Naabhaaka's Wealth

In a kingdom shimmering under the golden rays of the sun, there reigned the great King Nabhaka, a noble son of Manu. Nabhaka had many sons, and among them, his youngest son was Naabhaaka. Unlike his brothers, who enjoyed the thrill of royal life, Naabhaaka was consumed by a burning passion for knowledge. He dedicated himself to the teachings of his wise Guru, who lived in a secluded hermitage nestled in the heart of a dense forest. Naabhaaka spent most of his time in the company of his Guru at the hermitage.

An unexpected return and Greed

Days turned into months, months into years as Prince Naabhaaka immersed himself in learning, mastering ancient scriptures and developing profound wisdom. Meanwhile, his brothers, believing their youngest sibling had vanished into the world of scholars forever, grew restless. Convinced that Prince Naabhaaka would never return, they greedily divided their father’s riches amongst themselves, revelling in their newfound wealth.

With a heart full of knowledge, one day Prince Naabhaaka returned to his kingdom, ready to claim his rightful place. He inquired of his brothers:

“I have returned. Where is my share of my father's wealth?”

Caught off guard by his return, his brothers exchanged guilty looks, their bravado faltering. “Oh, dear Naabhaaka,” they replied, their voices dripping with insincerity:

 “We thought you had forgotten us. The wealth is gone, divided amongst ourselves. As our father now stands unclaimed, we offer him to you as your share. Take him and care for him as you see fit.”

A Father's Wisdom

King Nabhaka was deeply troubled by this unjust act crafted by his older sons. He turned to Naabhaaka and said:

"My son, you have been wronged. Your brothers have twisted loyalty into something deceitful for their selfish benefit. I am not a possession which you may exploit to earn wealth. But do not worry, for I will not leave you to face this storm alone. I will devise a plan to support you so that you can become wealthy."

His father paused for a moment, and finally spoke, “Listen closely, not far from here, a revered group of saints known as the Angirasas are engaged in a magnificent yagya. This extraordinary event will reach its peak in just six (6) days after its commencement.

Even these learned saints, with their vast knowledge, may falter and forget the crucial mantra that seals the yagya’s success. That’s where you come in. I will teach you the two powerful mantras needed to complete the ritual. 

Once the yagya concludes, the saints will ascend to the heavens. They will leave behind a treasure trove of wealth—gold, silver, and precious gems, all within the yagynashala, the sacred space where this ritual takes place, and you can claim this wealth and live a comfortable life."

Naabhaaka took his father's advice to heart and followed it to the tee; guided by his father’s wisdom, he approached the yagyashala, where whispers of fortune and legacy danced. Upon the completion of the yagya, the Angirasas, wise and powerful, bestowed upon him the wealth left behind.

The Claim and the Shadowy Figure

As he gathered the treasure, a chilling sensation prickled at the back of his neck. Turning slowly, Naabhaaka’s eyes widened as a dark figure emerged from the shadows.

With a voice that rumbled like distant thunder, the figure declared, “You cannot claim this wealth for it belongs to me alone.” 

Naabhaaka stood before the dark figure, recounting how the Agirasas had bestowed upon him riches, a gesture of their boundless appreciation and gratitude. But the shadowy figure was unmoved.

Seeking Resolution and a Father's Revelation

"We cannot reach an agreement like this," Naabhaaka declared, his voice steady but infused with confusion. "A third party must decide this matter."

The dark shadow shifted, its voice a low growl, "So be it. Go to your father—tell him every detail of this unfolding drama. I will accept whatever verdict he delivers."

Naabhaaka turned away, feeling the weight of the decision that lay ahead. His journey to his father would not be simple, but it was the only hope of resolving this tense standoff and unveiling the truth hidden in the shadows.

Nabhaka listened intently as his son recounted the tale, and then said,

"Ah, I remember, long ago, when the grand yagyashala was performed by Daksha, the saints declared that going forward, the wealth left behind in yagyashala would eternally belong to Rudra, the fierce and powerful protector of the cosmos."

Nabhaka continued, leaning closer, "Rudra himself has come to claim what is rightfully his. A being of such majesty and strength cannot be denied. His very essence radiates power, and his claim is absolute." 

Humility and Unexpected Reward

Naabhaaka strode purposefully back into the yagyashala and approached Rudra:

“My father revealed a profound truth to me,” Naabhaaka declared, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. “You are the rightful owner of the wealth, and I recognise that I hold no claim over it.”

With that, he bowed deeply, humility radiating from every fibre of his being.

“I seek your forgiveness for my earlier transgression.”

His eyes gleaming with approval, Rudra was impressed by Naabhaaka's courage to admit his mistake and with unwavering integrity.

“You are a rare gem, a person of utmost honesty,” Rudra replied, a smile breaking across his face.

“Not only will I teach you the secrets of Brahma Vidya, but I will also bestow upon you a gift of wealth beyond your imagination.”

In that moment, Naabhaaka felt a surge of energy, as if the universe had conspired in his favour. Despite being stripped of his rightful inheritance by his greedy brothers, he realised that victory did not always come through conflict. Sometimes, walking away with dignity and wisdom could yield treasures much greater than mere gold.

Summary

This is the story of Prince Naabhaaka, the youngest son of King Nabhaka, who prioritised knowledge over worldly riches, unlike his avaricious brothers. Upon his return, having been excluded from the division of inheritance, Prince Naabhaaka was offered his father as his share. King Nabhaka then guided Prince Naabhaaka in acquiring the wealth left after a yagya performed by the Angirasas. However, Rudra appeared, asserting his rightful ownership of the treasure, a truth later confirmed by Naabhaaka's father. This led to Naabhaaka relinquishing his claim and being rewarded by Rudra with knowledge and wealth for his honesty.

Moral

Sometimes, true victory comes from being wise and humble instead of fighting.

Let's Reflect

How would you have handled the situation if you had come to know your siblings had cheated you of your rightful inheritance?