Panic spread quickly among the villagers as they rushed to the cave. The chief, maintaining his composure, organized the rescue efforts. "Twenty People are to stay here to keep guard. Everyone else, grab what you can to help! We need to get those trapped out safely!"
Inside the cave, the air was thick with dust, making it hard to see or breathe and the sounds of coughing and groaning echoed against the walls, mixed with the frantic shouts of the villagers.
The east corner, where the collapse had occurred, was a chaotic scene of fallen debris and splintered wooden supports.
Chief Dinesh pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning the damage. "Is anyone trapped?" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the commotion.
"We don't know how many! But there are people trapped" a villager replied, his voice trembling. "The supports gave way—we couldn't stop it!"
Chief Dinesh stepped forward, his presence commanding order. "Form teams! Clear the debris carefully—we need to check for anyone trapped. And reinforce the surrounding areas immediately. No one works alone—stay in pairs or groups."
The villagers sprang into action, working frantically, using their hands and simple tools to clear the debris. Arjun, joined the rescue efforts without hesitation.
After what felt like hours but were mere minutes, the debris began to clear as only a small portion of the 9 to 11 meter inner cave had collapsed, not the entire east side.
The villagers worked in unison, pulling out the injured and tending to them. Fortunately, no one was severely hurt, though everyone was shaken but they pressed on, driven by the fear that someone might be buried beneath the rubble.
As they continued to clear the rubble, something unexpected emerged from the debris. Arjun, his hands covered in dirt and sweat, uncovered a shiny object embedded in the debris. "Chief!" he called out, "Look at this!"
The chief approached, his torch casting light on the discovery. Arjun had found several copper slabs with intricate carvings and something written in an ancient language.
The chief knelt, his fingers tracing the ancient script. "These inscriptions… they're ancient," he murmured, his voice filled with awe. "And this craftsmanship… it's extraordinary."
Finally they cleared the area, on the walls of the cleared area, the villagers uncovered similar carvings.
The excitement grew as more villagers gathered around the discovery. their fear momentarily forgotten. They carefully brushed away more debris, revealing a hidden passage that had been sealed off by the collapse.
After ensuring that all the villagers were present and accounted for, and that no one was seriously injured, Chief Dinesh, holding a torch, led the way into the newly uncovered section of the cave.
The passage opened into another chamber, even more expansive than the one they had been working on. The walls were adorned with beautiful, ancient paintings depicting scenes of village life, battles, and rituals. Among the paintings were enigmatic depictions of humans and animals, with liquid flowing within their body.
In the center of the chamber lay a large, intricately carved stone slab, gleaming with the same coppery sheen. Etched upon it, in bold letters, were the words
"sāra" in the upper half with small words curved under it
"Prasāraṇa cha Vitaranam" in the lower half.
The chief held up his torch, illuminating the chamber and its contents. "We've discovered something incredible," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
The villagers stood in awe, his eyes wide as he took in the chamber's grandeur. The air felt different here—charged with an energy that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Denesh seeing the content on the walls realized they were written in a language that the elders know .So he said to a nearby villager "get the elders here especially Elder Ratan, Elder Bhima and Elder narayan. everyone else search the other passages to see if more such things are there"
There were two passages behind the massive stone slab, shrouded in darkness.
The villager nodded and hurried off, while the others began to explore the chamber, their torches casting flickering light on the ancient walls. Arjun stayed close to the chief, his mind racing with questions.
The chief shook his head, his expression a mix of wonder and caution. "I think I know what it is. But their meaning… maybe only the elders can understand it."
Within moments, the three elders arrived, each bringing their wealth of knowledge and reverence for the past."Elders, please check this".
Elder Narayan, his sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity, was the first to approach the copper slabs. He had spent years studying languages in the city before returning to the village, and his expertise was unmatched.
"These inscriptions are—" he paused, tracing the letters with his fingers. "It's an archaic dialect, but it seems to reference the management of some resource. Perhaps water, knowledge, or a type of energy."
Elder Ratan, known for his expertise in history and ancestral teachings, knelt beside the slabs. His weathered hands brushed over the carvings, his expression one of reverence and excitement.
"These writings, "Prasāraṇa cha Vitaranam" he said, his voice trembling with emotion, "they speak of an ancient method for sharing and distributing something essential. The word (sāra) likely refers to the essence or core of this system. But the exact nature of what they're describing… that will take time to decipher."
