Ghanshyam Charitra
Lesson 23
Victory over Wrestlers
Ghanshyam was used to practicing wrestling with his friends, Kesari,
Bhavani, etc. They went to take a bath in surya every evening. Then
they started wrestling in the soft sand of the riverback. Ghanshyam
taught them different strategies of wrestling.
Meanwhile a wrestler named Mahabali came there from Nepak for a
bath. Mahabali was tall, vigorous and had a masculine body. He had
won many wrestling competitions. He saw Ghanshyam performing various
kinds of strategic moves. He jested at Ghanshyam's skillful movements.
So angrily Ghanshyam challenged him to a contest. Mahabali was defeatd
at once. People of Ayodhya who had heard about this victory against
Mahabali admired Ghanshyam very much. Ghanshyam soon became famous
in wrestling.
But some other famous wrestlers of Ayodhya couldn't bear his name
and the praise he was receiving. There were three of them in particular:
Mansingh, Dillisingh, and Bheemsingh. They went to the king and
appealed, "O King! We want to defeat Ghanshyam if you allow
us to a contest." Yet, the king who was well aware of Ghanshyam's
power, restrained them from this strive. They did not agree with
him. They insisted on receiving permission and urged the king to
be present during the contest. At last, the king allowed to do so,
and said, "I will bestow suitable reward to the winner."
They became glad and bragged, "You will see your Majesty!
Whether we would throw him or not." The King replied in taunt,
"Take care that you don't get defeated in the end." The
beastful wrestlers said, "O King, tht is impossible. Against
our strenght, he is like a mosquito." The King replied, "I
will be present there and see with my own eyes." A proclamation
was issued in no time by the King's order. Soon everybody knew about
the contest between Ghanshyam and the wrestlers. THe king had set
aside a huge plot of land just for the event. In the evening, the
entire place was set up by the King's servants and a special seat
was set up for the King.
Dharmdev was worried deeply about his son. He knew not what he
would do if the wrestlers were to kill his dear son. Ghanshyam said
to his father, "Don't worry, because don't you know who I am?"
Immediately, he show his divine form. Dharmadev was then assured
that no one could hurt or defeat his son. He is forever invincible.
Hundreds of people gathered to see the competition. The King also
arrived with his secretary. Dharmadev and Rampratapbhai came there
with Ghanshyam.
When the struggle began, the wrestler Bheemsingh roared, strikinn
his hand on his thighs, "Come on I will see you." Ghanshyam
(normally it would take hundreds of people to carry such a chain)
and tied it to his right leg. The strengths of hundreds of elephants
was in his leg. Then he challenged Ghanshyam, "If you can move
me, then I will consider you a true stronger wrestler than me."
As soon as his finished saying this, Ghanshyam grabbed the chain,
pulled Bheem, swung him around and threw him. Bolld streamed from
Bheemsingh's nose and mouth.
Bheemsingh eyes turned red and he challenged Ghanshyam again, "Don't
think you have defeated me, Ghanshyam! If you think you are stronger,
tie this chain around your leg." Ghanshyam did so and chanllenged
Bheem to pull it. Bheem tried with all his might yet he could still
not even move Ghanshyam. Then all three wrestlers began to pull
the chain together. Yet they still were not able to move Ghanshyam.
Even their with All their might, but to no avail. Finally the chain
broke and they fell down. They were stroked.
The King stood up and proclaimed Ghanshyam the winner. He offered
him clothes and ornaments. The King told the wrestlers to apologize.
They asked for Ghanshyam's pardon. Ghanshyam spread his blessings
upon them. Dharmadev, Rampratabhai, and all the spectators celebrated
the victory of Ghanshyam over the wrestlers.
Exercise 1:
Answer the following questions.
- What was Ghanshyam doing onthe riverbank?
- Why did Ghanshyam challenge Mahabali?
- Who couldn't bear the fame of Ghanshyam?
- What did the wrestlers request from the
king?
- Why was Dharmadev worried?
- What did Ghanshyam do th Bheemsingh in
the struggle?
- Who was awarded victor and what did he
receive from the king?
Exercise 2:
Fill in the blanks
- Ghanshyam went to take a bath in __________.
- Mahabali came from ___________.
- Mahabali __________ Ghanshyam's skillful
mobements.
- __________ was issued in no time by the
king.
- The king arribed with his __________.
- There was strenth of a hundred ___________
in Bheem's leg
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