The legend and life of Kaushika is featured often in the Puranas and epics. In the Mahabharata, Indra advised Pandavas to use their years of exile wisely to travel, see new places, and learn new skills and to spend time with sages and learned people. This will help them in becoming better human beings and rulers. The story in Hinduism of taking care of parents is more important than spiritual pursuit is found in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata and was narrated to the Pandavas.
The story clearly teaches the importance of handling worldly responsibilities instead of running away from them.
Kaushika had abandoned his parents to become a hermit. Though he gained many great powers and knowledge, he was unable to get any peace of mind.
He then learned, from a housewife and then a butcher, that peace of mind does not come from renouncing the worldly life; it comes from a true understanding of the soul and the world around.
Kaushika realized that one must accept that life is the result of the past karmas and that one has the power to choose one’s response to every situation.
As soon as he realized that the truth resides not in the forest but in one’s heart, Kaushika returned home and took care of his parents.
More than any knowledge and power, this insight into the workings of the world brought Kaushika peace of mind.
Story Of Housewife – Butcher and Sage Kaushika can be read here