Reading section 22

Siradhwaja ploughing the field, to make it ready for a sacrifice which he undertook in order to obtain progeny, there sprang up in the furrow a damsel who became his daughter Sitā. The brother of Siradhwaja was Kusadhwaja who was king of Kasi. His son was named Bhanumat whose son was Satadhyumna, whose son was Suchi, whose son was Urjjavaha, whose son was Satyadwaya, whose son was Kuni, whose son was Anyana, whose son was Retujit, whose son was Arishtanemi, whose son was Srutayas, whose son was Sanjaya, whose son was Kshemari, whose son was Anenas, whose son was Minaratha, whose son was Satyaratha, whose son was Upagu, whose son was Sruta, whose son was Saswata, whose son was Sudhanwan, whose son was Subhāsa, whose son was Susruta, whose son was Jaya, whose son was Rita, whose son was Sunaya, whose son was Vitahadya, whose son was Dhriti, whose son was Bahalaswa, whose son was Kriti with whom ended the family of Janaka. These are the kings of Mithilā who shall be principally well-versed in spiritual knowledge.

SECTION VI.

Maitreya said:—"O revered sir, you have described to me the solar dynasty but I wish to hear now of the kings of the lunar dynasty, who are still well-known for their glorious deeds. It behoves you to relate it gladly to me".

Parāçara said:—O foremost of Munis, hear from me, a description of the illustrious family of the moon which has produced many well-known kings of the earth. This family is adorned with many kings gifted with regal qualities of strength, valour, magnificence, prudence and energy such as Nahusha, Yayati, Kartavirya, Yaryuna and others. Hear I shall describe this family to you.

Atri was the son of Brahmā, the creator of the universe, who originated from the lotus that grew from the navel of Nārāyana. The son of Atri was Soma whom Brahmā made the king of plants, Brāhmans and of the stars. Some celebrated a Rajshuya sacrifice and on account of the glory derived therefrom and the vast sovereignty which he had acquired he grew haughty and licentious. He carried off Tārā, the wife of Vrihaspati, the preceptor of gods.

Soma did not give up Vrihaspati's wife though he was again and again requested by him, commanded by Brahmā and remonstrated by the holy sages. Usanas, who was an enemy of Vrihaspati, took the side of Soma. Rudra, who was a pupil of Angiras, the father of Vrihaspati, assisted his fellow student. Because their preceptor Usanas joined Soma, Jambha, Kujambha, all the Daityas, Dānavas and other enemies of the celestials came to his help. Indra and all other celestials assisted Vrihaspati.

Thus there took place a terrible combat which being on account of Tāraka was called Tarakāmaya or Tarakā war. In this the celestials led by Rudra hurled their weapons upon the Asuras and the Asuras equally overwhelmed the gods with weapons. Thus in the conflict between the gods and demons the universe, greatly overwhelmed, sought protection of Brahmā. Thereupon the glorious God asked Usanas with the demons and Rudra with the celestials to desist from fighting and give back Tārā to Vrihaspati. Finding that she was pregnant Vrihaspati desired her no longer to keep her burden and in satisfaction of his orders she was delivered of a son whom she kept in a clump of long Munja grass. And the child as soon as it was born proved its character of divinity by its radiance. Beholding both Vrihaspati and Soma fascinated by the beauty of the child the celestials, to know whose son it was, asked Tārā, saying "O damsel whose son is he? Is he Vrihaspati's or Soma's". Being thus addressed Tārā was ashamed and did not answer.

Though she was repeatedly asked by the celestials she was still mute and the child, being enraged, was about to curse her, saying—"Unless, O vile woman, you immediately speak out, who is my father, I shall so punish you for your useless shame that no woman in future shall speak the truth". Brahmā again interfered and pacifying the child said, addressing Tara "Tell me my daughter, is this the child of Vrihaspati or of Soma?" "Of Soma," said Tārā flushing. Thereupon the countenance of the king of constellations became bright, and expanded with joy. He at once embraced his son and said—"Well done my boy, forsooth thou art wise". And accordingly the boy was named Budha.

I have already described how Budha begot Pururavas on Ilā. Paruravas was a prince famous for liberality, devotion, magnificence, love of truth and beauty. Having incurred the curse of Mitra and Varuna, Urvasi made up her mind to live in the land of mortals and descending there saw Pururavas. As soon as a she saw him she forgot all reserve and not caring for the comforts to heaven became greatly attached to him. And finding her far superior to all other females in beauty, elegance, symmetry, and delicacy, Pururavas was equally enamoured of her. Both the man and the woman were equally attached to each other and thought no more of any other object. The king then boldly said—"Fair woman, I love you; have pity on me and return my affection". Urvasi turning her face a little through modesty said—"I will do so, if you satisfy the conditions I propose to you".

