Downfall of Devyani due to association with a man, despite being Brahmnishta.
Downfall of Devyani due to association with a man, despite being Brahmnishta.
Narayan Muni said:-
now changed his focus of attention to the fair sex and said, even in case of women who are avowed to celibacy, the viewing of men is known to cause a fall from virtue. Hence, that should be avoided by women folk. 1
Here I shall narrate to you, O devotees, an ancient tale as to how the sincere Devayani, too, fell from virtue in the past.2
Sage Sukaracarya, the preceptor of Demons of olden times had a beautiful daughter named Devayani, who by her father’s grace, received spiritual orientation in childhood itself. 3
Being highly intelligent and talented, she mastered both religious scriptures and yogic arts. She was also capable of composing new original poetry. 4
Like her father, she became expert in enlightening and instructing through many devices, thousands of daughters of the demons, who came to her as her own disciples. 5
Being gifted with many such abilities she was dearer than life to her father and hence was looked after by him with great affection only. 6
Yet, when she had reached the tenth year of her age, Sukra felt he must give her away now to a befitting husband. So one day, that descendent of Bhrigu told her very lovingly, O intelligent daughter! my dearest! listen to my words which are very important. It is now the time to get you married; since you have entered your tenth year. So, let me know your choice of a husband. 7- 9.
Should I gift you to a god, great sage, or to a Brahmin among worldly men ? Tell me, frankly, if you have any one in mind. Else, I will gift you to a great sage of my choice. Because a Brahmin father who does not gift his daughter at the proper time to a suitable husband in this world, incurs the sin of murdering a Bramin. Therefore, please tell inclination of your mind. 10-12.
Upon being addressed thus, Devayani replied smilingly, Father, I have no interest at all in any man. Dearest to my heart is penance, that puts an end to migration and rebirth. Since I have decided to practice it for my life, please give up the idea of getting me married. Do not worry about me unduly, you, who are very wise! Be at case. 13-15.
For in the scriptures, great sages have considered it a sin when one does not gift away his daughter whose heart is inclined to a particular man, and never in case of a girl disinterested in marriage. 16.
Upon hearing these words of his daughter, sage Shukra, very wise and knowing the importance of a life long vow of celibacy, said nothing. 17.
Pleased to note her firmness in Yoga even in childhood and her disinterest in worldly matters, he kept doing whatever she liked. 18.
A long time clasped like that. Thereafter Kacha, the son of Brahaspati, came there to learn some lores. (specific learning by which can be revived.) 19.
He learnt those lores, staying in Shukras home too, with his permission. And seeing his handsome form, Devayani got enamoured. 20.
Gradually day by day, she spent more and more time in attending on him, neglecting her own religious practice in Yoga and spiritual meditation. 21.
For method by her yearning, one day she gave up all and enticing him by revealing her private body- parts, she entreated him thus in a solitude. 22.
O brave young man! my heart rejoices in you be my husband. I am fit for you in every way; so, you should not spurn. 23.
But Kacha, despite being attracted thus by the daughter of his preceptor, remained well-composed. Aware of propriety, he replied thus to her who had lost all sense of propriety owing to infatuation of lust. 24.
O good lady! Being the daughter of my Guru, you are like my sister. What is all this futile talk of yours, censurable both by society. 25.
Although answered that way by Kacha, who was alert and firm about propriety of their relationship, she, whose intellect was blinded, kept repeating her breaching him again and again in solitude. 26.
Upon repeated rejection, the dame with mind confounded and blinded by lust, finally became furious and cursed Kacha, saying, You, who keep dissuading me repeatedly, may all that you have learnt here, become fruitless for you, when you need it the most. 27.
This curse laid to waste all his hard work hitherto, so he cursed her in return, may no learned Brahmin ever marry you; and he returned to heaven, dejected at heart. 28.
And Devayani, living like a wanton till 1008 years of age, still selected the Kshatriya ruler Yayati as her husband. 29.
Thus even she, who was spiritually oriented since childhood, fell from her great vow and became as shameless as a whore, on seeing and working for a man at close quarters. And she shamelessly word for sex her own father’s disciple, virtually a brother; and when not obliged, she sinfully cursed the virtuous Brahmin (lad), knowing and abiding by Righteousness. 30-31.
Also, she later gave up her status as a Brahmin, so difficult to attain through the merit of many past lives! she became a Kshatriya, by choosing to marry a man of that lower cast . 32.
Woman brought discredit to the family of Bhrigus, loftiest of all; and her years of seven penance were laid to wasteful efforts, too. 33.
Similarly Renuka, the dutiful wife of sage Jamadagni, happened to see a handsome Gandharva-king, while going to the river to fetch water. That very moment. She began to crave for him secretly. As a result, she had to suffer an untimely death due to the ire of her husband. 34 -35.
Therefore, ladies with a life-long spiritual vow, too, should never take to viewing a male who is alien, which can cause their own destruction. 36.
Those women who aspire for salvation should listen with devotion to tales of Lord Vishnu, from the mouth of any related man attending religious congregations, - their own father, brother, husband or even son; or, may be, - a maternal brothers, uncle or grandfather. 37-38.
After hearing those stories, women should exchange them mutually, narrating them to each other. And, in case of doubt over some point therein, they should ask sages through their men. 39.
As an exception, widows can come and listen to such Pauranic tales being read out and explained by a Brahmin before the men folk, from a greater distance. 40.
Teaching songs of praise for the Lord and his divine qualities to the ladies is also the duty of their closely-related men like father. 41.
Women of own village or another, who are advanced in religion, detachment, devotion etc., should be treated with respect as Radha or Rama, even though they be younger in age than oneself. 42.
Other women desiring deliverance from bondage should constantly seek their company, and tread the path directed by them for their spiritual welfare. 43.
O devotees! Listen now to the jobs to be performed by dedicated women in meets of religious people at the time of the Lord’s festivals such as Janmashtami. 44.
They could go with their father etc. to the abode of saints, provided it is not enclosed by a fort-like wall or fence. 45.
But at that place crowded with countless people, they should go and sit among the ladies at a greater distance than the men. 46.
Although seated that far, they should not talk mutually, but listen carefully to the Lord’s tales emanating from the saints mouth, for the privilege of the men folk. 47.
Also, when saints of long standing penance arrive in their own village even without occasion of a festival, then too, women should go to those gatherings and with related men sit there separately, among females as told above. 48 - 49.
It is my strict warning for all women that they should never enter such an abode of saints as is enclosed by a fort-like wall or a fence. 50.
Any female who transgresses this prohibition of mind and fearlessly enters such a place, should be considered a sinful kritya (destructive female deity) descended on earth for instigating women on the wrong path. 51.
Also, women should never go out of home at night, even for Darshana of their revered Lord, except on occasions of two annual festivals, the Lord’s birthday and mine. 52.
On those festival days too, women leaving home at night for Darshana should do so under escort of relative men folk; because, voluptuous demons eager to cause fall from virtue roam freely in the dark. Hence, women should go out very carefully, being well- guarded. 53 - 54.
Thus have I depicted how women should come in touch with saints, directly or indirectly, for their spiritual welfare. 55.
Do. tell all the women, you men! that those Ladies who conduct themselves in this way, can grow in their devotion unto the Lord and yet remain firm and intact in their virtue. 56.
Thus ends the sixty first chapter entitled, ‘Narration of depiction of Devayani’spitiable plight on seeing a handsome male,’ in the third prakaran of Satsangi Jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra. (the rules of the code of conduct). 61