Shambhala (5 page)

“But, but, nothing, young Bandar. Now you listen and listen well. Your merging with Bahi is complete. You have been a crucial part of his path. And now, like the great river, which splits at eagle’s rock, you must part ways.” He notices a look of concern on Bandar’s face. “Fear not, young Bandar: all rivers lead to the same place. Yet, if they do not stream where they are meant to stream, they will not carry the water of life where it is meant to be carried. Thus those who need, and await it there, will be without. There is enough disharmony, too many rivers and streams offtrack. Return home. Your family worries for you. Kamala cries as we speak!”

Bending down softly to Bandar’s eye level, Kavi looks with compassionate concern. “Promise me this, young one,” he asks as he places a gentle hand on Bandar’s shoulder.

“Of course, Kavi. I promise.” Bandar lowers his head in reverent discontent.

Making his way over to the small shelf, Kavi pulls down a small brown cloth tied with a thin piece of vine. Untying the cloth as he walks back over, he reveals three berries that lie gently inside and hands them, laid out on the cloth, to Bahi.

“These will protect you on the path to the Baba. If you encounter any danger, simply eat these, and protection will be at your back.”

Bahi ties them back up and places them in his pocket. “Thank you for your help, Kavi,” he says as he bows his head, hands in prayer position. “Will the Baba have the answers I seek?”

“Only you hold those answers. Yet the journey you travel and the people and animals you meet will unveil parts of yourself, pieces of the riddle that will be able to answer this. So in essence we all hold the answers to each other.”

Bahi runs this over in his head, trying to make practical sense to it at a time where nothing seems to compute. Kavi summons the smaller monkey from the other room as he bids them farewell. Walking off toward the miniature door they came in, the small, white monkey stands, showing them the way out as Kavi disappears once again into the mist at the far corner of the room.

Making their way down the steep, wooden staircase, which spirals down the trunk, Bahi struggles in the small space to make his way down, in contrast to Bandar, who effortlessly makes his way hopping and even playfully flipping down the steps. Finally reaching the mouth, they exit the tree, and as the Earth once again trembles, they watch as the hole heals up until it looks as though there were never an entrance. Bahi leans on a wide bodhi tree in deep contemplation and awe.

“The wise Baba is who taught Kavi. Surely he will have the answers you seek,” Bandar says sensing a still unfulfilled Bahi.

“Have you met this Baba?”

“Not I. Not many do here in the jungle, but he is known by many. It is said that he is six hundred years old and transmutes his messages by thought to all of the world.”

“What of the path? You say it’s dangerous!” Bahi enquires.

“The path that leads to the Baba is one of great lore among the jungle, full of danger they say, but we have many stories and I believe they are just that, stories.”

“What if it’s truth?” Bahi asks nervously.

“Ah, just a story to keep the young monkey from wandering off,” Bandar says, trying to ease his fears.

“Kavi predicted certain death for you upon the path. Danger must be prevalent there.”

“My friend, keep your wits high and your senses open and you will be OK. You have the berries from Kavi. If not, then maybe I would be a little worried,” Bandar says, now expressing a small amount of the large concern he holds inside, knowing this to be a path of danger. “We should sleep here in the protection of the ancient forest and leave for the path just before sunrise. You don’t want to be on the path at nightfall,” Bandar suggests.

Bahi likes the idea, and sitting on fallen leaves he absorbs the energy that vibrates from the enormous trees all around him, lifting his spirits and calming his mind. Bandar drags over a large, fallen banana palm frond and lay it next to Bahi. “Bed,” he says, as Bahi stands to help him out.

Gathering more fallen fronds that spread wide with browned leaves, they create covers for their bedding to protect them from the cool night winds that will soon be rolling in. The forest is especially beautiful as the setting sun dances upon the ancient trees, adding a golden hue to the massive trunks, which embody wisdom and stability. Sitting in wonder of this magical land, Bahi reflects on the lessons of Kavi. He internally thanks the forest, the trees, the fallen leaves they have used for bedding, the fruit above, and the soil below. For the first time in the past two days, he feels calm. A smile grows upon his face. The quiet dust of the forest sails smoothly in the warm, golden sunlight, settling into the Earth. A butterfly lands gently upon Bahi’s knee as he sits. He quietly observes her exquisite wings, silky black, with one reflective blue circle filled with dark lavender on each wing.

