The Good Old Days

Once upon a time on a hilltop there lived a self realized monk named Ishwar. The monk possessed many mystique powers which he never disclosed to the world. He was kind hearted, compassionate and loving.He used to meditate continuously,guiding the people of the villages situated at the foot hill. He used to heal them and protect them.The villagers were like the children to the monk. The villagers had unwavering faith in the monk. Whenever they face any turmoil in life they used to visit the monk for the solution.

One day as the sunsets behind the hill and the darkness covered the entire horizon the villagers of. Sonepur village which is also a village situated at the foothill heard that the trotter of the horse.The villagers came out of their house and were surprised to see the lethal speed of the horses rushing towards the middle of the village.They saw the horsemen with lethal weapons in hands started looting the houses of the village . The villagers could easily anticipate that they had been captured by the pirates and they surrendered to the mighty pirate gang.The pirate gang looted the village and vanished.

In the morning a group of people visited the monk and bowed down to him. Before The villagers convey their message to the monk, the monk ask them to sit down and said do not worry, everything will be alright. The villagers were surprised to hear the response of the monk. One man from the group of people with the folded hand pleaded with the monk,“My Lord, they have looted all valuables and nothing is left now with us. Please help us”.

The monk gives assurance to the villagers that nothing can harm them further and asks them to go back to their village.The villagers thanked the monk and returned back to their village.The villagers went back to their village but with fear and uncertainty. The surrounding villages also covered under fear and uncertainty when this message spreaded,

The same day before dusk, the monk came to Sonepur village to meet the villagers. After seeing the monk, the villagers gained some courage. While the monk was discussing with the villagers, the sound of a horse’s trotter was heard. The monk saw a horse rider covered in blood, Injured bowed down on the back of the horse.The monk rushed to the horse and asked the villagers to bring him down from the horse.As the villagers brought him down from the horse, a villager approached him and quickly recognised the injured man.The villager shouted ” He is the same pirate who attacked this village last evening.”

The monk quickly responded ” Take this man to my hermit”.

The villagers were surprised to see the reaction of the monk.Instead of punishing him,the monk is trying to help the pirate .

The monk sensed it and said ” yesterday he was a pirate, today he is a refugee and you must help a refugee.” The villagers without questioning took the injured man to the hilltop. The monk applied some medicines on the wound of the pirate and put some bandage on it. The monk told The villagers to go back to their village and not to fear for anything. He also instructed the villagers to bring some milk for the pirate in the morning.

When the villagers left , the monk initiated the healing and prayed to God to heal the pirate. After that the monk sat down for meditation.

The next morning the villagers came with milk and some food for the pirate to the hermit of the monk. The pirate woke up from sleep and looked around him. He was surprised to see the people around him and also to see the saint standing in front of him. He tried to get up but the monk suggested the pirate lay down. The monk then narrated the whole story about how the pirate arrived in the hermit. The pirate was surprised to know that those people have saved my life whom I have looted. The monk asks the villagers to go back to their village. The monk asked the pirate “What is your name my child? The pirate replied with a hesitation , “Bhaskar.My name is Bhaskar “.

The monk nodded his head with a smile.

After a few days the pirate got healed completely and joined the monk in his day to day work of collecting firewood, fetching water, gardening etc.As the days passed, Bhaskar started feeling peace and calmness in the hermit in the companion of the monk which he never experienced.

One day while working in the garden , the pirate observed that the monk is coming towards him when The monk approached the pirate in a garden The monk became happy to see the pirate working hard in the garden and has developed love within his heart for the plants and trees .The monk asked the pirate with a smiling face

“My child, how are you feeling now ?”

Bhaskar cleaned his hand and stood up . He turned his face towards the monk and replied, “Oh saint, I am fine now. Can I ask you something? ” asked Bhaskar .

The monk replied “sure you can ask me anything.”

