🌌 Episode 7 – Through the River of Time
368 Words
The Forgotten Temple pulsed as Aarav held the Bhagavad Gita to his chest. Suddenly, the book glowed brighter than ever before. Its pages flipped wildly, and a whirlpool of light swallowed him whole.
When Aarav opened his eyes, he was no longer in the frozen Himalayas.
He stood in the middle of a vast battlefield — swords clashing, cannons roaring, flags of kingdoms fluttering in the wind.
A voice rang behind him:
“Har Har Mahadev!”
Aarav turned and saw a warrior king upon a horse, armor gleaming, eyes filled with fire — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Aarav’s heart pounded. He had traveled back in time.
Shivaji Maharaj rode forward, striking enemies with unmatched courage. When the dust settled, he turned to Aarav.
“You do not belong to this age, child. Who are you?”
Aarav bowed. “I am a seeker of dharma… I fight against darkness.”
Shivaji Maharaj’s gaze sharpened. “Then remember this — a warrior’s strength lies not just in his sword, but in his swaraj, his duty to protect his people. Power without purpose is emptiness.”
As Shivaji’s words etched into Aarav’s soul, the light pulled him again.
He was transported from one kingdom to another, meeting ancient rajas and sages, each gifting him wisdom — courage, discipline, sacrifice, leadership.
Finally, the light dimmed, and Aarav found himself in a ruined forest.
There, sitting alone with eyes burning like embers, was a figure… wounded, cursed, yet unbroken.
It was Ashwatthama, son of Guru Dronacharya — the immortal wanderer of the Mahabharata.
Ashwatthama’s voice was like a blade.
“So… the Trimurti send another child of destiny? Do you even know what it means to carry eternal pain?”
Aarav swallowed hard, stepping forward.
“I seek wisdom to fight the darkness. Will you teach me?”
Ashwatthama rose slowly, his gem glowing faintly on his forehead.
“I can teach you… but beware. The knowledge I hold is drenched in blood. If you wish to learn, you must walk through the shadows of my curse.”
The winds howled, and the trees around them darkened. Aarav realized this meeting would not be a gift — it would be a trial.
- Writer
