Yayaati (Hindi Edition)

By: Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar

Narrated by: Sakshi Malhotra

The story of Yayati is perhaps one of the most intriguing and fascinating episodes of Mahabharata. Yayati was a great scholar and one of the noblest rulers of olden times. He followed the shastras and was devoted to the welfare of his subjects. Even the king of gods, Indra, held him in high esteem. Married to seductively beautiful Devyani, in love with her maid Sharmishtha, and father of five sons from two women, Yayati unabashedly declared, 'My lust for pleasure is unsatisfied'. His quest for the carnal continued, sparing not even his youngest son, and exchanging his old age for his son's youth.

Please note: This audiobook is in Hindi.

©2015 Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

A classic

It’s probable even better in the original Marathi but I found it pretty gripping past hour 1. Moral corruption, a gripping climax, more sex than you can imagine (albeit in highly formal Hindi) and how humans can justify pretty much anything. Yayaati comes across as quite pathetic; Devyani is evil but you understand her motivations. Sharmistha I found a bit dull - but even with her you see sparks of rebellion. Still what does she see in Yayaati. Maybe he was really hot?

The reading got a bit getting used to - it wasn’t very expressive but it was well done and consistent.