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
(Location: Alexandria, Time: 2022)
The car sped through the barren terrain, returning to the same place again; it was clear that they were nearing the end of this long search, the destination not far away. But Robert seemed very unwell today; his body seemed to have withered, and his eyes had sunk into their sockets. It was truly hard to look at him. Robert said he had been poisoned, and he wouldn’t live much longer, but that just couldn’t be believed. How could this be possible! How could he accept the permanent separation from the one who had started this journey with him, Omkari? How many separations would he have to endure like this? He truly never understood the mystery of life. So many lives had passed by! Each life seemed interconnected with another. Robert, Ali, Ratul, Sannidhi—all had somehow come to the present from previous births, with whom Omkari was bound by karmic ties. But each of them was merely a fellow traveler on his path, nothing more. Was there anyone with whom he could walk a long journey? When would that person arrive? Would he have to keep moving forward, relying on characters from the past throughout his life? His whole life might pass in search of that person.
Today, Ali was taking them again, and today also, Ali wasn’t speaking. In the days when Ali traveled with Omkari in France or Portugal, how much he used to talk, sharing so many secrets with her. Now, he seemed to have created a circle of silence around himself. Within this circle, he wouldn’t speak, nor would he let anyone else enter. Human character is so diverse; it’s hard to understand. Nowadays, he was even afraid to establish a deeper mental connection with anyone because it was incredibly painful when one suddenly fell silent in the middle of conversation. While the car continued to drive, it stopped at a petrol pump. This petrol pump was very familiar to Omkari. On the day she first arrived in Alexandria, Ali had stopped the car at this very petrol pump on the way to Aurora’s house. Today, she was heading to meet the descendants of Sara, the daughter of Isha. After a short stop at the petrol pump, the car continued. As they drove, the road started to feel very familiar again, with that ancient architecture, which Aurora had called the library of ancient Alexandria, over two thousand years old. Amidst the barren terrain, this library— behind them was Aurora’s house, where Aurora and her adopted daughter Ara lived. Omkari had spent a few days in the household of the father and daughter. Again, Ali stopped the car in front of Aurora’s house. Robert looked very unwell. Ali got out of the car, opened the back door, and helped Robert get out. Robert had a heavy bag on his shoulder, which Ali took onto his own shoulder as he supported Robert to walk toward Aurora’s house. As they got closer, Aurora opened the door and came out, then she stepped forward to help Robert inside.
They sat in the living room. Today, Ali, Robert, and Aurora were all wearing white cotton garments up to their feet, tied with a white rope around their waists. Robert kept the bag next to him while Aurora held onto Robert’s hand tightly, kissing it, with tears streaming down her face. She was crying as she said, “Robert, you cannot leave like this. I will personally treat you and make you well. Today is a great turning point in history; today, his two bloodlines are merging with each other. You cannot leave now! You still have to live for a long time; you must tie him in the bonds of marriage with your own hands. This is your responsibility.”
Listening to Aurora, Robert smiled softly and said very slowly, “I have been undergoing treatment for the past few days, but this poison that has spread through my body is beyond any medicine to destroy. This poison was created by mixing the venom of Egyptian cobras with several other poisons in ancient times. If it were only the cobra’s venom, I would have died immediately, but its effect is very slow. Now it’s time for me to complete my work. Call him; I wish to pass on his wealth into his hands and be free. Aurora, how did you come to find him?”
“She was only four years old then. At that time, two people came from Italy to finish her and her parents. Her father had been watching these two for a long time. One day, they were crossing the road to attend a prayer meeting when suddenly a car hit them. The little girl was flung from her father’s arms and fell to the side of the road, while her parents were run over by the car as it sped away. Her mother and father died on the road. The car then lost control and crashed into an oncoming truck, resulting in the death of the two attackers as well. Our members rescued Ara from the side of the road and handed her to me. I raised her with the affection of my own daughter. As I nurtured her, I also lost the desire to enter into marriage again. I didn’t know how someone new in my life would accept Ara from the bottom of their heart, and I also didn’t know how safe Ara would be with whoever became my wife. Thinking about all this, I decided not to start a household. My main duty was to protect the holy blood of Isha and Lady Mary Magdalene.
Omkari could not believe her ears. What she was hearing couldn’t be true—this must be a figment of her imagination! The day she arrived in Alexandria and reached this house, it was the first time she met Ara. Such a young girl had clung to her foster father’s household so beautifully. From the very first day, Ara had carved out a special place in Omkari’s heart. There was a strange attraction in the girl. She liked the girl at first sight, and she had told Aurora about it. But she never imagined that Lady Mary Magdalene’s and Isha’s blood flowed through this girl. The search that had begun so far away was now coming to an end here. The one she had traveled to Europe to find was right here in Alexandria. However, this journey had enriched her with many experiences. As she thought about all this, Robert said to her, ‘Omkari, be careful of Nora. Your friend Nora is a member of our adversaries; they are trying to erase us from the face of the Earth. They attempted to use Nora to manipulate you. One of them has died an unusual death in Kashmir. We have to…’”
“They had been sent to eliminate another branch of the family.” Robert’s words began to intertwine as he spoke. Just then, Ara entered the room, holding a golden cup. With that cup, Ara’s arrival seemed to Omkari to be extremely symbolic; the golden glow of the cup reflected on Ara’s face. She sat down next to Robert with the cup, which contained water, and she personally fed Robert the water. Then she wiped Robert’s face with her scarf. Robert’s body was gradually becoming limp. He made an attempt to lift the bag with great difficulty. Ali and Aurora helped him. As he handed the bag to Ara, Robert’s head fell onto Ara’s lap. Ara gently stroked Robert’s head with one hand while pressing her scarf against her mouth with the other, beginning to cry. As the evening light slowly faded, night fell within the room. Ara continued to stroke Robert’s head. Omkari placed a bag next to Ara, touched her head, wishing her well, and then stepped out of the room.
Tonight the darkness in nature was intense; her flight to San Francisco from Alexandria Airport was about to depart, and if she didn’t leave immediately, she would miss the flight. Her heart ached for Robert; she had never imagined she would have to witness his death right in front of her eyes. But it didn’t suit her to grieve. The Srimad Bhagavad Gita states that one should not suffer from separations because you brought nothing with you. Everything you have lost, you received from here so what is the point of sorrow? Nothing is ours. We came empty-handed and will leave empty-handed. Omkari walked toward the car, with Ali following behind her. She didn’t want to look back anymore. She didn’t want to be bound by any more attachments. As Ali opened the car lock, a sound was made, and Omkari looked back to see Ali standing there. He looked much more composed now.
As Omkari got into the car, Ali sat down in the driver’s seat and then turned around to say, “Ma’am, Nora, the professor from San Francisco University, passed away from a heart attack last night. Please return to your workplace without worry; the Knight Templars will always be around you.” Leaving Aurora’s house and the Alexandria Library behind, the car sped towards the airport. The canvas was enveloped in darkness, marking the end of a chapter in history. (Concludes)
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, Part-19, Part-20, Part-21, Part-22, Part-23, Part-24, Part-25, Part-26, Part-27, Part-28, Part-29.
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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.
