King Jayendra and Jai: A Lesson in Responsibility

Once, Vikramaditya was carrying Betal, who began narrating the story of King Jayendra and his son, Jai. King Jayendra ruled his kingdom with wisdom and integrity, but he worried about his son’s future. Jai was carefree and lacked a sense of responsibility, making the king fear that Jai might not be capable of handling the kingdom after his passing.

To address this, King Jayendra sought the advice of a wise sage. The sage handed him a pot filled with holy water and suggested a plan. “Ask your son to carry this pot to my ashram in the forest without spilling even a single drop. If he succeeds, it will bring good fortune to your kingdom.”

Jai accepted the task. As he carried the pot through the dense forest, he grew highly focused, aware that a single misstep could spill the water. His journey required full attention; he did not pause to eat, drink, or rest until he reached the sage’s ashram, with every drop intact.

The next day, King Jayendra noticed a change in Jai’s demeanor. Betal, concluding the tale, asked Vikram, “What changed Jai’s behavior?” Vikram replied, “The responsibility of keeping the pot safe made Jai realize the importance of diligence and caution. He learned that managing the kingdom would require the same dedication.”

**Moral:** Responsibility cultivates discipline and focus. Experiencing responsibility firsthand helps one appreciate the commitment needed to care for something valuable, instilling a lasting sense of duty and maturity.