Yayati’s life has been a huge treasure trove to unlock the wisdom of a typical human life. We can charter all the low points and the stratospheric heights a human being can traverse through in this spiritual journey. The preface of this wondrous incident was through Lessons from Yayati – Prelude. Most of us are perhaps stuck in the bottomless pit of samsara due to desires. This insight of this endlessness was evident in Lessons from Yayati – Endless desires. When we develop Viveka through continuous Satsangha, we find the futility of chasing desires as we now desire detaching from its vice like grip, which we gathered in Lessons from Yayati- Renunciation. The path of adhering to Dharma yields the subtler higher lokas of felicity as seen in Lessons from Yayati – Swarga. The discussions between Ashtaka and Yayati is priceless as it brings us timeless wisdom in Lessons from Yayati – Wisdom conversations 1 and Lessons from Yayati – Wisdom conversations 2. This brings us to the concluding portion of his life.
To reconstruct a better picture we are going to attempt to blend two instances referred in the Mahabharata, one from Adi Parva and a concentrated message of wisdom given by Narada to Duryodhana in Udyoga Parva. This is to obtain a better idea of the events centered around the last portion of Yayati’s history.
Storytime:
Ashtaka, Pratardana, Vasumanas and Sibi were performing vajapeya yagna at Naimisharanya. As the skies were clouded with the smoke from the Yaga, Yayati was falling from the higher loka down to earth. His fall was arrested by Ashtaka who engaged him with a very thought provoking wisdom filled conversation. As we recall, Yayati’s fall was due to his pride that he had done sadhana and tapasya par excellence. This led him to believe that he was superior, when he had no insight into other’s tapasya. This tainted his punya and led to his fall. But all the Punya he had came to the rescue and make him seek Satsangha even in the fall.
The discussions with Ashtaka made him realize that Yayati was a great mahatma and deserves some help to restore his real state. He now retrains his questions to know the identity of Yayati. The subtle responses to technically difficult question of following shastras and doing sadhana without its aid must have made Ashtaka realize the value of such a wondrous being in Yayati. Ashtaka wanted to know from where he came, where and why he was heading. Yayati informed that he is falling from the higher lokas into the lower plane of naraka, this world of samsara, earth. His fall is hastened by the lokapalas on account of the taint, ahamkara brought to him and it was due to the blessing that he got this Satsangha. His fall will be imminent after the questions are over.
Ashtaka wanted to know if he had any punyaphala due to his past good karmas. Yayati informed him that as long as there are cows, horses, forests and mountains filled with beings, Ashtaka had earned felicity in the higher lokas. Having learnt about what was his, Ashtaka declared that he was offering all that was his for Yayati and he can immediately regain what was lost. Yayati declined the offer citing that as a Brahmana with Brahmajnana alone was qualified to receive such a gift. Moreover as a Kshatriya, he can only give and never receive. He refused to set a precedent on what was not the norm.
Pratardana introduced himself by name and asked Yayati if he had any higher realms against his Punyakarma. Yayati assured that Pratardana had numerous higher lokas with endless time waiting for his good deeds. Even if he spends seven days in each place, he will not see an end to the pleasures waiting. Pratardana now offered all these realms to Yayati. Yayati again declined citing that a king of similar energies should never seek the religious merits like yoga austerities of another king, driven by selfish needs. Even facing total calamity due to fate, a king must never choose a censurable path. A king must always be centered in Dharma and being such a person he cannot accept such an offer at any cost. One who knows the consequences of Papa and Punya and involves only in the right activities while avoiding the wrong ones is considered wise, filled with energy and purity of heart. While doing Dharma even if one has doubts regarding their outcome, the entire focus must be in doing Dharma not weighing the profit or loss. Dharma contains in itself both Artha and Kama, asserted Yayati.
Vasumanas introduced himself as son of Ushadaswa and posed the same question. Yayati informed him that all the lokas illumined by the sun was awaiting him. Vasumanas now offered all of them to Yayati. Since Yayati had already declined getting anything in charity, Vasumanas offered that something trivial can be given as a token and it can be exchanged. Yayati again declined, stating that he has been afraid of Adharma. Even for jest, he never exchanged or bartered what was not rightful. How will he still abide in Dharma if he cut corners he queried. Vasumanas not to be left out countered him to consider taking it as Daana and not a barter. Yayati said he cannot enjoy what is not his.
