Be a lord in the world of Indian mythology

Chapter 76 Diverging Paths

As the sun slowly sank into the edge of the wilderness, golden-red rays spread across the entire landscape, bathing the distant forests, nearby fields, and scattered villages in a warm and rich crimson hue.

The evening breeze swept across the fields, carrying the warm scent of earth, the faint fragrance of grains, and the aroma of smoke rising from distant villages—a scene of tranquility and peace.

After a full day of territorial surveying, the group slowly made their way towards the village of Mittal as dusk fell.

The carriages and horses rolled over the smooth dirt road, raising fine dust. The wheels turned with a steady sound. The servants who accompanied them walked briskly, their faces no longer showing the fatigue of the day, but instead showing undisguised excitement and anticipation.

For Vijay, the future is bright and limitless!

It is foreseeable that once construction is fully completed, the resources already discovered in Mittal village alone will be enough to support tens of thousands of Dalits, and with the addition of several hundred Shudras, some capable Vaishyas will also be drawn to the area!

For the newly joined Shudra servants, everything they saw, and the tasks Vijay assigned them, was enough to make them happy.

Everyone is filled with hope for the future.

As they approached the village, the smoke from the chimneys grew denser. Scattered thatched cottages and stone houses stood quietly in the twilight, and the wooden signs on the eaves swayed gently in the evening breeze. The shadows of the trees at the village entrance were indistinct, and the familiar rural scenery came into view, giving rise to a sense of belonging in everyone's hearts.

As I stepped into Mittal’s mansion, dusk had already fallen, and a soft twilight enveloped the entire courtyard. The stone-paved ground was smooth and clean, and the herbs in the corners of the walls exuded a delicate fragrance.

In the center of the courtyard, a neat banquet had already been set up, with polished stone tables arranged in order according to social status, clearly distinguishing between superiors and inferiors, and demonstrating proper etiquette.

The table was laden with a variety of dishes, both meat and vegetables: the roasted wild boar meat was glistening with oil, its skin crisp and its inside tender; the stewed poultry was tender and its broth rich and fragrant; the golden and plump wheat cakes were soft and delicious; and the bright green wild vegetables were refreshing and helped to cut through the richness. The earthenware pot was filled with chilled sugarcane juice and sweet fruit wine, which were refreshing and fragrant, spreading in the evening breeze and whetting one's appetite.

Maya stood to one side of the banquet, dressed in a clean, light-colored dress, her black braids neatly tied up, her eyes gentle, and her demeanor serene.

Upon seeing Vijay and his group return, she immediately stepped forward, curtsied, and said with pure joy, "Master, you're back."

She carefully arranged the tableware and seating, her movements gentle and efficient, showing thoughtfulness and attentiveness in every aspect.

Vijay nodded slightly and slowly walked into the room. His entourage took their seats in an orderly fashion, without any noise or commotion, and without any overstepping of the bounds of propriety. The whole scene was orderly and well-organized.

He picked up the ceramic cup, took a sip of the chilled rice water, and the sweet and refreshing taste slid down his throat, instantly dispelling the dust and fatigue of the day's journey. A warm feeling gradually arose in his heart, and the tension and busyness of the past few days quietly eased at this moment.

During the gathering, the servants chatted in hushed tones, their voices filled with excitement and joy. They shared their observations from the daytime land survey: the awe-inspiring sight of the crimson mineral veins, the vast expanse of fertile soil, the hidden dangers of the dried-up riverbeds, and the abundance of wild animals in the mountains and forests. Their words were brimming with anticipation and dreams for the future, and the vigor and enthusiasm in their eyes filled the entire courtyard with a thriving vitality.

Vijay listened quietly, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, and he vaguely recalled the magnificent scenes of his childhood.

In the heyday of Mittal, on important days, a continuous banquet would be set up in the courtyard or open space at the village entrance, where hundreds of servants and clansmen would gather together, the aroma of roasted meat filling the air, laughter echoing, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere.

As time goes by, the tribe has experienced many ups and downs. Although it is not as prosperous as it used to be, the harmonious and energetic atmosphere and the unity of its people have already foreshadowed the hope of a new life, which is enough to make people feel gratified.

Although the team is weak, it is already taking shape!

The banquet was held in a harmonious atmosphere, and everyone spoke freely, offering their opinions and suggestions on matters such as reclaiming farmland, mining, building sentry posts, and dredging waterways. Every idea was full of sincerity.

Vijay would occasionally chime in with insightful and clear advice, his points logical and well-defined. Everyone listened with admiration, and their understanding and determination for the future grew ever clearer.

