Introduction of Sri Venkataramana Witnesses
In Court |
Feeling greatly relieved by clearing the debt, Subbi Setty left
on pilgrimage to Tirupati with his wife and son to thank Lord Venkataramana
for all the help. He had his son's head shaved there. After having
the darshan of the Lord, they returned home and lived happily.
After some days, while Setty was talking to his wife, he suddenly
remembered that Badekhan did not return the Bond as promised. He
had great regard for the Saheb. He took him to be a gentleman. However,
it would not be good to leave it at that. Having paid the money
he should get back the Bond. Nobody can anticipate what was in store
for the next moment. So Setty went to Badekhan's house to take back
the Bond.
Badekhan had an accountant. He was going through the accounts.
While doing so, he pointed out to his master, that Subbi Setty had
taken a loan of Rs. 2000/- some thirteen months ago and had neither
repaid the loan taken nor paid, any interest till date. So 'saying
he handed over the Bond to his master Meanwhile Subbi Setty arrived
there and demanded the Bond.
Badekhan grew wild. His eves reddened. He cried out, ”How
bold you are to claim for the Bond without clearing the loan ?"
Setty replied, ”Nawabjee, are you making fun of me? Did you
not came: to my house one day and receive the amount and the interest?
Please therefore, return me the Bond,"
Saheb denied having received the money He said you might have
given to some body else. Please therefore, remember who it was.
Had you given me the money, you would not have left the Bond with
me and kept silent.'
Setty did not lose his balance. He still patiently said, 'Dear
sir, you came to my house one Saturday when I was worshipping my
Lord. r offered you prasadams and paid you the amount in full. You
promised to return the Bond the next day."
Saheb still maintained that he did not get back the amount and
all that he was saying was only to hood wink and dishonour him in
the presence of others and therefore warned that he would have to
reap the consequences. He further abused him in filthy language.
Setty too maintained that the amount in full was paid to him in
the presence of his Lord Venkataramana and that he could not therefore
easily brush away saying that the amount was not paid.
"That is sheer non-sense. If you fail to pay me the amount
with interest within the next seven days, you will face the court
of Law. I shall then see how your Lord, who is a cheat and a swindler,
who loots crores and crores of others' money comes to your aid “
cried Badekhan.
People, who witnessed their quarrel could not conclude who among
them was right and who was wrong. Without uttering any further word,
Setty returned home sadly. Achamamba asked him what had happened
and why he was sad. Setty told his wife that all had transpired
between Badekhan and himself. The Settys did Dot feel for, the denial
of receipt of money by Khan. But they felt very much for the way
he insulted their Lord. Setty felt that the on lookers should have
taken him to be a cheat. They both stood before the picture of the
Lord and begged His pardon. They said it was His responsibility
to prove their honesty, and tell that the money had actually been
paid in full with interest and no pie is due to Khan.
The dispute between the Khan and Setty reached everybody's ears.
All were anxious to watch the result. Even those who knew Setty's
nobility and honesty were not bold enough to face the Saheb. Meanwhile
the grace period of seven days lapsed. Saheb then filed a civil
suit in a court of law for principal and interest and court costs
too. against Setty.
The court summonded Subbi Setty_ to appear before it. He received
the summons. The Settys fully believed that the Lord would not let
them down. For two days before the day of hearing Setty and his
wife were immersed in prayers of the Lord and were fasting.
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