Chapter 238

Tu Ashvasena sat frozen on the ground, his face covered in mud, dirt, handprints, and fingerprints.

Drona rushed over and, upon seeing the Ashvasena neighing on the ground, his eyes were filled with both heartache and resentment.

It is true that he claims to be Brahmin.

Times have changed, and in this day and age, the Brahmin community that still faithfully upholds the Dharma is now extremely rare.

According to the Dharma order of the Dharma, Brahmin first needs to follow a teacher and practice the ancient Vedic Scriptures; then he should establish a family and continue the bloodline of his ancestors; next, he should renounce worldly life with his wife and children to practice; and finally, he should wander alone in the world until his death.

When Brahmin renounces worldly life, he or she must give up all his or her wealth and give it away to the public.

Of course, the common people who truly need alms cannot reach the Brahmin's doorsteps.

In short, because they had given up wealth, Brahmin relied primarily on the offerings of others in the latter two stages of their lives.

But how can one so easily relinquish a noble family lineage and the glory once enjoyed?

It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality; this is a universal truth throughout history.

Drona quickly helped the Ashvasena to its feet and tore off a cloth to wipe the dirt from its face. The surrounding vendors burst into laughter at the sight, their words dripping with sarcasm.

"Enough, you lowly Vaishya!"

Drona's eyes blazed with fury. "You can laugh at me, but why do you allow those bastards to humiliate my son!"

That's enough.

A vendor selling freshly squeezed juice said, "You don't really think you're so great, do you? Real Brahmin wouldn't even bother to look at us, let alone condescend to come to a place like this."

If they were to come, they would have this place cleaned spotless three days in advance. People of low caste like us wouldn't even be allowed to appear before them... Drona, since you keep claiming to be Brahmin, aren't your food, clothing, and other necessities all obtained from us?"

Another vendor chimed in, "That's absolutely right. Drona, you have hands and feet, yet you insist on begging. Not only do you beg yourself, but you also drag your son along to beg—it was your own decision, and now you're blaming us for not stopping you? Drona, how can you be so selfish? Bah!"

These street vendors, who bicker all the time, are incredibly sarcastic and malicious.

They may have never heard of the Vedas, nor learned ancient wisdom in a private school.

But they happen to be the best at making these mundane jokes.

Drona could converse for days with monks well-versed in Vedic wisdom, but now he was powerless against these malicious and insidious taunts.

But his anger only grew stronger as he suppressed it, and he looked around.

The most eye-catching figures are Hebe is lying on a recliner with her eyes closed and taking a nap, and Karna, who is squatting on a stool next to her with white hair and an expressionless face.

Drona strode toward Karna, with Ashvasena tugging at his father's clothes from behind.

"You--"

Before Drona could finish speaking, Karna's calm voice rang out.

"Do you think I am weak and easy to bully, and that's why you're determined to vent your anger on me? How are you any different from those children who bully the Ashvasena? Is this behavior in accordance with the Dharma?"

Karna didn't even raise his head, and a single sentence from him shut Drona down.

The tall Drona's expression turned serious.

The reason is simple: Karna spoke of the "Dharma".

"You actually know about the Dharma? Then let me test you: how many ways are there to practice the Dharma?"

There are three types.

Karna answered succinctly, "The way of actions, the way of knowledge, the way of faith."

The so-called path of conduct is to fulfill caste duties and participate in sacrificial ceremonies in order to accumulate good karma;

The path of knowledge involves studying the Vedic Scriptures, practicing yoga, and engaging in deep meditation in order to seek unity with the divine.

The path of piety involves offering sincere prayers and chanting to the gods in order to receive their blessings.

These three paths enable one to practice the Dharma and ultimately lead to liberation.

"This is incredible."

Drona was secretly shocked.

It wasn't that he hadn't tried to teach Ashvasena, but the problem was that Ashvasena was mischievous and restless from a young age and had no interest in studying.

These days, you can meet any street vendor and they'll be able to tell you the three ways to practice the Dharma.

"Then let me test you again. What are the four great accomplishments that a devout and pure ascetic should achieve in his lifetime?"

"Dharma, benefit, desire, liberation."

