Dharmo rakshati rakshitah (Dharma protects those who protect it)

The Puranas
A compact, English-only version of
the Major 18 Puranas in one document
(overview of 18 pa-Puranas,
and !8 additional Puranas - "#$%
Issue 1, Draft 1
Compiled by the Dharmic Scriptures Team
October 3, 2002
Ano Bhadraha Kritavayo Yantu Vishwataha (Let noble thoughts come rom every side) ! "g Veda
Inde!
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1.1.1 A Profile of Brahmaji.............................................................................................................................. 28
1.1.2 Scriptural Appearance of Brahmaji........................................................................................................ 28
1.1.3 Four Heads of Brahmaji......................................................................................................................... 28
1.1.4 White Beard of Brahmaji........................................................................................................................ 28
1.1. S!an as a "ehicle................................................................................................................................. 28
1.1.# Purpose of Holdin$ "edas..................................................................................................................... 28
1.1.% &osar' in Second Hand......................................................................................................................... 2(
1.1.8 )amandalu *+oconut Shell Bo!l,.......................................................................................................... 2(
1.1.( Seat of the -otus................................................................................................................................... 2(
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1.2.1 Appearance of Saras.ati....................................................................................................................... 2(
1.2.2 Si$nificance of Boo/ and "eena *-'re,................................................................................................. 30
1.2.3 Beaded &osar'...................................................................................................................................... 30
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1.3.1 Appearance of -ord "ishnu................................................................................................................... 30
1.3.2 &eflection of Scriptural Appearance...................................................................................................... 30
1.3.3 Scientific 1epiction of "ishnu2s Appearance.......................................................................................... 30
1.3.4 Wh' does -ord "ishnu rest on Sheshana$a3........................................................................................ 30
1.3. Wh' is -otus in the 4a.el3.................................................................................................................... 31
1.3.# Wh' does "ishnu sta' in the Sea of 5il/3............................................................................................. 31
1.3.% &eason for holdin$ the Wheel............................................................................................................... 31
1.3.8 &eason for holdin$ the +onch............................................................................................................... 31
1.3.( Purpose of )austu6hamani................................................................................................................... 31
1.3.10 Wh' does -ord "ishnu hold a 5ace3.................................................................................................. 32
1.3.11 Wh' is 7aruda *8a$le, the "ehicle of "ishnu3.................................................................................... 32
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1.4.1 Wh' 7oddess -a9mi presses the feet of 7od3..................................................................................... 32
1.4.2 &eason for -i:uidit' of -a9mi................................................................................................................ 32
1.4.3 Wh' is the o!l the .ehicle of -a9mi3..................................................................................................... 32
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2.1.1 ;he Be$innin$ of +reation..................................................................................................................... 33
2.1.2 -ord Brahma2s -ife<Span and the +hronolo$ical =rder of the >8ras2.....................................................34
2.1.3 ;he Four Prominent +astes................................................................................................................... 3
2.1.4 ;he 5anifestations of 7oddess -a9mi.................................................................................................. 3
2.1. Sati $i.es up her -ife............................................................................................................................. 3#
2.1.# ;he =ri$in of 1eities? 1emons and Serpents........................................................................................ 3#
2.1.% ;he =ri$in of 5arud$anas..................................................................................................................... 3%
2.1.8 )in$ Prithu and the Sur'a 1'nast'........................................................................................................ 38
2.1.( Bash/ali? the 1emon /in$...................................................................................................................... 3(
2.1.10 Sri &am /ills Sham6u/......................................................................................................................... 40
2.1.11 5anifestation of 7anesh @ )arti/e'a.................................................................................................. 40
2.1.12 An Adeal Brahmin and the Si$nificance of the 7a'atri 5antra.............................................................41
2.1.13 A Brahmin2s -i.elihood........................................................................................................................ 42
2.1.14 4arottam B ;he Brahmin..................................................................................................................... 42
2.1.1 ;he Si$nificance of &udra/sha? Amla @ ;ulsi...................................................................................... 44
2.1.1# ;he Amportance of Sur'a2s Worship.................................................................................................... 44
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2.2.1 1ifferent ;'pes of Sin and "irtue........................................................................................................... 44
2.2.2 )in$ Ca'ati propa$ates "aishna.a<1harma.......................................................................................... 4
2.2.3 Ca'ati marries Ashru6indumati.............................................................................................................. 4
2.2.4 )unjal B ;he 8nli$htened Parrot............................................................................................................ 4#
2.2. )unjal Preaches "ijj!al......................................................................................................................... 4#
2.2.# )unjal 4arrates a6out his Pre.ious Birth............................................................................................... 4%
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2.3.1 Some Prominent Hol' Places in Bharat<"arsha.................................................................................... 4%
2.3.2 Dam6u6ar$? &i.er 4armada? Amar/anta/.............................................................................................. 48
2.3.3 >1harma<;eertha2 @ Camuna<Snan....................................................................................................... 48
2.3.4 )ashipuri? )apardish!ar @ 7a'a........................................................................................................... 4(
2.3. Puranas B ;he 8m6odiment of Sri Hari................................................................................................. 4(
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2.4.1 Sheshna$ narrates the ;ales of Sri &ama2s &eturn from -an/a............................................................4(
2.4.2 &a.ana B ;he 5i$ht' 1emon................................................................................................................ 0
2.4.3 A$ast'a Ad.ises Sri &ama to Perform Ash.amedh'a Ca$'a................................................................1
2.4.4 ;he Horse is -et -oose.......................................................................................................................... 1
2.4. -a. Fastens the Horse........................................................................................................................... 1
2.4.# -a. "an:uishes the Whole Arm'........................................................................................................... 1
2.4.% -a. Becomes Enconscious................................................................................................................... 1
2.4.8 ;he Arm' &eturns to A'odh'a............................................................................................................... 2
2.4.( Sri &ama sends -a9man to 6rin$ Sita................................................................................................... 2
2.4.10 Sita &eturns to A'odh'a...................................................................................................................... 2
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2..1 Badri/<Ashram....................................................................................................................................... 3
2..2 ;he 1escent of &i.er 7an$a................................................................................................................. 3
2..3 1asharatha Pacifies Shani.................................................................................................................... 3
2..4 Fualities of a "aishna.a........................................................................................................................ 3
2.. Andraprastha.......................................................................................................................................... 4
2..# "ai/unth B ;he A6ode of -ord "ishnu................................................................................................... 4
2..% ;he Ancarnations of 5ats'a and )urma................................................................................................. 4
2..8 4riSimha Ancarnation.............................................................................................................................
2..( "aman Ancarnation................................................................................................................................
2..10 Sri &ama2s Birth................................................................................................................................... #
2..11 Sri &ama 7ro!s Ep............................................................................................................................. #
2..12 Sri &ama2s 89ile.................................................................................................................................. %
2..13 Sri &ama2s +oronation......................................................................................................................... %
2..14 Sri )rshna............................................................................................................................................ 8
2..1 )illin$ of )ansa.................................................................................................................................... (
2..1# Darasandh............................................................................................................................................ #0
2..1% A6duction of &u/mini........................................................................................................................... #0
2..18 Sri )rshna2s Fueens............................................................................................................................ #1
2..1( Anirudha 5arries Esha........................................................................................................................ #1
2..20 ;he 1ecline of the Cadu 1'nast'........................................................................................................ #2
2..21 &ituals of "ishnu Worship.................................................................................................................... #3
2..22 -ord "ishnu B ;he Almi$ht' 7od......................................................................................................... #4
2..23 Parashuram ........................................................................................................................................ #4
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3.1.1 Antroduction and =ri$in of the Eni.erse from Basic 8lements................................................................#%
3.1.2 Birth of Brahma and Sal.ation of 8arth 6' "araha................................................................................ #8
3.1.3 1i.isions of 8arth and =ri$in of +ereals................................................................................................ #(
3.1.4 Birth of Prajapatis and their Pro$en'..................................................................................................... #(
3.1. +reation of &udra and =mnipresence of -a9mi..................................................................................... %0
3.1.# 1hru.2s 5i$ration to the Forest.............................................................................................................. %1
3.1.% 1hru. Pleases 7od !ith his Penance................................................................................................... %2
3.1.8 ;ale of )in$ "en and Prithu................................................................................................................... %3
3.1.( Birth of Prachin Barhi Worship of 7od 6' Prachetas............................................................................. %
3.1.10 5arria$e of Prachetas and Birth of Prajapatis..................................................................................... %
3.1.11 ;ale of Prahlad and 4arasimha Ancarnation........................................................................................ %%
3.1.12 Attempts to )ill Prahlad....................................................................................................................... %(
3.1.13 1escription of -ord2s "irtues 6' Prahlad and Protection of Prahlad 6' Sudarshan +ha/ra.................%(
3.1.14 Appearance of the -ord....................................................................................................................... 80
3.1.1 -inea$e of )ash'ap2s =ther Wi.es and =ri$in of 5arud$ana.............................................................80
3.1.1# ;he 1escription of Eni.ersal =rder..................................................................................................... 81
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3.2.1 1escription of Pri'a.rat2s -inea$e......................................................................................................... 82
3.2.2 7eo$raphical 1escription...................................................................................................................... 82
3.2.3 1i.ision of Bharat and =ther -andmasses............................................................................................ 83
3.2.4 1escription of =ther 1.ipas................................................................................................................... 83
3.2. 1escription of the 4ether Worlds........................................................................................................... 84
3.2.# 1escription of Hells................................................................................................................................ 8
3.2.% 1escription of +elestial Worlds.............................................................................................................. 8
3.2.8 =rder of the Sun? the Stars and other +onstellations............................................................................ 8
3.2.( ;!el.e 4ames of the Sun...................................................................................................................... 8#
3.2.10 1escription of Sur'a Sha/ti and "aishna.a Sha/ti.............................................................................. 8%
3.2.11 1escription of the 4ine Planets........................................................................................................... 88
3.2.12 -ife S/etch of Bharat........................................................................................................................... 88
3.2.13 Dada6harat Preaches the )in$............................................................................................................ (0
3.2.14 ;ale of &i6hu and 4idaa$h.................................................................................................................. (0
3.2.1 &i6hu Preaches 4idaa$h..................................................................................................................... (1
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3.3.1 1escription of 5an.ataras..................................................................................................................... (1
3.3.2 Birth of Sa.arni 5anu and 1escription of the 4e9t 5an.ataras............................................................(2
3.3.3 1escription of "eda "'asa and the Si$nificance of Brahma7'ana.......................................................(3
3.3.4 89pansion of the Branches of the &$ "eda........................................................................................... (3
3.3. 1escription of the Branches of the Cajur "eda...................................................................................... (4
3.3.# ;he Branches of the Sama "eda and the 18 Puranas.......................................................................... (4
3.3.% Cama 7ita.............................................................................................................................................. (4
3.3.8 1uties of Four +lasses of Societ'.......................................................................................................... (
3.3.( 1escription of 1ifferent Ashrams........................................................................................................... (
3.3.10 +ustoms and +onsecrations................................................................................................................ (#
3.3.11 1escription of &i$hteousness.............................................................................................................. (#
3.3.12 Sanctification after Birth and 1eath..................................................................................................... (%
3.3.13 1a's for 5onthl' =6lations.................................................................................................................. (%
3.3.14 5ethod for =6lations........................................................................................................................... (%
3.3.1 1o2s and 1on2t durin$ =6lation............................................................................................................ (8
3.3.1# ;he Battle of 7ods and 1emons......................................................................................................... (8
3.3.1% 1ialo$ue of 5a'amoha !ith 1emons.................................................................................................. (8
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3.4.1 1escription of "ai.as.at 5anu2s -inea$e.............................................................................................. ((
3.4.2 1escription of A/sh.a/u2s -inea$e....................................................................................................... 100
3.4.3 Pro$en' of 5andhatr? Ascend of ;rishan/u to Hea.en and Birth of Sa$ar..........................................102
3.4.4 1escription of Sur'a.ansh................................................................................................................... 103
3.4. ;ale of 4imi and 1escription of his -inea$e........................................................................................ 104
3.4.# 1escription of Soma.ansh and the ;ale of Purura.a.......................................................................... 10
3.4.% Birth of Damada$ni and "ish!amitra................................................................................................... 10#
3.4.8 1escription of )ash'a.ansh................................................................................................................ 10#
3.4.( 1escription of )in$ &aji and his Sons.................................................................................................. 10%
3.4.10 ;ale of Ca'ati..................................................................................................................................... 10%
3.4.11 1escription of Cadu.ansh and the ;ale of SahastrArjuna.................................................................10%
3.4.12 1escription of )roshtu.ansh.............................................................................................................. 108
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3..1 Puru.ansh........................................................................................................................................... 108
3..2 1escription of )uru.ansh..................................................................................................................... 10(
3..3 Ancarnation of -ord )rshna.................................................................................................................. 110
3..4 Appearance of -ord in 1e.a/i2s Wom6............................................................................................... 111
3.. )illin$ of Putana and Sal.ation of other 1emons................................................................................. 112
3..# ;he Sa$es +urse Cadu.anshis........................................................................................................... 138
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3.#.1 1escriptions of 1'nasties in )ali<Cu$a................................................................................................ 140
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4.1.1 1a/sha2s Animosit' to!ards -ord Shi.a.............................................................................................. 142
4.1.2 Sati jumps into the Sacrificial Fire........................................................................................................ 142
4.1.3 "irtues of Worshippin$ -ord Shi.a...................................................................................................... 143
4.1.4 +hurnin$ of the =cean........................................................................................................................ 143
4.1. ;he 8mer$ence of Am6rosia............................................................................................................... 143
4.1.# -ord Brahma2s Boon to ;ara/asur....................................................................................................... 144
4.1.% Shi.a tests Par.ati2s 1e.otion............................................................................................................. 144
4.1.8 ;he Arri.al of the Sapta<&ishis............................................................................................................ 14
4.1.( Birth of )arti/e'a................................................................................................................................. 14
4.1.10 )arti/e'a )ills ;ara/asur................................................................................................................... 14#
4.1.11 "irtues of =6ser.in$ a Fast on Shi.a<&atri........................................................................................ 14#
4.1.12 )arti/e'a2s Sorro!............................................................................................................................. 14%
4.1.13 )illin$ of Pralam6............................................................................................................................... 14%
4.1.14 )aal6hiti2s Austere Penance.............................................................................................................. 14%
4.1.1 )arandham2s Fueries........................................................................................................................ 148
4.1.1# Arunachal Shi.a -in$a....................................................................................................................... 14(
4.1.1% -ord Shi.a B ;he So.erei$n +reator................................................................................................. 14(
4.1.18 89ecution of Shum6h? 4ishum6h and 5ahishasur............................................................................ 10
4.1.1( Par.ati &ecei.es Arunchalesh!ar2s 7race........................................................................................ 10
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4.2.1 -ord "arah satisfies Prith.i2s +uriosit'................................................................................................ 11
4.2.2 -ord "arah 5antra............................................................................................................................... 11
4.2.3 5anifestation of Padma.ati................................................................................................................. 12
4.2.4 Padma.ati 6ecomes -ord Hari2s +onsort............................................................................................ 12
4.2. )in$ Pari/shit....................................................................................................................................... 12
4.2.# )rshna ;eertha.................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2.% Some =ther Places of Pil$rima$e on "en/etachal 5ountain..............................................................13
4.2.8 Anjana2s Penance at A/ash<7an$a ;eertha........................................................................................ 14
4.2.( -ord "ishnu Ad.ises -ord Brahma to $o to Purushottam )shetra.......................................................14
4.2.10 5ar/ande'a 8ulo$iGes "ishnu.......................................................................................................... 14
4.2.11 Hol' Places in the .icinit' of Purushottam<)shetra........................................................................... 1
4.2.12 "id'apati 8ulo$iGes -ord 4eel5adha.a............................................................................................ 1%
4.2.13 Andra'umna -ea.es for Purushottam<)shetra................................................................................... 18
4.2.14 Andra'umna &eaches 8/amrachhetra............................................................................................... 18
4.2.1 Andra'umna 8ulo$iGes -ord 4eel5adha.a........................................................................................ 1(
4.2.1# 4arad Anstalls the Adol of 4riSimha.................................................................................................... 1(
4.2.1% Andra'umna Performs Ash.amedh'a Ca$'as.................................................................................... 1(
4.2.18 Da$anath Adol is +ar.ed =ut.............................................................................................................. 1(
4.2.1( +onsecration of the Adols................................................................................................................... 1#0
4.2.20 &ath Catra......................................................................................................................................... 1#1
4.2.21 Some Prominent Places of Pil$rima$e.............................................................................................. 1#1
4.2.22 ;he 5ajest' of Badri<)shetra............................................................................................................ 1#1
4.2.23 ;he Amportance of Hindu 5onth? )arti/............................................................................................. 1#2
4.2.24 ;he Amportance of Hol' 1ips in 5ar$ashirsh..................................................................................... 1#2
4.2.2 ;he Si$nificance of +harit' made in "aisha/h.................................................................................. 1#2
4.2.2# A'odh'apuri....................................................................................................................................... 1#3
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4.3.1 &amesh!ar )shetra............................................................................................................................ 1#3
4.3.2 Setu Bandh.......................................................................................................................................... 1#3
4.3.3 &amesh!ar -in$a................................................................................................................................ 1#4
4.3.4 1harma&an'a )shetra........................................................................................................................ 1#4
4.3. -oss of 5oral "alues in )ali'u$a......................................................................................................... 1#
4.3.# ;he Si$nificance of +hatur5as'a "rata.............................................................................................. 1#
4.3.% Amportance of A6stinence durin$ +haturmas....................................................................................... 1#
4.3.8 &ituals Pertainin$ to Shodash Epachar............................................................................................... 1#
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4.4.1 "idh'achal =6structs the Path of Sur'a.............................................................................................. 1##
4.4.2 A$ast'a orders the "indh'a 5ountains to diminish their siGe..............................................................1#%
4.4.3 )ashi B ;he Sacrosanct Place of Pil$rima$e....................................................................................... 1#%
4.4.4 -ord )arti/e'a 1escri6es the 5ajest' of )ashi................................................................................... 1#%
4.4. ;he =ri$in of )ashi.............................................................................................................................. 1#8
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4..1 Sanat )umar 7lorifies 5aha/aal ;eertha............................................................................................ 1#8
4..2 )apal 5ochan...................................................................................................................................... 1#(
4..3 "arious 4ames of Ejjainipuri............................................................................................................... 1#(
4..4 ;he 7randeur of A.antipuri................................................................................................................. 1%0
4.. ;he 1escent of 4armada..................................................................................................................... 1%0
4..# 4armada 5arries Puru/utsu................................................................................................................ 1%1
4..% 5anu &ecei.es a Boon from 4armada................................................................................................ 1%1
4..8 Damada$ni recei.es )aamdhenu........................................................................................................ 1%1
4..( 1escription of Hell............................................................................................................................... 1%2
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4.#.1 ;rishan/u cursed 6' "ashishth2s Sons................................................................................................ 1%2
4.#.2 "ish!amitra +ommences 4e! +reation............................................................................................. 1%3
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4.%.1 1escription of Puranas and Ep<puranas.............................................................................................. 1%4
4.%.2 Pra6has ;eertha.................................................................................................................................. 1%4
4.%.3 Somnath -in$a.................................................................................................................................... 1%
4.%.4 1ifferent 4ames of Somnath............................................................................................................... 1%
4.%. Siddhesh!ar -in$a and Siddha -in$a................................................................................................. 1%
4.%.# +handra 1e.a 8ulo$iGes Shi.a........................................................................................................... 1%#
4.%.% ;he Si$nificance of 7ettin$ =ne2s Head ;onsured.............................................................................. 1%#
4.%.8 ;he 8mer$ence of Saras.ati in Pra6has )shetra................................................................................ 1%%
4.%.( Pra6has B ;he A6ode of ;rinit' 7oddesses........................................................................................ 1%%
4.%.10 1.ar/a 5ahatm'a B Sa$es Fueries to Prahlad................................................................................. 1%8
4.%.11 ;he Sanctit' of 1.ar/apuri................................................................................................................ 1%8
/ S%I+$ &$%$0P'#$($))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 1*0
9$# V.DY+,&6A" ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ #)#
.1.1 Sa$es 8n:uire..................................................................................................................................... 181
.1.2 Proposition and 5eans........................................................................................................................ 181
.1.3 -istenin$? )irtan? +ontemplation.......................................................................................................... 182
.1.4 7reatness of Shi.a -in$a.................................................................................................................... 182
.1. ;he 1eities $o to )ailash 5ountain..................................................................................................... 182
.1.# Anaal<Stam6h *;he Pillar of Fire,........................................................................................................ 182
.1.% Shi.a =6li$es Brahma......................................................................................................................... 183
.1.8 +onsecration of 5ahesh!ar................................................................................................................ 183
.1.( =m/ar.................................................................................................................................................. 184
.1.10 &ituals of Shi.a Worship.................................................................................................................... 184
.1.11 Sacred Pil$rima$es of Shi.a.............................................................................................................. 184
.1.12 +onduct of the respecti.e +astes...................................................................................................... 18
.1.13 ;'pes of 1harma............................................................................................................................... 18
.1.14 Appropriate Place and ;ime for Worshippin$ Shi.a.......................................................................... 18
.1.1 Worshippin$ the Adol of Shi.a............................................................................................................ 18#
.1.1# ;he 5ajest' of Prana. Pancha/shar................................................................................................. 18#
.1.1% Worldl' Bonda$e and Sal.ation......................................................................................................... 18%
.1.18 ;he Worship of Parthi.a -in$a.......................................................................................................... 18%
.1.1( 5ethods of Worshippin$ Parthi.a -in$a............................................................................................ 18%
.1.20 4um6er of Parthi.a Shi.alin$as........................................................................................................ 18%
.1.21 Amportance of 4ai.ed'a and Bil.a -ea.es......................................................................................... 188
.1.22 ;he 5ajest' of Shi.a2s 4ame............................................................................................................ 188