After the banquet, dusk deepened, and night slowly descended. Tiny stars dotted the dark blue sky, and soft moonlight spilled into the courtyard, creating a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

Seeing Maya's expectant gaze, Vijay told her to wait a moment, then turned and walked towards the family's secret vault.

The wealth in the family's apparent warehouses could not satisfy Roshman's appetite!

Vijay counted out ten thousand gold coins from the sea of ​​gold coins, carefully sealed them in an engraved copper box, and made sure it was airtight.

According to Sada, this fee should appease Roshman and give him some breathing room.

They then selected several rare spices and ritual objects from the side display case and packaged them separately; these were gifts to be offered to the Brahmin priests.

Although Mu had returned to the Brahma priest with the greatest reward, he pleaded for him as promised.

But I should definitely visit him again!

After taking inventory, Vijay had a clear plan in mind: although the trip to the East was unsuccessful, he had found the temple of the gods and concluded the contract, thus giving an explanation to the Brahmins.

But after failing, wouldn't it be too conspicuous to still have a fortune of 1 gold coins?

But not sending a gift would seem even more tactless.

The Kshatriyas must have heard something about the Mittal family's wealth.

Moreover, he has proven his ability to embark on trade routes, so Roshman shouldn't be so greedy as to exploit everyone.

Simply insisting that he was selling off part of his ancestral property would make Roshman think twice.

With everything prepared, the night was deep and quiet, and the moonlight streamed into the room through the window, creating a soft and peaceful atmosphere.

Vijay held Maya's soft body in his arms, lay quietly on the bed, tossed and turned for a while, and finally fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, just as dawn broke, a faint pale white appeared on the eastern horizon, a light mist enveloped the sky, and the air was fresh and slightly cool.

The village of Mittal awakens early, with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys and the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking, a scene brimming with life. In the courtyards, servants bustle about, sweeping, preparing breakfast, and getting the carriages and horses ready, all in an orderly fashion.

Vijay got up early and changed into a simple, clean outfit of shorts and trousers, looking neat and capable.

He arranged the day's itinerary: he would take his newly recruited servants and Karagantan to Harappa, while Bim, who had been working hard for days, would stay at the village to rest and not accompany him. Rajan would lead his men to explore the river.

After a quick breakfast, the group set off slowly towards Harappa in a light oxcart.

The oxcart moved smoothly, its wheels making a rhythmic sound as they rolled over the dirt road. A morning breeze blew, dispelling the cool mist, and the road ahead was clear and open.

As you travel along the way, fields gradually unfold, greenery begins to appear, and the outlines of distant cities become clearer and closer.

Harappa City was still bustling and lively in the early morning. The city gates were wide open, and merchants and travelers came and went in an endless stream, with carriages and pedestrians flowing by.

Shops on both sides of the market opened their doors one after another, and the sounds of hawking, conversation, and carriages mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. The familiar, down-to-earth atmosphere was palpable, both welcoming and reassuring.

Vijay knew the way well and headed straight for Roshman's camp.

The military camp remained heavily guarded. The soldiers, dressed in neat armor and holding spears, stood tall and straight with stern expressions on both sides of the camp gate. Their eyes were alert and their demeanor meticulous, displaying the solemnity and majesty of the military camp.

Kara quickly stepped forward and explained her purpose to the gatekeeper. A moment later, she turned back, looking slightly surprised: "Master, Lord Roshman is not in the camp, nor is Lord Sada."

Vijay was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised.

As far as he knew, Roshman was stationed at the military camp year-round to handle military affairs and rarely left. His absence this time was quite unusual.

After a moment's thought, he instructed Kara: "Go into the city quickly and find out the location of Roshman's residence. Make sure you find out his whereabouts today and report back before sunset."

"Yes, ma'am!" Kara immediately responded and strode towards the bustling area of ​​the city.

He's quite useful, and it would be even better if we could find out where he came from!

Vijay watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but sigh.

After waiting for a while in the open space outside the camp, Vijay looked toward the distant Brahman temple, its majestic buildings standing solemnly in the morning light.

After a moment's thought, he decided to visit the priest's residence first, and while waiting for news, he could also make preparations for matters related to the temple.

The priest's servant opened the door and, seeing Vijay arrive, looked somewhat surprised. He quickly led him inside.

In the courtyard, the priest Bodhidharma, dressed in plain clothes, with white hair and beard and a gaunt face, was sitting quietly under a tree, meditating with a peaceful and serene expression.

Upon seeing Vijay arrive, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm, but a slight smile appeared on his face.

