Arrogance of Knowledge

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To cross the river Ganga, many people boarded a boat. Slowly, the boat began moving toward the opposite shore. Among the passengers was a man named Manmohan. He asked the boatman,
“Have you studied geography?”

The simple boatman replied,
“I don’t know what geography is.”

Displaying his education, Manmohan said,
“Then a quarter of your life is wasted in water.”

Then Manmohan asked another question:
“Do you know history? When and where was Rani Lakshmibai born, and how did she fight?”

When the boatman again expressed his ignorance, Manmohan triumphantly said,
“You don’t even know that? Half your life has gone to waste in the water.”

Proud of his knowledge, Manmohan asked a third question:
“Do you know the conversation between Bhishma and the boatman in the Mahabharata or between Kevat and Lord Ram in the Ramayana?”

The uneducated boatman simply gestured “no.” Smiling, Manmohan mocked,
“Then three-fourths of your life is lost in water.”

Just then, the current of the Ganga grew stronger. The boatman warned everyone about the storm and asked Manmohan,
“The boat may sink. Do you know how to swim?”

Panicking, Manmohan replied,
“No, I don’t know how to swim.”

Sensing the situation, the boatman calmly said,
“Then your entire life is about to be lost in water.”

A few moments later, the boat capsized—and Manmohan drowned.

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Moral:
Friends, knowledge is not for showing off or humiliating others. But sometimes, in arrogance, people forget this and end up insulting others. Always remember—scriptural knowledge should be used to solve problems, not as a weapon to harm.

As the saying goes:
A tree heavy with fruits bends down with humility.
A noble person becomes humble when they gain wealth.
Likewise, knowledge becomes truly graceful when it resides with a humble person.
That’s why it is said in Sanskrit: “Vidya Vinayena Shobhate” – Knowledge shines through humility.

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Always stay happy – What you have is enough.
*The one who is content at heart – possesses everything.