Chapter 11: The Journey Begins

The early morning air at the train station was cool and alive with the sound of travelers bustling about. Rudra stood at the platform, his sharp gaze observing everything with silent curiosity. The modern world was a maze of activity, far more complex than the civilizations he once knew. The world moved at a frenetic pace now—trains, cars, planes—humans had learned to harness power that once belonged only to the gods. Yet, despite all this progress, their nature remained unchanged.

He could have easily summoned his Puspak Vimana, the divine chariot that had once carried him across vast realms. It was still within his grasp, hidden away in a dimension only he could access. But that was not the purpose of this journey. Rudra had chosen to travel by train, blending in with the people around him, to better understand the rhythms and lives of the world he now found himself in.

The train, sleek and modern, arrived with a sharp whistle. Its long metallic body glided to a stop, and passengers hurriedly shuffled in and out. Rudra took a deep breath, taking in the sights, sounds, and even the scent of the air—filled with the mix of diesel, steel, and human presence. This was no divine chariot, but a marvel nonetheless. The sheer ingenuity of humans amazed him.

As he stepped onto the train, he chose a window seat in the second-class compartment. The fabric of the seat was well-worn but comfortable, and the soft hum of the train's engine felt soothing. Rudra sat back, observing the passengers around him—each lost in their own world of thoughts, phones, and conversations. Some read newspapers, others worked on their laptops, while children played on their parents' devices.

The modern world, with its endless technology and convenience, had certainly changed the way people lived. But Rudra was keen to understand how much they still remembered about the past—his past. He turned his gaze to the passing landscape outside the window, a blur of green fields, small villages, and growing cities. His thoughts drifted to how different this land had once been, filled with forests and ancient cities, the land of kings and sages. He felt both nostalgia and curiosity.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

Rudra turned to see a young woman, probably in her early twenties, standing beside his seat. She wore glasses and carried a large backpack filled with books and notes. Her dark eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her face held a friendly, inquisitive expression.

"No, please," Rudra replied with a slight nod, gesturing to the seat next to him.

The young woman smiled and settled into the seat. She glanced out of the window, lost in thought for a moment, before pulling out a large textbook on ancient Indian history. The cover caught Rudra's attention immediately—it was a detailed illustration of a Vedic ritual, complete with fire altars and priests.

After a few minutes of silence, the young woman spoke up again.

"My name is Reva," she said, offering a warm smile. "I'm a student of history, and I love learning about ancient civilizations. What about you?"

Rudra studied her for a moment. There was something earnest and genuine in her demeanor. She reminded him of the scholars and sages he had encountered in his previous life—those who sought truth, knowledge, and meaning. He chose his words carefully.

"My name is Rudra," he replied. "I, too, have a deep interest in ancient India, its history, and its stories."

Reva's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, really? That's amazing! Ancient India is so rich in culture and mythology. I'm actually working on a project about the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It's fascinating how much of our history is intertwined with mythology."

Rudra smiled inwardly. If only she knew how deeply intertwined his life had been with those very stories. But he kept his expression neutral, listening closely.

"It's interesting how much of our past has been dismissed as myth," Reva continued. "I mean, just look at Ravana. He's portrayed as this great villain in the Ramayana, but I think there's so much more to his story. I've been reading texts from other perspectives, and some of them suggest that Ravana was not just a demon king, but a scholar and a powerful ruler."

Rudra's interest was piqued. This young woman was sharp and open-minded, willing to question the stories that had been passed down for centuries. He decided to engage her further.

"Ravana was indeed a complex figure," Rudra said. "He was a king, a warrior, and a devotee of Shiva. But history has a way of simplifying people into heroes or villains. Perhaps there is more to his story than we know."

Reva nodded vigorously. "Exactly! That's what I've been thinking. History is written by the victors, after all. I'm trying to dig deeper, to understand what really happened. The Ramayana is a great epic, but there are so many layers to it. And Ravana... I wonder if people will ever truly understand him."

Rudra leaned back, watching her enthusiasm. He could see that her curiosity went beyond the surface level. She was searching for the truth, much like he had done all those ages ago. In her own way, she was on a journey of discovery, and that intrigued him.

The train sped along the tracks, and the conversation between them flowed naturally. Reva shared her thoughts on ancient temples, forgotten rituals, and the lost cities of India. She spoke of how modern archaeologists were uncovering new evidence of civilizations that existed far before the common historical timelines suggested.

"What do you think about the stories from Dwaparyuga?" Rudra asked, shifting the conversation toward another epic era. "The Mahabharata, the legends of Krishna, and the ancient wars?"

Reva's face lit up. "Oh, that's another topic I'm passionate about! The Mahabharata is like a labyrinth of stories, and each one offers a different perspective on humanity. Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad Gita are so profound. It's fascinating how those ancient texts still resonate with people today, especially in these turbulent times."

Rudra nodded, sensing the depth of her understanding. She had a genuine thirst for knowledge, and in her words, he found echoes of his own quest for truth, thousands of years ago.

The train slowed down as it approached a small station, and Reva glanced out the window again. "I'm heading to a site near here," she said. "There's an old temple, deep in the jungle, that was said to be connected to some ancient rituals. Maybe I'll find more clues there."

Rudra's attention sharpened at her words. He knew exactly what temple she spoke of—it was one of the lesser-known places of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva, a place even he had visited in his time. His path had crossed with hers for a reason, and he knew this was no mere coincidence.

"I'm heading toward the same area," Rudra said thoughtfully. "Perhaps our paths will cross again."

Reva smiled, unaware of the deeper significance of his words. "Maybe. It's always nice to meet someone who shares the same interests. Good luck with your journey."

As the train pulled into the station, Reva gathered her things, offered a friendly wave, and disappeared into the crowd. Rudra watched her go, his mind filled with new thoughts. This modern world was full of surprises, but even amid its noise and chaos, there were still those who sought knowledge, just as they had in ages past.

As the train continued toward Somnath, Rudra's curiosity deepened. He had learned much already from his time observing humans and their ways. But this encounter with Reva had shown him that there were still those who sought the truth, who questioned the narratives of history and myth.

And he, too, was on a journey—to rediscover his place in this new world. But first, he had a pilgrimage to complete, and a purpose to fulfill.