The dispiriting of a good man..

IKRS Friday 15^th April 2016 ep 219 My Take ~ the dispiriting of a good man

The episode feels like the devil is out to usurp the righteousness of a deity on sacred ground . Foolish is the devil for he knows not that the works of the righteous speak for themselves . While the devil is no one's friend not even his own ,he is his own worst enemy, god help the devil! Raja uses spirit to numb Viplav's blood ties but Raja's father sobers up to upset the balance of Raja's life!

Crack of dawn with higher order pomp and ceremony, Tirpathi's climb the steps of Maata's temple. Each step they take speaks of their high moral ground standing .That which a devil ventures to rob publically before the faith representatives of Banaras city. Alongside the Tirpathi's stand the opposing Awasthi s too. Before the benign eyes of the all knowing, all seeing Durga goddess all stand in obeisance visibly, but the goddess sees through each's shrouded hypocrisy whether faith upholders or plain devotee . Maata knows who worships her from the inner recess of their hearts or who stands before her simply paying lip service. There is malice within some ,distrust prevalent as Viplav ,Raja and Dashrant give each other far from amicable gazes. Jealousy too resides in Raja as he whispers vexed to his mother watch how all approving looks shower Viplav ,but it will be him Raja who will walk away with the seal of approval by the very present. Vendetta speaks via raja, today the tirpathis will get to see that they have never seen before, Viplav with displeasure tells dhani that he is not into self exuberance and self glorification .He is a lawyer by trade and he was unaware when he said he was ready to embrace all responsibilities, that dealing with the mandir affairs would be part of it, Dhani empowers him , it's his duty as the only son ,after dada ji he takes it up.. He though, is more preoccupied with terminating Raja's dirty game. Before that the faith proceedings commence with the veneration after which the veneration of the shivling will take place ,Dashrant instructs. While Viplav carries out the veneration . Raja glares at Viplav and muses, Viplav thinks he can outsmart him , watch how he will pull a fast evil move that will surely usrp Viplav of the right of become a successor to this faith position. Raja too begins his modis operandi, drops his hankie, pretends to pick it up and slyly tips a whole bottle of spirit in the copper vessel to be used for shivling's veneration. Kanak notices Raja move from his place but by that time he flashes his hankie at her. Have Kanak's eyes opened up ,as from to time she keeps a close watch on Raja's smug expressions

Arti finishes and Raja muses now Viplav will venerate the shivling not with holy water but with spirts! Viplav picks the copper vessel with assumed holy water takes it to the shivling and lifts the lid. Jackels ,Raja, Phool Chand ,Sulochana all hold their breathes for the drama to begin,ready to pounce on the lion with true devotion! The odour of decaying defenders of the faith, morally corrupt minds and hearts ,begin to spread their verbal stench of defamation of good character and defilement of the goddess Durga herself. Phool Chand the pandit well known for fanning incitement and instigating devotes into a mob mentality , does so here too on Raja' behest by identifying a smell emanating from the copper vessel that Viplav holds. Is this karma then coming to haunt Viplav or is this dirty doings of some devilish minds manipulating an old saga to suit their own motives? Viplav realizes what goes on and also who set this whole drama up and who incited Phool Chand? Slogans of blasphemy! resound as Phool Chand whips the pandits into blind frenzy that their faith has once again been defiled by liquor! Yet Viplav is dispirited not! and silently maintains his faith that he is innocent .Hence his calm demeanour. However as the son of the household with great authority he challenges Phool Chand s allegation against his granddad ,who since many years has upheld the values , traditions and moral faith order of Banaras! But then Phool Chand has most likely been paid by Raja , plus has a bone to pick with high priest Dashrant, incites the priests present . A sin has been committed Another priest suggests atonement to Dashrant as he is Viplav's grandfather, but Phool Chand instigates atonement will not do! this blasphemous action qualifies for a punishment .. the very same punishment that Dashrant meted out to the widow who poured spirit over the shivling ! should be given out to Viplav too. Dhani recalls how she was beaten , and gears up to possibilities here.. Phool Chand continues to set off, charges Dashrant he openly sides with his grandson ,who looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. Phool Chand obviously speaks words primed by Raja , calls Viplav one who knows nothing much about faith ,and shows he is impious, so cannot become successor of Banaras !if this happens lord Shiva will be offended and some catastrophe will fall upon benaras.. Phool Chand tries his usual tactics of exploiting devotees ignorant blind faith!! Insists on punishment although , dashhrant charges him this is conspiracy! But Phool Chand ensures that Viplav is attacked and assaulted by the pandits just like Raja wants him! his witch of a mother delight in the sight. While Viplav mother , Shalu attempt to shield him..

