The practice of performing duty.
A Brahmin named Kaushik was a great ascetic. Due to the effect of austerity, a lot of self-confidence had come in him. One day he was sitting under a tree when the bird sitting above beat him. Kaushik got angry. When he looked up with red eyes, due to the effect of lightning, the bird got burnt and fell down. The brahmin became proud of his strength.
The next day he went to a virtuous householder to ask for alms. The housewife was busy serving food to her husband. She said – God wait for a while, I will give you alms in a while. On this, the brahmin got angry that by neglecting an ascetic like me, she is giving more importance to the service of her husband. The women come to know everything from the divine point of view. Shee said to the Brahmin – do not be angry, I am not a bird. I will serve you after fulfilling my assigned duty.
The Brahmin forgot to get angry, he wondered how he came to know about the bird? Brahmini told it to be the result of the husband’s service and said that if you want to know more in this regard, then go to Tuladhar Vaishya in Mithila Puri. He will be able to tell you more.
Taking alms, Kaushik left and reached Tuladhar’s house in Mithilapuri. He was engaged in the business of weighing and measuring. On seeing the Brahmin, he saluted and said – Tapodhana Kaushik Dev! That virtuous Housewife has sent you, so it is okay. Let me do do my assigned work then I will serve you, please sit for a while.
The brahmin was very surprised that without informing, how did he know my name and purpose of coming? After a while, when Vaishya retired from his work, he told that I sell good things with honesty taking reasonable profits from the point of view of public interest. I have attained this divine vision only by performing this fixed karma. If you want to know more then go to Nijat Chandal of Magadha.
Kaushik left for Magadha and reached Chandala’s place. He was engaged in sweeping the dirt of the city. Seeing the brahmin, he bowed prostrate and said – Lord, it is my good fortune to have come here by doing penance as much as killing a bird, while being here with that virtuous goddess and Tuladhar Vaishya. I will do the prescribed work, then I will talk to you till then you rest.
When the Chandal retired from service, he took him with him and showed his old parents and said that now I have to serve them. I am constantly engaged in the duties assigned to me, due to which I get divine vision.
Then it came to the understanding of Kaushik that not only by doing austerity but by continuing to perform the assigned duty and devotion beforehand, the spiritual goal can be fulfilled and siddhis can be attained.
