The blinding light faded, and Bahubali stood upon Kailash Parvat, the divine abode of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. The scenery before him was breathtaking—snow-draped peaks shimmered under a boundless, ethereal sky, the air vibrated with spiritual energy, and a serene beauty enveloped the landscape, surpassing any vision from his two lifetimes. Seated before him were Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati, their divine forms radiating grace and boundless power. Nandi, the loyal bull, stood proudly in front, surrounded by the Ganas and Preta. To their side sat Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Lord Kartikeya, the god of war, their presence filling Bahubali with awe.
Bahu folded his hands, bowing deeply. "Pranipat. I am humbled to stand in your divine presence."
"Kalyan ho, child," they responded in unison, their voices resonating like a celestial chorus, each tone imbued with warmth and blessing.
Lord Shiva's serene gaze settled on Bahu, his eyes twinkling with divine wisdom. "This is Bahubali," he announced, gesturing toward the young man. "Parvati and I have chosen him as our disciple, to walk the path of knowledge and dharma under our guidance."
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the assembly. Lord Ganesha's trunk twitched in surprise, Kartikeya's eyes widened, and even Nandi's stoic expression faltered. Lord Shiva had not taken a disciple since Lord Parashurama, and Lord Parashurama had been solely his student, not Mata Parvati's. The Ganas whispered among themselves, but none voiced dissent. If Mahadev and Devi Parvati had made this choice, it was surely ordained by divine will. Bahubali, overwhelmed by the weight of their gazes, felt his heart pound, yet their gentle smiles eased his trepidation.
Bahubali's heart is true, and his devotion has brought him here. Let us welcome him as family."
Lord Shiva nodded, his voice calm yet commanding. "Bahu, are you ready to begin your training? The path ahead is arduous, demanding both body and soul. Will you embrace it fully?"
Bahubali met Lord Shiva's gaze, his resolve unwavering. "Ji, Prabhu. I am ready to learn, to toil, and to surrender myself to your guidance. Please, let us begin."
Thus commenced Bahubali's divine education on Kailash. Each morning, he rose before dawn, bathed in a sacred stream, and performed Surya Puja, his chants rising with the sun. After a simple breakfast, he joined Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati for shastra training, immersing himself in the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas until noon. Post-lunch, he trained with Nandi, wrestling and building his physical prowess. Afternoons were dedicated to weapon exercises under Lord Shiva's tutelage, mastering the art of combat. After dusk Surya Puja, Bahubali performed chores for the Kailash residents or meditated, seeking inner clarity. Evenings belonged to Mata Parvati, who taught him the sixty-four kalas—arts encompassing music, dance, strategy, and more.
Every other day, Mata Parvati led shastra and weapon training, while Lord Shiva guided the kalas, ensuring a balanced education. Nandi, Ganesha, and Kartikeya occasionally instructed him, each imparting unique skills. Days became weeks, weeks turned into months, and months stretched into years. By twenty, Bahu had transformed into a formidable warrior-scholar, his muscular yet lithe physique concealing a strength ten to fifteen times greater than Bhima's, the Pandava famed for the might of a thousand elephants. This power stemmed from six years of Mata Annapurna's divine nourishment and relentless training with Nandi, Lord Shiva, and others.
Bahubali's progress astounded all. From Lord Ganesha, he mastered literature and wielded axe and mace with finesse. Lord Kartikeya honed his swordsmanship and spear-fighting, forging him into a lethal warrior. Nandi taught him hand-to-hand combat, making him agile and unyielding. Lord Shiva, the supreme archer, nurtured Bahu's innate archery talent, elevating him to near-divine skill. Bahu's inquisitive mind impressed his teachers, as he posed relentless questions, refusing to rest until every doubt was resolved. Though versed in all weapons and kalas, he had not yet received divya astras, as Lord Shiva emphasized a robust foundation first.
One day, Lord Shiva summoned Bahu before the assembly. "Vatsya, today we test your foundation's strength. You will face trials of skill, not divine power. Wrestle Nandi in a purely skill-based match, battle Ganesha with axe and mace, and face Kartikeya with sword and spear. Parvati and I will judge your archery and kalas."
