Gift of the Magi: Need only a two-minute test of purity?

A faithful companion disappearing and having to suffer the ignominy of aspersions being cast on her character is the stuff of epics, as most Indians know. Since time immemorial —and definitely since 1982 — loyal consorts at home or away have been loved and revered by all thanks to their no-fuss, accommodative nature. But then as now, they have been fair game when even a single doubt is expressed. The unkindest cut, of course, is when suspicions are voiced about their purity. It is a It is a sad commentary on the nature of human beings that it also takes us just two minutes to believe we have been gypped and conclude that nothing can really be totally pristine. sad commentary on the nature of human beings that it also takes us just two minutes to believe we have been gypped and conclude that nothing can really be totally pristine. In such cases, the maligned entity has no option but to submit to a test, if only so that the population at large — once utterly devoted to them — will be satisfied that they are indeed unsullied and deserving of love and fealty.

Their triumphant emergence from the epic agni pariksha — and its modern-day laboratory equivalent — as unadulterated and blameless definitely means nationwide celebrations. But what of the demons who ensured — probably for unsavoury reasons — that they disappeared? Will they be made to pay for their high-handedness? Their reinstatement with full honours in the hearts (and stomachs) of the public — then as now — is a foregone conclusion.