YAYATI By VS KHANDEKAR

YAYATI IS THE STORY OF THE LUST OF A KING BY THE SAME NAME, WHO APPEARS IN THE MAHABHARATA, ONE OF THE TWO EPICS OF INDIA. THOUGH MARRIED TO BEAUTIFUL DEVYANI, HE FOUND THE FEMALE SERVANT, SHARMISHTHA, ENTICING. HE HAD FIVE CHILDREN FROM THESE WOMEN BUT HIS DESIRE FOR PLEASURE REMAINED UNSATISFIED. DID HIS QUEST FOR THE CARNAL END WITH HIS EXCHANGING HIS OLD AGE WITH HIS SON'S YOUTH? HOW LONG DID HE ENJOY THE SENSUAL PLEASURES? YAYATI STANDS FOR ONE WHO IS NEVER SATISFIED WITH EARTHLY PLEASURES. THOUGH THE STORY OF THE ANCIENT TIMES CENTERS ONLY AROUND DISSOLUTE DESIRES OF AN INDIVIDUAL, ONE CAN DRAW PARALLEL EXAMPLES FROM THE PRESENT DAYS OF CONSUMERISM WHERE THE INSATIABILITY TO HAVE MORE PLEASURES CONTINUES.