Shantiniketan/The Gift to the Guru
THE GIFT TO THE GURU
By Satish Chandra Roy
Translated by W. W. Pearson
Introduction
This evening I am going to tell you a story about a boy of long ago.
Forget for a while this lamp that we have lighted indoors, and think of that flood of moonlight that pours itself out upon the surrounding fields. On one side of this open country the wood is black and indistinct like a huge python that has risen from some chasm of the earth and is lying asleep in the moonlight, swaying in the wind. To-night as we all sit together I shall speak to you about the night. If it had been daytime, perhaps I should have talked about the day. But no,—I have another reason for describing the night, for night time is the best time for story-telling. At night time everything seems indistinct and distant objects are brought near. If it had been daytime, would you have been able so easily to think that you were seeing the stars, which, when the sky is caressed by the shadow of the night, blossom like flowers and fill the heavens in their multitudes?
So far I have been describing the night, in order to carry you in thought out into the darkness, where the sky is decked with the moon and stars. Now you must accompany me in imagination wherever I go.
What journey shall we take together? We are going to visit a sacred grove of ancient India. If it had been daytime, how could you ever have discovered this sacred grove of hundreds of years ago? If it had been daytime, what should we have seen in modern India? We should have seen cities, railways and factories; we should have seen forests full of wild beasts, dried-up rivers, hard rocky mountains, barren parched deserts and many other things besides. The sacred grove I am to tell you about no longer exists.
But it is night time now—moonlight is falling and the silence of sleep has come. Now the mind can take wings and fly in imagination 
CHAPTER I
In olden times boys used to go for purposes of study to a Brahmachari-ashram. I have already told you that schools of that kind were situated in sacred groves. Rishis used to think that though it is necessary for groups of men to build cities in places where there is a great deal of business and bustle, yet there are other needs besides these, which human life is meant to fulfil.
If you live only in the busy work and turmoil of the world, you will not get time to understand, or even to see properly, all aspects of the world. The mind will have no peace; and if the mind is not tranquil, then the real meaning of things will not be understood, nor will their real beauty be appreciated.
Besides this there was another advantage in living in a forest, namely, that man felt a kind of freedom and was able to realise his own worth. Each one had to do his own work, so that no false ideas crept in, that such a one was poor, and therefore unimportant, and such a one was rich, and therefore great.
It was those forest saints who were really able to uphold the ideals of India, which made peace and tranquillity the greatest of blessings. In the solitudes of these forests, and in the midst of the beauty of these woods, the teaching given had a deep and penetrating effect. That was the reason why the students of those days saw such a wonderful glory in the world.
From the story that I am going to relate, you will be able to see what great strength a pupil gained from his training in a solitary place such as I have described.
So now I will begin my story.
CHAPTER II
One day, when it was just dawn in the sacred grove, Ved the Rishi of the Ashram, having finished his morning prayer and worship of the sacred fire, called his pupils together, fresh from their morning bath, and sat with them at the foot of an amloki tree.
The deer have now risen from their sleep in the courtyard and run into the forest. One of the boys has driven a cow into a meadow luscious with fresh tender grass. Now as he sits under a tree the soft rays of the sun, falling through the cool green network of leaves and branches, light up his face, and he is singing with a sweet low voice a hymn to the sun. A band of younger boys with baskets in their hands are filling them with flowers from the woods. Near by the wife of their Guru,[4] as she comes from the river, is pouring a little water from a pitcher on to the roots of each tree, and smiles as she looks with tenderness at the boys.
Thus while the fresh calmness of early morning rests on the scene, Ved begins to explain to the boys with a voice full of joy the sacred mysteries of God. Gazing on the radiant face of their Guru the boys began to listen attentively. When the morning reading was finished two or three deer came to the place where they were, and began to nestle with their warm breath and soft noses against the boys’ bodies. A few of the students, however, remained seated in silent thought quite motionless.
Then one of the older boys, named Utonka, came up, and having bowed before his Guru’s feet said with clasped hands:
“To-day my time of discipline is finished. I have by your love gained strength. My body has become strong and my mind bright and happy. I have seen the glory of the sun and moon and have felt a Power in the glowing fire. I have tasted the joys of the six seasons of the year. The peace and tranquillity of the forests have taken up their abode in me and the fresh living spirit of the birds and beasts, of the trees and creepers, has entered my heart. I have come to understand that the food which we eat and the wood of the trees which we burn in the fire are to be deemed sacred because they do us good. Air, water, sky and light are sacred also, and all are filled with divine sweetness and goodness.
