Kālo'smi yatna-kṣayakṛt pravṛddhaḥ

Sanātana Kapila Vāsudeva - A Mahābhārata-Rāmāyaṇa Time Travel Crossover

Leaving their ancestral kingdom of Puṇḍra behind them forever, Kapila Vāsudeva and his mother Narācī had been travelling west for several days when they reached the place where five hills dominated the landscape. This was Girivraja, Jarāsaṃdha's capital.

Pointing to a square-shaped hill, the first along their chariot's path, from where they could hear the inviting babble of springwater, Narācī told Kapila, "This hill is Ṛṣigiri. The sages who dwell here could plead with Jarāsaṃdha to support us."

Over to the north, they could see a temple atop a circular hill with cattle grazing on its slopes. "That hill is Vṛṣabha," Narācī explained. "In that temple, they beat the three bherī-drums with beanstalk-woven frames to summon the three akṣauhiṇīs that once belonged to Bṛhadratha. We can rescue Sutanu from Mathurā if those armies march under the leadership of Jarāsaṃdha, Haṃsa, and Ḍibhaka!"

As they turned to the south, a triangular hill covered with saptaparṇa trees came into view. "That is Vaibhāra, where māgadha poets and courtesans celebrate the Giryagrasaṃvrajyā festival," Narācī noted. "Turn north before you get to that hill, and we'll enter the capital city."

A fourth hill, crescent-shaped like a strung bow, marked the western and northern limits of Jarāsaṃdha's prosperous Rājagṛha. Narācī observed the vultures circling in the sky above that hill, and declared, "That is Varāha, where solitary saints dwell in the caves, with only golāṅgūla monkeys for visitors."

"What about that cave, Mātaḥ?" Kapila inquired, pointing up the slope of the highest hill, triangular in shape, which loomed to the south-west. "Does anyone dwell there?"

"On Vipula? I don't know," Narācī admitted. "That hill divides the kingdoms of Magadha and Cedi. We could ask about it when we reach Jarāsaṃdha's court."

Kapila turned the chariot towards Vipula, and the horses obediently carried them up the slope as far as was possible.

"We need to head north to Rājagṛha, Putra!" Narācī objected. "What use is that cave to us?"

"I have to find out, Mātaḥ!" Kapila replied. "I don't know why, but I feel that someone is calling to me from that cave."

"Bāḍhaṃ, Putra! Whether it is your dharma calling, or Dharmarāja Yama, I won't let you go alone!" Narācī muttered.

Dismounting from the chariot, Kapila unyoked the horses, leading them to a shady, grassy spot where he tied them to a tree. Then he climbed the rest of the hill quickly, followed by Narācī.

Pausing just inside the entrance to the cave, they allowed their eyes to adjust to the darkness. The cave seemed empty, except for one irregular-shaped object lying inside.

As Kapila felt his way along the cave wall, Narācī suddenly pulled him back. "Look! That's a human body! I see an arm sticking out, palm upward. Who knows which poor traveller took shelter here and was killed by robbers? Let's not stay here any longer."

Kapila put his arm around his mother to comfort her. Narācī was shivering with fear. Yet through the sound of her rapid breaths, Kapila heard other breathing, deep and regular.

"This person isn't dead, only sleeping, Mātaḥ!" Kapila reassured Narācī. "Who could it be, sleeping during the day like this?"