Sri Guru Charitra - By Shri S.N.Huddar

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Chapter XXXV -Kach-Devayani Now Kacha folded his hands and said to Shukracharya, 'I have studied at your house so far. The demons do not allow me to live here peacefully. Kindly therefore allow me to go home now.' Devayani interrupted, 'I have made you alive thrice. I love you. You should marry me.' Kacha :

'Being the daughter of my guru, you are my sister. You made me alive from time to time and so you are like my mother. If I marry you people will blame me.' Hearing this, Devayani felt sorry and at the same time she was enraged. She cursed him, 'Your learning will be futile. You will forget all that you have learnt.' Kacha said, 'You have cursed me in vain. You will marry a person other than a Brahmin. Your father has taught you Sanjeevini mantra against the rules of Shastras. Hence it will not work now.' Saying this Kacha went away. Seeing that Kacha had returned, Indra and other gods were delighted, Shri Guru said, 'For a woman, service of her husband is the principal mantra. She should obey him and observe vrata, etc. with his consent only.' Chandrangad - Simantini The young wife then requested Shri Guru to suggest some vrata.

Shri Guru: "I will tell you a vrata by which you `Sowbhagya' will be perpetual and your husband will get prosperity. This vrata was told by Soot to Rishis in former days. In this vrata you have to worship Shri Shiva every Monday, observe fast on that day and keep control over your senses. This vrata can be observed by the married women (having husband). Kumaries (unmarried girls), widows, young and old persons of both sexes. "Chaitravarma was a pious king in former times. He had a daughter named Simantini, who was beautiful and good-natured. One astrologer had said that all the stars in her horoscope

were good, but she would be a widow at the age of 14. The king and others were extremely pained to hear this. "Once Maitrayani, wife of Yadnyavalkya, came to the king. Simantini requested her `kindly tell me a means, by which my Sowbhagya will be perpetual.' Maitrayani then told her to observe Monday vrata and said, `by observance of this vrata. Your desires will be fulfilled and you will get all prosperity. Simantini therefore began to observe this vrata devotedly. "Simantini was married to Chandrangad, son of Indrasen of the famous `Nal' family, with due festivities. Chandrangad stayed at Chitrayarma

for some days. Once he went to Kalindi (Yamuna) river with some friends. They were traveling in a ferryboat. All of a sudden the boat sank in the river. Even after diligent search no trace of Chandrangad was fund. Simantini and her parents were greatly shocked to know this. Indrasen and his wife were deeply grieved. He lost interest in the affairs of his kingdom. Talking this opportunity, his enemies usurped the throne and put Indrasen and his wife in jail. Simantini resolved to observe `sat' as per the religious rule of a devoted wife. But as the dead body of her husband was not found, she could not

observe the sati-rite as per Shastras. So she was prevented from the observance of sati. Simantini continued her Monday fast and worship of Shri Shiva. When Chandrangad was drowned, the Nagkanyas took him to Vasuki in Patal, in a beautiful city with buildings glittering with precious stones. The gate of the city was golden and all persons in it were like serpents. Takshak the king with 1000 hoods was sitting on a bright throne. Chandrangad was brought before him. Takshak inquired about him with affection and assured him about his safety and asked him to live there happily. After some days Chandrangad requested Takshak, "I am the only son of my parents. I am recently married and my wife simantini is only 14 years of age. My parents, wife and mother and father-in-law must be mourning deeply for me. So kindly arrange to send me to them very soon." Takshak gave him nectar to drink and offered him costly clothes, ornaments and precious stones. He also gave him a swift horse and a Nag Kumar to accompany him. They instantly appeared on the bank of Kalindi, where accidentally, it being Monday, Simantini also had come with her female attendants for bath. It was the very place where Chandrangad had

drowned. Looking at him, Simantini said to her attendants, "Who is this celestial person coming out the water? I remember to have seen him before. Please inquire." Chandrangad looked at Simantini and began to think, `she appears like my dear wife. But how is it that she has to mangalsutra around her neck and Kumkum on her forehead'? He descended from the horse, came near Simantini and inquired about her with affection. To Be Contd...Devotees Can Read This Book from The Book Section ofwww.Saileelas.org/books/ShriGuruCharitra.doc

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