“Hello,” he delicately greets as the butterfly leisurely waves her wings as if doing a light stretch.

“Hi,” she replies to Bahi’s amazement.

“Can you understand me?” he asks.

“Why, yes, I can, I’m not an idiot, you know.”

Bahi laughs at the revelation that he can talk to insects too, scaring her to a delicate pounce a few feet away on the tip of the palm bed.

“You are quite possibly the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen,” he says in truth, drawing her back to his knee.

“Why, thank you. You are a very beautiful. Um, what are you exactly?” the butterfly asks, never having ventured out of the jungle to see a human.

“They say I am a human being.”

“Who is they?” she asks.

“Ha, ha, I don’t know,” Bahi laughs. “What is your name, little butterfly?”

“Kamini,” she says as she gracefully flutters to his arm to get a better look at him.

“My name is Bahi, nice to meet you, Kamini.”

Bandar comes rustling over, back from gathering some food for dinner, a variety of fruits and beans.

“Bandar, this is Kamini,” Bahi introduces.

“Hello Kamini, you are welcome to join us for dinner,” Bandar says, pointing to the food he piled on top of the dried palm leaves, laid out next to a large tree.

“Why I thank you, but I have just indulged of the sweet nectars of that

flower,” Kamini says, floating gently and landing on Bahi’s shoulder as they make their way over to the food.

A feast of fruits and beans lies before them. Bahi smiles with thanks as they sit around the food.

“So, where does a human being come from, and where are you going,” Kamini asks.

Finishing a mouthful of banana, Bahi explains, “Well, Kamini, where I come from is somewhat of a mystery, as is where I am going. I am searching for that truth of who I am.” Bahi goes on to explain of how Bandar and he met and what brought them to the ancient forest.

Finishing the meal, they see the sky darken as they shelter themselves in a huddle under the dried-brown palm fronds. The coolness of night begins to settle in. Silently they lie, all in contemplation of their own lives, and with minds as full as bellies, they drift off to sleep. The subtle sleep of dreams quickly consumes them, easing their tired bodies from the busy day.

“B
ANDAR, BANDAR!” A
voice softly pokes into the darkness of sleep.

Opening his eyes, Bandar sees Kamala nudging him to wake up. He smiles. “Am I dreaming?” he asks playfully.

“Bandar, the clan worries about you,” she says with urgency as Bandar sits up, bringing his mind to the present.

“The clan . . . ” Bandar trails off, unconcerned.

“I worried about you,” Kamala says lovingly, looking into his eyes.

Bahi begins to wake, slowly stretching up, pulling his knees to his chest, huddled in a sitting position and trying to contain his warmth. The sun has not yet risen, but light softly illumines the forest as Kamini makes her way to a fire-orange red marigold to feast upon its nectar.

“Today I will come back to the clan. I am showing Bahi the way to the trail that leads to the Baba,” Bandar explains to Kamala.

“Who is Bahi?” she asks.

“Who indeed?” Bahi says with a chuckle.

“I named him Bahi, my
brother
,” Bandar explains proudly as Kamini softly alights upon his head.

“Hello,” she greets Kamala.

Kamala smiles back, “The path to the Baba is forbidden, Bandar,” Kamala whispers.

Bahi listens in concern.

“Kavi has assured us he will be fine,” Bandar says, noticing the concerned look on Bahi’s face.

“I will come with you. I can fly above and see any danger ahead,” Kamini offers. “and besides, I have heard much about this Baba, and I think he can help me.”

“Help you, with what?” Bandar asks.

