In the previous episode, we had witnessed how the Devas were trying to strategize their plot against the Raakshasas in terms of resisting their wrath. Over time, the Raakshasas were slowly emerging powerful, which was a grave threat to Indra and Co. Hence, they approached their “Guru”, Brihaspathi for a solution. Guru Brihaspathi thought for a while and explained to them that the only way to gain an upper hand over the Raakshasas is to somehow obtain the “Sanjeevani” Mantra from Sage Shukraachaarya, who was the “Guru” for the Raakshasas. For this, Kacha was assigned the task of obtaining the “Sanjeevani” Mantra, since he was a small boy by that time. The Devas’ strategy was that, Kacha should learn all the lessons of Vedas and other Shaastras from Sage Shukraachaarya and with that, he should also learn the “Sanjeevani” Mantra. Accordingly, Kacha approaches Sage Shukraachaarya and earns his trust as an excellent, obedient and a serious student. Eventually, Sage Shukraachaarya starts teaching Kacha all the lessons. Now how is this going to proceed further? Let’s discuss today.
This process takes around 500 years! In the meanwhile, the Raakshasas come to know that Kacha was like a secret spy who was sent by the Devas to learn the “Sanjeevani” Mantra. The Raakshasas were fuming at one point and wanted to finish of this Kacha once and forever. Once upon a time when Kacha goes to the forest in search of something, the Raakshasas see this as an opportunity. As Kacha walks deeper into the forest, they catch him red-handed, surround him and kill him! As Kacha is killed, the Raakshasas cut his body into pieces and threw them as prey for dogs and other animals. As Kacha did not return back from the forest for a long time, Devayani started getting tense. As time flew by, Devayani fell in love with Kacha, but she never disclosed her love for him. Sage Shukraachaarya also knew this but he too did not talk about it to his daughter. As Kacha never came back after that, Devayani ran to her father to understand what happened to Kacha and why he did not come back home from the forest. As Devayani was tensed thus, Sage Shukraachaarya consoles her – “Oh Devayani! Please do not worry. Let us immediately go to the forest where I had sent Kacha, and let us search. He would definitely be there somewhere. Let us find out!”
Saying thus, Sage Shukraachaarya and Devayani set out to the forest in search of Kacha. They go deeper and deeper into the forest calling out his name aloud, but in vein! Kacha was not to be traced anywhere! As time goes by and as they walk deeper and deeper into the forest, Devayani was getting restless. Sage Shukraachaarya again consoles her thus, “Oh Devayani! Please do not worry! I shall now use my “Yoga-Nishta” to find out where Kacha is. Even if Kacha had died, I have the “Sanjeevani Mantra” that can wake up Kacha!” As Sage Shukraachaarya goes into his deep penance, he finds out that Kacha was inside a dog’s stomach! Immediately he chants the “Sanjeevani” Mantra and with this, Kacha comes back alive! With this, all three of them go back to the ashram and Kacha’s lessons continue further!
This irks the Raakshasas big time! They now realized that cutting Kacha into bits and pieces was a wrong strategy. Instead, they now planned in such a way that Kacha should be reduced to mere powder and should be dissolved into the ocean waters, so that he would never be able to come back alive. So what are the Raakshasas going to do now? Is Kacha going to resist the Raakshasas’ wrath again? How is Sage Shukraachaarya going to protect Kacha once again from the Raakshasas? Let us wait till the next episode for all the answers! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 