The Banyan Tree That Sets the Souls Free : Chapter 5

 

 Twisted Tales or Enlightened Souls?

Akriti was excitedly giving her analogy about the prophecy and the Banyan tree. Prof. Siddhartha was giving his inputs regularly.

“You see, the tree has its roots spread to a considerable portion of the mansion. Going by the visible portion of land covered by the tree, it might be more than a 500-year-old tree, but the accurate age can be determined only after core drilling by a botanist. But it is safe to say that it has been there for many centuries. Hence the line ‘The Banyan Tree stood witness to some of the most revolting rituals,’ applies to this tree,” continued Prof. Siddhartha.

“Since the mansion was abandoned, it was home to many people who dabble with dark rituals and dark energy. So, it is apt to conclude that the prophecy talks about this tree,” he concluded.

“So, what do you think unearthing this prophecy means to us?” asked a journalist.

“It means that the evil spirits or the demons, as depicted are not necessarily stories; they may be real and felt only by a few sensitive people. But I have here the visual proof that the spirits that live on this tree do move around,” said Akriti and proceeded to show them the thermal imaging videos where the spirits were gliding towards the aerial roots.

***

“That woman is not ready to let go of her ego to move ahead. She is here for ages now,” replied the Banyan tree.

“Ego, what happened to her?” asked Anmol.

“When she lived, she troubled every near and dear one with her pride. She had to be always right. Now, even after her death, she is not ready to accept that she had hurt her own family with her pride. When you accept your mistake, you repent and begin your journey to forgiving yourself, but when you are too vain to accept the mistake, you can never move ahead,” replied the Banyan tree.

“Oh, I see. But I had promised my daughter I will stay with her always,” said Anmol, becoming sad.

“Your daughter has faith in you, every act of kindness from a stranger and help she gets will remind her of your promise. Your daughter believes in your promise, and that will protect her in her life. You need not worry about her,” replied the Banyan tree.

“Is it? I didn’t know it worked like that,” replied Anmol.

“The mortal world runs on belief. If you believe, you can do anything. The people restrict their minds, thoughts, and beliefs making their lives difficult and miserable,” replied the Banyan tree.

“So, I needn’t worry about my daughter. But what about my wife?” asked Anmol.

“You were the one who took the extreme step of killing yourself to free her from the bondage of looking after you. I am sure you are relieved that she is finally free,” replied the Banyan tree.

“Yes, I feel very relaxed now,” said Anmol and looked around because he was feeling warm, all of a sudden. The chill surrounding the Banyan tree had vanished. He was now travelling in the path of the light that was filtering through the roots. At last, he was free.

***

The only woman remaining on the Banyan tree spoke again,

“How stupid are these people? They misunderstood the prophecy,” she laughed hysterically.

It was getting dark, and the press heard the squeal of laughter and got tensed. Akriti was the only person to be excited. She jumped to action and told her team to set the thermal cameras ready in place. The press did not feel it was important to stay anymore. Few reporters assumed that Akriti might be setting it up to gain more views on social media.

“My laugh scared them all,” said the woman and began giggling.

“They misunderstand because they are seeing it from their perspective. You see, right and wrong are always constants, but the perspective of a person is the variable. If you think you are right and do not want to agree you are wrong, you believe it strongly, making you blind to the real truth,” said the Banyan tree.

“You mean I was wrong in not accepting that I hurt anybody? I stick to my stand. I haven’t hurt anybody. If they were so sensitive they should never have interacted with me,” said the woman.

“May be, it is not time for you to move ahead in your journey,” said the Banyan tree.

“If you want me to accept lies to glide away, I would prefer to be stuck on this tree forever,” said the woman, shaking with anger. The root coiled around her frail body tightly, and she screamed in agony.

THE END

The Banyan Tree That Sets the Souls Free : Chapter 4

 The Unraveling or A Misunderstood Prophecy

Akriti was recounting all the tales she had heard from the neighbours about the Banyan tree. Rumours were ripe that many evil spirits always haunted the tree. Many had even observed the roots coiling and uncoiling while a few heard screams.

Akriti then slowly began recounting the incident about how she stumbled upon the prophecy. When the reporter asked her how she identified this to be the tree, she replied,

“You see, the stone carving depicted a demon hidden in the tree while a sage meditates. The demon may be signifying evil, while the sage represents the good. Now, the only tree with a reputation for evil is this very tree,” continued Akriti.

“We are yet to identify what the sage represents here, but yes, this tree has been here for ages and must have witnessed strange rituals. The carving in the temple was in an ancient Tamil language which was translated by my revered guide Prof. Siddhartha,” said Akriti.

She then proceeded to read it out loud,

“The Banyan Tree stood witness to some of the most revolting rituals. It stands tall, even when there is no vermillion or turmeric smeared on it. Free are the spirits that haunt this tree, so reads this inscription, a prophecy. A time shall come when the truth will dawn and take you afar to the end of the journey long,” continued Akriti. 

