A generous heron and an ungrateful man – part 4

(A story narrated by Narada from Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, chapters 162-167)

Previously, Gautama ran away from the rakshasa city with a heavy load of precious gems. On the way, he halted at the banyan tree.

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Rajadharma, the heron living in the banyan tree, welcomed his friend, Gautama. Happy to see him with riches, the heron helped Gautama to rid off his journey fatigue. He brought him some food and water while making a breeze by fanning his wings.

While resting that night under the tree, Gautama thought of his journey ahead. He felt that carrying his greedy grab, the heavy load of gems, far home would be arduous and long. He thought of packing a good lunch for the journey. As he looked around, he saw not the heron, but a meat mountain lying near the fire. The ungrateful Gautama got up in the midnight, took a burning torch, killed the heron, plucked the feathers out, and cooked it in the fire. Thereafter, packing his lunch and grabbing the load of gems, Gautama left for his home.

Meanwhile, Virupaksha felt suspicious as he did not see his friend Rajadharma for two days. He remembered that Gautama went to Rajadharma after the festival. He asked his son to check. The prince, along with other rakshasas, noticed Rajadharma’s deserted bones near the tree. Soon, they informed the king of the murder of his dear friend. The enraged king ordered the capture of Gautama. Not so far, soldiers caught Gautama.

Seeing his friend’s mutilated body, Virupaksha and his family wept in grief. Soon, the king asked his men to kill Gautama and feast upon his body. However, they refused to accept the remains of an ungrateful as their food. They handed his corpse over to savage bandits. But, even the bandits refused the meat of an ungrateful. Finally, the soldiers threw Gautama’s body in the wild. However, even the vultures and jackals refused to eat.

In the meantime, Virupaksha prepared a pyre to properly carry out the last rites of his friend. Just then, Surabhi, the heavenly cow and the step-mother of Rajadharma, appeared from the sky. She dropped a drop of milk froth from her udder to bring Rajadharma back to life.

Soon after, Indra, lord of the heavens, appeared and explained the curse of Brahma that resulted in Rajadharma’s plight. Rajadharma bowed down to Indra and asked him if he could bring his friend, Gautama, back to life. So be it, said Indra. Rajadharma was happy to see his friend, Gautama, alive. He packed the riches for Gautama and sent him home. Brahma was pleased by the generosity of Rajadharma and rewarded him. But, all the Gods and Goddesses cursed the ungrateful Gautama. He led a miserable life with his wife and many wicked children.

Prev: Part-3 of this story

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