and goblins. Attempting to confront them is futile. In one week, I will handle them with my tantrik power. I await the auspicious hour, after which they can be easily captured,” announced the hermit gravely.
“Well, we have to endure their menace for another week, I fear,” the village headman informed the crowd, eliciting sighs of disappointment as they returned to the village.
The Midnight Encounter
However, Govind did not leave the forest. He understood that if he returned alone, it would be noticed. He quietly crept into a thick bush and dozed off, his faithful dog curling beside him.
By evening, he awoke as moonlight filtered through the foliage. With great patience, he waited silently.
At midnight, his dog began to growl, prompting Govind to pat it to silence. Emerging from the bush, he spotted three figures briskly walking toward the hermit’s banyan tree. Govind followed them cautiously. They stood before the hermit, who silently removed the tiger skin and the plank he sat on, revealing a hidden hole beneath it. The three figures slipped items into the hole and began to partake of food and wine. To Govind’s surprise, none of them had real beards!
Quietly, he retreated and returned to the village by morning.
The Hero Emerges
Two hours later, knowing the villagers would be engaged in their daily activities, he ran along the village street, announcing, “I have just come from the forest. The hermit, through his power, has dealt with the bandits.”
This announcement created a sensation, causing the villagers to rush out. Govind told them that the hermit wanted them to hurry into the forest with arms and surround the area around the banyan tree, all the while shouting, “The bandits are caught!”
The villagers, thrilled, eagerly followed his directions. Within minutes, they had surrounded the banyan tree.
The Capture
The unexpected raid terrified the false hermit and his accomplices, causing them to shiver in fear. Govind suddenly grabbed the hermit’s beard, pulling it off.
Gasps of surprise echoed around him as he pulled the false beards off the hermit’s companions as well. The villagers quickly understood who the four really were and rushed to confront them. However, Govind stopped them and sent some young men to inform the chief of the king’s guards.
Then, Govind found the hidden stash of stolen property, and under the supervision of the village elders, the people reclaimed their belongings lost to the bandits over the last fortnight.
When the guards arrived, they took charge of capturing the bandits. Govind was hailed a hero, but he was merely a traveler. Soon, he left the village with his dog, continuing on his adventures.