SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS -1

SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS

(Compiled  by  Brahmasree V.D.N.Rao)

 

Preface:

Hindu Puranas are replete with Stories with the moral of destroying Evil and vindicating Virtue.They

describe incidents related to Avataras, Devas, Vamshas, Kings, Rishis, Demons, and humanity in

general.The underlining message in all the Puranas is that all the Species in the Lord’s Creation - be it

Devas or Demons, humanity or other living Beings are bound by the basic Principle ie. one sows as

reaps. One’s own ‘Karma’ or action is decided by the previous action in the never-ending cycle of

births and deaths. This current action of any Being shapes the future Karma. The Supreme Force

creates ‘Maya’ or Illusion and influenced by ‘Tri Gunas’ or The Three Characterisics of Satva-Rajas-

Tamas Nature, Maya decides each and every action or the Cause which further leads to the Reaction

or the Effect! Hence, morality is the crux and behaviour is the corner stone of all Beings, with special

reference to human beings.

Veda Vyasas scripted Eighteen Main Puranas besides several Upa-Puranas. The Main Puranas are

Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana,

Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Varaha Purana, Vamana Purana, Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda

Purana, Markandeya Purana, Agni Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana, Bhavishya and Garuda

Purana. Some of the prominent Upa Puranas include Deva Bhagavata, Narasimha, Vayu, Sthala,

Nilamata Puranas.

Some basic facts common to Puranas

The Unknown and Eternal Paramatma or The Supreme Energy materialised the Alternate Power

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called Prakriti / Maya which further appeared as Maha Tatwa or the Great Awareness. The latter made

possible the occurrence of ‘ Ahamkara’ or Ego in Abstract Form or the Inherent Consciousness which

got transformed as Bhutas or Tangible Entities the very First Entity being Narayana who created ‘Apo

Naara’ or the Radiant Water who floated on that Water and was hence called Narayana. He deposited

his virility with the resolve of creating and there got manifested a Brahmanda, the Huge Golden Egg

inside which there was seated Hiranya garbha Brahma. The Egg had two parts viz. Diva/ Urthwa

Loka or the Upper Part and ‘Bhuva’or Earth and the Space between these Parts was ‘Akaasha’ the

Sky. There were manifestations eventually of Sapta Lokas (Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka,

Maharloka, Janarloka, Tapoloka and Satyaloka), Sapta Patalaas ( Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talaatala,

Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala); Dasha Dishas or Ten Directions viz. Uttara or North-East or Purva-

Dakshina or South-Paschim or West-Ishanya or North East -Agneya or South East-Nirruti or South

West- Vayavya or North West-Urthwa or Upper Region and Atho Lokas or the Nether Worlds; Sapta

Dwipas (Jambu, Plaksha, Salmaali, Kusha, Krouncha, Shaka and Pushkala); Sapta Samudras (Lavana

or Salt, Ikshurasa or Sugarcane juice, Sura or Wine, Ghrita or Classified Butter, Dahi or Curd,

Ksheera or Milk and Suswada or Sweet Water); Sapta Parvatas (Sumeru , Kailas, Malaya, Himalaya,

Udyachala, Agastyachala, Suvela and Gandhamadana); Ashta Loka Palakas (Indra, Agni, Yama,

Nirruti, Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Ishana); Kaal maana or Time Calculation (Triti-hundred tritis

oneVedha- three Vedhas one Lava-Three Lavas on Nimesha- Three Nimeshas one Kshana- five

nimeshas one kashta or eight seconds- fifteen kashtas one laghu or two minutes- fifteen laghus one

danda- six to seven dandas one fourth of a day or night-four praharas or yamas one day or night- two

pakshas a month-two months a Ritu or Season- Six months one Ayana-365 combinations of a day /

night one year- one year a Deva year-1200 Yugas comprising Satya of 4800 Deva Years, Treta Yuga

of 3600, Dwapara of 2400 and Kaki yuga of 1200 Deva Years make one a Maha Yuga-100 Maha

Yugas one Kalpa and Two Maha Kalpas are one life time of Brahma; Brahma is now passing through

his fifty first year and his life span is 100 such years; we are now in the 28th Kali yuga of the first day

of the first year of the third Sweta Varaha kalpa, second paraartha in the reign of the Seventh Manu

named Vivaswanta. Kali Yuga is calculated to have commenced on 17th February 3102 BC of Julion

Calendar). Besides the Kaala maana (Time), other notable creations were Manasa (Thought), Vaak

(Speech), Shad Vargas or the Six Aberrations of Kama-Krodha-Lobha-Moha-Mada- Matsara viz.