“Gurudev, I have learnt to understand all this and now I must go out into the wider world. In that outer world there are hundreds and hundreds of men like me, and my duty now lies amongst them, for man cannot live without human love. By your help, Gurudev, I have become a Brahmachari. My body is strong; I am not afraid of difficulties, and when I go out into the world I shall be able to fulfil my purpose by your blessing. My Guru, give me then your blessing, and tell me what offering I am to bring you. When I have made my offering, I will bid farewell.”
While Utonka was speaking, all the other boys were watching him with sorrowful faces. Hearing that he was going away their eyes filled with tears. Gurudev also with tearful, yet smiling, eyes said, “My son, the heart of a Guru is always with his disciples, the blessings of a Guru are taken up by the clouds and fall like rain from heaven. They touch his eyes mingling with the light of the sun. Like the breeze they waft their fragrance around him, day by day, and dwell in his heart as peace and tenderness. You need not ask for my blessing: it is yours already. Go out into the world and my blessing be with you. What further offering can I desire, my son? Go to your mother, and if you can bring anything that she desires, you will be free from your debt to your Guru.”
Utonka replied, “Gurudev, I cannot hope ever to free myself from my debt to you, but I will do as you say, and will go and ask my mother.” Saying this he threw himself at his Guru’s feet and then slowly went away.
The other pupils remained silent with sorrow and the Guru also for a little time was silent. At last he said, “My children, it is now time for you to go and beg your food.” The boys making an obeisance to their Guru dispersed in all directions, to beg from the village food for themselves and their Guru. Amongst them there were the sons of many rich and influential men, but all of them begged without distinction. 
CHAPTER III
Utonka then went to his teacher’s wife, who was sitting in the shade of a tree near the house weaving grass mats. A deer was lying beside her, while overhead a bird was making a loud noise, "Tee tee ū. Tee tee ū," while other smaller birds flew about without a care and drank water from the pools under the ashoka trees. It really seemed as if these birds and beasts were one with man. After bowing before his teacher’s wife, Utonka said, “Mother, the time of my training is finished and I have, by the help of Gurudev, become a Brahmachari. I have gained strength and now I must go into the world. Tell me now, Mother, what offering I can make you: for Gurudev told me to ask you.”
Quickly putting aside her weaving his teacher's wife said with tears in her eyes, “What! my child, are you going to leave us? Yet why should I be sad? Go take my blessing with you. How many of my sons have one after another gone away like this! But I am not sorrowful; for from the ashram they go out into the world and benefit it by their work. Can any one spend all his life in the seclusion of this forest? But wherever you go my heart's affection and blessing will surround you all your life.”
Then after a short silence she said, “What offering shall I tell you to bring? Though we need nothing, we must observe the usual custom.” Then as if remembering something, she said with a slight smile:
“I have just remembered something. The Queen Shubashukla is famous all the world over. Even the gods respect her virtue. The saints of the forests sing her praises and even a hard stone would be melted by the love of her generous heart. No impure person is allowed to look upon her face. She has some golden earrings which are so valuable that Takshat, the king of the serpents, himself wants to keep them in his storehouse in the nether regions. I have a great desire to see and touch those ear-rings just once, and I would like to wear them when next I entertain the Brahmins. So bring me those ear-rings within three days so that my wish may be fulfilled. You are a Brahmachari and should have no difficulty.”
Utonka was delighted, and having saluted her he determined to set off that very day to bring his offering.
When he had gone, the Guru’s wife sat still and began to think to herself: “I wonder if I have done right to send my child Utonka all alone such a long distance to bring this offering. But why should I be afraid? Let him see the glory of a virtuous woman before he enters the world. Why should one be afraid for a Brahmachari?” As she thought in this fashion, she remembered all Utonka’s deep devotion and goodness, and she began to feel sad.
By this time the other boys came back, bringing the rice and other food they had begged—but to-day, strange to say, there was none of the chatter and happy noise which there was on other days. The Guru’s wife seeing the boys looking so sad went up to them and asked them the cause. They all cried, “Utonka is going away.” Then she went off towards the kitchen consoling them as she went.
