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Mahabharata
Sambhava Parva (IV)
History of Yayati.
Vaishampayana said:
O sinless one, Prajapati Daksha, Vaivasvata Manu, Bharata, Kuru, Puru, Ajamida, Yadava and all the other kings of the Bharata race, O sinless king, I shall now recite the holy, illustrious and long life-bestowing histories of these great men. They were as effulgent as the sun and the great Rishis.
Pracheta had ten sons, who were all devoted to asceticism and they all possessed every virtue. They burnt with the fire of their mouth many medicinal plants.
O best of king, from them was born Prachetas Daksha and from Daksha sprang all creatures. Therefore, he was called the Grandsire.
The Rishi Daksha, born of Prachetas, begot one thousand sons, uniting with Virini; they were all of rigid vows like himself.
Narada taught these one thousand sons of Daksha the excellent philosophy of Sankhya, the means of salvation.
O Janamejaya, the lord of creation Prajapati Daksha, from the desire of creating more creatures, begot fifty daughters. He made them all his Putris.
He bestowed ten of his daughters on Daksha, thirteen on Kashyapa and twenty-seven on Chandra who were all engaged in indicating time.
Kashyapa, the son of Marichi, begot on his wife, the daughter of Daksha, who was the eldest among his thirteen wives, Aditya, the greatly effulgent celestial, Indra, being at their head and Vaivasvata also, Vaivasvata's son was born Yama, the great lord.
Martanda (Vaivasvata) begot another son who was gifted with great intelligence and was called Manu. Yama was his younger brother.
Manu was greatly wise and virtuous; he became the progenitor of a race. The offspring of Manu were called Manavas, (human beings.)
It was from Manu that all men, including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and others have been born. O great king, the Brahmanas and Kshatriyas were subsequently united.
Those sons of Manu, who were Brahmanas, became devoted to the study of the Vedas. Vena, Dhrishnu, Narishyanta, Nabhaga, Ikshvaku, Karusha and Sharyati, the eight a daughter, named Ila, the ninth Prishadhra, who was gifted with all the virtues of Kshatriyas. Nabhagarishta was the tenth son of Daksha. Besides these, Manu had fifty other sons on earth.
We have heard, they all perished quarrelling with one another. The learned Pururava was born of Ila.
We have heard that Ila was both the father and the mother of Pururava. He had sway over thirteen islands of the sea.
Though he was a human being, yet he remained always surrounded by superhuman companions. Pururava, intoxicated with the pride of power which he possessed, quarrelled with the Brahmanas, caring little for their anger. He robbed them of their wealth.
Seeing this, Sanatkumar came from the region of Brahma and gave him good counsel, which he did not accept. Thereupon, the wrath of the great Rishis was excited and the king, who was intoxicated with the pride of power and who lost his reason, was immediately killed by their curse.
This king (Pururava) brought from the region of the Gandharvas, three kinds of fire for sacrificial purposes with the Apsara Urvashi. He begot six sons on Urvashi, namely Ayus, Dhiman, Amavasu, Drindayus, Vanayus and Shatayus. It is said that Ayus begot on the daughter of Svarbhanu five sons, namely Nahusha, Vriddhasharma, Raji, Gaya and Anenas. Of all the sons of Ayus, Nahusha was exceedingly intelligent and powerful.
O king. He ruled his kingdom with great virtue. King Nahusha equally supported the Pitris, the Devas, the Rishis, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the Brahmanas, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas. He suppressed all the robbers with a mighty hand; he made them pay tribute to the Rishis.
During his kingdom time powerful Nahusha carried them on the back of Rishis. Beating the very dwellers of heaven with his beauty, his asceticism, his prowess and energy, he ruled the earth, as if he was Indra himself. Nahusha begot six sweet-speeched sons, namely, Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Aayati, Ayati and Dhruva. Yati adopted asceticism and became a great Rishi like Brahma himself.
Yayati became greatly virtuous. He ruled over the whole, earth; he performed many sacrifices; he worshipped the Pitris with great reverence and showed a great respect towards the celestial. He showed great kindness and favour to all his subjects and he was never defeated by any foe. His sons were all great bow-men and were gifted with all accomplishments.
