M22. Mahabaratha - Devendra Traps Yayati

 M22. Mahabaratha - Devendra Traps Yayati


King Yayati, who took youth from his youngest son, Puru, ruled the kingdom for 1000 years. He did several yagas and yagnas and donated generously. He led a dharmic life.


On completion of the prescribed period, he realized his flaw that desires by itself don't end and one has to shun it. He wasted no time in returning the youth to his son. 


Yayati rewarded Puru as the Emperor of Hastinapura and made other sons the rulers of surrounding regions.


He took up severe penance for 30 years. Initially, he sustained on whatever was available in the forest, later he limits to water, and then on air alone. He did penance standing on one leg surrounded by fire on all sides. This enabled him to earn sufficient merit to enter heaven. 


Devas, Vasus, and others praised him profusely at Heaven. He enjoyed all the luxuries of heaven and visited Brahma loka to take the blessings of Lord Brahma.


Once on a casual talk, Indra asked Yayati what advice he gave to his son Puru when he handed over his  kingdom. 


Yayati‘s advice to Puru

[Learn about the lives of good people and try to enumerate them. Dharma is supreme. Follow it. Don't be biased.


An angry man is always considered lower to a balanced one. Anger burns him, and hence, no separate punishment is required. 


Respect learned persons and be away from one not useful to the society. Do not seek anything from anyone. Give to the needy. Do not converse with one who hurts you with words. 


Win over inner enemies - Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Maathsarya.

Daya, Maitri, and good speech are of utmost importance.]


Devendra then asked what type of penance he undertook to enter heaven? [Devendra had a grudge on King Nahusha and was waiting for an opportunity for retribution by punishing his son, Yayati.]


Not knowing that he was getting entrapped, Yayatii boasted “I have conducted hundreds of Ashwamedha and Rajasuja yagas. I have done severe penance. Neither sages, devatas, nor humans can match such a feat.”


Indra was angry and said,”Apart from revealing your achievement,  you are humiliating others. You are ineligible to stay in Heaven as you have exhausted your merits. Go back to earth.”


Yayati realized his mistake. While falling, he makes a request to at least allow him to stay in  a place where pious people reside. Indra agreed to it. 


While Yayathi was falling from heaven, Ashtaka and other Maharishis, who were residents of Nakshatra Mandala, saw and enquired about him and his fall. They asked him to stay with them.

            

             

Source : Mahabharatha  - Adiparva 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

M17. Mahabharata - Mandavya Maharishi's Curse and Birth of Vidura

M17 - Mahabharata  - Mandavya Maharishi’s Curse and Birth of Vidura Dritharashtra was born to Ambika. Sage Vyasa said he would have a strength of 1000 elephants but would be blind on account of his mother’s fault. Pandu was born to Ambalika.  Sage Vyasa said he would become a great king, bring good fortune, and extend the kingdom.  He would remain pale (a sort of skin disorder). Vidura was born to the maid of Ambika. The maid took the blessings of the Sage and was blessed with a son. When asked about the traits of the third issue, the Sage said that Vidura will be an expert in Neeti Shastra,  Dharma Shastra, and highly disciplined.   Having completed his obligation towards his mother, Satyavathi,  the Sage disappeared.  Sage Vaishampayana said Yama  was born as Vidura in accordance with the curse of Mandavya Maharishi.   Story of Mandavya Maharishi  The Sage said, “Mandavya Maharishi was a great tapasvi. He does not know anythi...
Read more

M9. Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi

  M9. Mahabharatha  - Birth of Sage Vyasa and Greatness of Parasara Maharishi  Parasara Maharishi is Trikala Vedi (one who knows past, present, and future events). He knew Satyavathi was the daughter of Uparichita Vasu in the present birth, and in her past birth, she was Achodha , the mind born daughter of Pitru devata. She had earned sufficient merit to be the mother of Vyasa. Once, Parasara Maharishi was on a pilgrimage when he met Satyavathi at Yamuna River Bank. He requested her service to cross the river. To grace her and charmed by her beauty, he made a request to fulfill his wish. Satyavathi was in denial mode, stating that she needed her father’s permission and losing her virginity before marriage was not acceptable.  Maharishi assured and blessed that her virginity would be intact and that it is the play of destiny. He knew it was an appropriate time for Narayana to ascend (Vyasa is considered an incarnation of Sriman Narayana).  She was told about her...
Read more

M6. Garuda Ends Slavery of His Mother Vinata

  M6. Mahabharata  - Garuda Ends Slavery of His Mother  Vinata How could Garuda defeat devatas? When Garuda went to heaven, there was uneasiness in the denizens of heaven. Devaguru Brihaspathi said “Garuda is heading towards heaven to take nectar. None can oppose him, yet it is your duty to protect it. Be prepared for the event”. Garuda carried heavy dust that blinded the whole area, and none were able to see. He  defeated Gods and went to heavily guarded nectar. Its outer peripheral is protected by fire. Garuda took the form of 100 faces, collected water from holy rivers, and extinguished the fire.  Going further, he saw lotus shaped iron rods with sharp spokes. Garuda reduced himself to a tiny size and passed through the blockage without getting hurt. Further, two poisonous snakes with sharp eyes were protecting the nectar. Garuda threw dust on its eyes and killed them. He took the nectar and was flying when Maha Vishnu stopped him. Garuda Gets Blessings of Ma...
Read more