Jayanti (Hinduism)

In Hindu mythology, Jayanti is the daughter of Indra, the king of the devas (gods) and ruler of Svarga (heaven), and his consort Shachi. She is described as the wife of Shukra, the god of the planet Venus and the guru of the asuras (demons). Their union results in the birth of a daughter, Devayani.[1] Jayanti is described as the sister of Jayanta.[2]

Texts

Jayanti appears primarily in the description of one event, the tale of her marriage with Shukra. The tale is retold in many Hindu scriptures with some variation. The texts include the Vayu Purana, the Matsya Purana, the Brahmanda Purana,[3] the Devi Bhagavata Purana,[2] and the Padma Purana.[4]

Legends

Jayanti's husband Shukra

The Matsya Purana narrates that the demons were almost decimated in battle with the gods. Their guru, Shukra, goes to Mount Kailash to please the god Shiva and acquire new powers to revive the demons from doom. Shukra performs severe tapas (austerities). The gods try to destroy the remaining demons and their refuge by Shukra's mother, Kavyamata. But after the murdered Kavyamata is resurrected, Indra, the king of the gods, becomes worried that with Shukra's success the demons will regroup and attack again. He sends his daughter Jayanti to serve Shukra and to do anything possible to the advantage of Indra.[5]

In the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Indra orders Jayanti to entice the sage to disturb his austerities. Jayanti is displeased with her father's methods, but still goes to Kailash to honour his orders. At Kailash, she becomes an attendant of Shukra and serves him faithfully. She fans him with a banana leaf, gathers cool fragrant water for him to drink, and collects fresh flowers and darbha grass for his worship. She also stands in the heat and uses her upper garment to offer shade to the sage. She prepares a warm bed for him to sleep in and fans him until he falls asleep. She also speaks sweet words to please the sage. She serves him like a dutiful disciple and disregards her father's instructions to break Shukra's penance.[2]

In the Matsya Purana, Jayanti follows her father's orders. After a thousand years, Shiva appears before Shukra and grants him the powers he desired. A pleased Shukra talks to Jayanti and promises to grant her a reward for her services. On her request, he marries her and "enjoys" with her for ten years. Shukra creates a shell of magic so that they become invisible to the world and remain undisturbed.[5] In other versions, Jayanti requests Shukra to create a haze around them so their lovemaking is hidden from the world.[3] The Padma Purana extends the period to a hundred years, instead of ten.[4]

After ten years, Shukra is free from his promise and Jayanti allows him to go visit his disciples, the demons.[5] The Matsya Purana and the Brahmanda Purana relate that couple's union produces a daughter called Devayani.[5] The Hindu epic Mahabharata, which recalls a detailed account of Devayani's life, mentions that she is the daughter of Jayanti.[1] However, the Devi Bhagavata Purana disagrees and portrays her as a daughter of Urjjasvati, another wife of Shukra.[2]

Meanwhile, during the ten years that Shukra is involved with Jayanti, the demons are deluded by the guru of the gods, Brihaspati, who has assumed the form of Shukra. An enraged Shukra curses the demons when they doubt him. Indra's mission is fulfilled.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 V. R. Ramachandra Dikshitar (1995) [1951]. The Purana Index. 1. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 636. ISBN 9788120812741.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 355, 760. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  3. 1 2 Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty (1980). The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology. University of California Press. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-0-520-04098-4.
  4. 1 2 Rajendra Chandra Hazra (1987). Studies in the Puranic Records on Hindu Rites and Customs. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 34. ISBN 978-81-208-0422-7.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Baman Das Basu. The Matsya Puranam. The Sacred books of the Hindus. Cosmo Publications for Genesis Pub. pp. 128–136. ISBN 978-81-307-0532-3.
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