In a kingdom there lived a dacoit named Virbhadra. He was of very cruel nature. He did not fail to brutally kill whoever came in front of him while robbing old-child, woman-man. That's why his terror spread far and wide. The king there tried several times to catch him, but failed. Because of this also the courage of that robber increased.
Even though he had many bad qualities, but one quality was that he used to fulfill all his wishes by serving the guest who came to his door. Apart from this, he used to help the crippled and poor people from time to time. Seeing his compassionate behavior towards them, everyone was surprised that how Virbhadra, who used to be cruel while committing robbery, becomes kind and polite to the guest?
One day a monk came to that city after traveling to all the four ghams of Puri, Badrika Ashram, Dwarka and Rameshwar. It was about to be night, so they thought that tonight should be spent at a Brahmin's place.
He went to the house of a poor Brahmin and asked to stay there for the night. The Brahmin was very pleased to hear this and went inside and asked his wife to feed the monk, tears started flowing from his eyes.
The Brahmin said in a proud voice, we are very unfortunate that we cannot feed the guest who comes to the door on June 1st! At this time, only two rotis are left, which I have kept for the children. Children can go hungry today. We should protect the religion by providing food to the sage.
After listening to the husband and wife, the sage thought that eating this food would result in sin. It is not proper to stay here. When a Brahmin brought water in a big vessel to wash his hands and feet, the monk said to him, child, I have heard your words. Children are the incarnation of God. How can I eat their share! You tell me that there is a rich person living nearby?
Brahmin folded hands and said Maharaj, the richest person in the locality here is a dacoit named Virbhadra. But why are you asking this?
The monk immediately said, son, I have decided that today I will stay at his place.
Hearing this, the Brahmin requested, it is not right for you to go to his place. He has committed the sin of hundreds of murders. That's why he does a lot of charity. You stay here for the whole night and take rest after eating dry dry food. It is our blessed lot that we have got the opportunity to serve you.
But the hermit did not stop and lifting his kamandal he said, I will surely come to your place some other time. I am satisfied with your hospitality. Saying this, the sage blessed him and left.
After some time the monk reached the high attic of Virbhadra and said to the gatekeeper, son, go and tell your master that a monk is waiting for him sitting at the door.
Till date no sage or saint had stayed at Virbhadra's place. They stayed away from him and did not accept his charity. He thought in his mind that may or may not be, some informer has come in the guise of a monk. When he reached the door, the sage wished him good luck.
While doing this, asked for permission to stay overnight. The dacoit happily made arrangements for his stay and food.
After some time he came to the sadhu's room and said with folded hands, you have made my cottage a blessing with your satsang, now please have food.
After listening to him, the monk said, son, I eat food at someone's place only when first I get the desired Dakshina.
Virbhadra thought that the sage Mahatma would ask for a kamandal, a loincloth, half a pav of hemp and a blanket at the most. So he said, Maharaj, you will get whatever Dakshina you say. No one has returned dissatisfied from Virbhadra's place till date.
The monk smiled and said, Dakshina is more important to me than food.
The robber said, Maharaj, you are a guest and then a saint, whatever you ask for, then go and eat.
The monk said, son, first promise that you will give whatever is asked for?
Virbhandra puffed up his chest and said, I have never made a false promise to a guest till date. Whatever you ask, I will present at your service.
After getting this assurance, the monk said simply, Virbhadra, first promise that you will never lie from today. This is my Dakshina.
After listening to the monk, the dacoit thought how foolish this saint is. Had he wanted, he would have asked for my entire property today, but even if he asked, then what? He said seriously, Maharaj, your point is accepted. From today I will never lie.
After this the sage went and had his food and after resting for the whole night started his way in the morning.
Now Virbhadra started speaking the truth according to the promise given to the monk. But because of this his dacoity stopped.
After a few months his accumulated capital ran out and he was very worried.
His companions also gradually left him and formed their own new gang. They used to make fun of him by calling him the disciple of a monk.
In this way the life of Virbhadra changed. Due to no income now, he was very worried.
One day he thought about his situation and thought that he had asked the sage to tell the truth. It was not promised that he will not commit dacoity. So why not dacoity again.
After thinking for a long time, he decided to collect some money by dacoity.
He took out a king's dress looted in the earlier robbery and wore it. He rode on a horse in the evening and went to the capital and reached the palace in the middle of the night.
Tying the horse to a peg near the big gate, he asked the guards to open the gate. Asked among those people, who are you?
He smiled and replied, I am a dacoit and have come here to steal.
The king here used to visit the city often at night to inquire about its condition. Seeing the royal dress, the gatekeeper understood that Maharaj was taking his test.
Silently let him inside. He also thought that the thief never does his propaganda fearlessly like this. Thus Veerbhad went inside and came out with some precious gems and Naulakha necklace. Even when he came out, the guards didn't create any problem.
When the king woke up in the morning, he came to know that there had been a theft in the palace at night. The king called the gatekeepers and asked who all had come inside the palace last night.
The gatekeepers replied, Maharaj! A man came here wearing the same dress as you. He used to say that he is a thief. We think you are testing us in disguise. Then if a person comes with the intention of stealing, then why would he tell his mind. That is why we did not stop that person from coming and going.
The king was very surprised to hear the words of the gatekeepers.
He was worried for a long time. After making some determination, the minister was called. On his arrival, he ordered that the king should spread the word throughout the kingdom that the king wanted to meet the daring man who had cleverly stolen the palace by pretending to be a thief.
The minister obeyed his order and got the duggi beaten all around. This news created a lot of stir in the capital and other cities and people were eager to see that person.
When Veerbhad heard the king's announcement, he took out the royal robe and wore it and left to join the king's court.
After reaching the palace, he informed about his arrival.
The king immediately ordered him to be brought to the court with respect. Virbhadra reached there and greeted the king.
Maharaj was stunned to see him and got angry and asked why he had come there.
Virbhadra said, Rajan, I am the same thief who had stolen in your palace due to circumstances. I have given a promise to a sage that I will always speak the truth. That's why he told his intention to the guards.
The king was enamored of his truthfulness! Virbhad narrated the whole story and narrated the incident of the monk in detail.
After hearing the whole story to Virbhadra, the king was very impressed by his truthfulness. He gave Virabhadra seven villages in jagir so that Apte would not have to steal in future to maintain his family.
Virbhadra, after listening to the king's words, requested him that in future he would live like an honest citizen.
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