Vedavyasa, the sage of divine insight, once spoke to Dharmaja on the sacred law of charity. “Charity,” he said, “is to be given in its due time, at the proper place, and to one who is worthy to receive it.” To illustrate this, he narrated the story of the venerable sage Mudgala, whose humble gifts bore the fragrance of true sanctity.
Mudgala, a seer of quiet virtue, lived in Kurukshetra by the gleanings of the fields. He never begged nor sought favour from any man. What grains of paddy or pulses fell to the ground after harvest, he gathered with patient hands; if none were to be found, his family bore hunger with serene endurance. For fourteen days he would collect, fasting the while, and when his basket was full, he would cook the food, first offering it to the gods, then to guests, children, and wife, and only at the end would he eat what remained—just enough to sustain his mortal frame for the service of the spirit.
He lived ever in truth, in self-restraint, in purity of heart. Greed and pride were strangers to him; his mind was steady, his senses bridled. In this calm simplicity he performed his daily rites, feeding the hungry as a sacred duty.
One day, the fiery sage Durvasa, clad in rags, hair unkempt, his speech harsh and tempestuous, came to Mudgala’s door. Though the visitor appeared like a mad ascetic, Mudgala discerned the divinity behind the rough exterior. Without hesitation, he welcomed him, washed his feet, and served him food with reverence. Durvasa ate to his fill, smeared the remains upon his body, emptied the vessel, and departed without a word.
This strange visitation became frequent; on each sacred day of new and full moon, Durvasa returned, behaving in the same coarse manner. Yet Mudgala’s composure never wavered—his hospitality was untainted by anger or aversion. For six such occasions, Durvasa tested him, and finding no crack in his serenity, at last revealed his admiration.
“O noble Mudgala,” said the sage, “your heart is a vessel of purity. No sin can approach one so steadfast. I have not seen upon this earth a giver so selfless, a soul so illumined by devotion. You have conquered anger and pride, and have served guests in perfect accordance with the Vedic law. Truthful, fearless, self-restrained, and content, you ask nothing of others and covet nothing. Your charity is free of desire; your wealth lies in the calmness of your mind.”
Durvasa continued, “The tongue is a restless creature that tempts the soul into half its sins, yet you have subdued even hunger for the sake of others. To feed a guest while fasting yourself—such a sacrifice transcends all praise. Therefore, by the merit of your virtue, you shall ascend to heaven in this very body.”
When Durvasa departed, celestial messengers appeared before Mudgala, bearing golden chariots of light. “O sage,” they said, “your deeds have earned you entry into the paradise of the gods. Come, ascend and dwell among them.”
Mudgala, serene as ever, asked, “Tell me, O divine ones, what is this heaven like?”
They answered, “It lies high above the earth, radiant and unendingly bright. No darkness dwells there. Gods, Siddhas, Vasus, Maruts, and seers of great renown live amidst gardens filled with unweathering flowers and music of celestial nymphs. There is no hunger, no sorrow, no sickness, nor decay. All are adorned in shining garments and jewels that never fade. Pleasure reigns, and every sense finds delight.”
They spoke further: “Above this heaven lies Brahmaloka, the supreme abode, luminous with its own light, untouched by grief or death. There, the eternal sages’ dwell beyond the circle of rebirth. All other worlds perish when time dissolves them, but Brahmaloka endures.”
Mudgala listened with tranquil thought and asked, “Tell me, what are the limits of heaven?”
The messengers replied, “In heaven, man enjoys only the fruits of his past virtue; he earns no new merit there. When his merit is exhausted, he must return to earth, bereft of splendour, to toil again for righteousness. Thus heaven, though splendid, is transient. But Brahmaloka is eternal, beyond the reach of decay.”
Then Mudgala spoke softly, “I desire not the comforts of paradise. My peace is greater than its pleasures. Let those joys remain with the gods. I shall pursue the higher path, where birth and death cease forever. My way shall be penance and inward purity.”
So, saying, he declined the celestial chariot, bowed to the messengers, and returned to his quiet life. In serene detachment, he moved among men, equal in joy and sorrow, viewing gold and stone with the same eye. His soul ripened into perfect wisdom, and at last, released from all bondage, he attained liberation.
Vedavyasa concluded, “O Dharmaja, do not grieve for wealth or kingdom. Fulfilment lies not in possessions but in knowledge. Through penance and self-restraint, thou shalt gain the strength needed for the days to come. In due time, thy father’s throne shall return to thee. The story of Mudgala, hidden like a gem in the vast ocean of the Mahabharata, shines as a guide for all who seek the path of righteousness.”
