Sahasra is not in the mood since Jaya called and told her decision after discussing it at length. Different kinds of thoughts are entering her mind. "How lives are taking turns!" she mused. "We think of one thing but something else happens! Without their involvement in this, why is there such a miserable condition in my life? Jaya has a very comfortable life and high respect in society. She has many staff members and is also earning. She has financial freedom as well. Yet, why does she have problems and difficulties?" Sahasra wondered.

If opinions don't align, is separation the only solution? When a husband does things she doesn't like, is it proper to seek a divorce? If you can't live with those who have promised to share life's hardships and joys, if adjustment seems impossible, if change is beyond reach, how can one hope to adapt in the world? Does a life without compromise even exist? Can those who are unable to change their life partners truly expect to mold the world in their favor?

Amidst Sahasra's contemplations, the thought of her elder brother Manoj and Jaya, who once loved each other deeply but couldn't marry, crossed her mind. Might they hold novel perspectives now? Does Jaya revisit thoughts of her elder brother Manoj? If so, what will be the implications for sister-in-law Vishala? Sahasra's thoughts weave a complex tapestry, traversing diverse pathways. She concludes that she must discuss these musings with her father, patiently awaiting the opportune moment.

 It’s the rainy season, and the rain pours down like never before. Everywhere you look, there’s lush greenery. The sky remains cloudy due to days of continuous rain, with heavy downpours adding to the spectacle. 

 Following the intense downpours, rivers and rivulets overflow, filling up the tanks that have been empty for so long. Despite the abundance of water, the rain keeps falling. Ponds and canals brim with water, leading to waterlogged roads. The overflowing water from the tank spills over the surplus weir, bringing joy to children and adults who have been waiting for this moment.

 With the water cascading over the weir, children and adults find happiness in this natural phenomenon. Children, in particular, are engrossed in play by the streams formed in front of their houses. They enthusiastically paper boats and let them sail in the flowing water. They also use iron rods in the soil to play, moving forward along the road. Covered in mud, they playfully mimic flying by spreading mud on their hands and feet. The muddy terrain leads cyclists to walk, carrying their bicycles, and even sandal-wearing individuals are walking while carrying their footwear.

The well-filled tanks are overflowing at the surplus weir, swiftly supplying water to the fields and ponds below. The rain steadily poured throughout the night, and by dawn, it transformed into floods. The water is still on the rise, overflowing the surplus weir, and causing the tanks’ dams to break. Whenever a breach occurs in any of the tanks, all the water flows into the lower tank, resulting in the lower dams breaking as well. Cries for help echo in every village. Sandbags are being filled ceaselessly, and efforts are underway to prevent the tanks from rupturing. Grass and shrubs tumble into the streams and get carried away. Some trees, along with their roots, are swept away and fall along the stream banks.

 A month has elapsed, and nature is now resplendent with greenery. Nature has once again stood tall following the disaster. People have put aside all memories of the calamity and have resumed their agricultural endeavors. Sahasra, along with her mother Madhavi and Principal Ramachandraiah, travelled together to a wedding function in a car and later returned.

 The car runs smoothly on the road. The driver, who knows how to drive the car for Principal Ramachandraiah, is driving at a smooth speed. Ramachandraiah is happy to drive through the forest and hills to an old friend's function. The nature, surroundings, and journeys in the car are very pleasant for Madhavi and Sahasra. 

With the trees on both sides of the road, fields, and hills in the distance, the hills are all green like a forest, and the chirping of birds in the sky makes Sahasra ecstatic to see the surroundings. She is saddened by how much she is missing in life in the busyness of work.

"Father! How captivating this nature is—the environment, the birds, the riverbank, and the dunes! How great it would be if a person could live freely immersed in these beauties of nature! What joy it would be to live in a cottage in such surroundings! Why do people run away from nature to towns and cities, Father? Is there truly freedom in towns and cities? It all seems like a running race. Is life in cities genuinely comfortable?" Lecturer Sahasra asked, as if she had suddenly remembered.

The river flows calmly from the left side. It feels like kissing the cold sand and forming sparrow nests. The clouds are moving across the sky like cotton. Sahasra has completely immersed herself in nature. They seem to be arriving from some grand wedding. 

