Dwandv:: The Battle for the Gate

by Dinkar Goswami

  Contrary to what would normally happen during extreme physical activity, her breathing actually slowed down, conserving water. Gerua had trained her cells to be smart at a nano level. Each cell in her body behaved as if it had a tiny brain and the cellular mind coordinated with one another at a cellular level. Her lungs sought oxygen, and her smart blood cells carried nutrients to her muscle and joints without releasing nutrients to the other systems that were in temporary hibernation. Her body trapped heat at its core. She used a tiny amount of her intramuscular fat to release the energy she needed. She commanded her cells to directly absorb energy from the sun. Gerua had the ability to control her digestive tract. If required, her body could cause changes to food stored in her digestive tract at an atomic level, releasing a vast amount of energy.

  On reaching the ice cap, Gerua’s hands and feet became like hooks and spikes, her fingers locking and releasing in hook formation, piercing the ice and smashing precisely through the snow. Grasping and releasing, she began to move even faster than before, her muscles moving on their own as a response to muscle memory. Her style of ascent changed from a zigzag climb of a snow leopard to that of a yeti or an ape, taking massive leaps directly upward.

  Gerua did not need to consciously focus on climbing. She had already given instructions to her body at a cellular level how to perform. Her mind was thus free, and she could bring any memory or thought even from the deep recesses of her mind. For the time being, however, she had no need to manage her thoughts since no specific cause required her attention. Her body was performing precisely as she desired, carrying her quickly up the frozen peaks toward the ashram.

  Gerua knew that she was out of the range of the sinister creatures pursuing her. They could not reach the dizzying heights as it caused them great discomfort and pain. She caught a glimpse of the golden furry creature above her, and she knew she had a companion. She knew that her companion was not hostile. They raced upward, Gerua accelerated and the golden vanara fell behind. Climbing higher and higher, the vanara started to blend in the snow by turning his fur white and disappeared. Gerua continued her ascent aware that the vanara was still around, and she knew where he was heading.

  Gerua felt good that she had passed the test Master Shalya had set for her. Gerua realized that in introducing her to the edict, Master Shalya had introduced her to the sinister powers she would face when Danta and she embarked on their quest to find the gate.

  Gerua let her thoughts wander momentarily. She wished that she had been trained like this when she had come to the Himalayas with Kally. She quickly pushed that thought aside, simply wishing to return to the ashram. She climbed even faster.

  As she ascended higher, Gerua began to think about what she should tell Danta and how she should prepare him for what he would face. Danta would be five years old soon, and then she will have to leave the ashram with him to find the gate and the real Dwandv with the forces she had just encountered would begin.

  CHAPTER 19

  RETURN

  The masters were waiting in the peripheral ashram for Gerua’s return. They were sure that she would successfully purge the village and return safely. They could hear Gerua’s voice inside the ashram reciting commands in the language of the ancients. The entrance to the ashram opened, and she walked in. The Gerua who returned after purging the village was a different Gerua. She was now full of confidence and self-belief.

  Master Iku was the first to speak. “Ku is pleased that you have returned safely.” He touched her head as she bowed, clasping her hands in the namaste mudra. One by one, they came and touched her head, blessing her.

  “Ku is wondering how Gerua managed to be perfectly valiant so quickly and return even faster,” Master Iku inquired.

  “Because of your training, Master, and the vanara you sent to guide me and maybe even to watch over me.” Gerua laughed. Her bright eyes expressed graciousness as she turned her head toward the vanara waiting at the entrance. The vanara had deliberately disappeared and left Gerua for a while as she scaled the mountain. He had been waiting at the ashram portal for Gerua’s arrival. He had reached the ashram first, and she suspected he had also been in the trees, clandestinely watching while she was purging the village, something that did not surprise Gerua.

  “Yes, to spy on you and to watch you, if you needed help. But you didn’t, did you?” said Master Iku.

  “No, but I might have got a little lost if the vanara had not guided me back. He made my journey back easier.” Gerua was genuinely thankful.