CHAPTER IV
Now we must follow Utonka on his journey to the palace of King Poshya, the husband of the famous queen. After leaving the fields near the ashram he entered a thick forest. It was then mid-day, and the forest was very beautiful. Here and there the sun pierced through the dense shade of the trees. It seemed as though all its rays were setting up ladders of light and were descending like thieves to steal flowers from the dark forest. Birds were peeping out from holes in the tree trunks, their red and black beaks looking as if the trees had put on red and black leaves. In some places, on the huge trunks of some big trees, it seemed as if a whole village of birds were situated in the branches. In other places rows of tall palms lifted their graceful heads, and with their fronds joined together, like the wings of birds, made a cool darkness in the woods. In other places, through breaks in the forest, sparkling chatim trees looked up to the sky, holding their leaves aloft like beautiful fingers. Great creepers joined tree to tree like bridges, and in some places seemed to have prepared swings for the spirits of the wood to play in. Utonka saw wild boars, some of them digging up the earth, and some lying in holes. Now and then he saw two huge curved horns appear behind the screen of distant trees, and once or twice a forest deer started suddenly from right before him. Once he saw on the branch of a tree a big honeycomb with black bees buzzing round it.
After some time Utonka entered a large open plain. In the distance the scorching sunlight was flickering like tongues of fire. The sky was deep blue.
Before going out into the heat of the sun Utonka sat down to rest in the shade at the edge of the forest. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a huge black cow appeared in the middle of the plain. How wonderful! Whence could it have come? Utonka had no idea that there was such a large cow anywhere in the world, and he rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not dreaming. When he had stopped rubbing his eyes he was still more astonished; for on the back of the cow there was now a tall radiant figure. Utonka stood up in his astonishment.
Perhaps you are thinking that Utonka ran away, but if you had been there you would certainly have stood motionless as he did to see that huge cow. From its neck hung fold upon fold of well-grown dewlap and on its head were two shining sharp horns of great length. Its legs were covered with soft white hair almost to the ankle, and it had a huge tail white in colour and gradually tapering till it almost touched the ground.
It seemed as if light was coming from its broad black forehead. On its back was a strong man with shining bare body. So enchanting was the beauty of this sight, that Utonka stood overwhelmed with wonder and astonishment.
As he stood looking at the cow it seemed as if, in the twinkling of an eye, it came right up to him from the place where it had been standing without apparently moving its limbs. In great astonishment Utonka looked up at it and saw two large black and lustrous eyes gazing at him. On seeing those eyes the whole of Utonka’s body felt a pleasant coolness like that which one feels on drinking very cool water. Raising his face a little, Utonka saw two bright eyes looking at him from a face wreathed in smiles. As he looked into those eyes he heard, as though in a dream, a voice say to him, “My child, drink some of the milk of this cow; for your Guru also has done so.” Utonka then bent down to drink and, as he drank, it tasted to him like nectar.
But when he lifted his head after drinking he discovered that the cow and its rider had disappeared and there was no sign of their having been there at all. The plain was flooded with the blazing sunlight. Near by was the dense forest with its shade, and from it the sound of birds and bees could be heard. Squirrels with their pretty striped bodies were running out into the open from the shelter of the woods, and they would then peep round and, starting suddenly, run back into the safety of the forest.
Utonka feeling much astonished said to himself, “Was it then all a dream? Have I been asleep? It will never do for me to fall asleep like this and dream on my journey. I have to bring back that offering. I wonder how far I am from the king’s palace?”
Thus thinking to himself he set off at a great pace, but all the time he kept saying, “What have I seen? Has some god shown himself to me?” And as he questioned thus he imperceptibly began to slacken his pace. When, however, he remembered the offering he hastened on again.
CHAPTER V
Utonka arrived at the palace of King Poshya in the evening and thought he would try to get the ear-rings and return the same night. So without any delay he went straight to the king and told him what he wanted. The king, after saluting him with deep respect and giving him water for his tired feet, asked him first to wash his hands and mouth and rest a little. “Why are you in a hurry?” he said. ”You can get what you want by going yourself to the inner apartments of the queen.”
Utonka replied, “O king, may you live long and prosper. I wanted to return with the ear-rings this very night, but if that is not possible, let me at least ask for them at once. For so long as I am in doubt I shall have no peace of mind.”
The king laughed slightly and said, “Very well. Go into the palace. The doorkeeper will show you the way. I myself am going to my evening worship and cannot come with you.” Saying this the king bowed low to Utonka and turned away. Utonka was overjoyed and raising his two hands in blessing turned to follow the doorkeeper into the inner apartments.
