by Bibek Debroy
Vaishampayana said, ‘In ancient times, this was chanted by the intelligent Markandeya. This is the instruction about the fruits of funeral ceremonies and the invocation of Soma. Soma is the illustrious god whose invocation brings supreme benefit to this world. In connection with the lineage of the Vrishnis, listen to the story of his lineage.’290
Chapter 20
Vaishampayana said, ‘O king! The illustrious rishi Atri was Soma’s father and was born. In deeds, thoughts and words, and through the control he engaged in, Atri ensured the welfare of all the worlds. He had dharma in his soul, was rigid in his vows and showed non-violence towards all creatures. The immensely radiant one stood with his hands raised upwards and was like a piece of wood that had become petrified. In ancient times, he tormented himself through such austerities and this asceticism is known as Anuttoma.291 We have heard that he did this for three thousand divine years. He did not blink and stood there, holding his seed up. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! A great intelligence manifested itself in his body and that was the essence of Soma. With his soul cleansed, Soma’s essence rose upwards in his body and exuded from his eyes in the form of water that issued in the ten directions and radiated them. On seeing the ten embryos, ten goddesses292 rushed forward to nurture them, but were incapable of doing so. The powerful embryos violently fell down from these ten goddesses and gave rise to the one with the cool rays, the one who nourishes everything and illuminates the worlds. The directions were incapable of holding onto the embryos. Suddenly, the embryos fell down on the earth. Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, saw that Soma had fallen down. Desiring to ensure the welfare of the worlds, he established him on a chariot. O son! He293 was full of the Vedas, immersed in truth and possessed dharma in his soul. We have heard that the chariot was yoked to one thousand white horses. The god who was the great-souled Atri’s son fell down. At this, Brahma’s seven mental sons began to praise him, invoking the sacred texts. Angiras was there and Bhrigu’s sons. They chanted from the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda, associated with Angiras. Soma’s radiant energy was praised in this fashion and illuminated the three worlds, in every direction. In that foremost of chariots, he circumambulated the earth, right up to the frontiers of the ocean, twenty-one times. Some of his energy fell down on earth and from that blazing energy, the herbs were created. It is through this that the illustrious Soma, the lord of the universe, nourishes the four kinds of subjects that are there in the worlds and the universe.294 O immensely fortunate one! Through the praise and through his own deeds, the illustrious one obtained more energy. For one thousand padma295 years, he tormented himself through austerities. There are golden-complexioned goddesses who sustain the universe. The god Soma became their treasure and became famous because of his own deeds. O Janamejaya! Brahma, supreme among those who know about the brahman, granted him dominion over seeds, herbs, brahmanas and water.
‘The immensely energetic one, king of kings, was thus instated as king over dominions. Through his own radiance, the supreme among radiant ones began to illuminate the three worlds. Daksha, the son of Prachetas, bestowed his twenty-seven daughters, who were great in vows and known as Dakshayanis, on Indu.296 These are known as the nakshatras. Soma, supreme among the Somas,297 obtained that great kingdom. He prepared for a royal sacrifice at which one hundred thousand different kinds of dakshina would be paid. The illustrious Atri was the hotri and the illustrious Bhrigu was the adhvaryu. Hiranyagarbha was the udgatri and Brahma functioned as the brahmana.298 The illustrious lord, Hari Narayana, was the assistant priest. They were surrounded by the brahmana rishis, with Sanatkumara at the forefront. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! We have heard that, as dakshina, he gave away the three worlds to the foremost among brahmana rishis who were assistant priests. Sinivali, Kuhu, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabha, Vasu, Kirti, Dhriti and Lakshmi—these nine goddesses were in attendance. O Indra among kings! He was thus worshipped by all the gods and the rishis. He performed the bath after the sacrifice and was radiant, illuminating the ten directions.
