Shakuni’s Fruit

After the Pandavas had lost their kingdom to Duryodhana and were sent for exile, Shakuni, the uncle of the Kauravas, known for his cunning and determination was taking a stroll through the orchards of Hastinapur. Lord Shiva, the ascetic destroyer of the three worlds, resolve to test him. He took the form of a penniless Brahman and asked Shakuni to help him. "O King of Gandhar! Your escapades of wit are legendary. If you really possess genius, then help this lowly beggar to achieve a respectable position in the society."

"What do you do for living O humble sage, for even the gods cannot help you if you don't act for self!"

" I am a fruit vendor O King of Gandhar, I sell guavas from a solitary tree that grows on my land."

Shakuni went with the poor Brahmin and saw a small grey thatched hut under a golden guava tree. Goddess Parvati in disguise of the Brahmans consort, was crouching over an empty pot. 

"Tomorrow you will put up your stall at the third market gate of Hastinapur fort near the Shiva temple. Don't sell any of your fruits and wait for me. I will come to you when the Sun ascends the top of the temple."

The next day a huge procession of nobles clad in the finest of silks and the rarest of jewels came asking for the magical fruit of sage Badri. Leading the troupe was Shakuni himself.

"What is the magical fruit of sage Badri?" asked one of the Himachal apple merchants to Shakuni. 

"A fruit so rare that one bite of it makes you the luckiest person on the earth. But alas! Luck remains for only four pahars."

On noticing Badri Shakuni screamed in excitement, "O sage Badri, I have got but a 1000 mudras today. Give me one of your fruits again and wish me luck!"

Within a pahar Badri had his basket empty and his pockets full! Later when Shakuni visited Badri's hut again the Lord revealed himself and blessed him "As long as the sun shines, your name will be synonymous with cunning."

Even Lord Shiva was impressed by Shakuni's intellect.