Rameez Makhdoomi
LOVE is a four letter word but has unimaginable power and weight that often it has been defined biggest reason of our existence. Renowned Poets and authors have tried to define love for centuries, whereas scientists have only recently started trying their hands at it.
The ancient Greeks had many diverse names for different forms of love: craving, passion, virtuous, affection for the family, desire, and general affection. But no matter how love is defined, they all hold a common trait: caring. What is love? It is one of the most challenging questions for the mankind. Centuries have passed by, relationships have blossomed and so has love. But no one can give the appropriate definition of love. Psychology portrays love as a cognitive phenomenon with a social cause. It is said to have three components in the book of psychology: Intimacy, Commitment, and Passion. Also, in an ancient proverb love is defined as a high form of tolerance. And this view has been accepted and encouraged by both philosophers and scholars.
Although defining love in exact terms has been a daunting tasks but by and large it is agreed that love means highest form of caring and willingness to sacrifice for “Others happiness”. I firmly believe that when we fall in love with a persona we ought to expect zero returns and be prepared for tragic outcomes.
In the course of human history, we have witnessed many personas being ‘martyred’ for the cause and passion of love. There have been many epic love stories that have immortalized the pious concept of “Love”.The ancient Persian love story of Laila and Majnu still serves as a role model -an eternal love story that has a heartrending end. These two young lovers sacrificed their love for each other, as they couldn’t be together. Such unselfish was their love that they did not shillyshally for even a minute when it came to laying down their lives for each other. The love story of Laila and Majnu is a very well-known and is no less than a legend. The love affair of Laila& Majnu is known to be so tragic and moving, which made them a household name. Even in contemporary times those who are in immense love are termed as Laila and Majnu.
As the tale goes, Laila was a beautiful girl born in a rich family. Being no less than a princess, she was expected to marry a wealthy boy and live in magnificence and splendor. But as they say, love thinks from the heart and she fell in love with Majnu, a poor lad. Their passionate love for each other knew no bounds and no logic. As fate would have it, the two lovers were banished from seeing each other. Laila’s parents married her off to a wealthy boy and she lived in a big mansion. She couldn’t bear the separation and committed suicide. Majnu became a madman and ultimately died on Laila’s grave.
Another popular love story is from modern day Pakistan Heer and Ranjha .Heer was the daughter of a feudal landlord ChuchakSial from Jhang in the present day Punjab . Before her sacrifice for Ranjha, she proved herself to be a very courageous and daring young girl. It is said that Sardar (Chief) Noora from the Sambal community, had a really attractive boat made and appointed a boatman called Luddan. Noora was very callous with his employees. Due to the ill treatment one day Luddan ran away with the boat and begged Heer for refuge. Heer gave him moral support as well as shelter.
SardarNoora was enraged at this incident. He summoned his friends and set off to catch Luddan. Heer collected an army of her friends and confronted SardarNoora and defeated him. When Heer’s brothers learnt of this incident they told her,”Ifa mishap had befallen you why didn’t you send for us?” To which Heer replied,” What was the need to send for all of you? Emperor Akbar had not attacked us.”
It is the same Heer who, when she is in love with Ranjha, sacrifices her life for him and says, ” SayingRanjha, Ranjha all time I myself have become Ranjha.
No one should call me Heer, call me DheedhoRanjha.”
When Heer’s parents arranged her marriage much against her wishes, with a member of the house of Khaidon, it is Heer who plucks up courage during the wedding ceremony and reprimands the Kazi (priest).” Kazi, I was married in proper religious manner. When did God give you the authority to perform my marriage ceremony again and annul my first marriage? The tragedy is that people like you are easily bribed to sell their faith and religion. But I will keep my promise till I go to the grave.”
Heer is forcibly married to Khaidon but she cannot forget Ranjha. She sends a message to him. He comes in the garb of a jogi (ascetic) and takes her away. When Heer’s parents hear about the elopement they repent and send for both of them promising to get Heer married to Ranjha. But Heer’s uncle Khaidon betrays them and poisons Heer.Ranjha became so broken hearted that he died near her grave.
Even in modern times living the spirit of sacrifice for love many couples has carried forward the great traditions of sacrifices in love. These couples have simply epitomized LailaMajnun. The stories are many but only few can be narrated. I would here like to narrate two tragic love stories that have recently taken place in India and Pakistan .These stories really touched my heart.
A young couple who married against the wishes of the girl’s family were killed, allegedly by her brother, in Nagapattinam of Tamil Nadu sometime back.
Nineteen-year-old Krishma of Voimedu village had fallen in love with her relative, 21-year-old Sudhakar. As her family members opposed their relationship, the girl eloped with Sudhakar , married him and started living in Tiruppur.
Sudhakar had contacted Krishma’s brother Thangavel and informed him that she had conceived. Thangavel asked them to return to the village assuring that they would be welcomed back into the family, police said.However, when they arrived on Wednesday, a quarrel broke out between Thangavel and Sudhakar. Thangavel, along with two of his friends, allegedly attacked Krishma and Sudhakar with iron rods, killing them on the spot.
In 2013, one saw a very tragic love story unfolding from Pakistan.A taxi driver Zahid 25 years only and his wife salma 22 years old Resident of House 604/3 Mohala Raja Sultan Rawalpindi Pakistan were brutally killed by salma’s father, uncle and some professional killers, because this couple did love marriage on 25-1-2013. And it was a matter of honor for the girl’s family.
Girl’s father Zainullah called on her phone and said her mother is on death bed and wants to see her and her husband. So when they were coming to see the mother, both were killed by these murders on the way.
Another couple was killed simply because they wanted to live life with own choice. This was not acceptable from the family. This is an intolerable and unforgivable act in most areas of Pakistan so still a lot of couples are being killed on falling in love and to choose a life partner with own choice.
Certainly, humanity boasts that it has progressed in an impressive manner butstill those who dare to love have to sacrifice a lot.