The sky was cloudy. As if the gods had stopped their journey and used it as a celestial stage to have a clear view of the scene.

The air had a rare stillness as if Wind God seemed to be sitting silently for the sake of peacefully observing what was going to transpire.

Nearby, the river flowed in slow, cautious whispers, as if fearful of disturbing the solemnity of the scene unfolding by its banks.

There were 3 people in total.

A father, his daughter, and a prince.

It might seem like the prince was asking for the daughter’s hand from her father. But no.

He announced in his lion-like voice, “I, Gāngey (Son of Gangā) Devavrat, son of King Shāntanu, take this oath today that from here on out till the day I day, I will follow Brahmachārya.”

Upon hearing such a terrible ( Bhīshma) oath, both the daughter and the father stood shocked, while the gods themselves were moved to awe.

Suddenly, the sky fractured, unleashing a cacophony of thunderous applause.

Lightning danced amidst a shower of celestial flowers, and the heavens resounded with a chorus that echoed through the firmament, an acknowledgment of the solemnity and weight of Bhīshma's oath that seemed to resonate across realms:

"Bhīshma... Bhīshma... Bhīshma... Bhīshma... Bhīshma..."

***

“Bhīshma!!”

Vāsusen shouted as he woke up in the middle of the night, jolting Rādhā from her slumber. Startled, she sat up, concern etched on her face as she reached out to him.

“What? What happened, Vāsu? Did you have a nightmare?” She asked with concern as she gently held his head in her calloused hand.

“Nuh-uh.” Vāsusen shook his head, dispelling Rādhā's worry.

Relieved to hear it wasn't a nightmare, Rādhā's concern softened. "Oh, thank the God Śiva."

"I just had this dream," Vāsu began, punctuating his words with exaggerated hand gestures, "where everyone was shouting 'Bhīshma… Bhīshma…' So…"

"So you decided to join in, huh? Haha..." Rādhā chuckled, as she teased him gently.

The way her son described what he saw in the dream was so endearing that Rādhā couldn't resist planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Umm… What are you doing? I'm not little anymore," protested the 5-year-old.

"Okay, okay. But when you speak like that, it just melts my heart. What can I do? I just feel like giving you all the love in the world," Rādhā explained, her words filled with maternal affection.

As she spoke, she enveloped Vāsu in a warm, bear-like hug.

"Ah! What did I just say!"

Vāsu, though verbally resisting, couldn't hide the huge smile on his face, his eyes sparkling with the joy of a cherished moment. After this little moment of embrace, Rādhā made some place for Vāsu to sleep on her right side; with Śatruñjaya sleeping on her left side.

Vāsusen looked at her father, still deep in the sleep. He couldn’t discern the feeling in his heart right now. So he turned toward her mother.

Vāsusen wrapped his small hand around her mother. The most comfortable position in the world to fall asleep.

Vāsusen’s eye fell on his little brother and he asked a question, “Mother, are you sure you are pregnant?”

“Yes,” Rādhā asked back with a smile, “Why do you ask? Can’t wait for another brother?”

Vāsusen paused for a few seconds before he asked again.

“Are you going to cry this time too?”

Rādhā was surprised with this question.

“I don’t want a brother if it hurts like last time. I’m happy with a small family. As long as you are with me, I don’t want anything. I’ll make you the happiest mother in the world.” Vāsu spoke eyes filled conviction.

The strong words from her son made Rādhā emotional.

“You saying this already makes me the happiest mother in the world.” Rādhā stroked his cheeks. “And don’t worry about me. If you are my strong son, then I am your strong mother. I want to have the blessing of having more children like you. So don’t you worry.”

Seeing that Vāsusen was still not convinced, she booped his nose and said, “Let me tell you one thing. Each time a mother gets a blessing in the form of a child, she becomes stronger and feels less pain. Since you and Śatruñjaya have made me this much stronger, I won’t feel pain at all.”

