Section CXX - King Yayati's Daughter Madhavi Chooses Ascetic Life
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CXX 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:
King Yayati took his daughter Madhavi to a Swayamvara, but she chose to live in the forest as an ascetic instead of marrying anyone present. Yayati's sons Puru and Yadu followed their sister to the sacred asylum, where she devoted herself to ascetic austerities and lived like a wild doe. Yayati, after many years, submitted to the influence of Time and was eventually respected in heaven for his merits. However, Yayati's pride led him to disrespect the gods and sages, causing him to lose his splendor and be forgotten in heaven.
Madhavi's choice of asceticism stood in contrast to the worldly pursuits of her father and brothers, showcasing a different path to spiritual fulfillment. Yayati's eventual downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of arrogance and disrespect towards higher beings. The story exemplifies the different paths individuals can take in pursuit of fulfillment and enlightenment, highlighting the importance of humility and reverence in the face of divine powers. Ultimately, Madhavi's choice to follow her own path led to spiritual fulfillment, while Yayati's downfall serves as a reminder of the consequences of worldly attachment and pride.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section CXX - King Yayati's Daughter Madhavi Chooses Ascetic Life, have a look at the following articles:
Section CXX, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CXX:
Who was Yayati and what happened to him in the story?
Yayati was a king who tried to marry off his daughter in a Swayamvara. In the end, he disrespected the gods and sages which led to him losing his splendor in heaven.
What did Madhavi choose as her husband in the Swayamvara?
Madhavi chose the forest as her husband, opting to live a life of asceticism. This decision followed a Swayamvara where she overlooked all the bridegrooms present.
Daily life: King Yayati's Daughter Madhavi Chooses Ascetic Life:
The tale of King Yayati teaches us about the significance of humility and recognizing the impermanence of worldly achievements. It shows us that even after achieving great success and respect, one can easily fall from grace through pride and disregard for others. King Yayati, after enjoying a prolonged period of happiness and respect in heaven, let folly and pride cloud his judgment, leading to his fall when the divine and his peers recognized his arrogance.
In our daily lives, this story serves as a reminder to stay grounded and maintain respect for those around us, regardless of our achievements or status. We should remember that our actions and virtues speak louder than our accomplishments. The downfall of King Yayati illustrates how quickly respect can vanish when one becomes consumed with pride. To avoid such a fate, it’s important to cultivate humility, continually recognize the contributions of others, and understand that status and success are transient. Being mindful of these teachings can help us maintain balance and harmony in our interactions and personal growth.