The Story of the Lost Traveller

Story

Once, in the land of hills and forests, a traveller named Kavi set out on a journey to find the purpose of life. He had heard about a wise sage who could answer life’s deepest questions and decided to find him.

Kavi walked for hours along winding paths of the deep, dense forests. As the sun set, darkness covered the forest. The sounds of the leaves and animals made him feel scared and alone.

“Where am I? How will I find my way?” he thought.

Suddenly, in the pitch-black forest, Kavi noticed a faint glow. It was a small lamp, flickering in the darkness. With hope in his heart, Kavi followed the light. Step by step, he moved closer to it, feeling less afraid with each step.

Finally, he reached a small hut. The soft glow of the lamp lit up the face of an old sage sitting calmly inside.

The sage welcomed Kavi warmly and gave him water to drink.

After resting, Kavi said, “I seek knowledge, the correct wisdom to know the truth. Kindly guide me.”

The sage replied, “Ask me what you want to know. You need to ask questions to look for answers. “

Kavi took a pause and then asked, “learned Sage, how did this tiny lamp guide me through the big, dark forest? It seemed so small, but it helped me find my way.”

The sage smiled and said, “This lamp is like Satyam—truth. Even in the darkest moments,

truth shines like a guiding light. It may look small, but if you follow it, it will always lead you to safety.”

Kavi thought for a moment and then asked, “But how do I know what the truth is? What if I follow the wrong path?”

The sage replied, “To see the truth clearly, you need Jnanam—knowledge. Knowledge is like the eyes that help you see the light of the lamp. Without understanding, you might not recognize the truth when it appears.”

Kavi nodded, his curiosity growing. “And what lies beyond the light? What happens when I reach it?”

The sage pointed to the sky outside the window.

“Do you see those stars, Kavi?” the sage asked. “They go on and on, far beyond what your eyes can see. That’s what Anantam means—infinity; it’s the idea that life has no end, no edges.” 

“But how can life be endless?” he asked.

The sage gently explained to Kavi that rivers begin as tiny drops of rain or melting snow in the mountains, which finally flow into the ocean. But that is not the end, the water continues its journey. It rises as clouds and falls again as rain, representing how life is endlessly moving, changing, and interconnected.

Truth and knowledge are just the beginning. Knowledge gives power and wisdom to understand the true nature. This is Brahman—the ultimate reality.”

Kavi stepped outside and looked at the stars. For the first time, he felt a deep sense of peace.

“I thought I was lost in the forest,” he said to himself.

The sage stood beside him and said, “Remember, Kavi, Satyam—truth—will always guide you. Jnanam—knowledge—will help you recognize it. And when you have both, you will understand Anantam—the infinite nature of life. This is the journey we all must take.”

Kavi bowed deeply to the sage, thankful for his wisdom and kindness. He promised himself to always seek truth, gain knowledge, and understand the vastness of life. He learned that with knowledge, we can find our way even in the most challenging times. It guides us toward wisdom and the boundless possibilities of life.