Two
fish named Sahasrabuddhi and Satabuddhi made a lake their home. They had a frog
as a friend whose name was Ekabuddhi. Every day, they used to meet on the bank
of the lake and discuss everything under the sun and disperse at sunset. One
day, they saw some fishermen equipped with nets and each carrying a basket full
of fish came that way and saw the lake and noticed that it was full of good
fish. They told themselves that they should come early the next morning and
bait the fish.
The
fish heard their conversation and were very worried. Then the frog asked Satabuddhi
for advice.
O
Satabuddhi, you have heard what the fishermen were planning. Now tell us what
we should do. Should we remain in the lake or go somewhere else.
Sahsrabuddhi
answered the question, Dont worry. You should not be scared by just words.
The learned have said The world is still safe because the dreams of snakes and
wicked men never come true. The fishermen may not even come tomorrow. If they
come, I am here to save you.
Satabuddhi
said, You are a genius. What you say is correct. There is nothing that
accomplished men cannot conquer. Remember how Chanakya had killed all the armed
Nandas.
Where one cannot pierce sun and wind
The wits of a resourceful man enter.
One should not leave motherland, for,
Nothing is happier than ones own land.
Then,
Ekabuddhi, the frog, said, Friends, flight is the only thing I know. So, I and
my wife will leave this place tonight itself.
Accordingly,
the frog left the lake immediately. Next day, the fishermen came and netted lot
of fish, frogs, crabs, turtles etc. and also Satabuddhi and Sahasrabuddhi and
killed all of them. One of them carried Satabuddhi on his head because he was
heavier and slung Sahsrabuddhi to his arm because he was long.
Ekabuddhi
showed this scene to his wife and said, Didnt I tell you what the fishermen
will do? Now, see the plight of Satabuddhi and Sahasrabuddhi.
At the
end, Chakradhara said, O Suvarnasiddhi, you said that wisdom is superior to
knowledge. But I say that wisdom alone without education does not serve any
purpose.
True,
said Suvarnasiddhi. But it is not wise to rule out the advice of a friend.
Greed made you ignore my advice. Havent you heard how the donkey ignored the
advice of the jackal and got a millstone around his neck?
There
was a donkey named Uddhata living in a village, carrying clothes and other
burdens for his master. At night when there was no work, he used to trespass
into farms outside the village and would come home at dawn for fear of assault
by farm owners. One day Uddhata happened to meet a jackal in a farm outside the
village and both soon became friends.
Every
night they would go together to the cucumber farms and sumptuously feed on
cucumber. At dawn, they would go home after they had their fill. One day, in a
happy mood, the donkey told the jackal, My son, look, how pleasantly serene
the night is. It inspires me to sing. Tell me what raaga would you like me to
begin with?
The
jackal said, Uncle, why do you unnecessarily invite a peril? We have come here
to stealthily rampage cucumber crop. Pimps and thieves must always observe
silence. Havent the learned said:
He who cannot control cough
Or cannot keep sleep at bay
Or cannot resist good food
Should not burgle a house.
Your
music has no melody. One can hear it like a trumpet from a mile. The watchmen
here are asleep. If your music wakes them, they will either impound us or kill
us. So, give up that bright idea and let us eat these sweet cucumbers.
You
stupid child, you live in the wilderness. Thats why you dont know to enjoy
music. It is only the very lucky people who are destined to listen to music
sung in moonlight, said Uddhata.
The
jackal replied, True. But you do not know what is music. You know only to bray
loudly. So, please give up your foolish idea.
The
donkey was angry and retorted, You are an idiot to say that I dont know
music. Sage Bharata was the author of music, which is regarded as the fifth
Veda with hundred and eighty-five notational patterns. To Gods, nothing is
dearer than music. It is through music that Ravana won favours from Lord Shiva.
The
jackal said, All right uncle, let me first get out of this farm and keep a
watch outside to alert you if anyone comes this way. You can then leisurely
sing to your hearts content. The jackal then left the scene quietly.
The
moment the donkey began singing, one of the watchmen woke up and struck it with
a stick till he dropped to the ground. The watchman then brought an old
millstone and hung it to the donkeys neck. The donkey soon recovered from the
blows the watchman showered on him and managed to run with the millstone around
his neck.
The
jackal saw his plight and said, You havent paid heed to my advice. See how
you have got a millstone around your neck.
After
he finished this story, Suvarnasiddhi said, Friend, you havent cared to
listen to me.
Chakradhara
agreed with him and said, What you say is true. The learned have said:
He who has no wits of his own
Or does not heed advice of friends
Perishes like the weaver, Mandhara.
On Suvarnasiddhi showing interest, Chakradhara began
Mandharakas
story
|
| | |
|
|
|
|