Conscious and Subconscious

Our mind can be separated into two divisions in general. One is conscious and another subconscious. The conscious one is polite, social and refined. The subconscious is not always refined and social – it’s movement and the way it reflects is sometimes strange. Watching the actions of the conscious, it sometimes laughs, sometimes weeps but rarely approves. These two divisions are therefore, always in conflict with each other.

Ramkishorbabu’s subconscious was nearly dead since long. The torture by his conscious led ultimately to its ruin. He is a lawyer. He took support from his conscious mind in all his efforts like finding false witness to protect murderers, destroying the poor subject taking side with the landlord and fabricating forged documents. The subconscious used to create lot of trouble by protesting loudly in the beginning – nowadays it does not make a sound.

That morning, Ramkishorbabu was taking a stroll in his garden and caressing his nearly hairless head. He was little disturbed with a case relating to a widow’s property since quite some time. The hearing for the case was scheduled that day – reason he was little worried.

A middle aged gentleman arrived. Greeting him politely, he stated the reason of his coming to meet the lawyer – he was looking for some good advice. Ramkishorbabu did not know that person. Hence he told without hesitating, “Hope you know that I charge fees to provide guidance in legal issues?”

- “Sure! May I know the amount I need to pay?”

- “Three thousand.”

- “Not an issue.”

Both moved to the drawing room.

The visitor told, “One of my relatives is facing a problem – his son is married almost ten years. But he is still childless. There is little hope of the couple’s having one.”

- “Did you consult doctors?”

- “Oh yes, even they told its difficult.”

-“Is the man healthy?”

- “He is perfectly healthy.”

- “Then what do you want to consult with me?” Ramkishorbabu took a pinch of snuff from his snuff-box.

- “I wanted to know who will inherit the property if they don’t have any offspring.”

Inhaling the snuff, Ramkishorbabu told, “If the man is healthy, then he may marry again; there is provision in Hindu law.”

-“There may be a provision available. But is it possible to take such a step even if the law is favourable?”

 Ramkishrebabu smiled, “Is it possible to lead a life guided by silly emotions? We are doomed because of following those worthless emotions.”

He delivered a short lecture on the ill effects of emotional decisions. His conscious mind furnished the required logic and words for that. The subconscious remained speechless.

The visitor asked again, “Suppose they are not ready to get their son married again – then who will inherit the property?”

Ramkishorbabu recited the law of inheritance maintaining utmost fluency.

He did not forget expressing own opinion once again at the end, - “Why don’t you pursue him to marry again? How come a man stay happy with an infertile wife? Family life becomes barren without children. I am telling you what I find logical. If my suggestion hurts  your sentiment, pardon me!”

The Visitor told, “Not at all! You are a straightforward person who provides clients friendly suggestions – that is what I heard about you. That is reason I came to you.”

He left paying the fees.

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After a couple of days - a cab stopped in front of Ramkishorbabu’s home. A young lady came down and entered home.

The lawyer was a widower. Servant and cooks were in charge of his household affairs. Almost all of them were away in the afternoon – except only a young servant. He carried the luggage inside home. A name was inscribed on one of the trunks the lady brought along – Sarojini Devi. But the young boy did not recognise Sarojini Devi. He was surprised to find a young lady coming inside home like that.

After arranging her luggage, Sarojini sat in the veranda inside home and asked the boy, “Where is your master?”

- “In office.”

- “When does he come back?”

- “I have no idea.”

She was sitting on one of trunks – depressed.

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Ramkishorababu looked surprised at her sight as he came back from court. – “What is it Saro? How come you came without informing beforehand?”

- “I cannot stay in their home any longer.”

- “Why? What happened?”

He found his daughter’s behaviour strange.

- “Why can’t you stay there?”

- “They are getting their son married again. Even you gave consent, I have heard?”

- “I gave consent? – What do you mean?”

- “They sent a person to you to ask for your exact opinion. You told – taking second wife would be better option for him!”

Ramkishorbabu’s subconscious mind was trying to suffocate his consciousness seizing its throat.

He looked at his only daughter helplessly.

Sarojini asked, “Did you really tell that, papa?”

Again Banaphul! - story "Bhitar o bahir"