DEVAHUTI & KARDAMA

                                   BIRTH   OF   KAPILA   MUNI

Devahuti & Kardama 

Devahuti in lamentation

Devahuti & Kapila - the preceptor

Kapila - Bindusarovar

KAPILA Muni

Devahuti bathing in Bindusarovar

Kapila, Devahuti, 9 daughters and Brahma

Kapila sends off Kardama for penance

DEVAHUTI AND KARDAMA
The Birth of Sage Kapila                          

The marriage of Devahuti and Kardam was an ideal one. Devahuti first gave birth to nine daughters and then to Kapila, who was a manifestation of Vishnu.

For many years Devahuti   served her husband Kardam   with devotion and care. Though she was a princess she easily adjusted to the severe life of the hermitage. She spent all her spare time observing religious rituals and soon her body lost its voluptuousness and became lean and emaciated. Once Kardam noticed her weak condition and acknowledging all she had done for him he said that he would share his transcendental wisdom with her. Devahuti very bashfully replied that the time for sharing of the minds would come. The union of the bodies was also essential, after all the purpose of their marriage was to further the human race. She requested her husband to fulfill this duty as he had being fulfilling all others.

Using his yogic powers Kardam created a seven-story flying palace. It was bedecked with jewels and flowers alike and possessed every comfort that could be required to create a romantic atmosphere conducive for sexual union. The palace had pleasure gardens with exotic flowers and birds, resting chambers that would vanquish fatigue in a second and bedrooms that would bring out feelings of love. Kardam also created a thousand maidservants who bathed Devahuti in the magical waters of Bindu Sarovar  and thereafter dressed and adorned her so beautifully that she would have been able to charm Kama Deva   himself had he been present. Then in the flying palace Kardam and Devahuti traveled to all the romantic places in the world, including the valleys of Mount Meru and the shores of Mansarovar  Lake. Now completely ready for producing children the couple returned to their ashram. Kardam split himself into nine personalities and impregnated his wife nine times so that she gave birth to nine daughters.

Devahuti remembered the condition that Kardam had placed before their marriage. Once he had fulfilled his obligation of siring children he would forsake family life and become an ascetic. Afraid that Kardam would leave her, she pleaded with her husband, “Please do not leave me, now. Our nine daughters will get married in due course and leave and if you are not with me then who will take care of me.”

Kardam assuaged her fears. “Do not worry because the time for me to leave has not yet come. Vishnu the Supreme God has given me a boon that he will be born as our son. Your womb is truly sacred.” Many years later Devahuti conceived again. The heavens rejoiced at this event and the Devas showered petals on Devahuti. Brahma  came to Kardam’s ashram with nine sages that he had earlier created using his mental powers. The nine daughters of Devahuti were now nubile. Brahma asked Kardam to give them away to the nine sages. According to Brahma’s wishes Kala was married to sage Marichi, Anasuya to sage Atri, Shraddha to sage Angiras, Havirbhu to sage Pulastya, Gati to sage Pulaha, Kriya to sage Kratu, Khyati to sage Bhrigu, Shanti to Atharva and Arundhati to sage Vashishta.

Brahma then told Kardam and Devahuti that the manifestation of Vishnu in Devahuti’s womb is to be named  Kapila. And when he grows up Kapila will be a renowned sage and will spread the name of his parents as well. And when the child was born there was further rejoicing. Kardam did not treat the baby boy as his son but as the Father of the Universe. He asked to be relieved of his duties as a householder and to live the rest of his life as an ascetic. Kapila gave his consent and Devahuti also gave hers. Kardam then took a vow of silence, forsook human habitation forever and went into the forests to meditate on the Supreme God.

source : http://rivr.sulekha.com/devahuti-and-kardam

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Sage Kardam

Continuing the process of creation, Brahma produced Sage Kardam from his shadow and asked him to observe penance first. Thereafter, Brahma dictated Kardam to acquire physical strength and the strength of his sense and undertake the process of creating his offsprings. As per his father's dictate, Kardam observed severe penance. Pleased by his selfless penance, God asked Kardam to seek a boon. Karadam said, "Lord all the things in the world are ephemeral; only you're eternal. It will be an abuse of the intelligence to beg for some ephemeral thing from an eternal God."

Overwhelmed by Kardam's plain words, God said in benediction 'On the third day from now you will be married to Devhuti, the daughter of Manu. Nine daughters will take birth in your home. I will myself appear as your son' Saying this, God disappeared. As per the boon Kardam got married to Devhuti, the daughter of Manu. Their formal marriage was the first of its kind in the creation, adopted as a religiously accepted means for continuation of life. Donating their daughter Devhuti to the sage Kardam, Manu and Shatarupa returned to their abode. As Mata Parvati used to serve Lord Lord Shiva, similarly Devhuti served Kardam with dedication.

