|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 113 –The legend of Manu/King Sharyadhi

Shuka Bhramam speaks “ Oh! Rajan, I shall narrate the story of Prishadhashva who was born in the clan of Manu/Ikshvaku went to learn under the guidance of Sage Vashishta.  In the hermitage of Sage, he was assigned with the duty of safeguarding the Yagna arena and taking care of the cows. One night, a lion entered in the cowshed, it created huge chaos in the shed, cows and calves produced loud shriek, were started to flee in different directions in the darkness,  Prishadhashva ran towards the cowshed after listening to the hue and cry.   In the darkness he could not make out what’s happening, he took the sword and chopped the head of an animal thinking it is a lion and returned to hermitage.  The next morning, he went inside the cowshed and shocked at the sight, he saw a headless body of the cow of the highest breed in the pool of blood.  He could find the ear of the lion as well.  He was deeply hurt by his action in the darkness, he cried out loudly in utter guilt.  Even though Sage Vashishta understood the entire situation, he could not control his anger; he cursed Prishadhashva to become a Shudra.  Prishadhashva left the hermitage of Sage Vashishta, spend his remaining life in solitude contemplating upon Lord Vasudeva resides as a soul in living beings, a compassionate Lord to the distressed people.  He cut off himself from the worldly matters and lived in utmost serenity.  He considered all those happened in his life as the grace of the supreme Lord.  In this way, Prishadhashva elevated his soul from his own mistake as well as from the curse of his preceptor.”

Shuka Bhramam continues “ Oh! Rajan, listen to the legend of King Sharyadhi who was highly intellectual, has profound knowledge of Veda, he taught the priests who have performed the grand fire sacrifice of Maharishi Angirass on the second day.   He had a daughter named Sukanya, who is virtuous, intelligent and beautiful as well, she was well talented in archery used to accompany her father in hunting expedition.  Once Sukanya and King Sharyadhi went to woods, while the King was searching for his prey, Sukanya went with the females'  companions accompanied from the palace.  While roaming in the woods, Sukanya could witness a big anthill and two blazing eyes inside the mound were spreading extreme radiance.  Sukanya was curious took a sharp dried wood piece and punctured the blazing eyes, eventually, it started bleeding.  Soon, the King’s men and the attendants assembled could not take breathe, their stomach crammed with air and they could experience severe uneasiness.  King Sharyadhi could sense the situation, that something went wrong, and enquired his attendants “Oh! Attendants, an illustrious sage who is immersed in penance is in trouble, find out who hurt him.”   Sukanya replied “ Oh! Father, I saw an anthill with two blazing like eyes, I have pierced it open, found it is bleeding.”  Soon King Sharyadhi rushed to the anthill, removed the mud and safely took out Maharishi Chyavana from the anthill. King Sharyadhi fell at his feet and begged for forgiveness.  He offered beautiful daughter Sukanya to Maharishi Chyavana, to take care of him in the woods and assist him in performing daily rites and penances.  Sukanya relentlessly served her husband Maharishi Chyavana and pleased him.