THE TRUE MEANING OF WISDOM

The true meaning of wisdom

This story dates back to the time when Kauravas and Pandavas (figures from the Mahabharata) went to a Gurukul (an ancient school system of India) for education.

There was an atmosphere of keen competition among the students. Each one wanted to be the best in all the subjects that were taught in the ashram, and wished for their teacher, Guru Dronacharya to praise them.

They all studied hard and the teacher was happy with his pupils.

One day, in the middle of summer, Guru Dronacharya had to visit another town for some work. He expected to be away for one week. He called all his students and told them that he would not be around for a few days, and asked them to study a few lessons while he was away.

The next week passed by quickly. On returning, he called the students to the classroom. All the students were looking very happy and entered the classroom with happy faces.

After the class, the Guru asked the boys to tell him what and how much they had studied while he had been away.

Each prince came forward and explained how hard he had worked. One had studied three lessons, another four; some had studied five and so on. The guru made them stand one by one, and wrote down what they had accomplished. At last, it was Yudhishthira’s turn. The teacher looked at him expectantly, as he was the most sincere student in the class.

However, Yudhisthira did not speak out loudly and confidently like the rest had done. His voice was low and he seemed to find it difficult to say anything.

“Tell me, Yudhishthira,” the teacher said encouragingly, "What did you do while I was away? I am sure you finished all the lessons and did some extra work too.”

Yudhishthira answered in a low voice, "I studied, understood and learnt only one sentence, sir.”

Dronacharya was stunned. He could hardly believe his ears. "Just one sentence?” he asked.

“Yes Sir. I could master only one sentence in this short time,” Yudhishthira repeated.

What had happened to Yudhishthira? Why had he spent the whole week learning just one sentence? Yudhishthira was older than all the other pupils and he ought to have worked the hardest. Guru Dronacharya had expected him to serve as an example to the others.

But here was the boy shamelessly declaring that one week was not enough to complete the task set by the teacher! Guru Dronacharya was puzzled.

He didn’t like scolding his pupils. He was never unfair or unreasonable. The children also liked him. They always obeyed him. But now they had worried frowns on their foreheads. Everyone expected the teacher to be very angry with Yudhishthira. They knew that he would have to scold Yudhishthira for his laziness. The children were whispering to each other now. “Will he punish Yudhishthira? How will he punish him? What will he ask him to do? Will he excuse him?"

"After all, this is the first time that he hasn’t done his work,” they said. The guru looked sternly at Yudhishthira. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” he roared. “Everyone in this class is younger than you. They have worked hard and completed the work set by me and you..!" He stopped midway and wiped his face. His hair were standing on end. His face was shining with perspiration. He was trembling with fury.

Yudhishthira’s face remained quiet and tranquil. "Sir, I couldn’t help it. I could finish only this much.” The teacher lost his patience at this.

But Yudhishthira remained calm and tranquil. “I am sorry to have disappointed you, Sir”, he said, "I could study only this much.” Now all the little princes in the class were very worried.

They thought, "First he doesn’t do his work and then he argues with the teacher. He will surely get into a lot of trouble." They expressed their concern to each other through their silent face expressions.

The teacher could not control himself any longer. He said angrily, "I am going to punish you for your disobedience. You are not only lazy, you are being rude and unrepentant too!” Again Yudhishthira said in a low voice, remaining calm and cool, "I am sorry to have disappointed you, Sir. I could only study this much.”

The whole class was surprised. They all liked Yudhishthira. They liked their teacher too. Why didn’t Yudhishthira apologize? The teacher would have forgiven him. He could do the work now and they would help him too. Everyone would be happy once again.

Yudhishthira was being scolded badly. But, the more the teacher scolded him, the more he remained calm and tried to put across his point calmly. It suddenly occurred to the teacher that something was not right. Perhaps, Yudhishthira had done something very unusual! How was he so calm even when he was being scolded? “What is this sentence that you have learnt?” he asked.

Yudhishthira brought out his book and showed the sentence : "CONTROL YOUR ANGER!"

In one flash, the teacher and all the pupils understood what Yudhishthira had done. He had not just learnt the sentence. He had actually practised what he had learnt. It had taken him seven days to master his anger.

Guru Dronacharya's eyes filled with tears when he realized how wise Yudhishthira was. He embraced the boy and said, “My son, forgive me for having been unjust. Today you have taught me, how lessons should be studied! If everyone was like you, the world would be a heaven on earth."

Lesson Summary "Having one application and one goal at a time, will take us somewhere through an optimum utilisation of our inner resources."