Section CXXI - King Yayati Falls from Heaven Amongst Righteous Kings
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CXXI 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, consumed by pride and arrogance, was expelled from heaven and began to fall towards earth. On his descent, he landed among four righteous kings who were performing a sacrifice to please the lord of the celestials. Recognizing his fall from grace, the kings offered Yayati their virtues and the fruits of their sacrifices out of respect for his previous noble deeds. Madhavi, Yayati's daughter from a previous life, also appeared and revealed that the kings were actually her sons, and urged Yayati to accept their help in regaining his place in heaven.
Madhavi explained to Yayati that as her father, he had a right to enjoy a portion of the merits earned by his offspring. The kings, acknowledging their relationship with Yayati through Madhavi, offered him their support and assistance in returning to heaven. Galava, who had previously been involved in a transaction with Yayati, also arrived and offered to share a portion of his ascetic austerities to help Yayati ascend back to heaven. Together, they planned to restore Yayati's status and rectify the consequences of his pride and arrogance.
Yayati, humbled by his fall and touched by the support of his daughter and grandchildren, accepted the help offered to him by the kings, Madhavi, and Galava. He resolved to redeem himself and regain his place in heaven through their combined efforts and the sharing of their virtues and merits. With a newfound sense of humility and gratitude, Yayati embarked on a journey of repentance and redemption, guided by the love and support of his family and companions. Through their collective actions and generosity, they worked towards restoring Yayati's honor and rectifying the mistakes of his past.
Full English translation:
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Section CXXI, 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 CXXI:
What caused King Yayati to fall from heaven?
He was intoxicated with pride and disregarded others, exhausting his merits.
Where did King Yayati fall to?
He fell amongst four righteous kings performing a sacrifice in the forest.
Who ultimately helped King Yayati ascend back to heaven?
Madhavi, his daughter, and Galava, offered their ascetic merits to help him.
Daily life: King Yayati Falls from Heaven Amongst Righteous Kings:
The story of Yayati teaches us about the consequences of pride and the power of selflessness and virtue. Just like how Yayati fell from heaven due to his pride, in daily life, letting our egos control our actions can lead us to downfall and isolation. It shows us that no matter how high we rise, our actions and attitudes can have a drastic impact on our lives.
The kings and Madhavi's willingness to share their virtues and sacrifices with Yayati underscores the importance of compassion and helping others, even when they're at fault. This teaches us to support and uplift those around us, sharing our successes and good deeds to benefit others. It reminds us that extending kindness and forgiveness can help rehabilitate and elevate those who have stumbled, promoting a sense of community and unity.
Additionally, Yayati's preference to fall among the righteous rather than harboring ill will or selfish desires illustrates the significance of surrounding ourselves with positive influences and striving to be in environments that encourage good moral values. By choosing our company wisely and seeking virtuous endeavours, we can elevate ourselves and recover from our mistakes, finding redemption and a path back to our own "heaven."
In essence, the story is a metaphor for humility, the value of righteous company, the transformative power of kindness, and the significance of intergenerational support and wisdom, guiding us to live better, more fulfilling lives.