Desire, Anger, Greed, Infatuation, Arrogance and Jealousy; as also: Pancha Bhutas viz. Earth, Water,

Agni,Wind and Sky; Nava Grahas of Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu-

Ketu; Chatur Vedas of Rik-Yajur-Saama and Atharva besides Shat-Vedangas viz. Siksha including

Sangeeta and Nayaaya, Vyakarana, Kalpa Grandha, Nirukta, Chandas Shastra and Jyitisha. Ekadasha

Rudras or Eleven Rudras viz. Mahaan, Mahatma, Matimaan, Bhishana, Bhayankara, Ritudwaja,

Urthwakesha, Pingalaksha, Rucha, Shuchi, and Kalaagni; Sapra Rishis viz. Marichi, Atri , Angirasa,

Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vasishtha;Four Kumaras viz. Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat and Sanatana;

besides Narada-all Brahma’s mind-born sons.; Chaturashramas,Yagnas and Agni Homas like Shodasi,

Ukta, Purushi, Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Atiratra, Vajapeya, Goshava etc. Other facts worth noting in

the context of Puranas are Fourteen Manvantaras (Swayambhu, Swarochisha,Uttama, Tamasa,

Raivata, Chakshusa, the present Vaivaswata, Savarni, Bhoutya, Rouchya and four more Savarnyas)

and Prajapatis and Vamshas, especially of Surya and Chandra and their lineages.

Daksha Prajapati and his wife Prasuti had sixty daughters, ten of whom were given in charity to

Dharma, seventeen to Kashaypa Muni, twenty seven to Chandra and two each to Rishis Angira,

Krasaswa and Bhuta. Dharma’s wives gave birth among others to Twelve Sadhyas called Jaya Devas

considered as good as Devas reputed in the context of Yagnas like Darsha, Pounamavasya, Vithi,

Vivithi etc. Dharma’s another wife Vasu gave birth to Ashta Vasus like Dhara, Soma, Ayu, Pratyusa

etc From Angirasa and Vastu Devi was born Vishwakarma and so on But the most significant

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etc. From Angirasa and Vastu Devi was born Vishwakarma and so on. But the most significant

progeny of Daksha’s daughters was from Kashyapa Muni as follows: Indras and Devas from Aditi;

Diti gave birth to Daityas like Hiranya Kashipu (killed in Narasimha Avatara as he tormented his

own son Prahlada) and Hiranyaksha (who dragged Bhu Devi to Rasatala but was rescued by Vishnu’s

Avatara viz. Matsya Deva) as also Marudganas ( when Diti performed a very severe Vrata to destroy

Devas and got conceived from Kashyapa, Indra feigned affection to Diti and when she was asleep

entered her womb and by his ‘Siddhi’called ‘Anima’or miniaturasing cut the child seven times by his

Vajrayudha and made further seven pieces totalling forty nine and after delivery each piece became a

Marud by Kashyapa Muni’s powers and the Marudganas turned out to be share-holders of Yagnas and

as good as Devatas and were Indra’s followers!); Danu Devi gave birth to Danavas whose Chief was

Viprachit and the latter’s wife Simhika gave birth to Simhika who were more cruel and notorious than

Danavas in grit for Tapasya, mainly targetting Sages and Brahmanas. Rahu was the eldest son of

Simhika; the most infamous among the Simhikas were Vatapi, Bhouma and Namuchi. The worst of

Danavas were Shambhara, Maya, Tarakasura, Jambha, Naraka, Pralamba etc. who had passion for

destroying Yagnas, Shraddhas, children and cows too. Devi Kadru another wife of Kashyapa Muni

was the mother of Serpents, the most famed ones of the species being Sesha, Vasuki and Takshaka

besides Iravata, Mahapadma, Kambala, Ashwatara, Shankha, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Kaliya and so

on. Khasa Devi had two sons one at dawn time and another at dusk; the elder son had four hands and

four legs with high hair growth all over his body and the younger one had three heads, three hands

and three legs. Bothe were ferocious and grotesque; one wanted to eat his mother out of extreme

hunger and another desired to save the mother. Kashyapa named them Rakshasas; they were weak

and dull but as the dusk grew into night they became invincible and all powerful with the ability to

change into any Form as they wished enjoying the flesh of Devas, Sages, human beings, animals or

birds. Surabhi was the mother of cows and buffalos; Vinata the mother of Garuda and Aruna the

charioteers of Vishnu and Surya; Arista gave birth to Gandharvas; Muni was the mother of Aprasas

or Angels; ILA Devi was the mother of creepers; Tamra gave birth to vultures, eagles and large

birds; Timi to acquatics and Saras to tigers, lions and ferocious animals. Thus Kashyapa Vamsha

stood for Dharma, Kshama, and Virtue and at the same time for Adharma, jealousy, cruelty and

sheer depravity.

Stories related to Manus and Vamshas

As the pace of Creation in the Universe was slow at the beginning, Brahma divided himself into two

one as himself and another as a female called Shatarupa. The latter did Tapsya for ten thousand years

and begot a husband named Swayambhu Manu born on his own. Manu and Shatarupa gave birth to

Veera, Priyavrata and Uttanapada.

