The Young Buddha

-Naitik Sood

 

  Part:-1:-The Awakening

"When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him."

— Jonathan Swift

 

I agree with this statement. When a man lives, we do not respect him, but the moment he dies, we gather and start honouring him. Swami Vivekananda, in his letters, wrote that when he was in America, no Hindu organization came to his aid, not even his own countrymen donated. He had to sleep on the streets many times. At times, he didn’t even have money for food. He was criticized by fellow Indians, who called him a lower-caste Hindu. But after his death, we all celebrate him. We forget that we were the ones who criticized Swami Dayanand, yet now we glorify him and read about him in our textbooks. When the man is living, we do not respect him, but after his death, he becomes the most respected figure in the world.

 

Let’s leave these matters behind and move to a classroom in Delhi, India. The classroom buzzed with the low hum of students murmuring, tapping pens, girls making notes, and boys playing Tic Tac Toe. The teacher, Mr. Mehra, was teaching history and civics. Suddenly, he said, “With the advancements of science, we now have the accessibility to know that God does not exist. Now, let’s move on to the next topic.”

 

Most students agreed with the statement, some ignored it, and a few, who were troubled by their personal views, decided to remain silent. But there was one, Rudra, sitting near the window, half-listening to the lecture, his gaze drifting outside, watching the birds. As the class continued, a sudden sharp bang echoed through the room as Rudra slammed his fist on the desk. His eyes burned with fire, and his voice was as sharp as a knife. Rudra stood up and demanded, “How can you say that God does not exist?”

 

Mr. Mehra replied, “Rudra, this is a history class, not a theology debate.” But Rudra was different. He retorted, “What kind of God are you rejecting, Sir? Is it Spinoza’s God, the one who is synonymous with nature and the laws? Or is it the Vedantic concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality? Or is it the Abrahamic God, the creator and sustainer? Or is it just the God of philosophers who doesn’t interfere at all?”

 

Some students laughed, some leaned forward, and others continued playing their usual Tic Tac Toe. Before Mr. Mehra could respond, another voice interrupted. It was Aarush, the class topper and a science enthusiast. “Oh, so now Rudra is the advocate of God. Science has already debunked the idea of God. We have the Big Bang theory, evolution—there’s no need for a creator. Ha ha ha.”

 

Rudra shot back, “You’re confusing the absence of evidence with the evidence of absence. You say the Big Bang explains the universe’s origin, but what about the Kalam cosmological argument? Saint Anslem’s argument

 

Aarush scoffed, “Science is about evidence, not speculation.”

 

Rudra replied, “And yet, you rely on speculation that you can’t prove. If my God is Brahman or Spinoza’s God, who doesn’t interfere with the world, how can you disprove their existence? You can’t prove or disprove something that doesn’t manifest physically and doesn’t interfere with world.”

 

Aarush was about to respond, but Rudra continued, “You dismiss the concept of God because it doesn’t fit into the framework of empirical science. But let me ask you this: Does the concept of infinity exist in reality? Can you touch it, see it, or measure it? Yet mathematics relies on it. Similarly, does love have mass? Can you quantify beauty? These are intangible, yet undeniably real.  I neither believe nor do I reject god but I just investigate into his prensece. Both theist and atheist believe and are fools”

 

Before Aarush could say anything, Mr. Mehra clapped his hands. “Enough! This is not a debate club, Aarush. Both of you, sit down. We’re already behind schedule.” The bell rang, signalling the end of the period.

 

As the students left, many praised Rudra for his passionate argument. In the world we live in, we only respect those who are liked. Rudra, however, was not the one to be liked. He was the one who would be rejected by everyone. I don’t claim that Rudra was entirely right, nor do I claim that Aarush was wrong. I am simply the narrator, and my job is to tell this story. That’s what I’m doing.

 

And now I hope you are inquisitive that who is this boy named Rudra and why, What happened suddenly to him? So let us delve into a little bit of past when he was just 13 years old boy studying in class 8 and incident which changed his life drastically.

 

Rudra was an ordinary boy, just like any of us, coming from a modest family in Delhi. He wasn’t exceptional or famous in any way. His teachers often told him he was a bright student, but he was just a normal 13-year-old teenager in present-day India. A teenager who thought he was more knowledgeable than his whole generation and family. He was a normal kid, craving love, having a crush, playing mobile games, and doing everything a teenager would do.

Rudra had a crush on a girl, and like most teenagers, he couldn’t keep it to himself. He told about it to his friends, and what happens when you tell your friends about a crush in India? Well, his friends spread the word all around the school. Now, Rudra was all set to propose to her.

