Shvetaki and Agni

 

Shvetaki and Agni Once there was a king called Shvetaki He was powerful and glorious. He was righteous, smart and very good with his citizens. More than governing his country and people, Shvetaki was more interested in performing rituals and sacrifices. All these sacrifices that Shvetaki did were long and elaborate ones where many priests were involved. Some of these sacrifices were long drawn out affairs with many days of sacrifices, chants and offering to the yagna. The priests who were assisting these sacrifices where well rewarded and respected by the king for their services. Nevertheless, they assisted him for many years. Finally, the constant exposure to the fire and the long days standing near the yagna did take a toll on them. They came to Shvetaki and said that they wanted to leave as they were unable to take the strain of standing next to the smoke and fire for so many days. Shvetaki pleaded with them saying that they needed to help him complete the sacrifice. The priests were unfortunately too tired. They told him to find other people who can complete the yagna as their eyes and health were badly damaged. Once the first set of priests left, Shvetaki used another set of priests to complete the yagna. While this particular yagna did get complete, the second set of priests were also tired. By the time, these yagnas were over the reputation of Shvetaki and his long yagnas had spread all over the land. The priests were appreciative of a king who focused on sacrifices and good things. They were also concerned that he was not being very practical of the needs of the priests to get some rest and also to focus on their other duties. After a few months, King Shvetaki again decided to do another sacrifice for a hundred years. This time, all the brahmins in the kingdom despite repeated requests and commands from the king refused to be officiate for this. King Shvetaki addressed the brahmins with a lot of distress “I am very surprised the learned brahmanas are not willing to help a king in the sacrifice. I can understand if the learned people refuse to accept to assist their king in non dharmic activities. This is unfortunate that the brahmanas in my kingdom are not supporting my yagna. Never mind. I shall use other priests from nearby kingdom and complete this sacrifice.” The brahmins while feeling for their king, were scared to take on a responsibility that they will not be able to fulfil. Pretending to be angry with the king they said “Oh king. Your relentless sacrifice is coming at the cost of our health. We cannot again stand in front of the yagna fire for another hundred years. If you are so keen on doing this sacrifice, do go to Rudra. He will assist you in this sacrifice.” King Shvetaki then went to Kailasha and did a tapasya. He stood on one leg without food and water for many months. Finally, Lord Shiva was pleased with Shvetaki and appeared in front of him. He asked Shvetaki what he wanted. Shvetaki immediately requested Lord Shiva to come and assist him as his priest in the hundred year yagna. Lord Shiva then told King Shvetaki “I will assist your sacrifice on one condition. If you can for do a yagna for twelve years with your own hands continuously pouring ghee into the yagna while chanting the mantras and leading the life of a brahmachari, I shall assist you in the hundred year yagna.” King Shvetaki thanked Shiva for his help and went back to his kingdom. He did as he was directed. He performed a yagna for twelve continuous years with his own hands continuously pouring ghee into the ghee and chanting the mantras. At the end of twelve years, after successfully finishing the yagna as he was directed to, he went back to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased with him. He told Shvetaki “I am pleased with your devotion and hard work. I cannot assist in a yagna directly. I will still help you.” True to his promise, Lord Shiva called Sage Durvasa and told him “This is King Shvetaki. He is desirous of doing a hundred year sacrifice. You go and assist him to successfully complete the sacrifice.” King Shvetaki collected all the materials required for the sacrifice. Then he requested Sage Durvasa to preside over and conduct the sacrifice. Sage Durvasa also conducted the sacrifice for hundred years. The other brahmins came back to help Sage Durvasa and returned with lots of gifts and wealth. King Shvetaki was blessed with a long life and a prosperous and peaceful kingdom. When his time on earth ended, he ascended to heavens thanks to his long years of good deeds. The continuous sacrifice and pouring of ghee into Agni was beneficial for the king and kingdom. But Agni himself was suffering from indigestion and ill health. Agni normally had time between yagnas to get back his energy. In the case of Shvetaki’s sacrifice, the continuous pouring of ghee into the fire made Lord Agni ill with too much food. He started looking sick and lethargic.  Lord Agni did not want to even look at ghee or drink ghee from another sacrifice. Being afflicted with over eating, Lord Agni was not having the enthusiasm to participate in other yagnas and rituals. Lord Agni realised that he needed to get some help for his ailment. He went to Lord Brahma and told him that he needed help. What did Brahma say? Did Lord Agni get better? Let us see in the next story.