There is a story in the Rg Veda, which also finds a place in Srimad Bhagavatam, and this is the story of Kavi. Kavi, who was the son of a king, was sent to a gurukulam when he was a child, and after the required number of years of study at the gurukulam, he returned to his father’s kingdom. Upon his return, his elder brothers told him that in his absence they had divided all their father’s wealth between themselves. When Kavi asked them what he had been allocated, they said he could take charge of their parents. That was what had been allocated to him. Kavi accepted the arrangement gladly, said Kidambi in a discourse.
But Kavi’s father told him that without material wealth, he would not be able to manage in life. So the father came up with a suggestion. He said Kavi was to go and help some sages, who had doubts regarding a yaga. Pleased, they would give him whatever material was left after the performance of the yaga. Kavi did as his father told him, but as he was about to leave with his gifts, Rudra appeared and laid claim to the materials. However, Rudra said he would accept the decision of Kavi’s father in the matter. Kavi’s father said that according to the rules, Rudra should get what was left over after the yaga. So Kavi, acting in accordance with his father’s decision, gave up his gifts to Rudra. Pleased with Kavi’s act, Rudra returned all the gifts to Kavi, and told him he could keep them.
Kavi’s story shows us how his obedience to his father eventually resulted in his being blessed with gifts. He never once questioned his father. Nor did he resent the fact that his brothers had taken awayall material wealth and had left him to him the responsibility of looking after their father. As a result of his goodness, not only was Kavi blessed with material possessions, but was also blessed with a son called Ambarish, who was to become famous for his uprightness and righteousness.