Compassion is humanity...

Alchemy ⚜ Antidote to Anxiety ⚜ Attachment ⚜ Autopsy

Art: Elements ⚜ Principles ⚜ Photographs ⚜ Watercolour

Children ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ Childhood Bilingualism

Character Quirks ⚜ Cruise Ships ⚜ Dystopian World

Culture ⚜ Culture Shock ⚜ Ethnocentrism & Cultural Relativism

Emotions: Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness)

Facial Expressions ⚜ Laughter & Humour ⚜ Swearing & Taboo

Fantasy Creatures ⚜ Literary & Character Tropes

Fight Scenes Part 1 2 ⚜ Kill Adverbs

Food: Cooking Basics ⚜ Herbs & Spices ⚜ Sauces ⚜ Wine-tasting ⚜ Aphrodisiacs ⚜ List of Aphrodisiacs ⚜ Food History

Genre: Crime ⚜ Horror ⚜ Fantasy ⚜ Speculative Biology

Hate ⚜ Love ⚜ Kinds of Love ⚜ The Physiology of Love

How to Write: Food ⚜ Colours ⚜ Drunkenness

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory

Magic: Magic System ⚜ 10 Uncommon ⚜ How to Choose

Moon: Part 1 2 ⚜ Related Words

Mystical Items & Objects ⚜ Talisman ⚜ Relics ⚜ Poison

Realistic Injuries ⚜ Rejection ⚜ Structural Issues ⚜ Villains

Symbolism: Colors ⚜ Food ⚜ Numbers ⚜ Storms

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Compilations: Plot ⚜ Character ⚜ Worldbuilding ⚜ For Poets

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.

After dinner, it’s time for bed. Even as I tumble into bed, I can already hear Bhraata Bheem snoring. I smile, settling back to sleep myself.

The next day, after practice, Gurudev tells us to revise the shaastras.  I had marked out a question, and I ask it. Gurudev patiently explains the intricacies of Arthashastra. He tells me that it will be clear with practice. I nod. ‘I’ll practice, Gurudev.’ He smiles at me. ‘I know that, Arjun.’

I am immersed in revision, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up, and there’s Nakul, with a familiar expression. I smile at him. ‘Sit. I’ll teach you, see. It’s easy.’ Besides, Gurudev had told me to practice and what better way to practise than to teach?

‘See, it’s like this.’ I point to a small drawing I had made to illustrate the situation. Nakul nods. ‘And that’s how Yuddh-shaastra is connected to Arthashastra, right, Bhraata Arjun?’ ‘Exactly. You got it!’ ‘I did! You teach really nicely. Sometimes, even Gurudev can be boring.’

‘Nakul!’ I exclaim. ‘That is disrespect, it’s wrong!’ But he is grinning. ‘Honestly, Bhraata Arjun, you’re so easy to needle.’ I smile hesitantly back, standing with my bow as Gurudev calls us all to practice again.

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.” 

I toss and turn all night. I want the morning to come fast. As soon as morning dawns, I'm out of my bed.

Mata is doing Pooja. I can smell the vahigandh, the incense. She turns as I enter. "Shubham Janamdinam, little hurricane!" She says, as I hug her. 'Mata, where is Pitashree? He said I can learn swords from today!' 'Wait for it, Arjun. Not today. Today is a day of celebration, yes?' 'But-' 'No, Arjun.' 'Please, mata?' I make the sweetest face I can. Sometimes, I can talk her into doing what I want.

I roll over, determined to complete my power nap.

“Because your Matashree made it herself, my boy,” I hear Pitashree’s affectionate explanation, and I am half-tempted to get up and prove him wrong. Come on, I was the one doing all the stirring!

I don’t have to.

Mata inclines her head. So he's all mine to wake up. Seriously, why does he always sleep so much?

CRASH.

“What was that?” Arjuna gasps.

“Oh that’s just my hand,” I keep yawning absentmindedly. He should’ve got used to my daily routine of breaking stones...

“I know, Bhraata Bhima, but there’s something else too. “I think there was another sound coming from there.... the lake.”

I am not risking an argument with Arjuna as far as HEARING something is concerned. Easily the best archer among the five of us, his ears (and eyes too) are always alert, ready to shoot any predator that might come this way.

“Wait, you’re not going,” I firmly hold his hand. “If there’s a Rakshasa around, I’ll take care of him with my bare hands.”