“I have Prof. Siddhartha live on phone with me, to give us more information,” finished Akriti.

 

***

Shikha had calmed down and was witnessing the media coverage. So was the young man.

“But what she says is wrong,” said Shikha.

“Yes, they think what they understand is the truth,” replied the Banyan tree.

“But, is the prophecy really about you?” asked Shikha.

“Yes indeed, I am one of the Kalpavrikshas,” replied the Banyan Tree.

“Oh, then how can you be evil if you grant wishes?” asked Shika.

“I am not evil, I grant wishes of the spirits that are estranged and stuck,” replied the Banyan tree.

***

Anmol was getting anxious with each passing minute.

“Is this true? Do you house demons? Where are they? I don’t see any of them until now?”

“Wait and watch, you will understand it very soon. Sometimes, what we see or hear may not be the whole truth but part of a truth. Believing partial truths is more harmful than believing lies,” said the Banyan tree.

Suddenly, Anmol began to understand when Akriti got talking about coiling of the roots. It happened to him when he became angry. His struggle with the roots and movements were misunderstood by them. The whole truth dawned on him.

“I understood now, the demons they are talking about are us.” At this point, he saw the young woman free herself and fly above the Banyan tree as if she had invisible wings. The old woman watched with pained eyes.

***

“Oh, so you can grant me my wish. Please, destroy Subhash completely. I want to see him meet his gory end. I want to see him struggle in pain like I did,” asked Shikha.

“You are mistaken. I help you let go of this emotion called revenge. But yes, what Subhash has done to you, Karma will catch up eventually. He will get his punishment but at the right time. Now, concentrate on your soul, do you see the shining bright light ahead, but you are in a cage?” asked the Banyan tree.

“Yes, I do. The light feels warm and welcoming, yet, I am a prisoner,” replied Shika.

“Now, clear every thought and memory coming to you right now.”

“I am trying, but I am stuck with memories of Subhash,” replied Shikha.

“Let go, you are free, he will get his punishment. Allow yourself the freedom, don’t allow him to make a home in your consciousness. He doesn’t deserve a place in your consciousness. Your thoughts must be only about reaching the light,” said the Banyan tree at length.

Shikha was relieved to let all the memories of Subhash fade away. It was as if she was watching herself drift away from Subhash towards the shining, warm light. She looked around to see if she was free from the roots of the Banyan tree. At last, she was free from the bondage of vengeance that binded her to this mortal world.

***

“I don’t get it. How did she do that?” enquired  Anmol.

“She is now free from the bondage,” replied the Banyan tree.

“Oh, the prophecy means you help us free ourselves; How dumb of me to look for demons hiding in the tree,” he said.

“It is now time to let go of the attachment you have for your daughter,” said the Banyan tree.

“But, I have a doubt, why is the woman who is lodged high up there not able to free herself?” asked Anmol.

The Banyan Tree That Sets the Souls Free : Chapter 3

 The Unearthing of a Prophecy

ImageSource Momspresso

Akriti was recollecting how she had unearthed a prophecy about the Banyan tree in an inscription found in a nearby temple. She happened to be an active YouTuber who shot travel videos of various ancient temple sites and showed startling pieces of evidence of the advanced intelligence of our ancestors, unlike the one mentioned in Darwin’s theory.

In a nearby temple, there was a strange sculpture depicting a demon-like creature hidden in a tree that resembled a banyan tree. The main deity of the temple was Lord Shiva, in the form of the Linga. The sculpture around the temple was marvellous as it had withstood the test of time, for locals believe it existed for ages.

When she was filming the minute details of the sculpture carved on the stone pillars, she happened to spot the banyan tree and further below was something written in an unknown language. She had clicked the pictures of the inscription, which resembled ancient Tamil and sent it to her professor for deciphering.

The professor was thrilled when translating the inscription and kept asking her for more details like the location of the temple.

“It is very near my house,” replied Akriti.

“And, do you happen to have an old Banyan Tree in the vicinity?” the professor asked, more excited than ever.

“Not that I know of,” Akriti had replied, and then the tales of the haunted old mansion of ancient Rajput King flashed in her mind.

“Oh wait, there is an old mansion which is haunted, and it has an ancient Banyan Tree. There are strange tales of spirits inhabiting it,” said Akriti. Suddenly, it all made sense; the demons were the spirits, the deformed spirits who were evil.

The professor then said to her, “Listen to the inscription very carefully, it will now make sense. 

“The Banyan Tree stood witness to some of the most revolting rituals. It stands tall, even when there is no vermillion or turmeric smeared on it. Free are the spirits that haunt this tree, so reads this inscription, a prophecy. A time shall come when the truth will dawn and take you afar to the end of the journey long.” 

Akriti was numb with excitement, “Waw, I want to be the one who unearths this prophecy to the world. And I shall do it with all the necessary proof. I need your help regarding this, sir. Will you please accept my request to come live with me via phone when giving this vital piece of information?”

