Thursday, April 9, 2020

Menaka The curse of Indra

Menaka, the curse of Indra

Vishwamitra was one of the most respected and revered sages in ancient India. He was extremely determined,disciplined, dedicated and his penance and devotion to achieve whatever he sought, frightened the gods. He would be in deep meditation for hours on end, to enhance his spiritual prowess. He became so powerful, that he was in the process of creating an alternative Universe-" Pratisrushti"
 Indra was really shaken up and frightened by his powers. He had to stop the relentless progress and kill the competition. He resorted to sending Menaka, a breathtakingly beautiful Apsara, from heaven to lure him and break Viswamitras resolve. Menaka successfully incited Vishwamitra's lust and passion when he saw her beauty. She succeeded in breaking the meditation of Vishwamitra.She eventually fell in love with him and a baby was born to them.  Vishwamitra realized that he had been tricked by Indra.
      There are many modern day Vishwamitras, who have toiled hard, earned fame and fortune, scaled the dizzying heights of success.
The modern day Menakas, are the ego, over confidence, arrogance and conceit.
A vast majority of moden day Viswamitras fall prey to the seduction of these Menakas, whose charms are irresistible.
Success inevitably brings along with it, an overwhelming sense of power, a sense of
"I can do no wrong".
There is a sense of contempt for anyone who questions or challenges any decision or action. Greed and lust for more wealth, power, fame paradoxically increases in geometric progression. This pathological greed paralyses the prudence of discretion and discrimination. Indulgence in  seemingly endless hedonisitic pursuits titillates and stimulates. Very few can resist the lure and guile of these seductresses.

Dr. Deepak Ranade

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