Priyavrata ruled Sapta Dwipas of which Jambu Dwipa was a part of Bharata. In his childhood

Priyavrata secured Brahma Gyan (Enlightenment) and declined to marry. Manu admonished his son

that he was too young to become an ascetic and the Almighty created human beings to pass through

childhood, student life, married life, detachment an renunciation and that the golden rule of married

life should be like that of a dew on a lotus leaf and so on. Finally, Privavrata ended up with two

wives; he had the distinction of travelling by his chariot and earmarked the entire Bhu Loka into Sapta

Dwipas and entrusted the Seven Dwipas to be entrusted to his sons.

Varudhini and Pravarakhya: The births of King Swarochi and Manu Swarochisha had an

interesting background. A learned Brahmana youth called Pravarakhya on the banks of River Varuna

observed the required rituals regularly and worshipped guests. Once a Siddha who had knowledge of

Mantras, Tantras and especially of indigenous herbs and their usages arrived and Pravarakhya evinced

interest to visit Himalayas; he gave an exotic herb and asked the youth to apply its ‘lepana’or its

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essence on his feet and he could visit Himalayas instantly by closing his eyes. But the Siddha

cautioned that the lepana would dry up by the Sunset. Indeed, Pravarakhya landed in the thick jungles

atop Himalayas and was lost in an unparalleled vision of ice mountain linings and the abundant glory

of flora and fauna, the dizzy views of valleys, waterfalls etc. The youth was fully conscious that he

would have to return by the dusk time. In that place of blissful silence, he spotted a damsel-an Apsara

named Varudhini- and initiated conversation; the friendly dialouge ended up with her sincere entries

to marry her ; when she was refused , she begged him to atleast mate with her once. Pravara a strict

Brahmachari of proven celibacy ran away from her and in the process his lepana on his feet got dried

up and he lost his way. As he was badly delayed for his evening rituals back home he prayed to Agni

Deva who in the form of an elderly Brahmana appeared and reached him home. Meanwhile the

frustrated Varudhini became too passionate for Pravara. A Gandharva boy he was rejected by

Varudhini earlier got scent of the situation and having changed his Swarupa as a Maya Pravarakhya

approached her and said he changed his mind and cheated her into bed on the condition however that

she should close her eyes at the time of their union so that she would not realise that he was not the

genuine Pravara . Varudhini and Maya Pravara lived together for a year and Swarochi was born of

Pravara’s intellect and discipline and Varudhinis’s charm and physical attraction.

Swarochisha Manu’s story was far more interesting. Once King Swarochi he was wandering in a

forest aimlessly and heard a desperate female voice in great anguish as though was being chased.

Soon enough, the female appeared and requested Swarochi to save her by a demon; she said that she

knew some ‘Astras’or Mantrik Arrows from her dead father and he could save her from the Danava

who was chasing her. Swarochi then killed the Danava and a grateful female narrated her story: her

name was Manorama and along with her friends Vibhavari and Kalavati wandered in a forest and

offended a Muni while in his meditation. The Muni cursed Manorama an Apsara to descend to Earth

and her friends to become as lepers. When the Apsaras begged of the Muni, the latter agreed that a

brave youth would be chased by a Danava and the curses of the Muni would be reversed. Incidentally,

the Danava who was killed was Manorama’s own father! Swarochi married Manorama but she was

unhappy that her companions remained as lepers. Swarochi cured both Vibhavari and Kalavati of their

leprosy by his knoweldge of herbal medicines. A grateful Vibhavari said that she was a Gandharva

Kanya ( unwed) and that she could teach Swarochi the language of animals provided that he would

agree to marry her. Kalavati also offered to teach him the ‘Padmini Vidya’ the art of learning the

way to abundant Prosperity that was taught by Devi Parvati herself when Kalavati wanted to commit

self-immolation as her father died of a thunderebolt. Thus Swarochi was fortunate to wed three

celestial damsels in a row![ Incidentally, Padmini Vidya denotes Eight Sources of Wealth viz. Padma

or investments in precious metals used for charities, Maha Padma or wealth from high value

acquisitions leading to large scale deeds like Yagnas, Makara or prosperity involving famous deeds

like battles, Kacchapa is the wealth that is land based to be utilised for Dharma Karyas or Deeds of

Virtue, Mukunda is wealth emerging from Fine Arts leading to fulfillment of life, Nandaka is that

kind of wealth utilised for soclal functions, Neela is that source of wealth involving Dhanya, Vastra

and such other transactions and Shankha is the wealth for one’s own family.]

Having lived happily for six hundred years, King Swarochi one day went a hunting spree and

witnessed a female deer being chased by a boar; the King tried to kill the boar but the deer begged

him to kill it instead but he disagreed since she was defenceless. As she insisted to kill her on mercy

grounds so that she would be able to marry a handsome person in her next birth, he asked as to who

that handsome could be and she replied coyly pointing to the King; the latter stated that it might not

be possible. She then asked her to embrace her once and a miracle would happen by the Vana Devata

or the Goddess of the Forest. The King embraced the deer and the deer delivered Swarochisha Manu.

