Guest guest Posted January 22, 2000 Report Share Posted January 22, 2000 This thread quotes stories from the great Hindu epic, Mahabharata which gives lessons on morality and spirituality: Story: Puru's Sacrifice After being pushed into a well by Sarmishta (Asuric princess - Asuras are the demoniac beings), Devayani was saved by Yayathi and Sarmishta later was punished to become handmaid to Devayani. Devayani was married to King Yayathi and had two sons. Due to lust, Yayathi secretly married Sarmishta and bore three sons. Their youngest son was Puru. When Devayani found out much later and told her father, Sukracharya (preceptor of the Asuras), cursed Yayathi to suffer from premature old age (since his youthfulness was the reason for his infidelity). But recalling that Yayathi once saved his daughter's life, Sukracharya reduced the curse, so that Yayathi may exchange the premature old age with a willing person. All his sons refused bluntly to exchange their youth except Puru who revered his father and had no attachment to his youthfulness. Yayathi continued to enjoy sensual pleasures with his new youthfulness. After a long time, Yayathi realised sensual pleasures are trivial and re- exchanged old age with Puru. Yayathi then retired to perform spiritual efforts in his "old age" to prepare for the afterlife. MORAL: 1. Don't fall prey to desires. It will bring calamities. 2. Puru showed reverence to father and was noble enough to make sacrifices. 3. Material attachments are trivial and fraught with dangers. -- Warmest regards, Ruben rubenn _____________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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