Chapter - 10
Order to go to Gurukul
The Acharya had accepted
Aarav as his disciple, but the journey of Rankala was still incomplete. He looked at Aarav and said:
"You have awakened the seed, but now you must stabilize it. The existence of the soul-seed alone is not enough — it must be integrated into your will, your actions, and your consciousness."
After this, Aarav was given a spot outside the cave — a stone platform-like space, open to the sky, where the wind was calm, sunlight limited, and nature's energy flowed gently. There, he began his practice — with new enthusiasm but deep discipline.
Meanwhile… Bajrang was still inside the cave.
The cave's inner atmosphere had become still, silent, and intense. Though his body remained motionless, the inner journey had reached its peak.
Each day, the Acharya would enter the cave, sit in silent meditation for a while, and then leave without speaking a word. He didn't ask Bajrang any questions — offered no guidance. As if he knew that this part of the journey was now between Bajrang and the fire within him.
Aarav, who once practiced in rivalry, now began to feel true respect for Bajrang. Every day at dawn and dusk, he would sit outside the cave in prayer — as if a part of his own practice was now dedicated to Bajrang's success.
And so, four more months passed.
Inside the cave — every moment felt like an age.
Then came the third day of the fourth month.
The first rays of morning had touched the Himalayan peaks. The sky was tinged pink. Aarav had just finished his meditation when he felt an unfamiliar vibration in the air — as if the earth itself was pulsing to a rhythm.
He looked up toward the cave.
And then… moments later… A radiant saffron glow emerged from the darkness of the cave — and with it, Bajrang.
Bajrang was no longer the same.
His face was calm — but his eyes burned with a fire that was neither of anger nor of pride — it was the fire of self-realization.
Around his body shimmered a subtle saffron light — as though every nerve was now filled with the energy of Om.
His steps were slow but steady. The ground beneath him was silent — as if it recognized him.
Aarav stood up at once. His heart was full of reverence. He stepped forward, but could not speak.
Bajrang looked at him — and for a moment, bowed his head.
At that very moment, the Acharya arrived.
He looked at Bajrang, as if the answer he had waited for all these years had finally come.
"Which soul-seed has awakened within you, Bajrang?" he asked calmly.
Bajrang's voice emerged slowly — but every word carried the vibration of Om:
"Acharya… the saffron seed has awakened."
At Bajrang's reply, a spark lit up in the Acharya's eyes. He remained silent for a moment… then a faint smile slowly spread across his face — a smile that held the fruits of years of practice, the satisfaction of a teacher, and the vision of a seer.
He looked at Bajrang, as though reading his entire being.
"Ha... ha..." he chuckled softly, "I knew it, Bajrang... I believed it from the very first day... You possess that fire… that stability… and that surrender needed to awaken the saffron soul-seed."
"And today… that seed has taken form. Today, you have become the second of my disciples to touch the inner light. The first was my heart-son — Rudrasen. And now… you."
Then suddenly, the gleam in his eyes grew more serious. His voice now carried not just joy — but a firm, clear warning.
"But listen, Bajrang… Talent, power, discipline — these are all great… but equally dangerous. Without humility, that same brilliance can burn a person from within."
"The saffron soul-seed has awakened within you — it symbolizes courage, sacrifice, service, and inner strength. But remember — If even a trace of arrogance enters the heart of a Rankala seeker… that soul-seed begins to weaken. It dries out… And no matter how much power the seeker gathers — they can no longer move forward."
He placed his hand on Bajrang's shoulder — gently, but firmly.
"Bajrang — I am pleased with you. But it is my duty to keep you alert. So that you walk the path where there is inner strength, not ego. Where there is fire — but also peace. Where there is victory — but with compassion for others."
Bajrang bowed his head. The Acharya's words had reached his very soul.
"I understand, Acharya," — his voice was quiet, yet strong from within. "I promise — I will never let my soul-seed be consumed by the fire of pride."
With deep satisfaction, the Acharya placed his hand on Bajrang's head. Now his eyes held not only a teacher's affection — but the resolve of a guide ready to send his disciples into the next stage of their journey.
Then he looked at both — Aarav and Bajrang. Two souls, heading toward the same goal… but along different paths.
