पाषाण पुरुष

Summary

King Samudrasen was a popular ruler whose capital, situated near a hilly region and a river, provided all comforts to its people. One day, a messenger from a neighboring kingdom arrived at the court, reporting that mountains had collapsed, burying hundreds of people. The neighboring king, Parvataraj, requested immediate aid. Samudrasen ordered his minister to dispatch a relief team with medicines and supplies. His elder son, Rameshwarsen, who was compassionate and selfless, requested to join the relief effort, and the king agreed. While Rameshwarsen was engaged in helping the injured and distressed, a stone-faced being called Pashan Purush appeared and informed him that his father had died and his younger brother, Nageshwarsen, had seized the throne. Rameshwarsen, though grieved, showed no interest in the throne, stating his brother must have taken charge as the seat could not remain empty. Pashan Purush then showed him a vision of Nageshwarsen indulging in revelry and another of an enemy army gathering at the border river, preparing to attack Bhadralok. Despite this, Rameshwarsen refused to leave his relief work. Pashan Purush then approached Nageshwarsen, revealing the impending attack and rebuking him for his selfishness. Nageshwarsen, realizing his mistake, admitted his greed. Pashan Purush, acting on Rameshwarsen’s wish to protect the kingdom, destroyed the bridge over the river, halting the enemy advance. Nageshwarsen, repentant, followed Pashan Purush to his brother, fell at his feet, and was embraced. Pashan Purush revealed himself as the deity of the surrounding mountains and then vanished.