He wrote a proposal, copying lines from Google, or more specifically, ChatGPT. He applied perfume, plucked a flower (which, ironically, he would later oppose in his philosophy), and put it in his pocket. He sprayed himself with a little Saint Hole cologne and went to school, ready to propose to his crush.

It was lunchtime, and Rudra, feeling a bit nervous since it was his first time proposing to a girl, spotted her standing alone. He ran toward her and started with a casual conversation, “What’s up? How’s it going? How are your studies?” She was surprised because this random guy, who usually just stared at her in class, was now talking to her in such a friendly manner. “What’s the matter?” she asked.

Then, Rudra, in a nervous yet confident tone, said, “I want to say something to you.” The girl, who had been proposed to many times before, already knew what he was about to say, but she still asked, “What do you want to say?”

Rudra took a deep breath and said, “Life is a long journey, and I want you to be my partner in this long run. Would you like to be my partner?”

To his surprise, the girl smiled and accepted his proposal. They had a happy moment, or so it seemed. But wait—this isn’t the end of the story, it’s my imagination but reality was something else.

 As Rudra posed dramatically in the famous Shah Rukh Khan style, saying, “I will wait for you, my dear darling,” The girl turned away, furious. She stormed toward him and angrily threatened, “If you ever call me ‘darling’ or say anything like that again, I’ll complain to the school. I have no interest in you.”

Then, she said some harsh words that cut deep. “You’re ugly, just a stupid boy. You don’t have good looks, and you’re not even good at studies. What do you have? What do I need you for? Everyone talks badly about you. You have nothing—nothing at all.”

Rudra stood there, heartbroken, as she walked away. But he couldn’t let it go. He said, “I have a good heart, and that’s what matters in this world.”

The girl, without a second thought, responded, “No one cares about your heart. Everyone cares about looks—looks, muscles, and a good body. That’s all anyone looks for. And you don’t have any of that.”

She walked off, leaving Rudra feeling more disheartened than ever.

This is what love did to him. Yahi pyaar hua hai, tera pyaar hua hai—this is the love he had experienced.

 

 Rudra’s heart shattered in 2000 pieces as the girls rejected him. The words which she spoke were imprinted in his mind,stung him like poison. He couldn’t understand it. He had given everything, has had his heart, his time is towards and for what? To be rejected, to be humiliated in front of everyone? It felt like the world was laughing at him, mocking him. As he was going back to his home, he was thinking, why am I here? Why does it even matter? He was feeling difficulty to breathe. Voices in his head grew louder. You’re worthless. You’ll never be good enough. No one cares about you. The pain felt so overwhelming, like it would never end.

Why? Why did she say that? Why did she call me ugly? What’s wrong with me? I thought I was being honest. I thought I was being real. But no... I’m just some idiot. Just another stupid boy with a stupid crush. I don’t even know why I tried. She was never going to like me anyway. I’m not good enough for her...

 

Look at me. Look at how I am. I don’t have those looks that everyone seems to care about. I don’t have the perfect smile, the perfect body, the perfect life. I’m just me... just Rudra. And apparently, that’s not enough. No one cares about me. No one even notices me. They just see what’s on the outside. And I’m nothing on the outside. Just a nobody. What am I even doing here?

 

What’s the point of trying anymore? What’s the point of anything? All I do is fail. I try to talk to people, I try to be nice, I try to be someone I’m not just to fit in, but it’s never enough. I always end up feeling this way. I always end up alone...

 

She told me to go away. She said I was ugly. She said I wasn’t worth her time. And maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m not worth anyone’s time. Maybe no one will ever see me for who I am. Maybe no one will ever care about me...

 

I don’t even care anymore. Why should I? Why should I keep going on like this, pretending like everything’s fine? It’s not. I’m not fine. I’m broken. I’m tired of pretending. Tired of being invisible. Tired of feeling like I don’t matter.

 

Maybe it would be easier if I just... disappeared

 

 

 

 

 

Now that I’ve shared a very sad and deep story, let’s move on to the positive part. After that heart-wrenching experience, Rudra came home feeling dejected. He wanted to take a long break to recover, and his parents, surprisingly, allowed him to do so. You might wonder, how did his parents agree to let him go on a break? Well, the truth was that summer vacation had started, and Rudra had planned to go to Goa, but his parents wouldn’t allow him. Instead, they insisted that he visit his grandfather’s house once again, even though Rudra didn’t want to.

