Kolkata-based author Debashree Chakraborty writes a novel about the 19 years of life of Jesus, which, according to some contemporary texts, he spent traveling extensively in the Middle East, Sindhu region and India
[Author’s Note: In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is no information about the life of Jesus for 19 years. There are some contemporary texts where eyewitnesses have stated that he traveled extensively in the Middle East and crossed the Sindhu region to enter India. Through this novel, I have tried to portray the diary of a profound spiritual journey of his life in the initial and final chapters. Foreign powers have tried to erase the history of our continent, Asia. That is why, when Notovitch returned from Hemis in Ladakh and mentioned that ancient text over 2000 years old, Max Müller sent people to Hemis to destroy that ancient manuscript. The mysterious manuscript is also mentioned in the book by Swami Abhedananda about Kashmir and Tibet. What was it that caused Max Müller so much concern over this manuscript? It is noteworthy that love cannot come into the life of the son of God, and he cannot have any children. Even the Gospels attributed to him have been confined to the secret, dark chambers of the Pope’s city, with words implanted into his mouth according to their wishes. In his name, imperialistic aggression is being carried out across the world. His only daughter, Sara, has not been recognized. His entire existence has been imprisoned. There lies an unknown chapter of his life hidden throughout the Middle East, the Sindhu region, and India. I have brought forth this history through this novel. “An Unknown Life” is in no way a novel imitating “Jesus lived in India.” This novel provides detailed descriptions of his presence across the vast land from Israel to India, not just his own, but also the mysterious narratives of many people associated with him. Was Jesus truly the founder of Christianity? If not, why must he still bear the burden of the “Roman Cross”? Is there ever to be a possibility of his release? All answers are coming. Debashree Chakraborty]
An Unknown Life
(Events following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago, when he was brought to the fortress of Masada)
In the city, there is a dark shack. The high-ranking members of society do not look this way at all. Outside several shacks, a number of sheep are tied up. The smell of sheep’s mess has created a horrific atmosphere around. During the night, the gusts of wind from the outskirts to the city are quite strong. It has been two days since Jesus has arrived in Galilee. However, after the long journey, he is becoming even more fatigued. The wounds on his body have healed significantly due to the treatments from Nicodemus and Joseph, but his body’s weakness does not seem to diminish at all. Inside the dark shack, he is almost unconscious, while a few people sit there whispering. One person says that although the wounds have healed, there is still extreme weakness in his body, and he has reached Galilee with great difficulty. But it won’t be possible to keep him here for long.
Yes, many have recognized him. On the roads of Galilee, there is now only talk that although Jesus’ body has perished, his spirit is said to have returned.
When he was coming along the way to Galilee, leaning on the shoulders of the two of us, some shepherds recognized him and they reported to the city that he supposedly ascended to heaven with two angels from the mountaintop.
Look, such miraculous stories will not be believed by the Romans at all. One day they will surely start searching for Jesus. Then, when the Roman soldiers are searching for him everywhere and he is caught, there will be no escape for him. At that time, we won’t be able to protect him anymore.
So, what now? How will he walk in such a state of severe weakness?
If he remains here like this, he will be captured, so we must take him to the fortress of Masada as soon as possible. Our community resides around this fortress. They are protecting the Masada fortress from far and wide. Besides, by divine grace, the Romans have not yet reached this impenetrable area. Therefore, he will be safe there.
Nicodemus and James had been silent until now. Nicodemus spoke up, saying, “Many members of our community know that Jesus is now in Galilee. I distrust many of them. It is possible that they might inform the Romans that Jesus is alive! Therefore, I am preparing some stimulating medicine for him to ensure we can get him to Masada. The wounds are healing, so I am not worried about them. Joseph and I will take him. Until he is completely recovered, I will stay with him.”
John, who was present there, said, “I spent a long time in my childhood with Jesus at Masada. We had some special training at Masada. I will stay with him.”
That night, in one corner of the shack, Nicodemus ground some herbs to create a liquid. Then, throughout the night, this special liquid was poured into Jesus’ mouth. After a night of anxious sleeplessness, as dawn approached, Jesus woke up. When the early light fell on his face through the gaps in the shack, he appeared to be considerably healthier. They were all dressed in ragged clothing, resembling poor shepherds. The journey from Galilee to the fortress of Masada was extremely arduous. Jesus leaned on the shoulders of Joseph and Nicodemus as he continued along the rugged mountainous path, under the intense heat of the sun and amid the waves of heat surrounding them.
It felt as if all the water was gradually being absorbed from his body. There was no settlement in sight for miles; only the barren wasteland stretched out. John, Joseph, and Nicodemus found it difficult to walk through this hostile environment, but they were amazed by how Jesus was managing to proceed. Truly, this is why Jesus was able to assert himself in the place of the Son of God. Such strength is not found among ordinary people. Jesus had assumed his divine place with the power of these qualities. This path seemed never-ending. Whenever they spotted a water source along the way, they would rest for a while before continuing on. During the moments of rest, Jesus was given special herbal drinks, and ointment was applied to his wounds. As night fell, they sought refuge in the village of the Essenes. The people of these villages were members of their community, and they hid Jesus safely in secret locations. Then, at dawn, they resumed their journey. In this way, they gradually arrived at the fortress of Masada.
