Stories From Indian Classics by V.Krishnaswami Aiyar

Author:V.Krishnaswami Aiyar [Aiyar, V.Krishnaswami]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Published: 2021-03-19T04:00:00+00:00

11. DESIRE INCREASES BY FULFILMENT

There was a King known as Maandhaata. He had married Indramati, the daughter of Sasibindu. By her he had many sons and daughters.

At that time there lived in the aquatic regions a rishi called Saubhari who was a great tapasvin well-versed in the Vedas. One day, he saw the King of the fish, Sumanta by name, in the waters. He was a fish of enormous size. He was swimming on the waters and diving into them as it pleased him. All the while, he was surrounded by a large shoal of his children and grandchildren who were sporting all about him. Sumanta appeared very happy in the midst of his progeny.

Saubhari saw this. His mind was filled with envy to see Sumanta so happy. He said to himself. 'Why should I not have children and grandchildren myself? How I long for such domestic felicity! Well, I shall marry and beget sons and daughters."

He came out of his aquatic abode. He knew that Maandhaata had a number of daughters. So, he went to him. The King received him with reverence and gave him a seat of honour in his court. Addressing him, the rishi said:

"I have been a tapasvin, O King! for long. Now I wish to marry. Give me one of your daughters to be my wife. Pray do not refuse my request. You belong to the line of Ikshvakus. They are known for their generous gifts. No suitor to them goes back empty handed. And I expect that you will be true to the noble trait of your ancestors."

Maandhaata listened to these words of the rishi with deep respect mixed with fear. He saw how old and haggard the rishi was. He could not consent to marry any of his daughters to him. But he was afraid that the rishi would curse him if he refused. He was lost in thought and did not speak.

Saubhari noticed the king's hesitation.

"What are you thinking about, Maandhaata? Have I said anything to make you unhappy? Of course, you don't propose to keep your daughters with you for ever, do you? A daughter has to be given away one day or other. Give one of them to me; and you will be doing your duty by her and I too shall gain my desire."

The King could not reconcile himself to his daughter wedding an aged man like that. Yet, he was afraid of the rishi's curse. He thought to find a way out of this predicament. He told the rishi:

"Holy one! In our family; we leave the choice of the husband to our daughters. We agree to whomsoever they choose to wed. If any of the daughters agrees to marry you, I shall have no objection."

Saubhari saw through the King's mind. "By trotting out this family tradition," thought he, ''he evidently wishes to evade my request. He believes that none of his daughters in the flush of her youth and beauty would consent to be my wife. Well, let me see.

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