=============================================================== Transcript of the podcast ================================================================ Today I’m going to retell the story of Jānaśruti and Raikwa, which is found in the fourth Prapāthaka of Chāndogya Upanisad which is a part of Sama Veda. King Jānaśruti was the great-grandson of King Jānaśruta. He was the ruler of the kingdom of Mahavrsa. He was a good king, just, pious, knowledgeable, known for huge charities and cooked food in large quantities. He built free of cost rest-houses and eateries everywhere throughout his kingdom so that he could feed travellers and other people. He believed that he was the greatest patron and there was no one else like him. His generosity was on the lips of each individual of his kingdom. He measured his merits by the amounts of gifts and money he distributed. He often felt very proud of the offerings he had made and thought that was the best way to accumulate religious merits and get peace of mind. One night, Jānaśruti lay down on the upper storey of his palace and was looking at the star-filled night. He saw a pair of white swans flying past and conversing with each other. One of the swans said –“Don’t you see the bright band of lights from the king’s palace? You must be careful while flying over the flaming lights of the King’s fame. You may get burnt. So beware my friend. You must know that today there is none as famous as he is for his abundant wealth and charities. The other swan laughed and said –“Why do you threaten me, my friend? We are wanderers of skies and know more of the world than the others. Is this king’s merits more than that of Raikwa the cart puller? The first swan was taken back and said –“Who is this Raikwa? Is he greater than king Jānaśruti? The second swan smiled and continued - “The king is great, but he is mad after his name and fame. These drive him to action and donates generously. With all his charities and donations, he is still restless and always thinking of his name and fame!  He just runs after his praise. But Raikwa, he can draw and attract all merits towards him just like a lake draws water from the nearby slopes. He is at peace with himself as he is not worried about tomorrow!” The king overheard the flying swans as they flew out of his sight as the night engulfed the horizon and the kingdom fell deep asleep. However, the king was restless. He wanted to know who was Raikwa! Why did the swans think he is greater than him? He was determined to find this man at any cost as he understood that he was at peace with himself and with the world. Gradually the king too was engulfed in his sleep.[JG]At dawn, the bards began to sing the songs in the king’s praise. As the king rose and opened his eyes, he was restless and unhappy. He realized that there were people in his kingdom who is greater than him. He rushed to the bards and stopped them from singing any other song. He told them that there was another man to was greater than him. He ordered them to scan his entire kingdom for Raikwa the cart puller and find him at any cost. The servants and bards searched the length and breadth of the kingdom. With great difficulty they finally found Raikwa scratching an itch under the shade of the cart. They approached him and asked him –“Sir, are you Raikwa the cart puller?” Startled Raikwa got up and said nervously –“Yes! Indeed I am!”  The bards and servants thought that maybe their king has lost his mind. How can a poor cart puller like Raikwa be greater than the generous and charitable king Jānaśruti? They left for the king to inform him about Raikwa’s whereabouts. [AG]King had a sigh of relief on getting the news that his servants and bards have located Raikwa. So he immediately set out for Raikwa with well-fed six hundred milch cows with calves, a gold necklace and a chariot drawn by a she-mule. Raikwa was scared to see the king at his door