ll d i i l d b d d hi i h l d i k

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King Uttama fell prey to a dancing girl and abandoned his own wife Bahula and in a weak moment

abandoned her to forests. He regretted his action latter and tried to recover her but failed. After long

lapse of time a Brahmana called Susharma complained that his wife was kidnapped and it was the

duty of the King to recover her. He then took the help of a ‘Trikalajna’ who knew the Present, Past

and the Future and came to know that the Brahmana wife was under the duress of a Rakshasa; the

King located the Rakshasa and brought him under control. The Trikalajna also informed that in Patala

a Naga Raja called Salapotaka was forcing Queen Bahula to marry him and that she should also look

after the Nagha Princess who was deaf and dumb. With the help of the Rakshasa whose life was

spared by the King earlier even if the Rakshasa kidnapped the Brahmana’s wife, the King reached

Patala and killed the Naga King and sought pardon to the Queen for his foolish act. The Queen

desired that the Naga Princess be some how restored her speech and hearing capacity. Susharma the

Brahmana who was grateful to the King performed ‘Sarasvata Sukta Parayana’( recitation of the

Prayers to Goddess Sarasvati) bestowed the power of Speech and Hearing to the Naga Princess. A

Maha Muni called Karna visited to the Kingdom and was pleased with the King’s good deeds after his

initial mistake in restoring the Brahmana’s wife, the Queen as also the Speech and Hearing capacity

of the Naga Princess and blessed King Uttama to secure a famed son Uttama Manu who would

control the whole world!

King Surashtra had hundred wives but without a single child. He prayed to Surya Deva to extened his

life but all his wives died. He resorted to severe Tapasya standing one legged amid ‘Panchagnis’ or

the Five Sacred Fires in top summer; in acute winter braving the icy exposure in the open and in the

rainy season withstanding torrential rains. He got carried away in a flood by holding the tail of a

female deer and was eventually washed ashore. The deer talked in a female voice and said that she

was his first wife and while in the flood when he held the animal tight, she got pregnant; in her childhood,

she ran after a deer couple ready for mating and the male deer said she would curse her; when

asked as to how a deer could talk in human voice, it replied that he was the son of a Muni in her

earlier life and mated with a female deer and was born as a ‘Jatismara’with the knowledge of previous

birth. The Muni Kumar turned male deer asked the princess to mate but she refused and the malr deer

cursed the Princess that in the next birth who would be a she-deer. King Surashtra heard about the

background of his wife turned deer and in course of time delivered a boy but the deer died. The King

brought up the boy as Lola with the pet name as Tamasa who became the fourth Manu eventually and

ruled the world.

Sage Rutavaak could not secure a child for long and after prolonged Tapsya finally secured a male

child in the fourth phase of Revati Nakshatra and the son turned out to be a wicked person of great

notoriety. The Sage consulted Muni Garga but the latter could not offer a solution as the last phase of

Revati was adverse. Rutavaak performed relentless Tapasya and by the virtue of its power made the

fourth phase of the Revati Star fall on a Mountain called Raivataka. That specific part of the Fourth

Phase of the Star fell in a Sarovara and due to the impact of the fall was materialised as a baby and a

Sage named Pramucha brought her as Revati. The Muni desired that Revati would marry a youth

named Durdama and Revati insisted to marry only during the fourth phase of Revati Star which

however did not exist since it had already fallen on Raivataka Mountain. The Sage had then to revive

it again by his Tapasya and the Durdama-Revati couple got wedded and gave birth to a son named

Raivata who became the fifth Manu.

The birth of the sixth in the series was traced to a King named Anamishra and Queen Giribhadra who

gave birth to a boy who laughed loudly when he was fondled by the mother. As the mother wondered

about the reason of the laughter, the boy spoke that there was a cat looking at the child! The mother

was frightened and ran away. A Rakshasi appeared in the form of a child frightening the Queen by

hidi h i i l i h k h i l d h hild h l d i b

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hiding the original Prince; the Rakshasi smuggled away the child of a Brahmana couple and ate it but

spared the Prince. As the Prince called Vikrant grew and at his Upanayana function he asked her

mother whether he should seek blessings from his original mother or a duplicate! Apparently, the boy

required ‘Atma Shuddhi’and proceded to tapasya to Brahma for a very long time. The latter was very

pleased and appointed the Prince as the next Manu and named him Chakshusa!

The Story of Surya Deva and Progeny

The Story of the seventh and the current Manu Vaiwaswata was indeed outstanding and eventful.

Surya Deva who was also called Viwaswan married Vishwakarma’s daughter Sanjna Devi. But since

Surya was too powerful and radiant, Sanjna was unable to withstand his heat and light and was so

afraid of him that she could glance him with wobbly and unsteady eyes. The couple gave birth to

Viwasvata Manu and Yama Dharma Raja. Yet, Sanjna Devi could not adjust and continued to suffer

Surya’s heat; Surya got annoyed and cursed her that she would give birth to a River named Yamuna

whose course was uneven and unsteady. Sanjna Devi couple was unable to hold the wrath of her

husband any longer and having created a Chhayaa Sanjna (a shadow of hers) and briefed her to

pretend like the original Sanjna, left for her father’s home. Her father Vishwakarma chided her and

asked her to return to her husband. But she assumed the Swarupa of a mare and commenced

performing Tapasya in a far off Mountain meadows.Vishwakarma and Devas prayed to Surya to

reduce the severity of his Swarupa to sixteenth of his original energy.[ The remaining parts were

absorbed in Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra, Shiva’s Trishula, Kubera’s Palki or palaanquin,