"What are they?" asked the king "speak them out". "I have two rams" said the nymph "which I love like my children; they must be kept by my bed-side and shall not be allowed to be carried away. You must not be seen by me undressed and clarified butter alone shall be my food". The king readily agreed to these terms.

After this Pururavas and Urvasi lived together for sixty one thousand years in Alakā, sporting amidst the groves and lakes of Chaitraratha abounding in lotuses and the other forests. By these enjoyments Urvasi's attachment increased every day and she forgot all desire for residing in the region of immortals. In the absence of Urvasi heaven appeared devoid of beauty to the celestials, nymphs, genii and quiristers. Knowing the engagement that Urvasi had contracted with the king, Viswasvasu was appointed by the Gandharvas to bring about its dissolution. And coming by night to the room where they were sleeping he carried off one of the rams: Urvasi got up by its cries and exclaimed—"Ah me! who has stolen one of my children: Had I got a husband this would not have taken place. To whom shall I go for help?" The king heard the lamentations but could not go lest he might be seen undressed. The Gandharvas then took away another ram. Again hearing the sound of its being stolen away in the sky she lamented saying—"Alas I have got no husband. I have taken the shelter of a dastardly person". Thinking "it is darkness" the king took up a dagger and pursued them, saying—"stop, O wicked I shall soon slay you". Immediately the Gandharvas created a flash of brilliant lightning in the room and the king was seen undressed by Urvasi. The contract was broken and she instantly disappeared. And leaving behind the rams the Gandharvas too went to the region of the celestials. Taking the rams, the king, delighted came back to his bed-room but found no Urvasi. Not finding her he wandered naked all over the world like a maniac. At length arriving at Kurukshetra he saw Urvasi sporting with four other nymphs in a lake abounding in lotuses. Like a mad man the king neared him and exclaimed—"O my wife, wait, speak with me, O thou of an iron heart". Urvasi replied—"O great king useless is this inconsiderate attempt. I am now pregnant, go away just now and come here again after a year when I shall give you a son and remain with you for one night". Being thus solaced Pururavas came back to his capital. Urvasi then said to her mates. "This king is that excellent man bring drawn by whose attachment I lived for such a long time". Hearing this the other nymphs said, "Great is his beauty; we too with him could live happily for ever".

After the expiration of a year the king again came to that place and Urvasi gave him a son by the name of Ayus. Living with him for one night she again became pregnant to bear to him five sons. She then said to the king—"O king all the Gandharvas, on account of their regard for me, are ready to confer upon thee a boon. Do thou pray for it". The king said—"I have slain all my enemies—my faculties are all very powerful; I have friends, relations, armies and treasures; so there is nothing which I want but living with my Urvasi in the same region. So I wish to live with her always".

After he had spoken this the Gandharvas brought to him a vessel with fire and said,—"Take this fire and according to the precepts of the Vedas divide it into three parts: then offer oblation to it for Urvasi and your desires shall thus be gratified". The Gandharvas having said this, the king took the vessel and went away. Then coming to a forest he thought—"Oh, what stupid I am; I have brought this vessel but not Urvasi". Then leaving the vessel there he came back to his capital. When half the night had passed he awoke and thought—"The Gandharvas conferred upon me this vessel of fire to enable me to live with Urvasi. I have left that in the forest. I shall go there to bring it". Having said this he went there but did not find the vessel. Then beholding a young Ashwattha tree growing out of a Sami plant he argued within himself—"I left here a vessel of fire and I now see a young Ashwattha tree growing out of a Sami plant. I shall take this type of fire to my capital and having created fire by their attrition I will worship it".

Having thus made up his mind he took the plants to his city and made their wood for attrition with pieces of as many inches as there are syllables in the Gayatri. He recited that verse and rubbed together sticks of as many inches as he recited syllables in the Gayatri, Having created fire there-from he divided it into three portions according to the precepts of the Vedas and offered oblations to it with the view of obtaining re-union with Urvasi. Having performed many sacrifices with this fire he attained to the region of the Gandharvas and suffered no more separation from his beloved Urvasi. Thus fire, that was at first one, was made three-fold in the present Manwantara by the son of Ilā.

