|| Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya||

Chapter – 50 – The legend of Lord Krishna – The legend of King Pareekshith

Rishi Shameeka advised his son to meet King Pareekshith in his palace and inform about the curse. While returning to the palace King Pareekshith realized that he had committed a grave sin, disrespecting a saint while he was in deep meditation, he felt unworthy of his act.

Sutha Pauranika speaks “Oh! Shaunakadhis, previously King Pareekshith had a conversation with the Kali, requested the King to allow four places for his stay in this Kali era, was allowed to stay the place where the gambling takes place, where the people consume intoxicating drinks, women sell their flesh for money, animal slaughter homes, further he requested for a decent place to reside, was allowed to stay in the wealth and gold earned in illegitimate ways.  While returning to the palace King Pareekshith realized he had performed an arrogant deed which is not at all suitable for a king, he felt terribly ill of his act, understood that very soon he will receive the punishment for his sin.  He sincerely prayed to the supreme Lord to give him severe punishment for his sin, so that he won’t repeat it again in life.  Thus, King Pareekshith was all prepared to receive punishment for his sin. Shortly, the son of Rishi Shameeka arrived in the palace and informed the King about the curse and his death in seven days by the serpent bite Thakshaka.  Instantly, King Pareekshith got relieved from the extreme guilt of his arrogant deed to Rishi, received the punishment ordained in seven days with a serene mind, further decided to leave the kingly status and comforts, immediately called for an assembly of members, ascetics, and Sages, and detailed all that happened during the hunting expedition and the curse of Vipra. He sought their opinions, revealed his intention to spend the seven days in deep contemplation upon the supreme Lord, and no interest in carrying out the duties of the King. The saintly men and ascetics advised King Pareekshith to prepare for Prayopavesha/it is one of the ancient practices to leave home and families, conduct pilgrimage in the later years of age, and spend the remaining life in contemplation of supreme Lord. Thus King Pareekshith crowned his son Janamejaya as the Emperor of Hastinapura and left the Kingdom. ”

Sutha Pauranika continues “Oh! Shaunakadhi, King Pareekshith arrived on the riverbank of Ganga,/Haridwar to contemplate upon the lotus feet of Lord Mukund.  Soon all the Sages, Rishis, Saintly men assembled on the river bank with their disciple.  Sage Athri, Vashishta, Chyavana, Sharadhva, Arishtanemi, Bhrigu, Angira, Parashara, Gathiputhra Rama, Devala, Arshtishena, Bharadhvaja, Gauthama, Indhra, Pramadhema, Pippaladha, Maitreya, Urva, Kavasha, Kumbayoni Agasthya, Dhvaipayana, Narada, Devarishi, Bhramarishi, and Rajarshi were received reverentially by King Pareekshith.”