Uddhava Gita - Krishnas Final Teachings

Dadi: "Guddu, what's the most important quality a student should have?"

Guddu: "Intelligence? Hard work?"

Dadi: "Those are important, but there's something even more essential: devotion to your teacher. Let me tell you about Aruni, the most devoted student ever."

Guddu: "What did he do?"

Dadi: "Aruni studied at the ashram of the great sage Ayoda-Dhaumya. One day, the sage noticed a breach in the water channel of his field. Water was escaping, and his crops would be ruined."

Guddu: "That sounds bad!"

Dadi: ""Aruni," the sage said, "go and fix that breach." It seemed like a simple task. Aruni went immediately."

Guddu: "Did he fix it?"

Dadi: "He tried everything. Mud, stones, sticks - nothing worked. The breach was too wide. Water kept flowing out no matter what he did."

Guddu: "What could he do?"

Dadi: "Aruni thought: "I cannot fail my guru's command." So he did something extraordinary. He lay down in the breach himself."

Guddu: "He became the dam?"

Dadi: "Exactly! His own body blocked the water. All night he lay there in the cold water, in the mud, in the darkness. But his guru's field was protected."

Guddu: "That's amazing dedication!"

Dadi: "The next morning, when Aruni didn't return, the sage grew worried. "Where is Aruni? Has he not come back?" The other students said he was still at the field."

Guddu: "Did the sage go looking?"

Dadi: "Yes! He went with his other students to the field. There, in the breach, lay Aruni - cold, exhausted, but still faithfully blocking the water."

Guddu: "Was the sage angry?"

Dadi: "The opposite! He was moved beyond words. "Aruni! Rise and come to me!" But when Aruni stood up, the water started flowing again."

Guddu: "Oh no!"

Dadi: "Aruni said, "Revered teacher, I couldn't stop the breach any other way. Hearing your voice, I rose. Tell me what to do next." He was more concerned about his guru's command than his own comfort!"

Guddu: "Did the sage reward him?"

Dadi: "With the greatest reward possible. He embraced Aruni and said: "Because you have obeyed with such complete devotion, all the Vedas shall shine in you! All knowledge shall be yours!""

Guddu: "Just for lying in water all night?"

Dadi: "Not just that, beta. For his attitude. He could have given up. He could have said "impossible" and returned. Instead, he used himself - his own body - to fulfill his teacher's wish."

Guddu: "What happened to him after?"

Dadi: "He was given a new name - Uddalaka, meaning "he who arose from breaking." He became one of the greatest sages of India! The famous teaching "Tat Tvam Asi" - "You are That" - came from him."

Guddu: "So from a humble student to a great sage?"

Dadi: "All because of his devotion. Knowledge doesn't flow into proud minds, Guddu. It flows into humble, dedicated hearts. Aruni showed his guru that no task was beneath him, no sacrifice too great."

Guddu: "I'll try to be more devoted to my teachers."

Dadi: "Start small - do homework without being reminded, pay attention in class, respect their time. You don't need to lie in water ditches! But the same spirit of devotion opens the same doors of wisdom."