||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 141 - The legend of Yayathi -2

Devayani speaks to King Vrishaparva “Oh! Rajan, if you want my father Shukracharya to be with you, you have to send your daughter Sharmishta as my maidservant to serve myself and my future husband King Yayathi.” King Vrishaparva was in dilemma, the demons need constant counseling of their preceptor to rule the Kingdom, so he decided to leave his daughter Sharmishta as a maidservant to Devayani, for the welfare of the Kingdom.  Thus, King Yayathi and highly intelligent  Devayani got married, she asked her father to instruct King Yayathi not to have a child in any other woman except her.

Years passed, Yayathi and Devayani had two children.  One day, she saw three children playing in the portico.  Three of them look alike, she went straight to the children and asked about their mother, and they rushed to the chamber of Sharmishta.  Devayani questioned King Yayathi about the children who had a similar appearance to the King.  Finally, it was confirmed that the King Yayathi had children in Sharmishta too.  Devayani could not control her anger, she left the palace in extreme shame and guilt, went to meet her father Shukracharya.  Devayani narrated the incident to Shukracharya, Yayathi who was following his wife to pacify her was cursed by Shukracharya, and eventually Yayathi became too old with unpleasant look due to the curse.  Yayathi fell at the feet of Shukracharya, he begged for forgiveness and requested for his youthfulness and charming appearance once again.  Shukracharya advised Yayathi to request his youthful children to get back his youthfulness.

King Yayathi got back to the palace and called for his elder son Yadhu born from Devayani. He requested Yadhu for his youthfulness so that he can enjoy being in the wedlock.  Yadhu advised his father about the physical pleasures with the woman is merely an attraction to meat, therefore asked him to leave his desire for bodily pleasures with his mother and stepmother, further advised his father to contemplate upon supreme Lord who resides as a soul in living beings.  King Yayathi got very angry and cursed Yadhu that even though he attains Kingdom, he won’t be recognized as King.  King Yayathi called for his second son, he also advised him to leave attachment to worldly matters and sensual pleasure.  The third son also did the same and the fourth one also had the same advice to his father.  The fifth child Puru noticed the gloominess of his father, inquired the reason to his mother and found his father wants to get back his youthfulness and he requested all his children except him to give their youthfulness, but none were willing to give their youthfulness. 

Puru immediately approached his father Yayathi and said “ Oh! Father, If was a virtuous son, I would have resolved your troubles already, I did not even listen to your troubles or put an effort to resolve it. If I did not listen to your request and fulfill your desire, I would be the immoral child, which is equivalent to your secretion.  Oh! Father, I am unfortunate I could not be a virtuous son, therefore kindly accept my youthfulness, and fulfill all your desire for sensual pleasures.”  Thus Yayathi attained his youthfulness from Puru and immersed in the physical pleasures with the two wives.  Gradually, Yayathi realized that he was heaving himself to the utter desolation and ignorance.  

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter - 140 - The legend of Yayathi - 1

The King Nakusha of Soma dynasty after performing hundreds of Yagna obtained the honor of Lord Bhramam for a short period of time.  Lord Indra disappeared after the battle with the demon Vriththasura, therefore the title of Lord Indra was given to King Nakusha who has completed hundreds of fire sacrifices.  Thus, King Nakusha took the throne of the abode of Lord Indra, unfortunately, he had a deep desire for Devi Indrani who is the chaste wife of Lord Indra.  The Saptharishis took Nakusha in a celestial vehicle to the fortress of Devi Indrani, meanwhile, King Nakusha disrespectfully frowned at Sage Agasthya was cursed to become a serpent and has fallen down to Earth.