 

Unwillingly, Rudra went to his grandfather’s home. He didn’t want to, but he had no choice. His parents made him go, and so, he reluctantly traveled there with them. When he arrived, something unexpected awaited him. His grandfather greeted him with a warm smile, saying, “Oh, my young boy, how are you?”

 

Rudra replied, “I’m fine.”

 

His grandfather then said, “You don’t seem to visit me often these days.”

 

Rudra, a bit irritated, replied, “Why should I keep coming here again and again?”

 

But his grandfather, with a glint of excitement in his eyes, said, “What if I show you something interesting?”

 

Rudra, curious despite himself, asked, “What is it?”

 

His grandfather smiled and said, “Just sit in my car and come with me.”

 

So, Rudra followed his grandfather, not sure what to expect. They drove to a place Rudra had never seen before. The gate opened, and his grandfather said, “Come in.” The place looked old and rusty, as if it hadn’t been opened in ages. Rudra asked, “What is this place?”

 

His grandfather replied, “This was our old home, where I used to study when I was a child. I still come here sometimes. I have a library here, and the condition of the library is much better than the rest of the house.”

 

His grandfather then told him that he had some work to do with the interior of the house, and while he worked, Rudra could explore the library.

 

Now, Rudra wasn’t the type to enjoy reading books, but he had nothing else to do. So, he agreed and started exploring. As he wandered through the library, he was amazed by the sheer number of books. Some were so old that they looked like they might fall apart if touched. But Rudra was intrigued. He carefully walked over to a corner of the library, where he noticed a stack of books marked as “important.”

 

One book caught his eye. It was titled Do Looks Matter at All?

 

Rudra hesitated for a moment. After everything that had happened, this title seemed like a cruel reminder of his recent rejection. But he opened the book and began reading. As he read, his perspective started to change. The book explained that looks didn’t matter at all. Love is a totally different affair.

 

Rudra found the book fascinating. He thought to himself, This is exactly what I needed to hear. He took all the books marked “important” by his grandfather and began reading them. These books were filled with philosophical teachings and wisdom. Rudra had never been interested in philosophy before, but these books captured his attention in a way nothing else had.

 

They spoke to his broken heart, offering him comfort and new perspectives. Slowly, Rudra started to heal. The words in those books helped him realize that there was more to life than looks, and that true beauty lies in the heart and mind.

 

 

Rudra’s life had taken an unexpected turn. His once ordinary existence, filled with cricket matches and the usual teenage distractions, had now become a journey into the depths of human thought. It all started with his grandfather’s old collection of books. These were the same books that Rudra had once dismissed as boring relics of a time long past, a time he didn’t think he could relate to. But now, as the days passed, Rudra found himself drawn to these forgotten pages, his curiosity growing deeper and deeper.

 

He had always been a curious child, but this new curiosity was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. It wasn’t just about asking questions anymore—it was about finding answers to the big questions: What is the meaning of life? What is existence? What is the purpose of all this?

 

The boy who once dreaded visits to his grandfather’s house, who would rather be anywhere else, now found himself visiting more often than ever before. Not for family gatherings or the usual pleasantries, but to dive into the vast ocean of wisdom contained within those dusty old books. Rudra’s once vibrant interest in cricket had begun to fade.

 

He no longer found solace in the jokes a of his friends, who continued to follow the latest trends and chatter about things that seemed so trivial to him now. Rudra would smile along, but it was just for the sake of formality. He had grown distant from his peers, no longer interested in the fleeting distractions that once filled his days. Even his studies seemed less important compared to the questions that now consumed his mind. Physics, once a subject of fascination, now felt like equations that didn’t speak to the deeper truths he was searching for.

 

Rudra had become a boy who could be found in the classroom, not with his physics textbook, but with the works of Aristotle, Socrates, Nietzsche, and Camus. He was questioning everything—everything that once seemed so clear and simple. The world, as he had known it, was now a puzzle with pieces that didn’t fit together. His mind was no longer confined by the rules of the classroom or the expectations of those around him.

 

It was during one of these classes that Rudra’s world collided with reality. The day had started like any other. The classroom was filled with the usual hum of activity. Some students were playing tic-tac-toe, passing the time as they waited for the lesson to begin. The teacher, Mr. Sharma, a strict man with a reputation for no-nonsense discipline, was at the blackboard, explaining the concept of refraction.

 

But Rudra wasn’t listening. He wasn’t looking at the board or even paying attention to the lesson. Instead, he was lost in Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, absorbed in the philosopher’s radical ideas about the will to power and the concept of the Übermensch—the idea of transcending the ordinary and becoming something greater. Rudra was lost in thought, his mind far away from the physics of light and lenses.

