Yayati King of desires

Mahabharata Adiparva Sambhavaparva section 75

Sri Sadgurbhyoh namah

Sage Vaisampayana continues :

Kasyapa had a son Vivaswat (sun god) among 12 adityas. Vivaswat's son is Yama(god of death). Vivaswat also had another son named Manu(progenitor of humans). It is from Manu that all human beings came hence all human beings are called as Manavas. Manu had 10 children of which Ila is one of the daughters. The names of 10 children of Manu are Vena, Dhrishnu, Narishyan, Nabhaga, Ikshvaku, Karusha, Saryati, Ila, and Nabhagarishta. Ila was father and mother to Pururava. Pururava ruled 13 islands. He was a learned man, and had powerful superhumans as companions. He quarelled with Brahmanas and robbed them of their wealth. Sage Sanathkumara descended from region of Brahman and counselled him to no avail. Rishis anger has destroyed Pururava. It was Pururava who brought the three Agnis(Fires of sacrifice) from Gandharva land to earth and also Apsara Urvasi. He had six children Ayus, Dhimat, Amavasu , Dhridhayus, Vanayus and Satayus through her. Ayus had four children, Nahusha, Vriddhasarman, Rajingaya, and Anenas. Nahusha was a great ruler, who conquered all regions and supported all clans. But he made Rishis to carry his palanquin on their shoulders. He is sons were Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Ayati, and Dhruva. Yati became a muni.

Yayati ruled the entire earth with his two wives Devayani and Sharmista for a long time. He had sons Yadu and Durvasu from Devayani, and Drahyu, Anu, and Puru from the wombs of Sharmista. Because of a curse of a rishi Sukra, Yayati became Old and ugly before time. He called his sons to him and said "I want to enjoy in the company of young women and satiate my apetite. Please take my old age upon yourself and give me your youth." None of his children were willing to do this except his youngest son Puru, who said "Enjoy with my youth and give me your old age and curse". Yayati with his ascetic power transferred his curse to his youngest son and got back a rejuvenated body. Puru ruled the kingdom with an old body.

Yayati enjoyed with his wives for a 1000 years and also with an apsara viswachi in the regions of gandharva called chitraratha.

Yayati found that even after 1000 years of sensory enjoyments his apetite is not satisfied, and he remembers the puranic words, " Even if one enjoys for thousands of years, the desires will flame up like sacrificial fire upon pouring ghee onto that. Even if one enjoys entire earth with all its wealth, women, kingdom one will not be satiated. Only when one lives without sin, and injures none in thought, speach and deed will they attain the state of Brahman."

Yayati then was satisfied in remembering these words that one can never be satisfied, became wise and took back his old age from his son, restores Puru's youth to him, takes to meditation and attains Brahman.

My commentary :

Desires are thoughts that rise in mind and our strong association with them. Desire can be a thought like "I want this" or "I dont want this". Here above, Yayati had clear desires "I want to enjoy in the company of women", and "I dont want old age". Can desires be satisfied and can mind become silent. No, if one desire is satisfied , another will rise up.

In Bhagavadgita, Krishna says "Dhyayato vishayan pumsaha, sangasteshu upajayate, sangaat jayate kaamaha". Meaning "Thinking about objects, association happens, and association leads to desires".

But is suppressing desires the answer , No again. because "Kaamaat krodho abhijayate", meaning "unfulfilled desires leads to anger and subsequently to self-destruction".

It is only one comes to the conclusion that desires can never be satisfied through experience that one comes to rest.

Hari OM