Sage Jaimini was a disciple of Vyasa. Vyasa had taught his disciples his composition and Jaimini had learnt it then. He was reading it again and trying to understand it. It was not a simple composition. It was not one single story, It had discussions, it had arguments and was extremely sacred. Suddenly he felt he had some queries. His guru, Vyasa, was currently unavailable. He was in the mountains, meditating, working on compiling and reorganizing the Vedas. The questions were beginning to bother Jaimini. He thought. Not far away from where he was, was the ashrama of sage Markandeya. Sage Markandeya had been blessed by Shiva to be immortal. He was a pure soul, calm and composed and always willing to help, if he could. H Jaimini decided to visit Markandeya. He would be able to help him.
Jaimini went to his hermitage. Markandeya was getting ready for his evening rituals. This would not be not a proper time to provide detailed answers.
Markandeya said to Jaimini, "It is evening now. A time to spent in contemplation. I will not be able to help you with the answers to your questions I will tell you who can help you with your questions. The birds Pingaksha, Vibodha, Supatra, and Sumukha. They have studied all the sacred texts and are the right ones to help you. They are sons of Drona, and they live in a cave on the banks of the river Narmada. Go there. Meet them. They should be able to provide you with the answers you seek."
Jaimini was taken aback. He had heard stories of talking animals, but to hear this in real life was surprising.
He asked Markandeya, "This is truly remarkable. How is it that these birds are able to speak and explain the scriptures? This kind of knowledge is very difficult to have. We humans practice for ages, and only then are some able to gain that knowledge. How did these birds come to possess this? Why are they called Drona’s sons? I know about the great warrior Drona from the Mahabharata, but I am not aware of him having sons who were birds. Tell me about Drona. Tell me how these sons of Drona came to have this knowledge?"
Markandeya smiled nd said, "Listen Jaimini. I will tell you about what happened in Nandana long ago. This will help you to understand the origin of those birds and the source of their knowledge."
This was the day the Apsaras would be visiting Nandan Vana, Indra's garden. Indra had decided to hold court in his garden. This day the apsaras would show off their talents in the garden. They were always ready to obey Indra. The garden was true to its name. Nandan meant delightful and this was truly a wonderful place to be in. This was not only a joy to the eyes but it was also a sign of prosperity. It made the soul feel happy. Where else would you find pine trees, along with neem, Purple Orchid , peepal, mango and banyan and sandalwood trees, all together? There was something in the air itself. The moment one stepped in here, all worries vanished. This was the place to relax.
Indra arrived at the garden. The Apsaras were waiting. As Indra approached, they began to perform. Some sang, some danced, some caressed Indra, some whispered something in his ears, some nibbled on his arms while others fed him fruits or served him liquor. Indra sat on a throne enjoying himself. Suddenly Narada arrived there. The sage was singing songs praising Vishnu, holding a veena in right hand, a pair of kartal in his left. He was dressed in saffron clothes. As soon as the sage arrived there, the atmosphere changed. The apsaras stopped their performance. Indra with utmost reverence, got up from the throne to greet the sage. He welcomed the sage, thanked him for coming, offered his seat and asked Narada to sit there. After Narada was seated, Indra served the sage as was customary. He washed the sage's feet, and then worshiped him with water, flowers, rice and sandalwood paste. The apsaras, seeing the sage, prostrated themselves in front of the sage. Getting up they stood there with folded hands, waiting for instructions. Indra and Narada began talking. They spoke about what was happening in the three worlds. For Narada this was a casual visit. He was passing by and wanted to pay a social visit. Indra was hearing Narada talk. Indra while listening, looked around. He saw the apsaras standing like statues, bent with folded hands, waiting for instruction. Indra wanted to have fun. He asked Narada, " Respected seer, please have a look at these apsaras. They are all skilled in their fields. As this is a social visit, I want you to stay and enjoy yourself. Why do you not enjoy the performances of the apsaras? Which of these apsaras should I send to you?"
Narada was in a dilemma. He was not interested in being with the apsaras. Indra was talking away, "There are Rambha, Menaka, Tillotama, Ghritachi, Urvashi, Mishrakeshi. Who do you think is the one who should perform for you? She has to be the best, for the best of the sages."
