Chapter 3: Guruji's Test and the Golden Tablet

3

"Disciple Neel greets Guruji."

I stepped forward to save Kiran, bowing before my master. My forehead touched the marble floor, cold and grounding, as I pressed my hands together in reverence. The blessing of one’s guru, they say, outweighs all the riches of the world.

Mahadev gazed deeply at Kiran behind me, then withdrew his spiritual power and sighed:

"The mortal world truly has changed… You were once a little one… In the blink of an eye, three hundred years have passed… When you first came to Mahameru, you were about his size, weren’t you?"

His voice was soft now, thick with memory and perhaps a touch of regret. Even a Grand Guru was not immune to the ache of time passing. The hall, for a moment, felt suspended in nostalgia.

I bowed again. "Yes, Guruji. It has been three hundred and twenty-seven years."

Kiran answered cautiously, "The mortal world is in chaos nowadays. Thanks to the Sabha’s sadhaks fighting everywhere, the world knows some peace. In the future, I too wish to stand tall and shoulder the burden of all beings."

Kiran’s voice was steady but low, his gaze fixed respectfully on the ground, hands trembling just slightly. A few of the senior disciples nodded in approval, others exchanged worried glances.

My master chuckled. "Neel, this little one is more ambitious than you were back then."

His laughter echoed through the vast chamber, breaking the tension for a heartbeat. Some of the junior disciples allowed themselves a small smile.

As he spoke, he turned his palm, producing a golden tablet that radiated faint spiritual energy.

The tablet glimmered in his palm, casting patterns on the walls like the reflection of river water. Every eye was drawn to it, the symbol of destiny and power in Mahameru.

He smiled and asked Kiran:

"Child, what is your name?"

I looked at Kiran; at this moment, his face was ashen, as if he had seen something terrifying.

He struggled to control his trembling and replied,

"Disciple’s name is Kiran."

Guruji laughed heartily and tossed him the tablet.

"Child of Naga and Garuda… a prodigy… a fine seedling."

His words resounded in the hall, carrying both blessing and burden. The other disciples murmured among themselves, some envious, some fearful.

"Recently, the Amrit Kund is in a period of spiritual energy recovery and cannot be used."

A few elders looked up in surprise; such a thing had not happened in generations.

"I’ll decide—this Suvarna Parivartan tablet is for you. Take it, and you’ll progress swiftly: not only will you build your pranic foundation, but soon form your ratna core."

"Take it here and now, with me protecting your path. Nothing will go wrong."