TEJI GHODA

“TEJI” GHODA—“THE FASTEST HORSE”

In ancient times, a King in a state of Panjab was very fond of having the best horses in his stable. He liked to possess horses of various breeds as a hobby and also to keep them in his cavalry for any future battles. Every year he would invite prominent traders of horses from distant places and negotiate the deals for the best of the stallions. The king was well versed in the lineage and pedigree of this animal and was extremely careful and skillful in bargaining with traders.

Once, a horse-trader bought five horses of different lineage. He offered them to king at various prices varying from 1000 trinkets of gold to 100000 trinkets of gold. The king was amazed that though the horses looked alike and similar, why the merchant was quoting 100000 gold units for the best one. He looked closely and intensely at the horse, which the merchant had declared the most precious and discovered that this particular horse was blind from one eye. (In Panjabi one-eyed person is called KANA, and horse is called GHODA.). He asked the trader the rationale for such a huge premium for one-eyed horse (KANA GHODA), while demanding lower compensation for other healthy and strong steeds.

“This horse belongs to a rare pedigree called “TEJI”(means Fast) ,that ensures that the rider of this horse if encircled or entrapped by the enemies in a battlefield, will be whisked away to safety—no matter what their strength or might may be”, answered the merchant. The king said that he had heard of “TEJI” pedigree, but this is a KANA GHODA (one eyed horse) and demand of hefty sum is very unreasonable. The merchant refused to make the bargain at a lower price and insisted that the price is for brand equity of the “TEJI” pedigree and not for merely the looks of the stallion. “What could be more precious than the life, oh King” he said. Finally, the King thought over and bought the horse, with a remorse that he had been overcharged for this TEJI GHODA.


The King formally named the horse as KANA GHODA, instead of TEJI GHODA. He nursed a grudge against the mare for his high value and denied him a good stable. He would order his helpers to bring KANA GHODA at night and would ride with tight straddle and stirrup. He would make a fun of the horse for his handicap. The ministers and soldiers too would insult the horse for being one eyed. The horse was immensely hurt and upset with the attitude of the King and his people. He looked for an opportunity for revenge. He decided to wait for an appropriate time.

After a year or so, the King was compelled to go to battlefield to fight with a neighborly state. It was a full blown war with the enemy. The rival forces surrounded the King, sitting on KANA GHODA. His life was in a state of grave danger. KANA GHODA wanted to avenge the abuses of his personal ill treatments. KANA GHODA was tempted to dump the King in the battlefield. The King would be killed, he thought, and he would be free to lead an honorable life after his departure.

At that point of time, a thought flashed across his mind----that inspite of being one eyed, he belonged to a noble “TEJI” pedigree. He is avowed to ensure that no harm comes to the rider at the time of peril. If the enemy kills the King, “TEJI” pedigree will be stained and blemished. The nobility and reverence of “TEJI” community will be perpetually lost; no one will pay the price for the “purity of breed”of his ancestry. This thought prompted him to save the King and he played the trick to escape out of the ring of the enemy. The King got a sigh of relief. He padded him with affection for saving his life. And the horse earned gratitude of lifetime from the King. Thereafter the King treated him with love and respect.


MORAL--- We, Satsangis have a good pedigree. Like KANA GHODA, we have our own handicaps and shortcomings. Irrespective of karmic treatment meted out to us in this world, our actions and responses should be such that it should bring no taint or blame on the community of Satsangis