‘He obtained prosperity that was extremely difficult to obtain and was revered by the sages. O son! His intelligence was confounded and his humility was destroyed. Brihaspati had an illustrious wife named Tara. Ignoring all of Angiras’s sons,299 he swiftly abducted her. The gods, accompanied by the celestial rishis, entreated him. However, he would not release Tara to Angiras’s son. The immensely energetic Ushanas had earlier been a disciple of Angiras, Brihaspati’s father, and he took his side.300 Because of his affection, the illustrious god, Rudra, took Brihaspati’s side and seized his ajagava bow.301 The great-souled one affixed the supreme weapon known as brahmashira and released it at the daityas,302 thereby destroying their fame. The famous battle known as Tarakamaya then waged between the gods and the danavas and it led to great destruction in the worlds.303 O descendant of the Bharata lineage! The gods who survived, the Tushitas, went to Brahma, the grandfather and original god, and sought refuge with him. Brahma himself restrained both Ushanas and Rudra Shankara and handed over Tara to the son of Angiras. The brahmana Brihaspati saw that Tara was expecting and said, “This womb belongs to me and someone else’s seed shoud never be nurtured there.” The foetus blazed like the fire and she aborted it on a bed of grass. This child became the slayer of bandits. As soon as he was born, the illustrious one’s beauty surpassed that of the gods. In their suspicion, the gods asked Tara, “Tell us truthfully. Is this Soma’s son or Brihaspati’s son?” Despite being asked by the gods, she did not say anything in reply, good or bad. At this, the child who would be the slayer of bandits, started to curse her. However, Brahma restrained him and asked Tara to clarify the doubt. “Tell me the truth. O Tara! Whose son is this?” She joined her hands in salutation and spoke to the lord Brahma, the granter of boons. “This great-souled child, the slayer of enemies, is Soma’s son.” Prajapati Soma, the one who nurtures, inhaled the fragrance of the child’s head. This intelligent son is known by the name of Budha. In the firmament, when Budha ascends, it causes disturbances.304 O great king! Through him, the princess obtained a son, Pururava, Ila’s son.305 Through Urvashi, he had seven great-souled sons. Meanwhile, Soma was afflicted by tuberculosis.306 Afflicted by tuberculosis, he was helpless and his disc started to fade. He sought refuge with his father, Atri. The immensely illustrious Atri arranged for the sin to be cleansed. Once he was freed from tuberculosis, in every direction, his prosperity began to dazzle. O great king! I have recounted Soma’s birth and the deeds that extended his fame. I will now recount the names in his lineage. Listen. This account is sacred and blessed, it ensures a long life and freedom from illness. It ensures the success of all resolutions. If one listens to the account of Soma’s birth, one is freed from all sins.’
Chapter 21
Vaishampayana said, ‘O great king! Budha’s son was the learned Pururava. He was energetic and generous and performed sacrifices with copious quantities of dakshina. He was valorous and knew about the brahman. In a battle, the enemies found it difficult to defeat him. On earth, he performed the celestial agnihotra sacrifice. He was truthful and his intelligence was auspicious. He was restrained in the indulgence of sexual desire. In the three worlds, his fame was always unmatched. He was knowledgeable about the brahman, forgiving, learned about dharma and truthful in speech. Abandoning her pride, the illustrious Urvashi accepted him.307 O descendant of the Bharata lineage! For ten years, the king dwelt with her in the beautiful Chaitraratha forest, for five years along the banks of the Mandakini, for five years in Alaka,308 for six years in Vishala,309 for seven years in Nandana, supreme among forests, for eight years in Uttarakuru, which possesses trees that yield all the fruits one desires, for ten years at the feet of Gandhamadana and thereafter, for eight years on the summit of Meru. Extremely happy, the king found delight with Urvashi, in these best of groves, treasured even by the gods. The lord of the earth ruled over his kingdom from Prayaga, in the most sacred of countries, that was revered even by the maharsh
is. He had six sons who were like Indra in their energy. Those great-souled ones were born in heaven and their names were Ayu, Dhiman, Amavasu, Dridhayu, Vanayu and Shatayu. They were Urvashi’s sons. Ayu had five sons and all of them were brave maharathas. Nahusha was the first to be born and Vriddhasharma, Dambha, Raji and Anena were born after that. They were famous in the three worlds. Raji had five hundred sons who were famous as the Rajeyas. They were famous kshatriyas and they caused fear in Indra himself. There was an extremely terrible battle between the gods and the asuras. At that time, both the gods and the asuras went to Brahma and asked, “O illustrious one! Who amongst us will be victorious in the battle? O lord of all creatures! Tell us. We wish to listen to your words.”
