Varta 5 - Vinamrata - Humility Kulashekhara was a devotee of Bhagwan. Every day, he gave discourses at the temple, and many people came to listen to his stories. In the same village lived a learned man named Nambiyar, who was also a storyteller. But very few people came to hear his discourses. This made Nambiyar jealous of Kulashekhara. One day, Nambiyar finished his work and came home, only to find his wife wasn't there. "She must have gone to listen to Kulashekhara's discourse," he thought angrily, and stormed off to where Kulashekhara was speaking. Sure enough, his wife was there. Nambiyar scolded Kulashekhara harshly in front of everyone, then took his wife and went home. Kulashekhara had no idea why Nambiyar had criticized him. Meanwhile, Nambiyar went to bed without even touching the meal his wife had prepared. She, too, went to sleep without eating. Meditating on the Lord, she soon drifted off to sleep. But Nambiyar couldn't sleep at all. All night, he kept thinking, "I have done wrong." At dawn, he picked up a lamp and set out for Kulashekhara's house. Kulashekhara, too, hadn't slept — he was sitting outside his home. When he saw Nambiyar approaching, he stood up, took his hands, and said, "Please tell me what fault I have committed. I will correct myself." Nambiyar, seeking forgiveness, replied, "It was thoughtless of me to criticize you in front of everyone. Please forgive my mistake." Hearing their conversation, Kulashekhara's wife came outside. Seeing the two men in tears, each asking the other for forgiveness, tears began flowing from her eyes as well.