.1.23 ;he Amportance of Bhasma in Shi.a2s Worship................................................................................. 188
.1.24 Amportance of &udra/sha.................................................................................................................. 18(
9$( "2D"A ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ #)/
.2.1 Shrishti<)hand..................................................................................................................................... 18(
.2.2 "ictor' of 4arada o.er >)ama2............................................................................................................. 18(
.2.3 4arada2s 8$o Su6duedH....................................................................................................................... 1(0
.2.4 "ishnu Preaches 4aradH...................................................................................................................... 1(0
.2. Brahmaji Preaches 4aradH................................................................................................................... 1(0
.2.# ;he =ri$in of "ishnu............................................................................................................................ 1(0
.2.% =ri$in of Brahmaji................................................................................................................................ 1(1
.2.8 1ispute Bet!een Brahmaji @ "ishnuji................................................................................................. 1(1
.2.( Sha6da<Brahma.................................................................................................................................. 1(1
.2.10 Sha6da<Brahma ;anu....................................................................................................................... 1(2
.2.11 Shi.a 8nli$htens Brahma @ "ishnu................................................................................................... 1(2
.2.12 A$e of Brahma? "ishnu @ &udra........................................................................................................ 1(2
.2.13 ;he 5ethods of Worshippin$ Shi.a................................................................................................... 1(2
.2.14 Ac:uirin$ of Shi.a -in$as 6' the 1eit'.............................................................................................. 1(2
.2.1 5ethods of Worshippin$ Shi.a -in$a................................................................................................ 1(3
.2.1# ;he "irtues of Worshippin$ Shi.a 5ethodicall'................................................................................. 1(3
.2.1% ;he =ri$in of )ailash @ "ai/unth....................................................................................................... 1(3
.2.18 ;he 8mer$ence of &udra<A.atar....................................................................................................... 1(3
.2.1( +reation............................................................................................................................................. 1(3
.2.20 7unanidhi? ;he Brahmin2s Son.......................................................................................................... 1(4
.2.21 7unanidhi2s Sal.ation........................................................................................................................ 1(4
.2.22 Shi.a Blesses 7unanidhi................................................................................................................... 1(
.2.23 Shi.a $oes to )ailash........................................................................................................................ 1(
.2.24 ;he 5anifestation of >)ama2.............................................................................................................. 1(%
.2.2 Brahma +urses )amade.a................................................................................................................ 1(%
.2.2# )ama 5arried &ati............................................................................................................................. 1(%
.2.2% Sandh'a does Penance..................................................................................................................... 1(%
.2.28 Sandh'a &ecei.es a Boon from Shi.a.............................................................................................. 1(8
.2.2( Sandh'a2s Birth @ her 5arria$e !ith Sa$e "ashistha.......................................................................1(8
.2.30 Appearance of Sprin$ Season *"asant &itu,..................................................................................... 1(8
.2.31 ;he +reation of 5ar$anas and )ama2s Futile Attempts....................................................................1((
.2.32 1ailo$ue Bet!een Brahma @ "ishnu................................................................................................. 1((
.2.33 7oddess 1ur$a................................................................................................................................. 1((
.2.34 1a/sha Worships 1e.i...................................................................................................................... 1((
.2.3 1a/sha +urses 4arad....................................................................................................................... 1((
.2.3# Birth of Sati........................................................................................................................................ 200
.2.3% Sati does Penance............................................................................................................................ 200
.2.38 Brahmaji ma/es a re:uest to -ord Shi.a........................................................................................... 200
.2.3( Shi.a Blesses Ema !ith a Boon........................................................................................................ 200
.2.40 Shi.a 5arried Sati............................................................................................................................. 200
.2.41 -ord Brahma Faces the Wrath of Shi.a............................................................................................. 201
.2.42 1eformed Face of Brahma................................................................................................................ 201
.2.43 Shi.a<Sha/ti as Hus6and @ Wife....................................................................................................... 201
.2.44 Shi.a<Sha/ti 1epart for Himal'a........................................................................................................ 201
.2.4 ;he Amportance of 1e.otion in )ali'u$a............................................................................................ 201
.2.4# Sati2s 1ou6t....................................................................................................................................... 202
.2.4% Shi.a does not see Sati as his consort.............................................................................................. 202
.2.48 1a/sha2s Animosit' to!ards Shi.a.................................................................................................... 202
.2.4( 1a/sha Performs Ca$'a.................................................................................................................... 203
.2.0 Sati2s Arri.al at the =6lation Site....................................................................................................... 203
.2.1 Sati2s 1ishonor.................................................................................................................................. 203
.2.2 Sati 7i.es Ep Her -ife....................................................................................................................... 203
.2.3 5anifestation of "eer6harda @ 5aha/ali........................................................................................... 203
.2.4 "eer6hadra @ )ali Assem6le their Arm'............................................................................................ 204
.2. 1a/sha 89periences Anauspicious Si$ns........................................................................................... 204
.2.# -ord "ishnu Preaches 1a/sha.......................................................................................................... 204
.2.% 1a/sha 7ets his Head Se.ered........................................................................................................ 204
.2.8 +ontention 6et!een )shu.a @ 1adhichi............................................................................................ 204
.2.( Battle 6et!een "ishnu @ 1adhichi..................................................................................................... 20
.2.#0 ;he 1eities $o to -ord Shi.a............................................................................................................. 20
.2.#1 1a/sha 6ecomes Ali.e...................................................................................................................... 20#
.2.#2 1a/sha =r$aniGes Ca$'a once a$ain............................................................................................... 20#
.2.#3 Par.at )handH Himal'a 5arries 5aina.............................................................................................. 20#
.2.#4 5aina $ets -i6erated from the +urse................................................................................................ 20#
.2.# An.ocation of Ea................................................................................................................................. 20%
.2.## 7oddess Ema +onsoles the 1eities.................................................................................................. 20%
.2.#% 5aina and Himal'a +ommence Penance.......................................................................................... 20%
.2.#8 Birth of Par.ati................................................................................................................................... 20%
.2.#( 1i.ine +hildhood Pla's of Par.ati...................................................................................................... 20%
.2.%0 ;he 1reams of Par.ati and Himal'a.................................................................................................. 208
.2.%1 ;he Birth of >Bhaum2<5ars................................................................................................................. 208
.2.%2 Shi.a Arri.es at Himal'a.................................................................................................................... 208
.2.%3 +on.ersation 6et!een Par.ati @ Shi.a.............................................................................................. 20(
.2.%4 ;he Birth of "ajran$........................................................................................................................... 20(
.2.% Birth of ;ara/asur and his Penance.................................................................................................. 210
.2.%# ;ara/asur &elin:uishes Hea.en on the Ad.ice of -ord Brahma.......................................................210
.2.%% )amade.a Sent to -ord Shi.a........................................................................................................... 210
.2.%8 8fforts of )amade.a.......................................................................................................................... 210
.2.%( )amade.a &educes to Ashes........................................................................................................... 210
.2.80 ;he An$er of Shi.a Su6sides............................................................................................................ 211
.2.81 4arada Preaches Par.ati................................................................................................................... 211
.2.82 Par.ati does Penance........................................................................................................................ 211
.2.83 ;he 1eities $o to -ord Shi.a............................................................................................................. 212
.2.84 Salutations 7i.es His Appro.al......................................................................................................... 212
.2.8 Par.ati2s -o.e for Shi.a ;ested 6' the Sapta<&ishis......................................................................... 212
.2.8# -ord Shi.a ;ests Par.ati.................................................................................................................... 212
.2.8% Par.ati2s &epl'................................................................................................................................... 212
.2.88 Shi.a &e.eals his ;rue Adentit'......................................................................................................... 212
.2.8( Shi.a 1emands Par.ati as his +onsort............................................................................................. 213
.2.(0 Shi.a2s 1elusionar' Po!er................................................................................................................ 213
.2.(1 Shi.a Anstructs Sapta<&ishis to +on.ince 5aina @ Himal'a..............................................................214
.2.(2 Anaran'a? ;he )in$........................................................................................................................... 214
.2.(3 Padma and Pippalad......................................................................................................................... 214
.2.(4 Himal'a Sends -a$na<Patri/a........................................................................................................... 21
.2.( -ord Shi.a An.ites the 1eities............................................................................................................ 21
.2.(# -ord Shi.a2s 5arria$e Procession..................................................................................................... 21
.2.(% Shi.a 1i.ine Pla's............................................................................................................................. 21
.2.(8 5aina2s Wail...................................................................................................................................... 21
.2.(( Himal'a Besto!s Par.ati to Shi.a..................................................................................................... 21#
.2.100 Shi.a Brin$s Bac/ )amade.a Ali.e................................................................................................. 21#
.2.101 Shi.a2s 1eparture............................................................................................................................ 21#
.2.102 )arti/e'a.......................................................................................................................................... 21%
.2.103 Search for )arti/e'a........................................................................................................................ 21%
.2.104 )arti/e'a2s +oronation..................................................................................................................... 21%
.2.10 )arti/e'a2s AmaGin$ +haracter....................................................................................................... 21%
.2.10# ;he Battle........................................................................................................................................ 218
.2.10% )illin$ of ;ara/asur.......................................................................................................................... 218
.2.108 )illin$s of Pralam6 @ Banasur......................................................................................................... 218
.2.10( 7anesh............................................................................................................................................ 218
.2.110 7anesha 1efeats ;he Shi.a$anas @ ;he 1eities........................................................................... 21(
.2.111 Shi.a Se.eres 7anesh2s Head........................................................................................................ 21(
.2.112 7anesh Becomes Ali.e................................................................................................................... 21(
.2.113 7anesha2s 5arria$e........................................................................................................................ 21(
.2.114 Cudh<)handH ;ripurasur< ;he ;hree 1emon................................................................................... 220
.2.11 ;he 1eities 8ulo$iGe Shi.a @ "ishnu.............................................................................................. 220
.2.11# 8mer$ence of Atheism.................................................................................................................... 221
.2.11% ;he 1eities 8ulo$iGe -ord Shi.a...................................................................................................... 221
.2.118 )illin$s of ;ripurasurs...................................................................................................................... 221
.2.11( ;he 1eities &ecei.e a Boon from Shi.a.......................................................................................... 222
.2.120 -ord Shi.a Spares ;he -ife of Andra................................................................................................ 222
.2.121 5anifestation of Daladhar................................................................................................................. 222
.2.122 Battle Bet!een Dalandhar @ ;he 1eities......................................................................................... 223
.2.123 Battle Bet!een -ord "ishnu @ Dalandhar........................................................................................ 223
.2.124 4arad2s Strata$em........................................................................................................................... 224
.2.12 Battle Bet!een -ord Shi.a @ Dalandhar.......................................................................................... 224
.2.12# "rinda 7ets 1ishonored.................................................................................................................. 224
.2.12% )illin$ of Dalandhar.......................................................................................................................... 22
.2.128 ;he 1eities 89press 7ratitude......................................................................................................... 22
.2.12( 5anifestation of Amla *5'ro6alan,? ;ulsi *IBasil, and 5alti............................................................22
.2.130 Birth of Shan/hachuda.................................................................................................................... 22
.2.131 Shan/hachuda2s 5arria$e............................................................................................................... 22
.2.132 Shan/hachuda Becomes the &uler of All ;hree Worlds..................................................................22#
.2.133 Shi.a Assures the 1eities................................................................................................................ 22#
.2.134 +on.ersation Bet!een Pushpadant @ Shan/hachuda....................................................................22#
.2.13 Shi.a Proceeds !ith his Arm'......................................................................................................... 22#
.2.13# Shan/hachuda Proceeds !ith his Arm'.......................................................................................... 22#
.2.13% Battle Bet!een the 1eities and the 1emons................................................................................... 22#
.2.138 ;he Battle Bet!een Shi.a2s Famil' @ Shan/hachuda.....................................................................22#
.2.13( Strate$' 8mplo'ed to )ill Shan/hachuda........................................................................................ 22#
.2.140 -ord Shi.a )ills Shan/hachuda....................................................................................................... 22%
.2.141 ;ulsi +urses -ord "ishnu................................................................................................................. 22%
.2.142 )illin$ of Hiran'a/sha...................................................................................................................... 22%
.2.143 -ord Shi.a ;eaches ;he Secrets of 5rita<Sanji.ani "id'a to Shu/rachar'a...................................22%
.2.144 Andha/2s Splendors......................................................................................................................... 228
.2.14 Battle Bet!een -ord Shi.a and Andha/.......................................................................................... 228
.2.14# &eemer$ence of Shu/rachar'a....................................................................................................... 22(
.2.14% )illin$ of 7ajasur............................................................................................................................. 22(
.2.148 )illin$ of 4irhaddait'a...................................................................................................................... 22(
.2.14( )illin$ of "idal and Etpal.................................................................................................................. 230
9$0 ,&A-"2D"A ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (03
.3.1 Sadhojat *1,......................................................................................................................................... 230
.3.2 4aamde.a *2,...................................................................................................................................... 230
.3.3 ;atpurush *3,....................................................................................................................................... 230
.3.4 7horesh *4,......................................................................................................................................... 231
.3. Ashan *,.............................................................................................................................................. 231
.3.# 8i$ht Adols of Shi.a.............................................................................................................................. 231
.3.% Shi.a as Ardhanarish!ar..................................................................................................................... 231
.3.8 "arious Ancarnations of "'asa and -ord Shi.a.................................................................................... 231
.3.( 4andi/esh!ar...................................................................................................................................... 232
.3.10 Bhaira. 7ets -i6erated from his Sin.................................................................................................. 233
.3.11 Shi.a ;a/es an Ancarnation as Shara6h............................................................................................ 233
.3.12 "ish!anar &ecei.es a Boon from Shi.a............................................................................................ 233
.3.13 Shi.a2s Ancarnation as 7rihapati........................................................................................................ 234
.3.14 7rihapati2s Penance.......................................................................................................................... 234
.3.1 -ord Shi.a2s Ancarnation as Ca/shesh!ar......................................................................................... 234
.3.1# 1ash A.atar *10 Ancarnations of Shi.a,............................................................................................. 23
.3.1% ;he =ri$in of 8le.en &udras............................................................................................................. 23
.3.18 Shi.a2s Ancarnation as 1ur.asa......................................................................................................... 23
.3.1( Ancarnation of Hanuman.................................................................................................................... 23#
.3.20 Shi.a2s Ancarnation as 5ahesh.......................................................................................................... 23#
.3.21 -ord "ishnu +reates ;ur6ulences..................................................................................................... 23#
.3.22 Shi.a2s Ancarnation as "risha6h........................................................................................................ 23%
.3.23 )illin$ of "rittrasur............................................................................................................................. 23%
.3.24 Shi.a2s Ancarnation as Catinath......................................................................................................... 238
.3.2 Shi.a2s Ancarnation as )rshna 1arshan............................................................................................. 238
.3.2# -ord Shi.a Appears as a Be$$ar....................................................................................................... 23(
.3.2% -ord Shi.a Appears in the 7uise of Andra *Suresh!ar,.....................................................................23(
.3.28 Sa$e "'asa Ad.ises the Panda.as to Worship Shi.a.......................................................................240
.3.2( Andra Appears 6efore Arjun................................................................................................................ 240
.3.30 -ord Shi.a Appears in the 7uise of )irat........................................................................................... 241
.3.31 )irat Blesses Arjun............................................................................................................................ 241
.3.32 ;he ;!el.e D'otirlin$as..................................................................................................................... 241
9$4 K%-. "2D"A ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (4(
.4.1 ;he 7reatness of Epalin$as................................................................................................................ 242
.4.2 Atri and Anusu'a do Penance............................................................................................................. 243
.4.3 ;he 7reatness of Atri.......................................................................................................................... 243
.4.4 ;he Brahmin Woman Attains to Hea.en.............................................................................................. 243
.4. 5aha6al Shi.a -in$a........................................................................................................................... 244
.4.# ;he &eason Behind Phallic Worship................................................................................................... 244
.4.% ;he =ri$in of Batu/nath....................................................................................................................... 24
.4.8 ;he =ri$in of Somnath......................................................................................................................... 24
.4.( ;he =ri$in of 5alli/arjuna.................................................................................................................... 24#
.4.10 ;he =ri$in of 5aha/alesh!ar............................................................................................................ 24#
.4.11 ;he =ri$in of =m/aresh!ar............................................................................................................... 24#
.4.12 ;he =ri$in of )edaresh!ar................................................................................................................ 24%
.4.13 ;he =ri$in of Bheema Shan/ar......................................................................................................... 24%
.4.14 ;he =ri$in of "ish.esh!ar................................................................................................................. 24%
.4.1 ;he =ri$in of ;ra'am6a/esh!ar....................................................................................................... 24%
.4.1# ;he =ri$in of Baid'anath................................................................................................................... 248
.4.1% ;he =ri$in of 4a$esh!ar D'otirlin$a.................................................................................................. 24(
.4.18 8sta6lishment of &amesh!ar............................................................................................................ 24(
.4.1( ;he =ri$in of 1hushmesh D'otirlin$a................................................................................................. 20
.4.20 -ord "ishnu &ecei.es Sudarshan +ha/ra......................................................................................... 21
.4.21 Shi.a Sahastranaam......................................................................................................................... 21
.4.22 ;he 7reatness of Sahastranaam....................................................................................................... 21
.4.23 ;he 1e.otees of Shi.a...................................................................................................................... 21
.4.24 Austerities @ Fastin$s +onnected !ith Shi.a2s Worship....................................................................21
.4.2 5ahashi.aratri................................................................................................................................... 22
.4.2# Accomplishment of Shi.ratri *Edd'apan,........................................................................................... 22
.4.2% ;he 7reatness of Shi.aratri............................................................................................................... 22
.4.28 1ifferent Sta$es of -i6eration............................................................................................................ 23
9$9 2'A ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (94
..1 +on.ersation Bet!een )rshna @ Epaman'u....................................................................................... 24
..2 Sri )rshna 1oes Penance................................................................................................................... 24
..3 +lassification of 7ra.e Sins................................................................................................................. 2
..4 ;he 1escription of Hell........................................................................................................................ 2
.. +harit' and its Amportance................................................................................................................... 2
..# ;he 1escription of the 4ether!orld *Patal -o/a,................................................................................. 2#
..% -i6eration From Hell............................................................................................................................ 2#
..8 ;he 1escription of Se.en Aslands........................................................................................................ 2#
..( ;he 1escription of Planets................................................................................................................... 2%
..10 +ate$ories of Austerit' *;apa,........................................................................................................... 2%
..11 ;he =ri$in of Bod'............................................................................................................................. 2%
..12 Purification of the Bod'...................................................................................................................... 2%
..13 +ontrol o.er 1eath *Achchha 5rit'u,.................................................................................................. 2%
..14 ;he 1escent of 7an$a....................................................................................................................... 28
..1 ;he Austerities of "ed "'asa............................................................................................................ 28
..1# Ancarnation of 5aha/ali...................................................................................................................... 28
..1% Ancarnation of 5ahala9mi................................................................................................................... 2(
..18 Ancarnation of 5ahasaras.ati............................................................................................................. 2(
..1( Ema Warns the 1eities...................................................................................................................... 2#0
..20 ;he Ancarnation of Sha/am6ari.......................................................................................................... 2#0
9$; KA.LA,& ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (;3
.#.1 +lassifications of Co$a........................................................................................................................ 2#0
.#.2 +onduct of a San'asi.......................................................................................................................... 2#1
.#.3 5ethods of Shi.a Worship................................................................................................................... 2#1
.#.4 ;he 7reatness of Prana' 5antra........................................................................................................ 2#1
.#. Anitiation of a San'asi.......................................................................................................................... 2#1
.#.# -ast &ites of an Ascetic *San'asi,....................................................................................................... 2#2
9$7 VAYV.YA ,A'&.-A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (;(
.%.1 ;he =ri$in of "id'a *)no!led$e,......................................................................................................... 2#2
.%.2 ;he ;ale of 4aimisharan'a.................................................................................................................. 2#3
.%.3 ;ime B ;he &adiance of Shi.a............................................................................................................ 2#3
.%.4 ;ime B +alculation............................................................................................................................... 2#3
.%. 5editation............................................................................................................................................ 2#4
.%.# &ituals +onnected !ith Shi.a2s Worship............................................................................................. 2#4
.%.% Pashupat "rata and its &ituals............................................................................................................ 2#4
.%.8 Antroduction of the Eni.erse................................................................................................................. 2#
.%.( 1uties of a Brahmin............................................................................................................................. 2#
.%.10 +hantin$ of 5antras.......................................................................................................................... 2##
.%.11 8sta6lishin$ 1eities in the form of Alpha6ets !ithin the Bod'...........................................................2##
.%.12 5ental Worship of Shi.a.................................................................................................................... 2##
.%.13 5ethod of 1oin$ 5ental Worship...................................................................................................... 2##
.%.14 5ethod of Performin$ Ha.an............................................................................................................. 2#%
.%.1 Auspicious 1a's for Performin$ Shi.a Worship................................................................................ 2#%
.%.1# 1esira6le &ituals *)am'a )arma,..................................................................................................... 2#%
.%.1% &ituals Pertainin$ to Shi.a Worship *Shai.a )am'a )arma,.............................................................2#8
.%.18 Anstallation of Shi.a -in$a.................................................................................................................. 2#8
.%.1( +lassification of Co$a........................................................................................................................ 2#8
.%.20 Hurdle in the Path of Co$a................................................................................................................. 2#8
.%.21 Shi.a Co$a........................................................................................................................................ 2#(
.%.22 Sanat)umar &ecei.e Shi.a<7'an from 4andi................................................................................... 2#(
, +$&$($ P'#$($))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 211
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;$( -AL+, %< L%"D ,&.VA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (7#
#.2.1 Shi.a &eturns to 5andaar 5ountain................................................................................................... 2%1
#.2.2 Atonement of -ord Shan/ar................................................................................................................. 2%2
