Capítulo 13: Chapter 12 - Promise to mother
Campā city.
Early in the morning, outside the ranch of the city, a few people were holding a horse race. The track was simple, consisting of a single round around the periphery of the ranch.
More than a dozen men were participating. Though, it needs to be pointed out that one of them was not a man, but a boy. He must be around the tender age of 6 or 7.
Of course, this was no normal kid. Despite his youth, he exuded an aura of maturity beyond his years; except when was around his mother.
Adorned in resplendent golden armor and earrings, this boy—Vāsusen—embodied unwavering focus and determination as he prepared himself for the impending race.
"GO!" one suta shouted, the signal for the race to begin.
The race commenced with the sounds of hooves echoing through the air. The horses galloped down the dusty path, their riders urging them forward with fervor.
Vāsusen spurred his horse into action. His horse propelled forward with such speed as if he was a ray of sunlight.
Vāsusen astride his white horse took an early lead, demonstrating his unmatched skills, agility, and unwavering focus.
Among them, Viśwajeet, a young teen with a competitive streak, found himself in second place, just behind Vāsusen.
Wanting to not lose, once again, Viśwajeet attempted to push Vāsusen's horse as they approached a sharp turn in the track.
However, due to the quick response of Vāsusen, he didn't falter with this. But he glared back at the Viśwajeet with a silent warning in his furious eyes.
With a warning given, Vāsusen wanted to redirect his focus back on the track.
But it seemed like Viśwajeet intended to keep doing so, so Vāsusen decided to take him out of the race. Despite his young age, Vāsusen wasn't the kind of guy to be pushed around.
With a sharp click of his tongue, "Tch-tch," Vāsusen caught the attention of Viśwajeet's horse. It's ears perked up, focusing on Vāsu. Then, with a whistle, Vāsusen signaled the horse.
The horse understood the task given. Without hesitation, the horse executed a sudden sharp turn, veering off the track and galloping away.
Viśwajeet desperately tried to regain control of his horse, shouting, "Hey! Stop! You're my horse, not his! LISTEN to me!"
The horse did indeed listen to Viśwajeet, but not in the way he intended. The horse came to an abrupt stop. This made Viśwajeet lose balance and fall to the ground.
"Hahaha!" Vāsusen laughed heartily, then refocused his attention on the track.
With the most annoying competitor out of the race, Vāsusen took advantage of the situation, effortlessly increasing the gap between himself and the other racers.
The race came to an anticlimactic end with Vāsu emerging as the undisputed winner.
As Vāsusen slowed down his horse and dismounted, Viśwajeet returned to the starting/finishing line, though conspicuously not astride his horse. It appeared he had returned on foot.
"Can't believe I lost again," Viśwajeet muttered, his disappointment evident.
"How did you do it? Why does my horse listen to you and not me?" Viśwajeet asked in wonder.
"Horses are not slaves, Viśwajeet. I treat them with love and respect, and they respond with loyalty." Vāsusen replied with a smile, gently caressing his white horse, Chetak.
"I see." Viśwajeet nodded as if he had gained enlightenment. "Alright then, next time, I won't lose."
Vāsusen responded with a smug face. "Well, I don't think you will get the opportunity anytime soon. I am going to Hastināpur for my study. Even I don't know when I will be back."
***
Vāsusen trotted his horse on the path towards his home. For the first time in his life, he wanted to not reach home as quickly as possible. Who knows, when will he be able to come back again?
As he rode, he noticed a small group of women were returning from the river, carrying an earthen pot filled with water.
'Why are women always in a group?' Vāsusen wondered. But he was too young to realize the ways of the world.
Seeing a few tiny kids walking along with those women reminded him of how he used to follow his mother all the time, too.
Rādhā had told Vāsusen how he had started to walk and talk sooner than anyone else. Due to this, he would constantly follow Rādhā with his baby steps, chattering away incessantly.
Recalling this made him chuckle.
Among many other memories, one particular memory really stood out for him.
***
It was around the time when Rādhā was pregnant with Śatruñjay.
