The Samudra Manthan and the lota of a teacher

Old teachers often narrate a humorous yet deeply pathetic tale about the condition and working  of teachers in India.

It is said that during the great Churning of the Ocean (Samudra Manthan), the gods and demons realized the need for an honest, hardworking, and trustworthy person who could safeguard the precious objects emerging from the ocean and maintain complete secrecy throughout the process.

After much deliberation, the gods and demons went to a hermitage (ashram) seeking guidance and assistance. There, they presented their concern and problem before the head sage (Mahant) of the ashram.

The Mahant listened them carefully and, after a moment of thought, said,

“For this responsibility, the most suitable person in our ashram is a teacher.”

Soon, the teacher was brought before them.

Seeing him, both gods and demons were astonished. His appearance was extremely simple. His head was shaved except for a small tuft (choti or gyan shikha) of hair symbolizing knowledge. He wore only a sacred thread across his chest and a saffron dhoti around his waist. In one hand, he carried an empty metal pot (lota), and in the other, a small stick.

The Mahant smiled and said,

“This man may be poor in possessions, but in honesty, hard work, and dedication, no one can equal him.”

Thus, the humble teacher was appointed as the “Assistant Manthan and Chief Security Officer.”

The churning (manthan) of the ocean began. One by one, divine treasures and celestial objects emerged. There was excitement, greed, rivalry, and chaos all around, but the teacher remained steadfast in his duty. Day and night, he worked sincerely, protecting the treasures and maintaining order.

Finally, the nectar of immortality—Amrit—appeared.

Lord Vishnu assumed the enchanting form of Mohini and began distributing the nectar among the gods. At that moment, a demon named Swarbhanu disguised himself as a god and secretly sat among them. Through deception, he managed to drink the nectar.

As soon as the Sun and Moon recognized him, they immediately informed Lord Vishnu. Without delay, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to sever Swarbhanu’s head from his body.

However, because he had already consumed the nectar, he did not die. His head came to be known as Rahu, and his body as Ketu and they became immortal planets. 

Meanwhile, the gods became immortal after drinking the nectar. Celebration and victory echoed everywhere.

And what did the teacher receive?

The same empty pot (lota) was handed back to him.

Everyone praised his honesty, hard work, and dedication. The gods also thanked the Mahant for sending such a trustworthy person.

The teacher quietly began walking back toward the ashram carrying his empty pot (lota).

On the way, a few journalists—experts in spreading rumors and sensational stories—noticed him. They saw the pot (lota) in his hand, clicked his photograph, and the very next day spread the news everywhere:

“The teacher drank an entire pot (lota) of nectar all by himself!”

And ever since then, teachers have continued to be assigned every difficult, risky, and thankless responsibility.

They still receive plenty of praise and respect in words…

but in their hands, the pot (lota) remains empty.

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