Mahabharata – 166

by

Sankar Mukherjee

and

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                       Aadivamsavatarana Parva

Story of Dirghatama

In this context there is another old story that Bhisma narrated to Satyavati.

In the past there was a wise sage named Utathya. He had a wife  named Mamata whom he dearly loved.

One day Utathya's younger brother Vrihaspati, the priest of the gods, of great spirit  showed up to  Mamata. Mamata however, told Vrihaspati, the great orator, younger brother of her husband  that she had already conceived by  his elder brother. And , therefore, he should control his wishes. She said—‘Oh illustrious Vrihaspati! the child that I have conceived has been studying  in my womb the Vedas with its branches. Your seed also will never ever go in vain. So how can then this womb of mine accommodate two children at a time? Therefore, do not  seek for the  fulfillment of  your desire at such a time. Despite the fact that Mamata said no to Vrihaspati’s wishes  Vrihaspati of great wisdom, was not able to succeed  in suppressing his desire.Out of manhood  he attempted to cohabit with that unwilling lady’.

Then the child in the womb  addressed him-- Oh Paternal uncle! Abstain from your lustrous attempt. There is no space here for two of us. As I have occupied it first & since your seed also never goes in vain, therefore refrain from afflicting me. But Vrihaspati without listening to what that child in the womb said, embraced Mamata of most beautiful pair of eyes for sex. And the child in the womb closed the passage of the seed with his feet during the time of its release. And the seed instead of getting its entry into the womb dropped down into the outside. And the great Vrihaspati, seeing this, became angry and reproached Utathya's child and cursed him, saying –“You uttered hard word  to me at a time of pleasure which is sought after by all creatures.So you will be blind for long time”. And due to this curse of the great Vrishaspati Utathya's child who was equal to Vrihaspati in spirit, was born blind and was known to be  Dirghatama. The learned  Dirghatama, well versed in Vedas, though born blind, succeeded  by his virtue in obtaining  a young wife  and handsome Brahmana maiden by the name of Pradweshi. And having married her, the illustrious Dirghatama, for the expansion of Utathya's race, begot upon her several children --Gautama & others. 

The virtuous Dirghatama master of the Vedas, learnt from Surabhi's son the practices of their order. Being believer of the practise, fearlessly preached those practices, with reverence. Then the other dwellers of the same ashrama, seeing him transgress the bounds of  prudence, became annoyed. And they said,  Oh, this man has crossed the limit of good manners. No longer  he deserve a place amongst us. He is a rogue. So they turned him out from the ashrama. And his wife, too, having obtained children, maligned him.

Then Dirghatama addressing Pradweshi  said --Why are you indifferent to me? Pradweshi  replied --The husband is called the Bhartra because he supports the wife. He is also called Pati because he protects her, It is I who have supported you and your children. Presently I am tired of it. I shall not do so in future.

Hearing these words of Pradweshi, Dirghatama became annoyed and said to Pradweshi and her children -- Take me to any Kshatriya and you shall then be rich. Pradweshi replied-- Oh Brahman! I am not interested in the wealth that may be procured by you. For that can never bring happiness. Do as you like. I shall not be able to maintain you as before.