Munshi Premchand's Saut: A Story of Loss and Resilience

Munshi Premchand's Famous Story: Saut

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Presented here is one such invaluable story by Munshi Premchand, titled:

* Saut (Step-Mother)

As Rajia's two or three children passed away, and her age advanced, Ramu's love for her began to wane, and the thought of remarriage took root. Daily arguments ensued. Ramu, finding various pretexts, grew increasingly harsh with Rajia, even beating her. Finally, he took another wife, a woman named Dasi. She was a striking beauty, with captivating eyes, and in the prime of her youth. Pale and delicate Rajia, stood no match against this vibrant young woman. Nevertheless, Rajia, clinging to her role as mistress of the house, tried to hold onto her fading authority for as long as possible. Like a dilapidated roof, she was desperately holding it together. She had built this home brick by agonizing brick. She could not simply abandon it. She was not so foolish as to leave and let Dasi rule.

One day, Rajia said to Ramu, "I have no sari, go get me one."

Ramu had bought a beautiful silk cloth for Dasi just the day before. Hearing Rajia's request, he replied, "I didn't have any money."

Rajia's desire for a sari was not as b as her desire to disrupt Ramu and Dasi's happiness. She retorted, "If you didn't have money, why did you buy a silk cloth for your favorite? You could have bought two saris for the same price, one for me!"

Ramu responded, "My desire is to do as I please. Who are you to dictate my actions? She is still young and has time to enjoy her life. Why should I burden her with worries about clothes and sustenance? If you want to wear fine garments, then work, God has given you hands and feet. Previously, you would get up early in the night and work diligently. Now, you lie idle the whole day, out of spite. Where will the money come from, anyway? I won't sacrifice my life for you."

Rajia countered, "Am I her servant that she should lie like a queen while I do all the work in the house? I have toiled tirelessly, and now I am expected to serve her. Is this the reward for my labor? Is this when I have to start doing all the chores?"

"You will live as I wish you to live."

"I will live as I wish, or I will leave."

"Do whatever you wish, but do not provoke me."

"Very well. From this day forward, I will live without your interference. I will simply live as a widow now."

Ramu understood that his domesticity depended on Rajia, despite his lack of attraction to her. He likely would have eventually reconciled with Rajia, but Dasi was cunning and adept at manipulation. She began to irritate him.

Ramu sighed, "Rajia is making a fuss about a silk cloth. She is saying she will leave. I've told her to do whatever she wants."

Dasi scoffed, "This is just a fit of pique. She'll come crawling back, begging for forgiveness soon enough. Sit tight and do nothing. Her tantrum will pass in a few days. Don't say anything. Her anger will subside on its own."

Ramu replied, "Dasi, you know how stubborn she is. She says what she means and does what she says. "

Rajia had not expected such cruelty from Ramu. Since she was no longer beautiful, Ramu no longer loved her. This wasn't uncommon in men, but Rajia could not accept that he would abandon her. She had built this house with her own efforts. She had managed the household finances. What hardships she had endured! Now, she was being ruthlessly cast aside like a fly from milk. Ramu hadn't even offered to stop her from leaving, to say, "You cannot leave. I will either die or kill you, but I will not let you go." This was not a joke, this was our marriage. So, if Ramu did not care for her, why should she care for him? Did all men behave this way? Did all women not have mothers, fathers, sons, and grandchildren? If her children were still alive, would Ramu have taken another wife and driven her away? Didn't this cruel woman have any compassion for her?"

Rajia's wounded heart rebelled against this injustice. The fire that could not touch a thick log could consume a flimsy hut.

The next day, Rajia left for another village, taking nothing with her. The sari she wore was all she possessed. Fate had already snatched her children; now her home was taken away too.

Ramu, engrossed in amusement with Dasi, probably did not notice Rajia departing. Rajia believed that she could simply walk away. It wasn't how she wanted to go. She wanted to show Dasi, Ramu, and the entire village that she was not taking anything from this home. She had to humiliate Ramu in front of the whole village. If she had quietly left, Ramu would have spread malicious rumors about her. Rajia intended for them to think that she had taken everything from the home.

Calling out to Ramu, Rajia said, "Take care of your home. I am leaving. I am not taking anything with me from your home."

Ramu, momentarily uncaring of his duty, was at a loss. He hadn't anticipated her departure like this. He had thought that she would make a grand exit and seek sympathy from the villagers. Now, what should he do?

Dasi retorted, "Go and make a big deal out of this. You have nothing to fear. She took nothing from your home. She will only be seen as a villain."

Rajia, ignoring Dasi, addressed Ramu directly, "Listen, and heed the words of your favored wife. Why don't you open your mouth? I am leaving, but know that you won't remain a king for long. Justice will prevail."

Dasi laughed mockingly, but Ramu hung his head in shame. Rajia departed.

The villagers in Rajia's new village knew her well. They knew how skilled, hard-working, and honest she was. She found work easily. Someone who could do two people's work, wouldn't have any trouble finding employment.

The years Rajia spent in the new village, reestablishing herself, starting a new household, and engaging in farming could fill a volume.

(Continues in the next section.)