Once Viplav gave witness as a husband to vouch for his wife's virtue in the court of law. Today Dhani as his wife gives witness in favour of her husband Viplav's virtue in devi Maa's mandir! move back !comes the person of Dhani in her Durga the invcincible goddess! Avtar! Like a lioness she shields her lion from being hounded by the pack of blinded rabid jackals! Her first reaction is to check if he is ok.. this than is the maternal instinct that makes her protects her family . Viplav is her lord protector , he made her fearless ,taught her how to look fear in the face Phool Chand! and push him back with her courage and tenacity. Moral and immoral they talk about , what would they know these blind hypocrites? this Phool Chand is a sinner !who burnt a widow alive at the stakes! no one called him a sinner! Where was their sense of good or bad then? Where were they when that helpless girl suffered! Due to this Phool Chand?none of them were around and here they talk about vice and virtue? Dhani yells at the shamefaced priests there was only one man who stood by her that day!and that man was Viplav Tirpathi!he was there who saved her!dhani cries out as she holds his hand supportively! They were the same people who tried to burn down the widows ashram? without any reason! incited by this sinner phool chand ? and today they will decide between moral and immoral? ok she accepts Viplav is a sinner , would they like to know what sin he has committed? His sin is he always wants good of others! he has always sought his happiness in others joy! he is that person who has always stood by widows..when no one else stood by them.. they are calling him a sinner? these are all the sins he has committed.. is there any one among them like him?no? then hear her clearly , Viplav is not a sinner ! she turns to face the silent crowd and shouts. The devil decides to come in and tries to upset the balance once again against Viplav, and his favour , he taunts he knows that Viplav doesn't believe in rituals but it doesn't mean that he committed such a disgusting act, he reiterates to the priests that he did commit a similar thing in the past but it doesn't mean he'll repeat his mistake again?the priest relaxes towards Viplav ,accepted that he wasn't aware that the vessel contained spirit , but regardless sin has been committed in the house of god.. hence Viplav cannot be the successor !tirpathi's are shocked Raja and Phool Chand are pleased and the pandit says to Dashrant will have to choose another heir from his family! Otherwise his title of high priest will be taken from him! Raja jumped at the moment! the wait for offers himself for the responsibility . Reluctantly Dashrant is manipulated by Raja into accepting his offer and is forced to give Raja his blessings .

Raja goes to Viplav and sneers, he told him he will win in this game and he has been proved right, today before him he stands a winner, in a while dada ji will make him the successor and no one can stop it from happening neither you nor the people of benaras so gives me good wishes .. Viplav gives Raja's feet a mocking smile.. and gives his best wishes

Raja's father arrives at the temple confronts Raja and slaps him across the face! before all present.

Eisha gave a brilliant performance.very moving..good example of husband and wife scene. I wonder if kanak,dashrant will change their views about dhani? phool chand was as obnoxious as ever.. precap was disturbing will have to see episode to feel impact. But am very keen to hear what senior awasthi has to reveal about raja... hamlet53 16.4. 16 have a super weekend

Yet another brilliant and smart title - The De(spirit)ing of a Good Man ...

Loved your starting lines - "Foolish is the devil for he knows not that the works of the righteous speak for themselves . While the devil is no one's friend not even his own ,he is his own worst enemy, god help the devil"

The Good man in recent times finds himself to the the pariah of the family . The family that he loves does not trust him and all his efforts are in vain. All he wants is to protect them from the evil designs of the Avasthi family and is willing to do whatever it takes.

The Tripathi reach the mandir in a procession with the king leading his grandson to the coronation ceremony. The reluctant grandson turns to his wife telling her of how he is a misfit for the throne but since he is the sole heir to the family the burden falls on him irrespective . He does not see himself in this role but agrees for now. Viplav knows the job of a priest is not his calling but ready to play along as long as it keeps Raja away.

Raja and family keeping up appearances join the Tripathi family waiting for an opportune time to create havoc to interrupt the ceremony. Raja is successful in contaminating the water to be offered to the gods and is stopped by the pandits . History repeats itself and Phool Chand the old foe of the family jumps at the chance to show Dashrath Tripathi down . Like the earlier instance he instigates the crowd to malign Viplav and to meet the same punishment as once for Dhani . The mob charge at him to be stopped by his family.

And of course the best scene of the day . The mob knows no right or wrong . It simply responds to a frenzy . Dhani the most frail of the crowd watching this attack charges at them to stand between her love and the attackers who question his moral values. A dispirited Viplav quietly watches his wife stand up for him against the keepers of morality . "you question this man morals ...the one single person who stood up for the vidhwa's ...who finds happiness in giving happiness to others .." Love shorn in her eyes for the man she worships and the strength and conviction she receives from him . Viplav softly asks her to stop but there is no stopping her challenging them as if the lioness in her is awakened. Loved this scene watching the deep bond between the two and how thy fight for each other.

Raja not to be discouraged convinces the pandits in attendance to pass the baton to him as the uttraadhikari gloating at his victory ..but there is many a slp between the cup and lip. A voice from the past calls out to Raja ...STOP !!! For Viplav it is music to his ears ...

An episode that is making way to oust Raja. What happens to Shallu ? The precap looks scary . Where does the story go from here ? Lets be patient.