Two days ago.
"To understand Nawvara, at first, you need to understand its four sects." Pema was teaching Ilm. Today, no one was around them, only two of them. "First is Itti Nawvara which means theory, it explores the philosophical side. Second is Daga Nawvara, it contains the important diagrams for practising and understanding the third sect of Nawvara, Alur Nawvara which has all codes or spells for using our inner power. Fourth is Kata Nawvara, if Itti is theory, Kata is practical. Kata Nawvara solely focuses on performing this knowledge practically."
"Wahh, Wahh. My brain will burst. Let me remember these. I can't even use my extra memory storage system. Itti, Daga, Alur, Kata?"
"Oh my. People are too much dependent on machines… now from where we will start? Hah! You've unlocked your very first cakra and you first used air move, let's know some aerial techniques and the philosophy of air."
"What is cakra?" Ilm asked.
"Cakras are energy points. There are total seven cakras. By unlocking each cakra, we let the energy flow through our body, and we can control that energy, develop our personality and perform extraordinary things. Opening the first cakra, the root cakra, means you are now able to learn element control."
"Ohhhh." Ilm exclaimed.
"Now, let's head to learn the philosophy of air."
Then she stretched her hands and moved them circularly. The whole place became windy. Hairs and clothes were dancing, they could feel the chill breeze.
"Air is the element of freedom. Every particle in the air is free to move anywhere. A person must know himself; he must see his inner self and be able to differentiate himself from others. When a person becomes unbonded from his all wrath, ego and greed, a person who detaches himself from all worldly illusions can achieve enlightenment, according to the philosophy of air."
"And what are these worldly illusions?" Ilm expressed his doubts.
"Things that most of ambitious people want, are worldly illusions. Money, power, fame, loyal followers… all luxurious things." Pema was walking around Ilm, while he was on the ground sitting. He was listening to her carefully.
She continued, "People are so engaged in seeking the opposite of the mountain that they ignore what is under their noses. With greed, a man doesn't know what he truly wants. Ilm, let out your ambition, know yourself."
Ambition? Did he truly have any ambition? Until the previous day, he used to think Paradise Industry was their heritage. He used to wish after getting the control over industry, he would make it more profitable. Yes, that was certainly an ambition. Even some Bharatas from previous generations used to have that kind of ambition, as he used to think. But now he knew, that was just for the veil which prevented a secret from being known. The previous day, he came to know about their true heritage and true duty. And so, after that, he wished to know all about Nawvara. Was that an ambition?
"I want to know all about Nawvara. Is this my ambition?" Ilm asked.
Pema's face lightened up. She smiled at Ilm. She was proud. "No, it's not ambition but passion. When we want to know something or want to gain skill over something, it becomes our passion. It's your self-indulgent desire. Like what is painting to a painter and writing to a writer. Nawvara gives us purpose. And purpose shows the path to salvation. Greed is not purpose. I'm glad that you are ambitionless."
Ilm chuckled. "Then teach me the aerial techniques."
Pema picked up a stick and drew an eight-pointed star by creating two squares intersecting at eight points. In the middle area of the octagon, she drew a wing of a bird. She made a circle surrounding the star. "Now we are discussing Daga for gaining air power. This eight-pointed star indicates eight directions. The wing symbolizes air."
Ilm gasped with excitement. His eyes were glittering. Another step nearer to enable control over air.
"Now draw this yourself. Use my way to draw."
He imitated the same thing, then contemplated his drawing searching for any error, but didn't find any.
"Well, now feel this diagram," Pema said.
"What? Feel… this diagram?"
"Close your eyes, think about this diagram again and again, recall how you drew this, recall every stroke you've made."
He closed his eyes, and sat crossed legs, each foot on opposite thigh. Hands were rested on his lap, a hand over a hand, thumbs were connected. He did think. He did feel the diagram. How a painter can feel his paintings, every brush stroke, the colours he mixes, the painting which is nothing but his own feeling, his own emotion. How a dancer feels his every posture, the air around him, the ground under him, the music, with its rhythm he dances. And not to mention the scientist, how he is deeply connected with all the universal courses, even in his dream, he can feel it. Everything is a self-discovery journey, a pursuit, a way to freedom. After all these, a masterpiece is born.
"Now you can open your eyes. Tell me what have you felt?"
"Something that I can't put into words," Ilm said.
