A Study of the Bhâgavata Purâna; or, Esoteric Hinduism

m. Apsaras Alamvusha

Chapter 72,427 wordsPublic domain

| --+-----+--+-----------+--------+-- | | | | Visala Sunyabandhu Dhumraketu Ilavila

(3). SARYATI.

SKANDHA IX. CHAP. 3.

Saryati was well versed in the Vedas. He had one daughter, Sukanya. He went with her one day to the Asrama of Chyavana Rishi. Sukanya found there two streaks of light as from glow-worms, issuing from within a mound of earth, thrown up by white ants. She pricked those portions with a thorn and blood oozed out. The party of Saryati found that their usual secretions were stopped. The king thought some one had offended Chyavana. The girl then told her story. The king found the Rishi underneath the mound of earth and asked his pardon. The Rishi wanted the hand of the girl in marriage and Saryati consented. So Sukanya became the wife of Chyavana.

One day the Asvini Kumaras came to Chyavana. The Rishi asked them to give him youth and beauty and promised in return to give them offerings of Soma, though they had no part in Soma Yagas, The Asvini Kumaras took the Rishi inside a tank and all the three came out young and beautiful and looking all alike. Sukanya could not recognise her husband and she prayed to the Asvini Kumaras to remove her confusion. They were pleased with her chastity and pointed out her husband.

One day king Saryati came and found his daughter sitting with a young man. He reproved Sukanya for her supposed unchastity. The girl then related the story of her husband's attaining youth and the king became very much pleased.

Chyavana made offerings of Soma to the Asvini Kumaras. This offended Indra. He held up the Vajra to kill Chyavana, but the son of Bhrigu paralysed the hands of Indra. From that time the Devas consented to give a share in Soma to the Asvini Kumaras.

SARYATI. | --+------------+--------+---+-----------------+--- | | | | Sukanya Uttanavarhi Anarta Dhuri Sena m. Chyavana | Revata (He built a town called Kusasthali in the midst of the sea and from that town ruled Anarta and other lands.) | --+----------------------+-------------------+--- | | Kakudmin 99 other Sons. | Revati

Kakudmin took his daughter Revati with him and went to Brahma loka to enquire of Brahma, who should be her husband. The Gandharvas were singing at the time and Kakudmin had to wait for a moment. He then saluted Brahma and made the enquiry. Brahma laughed and said: -- "O king, the men of your choice are dead and gone. I do not hear even of their sons and grandsons. Twenty seven yuga cycles have now passed away. Therefore go back to thy place and give thy daughter to Baladeva, who has now incarnated as an Ansa (part) of Vishnu for the good of Bhur-loka." And so the king did. (The Present is the 28th. Yuga cycle. Baladeva is the brother of Sri Krishna.)

(9) NABHAGA.

SKANDHA IX. CHAPS. 4-6.

Nabhaga remained long with his Guru. So his brothers thought he had become a Brahma-charin. They reserved no share for him at partition. Nabhaga at last returned to his house and asked for his share in the patrimony. The brothers pointed out their father Manu as his share. Nabhaga asked his father -- "How is it my brothers have reserved thee for my share?" Manu replied: -- "Child, do not believe them. The clan of Angiras are performing Yajna. They get confounded on every sixth day. This is the sixth day. Give them two Vaisvadeva Suktas. When they go to Svarga after completion of their Yajna they will leave all their sacrificial wealth to you." Nabhaga did as he was told. The Angirasas left all the property remaining on the sacrificial ground to Nabhaga. As he was going to take those things, a dark Purusha appeared from the north and said. "These are mine."

"But the Rishis have given them to me" said Nabhaga.

"Go to your father then and ask for the solution" said the dark Purusha.

"Yes, the remnants of a Sacrifice belong to Rudra" said Manu.

Nabhaga returned and said "Yes these remnants of sacrifice all belong to thee. So my father told me."

"I am pleased with thee and thy father. Both of you have spoken the truth" said Rudra, "I give thee supreme wisdom. I also give thee these remnants. Take them now."

