A Page from Ancient Literature

Once upon a time, wise men and scholars of history considered dynasty of Swayambhuva Manu, the most revered and eminent. Devhuti, who married sage Kardama, belonged to the lineage of Manu. Lord blessed Devahuti with eight limbs of Yoga. How sage Kardama married princess Devahuti carries an interesting background. Kardama practiced penance and meditation on the riverbank of Saraswati for ten thousand years. He concentrated on Sri Hari, and so was engaged in rigorous worship, deep tapa, meditation, austerity and yajnas, and pleased supreme Lord. Supreme soul appeared before sage Kardama in the image of sacred divine word –the Vedas.

Kardama prostrated in a spirit of divine ecstasy, and the Supreme Lord blessed him. Sage touched feet of the lord and out of deep feelings of devotion and bhakti eulogized him for the blessing and generosity he granted to living beings and devotees. He was grateful to the Supreme Creator, who offered shelter to devotees under the benign umbrella of virtues and blessings. Out of love and devotion, he made an appeal. He wished lord to provide devotees a few pleasures of senses when they live with the power of inscrutable Maya -deluding potency and divine energy. He also spoke of the splendid wreath of basil leaves, thought as a form of infinite -Maya.

The lord did not keep devotees in tension and anticipation. Great sage prayed for blessing of pleasures of senses for devotees -mortals and the lord was ready to bless he knew. Lord told of king Swayambhuva Manu, a son of Brahma, who governed with truth and righteousness. Queen Satarupa knew secrets of dharma he told. Lord revealed that Satarupa would marry a daughter to him, who would give birth to nine daughters from the seed of sage Kardama. The sage would obey instructions of lord, and finally, attain self-realization. Sage Kardama would teach Devahuti and nine daughters a system of philosophy relating to the ultimate principles of life -Prakrti, Purusa, Iswara and knowledge. Lord revealed future events and left for heavenly abode.

Sage Kardama was aware of future as the lord revealed and the events he unfolded before, would take shape in the near future. He visualized a life of fulfillment, pleasure and meaning. He desired earthly pleasures for devotees so that they live a complete life. It was totality of experience and knowledge the sage sought. Without living a life of a householder, a man could not boast of a full and whole life. When he left for heavenly abode, sage Kardama stayed in the hermitage and waited for the right time because he believed in destiny.

At an auspicious moment, king Swayambhuva Manu, queen Satarupa and daughter Devahuti arrived at the ashrama with regal spectacle. A great scene of earthly splendeur and royal brilliance enchanted. He found an aura of righteousness, truth, peace, love and dharma engulfing the three Worlds. Royal entourage presented a magnificent treat to the eyes of beholders. Soon, the royal couple and entourage entered sage’s hermitage. He bowed before sage Kardama in reverence and the holy man greeted and blessed the king, and granted majestic honour and respect.

It was an age and time of truth and a word spoken appeared as effective existence. Sage Kardama told king Manu, “You frequently go about, visit people and the entire kingdom. Vicious people fear, go underground and if noticed anywhere, face threat to life or an end of a despicable life. At the same time, the virtuous flourishes, and truth and dharma prevail.”

It naturally pleased Manu. He further praised and said, “If impious men come to govern then moral laws ruling various classes of society will break, and quite evidently, a very dreadful state will emerge and so, noble men will suffer the burden of crimes and sins of unrighteous people.” He told politely. If law of dharma and truth determine psyche of the rulers and the kings, untruth and adharma vanish he said.

“Do not think of anything else but kingdom, people and dharma, which alone were the key to salvation,” The holy man advised. A wonderful and divine talk continued. At last, Kardama said, “Whatever it is, O great king, tell, what objective brought you to the ashrama. Reveal the grand purpose and I shall try to fulfill.”