“I lost my family, my brothers and sisters—all gone. One day I was eating breakfast, and when I was done they were nowhere to be seen. I haven’t seen them since. This was weeks ago,” Kamini explains sadly.

“Then so it is,” Bahi says, standing up to greet the first beam of warm light from over the hills. “Kamini and I will brave the forest path to the Baba.”

“We should get moving so you can get an early start. One does not want to be on that path at dark,” Bandar warns.

Gathering up, the four head out of the ancient forest, led by Bandar and Kamala. They pass great, rushing rivers and an array of beautiful foliage. They reach a large stone wall decorated with small, purple flowers that grow up its face.

“It’s just over this hill,” Bandar explains, pointing to a small path that fades into the incline of thick jungle.

Bahi begins to feel nervous, realizing that Bandar will soon leave him. They make their way up the narrow rocky trail, over a small hill. Reaching the summit, they come to another trail that descends into the darkness of the jungle. A wooden sign is posted on a tree. It points toward the trail. A large crow swoops down, its wide, black, silken wings lowering it to rest upon the sign.

“What does it say?” Bahi asks, noticing it’s written in Hindi.

Bandar is busy looking up in a tree for food to give Kamini and Bahi for their journey.

“It’s a warning,” the crow says, staring down with solid -black beady eyes.

Bahi looks up. “A warning for what?” he asks nervously.

The crow turns his head toward the trail then back at Bahi, and from his sharp, black beak he speaks, “Better men than you have traversed this path and were never seen again. If you are smart, you will turn back now.”

“I can’t. I must see the Baba,” Bahi says as Kamini floats higher to nervously look ahead on the trail.

“If the Baba wished to see you, he would come to you,” the crow squawks.

Just then Kamala and Bandar descend a tree with some bananas and bean pods. Kamini soars down, landing on Bahi’s shoulder.

“It doesn’t look so bad, just trail,” Kamini assures.

“Nothing is as it seems down there. Turn back now,” the crow warns again.

“Don’t listen to that old hag,” Bandar says, brushing him off.

“You risk certain death, fools. I have warned you. You will never survive. If you step on that path I will be feasting upon your dead carcass come nightfall!”

Bandar pounces upon the sign, showing his teeth as the crow makes haste flying off.

“Nothing is as it seems, fools, turn back!” he warns as he squawks away into the forest.

Bahi is uneasy. “Do you think I will be OK?”

“You’ll be fine. Just keep your wits about you,” Kamala says.

“Yeah, don’t worry about that old crow, he has nothing better to do than scare people,” Bandar adds in an attempt to comfort.

“Well friends, this is goodbye then, huh?” Bahi says as Kamala hands him some bananas and bean pods.

“It’s never goodbye,” Kamala says with a smile.

Bandar jumps into Bahi’s arms as he catches him with a startle and they laugh.

“Thank you, brother. One day I will return and repay your kindness,” Bahi promises.

“Friends don’t thank. We help without wanting back, brother.”

Bahi feels a tear well up in his eye. His heart respects the brave compassion that Bandar has offered. Bandar bounces off of Bahi’s chest and leaps upon the sign. Kamala pounces up to join him.

“Goodbye, friends,” Bahi says, taking his first apprehensive step toward the trail. Walking further, with Kamini floating alongside, he is unable to see the opening of the trail through the thickness of the jungle. Already he misses Bandar.

“This isn’t so bad. That crow’s a kook,” Kamini says, noting the air of peace offered by the trail.

“Not at all,” Bahi concurs.

The sun splashes blessings upon the trail, which seems like any other they’ve been on. Feeling secure now, Bahi begins to whistle, quickening his pace so as to make good use of the daylight. Marching forward, they smile at the absurdity of fear they heard before entering the path.

STOPPING BY A
small stream that snakes along the trail, they realize they have been walking for at least a few hours. They drink some water and Bahi sits and eats some of the food given to them by Bandar and Kamala. Kamini rests on some flowers, sucking up nectar with her little straw of a mouth.

