Once upon a time, there was a king named Janashruti,
ruling over a prosperous kingdom called Mahavrisha. He was devoted to
the welfare of his people—constructing food shelters, public wells, hospitals,
and undertaking various acts of service for the benefit of all. He was known
for his faith in the Divine, reverence for scriptures, and commitment to
righteous action. Through his philanthropy and public works, he earned
great popularity and reverence—not only within his own kingdom but even in
faraway lands.
One night, after completing his duties, the king lay on the
rooftop of his palace, reflecting upon the day's activities. At that moment, two
birds flew over the palace. One bird addressed the other, saying:
"Hey foolish Bhallaksha! Don’t rush. Don’t you see the radiant glow of
Janashruti’s fame beneath you? That light has filled the entire sky. Beware,
you might be scorched if you fly too close!"
Understanding the language of birds, Janashruti heard this
and felt elated, convinced that his glory now filled the heavens.
Just then, the other bird mockingly replied,
"Glory? Who are you even praising? You speak as if this were the fame of Raikva,
the cart-puller! His glory spans all three worlds, and he alone has
truly attained complete bliss."
Startled and captivated, the king wondered—Who is this
Raikva whose fame surpasses mine? Eager to meet such a person, he ordered
his soldiers to search across the land for this mysterious sage.
Despite searching across cities and royal courts, the king’s
men returned unsuccessful. Janashruti then directed them to search in villages,
near riverbanks, and around temples. Eventually, in a humble village, they
spotted a not-so-impressive-looking man resting under a cart. Suspecting him to
be Raikva, they returned to the king with the news.
Overjoyed, Janashruti gathered his entourage, along
with gifts of cows, gold, and other riches, and approached Raikva. With
deep reverence, he laid the treasures before him and said,
“O noble one! Please accept all this. Kindly teach me the sacred knowledge that
has made you so renowned!”
Raikva, angered, rebuked him:
“You fool! Do you think knowledge can be bought with wealth? Keep your
cows and riches. With your mindset, you are no better than a guna-shudra—a
person of impure qualities. Leave now!”
Though humiliated, the king recognized the depth behind
Raikva’s harsh words. He reflected on Raikva’s wisdom, his own intentions,
and the nature of true knowledge.
After some days, Janashruti returned to Raikva—this time
with even greater humility. He brought not just wealth, but also his beloved
daughter, offering everything in a spirit of surrender. He said:
“All this is yours. I offer even my daughter in marriage. Please show
compassion and share your wisdom with me.”
Observing the king’s genuine humility, deep yearning, and spirit of self-surrender, Raikva was pleased. He accepted him as a disciple and imparted the profound Samvarga Vidya—a knowledge that reveals the true essence behind all movement and energy in the universe.
What can we learn from this story?
- The
greatness of giving (dāna) and how it helps purify the mind.
- Dāna
must be done with humility, never with pride.
- The
need for a Guru—true sages may appear ordinary but possess profound
inner knowledge.
- Even
when offering great things, unless there is self-surrender, they
are but like grass to the Guru.
- Only
spiritual knowledge as taught in the Upanishads can grant true joy
and lasting fame.
Through this tale, may we understand that dāna
(giving) and dharma (righteousness) are steps toward chitta-shuddhi
(purification of mind), which prepares us to find a true Guru and receive
knowledge that leads to liberation.
(Source: Chāndogya Upanishad)
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