. . ~ .King Janasruti was a generous king who served food to pilgrims in many places. But there was a trace of egoism in him, because he took pride in the fact that everyone ate what he provided. So he was not fully purged of the traits of ‘me’ and ‘mine,’ elaborated M.K. Srinivasan in a discourse.

One night, he overheard a couple of swans, one of which said to the other: “Don’t fly near Janasruti, for your wings will be singed by the aura of his brightness.” The other swan asked: “Is Janasruti greater than Raikva?” Janasruti was taken aback, for he was being compared unfavourably with someone called Raikva.

Janasruti lacked Brahma Jnana, but was a fit candidate to receive it. The swans were actually Acharyas, who wanted to ensure that Brahma Jnana was imparted to him. So their conversation was intended to motivate Janasruti to seek Brahma Jnana. Janasruti asked his chamberlain to search for Raikva, but the first search did not yield results. So the next day he asked more men to search for him in places where Brahma Jnanis are usually to be found — on river banks, in forests and other secluded places. Finally, Raikva was located. He was clothed in tatters, unwashed, and sitting under a cart.

The king went to him with many gifts, but was turned away. Raikva had no roof above his head. Of what use were gifts to him? Raikva also wanted to test Janasruti’s eagerness. Acharyas make disciples wait for spiritual instruction, to make them realise the value of it. Later, Raikva accepted Janasruti as a disciple, and taught him Samvarga Vidya, which is a means to attain Brahman. Charity to all, without discrimination was Janasruti’s motto, and that is why he was considered worthy of being taught Samva