SUKRACHARYA AND DEVAYANI

In the time of the Mahabharata, Shukracharya is mentioned as one of the mentors of Bhishma, having taught him political science in his youth.

Sukracharya was the preceptor of the Asura King Vrishaparva and Devayani was the daughter of Sukracharya. The filial affection bestowed upon Devayani by her illustrious father was proverbial. Sukracharya was held in great respect by one and all. In those days when incessant fighting was taking place between the asuras, the citizens of the heaven and their enemies the Asuras, mortal causalities on both sides were heavy. Sukra alone possessed the great miraculous spell called Mritasanjivani by which the dead were brought back to life. So the enormous influence Sukracharya wielded with the Asura King Vrishaparava needed no special emphasis. If Vrishaparava ruled over the Asuras, in turn he was ruled by hs preceptor Sukracharya. Paradoxially enough, the great Sukra was ruled by the daughter Devayani.

In addition to his inordinate love for the daughter, Sukra was the greatest asset enjoyed by the Asuras as he could bring back to life the fallen soldiers of their army. Obviously the Suras or the Devatas as they are more popularly known were at an extreme disadvantage. They dispatched an enterprising young man Kacha,the son of their preceptor Brihaspati, to Sukra as a student apprentice to earn the secret of Mritasanjivani.But it was not easy mission, Sukra admitted Kucha into studentship in accordance with the custom of that times knowing full that he was the son of his counterpart of the enemy camp. However Sukra was not expected to commit the blatant act of betrayal of his country and by giving away the secret of Mritasanjivani to anybody - least of all to Kacha, who was asked to tend the cows and do sundry household jobs. It was clear to anybody who wished to be in the good looks of Sukra must first try to get the favour of Devayani.

But it proved to be a very easy task for Kacha with his natural advantage of youth and pedigree. Soon he could attract the admiration of Devayani; but evoked the antagonism of the Asuras, who quite naturally regarded him with great suspicion amounting to mortal fear, as his mission was transparently evident. Kacha was constantly harassed by the Asuras and one day they killed him and cut the body into pieces. But the vigilant Devayani reported the matter to her father who brought back Kacha to life by the power of Mritasanjivani.Kacha narrated the atrocities perpetrated on him by the Asuras to Devayani and Sukra. On another occasion Kacha went to fetch flowers for Devayani, when the Asuras killed him and made a paste of his body and mixed it up in sea water. However he was brought back to life by Sukra at the persistent request of Devayani.


The Asuras failed in their attempts to put an end to the life of Kacha, formulated an ingenious plan. They killed him and burnt his body to ashes which were mixed up in wine. The wine was served to Sukracharya who was addicted to drink. Kacha did not return home. Devayani approached her father and said "It is long time since the sun has set in the western ocean" Sukra remained unmoved. The depressed Devayani repeated, the kine have come all alone" The intoxicated preceptor of the Asuras was not bothered to catch the implications of the statement. The agitated virgin, drawing the attention her father exclaimed, "the fire oblations for the evening have been offered and the time is fleeting: Kacha has not yet come and I am afraid that he might have been the victim of the evil designs of the Asuras, or beasts of prey or snakes in the forest."

Sukracharya was compelled to reply to the persistent appeals of Devayani.The great preceptor grew philosophic and proclaimed," Death is the inevitable destination for all. The Asuras have their own grievances against Kacha, whom I have revived to life many a times at your instance. There must be a limit for your solicitude for him. A sensible maiden like you must take it easy and it is unworthy of you to bemoan over his loss like this" Devayani was not a girl to be dettered like that. She said, " Kacha is the grandson of the celebrated sage Angirasa and the son of Brihaspathi your counterpart in the heaven. Moreover he has been a pious pupil at your feet, and the handsome youth has kept his vow of celibacy by his exemplary character and conduct. When he is murdered unjustly by the Asuras, I feel concern for him is quite justified" So saying the determined Devayani began a fast unto death. The affectionate father knew what his determined daughter was up to and could no longer afford to be philosophic. He exercised the power of Mritasanjivani mantra and revived Kacha once more to life, and ordered him to present himself before him at once. But Kacha knew where he was and responded to the behest of his Guru with all the reverence he could muster with the words, "Most venerable sire, how can I carry out your command, you know where I am. I await further instructions"

Sukra realized the predicament in which he was placed, and was sticken with remorse at his addiction to drink. As a distinguished law giver of his day he propounded the dictum - 'Drinking is a heinous crime" The penitent preceptor declared that hence forward addiction to drink would be a sin. But he had solved the immediate problem. As a consequence of the conduct of the Asuras it became imperative for their preceptor to reveal the secret of the Mritasanjivani to his disciple. Kacha was instructed to break open the stomach of Sukra and then resuscitate him to life. Kacha soon emerged out of the stomach of his Guru resplendent with the radiance of Mritasanjivani to bring back his beloved preceptor to life. Consciousness came back to Sukracharaya, the personified version of the Vedic scriptures just like the correct connotation to the word properly pronounced by an expert with exact intonation.

Kacha having fulfilled his mission prostrated himself at the feet of his preceptor and said, "As a teacher I always regarded you as my father; now verily you have become my mother too" After the completion of his studies, Kacha took leave of Sukracharya to go to the abode of the Gods. As he was about to depart, bidding farewell to Devayani, she revealed her mind to him" You are an eligible bachelor; and I am a virgin. We are already married mentally. Let us now solemnize it. I loved you dearly and in spite of it I never disturbed you from your vow of celibate studentship. I hope you will be pleased to reciprocate my love and marry me.

But Kacha said, "I know I owe my life to you. You are the daughter of my preceptor, and hence you are my sister, more over I am reborn out of the stomach of your revered father. It is not proper for me to think of marrying my own sister" Even then Devayani tried in vain to convince Kacha, "You are the son of Brihaspathi and I am quite worthy of becoming his daughter- in- law. I have always loved you. I was ready to die for you" She became angry and recapitulated how she was responsible for saving him from death for more than once. Kacha was quite composed and replied, "My dear Devayani, you are quite enchanting - verily your very anger is your bewildering beauty." Kacha departed to the abode of Gods leaving Devayani staring at her disappointment.

One day Devayan went into forest along with the princess Sarmistha, the daughter of the King Vrishaparva for a picnic. As they were sporting in the woods they went to bathe in the cool waters of a sylvan pool, leaving their garments on the bank. An unexpected gale blew over, as they were taking their bath and garments were mixed up into a heap. After the bath it so happened that princess Sarmistha clothed herself in the garments of Devayani quite accidentally. Devayani as she came out missed her clothing and pointed out the impropriety to the princess. The conversation which just started- half in jest and half in earnest, soon assumed the proportions of a fierce controversy. The princess proclaimed that her father was the supreme head of the state. Devayani was quite conscious of the importance of her father. The princess said that she belonged to a regal class, accustomed to bestow favors on everybody. She reiterated that the father of Devayani was at receiving end, and that he lived on the bounty of the King. But Devayani quite adamantly maintained that her father was superior to the King who must bow to the feet of the preceptor. Eventually the Asura maiden threw Devayani into a dry well and went away leaving her to fate.Devayani could not and would not come out of the well and remained there sad and sobbing.