Chapter-Deliverance Summary (SOL B.A program)

This story, Deliverance (Sadgati in Hindi) deals with caste relationships within an agrarian community. As mentioned in the notes at the end of the story, Sadgati roughly means salvation in Death. In other words a worthy death. We see the working of caste laws in this story which results in the death of Dukhi, the tanner. The preceding essay 'Caste Laws' by Jyotirao Phule also dealt with caste laws. But you must have noticed that both the texts are very different from each other. Caste Laws' by Phule analyses the emergence of the caste system from within a certain historical context.On the other hand Premchand's story "Deliverance" presents you the working of this system in the story of Dukhi. While the essay is analytical, the story is literary and imaginary. Premchand presents you with a piece of life.  Dukhi and his wife Jhuriya. Both of them are making preparations to welcome the Brahman. Dukhi is a tanner who in the traditional Hindu social order are untouchables. Their job is to work with hides and remove dead animals. They belong to the lowest strata of the society. Ironically he is named Dukhi. Dukhi is sweeping the floor clean and his wife is plastering cow dung on the floor. Cow dung is believed to clean and purify. Dukhi is sweeping the floor clean and his wife is plastering cow dung on the floor. Cow dung is believed to clean and purify.The caste hierarchies are such that no one would give them even a pot of water if they asked for it. So instead of a cot they decide on making a mat of Mohwa leaves for the Brahman to sit on when he visits. They must also offer the Brahman food as offering but they cannot offer it in their own utensil because it is considered impure. So they decide to offer food on a leaf once again. Finally he leaves for the Pandit's house to invite him with a big bundle of grass as a present.Dukhi is considered an untouchable, whose touch pollutes whatever he touches, his offering and gifts are accepted by the Brahman.Finally he leaves for the Pandit's house to invite him with a big bundle of grass as a present. After a short account of Pandit Ghasiram's devotion to God and rituals we witness the meeting between Pandit Ghasiram and Dukhi. Pandit Ghasiram on his return from the temple finds Dukhi at his door. Dukhi immediately prostrates himself on the ground. Dukhi on being asked states his purpose for the visit. Dukhi wants the Pandit to visit his house and pick on an auspicious date for his daughter's betrothal. Pandit Ghasiram sensing an opportunity to get some work done for free .He orders Dukhi to do some work at same time.Unfortunately, Dukhi had nothing since morning and he was terribly hungry. The Brahman was not offering him any food. He decides to smoke a pipe instead. But his own house was a mile away. But Brahmans unlike the low castes and untouchables did not smoke tobacco. Dukhi remembers the lone Gond who stayed in the village. He visits the Gond who offers him both a pipe and the tobacco. But Dukhi needs to light his pipe. He returns to the Pandit’s house and asks for a light. The Pandit asks his wife to give Dukhi a light. This upsets the Panditayan and she reminds Pandit Ghasiram about the caste laws.Finally the Panditayan relents and throws a piece of coal at Dukhi. Dukhi smokes his pipe and gets back to work.Tired, hungry and exhausted he falls asleep. In the meanwhile the Pandit after a nice nap comes out and finds Dukhi asleep. Instead of being thankful for the service rendered by Dukhi, he starts belittling him and his caste. He also threatens Dukhi with unpleasant consequences if the work is not completed. Dukhi is shaken.After all if the Pandit refuses to pick an auspicious day then the marriage would be a disaster. A mix of awe, respect and fear gets hold of Dukhi and he gets into a state of delirium. He works the axe so hard that after sometime his tired and exhausted body gives up. He is dead. The death of Dukhi complicates the story a little. The Gond's subversive activity complicates the issue further. The Gond tells the tanners in their village that if they touched the body of Dukhi they would get into trouble with the police. Consequently the tanners do not pick up Dukhi's body. Moreover Dukhi wife, daughter and a dozen tanner women go to Pandit Ghasiram’s home to mourn. The scene ends in a stalemate. You must have noticed by now that though Jotirao Phule and Premchand are writing about similar things (caste laws) they are very different from each other. While Jotirao's essay analyses the caste flaws in terms of origins and practices, Premchand presents an experience through imagination. While Jotirao's essay appeals to our reason, Premchand story tugs at our emotions.  The Gond tells the tanners in their village that if they touched the body of Dukhi they would get into trouble with the police. Consequently the tanners do not pick up Dukhi's body.