Yama Raja’s ‘danda’ or stick, Kartikeya’s weapon called Shakti and various Astras or Mantrika

Arrows]. Meanwhile Chhaya Devi settled down and gave birth to Shaneswara and River Tapati. In

course of time, Yama Dharma Raja noticed Chhaya Devi’s attitudinal changes in displaying partiality

of treatment to Shanishwara, and River Tapati as against the earlier children. As Yama complained to

Surya about the partiality of Chhaya Devi, Surya confronted her and she blurted out theTruth that

original Sanjna created her as a shadow replacement. On finding out the whereabouts of the original

Sanjna Devi, Surya also assumed the form of a horse and landed where the mare was in meditation.

Presuming that a horse was trying to reach her, the mare sought to secure her rear and in the process

their noses got entangled and two sons named ‘Naasatya’or nose-born and ‘Dastra’ ot teeth-born were

materialised. There after a horse-riding son with Shield and Sword was born named Revanta. Sanjna

was happy that her Tapasya succeeded in reducing the severity of Surya Deva. Eventually

Vaiwaswata became the current Manu, Yama Dharma Raja the Lord of Death, Yamuna and Tapati as

the famed Rivers and Shaneeswara as a Planet. The Sanjna-Chhaya combine also gave birth to two

Ashwini Kumars who became the Physicians of Devas as well as Saavarni the future Manu.

Future Manus-Savarnis, Rouchya and Bhouthya

While the seventh in the series of fourteen Manus viz.Vaiwaswata Manu is the current one,

predictions about future Manus also were provided in the Puranas, especially the Markandeya Purana

in detail. The Eighth Manu would be Saavarni, to be followed by Daksha Savarni, Brahma Saavar ni,

Dharma Saavarni and Rudra Saavarni. There were vivid descriptions about the last two Manus as

follows:

Ruchi Muni was unmarried and as a bachelor was not eligible to Agni Karyas. Pirtru Devatas

appeared and lamented that they were unable to receive any contributions to them; only Grihastis

could pronounce ‘Swaha’ to Agni and ‘Swadha’to satisfy Pitru Devatas and the Muni was disabled to

satisfy the two other kinds of ‘Runas’ or indebtedness to Devas and ‘Atithis’ also. But Ruchi Muni

argued with the Pitru Devatas that ‘Atma Samyam’ or Self-Control was essential to ‘Mukti’ or

Salvation and that he would like to avoid the slush of Samsara or family life. Pitru Devas then advised

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Salvation and that he would like to avoid the slush of Samsara or family life. Pitru Devas then advised

Ruchi Muni that Vedas prescribed that Samsara was the natural ladder to Moksha and ‘Samyama’,

‘Niyama’ or Self Control and ‘Karma Phala’ or the fruits of duties and obligations were the steps of

the ladder. The Pitru Devatas further instructed that what was controversial was not the institution of

marriage but overcoming the limits of desire, decency and virtue and that Grihastya was the test of

life! Convinced by the instruction of the Pitru Devatas, Ruchi Muni finally agreed to family life and

performed Tapasya to Brahma; meanwhile Pitru Devatas located a suitable Apsara to wed the Muni

and Brahma blessed him with a glorious son who would be the next Manu viz. Rouchya.

Sage Bhuti swas the ever-angry disciple of Angirasa Muni who was dreaded by even Devas. Surya

Deva desisted from being too hot in his Ashram, and Vayu, Varuna and Chandra could ill-afford to

display their extreme features. The Muni had no children and perhaps that was the cause of his

frustration and temper. The responsibility of managing the affairs of the Sage’s Ashram was entrusted

to one of his disciples named Shanti. Bhuti gave a special instruction to Shanti that there should be

‘Nityagni’ the Constant Fire in the Homa Kunda or the Fire-Pit. Shanti once went out to fetch

‘Samidhas’or twigs for the Homas as also flowers, fruits and other material for the Ashram, he

returned late to the Ashram and to his utter dismay, the Nityagni was put off. Fortunately, Sage Bhuti

was out to perform a Yagna to his elder brother’s Ashram as the latter too did not have a child. Shanti

then prayed to Agni Deva without food for a week and the latter gave his appearance being pleased by

his Stotras. Agni Deva was instantly materialised as ‘Nityaagni’ and he asked Shanti to choose any

boon of his wish; Shanti requested for an illustrious son to his Guru. Agni was pleased with the

selflessness of Shanti and granted the wish to bestow a glorious son to the Muni who would be a

future Manu called Bhoutya; Agni also granted higher Lokas to Shanti.