Thinking that he had made her mother stronger, Vāsu smiled for the moment. He momentarily forgot about the whole him being adopted thing, because, for him, Rādhā was the only mother he had.

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As Rādhā stroked his head, she sang a lullaby.

Dream, my son, with a heart so pure ♪

Strength within, gentle and sure ♪

Stars above, guiding your way ♪

Love's embrace, here to stay ♪

Courage blooms, within your soul ♪

Kindness, your gift, making you whole ♪

My love, a shield through night and day ♪

Forever in my heart, you'll stay ♪

Sleep, dear child, in love's embrace ♪

Dreams of greatness, your destined place ♪

With every breath, my love will last ♪

A hero's journey, in you, steadfast ♪

This was indeed the world’s best place. With a warm smile on his face, Vāsusen slept through the night with sweet dreams playing in his mind.

***

In the orthodox way of society, people are of 4 basic castes.

1. Brāhmaņ, they are like the sages, teachers, or scholars. They are highly respected for their learning, wisdom, and guidance in spiritual matters.

2. Kṣatriya, they are the warrior and ruler. They were responsible for protecting the land, leading armies, and governing the kingdom.

3. Vaiśya, business class of the society. They are involved in farming, trading goods, and contributing to the economy.

4. Śūdra, the lowest in the hierarchy, is primarily involved in service-oriented roles. They support the other three classes through various occupations such as laborers, artisans, and workers.

Of course, this is just a rudimentary framework of the society. After intermixing, hundreds of other tribes / sub-castes are made.

For example, one is called of Suta caste when the father is of Kṣatriya caste and the mother is of Brāhmaņ caste.

Since a big chunk of the suta caste works as charioteers, the suta has become a synonym for a person who works charioteer.*

But many suta also act as sages, performing a critical role in spreading the knowledge and stories of events and people.

Writing is not something you can do easily. Only the sacred scriptures are written down. So many things, including history, are passed down orally.

These suta make sure that the great people who have lived on this earth are remembered through their stories.

Vāsusen was also interested in these stories.

Vāsusen liked spending time with them rather than playing with other kids. He would help them in any way possible. In return, they would tell him the stories they’d heard from all the different places they visited.

Today, before the suta sage could tell a story he had planned, Vāsu asked a question.

“O venerable sage, I have a question.”

The sage smiled and said, “Ask whatever you wish to know, Rādhey.”

“What is Brahmachārya?”

Sage asked with a raised brow, “Where did you hear that word, young one?”

“I heard it in the dream last night. A man said he would follow Brahmachārya for his whole life and then suddenly people from the sky started shouting ‘Bhishma… Bhishma...’”

“A dream you say.” Sage wondered why would a boy hear about Bhishma’s Brahmachārya oath in a dream.

‘Did he hear about it from his parents? Or does the fate have something in her mind?’

“Hear me carefully, young one. Brahmachārya is the path or practice of celibacy, self-restraint, and purity. It is a way of life that involves discipline, control over desires, and the preservation of one's vital energy through abstinence.”

The sage also added, “But of course, Brahmachārya is not merely physical celibacy but encompasses mental purity and spiritual growth, aiming to channel one's energy towards higher purposes and self-realization.”

Vāsusen looked like he had almost understood what the sage wanted to say.

Seeing him this way, the sage simplified, “For you to understand it easily, a Brahmachāri (the one who follows Brahmachārya) will never marry, nor will he give birth to any child.”

Vāsusen was shocked to hear this.

“Is… is Lord Bhīshma a Brahmachāri? Does that mean he won’t have any kids?”

“Yes. Where did you hear it from? It is indeed true that he is a Brahmachāri.”

“But why? Why did he choose to become one?”

“Let me tell you the story from the beginning. Listen carefully.”

…………………..

* Like how the brand name is used instead of the product. Xerox instead of photocopy, Colgate instead of toothpaste, band-aid, coke, velcro, etc.