Elder Bhima, seated beside Arjun, studied the paintings on the walls with a practiced eye. His understanding of the natural world and ancestral wisdom made him uniquely suited to interpret the enigmatic images.
"These paintings," he said, pointing to the figures of humans and animals with liquid flowing within their bodies, "depict a symbiotic relationship between living beings and the elements. The liquid here—it's definitely not just water.
The chief listened intently, his brow furrowed in thought. "Our ancestors have left us a message," he said, his voice low but firm. "We must uncover its meaning. Elders, can you piece together what this is truly about?"
"Chief Dinesh, we found a few more slabs. Here" the villagers bought at least ten to twenty slabs, "there are big ones like this one over there too and on it, it's written (Shastra Vidyā) these slabs were near those stones"
As the villagers murmured amongst themselves, the elders continued their examination of the chamber.
The three elders, along with other older villagers, began investigating what was hidden. Elder Narayan translated the ancient script,while Elder Ratan carefully documented the inscriptions, and Elder Bhima interpreted the paintings and carvings. Their insights gradually pieced together a larger picture.
Arjun, watching the elders, felt a mix of awe and determination. Grandpa," he said, turning to Bhima, "do you think this discovery will help us? Will it change anything?"
Bhima nodded, his eyes shining with conviction. "I believe it will, Arjun. Our ancestors left these messages for a reason. They knew we would need their wisdom one day. It's up to us to understand it"
The chief, sensing the growing anticipation among the villagers, addressed them once more. "Tonight, we will gather in the village square," he announced. "We will hold a celebration to honor and thank our ancestors."
"The elders will then share their findings, and we will decide our next steps together. This is a momentous occasion for all of us."
The villagers erupted into cheers, their fear and exhaustion momentarily forgotten. The discovery had ignited a spark of hope, the villagers began to clear the remaining debris and prepare to leave the chamber.
The night was alive with the crackling of the bonfire, its flames reaching toward the star-strewn sky. The villagers had gathered in the clearing, They danced around the fire, as they performed ancient rituals to honor their ancestors. Offerings of fruits, grains, and herbs were cast into the flames, hoping the flames would bring these tribute to their ancestors.
Chief Dinesh stood at the edge of the square, his gaze sweeping over the celebration. The firelight flickered in his eyes, reflecting both pride and concern. Once the rituals were complete, he made his way to the elders, who sat together on a raised platform, their expressions a blend of reverence and excitement.
"Elders, what have you found in the cave? What wisdom do our ancestors impart to us?" As Chief Dinesh approached the elders, a hushed silence fell over the gathered villagers. Elder Ratan stepped forward, his weathered face illuminated by the firelight.
"Chief Dinesh," he began, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity. ""our ancestors have left us profound knowledge. The inscriptions and paintings within the cave speak of a deep understanding of what seems to be essence or energy —a force they called (sāra)."
Elder Narayan nodded in agreement, his eyes shining with excitement. "Indeed, The larger stone slab we first found describes this essence (sāra). The slabs then describe a method for the sharing and dissemination of this essence, referred to as 'Prasāraṇa cha Vitaranam'. It's a knowledge that has been preserved through generations, waiting for us to uncover its significance."
"This essence (sāra) is a fundamental force of nature that resides within every living matter. It can be found in any current or recently living matter and is passed on even after death. as the organic compounds rot and decay. Instead, it is absorbed by insects, worms, plants, and later the animals that eat them and beings small enough we can't see them. Continuing the cycle of life. Our ancestors warned that if a being were to be drained of its essence, it would perish, for essence is the very life force that sustains us but can also be a formidable force."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Then, the small slabs we found in the collapse tell detailed methods to sense and train this essence. Essence radiates gently from all organic matter that holds it. Depending on how much essence they have, this radiation can be sensed and measured by people who have trained themselves to do so, or by special instruments created from materials that react to it. Otherwise, it remains unseen for the most part."
Elder Bhima spoke next. "The paintings depict our ancestors' journey and their symbiotic relationship with nature. The essence flows through all living beings, connecting us to the animals, the plants, and even the elements."
