The Daughter from a Wishing Tree Read online

  Saying thus, Vishvamitra gave up everything, including his right to the throne. In time, he became a great and knowledgeable sage. However, he was always competitive with Vasishtha and never attained the supreme knowledge or the spirit of compassion befitting a true sage.

  Vishvamitra yearned for Vasishtha to acknowledge him as a Brahmarishi, the highest title for a sage next to Saptarishi. However, Vasishtha would not. This encouraged Vishvamitra to trouble Vasishtha’s students. Still, Vasishtha would not budge.

  One day, Vishvamitra came to Vasishtha’s ashram at night in order to spy on him. This way, he could obtain an understanding of Vasishtha’s study matter and then work towards surpassing him. Unexpectedly, he overheard a conversation between Vasishtha and Arundhati.

  ‘Poor Vishvamitra has done so much penance,’ said Arundhati, ‘but he still hasn’t reached the highest level possible for a sage. Why is that so?’

  ‘I really care for him and love him, Arundhati. But I don’t acknowledge it for his own good. The moment I do, he will not pursue knowledge any more. He needs to go on. The ultimate quality of a sage is compassion. Right now, he thinks that knowledge brings power, but the truth is that it is knowledge with compassion that brings the supreme power that is helpful to mankind.’

  Hearing this, Vishvamitra felt mortified and realized the depth of Vasishtha’s words. He left the ashram and decided to keep pursuing knowledge.

  After spending a lot of time with Arundhati and Vasishtha, Nandini went back to Brahmaloka, the abode of Brahma. Meanwhile, Vasishtha and his students decided to go to the Himalayas for penance, and Arundhati stayed back in the ashram with the remaining students until they returned.

  While Vasishtha and his students were away, a great famine fell upon the kingdom.

  Vasishtha found out about this through his yogic powers and prayed to Shiva, ‘Lord, please protect my wife as she fights through this alone in the ashram.’

  Arundhati, on the other hand, prayed, ‘O Shiva, please protect my husband. I am on land and may survive, but I wonder about the state of my poor husband. I pray that he returns soon after the penance.’

  Within a few days, the gurukul was also shut down due to the famine in the area. Arundhati continued to live alone in the ashram.

  One day, a young boy appeared in front of the ashram gates and said to Arundhati, ‘O Mother, I am famished. Can you tell me where Sage Vasishtha’s ashram is? I heard that it is nearby.’

  ‘My dear child,’ said Arundhati, ‘this is his ashram, but he is away and will be gone for a while since he is performing a penance for the welfare of the land and the people. What do you need?’

  ‘I have come from far away—from the Himalayas. I don’t have parents, and I have nowhere to go. I came here in the hope of learning the Vedas from the sage. But alas! He is not here. What will I do now?’

  ‘Please stay here then. There is a famine, but I will share whatever I have. I can also teach you, if you allow me. It may be some time before the sage returns, but don’t you worry. We can manage until then.’ Arundhati gave him some roasted seeds to eat and apologized for the lack of rice.

  Thus, the boy settled down at the ashram and took lessons from her every day.

  As the days passed, Arundhati taught the boy the Vedas and continued to pray for the safe return of her husband and his students.

  At last, Vasishtha came back with his disciples. He was happy to see his wife in good spirits. ‘O Arundhati, Shiva has heard my prayers. He has looked after you well!’

  ‘Husband, I am also ecstatic that you have returned safely. The lord has heard my prayers too!’

  Vasishtha spotted the little boy. He asked his wife, ‘Who is this?’

  Just as Arundhati finished telling the sage about the boy’s arrival and his circumstances, the boy manifested into Lord Shiva himself! He had heard both their prayers indeed. He smiled at Arundhati. ‘I am fortunate to have learnt the Vedas from you. Your affection and devotion for Vasishtha cannot be measured by any mortal standards. In time, you will become a star in the sky, along with your husband. You will be an eternal example for humans everywhere, and every married couple will look up to you.’

  Shiva turned to Vasishtha. ‘Arundhati is your true partner! May the gods bless both of you.’

  Saying thus, Shiva disappeared.

  In the culture of some homes today, a newly-wed bride and groom are shown the stars of Arundhati and Vasishtha at night so that they can be inspired to be like the couple. Even very old couples are sometimes referred to as Vasishtha–Arundhati in order to respect their love and commitment to each other.

  Today, Arundhati has become a name synonymous with chastity, devotion and happiness associated with marriage, and plays about her are often showcased all over the country.

  The Curse of Immortality

  A long time ago, two sages named Nara and Narayana were performing a penance for the welfare of the people on earth. Their penance was intense, and they lived in the Badrika ashram in the Himalayas.

  When the king of the gods, Indra, learnt of this development from his spies, he became worried and even more insecure than usual. What if the sages asked for Indra’s throne as the fruit of their penance? So, he came up with a wicked plan to disturb them.

  Indra’s court boasted exquisite dancers, or apsaras, such as Rambha, Tilottama, Pushpalata and Menaka. He called Rambha and Pushpalata and instructed them, ‘Your task is to spoil the penance of the two meditating sages Nara and Narayana. I will send Manmatha, the god of love, to help hasten the process.’

  The apsaras nodded and descended down to the earth. There, Manmatha created a stunning ambience of springtime around the two sages. The blooming flowers and their sweet scent, fresh green trees, beautiful ponds and chirping birds made it an enchanting place for romance. Still, the sages did not open their eyes.

  Manmatha said to the apsaras, ‘I have done my duty. I refuse to stand here like the last time I did with Shiva only to end up in ashes. Now, the job is all yours.’

  Soon, the god of love left.

  Rambha and Pushpalata began to dance and sing, but it was of no use—Nara and Narayana continued to meditate.

  Afraid of displeasing Indra, they approached Narayana and touched him. They said, ‘O sage, you don’t need this penance to reach the heavens. We are here, and this place around you is itself heaven. Open your eyes.’

  Narayana, now disturbed, opened his eyes. He became furious as he glanced around him and understood what was happening. ‘How dare you come here without our permission and create an environment we are least interested in?’

  Rambha and Pushpalata grew deathly pale as even Nara opened his eyes. They were aware that accomplished sages could give powerful curses with the potential to alter the course of their lives. Immediately, the two dancers fell at Narayana’s feet and pleaded with him. ‘Forgive us. We did not intend to cause you any harm, and yet, we are bound by the laws of our realm. Our master, Indra, ordered us to do his bidding, and we must fulfil our duty to him. Please, have mercy on us.’

  Narayana was upset with Indra. He said to the apsaras, ‘I understand your position, but I cannot forgive Indra. He is a coward who uses his dancers as a weapon.’

  Indra, who was watching from the heavens, became afraid that the sage was just about to curse him. He had always gambled by sending beautiful apsaras to distract people from their focused penance. Sometimes the plan would work, such as in the case of Vishvamitra, but sometimes it boomeranged, like now.

  In a flash, Indra appeared in front of Nara and Narayana. ‘Sorry, my dear sages,’ he said and folded his hands. ‘Please forgive me!’

  ‘I was performing a penance for the benefit of the people on earth,’ said Narayana, ‘but you always assume that any meditating sage is greedy for your throne. The truth is that most of us couldn’t care less about immortality or your throne. You send these helpless women to attract us. They may be the most stunning beings in the heavens, but with my powers, I ca