#.2.3 Sati 7i.es up her -ife.......................................................................................................................... 2%2
#.2.4 ;he 1estruction of 1a/sha2s Ca$'a.................................................................................................... 2%3
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#.3.1 Andha/ B ;he 1emon )in$.................................................................................................................. 2%3
#.3.2 Su/eshi2s Fueries................................................................................................................................ 2%4
#.3.3 Sinful 1eeds........................................................................................................................................ 2%4
#.3.4 Dam6ud!eep and Bharat.arsh............................................................................................................ 2%4
#.3. 1ashaan$ 1harma.............................................................................................................................. 2%
#.3.# ;he &ise and Fall of Su/eshi2s )in$dom............................................................................................. 2%
;$4 -AL+, %< 1A"=1A"AYA1A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (7;
#.4.1 5anifestation of 4ar<4ara'ana............................................................................................................ 2%#
#.4.2 Prahlad meets 4ar<4ara'ana.............................................................................................................. 2%#
#.4.3 Prahlad 6lessed 6' 4ar<4ara'ana....................................................................................................... 2%#
;$9 'A1.<+,-A-.%1 %< V+*+-A-.%1 <"%' -&+ D+.-.+,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (77
;$; 'A&.,&A,2"A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (77
#.#.1 5ahishasura2s Atrocities...................................................................................................................... 2%%
#.#.2 ;he 1emons B +hand and 5und......................................................................................................... 2%8
#.#.3 )illin$ of 5ahishasura......................................................................................................................... 2%(
#.#.4 &eincarnation of 7oddess 1ur$a........................................................................................................ 280
;$7 -AL+, %< K.1* K2"2 A1D K2"2K,&+-"A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()3
;$) BAL. ! -&+ D+'%1 K.1*$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()#
#.8.1 1eities $o to Brahma -o/a.................................................................................................................. 281
#.8.2 ;he 1eities do Penance...................................................................................................................... 281
#.8.3 -ord 4ara'ana Blesses )ash'ap........................................................................................................ 282
#.8.4 -ord "ishnu Appears........................................................................................................................... 282
#.8. Bali2s Fueries to Prahlad..................................................................................................................... 282
#.8.# 5anifestation of -ord "aaman............................................................................................................. 282
#.8.% -ord "aaman2s 1emands.................................................................................................................... 283
;$/ ,A"A,VA-. ".V+"$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()0
;$#3 K2"2K,&+-"A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()4
;$## ,A*+ 'A1KA1AK +2L%*.>+, ,&.VA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()4
;$#( ,%'+ ,A:"+D 8LA:+, %< 8.L*".'A*+$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()4
#.12.1 Aushanas ;irtha................................................................................................................................ 284
#.12.2 "ashishtha<pa.ah ;irtha.................................................................................................................... 28
#.12.3 )am'a/.an ;irtha.............................................................................................................................. 28
#.12.4 Sthanu ;irtha..................................................................................................................................... 28
;$#0 ,A*+, -AK+ L%"D ,&.VA?, "+<2*+$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ();
;$#4 *"+A-1+,, %< ,-&A12 -."-&A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()7
#.14.1 ;he 7reatness of Saanihit'a Saro.ar and Sthanu ;irtha..................................................................28%
#.14.2 =ther Prominent -in$as..................................................................................................................... 28%
#.14.3 )in$ "en? Birth of Prithu.................................................................................................................... 28%
#.14.4 "en Attains Hea.en........................................................................................................................... 288
;$#9 -&+ %".*.1 %< B"A&'+,&6A"?, <%2" &+AD,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ())
;$#; 8".-&2DAK -."-&A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ())
;$#7 B."-& %< 2'A A1D &+" 'A"".A*+ -% ,&.VA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ()/
#.1%.1 5ena $i.es 6irth to Ema.................................................................................................................... 28(
#.1%.2 -ord Shi.a sends 5arria$e Proposal................................................................................................. 2(0
#.1%.3 Ema 5arries -ord Shi.a.................................................................................................................... 2(0
#.1%.4 "ish!a/arma +onstructs a Palace.................................................................................................... 2(1
#.1%. )illin$ of 4ishum6h and Shum6h....................................................................................................... 2(2
#.1%.# Birth of )aarti/e'a............................................................................................................................. 2(3
#.1%.% )aarti/e'a )ills ;ara/a and 5ahishasura.......................................................................................... 2(4
#.1%.8 &itudh!aj Anjures Paatal/etu............................................................................................................. 2(
#.1%.( -ord Shi.a does Penance.................................................................................................................. 2(
#.1%.10 -ord "ishnu )ills 5ura..................................................................................................................... 2(#
;$#) D+,:".8-.%1 %< &+LL,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (/7
;$#/ K.1* DA1DA A1D A"A@A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (/7
#.1(.1 Andha/asura B ;he 1emon............................................................................................................... 2(%
#.1(.2 "ish.a/arma 6ecomes a 5on/e'...................................................................................................... 2(8
#.1(.3 Search for +hitran$ada and "eda.ati................................................................................................ 2((
#.1(.4 Sa$e Shu/rachar'a +urses 1anda................................................................................................... 301
;$(3 L%"D ,&.VA 8"+8A"+, <%" -&+ BA--L+$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 03#
#.20.1 7anas ;hron$ 5andar 5ountain....................................................................................................... 301
#.20.2 ;he Battle +ommences..................................................................................................................... 302
#.20.3 Shu/rachar'a Eses Sanjee.ani "id'a............................................................................................... 302
#.20.4 -ord Shi.a )ills Andha/..................................................................................................................... 304
#.20. ;he =ri$in of 5arut 7anas................................................................................................................ 30
#.20.# 5arut 7anas of 1ifferent 5an.ataras................................................................................................ 30
#.20.% -ord "ishnu )ills )aalnemi................................................................................................................ 30#
;$(# K.1* BAL.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 037
#.21.1 Bali &ules Hea.en............................................................................................................................. 30%
#.21.2 ;he Splendors of Bali........................................................................................................................ 30%
;$(( 'Y-&%L%*.:AL -AL+,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 037
#.22.1 1hundhu Performs Ash.amedh'a Ca$'a.......................................................................................... 308
#.22.2 Purura.a &e$ains his 7ood -oo/s.................................................................................................... 308
#.22.3 ;he 1escription of 4a/shatra Purusha.............................................................................................. 30(
#.22.4 Prahlad2s Pil$rima$e.......................................................................................................................... 30(
#.22. ;ales of Epaman'u and Shridama.................................................................................................... 310
#.22.# 7ajendra and the +rocodile............................................................................................................... 310
#.22.% ;he 7reatness of Saras.at Stotra..................................................................................................... 311
;$(0 BAL. 8+"<%"', A,&VA'+D&YA YA*YA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0##
#.23.1 Bali2s Arri.al at )uru/shetra............................................................................................................... 311
#.23.2 Arri.al of -ord "aaman at )uru/shetra.............................................................................................. 312
#.23.3 -ord "aaman2s 1emands.................................................................................................................. 313
#.23.4 -ord Brahma Worships -ord "aaman............................................................................................... 314
#.23. Bali -i.es in Paatal -o/a.................................................................................................................... 314
#.23.# Bali2s Fueries to Prahlad................................................................................................................... 314
;$(4 B+1+<.-, %< ,-2DY.1* VA'A1A 82"A1A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0#9
;$(9 VAA'A1 .1:A"1A-.%1$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0#9
#.2.1 Andra does Penance to Atone for his Sins.......................................................................................... 31
#.2.2 Bali A6uses -ord "ishnu.................................................................................................................... 31
;$(; -&+ D+.-.+, "+,-.1* DAY,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0#;
1 &$#.$(D23$ P'#$($)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 311
7$# .1-"%D2:-.%1$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0#7
7$( VA".%2, :"+A-.%1, A1D <A'%2, 'Y-&%L%*.:AL :&A"A:-+",$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$0#7
%.2.1 Birth of Four Birds................................................................................................................................ 31%
%.2.2 Birds 5i$rate to "indh'achal............................................................................................................... 318
%.2.3 1i.ine Pla's of 7od............................................................................................................................. 31(
%.2.4 1raupadi2s Fi.e Hus6ands................................................................................................................... 31(
%.2. 89piation of Balaram........................................................................................................................... 320
%.2.# )illin$ of 1raupadi2s Sons.................................................................................................................... 320
%.2.% )in$ Harishchandra............................................................................................................................. 321
%.2.8 ;he Stor/ and the Partrid$e................................................................................................................. 323
%.2.( Birth of -i.in$ +reatures...................................................................................................................... 324
7$0 D+,:".8-.%1 %< D.<<+"+1- &+LL,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0(4
%.3.1 Antroduction.......................................................................................................................................... 324
%.3.2 Camadoot and the )in$ of "ideha....................................................................................................... 32
%.3.3 1escription of ;ortures in Hell............................................................................................................. 32
%.3.4 Attenuation of Sins.............................................................................................................................. 32
7$4 <A'%2, 'Y-&%L%*.:AL :&A"A:-+",$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0(;
%.4.1 7reatness of Bein$ +haste *and 6irth of 1ur.asa? 1attatre'a? +handrama,.......................................32#
%.4.2 1attatre'a Preaches )arta.eer'a Arjuna............................................................................................ 32%
%.4.3 )u.ala'ash.a and the Horse )u.ala'a............................................................................................... 328
%.4.4 )u.ala'a $oes to Patal -o/a? )illin$ of 1emon Patal )etu and 5arria$e !ith 5adalasa....................328
%.4. Separation of 5adalasa....................................................................................................................... 32(
%.4.# 5adalasa is &e6orn............................................................................................................................. 330
%.4.% &itudh!aj &eunites !ith 5adalasa...................................................................................................... 330
%.4.8 Birth of 5adalasa2s Sons..................................................................................................................... 331
%.4.( Preachin$s of 5adalasa...................................................................................................................... 331
7$9 D2-.+, %< 8+%8L+ B+L%1*.1* -% VA".%2, A,&"A',$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 00#
%..1 "arnashram 1harma........................................................................................................................... 331
%..2 1uties of a 7rihastha *Householder,................................................................................................... 332
7$; ,&"AD&A A1D .-, ".-2AL,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 000
%.#.1 &e$ular and +ausal 1uties.................................................................................................................. 333
%.#.2 1os and 1on2t 1urin$ a Shraadha....................................................................................................... 334
%.#.3 Auspicious 1a's and 5onths.............................................................................................................. 334
%.#.4 For6idden and Permitted Atems........................................................................................................... 33
7$7 K.1* ALA"K A1D &., A2+".+, AB%2- Y%*A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 00;
%.%.1 )in$ Alar/ &ecei.es a &in$................................................................................................................. 33#
%.%.2 Wisdom of Alar/.................................................................................................................................. 33#
%.%.3 1attatre'a Preaches Alar/................................................................................................................... 33%
%.%.4 Co$adh'a'........................................................................................................................................... 33%
%.%. Perfection in Co$a............................................................................................................................... 33%
%.%.# 1ail' &outine of a Co$i........................................................................................................................ 338
%.%.% 1escription of =m/ar........................................................................................................................... 338
%.%.8 1escription of 1isastrous ;raps........................................................................................................... 338
%.%.( Alar/ 5asters Co$a and Penance of Dada and his Father...................................................................33(
7$) -&+ 21.V+",+ A1D L%"D B"A&'A?, 'A1.<+,-A-.%1$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 00/
%.8.1 ;he =ri$in of the Eni.erse................................................................................................................... 340
%.8.2 -ord Brahma2s -ife Span..................................................................................................................... 341
%.8.3 4atural and Fla!ed +reations............................................................................................................. 342
%.8.4 +reation of the 1eities......................................................................................................................... 342
%.8. +opulati.e +reations........................................................................................................................... 343
%.8.# 1a/sha2s -inea$e................................................................................................................................ 343
%.8.% 1escendants of 1uhsah...................................................................................................................... 344
%.8.8 ;he +reation of &udras....................................................................................................................... 34
7$/ -&+ VA".%2, 'A1AVA1-A",$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 049
%.(.1 S!a'am6hu.a 5ana.antar................................................................................................................. 34
7$/$#$# @ambudveep$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04;
7$/$#$( -he %rigin o the *anga$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04;
7$/$#$0 A Description o Bharat=Varsha$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04;
7$/$#$4 -ortoise .ncarnation$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 047
7$/$#$9 -he Descriptions o Bhadrashva$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 047
7$/$#$; -he Description o Kimpurush=Varsha$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04)
%.(.2 ;he Be$innin$ of S!arochish 5ana.antar.......................................................................................... 348
7$/$($# Varudhini?s 'odesty Breached$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04)
7$/$($( &is 'arriage with 'anorama$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04/
7$/$($0 ,warochi?s %ther 'arriages$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04/
7$/$($4 ,warochi?s "eproachment$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 04/
7$/$($9 -he %rigin o ,warochish 'anu$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 093
7$/$($; ,warochish 'anavantar$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09#
%.(.3 Auttam 5ana.antar Be$ins................................................................................................................. 31
7$/$0$# King 2ttam Abandons his 6ie$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09#
7$/$0$( Brahmin?s 6ie "eturns &ome$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09(
7$/$0$0 -he ,age and King 2ttam$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09(
7$/$0$4 -he Birth o Auttam 'anu$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09(
7$/$0$9 Auttam 'anavantar$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 090
%.(.4 ;amas 5ana.antar.............................................................................................................................. 33
%.(. &ai.at 5ana.antar.............................................................................................................................. 33
%.(.# +ha/shush 5ana.antar....................................................................................................................... 34
%.(.% "ai.as.at 5ana.antar......................................................................................................................... 3
%.(.8 ;he Sa$es of Saa.arni/ 5ana.antar.................................................................................................. 3
7$/$)$# Killing o 'adhu Kaitabha$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 099
7$/$)$( -he Destruction o 'ahishasura?s Army$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09;
7$/$)$0 -he Deities +ulogiBe *oddess Bhagwati$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09;
7$/$)$4 *oddess 8arvati and ,humbh?s 'essenger$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 097
7$/$)$9 Killing o Dhumralochan$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 097
7$/$)$; Killing o :hand and 'und$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 097
7$/$)$7 Killing o "aktabeeC$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09)
7$/$)$) Killing o 1ishumbh$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09)
7$/$)$/ Killing o ,humbh$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09)
7$/$)$#3 Devi ,totra$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09/
7$/$)$## *oddess Bhagwati Blesses the Deities$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 09/
7$/$)$#( *oddess Bhagwati Blesses ,urath and the Vaishya$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$09/
7$/$)$#0 ,avarna 'anavantar$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0;3
%.(.( &auch'a 5ana.antar.......................................................................................................................... 3#0
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8.1.2 Pri'a.rata Attains to Hea.enl' A6ode................................................................................................. 3%(
8.1.3 Ash.ashira2s Enification !ith -ord 4ara'ana....................................................................................... 380
8.1.4 )in$ "asu and Sa$e &aim'a Enite !ith Sri Hari................................................................................. 381
8.1. 5ats'a A.atar...................................................................................................................................... 383
8.1.# )in$ 1urja'.......................................................................................................................................... 383
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8.2.2 ;he Appropriate ;ime for Performin$ Shraddh.................................................................................... 38
8.2.3 Shraddh )alpa..................................................................................................................................... 38
8.2.4 Ho! to An.ite Brahmins to a Shraddh +eremon'................................................................................. 38
8.2. 4um6er of Brahmins............................................................................................................................ 38
8.2.# ;'pes of Shraddh................................................................................................................................ 38
8.2.% Shraddh 5antra................................................................................................................................... 38#
8.2.8 ;he &ituals of Pinda 1aan................................................................................................................... 38#
8.2.( Bali.aish.a 1e.a................................................................................................................................. 38#
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8.3.4 -ord 7anapati...................................................................................................................................... 38%
8.3. 4a$ 1e.ta............................................................................................................................................ 388
8.3.# )arti/e'a.............................................................................................................................................. 388
8.3.% -ord Adit'a.......................................................................................................................................... 388
8.3.8 Ashta 5atri/as..................................................................................................................................... 388
8.3.( 7oddess 1ur$a................................................................................................................................... 38(
8.3.10 1ash 1ishas...................................................................................................................................... 38(
8.3.11 )u6er................................................................................................................................................. 38(
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8.11.4 Sa$e 7autam curses the Brahmins................................................................................................... 40%
8.11. Pra/riti and Purush............................................................................................................................ 408
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8.11.8 Sha/ 1!eepa.................................................................................................................................... 410
8.11.( )usha 1!eepa.................................................................................................................................. 410
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10.1.1 5ats'a............................................................................................................................................... 44#
10.1.2 )urma................................................................................................................................................ 44%
10.1.3 "araha............................................................................................................................................... 448
10.1.4 4arasimha......................................................................................................................................... 448
10.1. "amana............................................................................................................................................. 44(
10.1.# Parashurama..................................................................................................................................... 40
10.1.% &ama................................................................................................................................................. 40
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10.2.1 ;he Hari.amsha................................................................................................................................ 42
10.2.2 ;he 5aha6harat................................................................................................................................ 43
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10.3.1 Buddha and )al/i.............................................................................................................................. 4
10.3.2 +reation............................................................................................................................................. 4#
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10.4.1 Ho! to Pra'? Ho! to Build ;emples and 1eities............................................................................... 4#
10.4.2 Places of Pil$rima$e.......................................................................................................................... 48
10.4.3 7eo$raph'......................................................................................................................................... 4(
10.4.4 Astrolo$'............................................................................................................................................ 4(
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10..1 5an.ataras........................................................................................................................................ 4#0
10..2 "arnashrama 1harma....................................................................................................................... 4#0
10..3 Sins and their Attonement................................................................................................................. 4#1
10..4 "ratas................................................................................................................................................ 4#2
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10.#.1 Hellish Planets B 4ara/as *Hells,...................................................................................................... 4#3
10.#.2 7i.in$ +harit'.................................................................................................................................... 4#4
10.#.3 7a'atri 5antra................................................................................................................................... 4#4
10.#.4 ;he )in$............................................................................................................................................ 4#
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10.%.1 1reams.............................................................................................................................................. 4#%
10.%.2 =mens and Si$ns.............................................................................................................................. 4#%
10.%.3 Battle................................................................................................................................................. 4#8
10.%.4 Sri &ama2s ;eachin$s........................................................................................................................ 4#(
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10.8.1 1hanur.eda....................................................................................................................................... 4#(
10.8.2 Propert'............................................................................................................................................. 4%0
10.8.3 1onatin$ the Puranas........................................................................................................................ 4%1
10.8.4 "amsha *1'nasties,.......................................................................................................................... 4%1
10.8. 5edicine............................................................................................................................................ 4%2
10.8.# -iterature and 7rammar.................................................................................................................... 4%2
#3$/ D+,-"2:-.%1E 8"ALAYA A1D YA'A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 474
10.(.1 Prala'a *1estruction,......................................................................................................................... 4%4
10.(.2 Cama and Hell................................................................................................................................... 4%4
10.(.3 Co$a.................................................................................................................................................. 4%4
10.(.4 ;he )no!led$e of Brahman.............................................................................................................. 4%#
10.(. ;he 7ita............................................................................................................................................. 4%8
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13.1.1 Section............................................................................................................................................... 2#
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14.1.1 -ord "ishnu2s Ancarnations................................................................................................................ 2%
14.1.2 Ho! 7aruda Purana !as propa$ated............................................................................................... 28
14.1.3 -ord "ishnu re.eals his omnipotent nature........................................................................................ 28
14.1.4 -ord "ishnu Blesses 7aruda............................................................................................................. 28
14.1. ;he Be$innin$ of +reation................................................................................................................. 2(
14.1.# ;he Be$innin$ of +opulati.e +reation............................................................................................... 30
14.1.% ;he 1hru.a 1'nast'.......................................................................................................................... 30
#4$( 8%6+"<2L 'A1-"A,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 90#
14.2.1 4a.$rah 5antra................................................................................................................................. 31
14.2.2 Shi.a 5antra..................................................................................................................................... 32
14.2.3 Saras.ati 5antra............................................................................................................................... 32
14.2.4 -a9mi 5antra..................................................................................................................................... 33
#4$0 A,-"%L%*Y .1 *A"2DA 82"A1A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 900
14.3.1 ;he +hariots of 4a.$rahas................................................................................................................ 33
14.3.2 1escription of Co$as and 5uhurtas................................................................................................... 33
14.3.3 Amrit Co$a......................................................................................................................................... 34
14.3.4 "isha Co$a........................................................................................................................................ 34
14.3. 7raha 1asha..................................................................................................................................... 34
14.3.# Predictions 6ased on Ph'sical ;raits................................................................................................. 34
14.3.% Predictin$ A$e !ith the help of Forehead -ine.................................................................................. 34
14.3.8 Predictin$ A$e 6' Palmistr'............................................................................................................... 3
14.3.( Prediction 6ased on ph'sical traits of !omen.................................................................................... 3
14.3.10 "arious 4ames of >Shali$ram2......................................................................................................... 3
14.3.11 Ho! De!els =ri$inated.................................................................................................................... 3
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14.4.1 ;he Si$nificance of 7a'a ;eertha..................................................................................................... 3#
14.4.2 ;he &ituals of Pindadaan.................................................................................................................. 3%
14.4.3 ;ale of )in$ "ishal............................................................................................................................. 3%
14.4.4 Prajapati &uchi2s 1isenchantment..................................................................................................... 38
14.4. Prajapati &uchi marries 5anini.......................................................................................................... 38
