Panch Parmeshwar – English Translation
Panch Parmeshwar
By Munshi Premchand
(Translated to English)
In the village of Alamganj, two friends named Jumman Shaikh and Algu Chaudhary were held
in high regard.
There wasn't much of an age gap between them, and their friendship had stood the test of
time.
If one had to go somewhere, the other would take care of his household. If one received a
guest, the other would join in the hospitality.
Their thoughts, feelings, and habits were closely aligned. If one experienced joy, the
other felt it too; if one was in pain, the other shared it.
People in the village often said: "This friendship will last till death."
Both friends had faith in each other. Even in matters involving money, they would trust
each other completely.
They would not consult others; whatever decision one made, the other would accept without
question.
One day, Jumman's old aunt came to him. She had some property and no one to look after
her.
She said, "Nephew, I am giving you this land. You can take it and enjoy the income from
it.
In return, I only ask that I live peacefully for the rest of my life in your care."
Jumman accepted the offer happily. The land was transferred to his name, and initially, he
treated his aunt well.
But after a few months, the respect and care began to fade. His wife would often speak to
her rudely,
and Jumman himself began to ignore her needs.
The poor old woman endured all this silently for a while, but finally, unable to bear it
anymore,
she started asking for a small allowance so she could cook and eat on her own.
Jumman said coldly, "Where will I give you a separate allowance from?"
The aunt replied, "Then return my land."
Jumman replied harshly, "Land isn't something that's given and taken like a toy."
The argument escalated. The aunt began going to people in the village, telling them of her
troubles.
Most people sympathized with her, but no one wanted to stand against Jumman, as he was
clever and manipulative.
Eventually, the aunt decided to call a panchayat—a village council to seek justice.
She declared, "Let a panchayat be held. Let the village decide."
A day was fixed for the panchayat. People from the village began to gather under a tree in
the evening.
Some came out of curiosity, some to support the old woman, and some just for the
entertainment of a good debate.
The gathering grew larger.
When the time came to choose the Panch (head of the council), the old woman stood up and
said,
"I make Algu Chaudhary the Panch."
Jumman's face went pale. He had not expected this. Algu was his closest friend—but now he
was going to judge him?
He hoped Algu would support him, but deep down he feared the seat of a Panch carried a
sacred duty.
Algu was hesitant too. He felt uneasy judging a case against his best friend, but he
couldn't refuse the responsibility now placed upon him.
He sat on the Panch's seat and, after hearing both sides carefully, said:
"In the eyes of the Panch, all are equal. Here there is no friend or foe—only justice.
Jumman's aunt gave him her land with the expectation that he would care for her.
If he cannot provide for her now, then the land should be returned to her.
That is my judgment."
Jumman was stunned. He could not believe that his own friend had ruled against him.
He felt deeply betrayed, and their friendship was shattered.
From that day on, Jumman and Algu stopped speaking. Jumman's heart burned with resentment.
He kept waiting for a chance to get back at Algu.
Time passed. One day, Algu Chaudhary sold an ox to a merchant named Sahu.
After some time, the ox died, and Sahu refused to pay the full amount, claiming the ox was
weak when he bought it.
The matter was brought before the panchayat.
Once again, villagers gathered. A panch was to be chosen. Sahu unexpectedly declared,
"I choose Jumman Shaikh to be the Panch."
Now it was Algu's turn to be nervous. He thought, Now Jumman will surely take his revenge.
But when Jumman sat on the seat of judgment, something inside him changed.
He remembered how it felt to be in that position, how sacred the duty was.
He could not let personal feelings cloud justice.
He listened to both sides, examined the facts, and finally said:
"In this case, the ox was healthy at the time of sale. It later died due to mistreatment.
Therefore, Algu must be paid in full. That is the Panch's decision."
Everyone was amazed. Algu's eyes filled with tears. He got up and hugged Jumman.
"Brother," he said, "Today you have shown me what it truly means to be a Panch.
I judged you, and today you judged me. But neither of us let friendship or enmity cloud
our fairness.
Truly, the voice of the Panch is the voice of God."
From that day onward, their friendship became even stronger.
The entire village admired their integrity, and the story of their justice lived on
as a shining example of moral courage and fairness.
