વ્યાજની વાત

Summary

This Gujarati section contains a folk narrative and commentary by Rasila Kadia. The introduction explains that the story, preserved in a manuscript, revolves around a borrower who takes a loan secured by pledging his own limb and later refuses to repay. The tale illustrates the moral hazards of borrowing and lending. Following the introduction, Kadia presents a lengthy narrative poem that recounts how the borrower flatters the lender, delays repayment and faces community arbitration. The poem uses vivid imagery and dialogue to depict the greedy borrower’s tactics and the lender’s frustration. At one point, the borrower is summoned before village elders who debate the legality of his pledge and the fairness of interest rates. Eventually, a compromise is reached, highlighting themes of justice and social harmony. The article concludes with a moral commentary encouraging readers to avoid dishonest financial dealings and to honor agreements.