"Agni-Samadhi" (Hindi Story) : Munshi Premchand In English

Introduction

“Agni-Samadhi” is a poignant story by Munshi Premchand, one of India’s greatest literary figures. The story revolves around themes of faith, sacrifice, and human emotions, portraying the struggles and convictions of a deeply religious society.

Through the company of saints and sages, even the wicked turn virtuous, but Payaag’s misfortune was that such company had the opposite effect on him. He became addicted to marijuana, hashish, and cannabis, which transformed a hardworking, industrious youth into a worshipper of idleness. Where was the joy of life’s struggle in this?

Under a banyan tree, a fire blazed, and a matted-hair sage sat surrounded by devotees, with puffs of hashish smoke filling the air. Occasionally, hymns would punctuate the gathering. There was no heavenly joy like this in hard labor! Payaag’s duty was to fill the pipe. The devotees sought rewards in the afterlife, but Payaag enjoyed immediate pleasure, claiming the first puff of every pipe. Listening to spiritual discussions from the mouths of the sages, he was transported into a euphoric state, overwhelmed by self-oblivion. He felt as if he had entered another world, filled with fragrance, music, and light.

Thus, when his wife, Rukmin, came to fetch him at ten or eleven at night, Payaag felt as if he were being yanked back into a cruel reality. The world appeared to him as a jungle of thorns, especially when, upon reaching home, he realized the hearth hadn’t been lit and he had to arrange for some snacks. He was a burden on his caste; his job as the village watchman was his hereditary responsibility, earning him two rupees and some annas per month, along with a free uniform and turban. His duties included visiting the police station once a week, sweeping the officers’ doorsteps, cleaning the stables, and chopping wood.

Also Read :

Payaag endured this work begrudgingly, for defiance would have cost him both physically and financially. Despite this, he consoled himself that the workload was light, and the monthly wages of two rupees and some annas were not negligible for four days of labor. Additionally, he enjoyed some authority over the lower classes in the village. His salary was akin to a pension, but ever since he began associating with the sages, it was entirely consumed as pocket money. Thus, the problem of livelihood became increasingly worrisome.

Before these spiritual gatherings, Payaag and Rukmin worked as laborers in the village. Rukmin would collect firewood and sell it in the market, while Payaag would engage in various tasks—sometimes sawing wood, plowing fields, or threshing grain. He was cheerful, industrious, amiable, and free of worries—a man who would never go hungry. Polite to the extent that he never refused any work, he had earned respect in the village. Even after he became idle, the couple managed to scrape by for a couple of years without much hardship. Though they couldn’t afford two full meals, they managed to have at least one decent meal a day. However, this problem grew more severe day by day.

Moreover, Rukmin was no longer as devoted or service-oriented as before. Instead, her sharpness and assertiveness had grown remarkably. Payaag felt he needed a miraculous solution that would free him from livelihood concerns, allowing him to devote himself fully to divine worship and the service of sages.

One day, when Rukmin returned home after selling firewood, Payaag asked her for some money to buy cannabis. She turned away and said, “If you’re so desperate for a smoke, why don’t you work? Don’t you have any sages to serve?”

अग्नि-समाधि (कहानी) : मुंशी प्रेमचंद

Payaag, scowling, retorted, “If you care for me, give me the money. If you keep harassing me like this, I’ll leave one day, and you’ll regret it.”

Rukmin shrugged indifferently, “Why would I cry? You don’t exactly feed me delicacies now. Whether you’re here or gone, I’ll still struggle.”

“So, that’s your final word?”

“Yes, I’ve told you—I don’t have any money.”

“You have money for jewelry, but when I ask for a little, you say no?”

Rukmin snapped, “Why does it bother you if I buy jewelry? You’ve never even bought me a brass ring. Can’t bear to see me have even that much?”

That day, Payaag didn’t return home. By 9 PM, Rukmin locked the door, assuming he was hiding somewhere in the village, expecting her to come and coax him. She thought, “Let him sulk; I couldn’t care less.”

