Lakshman Rao
After parting from Sita, Rama found himself consumed by grief, struggling between his personal sorrow and his official responsibilities as king. His heart was heavy, yet he knew he could not let his emotions cloud his judgment. Lakshmana, ever the voice of reason, reminded Rama of the paramount importance of duty above all else. Acknowledging this, Rama resolved to prioritize his role as a ruler and convened his court the following morning to address matters of governance.
The next day, Rama gathered his council of sages and advisors to deliberate on pressing concerns. They discussed the kingdom’s obligations, the reorganization of supervisory bodies, and the introduction of new welfare programs for the people. During the council, one advisor raised concerns about unrest brewing among certain impatient factions, threatening the kingdom’s peace. This mention of impatience struck a chord with Rama, prompting him to share valuable lessons from history.
Rama began by recounting the story of King Nimi, a revered and powerful ruler admired by his subjects, sages, and even the gods. Nimi was granted divine powers and had performed many sacred yajnas, donating generously to Brahmins. However, during one such ritual, he found himself in conflict with Sage Vasishta, who delayed the ceremony. Frustrated by the delay, Nimi sought the help of Sage Brihaspati to complete the ritual, which infuriated Vasishta. In his anger, Vasishta cursed Nimi, stripping him of his physical form and leaving him to exist in a subtle body.
Lakshmana and the court, puzzled by the sage’s behavior, asked how such a revered figure could lose his temper so easily. Rama explained that this was a test of endurance and patience. In response to the curse, King Nimi also cursed Vasishta to lose his physical form. Both were left in subtle forms, but while Vasishta was eventually reborn, Nimi chose a different path. He requested to reside in the eyelids of all beings, thus becoming the embodiment of the blink, or “nimesha.” From Nimi’s cursed body, the rishis created a being of divine energy, named Videha, who would later become Janaka, the famous king of Mithila. Through this tale, Rama illustrated the destructive consequences of impatience, which could ripple through generations.
The court, captivated by the story, asked Rama to share more wisdom on patience. In response, Rama narrated the tale of King Vrishaparva, ruler of the demons, and his daughter Sarmishtha. Sarmishtha was close friends with Devayani, the daughter of the demon-guru Shukracharya. Despite their difference in status, the two were inseparable. However, one day, a misunderstanding arose during a playful outing by a lake. In a moment of haste, Sarmishtha mistakenly wore Devayani’s garments, which enraged Devayani. Insulted, Sarmishtha retaliated by pushing Devayani into a well and leaving her there.
Devayani was rescued by the noble King Yayati, who restored her to safety. Upon returning to her father, Devayani recounted the incident. Outraged, Shukracharya demanded justice from Vrishaparva, who, fearing the sage’s wrath, offered Sarmishtha as a lifelong servant to Devayani. The matter seemed resolved until Yayati later encountered Devayani again and asked for her hand in marriage. Shukracharya agreed to the union but imposed one condition: Yayati was never to engage with Sarmishtha. Yayati agreed, and the couple soon had a son.
As time passed, however, Devayani grew jealous of Sarmishtha and desired that she, too, should become a mother. She persuaded Yayati to break his vow, arguing that certain lies were justifiable. Yayati, swayed by his desires, took Sarmishtha as his wife and had children with her as well. When Devayani learned of this betrayal, she turned to her father, who cursed Yayati with premature old age. Stricken with the loss of his youth, Yayati pleaded with Shukracharya for a solution. The sage relented, allowing Yayati to exchange his old age with one of his sons. While his eldest son, Yadu, refused, his younger son, Puru, agreed, enabling Yayati to continue ruling for many more years.
Rama emphasized that while Yayati’s desires led him astray, his patience and composure ultimately allowed him to overcome his challenges. By staying true to his duties, he preserved the legacy of his father, King Nahusha, and ensured the continuation of his dynasty.
As the court session drew to a close, Rama’s assembly expressed their gratitude for his enlightening tales. Through the stories of King Nimi and King Yayati, they gained a deeper understanding of the virtues of patience, endurance, and duty. The lessons of these great kings, who demonstrated both the destructive power of impatience and the lasting rewards of wisdom, resonated deeply with the audience.
With renewed insight, the court dispersed, carrying with them the timeless lessons that duty and patience, when upheld, ensure not only the success of a ruler but the prosperity of generations to come.
