THE CHALLENGE
-4. A Step Forward

King Rajendra showed Balachandra the drawings of Raghu’s father.  “These are very well made, Maharaj!  What a talented family!” observed Balachandra and the King nodded in agreement.

The next day, Raghu had to wake up much earlier than he usually did.  He was very excited for he was going to learn singing under such a reputed guru.  He was aware that he could not get a better teacher than Balachandra for seeking expertise in this field.  Whenever Balachandra organised any singing event, people from all corners of the kingdom came to hear him sing.  Many of them had tears in their eyes at some of the devotional songs sung by the maestro.  There were many who were jealous of him and had challenged him in a competition.  However, Balachandra always managed to reign supreme as none could match his inept knowledge in singing and harmonious voice.  Thus, it came as no surprise that Raghu was so excited to learn singing from him.   After he sang his morning bhajan, Raghu prostrated before the lord and prayed, “May everything turn out to be well, O God!”  Thereby, after having his breakfast, he set out to Balachandra’s residence to begin his education under him. 

In the days to come, Raghu enjoyed to learn singing from his guru, Balachandra.  Due to his will and enthusiasm, Raghu grasped all that his guru taught him at a very brisk rate.  He also practiced singing rigorously and would not go to sleep till he mastered that day’s teachings of his guru.  Balachandra was pleased to see this dedication of his pupil and knew in his heart that someday Raghu would become a famous singer like him.  Such was the commitment of the youth that those ragas, which usually took more than a year for others, were learnt by him to perfection in a matter of a few months! 

Balachandra also tried to get rid of the stammering problem which Raghu had by advising him thus, “Raghu, do not gush with your words.  Think well what you want to say and speak slowly and with confidence.  If you show the same determination to tackle with your speech problem like you are displaying for singing, you will certainly speak without any glitches.” 

Raghu heard these words of his guru in silence.  As he had already lost hope that he would ever speak normally, this advice of his guru did not bear any fruits.  Sometimes, Raghu even told his guru that he used to feel miserable when he stammered and therefore kept away from mixing with others.  To this, Balachandra responded, “You must ignore those feelings and make some bold initiative, Raghu.  After all, somewhere you have to make a start!”  However, Raghu accorded due importance only to his feelings and did not implement what his guru was telling him to do.  Disappointed in this aspect, one day Balachandra told his pupil, “As you are aware, since you have to open your shop, I had taken you as a special case and am teaching you alone so early in the morning.  However, from tomorrow onwards I want you to join that group of students whom I teach immediately after you.  I know that you will be late in opening your shop by this decision of mine.  You can make up for the lost time either by keeping your shop open a little late in the afternoon or at night.  Actually, before you, these students were my first batch for the day.  Do not worry!  No matter if you are in a group, I will ensure that each of my student gets my personal attention!” 

“M…May I know t…the reason behind your sudden decision?”  Raghu asked perturbed. 

“Raghu, I do not like to fail in my responsibilities.  I had assured the King that apart from teaching you singing I will also get rid of your stammering.  I have failed in the second front and want to make amends for it.  I believe that by mixing with my other students the fear in you that you will stammer will be gradually eliminated.  Believe me, Raghu, I am doing this for your own good.”  Balachandra spoke with reliance.  Raghu did not feel it appropriate to argue with his guru on this matter and acceded.

Raghu did not return to his shop in a refreshed and vivid mood that day as he usually was after coming from his guru’s abode.  He was worried about the morrow.  He did not want to mix up with any student of his guru and expose his stammering problem.  However, he had no choice!

The next day, before leaving, Raghu prostrated before the lord and prayed to him that everything should work out fine for him.  Thereafter, he went to his guru’s house.  As he entered the room where his guru imparted education to him, he found a group of students chatting with each other.  Some were young children while the others were boys of his age in their early twenties.  Raghu just glanced at them and sat separately from them and waited for his guru to arrive.  In a few moments, Balachandra arrived and after all of them had exchanged greetings, he looked at Raghu who appeared very uncomfortable.  He gestured Raghu to come up to him and addressed everyone, “This is not my new student but it is only that I have changed his timings and from today onwards he would be joining you.”  He turned to Raghu and asked him to introduce himself to the students and also tell them about his profession.  Raghu was taken aback at this move of his guru.  He looked at his guru as if to tell him that he cannot speak before an audience but Balachandra was adamant.  He wanted his pupil to do as per his bidding.  Raghu looked at all the students with a pale face.  He did not like the fact that he was the focus of everybody’s attention for the moment.  He only managed to say “I…I…I” and could not speak anything more!