by Bibek Debroy
Chapter 125
‘Markandeya said, “O brahmana! The prince took his beloved son with him, and followed by his wife and followed by the gandharvas, went to his city. He went to his father’s house and affectionately worshipped him, bowing down at his feet. So did the slender-limbed and modest princess. King Karandhama was seated on his throne of dharma, amidst other kings. The prince told him, ‘Behold the face of your grandson, seated on your lap. For the sake of my mother’s kimichchhaka vow, I had earlier given you a pledge about this.’ Having said this, he placed his son on his father’s lap and told him everything, exactly as it had happened. His eyes overflowing with tears, he embraced his grandson, repeatedly praised him 1015 and exclaimed, ‘I am fortunate.’ After that, forgetting about everything else, he happily honoured the gandharvas who had come with arghya and other objects. There were great festivities of joy in the houses of the citizens. O great sage! They thought, ‘A son has been born to your protector.’ The city was full of healthy and well-nourished people and beautiful women sang and played on musical instruments. Beautiful courtesans performed superb dances. Cheerful in his mind, the king happily gave the best of brahmanas jewels, riches, cattle, garments and ornaments.’
‘“Like the moon during shukla paksha, the child grew. He brought joy to his parents and was loved by the people. O sage! He first learnt about the Vedas from his preceptors. Then he learnt all the sacred texts. After this, he learnt dhanurveda. He completed all the tasks required to become accomplished in the use of the sword and the bow. Conquering all exhaustion, the brave one learnt about other weapons. O brahmana! Humble and obedient, and seeking to please his guru, he learnt about weapons from Bhargava, born of the Bhrigu lineage. He became accomplished in knowledge of weapons, the Vedas and dhanurveda. He was so accomplished in all kinds of knowledge that there was no one superior to him. Vishala got to know everything about his daughter and about the worthiness of his daughter’s son. His mind was filled with delight.
‘“On seeing his son’s son, the king’s 1016 wishes had been satisfied. He had performed many sacrifices and had donated gifts to supplicants. He had accomplished all the rites and had ruled over the earth according to his strength and intelligence, ensuring that the varnas followed their own dharma. He had defeated the enemies. Therefore, he wished to retire to the forest and told his son, Avikshit, ‘O son! I am old. I will leave for the forest. Accept the kingdom from me. I have accomplished everything. Nothing except your instatement remains. I am giving you this well-administered kingdom. Accept it.’ Thus addressed by his father, Prince Avikshit bowed down humbly and replied, ‘O father! I do not wish to rule over the earth. I want to perform austerities. My shame has not yet gone. My mind doesn’t want the kingdom. Engage someone else instead. When I was bound, I was freed by my father and not through my own valour. Therefore, where is my manliness? A person with manliness must rule over the earth. Since I cannot protect my own self, how can I protect the earth? Therefore, please bestow the kingdom on someone else. If a man is bound because of his own delusion and is freed by someone else, how can he a lord of the earth? That man is like a woman. He is following the dharma of women. The king should be a brave person who can protect both men and women.’ The father replied, ‘There is no difference between a father and a son. A son is like the father. O brave one! When you were bound, you were freed by none other than your own father.’ The son said, ‘O lord of men! I am incapable of making my mind change. My mind is extremely ashamed that I have been freed by you. If a person enjoys riches accumulated by his father, if he is saved by his father from a hardship, or if he is known by his father’s name—it is best that such a person is not born in a lineage. If a person earns wealth on his own, if a person becomes famous because of what he himself has done, or if a person frees himself from a hardship on his own—that destination is the destination I want for myself.’ O sage! The father requested him several times, but he gave the same reply. Therefore, the king instated his son, Marutta, in the kingdom. With his father’s permission, he obtained the kingdom from his grandfather. Delighting his well-wishers, he ruled properly. Controlling his speech, body and mind and taking Vira with him, King Karandhama went to the forest to perform austerities. He tormented himself through extremely difficult austerities for one thousand years. When he gave up his body, he went to Shakra’s world. O brahmana rishi! Covered in filth and with matted hair, his wife, Vira, performed austerities for another one hundred years. She desired the world in heaven that her great-souled husband had gone to. She subsisted on roots and fruit and resided in Bhargava’s hermitage, amidst the wives of the brahmanas, engaging herself in serving the brahmanas.”’
