Dashrath Tripathi and the Quest for a Shining Son (pun intended)

The indomitable Mahant Dasharath Tripathi loves himself and his status more than anything and anyone else. His narcissism is so full blown that any affection he is capable of having towards others, especially younger males, is deeply flawed, conditioned as it is by the intense desire for extending his own glory to cover the whole of Benaras. This yearning is what essentially constitutes Dasharath Tripathi --it is a greed that is incapable of being fulfilled, primarily because greed is like a fire, which never says "enough." No matter what you put in the fire, it consumes it, and is ready for more. The yearning is also unfulfillable in Dashrath's case due to the karmic irony of the situation --the more one wants something and the more one uses dubious means to get it, the more elusive it is.

Dashrath wished to have his desires fulfilled through a "perfect" offspring, but what he got instead was dear Shambhu, who according to Dashrath was physically flawed and mentally unavailable for manipulation as he took after his mother. Tripurari was another flawed offspring, as he was coined on the wrong side of the marital law, making him illegitimate. Yet, Dashrath's hunger for fame and domination was so intense that he used Trip to get his needs met, which In fact that appeared to be the only purpose in Trip's life. All that DT had to do was to dangle the possibility of legalizing his and his mother's status, and Trip was ready to dance in harmony of Dashrath's tune. No matter what, Trip would bribe, kidnap, maim, burn, kill anyone to fulfill his own burning hunger to be called the legal scion of the great mahant.

Trip was a bad seed, and nourished by the flames of Dashrath's hatred and constant exploitation, he snapped and left the scene, only to return with a greater vengeance and stronger purpose to destroy that which gave birth to him.

Then came Viplav. Could he be the perfect "son" that Dasharth longed for --a son that would set his own fame blaze like a thousand suns, the hopeful emblem of which Dashrath wears in the form of a locket on his neck and that which covers him in the form of the golden embroidery on the shawl on his back. Viplav is too righteous and too carefree to be used in Dada's dirty tricks and even though Dada dotes on his grandson, the doting is doubtlessly dotted with the desire for control and manipulation. Like Trip, Vip also rebelled by marrying Dhani and by defending her against his own sister's would be in-laws' (oulaws') murder allegation. Unlike Trip, Vip's defiance is not motivated by revenge or hatred against DT.

The latest in the line of the desire for the son/sun is Raja Awasthi --the doyen of bad deeds and ugly intentions. DT finally sees in him a kindred spirit --someone who cares for his fame and status almost as much as he himself does, and this causes DT to fall in love with Raja. DT's yearning for status and fame makes him succumb to Raja's manipulation. Will the same greed that made Dashrath reject the well-bred and righteous beau for his daughter in the past be instrumental in selecting the wrong partner for Shalu and make her life miserable? It is possible. Will the same greed be his own Achilles heel for DT, and cause his downfall at the end? Quite likely. Will Dashrath wake up in time to see how his desire is driving him insane and causing misery to others around him? Perhaps with Vip and Dhani's help this is possible.

Very well description of dt👏 appreciate ur effort... Yes DT is a very mean person...n with dhaanis entry he fan sense his destruction...soon gonna happen n ll play sum dirty games...wearing d mast of good...bt kitne time ke liye...? Soon or late his reality ll b exposed...

AimF

Thanxo for the wonderful post about our Mahapurush pandit DT ..👏👏 . You have written flawless. Can I expect more from your end in future😉

@Bold The yearning is also unfulfillable in Dashrath's case due to the karmic irony of the situation --the more one wants something and the more one uses dubious means to get it, the more elusive it is.

Submits everything about that character which you have written

• He know Dhaani will not say lie . however his grandson married one Vidhwa, which spoils his image which he stengthened for many decades
  
• Dhaani will be unmasking of all his orginal layer , if she enters into AN- Loss of fear arises
  
• So he steps back for sometime , in order to reach the destination where he wants and finds an oppurtunity . Now the oppurtunity is in the form of RA .
• He do not care about her Grand daughter and he needs position , name and fame (RAJA of AN) .
  
• He might loose his power and position , which he was maintaining till date inside the Market (AN house ) .
• He will use now RA for his activities not directly and would through KT for sure ..
  
• He is one of the biggest politician who wants name and fame and will not care for any others including their family members
  

@ revathi

Thank you for your nice comments

@ sammie

great observations. Thank you.

@aimf, it's been a while since I've been on this forum, and it has been great returning to find such a wonderful piece. Every single word seemed to echo my thoughts, couldn't have said it better.

Inlieu!!! How wonderful to run into you again! I did not know you were following this serial, and now I will expect to read some posts from you as well. Thanks for stopping by and giving aimf a nice surprise. Take care.

Dolly, thank you for the thoughtful comments.

You've hit it right on the mark with this post, Aimf! Very well written! I totally agree with your character sketch of the Maha Pundit. His narcissistic attitude is overshadowing any ounce of wisdom he may have previously possessed. Raja Awasthi now has the ball in his court when it comes to manipulating DT for his honour and status. DT has allowed him insight into his primary weakness in life - his name. Does his granddaughter hold any value in his heart or is she just another pawn in his political agenda? DT seems to have forgotten that karma is the belief that whatever you do comes back to you, good or bad.