Narada was quiet. He was not sure how to get out of the situation. He then said, "King of gods, I am a sage, I am not the right to make this decision. So, please let the apsaras decide. Let that apsara who is superior to all in beauty, nobility and has the best skills come and perform for me. I will watch her dance. Just moving her hands and feet is not dancing. She should feel that she is superior to all, be graceful and have the best of the qualities. Let her come forward."
A quarrel broke out. The apsaras who had been standing still all along now began quarreling among themselves. Each thought they were superior. They were discussing how they had enticed sages, broken their meditations in various ages. Each was showing how they were superior to the other.
Indra knew this was never ending. He knew each apsara had in earlier times, on his instructions, disturbed the penances of various sages. He asked Narada to decide. Narada was in a fix. This is what he had been trying to avoid. The apsaras fell at his feet. They wanted to know who the sage thought was the best among them.
Narada said, "I have heard that on earth, in the Himalayas, somewhere far away from civilization, sage Durvasa has set up his hermitage. He lives there engrossed in his meditation. The sage is known for his short temper. That apsara, who can go where Durvasa is meditating, please him and come back, I will consider that apsara the superior amongst you. I will consider that one to be the superior one." A different argument started amongst the apsaras now - You said you were the best, why don't you go?
"Quiet. Shhh", someone said loudly. The apsaras were silent. Who had spoken. It was none other then Vapu. Vapu was confident of her skills. She told Narada she was confident, she would win the heart of sage Durvasa. Even the gods Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva would not be able to stop sage Durvasa from falling in love with her.
Vapu left Nandan Van and materialized in the Himalayas. She looked around surveying her surroundings. The peaks were snow clad. It was cold. Freezing cold. Mortals would not be able to survive there for more than a few days. Durvasa, because of his spiritual powers, could do anything. Vapu did not feel a thing. Heat, cold etc. - they did not affect her. There were some wild animals there. Because of Durvasa's austerities, these animals were quiet. It was a still place. No noise. She saw the sage. Sitting in the cold, bare bodied, matted hair, eyes closed he was sitting on the snow, meditating. She looked around and chose a spot. This was close to the sage but not within arm's reach. She then started imitating the voice of a male cuckoo bird.
The sage opened his eyes. He saw the apsara running around in the snow, imitating the cuckoo. She was beautiful. "She has come here to break my penance", thought Durvasa and controlled himself. He stood up. He picked up his water pot and poured some water in his left palm and uttered a mantra and then shouted, "Stupid apsara. You came here to disturb my meditation. The residents of heaven are scared to approach me and you had the audacity to come here. I curse you, proud foolish woman. You imitated the tone of a bird and tried to attract me. Go on earth and live the life of a bird for sixteen years." Durvasa then flung the water at the sacred apsara. He continued, "You will have four sons but will not live to see them and take care of them. You will be killed on a battlefield. Do not say anything to me. Saying anything or begging for forgiveness will not change this. Leave this place. What I have said will take place soon. I had been trying to perform austerities that were extremely difficult and you have disturbed me. I will now have to leave this place and find a suitable place where I can be undisturbed." Durvasa walked away. Vapu stood watching. She was scared.
Lessons from the Story
True knowledge requires humility. Jaimini, a learned sage, is willing to ask questions and accept guidance from others including birds.
Markandeya declines to answer at that moment. There’s a time and place and knowledge is not to be shared hastily or at an improper time.
Durvasa represents tapas (austerity), discipline, and unshakable will. Vapu’s attempt to seduce him fails. The cuckoo’s voice symbolizes kama (desire) awakening in nature. Her attempt to imitate it is an act of using illusion to disturb tapas. Durvasa’s curse reflects the consequence of disturbance.
Don’t underestimate unlikely sources of wisdom. True teachers may appear in humble, strange, or symbolic forms.
Respect sacred spaces and times. Disturbing another’s spiritual practice has karmic repercussions.
Each curse carries a hidden path to liberation. Even suffering can be a vehicle for growth if we transform through it.
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