"According to Ayurveda, everything in the universe—including the human body—is composed of five basic elements, known as the Panchamahabhutas. The unique proportions of these elements determine every individual's physical constitution, or dosha. "
"These five elements are:
"Space (Akasha): Represents emptiness, expansion, and the medium through which all other elements exist
"In the body: Akasha corresponds to all hollow or empty spaces, including the mouth, ears, nostrils, lungs, and stomach."
"Air (Vayu): The element of movement, responsible for all motion and kinetic energy."
"In the body: Vayu governs the nervous system, breath, and physical movements within the body."
"Fire (Agni): Represents heat, light, and the power of transformation."
"In the body: Agni is the metabolic and digestive fire. It governs digestion, perception, and intelligence."
"Water (Jala): The element of cohesion and fluidity."
"In the body: Jala corresponds to all bodily fluids, such as blood, lymph, saliva, and mucus."
"Earth (Prithvi): The element of solidity and stability."
"In the body: Prithvi forms the solid structures, including bones, muscles, skin, and hair. "
"How the elements form the doshas?"
"These five elements combine in unique ways to form the three fundamental energies, or doshas, that govern all bodily functions:
"Vata: The combination of space and air. Vata governs all movement in the body, including breathing, circulation, and nerve impulses."
"Pitta: The combination of fire and water. Pitta governs metabolism, digestion, and all biochemical processes in the body."
"Kapha: The combination of earth and water. Kapha provides structure, lubrication, and stability to the body, corresponding to tissues and fluids. "
...
"Very well."
"All your answers are correct. You are learning well."
"Thank you Guruji."
There was a silence.
"Cough..."
Beeti resigned to herself:
"And besides, Guruji you are so talented and well learn. I, as your disciple will surely learn well. Though not as outstanding as you."
Akshay said matter-of-factly:
"Don't worry, even if you can't be as great as me, according to your age you are already not bad."
Listen to that!
Is this how you should converse with a five year old?
This old man is just asking for a beating.
Beeti couldn't help rolling her eyes.
Alas! The said old man still saw her action.
"Hey! You brat. Did you just rolled your eyes at me?"
Akshay widened his eyes.
Beeti too widened her eyes, denying completely:
"Old man, when did I rolled my eyes. It must be you are getting old and seeing nonsense."
There was again silence.
Oops!
"What did you call me?"
This time the voice was a bit dangerous.
Swallowing silently:
"Gu... Guruji. " called out cautiously.
"Did you just called me old man?"
Beeti stopped for a moment. What's done is done. There's no point in denying. Might as well go with it. Thinking so, she closed her eyes and opened them a moment later. Taking a deep breath, she said:
"What's wrong with calling you old? You really are old."
Akshay, like a cat whose tail had been caught, retorted, "Old? How am I old? I'm clearly young and handsome."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Beeti laughed, the laughter can't be anymore real, it's as real as if plastic.
"You still dare to laugh!" Akshay was exasperated, this brat was at it again, targeting his age. Really, why was it even important for this brat to remind him of his age every once in a while.
He was clearly young and handsome.
They call him as handsome uncle back in his hometown.
Beeti stopped laughing, cleared her throat and said in seriousness:
"You are right. You are not old, you are young, old man."
Just as Akshay ji was feeling pleased after hearing her, the last two words made him lose control.
You have to know that, for Akshay, aside from medicine the other thing that he is most concerned about, no, not only concerned, this old man is obsessed with his looks.
Akshay, picking the broom beside him, said, "I dare you to call me old again."
"Hmph! I'm not afraid of you, you old man."
And saying so, Beeti started running, shouting as she ran:
"Old man, you shouldn't get angry at your age, it will harm your health."
"I dare you to stop right there brat!"
"As if I'm a fool. Old man don't run, be careful not to fall!"
"Stop! I said don't call me that again!"
"What? Old man?"
"Aaargh!"
What happened next was one small and one old chasing each other, and yelling.
"Old man!"
"Stop!"
"Old man!"
"No...!"
Who would have thought, the serene and always serious looking Akshay ji would be such a character in private life.
If those people back home were to see this now, they would be in utter disbelief.
Is this still the Akshay they knew?
Someone who can bring Akshay to this state is really something.
So, Beeti's image has slowly began to form as someone with weight for those people over there, all this while Beeti is completely unaware of these, let alone their existence.
That's another story for later years, so let's leave that topic for another time. Now coming back to present;
Laughter and yelling were coming from the courtyard, making the place lively and festive.
...
When Bankim entered the courtyard, this was the scene that he saw.
One small and one old , one running the other chasing with a broom.
Shaking his head, he walked past them . Ignoring completely.
This isn't the first time, and definitely not the last.
He just simply nodded his head to the two when they spared him a glance for a moment and then ignored him.
Bankim went to the side and started doing stretches .
He was thinking about how, his sister suddenly came to him and requested that he learn martial arts along side her.
And which boy isn't fascinated with fighting?
You could just randomly pick one boy, and he will be someone who loves car, fight or machines.
So, when Bankim found he could learn the real stuff, do you expect him to refuse?
Heck! He didn't even question his sister.
Almost instantly he agreed. And Good lord he did. He is still thanking his past self for agreeing without any hesitation.
Though tiring, but this is real skills we are talking about.
...
Just as Bankim finished his streching, Akshay and Beeti came over after finishing their squabble.
"Let's start with today's training."
Thus, the courtyard that had just fallen silent regained the commotion again. This time it is the noise of them practicing.
One practicing Kungfu, the other Kalaripayattu.
Each giving their best to learn as much as they can.
As Akshay was watching his two disciples practice, he was impressed by their aptitude. Even more so with their attitude towards learning.
In barely one and a half year, they had progressed tremendously.
It really was a blind luck to have accepted Bankim as his martial arts. He really was a genius.
And now with someone from the little girls family being good at fighting means they could protect themselves.
Not only can they take care of themselves, instead of being a burden for her in the future, they could they protect her in times of need. Though she may not really need protection. He was sure to nurture her as this.
"Hi yah!"
"Hiii!"
"Hah!"
"Hmmm!"
"Aiyy!"
The courtyard reverberated with the repeated shouts of them both practicing.
...
After hours of practicing they ended the session for the day.
"Master, today please come to our home."
Said Bankim, as he sat down beside Akshay.
Akshay, while polishing a stick, said: "what is it for?"
"It's her birthday, Master. "Bankim was now looking towards his sister, who was back to her medicine study.
Akshay also looked towards her, thought for sometime and said, "okay."
Bankim immediately beamed, as it was really rare that their master visit their home. His sister is sure to be delighted.
"Alright, go ahead. Your parents are waiting for you."
"Alright."
As Akshay watched him go, he began to ponder what gift to give to the little girl.
He had noticed that she was not like other girls, liking those toys loved by other girls, not like the girls back from his hometown.
After thinking he thought of something that will be quite to the girl's liking.
He hopes she really likes the gift.
Thinking so, he went back to his room to prepare the gift.
...
As evening approached, Beeti put down the herbs, and started tidying up the place. Now it was time to head home.
After sometime, she went to inform her master, "Guruji I'm heading home now!"
"Alright! Be careful one the way!"
"Sure thing!"
She started to walk back home, and was having a feeling that she e was forgetting something.
Just as she reached her home she remembered, she forgot about...
"Pop! Pop!"
This...
How should she react to this...
She almost went on alert.
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday sis!"
Beeti was stunned, forgetting whatever she was thinking.
She actually forget her birthday!
"Come on! Come inside."
As Beeti entered, she saw her whole family gathered, even her father, who is rarely home.