7 7."Echoes of Destiny: Meeting a Friend"
"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away. It's not about how long you've lived, but how well you've embraced every heartbeat, danced in the rain, and painted your story across the canvas of time."
(Before Avalok arrived at Maharishi Bharadwaja ashram)
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In the heartland of Aryavart, not far from the majestic kingdom of Hastinapur, lies the enchanting village of Prayag. This village is a vibrant tapestry of wild beauty, where creatures of all shapes and sizes roam freely amidst lush fields and towering trees.
Amidst this natural splendor, tucked away at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, stands Triveni Sangam—a place of mystical allure and spiritual significance.
Here, at the very heart of Triveni Sangam, beneath the sprawling branches of a venerable Banyan tree, sits Maharishi Bharadwaja's tranquil ashram. It's a sanctuary where the whispers of ancient wisdom dance on the gentle breezes that caress the waters.
And in the midst of this serene sanctuary sits Maharishi Bharadwaja himself, a figure of profound wisdom and spiritual radiance. His gaze is deep and penetrating, as if he holds the secrets of the universe within his soul.
Wrapped in the simplicity of traditional attire, his long beard and flowing hair tell stories of lifetimes spent in pursuit of enlightenment. Yet, despite his elevated stature, he exudes an aura of humility and grace that draws seekers from far and wide.
In the presence of Maharishi Bharadwaja, time seems to stand still, and the mysteries of existence unfold like petals of a sacred lotus. Here, amidst the tranquil waters and sacred soil of Triveni Sangam, seekers embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, guided by the timeless wisdom of a sage whose light shines bright in the darkness of ignorance.
Maharishi Bharadwaja was a revered sage, considered one of the Sapta Rishis, or seven great sages. Renowned for his deep knowledge of various subjects, including Vedic scriptures, astrology, medicine, warfare, and spiritual practices, he is credited with composing several hymns in the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts. His contributions to Ayurveda are also significant, as he is believed to have authored texts on medical science, including the Bharadwaja Samhita. He is also famous for his boon to Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas.
Around him, winds flowed silently. Suddenly, with a gentle smile, Maharishi Bharadwaja opened his eyes and said with a soft but heavy voice, "Dronacharya." After hearing Bharadwaja's voice, a tall and well-built man appeared, wearing traditional attire. His face bore the marks of age and experience, including a beard and weathered features, which further accentuated his venerable appearance.
After coming near Bharadwaja, he asked politely, "Gurudev (Teacher), did you call me?" "Yes, Dron, prepare a place for rest and also food for twenty people." Hearing this, Dron replied, "Yes, Gurudev." "Dron, are you not going to ask me why I told you to do this?" Maharishi Bharadwaja asked curiously. Hearing this, Dron said, "No, Gurudev, questioning Guru about what he is doing is a great sin for me." "Ha ha ha, you are a good student, Dronacharya, but asking questions is not a sin. Dron, if you don't ask questions, then you never get answers about them."
Hearing what Dron said, Maharishi Bharadwaja replied and continued, "Why am I doing this? Because a divine soul is coming here, Dron, a child born to achieve something great, who has Mahadev and Narayan essence in him, he who affects the destiny of others." Hearing this, Dron asked, "Who is he, Gurudev?" "When the time comes, you will know about him, Dron. Now go and prepare what I told you," Maharishi Bharadwaja replied. After that, Dronacharya left for preparations, and Maharishi Bharadwaja started to wait for that divine child.
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(Back to the present)
Avalok's POV
As I descended from the chariot, I inquired of my father, "Whose ashram is this?" He replied, "This is Maharishi Bharadwaj's ashram. We have come here to rest." At that moment, our advisor Vikram joined us. "Yes, Vikram is also accompanying us," my father explained. "This meeting between kingdoms demands brilliant minds like his to aid in decision-making." After approaching us, Vikram informed, "Maharaja, everything we brought from the kingdom to donate to the ashram has already been given to the students." "Very well, Vikram. Let us proceed and greet Maharishi Bharadwaj," my father responded. With his words in mind, we moved towards the ashram gate. As we drew closer, a man emerged from the gate, dressed in traditional sage attire, adorned with a long beard and flowing hair. An aura of divinity surrounded him. Observing this, my father and Vikram respectfully folded their hands in salutation, saying, "Pranam Maharishi Bharadwaj." Following their lead, I did the same.
Hearing our salutations, Maharishi Bharadwaj said, "Kalyan ho, Putra" ("May you be blessed, son"). "Why have you troubled yourself to welcome us, Maharishi?" my father inquired. Maharishi Bharadwaj replied, "I have not come here to welcome you, King Bhismaka," then turned to me and continued, "I have come to welcome your son." Confused by this revelation, my father began to speak, but before he could, I interjected, wearing a playful smile, "But why me? I am just a little boy, and you are the great sage Maharishi Bharadwaj. Why trouble yourself to welcome me?" Deep down, I knew the reason. It was because of my abilities—transcendent wisdom, soul connection, spiritual empowerment, and universal harmony. With these abilities, Maharishi Bharadwaj felt a connection to me, akin to the connection with deities like Mahadeva and Narayan. Technically, I could be considered an avatar of one of them. During the creation of my character, I had predominantly incorporated elements of Shiva and Vishnu, thus making me an avatar in a sense. Returning to the present moment, Maharishi Bharadwaj smiled at my playful inquiry and humbly said, "Prabhu (lord), your Lila (divine play) is divine, and you already know this. But you ask me, huh? Please, Prabhu, I know you have not come here merely to rest. What is the purpose of your visit to my ashram?"