Sibi, son of Usinara now posed the same question. Yayati praised that Sibi never spoke or thought ill of anyone who got Daana from him. Knowing about what awaits him, Sibi pursued Daana angle by saying that what he had given he cannot take back. Yayati countered that just like Sibi has all the credit, even Yayati still has the same. Getting others fruits of Karma will never taste sweet.
Ashtaka now presented their predicament. Having given all their Punya which was not accepted by Yayati, they will now face Naraka without having obtained the desired result of seeing Yayati enjoy the Punyaphala. Confronted by this quandry Yayati was unable to give a clear solution and hence appealed to the wisdom of the four Rajarishis. Yet he was firm in not chartering new paths. (Perhaps the new paths he forged in marrying Devayani and eventually Sarmishta proved too costly for him)
Ashtaka was puzzled at the five golden chariots that appeared and wondered whose ride it was. Yayati informed it was for the Rajarishis who were performing Vajapeya yagna. Ashtaka opined that they can follow later, whilst Yayati suggested that they can go together.
(NOTE: The following is found in some recensions like Kumbakonam that seem to fill a lot of the blanks)
Connection with Yayayti revealed: As they were conversing, they found a herd of deer led by a Tapasvini who was also leading a life akin to them in the forests. Draped in deer skin, a lady whose only wealth was her tapasya, Madhavi strolled into the yagnasala. She was extremely pleased at the feats of her four children. (Madhavi had Ashtaka, Pratardana, Vasumanas and Sibi through a different husband). On seeing Yayati in a state of descent she saluted him.
Vasumanas wanted to know why Madhavi saluted this divine being and what was the understanding behind. Madhavi informed that Yayati, the son of Nahusha, was her father and hence the maternal grandfather to all the four. She said that after Puru’s (her brother) coronation, he had left for swarga. She wondered what he was doing here. Vasumanas told her about his fall from swarga. The deeply concerned Madhavi addressed Yayati and said, just as sons even daughters are equally connected to the parents. She requested her father to accept all her Tapasya and regain swarga. Since they were his offsprings, there was no daana, barter or charity involved. He was duly entitled to share, just like the children and grandchildren share the wealth of the parents.
Yayati now realized the connection with all. He declared if there was any benefit from all their Tapasya, he will consider himself redeemed by his daughter and his grandsons. The word used to refer to the ones born in same lineage, who are able to make such an impact is Dowhidra. Pitris are specially pleased with the offerings from the daughter and her progeny. Even today Dowhidra, kutapakala (when the post noon sun is hot) and sesame are very revered for Pitris, who hold cleanliness, renouncing anger and not performing Sharddha with haste as key elements.
The message in the race: Ashtaka reminded Yayati to take the chariot to swarga, who urged all the four grandsons to join him immediately on their chariots. Yayati said the chariots and its path were available only because they had overcome Rajoguna. After finishing the ritualistic bath to signal the end of the Yagna, all of them ascended their chariots, spreading their Punya all over as they went to Swarga.
Ashtaka asked Yayati that he felt Indra as his friend and thought he will be the first to gain admittance to Swarga. Yet Usinara’s son, Sibi seemed to be leading everyone and leaving others way behind. Sibi earned tremendous wealth, yet gave away everything in daana. Thus he is foremost amongst them. In terms of Daana, Satya, Dharma, Tejas, patience, compassion, enthusiasm in whatever is being done, Sibi embodies them in infinite measures, which contributes to his superiority. Despite having all these, he is the abode of humility, which is the reason why his chariot went past the others.
Ashtaka pleaded to know more about Yayati, as the feats he seemed to have achieved is beyond words. Yayati said he was the son of Nahusha, the father of Puru. He was their maternal grandfather. Vanaprasthi who gives away everything (in his case 101 horses with excellent qualities) and who lives the life of a Muni attains Swarga. He gave a detailed account of his daana to Brahmanas in the form of land, gold, wealth and kine. He upheld Dharma in all the places under his reign. All his subjects also upheld Satya (reference is made as Agni shining, which refers to speech. Can also interpret that everyone had spectacular progress by following Dharma). He had never spoken one word of untruth. Yayati declared that Satya alone is revered and cherished by the wise. Yayati shared that anyone discussing these incidents without a trace of jealousy will be immensely benefited by achieving the same lokas as they do.
