(In Simple English)
Originally written in Sanskrit by Bhagavan Veda Vyaasa
(Krishna Dvaipaayana)
Translated into Telugu (a Regional Language of South India)
b y
Sri Nannaya Bhattaarakah
Sri Tikkana Somayaaji
Sri Yerra Pragada.
in Eleventh Century
( popularly known as Kavitrayam)
Commentary in simple English
by Sri. M.V.Subrahmanyam,
(kavitraya) MAHAA BHAARAT
AADI PARVAMUPRADHAMAASVAASAM (CHAPTER 1)
Saint Shounaka and other sages and saints assembled there for performing “satra yaga” expressed their desire to hear some divine story. Then “Ugrasravasu” began to tell story “Mahabharata”.
In the ancient past, there was a Brahmarshi called Krishna Dvaipaayana. He was also called as Veda Vyasa. At that time, all the Vedas were combined together. VedaVyasa divided them into four. They are (1)Rigveda; (2) Yajurveda; (3)Sama veda; (4)Adharvana veda.With the permission of Brahma, he wrote 18 Puraanaas, Dharma Sastraas, Itihasas, historical stories of kings, life of Lord Srikrishna, and the stories of Pandavas and Kouravas. That is called Mahabharata. Veda Vyasa completed Mahabharata in three years. Mahabharata contains 18 parvas.
They are:
1.Adi parvamu .. 9984 slokas.
2.Sabhaa parvamu .. 4311 slokas.
3.Aranya parvamu .. 13664 slokas.
4.Virata parvamu. .. 3500 slokas.
5.Udyoga parvamu. .. 6998 slokas.
6.Bheeshma parvamu .. 5884 slokas.
7.Drona parvamu. ..10919 slokas.
8.Karna parvamu. ..4900 slokas.
9.Salya parvamu. ..3220 slokas.
10.Souptikaparvamu. ..2870 slokas.
11.Stree parvamu. ..1775 slokas.
12.Saanti parvamu. ..14525 slokas.
13.Anusaasanika parvamu ..12000 slokas.
14.Asvamedhika parvamu ..4420 slokas.
15.Aasramavaasa parvamu. ..1106 slokas.
16.Mousala parvamu. ..300 slokas.
17.Mahaa prastaana parvamu. ..120 slokas.
18.Svargaarohana parvamu. ..200 slokas.
Veda Vyasa deputed Saint Narada to tell Mahabharata in Devaloka, Saint Devala to tell in Pitru lOka, Saint Suka to tell in Gandharva, yaksha, raakshasa lokas, Vaisampaayana to tell in Manushya lOka, to King Janamejaya.
I (Ugrasravasu) heard Mahabharata story while Vaisampaayana was narrating the same to King Janamejaya. Now I am telling the same to all of you assembled here for Satra Yaaga. Then, Saint Shounaka and other saints asked “Ugrasravasu” to tell them about Samantaka Pancaka and also about the great warriors like Bhishma. “Ugrasravasu” continued to say There are four yugaas. They are (1) Kruta yuga; (2)Tretaa yuga; (3)Dvaapara yuga; (4)Kali yuga. At the end of Kruta yuga, there was a great war between Devatas (divine souls) and daanavaas (raakshasaas or demons). At the end of Tretaayuga, there was a battle between Rama and Ravana. At the end of Dvaapara yuga, there was a great war between Paandavas and Kouravas.
During the time between Tretaayuga and Dvaapara yugaa, one Brahmin warrior Parasuraama son of a great saint Jamadagni, waged war against all the Kshatriya community 21 times and killed all the kings. The blood flown out of their bodies formed into five streams. Those five streams of blood are called “Samantaka pancaka”. At that place only, Mahabharata war took place. It is also called Kurukshetra.
Arjuna was one of the five Pandavas. Arjuna’s grandson was King Pareekshit. King Janameja was the son of King Pareekshit. King Janamejaya was performing a Yajna. One day, a small dog called Saarameya, son of a divine dog called Sarama, was playing at the place of Yajna. On seeing this, the brothers of King Janamejaya, grew angry and beat that small dog, Saarameya. Sarameya went to his mother and said that he was beaten by the king. Sarama came to Janamejaya and said: “Oh king Janamejaya, your people beat my son, while he was simply playing at the place of yajna, without any reason, . It is wrong. Wrong doers will suffer the consequences without any cause.” So saying, she went away.
Later, Janamejaya intended to perform shanthi ritual, to avert all evils, as spoken by Sarama. To perform the said ritual, the King invited a great saint called Somasravasu, as chief priest. One Udanka was studying in a Gurukula (place where students learn Vedas from Teacher in homely atmosphere). After completing the learning, Gurupatni (wife of his teacher) requested Udanka to bring the ear rings of Rani Poushya Devi, wife of King Poushya. Accordingly, Udanka went to King Poushya and requested him to give the ear rings. King Poushya gladly accepted his request but asked him to collect them from his wife, Poushya Devi. Udanka went to Poushya Devi and requested for the ear rings.
Poushya Devi gave the ear rings to Udanka and also cautioned him “Udanka, Takshaka (serpant) was trying to snatch the earrings. Be careful”.She also requested him to take food in her house. Udanka accepted her request.While he was taking food, one fallen hair was found in the food. Udanka grew angry. For blindly serving food to the guest, Udanka cursed Poushya to become blind. Poushya said “you have cursed me for a small mistake. I also will give “Saapa” to you. You will remain issueless.”
Udanka requested Poushya to take back her Saapaa as he could not bear that Saapaa and remain issueless. Poushya said: “Udankaa, Brahmins are kind in heart but harsh in words. But Kshatriyas are harsh in heart but kind in words. Hence I could not take back my Saapaa. You have to take back your Saapaa.”Udanka agreed for it and said “You will get rid of my Saapaa within a short time”.
So saying, Udanka left that place carrying the ear rings with him. While going to his Ashram, on the way, he stopped near a stream. He placed the earnings at a clean and neat place and went to the stream for bath. At that time, Takshaka came there, took away the ear rings, and fled away to Nagaloka.
On seeing this, Udanka also followed him to Nagaloka. He praised all the Naga kings viz., Ananta, Vaasuki, Takshaka and other serpant kings and requested them to give back the ear rings. In the Naga loka, he also found a divine personality (Indra) riding a horse. Udanka also praised that divine personality. Satisfied with his praises, Indra asked him what he wants. Udanka prayed that the entire serpant community should be under his control.
Indra asked Udanka to blow air in the ear of the horse. When Udanka blew air in the ear of the horse, flames came out of the entire body of the horse and spread all over Nagaloka. On seeing this Takshaka was frightened and returned the ear rings to Udanka. After receiving the ear rings from Takshaka, Udanka returned to his Ashramam and gave the ear rings to Gurupatni.
After taking permission from Guru, Udanka went away. He performed great Tapassu(penance). But he could not forget the harm caused to him by Takshka. He wanted to wreak vengeance.Then Udanka went to King Janamejaya and said: “King JanamE jayaa, Takshaka was a wicked serpant.He caused harm to me. While I was taking the ear rings from Poushya Maha Rani, to give it to my gurupatni, he snatched them away. Besides that, without realising whether it is right or wrong, he carried out the Saapa(curse) of the Saint Srungi and killed your father King Parikshit brutally. He should be taught a lesson. For the misdeeds committed by him, the entire Naga community should suffer. I request you to perform Sarpa yaaga in which all the snakes in the world including Takshaka will fall and die.” Heeding the words of Udanka, Janamejaya intended to perform Sarpayaaga.
Shounaka and other saints hearing the story asked “Ugrasravasu”,“What is the reason for all the poisonous snakes to fall in Sarpayaaga(sacred fire) and die. Please tell us.”Ugrasravasu, the story-teller said “It was due to the Saapa given by Kadruva, the mother of snakes. But Aastika stopped Sarpa yaaga and saved the serpant community. I will tell that story in detail”. The story teller continued to say.Bhruguvu is a great saint. His wife was Puloma. While she was pregnant, one day, Bhruguvu asked his wife Puloma to lit sacred fire for the daily ritual and went to a nearby stream to take bath. Accordingly, she lit the sacred fire(agni) and was attending to other works.
At that time, one raakshasa (demon) called Pulomudu came there. He saw Puloma.He lusted her. He asked the fire (agni deva) who she was. Agnideva was in dilemma. If he tells the truth, the demon will cause harm to Puloma. If he does not tell the truth, he will be a sinner for telling falsehood. Agnideva decided to tell the truth. He said that she was the wife of saint Bhruguvu.
Pulomudu recognised her. Prior to her marriage, he fell in love with her but could not succeed. Now she is the wife of Bhruguvu. Pulomudu wanted to have her. He became a big pig (varaahamu) and took her on his shoulder and ran away carrying Puloma. She was weeping and trying to escape from his clutches. In that scuffle, as she was in advanced pregnancy, she delivered a male child. His name was Chyavana, a powerful child. The child, Chyavana, looked at that demon with anger. The flames came out of eyes of the child, burnt away that demon, Pulomudu. Then Puloma took the child in her lap and returned to Ashram. After Bhruguvu returned to Ashram, she told him what had happened. Bhruguvu grew angry.
“Who told that demon about your identity?” Bhruvugu asked PulOma.”
“Agnideva revealed myidentity.” Puloma replied.
Agnideva clarified “If I tell falsehood, I will get sin. Hence I told the truth.”
Bhruguvu cursed him and gave saapaa “Hereinafter, you will sarvabhakshaka (an indiscriminate eater).”
Agnideva thought that “if I become indiscriminate eater, how can I carry holy offerings to devataas”. Hence he withdrew his flames. As there was no agni, there was no Homa(sacred fire), no offerings to devataas.
Brahma deva came to agni and told Agni ,
“Oh agni deva, even if you are an indiscriminate eater, according to Bhruguvu Saapa , still you are a sacred fire. Your holiness cannot be taken away by Bhrugu Saapaa. Please resume your flames and carry offerings to Devataas”.
Obeying the words of Brahma, Agni resumed his flames and the daily rituals continued as before. Chyavana, son of Bhruguvu, married a girl Sukanya, daughter of King Sharyathi.Their son was Pramathi. Pramathi married an Apsarasa. Their son was Ruru. Ruru fell in love with Pramadvara, a girl brought up in an ashramam of Saint Sthoolakesa. One day, Pramadvara went to forest. There she was bitten by a snake and died.Ruru came to know about the death of his lover, Pramadvara. He could not control himself. He prayed all the gods and divine souls to give life to his lover and he was ready to give whatever they want.
A “Devata” from heaven spoke— “Oh Ruru, birth and death are quite common to human beings. You cannot avert it. But there is one way. If you can give half of your life to Pramadvara, she will regain consciousness.”On hearing this, Ruru gladly agreed for that and gave half of his life to his lover Pramadvara. She regained consciousness with renewed health and vigour. Ruru married Pramadvara and led a happy married life.
But, Ruru could not forget the harm caused to his lover by a snake. He wanted to take revenge against snakes. He took a big stick and began to search and kill each and every snake found in the forest.
One day, he found one non-poisonous snake called Dumdumbham. Ruru raised his stick to beat and kill it. Dundubham stopped him and asked him why he is killing snakes indiscriminately.Ruru told him what had happened. Immediatey, Dundubham transformed into human form. Ruru asked him why he is lying like a serpant. He replied—-
“My name is Sahasrapada. One day when my friend Khagama was performing Homam, (sacred fire), I, mischievously, put a snake like rope, made up of hay, in his neck. He grew angry. He cursed me to become a non-poisonous snake. I realised my mistake and requested him for “saapa-vimocana”. Khagama blessed Sahasrapada that when he will speak to a saint called Ruru, he will get human body. Accordingly, I regained my human body”.
Sahasrapaada continued—
“You are a brahmin, Brahmins are renowned for their kindness and forbearance, and forgiveness. But why are you killing all the snakes. In the past, one saint Aastika, a student of your father, stopped the Sarpa yaagaa, performed by Janamejaya, while all the snakes were falling and dying in the sacred fire, in view of the Saapa (curse) given by Kadruva, the mother of snakes, to her sons. You also stop killing snakes.”
Then, Shounaka and other sages and saints who were hearing the story asked Ugrasravasu “It is quite strange, how could a mother give Saapaa (curse)to her childrensnakes, to fall in the sacred fire and die. Please tell us the same in detail.
Ugrasravasu continued to tell the story ….
MAHABHARAT
Aadi Parvamu--Pradhamaasvaasam(first chapter)completed
Ugrasravasu, the story teller continued to say to Sounakaa and other saints:In Krutayugaa, there was one Prajapati called Kashyapa Prajapati. He has got two wives, Vinata and Kadruva. They both prayed Kashyapa for male children.Kashyapa asked them “How many male children do you want and with what qualities?”Kadruva said that she wanted to have one thousand male children with shining personalities and long bodies.
Vinata said that she wanted to have two male children with stronger bodies than the children of kadruva.Kashyapa performed Putrakaameshti yaagaa (a sacrifice which will be performed to beget children). As a result of that Yaga, both Vinata and Kadruva became pregnant.Kadruva got one thousand eggs and vinata got two eggs.After some time, the eggs of kadruva were broken and 1000 snakes, called Aadi Seshuvu, Takshaka, Vaasuki etc. came out of the eggs with long and shining bodies.But the eggs of Vinata were not broken. Vinata was feeling jealousy as Kadruva begot children much before.Somehow or other she also wanted to have children. She forcibly broke one of the eggs.From out of that egg, one strong man came with half-grown body i.e., with upper portion of the body and nothing from waist. His name was Anura. He looked at his mother with anger.
“Oh mother, why did you brake the egg even before I got full body. You did it with jealousy. Hence, you will become a slave of your sister Kadruva. Please dont break the other egg before it ripes. The son who comes out of that egg with strong and huge body, will save you from the slavery”.
So saying, he went away as a chariot driver to Sun god.Vinatha felt very much for her deeds. She was looking after the other egg with great care.Devatas(Divine bodies) and Asuras (Raakshasas or demons) decided to churn the sea for getting Amruta (immortal drink). They held discussions as to how to churn the sea, who will be the churner and what will be the churning thread etc.
Brahma and Vishnuvu agreed to organise the task. Brahma and Vishnu decided that Mandhara Mountain will be the churner. It is a long, tall mountain. Aadi Seshu, uprooted that Mountain and brought it and dropped it into the sea. But the mountain was sinking.Sri Maha Vishnu incarnated in the form of Aadi koormamu (the great Tortoise) and became the base for the mountain. Then the mountain stood erect. They fixed the serpant king, Vasuki, as a churning thread.All the devatas was holding the snake, Vasuki, on the tail side and all the Asuras (raakshasas) held the snake on the side of the head. With great vigour, they were churning the sea.