SECTION VII.

Pururavas had six sons—Ayus, Dhimat, Amāvasu, Viswavasu, Satayus, and Srutayus. The son of Amāvasu was Bhima, whose son was Kānchana, whose son was Suhotra, whose name was Jahnu. Whilst celebrating a sacrifice this king beheld the whole of the place over-flowed with the waters of the Ganga. Being offended therefore with his eyes red with anger he united the spirit of sacrifice with himself and by the power of his devotion drunk up the river. Thereupon the celestials and the sages pleased him and got back Gangā in the capacity of his daughter.[257]

The son of Jahnu was Sumanta, whose son was Ajaka, whose son was Valakāswa, whose son was Kusa, who had four sons, Kusamba. Kusanābha, Amurttaya and Amāyasu.

Kusambha engaged in devout penances with the object of having a son equal to Indra. Beholding the intensity of his devotions, Indra himself took birth as his son lest a prince equally powerful like him might be born. He was accordingly born as Gadhi or Kausika. Gadhi had a daughter called Satyavati. Richika, one of the descendants of Bhrigu, wanted her in marriage. The king was reluctant to give his daughter in marriage to a peevish old Brāhmin and wanted from him as the bridal present a thousand fleet steeds whose colour should be white with one black ear. Having propitiated Varuna, the god of ocean, Richika obtained from him, at the holy place called Awatirtha a thousand horses. And giving them to the king he married his daughter.

In order to have a son he prepared a dish of rice, barley and pulse with butter and milk for his wife to eat. And being requested by her he made a similar mixture for her mother, by partaking of which she should give birth to a martial prince. Keeping both the dishes with his wife and giving her instructions which was intended for her and which for her mother, the sage went to the forest. At the time of taking the food her mother said to Satyabati—"Daughter, every one wants to have a son gifted with great qualities—and no body wishes to be excelled by the qualities of his mother's brother. It is therefore desirable for you to give me the food which your husband has set apart for you and to partake of that intended for me; for my son shall be the sovereign of the world. What is the use of wealth, strength and prowess for a Brahmin". Being thus addressed Satyavati gave her own food to her mother.

When the sage came back from the forest and saw Satyavati he said to her—"Sinful woman, what hast thou done? Your body appears as very fearful to me. Surely thou hast taken the food which was intended for thy mother. Thou hast committed a wrong. That food I had consecrated with the properties of power, strength and heroism; whereas your food was consecrated with the qualities of a Brāhman—gentleness, knowledge and resignation. As you have exchanged messes your son shall follow a warrior's propensities and use weapons, and fight and slay; your mother's son shall be born with the desires of a Brāhmin and shall be devoted to peace and piety". Hearing this Satyavati fell at her husband's feet and said—"I have done this through my ignorance. Be thou propitiated so that I may not have such a son. If this is inevitably let my grand son be such, not my son". Being thus addressed the sage said—"So be it".

Thereupon she gave birth Jamadagni and her mother brought forth Viswamitra. Satyavati afterwards became the Kausiki river, Jamadagni married Renukā the daughter of Renu, born in the race of Ikshwaku and begot on her a son, Parusarāma the destroyer of the Kshatriya race, who was a portion of Nārāyana, the preceptor of the universe. Sunasepha was conferred upon Viswamitra by the celestials as his son, who became known as Devarata. Viswamitra had other sons—Madhuchandra, Yaya, Kritadeva, Devashtaka, Kachapa and Hareetaka. These founded many families, all of whom were known by the name of Kausikas, and inter-married with the families of various Rishis.

SECTION VIII.

Ayus, the eldest son of Pururavas, married the daughter of Rahu upon whom he begot five sons, Nahusha, Kshatravridha, Rambha, Raji and Anenas.

