The Brahmin and the Goat: A Story About Trusting Yourself

The Brahmin and the Goat - Hitopadesha Story

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village, there lived a kind Brahmin named Ravi. He was known for his piety, wisdom, and devotion to the gods. One day, Ravi was preparing for an important religious ceremony that required a goat. He had been searching for the perfect one to offer as part of the ritual, and at the village market, he found a beautiful goat. The goat was healthy and strong, with a shiny coat of fur and bright, alert eyes. Ravi was pleased with his purchase and, after paying the vendor, carefully placed the goat on his shoulder and began walking home.

The journey was peaceful, and Ravi, content with his acquisition, walked along the familiar path toward his house. The sun shone brightly, casting warm rays over the fields and trees that lined the road. However, as Ravi walked, he came across a group of three men sitting under the shade of a large tree. These men were not ordinary travelers—they were thieves, always on the lookout for a chance to steal from unsuspecting people. They immediately saw the goat on Ravi's shoulder and began to devise a plan to take it from him.

The first thief, seeing Ravi approach, decided to speak up. He looked at the goat, squinted his eyes, and said, "Hey, holy man! Is that a dog you're carrying? Why is a righteous Brahmin like you carrying a dog instead of a goat?"

Ravi was taken aback by the comment. He had never thought of his goat in such a way. "No," he replied, surprised by the question. "It's definitely a goat. I am sure of it!" He continued walking, dismissing the thief's words as nonsense. But the thief's comment planted a seed of doubt in Ravi's mind, one that would begin to grow as the journey continued.

A little further down the road, Ravi encountered the second thief, who was also lurking in the shadows. The thief, seeing Ravi with the goat, repeated the same tactic. He looked closely at the animal and said, "That's not a goat you're carrying—it looks more like a dog to me! Are you sure that's really a goat? Maybe you're mistaken."

Ravi stopped in his tracks, feeling unsettled. The words of the first thief echoed in his mind, and now, with the second thief adding to the confusion, Ravi began to doubt his own eyes. "Could it be?" Ravi wondered. He set the goat down from his shoulder and looked closely at it, inspecting it from every angle. He still thought it was a goat, but the thieves had made him second-guess himself. The more he pondered, the more confused he became.

By the time Ravi encountered the third thief, he was deeply troubled. The third thief, seeing Ravi's uncertainty, said with a sly smile, "Oh, no, no! That's definitely not a goat—it's a dog! It's strange how you could mistake such an animal for a goat. You must be mistaken, my friend!"

Ravi felt his heart sink. At this point, after hearing the same thing from three different men, Ravi was completely confused. "Perhaps they are right," he thought to himself. "These men must know something I don't. Maybe the magic of the place has turned the goat into a dog! How could I have been so sure?" His doubt consumed him, and with a heavy heart, Ravi decided that the only thing to do was to leave the "dog" behind and go home to wash himself and clear his mind. The thieves, of course, saw this as an opportunity to take advantage of his confusion. They eagerly took the goat, which they knew was a goat all along, and celebrated their success.

Meanwhile, Ravi made his way home, feeling a deep sadness in his heart. He had left behind the animal he had purchased, believing it had been transformed. He couldn't shake the feeling that something strange had happened, but he had let the words of the thieves cloud his judgment.

The thieves, now with the goat in their possession, were overjoyed. They had pulled off their plan perfectly. The goat, which had been meant for a holy ceremony, was now in their hands. They roasted the goat and had a feast, celebrating their trickery.

The Story of the Brahmin and the Goat, Ravi's story serves as a reminder about the importance of trusting your own observations and not letting others lead you astray. The thieves, with their manipulative words, played on Ravi's doubts, causing him to question what he knew to be true. In the end, Ravi learned the hard way that it's essential to rely on your own judgment, especially when others try to confuse you.

The story teaches us to trust ourselves, to be confident in what we see and understand, and not to be easily swayed by others, especially when their intentions may not be genuine. It's a reminder to be mindful of our instincts and to stay grounded in the face of confusion or doubt.