Once the sage Kardam noticed that Devhuti has aged and Sriveled by harsh living. Pleased by her dedication, Kardam asked her to seek a boon. Devhuti only begged that there should never be any lethargy in any service on her part towards him. Pleased again by her pure feelings Kardam provided her with heavenly luxuries. Together they enjoyed those luxuries for many years during which nine daughters were born to them. All those daughters symbolised the Navadha Bhakti (nine kinds of devotion) and were married to nine Prajapatis like Marichi etc. Thus kala was married to Marichi, Anusuya to Atri, Shradha to Angira, Havirbhu to Pulatsya, Gati to Pulah, Shanti to Atharva, Krita to Kratu, Khyati to Bhrigu and Arundhati was married to the sage Vashishtha.

source : http://www.gloriousindia.com/scriptures/puranas/bhagavat_purana/sage_kardam.html

STORY OF AJAMILA

Ajamila under influence of lust

Yamadutas try to take life when Vaisnaduta protect

Bewildered Yamadutas

NAMASMARANA is powerful

Ajamila under penance

Ajamila is a figure from the Puranas. The story of Ajamila is taken from Bhagavata Purana Canto 6.

Ajamila was raised according to the Vedic regulations . He was a perfectly trained Brahmin and had a chaste and beautiful wife.

But one day, while he was out in the fields collecting flowers for worshipping the Lord, he happened to see a drunken sudra and a prostitute engaged in sexual embrace. 

In Bhagavat Gita  it is said that if one contemplates sense objects, he becomes attached to them. 

Although Ajamila was a strict Brahmin he became helplessly entangled by seeing a man and woman engaged in sexual activity. 

Consequently he took this prostitute into his home as a maidservant. 

Inevitably, he became so entangled that he abandoned his family, wife and children and went off with the prostitute. 

Due to his illicit connection with the prostitute, he lost all his good qualities. 

He became a thief, a liar, a drunkard, even a murderer. He completely forgot about his original training as a Brahmin, and his whole life was ruined.

Ajamila became bewildered and attracted; his mind becoming more and more attached to the prostitute.

Engaging in sinful activities, Ajamila fell down from his position, and he begot many children through the prostitute. 

Even towards the end of his life, around the age of eighty, he was still begetting children. 

It is explained that while he was dying, which is a very fearful time, he began to call out to his pet child, whose name was Narayana. 

Narayana is another name of God or Krishna. 

At that time, the Yamadutas, the messengers of death, were coming. 

They were tying up the subtle body of Ajamila and preparing to take him to be punished by Yamaraja , the lord of death. 

At the same time, because he happened to be speaking the holy name of the Lord Narayana, the beautiful Visnudutas, the messengers of Krishna, also arrived there. 

They checked the activities of the Yamadutas, refusing to allow them to take Ajamila for punishment. 

The Yamadutas were bewildered. "Why are these effulgent and beautiful personalities checking our action? 

It's our duty to take sinful men to Yamaraja for punishment; then they are awarded another material body for the next life so that they can get the result of their sinful activity." 

There was a discussion between the Yamadutas and the Visnudutas. 

The conclusion was that although Ajamila was sinful throughout his life and gave up his religious life, his wife and children and begot children through a prostitute, 

he nevertheless was purified from all these sins because at the last moment he chanted the holy name of Krishna, Narayana. 

If this single act of the utterance of a four-syllable word Narayana can make such a difference to life after death, what larger worlds of fullness and majesty

he may not conquer by really leading a noble life of Dharma in the memory of the Lord? -- so thought Ajamila. 

And that very moment he renounced everything to which he was attached, went to Benares and engaged himself in austerities and meditation and in due time reached the abode of the Lord. 

It is noteworthy that a wrongdoer is given a chance to correct himself and thereafter lead a virtuous life before attaining salvation. 

It is not as if the Lord gives him a boon because he uttered the Lord's name when death was nearing him. 

It was the resultant of his previous good deeds that helped him to remember who he was and then get back to his previous position. 

Yet he had to struggle again and do enough penance before he could get salvation.

source : http://rivr.sulekha.com/ajamila_88830_blog

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NALA AND DAMAYANTI

                                        NALA         AND          DAMAYANTI

Visitor tells King Nala about princess Damayanti

Swan reaches at Damayanti

Swan gives message of Nala to Damayanti

SWAYAMBARA

Nala & Damayanti

Nala & Damayanti in forest

Nala departs Damayanti fast asleep

Damayanti alone in forest

 

Long long ago, there lived a handsome young prince named Nala. One day, a visitor to his court told him about a beautiful princess called Damayanti. He liked whatever he heard of the maiden and decided to communicate his interest to her.

There were many beautiful swans in the palace lake and he sent one of them to Damayanti with his message of love. Damayanti accepted the message. She liked what the swan said about the young prince. She replied positively to him through the swan.

Since Damayanti was anyway of marriageable age, her father the king had decided to arrange her swayamvara. Swayamvara was the type of marriage in which princesses selected their husbands in those days. The word swayam means ‘on one’s own’ and ‘vara’ means wed, so that the word swayamvara meant something akin to ‘marry as one chooses’. For a swayamvara, several princes and noblemen would be invited and the princess would put a garland on the person she chooses from among the assembled.

Several suitors came for Damayanti’s swayamvara. Nala had also come, but four clever demi-gods came in the guise of Nala to dupe Damayanti. When the bejeweled Damayanti came out to the venue with a garland in hand she saw five Nalas staring at her.

For a moment, Damayanti was confused. Then she scanned the five faces carefully to find out which the real Nala was.

