This story was told first by sage Lomasa and again by Markandeya to Yudhishthira. Lomasa was explaining the significance of each place he visited in the company of the Pandavas. It was when they reached the river Vitasta near Yamuna that Lomasa told the story of the two birds.
There was a king by name Sibi. His father’s name was Useenara and hence, Sibi was also called Ouseenara. He had performed a large number of Yajnas. His fame spread far and wide and reached even heaven.
A refugee
One day Sibi was seated in his assembly hall attending to the affairs of state when a pigeon flew in and dropped down into his lap crying out for help. There was a hawk right behind, apparently chasing the pigeon. The hawk spoke. “Your Highness! This bird is my prey. Please leave it for me”. The king replied. “No, it came asking for help. It is my duty to save it at all costs”.
The hawk said. “But, it is nature’s way that birds like me live by eating pigeons. If you do not let me have my prey, I shall starve and die. The sin will haunt you for ever”.
Sibi said. “Leave this bird to me. I shall give you anything else that you choose to eat. I can give you any number of animals like oxen to last for the rest of your life”.
But, the bird would not budge. It said. “I do not eat such meat. If you do not let me have this pigeon, I shall die”.
The king was in a fix. He asked the hawk. “What can I give you to spare the life of this little bird?”
The hawk replied. “If you are so keen to save it, then give me flesh from your body in equal weight o this pigeon”.
Royal flesh in exchange
Sibi was willing for such a sacrifice. The little pigeon was placed on a balance. The king cut a piece of flesh from his thigh and placed it on the other. But, the little bird weighed heavier. Sibi cut another large piece and added that to balance against the pigeon. But, mysteriously, the pigeon weighed more even then. The king continued cutting more and more pieces from his body, but, the little pigeon weighed heavier than all those pieces together. Then, with a final resolve the king placed himself on the balance.
Sibi was ready to die for the little bird that came for help and was waiting for the hawk to start eating his body when he heard its voice. “King, open your eyes. I am not a hawk, but, Indra who came to test your spirit of charity. This pigeon is Agni, the god of fire. You have passed our test on you in flying colours. I offer you a place in heaven now itself. Your fame will last for all generations to come”. So, saying Indra disappeared with Agni from the scene.
This story is being told as the best example for sacrifice (Daanam).
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The story of Sukanya
Introduction
Two characters in this story are the twin gods called the Aswini Devas. They are the physicians in heaven.
We have talked about Yajnas which are rituals in which various articles, like milk, ghee and an intoxicating drink called Soma are offered in the fire meant for many divinities. The gross body of the article is burnt. The god of fire carries the essence (of the offered article) to the respective gods.
In each Yajna there is a rule as to whom all, among gods, are entitled to their share. It is said that the Asini Devas were never entitled to any until the time of this story.
Sage Chyavana
Chyavana was one of the sons of the renowned Bhrigu. This sage spent all his time meditating. His penance was so deep that he remained standing at one place and lost track of time and his surroundings. He became a support for creepers in the forest. Gradually ants built a mound around him. Through the covering of the ant hill, it is said, that only his two powerful eyes shone like torch light.
There was a king by name Saryati ruling the land. He had several wives, but, only one child, one beautiful princess by name Sukanya. One day the king came to the forest with his army. Sukanya also came along in the company of her maids. She enjoyed herself plucking wild flowers and fruit and came to the ant hill covering the sage. The princess was surprised to find two shining objects beneath the ant hill. Out of childhood curiosity she pricked them with a thorn. She heard a groan from beneath and ran away in fright.
The king was having his bath in a nearby river at that time. Suddenly, all the soldiers of the king started complaining about acute pain in the stomach. Their bellies started swelling to suffocation in no time and they were in agony. The king was surprised. He asked every one whether there was any incident that could have caused their malady. None of them were aware of any.
A mismatched marriage
Then, Sukanya came running and told the king about her experience. The king rushed to the spot and discovered the sage beneath the ant hill with his bleeding eyes. The king profusely apologized to the sage for what his daughter did out of ignorance. He was willing to do anything to remedy the harm done.
Sage Chyavana spoke. “King, it is true that your daughter acted out of ignorance. But, she was rash at the same time. The only way you can redeem the situation is by marrying your daughter to me”.
The king took that as an order and gave his daughter in marriage to the sage.
Sukanya lived happily with sage Chyavana for many years. She looked after her old husband with full devotion.
Pursued by gods
Once, the Aswini Devas happened to see Sukanya moving alone in the forest. She appeared more beautiful than the best of the goddesses even in her rags. The Aswini Devas accosted the damsel and asked her who she was. Sukanya introduced herself to the divine visitors. Then, the twin gods spoke. “Fair lady, your aged husband does not deserve a beauty like you. You may choose one of us and live happily in heaven henceforth”. But, Sukanya politely refused the offer, confirming her devotion to her husband. The gods spoke again. “You should know that we are the physicians of heaven. We have a deal for you. We shall make your husband young and handsome and looking exactly like one of us. You must then choose one among the three”. Sukanya was willing to stand such a test.
A fair deal
Then, the gods asked her to bring her husband to the nearby river. The sage and the two gods immersed in the water at the same time. When they rose up Sukanya found three identically looking handsome youths. The pious lady meditated for a while and chose her own husband among the three.
Sage Chyavana was very pleased with the gods for giving him youth and good looks and wanted to offer them something in return. He spoke. “I am very pleased for this service you rendered to me. I shall make the two of you entitled for your share in all Yajnas henceforth”.
Thanks giving
King Saryati heard the happy news that sage Chyavana had been blessed with youth and beauty by the gods. He came to meet his daughter and son in law. The sage, then, asked the king to perform a Yajna by way of thanking the gods for their service. The king was quite happy to do that.
Chyavana was the chief priest at the ritual. He made an offering in between, addressed to the Aswini Devas. Lord Indra was angry that the sage was setting a bad precedent. He thought that the Aswini Devas never deserved a share. He appeared before the sage and tried to stop the offering to the Aswini Devas. But, the sage stood firm.