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14..1 Epana'ana Sans/ara........................................................................................................................ 3(
14..2 )eshant Sans/ara............................................................................................................................. 3(
14..3 7rihasta Ashrama.............................................................................................................................. 3(
14..4 +opulation Prohi6ited on +ertain 1a's.............................................................................................. 40
14.. Purification of 1ifferent Articles.......................................................................................................... 40
14..# Brief 1escription of Shraadh &ituals.................................................................................................. 40
#4$; KA"'A A1D .-, :%1,+A2+1:+, ! KA"'A V.8AK$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 943
14.#.1 Atonin$ for Sins................................................................................................................................. 41
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14.%.1 Cama *&estrainin$ Passion,.............................................................................................................. 41
14.%.2 4i'ama *1ail' &outine,...................................................................................................................... 42
14.%.3 5ahasantapana "rata....................................................................................................................... 42
14.%.4 Parna )richchha "rata....................................................................................................................... 42
14.%. ;apta )richchha "rata....................................................................................................................... 42
14.%.# Paad )richchha "rata........................................................................................................................ 42
14.%.% Ati )richchha "rata............................................................................................................................ 42
14.%.8 )richchha Ati/richha "rata................................................................................................................ 42
14.%.( Para/ "rata........................................................................................................................................ 42
14.%.10 +handra'ana "rata......................................................................................................................... 42
14.%.11 Anan$ ;ra'odashi "rata.................................................................................................................. 43
14.%.12 A/hand 1.adashi "rata................................................................................................................... 43
14.%.13 Shi.a &atri "rata............................................................................................................................. 43
14.%.14 "irtues of =6ser.in$ Fast on Shi.a &atri 4i$ht............................................................................... 43
14.%.1 ;he Po!er of +hastit'..................................................................................................................... 43
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14.11.1 ;he Supreme Co$a......................................................................................................................... 4(
14.11.2 1e.otion B ;he Path -eadin$ to the Almi$ht'.................................................................................. 0
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14.12.1 4riSinha Stotra................................................................................................................................ 0
14.12.2 )ulamrit Stotra................................................................................................................................. 0
14.12.3 5rit'u Ashta/ Stotra........................................................................................................................ 1
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14.13.1 Self &ealiGation................................................................................................................................ 2
14.13.2 Brahm<7ita...................................................................................................................................... 3
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14.14.1 Sal.ation throu$h &ituals................................................................................................................. 4
14.14.2 1eath and After...............................................................................................................................
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1.1.1 Section............................................................................................................................................... #
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#;$# :&A8-+" #$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 99/
1#.1.1 =6eisance to the Supreme Bein$...................................................................................................... (
1#.1.2 Performance of 7'an Ca$'a............................................................................................................. (
1#.1.3 Sutji narrates Purana......................................................................................................................... (
1#.1.4 -ord "ishnu B ;he Source of All +reation.......................................................................................... #0
1#.1. ;he +reation and +ompilation of the Purana..................................................................................... #0
1#.1.# "ed<"'as B ;he Partial Ancarnation................................................................................................... #0
1#.1.% 4aradji2s Ad.ice to "ed<"'as............................................................................................................ #0
1#.1.8 )in$ Pari/shit encounters )ali Cu$a.................................................................................................. #1
1#.1.( )in$ Pari/shit dishonors Sa$e Shami/.............................................................................................. #1
1#.1.10 Shu/hde.ji2s Arri.al......................................................................................................................... #1
#;$( :&A8-+" ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 9;(
1#.2.1 +ontents of this +hapter.................................................................................................................... #2
1#.2.2 +reation of the World......................................................................................................................... #3
#;$0 :&A8-+" 0$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 9;0
1#.3.1 +ontents of the third +hapter............................................................................................................. #3
1#.3.2 "idur !arns 1hritarashtra.................................................................................................................. #3
1#.3.3 "idur comes to /no! a6out )aura.a2s 1estruction........................................................................... #4
1#.3.4 "idur meets 5aitre'........................................................................................................................... #4
1#.3. 1escription of 10 Wa's of +reation 6' 5aitre'.................................................................................. #4
1#.3.# Sa$e )ardam..................................................................................................................................... ##
1#.3.% -ord )apil.......................................................................................................................................... ##
1#.3.8 -ord )apil Preaches 5etaph'sical )no!led$e to 1e.huti.................................................................##
#;$4 :&A8-+" 4$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 9;7
1#.4.1 1escription of the +lans of 5anu2s 1au$hters................................................................................... #%
1#.4.2 5is6eha.ior of 1a/shaprajapati !ith -ord Shi.a............................................................................... #8
1#.4.3 ;ale of 1hru...................................................................................................................................... #(
1#.4.4 ;ale of Prithu..................................................................................................................................... %0
1#.4. Fa6le of Puranjan.............................................................................................................................. %1
#;$9 :&A8-+" 9$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 97(
1#..1 ;ale of Pri'.rata................................................................................................................................ %2
1#..2 ;ale of Bharat.................................................................................................................................... %3
1#..3 1escription of the 89tent of the -andmass........................................................................................ %4
#;$; :&A8-+" ;$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 979
1#.#.1 ;ale of Ajamil..................................................................................................................................... %
1#.#.2 1ialo$ue of Cama and Camaduts...................................................................................................... %#
1#.#.3 Birth of 1a/sh from Prachetas........................................................................................................... %#
1#.#.4 Ansult of Brhaspati 6' the 7ods.......................................................................................................... %%
1#.#. Preachin$ of 4ara'ana )a.ach *shield, to Andra 6' "ish.arup..........................................................%8
1#.#.# )illin$ of "ish.arup? 1efeat of the 7ods and +onstruction of "ajra !ith the 6ones of 1adhichi........%8
1#.#.% )illin$s of "ritrasur 6' Andra............................................................................................................... %(
#;$7 :&A8-+" 7$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 97/
1#.%.1 &emo.al of 1ou6t a6out 7od2s Partialit'........................................................................................... 80
1#.%.2 1ialo$ue of 4arad B Cudhishthira *;ales of Da'<"ija',......................................................................80
1#.%.3 ;ale of Hiran'a/sh and Hiran'/ashipu.............................................................................................. 80
1#.%.4 S/etch of Prahlad? ;he 7reat 1e.otee.............................................................................................. 81
1#.%. Attempts to )ill Prahlad..................................................................................................................... 82
#;$) :&A8-+" )$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 9)0
1#.8.1 1escription of the 5an.ataras........................................................................................................... 83
1#.8.2 ;ale of 7ajendra? the elephant and 7rah? the crocodile....................................................................8
1#.8.3 +hurnin$ of the Sea........................................................................................................................... 8#
1#.8.4 +on:uerin$ of Hea.en 6' )in$ Bali................................................................................................... 8%
1#.8. ;ale of 5at'sa<A.atar........................................................................................................................ 8(
#;$/ :&A8-+" /$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 9/3
1#.(.1 1escription of the "ai.as.at 5anu 1'nast'...................................................................................... (0
1#.(.2 1escription of A/sh.a/u 1'nast'........................................................................................................ (2
1#.(.3 +handra 1'nast'............................................................................................................................... (4
#;$#3 :&A8-+" #3$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 9/9
1#.10.1 5arria$e of "asude.a and 1e.a/i................................................................................................... (
1#.10.2 Arri.al of 7od in En6orn Ba6'......................................................................................................... (#
1#.10.3 Birth of -ord )rshna......................................................................................................................... (#
1#.10.4 Festi.ities in 7o/ul for -ord2s Birth.................................................................................................. (%
1#.10. Sal.ation of Pootana........................................................................................................................ (8
1#.10.# )illin$ of Sha/at............................................................................................................................... (8
1#.10.% Sal.ation of ;rina.art....................................................................................................................... ((
1#.10.8 4amin$ of -ord )rshna.................................................................................................................... ((
1#.10.( +hildhood of -ord )rshna................................................................................................................ ((
1#.10.10 E/hal Bandan @ Sal.ation of Camarjun......................................................................................... #00
1#.10.11 5i$ration to "rinda.ana................................................................................................................. #00
1#.10.12 Sal.ation of "atsasur..................................................................................................................... #01
1#.10.13 Sal.ation of Ba/asur...................................................................................................................... #01
1#.10.14 Sal.ation of A$hasur...................................................................................................................... #01
1#.10.1 Attachment of Brahmaji................................................................................................................. #01
1#.10.1# Sal.ation of 1henu/asur................................................................................................................ #02
1#.10.1% 7race on )alia? the 4a$a.............................................................................................................. #02
1#.10.18 1rin/in$ of 1a.anal *Forest Fire,................................................................................................... #03
1#.10.1( Sal.ation of Pralam6asur............................................................................................................... #03
1#.10.20 "enu$eet....................................................................................................................................... #03
1#.10.21 Stealin$ of +lothes........................................................................................................................ #04
1#.10.22 -iftin$ of 7o.ardhan 5ountain....................................................................................................... #04
1#.10.23 Andi$nation of Andra........................................................................................................................ #0
1#.10.24 Worship of 7o.erdhan................................................................................................................... #0
1#.10.2 An$r' &etaliation of Andra.............................................................................................................. #0
1#.10.2# +eremonial Bath of -ord................................................................................................................ #0
1#.10.2% &aas -eela.................................................................................................................................... #0#
1#.10.28 Pitia6le +onditions of 7opis in -ord2s A6sence............................................................................. #0#
1#.10.2( 7opi/a 7eet.................................................................................................................................. #0%
1#.10.30 &eappearance of the -ord Amon$ the 7opis................................................................................ #0%
1#.10.31 5aha<&aas.................................................................................................................................... #0%
1#.10.32 Sal.ation of Sudarshan @ Shan/hchuda....................................................................................... #08
1#.10.33 Sal.ation of Arishtasur................................................................................................................... #08
1#.10.34 )ans sends A/rurji......................................................................................................................... #08
1#.10.3 1eparture of )rshna<Balarama for 5athura................................................................................... #0(
1#.10.3# Appearance of the -ord 6efore Arjun............................................................................................. #10
1#.10.3% Arri.al in 5athura.......................................................................................................................... #10
1#.10.38 7race on )u6ja.............................................................................................................................. #10
1#.10.3( Brea/in$ of the Bo!....................................................................................................................... #10
1#.10.40 )illin$ of the 8lephant.................................................................................................................... #10
1#.10.41 Sal.ation of Wrestlers.................................................................................................................... #11
1#.10.42 Sal.ation of )ansa......................................................................................................................... #11
1#.10.43 Ca$'opa.it of )rshna<Balarama.................................................................................................... #11
1#.10.44 Sendin$ Edha. as 5essen$er....................................................................................................... #11
1#.10.4 Bhramar 7eet................................................................................................................................ #12
1#.10.4# Battles !ith DarasandhH +onstruction of 1.ar/a<puri.....................................................................#13
1#.10.4% ;ale of 5uch/und.......................................................................................................................... #13
1#.10.48 5arria$e of Balarama.................................................................................................................... #14
1#.10.4( 5essa$e of &u/mani for the -ord.................................................................................................. #14
1#.10.0 1efeat of &u/mi @ Shishupal......................................................................................................... #1
1#.10.1 5arria$e of &u/mini @ )rshna....................................................................................................... #1
1#.10.2 Birth of Prad'umna? )illin$ of Sham6arasur.................................................................................. #1
1#.10.3 ;ale of S'amanta/? the 7em......................................................................................................... #1
1#.10.4 5arria$e of Sat'a6hama @ )rshna................................................................................................ #1#
1#.10. ;heft of S'amanta/........................................................................................................................ #1#
1#.10.# -ord2s 5arria$e !ith )alindi........................................................................................................... #1#
1#.10.% -ord2s 5arria$e !ith 5itr.inda....................................................................................................... #1#
1#.10.8 With Sat'a..................................................................................................................................... #1#
1#.10.( With Bhadra................................................................................................................................... #1%
1#.10.#0 With -a/shmana............................................................................................................................ #1%
1#.10.#1 Sal.ation of Bhaumasur................................................................................................................. #1%
1#.10.#2 -ord2s 5arria$e !ith +apti.e Princesses....................................................................................... #1%
1#.10.#3 Prad'umna2s 5arria$e !ith &u/m.ati........................................................................................... #1%
1#.10.#4 5arria$e of Esha<Anirudha............................................................................................................ #1%
1#.10.# ;ale of )in$ 4ri$............................................................................................................................ #18
1#.10.## Sal.ation of Paundra/ @ )ashraj................................................................................................... #18
1#.10.#% Sal.ation of 1.i.id......................................................................................................................... #18
1#.10.#8 5arria$e of Sam6.......................................................................................................................... #1(
1#.10.#( Sendin$ of 8missar' *)in$s in capti.it' see/ the -ord2s help,.......................................................#1(
1#.10.%0 -ord2s 1eparture for Andraprastha.................................................................................................. #1(
1#.10.%1 )illin$ of Darasandh....................................................................................................................... #1(
1#.10.%2 Sal.ation of Shishupal................................................................................................................... #20
1#.10.%3 Sal.ation of Shal.a........................................................................................................................ #20
1#.10.%4 Sal.ation of 1ant.a/tra @ "idurath................................................................................................ #21
1#.10.% Sudama B ;he -ord2s Friend......................................................................................................... #21
1#.10.%# 5eetin$ of -ord !ith 7opas<7opis................................................................................................ #22
1#.10.%% =r$aniGation of Ca$'a 6' "asude.a.............................................................................................. #22
1#.10.%8 &e.isitin$ of 1e.a/i2s Si9 Sons..................................................................................................... #23
1#.10.%( -o.e @ 5arria$e of Su6hadra<Arjun.............................................................................................. #23
1#.10.80 Pra'ers of "edas........................................................................................................................... #23
1#.10.81 &elease of -ord Shi.a from +risis................................................................................................. #24
1#.10.82 ;estin$ of ;rinit'............................................................................................................................ #2
1#.10.83 &e.i.al of Brahmin2s dead children............................................................................................... #2
#;$## :&A8-+" ##$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;(;
1#.11.1 +urse of Sa$es to Cadu.anshis...................................................................................................... #2#
1#.11.2 Preachin$ of 4arad a6out Bha$.ad................................................................................................. #2#
1#.11.3 -ord2s 1eparture to his A6ode......................................................................................................... #2%
1#.11.4 Bhi/shu<7eet................................................................................................................................... #28
#;$#( :&A8-+" #($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;()
1#.12.1 1escription of 1'nasties in )ali'u$a............................................................................................... #28
1#.12.2 -ast Preachin$ of Shu/de.ji............................................................................................................ #2(
1#.12.3 Final Beatitude of Pari/shit.............................................................................................................. #2(
1#.12.4 4a$a'a$'a of Danameeja'a............................................................................................................ #2(
1#.12. Branches of "edas and 1i.ision...................................................................................................... #2(
1#.12.# Penance of 5ar/ande' @ Si$htin$ of 5a'a..................................................................................... #2(
11 6I(5$ P'#$($))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ,31
#7$# L.1*A 82"A1A 8A"- #$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;0#
1%.1.1 Sutji 4arrates the 1i.ine ;ales of -in$a Purana................................................................................ #31
1%.1.2 ;he Be$innin$ of +reation................................................................................................................. #32
1%.1.3 ;he =ri$in of +reation....................................................................................................................... #33
1%.1.4 -ord Shi.a B ;he Supreme -i6erator................................................................................................. #33
1%.1. Ancarnations of 5anu @ "'as............................................................................................................. #34
1%.1.# ;he 8ssence of Co$a........................................................................................................................ #34
1%.1.% =6stacles in the Path of Co$a........................................................................................................... #34
1%.1.8 Bali B ;he &ealiGation of Shi.a.......................................................................................................... #3
1%.1.( "enera6leness of Sad'ojaat.............................................................................................................. #3
1%.1.10 -ord "aamde.................................................................................................................................. #3
1%.1.11 -ord ;atpurush................................................................................................................................ #3
1%.1.12 -ord A$horesh................................................................................................................................. #3
1%.1.13 -ord Ashaan...................................................................................................................................... #3#
1%.1.14 ;he =ri$in of Shi.a -in$a................................................................................................................ #3#
#7$( L.1*A 82"A1A 8A"- ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;0;
1%.2.1 -ord Shi.a Blesses Brahma and "ishnu............................................................................................ #3%
1%.2.2 ;he 5anifestation of -ord Brahma.................................................................................................... #3%
1%.2.3 -ord Brahma Becomes the +reator................................................................................................... #3%
1%.2.4 1escription of 1ifferent )alpas.......................................................................................................... #38
1%.2. Ancarnations of Shi.a 1urin$ "arious 1.apar Cu$as......................................................................... #38
1%.2.# &ituals of Shi.a<-in$a Worship *Purit',............................................................................................. #3(
1%.2.% -ord Shi.a ;ests the Patience of Sa$es............................................................................................ #40
1%.2.8 Sa$e Sh!eta..................................................................................................................................... #40
1%.2.( Sa$e 8ulo$iGes -ord Shi.a................................................................................................................ #41
1%.2.10 -ord Shi.a Preaches the Sa$es...................................................................................................... #41
1%.2.11 1adhichi Su6ju$ates the Sa$es *)shoopa,..................................................................................... #41
1%.2.12 )shoopa Accepts 1efeat................................................................................................................. #42
1%.2.13 Shilad2s Ampossi6le 1emand........................................................................................................... #42
#7$0 L.1*A 82"A1A 8A"- 0$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;40
1%.3.1 ;he +haracteristics of the Four 8ras................................................................................................. #43
1%.3.2 )ali Cu$a........................................................................................................................................... #43
1%.3.3 5anifestation of -ord Brahma............................................................................................................ #43
1%.3.4 5anifestation of -ord 4andish!ar..................................................................................................... #44
1%.3. ;he 4ether World.............................................................................................................................. #44
1%.3.# ;he Se.en Aslands............................................................................................................................. #44
1%.3.% Bharat "arsh...................................................................................................................................... #44
1%.3.8 ;he 5eru 5ountain........................................................................................................................... #4
1%.3.( ;he Prominent 5ountains.................................................................................................................. #4
1%.3.10 ;he Sun........................................................................................................................................... #4
1%.3.11 -ord Brahma assi$ns lordships to the 1eities.................................................................................. #4
1%.3.12 ;he +hariots of the Sun? 5oon and Planets.................................................................................... #4#
1%.3.13 ;he &adiance of Sur'a.................................................................................................................... #4#
#7$4 L.1*A 82"A1A 8A"- 4$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;4;
1%.4.1 1hru.a B ;he Supreme 1e.otee....................................................................................................... #4#
1%.4.2 ;he =ri$in of 1eities.......................................................................................................................... #4%
1%.4.3 Sa$e Parashar................................................................................................................................... #4%
1%.4.4 ;he -inea$e of Adit'a........................................................................................................................ #48
1%.4. ;he Cadu 1'nast'............................................................................................................................. #4(
1%.4.# Sri )rshna.......................................................................................................................................... #4(
1%.4.% -ord Brahma 6lesses the 1emons.................................................................................................... #4(
1%.4.8 Appointment of Andha/ as -ord of the 7anas................................................................................... #0
1%.4.( ;he -i6eration of 8arth...................................................................................................................... #0
1%.4.10 )illin$ of Dalandhar.......................................................................................................................... #1
1%.4.11 ;he =ri$in of -ord 7anesh.............................................................................................................. #1
1%.4.12 Shi. ;anda...................................................................................................................................... #1
#7$9 L.1*A 82"A1A 8A"- 9$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;9(
1%..1 Epaman'u......................................................................................................................................... #2
1%..2 ;he 7reatness of 1!adasha/shar 5antra........................................................................................ #2
1%..3 Shada/shar 5antra........................................................................................................................... #3
1%..4 -ord Pashupati.................................................................................................................................. #3
1%.. ;he 5ajestic -ord 5ahesh!ar........................................................................................................... #4
1%..# ;he Sun B 5anifestation of Shi.a2s Po!er........................................................................................ #4
1%..% Shi.a ;at.a........................................................................................................................................ #4
1%..8 ;he 7reatness of Shi.a..................................................................................................................... #4
1%..( ;he Amportance of the 7uru............................................................................................................... #
1%..10 ;he &ituals of Anitiation.................................................................................................................... #
1%..11 Anstallation of Shi.a -in$a................................................................................................................ #
1%..12 "rajesh!ari "id'a............................................................................................................................ ##
1%..13 1ifferent ;'pes of Co$a................................................................................................................... ##
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#)$# 8+1A1:+ %< -&+ ,A*+, .1 1A.'.,&A"1$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;97
#)$( 1A"AD 8"AY, -% L%"D V.,&12$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;97
#)$0 8"%<.L+ %< -&+ ,A*+ 'A"KA1D+YA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;9)
#)$4 -AL+ %< -&+ ,A*+ 'A"KA1D+YA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;9/
#)$9 -&+ *"+A-1+,, %< -&+ *A1*+,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;3
#)$; <A-+ %< K.1* BAA&2$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;3
#)$7 -&+ B."-& %< ,A*A"$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;#
#)$) ,ALVA-.%1 %< ,A2DA,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;(
#)$/ K.1* BAL. D+<+A-, -&+ *%D,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;0
#)$#3 %".*.1 %< -&+ *A1*+,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;4
#)$## D+<.1.-.%1 %< D&A"'A$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;9
#)$#( D+,:".8-.%1 %< "+L.*.%2, A:-.%1$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;9
#)$#0 +58.A-.%1 <%" -&+ ,.1,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;;
#)$#4 -%"-2"+ .1 -&+ &+LL$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ;;;
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3#.1.1 Section............................................................................................................................................... #83
Introduction
At presentE there is no single place where Dharmins (F&indus?) can go to download and read ALL their
scriptures .1 -&+." +1-."+-Y$ 1umerous sites eGist that provide portions o scriptures andDor
commentary on scripturesE but no single website has thus ar undertaken the immense task o posting
all scriptures o ,anatana Dharma (H&indu=ismI)$