  “Master Shalya,”—Gerua turned slightly to look at him—“thank you again for your wisdom and the knowledge you chose to bestow on me. I have learned a lot and feel more confident now. I believe that Danta and I are ready to search for the gate. I believe we may be able to find it.” Master Shalya nodded and touched Gerua’s forehead as she bowed. All the masters smiled, pleased.

  “Mom!” They all heard Danta and moved to make way for him. He came running toward her, hugging her tightly. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too. What did you do while I was away?” asked Gerua, her face really lighting up.

  “Master Ku played with me. He tried to catch me, but he could not. He took me out, and we raced up the mountain.” Danta beamed.

  “Master Iku could not catch you? That is...”

  “Danta is too quick for Ku,” interrupted Master Iku. Master Iku had been slowly introducing Danta to the mountain and training him on survival skills.

  “I think Master Ku lets me win. But soon, I will really be too quick for him,” said Danta. Everyone laughed.

  “Gerua, you must tell Danta all about the mountain,” Master Iku instructed. Everyone nodded, moving to the inner ashram. “You are getting very heavy.” Gerua carried Danta all the way inside. Just before they moved, Danta waved to the vanara waiting outside. The vanara vanished, and the ashram portal closed. Danta began talking to Gerua, describing what he had been doing while she was away.

  The following morning, Gerua held Danta’s hand. “Danta, I want you to learn about and understand the Himalayan range, including the glaciers, the central valleys, and the lower mountain. It is important that you also understand the climatic conditions.”

  “Yes, I will and I want to see the central valley and lower mountain. I want to see everything down there.” Danta was excited; he couldn’t wait to see all the wonderful things he had heard about the mountain.

  “You will... and we will go down as soon as we can.” Gerua paused before repeating what Master Shalya had told her. “That is why I want you to understand the mountain range. You have only known the mountain peak around here. But the true wonders can be found in the valleys and forests below. It is a land with drastic and variable conditions but also wonderful trees with beautiful flowers, as well as moving life forms—wild, human, and divine. It is breathtakingly stunning. There are mythical creatures on the mountain, holy people and beings that are trying to attain immortality. But there are sinister forces too. We have to go down seeking a very mysterious gate, and on our quest, we might have to face these sinister forces. I want you to be ready.”

  “I know, Mom. Master Ku has told me about them and the gate too.”

  “He has?” Gerua wondered what her five-year-old knew. “Yes, and he has also told me about the creatures and the people that live below and those that come from far-off lands to see the mountain range.”

  “That is correct. Many travelers seek this mountain range. Some come for their beauty and others to conquer the highest peaks in the world. Yet there are a few who seek the path to knowledge and the reason for their existence. Few come here, hoping to find wondrous places like Shangri-La and immortality. No one has come to the Himalayas to seek the gate. Because firstly no one knows about the gate and the gate only shows itself to the most virtuous and deserving. I believe this mysterious gate might seek you. And we must be ready by making it easy for it to find you. We must be prepared,” Gerua said fondly.

  “Mom, do you kno
w where the gate is going to be?” Danta inquired thoughtfully.

  “We will soon find out, Danta,” said his mother. “I have not seen the gate myself, so I don’t know what it is like or where it is going to be. Won’t that be exciting? Together, we will look for something we have never seen before, and its location is not known to anyone.”

  Danta became thoughtful. “How are we going to find a gate when we don’t know where it is?” Then his eyes lit up in excitement. “I want to go looking for the gate. It will be like the game we play, when I hide a thing you don’t know and you try to find it. I give you clues, and you find it. Will we get some clues, Mom, won’t we?”

  “Of course, we will. It is wonderful out there, Danta. We could also make new friends who may help us.” She hugged him. “Learn all about the mountain terrain. You need to know all about your surroundings and always be aware and cautious in order to get around safely. We will have to keep ahead of the dangers, and this is possible only if we know the terrain well.” Gerua’s expression grew subdued.

  “I am aware, Mom, more than you know,” he said mischievously. Then with an earnest expression, he asked, “What kind of dangers?”

