May 19, 2007

Chapter 3: Tapas for Sanjeevini Mantra

At the funeral of Hayagreev, Kaalakethu and Harinal battle it out as to who is to take Hayagreev’s position now as the king of Daanavs to fight against devlok people (Daanavs existence even after the Great Floods is questionable especially because the Floods were to eradicate the bad ones from earth!) Hayagreev's mom witnesses this fight and is aghast. She tells the fighters how sad it is that the descendents are not grieving for their erstwhile King instead fighting to take his throne. Hence they are daanavs. Her hubby refuses to come and light Hayagreev's pyre. In the battle between K and H, Harshal loses and flees away to Shukracharya, who was humiliated earlier by Indra & Co, and hence he takes sidewith Daanavs. Kaalakethu (after setting fire to Hayagreev's pyre) wages battle against Indra but loses. Indra boasts of his voctory and is proud of himself, with no modesty. Warning sign to him. Shukracharya condemns K for waging battle without waiting for his (S's) signal.

Kaalakethu and Harshal combine with Shukracharya in the battle against Indra. Shukracharya goes to Shiva to get Sanjeevini Mantra so that he can bring back the dead to life. Indra too goes to ask for it. Indra reaches early but he takes a seat and waits for Lord Shiva to come out of trance. But Shukracharya comes and bows down to Shiva and touches his feet. So Shiva only sees Shukracharya. Indra complains that he came first but Shiva says that he saw Shukracharya first. Anyways, Shiva tells that the one who can do tapas for 1 year, meager (or no) food, upside down hanging from a tree will get the mantra. Indra thinks it is impossible so doesnt even bother starting it. But S is very determined to do it and he starts off. He is confident of winning.

Vishnu is all praises to Shukracharya and is not happy with Indra. He mentions that the one who has perseverance and endurance alone can achieve success in Life. And Shukracharya had all of it within him. For a man with determination, anything is possible - says Vishnu.

Kaalakethu and Harshal plead Shukracharya to give up the tapas as it might endanger his life, but he ignores them. He hangs himself upside down near a tree and has the smoke of burnt ashes hit through his face. Mother Earth says only those who face tests and problems can taste success.

Narada visits Indra, who is sure Shukracharya cannot win the contest, and tells him that, indeed, Shukracharya is winning. This makes Indra afraid. Narada visits Lakshmi and tells that sometimes though topics are not facts, it makes good hearing, but when topics are facts, they may not make a good hearing.

Shukracharya’s mom visits him and gives him her blessings. Vishnu is happiness personified by this scene as he considers the relationship between mom and child as the most satisfying and fulfilling of all. He namaskaars such mothers, because they share the same pain as their children.

Indra, getting panicky, asks 3 apsaras to go to Shukracharya and disrupt his tapas. But they disobey because of powers Shukracharya has in cursing them. At that time, Indra’s daughter, Jayanthi comes and says that a woman should not be used as a man’s weakness, for a woman is there to provide strength to a man. Also, women should not be just commodities for pleasure. A woman is created to attract a man’s attention, so that between them a bond of love can be developed and it is for this reason that a woman should act as an apsara ant not otherwise. She elects herself, though, not to have to same modus operandi, as an apsara, to disrupt the sage’s tapas, which is the primary intention.

Lakshmi is tensed as she feels inclusion of Jayanthi in this drama is quite unnecessary, as she might not win. Vishnu says, it is difficult to define winning and losing because sometimes, some people win by losing, and some lose by winning.

Jayanthi approaches sage’s site and enters in spite of security by a false identity and with false, juicy, nice motive. But, in fact, she puts chillies in the burnt ashes which makes the smoke that much more spicy and unbearable to breathe, or be near to. Shukracharya suffers much, but hangs on (literally!), though, it is indicated of the crime that Jayanthi has committed, for which there might be dire consequences.

The spicy and hot and unbreathable smoke continues to emanate and Shukracharya continues to suffer. Soon he starts to bleed from eyes, mouth and nose. Jayanthi is then aghast for what she has done. She tries to stop the smoke, but Harshal and Kaalakethu throw her out, but will not stop smoke because Shukracharya advises them not to. Jayanthi is distraught. She realizes her folly and repents and begs to Shiva to save Shukracharya.

Shiva immediately rescues Shukracharya and asks him to abort the tapas as he had decided Shukracharya was the rightful owner of Sanjeevini Mantra as Indra had resorted to unfair means. So Shiva blesses Shukracharya with the Sanjeevini Mantra. Shukracharya is too happy. He kills Harshal and gives his life back with the help of Sanjeevini Mantra (testing).

During the celebration of his success, Jayanthi asks for Shukracharya’s repentance and forgiveness in the form of her life long services to him, taking the position of his wife, because of the crime she had committed and the obvious punishment, so that she could have her mental peace for what she had done. Shukracharya is aghast. How can a Daanav marry Devputhri? Jayanthi says its not that but just a man marrying a woman. She begs to accept her proposal. Shukracharya is confused. He informs her about her position and that he intends to wage a war against her father and that her intention of disrupting his tapas was only the result of her love of her father and not a crime and that she was ready to leave without any punishment. She doesn’t budge. He accepts her proposal.

Indra is aghast about his own daughter betraying him and marrying a Daanav. But Indra’s wife is against him, as he himself had married a Danavputri (she herself), there was no wrong in a Daanav marrying a Dev putri. Indra puts his head down.

Shukracharya announces war. So does Indra. Jayanthi is the loser even if either party loses. So she asks for a compromise. Shukracharya rejects it. So she stands by him, as he is her husband, a position more valuable than a father.

War begins. Each time Indra’s men kill Daanavs, Shukracharya brings them back to life, using Sanjeevini Mantra. War rages on. Indra foresees his failure and runs away with his army. Daanavs celebrate success. Indra and Co are worried about no answer for the Sanjeevini Mantra. So he and Co approach Vishnu, who tells them that the answer to Sanjeevini is amrutha.

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