Resumo de 4. Devayani And Kacha: Mahabharata

In the ancient days, there raged a conflict between the gods and the demons over the domination of the three worlds. Both the parties were guided by illustrious men of learning. Brihaspati piloted the gods, while Sukracharya advised the demons. Sukracharya was in possession of Sanjivni, the secret that could bring the dead to life. This was a huge bonus for the demons and an equally enormous hindrance for the gods. The gods approached Brihaspati?s son, Kacha, and beseeched him to become Sukracharya?s pupil, eventually to extract out of him the secret of Sanjivni. Kacha agreed and set out for the kingdom of the demons. There he met Sukracharya and introduced himself as the son of Brihaspati. He also declared that he was wedded to the principles of celibacy and expressed his ardent desire to become Sukracharya?s pupil. In those days, a wise teacher was not known to turn away a deserving student. Sukracharya accepted Kacha as his disciple. Kacha spent long years under Sukracharya and in course of time was looked upon as a member of the family. He also won the heart of Sukracharya?s charming daughter, Devayani. He himself, however, maintained his celibacy. The demons felt uneasy as they were suspicious of Kacha?s intentions. Malicious as they were, they planned to kill Kacha. Twice they succeeded in their efforts and both the times Devayani implored her father to bring Kacha ? a sinless boy ? back to life. Sukracharya did so by invoking Sanjivni. Not to be undone, the demons killed Kacha again, burnt his body to ashes, mingled the ashes with wine and served the wine to their mentor Sukracharya. After realising what had happened, Devayani was inconsolable and begged of her father to find a solution to this knotty problem. Sukracharya could revive Kacha, but Kacha would have to tear open his guru?s stomach in order to come out, thus killing the sage. Devayani had to choose between her beloved and her father, but she wouldn?t part with either. The only way out for Sukracharya was to initiate Kacha into the art of Sanjivni by saying aloud the mantra, which Kacha could learn while in his stomach. He, therefore, brought Kacha back to life through Sanjivni and then proceeded to teach Kacha the secret to resuscitation. The purpose of the gods was served. After coming out by wrenching apart his teacher?s stomach, Kacha repaid his spiritual father by resurrecting him. On Kacha?s return, Devayani pleaded him to marry her. But Kacha refused, arguing that Sukracharya was his father by virtue of giving him re-birth, as also his mother since he had born Kacha in his abdomen. As such, he must treat Devayani as his sister. Besides, he insisted on maintaining his celibate status.

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