“But I need to come too!” Arjuna insists. “Pitashree might be in danger... he has gone that way!”

We begin running again. The ground is muddy. We stumble often. Neither of us is very careful, it seems. As the both of us stumble again, someone catches us. 

I and Bhraata Bheem look up. It’s mata. Uh-oh. She rises a silent, questioning brow at us. I blurt out the entire story. ‘But even if he’s in danger,’ I say in a sudden burst of inspired truth, ‘he’s a great warrior! He’ll be fine, won’t he, mata? And then we can go to the woods, Pitashree and I.’ Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell mata about Pitashree promising to take me to the woods alone. It’s alright. Pitashree will be back. And then I’ll apologize to him, and everything will be fine again. Of course it will.

My mind wanders back to when Maharaj had told Madri and me about the curse from Rishi Kindama. Could it be possible something untoward had happened? 

I try to divert my thoughts and convince myself that both Maharaj and Madri knew about it. Nothing could have happened. I notice Arjun looking at me curiously and realise I probably look very worried and am frowning. I smile at him. I don’t want to spoil his special day.

“Arjun, Bheem, go home and change, quick” I say. “Maharaj can defend himself, but, Yudhishtir and I will go and see what the matter is, okay?” I cannot allow them to come when I don’t know what I’ll find there.

They look like they’re going to protest, but then decide against it and head towards our hut. 

I find Yudhishtir immersed in his books. I take him with me to convince myself that nothing bad could have happened.

However 'prepared' I might have felt, it was no use. My knees give way as I sink to the ground, seeing Maharaj sprawled on the ground. He's no more.

One look at Madri, and I'm convinced that I need to compose myself. "NOW" I say to myself, trying to take deep breaths, trying to take in what I've just seen.

I somehow stand and going to Madri, put my arms around her. She must feel it's her fault. It isn't. I know it isn't. She must have tried her best. She looks up at me, with a strange expression. Guilt, and.. relief that I understood that this wasn't her fault.

It's Arjun’s birthday, I remember with a start. No, no, no. I shudder thinking of how he'll react. I'm glad I'm holding Madri, because, right now, that's all that's keeping me from falling to the ground. Yudhishtir will have to be told.

I lead Madri back. Hesitantly, I tell Yudhishtir.

His eyes are full of fear for a moment. Then, it's replaced with a look of resolution that makes him look years older.

I go back to Maharaj as Madri and Yudhishtir go to get help. All my resolve not to cry breaks as soon as I look at Maharaj properly. No, it can't have happened.

“Bhraata Arjun?” It’s Nakul. “Hmm?” “Aren’t we going to do pooja? I want the prasad!” “We will do that, of course! Today’s a special pooja.” I grin. I can almost taste the tangy-sweet halwa. Besides, pitashree still needs to take me to the woods.

I toss and turn all night. I want the morning to come fast. As soon as morning dawns, I'm out of my bed.

Mata is doing Pooja. I can smell the vahigandh, the incense. She turns as I enter. "Shubham Janamdinam, little hurricane!" She says, as I hug her. 'Mata, where is Pitashree? He said I can learn swords from today!' 'Wait for it, Arjun. Not today. Today is a day of celebration, yes?' 'But-' 'No, Arjun.' 'Please, mata?' I make the sweetest face I can. Sometimes, I can talk her into doing what I want.

I roll over, determined to complete my power nap.

“Because your Matashree made it herself, my boy,” I hear Pitashree’s affectionate explanation, and I am half-tempted to get up and prove him wrong. Come on, I was the one doing all the stirring!

I don’t have to.

Mata inclines her head. So he's all mine to wake up. Seriously, why does he always sleep so much?

CRASH.

“What was that?” Arjuna gasps.

“Oh that’s just my hand,” I keep yawning absentmindedly. He should’ve got used to my daily routine of breaking stones...

“I know, Bhraata Bhima, but there’s something else too. “I think there was another sound coming from there.... the lake.”

I am not risking an argument with Arjuna as far as HEARING something is concerned. Easily the best archer among the five of us, his ears (and eyes too) are always alert, ready to shoot any predator that might come this way.

“Wait, you’re not going,” I firmly hold his hand. “If there’s a Rakshasa around, I’ll take care of him with my bare hands.”

“But I need to come too!” Arjuna insists. “Pitashree might be in danger... he has gone that way!”