  “There are dangerous animals and other evil entities and a very powerful yogi who practices sinister arts and has an army of aghori. We have to be prepared to face them. Knowing about the terrain and the mountain will help us deal with them.”

  “I am not afraid of the aghori, Mom. Master Ku told me about them. We will defeat them. I also know that the ancient creatures of the mountain will help us. I’ve seen them.” She smiled at Danta’s innocent but confident response. Danta’s courage and self-confidence belied his age. “I like Ku. He is my friend, and he plays with me.”

  “Master Ku, please,” Gerua chided lovingly as she looked directly into Danta’s light brown eyes. Getting a little serious, she asked, “You have seen the mythical creatures of the mountain?” His mother was confused. “But you have only been out on the mountain occasionally.”

  “When I go out, they come to me. While training with Master Ku, I see the Hamsa many times as it flies over the mountains. You know who the Hamsa is, right, Mom?” asked Danta before continuing. “It is the celestial goose. The vanara come here all the time. They bring food and herbs for the masters, which we eat and use to heal. Master Ku also told me that other creatures might help us. We have to be able to recognize the good ones. We will defeat the aghori with the help of the good creatures. I know it,” said Danta with total confidence.

  Gerua was shaken and surprised. She knew that Danta sometimes communicated with entities she couldn’t see or hear, but she had never seen the Hamsa. She knew about the vanara, but she was concerned about Danta and his overconfidence. She would have to be more observant and watch over her son during their search.

  “You will defeat them when you are ready.” Gerua knew she would have to protect her son. She knew that the aghori would track them, and she would have to deal with them when they set out on the journey in search of the gate.

  “It is good that Master Iku has told you about the aghori. We have to be very careful, Danta.” Gerua came straight to the point now. “Learn as much about the central valleys and the lower mountain.” “Mom, I understand. But it will make you happy to know that I can make out a bad aghori from a good ascetic.” Danta beamed.

  You can? Danta never ceased to amaze her and made her wonder what karma she had done to deserve him.

  CHAPTER 20

  REVELATION

  Danta devoutly followed his mother’s instructions and began his preparations, learning all about the mountains below and their terrain. He was aware of his exceptional memory, intelligence, and imagination. Danta could accurately visualize the mountains and other objects he had not seen, but just heard merely from a description.

  Gerua wanted to know if Danta communicated with other creatures than the Hamsa and vanara. She was also curious to know whether communicating with far away creatures was a siddhi Danta was manifesting.

  “Danta,” Gerua asked Danta one day, “who do you see and hear? Is it just the vanara and the Hamsa, or someone else? What do you talk to them about? What do they say to you?”

  Danta laughed at her questions. “The Hamsa tells mythical tales. The vanara doesn’t talk, just listens. Mom, you know that the vanara do not speak and communicate only by thought. I think the vanara are just keeping me safe.”

  “Okay,” Gerua spoke with pride. “So, you don’t talk to the vanara, but they understand you and keep you safe. You are a very clever young man.” She smiled.

  Danta paused, looking directly into Gerua’s eyes thoughtfully. He spoke earnestly, maintaining eye contact. “Mom, I have a secret friend, and she tells me a lot of things. She also teaches me things.” Danta had an impish smile on his face. “I can tell you who it is.”

  “Hmm... okay, so who is it?” Gerua asked, frowning.

  “Kali,” said Danta grinning.

  “What! You ta-talk to Kally!” Gerua choked, hearing her best friend’s name.

  “No, Ma, not Kally. Her name is Kali. She is very kind and beautiful.”

  “Who is Kally?” Danta asked curiously.

  Gerua was visibly flustered. “Mom, are you okay?” Danta looked concerned. He had never seen his mother like this before.

  Gerua’s mind was playing tricks on her. How could she have heard “Kally” when Danta had said “Kali”? Gerua composed herself. “I’m fine.” She smiled softly. “You talk to the celestial Mother Kali. Where did you meet her? What does she look like?”