"There is a significant difference between staying here and merely enjoying the view from a distance like an audience. I am familiar with that difference. You cannot imagine the depth of that difference. Allow me to illustrate, for example: I will drop you off here from the car. Will you stay until evening, catch a bus, and return home sometime at night?" inquired her father, Ramachandraiah.

"My goodness! Alone! I'm afraid... Let all of us alight if we wish to," expressed Sahasra.

"Do you comprehend, Sahasra? You hold a profound affection for nature. Yet, what a formidable fear it is to reside alone amidst nature! It's intriguing how humans are apprehensive of their own freedom!" Principal Ramachandraiah chuckled.

Marriage, family, job responsibilities, and the like are also comparable. We desire liberation from them, yet we dread insecurity. We perceive them as safeguards, but at times, we lament their constrictions. Occasionally, we seek freedom within them. Freedom can be profoundly daunting for someone who cherishes liberty. Humans have harbored a love for freedom for millennia and have held a profound affinity for nature. However, following the industrial revolution and the establishment of modern democratic systems, humanity has grown distanced from nature. Contemporary humans adore nature, yet their attachment to society surpasses that sentiment.

They believe that security, protection, employment, job opportunities, and comfort abide within society. This belief drives them to seek nature for recreation, making plans for holiday resorts and tours. Moreover, unlike our ancestors, present-day individuals are disinclined to coexist harmoniously with animals and birds by dwelling in nature. I surmise this is why the modern individual dreads genuine and unadulterated freedom. Ramchandraiah contemplated expressing that he thought Jiddu Krishnamurthy's perspective on freedom might be entirely accurate, but he hesitated, unsure whether he could fully endorse it or not.

Sahasra argued, saying,

"I don't accept this statement, Father! Say whatever you want...  Man loves freedom, Father! He gives up everything for freedom."

"Sahasra...! Freedom is relative. Freedom is defined as a part of society. 

In Manusmriti it is mentioned that a woman's trajectory should be, in childhood, with parents; in youth, with her husband; in old age, with her children. 

Manu stated, "Na sthree swathanthryamarhathi,"  implying that women do not deserve freedom. It appears that the author of Manusmriti believed  and expressed this view, observing that  a woman's roles as a mother and a wife are vital for the stability of the family system. 

According to this perspective, if a woman becomes independent, the foundations of the family system would be shaken, leading to the dissolution of the family structure."

“ Father, you are right. No matter how much you talk about women's equality, the right to vote, and gender parity, where is the actual freedom for women? You curtailed the freedom we had in childhood in the name of discipline. Despite Manoj, the elder brother, desiring to love and marry Jaya, you colluded with Jaya's father, Uncle Bhaskar, to prevent their marriage. You have no idea how much she is suffering now. Dad, indeed, where is the freedom for women these days, especially after marriage? 

I don't mean to say that your son-in-law Sudhakar is bad. He is relatively good compared to Jaya's husband. Nevertheless, women have minimal freedom within this marriage system. I want to pursue a job. He is engrossed in his role as an RDO (Revenue Divisional Officer). Both of us are always occupied. Where is freedom in this scenario? Life is progressing along its predefined path, much like a train journey...," expressed Sahasra.

"Where is freedom for me? I lost my freedom when I got married. The goal of your mother and me is to live in harmony with each other. Thus, your mother and I got deliverance from freedom as soon as we got married. We sacrificed personal freedom by compromising and understanding each other. I had to live all my life for you and your mother. After marriage, it is the same for everyone. 

Where is the individual freedom left for me and your mother? Your mother gave up her freedom for the well-being of us all. Thus, after marriage, after the formation of a family, and after having children, we devoted ourselves to the family. As a result, we both became free from liberty. And so have you. Does your husband have freedom? You say your husband is your property..." 

"Mother also protects you like her property and threatens you...!" laughed Sahasra.

Mother Madhavi still wants to listen to that discussion. 

Madhavi burst out with her anguish, saying, "Where do I have freedom? When I was a child, my parents, after marriage your father, and then you... All were the ones who restricted me. My whole life is spent serving you all."

As the father explains freedom in its various aspects, daughter Sahasra asks to know more. 

“ So, Sahasra! Your mother cannot tolerate freedom. Women like you also cannot tolerate freedom...! By being dependent, they seek happiness, security, and comfort," said Ramachandraiah.