Unlimited praise and tributes cheered up, vanquished and humbled Manu. Kardama paid homage to exalted virtues, exploits of the king, who now, lived life of a recluse. Because of a divine objective, Kardama advised Manu to perform majestic duties devotedly and faithfully. Manu did not lack in eulogizing virtues of tapa, penance, meditation, austerity and Yoga - deep concentration of Kardama, who was averse to earthly pleasures. He spoke of duties of Brahmins and Ksatriyas, who protected each other and then, looked after worldly affairs. If the king performs functions concertedly, people live happily in peace. Thus, the immutable and absolute lord was the cause and the effect, and protected all classes without distinction or prejudice he told.

Then, king Manu said, “Your benign sight dispelled inner suspicions and you affectionately underlined duties of a king anxious to protect people. I am fortunate that I see you, for it is difficult for others, who do not subdue frailties of minds and hearts so that they could perceive realities. Now, that you advise genuinely and spell out duties of kings, I am indebted to you for the great favour you did through alluring words and inspiration.” He was calm as peace and tranquility of ashrama offered supreme quietude. He sat as if before an embodiment of truth and serenity. He had arrived with a purpose and wanted to unveil inner wish but was hesitant.

Silence prevailed and Manu the king looked at the serene face of sage closely. After early faltering, said, “O sage, I am worried because of deep love for daughter Devahuti. So, kindly listen to the request I make. Devahuti is a sister of Prayavrata and Uttanapada and I am in search of a worthy match. He should possess qualities of age, head and heart. She heard from sage Narada about your noble character, learning, attractive figure, young age and virtues and decided to accept you as husband. Therefore, O holy sage, accept Devahuti as wife. O Brahmin, I offer princess to you as wife with feelings of deep reverence. Fit and suitable, she will be a perfect homemaker and discharge household duties. You do not ignore objective of pleasure and delight of life sans attachment. Why talk of a man addicted to pleasures of senses? O sage, do not spurn this offer. A man, who rejects a gift, shows disrespect, and then if he begs, it humiliates him and humbles reputation and pride because of impudence. I learn you are willing to marry. You pursue principles of celibacy I know and you are not averse to worldly pleasures but I understand, you pledged to live life of celibacy. I want you accept princess as wife.”

Kardama said, “You are right. I wish to marry her and understand you did not agree to marry Devahuti to anyone else and so, not betrothed yet. I am ready to accept her as wife.” He understood what constituted a full man. King Manu also offered firm and ample reasons, and appeared pragmatic.

After a pause, Kardama said, “It will be a winning relation. Who would not accept Devahuti as wife? She outshines natural splendeur of brilliance of ornaments so easily. Once, Viswavasu a Gandharava looked at the divine beauty of your daughter from an aerial car. Beauty bewildered out of intense obsession and he fell down I know. Divine beauty Devahuti implores now is an honour. I find no man, who would refuse to accept princess as wife. She is a sacred jewel and symbol of womanhood, a daughter of great king and a sister of Uttanapada. People not devoted to goddess Laksmi, cannot even dream of a glimpse of Devahuti’s feet. Therefore, O king, I accept her as wife with a condition. I would stay with her and perform household duties as dharma until she bears a ray of the Supreme Spirit in her womb through me. Thereafter, I will devote life to the practice of self-control, discipline, tapa and penance as Supreme lord advised. A path of penance will not destroy but people will characterize it as life of a recluse. So, life will be devoted to immortal lord Sri Hari, a ruler even of Prajapatis -lords of created beings.”

He uttered solemn truth, fell silent and meditated on the Supreme lord and appeared an embodiment of virtues as he concentrated on the lord of a lotus-adorned navel. Divine smiles on the holy face of Kardama captivated Devahuti. King knew inner feelings and intents of queen Satarupa and Devahuti, and therefore, did not hesitate to offer hand of princess to virtuous sage Kardama and thus, Devahuti got a right man as husband. Happy Satarupa gave many valuable gifts like gold, jewels, costly clothes and household articles as were suitable to the status of a queen. With a very heavy heart, the king and the queen took leave of sage Kardama. Biding adieu to the daughter they withdrew. They did not know the mind of the holy man.