Karna answered succinctly as always.

"Well!"

Drona was overjoyed.

She showed neither joy nor impatience in the face of Drona's praise.

Drona looked Karna up and down. "What is your surname? You must be of the Brahmin caste, or perhaps the Kshatriya caste. With your profound understanding, you could not possibly be of any other caste. Who taught you about the Dharma?"

"My dad."

Karna turned around without hesitation and sold Hebe out.

Drona followed her finger and looked directly into Hebe's deep green eyes.

"Vaishya?"

Drona's voice was distorted; he was both disappointed and angry.

In this era, it is no big deal for Vaishya to study the Dharma.

They amassed enormous wealth, and even the proud Brahmin would bow their heads and teach with a pinched nose in the face of money.

But Drona was a very traditional Brahmin —otherwise he wouldn't have been begging on the streets with his son.

"Then where does your Dharma come from?"

Drona suppressed his anger and intended to get to the bottom of things.

Did you manage to beg for any food today?

Hebe asked.

Drona was furious and was about to speak.

Seeing Hebe's eyes was like having a bucket of ice water poured over your head.

He answered honestly, "No."

As if to fit the occasion, his stomach rumbled.

Do you want to eat?

Hebe asked again.

"Yes, I really want to."

Drona answered.

"Go eat if you're hungry. Put on clothes if you're cold."

Hebe lay on the recliner and said casually, "If you want to live well, go make money; if you're too lazy to make money, live in poverty."

"This is not the Dharma!"

"Then burn yourself with fire now."

"Then you're free," Hebe said.

Drona was silent for a moment, then raised his hands and clasped them together.

"Please teach me."

"I don't have anything to teach you. If you'd like, you can come over and chat."

Hebe took the fruit from Karna, but just as she was about to peel it, she discovered it was a mango.

How can you eat while lying down?

Hebe simply sat up, handed the mango back to Ashvasena, and took a banana from the stall to eat.

Drona looked at the mango in his son's hands, knelt down on one knee, and raised his hands together in prayer.

This gesture has nothing to do with Brahmin or Vaishya; it is simply a father's sincere gratitude.

As night slowly fell, Hebe carried a folding recliner, while Karna followed behind, carrying large and small bags.

Their home is not far away.

"I'm back."

As soon as the door was opened, a faint fragrance wafted into the air.

Under normal circumstances, Bharata add lethal amounts of spices to their cooking.

Over time, their threshold for spices will be raised very high.

"Mother."

Karna stared wide-eyed at Kama, who was carrying a clay pot, and asked, "What are we eating today?"

"Curry chicken".

Kama, dressed in a purple-red sari pleated skirt, smiled as he lifted the lid of the pot.

"Then who will make up for the golden light I'm missing?"

Hebe's voice drifted softly from the side.

"Mom, let's do it again."

Karna quickly ran behind the table and hid opposite Hebe.

Kama sighed, smiled, put the lid back on, and then lifted it.

"Clang, clang, thud!"

Karna's tiny hand emerged from between the pot and the lid, then shimmered with golden light.

It's special effects! Karna added special effects to the food!

"You're such a filial daughter!"

Hebe couldn't help but smile and reached out to pinch Karna's cheek.

"Mom, save me!"

Karna struggled to reach out his hand.

"Okay, time to eat! Stop fooling around!"

Kama took out a spatula and tapped it on the edge of the table.

Okay.

"Mom, it was Mother who struck first."

Karna filed a complaint.

"Eat your food!"

Hebe was a little embarrassed and gently slapped her on the forehead.

Hebe did not use illusions at home.

Karna calls her "father" outside, but "mother" at home, and there is no conflict between the two.

Kama had no objection.

After finishing their meal, they sat in the courtyard, just like countless ordinary yet happy families of three in this era, enjoying the cool air.

After a while, Hebe woke them up and told them to go inside to sleep.

This kind of life has been going on for several years.

The next day, Drona returned to the vicinity of Hebe.

This time he didn't come empty-handed; he stood in front of Hebe's stall and spouted nonsense.

Drona followed Hebe's example, spreading a cloth on the ground and then selling small wooden statues.