Baba no means no, retorted Manasa to her father-in-law Mr Kulkarni, but beta this plant has to be chopped, else we cannot renovate this house as per our plans, he said.
I am waiting for this plant to bloom the PARIJAT flowers baba, which happens to be lord Krishna favorite flower as well. She was clear on her stand, no chopping of her favorite plant. And her plea didn’t go on deaf ears, after all Manasa was his dearest daughter-in-law. The house was re innovated without axing Manasa’s favorite Parijat plant.
She was the one who had planted this plant, and was tending to it with utmost love and care.
Manasa was married to Achyut for four years. She was petite, her fair complexion and curly hair accentuated her beauty. A banker, pious soul and an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. She was in her early 30s. Always chirpy and full of life, she was her in laws darling. Manasa and Achyut were bankers, their work kept them really busy. But that didn’t deter Manasa on abandoning her dearest Parijat plant. And when the plant gave its first flowers, she was jubilant, thrilled, and contented. She celebrated the moment. She had immense love towards the plant which always amused her family members, but they never questioned her on this.
As bankers, they couldn’t stay away from the transfer saga. Over the next fifteen years they moved across various cities in India. They were blessed with twin boys Darsh and Devesh. Manasa, Achyut and their kids always visited their hometown for festivals and vacations, as Achyuts parents still resided in the same house.
Every time they went Manasa would be ecstatic seeing the Parijat plant. It was growing stupendously and flowering beautifully and the fragrance of the flowers was heavenly. The neighboring windows were specially kept open to feel the scent of the Parijat flowers, they seldom needed incense sticks. The fragrance was such magic, everybody soaked themselves into it. Many even picked the Parijat flowers to offer to their deities during pooja. God was kind enough and Manasa and Achyut were transferred back to their home town. After 15 years, they were ecstatic to be back to their house. And Manasa was euphoric seeing how a small plant then, and now a full-grown tree, it has changed the ambiance of their mansion. She beams with pride while picking the flowers and fondly offers them to her revered Lord Krishna.
It was Manasa’s birthday the celebrations were on and Mr Kulkarni handed a gift to her, she unwrapped it curiously, she was startled with what she saw. Baba she said, jabbering, “PARIJAT MANSION”, you gave a new name to our house.
Yes, the mighty plant is the new identity of our house he said. She was dewy-eyed and hugged him warmly, and said ‘Thank you, baba, this is the best gift ever’. Everybody cheered the emotional father-in-law and daughter-in-law duo. They together went out and fixed the board, “PARIJAT MANSION” and the celebrations continued.