roccoschili 65. The rituals at the Kama Temple
65. The rituals at the Kama Temple
Despite the negotiations, the British troops never relaxed their vigilance on the battlefield.
The siege officially began, with the main British forces encamped outside the city. While resting their troops, repairing their weapons, and clearing the battlefield, they also constructed siege fortifications and cut off the fortress's supply lines.
However, the continuous large-scale battles had ended, and the military camp was filled with a more peaceful atmosphere.
At noon that day, the afternoon sun shone gently, easing the midday heat and warmly covering the entire campsite.
After listening to the work reports from the battalion commanders of the 108th Regiment, Dugen let them carry out their specific tasks. He then took a rare moment of leisure and strolled along the camp trail to relax.
Along the way, when they came to a field hospital by a small river, Dugan couldn't help but go closer to take a look.
Today's field hospitals are no longer the dirty, rotten places they once were.
The field hospital followed the hygiene regulations established by Dugan. With Maximus's full support, the tents were well-ventilated and dry, the ground was clean and filthy, the instruments were sterilized by boiling every day, the bandages were never reused, and the wounded were placed in separate areas and given regular dressing changes and care.
The proportion of infections, ulcers, and sepsis that once ravaged military camps has dropped dramatically, and countless seriously wounded soldiers who should have died have been pulled back from the brink of death.
Several soldiers with minor injuries were sitting outside the hospital fence sunbathing when they saw Dugan riding slowly past on horseback.
"This officer looks so familiar!"
"It seems to be Colonel Dugan from the 108th Infantry Regiment."
"It really is him. Colonel Dugan."
Upon hearing that Dugen was passing by, the wounded soldiers in the tent struggled to their feet, some walking slowly with crutches, others being helped out by their comrades, gathering in layers, their eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
Among these people were those severely wounded with bullets in their chest and abdomen and festering wounds, those with broken limbs and nearly amputated, and those with persistent high fever and on the verge of fainting. Under the conditions of battlefield medical care in the past, without exception, they would all have been doomed.
"Colonel Dugan!"
An old soldier with bandages wrapped around his chest spoke first, his voice hoarse but sincere, "We survived thanks to your hygiene regulations! The hospital is no longer a slaughterhouse. God bless you!"
"Yes, you saved my life!"
"You not only won the battle, you also saved our lives!"
One after another, voices of gratitude rose and fell, none of them deliberate flattery, but rather sincere thanks from those who had survived the ordeal.
Countless eyes, filled with awe and gratitude, turned to Dugan, their gazes burning with sincerity.
Dugan stood there, looking at the faces before him, their pallor fading and gradually turning rosy. Seeing these soldiers reborn, a sense of accomplishment welled up within him like never before.
This feeling was even more exhilarating than winning a battle.
Dugen was a little smug. He raised his hand and gently pressed down, soothingly saying, "Take good care of yourself, recover soon, and go home safely."
A simple sentence warmed the hearts of the wounded soldiers and deepened their respect.
Amid cheers from the wounded, Dugan left the field hospital.
Just when Dugan was feeling bored, he ran into Amir, the deputy commander of his Indian battalion.
"Amir, you're a local, do you know any places worth visiting around here?" Dugan asked.
Amir thought for a moment and said, "There is indeed a place worth visiting."
Dugan glanced at him sideways: "Where?"
"Three miles west of the Gavial Gur Fortress, there is an ancient temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the area—the Gama Temple," Amir explained with a smile. "The temple has been burning incense for a thousand years, far from the hustle and bustle of the world. The high priest in the temple is very powerful, making it a great place to relax and unwind."
"Let's go to this place then!" Dugen agreed immediately upon hearing that there was an ancient temple there that could help him relax.
"Tom, come with me. Let's experience the local culture," Dugan said to Tom, who was accompanying him.
"Yes, sir!" Tom replied immediately.
The three traveled light, avoiding the military camp, and slowly made their way west along the country dirt road.
The road was lined with lush vegetation and a gentle breeze. Far from the smoke of gunfire, my mood was much more relaxed.
