A Page from Ancient Literature

Sukla knows relations. However, friends appear not very convinced and now, after careful thought, she gives answer that suggests life of pleasures and erosion of ethical quality. Ekswaku and Sudeva perform yajnas and take interest in altruistic acts. Once the king goes for hunting and notices Sukri, a female pig with a large family. However, the lord of pigs Sukra, a wise intellect envisages a violent war and so tells Sukri to go back to a safe place.

Questions of duty and obligations toward family, crop up. He talks of sins of previous life and of the pig’s yoni. In the probable war with the king, he foresees salvation. Thoughts on life of virtues and dharma overwhelm. If a woman without a husband adorns ‘the self’ with divine ornaments it does not glorify if she does not live with her man one learns from Sukri, for to live in hell with the man is better than a life of joys of heaven without husband. One learns about the duties of a wife, mother and sons. Sacrifice hides the beauty of life. It is dharma of a warrior to fight and not to run away. Sukra knows the principles of dharma and so in the ensuing war with the king, he dies and so, he washes away the sins of past life and wins the love gods and thus and goes to heaven. He is gandharava in previous life and unfortunately, he humiliates a sage Pulatsya, incurs his displeasure, suffers under a curse, and takes birth in the yoni of a pig. Life of dharma –virtues, morality and truth washes away sins of man and he gets deliverance even from a hateful yoni, for life of dharma liberates him from a despicable birth.

It is dharma of woman to devote time and life to her and it grants salvation. She did not argue further for she believed that true happiness existed in marital relations where a man and woman must pursue life of goodness and nobility. However, her relations and friends did not agree to what she said. Whatever reasons, Sukla’s friends offered did not appear cogent and genuine.

Sukla remained unconvinced. Arguments of friends that she ought to live a life of pleasures in the absence of husband irritated her, and therefore, she related a tale of Sudeva to fortify a solid stance of a devoted wife, she wanted to be and thus, answered friends, the supporters of a life of pleasures. She slowly in gentle language narrated another tale of love, faith, devotion and sacrifice of a woman. They listened to attentively.

In ancient times, a son of Manu, Ekswaku ruled a vast empire Ayodhya. He was a man of dharma. He was fortunate and remained busy in religious functions. He was a man of wisdom and he ardently worshipped gods and brahmins. He married Sudeva, a girl of virtuous conduct, a daughter of the king of Kashi. She adhered to the principles of truth. Saintly king Ekswaku and Sudeva performed many yajnas and were always engaged in altruistic acts.

One day, Ekswaku and queen Sudeva went to a dense forest situated on the bank of holy Ganga River because the king wanted to enjoy hunting. He killed many lions and pigs during the chase. Occupied in hunting, the king saw a huge hog before him, and a horde of pigs, one after the other walked or playfully ran behind the hog. Sons, grandsons and great grandsons surrounded the pig. Beloved Sukri stood beside him. When the pig saw the king, he looked at the children and said to wife Sukri, “O dear, valorous emperor of Koshal, Ekswaku has come for hunting. Many dogs and jackals follow for making hunting easy and effective. No doubt, he would attack me. Emperor is a virtuous soul. He is the king of kings and the lord of the entire world. O darling, I shall fight with courage, fortitude and inherent potential in the battlefield. If I win with the divine power I have, I shall enjoy astonishing glory on earth and if the valiant king kills me in the battleground, I shall go to the land of lord Vishnu. I do not know of the sin I committed in the previous life because of which I took birth in the yoni of a pig. Today, I shall wash away collected sins of earlier life with the help of hundreds of dreadful, piercing and sharp edged arrows the great Emperor would release at me. Therefore, O woman, forsake love and take away the entire tribe of sons, grandsons, great grandsons and noble daughters, children and the aged to the safe cave of the mountain. You should renounce love for me and protect children.” The wise pig raised questions of duty with a strong undercurrent of philosophy.

Sukri listened to the pig and after pondering over the nature of unfortunate events, she said, “O lord, children roar and meander in the mountain eliciting strength from you. Getting the glory from you, they eat roots and fruit fearlessly in the forest. O great lord, if children are not worried or concerned about the dense forest thorny bushes, difficult mountains and caves, and are least nervous or scared when they observe lions and men, it is because of the strength they derive from you, and therefore, feel quite safe.” She thought and added, “If you desert, children will be left weak, helpless and unconscious. To live separately from you will not enhance my stature. Even if a woman without a husband adorns ‘the self’ with divine ornaments, jeweled things, beautiful clothes, and even if she gets love and respect from parents, brothers, parents-in-law and relations, she does not get honour, she would get in the presence of husband.”