The wrestling match with Nandi was grueling, lasting two hours. Bahubali matched Nandi's strength with cunning, but Nandi's experience prevailed, pinning him at last. Against Lord Ganesha, Bahubali's axe and mace danced, yet Lord Ganesha's mastery forced his surrender. Lord Kartikeya's sword and spear overwhelmed Bahubali's defenses, though he fought fiercely. In archery, his arrows struck with unerring precision, earning Lord Shiva's nod. Finally, Bahubali displayed his kalas, from poetry to tactics, captivating Mata Parvati and the assembly.
As the trials concluded, Bahubali sat apart, a shadow of sadness in his eyes. Lord Shiva approached, his voice gentle. "Son, why do you look so downcast? You have passed with great honor, surpassing our expectations."
Bahubali sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Gurudev, I lost every combat match. Against Nandi, I could only hold my ground for two hours. Against Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya, I was outmatched. How can I call this a success when I failed to triumph?"
Parvati joined them, her smile radiant. "Oh, vatsya, you are too hard on yourself. Do you not see the marvel of your efforts? Nandi has wrestled for eons, Ganesha wields his axe with divine finesse, and Kartikeya is the god of war himself. Yet you, a mortal of twenty years, pushed them to their limits. You gave them a challenge they will not soon forget. That is victory in itself."
Bahu's eyes brightened, though doubt lingered. "But, Gurumata, I wanted to prove myself worthy of your teachings. Losing feels like I've let you down."
Shiva chuckled, a sound like rolling thunder. "Bahu, worthiness is not measured by victory alone. Your heart, your dedication, and your relentless pursuit of growth—these make you worthy. Today, you showed us your foundation is strong, built on skill and humility. Now, to ascend further, you must refine your inner self. Anger and jealousy, though subtle, still linger within you. Penance will purify your soul. Go to the coldest peaks of the Himalayas and perform tapasya for the Tridevs—Brahma, Vishnu, and myself, and Trideviyan, Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati."
Bahu flushed, embarrassed by his flaws, but bowed deeply. "Ji, Gurudev. I will do as you command. Thank you for guiding me, for seeing what I cannot."
He journeyed to the Himalayas' harshest peaks, where ice seared his skin and winds roared like asuras. There, he began his penance, meditating on the Tridevs and Trideviyan with unwavering focus. Two years passed, and through astasiddhi and spiritual fire, Bahu mastered the shadripus—lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, and jealousy—achieving perfect inner balance. On the final day, the heavens parted, and the Tridevs and Trideviyan appeared, their divine forms illuminating the frozen landscape.
Brahma's voice boomed with authority. "Bahubali, your tapasya has pleased me. Upon completing your training with Shiva and Parvati, I will bestow upon you the Brahmastra, Brahmashirsha Astra, and Brahmandastra, weapons of creation and destruction. Use them with utmost wisdom."
Saraswati's gentle tone followed. "My child, I bless you with the ocean of knowledge. May your words and thoughts flow like sacred rivers, enlightening all you touch."
Vishnu, serene yet commanding, spoke next. "Your devotion is pure, Bahubali. When your training is complete, I will grant you the Narayana Astra and Vaishnava Astra, instruments of preservation and justice."
Lakshmi smiled, presenting a golden pouch. "This pouch holds unlimited wealth, vatsya. Use it to uphold dharma, to aid those in need, and to foster prosperity."
Shiva's eyes gleamed with pride. "My son, when the time is right, I will bestow the Pashupatastra, a weapon of ultimate power, to be wielded only for righteousness."
Parvati's voice was warm, like a mother's embrace. "And I, vatsya, will grant you the Adishaktiastra, the embodiment of divine feminine energy, when your journey reaches its zenith."
Bahu fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Your blessings overwhelm me. I am but a servant of dharma, unworthy of such grace, yet I vow to honor your gifts with every action, every breath."
The deities vanished, leaving Bahu with a heart full of purpose. He returned to Kailash, resuming his training with renewed vigor, determined to prove himself worthy of the divine boons. As Shiva and Parvati's disciple, he forged ahead, each step drawing him closer to his destiny as the slayer of Kindasur and a legend in the Mahabharata's unfolding saga.