The Story of Upamanyu

The story of Upamanyu sheds light on the guru-disciple relationship in ancient Bharata.

Upamanyu's guru was Dhaumya. One day, Guru Dhaumya told Upamanyu, ‘From today onwards, your duty is to take the cows to the forest for grazing.’

Following his guru’s instructions, Upamanyu took the cows to the forest every morning and brought them back in the evening. However, there were no arrangements for his food.

After several days, the guru asked him, ‘No one is providing you food, yet you still look healthy. How is that?’

Upamanyu replied, ‘While the cows graze, I go to the nearby village and beg for alms. That is what I eat.’

The guru said, ‘Don’t you know that whatever a disciple receives as alms belongs to the guru? From now on, bring whatever you get to me.’

A few days passed. Yet, Upamanyu still appeared healthy. The guru questioned him again.

Upamanyu said, ‘I offer you the alms I collect first. I beg once again and consume it myself.’

The guru said, ‘You should not do that. A disciple should collect alms only once a day. If you take it twice, it means you are taking what rightfully belongs to another brahmachari. The families giving alms have their limitations. If you take alms twice, they might have to refuse the next brahmachari.’

More days passed. Yet, Upamanyu still remained healthy. The guru questioned him again.

Upamanyu said, ‘I drink milk to satisfy my hunger.’

The guru replied, ‘That is stealing. I have not given you permission to drink milk.’

Days went by, yet Upamanyu still looked strong. The guru questioned him again.

Upamanyu said, ‘When the calves drink milk, I collect and consume the froth that comes out of their mouths.’

The guru said, ‘You must not do that. Calves are very compassionate. When they see you starving, they will release froth from their mouths for you. That means you are taking away their food.’

Thus, all means of getting food were taken away from Upamanyu. One day, in the forest, unable to bear his hunger, he plucked and ate some leaves. They turned out to be poisonous. As a result, Upamanyu lost his eyesight. Wandering aimlessly, he eventually fell into a well.

When Upamanyu did not return in the evening, Guru Dhaumya went searching for him.

Finding Upamanyu trapped in the well, the guru said, ‘Pray to the Ashwini Devas. They will restore your sight.’

Upamanyu began chanting Rigveda mantras in praise of the Ashwini Devas. After some time, they appeared before him and said, ‘Eat this prasadam, and your eyesight will be restored.’

Upamanyu replied, ‘I will consume it only with my guru’s permission.’

The Ashwini Devas said, ‘That is unnecessary. Your guru himself had praised us in the past, and we had given him our prasadam. He consumed it without asking his guru’s permission. A disciple should follow what his guru has done.’

Upamanyu replied, ‘Forgive me, but I cannot do that. I will act only with my guru’s permission.’

The Ashwini Devas were testing him. Pleased with his devotion and obedience, they restored his eyesight.

When Upamanyu returned, the guru blessed him and said, ‘I am pleased with your devotion and obedience. From today, the Vedas and all shastras will reside within you naturally. You will not have to make any special effort to learn them.’

What did Dhaumya actually do?

He transformed an ordinary boy like Upamanyu into someone who could endure even life-threatening hardships without breaking.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi