LEGEND ASSOCIATED WITH DUSSEHRA

Kautsa's Gurudakshina

     Kautsa, the young son of Devdatt, a Brahmin, was living in the city of Paithan. After completing education from Rishi Varatantu, he insisted on his Guru accepting Guru Dakshina. But Guru said, "Kautsa, to give 'Dakshina' in return for learning wisdom is not proper. Graduation of the disciple makes the Guru happy, and this is the real Guru Dakshina."

     Kautsa was not satisfied. He still felt it was his duty to give his Guru something. Finally the Guru said, "Alright,  if you insist on giving me Dakshina, give me 140 million gold coins. 10 million for each of the 14 sciences I have taught you." 

     Kautsa went to King Raghu. Raghuraja was an ancestor of Shri Rama, famous for his generosity. But just at that time, he had emptied all his coffers on the Brahmins, after performing the Vishvajit yajna (sacrifice). He asked Kautsa to give him three days time. 

     Raghuraja immediately left to get the gold coins from Indra Dev (king of Gods). Indra Dev summoned Kuber, the God of wealth. Indra Dev told Kuber, "Make a  rain of gold coins fall on Bidi leaf tree on the outskirts of Raghuraja's Ayodhya city."

     The rain of gold coins began to fall. King Raghu gave all the coins to Kautsa, and Kautsa hastened to offer the coins to Varatantu Rishi. Guru had asked only 140 million, so he gave the rest back to Kautsa. Kautsa was not interested in money. In those days honour was considered more valuable than wealth. He told the King to take the remaining gold coins back. But the King refused to take them back as Kings do not take back the daan (offering).  

    Finally Kautsa distributed the gold coins to the people of Ayodhya on the day of Ashwin Shukla Dashami (Dussehra). In remembrance of this event the custom is kept of looting the leaves of the "Bidi leaf tree" (Aaptyache paan) and people present each other these leaves as "sona" (gold).