Madhab and the magic conch – a folktale from Odisha

Long long ago in a village on the sea-shore, in the present-day Odisha there lived a young man by name Madhab. Madhab was very naive and innocent, so much so that everyone thought he was good-for-nothing. Due to his being such a simpleton, he could not get even a proper job.

His wife Lipika however, was a smart lady and did jobs in some households as a helper and earned a small amount of money just enough for  their existence.

One day Lipika fell sick. Even after a couple of days of taking home remedies, she was not getting better. In fact her condition worsened. Madhab did not have the money to consult a doctor. Now he was compelled to seek employment. He went to the market and met all the shopkeepers asking for a job. But none would give him a job. He then went to the palace seeking a job. But in spite of his explaining his predicament, nobody took mercy on him and he could not succeed in getting a job.

Madhab was extremely dejected and was frightened at the prospect of going home and facing Lipika whose health was fast deteriorating. Madhab thought for a while and in sheer helplessness decided to drown himself in the ocean that night.

Going to the seashore, he sat for a long time on the sands praying to the Gods to help Lipika after his death. With a heavy heart, he entered the ocean. It was a full moon night and the waves started rising higher and higher as Madhab waded in. As it was night, there was no one on the beach. He walked into the ocean for some distance and with great sorrow in his heart on leaving his wife uncared for, he fell unconscious into the waters of the ocean .

The Samudra Devata (God of the ocean) took pity on Madhab and a huge wave lifted him up and threw him on the sandy beach. After a long time Madhab opened his eyes as he felt a blue light shining nearby. He was surprised to see a divine Being near him. The Being was emitting blue light and wore lots of pearls and corals and wore a crown made of sea-shells. The white pearls shone brightly reflecting the moon light and it was like a bluish-white aura around the Being.  Madhab had never seen anyone like that before, even in his wildest dreams. The Being  had so much compassion in his eyes and had a beautiful smile.

“Get up Madhab!” said the Being in a deep soothing voice. “I am the Samudra Devata. I heard your prayer and am moved by your pure heart and simplicity”. Saying so, the Devata manifested a beautiful white conch which could fit into one’s palm. “Take this magic conch and go Madhab!” said He. “This will give you whatever you ask from it”. Madhab did not know if what was happening was real or a dream. He put forth his palm to receive the conch. The Devata placed the conch on Madhab’s palm and disappeared the next moment.

Madhab being a simpleton was not very excited at what had happened. He simply took the conch and walked home. When he reached home, Lipika’s was running very high fever and the doctor had to be called if she was to be saved. Madhab looked at the conch and said, “I want hundred gold coins” and the next moment, there was a ‘galagalagalagala’ sound and coins dropped from nowhere. Madhab was surprised that the conch was indeed a magic conch! Madhab arranged for good treatment and Lipika was cured and now there was no dearth of anything for Madhab and Lipika.

They started living in a fairly decent house and wore proper clothes and fed whoever came to their house. Their lifestyle remained simple and they took only what they needed from the conch. But being a person good at heart, Madhab helped all his fellow villagers whenever they needed financial help. In the course of time, the whole village was self-sufficient and there were no demands from the village to the King.

The King noticed this and was curious on how this change had happened. He sent some of his spies and came to know about Madhab’s magic conch. The King told his spies to befriend Madhab and steal the conch. The men also did as they were told and Madhab was in great despair when he found his conch stolen. Slowly all his wealth dissolved and he went back to his original  poor state once again. Still, being pure at heart, Madhab did not curse or scold whoever had caused him the loss. With a heavy heart, Madhab went to the sea-shore hoping to find some peace of mind. This time also it was a full moon day.

As he sat in contemplation with teary eyes thinking of what the future held for him, there was a flash of light from amidst the waves and the Samudra Devata appeared again. Madhab bowed to the Devata in obeisance.

The Devata spoke. “Madhab! Your conch has been stolen by the King. But do not worry. I will give you another conch. This will give you twenty times of what you ask. Go to the King, and give it to him and ask for your conch back. He will give it back. Immediately leave the village with your wife and belongings and go to a far-off city in another kingdom”.

Even after knowing who the thief was, Madhab was not the least angry about what had happened to him. He just thought that it was his destiny. And even after the Devata had talked about the new conch giving more than what is asked for, he did not have any thought of retaining the bigger conch with himself. The next day morning, he went to the palace and sought audience with the king just as the Devata had instructed. The court was very crowded. When his chance came to speak to the king, he told the king that the conch he held in hand was a bigger conch  which would give much more than what was asked. He then requested to have his small conch back.

The King was shocked to know that Madhab knew that he had stolen the smaller conch. However, the King believed Madhab as he was aware that Madhab was not even capable of lying or cheating. Anyway, if he cheated, he could be called and punished the very next day, thought the king. He arranged for the small conch to be given back.

As there were many people in the court including some from the neighbouring kingdom, the King did not try out the new conch. Madhab went home. As the Devata had instructed, taking his wife and meagre belongings , he left the village and by that night had reached a far-off city in another kingdom.

Meanwhile, the king could find time alone only after dinner that day. Closeted in his chamber, he looked at the conch with great desire  and said, “Give me a thousand diamonds”. To his utter shock, a pair of blue hands came out of the conch floating in the air and thrashed the King left and right. To his horror, the King also heard a booming voice. “You cheated poor Madhab didn’t you?” it asked. “Take this and this and this ….” Saying so it beat and punched him as he ran around in the chamber seeking cover. Not able to withstand the chase, finally, the King fell on the ground asking for forgiveness.  “Sorry! Sorry! Please, please stop. I am extremely sorry!” said he. After hovering  in the air for some time, the pair of hands vanished and so did the conch!

The King was feeling so ashamed and terribly angry at Madhab and the very next morning sent his guards to fetch Madhab. But little did he know that Madhab was far away from him in a different city setting up his new home with Lipika!

Note: Picture generated by me using AI.