"That is your old-fashioned Ness, Dad! I love freedom very much. I am not like Mom," said Sahasra. She was overwhelmed with anger.

"So, can you tell me why you got married?" 

Ramachandraiah asked point-blank with a smile.

Mother Madhavi interfered and said angrily, 'How can you say that? For a woman, marriage is like a stake for tethering. No matter how much you turn around, you have to go around it only.'" 

"Why do you think that way, Mom? Shouldn't a woman get a divorce when she has to live a life she doesn't like?" Lecturer Sahasra inquired. 

"How would you have managed if we had divorced? It was tough to lose your father's love and for me to support you alone," Mother Madhavi explained. 

“ Mom, that's your problem. Nowadays, many people like me are living independently. They have jobs like men. They handle household chores and raise children as well."

"Jaya wants to get a divorce. It is said that her husband is wandering around making films; he is going somewhere with someone else; he's not coming home... Jaya's thoughts might have turned to elder brother Manoj," Mother Madhavi said as she attempted to meet her father's gaze. 

Madhavi was shocked, as if a bomb had fallen by her side. 

Ramachandraiah, who had been lost in a meditative sleep in the car, suddenly opened his eyes. 

"Has Jaya gone crazy? Why is she thinking in such a way?" exclaimed Madhavi.

"Mom! Jaya feels the same way you do about the lack of freedom in your whole life. But it's not just about good and bad, Mom! Jaya longs for freedom. She wants to live as a single parent with her children! Is there any fault in her thinking? She has gained some experience of marriage, family, and children. She had some illusions before marriage, some hopes. People think they will achieve something. Nobody truly has freedom within this family system, Dad!" Lecturer Sahasra passionately expressed herself. 

"Sahasra! Can Jaya achieve freedom through divorce? Is it genuine freedom? Pre-marriage freedom differs from post-divorce freedom. These two situations are not the same. Does Jaya comprehend this?" Ramachandraiah inquired. 

Madhavi expressed surprise, saying, "Are you suggesting that Jaya is getting a divorce? Turning to Sahasra, she asked, "What exactly happened?" 

"It's been rumored that she's become disillusioned with her family," Sahasra evasively replied without revealing the complete truth.

"Sahasra! Right after getting married and having children for some time, that is, after ten years of marriage, I also felt that I should run away from this marriage, family, bonds, and the race of life. I yearned for freedom. A friend of mine left his wife and children for the sake of society. Another friend went to the Himalayas in pursuit of freedom, spiritual growth, and meditation. After a while, nobody knew what occurred, but both returned to their families. However, their families were already torn apart. Their attitudes had changed. Family members consistently quarreled with and tormented them, saying, 'You are not living for us; you have come for yourself; you don't love us, and if you truly loved us, you wouldn't have abandoned us in misery.'"

Regardless of their actions, their sacrifices and contributions went unnoticed. They relinquished their freedom, ambitions, and dreams, either making compromises or dedicating their entire lives to their families. They made numerous sacrifices to ensure their children could receive a good education and prosper in life. They succeeded in their endeavors, even relocating to countries like the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand, and establishing themselves there. Nevertheless, they still face criticism from their children. Forgiveness eludes them. They yearn for family harmony. It remains unclear why, but they once again became the family's mainstay. Nevertheless, neither the wife nor the children could bring themselves to forgive them. "Dad, I'm having trouble understanding your perspective. On one hand, you remind me that Mother didn't get to live freely. But on the other hand, when Jaya wants to get a divorce, you question whether that's considered freedom," Sahasra voiced her confusion, inundating her father with a barrage of questions.

Principal Ramachandraiah contemplated the potential outcomes of Jaya's separation from various angles. He recognized that both Jaya and Sahasra were no longer children. Instead of maintaining an authoritarian demeanor as he had before, he believed it was crucial to communicate and elaborate on different aspects.;

"Sahasra, consider this: if Jaya raises her children as a single parent without their father, will her children forgive her in the future? Think about it. Even if Jaya remarries or reconciles with her husband down the line, will her children and husband truly acknowledge and pardon her, regardless of the sacrifices she's made and the services she's rendered? Ponder over this... pre-marriage freedom differs from the freedom of leaving a family after marriage or obtaining a divorce. These two scenarios aren't equivalent. Sure, anyone can choose to live freely without marriage, opting for a celibate life. But you've observed the lives of our acquaintances and witnessed how society treats their children when they seek such liberation after marriage or when Jaya departs from the family! You're well aware of the individuals I'm referring to."