Chapter 126
‘Kroushtuki said, “O illustrious one! You have told me everything about Karandhama’s conduct and about Avikshit’s conduct. I now wish to hear about the conduct of the great-souled Marutta, Avikshit’s son. It is heard that he made great efforts, was an immensely fortunate chakravarti and was brave, handsome and greatly intelligent. He knew about dharma, followed the principles of dharma and ruled the earth well.”
‘Markandeya replied, “With his father’s permission, he obtained the kingdom from his grandfather. Like a father taking care of his sons, he ruled in accordance with dharma. He performed many sacrifices and gave the appropriate amounts of dakshina. The lord of the earth was devoted to following the commands of the priests and the officiating priests. His wheel was unimpeded everywhere in the seven dvipas. His progress was unimpeded in heaven, Patala, the water and every other place. O brahmana! Having obtained riches, he appropriately expended them on rites. He performed many great sacrifices for the gods, with Indra at the forefront. He attentively ensured that all the varnas were engaged in their own tasks. With the wealth obtained from them, he performed ishta and purta rituals. O supreme among brahmanas! The earth was protected by the great-souled Marutta and its prosperity rivalled that of the residents of the world of the gods. He not only surpassed the lords of the earth. Having performed one hundred sacrifices, he even surpassed the king of the gods. O brahmana! His officiating priest was Samvarta, the son of Angiras and the brother of the great-souled Brihaspati, the store of austerities. There was a golden mountain named Munjavat, frequented by the gods. For the sake of the king, he 1017 brought down its summit. O brahmana! Using that, through his austerities, he performed a sacrifice to make all the different territories, 1018 and the mansions sparkling and golden. In this connection, a chant about Marutta’s conduct is sung and studied by the rishis. ‘The earth has not had a performer of sacrifices who is Marutta’s equal. His residence and all his mansions were rendered golden. Indra was intoxicated with soma and the brahmanas with dakshina. Shakra and the other supreme gods served the brahmanas. At king Marutta’s sacrifice, all the brahmanas were satisfied and their houses were filled with jewels. Therefore, they ignored all that gold. At his sacrifice, the palaces, and everything else, turned to gold. All the three varnas received something, and in turn, gave it away. People were satisfied at what was obtained there and their wishes were satisfied. Thus, they also performed separate sacrifices in different places.’ He ruled over the kingdom in this way and protected the subjects.
‘“O supreme among sages! On one occasion, an ascetic came and spoke to him. ‘O lord of men! Your father’s mother has sent a message to you. She has seen that the community of ascetics has been overwhelmed by the poison from the insolent nagas. After ruling the earth properly, your father’s father has gone to heaven. Though your father is capable, he has abandoned the village and has gone to the forest. I reside in Ourva’s hermitage and am incapable of undertaking my austerities. Therefore, while you are ruling over the kingdom, I can see an aberration. O king! This was not the case when your grandfather or your ancestors ruled. Addicted to objects of pleasure, it is clear that you are intoxicated. Perhaps your senses have conquered you. You are blind because you do not have spies and cannot distinguish good from evil. Having arrived from Patala, thei
r dominion, serpents have bitten seven sons of the sages and have polluted the waterbodies. They have defiled the oblations with sweat, urine and excrement. Since offerings have been given to the nagas for a long time, this is clearly an offence. 1019 The sages are capable of reducing the serpents to ashes. However, that is not their right. You alone are the one who possesses that right. O king! The sons of kings can enjoy objects of pleasure only as long as their head has not been sprinkled with the water of consecration. 1020 “Who are my friends? 