The Great Astrologers

The Scholar of Kumudpur

The King of Kumudpur had a great scholar in his court named Suguna Sharma. For his mastery in astrology and mathematics, he was celebrated by scholars throughout the country. He had achieved widespread fame and accumulated significant wealth, earning several titles along the way.

The Search for Excellence

One day, Sharma pondered, “Is there truly no one who can excel me in astrology?” To seek the answer, he decided to embark on an extensive journey.

He traveled from city to city and from court to court, discussing his craft with many esteemed astrologers. However, he felt disheartened to discover that most of them lacked depth in their knowledge, which he knew only disgraced the complex science of astrology.

Meeting Ram Shastri

As he journeyed, he repeatedly heard tales about one astrologer—Ram Shastri, the court astrologer of the King of Avanti. Curiosity piqued, Sharma was eager to meet this famous scholar.

Upon reaching the court of Avanti, Sharma was received with great respect, as his own fame preceded him. The two scholars quickly engaged in a discussion about profound astrological concepts, and it became impossible to determine who among them was the more learned.

A Challenge from the King

However, the king was eager to resolve this curiosity and sought counsel from his prime minister. He then turned to the scholars and posed a challenge: “Can you predict any significant event that might occur this evening around our palace?”

Shastri, the court astrologer, calmly made some calculations, closing his eyes in concentration. After a moment, he stated, “My lord, shortly after sunset, there will be a storm. When the storm subsides, you will find a large white fish lying just before the palace gate.”

Sharma, watching the king intently, smiled and replied, “While it is true that there will be a storm after sunset, and a large fish will appear following the storm, it will appear black, not white. Furthermore, we will only see it when standing about twenty yards away from the palace gate, not directly in front of it.”

The Storm and Its Aftermath

Though the two astrologers predicted similar major events, their differences were notable. Both the king and the courtiers waited with great anticipation to see whose prediction would prove true.

As sunset approached, rain began to fall, and soon a fierce storm raged for over an hour.

When the storm finally subsided, the king and his courtiers stepped outside, their breaths held in suspense, to search for the fish. It wasn’t difficult to find; it lay blackened in the mud, approximately twenty yards from the gate.

Revelations of Truth

The king congratulated Sharma, stating, “Until today, I believed Ram Shastri was the greatest astrologer. However, I now realize you are greater than him.”

Shastri appeared pale, but Sharma immediately embraced him and addressed the king, saying, “My lord, I must respectfully disagree with your assessment. I am in no way a greater scholar than Shastri. In fact, everything Shastri predicted was correct to the letter. The fish was indeed white, but it appeared black because it was covered in mud. It had originally fallen just in front of the gate, but had bounced a few yards away. Shastri has a clear mind that does not cloud his knowledge with imagination, while I have done so, and that made all the difference!”

A King’s Recognition

The king was astonished by Sharma’s honesty. In recognition of both astrologers’ talents, he rewarded them with a variety of gifts. As Sharma departed, he advised the king, “My lord, you should take pride in Shastri, who is not only a scholar but also a good and innocent man.”