Vāsusen, not wanting to play with others, opted to assist his mother with household chores.
While he was diligently cleaning the house and his mother was preparing the food, they heard a voice.
"O lady, can you please provide me some alms."
Rādhā went outside and saw an old Brāhmaṇ standing on a stick outside the home.
With a warm smile, she greeted the Brāhmaṇ and said, "Of course, Brāhmaṇ. Please wait here for a moment."
She went back inside before returning with a handful of millets. The Brāhmaṇ extended his cloth bag, and Rādhā carefully placed the provisions inside, which he gratefully received.
Vāsu silently observed this whole ordeal.
His curiosity piqued, "Mother?" he asked.
"Hm?" Rādhā responded, turning her attention to her son.
"Who was he?" Vāsu inquired.
"Him? He was a Brāhmaṇ."
"Do you know him?"
"Do I have to, to help him?"
Vāsu paused, processing his mother's words. "Then, what about the one yesterday?" he asked.
"I think he was a student of a rishi who was passing by," Rādhā replied.
"And what about the day before? Do you know them?" Vāsu persisted.
"Why are you asking this?" Rādhā sat down and patiently explained to Vāsu, "Listen, this is our tradition. We all have our duty to perform in the society.
"A Śūdra performs the hard labor. A Vaiśya engages in business and provides services and money to the kingdom. A Kṣatriya fights the war and protects us. While a Brāhmaṇ does religious rituals and teaches others.
"To show our gratitude to Brāhmaṇs for their teachings and religious duties, we provide them alms for their daily need in return for their blessing. This way, they can pursue their spiritual journey without any worry."
"Umm…"
"What is it? Don't hesitate. You can ask me anything you want," Rādhā said with a radiant smile, gently booping his nose, "even if you think it's silly."
"Aren't we already low on the food ourselves? Can't you tell them to ask for it from another house?" Vāsu said in a concerned voice.
Seeing how Vāsu was worried about her made Rādhā both happy and guilty at the same time. A parent would never want to cause worry to their children because of their actions.
"O my sweet child, this mother of yours is very glad that you worry about me," Rādhā said, her voice filled with warmth. "But think about it. If a need arises, I can always go and ask for my neighbors and ask for help. If they need any help, we will help them too. Why is that?"
"Because you are a good person," Vāsu said confidently.
"Yes, with your good karma, good things come back to us," Rādhā affirmed with a smile.
"I see, so you are helping him so he can return your favor later on. Same with neighbors," Vāsu nodded in understanding.
"No, no. You've got it wrong." Rādhā clarified. She never knew teaching children could be so challenging. If she didn't teach him properly, he might end up growing a selfish man.
"You do don't good deeds based on the expectation that someone will return it. You do them because it's the right thing to do," she explained.
Vāsu asked back, "But can't others do it? Can't other people give food to Brāhmaṇ?"
"Of course, others can do it. But why should I be thinking about what others will or should do?" Rādhā asked, gently guiding Vāsu's understanding.
"Did that Brāhmaṇ went to others? No, he came to us. He came with expectations for food. 'I' didn't want to betray those expectations of him. It is my dharma* to help him. So I gave him food. If someone with a need comes to my house, he should never go empty-handed."
[A/n: For those confused about what is dharma, it kind of means duty. I'll explain that in detail later on.]
On this day, Vāsu's respect for his mother increased by ten-fold.
"I must advise you that this doesn't mean you give anything others ask for. You can't let others take advantage of you for being a good person. Just do try your best to help anyone who is truly in need. Will you?" Rādhā asked.
"En," Vāsu nodded with enthusiasm.
"Now, promise me, Vāsu," Rādhā put her palm in front of Vāsu, "If there is anyone in need, you will return their expectations to the best of your capabilities. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be loyal. Just be a good person."
Vāsu placed his palm on his mother's hand and solemnly said, "I will, mother. I promise!"
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
JoJo_Soni
JoJo_Soni One more chapter in campā before we leave for hastinapur.
Also, i can't explain everything going in life rn, but don't expect too many chapters. i will still try to release 1 chapter per week. But no promise.
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