Once, King Yayathi who is the son of King Nakusha went for a hunting expedition, arrived in the middle of the woods, there he could hear the voice of a woman shrieking out for help.   King went in search of the voice and found a well, inside the well, there was a beautiful woman without any clothes.  King Yayathi took his upper clothe and put forward to her, as the well was not so deep.  The woman took hold of the upper clothe and came out of the well, took the hand of the King Yayathi.  She requested the King to marry her, as he was the one who took hold of her.  King Yayathi enquired her whereabouts in detail were narrated as follows.  She introduced herself as Devayani, the daughter of Shukracharya who is the preceptor of demons.  Devayani with her father Shukracharya resided in the fortress of King Vrishaparva.  Devyani became close companion Sharmishta who is the daughter of King Vrishaparva.  Once, Devayani, with her companion Sharmishta and numerous attendants went to the pond for taking bath, they kept their clothes on the bank and merrily played water sports.  At that moment Lord Mahadeva and Parvati were traveling close to the pond, Sharmishta hurried to the bank and covered herself with the clothes of Devayani who was furious and shrieked in utter dismay, “How dare you wear the clothes of a Bhramin woman? You have performed most outrageous act like a dog in the Yagna arena licking the offerings kept for the Yagna.” The most humiliated Kshathriya woman Sharmishta, replied “ You are utterly shameless, you twice-born are living with the graciousness of the Kshatriyas, do not forget that.  We are the one living source for you and your father.” After saying so, Sharmishta pushed Devayani into the well.  King Yaythi amiably listens to her pathetic story and advised her that Shukracharya won’t agree with her to marry him, thus he put off her desire to marry him.  Devayani narrated the curse on her by the son of Bhrihaspathi, that she won’t get a right match from the family of twice-born, she insisted the King Yayathi to marry her, further she went to get permission from her father.  Devayani explained the happenings in the wood to her father Shukracharya and compelled him to leave the fortress of KingVrishaparva who was extremely worried at the decision of Shukracharya who is his preceptor. King Vrishaparva was fully aware of his strength is vested with his preceptor, approached him anxiously, and fallen at his feet with a request not to leave his fortress.  Thus, Shukracharya agreed to stay in the palace if Devayani was treated with honor.  King Vrishaparva requested Devayani what should he do to make her happy.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 139 – The legend of Parashurama-3

Bhargava Rama/Parashurama was born as the fourth son of Sage Jamadagni and Devi Renuka.  King Karthyaveerarjuna of Kingdom of Hyheya was a disciple Maharishi Dhaththathreya had attained several boons pleasing his preceptor.  Once, he undertook hunting expedition through the dense wood followed by his men, after long hours of amusements in the woods, the King and his men were tired of hunger.  They went to the hermitage of Sage Jamadhagni and requested for the meal.  The king and his men were reverentially greeted by the Sage and revealed his pleasure to serve them with a sumptuous meal.  Soon after, a lavish meal was offered to the King and his men; they were served in various sweets and savories, Karththaveeryarjuna was awestruck at the hospitality of the Sage, came to know about the divine cow Kamadhenu who is the source of it.  Karththveeryarjuna had a desire to get hold of the cow under his custodian so that it will be helpful to serve the people in his assembly was flatly refused by the Sage.  But Karththaveeryarjuna forcibly took hold of the divine cow, was intervened by Sage Jamadagni and explained the reason for the possession of the cow for performing various Yagna and Yaga, serving the saintly men, ascetic, family and performing his daily rites.  But Karththaveeryarjuna was not willing to listen to any of the pleas of Sage Jamadagni, finally, he seized the cow from Sage and left the place.  Soon after, Bhargava Rama entered the hermitage and saw his father in extreme agony, informed his son about the visit of King Karththaveeryarjuna and his men who snatched away the divine cow Kamadhenu.  Bhargava Rama was enraged, took his powerful bow and arrived at the assembly of King Karththaverryarjuna, a fierce battle took place, Bhargava Rama sieved the head of Karththaveeryarjuna and brought back the cow.  It was the beginning of the repeated enmity of Kshatriyas and Bhargava Rama.

Once, Devi Renuka was gone to fetch water in Ganga.  There arrived the King of Gandharva Chinthrangadha with several Apsaras, they were having pleasing times in water sport.  Devi Renuka watched at them in surprise and did not notice the time.  When she came back, she found it was already too late to bring water for ablution for Sage Jamadagni who was extremely angered by her behavior, shrieked at her “Oh! Children, kill your mother, she has lost her chastity.”  None of the children were dared to kill Devi Renuka, but Bhargava Rama who was extremely fearless approached his mother and sieved her head off from the shoulder.  Sage Jamadagni was highly pleased with Rama who sincerely followed father’s command, revealed his willingness to give boon, Rama said “Oh! Sathyavathisutha/Father, I would like to have two boons from you.  Kindly restore the life of my mother, and she should not aware of the fact that I have severed her head.”  Thus, Bhargava Rama got rid of the sin of killing his own mother.

