The Tale of Annapurna and the King’s Charity

In a prosperous kingdom ruled by a righteous king named Vikramaditya, there was great peace and abundance. King Vikramaditya was known for his compassion and generosity, always ensuring that his people were well taken care of. His heart especially ached for the poor and the hungry, and he made it his mission to provide for them. He believed that feeding the hungry was one of the greatest forms of worship, and he revered Goddess Annapurna, the goddess of nourishment, for her role in sustaining life.

Inspired by his devotion to Annapurna, the king decided to build a grand temple in her honor. It was not just a place of worship but also a place of service. King Vikramaditya established a kitchen in the temple, where food would be prepared and distributed freely to anyone in need. Every day, the temple served hundreds of people—rich and poor, travelers and locals alike. No one was turned away, and everyone left with their hunger satisfied.

The temple became renowned throughout the kingdom and beyond. People would speak of the king’s charity and the divine blessings that seemed to flow endlessly from the temple’s kitchen. The king’s fame grew, but in his heart, he always attributed the success of the temple to Goddess Annapurna, to whom he offered daily prayers.

For many years, the temple kitchen operated without any trouble, feeding countless people. But one day, disaster struck. The kingdom faced an unexpected crisis. The stores of grain ran dry, the fields had not produced enough crops due to an unusually harsh season, and soon the temple’s kitchen had nothing left to serve. The temple, which had once been a place of sustenance and joy, was now quiet. The cooks, who had once prepared large feasts, stood helpless, unable to continue their service. The poor gathered outside the temple gates, their stomachs empty, their eyes filled with despair.

King Vikramaditya, devastated by this turn of events, felt a deep sense of responsibility. How could he have let this happen? His heart broke at the sight of his people suffering, especially in the temple he had built to ensure no one would go hungry. He realized that despite his best efforts, human resources were limited, and even the greatest acts of charity needed divine intervention.

Desperate and humbled, the king knelt before the statue of Goddess Annapurna in the temple. With tears in his eyes, he prayed earnestly, “O Mother Annapurna, you are the eternal nourisher of all beings. This temple was built in your name to feed the hungry and serve the needy, but now I have failed. Please, forgive me and help us in this hour of need. Without your divine grace, we cannot continue.”

The king prayed with such sincerity and devotion that the heavens themselves seemed to respond. Suddenly, an old woman appeared at the entrance of the temple. Her clothes were simple, and her hair was gray, but her presence was filled with an unspoken power. She carried a small cooking pot and looked kindly at the king and the people gathered around.

“Why are you all standing here so sorrowful?” she asked. “Is this not the temple of Annapurna, the goddess of food? Surely, there is no lack of nourishment here.”

The king, astonished by her words, replied, “Dear mother, the temple kitchen has run dry. We have no more food to offer the people, and they are suffering from hunger.”

The old woman smiled, her eyes twinkling with a mysterious light. “Do not worry,” she said gently. “Bring me whatever little you have left, and I will cook for everyone.”

The king, though puzzled, trusted the old woman. He ordered his servants to bring her the last handfuls of rice and lentils that remained in the temple stores. It was hardly enough to feed even a single family, but the old woman did not seem concerned. She took the small portion of ingredients, placed her pot over the fire, and began cooking.

To everyone’s amazement, as the woman stirred the pot, the aroma of a hearty meal began to fill the air. The once-empty pot now overflowed with steaming rice, fragrant lentils, and vegetables. It was as if the pot had been magically transformed into a bottomless source of nourishment. The old woman served the food with a smile, and no matter how many people came forward to eat, the pot never emptied.

Word spread quickly through the kingdom that the temple of Annapurna was once again serving food, and people flocked to the temple in greater numbers than ever before. The kitchen, which had once been silent, was now bustling with activity as everyone enjoyed the feast. The king watched in awe as the old woman continued to serve food, her pot never running out, her hands moving with grace and ease.

Realizing that the old woman was no ordinary person, King Vikramaditya approached her with folded hands and a deep sense of reverence. “Mother,” he said, “you are not just an old woman. Please, reveal your true form. Are you not Goddess Annapurna herself, who has come to bless us?”

The old woman smiled kindly and, in that moment, her appearance transformed. Before the king and the people, she revealed herself as Goddess Annapurna, glowing with divine light. Her form radiated compassion and grace, and her presence filled everyone’s hearts with joy.

“King Vikramaditya,” she said, “your devotion and dedication to feeding the hungry have pleased me. You built this temple in my name, and I have come to ensure that it continues to fulfill its purpose. As long as you serve with a pure heart, there will always be enough food for all. The act of feeding the needy is sacred, and through it, both the giver and the receiver are blessed.”

With those words, Annapurna blessed the king and the temple, ensuring that the kitchen would never run dry again. She then disappeared, leaving behind her divine presence that would forever guide the temple’s mission of service.

From that day forward, the temple’s kitchen became legendary. No matter how many people came, there was always enough food for everyone. The king continued his charitable work with even greater devotion, knowing that the goddess herself was watching over the temple. The people of the kingdom lived in peace, nourished both physically and spiritually by the grace of Goddess Annapurna.

The Moral of the Tale:

The tale of Annapurna and the king’s charity reminds us that selfless service and devotion are rewarded by the divine. The act of feeding the hungry is one of the most sacred forms of worship, and through it, we honor the essence of life itself. The story teaches that true charity comes not from wealth or resources alone, but from a pure heart dedicated to serving others. When we act with compassion, the divine ensures that we always have enough to give.