She saw that of the five men who looked alike, only one man was blinking. The other four stared at her without blinking. Damayanti instantly understood that the blinking one was the real Nala. She garlanded him and her father the king celebrated the wedding of Damayanti and Nala in style.

They settled into a happy married life but their happiness was short lived. A problem creator spirit known as Kali, became jealous of them. He cast his evil net around Nala. As a result, Nala agreed to a game of dice with his brother. They played with high stakes and in the end Nala lost everything including his kingdom. He and Damayanti were driven out into the forest.

Nala requested Damayanti to return to her father, but she refused. So, at night, when she was sleeping, he ran away from her. He hoped that at least if she was alone she would go back to her father. He went forward on his own, hoping to find a solution for their problem.

After travelling for a while, Nala saw a snake trapped in fire. He rescued the creature, but when it became free, the snake bit Nala. And the snake bite made him shrunken and disfigured. However, in reality, the snake was only a friend. It told Nala that the disfigurement was only temporary and that it will be a help for him to live in the forest in disguise. The snake gave him a magic scarf with which he can regain his original form when the time came.

Nala moved ahead and reached the kingdom of a king called Rituparna. There he started working as a stable hand. Nala did such a fine job of grooming the king's horses that he soon became the king's charioteer.

Nala was also an excellent cook and the meals cooked by Nala also pleased the king immensely. So, very soon Nala became a favorite of the king. The king was an expert in the game of dice and as his confidence in Nala grew, he taught him all the skills necessary to win in a game of dice.

Meanwhile Damayanti had moved forward on her own. She still did not go to her father but went to another kingdom and served as a hand maiden to the princess. But after a while, her father, who was searching for her, found out where she was, and took her home. Now together Damayanti and her father started searching for Nala.

Damayanti knew that Nala would not reveal his identity on his own. So she told her father’s soldiers to search for a person who is an excellent cook and an expert in grooming horses. There was no one in the world to compare with Nala in these qualities and so Damayanti knew that that was the best way in which they could identify him.

The soldiers did find a man like that in the court of King Rituparna but he was a disfigured person who did not bear the least resemblance to Nala. When they came back and reported this to Damayanti she told them:

˜Ask the man one question and come back and give me his answer. Ask him,

˜Why does a man want to desert his wife in the middle of the forest?

The soldiers asked him the question and the man said: ‘Because he had lost his kingdom, and wanted his wife to escape to her father till such time that he could reclaim his kingdom and his wife.

When the soldiers came and reported the answer, Damayanti knew that it was Nala himself. Nala too understood that the time had come to reveal his identity. He used the magic scarf the snake had given him, and returned to his normal form. He returned to his kingdom, won it back, and ruled over it happily with Damayanti.

The love story of Nala and Damayanti has eternally fired popular imagination in the country that to this day a person who takes messages between lovers is referred to as hamsa, the Indian word for swan. Likewise, an excellent cook, especially a male, is referred to as Nala. The story has also inspired famous Indian paintings.

source : http://www.itsaperfectstory.com/blogs/myths-and-legends/nala-and-damayanti

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One day, a monk visited Nala's palace and told him the reason why he had to undergo the twelve-year exile. in their previous birth also Nala and Damayanti were king and queen and they had thrown an innocent monk in prison. Their exile was a punishment for their karma of a previous birth.

Eventually, Nala and Damayanti had a son Pushkara. After making him the king, they renounced the world in search of spiritual enlightment.


Read more at http://www.kidsgen.com/fables_and_fairytales/indian_mythology_stories/nala_and_damayanti.

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KING YAYATI

                                 THE STORY OF KING YAYATI

Devayani in well

Father Sukracharya and daughter Devayani

King Yayati rescues Devayani from well

Sukracharya   -   Yayati

Sukracharya was the preceptor of Asuras (demons). The Asura king Vrishaparva greatly respected Sukracharya as he knew the secret of Mritasanjibani, a drug that brings the dead back to life. Devayani was Sukracharya's only daughter and spoiled by her father's indulgence.

One morning, Sharmishtha, the Asura princess, daughter of Vrishaparva, came to Sukracharya's hermitage with her friends. She asked Sukracharya to allow Devayani to accompany them for a bath in a nearby lake. Sukracharya agreed. They soon reached the lake and left their clothes on the bank to go into the water. Suddenly a storm blew up and scattered their clothes. The girls hurriedly came out of the lake and got dressed. It so happened that the princess Sharmishtha, by mistake, clad herself in Devayani's clothes. Angered by this, Devayani insulted Sharmishtha, the Asura princess. Argument began and Sharmishtha pushed Devayani into a dry well and left Devayani in the well.

It so happened that Yayati, the king of a nearby state, came hunting in the forest and was looking for water to drink. When he came near the well he was surprised to find Devayani lying at the bottom. Devayani introduced herself and said that she fell into the well. She then requested the king to pull her out. Yayati helped her out. Devayani demanded that Yayati marry her as he has held her by the right hand. Yayati was alarmed and turned down her request on the ground that he belonged to lower Khatriya (or warrior) caste, and Devayani was a Brahmin (priestly) maid. Yayati then left and Devayani continued to sit under a tree.

