In the state of Indian Punjab, there is a small railway station 'Bahram' on
the ‘Phagwara-Nawan-Shehar’ rail line. I used to hear in my childhood
that this station was named by the British after a Robin Hood type
bandit of that area. Bahram was a bandit in the eyes of the law. He used to
rob the dishonest rich big landlords that were favourites of the British regime
and distributed the loot among the poor, and the helpless. He would extend
liberal monetary help to the downtrodden families for solemnising their
daughter’s marriage. The common populace was never disturbed by
Bahram's robberies, and instead labelled him the Messiah of the poor. The
British government declared Bahram a proclaimed criminal offender and
announced a reward of Rupees 500/- to those who cooperated in his arrest.
Despite this, the British could not arrest him. Finally, an informer detailed to
the police about Bahram's presence in the nearby village ‘Chak Ramu’. At
night, the police captured the sleeping and unarmed Bahram and shot him
dead in a fake encounter.
In the village ‘Chak Ramu’ there lived a sixteen-year-old young girl all
alone. The villagers used to call her by the name, Badami. No one knew who
and where Badami's parents were. She was spotted crying and stranded in
the village when she was three or four years old. Who discarded her or how
she came, nothing was known. Everyone sympathized, helped and loved her
because of her cheerful nature. Due to no knowledge of her caste, community
or religion, nobody adopted her. She would get her meals from any family
she approached. Depending upon the availability of space, she would spend
the night at the village Sikh Gurudwara or Hindu Temple. During the day, she
would lend a helping hand in the household chores of the needy families.
This routine continued for thirteen years. Badami was now a young lady. Six
feet tall, well-built frame and graceful gait. Round face, brown fair skin,
black and white eyes like that of a deer, thin lips and white orderly teeth. No
one in the village dared to look at Badami with an evil eye or misbehave and
violate her virginity. The reason for this was Badami's affectionate,
respectful behaviour and above all, tremendous self-confidence. She did not
possess the prettyish and pranks usual of young girls.
The village Panchayat donated a piece of land in their jurisdiction to
Badami. She built a mud hut to live in and raised a buffalo there. She hired a
helper to look after the buffalo. Badami's day-to-day life was like an
automatic machine that had no time to feel tired or to stop. Fetching green
fodder from the fields for the buffalo, preparing her feed and water
requirement, converting the dung into dry cakes to be used as fuel, cooking
and doing other household chores consumed all her time. Without any
complaint or regret, Badami remained busy from early morning till late night.
There was complete dedication in everything she did. The idle youngsters of
the village were aware of the physical and the emotional strength of Badami.
Badami would retain the milk needed for her requirement of curd,
buttermilk, butter and ghee and sell the surplus milk to the village wrestling
gymnasium. The village youth used to get training here in the morning and in
the evening from the traditional wrestling Guru. Labhu Ram was the only son
of village Temple priest Asa Ram. Instead of practising the family traditions,
he became a wrestling enthusiast. Lean and fragile Asa Ram used to keep a
lock of hair on the back of his shaven head. All the time, he would recite
some holy sermons silently and keep turning the rosary beads. Villagers used
to invite Asa Ram on the occasions of birth, death, marriage and Hindu
festivals. Chak Ramu residents loved and respected him. Asa Ram's wife
‘Dhanni’ had a tough masculine personality. She relished the prasad and food
offered by the devotees. Perhaps this was the reason for her good health and
strong build-up. Labhu's physique and appearance matched that of his
mother's. Some people in the village were talking in hushed tones, that
instead of Asa Ram, Labhu was the offspring of some Jat.
Badami would return after selling the milk to the Gymnasium in the early
morning and the evening. She did not have enough time to stay there to watch
the Wrestlers undergoing training in their conventional scanty dress. Her
femininity probably never felt like being a housewife and bearing children.
Life was going on non-stop with this daily routine. The earth spins around
itself in twenty-four hours and makes one orbit around the sun in a year. This
has been going on since time immemorial. There has been no interruption, no
change. The days and nights of Badami's life were passing like the movement
of the earth. Badami, after the bone-breaking fatigue of the whole day, would
go into a deep sleep and this cycle would start afresh from the next morning.
The change came when one morning, Badami noticed the magnetic and
powerful masculine body of Labhu in the wrestler’s traditional scanty dress.
The femininity inside Badami got ignited. She realised that the Almighty had
created two separate species that were incomplete individually. Their bodies
have different looks, traits, and even organs. They seem to be complementary
to each other, rather are made for each other. A complete picture will emerge
by the union and merging of both, resulting in bliss and ultimate satisfaction.