 

As the class continued, Mr. Sharma scanned the room, looking for signs of distraction. His sharp eyes immediately landed on Rudra, sitting in the back, his face buried in a book that clearly wasn’t a physics textbook. The teacher’s gaze hardened.

 

“Rudra,” Mr. Sharma called, his voice cutting through the silence. “What are you doing?”

 

Rudra looked up, startled, his heart racing. He quickly closed the book, but it was too late. The damage had already been done.

 

“I... I was reading... refraction,” Rudra stammered, his voice faltering.

 

Mr. Sharma’s eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me you’re reading Nietzsche in my physics class?”

 

Rudra, flustered, quickly tried to explain. “No, no, sir, I just... I just opened the book. I’m sorry.”

 

But Mr. Sharma wasn’t convinced. He stepped closer to Rudra’s desk, his expression one of disbelief. “You’re in my class to learn physics, Rudra, not to read your ‘dumb philosophy.’ That stuff won’t get you anywhere. It won’t get you a job, and it certainly won’t get you into a good college. What’s so important about this book that you’re willing to ignore the laws of refraction, something that could help you pass your board exams, something that could get you into JEE or NEET?”

 

Rudra wanted to say so much. He wanted to tell Mr. Sharma that the world he was so focused on—grades, exams, success—wasn’t enough. That the questions he was asking were bigger than anything physics could answer. But he hesitated. He didn’t want to make the situation worse. He didn’t want to explain that philosophy had become his escape, the only thing that made sense to him after everything he had been through—after his rejection by his crush, after the confusion of his teenage years.

 

Instead, he simply mumbled, “Sorry, sir.”

 

But Mr. Sharma wasn’t done. “You think reading this nonsense will get you anywhere in life?” he asked, his voice rising. “You’re wasting your time, Rudra. You’re wasting your potential. You’re not going to get anywhere with this attitude. I’m sending you out of this class. And don’t think I won’t be telling your parents about this. You need to get your priorities straight.”

 

Rudra sat there, his face burning with embarrassment. He wanted to argue, to tell Mr. Sharma that he didn’t care about the world’s rules anymore, that philosophy was the only thing that made him feel alive. But he knew better than to say anything. Instead, he packed up his things and left the classroom, his mind swirling with a thousand thoughts.

 

He knew that Mr. Sharma’s complaint would reach his parents, and he knew that his first-term results were going to be a disaster. He hadn’t completed his homework, hadn’t focused on his assignments. Instead, he had been lost in the pages of philosophy, trying to make sense of a world that felt increasingly alien to him.

 

The school assembly, as always, felt like a monotonous routine to most students especially in cold chilled winters. The prayer session, which often veered into philosophical musings about God and the usual prayer at school was time of contemplation for Rudra like for whom are we praying, is god a dictator who wants himself to be prayed etc.. The principal, Mrs. Kiran, would then deliver her usual speech about discipline and rules but rudra didn’t like it After all, how could he agree with the ideas of discipline and conformity when he had been deeply immersed in the teachings of J. Krishnamurti, who challenged every notion of authority and societal conditioning?

 

But today was different. Today, Rudra’s mind, already stirred by his philosophical readings, reached a breaking point. The words of Mrs. Kiran, though well-meaning, seemed like nothing more than a reinforcement of the very system he had come to question.

 

Without thinking, Rudra stood up from his seat. His classmates, who were mostly disengaged in the assembly, murmured among themselves. Aaroosh, sitting a few rows ahead, immediately sensed that something was about to happen. he had known Rudra for a while and could tell that he was on the edge. The nervous energy in the room was palpable.

 

Rudra didn’t care about the eyes on him or the whispers. His perspective had shifted so dramatically that he felt compelled to speak. The weight of the philosophical questions that had been swirling in his mind for weeks now demanded an answer, and he wasn’t about to let this moment pass.

 

“Excuse me, Mrs. Kiran,” Rudra’s voice rang out louder than he intended. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him. “I don’t think what you’re saying is right.”

 

Mrs. Kiran paused. The teachers exchanged nervous glances, and Mr. Sharma, the physics teacher, shot Rudra an angry glare. Mrs. Kiran cleared her throat and said, “Mr. Rudra, we can talk about this later. Please sit down.”

 

But Rudra wasn’t done. His frustration had reached its peak, and he wasn’t going to back down. He shouted, his voice trembling with intensity, “No, I can’t sit down. You keep telling us to follow the rules, to work hard for success, but what does that even mean? Why must I follow rules? Why must I follow your set of authority, your education, your culture? You keep talking about success—successful for what? To get a good job? To make money? To get married? To have children? Is that really all life is about? Are we just supposed to follow the same path that everyone else follows, without ever questioning it?”