We begin running again. The ground is muddy. We stumble often. Neither of us is very careful, it seems. As the both of us stumble again, someone catches us. 

I and Bhraata Bheem look up. It’s mata. Uh-oh. She rises a silent, questioning brow at us. I blurt out the entire story. ‘But even if he’s in danger,’ I say in a sudden burst of inspired truth, ‘he’s a great warrior! He’ll be fine, won’t he, mata? And then we can go to the woods, Pitashree and I.’ Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell mata about Pitashree promising to take me to the woods alone. It’s alright. Pitashree will be back. And then I’ll apologize to him, and everything will be fine again. Of course it will.

I toss and turn all night. I want the morning to come fast. As soon as morning dawns, I'm out of my bed.

Mata is doing Pooja. I can smell the vahigandh, the incense. She turns as I enter. "Shubham Janamdinam, little hurricane!" She says, as I hug her. 'Mata, where is Pitashree? He said I can learn swords from today!' 'Wait for it, Arjun. Not today. Today is a day of celebration, yes?' 'But-' 'No, Arjun.' 'Please, mata?' I make the sweetest face I can. Sometimes, I can talk her into doing what I want.

I roll over, determined to complete my power nap.

“Because your Matashree made it herself, my boy,” I hear Pitashree’s affectionate explanation, and I am half-tempted to get up and prove him wrong. Come on, I was the one doing all the stirring!

I don’t have to.

Mata inclines her head. So he's all mine to wake up. Seriously, why does he always sleep so much?

The chirping of birds outside my window wakes me. I open my eyes and stretch. In Hastinapura Veena and other instruments were played to gently awaken the king. The sounds of nature are just as melodious. I go through the morning ablutions quickly. The Sun is just rising as I reach the mountain peak, my preferred spot for the Surya Vandana. I go through the asanas trying to centre my mind. Yet, the darkness lurks in a corner of my mind as it always does. I shake my head. I'm walking back to my hut as I hear it. The sound that any warrior worth his bow would recognize. The twang of a bowstring. I follow it and the sight before me brings an involuntary smile to my face. Arjun, my little hurricane is practicing. Only yesterday, I introduced him to the bow and he took to it like a fish to water. His stance isn't completely perfect, but he's better than anyone I've seen, especially at his age. My boy is a natural.

I manage to shoot the arrow at the target. It’s not perfect. I want it to be perfect. If I manage to do it perfectly, I think Pitashree will be happy.

 So I string another arrow to the bow and shoot. I’m well into practising when I feel like someone is looking at me. At first, I don’t turn. But that feeling doesn’t go away.

Curiously, I turn. And there’s Pitashree, looking at me with a smile on his face. “Pitashree!” He calls me to him, and hugs me close. It feels nice when Pitashree hugs me. I feel special. I know I’m grinning as he ruffles my hair. “Good going, little hurricane! Here, I’ll teach you a little more?” 

I nod my head hard. He laughs. I take his hand as we stand in front of the target. Slowly, he corrects my stance. “Like this, Pitashree?” 

I nod, but I’m uncertain. “Will I, really?” He nods back at me. “You will.” If Pitashree says so, it has to be true.

I suppose I can’t actually bring the entire tree down. Besides, Pitashree says that focus is important. So I focus on the centre of the target. It’s painted all red.

I shoot. It’s still not perfect. I resist the urge to stamp my feet. You’re not a baby, Arjun. Pitashree is looking at me still. He gives me an encouraging nod. “Go on, little Krishna.” I do it again.

And again, and again, until it’s mechanical, almost. I keep my focus on the target, seeing the red paint at the back of my eyes. 

Then, finally, it hits the centre! I blink, I am not sure, but there the arrow is!

“Pitashree, I did it!” I jump, happy, into his waiting arms. 

He’s laughing. “So you did, little hurricane. And you’ll do better, won’t you?” 

“Yes!”

“Now, come along, have your bath, yes? Then we’ll have our breakfast, hmm?”

I nod. “And I can tell mata! She’ll be happy too, won’t she, Pitashree?” “Of course she would be, little hurricane.”

I wriggle out of his arms and run, diving into the lake. I clean myself cursorily, and then run out. “Whoa, little hurricane. Easy.” He still sounds amused as I fidget. He takes my hand and we walk home together.

