As Mata Renuka looked up from her work, her face showed visible signs of confusion. Her son, who had never been known to associate well with kids, in fact, his fearsome stature and his Parashu (Axe) on his shoulder, was a deterrence for all around him, even more so because he is a celibate.
"Pranam mate. Maa, this is my new student, Vasusen Karna. I have decided to impart all my knowledge onto him as a form of legacy, if you give permission.
Understanding flashed in her eyes as her face grew a motherly smile that could melt the heart of even Yama with motherly love.
"Ofcourse son, hello child. Come here, let me see you well."
As I walked towards her, a sense of calmness invaded my mind. Only two other people have managed to make me feel so safe that I was ready to drop my guard, Mata Kunti and Mata Radha.
"Guruma, I have a request for you."
"Ofcourse child, tell me, what do you want?"
"Mata, I wish to learn the 64 kalas from you."
Mata renuka's face immediately fell.
"Child, do you understand the gravity of what you wish for. My kala is learned from my mother and it was learned from her mother, all the way to Mata Parvati. It is in a sense the very legacy of hers."
"Ofcourse mata, I meant no disrespect. I am ready to do whatever it takes to learn the kalas."
"But you are already supposed to learn from my son. Are you looking down on the kalas, thinking them easy enough to be learned!"
"No, no mata! Never would I dare!"
I was in a pinch. I had already promised myself to learn all the kalas but if unable to, it would result in my promise breaking, which was equal to the sin of lying to myself. As I looked at guruacharya pitifully, he chuckled as he let out a sigh.
"Mother, the child is close to crying. Have pity on him."
"Very well come close child and let me see your hand."
As I showed her my hand, Mata Renuka's forehead crunched as her eyes opened in disbelief. There was ample reason for it as well. My hands did not have any chords or any defined fate lines. It meant I could basically create my own fate and and as the son of the king of the navagrahas, who are supposed to be the ones who determine our future paths, I was fateless. This was probably due to the blessing of my father, Bhagwaan Suryanarayan, as he had blessed me by saying my karma shall be the ones that determine my future.
"Fine I shall test you myself and then decide wether you are to be taught. You will train your hands to stiller than rocks, as steady as wind and as pure as water. Your feet must be fluid and soft, enabling it to manuver easily. My son can take care of that. For one year, I will impart upon you the basics of the 64 kalas. If I determine that you are diligent, then you shall refer to me as your kalaguru."
"As you order mata."
"Enough. Now come and have some food. Knowing my son, he'll start breaking and building you back up from tomorrow itself."