The obedient Aaruni

There lived in Hastinapur a saint named Aayodhdhaumya. He had three main pupils whom he loved very much. Their names were Aaruni, Upmanyu and Ved. Aaruni belonged to the kingdom of Panchal and was staying in the hermitage to complete his learning of the Vedas and the Dharamshashtras. One day, the saint sent him out into the fields to mend the fence surrounding the fields so that the water does not flow out. It was raining heavily and Aaruni tried his best to mend the fence.

It was very difficult, as all the mud that he put in the gap would get washed away. Aaruni tried again and again but to no avail. In the end when all else failed Aaruni himself lay down on the fence thus covering the gap successfully and stopping the flow of the water. There he lay for a long time in the pouring rain. Hours passed and Aaruni did not return to the hermitage. The saint, Aaruni's guru and teacher, started worrying about him and with the other students went out to look for him.

After searching for a long time the saint called out for him and Aaruni weakly replied to his calls. Then he got up from his position on the fence and went to his guru. The saint was moved to see Aaruni shivering and wet. He was pleased with the conduct of Aaruni and blessed him for being so obedient. He said, "You have carried out my wishes diligently and did everything in your power to do what you had been told to do. You will be truly blessed and will learn the Vedas and the Dharamshashtra (Religious Literature)." Having thus blessed Aaruni, the saint returned to the hermitage with all his disciples.