“So how did you loose your family?” Bahi inquires, bathing his face in the afternoon sun.

Kamini floats slowly to Bahi’s leg, drenching herself in rays of sunshine.

“One day we were eating, just like we are now—my parents, me, and my twelve brothers and sisters—when all of a sudden a pack of monkeys came barreling through the jungle. We all scattered in the chaos. I was so startled that I flew and flew, and when I finally stopped I was in the ancient forest, where I stayed and feasted on the wonderful nectars in hopes that one day my family would find me. It’s been quite some time, and my sorrow turned to depression. And that’s when you came along.”

“Why didn’t you go looking for them? Why didn’t you go back to your home?”

“We don’t have a home. We roam the jungle and sleep where ever we are, under leaves, in the safe hallows of trees, wherever our rabble may be at dusk is where we make our home.”

“That’s a sad story, Kamini. I’m sure that the Baba can help you, I am told he is all knowing.”

“I’ve heard only legends of him and never thought he really existed,” Kamini says as she floats up, softly landing on Bahi’s nose with a gentle kiss from her long tube mouth, “Thank you, friend, for this opportunity.”

Bahi, cross-eyed as he looks at Kamini on the tip of his nose, smiles. “No, friend, thank you for coming on this journey with me.”

Kamini floats off as Bahi quickly scratches the tickle on his nose from Kamini’s small, delicate feet.

Kamini flies up high and descends back down to Bahi. “Looks like we still have a ways to go.”

“Well, let us get on then,” Bahi says, standing up with a smile.

Moving on once again, they come to a split in the path and Bahi stops to think,
Which way do we go?
Kamini flys up to have a look. As Bahi stands rubbing his chin in contemplation, he feels a pull on his ankle, and before he can look to see what it is, he is tugged down, falling hard onto his back. His breath thumps in his chest. A vine has wrapped around his leg and with force is slowly pulling him into a dense brush as he struggles to fight it.

“Help!” he cries out as he wrestles with the persistent vine.

Kamini flies down rapidly as Bahi grabs the end of the vine and manages to rip it off, but another vine has already taken hold of him, wrapping itself around his shoulder, and another around his other ankle.

“Bahi!” Kamini cries out, completely impotent.

Bahi struggles to keep his free foot in the gravel as the vines slowly begin to overpower him, pulling him into a thick tangle of vines and brush.

“Bahi, a rock!” Kamini yells out, landing on a large rock with a sharp edge just within Bahi’s reach.

He quickly grabs it, loosening his footing, and with great force smashes the sharp side of the rock onto the vine, snapping it loose from his leg and sending the vine squealing back into the brush. The vine on his shoulder has tightened its grip and now pulls even stronger, overwhelming his strength. He notices a large, orange-and-yellow flower in the viney brush that opens like a mouth with sharp fangs. It salivates as he struggles. Bahi begins to panic, and with a forceful blow smashes down on the vine that straps his arm, not even penetrating the thick, jade attacker. Another vine catches his ankle again, and he feels overpowered as he draws closer to the salivating, monstrous flower that is almost as big as him. He can hear the flower open up its vines to reveal itself ready to consume him. In a snap of fear, he recalls memories of playing baseball, as he cocks his free arm back and hurls the rock at the monstrous flower, penetrating the hollow of the mouth as it quickly closes screeching with pain and releasing Bahi from its viney grasp.

Bahi, followed by Kamini, quickly scurries back and lunges to his feet, running away from the vines, panting as his heart races.

“What was that thing?” Kamini asks, still in a fright.

“I don’t know,” Bahi says, still shaken up, wiping dirty sweat from his beet-red face.

“You should have seen your face,” Kamini says with a soft chuckle, lightening the mood.

Bahi laughs, shaking off anxious nerves, but still in fight mode. “Things are not what they seem,” he says as he rubs his ankle, sore and slightly cut up from the vine.

Ahead, the path straightens. Bahi takes note of all the foliage. The trees seem to dance and the bushes to breathe as they proceed forward with caution. Walking for about an hour they come to a turn, where suddenly the path ends.

