This is at the time when the Pandavas and Kauravas were young. They were living with Guru Dronacharya at his ashram learning different skills. Several other little princes had also enrolled in the ashram.
There was healthy competition among the children as each one wanted to be the best. They were always looking forward to getting praise from their Guru. Dronacharya was also happy with his disciples and their abilities.
Once Dronacharya had to visit another village for some work. He called all his disciples and communicated about his unavailability for a few days. He gave them a few lessons to learn and practice while he was away.
Dronacharya returned after a fortnight. He called all the disciples the next morning and began to enquire about their studies and the lessons he had asked them to learn in his absence. Each of the disciples stood up one by one and started to share what they could accomplish. Some had completed two lessons while the other had completed three.
It was now Yudhishthir’s turn. Guru Dronacharya looked at his expectantly as he was one of the most sincere and hardworking disciples. Yudhisthir stood but he could not speak loudly and confidently like the others. His voice was feeble as he found it difficult to express himself.
“Come on Yudhisthir, please tell me what you could accomplish in the last fifteen days? I’m sure you would have done what I gave and more,” said Dronacharya.
To which Yudhishthir replied hesitantly in a mellow voice –
“Gurudev, I could study and understand only one sentence”
Dronacharya was stunned and could not believe his ears.
“Just one sentence in the last fifteen days??” asked Dronacharya.
“Yes Gurudev, I could only master one sentence,” he repeated.
Dronacharya wondered what had happened to Yudhisthir. He was the oldest disciple there and he ought to have worked the hardest. He expected Yudhisthir to serve as an example for others but here he was with the least accomplishment.
All the other disciples were puzzled too. They had a frown on their faces and started whispering among themselves. Dronacharya did not like scolding his disciples but everyone thought that this time Yudhisthir was bound to get it.
Dronacharya looked sternly at Yudhisthir and said –
“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Everyone is younger than you and they all have completed their assignments and you just completed one sentence? I did not expect this from you Yudhishthir.”
The anger on Dronacharya’s face was evident. He was perspiring and his face had turned red. Yudhishthir on other hand remained tranquil and quiet.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you Gurudev but that is what I could accomplish,” said Yudhishthir.
Dronacharya was mad at Yudhishthir as he did not see any repentance on his face.
“Yudhisthir, I will have to punish you for your disobedience and laziness. I don’t even see an iota of regret on your face,” roared Dronacharya.
Yudhishthir was still calm and had a smile on his face. It occurred to Dronacharya that something was not right, why was Yudhishthir smiling even after being shouted at. He asked Yudhishthir –
“OK, tell me what is the sentence that you learned.”
Yudhishthir showed the sentence that he learned and practiced.
“Control Your Anger”
Dronacharya’s eyes were now filled with tears. He realized that Yudhishthir had not only learned the lesson but had practiced controlling his anger in these fifteen days. He embraced Yudhishthir and said –
“Please forgive me son for being unjust. Today you taught us all an important lesson on how one needs to learn. Thank you!“
Wisdom Bite
It is easy to preach and tell others what to do but do We practice what we preach? Preaching does not require much effort but implementing and practicing does. That requires discipline and commitment which most often lack.
There is no use of acquiring all the knowledge unless we put that to use and practice. The great leaders were those who always walked the talk. They practiced what they preached.
I’m reminded of an incident in Kabir’s life that resonates with this message very well. Once a lady came with her son to Kabir. She requested him to tell her son to stop eating jaggery. He was addicted to it. Kabir asked the lady to bring him next week. She could not understand the reason but she returned the next week with her son.
Kabir then told the boy to stop eating jaggery. The lady who was puzzled asked Kabir why he did not say this last week itself. To which Kabir replied, “I had to stop eating jaggery first before I could tell the boy to stop.”
If everyone learned and implemented lessons like Yudhishthir, the world would be a different place.