At first, “haalaa halam” (the great poison) emanated from the sea. Lord Siva swallowed it and kept it in his neck.Then, Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and Koustubha Mani (the great diamond) were born. Lord Vishnu received them and installed them in his heart.
Later, one white horse called “Uchaisravamu”, and one white elephant called “Airaavatamu” came out of the sea. Indra received them and kept them in his custody. Then “Amruta Kalasam” (a Vessel containing Amruta)emanated from the sea. The Asuraas (raakshasaas) received Amrutham. But Lord Vishnu, under the guise of Mohini, an Universal Beauty, mesmerized Asuras and took away Amrutam from asuras and gave it to Devatas.
Devatas sat in a row to drink Amruta. One Asura called Raahuvu, detected this trick. He mixed with Devatas under the guise of Devata and he also sat along with Devatas to drink Amruta. Amruta was served to him.
When Raahuvu was about to swallow Amruta, Sun god and Moon god, came to know about Raahuvu. Immediately, they complained to Vishnu about Raahuvu. Vishnu grew angry and cut the head of Raahuvu with his Chakra weapon.By that time, amrutham went upto the throat of Rahuvu. Hence, his head became immortal. The body from neck was cut and fell down. From then onwards, there is bitter enemity between Rahuvu and Sun god and Moon god.
Though Asuras churned the sea and got Amrutha, due to the mesmerism of Vishnu, they could not have Amrutha and get immortality. Asuras grew angry. They consulted King Bali. They decided that they could not continue friendship with Devatas any longer. Asuras waged war against Devatas. “Devaasura Yudha” (war between Devatas and Asuras) began.In that dreadful war, Nara and Narayana fought on the side of Devatas. Asuras could not resist them in the battle.
Asuras fled away into the sea. Devatas got the victory. They handed over Amrutam to Devendra for safe custody. They kept Mandhara Mountain in its original place. The Devatas were guarding Amrutha carefully.
One day, the white horse, Uchaisrava, was moving on the sea shore. Vinatha and Kadruva, two wives of Kashyapa Prajapathi, also went to the sea shore for evening walk. They both saw the white horse from a distance. Kadruva wanted to fool Vinatha. Kadruva said : “Vinata, look at that horse. It is pure white. But, the tail was so black. See that wonder”.Vinatha also looked at the horse carefully. It is pure white including the tail. She could not understand why Kadruva was saying like that.Vinatha said “Kadruvaa, the tail of that horse is not black. It is also white. Please observe the horse carefully.”
Kadruva did not agree for that. Some how or other, she wanted to keep her word. “Vinatha, we will have a bet. If the tail is black, you will be my slave. If the tail is white, I will be your slave.”Vinatha agreed for it. “Kadruva, let us go and see whether the tail is white or black”.
Kadruva said “No. It is already sunset. We cannot observe it properly. We will come tomorrow morning and see in the sun light.”.Kadruva and Vinatha went to their respective homes. Kadruve knows that the tail is white. She wanted to win the bet by playing a trick. She called all her serpant sons.
“My dear sons, I had a bet with Vinata that the tail of Uchaisrava is black, though, in fact, it is white. I should win the bet. You have to do something or the other and make the tail black, so that i will win the bet”. The serpants did not agree for her words. “Oh mother, it is immoral. We cannot act immorally because my mother told. It is wrong. Please excuse us”.
Kadruva grew angry. She cursed her serpant sons and said: “Those who are not heeding my words, will fall in the sacred fire of Sarpa Yaaga, performed by King Janameja, and die.”Still the serpants did not agree for the proposal of their mother, Kadruva. But one of her sons, Karkotaka,was frightened with the curse.
“Oh mother. Don’t worry. I am here. I will carry out your words.” Karkotaka said. Kadruva felt very happy. Karkotaka (snake) went to the sea shore. He climbed the tail of Uchaisrava and entwined to the tail. Now the tail is looking black, as karkotaka was a black snake.
Next morning, Vinatha and Kadruva went to the seaside. They both saw the horse from a distance. The tail was looking black. Vinatha agreed for hear defeat. From then onwards, she became a slave to Kadruva. Some time passed away. The second egg which Vinatha was protecting, also broke. A huge body, with great strength, strong wings, came out of the egg. His name was Garuda.Soon after he came out of the egg, he flew into the sky with great speed and again came down to earth.
He bowed before his mother Vinatha. He also bowed before Kadruva. On seeing this great personality, Kadrua was so jealous.She could not tolerate it. “Garudaa, your mother is my slave. You are also my slave. You have to serve me and my sons, snakes. You have to take all the snakes on your back for a jolly ride daily”.
Kadruva said. Garuda agreed for that. One day, Garuda took all the snakes on his back and flew into the sky. He flew much nearer to Sun. Due to the over heat of the Sun, all the bodies of snakes were burnt and the snakes fell down unconscious.
On coming to know about this, Kadruva felt very sad and wept. She prayed Indra for heavy rain. All the snakes regained consciousness in those showers. Kadruva scolded Garuda for his foolish deeds. Garuda went to his mother Vinatha and asked her.
“Oh mother. What is this? Why should we do slavery to Kadruva and her sons. What is the reason? Please tell me”. Vinatha told Garuda what had happened including the bet between herself and Kadruva and her defeat. Garuda my son, it is due to the Saapa (curse) given to me by your elder brother, Anura. He also told me that you will relieve me from this slavery. Please do the needful”.
Garuda went to the snakes and asked them “What do I have to do to you to relieve my mother from this slavery?”All the snakes replied “We want Amrutha, which is in DevalOka, in the custody of Devendra. Please bring Amruta from Devaloka and give it to us. Your mother will be relieved of her slavery immediately”.
Garuda agreed for it. He went to his mother and said “Oh mother. I am going to Devaloka to bring Amrutha and I will give it to sankes and relieve you from this slavery. Maa. bless me”. Vinatha felt very happy and blessed her son Garuda.
After taking the blessings of his mother, Garuda flew away to Devaloka. On the way, Garuda met his father, Kashyapa. “Oh father, I am going to Devaloka for bringing Amruta to relieve my mother from slavery. I am hungry. Please give me some good food”. Garuda asked. Kashyapa said “Oh my son, Garuda, listen to me. There are two brothers called Vibhavasa and Suprateeka. Suprateeka demanded his elder brother Vibhavasa to partition the ancestral properties. Vibhavasa did not agree. Instead he cursed Suprateeka to become a huge elephant.
Suprateeka also cursed his brother Vibhavasa to become a huge tortoise.Now they became a tortoise of three yojanas long and ten yojanas width, and an elephant of six yojanas length and twelve yojanas width. (Yojana = ten miles). Still they are fighting for their ancestral property. You catch that elephant and tortise and have sumptuous food.”
Garuda was very happy and went to the place where the tortoise and elephant were staying. Garuda caught themwith the claws of his legs and flew away. On the way, one big tree called Rohana saw Garudaa and said “Garuda, come here. Keep those things on one of my strong branches, eat them, take some rest and go away.”
Garuda accepted his request and tried to sit on a big branch of that tree. But due to the heavy weight of tortoise, elephant and himself, that big branch broke out and was about to fall on the ground. Garuda was perturbed. If that branch falls on the ground, the sages called Vaalakhilyaas who were doing “Tapassu” (penance) by hanging to that branch, head downwards, will be disturbed. So, Garuda held that branch with his long beak and flew away. Carrying the huge tortoise and elephant with his legs and the big branch with his beak, he flew to his father Kashyapa. Kashyapa realised the condition of his son, Garuda. He requested the Vaalakhilyaas “Oh great saints, my son Garuda is flying to Devaloka to bring Amrutha to relieve his mother from slavery. I request you to kindly leave this branch and go somewhere else and continue your Tapassu (penance).”
Vaalakhilyas agreed for it and they went away. Garuda went to Himalayas, and kept both the tortoise and elephant on the mountain top and ate them. Then he flew away to Devaloka. While Garudaa was coming nearer to Devaloka, some bad Omens appeared in Devaloka. Deva Guruvu, Bruhaspati, told Devendra “Garuda, son of Kashyapa, is coming to Devaloka to take away Amrutha from your custody for giving it to snakes and relieve his mother from slavery.”
Devendra grew angry. Immediately, he called the Devatas who are guarding the Amrutha and cautioned them “Garuda is coming to take away Amrutha. Be careful.”.Garuda reached the place where Amrutha was kept. When he tried to take away Amrutha, the Guards attacked him. There was a big fight between the Devatas and Garuda.
Garuda fought with Devatas with his nails, claws and beak. Devatas could not resist Garuda and they fled away.Garuda, holding Amruta Kalasa(vessel containing amruta), tried to fly away. At that time Lord Vishnu came to Garuda and said: “Garuda, I am very much pleased with your strength and courage. Tell me what do you want”. Garuda bowed before Lord Vishnu “O Lord, I am blessed with your kind compliments. I must become immortal without swallowing Amrutha. Throughout my life, I must serve you”.
Lord Vishnu was very much pleased with his request. “Oh Garuda, you will be immortal without consuming Amruta. Hereinafter, you will be my “vaahana” (carrier) and also my flag.”. So saying, Lord Vishnu blessed Garuda and disappeared.
(Even now, in Vaishnava temples, Garuda vaahanam, Garuda dwajham, Dhwajaarohanam are observed during Brahmotsavams). While Garuda was trying to fly away, Mahendra came there and hurled his Vajraayudham against Garuda to kill him. Garuda saw Vajraayudha come fiercely. Garuda bowed before Vajraayudha and said:
“Oh Vajraayudhaa, you were originated from the spine of a great Saint(Dadheeci). Hence I respect you. As you are the aayudha (weapon) of Devendra, I wont disrespect you. But your strength is not sufficient to fight with him. You can cut one feather from my wing and go away. That much is your strength”
Devendra was very much astonished for the courage and strength of Garuda. He tried to make friendship with Garuda. “Oh Garuda. I am Devendra. I want to make friendship with you. You are my friend. But one thing. you are going to give Amruta to the cruel serpants. If they consume Amrutha, they will become immortals and they cannot be controlled even by Devatas. So I request you to give back Amrutha to me. I will give you whatever you want”.
On hearing the words of Devendra, Garuda replied “Oh Devendra, after giving Amrutha to snakes, my mother, Vinata, will be relieved of her slavery. Then myself and my mother will be freed and we will go away. After that, before the snakes consume Amrutha, you can snatch Amrutha from them and take it away”.
Mahendra gladly agreed for it. “Oh Garuda, you are giving back Amrutha to me. I am very happy. Ask me what do you want. I will give you”. Mahendra said. Garuda told Mahendra: “Oh Mahendra, these snakes caused much harm and hardship to my mother and myself.
Hereinafter, the snakes shall be the main food for Garudas.”.Mahendra gladly agreed for it. (Even now, snakes are the main prey for eagles).Then, Garuda took the Amrutha and went home. Mahendra also followed him in invisible form. Garuda kept the vessel containing Amrutha (Amruta Kalasa) on dharbas (a kind of long grown grass). Garuda told snakes “As per your word, I brought Amruta from Devaloka. Please take this Amruta. My mother and myself are relieved from slavery. We are going away. Please take holy bath and take Amruta.”
So saying, Garuda flew away along with his mother on his back. Snakes are very happy as they are going to become immortals. They all went to take holy bath. Immediately, Mahendra lurking there invisibly, snatched away Amrutha Kalasa and went back to Devaloka. He handed over Amruta kalasa to the guards and directed them to proetct Amruta carefully.
After taking holy bath, all the sna kes came to the place where Amruta was kept to swallow the same. To their surprise and dismay, they could not find Amruta kalasa. They felt very sad. Thinking that, at least, if they lick the dharbhas on which the Amruta was kept, they may get some result, they began to lick the dharbhas. As the edges of dharbhas were so sharp, their tongues were cut into two. Since then they became “dvijihvas” (with two tongues). (Even now, you can find the tongue of the snakes cutinto two).
Because the Holy Amruta Kalasa was kept on Dharbhas, from then onwards, Dharbas also became sacred and holy.Adi Seshu, one of the sons of Kadruva, had been observing all these things. He was very much unhappy with his mother Kadruva and her deeds. Adi Seshu hated his mother and went away. He did Tapassu(penance). Brahma appeared before him. “Oh Adi Seshu, I am very happy for the Tapassu you have done. I like your truthfulness and straightforwardness, and harmlessness. You are the fit person to bear this earth. Nobody can do this. From this moment, you will bear this earth on your head.” So saying Brahma disappeared. From then onwards, Adi Seshu is bearing this earth on his head.
The next elder son is Vasuki. He was very much worried about the Saapa of their mother, Kadruva, about Sarpa Yaga to be performed by Janameja and the fate of the snakes. He held a conference of all his brothers, relatives and friends. He discussed the matter with them.
“Oh my dear brothers, relatives and friends. Adi Seshu is bearing this earth as per the word of Brahma. He is out of danger. As per the word of Brahma, I was used as churning thread to churn the sea. Hence I am also out of danger. What about you? As per the Sapa of our mother, You are all going to perish in the Sarpa yaga. Think about it.”.
On hearing these words, some youthful snakes rose and said: “It is simple. We will go to Janamejaya and his ministers as Brahmins, convince them that this Yaga is harmful to snakes and it is also Adharma. We will convince them to give up this idea of Satra yaga.”
But some radical snakes did not agree. “We all go in groups to the Yaga place, spill poison in the holy vessels and all eatables prepared for yajna and we will spoil the yagna. All the brahmins and priests will be fled away with fear”. Hearing all these discussions, one Elaa putra, a smallsnake said:
“Please hear me. I know some thing about this”. Vasuki asked Elaputra to tell in detail. Elaputra continued to say: “While our mother was giving Sapa(curse) to you, I was a small child sleeping in the lap of my mother. I heard the conversaion between Brahma and Devatas. After the Sapaa was given, all the Devatas asked Brahma:
“Oh Lord Brahma, Kadruva gave a dreadful Saapa to all her sons. Is there any way out to get rid of that curse.”.Brahma replied “As the snakes are harmful to the mankind, that curse is good and acceptable. But there are some great snakes who are wise and pure. There is one Saint called Jaratkaaru. He will marry the sister of Vasuki, a girl of the same name, Jaratkaaru, and beget a son called Aaastika.
Aastika will convince Janamejaya and put an end to this Sarpa yaga and rescue the remaining snakes. Therefore, there is no worry about Sarpa yaga.” Elaputra concluded.On hearing the words of Yelaputra, Vasuki was so happy. He was waiting for the arrival of Jaratkaaru to marry his sister.
Jaratkaaru was a great saint. He did not marry. He was following Brahmacharya and doing Tapassu. One day, he went near a pond for collecting Dharbas. (a long grown grass used for rituals). He found some grass plants growing in the water. Some rats ate the roots of the grass plants and some grass plants are standing only with single root. Some saints are hanging to those grass pants head downwards.
