Ashvi-Aparuja pov
Ashvi-Aparuja sat in the cool shade of the palace courtyard, her blind eyes gazing out into the horizon. Though she could not see, her senses extended far beyond sight, and her wisdom surpassed her years. The younger Pāṇḍavas—Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva—gathered around her, listening to her every word as she shared the knowledge she had acquired.
From a young age, Ashvi-Aparuja had taken it upon herself to guide her younger brothers, not only in the ways of royal life but also in the deeper, more complex matters of dharma. Her gentle yet firm voice carried the weight of centuries of wisdom, and her brothers had grown to rely on her for counsel.
Flashback: Ashvi-Aparuja's Childhood
As a child, Ashvi-Aparuja had been wise beyond her years. Despite her blindness, she had never allowed herself to feel helpless, and she had been determined to overcome the limitations that others tried to place on her. She had always been close to her brothers, especially Yudhisthira, who admired her ability to see the truth of matters without the need for sight.
As she grew older, she became a teacher to her brothers, guiding them in understanding the true meaning of dharma. One of her earliest lessons had been about caste, a concept that had troubled her deeply.
"The caste system was not created by the divine," she told them one day as they sat in the garden. "It was created by humans, and over time, it has been twisted into something that oppresses and divides people. There is no justice in this system."
Her words had struck a chord with Yudhisthira, who had always been troubled by the injustices he saw in the world.
"But aren't we born into our roles?" he had asked. "Aren't we destined to follow the path laid out for us by our birth?"
Ashvi-Aparuja had shaken her head, her expression firm. "Your birth does not determine your worth," she said. "Just because we are the human sons of gods does not excuse us from wrongdoing. We must always know the difference between right and wrong, and we must never let our divine heritage get to our heads. At the end of the day, we are still humans, made of flesh and bone. We have no right to look down on anyone, no matter their birth or caste."
She had made them understand that true dharma was about justice, kindness, and humility. It was not about upholding societal norms that oppressed others. Her words shaped her brothers' sense of duty and justice, especially Yudhisthira, who would later become known for his unwavering commitment to righteousness.
Present: The Value of Family Unity
Ashvi-Aparuja's lessons didn't stop at dharma. She also spoke to her brothers about the importance of family and the strength that came from unity.
"Family makes a person stronger," she often reminded them. "We must always strive to bridge the gap between ourselves and our cousins, the Kauravas. Our family, fractured as it may be, is still one. Once we are whole, no schemes can ever prevail against us."
Bhima, known for his fiery temper, often bristled at the mention of the Kauravas, especially Suyodhana, with whom he shared a complicated relationship. "How can we trust them, sister?" he had asked. "They have always been against us."
Ashvi-Aparuja had smiled gently, placing a hand on Bhima's arm. "Trust is not something given freely; it is earned. But we must be the ones to extend the olive branch. Family unity is more powerful than any scheme. When we are united, we are unstoppable."
Her brothers, though sometimes skeptical, had learned to value her wisdom, and slowly, they began to see the truth in her words. Even Bhima, who was often quick to anger, began to soften toward the idea of reconciliation with their cousins, though it remained a challenge.
The Search for a Guru
As her brothers grew older, Ashvi-Aparuja had one final lesson for them: the importance of humility and not judging others based on appearances.
One day, when she announced her intention to seek a guru, her brothers protested, particularly Arjuna and Bhima.
You cannot go, sister," Arjuna said. "You are blind. How will you find your way? You are helpless without us."
Ashvi-Aparuja had smiled, her sightless eyes focused on her brothers with affection and amusement. "Do not judge a book by its cover, dear brothers," she said softly. "You think me helpless because I am blind, but there is more to me than you realize. Just as there is more to everyone you meet. A person's worth is not determined by what they look like or what they seem to lack. Remember that when you walk through life."
Reluctantly, her brothers had let her go, and she set off on her journey, her heart full of hope and purpose.
Ananta-Hara pov
Ananta-Hara's Encounter with Karna
Ananta-Hara was also on his own quest to find a guru. As he traveled, he encountered a young man sitting by the roadside, dejected and alone. The man introduced himself as Karna, a skilled warrior who had been rejected time and time again by potential gurus because of his caste.
"I have been rejected ninety-nine times," Karna said bitterly. "No one will teach me because they say I am not worthy. My caste defines me, and there is no escaping it."
Ananta-Hara, who had learned much from Guru in the Ayodhya From his brother knelt beside Karna and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Your worth is not determined by your caste," he said gently. "But when you do find a guru, you must be honest with them. Do not lie about your birth family, even if you do not know who they are. Tell your guru the truth about how your family found you. Be truthful, even in the face of rejection.
Karna listened intently, the weight of Ananta-Hara's words sinking in. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of hope and purpose. Ananta-Hara's guidance had given him a new perspective on his situation.
"Thank you," Karna said, his voice full of gratitude. "Your words have enlightened me."
Ananta-Hara smiled, knowing that he had done what was right. "Be true to yourself, Karna," he said. "And the rest will follow.
As Ashvi-Aparuja and Ananta-Hara continued on their respective journeys,
Ashvi-Aparuja the lessons she had imparted to siblings remained deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Pāṇḍavas. Ashvi-Aparuja's teachings on dharma, humility, and family unity would guide her brothers through the challenges they would face in the years to come, shaping them into the leaders they were destined to become.