Mahabharata – 124

by 

Sankar Mukherjee

&

Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
                                   Aadivamsavatarana Parva

Vaisampayana is the narrator. King Janamejaya listens to the tales told by Vaisampayana.We have gathered there at the site of snake sacrifice.We heard that the great king Yayati ascended the heaven by the sheer force of his asceticism.But alas he was expelled from the heaven presently after.We naturally wonder what happened to Yayati & what ailed the great king.Janamejaya poses the same question on behalf of the readers or listeners.This is a narrative technique that raises the question apt to be asked by the listeners & the readers.In other words Vedavyasa himself dons the role of the listeners & then as the narrator resolves the question raised by the listeners by way of further narration.

I  am interested to know from you in detail why Yayati, having first obtained admission to the  heaven,was thrown therefrom, & why also he gained re-admittance. Let all this, Oh Brahmana! Be narrated by you in the presence of these great sages, said the king Janamejaya.

 Yayati the lord of the Earth, was, indeed,like the Indra the king of the gods.The creator of the extensive race of the Kurus, he was as  splendid  as the  Sun. Janmejaya desired to hear in full the story of his life both in heaven & on Earth,as he was illustrious, & of world-wide celebrity & of wonderful achievements  with broadness of mind.

Vaisampayana said, Indeed, I shall tell  you the excellent story of Yayati's adventures on earth and in heaven.That story is sacred and destroys the sins of those that hear it.