Jaratkaaru was very much surprised. “Oh mahatmaa, why are you hanging like this. Is it also a tapassu?” Jaratkaaru asked the saints. Those saints replied “We donot know who you are . We are the fathers and forefathers of a sinner, Jaratkaaruvu. He did not marry and beget children. Without children we cannot get Uttma Lokas (higher status after death). If you happen to meet that sinner Jaratkaaruvu, kindly tell him about our fate and convince him to marry and beget children and save us”.
On hearing this Jaratkaaruvu felt ashamed. “Oh my grand parents, I am that sinner Jaratkaaruvu. I am very sorry for what I did. I will immediately marry and beget children and you will get Uttama Lokas. But I wanted to marry a girl with the same name. I will go in search of her”.
So saying Jaratkaaruvu went away. In spite of his search, he could not get a girl of his name. Vasuki came to know about this through his agents. He immediately approached Jaratkaaruvu along with his sister, Jaratkaaruvu. Vasuki told to Jaratkaaruvu “Oh great saint. She is my sister, Jaratkaaruvu, same name as yours. I intend to give her in marriage to you. Please accept my sister and marry her”.
As Jaratkaaruvu was searching for a girl of the same name, he gladly accepted the offer of Vasuki and married his sister, Jaratkaaruvu. On the first night, Jaratkaaruvu went to her husband. Jaratkaaruvu told her wife “Dear, I am a bit arrogant and angry man. You should adjust with me. Even by mistake, you should not do anything which is against my will and pleasure. If you do so, I will immediately leave you and go for Tapassu. Please be careful”.
Wife Jaratkaaruvu, accepted it. She was serving her husband with great care and devotion, without giving any scope for his displeasure. In the passage of time, she became pregnant. One day, Jaratkaaruvu was sleeping, keeping his head on the lap of his wife. The sun was set. It was time for performing sandhya vandanam (evening ritual). Husband was sleeping. The wife could not control herself. She slowly woke up her husband. Jaratkaaruvu woke up. He grew angry “Why did you wake me up in the midst of sleep?” he asked his wife. “Because the sun was set and it is time for sandhyaa vandanam. Hence I woke you up” she replied. “Any how, you caused displeasure to me. I could not tolerate it. I am going away. You are pregnant. You go to your brother, Vasuki's, residence and stay there. You will beget a son who will become a great and famous saint.”
So saying, the husband Jaratkaaruvu went to forest for Tapassu. Wife Jaratkaaruvu went to her brother--Vasuki house and was staying there. In due course of time, she gave birth to a male child. His name was AAstikaa. He learnt Vedaas, Puraanas and other Saastraas under a Guru, Pramathi.
(Now, let us revert back to Udanka approaching Janamejaya.)Udanka went to Hastinaapura and met Janamejaya. Udanka told JanamEjaya that Takshaka, the serpant, killed his father, Pareekshit, brutally.On hearing this, Janamejaya called all his Ministers. “Is it true? Had Takshaka killed my father, Parikshit? Why should he kill my father? How he killed my father? What had actually happened? Please tell me”. asked Janamejaya.
All the ministers told Janamejaya what had actually happened.“KingJanamejaya, Arjuna was one of the five pandavas.He married Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna. Their son was Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu married Uttara. Their son was Pareekshit, your beloved father. Your father was very much interested in hunting cruel animals.
One day, King Pareekshit went to forest for hunting.He saw a wild animal in the forest. He began to chase thatanimal. But the animal escaped. He went into an Ashram where Saint Sameeka was in Mounavratha (no-talking ritual), closed his eyes and was in deep meditation.Pareekshit came near him. “Oh great saint, Have you seen any wild animal coming this side? please tell me.” asked Pareekshit.The saint did not give any reply. Pareekshit grew angry.He could not control his anger. He saw dead snake nearby. He picked up that dead snake with his arrow and put it in the neck of Sameeka. Then he went away to his capital, Hastinaapura. At that time, Srungi, the son of Sameeka, was not in Aashramam. But, all this was seen by a sishya (student) called Krusa. Immediately, Krusa went to Srungi and told him what had happened. Srungi grew angry.“My father was in deep meditation and also in Mounavratha somewhere in the forest. What harm he had done to that King? Why should that King insult my father?He should suffer the consequences. Within seven days from today, King Pareekshit will die with the snake bite of the serpant Takshaka.” Srungi gave Saapa(curse) to Pareekshit.
Then Srungi went to the Aashramam. He removed the dead snake from the neck of his father. Sameeka opened his eyes. Srungi told his father what had happened. Sameeka felt very sad.“Oh my son, what is this? Anger is the root cause for all the misdeeds and sorrows. That is the reason why Brahmins should not get anger. We are living here peacefully, safely and performing our rituals and meditation and tapassu uninterruptedly, only due to the safety given by the Kings. King Pareekshit is not an Ordinary King. He is the protector of Dharma. He is kshatriya. Unable to conntrol his hunger and thirst, he might have done this small mistake. For that small mistake, is it proper on your part to give such a harsh Saapaa to King Pareekshit. Please take back your Saapa and save the king.”said Sameeka. But Srungi did not agree for it. “Oh father, my word is unretrievable. I cannot take it back” Srungi told his father.
Then Sameeka called one of his Sishyas, Gouramukha, “You go to King Pareekshit. Tell him about the Saapa given by my son Srungi. Ask him to make arrangements to save himself from this Saapa.”Accordingly, Gouramukha, went to Pareekshit and told him “O King Pareekshit, Saint Sameeka sent me to you. You put a dead snake in the neck of Saint Sameeka. His Son Srungi, grew angry and cursed you to die within seven days with snake bite. Saint Sameeka is feeling sorry for that. At his request, I have come to you to caution you. Plese make all arrangements to save yourself from the snake bite.”
On hearing this, King Pareeshit also was very much unhappy for what had happened. He called his ministers and discussed with them. On their advice, he got a single pillar structure, constructed. He was staying in that building. He kept expert snake bite doctors, anti-venemous medicines, and also snake charmers, and all other herbs.
Once Lord Brahma felt that all the snakes are causing much harm to the mankind. Lord Brahma blessed one Brahmin Kashyapa with divine power to give life to those who die with snake bites. On hearing the Saapa of Srungi, Kashyapa started to go to Hastinapura to save King Pareekshit from the snake bite.Takshaka also started to go to Hastinapura to carry out the “Saapa” of Srungi. On the way Kashyapaa and Takshaka met.Takshaka asked the Brahmin “Oh Brahmin, who are you? Where are you going?”“My name is Kashyapa. I am going to Hastinapura to save King Pareekshit from the snake bite of Takshaka and get huge gifts and presentations.” Kashyapa replied.
Takshaka laughed at him. “Oh Kashyapa. I am Takshaka. I am so powerful. Any body can escape a thunderbolt but not my bite. You cannot save King Pareekshit. Please go away”. Kashyapa did not agree. “I can save the king with the power given by Lord Brahma” replied Kashyap.“If you want to see, I will show my power. I will bite that huge tree and reduce it to ashes. If you are more powerful than me, you restore that tree as it is” So saying Takshaka bit a huge tree. On the spot, that huge tree was consigned to flames and reduced to ashes.
Kashyapa collected all the ashes. With the power given by Lord Brahma, he restored that tree with all branches and green leaves, flowers and fruits as before. Takshaka was astonished. He bowed before Kashyapa.“Hey mahatman, I agree you are more powerful than me. But the “Saapa” given by Srungi is unretrievable. King Pareekshit should die. I will give you more presentations than what King Pareekshit will give you. Please go back”.
Kashyapa also visualised the future with his “divya dhrushti” (supernatural vision). He realised the words of Takshaka. He received plenty of presentations from Takshaka and turned back. All these things are known from a wood cutter. At the time when the tree was burnt by Takshaka, the wood cutter was on the tree and he was also burnt away. When Kashyapa gave life to the tree, the wood cutter also got life. Later, he went to Hastinapura and told this incident to one and all. After Kashyapa left that place, Takshaka, the serpant, called some young snakes. He asked them to be under the guise of Brahmins. He gave fruits and flowers to them.
“You all take these fruits and flowers. You go to King Pareekshit, and give all these fruits to him. I will hide in one of the fruits as a small insect. Soon after he breaks the fruit, I will come out and kill him.”. So saying he entered into one big fruit as a small black insect. As told by Takshaka, all the snakes under the guise of Brahmins, visited King Pareekshit. King Pareekshit welcomed them. The Brahmins (serpants) blessed him and presented him the fruits and flowers. King Pareekshit was very happy.
That was the evening of the 7th day. If that night passes away, Takshaka couldnot do anything. He received the fruits from the Brahmins. He distributed them to all the ministers and others assembled there. He took one big fruit and broke it. From that fruit, Takshaka, in the form of a small black insect, came out and bit King Pareekshit. The deadly poison, came out of his teeth, burnt away not only King Pareekshit but also the one-pillar building. All the ministers and others ran away. King Pareekshit was no more. O Jaanamejayaa, that serpant Takshaka, even without considering whether it is good or bad, just on the cursing words of a Brahmin, Srungi, caused the death of your father.
Therefore, you also invite all the Brahmins, perform Sarpa yaaga, invite all the snakes by chanting Mantraas, and make them fell in the sacred fire and die.” The ministeres concluded. After hearing the words of Ministers, King Janamejaya was very angry. He decided to take revenge on Takshaka for killing his father. He invited Ritviks (Chief Priests) and asked them to make arrangements for Sarpayaaga. He got constructed a big building for performing Sarpayaaga.While the construction was going, one architect told him “O king Janamejaya, the proposed Sarpayaaga will not be completed. It will be stopped in the middle”.
But King Janamejaya did not heed his words. He was ready to perform SarpaYaga along with his wife, Vapushtama. King Janamejaya invited the great Saints like Vyaasa, Vaisampaayana. Sarpayaaga was started.Ritviks (Chief Priests) and other Priests were chanting Mantras and inviting all the snakes. All the snakes were coming and falling into the sacred fire of Sarpa Yaaga and were dying. On seeing this, Takshaka was frightened. He ran to Devendra and requested him for help “Devendra, please help me. Ritviks are inviting snakes, by chanting Mantras, to Sarpayaaga. Please save me”.
Indra knows that Lord Brahma gave exception to some snakes from Sarpayaaga. Hence, Devendra said “Dont worry Takshaka. Nothing will happen to you.”. While the Ritviksat the Sarpayaaga were chanting mantras, all the snakes are coming and falling in the sacret fire. But Takshaka was not coming. They came to know that Devendra gave shelter to Takshaka.Therefore, Ritviks chanted mantras that “Takshakaalong with Devendra are invited to come and fall in the sacred fire”.With these Mantras, Deva loka was shaking.
Mahendra also was frightened.“Takshaka, I cannot give you shelter anymore. You are being invited at Sarpayaaga. Please go”. So saying, Mahendra thrown Takshaka out of Devaloka.Takshaka was flying in the sky, ready to fall in the sacred fire of Satra yaaga. On coming to know of all these developments, Vaasuki also was frightened. He called his sister, Jaratkaaruvu “Oh My sister Jaratkaaruvu, please see what is happening. All the snakes are falling in the sacred fire of Sarpayaagaa and are dying. You only can solve this problem.
As per the words of Lord Brahma, your son, Aastika, can only stop the Satra yaaga and save the snakes. That is the reason why you are given in marriage to Jaratkaaruvu, a saint of your name.Your son, Aastika is a great saint. Now you have to request your son, Aastika to stop Sarpa yaaga and save the snakes.”
On hearing the words of her brother, Vasuki, she called her son Aastika. “Oh my son, you have heard what your maternal uncle, Vasuki, is saying. You please go to Hastinaapura immediately and stop Sarpayaaga and save the serpant community.” said Jaratkaaruvu to her son Aastika. Saint Aastika bowed before his mother, touched her feet and took her blessings(Aaseervaada). Then he went to Hastinaapura and visited the place where Sarpa yaagaa was being performed.King Janamejaya cordially invited Aastika, welcomed him and did all formalities intended for a distinguished guest.(atithi maryaadalu).
Saint Aastika praised King Janamejaya: “Oh King Janamejaya, you are a great king having good qualities like right knowledge, forbearance, control over the senses and mind, non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity and charity and you are famous like your fore fathers and great fore fathers viz., Maandhatha, Raghuvu,Dasaradha, Raama and Dharmaraajaa. All the good qualities of those kings are also embedded in you.You have done many Yajnas and Yagas (sacrifices) and have become pure. The Sages and Saints performing this Sarpayaagaa also have got the knowledge of all Saastraas and Puraanaas. The fact that Great Saints like Bhagavaan Vyaasaa, Vaisampaayana are gracing this Sarpa Yaagaa itself tells about the greatness of this Yaagaa. I wish all good things shall happen to you in future”. So saying, Saint Aastikaa praised King Janamejaya.
Having satisfied with the blessings and praises of Saint Aastika, King Janamejaya felt very much happy and said: “Oh great Saint Aastika. Kindly ask me what do you want. I will immediately fulful your wish”. Immediately Saint Aastika asked “King Janamejaya, please stop this disastorous Sarpa Yaga and save the serpant community who are my relatives through my maternal uncle, Vaasuki”.
Janamejaya was in dilemma. But all the Ritviks and Brahmins and Sages and Saints who visited Sarpayaaga also told King Janamejaya “Oh king Janamejaya, Aastika is a great saint. He should be given what he wants. His wish should be fulfilled. He is a fit person to receive anything. As per his request, please stop this Sarpayaaga.”The wish of the Saint Aastika on one side, and the request of Ritviks, Brahmins and Saints on the other side made King Janamejaya to agree for the stoppage of Satra yaaga.
Sarpa yaagaa was stopped. At that time, Takshaka was making rounds in the sky and was about to fall in Sarpa yaaga. Aastikaa raised his voice “Oh Takshaka, stop stop. Be there. Sarpayaaga is stopped. You can go away.”. On hearing this, Takshaka had a sigh of relief. He returned to Naagaloka. For stopping the Sarpayaaga and saving all the remaining serpants, all the Brahmins, Sages and Saints praised Saint Aastikaa. After fulfilling the desire of his mother, Aastika also went to his Aashram.
Mahaabhaarat, Aadiparva, dviteeyaasvaasa
(Second Chapter completed).
The story teller (UgraSravasu) continued to say to Sounaka and other sages and saints gathered there. The sarpayaaga was stopped abruptly. King JanamEjaya honoured all the rutviks, priests and Brahmins who attended the Sarpa yaaga and rewarded them with many presentations and gifts. He specially worshipped Veda Vyaasa and his Sishyas, who attended the Yaga, with great devotion. After that, he stood before Veda Vyasa with folded hands and humbly said: “Mahatmaa, great people like you and the grand parents like Bhishma, personally partitioned the Kuru Kingdom between Kouravas and Pandavas. But instead of enjoying the Kingdom happily, why they fought with each other. What was the reason for the ill feelings between the brothers and how did they arise? I want to know about my forefathers. Kindly tell me”.
