A pair of big brown eyes peered from behind the chariot
watching the Kuru princes make their way back to their quarters, after a long
day of arduous practice in the sun. Heavy footsteps accompanied by garrulous
laughter, filled the air. A few paces behind, the soft crunch of footsteps and
quietude could be heard, in stark contrast to the ones in front. In the second
lot, the eyes spotted Arjuna, walking with his head held high. After all, wasn’t
he the chosen one? The other four brothers looked at him with pride as the Guru
continued to shower flowery praises on his favourite pupil.
After they could be seen no more, he emerged from his hiding
place. An imprint of the sun marked his forehead and a bright sun-shaped
pendant dangled from the gold chain around his neck. A pair of golden
‘kundalas’ adorned his ears and a magical armour was rumoured to bedeck his
chest when he was in danger. He was merely twelve and yet was wise beyond his
years. His face shone with unexplained radiance, yet the sadness in his eyes
was unmistakable.
The Kuru princes were in training under the tutelage of Guru Dronacharya,
and Radheya had been watching them hawk-eyed for days. He had approached the
Guru requesting to be taken under his wings but had been turned down on account
of his lineage.
Today, Arjuna was hailed as the greatest archer for having hit
the bird’s eye. The Guru could not stop admiring him!
What a gift that was! Radheya longed to be recognised. Only if
he had been chosen to showcase his talent!
Where one would expect anger to burn within him, he was
unexpectedly calm. Was it the calm before the storm? One could never tell. But
at the moment, the only fire that burned within him was that of fulfilling the
challenge. Of showing that he was no less a warrior. Of proving that he was as
great an archer as Arjuna.
He hurriedly picked up his bow and quiver of arrows and marched
to the forest. Climbing the tallest mango tree, he hung a toy bird from the
highest branch. Then he climbed down and took aim at the bird’s eye. He hit it
without as much as batting an eyelid! It seemed too easy a target!
Arjuna? The greatest archer? He
smirked.
I could do this blindfolded, he told himself.
He studied the bird’s position for a minute and then loosened
his ‘angavastram’ and tied it around his eyes. He took aim and again, easily
achieved his target! He beamed with joy!
But it didn’t seem enough. Restlessness filled his heart and
he paced around, eyes devoid of satisfaction.
He looked around searching for ideas to challenge himself. His
eyes fell on a broken earthen pot lying a few yards away. An idea struck him. He
filled it with water and placed it under the tree such that the reflection of
the bird, fell into the water.
He looked down at the bird’s reflection in the water below and
aimed upward at the bird without even looking at it. Concentrating on the
bird’s eye, he shot a swift arrow piercing the bird’s eye in one masterful
stroke.
Yes! he pumped his fist in jubilation. But there was no one
around to applaud. The happiness was short-lived.
But, he did not see Guru Drona observing him from his
quarters.
“What an amazing archer!” the guru found himself saying. “It’s
a pity I cannot teach him!”
Only if Radheya could have heard that!
Suddenly, the skies turned fiery. A streak of lightning cracked
up the sky and thunder roared in the distance. Was it reflecting the agony in
Radheya’s heart? Was an achievement still worth the same, if there was no one
appreciate it? Was the longing to be the chosen one, the only gift he desired?
Soon, the skies opened up. A slow trickle gave way to a huge
downpour soaking Radheya to the bone. He started to hurry home, as the trees
shook uncontrollably in the gust of wind that followed.
It was then, that another idea crept up his head! He walked
back to the tree and looked at the reflection of the bird in the earthen pot
below. The bird shook violently in the storm. Radheya, strung his bow and took
aim again.
Would he be able to hit the bird’s eye looking at
its reflection in water even when it was moving?
He wanted to test if he could.
He patiently observed the bird and after a lot of
deliberation, he released his arrow.
To his pleasant surprise, the arrow hit the bird’s eye, once
again.
His eyes shone in the darkness and he puffed up his chest in
pride.
He held his bow high above his head and thundered, “Who’s the
greatest archer now, guru?” oblivious to being watched by the Guru himself.
The Guru nodded his head in approval. There was no doubt that
he was equal to Arjuna in every way, maybe better.
Yet, he could never be the chosen one. That was one gift, he
would have to crave all his life.
#Blog-A-Rhythm
