#Dashadharama #Kacha and Devayani

 

#Dashadharma #

Kacha and Devayani

 We had seen the story of Sukeshi who went to the ashram of the sages in the Magadh forest and learnt many dharmic concepts. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/pious-asuras-and-worried-gods). Amongst the many things he learnt from the sages, he got the knowledge of the ten basic principles of Dharma that is common to all people irrespective of their occupation (varnas). We had already covered few of these Dharmas through relevant stories. Please see the link below.

Dasha Dharma

1.         Dhṛti – Patience (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/dashdharma-patience-shabari.html; https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/dash-dharma-patience.html)

2.         Kṣhamā – Forgiveness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/dashadharma-story-of-kaakasura-from.htmll)

3.         Damo - Calmness

4.         Asteyaṃ - Not coveting/ stealing

5.         Saucam - Cleanliness

6.         Indriyanigraha – Control of senses

7.         Dhīr – Righteous Action

8.         Vidya – Pursuit of knowledge

9.         Satyam – Truthfulness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/harishchandra-test-and-triumph.html.)

10.       Akrodho – Control of anger

daśakaṃ dharmalakṣaṇam।।

Story on Dhir – Righteous Action

Devayani and Kacha

Righteous action is the conviction and courage to do what one thinks is right irrespective of consequence. Most of us think we are righteous. Perhaps so. But the strength to chose the righteous path at the time of distress, personal loss or loss to dear ones is very tough. Let us see an interesting story from the Mahabharata that perhaps highlights this trait.

Shukracharya was the Guru of the Asuras. Once he was in the court of an asura king called Vrishaparva. Every time, the asuras went to battle with the Devas, Sukracharya proved invaluable. He possessed knowledge of the secret of bringing back dead to life through the Sanjivini Mantra. This meant that these wars were loaded against the devas. The asuras did not have to worry about their dead and wounded as they could always be revived.

After thinking through this problem, the devas finally decided to use their younger talent to solve the problem. The deva guru Brihaspathi had a young son by name Kacha. The devas called Kacha to the court of Indra. Indra told Kacha, “Young man, you are the son of my guru. You are intelligent and diligent. You understand the issues and concerns that affect us. As you know, we are weak when it comes to battling the asuras. We are unable to get this mantra. We want you to become a disciple of Shukracharya and somehow learn the secret sanjivini mantra.” Initially, Kacha was reluctant and was afraid that Shukracharya might curse him. Later, realising the seriousness of the issue, he agreed on one condition, “I will go only as myself and not cheat him. Also, I will try and get the mantra by honest means. “ The devas agreed.

Kacha came to Shukracharya’s ashram. He told Shukracharya, “Guru, I am the son of deva guru Brihaspati. I want to become your disciple. I want to serve you and get the benefit of your knowledge and wisdom.” Shukracharya immediately agreed. He blessed the young man and accepted him as a disciple.

So Kacha started living in the house of Shukracharya with his guru and the guru’s daughter Devayani. Devayani was Shukra’s only daughter and he indulged her. He gave her anything she desired. Devayani was beautiful and young and longed for company of people her age in the ashram of Shukracharya which was away from the capital city. She was very happy to have another person of her age. Soon she and Kacha became friends singing and playing whenever Kacha was not learning or serving his guru.

The asura king Vrishaparva was concerned that his guru had given shelter and accepted a deva that too the son of the deva guru Brihaspati. The king and his ministers request Shukracharya to send Kacha away. But Shukracharya is firm. He told the king, “It is my duty to share my knowledge irrespective of who the receiver is. I cannot withhold knowledge and learning. If your concern is the knowledge of the sanjivini, I promise I shall not share it with Kacha unless I am forced to do so.”

The asuras could not argue with their guru. But they were not convinced. They had put a few of their people to watch Kacha’s activities. Every day after finishing his morning study sessions Kacha used to take the cows for grazing in the forest. Usually certain other students from the ashram accompany him so the asuras used to just watch without going near Kacha.

One day, Kacha went alone into the forest for grazing. The asuras saw this as an opportunity. They overpowered him and killed him. They did not want Shukracharya finding his body. So they chopped him into pieces and fed him to the wolves. They thought Shukra will think he got taken into the jungle by the wild animals.

Evening came and Kacha did not return home. His friend Devayani got worried. She went to Shukracharya and asked him to use his powers to find out what happened to Kacha. Unable to say no to his daughter, Shukracharya used his wisdom to find out where Kacha went. He sees that he is dead and has been consumed by the wolves. He tells Devayani this.

Devayani refuses to let go. She begs and pleads with Shukra to use the Sanjivini to bring Kacha back to life. For good measure, she threatens to die if Kacha does not come back. Helpless in front of his daughter’s tears, Shukra uses the Sanjivini and brings Kacha back to life. Kacha is grateful to his guru for saving him.

Things go back to normal. But the asuras are not resting in peace. They are still worried about Kacha stealing the Sanjivini Mantra by trick. Another day when he goes to the woods to get the flowers Devayani wanted. Seizing the opportunity, the asuras again kill him. This time, they decided to do away with Kacha once for all. They burn his body to ashes. Not leaving it at that, they take the ashes and mix it with wine and give it to Shukracharya himself. Unknowingly, Shukra drinks the wine also. The asuras go home happy thinking that they have seen the last of Kacha.

Evening came and Devayani gets worried that something has happened to Kacha again. This time, Shukra finds out that Kacha is actually inside his stomach. He tells Devayani, “If I use the Sanjivini, Kacha may come back to life. But I will have to die. You have to make a choice.”

Devayani in tears and says, “I do not want to make a choice. I want both of you. Why don’t you teach me the Sanjivini Mantra so that I can teach it to Kacha once he comes out. He can then revive you.” (In certain versions this is said as spoken by Kacha from inside Shukra’s stomach. But a more logical version is given.).

Shukra is reluctant but helpless as Devayani is crying non stop. Helpless and moved by his daughter’s tears, he finally teaches Devayani the sanjivi. Then he utters the Sanjivini and Kacha comes out tearing open Shukra’s stomach. As planned, Devayani gives him the knowledge of the Sanjivini and Kacha revives his guru.

After some time, having completed his studies Kacha takes permission from Shukracharya to go back to devaloka. Shukra grants him the permission and asks him to use the knowledge given to him carefully and responsibly.

Devayani is sad and tells Kacha that she wants to marry him and go with him. Kacha is shocked. He tells her, “Devayani, I like you a lot. But you are my friend. You are lonely in this ashram and that is why you were glad to have my company. I do not love you. Moreover, you are my guru’s daughter and deserving of my respect.” Devayani is adamant. She insists on marriage with Kacha.

Kacha tells her, “Even if I don’t regard you as a friend and my guru’s daughter, there is another reason that I cannot marry you I was born of the same man who gave his life to give me a new life. So we are brother and sister. I cannot think of marrying my sister. It is against dharma.”

He takes leave of Shukra and Devayani and leaves the ashram with the knowledge of the Sanjivini. Devayani who is angry by now curses him saying he will forget his knowledge. Kacha laughs and says, “I did not get this knowledge by cheating. So nothing will happen to me. But since you looked at me with the wrong intention, no brahmin will come forward to marry you.” Kacha goes back to Indralok to a hero’s welcome.

This story is about the sense of righteousness that Kacha displayed when told by his family to go get a mantra. He did not cheat or mislead his guru about his parentage. He did not get the sanjivini by force or trickery. It accidentally happened because of the stupidity and haste of the asuras. When a beautiful girl proposed marriage to him, again he had the courage to do what he thought was right.