Furious that his command has been ignored, the king of gods invoked his irresistible weapon, the Vajra. But, the sage was unmoved. He chanted a Mantra and Indra’s hand holding his Vajra was paralyzed.
Man versus god
Chyavana wanted to put pressure on Indra. He created a demon from the sacrificial fire called ‘addiction’. He was an embodiment of what his name stood for. The demon filled the earth and sky and was more fearsome than what anyone had seen before.
He started chasing Indra at the command of sage Chyavana. Indra panicked. His hand holding the powerful Vajra was paralyzed. The king of gods bowed before the sage. He promised the sage that thenceforth the Aswini Devas would be eligible for a fare share of Soma and other offerings at Yajnas.
Chyavana was satisfied. It is said that he divided the demon into four parts and imbibed them into four objects – alcohol, women, gambling and hunting.
We now return to Arshajnanam to be with the pilgrims’ progress.
Two characters in this story are the twin gods called the Aswini Devas. They are the physicians in heaven.
We have talked about Yajnas which are rituals in which various articles, like milk, ghee and an intoxicating drink called Soma are offered in the fire meant for many divinities. The gross body of the article is burnt. The god of fire carries the essence (of the offered article) to the respective gods.
In each Yajna there is a rule as to whom all, among gods, are entitled to their share. It is said that the Asini Devas were never entitled to any until the time of this story.
Sage Chyavana
Chyavana was one of the sons of the renowned Bhrigu. This sage spent all his time meditating. His penance was so deep that he remained standing at one place and lost track of time and his surroundings. He became a support for creepers in the forest. Gradually ants built a mound around him. Through the covering of the ant hill, it is said, that only his two powerful eyes shone like torch light.
There was a king by name Saryati ruling the land. He had several wives, but, only one child, one beautiful princess by name Sukanya. One day the king came to the forest with his army. Sukanya also came along in the company of her maids. She enjoyed herself plucking wild flowers and fruit and came to the ant hill covering the sage. The princess was surprised to find two shining objects beneath the ant hill. Out of childhood curiosity she pricked them with a thorn. She heard a groan from beneath and ran away in fright.
The king was having his bath in a nearby river at that time. Suddenly, all the soldiers of the king started complaining about acute pain in the stomach. Their bellies started swelling to suffocation in no time and they were in agony. The king was surprised. He asked every one whether there was any incident that could have caused their malady. None of them were aware of any.
A mismatched marriage
Then, Sukanya came running and told the king about her experience. The king rushed to the spot and discovered the sage beneath the ant hill with his bleeding eyes. The king profusely apologized to the sage for what his daughter did out of ignorance. He was willing to do anything to remedy the harm done.
Sage Chyavana spoke. “King, it is true that your daughter acted out of ignorance. But, she was rash at the same time. The only way you can redeem the situation is by marrying your daughter to me”.
The king took that as an order and gave his daughter in marriage to the sage.
Sukanya lived happily with sage Chyavana for many years. She looked after her old husband with full devotion.
Pursued by gods
Once, the Aswini Devas happened to see Sukanya moving alone in the forest. She appeared more beautiful than the best of the goddesses even in her rags. The Aswini Devas accosted the damsel and asked her who she was. Sukanya introduced herself to the divine visitors. Then, the twin gods spoke. “Fair lady, your aged husband does not deserve a beauty like you. You may choose one of us and live happily in heaven henceforth”. But, Sukanya politely refused the offer, confirming her devotion to her husband. The gods spoke again. “You should know that we are the physicians of heaven. We have a deal for you. We shall make your husband young and handsome and looking exactly like one of us. You must then choose one among the three”. Sukanya was willing to stand such a test.
A fair deal
Then, the gods asked her to bring her husband to the nearby river. The sage and the two gods immersed in the water at the same time. When they rose up Sukanya found three identically looking handsome youths. The pious lady meditated for a while and chose her own husband among the three.
Sage Chyavana was very pleased with the gods for giving him youth and good looks and wanted to offer them something in return. He spoke. “I am very pleased for this service you rendered to me. I shall make the two of you entitled for your share in all Yajnas henceforth”.
Thanks giving
King Saryati heard the happy news that sage Chyavana had been blessed with youth and beauty by the gods. He came to meet his daughter and son in law. The sage, then, asked the king to perform a Yajna by way of thanking the gods for their service. The king was quite happy to do that.
Chyavana was the chief priest at the ritual. He made an offering in between, addressed to the Aswini Devas. Lord Indra was angry that the sage was setting a bad precedent. He thought that the Aswini Devas never deserved a share. He appeared before the sage and tried to stop the offering to the Aswini Devas. But, the sage stood firm.
Furious that his command has been ignored, the king of gods invoked his irresistible weapon, the Vajra. But, the sage was unmoved. He chanted a Mantra and Indra’s hand holding his Vajra was paralyzed.
Man versus god
Chyavana wanted to put pressure on Indra. He created a demon from the sacrificial fire called ‘addiction’. He was an embodiment of what his name stood for. The demon filled the earth and sky and was more fearsome than what anyone had seen before.
He started chasing Indra at the command of sage Chyavana. Indra panicked. His hand holding the powerful Vajra was paralyzed. The king of gods bowed before the sage. He promised the sage that thenceforth the Aswini Devas would be eligible for a fare share of Soma and other offerings at Yajnas.
Chyavana was satisfied. It is said that he divided the demon into four parts and imbibed them into four objects – alcohol, women, gambling and hunting.
We now return to Arshajnanam to be with the pilgrims’ progress.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The story of Parasurama
Introduction
There are three famous characters in Indian epics with name Rama. All the three are included among the ten important incarnations of Vishnu. They are all famous for their skill in warfare, too. The first was Parasurama or Rama with the axe (Parasu) as weapon. The other two are Sree Rama of Ramayana. The last is Balarama who was the elder brother of Krishna.
Parasurama was born to sage Jamadagni in Renuka in the family of Brahmins. He belonged to the lineage of the renowned sage Bhrigu. Because of this, he is also known as Bhargava Rama.
