Waiting for the Train

Prologue 

Through this drama the theme of 'Karma' has been emphasized upon. By giving reference to the 'Mahabharata' an effort has been made to show that whatever happens in anyone's life is due to his 'karma'. No particular thing or person is responsible for any happening or event in the nature. Even God is not responsible for the fate of any person nor can he change it. It's the 'karma' of a person that determines his destiny and no one can change it but the 'karma' of that person. God only gives us directions and guidance its up to us how we interpret them. In nature everything is balanced. If one uses treachery against others he also gets it from others. If a person is wronged its because he wronged someone else. The Mahabharata war was the destiny, Lord Krishna the co-ordinator, Kaurava and Pandavas the actors. Thus if there is anything that could be held responsible for the war it was-' nature'. No one can change the rule of nature, for it sets everything according to one's 'karma'.

In this drama few people are shown sitting in the waiting room of the railway station, waiting for their train. There starts a discussion amongst them about the Mahabharata, as to who was responsible for it. Everyone has different opinion and different justifications. The debate does not give any conclusion but certain happenings on the station do give a conclusion that who is responsible for the activities in nature.

Scene I

Some men were waiting for train at the station in the waiting room. The place is Varanasi and the train has been delayed for three hours.

Scene I – Waiting room

One man- Now this is called Kalyug, nothing comes on time be it police or train.

Second man- He! He! Right. But there are things than that, like- job, salary and even wife. Its like after

an age that they come.

One man- Quiet right. By the way whats your name?

Second man- Parth.

One man- Thats nice! My name is Krishna.

Third man- Wow! Hope there is no Duryodhan or Dushasan sitting near otherwise I have a fear that

the Mahabharata will soon begin.

(Everyone laughs).

By the way my name is Rajesh, so nothing to do with the Mahabharata.

Fourth man- Speaking of Mahabharata, lets discuss something about it, like what was the main cause

of Mahabharata. I mean who was responsible for the war- the Pandavas, the Kauravas or

... Krishna.

Rajesh- Krishna how old are you?

Krishna- Why?

Rajesh- No, because you don't look so old to have been involved in the war.

Fourth man- Very funny!

Rajesh- I know, because that was a joke. Anyways jokes apart I feel it was the Kauravas. What do

you think sir

Fourth man- Well I suppose it was Krishna, it was he who instigated everyone. What about you two?

Parth- I suppose it happened with the efforts of each and everyone.

Krishna- According to me, no one was responsible for it. If anyone was, it was the Karma of those

people.

Rajesh- Wow! Thats a deep answer now and a unique one too.

Parth- Sure it is, but what exactly do you mean by this?

Krishna- I mean everything happens at the will of nature and destiny. According to you it took place

because of everyone, according to Rajesh because of Kauravas and according to this man,

I'm sorry what is your name sir?

Fourth man- Ashwin.

Krishna- Yes, according to Ashwin it was Lord Krishna. But all of you do not seem to observe the

deep rooted cause of this war.

Parth- Really! Then please enlighten us with your knowledge.

Ashwin- Yeah sure, even I would like to know about it.

Rajesh- Oh man, seems like all these people are living in darkness. Now I am dead sure it is

Kalyug!

Parth- Very smart, looks like you have understood everything what he said.

Rajesh- To be truthful, I didn't, but I wasn't asking for enlightenment like you all.

Ashwin- Which proves that you are more ignorant than us who doesn't even want to come out of

the darkness.

Rajesh- Ok, I surrender! Krishna please go on with your enlightenment process now.

Parth- Yes, what do you mean by the deep rooted cause?

Krishna- See its very simple. In our life we do certain good things and certain bad things.

Whatever we do, good or bad, comes back to us. To say it scientifically- “Every action has

an equal and opposite reaction”. The Kauravas were treacherous and deceitful so they got

defeated by the same treachery.

Ashwin- Were only Kauravas treacherous? Didn't Krishna use treachery as well, he even ran away

from the battle field.

Krishna- Yes he was! When did I say he wasn't. But like I said every action has an equal and

opposite reaction. Since Kauravas cheated Krishna replied them in the same manner. It was

a tit for tat policy.

Ashwin- You said whatever we do good or bad comes back to us. So even if Krishna used treachery

as a way of replying to others he should also have got the fruit of those actions which

though were done as a reaction, but yet were done.

Parth- Well I suppose he did get the fruits of those bad actions as well. The curse given by Kunti

was nothing but the fruit of his treacherous actions.

Ashwin- Ok, I agree to everything but then lets go to the start. Kauravas were the rightful owner of

the throne of Hastinapur, but they didn't get it all because their father couldn't sit on the

throne simply because he was blind.

