Under the Old Banyan Tree…
Meanwhile, on the other side… Agni and Neer had reached that old Banyan tree. There,they see a corpse hanging upside down on that tree— It doesn't move, It doesn't attack, It just stares at them…and smiles.
And then… The Betal flips upright in the air,and says with a loud laugh:
Betal (Laughing): "Good…So my food has come to me by itself today. I know who you two are…"
Neer (In a harsh tone): "If you know everything,then you must also know how much you have tormented the villagers. And you must also know that we have come to end you. We know all about you— and today we will give you liberation."
Betal (Laughing): "Liberation? Youwill give me liberation, Neer? When you yourself don't know who you are? Are you the one…who you truly are?"
Neer (Serious): "I know you want to confuse me with your words,but I am not going to get entangled in your talk."
Betal (With a wicked laugh): "Alright…then will Agni get entangled?"
Neer (Becoming apprehensive): "Nothing like that will happen.Agni, don't fall for its words!" (Neer looks around) Neer(Startled): "Agni...? Where is Agni? Where have you taken him,Betal!? What new illusion have you created?"
Betal (Laughing): "Wait-wait,Neer… You jumped straight to a fight,even knowing that the two of you cannot defeat me. My illusions,my powers are many times greater than yours. And you surely know that I am a Betal— free from the bonds of time! I have nothing to hide—not the past,not the future, nor the present."
Neer: "Alright… Then tell me,what is your desire? What do I have to do…to free Agni from your captivity?"
Betal (Laughing): "Ah!I haven't played with anyone for hundreds of years. I haven't found a warrior like you—one who can look me in the eye and talk. Everyone runs away from me in fear…but they cannot escape."
Neer: "What game,Betal?"
Betal: "Just answer three questions… and take Agni away. Tell me…can you give the answers?"
Neer: "Yes,to save Agni, I can answer not just three— but a hundred questions."
Betal (Slowly comes closer): So you want to defeat me,Neer? But can you win against your own mind? Listen carefully… I will ask three questions. But if even one answer is wrong— then what is lost…will be lost forever.
Question 1
Betal: "What is that truth… that feels like a lie? What is that thing which sounds like a lie the first time you hear it… but if it is not accepted,the whole life becomes a lie?"
Neer (Thinking seriously in a grave tone): "The truth is that…which we do not wish to hear. Sometimes our answer goes against our mind. The answer to this question is— Love. When someone says— 'I love you', we consider it a lie the first time… whether it is true or false. But if it is not accepted,the greatest truth of life is lost— and if it is accepted,life can also be ruined."
Betal (Impressed): "Very good… You said correctly,the answer to this question is indeed Love. But two questions remain…
Question 2:
Betal: "Do you know yourself,Neer? If you are asked to look into a mirror— and the face that appears in it is not yours, would you be able to know who you are? Or are you just what… the world has made you?"
Neer (Softly): "I know that who I am…is a blend of many faces. The karma of past lives,the values of this life, people's expectations,and my circumstances— all these make me different in others'eyes. But above all this,there is an 'I'— Neer…who never wavers from his duty and actions. I know who I am— because I am connected to the one…whom I know…" (Here,Neer does not tell the whole truth about whom he is connected to, but the Betal understands.)
Betal (Smiling): "Alright…I am convinced, you know who you are. But the next question…is the most difficult.
Question 3:
Betal: "What is the greatest illusion of this world? The one that everyone believes to be true… or the one,which never even existed for them?"
Neer (Thinking deeply, remaining silent):
Betal (Smiling): "Tell me,Neer… What is its answer?"
Neer: "Time…and Forever. This is the greatest illusion of this world. We all think we have a lot of time— We think that those we love, will always remain with us. But the truth is that… nothing lasts'forever'. Not our love, not our hatred, not our loved ones—and not even we ourselves. Yet…we do not accept this truth— and remain trapped in the illusion of'forever'. This is our greatest sorrow."
Betal (Finally): "Very good… Agni is lying unconscious behind this tree. Go and wake him up. However…this is not the end of the test, Neer… This is just the beginning."
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Neer found Agni lying unconscious behind the banyan tree. As he touched Agni's hand, a bright light flashed and they both transported to a different realm - a place where fire and water were converging.
The Betal's voice echoed in the air, "That was just the warm-up till now, Neer. The real test begins now. You said correctly - 'forever' is an illusion. Now let's see if you can break this illusion? Can you bear the truth that lies beyond this world?"
Agni's eyes opened, but they lacked the spark that Neer knew. His voice sounded like a stranger's...
Agni (in an unfamiliar tone): "Who... told you that 'forever' is an illusion? Perhaps your 'now' is the biggest illusion, Neer."
Neer's breath caught. Was this Agni... or someone else?