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1-Aadi Parv, 76-93
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Story of Yayaati-2

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Story of Yayaati-2
Ch  81-85

Branched from   G-1-Beginning-1      Page 1    Page 2    Page 3

Yayaati is the character of Bhaagvat Puraan but he is mentioned in Mahaabhaarat also. Yayaati was the son of Raajaa Nahush (Pururavaa's grandson). He had two wives - Devayaanee (Daitya Guru Shukraachaaraya Jee's daughter) and Sharmishthaa (Daitya Raaj Vrishparvaa's daughter). He had five sons - two from Devayaanee and three from Sharmishthaa - Yadu and Turvasu from Devayaanee; and Druhyu, Anu, Puru from Sharmishthaa. Among the five sons Yadu was the eldest in whose Vansh Krishn was born (Yaadav Vansh). From Sharmishthaa he had Druhyu, Anu and Puru on whose name Paurav Vansh continued. Thus only Yadu and Puru extended their families. He is said to have a daughter also, named Maadhavee, whom he gave to Gaalav Muni when he came to beg him for 800 white horses each with with one ear black to give them to Vishwaamitra as Guru Dakshinaa. (see Story of Gaalav Muni-2)


Devayaanee Meets Yayaati Again

After some time Devayaanee again went to the same lake and started enjoying there. Sharmishthaa was also there. It happened so that Yayaati again came there, tired, thirsty, in search of a deer. He saw both - Devayaanee and Sharmishthaa. Yayaati asked - "May I ask the names and parentage of both of you? It seems that these 2,000 maids are waiting upon you two." Devayaanee spoke - "Listen O the Best One, I am the daughter of Shukra, the spiritual Guru of Asur, and she is the daughter of Asur King Vrishparvaa." Yayaati asked - "I am curious to know why it is so?" Devayaanee replied - "Everything results from fate. Even knowing this also is the result of fate, so do not be surprised at all. You look like a king, what is your name?"

Yayaati said - "During my vow of Brahmcharya, all Ved entered my ears. My name is Yayaati. I am a king's son and I am a king myself. Devayaanee asked him - "Why have you come here? To gather lotus flowers, or to hunt?" Yayaati replied - "I was on a hunt, but came here in search of water." Devayaanee said - "With my all maids I wait for your command, be my friend and lord." Yayaati said - "I am not worthy for you, because you are the daughter of Shukra, your father cannot bestow you even to a great king." Devayaanee said - "Even before Braahman and Kshatriya have been married. You are a son of Rishi and you yourself are a Rishi, so marry me. My this hand has never been touched by anybody except you." Yayaati said - "Wise say that a Braahman should be more avoided than an angry snake." "Why so" "Because snake bites only one person, while a Braahman can burn the whole kingdom by his anger. That is why I cannot marry you unless he himself gives you to me." Devayaanee said - "I myself have chosen you, so you need not to fear or you need not to ask me from my father."

Then Devayaanee sent a maid to her father, she told everything to her father, and her father came to the place where Devayaanee was. Both Shukra and Yayaati greeted each other. Devayaanee sid - "He is Yayaati, son of King Nahush. He held my hand when I was in trouble. Please marry me to him, I will not marry any other one." Shukra said - "O King, My daughter has selcted you, so accept her as your wife." Yayaati said - "Then I ask a boon, that the sin of half-bred children born by this marriage will not attach me to sin." Shukra said "So be it. Ask for any thing you wish for. Be virtuous to your wife. Regard Sharmishthaa also but never take her to your bed." And Yayaati and Devayaanee got married.

Yayaati's Married Life

Yayaati and Devayaanee came to Yayaati's capital. Yayaati brought Devayaanee in his palace and kept Sharmishthaa in a special palace in his Ashok Garden. He honored Sharmishthaa with a 1,000 maids and special foods and garments. After many years of pleasure Devayaanee gave birth to a son. And when a 1,000 years passed, Sharmishthaa also attained puberty and found herself that she had become of child bearing age. She started thinking that "my age has arrived and I have not chosen my husband, what should I do? Shall I choose the same person as Devayaanee has chosen as her husband? Yes, This will be all right. Will he not meet me in private?"

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "While Sharmishthaa was busy in her thoughts, Yayaati was just wandering in his garden. He saw Sharmishthaa in front of him and kept looking at her. Sharmishthaa also came to him with joined palms and said to him - "No one can see the ladies in inner apartments of Indra, Yam, Varun etc. I am beautiful, young, and my time has come, will you not oblige me?" Yayaati replied - "I know that you are born in the race of Daanav, you are beautiful, but Shukra has warned me not to take you to my bed till I have Devayaanee as my wife."

Sharmishthaa said - "It has been said that it is not sinful to lie in a joke, in respect of women to be enjoyed, on occasions of marriage, in the danger of immediate death, and at the loss of whole fortune. Lying is excusable on these five occasions. It is not true that he is fallen who lies when he is asked. We both are here to serve the same purpose. So when you said that you would be with one of us only, it was a lie. One may look upon her friend's husband as her own. One's friend's marriage is the same as her own. Since my friend has chosen you her husband, so you are my husband also." Yayaati said - "This is my vow that I give whatever somebody asks from me, so tell me what should I do?" Sharmishthaa said - "Save me from sin, protect my virtue. It is said that a son, a wife, and a servant never earns wealth for themselves. Whatever they earn belongs to him who they belong to. You are Devayaanee's master, that is why you are my master too. Please fulfill my wishes." Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Thus they passed some time together in enjoyment and Sharmishthaa also gave birth to a beautiful son."