After a thought, she said, “A man without a good conduct, a saint without knowledge and a king sans clandestine consultation about the health and affairs of the country does not add glory to anyone like a life without you. O god of life, I cannot live without you. I tell you the truth, O lord, even if I have to live life in the hell with you, I shall accept happily. Therefore, it is better if we take everyone with us and hide in some cave of the mountain. What benefit would you get out of the fight and consequent death in the battlefield after leaving hope of life?” She was quite forceful in offering cogent reasons.

Pleas of Sukri appeared reasonable.

He spoke, “O dear Sukri, you do not know the great qualities of brave men. I will tell you. After a request or a challenge to give a fight, if a warrior does not offer opportunity to the enemy to fight because of kama, greed, fear or infatuation, he lives in a hell Kumbhpak for one hundred yugas. If a brave man defeats an enemy in a war, he gets glory and splendeur and if dies while fighting fearlessly, he attains the divine land meant for brave people. O beloved, he enjoys life of comforts for twenty thousand years.” He was quiet for some time. After a thought, he said, “A son of Manu, Ekswaku has arrived. He is brave. If he wants a fight, I must give a chance. O noblewoman, the king has come as a guest in war -a guest is the image of eternal Sri Vishnu. Therefore, if I engage the king in a battle, it is like greeting and it is essential for me.”

Sukri listened to the arguments and said, “O lord of breath, if you wish to provide an opportunity to the great king for a combat, I shall stay and see your gallantry.”

Saying so, she immediately called up members of the family and said, “O children, listen. Lord Vishnu has arrived in the battlefield and to accord welcome to the lord, my husband is going, and therefore, I would go with him. Until the protector my husband is present here, you should go to some far off cave of a mountain. O sons, a son of Manu, Ekswaku is very brave king who remains unconquerable in any war or battle. He appears in the image of Yama, and therefore, he would destroy all. Therefore, you run away.”

They heard words of caution, thought and said, “He, who deserts parents in times of crisis, is called a sinner and falls into a dreadful hell. It is the ultimate punishment for him. A cruel person, who drinks mother’s milk, disowns parents, lives with insects in foul smelling hell and eats muck. Therefore, O mother, we cannot leave you and father.”

After offering convincing reasons, the entire tribe of pigs stood in defense, as if they were strong and full of radiance and energy.

A dreadful war begins between the forces of Ekswaku and the Sukra, the lord of pigs…violent war creates a scenario of blood around and it is difficult to think of end…

On the other hand, Ekswaku, beautiful queen Sudeva and Chaturangni Army began an arduous journey to the forest for hunting. Jackals, dogs and swiftly walking warriors marched happily in front of the great emperor. All went to the place where brave Sukra with wife Sukri, was present. All big and small pigs guarded old parents from all sides.

Reaching the foothills of Meru Mountain situated on the bank of river Ganga, Ekswaku said to jackals, “You send elders and brave warriors to face Sukra.”

All great warriors roared, created noise, drove toward Sukra on the command of the emperor, and soon reached the place where mighty Sukra stood to confront. A fierce battle began and the soldiers of the king began piercing the body of Sukra with sharp weapons comprising astras and sastras. After he witnessed the ferocity of the battle, Yoothpati with hundreds of sons, grandsons, friends and relations arrived at the battlefield and assaulted the enemy. With fury and rage, he began to destroy the forces of enemy. Sharp jaws of pigs injured jackals and others, who began to collapse and some died on the battleground. After sometime, a dreadful battle ensued between the pigs and jackals, and killings began on all sides. Jackals killed many pigs, pigs also drove many jackals to death, and thus, battlefield looked red with blood. Numerous pigs died, many fell wounded, and still many more ran away from the battleground and hid in the dense forest, shrubs, huge hide-holes and caves. Jackals also met a similar fate.

War assumed dreadful dimensions. The violent conflict killed, wounded and injured many with the nail-like sharp teeth and the bodies of many appeared torn to pieces. It presented a frightening picture as furious pigs appeared mad with fury. Many met death in the battleground. Now, the huge pig proud of immense strength along with devoted wife Sukri and about half a dozen sons and grandsons remained steadfast and stood to confront the enemy with a strong desire to fight. At that time, Sukri advised the mighty husband to move out of the battleground.

