Heaven’s New Citizen
Vishwakarma, Heaven’s City-Planner, Chief Architect
& Builder sought and was granted an urgent appointment with Lord Vishnu.
When ushered into Lord’s presence, Vishwakarma was visibly upset.
“What is the matter, Vishwakarma? Why are you so
agitated?” asked the Lord. He, being Antaryami, of course already knew of
Vishwakarma’s troubles. But he also knew the therapeutic value for the
aggrieved to just let out steam.
“Lord, it is this new citizen you have admitted to
heaven. He is quite a character, to say the least.”
“But, he is a very good man, did a lot of good on
earth, and earned his place in heaven. Vishwakarma, it is not for you to
question my decision to elevate him to heaven!”
“My Lord, I cannot even dream of questioning your
wisdom and authority. Glory be to the Omnipotent and the Omniscient. However,
Lord, permit me to say that I am much perturbed about the strange behavior of
this new citizen.”
“Why don’t you specify your grievances about our new
citizen?”
“Firstly, he has refused to adhere to dress code
prescribed for heaven’s citizens. In place of the mandated resplendent silken
liveries, he’s going about in public places in his coarse cotton white baggy
trousers and a half-sleeved shirt. That is inappropriate costume for heaven.”
“Secondly, he has asked my office to give him a
certified copy of Heaven’s Master Plan along with all the voluminous annexes
and drawings.”
“Thirdly, he has sent me a lengthy questionnaire with
demand for a quick reply, and in no case later than two weeks. He desires to
know, among other things, if our Master Plan was put to Public Scrutiny and
Debate (the capitals are his, My
Lord!) before finalization and approval. That, my Lord, is asking for too much.
I know all there is to know about city planning. My wisdom has never been
questioned, not even by the deities. In any case, I have obtained your consent
and approval for our latest Master Plan. We cannot permit a new citizen to
reopen the matter!”
“Fourthly, he has already covered the length and
breadth of our city on foot. He is going about asking questions about sewerage
lines, land-fill sites for garbage disposal, and public conveniences. Nandan
Kanan, he says is accessible only to select deities and apsaras. Where are
parks for heaven’s common citizens, he is asking? Gods have chariots. What’s the public
transport system for the citizenry, he demands to know? He has even inspected the
Sevak colony, and is making noises about inadequate facilities for its
residents.”
“Are you done?” asked the Lord.
“Lastly, My Lord, he is also talking about the need
for an Ethical Code of Conduct for all your Administrators, deities big and
small. He is asking all the deities to voluntarily abjure acceptance of nazrana and shukrana. You’re aware, my Lord, that this is a well-established
and time-honored practice among deities and supplicants. He says that nazrana and shukrana are also corrupt practices. If one is disinclined to
decline these offerings, he says, one is not far from soon demanding jabrana,
too.”
Vishwakarma was done, and expected the Lord to agree
to restrain or at least admonish the new
entrant for his insouciance and open challenge to Establishment.
Lord Vishnu smiled his inscrutable smile, and said,
“Well, Vishwakarma, does it occur to you that I may have a certain purpose in
bringing this new citizen here? Go, meditate upon it, and you will yourself
find the answer.”
“Your Will be Done, My Lord. By the way, who is this
person?”
“Oh, don’t you already know? He’s Mahesh Neelkanth
Buch. Do not mess with him. He has already drawn up a list of some of your
buildings which need to be pulled down to serve public good!”
***
In remembrance of Shri M. N. Buch, who left for his heavenly-abode on 6.6.2015.
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Note:
- Author's profile may be seen at http://amazon.com/author/pkdash
- Books by this author are available on Amazon.in, Kindle eBook, Flipkart, and Notion Press, Chennai.
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