✓ Narottam Arjun: Soul of the Sage

s i x - m a h a d e v

Lord Parshuram's axe stopped the boys in their tracks. A few sweat beads formed on their foreheads as the descendent of Bhrigu stood in front of them. He was over 9 feet, towering over them. "What is your purpose here?" Not going around in circles, he directly questioned. 

"We wish to learn from you." The boys spoke in low voice. "Who are you?" Rama Jamadagnya kept his Parshu down, he was surprised, afterall it wasn't everyday you would see two kids successfully climbing the abode of Veerarama. 

Rama observed the two kids, he recognised their divinity. They were the ansh of Mahadev. One of them was Rudransh, while other was part of Adidev. Jamadagnya was aware of their of their identities, but he wanted to hear their words. 

"I am son of Dron, Ashwatthama, Rishivar," Ashwatthama introduced himself. "I am Dhananjay, Son of Adhirath," Arjun spoke. Parshuram looked at Arjun, "Dron can teach you, why did you come here?" 

"He refused to teach me Rishivar, because I am not a Kshtriya. I am Sut putr." Arjun had confidence, he knew unlike Dron, Parshuram won't deny to teach him based on his caste. 

"I will accept Dron Putr as my student, but not you Dhananjay. I can teach only Brahmans," Rama's words broke the little hope of Arjun of learning from him. "I thought you wouldn't discriminate like your student did, but even you are the same," a few tears rolled down Arjun's cheeks as he spoke.

"I teach Brahmans only, not even Kshatriyas. But I do know someone who can teach you." Jamadagnya said, folding his hands. "But it would be hard."

"I am ready for anything. Who will teach me? Rishi? Gandharv? Or Dev?" Arjun replied. "Devo ke Dev, MAHADEV." Rama's words surprised Arjun, "Will he accept me? A sutputr?" 

Parshuram smiled, "He is Adidev, the entire world is same for him, but it would not be easy to reach him." "And I will reach him." Arjun said confidently.

"Let's leave Dhananjay." Drauni spoke, holding his bag. "No Drauni, you left your father for me, and now I won't let you come with me. What if Mahadev doesn't accepts me? Rishivar here is accepting you. Your future is secured, I can't risk it again." Arjun firmly spoke. Ashwatthama had sacrificed a lot, and now Arjun won't let him make more sacrifices. 

"Then you must promise me, you will only show your face to me when you become a warrior fit to defeat the disciples of my father," Ashwatthama agreed, he knew once Arjun thought something, he won't change his decision.

Arjun nodded and left. Ashwatthama and Arjun both had tears in their eyes, but they refused to cry. Parting was painful, but the separation was worth when they knew the outcome.

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Unknown to the path of Kailash, Arjun walked towards the north. He didn't knew how to reach Mahadev, but still his legs walked in a direction. Travelling from so many days, he was tired and couldn't help but sit down to take rest.

"Need any help son?" Radhey looked up to see a man, dressed in silver, shining crown on his head, and a sweet smile on his face. He didn't know why, but he felt an urge to take his blessings and so he did. 

"Be blessed son," He blesses Arjun, smilingly caressing his hairs, "What are you doing here?" 
"I am on my way to Kailash Mahoday, who are you?" Arjun curiously asked.

He chuckled, he was on his way to Kailash too, won't it be amazing to have the child's company? "I am on my way to Kailash as well, I could really use a company such as yours. And my name is Avasyu."

"Bhagwan Indra," Arjun gasped bowing his head, he couldn't believe that the man infront of him was the Lord of Heaven. Sakra, his IshtDev, the god on whom he had immense devotion.

"Not many know that name of mine," Indra Dev pointed out, internally feeling proud that his son knew his name. "Come with me,"

Arjun nodded, how would he deny his IshtDev? He was in fact happy to go with him.
Few minutes later, seated on Airavat, Arjun reached Kailash.

The white sheet of snow mountain, the fragrance of divine flowers, and the homely air around bought a bright smile on Arjun's face.

The King of God's couldn't help but smile at his son's excitement. As a father, he disliked Pritha for abandoning his son, but as King he sympathized and couldn't help but agree on the solution of abandoning him.

Arjun would have had even more difficult life with Kunti, and abandoning him was in everyone's favour.

Indra saw the little boy grow up, keeping a tab of all his activities. His first step, his word being "PITA" and every single detail.
He was furious at Dron for rejecting his son, and all he could think at that moment was to send his Vajra to behead son of Bharadwaj.

Devi Sachi consoled him, she knew that SakraSuta Arjun was destined to learn from Mahadev himself, and these words calmed Indra.

His heart too broke in pieces when Lord Parshuram sent Arjun away, even though he knew Mahadev would teach him, he was distressed.

Arjun was precious, it took Indra an unimaginable thousand and five hundred years of penance to get Arjun as his son.

Indra looked at Arjun who was looking at Kailash with wide eyes. The beauty of Kailash was matchless. Even the abode of Indra wasn't as beautiful as Kailash.

"I have reached here, but will Mahadev accept me as his shishya?" Arjun wondered, speaking out loudly.

"And why won't I?" Arjun heard a voice, turning back he saw KailashSwami standing.

"Mahadev?" Arjun whispered.

Don't get confused between Arjun's devotion towards Mahadev and Indra. Like Ishwar and Dev mein jo difference hota hai-
Just like how people are devotee of Ram and Hanuman.
For Arjun, Mahadev is Ishwar, and Indra is IshtDev.

And don't think Indra Dev being here was a mere coincidence,
It was a father trying to help his son-
Yaad karo woh promise jo Indra Dev ne Kunti ko diya tha-
"I cannot. But I will however give him a boon, whenever, wherever and against whomever, Arjun will require my assistance, I will be there for him."
Samje?

And Arjun didn't get the STRANGER DANGER VIBE because his soul recognised his father.

Indra getting Arjun by penance?
Showing some fatherly love here, and adding a bit of backstory to suit the further sequences.
Along with Mahabharat, you will also see some scenes of IndraLok-

When girls say, "Main Papa ki Pari hu"
Arju be like, "Mere Papa hi Para hai"
Para is male version of Pari (fairy) invented by my child self-
DON'T JUDGE-