Living alone is unnatural, meaningless and artificial. How this reality of
nature evaded my attention? Perhaps, my parents were not around to guide
me. Her life has been busy and mechanical. All the attention and time was
being spent in satisfying the material needs of the body and hunger.
Observing Labhu's shining and muscular healthy body, she realized the
incompleteness of her existence. She had no one of her own, no siblings, no
family. Only, one’s own family imparts a true meaning to life. Now,
whenever she went to the gymnasium, she would look at Labhu closely. Her
heart desired to sit with and talk to Labhu alone. Prepare nutritious food and
feed him with her own hands. Labhu should look at her, touch her, and share
smiles with her. He should lift me the way he lifts other wrestlers and puts
them down. But, how to make this happen and when? How could she contact
Labhu? Every morning and evening, he was busy wrestling. Rest of the day
goes in eating and taking rest in the gymnasium. He was a staunch devotee of
Bajrang Bali Hanuman and did not believe in raising a family. Labhu avoided
women's attention and their touch, believing that it would sap his vigour and
masculinity. The entire energy of his body will be drained out and crumble
his wrestling skills to zero. He had vowed not to marry. He had a target to
become a famous wrestler and make known the name of his village. He had
never looked at a woman with a searching eye and was ignorant of female
organs. He had no idea of the power of their smile and femininity.
They say, no one can defy the verdict and will of a king. The king has
power, authority and wealth. The defiance of the king's order invites a death
sentence. As a result, nobody dares to disobey the king's orders and provoke
his displeasure. The king bows down only before the will of his wife.
Badami resolved to bring out the manhood hidden inside Labhu. Two
incomplete entities must unite to emerge as one. Labhu was engrossed in his
own ways and world. How to make him realize that there is another species
of nature that is known as woman. After all, Labhu himself was the outcome
of his parent’s mating. In case his mother or father had followed celibacy,
where did Labhu come? Ignoring the productive laws of nature, the entire
humanity rather than all the existence on the earth will result in total
extinction. Nature has made creativity its basis of existence and continuity.
This principle applies to all humanity, animals, birds, plants and insects
living in or on the earth. This process has nothing to do with caste,
community, language or religion. Creating a barrier or hindrance in this flow
is unnatural. How to make Labhu fall in line? Badami could not workout.
As luck would have it, priest Asa Ram and his wife Dhanni left for the holy
cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh for a week-long pilgrimage. Hindu society
believes Haridwar as the last destination of life and Rishikesh as the gate of
heaven. Badami resolved to take full advantage of this golden opportunity.
She decided to meet Labhu alone in his house and speak her heart frankly.
Badami cooked a recipe of dry fruits, rare traditional herbs in homemade
pure butter oil. In the evening, after finishing her daily routine, she let the
servant leave. Dressed herself best after taking a bath. Late in the middle of
the night, holding the recipe, she reached Labhu’s house. Very softly she
knocked at the door. Waking up from sleep, Labhu opened the door rubbing
his eyes. Without uttering any word, Badami made her way inside.
"Badami...how come you are here at this late hour?” Totally shattered,
Labhu was trembling visibly.
“Labhu…being a devotee of all powerful wrestlers, Bajrang Bali Hanuman
you are afraid of a woman? I didn’t even touch you…then why should you be
nervous? Be a man Labhu”. Badami uttered in a soft voice.
Badami…why don’t you understand? If the villagers get a scent of your
being here…at this hour…my reputation shall be tarnished. All my wrestling
skills will be ruined. The erudition and honour of our being a priest family
will reduce to zero. I beg of you to please leave me alone and go back.”
Labhu pleaded with both his hands folded.
"Labhu…I am not committing any sin so as to be afraid of the villagers. I
have prepared a very nutritious recipe for you. If you consume this every
morning with fresh milk, your strength will enhance. You will become a great
wrestler." Responded Badami.
“That is fine Badami…but I am a celibate…a devotee of Hanuman. Seen
with a young female all alone at this hour, my existence shall be corrupted.
Badami...you please go back with the recipe. Why are you bent upon erasing
my hard-earned celibacy?
"Labhu, don’t worry. I shall surely go back but only after speaking out my
heart with you. Please be seated peacefully in front of me." Badami sat on the
bed.
"Okay, what you want to say… Please tell me quickly.” Labhu said with the
intention of getting rid of Badami.
"Labhu…my love, I have surrendered my heart and soul to you. I have
resolved to spend this life till death as your wife. Please be clear about it
and there shall be no going back.” Badami made a hand gesture.
