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NandiSootra
4. The Cock - A few days later the king sent a cock to the villagers with a message that it does not fight. It should be trained to fight but without using another cock. This time also Rohak provided the solution when he saw the elders unable to find one. He arranged for a large and thick mirror and placed it before the cock. When the cock looked into the mirror it found another cock looking back at it. At first it was surprised but soon it started pecking at its own image. In a few days it became a fully trained fighting cock. The king was pleased to get the news.
5.Sesame Seeds - When some days passed the king called the acrobats to his court and asked pointing at a large heap of sesame seeds - "Without counting and taking much time tell me how mane seeds are there in this heap."
The acrobats were dumb struck. They at once sent a messenger to Rohak. He sent the messenger back with necessary instructions. On reaching the court the messenger said to the king "Sir, we have very little knowledge of arithmetic. The number of seeds in this heap is so large that it is beyond the numbers we know. However, we can convey it to you by using a metaphor. The total number of stars that can be seen in the patch of sky right above the city of Ujjaini is exactly equal to the number of seeds in this heap." The king was once again impressed by Rohak's wisdom.
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6. Sand The king started enjoying these tests he arranged for Rohak. This time he asked the acrobats - "The sand of the dunes outside your village looks beautiful. Do one thing, make a long rope of that sand and bring it for me."
This time the acrobats were filled with fear for their life. This impossible task appeared to be even beyond Rohak's wisdom. However, they still went to Rohak for solution. Rohak was not just a simple minded intelligent person, he was clever as well. He at once gave them a solution.
The chief of the acrobats went to the king and submitted in presence of all his courtiers "Sir! We are acrobats and can only perform acrobatics on bamboo and ropes. We do not know how to make ropes, but we know that ropes come in many designs. We are ready to follow your command in all earnestness but you will have to take a little trouble. Please arrange for a small piece of sample of a rope made of sand so that we may copy the design and make a similar rope for you."
The king was at a loss to find words in reply. He was all praises for Rohak's cleverness.
7. The Elephant After this the king one day sent an old elephant, who was about to die, to the village of acrobats. He also sent instructions that the villagers should take proper care of the elephant and report about its well being every day. The day anyone gave the news that the elephant had died all the villagers will be punished.
Filled with fear the villagers once again came to Rohak. He listened everything and gave them assurance "You just regularly feed the elephant. I will take care of everything." In the evening the elephant was given best suitable diet for it, but still it could not pass the night. The villagers became afraid. But Rohak came and gave them necessary instruction after reassuring them.
The villagers went to the king and informed "Sir! The elephant is neither eating nor drinking anything, it is neither standing nor making any other movement. It appears that it is not even breathing." The king, displaying a mock anger, uttered in high pitched voice "Has the elephant died?" The acrobats humbly said "Your excellency, how can we say that, it is for you to decide."
Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
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Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