 

The entire assembly was frozen in shock. Mrs. Kiran’s face turned a deep shade of red, and she attempted to regain control. “Mr. Rudra, we will talk about this later. Please, sit down,” .

 

Rudra thought in mind“Why is philosophy, art, and creativity pushed aside for math and science?” he continued, his voice gaining strength. “I’m not saying that math and science are wrong. I respect them. But why can’t we also practice philosophy, art, and creativity alongside them? Why are we only running after exams and grades? Why is that the only measure of success?”

 

The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Rudra’s classmates were staring at him, some in disbelief, others in admiration. The national anthem began to play, and the students stood up, but Rudra remained lost in his thoughts.

 

 

For the first time in a long time, Rudra felt a strange sense of liberation. He had spoken his truth, no matter how uncomfortable it made those around him. He had questioned the very system that had been designed to shape him, and in doing so, he had taken the first step toward finding his own path.

 

 

Rudra knew that his journey was just beginning. The questions he had raised in the assembly were only the beginning of a deeper exploration of life, meaning, and purpose. He didn’t know where this path would lead him, but for the first time in a long time, he was ready to find out.

 

Rudra’s outburst in the assembly had left the school in turmoil. The principal, Mrs. Kiran, was clearly shaken, but the consequences of his actions were far more severe than he had anticipated.

He got award for being most brave, oh its not so, he got suspended

 

He wondered thatHe had merely asked questions, the very essence of learning. Wasn’t school supposed to be a place where students were encouraged to inquire, to challenge, to think critically?

 

At home, Rudra faced even harsher consequences. His parents, furious with his behaviour, didn’t even try to understand his reasoning. His father, in a fit of anger, resorted to physical punishment. Rudra didn’t speak a word as the belt struck him, but in his mind, the questions swirled relentlessly: Is it right for parents to hit their children? Do they really have the authority to control every aspect of my life? What role do parents play in shaping their children’s minds?

So he was in his bed, his parents there with their arms crossed, looking at him with concern and frustration. His father turned to him and said, "Rudra, we need to talk. Your behaviour is getting out of hand. You’ve been acting like a completely different person lately, skipping cricket practice, ignoring your studies with your nonsense philosophy books. What’s going on with you? What have you thought about your life? What about your 10th class?"

 

His mother spoke softly, "We have been patient, Rudra, but you are pushing us too far. What happened to the boy who wanted to be a software engineer? What’s going on with these books? They make no sense. If you want to read other books, we can provide them to you, but this way, things are not going to work."

 

His father said, "Are you listening, Rudra? We have sacrificed for you—your education, your future. We’ve done it all for you. And this rebellion, this radical nature of yours, it’s tearing this family apart. What are you trying to prove? That you’re smarter than everyone else? That the world doesn’t matter? You think you can just ignore everything and question the system? What good will that do? There are many philosophers like you on the roadside, unemployed, with no job. Do you know about Osho, the one you speak highly of? He had to run from India."

 

Rudra finally spoke up, "I’m not trying to prove anything. I just... I just don’t understand why things have to be the way they are. You all practice your religious customs, and when I question them, it’s always me whom you say is talking nonsense. But my thoughts are logical, very rational. I just want to ask, why do I have to follow the same path as everyone else? Why do I have to become a conformist and follow a certain set of rules? Do you want me to just follow a script that was written before I was born?"

 

His father now angrily spoke, "Now you’re debating with me? Just shut up, I am your father. You think you’re some kind of philosopher? You’re nothing. Life isn’t about asking questions, as you say. The work must be done. Do you think you’re Aristotle or Nietzsche, going to a good college? You think that will get you a job? No, they won’t in today’s age. Stop wasting your time and read your textbooks."

The pain of the physical punishment was nothing compared to the emotional turmoil that followed. Rudra lay awake that night, tears streaming down his face, not just from the beating, but from the sense of helplessness and isolation he felt. His father’s actions, though harsh, were just one manifestation of the larger system of control that Rudra was fighting against. But things would only get worse.

 

The next day, Rudra discovered that his father, in a desperate attempt to curb his philosophical pursuits, had burned all his philosophy books. It was an act of violence against his intellectual freedom. Rudra was devastated. The one thing that had kept him grounded in his beliefs, the one thing that had given him solace in the face of so much confusion, was now gone. His mind, which had been on the brink of a philosophical awakening, now felt empty.