Sukra understood the anxiety and worries of wife about the safety. He said, “A pig can drink water among the two lions but a lion cannot take water among the two pigs. Strength is quite visible in the tribe of pigs. If I run away from the battlefield then, I only destroy the power. The whole tribe will face disgrace. I have knowledge of the supreme benefit of dharma. A warrior deserting a holy battleground out of kama, greed or fear is undoubtedly, a sinner.” It was clear that courageous Sukra did not want to run away despite weaknesses before a mighty emperor. He was, in no case, prepared to leave the battleground without giving a valiant fight irrespective of the consequences. A brave man rushes toward a well-armoured warrior with a spirit of happiness and one calls it a great and pious act. He believed that to fight against enemy means to take bath in the holy water of Ganges. A warrior, running away from the battlefield brings discredit to mother, and people dub the man as a son born out of illicit relations he told.

“I am aware of the dharma of a courageous man. How can I run away from the battleground? You go away with children and spend life in comforts.”

However, she stood unmoved and said, “I love you and the bondages of love do not permit. With love, respect, tiny little loving words and love-making, you tied me up, and therefore, I shall relinquish life.” They wanted each other’s well-being and so they decided to fight.

Ekswaku could see that they were now ready to challenge. Ekswaku was angry when he found the army of Sukra had defeated a king’s army. Thereafter, he attacked Sukra after picking up the bow and arrow, a symbol of death. Sukra also rushed to the emperor. He was now under the feet of horse and the king aimed at Sukra with arrow. A violent fight ensued in which horse of the king looked as if grievously wounded. Therefore, the king boarded a small chariot to continue the fight. Sukra roared dreadfully at that time, and the end of war appeared quite dismal. After some time, the king attacked the pig with a strong mace and with a terrible strike, Sukra met death, and immediately, he entered the divine land of lord Vishnu while lifeless body fell on the ground with a loud sound. At that time, the gods of heavens showered flowers.

After the death of Sukra, brave son takes over and continues the war but it is difficult to stand before a mighty king…the fierce war among the pigs and jackals appears fearsome and in the end, courageous son of Sukra dies

Questions of safety of children worried Sukri, who tried to protect children when the army of jackals rushed to kill. When she observed that Sukra had died, she said to children in sorrow and grief, “O children, as long as I stand here, you run away swiftly.” However, the eldest son refused to obey, for he did not want to risk life of a devoted mother.

He told, “I will take revenge and defeat the enemy. O mother, take younger brothers to the caves. He, who runs away after leaving parents in distress, is a sinner and falls into a hell where crores of insects make life miserable. She heard a brave son and spoke in anguish, “O child, how I, a great sinner can go after leaving you in the field. Let the three sons go.”

Thus, the mother and son guided three sons to escape through a very difficult route while the forces of the king comprising jackals looked on but could do nothing. All pigs roared loudly and challenged the enemy. In the meantime, jackals reached there as mother and son blocked the path so that they fail to catch hold of children, who ran to a safe refuge. Again, a terrific battle began. Elder son of Sukri began fighting in front while keeping heroic mother behind so that he could protect. In a vicious fight that ensued, warriors from both the camps collapsed on the battleground and died. It was a great war indeed, where forces of jackals and pigs clashed with ferocity. When Ekswaku observed that son of Sukra fought like a mighty father, so without wasting time, he appeared fully prepared before him and attacked him with a moon like arrow. Pointed arrow pierced deeply and instantly falling on the ground, the young son died. Mother Sukri was disturbed. She fell on the dead body of son and in anger, killed many warriors, and with courage and force, began to drive away the army of the king.

When queen Sudeva witnessed the agonies and sufferings of Sukri, she said to the king, “O lord, Sukri has destroyed a large part of army. You ignore! Please let me know the reasons?”

Ekswaku turned to queen and said, “O dear, she is a woman and to kill a woman, is a terrible sin the gods say. Therefore, I do not intend killing Sukri and I would not dispatch anyone to eliminate a brave woman. I am afraid of a great sin if I kill her.” Saying so, the wise king was silent. When one of the jackals Bhargava observed that great Sukri had begun to play havoc with the forces of the king even as many warriors were unable to stand before her, he attacked Sukri with a sharp arrow that penetrated deep into the body of fighting Sukri. Injured Sukri pounced upon the jackal and thrashed him on the ground. While falling on the ground, the jackal with a sharp sword, struck Sukri. Terribly wounded Sukri fell on the ground, breathed slowly and fell unconscious.

Queen feels the anguish of grievously injured Sukri…she washes her wounds and the distressed pig thanks the queen in human voice, which stuns the queen…tuneful song of gandharava Rang and this disturbs Vidyadhara sage Pulatsya in meditation

When queen Sudeva observed Sukri, an affectionate mother, falling unconscious on the ground and breathing slowly, pity and affection overwhelmed her. She rushed to the injured and suffering Sukri, washed blood stained face with cold water and then, threw the entire water on the body. Sukri regained consciousness, saw the queen cleansing body with pious and cold water.

