Read the previous part here…
The blind man, the dwarf and the princess with three breasts, all did wrong things, Yet they all got their wishes fulfilled, just due to fate.
“How did that happen?”, said TruptaKumar.
VairāgyaKumar replied…
अन्धककुब्जकत्रिस्तनीकथा
The story of the blind man, the dwarf and the the three-breasted girl
In a city called MadhuPura (the land of honey), not so far away from here, lived a king named MadhuSena. One of his queens gave birth to a girl with three breasts. The king got worried, wondering if this was some kind of ill-omen, and so told his chief of security VeeraPutra (the son of a brave man) to take the child away and leave her in a forest.
VeeraPutra replied “O King! This occurrence is very unusual, but I suggest that we seek the counsel of learned men, to ensure that we take the right decision. After all, it is said…
यः सततं परिपृच्छति शृणोति सन्धारयत्य् अनिशम् ।
तस्य दिवाकर-किरणैर् नलिनीव विवर्धते बुद्धिः ॥ ८७ ॥
yaḥ satataṃ paripṛcchati śṛṇoti sandhārayaty aniśam |
tasya divākara-kiraṇair nalinīva vivardhate buddhiḥ || 87 ||
The man who seeks suggestions from others, listens carefully and acts accordingly…his intellect always remains fresh and developed, much like the lotus that blossoms in the sunlight.
And also…
पृच्छकेन सदा भाव्यं पुरुषेण विजानता ।
राक्षसेन्द्र-गृहीतो ऽपि प्रश्नान् मुक्तो द्विजः पुरा ॥ ८८ ॥
pṛcchakena sadā bhāvyaṃ puruṣeṇa vijānatā |
rākṣasendra-gṛhīto ‘pi praśnān mukto dvijaḥ purā || 88 ||
Though a man knows everything, he should not stop asking questions. Because, the Brahmin who was caught by the rākshasa, managed to get free only because he had a habit of asking questions.
MadhuSena said “How did that happen?”
VeeraPutra replied…
राक्षसगृहीतब्राह्मणकथा
The story of the Brahmin who was caught by the rākshasa
In a city, not so far away from here, lived a rākshasa named ChandaKarma (the one who does evil deeds). One day, as he was walking through the forest, he came across a Brahmin. He jumped up and sat on the shoulders of the man, and said “O Brahmin! I am tired and cannot walk. Carry me to the pond nearby!”
The poor Brahmin had no choice but to comply.
As he was walking, he noticed the soft, almost lotus-like feet of the rākshasa. “How come your feet are so soft?” he asked, curiously.
The rākshasa replied ” That is because I have taken a vow never to step on the ground with wet feet. I ensure that they are fully dry, and massage them well, before I start walking anywhere”.
The Brahmin remained silent, thinking of ways in which he could make an escape. They soon reached the pond.
“O Brahmin, wait here!”, thundered the rākshasa. “I will go have a bath, say my prayers, and be back. Don’t you dare move an inch!” And then he stepped into the pond, and started to wash his body.
The Brahmin thought to himself ” This rākshasa will surely eat me when he returns. So I’d better run away now. He will not be able to chase me, because his feet will be wet.”
And so he ran. The rākshasa did not chase him, because he would have to break his wow, and trouble his feet, if he were to do so.
And that is why we say, पृच्छकेन सदा भाव्यं पुरुषेण विजानता ।राक्षसेन्द्र-गृहीतो ऽपि प्रश्नान् मुक्तो द्विजः पुरा ॥ –Though a man knows everything, he should not stop asking questions. Because, the Brahmin who was caught by the rākshasa, managed to get free only because he had a habit of asking questions.
The king agreed, and consulted some wise men. “My wife has given birth to a girl with three breasts. Is this something I should be worried about?”
The wise men replied…
to be continued…