Chapter - 11
The final teaching
Exactly one night before their departure, as the stars twinkled serenely in the sky and a gentle breeze swept across the hills, the Guru called Aarav and Bajrang out of the cave. The two disciples, whose spiritual journey was about to take a new turn, stood before him—mindful, silent, and dedicated.
The Guru's eyes held a depth that only comes after years of penance.
From his satchel, he first took out an old book covered in black velvet and held it out to Aarav.
"Aarav," he said in a calm voice,
"This book is for you. It is no ordinary text. It explains the next two levels of Rankala, and I have already given this same book to Bajrang.
And you must open this book only when you reach **Takshashila**, our gurukul."
Along with it, he gave Aarav a small, handwritten, folded paper.
And said, "This contains something that will be useful to you in battle. You must learn it soon."
Aarav respectfully touched the book to his forehead and carefully placed the paper in his clothes.
Then, the Guru looked at Bajrang, gazing into his eyes for a moment, as if searching for something... or perhaps, assessing something.
He then took out a deep yellow paper with some words in Sanskrit and some in mysterious symbols written on it and gave it to Bajrang.
"Bajrang…
This is for you.
It also contains a battle technique.
You must learn it soon."
Bajrang accepted the paper and bowed his head silently.
The Guru then stepped forward and stood between them, saying:
"Now listen…
Before you depart, I want to tell you a few things that you must remember for a lifetime. These will be more useful than your weapons."
He clasped his hands behind his back and firmed his voice slightly:
"Always keep your power and identity a secret.
A person who reveals their full strength has already been defeated."
"Never underestimate your enemy.
The day you make this mistake, you will have invited your own end."
"If someone becomes your true enemy and you get a hold of them,
never let them live.
Because the one who lost to you today will return tomorrow, and they will come when you are at your weakest."
"The more you know about your enemy, the better.
Knowledge is your greatest armor."
He then paused for a moment and looked at Bajrang with a special gaze.
"Bajrang…
You, in particular, must keep your 'ability'—the nature of your spirit seed, the depth of your training—all of this a secret.
There is a flame within you, but if it is revealed prematurely, your enemy will benefit from it."
After this, he turned to Aarav and softened his voice:
"And Aarav…
Your path is a little different, but your responsibility is even greater.
Bajrang is your brother—your companion—his path will be difficult, but you must help him.
If he falters, you must support him.
If he goes in the wrong direction, you must bring him back."
Both disciples silently absorbed these words.
The Guru looked into their eyes one last time and said in a low voice:
"If one day you need help with anything,
you must go to the headmaster of **Takshashila**, whom we call the '**Takshashila-Mahacharya**.' He will surely help you, but you must tell him my name, '**Acharya Veerayan**'. He will definitely help you."
Saying this, he took a deep breath. He then went close to them, placed his hands on their heads, and said one last time:
"Now you are my disciples, so I must help you. I will depart from here tomorrow evening, and you must depart from here tomorrow morning."
The next morning, the first rays of the sun began to descend on the mountain peaks. There were dewdrops on the grass, and in the silence, there was an echo as if nature itself knew of this moment of farewell.
Outside the cave, Aarav and Bajrang stood with their satchels. Their clothes were no longer like those of ascetics but of young travelers, yet their eyes held the depth of their discipline.
Acharya Veerayan called both of them forward. His gaze was no longer stern but held a father's compassion.
He said,
"Your journey is now beginning. This path is not just external, but internal as well.
So... do not leave each other's side.
Bajrang—Aarav is your mirror.
And Aarav—Bajrang is your shield.
If one of you falls, the other must hold their hand.
This will be your shared responsibility."
Both of them bowed and touched the Guru's feet.
The Guru raised his hand to bless them and said,
"Go, travelers of the Rankala path.
This path will awaken with your footsteps."
The sun was slowly rising higher, and Aarav and Bajrang had already started down the trail.
For a while, the Guru watched them go.
Then he slowly turned and walked alone toward a hill.
---
Many hours later…
After Bajrang and Aarav had left, the Guru was sitting outside the hut when a shadow emerged from behind him.
It was difficult to determine his age.
He was neither old nor young.
His face was brilliant, but his eyes were like those of a clever player.
He came and sat behind the Guru.
For a while, there was silence between them, then the man smiled and said:
"So... Veerayan,
you have sent them away."
Acharya Veerayan said,
"Yes... the time had come."
The man said with a light laugh:
"But you know, don't you—
you were not fit to be his guru.
And if that person ever finds out the truth...
what do you think will happen?"
The Guru took a deep breath and said slowly:
"I know...
But on that day...
I could not stop myself.
There was something in him—
that shook even my own practice."
The man laughed loudly.
"Ha ha ha...
Exactly!
If I had been there,
I probably wouldn't have been able to stop myself either."
Both of them laughed for a while,
but something was hidden beneath that laughter.
---
Three days later
Near the city limits, Bajrang and Aarav stood on a high mound.
From a distance, the city's hustle and bustle were clearly visible—the uneven rooftops, the old stone gates, and the people coming and going through them. Some merchants were driving their bullock carts toward the city. Some sages and saints could be seen slowly advancing with their water pots and shawls. Here, a mother was walking, holding her child's hand, while there, young warriors on horseback were entering the city gates.
Bajrang's gaze remained fixed for a moment.
"Aarav..." he said in a low voice, "This place is so beautiful."
And besides being beautiful, it is also a new place for us.
What will happen in the journey of age? What were Acharya Virayan and that other person talking about?