STORIES OF ARUNI,UPAMANYU AND VEDA

Ayoda-Dhaumya was a contemporary sage who had three disciples named Upamanyu,Aruni, and Veda.The disciples resided in his hermitage and performed the various tasks that were assigned to them.
One fine day,the rishi came to know about a paddy field where a sudden breach of a water course was causing havoc.He  asked Aruni of Panchala to go and stop the flow. Aruni left immediately for the field and on reaching there he saw that he couldn’t stop it by any ordinary means.He was distressed as he didn't want to let down his master. So he went down  and lied down prostrate on the ground,and thus the water was confined.

After quite  some time Ayoda-Dhaumya became aware of Aruni’s absence.When he enquired about Aruni,his other disciples reminded him of the errand that the boy had been send for.The guru instantly reached the field along with his disciples to see what the matter was.He cried out for Aruni.On hearing his master’s voice Aruni came out running from  the water-course and told him,'' My revered guru, it was not possible to stop the water flow in the field by any means.So I lied upon it with a will to check the flow. I came out of it only when I heard your voice''  .The guru was extremely pleased at his devotion.He said,’’Since in getting up from the ditch you have opened up the water course you will be called Uddalaka, and since you have been so faithful to me you will obtain good fortune.You will be a master of the Vedas and the Dharmashastras.’’              

     Ayoda-Dhaumya appointed his other disciple,Upamanyu as the master of his kine.Upmanyu followed his guru’s orders faithfully. Every day he used to leave for the grazing grounds early in the morning and would report to his master in the evening.One day the guru asked him,’’Upamanyu,how do you support yourself? You seem to be exceedingly well fed.’’ Upamanyu answered that he supported himself by begging alms. The guru then said,’’You cannot have  anything unless you offer it to me.’’From then onwards the poor boy started offering  his guru whatever he obtained by begging. Days passed.But there was no change in Upamanyu’s physique.Again the guru summoned him and said,’’Dear child,I take from you all the alms that you obtain by begging, now how do u support yourself?’’He said,’’I go and beg a second time thereafter.’’Ayoda –Dhaumya was taken aback. He said,’’’This is not the way to obey your master. By doing so,you are making a mockery of those who make their living by begging.’’And from then onwards Upamanyu began to beg once a day. Still he remained fat and healthy.The guru again wanted to know the secret behind his good health.Upamanyu said,’’I live on the milk of these cows whom I take everyday out  for grazing.’’The guru said,’’It isn't appropriate for you to drink the milk without having my consent.’’So the boy silently obeyed his master. Again after a few days the guru summoned his disciple and asked the same question. The boy answered,’’Sir,I now sip the froth that the calves produce while suckling.’’Ayoda-Dhaumya replied,’’It is unlawful for you to drink the froth. Probably, these calves,out of pure compassion for you throw out large quantities of froth thereby depriving themselves of their mother’s milk.’’

Now the hapless boy had no food.One day,when the pangs of hunger became extremely severe,he ate the leaves of the poisonous  Arka plant. He soon became blind and fell into a pit which was on his way. It became dark. The guru went out in search of his disciple.When he became aware of what had happened, he told Upamanyu to pray to the twin Aswinikumaras,the doctor of the Gods who had the power to restore his eyesight.Upamanyu prayed and the Aswinikumaras arrived in front of him ,pleased at his invocation. They offered him a piece of cake to which the boy said,’’Respected Aswins,I can’t have anything without offering to my guru.’’The Aswins told him,’’Formerly your preceptor had invoked us. We gave him a piece of cake which he had eaten without offering his master. Do as your master did.’’But nobody could sway the boy,he said he would offer his guru first before having it. The Aswinis were very happy with his answer. They blessed him with sight and teeth of gold.

Upamanyu returned back to his master who also blessed him. He said,’’By the divine blessings of the Aswinikumaras you will obtain prosperity and will be a master of all the Vedas and Dharmashastras.’’ Thus ended the struggle of Upamanyu.

Ayoda-Dhaumya then called upon Veda,his third disciple to attend to all domestic chores. For a long time Veda remained in Ayoda-Dhaumya’s  place toiling laboriously and attending to all his master’s wishes. The master was pleased with his student and blessed him with good fortune and universal knowledge.