In every room of the palace lamps were twinkling in the dusk of evening. On the altar, in the fire temple, was seated the fire god wearing a glowing crown of flame, while chanting was heard to the accompaniment of the evening bells. On entering the inner palace Utonka saw a large bokul tree in a courtyard round which the darkness was gathering,—on all sides from the windows of the palace the light of lamps was falling and making the leaves seem black and shining in the distance. At the foot of this tree a large cow was standing, its body a beautiful pale red, looking dark in the evening gloom. On her forehead was a white crescent moon and the white dust near her feet looked very beautiful. From the body of the cow came a sweet scent which seemed to fill the air with peace, while in front were seated several girls dressed in red silk and burning incense by the light of lamps.
In one of the rooms the doorkeeper stopped and said, “Brahmachari, wait a little in this room, while I go to call the queen. She will make her obeisance to you in the next room.” Saying which, the doorkeeper went towards the cow, while Utonka sat down and waited.
As he was waiting it seemed to Utonka that there was on all sides a calm and blessed peace pervading the atmosphere. He saw the queen's attendants moving about in the courtyard from place to place with lamps in their hands and dressed in red silk. By the light of the lamps their faces appeared bright and beautiful, full of joy and peace. At last the doorkeeper came and called him. Utonka, following slowly, entered a room in the middle of which a clear bright light was burning. A soft scent came from the sweet-smelling oil. On all sides incense was rising—but in the room itself there was nothing; it was absolutely empty.
When he entered, Utonka could see no one, but the doorkeeper pointed to a seat inlaid with mother-of-pearl for him to sit on. As he took his seat he asked the doorkeeper, “Has the queen not come yet?”
The doorkeeper replied with evident astonishment, “Why there she is sitting on that shell-covered seat wearing a red dress. Can’t you see her?”
Although Utonka looked hard he could see nothing whatever, and he exclaimed, “What do you say? Are you joking with me? Where is the queen sitting? I can see nothing.”
The old doorkeeper laughed and said, “Brahmachari, do not be angry with me; but you must, I suppose, be impure and that is why you cannot see the queen.”
Then the Brahmachari recollected his vision at the edge of the forest and said to himself, “Then that was not really a dream after all. Everything was real, and because I have not washed my mouth after drinking that milk, therefore I am impure and cannot see the queen. But I thought the whole thing was a dream. How wonderful the glory of this queen must be.”
So Utonka rose quickly and went away to wash. Having washed his hands and mouth the Brahmachari returned and the glory of the queen was revealed to him. She was seated on a seat which was decorated with exquisite pearls. Her dress was made of red silk. Her face was so radiant that the very gold of her ear-rings appeared dull in comparison, and the beauty of her smile was like a flower or a star. Gazing at her it seemed to Utonka that his brow had been cooled with dewdrops, and he was not able to take his eyes off her. He thought that the palace in which such a woman lived must indeed be a habitation fit for the gods.
Meanwhile the queen had come down from her seat and was making her obeisance to Utonka. Just as blossoms are shaken from the shal tree by passing breezes, so it seemed as if blessings were showered from Utonka’s heart. He said, “May eternal good fortune attend you. Mother, I request one gift from your generous hands. Give me your ear-rings.” Queen Shubashukla, laughing gently, removed the ear-rings with a graceful gesture, bending her head as she did so. Just then, a companion of the queen entered the room with a tray on which were honey, curds, sandal paste, paddy and a cluster of Bokul leaves.[5] The queen, taking this tray from her companion’s hands, placed the two ear-rings on it and laid it at the feet of Utonka, making an obeisance as she did so. Utonka, accepting the offering, lifted up the two ear-rings to look at them. Then the queen said in a sweet voice, “Brahmachari, take care of them, for the king 
of the snakes has shown a great desire to possess them.”
“Very well,” said Utonka as he stood up and blessed the queen. “May peace be with you and waft its unseen breezes to cool your heart.”
Full of joy Utonka left the inner apartments with the doorkeeper, whereupon Shubashukla embracing her companion said laughing, “Today, my companion, I am very happy; for by giving these worthless gold ear-rings to this Brahmachari I have been made holier.” At which her companion laughed and said, “We also share your happiness, but I hope that Takshat will not cause any trouble to him on the road.”
Shubashukla replied, “Even if any accident happens, who would hurt the Brahmachari? The gods would conspire together to return the ear-rings to him, if they were lost or stolen.”