Epilogue: We now have to taverse to the Udyoga Parva of Mahabharata. On the eve of Krishna’s peace mission, numerous Rishis like Kanwa and Narada advised Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana to compromise and prevent this mass destruction. Narada narrated many historical incidents and Yayati’s life was one.
Narada’s account paints more details in filling the gaps. On his return Yayati approached Brahma and sought clarifications on his situation. In Narada’s version, Yayati acts in pride and lets his vanity blind his respect for Rishis. It appears before Indra asks the questions we saw in the Swarga episode, Yayati’s actions were colored by his ahamakara, which led to his fall.
Brahma clarified that Yayati’s karma brought him to Swarga and it was the same that led to his fall. The hearts of everyone is covered by ignorance (ajnana). His return was possible to re-enjoy what was his, due to his dowhidras. Yayati still had one lingering doubt. His vast punyaphala was limitless, yet it was cut short and he saw an end to it. Why? Brahma again highlighted that pride alone was responsible for the evaporation of all his good karmas. Once PRIDE touches a person, it is sure to bring calamitous results. Brahma noted that anyone who is able to follow the rise of Yayati due to his wonderful good karmas, know the reason for his fall and his restored glory will be able to successfully handle tough challenges in their life.
Practical Applications:
Karma, Karma, Karma: The entire journey of Yayati revolves around the human struggle to evolve. With the base assumption that one is rooted in dharma, we face an onslaught of our past Karmaphalas and Vasanas. This everchanging scenario presents us with numerous opportunities, yet our vasana proclivities pull us towards the past. Desire coupled with attachment is the driver of Samsara. A pure Kama (desire) and/or Artha centered life will always lead to Papa. Papa by its very nature will try to protect itself and won’t hesitate to expose the performers of Karma to outlast.
On the otherhand, Dharma always leads to Punya. It contains within it the merits of Artha and Kama. Punya not only protects itself but the dharma which was upheld also protects the ones who uphold it. (धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha) . Eventually Punyakarma, deep rooted in Dharma also produce Viveka which results in Vairagya. This elevated state due to Dharma leads to Moksha.
The attachment laden desire meanwhile results a plethora of emtions and qualities like pleasure, pain, anger, jealousy, greed, hatred and more. Thus Karma can take us up or down depending on its nature. Yayati saw a meteoric rise and a great fall and was again able to rise up only due to Karma. Dharma provides a safety zone where only the good Karma are nurtured. Just as in Yayati’s experience, going to higher lokas is not a shield against the basal nature, nor does it prevent from us chartering a trip to the abyss.
Ahamakara: The constant misunderstanding of our “I” leads to mistaken identity and actions. One of the side effects is Pride, which always results in a fall. When the ones who have realized their self nature are ignored, abused or wrongly acted against, it always results in calamitous results.
Humility is the hallmark of real knowledge (विद्या ददाति विनयं). Only learning to live based on dharma and shastras, besides constantly associating with Satsangha can give that humility.
Detachment: Even while adhering to Dharma or performing a yagna or giving away Daana one must focus on being detached to the outcome. If the Karmaphala is the only focus, then it will dent the potential expression of the fruits. Ashtaka found that quantitivately though matching Sibi, the latter’s detachment gave him the slight edge in that spiritual journey.
Satsangha: Yayati despite his great fall, due to all the past punya by constantly adhering to Dharma understood that the only redemption anyone having such a great fall can have is Satsangha. While our association with sensory objects, indriyas drive our manas outward, Satsangha does the opposite. They help us understand the reality and guide us to be grounded in it. Satsangha also provides the necessary environment for us not only be aware of the true potential, but also effect the transformation.
Yayati’s life through its extreme swings may not happen to us in a single lifetime. But that is the story every Jivatma is going through across many janmas. Recalling Yayati’s story and the wondrous insights will keep us deep rooted in Dharma. Dharma and Satsangha are the only refuge. May be constantly seek them at every step of our life, so we can achieve the highest potential and our real nature of Moksha.
ॐ तत् सत
