Harivamsha

by Bibek Debroy

  ‘When those accounts were over, the king urged the sage who was the grandfather and great-grandfather of the Pandavas and of himself. “There are many kinds of stories in the Mahabharata and they cover a huge expanse. When I hear about them, in an instant, I am transported to delight. These detailed accounts lead to prosperity and fame for everyone. O brahmana! You composed it, like milk stored in a conch shell. Comparable satisfaction cannot be found in amrita, or in the happiness in heaven. The satisfaction obtained from listening to the Mahabharata account is superior. O one who knows everything! O illustrious one! I imagine that the reason for the destruction of the Kurus was the royal sacrifice. That is my view. Like a flood, there was a great destruction of kings and it was impossible to withstand. I think that the royal sacrifice was engineered so as to bring about the battle. I have heard that Soma thought of the royal sacrifice earlier. After that, there was an extremely great battle known as the tarakamaya encounter. When that was over, Varuna performed an extremely great sacrifice and this led to a battle between the gods and the asuras which led to the destruction of all creatures. The royal sage, Harishchandra, performed a sacrifice. There was a battle known as Adibaka there and it led to the destruction of kshatriyas. Later, the noble Pandava1127 performed an extremely difficult sacrifice that was like the fire and this sowed the seeds of the Mahabharata destruction. That was the foundation of the battle that led to the destruction of the worlds. Why was that great royal sacrifice not stopped? The different limbs of a royal sacrifice are extremely difficult to satisfactorily complete. If those limbs are not performed properly, a destruction of the subjects is certain. You are the grandfather of all the ancestors who have come earlier. You know about the past and the future. You are the protector and the origin of our lineage. O illustrious one! You are the leader and you are intelligent. Why did you make us deviate from good policy? Why were those men like those with a bad leader? Why were they without a protector? Why did they commit crimes?” Vyasa replied, “O child! Your grandfathers were driven by destiny. They did not ask me about the future. When I am not asked, I do not speak. I do not see any means of countering the future that has been determined. I do not see any means of saving oneself from the destiny that has been ordained. However, since you have asked me, I will tell you about what is going to transpire. But destiny is extremely powerful. Even if you hear about it, you will not act accordingly. Your manliness will make you exert yourself and try. But what has been written by destiny is extremely difficult to transgress, like the shoreline. It has been said that the horse sacrifice is the best sacrifice for kshatriyas. However, because of its superiority, Vasava will obstruct your sacrifice. O king! If you are capable, never perform this sacrifice. If manliness can be made subservient to destiny, do not perform this sacrifice. Then no crime will be committed against Shakra by you, by your preceptors, or by your officiating priests. However, destiny is the supreme lord. Listen to me. Its arrangement and its function, indeed every mobile and immobile object in the three worlds, is under the subjugation of destiny. When there is a destruction of the yuga, all kings who perform sacrifices go to heaven. So do brahmanas who sell the fruits of sacrifices.”1128 Janamejaya asked, “What will be the consequences if I refrain from the horse sacrifice? O illustrious one! On hearing this, if I am capable, I will refrain from it.” Vyasa replied, “O lord! The consequence will be that the brahmanas will be enraged. Make efforts to refrain from it. You will then be fortunate. O scorcher of enemies! If you perform this horse sacrifice, as long as the earth sustains itself, there will not be any kshatriyas there.” Janamejaya said, “If I refrain from the horse sacrifice, there will be energy and blazing curse of the brahmanas. I will become the instrument for that. That is the reason why a terrible fear is generated in me. How will a person like me, who is the performer of good deeds, be associated with this ill fame? A bird that was once bound no longer wants to take to the skies when it is released. Like that, I will not be interested in facing people. You have foreseen the future destruction that will come from undertaking this sacrifice. Like that, assure me if there is any way to prevent its recurrence.” Vyasa replied, “If one refrains from this sacrifice, the gods will reside in brahmanas. That is because, when energy is withdrawn, energy resides only in energy. When the land is tilled, there will be a brahmana of the Kashyapa lineage, by the name of Senani. In kali yuga, he will again perform a horse sacrifice. O Indra among kings! After that, in that lineage, there will be a person who will perform a royal sacrifice. He will be like a white planet1129 that is the harbinger of destruction. The fruits that men obtain from sacrifices depend on their strength. That is the reason, at the end of a yuga, the rishis roam around at the gates.1130 That is when the lives of men depend on their earlier deeds. When one life is over, they roam around in the worlds, depending on the deeds they have performed. At that time, the dharma that is based on the four ashramas becomes weak. At that time, great fruits are obtained from the subtle dharma that is based on giving donations, though it is difficult to observe. At that time, men obtain success through limited austerities. O Janamejaya! When the end of a yuga arrives, men who immerse themselves in dharma are blessed.”’

