Trial of Upamanyu

 

Another of sage Ayoda-Dhaumya disciples was Upamanyu


The sage asked Upa to look after the cows and so he went to the fields to tend them. He watched them all day & in the evening came back to his master’s house & paid his obeisance. Seeing his pupil in good condition of body, Dhaumya asked-Upa my child, how did you sustain yourself all day. Upa said-I have sustained myself by begging. The sage said-Upa, what you received as alms should not be used by you without offering it to me & he then took all what he had

 

Next day Upa went to tend the cows & returned in the evening to report. The sage seeing him still in good condition said-I took all the alms, then on what you sustained yourself. Upa said-I begged for second time. Sage said-you shouldn’t have begged 2nd time as this would diminish the support we receive from others. You have proved yourself covetous

 

Next day Upa again went to tend the cows & reported back in evening. The sage still seeing him in good condition asked him the reason. Upa said-I sustained myself on the milk of cows. Dhaumya said-You should not have drank milk without my consent to which Upa felt sorry

 

Next day again when the sage saw Upa in healthy condition, he asked the reason. Upa said-I now sip froth which the calves throw out while sucking on their mother’s teats. Sage said-these calves out of compassion throw out large quantities of froth but it is unlawful to drink it. Upa signified his assent & said he would restrain himself from alms, milk, froth etc

 

Upa one day oppressed by hunger, in forest ate Arka leaves which left him blind. He then fell in a pit in a distraught condition. The sage went looking for his pupil crying Upa where are you? Upa cried from the pit & explained to him how this happened. The sage then asked him to pray to the twin Ashwins to restore the sight

 

Upa prayed with all his heart to the Ashwins & at the end when celestial physicians thus invoked appeared satisfied with his prayers, they came and gave him the cake to be put on his eyes to restore sight. Upa said he dare not put it without asking his Guru. Ashwins said but your master once accepted in the past without asking his Guru?

 

Upa was adamant on his vow. The Ashwins seeing this were very happy & blessed Upa. They then informed Dhaumya about the same. The sage then blessed Upa and his eyes were restored. He also received boon for prosperity, intelligence & wisdom

 

Huge lessons for us. The application for this learning is applicable both for our spiritual & material progress. Real disciple is wholly dependent on his master. He should have full confidence on him, without even an iota of doubt about what will happen to him. He should never make plans independent of his Guru. For such pupil, the master becomes more responsible for his well-being and at the end receives more than what he ever expected

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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