Posted:
Part 9
Kach and Devyani
Kach and Devyani
On King Janmejaya's Request, Sage Vaishampayan Narrated The Story Of The Kuru Clan.
Lord Brahma's Son Daksh Had Fifty Daughters, Each Of Whom He Considered Equal To Men. From Devmata (Mother Of The Gods) Aditi, Were Born Surya (Sun God), King Manu (First Human), His [Manu's Son] Son, King Ila/Ela, King Pururba, King Aayu, King Nahush And King Yayati. King Yayati Married Sharmishtha And Devyani.
When The Gods Had Been Fighting For The Wealth Of the Three Worlds, The Gods Made Vrihaspati And The Demons Made Shukraachaarya Their Guru. These Two Brahmins Were Always Competing With Each Other. Only Shukrachaarya Knew The Sanjeevani Vidya, And Could Revive The Dead Soldiers At Once. The Gods Went To Vrihaspati's Son Kach And Shared A Plan With Him.
Next Day, Kach Was In King Vrishparva's (King Of The Demons) Court And Said, "I Am, The Grandson Of Sage Angira, And The Son Of Sage Vrihaspati, Kach. I Have Come Here To Learn From You, O Guru Shukraachaarya. Please Accept Me As Your Student." Shukrachaarya Gladly Accepted Him. Kach Stayed With Guru Shukra And Served Him And His Beautiful Daughter, Devyani.
Over The Years, A Sweet Romance Brewed Up Between Kach And Devyani, And They Were Often Found In Secluded Groves Praising Each Others Beauty And Intellect. Devyani Began To Spend Sleepless Nights Thinking About Her Marriage To Kach, And When She Did, Kach Would Probably Be Found Sitting Upright Lost In Meditation.
After A Few More Years, The Co-students Of Kach Understood That Kach had Come To Learn Sanjeevani Vidya So As To Defeat The Demons. Those Boys Told Their Fathers And They [Fathers], In Turn Killed Kach And Fed The Dogs With His Body Parts.
Day Rolled Into Night, But Kach Did Not Return. Devyani, After Waiting For Him Over A Long Time, Went To Her Father And Said, "O Father, Where In The World Did Kach Go ? The Sun Has Gone Down, The Cows Have Returned, But Why Didn't Kach Come Back Home ?" Then, Almost Forgetting That She Was Speaking To Her Father, She Muttered, "I Cannot Live Without Him Anymore, I Knew This Place Wasn't Safe For Him...I'm Sure Your Demon Students Have Killed Him. Oh Father What Shall I Do Now ?" Shukrachaarya Was Quite Amazed At This Outburst, But He Wasn't That Casual To Let His Daughter Know Of His Concern And Her Destiny, So, Composing Himself, At Once He Used His Sanjeevani Vidya To Give A New Life To Kach.
There Was Another Murder Attempt On Kach, But This Time Too, Shukrachaarya Saved Him. The Third Time, The Asurs (Demons) Burnt Kach And Mixed His Ashes In A Glass Of Wine And Gave It To Sage Shukra. Devyani Began To Cry And Wanted To End Her Life When She Didn't See Kach. So Shukrachaarya Called Kach. Kach Replied From The Sages Stomach And Told Them The Full Story.
Shukrachaarya Said, "Now, Now, My Little Girl, Stop Crying, And Decide, Who You Love More, Because If Kach Has To Be Revived, Then I Should Die, And If I Am To Live, Then Kach Cannot Come Back." Devyani Told In A Muffled Voice, "You Both Are Equally Important for Me. If Even One Of You Die, I Will End My Life Just Now." Shukraachaarya Thought For A While and Then Jumped Up With A Smile Of Victory On His Face. He Said, "Eureka ! I Got It !! Dear Kach, I Am Now Giving You My Sanjeevani Vidya, Only If You Aren't Indra In The Form Of Kach. Revive Me When You Come Out." Saying Thus, He Meditated, And Out Came Kach, Piercing His Body. Then Thanking His teacher For The Wonderful Method And The Numerous Lives Bestowed On Him, He [Kach] Revived Him [Shukraachaarya].
The Sage Stood And Cursed Liquor As, 'If Any Brahmin Ever Consumes Liquor, Then He Would Incur A Sin Equal To A Murderer.'
After A Few Days, As Kach Was Preparing To Leave For The Heavens, Devyani Approached Him Shyly. She Had Put On The Best Garments She Had And Also Had Adorned Herself With The Best Flowers. She Lowered Eyes And Spoke Slowly, "You Know...Kach...I Have Served You...Since You Were...A Teen...Now You Are...Of The Age To...Marry...So Please...Marry Me !" "NO ! NEVER !! IMPOSSIBLE !!!" The Three Words Struck Her Like Some Poisonous Arrow That The King Had, And She Collapsed, Only To Be Caught Midway By Kach. He Explained, "See, I Have Always Seen You As My Sister, I Went To Everywhere With You Where Only Married Couples Were Allowed, And Danced And Sang For You, Only Because I Thought You Were Still Playing The Old Family Game. But That Cannot Mean Marriage. Moreover I Have Lived In The Body From Which You Emerged, So We Are Siblings, In A Way. But You Can Always Remember Me As Your Brother Can't You ? Your Father Too Hasn't Given Permission For Such Things."
Devyani Had Composed Herself And Said, "Kach, I'm Giving You The Last Chance. You Better Accept Or Else...DO YOU ACCEPT ?" "I'm Sorry, Sister, I Can't. I'm Ready For Any Kind Of Punishment I Get In Return."
Devyani Breathed Heavily And Pursed Up Her Lips In Anger, Everything Was Fitting In Its Place And A More Clearer, Though Very Different Picture Of Kach Emerged In Front Of Her Eyes, "Punishment ? Okay, So Be It. Do You Think I Don't Know Your Intentions, You Only Wooed Me For The Protection Against Those Demons, Oh I Wish I Hadn't Saved You. I Know Now That You Came Here Only For The Sanjeevani Vidya, Isn't It ?" Her Eyes Were Flickering With A Loathing Glare, "Okay, So I Curse You That Whatever You Have Learnt Till Now, Will Be Of Absolutely NO Use To You !!!" Kach Simply Looked At Her With A Smile, "Thank You So Much Dear Sister For This Gift. I Know Its Of No Use To Me, But It Will Be Of Use To Whom I Teach. So, Adieu." Saying Thus, Kach Departed Leaving Devyani Devastated And Dumbstruck.
Next Post Please...
Anupamaa
