Service to the Guru (III) : Dhaumya's Three Disciples
Three more inspirational stories from the Mahabharata about service to the Guru. From unpublihsed book by Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj, "The Heart of the Guru." 1. Aruni Uddalaka yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ prakāśante mahātmanaḥ Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master, who is his manifestation and not different from him, are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed. (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23) In ancient times their was a great sage of the name Ayoda Dhaumya. He hd three students, named Upamanyu, Aruni and Veda. The story of this guru and his disciples is told near the beginning of the Mahabharata. It tells how he tested them and how through his mercy they were able to understand the scriptural teachings. On hearing it, one cannot help but be amazed. One day, Dhaumya bade one of his disciples, Aruni, who came from the kingdom of Panch...