Bhavagaan Veda Vyasa looked at VaiSampaayana who is standing by his side and said “VaiSampaayanaa, you tell the entire story of Mahabharata to King Janamejaya.”. Then, King Janamejaya worshipped Saint VaiSampaayana and sat before him with all his relatives, friends and purohits to hear Mahabharata. VaiSampaayana, after taking the blessings of Bhagavan Veda Vyaasaa, started to tell the story of Mahabhaarata to King Janamejaya. “O King Janamejaya, this story of Mahaabharata was written by Bhagavaan Veda Vyasa. Therefore, we will first know about the birth of that great personality, Veda Vyasa.
In those days, one King Vasu was ruling ChEdhi kingdom. One day he went to a forest for hunting. There, he saw some saints doing Tapassu (penance) in a peaceful atmosphere. He also sat by their side and began to do Tapassu.
Indra came to know about it. He immediately came down to King Vasu. “Oking Vasu, you have to rule the kingdom. Why you are living in forest and doing Tapassu? I want to make friendship with you. I am giving you divine powers. You keep coming to Deevaloka now and then.” So saying, he presented him with one “Deva Vimaanamu” (aeroplane) and one “Indra maala” containing ever-fresh flowers, which cannot be attacked by any weapon, and also a VenuyashTi (bamboo stick) which will punish the wrongdoers. King Vasu accepted them with pleasure. Since then, he was going and coming to Indra lOka. He was also called as”Uparicara Vasu”(flying vasu). Every year, Vasu was celebrating Indra Festival in his kingdom. A big river called Suktimati was flowing by the side of his capital town. By the side of the river, the was a hill called Kolahalam. The hill, kOlahalam fell in love with the river
Suktimati. He fell across the river Suktimati. One day, King Vasu was going by the side of the river and saw the hill which fell across the river. He lifted that hill with his little finger. They were blessed with two children, one son and one daughter with divine blessing. The son was called Vasupada and the daughter was called Girika. River Suktimati gave her son and daughter to King Vasu. King Vasu married Girika and made Vasupada as the Head of his Army. Girika wasa very beautiful woman.
One day, King Vasu went to forest for hunting. While he was wandering in the forest, he thought in his mind about his wife and her extraordinary beauty. He became horny and the semen came out. He collected the semen in a small bowel made of green leaves. He tied the bowel to the neck of an eagle and directed the eagle to deliver the bowel containing semen to his wife Girika. While the eagle was flying in the sky, another eagle saw the bowel hanging to the neck of the eagle. The second eagle thought that it was an eatable and wanted to have it.
Both the eagles fought with each other. In that scuffle, the bowel with semen fell into river Yamuna. One Apsara called Adrika, who, as a result of Saapa of Brahma, transformed into a fish, was swimming in the river Yamuna. The semen of Vasu fell from the green leaves bowel into the mouth of that fish, Adrika. Adrika became pregnant. One day, the fish, Adrika, was caught in the net of a fisherman. The fisherman cut the fish and found one male child and one female child. Immediately, Adrika was transformed to her original form Apsarasa and went to DevalOka.
The fisherman gave the two children to their king “Daasaraaju”. The male child, called “matsyaraaju”, later became the King of the fishermen kingdom. The female child, matsyagandhi, was growing as the daughter of the King “Daasaraaja”. She was helping his father, Daasaraaja in rowing the boat across the river Yamuna. One day, while, Matsyagandhi was waiting at the River.
Yamuna, with her boat, saint Paraasara, son of Saint Sakti and grandson of VasishTa, came there to cross the river Yamuna. Paraasara saw Matsyagandhi. He fell in love with her. He wanted to have sexual intercourse with her. Matsyagandhi was frightened. She was in dilemmaa. If she does not agree, the Saint may curse her. “O saint, I am the daughter of a fisherman. My body is emanating the smell of fish. You may not like it. I am an unmarried girl. If I lose my chastity,how can I see the face of my father.” said Matsyagandhi. Saint Paraasara smiled and said “O my beloved, you are not the daughter of a fisherman. You were born from the semen of a great King Vasu. Besides that, I will have intercourse with you without spoiling your chastity. Will you agree?” so saying, the saint made her as Yojana Gandhi (a woman with good fragrance from her body to a distance of
10 miles.). She was also called Satyavati. Again she objected “O saint, now it is day time. How can we have intercourse in this broad day light?” Saint Paraasara with his power made the sky cloudy with dark snowy clouds. Darkness plunged suddently. In that atmosphere, they had sexual intercourse. As a result, Yojanagandhi
became pregnant and gave birth to a child. He was called Vyasa. Vyaasa bowed before his mother Satyavati and said “O mother, I am going to Tapassu. Whenever you call me I will appear before you and serve you. Please bless me”. After taking the blessings of his mother, Satyavati, Vyaasa went to forest for Tapassu.
Later Vyaasa divided the Vedaas into four and was renowned as Vedavyasa. He also wrote this Mahabharata.
Later, with the Amsaas (genesis) of Devatas, Bheeshmaa and other kings in Kuru Vamsa were born. Here, King Janamejaya entertained a doubt. “O Saint Vaisampaayana, though the Kuru Kings were born with the Amsas of Devatas, why they fought with eachother for kingdom.”
Saint VaiSampaayana continued tosay: “O King Janamejaya, Parasuraamaa, a Brahmin warrior, waged war against the Kshatriya community for 21 times and killed all Kshatriyas. The wives of all Kshatriyas remained as widows and issueless. As per the existing Dharma at that time, with the hope of begetting children, the wives
approached virtuous Brahmins and with their blessings and help, they begot male children. Again, the Kshatriya community began to flourish. All those kings were ruling the people without violating Dharma. There were timely rains, as a result, production of foodgrains was in abundance. Standard of living increased. Birth rate increased. Mortality reduced. Thus, burden of the earth increased as there was no equilibrium between births
and deaths.
The Goddess earth went to Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara and requested them to decrease the burden of earth. Then, with the Amsas (genesis) of Devatas, Pandavas and other kingswere born. With the Amsas of Asuras, Sisupaala, DuryOdhana and others were born. They fought with each other for the sake of kingdom. About 15 Akshouhinis of army perished. The burden of earth was decreased. Then King JanamEjaya asked Saint VaiSampaayanaa, “O Saint, kindly tell us in detail how the Devatas and Daanavas were born on earth: Saint VaiSampaayana continued tosay: “O King Janamejaya, the root cause for all this creation is Lord Brahma. He got six Maanasaputras. They are (1)Mareechi, (2) Angeerasa, (3)Atri, (4) PulastyuDu, (5)PulahuDu (6)Kratuvu. (Kindly note that I am giving particulars only to the extent necessary and leaving the rest.).
(1) The first Brahma Maanasa Putra was Mareechi. The son of Mareechi was Kashyapa Prajapathi. From the right thumb of Brahma, a man called Daksha was born, and from the left thumb, a lady called DharaNi was born. For both of them, one thousand Great Saints were born.
Daksha got fifty daughters. Out of them, thirteen daughters were given to Kashyapa Prajapathi. Out of those thirteen, one Diti gave birth to HiraNya Kasipa. His son was Prahlada. Prahlada got three sons.They are Virocana, Kumbha and Nikumbha. Of them,Virocana gave birth to King Bali. Bali’s son was BaaNaasuraa. To a Lady called Danu, forty daanavas ere born. Thus, the daanava community was created. To a Daanava Lady called Simhika, Raahuvu was born. To Vinata, Anoora and Garuda were born. Anoora gave birth to Sampaati and Jataayuvu . Kadruva gave birth to SeshuDu, Vaasuki and other serpants.
(2) The next Brahma Maanasa putra was Angeerasa. He gave birth to Utadhya, Bruhaspati and Samvarta. Bruhaspati became the Deva Guru (Chief Priest of Devatas).
(3) The third Brahma Maanasa Putra was Atri. Several Great Sages and Saints were born to Atri
(4). The fourth Brahma Maanasa Putra was Poulastya. He gave birth to the entire Raakshasa Community.
(5) The fifth Brahma Maanasa Putra was Pulaha. All the Kinnaras and Kimpurushas were born to him.
(6) The entire community of birds was born to the last Brahma Maanasa Putra, called Kratuvu. The son of Danuvu is called Prajapathi. AshTa Vasuvus were born to Prajapathi. Of them, Prabhasa gave birth to Visva Karma. From the heart of Lord Brahma,
Saint Bhrugu was born. The son of Bhrugu was Kavi. Kavi’s son was Sukra. Sukra was the Guru of All Raakshasas. The son of Bhruguvu was Chyavana. Chyavana’s son was Ourva. Ourva’s son was Jamadagni. Jamadagni’s son was Prasuraama who killed the entire Kshatriya community 21 times. With the Amsas (genesis) of the above Devatas and Raakshasas, many kings were born in this universe. With the Amsa of Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Krishna was born. With the Amsa of Aadi Seshu, Balarama, the brother of Sri Krishna, was born. With the Amsa of Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Krishna’s wife, Rukmini was born. With the Amsas of Apasarasas, all the 16,000 yaadava ladies were born. With the Amsa of a Vasu, called Prabhasa, Bhishma was
born. With the Amsa of Bruhaspati, DroNa (the famous teacher of archery of both Pandavas and Kouravas) was born. With the Amsas of Kaama and Krodha (two of the Arishadvargams viz., Kaama, Krodha, lObha, mOha, Mada, Maatsarya), Asvadhaama, was born to Drona. With Amsas of Maruttus, King ViraaTa, Saatyaki and King Drupada were born.
With the Amsas of Siddhi and Buddhi, Kunti and Maadri (wives of King Pandu) were born. With the Saapa of Saint Maandavya, Yama Dharma Raaja was born as Vidura, the brother of Dhrutaraashtra. With the Amasas of Ekaadasa Rudraas, (Eleven Rudras), Krupaacaarya was born. With the Amsa of Soorya (Sun God), KarNa was born. A gandharva called Hamsa was born as Dhrutaraashtra. A Devata called Mati was born as Gaandhaari.
With the Amsaa of Kali, DuryOdhana was born. All the brothers of Poulastya were born as DussaSana and other brothers. HiraNya Kasipa was born as SiSupaala. Samhlaada, brother of Prahlaada, was born as King Salya. One daanava called Vipracitti, was born as Jaaraasandha. One Asvapathi was born as Krutavarma.
KalanEmi was born as King Kamsa (the maternal uncle of Sri Krishna).
Guhyaka was born as SikhanDi (with the help of SikhanDi, Arjuna killed Bhishma) With the Amsa of MarutGanas, King Pandu was born. With the Amsa of Yama, Dhaarma raaja, with the amsa of Vaayu, Bhima (second brother), with the Amsa of Indra, Arjuna (third brother), with the Amsas of Asvinis, the remaining brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva were born.
With the Amsa of Sree, Droupadi was born. With the Amsa of Agni (fire god) DhrushTadhyumna was born.
O king Janamejaya, now I will continue to tell the history of the Emperors of Bharata empire. Aditi was the daughter of Daksha. Aditi’s husband was Kashyapa. Their son was Vivasvantha. Vivasvanta’s son was Vaivasvata Manuvu. He created the man kind with four castes, Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Soodra.The son of Chandra was Budhaa. The son of Budha was King Puroorava. King Puroorava was a greedy king. He
snatched away the moneys of Brahmins. Lord Brahma came to know about this. He deputed Saint Sanatkumaara and other saints to go to Puroorava and find out the truth. Instead of honouring Saint Sanatkumaara and other saints, King Puroorava heckled them. Saint Sanatkumaara grew angry.
He cursed him and gave Saapa that he will become mad. The wife of Puroorava was Urvasi. They have six sons. One of the six sons was Aayusshu. Emperor Nahusha was the son of Aasshu. Nahusha’s wife was Priyamvada. Their son was Yayaati. Yayaati married one Devayani, the daughter of Sukraacaarya. Through Devayani, he got two sons. Yayaati also begot three sons through SarmishTa, daughter of Raakshasa King, Vrushaparva. In view of the Saapa of Sukraacaarya, untimely old age was thrusted on Yayaati. Yayaati called his five sons and asked them whether any of them was ready to take his old age and give his youth. One Poora expressed his willingness and gave his youth to his father, Yayaati and took his old age.
Here, King JanamEjaya got a doubt. “O Saint VaiSampaayanaa, Yayaati was a Kshatriya and also an Emperor. How he married Devayani, a Brahmin girl. What made Sukraacaarya to give Saapa to his son-in-law Yayaati. Saint Vaisampaayana continued to say: “O king Janamejaya, there was a Raakshasa king called Vrushaparva. Sukraachaarrya was his Guru. Devayaani was the daughter of Sukracaarya. SarmishTa was the daughter of Raakshasa King Vrushaparva. Devatas Guru was Bruhaspati. Kachaa was the son of Bruhaspati. Sukraacaarya was an expert in the Art of Mrutasanjeevani (An art by which the dead will be revived to life). With that Art of Mrutasanjeevani, Sukraacaarya was giving life to all the raakshasas who are dead in the war between Devatas and Asuraas. With this, the strength of Raakshasaas was not decreasing even though there were heavy casualities.
All the devataas went to Kachaa, son of Guru Brahaspati. “O my derar boy Kachaa, you know that Sukraacaarya, the Raakshasa Guru, with the help of the Art Mrutasanjeevani, was reviving life to all Raakshasaas, who are dead in the war. With this, the strength of Raakshasas was not decreasing. If it goes on like this, we cannot win the war against Raakshasas. Therefore, you have to go to Sukraacaarya and learn the Art of Mrutasanjeevani from him. But there is only one way to achieve this. Sukraacaarya has more affection to his daughter, Devayaani. You first win her heart and then achieve your object.”.
Kachaa agreed for this. He then went to Sukraacaarya and introduced himself as the son of Bruhaspati and wanted to be his Sishya. (student). Sukraacaarya gladly accepted him as his Sishya. But the other Raakshasaa Sishyas could not tolerate this. They were so jealous against Kachaa. They were waiting for an opportunity to put an end to Kachaa. But Kachaa did not notice it. He was serving his guru Sukraacaarya and was doing each and every work entrusted to him in no time. He was specially attending to the works of Devayaani and won her heart with his sincerety and devotion.