Bhaskar said ” Oh saint, you are living in peace and calmness which not many do in today’s world.” The pirate continued, ” I am not sure whether I am worth asking this question to you but I am curious so I am asking. The most amazing thing for me is the same peace and calmness I have also started experiencing in this hermit. How is it possible ?” I have lived my entire life with uncertainty, fear and anger.After coming here I have started experiencing the kind of peace which I can’t describe in words. Can you please tell me the secret behind this?”

The monk thought for a while and indicated Bhaskar to come with him. Bhaskar follows the monk towards the banyan tree. When both reach the banyan tree, the monk instructs the pirate to sit on the rock and he himself sits in front of him.

The monk with a stable voice told the Bhaskar- “My child peace and calmness is already there within you. The only thing is you have covered it with the worldly things.you have covered so many layers upon it.Whatever you believe and practice in life,you become like that.You must practice love and kindness in life so as to attract love and kindness. Anger, resentment,fear,ego and greed push you towards darkness.

Love,mercy,acceptance and being non judgemental enlighten you. I radiate peace and calmness because I practice it in life and so you can.”

By listening to the monk’s magical words, Bhaskar’s eyes became wide open.With folded hands the pirate started speaking “Oh saint, your soothing words have dispelled the darkness from my life and I want to stay with you and become your disciple. Will you please accept me as your disciple?”

The monk smiled and told the Bhaskar “my child, you can live with me as long as you wish but you must remember your purpose in life. The purpose of your life may not be to stay with me. So I suggest that you must put effort into recalling the real purpose of your life.Do The self contemplation and know the purpose of your life and live your life to fulfill it.I must go for the meditation now”-saying this the monk stood up and went inside his hermit.

Since then , the pirate started searching for his purpose in life. With great effort he could not find it and prayed to the monk to help him find his purpose in life. As the virtue of a monk is to always help people to find their destiny, Iswar also helped Bhaskar to experience Bhaskar his purpose in life.The monk told Bhaskar to go back to his mother who is waiting for his son to return home. Bhaskar understands that each and every word of a monk has got a deeper meaning.

So the next morning the pirate took the blessings of the monk and started for his home.When the pirate reached home , his mother hugged his son with love and started crying. Bhaskar could understand the pain of his mother and assured her that he will never ever leave her.His mother became so ecstatic to hear it from his son. Bhaskar started caring for his mother and helped her in the daily work.He spends time with his mother now .

He started helping and cooperating with the villagers and the villagers who hate Bhaskar started praising him.As the days passed, Bhaskar worked hard with his crew .In the following years, Bhaskar’s legacy grew. He built schools, dug wells, and planted orchards. His crew, once hardened pirates, now worked side by side with villagers, forging a community bound by mutual respect and shared purpose.

While Bhaskar was on his journey of transformation, a mysterious figure arrived in the village of Sonepur. This stranger, known simply as “The Wanderer,” was said to possess knowledge of ancient arts and hidden wisdom. With a weathered face and eyes that seemed to hold secrets of centuries, The Wanderer captivated the curiosity of the villagers.

As word spread, a small group of villagers, led by a young woman named Leela, sought out The Wanderer for guidance. Leela had always been drawn to the mysteries of the world, and she believed that The Wanderer held the key to unlocking her own potential.

Under The Wanderer’s tutelage, Leela delved into the ancient teachings, learning about the intricate balance of nature, the power of meditation, and the art of harnessing one’s inner strength. She spent hours in deep contemplation, surrounded by the beauty of the village and the wisdom of The Wanderer.

As weeks turned into months, Leela’s understanding of the world expanded. She began to feel a profound connection with the earth, the sky, and all living beings around her. Her presence radiated a calm assurance, and the villagers looked up to her as a source of inspiration.

Meanwhile, Bhaskar, in his own journey of transformation, heard whispers of The Wanderer and Leela’s newfound wisdom. Intrigued, he decided to seek out this enigmatic figure to learn from him as well.