About half an hour later, an ancient stone temple, hidden among towering ancient trees, quietly came into view.
The stone walls are mottled and covered with ancient and intricate religious reliefs. The moss on the roof is faintly visible. Everywhere you look, you can feel the vicissitudes and tranquility accumulated over thousands of years. This is the Kama Temple.
Before the temple gate, an elderly priest with white hair and wearing a plain robe stood quietly, as if he had been waiting for a long time. His eyes were deep and clear, and his gaze was fixed on Dugen, not looking away for a long time, as if he were examining him or observing fate.
Amir whispered a lesson to Dugan, gently introducing the deity worshipped in the temple: "Sir, Gamo is the orthodox Hindu god of love and life, whose full name is Gamo Deva. He is also known as the master of love and the source of all desires, and holds an extremely high position."
"Legend has it that Kama is the youngest and most handsome god in the heavens, with green skin and unparalleled beauty. He always carries a longbow made of sugarcane and divine arrows with flower feathers, and his mount is a sacred parrot. He governs love, human desires, and the cycle of life. He not only rules over romantic love but also symbolizes the primordial dynamism of the universe and the fundamental power of the propagation of all things."
"In the ancient teachings of Hinduism, all things in the universe are born from desire and thrive from life, and Kama is the divine embodiment of this 'continuous life.' Love, procreation, vitality, and physical strength are all under his control. For thousands of years, the people of this land have worshipped Kama, and they come here to pray for marriage, children, good health, and abundant vitality."
Just then, the old priest standing in front of the door slowly spoke, his voice old and hoarse, yet carrying an ethereal quality that seemed to transcend time: "Guest from afar, I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Amir translated the old priest's words to Dugan.
Dugan paused slightly, then asked in surprise, "You were waiting for me?"
Dugan's first reaction was that this old charlatan was just making things up.
The old priest's gaze was intense, fixed intently on Dugen's features and body, as he slowly uttered a divine pronouncement:
You are surrounded by the murderous aura of Shiva, the god of destruction, yet your heart and soul are filled with compassion for all living beings.
You have ended countless lives with your hands, and you have also personally saved countless lives.
The gods and spirits watch over your soul.
Their destiny is as majestic as a mountain, their life force is boundless and inexhaustible, and their accumulated good fortune from past lives is as deep as the ocean.
In this life, you are blessed by the Mother Goddess of Heaven and Earth. Your bloodline will surely flourish, your descendants will continue to thrive, and a house full of children will carry on the family line.
The old priest spoke an ancient Hindi language, a language used only at the Brahmin level of ritual, so Amir didn't understand it very well.
Finally, Amir gave a general translation, saying that the high priest was saying that Dugan would have many children and live a happy life.
Dugan was both amused and exasperated, never expecting that his first visit to the ancient Hindu temple would result in a prophecy from the priest that he would have many children and much happiness.
Next, will the priest ask him to give more money for incense?
Before Dugen could reply, the old priest spoke again, his tone becoming increasingly solemn and dignified: "The chief god Gamo is compassionate towards humanity, holding sway over vitality, the source of desire, and the mysteries of life. Observing your special destiny, which aligns with the divine pronouncements of my temple, there is a mysterious pull between you."
"I am willing to follow the ancient divine decree and impart to you the secret art of Kama, passed down in the temple."
"This is by no means some flashy illusion, but a physical conditioning method passed down from ancient temples for thousands of years. Kama-deity bestows upon the world vibrant life, and this method relies on this sacred power to refine the body, regulate life force, and nourish fundamental vitality. With prolonged practice, it can strengthen the body and bones, conserve blood and energy, keep the spirit and vitality full, and ensure an inexhaustible life force. Those who are constantly fighting and traveling, and whose bodies and minds are exhausted, will surely benefit greatly from practicing this method."
The old priest spoke at length, but Amir, a Kshatriya (warrior class) Indian, could not accurately translate the high priest's words and could only vaguely say that the high priest had a secret technique he wanted to pass on to Dugan.
The old priest bowed slightly, his posture devout, already prepared to preach and impart the Dharma.