Sage Agastya - Humbler of the Vindhyas

Dadi: "Guddu, have you heard of the Vindhya mountains?"

Guddu: "Yes! They're the mountains in the middle of India!"

Dadi: "That's right. But did you know they used to be much, much taller? Tonight I'll tell you how a humble sage made a proud mountain bow down - and stay bowed forever!"

Guddu: "A mountain bowing? That sounds like magic!"

Dadi: "It begins with pride, beta. You see, the Sun circles around Mount Meru every day - that's the sacred mountain at the center of the universe. The Vindhya mountain saw this and became jealous."

Guddu: "A mountain got jealous?"

Dadi: "Very jealous! Mount Vindhya approached Surya, the Sun god, and demanded, "Why do you always circle Mount Meru? Why not circle me instead?""

Guddu: "What did the Sun say?"

Dadi: "Surya replied honestly, "I didn't choose this path. Lord Brahma set my course when he created the universe.""

Guddu: "That's a reasonable answer!"

Dadi: "But Vindhya's pride was hurt. In his anger, he decided to grow so tall that he would block the Sun's path entirely! He grew and grew and grew."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "Day and night got all mixed up! The Sun couldn't pass. The Moon couldn't travel. No one could cross from north India to south India. Everything was chaos!"

Guddu: "Couldn't the gods stop him?"

Dadi: "They tried! Indra and all the devas begged Vindhya to stop. But the proud mountain completely ignored them. "I am growing to touch the sky," he said. "No one can stop me.""

Guddu: "So what did the gods do?"

Dadi: "They went to Sage Agastya, one of the greatest rishis in creation. Agastya was small in stature but enormous in spiritual power. He was wise, humble, and deeply respected by everyone - even proud mountains."

Guddu: "Could he convince Vindhya?"

Dadi: "He had a clever plan. Agastya approached the Vindhya range, and something remarkable happened. Even though Vindhya had ignored the gods, when he saw the sage coming, he immediately bowed down in respect!"

Guddu: "Just like that?"

Dadi: "Yes! The mountain that had defied all the gods bowed before a humble sage. Agastya had earned respect through his devotion and wisdom, not through threats."

Guddu: "What did Agastya do then?"

Dadi: "He smiled warmly and praised Vindhya's beauty. "I am very pleased with your devotion," he said. "You have shown me great respect." Then he made a special request."

Guddu: "What request?"

Dadi: ""I am traveling south for an important purpose. Could you please stay bowed like this until I return? Otherwise, with your great height, I cannot cross over.""

Guddu: "And Vindhya agreed?"

Dadi: "He couldn't refuse his beloved teacher! Out of respect for the sage, Vindhya promised to stay low until Agastya came back."

Guddu: "So then what happened?"

Dadi: "Agastya crossed the mountains with his wife Lopamudra. They traveled all the way to South India, found a beautiful spot, and built their ashram there."

Guddu: "Did he ever go back?"

Dadi: "No, beta. And that's the clever part. Agastya never returned from the South. To this day, the Vindhya mountains remain relatively low, still waiting for their beloved teacher to come back!"

Guddu: "They're still waiting?"

Dadi: "That's what the story says! And Agastya won't return - because if he does, Vindhya will raise his head again and block the sun."

Guddu: "Ha! Agastya tricked him!"

Dadi: "Not tricked - guided. Agastya used Vindhya's own devotion to teach him humility. The mountain could ignore gods but not the sage he respected. And in bowing down, Vindhya found his proper place."

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

Dadi: "Several lessons, beta. First, that pride always leads to trouble - Vindhya's jealousy disrupted the whole world. Second, that force isn't always the answer - the gods couldn't stop Vindhya, but Agastya's gentle wisdom did."

Guddu: "And staying humble is good?"

Dadi: "Yes! Agastya himself was humble - small in body but great in spirit. And by staying bowed, Vindhya stopped causing problems and became useful. Sometimes our proper place isn't at the top, blocking everyone else. Sometimes it's lower, allowing others to pass."

Guddu: "I like this story, Dadi. The mountain is still bowing!"

Dadi: "It is, beta. And every time you see those mountains, remember - true greatness isn't about being the tallest or the loudest. It's about knowing when to bow, when to serve, and when to let others shine. That's wisdom, and that's why Agastya could humble a mountain with just a smile and a request."