A city was ruled by a very religious and popular king. The king considered his subjects like family and always stood with them in their happiness and sorrow. Unfortunately, one year a terrible epidemic spread in the city. The disease was so deadly that many people started dying every day and most of those who survived became crippled. The public became distressed due to the absence of any qualified doctor in the state.
Seeing the plight of the people, the king called an experienced physician from the neighboring state. Vaidya came with the hope that he would serve the people and also earn a respectable livelihood. He worked tirelessly day and night. With his knowledge and devotion, he controlled the epidemic within a few days. The hustle and bustle of life returned to the city again.
When the physician asked the people for the price of his medicines, some clever people started preaching Brahmagyan to him. He started saying, “There is Brahma in all of us, there is Brahma in you too, there is Brahma in medicine also. When everything is Brahma, then what is the meaning of money?” The innocent doctor got trapped in their jargon. In this way people got an excuse to get free treatment.
Within a few days the doctor’s condition became pitiful. It became difficult for him to survive without remuneration. Many times he does not even get a full meal. Ultimately he decided to return to his city. While he was preparing for the journey, the king’s son fell seriously ill. The physician made every possible effort, but there was no improvement in the prince’s condition.
The king remembered that foreign doctor. He immediately sent a messenger and called for the doctor. The physician reached the palace and started treating the prince. Got some relief, but the disease did not go away completely. The king became worried and said, “Vaidyaji, please give me some medicine that will help my son get well soon.”
Seeing the opportunity, the doctor said, “Maharaj, such a medicine is possible, but for that I need the oil of some Brahmagyanis.” The king said casually, “What is this big deal? There are many Brahmagyanis in our kingdom.” As soon as this news spread in the city, there was panic. Those who earlier claimed to have knowledge of Brahman started hiding out of fear. No one was ready to call himself a Brahmagyani.
The soldiers roamed around the city the whole day, but everyone remained unknown. Ultimately the doctor cured the prince with another medicine. The king understood the truth. He called to the court all those people who had cheated the physician. The frightened people paid the Vaidya his full remuneration and took an oath not to give false teachings in future. We learn from this story that true knowledge is only that which is visible in behavior. Only superficial teachings and selfish ideals ultimately bring shame to a person.
