In a forest, there lived a sage named Sadh who had acquired a lot of knowledge through meditation. One day, after meditating, when he opened his eyes, a wounded squirrel fell into his hands from the sky. The squirrel was injured because it had escaped from the claws of an eagle and landed in the sage’s hands.
The squirrel trembled in fear of death. Compassion arose in Sage Sadh’s heart. He thought, “Why not make her my daughter through my knowledge? My wife has been desiring a child for a long time, but fate has not granted her one. Instead of revealing this sorrowful truth to her, let me transform this squirrel into a daughter and give her to my wife.”
With this thought, Sage Sadh chanted a mantra and transformed the squirrel into a little girl. He lifted the girl in his arms and brought her to his wife. He said, “Now, consider her our daughter. Think, the divine has heard your prayers.”
Sage Sadh’s wife was delighted to see the little girl. Now, the transformed squirrel became a beloved daughter in Sage Sadh’s household. After a few days, Sage Sadh named the girl Vedanta.
Both Sage Sadh and his wife lovingly raised Vedanta. Sage Sadh was overjoyed that he had a daughter to fill his wife’s maternal desires. After some time, he forgot that Vedanta was originally a squirrel.
Sage Sadh ensured Vedanta received a good education. As time passed, Vedanta turned sixteen. Now, Sage Sadh’s wife started worrying about arranging Vedanta’s marriage. She expressed her concern to Sage Sadh, who assured her that he would find a suitable groom.
Sage Sadh realized that his beautiful and well-educated daughter was ready for marriage. He decided to seek the help of the divine to find a worthy husband. He prayed to the Sun God, who appeared and greeted Sage Sadh.
Sun God asked, “Why have you summoned me?” Sage Sadh replied, “My daughter is now eligible for marriage. I want you to be her husband.” The Sun God responded, “Ask your daughter if she agrees. If she does, I have no objection.”
Vedanta said, “Father, the Sun is too hot. I cannot go near him or live with him. How will our marriage work?” Sage Sadh then remembered Clouds and called them. The Clouds, while thundering, approached Sage Sadh, and he asked Vedanta if she would agree to marry the Clouds.
Vedanta said, “Father, these are just clouds. They don’t stay in one place. How can I live with them?” Sage Sadh then remembered the Wind God and called him. The Wind God greeted Sage Sadh and asked for his command.
Sage Sadh inquired if Vedanta would agree to marry the Wind God. Vedanta replied, “Father, this Wind God keeps blowing and cannot stay in one place. How can I marry him?” Then Sage Sadh remembered the Mountain and summoned it.
The Mountain appeared, and Sage Sadh asked Vedanta if she would agree to marry the Mountain. Vedanta said, “Father, this is just a stone. It must have a stony heart as well. How can I marry it?” Sage Sadh thought, “Oh! I turned a squirrel into a human with my knowledge, but her heart is still like a squirrel’s.”
Now, Sage Sadh called the Mouse and asked Vedanta if she would agree to marry the Mouse. Vedanta happily exclaimed, “Father, I like this one. The small size, the soft fur, and the cute ears make it adorable. I can marry the Mouse.”
Sage Sadh realized, “Ah! I turned a squirrel into a human, but her heart remains that of a squirrel.” He instantly transformed Vedanta back into a squirrel and arranged her marriage with the Mouse. After the marriage, both Vedanta and the Mouse lived happily.
From this story, the lesson is that, no matter how much an individual changes externally, the essence of their heart remains the same.
