Obstacles on the Spiritual Path and the Path of Service to Anugraha

“In his previous life, this boar was a gandharva named Ranga-Vidyadhara, who could sing beautifully. The sage Pulastya established his hermitage on Mount Sumeru. Ranga-Vidyadhara came there and began to sing. His songs were so beautiful that the sage could not concentrate on his meditation.

“Please go somewhere else,” Pulastya said to the gandharva. “Do not sing here.”

“Why should I go anywhere?” Ranga-Vidyadhara asked. “I am only singing, and my songs do no harm to anyone. People enjoy them. Why, then, are you opposed to singing?”

“I am not opposed to singing,” Pulastya replied. “I have nothing against the arts. I understand that they are beneficial, but your songs distract me, and I find it very difficult to concentrate on my meditation. That is the only reason I am asking you to leave and sing somewhere else.”

“If you cannot concentrate, that is your own failing,” said the gandharva. “I know that those who truly meditate are not distracted by anything. This forest does not belong to you. I have as much right to be here as you do. If my singing disturbs you, go and find another place for your meditation.”

Pulastya had mastery over his anger, so without saying a word, he rose and went away. A few days later, Ranga-Vidyadhara noticed that the sage was no longer in his former place, and after some more time, he discovered that Pulastya had established a hermitage in another part of the forest.

The gandharva decided to play a trick on the sage. He assumed the form of a boar and came to Pulastya’s hermitage. He tore up the ground with his hooves and prodded the sage with his tusks. At first, Pulastya paid no attention to these disturbances. He decided that the boar should be forgiven, since it was merely a wild animal. But soon the sage realized that the boar was none other than the gandharva. He then cursed Ranga-Vidyadhara for this, and the latter was born as a boar.

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