  Chapter 116

  ‘Janamejaya said, “O brahmana! I do not know about what is imminent, nor about what the future will bring.1131 Therefore, I wish to know about what will happen after the end of dvapara yuga. Driven by our thirst for dharma, we desire an era when, through a little bit of deeds, one can obtain happiness and achieve dharma. The end of the yuga1132 has arrived, causing anxiety among subjects. O one who knows about dharma! You should tell me about the signs of dharma being destroyed.”’

  Suta replied, ‘The illustrious one1133 thinks about the true nature of future destinations and was thus asked about the signs that come at the end of the yuga. Earlier, he had replied.

  ‘Vyasa said, “At the end of the yuga, there will be kings who will use their powers to only protect their own shares. The shares of sacrifices will no longer be protected, because they will seize these for themselves. Those who aren’t kshatriyas will become kings. Brahmanas will obtain a livelihood through modes meant for shudras. When the yuga is destroyed, shudras will follow the conduct meant for brahmanas. O bull among the Bharata lineage! O Janamejaya! When it is the end of a yuga, kandaprishthas and learned brahmanas will be seated in the same row and eat the sacrificial food together.1134 O Janamejaya! When it is the end of a yuga, there will be men who are artisans, those who are devoted to falsehood, those who are addicted to liquor and flesh and those who regard their wives as enemies. Thieves will follow the conduct of kings and kings will follow the conduct of thieves. When it is the end of a yuga, servants will enjoy what they have not been instructed to enjoy. Riches will be praised and the conduct of the virtuous will not be revered. When it is the end of a yuga, those who are outcasts will not be condemned. Mortals will be devoid of their senses. They will sport dishevelled hair, or shave their heads. Without attaining the age of sixteen years, men will have children. When it is the end of a yuga, inhabitants will sell food, auspicious objects will be sold at the crossroads and women will sell their hair. Everyone will speak about the brahman.1135 Everyone will be accomplished in the Vedas.1136 When it is the end of a yuga, shudras will say bho.1137 The brahmanas will sell austerities, sacrifices and the truth of the Vedas. When it is the end of a yuga, the seasons will behave in contrary fashion. Shudras will observe dharma, following the livelihood indicated by Shakya Buddha. They will display their white teeth and not lower their eyes. They will shave their heads and dress themselves in ochre garments. There will be a large number of predatory beasts and the number of cattle will decline. When it is the end of a yuga, tasty food will be difficult to come by and learning will decline. Outcasts will reside in the centre and those who should be in the centre will reside where outcasts should be. When it is the end of a yuga, inferior subjects will be allowed to go everywhere. When the yuga is destroyed, two-year-old bulls will be used to ploug
h and till and the rain will shower down in extraordinary ways. When the yuga withdraws itself, men will no longer follow dharma. The land will become a desert and highways will traverse through the interiors of cities. When it is kali yuga, everyone will become a trader. Sons will no longer render offerings to their ancestors. Driven by avarice and falsehood, they will act against each other and steal each other’s shares. When it is the end of a yuga, women who have lost their beauty, form and riches, will still decorate their hair. When it is the end of a yuga, householders will no longer possess a refuge and will be terrified. They will believe that no one should be loved as much as a wife. There will be many who are wicked in conduct and ignoble. Nevertheless, they will be handsome. When it is the end of a yuga, one of the signs is that there will be few men and many women. There will be many beggars in this world and they will give to each other.1138 The kings will punish and afflict those who are not thieves and people will face destruction. Seeds sown will not lead to crops. The young will follow the conduct of the old. When the yuga is over, people will be happy with whatever they obtain in this world. Harsh winds will blow during the rainy season, inferior and laced with showers of stones. When it is the end of a yuga, there will be suspicion about the world hereafter. Kings will follow the conduct of vaishyas and earn a living from riches and grain. When the yuga is over, brahmanas will also follow this kind of conduct. There will be violations of agreements and contracts. As the yuga starts to decay, debts will not be repaid. When the yuga is destroyed, pursuit of future fruits will be unsuccessful.1139 Instead, joy and anger will be successful among men. For the sake of milk, even goats will be milked. Those who do not know the sacred texts will behave as if they are wise. When it is the end of a yuga, they will nevertheless become expounders of the sacred texts. Without consulting the elders, everyone will be presumed to know everything. When the end of the yuga presents itself, there will be no one who deserves the appellation of being wise. When kshatriyas engage in contrary deeds, brahmanas will not restrain them. When the end of the yuga presents itself, kings will generally be thieves. O Janamejaya! When there is an end of the yuga, kundas,1140 shudras,1141 deceitful people and drunkards become expounders of the brahman and perform horse sacrifices. When the end of the yuga presents itself, brahmanas become greedy for riches and perform sacrifices for those for whom sacrifices should not be performed and eat that which should not be eaten. They desire objects of pleasure and do not study anything. Women adorn themselves with a single conch shell and bind themselves up with gavedhuka.1142 There are no nakshatras and the directions reverse themselves. When that next yuga1143appears, the red hue of evening burns in all the directions. Sons engage fathers in tasks and daughters-in-law employ mothers-in-law. Men will intercourse with women who are not from their own varnas. Men who observe agnihotra sacrifices will eat without having performed the required rites earlier. With offering shares of sacrifices as alms, men will themselves eat them first. While husbands are asleep, wives will cheat and go to someone else. While wives are asleep, men will go to the wives of others. Everyone will have some disease and some kind of mental suffering. Everyone will envy others. When the era ends, people will harm others, without having been injured earlier.”’

