Chapter 80 80. Moksha
"That…Okay, but we will not be living there that long. The moment my friend fulfils his promise, Our family will be shifted to another place but you can still send your Prince to me, I will be honoured to teach the kids born from the boon of Mahadeva."
Drona took a moment to process the offer of Kripa. The logic and reason used by Kripa were impeccable, Even if Drona wanted to refuse he can't as Kripa did not ask him to come with him as a Brother-In-Law but as a friend.
If he rejects the offer of his not only he will hurt Kripa with this sentence it would also be an insult to the friendship they share, he did not want to lose that friendship, So he had to agree to put aside his pride for once.
It would also be hard to explain the reason behind the refusal as he was going to ask for help from his other friend, So there Kripa played his word game well not giving him a way to counter him.
"Arya, I am happy that you agreed but I still wanted to ask, What we're talking about is I giving Drauni a mixer of flour and water as milk? When did I ever do that?"
Kripi was smiling with joy right now, When she heard Drona agreeing with her brother because now her son did not need to suffer anymore and can be happy, Not pretending to be one but genuinely happy.
But the question of her Arya asking for forgiveness was still lingering in her heart, She did not understand what he was talking about. How can she trick her son like that?
It's like betraying the trust her son has in him, She as a mother never let that happen to her son not being able to trust or believe her. There would be no bigger punishment than this one for any mother in this world.
"I…I once again pleaded for the forgiveness of that Priye, I can't even imagine what kinda hurt and pain you must have felt at that moment, But I know it was the cruellest punishment for you.
I had a nightmare about this last night. That's why I went and asked everyone but I was not able to get milk in alms, No I couldn't get anything in alms today. I am the culprit for your anguish."
Drona once again felt a sharp pain in his heart hearing the words of Kripi, He thought she was trying to hide it from him preventing him from feeling even more guilty and getting hurt but this action of hers hurt him more than harsh words of hers ever could.
Today he wandered everywhere he could. He even on foot walking past the borders of this kingdom in search of a glass of milk. He knew what would happen if he didn't get milk today but he felt helpless when no one gave him anything.
He even thought of breaking the rule of only asking from 7 households but he decided not to as this conduct is not pious, A good Brahmin should only get what he is given, Never have to want to have more as it would only bound him to this illusory world and become hurdles to get the Moksha (Salvation).
But this journey of his is not a waste of time as he realises that no matter how powerful he is or how much he is revered throughout the world but if he can't even provide for his family, It is all useless.
This is the time when he remembered the promise his friend gave to him when they were studying together in his father's sage Bharadvaja. His friend who is now king of the Panchal kingdom, Drupad said to him that come he becomes a king, Drona can ask for anything even if he is the half kingdom and he will give it to his friend.
Before Drona did not think much about it as what is the use of a kingdom for someone like him? But now he decided to go and cash in that promise, Not to ask his half kingdom but just one cow and a few bags of gains will be sufficient for him and his family.
Unfortunately, Drona still has not realised the duality of the human heart, If there is someone who can become the best saint-like person it will be from the human species but it is also true that the same person also holds the potential to become the evilest being.
It might be the reason why humans are treated differently and given special care as that trait makes us different from all others, But poor Drona does not yet know that the human heart changes faster than the chameleon changes colour when they get what they wanted.
"What!?... But no Swmi (Lord/Husband), I did not feed Drauni flour mixed with water, It's true I was helpless and did not know what to do when he asked me if he wanted to taste the milk but when I was helpless because of the blessing of the lord Bhrata (Brother) come bringing lots of gifts.
I wanted to refuse but then I found out that in those gifts was milk, Which I feed my son, not the mixture of flour and water."
Kripi took a take back in fear hearing the words of her Arya, She is born into the Brahman family, So she knew that someone like Drona's dreams does not just seem but a warning for the future, They can be considered a privilege cause of their Karma.
So the mere thought of her doing something like that sends chills down her spine. Her face turned white in fear but then she realised that it did not happen, Her brother prevented that from happening.
This gave her the energy and courage to speak as she quickly started to retell all that happened to Drona. She was glad the worst did not happen, And understood why her Arya was pleading for her forgiveness but there is nothing to be forgiven as what he thinks did not happen.
"Drona, Why would you not come to me if you had that prognosis?"
Kripa also asked the stunned but grateful Drona, He did not understand why Drona did not seek his help, He just lived a few hours away which Drone can take to come to him.
While they were arguing, A small figure standing outside the main door holding a small injured bleeding puppy in his hand crying.
"I could not come to you for alms as alms should be asked from others and never again from the same house, You are family, I can't ask alms from you but help, Which I wanted to but was not able to."
They didn't know someone was standing outside the door listening to their conversation, Which was odd as both Kripa and Drona were not only revered sages but also knew and mastered the Divine knowledge of Astras.
For them, it was not hard to hear the heartbeats of a person miles away but maybe because they were emotionally excited or they did not feel to be on alert in their own home, They did not feel the presence of that tiny figure shedding tears silently.
So, Drona not knowing about it, answered Kripa as he did not want him to be misunderstood him, Not now when he knows he was the one who prevented that cursed thing from happening.
Drona gives his side of the story, There is the rule in asking alms that one only gets what is given, They can't ask for specific things, Also one can not ask for donations in the same household again unless it is king's house and the third one being that you can't ask alms from the family as it took away the reason of asking alms in the first place.
Alms should be asked to stay away from this beautiful but illusory world. That's why sages live very minimalistic only having what is absolutely necessary for living.
The reason is from this lifestyle they should no longer have any bond attached to this materialistic world and help them to break out of this Karmic life cycle and get their Moksha.
"*Sigh* I can't win with you, Just pack your things we are living for Hastinapur."
Kripi hearing their answer of Drona became irritated, The reason given by him was too logical to be held against him though as a friend he was proud of Drona but as a brother he hated it.
So all he was able to say was to tell them they were living right now, even though it's said not to travel close to the dark out but he didn't care as he was afraid Drona might change his mind.
He quickly said to his sister as he ordered his soldiers to enter the house and car the food items he had bought for his sister to be donated to nearby houses. After that, he just sat and talked with Drona as Kripi quickly went to pack the little amount of stuff she had.
It was not much, Just 4 saris and her red Sindur (Vermillion) copper container that's all possession she had. It was the same for her Arya and some with only 4 sets of clothes.
Everything was ready, Kripa wanted to leave right away, but Drona though still hesitant but decided it was good for everyone and so agreed and was ready to leave.
It was then Ashwatthama entered the house crying his eyes out holding a bleeding injured puppy in his hands, shocking everyone present there.
(A/N : Win-Win start from midnight today for this book, Wish me luck
Also like always thank you for reading and have a good day 😁.)