Udayan, disciple of Rishi Angira, was highly talented. He wanted to impress others by his talent and avoided the help of his friends also. Rishi thought that this tendency will harm him and decided to teach him a lesson.
On a winter night, Rishi and all disciples were sitting around a brazier (Angithi) which had burning coal. They were discussing some spiritual matter. Suddenly, Rishi said-“How warm and soothing is the brazier at this time of coldness but its credit goes to the coal burning in it. Is it not?” Everyone agreed. Rishi further said “Look at that big burning coal in the brazier. It is very hot and glowing. Take it out and put near me so that I may have greater advantage of its warmth.”
That big coal was picked up with tongs and kept near Rishi Angira.But soon it faded and was covered by ash. That hot glowing coal became black and cold.
Now Rishi told his disciples-“Children! See to this. Howsoever glowing and talented you may be, but never commit the mistake like this coal. If it had remained in brazier with other coal pieces, it would have glowed till the end. By remaining alone, it has lost all it’s glow and talent.”
He further said -“Family and society are like a brazier, in which, all talented persons jointly glow. Vanity of personal talent is always harmful. Cooperation is beneficial for person and society both.”
Drops of Nectar(Picture Book)
Yug Nirman Yojana,Mathura
