Youth

    The train was crowded. People from all walks of life were piling into the thin rows and narrow seats in a hurried shuffle. The air was moist; it was that unmistakably rich smell of dust, sweat and of people who hadn't bathed in some time. An old man appeared to be causing some commotion. He was having a hard time making it to his seat, but carefully and not without some grace, just as how he lived his life, he made it to his destination. As he sat leg to leg by the other train goers, he couldn't help but notice the look on the young man's face that sat next to him. It reminded him of youth. It brought back memories of days that seemed ages ago yet that were still pertinent to today. A beautiful, aloof look matched with eyes fixated on dreams that had yet to come. The young man apparently noticed the stare of his peer. Startled, he asked, "I'm sorry do I know you?" "No," said the elder, "but I do know you...yes it has been sometime but I do remember my youth." Slightly intrigued by this odd man and realizing the many hours that lay ahead of him on the train, he asked the elder "Sir, my name is Raj and if you do indeed know me, then I'm all ears." The old man smiled, "Son, I know you only through the way which one knows life, vaguely and by recollection. You remind me of myself as a child. Yes, I was but a young man..."

    "When I was your age, early in the stage of life that the Hindu's know as Brahmacharya, my father's land was ripe. All seemed well. I dreamed of adventure, marriage, and rule. Though unexpectedly, things came in this order. An old sage came to see my father one day with news that would change the course of my life. Dharma was in crisis. I was requested, a mere boy, by that sage to help him set rightousness back in its place. I was willing, however, my father had many reservations. He feared for his son. But soon he broke his attachment and let me go with that sage, who was to become my guru. You see, my father knew then that by helping others we often help ourselves and realize our true nature. And so it was that my brother and I set off with the old man. He taught us to meditate, to reflect on the gods, and to study the essence of magic. We traveled through the forest and by the rivers, making our way to his ashram. He explained to us that Dharma, that wheel of righteousness, was being disrupted here. For many years he had attempted to offer sacrifices to the gods and each time powerful beings came and stopped him. It was our duty to utilize his teachings and to allow his offerings to take place. Thus my brother and I waited. We were scared, yes, but we were also eager. Soon enough the beasts came and we dealt with them. I chose to spare one rather than kill him, however later on I would come to think twice about that decision. The sage was grateful and explained to us the value of what we had done. He told us that by coming with him and providing aid, we were cultivating a greater character in ourselves. It didn't occur to me then what he meant, but later I understood that good deeds often prompt good actions. Ah but how easy it is for one to stray...And so it was that we, my brother and I, had been taken in by a Guru, had been taught spiritually, and had first interacted with the great path of Dharma. But I still had that same look of yours, day in and day out, as I watched the days pass and the nights arrive...that youthful gaze..."

Author's Note:

    The story of the old man is actually the story of Rama and Lakshmana when they leave Ayodha and travel with Viswamitra. However, I am adopting this story into the life of the old man and will continue to adopt significant stories about Dharma. This will all evolve over the course of the four stories and in relation to Dharma and the four Hindu Ashramas and conclude in my final story. For this stage, that of the Brahmacharya, I have had the old man briefly relate about his service and time with his mentor. I narrated without stringing along too many details primarily for two reasons. The first being that lengthy details would hinder rather than carry along my story. The second being that old men probably wouldn't remember details but rather just the significance. I tried to identify the main points of conflict from Rama's story like that of his father being unwilling at first to let him leave, of his tutoring and teaching by Viswamitra, and of his putting Dharma into place by getting rid of the demons. I didn't develop the Dharma aspect fully because I thought that perhaps this man as a child didn't quite understand it and so maybe he wouldn't have associated with it as much. As my story book progresses, I will gradually increase the recognition of Dharma and the old man's understanding of it with further events.

OU Home | Disclaimer | Copyright | Equal Opportunity | OU Web Policy