This is the story of KAUTSA MUNI.
When he was a young boy, KAUTSA MUNI of Paithan was sent to RISHI VARTANTU (Baruach)
for higher education.
KAUTSA being a brilliant student soon learnt
all the 14 Vidyas from RISHI VARTANTU and became expert in all the sciences.
On completion of his education, KAUTSA, now a
MUNI…..KAUTSA MUNI expressed his desire to give his RISHI VARTANTU, his
guru, GURU DAKSHINA.
RISHI VARTANTU was having none of it and rejected the offering saying “You learnt all the vidyas with utmost faith, implement them, that itself will be my GURU DAKSHINA
But, KAUTSA MUNI was adamant on giving Guru Dakshina
as he felt that otherwise the knowledge he learnt will not bear any fruit.
On seeing his disciple’s insistence, RISHI
VARTANTU deliberately asked KAUTSA MUNI to bring 14 CRORES of GOLD COINS (1 CRORE for each of
the 14 Vidyas) with the condition that all the coins must be from the SAME PLACE.
KAUTSA MUNI was stumped and did not have a
clue how to get such a huge number of GOLD COINS that too from a single place.
MEETING KING RAGHU
After meeting many learned persons, he was
guided to meet KING RAGHU of Ayodhya (LORD RAMA’s
ancestor), who they advised, would get him his desired 14 crore GOLD COINS.
KING RAGHU was the ancestor of Lord Rama. KING
RAGHU was famous for his generosity. (It was because of his generosity and
other deeds that Lord Rama’s vamsha is known as RAGHU KUL/ RAGHU VAMSHA)
KING RAGHU welcomed KAUTSA MUNI warmly and
washed his feet with water filled in CLAY POT.
“ Oh…..its a Clay Pot and not a Gold Pot !” wondered
KAUTSA MUNI
Seeing this, KAUTSA heart sank and with heavy
heart and no hope, hesitantly informs KING RAGHU “Rajan, I had come here to ask you for 14 CRORES
of GOLD COINS to pay GURU DAKSHINA to RISHI VARTANTU, but seeing that you don’t
even have a GOLD POT to wash a Rishi’s feet, I better move”
KING RAGHU, on advise of his Guru Vashishta had
performed VISWAJIT YAGNA and had given away everything he had as DHANA
(Offering). Hence, King Raghu’s treasury was completely Bare and Empty.
But, King Raghu didn’t want
a Brahmin to leave empty handed. He requested 2 days’ time from KAUTSA to
arrange for the GOLD COINS & begged the Muni to stay back.
Now in deep dilemma, King Raghu was stuck in
deep thought.
He finally decided the only recourse left for him to get that 14 crore Gold Coins
in 1 single day is to get it from the King of Wealth, KUBERA.
He decided to attack Kubera and get the required Gold Coins.
Accordingly, on advise of KAUTSA MUNI, the
King RAGHU decided that the war would be fought on SHUDH NAVAMI of Ashwin Masa (9th day
of Dasara).
KUBERA got to know of this plans of Kind Raghu
and realizing the strength and bravery of KING RAGHU personally came down to
earth, and told KING RAGHU “Rajan , I understand your requirements and the noble cause as to
why you are seeking those Gold Coins and hence towards that, I have turned all
the leaves of the SHAMMI tree (BANNI tree) on the outskirts of AYADHYA into
GOLD COINS. Take as many as you want”.
KING RAGHU was thrilled and promptly handed
over all the Gold coins to KAUTSA MUNI.
KAUTSA MUNI collected the required 14 crore Gold Coins and offered all the GOLD COINS at the feet of his
guru RISHI VARTANTU.
RISHI VARTANTU however, found that KAUTSA had
bought far more extra GOLD COINS than the 14 CRORE asked for.
He returned all the extra coins to KAUTSA MUNI.
In turn, KAUTSA MUNI decided not to keep anything for himself and returned all
the extra coins to KING RAGHU.
KING RAGHU felt it is against Dharma to take
back what has been given in Dhana (charity) and hence he kept all the returned
Gold Coins below the same SHAMMI TREE on the outskirts of AYODHYA.
The people of AYODHYA after the VIJAYA DASHMI
pooja went to this SHAMMI tree, worshipped it and exchanged GOLD COINS amongst
themselves.
The tradition continues to this day.
People on the VIJAYA DASHAMI day worship the SHAMMI tree and exchange the
leaves of the tree symbolizing the exchange of GOLD COINS and express
happiness.
AMAZING FACT :
Shami tree or its leaves are not easily found. A Shami tree about 1000 years old is present in the city of Bhuj, Kutch district of Gujarat. This tree is also mentioned in the 'Kusumlata' chapter of the book 'Brihatsamhita' by the famous Jyotishacharya Varahamihira during the period of the great king Vikramaditya. It is also known as 'Khizde' or Khizda.
Day 10
HIDDEN MEANING :
1. Share what you have.
Exchange
leaves, hearts and be happy.
King Raghu had become virtually penniless
after VISHWAJIT YAGNA but even then he did not keep anything for himself but
kept the GOLD COINS returned by KAUTSA MUNI back below the SHAMMI TREE as he felt
it was not rightfully his wealth.
2. King Raghu ready to fight Kuber shows that
you should be ready to fight for a GOOD CAUSE even against the mighty
3. Lord Kuber turning Shammi Leaves into Gold Coins
again for a Good Cause shows that you should be ready to SHARE if the intention
is the right one.
We are using purly for informational sharing purposes.
If the rightful owner has an issue...do let us know...we will DELETE immediately.
No comments:
Post a Comment