Vardaan 1...The Ultimate Boon

Chapter 13: Final Exam Time (Part 1)

In the year 1374, a beautiful morning dawned in Uttarasaadhaka Gurukul. The hustle and bustle used to start even before sunrise in Uttarasaadhaka Gurukul.

The sun had not risen yet, and the four friends were on the run.

The shishyas of Gurukul usually used to run the race only afternoon, but today was not an ordinary day. All four friends had gone to a friend's wedding. Being late there, they stayed there for the night, but Dev's condition was clear that he would leave for Gurukul before sunrise.

Dev knew very well the importance of that particular day.

Moving from forest to mountain, from mountain to field, from field to village, from village to river bank, and from bank to gurukul, sometimes Dev was in front and sometimes Batuk.

In between, many times Rasik and Jagdeesh would also come ahead leaving behind others. While the difficult roads were testing their strength after sunrise common people were also making their test difficult.

It was so because of an important principle of Uttarasaadhaka gurukul. According to the principle, whoever sees the needy first has to help the needy immediately, no matter how important your personal work is.

And since the one who ran ahead of all naturally saw the needy first, that one had to stop while the other three kept on running.

It was nothing but the valuable teaching of the Uttarasaadhaka gurukul.

Often people ignore everything while chasing their goals in the rush of life. You will achieve your goal, but that goal will lose its significance because while moving towards your goal, memories of the needy people whom you do not take care of will often disturb your conscience and will make you feel guilty.

The happiness of the mind goes away and the person feels that his difficult time is going on. He starts going to astrologers, Ojhas, and doctors. Even after spending money and time, that self-aggrandizement does not go away.

So whatever happens, whenever you see the needy while moving forward, you should stop and help that needy person as much as possible. Only after that, you should move towards your goal by mobilizing full strength.

Rasik stopped for the last time.

All three friends could see the main gate of Gurukul on one side and on the other side it was in their mind that all three of them stopped only once today while Rasik stopped for the fourth time.

The competition should be equal. That strong desire first slowed down Dev's feet, then Jagdeesh's, and when Batuk found that he suddenly came forward, thinking that he also slowed down.

The main gate was in front, and finding the friends slow, Rasik came up to them smiling.

All four looked at each other at a glance and then focused their attention on the main gate. All four tried their best, but Rasik reached Gurukul first.

The ideology of Gurukul had won once again. Whenever we help someone, we earn extra positive energy. With the power of that invisible positive energy, we successfully achieve our goal.

That's why, while going towards the goal, if you have to stop to help a needy person, then you should not panic. The needy will automatically thank and bless you in return for your help. The blessings given by that needy person will become a Vardaan for you in the form of positive energy, which will come in handy at the time of your need and will surely help you in some great way.

This thing was not just a bookish quote; it was a practical fact, which was felt by Rasik that day.

Small children were shouting slogans of 'Rasikananda ki jay', and Rasik was accepting their greetings while looking at the pit near the main gate. All three had their eyes on the pit because all three had escaped from that pit having sharp stones.

Rasik ran over it with closed eyes.

Dev was cursing himself in his mind that he was responsible for filling that pit that was formed due to the rain three days ago.

"Today I will erase the name and trace of this pit." Angry Dev said in his mind.

Then Dev noticed that both the friends were congratulating Rasik. Forgetting his anger, he too joined in the happiness of his friend.

"Friend, you won the last race of Gurukul," Dev spoke as he accepted the victory of Rasik.

"You win the last race, but I will win the last competition," Jagdeesh warned everyone.

"It is not a competition, it is an exam, and it is the final exam of Gurukul. Once it is completed, our education will be complete." Batuk reminded everyone.

"And then this time forever we will return to our parents," Rasik said getting emotional.

All four looked at the sky sensitively as if it were not the sky but the courtyard of their houses.

"Friend Rasik, the kitchen is calling to you," Dev said.

Dev said that to stop the emotions from flowing further.

"Friend, you are forgetting, now I do not drink milk by stealing." Rasik reminded him.

"You are forgetting that you are also responsible for helping the aacharyas in preparing the food." Jagdeesh mockingly reminded Rasik.

Rasik strained his brain and panicked.

"And as far as stealing milk is concerned, my dear friend you were unaware that I was following you while going to the Kripaasen's kitchen," Batuk said as he unknowingly disclosed his secret.

"Oh, that's just today, I... I don't do this every day anymore," Rasik made an innocent face and clarified.

All three started laughing, and Rasik thought it was better to run away.

"This victory is not yours. It belongs to that stolen milk." Batuk teased him and shouted.

Rasik ran away quickly putting his fingers in his ears.

"Friends, if the stolen milk is of some help, then the stolen food should have also been of some use." Jagdeesh, said pretending to think.

Batuk understood at once.

"I am Coming, I have to go. Friend Kripaasen is calling." Batuk immediately devised an escape route and ran away.

Predictably, Batuk even put his fingers in his ears so that Jagdeesh would not make fun of him anymore.

"Liar, Kripaasen is not in Gurukul, he is in his house. In the same house from where you had stolen the food." Jagdeesh shouted so that Batuk could be heard.

Hearing that, Batuk became faster.

Jagdeesh and Dev had a nice laugh, unknowingly of the fact that they were being watched.

Two children were standing a little far away from them in anger.

"So it is confirmed, these are the two sinners who used to steal our share of milk before us," One kid said.

"Yes, friend...what should I do, my day is not starting at all." The other narrated the agony while rubbing his hand on his stomach.

"If you know how to extract milk from a cow, then we can go to the cattle shed." The first kid suggested.

"The milk has been extracted a few hours ago. The udders of cows and goats will be found empty. Don't know when they will leave Gurukul?" The second kid said helplessly.

Kids were unaware of the fact that there were more thieves in the gurukul who stole milk because Rasik-Batuk was not present in the gurukul that day.

All thieves were unaware of the fact too that experienced aacharyas purposely left some milk, food, and fruits for kids every day.

On the one hand, those petty thieves were waiting for the great thieves to leave. On the other hand, the pradhanaacharya Deependra was finalizing the things for the final examination of all four.

It was still time for noon when all four were standing in the pradhanaacharya's room and waiting for his orders.

Thirteen years ago, standing here, they got admission to Gurukul by taking an insignificant test. Today, after taking the significant exam, they were ready to leave Gurukul.