  Chapter 117

  ‘Janamejaya asked, “When the world is agitated like this, who will protect men? Where will they reside? What will be their conduct? What will they eat? Where will they roam around? What will be their deeds? How will they die? What will be their size? What will be their lifespan? After how many measures of time, will krita yuga arrive again?”’

  ‘Vyasa replied, “Dharma falls down from its elevated status and people are devoid of qualities. They give up good conduct for evil conduct and their lifespans diminish. As the lifespans diminish, their strength also suffers. As the strength suffers, they become pale. As they become pale, they suffer from diseases and ill health. Because of diseases and ill health, they lose their learning. From this state of lack of knowledge, awareness about the atman will arise. Once this awakening occurs, they will become attached to the conduct of dharma. In this fashion, after several measures of time are over, krita yuga will be obtained again. Some will be instructed about the conduct of dharma.1144 Some will follow the middle path.1145 Some will be prone to debating. Others will be curious about the cause behind everything. Some will be determined to follow what can be witnessed and proved. Others will pride themselves on their learning and not believe in proofs, arguing that nothing exists. Other people will see that what has been spoken about in the Vedas has not been proved. Some will be non-believers. Some will bring about the destruction of dharma. Men will be foolish and wicked, priding themselves on their learning. Unconscious about the knowledge of the sacred texts, they will be disrespectful and only believe in the present. They will be insolent and addicted to arguing. Dharma will be dislodged in this way. But there will be a few remaining ones who will follow what is auspicious, full of generosity and the truth. However, most will follow the senses and eat everything. They will be devoid of qualities and without any shame. These will be the filthy signs of the decline of the worlds then. People from the inferior varnas will adopt the eternal conduct prescribed for brahmanas. When the world is flooded by these astringent signs, knowledge and learning will be destroyed. But then, those who are detached obtain success in a short period of time. When there are those astringent signs, the yuga decays. There are great wars, loud roars, giant showers and immense fear. Rakshasas appear in the form of brahmanas. Kings listen to hearsay. When the end of the yuga presents itself, the earth will be agitated. Proud sages will not utter svadha and vashatkara. Predatory beasts appear in the form of brahmanas who eat everything and fail in their vows. They become stupid, selfish, greedy, inferior and evil in attire. They follow deviant conduct and are dislodged from eternal dharma. They steal the jewels of others and rape the wives of others. They follow desire and are evil-souled. They are untruthful and love to be rash. Men who are similar in power and conduct are seen to be everywhere. There are sages who appear in many different forms and claim that it does not exist.1146 However, depending on the best of men, krita yuga will arise again. All of them will recite the accounts1147 and be worshipped by men. But people will steal crops and steal garments. They will steal food and drinks and even the vessels in which these are kept. Thieves will steal from thieves. Those who kill others will in turn be killed by others. Because thieves ensure the destruction of other thieves, there will be peace. Without any essence, the earth will be agitated and no rites will take place in it. Oppressed by the burden of taxes, men will resort to the forest. When the rites of sacrifices are no longer observed, rakshasas, carnivorous beasts, insects, rats and snakes will make men suffer. O best among men! When the yuga is destroyed, peace, alms, health, objects, relatives