Inside the hut, I can hear Bhraata Bheem snoring still. Jyeshth Bhraata is talking to Rishi Shukra. I hesitate at the threshold, not willing to go back to the daily routine.

But Pitashree’s tugging my hand, and I can’t disobey him, can I?

He halts at threshold for a moment, as if he did not want to come in. It’s natural for Arjun to want ‘more’.

He runs to me and says excitedly, “Mata, I did it! The arrow was right in the centre. Pitashree’s going to teach me more of archery.”

Maharaj Pandu smiles. “You’ll be the best archer in Aryavarth, Arjun. But for now, help us wake Bheem and have your breakfast. After that, could you please teach me how to shoot, I want to learn from you” I say.

He’s still grumbling as I gobble up my food. As soon as I am done with eating, and mata with whatever chores she does, I run over to her, tugging her hand. “Mata! Let’s go!” 

She follows, admonishing me to go slow. I try, I really do, but I can’t. 

And then we’re standing in front of the target again. I grin. I show Mata how to string and fletch the bow, but she’s not able to do it properly. Sigh. 

I repeat it again. She messes it up again! I take a deep breath. Trying to be patient, I show her the stances of archery, too, what I’d learnt. She looks at me, clearly puzzled. I frown. “What is it, Mata?” “I do not understand anything, little hurricane.” 

He's angry with me, because I'm so slow. But, really, how can I not keep acting when the way he 'teaches' is so endearing!

"I think I understand now, Guru Arjun" I say, as I (finally) release the arrow properly.

The look on his face is priceless. He's delighted that I acknowledged him as my Guru.

"You did it Mata!" He exclaims, as he runs down the path to Maharaj Pandu to tell him that he'd taught me.

The moment he's gone, I burst out laughing. That was fun! Also, through this little teaching session, I understand that he actually grasped whatever Maharaj taught him. I'm so proud of him. He'll surpass any warrior known. I know that.

Well, it doesn’t matter. Mata had dropped the bow to the floor. “Mata!” She’s still laughing as she turns to me. “This is not how you treat a bow!” “Oh?” she asks. “How else, Gurudev?” By this time both of them are laughing hard enough that I understand I’m being made fun of.

I huff. Fine. I’m not going to pay them attention, either. I take the bow in hand, and string it. When I try to draw and shoot, pain sizzles through my fingers, going all the way till my shoulders, pain worse than the normal raze of the bowstring. Far worse. 

"Arjun, you've practised way too much today," Maharaj Pandu says. "You will allow your fingers some rest till they're okay again."

"But I want to learn, Pitashree" he says, crying now

"Shh. Don't cry. It'll be fine. Your hands need some rest, don't they? Just one day. Won't you like to teach me something else tomorrow? Please? You're a great teacher, Parth" I say, ruffling his hair.

He forgets about his bleeding fingers as his eyes brighten.

"No no. You teach me something now. I already taught you!" He says.

Brilliant. What do I teach him?

Maharaj comes to my rescue as he says, "We'll do something new tomorrow, little hurricane. Then you can teach that to your Mata"

I nestle my head in mata’s shoulder. It feels nice. Really comfortable. 

She’s patting my back as she walks home. I can feel my eyes droop.

Before I know it, we’re home, and mata is lying me down on the bed. She takes cloth and wraps it around my fingers. Ouch. It hurts. I look at her. “Sleep, little hurricane,” she says gently. I reach out to her. 

She sits by my side. She’s singing an old song. I smile. 

I wonder what I’ll learn tomorrow?

The chirping of birds outside my window wakes me. I open my eyes and stretch. In Hastinapura Veena and other instruments were played to gently awaken the king. The sounds of nature are just as melodious. I go through the morning ablutions quickly. The Sun is just rising as I reach the mountain peak, my preferred spot for the Surya Vandana. I go through the asanas trying to centre my mind. Yet, the darkness lurks in a corner of my mind as it always does. I shake my head. I'm walking back to my hut as I hear it. The sound that any warrior worth his bow would recognize. The twang of a bowstring. I follow it and the sight before me brings an involuntary smile to my face. Arjun, my little hurricane is practicing. Only yesterday, I introduced him to the bow and he took to it like a fish to water. His stance isn't completely perfect, but he's better than anyone I've seen, especially at his age. My boy is a natural.