The son of Kshatravridha was Suhotra, who had three sons, Kash, Lesa, and Ghritsamanda. The son of Ghritsamnada was Saunaka who first instituted the distinction of the four castes. The son of Kasa was Kasiraja, whose son was Dirghatama, whose son was Dhanwantari, who was not subject to human infirmities and who had been master of universal knowledge in every birth. In his past life Nārāyana had conferred upon him the boon that he should be, in his next life, born in the race of Kshatriya, should be the author of the eight fold system of medical science and should be entitled to a share of offerings made to the celestials. The son of Dhanwantari, was Kesumat, whose son was Bhimaratha, whose son was Devadasa, whose son was Pratarddana, so called from destroying the race of Bhadrasrenya. He had various other names—as Satrujit. 'The victor of enemies' on account of his having defeated all his enemies Vatsa or 'child' for his father used to call him often times by that name; Ritadhwaja 'whose emblem was truth' for he was a great observer of truth; and Kuvalayaswa for he had a horse called Kuvalaya. His son was Alarka of whom this verse is recited in the present day—"For sixty thousand and sixty hundred years, no other youthful king except Alarka governed the earth". The son of Alarka was Santati, whose son was Sunitha, whose son was Suketu, whose son was Dharmaketu, whose son was Satyaketu, whose son was Vibhu, whose son was Suvibhu, whose son was Sukumara, whose son was Dhristaketu, whose son was Vainahotra whose son was Bharga, whose son was Bhargabhumi, who laid down the rules of the four castes. These are the descendants of Kasa. We shall now enumerate the descendants of Raji.

SECTION IX.

Raji had five hundred sons who were all gifted with great power and heroism. Once on a time there arose a conflict between the gods and the demons, and they, all desirous of slaying the other party, inquired of Brahmā, saying "O glorious god, which of the parties shall be victorious?" The deity said—"that for which Raji shall take up arms". The Daityas immediately went to Raji to secure his help, which he agreed to give if they would make him their king after defeating the celestials. Hearing this the Asuras said—"We cannot say one thing and do the otherwise. Prahlāda is our king and for him we wage war". Having said this they went away and the celestials came to him for the same purpose. Raji proposed to them the same conditions and the gods agreed and said. "We shall make you our Indra". Thereupon Raji assisted the army of the celestials and by his various weapons destroyed the Asuras. When all the enemies were defeated, Indra the king of the celestials placed Raji's feet on his crown and said, "Thou art our father since thou hast released us from fear; thou art the supreme lord of all the worlds, because, I, who am the lord of the three worlds, have acknowledged thee as my father".

The king smiling said—"So be it. Even if the enemies admit humiliation by flattering speeches that cannot be resisted". Saying this he repaired to his own city. Satkratu too continued to rule as Indra.

A few days after the king went to heaven, and his sons, being incited by the sage Nārada, demanded the rank of Indra as there hereditary right. When he refused to give them the station the highly powerful princes reduced him to submission and usurped his rank. When some tune had passed, Indra, deprived of his share in the sacrifices of the three worlds, spoke to Vrihaspati in a retired place,—"Give me a little of the sacrificial butter not bigger even than a jujube for I am in want of sustenance".

Vrihaspati said:—"Had you applied to me before I could have done any thing for you; however I will now try to gain back for you your position". Saying this he undertook the celebration of a sacrifice for increasing the power of Indra and bringing about the downfall of Raji's sons by leading them astray. When their understanding was bewildered the princes became haters of the Brahmins, negligent of their duties and regardless of the teachings of the Vedas; when they became devoid of religion and morality, Indra slew them and gained back his sovereignty by the help of the priest of gods. Whoever shall hear of Indra's acquirement of the position, shall always keep his proper place and shall not be guilty of iniquity.

Rambha, the third son of Ayus, had no offspring. Kshatravriddha had a son named Pratikshatrā, whose son was Sanjaya, whose son was Vijaya, whose son was Yajnakrit, whose son was Harshavarddhana, whose son was Sahadeva, whose son was Adina, whose son was Jayasena, whose son was Sankriti, whose son was Kshatradharma. These were the progeny of Kshatravriddha. I will now enumerate those of Nahusha.

SECTION X.

Nahusha had six brave sons namely, Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Ayati, Viyati and Kriti. Yati declined the throne and therefore Yayati succeeded. He had two wives; Devayani, the daughter of Usanasj and Sarmishthā, the daughter of Vrishaparvan. His genealogy is thus recited—"Devayani gave birth to two sons, Yadu and Tarvasu. Sarmishthā, the daughter of Vrishaparvan, gave birth to three sons, Druhya, Anu and Puru. Owing to a curse of Usanas Yayati became untimely old and decripit. Having propitiated his father-in-law however he got the permission to transfer his old age to any one who would agree to take it. He first called his eldest son Yadu and then said,—Your maternal grand-father has caused this untime decripitude of mine. By his permission I may transfer it to you for a thousand years, I am not still satisfied with worldly enjoyments and wish to enjoy through your youth. Do not refuse compliance with my request". Being thus addressed he did not agree to take the decay upon him for which the king imprecated a curse, saying—"No one in your prosterity shall be the king". He then successively requested Druhya, Turvasu and Anu to give him their youth. They all refused and were accordingly cursed by the king. Lastly he called his youngest son Puru—the son of Sarmisthā and requested him for the same. That youth, of ripe understanding, at once agreed and bowing unto his father said—"I have been highly honored". He then took upon himself his father's infirmities and gave him his youth in exchange.

