Mahesh Prabhu's Blog, page 56
December 19, 2017
The Last String
Ancient tales of the rishis (Vedic sages) retold with illustration by U. Mahesh Prabhu
Once a rishi appeared before a king and said, “If you give me some money, I will return the sum to you in due course; indeed, I will give you ten times more than what you give me now.”
The king at once ordered his treasurer to give the amount the rishi needed. The king’s minister did not approve of it. He whispered to the king, “How to know that the man is not a cheat?” The king, however, did not pay any he...
December 6, 2017
Hiss and Bite
There once was a vicious snake blessed with lethal venom; so terrified were people about it that none dared to pass through the forest ruled by it. They preferred a longer route to their destination – but never the road which passed through that jungle. After a great many years, when a celebrated Rishi – gifted with some special power – ventured through the same forest, ferocious snake attacked him with his venom. But the rishi was unaffected by it. The snake was impressed and sought the rish...
November 30, 2017
The Three Crucial Questions
This is an ancient Sanskrit tale told by Vedic rishis (sages) translated, retold and illustrated by U. Mahesh Prabhu
Bhoja Raja, also known as Raja Bhoj, was one of greatest kings hailed by ancient Indian (read Vedic) legends. He was a powerful and accomplished warrior-king – yet, his love for knowledge and wisdom was significant. After a great deal of contemplation on leadership, politics and diplomacy – he was convinced that if he could find satisfying answers to three quintessential questi...
November 25, 2017
Holyman’s Greed
Ancient Sanskrit tale told by the Vedic sages translated, retold and illustrated by U. Mahesh Prabhu
Long ago, in India, there was a very prosperous city called Shravasti. So prosperous was the city that it had not a single beggar. Although basking in affluence – people weren’t particularly happy.
One day a stranger arrived here. He was very weary, yet graceful. It was clear to everyone from his saffron robes that he was a Sadhu – a holy man, a hermit committed to austerities. He appeared to...
November 23, 2017
Living In Fear
This is an ancient Sanskrit tale told by Vedic rishis (sages) translated, retold and illustrated by U. Mahesh Prabhu
Long ago, somewhere on the banks of the river Ganga, there happened to be a small fortified town called Vidhisha. Outside the town walls was a huge Banyan tree that stood up for well over a hundred years. In that tree there lived a cat, an owl, a lizard and a mouse.
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The cat lived in a big hole inside the trunk of the tree a few feet above the ground. The owl lived atop the tre...
November 14, 2017
The Results of Education
The following story is part of TIMELESS TALES OF A WISE SAGE book by U. Mahesh Prabhu
On a part of a mountain, a hen-parrot brought two chicks into the world. These chicks were caught by a hunter when the mother had left the nest to search for food. One of them – since fate decreed it – contrived to escape, while the other was kept in a cage and taught to speak. Meanwhile, the first chick encountered a wandering holy man, who caught him, took him to his own hermitage, and gave him kindly care...
November 3, 2017
The Smart Jackal
The following story is from U. Mahesh Prabhu’s upcoming book TIMELESS TALES OF A WISE SAGE.
The wise who wrongs another,
Pursuing selfish good,
Should keep his plans a secret,
As jackal did in the wood.”
In a forest there once lived a lion, in company with three counselors, a wolf, a jackal and a camel. One day, he fought with a furious elephant whose sharp-pointed tusk so tore his body that he withdrew from the world.
Then, suffering from a seven-day fast, his body lean with hunger, h...
November 2, 2017
The Monkey who could not be Taught
This story is part of TIMELESS TALES OF WISE SAGE by U. Mahesh Prabhu. Illustrations by Shantheri Bhat.
No knife prevails against a stone;
Nor bends the unbending tree;
No good advice from sage
Helped indocility.”
In a part of a forest was a troop of monkeys who found a firefly one winter evening when they were dreadfully depressed. On examining the insect, they believed it to be fire, so lifted it with care, covered it with dry grass and leaves, thrust forward their arms, sides, stomachs...
Trust Betrayed
The following story is a part of upcoming book TIMELESS TALES OF A WISE SAGE by U. Mahesh Prabhu with illustrations from Shantheri Bhat.
All who live upon their wits,
Many learned, too, are mean,
Do the wrong as quick as right:
Illustration may be seen
In the well-known tale that features
Camel, crow, and other creatures.”
In a certain city, long ago, there lived a merchant who once loaded a hundred camels with valuable cloth and set out in a certain direction. Now, one of his camels wa...