NABHAGA | NABHAGA. | AMBARISHA

King Ambarisha had discrimination and dispassion. His devotion was great. His mind was fixed on the lotus feet of Vishnu, his words were all about the glory of Vaikuntha, his hands were engaged in cleansing the temples of Vishnu, his ears only heard about the glory and the works of Vishnu, his eyes intently looked on the symbols of Vishnu wherever found. His body felt pleasure in the touch of Vaishnavas, his nose smelt the sweet fragrance of Tulasi proceeding from the feet of Vishnu, his tongue tasted only food offered to Vishnu, his feet traversed the places sacred to Vishnu and his head was devoted to the salutation of Vishnu. If he enjoyed things of this world, it was for service to Vishnu and not for the sake of enjoyment. If he had attachment, it was only for those that were devoted to Vishnu. The fruits of his action he offered to Him. By devotion and by the unselfish performance of duties pertaining to his sphere of life (Svadharma), he pleased Bhagavan and by degrees he gave up all desires. Vishnu was so much pleased with the King, that he gave him His own Chakra for protection.

Ambarisha with his wife once undertook to perform Dvadasi Vrata for one year. (Dvadasi is the twelfth day of the Moon. The Vrata consists in fasting on the eleventh day of the Moon and in breaking the fast on the 12th day). On one occasion he fasted for 3 consecutive days. He bathed himself in the Yamuna and worshipped Vishnu at Mathura. He gave plenty of riches and cattle to the Brahmanas. He then fed the Brahmanas and asked their permission to eat himself. At the time Durvasas appeared as his guest. The king received him duly and requested him to take his meals. The Rishi consented and went to bathe himself in the river and perform his daily rites. The king waited long for him but he did not return. There was only half a muhurta now remaining of Dvadasi. If the king did not eat any thing, his Vrata would not be observed. If he ate, he would shew disregard to a Brahmana. At this juncture, the king decided to serve both ends by taking a little water, for the Brahmanas call that both eating and non-eating. Durvasas came back. By spiritual vision, he knew what had happened and became highly enraged. He tore up a hair tuft and charged it to kill Ambarisha. The king remained unmoved. The chakra of Vishnu consumed the destructive force sent by Durvasas and went even to destroy him. The Rishi ran in every direction. The Chakra followed him wherever he went. He went to Brahma and prayed to be saved. "It is not in my power to save thee" said Brahma. "Thou hast offended a votary of Vishnu." He went to Siva. "Child" said Siva "this weapon of Vishnu is too much for me even. Go thou to Vishnu." Durvasas went to Vishnu and prayed to be pardoned and saved. Said Vishnu: "O Brahmana, I am dependent on my Bhaktas. I am not free. My heart is in the possession of my Bhaktas. I am dear to them. Without these my Bhaktas I do not even want myself, nor my absolute powers, for I am their sole and supreme resort. They forsake their wives, homes, children and wealth for my sake. How can I forsake them. Their heart is chained to me. They look on all with equal eyes. By devotion they win me even as chaste wives win their husbands. My service is all in all to them. They do not even desire the four Muktis, Salokya and others, though these come within their easy reach. What perishable objects can they have desire for? The Sadhus are my heart. I am the heart of the Sadhus. They do not know any one besides me nor do I know any one besides them. O Brahmana, hear what is thy only remedy. Without delay go to him who has caused this fear in thee. When force is used against Sadhus, it reacts on him who uses the force. True asceticism and wisdom are both for the salvation of the Brahmanas. But in one untrained, they produce the contrary effect. Therefore go thou to the son of Nabhaga. Beg his pardon and thou shalt be saved." Durvasas went back to Ambarisha and touched the feet of the king. Ambarisha became non-plussed at this act of a Brahmana and knowing the object of the Rishi, he prayed to the Chakra to desist from its course and to save the Brahmana. The Chakra had just commenced its work of destruction, but it withdrew its energies upon the prayer of Ambarisha. Durvasas was extremely thankful and he thus praised the king. "I see this day the greatness of Vaishnavas, O king. Thou didst pray for my welfare, though I had offended thee. There is nothing strange for those that have conquered Vishnu Himself. Thou hast been very kind to me. Thou hast favored me much. Thou didst not even think of my offence, but thou hast saved my life." The king had waited for Durvasas all this time. He now fell at the feet of the Rishi and requested him to take his meals. The Rishi gladly did so, and also made the king take his food.

Durvasas then went to Brahma Loka. He did not return for one year and the King lived upon water only all this time, being so anxious to see the Rishi back. Such is the holy story of Ambarisha.

