Day 61

STORY OF VASISHTHA AND HIS WIFE

A Revered Bráhman Couple: 

In a quaint village nestled amidst verdant hills, lived a Bráhman named Vasishtha and his wife Arundhatí. Vasishtha, much like his namesake sage, was renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and virtuous conduct. Arundhatí, radiant as the moon and virtuous as her namesake priestess, epitomized love and devotion to her husband.

A Glimpse of Royalty: 

One day, while Vasishtha was meditating beneath the serene shade of Sarala trees, he witnessed a grand procession led by the land's ruler. The opulence and grandeur of the royal entourage filled him with admiration and longing.

Yearning for Royalty: 

Enthralled by the splendor of royalty, Vasishtha harbored desires to become a monarch himself. He envisioned a life of luxury and power, adorned with all the trappings of kingship.

Resolve and Austerity: 

Determined to realize his ambitions, Vasishtha embarked on a path of rigorous austerity and penance. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to his religious practices, seeking divine favor to fulfill his aspirations.

Fulfillment and Fate: 

Despite his fervent efforts, Vasishtha's health gradually declined, like a fading lotus in the face of impending winter. Witnessing her husband's frailty, Arundhatí's heart brimmed with fear and sorrow.

A Wife's Devotion: 

In her anguish, Arundhatí turned to the personification of Wisdom, beseeching divine intervention to preserve her husband's spirit beyond death.

Immortal Legacy: 

Upon Vasishtha's demise, his ethereal essence lingered within their abode, endowed with the merit of his virtuous deeds and fervent desires.

Rise to Sovereignty: 

Reborn as a mighty monarch, Vasishtha ascended to the pinnacle of power, conquering realms and hearts alike with his valor and benevolence.

Glory and Grandeur: 

As a sovereign ruler, Vasishtha shone like the sun, illuminating the lives of his subjects with prosperity and wisdom.

Reunion in Eternity: 

Meanwhile, Arundhatí, consumed by grief, embraced her own mortality, her spirit yearning to reunite with her beloved husband.

Eternal Bond: 

In the realm beyond mortal confines, the souls of Vasishtha and Arundhatí converged, merging once more in an eternal union of love and devotion.

Conclusion:

As the tale of Vasishtha and Arundhatí unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the enduring power of love and devotion. Just as gold, though alterable and reducible in form, retains its inherent value, so too does the bond of true love transcend the boundaries of time and mortality, shining brightly amidst the fleeting shadows of existence.