[Advaita-l] About Satyakama

[V Subrahmanian]

The story from the Mahabharata cannot be taken at face value.  It is to be
seen as arthavāda to enjoin loyalty between husband and wife.

Moreover, It contradicts many shruti passages such as  ‘यथा मातृमान्पितृमान्’
(बृ. उ. ४-१-२)
<http://advaitasharada.sringeri.net/php/format.php?bhashya=Brha&page=04&hval=%E2%80%98%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E2%80%99%20(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83.%20%E0%A4%89.%20%E0%A5%AA-%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A8)#BR_C04_S01_V02>
which occurs over half a dozen times in the Brihadaranyaka itself.
Shankara says: the one who is tended, groomed, by the mother, father and
the Acharya is eligible.....The other famous 'mātr devo bhava....'  also
teaches that there is a family system with a regular mother, father, etc.
that give the apt samskaras to the offspring.  This  is a vedic dictum.
There is no way one can say that the Jabala episode falls within the
'system' that the Mahabharata is alluding to.  We have famous Rishi-couples
such as Vasishṭha-Arundhati, Agastya-Lopāmudra, etc. which have been shown
as ideals. If it was a norm that women changed husbands such cases as the
above will have no place in the scripture.
The BG itself in the first chapter talks about what evil effects will come
about when women become fallen.
Here is an article on the topic:
https://adbhutam.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/satyakaama-jaabaala/

regards
subrahmanian.v





2016-06-27 16:50 GMT+05:30 Venkatesh Murthy (वेङ्कटेशः सीतारामार्यपुत्रः) <
>
> >
> In very ancient times there was no marriage like we have now with
> husband and wife living together permanently. In Mahabharata itself we
> hear women in very ancient times roaming wherever they pleased and
> enjoying. This was allowed by practices of old Rishis even.
>
> (Sambhava Parva continued)
> "Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by his loving wife, king Pandu,
> well-acquainted with all rules of morality, replied in these words of
> virtuous import, 'O Kunti, what thou hast said is quite true. Vyushitaswa
> of old did even as thou hast said. Indeed he was equal unto the
> celestials themselves. But I shall now tell thee about the practices of
> old indicated by illustrious Rishis, fully acquainted with every rule of
> morality. O thou of handsome face and sweet smiles, women formerly were
> not immured within houses and dependent on husbands and other relatives.
>