Rathitara had no children. At his request Rishi Angiras produced certain sons by his wife. They were known both as Rathitaras and Angirasas.

[Durvasas had cursed Indra, and Indra lost all power. But after the great churning, times were changed. The divine law favoured the Devas and the worshippers of Vishnu. Those who assumed a power, independently of Vishnu, were sure to find disappointment, however eminent their position might be.]

(I) IKSHVAKU.

SKANDHA IX. CHAPS. 6-13.

Ikshvaku was born out of the nostrils of Manu when sneezing. He had one hundred sons. Vikukshi, Nimi, and Dandaka were the eldest born. Twenty five of them ruled on the east of Aryavarta, twenty five on the west and twenty five in the middle. The others ruled else where. For the performance of Ashtaka Sraddha, Ikshvaku once ordered Vikukshi to get some good flesh. Vikukshi had a bagful of good game. But he was hungry and ate one rabbit out of his store.

Vasishtha found fault with this and Ikshvaku had to reject the whole of the game. The King became angry at this and he expelled his son from the kingdom. When Ikshvaku died, Vikukshi returned. He succeeded his father as king and was known as Sasada or Rabbiteater. Puranjaya was the son of Sasada. He was also called Indravaha and Kakutstha. The Devas had a fight with the Asuras and Indra asked for the help of Puranjaya. Puranjaya wanted Indra to be his carrier, and the King of the Devas became a bull. Puranjaya ascended the bull on its hump. He is therefore called Indravaha or Indra-vehicled and Kakutstha or the mounter on the hump. He defeated the Asuras.

With his 21 thousand sons, Kuvalayasva killed an Asura called Dhundhu, for the good of Rishi Utanka. But the Asura killed all his sons, except three, with fire from his mouth. Those three were Dridhasva, Kapilasva and Bhadrasva.

Kuvalayasva or Dhundhumara. | ---+--------------------+-+-----------------------+---- | | | Dridhasva. Kapilasva. Bhadrasva. | Haryasva | Nikumbha | Bahulasva | Krisasva | Senajit | Yuvanasva.

Yuvanasva had no son. So the Rishis performed a sacrifice directed to Indra. One night Yuvanasva became very thirsty and entered the Yajna house. He found all the Rishis sleeping at the time. He thought it improper to rouse the Rishis and drank whatever water he found near at hand. By chance that happened to be the consecrated water with the power of producing a son. When the Rishis rose up they did not find the water. On enquiry, when they knew what had happened, every one wondered what the outcome would be. In time the king brought forth a son from his right side. The little thing cried out for milk. Indra said "Do not weep, child, you shall _drink wine_ ('_Man Dhata_')" So saying he offered the child his fore finger. From this, the child was called Mandhata. Yuvanasva, by the blessing of the Rishis, did not meet with death at delivery. Mandhata was a very powerful king. The thieves dreaded him much. He performed many sacrifices and made many gifts. He married Indumati, daughter of Sasabindu. He had three sons Purukutsa, Ambarisha, and the Yogin Muchukunda. He had also fifty daughters.

Rishi Soubhari made Tapas in the waters of the Yamuna. One day he saw the pairing of a couple of fish and became excited. He requested king Mandhata to give him one daughter in marriage. The king said: "By Svayamvara, you may get my daughter" (_i.e._ the girl must choose her own husband from amongst a number of men offering themselves as husbands.) The Rishi thought because he was old and decrepit therefore the king wanted to put him off. So Soubhari by yogic powers became young and beautiful. All the fifty daughters then accepted him for their husband. The Rishi prepared for himself all the enjoyments of life and passed his days in company with his 50 wives. He then became disgusted with this sensual life and afterwards attained Moksha with his wives.

Yuvanasva adopted his grand son Ambarisha. Ambarisha had one son Youvanasva. His son was Harita. These three, Ambarisha, Youvanasva and Harita were the founders of the chief clans of the Mandhata Dynasty.

The elemental serpents gave their sister Narmoda in marriage to Purukutsa. Purukutsa accompanied Narmoda to Rasatala at the request of Vasuki. There he killed such Gandharvas as deserved to be killed. Those who remember this story have no fear from serpents. Such was the blessing of the elemental serpents.