The Lost Opportunity

The Encounter

In the lightning that preceded the crack of thunder, King Vikram saw the corpse hanging from a branch of the ancient banyan tree. He climbed the tree and brought the corpse down once again.

The night was dark, and the atmosphere was eerie, filled with frequent drizzle, the howling of jackals, and the laughter of invisible beings. Yet, King Vikram was undeterred. He began crossing the cremation ground with the corpse lying across his shoulder.

The Vampire’s Tale

Suddenly, he observed the vampire possessing the corpse. “O King, I don’t know if you will reap the fruit of your labor. There are instances of people shunning opportunities that come to them after long hardship. Let me tell you the story of Shrimant to illustrate my point. Your burden will be lighter if you pay attention to my narration.”

The vampire continued: In days gone by, there was a prosperous merchant named Udaybhanu who traded with distant lands. He earned both wealth and fame and expected his son, Shrimant, to continue his business. However, Shrimant was a young man with a different mission in life; he became a physician.

Shrimant’s Dedication

Shrimant devoted much time to studying ancient texts on herbs and their medicinal qualities, reviving many forgotten remedies. Udaybhanu tried his best to persuade him to take up the family business but ultimately failed, dying a saddened man.

After his father’s funeral rites, Shrimant closed down the business. He opened a large laboratory and employed several young physicians as assistants, conducting systematic research in Ayurvedic methods. He also established a charitable dispensary, curing innumerable people of their ailments. Udaybhanu had amassed hundreds of acres of land, orchards, and gardens, as well as a significant quantity of gold and silver, allowing Shrimant to be generous in his efforts.

Opposition and Exile

While Shrimant grew immensely popular among the common people, he became an eyesore to two influential groups: the quacks and the wealthy. Quacks, who exploited the ignorance of the people, despised Shrimant for attracting their patients. Meanwhile, the rich grew jealous as the people acclaimed, “Of all the wealthy men in the land, Shrimant alone knows how to best use wealth; others are merely greedy misers!”

During this time, the king ruled through several feudal chiefs. The old chief of the region recognized Shrimant’s contributions, but upon his death, the new chief was a worthless flatterer. Shrimant’s enemies presented him with gifts and falsely accused him of harming patients with his treatments.

To please his sycophants, the chief ordered Shrimant to leave the region immediately. Although Shrimant could have appealed to the king, he learned that the king was no better than the chief and felt disgust for the situation. He left home without informing anyone.

A New Beginning

Shrimant reached a harbor where a merchant ship was departing for an island. The ship’s owner, a friend of Udaybhanu, invited Shrimant to join the voyage, which he accepted eagerly.

However, the ship encountered rough seas and sank. Clinging to a piece of timber, Shrimant managed to reach the shore of an island, where a girl found him and nursed him back to health.

The island inhabitants were simple people who lived in harmony, relying on the abundant fruits and vegetables. Sadly, they suffered from a peculiar illness: they lost their sight in middle age. They explained to Shrimant, “This is a curse of our community.”

The Gift of Healing

Shrimant recognized this as a rare epidemic. He knew that where a disease existed, its remedy was also hidden in that very land. He searched diligently and discovered the right herbs to treat their ailment. He began his treatments, saving those on the brink of blindness and partially restoring sight to those already affected. The islanders hailed him as a godsend.

Shrimant eventually married the girl who cared for him and dedicated himself to serving the islanders through his medical knowledge. Years passed peacefully.

An Unexpected Invitation

One day, a ship anchored near the island, and its crew sought fresh water. When they came ashore, they were amazed to find Shrimant. They informed him that the situation in his homeland had radically changed. The feudal chief who had exiled him was dead, punished by the king for his misdeeds. A committee was managing Shrimant’s property, and the king had promised to return his possessions upon his return, even offering him a grand welcome and a potential ministerial position.

Though delighted by the news, Shrimant ultimately refused to leave the island, much to the visitors’ disappointment. All their pleading fell on deaf ears.

The King’s Insight

The vampire paused, turning to the king, “Tell me, if you can, why did Shrimant refuse to return home? He could have enjoyed his wealth and served the people even better with the king’s support. Why did he spurn their offer?”

The king replied without hesitation, “Had Shrimant desired wealth, he would have managed his father’s estate. His indifference towards material possessions shows that his mission in life was service, not enjoyment. In the island community, he was not concerned with the attitudes of nobility; he served the people, who cherished him. This is why he found the island to be a perfect home.”

No sooner had the king finished his reply than the vampire, along with the corpse, vanished into the night.