Upadesa Arhata

Some time ago, a Brahman was the minister of a King. Since both of them did their education together, they used to be very close with each other. One day, after the day’s work, the King went to the minister’s house. When the King reached there, he saw that the minister was doing Sandhyavandanam. After that the minister started to do some mantra-anushtanam. The King felt very happy and after the minister came out, asked him “Mitrama! What Mantra-japam were you doing? Please do upadesham of it to me too. I will also do anushtanam of it with great care”.

Minister replied “Raja! I did not yet get siddhi (achievement) of this Mantram. I too am in an early stage. Hence I do not have Upadesha-arhata.” . Then the King replied “Don’t you like telling the Mantram to me or what? Why are you lying? I see that you know the Mantram that is enough. Tell me the same letters, I will repeat them in the same way as you told”.

Minister smiled internally seeing the foolishness of the King and said “Mantram not only means the letters and the corresponding Veda-svaram. It will have anganyaasa-karnyaas am. There will be a particular anushthaana- vidhi. Most importantly an uttama Guru, who already had Mantra-siddhi must do the Upadesham. Hence there is no use of me doing Upadesham to you”. But the King didn’t leave — he kept on asking and the Minister gave the same answer. Finally King got angry and said “come to the court. I will show you then”.

As usual the next day Minister, after his nitya-anushtaanam, reached the court. The Minister shouted, pointing at the King, “Arrest this person”. None of the soldiers moved. Seeing this, the King said “arrest this person”. Immediately all soldiers attacked and tried to arrest the Minister. Minister then stopped the soldiers and said to the King

“Now did you see this Raja? It is the same words that we both said. Also we both said it in the same mood, volume. However only your command was followed, not mine.. This was because you have the power and not me. Similarly one must do Guruseva and learn any Vidya, with all its Niyamam and vidhi, from a Guru who already has Vidyaa-siddhi and Upadesha-arhata” . The King realized his mistake and ruled the kingdom well from then onwards.

BY SASTRY