Section CXXII - The Story of Cyavana and Sukanya: A Tale of Love and Austerities
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CXXII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Cyavana, a great saint, practiced extreme austerities by a lake and was eventually covered by an anthill. King Saryati and his daughter Sukanya visited the lake, where Sukanya unknowingly pierced Cyavana's eyes with thorns, causing him great pain and anger. The king's troops suffered from blocked calls of nature, prompting the king to investigate the matter. Sukanya confessed to her actions, and Cyavana demanded her hand in marriage as reparation for her mistake.
Saryati, without hesitation, agreed to Cyavana's condition and gave his daughter Sukanya to the sage as his bride. Sukanya, now married to Cyavana, devoted herself to serving him and following his spiritual practices. She respected and worshipped her husband, ministered to guests, and tended to the sacred fire. The marriage between Sukanya and Cyavana brought peace and harmony to all involved, leading to a happy ending for the characters in the story.
Full English translation:
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Section CXXII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CXXII:
Who was Cyavana and what happened when Sukanya encountered him in the forest?
Cyavana was the son of the great saint Bhrigu who practiced austerities. Sukanya accidentally pierced his eyes with thorns, causing him pain and anger.
How did Saryati resolve the conflict between Cyavana and Sukanya?
Saryati bestowed his daughter Sukanya on Cyavana as his bride, pleasing the sage. Sukanya then tended to Cyavana and observed penances, showing her devotion to him.
Daily life: The Story of Cyavana and Sukanya: A Tale of Love and Austerities:
From the story of Cyavana and Sukanya, we can learn several important life lessons about patience, understanding, and forgiveness. The tale illustrates how a moment of curiosity and a lack of understanding can lead to unintended harm, as Sukanya's actions towards Cyavana caused him great pain without her realizing the consequences of her actions. This teaches us to be more mindful of our actions and the potential impact they may have on others.
Furthermore, Cyavana's initial response to his suffering was to seek reparation in a manner that changed both his and Sukanya's lives. However, rather than holding onto anger, both Cyavana and Sukanya adjusted to their new circumstances. Sukanya began a new life with Cyavana, tending to him and embracing her role with grace and dedication. This part of the story underscores the value of forgiveness, adaptability, and the ability to find harmony in unexpected situations.
In daily life, we encounter situations that test our patience and understanding. By remembering Cyavana and Sukanya's story, we can strive to act thoughtfully, forgive those who may cause us harm—intentionally or unintentionally—and adapt to life's unpredictabilities with grace. Their tale teaches us about the strength of character and the beauty that can arise from forgiveness and love.