When she did not return, Sukracharya set out in search of her. He found Devayani under a tree, her eyes filled with tears of anger and grief. When Sukracharya inquired, Devayani told her father every thing, carefully hiding her own faults. She refused to return to the kingdom of Vrishaparva as she was badly insulted by the Asura princess, Sharmishtha. Failing to change her mind, Sukracharya returned to Vrishaparva and announced that he was leaving the Asura kingdom because of his daughter Devayani's unhappy conflict with princess Sharmishtha. Vrishaparva begged Sukracharya to stay. Sukracharya left the decision with his daughter Devayani.

Vrishaparva wasted no time and went to Devayani taking his daughter Sharmishtha along. He begged forgiveness for his daughter. Devayani agreed to return on one condition that Sharmishtha be her handmaiden for the rest of her life. Sharmishtha agreed for the sake of her father, the king. Devayani was pacified and returned to her father's hermitage. But Devayani was vindictive and humiliated Sharmishtha by asking to massage her legs and run errands.

One day, king Yayati passed that way. Devayani introduced Sharmishtha as her maid and reminded Yayati that he should marry her. Yayati repeated that he could not marry a Brahmin maid. Devayani then took Yayati to her father. Sukrachaya gave his blessing on their marriage. They were soon married and led a happy life. Devayani had two sons.

Sharmishtha continued to stay as Devayani's handmaid. Yayati made a palace for Shramishtha at the request of Devayani. One day Sharmishtha secretly met Yayati and told him what happened between her and Devayani. Yayati was sympathetic. Sharmishtha begged Yayati to take her as the second wife. Yayati agreed and married her but without the knowledge of Devayani. Sharmishtha had three sons.

One day, Devayani met the three sons of Sharmishtha. She asked the boys the name of their father. They pointed to Yayati. Devayani was shocked. She felt deceived and ran to her father's hermitage. Sukracharya was enraged and cursed Yayati with premature old age. Yayati begged for forgiveness. Sukracharya and Devayani felt sorry for him. Sukracharya then said, "I cannot take back my curse, but if any of your sons is ready to exchange his youth for your old age, you will be young again as long as you wish."

Yayati, now an old man, quickly returned to his kingdom and called for his eldest son. "My dutiful son, take my old age and give me your youth, at least for a while, until I am ready to embrace my old age." The eldest son turned down his father's request and so also the next three older brothers. Then came the youngest, Puru. He agreed and immediately turned old. Yayati rushed out as a young man to enjoy his life. After years spent in vain effort to quench his desires by indulgence, Yayati finally came into senses. He returned to Puru and said, "Dear son, sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence any more than fire is extinguished by pouring oil on it. Take back your youth and rule the kingdom wisely and well."

Yayati then returned to the forest and spent the rest of his days in austerities, meditating upon Brahman, the ultimate reality. In due course, he attained heaven.

Source : http://www.godandguru.com/amar-chitra/king-yayati.html

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This Yayati story clearly shows the conflict between externally directed acquisitions 
(extrinsic motivation) and inner value and conscience (intrinsic motivation).

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KACHA & DEVAYANI

                                             THE STORY OF KACHA AND DEVAYANI

Kacha in love with Devayani

Devayani with her father Sukracharya

Kacha departs the Guru Ashram 

Kacha and Devayani
(A story from the Mahabharata)

Prologue

Devayani was the beautiful daughter of Shukracahrya, preceptor to the Asuras, the demons. Shukracharya knew the secret of Mritasanjibani that brings back to life the Asuras, killed in the war with the gods, the devas. The devas also wanted to know the secret of Mritasanjibani. So they sent Kacha, the handsome son of Brihaspati, preceptor to the Devas, to fall in love with Devayani. This is the story of Kacha and Devayani and how the devas learnt the secret of Mritasanjibani.

Feature story

Long ago, the Devas and the Asuras fought all the time for the lordship of the three worlds. The Asuras were care free and happy as long as Shukracharya, their preceptor, was with them. The valiant Devas, tired of the unequal struggle, went to Kach, the handsome son of Brihaspati, preceptor of the Devas and asked him to go to Shukracharya and learn the secret of Mritasanjibani.

The obedient and dutiful Kacha immediately set out to meet Shukracharya. He humbly presented himself before the great wise man, introduced himself as the son of Brihaspati, and asked to become his disciple.

Shukracharya was a true teacher. He immediately recognized Kacha’s brilliance as a student. Shukracharya did not differentiate between his students. He gave Kacha a warm welcome and accepted him as his pupil.

Shukracharya had a daugher, Devayani, whom he loved dearly. He introduced Kacha to his daughter saying, "Kacha has vowed to be my pupil till the period of his studies is over."

All learning in those days was handed down by word of mouth. The pupil lived with his guru's family as one of the household. In return for his education, the pupil served his guru with love and devotion. However, Shukracharya was very busy either at court or he was deep in meditation. So Kacha helped Devayani with her daily chores and watched after her.

Within a few days of his arrival, Kacha found himself spending all his leisure hours in the company of the lively Devayani. Devayani was slowly drawn towards Kacha and they fell in love.

Shukracharya liked Kacha because he was an attentive disciple.

As the years passed, the Asuras became suspicious of Kacha. They wanted to get rid of him. One day as Kacha was attending Shukracharya’s cattle, the Asuras fell upon him and slew him. Then they cut him into pieces and fed his flesh to their dogs.