“Badami…what do you mean? I am the son of a priest. I know nothing about
your religion. Moreover, I am a celibate. I can’t afford to marry and drain out
all my energy and momentum. Getting married is forbidden in this profession
and is a sin for me.”
"What meaningless reasoning? My dear wrestler, Almighty blessed you with
a handsome healthy body. Sent you as a male species. When you go back to
the Almighty as a virgin, what will you say? Just did wrestling all your life.
Didn't do any work, and was never useful to anyone else too? Badami
questioned.
“Badami...please don't try to derail me from my chosen path. These worldly
pleasures are temporary and destructive. Just as a woman enjoys her beauty
adorning herself with ornaments...in the same way, a man enjoys by
preserving and enhancing the juice of his physical and mental strength. This
state of mind is a bliss…lasts all life, day and night. It is foolish to lose this
treasure.” Labhu reasoned.
“Labhu Ji, even a person with average common sense understands...stagnant
water stinks. The flowing water becomes clear...becomes nectar. In the same
way, if you do not make use of all the body organs, they shall not respond and
shall become dead. The wrestling and exercise help to digest the food and
make you stronger. Similarly, it is also necessary to give vent to your natural
emotions. Suppressing them shall result in isolation, boredom, depression
and may even lead to madness. As such, we should let our emotions and
juices inside our existence flow. Otherwise, they shall stagnate, emit a foul
smell and even explode. It is against the principles of nature. The woman
adorns her body to look beautiful, to attract and to seduce a man... to get his
admiration. A woman does not undertake all this for herself and in isolation.”
Explained Badami.
"Badami...you are leading me astray. If you want any good of me, then...for
God's sake...don't push my wrestling towards destruction...have mercy on
me... Labhu pleaded.
"My Love...I hereby take a vow. I will spend this life in your service. I will
prepare and feed you with the best and most nutritious food. They say...a man
and a horse never grow old if they continue to receive good food, service,
and respect. I don't know…what is my religion? What to speak of my
religion…I do not know even my parents. I don't know how to worship...I
don't know how to sing religious hymns. I have spent my childhood sleeping
in the balconies of the Gurdwara and the Temple. A religion that breads
fear...is not a religion. God is within all of us. Our body is the temple of God.
Even when we sleep, this God keeps our hearts beating…lungs working…
keeps the minds alert. Clogging this precious body with hindrances is like not
eating the fruit of the trees. Nature has blessed mother earth with air, water,
light, fruits, vegetables and numerous other substances. Air and water flow to
remain fresh and pure. The wind spreads the fragrance of the flowers. Water
merges into the sea flowing through rivers. Observe and recognize the hidden
and imprisoned brilliance within you...don't suppress it. God has created
male and female in every species… that is half of itself. There is
incompleteness in isolation…and of no use. In their union, there is
perfection…bliss and heaven. People worship in their own way... to seek
God... seek heaven. All that is needed is to look within ourselves...to talk to
the God within us. If two human species...rather a woman and a man come
together... they become Shiva and Parvati. What else can I say? Find out
yourself...you are wiser than me. I am not educated...but this much is like
writing on the stone that I owe this life to you; I will live for you...and die for
you. I will do everything to make you a top wrestler. My virginity is your
property now. This is my word, commitment and the purpose of my life. No
power on earth can change or stop it." Saying that, Badami walked out unnoticed in the darkness.
Labhu could not sleep the rest of the night. On one hand, there was a devotee
of the Bajrang Bali Hanuman committed to maintain celibacy and on the other
hand, Badami's clear, loud and strong resolve. He had heard such
determination for the first time from a woman. Badami met him alone and that
too in the dead of night. He was both surprised and disturbed. Now what
should he do? Whom should he consult...and what should he say? Lying
down, he would stare at the box of recipes brought by Badami and sometimes
at the ceiling. Upon closing his eyes, he would visualise Badami. Panicked
Labhu, started reciting the poetry of Hanuman Chalisa to calm down. His
mind could not find peace and stability. How can Badami coerce and impose
herself on me like this? I am a celibate wrestler, no ordinary person. Then he
recalls the story of the beautiful virgin Maneka and the great sage
Vishwamittra. Maneka could melt the sage...then where do I stand? I have not
seen Maneka but what else would she have that is not in Badami? She is
virgin, young... and is beautiful. Every organ of her has the fire of a volcano
and above all, she is brave...she is clear. She has the courage to express her
strong will. Have observed most women scolding and complaining to their
men. They keep them harassing...asking for clothes, ornaments. This
behaviour appears like asking for the price of their charms and femininity.
But...Badami has liked, loved and owned me. She has vowed to spend her
entire life in my service. Above all...she appreciates my wrestling skills.