One day, Kachaa went to forest with the other Sishyaas (Raakshasas) for collecting fuel. There, all the raakshasas killed Kachaa and tied him to a tree. Then they returned to Aashramam. Though it was late in night, Kacaa did not return to Aashramam. Devayaani was restless and disturbed. She went to his father Sukra. “Oh my father, Kachaa went to forest along with other Sishyaas. They all returned. Kachaa did not return. I am afraid that some thing might have happened to him. Let us go and search for him”. Devayani wept. Sukraa smiled and closed his eyes. He opened his supernatural vision (divya dhrushti). He saw the dead body of Kacaa tied to a tree. Then both Sukra and Devayaani went to that place. With the Art of Mrutasanjeevani, he revived life to Kachaa. Devayaani felt happy. They three returned to Aashramam.
After some days, one day, as usual, kacha along with other sishyas went to forest for bringing flowers. Again, the raakshasas killed Kacaa and burnt his body and reduced it into ashes. They mixed the ashes in a pot of liquor. They gave that liquor to Sukraacaarya. Sukraacaarya consumed that liquor and was in an intoxicated mood. Though it was late in night, Kacha did not return to aashramam. Devayaani was very much perturbed. She suspected that again Kacha might have been killed. She went to her father and began to weep. Sukraa was in an intoxicated mood. He consoled his daughter, Devayaani. “you see, my daughter, if Kacha is alive he will return. If he is dead, he will attain “punya lOkas” why are you worrying about him”. Devayaani grew angry. “Oh father, what are you talking? Kacha is not an ordinary man. He is the grand son of Angeerasaa and son of Bruhaspati. When he is killed by Raakshasaas, how can I keep quiet without weeping. I wont take food or water unless Kacha return to Ashramam alive.” She began to weep loudly.
Sukraacaarya could not see his daughter without food or water. He was also having some doubt that Raakshasaas might have killed Kacaa. With the DivyadhrushTi, he looked all over the world. He could not find the body of Kachaa. At last, he looked for himself. He found Kachaa in his stomache in the shape of ashes and liquor. He found that raakshasas killed Kachaa, burnt him and mixed the ashes and made him to consume the same.. He was mentally upset. He realized himself. “Oh what a fool I am. I could not realize how the liquor spoils a man and destroy him, both physically and mentally. He decreed that “from today on wards, if any human being consumes liquor, it is a great sin. He will become a great sinner. He will go to Narakaa (hell)”.
(In the present days also, many families are ruined by consumption of liquor. Many crimes are organized and commissioned under the influence of liquor. Still, the Governments are encouraging consumption of liquor for the sake of excise duty they get on liquor. They are earning money at the cost of the lives of poor and middle class people. The Governments are not having that much of wisdom and realization which Sukraachaarya had thousands of years back. It is our fate. ). Sukraacaarya, immediately, with the art of
Mrutasanjeevani, gave life to Kacaa. Kachaa was alive. He spoke from the stomache of Sukraachaarya. “O mahaatmaa, by the grace of God and with your kindness, I am revived and alive. But I am in your stomach. How can I come out? Please tell me” he asked.
Sukraacaarya was in dilemmaa. If Kachaa comes out tearing his stomach, he will die. Without tearing the stomach kachaa cannot come out. Hence his death is certain. Unless Kachaa knows mrutasanjeevani, Kachaa cannot revive his life. He told to Kachaa, “O kachaa, I am teaching you the art of Mrutasanjeevani. After you come out of my stomach, with this Art of Mrutasanjeevani, you revive me to life.”. So saying, Sukraacaarya taught Kachaa the art of Mrutasanjeevani. Then Kachaa came out by breaking the stomach of his Guru Sukraacaarya. Sukraacaarya fell dead.
Then Kachaa with the help of Mrutasanjeevani, revived him to life. Thus, Kachaa got the Art of Mrutasanjeevani. His mission is accomplished. After some days, Kachaa decided to go back to DevalOkaa. He sought the permission of Sukraacaarya. Sukraacaarya agreed for it. Then he went to Devayaani and also sought her permission. Devayaani looked at Kachaa with great passion and love. She wept. She did not agree for his departure. “O my dear friend, Kachaa, I am unmarried. You are unmarried. I fell in love with you. I want you. I cannot live without you. As you received Mrutasanjeevani from my father, you also receive his daughter also . Let us marry together”. Said Devayaani.
Kachaa did not agree for this proposal. “Devayaanee, your father is my Guru (teacher). He is equal to my father. When your father is my father, you are like my sister. This is the Dharma. I cannot marry you. It is not proper on your part to think like that”. replied Kachaa. Devayaani grew angry. “If that is so, the Art of Mrutasanjeevani will not work out to you. This is my Saapaa (curse)”. Kachaa smiled at her. “Oh Devayani, if it does not work out for me, I will teach it to some others. It will work out for them. But, I also give a Saapaa to you. As you fell in love with me against the traditions and dharma, you will marry a non-brahmin.” Then Kachaa went to DevalOkaa.
(Here we have to realize one thing. Now a days, school going and college going students are falling in love with their teachers and lecturers. It has become a fashion. Some pictures are also produced on these subjects. We know the saying “Maatru dEvObhava. Pitru dEvObhava. Aacaarya dEvObhava” means, after father, teacher is equal to father. Can any boy or girl fell in love with their teachers who are equivalent to their parents? Is it not a sin or wrong? The present youth does not know about this. There are none to tell them that it is wrong. But it was there in Mahaabhaarata thousands of years back. It is high time for the teachers and students to know about this Dharma. Students are going to schools or colleges only for learning not for falling in love”).
One day, Sarmishta, daughter of the Raakshasa King Vrushparva, accompanied by Devayaani, daughter of Sukraacaarya and her one thousand maid servants of her age, went to a nearby forest for excursion. There, they found a small lake. They all removed their clothes, kept them at the foot of a tree near the lake and all of them entered the lake. After swimming and playing with each other for sometime, they came out of the lake. By that time, due the whirl wind, the clothes kept outside the lake were mixed up.
They did not notice this. By mistake, the clothes of Devayaani were taken by Sarmishta and she wore them. But Devayaani refused to wear the used clothes of Sharmishta. Sharmishta said “Being the daughter of a King, when I wore your clothes, why you are not wearing my clothes?” Devayaani replied with arrogance “My father is Sukraacaarya, your father’s guru. I am a Brahmin girl, greater than you. How can I wear your soiled clothes?” SharmishTa grew angry. “After all, your father is a priest, daily coming to my father and taking alms from him. You are the daughter of that petty purohit. Why are you so arrogant? I will see.” So saying, SharmishTa, with the help of othe rmaids, threw Devayani in a well. Then SharmishTa along with her
maids went back to her home.
At that time, it so happened, King Yayaati who came to that forest for hunting, came near that well for water. He saw Devayaani, weeping, inside the well. He gave his hand to her . Devayaani took his hand. Yayaati pulled her out. Yayaati asked her “O young lady, why are you weeping inside the well?”. She replied “My name is Devayaani. I am the daughter of Raakshasa Guru Sukraacaarya. By mistake I fell into the well. I am very thankful to you for pulling me out of the well.” Then King Yayaati went back to his capital.
One Ghoornika, the servant maid of Devayaani, while searching for her, came there. Devayaani told Ghoornika “You go to my father and tell him that SharmishTa insulted me pushed me into the well. I cannot tolerate it. I wont step into the capital of Vrushaparva. I will remain here.” Ghoornika went to Sukraacaarya and told him what had happened. Sukraacaarya immediately came to his daughter. “Oh Devayaani, my lovely daughter, don’t be angry my child. Anger is not good for us. When compared to persons who made Great Yagnas and Yagaas, a person without anger is much better. Even if others insulted us, and were angry with us, we should not mind it. We have to forgive them and continue friendship with them. Forgiveness is the great dharma. Therefore, anger is not fit for wise people. After all, Sharmishta is younger than you. Don’t be angry with her.
Forgive her. Come on. Let us go to our home”. Sukraacarya consoled her.
(Here, Sukraacaarya said that anger does not fit for good people. The person without anger is greatest of all. Saint Sameeka also told to his son Srungi that anger is the root cause for all the evils. Similarly, in Bhagavadgita also Lord Krishna said “KrOdaadbhavati sammOhaha sammOhaat smruti vibhramaha smrutibhramsaat buddhi naaSO, buddhi naaSaat praNasyathi.” From anger arises infactuaation, from infactuation confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, loss of reason; and from loss of reason one goes to complete ruin. Even in yesteryears, Saint Thyagaraja also said “without peace there is no happiness.” [saantamu lEka soukhyamu
lEdu(telugu)]. Therefore, we should not develop anger and live in peace and be happy. Let all of us teach the same to our children and youth.)
Devayaani foolishly did not pay heed to the words of her father. She did not agree to go back to her home. “Oh father, I cannot live where I am insulted. I will go somewhere else” she replied. “Oh daughter, you are my life. Without you, I cannot live in the capital. Let us go anywhere you like.” Said Sukraacarya. In the meanwhile, Vrushaparva came to know of all these things through his secret agents. Immediately he rushed to the spot where Sukraacaarya and Devayaani were staying. He prostrated before Sukraacaarya. “Oh Guru Devaa, Sukraacaarya, please forgive me for the insult. Without you and your kindness, the Raakshasa community cannot prosper. Without you, We would have been perished long back. Thereore, my kingdom, my riches, my army, are yours. Everything is yours. Please order me what I have to do”. So saying Vrushaparva stood before Sukraacaarya with folded hands.
Sukraacaarya looked at his daughter, DEvayaani. “Oking Vrushaparva, your daugher Sharmishta and her one thousand servant maids shall be my servants from today onwards.” Said DEvayaani .
Vrushaparva gladly agreed for that. From that moment onwards, Sharmishta and her one thousand servant maids became the servant maids of Devayaani and they were serving Devayaani with devotion. One day, Devayaani,along with her servant maids, SharmishTa and other one thousand, went to the same forest for playing. King Yayaati also came to the same forest at the same time. He has seen Devayaani and other ladies.
“I have seen you earlier. Who are all these girls?” said Yayaati. “Oh king Yayaati, you know who am I. I am Devayaani, daughter of Sukraacaarya. She is Sharmishta, daughter of Raakshasa King Vrushaparva. She along with other 1000 girls are myservant maids. They are all serving me always.” Said Devayaani.
Devayaani continued to say: “King Yayaati, while I fell in the well last time, you have extended your hand to me and I caught your hand and came up. The main ritual for marriage is Paanigrahanam (catching hand). It is over. As I have already caught your hand, I cannot marry others. Therefore, you have to marry me. If you marry me, myself, Sharmishta and other 1000 maids will serve you with great devotion.”
But Yayaati did not agree for this proposal. “Devayaani, I am a Kshatriya. You are a Brahmin girl. Kshatriyas cannot marry Brahmin girls. It is against Dharma. Being a king, if I do adharma, what about the others. They
also violate dharma. Thefore, I cannot marry you.” Yayaati replied. Devayaani has got a ready reply with her. “O king Yayaati, my father, Sukraacaarya, is an enlightened saint. He is the Raakshasa guru. He is person who decides what is dharma and what is adharma. If he says that our marriage is according to Dharma, will you agree?” She put a straight question. Yayaati has no reply. He said “If Sukraacaarya says it is dharma, I will agree”. Immediately, Devayaani sent word to his father. Sukraacaarya came to that spot.
“Oh My father, I fell in love with this King Yayaati. He also caught my hand. When Paanigrahanam was over, Is it proper for me to marry another person? Therefore, King Yayaati is my husband. Now, he is saying that kshatriya marrying Brahmin girl is adharma. You have to bless us by deciding that our marriage is not against any dharma”.said Devayaani with strong tone. He understood the situation. His affection towards his daughter made him to say “Your marriage with King Yayaati is according to Dharma.” Then King Yayaati gladly agreed to marry Devayaani. The marriage was performed between them. King Yayaati was about to go to his capital.
Whie giving farewell, Sukraacaarya told King Yayaati “She is Sharmishta, the servant maid of Devayaani. .
These are other one thousand maids. You can treat all these maids including Sharmishta equally by giving food, clothes and other luxuries. But don’t share bed with Sharmishta only.”
King Yayaati agreed for it. King Yayaati, along with his wife Devayaani, her servant maids, Sharmishta and 1000 maids, went to his capital. Devayaani was kept in his palace. Sharmishta, and other maids were kept in a separate palace. He is enjoying all sensual pleasures with Devayaani. As a result, Devayaani begot two sons, called Yadu and Turvasa. With the amicable husband and two lovely sons, Devayaani was leading a happy
marital life.
One day, Sharmishta was sitting alone and thinking about her life.: “I was born as a Princess. I must enjoy all pleasures fit for princess. But I am leading the life of servant maid. My youth is being wasted. Why should I not enjoy heavenly pleasures with my husband like Devayaani? How fortunate devayaani is? She is enjoying all pleasures with her husband and begot children also. In the life of a woman, the most fortunate event is getting a good husband and lovely children. It is the ultimate goal. But that fortune is far away from me. My mind also is attached to King Yayaati. Yayaati is also looking after me affectionately and treating me with great love and passion. How Devayaani got King Yayaati, I also try and get Yayaati into my fold. I will make Yayaati as my husband and I will beget children through him.”
Her waves of thoughts have taken a shape. She decided to beget children through King Yayaati. She was waiting for an opportunity. One day King Yayaati came near the place where Sharmishta was staying. Sharmishta saw Yayaati. She approached him and bowed before him. “O King yayaati can I pray you one thing” she requested. Yayaati smiled and nodded his head. “O King Yayaati, you are the husband of my mistress, Devayaani. As per the prevailing dharma, being the servant maid of Devayaani, I am also equivalent to your wife. Hence you are my husband. Wife, servant maid and children are unbreakable attachments in this world. Devayaani is your wife. Being her servant maid, I am also your wife. Kindly share bed with me and bless me with children”. Said SharmishTa.
Yayaati thinking for a while replied “Sharmishta, what you say is correct and it is the Dharma prevailing now. You are equivalent to my wife. There is no doubt about it. But Sukraacaarya, refrained me from sharing bed with you. What can I do? I cannot violate his words.” Sharmishta smiled “O king Yayaati, whenever great harm is caused to the life of anyone, whenever anybody’s moneys are being snatched, at the time of saving a Brahmin from death, in case of sharing bed and enjoying with ladies, at the time of marriages, speaking falsehood is not prohibited. It is not wrong. Therefore, even if you share bed with me and bless me with children, in violation of the words of Sukraacaarya, it is not opposed to any principles of prevailing dharma. Ofcourse, being a Wise King you also know about this.” replied Sharmishta.
Yayaati was very much pleased with the enlightened and wise words spoken to by Sharmishta. He shared bed with SharmishTa. Sharmishta became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Devayaani came to know that Sharmishta gave birth to a son. She immediately came to Sharmishta. “Sharmishtaa, you are a virtuous lady. You are unmarried. Then how you begot a son without husband?” said Devayani. Sharmishta decided to tell another falsehood “Devayaani, a great saint blessed me with a son”. Devayaani believed her words and went away.
