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The Story of Vasuraja
The Second Light of Yoga Shastra, Verse 60: Parvatak said, "Let us make a wager on this matter. Whoever fails to prove their side as true shall have their tongue cut off. First, agree to this wager. Then, we will both go to our classmate Vasuraja, considering him to be authentic, to seek his judgment on this matter. The decision of that truthful one shall be binding on both of us." Narada agreed to the wager and to accept the decision given by Vasuraja in this regard, because "Truth does not fear!" One who speaks the truth does not fear or feel troubled. When Parvat's mother heard about their dispute and the wager they had made, she became very worried and took her son Parvatak aside and said, "Son! When I was doing the household chores, I heard your father say that the meaning of the word 'Aj' is three-year-old grain. The wager you have made to cut off your tongue is filled with ego and stubbornness. You have done this very inappropriately. One who acts without thinking gets entangled in many troubles." Parvat said, slightly hesitant, "Mother! I have already done what I did in a fit of passion. Now, tell me, is there any way that the decision can be in our favor?"
Distressed by the fear of the terrible calamity that awaited Parvat in the future and with a heart pierced like thorns, his mother went straight to Vasuraja. What is not done for a son? Seeing the Brahmin woman, Vasuraja greeted her with a bow and said, "Mother! Come, please come in! Seeing you is like seeing Guru Shri Kshirakadambak himself today. Tell me, what can I do for you? What can I give you?" Then the Brahmin woman said, "Earth-King! I need a son's blessing, only this one thing is needed, son! What is the use of wealth and grain, etc., when a son is gone?" Vasu said, "Mother! Parvat is revered by me; I must protect him. The scriptures say, 'One should treat the son of a Guru like a Guru himself.' In times of calamity, who has Yama, the god of death, issued a summons for today? Mother! Tell me, who wants to kill my brother? Why do you worry while I am alive?" Then Parvat's mother said, "There has been a dispute between Parvat and Narada over the meaning of the word 'Aj'. My son Parvat has made this wager: if the meaning of 'Aj' is not a goat, then I will cut off my tongue, and if it is a goat, then you will cut off your tongue. Both of them have considered you as the judge, the authentic person, in this dispute. Therefore, I have come to you to request that you make the meaning of the word 'Aj' as a goat to protect your brother. Great men are those who do good even at the cost of their lives, then how can you not do this small act of kindness with your words?"
Hearing this, Vasunrip said, "Mother! This would be to speak untruth. How can I speak untruth? Even when faced with the possibility of death, truthful people do not speak untruth. Others may say anything, but a person who fears sin should never speak untruth, and then how can I speak against the words of my Guru or give false testimony?" Parvat's mother said in anger, "Then there are two paths before you: if you want to be a benefactor, then protect the Guru's son and ensure his well-being, and if you want to be selfish, then insist on truthfulness." After saying this with great emphasis, Vasuraja agreed to her request. Kshirakadambak's wife went home happily.
At the appointed time, the learned Narada and Parvat both came to Vasuraja's royal court for the judgment. In the court, people of good character, who could discern the truth and falsehood like milk and water, gathered. Vasuraja, the president, was seated on a throne placed on a platform made of pure crystal stone, looking as beautiful as the sun between the earth and the sky. After that, Narada and Parvat presented their interpretations of the word 'Aj' before Vasuraja and said, "King! You are the judge between us, tell us the true meaning of this word. Because the Brahmins and the elders have said, 'Just as the sun is between heaven and earth, so are you the mediator between us; you are the judge in our dispute. Now you are the proof. Whatever your decision will be, it will be binding on both of us. The hot divine pot or the iron ball that is lifted in the hand for truth or oath actually remains stable because of truth. The earth is based on truth, even the dust is established on truth."