Years passed, once Sage Jamadagni was in deep meditation, there arrived the sons of King Heyheya with his men.  They severed the head of Sage Jamadagni and left the hermitage.  When Rama returned to the hermitage saw his mother and utterly shocked, she was sitting near the headless corpse of his father, beating her chest for twenty-one times and lamenting over the death of his father.  At that moment he took a vow to reduce the burden of Earth by killing the wicked Kshatriyas and performed final rites of his father in the pool of blood.  Bhargava Rama surrendered all his brilliance to Sri Rama during Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as the son of King Dasaratha and returned to Mount Mahendragiri for penance.  Thus,  Lord Parashurama put an end to those wicked Kshatriyas who were completely drenched in the material world and committed various crimes, and reinstated the twice-borns who were proficient in Vedic knowledge and knowledge of Bhramam  to elevate the souls to supreme Lord.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 138 – The legend of Parashurama-2

The state of renunciation 'Kaivalya' can be achieved with the supreme wisdom and knowledge, development in any field is possible through performing duties and responsibilities /Karma, and with the supreme wisdom and knowledge as well.  Any  development of duty-bound would face the constant threat of destruction.    Kaivalya can be attained only with supreme wisdom,  association with the saintly men,   meditation, reading scriptures, recitation of sacred names of Lord, and the constant remembrance of Lord with the knowledge about the mind and intellect that are originated from the supreme soul, and therefore it should merge with the supreme Lord who has all-pervading blissful nature, it is changeless, and has neither beginning nor end.  The lack of knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as a soul would cause  the soul to hold on to the worldly matters, eventually transform the souls as selfish, finds immense pleasure in conflicts, wickedness, cruelty, mercilessness, jealousy, pride, etc…  The ultimate object of  the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Parashurama was put an end to the wicked Kshatriyas who were immersed in the material world.   Further, Bhargavarama reinstated the glories of twice-born who are well versed in Vedic culture and the knowledge of supreme Bhramam.  Hence, Karma/duties and responsibilities followed with the wisdom are considered as supreme, any Karma without the knowledge of the nature of the Supreme Lord is worthless.  The human intellect and mind is too complex,  it is completely under the influence of Maya/ illusion,  it gets easily attracted to the pleasure in the material world, outward appearances, senses, and objects, without the knowledge that all those material pleasures are short living nature, therefore it keeps searching for numerous ways to please the senses and its journey goes on and on by taking several births.  Therefore a multifaceted mind and intellect can be put into practice of the permanent nature of the supreme Lord who is bliss; this is possible only through wisdom/Vedanta Vignana, association with the ascetics and saintly people.

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 137 – The legend of Parashurama

King Gathi’s daughter Sathyavathi was born in the clan of the Ikshuvaku dynasty.   Once a Bhramin Rijika expressed his desire to the King Gathi to marry his daughter Sathyavathi.  The King could not accept the proposal of the Bhramin, he put forward a condition that the Bhramin should produce thousands of horses before the assembly,  moreover the horses should have ears white and black respectively.  The intelligent Bhramin received thousands of horses as a charity and produced before the King.  Thus the Bhramin married Sathyavathi, unfortunately, this couple had no offspring.  Once, Sathyavathi made a visit to the Palace and passed on a message to her mother about her husband’s desire to perform a Yajja for the offspring.  The mother of Sathyavathi expressed her desire to have a child of her own.  Thus, the proceedings of the Yajja has begun, two vessels were prepared with ingredients/Manthra Pinda/ after invoking deities to get offspring, Bhramin left the place to make arrangements for the remaining proceedings of the Yajja.  The mother of Sathyavathi insisted her daughter to swap the vessels to get a superior child for her, eventually, the mother and daughter consumed the Manthra Pinda form the vessel.    Later, Satyavati told the truth to her husband Rijika about the swop of vessels with her mother.  The Brahmin felt infuriated and revealed the truth that her wife would give birth to a valorous and cruel Kshatriya, different from his desire to have a virtuous child who is proficient in Veda and Shastra. Thus Sathyavathi gave birth to Jamadhagni and her mother gave birth to Vishwamithra.  Sathyavathi, who did not follow the command of her husband, became the river Kaushiki.

