Once upon a time, in the illustrious lineage of the solar race, there reigned a renowned king named Nriga. Known for his generosity and benevolence, he was esteemed far and wide for his charitable deeds. One day, as part of his customary acts of charity, King Nriga decided to donate a cow to a brahmana, honoring the sacred tradition of giving to those in need.
However, fate had its own plans. Shortly after the cow was
gifted, it somehow managed to slip away from the confines of the royal palace
and stealthily returned to join the king's own herd. Unaware of this unexpected
turn of events, King Nriga proceeded with his noble intentions and gifted
another cow to a different brahmana.
As destiny would have it, the initial recipient of the cow
soon discovered its absence and embarked on a search, only to find it in the
possession of the second brahmana. Confusion turned to dispute as both the
brahmanas laid claim to ownership of the cow. Unable to resolve the matter
themselves, they sought the judgment of King Nriga, their benefactor.
However, fate seemed to twist against the king. Despite
their pleas, the king was delayed in meeting the disputants, leading to growing
frustration and impatience. This prolonged delay sowed seeds of anger in the
hearts of the aggrieved brahmanas, who eventually could bear it no longer. In
their exasperation, they pronounced a curse upon King Nriga, decreeing that he
should endure the plight of a chameleon.
Transformed into this lowly creature, King Nriga languished
in misery, his royal stature reduced to that of a mere reptile. Yet, even in
his diminished form, his virtuous deeds and inherent righteousness did not go
unnoticed. It was Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the divine incarnation, who, moved by
King Nriga's past merits, intervened to alleviate his suffering and restore him
to his rightful form.
The tale of King Nriga serves as a cautionary reminder of the intricate laws governing charitable acts and the repercussions of inadvertent mistakes. Even the most well-intentioned deeds can lead to unforeseen consequences if not undertaken with utmost care and awareness of tradition. Thus, it underscores the importance of mindfulness and adherence to ethical principles in the practice of charity, as taught by the ancient scriptures of Hinduism.