Our Rama with an axe was considered an authority on all the fields of warfare, especially in the science of archery. Several characters of Mahabharata, for example Drona and Karna, were disciples of this sage. One may wonder why he ended up being a warrior in spite of being born in an illustrious family of Brahmins. The following story throws some light on this point.
Another important character in our story is a Hehaya king by name Arjuna. He was the son of Kritavirya and hence is known as Kartavirya Arjuna. It is said that he meditated on sage Dattatreya and got one thousand arms with his blessings.
An obedient son
Jamadagni had five sons in Renuka, the last being Rama. One day, Renuka went to the nearby river for bath. She happened to watch a king by name Chitraratha enjoying himself in the company of his wives in the same river. The good lady, Renuka, was infatuated with the king and forgot herself for a while watching him. When she came to her senses she quickly returned to the hermitage. But, sage Jamadagni’s watchful eyes noticed the change in mood in his wife and knew the reason with his special powers. He was enraged. He ordered his sons to kill his wife for this impropriety. The first four refused to do such a heinous crime. Jamadagni was angry with his sons and cursed them that they would lose their senses and become like animals.
Rama did not think twice and chopped the head of his mother with his axe. Jamadagni was pleased with his youngest son. By then, his anger had also left him.
The sage asked his son, Rama, for a boon. Parasurama promptly asked for the life of his mother. The Maharshi (sage) asked Rama to ask for another boon. Rama requested his father that his brothers get back to their normal senses. Jamadagni blessed Rama by way of the third boon that he would become the best in the world in warfare.
An encounter with Kartaveeryarjuna
One day sage Jamadagni had gone out. At that time the Hehaya king, Arjuna, came to the hermitage with his soldiers. Renuka received the king cordially. Sage Jamdagni had a special cow which served all the needs of the sage for his rituals. Arjuna was impressed with the extraordinary gifts of the cow and forcefully carried the animal away.
Soon Rama arrived, hearing the cry of the cow on the way. His mother told him all that happened. Parasurama was furious. He rushed to Kartaviryarjuna and challenged him for a battle. Parasurama chopped all the one thousand arms of the powerful Arjuna. Then, he pierced the breast of the king of Hehaya with his arrows and killed him.
The soldiers of Arjuna took flight unable to face the onslaught of Rama. They met sage Jamadagni collecting firewood for his daily rituals on the way. They took revenge for the killing of their king with the life of the unsuspecting sage.
Parasurama’s vow
Rama was deeply saddened to know about the killing of his father. He thought that the entire Kshatriya (royal) community had become arrogant beyond limit. He took an oath that he would teach them a lesson. It is said that he went around and killed all the kings whom he could find. This he did to twenty one generations of kings. He came to a place called Samanta Pancaka in between and washed his axe there in homage to his dead father. It is said that five rivers of blood started as a result from that place. (The Mahabharata war took place near there)
We now return, again briefly, to Arshajnanam to keep track of the progress of the Pandavas’ pilgrimage.
There are three famous characters in Indian epics with name Rama. All the three are included among the ten important incarnations of Vishnu. They are all famous for their skill in warfare, too. The first was Parasurama or Rama with the axe (Parasu) as weapon. The other two are Sree Rama of Ramayana. The last is Balarama who was the elder brother of Krishna.
Parasurama was born to sage Jamadagni in Renuka in the family of Brahmins. He belonged to the lineage of the renowned sage Bhrigu. Because of this, he is also known as Bhargava Rama.
Our Rama with an axe was considered an authority on all the fields of warfare, especially in the science of archery. Several characters of Mahabharata, for example Drona and Karna, were disciples of this sage. One may wonder why he ended up being a warrior in spite of being born in an illustrious family of Brahmins. The following story throws some light on this point.
Another important character in our story is a Hehaya king by name Arjuna. He was the son of Kritavirya and hence is known as Kartavirya Arjuna. It is said that he meditated on sage Dattatreya and got one thousand arms with his blessings.
An obedient son
Jamadagni had five sons in Renuka, the last being Rama. One day, Renuka went to the nearby river for bath. She happened to watch a king by name Chitraratha enjoying himself in the company of his wives in the same river. The good lady, Renuka, was infatuated with the king and forgot herself for a while watching him. When she came to her senses she quickly returned to the hermitage. But, sage Jamadagni’s watchful eyes noticed the change in mood in his wife and knew the reason with his special powers. He was enraged. He ordered his sons to kill his wife for this impropriety. The first four refused to do such a heinous crime. Jamadagni was angry with his sons and cursed them that they would lose their senses and become like animals.
Rama did not think twice and chopped the head of his mother with his axe. Jamadagni was pleased with his youngest son. By then, his anger had also left him.
The sage asked his son, Rama, for a boon. Parasurama promptly asked for the life of his mother. The Maharshi (sage) asked Rama to ask for another boon. Rama requested his father that his brothers get back to their normal senses. Jamadagni blessed Rama by way of the third boon that he would become the best in the world in warfare.
An encounter with Kartaveeryarjuna
One day sage Jamadagni had gone out. At that time the Hehaya king, Arjuna, came to the hermitage with his soldiers. Renuka received the king cordially. Sage Jamdagni had a special cow which served all the needs of the sage for his rituals. Arjuna was impressed with the extraordinary gifts of the cow and forcefully carried the animal away.
Soon Rama arrived, hearing the cry of the cow on the way. His mother told him all that happened. Parasurama was furious. He rushed to Kartaviryarjuna and challenged him for a battle. Parasurama chopped all the one thousand arms of the powerful Arjuna. Then, he pierced the breast of the king of Hehaya with his arrows and killed him.
The soldiers of Arjuna took flight unable to face the onslaught of Rama. They met sage Jamadagni collecting firewood for his daily rituals on the way. They took revenge for the killing of their king with the life of the unsuspecting sage.