How and why did it happen to her? What did Badami see in me? Perhaps,
that was the will of destiny. There are other wrestlers in the village. Badami
could have chosen anyone. They are also men and can fulfil every desire of a
woman. Then why did Badami choose me? Legendary lady ‘Heer’ could
have found another lover other than ‘Ranjha’. Perhaps, this is called Ishq-eHaqeeqi, union of the souls and body. Labhu was pulsating in the bed until it
was morning. He got up to enjoy the taste of recipe of Badami with milk and
went to the gymnasium. A new strength and momentum flowed in him. The
other wrestlers in the arena were also surprised by the sudden strength and
momentum of Labhu. The wrestler, Ganda Singh said, “Oye Labhu Rama…
what did you eat this morning? Where did such strength and enthusiasm come
from? Tell us this recipe too." Labhu didn't say anything, just smiled.
Back home, Labhu had a feeling that women are not destructive to men. With
transparent love and devotion, she can be a source of strength and
motivation. She can impart a purpose and direction to the energy and
masculinity of a man. Man is incomplete without a woman. The union of the
two and merging into one entity is the law of nature. It is unnatural, rather a
sin to put obstacles in the ways and laws of the ‘Creator’ and the
‘Nourisher’, tantamount to offending them. He found Badami's recipe very
tasty and congenial for the metabolism. He would taste it occasionally. Labhu
developed a feeling, if one recipe prepared by Badami is so tasty and full of
energy, how about Badami’s own taste, strength, vigour and momentum?
Badami has also vowed to make me a top wrestler. Badami has mixed her
love and devotion in this recipe. If this love is showered on me for life...I
will be blessed. We will create a heaven of our own. We shall be closer to
the Almighty.
After three nights, Badami again went to Labhu’s house. Labhu was
preparing to go to sleep. Seeing her, he said in surprise, "Badami...again at
this late hour? Are you okay? Did anyone spot you while getting in? I have a
feeling that my fellow wrestlers knew about your previous visit here.” Labhu
spoke very softly.
“My Love…true love fears none. Our love is sacred. I have no fear
whatsoever! A wrestler must be free of any fear.” Badami spoke confidently.
"Badami... I fear none except a bad name and reputation. What will the
villagers say about our family and our relationship? They shall turn inimical
to us all”.
"One enemy is in front of you. Badami, what special is there in Labhu that is
not in me?" Give me a chance and enjoy my union. You will forget this
useless priest wrestler, Labhu.” Ganda headed towards Badami. Before he
could reach and touch Badami, Labhu engulfed Ganda, putting him flat on the
floor. Sitting over his chest, Labhu was about to strangle Ganda. "Right now,
I will open all your emotional knots. How dare you cast an evil eye on my
Badami and try to molest her virginity?” Labhu was looking at Ganda with
bloodshot angry eyes.
"Labhu...forgive...me!" Folding both hands, Ganda spoke with a choked
voice. He was struggling to breathe.
"Labhu...please forgive and release this bastard! In case he dies, you shall
have life imprisonment. Don't take this sin on yourself. What shall I do in
your absence? Life would become meaningless and hell for me. I would die.
How will our dreams come true?” Badami folded his hands and begged
Labhu.
The moment, squeeze around his neck loosened, Ganda released himself and
ran out panicked. Badami hugged Labhu. She was crying bitterly. This was
the first occasion, when Badami had felt the close and intimate touch of a
man. Same was the case with Labhu. The body energies of Badami and
Labhu began to flow into each other. Both melted in one soul.
Before dawn, Labhu and Badami left Chak Ramu. After six months someone
disclosed that both are living in a village near the city of Malerkotla. They
have raised five or six buffaloes and are in the milk selling business.
A year later, the news appeared prominently in the state newspapers.
(Hoshiarpur}: A grand sports festival was concluded at ‘Mahilpur’ located
35 kilometres from Phagwara on the Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh Road. Known
as the mini-Olympic of Punjab State, this sports festival is organised by the
local Sri Guru Gobind Singh, Khalsa College every year. This college was
established in the year 1946 by Saint Baba Hari Singh Keharpuri Ji. Labhu
Ram, a wrestler from the village Chak Ramu, has been crowned ‘Punjab
Kesari’. Labhu Ram, in an interview gave all the credit of winning this top
award, to his wife ‘Badami’ and that he is dedicating this medal to her.
Without her relentless hard inputs, service and back-up, this achievement
could not be possible. She has been my inspiration. Alongside the news, a
photograph was published depicting Labhu Ram and Badami supporting their
three months old baby boy.
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