Chereads / MAHABHARAT: Five Greatest warriors / Chapter 61 - Chapter 61

Chapter 61 - Chapter 61

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Receiving the science imparted to him by his preceptor the handsome Kacha, ripped open his stomach, came out like the moon at evening on the fifteenth day of the bright fort-night. And beholding the remains of his preceptor lying like a heap of penances, Kacha revived him, aided by the science he had learned. Worshipping him with regard, Kacha said unto his preceptor, Him who paureth the nectar of knowledge into one's ears, even as thou hast done into those of myself who was void of knowledge, him do I regard both as my father and mother. And remembering the immense service

done by him, who is there so ungrateful as to injure him? They that, having acquired knowledge, injure their preceptor who is

always an object of worship, who is the giver of knowledge, who is the most precious of all precious objects on Earth, come to

be hated on Earth and finally go to the regions of the sinful.

Vaisampayana continued, The learned Sukra, having been deceived while under the influence of wine, and remembering the total loss of consciousness that is one of the terrible consequences of drink, and beholding too before him the handsome Kacha whom he had, in a state of unconsciousness, drunk with his wine, then thought of effecting a reform in the manners of Brahmanas. The high-souled Usanas rising up from the ground in anger, then spoke as follows: "The wretched Brahmana who from this day, unable to resist the temptation, will drink wine shall be regarded as having lost his virtue, shall be reckoned to have committed the sin of slaying a Brahmana, shall be hated both in this and the other worlds. I set this limit to the conduct and dignity of Brahmanas everywhere. Let the honest, let Brahmanas, let those with regard for their superiors, let the gods, let the three worlds, listen! Having said these words that high-souled one, that ascetic of ascetics, then summoning the Danavas who had been deprived by fate of the good sense, told them these words, Ye foolish Danavas, know ye that Kacha hath obtained his wishes. He will henceforth dwell with me. Having obtained the valuable knowledge of reviving the dead, that

Brahmana hath, indeed, become in prowess even as Brahman himself"

"Vaisampayana continued, Bhargava having said so much cut short his speech. The Danavas were surprised and went away to

their homes. Kacha, too, having stayed with his preceptor for a full thousand years, then prepared to return to the abode of the

celestials, after having obtained his preceptor's permission."

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'After the expiry of the period of his vow, Kacha, having obtained his preceptor's leave, was about to

return to the abode of the celestials, when Devayani, addressing him, said, 'O grandson of the Rishi Angiras, in conduct and

birth, in learning, asceticism and humility, thou shinest most brightly. As the celebrated Rishi Angiras is honoured and

regarded by my father, so is thy father regarded and worshipped by me. O thou of ascetic wealth, knowing this, listen to what I

say. Recollect my conduct towards thee during the period of thy vow (Brahmacharya). Thy vow hath now been over. It

behoveth thee to fix thy affections on me. O accept my hand duly with ordained mantras,"

"Kacha replied, Thou art to me an object of regard and worship even as thy father! O thou of faultless features, thou art. indeed, even an object of greater reverence! Thou art dearer than life to the high souled Bhargava, O amiable one! As the daughter of my preceptor, thou art ever worthy of my worship! As my preceptor Sukra, thy father, is ever deserving of my regards, so art thou, O Devayani! Therefore, it behoveth thee not to say so Hearing this, Devayani replied, Thou, too, art the son of my father's preceptor's son. Therefore, O best of Brahmanas, thou art deserving of my regards and worship. O Kacha, when thou wert slain so many times by the Asuras, recollect today the affection I showed for thee. Remembering my friendship and affection for thee, and, indeed, my devoted regard also, O virtuous one, it behoveth thee not to abandon me without any fault. I am truly devoted to thee.

"Hearing all this, Kacha said, O thou of virtuous vows, do not urge me into such a sinful course. O thou of fair eye-brows, be gracious unto me. Beautiful one, thou art to me an object of greater regard than my preceptor. Full of virtuous resolves, O. large-eyed one, of face as handsome, as moon, the place where thou hadst resided, viz., the body of Kavya, hath also been my abode. Thou art truly my sister. Amiable one, happily have we passed the days that we have been together. There isperfect good understanding between us. I ask thy leave to return to my abode. Therefore, bless me so that my journey may be safe. I must be remembered by thee, when thou recallest me in connection with topics of conversation, as one that hath not transgressed virtue. Always attend upon my preceptor with readiness and singleness of heart. To all this, Devaniya answered. Solicited, by me. if, indeed, thou truly refusest to make me thy wife, then. O Kacha, this thy knowledge shall not bear fruit.

"Hearing this. Kacha said, 'I have refused thy request only because thou art the daughter of my preceptor, and not because thou hast any fault. Nor hath my preceptor in this respect issued any command. Curse me if it please thee. I have told thee what the behavinur should be of a Rishi. I do not deserve thy curse, O Devayani. But yet thou hast cursed me! Thou hast acted under the

influence of passion and not from a sense of duty. Therefore, thy desire will not be fulfilled. No Rishi's son shall ever accept

thy hand in marriage. Thou hast said that my knowledge shall not bear fruit. Let it be so. But in respect of him it shall bear fruit

to whom I may impart it.'

"Vaisumpayana continued. That first of Brahmanas, Kacha, having said so unto Devayuni speedily wended his way unto the abode of the chief of the celestials. Beholding him arrived, the celestials with Indra ahead, having first worshipped him, spoke unto him as follows, "Thou hast indeed, performed an act of great benefit for us. Wonderful hath been thy achievement! Thy fame shall never die! Thou shall be a sharer with us in sacrificial offerings."

(Sambhava Parva continued)

"Vaisumpayana said, The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad in welcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull of Bharata's race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha and considered their object already achieved. And assembling together, they spoke unto him of a hundred sacrifices, saying. The time hath come for showing prowess. Slay thy foes, O Purandara" And this addressed, Maghavat, then accompanied by the celestials, set out, saying. 'So be it. But on his way he saw a number of damsels. These maidens were sporting in a lake in the gardens of the Gandharva Chitraratha Changing himself into wind, he soon mixed up the garments of those maidens which they had laid on the bank. A little while after, the maidens, getting up from the water, approached their garments that had, indeed, got mixed up with one another. And it so happened that from the intermingled heap, the garments of Devayani were appropriated by Sarmishtha, the daughter of Vrishapurvan, from ignorance that it was not hers. And, O king, thereupon, between them. Devayani and Surmishtha, then ensued a dispute. And Devayani said, 'O daughter of the Asura (chief), why dost thou take my attire, being, us thou art, my disciple? As thou art destitute of good behaviour, nothing good can happen to thee! Sarmishtha, however, quickly replied. Thy father occupying a lower seat, always adoreth with downcast looks, like a hired chanter of praises, my father. whether he sitteth at his ease or reclineth at full length! Thou art the daughter of one that chanteth the praises of others, of one that accepteth alms. I am the daughter of one who is adored, of one who bestoweth alms instead of ever accepting them! Beggar-woman as thou art, thou art free to strike thy breast, to use ill wards, to vow enmity to me, to give way to thy wrath. Acceptress of alms, thou weepest tears of anger in vain! If so minded, can harm thee, but thou canst not. Thou desirest to quarrel. But know thou that I do not reckon thee as my equal.

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