One fateful day, as the sun painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, Bhaskar arrived at The Wanderer’s dwelling. The meeting between Bhaskar and Leela was marked by a sense of recognition, as if their paths were destined to cross.

Under the guidance of The Wanderer, Bhaskar and Leela embarked on a shared journey of self-discovery. Together, they learned to channel their newfound wisdom into practical applications for the betterment of the village.

As Bhaskar, Leela, and The Wanderer worked harmoniously alongside the villagers, a powerful synergy began to unfold. Their collective efforts transformed Sonepur into a haven of enlightenment, where ancient wisdom and modern progress coexisted in perfect harmony.

Bhaskar’s transformation was nothing short of miraculous. The once fearsome pirate had found his true calling in life, guided by the wisdom of the monk. He dedicated himself to serving his community and making a positive impact on the lives of those around him.

The village of Sonepur flourished under Bhaskar’s leadership. The schools he built provided education to the children, empowering them with knowledge and opportunities. The wells brought clean water to the villagers, ensuring their well-being. The orchards not only beautified the landscape but also provided sustenance to the community.

Bhaskar’s crew, inspired by his transformation, followed in his footsteps. They too embraced a life of purpose and service, leaving behind their violent past. Together, they worked tirelessly, their efforts radiating positivity and hope throughout the village.

Word of Bhaskar’s incredible journey spread far and wide. People from neighboring villages came to witness the remarkable transformation firsthand. Bhaskar became a beacon of hope, a living testament to the power of change and the potential for redemption.

As the years passed, Bhaskar continued to lead by example. His humility, kindness, and unwavering dedication inspired those around him. The once divided and fearful villagers now stood united, bound by a shared vision of a better future.

The legacy of Bhaskar and the monk’s teachings lived on, serving as a reminder that true transformation is possible for anyone willing to open their heart to love, kindness, and purpose.

One calm evening, with the sun casting a warm golden hue over the village of Sonepur, Bhaskar made his way up the winding path to the hermit where the monk resided. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient banyan tree.

As Bhaskar approached the hermit, he saw the monk sitting in serene meditation, his eyes closed in deep contemplation. The atmosphere seemed to hum with an unspoken energy, as if the very essence of the place resonated with the monk’s inner peace.

Bhaskar waited patiently, a sense of gratitude and anticipation welling up within him. He marveled at how different this visit was compared to the first time he had arrived at the hermit, covered in wounds and burdened by his past.

Finally, the monk opened his eyes, and a serene smile graced his face as he sensed Bhaskar’s presence. “Welcome, my child,” he said, his voice carrying a soothing undertone. “It warms my heart to see you.”

Bhaskar bowed in respect, his heart brimming with gratitude. “Oh saint, it is your teachings and guidance that have brought light to my life. I am forever indebted to you.”

The monk’s gaze was kind and knowing. “You have done the work, Bhaskar. You have found your purpose and embraced it wholeheartedly. It is you who has transformed your own destiny.”

Tears welled up in Bhaskar’s eyes, a mixture of joy and humility. “I owe it all to you, for showing me the way.” said Bhaskar.

The monk’s laughter rang out like a gentle bell. “No, my child. I merely pointed you in the right direction. The journey, the transformation—it was all within you.”

They sat together in companionable silence, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the hermit. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the connection between the reformed pirate and the wise monk.

Before Bhaskar departed, he asked one final question. “Oh saint, is there anything more you can teach me?”

The monk’s eyes twinkled with a profound understanding. “Continue to practice love, kindness, and self-reflection. Stay true to your purpose, and you will find your way, my child.”

With a heart full of newfound wisdom, Bhaskar left the hermit, knowing that he carried the monk’s teachings with him, a beacon of light in his heart. The village of Sonepur continued to thrive, its legacy forever intertwined with the remarkable transformation of a once-feared pirate, now a symbol of redemption and hope.