The Pundit’s Ordeal

Harishankar’s Ambition

Harishankar, the great pundit, nurtured a strong ambition in his heart: to prove himself superior in knowledge and learning to all the scholars of the country. He traveled from kingdom to kingdom, challenging the chief scholars at the courts of various kings, triumphing in every contest.

The Challenge at Kashi

Eventually, he arrived at the court of the King of Kashi. Upon expressing his desire to engage the court pundit in a battle of scholarly wit, the king looked towards Acharya Keshari, a renowned pundit of the realm. However, the Acharya responded, “Wisdom and knowledge are not meant for show. If you are truly wise or well-versed in the scriptures, that alone should be the cause of your satisfaction.”

A Lesson in Humility

The Acharya continued, “A false scholar can defeat a genuine scholar if the latter is shy. Such contests are not part of our tradition. The great seers and poets of our epics were not known to engage in such challenges.”

This prompted Harishankar to retort, “These are arguments put forth by timid individuals. If you are afraid of facing me, then accept defeat and issue me a certificate to that effect.”

A Student’s Request

Among those present was a young disciple of Acharya Keshari, who whispered to his master, “Please allow me to face this man. If I am defeated, I will not feel discredited, for I am, after all, only a student.”

The Acharya consented, and the young scholar stood and addressed the king, “My lord! I challenge the visitor to engage in an argument with me.”

The Contest of Questions

Harishankar insisted, “But I will argue only with a well-known scholar.”

“That is the argument of a timid individual. If you live in fear of facing me, admit your defeat!” countered the young scholar.

Finding himself in an awkward position, Harishankar agreed to engage in a dialogue with the young scholar. It was decided that he would pose three questions first, followed by the young scholar’s three questions.

Questions and Answers

“Come on. Tell me, what is the biggest thing in the universe?” asked Harishankar.

“The sky,” replied the young man confidently.

Though Harishankar believed the answer was Brahma, he could not contradict the young scholar’s response. He then posed his next question: “How can one become great?”

“One must set a great goal for oneself and strive to achieve it,” answered the young scholar.

While Harishankar’s view on this question would have differed, he could not dismiss the young man’s answer as incorrect.

“How does one see things properly?” was Harishankar’s next inquiry.

“If the sunlight is bright and one’s eyesight is good, one can see everything properly!” the young man replied, a statement that, though simple, could not be dismissed entirely by Harishankar.

The Scholar’s Reflection

“Your answers are too simplistic, unlike those of a scholar!” commented Harishankar.

“I am young and have little experience. But tell me, am I wrong in my answers?” challenged the young scholar.

Harishankar remained silent. It was now the young scholar’s turn to question him.

The Tables Turned

“Whence do you come?” was the young scholar’s first question.

Harishankar hesitated. Philosophically, he would have said, “I do not know!” which would imply defeat. In factual terms, he came from the neighboring land, known to everyone, and that hardly sufficed as an answer.

“Better you give the answer yourself,” he replied.

“You come from the very source whence we all emerge!” declared the young scholar.

“Now, here is my second question: Where are you going?” asked the young scholar.

Faced with the same dilemma, Harishankar replied, “Better you answer this question too!”

“You will give up your desire to emerge triumphant and return to your own place,” the young scholar stated confidently. “Now, for my third question: What did you bring here, and what are you taking from here?”

A Humbling Conclusion

“I can answer this question,” said Harishankar, “I brought a great deal of arrogance with me. I am taking with me the realization that such dialogues do not necessarily prove that the winner is wiser than the one he has defeated!”

With that, Harishankar embraced the young scholar, acknowledging the deeper lesson in their exchange.