I manage to shoot the arrow at the target. It’s not perfect. I want it to be perfect. If I manage to do it perfectly, I think Pitashree will be happy.

 So I string another arrow to the bow and shoot. I’m well into practising when I feel like someone is looking at me. At first, I don’t turn. But that feeling doesn’t go away.

Curiously, I turn. And there’s Pitashree, looking at me with a smile on his face. “Pitashree!” He calls me to him, and hugs me close. It feels nice when Pitashree hugs me. I feel special. I know I’m grinning as he ruffles my hair. “Good going, little hurricane! Here, I’ll teach you a little more?” 

I nod my head hard. He laughs. I take his hand as we stand in front of the target. Slowly, he corrects my stance. “Like this, Pitashree?” 

I nod, but I’m uncertain. “Will I, really?” He nods back at me. “You will.” If Pitashree says so, it has to be true.

I suppose I can’t actually bring the entire tree down. Besides, Pitashree says that focus is important. So I focus on the centre of the target. It’s painted all red.

I shoot. It’s still not perfect. I resist the urge to stamp my feet. You’re not a baby, Arjun. Pitashree is looking at me still. He gives me an encouraging nod. “Go on, little Krishna.” I do it again.

And again, and again, until it’s mechanical, almost. I keep my focus on the target, seeing the red paint at the back of my eyes. 

Then, finally, it hits the centre! I blink, I am not sure, but there the arrow is!

“Pitashree, I did it!” I jump, happy, into his waiting arms. 

He’s laughing. “So you did, little hurricane. And you’ll do better, won’t you?” 

“Yes!”

“Now, come along, have your bath, yes? Then we’ll have our breakfast, hmm?”

I nod. “And I can tell mata! She’ll be happy too, won’t she, Pitashree?” “Of course she would be, little hurricane.”

I wriggle out of his arms and run, diving into the lake. I clean myself cursorily, and then run out. “Whoa, little hurricane. Easy.” He still sounds amused as I fidget. He takes my hand and we walk home together.

Inside the hut, I can hear Bhraata Bheem snoring still. Jyeshth Bhraata is talking to Rishi Shukra. I hesitate at the threshold, not willing to go back to the daily routine.

But Pitashree’s tugging my hand, and I can’t disobey him, can I?

He halts at threshold for a moment, as if he did not want to come in. It’s natural for Arjun to want ‘more’.

He runs to me and says excitedly, “Mata, I did it! The arrow was right in the centre. Pitashree’s going to teach me more of archery.”

Maharaj Pandu smiles. “You’ll be the best archer in Aryavarth, Arjun. But for now, help us wake Bheem and have your breakfast. After that, could you please teach me how to shoot, I want to learn from you” I say.

He’s still grumbling as I gobble up my food. As soon as I am done with eating, and mata with whatever chores she does, I run over to her, tugging her hand. “Mata! Let’s go!” 

She follows, admonishing me to go slow. I try, I really do, but I can’t. 

And then we’re standing in front of the target again. I grin. I show Mata how to string and fletch the bow, but she’s not able to do it properly. Sigh. 

I repeat it again. She messes it up again! I take a deep breath. Trying to be patient, I show her the stances of archery, too, what I’d learnt. She looks at me, clearly puzzled. I frown. “What is it, Mata?” “I do not understand anything, little hurricane.” 

He's angry with me, because I'm so slow. But, really, how can I not keep acting when the way he 'teaches' is so endearing!

"I think I understand now, Guru Arjun" I say, as I (finally) release the arrow properly.

The look on his face is priceless. He's delighted that I acknowledged him as my Guru.

"You did it Mata!" He exclaims, as he runs down the path to Maharaj Pandu to tell him that he'd taught me.

The moment he's gone, I burst out laughing. That was fun! Also, through this little teaching session, I understand that he actually grasped whatever Maharaj taught him. I'm so proud of him. He'll surpass any warrior known. I know that.

Well, it doesn’t matter. Mata had dropped the bow to the floor. “Mata!” She’s still laughing as she turns to me. “This is not how you treat a bow!” “Oh?” she asks. “How else, Gurudev?” By this time both of them are laughing hard enough that I understand I’m being made fun of.

I huff. Fine. I’m not going to pay them attention, either. I take the bow in hand, and string it. When I try to draw and shoot, pain sizzles through my fingers, going all the way till my shoulders, pain worse than the normal raze of the bowstring. Far worse. 