 

He locked himself in his room for days, unable to face the world outside. The depression he had been battling now seemed overwhelming. But even in the depths of his despair, something inside him refused to break. Rudra didn’t give up. He decided that, for the time being, he would remain silent. He would no longer speak about his philosophy to anyone, not even his closest friends. It was safer that way. He Used to witness various religious practices and superstitions, without any logic in all religions at his own home, but he had to kept keep quiet.

 

Everything was going well in his  life in class 10 until yet one girl entered his life. One girl liked his attitude, his fearlessness, his brave nature, but she was totally on the opposite side—a materialistic person, a person who followed everything without any logic or rationality. But as they say, opposite poles attract each other, so they, too, attracted each other. The story of their meeting is somewhat different. Let me tell you this.

Rudra would set in finding it difficulty as he was easily surrounded by philosophy books, but today he was surrounded by his school books of mathematics. But his phone popped up and he got a message from his class girl Arohi. He thought that she would be asking for some notes . And he received a text from him, Arohi said to him, “Hey, I’ve been thinking about what you said today in class. About the system, the rules. I’ve never heard anyone talk like that before. Why do you think everyone just follows the same path?”

Rudra was taken aback. No one had ever asked him before, Most people thought he was just weird or either misunderstood him, but Arohi seem to understand him.

Rudra: “I don’t know. I just don’t get why we’re supposed to follow the same script everyone else does. It feels like we’re all stuck in a loop, and no one even questions it.”

 

Arohi: “I think you’re right. But isn’t it scary? To break free from all that?”

 

Rudra: “It’s not about being scared. It’s about being true to yourself. Everyone’s too busy pretending to be something they’re not.”

 

Their conversation lasted for hours that night. They spoke about philosophy, life, and the meaning of it all. For the first time in a long time, Rudra felt like someone truly understood him.

 

But that’s what happens among teenagers. They talk for a vital and they find love within each other and arts. What happened here? Days passed, they became a constant support to each other. Aarohi didn’t agree with anything he said, but she respected his thinking. She regarded his nature intruding his passion for philosophy. She liked it, she was fascinated , but she didn't agree with it and didn't broke her already formed beliefs. One day after school,

Arohi: “Rudra, can I talk to you for a second?”

 

He looked at her, surprised. They had spoken many times, but this was different.

 

Rudra: “Sure, what’s up?”

 

Arohi: “I... I know we don’t always agree on everything, but there’s something about you that I can’t ignore. I’ve never met anyone who thinks the way you do. And honestly, I admire that. I’ve been thinking a lot about us, about you.”

 

Rudra felt a strange mix of emotions. He had never expected Arohi to feel this way about him. He had always been the outsider, the one who didn’t fit in.

 

Arohi: “I know you’re different from everyone else, and maybe that’s what makes you special. I just wanted to tell you that... I think I like you. A lot.”

 

Rudra stood there, speechless. He had never expected this moment to come. But deep down, he realized he had feelings for her too.

 

Rudra: “I don’t know what to say, Arohi. You’re... you’re not like me. You don’t think like I do. But I guess... I guess I like you too.”

 

They stood there, the world around them quiet as they both realized the connection they shared was something neither of them could explain.

 

This was the first time he ever broke his own principle. He had very different views on love last everything but now all of  his views changed.

They were together for a lot of time chatting,talking etc.

 

it was regular day in the class and it was substitution. And what do we all do in substitution. Some were sleeping, some were decorating the board, the monitors were minding the class, and Arush was finding a way to create nuisance in the class. And then he saw Rudra was writing something in his notebooks and he started reading it.

“You know I have reading a lot about veganism lately and it really opened my eyes to the reality on how we treat animals. The truth is we are all part of system did exploits them for our gain. The dairy industry, for examples, involves artificial insemination and the constant cycle of pregnancy and birth. Cows are forced into this cycle and their cows are taken away from them shortly after bit. Just so that we can consume milk and not just cow, Chicken, pigs and even fish are treated in you. Mainly they are captain cramped spaces, never seeing the light of the day just to satisfy our needs”.

Arush (mocking): “Oh, here we go again, Mr. Philosophy. So, what, you think we should all stop eating meat and live on tofu and leaves?”

Rudra (calmly): “It’s not about tofu and leaves, Arush. It’s about making a conscious choice to stop supporting industries that harm living beings. We can live healthier lives without consuming animal products. There are so many plant-based alternatives that are better for our health, the environment, and the animals. There are many scientific studies to back that”

Arush (sarcastically): “Right, so you’re saying we should all become like you, reading books all day and questioning everything. What’s next, Rudra? You going to tell us that we should stop using our phones because of the resources it takes to make them?”

