The final month before the Gurukul test had arrived, and Ashoka's progress with the Vedas was impressive yet deeply frustrating. He had managed to understand 95% of their essence, but no matter how hard he tried, the last elusive 5% evaded him. Day after day, his efforts bore no fruit, and despite his genius, the task seemed insurmountable.
"Why doesn't this make sense?" he muttered under his breath, staring at the texts that had consumed his life for the past two years. His frustration grew with every passing moment.
When he turned to Vidya, his trusted guide and companion, for help, she surprised him with her response.
"This part, Ashoka, you must achieve on your own. You are at the most critical step, one that no external help can guide you through. Trust yourself and go beyond the words " she said firmly.
Ashoka sighed. He had come to rely on Vidya's knowledge and guidance, but her refusal made him realize the weight of the task. Taking her advice, he decided to take a day off, hoping to gain clarity by stepping away from his books.
The Arrival of Chanakya
While Ashoka wrestled with his thoughts, an extraordinary figure made his way into the Mauryan Empire—the legendary Chanakya. Renowned as a master strategist, philosopher, and the architect of the Mauryan dynasty, Chanakya's presence alone was enough to command awe and respect.
On his way to the royal palace, Chanakya overheard stories from common folk about a young prince named Ashoka, also referred to as Vidhyut for his sharp intellect and electrifying presence. Intrigued, Chanakya began asking questions, piecing together the tales of Ashoka's brilliance, curiosity, and remarkable achievements at such a young age.
"Interesting " Chanakya mused, stroking his beard. "If even half of these stories are true, this boy may be worth my attention."
When he reached the palace, he was greeted warmly by Emperor Bindusar. The emperor's face lit up at the sight of his revered advisor.
"Acharya Chanakya, your return is a blessing to the Mauryan Empire " Bindusar said, bowing slightly in respect.
Chanakya returned the greeting with a smile but wasted no time addressing a pressing matter. "Your Majesty, I have received intelligence suggesting that a neighboring kingdom is preparing for war. Their plans may take eight years to come to fruition, but preparations on our end must begin now."
The emperor's expression grew serious as he listened. Chanakya's words carried immense weight, and his warnings had never been wrong before. "This is troubling news, Acharya " Bindusar admitted.
As the emperor fell into thought, Chanakya broke the silence with a surprising question. "Your Majesty, what can you tell me about the boy called Ashoka? "
Bindusar's confusion was evident. "Ashoka? What about him? "
"I heard stories of his brilliance on my journey here" Chanakya explained. "They piqued my curiosity. Is he truly as remarkable as they say?"
The emperor chuckled. "Ah, so even you have heard of my son's antics. Yes, the boy is sharp, perhaps sharper than any other in the palace. He's currently engrossed in studying the Vedas—an impossible task he has taken upon himself. "
This intrigued Chanakya even more. "Studying the essence of all four Vedas? That is no ordinary endeavor."
Bindusar laughed heartily. "Indeed, and the boy claims he will master them before his Gurukul test! I have left him to his devices, curious to see how he will handle failure for the first time."
Chanakya's sharp mind began to spin. With the emperor's permission, he excused himself, muttering about needing to confirm something.
A Meeting in the Library
At the royal library, Ashoka sat surrounded by stacks of ancient texts. His face was a mix of determination and exhaustion as he tried to make sense of the elusive final pieces of the puzzle. Just as he was about to give up for the day, an old man with a bold and confident aura entered the hall.
Ashoka looked up, curious. The man carried himself with an air of authority that made it clear he was no ordinary visitor. Without introducing himself, the man sat across from Ashoka, his piercing gaze fixed on the young prince.
"Tell me, boy " the man said, his voice steady and commanding, "what have you learned from the Vedas so far? "
Ashoka hesitated for a moment but decided to answer. He began explaining the principles he had grasped, articulating his thoughts clearly and confidently. The man listened intently, occasionally nodding but remaining silent.
As the questions grew more intricate, Ashoka realized this wasn't an ordinary exchange. The man's queries weren't just about knowledge—they probed deeper, testing Ashoka's understanding of the principles behind the words.
Finally, the man leaned back and asked, "Why did you answer all my questions without even knowing who I am? "
Ashoka paused, taken aback by the sudden shift. After a moment, he replied, "Because knowledge should flow freely, regardless of who is asking. If I can share what I know, it might lead to something greater."
The man's lips curled into a small smile. "Well said. Do you know who I am? "
Ashoka shook his head.
" I am Chanakya " the man declared.
Ashoka's eyes widened in shock. He had heard tales of the great strategist and philosopher but never imagined meeting him in person.
Chanakya continued, "You have potential, boy. But potential means nothing without refinement. Your understanding of the Vedas is impressive, but you lack the ability to see beyond their words. Wisdom lies not in memorization but in application."
Ashoka nodded, humbled by the insight.
Chanakya then leaned forward, his expression serious. " I have a task for you. There is someone close to you, someone who poses a danger to your future. Find this person within four days. If you succeed, I will accept you as my personal disciple. "
Ashoka's heart raced. The task was daunting, but the opportunity to learn from Chanakya was too valuable to pass up. " I accept " he said confidently.
Chanakya nodded. "Good. Let's see if you are truly worthy of the stories told about you."
As Chanakya left the library, Ashoka sat in silence, the weight of the challenge pressing down on him. But within that pressure, he felt a spark of determination. This was no ordinary task—it was a chance to prove himself to one of the greatest minds in history.
And Ashoka had no intention of failing.
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