Shloka 27
ययाति–देवयानी संवादः
Yayāti–Devayānī Dialogue and Śukra’s Consent
पज्चवर्षशतान्येवं कचस्य चरतो व्रतम् । तत्रातीयुरथो बुद्ध्वा दानवास्तं ततः कचम्,इस प्रकार वहाँ रहकर ब्रह्मचर्य त्रतका पालन करते हुए कचके पाँच सौ वर्ष व्यतीत हो गये। तब दानवोंको यह बात मालूम हुई। तदनन्तर कचको वनके एकान्त प्रदेशमें अकेले गौएँ चराते देख बृहस्पतिके द्वेषसे और संजीवनी विद्याकी रक्षाके लिये क्रोधमें भरे हुए दानवोंने कचको मार डाला
pañcavarṣaśatāny evaṃ kacasya carato vratam | tatrātīyur atho buddhvā dānavās taṃ tataḥ kacam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus, while Kaca continued to observe his vow of disciplined celibacy and service, five hundred years passed there. Then the Dānavas came to know of it; and thereafter, seeing Kaca alone in a secluded part of the forest tending the cows, they—out of hatred for Bṛhaspati and in order to safeguard the secret of the Sañjīvanī lore—were inflamed with anger and killed Kaca.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in vrata (disciplined ethical observance) and the vulnerability of sacred knowledge to envy and hostility. It also frames adharma as arising from hatred and fear of losing power, leading to violence even against a restrained and dutiful student.
Kaca has spent a very long period (five hundred years) maintaining his vow while staying among the Asuras. The Dānavas discover his situation and, finding him alone in the forest tending cows, kill him—motivated by animosity toward Bṛhaspati and by the desire to prevent or protect the Sañjīvanī knowledge from being taken.