Devayaanicharitham

The asura’s have the Mrithasanjeevani mantra which can bring a dead person to life. The devas do not have it, and they decide to send Kacha the son of guru of the devas as disciple of Sukra the guru of the asura’s to learn it. It is in this background that the story begins. Scene:1 – Sukra and Kacha Kacha comes to the Ashram of Sukra, the guru of the rakshasas. He expresses his desire to be Sukra’s disciple. Sukra is pleased with the appearance of Kacha, his politeness, his evident aristocracy and fearlessness. Sukra takes him as his disciple, and at an auspicious time starts him on his studies. The atmosphere in the ashram captivates Kacha. Scene: 2 – Kacha and Devayani Kacha attends to all the duties assigned to him by his guru like, grazing the cattle and attending to all the needs of the Ashram. He attends to the studies assigned to himby his guru. One day while out grazing the cattle, he allows the cattle to themselves, sits down and attends to his studies. Devayani the beautiful daughter of Sukra comes there and is at once attracted to the handsome Kacha. She invites him to join her in her games and play. Kacha does not know what to do. He does not want to abandon his studies and join his guru’s daughter in games and play. He finally yields and joins her in unobjectionable games. The games gradually grow more enjoyable, and finally Devayani puts a garland of flowers around Kacha’s neck. Kacha is embarrassed and leaves saying it is getting very late. Scene: 3 – Kacha, Sukethu and Kuttikattala Sukethu and the other kattalas realize that Devayani, the daughter of the guru is attracted to the new disciple Kacha who is the son of the guru of the Devas, and feels that this will not be good for the asuras. They decide to kill Kacha. They capture him and kills him. They pulverize his body, and mixes it with madya and take it to Sukra. Scene: 4 – Sukra, Sukethu, kattalas, Devayani and Kacha Sukra is happy with the Madya offered to him by the kattalas and drinks it. Devayani who cannot find Kacha rushed to her father saying that Kacha is missing. Sukra by his divine powers immediately understands that kacha has been killed, and that he has taken drinks that contain Kacha’s body. Seeing the great grief of his daughter; Kukra teaches Kacha the Mrithasanjeevani Mantra. He calls Kacha who emerges from Sukra’s stomach, and Sukra dies. Kacha using the Mrithasanjeevani Mantra brings back Sukra to life. Sukra says that madya has been the reason for so much mischief, and that he will never taste it again. Scene: 5 – Kacha and Devayani Kacha who has managed to obtain the mantra, for which he had come to Sukra as a disciple, wants to leave without being seen by anyone. However Devayani comes to the scene with a radiant smile, and wants to resume the interrupted relationship with Kacha. She tries all methods to keep Kacha in the ashram, but Kacha says in unmistakable terms that he has to leave. Devayani curses him that the mantra that he has learned will be forgotten when he needs it. Kacha reluctantly leaves.