Yayati: A Classic Tale of Lust by V S Khandekar Read Free Book Online Page B

dead, their differences were obviously going to flare up into a major conflict. It was just to avoid such a calamity that Maharishi Angiras was performing the sacrifice for peace. While Indra and the g ods were preparing for war, this son of the P receptor of G ods was here contributing to the sacrifice for peace. He often said, ‘Gods are addicted to the pleasures and the demons are blindly worshipping power. Neither can bring happiness to the world. Nothing can come out of a war between them.’
    He had a curious mind. I was so near him but yet unable to fathom his mind.
    Yet one fact remains. I was restless at the thought of the imminent separation from him. The time for it however came unexpectedly. Father was very ill, almost on his deathbed, and I had to return immediately. I did not know what to do and went to Maharishi Angiras for advice. Like a father he stroked my back and said, ‘Prince, you must return at once. You need not worry about the sacrifice, the principal part of which has been possible owing to your presence. You owe a duty to your father as much as to religion.’
    I bowed to Maharishi Angiras in devotion. With paternal solicitude he said, ‘Prince, I will not bless you to be happy. I am not yet clear, even after my long penance, whether happiness is the shadow of misery or misery follows happiness like a shadow. Do not waste your time thinking of it. You have a kingdom to look after. Religion, wealth and desire are the three principal prongs of your duty on earth. Of these, wealth and desire are very sharp weapons. As the beauty of a woman is enhanced with modesty, so are wealth and desire when allied to dharma. The conviction that one must do unto others as one expects others to do unto one is to my mind, the essence of religion. Let such religion be your guiding star.’
    I was distressed by the news of Father’s illness. What was the curse on Father? Is Father’s illness due to that curse? If so, what wa s the remedy?
    I could not contain myself and said to Maharishi Angiras, ‘I want to ask you something. Does Father carry a curse?’
    He was sad and silent. Then he said in a heavy voice, ‘Yes, but every man is born with a curse.’
    ‘Every man?’ I asked. The tremor in my voice frightened me.
    He smiled and said, ‘I, Kacha, your father, we all in one way carry a curse. Our lives are circumscribed by chains of circumstances. Some are limited by actions of previous lives, some by the actions of our parents.’
    ‘Is life then by itself a curse?’
    ‘No ... no, life is a glorious blessing bestowed by God in His mercy. Only the blessing is tainted with some curses.’
    ‘What then is the purpose of human life?’
    ‘Man must strive to free himself of the curse. The perception of the rest of the animate world does not extend beyond bodily pleasure and pain. Such perception is given only to human beings. It is by virtue of such perception that man has risen above the animal kingdom and is mounting the steep ascent of civilised culture. He will one day reach the peak, and he will be free from his curse. Never forget that bodily pleasure is not the principal aim of life. Its principal aim is the satisfaction of the soul.’
    He stopped there and said, ‘May you have a good journey and God bless you.’
    Upto the time I entered Hastinapur, my mind was lulled by the philosophy propounded by Kacha and Angiras. But the lull vanished as soon as I entered the town. I was constantly troubled by the thought that I might not have the good fortune to see my father alive.
    I sat by Father’s bed. I called to him. He murmured something, but did not respond to my call as if he was not of this world.
    The Prime Minister came to me and, placing his thin hand affectionately on my shoulder, led me out. With a lump in his throat he said, ‘My Prince, you are young and unfamiliar with the ways of the world. This world is mortal. You will not be able to bear the agonies of your father. A couple of miles