Parasurama’s vow
Rama was deeply saddened to know about the killing of his father. He thought that the entire Kshatriya (royal) community had become arrogant beyond limit. He took an oath that he would teach them a lesson. It is said that he went around and killed all the kings whom he could find. This he did to twenty one generations of kings. He came to a place called Samanta Pancaka in between and washed his axe there in homage to his dead father. It is said that five rivers of blood started as a result from that place. (The Mahabharata war took place near there)
We now return, again briefly, to Arshajnanam to keep track of the progress of the Pandavas’ pilgrimage.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Rsyasrunga – the rainmaker
Sage Lomasa told the story of Rsyasrunga to the Pandavas when they reached the hermitage of sage Kasyapa during their pilgrimage. Rsyasrunga was actually born to Kasyapa, but, brought up by sage Vibhandaka. Vibhandaka was very strict with his son and never let him out of the surroundings of the hermitage. He was made to spend all his time in meditation right from his young days. Because of this, Rsyasrunga had not met any one other than his father, let alone any from the fair sex.
No rain in king Lomapada’s land
The story unfolds with the great king of Anga by name Lomapada. The king, once, happened to offend some Brahmins who lived in the palace to perform the rituals. The whole community of Brahmins was enraged by the king’s behaviour and left the palace en bloc in protest. The king did not take them seriously at that time.
(But, nature has its own ways to punish the guilty and reward the worthy). Lord Indra was not too pleased with the king as he was not getting his fare share from the rituals (Yajnas). He showed his displeasure by holding back rain in the entire Anga land. Famine set in and the king was worried. He consulted his ministers. They told him. “Lord Indra must be placated as soon as possible. We must get a capable Brahmin to performe the Yajna rituals. There is none as competent as Rsyasrunga for the purpose. But, it will not be easy to get the young sage as his father would never let him out his hermitage”.
Rsyasrunga to make rains
The king heard various suggestions on getting the young Rsyasrunga to the palace. The young sage was innocent of the ways of the world. But, how was one to get him past the watchful eyes of his father, the formidable Vibhandaka? The king offered rich rewards for those who accomplished the task. Many were tempted to try, but, did not dare to provoke the old sage, Vibhandaka.
There was an old courtesan in the palace who was willing to try. There was a stream that flowed through the Anga territory and passed by the hermitage of Vibhandaka. The old courtesan set forth to the forest in a canoe with a team of her young apprentices and made a secret camp near the hermitage. Within a couple of days the young ladies took note of the movements of the elder sage. He, normally, completed his morning rituals and then went out in search of food and materials for the next day’s sacrificial rites.
A handsome guest at the hermitage
The very next day Rshyasrunga found a young ascetic coming in the direction of his hermitage. His father had just gone out. So, the young sage undertook the task of receiving the visitor. He had never met someone who attracted his eyes so much. The visitor must surely have reached very high levels of meditation to appear so radiant and captivating. “His” matted hair was extraordinarily long. Rshyasrunga enjoyed the very smell that filled the air wherever the visitor stood. The visitor wore scanty clothes of extra nice material and moved gracefully towards the hermitage. Rshyasrunga thought that the visitor would have years of meditation to achieve such unusual powers to attract his heart.
He addressed the visitor. “Who are you and where is your hermitage? There is something special about you. Tell me more bout you and your people.”
The visitor, the young courtesan, did not try to contradict the words of praise from the young sage. She only told her host about the strange ways of her lot. They did not greet one another by bowing or prostrating. They embraced the other person and even made contact with one another’s lips. She demonstrated her special way of greeting by hugging Rshyasrunga. She also planted a gentle kiss on the young Rishi’s (sage’s) mouth. Rshyasrunga felt happiness which he had never before experienced. He was drawn to the visitor in a way that he never felt before.
The young courtesan spent time singing and dancing before the sage. She made sure that Rshyasrunga was completely won over by her charms. Then, she took leave promising to return soon to take him to her ‘hermitage’.
Vibhandaka returns
When the elder sage returned he found his son in a totally different mood. He appeared lost in thoughts and had even forgotten to perform his daily chores. Rshyasrunga told his father about the special visitor and how he was impressed by ‘his’ looks and accomplishments. Vibhandaka felt that there was some evil force at play. It could be some devil dressed as a saint who came to distract his son’s penances. He warned his son not to receive any such unwelcome visitors in future.
The elder sage left next morning as usual for his normal duties. He did not forget to warn his son to be extra watchful.
The young courtesan came back to Rshyasrunga soon after that. She agreed to take Rshyasrunga to her ‘hermitage’ as promised. The very sight of the special visitor made Rshyasrunga forget the warning words of his father. The young courtesan lead her eager host to the waiting canoe in which her accomplices were waiting. They rowed the canoe fast to the palace of king Lomapada. It is said that the moment Rshyasrunga set foot on the land of Anga rain started pouring down. The king was very pleased. He received his young visitor with deep reverence and offered him all the hospitality that was due for such a high ranking ascetic. The king had already made elaborate arrangements for a grand Yajna. He requested the young sage to start the ritual at his earliest convenience.
The king knew that the old sage would come looking for his son. So, rest houses were set up all along the way with all arrangements for offering hospitality to the sage.
As expected, Vibhandaka was worried when he found his son missing. He meditated for a while and learnt from his sixth sense that his son had been taken away to the king of Anga. So, he immediately started for the palace of Lomapada in an angry mood.
But, he was pleased with the hospitality he received along the way. He learnt about king Lomapada and why the king wanted his son in the palace. He mentally pardoned the underhand ways of the king in drawing his son to the palace.
The sage, finally, reached the palace. He was greeted by his son and the king, himself. He was pleased to hear that his son brought the much needed rain to the land of Anga.
Lomapada made his ultimate move to appease the old sage. He brought his daughter, Santha to Vibhandaka and offered her as wife to young Rsyasrunga. Vibhandaka was very pleased with the gesture and found the young princess a suitable bride for his son.
The story ends with the successful completion of the Yajna ritual and the happy marriage of the princess with the young sage, Rsyasrunga.
We return to Arshajnanam briefly and get back here for more stories.
