The tale of the Mahabharata is one of the great gems of Indian mythology and is also the longest epic poem in the world. While its readers marvel at the depth and breadth of philosophy and wisdom contained in the pages, it is also a gripping story of human and divine characters in settings we can relate to. One of the side plots in the story is about a young king called Yayati. A very successful king and kind ruler, he had a great track record in ‘doing the right thing’ – be it rituals or worship or righteous functioning of his kingdom.
As events unfolded, he found himself in a situation whereby he was cursed to become old prematurely. True to the power of the curse, he lost his youth in a flash and became an old man. He was aghast at the turn of events. He begged for a reprieve and was told that he would regain his youth if he found someone ready to exchange his old age for their youth. He then returned to his kingdom and approached his sons with this request.
“I have not had my fill of the joys of life. For, not knowing what was in store for me I lived a life of restraint, denying myself even lawful pleasures. One of you ought to bear the burden of my old age and give his youth in return. He who agrees to this and bestows his youth on me will be the ruler of my kingdom. I desire to enjoy life in the full vigor of youth.”
Needless to say, four of his sons politely refused. As a last resort, he went to his fifth son and the youngest, almost in desperation, saying
“You must save me. I am afflicted with this old age with its wrinkles, debility and grey hairs as a result of the curse []. It is too hard a trial! If you will take upon yourself these infirmities, I shall enjoy life for just a while more and then give you back your youth and resume my old age and all its sorrows. Pray, do not refuse as your elder brothers have done.”
The youngest son, moved by love for his father, gladly accepted and exchanged his youth for his old age. Yayati then rode out on his horse, determined to fully satisfy his needs and wants. He spent many years, enjoying a life of merriment and sensual pleasure. Still not satisfied, he went to another realm and spent many years in the company of a beautiful heavenly nymph.
And then, one day, after 1000 years of trying to satisfy his desire by indulgence, he woke up to the truth!!
Returning to his kingdom, he spoke these words to his son
“Dear son, sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence any more than fire is by pouring ghee [clarified butter] in it. I had heard and read this, but till now I had not realized it. No object of desire, corn, gold, cattle or women, nothing can ever satisfy the desire of man, We can reach peace only by a mental poise beyond likes and dislikes. Such is the state of Brahman [the Ultimate reality]. Take back your youth and rule the kingdom wisely and well.”
Seen from the perspective of economics, Yayati’s 1000-year long experiment was an indulgence spree of his wants and needs, without any known limitation of scarce resources.
What is staggering for economics is the conclusion he reached.
– He didn’t ask for another 1000 years of indulgence to explore more possibilities.
– He didn’t say “enough is enough. I am done. All desire is now satisfied.”
– He didn’t ask to be spared from divine wrath for his indulgences.
– He didn’t say that he felt guilty of violating the scriptures or the code of righteous living
– He didn’t say “Let me try the monastic life now, for a change and see what that is like”
What he is saying is “I realize now that it doesn’t work this way!”
What happened to him later? After returning the ownership of his kingdom to his son, he retired to the forest, performed immense austerities, contemplated on the ultimate reality with intense dedication and then went to heaven. A later story mentions that after reaching heaven, he was asked to repeat his dialogue of insight for the benefit of the beings there.
Meanwhile, we on earth, living in this age, are left to ponder Yayati’s statement. If a 1000-year indulgence spree cannot hit the mark, then what hope do we have trying to satisfy our desires in the 70-80 odd years we live?
And for the intellectual in us, we are curious: just why doesn’t it work? Isn’t it supposed to?
The key to that is in understanding the nature of desire itself.
I was just like Yayati. Always looking to fulfill some kind of desire, never satisfied, always chasing the illusive earthly temptations. I used to think I would never get over my lusts of flesh and envy for what I didn’t have. And it seems as long as I am in the costume of flesh I will not. But one day I realized that I am a part of something much greater than the sum of our individual selves.
And I want to experience my true divine nature.
So many religions and so called religious experts tell us that to give in to the desires of the flesh is evil and that God will condemn and judge you for these thoughts and actions. I really don’t believe that the pursuit of fleshly desires is evil. The problem is that it is a two-edged sword. For every ounce of pleasure you will meet an equal amount of pain. This is the universal law of cause and effect. Unless you live a balanced life, life will balance you. And sometimes that is not pleasurable. But getting back to desire, as long as you do no harm in the process, to yourself or anyone else, I don’t think that God cares much about what you do. I believe evil is the ego, sense of self, sense of separation, spoiled child that lashes out and rebels when he doesn’t get what he wants.
What I do think (though I don’t know for sure because we can never comprehend the true nature of God as long as we try with our 5 senses) is that God, or whatever you want to call the “Energy or Force or Creator” exists in a state of perfection, harmony and oneness and that we exist in the duality of the physical world. Anything that aligns you with the physical world is dense and creates a separation from the “lightness” of the Energy. So that is why it is impossible to “know God” when you are enmeshed in the physical sensations. I decided after 47 years (and countless other lifetimes) of giving in to temptation and chasing after something that will never be fulfilled by the flesh, I didn’t want to go there anymore. Now I see temptation as a group of children daring you to jump off a cliff and telling you it’s not that far to the bottom, you can make it without getting hurt and there is all the candy you can eat once you get there. The thing is I have jumped many times before and even though I may still be a child spiritually, I know better now. Thank you to the father of all lies and deceits who some call Satan (the antithesis of Jesus) for opening my eyes. No I don’t mean this in a literal sense but I do believe that there are opposing forces of the universe that represent the duality of existence and while we are in the flesh we must align in ourselves with those forces to work together. That is how I found peace, happiness and acceptance. Now I will just be.
Hi Danny,
I am grateful that you took so much effort to share your experience and insights with all of us. We all wish well for you. Whatever path you choose, may it bring you real freedom, peace and lasting happiness.