  “She came to me one day when I was meditating. She lifted me, and I felt I was floating in the air. She told me to hold myself in the air and that she was going to release me and I would continue to float. She is very benevolent and gentle, and she doesn’t like evil. She has four arms and beautiful dark red hair. Her face is beautiful like yours but with bright reddish-brown eyes. She can increase or decrease her size. She can also make her two arms vanish and look like us. She comes to me often when I meditate. You don’t see her because you keep your eyes closed when you meditate. Who is Kally?” Danta asked again, this time with a beguiling smile.

  “I will tell you about her one day, Danta.” Gerua was concerned. “But now we have to get ready to find the gate.” Gerua had to discuss this with Master Shalya before leaving the ashram. She decided she must speak to him.

  However, she didn’t have to. Next day, when training with Master Shalya, he asked, “Something is making you anxious. Is it about Danta? Pray tell.”

  “Master Shalya, I am puzzled. Danta says that the Hamsa tells him stories and that he speaks to Mother Kali. Is that possible? Also, when I was preparing him to venture out of the ashram to search for the gate, he told me that he knows how to fight the aghori. He seems so overconfident, and if this is the manifestation of his siddhi, I am concerned about it.”

  “Gerua, any mother would be puzzled and anxious. But don’t let your love for him take away your objectivity. Love him with all your heart like we all do, but see what is real and do what is necessary. I have forbidden you from manifesting or using your siddhi, but you know that you are possessed with the siddhi.” Gerua nodded.

  “Similarly, Danta has siddhi. You already know about his telepathic ability. You had brought it to my attention earlier.” Gerua nodded.

  “This power has grown and has also given him the ability to contact deities and other inorganic beings. Do not be concerned if Danta communicates with Mother Kali, and don’t worry about his ability to see the creatures of the mountain. Master Iku has assured me that he has the power to block his thoughts or channel them toward an objective. He will not overtly use his siddhi. We know that his thoughts are pure for now. But that could change when you go with him searching for the gate, as he is very curious. As long as you are with him, his focus will remain on you, and you must ensure that. Contain your own siddhi, and he will follow. Don’t ever let any siddhi power consume you or use it overtly.�
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  Gerua nodded. “I understand.”

  “Remember, if you find the gate,” Master Shalya continued with emphasis, “Danta will learn to be the master of his siddhi and not the other way around. And nothing or none that we know will be able to turn him. He will also learn the use of celestial weapons and will gain complete knowledge of the Asura, Deva, and other cosmic beings. He will learn about the cosmos, travel to numerous worlds, attaining knowledge beyond ordinary comprehension. He will master strategies that shall complement his indomitable spirit and mind. And above all he will know when to forsake his ego. We believe he is destined to be a Maha Yodha and a super siddha.”

  “Destined to be a Maha Yodha and a super siddha?” asked a shocked Gerua.

  “Yes, that is why you have to find the gate. We believe Danta’s birth was prophesized. Let me show you just as I had shown you before.” Master Shalya waved his hand, and the prophecy of the ancients appeared. Gerua read it, trying to absorb the implication. “This was prophesized by the ancients, but there is also a condition, and that is why finding the gate is so important.” Master Shalya waved his hand again, and the condition appeared.

  Gerua stared at the prophecy and the condition for a long time and then looked at Master Shalya incredulously. Master Shalya erased the prophecy and the condition with the swipe of his hand.

  “The path to the realm of the lord of yog is solely this gate, and this gate alone. There is no other way to reach this realm. If we are right and he is going to be the one to fulfill the prophecy, you must fulfill the condition. He must also learn to master and contain siddhi and become a super siddha and must not seek nirvana. As a Maha Yodha, he may have to use siddhi to defeat adversaries without doing collateral damage. This is an incredible surgical skill. Danta can only learn this from the lord of yog. We can bestow Vital Knowledge and, consequently siddhi, but we cannot control how a siddha uses siddhi. If for any reason young Danta uses siddhi and the enormous power consumes him, it would be disastrous. Danta is a child and is susceptible. Do you understand?”