Dhruva the immortal

Swayambu Manu’s son King Uttanapada married to Suniti and Suruchi and the respective sons were

Dhruva and Uttama. The younger wife and son dominated the King. Once Dhruva desired to sit on his

father’s lap as his cousin too did, the younger queen prevented Dhruva and talked insultingly and the

father remained passive. The young mind of Dhruva was badly hurt and he walked off to his mother

who expressed her helplessness and said that only Bhagavan Narayana could help.The disgusted boy

entered a nearby forest where he encounterd Sapta Rishis and conveyed his anguish that he was not

able to sit on his father’s lap. The Rishis unanimouly advised that he could sit on ‘Moksha Pada’ or

the Seat of the Supreme, let only on his father’s lap provided he could worship Narayana relentlessly

and please Him. Dhruva requested the Rishis to teach him as to how to worship and in one voice gave

him the Upadesha and the Mantra of Om Namo Vaasudevaaya Shuddha Jnana Swarupiney. Armed

with the method of puja and Japa, Dhruva entered a forest named Madhubana on the banks of River

Yamuna, where subsequently Shatrughna of Ramayana killed Daitya Madhu’s son Lavanasura. The

young Dhruva performed Dhyana and Puja of Narayana with enormous concentration and dedication

for years together ; so much so that as a single legged Dhruva leaned to the left, Bhumi too got tilted

and vice versa and in the process, Rivers-Samudras and Parvatas got disturbed. Indra utilised all

kinds of gimmicks to advise, tempt, frighten and subdue the young Dhruva but to no avail. Finally,

delegations of Devas prayed to Janardana but the latter assured that the boy had no ambitions to

dislodge any of them of their positions including those of Indra, Surya, Varuna or Kubera and none of

them needed to fear on that count. Finally, Bhagavan appeared before Dhruva and asked him to

terminate his Tapasya. Dhruva prostrated before Narayana, Dhruva was elevated to heights of trance;

he requested Narayana to reveal himself which no Parama Yogi or Maharshi ever realised. Maha

Vishnu granted Dhruva the vision of his Brihad Swarupa and bestowed to him the unique

‘Dhruvasthaana’-the Permanent Place on the Sky even above the Lokas of Chandra, Surya, Mangala,

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y ,y , g ,

Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani Grahas, and even above the Places of Nakshatras, Sapta Rishis and

Devas. Vishnu assured that while Devas would have the longevity of only Four Yugas and a few only

of Manvantaras, Dhruva was granted existence for a full Kalpa! He called Dhruva’s mother also to

occupy the position of a Nakshatra near Dhruva Loka as she was indeed the very first to inspire

Dhruva towards Narayana!

King Vena and Prithu Chakravarti

In the lineage of Chakshusa Manu and the Puru Vamsha were Angira and his wife Sunita the daughte

Mrityu who gave birth to King Vena. In the beginning, Vena’s kingship was normal but eventually he

ordered that none should perform Yagnas to Devas but to himself. He was so conceited that he

claimed himself as a symbol of bravery, victory and unparalleled knowledge. He enacted Regulations

verging on sacrilege and sought them to be enforced. For long time, the Subjects suffered him with

hatred but the sages revolted and a day arrived when he was imprisoned; in fact Maharshi Atri the

Kula Guru spearheaded the popular uprising. They churned his thighs and there emerged an ugly and

Frightful ‘Kaala Swarup’which was stated to have misdirected his behaviour despite his glorious

ancestry. However when they rubbed his right shoulder, there was a sparkling and imposing Figure

materialised with bow and celestial arrows donning a Kavacha or a Body Safeguard.

The new King Prithu picked up speedy popularity as he proved be an ideal and virtuous

Administrator endeared by Maharshis and commoners alike. In course of time there were no problems

owing to physical ailments, mental tensions and even of natural calamities in the Society. This was

the first King ever who performed Rajasuya Yagna. It was this illustrious Emperor who controlled

Bhumi (Earth); the latter took the Form of a Cow and sought to run away as was she was expected too

much from her by various sections of the Universe. But Pruthu Chakravarti (literally he whose chariot

wheels move forward swiftly without being interrupted by any opponent party) however chased and

forced her to yield maximum milk to one and all in the form that they desired it. Pruthu himsel milked

her having converted Swayambhu Manu as the calf and made her yield food grains to all, while in

regime of Vena the staple food was of flowers and fruits. Various sections of the world milke the

material as they desired; for instance, Rishis converted Chandra as a calf, Brihaspati as the milkman,

Tapomaya Brahma as the milk and Vedas as the container to fill up the milk; Devatas made Indra as

the calf, Surya as the milkman and ‘’Pushtikaahara’ or healthy food as milk; Pitru Devatas requested

Yamadharma Raja as the calf, Antaka Deva as the milk man and ‘Swadha’as the milk; Nagas selected

Takshaka as the calf, Iravata Serpent as the milkmen and Visha (Poison) as the milk; Asuras

appointed Mathu Daitya as the milkman, Virochana as the calf and Maya (Illusions) as the milk;

Yakshas preferred Kubera as the calf, Rajananaabha Yaksha as the milkman and ‘Antardhaana Vidya’

or the Art of Disappearance as the milk; similarly all other species selected their own Milkmen and

calves and Gandharvas opted milk in the form of fragrance; Rakshasas opted for blood, Mountains

preferred ‘Aoushadhis’ and soon thus satisfying every one in his governance!

