Sarasvatichandra The women went down as the men trooped up to the drawing room. Kumud Sundari went to her room to examine the letter that Navinchandra had received. She had also received a letter that day, from her younger sister, Kusum Sundari. The letter was about Sarasvatichandra. Kusum Sundari had sent it to Vanleela, who was related to the sisters, with strict instructions to hand it over to Kumud in secret. Vanleela had done so. Now alone in her room, Kumud read the letter. And she was filled with sorrow. Kumud had resolved, with a tremendous effort of will, not to let her mind waver from Pramaddhan. But as she read of the suffering and ignominy endured by Sarasvatichandra, she found her resolve melting. Sarasvatichandra’s father Laxminandan was a wealthy merchant of Bombay. He was reputed to have assets worth ten to twelve lakhs of rupees. He was not educated beyond what most ordinary merchants are. Sarasvatichandra’s mother Chandralaxmi was a wise and virtuous woman. Her good conduct and nature had influenced Laxminandan as well. Chandralaxmi’s mother-in-law Ishwarkaur was a bitter woman. She could not bear her son being under his wife’s influence. Ishwarkaur ruled over the household, and did so with intent to slight the daughter-in-law. Chandralaxmi was large-hearted and disregarded the mother-in-law’s insults. Laxminandan loved her all the more because of it. Things changed with Sarasvatichandra’s birth. The old woman softened up, and her regard for the daughter-in-law increased. Chandralaxmi died when Sarasvatichandra was four or five years old. On the same day, Laxminandan was betrothed to an adolescent Guman. Sarasvatichandra was raised by his father and grandmother, till such time as Guman came to live in the house. Laxminandan had a photograph taken with his son in his lap, and Chandralaxmi by his side. As a wealthy resident of Bombay, he could dare such an act. When Ishwarkaur came to know of it, she had fought with the daughter-in-law for months for this brazenness. She naturally did not think that her son was at fault. There is a saying among the village folk that a dead buffalo is worth more than a living one. Ishwarkaur realised the virtues of her daughter-in-law once she died. She cried a lot. She had the photograph brought out; Laxminandan kept it in his room. Ishwarkaur would point out Chandralaxmi in that photograph to young Sarasvatichandra. And then Guman entered the household. She was from a lowly family and harboured ill-will towards the stepson and her mother-in-law who doted on him. Guman’s mother had taught her that it would be wrong for her to love the stepson. Sheth Laxminandan was wealthy as well as influential. He was a well known patron of scholars and learning. There were many who had benefited from his patronage. His home was a meeting ground for scholars of diverse fields; men of letters and academically inclined young people would gather there for discussions and debate. He was well liked and respected by them. The Sheth’s sensibility, too,