No rain in king Lomapada’s land
The story unfolds with the great king of Anga by name Lomapada. The king, once, happened to offend some Brahmins who lived in the palace to perform the rituals. The whole community of Brahmins was enraged by the king’s behaviour and left the palace en bloc in protest. The king did not take them seriously at that time.
(But, nature has its own ways to punish the guilty and reward the worthy). Lord Indra was not too pleased with the king as he was not getting his fare share from the rituals (Yajnas). He showed his displeasure by holding back rain in the entire Anga land. Famine set in and the king was worried. He consulted his ministers. They told him. “Lord Indra must be placated as soon as possible. We must get a capable Brahmin to performe the Yajna rituals. There is none as competent as Rsyasrunga for the purpose. But, it will not be easy to get the young sage as his father would never let him out his hermitage”.
Rsyasrunga to make rains
The king heard various suggestions on getting the young Rsyasrunga to the palace. The young sage was innocent of the ways of the world. But, how was one to get him past the watchful eyes of his father, the formidable Vibhandaka? The king offered rich rewards for those who accomplished the task. Many were tempted to try, but, did not dare to provoke the old sage, Vibhandaka.
There was an old courtesan in the palace who was willing to try. There was a stream that flowed through the Anga territory and passed by the hermitage of Vibhandaka. The old courtesan set forth to the forest in a canoe with a team of her young apprentices and made a secret camp near the hermitage. Within a couple of days the young ladies took note of the movements of the elder sage. He, normally, completed his morning rituals and then went out in search of food and materials for the next day’s sacrificial rites.
A handsome guest at the hermitage
The very next day Rshyasrunga found a young ascetic coming in the direction of his hermitage. His father had just gone out. So, the young sage undertook the task of receiving the visitor. He had never met someone who attracted his eyes so much. The visitor must surely have reached very high levels of meditation to appear so radiant and captivating. “His” matted hair was extraordinarily long. Rshyasrunga enjoyed the very smell that filled the air wherever the visitor stood. The visitor wore scanty clothes of extra nice material and moved gracefully towards the hermitage. Rshyasrunga thought that the visitor would have years of meditation to achieve such unusual powers to attract his heart.
He addressed the visitor. “Who are you and where is your hermitage? There is something special about you. Tell me more bout you and your people.”
The visitor, the young courtesan, did not try to contradict the words of praise from the young sage. She only told her host about the strange ways of her lot. They did not greet one another by bowing or prostrating. They embraced the other person and even made contact with one another’s lips. She demonstrated her special way of greeting by hugging Rshyasrunga. She also planted a gentle kiss on the young Rishi’s (sage’s) mouth. Rshyasrunga felt happiness which he had never before experienced. He was drawn to the visitor in a way that he never felt before.
The young courtesan spent time singing and dancing before the sage. She made sure that Rshyasrunga was completely won over by her charms. Then, she took leave promising to return soon to take him to her ‘hermitage’.
Vibhandaka returns
When the elder sage returned he found his son in a totally different mood. He appeared lost in thoughts and had even forgotten to perform his daily chores. Rshyasrunga told his father about the special visitor and how he was impressed by ‘his’ looks and accomplishments. Vibhandaka felt that there was some evil force at play. It could be some devil dressed as a saint who came to distract his son’s penances. He warned his son not to receive any such unwelcome visitors in future.
The elder sage left next morning as usual for his normal duties. He did not forget to warn his son to be extra watchful.
The young courtesan came back to Rshyasrunga soon after that. She agreed to take Rshyasrunga to her ‘hermitage’ as promised. The very sight of the special visitor made Rshyasrunga forget the warning words of his father. The young courtesan lead her eager host to the waiting canoe in which her accomplices were waiting. They rowed the canoe fast to the palace of king Lomapada. It is said that the moment Rshyasrunga set foot on the land of Anga rain started pouring down. The king was very pleased. He received his young visitor with deep reverence and offered him all the hospitality that was due for such a high ranking ascetic. The king had already made elaborate arrangements for a grand Yajna. He requested the young sage to start the ritual at his earliest convenience.
The king knew that the old sage would come looking for his son. So, rest houses were set up all along the way with all arrangements for offering hospitality to the sage.
As expected, Vibhandaka was worried when he found his son missing. He meditated for a while and learnt from his sixth sense that his son had been taken away to the king of Anga. So, he immediately started for the palace of Lomapada in an angry mood.
But, he was pleased with the hospitality he received along the way. He learnt about king Lomapada and why the king wanted his son in the palace. He mentally pardoned the underhand ways of the king in drawing his son to the palace.
The sage, finally, reached the palace. He was greeted by his son and the king, himself. He was pleased to hear that his son brought the much needed rain to the land of Anga.
Lomapada made his ultimate move to appease the old sage. He brought his daughter, Santha to Vibhandaka and offered her as wife to young Rsyasrunga. Vibhandaka was very pleased with the gesture and found the young princess a suitable bride for his son.
The story ends with the successful completion of the Yajna ritual and the happy marriage of the princess with the young sage, Rsyasrunga.
We return to Arshajnanam briefly and get back here for more stories.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
The Story of Bhageeratha
King Sagara performs the great horse sacrifice
There was a king in the dynasty of Ikswaku by name Sagara. He was a great ruler who fought and won many battles over all the neighbouring kingdoms.
He had two wives and a number of children in them. The sons of Sagara were extremely powerful and arrogant. They went in all nooks and corners of the earth fighting with each and everyone who came across their way.
Sagara ruled over his vast kingdom for several years and decided that it was time for him to perform the Horse Sacrifice (Aswamedha) and become an emperor. His sons roamed about the earth leading the horse as a sign of regal supremacy over all kingdoms. They marched also over the ocean which was turned dry by sage Agastya. There they lost track of the sacrificial horse. The princes searched everywhere for the animal and found no trace of it. The sons of Sagara returned to the king and reported the matter to him. Sagara said. “Sons, you must somehow locate the horse and bring it back. You know that I have taken the vow to conduct the ritual and complete it without a hitch. The presence of the horse is crucial for the ceremony. So, do not return without the animal”.