Vijay stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Priest. Vijay has returned from the East and has come to pay his respects."

The priest nodded slightly in a gesture of goodwill.

Vijay recounted everything about his trip to the East in detail.

A thought suddenly popped into his head: Why would this priest help him?

Whether it was the previous introduction or this friendly attitude.

There doesn't seem to be a proper reason!

Is a mere flower a gift? Or is it to say that she once received his guidance?

These trivial matters don't seem to be the key!

As expected, after listening to Vijay's account, Priest Damo didn't offer any particular comments, simply saying, "Vanumu has gained a great deal on this trip! It has already shaken the temple!"

He looked up at Vijay, as if to offer a suggestion: "The Brahma priest has already reached a high level; this time he should be able to take it to the next level!"

At this point, Vijay suddenly realized something. Although he didn't understand the implications, he figured it must be related to the order within the Brahmin caste.

"Thank you for your guidance, Guru!" Vijay was completely convinced and bowed deeply.

Not knowing how to repay this Guru, Vijay pondered whether he should first hand over some of the gifts he had brought to the Brahma priest to the Dharma priest.

Before the thought could even form, the priest Bodhidharma abruptly changed the subject.

A penetrating gaze fell upon Vijay, and Vijay instantly felt as if he were naked, as if he were standing barefoot in the snow, and couldn't help but shiver violently.

"If I hadn't investigated, I would have found that what you are practicing is the path of Karma Yoga!"

Karma Yoga?

Vijay's heart skipped a beat. He still remembered the fury of Vajra when he used Karma Yoga under Vajra's protection!

Could it be that……

The priest's riddle didn't last long; he immediately provided Vijay with the answer.

"The path of pure conduct is divided into three parts."

"The mainstream is faith, just like the temples in various cities today, where the vast number of Brahmins wholeheartedly serve the gods! They allow the gods to control everything about them."

"The gods possess boundless power, therefore the believers possess boundless might!"

Vijay knew this principle. Both the systematic introduction and the classical education he received from childhood taught him that serving the gods wholeheartedly was the right path.

But Vijay knew that there were two other paths that were no less effective than Faith Yoga.

As expected, the priest Dharma picked up the Rigveda beside him and slowly began to speak: "But the path of Brahma is not so narrow!"

"To have faith in all things, to act selflessly, to disregard gain and loss, to extinguish cause and effect, to purify the mind, and to break free from the bondage of karma—this can be called Karma Yoga."

"Faith in oneself, meditation, discerning one's true self, and realizing the Brahman—this is Jnana Yoga!"

Changing the subject, his gaze fell on Vijay, a look of joy on his face: "I have never had the chance to meet the ancestors of the Mithar family, but I imagine they were fellow practitioners of Karma Yoga or Jnana Yoga..."

"Only those who have walked this path of celibacy can still display majesty in areas not yet covered by Brahma."

"I have heard Fannu's account, and after listening to your own explanation, I have confirmed this!"

Vijay seemed to understand why he had won the favor of the priest Darma.

He must be a follower of Karma Yoga or Jnana Yoga!

After discovering that they, or rather the Mittal family, possessed such a possibility, they would naturally lend a helping hand.

But admitting it also seems dangerous...

After all, he was not a Brahmin, and practicing the path of celibacy without authorization was a serious offense, and the punishment could come down at any time!

Vijay felt a slight tremor in his heart, but he did not deliberately reveal his thoughts.

The priest, however, seemed to have seen through everything. He paused, then spoke with a hint of deeper meaning: "Priest Brahma is obsessed with the power of other gods and has a deep mind... If you are willing to become my disciple and learn the relevant methods, I can help you by speaking to Priest Brahma and relieving some of the pressure on you."

coming!

Vijay felt a chill run down his spine, realizing what the priest Darma was asking for.

Vijay glanced around and finally understood why, despite being a noble Brahmin, the Dharma priest had failed to establish himself in the temple district and had instead been relegated to the margins.

However, it's not entirely true to say that the priest Bodhidharma had no power. After all, judging from the last incident, the priest Brahma seemed to actually give him some face...

Vijay understood that factions were simmering within the temple, and that the priest Darma also had his own considerations and plans.

If he agreed, he would at least be marked as belonging to the Dharma priests, and would likely no longer have to face the threats from the Brahma priests.

But what's the cost?

Vijay fell into thought, pondered for a moment, and could not make a decision for the time being. He could only respectfully reply, "I will remember your kindness, Guru. This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to think it over carefully before giving a reply."

The priest was not in a hurry. He simply nodded slightly, said nothing more, and rose to see him off with a calm expression.