“It is my pleasure,” said the professor.

And so, the professor, Akriti, and her team went live with the press near the Banyan Tree.

The Banyan Tree That Sets The Souls Free

Chapter  2 - The Acclimatization and the Awakening

Shikha was confused; she found herself gliding through towards a dark banyan tree. All was dark and cold. She thought she had freed herself from the agony and pain but it persisted; she found herself in new surroundings. She looked around, and found an old woman holding onto an aerial root for her dear life. She tried to start a conversation but was scared of the her appearance. She had aged considerably; her face was full of wrinkles, yet she exhibited enormous strength in holding onto the root.

She sensed Shikha’s thoughts and looked in her direction. Shikha was scared; she wanted to run away, but something was pulling her to the aerial root; and soon she was stuck to it. No amount of struggle was able to free her from it. That’s when the old woman spoke,

“It won’t release until you find your peace.”

“What?” stammered Shikha.

“That’s what I got told when I came here. I am yet to find it,” the woman said and looked into oblivion. Her eyes registered pain.

Shikha wanted to ask more, but couldn’t muster enough courage. She then saw a young man glide towards another root near her. Soon, he lodged onto it and began looking around, just as surprised as she was.

Suddenly, Shikha heard a voice speaking to her,

“Do not fear, I am here to help your soul move forward in your journey.”

The young man was puzzled too. Shikha wondered if both of them had heard the voice. She then gently asked the woman,

“Did you hear that voice? Who is that?”

The old woman shook her head and said,

“I didn’t hear anything. What did you hear?”

“The voice said not to be scared and that it will help my soul move forward in my journey,” said Shikha finally, mustering courage.

At this, the young man who was lost in a trance spoke at once,

“I heard it too. So, what is this place? Why are we here?”

Shikha wondered the same when she heard the voice reply in her head,

“You have died, but your soul is remains stuck due to some attachment that you could not let go. I am here to help you.”

“But who are you?” thought Shikha.

“I am the Banyan Tree, your temporary home until you learn to let go,” came the reply.

“Oh, but I had heard different stories about you. I thought you were housing all the evil spirits,” wondered Shikha.

“That is what the human mind and eyes perceive, but you will eventually know me,” came the reply.

***

Anmol remembered tumbling down the stairs, his body had become numb to pain. He opened his eyes only to find himself stuck to a banyan tree root. He was more surprised when he saw a young beautiful woman near him speak. At first, he thought she was speaking to him, but he eventually spotted another member lodged on the topmost aerial root. It was a visually scary sight to see the old woman up there.

Suddenly he realized that a voice spoke in his head,

“You have to let go of all the attachments that bind you to your former life.”

“What former life? I have a daughter I have made a promise to; I must get back to her,” thought Anmol.

“That is the attachment you have to let go. You cannot go back to her,” came the reply.

“No! you are lying to me,” thought Anmol, anger surging through him.

Suddenly the root coiled onto his legs. The voice gently replied in his head,

“The more you struggle, harder will be your journey.”

“What journey?” asked Anmol.

“You have died, but your soul is attached to your former life because of your desire to go back to your daughter,” came the reply.

Realisation dawned on Anmol. He had tried to take his life away to free his wife from the burden of being stuck with him. Gently the root uncoiled, but Anmol remained stuck to the root.

***

Akriti was nervous with excitement. All the members of the team observed slight movement of the roots and vigorous movement before it coiled along an invisible person perched onto it. They had no time to check the thermal camera videos yet. It was about time for the sunrise, the slight spread of orange and red over the morning sky looked like an unfinished canvas painting. Akriti and her team sat down to watch the footage.

“Oh my God! Do you see the forms? They are ghosts, evil spirits,” said one of her female friends.

“You are lucky to have spotted that inscription on the temple wall. We will become famous now. Imagine, us becoming popular for ghost busting and being called for this work by rich industrial magnates,” said one of her male team members.

“Quick, there is no time to lose, let’s get in touch with the press. Meanwhile, I will upload the videos on social media so that it begins trending,” said Akriti.

***

Shikha got lost in memories of her childhood. The banyan tree was famous in the locality, for everybody had some strange story to recount about it.

“But I heard it from my uncle; he had heard screams of ghosts from this very tree at midnight. He happened to return from late-night shift and had to take this deserted route because maintenance work was going on the regular route,” recounted Shika.

“What you hear, and what you see may not always be the truth,” came the reply.

“I had always watched your roots curl around and uncurl at odd times, but I admit I never heard any screams,” said Shikha, becoming bolder.

“Yes, it is time now to concentrate on forgiving and loving on,” came the reply.

“What? Whom should I forgive?”

“The very person responsible for provoking you to kill yourself,” replied the banyan tree.

“Never,” replied Shikha, shaking with anger. At this point, the root coiled around her legs. It suddenly occurred to Shikha that she might have witnessed this when she was young.