Read the Gurudakshina Story in English:
Once upon a time one sage by name of Mahamani lived. He had one student from Shravasti. His name was Vitthal. He finished his studies and bowed to his teacher and said,
“Guruji, I want to give you Gurudakshina. What would you like to have?”
The teacher could have had a lot of money from the prince. But he thought for a while and said,
“My child, I will not take anything from you now.
But at the right time I will ask for something as Gurudakshina. Do not say no at that time.”
Vitthal agreed and went back to his kingdom.
Time passed. The young prince became a king.
He became an emperor. He became ambitious. He started attacking other kingdoms. He wanted to expand his kingdom. Because of his ambition, innocent people died. There was a lot of bloodshed unnecessarily.
He decided to attack Kapil state. The war killed many people. Still, he was not satisfied.
Mahamana Guruji felt very sad when he heard these things about his disciple. He went to see the king and said,
“Vitthal, I agree that you are strong and powerful.
But remember your childhood. When you were born, you were just a bundle of flesh. The society brought you up, cared for you and praised you. What have you given back to the society? What kind of ambition is this? Why are you shedding so much blood? How many people are you going to kill to expand your kingdom?”
Vitthal replied, “Guruji, I respect you. But please do not interfere in these matters. I will not listen to you.”
On hearing his reply, Guruji smiled and said, “You are absolutely right. I know I am not competent to comment upon the politics of the kings. I have come to you to ask for Gurudakshina. Do you remember your promise?
Vitthal said, “Of course”, very fervently.
“Then give me your ambition to expand your kingdom. Remember, you will not attack any state. This is my Gurudakshina.”
“Guruji, what did you ask for? You have left me in a dilemma. If I do not accede to teacher’s wishes, it will be a sin and if I do, I will have to give up my ambition.
Give me some time to think.”
He thought for some time and came up with a solution. He said, “Guruji, please go and bathe in that lake. As long as you do not come out of the water, my soldiers will not kill any one. But when you come ashore, we will start the war again.”
Guruji realized Vitthal’s cunning and ingenuity. He though for a second and said smilingly, “I agree.”
Saint Mahamana went down into the lake. He went in deep water. Vitthal and his soldiers were looking at his progress.
Lot of time passed. Guruji’s head did not come up. Vitthal sent his soldiers in the lake to look for Guruji. But what a surprise! Guruji had killed himself by tying himself with chains under the water.
His lifeless body was brought up. Vitthal’s eyes had opened because of his sacrifice. Tears flowed from his eyes.
From that moment, he stopped the war and killings. He gave up his ambition. He built a tomb for Guruji. He ran his kingdom peacefully and never attached any other state.
Story for Kids: Gurudakshina Story in English