When Kacha did not come home at the normal hour, Devayani became alarmed. When the cattle came back without Kacha she ran in a panic to her father and told him that Kacha was missing. Shukracharya closed his eyes and to the great relief of Devayani, Kacha came back to life and appeared before her. When Devayani inquired about his disappearance, Kacha tried to explain in a puzzled voice, "I was killed by the Asuras but I do not know how I came back to life?" Shukracharya just smiled.

The love between Kacha and Devayani grew day by day. The Asuras were worried. They guessed right, Kacha was there to learn the secret of Mritasanjibani.

One day Devayani asked Kacha to get her a particular flower that only grows in the deep forest. Kacha went for it. The Asuras followed him and once again killed him. But this time they carried his body to a secluded spot, grounded up into a paste, and dissolved it in the water of the ocean.

Devayani waited and waited. When Kacha did not return she went again to her father. Shukracharya meditated and once again used the secret knowledge to revive Kacha. Devayani was overjoyed.

The Asuras were now at their wits end. "How can we kill Kacha? Every time we kill him, his guru brings him to life!"

They went to one of the senior Asuras and asked him how to destroy Kacha for good. The senior Asura gave them an idea. The next day, when Kacha went out with the cattle, they again slew him. This time then burnt him in the jungle. Then they took the ashes home and mixed it in a wine which Shukracharya was very fond of. They took the drink to Shukracharya for a taste. Shukracharya loved it. He immediately drank it and blessed the Asuras.

When the cattle once again returned home without Kacha Devajani knew what had happened.

"Will Kacha ever be mine?" she asked herself "The Asuras will never leave him alone!"

She went to Shukracharya and wept. "Father, without Kacha I am as good as dead, please bring him back to life."

Shukracharya waited for a while thinking. "It is no good to bring Kacha to life. The Asuras will only kill him again. "

He tried to console his daughter, "It is futile Devajani to bring Kacha to life. The Asuras are determined to get rid of him. A wise soul, like you, should not grieve at a loved one's death. You are young and beautiful and you have your own life to live."

But Devajani was adamant. So strong was her love for Kacha.

" Father” she said, “Kacha was your best student. I am in love with him. I can not live without him."

Devajani stopped eating. Shukracharya could no longer bear to see his daughter in such agony. Again Shukracharya used his secret knowledge and called upon Kacha to come back to the world of the living. Kacha came back to life and spoke from inside the stomach of Shukracharya.

"The Asuras killed me but I do not know how I happen to be inside your stomach?" echoed Kach.

Shukracharya cursed himself for drinking the wine given by the Asuras. "Henceforth, wine shall be forbidden for those engaged in the pursuit of wisdom," declared Shukracharya in great frustration. Now Shukracharya had a real dilemma of his own. He could ask Kacha to come out but that would mean his own death.

When he told Debjani of his dilemma she was again adamant, "Father, I can not live if either of you dies."

After long deliberation Shukracharya thought of a way out. He knew now the real purpose of Kacha's visit. He addressed Kacha, "I now see why you came and truly you have succeeded. There is only one way by which both of us can ensure Devayani's happiness. I will have to teach you the craft of Mritasanjivani.

With his new knowledge Kacha emerged from Shukracharya's dying body and then immediately brought his guru back to life. Shukracharya could not have been happier with his pupil's progress.

When the Asuras came to offer him wine, Shukracharya shouted, "You fools! Kacha now knows my secret. You helped him learn by your foolish deeds. But rest assured Kacha will continue to live with me because of his love for Devayani.

But Shukracharya was wrong. Kacha too faced the troubling dilemma. Waiting for the period of his studies to come to an end, Kacha kept silent. While his love for Devayani was deep, his sense of duty towards the devas was no less strong.

On the last the day of his studies, Kacha went to Shukracharya for his blessing. As a wise man and a dedicated teacher, Shukracharya concealed his grudge against Kacha but he was wondering how Kacha was going to bid farewell to Devayani.

Devayani waited for Kacha to propose marriage. But when Kacha broke the heart-breaking news that he was going to fulfill his obligations to his own people, her joy turned to tears. Devayani pleaded with Kacha to take her as his wife. But Kacha replied, "Peerless one! I was reborn in your father's stomach. I am therefore your brother. I can't marry you. I must return to heaven."

The broken-hearted Devayani cried out in her grief. She accused Kacha of using her to attain his goal. Distort she cursed Kacha, "You will never be able to use the craft of Mritasanjivani."

Kacha quietly listened and then spoke, "Devayani, it is wrong to curse me. I could have walked away without reviving your father. There is no doubt that my love was sincere and truthful. But, I also have a duty to perform towards my own people. Because of your unfairness to me, I am cursing you. No Rishi's son will ever marry you. I may still teach the craft of Mritasanjivani to others, even though I may not be able to use it myself." Saying this Kacha departed for the abode of Indra, king of the Devas. Shukhacharya gently led Devayani away.

With the passage of time, Devayani completely forgot about Kacha. She once again became playful and lived happily with her father and her playmates in the city of Vrishaparva, king of the Asuras. Of her playmates, the most important was princess Sharmistha, the daughter of king Vrishaparva. In our next story we will tell how Devayani fought with Sharmistha and married king Yayati, a Kshitriya, who belonged to the warrior race.

