THE FATHER WHO EXCHANGED HIS OLD AGE WITH THE YOUTH OF HIS SON!

           

The title appears to be interesting but surprising in the present context! But in the days of Puranas and legends such incidents were very common! How happy will it be in modern times if such mutual exchanges of youth and old age were possible!! But days have changed vastly and we can never dream of such adjustments to take place in this Kali Yuga!

       Sri Rama continued his narration and pointed out to Lakshmana that patience is a quality rarely found in men. It was only Yayati who could control his anger and remain patient. The story of this great king is as amazing as it is strange and interesting! YAYATI was the son of NAHUSHA who ruled as Indra in heaven. He was a popular monarch who kept his people happy. He had two extremely beautiful wives namely SARMISHTA, the daughter of the asura king Vrushaparva. The second wife DEVAYANI was the darling daughter of the asura Guru Sukracharya. Yayati was very fond of sarmishta while he was not much drawn to Devayani. Sarmishta’s son was PURU and Devayani’s son Yadu. Both were handsome siblings but puru was the darling of his father Yayati Because of his loveable qualities and that of his mother. Yadu , Devayani’s son, was jealous of Puru. He could not tolerate the love and affection showered on Puru and Sarmishta. He complained to his mother and questioned how she could tolerate this humiliation. He, for his part, can never bear this shame. He is prepared to die rather than see this differential treatment to his mother.prodded by his complaint, Devayani, was very much perturbed by the extraordinary favor shown to Sharmishta and Yadu.

         She immediately called her father, Sukracharya who came instantly. Seeing her depressed and pathetic state  he felt sad. He enquired the reason for his daughter’s sorrow.  Devayani complained about the total neglect of her husband Yayati. She said that it would be better to kill herself  rather than live and suffer shame and neglect. Sage Sukra was infuriated at Yayati’s neglect of Devayani and cursed him to lose his youth responsible for neglecting Devayani! Immediately Yayati lost his prime youth and became a decrepit old man to the amazement of Sarmishta and her son Puru!

           Sukrachary had said that Yayati could regain his youth if he can exchange his old age with someone else!  Though a great and good king, Yayati was sensual to the extreme and had an insatiable thirst for enjoying the pleasures of life! Aghast at the terrible curse that almost demolished him and his pleasures, Yayati asked Yadu to receive his old age and offer his youth in return!  He would satisfy himself with sensual pleasures and return Yadu’s youth later!  Yadu, remembering the i8njustice done to him and his mother, refused to receive Yayati’s old age! Having no other alternative, Yayati requested puru , his other son to accept his old age and return his youth. Well mannered, affectionate, and obedient Puru implicitly accepted Yayati’s wish and gave away his youthfulness to his father!

            With that new found youth Yayati enjoyed a new sensual life to his satisfaction and ruled the country for several thousand years and performed many yagnas! Finally calling his son Puru , Yayati appreciated his sacrifice and crowned him as the king! He blamed Yadu for his disobedience and disrespect shown to him.  He cursed his son Yadu saying that he will beget cruel sons like the asuras! Puru became the king of Prathishtanapura and ruled the kingdom of Kasi Yadu was ostracized from his kingly clan and settled in Krouncha vana inaccessible to many. He had thousands of sons who were asuras!

              Sri Rama narrated this story of Yayati to Lakshmana and readied himself to meet those waiting to have his audience!