1021 Who are my enemies? What is the strength of the enemy? Who am I? Who are my ministers? Which kings are on my side? What is the size of my treasury and my army? Who are the people who are devoted to me? Who is neutral? Who is an adversary? Who has been weaned away by the enemy? What is the nature of the enemy? In my city, my kingdom and among my people, who are properly undertaking the tasks of dharma? Who seems to act properly, but is actually foolish? Who should be punished? Who should be protected? Which man deserves indifference? Considering the time and the place, who should be subdued using sama and bheda? Using spies, which kings should one find out about?” To know about all the advisers, a lord of the earth should employ spies. Without being distracted in his mind, a lord of the earth must always engage in these tasks and not spend his days and nights in being addicted to objects of pleasure. O lord of the earth! A lord of the earth hasn’t got his body for the sake of pleasure. The objective is to undertake great sacrifices for the sake of protecting the earth and one’s own dharma. Having undertaken great hardships in this world, there is supreme and eternal bliss in heaven. O lord of men! Therefore, comprehend and give up these objects of pleasure. You should go through hardships so as to protect the earth. While you rule, the rishis are facing these difficulties on account of the serpents. O lord of the earth! Since you do not have spies, you are blind and do not even know. What is the need to speak a lot? Punish the wicked and bring them down. O king! Protect the virtuous. Thereby, you will obtain one-sixth the share of dharma. 1022 If you do not protect, you will acquire the sin committed by the wicked and the insolent. There is no doubt about this. Now do what you wish. I have told you everything that your father’s mother has said. O lord of the earth! Now do whatever appeals to you.’”’
Chapter 127
‘Markandeya said, “Hearing the words of the ascetic, the king was filled with great shame. He said, ‘Shame on me! I have been blind.’ Saying this, he sighed and seized his bow. He quickly went to Ourva’s hermitage. He bowed his head down and worshipped Vira, his father’s mother. As was proper, he honoured the ascetics and they pronounced their benedictions on him. He saw the seven dead ascetics lying down on the ground, bitten by nagas. In their presence, he repeatedly blamed himself. He said, ‘The serpents have shown disrespect towards my valour. They are wicked and hate brahmanas. The entire universe, with its gods, asuras and humans, will witness what I do to them.’ Saying this, the king angrily grasped the samvartaka weapon, 1023 so as to destroy all the nagas who roamed around in Patala and on earth. Suddenly, the world of the nagas blazed in every direction. O brahmana! The energy of the great weapon could not be countered and burnt everything down. The nagas were without any protector and terrified. ‘Alas, father! Alas, mother! Alas, child!’ Such lamentations were uttered. Some had the tips of their tails burnt. Other serpents had their hoods burnt. They cast aside their ornaments and garments and taking their wives and sons with them, left Patala. They went and sought refuge with Bhamini, Marutta’s mother. Earlier, she had granted them freedom from fear.
‘“Afflicted by fear, all the serpents went to her and prostrated themselves before her. In faltering tones, they told her, ‘Please remember what you told us earlier. Earlier, in Rasatala, we worshipped you for a purpose. That time has arrived now! O one who has given birth to a brave son! Save us. O queen! Control your son and give us our lives. The flames of his weapon are burning down the world of the nagas. Your son is burning us down in this way. There is no refuge other than you. O illustrious one! Show us your compassion.’ Hearing their words, she remembered what she had said earlier. The virtuous lady respectfully addressed her husband in these words. ‘I have already told you what the serpents said in Patala. At that time, worshipping me, they had spoken about my son. Terrified and burnt by his energy, they have arrived here now. They have sought refuge with me. Earlier, I had promised them freedom from fear. Those who seek refuge with me are also seeking refuge with you. You and I follow the same dharma, together. Hence, they have sought refuge with you. Therefore, restrain your son, Marutta. Because of your words and because of my requesting him, he will certainly be pacified.’ The king replied, ‘Because of the constant commission of a great sin, Marutta has become filled with rage. I think that your son’s rage is impossible of being controlled.’ The nagas said, ‘O king! We have sought refuge with you. You should show us your favours. A kshatriya wields weapons for the sake of saving those who are afflicted.’ Hearing the words of the nagas, beings who sought protection, and requested by his wife, the extremely illustrious Avikshit said, ‘O fortunate one! I will quickly go and speak to your son about saving the nagas. One should not forsake those who seek refuge. If the king 1024 does not withdraw his weapon at my words, then I will counter your son’s weapon with my own weapons.’ Avikshit, supreme among kshatriyas, picked up his bow and along with his wife, quickly went to Bhargava’s hermitage.”’ 1025