"Madhavi comprehends the situation with those acquaintances all too well. She's also familiar with the harassment their wives subject them to. Madhavi finds it puzzling, whenever she recalls them, why they've transformed into such individuals, continuously tormenting themselves and fixating on the past. Despite numerous explanations and advice, their inherent nature remains unaltered. Despite receiving everything from Dad, they persistently make life miserable for him."

Madhavi and Sahasra are well acquainted with these matters. Ramachandraiah paused for a moment and then resumed speaking. "Even now, they don't make phone calls to converse; they share everything with their mother. Fathers are considered outsiders to those families. Their father's role never factors into their considerations. However, without their father's involvement, there can be no development. Why does this paradox exist? It is often said that as a man matures, he develops his personality, nature, and culture. But regardless of their growth, why do they behave in this manner towards their past, memories, and father? Can we expect Jaya to desire such a life? Can we assume that even though Jaya entrusted her children to her husband, her children will not harbor resentment towards either Jaya or their father as they grow older? Won't they consistently criticize Jaya, claiming they were deprived of parental love and faced numerous societal insults? Is Jaya prepared to confront this? Can Jaya experience true freedom even if her children criticize and despise her to the extent that she feels she must nurture them?" Ramachandraiah looked back at his daughter for her opinion.

The car was moving swiftly but decelerated suddenly with a jolt. Sahasra contemplated deeply. It's unclear whether her father is advocating for Jaya's divorce or not. It would have been more helpful if he had provided some clarity. Man is not an independent being rather, he is a social creature. While living in society, man craves freedom. Furthermore, man cannot exist autonomously in nature. Some individuals willingly embrace the bonds and associations of communal life. Does every attachment signify an escape from freedom? What defines freedom? Can a bird soaring in the sky be considered genuinely free? Is its flight a representation of freedom? Is its search for sustenance an illustration of freedom? Or is freedom synonymous with inevitability? Can freedom be defined as breaking free from the grasp of inevitability?

Ramachandraiah urged her to delve deeper into her thoughts, stating, "During my childhood, I fled to my aunt's house, driven by the fear of my father's reprimands. From my perspective, it was a departure from confinement towards liberation. However, from my parents' perspective, it was an evasion of discipline."

Father-daughter talks have shifted from topic to topic. Is the river a symbol of freedom? 

Does the river possess freedom? A mother is a river. A woman is a river. Does a mother have freedom? "Do you consider living in nature, detached from reactions and actions, as freedom?" Is it accurate to believe that nature doesn't react to actions while existing in freedom? Man aspires to grow like a tree, yet desires to twirl like a creeper.

Feminists label being a wife and a mother as indicative of dependent psychology. This is a reality. But why do they live in dependency? Is it solely due to a lack of financial freedom? Is it purely because of a deficiency in the freedom of decision-making? Ponder upon this at least once. Has the mother lost her freedom? Has she found salvation through freedom? Women revolt when they yearn for freedom. When we envision freedom as the liberty of self-determination, isn't it a facet of selfishness? Living in a state devoid of desires signifies genuine freedom. If you seek to live freely, you must shed selfishness. 

Liberation from freedom implies liberation from selfishness. Is the freedom of subjective thinking equivalent to the freedom linked to self-mental inclination?

Ramachandraiah posed numerous questions, asking, "Is true freedom achievable only when one breaks free from the ties of worldly life, from all physical and emotional attachments, and even blood relations? Is it feasible?" Sahasra was engulfed in that sequence of questions. Each question pierced like an arrow. It's stated that freedom equates to Samadhi. What is Samadhi? It's said that Samadhi exists in a state beyond attachment to the bonds of mundane life! "Sahasra! For whom, the state of Samadhi is meant for? Why is it so? Is it for self-happiness? If self-satisfaction is paramount, what is the relationship between it and society? What do those practicing it have to do with society? And what does society have to do with them? Why should society care about them? Why should it contemplate these matters?"

Sahasra, at her age, didn't grasp those questions fully. Ramachandraiah didn't seem to notice as he continued speaking. Freedom in a relationship... Freedom in attachment... Freedom in captivity... Freedom in employment... Freedom in marriage... Freedom in family... Freedom in a voluntarily and selflessly lived life is true freedom.