‘Brahma replied, “On whichever side the lord Raji fights, wielding his weapons, there is no doubt in the three worlds about that side being victorious in the battle. Perseverance exists wherever Raji is. Prosperity exists wherever perseverance is. Wherever there is perseverance, prosperity and dharma, victory exists there.”’
Vaishampayana continued, ‘When the gods and the danavas heard the god speak about Raji’s role in the victory, they were delighted. O bull among the Bharata lineage! Desiring their own victories, they approached him. The extremely energetic king was an extender of Soma’s lineage. He was Svarbhanu’s grandson and Prabha’s son.310 Cheerful in their minds, all the daityas and the danavas went to Raji and desiring victory, sought the boon that he should take up his bow on their behalf.
‘Raji said, “When I am victorious, if all the large number of gods, with Shakra at the forefront, follow dharma and make me the Indra, only then will I fight in the battle.”311
‘The danavas replied, “Our Indra is Prahlada and it is for his sake that we are trying for victory. O king! That being the case, adhere to the agreement that you contract with the gods.”’
Vaishampayana continued, ‘The gods told the king that if they were victorious, he would be the Indra. Thus addressed, he slew all the danavas, who deserved to be killed by the one who holds the vajra in his hand. The lord Raji destroyed the supreme prosperity of the danavas and brought their prosperity under his subjugation. He destroyed and killed all the danavas. With the gods, Shatakratu declared himself to be the son of the immensely valiant Raji. He spoke these words to Raji. “O father! There is no doubt that you are the Indra of all subjects. This is because of your deeds and because I, Indra, will be famous as your son.” He heard Shakra’s words and was deceived by the maya. The king was delighted with Shatakratu and signified his assent. The lord of the earth obtained a heaven that rivalled that of the gods. He had one hundred sons and they attacked Shatakratu’s place in the world of heaven, known as Trivishtapa, several times. After several days had passed, the immensely strong Shakra was deprived of his kingdom. He was deprived of his fortune and told Brihaspati, “O brahmana rishi! All the cakes that were offered to me at sacrifices have been destroyed. Can you at least arrange for a jujube,312 so that I am always capable of sustaining my energy? O brahmana! I am emaciated. I am distracted. I have lost my kingdom. I have lost my seat. I have lost my energy. I am weak. I am senseless. O lord! Raji’s sons have done this to me.” Brihaspati replied, “O Shakra! If this is truly what has happened, you should have told me about it earlier. O unblemished one! There is nothing that I will not do to ensure your pleasure. O Indra of the gods! There is no doubt that I will try to ensure your delight. You will soon obtain your share and your kingdom back. O son! I will act to ensure this. Let there be no lassitude in your mind.” He then acted so that Indra’s energy might be enhanced. The supreme among rishis acted so that their313 minds might be overcome with confusion. They became deluded and intoxicated with anger. They turned against dharma. They acted against brahmanas and lost their energy and valour. Indra regained the prosperity of the gods and the supreme state. All Raji’s sons, addicted to desire and anger, were killed. A person who listens to this account of Shatakratu losing and regaining his state, and sustains it, never suffers from any calamities.’
Chapter 22
Vaishampayana said, ‘Nahusha had six sons who were like Indra in their energy—Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati and Aryati. Yati was the eldest and Yayati was born after him. As a wife, Yati obtained Kakutstha’s daughter, named Gam. He resorted to the path of salvation and became a sage who was immersed in the brahman. Among the other five, Yayati conquered the earth and had two wives, Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas,314 and Sharmishtha, the daughter of the asura Vrishaparva. Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu. Sharmishtha, Vrishaparva’s daughter, gave birth to Druhyu, Anu and Puru. Pleased, Shukra gave him315 an extremely radiant chariot. It was divine and made out of celestial gold, drawn by divine and supreme horses that were as swift as thought. He conveyed his wife on that resplendent chariot. Yayati was invincible in battle, even against the gods, with Vasava.316 On that best of chariots, he conquered the earth in six days. O Janamejaya! Right down to you, all the Pouravas,317 those named Pouravas, have enjoyed that chariot. It remained in the kingdom of the descendants of Kuru till the time of Parikshit’s son.318 After that, because of the intelligent Garga’s curse, the chariot departed. Garga had a young son. By causing violence to him through cruel words, King Janamejaya became guilty of the sin of killing a brahmana. The royal sage’s body began to smell of iron319 and he roamed around, here and there. Though he avoided cities and the countryside, he could not obtain peace anywhere. He was tormented by grief and bereft of his senses. The king sought refuge with Indrota, Shounaka’s son. O Janamejaya!320 For the sake of cleansing the king, Indrota, Shounaka’s son and supreme among brahmanas, performed a horse sacrifice for him. When he bathed after the sacrifice, the smell of iron left him. O king! Delighted, Shukra gave that divine chariot to Vasu, the lord of Chedi, and Brihadratha321 obtained it from him. O descendant of the Kourava lineage! Having slain Jarasandha, Bhima cheerfully handed over that supreme chariot to Vasudeva.