-here are three goals o this eortJ

#) -he short=term goal (0=9 years) o this proCect is to collectE organiBeE publish (online and in hardcopy)
and disseminate knowledge o all Dharmic scriptures throughout the world$

() -he intermediate=term goal (9=7 years) o this proCect is to glean the best knowledge and wisdom
rom all these scriptures and rom other sources (modern eGperienceE ideas) into a singleE uniied holy
book or Dharmins ! -he Dharma Veda$ -his book will act as a guide or Dharmins and as an indeG
into all the supporting scriptures$ 2nlike the Bible and Auran o :hristianity and .slam respectivelyE the
Dharma Veda will 1%- be a closed canon = roBen in time based upon mindless dogmas$ .t will be
updated on a regular basis with the input o the Dharmasya (global Dharmic community)$ -he essence
o Dharma is -ruth and 2niversal Law ! it is 1%- dogma or blind belie (as is the case with 'atas such
as :hristianity and .slam)$ -he term KmataK means a belieE view or opinion and &A, 1%-&.1* -% D%
6.-& D&A"'A$ -hereoreE it is important to eGplain to non=Dharmins that ,anatana Dharma is based
on the -ruth and is thereore a much higher concept than a Freligion?$ <or the purposes o conversationE
we can reer to Dharma as a religionE but it is then necessary or the Dharmin to educate the non=
Dharmin as to the higher meaning and greater -ruth o Dharma$

0) -he long=term goal (7 years and beyond) o this proCect is to leverage the Dharma Veda to bring
about a *lobal Dharmic "enaissance that will leave no nation untouched$ -he world needs a more
robustE more sophisticated Freligion? to practice and the time or ,anatana Dharma has come$ -he (#st
century may become the Dharmic :entury ater allL