Source : http://www.indolink.com/kidz/Kacha.html



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SHAKUNTALA AND KING DUSHYANTA

Shakuntala nurshing deer

Dushmanta meets Shakuntala

  STORY OF SHAKUNTALA AND KING DUSHYANTA

fell in love

in love

     

Rishi Durvasa curses Shakuntala

Child Bharata

Dusmanta and Shakuntala

Brave Bharata puts hand in lion's mouth

Shakuntala introduces Bharata to Dushyanta

In Hindu mythology Shakuntala is considered to be the mother of Emperor Bharata and the wife of Dushyanta who was the founder of the Paurav vansha (Paurav Dynasty). Shakuntala was born of Vishvamitra and Menaka. Rishi Kanva found her in the forest surrounded and protected by birds (Shakunton in Sanskrit), so she was named Shakuntala.

Once, while out on a hunt with his army, Dushyanta passed through a forest full of bilv, ark, khadir, kapith, dahv etc. trees. The forest undulated with interspered rocky hillocks and extended over several yojanas and there was no trace of any man. It was full of wildlife.

Dushyanta, along with his powerful army, happened to pass through extensive desert after which he reached a good forest. This forest was full of ashramas (hermitages) and there were fruit-bearing trees but no xerophytic trees. Here Dushyanta came across the ashrama of Rishi Kanva, the son of Kashyapa Rishi. It was surrounded by the Malini River.

Menaka had come at the behest of the King of the Gods Indra to distract the great sage Vishvamitra from his deep meditations. She succeeded in distracting him, and sired a child by him. Vishwamitra, angered by the loss of the virtue gained through his many hard years of strict ascetism, distanced himself from the child and mother to return to his work.

Realizing that she could not leave the child with him, and having to return to the heavenly realms, Menaka left Shakuntala, just after birth, on the banks of the Malini River on the peaks of the Himalayas. As stated above, Rishi Kanva found the newly born girl in the forest surrounded and protected by birds and thus named her Shakuntala. According to a source Titwala, a small town near Kalyan in Maharashtra, is considered to be the site of the hermitage where Shakuntala was born.

Dushyanta, pursuing a male deer wounded by his arrow into the ashrama, saw Shakuntala nursing the deer, her pet, and fell in love with her. He profusely begged her forgiveness for harming the deer and spent some time at the ashrama. They fell in love and Dushyanta married Shakuntala there in the ashrama. Having to leave after some time due to unrest in the capital city, Dushyanta gave Shakuntala a royal ring as a sign of their love, promising her that he would return for her.

Shakuntala spent much time dreaming of her new husband and was often distracted by her daydreams. One day, a powerful rishi, Durvasa, came to the ashram but, lost in her thoughts about Dushyanta, Shakuntala failed to greet him properly. Incensed by this slight, the rishi cursed Shakuntala, saying that the person she was dreaming of would forget about her altogether.

As he departed in a rage, one of Shakuntala's friends quickly explained to him the reason for her friend's distraction. The rishi, realizing that his extreme wrath was not warranted, modified his curse saying that the person who had forgotten Shakuntala would remember everything again if she showed him a personal token that had been given to her. Time passed, and Shakuntala, wondering why Dushyanta did not return for her, finally set out for the capital city with her father and some of her companions. On the way, they had to cross a river by a canoe ferry and, seduced by the deep blue waters of the river, Shakuntala ran her fingers through the water. Her ring slipped off her finger without her realizing it.

Arriving at Dushyanta's court, Shakuntala was hurt and surprised when her husband did not recognize her, nor recollected anything about her. Humiliated, Shakuntala returned to the forests and, collecting her son, settled in a wild part of the forest by herself. Here she spent her days as Bharat, her son, grew older. Surrounded only by wild animals, Bharat grew to be a strong youth and made a sport of opening the mouths of tigers and lions and counting their teeth!

Meanwhile, a fisherman was surprised to find a royal ring in the belly of a fish he had caught. Recognizing the royal seal, he took the ring to the palace and, upon seeing his ring, Dushyanta's memories of his lovely bride came rushing back to him. He immediately set out to find her and, arriving at her father's ashram, discovered that she was no longer there.

He continued deeper into the forest to find his wife and came upon a surprising scene in the forest: a young boy had pried open the mouth of a lion and was busy counting its teeth! The king greeted the boy, amazed by his boldness and strength, and asked his name. He was surprised when the boy answered that he was Bharata, the son of King Dushyanta. The boy took him to Shakuntala, and thus the family was reunited.

Source : http://www.godandguru.com/amar-chitra/shakuntala-dushyanta.html

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SAVITRI & SATYAVAN

                       STORY OF SAVITRI & SATYAVAN

Savitri & Satyavan  marriage

Going forest for wood

Satyavan feels tired

Satyavan in Savitri's lap

Lord Yama approaching

Lord Yama takes the life of Satyavan

Lord of Death Yama

Lord YAMA and Savitri

Banyon tree worship on Savitri brata day

Savitri was the beautiful daughter of a wise and powerful king. The fame of Savitri's beauty spread far and wide, but she refused to marry, saying that she would herself go out in the world and find a husband for herself. So the king chose the best warriors to protect her, and the princess wandered throughout the country searching for a prince of her choice.