Rajesh- I suppose we were discussing what was the cause of Mahabharata. Now where does the

topic of throne of Hastinapur comes.

Ashwin- How does it not comes? The whole war was for this throne. In the history all wars have

been fought for the kingdom or throne only.

Rajesh- Now you will say that Draupadi was also the cause of Mahabharata because if we see by

history women were also responsible for the wars and battles.

Parth- You have a point by the way this time. In fact, this is the only time when you have a point.

Rajesh- Thanks! Was that a compliment or comment?

Parth- Accept what you like.

Rajesh- Well I prefer to take the compliment.

Krishna- See actually...

Rajesh- Sorry to interrupt I feel its time for the train to come.

Announcement- The train going to Ujjain has been further delayed by two hours. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers. Kindly bear with us.

What bear with us? You come here and lets see how much you can bear!

Parth- Seems like you aren't liking the conversation.

Rajesh- Problem is that I know the whole story of Mahabharata.

Parth- So do we, but there is a difference between knowing and understanding of things.

Rajesh- Ok I got it but don't you think we need a break now. Its been hours since we are sitting here

and talking,

Krishna- Yes even I agree to that. Lets go and get some refreshments.

Scene II

Rajesh and Parth are going together.

Rajesh- When is this train going to come? Its been ages.

Parth- God only knows.

Rajesh- I think the rail authorities would know better. Wait I'll go and enquire.

(Meanwhile a girl shouts. Her luggage seems to have been stolen. Ashwin is talking to her)

Ashwin- But Madhvi how and when did this happen?

Madhvi- It was just for a moment that I had gone to take water from the stall, when I turned back the

luggage was gone.

Ashwin- How careless that is now! Couldn't you tell me before going. Now what to do? I suppose

we'll have to postpone our travel now.

Parth and Rajesh come to them.

Parth- What is the matter here?

Ashwin- Our luggage has been stolen. Now we'll have to postpone our travel, all because of my

sister's stupidity.

Parth- Why don't you go and complain about it.

Ashwin- You think it would help? Upon that we haven't seen the face of that person.

Parth- Fine, do as you wish. But don't shout at your sister like that. She already seems scared.

Ashwin- Why not? She is the one responsible for it.

Rajesh- I don't think she is responsible for it because no one is responsible for anything, you

remember?

Ashwin- Please don't start it here I am in no mood to debate about it.

Rajesh(whispers)- And people say I don't understand things.

Ashwin- Did you say something?

Rajesh- No, nothing

Ashwin- I guess we'll have to leave now. Come Madhvi.

Madhvi- Dada, your luggage?

Ashwin- Oh yes! I'll get it from the waiting room.

Parth- Now why did you leave it like that. It can also get stolen.

Ashwin- Krishna is there, I asked him to watch it.

Rajesh- Great when Krishna is there, what is the fear? After all he is Krishna.

Ashwin- You all wait here. I'll just be back in a moment.

Scene III – (Waiting room)

Krishna is sitting when Ashwin comes.

Ashwin- Hi, thanks for seeing my luggage, but I have to go now.

Krishna- Go? Where? I suppose the train hasn't arrived as yet.

Ashwin- Actually my sister's luggage has been stolen and so we have to cancel our travel. By the way

the talk with you was a nice one.

Krishna- Yeah, you feel so?

Ashwin- Yes I do.

Krishna- Well its good then. By the way how did the luggage get stolen?

Ashwin- My sister's stupidity you see!

Krishna- Why you say so?

Ashwin- She left the bag without telling anyone to guard it, to take water.

Krishna- Well so did you left it.

Ashwin- But I left it under your guard.

Krishna- Well couldn't I steal it? How could you trust me so easily?

Ashwin- Oh come on, I have talked to you. So at least I know something about you.

Krishna- Probably but not everything. Thieves do not have a label you see.

Ashwin- But they don't talk about Mahabharata also.

Krishna- But you do! So you should know...

Ashwin- Yeah! Yeah! I know no one is responsible for anything.

Krishna- Ok, come now, I'll come with you to see you off.

Scene IV – Outside the Station

Krishna and Ashwin come out of the station. They all are talking when a loud sound somes.

Parth- What was that?

Rajesh- Its sounded like a blast to me.

(Everyone starts running here and there)

Ashwin- My God, I can't believe we just came out of that place and now it has blasted.

Krishna- Do you understand now why your luggage was stolen.

Ashwin- Huh?

Rajesh- I suppose to save us all.

Krishna- Nothing happens without any reason and neither anyone is responsible for that happening.

Everything is set according to our karma.

( END )