Stories from Scriptures # 31 - Satyakama, the truthful(2/2)

Satyakama, the truthful - Story from Chhandogya Upanishad

 Part 2 of 2

One day a bull among them spoke to him: "Satyakama! Now the cows are a thousand in number. Take them to your Guru. I shall teach you 'a fourth' about Brahman or God. His name is Prakasavan. Agni, the God of fire, will teach you more later."

And he taught Satyakama a quarter of the sacred truth.

Accordingly, Jabala drove the cows to the Guru's ashrama.

He stopped on the way for the night and lighted a fire to warm himself.

From that fire God Agni appeared before him and said: "Satyakama! I shall teach you the second quarter of the sacred truth about Brahman. He is called Anantavan."

And he taught him another quarter of the sacred knowledge. Accordingly, Jabala drove the cows to the Guru's ashrama.

On the following evening Satyakama stayed near a lake along with the cows.

At that time a swan came flying from the waters and said, "Satyakama! I shall teach you the third quarter of Brahman. He is called Jyotishman." And he taught him more of the sacred truth. On the following day, he stayed beneath a peepal tree.

In the evening a waterfowl came before him and said: "Satyakama! I shall teach you the fourth and last part of Brahamn.

And he taught him the fourth part, naming it "Ayatanavan."

When Satyakama reached the Guru's ashram with the thousand cows, the Guru asked: "Child, your face shines with Brahma Gyana or the knowledge of Brahman. Who taught you?"

Satyakama told him about his four teachers and said: "Sire, I now request you to teach me personally Brahma - Gyana. Then only will it be perfect."

The rishi said: "Child! whatever you have learnt is real Brahma Gyana. There is little else that I can add. I bless you!"

By serving the Guru faithfully one gets real spiritual knowledge.

This story is told in the great Upanishad called Chhandogya.

Cheers!