(A/N: Please refrain from sending hateful comments regarding why Maharishi Bharadwaj is addressing him as "Prabhu." As I've explained, he possesses the abilities and essence of Shiva and Vishnu, making him technically an Avatar.)
Hearing this, I said seriously, "Maharishi Bharadwaj, do you know the true meaning of desire?" Upon hearing my question, he responded, "Desire, the silent orchestrator of our destiny, whispers its longing melodies within the depths of our being, guiding us towards the shores of our truest aspirations." After hearing his answer, I remarked, "Indeed, Maharishi Bharadwaj
"काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्॥"
(A/N: This shloka is from Bhagavad Gita 3.37)
The meaning of this shloka, Maharishi Bharadwaj, is the insatiable nature of desire and anger, both of which arise from the quality of passion (rajas). Desires, when left unchecked, tend to multiply endlessly, leading to a perpetual cycle of craving and dissatisfaction. Similarly, anger, fueled by desire, can consume a person and drive them towards destructive actions. By labeling them as 'sinful,' one acknowledges the negative consequences of allowing desires and anger to control one's actions and thoughts. When you control these impulses, you can achieve inner peace and spiritual growth." Hearing what I said, he asked, "Indeed, but Prabhu, what is your motive to come here? I don't understand that."
Hearing what he said, I replied, "Maharishi Bharadwaj, sometimes a child's desire for a glass of milk can escalate into a reason for two friends to fight, ultimately leading to a great war. I have come here to try to prevent such conflicts." An understanding expression appeared on Maharishi Bharadwaj's face, and he said, "Now I understand, Prabhu. I just hope he understands what you want to convey to him. By the way, please come in, Prabhu." "Dhanywaad (thanks), Maharishi Bharadwaj," I said and started to follow him, completely forgetting about my stunned father and Vikram, who were still trying to process what had just happened.(A/N: I am soon posting King Bhismaka's POV regarding his thoughts about Avalok.)
After entering, Maharishi Bharadwaj instructed his students to guide us to our resting place. After resting for three hours, I began to stroll around. It was already evening, with the sun slowly hiding behind the clouds, signaling the approaching sunset. As I walked, I observed some students engrossed in their tasks while others were immersed in their studies. I found myself drawn to this environment, reminiscent of what I had read about the Gurukul parampara (tradition or lineage).
The Gurukul system was founded on the concept of residential schooling, where students, known as shishyas (disciples), resided with their guru (teacher) in an ashram or hermitage to receive education. The term "Gurukul" is a blend of two Sanskrit words: "Guru," meaning teacher, and "Kul," meaning family or home.
In the Gurukul system, education went beyond mere academic learning; it encompassed holistic development, including moral, ethical, and spiritual growth. The guru imparted knowledge not only through formal teaching but also through practical experiences, discussions, and by setting an example through their lifestyle.
Personalized education was a cornerstone of the Gurukul system, with each student receiving individual attention from the guru based on their abilities, interests, and stage of development. Learning occurred within a close-knit community, fostering a strong bond between the guru and shishyas.
Discipline, respect, humility, and obedience were fundamental tenets of the Gurukul parampara. Students adhered to a strict code of conduct and participated in various chores and rituals, thereby learning life skills while contributing to the upkeep of the ashram.
The Gurukul system nurtured a symbiotic relationship between the guru and students, where both teaching and learning were considered sacred duties. The guru was revered as a mentor, guide, and spiritual authority, while the students showed reverence, devotion, and loyalty.
However, with the advent of the modern education system, the essence of the Gurukul tradition began to fade away, gradually becoming a relic of the past.
Huh, just as I was contemplating this, I heard some children talking—or rather, making fun of someone. One of them said, "Hahaha, you don't even know how milk tastes! That's the most amusing thing I've heard, hahaha!" Another chimed in, "Hahaha, you're so poor! I heard someone say that your father is a student of Maharishi Bharadwaj, but he can't even afford a glass of milk, hahaha!"
Upon hearing this, the boy who became the target of their ridicule spoke up, "Don't make fun of my father! He's a great man, doing everything he can for my family." I couldn't help but admire his wisdom and understanding of his family's situation. If my intuition was correct, he was one of the people I had been searching for.
But the bullies didn't cease their laughter and mockery. Seeing him being overwhelmed, I realized that he wasn't the legendary character, one of the Seven Immortals, yet. Witnessing him being beaten by them, I decided to intervene. Just as someone approached, they stopped and turned in my direction. One of them challenged, "Who are you to interfere with others' matters?" Another, noticing my royal attire, remarked, "Hey, look! He's wearing royal clothes. I heard from my father that today Maharishi Bharadwaj is receiving a very important guest. I think he's one of them. Let's not mess with him; let's go." With that, they scattered away. I couldn't help but acknowledge the boy's intelligence.
After they had left, I focused my attention on the boy lying on the ground. It seemed he had lost consciousness from the beating. Gently lifting him, I placed him under a nearby tree and sat beside him. After some time, he regained consciousness and groggily asked, "Where am I?" I reassured him, "You're under the tree. I saw someone beating you, and when they noticed me, they ran away. You became unconscious, so I brought you here and laid you under this tree." Gratefully, he stared at me and asked, "Who are you?" With a smile, I replied, "Oh, I'm Avalok, just a normal boy, my friend." After introducing myself, I inquired, "And my friend, who are you?" He responded, "I am Ashwatthama."
(Words count:2035)