The chirping of birds outside my window wakes me. I open my eyes and stretch. In Hastinapura Veena and other instruments were played to gently awaken the king. The sounds of nature are just as melodious. I go through the morning ablutions quickly. The Sun is just rising as I reach the mountain peak, my preferred spot for the Surya Vandana. I go through the asanas trying to centre my mind. Yet, the darkness lurks in a corner of my mind as it always does. I shake my head. I'm walking back to my hut as I hear it. The sound that any warrior worth his bow would recognize. The twang of a bowstring. I follow it and the sight before me brings an involuntary smile to my face. Arjun, my little hurricane is practicing. Only yesterday, I introduced him to the bow and he took to it like a fish to water. His stance isn't completely perfect, but he's better than anyone I've seen, especially at his age. My boy is a natural.

I manage to shoot the arrow at the target. It’s not perfect. I want it to be perfect. If I manage to do it perfectly, I think Pitashree will be happy.

 So I string another arrow to the bow and shoot. I’m well into practising when I feel like someone is looking at me. At first, I don’t turn. But that feeling doesn’t go away.

Curiously, I turn. And there’s Pitashree, looking at me with a smile on his face. “Pitashree!” He calls me to him, and hugs me close. It feels nice when Pitashree hugs me. I feel special. I know I’m grinning as he ruffles my hair. “Good going, little hurricane! Here, I’ll teach you a little more?” 

I nod my head hard. He laughs. I take his hand as we stand in front of the target. Slowly, he corrects my stance. “Like this, Pitashree?” 

I nod, but I’m uncertain. “Will I, really?” He nods back at me. “You will.” If Pitashree says so, it has to be true.

I suppose I can’t actually bring the entire tree down. Besides, Pitashree says that focus is important. So I focus on the centre of the target. It’s painted all red.

I shoot. It’s still not perfect. I resist the urge to stamp my feet. You’re not a baby, Arjun. Pitashree is looking at me still. He gives me an encouraging nod. “Go on, little Krishna.” I do it again.

And again, and again, until it’s mechanical, almost. I keep my focus on the target, seeing the red paint at the back of my eyes. 

Then, finally, it hits the centre! I blink, I am not sure, but there the arrow is!

“Pitashree, I did it!” I jump, happy, into his waiting arms. 

He’s laughing. “So you did, little hurricane. And you’ll do better, won’t you?” 

“Yes!”

“Now, come along, have your bath, yes? Then we’ll have our breakfast, hmm?”

I nod. “And I can tell mata! She’ll be happy too, won’t she, Pitashree?” “Of course she would be, little hurricane.”

I wriggle out of his arms and run, diving into the lake. I clean myself cursorily, and then run out. “Whoa, little hurricane. Easy.” He still sounds amused as I fidget. He takes my hand and we walk home together.

Inside the hut, I can hear Bhraata Bheem snoring still. Jyeshth Bhraata is talking to Rishi Shukra. I hesitate at the threshold, not willing to go back to the daily routine.

But Pitashree’s tugging my hand, and I can’t disobey him, can I?

He halts at threshold for a moment, as if he did not want to come in. It’s natural for Arjun to want ‘more’.

He runs to me and says excitedly, “Mata, I did it! The arrow was right in the centre. Pitashree’s going to teach me more of archery.”

Maharaj Pandu smiles. “You’ll be the best archer in Aryavarth, Arjun. But for now, help us wake Bheem and have your breakfast. After that, could you please teach me how to shoot, I want to learn from you” I say.

He’s still grumbling as I gobble up my food. As soon as I am done with eating, and mata with whatever chores she does, I run over to her, tugging her hand. “Mata! Let’s go!” 

She follows, admonishing me to go slow. I try, I really do, but I can’t. 

And then we’re standing in front of the target again. I grin. I show Mata how to string and fletch the bow, but she’s not able to do it properly. Sigh. 

I repeat it again. She messes it up again! I take a deep breath. Trying to be patient, I show her the stances of archery, too, what I’d learnt. She looks at me, clearly puzzled. I frown. “What is it, Mata?” “I do not understand anything, little hurricane.” 

