Advice That Clicked

Gopu’s Journey Begins

Gopu’s father was certain that his son was a failure. Despite his father’s efforts to engage him in various vocations—from gardening to painting—Gopu could not focus on anything.

Life at the Ashram

Finally, in frustration, the father left Gopu at the ashram of a wise sage. Gopu lived there, not as a student, but as a worker, serving the sage with dedication.

A Return to the Village

Twelve years later, Gopu returned to his village. While he had not learned any scriptures, he had memorized numerous Sanskrit sayings and remembered many anecdotes.

Uncertain Future

Gopu’s father was uncertain about what to do with his son now. He waited to see if Gopu had, in fact, gained any wisdom that might help him in life.

Gopu’s Growing Reputation

The villagers were proud that one of their own had spent so many years in the ashram of a renowned sage. They began to view Gopu as a wise man and sought his advice on various problems. Gopu was always eager to share his insights.

The Farmer’s Dilemma

Despite Gopu’s newfound reputation, his father remained upset about Gopu’s lack of a stable profession. A farmer named Lakshmana, who had a good crop, faced a dilemma: he wanted to store the grain, but his wife desired some ornaments. To fulfill his wife’s wish, he would need to sell most of the grain. He sought Gopu’s counsel.

Wise Advice

“It’s better to sell your grain and buy her the ornaments,” Gopu advised. Lakshmana took this advice, and a fortnight later, his house caught fire, destroying all his grain. Fortunately, he had sold most of it to buy the ornaments, and by selling his wife’s jewelry, he was able to rebuild his house.

Gratitude and Recognition

Lakshmana was extremely grateful to Gopu for his advice. He praised Gopu everywhere, making him famous in the village.

A King’s Crisis

Meanwhile, the king faced a crisis when a feudal chief revolted against him. As the king marched his army against the chief, he camped in Gopu’s village for the night. Prominent villagers, including Gopu, met with the king, who had heard of Gopu’s reputation.

Gopu’s Strategic Insight

“Do you have any advice for me regarding the current situation?” the king asked Gopu. “My lord, let another battalion of soldiers follow you; even when a snake is small, the stick used to kill it should be strong,” Gopu replied wisely.

The Battle of Success

The king immediately ordered another battalion to follow him. During the ensuing battle, the king was on the verge of defeat, as the chief had spies who informed him of the king’s army strength and was well-prepared. However, the second battalion, called upon by Gopu’s advice, came to the rescue, and the chief was ultimately defeated.

A New Role

Without wasting any time, the king appointed Gopu as one of his ministers, recognizing the wisdom he had shown in critical moments.