A fatal encounter
So, the princes continued their search all over the earth. Finally, they found a big hole on the dry bed of the ocean. The valiant princes wanted to explore beneath the ocean and dug into the hole making it large enough for them all to enter.
Their perseverance was amply rewarded by the sight of their horse peacefully grazing near a hermitage. It was the hermitage of sage Kapila (who was said to be one of the minor – not one of the ten- incarnations of Vishnu). The sage had a halo around him resulting from years of penance. the sons of Sagara found the sage in deep meditation. The haughty princes did not bother about the sage or his meditation. They held their weapons high and ran to the horse like an invading army, shouting “here it is!”
The sage was disturbed in his meditation and opened his eyes in fury. Such was his power that his anger burned the hapless princes into ashes in an instant.
Sagara laments
The wandering sage Narada reported the misfortune of his sons to Sagara. The king was anguished hearing the tragic end of his dear sons. There was nothing that he could do for them. He had taken the vow and could not even move out until the horse was, somehow, brought back.
There was only a grandson for the king who was left behind. His name was Amsuman. He told the young prince about the tragedy of his father and uncles. The king asked the boy to trace the path travelled by his father and know more about the tragedy. If possible, he should get the sacrificial horse back, too.
Amsuman did not hesitate to start immediately. He followed the direction of sage Narada and reached the hermitage of sage Kapila. He found the sage in the same meditative posture and prostrated before him. He stood in deep reverence in front of the sage and waited patiently for the sage to open his eyes.
Sage Kapila was very pleased with the conduct of the young prince and told him so. He asked the boy to choose any boon. Amsuman begged the sage to release the horse. The hermit gladly did so and encouraged Amsuman to ask for another one. The prince asked for the salvation of his dead father and uncles this time.
The sage said. “I grant you this boon too, but, not immediately. You will have to bring the waters of the holy river Ganga from heaven to this place where your ancestors lie. Only your grandson will succeed in doing that”.
Amsuman returned to the palace with the horse and told his grand father about the boon he received from the sage. King Sagara was pleased and completed the ritual. He installed his grandson as the king in due course and retired to a forest to meditate.
Amsuman got a son by name Dileepa who went to the Himalayas and spent years in meditation with the hope of pleasing the heavenly Ganga. But, he died without success.
Bhageeratha
Dileepa had a son by name Bhageeratha. The prince heard about his mission early in his childhood. So, he set out to the Himalayas while he was still very young.
He spent years in deep meditation, praying to the holy Ganga. Finally the river appeared as goddess before him and agreed to flow down to earth. But, there was a problem. Her force would be such that nothing would withstand the fall of water from heaven. It needed someone powerful enough to receive the stream falling down from heaven and hold it. The goddess, herself, suggested the name of Lord Siva for the purpose.
So, Bhageeratha started meditating on Siva. The Lord appeared in due course and agreed to receive Ganga falling from heaven in his matted hair. Bhageeratha had to pray to Ganga, again, and request her to flow down to earth.
The heavy down pour of the sacred river then started, all the way from heaven to the matted hair of Lord Siva. Ganga was proud of her force and was not that sure how the Lord would withstand her onslaught. Lord Siva sensed what the haughty Ganga was thinking and stood firm with the result that not even a drop of water came out of Siva’s head!
Bhageeratha was the one who suffered because of the show of strength between the divinities. He had to spend years, again, praying to Siva to release at least some water for his purpose. The Lord was, no doubt, pleased with Bhageeratha and lifted some locks of his hair.
The water that fell from the Lord’s hair started flowing as the mighty Ganga. The river asked Bhageeratha to show her the way to his ancestors. So, Bhageeratha sped fast on his horse ahead, asking the river to follow him.
(Some of the Puranas report another obstacle on the way. A sage by name Jahnu was in meditation along the path of the mighty Ganga. He was infuriated when the river flooded his hermitage and drank the whole river dry. It took years of meditation for Bhageeratha to please the sage. The sage, pacified, let the river flow out of his ears. Ganga has an epithet, Jahnavi, because of this. Vyasa does not mention this incident in Mahabharatam.)
The river finally reached the dry bed of the ocean and filled it up to its former level. Bhageeratha moved further down into the underground where the ashes of his ancestors lay scattered. The contact with the holy river purified the sons of Sagara and gave them immediate salvation.
(All oceans have inherited the epithet of Saagaram because of this story. Lord Siva is depicted as having two wives, the wedded spouse, Parvathy, on his lap and his paramour, Ganga, on his head. The two divine ladies are said to be always quarrelling with each other.)
Let us get back briefly to Arshajnanam and return for the story of the innocent sage, Rishyasrunga, in the next episode.
There was a king in the dynasty of Ikswaku by name Sagara. He was a great ruler who fought and won many battles over all the neighbouring kingdoms.
He had two wives and a number of children in them. The sons of Sagara were extremely powerful and arrogant. They went in all nooks and corners of the earth fighting with each and everyone who came across their way.
Sagara ruled over his vast kingdom for several years and decided that it was time for him to perform the Horse Sacrifice (Aswamedha) and become an emperor. His sons roamed about the earth leading the horse as a sign of regal supremacy over all kingdoms. They marched also over the ocean which was turned dry by sage Agastya. There they lost track of the sacrificial horse. The princes searched everywhere for the animal and found no trace of it. The sons of Sagara returned to the king and reported the matter to him. Sagara said. “Sons, you must somehow locate the horse and bring it back. You know that I have taken the vow to conduct the ritual and complete it without a hitch. The presence of the horse is crucial for the ceremony. So, do not return without the animal”.
A fatal encounter
So, the princes continued their search all over the earth. Finally, they found a big hole on the dry bed of the ocean. The valiant princes wanted to explore beneath the ocean and dug into the hole making it large enough for them all to enter.
