Part-1 Adalat in Brahma Lok: 368

He had never witnessed such a gathering of semi-gods, lesser gods and souls that have attained ‘nirvana’ in front of his residence. It not only disturbed the meditation regime but brought forth the concern that at this point of time, the stalwarts Chitragupta and Yamadharmaraj were conspicuously absent. The issue has generated much consternation, and everyone present had a complaint against one entity- Narad. Brahma toyed with the idea of recusing himself and request either Vishnu or Shiva to adjudicate in the matter.

His heads rose immediately in rebellion and hinted that recusal may well result in the erosion of confidence in the impartial nature of Brahma. Instead, they argued that this issue could be turned into an advantage to establish the indisputable fact that it is not easy to sway the opinion of Brahma and assured that they will resolutely stand by to maintain the balance of power, both physically and legally.

Immediately, he ordered Narad to be at hand, while complaints against him are being presented. Brahma thought with worries, “What did Narad do? Not known to be for or against anyone, why complaints are being raised now? In fact, he happens to be a good diplomat and agent provocateur, without personal attachments in both the roles. So far, his periodic assessments have been of the gem stones embedded class.”

Fortunately, and with foresight, he had constituted a generic committee comprising of members from this very gathering, which might be advantageous. But in the Adalat, Narad being his progeny will remain only as an inconsequential fact. Without carrying any weight. 

Taking the seat, Brahma indicated that he was ready to hear their complaints, though he had already received their brainwaves borne thinking even before they had decided to meet with him. But in life, pretense pays. This gem of wisdom has been presented to him by none other than his proteges Chitragupta and Narad. 

Brahma asked, “What is your complaint?” Smitten by hesitation, the gathering started to explain.

 “Apart from visiting other Lokas, Narada visits the Earth the most. On returning, he gives a vivid picture on the happenings, like a sound and light show, in which actual earthlings and their activities, amnesties and strange looking moving things in air, on water and on the surface of earth.

There large crowds stood behind fenced off area. On a raised stage, erected a little away from the crowd, a few dignitaries occupy the dais and one of them keeps on talking. Narada patiently explained afterwards that it was a political meeting, and the speaker was promising everything, will be given free, except life, if his party comes to power.

Narad elaborated, in a democracy people elect rulers and they can happily borrow wealth, pocket some, distribute some and after their tenure ends leave the burden as debt for the coming generations to settle. When we asked, where the speaker has an account in the Bank of Kuber, he did not reply.

Narad had conveniently forgotten to hint that here too we could have elections, promises, debts and so on…The way he described the happenings on Earth makes us sad that we have been missing out on all these possible thrills and excitements, so long! This is our complaint on Narad for not being proactive to initiate such changes here in Brahma Lok.” 

A team consisting of semi-god, lesser gods and the elevated spirit tried to estimate the elapsed time in terms of the orbital motion of a faraway star. To give them a shock, Brahma meddled with the speed and position of that star. He too wanted to enjoy some fun by watching the orbits of confusion on their faces.

As he was hearing the complaints, his heads offered a four-way counselling to these misguided litigants who have misunderstood the purpose for which Narad shared information, after each visit to other Lokas.  

“Follow The edicts that operate.” The first head suggested.

Here the system governs without absolute power. On planets like Earth activities from getting up to going back to sleep generates chaos, conflicts and law & order problems. Various forms of governance are required to deal with different kinds of aberrations. Here in Brahma Lok, life goes on in an orderly fashion. All of us are governed by our free will, which is governed by local customs and which are governed by universal mandate. 

This circular justification offered by his second head left Brahma wondering whether the gathering would ultimately reach the conclusion that he rules without having absolute power and a doubt whose side this head is on? 

The third head pointed that according to Narad, the way of life is basically different with power and need ever on the increase. Here, these things do not exist. Brahma understood the reference was to Earth, but he had no reason to find fault with Narad’s frequent tours to Earth. 

The fourth head cautiously pointed out that the rabble rousing is a special technique perfected by human beings and the vocabulary used is anathema in Brahma Lok. Brahma had a jolt when he extracted the meaning from this hint.  He was very much familiar with rabble rousing and engineered vocabulary. He vividly recollected the visit to Earth along with Chitragupta, whence they happened to witness a political meeting from the sidelines of a barricade. The impact and the bitter memory were still fresh in his mind. 

One of the ‘nirvana’ stamped souls, ventured forward to present the collective thinking of the gathering. It explained that since creation, the Lokas have been in a status quo limbo and why not change it to a quid pro quo status? 

Now it became clear to Brahma where the gathering wanted to go. The secret coming out of hiding did not surprise Brahma. Narad has stirred the pot once again, aiming to achieve something beyond the quid pro quo status. He wondered " What could be the game plan? Whether he should go along with it or negative it?" 

His collective heads intoned, " why not give it a try?" This quick, uninvited counselling made Brahma to suspect whether his heads are under his control or they have become spokespersons for Narad?  

"There is an easy way and a hard way. To understand this, if hard way is the path they choose, then let it be". One of the heads had suggested this to indirectly indicate to Brahma that not all his heads are in tune with Narad's plan. 

Brahma came to a quick decision - five heads will work better than four, in finding out a solution. Nard who had sowed this seed should be the fifth head and be made to toil in reaping the produce also. He informed the gathering that a two-member committee will brainstorm on the pleadings presented by them.  

Nard expected some fireworks from his father, but Brahma maintained a ‘deep space’ silence which was more deafening than the cacophonies, manipulative and inflammatory rhetorics of rabble rousers he was familiar with.

Brahma: what is the way forward?

Narad: If you ask me, I suggest forming three committees.

Brahma: why three, when all of them came together? What the committees would do?

Narad: This is a time ‘out living’ technique, perfected by rulers on Earth. Trust me on this. It will give excellent outcome.

Brahma (little unsure): Ok. Name the committees then.

Narad: the first committee will be chaired by a demigod and will have equal number of demi and lesser gods and elevated souls, to come out with a primary report. The second committee chaired by a lesser gods will have similar composition and remit. The third committee chaired by an elevated soul will have similar composition and remit.