"Vaishampaayana said, 'The excellent monarch Yayaati, the son of Nahusha, having received Pooru's youth, became exceedingly pleased. With it he (Yayaati) once more began to indulge in his favourite activities to the full extent of his desires and to the limit of his powers, according to seasons, so as to derive the greatest pleasure from that place. O king (Janamejaya), in nothing that he (Yayaati) did, he acted against the rules of his Dharma as dutied by him well.
"He pleased Devas by his yagnas; the pitris, by Sraddhas; the poor, by his charities; all excellent Brahmanas, by fulfilling their desires; all persons entitled to the rites of hospitality, with food and drink; the Vaishyas, by protection; and the Shudras, by kindness. The king (Yayaati) subdued all criminals by proper punishments. Yayaati, gratifying all sections of his subjects, protected them as per Dharma like another (Lord) Indra.
"The monarch possessed of the capability of a lion, with youth and every object of enjoyment under control, enjoyed unlimited happiness without crossing the rules of Dharma. The king (Yayaati) became very happy in thus being able to enjoy all the excellent objects of his desires. He was only sorry when he thought that those thousand years would come to an end. Having obtained youth for a thousand years, the king (Yayaati) got familiar with the mysteries of time, and watching proper Kalaa and Kaashthaa sported with (Apsara) Vishwachi, sometimes in the beautiful garden of (Lord) Indra, sometimes in Alaka (the city of Kubera), and sometimes on the summit of the mountain Meru on the north.
"When the Dharmaraja (Yayaati) saw that the thousand years were full, he called his son, Pooru, and addressed him thus, 'O oppressor of enemies, with your youth, O son, I have enjoyed the pleasures of life, each according to its season to the full extent of my desires, to the limit of my powers. Our desires, however, are never satisfied by indulgence. On the other hand, with indulgence, they only flame up like fire with offerings of sacrificial butter. If a single person were owner of everything on Earth--all her yields of paddy and barley, her silver, gold, and gems, her animals and women, he would not still be content. Thirst of enjoyment, therefore, should be given up. Indeed, true happiness belongs to them that have removed their thirst for worldly objects--a thirst which is difficult to be thrown off by the wicked and the sinful, which fails not with the failing life, and which is truly the fatal disease of man. My heart has for a full thousand years been fixed upon the objects of Kaamaa. My thirst for these, however, increases day by day without subsiding. Therefore, I shall cast it off, and fixing my mind on (Lord) Brahma, I shall pass the rest of my days with the innocent deer in the forest peacefully and with no heart for any worldly objects. O Pooru, I have been exceedingly pleased with you! Prosperity be yours! Receive back this your youth! You also receive my kingdom. You are, indeed, that son of mine who has done me the greatest services.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'Then Yayaati, the son of Nahusha, received back his old age (weakness). His son Pooru received back his own youth. Yayaati was desirous of installing Pooru, his youngest son, on the throne. But the four varnas, with the Brahmanas at their head, then addressed the monarch thus, 'O king, how shall you give your kingdom on Pooru, passing over your eldest son Yadu born of Devayani, and, therefore, the grandson of the great Shukra? Indeed, Yadu is your eldest son; after him has been born Turvasu; and of Sarmishtha's sons, the first is Drahyu, then Anu and then Pooru. How does the youngest deserve the throne, passing all his elder brothers over? This we represent to you! O, conform to the practice of Dharma.'
"Yayaati then said, 'O four varnas with Brahmanas at their head, hear my words as to why my kingdom should not be given to my eldest son. My commands have been disobeyed by my eldest son, Yadu. The wise say that he is no son who disobeys his father. That son, however, who does the bidding of his parents, who seeks their good, who is agreeable to them, is indeed, the best of sons. I have been disregarded by Yadu and by Turvasu, too. Much I have been disregarded by Drahyu and by Anu also. By Pooru alone has my word been obeyed. By him, I have been much regarded. Therefore, the youngest shall be my heir. He took my old age. Indeed, Pooru is my friend. He did what was so agreeable to me. It has also been commanded by Shukra himself, the son of Kavi, that, that son of mine who should obey me will become king after me and bring the whole Earth under his rule. I, therefore, ask you, let Pooru be installed on the throne.'
"The people then said, 'O king, it is true that, that son who is accomplished and who seeks the good of his parents, deserves prosperity even if he be the youngest. Therefore, does Pooru, who has done the good, deserve the crown. As Shukra himself has commanded it, we have nothing to say to it.'
"Vaishampaayana continued, 'The son of Nahusha (Yayaati), thus addressed by the contented people, then installed his son, Pooru, on the throne. Having given his kingdom on Pooru, the monarch (Yayaati) performed the initiatory ceremonies for retiring into the forest (Vanaprasta in Sanskrit). Soon after he left his capital, followed by Brahmanas and Rishis.
"The sons of Yadu are known by the name of the Yadavas: while those of Turvasu have come to be called the Yavanas. The sons of Drahyu are the Bhojas, while those of Anu, the Mlechchhas. The sons of Pooru, however, are the Pauravas, amongst whom, O monarch, you are born, in order to rule for a thousand years with your passions under complete control.'"
No comments:
Post a Comment