They came back to the capital. People were overjoyed and celebrated the occasion. People greeted the royal couple with devotional songs, lyrics of praise and music. He ruled over a vast kingdom for a long time. He was not only a great and powerful king but he also knew the art of life. Even when certain sages asked, he promptly taught varied sacred duties of men in general. He was quick in kingly functions, assuaged sufferings of people, and put emphasis on dharma. He was conscious of different grades in society, stages in life and limitations of a ruler.

If Manu was an emperor of splendeur and grandeur, Devahuti, a holy woman also carved out a special place for ‘the self’ so that women follow. She was virtuous and pure, and devotion to Kardama was tapa. After royal parents left the ashrama, she understood the mind of husband Kardama. She was now, dedicated to Kardama as if he were lord Shiva. She attended to the sage every day and was particular about sage’s comforts. She renounced thoughts and feelings of lust and passion, deceit, malice, greed and avariciousness, sin, ego, pride and vanity, and never cared to think of forbidden areas.

She was ever ready to dedicate comforts and life to the service of sage Kardama, thus, was cautious and devotional, and satisfied Kardama. She won the heart of holy man, sage Kardama. She was faithful, loyal and devoted, unsullied in fidelity, reverence, and exhibited utmost restraint on senses and was modest and soft. Sage Kardama was greater than even god and Providence she knew. Devahuti nursed hopes but did not wish to disturb sage’s meditation and devotion.

She did not express feelings of pain and as if in austere penance, she served Kardama, became frail and emaciated. She was also devoted to religious duties and adhered firmly to dictums of dharma. Kardama, a celestial sage was a bit remorseful when he noticed Devahuti’s weak and pale physique. Feelings of empathy and compassion deeply troubled, and worries for loyal wife mounted vastly, and therefore, one day, in intensity of love, he said in faltering and muffled intonation, “O pious daughter of Manu, you proved enormous respect and I am satisfied and delighted. Wonderful devotion and service to me has pleased. All living beings love and respect bodies but without caring for body, you without resentment continuously served, and was never upset that you were weak.”

He said again, “I attained mystical powers, blessings and vision through intensity of tapa, deep meditation, penance and yoga and I am free from fear and grief. You are equally a beneficiary of the divine and godly powers because you served well with no groan.” He was emotional and expressed genuine gratitude to Devahuti for the wonderful support and love when he was engaged in austere penance.

He thought for some time, looked at the angelic and very happy face, and said, “O holy woman, I confer on you a divine and supernatural vision, and hereafter, you’ll enjoy divine blessings, and then, earthly pleasures will enrich and gratify you. Joys, even if heavenly, are just of no use and are a mere contraction of eyebrow of the almighty Lord, who wields infinite power and destroys such pleasures. You find nothing beyond. You attained objects of pleasure with strength of abundant dedication and fidelity. You have a divine eye and enjoy pervasive joys of the world and the world beyond. O holy girl, people, who own everything, cannot attain such pleasures because unfortunately, they are besotted with sins like ego and pride. They do not have a divine eye to enjoy pleasures. False notions of regal dignity do not permit genuine pleasures.”

Very soft and gratifying utterances of Kardama pleased Devahuti. She felt relieved, smiles brightened up her face as she recognized that sage Kardama was a supreme yogic guru, who knew different forms of worship, religious disciplines and etiquettes. For some time, they sat quietly. After a pause, she gathered spirits and spoke out with feelings of humility, modesty and intense love.

Devahuti said, “O holy Brahmin, I know what you said. It is quite natural. You are the lord of trustworthy yogic powers, exert divine potency -Maya, and so possess pleasures of heaven. O lord, time has come to fulfill a promise you gave to father king Manu at the time of marriage… that you will enjoy passions and comforts of married life -life of a householder and sow holy seed. It is possible if you…intimate contact is a divine necessity to fulfill the word given to father Manu. It is a rare boon for virtuous wives to give birth to children through a highly venerable husband, I know. O sage, tell what suitable arrangements are required before the union. Kindly instruct so that I arrange ubtan -an Ayurvedic beauty paste and massage body properly so that I look fresh, beautiful and pleasing. I require perfumes, food suited to the occasion and necessary attractive, glorifying and beautifying valuables, which make union effective and loveable and so, guidelines of scriptures need proper care. I look weak and wish to make emaciated body fit and healthy, and in the intensity of passions, I wish union, and eagerly wait for a passionate blending of bodies and souls. A suitable place and house for a divine union is required, which should look befitting for the sacred occasion. A great creation is involved you know, and therefore, I want you to give a careful thought.” Wise and sincere saintly woman captivated sage Kardama.