-hank youE

Dharmic ,criptures -eam
1 "rahma Purana
-his 8urana contains 4 :hapters as ollows$
1&1 'ord #rahma
-his chapter contains / sectionsJ
#$#$# A 8roile o BrahmaCi
A88+A"A1:+ %< B"A&'A@.
According to the scripturesE BrahmaCi was born on the lotus that had arisen rom the navel o eternal ommipresent
Lord 1arayan Vishnu$ During the period o deluge (8ralaya) all the creations was destroyed and the creatures that
had gone into 'aharloka (the ourth o the upper worlds according to the 8uranas)E take birth again on the earth
as per their deeds$ *od who keeps an account o the innumerable deeds o those inumerable creatures and
arrange or their incarnations is called Brahma$
#$#$( ,criptural Appearance o BrahmaCi
Scriptures describe the appearance of Brahmaji thus:
CHATURMUKHD VDADHARAH SAKSHASUTRA KAMA!DA"UH #
HA!SARUDH$ RAKTAVASA BRAHMA"$KA %&TAMAH ##
Meanin': He has four heads( ho)ds Vedas( Rosar*( +a'*opa,ita -Sacred thread. and Kamanda)u -bo/).0
/ears red cothes and rides a s/an1 He is none other than Brahmaji( 'randfather of a)) of us1
#$#$0 <our &eads o BrahmaCi
BrahmaCi is shown with our headsE Besides being the creator o the universeE BrahmaCi is a deponent o the
deeds o all the creatures as wellE alloting the creatures various incarnations as per their deed is duty o BrahmaCi$
&ence the ull knowledge o a creatures deed is an indispensable precondition beore deciding an incarnation or
it$ %nly then ull Custice could be assured or a creature$ &ence to look around in all the directionsE BrahmaCi is
shown with the our heads$
#$#$4 6hite Beard o BrahmaCi
BrahmaCi is the great grandather o all o us$ &ence his appearance must match his status$ ,ince antiMuityE in a
single day o BrahmaCi no one knows how many members o creatures take birth and die$ -he period since
antiMuity can be calculated according to astrology$ ,ince BrahmaCi has such an eternal eGistanceE his appearance
must correspondend to his eternity as wellE so that eeling o respect could naturally arise among the people or
him$ &enceE Lord Brahma is shown with a white beard$
#$#$9 ,wan as a Vehicle
,wan is a white bird$ *od has bestowed it with uniMue virtues$ Virtues that are not to be ound in any creature o
the eighty=our lakh incarnationsE their virtue is 1++"A=K,&++"A V.V+KAE that isE i milk is miGed with waterE a
swan is capable o separating milk rom water and taking it reCecting the water$ .t is an indication o BrahmaCi that
every creature deserves a ull Custice regarding his deeds E no matter how much entangled it might be$ -here
should not be any ado in the Custice$ 8eople must also learn rom it that they should imbibe only the valuable part
o a thing and discard the worthless$ %nly then they could be regarded as a doer o good deeds and thus receive
honour in the society$
#$#$; 8urpose o &olding Vedas
BrahmaCi is also shown as holding Vedas is one o his hands whyN .t is natural to be curious about it$ Vedas are
undoubtedly the most ancient scriptures in the word$ +ven the great deluge (8ralaya) could not destroy Vedas or
almighty Brahma himsel had taken incarnation to save Vedas during deluge$ &ence Vedas have no beginning
and no end$ Besides Vedas also remind BrahmaCi o the previous Kalpa (the grand period that includes all the our
Yugas)$ Vedas also teach us that everything is destructibleE only the truth can not be destroyed$ &ence in the
carnation o destructible bodyE never orget the indestructibleE eternalE almighty 8aramatma because every other
thing in the world is bound to be destroyed one day$
#$#$7 "osary in ,econd &and
The 'reat 'randfather of a)) the creatures "ord Brahma teaches b* his appearance that the human
incarnation is not just for the mundane jobs1 &nstead amon' the mundane jobs( human bein' must 2eep
on rememberin' the a)mi'ht* %aramatma1 Because /ithout recitin' the name of a)mi'ht* 3od /e)fare
of an* human bein' is simp)* not possib)e1 Hence( b* the rosar* in second hand Brahmaji teaches that(
a)/a*s 2eep on te))in' the name of a)mi'ht* 3od( for *our /e)fare1 &t is therefore /ritten a)so 4
5A%ATA S&DDH&H 5A%ATAS&DDH&H 5A%ATAS&DH&H !ASA!SHA+AH
'eaning J %ne gets perection only in the name o almighty *odE there is no doubt in it$ &enceE
comprehensing these things human being must keep on reciting and telling the name o omnipresent
*od whether he is movingE or sittingE eating or drinking and sleeping or awakening$
#$#$) Kamandalu (:oconut ,hell Bowl)
5A"AMV 5VA!AM
-hat is water is lie$ 6ater is the basic physical element that caused the whole creation to eGist$ -he coconut shell
bowl (Kamandalu) held by BrahmaCiO also holds waterE thus depicting the hassle ree eGistence and continuence o
the whole creation$
#$#$/ ,eat o the Lotus
Lotus is the seat or Lord Brahma Lotus also adorns the hand o Lord Vishnu and is an essential item to
worship Lord ,hiva$ +very one knows that the lotus grows rom the muck$ -husE it teaches that inspite
o being born o the muck be as pure as possible$ .ncluding humansE all creatures are born out o the
muck called passion and illusion$ -hey are unable to ree themselves rom these two$ -hus the lotus
seat o BrahmaCi teaches that regardless o origin one must strive to be as ree and pure as possible
rom the inluences o oneKs origin$ .n another wordsE humans must obtain themselves rom the passion
and illusion o the world despite being surrounded by them$
1&! (oddess )arasvati
-his chapter contains 0 sectionsJ
#$($# Appearance o ,arasvati
"itera))*( Saras/ati means SARAH 4 Kno/)ed'e( STHA!AM+AS+AH AST&T&1 Thus( Saras/ati is
the 'oddess /ho ru)es a)) 2inds of 2no/)ed'e /ithout /orshippin' her no one can be a )earned person1
Hence fo))o/ers of other re)i'ious a)so /orship Saras/ati( thou'h the name and appearance ma* differ
s)i'ht)*1 Appearance of Saras/ati is thus described in the scriptures :
SHUK"AM BRAMHAV&CHARASA RA %ARMAD+AM 5A3ADV+A%&!M
V!A%USTAK DHAR&!&MABHA+ADAM 5AD+A!DHAKARA %AHAM #
HAST S%HAT&KA MA"&&KAM V&DADH& %ADMASA! SAMSTH&TAM #
VA!D TAM %ARAM SHVARM
BHA36ATM BUDDH& %RADA+ SHARDAM ##
Meanin' : 6earer of the /hite c)othes 'i,er of the po/er to ref)ect the essence of Brahma( supreme
po/er( ho)der of ,eena -"*re.( boo2( beaded rosarr*( the bene,o)ent 3oddess is seated on a )otus1 &
respectfu))* pra* the 3oddess /ho 'i,es us 2no/)ed'e1
#$($( ,igniicance o Book and Veena (Lyre)
1oted sage Bhartrihari writes that without literature and musicE a man is not more than an animal$ &ence the book
and veena in the hands o ,araswati teach that i the humans wish to do away with their brutenessE knowledge o
literature and music is must or them$ &enceE *oddess ,araswati is shown with a book and Veena the symbols o
literature and music respectively$
#$($0 Beaded "osary
-he ultimate goal o knowledge is salvation$ ,alvation is possible only with uniication with *od$ And rosary is a
means or uniication with *od$ But why a rosary o white beads onlyN .t is so because white beads depict
spotless purity$ -hus it teaches us to rise above the blemishes o passionE angerE greedE egoE lustE envyE enimity
etc$ and make our mind as spotless as the beads$ ,imilar teaching are given by the the lotus seat and swan
vehicle o the *oddess ,araswati$
1&* 'ord +ishnu
-his chapter contains ## sectionsJ
#$0$# Appearance o Lord Vishnu
6orship o Lord Vishnu is eGtremely essential or those who wish to receive the supreme salvation$ A common
rule o worship is that the worshipper must essentially have the virtues o the worshipped$ &enceE Lord Vishnu
gives his virtues through physical appearance$
#$0$( "election o ,criptural Appearance
SHA!TAKARAM BHU5A!3ASHA+A!AM %ADMA!ABHAM SURSHAM(
V&SH6ADHARAM 3A3A! SADR&SHAM M3HAVAR!AM SHUBHA!3AM#
"AKSHM&KA!TA! KAMA"!A+A!AM +$3&M&RDH+A!A 3AM+AM(
VA!D V&SH!UM BHAVA BHA+AHARAM SARVA "$KA&K!ATHAM ##
'eaningJ . worship that Lord Vishnu who has a peaceul body (postures)O who rests on ,heshanaga
(the mighty serpant = cobra)O who has a lotus in his navelE who is the base o the worldE who is like the
skyO who has a colour like cloudE who is the lord o Lakshmi (wealth)O who has eyes like lotusO who is
seen by yogis in their meditationO who is the remover o all the dierences and who is the only Lord o
all the three Lokas (6orlds)E . worship such Lord Vishnu$
#$0$0 ,cientiic Depiction o Vishnu?s Appearance
.t is a common principle the worshipper should be a Deva (*od) irst and worship the *od thenE Let us relect the
appearance o Lord Vishnu in light o this principle$ -he irst virtue o Lord Vishnu is his peaceul appearance$
&ence his worshipper must also acMuire peaceul appearance$ -his is also the need o the hour in the world that
is presently ull o conlictsE disputesE tensions and all that could pose a potential danger to the earth itsel$
Despite having all kinds o wealth and luGuries people are devoid o peace$ &enceE all the worshippers who want
peaceE must irst relect the peaceul appearance o Lord Vishnu$
#$0$4 6hy does Lord Vishnu rest on ,heshanagaN
-he second virtue (resting on the ,heshanaga) must be considered as the sub=virtue o the peaceul appearance$
,criptures describe ,heshanaga as Kala also$ ,heshanaga is supposed to be a highly poisonous snake$ But Lord
Vishnu is resting on him without ear or worries$ .t teaches us not to lose patience even while acing the kala itselO
instead one must strive to ride on itE only then can one remain in peaceul appearance$ . the ear overpowers youE
it may shatter your peace$ -he worshippers who want salvation are being indicated to be peaceul in every
circumstances$
#$0$9 6hy is Lotus in the 1avelN
-he third virtue o Lord Vishnu is that he bears a lotus on his navelEhence he is also known as 8admanabham$
<rom the lotus rises Lord Brahma$ Brahma has only royal virtues ("aCoguna)$ -hus to remain in peaceul orm
Lord Vishnu has discarded all the royal virtues through his navel$ ,imilarily he has made the snakeE which has
-amoguna (virtue o darkness)E his seatE -hus only ,atoguna (Virtue o the truth) remains with himE and *od
became ,hantakaram (acMuired a peaceul orm)$ &enceE i a worshipper wishes to be in peaceul ormE he must
irst discard the virtues o royality and darkness$
#$0$; 6hy does Vishnu stay in the ,ea o 'ilkN
Beore attempting to solve the problemsE let us irst give a thought to the oceans also$ All the oceansE as we know
are huge bodies o ,aline water$ &ow is then the sea o milkN A couplet o :hanakyaneeti eGplains it thus J
KA CH&!TA MAM 5&VA! +AD& HAR&&V&SHVAMMBHAR$ 3+AT(
!$ CHDARBHAKA 5&VA!A+ 5A!A!&STA!+AM KATHM !&RM+T #
&T+A"$CH+MUHURMUHUR+ADU%AT "AKSHM&%AT K6A"
TVAT%ADAMSHU5ASVA!! SATATAM KA"$MA+A !+AT ##
'eaningJ . *od &ari Vishnu is known as V.,&VA'B&A" (eeder o the world) . need not worry or
anything in the world$ . he were not thereE where the milk would come rom in the breast o a mother
beore childKs birth$ ,o *od illed the breast o a new mother with complete ood that is milk$
.t is clear rom the above eGample that Lord Vishnu assumes dierent orms Cust to eed all the
creatures in the worldE o these dierent orms o the *odE the milk is one$ Acording to another principle
o scripturesE *od is present in every grain$ &ence he is also present in the milk also$ .t is also the
supreme duty o the humankind to maintain the original pure orm o the milkE because the milk is prone
to damage Muickly$ ,imilarilyE all these desirious o ,alvationE must ollow Vaishnava religionE otherwise
any deviation in it may damage all o their penance$
#$0$7 "eason or holding the 6heel
-he amous ,udarshana :hakra (wheel) is whirling on the inger o Lord Vishnu$ -hrough this wheelE *od
teaches the human kind that the cycle o the universe is whirling at his will$ . anybody tries to go against his will
(i$e$ wheel) or gives up religion and begins to behave irreligiouslyE . will whirl him like the wheel or punish him with
the wheel$
#$0$) "eason or holding the :onch
6hite colour and sound are the main virtues o the conch$ -hrough the colour o the conchE *od Vishnu teaches
us to ollow the path o the truth$ -he sound is like a warning call that is i path o truth is not ollowedE the violater
will be challenged and punished$ -hus$ +ither by ear o by any other thingE ome must ollow the path o truth$
#$0$/ 8urpose o Kaustubhamani
Kaustubha is the best Cewel among all the gems$ %ne who bears itE must be gentleE knowledgableE virtuous etc$
-husE bearing Kaustubha 'aniE *od preaches the common people that i they wish to develop all these virtues in
themE they will have to move towards this gem once advancedE they will eel the eternal light in lie and desired
uniication with *od and ultimate salvation$
#$0$#3 6hy does Lord Vishnu hold a 'aceN
'ace is a weapon that shows and dares or the physical strength$ .t was used by the ighters to demonstrate their
strength$ Among all the ancient weaponsE mace was the main$ .t application is prousely seen in the epics like
"amayanaE 'ahabharata by physically powerul and strong characters like &anumana P Bheema$ -hus with the
maceE *od warns anti social elements that i they try to violate the sanctity o religion and torment his devoteesE
&e will punish them$ -ulsidas too writes about the reasons or incarnation o *od$
5AB45AB H$H& DHARAMA K& HA!&7
HARH&!ATH SA55A!A KA& %RA #
*od takes various incarnations to protect his devotees$
#$0$## 6hy is *aruda (+agle) the Vehicle o VishnuN
*aruda (eagle) is said to be the king o the birds$ .t is the earest o bird$ -hus *od is assuring his devotees to be
earlessE because i any calamity beell themE he will reach them in no time$
1&, (oddess 'a-mi
-his chapter contains 0 sectionsJ
#$4$# 6hy *oddess LaGmi presses the eet o *odN
*oddess Lakshmi presents an eGample o an ideal spouse beore the world$-he supreme duty o a woman is
described in the service o her husband$ ,econd aspect o the message is or the people who want to get richE
that i they want the wealthE they must develop a devotion or the eet o 1arayanaE or Lakshmi (*oddess o
wealth) is to be ound there and no where else$
#$4$( "eason or LiMuidity o LaGmi
-he better hal o Lord Vishnu can never be reakishE because ,atoguna is the main virtue o Lord Vishnu$ .n the
proGmity o *od whose main virtue is ,atogunaE no one can remain reakish$ But the material wealthE that is *oldE
and silverE have mobility as their main virtue$ -hus the rich people who have these wealths may be reakishE but
not Lakshmi the beloved o *od Vishnu$
#$4$0 6hy is the owl the vehicle o LaGmiN
%wl is the vehicle o goddess Lakshmi$ An owl canKt see in the dayE &enceE Lakshmi visits the house o those
devotees who only worship herE on her vehicle owl$ And she visits the home o those devotees who worship Lord
Vishnu irst and then herE with Vishnu riding his vehicle *aruda$
.t also implies that at places where black=money is mainE Lakshmi rides an owl$ ,uch a wealth canKt be
put in the service o nationE people religion etcE or in any worthy taskE instead it is sMuandered in
abhorant deeds$ ,ince owl is a bird that sees in the darkness aloneE and darkness sumboliBes
ignorance$ Because o ignoranceE money is generated in wrong ways and spent in wrong deeds$ -hus
owl is a symbol o black money and misdeeds$
2 Padma Purana
-his 8urana contains 9 :hapters as ollowsJ
,econd among the eighteen 8uranasE 8adma 8urana contains ive parts= ,rishtikhandE BhumikhandE
,wargkhandE 8atalkhand and 2ttarkhand$
#) ,rishtikhand contains an eGplanation o metaphysical knowledge in a dialogue style between
Bheeshma and the sage 8ulastya$ .t contains a description o 8ushkar -irth$ ,urprisinglyE this part
ridicules the worship o the planets (*rahas)$
() Bhumikhand has a description o the earthE besides the tales o the kings like 8rithuE 1ahushE YayatiE
8rabhriti and the sages like ,hiva VarmaE suvrata and :hyvan$ <or its description o the earth and
archaic matterE this part is oten regarded as the geography and the history o a period$
0) ,wargakhand describes the seMuence o creation irst and then the glory o the holy places as well
as the geographical eGpansion o .ndia along with her mountainsE rivers and the people$
4) 8atalkhand = ,utaCi narrates the tales related to the lie and plays o Lord "ama in an assembly o
the sages$ -his part also contains a description about the lie and plays o Lord Krishna$
9) 2ttarkhand contains a discussion about the metaphysical knowledge o religion presented in a
dialogue style between Lord ,hiva and 8arvati$ -his part also contains thousand names o Lord Vishnu
and one hundred names o Lord "ama$
!&1 )hrishti.hand
-his chapter contains #; sections$
&aving revealed the contents o all the 8uranas to his son 2grashravaE ,age Lomaharshan instructed
him to go to K1aimisharanyaK and spread it among the sages doing penance over there$
-here is an interesting tale how this sacrosanct orest o 1aimish derived itKs name ==
%nceE the sages sought Lord VishnuKs help in inding a suitable placeE where they could perorm their
religious activities unhindered$ Lord Vishnu released his chakra and instructed them to ollow it$ K-his
chakra had many circumerences (1emi) and all o you can commence your penance at the place
where one o them gets detached rom the chakraK ===said Lord Vishnu$
-he ,ages ollowed the chakra as per the instruction o Lord Vishnu$ %nce o the circumerences o
chakra got detached and ell at a place called *angavarta$ .n course o time this particular place was
amous as K1aimishK because the term K1emiK in ,anskrit means circumerence$ 6hen 2grashrava who
was popularly known as K,utCiK reached K1aimisharnyaK all the sages received him with enlighten all the
sages on the divine tales o 8adma 8uran$
,utCi replied=== 8adma 8uran consists o ive sections and ity=ive thousand shlokas$ -he names o
these sections are ,hrishti=KhandE Bhumi=KhandE ,warg KhandE 8atal Khand and 2ttam=Khand$ -he
tales o 8adma=8uran praise the glory o Lord Vishnu$ -hese tales were narrated to Lord Brahma by
Lord Vishnu himselE who in turn propagated them in this world through various sages$
($#$# -he Beginning o :reation
-he ,ages reMuested ,utCi to narrate about the incident when sage 8ulastya had met Bhishma$ ,utCi replied====
Bhishma was doing penance at a place called *angadwar$ Being pleased by his austere penanceE Lord Brahma
instructed 8ulastya to go to *angadwar and bless Bhishma$
Ater reaching thereE 8ulastya told Bhishma that Lord Brahma was pleased by his penance$ KAsk any boon you
wish orK said 8ulastya$ Bhishma thanked his good ortune o getting a chance to meet ,age 8ulastya$ &e
reMuested 8ulastya to reveal how Lord Brahma had created the world$
8ulastya replied=== During the initial phase o his creationE Lord Brahma created the 'ahattatva irst o all$ Ater
that he created the three types o +go rom the 'ahattatva===,atvaE "aCas and -amas$ -hese three types o +go
are the origins o all the ive sense=organsE organs o action and all the ive basic elements==spaceE waterE ireE air
P earth$
An enormous egg came into eGistence with the permutation and combination o these ive basic elements$ 6ithin
this egg eGists the whole universe including the mountainsE islandsE oceansE planetsE deitiesE demons and the
human beings$ -he layers o waterE ireE airE space and darkness envelop this enormous egg$ -hese elements are
once again covered by the K'ahattatvaKE which in turn is enveloped by the K8rakritiK (nature)$ Lord Vishnu himsel
does creation in the orm o Lord Brahma and also takes various incarnations to protect the mankind$ At the end
o the KalpaE it is only &eE who annihilates in the orm o "udra$ Ater the end o KalpaE he takes rest on the back
o ,heshnag or the ull period o deluge$
($#$( Lord Brahma?s Lie=,pan and the :hronological %rder o the F+ras?
8ulastya says===Lord BrahmaE the embodiment o Lord Vishnu has a lie=span o one hundred years$ &is lie=span
is also called K8arKE and hal o its period is known as K8arardhaK$ %ne KKashthaK consists o #9 1imesha while a
Kala consists o 03 KKashthasK$ A muhurta consists o 03 Kalas$ -he periods o 03 muhurtas are eMual to one day
and 1ight o the human beings$ A month o this world is eMuivalent to 03 days and nights$ ,iG months make an
KAyanK and a year consists o two KAyansK$ -hese two KAyansK are also known by two other names===Dakshinayan
and 2ttarayan$ Dakshinayan is the night o the deities where as 2ttarayan is their day$
<our yugas are eMuivalent to twelve thousand years o the deitiesE which occur in a cyclic order===,atyaE -retaE
Dwapar and Kaliyuga$ -he periods o these yugas are as ollows===
,atya Yuga Q 4333 years
-reta Yuga Q 0333 years
Dwapar Yuga Q (333 years
Kali Yuga Q #333 years
-otal Q #3E333 years
+ach yuga is ollowed by the hibernation periods o K,andhyaK and ,andhyanshE which are as ollows==
,andhya ,andhyansh

