Story of Dirghatamas and King Vali

Long ago, there lived a wise sage named Utathya, who had a beloved wife named Mamata. One day, Utathya’s younger brother, Brihaspati, who was a powerful and respected priest of the gods, approached Mamata with romantic intentions. However, Mamata, who was already pregnant with Utathya’s child, kindly told Brihaspati that she could not be with him because she was carrying a child. She explained that the child in her womb was already learning the sacred scriptures, and there was no room for another child.

Despite Mamata’s plea, Brihaspati, driven by his desires, did not listen. As he approached Mamata, the unborn child spoke from the womb, telling Brihaspati to stop, as there was no space for another. The child asked Brihaspati not to cause harm. But Brihaspati ignored the child and forced himself into Mamata. In response, the unborn child blocked the way with his feet, causing Brihaspati’s seed to fall to the ground. Angered by this, Brihaspati cursed the child, saying that he would be born blind and live in perpetual darkness. The child, who was later named Dirghatamas, was indeed born blind.

Despite his blindness, Dirghatamas grew up to be a learned sage, well-versed in the sacred scriptures. He eventually married a beautiful Brahmin woman named Pradweshi and had several children, but these children were greedy and foolish. As Dirghatamas grew older, the other sages in the community became upset with him for not following the proper conduct, though he believed he was doing no wrong. Even his wife Pradweshi became dissatisfied with him. She reminded him that it was her duty to support him and their children because he was blind and could not do so himself. But I can no longer support you and leaving. Dirghatamas, in his anger, declared that from that day onward, every woman should remain loyal to one husband for life, whether he was alive or dead. He also said that any woman who went against this rule would be considered sinful and would suffer misfortune.

Pradweshi, angered by his words, instructed their sons to throw Dirghatamas into the Ganges River. The sons, motivated by greed and lacking compassion, tied their blind father to a raft and left him to drift away in the river. The raft floated through many kingdoms until it reached a king named Vali, who was performing his rituals by the river. Vali, a righteous king, rescued Dirghatamas and, upon learning who he was, asked him to help continue his lineage by fathering children with his wife. Dirghatamas agreed, but when Vali’s wife, Sudeshna, learned that the sage was old and blind, she refused to meet him and sent her nurse instead. Dirghatamas had eleven sons with the nurse, with Kakshivat being the eldest. When King Vali asked if these children were his, Dirghatamas told him that they were not, explaining how his wife had insulted him by not coming herself. Vali then apologized and sent Sudeshna to Dirghatamas. By merely touching her, Dirghatamas blessed her with five sons, who became famous kings, and the lands they ruled were named after them: Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Pundra, and Suhma.

In this way, the line of King Vali was continued, and many elite warriors were born from the union of a sage and a queen. This story shows how important it is to respect others, even those who seem weak, and how actions driven by anger or desire can have lasting consequences.

The story of Utathya, Mamata, and Brihaspati teaches several important lessons:

Respect for Boundaries and Consent: Brihaspati’s disregard for Mamata’s situation and her plea to respect her boundaries highlights the importance of respecting others’ autonomy and decisions. Ignoring consent can lead to harmful consequences.

Consequences of Desire and Impulsiveness: Brihaspati’s inability to control his desires led to a series of unfortunate events, including the curse on Dirghatamas. The story emphasizes the importance of self-control and the negative outcomes of acting on impulse.

The Power of Words and Curses: The story shows how words, especially those spoken in anger or frustration, can have a lasting impact. Brihaspati’s curse on the unborn child had severe consequences, illustrating the importance of careful speech and the power of words.

Resilience and Inner Strength: Despite being born blind because of the curse, Dirghatamas grew up to become a learned sage, showing that inner strength, knowledge, and perseverance can overcome physical limitations.

Importance of Loyalty and Responsibility: Dirghatamas’ declaration that a woman should remain loyal to one husband reflects the value of loyalty and responsibility in relationships. It also underscores the importance of mutual support in a marriage, as seen in Pradweshi’s initial care for her blind husband.

The Dangers of Greed and Disrespect: The actions of Dirghatamas’ children, who abandoned their father out of greed and disrespect, serve as a warning against such behaviour. Their lack of compassion and filial piety led them to commit a grave injustice.

The Role of Compassion and Righteousness: King Vali’s decision to rescue Dirghatamas and his subsequent actions show the virtues of compassion and righteousness. The story suggests that even in difficult situations, one should act with kindness and integrity.

The Importance of Proper Conduct and Social Norms: The story highlights the importance of adhering to social norms and proper conduct, especially for those in positions of influence, such as sages and kings. Deviating from these norms can lead to social discord and personal downfall.

Respecting the Weak and Vulnerable: The story emphasizes the importance of treating even those who are weak or vulnerable, like the blind sage Dirghatamas, with respect and dignity. Their wisdom and potential contributions should not be underestimated.

Destiny and the Role of Providence: The story suggests that destiny plays a significant role in the lives of individuals. Despite the challenges Dirghatamas faced, he was able to fulfil a greater purpose, illustrating how divine providence can guide one’s life journey.