Current Manu Vaiwasvata and Surya Vamsha

King Satyavrata was the subsequent Manu Vivasvanta who had the distinction of playing a major role

in the context of Vishnu Bhagavan’s Avatara (Incarnation) as Matsya or the Giant Fish. The Story

was when Satyavrata was paying offerings of waters in the River Kirtimala, a tiny fish appeared in his

palms and requested him not to throw it back into the River as big fishes would swallow it and as such

keep it in a container. As the fish was kept in a pot, it became too big for the succsessive containers

and grew into a huge fish which filled in the entire Ocean. The giant fish was none other than

Bhagavan Narayana himself; the Matsyaavatara directed King Satyavrata to await the arrival of a

maamoth Ship and meanwhile the King should collect samples of good human beings, flora, fauna

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and so on and load these materials. The Matsya further conveyed that as the Ship would arrive with

Sapta Rishes aboard on it, it would be hooked to the horns of the Fish to be propelled by the Great

Vasuki Serpent when the totality of the Universe would be submeged in water. Lord Brahma would

then be woken up from his slumber as the Demon Hayagriva who would have been killed since he

would attempt to steal Vedas and other Scriptures. Subsequently Brahma would resume the task of

Creation of the Universe afresh!

Manu Vivaswanta gave birth to ten sons including Ikshvaku, Saryati, Nabhaga and Prushaghna.

Episoded related to many of the sons of the Manu are intersting mentioned here-below in brief:

Ikshwaku’s lineage included Puranjaya/ Kakustha, Yuvanashra and Mandhata. Puranjaya fought a

severe battle with Daityas on behalf of Devas by riding a Great Bull who actually was Indra himself

by holding the Kakutsa or the hump of the bull thus obtaining the epithet of Kakutsa or

Indravahana!

King Yuvanashra perforned a noted Yagna targetting Indra Deva to secure a son. During the

Sacrifice days, he felt very thirsty one midnight in the Yagna Shaala and drank up the ‘Mantra Jala’ or

the Sanctified Water kept in a vessel. The Rishis performing the Yagna were aghast to find the vessel

empty next morning as the King drank up the Sacred Water. Eventually, the King got conceived

instead of his Queen and a male child came out fromhis abdomen which had to be cut. The cried for

milk and Indra put his index finger in the child’s mouth and saved him!

The boy thus born was Mandhata, the undisputed Emperor of the World comprising Seven Dwipas

‘from where Sun rose at where it was set!’ He was stated to have discovered Manasa Sarovara on

Mount Kailasha was he was reputed to have performed Tapas at the banks of the Lake. It was

believed that there was a Serpent Mansion where the Emperor prayed under a Jamun Tree from which

its fruits (Blackberry) dropped into the Sarovar making the sounds of ‘Jam’ and the area underneath

the Sarovara was called Jambu Dwipa!

Mandhata’s wife Bindumati was a pious woman and gave birth to Purukutsa and Muchukunda and

fifty daughters. There was an interesting Story about the daughters. Sage Saubhari a very old and

diseased person who did Tapasya under water for twelve years noticed that fishes in water were

having sex and procreating; the Muni got tempted and approached Mandhata to let any of his

daughters marry him. The Emperor was afraid that the Sage might give a ‘Shaap’ if declined and

asked that anybody among the daughters was prepared to marry the Sage; none consented as the Sage

was very old and disgusting physically with diseases. Mandhata had a problem but cleverly replied

that his family custom was that all the daughters would have to wed the same person and none should

disagree. The Sage transformed himself into a handsome youth by his mystical powers and presented

himself. All the girls vied with each other to marry him and the youthful Sage built mansions and all

of them enjoyed. But in course of time, the Sage realised that on account of the fishes in the water, his

spiritual life was ruined and although very late in life reverted back to a more introspective life and

intensified devotion to Vishnu.

Purukutsa married Narmada the sister of Serpent brothers and she took him away to Rasatala the

sub-terrain world under instruction from King Vasuki as approved by Bhagavan Vishnu to overpower

Gandharvas who invaded Rasatala and other Patala Lokas. Nagas were afraid of Gandharvas as some

six crores of the latter descended there for hunting the priceless ‘Ratnas’ / Jewels. Nagas sought

protection and prayed to Vishnu in desperation. Indeed Purukutsa succeeded and Nagas gave a boon

to Narmada that whosoever bathed in River Narmada by reciting a Shloka would be safe from Sarpa-

Visha or Snake- Poison; the Shloka states: Narmadaayai Namah Praatarnamaadaayai Namo Nisha,

Namostu Narmadey tubhyam traahimaam vishasarpatah/ (Devi Narmada! My salutations to you in

h d i h ki dl d h d h i i bi ) hi

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the day or night; kindly safeguard me from the fear of Serpents and their poisonous bites!) This

recitation while entering dark places as also while eating food would safeguard from any kind of

poisons thanks to Purukutsa and Narmada!

