The Lamp: A lesson in true value

In a small village nestled at the foothills of a great mountain, there lived a renowned teacher named Guru Shantanu. His wisdom was sought after far and wide, and students came from distant lands to learn from him. Among his most prized possessions was a lamp that he kept in his humble home. The lamp was a family heirloom, passed down through generations, and was said to bring light not only to the house but also to the mind.

One day, a new student, Ravi, joined the Guru’s school. Ravi was intelligent and ambitious, eager to learn all that the Guru had to teach. Over time, as he became more familiar with the Guru’s ways, he began to notice the lamp. At first, he admired its beauty and symbolic significance. However, as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Ravi saw the lamp every day, and slowly its uniqueness faded in his eyes.

Guru realized that Ravi, like many others, had fallen into the trap of over-familiarity, losing sight of the true value of something precious. The Guru decided to teach Ravi and his students an important lesson.

The next morning, Guru Shantanu called all his students to gather in the courtyard. He held the lamp in his hands and said, "Today, we will do something different. Ravi, since you are one of my brightest students, I entrust you with this lamp. Take it to the village and sell it for whatever price you deem fit."

Ravi was surprised but honored by the responsibility. He took the lamp and went to the market. As he walked through the bustling streets, he approached a shopkeeper, offering the lamp. However, as the lamp had become ordinary to him, he lacked enthusiasm when presenting it. "Would you like to buy this lamp? It’s... well, just an old lamp," he said to the first shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper looked at it and offered a meager sum, thinking it was merely a decorative item. Ravi accepted the offer without hesitation, sold the lamp for a fraction of its worth, and returned to the Guru, proud of his accomplishment.

When Guru Shantanu saw Ravi return, he asked, "How much did you sell the lamp for?" Ravi told him the amount, expecting praise. But instead, the Guru shook his head and said, "You have made a grave mistake, Ravi. The lamp you sold was not just a piece of metal. It was a symbol of wisdom, a treasure that has illuminated the minds of many before you. But because you saw it every day, you lost sight of its value. You treated it like any other object, and thus, others did the same."

The Guru paused and continued, "This is the danger of familiarity. When we see something or someone often, we stop appreciating its true worth. It is the same with knowledge, relationships, and opportunities. Just like the woman in the forest who burns sandalwood as firewood, you failed to recognize the value of the lamp because it had become common in your eyes."

Ravi felt a deep sense of regret. He realized that he had been careless, not only with the lamp but with his attitude toward his studies and the Guru's teachings. From that day forward, Ravi vowed never to take anything for granted, whether it was a material object, a lesson, or a person.

Guru Shantanu smiled and said, "Remember, Ravi, true wisdom lies in appreciating the value of things, even when they become familiar. For it is often the most familiar things that are the most precious."

And so, the lesson of the lamp spread far beyond the village, reminding everyone that familiarity should never dull the appreciation of what is truly valuable.

Knowledge Bank

Adhik Maas 2023

Shravan Adhik Maas - 18, July to 16 August, 2023.

Andhatamisra

Someone who takes food without providing for the spouse goes to this Naraka. Here, the sinners are bound by ropes that go on tightening around them. In unbearable pain, they faint.