Akanandun
is one of the most famous folktales of Kashmir. The story is about a humble
king and queen who had seven daughters but no son. They both loved each other
very much. The only thing they craved for was the prince, who would in the
future take on the responsibility of the kingdom.
The
couple did every possible thing they could to get blessed with a son. They gave
land, gold, clothes, gold, and grains. The holy men from everywhere visited
their land to offer their blessing to the queen. Even his people, who used to
respect him like his father, prayed to God to bless the couple with a son.
The
king used to be very sad. He always thought that his bloodline would come to an
end after him. The beggars in my kingdom are happier than me. At least they
expect the day when their sons will shoulder their responsibilities. Would it
not be better to give up my throne and live an ascetic life? However, he never
revealed this feeling to his queen. Though she had not yet lost hope. She still
believes in holy and spiritual men.
The
queen used to help every person who visited her. One day, she was resting in
her room. Suddenly, she heard a call from a person asking for some donations.
She felt like the call required the queen’s particular attention. When she went
towards the courtyard, she saw a jogi.
The jogi had
long hair and sparkling eyes. His body was painted with ashes, and he was
walking in a wooden sandal. He has a bowl in his hand. And he also had a bag
hanging on his shoulder. The queen very politely asked him to mention the thing
he wanted. The jogi said, "Give me anything in God’s
name". The queen gave him some precious stones. He received them in the
bag hanging on his shoulder.
The
queen told him that I had been waiting for a son. She told him that God had
given us this huge empire. But this looks like no use without a son, who could
continue our legacy. We have seven daughters; would they ever have a brother?
May
I say a few more things? The queen asked Jogi. The jogi agreed,
and the queen continued, "A few days ago, I saw a man in my dream. He was
just like you. He rubbed my shoulder and made his promise. He said that my wish
would be conceded and I would have a son in nine months. Only you, Jogi, can turn my
dream into reality.
A Sketch of a Woman Requesting Jogi | Image Source - Chinar Shade
The
jogi said he would give them a son, but there would be a condition. The
kid will be yours for only twelve years. After that, you have to return him.
The king and queen discussed and finally accepted his condition. On their
behalf, he assured them that they would have a baby. He told them to name him
"Akanandun". He then left the palace and disappeared after walking a
little.
After
nine months, she gave birth to a boy. The birth of the prince was widely
celebrated in the whole kingdom. The king, who was already kind, distributed
gifts to all. He made sure that no one left empty-handed from his palace. He
was named "Akanandun," as Jogi advised them.
He
grew up in a royal way. He was nearly the most adorable kid ever born. His
parents were also very happy at his birth. They used to love him more than
anything. As the boy grew, his parents arranged for the best teacher for him.
He learned all the necessary things in his time.
Everything
was going nicely, and everyone in the kingdom was happy. But when Akanandun was
about to turn twelve, there was an outcry in the kingdom. Twelve years are
over, and Jogi will come back to take him away.
This
thing raised many questions in their minds. They were thinking, "Will he
really take him back? Is he really so ruthless that he will have no mildness
towards them?
One
day, after he turned twelve, the Jogi visited the palace. He called the king
and the queen. They ran towards the door and welcomed him. The couple was so
gracious to accept his precious gift. The couple offered him anything he would
like in return. The jogi asked for nothing and said, "I have come here for
the fulfilment of a promise you made to me twelve years ago. I did not see
him even once in these many years. Get him to me; I want to see
him."
The
queen replied "He has gone to seminary and will be back very soon".
The king, as a father, very humbly asked "If you name anything, I would be
glad to present that to you". The jogi replied quickly and said, "I
only want my Akanandun and nothing else".
The
couple tried every possible thing to convince Jogi but failed.
However, this only made Jogi angry. He called Akanandun by his
name, and he responded quickly. The couple requested that Jogi not take
Akanandun away from them, as they couldn’t live without him. The jogi, with
anger in his voice, replied, "I have to kill him". And you will
repent if you try to stop me".
The jogi took off the kid’s
clothes and ordered her mother to wash his body with warm water. He dyed his
feet with henna and
dressed him in new clothes. He laid the boy on the floor and needed his sisters
to grab his arms and legs. The king ripped his clothes, and the queen turned
herself on the ground. The jogi took
the knife and passed it to the king, asking him to cut the kid’s head.
As
he realised that the king couldn’t, he tried to snap the blade from his hand.
When he found no way out, he slashed his son’s throat. This scenario turned the
house on fire. The floor and even his clothes were filled with his blood. After
a while, the jogi cleaned
his body and started chopping it.
He
asked Akanandun’s mother to cook the flesh. He also warned her not to lose even
a single piece of it. The meat started cooking like lamb. The jogi asked her to prepare
it fast, as I am hungry. The queen, who had been controlling herself, yelled at
him. She asked him, "Which religion allows you to eat human flesh? What on
earth have I done to you? Have you no fear of getting cursed?
The
jogi replied, "Whatever you think of me doesn’t matter; I have to keep my
promise". So it would be better for you to not waste your time and focus
on the cooking. He also requested her to cool down, as he couldn’t eat hot
food. He served the food equally in seven earthenware bowls. When he was enquired
about it, he said four for females and two for males. And the last one is for
"Akanandun". This pierced the queen’s heart like an arrow. The queen
thought "How ridiculously he talks".
After
a while, he passed the bowls to people because they were cooked. Before he
passed the bowl to the queen, he asked her to go upstairs and call Akanandun. I
will be happy seeing him, and I can’t even taste without him. This turned the
queen angry, and she said "I have lost my son but not my mind".
The jogi replied
"I am not what you think of me".
He
again demanded her to call the boy. As she called his son, she was shocked to
hear the reply from Akanandun. He came to her like always. When she carried him
upstairs, she was amazed by another surprise. The seven bowls of meat had
disappeared. And the jogi had
also disappeared from there.