Trishanku

It was in the lineage of Purukutsa that Satyavrata or the well known Trishanku was born. The latter

kidnapped a Commoner bride from her Vivaha-Vedika or Wedding Platform and his father, King

Traiyaaruni-as prompted by Sage Vasishtha the Guru of the King, banished him for life into his

Kingdom; while living in the outskirts of the Kingdom Satyavrata adopted the ways of a Chandala or

the lowest caste of the Society. Sage Vishwamitra once left away on a long Tapasya for a period of

twelve years and as a long drawn ‘Anavrishti’ (famine) broke up in the Region, Satyavrata provided

food to the Sage’s wife and children. But the latter stole Vasishtha’s cows in his Yagna Shaala and fed

Vishwamitra’s wife and family with cow meat and the unsuspecting family ate it especially due to

hunger. Yet, on return from his Tapasya, Vishwamitra was extremely pleased and felt highly obliged

that Satyavrata supported his family for twelwe long years! But Vasishtha never excused Satyavrata

on three counts: he adopted the ways of Chandala ; he stole the cows from his Ashram and finally he

fed cow meat to the innocent and gullible family of a fellow Sage. Thus he cursed Satyavrata as

Trishanku on the basis of three unpardonable sins especially to Brahmana families! He cursed

Satyavata to become a fulfledged Chandala thus transforming his body complexion and ways of

living. But Vishwamitra espoused the cause of Satyavrata; he not only restored the latter’s original

position as a Prince but also sought him to despatch him in his mortal form to Swarga by the power of

his Tapasya. Devas refused the Prince’s entry to Swarga and the Sage took it as a challenge and

created a duplicate Swarga in the outer space near the original and thus caused the Prince to hang him

upside down creating Trishanku Swarga of the Thrice-Sinned Trishanku!

Harischandra, the son of Trishanku etched himself a unique position for truthfulness and virtue in

Indian mythology. He ruled his Kingdom with commitment and honesty on the strict lines of Dharma

and became a darling of his Subjects. But he had no offspring and prayed to Varuna Deva; the latter

blessed the King with a son no doubt but on the condition of offering the child to him in course of

time. As and when Varuna Deva reminded the King of the Sacrifice appearing as a Brahmana, the

King kept on postponing on some pretext or another. Meanwhile, Sage Vishwamitra developed

extreme jealousy and hatred to Harischandra’s Raja Guru Maharshi Vasishtha; the hatred was so

intense that they cursed each other to become birds and Lord Brahma had to intervene after a few

years and made them reverse the mutual curses. Harischandra’s son Rohitasya learnt about the

background of his birth viz. Varuna Deva’s condition that his father would have to sacrifice him to the

Deva sooner or later and fled away to forests. Varuna Deva cursed Harischandra to suffer dropsy

since the latter could not fulfil his promise. Rohitasya desired to return to take over the Kinghip. But

Indra appeared as an old Sage and advised the boy not to return to the Kingdom, lest Varuna would

not leave him for a sacrifice and suggested that he should better proceed on Tirtha Yatras to negate

the sacrifice to Varuna. Guru Vasishtha arranged that another person would be sacrificed instead of

Rohitasya and prayed Varuna to agree to the arrangement that Harishandra be freed from the disease

of dropsy. Keeping in view the background of his long standing enmity with Vasishtha, Vishwamitra

decided torment Harischandra. He approached the King that he dreamt of Harischandra’s promise to

donate his entire Kingdom to the Maharshi! The gullible King was tricked to believe of the Sage’s

dream and was packed him to Kashi along with his wife and son who had returned back after

TitrhaYatras since he was no longer required for human sacrifice. Vishwamitra tormened

Harischandra thereafter to defray an astronomical amount by way of Dakshna or fees to be paid to

him that he performed for the King in the past; his wife Chandramati and son Lohitasya had to

perform menial jobs and were sold in an auction to a house-holder subsequently; he was employed as

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a bonded labour himself at a Burial Ground; his son was dead in a snake bite while the wife brought

the dead body of the son to the same burial ground where Harischandra was a bonded worker; she

had to sell her ‘Mangal Sutra’or the precious possession of a house wife, and even had to tear off half

of her sari to meet the expenses of the burial ! Such were the extreme tests of fate that Harischandra

put to all due to his determination to follow what his conscience had demanded and finally succeeded

as Lord Vishnu, Indra and Devas appeared when finally Chandramati was forced to take away the rest

of her saree to pay for the last rites of the dead son! As he and his wife stood the tests bravely they

attained Vaikuntha as their Example was indeed a banchmark to the posterity! Rohitasya was brought

back to life and was made the King.

Om Tat Sat

(Continued)

My humble salutations to the lotus feet of  H H Chandrasekharendra Mahaswamy ji  and

 compiled , composed  and interpreted  by Brahmasri Sreeman  V D N Rao ji for the collection)