A LEGEND OF SARDANA
In a city called Sardana there once lived a man whose name was Simru. This man had great riches and lands, and also owned a place of worship.
He married a lady of Sardana, who was called “Begum.”
After a few years of married life Simru died, and his wealthy widow gave alms and much money to the poor.
In the same city lived an oil dealer who also died, and the angels took him to Heaven and presented him before the Almighty.
“Who have you brought?” asked the Creator. “This man’s days upon earth are not yet completed: take him back before his body is buried, and let his spirit re-possess his body; but in the city of Sardana you will find another man of the same name: bring him to me.”
On leaving the Court of God, some former creditor of the oil dealer’s, who had preceded him into the Unseen, recognised him, and laying hold of him, demanded the sum of five rupees which he had owed him during his lifetime.
The poor man being unable to pay this debt, the angels once more took him before the Almighty, who asked why they had returned.
The angels replied: “O God, there is a man here to whom this oil dealer owes five rupees, and he will not let us return until the debt is paid.”
The Almighty enquired if this was true, and the oil dealer replied: “Yes, but I am a poor man, and not able to repay it.”