The next morning, Rukmin grew worried when he didn’t return. She searched the entire village but found no trace of him. That day, she didn’t cook and spent a sleepless night, wondering if Payaag had truly renounced the world. She resolved to search every corner at dawn, suspecting he might have joined some sage. She even planned to file a police report.

BUY NOW

At daybreak, just as she was about to leave for the police station, she saw Payaag returning—not alone but accompanied by a woman. The sight of the woman’s printed saree, dyed shawl, long veil, and shy gait made Rukmin’s heart sink. For a moment, she stood dumbfounded, then, as if resigned to her fate, she silently led the new bride into the house as though she were swallowing poison.

Once the neighbors’ crowd dispersed, Rukmin asked Payaag, “Where did you find her?”

Payaag laughed, “She was running away from home. I found her on the way. She’ll take care of the household chores and stay here.”

“Seems like you’ve grown tired of me.”

Payaag smirked, “Silly woman! I brought her to serve you.”

“Who cares for the old when the new arrives?”

“Listen, the one you connect with is always new; the one you don’t connect with is old. Give me some money now; I haven’t smoked in three days, and my legs feel weak. Also, feed this poor girl for a few days; she’ll start working soon.”

Rukmin handed over a whole rupee without a second word. Payaag knew how to govern effectively, employing divide-and-rule tactics.

Agni-Samadhi (Hindi Story) : Munshi Premchand In English

For a month, there was no trouble. Rukmin abandoned all her mischief, rising early to collect firewood, chop grass, or make cow dung patties for sale in the market. Whatever she earned, half went to Payaag, while the other half managed the household expenses. She didn’t let the second wife do any work, telling neighbors, “So what if she’s a co-wife? She’s still like a newlywed. If she doesn’t get a few months of rest, what memories will she carry?”

Villagers praised Rukmin’s virtuous nature, but the cunning Payaag understood everything and reveled in his successful strategy.

One day, the younger wife, Silia (formerly named Kaushalya), said, “Sister, I’m bored sitting idle at home. Please find me some work.”

Rukmin, with a voice steeped in affection, replied, “Are you bent on smearing my face with black ink? Do the housework; I’ll handle the outside.”

But Silia, tired of her subservient role, had decided to assert herself. She would work and prove her worth.

One morning, after Rukmin left for the market, Silia roamed the village, portraying herself as modest and shy. Women were charmed and offered her rice, lentils, and more. By the end of her round, she realized she could fill the vacant spot of the village grinder. Returning home, she began grinding wheat.

When Rukmin heard the sound of the mill, she found Silia grinding wheat in the dark. Grabbing the basket, she said, “Who asked you to do this? Whose grain is this?”

Silia retorted fearlessly, “Why don’t you go back to sleep? If I work, what’s it to you? Can’t even tolerate the sound of a mill?”

Their quarrel escalated, with Payaag siding with Silia, declaring, “Let her work; she’s not going to be a bride forever.”

Eventually, Silia dominated the household with her hard work and determination, while Rukmin simmered with resentment.

One day, when the tension reached a breaking point, Rukmin framed Silia for stealing grass. An enraged Silia hurled curses, and Rukmin struck her. Neighbors, already biased against Silia’s industriousness, supported Rukmin.

When Payaag returned home, Silia tearfully recounted the incident. Enraged, Payaag beat Rukmin mercilessly, leaving her wounded and humiliated.

“Agni-Samadhi” : Munshi Premchand In English

That night, Rukmin silently left the house. Meanwhile, Payaag went to guard the fields, unaware that his hut had been set on fire. Spotting the blaze, he raced to extinguish it, but the flames raged on.

Desperate, Payaag tried lifting the burning structure to save the harvest, but it began to collapse. Suddenly, Rukmin appeared, taking the blazing roof from him. She carried it away, her body engulfed in flames, ultimately succumbing to the fire.

Payaag collapsed, witnessing her sacrifice. Consumed by grief and injuries, he passed away within a week.