Arjun: Potter of the Circle of Life
Once upon a time, in the forgotten city of Hastinapura, lived a humble potter named Arjun. He was renowned in the kingdom for his exquisite pottery, among which his translucent porcelain vases were particularly admired. But Arjun's ultimate aspiration was to create the circle of life, a mosaic pot illustrating the journey from birth to death and beyond.
However, the complexity and intricacy of the design made it nearly impossible. Despite facing multiple setbacks, he persisted with unyielding optimism and relentless dedication, believing that creating the pot was his life’s purpose.
Around the same time, the city was under the reign of a benevolent king, Maharaja Brijnath. A man of fine taste and an admirer of art, he too had heard about Arjun's unique aspiration and decided to pay him a visit. As Maharaja Brijnath watched Arjun work intently at his wheel, he was fascinated by his passion and skill.
Impressed by Arjun's determination, he promised to give Arjun anything he requested to support his mission. Taken aback by the king's generous offer, Arjun requested, 'I need time, my lord. Time is what I need to create the circle of life.'
Moved by the potter's simplicity, the king granted him a year off from his royal duties so he could fully dedicate himself to his ultimate creation. Over the next year, Arjun investigated and experimented tirelessly with different types of clay, designs, glazes, and kiln temperatures. He worked day and night, tirelessly molding, etching, baking, and painting. His hands were bleeding, his eyes were sore, but his spirit remained unbroken.
As the months passed, Arjun's creation began to take shape. The pot was intricate, vivid, and as compelling as life itself. The base portrayed birth, rising up to youth, with its multitude of colors and patterns, to old age, steeped in subtler hues, finally leading to death and the cycle of reincarnation represented on the pot’s lip. It was a life’s journey compressed within the wheel-thrown ceramic.
On the last day of the year, Arjun breathed life into his creation with the final stroke of his brush. As the sun set, he removed the pot from the kiln, its whole journey represented on its surface, glistening under the faint light.
When the king laid eyes on the pot, he was absolutely awestruck. Looking closely at the Circle of Life, he realized that it was not merely a mosaic pot but a mirror to life's transience. The pot depicted the inevitability of birth, the vibrance of youth, the wisdom of age, the starkness of death, and the mystery of life beyond.
Maharaja Brijnath realized that Arjun had not only created the Circle of Life on his pot but had also lived it – being reborn in his struggle, maturing in his determination, and finally achieving wisdom through his creation.
King Brijnath rewarded Arjun as he'd never been before. His name etched in royal folklore, recognized as an artist whose work transcended pottery and touched life. And though he was now a recognized artist and a wealthy man, Arjun remained unchanged - a humble potter, now contented with having accomplished his purpose in life.
And so, the story of Arjun, the humble potter, continues in the annals of Hastinapura, reminding the world that it is not the destination that matters, but the journey itself. The longing, the struggle, the strife, the rebirth, till the final stroke of brush completes one's Circle of Life.