Punyakoti

Deep inside a lush, green forest near the banks of the Tungabhadra river, there lived a herd of cows. Among them was a gentle and beautiful cow named Punyakoti. She was known by all the animals for her kindness and her honesty. She had a little calf who loved her very much.

Every morning, the cows would go deep into the forest to graze on the tender grass. One afternoon, Punyakoti accidentally wandered away from the herd. As she was grazing near a thicket, a fierce Tiger leaped out from the shadows!

“Rrrraaa!” roared the Tiger. “I am hungry, and you shall be my meal today!”

Punyakoti was terrified, but she did not run. She knew she could not outrun a tiger. Instead, she bowed her head respectfully and spoke with a trembling but clear voice.

“Oh King of the Forest,” she said, “I know you must eat to survive. But I have a small request. I have a little calf waiting for me at home. He is very young and hungry. Please, let me go home one last time. I will feed him, explain to him how to live without me, and then I promise I will return to you.”

The Tiger laughed. “Do you take me for a fool? If I let you go, you will never come back! No animal walks into danger willingly.”

“I am Punyakoti,” she said firmly. “Truth represents the Earth. Truth makes the sun rise. Truth is my mother and father. If I break my promise, let me face the consequences. Please, trust me.”

Something in her eyes made the Tiger hesitate. “Go then,” he grumbled. “But if you don’t return, I will come and destroy your whole herd.”

Punyakoti ran back to the shed. Her calf ran to her, happy to see her. She fed him his milk and licked him lovingly. Then, with tears in her eyes, she gathered the other cows.

“Sisters,” she said, “I have promised my body to the Tiger. Please look after my little calf. Do not kick him if he comes near you. Do not push him away. Treat him as your own.”

The other cows wept. “Don’t go!” they cried. “Stay here! The Tiger will never find you.”

“No,” said Punyakoti. “For the sake of truth, I must go. If I hide, truth will vanish.”

She kissed her calf one last time. “Be good, my child. Be honest always.”

With a heavy heart but a brave soul, Punyakoti walked back into the dark forest. She went to the cave where the Tiger was waiting.

The Tiger was pacing, sure that she had tricked him. When he saw her walking towards him, calm and unafraid, he was stunned.

“I have come,” said Punyakoti. “I have fed my calf and said my goodbyes. I am ready.”

The Tiger looked at the small, defenseless cow who stood so tall in her honesty. He felt a sudden change in his heart. Tears welled up in his fierce eyes.

“O Noble Cow,” said the Tiger, lowering his head. “If I eat you, the gods will never forgive me. Your truthfulness is more powerful than my strength. You are like a sister to me. Go back to your calf. I will never harm you.”

The Tiger bowed to her and disappeared into the deep jungle, promising to hunt only what was necessary and never to harm the virtuous. Punyakoti returned to her calf, and her story of truth is sung to this day.

Moral of the Story: Truth is the greatest power in the world. Even the fiercest heart bows before honest virtue.

Moral of the Story: Truthfulness is the greatest strength. Even the fiercest hearts bow to truth.