“Ommm.”

Prince Surya’s closed eyelids were lightly fluttering as he struggled to focus on the word uttered in the low, guttural voice of his mentor. Another restless night prevented him from immersing himself in that singular word, the word that created the universe. He felt the sweet warmth of summer’s sun kissing his skin, as the occasional cool breeze under the banyan tree dulled its edge.

It was a secluded countryside, half a sun mark away from the capital city of Kundali, by foot. A dirt road branched off from the main city road. It ran through the golden paddy fields, ready for harvesting. The slender plants swayed in the wind, and led straight to this Banyan tree. It had been years since Prince Surya last visited this place. Now, he had especially requested that the lessons be held here for next several weeks. It was here that he had first started his training under Guru Briharshi, back when the Guru still had a Gurukul with other disciples. Slowly, and under the King’s request, the master stopped training other disciples and focused solely on the Prince, instead. His only other student was the Prince’s closest friend and aide, Veer.

The Prince reflexively looked to his right, just as he thought of Veer, interrupting his meditation. He, then, remembered Veer was still on a visit to his folks in the nearby town of Nalanda. He had never missed his friend more. He had been looking for someone to speak to, regarding his recent tribulations, but his sister was too little, his mother was too delicate, his father was too regal, and his Master was.....his Master.

He turned towards the sage and the old man was staring right at him, blankly.

“I apologize, Guruji. I became distracted.”

“Apologize to yourself, Surya, as you do this not for me, but for your own soul.”

“Yes, Guruji.” Surya’s guilt intensified.

“Are you ready for some sword practice, Prince Surya?”

“No, Guruji.”

“Join me in Pranayama, then, Prince. The breathing will ease whatever is ailing you.” The Prince was startled by the remark but did not show.

Surya closed his eyes, just as his Master did, and pinched his nose with his fingers, as he took long measured breaths through each nostril in turn.

“Breathe out all your agony, all that is undesirable." His Master's voice floated in. "Breathe in the life that nature has to offer. Let it enter your body, your mind, your soul. Let it purify you."

Surya was breathing deeply, letting the clean country air around him diffuse out his corruptions. He had missed his meditation practice since his return from the South. He wondered if it affected his physical agility and his power of Mantra. May be even his soul.

“Guru ji.” Surya opened his eyes and addressed his Master. “Can the corruptions taint my dreams?”

“It has been mentioned in scriptures, yes.” The Master replied with a rare kindness.

The Prince felt slightly relieved and closed his eyes again, as he continued his breathing exercise with zeal. It was not long after that he felt a sharp swat on his right arm. He turned and immediately caught the culprit.

“Veer!” He rose and crushed the other man in a bone-crunching hug. “I thought you would not return for another week. But I prayed you would, so I can smack you.” The Prince threw a surprise punch at the tall, dark youth, but it landed much softer than it seemed to.

“I had to come sooner as I could not wait to applaud you on your loss,” Veer teased him playfully, while attempting a light chokehold.

The Prince was swift and got the dark boy’s arm in a twist, instead. “I lost on purpose, you fool!” The Prince let the secret out on a childish whim. The two disciples started to engage in a mock wrestling, then and there, briefly forgetting about their Master, who was keenly watching the two buffoons.

“Enough.” The stern word from the Guru stopped the tomfoolery and the two disciples bowed in apology before sheepishly sitting down on the ground.

“Since you both are here, here is the list of chores I want you to do for today. Sweep the cottage and the adjoining grounds. Then, find me some dry leaves and twigs and some grains to cook for the three of us. Also, fetch some water. Clean the old pots and pans. Start a fire. Then, fetch me. Till then, I will meditate under the tree.”

The instructions were familiar to the two young lads and they sprung into action as soon as the Master finished his words.

After sweeping away all the dirt and insects from the thatched mud cottage, cleaning the surroundings off the leaves and twigs, and washing the dirty pots and pans with clean water from the adjoining pond, the two lads set off to collect some grains. The paddy fields stretched till the horizon, where it met the blue sky, with some cauliflower and cucumber fields in between. The two boys collected the vegetables, but the grains could only be found at someone’s house or at a rice mill, neither of which were visible as far as the eyes can see.