One day she reached a dense forest, where dwelt a king who had lost his kingdom and fallen into his bad days. Old and blind he lived in a small hut with his wife and son. The son, who was a handsome young prince, was the sole comfort of his parents. He chopped wood and sold it in the countryside, and bought food for his parents, and they lived in love and happiness. Savitri was strongly drawn towards them, and she knew her search had come to an end. Savitri fell in love with the young prince, who was called Satyavan, and was known for his legendary generosity.

Hearing that Savitri has chosen a penniless prince, her father was heavily downcast. But Savitri was hell-bent on marrying Satyavan. The king consented, but a saint informed him that a fatal curse laid upon the young prince: He is doomed to die within a year. The king told her daughter about the curse and asked her to choose someone else. But Savitri refused, and stood firm in her determination to marry the same prince. The king finally agreed with a heavy heart.

The wedding of Savitri and Satyavan took place with a lot of fanfare, and the couple went back to the forest hut. For a whole year they lived happily. On the last day of the year, Savitri rose early and when Satyavan picked up his axe to go into the forest to chop wood she requested him to take her along, and the two went into the jungle.

Under a tall tree, he made a seat of soft green leaves and plucked flowers for her to weave into a garland while he chopped wood. Towards noon Satyavan felt a little tired, and after a while he came and lay down resting his head in Savitri's lap. Suddenly the whole forest grew dark, and soon Savitri saw a tall figure standing before her. It was Yama, the God of Death. "I have come to take your husband," said Yama, and looked down at Satyavan, as his soul left his body.

When Yama was about to leave, Savitri ran after him, and pleaded Yama to take her too along with him to the land of the dead or give back the life of Satyavan. Yama replied, "Your time has not yet come, child. Go back to your home." But Yama was ready to grant her any boon, except Satyavan's life. Savitri asked, "Let me have wonderful sons." "So be it", replied Yama. Then Savitri said, "But how can I have sons without my husband, Satyavan? Therefore I beg of you to give back his life." Yama had to give in! Satyavan's body came back to life. He slowly woke up from the stupor and the two gladly walked back to their hut.

So strong was the single-minded love and determination of Savitri that she chose a noble young man for her husband, knowing that he had only a year to live, married him with all confidence. Even the God of Death had to relent, and bowed to her love and devotion

Source : http://hinduism.about.com

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Many more stories were told, of Nala and Damayanti, Rama and Sita, and the Sati. 
All these pious and noble ladies suffered innumerable hardships but their love for the 
husband was never diminished. The emphasis on chaste and pure life was always seen 
in Indian epics from ancient times. Sita, Sati, Savitri, and Damayanti are household 
names in India that bring out adoration, respect, and noble thoughts due to purity of 
their character
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KING JANMEJAYA

The Sage Vyasa and the king Janmejaya 

Janmejaya & brothers attending long sacrifice. His brothers were
three- Srutasena, Ugrasena and Bhimasena.As they were
sitting at the sacrifice, there arrived at the spot a dog.

Janmejaya's Snake-Sacrifice

Snakes sacrifice of Janmejaya as
Astika tries to stop

    KingJanamejaya the son of King Parikshit was the king of the Kurus, ruling from Hastinapura. One day, a Brahmana named Utanka (whose story is narrated here), came to his court. The king received him graciously, and asked him if there was something he could do for him.

Utanka said, "You amaze me King Janamejaya. When the murderer of your father is roaming around free, you sit at ease in your court and enjoy the the comforts of a King. You have acquired fame as a just King, but I see no evidence of it. You have not even addressed this great injustice to your father!" not addressed this great injustice done to you."

Janamejaya was surprised. He turned to his counsellors and sad, "What is this about my father's murder. I was but a child when he passed away, I no naught of the circumstances behind his death. I would like to know if he was killed unjustly, and if so, who the culprit is."

The courtiers said, "Your father Parikshit ruled the kingdom after the Pandavas and ruled for a long time truthfully. He was popular among his subjects and was a terror to his enemies. He was killed byTakshaka, the king of the serpents, pursuant to a curse by the son of a Rishi(sage). (You can read that story here.) What Utanka has said is true, Takshaka, the murderer of your father still roams free.

When Janamejaya heard these words, he was rendered speechless for a while due to anger. Once he regained control over himself he said to Utanka, "O Brahmana, I thank you. You have brought this great injustice to my attention. I must revenge myself on this arrogant Takshaka at once. Tell me, what is the means by which I might accomplish this task?"

Utanka replied, "Takshaka is the friend of Indra. Under Indra's protection, he feels safe from retribution, so his conceit has grown boundless. However, there is a great sacrifice mentioned in thePuranas. It is the snake-sacrifice. When this sacrifice is conducted, the snakes that are named by the Mantras (incantations) will be rendered powerless and be impelled to fall into the sacrificial fire. Make arrangements to conduct this sacrifice. I shall assist you, for Takshaka has caused trouble for me also. He once stole the ear-rings that I was taking for my Guru Veda's wife. I had to face many difficulties in recovering them. So both our wishes may be accomplished by this sacrifice."