Sage Jamadhagni was married to Devi Renuka, this couple had Vasus and Rama who has charming appearance considered as the incarnation of Lord Vasudeva.  Rama destroyed the wicked Kshatriyas of Heheya clan and numerous unruly Kings, in this way he reduced the burden of Mother Earth.

Maharaja Pareekshith spoke “ Oh! Bhraman, Munishreshta, why did Parashurama kill the Kshatriyas?”  Kindly narrate to me in detail.”

||Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 136 – The legend of Soma dynasty - King Pururavass

The highest of the spiritual achievement is the attainment of knowledge of the Supreme Lord who resides as soul in living beings, thereby elevation of the soul from worldly matters to the supreme Bhramam.  It is a journey of the mind and intellect from the ‘Sthoola Shareera’ which is Asath, darkness, undergoes changes and death to the ‘Sookshma Shareera’ which is Sath, brilliance and immortal.  This great knowledge can be achieved through the regular practice of Pranayama, meditation, recitation of scriptures and contemplation upon the supreme Lord, the elevation of the soul helps to attain serenity of mind, clarity of thought and proficiency to face any difficult situation with a balanced mind.

Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the Soma dynasty, Chandra who was born from the eyes of  Maharishi Athri / Devi Anasooya, was established as Nakshathravipra Aushadheesha by Lord Bhrama.   Lord moon performed a Rajasooya, later he abducted Thara, the wife of Lord Bhrihaspathi, and it created a ferocious battle between deities and demons.    Lord Bhrama interviewed and ordered Chandra to give away the wife of Brihaspati.  Thus, once again Brihaspati and Devi Thara started living together.  In the meantime, Thara was pregnant with a child, Sage Bhrihaspathi instructed Thara to abandon the fetus, an infant originated with supreme brilliance of the fetus.  Later, Sage Bhrihaspathi and Lord Chandra had a debate on the child born, finally, Lord Bhrama questioned Thara about the birth of the child was revealed that Lord Chandra as the father of the Budha.   Years passed, Budha married Ila and this couple had a son Pururavass.  He was extremely valorous and handsome, ruling the Kingdom. Once he met the celestial Apsara Devi Urvashi who had a curse of Mithra Varuna thereby left the heaven and descends to Earth.  King Pururavss felt a sudden rush of desire to have passionate sport with her, he approached her and said “ Oh! Devi, I am extremely fortunate to meet you on the Earth, my eyes are fortunate to witness your lovely appearance I would like to like to live with you.”   Apsara agreed for the desire of the King Puruvass and put forwarded three conditions to fulfill.  She gave the King two goats, and asked him to protect it as long as they live together, she instructed that she should be served with Ghee in abundance, and thirdly, she should not see the King without clothes in the daylight or other than from the bed.    King Pururavass readily agreed for the conditions and married to the celestial Apsara, a renowned dancer of Indra Loka and lived blissfully for several years.

Lord Indra found celestial Apsara is missing in the abode of Heaven.  He appointed celestial Gandharvas to conduct the search for her, finally, they arrived on the Earth and found her living happily with the King Pururavass.  As planned the Gandharva stolen the goats, Apsara realized her goats were stolen, was in utter grief, and screamed at the King to rush behind the Gandharvas.  King Pururavass, rose from the bed and while running his clothes were slipped out from his body, the celestial Gandharvas tricked on him with a flash of light and revealed King’s nakedness to Devi Urvashi.  Instantly, celestial Apsara Devi Urvashi disappeared from the Earth.  King Pururavass became inconsolable, grieved over the separation of his wife.  He wandered all over the Earth like an insane, conducted journey to Kurukshetra, he met Devi Uruvashi, on the riverbank of Saraswathi.  King Pururavass said “ Oh! My dearest wife, listen to me, I cannot live without you.  I am going to give up my life let my body consume the animals, later I will unite with you in heaven.”  Devi Uruvashi saw the miserable state of King Pururavass and said “ Oh! King, you are ignorant and shameless as well, an extreme desire to be in the association of me put you into utter desolation, if you continue to mourn for the lost physical pleasures with your wife would cause to take birth again and again.   Oh! King does not keep unwarranted affection or desire on a woman and the fox.  The ignorant and a wavering mind keep unlimited affection to both, therefore listen to me, worship Lord Devendhra and Gandharvas, so that you could attain me.   I am already pregnant with your child.  We will meet after a year and once again we will live together happily.” She disappeared from the sight of King Pururavass.  The king returned to the palace and followed her advice, after a year he returned to Kurukshetra and reunited with his wife Devi Urvashi. In this way, King Pururavass and Devi Uruvashi together extended the clan of Soma dynasty.