She smiled. "You're doing well. Let's move towards the Alur Nawvara. Here, you need to chant rites. In some cases, we recite an incantation one time to gain a certain ability, while in others, we need to chant every time we use a move. For element control, it's one-time, after gaining the ability no need to chant again. Listen carefully, and remember that spelling is important. Pronunciation is a crucial part of Alur Nawvara. If you misspell a word, the whole code won't work. Say after me. Aum Suyashixu Bāwe'chi."
"Aum Suyashixu Bāwe'chi."
"Bāwe Tāra'chi Wúkadra…"
"Bāwe Tāra'chi Wúkadra…"
"Ethirwica Tiān."
"Ethirwica Tiān."
"Tasakhu Hahara'lé Mate'chi…"
"Tasakhu Hahara'lé Mate'chi…"
"Ahaymo dena Tāra'chi."
"Ahaymo dena Tāra'chi."
"Ajhi Diwadkhu…"
"Ajhi Diwadkhu…"
"Mána Thittī'chi Bāwe'ke."
"Mána Thittī'chi Bāwe'ke."
"Aum Suyashixu Bāwe'chi. Bāwe Tāra'chi Wúkadra Ethirwica Tiān. Tasakhu Hahara'lé Mate'chi Ahaymo dena Tāra'chi. Ajhi Diwadkhu Mána Thittī'chi Bāwe'ke."
"Aum Suyashixu Bāwe'chi. Bāwe Tāra'chi Wúkadra Ethirwica Tiān. Tasakhu Hahara'lé Mate'chi Ahaymo dena Tāra'chi. Ajhi Diwadkhu Mána Thittī'chi Bāwe'ke." Ilm recited the code perfectly, though it was difficult for him to understand as it felt like an alien language. "Can you tell me, it means what?"
"The whole sentence is: 'Oh Suyashixu of Air. Your winds wander the Earth and skies. Teach my hands your ancient dance. Please grant the power of control over air.'" Pema said. "Here, Suyashixu is from this language. Our usual tongue doesn't have an exact word for it."
"Then, you better teach me this new language before teaching me Nawvara."
Pema giggled. "You don't need to learn this language. Nobody does. Besides, every code resembles something with each other. By the way, for knowledge, this language is called M̃uqa Uam'chi, the one's tongue or language."
"Wooow," Ilm exclaimed widely. "So, what's now?"
"Recite the code again and again. Let your mind be connected with the air. Let your body be like air."
Ilm frowned, then took a deep breath and slowly loosed it. He recited the code. He continued this. Air, the element of freedom. He thought about clouds, birds, and every blow of winds… everything related to this element. Freedom, transcend your body, let yourself be connected with the air.
"I am granting you the power to control air." Ilm heard a voice. He opened his eyes with shock. Then he looked at the surroundings. He couldn't tell if it was male or female…but just a voice.
"What's happened?" Pema asked.
"Haven't you heard that voice?"
"What voice?"
"Nothing. My bad. By the way, I think I am ready." Ilm said.
"You mean you can control air?" Pema asked being surprised. "I know you are a fast learner, but it takes much time to welly learn Kata Nawvara."
"No. I am sure I'm prepared."
She sighed. "I think you won't listen. Okay, try to stop these winds."
He stood up and bowed with añjali mudrā. Then he stretched out his hands and took a deep breath. Then moved his both hands circularly. Surprise to Pema, he did make it. The wind gradually stopped. He released his breath.
"You are a prodigy," Pema exclaimed. She was not only surprised but also thinking about Ilm's capability. "It took me about two days to be able to control water. You are a very talented boy it just takes you a few minutes to unlock the ability to control air. You're truly a miracle."
"Oh really!" Ilm expressed. "Or perhaps, because it was water, the last element you'd learned. So it was difficult for you to control it. Air must take less time. Don't you?"
"No. Air was my last element. I was trained with water first. I still remember how your grandpa used to bring dozens of water drums to train me. And he often became a very strict man while teaching."
"Grandpa? He was your master?" Ilm couldn't imagine his grandfather as a strict teacher like his mother. For him, his grandfather was a mythos lover old man who was surrounded by his own world the world of books and mysteries. His eyes were widened with unbelieve.
"Well, all I can say is you have a compelling talent."
He twinkled. "Teach me more, sifu."
She made a pleasant face. "For today that's all. Tomorrow, we'll learn about the element, thunder. Only those who have a balance mind, can able to control thunder."