O great king, they were born of Devayani and Sharmishtha, his too wives. From Devayani were born Yadus and Turvasu. From Sharmishtha were born Druhyu, Anu and Puru.
O king, after ruling his subjects with virtue for a long time. The son of Nahusha (Yayati) was attacked by the terrible old age which destroyed his personal beauty.
Having been thus attacked by old age, the king thus addressed his sons, namely Yadu, Puru, Turvasu, Druhyu and Ann.
"O Dear sons, I wish to be young and desire to pass my time with young women. Help me in this."
His eldest son, born of Devayani said, "Why do you require? Do you want to have our youth?"
Yayati replied, "Accept my old age." I would then enjoy myself with your youth.
During a long sacrifice, I was cursed by the Rishi Ushanas and therefore, thus have I lost all my powers of enjoying sensual pleasures. O sons, I shall enjoy myself with your youth.
(Therefore), take any of you my decrepitude and rule the kingdom with my body. I would then enjoy myself with a renovated youthful body.'
Yadu and other sons did not agree to take upon them his old age. Thereupon, his youngest son, the virtuous and powerful Puru said - "O king, enjoy again with a renovated body and returned youth. I shall take upon me your old age and I shall rule the kingdom at your command."
Thus being addressed, the royal sage (Yayati) transferred his old age on his high-souled son (Puru) with his power of asceticism.
The king again became a young man with the youth of Puru; and Puru with the old age of his father upon him ruled the kingdom.
Even when one thousand years had thus passed away, Yayati, the best of kings, the invincible hero, remained as strong and powerful as a tiger.
He enjoyed for a long time the sweet company of his two wives. He enjoyed with (Apsara) Vishvachi in the gardens qf Chitraratha (Gandharva king.)
That illustrious man had not his desires satiated even after this. Thereupon, the king remembered the following words of the Purana.
"One's desires are never satiated with enjoyments. On the other hand, with indulgence they flame up like the sacrificial fire with ghee poured into it.
Even if one enjoys the whole earth, with its wealth, its diamonds, gold, animals and women, still his desires will not be satiated.
It is only when a man does not commit a sin in thought, deed or word in respect of any living creatures, it is then that he attains to the purity of Brahma.
When a man fears nothing and when he is feared by none, when he desires for nothing and when he injures none, it is then that he attains to the purity of Brahma."
The greatly wise king, seeing this and having been satisfied that one's desires are never satiated, received back his old age from his son.
Though his desires were not satiated, he gave back his youth to his son Puru and installed him on the throne, saying-
"From you my race would continue. You are my true son and heir. My race will be known in the world after your name."
Vaishampayana said:
That best of kings, (Yayati), having installed Puru on the throne went to the mount Bhrigu to become a great ascetic. After many years he succumbed to the inevitable influence of Time. Observing the vow of fasting, he ascended heaven with his wives.
Janamejaya said:
How did our ancestor (Yayati) who was the tenth from Prajapati, obtain the unobtainable daughter of Shukra? O great ascetic, I desire to hear this in detail. Tell me also separately the account of those kings who were the founders of dynasties.
Vaishampayana said:
O Janamejaya, the king Yayati was as effulgent as Indra himself. I shall tell you in reply to your question how Shukra and Vrishaparva bestowed (on the king) their daughters in due rites and I shall specially narrate how the union of the Nahusha, took place with Devayani.
In the days of yore, great battles were often faught between the Devas and the Asuras for the sovereignty over the three worlds.
From the desire of securing victory, the celestial appointed the Rishi who was the son of Angirasa (Brihaspati) as their priest to conduct their sacrifices; and their opponents appointed Ushanas (Shukra) as their priest for the same purpose. There was much boastful rivalry between these two Brahmanas. All those Danavas that were killed in battle by the Devas. Were revived by that sage (Shukra) with the power of his knowledge; and they, thus being made alive, fought again with the celestial.
The Asuras also killed many Devas, but the greatly learned Brihaspati could not revive them.
