SUKRACHARYA AND DEVAYANI

Devayani was the daughter of Shukracharya, who was rejected by the son of Brihaspati, Kacha. She later married the legendary Somavanshi king Yayati.

Just at the time emperor Yayati of the Puru race entered the forest on hunting expedition, came to the same spot in search of water. When he peeped into the well he found a lovely maiden instead of water. The astonished emperor asked, "Who are you, Oh beautiful maiden? Who is your father? How did you fall into this well and why did you not come out? Devayani replied in a dignified tone, I am the daughter of Sukracharya who does not know that I have fallen into this well. I expect him to come in search of me." She was willing to come out and held out her hands.Yayati chivalrously seized her hand and pulled her out of the well.Devayani was quite determined by that time not to enter the capital of Vrishaparva, the father of Sarmistha.She told the emperor Yayati," By a happy coincidence you have caught hold of my right hand. It tantamount to marriage. You are in every respect quite worthy to be my husband." Yayati was taken aback at the initiative taken by Devayani and replied, "You are the daughter of Sukracharaya renowned throughout the whole world as a great teacher. How can a Brahmin girl think of marrying a Kshatriya like myself? Revered lady, you must first go to your venerable father, "so saying Yayati went his way. Devayani did not go home but preferred to sit under the shadow of a lonely tree. Sukracharya sent a woman in search of Devayani who was discovered there. Devayani persisted in her determination not to enter the capital city of Vrishaparva.Sukra was grieved to learn about the sad turn of events, came to Devayani and tried to console her enunciating his philosophy. Sukra said, "He who conquers himself conquers the whole world and puts up with the abuse of neighbors. As an able charioteer who held the reins firmly in his hand and controls the horses and does not let them go whither they would, a worthy person should control his anger. He, who sheds his anger just as a snake its slough, is a true hero. He who never gets angry is superior to a person who performs a hundred sacrifices ordained by the scriptures. He who is balanced and is not perturbed by the trials and tribulations which are to human life will be a realized soul. Brothers and sisters, servants and friends, wife and children will forsake the man of irritable temperament. The wise will ignore childish pranks and prattle."

Devayani did not pay heed to the doctrinaire discourse but put a straight question to her father, "Is it true you are a minstrel extolling the glories of the King? Are you a parasite, existing on the benevolent grace of his majesty?" She told him how arrogant Sarmistha was and how she slapped her and threw her into the dirty ditch and Devayani wept bitterly.Sukra’s reaction was sharp, and moved not only by his natural affection towards his daughter but also by the wounded pride, he told Devayani " My dear girl your father does not live on wages of flattery. You are the daughter of one who is respected by the whole world. And Vrishaparva himself knows the deep debt of gratitude he owes me. Indra the king of the God knows this. No worthy man ever indulges in self praise. I shall say no more of myself. Let me act and you will know the result."Devayani was very happy at the resolute attitude of her father and added in her tender tones, "I am indeed a little girl and I should not arrogate to myself the right to advise you. The virtuous should not mix with those who have no sense of decency or decorum. My mind is ablaze with the arrogant taunts of Sarmistha.The wounds inflicted by weapons may heal in course of time. Scalds may heal gradually; but wounds inflicted by cruel words remain painful as long as one lives."


Sukracharya went straight to Vrishaparva and fixing his eyes gravely on him he said, "Oh King, I am sorry; I cannot serve you any longer. Your attendants murdered Kacha many a time. He was a pious pupil who served me with dedication and he was never guilty of any sin. He was a true Brahmachari.I put with all the affronts very patiently. Now your daughter has insulted and humiliated my daughter slapping her and pushing her into a well. My daughter refuses to stay any longer in your kingdom. Without her I cannot live here either. I am going out of your kingdom." The unexpected declaration made by Sukra was a bolt from the blue and Vrishaparva protested his complete ignorance of the whole episode. The King said that he would immolate himself in fire if the preceptor chose to depart from his realm. But Sukra expressed his utter helplessness in the face of Devayani’s resolute will and said that he had no objection if the King could pacify her.

So Vrishaparva with all his retinue went to the place where Devayani was sitting and implored her pardon throwing him at her feet in utter supplication. The stubborn Devayani was at last willing to relent on one condition. She demanded that the arrogant Sarmistha should be made over to her as a slave maid for life and should attend on her in the house which she would be given in marriage.Vrishaparva accepted her proposal and sent for Sarmistha. Sarmistha arrived and accepted her fault. She said, "My father shall not lose the venerable preceptor due to my fault. I am willing to be the maid servant of Devayni for life." Devayani went to the capital city of King Vrishaparva triumphantly. Devayani met Yayati once again when she came on a hunting expedition and repeated her proposal of marriage. She told him that her father, the renowned preceptor of the Asuras would bless them.Yayati followed Devayani and met Sukracharya who gave his consent to the marriage and Yayati married the dear daughter of the distinguished father.

Devayani and Yayati enjoyed a very happy married life for a long time.Sarmistha of course followed Devayani to the palace of her husband as her maid- in -waiting. On one occasion Sarmistha had an opportunity to meet Yayati in the solitude of the royal garden which reflected her vernal bloom. She was not a mere slave girl; blue blood was flowing in her veins, she revealed her royal lineage to the emperor who had already heard about the exemplary sacrifice she made for the sake of her father and the state.Yayati was attracted not only by her charming external personality but also by her internal beauty of her character. She proved herself to be the great daughter of a little king in sharp contrast to Devayani, the little daughter of a great father.Sarmistha told Yayati that she too belonged to him as she was part and parcel of Devayani as her maid companion.Yayati was pleased with her sweet logic and married her in secret without the knowledge of Devayani.Yayati had five sons, three by Devayani and two by Sarmistha.One day Devayani happened to see the two kids, who resembled Yayati in the company of their mother. They were talking liberties to their father.Devayani flew into sudden rage and lodged the complaint with her father Sukra who cursed Yayati with premature old age. Sensuality and over indulgence invariably lead to premature debility and the curse did reiteration of the fact. The curse on Yayati was not a boon to Devayani.

Devayani together with Yayati requested the sage to repeal the curse.Sukra said that Yayati could exchange his old age with anyone who is willing to give his youth to him.Yayati called his sons one by one and requested them for the exchange. The eldest son replied, "Old age is mocked at by women and servants." The contention of the second son was that old age not only destroyed strength but also sensibility. The third son said that an old man could not ride or walk by himself.Yayati modified his stand and said that he would take back his old age after sometime and asked the fourth son the liability purely as a temporary measure. He said that an old man required the help of others even to keep his body clean and did not accept the proposal of his father. The fifth son was especially dear to Yayati who begged with all the earnestness at his command and said that he would bestow the Kingdom on him while taking back his old age eventually. The fifth son moved by filial love accepted the proposal.Yayati regained his youthful vigor and he embraced his son, and spent many years in the enjoyment of sensual pleasures.

He was in the garden of Kubera for sometime in the company of an Apsara maiden. At long last Yayati realized the sensual desire was never quenched by indulgence any more than fire by pouring ghee over it. He came back to Puru and took back his old age.Puru regained his youth.Yayati retired to forest bestowing the kingdom on Puru.The other sons of Yayati were disinherited. The Yadavas, Bhojas, Yavanas and Mlecchas were their descendants.