|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 135- The legend of Rama -13

Maharishi Veda Vyasa narrates the legend of Rama in a few words “ I shall prostrate before Rama who was born to King Dhasharatha, in the clan of   King Katvanga who elevated his soul in a few seconds and attained the abode of Lord.  King Dhasharatha had four sons Rama, Bharatha, Lakshman, and Shathrugna.  Rama sacrificed the throne of the Kingdom of Ayodhya to keep up the promise of his father and conducted traveling through the dense wood with his wife.  While living in the woods, the sister of Ravana approached Rama,  was disfigured by him.  Ravana came to know about the valor of Rama and his beautiful wife.   Rama chased after a golden deer was left alone in the woods, Ravana abducted Devi Sita.  Rama constructed a vast bridge across the ocean, battled against Ravana and killed him on the battlefield. Later, the coronation ceremony of Rama as the Kingdom of Ayodhya was performed in the guidance of preceptors and Sages. Hence,  I shall repeatedly prostrate before Rama.”

Rama while ruling The Kingdom of Ayodhya his subjects were extremely happy, there was no famine or natural calamities.   Once, Rama disguised as an ordinary citizen and took a visit to the city during the night hours, he could hear someone talking about him “ I am not Rama who blindly loved his wife Devi Sita,   I cannot accept you as my wife, after living in somebody’s home, like Rama did to his wife.” Rama understood that people are not prepared to accept Devi Sita as their Queen after living in the Palace of Ravana.  Rama felt extremely disappointed, went to Palace and asked Devi Sita who is fully pregnant with his child, is there any specific wish she wants to fulfill.  Devi Sita gracefully reveals her desire to be in the association of saintly men in the hermitage.  Rama instructed Lakshman to take Devi Sita to the hermitage of Sage Valmiki and return home without her.  Lakshman was completely awestruck questioning Rama for his unkind act, Rama shut him answering that it is an order of the King.  On the next morning, Devi Sita prepared to leave the palace was unaware of the plans, Rama asks her to keep clothes for the stay in the hermitage.  Lakshman drives the chariot to the hermitage of Sage Valmiki and returning to the palace without her.  While living in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki, Devi Sita was thoroughly aware of the fact that Rama cannot leave her behind; it was the order of the King of Ayodhya for the welfare of his subjects.

Rama continued ruling the kingdom without Devi Sita, even though he was besieged with the sorrow at the separation of his dearest wife, he could elevate his soul with the knowledge that the relationship between a male and female have been frail always, it could bring endless sorrows and grief.   The children born to Devi Sita were highly intelligent, well-versed with the knowledge of the legend of Rama.

Maharishi Veda Vyasa concludes “Once, an illustrious Rishi makes a visits Rama to discuss a highly confidential matter, Lakshman was assigned to take care of the visits of the prominent members in the assembly.  Thus the discussion between Rama and the Rishi has continued with a promise that whoever enters the chamber during the discussion would be sentenced to death punishment.  Maharishi Durvass arrived at the palace, was reverentially greeted by Lakshman.  Maharishi Durvassa informs Lakshman about his arrival to meet Rama.  Lakshman was in dilemma, he informs Maharishi Durvass about the discussion between illustrious Rishi and Rama. Maharishi Durvass was unyielding and angry, he prepared to curse the entire clan of Raghu was amiably handled by Lakshman and took him to the chamber of Rama where he was already in discussion with the Rishi.  Lakshman does not want to put his entire clan in trouble, therefore decided to undergo the death punishment.  The Rishi who was in discussion with Rama reminds the death punishment for the mistake.  Thus Rama had to give death punishment to Lakshman who has been a dearest younger brother,  and dearer than Devi Sita.       Rama discussed with the Rishis and Sages about the death punishment to Lakshman, eventually, Lakshmana was removed from the palace as promised to the Rishi.  Rama once again besieged with intense grief was elevated his soul contemplating upon the supreme Lord who resides as soul.  I shall repeatedly prostrate before Lord Rama who is highly revered by the deities.”

Whoever reads or listens to the legend of Rama would be freed from the worldly matters and bondage.