Present,
The gurukul stood near the forest, just after where the tall trees of the forest stop, revealing a large plain area.
The sun was rising slowly from the east, painting the sky in pale yellow hues.
Birds chirped softly from the forest canopy.
Suddenly, a deep roar echoed from somewhere far away.
For a moment, everything fell silent.
Then the birds began chirping again, as if nothing had happened.
***
Subha stood inside one of the gurukul's rooms, speaking with an elderly woman.
The woman's face was lined with deep wrinkles; her body was frail, as though she stood at the very edge of life.
"I'll be taking my leave,"
Subha said gently.
"I need to be by Arjun's side. The competition date is approaching."
The old woman sighed.
"That boy's name again…"
She forced a smile, though it trembled.
"This may be my last time seeing you. You already know… my time is near."
Subha opened her mouth, but the words refused to come out.
She knew the truth — the woman wouldn't survive much longer.
"If I pass away,"
The old woman continued,
"This Gurukul may not last either. It isn't affiliated with Nalanda University. Without protection, it will be forgotten."
Subha clenched her fists.
"I'll speak to the king,"
She said firmly.
"About its maintenance."
They spoke for a little longer before Subha finally left the room.
Outside, she noticed a young man approaching her, who asked her to stay a night in the gurukul.
"I forgot to introduce myself last night."
He said.
"I'm Niraj, from Haspur. I'm here for the competition."
Subha introduced herself and asked,
"Aren't you going to the class?"
"I won't go back on my word," Niraj replied.
***
He stood on a wooden platform built around a large tree.
Students of all ages gathered below, staring up at him with expectation.
Niraj's mind went blank.
I never thought it would be this difficult to teach children.
Subha had asked him to teach the basics of archery, but standing before them now, he found no words.
"This is harder than fighting someone stronger than me," he muttered under his breath.
Then an idea struck him.
"I'll answer your questions first,"
He announced.
"After that, we'll move on to archery."
A child standing closest raised his hand.
"Do you own an astra?"
Niraj blinked.
"No. Not right now. And your questions should not be about me."
Some children looked disappointed.
Niraj noticed — and ignored it.
Another child, around twelve years old, asked,
"I can't use mantra. Can I still become an archer?"
"Yes," Niraj answered immediately.
A smaller child interrupted,"
But I can use mantra, and I'm younger than you. Why can't you?"
Niraj looked at him calmly.
"Every person's body has a focus point for Shakti.
Those whose focus lies in the brain can use mantra.
Those whose focus lies elsewhere cannot."
He continued,
"Most people do not have their focus in the head. That's why mantra users are less.
People with focus elsewhere have their own strengths, but they aren't suited for roles like yodhas or vaidya."
The children listened intently.
Eventually, the moment they were waiting for arrived.
"To materialise a dhanush,"
Niraj explained,
"channel your Shakti through the marma point in your hand and visualise the bow clearly.
If your focus point is in your hand, it will be easier.
Don't expect success on the first try."
He added sternly,
"And those with focus in the head — don't overexert your Shakti. Brain damage is real."
Chaos followed.
Students tried forming dhanushes from Shakti.
Most failed.
Some produced distorted shapes.
Laughter filled the air.
Subha watched quietly. She hadn't expected someone like Niraj to teach with such honesty — or patience.
Suddenly, a thunderous sound erupted.
A radiant dhanush, glowing gold, appeared in Niraj's hand.
The forest itself seemed to respond.
Wind shifted. Leaves trembled.
Before he could demonstrate anything, the dhanush vanished.
It was Gandiva.
Silence followed — then excitement.
"What was that?"
"Was that an astra?"
Niraj explained calmly.
"That was Gandiva."
Why can't I use the Gandiva whenever I want?
Why does it follow its own will?
He thought,
He had summoned it only to see whether it would remain—
or vanish again, as it always did.
As expected, it disappeared.
After a few hours, the class finally ended.
Niraj approached Subha.
"I kept my promise. I'm leaving now."
"The competition venue lies on my route as well," Subha said.
"Can I come with you?"
"Do you know the way?" Niraj asked.
She nodded.
"You're most welcome," he said with a smile.
Subha announced her departure.
The students looked disappointed, but there was no stopping her.
Together, Subha and Niraj left the gurukul.