Vedic Wisdom Talks

  To serve! What was the secret about Karna that Surya had alluded to in dream? asked King Janmejaya from Vaisampāyana In reply he said: Once Durvāsa Muni came to King Kuntibhoja’s palace. He said: I would like to reside here for some time & accept food from you as alms, provided no one displeases me. The King welcomed the effulgent sage & said: Pls don’t worry. My daughter Prthā will see to all your needs & I’m confident that you will be pleased by her impeccable service He called Prthā & informed: I’ve accepted sage Durvāsa as guest, relying upon your aptitude for rendering service to Brāhmanās. I assured sage that there will never be slightest cause for his displeasure. Make sure that my words don’t prove false. I warn you that if he becomes angry, his wrath can destroy my entire dynasty. Due to your gentle nature, not even one servant is ever displeased with you & thus I consider you fit to serve him Kunti said: Be assured that I will serve him meticulously ...

  Confidence on?   Mārkandeya Rsi said to Yudhisthira: Just as Sāvitri was delivered from her distressed condition to one of great fortune, so will Draupadi, when time is ripe. Hearing this, Yudhisthira felt relief from his anxieties. But he was fearful of Karna’s prowess   At the beginning of Pāndavās’ 13 th year of exile, Indra decided to beg Karna’s impenetrable armor & earrings, to help them gain upper hand in coming battle. Surya (Sun-God) could understand Indra’s intention & so he appeared one night in Karna’s dream taking form of a handsome Brāhmanā   After being respectfully received, Surya said: Dear son! Indra knows that you never refuse to give whatever is demanded from you in charity. He is going to disguise himself as Brāhmanā & beg you for your natural armor & earrings. I know you have made a vow but this time you must refuse. Pacify him with sweet words & send him back. Your armor & rings were produced by nectar ...

  Love?   When Yamarāja promised 4 th benediction to Sāvitri, she asked in careful words: May I become mother to 100 hundred sons of Satyavān, for perpetuation of his dynasty   Yamarāja granted Sāvitri’s wish & pleaded her to go home. However, she continued describing glories of righteousness. At last, Yamarāja said: The more I listen to your words of wisdom, more respect I have for you. Therefore I shall reward you with one last benediction   This time Sāvitri replied: You have already given me benediction of having 100 sons. As you well know, this is impossible without my husband & so you must bring Satyavān back to life, for without him I’ve no interest in living, even in heaven. Yamarāja finally relented by releasing Satyavān’s subtle body from his noose. He said: Your husband will rise up to become even more strong & healthy and will live with you for 400 years. Indeed, he will attain great fame in this world. You can be assured that ben...

  Blessings or? Yamrāja was pleased to hear about morality from Sāvitri & said: O pious woman! I’ll grant you a benediction, with exception of bringing your dead husband back to life Sāvitri said: May my father-in-law’s sight be restored & he becomes strong as Sun. Yamarāja granted her wish & said now pls return home as you appear fatigued Sāvitri said: I never feel tired in presence of my husband & will go wherever he goes. Taking advantage of Yamrāja’s willingness to converse, she continued to speak enlightening words on morality: One is very fortunate to meet such an elevated person as you. What then to speak of obtaining friendship with you? Discussion with great personalities can never prove fruitless & so such association must always be sought Once again Yamarāja praised her for fine speech & gave benediction except bring her husband back to life. Sāvitri said: May my father-in-law's kingdom be restored & he never again lose it. The benediction was...

  Education!   Sāvitri requested his in-laws to let her go with Satyavān to forest today, for she has not left the aāsrama even once during the year she has resided there. Dyumatsena readily gave permission & said: Dear daughter-in-law, during the whole time you lived here, this is the first thing you’ve requested from me. Pls go!   Sāvitri went along with her husband & as they walked along forest path, he pointed out the various features of beautiful scenery. At heart Sāvitri was very pained, but she still tried to keep cheerful countenance. Satyavān collected fruits & cut branches from trees & soon due to heavy labor, perspired and his body began to ache   Finally, he told Sāvitri: My head hurts like it is being pierced by hundred darts. I cannot stand now & will lie down to sleep for a while. Remembering Nārada’s words, Sāvitri sat on ground & placed his head on her lap. Then as her husband’s final moment arrived, she saw a huge...

  Serve!   Hearing sage Nārada that person whom Sāvitri wants to marry would die in a year’s time, King Asvapati told his daughter: Pls go once more & choose another husband   Sāvitri said: Oh no! I have already selected Satyavān as my husband. There is no question of altering my decision by choosing someone else   Sage said: Dear King! Your daughter’s determination is fixed, and it’ll not waver under any circumstance. Besides there is no one else as qualified as Satyavān, & so I think that this marriage should take place. King accepted his spiritual master’s words & then on an auspicious day he, accompanied by his daughter & ministers arrived at Dyumatsena’s hermitage in forest. He got down from his chariot & approached the blind king on foot, followed by his priests   After he was aptly welcomed, Asvapati disclosed how he wanted to offer his daughter to his son Satyavān in marriage. Dyumatsena expressed his doubts as to whether Sāvitri woul...

  Faith!   Yudhisthira said to Mārkandeya Rsi: O sage! I don’t lament so much for the loss of my kingdom, but I feel sorry to see how poor Draupadi has to suffer. Do you know of any woman in the past that underwent so many miseries?   Sage told a story: There was once a King of Madras named Asvapati. This virtuous ruler looked after the welfare of all living entities in his kingdom & was greatly loved by all citizens. However in his old age, he lamented as he didn’t have any children. Finally, he commenced a great austerity worshipping Gāyatri, the wife of Lord Brahmā. He underwent penance for 18 years & gained favor of the goddess, who personally appeared to give benediction   King said in veneration: My motive to perform austerities is to attain the highest degree of righteousness. For this, I beg to award me many sons who are worthy of being born in my royal dynasty. Gāyatri said: I already knew of your purpose & have consulted Lord Brahmā about this. ...