Raikva the Cart-Driver

Dadi**: Guddu beta, what makes someone truly great - wealth, power, or wisdom?

Guddu**: Wisdom, I think?

Dadi**: Tonight's story is about a proud king who thought he was great because of his charity - until he heard about a poor cart-driver who was greater in wisdom than all his riches.

Guddu**: A cart-driver was greater than a king?

Dadi**: King Janasruti was famous throughout the land for his generosity. He built rest houses everywhere so no traveler would sleep without shelter. He fed the hungry in every village. He was proud of his spiritual merit.

Guddu**: That sounds like he was doing good things!

Dadi**: He was! But one night, he was resting on his palace terrace when he overheard something that shattered his pride.

Guddu**: What happened?

Dadi**: Two swans - or perhaps celestial birds - flew overhead, speaking to each other. The first swan said, "Be careful! The light of King Janasruti spreads like the sky! Don't touch it, or it might burn you!"

Guddu**: The king must have felt proud hearing that!

Dadi**: Wait! The second swan replied dismissively: "Who is this Janasruti that you speak of as if he were Raikva, the man with the cart?"

Guddu**: Ouch! That's insulting!

Dadi**: It got worse! The first swan asked, "What about this Raikva? Who is he?" The second answered: "Just as in a game of dice, when you win with the highest throw, all other throws come to you - so whatever good works anyone does all go to Raikva. Whoever knows what Raikva knows is truly great."

Guddu**: All good works go to a cart-driver?

Dadi**: The king was devastated. He had thought his charity made him great. But these celestial beings considered a poor cart-driver more enlightened!

Guddu**: Did the king go find Raikva?

Dadi**: He sent servants to search the entire kingdom. Finally, they found a shabby man scratching himself under a cart - this was Raikva!

Guddu**: Not very impressive looking!

Dadi**: The king came with six hundred cows, gold necklaces, a chariot, and even offered his daughter in marriage - all to learn Raikva's wisdom!

Guddu**: What was Raikva's reaction?

Dadi**: He looked at all the gifts and said, "Take it all back! What do I need your cows and gold for? You think you can buy wisdom like vegetables in a market?"

Guddu**: He refused the king's gifts?!

Dadi**: The king was stunned! He had never been refused anything. He came back again with even more - a thousand cows, more gold, a whole village, and again his daughter.

Guddu**: Did Raikva accept then?

Dadi**: He accepted, but not because of the gifts. He saw that the king was genuinely humble now, truly seeking wisdom. Then Raikva taught him the highest knowledge.

Guddu**: What knowledge?

Dadi**: He taught about Samvarga - how everything merges into the One. Just as the wind absorbs fire when it goes out, absorbs water when it dries up, absorbs all movement when things become still - everything returns to unity.

Guddu**: So the cart-driver knew cosmic secrets?

Dadi**: Deep wisdom has nothing to do with social position! Raikva under his cart knew more than the king in his palace. The gifts didn't buy the knowledge - the king's humility earned it.

Guddu**: What's the lesson, Dadi?

Dadi**: Many lessons! First, don't be proud of your good deeds. Second, wisdom can be found in unexpected places. Third, you can't buy spiritual knowledge - only sincere seeking can earn it.

Guddu**: I'll look for wisdom everywhere, not just in fancy places!

Dadi**: That's my wise Guddu! The next great teacher you meet might be scratching himself under a cart. Keep your eyes open!

Guddu**: Goodnight, Dadi!

Dadi**: Goodnight, beta!