Aruni and the Flooded Fields

In the olden days, the disciples of the Guru lived with the Guru in his ashram. They studied there and also performed other chores given to them by the Guru. Most ashrams were self sufficient units. They had cows for milk, gardens for vegetables, fruits and flowers, forests for collection of wood for fire and fields for growing cereals and pulses. The disciples did a variety of jobs and  kept the ashram running smoothly. The physical work and responsibility given to them made the disciples physically strong and hardy and also mentally mature and able to cope up with work given to them in a dependable manner. There was no distinction made between the students for the work allotted. They could come from any rank in life. All were treated equally.

Besides the visible growth and progress in the disciples there is another development which takes place but which is not normally apparent. This gets highlighted when certain unusual happenings take place. A disciple who is loyal, loving and follows the Guru’s dictates to the letter, develops at subtle levels. The physical body blossoms with fresh air, good food and hard physical labour; the mental body develops with the acquisition of knowledge at the ashram and the subtle body develops when the disciple works with great love for the Guru and is implicitly obedient and loyal.  This development over a period of time prepares the subtle body of the disciple so that when the Guru commands or blesses, there is a sudden metamorphosis and the student stands completely transformed. Consider this case:

Rishi Aayod Dhaumya lived in his ashram with cows, gardens and fields. He was famous as he was pious and powerful and took care of his disciples like a mother cares for her children. He had a number of disciples in the ashram under his care. One of these was a disciple named Aruni. Aruni was very humble and loved his Guru greatly. He was hardworking and performed the chores given to him as Guru Seva. He unquestioningly followed the orders of his Guru with a smiling face.

Once the Guru sent Aruni to take care of the fields. As Aruni reached the fields the skies opened up and the rains poured. The fields filled up quickly with water. Now there were mud walls on sides of the fields to hold the water in and prevent the outflow of water and soil loss. As Aruni was checking he saw that the force of the water had increased and there was a breakage in one of the mud walls. Water and soil were flowing out  of the fields with great force. Aruni feared that the loss due to soil erosion would be terrible. He tried his best to stop the flow of water. He put mud and stones in the hole to stop the water flow. But it was of no use.  Aruni recalled the Guru’s instructions – to take care of the fields. So he placed himself as a stopper in the hole and prevented the water from flowing out. He remained cold and stiff all night in that place but he protected the fields of the Guru.

In the morning when all the disciples gathered for the morning prayers, Aruni was not present. The Guru and some of the disciples rushed in the direction of the fields calling out to Aruni. Aruni heard his Guru calling him and stood up shivering with cold. Touching his Guru’s feet he asked – Gurudev, what are your instructions for me?

The Guru looked around and understood what Aruni had done to save the fields. His heart was filled with love and compassion. Love and Grace started flowing from the Guru to the disciple and Aruni was transformed. He got the knowledge of all scriptures automatically.  The Guru gave him a new name Uddhalak Aruni.

Aruni became a great learned sage. He worked for welfare of society. He organised innumerable community feeding programs. He systematized Vedic and Upanishadic thoughts. All this was due to the blessings of his Guru.