“What?” Kamini asks in confusion.

“We went the wrong way,” Bahi says remembering the split in the path back by the monstrous viney flower. The panic of the moment took them down the wrong trail. Noticing their mistake, they walk back toward the split. As they near the man-eating vines again, Bahi gathers two large stones, and they proceed with vigilance, silently walking past the carnivorous plants that seem to rest like ordinary vines and bushes.

Proceeding down the other path and realizing they have lost a few hours of light, they begin to pick up the pace as Bandar’s warning plays over in Bahi’s mind: “One does not want to be on that path at dark.”

The path grows narrow. Thick, dark-emerald foliage blocks out the sunlight. An uncommon silence settles over the jungle, unsettling both Bahi and Kamini as they precariously make their way about the path. The sun is low in the sky, and in only a few hours it will be dark. Nervous and uncertain, they move along.

“I am going to jog, so keep up,” Bahi tells Kamini as he begins to jog in the hopes he can make up for lost time and reach the Baba before nightfall. The path finally opens up as he quickens his pace. After a while of running, he stops by a flowing stream to quench his thirst and rest for a minute. The sun has begun to make its descent behind the hills far off from the trail. Bahi kneels by the water’s edge and washes his face as he drinks. Looking into the pool of water that gathers from the runoff of the stream, he notices his reflection. Looking deeply at his face, he thinks hard about who he is, and just then his reflection morphs into a demonic face surrounded by fire. He jumps back in fear. Slowly he looks back into the water, but only his reflection is there. He thinks he may have eaten a bad banana or something. He stands, noticing he feels fine. He crouches to grab a thick, fallen branch that lies in the running stream. The stick is about shoulder height, strong and pressurized from the many days of water flowing over it. He feels it will be wise to have a weapon in the dark. And jabbing it in the earth he notices it also serves as the perfect walking stick.

“Let’s move,” he beckons to Kamini, who is eating a piece of rotten fruit fallen from a tree.

Hungry and edgy, they move along the now dimly lit path as the remains of the sun fade away. As Bahi walks briskly, Kamini sets upon his shoulder. “Shhh, you hear that?” she asks in a whisper.

“No”

“Shhh, listen.”

Bahi listens carefully and hears small beeping sounds that begin to grow louder. Almost instantly he feels something crawling up his pants as he jumps in fright, swatting at what feels to be a large bug in his pants. Looking up, he can see small gnome-like men coming out of the woods by the hundreds. Swiftly crawling up his body they knock his stick from his hand and skillfully trip him with vine ropes that they have wrapped around his walking legs. Thumping to the ground, he struggles to fight them off, swiping at some, sending them flying off into the woods. Like large ants working for a feast, they quickly take him and Kamini over and bind them in their viney rope. They call out in victorious unison, yelling up to the full moon, which has added much pale light to the otherwise dark path. Wearing an acorn shell helmet, one of the tiny men climbs up on Bahi’s chest as he lies tightly bound, unable to move. His old, wrinkly face does not match his childlike exuberance as he tosses aside a hanging piece of his rat-fur jacket and stamps his staff into Bahi’s chest, sending a piercing pain through his torso.

“Moo gai, gel thea,” the gnome says as the others begin to frisk Bahi’s pockets.

They pull the clothed berries from his pants, and he hears them call up, “Sip, don tik nee sleen.”

Not understanding the language, he quickly realizes these little men are bandits, as they search him head to toe. Bringing the small cloth up to the man who seems to be in charge, still standing fast on Bahi’s chest, they convene around it as two grasp their tiny hands on the cloth, pulling it open to reveal the berries.

“Seam nhat?” one of them says in wonder, as his beady eyes gleam in the moonlight.

“Seam nhat,” the one in charge says in confirmation, plunging his tiny hand into one of the berries. All falls silent in anticipation.

As he pulls out a purple handful dripping with ripe berry, Bahi struggles and the others below tighten the rope.

