Returning home, Bosco gathered his team and recounted the story of the missing boy. Using his yogic powers, he morphed Ramduth and Malini into two young men, while Biscuit, with his acute olfactory sense, remained a dog. Bosco made Biscuit smell the clothes of the missing Manavan, hoping to pick up his scent.
The urgency of the situation was palpable, especially with the threat of carnivores in the nearby forest. They ventured into the dense forest, the canopy above casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage. They searched near the forest path but found nothing helpful. Then, they came across a massive banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis), its sprawling branches creating a natural canopy. Biscuit picked up the scent of the boy near the tree trunk and found a single peanut at the base of the tree. Manavan must have carried peanuts with him on his journey. Bosco and the team were relieved to find a clue indicating that Manavan had been there.
Ramduth and Malini, now two strapping young men, climbed the tree with agility, scanning for any signs of Manavan’s presence. They noticed broken twigs at a spot where the main branch forked into three, forming a natural platform where Manavan could have rested. These clues suggested that Manavan had spent the night there.
Continuing their journey, they discovered a large lake with ruins in its middle, remnants of the once-majestic Ganesa temple. The lake shimmered under the midday sun, and the ruins stood as a testament to a bygone era. Bosco and the team swam to the structure, their movements creating ripples in the otherwise still water. They found the temple to be small and unattended, but the Alankaram (Decoration) of the deity Ganesa was new and fresh. Fresh leaves and broken coconut were scattered around the statue, indicating recent activity. Biscuit located the coconut tree by the lakeside, where Manavan had likely spent some time before leaving.
On the lakeshore, the coconut trees (Cocos nucifera) stood tall, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. These trees, highly regarded as Kalpavriksha, were revered for their ability to provide for human needs. The coconut water quenched thirst, the dried meat inside, called copra, was rich in coconut oil, and the fresh meat was edible. The coir made from the coconut husk was used to make ropes and mats. Truly, the Kalpavriksha was a wish-fulfilling divine tree.
In Hinduism and other related religions, there are five divine trees, some of which are specifically referred to as Kalpavriksha. These include:
1. The banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis), also called the Nyagrodha tree, which grows throughout the country and is referred to as Kalpavriksha or Kalpataru because of its ability to amply provide for human needs.
2. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera), found in most regions of the country, is called “Kalpavriksha” because every part of it is useful in one way or another. The coconut water inside the nut is a delicious drink. In dried form, it is called copra and is used to manufacture oil. The coconut husk, called coir, is used to make rope. Leaves are used to make huts, fans, and mats. Palm sugar is made from the budding flower. The dried midrib is used to make boats.
3. The Pipal tree (Ficus religiosa).
4. The Parijata tree, whose terrestrial counterpart is the Indian Coral tree (Erythrina indica).
It appeared that Manavan visited some of these terrestrial sacred trees on his way. These trees were the equivalent of the five divine trees in Indra Lokam (Indra’s heaven): Arichandanam, Karpagam, Santhanam, Parijatham, and Mantharam.
As they proceeded out of the lakeside, they heard a dog bark. They could not tell whether it was a feral or domestic dog. Biscuit ran towards the sound and returned about ten minutes later, having morphed into a teenage girl. She reported that she saw a dog and the boy sitting and resting under a pipal tree.
They all rushed towards the sound before their quarry got out of sight. They saw Manavan drinking coconut water and eating peanuts. Bosco, in a kindly and concerned voice, called out to Manavan. His dog was under orders from Manavan not to bark too often and attract any carnivores.
Bosco approached him, saying he was sent by his father to look for him. Manavan explained that he went in search of the wish-fulfilling trees on his own, without his attendants. He had read about them the night before and was glad he accomplished his objective. His wish was nothing more than seeing the trees for himself, and he had no wishes to fulfill.
Bosco, his team, Manavan, and his dog returned home late in the evening, much to the relief of his father. Manavan promised he would not undertake a solo journey without attendants anymore.