~*~

He listened to her with deep affection and delight and so, wanted to oblige beloved Devahuti. He meditated deeply and with wonderful yogic powers created an aerial car almost like a huge mansion, a splendid palace, a structure containing pleasures and joys of life available on a mere wish, which could fly anywhere. It was the most gorgeous and dazzling mansion decorated with various jewels, and had pillars adorned with precious stones. Finely endowed with every form of wealth, the divine palace was to grow and grow and not shrink at all, and then, divinity-filled beauties, glories, joys and pleasures of material world yielded joys and delight to enrich life sage Kardama intended.

Huge and glorious mansion contained provisions of household articles with mystical and magical qualities. Grandeur of mansion was useful and pleasure giving in all seasons and it pleased everyone with celestial articles. Well-decorated with multicoloured buntings, colourful flags, garlands and wreaths of flowers of various hues attracted bees and flying insects and then, tapestries of linen, cotton and silk and fine woven fabrics of various kinds and colours decorated the mansion to add magic to the entire palace of pleasure. In fact, a huge and splendid palace with magnificent cushions, beds, fans and seats pleased the eyes and excited passions and love. Unique engraving on the walls and pavements of emerald and coral daisies enhanced its beauty.

It was difficult to describe the glory and beauty. Superbly decorated doors, windows, thresholds, walls and roofs looked awesome. He decorated the mansion with coral, diamond, jewels, pearls and sapphire, and fitted it with crown golden pinnacles and rubies so that it looks amazing. He executed the plan with great care and it offered a divine look. Furnished with amazing canopies and costly golden trappings it looked grand. Many swans, pigeons and birds added charm. It had comfortable playgrounds, bedrooms, lavish sitting rooms, inner and outer yards for fun and it surprised even the creator. A divine creation looked marvelous to the sage, who created it for beloved Devahuti.

Sage appeared puzzled when he looked at Devahuti because she did not appear contented. Kardama could read minds of people with yogic eye. Devahuti did not want a fabulous divine palace and so was not delighted.

He thought, looked at Devahuti and said, “O shy Devahuti, take bath in the lake not very far off and then, board the divine mansion-like aircraft lord Vishnu consecrated. Divine lake fulfills desires of human beings, and the aerial mansion bestows joys, grants boons and fulfills wishes dear to living beings.” Devahuti, at that time, did not look very beautiful. Dirty, filthy and muddy clothes, matted hair with layer of dust gave unclean and wretched look.

Holy woman, a Sadhvi devoted to the service of husband appeared pitiable, weak and withered with coats of dust on body and perhaps, it was a deliberate act so that passions and lust do not fill body. However, she entered the holy lake and in the depths of lake, she observed one thousand young women-attendants emitting enchanting fragrance

Attendants of beauty greeted Devahuti reverentially and as she took bath, young girls messaged costly oil. Gently sweet and aromatic Devahuti with costly clothes, many fabulous and precious golden and jeweled ornaments, looked brilliant, glorious and charming. Devahuti’s neck, wrists, waists, fingers, arms and anklets adorned with jewels and gold ornaments amazed. A gold bedecked girdle of jewels cast a magic spell. Devahuti of divine gaze and looks emerged divinely blessed and adorned but observed great self-restraint, and was least worried about physique and health.

As a devoted wife, maybe, she wanted to assist Kardama engaged in tapa and penance. Young entourage beautified Devahuti and she looked awesome. Now, a striking and divine young woman of devastating physical charms stood to please or perhaps seduce a sage, for she nursed a great objective a modern insight may fail to recognize.