Later, Sharmishta continued to share bed with King Yayaati and gave birth to two more children, in all three sons. . They are Dhruhvu, anu, Pooru. One day, these three sons of SharmishTa throughYayaati were playing in the garden. Devayaani along with her husband, Yayaati came there. She saw the three children playing there. Devayaani asked the children “Whoare you? Who are your parents?” The children showed Yayaati and SharmishTa as their parents. Devayaani realized what had happened. She was in deep sorrow. She could understand that her husband, Yayaati, cheated her and her father. Immediately, she went to her father,Sukraacaarya and told him what had happened. Yayati also followed her and bowed before him with folded hands. On seeing Yayaati, Sukraacaarya’s anger broke all barriers.
“O Yayaati, on account of your youth, pride and arrogance, you deceived me and my daughter. You have violated the word given to me at the time of marriage. You will , therefore, suffer with untimely oldage” Sukraacaarya gave Saapa toYayaati. Yayaati with folded hands and with great humility told to Sukraacaarya “O great Guru, Sukraacaarya, I am the husband of your daughter, Devayaani. Equally,I am also the husband of the servant maid of Devayaani. When any matured lady prays for sharing bed to beget children, if I refused to do so, does it not amount to violation of Dharma? Therefore, I shared bed with Sharmishta and blessed her with children. For no fault of mine, you are showering curses on me with anger. I am still in youth. My desire to enjoy the wordly pleasures is not yet extinguished. I want to enjoy the sensual pleasures with my wife Devayaani for some more time. I cannot bear this untimely oldage. Please show me the wayout”Yayaati prayed Sukraacaarya.
Sukraacaarya thought for a while. “If any one of your sons gives his youth to you and take your old age, you can enjoy the sensual pleasures as you like and you can give back your youth to your son and take back your oldage. But the son who gives you his youth, will be the future Emperor of your Kingdom. With him only your Vamsa (geneology) will be continued.” So saying, Sukraacaarya went away. Then Yayaati called his five sons. “Oh my dear sons, as per the word of Sukraacaarya, if any one of you takes my old age and give his youth, I will enjoy the sensual pleasures for some more time and I will give back your youth again. He alone will succeed to all my wealth, and kingdom.”said Yayaati. Yadu, Druhvu and Turvasu, and Anu did not agree for this proposal. “Oh father, old age will occur due to efflux of time. No body can avoid it or avert it. Every human being shall have to pass that stage. In life. Wantonly nobody invites untimely old age from others. Besides that, if a man is suffering with old age, no woman will care to see his face, even if he is rich and wealthy. One cannot enjoy the sexual pleasures if he suffers with old age. Therefore, we cannot receive your old age in lieu of our youth.” Replied Yadu and others.
Yayaati grew angry. He could not tolerate this arrogance and indifference of his sons. Her cursed them: “Yadu, you will be unfit to rule the kingdom. Turva, you will become the king for savage tribes who do not know the difference between dharma and adharma. Druhvu, you will become the king of a kingdom surrounded by water. Anu, you and your people will die while in youth.”. The fifth son Pooru came before his father. “O father,
I am here don’t worry. I will take your old age and give my youth to you.”said Puru. Yayaati was very happy. Pooru gave his youth to his father, Yayaati and received his old age. Yayaati became a youthful man with new vigour and passion. He enjoyed sensual pleasures with his wife for a period of one thousand years. He was very much satisfied. He gave back his youth to his son Pooru and received back his oldage. As per the word of Sukraacarya, Yayaati installed his son Pooru on his throne as his successor. Puru became the emperor of his kingdom. But the citizens of the kingdom could not relish this.
All of them approached King Yayaati and said “O KingYayaati, Is it just and proper to make the last son as the Emperor of this kingdom? How a son of a servant maid (Sharmishta) will become the successor of this throne.” Yayaati gave a fitting reply to all those who objected for the caronation of his last son Puru. “Oh citizens of my country, you are right. Yadu is my eldest son. But he did not heed my words. He acted with Pride and hypocricy. A son who will not pay heed to the words of his father, how can he succeed to the properties and wealth of his father. Puru, though last and young, he was obedient. He obeyed my words. He got utmost faith and respect on me. He discharged his duty as a dutiful son. Therefore, I decided that Puru alone should succeed to my throne.”
(Now a days, old age homes are coming up rapidly. Neglected parents’ number is increasing day by day. The children who are growing up and getting education with the hard-earned money of parents, who are flying away to foreign countries with the efforts of their parents, who are snatching away the entire properties of parents and throwing them away into streets, must read the words of Yayaati and realize themselves. How can a son, who does not obey the words of parents and who does not have respect to their parents, will inherit to the properties of their parents? This is the straight question put by Yayaati. If the sons of the present day neglected- parents put the same question to themselves, and if they care for their parents, we can see some light glow in the eyes of the neglected—parents. ”
Then, Yayaati went to forests for penance. He did Tapassu for one thousand years. An aeroplane came from DevalOka. In that Yayaati went to Brahmaloka and stayed there for some Kalpaas.Then Yayaati went to IndralOka. Indra welcomed him with pleasure and honoured him. Indra asked Yayaati “Oh Yayaati, when your son received your Old age and assumed the throne, what morals you taught to your son?”
“O Mahendra, I told my son to make friendship only with good people and keep friendly relations with virtuous people only. One should not receive any thing from others free of cost. King has to satisfy all the subjects and make them happy always. One should not forget to tell the truth. Always be kind towards others. Anger, pride and greediness should not be allowed to come near him.”said Yayaati. With these words Indra felt very happy. But he wanted to test Yayaati.
“O kingYayaati, you have done great penance for thousand years which is not equivalent to any penance done by any great soul or Great saint sofar.” Said Indra. With these words, Yayaati became bit proud. “Yes. Indra you are right. When compared to all the penance done by great sages and saints, or great men, mine is greatest. They are no match to me and the penance done by me.” said Yayaati with great pride.
Then Indra smiled at Yayaati “O Yayaati, still you are so proud. Your entire Punya is completed. You are not fit to remain in IndrlOka any longer. You have to go to MaanavalOka.” Mahendera ordered. “O Mhendra. I cannot agin go back to MaanavalOka. If possible, I will go to Nakshatra lOka. Please send me to Nakshatra lOka” requested Yayaati. Indra accepted his request and sent him to Nakshatra Loka. Yayaati went to NakshtralOka. There, Yayaati’s grand children (daughters’sons) called AshTaka and others were staying. They met Yayaati. Ashtaka and others asked Yayaati “Who are you? Why have you come over here?”. “My name is Yayaati. I am the son of Nahusha. As a result of penance done by me, I visited Brahma lOka and Deva lOka. Now I have come to Nakshatra lOka.” Said Yayaati.
Then Ashtaka identified him as their grand father (mother’s father). They wanted to know about the secrets of birth of human beings from Yayaati. Yayaati told them about the birth: “You should always be kind enough to the followmen. Always tell the truth. Hurting others and others feelings is Adharmaa.” Yayaati continued to say: “At the time of menstrual cycle, Rajassu comes out of Female organ. It mixes with the Retassu(semen) which comes out of male organ. It will become “Pinda” That “Pinda” with the help of Tanmaatras (viz., sabdha, sparsha, roopa, rasa, gandha) takes a shape. After nine months, the child comes out of the womb. After birth, it sees with eyes, hears with ears, talks with mouth and smells with nose and takes food with mouth, and will do good and bad deeds.
If it does good deeds, it will get Punya and attain Moksha. If it does bad deeds, it acquires Paapa(sin)it will be taking birth by birth till the Paapa is completed. If the Punya is more, he will get rebirth in a holy place. If the Paapa is more, it will get rebirth like animals or birds. If any one worships elders and gurus, gives to others what he has without taking anything from others, does good deeds like Yaagaas and Yajnaas, they acquire Punya.
One should not do anything with Pride, Passion or with a view to get praise from others.” Yayaati told them. Then Ashtakaa and others asked King Yayaati “O king, we are staying here since a long time. Whether we have to stay here or we will get Punya lOkas (upper lOkas). Yayaati replied “You will certainly get PunyalOkaas” As Ashtakaa and others did much Punya, they attained Punya lOkaas. As Yayaati got intimacy with Ashtaka
[Mahaabhaarataa]
Aaadi Parva,
Truteeyaasvaasaa
(Third Chapter)
[completed].
CHATURDHAASVAASAMU
(FOURTH CHAPTER.)
The story-teller UgraSravasu continued to tell the story to Saint Sounaka and other saints. King Yayaati nstalled his son Pooru on the throne and performed the coronation ceremony. Pooru was ruling the people to heir utmost satisfaction. Pooru’s son was JanamEjaya. JanamEjaya’s son was Praachinvanta. Praacinvanta’s on was Samyaathi. Samyaathi’s son was Ahamyaathi. Ahamyaathi’s son was Saarvabhouma. arvabhouma’s son was JayathsEna. JayatsEnaa’s son was Avaachina. Avaachina’s son was Ariha.
Ariha’s son asMahabhouma.Mahaabhouma’s son was Yuthaaneeka. Yuthaaneeka’s son was AkrOdhana.AkrOdhana’sson was DEvaathidhi. DEvaathidhi’s son was Rucheeka. Rucheekaa’s son wasRukshu. Rukshu’s son was Mathinaara.
The said Matinaaraa performed Satrayaaga for a period of twelve years on the banks of River Sarasvathi. River Sarasvathi fell in love with Ruceeka and married him.Thrasa was born to both of them. Thrasa’s son was Ilina. Ilinaa’s son was King Dushyanta. Since his childhood Dushyanta was of mighty personality. He used to wander in the forests, catch lions and tigersandwas playing with them.
After he came to throne, he ruled the people with utmost dharma and thepeople were living peacefully. One day, King Dushyanta went to forest for hunting. He saw one Aashram where the sages and saints were performing penance. It was Kanvaasramam. Saint Kanva alongwithhis sishyas was living in that aashram. In that Ashram, the born enemies like lions and elepahants,tigers and deers, were living happily forgetting their enemity. They dine and sleep together.Dushyanta felt happy on seeing that peaceful atmosphere.
He told his ministers and soldiers “I will goto Kanvaasramam and take his blessings. You wait here”. So sayng he went to kanvaaSramam by walk.Near that aashrmam, he saw one beautiful girl. Her name was Sakuntala. Sakuntala also saw the handsome and manly guy Dushyanta. Sakuntala invited Dushyanta to the aashramam. She honoured him with Arghyam and paadyam.
“My name is Dushyanta. I am the King of this empire. I have come forhunting. I came here to have the Darshan of Saint Kanva.” Said Dushyanta. “Saint Kanva just went toforest for fetching fruits and flowers. He will come withinn a short time. Kindly wait” Sakuntala requestedDushyanta. “Who are you? Who are your parents? Why are you staying here?” asked Dushyanta.
“I am the daughter of saint Kanva.” replied Sakuntala. Dushyanta was in doubt. He was told that Saint Kanva was a life long bachelor. How he got a daughter? Anyhow, he wanted to clear his doubt.“Sakuntalaa, I know that Saint Kanva was a bachelor. How you happened to be his daughter? askedDushyanta. “O king Dushyanta! I also do not know about it. Once, saint Kanva was telling to another saint about my birth, I overheard it. I will narrate the same to you.
Once, Raajarshi Visvaamitra was performing great Tapassu. (Raajarshi means one who was originally a kshatriya king later transformedintoa saint). Indra was frightened about his tapassu. He wanted to break that Tapassu. He calledimmediately one Apsara (divine beauty) called Menaka. “Menaka! Saint Visvaamitra is doing greatTapassu. You have to lure him and seduce him and make him to fall in love with you and disturb hisTapassu”. said Devendra. Menaka shivered on hearing this. “O DevEndraa! Everybody including you willbe frightened even to go before him. But you are asking me to break his Tapassu. Is it proper for you?Anyhow, I will try my level best to disturb his Tapassu”.
So saying, Menaka, along with her beautiful maids, went to the place where Visvaamitra was doing tapassu. She saw Visvamitra, in deepmeditation. She bowed before him. She began to wander before him as if she was picking the flowers.Visvaamitra saw her and her beautiful body. She smiled. Visvamitra fell in the trap. His mind wasshaking. He could not contrl. He wound up his tapassu. He went behind Menaka. They enjoyed sexual pleasures happily.
As a result, Menaka gave birth to a female child. The mission was over. Menaka went back to Devaloka. Visvaamitra went back to a lonely place for continuing hisTapassu. The newborn child was lying on the sand bed near the banks of the river. The birds flying there stretched theirwings and made some shade for the child and protected the child from the sunlight. At that time, Saint Kanva who was going to the river along with Sishyas, for bathing, saw the child and brought her to theAshramam.
As the child was found proected by “sakuntas” (birds), the child was named as “Sakuntala”. I am the same Sakuntala. I was brought up in this ashramam as the daughter of Saint Kanva. Since mychildhood, I was treating Saint Kanva as my beloved father. In that way, I am the daughter of SaintKanva” Sakuntala replied to Dushyanta. Soon after he heard that Sakuntala was the daughter ofVisvamitra, a daughter of a Kshatriya,
Dushyanta fell in love with her. “O beautiful lady! Sakuntala! you area stunning beauty. You are so smart. You are not suppose to live in this Aashram, wearing this kind ofcoarse clothes. You have to live in beautiful a palace fit for kings and emperors. I fell in love with you. I will marry you in the manner of Gaandharva, which is fit for Kshatriyas”. Said Dushyanta. (Marriages are ofeight kinds: (1) Brahma, (2)Daiva (3)Aarsha (4)Gaandharva (5)Aasura (6)Raakhasa (7)Praajaapatya(8)Paisaacika).
“O King Dushyant! my father, Kanva is not in Aashramam. Soon after hecomes, you propose the same to him. He will make “kanyaa daana”. Then you can take me” replied Sakuntala. “O Sakuntala! my love! for Gandharva, there is no need to take the permission of elders.There is no need to perform the rituals like Kanyaadaana etc. The marriage which will be performedsecretely will be called Gaandharva. Therefore, we can marry now” Dushyanta pressurized andmade her to accept his offer.
But, Sakuntala put a condition for the marriage. “If I marry you, the son who will be born to both of us will be the future king of this vast universe. Then only I will agree for thismarriage” Sakuntala replied. Dushyantaa gladly agreed for the same. King Dushyantaa married Sakuntalain Gaandharva type marriage. They both enjoyed sexual pleasures as man and wife. Then Dushyantatold her “Sakuntala, my ministers are waiting for me. I have to go. Soon after I go to my capital, I will send my ministers and purohits to your father, Kanva, to bring you to my capital with due honours fit for the Queen of an Emperor.”
