A STORY OF UPAKOSALANA
Upakosalan, the great student :
This is a story from Hindu mythology. There was a boy Upakosalan by name. He had a great thirst for knowledge. So he went in search of the right teacher. He met the great saint Sathyakam. The saint was like a divine being with a divine aura around him. Upakosalan bowed his head at the feet of the saint and requested to accept him as his disciple.
Sathyakam tests Upakosalan :
Saint Sathyakam found that Upakosalan had the right attitude and was very happy to get such a good student. However, he wanted to test Upakosalan before accepting him as a student.
Sathyakam goes on pilgrimage :
He asked Upakosalan that he (Sathyakam) wanted to go on a pilgrimage and that Upakosalan should maintain the fire of a holy torch, which must never be extinguished. Upakosalan readily agreed and took up the responsibility.
The divine aura around Upakosalan :
Then the saint Sathyakam went on the pilgrimage, which lasted for two years. On his return, he found that Upakosalan was maintaining the holy fire as diligently as himself. What surprised him was that there was a divine aura around Upakosalan. Such an aura was possible only when one learns the highest level of knowledge - the 'Supreme Knowledge'.
He enquired Upakosalan about the source of this aura. Upakosalan bowed his head at the teacher's feet and replied that Agni, the Fire God Himself had appeared ! before him and taught him the supreme knowledge. "Sir, l am waiting for learning more from you."
Sathyakam teaches everything to Upakosalan :
The saint Sathyakam put his hand on Upakosalan's head and blessed him. He taught him the deepest of the wisdom he mastered.
MORAL OF THE STORY
An obedient student achieves true knowledge.
In studies :