He did not know the science of Sanjivini (giving life to the dead) which the greatly powerful Rishi (Shukra) knew very well. The celestial were, therefore, very sorry.
Thereupon, the celestial, in great anxiety and in fear of the learned Ushanas, went to Kacha, the eldest son of Brihaspati; and they spoke to him thus.
"We ask for your protection, we worship you. Help us in a work which we consider as very important. The knowledge of that science which is known to that Brahmana of immeasurable prowess Shukra, must be obtained by you as soon as possible. You will then be a sharer with us in all sacrificial offerings. You shall find that Brahmana (Shukra) in the court of (king) Vrishaparva.
He always protects the Danavas, but never the celestial, their opponents. You are younger than he and you are, therefore, able to revere him.
You can also adore Devayani, the favourite daughter of that illustrious man. You are capable of conciliating them both. There is none else who can do it.
"You are sure to obtain that knowledge (of Sanjivini from the Rishi) by gratifying Devayani with your conduct, liberality, sweetness and general behaviour."
Having been thus addressed and worshipped by the celestial, he said, "Be it so." He then went to the court of king Vrishaparva.
O king, having been thus sent by the celestial, Kacha soon came to the city of the king of the Asuras; and seeing Shukra there, he thus addressed him -
"Reverend Sir, accept me as your disciple. I am the grandson of Rishi Angirasa and the son of Brihaspati. I am known as Kacha by name.
Accepting you as my great preceptor, I shall practise Brahmacharya for one thousand years. Therefore, command me.
Shukra said:
O Kacha, you are welcome, I accept your words. I shall treat you with regard, for by my doing it, Brihaspati will be regarded.
Vaishampayana said:
Commanded by the son of Kavi, Ushanas, also called Shukra, Kacha said, "Be it so." And he took the vow he spoke of.
O descendant of the Bharata race, (Kacha) took the vow he had spoken of at the proper time and began to worship his preceptor (Shukra) and Devayani. That youth (Kacha) daily gratified Devayani who was also in her youth with singing, dancing and playing on various kinds of instruments.
O descendant of the Bharata race, he gratified that maiden, Devayani, who was in her youth, with the presentations of flowers and fruits and serving her as an obedient servant.
And Devayani also, when they were alone, gratified that vow-observing youth (Kacha) with her songs and sweetness of manners.
When five hundreds years had thus passed away of his vow, the Danavas came to know his intention. One day the Danavas saw Kacha when he was tending (his preceptor's) kine. They then killed him out of the hatred they bore against Brihaspati and from the desire of saving the knowledge of Sanjivini.
They hacked him to pieces and gave his body to be devoured by jackals and wolves. The kine returned to the fold without the cowherd (Kacha).
O descendant of the Bharata race, when Devayani saw that the kine had returned without Kacha, she spoke to her father thus-
Devayani said :
O sire, the Agnihotra (evening fire) is kindled, the sun has also set. The kine have come back without their cowherd. But Kacha is not to be seen.
O father, it is evident, Kacha is either dead or killed. I tell you truly that I shall not live without him.
Shukra said:
I will revive him by saying, "Come here." Then with the help of the knowledge of Sanjivini, he summoned Kacha (to come to him.)
Having been thus summoned, Kacha appeared in joy, tearing the bodies of the wolves (that had devoured him.)
Having been asked by the daughter of Bhargava, (Shukra) the reason of his delay, he said, "O sweet lady, burdened with sacrificial wood and Kusha grass, I was coming towards the hermitage and feeling tired, I sat under a banian tree. All the kine also were staying under the shade of that tree.
The Asuras, having seen me there, asked me, "Who are you?" They heard my this reply, "I am Kacha, the son of Brihaspati."
As soon as I said this, those Danavas killed me and having hacked my body to pieces, they gave it to jackals and wolves. They then went to their homes in joy.
"O amiable lady, summoned by the illustrious Bhargava (your father), I have somehow or other come before you having been made alive."
On another occasion, the Brahmana Kacha at the request of Devayani, went into the forest to collect flowers and when he was freely roaming there, he was again seen by the Danavas. They again killed him, (pounded him to powders) and mixed him with the waters of the ocean.
