Yayati 4- Shukraacharya

(21) I did an unending penance To appease the heartless gods 'cause that was all I could, When I looked at my innocent Little daughter Devayani. The merciless gods called back Her mother, when she was borne. .......... I became both mother and father to her. (22) I denounced death. So I secured Mrutasanjeevani, The mantra that could give Life back to the dead. If only I could secure it Before my wife left me! (23) I was anointed Aacharya As my mantra became handy for them, For asuras were at war with suras And repeatedly defeated. Now suras were retreating Defeated, dwindling in number, While asuras continued to live Even after death. ........... I was the most revered in all the fourteen worlds. (24) Devayani had grown up Into a lovely damsel of fourteen And played with the princess. (25) Then came Kacha, Son of Brihaspati The Aacharya of Suras, To be my disciple Learn the Vedas and Vidya, And I refused none, who's worthy. Kacha proved worthy A very keen disciple- Worthiest of all, gobbled all I had to offer. In no time. I loved him. Devayani loved him- I could see it in her eyes. But his eyes revealed nothing Even when he played with Devayani. (26) Then the king asked me To expel him, for he has come To cheat us of Mritasanjeevani. I didn't bide, I never refused Vidya. So, they killed, minced the body To pieces and fed to wolves. I could not bear to see My little one in tears! The power of Mrutasanjeevani Brought him back to life! ........... Asuras were furious. They killed him again 'n' again And I gave him life back every time. They played every trick on me. Finally, Kacha's body was burned And the ashes served to me with wine. A vice pays back with a catastrophe. When I chanted the mantra And called him to life, giving in to Devayani's tears, He responded from my stomach. Again, on Devayani's pleas Advised him Mrutasanjeevani While still inside me.He had To take my life to come out ............. And gave it back gratefully. (27) I had lost the mantra for ever. Fell from grace. Denounced by asuras. But all was for my Devayani. (28) But Kacha left us without a trace A sorrowing Devayani broke my heart. When Suras attacked again, Defeat was ours, sans mantra. Everybody blamed me Called me deceiver, spy of suras. I could take all the blame For my Little One. And she clung to me, understandingly. Apart from Kacha's disappearance, The vibes of her friends Tortured her more.Always in tears. ............ My heart sank with her. (29) I was exultant, when Emperor Yayati Took her hand, after he rescued her From the ditch, where the princess Had pushed her in. All was well. No! Devayani wanted the princess As her maid. And fearing my wrath The king agreed with tears, nay, blood Pouring from his eyes. For His Daughter. I knew, this was not for good.Be humble In your success was what I taught. ..............But I never said NO to my L'l One. (30) Now I am here, in the palace Of Hastinapura. Devayani is In tears Again. Her hunband had Cheated her to father children With Princess Sharmishta. The Queen Empress humiliated. She wanted revenge. And revenge it was. My curse turned the emperor old. A thousand years old! His hair gray and skin scaly. His tears, again melted my heart, again. Yielded: You can get back your youth If anybody gives it to you willingly And accepts your wrinkles.