Mahabharata : The Yayati Complex
Hi All,
It is a new day and its time we resume our journey of "The Tale of Victory". Last time we learned about the reason for the anger of Indra, the tragedy of Ganga, and also the curse that befell upon the Eight Vasus.
Now, going back to our previous story about Ganga and Shantanu, Shantanu was none other than Mahabhisha reborn as a mortal due to Indra's curse, and the seven children drowned by Ganga were none other than the Vasus. The MotherGoddess, keeping her promise, had shortened the misery of seven of the eight Vasus but failed to do so for the last Vasu who would be named Devratha, later to be known as Bhishma. Then, she revealed to Shantanu the real cause of their union. She revealed to him who Devratha actually was and the reason for his mortal existence. She told him about the curse of Vashishtha and how it would make the life of this child that he by his own deeds had saved would be among the worst to be experienced by any human. She revealed the future and told Shantanu that his eighth child although being a man would never marry and have no offsprings. Although being the rightful heir to the throne would never ascend the throne and will always remain a servant to the unworthy who would be ruling a kingdom rightfully his.
Upon hearing this Shantanu went into deep shock but hopelessly argued that he was the King and would never let any such predictions come true. Ganga again smiled her ever-mysterious smile at Shantanu that she would also complete her dharma as a mother. She would ensure that Devratha would receive education from the renowned Warrior-Brahmin Parshurama himself. She then vowed to return Devratha to Shantanu when he became of age but even then she shall always remain ominously present to guide her son through the terrible life destined for him.Having said this, she vanished along with her son, leaving Shantanu to return empty-handedly back to his kingdom.
Now, let us fast forward to the time when Devratha after receiving education appropriate to a crown prince returns to Hastinapura. Moving further, we all know the commonly passed on tale about Devaratha, the warrior son of Hastinapura. His sacrifice for the sake of his father's love, Satyavati. He gave up anything and everything that was rightfully his, just so Satyavati, the fisher-maiden, would agree to marry his father. This is another example of what is commonly known as the Yayati Complex. It is symbolic of the glorification of the son who sacrifices his happiness for the sake of his father's happiness.
It is a new day and its time we resume our journey of "The Tale of Victory". Last time we learned about the reason for the anger of Indra, the tragedy of Ganga, and also the curse that befell upon the Eight Vasus.
Now, going back to our previous story about Ganga and Shantanu, Shantanu was none other than Mahabhisha reborn as a mortal due to Indra's curse, and the seven children drowned by Ganga were none other than the Vasus. The MotherGoddess, keeping her promise, had shortened the misery of seven of the eight Vasus but failed to do so for the last Vasu who would be named Devratha, later to be known as Bhishma. Then, she revealed to Shantanu the real cause of their union. She revealed to him who Devratha actually was and the reason for his mortal existence. She told him about the curse of Vashishtha and how it would make the life of this child that he by his own deeds had saved would be among the worst to be experienced by any human. She revealed the future and told Shantanu that his eighth child although being a man would never marry and have no offsprings. Although being the rightful heir to the throne would never ascend the throne and will always remain a servant to the unworthy who would be ruling a kingdom rightfully his.
Upon hearing this Shantanu went into deep shock but hopelessly argued that he was the King and would never let any such predictions come true. Ganga again smiled her ever-mysterious smile at Shantanu that she would also complete her dharma as a mother. She would ensure that Devratha would receive education from the renowned Warrior-Brahmin Parshurama himself. She then vowed to return Devratha to Shantanu when he became of age but even then she shall always remain ominously present to guide her son through the terrible life destined for him.Having said this, she vanished along with her son, leaving Shantanu to return empty-handedly back to his kingdom.
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| Ganga's Departure |
Now, let us fast forward to the time when Devratha after receiving education appropriate to a crown prince returns to Hastinapura. Moving further, we all know the commonly passed on tale about Devaratha, the warrior son of Hastinapura. His sacrifice for the sake of his father's love, Satyavati. He gave up anything and everything that was rightfully his, just so Satyavati, the fisher-maiden, would agree to marry his father. This is another example of what is commonly known as the Yayati Complex. It is symbolic of the glorification of the son who sacrifices his happiness for the sake of his father's happiness.
This heart-wrenching vow of Devratha stunned all living creatures in the cosmos, it surprised even the Devas who descended on Earth to applaud the selflessness of this Kshatriya. They blessed upon him the title of 'Bhishma' - he who makes the most terrible of vows.
This vow of Bhishma, although tragic enough, was more terrible than it seemed. Though the vow simply implied that Bhishma would never marry, have no successors, and also deny ascending the throne, its deeper meaning was that he would not have any heirs who could facilitate his rebirth. So basically, he would be forever doomed to live in the land of the dead and across the mythical river of Vaitarni. This made the Devas feel so sorry for him that they granted him the ability to choose his own timing of demise on his own.
... stopping here at this moment. See you all on a new day with a new, refreshing and engaging post.
#HeartCODE - signing out for today.
Stay in touch with my Blogspot - https://hridaycode.blogspot.com/ for further posts on the Mahabharata.
Also, along with #HeartCODE, I am starting a new Blogspot by the name @WePeople where we would be discussing interesting stuff. Stuff created by us humans ourselves for the betterment for all of humanity. So, do 'follow' me over there too at https://hridaywithpeople.blogspot.com/. I will begin to publish my posts there from tomorrow. Farewell.
This vow of Bhishma, although tragic enough, was more terrible than it seemed. Though the vow simply implied that Bhishma would never marry, have no successors, and also deny ascending the throne, its deeper meaning was that he would not have any heirs who could facilitate his rebirth. So basically, he would be forever doomed to live in the land of the dead and across the mythical river of Vaitarni. This made the Devas feel so sorry for him that they granted him the ability to choose his own timing of demise on his own.
... stopping here at this moment. See you all on a new day with a new, refreshing and engaging post.
#HeartCODE - signing out for today.
Stay in touch with my Blogspot - https://hridaycode.blogspot.com/ for further posts on the Mahabharata.
Also, along with #HeartCODE, I am starting a new Blogspot by the name @WePeople where we would be discussing interesting stuff. Stuff created by us humans ourselves for the betterment for all of humanity. So, do 'follow' me over there too at https://hridaywithpeople.blogspot.com/. I will begin to publish my posts there from tomorrow. Farewell.
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