YAYATI Complex: Today I would like my readers to know about the YAYATI complex. Before understanding it in broad terms lets first know something about Yayati.
Yayati was a Puranic king and the son of King Nahusha and his wife Viraja. He was one of the ancestors of Pandavas. He married Devyani , daughter of Shukracharya - the priest of Asuras (the demons) and takes Sharmishtha, daughter of king Vrishparva and maid of Devayani as his mistress on her request. (How Sharmishtha became the maid of Devyani, being a princess , is a different story altogether). Later Yayati had an affair with Sharmishtha and married her secretly who borne him two sons. Hearing this Devyani ran to his father and compaints about this to him , who cursed Yayati to become old and impotent in anger. Later realizing the implications of curse, Shukracharya relaxed the curse stating that if any of his son willingly takes the curse Yayati Yayati would regain his youth and potency. Yayati youngest son Puru- one of his some by Sharmishtha agreed to take the curse to rejuvenate his father.In grateful recognition of Puru's filial devotion, Yayati makes him his legitimate heir and it is from the line of Puru - later King Puru - that the Kuru vamsha dynasty later arises.
The above incident shows the Indians belief to sacrifice their own freedom , pleasure and position for their parents. It is the act of serving your father's wish by sacrificing own pleasures and goods. This Indian belief , practice of sacrificing of one's freedom, pleasure and position for the father or we can say older generations is coined as "YAYATI COMPLEX".
There are many more examples in Indian history when the biggest example of the YAYATI complexes were set.
RAM accepted the BANWAAS when his father DASHRATH asked him to do so. He also abandons his dutiful and faithful wife SITA for the wishes of his people of kingdom. These all deeds of RAM placed him as GOD in the heart and minds of the common people and made him Maryada Purushottam.
One more example is of DEVVRATA, son of king Shantanu (descendant of Puru itself). His father wanted to marry Satyavati - a fisherman girl but Satyawati wanted his son and descendants to be the heir of throne for which Shantanu was not ready. Learning this Devvrata renounced the throne and vows of celibacy so that his father can marry her. This vow earned him the admiration of the gods, who renamed him Bhisma, “he who took a terrible vow.”
In the first view, this phenomenon of sacrificing may seem illogical but in the last , the behavior showing YAYATI complex brings the satisfaction , the glory , the worth and well being of everyone.
Yayati was a Puranic king and the son of King Nahusha and his wife Viraja. He was one of the ancestors of Pandavas. He married Devyani , daughter of Shukracharya - the priest of Asuras (the demons) and takes Sharmishtha, daughter of king Vrishparva and maid of Devayani as his mistress on her request. (How Sharmishtha became the maid of Devyani, being a princess , is a different story altogether). Later Yayati had an affair with Sharmishtha and married her secretly who borne him two sons. Hearing this Devyani ran to his father and compaints about this to him , who cursed Yayati to become old and impotent in anger. Later realizing the implications of curse, Shukracharya relaxed the curse stating that if any of his son willingly takes the curse Yayati Yayati would regain his youth and potency. Yayati youngest son Puru- one of his some by Sharmishtha agreed to take the curse to rejuvenate his father.In grateful recognition of Puru's filial devotion, Yayati makes him his legitimate heir and it is from the line of Puru - later King Puru - that the Kuru vamsha dynasty later arises.
The above incident shows the Indians belief to sacrifice their own freedom , pleasure and position for their parents. It is the act of serving your father's wish by sacrificing own pleasures and goods. This Indian belief , practice of sacrificing of one's freedom, pleasure and position for the father or we can say older generations is coined as "YAYATI COMPLEX".
There are many more examples in Indian history when the biggest example of the YAYATI complexes were set.
RAM accepted the BANWAAS when his father DASHRATH asked him to do so. He also abandons his dutiful and faithful wife SITA for the wishes of his people of kingdom. These all deeds of RAM placed him as GOD in the heart and minds of the common people and made him Maryada Purushottam.
One more example is of DEVVRATA, son of king Shantanu (descendant of Puru itself). His father wanted to marry Satyavati - a fisherman girl but Satyawati wanted his son and descendants to be the heir of throne for which Shantanu was not ready. Learning this Devvrata renounced the throne and vows of celibacy so that his father can marry her. This vow earned him the admiration of the gods, who renamed him Bhisma, “he who took a terrible vow.”
In the first view, this phenomenon of sacrificing may seem illogical but in the last , the behavior showing YAYATI complex brings the satisfaction , the glory , the worth and well being of everyone.