She said, “O goddess, you washed my body. I wish you well. Your holy darshana and touch of hands have destroyed sins.”

Queen Sudeva was surprised when she heard polite words in human voice from an animal. She whispered, “It is a miracle I witnessed. A woman from the animal tribe speaks in clear and beautiful Sanskrit language. She is so cultured.”

Sudeva was immensely happy and amazed at the phenomenon and therefore, spoke to Ekswaku, “O King, please come. She is a marvelous animal. She speaks in wonderful Sanskrit language like men.”

Afterward, queen Sudeva asked Sukri, “O noble woman, who are you? You behave quite surprisingly. Born in the yoni of an animal, you speak like men. Please narrate the tale of previous life.”

Sukri said gently, “O virtuous woman, my husband was a wonderful musician, a gandharava Rang Vidyadhara. Some people called him Geet Vidyadhara. Gandharavas were learned men of scriptures. It is a tale of ancient times when sage Pulatsya, one of the greatest monks was engaged in austere meditation on Meru Mountain embroidered with captivating caverns and water springs where peace and harmony prevailed. Beauty of the mountain captivated Rang Vidyadhara. Therefore, he thought deep and then, went to the place, sat under a tree and began practicing a song. Enthralling and tuneful song disturbed the monk in intense penance.

He came to the musician and said, “O wise man, sweet voice, cadences, fine distinction in tone and charming emotional tinge perturbs. When the mind is still and calm, it helps people to attain perfection. Concentrated mind helps deep tapa, and is good to get perfect knowledge of mantras. You know, a crowd of senses is unsteady and it remains in motion. A distracted mind always moves toward pleasures of life. Therefore, wherever monks find absence of word, beauty, figure and young girl, they go to do tapa and meditation.” He made it clear that gandharava had disturbed him, “I request you to leave the place and go elsewhere or else I will go away elsewhere.”

After he heard the request of the monk, gandharava Vidyadhara said, “O noble man, a mahatma vanquished the community of senses and with the power of tapa, he defeated it, and so was called a man of tapa, a yogi, a man of perseverance and a sadhaka. You are not a man, who exercises control over senses. Therefore, you are devoid of inner light and illumination. O brahmin, the forest is ordinary and everyone has equal right over it. I find no need of any dispute. As gods and created beings have right over it, similarly you and I have equal right. In such situations, why should I leave a terrific forest, and go away. You go or stay, I am not afraid.” Sage kept cool and thought to leave. He was polite and reasonable, spoke of right over the forest in a strange argument, and perhaps refused to understand problem of the monk.

Sage listened patiently, thought for a while but did not object to the impertinence of gandharava and went elsewhere to continue tapa…

Sage Pulatsya was a man of dharma, and therefore, he forgave gandharava for an impudent act and went elsewhere to continue tapa. After the monk left, it was normal. After a gap of long period, gandharava Vidyadhara thought of monk.

He thought within, “Monk ran away for he feared me. I must see where he has gone. What he does and where does he live?” He thought for a long time and then found out the location of the monk, transformed into a pig and went to the ashrama of sage Pulatsya where the holy man sat on a higher pedestal. Divine and illumining light emerged out of the body of sage he noticed.

However, the holy light did not affect my husband. He began to humiliate a great sage of discipline with the frontal portion of jaws. He did not end there. After a while, he spread dirt in the ashrama, defiled, dirtied, urinated here and there and then, eased out. Thinking him an animal, the monk did not punish and so ignored. However, the attitude of the monk, made Sukra wild and it affected him adversely. Again, one day my husband in guise of a pig went to ashrama and started ridiculing the monk. At times, he laughed loudly, wept next moment and then at another moment, began to sing a sweet song.

Observing desires of a pig, the monk understood that possibly he could be the same low-witted gandharava who had earlier tried to disturb tapa, and now, wanted to give trouble. Monk was extremely angry at the pig’s nuisance. He issued a curse, “O great sinner, in the guise of a pig, you try to disturb. Therefore, you go to the yoni of pig.”

She said painfully and then added, “O noble queen, I told you everything about the previous yoni of Sukra, my husband.”

She was quiet and composed now. The queen looked on with pity and sympathy. She was astonished to hear an amazing tale from the mouth of a female pig, who narrated the tale in human voice. She was baffled and continued to look at the sad face of Sukri –a faithful wife, who served Sukra, her husband sincerely, and whose words of wisdom about the duties of members of family impressed her tremendously.