I am only one, But still I am one.

I stretch languidly for a moment. The sun’s rays are gently shining outside, morning dawning finally. I blink, suddenly realising. “Bhraata Bheem! Wake up!” My shout arouses more people than I had intended, who grouse irritatedly. “It’s dawn!” I exclaim, running out. “Gurudev had asked us to assemble right after dawn! Come on!” 

I am the first to reach the aangan, but that is expected. Most of my cousins do not take kindly to waking so early.

“Pranaam, Gurudev,” I say, as others also troop in. Gurudev nods. Once all 105 of us are assembled, he runs his gaze on us. We stand in a near-silent glade, the susurrus of the wind the only sound, light barely filtering in through the thick canopy of leaves above. 

When Gurudev speaks, his voice is slow, measured but intense. “Before we start your formal education, I have a task dear to my heart I require you to complete on your manhood.” 

There is silence. Complete, utter silence. Why is everyone silent? I don’t understand why no one answers, because there is only one answer that can be given. 

I step forward. “I solemnly give you my word, Gurudev, that on the onset of my manhood, I shall accomplish whatever task you would have of me.” Until now, I had kept my head bowed, but as I speak, I raise my head, looking into his eyes. “I promise.” 

To my utter shock, he hugs me close, there are tears in his eyes. “Gurudev?” “You are the warrior I was searching for. You will do it. Ah, how you gladden my heart!” I hug him back. It feels nice. Almost like I am hugging Pitamah or even Pitashree. I feel safe, protected.

Our guru-puja finished, I followed Bhratashree while also keeping the twins near me and keeping one eye on Arjun. I had to make sure that my little brothers do not get picked on by those brats of Hastinapur. I knew those cretins were waiting for a chance, a slip, and as much as I would love to throw their leader in the nearest river, getting into trouble on the first day itself could be a mortifying incident for Maatashree and all of us. And that is one thing I will never do. I have to exercise restraint, and be the bigger person today, as Bhratashree had advised.

“Aren’t you excited for the beginning of our lessons, Bhrata Bheem?” asked Arjun, ever the enthusiastic ball of energy. I could tell that he was deeply influenced by our gurudev even in the first meeting. “I am but I could never even come close to you in terms of excitement, my lively anuj.” I answered while smiling encouragingly. Gurudev was also touched by his solemn promise, inside I was proud that he liked only our Arjun this much. “What do you think of our gurudev? Doesn’t he look very mighty and admirable?” Nakul joined in, “I think I certainly prefer him over guru Kripa. He has the bearings of a warrior, so I trust him.” I stated.

I pick the bow. “Excellent. Shoot.” I nod, stringing the bow, shooting straight. “Good.” I smile. He reminds me quite a bit of Pitashree. “Dhanyavadam, Gurudev.” “Continue practice. You have great potential.” He turns to the others. “I will!” 

After hours of practice, we finally end the session. I’m pleasurably tired as I do the rituals of Sandhyavandana. Immediately after, Gurudev calls us for a lesson in Shaastrs. 

Bhraata Bheem groans, a groan echoed by the twins, too. “Oh, come on, don’t be lazy!” “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Arjun.” “Is that not duty, Jyeshth?” Jyeshth gives a wan smile. “It is.” 

I run in again. Gurudev smiles at me. “Settle down, Arjun.” I sit down immediately. “One of the most important rules of being a student is obedience. The other is not just as a student, but as a person. Humility is always important.” 

"You will get to rest if you just sit with patience for a few moments." Finally comes a remark from Sahdev. He was just as worn out as me from training under the sun, but now he doesn't even looks concerned about something as trivial as sleep, just listening intently. How can he recover so fast is beyond me.

"Yes, Gurudev", my eyes snap open, that was Bhraata Arjun, maybe Guru Drona had called on him to answer his question, and he had given a perfect answer. As expected of my big brother, always the model student, Gurudev clearly looks pleased, maybe he will let us off earlier. I'll plead to Bhratashree next time to teach me the lessons I missed, he doesn't turn anyone down.

After an eternity passes, today's lesson are finally done. I hurry after Bhraata Bheem, desperate to go to bed already, "I'm famished. I think today I can eat even all the servings meant for you three" he jokes while looking at me, Sahdev and Bhraata Arjun, who is clearly still lost in thoughts about practice and everything, because he gives his assent to Bhraata Bheem.

I stretch languidly for a moment. The sun’s rays are gently shining outside, morning dawning finally. I blink, suddenly realising. “Bhraata Bheem! Wake up!” My shout arouses more people than I had intended, who grouse irritatedly. “It’s dawn!” I exclaim, running out. “Gurudev had asked us to assemble right after dawn! Come on!” 

I am the first to reach the aangan, but that is expected. Most of my cousins do not take kindly to waking so early.

“Pranaam, Gurudev,” I say, as others also troop in. Gurudev nods. Once all 105 of us are assembled, he runs his gaze on us. We stand in a near-silent glade, the susurrus of the wind the only sound, light barely filtering in through the thick canopy of leaves above. 

When Gurudev speaks, his voice is slow, measured but intense. “Before we start your formal education, I have a task dear to my heart I require you to complete on your manhood.” 

There is silence. Complete, utter silence. Why is everyone silent? I don’t understand why no one answers, because there is only one answer that can be given. 

I step forward. “I solemnly give you my word, Gurudev, that on the onset of my manhood, I shall accomplish whatever task you would have of me.” Until now, I had kept my head bowed, but as I speak, I raise my head, looking into his eyes. “I promise.” 

To my utter shock, he hugs me close, there are tears in his eyes. “Gurudev?” “You are the warrior I was searching for. You will do it. Ah, how you gladden my heart!” I hug him back. It feels nice. Almost like I am hugging Pitamah or even Pitashree. I feel safe, protected.

Our guru-puja finished, I followed Bhratashree while also keeping the twins near me and keeping one eye on Arjun. I had to make sure that my little brothers do not get picked on by those brats of Hastinapur. I knew those cretins were waiting for a chance, a slip, and as much as I would love to throw their leader in the nearest river, getting into trouble on the first day itself could be a mortifying incident for Maatashree and all of us. And that is one thing I will never do. I have to exercise restraint, and be the bigger person today, as Bhratashree had advised.

"Aren't you excited for the beginning of our lessons, Bhrata Bheem?" asked Arjun, ever the enthusiastic ball of energy. I could tell that he was deeply influenced by our gurudev even in the first meeting. "I am but I could never even come close to you in terms of excitement, my lively anuj." I answered while smiling encouragingly. Gurudev was also touched by his solemn promise, inside I was proud that he liked only our Arjun this much. "What do you think of our gurudev? Doesn't he look very mighty and admirable?" Nakul joined in, "I think I certainly prefer him over guru Kripa. He has the bearings of a warrior, so I trust him." I stated.