Finding him again late in coming home, that maiden again told her father what had happened. Having been again summoned by that Brahmana (Shukra) to come home, Kacha appeared before the daughter of his preceptor. He again repeated to her all that had happened to him.
They killed him for the third time. And having reduced him to ashes by burning, they mixed those ashes with the wine which they offered to the Brahmana (Shukra).
Devayani again spoke to her father thus, "O father, Kacha was sent to gather flowers, but he is not to be seen. It is evident, Kacha is either dead or killed. I tell you truly, I shall not live without him."
Shukra said:
O daughter, the son of Brihaspati, Kacha has gone to the land of the Dead. Though again and again revived by my knowledge, he is often killed. What shall I do? O Devayani, do not grieve, do not weep. One like you should not grieve for one who is mortal. You are worshipped by Brahma, by Brahmanas, the celestial with (their king) Indra, the Vasus, the Ashvinis, the Asuras and by the whole universe. It is impossible to keep him alive. For every time I revive him he is killed (by the Danavas).
Devayani said:
Why should I not grieve and weep for Kacha, whose grandfather is old Angirasa himself and whose father is the great ascetic Brihaspati, who is the grandson of a Rishi and the son of a Rishi.
He himself is a Brahmachari and an ascetic; he is always wakeful in every work. O father, I shall starve and follow the way on which Kacha has gone. The handsome Kacha is dear to me.
Vaishampayana said:
The great Rishi (Shukra), the son of Kavi, being much afflicted by Devayani’s words, cried in anger, "The Asuras certainly want to injure me, for they killed my disciple living with me.
These followers of Rudra (Asuras) want to make me a non-Brahmana by making me participate in their crimes of killing Brahmanas. The crime of killing a Brahmana even burns Indra. This crime has a terrible end."
Having said this, he summoned Kacha, but being afraid of his preceptor's safety, he feebly replied from within the stomach of Shukra.
Vaishampayana said:
Shukra then asked him, "O Brahmana, how have you entered my stomach. Tell me truth."
Kacha said:
By your grace my memory has not left me. I recollect every thing that had happened not been destroyed. Therefore, I am capable of bearing this insufferable pain.
O son of Kavi, I was killed by the Asuras; my body was burnt an reduced to ashes and I was then given to you with your wine. O Brahmans, when you are present, how is possible for the Asura Maya (the power of the Asuras) to overcome the Brahma Maya (the power of the Brahmanas).
Shukra said:
O Devayani, what good can I do to you? Kacha's life can be revived only with my death. Kacha is within me. There is no other way of his coming out, except by ripping open my stomach.
Devayani said :
Both the shocks will burn me like fire. The death of Kacha and that of yours are both same to me; The death of Kacha will kill me. If you die, I shall not be able to bear life.
Shukra said:
O son of Brihaspati, you are crowned with success, when Devayani adores you so much. If you are not Indra in the guise of Kacha, today, accept, I give you the science of reviving life.
None can come out alive from my stomach. A Brahmana, however, must not be killed. Therefore, accept the knowledge I teach you.
Come to life again as my son. Possessed of the knowledge I teach you and being again revived by me, O child, take care that you act with gratitude when you come out of my stomach.
Vaishampayana said:
Receiving the knowledge (of reviving life) from his preceptor, the handsome Kacha ripped open the stomach (of Shukra) and came out like the moon on the evening of the full-moon night.
Seeing the remains of his preceptor lying like a heap of ascetic virtues and learning, Kacha revived him with the knowledge he had received. He then spoke to the preceptor thus -
"I regard him, who pours the Ambrosia of knowledge into one's ears, as you have done to me who was devoid of knowledge, both as my father and as my mother. He who has gratitude can never injure his preceptor.
Those that, having acquired knowledge, injure their preceptor who is an object of adoration, who is the giver of knowledge and who is the most precious of all precious objects on earth, become hated on earth and finally go to the regions of the sinful.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been deceived while under the influence of wine and remembering the terrible consequences of drink and the total loss of consciousness, the result of it and seeing before him the handsome Kacha whom he had drink with the wine while intoxicated, (the learned Shukra), with the wish of effecting a reform in the manner of the Brahmanas, rose from the ground in anger and spoke thus -
"That wretched Brahmana, who being unable to resist the temptation, will drink liquor from this day, shall be considered as to have committed the sin of slaying a Brahmana and he shall be hated both in this and in the other world.
