In the previous Sookti, we understood about the true fruit of Vidya (education). We also understood about the importance of Vinaya to be able to acquire such true Vidya. Let us recapitulate it and further understand with the help of another Sookti as to what happens when Garva (ego, pride) takes the place of Vinaya in our hearts.

Yasyaiva chitte vinayah praroodhah
Tasaiva vidyaa vikalaapi vandyaa
Yasyaiva darpo hridaye praroodhah
Tasyaiva vidyaa sakalaapi vandhyaa

If Vinaya is deeply rooted in one's heart, minor shortcomings in one's Vidya do not matter much and such Vidya will become worthy of praise. On the other hand, if there is pride and ego in the heart, the Vidya of such a person becomes barren (unproductive, useless) although it is complete.

Let us look at a story, which helps us to understand the above idea.

Arjuna and Ashwatthama were both disciples of Drona. There was always competition between them. Both were intelligent and sharp. They were good friends too. After they completed Shastrabhyasa (study of the science of weapons) and became eligible to learn about Astras (missile weapons), their Guru, Drona Acharya started exercising immense caution. Teaching about a particular Astra involves teaching of a specific mantra and invoking the energies of the concerned deity. The Guru is also required to conduct Shakti Paata (energy transmission) so that the pupil will obtain the vision of that deity. After obtaining such a missile, the disciple should maintain equipoise of mind. He should exercise absolute constraint about using the Astra. He should use it in extraordinary circumstances and in way that is permitted by Dharma. Other than that, he should not use it at all. Only to such a disciple who possesses such constraint, the guru bestows the knowledge of Astras.

So, Drona was teaching about Astras very very slowly. He was closely watching the power of perseverance in his disciples. He was observing the grasping capacity of his students. Both Arjuna and Ashwatthama were equally quick in learning new things. Ashwatthama requested his father-guru Drona to teach him a very special and powerful Astra called Brahmashiro-naamaka-astra, which was considered to be the most powerful Astra. Drona was not too enthusiastic to teach it yet.

Ashwatthama continued to press his father. Finally, one day Drona called both his disciples and taught them the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA. He however did not teach them the method of Upasamhara (withdrawing) of that Astra. In a way, the knowledge about BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA remained incomplete because, neither Arjuna nor Ashwatthama could test the strength of the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA because they did not yet know how to withdraw it. (There is a rule that the person who possesses a missile should know how to execute it as well as how to withdraw it. Only then it can be said that the person is in possession of complete knowledge of that particular Astra). When asked about it, Drona always said, "later, not now".

Arjuna and Ashwatthama waited patiently. Arjuna was praying his guru in the heart to bestow the complete expertise of BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA. Ashwatthama, on the other hand, was very happy that he had acquired a new Astra and thought within himself, "after all, my father has taught me how to execute the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA. Eventually, he has to teach me the technique of withdrawing it too".

More or less during the same period of time, Sri Krishna had acquired the famous "Sudarshana Chakra". Hearing about this, Ashwatthama was very surprised that Krishna could acquire such a powerful weapon in such a young age. He immediately set out to investigate the truth and reached Krishna's palace. The desire to show off his latest possession, namely the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA was also on his agenda. When he met Krishna, he could see that Krishna had actually acquired the Sudarshana Chakra. Immediately, the ego and pride that were lying latent in his heart came out. "Krishna, I heard that you are in possession of the great weapon – Sudarshana Chakra. I too have acquired the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA. Why don't we exchange them?"

Sri Krishna could immediately spot the ego and jealousy raging in Ashwatthama's heart. Pretending not to notice it, Krishna said, "I do not think that I can handle the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA. But, you can have my Sudarshana Chakra. Go ahead, I have kept it in the Pooja room. Take it and keep it with you as long as you want."

Ashwatthama became very happy and went to the Pooja room to take the Sudarshana Chakra. As soon as he touched it, he was jolted by a powerful energy and felt as though his body was burning. "I do not want it" he cried and left.

On the other hand, when Arjuna came to know about Krishna's acquisition of Sudarshana Chakra, he did not experience jealousy. His belief that Krishna was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu was further strengthened when he heard the news.
Drona, being an astute Guru, immediately observed the contrasting mentalities of his students. Sensing that Arjuna was mentally more sturdy and steady, Drona gave him the knowledge of Upasamhara (art of withdrawing) of the BRAHMASHIRO-NAAMAKA-ASTRA.

Ashwatthama's shortcoming surfaced after the great Mahabharata war was over. Ashwatthama was by nature a righteous person and always sided the Pandavas. But, due to some momentary surge of emotions, he executed the Brahma-shiro-namaka-astra and targeted the womb of Pandava women. Because of this, he had to face the curse of Sage Vyasa and Lord Krishna.

See! How the element of pride, which finds its way into one's heart, can cause one's Vidya to become counter-productive.

In the above story, we see that before Drona taught the technique of withdrawing the Brahmashiro-naamaka-astra, to both Arjuna, the education of both his pupils was incomplete. Despite being incomplete, Arjuna's education became worthy of recognition and therefore, Drona decided to impart the secret knowledge to him. He even become eligible to receive the great teaching – Bhagavad Gita.

On the other hand, Ashwatthama's Vidya was not worthy of appreciation and therefore, he was considered ineligible for further teaching. Why? The element of pride was rooted in his heart and it operated as a hindrance. Hindrance to what? Hindrance to harnessing the true fruit of education. Hindrance to becoming eligible to receive completes education. Because of this, such a person's Vidya will not be useful to the society, nor it will be useful to him. Therefore, the above Sookti calls it as "barren".

Even if Ashwatthama could somehow acquire complete knowledge, his ego would have prevented him from profiting from his education. Even then, he would have succumbed to some disaster. Therefore, the above Sookti is pointing out that even complete education may not ensure the person its sure fruit.

May this Sookti alert you about the component of pride and ego, which might be residing in your hearts. May Lord Dattatreya bless you become free from ego and pride.

Jaya Guru Datta.

Sri Swamiji