The chirping of birds outside my window wakes me. I open my eyes and stretch. In Hastinapura Veena and other instruments were played to gently awaken the king. The sounds of nature are just as melodious. I go through the morning ablutions quickly. The Sun is just rising as I reach the mountain peak, my preferred spot for the Surya Vandana. I go through the asanas trying to centre my mind. Yet, the darkness lurks in a corner of my mind as it always does. I shake my head. I'm walking back to my hut as I hear it. The sound that any warrior worth his bow would recognize. The twang of a bowstring. I follow it and the sight before me brings an involuntary smile to my face. Arjun, my little hurricane is practicing. Only yesterday, I introduced him to the bow and he took to it like a fish to water. His stance isn't completely perfect, but he's better than anyone I've seen, especially at his age. My boy is a natural.

I manage to shoot the arrow at the target. It’s not perfect. I want it to be perfect. If I manage to do it perfectly, I think Pitashree will be happy.

 So I string another arrow to the bow and shoot. I’m well into practising when I feel like someone is looking at me. At first, I don’t turn. But that feeling doesn’t go away.

Curiously, I turn. And there’s Pitashree, looking at me with a smile on his face. “Pitashree!” He calls me to him, and hugs me close. It feels nice when Pitashree hugs me. I feel special. I know I’m grinning as he ruffles my hair. “Good going, little hurricane! Here, I’ll teach you a little more?” 

I nod my head hard. He laughs. I take his hand as we stand in front of the target. Slowly, he corrects my stance. “Like this, Pitashree?” 

I nod, but I’m uncertain. “Will I, really?” He nods back at me. “You will.” If Pitashree says so, it has to be true.

I suppose I can’t actually bring the entire tree down. Besides, Pitashree says that focus is important. So I focus on the centre of the target. It’s painted all red.

I shoot. It’s still not perfect. I resist the urge to stamp my feet. You’re not a baby, Arjun. Pitashree is looking at me still. He gives me an encouraging nod. “Go on, little Krishna.” I do it again.

And again, and again, until it’s mechanical, almost. I keep my focus on the target, seeing the red paint at the back of my eyes. 

Then, finally, it hits the centre! I blink, I am not sure, but there the arrow is!

“Pitashree, I did it!” I jump, happy, into his waiting arms. 

He’s laughing. “So you did, little hurricane. And you’ll do better, won’t you?” 

“Yes!”

“Now, come along, have your bath, yes? Then we’ll have our breakfast, hmm?”

I nod. “And I can tell mata! She’ll be happy too, won’t she, Pitashree?” “Of course she would be, little hurricane.”

I wriggle out of his arms and run, diving into the lake. I clean myself cursorily, and then run out. “Whoa, little hurricane. Easy.” He still sounds amused as I fidget. He takes my hand and we walk home together.

Inside the hut, I can hear Bhraata Bheem snoring still. Jyeshth Bhraata is talking to Rishi Shukra. I hesitate at the threshold, not willing to go back to the daily routine.

But Pitashree’s tugging my hand, and I can’t disobey him, can I?

The chirping of birds outside my window wakes me. I open my eyes and stretch. In Hastinapura Veena and other instruments were played to gently awaken the king. The sounds of nature are just as melodious. I go through the morning ablutions quickly. The Sun is just rising as I reach the mountain peak, my preferred spot for the Surya Vandana. I go through the asanas trying to centre my mind. Yet, the darkness lurks in a corner of my mind as it always does. I shake my head. I'm walking back to my hut as I hear it. The sound that any warrior worth his bow would recognize. The twang of a bowstring. I follow it and the sight before me brings an involuntary smile to my face. Arjun, my little hurricane is practicing. Only yesterday, I introduced him to the bow and he took to it like a fish to water. His stance isn't completely perfect, but he's better than anyone I've seen, especially at his age. My boy is a natural.

I manage to shoot the arrow at the target. It’s not perfect. I want it to be perfect. If I manage to do it perfectly, I think Pitashree will be happy.

 So I string another arrow to the bow and shoot. I’m well into practising when I feel like someone is looking at me. At first, I don’t turn. But that feeling doesn’t go away.

Curiously, I turn. And there’s Pitashree, looking at me with a smile on his face. “Pitashree!” He calls me to him, and hugs me close. It feels nice when Pitashree hugs me. I feel special. I know I’m grinning as he ruffles my hair. “Good going, little hurricane! Here, I’ll teach you a little more?” 

I nod my head hard. He laughs. I take his hand as we stand in front of the target. Slowly, he corrects my stance. “Like this, Pitashree?”