“Briharshi forgets we are not children anymore.” Veer snorted. The summer sun was halfway up the sky, its blazing heat sending him into frustration. Even the wind had gone completely still.

“Do not use such words, Veer.” Surya spoke softly to take the harshness out of his words. “Every chore he gives us has a purpose.”

“What purpose is wandering in this godforsaken paddy field, getting slowly roasted to our bones?” Veer asked pointedly.

The Prince only responded with a slow shake of his head, as he wiped a few more beads of sweat on his white stole that went around his neck and covered his bare chest. Disciples of Gurukul, irrespective of their lineage, were expected to don austere clothing along with a modest lifestyle as part of self-discipline, while spending years in the Guru’s household with other disciples.

“Let us walk through the field and grab the paddy plants.”

Surya looked incredulously at Veer. “Do you intend to eat the husk too?”

“No. I want to feed it to the old man.” Veer’s long thin nose scrunched up as a drop of sweat formed at its tip. His round face with high cheeks balanced his long nose.

Veer turned and started to walk across the field to collect the unmilled rice grains, and Surya had no choice but to follow.

“We are his disciples, not his servants.” Veer grumbled as he strode through the field, plucking at the paddy plants along the way. “Agh..!”

“What is it?” Surya walked up to his friend.

“A glass.” The dark boy bent down to scrutinize the ground that he stepped on and find the offending item. Surya joined him, too.

“Where is it? Show me your feet. I do not see any blood.”

“Neither do I. So, I pray it is a nip from a glass and not a Naag.” Veer scratched his short, spiky hair.

“Snakes in these fields are rare. Let alone a Naag. And if you suspect a Naag, would it not be wiser to turn back now instead of scrabbling around for a glass?” Surya had the voice of reason, as he moved over and pulled the other youth by his elbow, who was still hunched over.

A loud gasp escaped the lips of the other youth, as he slowly straightened himself and brought up his hand. Surya’s words got stuck in his throat, as he knew exactly what that shining piece of glass was, clutched in the dark youth’s fingers. Not a diamond. The Naagmani itself, a gemstone that every King or Queen of the Cobras owned.

The two friends exchange a glance, eye full of wonder, before a hissing sound drifted up from the ground below.

“It is right by your feet, Veer.” Surya sharply whispered after a quick downward glance.

“No! Please, no.” The other youth lamented in hushed tones, not daring to look down. “I am going to die.” His trembling voice would have sounded comical if it was not for the ominous circumstance.

“Stay absolutely still and give me the Naagmani.”

Veer stealthily handed the serpent stone to Surya who slowly stepped back with the stone in hand. Once far enough, he gradually stretched out the hand and waved it to the King of the cobras. The serpent uncoiled itself immediately from around Veer’s feet and slithered towards the Prince. The Prince slowly placed the stone on the ground. No one made a sound for a moment and then the snake, suddenly, hissed and raised its head, spreading out its hood. Veer’s entire body was violently shaking, but Surya remained entirely still, even holding his breath.

A few moments passed. But to Surya, it seemed like ages as he felt the snake’s gaze on him, as if the King of all snakes was studying him. And then, the snake slowly flattened its head back to the ground and crawled away deep into the fields. Veer loudly sighed as he bent over in relief.

“Let us leave this second!”

“I agree. One small thing.” Surya quickly picked up the shiny serpent stone and the two friends dashed out of the fields, as fast as their feet could take them.

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“You two are back!” The sage was already boiling something in a pot when the two youths reached the cottage. “What took you so long?”

“We could not find any grains, Guruji. We apologize.” Surya’s heart was still pounding from the latest escapade.

“Ah, you shouldn’t have worried about that. I found some grains, in my sack. It had escaped my mind entirely, and then I remembered. I already had some with me.” The Master burst into a laughter and turned back to stir the steaming pot of rice.

Surya could barely join in on the amusement and he knew Veer must be seething with anger.

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