In ancient times, the celestials and the Asuras frequently fought for the sovereignty of the three worlds. Gods, desiring victory, installed Brihaspati, the son of Angiras, as their priest to conduct their sacrifices, while their opponents, the Asuras, installed the learned Sukracharya as their priest. The rivalry between these two Brahmanas was intense. Sukracharya, through his knowledge, revived the Danavas slain by the gods. These revived Danavas would then rejoin the battle against the gods. The Asuras also killed many celestials on the battlefield. Brihaspati, however, could not revive the slain gods because he did not know the Sanjivani (re-vivification) science that Sukra knew so well. Consequently, the gods were in great sorrow.
In their anxiety, the gods approached Kacha, the eldest son of Brihaspati, and requested him to gain Sukra’s knowledge. They advised Kacha to seek Sukra in the court of Vrishaparvan and to earn the favour of Sukra and his daughter Devayani. Kacha agreed and soon went to the capital of the chief of the Asuras, where he sought Sukra and requested to be accepted as his disciple.
Sukra welcomed Kacha and treated him with regard, recognizing that by doing so, he would respect Brihaspati as well. Kacha took a vow to practice the Brahmacharya mode of life for a thousand years and served both his preceptor Sukra and his daughter Devayani with dedication. Through his singing, dancing, and playing of instruments, Kacha soon won Devayani’s heart. Five hundred years into his vow, the Danavas, realizing Kacha’s intentions, became angry and decided to kill him. They slew Kacha, hacked his body into pieces, and fed his remains to jackals and wolves. When the kine returned without Kacha, Devayani expressed her sorrow to her father, Sukra.
Sukra, using his knowledge, summoned Kacha back to life. Kacha reappeared and explained how the Asuras had killed him. Despite being killed multiple times, Sukra revived Kacha each time. The Asuras eventually decided to burn Kacha’s remains and mix his ashes with Sukra’s wine. When Devayani once again expressed her grief, Sukra summoned Kacha, who was now inside Sukra’s stomach. Kacha, fearing the consequences for his preceptor, requested Sukra to be graceful and treat him like his own son.
Sukra, realizing that Kacha’s revival would require his own death, imparted the knowledge of Sanjivani to Kacha before asking him to rip open his stomach to emerge alive. Kacha did so and then used the gained knowledge to revive Sukra. Grateful for his preceptor’s teachings, Kacha revered Sukra as both a father and a mother.
Sukra, recognizing the consequences of drinking wine and having consumed Kacha’s ashes in a state of unconsciousness, declared that any Brahmana who drank wine would be considered as having committed the sin of slaying a Brahmana and would be despised in both this and the other worlds. He set this rule to preserve the dignity of Brahmanas.
After the period of his vow had expired, Kacha, having got his preceptor’s leave, was about to return to the abode of the celestials. Devayani, addressing him, said, ‘O grandson of the Rishi Angiras, in conduct and birth, in learning, asceticism, and humility, you shine most brightly. As my father honoured and regarded the celebrated Rishi Angiras, so is your father regarded and worshipped by me. Recollect my conduct towards you during the period of your vow. Your vow is now over. It behoves you to fix your affections on me and accept my hand in wedding.
Kacha replied, ‘You are, an object of regard and worship to me even as your father. You are dearer than life to the high-souled Sukracharya. As the daughter of my preceptor, you are ever worthy of my worship! As my preceptor Sukra, your father, is ever deserving of my regards, so are you. O Devayani! therefore, it does not befit you to say so.’ Hearing this, Devayani replied, ‘You, too, are the son of my father’s preceptor’s son. Therefore, you deserve of my regards and worship. O Kacha, when you were slain so many times by the Asuras, recollect today the affection I showed for you. Remembering my friendship and affection for you, and indeed my devotion, it does not behove you to abandon me with no fault. I am truly devoted to you.’
Hearing all this, Kacha said, do not urge me into such a sinful course and be gracious to me. Beautiful one, you are to me an object of greater regard than my preceptor. The place where you had resided, viz., the body of Kavya, has also been my abode. You are truly my sister. Amiable one, happily have we passed the days that we have been together. There is a perfect and good understanding between us. I ask your leave to return to my abode. Therefore, bless me so that my journey may be safe. You must remember me, when you recall me in connection with topics of conversation, as one who has not transgressed virtue. Always attend to my preceptor with readiness and singleness of heart.’
To all this, Devayani answered, ‘If, solicited by me, you indeed refuse to make me your wife. Therefore, O’ Kacha, this your knowledge shall not bear fruit.’ Hearing this, Kacha said, ‘I have refused your request only because you are the daughter of my preceptor, and not because you have any fault. Nor has my preceptor in this respect issued any command. Curse me if it pleases you. I have told you what the behaviour should be of a Rishi. I do not deserve your curse, O Devayani. But yet you have cursed me! You have acted under the influence of passion and not from a sense of duty. Therefore, your desire will not be fulfilled. No Rishi’s son shall ever accept your hand in marriage. You have said that my knowledge shall not bear fruit. Let it be so. But in respect of him, it shall bear fruit to whom I may impart it.’
Kacha, having said so to Devayani, speedily went his way to the abode of the chief of the celestials. Seeing him arrived, the celestials with Indra ahead, having first worshipped him, spoke unto him as follows, ‘You have indeed performed an act of great benefit for us. Wonderful has been your achievement! Your fame shall never die! You shall be a sharer with us in sacrificial offerings.
This story of Kacha and Devayani offers several important life lessons:
The pursuit of knowledge: Kacha’s dedication to learning, even in the face of mortal danger, demonstrates the value of education and the lengths one might go to acquire important knowledge.
Loyalty and duty: Kacha remains loyal to his mission and his duty to the celestials, despite developing a close relationship with Devayani and Sukra.
The importance of ethical boundaries: Kacha refuses Devayani’s advances because she is his teacher’s daughter, showing respect for ethical boundaries in relationships.
The danger of anger and impulsiveness: Devayani’s curse, born out of anger and rejection, backfires on her, teaching the importance of controlling one’s emotions.
The power of forgiveness and revival: Sukra’s ability to revive Kacha multiple times shows the power of forgiveness and giving second chances.
The consequences of addiction: Sukra’s experience leads him to forbid wine consumption among Brahmanas, highlighting the negative consequences of addiction.
Respect for teachers: The story emphasizes the importance of respecting and honouring one’s teachers and their families.
The value of perseverance: Despite being killed multiple times, Kacha persists in his mission, demonstrating the importance of perseverance in achieving one’s goals.
The importance of clear communication: The misunderstanding between Kacha and Devayani shows the need for clear communication in relationships.
The power of knowledge: The entire conflict revolves around the power of the knowledge to revive the dead, showing how valuable and transformative knowledge can be.
The complexity of relationships: The story illustrates how relationships can be complicated by duty, gratitude, and differing expectations.
The importance of maintaining integrity: Kacha maintains his integrity by refusing to betray his principles, even when faced with a curse.
In essence, the story teaches about the virtues of respect, sacrifice, ethical behaviour, perseverance, duty, integrity, and the lasting impact of true knowledge and dedication.