A great sage called Gautama
There was a great sage called Gautama in ancient India. He had a
number of disciples studying under him. One day he called all his
disciples and said: "My dear children! You know that we have been
experiencing severe drought in this region and there are no signs of
its abatement too. I am very much worried about the cattle of our
hermitage. They have already become very lean and weak. I am unable to
bear the sight of suffering of these dumb creatures. I think these
cows have to be driven to a distant place where there is ample pasture
and plenty of water. I will be very happy if one of you could
volunteer to undertake this task. You can bring them back when the
calamity has rolled over."
Many pupils just hung their heads lest their true feelings should be
found out by their master. Some tried to hide behind others in order
to avoid the direct stare of the Guru.
A pupil by name Sathyakama, got up and, paying his salutations to his
master, said: "Master, I shall take them, don't worry." Many students
tried to dissuade him from undertaking such a hazardous task. They
warned him: "Oh! You have to be all alone in the wilds away from the
comforts of the hermitage. You may not even find good food. Sathyakama
replied: "My dear friends, I am quite confident that the goodwishes of
our Guru will provide me enough safety and sustenance. I shall not be
alone for I will have these cows to keep company."
The Guru was happy that at least one among the many pupils volunteered
to undertake the job as service to the Guru. He blessed Sathyakama and
said: "You are taking with you 400 cows; you can return when the herd
multiplies into a total strength of one thousand."
Sathyakama drove the cattle to a charming valley. Everyday, he used to
wake up early in the morning, finish his ablutions and bath. Then he
would offer prostration to the Sun God and recite prayers. While
tending the cattle and while walking or sitting he would constantly
chant the name of God. He affectionately looked after the cattle. He
regarded 'go-seva' (Service to cows) as Guru Seva (Service to the
Master). He never felt any anxiety or worry over his life in solitude.
He never bothered to count the cows too.
One morning after the morning rites, he was seated under a tree. Indra
the Chief of Gods appeared before him and said: "My dear son! Have you
not observed that the herd has multiplied itself to the total number
of 1000? You can now return to your master's hermitage. I will be
travelling with you. Come on let us go."
Sathyakama prostrated to Indra and thanked him for reminding him of
the fact that it was time for returning. Sathyakama and Indra had to
spend four nights in four different places. Every morning Sathyakama
was taught the essence of one Veda. Thus by the time he reached his
Guru's hermitage he was the master of the four Vedas. His face shone
with a strange splendour as a result of the Vedic illumination that he
had been blessed with by the Lord of Heaven. Having enlightened
Sathyakama, Lord Indra disappeared after showering his grace on the
young boy.
Sathyakama walked into his Guru's hermitage with 1000 cows. He was given a rousing welcome by his guru and the inmates. Sathyakama fell at the feet of his master. Gautama embraced him saying: "I know that you are now a great scholar of the four Vedas. You deserve it, my son." Sathyakama could please Indra, the Lord of Heaven, only because of his love and loyalty to his guru.
Sathyakama walked into his Guru's hermitage with 1000 cows. He was given a rousing welcome by his guru and the inmates. Sathyakama fell at the feet of his master. Gautama embraced him saying: "I know that you are now a great scholar of the four Vedas. You deserve it, my son." Sathyakama could please Indra, the Lord of Heaven, only because of his love and loyalty to his guru.
Category: Chinna Katha
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