The Mouse’s Bounty

A Journey to Learn

All this happened a very long time ago when that great teacher, Shankaracharya, lived and preached the doctrines of Adwaita. A certain hermit named Chidananda wanted to learn all about Adwaita, so he set out to see the great preceptor with his disciples. However, as he did not know enough Sanskrit for the purpose, he decided to learn the language from a scholar who lived in a nearby village.

Facing Adversity

The scholar agreed to teach them but stated, “Gentlemen, I shall teach you Sanskrit. But I wonder how you can stay here and learn, as this village is in the grip of a severe famine. The people here are starving for want of food.”

Chidananda replied, “Sir, don’t worry about that. We’ll manage it alright. But you must teach us Sanskrit.” Close by was a tiny choultry that served as a home for the hermit and his disciples. Each day, Chidananda would learn from the scholar, and at night he would impart his knowledge to his disciples. His men would depart in the morning to beg for food, as was their custom, and whatever little they received was shared by all. A week passed in this manner.

The Mysterious Mouse

One day, while Chidananda was busy teaching his disciples, a mouse unexpectedly ran up to him, dragging a grain of rice. After depositing it at his feet, it scampered out of the room and soon returned with another grain. This it did several times until a small heap appeared before the startled eyes of Chidananda.

Marvelling at this mystery, Chidananda got up to follow the mouse.

The Challenge of Sundar

Enter the story of Sundar, a man who was determined to win the heart of a woman named Roopmathi. She playfully declared, “I have a suitor who wants to marry me. It doesn’t concern you.” Sundar boldly replied, “Well, I propose to marry you. What do you say to that?”

Roopmathi, amused, challenged him, “Remember, if you fail the test, you’ll have to become my slave for the rest of your life.”

Sundar’s Trials

Taking him to the riverbank, she handed him a mug and a mud gourd. “Dig here, and drain all the water with this mug. Once you see clear water at the bottom, fill the gourd,” she instructed.

Poor Sundar toiled all day, but he could never drain all the water, thus failing in his first test. Roopmathi then led him home, where the hoots of her friends mocked him for his failure.

For his second test, she provided a ladle, a small jar, and some incense. “Now, Sundar, throw this incense on the fire. As the smoke rises, trap it in the box. I’ll take my bath, and this smoke will be good for my hair.”

Sundar threw the incense on the fire and quickly placed the jar over it, but when Roopmathi returned, he found that not a wisp of smoke remained. The fire had gone out, and he had to bear the mocking smiles of the other women who had gathered to witness his failures.

The Final Challenge

For the third and final test, Roopmathi placed a jar of milk before him and said, “You must separate the good milk from the water.” Sundar, now completely lost, looked around pathetically. He prepared to leave but was met with Roopmathi’s reminder, “You can’t go anywhere. If you fail all three, you must become my slave for the rest of your life.”

News of Sundar’s discomfiture spread throughout the town, and everyone knew he was caught in his trap. However, this experience led Sundar to turn over a new leaf. The elders of the town convened and decided that the best response was to arrange for the marriage of Sundar and Roopmathi.

A New Beginning

On an auspicious day, Sundar wed Roopmathi, and together they led an honourable life.

Do Bears Hug People to Death?

No evidence bears hug people to death, although many witnesses have claimed otherwise. In ancient times, bears were used in boxing and wrestling; however, they never actually hugged their opponents. A bear fights with its paws in a rounded position, and from a distance, it may look as though the animal is embracing its victim. No doubt, we will continue to use the phrase “bear hug.”