The mighty exhibit

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I felt out of place that day. An outlier feeling being with strangers. It was a field trip with my new classmates, a lot of unfamiliar faces. I stood out as the only person with a book and pen among a sea of cameras. Not unusual for me as I loved writing. I shuffled into the museum with everyone.

We entered a spacious hall with pristine white walls and soft ambient light. My passion for Indian history led me on a solitary journey through the exhibits, each step more exhilarating than the last. The museum boasted an impressive collection of artifacts belonging to kings and queens, and my heart was set on finding one particular treasure.

I slowly came to the Maratha section. Weapons, armor and clothes attracted everyone. I tagged along, absorbing the rich history displayed before me. I saw the weapons. Shields, helms and daggers. Then I came upon an exhibit. The one I was looking for: Shivaji Maharaj's sword.

A tingling sensation ran up my spine as I gazed upon the golden-hilted sword adorned with gemstones, carefully displayed in a glass case. Unable to tear my eyes away, a surge of emotion overwhelmed me, and my eyes welled up.

"Great the men, greater their deeds!" I thought, envisioning Shivaji Maharaj wielding the sword in the heat of battle.

"Yes son!" a voice echoed. Startled, I looked around, finding no source for the words except the sword itself.

"Don't worry. It's me -Maharaj's Sword." the voice reassured, leaving me dumbfounded.

"Am I hearing you?" I asked within the confines of my mind.

"Yes." It replied. I looked around again, but no one else seemed to notice the extraordinary conversation unfolding.

"Don't doubt yourself. Believe me." the voice continued.

"HOW!?" My eyes pleaded as I stood there in silent amazement.

"Your heart is a changemaker. And you seek something."

I stood silent, absorbing the revelation.

"You are looking for change," it responded. "I have witnessed wars, spilled blood, and stood by Maharaj in his strategies and plans."

Overwhelmed, I asked "Can you describe him?, my king?"

"A person with integrity, supreme vision and strategic thinking!" the sword revealed.

"That's it?"

"For you, yes. That's all the essence you need to know to thrive in today's world." it replied.

"Uh, today's world?"

"Only change is constant. My times were vastly different from yours. As the world evolves, so do the approaches to navigate it." the sword's voice resonated.

"UH! I don't understand anything!

Please bring Maharaj back! Things aren't good in Swarajya at present." my mind blurted out in frustration.

"Ah, yes!

'Maharaj should have been here.'

'Maharaj, reborn and establish justice here yet again....'

I hear that sentiment from many visitors. However, very few muster the courage to take action themselves," the sword acknowledged.

"Uh.. yeah right. So what are you implying?" I asked, seeking clarity.

"Back in my time, enemies like the Portuguese, Mughals, and British were easily identifiable. In your era, it's different. Authoritative figures come to visit me, but not all harbor good intentions. Here, enemies are adept at hiding behind the veil of authority and wellness."

I thought about the people in power, corruption and hidden intentions. "Yes," I said. Then I felt sick of myself and I said, "I want to end it all. How can I do it? I don't want any impious person in power! I will kill them all!"

"Everyone wants to hold me and eliminate the corrupt, yet no one can. Not in this era." it explained.

"Why?"

"Because it isn't about who you defeat, it's about why. A soldier is rewarded for killing, and a terrorist is punished."

Undeterred, I envisioned wielding the sword's power for a just cause. "But with your power in my hands, people will believe in me and my cause."

"I am but a mere tool. You underestimate the power within you and fail to recognize it. It's the wielder that makes all the difference. Back in my era, similar counterparts to me were forged, but I am here on display because Maharaj held me. He initiated the change, he was the mind behind the revolution and establishment of Swarajya."

"Oh! So I'll have to build on the qualities first. Then pick a weapon." I reflected on the virtues of Integrity, supreme vision and strategic thinking.

"Yes! You're on the right track. Keep honing those qualities and everything else will follow, O changemaker.

And fear not, for you already carry the weapon of your era! And it's even mightier than myself."

A proud smile adorned my face, my chest swelling with newfound confidence. Although intrigued, I was about to question the peculiar 'weapon' remark when the lights turned glaring white.

It was time to go. I tried to prolong the conversation, but it was too late. Reluctantly, I joined my classmates. While they checked their pictures, I opened my notebook to capture this incredible experience. Pondering the sword's words, I bit my pen, and in that moment of revelation, I jumped in my seat.

Everyone gave me a perplexed look.

I inscribed the blog title, 'Pen is Mightier than Sword' smiling as I realized the true power within me—a changemaker armed not with a sword, but with words and ideas. That day I felt truly out of place, and I smiled.

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⏰ Last updated: Mar 04 ⏰

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