In the meantime Utonka, taking the ear-rings with him, wondered, as he went out, at the beauty and grace of the palace. On his way he met the king who was returning from his evening prayers carrying some flowers in his hands. Seeing the Brahmachari he greeted him by scattering flowers over him.
Utonka addressing him said, “My prayer, O king, has been granted. I have obtained the gift and must now bid farewell.”
The king replied, “But I cannot bid farewell so soon. Stay at least to-night.” So Utonka stayed that night in the palace.
All the noise of birds and beasts and men was stilled, and in the depth of the night Utonka began to think about the splendour of the royal palace. It seemed to him that heavenly messengers were descending through the moonlight and were standing all round the palace singing sacred chants in soft tones. Then again he remembered with wonder his vision of that cow. Then his mind turned to thoughts of his Guru’s wife and of his fellow-students all of whom he was so soon to leave. All the hundreds of events that had happened to him since his childhood in the ashram came before him and so he kept on thinking till it struck midnight. Then keeping tight hold of the ear-rings, and uttering the name of his Guru, Utonka turned over and went to sleep. 
CHAPTER VI
In the fields there is neither man nor beast. Overhead is the intense burning sun. But a strong wind has sprung up and is raising a white dust in the eyes of the sun. Look in the distance and you will see that all the leaves and branches of the forest are dancing like mad elephants striking their trunks against each other's bodies, while all the time a hissing panting sound can be heard. Over the fields storms of dust, like hordes of white frenzied ghosts, are tearing along, sometimes turning round and round and sometimes rising high in gigantic forms.
There seems to be not a cloud in the sky. Only under those trees the sky in the distance is dark and lowering and all the time the mad breeze blows strongly.
Who is this who speeds along with scarf flying in the wind, like the wings of a bird as it struggles for its life with all its might against the storm? Who but our Utonka returning to the ashram with the ear-rings?
Utonka having left the open fields is taking shelter behind a tree. Take care, Utonka, be careful of your precious ear-rings! For this is the very field where that mysterious cow appeared to you and made you drink its milk—all sorts of unearthly things happen here. It seemed as though Utonka realised his danger; for he sat down carefully and said, “I will see whether I can discover the meaning of what happened to me yesterday.”
For a long time he looked steadfastly in the direction of the dusty field but he could see nothing. On looking behind him, however, he saw a curious sight. He saw, at a height of two or three feet from the ground, a tall beggar with shaven head, ugly and almost naked, coming towards him. His face was clean shaven and his cheeks wrinkled, while on his forehead were three or four dreadful black lines, and as he approached he kept making hideous grimaces. Crouching down, he beat his hands all the time against his hollow sides. It almost seemed as if a dust-storm, vexed by the wind, was trying to drag this object along in its clutches.
Utonka began to wonder whatever was the matter, but at that very moment the beggar disappeared. Utonka burst out laughing at having been deceived by such a curious image and illusion. But he was again surprised when that half-naked, shaven-headed image appeared floating in the sky, only to disappear again in the twinkling of an eye.
Utonka laughed to himself and thought: “The next time the beggar comes, he will stand right on my head and I shall be able to make Mr. Juggler a captive.” Laughing at this thought Utonka stood up suddenly, but the beggar was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Utonka saw the powerful Takshat emerge suddenly like a flash of lightning from a hole five feet away. Darting to Utonka’s feet he seized the box containing the ear-rings and leapt back into the hole.
When Utonka realised the clever cunning of the wicked serpent king, he fell into a frenzy of despair. But when he had managed to calm his mind, he began to pray to Indra, saying, “O mighty Indra, whose thunderbolt can shatter a rock to atoms and can burn the whole world to ashes, now help this poor helpless Brahmachari. O Indra, whose clouds afford a grateful shade to the hot and weary traveller and give water to the thirsty, and abundant crops to your worshippers, help this poor and helpless Brahmachari.”
Looking up to heaven Utonka prayed thus with folded hands, and as he gazed into the sky a cloud descended and floated just above his head. A little later Utonka felt a gentle rain falling and then a rainbow appeared, and from one side of the cloud to the other bright flashes sparkled and danced. Utonka saw some one sitting in the middle of that dark cloud who encouraged him with loving smiles. He gazed steadfastly and, as he gazed, the cloud descended still lower with a gentle patter of rain, and at last, drenching Utonka with its dew, it entered the earth. The ground opened as though struck by a thunder-bolt. Sitting on the rainbow, in the middle of that dark cloud, Utonka descended into the nether regions. As he entered the womb of the earth he saw suspended on all sides of his cloudy chariot the tops of many sweet-scented trees with crowds of bright-coloured insects fluttering in their branches. Seated on the cloud he felt a pleasing coolness until suddenly he ceased to move.
