The milkmaid, Moti, supplied milk to a celebrated Pundit who had many disciples and admirers. The milkmaid thought that it was a great privilege to serve a great Pundit and discharged her duties sincerely. One day, the Pundit asked her to deliver the milk at least an hour before sunrise, as he was under a vow for performing a certain ritual. The milkmaid agreed but came to deliver the milk long after sunrise. When questioned by the Pundit, she said that she couldn’t cross the river without the boatman. The Pundit commented jocularly that one could cross even the ocean of life by uttering the name of Lord Vishnu. She thanked the Pundit for passing on the secret to her.

Days passed and the period of Pundit’s vow came to an end. The Pundit thanked her and asked her to tell the boatman that he was pleased with him for his task. The milkmaid told him that she crossed the river without the boatman’s help. She just uttered the name of Vishnu and crossed the river. The Pundit was surprised to hear this. He followed her to know the truth. When he saw the milkmaid paying respect to the river and then crossing it with ease, he almost fainted.

While demonstrating the miracle of faith, the story also draws a contrast between scholarship and innocence. It shows the difference between a knowledge of there theory and the knowledge that works through one’s faith in God.