Getting Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati's Attention
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"Oh, Kunwar has fallen asleep!" Granny Vanita noticed that the child in her arms had dozed off.
"Chief, everything's ready!" The tribesmen who had been dealing with the animals had finished separating everything.
"Very well, let's proceed with the sacred ceremony!" The chief gave his instructions.
The tribesmen moved forward, carrying various large Matṛka (Earthen Pots) filled with meat, skin, bones, skulls of animals, and their fresh blood.
They reached the temple where a statue of Lord Rudradev stood.
With his hair in tangles and his skin covered in ash, he wore a garland of skulls, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.
"Pranam (Greetings) Acharya Vyasa," Chief Hiranyadhanus led the way, and the other tribesmen followed suit, bowing respectfully as they greeted Acharya Vyasa.
"Kalyanam Astu (Wish you all Well-Being)!" Acharya Vyasa turned to them and raised his hand, offering his blessings.
"I apologize, Acharya Vyasa, for inviting you to grace our small ceremony. I also want to express my gratitude for your presence and acceptance of our request to join us here in this event," the chief humbly spoke, his palms pressed together in a gesture of respect towards Acharya Vyasa while apologizing for disturbing him.
"No need to apologize, Suprajna (Wise) Hiranyadhanus. I am grateful for this opportunity," Acharya Vyasa smiled warmly as he accepted being part of such a great occasion.
"It's truly your greatness that you've considered our request, Acharya Vyasa!" Chief Hiranyadhanus said humbly, in awe and respect for Acharya Vyasa's kind and magnanimous self.
"Hail Acharya Vyasa!" the Nishad tribesmen shouted, their voices filled with reverence and admiration for the sage.
Acharya Vyasa raised his hand to signal for everyone to pause, then turned his attention to the chief.
"The time is right to commence the ceremony," Acharya Vyasa reminded them, emphasizing the need to begin before the opportune moment passes away.
"Place the ceremonial items there and prepare for the ritual," Chief Hiranyadhanus instructed, assisted by his companion, Nisha.
Nisha, with the help of two tribeswomen, was gently guided to sit in front of Acharya Vyasa alongside Chief Hiranyadhanus.
In her arms, her child slept soundly, a picture of peaceful serenity.
Within moments, the Agni Kund blazed to life, and Acharya Vyasa initiated the ceremony.
"Waaaaa...!"
"Waaaaaa...!" The cries of other children resonated as they were brought near Hiranyadhanus and Nisha.
Taking their place behind the couple, there were a total of five children, including the one cradled in Nisha's arms.
'Huh... who is crying...!' Amar Khanna was abruptly roused from his peaceful slumber by the cries of the other children. His confusion made his small mouth curl up in a pout as he began to look around.
'Where am I? A temple!' Amar deduced from the surroundings, spotting a statue that he recognized as Lord Shiva, or perhaps Lord Rudra in this form.
"Step forward, Balika," Acharya Vyasa beckoned Nisha.
With the support of two tribeswomen, she carefully encircled the Agni Kund and stood beside Acharya Vyasa.
"Whispered into my ears, I heard your name, one that will shape your destiny." Acharya Vyasa gazed into Amar's eyes, which were filled with an unusual intelligence, as if speaking directly to him.
"Ekalavya," Acharya Vyasa uttered softly, yet the words reached everyone's ears.
'W... wa... wha... what...!' The most unique expression was on the child's face.
A few moments later,
'What... What exactly is going on?' Amar felt a shock upon hearing the name. Then, slowly, the things around him began to make sense, including the strange language.
But strangely, he heard the name very clearly.
'I can't believe I've been reborn in the time of the Mahabharata. Hahaha.' Amar Khanna, now known as Ekalavya, thought with a laugh in his head, his smiling face giving it away.
"Look, Kunwar likes his name!" The kind lady, Trinswomna, standing next to Nisha, said with a delighted smile.
"You're right, he likes it. Thank you, Acharya Vyasa!" Nisha glanced at Amar's silly expression and smiled warmly at him.
She then turned to Acharya Vyasa, and along with Hiranyadhanus, they both bowed with folded hands, showing their gratitude.
After that, they let the other four mothers have a chance to name their children.
Four children were named—two boys, Kavi and Vikram, and two girls, Mira and Aanya.
'Acharya Vyasa, I can now be certain that this is indeed the era of the Mahabharata. And I find myself reborn as none other than Ekalavya,' Ekalavya thought, gazing at Acharya Vyasa's face.
'I should express my gratitude to the being that bestowed upon me this chance,' Ekalavya thought, recalling the clear voice he had heard before his reincarnation here.
He felt a deep sense of thankfulness for this opportunity and had come to fully embrace the reality of being Ekalavya.
'O Lord Shiva, may you kindly relay my message to Mother Universe, conveying my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity. I am determined not to squander this life but to transform it into a legacy that shall resonate across all eras to come,' Ekalavya directed his thoughts toward the statue of Lord Rudradev, offering his silent prayers.
'Please watch over this humble tribe, who I believe wholeheartedly worships you,' Ekalavya added, his gaze shifting to the people around him, all sitting in prayerful postures with closed eyes.
"Thatastu," Ekalavya heard a voice, a reassuring echo from the statue.
'Was it my imagination or...!' Ekalavya glanced at the statue, a puzzled expression on his face, as if he now perceived voices.
He didn't dare to believe that Lord Rudradev might have actually answered his prayers.
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At the Majestic Kailash Parvat, the Mountain of Lord Shiva,
"Nath (Lord), why do you gaze upon the humble tribe with such profound attention?" Devi Gauri Parvati inquired, observing Lord Shiva's intense interest in a tribal naming ceremony.
"Hahaha! Devi (Goddess), I do observe the tribe, but my focus is particularly on the child being named under the guidance of Muni (Sage) Vyasa!" Lord Shiva chuckled, his finger gesturing toward the child near Sage Vyasa.
Lord Shiva, through his Divine Vision, observed the Nishad Tribe and shared his insights with Devi Gauri Parvati.
"Oh, Nath! There is a profound wisdom shimmering in the eyes of that mortal child, an insight uncommon for one so recently born!" Devi Parvati exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment, as she marveled at the remarkable scene.
"Ekalavya,"
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