The Cow Who Upheld Dharma

Once, cowherds set up camp near the Saraswati river, where there was ample grazing land and water. They had a large herd of cows. They fenced the area for the cows and built houses for themselves. The cowherds protected the cows from all sides. The cows were very happy to find plenty of grass.

Among the herd, there was a strong and healthy cow named Nanda. She was always cheerful. One day, she got separated from the group and wandered to a place where a fierce tiger was waiting with its mouth open.

The tiger roared and pounced on Nanda. Poor Nanda was terrified and froze with fear. She thought of her little calf and tears streamed down her eyes.

The tiger said, 'It seems your time has come, which is why you have come to me on your own. Then why are you grieving?'

Nanda bowed to the tiger and said, 'Please forgive me. I am not sad about my life. I am worried for my little calf. He is very young and is my firstborn. I love him more than my life. He doesn’t even nibble on grass yet. What will happen to him when I am gone? I wish to feed him milk, lick his head lovingly, and teach him right from wrong. If you let me go for a while, I will return after comforting him. Then you may eat me.'

The tiger ignored her plea. Nanda pleaded again and again. Finally, the tiger allowed her to leave. Nanda rushed back eagerly towards her calf. From afar, she could hear his cries, which made her even more anxious. She ran and reached her calf. Tears streamed down her face even more.

The calf asked, 'Mother! You are always cheerful. Why are you crying like this today?'
Nanda narrated everything that had happened and said in the end, 'My dear! I am deeply saddened because I will not be able to see you again. I have sworn to return to the tiger, and to keep my promise, I must go back to him.'

The calf said, 'Mother! I will go with you. If the tiger kills me, I will attain the ultimate reward that dutiful children devoted to their mothers receive.'

Nanda stopped her son from doing so. She then taught him many ways to live in the world and emphasized staying firm on the path of dharma. After giving her son love and blessings, she bid farewell to her mother, friends, and the cowherds, announcing her decision to return to the tiger.

Everyone disapproved of her decision. They argued that there was nothing wrong in breaking a promise to save one’s own life. But Nanda, devoted to truth, said, ‘Lying to save others’ lives is not a sin, but lying to save oneself is sinful. I wish to uphold truth because truth is the highest form of penance.'

Nanda convinced everyone through her resolve and returned to the tiger. Just as she reached, her calf came running, wagging his tail. He positioned himself between the tiger and his mother as if pleading, 'Eat me instead and spare my mother.'

Nanda addressed the tiger, saying, 'I have upheld the vow of truth and returned to you. Now, you may fulfill your wish by eating my flesh.'

The tiger was astonished by Nanda's steadfast devotion to truth. He said, 'Hearing your promise, I was curious to see if you would truly return. I sent you to test your truthfulness. From today, you are my sister.'

I am deeply moved by your adherence to dharma. You have transformed my life. From now on, I will renounce violence and follow the path of righteousness. Sister, please teach me dharma.'

Nanda advised him to grant fearlessness to all beings, saying, 'One who offers fearlessness to others becomes free from all fears and attains the Supreme Brahman.'

The tiger, influenced by Nanda’s presence, suddenly remembered his past life. He said, 'Sister! In my previous birth, I was a king. Once, I came to this forest for hunting. During that time, I committed a great sin. I killed a doe who was feeding her young ones with milk. As a result of her curse, I was reborn as a tiger.

'After becoming a tiger, I forgot that I was once a king. It is because of your holy presence that I regained my memory of my past life. You are truly blessed, and your presence is divine.

At that moment, the tiger shed his tiger form and returned to his form as King Prabhanjana. Yama, the lord of dharma, appeared, attracted by the power of Nanda's truthfulness.

Yama said with great joy, 'I am pleased with your unwavering devotion to dharma. Ask for any three boons.'

Nanda humbly requested three boons:

1. To attain the highest world with her son.
2. For this place to become a sacred pilgrimage site.
3. For the Saraswati River at this location to be named after her as ‘Nanda.’

Yama granted her wishes. Nanda, along with her son, ascended to Swargaloka. King Prabhanjana also regained his kingdom and ruled righteously. The site where this happened became a revered pilgrimage spot, and the river was named Nanda Saraswati in her honor.

Knowledge Bank

How to reach Keelapatla Temple?

Keelapatla can be easily reached from Palamaner, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Nearest Railway station is Chittoor at 70 km. Nearest Airport is Tirupati at 111 km.

Rewa in Mahabharata

Rewa city of north-eastern Madhya Pradesh was the captal of a kingdom called Karusha during Mahabharta times. Its king, Dantavakra was killed by Krishna. Sahadeva has also conquered Rewa.