2023-16TheGenius

Once, there was a brave and determined king named Vikraman who set out to bring down the Vedalam from a tree. He fearlessly descended from a moringa tree, carrying the Vedalam on his shoulders to the funeral grounds. Curious about Vikraman's purpose, Vedalam questioned him, "Are you wandering through the funeral grounds seeking vengeance on someone? What is your objective? Sometimes, people burdened by emotions take vows, but with time, their anger subsides." Intrigued, Vedalam began narrating a fascinating tale to King Vikraman. The story was about a youth named Gunaviraman, who lived in a village called Annavaram, surrounded by picturesque mountains. The village farmers were known for cultivating novel agricultural products like root vegetables, fruits, and herbs, which they consumed as their staple diet. Gunaviraman was a thoughtful and introspective youth from a young age. However, his village people failed to understand him and ridiculed him as a lazy and strange person because his ideas and way of life differed from theirs. Gunaviraman firmly believed in using the analytical skills bestowed upon humans by God and delving into the vast knowledge present in the world. Unfortunately, his thoughts were alien to the villagers, and they couldn't comprehend his perspective. Frustrated by the lack of acceptance, Gunaviraman expressed his disappointment to his father and decided to leave the village. He yearned to go to Dandakaranya forest Gurukulam, an academy where he could expand his knowledge. Gunaviraman had a strong desire to return to the village one day and command the respect he deserved from those who once mocked him. As Gunaviraman journeyed towards the academy, he encountered a horse-drawn chariot following him. The driver addressed him affectionately as "Dear brother" and informed Gunaviraman that he was headed to the same destination. The purpose of the chariot's journey was to take Bujangar to the palace because the king's mother was critically ill. Upon reaching the academy, Gunaviraman humbly approached Bujangar, expressing his eagerness to become his disciple. However, Bujangar suggested that Gunaviraman should first study at the academy run by his old student, Vinayar, for two years before being eligible to join him. Undeterred by the challenge, Gunaviraman assured Bujangar of his intellectual capabilities and readiness to be examined. Bujangar, obliged to go to the palace, left Gunaviraman with two Granthams, requesting him to attentively study and understand the concepts during his week-long absence. The other disciples at the academy warned Gunaviraman that they had struggled for two years to comprehend the Granthams and doubted his ability to do so in a week. Nevertheless, Gunaviraman considered it a challenge and immersed himself in the study of the ancient texts. Remarkably, within four days, he grasped the essence of the treatises. Excitedly, Gunaviraman shared his knowledge with the other disciples, hoping to gain their respect. However, they ridiculed him, undermining his intellect. Angered by their disrespect, Gunaviraman lashed out, comparing them to the uneducated villagers back home. Upon Bujangar's return, Gunaviraman astounded him by eloquently explaining the Granthams. Impressed, Bujangar praised Gunaviraman and shared an intriguing incident from the palace. The king's mother was suffering from an unknown illness, and no one in the palace could cure her. A poet had read poems written by an unknown person to the king, and the symptoms described in the verses matched those of the king's mother. Bujangar was unable to understand the meaning of the poems and sought a solution. Gunaviraman confidently offered to read and interpret the verses, revealing that the names of the herbs in the poems carried double meanings. He knew precisely how to prepare a decoction using those herbs, which, when administered to the king's mother while enjoying music and dance, would cure her. Overjoyed by this revelation, Bujangar took Gunaviraman to the palace. They collected the required herbs from Gunaviraman's village, Annavaram, and successfully cured the king's mother. In gratitude, the king rewarded Gunaviraman with gold coins and other valuable treasures. Gunaviraman's journey from an unappreciated youth to a respected healer and scholar showcased the power of knowledge and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.