 

The laughter grew louder. Arush’s friends joined in, making snide comments about Rudra’s appearance and his “radical” nature. They were used to mocking him for his unconventional thoughts, but this time, it felt different. The jokes were more pointed, more personal.

 

Classmate 1 (laughing): “Yeah, Rudra, why don’t you go live in a forest somewhere? You’ll be right at home with all your philosophies and no meat to eat.”

 

Classmate 2 (mocking): “I bet Rudra’s the kind of guy who’d rather die than eat a burger. Maybe he should just drink water and meditate all day.”

 

The comments kept coming, each one more hurtful than the last. Rudra’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he held his ground. He wasn’t going to let them break him. Rudra was not very popular guy in the school all of them made his fun no one took ever took him seriously, some questioned him for his looks some for his weird nature

 

Rudra (firmly): “You can make fun of me all you want, but that doesn’t change the facts. Animals are being mistreated, and we’re contributing to it by supporting industries that profit from their suffering. If you really care about the world, you’d start questioning what you put on your plate.”

 

But as he spoke, he noticed Arohi’s expression shift. She wasn’t laughing, but she wasn’t defending him either. She looked uncomfortable, unsure of how to respond. Rudra’s heart sank. He had always thought that Arohi was different—that she would understand him, even if others didn’t. But now, he wasn’t so sure.

 

Arush (smirking): “Oh, come on, Arohi, don’t tell me you’re buying into this nonsense too. I mean, look at Rudra. He’s always talking about these big ideas, but he can’t even get his own life together. How’s he going to change the world when he can’t even make it through a normal day?”

 

The class erupted in laughter again, and this time, Arohi laughed too. It wasn’t a loud laugh, but it was enough. Rudra’s chest tightened. He had never felt so alone in that moment.

 

Arohi (hesitant): “I... I mean, I get what you’re saying, Rudra. But don’t you think it’s a little extreme? I don’t know if I can just change everything in my life like that. It’s not that simple.”

 

Rudra’s eyes widened. The words felt like a slap in the face. He had always believed that Arohi was different, that she understood him. But now, it felt like she was just like everyone else, laughing at him, mocking his beliefs.

 

Rudra (hurt): “You think it’s extreme? Just because it’s not the norm, it’s extreme? Arohi, I thought you understood. I thought you saw things the way I do. But I guess I was wrong.”

Today he was hurted by the person he trusted the most, his girlfriend. He left her. Broke up with her, cried for a lot of time. Wrote 3 articles on love. And hid them under his bed, otherwise  his father would burn them. He learnt a lesson of life and his desire also got fulfilled. Now he decided never to love anyone. He now saw a wider meaning of love. Love with the universe, love with the animals, love for the environment. He thought he would be a lover as philosopher Peter Abelard but that was not the case.

 

 

 

Rudra had promised that now he will not preach his philosophy to anyone. But do you think can Rudra prevent it from happening? It just happened He is a very observant person and he observes the world around him and the contradictions that existed here. There was a person living there, Ramu came from a typical Brahmin traditional Hindu family and he was a very ritualistic person and practiced all the customs everyday. Every morning without fail, whether it was no rain, heat, he would go to the river , perform his daily worship, perform various mantras, prayers. Immerse himself into the Holy Divine. All these things seem a very good quality, but it was not actually there.He used to practice casteism a lot and everyone knew about it but still people went to him to know about various things. He was also very superstitious person. He followed superstition and even preached superstition he claimed to have some magical powers within him.

But one day Rudra saw something which made his blood boil. As Ramu performed his daily ritual, he saw a person who was coming to take his blessings and he thrashed him away by calling him, “ O you bloody lower caste fellow. Are you trying to defame my religion?” And threw him away from the river, saying that he would pollute the river. Rudra watched in disbelief as he was saying it. He just practiced untouchability. And this was when Rudra’s patience broke. Rudra said loudly from his balcony. “Ramu, you call yourself a Brahmin, but I have seen what you have just done. You have practice  untouchability right there in front of everyone. How can you claim to be a Brahmin when you follow such a vile practice. You have just turned your back on another human being because of his caste and that’s not what being a Brahmin is all about. It’s not what the Vedas say either.” Ramu says “What are you talking about? I’m following my tradition. I’m doing what my ancestors have done for generations. Who are you to question my practices? You don’t understand what it means to be a Brahmin!”