How can mere self-enjoyment be considered selfless enjoyment? These questions felt like thrusting a spear into the ego. Is it selfish for a person to grow freely without any hindrances, nurturing their creativity, uniqueness, and specialty, and to pursue them? Is it solely for self-pleasure? Sahasra couldn't bear those words. Sahasra voiced her protest, saying, 

"What you're describing is thought policing." Ramachandraiah burst into laughter

"Sahara! Administration means guiding thought processes. To be precise, it's essentially thought policing. Administration, discipline, and administrative management are like the two opposite banks of a river. 

The state, constitution, democratic system, social system, monarchy, industrial system, family system, and so on, all influence and shape the thoughts of society's members as they deem appropriate.

If you resist, they will impose constraints on you. At times, people rebel against this imposition and gain additional rights. Yet again, they must coexist within their respective systems. 

"Life in society is lived within these systems. Even the quest for liberation and freedom from these systems is often addressed within the systems themselves. Does genuine freedom truly exist, Sahasra? Or is it merely an aspiration?" Ramachandraiah asked, looking at Sahasra's face.

Sahasra did not answer. She is contemplating. "If Jaya seeks deliverance from freedom, does she require a divorce?" Ramchandraiah refrained from speaking. A moment of silence filled the car. Was Madhavi performing all her roles as a wife and mother as a means of liberation from freedom? Perhaps that's why she diligently attended to the family's needs and children's comforts all these years. Madhavi appeared to have uncovered something new. 

"Does individual freedom symbolize selfishness? Is the inability to engage in mutual attachments with a life partner a genuine manifestation of freedom? Can it be seen as selfishness? Is it possible for those who struggle to form a partnership in life to build connections with others and coexist within society? Does this constitute a self-centered life?"

"Sahasra! Where would all of you be if I desired freedom? How did your father live? How did your brothers live? Reflect upon what your lives would have turned into," cautioned Mother Madhavi.

Sahasra grew solemn. Is there nothing but selfishness in the freedom that everyone talks about? 

Can the growth of freedom in a person occur creatively without any hindrances? Is striving not only for one's own freedom, but also for the freedom of others, true freedom? Is this the essence of motherhood? Is this the contentment that Father experienced as the head of the family. 

The car is progressing along the road. Diverse thoughts were circulating among the four individuals, including the driver. 

Liberation from freedom implies liberation from selfishness. It involves gaining freedom from the clutches of selfishness and desires. True freedom is freedom from desires. Converting desires into goals is inherently selfish. 

Buddha proclaimed that desires are the root of sorrow. This signifies that selfishness is the source of sorrow. How can one exist without any desires? Isn't altruism a form of desire? The struggle for survival isn't synonymous with selfishness. In one of his ghazals, C. Narayana Reddy contemplates, "What kind of life does a person have if not lived for others' sake?" Does feminism equate to selfishness? Existential and feminist movements do not arise from selfish motives... They are aimed at empowerment...! Isn't feminism, existential movements, and all such endeavors philanthropic to the extent that they collectively strive for the greater good of all? It becomes selfish if they solely serve one's own interests. Sahasra pondered these questions. She voiced the same inquiry.

Principal Ramachandraiah said, persuading and explaining to her daughter, 

“ Yes... Now you know the truth. The idea of freedom without cooperation, mutual sacrifice, and mutual love is not at all pure selfishness."

Is self-determined freedom another name for selfishness? Is there only selfishness in Jaya's idea of divorce? Is it self-determined freedom? Is brother Manoj in touch with Jaya over the phone? What does Jaya actually think about her future? Is there only selfishness in her thinking of living in Nagpur as a single parent, doing her own work and living away from everyone? How does she overcome the sense of inferiority that affects the children? Will the problem be resolved over time by living apart without getting a divorce...?

Sahasra was shocked by her parents' words. Do we need to consider the other side of freedom? Negotiation and persuasion are necessary for Jaya. Sahasra thought of telling Jaya that there is no better life outside the family, which one can enjoy as a single parent. 

Nature greets them with chilliness, greenery, and luster. Sahasra's thoughts are moving in different directions. She is losing the ability to enjoy the pleasures that nature and the surroundings offer. Sahasra is experiencing an intractable conflict.