Mahabharata - Kacha and Devyani

Kacha and Devyani

Kacha was the eldest son of Brhaspati, the guru of the Gods, and the grandson of Angiras, the great ancient sage. In the yore Gods (Devas/Suras) and Asuras, also called Danavas, being the sons of Danu, were in constant fight with each other. Asuras had as their guru Sukracharya or Usanas. Sukracharya was extremely learned and had a beautiful daughter named Devyani. As the guru of the Asuras he was employed in the court of the king of Asuras, Vrishaparvan. In the battle between Devas and Asuras, Asuras had a distinct advantage as Sukracharya knew Mrta Sanjivani mantra, the science of reviving the dead. At that time the churning of ocean to get Amrtam had not taken place and so the Gods were mere mortals. Therefore the Asuras who died in the battle revived and attacked the Devas again, while Devas, devoid of such science were greatly diminished in number. Under such a circumstance the Devas were naturally worried and they decided that the only way to save themselves was to learn the Mrta Sanjivani Mantra. However approaching Sukracharya would be difficult as he, true to his salt, would not entertain any Deva. Devas then consulted together and arrived at a plan. They approached Kacha and told him that it was only he who could save the Devas from the terrible calumny facing them. When Kacha agreed to perform any duty for the sake of Devas, they told him to go to Sukracharya, become his disciple and propitiate both him and his daughter Devyani. In this was Kacha would get an opportunity to learn the Sanjivani Mantra and bring it back for the Devas. Kacha, unselfish and virtuous soul as he was, happily consented to do this perilous job for the sake of the Gods. He went to the palace of king of Asuras Vrishaparvan and met Sukracharya. He told him that he was the son of Brhaspati and was desirous of being his disciple, if he would kindly accept him. Also he was ready to observe the vow of Brahmacharya or purity and chastity for one thousand years.

Sukracharya was very pleased with Kacha and accepted him as his disciple. Kacha began to serve him and his daughter faithfully and devotedly. He was a charming youth in his prime who was proficient in music and dance and other fine arts. So it did not take him much time to develop a very friendly relationship with Devyani, who began to appreciate Kacha for his various talents. The Danavas came to know of the intention of Kacha and decided to kill him. They were waiting for a suitable opportunity and that came soon. One day Kacha was away in a wood grazing the cattles of his guru when Asuras spotted him. They slew him, made several pieces and fed the jackals and wolves. When evening came and the cattles returned by Kacha did not return, Devyani became extremely worried and pestured her father to look for Kacha. Sukracharya came to know that Kacha had been killed and becuase of his daughter's insistence, began to recite the Sanjivani mantra to revive Kacha and Kacha came out, alive again. He then narrated the incident of how Asuras found him out and how they slew him and fed him to the wolves. Sukracharya was extremely angry with the Asuras and told Kacha to be careful.

On another time, Kacha had gone to fecth some flowers for Devyani to the wood when the Asuras spotted him. They killed him, made a paste out of him and mixed it with the water of the ocean. Sukracharya again revived him with the aid of his special science. The third time Asuras were more calculative. They burnt him and they put the ashes in the wine which Sukracharya used to drink. Sukracharya drank that without even knowing that it contained the remnants of his beloved disciple. When Kacha did not return Devyani once again raised an alarm. Sukracharya told her that it would be impossible to save Kacha since the Asuras had set their eyes on him. But Devyani was inconsolable. For the sake of his daughter whom he loved beyond measure, Sukracharya began to call Kacha and the response came from his own stomach. He said that even though he has been pulverised by the Asuras he remembered everything because of his ascetic merit. He was killed and burnt and his parts were mingled with the wine that Sukracharya drank. Sukra was now disgusted with the Asuras. If Kacha had to be revived Sukra himself would be killed because he would have to come out by ripping open Sukra's stomach. He told the same to Devyani and the daughter replied that she would not live losing either her father or Kacha, both were dear to her. Therefore Sukra called upon Kacha and told him that he would revive him and also teach him the Sanjivani mantra so that after coming out of Sukra's stomach he is able to revive his preceptor. Kacha eagerly accepted, since he was waiting for an opportunity to learn the Sanjivani Mantra for the sake of the Devas. When he came out he revived his preceptor with the aid of the Sanjivani. Sukracharya then remembered the ill effect that wine had on him and declared that from henceforth wine would be forbidden to any Brahmin who wanted to live a pure and meritorius life. If any Brahmin would drink wine, his virtues would be destroyed. He then called the Asuras and told them that because of their foolishness and rashness, Devas would be knowing the Sanjivani Mantra.

Kacha then lived for a full thousand years in his guru's house. When he was about to take leave, Devyani called upon him and asked him to marry her in return for the love that she gave to her. Kacha however replied that he had always regarded Devyani as his sister, being the daughter of his preceptor who was like his own father. He therefore would not be able to marry her. At this refusal Devyani became angry and cursed Kacha that the Sanjivani Mantra that he had learnt would not bear any fruit. Kacha said that since he was innocent and was only doing a virtuous act, the curse would not have the intended effect. It might not bear fruit with him, but it would surely bear fruit with anyone to whom that knowledge was imparted by Kacha. However as Devyani had cursed him out of passion, Kacha also told her that no Rishi would ever marry her. Saying this, Kacha returned to his abode. All the Devas, including Indra were highly pleased with his work and eulogized him.