,atya Yuga 433 433

-reta Yuga 033 033

Dwapar Yuga (33 (33

Kali Yuga #33 #33

-otal #333 years #333 years
<our Yuga are collectively known as K:haturyugaK$ A BrahmaKs day consists o one=thousand such
K:haturyugasK$ AltogetherE ourteen 'anu appear during this whole period o #333 :haturgas or in other
words a day o Lord Brahma$ +ach K'anvantarK is named ater a 'anu and is eMuivalent to little more
than 7# :haturyugas$ .t also has its own .ndraE ,aptarishis and other deities$ -his wayE a manvantar is
also eMuivalent to )E9(E333 years o the deities or divine years$ *oing by the standard o the years o
this world a manvantar is eMuivalent to 03E;7E(3E333 years$ %n the basis o the years o this worldE a
BrahmaKs day is eMuivalent to 03E;7E(3E333 G #4 Q 4E(/E43E)3E333 yrs$ -his is the period ater which a
BrahmaKs day is over and a deluge takes place when all the three worlds becomes devoid o lie due to
unbearable heat$ Lord Brahma then takes rest or the same period (4E(/E43E)3E333 yrs) which is his
night$
Ater the night is overE Lord Brahma again commences his creation$ ,oE this process continues or the
whole period o BrahmaKs lie spanE i$e$ #33 yrs$R Bheeshma reMuested ,age 8ulastya to describe how
Lord Brahma created lie in the beginning o the present Kalpa$
8ulastya replied=== At the end o the previous kalpa when Lord Brahma awakened rom his sleepE he
ound the whole earth submerged in water$ &e meditated on Lord VishnuE who took the incarnation o
KVarahK and retrieved the earth and established it in its original position$ Lord Brahma then created all
the our worlds==BhurlokaE BhuvarlokaE ,wargloka and 'aharloka and divided the earth into seven
islands$
<irst o allE Lord Brahma created the K'ahattatvaK$ Ater that he created the K-anmatrasKE .ndriyas
(sense=organs)E the immovable things like mountainsE riversE animalsE deitiesE demonsE human beings
etc$
($#$0 -he <our 8rominent :astes
%n being asked by Bhishma about the origin o the our prominent castesE ,age 8ulastya said=== Lord
Brahma created the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas rom his mouth and chest respectively$ ,imilarlyE
Vaishyas and ,hudras maniested rom Lord BrahmaKs thigh and eet respectively$Lord Brahma had
created his KmanasputrasK with the obCective o increasing the population and their names were BhriguE
8ulahE KratuE AngiraE 'arichiE DakshaE Atri and Vashishth$ But all o them were ree rom worldly
desires and eGtremely virtuous$ ,eeing his eort go in vainE Lord Brahma became uriousE as a result o
which "udra maniested rom his orehead$ &al o "udraKs body resembled like a male while the
remaining hal appeared like a emale$Lord Brahma instructed "udra to detach the emale orm rom his
body and commence copulative creation$ <ollowing his adviceE "udra detached the emale part o his
body and created eleven male entities$ ,imilarly he created various emale entities rom the emale part
o his body$
-his wayE the irst human pair='anu and ,hatarupa came into eGistence$ .n course o time our children
were born to them===8riyavrataE 2ttanpadE 8rasuti and Aakuti$ 8rasuti was married to Daksha 8raCpatiE
while Aakuti became the wie o "uchi=8raCapati$ 8rasuti gave birth to (4 daughters== ,hraddhaE LaGmiE
DhritiE 8ushtiE -ushtiE 'edhaE KriyaE BuddhiE LaCCaE VapuE ,hantiE KeertiE KhyatiE ,atiE ,ambhutiE ,mritiE
8reetiE KshamaE ,antatiE AnsuyaE2rCaE ,waha and ,wadha$ %ut o themE the ormer thirteen were the
wives o Dharma and the rest were married to various sages like BhriguE ,hivE 'arichiE AngiraE mysel
(8ulastya)E 8ulahaE KratuE AtriE Vashishth AgniE etc$,hraddha gave birth to KKaamKE LaGmi to KDaarpaE
Dhriti to 1iyamE -ushti to ,antoshE 8ushti to LobhaE 'edha to ,hrutE Kriya to DandE 1ay and VinayE
Buddhi to BodhE LaCCa to VinayE Vapu to VyavasayE ,hanti to KshamaE ,iddhi to ,ukh and Keerti gave
birth to Yash$ All o them were the sons o Dharma$
Kaam had a son named &arsh rom his wie 1andiE BhriguKs wie Khyati gave birth to a daughter named
LaGmi==the consort o Lord Vishnu$ Lord "udra accepted ,ati==the daughter o Daksha 8raCapati as his
wie$ &insa was the wie o Adharm and gave birth to Anrit and 1ikriti$ Anrit had two sons==='aya and
1arakE while 1ikriti had two daughters=='aaya and Vedana$ 'aaya married 'aya while Vedana
became the wie o 1arak$ 'aaya had a son named 'rityu==the lord o death and Vedana gave birth to
Dukh$ <ive children were born to 'rityu==VyadhiE @araE ,hokE -rishna and Krodha$ All o them were
celibates and had no progeny$
($#$4 -he 'aniestations o *oddess LaGmi
Bheeshma eGpressed his desire to know about the maniestation o goddess LaGmi$
8ulastya replied== %nceE ater being deeated by the demonsE the deities went to Lord Vishnu and sought his help$
Lord Vishnu instructed them to collect all the medicinal herbsE and put them in the KsheersagarE so that ater the
churning o the ocean ambrosia could be retrieved$Lord Vishnu also advised them to use the 'andar mountain as
a :hurner and the serpent==,heshnag as a rope or churning the ocean$-he deities then reached an agreement
with the demons according to which both the groups were supposed to unitedly churn the ocean$ -he great
'andar mountain was uprooted and placed on the back o the tortoise==the embodiment o Lord Vishnu$
,heshnag coiled around that mountain and both the ends were held by the demons and the deities respectively$
-he deities intelligently chose the tail=endE while the demons in their oolishness chose the mouth=end$ -he vemon
spilled by ,heshnag destroyed the power and strength o the demons$ 6hen the process o :hurning beganE the
irst thing to emerge rom the sea=bed was Kaamdhenu==the holy cow$ -he deities claimed the ownership o this
divine cow$ ,ubseMuentlyE Vaaruni (intoGicating drink) emerged rom the sea=bedE which was claimed by the
ignorant demons$ During the process o ocean=churningE various kinds o things emerged out rom the ocean==
8ariCatE siGty crore apsarasE the moon and the Kaalkut (poison)E which were distributed among the demons and
the deities$ Lord 'ahadev drank the Kaalkut when he saw that there was no taker or it$
-he churning o ocean also resulted into the maniestation o ambrosia=potE 2chchaishrava (horse) and +ravat
(elephant)$ 2ltimatelyE goddess LaGmi maniested herselE seated on a lotus$ -he deities eulogised her by
chanting the mantras o ,ri ,ukta$ -he deities were desirous o having goddess LaGmi on their sideE so were the
demonsE but Lord Brahma instructed Vishnu to accept her as his consort$ -he demons became urious and
snatched the ambrosia=pot rom the hands o ,age Dhanvantari$ Lord Vishnu then disguised himsel as the most
enchanting woman and ooled the demons into giving back the ambrosia=pot$ Lord Vishnu gave the pot to the
deities who became immortal ater drinking ambrosia$ A tremendous battle was ought between the demons and
the deities$ ButE the demons were deeated in this battle and led to the netherworld to protect their lives$ -he
deities eulogised Lord Vishnu and returned to heaven$
($#$9 ,ati gives up her Lie
%n being enMuired by Bheeshma about the reason why ,ati gave up her lieE ,age 8ulastya narrated the ollowing
tale ====
%nceE Daksha 8raCapati had organised a grand yagya in which he had invited everybody eGcept Lord ,hiva$ -his
Yagya was presided over by our prominent sages===VashishthE AngikaE Vrihaspati and 1arad$ ,ati went to attend
the yagya despite Lord ,hivaKs reluctance to send her$ Ater reaching there she asked Daksha about the reason
why he had not invited Lord ,hiva$
Daksha said===RYour husband is unworthy o being in the company o other deitiesE because o his abhorrent
appearance$ &e smears ashes on his body and wanders through the cremation grounds$ .n the name o clothesE
your husband puts on tigerKs skin$ A garland o skulls keep on hanging down his neck$ All species o serpents coil
around his body$ Do you think he is eligible to sit in the company o the deitiesN Your husband had brought great
shame on me and this is the reason why . did not invite him$R
,ati could no more listen to her husbandKs criticism and gave up her lie by Cumping into the oblation=ire$6hen the
news o ,atiKs death reached Lord ,hivaE he became eGtremely urious and sent his ganas to avenge her death$
-he *anas went and created havoc at the oblation=site$Ater the death o ,atiE Lord ,hiva became a recluse and
lost all interest in his lie$ &is mind was preoccupied by nothing else but the thoughts o her beloved$%ne dayE
,age 1arad inormed Lord ,hiva about ,atiKs rebirth as the daughter o &imvan and 'ena$ Lord ,hiva became
eGtremely pleased by this good news$ +ventuallyE he reunited with her eternal consort 8arvati$
($#$; -he %rigin o DeitiesE Demons and ,erpents
Bheeshma reMuested ,age 8ulastya to eGplain how dierent entities like the deitiesE demons and
serpents came into being$
8ulastya replied===&aving ailed in his repeated attempts o increasing population by the means o
KsankalpaK Daksha 8raCapati was let with no option but to take the help o copulative creation$ &e begot
siGty daughters rom his wie named Virini$ .n course o time ten o them were married to Dharma
whose names were===ArundhatiE VasuE @amiE LambaE BhanuE 'arutvatiE ,ankalpaE 'uhurtaE ,aadhya
and Vishwa$Vishwa gave birth to VishwadevaE while ,aadhyaa was the mother o ,addhya$ 'arutvati
gave birth to 'arutvan$ Vasu had eight sons who became amous as the Vasus===yoursel (Bheeshma)E
DhruvE ,omaE DharE AnilE AnalE 8ratyush and 8rabhas$ Bhanu had a son by the same name i$e$ Bhanu$
'ahurta begot deitiesE who were the lords o auspicious moments$ Lamba gave birth to *hosh while
@ami had a daughter named 1agvithi$ Arundhati became the mother o all the creatures o this world$
As ar as the ospring o eight Vasus are concernedE KyouK (Bheeshma) have our sons==,hantE VaitandE
,amb and 'unibabhru$ Dhruv had a son named Kaal$ 6hile ,oma was the ather o Varcha$ Dhar had
two sons==Dravin and &avyavaah$ Anil had three sons=== 8ranE "aman and ,hishir$ Anal also had three
sons===,hakhE 2pshakh and 1aigameya$ 8ratyush had a son named DevalE who later on became a
amous sage$ 8rabhas was the ather o 8raCapati Vishwakarma==the architect o the deities$
-he names o the eleven "udras are===ACaikpadE AhirbudhnyaE VirupakshE "aivatE &arE BahuroopE
-rayambakE ,avitraE @ayantE 8inaki and AparaCit$ All o them are said to be the lords o the *anas and
have all together )4 crore progenies known as the "udraganas$
,age Kashyap had thirteen wives===AditiE DitiE DanuE ArishtaE ,ursaE ,urabhiE VintaE -amraE
KrodhvashaE .raE KadruE Khasa and 'uni$ Kashyap had two sons rom Diti===&iranyakashipu and
&iranyaksha$ &iranyakashipu had our sons===8rahladE AnuhladE ,anhlad and &lad$ 8rahlad also had
our sons===%ne o them was Virochan$ Virochan was the ather o Bali$ VanasurE who had one
thousand armsE was the eldest son o Bali$&iranyaksha had our sonsE who themselves had (7 crore
sons and grandsons in all$ Kashyap had begotten one hundred sons rom DanuE among whom
Viprachitti was the most powerul$Viprachitti had ourteen sons rom ,inhika===,ainhikeya ("ahu)E
KansaE ,hankhE 1alaE VatapiE .lwalE 1amuchiE KhasrimaE AnCanE 1arakE KaalnaabhE 8armanuE
Kalpavirya and Dhanuvanshavivardhan$
Kashyap also had siG daughters rom -amra==,hukiE ,hyeniE BhasiE *ridhiE ,ugridhi and ,huchi$ All siG
o them gave birth to various species o birds$ ,huki was the mother o 8arrots and %wls$ ,hyeni gave
birth to hawks while Bhasi was the mother o ospreys (a large ish eating birds$) *ridhi gave birth to
Vultures and ,ugridhi was the mother o pigeons$ ,huchi was the mother o cranesE ,wans and other
similar aMuatic birds$ Vinita was the mother o *aruda and Arun===,upreme among birds$ Arun was the
ather o ,ampati and @atayu$,ursa was the mother o the serpents and had given birth to one
thousand snakes$ ,imilarlyE Kadru gave birth to one thousand cobras$,urabhiE one o the thirteen wives
o Kashyap had given birth to cowsE bualoes as well as beautiul women$ 'uni was the mother o the
celestial damsels ==apsaras$ Arishta gave birth to Kinnars and *andharvas$ .ra was the mother o
various vegetation like grassE treesE creepers and bushes$
Khasa gave birth to crore o "akshashas (monsters) and Yakshas$Kashyap had also begotten orty=
nine 'arudganas rom Diti$
($#$7 -he %rigin o 'arudganas
Bheeshma re8uested Sa'e %u)ast*a to describe ho/ a)) the Marud'anas came into e9istence1
8ulastya replied=== All the sons and grandsons o Diti had perished in the battle ought between the
deities and demons$ Diti===the mother o daityas (demons) wanted to take revengeE so she started doing
a penance at the bank o river ,araswatiE which lasted or #33 years$Being pleased by her austere
penance ,age Kashyap arrived and eGpressed his desire to bless her with a boon$ Diti wanted a mighty
son who could kill .ndra$ ,age Kashyap then implanted his sperms in DitiKs womb and instructed her to
remain there (where she had been doing penance) or #33 years$ &e also instructed her on various
doKs and donKts which a pregnant woman is eGpected to observe$ Diti agreed to ollow his
instructions$'ean whileE .ndra got wind o her pregnancy and became scared$ &e wanted to destroy the
oetus at any costE so he arrived at the place where Diti was staying$ &e had disguised himsel to avoid
being recogniBed by Diti$ &e engaged himsel in her servitudeE waiting or an opportune moment to
destroy the oetus$
-his wayE ninety=nine years had passed and only three days were remaining ater which Diti was
eGpected to give birth to a son$ As the inevitable day approached nearerE .ndra started becoming
restless$%ne dayE Diti was very tired and ell down asleep$ &er hair was untied and her head had
stooped down while she was sleepingE Cust opposite to the instructions Kashyap had given to her$
<inding the moment opportuneE .ndra entered into DitiKs womb and cut the oetus into seven pieces with
his VaCra$ -he seven ragments o oetus instantaneously got transormed into seven inants and started
wailing$ .ndra became urious and once again he attacked them with his vaCra and severed them into
seven pieces each$ But to .ndraKs sheer amaBementE there were 4/ inantsE all wailing loudly$ &e tried
to stop them rom crying by shouting K'arudK (donKt cry)E but to no avail$
.ndra realiBed that the inants had attained immortality on account o the K8ournamasi VrataKE which Diti
had devoutly observed during the course o her penance$ .ndra named the inants as 'arudganas and
blessed them$ &e then begged or DitiKs orgiveness and took her along with the 'arudganas to
heaven$ -he 'arudganasE despite being born in the clans o demonsE never associated with them and
hence were revered even by the deities$Bheeshma eGpressed his curiosity to know about the detailed
description o all the ourteen manvantars$ 8ulastya said==-he irst manvantar was called
,wayambhuvaE named ater ,wayambhuva= 'anu$ Yamya was the prominent deity o this manvantar$
'arichi and other siG prominent sages were the ,aptarishis o this manvantar$ ,wayambhuva= 'anu
had ten sons===AaghnighaE AgnibahuE VibhuE ,avanE @yotishmanE DyutimanE &avyaE 'edhaE 'edhatithi
and Vasu$
-he second manvantar was named ater ,warochish=='anu$ ,warochish=='anu had our sons==1abhE
1abhasyaE 8rasriti and Bhavan$ -ushit was the prominent deity o this second manvantar$ DattatreyaE
AtriE :hyavanE ,tanbaE 8ranE Kashyap and Vrihaspati were the saptarishis o this manvantar$
-he third manvantar was called Autam and derived its name rom Autami 'anuE who had ten sons==
.shaE 2rCE -anuCE ,huchiE ,hukraE 'adhuE 'adhavE 1abhasyaE 1abh and ,ahaE Bhanusangyak was the
prominent deity o this manvantar$ ,age 2rC and other siG sages were the saptarishis then$
-he ourth manvantar was called -aamas==named ater -aamas=manuE who also had ten sons like his
predecessor$ -he names o his sons were==AkalmashE -apodhanvaE -apomoolE -apodhanE -aporashiE
-apasyaE ,utapasyaE 8arantapE -apobhagi and -apoyogi$ KaviE 8rithuE AgniE AkapiE KapiE @anya and
Dhama were the ,aptarishis o this manvantarE while ,aadhyagana was the prominent deity$
-he ith manvantar was called "aivat==named ater "aivat 'anuE who had ten sons as well==VarunE
-atvadarshiE chitimanE &avyapE KaviE 'uktE 1irutsukE ,atvaE Vimoh and 8rakashakE BhutraCaa and
8rakriti were the two prominent deities o this manvantar and the names o the saptarishis were==
DevabahuE ,ubahuE 8arCanyaE ,omapE 'uniE &iranyaroma and ,aptashva$
1eGt arrived the siGth manvantar===:hakshush$ -his 'anvantar derived its name rom :hakshush==
'anuE who had ten sons and among whom "uru was the most prominent one$ LekhE "ibhuE
8rithagbhootE Varimool and Divau were the prominent deities o this manvantar$ -he names o
,aptarishis were==BhriguE ,udhamaE ViraCE VishnuE 1aradE Vivaswan and Abhimani$
-he present manvantarE which is the seventh in orderE is called Vaivaswat$ -he ,aptarishis o this
manvantar are===AtriE VashishthE KashyapE *autam==yogiE BhardwaCE Vishwamitra and @amdagni$
-he eighth manvantar will be called ,avarnya and will be named ater ,avarni 'anuE ,avarni 'anu will
have ten sons===DhritiE VariyanE YavasuE ,uvarnaE DhrishtiE :harishnuE AadyaE ,umatiE Vasu and
,hukra$ -he ,aptarishis o this manvantar will be==AshwatthamaE "ishyashringaE KaushikyaE *alavE
,hatanandE Kaashyap and 8arashuram$
-he nineth manvantar will be named ater "uchi=='anu and will be called "auchya manvantar$ "uchi==
manu will have a son named "auchya$
-he tenth manvantar will be called Bhautya and will derive its name rom Bhautya 'anu==,on o Bhuti$
-he eleventhE twelthE thirteenth and ourteenth manvantars will be named ater 'erusavarniE "ibhuE
Veetdhama and Vishkvasen 'anus respectively$
All these ourteen 'anus successively rule this world or the total period o #333 :haturyugas$ At the
end o Kalpa each o them unite with Lord Brahma$
($#$) King 8rithu and the ,urya Dynasty
Bheeshma enMuired ,age 8ulastya about the mighty King 8rithu upon whom the earth was named as
8rithvi$
,age 8ulastya replied===Anga=8raCapati was the descendant o ,wayambhuva 'anu and ,unitha was
his wie$ .n course o timeE ,unitha gave birth to a sonE who was named Ven$ Ater growing upE Ven
turned out to be an eGtremely irreligious person and used to spend his time committing all sorts o
immoral deeds$ -he sages tried to bring him to the virtuous path but to no avail$ -hey became urious
and cursed Ven as the result o which he died$ -he sages then churned his dead bodyE which resulted
into the maniestation o a mean caste called 'lechchha$ -hey kept on churning his body and in the
processE an eGtremely virtuous entity maniested rom the right hand o Ven$ &e held various weapons
like maceE bow and arrows in his hands$ &e was none other than 8rithu==the embodiment o Lord
Vishnu$
Ater being crowned as a kingE 8rithu was saddened to see the prevalence o immorality throughout the
length and breadth o earth$ -he lack o virtuosity and religiousness among the inhabitants o earth
made him eGtremely urious$ &e decided to destroy the earth$ -he earth became scared and led in the
guise o a cow$ 8rithu chased her wherever she went$ At lastE the cow halted at a place as she had got
tired$ -o save her lieE the cow agreed to ulill all the desires o 8rithu$ 8rithu then milked the cowE
which later on got transormed into cereals$ ,imilarly all the deitiesE ancestors and other human=beings
milked the cow and received numerous invaluable things$
8rithu was a Cust king$ 8eace and prosperity prevailed during his reign$ 8eople were religious and ree
rom any kind o sorrow$ -he earth is named ater him as 8rithvi$,age 8ulastya then went on to give a
detailed description o ,urya dynasty===Vivaswan (,urya) had three Mueens===,angyaE "agyi and
8rabha$ "agyi had a son named "aivat while ,omgya was the mother o Vaivaswat=='anuE Yama and
Yamuna$ %nceE ,angya being unable to bear the eGtreme radiance o ,urya created a supericial entity
rom her body and instructed her to act as ,uryaKs wie in her absence$ -he name o this supericial
woman was chhayaE who had two sons and two daughters rom ,urya$ -he names o her sons were
,aavarna=='anu and ,hanaishcharE while the names o her daughters were -apti and Vishti$
,hanaishchar became immortal as a planet while Yamuna and -apti became rivers$ Vaivaswat 'anu
had ten sons among whom K.laK was the eldest$ Ater appointing .la as his successorE VaivaswatE manu
went to do penance$%nceE .la transormed into a woman ater tresspassing a orest where Lord ,hiva
and 8arvati were enCoying privacy$ .t was Lord ,hivaKs curse that any male who ventured in to that
orbidden orest would become a woman$ Later onE Buddh became enchanted by .laKs beauty and
married her$
'eanwhileE when .la did not return to his kingdomE his brother .kshvaku went in search o him$ .kshvaku reached
the outskirts o the same orest but did not enter it$ &e managed to please ,hiva by his devotion$ 6hen Lord
,hiva appearedE .kshvaku reMuested him to make .la a man once again$ ,hiva told him that it was impossible but
assured him by saying R. you perorm an Ashwamedha yagya and donate all the virtue thus acMuired to meE then
your brother will be able to live as a man or one month$ ButE ater one month he will again become a woman$
-husE his orm will keep on changing every alternate months$R
'eanwhile .la gave birth to our sons among whom 2tkalE *aya and &aritashwa were prominent$ -his wayE .la
became the source rom which the lineage o chandra sprouted$.kshvaku ruled over 'adhya=desh$ &e had one
hundred sonsE all o whom ruled the territories situated north o 'eru 'ountain$ .kshvaku also had one hundred
and ourteen more sonsE who ruled over the areas situated south o 'eru$Kakusttha was .kshvakuKs grand=son$
Kakusttha had a son named ,uyodhan$ ,ome other prominent kings coming rom this lineage were==8rithuE
VrihadashwaE KuwalashvaE 8urukutsuE DharmasetuE 'uchukundE -ridhanvaE -raidharunE ,atyavrat and
,atyarath$
-he most truthul king &arishchandra was ,atyarathKs son and "ohit was his son$ <amous kings like "aghuE Dilip
ACaE Dirghabahu and 8raCapati=Dasharath were the descendants o .kshvaku$ Dasharath had our sons among
whom ,ri "am was the eldest and who had killed the demon king "avana$ "am had two sons==Lav and Kush$
($#$/ BashkaliE the Demon king
Bheeshma reMuested ,age 8ulastya to reveal 6hy Lord Vishnu had to take incarnation as Vaman$
,age 8ulastya replied=== %nceE during ,atyayugaE the demons had deeated the deities and driven
them out rom their abode==heaven$ -he mighty demonE Bashkali was their leader$ &e had become
immortal an account o a boon received rom Lord Brahma$ .ndra went to Lord Brahma and narrated
the aweul tale o the deities$ Lord Brahma assured him that Lord Vishnu would certainly help in this
matter$ Lord Brahma contemplated on Lord Vishnu who appeared in a very short time$
6henE Lord Vishnu came to know about the deitiesKs pitiable conditionE he promised them that very
soon BashkaliKs wings would be clipped$
Lord Vishnu said===RVery soonE . will take incarnation as Vaman$ .ndra will have to come along with me
and demand a piece o land measured by my three steps$ . shall then reveal my giant orm and send
him to the patalloka ater making him beret o his kingdom$ .n course o time Lord Vishnu maniested
as Vaman rom AditiKs womb$ &is maniestation was simultaneously marked by various auspicious
signs==the air became ull o ragranceE the deities started reCoicingE the trees started shedding lowers
on their own and all the desires o living beings were ulilled$
Lord Vaman then went to BashkaliKs palace accompanied by .ndra$ Both o them marvelled at the grandness o
BashkaliKs cityE which was surrounded by a high boundary=wall$Bashkali was a very virtuous and benevolent king$
&e was truthul and well versed in all the scripture$ &is subCect lived in prosperity and enCoyed a long lie$6hen the
demons saw .ndra coming with a dwar they inormed Bashkali$ Bashkali instructed the demons to bring both the
guests with due respect$
Bashkali treated his guests with all honour and asked .ndra about the reason or his sudden arrival$ .ndra praised
BashkaliKs benevolence and said===R-he short brahmin accompanying me is desirous o a piece o land measured
by his three steps$R Bashkali was amused at this ridiculous demand and reMuested Vaman to ask or anything he
wished$ ButE Vaman wanted nothing more than a small piece o land measured by his three steps$
,hukracharya=BashkaliKs guru smelled something ishy and warned himE but he was not to listen$ Bashkali then
reMuested Vaman to go ahead and measure the land by his three steps$,uddenlyE Lord Vaman transormed his
physiMue into a giant siBe$ &is irst step reached the ,urya=loka and his second step touched the dhruva=loka$ &e
hit the top o the universe with his third step as a result o which water poured down$ -he water got collected and
came to be known as Vaishnavi river$ ButE the land had still not been measured and hence Lord Vaman reminded
Bashkali o his vow and ultimately the helpless Bashkali surrendered to the will o Lord Vaman and sought his
reuge$ Lord Vaman blessed him and sent him to 8atalloka$
($#$#3 ,ri "am kills ,hambuk
Ater killing the demons king "avanE ,ri "am returned to Ayodhya$ 'any sages had arrived there to bless him on
the occasion o his crowning ceremony$ ,age Vashishth was one o them$As ,ri "am was conversing with the
sages a brahmin arrived there with the corpse o his son and wailed===R% sonL Your death is certainly due to some
law o ,ri "am$ 1owE your mother and . have decided to give up our lives as there is no point in living$R
,ri "amKs heart was illed with grie and he asked ,age Vashishth as to how the brahmin could be helped$ ,age
Vashishth revealed to ,ri "am that the brahminKs son had died a premature death because o ,hambuk$
Vashishth said==R,hambuk is a ,hudra by birthE but he is doing an austere penance$ ,hudras are not entitled to
do penance in all the three yugasE eGcept the Kaliyug$ ,oE only his death can bring back the brahminKs son alive$R
,ri "am instructed both his younger brothers==LaGman and BharatE to look ater the stateKs aairs in his absence
and went in search o ,hambuk boarded on his 8ushpak Viman$,ri "am saw a man doing penance at the shore
o a reservoir$ &e landed his 8ushpak Viman and went near that man$ &e introduced himsel and enMuired about
the manKs identity==,ri "am asked==6hy are you doing such an austere penance$ 6ho are youN
6ithout moving the man replied that he was a shudra named ,hambuk$ &e said==== . am desirous o attaining to
devaloka and hence . am doing this penance$,ri "am took out his sword and severed ,hambukKs head$ All the
deities hailed ,ri "am and the brahminKs child became alive once again$
($#$## 'aniestation o *anesh P Kartikeya
%nceE beore taking her bathE goddess 8arvati anointed unguent on her body and while removing it
created a human orm rom the accumulated dross$ -he head o this human orm resembled an
elephant$ 8arvati then playully immersed the human=orm into river *anga$ ButE to her sheer
amaBement the human orm became alive and o enormous siBe$ ,he accepted him as her son and he
was none other than elephant=headed deity=*anesh$
%nceE Lord ,hiva became so deeply ascinated by her consort$ 8arvati hat he did not come out rom his
palace or #333 years$ -he deities became worried and sent Agni to ind out the reason$ Agni disguised
himsel as a parrot and entered the palace where ,hiva was enCoying privacy with 8arvati$
'eanwhileE 8arvati went at the bank o a reservoir to Muench her thirst$ Ater reaching there she saw siG
divine women (matrikas) carrying water in the leaves o lotus lowers$ As 8arvati was thirstyE she
reMuested them to give some water$ -he matrikas agreed on the condition that a son born to her
(8arvati) should also have to be accepted as their son$ 8arvati gave her conscent$ -he matrikas gave
8arvati water to drink$
&ardly had 8arvati inished drinking water than a divine child emerged out rom her womb$ -he child
possessed various weapons likeE tridentE shakti and a noose in his hands$ &e was none other than
Kartikeya$-he deities appointed Kartikeya as the commander o their army$ During that timeE a mighty
demon named -arakasur used to torment the deities$ Kartikeya killed that demon on the reMuest o
deities$
($#$#( An .deal Brahmin and the ,igniicance o the *ayatri 'antra
Describin' about the 8ua)ities of an idea) brahmin( Sa'e %u)ast*a said444 $nce( !arad had as2ed "ord
Brahma as to /ho /as /orth* of recei,in' Vishnu:s b)essin's1 "ord Brahma had to)d !arad that "ord
Vishnu sho/ered his b)essin's on those /ho en'a'ed themse),es in the ser,ice of brahmins1 A brahmin
shou)d be ,irtuous and /e)) ,ersed in a)) the scriptures1 A brahmin /ho does not obser,e the ritua)s as
mentioned in the Vedas( brin's dis'race to his ancestors1 An idea) brahmin is respectfu) to/ards his
parents( teachers and treats his 'uests /ith due honour1 He ne,er aspires for /omen other than his /ife
and chants the sacred 3a*atri mantra e,er*da*1
3oddess 3a*atri is said to ha,e manifested in the )inea'e of San2h*a*an1 She is of fair comp)e9ion and
fire is the s*mbo)ica) e9pression of her mouth1 "ord Brahma d/e))s on her forehead( "ord Vishnu in her
heart and "ord Rudra has his abode in her braided hair1 The 3a*atri mantra consists of ;< )etters and
each of them is re)ated /ith a specific deit*1 There is a mention of 3a*atri mantra( /hich consists of =>
)etters1 &t be'ins /ith the /ord :a'ni: and ends /ith :s/aha:1
The mantra is as fo))o/s444$M A3!RVAK%U!S& +A5URDD&! 5USHTA S$MAM %&BA
S6AHA1
A person( /ho chants the mantra for =?? times( becomes )iberated from 'ra,est of sin1 The ,arious
deities re)ated /ith the t/ent*4four )etters of 3a*atri Mantra are as under4
Deit*