Elder Narayan then interjected, "The other slabs we found in the cave after you sent the villagers were about weapon art (Shastra Vidyā), detailing the creation and use of weapons like spears, swords, shields, and bows. The larger stones hold specific techniques for each weapon—how to shoot multiple arrows at once, advanced sword fighting techniques known as talwar bazi, and various spear techniques. These instructions are meticulously detailed, with illustrations demonstrating stances, grips, and movements.but there are only mentions of some types of shield, no technique for it."
Elder Ratan spoke again, his voice filled with reverence, "The precision and care with which these techniques are described show how important they were to our ancestors. They not only valued the practical knowledge of making and using weapons but also the deeper understanding of how this knowledge could protect and sustain the village."
Dinesh, skeptical about the knowledge of essence as he had never once encountered such mythical energy, even in the cities he had visited where no mention of such a thing existed. He turned to the elders, his brow furrowed with doubt. "Do you think whatever is written is true?"
Elder Ratan shook his head, his expression somber. "We cannot confirm the existence of essence, Chief. Although the weapon arts are real—more advanced than anything we've known. But the essence… it's something we've never encountered. The only way to know is to practice the methods written on the slabs and see where they lead us."
Dinesh sighed, his gaze drifting to the fire. Despite his reservations, he knew the ancestors wouldn't have left such detailed instructions without reason. "Then let us begin. We must honor their wisdom and see where it leads us."
After this discussion, Dinesh looked around at the villagers gathered, his gaze settling on the younger members of the community. "We need volunteers," he announced, "young people willing to try and sense this essence."
A ripple of excitement passed through the group. Several pairs of eyes lit up with curiosity and determination. Among them was Arjun, his hand raised hesitantly but his expression resolute.
Dinesh nodded approvingly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Very well. Who else?"
A few more hands shot up—boys and girls, and soon a small group of young villagers had been selected.
Elder Narayan stepped forward, a sense of anticipation in his tone. "We will guide you through the process," he assured them, "the ten of you are to come to the clearing before the sunrise tomorrow. For now, everyone, go and rest. We have a long day ahead of us."
The villagers dispersed, their footsteps echoing softly as they made their way to their sleeping mats. The cave, once filled with the hum of activity, now quieted, the flickering light of the remaining torches casting long, dancing shadows on the walls. The atmosphere was calm, almost serene, as the villagers settled into their beds,
Beside his grandfather Bhima, Arjun's youthful frame was weighed down by exhaustion. He closed his eyes, and soon a deep, dreamless sleep sucked him in by the exhaustion of the day's events.
Bhima sat beside him, A mixture of pride and grief swelled in his chest as he watched over his grandson. The old man gently patted Arjun's head, his calloused hand a stark contrast to the boy's soft hair. Tears welled up in Bhima's eyes, reflecting the torchlight like tiny, liquid stars.
"I wish you were here to see him grow up," Bhima whispered, his voice trembling as he thought of his son and daughter-in-law.
The old man's thoughts drifted back to the past, memories of his son and daughter-in-law filling his mind. They had been strong and brave, much like Arjun. The boy has so much of them, Bhima thought—the same tenderness, the same resolve.
He recalled the excitement and anticipation in his son's eyes when he announced his plan to get married. There had been laughter and promise during the lovely event that was the wedding. Bhima's wife was a kind but strong woman who was always willing to support her husband, and his son had been a man of dignity and honesty.
Remembering the terrible disaster that had claimed their lives and left Arjun an orphan at such a young age, Bhima's heart ached. The pain of their loss was still sharp, a wound that time had not fully healed. However, seeing Arjun grow and thrive, despite the hardships, brought a sense of satisfaction and comfort to the old man.
He continued to watch over Arjun, the boy's steady breathing a soothing sound in the quiet of the cave. Bhima whispered a silent prayer for strength and guidance that Arjun would need as he has to learn new things tomorrow.
Tears streamed freely down Bhima's cheeks as he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Arjun's forehead. "They would be so proud of you, my boy," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
With a final, tender glance at his sleeping grandson, Bhima lay down beside him, his hand resting protectively on Arjun's. The day's exhaustion caught up with him, and soon, he too was pulled into a deep, peaceful sleep.
###-----###
Sāra
In our novel we will call it essence. it refers to the fundamental life force or vital energy that resides within every living matter.
for this story it is MANA well more like ki.