So saying, Dushyanta went away. Sakuntala was frightened. If her father, Kanva, knows about this, he may curse her. After some time, Saint Kanva returned toAashramam. He found some difference in the behaviour of Sakuntala. He sat in meditation. He found everything with his divine vision. “Sakuntalaa, come near my child. Don’t be afraid. Gaandhrva is an acceptable marriage ritual. You selected a fit person to be your husband. You are now pregnant. The son to be born to both of you will be the future Emperor of this Universe and will be the “Vamsa Karta”.Long Live Sakuntala” Saint Kanva blessed Sakuntala. Sakuntala was very happy. “Sakuntala, choose some thing which you like. I will give you” Saint Kanva showered parental affection on her. “Oh my beloved father! please bless me that my mind should always be attached to Dharma and bless my son with longlife, good health, wealth, energy and eternal fame.” Saint Kanva blessed her as per her wish.
Later a son was born to her. His name was Bharat. (In his name only now our Country is now called “Bharat”). Like his father, he was a mighty personality. He also used to catch wild animals like lions, tigers, elephants and ride on them. As he wastaming all wild animals, the saints in the aashram called him as “sarva damana”.
One day, Saint Kanva came near Sakuntala and told her “See my child Sakuntala, after marriage, the daughter shall not remain in the parental house for a long time. Her abode is her in-laws house. It is dharma. Hence, you have to join your husband.” So saying, he sent Sakuntala to Dushyanta. Some of the saints also followed her.
All of them went to Dushyanta. She, along with her son Bharata, entered the Royal Court whereDushyanta, his ministers, his courtiers and other dignatories assembled. Dushyanta did not recognize her. The love, affection, showered on her at the time of gaandharva type marriage did not appear in his face. He pretended as if he did not see them at all . On observing the attitude of Dushyanta, Sakuntala entertained several doubts. “Whether Dushyanta really does not recognize her or is he pretending like that? If so, what is the reson?
Whether, he forgets her in view of his day to day politicalactivities or whether he is pretending as if he does not know them. Or whether he forgets that he married her in Gandharva type. If any one really forgets, he can be reminded about it but if he pretends as if he does not know anything, even Brahma cannot remind him about what had happened. Having come al lthe way from KanvaaSramam to Hastinaapuraa, it is not proper to go back with empty hands. I will tell him,remind him, about the marriage and I will show Bharata to him and tell him that he is his son born out of the wedlock.” She decided to tackle the situation bravely.
She stood before the Emperor Dushyanta with her son before her. She raised her voice “O Emperor Dushyanta, on that day, you came to the forest for hunting. To see my father, Kanva, you came to our Ashram. You saw me. You loved me. You promised that you will make our son as future Emperor. You married me in Gandharva type marriage.You enjoyed me. You made me pregnant. Here is our son, Bharata.”
Sakuntala showed Bharata toDushyanta. Dushyantaa heard what all she said. He knows every thing. But he pretended as if he does notknow anything. “I do not know who you are.I have not seen you previously. You go away to the place from where you have come” Dushyanta replied.
Sakuntala was in deep sorrow. Tears were flowing out of her eyes. “O Emperor Dushyanta, you know everything. Why are you pretending like this? Can you tell lies because there were no witnesses for our marriage? Is it just and proper for you? There may be no witnesses physically for our marriage. But, the Sun, the Moon, Pancha bhootaas, our conscious, Yama and day and night are always watching all of us. Who ever deserts his wife will be deprived of all the pleasures either on earth or in heaven. To beget male children, wife is a must. Either to attain Dharma, Ardha,kaama and Moksha, or to enjoy pleasures either on earth or heaven, wife is a must.
One who respectshis wife and children does not feel any hardship. Besides that, wife occupies half of a man. If wife predeceases husband, she will wait for him in heaven. If husband predeceases wife, she accompanies herhusband to heaven by observing”sati”. Such a wife cannot be deserted or humiliated. Man enters the bodyof his wife and takes birth as her son. Hence, wife identifies her husband in her son. Even father also feels happy on seeing his son who is a replica of himself. Son uplifts his parents from Punnaama Naraka (ahell where issueless remains).
As one light is lighting another light, your son is born from your body. Here is your son. You accept him as your son. Have you forgotten the word given to me at the time of our marriage? Is it just and proper on your part to reject your son? There is no other virtuous deed in thisworld except telling truth. Telling truth is equivalent to performing thousand Asvamedha Yaagaas. I am the daughter of Menaka and Visvamitra. I will never tell falsehood. Kindly remember what you told me in KanvaaSram and accept me and our son.”
So saying Sakuntala stood before Dushyantaa with foldedhands.Still, Dushyanta did not accept her plea. “I am a King and Emperor. You are after all an ordinary woman living in an Aashram. You have proved the saying that “ladies generally tell lies”. You are telling that this mighty body is my son. I cannot accept such lies. Please go back to your Aashram.”
So saying,Dushyanta once again rejected Sakuntala. “O king Dushyanta, this kind of rejection and desertion is not new to me. Soon I was born, my parents deserted me. Now me and my son are rejected by you. More than this, nothing will happen. God only will save me and my son”. Sakuntala turned back along with her son and was about to leave that place.
At this juncture, a divine voice was heardfrom heaven: “O King Dushyanta, What all Sakuntala said is true. Sakuntala is your wife. This boy Bharata was born to you and Sakuntala. Accept them as your wife and son”. Dushyanta rose to his feet and addressed his ministers and othercourtiers. “On that day, when I went to forest for hunting, I saw Sakuntala in Kanvaasram and I married her in Ghardharva method. That was known to me and Sakuntala alone, as there were none present at that time. Now, if I say that Sakuntala is my wife, nobody will accept it. Hence I pretended as if I do not know them. Now the divine voice made all of you know that Sakuntala is my wife and Bharata is my son. Now I gladly accept them as my wife and son”
Dushyanta walked down to Sakuntala. Hugged her and Bharata and took them to the throne. He made
Bharata to sit on the throne as per the word given to Sakuntala at the time of marriage. After ruling the country for pretty long time, Dushyanta coronated Bharata as the King and Emperor and went to forests for penance.
Bharata also ruled the country to the satisfaction of one and all. In his name, “Bharata Vamsa”was started. He became the “Vamsa Karta”. Bhumanya was born to Bharata. Suhotra was born to Bhumanyu. Hasti was the son of Suhotra. In his name the capital “Hastinaapura” was built. That was the capital of Kouravas. (Even today Hastinaapura (Delhi) is our capital). VikunThana was the son of Hasti.AjaameeDha was the son of VikunThana. 124 sons were born to AhameeDha.
Out of them, SavarNamarried Tapati, son of Soorya. Kuru was born to them. He was the root for the Kuru Vamsa. He was “Kuru Vamsa Karta”. In his name only, the place where the great battle between Pandavas andKouravas was held, was called as “Kurukshetra”. Vidooradha was the son of Kuru. AnaSva was the son of Vidooradha. Pareekshit was the son of AnaSva. Bheemasena was the son of Pareekshit. Pradeepawasthe son of Bheemasena.
Prateepa was the son of Pradeepa. King Santana was born toPrateepa. Devavrata, also called Bheeshma, was born to Santana and Ganga. Santana married Yojanagandhi (Satyavati) and begot Chitrangada and Vicitraveerya as sons. Here, Janamejayastopped Vaisampayana “O Saint Vaisampaayana, how King Santana married Ganga and how Bheeshma was born to them. Kindly tell us in detail about the birth of Pandavas and Kouravas.” herequested.
Saint Vaisampaayana continued to say: In the Ikshvaaku Vamsa, there was a king calledMahaabhisha. He performed one thousand Asvamedha Yaagaas and one hundred RaajasooyaYaagaas, and went to Brahma Loka and was serving Brahma along with great sages and saintsand other heavenly bodies.
One day, Ganga Devi visited Brahma lOka. At that time there was a heavywind. The saree of Gangaa Devi was lifted by the wind and her naked thighs were visible to those whoassembled there. All turned their heads. But Mahaabhisha stared at her with passionate looks. Lord Brahma observed this. He grew angry. “Mahaabhishaa, you will take birth as human being” cursed Brahma. Mahaabhishaa realized his wrong. “O lord Brahma! There is a great and virtuous King called Prateepa on earth. Please permit me to take birth as his son”. Lord Brahma accepted his request.Gangaa Devi also observed Mahaabhishaa looking at her with passionate looks. She also fell in love with him.
While she was returning to earth, she met Ashta Vasuvus (eight vasuvus). They were coming with sorrowful faces. Ganga Devi asked them what had happened. “O Gangaa, Saint Vasishta gavecursed all of us to take birth on earth as human beings. We are going in search of a virtuous lady to takebirth. By grace of god, we met you. We will be born to you as sons.”. Ashta vasuvus requested Ganga.“How it will happen?” Ganga questioned them.
“Mahaabhisha will be born as the son of Prateepa. He will be called Santana. You and Santana will meet together. We eight will be born to you as sons”. Gangaadevi also gladly accepted for this proposal as she also fell in love with Mahabhisha. But Ashta vasuvus put a condition. “O mother gangaa, soon after we were born, you have to drop all of us in water and kill us and liberate us from this human body. Even Saint Vasishta also permitted us to do like that”.said Ashta Vasuvus.
Gangaa Devi was in dilemmaa. “What you said is correct. But I want a son with long life and eternal fame. How will it happen?” Ganga asked Ashta vasuvus. “Oh mother Ganga! it isnot a problem. As per the word of Saint VasishTa, the eighth vasuvu, Prabhaasa, will be born as your last son and he will remain on earth for pretty long time with long life and eternal fame”.
Ganga and Ashta vasuvus agreed for this proposal and went away. King Prateepa, after enjoying the sensual pleasures, went tothe banks of ganga and was doing penance. One day, Gangaa, in the human form, appeared before him.She sat on his right thigh. King Prateepa amazed. “Who are you? Why did you sit on my right thigh? AskedPrateepa.“O King! I am the daughterof Saint Jahnu. I am Jaahnavi. I want to become your wife. Please receive me” asked Jaahnavi.
Prateepa smiled and said “O Jaahnavi, I am already married. I never thinkof any other woman except my wife. That too, a virtuous woman like you should not ask like this.Besides that, ladies generally sit on the left thigh of the husband. Sons and daughters sit on the right thigh of their father. As you sat on my right thigh, you are equivalent to my daughter. You better love and marry my son”. Then Jaahnavi (ganga) went away.
Later, as per the wish of Brahma, Mahaabhisha was born toPrateepa and his wife Sunanda. His name was Santana. After attaining age, Prateepa enthroned him. While leaving to Vaanaprastha, Prateepa told his son Santana “O my son, one day on the banks of ganges, I saw one girl. I asked her to become the wife of my son. She agreed for that. Hence you marry her. Don’t ask any of her details. Just fulful her desire.” Said Prateepa.
Then Prateepa went to forest along with his wife.Santana was ruling the country in a righteous manner. One day Santana went for hunting. On the banks of River Gnges he saw a very very beautiful girl. Santana ws very much impressed with her beauty.“Who are you? Why are you wandering here?”asked Santana. “O king! if you have a desire to make me your wife, don’t ask me anything. You should not say ‘no’ to whatever I do. You should not hurt myfeelings. Then only I will become your wife and fulful your desires.”said Ganga.
Santana remembered thewords of his father, Prateepa. Santana was very much impressed with her beauty and her passionate looks.He had no other thought. He agreed to all her conditions. Santana married ganga. They enjoyed sensual pleasures happily. Ashta Vasuvus were born to them one by one. Soon after each son was born,Ganga was dropping the new born child into river ganges. Like that, Ganga had thrown seven children in Ganges. Santana was very much unhappy. His mind was very much disturbed. He could not tolerate this kind of killing of new born children. Still he was abide by the word given to her at the time of marriage.
Eigth son was born. Ganga took the child and was proceedinmg to Ganges to throw the child in the river.Santana obstructed her. “No-- I do not allow you to kill this child.” Said Santana. Ganga smiled“Santana! you have gone back on your word. I am leaving you. Santana, I am river Ganga in human form.These children are Ashta Vasuvus. As per their wish, I have given birth to them on earth. Soon after they are born, I have relieved them from humanbirth by dropping them in river waters. Now this child is the eighth vasuvu. As per the Saapa of VasishTa, he will live on this earth for a long time and get eternal fame.
“O my dear Gangaa, I heard that Vasuvus are divine bodies. They know no wrong. How Saint VasishTa cursed them? How was this eighth Vasuvu destined to live on the earth for long time? What is the reason? Please tell me in detail.” Santana asked. Ganga began to tell Santana:
“O King Santana! Saint Vasishta was doing Tapassu in the caves of Mountain Meru. In his Ashram, there was a divine cow,called Nandini. Nandini was supplying all the daily needs to Saint VasishTa. One day, Ashta Vasuvusvisited the Ashram of Saint Vasishta. They all saw the divine cow. They were very much astonished on seeing the miracles of the cow. The wife of the eighth vasuvu put a step further and told herhusband “O dear! I heard that by consuming the milk of this cow, people are living without decease or death. I want to present this cow to my dearest friend, Jitavati.” She murmured.
The other vasuvus also supported her. Prabhaasa, the eighth vasuvu, snatched the cow, and drove it away. Saint Vasishtaobserved all this through his divine vision. He grew angry “You all take birth on earth” SaintVasishTacursed them. All the vasuvus fell on the feet of Vasishta and prayed for mercy. “My word willbe carried out. But you wont remain on earth for a long time. But the real culprit is Prabhasa, the eightvasuvu. He will live on earth for a long time, with eternal fame but will remain as issueless”. Theremainingstory is well known to you. As per the request of Vasuvus, I gave birth to all the vasuvus andimmediately liberated them from this earth. This eighth child is Prabhasa, the eighth vasuvu. He will remainon earth for long time. I name him as Devavrata. Devavrata will remain with me till he attain the age.
”So saying, Ganga along with Devavrata went away. Santana returned to his capital. One day, Santanawent to forest for hunting. While he was walking on the banks of River Ganga, at one plalce, hefoundthe flow of river was very thin. He wanted to know the reason. He walked along the banks of river.He found one youth practicing archery. He stopped the flow of river with his arrows. He is no other than Devavrata, son of Ganga and Santana. But Santana did not recognize him.
River Ganga came there.“King Santana! this youth is our son, Devavrata. He learnt all Vedas and sciences with Vasishta. Helearnt Dharma Sastra from Sukraachaarya. He learnt archery equivalent to Parasuraama. Now you cantake him along with you”. So saying, Ganga handedover Devavrata to Santana and went away. Santanaalong with Devavrata returned to Capital. Santana enthroned Devavrata as Yuvaraajaa for thekingdom.
