'Life is learning...' declares their guru, with a concluding murmur '...how to die.'

Surrounding the taut-bodied elder, six youths, sit straight in siddhasana. Five pairs of bleary eyes, fighting off sleep.

 The sixth pair belongs to Abhimanyu, penetrating the labyrinthine lecture, finding no exit from a strenuous session of mental gymnastics.

Sunrise soon softens into sunset, until dawn, when it will be time again for the brahmacharins to put their brain into brawn; minds as sharp as swords through sublimation of retas into tejas, flowering into ojas. Single-minded they stride unsullied by siren sweet calls of the world.

Sutsoma's bronzed biceps flex as he hefts up his riding gear, shield, mace and other weaponry into a leather case, heaving the iguana-hide over his broadening back. 

The scimitar remains in his gloved right hand, a silver crescent cutting the twilight with a blue-lotus glow. 

 'Matasri...I miss you so much...may I see you soon, gracing the throne. Pitashri, I hope I am worthy of the effulgent Soma endowed in my name!' shoulders drooping in the Dwaravati dusk.

At once he feels five pairs of strong arms swathe him in fraternal love.

'Hey bro this isn't the time to melt! Be iron like your dad, secret your warm ore within!' Standing apart from the group hug, Subhadra's son delivers a heart-warming thump that lifts Sutsoma's spirits.

At dawn, assaulted by the cold dip in the sea, it is time for equestrian pursuits.

Scattering the sparkling sands, speed the steeds spurred by Sutasoma, Shrutakarma, Shatanika and Shrutavindhya.  Streaming manes  like silken scarves, the hues of peacock, kingfisher, and that of Sutasoma's stallion, coloured like moon-kissed wheat dappled by the sea-breeze.

Catching a falling coconut on his way to the dining hall, Sutsoma tears off its fibre and breaks it in half with the edge of his bare left hand, then drips the sweet saline into thirsty mouths around him.

Food is served, customised by Rukmini for each Draupedaya according to the dominant dosha of their physique. Specially for Sutsoma she blends the sweetest almonds into a delicious milk, which he relishes, feeling it cool down and replenish his fired up energy.

Sutsoma sprints to the training arena, to an array of cedar-fragranced maces and iron clubs. His eyes sparkle with anticipation as he tries out the different weights and textures, under the watchful eye of his mentor Balrama. He settles on the wooden club, crafted by the skilled artisans of Dwaravati.

Holding the club in front of him, parallel to his torso, he begins to swing over his left shoulder first and then to the front, back over the right. No break in the rhythm, 12 times clockwise, then 12 anticlockwise. Breathing steadily, Sutsoma hardly breaks into a sweat, but steadily as he picks up heavier and heavier clubs, his body begins to glisten, breathing faster, deeper.

Sutsoma spars with his formidable coach, these heavy-mettle maces clash metallic against  each other- striking at each other but not below the belt... dancing a tandava to a harsh melody, like Shiva's vibrating off the walls,  hooded eyes smirk their intent, emotions swirling like Indra's vajra....the earth quakes under their feet, as the two young titans leap and land deadly blows...the other brothers gaze in wonder at the force, skill and energy on display.*📢[see A/N]

Krishna en route to Kamayaka, halts his chariot, to call out to Sutasoma:

'My boy! Like your father, you are well-skilled in the four kinds of encounters with the mace — name those for me!'

Not missing a beat, Sutsoma replies : ''Hurling it at foes at a distance, striking at those that are near, whirling it in the midst of many, and driving on the foe!''

'And the fifth?' quizzes Keshava.

'What  fifth?' puzzles Sutsoma.

'Hit the spot that matters most!'

'But where? how...?

In reply to Sutasoma flickers Krishna's enigmatic smile, dissolving into the blue haze of his blazing chariot, as he heads towards the forests of Kamayaka, where Draupadi and Bheema await news of their son.

A/N 

📢 || This para I have edited and adapted words taken from contributions by @paarthaw@-elvenpoetess @Krishna_premika, @Hannahstorm311, @Readermadhavani || thank you for sharing your expertise!

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