👉 Aruni and Upmanyu

🔷 This is a story about how Aruni and Upmanyu proved their credibility and thus obtained wisdom from their Guru. Aruni was a new entrant into Guru Dhoumya's monastery. He was confronted with a tough test the very first day. The Guru said to him, "Son, it is raining very hard. Will you please go and check that boundary of the paddy field is intact. Otherwise, all the rain water will be wasted." Aruni immediately got up and left for the field. He saw that in the heavy rain, the boundary was really damaged and all the water was flowing away.

🔶 He tried all means to stop the flow, but when nothing worked, he himself lay down across the boundary and blocked the flow with his body. When Aruni did not return the whole night, Guru Dhoumya got worried, and set out to look for him. When he reached the field, he saw Aruni lying unconscious stopping the water flow with his own body. Seeing this, the Guru's eyes were filled with tears. He brought Aruni back and treated him. Aruni had passed the test of trustworthiness in flying colors. The Guru then made him a master of spiritual wisdom in a very short time.

🔷 The Guru ordered his disciple Upmanyu to graze the cattle while studying. He deliberately did not make any arrangements for his sustenance. The disciple begged food from nearby households or drank cow's milk. But, Guru Dhoumya objected, saying, "Son, a disciple must follow the monastery's discipline and should not take anything without Guru's permission. Upamanyu vowed never take anything without Guru's permission. He went without food for several days and became very feeble. He finslly passed the test of credibility and became a great spiritual leader.

📖 From Pragya Puran