Datta Maata 122: Learned people do not need any sort of publicity

A completely filled pot makes no noise. Only a partially filled one makes all the noise. All the Jnanis, scholars and learned people are like the fully filled pots. They do not need any sort of publicity or grandeur. Despite all that, just like the pungent smell of lilies spreads all around, the influence and fame of such people spreads in the world all by itself. Unlike them, those who possess half knowledge boast about their greatness every now and then. They strive hard to be honored by others. Few force others to respect them. In the process of doing so, they even insult others saying that, “I am not identified” and so on. In this manner, out of ego and jealousy, such people try to insult great people because they cannot see them to be honored right in front of them. But ultimately, they fail in their attempts and get insulted instead. Hence, without any feelings of envy, one must try to acquire the knowledge and jnana from such great people.

Everyone knows about the great poet, Kalidasa. In his times, the name and fame of Kalidasa spread across several countries. He was so much talented that he was appreciated by the scholars as well as the common people for his beauty in the poetry and writing skills. He was extremely talented. In his contemporary period, there were several other poets as well. All of them were equally efficient. However, people never identified them all because of the poetry of Kalidasa. As a result, those scholars despised him, out of envy.

One day, all of them met each other and discussed about what can be done to receive honors like Kalidasa. They also want to become like him and hence they all resolved to do something that Kalidasa did not do till then. All the scholars in the city attended the meeting. Amongst them, the senior scholar Yagneshwara Somayaji was requested to become the leader of the gathering. Despite sensing the feelings of envy in them, he remained silent as he could not do anything. He then invited all the scholars on to the stage and ordered them to share their individual opinions. They finally said, “We have decided to write meaning (bhasya) for the Vedas. In Vedas, there is a hymn that goes – Bhadram karnebhih! The word “karnebhih” is actually wrong as per the rules of grammar. Hence, we have decided that we shall identify the flaws in the Vedas and convey the same to the common people.” How strange! When their meeting was in progress, a parrot flew onto the dais from some unknown place. It has listened to their conversations. It shouted, “Nava, Nava, Nava!” The scholars did not understand anything. From a corner of the assembly, Kalidasa who was sitting in the audience rose up immediately and said, “Ekam, Ekam, Ekam!” The parrot flew away immediately. The scholars are puzzled. They could not comprehend why Kalidasa said so. The leader Somayaji asked the scholar if they understood the conversation of the parrot and Kalidasa. They replied that they did not. He continued, “O scholars, only the one who understands the inner feelings of a poet must write explanatory note on the poetry. Only the one who knows the form of The Veda matha must try to describe the meaning of Vedas. With half knowledge, it is wrong for anybody to do so. You could not comprehend the words of a parrot. How can you understand the essence of the Vedas? Let us ask what Kalidasa has to say on this.” All the scholars agreed. They pleaded him to speak and Kalidasa said, “The parrot that has come here is not an ordinary one. It is none other than the sage Shuka. You are trying to tell the meaning of the Vedas. The sage asked if you have learnt the “Nava vyakarana” –Nine parts of grammar. I have replied to him that we have learnt only one part of grammar.” Then, Yagneshwara Somayajula said that only those who learn the books like Nava vyakarana can understand the inner essence of the Vedas. It is wrong for anyone to do so with half knowledge.” Thus the meeting came to an end. All the scholars now understood their blunder and accepted the greatness of Kalidasa.