Their perseverance was amply rewarded by the sight of their horse peacefully grazing near a hermitage. It was the hermitage of sage Kapila (who was said to be one of the minor – not one of the ten- incarnations of Vishnu). The sage had a halo around him resulting from years of penance. the sons of Sagara found the sage in deep meditation. The haughty princes did not bother about the sage or his meditation. They held their weapons high and ran to the horse like an invading army, shouting “here it is!”
The sage was disturbed in his meditation and opened his eyes in fury. Such was his power that his anger burned the hapless princes into ashes in an instant.
Sagara laments
The wandering sage Narada reported the misfortune of his sons to Sagara. The king was anguished hearing the tragic end of his dear sons. There was nothing that he could do for them. He had taken the vow and could not even move out until the horse was, somehow, brought back.
There was only a grandson for the king who was left behind. His name was Amsuman. He told the young prince about the tragedy of his father and uncles. The king asked the boy to trace the path travelled by his father and know more about the tragedy. If possible, he should get the sacrificial horse back, too.
Amsuman did not hesitate to start immediately. He followed the direction of sage Narada and reached the hermitage of sage Kapila. He found the sage in the same meditative posture and prostrated before him. He stood in deep reverence in front of the sage and waited patiently for the sage to open his eyes.
Sage Kapila was very pleased with the conduct of the young prince and told him so. He asked the boy to choose any boon. Amsuman begged the sage to release the horse. The hermit gladly did so and encouraged Amsuman to ask for another one. The prince asked for the salvation of his dead father and uncles this time.
The sage said. “I grant you this boon too, but, not immediately. You will have to bring the waters of the holy river Ganga from heaven to this place where your ancestors lie. Only your grandson will succeed in doing that”.
Amsuman returned to the palace with the horse and told his grand father about the boon he received from the sage. King Sagara was pleased and completed the ritual. He installed his grandson as the king in due course and retired to a forest to meditate.
Amsuman got a son by name Dileepa who went to the Himalayas and spent years in meditation with the hope of pleasing the heavenly Ganga. But, he died without success.
Bhageeratha
Dileepa had a son by name Bhageeratha. The prince heard about his mission early in his childhood. So, he set out to the Himalayas while he was still very young.
He spent years in deep meditation, praying to the holy Ganga. Finally the river appeared as goddess before him and agreed to flow down to earth. But, there was a problem. Her force would be such that nothing would withstand the fall of water from heaven. It needed someone powerful enough to receive the stream falling down from heaven and hold it. The goddess, herself, suggested the name of Lord Siva for the purpose.
So, Bhageeratha started meditating on Siva. The Lord appeared in due course and agreed to receive Ganga falling from heaven in his matted hair. Bhageeratha had to pray to Ganga, again, and request her to flow down to earth.
The heavy down pour of the sacred river then started, all the way from heaven to the matted hair of Lord Siva. Ganga was proud of her force and was not that sure how the Lord would withstand her onslaught. Lord Siva sensed what the haughty Ganga was thinking and stood firm with the result that not even a drop of water came out of Siva’s head!
Bhageeratha was the one who suffered because of the show of strength between the divinities. He had to spend years, again, praying to Siva to release at least some water for his purpose. The Lord was, no doubt, pleased with Bhageeratha and lifted some locks of his hair.
The water that fell from the Lord’s hair started flowing as the mighty Ganga. The river asked Bhageeratha to show her the way to his ancestors. So, Bhageeratha sped fast on his horse ahead, asking the river to follow him.
(Some of the Puranas report another obstacle on the way. A sage by name Jahnu was in meditation along the path of the mighty Ganga. He was infuriated when the river flooded his hermitage and drank the whole river dry. It took years of meditation for Bhageeratha to please the sage. The sage, pacified, let the river flow out of his ears. Ganga has an epithet, Jahnavi, because of this. Vyasa does not mention this incident in Mahabharatam.)
The river finally reached the dry bed of the ocean and filled it up to its former level. Bhageeratha moved further down into the underground where the ashes of his ancestors lay scattered. The contact with the holy river purified the sons of Sagara and gave them immediate salvation.
(All oceans have inherited the epithet of Saagaram because of this story. Lord Siva is depicted as having two wives, the wedded spouse, Parvathy, on his lap and his paramour, Ganga, on his head. The two divine ladies are said to be always quarrelling with each other.)
Let us get back briefly to Arshajnanam and return for the story of the innocent sage, Rishyasrunga, in the next episode.
Friday, March 2, 2007
The Vindhya bows down to Agastya
It is said that the mountain known by the name of Meru is so tall and huge that both the sun and the moon go round it after they rise in the east, set in the west and rise again next day. The Vindhya mountain used to watch that and was getting jealous of Meru for the special treatment.
One day the mountain spoke to the sun. “Why are you going round Meru and not me? Am I any less important?” The sun replied. “Meru is so tall that I have no other go. Besides, this has been the practice since creation”.
Vindhya thought that the height was the key issue for status. So, he decided to grow until his importance was recognized. He started becoming taller and taller day by day thereby blocking the rays of sun from reaching the earth. The whole world plunged into darkness day and night and the gods were worried. They were helpless against the might of the Vindhya. Only one person could talk sense to the mountain, sage Agastya. So, they told Agastya of the grave problem the world was facing.
Agastya went to the mountain and spoke. “Vindhya, you are now so tall that I find it difficult to cross over you. I have business to attend to, on your south side. So, better bend down low enough so that I can cross you without difficulty”.
Though proud, Vindhya knew that he had to be careful in dealing with a powerful sage like Agastya. So, he agreed and stooped down low for the sage to pass. Agastya crossed over to the south and commanded. “Now, remain like this until I return”. The mountain thought that he should better follow that order from the sage, too. After all, it would be a matter of days for the sage to return.
But, it is said that Agastya never returned. He settled down in the south permanently. Vindhya was compelled to remain low waiting for the return of the sage which never happened.
(Agastya is known to be a sage of the southern part of India, and is an author of a few celebrated works. Vindhya is situated in the centre of India and mostly has a low plateau. Meru is a mythical mountain. Some say that it was part of the Himalayas. )
We get to the story of Bhagiratha, next, who brought the river Ganga from heaven to earth, which ended up filling the ocean that was dried up by Agastya.