King Janamejaya then made arrangements for this sacrifice. He invited the greatest sages and priests to conduct this sacrifice. This was a truly great undertaking, for the rituals for this sacrifice were arduous, and had to be exactly followed, if the sacrifice was to bear foot. A suitable spot was chosen and the great sacrificial hall was constructed. A platform was raised in its midst and was decked with valuable articles. This was where the Brahmanas were to sit. The Ritwika (officiating priest) sat in its middle. The king also underwent the rituals that will purify him to participate in the sacrifice.

While these preparations were on, a Shudra named Lohitaksha, who was well versed in the art of sacrificial construction, examined the measurements of the hall, the type of soil on which its foundation had been laid, and said, "O King, I perceive from these signs that your sacrifice will not be completed. The omens portend that this sacrifice shall be stopped due to the intervention of aBrahmana."

This made King Janamejaya recall an incident where his brothers had beaten a small dog for fun in times gone by. The mother of that puppy, a divine bitch named Sarama, came to Janamejaya and asked him, "What was the crime committed by my son that you had him beaten? Did he lick the sacrificial offerings? Did he try to steal the sacrificial butter? Why did your brothers beat him?". The King knew that his brothers had done it merely for sport, so he hung his head in shame. Then the dog Sarama had cursed him saying, "Since your brothers have tortured my faultless pup, may the greatest undertaking that you begin, remain incomplete!".

The King recalled this curse and became very worried when he was told by the expert builder that this sacrifice would be incomplete. He then gave orders to his guards that no one was let into the sacrificial hall without his permission.

The great sacrifice began. The officiating priests were clad in black, for this was a Yagna directed towards destruction. As they chanted the appropriate Mantras and poured the clarified butter into the fire, snakes, impelled by the power of these incantations, started converging from all over the world. There were snakes of all shapes and sizes, some of them were as large as buildings, some as small as insects. As the priests called each snake by name and uttered the fatal words, "may so and so fall into fire", that snake would meet its fiery end into the sacrificial fire.

Many great Brahmanas were involved in the conduct of this sacrifice. A great Rishi named Chandabhargava, who was a descendant of Chyavana was the Hotri (I believe it is the Hotri who pours out the sacrificial oblations into the fire). A learned old Brahmana named Kautsa was the Udgatri (chanter of vedic hymns). A sage named Jaimini acted as the Brahmana (I believe this is the master of the sacrifice) and Sarngarva and Pingala were the Adhvaryus (no idea what this means).Vyasa was present with many of his disciples, and was generally supervising the conduct of the sacrifice. His students were chanting the name of the Lord. Many other great Brahmanas were present to observe the conduct of this magnificent sacrifice.

The sacrifice continued for days. Snakes were perishing in the flames in thousands. At this point, aBrahmana named Astika came to visit the sacrifice. The sacrifice was nearing completion. The King welcomed his guest and said, "O Brahmana, despite your relative youth, your very being is radiating with knowledge. I have sworn to grant whatever a Brahmana desires. Ask what you will."

At this time, the chief priest intervened and said, "O King, the sacrifice is not yet complete.Takshaka, whose destruction you desired, is still alive. Wait till he is falling to the fire, before you begin giving gifts to Brahmanas."

Janamejaya said, "Why is it that Takshaka is still alive? Invoke the Mantra with his name and make him fall into the fire."

The priests uttered the appropriate incantations, but nothing happened. They then looked at the omens in the air, and used their spiritual power to divine the cause. Finally, the head priest said, "O King, Takshaka has sought asylum from Indra. The Lord of the Devas is protecting him in his palace, that is why our Mantras have not worked."

The king said, "Then utter the Mantra in such a way that Takshaka may be impelled to fall into this fire, even though Indra has given him sanctuary."

The chief priest then invoked a powerful Mantra and said, "May Takshaka fall into this fire, accompanied by Indra."

Such was the potency of the invocation, that both Indra and Takshaka started falling into the sacrificial fire, bound to each other. When Indra saw that his friend's fate was inevitable, he let go of Takshaka and decided to save himself. Takshaka then started falling alone into the fire.

At this moment, Astika said, "STAY! Takshaka may your fall be arrested!". He then turned to the King and said, "This is the boon that I seek of you. May you stop the sacrifice at this time. You have already killed millions of snakes in revenge for your father's death. I am a Brahmana, but my motherJaratkaru, is the sister of Vasuki, the foremost of the serpents. She sent me here to stop your sacrifice and to save her kinsmen. Even Lord Brahma desires that you should remain content with slaying so many evil snakes. The snakes that are left still (excluding of course, this vain Takshaka), are virtuous and not deserving to be destroyed. Your glory will only increase if spare their lives."

King Janamejaya demurred. At this point Vyasa spoke to him, and advised him to grant Astika's request. Thus advised by the sage for whom he had so much respect, the King gave orders for the sacrifice to end.

The King then bestowed great riches upon Astika and all the priests who had conducted the sacrifice. He gave special honor and a great amount of wealth to Lohitaksha, the master builder who had foretold that the sacrifice would be stopped by a Brahmana.

This is the story of the great snake sacrifice conducted by King Janamejaya. The tradition is that whoever hears this story will have nothing to fear from snakes.

Source : http://www.apamnapat.com/articles/StoriesFromMahabharata510.html

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