A renowned king of India named Yuddhisthira, the eldest among the Pandavas, announced a huge ceremony on returning from victorius battle of Kurukshetra. He gave away huge sums of money and his treasures were being emptied among general public. Yuddhisthira was also considered to be the most generous. This act of sacrifice from the most generous king was believed to be an event that has never happened before. Everyone praised his generosity and the particular ceremony shone throughout India.
On the 13th day of ceremony when the occasion was to be concluded, there came a peculiar mongoose whose half body was golden and the other half brown. The mongoose came near the sacrificial ceremonial point and rolled his body. Everyone was surprised to see a mongoose whose half body was golden and other half brown. When this mongoose was asked what he was doing in this ceremony which is indeed the best of sacrifices, he boldly announced that as per him that ceremony and the act of sacrifice was indeed not the best.
Yuddhisthira, who was now startled and surprised asked the mongoose about the best sacrifice or act of sacrifice which the mongoose had come across.
The mongoose narrated a story of poor but pious farmer Satyadev who lived doing farming activities. In his family were his wife, his son and daughter-in-law. They lived happily and were contented. Everyone in the family were religious to the core and never failed on their duties.
Then came a severe drought that lasted 4 years. They got little or nothing to eat. Both father and son returned home after many days in search of food. Satyadev’s wife divided the wheat flour her husband had bought into 4 parts for everyone in family. It was not enough even for a single person; especially after many days of starvation. As they all sat together to eat and were about to start there was a knock on door.
Satyadev went up to the door to check the guest. As he opened the door he found an old person in the most miserable condition who appeared to have crossed vast barren lands of drought to reach his home. He said “O farmer, I have been without food for last couple of days. I have crossed great distances and have come in search of food. Pls oblige.” In India there is custom that a guest is worshipped like god and he has to be served in the best possible manner.
Satyadev offered his share of food to this guest. Having finished that he said “O honorable one, you almost killed me! You raised my hunger more than ever before and I am now more miserable and hungry than before. I would need more.” Satyadev’s wife contributed her share. The guest was still not contented and his son gave away his food as well to relieve the guest. Still not satisfied, the daughter-in-law also stepped in for sacrificing her share of food although needed badly for herself. After having it the guest was contented and blessed them and moved ahead on his journey.
That night this family died of starvation.
The mongoose further said that when he arrived there and witnessed the event, he saw some wheat flour sprinkled on floor. He rolled his body on the flour and half his body which touched the flour turned golden.
The mongoose added that Yuddhisthira’s sacrificial ceremony, no matter how huge it might be, but is not the best act of sacrifice as the masses believed.
Yuddhisthira bowed down to the mongoose with utmost reverance for helping him remove his ego.