One day the mountain spoke to the sun. “Why are you going round Meru and not me? Am I any less important?” The sun replied. “Meru is so tall that I have no other go. Besides, this has been the practice since creation”.
Vindhya thought that the height was the key issue for status. So, he decided to grow until his importance was recognized. He started becoming taller and taller day by day thereby blocking the rays of sun from reaching the earth. The whole world plunged into darkness day and night and the gods were worried. They were helpless against the might of the Vindhya. Only one person could talk sense to the mountain, sage Agastya. So, they told Agastya of the grave problem the world was facing.
Agastya went to the mountain and spoke. “Vindhya, you are now so tall that I find it difficult to cross over you. I have business to attend to, on your south side. So, better bend down low enough so that I can cross you without difficulty”.
Though proud, Vindhya knew that he had to be careful in dealing with a powerful sage like Agastya. So, he agreed and stooped down low for the sage to pass. Agastya crossed over to the south and commanded. “Now, remain like this until I return”. The mountain thought that he should better follow that order from the sage, too. After all, it would be a matter of days for the sage to return.
But, it is said that Agastya never returned. He settled down in the south permanently. Vindhya was compelled to remain low waiting for the return of the sage which never happened.
(Agastya is known to be a sage of the southern part of India, and is an author of a few celebrated works. Vindhya is situated in the centre of India and mostly has a low plateau. Meru is a mythical mountain. Some say that it was part of the Himalayas. )
We get to the story of Bhagiratha, next, who brought the river Ganga from heaven to earth, which ended up filling the ocean that was dried up by Agastya.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Thirst for an ocean of water
The killing of Vritra
One of the formidable foes of the gods was a demon by name Vritra. (The story is very old and even the Rik Veda refers to it.) He continuously harassed the gods in the company of the Kalakeyas. (The Kalakeyas are the ones whom Ajuna annihilated later on). The gods lead by Indra went to Brahma for guidance. Brahma said. “You need to make a special weapon to kill Vritra, made of human bones. There is an ascetic by name Dadheeca whom you could approach for the purpose. He is one who will not hesitate even to give up his life for such a noble cause”.
Accordingly, the gods went to Dadheeca. The hermit did not think twice when he heard that his body would be of great use for the gods. He welcomed death gladly leaving his body for the benefit of the gods. Brahma created the special weapon, called Vajra, out of the bones of the dead sage, Dadheeca and gave it to Indra.
The king of gods fought a fierce war against the invading Vritra and killed him. The Kalakeyas lost their valiant leader as a result. So, they went under the ocean and built a city for them to hide.
The demons are the most powerful and the gods are weak at night. Using this loophole, the Kalakeyas continued harassing the gods at night. During the day they would hide in their city under the ocean water. There was no end to the suffering of gods even after Vritra’s death.
The gods went to Vishnu and informed him of the threat from the Kalakeyas. Vishnu was aware of the problem and knew the way, though difficult, to end their threat. Somehow, the ocean must be drained of all water. There was only one person who was capable of accomplishing such a near impossible task. He was the son of Varuna, the guardian deity of the West and of all oceans. His name was Agastya who had acquired unparalleled powers from penance.
The gods decided to request the sage to come to their rescue. Agastya agreed and went to the ocean. He went into deep meditation on Varuna and started drinking the ocean waters. It is said that in one breath he drank the entire ocean dry.
The demons were exposed when the water was gone. The gods attacked them with full force and killed most of them in a fierce battle. The remaining ones escaped to the world below, to Patala.
Having their task accomplished, the gods went to sage Agastya, again, requesting him to release the water back to the ocean. But, Agastya said. “Oh, that is now beyond me. I have digested all the water by now. You will have to try other means to fill the ocean again.We shall get to that story after learning about another one on Agastya in the next episode
One of the formidable foes of the gods was a demon by name Vritra. (The story is very old and even the Rik Veda refers to it.) He continuously harassed the gods in the company of the Kalakeyas. (The Kalakeyas are the ones whom Ajuna annihilated later on). The gods lead by Indra went to Brahma for guidance. Brahma said. “You need to make a special weapon to kill Vritra, made of human bones. There is an ascetic by name Dadheeca whom you could approach for the purpose. He is one who will not hesitate even to give up his life for such a noble cause”.
Accordingly, the gods went to Dadheeca. The hermit did not think twice when he heard that his body would be of great use for the gods. He welcomed death gladly leaving his body for the benefit of the gods. Brahma created the special weapon, called Vajra, out of the bones of the dead sage, Dadheeca and gave it to Indra.
The king of gods fought a fierce war against the invading Vritra and killed him. The Kalakeyas lost their valiant leader as a result. So, they went under the ocean and built a city for them to hide.
The demons are the most powerful and the gods are weak at night. Using this loophole, the Kalakeyas continued harassing the gods at night. During the day they would hide in their city under the ocean water. There was no end to the suffering of gods even after Vritra’s death.
The gods went to Vishnu and informed him of the threat from the Kalakeyas. Vishnu was aware of the problem and knew the way, though difficult, to end their threat. Somehow, the ocean must be drained of all water. There was only one person who was capable of accomplishing such a near impossible task. He was the son of Varuna, the guardian deity of the West and of all oceans. His name was Agastya who had acquired unparalleled powers from penance.
The gods decided to request the sage to come to their rescue. Agastya agreed and went to the ocean. He went into deep meditation on Varuna and started drinking the ocean waters. It is said that in one breath he drank the entire ocean dry.
The demons were exposed when the water was gone. The gods attacked them with full force and killed most of them in a fierce battle. The remaining ones escaped to the world below, to Patala.
Having their task accomplished, the gods went to sage Agastya, again, requesting him to release the water back to the ocean. But, Agastya said. “Oh, that is now beyond me. I have digested all the water by now. You will have to try other means to fill the ocean again.We shall get to that story after learning about another one on Agastya in the next episode
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