I understand more than you think, Ramu. I understand that you’re using your position to oppress others, and that’s not what the Vedas teach. The scriptures themselves say that all human beings are equal, regardless of their caste. There’s no justification for untouchability, no matter how deeply you believe in it. You can’t claim to be a Brahmin if you disregard the core principles of humanity and equality.”

 Ramu (shouting): “You have no right to question me! You’re just a boy with no authority! You think you can change centuries of tradition with your silly ideas? Who are you to lecture me about the Vedas?”

 

.

 

Rudra (calmly): “I don’t need authority to speak the truth, Ramu. And as for the Vedas, they don’t say what you think they do. They don’t say that one person is superior to another based on their birth. They talk about knowledge, wisdom, and the duty to live a righteous life. And nowhere does it say that untouchability is acceptable. It’s a crime, and it’s a disgrace to your so-called Brahmin status. Thers no caste in vedas based on birth but based on 3 gunas and jobs and in no way discrimination must be done. Even Lord Ram was friend of Nishadraj who can be considered as a lower caste”

 

At this point, Rudra decided to take it a step further. He wasn’t just going to challenge ramu’s actions; he was going to expose the hypocrisy of his religious practices.

 

Rudra (pointing to Ramu): “You claim to follow the teachings of the Vedas, but you’re nothing more than a charlatan, fooling people with your so-called rituals. You perform magic tricks and call them miracles, convincing people that your rituals have supernatural power. But the true purpose of religion isn’t to perform superstitions or make people believe in falsehoods. It’s about transcending the limitations of the physical world, about elevating the soul, and understanding the deeper truths of existence. You’re not practicing religion, Ramu. You’re practicing a farce. Just go and read what Upanishads teach”

 

 

Krishanu (shouting): “You have no right to insult me like this! Who are you to question my faith, my rituals, my beliefs?”

 

Rudra (firmly): “I’m not insulting your faith. I’m questioning your actions. I’m questioning how you use religion to manipulate others. Religion should take us beyond the physical world, beyond superstition, to the realization of oneness with the universe. But you’re stuck in a cycle of blind practices that harm others. You’re no Brahmin. You’re a fraud.”

 

 

But just as the argument reached its peak, something unexpected happened.

 

 

Rudra’s father, who had been watching the scene from a distance, suddenly appeared. His face was stern, his expression filled with disappointment. Without saying a word, he walked up to Rudra and slapped him hard across the cheek.

 

Rudra’s Father (coldly): “Enough, Rudra. You’ve crossed the line. You’ve embarrassed our family, and you’ve disrespected our traditions. You have no right to speak like this, especially in front of strangers. Do you think you can change the world by challenging everything? This is not the way.”

 

 

Rudra (quietly but firmly): “I may not have the authority to change everything, but I’ll keep fighting. No matter what anyone says, I’ll stand by my beliefs. Even if I have to do it alone.”

he threw himself into his studies. The relentless pressure from his parents to perform academically was always there, and now, with his philosophical books destroyed, Rudra had no choice but to focus on his schoolwork. He studied hard, putting aside his passion for philosophy in order to meet the expectations of his parents and the school. His efforts paid off when he scored well in his class 10 exams. His parents, who had believed that their drastic action had brought him back on track, were pleased with his results. They were convinced that burning his books had been the right decision, unaware that Rudra had simply hidden his true interests from them.

Rudra’s cleverness had allowed him to continue his philosophical journey in secret. He had turned to eBooks, finding a way to read and learn without his parents knowing. The world of philosophy was still within his reach, even if he had to keep it hidden. He had come to terms with the fact that his path would not be easy. But he knew that one day, after his class 10 exams, he would have the time and freedom to fully explore his passion for philosophy.

 

However, life rarely goes as planned. Just as Rudra thought he would have the opportunity to pursue his interests after school, reality hit him hard. The weight of expectations from his family, the pressure to conform to societal norms, and the limitations of his own circumstances all seemed to conspire against him. His dreams of studying philosophy and pursuing arts stream were fading into the background, overshadowed by the demands of a world that didn’t understand him.

 

But this is where the story takes an unexpected turn. As Rudra struggles to reconcile his passion with the harsh realities of life, what do you think Will Rudra ever break free from the constraints that bind him? Will he find a way to live authentically, or will he be forced to conform to the world around him?

 

To find out what happens next, stay tuned for Part 2, where Rudra’s journey continues, and the challenges he faces become even more intense. If you have any suggestions or thoughts on where the story should go, feel free to share them. The story is just beginning, and there’s so much more to explore.

-Naitik Sood