Being thus gifted with renewed youth Yayati governed the kingdom for the good of his people enjoying such pleasures as were suited to his age and strength and were in consonance with piety. He enjoyed in the company of a nymph Vishwachi day and night thinking that there would be an end of all desires. By continued enjoyment all things began to appear more pleasant to him and he then said—"Desire is never satiated by enjoyment as fire, fed with oil, becomes the more intense. No one is satisfied with barley, gold, cattle or women; therefore renounce excessive desire. When a man does not cherish any sinful feeling towards creatures and looks on all with, an equal eye he then finds everything full of pleasure and delight. The wise become happy by renouncing that desire which the feeble-minded cannot abandon and which grows not old with the aged. With age the hair becomes gray, the teeth fall off but the love of wealth and life is never gratified. A thousand years have expired and still my mind is attached to worldly enjoyments: my desires are excited every day by new objects. I shall therefore renounce all enjoyments of sense and devote myself to the culture of spiritual truth. And renouncing all attachments and not influenced by the alternatives of pleasure and pain I shall roam in the forest with the deer".

Having thus made up his mind Yayati returned the youth to Puru and took up his own decrepitude. He then made his youngest son the sovereign and went to Tapovana (the wood of penance). He appointed as viceroys—Turvasu of the south-east districts, Druhya of the west, Yadu of the south and Anu of the north—and made Puru the supreme monarch of the earth.

SECTION XI.

Parāçara said:—I will first enumerate to you the descendants of Yadu, the eldest son of Yayati—one of whom an incarnate portion of Vishnu—of whom glory cannot be described though chanted for ever to confer the fruit of their desires—whether for virtue, wealth, pleasure or final emancipation—upon all created beings, upon men, saints, Gandharvas, spirits of evil, nymphs, centaurs, serpents, birds, demons, sages, Brahmanas and ascetics. Whoever shall hear of the descendants of Yadu shall be freed from all iniquities, for the supreme spirit—devoid of any form—Vishnu was incarnate in this family.

Yadu had four sons Sahasrajit, Kroshti, Nala and Raghu. Sasajit was the son of the eldest brother and had three sons—Haihaya, Venu and Haya. The son of Haihaya was Dharmanetra, whose son was Kunti, whose son was Sahanji, whose son was Mahishmat, whose son was Bhadrasona, whose son was Dardama, whose son was Dhanaka, who had four sons, Kritaviryya, Kritagni, Kritayarman and Kritauyyas. Kritaviryya's son was Aryunu, who was the king of the seven insular continents and the master of a thousand arms. This king propitiated the sage Dattatreya, the descendant of Atri who was an incarnate portion of Vishnu and obtained from him these boons—a thousand arms, acting always justly, governing the world with justice, protecting it impartially, victory over his enemies and death by the hands of a person renowned in the three worlds. By these means he governed the earth powerfully and justly celebrated ten thousand sacrifices. Of him this verse is said—"The kings of the earth shall never equal him in sacrifices, liberality, in devotion, in good manners and in self-control". In his reign nothing was lost or injured, so he governed the whole earth with undecayed health, prosperity, power and strength for eighty-five thousand years. Arriving at the city of Mahismati, on his tour of conquests whilst its king was sporting in the waters of Narmāda excited with wine, Ravana, proud for defeating the gods, demons, Gandharvas, and their king, was taken prisoner by Karthaviryya and confined like a tame beast in a corner in his capital. At the end of a long reign Karthaviryya was slain by Parashurāma Who, was an incarnate portion of Vishnu. The king had a hundred sons of which five were principal, namely Surasena, Vrishana, Madhu, and Jayadwaja. The son of the last was Tālajangha who had a hundred sons named after him Tālajanghas. The eldest of these was Vilipotrā, another was Bharata who had two sons—Vrisha and Sujati. The sons of Vrisha was Madhu; he had a hundred sons, the chief of whom was Vrishna and from him the family obtained the name of Vrishni. From the name of their father Madhu they were called Madhavas and from the name of their common ancestor Yadu they were all called Yadavas.