Chapter 21: The journey before the Rise
General POV
The sun had just begun to rise over Hastinapur, casting a golden hue over the city's ancient walls. Shon stood at the edge of his home, a small bundle slung over his shoulder, eyes fixed on the path ahead. Radha Maa and Adhirath Pitashree stood behind him, their faces a mix of pride and worry.
"Take care, my son," Radha whispered, her voice trembling.
Adhirath placed a firm hand on Shon's shoulder. "Remember who you are and the values we've instilled in you."
Shon nodded, his heart heavy yet determined. "I will make you proud."
With a final embrace, he turned and began his journey, the road stretching out before him like an unwritten story.
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Through the Lands of Panchala
Shon's first destination was the kingdom of Panchala, known for its rich culture and history. As he walked through its villages and towns, he couldn't help but notice the stark divisions among the people. The upper castes lived in grand homes, their lives filled with comfort and luxury. In contrast, the lower castes resided in dilapidated huts, their faces etched with hardship and despair.
In the capital city of Kampilya, the disparity was even more pronounced. Shon witnessed a group of lower-caste individuals being denied entry into a temple, their pleas for inclusion met with scorn and ridicule. He felt a surge of anger and helplessness. Though he longed to intervene, he knew that without power or influence, his actions would be futile.
He spent a few days in Panchala, helping where he could—sharing food, offering a listening ear, and providing comfort to those in need. But the weight of systemic injustice lingered heavily on his heart.
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The Oppression of Mathura
Leaving Panchala behind, Shon journeyed towards the border regions of Mathura. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as he approached the city. Tales of King Kansa's tyranny were widespread, and the fear among the people was palpable.
Within Mathura, the situation was dire. The king's soldiers roamed the streets, enforcing exorbitant taxes and punishing dissent with brutal force. The rich and those loyal to Kansa lived in opulence, while the common folk suffered in silence.
Shon was horrified to learn about the abduction of young women by the king's men, taken from their homes to satisfy the king's twisted desires. The law was nonexistent, and justice was a distant dream.
Despite his anger, Shon knew he was powerless to change the situation. However, he found solace in the knowledge that Kansa's days were numbered. He knew that Krishna—the one destined to end Kansa's reign of terror—had already taken birth. And soon, he would arrive in Mathura to free the land from the cruel king's grip and bring hope back to its people. Shon clung to this hope as he continued his journey.
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The Sacred Forest of Naimisharanya
After weeks of travel, Shon arrived at the edge of Naimisharanya, a forest steeped in spiritual significance. The air was thick with the scent of ancient trees and the whispers of sages who once meditated there.
As he ventured deeper, the serenity of the forest was interrupted by the presence of wild animals. Shon moved cautiously, aware that danger lurked behind the beauty.
Suddenly, a massive tiger emerged from the underbrush, its eyes locked onto Shon. The beast was injured, blood matting its fur, but its strength was undeniable.
Shon stood his ground, drawing upon the strength built due to years of self training in him. The battle was fierce, with the tiger lunging and Shon dodging, striking when he could. Despite his efforts, he knew he couldn't defeat the animal. His goal shifted to survival.
After a fierce and dangerous fight, Shon finally managed to make the tiger retreat—not defeat it, but push it back just enough to survive. Despite possessing the strength equivalent to two elephants of his own era, he had to remind himself: this was not Kaliyug. This was the Mahabharat era—a time when even the wild animals were mightier than the strongest beasts of modern times. Here, a single new born tiger could rival or surpass the strength of a full-grown elephant from his own world much less a fully grown like one in front of him.
The only reason Shon survived the encounter was that the tiger had already been severely wounded before crossing his path. Its strength was down to barely ten percent of its full capacity. Even then, the battle had been grueling. Shon's body was bruised, his breath ragged, his limbs aching—but his spirit? Unshaken.
He spent the next few days recovering, using his surroundings to heal. The forest, though dangerous, offered solace and a chance for reflection.
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Arrival in Ayodhya
With renewed strength, Shon resumed his journey. The path to Ayodhya was long, but the thought of reaching the city kept him moving.
After nearly a month of travel, Shon stood at the gates of Ayodhya. The city was bustling with life, its people engaged in daily routines, unaware of the young traveler who had braved so much to get there.
Shon took a deep breath, stepping into the city with a heart full of hope and determination. His journey had just begun, and the challenges ahead would shape him into the person he was destined to become.
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