'Shantaram - Love Purified 05/12/09 Poem by Margaret Alice

Khaderbhai was a fanatic with no respect
for freedom, he did not care that success
depends on respect for the freedom of
people to choose for themselves

Kharderbhai chose to serve the Afghan war
exploiting crime to finance it, hanging him-
self by his own words when he claims
he tests goodness by asking

What happens when what we do, is done by
everyone else: if exploitation is generalised
freedom and trust will be lost in suspicion -
he fails his own test

Doing wrong for the right reasons is self-de-
feating, means always becomes the end
helping the Afghans through crime and
drugs increases the suffering

Karla and Shantaram suffered the consequences
of exploitation - Karla realized she was exploited
by Khaderbhai while she was exploiting others -
and surrendered to despair

Shantaram realized that his freedom was destroyed
by Karla and Khaderbhai’s connivance, their love for
him was a ruse to deceive and use him (because
he used others, they could use him)

Shantaram is saved by choosing to forgive them for
their provisional friendship and tainted love, knowing
treason cannot diminish his feeling of freedom
and self-esteem

Purified love allows betrayal to strip childish ideals and
romance away - he absolves them, refusing to hate
anyone for being unworthy of trust and devotion,
free from the curse of cynicism

Accepting their choice to have no respect for love and
life, his heart free from bitterness, his mind undefiled,
honouring their freedom to be mercenary in their
using him for their own ends

Without revenge or responding in kind...

Gregory David Roberts “Shantaram” Abacus 2004