Seeing this Devayaanee got jealous of Sharmishthaa, went to her and asked her - "What sin you have committed [that you had a son]?" Sharmishthaa said - "A certain Rishi came to me and he granted my wish, I have not committed any sin. I speak the truth that this child is mine and of that Rishi." Devayaanee said - "If it is like that, it is all right, but then tell me the family of that Rishi." Sharmishthaa said - "That Rishi looked like another Sun, so I did not feel the need of asking about his family." Devayaanee got satisfied with this reply and went away. Having thus talked and laughed for some time Devayaanee came back to her palace. Thus Yayaati had two sons - Yadu and Turvasu from Devayaanee; and Sharmishthaa gave birth to three royal sons - Druhyu, Anu and Puru.

One day Devayaanee was taking a stroll in the garden with Yayaati, she saw three beautiful children playing there. She asked him - "Who are these children who look like you in splendor?" And then without waiting for reply from the King, she asked the children themselves - "Who is your father? Tell me." The children pointed towards Yayaati and told about Sharmishthaa as their mother. Then they rushed to the King and clung to his knees. But the King could not caress them in front of Devayaanee. The King's this behavior abashed the children and they returned to their mother.

Devayaanee asked Sharmishthaa as how could she do this to her? Sharmishthaa said - "What I told you is perfectly true. Since I have acted rightly, I don't fear. You have chosen the King as your husband , and I have chosen him as mine. A friend's husband is one's own husband as well. You are Braahman that is why you deserve my regards, but perhaps you do not know that the King was with me in his better esteem." Hearing this Devayaanee said to the King - "you have deceived me, I will not live here any longer." And she got up to go to her father. King got afraid of her anger so he followed her. Both came to Shukra's home.

Devayaanee said to him - "Father, I have been offended by Sharmishthaa again. She has had three children from the King, and being unluck I have got only two. Although he is renowned for his knowledge of Dharm, but I know that he has deviated from that path." Shukra cursed him - "Since you have behaved in spite of my warning, you will be paralyzed." Yayaati said - "O Rishi, I was invited by Sharmishthaa. And I did it because of virtue, not otherwise. Who does not fulfill a woman's wish in her time, he is called the slayer of embryo. He who does not go to a woman full of desire is called the slayer of embryo. I went to her only because of these reasons." Shukra said - "You are dependent on me, so you should have consulted me before, but now you have committed a sin of theft."

Thus Shukra cursed Yayaati and he lost his youth. He said to Shukra - "But I have not yet satisfied with youth or by Devayaanee, please be kind to me so that I can be young again." Shukra said - "I have never told lie, but you can transfer this to another." Yayaati said - "Then let it be granted by you, that whichever son will give me his youth, he should enjoy my kingdom and fame and virtue." Shukra said - "So be it."

Yayaati is Cursed and Begs for Youth

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Yayaati came to his eldest son Yadu and asked his youth in exchange of his old age for 1,000 years. Yadu said - "There are many inconveniences in old age, of eating and drinking, of look, of living. I cannot take your old age. You have other sons also who are dearer to you, you may ask them." Yayaati said - "You are born from my heart, and you cannot give me your youth. Therefore your children will never be kings." Then he asked Turvasu. Turvasu also refused to take his old age, so Yayaati said - "Your family line will not continue for long. You will be the king of those people whose practices are impure and who are non-Aryan."

Then he called Sharmishthaa's son Druhyu and asked him also to give him his youth. He also refused to give it to the King saying - "An old man cannot ride horse or an elephant. His speech is also falter. I am not ready for that." Yayaati said - "You are born from my heart and you are not giving me your youth, your most cherished desires will never be fulfilled. You will be the king only in name and of that region where there will no roads and horses, and elephants etc. There will be only swimming and rafting etc." Then he called his another son Anu and told him to give his youth to him for 1,000 years. Anu said - "I do not like the old age. One eats like a child and is always dirty." Yayaati said - "You are born from my heart and you are not giving me your youth, you will become old, and your children will die as soon as they will attain their youth. You will not be able to offer oblations in fire."

Then Yayaati called his youngest son, Puru, and said to him the same thing. Puru said - "I will do so as you say. You take my youth and enjoy your life, I will live with your old age happily." Yayaati said - "I am satisfied with you and people in your kingdom will have all their desires fulfilled." And Yayaati transferred his old age to Puru and took his youth himself.

Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Thus after taking youth of his youngest son, Yayaati started enjoying his life again. He did whatever he wanted to abundantly. His happiness soon came to an end when his 1,000 years came to the end. During these years he enjoyed with Vishwaachee Apsaraa sometimes in Indra's garden and sometimes in Kuber's Alakaa Puree, and sometimes on Meru Parvat. After 1,000 years he called his son Puru and said to him - "I have enjoyed these years to my full capacity and I found that there is no end of desires. Our desires are never satisfied with indulgence in them, rather they increase [everyday]. If one owns even the whole Earth, he will not be satisfied. Therefore the thirst of enjoyment should be given up. Now I wish to pass my rest of life in forest. I am very much happy with you. Take back your youth and take my kingdom too." And he gave back Puru's youth to him and took back his old age from him and gave his kingdom to him.

Braahman said - "How can you bypass your eldest son giving your kingdom to your youngest son? - Shukra's eldest grandson? Be virtuous." Yayaati said - "I tell you why my kingdom will not be given to my eldest son? My all elder sons have disobeyed me. The wise say, a son is not a son if he disobeys his father. But Puru has regarded me well. I am very happy with him, and it has been approved by Shukra also, that whichever son will exchange my old age with his youth will be king after me." Yayaati installed Puru on his throne and went away to forest.

Yadu's children were called Yaadav, Turvasu's children were called Yavan, Druhyu's children were called Bhojaa, and Anu's sons were called Mlechchh. Puru's children were called Paurav. You are born in his family line to rule for 1,000 years with your passion under complete control."

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta On 03/9/02
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Modified on 12/05/12