"It is time," said the Acharya, "for both of you to prepare for the next test — which is harder than discipline… and deeper than victory."
"I give you two tasks — two duties that will now become a part of your practice."
"First — You must deepen your daily practice even further. The time has passed for simply gathering energy — Now you must learn to direct it, balance it, and refine it. Your soul-seed has sprouted… Now you must grow it into a tree."
Both bowed their heads. Listening carefully.
"Second — You must engage in daily sparring with each other. Not to win… and not to defeat. This duel will be like iron sharpening iron. You must recognize each other's weaknesses… Call them out… and work together to overcome them."
The Acharya's voice now had a resonance — as though he wasn't just speaking words, but shaping the waves of the future.
Then he turned specifically to Bajrang:
"Bajrang — the ancient text I gave you, It will be of no use to you right now. When the time comes, I will tell you what it means."
Then he looked at Aarav — his blue eyes were now calm, but shining from within.
"And Aarav… When the time is right, I will give you an ancient text as well."
Aarav bowed. "I will wait, Acharya."
The Acharya smiled.
"Now go — Begin that journey of inner refinement That will not just make you powerful — But make you worthy."
Time passed…
After that, Aarav and Bajrang devoted themselves fully to their duties.
Each morning, before the sun rose, they would wake. They would first meditate alone — learning to discipline and balance their energy. Then they would spar — but it was not a battle. It was a practice — where Bajrang's inner fire clashed with Aarav's quiet depth… and both became purer, and stronger.
Sometimes Bajrang's strength overpowered Aarav's speed… Other times Aarav's intellect outmatched Bajrang's aggression.
After each duel, they would sit — point out each other's mistakes. Understand them, and vow not to repeat them.
Such was their practice, such was their combat… and such was their brotherhood.
Days turned into nights. The moon waned and waxed. The monsoon passed, and autumn arrived. Five months passed — without anyone realizing it."
That sentence was no longer just a marker of time — it was the essence of their discipline.
Bajrang and Aarav — had changed from within. There was now stability in their walk, clarity in their gaze, and a kind of energy in their spirit — one that was leading them beyond the path of seekers.
On that very morning — when the Himalayan breeze first carried the scent of fall to the cave, the Acharya called them both to him.
The two disciples approached him — calm and curious.
"Yes, Acharya?" Aarav asked. "Is there a special practice today?"
There was a different light in the Acharya's eyes — as if he was not addressing disciples, but bidding farewell to courage itself.
"Aarav… Bajrang…" he said in a grave tone, "The time has come — for you to begin the next journey."
"I… will be leaving this place for a while. There is a task — very old… unfinished… And now it must be completed."
Both Bajrang and Aarav were startled — but stayed calm.
"But Acharya," Bajrang asked, "Where are you sending us? And where are you going?"
The Acharya smiled and replied, "What I'm going to do — you won't understand right now. But know this — it is important."
He then stood, and with the help of a staff, slowly looked toward the mountain.
"Now… you must go to the Gurukul. Where many seekers like you train. Where energy, meditation, knowledge, warfare, and philosophy — all are taught together. That place will take you to the final stage of Rankala."
Bajrang lowered his head slightly and asked sincerely — "Acharya… what is this 'Gurukul'?"
The Acharya laughed and patted his back.
"That is a good question, but I won't answer it. Aarav will — because he has spent some time there. And he will tell you what it is, how to live there, and how to learn there."
Aarav nodded gently — a faint smile in his eyes, "Yes, Acharya. I will explain."
Then the Acharya took a deep breath and said — "Now listen… You must depart tomorrow itself. Before sunrise — when the first bird sings, that is when you will leave. The Gurukul lies at the base of the Himalayas — it will take three days to reach. I've already sent word. Your names are known — you will be welcomed."
"Remember — this journey is not just a journey of distance… It is a journey of testing. Whatever happens on the way — that too will be a part of your discipline."
Then he turned to both of them and folded his hands —
"Now I go. You may not see me for some time — But when you are truly ready… I will return to you. Or perhaps — you will find me."
The Acharya's final words held a mystery — And a promise.
Aarav and Bajrang both touched his feet. Their hearts were full of reverence, and their eyes sparkled with the light of a new journey.