“Sang heet!” the leader abruptly says, driving his stick into Bahi’s chest once again.

Holding up the handful of berry that oozes from his hand he chants, “Sean nhat!”

All the others yelp and cheer, and with the raise of his small stick silence falls over them. Taking a large bite from the berry piece in hand he chews as the others watch in a hush. His eyes light up with delight, “Mmm.” He stops mid-chew and grabs his throat, dropping his staff to Bahi’s chest. The others look on with fear as he shakes and convulses and suddenly like a rocket is propelled upward, slamming into a tree and falling lifeless upon the dirt of nightfall. Several of the men run over to him yelling out, “Pwan Mei, Pwan Mei!”

Growing hostile, the rabble of banter sounds out, and Bahi can sense their anger and fears what they may now do. Kamini sits bound to the floor as a younger gnome taunts her with jabs of a stick. All the men jump up onto Bahi as he begins to struggle. Using all of his strength, he blows and spits at them, and trying to use his head as a weapon, jabs his chin as they come closer. Coming at him with small axes and spears, they seethe with anger. Fearing death, Bahi struggles to break free when a sudden gust of wind blows in oddly, knocking several of them to the ground. Bahi notices that the mango tree above him seems to be moving and lowering its branches. The tree swipes a large branch across Bahi’s chest, knocking gnomes to the ground. Branches swoop down to pick up gnomes and fling them into the jungle. They begin to run in fear, retreating into the darkness of the forest. Bahi breaks free of the tangle of vine and liberates Kamini, who struggles on the ground, entangled in panic and vines. Picking up his staff, he swings it wildly in all directions as the gnomes scurry off crying out, “Meep meep meep!”

Realizing they’re all gone, Bahi looks up at the tree as it appears to bow down slightly, revealing a face that seems to be smiling at him, through it’s rough, barky trunk.

“Thank you,” Bahi says, lowering his head in gratitude as Kamini floats up to his shoulder.

“The Baba awaits you,” the tree says with a deep, commanding voice. The tree slowly creeks its branches down toward them, dangling a couple of ripe mangos. “Take, please,” the tree offers with a comforting voice.

“How can I repay you for your help?” Bahi asks, plucking the mangos from the branch as the leaves shake like a splash of water, “Shhhh.” The leaves ascend and the tree again stands upright.

“How can I repay you, tree,” Bahi again asks.

The tree lets out a deep-bellowed laugh and says, “Remember me, remember the generosity of the forest, and you will more than pay me back. I ask for nothing but mutual deference.” The face in the tree disappears into the trunk, and the tree stands still as if nothing has happened.

Kamini folds the berries back into the cloth, and Bahi puts them back into his pocket. “A talking tree! Now I’ve seen it all!” Kamini says.

Staring in wonder up at the tree, Bahi turns to place the two mangoes on the ground and brushes the leaves and debris that cover his cotton beige shirt and pants from the tussle. Sitting in the shelter and security of the great tree above him, he peels the mangoes in layers, revealing their glistening orange fruit, which Kamini sits upon, slurping the sugars. Bahi’s mouth waters before he sinks his teeth into the juicy, sweet fruit, still warm from the day’s sun. Gratitude overwhelms him as he stares up at the tree, enjoying its fruitful offering.

Finishing the mangoes, he stands up, cleaning his hands on his pants as he takes a deep breath, knowing there is more to journey in the darkness of the jungle. Not a thought even remotely entertains the idea of sleeping here.

“Shall we?” he asks.

“We shall,” Kamini answers.

Patting the tree with appreciation, he picks up his staff and heads off down the dim, moonlit path. Approaching the darkness of the trail, forms move and breathe; vines are feared to be snakes; swaying trees could be ogres. As the knots in their throats tighten, they round a bend, where a hazy fog begins to seep in from the ground, illuminated by moonlight as it rises and thickens. Coming to an open area, Bahi notices stones skillfully set about the ground. “Is this a graveyard?” he whispers.