and instructions are destroyed. They will protect themselves and steal from themselves, accumulating whatever is appropriate for the yuga. In groups, they will roam around in different countries. With their relatives, they will be dispossessed and dislodged from their own countries. They will flee in fear, carrying their young ones on their shoulders. Afflicted by fear and hunger, men will find refuge along the river Koushiki. Men will find refuge in Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Kashmira, Mekala, Rishikanta and the valleys of mountains. With bands of mlechchhas, men will reside everywhere in the Himalayas, the shores of the salty ocean and forests. The earth will not be empty, but it will not be full either. Those who should protect will not be able to act as protectors and rule, because they won’t possess the power. Men will survive on deer, fish, birds, carnivorous beasts, all kinds of insects, honey, vegetables, fruits and roots. Like hermits, they will attire themselves in many kinds of rags, leaves, bark and hides that they make themselves. Those who live in the upper regions will desire the seeds, wood and grain that grow in the plains and make efforts to rear goats, sheep, donkeys and camels. For the sake of water, those who live along banks will dam and obstruct the flows of rivers. They will buy and sell coo
ked food among themselves.1148 Sons will be born to them without the interval of a year between the two births. They will have many wives, but no sons. They will be cruel and devoid of qualities. Driven by time, men will be like this. The subjects will follow the worst among all inferior kinds of dharma. The maximum lifespan of mortals will be thirty years. They will be weak, without possessions and overcome by the rajas quality. Disease will lead to the destruction of their senses. The lifespan will be reduced further because of the violence that they cause to each other. Though they will love the sight of virtuous people, they will themselves need to be tended to. However, because of uncertainty about the nature of conduct, they will praise the truth. When no gains are obtained from the sins of desire, they will follow dharma. Afflicted by the decay of their own side, they will restrain their wicked behaviour. Dharma possesses the four feet of serving, donations, truthfulness and the protection of life, and in this, men will come to follow it. But because they are insolent about dharma, those qualities will also be transformed. Having savoured the good taste of dharma, they will assume they know it and speak about it. Just as there is decay in progression, there is also expansion in progression. Hence, when dharma is duly accepted, there will be krita yuga again. The good deeds of krita yuga are said to subsequently decay. This is just like the moon becoming pale in complexion, as a result of the progression of time. In kali yuga, the moon is shrouded in darkness. But it is also in kali yuga that the full moon destroys the darkness. The learned know that the supreme meaning of dharma is in the essence of the Vedas. Something that is indeterminate and unknown is regarded as something to be given away.1149 Rites, donations, austerities and brahmacharya are known to be extremely revered. Qualities are obtained by refraining from deeds, but qualities are also obtained by resorting to true deeds. From one yuga to another yuga, on seeing men who follow the dictates of the time and the place, rishis have pronounced benedictions over them. From one yuga to another yuga, sacred and auspicious benedictions are obtained in this world by those who follow dharma, artha and kama and the rites of the Vedas. The yugas circle around for a long time, depending on their nature and conduct, as determined by the creator. In this world of mortals, creation and destruction also circle around, neither remaining for more than an instant.”’