Nicodemus, a doctor, became extremely worried about Jesus. There was a persistent fear that Jesus might die along the way; he might never make it here. But indeed, all things are according to God’s will; if it is His wish, anything can be accomplished. After arriving here, Jesus lay in deep slumber, as sleep was crucial at that time. It was helping his body recover gradually. After spending some days in a confined room, when he slowly regained his physical strength and his wounds nearly healed, he began to return to his normal life. He started spending time with the members of his organization. At the end of the day, he would gaze from the fortress roof over the vast regions, reminiscing about his past, when he and John had spent time here learning. John didn’t like to talk much; he preferred to stay silent and absorb everything around him. Hour after hour, John and Jesus…
Standing on the roof of the fortress, Jesus felt a profound sense of security and peace from John’s presence. From this rooftop, one could see the Sitim Valley and the sea on one side, and on the other side, the sunset among the mountains. Hidden within the vast expanse of the land, the depth of the ocean, the rugged mountains, and the sunset is a deep philosophy of life. As one day ends, another begins. The processes of creation and destruction move forward together. Just as everything in his life has begun anew after coming to an end. From a point where death is assured, he has heard the victory cry of life once again. This is the play of a merciful God that cannot be denied. However, in this state, invisible eyes always watched over him from all directions, ensuring that he would not fall into danger. At any sign of danger, he would be removed. He wanted to stay alive—not for himself, but for the liberation of his community, that is, their freedom. He was not afraid of death; thus, he had embraced the horrific, torturous death. But how he returned to the main current of life made him realize that God must have some other intention for him.
Here, he met Thomas. Gradually, Thomas became his constant companion. At Masada, he met again with his closest associates. In this meeting, he warned his companions that a great danger was approaching and that they should take on disguises and flee in time. After this, he set out with Thomas and John by his side. They traveled until they reached Kidron. From there, he sent John to Bethany, to the home of his beloved friend Lazarus. As soon as John arrived with the news of his survival, the women in Lazarus’s house broke down in tears. Mary had been almost in a state of unconsciousness. But this one piece of news acted like a resurrection in her life. Since Jesus’s crucifixion, his mother Mary had been in Lazarus’s house. One deep night, she arrived at Lazarus’s home. Seeing her son in good health like this, Mary embraced him, breaking down in tears. She pleaded with Jesus not to leave her again. As long as she was alive, she wanted him to remain with her. But Jesus made it clear to her that God had brought him back from the brink of death because He had chosen him for a great task. His life was not meant to be confined within the walls of home, family, and narrow domestic boundaries. The vast world was his domain. His mission was to serve the welfare of the people of this world.
While staying in Bethany, news reached Jesus that the chief priest of the Jewish temple, Caiaphas, had learned that Jesus was alive and had been seen by many. At this time, a rebellion broke out among the people of Galilee. The chief priest of the Jewish temple and the Roman ruler received word that the Galileans were planning to overthrow the Roman authority and establish a new regime. One night, Nicodemus brought news to Jesus that Joseph of Arimathea had been arrested for allegedly fueling the rebellion in Galilee. Sitting in the fortress of Masada, he began to ignite the torch of the independence movement in his homeland. Flames of the freedom movement against the Roman ruler erupted everywhere. Following Thomas, several leaders began to be arrested. At this time, Jesus’s prolonged stay at Masada and concerns about his safety caused worry among the members of his organization. They could no longer trust anyone within their own ranks; who might turn out to be a spy and report to the enemy! In the midst of this, Joseph was also arrested. Efforts began on various fronts to secure the release of Joseph and other members of the organization. Eventually, Joseph managed to secure his release and set out in search of Jesus. Another of Jesus’s disciples, a fisherman named Peter, and several others hurried by boat across the sea to meet him. Whatever it took, they had to remain hidden to keep the independence movement alive; otherwise, if everyone was captured, who would carry the movement forward?
In this way, Jesus arrived at the Mount Carmel. The nature of this region, rich in various precious herbs, carries a deep sense of spirituality. There is a profound spirituality in assimilating the hidden power of nature while inspiring the country’s independence movement; here, country and power seem synonymous. Among the lush, mountainous nature of this area, the waterfall has the essence of liberation. Just before dawn, during the moment before sunrise, Jesus meditates under the open sky. The trees and shrubs here emit a strangely sweet fragrance that intoxicates and numbs the mind. In this region and its surrounding areas live the people of his organization, that is, the community of Jesus. Far away from Jerusalem, amidst the mountains of this region, the diversity of colors makes him think that perhaps the Great Time is composing a grand epic on the faces of these mountains with its quill, which might be about this land and Jesus’s future. Although Jesus tries to interpret these compositions written by the Great Time, he is unable to do so. For this reason, he completely surrenders himself to the flowing current of time. He will continue to move in the direction that time takes him. During his stay here, Jesus secretly continues to advance the independence movement of his homeland. His closest companions, as well as the main leaders of this movement, begin to come and meet him, and at his directive, they start to disperse across different parts of the country in disguise. After spending some time here, he sets out with Simon on the road to Bethsaida. (Continues)
Click here for Part-1, Part 2, Part-3, Part-4, Part-5, Part-6, Part-7, Part-8, Part-9, Part-10, Part-11, Part-12, Part-13, Part-14, Part-15, Part-16, Part-17, Part-18,
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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date, was published last year and translated by Nasir Aijaz into Sindhi language.