CHAPTER VII
The nether regions are merely a pleasing fancy of the poets. For the nourishment of a tree, air and light are needed outside, while inside is needed the cool sap drawn from the dark regions underground. So, also, this vast earth needs sap, as the tree does, to give it strength.
When the minds and imaginations of the poets were filled with the beauty, immensity and power of the world and the stars and planets, then in the joy of that power and energy they tried to express the rhythmic movement of the spirit of the universe, and the idea of this inner energy, in many varied images.
The nether regions were to them a bottomless storehouse from which the world, standing like a huge branching tree, draws its nourishment. Just as the roots of a tree are in the ground, from which it draws cool sap, so the roots of the world descend into the lower regions. That energy which you see expressed in the world in light and in flashes of lightning has also been gathered up and stored in the hidden chambers of the nether regions. And those changing pictures of the seasons which you see as the years pass over the world are but the reflection of original paintings which are there also; while the ever new days and nights in the world are but the play of a power hidden there.
In this storehouse many wonderful things are kept. Therefore these regions are full of terror. No one dare enter them alone. Fearful serpents go round and round hissing fiercely,—sentinels keep guard over great heaps of jewels and pearls. Over these there always hangs a thick gloomy haze like a cloud, from which every now and then in the stillness there darts a sudden flash of lightning. Here the wind blows keenly and is not restless like our breezes. It blows silently and constantly with a piercing chill. Deep echoes like thousands of conch shells blown together sound on all sides.
Arriving at the entrance to these regions Utonka heard, as he came to a standstill, a sound like the roar of the mighty sea. He was astounded, and you can understand how alert his mind was at that moment. The darkness and that roaring sound filled his mind with fear and doubt, but after remaining for a long time motionless with fear he began to concentrate his mind and sat down to meditate on Indra.
You must remember that if you have the power of deep concentration and can meditate, you can realise God’s presence at any time; for He is present at all times and in all places. Utonka was a true Brahmachari, so he had acquired considerable power of concentration. While he was plunged in deep meditation a dreadful sound pierced the darkness a little to Utonka’s right, as if the light of a flaming fire had suddenly been revealed, and with a solemn note a sweet voice sounded in his ear, saying, “Utonka, enter this room.”
As Utonka got up he saw a bright and beautiful flaming light and he started with surprise. Then his mind was filled with intense joy. Often in the darkness of the night-time he had risen to adore the blazing fire; and to-day in the darkness of the nether regions his life had in a moment become full of power through the radiance of this great blazing light.
Utonka began to advance towards this light uttering a chant of adoration as he did so. But on getting closer to it he found that it was not a fire at all but a huge golden door that shone with intense brightness. He thought with a certain amount of shame, “Alas, I have been worshipping a mere door of gold as if it were fire. But perhaps I shall find the god of fire within this room.” Then he approached the door, and no sooner had he touched it than it was blown open by a strong gust of wind. On entering he saw a wonderful sight. A huge room filled with white light in the middle of which, glowing like a blazing fire, stood a horse with large wide-open eyes. By its side a strong man was standing, while surrounding it on all sides were six beautifully dressed boys dancing wildly and every moment throwing off one dress and putting on a new one. Sitting a little distance away were two exquisitely beautiful damsels on golden thrones busily weaving cloth upon a loom with threads of two colours, one bright like the golden colour of their bodies, the other jet black like their hair. They were every moment throwing the cloth on to the bodies of the boys, who, laughing merrily, kept picking up this cloth and putting it on. On one side two guards were standing motionless.
Utonka became more and more astonished as he looked upon this scene. These two guards seemed so strong that it looked as if they could easily overpower that radiant horse of fire. Their bodies were so upright and full of energy and their arms were so straight that it seemed as if they could at any moment overcome the most powerful lion, and yet from the look on their faces they appeared to be tranquil and smiling angels.