Chapter 128
‘Markandeya said, “He saw his son there, with an excellent bow in his hand. The fierce weapon affixed to the bow enveloped all the directions in its flames. It was vomiting giant and blazing flames that covered the entire earth and was even reaching inside Patala. It was terrible, dreadful and impossible to withstand. He saw the lord of the earth, with his forehead furrowed. He said, ‘O Marutta! Do not be angry. You should withdraw your weapon.’ As the generous one continued to repeat these words, his complexion faded. 1026 He heard his senior’s words and glanced repeatedly at him. With the bow in his hand, he respectfully prostrated himself before his father. 1027 He replied to his father, ‘The serpents have committed an extremely grave offence. While I am ruling over the earth, they have exhibited disrespect towards my strength. They went to the hermitage and bit seven sons of the sages. O lord of the earth! They have polluted the places around the hermitage of the rishis. While I am ruling, those evildoers have polluted the oblations. They have polluted all the waterbodies. O father! That is the reason you should not say anything. You should not prevent me from slaying the serpents. They are the killers of brahmanas.’ Avikshit said, ‘Since they have slain brahmanas, once they are dead, they will go to hell. Act in accordance with my words and refrain from using the weapon.’ Marutta replied, ‘I will not pardon the wicked criminals. If I do not control the sinners, I will also go to hell. O father! Therefore, you should not restrain me.’ Avikshit said, ‘The nagas have sought refuge with me. O king! Out of respect towards me, withdraw your weapon. Enough of this rage.’ Marutta replied, ‘I will not pardon the wicked criminals. How can I transgress my own dharma and act in accordance with your words? If a king brings down the rod of chastisement on those who should be punished and protects the virtuous, he obtains auspicious worlds. If he ignores this, he obtains hell.’ Along with his mother, his father tried to restrain him in many ways. But he did not withdraw his weapon. At this, he 1028 again said, ‘The terrified nagas have sought refuge with me and you are harming them. Therefore, I will restrain you by using countermeasures. I have also learnt about weapons. You are not the only one on earth who knows about weapons. O one who is extremely wicked in conduct! In front of me, what manliness will you have?’ O bull among sages! His eyes coppery red in rage, Avikshit grasped the bow in his hand and seized the kala weapon. This was an excellent weapon, encircled by flames, and was capable of killing the enemy. The immensely valiant one affixed the kala weapon to his bow. The world, along with all its oceans and mountains, was already agitated and scorched because of the samvartaka weapon. O brahmana! Now
the kala weapon was about to be released. When his father picked up the kala weapon, Marutta glanced at him and said, ‘I have invoked my weapon against the wicked and not against you, so as to kill you. Therefore, why are you releasing the kala weapon against me? I am a son who has always followed his own dharma. I have always been obedient towards you. O immensely fortunate one! My task is to protect the subjects. Why do you wish to kill by invoking your weapon?’ Avikshit replied, ‘We are acting so as to protect those who have sought refuge with us. You are acting as an impediment in this attempt. Therefore, you will not be able to escape with your life. Alternatively, use the valour of your weapon to slay me and kill the wicked nagas after that. Otherwise, I will kill you with my weapon and protect the giant nagas. Shame on the life of a man who does not show favours towards the afflicted who have sought refuge, even if they happen to be from the side of the enemy. I am a kshatriya. They are terrified and have sought refuge with me. Since you are acting against that, why should you not be killed by me?’ Marutta said, ‘A true king is one who kills a person who creates impediments in the way of protecting the subjects, even if that person is a friend, a relative, a father, or a guru. O father! Therefore, I will strike you. Do not be angry. I am only protecting my own dharma. I harbour no anger against you.’ They were determined to kill each other.