• Bestowal •

"Those who intend to get work done cast themselves on the task with all possible speed, like a lion.​"

Yogavasishtam 3.78.6

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Backdrop:

Abhīstāda and Keśava had a conversation, where Keśava expressed his gratitude towards her. But she refused to tell her name, confiding to just being the soul. When Keśava confess to know about the soul more.

Characters:

Abhīstāda: Crowned Princess of Rāthnānathi
Keśava: Crowned Prince of Smaranāgarh
Vinaya: Daughter of Senapati and Mahārani's friend, appointed to assist Abhīstāda.

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The day had come to an end, unlike the other days it was amicable. He was deprived of sleep but was calmed. After days of being through turmoil, the Kingdom was at peace. Even his heart and mind were at the same level, in serenity with each other.

He struggled to close his eyes. As he couldn't go to the sleep so he got up and walked outside. His special place was the same garden where he had met her at noon. Since the guest-chamber where she was to stay was going through reconstruction and there may be chances of invasion it was decided to shift her here. At night when he played the Veena, he wasn't aware of her; as this area was always left deserted because of him.

He sat under the faint glimmer of the moon unlike the other day, he didn't have Veena. Those days when he played were the days when he wanted his heart to consolidate and harmonize his senses; the tune helped it being overhauled.

It was a way for the sanctification of being surrounded by dilemma and the indistinct mind could be made to think. A realisation as simple as understanding the soul awakens the mind. Who knows the pain when it hadn't ever been touched by it? The soul doesn't recognise anyone. Pain is just a physical attribute to the body.

In the stillness of the night, he closed his eyes. A memory of the previous evening came through his mind; words of his father.

He was called by his father when he saw him laid in discomfort and tears reached his eyes. His father interrupted him.

"My dear son, neither of these wounds should be enough to destroy the stability of your mind and your kingdom. What do you think, I am going to be here; forever? Do you think I have not had competent pain like this before?"

He compelled his son to come to him and sit near him. His hand stroked his face, looked at the line of stress, wiping out them with fingers. "The agony that I could see in them shouldn't be here. Any injury done to the body can heal, any wound that was open again can heal but once you let your mind go away from your control it's difficult to reach it and if you let it open it can be the reason for your destruction, son."

He glanced at him first with slight pain but now with the hope and inquired. "What if everything would have not gone as expected? If you were not able to survive?"

His father used assistance from him and sat on the bed as he conversed. " The greatest mind doesn't let them be imprisoned by these thoughts. Your dharma is to protect your people. If you have to choose between anything, always choose them. You aren't an ordinary person, your attitude and conduct decide the future. What's the fear of yours, when nothing here is permanent, your body would leave your soul. Here you have one responsibility to fulfil your dharma."

He held his hands as he did as a child. "And how to control your mind?"

"Tame it until you can, teach him, know the privilege, truth and injustice. Remember the soul is the truth when nothing can harm why fear? Do your dharma, not let any situation disturb you. For aatma, there is no enjoyment or despair, only moksha. Not only should you be aware of this fact but instruct everyone. It's your duty."

His father explained those words as he could glimpse the transition, now it was time for his son to take the responsibility. The progression should be now carried forward and legacy should be passed. He gave him a few seeds.

"When incalculable jewels are buried they are buried forever but when seeds are buried they give rise to new plants. Sow the seeds of knowledge in your kingdom that take it to height."

He came back from his spell and opened his eyes and looked at the seeds he had in his hands. A life that was waiting to be grown. He wanted to plant them but his father asked to wait till he realised the satisfactory significance and experienced it himself.

He was still looking for the answer but since it was late and he had spent a lot of time here. He was walking out when his feet touched something rough and he bent to pick it, he saw the ring. The same ring that had been worn by her, and assumed to give her.

In the morning Abhīstāda was visited by Vinaya. She looked surprised after her abrupt departure that day. She wasn't expecting to see her. Before she could say anything she spoke. "I apologize; that day your words took me back to a time when I had seen them in pain and you been talking about them made me remember they are separate, they are close to each other. As a friend, I have always been with them but when he was injured I realised the distress of Vrīnda, she is alone."

Abhīstada went near her and brushed her tears. "She is also my close friend and she had sent some words. Maybe they might furnish some peace to you. 'For Purnima to arrive one needs to wait for a month. It takes time for the light to dissipate its glimmer in the darkness. A day like that will come soon.' Maybe that day will arrive; you need not worry. And what's going to happen, no one can stop it right?"

She made her seat and gave her water to drink. While she was drinking water she went away to find something when she found it she gave it to her. "These are the thorns. When I was receiving my education from Rishi Gírivar we used to stay in the forest, where we used to go and pick the fruits numerous time these would pierce us, inducing unbearable pain. The pain could have compelled us to abandon the task but through it, we learned the sacrifice and got invaluable knowledge. Sometimes the pain seems to have no end unless you find a solution. Look for them and you will get it. Maybe she has, so you should not worry."

Vinaya's eyes filled with love and she hugged her. She expressed her gratitude and took the bowl she had kept in front of them.

Abhīstada took it and saw the kheer. "Kheer?"

"Since you have sent away those gifts, Keśava has sent this kheer for you."

She didn't communicate anything and stared at kheer. "Also, he has cooked for you. Besides it, he has also sent a message." She gave a scroll paper to her and as Abhīstada could have said more she moved away from her room giving her privacy.

"Some things are unclear, one may hide but their true characteristics can always be seen. Like the sugar in kheer can't be seen but one can recognise its taste. I don't want to know who you are, those names and identities would be altered. Let us not know ourself but let us discover ourselves. Here I have sent something for you."

She halted reading the letter and looked at the kheer. She savoured it with her hand and she enjoyed the taste. Devouring it all she finished it and thought about how to reply to him.

A reply, maybe he wasn't looking, she yearned to discern with him as he has said. Never had someone brandished her attention with words, let her know deeper. May it be an aspect to learn.

Aatma: Soul

Purnima: The full moonlight day

Dharma: conforming to one's duty and nature

Kheer: Sweet dish

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