Rishi Ayoda Dhaumya had a pupil called Veda. After the teachings of the scriptural texts, the teacher puts a test on the disciple to see the level of understanding and clarity. It was one such test for Veda. The guru asked him to stay in his house and serve him. Veda was a dedicated student, serving his master. He bore without a complaint all contradictory situations around him. The teacher was happy after passage of many years. The student also gained the knowledge of the self.
He went up to his teacher and took leave. The teacher blessed him to return home. The young Veda had three students and he never got any work out of them. He did not want them to suffer the same way as he did serving his teacher.
Kings Janamejaya and Paushya came to his house and chose him as their preceptor. He left behind his disciple Uttanka to take care of the house when he was away for a long time. When he lived there, the womenfolk at the house approached him and said, “Your master’s wife is about to deliver. Since your teacher is absent, please stand in his place and do what is needed.” Uttanka told them that his teacher had never given such instructions and it was not right for him to do what they bade him to do.
When the teacher returned from his pilgrimage, he was happy to hear the narration of this incident. The teacher, as a gift of good behaviour, granted him permission to leave. Uttanka kept insisting that he would offer Guru Dakshina. Here Uttanka makes a pertinent remark about contributing for whatever knowledge received from the teacher. One who imparts teachings without receiving offerings and one who asks questions without giving any offering as Guru Dakshina—both are destroyed and they end up becoming arch enemies. Uttanka quoted this to point out that even though he wished to offer Guru Dakshina, his teacher was insisting not to receive it.
When the teacher heard this, he said: “Uttanka, since you are asking so many times what is it that I love which you can get for me, I grant you permission to ask my wife.”The student went to his master’s wife and asked her. She told him to go to the king Paushya and beg a pair of ear rings worn by his wife. You must bring them to me in four days’ time. For on that auspicious day she proposed to feed some Brahmins. If you bring them on time, you will attain greatness in life. Else, you will not see any success. She pronounced her blessing and curse together. The choice was his from now on and Uttanka set out on his very interesting assignment!
—Brahmacharini Sharanya Chaitanya
(www.sharanyachaitanya.blogspot.in)