Utonka now turned to look at the man who was standing beside the horse. On examining him closely he recognised him as the same man who had shown himself seated on the cow which had appeared to him on the plain. Then the man said with a gentle smile, “My child, take this horse outside, breathe once in his nostrils and you will get back the ear-rings.” Utonka, stupefied with wonder, took the horse out, and in accordance with the man’s command he blew strongly in the horse’s nostrils. As he did so the hair of the horse’s body stood on end, and gradually from every hair fire came out. Without any sound the fire consumed the whole of the nether regions in a moment of time, so that there was not a trace of them left. But curiously enough the fire did not touch Utonka’s body at all. He called out in a loud voice, “Now my worship of the fire has borne some fruit. O powerful Fire, I salute thee. O beautiful Fire, I salute thee. O mighty Fire, take me in a golden chariot to the foundations of the earth. O god of Fire, now I understand that it is your throne that is spread in these mysterious lower regions, and to thee, O glorious one, I bow.”
After this joyful salutation Utonka looked in front of him, his face bright with the rays of the brilliant fire which spread on all sides, quivering and scarlet like the blossoms of a dhah tree. There in front of him he saw Takshat, who, driven mad by the dreadful heat of the flames, was in full retreat, having thrown down in his haste those ear-rings which lay like golden flowers at Utonka’s feet. As soon as he had disappeared, the fire gathered itself together and entered the horse’s body again.
Utonka having picked up the ear-rings was about to say something when he suddenly realised that the whole vision had vanished. He saw on all sides of him the fresh sunshine of dawning day falling through the trees, the dew on the leaves was not yet dry, the birds were singing, while in front of him was flowing the very stream which passed the ashram of his Guru.
For some time Utonka remained motionless with wonder and astonishment, but at last he stood up laughing and exclaimed, “Ugh! I have been dreaming again.” Then meditatively and with eyes half closed he went slowly towards the ashram.
As he approached he saw that many Brahmin guests were seated in a circle, their faces radiant with joy, while his Guru Ved was in the centre. They all looked with veneration to the place where the Guru’s wife was seated. She was expressing some anxiety because of Utonka’s delay. “Every one has come,” she was saying; “but why is Utonka so late? Can some accident have happened to him on the way?” To this Ved replied at once, “Do not be anxious, for he will be here immediately.” Even as he spoke Utonka appeared from behind a screen of jasmine flowers, and at the same moment the eyes of both the Guru and his wife met his own.
All were delighted as Utonka first of all did obeisance to his Guru and his Guru’s wife, laying the precious ear-rings at their feet. Then he saluted the rest of the company. The woman’s eyes filled with tears of joy as she took the ear-rings, then she went towards the house looking at them as she went.
After receiving the Guru's blessing Utonka stood quietly at one side of the assembly. Then he began to speak, saying, “Gurudev, to-day I have tasted of the limitless energy of the world. My discipline has borne fruit. Plunging into the nether regions I have seen the beauty of day and night, the restless dancing of the six seasons, and all the imperishable forms of beauty in this world. The god of Fire has set his seal upon me, and the glory of the hidden fire has filled my mind with wonder. Indra has taken up his abode on the throne of my heart. My life in the world will now be successful. Gurudev, I pray that your blessing may be a constant benediction and help to me.”
Having said this Utonka came and sat at his Guru's feet and asked for permission to depart. His Guru Ved gave an affectionate farewell blessing, saying, “My son, may your mind always be happy, and may your work in the world be fruitful. May nobility of purpose, like a flower, blossom in your heart. May all my pupils be able, like you, to accomplish their noble purposes.”
CONCLUSION
At last our story is finished. Need we say any more about that constant nobility of purpose which blossomed in the heart of our Utonka?
My prayer is that you also may learn to appreciate the deeper mysteries of this universe, that you may be able to admire the beauty of a pure and noble life, and treasure at all times the blessing of your teachers.
May their blessing, uniting with the clouds, fall upon you like gentle rain. Mingling with the sunlight every day at dawn may it manifest itself to your eyes. Breathing in the wind may it bring deep peace into your hearts. May your minds be happy and filled with the joy and energy of the universe. May your lives in the world be fruitful,—may nobility of purpose ever blossom in your hearts. May you also be strong, fearless and pure; and may you accomplish your spiritual destiny by devoting yourselves to God.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
- ↑ Ashram: a forest school where the teachers and their families live with the boys in some retired spot.
- ↑ Rishis: saints.
- ↑ Brahmacharis: students brought up to a life of discipline in an atmosphere of religion.
- ↑ Guru: teacher and master.
- ↑ These are given as a sign of respect to an honoured guest.