One day, Santana went to River Yamuna for a stroll. He got a pleasant fragrance from a distance. He saw one beautiful girl. She was Satyvati. He was very much impressed with the beauty of Satyavati.“Who are you? Who are your parents? Why you are here?” Santana asked. “O King, my name is yojanagandhi (Satyavati). I am the daughter of Daasa raajaa. I am rowing the boat as per the wish ofmy father. ” Santana wanted to marry her. He immediately went to Daasarajaa and expressed his desire tomarry Satyavati.
“O King! soon after the female child was born, it was the duty of parents to give her to a fit person in marriage. It is the custom. I have no objection to give my daughter in marriage to a person like you. But I have a wish”said Dasaraja. “What is that?” asked Santana. “My daughter’s sons should be the future kings of this kingdom”.
Santana did not agree for this. He does not want to give the kingdom to anybody other thanhis son, Devavrata. “You choose some other thing other than kingdom.” said Santana. “I do not like anyother thing except kingdom” replied Dasaraajaa. Santana returned to capital. He was in deep distress. He loved Satyvati very much.
He could not forget her. He could not concentrate on day to day administration.Gangeya observed this. “O my father! what is your mental agony? Can I help you? Gangeyaasked. “O my son Gangeya! according to Dharma Sastra, a person with one son is equivalent to a person without any children. Besides you, I wanted to have some more sons. That apart, you are a great archer and warrior.You are so cruel to your enemies. You are a daredevil personality. Danger is always by your side. It is not known how long you will live. Hence I want to have more sons” Santana expressed his desire for re- marriage in a circuitous way.
Gangeya understood his desire for remarriage. He called his Ministers and consulted them. He came to know that his father fell in love with Satyavati and desired to remarry her.. He went to Dasaraja. “My father desires to marry your daughter Satyavti. Give her in marriage to my father” Gangeya asked Dasaraja. “I am very happy that a son is requesting for a girl in marriage to his father. But my daughter is not an ordinary girl. She was born from outof the sperm of a great king “Uparicara Vasuvu”. He himself ordered that she should be given in marriage to King Santana. Hence I refused to give her to Devala also. But the sons to be born to Satyavati will be the step sons. Please remove that difficulty” asked Dasaraja cleverly.
Gangeya could read his mind. He assembled his Ministers and courtiers. In the presence of one and all, Gangeya announced“Kindly listen to me. I am relinquishing all my rights to the throne. The sons to be born to the“would be wife” of my beloved father, would be the successors of this kingdom” Gangeya said. Dasaraja still expressed another doubt. “Gangeya, you are so great. I will agree. But, there is one difficulty.You have relinquished your right to the Kingdom. But what about your wife and sons.Will they keep quiet? Will they abide by your word?” said Dasaraja.
Gangeya decided once and for all. “You all kindly listen. I am taking an oath in the presence of Pancha Bhootas, I will never marry in my life. From todayonwards, I will remain as a staunch bachelor throughout my life”. The Devatas from heaven showered blessings and flowers on Devavrata. All those who assembled there praised him for hisdetermination. That moment remained in the history as “Bheeshma Pratijna” and Gangeya was called as “Bheeshma”
. Dasaraja gladly agreed to give his daughter Satyavati in marriage to Santana. Santana marriedSatyavati. Santana was very much pleased as his son has sacrificed his married life and enjoyment for his sake. He blessed his son with long life. “My son, Devavrata! I bless you with “Svaccanda Maranam”You will die at your own will.” Said Santana. (Though Bheeshma was seriously wounded in the war during Dakshina Ayana,he was on Ampa Sayya (bed of arrows) till Uttara Ayana enters. Then only he left his body onBheeshma Ekaadasi. That was the power of the word of Santana.).
Santana got two sons throughSatyavati. They are Chitraangada and Vicitra Veerya. While they were young, Santana died.Bheeshma brought them up. Bheeshma enthroned Chitrangada to the kingdom. Chitrangada was aproudking. He picked up quarrels with each and everybody. Once he fought with one Gandharva and hedied.
Then Bheeshma made Vicitra Veerya as the King of the Kingdom. The King of Kasi (now BenaresorVaranasi, the abode of Lord Siva) held Svayamvara to his three daughters Amba, Ambika,Ambaalika.. “Svayamvara” was in vogue in those days. In Svayamvara, all those who wanted tomarry the girl, will assemble in the Court Hall.
The Princess, along with her maids will have a look at all the Princes and Kings assembled there. The maids ccompanying her will explain about them and their details.The princess will garland the Prince according to her wish and volition. Thus it is clear that in thosedays also, the marriages were performed only out of free will and volition of the bride.) Bheeeshma went to that Svayamvara alone. He snatched all the three daughers of Kasi King forcibly and putthem on the chariot.
Addressing the kings who have come for Svayamvara, Bheeshmasaid: “O Kings ofdifferent kingdoms, I am taking these girls only to get them married to my brother, Vicitraveerya. If you areable to obstruct me, you can do so. As you all know, out of the eight methods of marriage, gandharvamu and raakshasamu are fit for Kshatriyas. Besides that, I am taking these girls after defeating all ofyou. It is dharma.”
So saying, Bheeshma, drove the chariot. The kings who assembled there obstructed Bheeshma but failed in their attempt. But one King Salva, followed Bheeshma and fought with him.There was a big fight between them. King Salva could not win. King Salva returned with defeat.Bheeshma reached Hastinapura along with the daughters of Kasiraaja.
He made arrangements for marriage of the three daughters of King of Kasi viz., Amba, Ambika and Aambalika, with Vichitra veerya.At that juncture, the eldest daughter, Amba, told Bheeshma: “O Bheeshma! the mighty warrior! My father decided to give me in marriage to King Salva. I also fell in love with Salva. But you brought me forcibly. Now it is for you to decide according to dharma, whether I have to marry King Salva or your brother, Vicitraveerya.”
Immediately, Bheeshma called some Brahmins. He sent Amba, along withBrahmins, to King Salva. As there was no resistance from the other two daughters, they were married toVicitra veerya. After marriage, Vicitraveera was spending most of his time with his beautiful wives and forgot to attend the daily administration of the kingdom. As he was enjoying sexual pleasures, day and night, his health deteriorated and at last he died. Now the kingdom was without king. Bheeshma was looking after the administration.
One day, Satyavati called his son Bheeshma “O My son! Bheeshma!nowthere are no successors for this Bharata Kingdom. You are only the fit person to ascend the throne. Hence, you marry immediately and beget children who will succeed to this Kingdom. Satyavati requested Bheeshma with strong tone. “O my mother Satyavati! I have taken an oath that I will neve rmarry in my life. I will abide by my word. I will never leave Brahmacharya. But, I know well about the present position. I will tell one Kshatriya Dharma which wasadopted by our ancestors. You think about it with Brahmins and Ministers and take a decision.
In the past, when Parasuraama killed all the kings ruthlessly, all the kingdoms remained without kings. At that juncture, the widows of the deceased kings, begot children through virtuous Brahmins and continued theirVamsas. There is yet one other incident. Utadhya and Bruhaspati are brothers. The wife of Utadhya was Mamata. She was pregnant. One day, Bruhaspati visited his brother Utadhya. He saw Mamata. According to Devara Nyaaya, he wanted to enjoy sexual pleasure with his brother’s wife, Mamata. But the boy who was in the womb of Mamata objected. He raised hue and cry that it was Adharma and should not be allowed. Bruhaspati grew angry. He cursed the boy to become blind.
That boy was called Deerghatama. Though he was blind, he learnt all Vedaas and Sastras very well. He married one girl called PradvEshiNi and many children were born to them. But, PradvEshiNi had no loveand affection towards her husband Deerghatama as he was blind.
When Deerghatama asked his wife about it, she replied“You know that husband means a man who can lookafter his wife well. But I am looking after you all these days. How long have I to bear you? I cannot. You better go away.” On hearing these words from his wife, he grew angry. He cursed the entire women community “hereinafter, all the widows, whoever they may be, shall be without the holy thread and ornaments and shall live a pitiable life”. PradvEshiNi called her sons “Take this old man to anywhere and leave him alone” ordered them. The sons of Dheerghatama, tied him with threads and threw him in a river
.Dheergatama was floating in the river, chanting Vedas. King Bali saw him. He was very much astonished that even while floating in river, he was chanting Vedas. King Bali removed the threads and brought him to his house. “O saint! I donot know who you are . But you are a virtuous Brahmin and very much learned. I have no issues. Please bless me with sons” requested Bali. Deerghatama agreed for that.
King Bali asked his wife SudhEshNa to share bed with Deerghatama and beget children. Sudheshna did not like this. Instead of herself going to Deerghatama, she sent her servant maid in her attire. Through Deerghatama, the servantmaid got eleven sons. One day, King Bali asked Deerghatama “Are these my sons?” “No” replied Deerghatama. “They are the sons of your servant maid. They cannot succeed you”. Again King Bali,requested his wife and sent his wife Sudheshna to Deerghatama. Unwillingly, Sudheshnashared bed with Deerghatama. She got a son called Angaraja.
Therefore, what I mean to say is,that in such inevitable circumstances, begetting children through virtuous Brahmins is not against any existingdharma. It is a long standing custom and practice prevailing in Kings. Now we have to bring onevirtuous Brahmin to fulfil this task” concluded Bheeshma. On hearing this, Satyavati recollected her memory. She remembered about Vyasa who was born to her through Saint Parasara. “Bheeshmaa, there is a great saint and virtuous Brahmin called Vyasa. He was born to me and Saint Parasara without spoiling my chastity. He knows all Dharmas. As per Devara Nyaya, My daughters may get children through him” said Satyavati.
Bheeshma was very happy. He and Satyavati wholeheartedly desiredVyasa to appear before them. As per the word given to his mother Satyavati, Saint Vyasa appeared before them and bowed before his mother. On seeing her son, after a long time, Satyavati hugged him with motherly affection. Bheeshma did all guestly honours to Vyasa. Then Satyavati told Vyasa“O my son! he is my son Bheeshma, the successor of this kingdom. But as per the word given to my father, he remained unmarried. As my two sons died, this Kingdom is now without King. You have come to our rescue. As per Devara nyaya, you have to beget children through the widows of my son,Vicitraveerya and save this Kingdom”.
Vyasa agreed for it and said: “Oh my mother! I will bless the wives of Vicitra veerya with sons but they have to remain with purified minds for one year and give birth to virtuous children.” Satyavati agreed for it. (Devara Nyaya means, if any king has no sons or dies issueless,his wife, with the permission of elders, may share bed with a virtuous brahmin and begetchildren).Accordingly,
Satyavati first sent Ambika, the elder daugher-in-law, to Vyaasa. On seeing Vyasa and his ugly appearance, she was frightened and closed her eyes throughout. Vyasa blessed her with a son and told his mother Satyavati that “Ambika will beget a son but as she closed her eyes throughout, he will be blind by birth.” Satyavati sent his second daughter-in-law Ambalika to Vyasa. On seeing Vyasa and his ugly appearance, she fainted and became pale throughout. Vyasa blessed Ambalika also with a son but said that due to the mistake committed by Ambalika, he will be with white skin. So saying, Vyasa went away.
As per the blessings of Vyasa, both Ambika and Ambalika gave birth to each one son. AsAmbika gave birth to a blind son, Satyavati was very much depressed. She again remembered Vyasa.Vyasa appeared before his mother. Satyavati again requested Vyasa to bless Ambika with another son. Vyasa agreed for it. Satyavati requested Ambika to meet Vyasa once again to beget a son.
Ambika did not like to meet Vyasa again. Shesent her servant maid, in her royal dress, to Vyaasa. The servant maid did not feel anything. She was neither frightened nor fainted while she met Vyaasa. She enjoyed sexual pleasures with Vyaasa. Yama DharmaRaja, in view of the Saapa given to him by Saint Mandavya, was born to her as Vidura.
Vidurawas a virtuous personality, with great wisdom and good hahits. Now Janamejaya entertained a doubt.“Why Saint Mandavya gave Saapa to Yamadharmaraaja.?” Asked Janamejaya. Saint Vaisampaayana continued to say: Mandavya was a great saint. He was living in the outskirts of a village and was doing penance.
One day, there was a decoity in the king’s palace. The soldiers chased the decoits.The decoits entered the Ashramam and hid inside. The soldiers entered the Ashram. They asked Mandavya whether any decoits came that side. As Mandvya was in mouna-vrata, he did not speak anything. Then soldiers entered inside the Ashram and found the decoits hidden there. They thought that Mandavya also colluded with decoits and hence he did not speak about them. The soldiers arrested decoits and Mandavya and produced them before the King.
The king imposed sentence of death forthe decoits. As the King thought that Mandavya only abetted the crime, lesser punishment was imposed on Mandavya. He was made to sit on a sharp-edged spear. As Mandavya was a realized soul, he was not frightened about the sentence. He was meditating god even though he was sitting on a spear. At mid night,some saints, in the form of birds, came there and saw Saint Mandaya in meditation. “O Saint! you are a great saint. Who made you to suffer like this?” Mandavya smiled and said“I am undergoing the punishment for my past sins. Why should I blame others.”
This conversation was overheard by the soldiers keeping watch there. They intimated the same to the King. King realized his mistake. He immediately came there and directed the soldiers to release Mandavya from the spear. But some part of the spear remained in the body of Mandavya. Hence he was called as “Ani Mandavya”Ma.ndavya returned to his Ashram and continued his penance. Later,
Mandavya visited Yamadharmaraja once. “O Samavarti(Yama)! To my knowledge, I never committed any sin throughout my life. Why did you make me to suffer such a severe punishment?” asked Mandavya. “O Saint Mandavya, while you were young, say about 10 years, you caught butterflies and poked needles into their bodies and enojoyed it. Hence, you suffered such a punishment at the hands of the King.”Yama replied.
Mandavya grew angry. “That was done while I was too young without knowing whether I was doing right or wrong. Hence Ideclare that “from now onwards, any mistake committed by children below 14 years, will not be construed as wrong or sin and they should not be punished for that. But if anybody does any wrong towards children below 14 years, it will be a great sin and such wrong doers will be punished severely. This is my ruling.” (Even today, the above ruling of Mandaya is in vogue in the form of Juvenile Law in our country)But, Oh Yama, as you made me to undergo severe punishment for a smallest wrong unknowingly done by me while I was young, I am giving a Saapa to you. You will born to a Sudra woman on earth.” Cursed Mandavya. . In view of that Saapa given by Mandavya, Yama Dharmaraja was born as Vidura to a Sudra Woman.”
“ ( Kavitraya) Maha Bharat – Aadi Parva – Chaturdhaasvaasa (Fourth Chapter)concluded.
Om tatsat
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
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