‘Yayati conquered the earth and its seven continents, right up to the frontiers of the ocean. The king who was Nahusha’s son divided it among his five sons. The intelligent king gave Turvasu the south-eastern direction. Nahusha’s son gave Druhyu the west and Anu the north. He instated Yadu, the eldest, in the north-east. The king who was Nahusha’s son instated Puru in the middle. The entire earth and its habitations are divided into seven continents. All those regions are protected in accordance with dharma. O supreme among kings! I will next tell you about the offspring who resulted. The king cast aside his bow and arrows and gave the burden to his five sons. The unvanquished King Yayati, the lord of the earth, having cast aside his weapons, looked at the way the earth was ruled and was delighted. Having thus divided the earth, Yayati told Yadu, “O son! There is something else to be done.322 Accept my old age. In the form of a youth, I wish to roam around the earth. When that is done, I will take back the old age from you.” Yadu replied, “O king! I have promised a brahmana alms and he has not yet told me what he wants. Until that task is done, I cannot accept your old age. There are many taints associated with old age. One cannot eat and drink as one wills. O king! Therefore, I am not interested in accepting your old age. O king! You have other sons and you love them more than me. O one who knows about dharma! Ask this boon of acceptance from one of the other sons.” Having been thus addressed by Yadu, the king became full of anger. Yayati, supreme among eloquent ones, censured his son and said, “Under dharma, has any refuge other than you been indicated for me? O extremely stupid one! I am your preceptor and you have slighted me.” O son! Saying this, he angrily cursed Yadu. “O foolish one! O lord of men! From now on, your offspring will never enjoy a kingdom.” O bull among the Bharata lineage! Having been rebuffed by Turvasu, Druhyu and Anu, the king also cursed them in a similar way. O supreme among royal sages! As I had told you earlier, the unvanquished Yayati wrathfully cursed them. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Having cursed the four elder sons, the king repeated his words to Puru. “In the form of a youth, I wish to roam aroun
d this earth. O Puru! If you think it proper, please accept my old age.” The powerful Puru accepted his father’s old age. In Puru’s form, Yayati roamed around the earth. O supreme among the Bharata lineage! With Vishvachi,323 the lord roamed around in the grove of Chaitraratha, treading the path of desire and searching for its end. When the lord of the earth saw that his desire was no longer increasing, he went to Puru and took back his old age. O great king! In this connection, listen to a chant that was recited by Yayati. Through this, all desire is withdrawn, like the limbs of a tortoise. “Through enjoying pleasure, the birth of desire is never pacified. Instead, it increases, like ghee offered into a blazing fire. It is my view that one cannot tread the path of contentment with all the paddy, barley, gold, animals and women that are available on earth. If one does not harbour injurious sentiments towards all creatures, in deeds, thoughts and words, one obtains the brahman. Such a person does not frighten others, nor is he frightened by them. If one does not desire or hate, one obtains the brahman.” Having said this, with his wife, the royal sage entered the forest. For a long period of time, he performed great austerities. He performed austerities on Bhrigutunga. At the end of those austerities, the immensely famous one gave up his body and, with his wife, obtained heaven. O great king! There were five supreme and royal sages in his lineage. They pervaded the entire earth, like the sun with its rays. O royal sage! Yadu’s lineage is revered by the royal sages. Listen to it. Hari Narayana, the extender of the Vrishni lineage, was born in it. O lord of men! A man who always listens to Yayati’s character obtains good health, offspring, a long life and fame.’