Vikram Betal and Gabber Singh
Like the last time, King Vikram pounced upon Betal and put him on his back to take him to Sage. Betal persuaded Vikram that the journey was long and he would narrate a story and at the end of story he would ask for an answer. The condition would be the same (as in earlier stories) that if Vikram speaks then Betal will fly back to his tree in the Jungle. But if Vikram knew the answer of the story, but remained silent then his head would be smashed into 1000 pieces.
Betal again started narrating his next story to King Vikram.
Long ago, in a city of Ramgarh there was a dacoit named as Gabber Singh. He was the most feared person in Ramgarh. Within a 50 KM radius of his area of operation, if a child use to be adamant on buying a toy, his parents use to say, “Hey son, stay silent, otherwise the Gabber would come”. He had a long Gun. He had used it for firing indiscriminately and had killed various people with its bullets. Everyone use to fear his Gun and avoided going near to him.
Once, there was an arrival of a Saint in Ramgarh. He had strong spiritual strength. No bullet could kill him. Once he was busy in meditation below a tree where Gabber used to take rest. Looking at a new person at his tree he fired with his Gun. But he was surprised to find that it did not harm the Saint. He fired again and again but to no avail. The Saint saw this, but he did not want to harm Gabber.
He asked Gabber, “why do you kill innocent people, do you get any fun”. Gabber replied, “No. I do not get any fun but it is necessary now otherwise people will kill him”. The Saint told him to stop killing people with his Gun; otherwise he won’t get eternal peace. Gabber was amazed with Saint. He promised to do so.
The Saint went to other city afterwards. He came back to Ramgarh after one year but could not find Gabber Singh. He went to nearby hills and found him there. Gabber had become very weak. He could barely walk. It seemed he had not eaten food for few days. The Saint game him some fruits to eat which he ate instantly. The saint asked the reason of his present condition.
Gabber replied that he stopped use of his Gun for killing people, therefore people stopped fearing him. Even the kids in Ramgarh started making fun of him. They threw stones at him whenever he was around. He could not earn and eat food. Therefore, he only came out of hills at night to beg for food. If he does did not get food for more time, he would rather die. But he lived up to his promise to the saint. He told sanit that he did not want to move away from Ramgarh because he wanted to die there.
The Saint had no idea that stopping Gabber to kill people could be dangerous for his own life. He wanted well for all human being including Gabber. He was hit by a problem, “What should be his advice to Gabber?”
Betal stopped after this story and told Vikram, “Hey Vikram, you are a man of wisdom. Here is a saint who wants well-being of all human beings including Gabber. If he tells Gabber to kill everyone, then the society is at threat. If he tells Gabber to stop killing, his own disciple (who lived up to his promise) is at risk. What should be his advice to him?
Hey Vikram, if you know the answer but do not answer then your head will be smashed into 1000 pieces.
Vikram wisdom was again being tested. Last time (In story No 1 and 2) he was able to come up with a great solutions but this question was little tricky. Being a just and fair King himself he had to come up with something which was logical and agreeable. He thought for a while and answered.
PLEASE THINK FOR A WHILE ABOUT YOUR OWN REPLY BEFORE VIKRAM ANSWER BELOW. IT WOULD GIVE YOU AN INSIGHT ABOUT YOURSELF
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Vikram answered
“Hey Betal, the Saints dilemma is right. But if you would notice, Saint only wanted him to not to use his Gun for killing people. But using the Gun for the purpose other than killing or harming people is not prohibited. The Saint never told him to not to wave his empty gun at people if they throw stones at him. He could still point his gun at others, but internally with an intention to not to harm them. This way he could command respect but at the same time absolve himself from the sin of killing people. Therefore, I would advise him to use his Gun for limited purpose of threatening people who wished to harm him ”.
Betal heard and said,
“Hey Vikram, You are right. He started using his Gun and commanded respect from people but never harmed anyone. Again I am mesmerized by your wisdom. But you forgot one thing, you spoke hence I am going back to my tree”.
Betal started flying and went back to his tree. Vikram got furious and started following him back to get hold of him. Vikram was adamant that he will again catch hold of Betal.