I set this limit to the conduct of the Brahmanas everywhere. Let this (my solemn words) be heard by the honest men, by the Brahmanas, by the celestial and by those who regard their superiors."
Having said this, the illustrious Rishi, the ascetic of ascetics, summoned the Danavas who had been deprived of their good sense by Fate. He then told them.
"O foolish Danavas, know that Kacha had obtained his wish. He will henceforth dwelt with me. Having obtained the knowledge of Sanjivini, that illustrious Brahmana has become as powerful as Brahma himself."
Having said this much, Bhargava (Shukra) stopped. The Danavas, being astonished, went away to their homes.
Kacha, after having lived with his preceptor for full one thousand years, prepared to go to the land of the celestial with the permission of his preceptor.
Vaishampayana said:
When the period of his vow expired and when he was prepared to go to the land of the celestial, after having received the permission of his preceptor, Devayani addressed him thus - "O the grandson of Rishi Angirasa, you shine most brightly in conduct, in birth, in learning, in asceticism and in humility.
As the Rishi Angirasa is honoured by me illustrious father, so is (your father) Brihaspati honoured and respected by me.
O great ascetic, knowing this, hear what I say. You are aware of my behaviour towards you during the period of your vow.
"Your vow is now over; you should now fix your affection on me who love you. Accept my hand with ordained rites and Mantras."
Kacha said:
You are an object of my respect and worship, as is your illustrious father. O lady of faultless features, you are an object of greater reverence to me (than your father).
You are dearer than life to the high-souled Bhargava. O amiable lady, you are ever worthy of my worship, as you are the daughter of my preceptor.
As your father Shukra, my preceptor, is ever honoured by me, so are you. O Devayani, therefore, you should not speak to me thus.
Devayani said:
O best of the twice born, you are the son of my preceptor's son, you are not the son of my father. Therefore, you are an object of my respect and worship. O Kacha, when the Asuras killed you again and again, you should recollect today the love I showed towards you.
O virtuous man, remembering my love and affection for you and also my devoted regard for you, you should not abandon me without any faults.
Kacha said:
O lady of virtuous vows, do not urge me into such a sinful course. O lady of fair eyebrows, be graceful to me. O amiable lady, you are an object of greater regard than my preceptor. O large-eyed lady, O lady of handsome face, O amiable maiden, the place the body of the son of Kavi, (Shukra) where you live, is also my abode. You are truly my sister. O slender-waisted lady, O amiable maiden, do not say so. We have most happily passed the days we have lived together. There is perfect good feeling now existing between us.
I ask your leave to go away. Bless me so that good may come to my journey. Remember me in your conversations as one who has not transgressed virtue. Serve my preceptor with readiness and singleness of heart.
Devayani said:
If you refuse to make me your wife, solicited by me as I do, O Kacha, (indeed I say) your knowledge will bear no fruits.
Kacha said:
I refused to comply with your request, because you are my preceptor's daughter. (I did not refuse you) for any fault of yours, my preceptor also had not issued any command regarding this matter. Curse me if it pleases you.
O Devayani, I have told you what should be the conduct of Rishis. I, therefore, do not deserve your curse. But notwithstanding all this you have cursed me out of desire and not from a sense of duty. Therefore, your desire shall not be fulfilled no Rishi's son will ever accept your hand.
You have said that my knowledge would not bear fruits. Let it be so. But it shall bear fruits in him whom I shall teach it.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this to Devayani, that best of Brahmanas, that foremost of the twice-born, Kacha hurriedly went away to the land of the celestial.
Seeing him arrived, the celestial with Indra at their head looked with delight towards Brihaspati and spoke to him thus.
The Devas said :
You have performed an act of great good for us; your achievements are wonderful, your fame will never die, you will be the sharer with us in the sacrificial offerings.
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