#st letter ==== Agni

(nd letter ==== Vayu

0rd letter ==== ,urya

4th letter ==== Aakash

9th letter ==== YamraC

;th letter ==== Varun

7th letter ==== Vrihaspati

)th letter ==== 8arCanya

/th letter ==== .ndra

#3th letter ==== *andharva

##th letter ==== 8oosha

#(th letter ==== 'itra

#0th letter ==== -washta

#4th letter ==== Vasu

#9th letter ==== 'arudganas

#;th letter ==== ,oma

#7th letter ==== Angira

#)th letter ==== Vishwadeva

#/th letter ==== Ashwini kumar

(3th letter ==== 8raCapati

(#st letter ==== All the deities

((nd letter ==== "udra

(0rd letter ==== Brahma

(4th letter ==== Vishnu

A devotee should then perorm the ritual o KnyasK by mentally establishing dierent words o the *ayatri
mantra in the various parts o his body as given below ==

%' B&2& === in the heartE

%' B&2VA& === in the headE

%' ,6A& === in the top=knot (,hikha)E

%' -A-,AV.-2"VA"+1YA' === in the whole bodyE

%' B&A"*%D+VA,YA D&.'A&. === in both the eyes

%' D&.Y% Y% 1A& 8"A:&%DAYA- === in both the hands$

"egular chanting o *ayatri mantra bestowes similar virtues attained by the study o all the our vedas$
A brahmin who does not know *ayatri mantra is considered to be worse than a shudra$ Anybody who
chants *ayatri mantra attains salvation$ body as given below ==
($#$#0 A Brahmin?s Livelihood
Describing how a brahmin should earn his livelihoodE Lord Brahma said to 1arad==AlmsE which a brahmin gets
without making any demand or itE is called Vritta$ K2nchhavrittiK is even better than Vritti and it means collecting
oodgrain which are scattered in places like ieldsE granaryE market=place etc$ A brahmin should accept the
dakshina that his host gives him ater the completion o yagya=ceremony$ &e should engage himsel in
educational activities$ &e can also earn his livelihood by engaging himsel in other auspicious activities$
. the circumstances do not permit a brahmin to earn his livelihood by any o the above mentioned meansE then he
may opt or the occupation o a kshatriya$ .n such a caseE he should endeavor to have mastery both over the
vedas as well as dierent weaponary$ Battle should be his last option$ 6hen the very eGistence o religiousness is
at stakeE he should wage a war against irreligious people and to protect the religion$
.n an emergency situationE a brahmin can also choose the occupation o aVaishya and earn his livelihood by
doing business or agriculture$ ButE while earning his livelihood by doing agricultureE he should in no circumstances
abandon his own duties (duties o a brahmin)$ &e should be honest while doing business and never try to eGploit
the customers$
($#$#4 1arottam ! -he Brahmin
Describing about the importance o ive virtuous deedsE 8ulastya said to Bheeshma===R-he ive
supreme virtuous deeds are==obedience to parentsE aithulness towards husbandE eMuanimityE not
having enmity towards riends and devotion towards Lord Vishnu$ By pleasing his atherE one pleases
all the deities$ 'other is superior even to all the places o pilgrimage combined together$
8ulastya then narrated the same tale to BheeshmaE which lord Brahma had once told some prominent
sages ===
%nceE there lived a amous Brahmin called 1arottam$ &e had acMuired divine powers on account o his
austere penance but unortunately he never treated his parents with respect$Ater taking his daily bathE
1arottam hanged his wet clothes in the open sky without any support and they used to dry without
alling down on the earth$ -his special power had made him very arrogant$%ne dayE a crane lying in the
sky passed dung on his aceE which made him very urious$ 1arottam cursed the crane as the result o
which it was burnt to death$ &is special power vanished due to the sin acMuired by killing an innocent
bird$ 1owE no longer his clothes remained in suspended position in the sky$
1arottam became very sad$ ,uddenly he heard a heavenly voice instructing him to see a KchandalaK
named 'ook$ R&is discourses would be beneicial or you$R= ,aid the heavenly voice$ 1arottam went in
search o 'ook==the chandal and ound him in the servitude o his parents$ 'ook was a great devotee
o his parents and his total devotion towards his parents had blessed him with an eGtraordinary power=
his house used to hang in the air without any support$1arottam was deeply amaBed at this wonderul
sight$ &e wanted to know how 'ook had acMuired such divine powers$ ButE 'ook reMuested him to
waitE which made 1arottam very angry$ 'ook then told 1arottam===R. can talk to you only ater attending
to my parents$ . am not that crane which was charred to death by your curse$ . you donKt have time
then go and meet that Kaithul=wie$ ,he will answer your Muestions$R
1arottam did not know where that aithul wie livedE so he stood there wondering what to do neGt$
,uddenly Lord Vishnu emerged rom 'ookKs house disguised as a brahmin$ &e took 1arottam to the
Kaithul=wieKs house$ All along the way Lord Vishnu preached 1arottam on the Mualities o a chaste
woman$ As both o them were about to reach that chaste womanKs houseE lord Vishnu disappearedE
leaving 1arottam all alone$
1arottam reMuested the woman to enlighten him on the iner points o virtuosity$ ButE the woman was
busy attending her husband and reMuested him to wait$ 1arottam threatened to curse herE to which the
woman replied===. am not that crane whom you had cursed$ . you are in a hurry then you can go and
meet KDharm==-ulaadharK$ &e is an honest businessman and is capable o answering your Mueries$R
Lord Vishnu once again appeared rom that womanKs house disguised as a brahmin$ 1arottam asked
him as to how were both 'ook and aithul=wie aware o the incident in which the crane was charred to
death$ Lord Vishnu told him that both o them had acMuired this special power by the virtue o their
respective religiousness$
Lord Vishnu and 1arottam proceeded towards the place where Dharmtuladhar did his business
transactions$ As they were about to reach the placeE Lord Vishnu disappeared once againE leaving
1arottam all alone$1arottam saw Dharmtuladhar busy in his dealings with total honesty$ &e reMuested
him to reveal as to what made the wet clothes to hang in the air without any support$ Dharmtuladhar
reMuested him to wait but 1arottam was in a hurry to get answer to his Muestions$ Dharmtuladhar told
1arottam==8lease wait or sometimeE as . am busy doing my business transactions$ . you donKt have
time then you can go and meet AdrohakE who is ully capable o giving answer to your Muestions$ Lord
Vishnu once again accompanied him disguised as a brahmin$
6hen both o them were about to reach the place where Adrohak used to liveE lord Vishnu disappeared
and 1arottam was let all by himselE once again$ 1arottam reMuested Adrohak to preach on the
essence o religiousness$ Adrohak was a man o impeccable conduct and had ull control over the
sensual urges$ &e advised 1arottam to meet the supreme devotee o Lord VishnuE who lived nearby$
Adrohak said== You would get answers to all your Muestions$ &e will reveal to you the reason that made
wet clothes to hang in air without any support$1arottam then proceeded towards the place where the
supreme devotee o Lord Vishnu lived$ Lord Vishnu once again accompanied him in the guise o a
brahmin$Ater reaching thereE 1arottam eGpressed his desire o seeing Lord Vishnu$ -he supreme
devotee took him to a temple situated inside the house=premise$
1arottam was amaBed to see the same brahminE who had been accompanying him all along the wayE
siting on a lotus lower$ &e realiBed that the brahmin was lord Vishnu himsel$ Lord Vishnu blessed him
and said===Be respectul towards your parentsE i you want to attain to my abode$ . dwell in the houses
o people who are virtuousE truthulE possessed eMuanimity and who have ull control over their passion$
-his is why you ound me present at the homes o chandalE -uladhar P Adrohak$
1arottam realiBed his mistake and decided to be in the servitude o his parents or the rest o his lie$
($#$#9 -he ,igniicance o "udrakshaE Amla P -ulsi
%nceE while describing about the importance o "udraksha to the sagesE Vyas said=== %ne who wears a
"udraksha rosary is supreme among all human beings$ -he mere sight o such a holy man absolves people o
their sin$ A "udraksha bead bears eatures o a Linga and yoni on itKs surace$ %ne should not wear a rudraksha
on which above mentioned eatures are absent$ ,imilarly two Coint beads should never be worn$ All the mantras
become doubly powerul when chanted with the help o rudraksha=rosary$During ,atya=yugaE there lived a mighty
demon named -ripurasur$ &e had conMuered the deities and was capable o moving in the space$ -he deities
sought help o Lord ,hivaE who killed -ripurasur by the sight o his third=eye$ .n the processE ew drops o sweatE
emanating rom ,hivaKs body ell down on the earth$ -hese sweat drops got transormed into a large "udraksha=
tree$
Amla is a very nutritious ruit and great religious signiicance has been attached to it$ Amla ruit is very dear to
Lord Vishnu and its use on the auspicious day o +kadashi brings unmatched virtue$ A person who regularly eats
amla enCoys a long lie$-he ollowing tale adeMuately describes the religious importance o amla ==
%nce upon a timeE a chandala went into the orest or hunting$ &e hunted many deer and birds$ <eeling hungryE
he saw an amla tree and climbed up the tree$ -his way he satiated his hunger by eating sweet amla ruits$
2nortumately while he was climbing down the treeE he ell down and died$6hen the attendants o YamaraC
arrived to take back his soulE they could not do so even ater repeated attempts$ -he attendants o YamaraC
became very surprised and went to the sages or clariication$ -he sages revealed to the attendants that they
could not go near the chandalaKs dead bodyE because he had eaten amla Cust beore his death$
,uch is the glory o amlaL
%nce Kartikeya asked Lord ,hiva about the holiest treeE which was capable o giving salvation$ Lord shiva
replied===-he -ulsi plant is supreme among all the vegetations$ ,he is very dear to lord Vishnu and ulillKs all the
desires o a man$ Lord Krishna dwells near the place where there is a -ulsi plant$ ,pirits and ghosts never dare to
venture near the -ulsi plant$ . a man attaches a -ulsi lea to his ,hikha at the time o his deathE he is liberated
rom all his sins$ %ne who worships Lord Vishnu by oering -ulsi=leaves attains salvation$
($#$#; -he .mportance o ,urya?s 6orship
%nceE while describing about the importance o ,uryaKs worship to VaishampayanE ,age Vyas narrated the
ollowing tale ===
-here lived a king named Bhadreshwar$ &e ruled over 'adhyadesh$ %nce his let hand was inected with leprosy$
BhadreshwarE earing the prospect o dreadul leprosy spreading to his whole bodyE decided to end his lie$ &e
eGpressed his desire to the head=priest$ -he head=priest cautioned Bhadreshwar that i he went ahead with his
decisionE then the whole kingdom would be destroyed$ &e said === KYou will be cured o leprosyE i you worship
Lord ,urya$K
-he head=priest then told the king about the appropriate rituals o ,urya==worship$ King Bhadreshwar began his
austerities and worshipped Lord ,urya by chanting mantras and oering articles like 1aivedyaE ruitsE ArdhyaE
Akshat etc to the deity$King Bhadreshwar was cured o his leprosy within a year by the virtue o his deep devotion
towards Lord ,urya$
!&! #humi.hand
-his chapter contains ; sections$
($($# Dierent -ypes o ,in and Virtue
%nceE Yayati reMuested 'atali to describe the various sinul and virtuous deedsE which a man normally commits in
his lie$
'atali replied====K%ne who criticiBes the vedas and ollows the religion o otherKs ater abandoning his own or
torments virtuous people is a grave sinner$ ,imilarlyE not respecting oneKs parentsE not giving KdakshinaK to a
brahmin ater the completion o a shraddh ceremonyE studying the scriptures in an impure physical state are some
other sinul deeds$
K%ne who obstructs a hungry man rom having his ood or thirsty person rom Muenching his thirst commits a sin
similar to that o killing a brahmin$
'atali described some other types o sins ===
Back bitingE seeing aults with others and demeaning their eortsE acMuiring otherKs land by unair meansE killing
innocent animalsE having illicit relationship with women other than oneKs wieE telling liesE showing disrespect to the
guests etcE are considered to be sinul deeds$
Describing about the various types o virtuous deedsE 'atali said ===
1on=violenceE orgivenessE truthulnessE devotion towards godE benevolenceE abstinenceE oblation P meditation
are some o the virtuous deeds$ Donating ood=grainsE domesticated animals like horseE cow etc$ giving water to a
thirsty person are some other types o virtuous deeds$A person who donates wooden sandals a needy brahmin
attains to the heaven$ 6orshipping Lord ,hiva or Lord Vishnu enables a man to attain to the ,hivaloka or
Vishnuloka respectively$
($($( King Yayati propagates Vaishnava=Dharma
King Yayati was the son o 1ahush and a descendant o ,oma==dynasty$ &e was a great devotee o Lord Vishnu
and had contributed a lot in the propagation o Vaishnava==dharma$ Yayati had sent many emissaries in all
directions to propagate Vaishnava==dharma$ During YayatiKs reign his subCect were prosperous and were ree rom
any kind o sorrow$ 8eace prevailed everywhere and people did not eGperience any natural calamity like draught
or amine$
King Yayati enCoyed an unbelievably long lie o one lakh years$ &e was blessed with eternal youth and his
appearance was enough to give an ineriority compleG to a young man$ All thisE he had attained by the virtue o his
supreme devotion towards Lord Vishnu$ .ndra was very scared o YayatiKs increasing popularity and eared that i
his virtuosity remained intactE he would very soon become the ruler o heaven$ .ndra instructed Kamadeva and
"ati to ind some means so that king Yayati could be enticed by human weaknesses like lust P inatuation$
KamadevaE accompanied by other *andharvas went to YayatiKs palace and sought his permission to stage a play$
Yayati gave his permission and the play commenced$ "ati appeared on the stage as a beautiul woman and was
successul in corrupting the thoughts o Yayati$ Yayati became so enchanted by "atiKs beauty that he lost his
senses and ell down unconscious$ <inding the time opportune KVriddhavasthaK (deity o old age) and KKamadevaK
entered YayatiKs body$-his way the deities were successul in their designs and now the signs o old=age started
to become evident in Yayati$
($($0 Yayati marries Ashrubindumati
%nceE king Yayati went into a orest or hunting$ &e saw a stagE which had our horns and chased it$
-he deer led him deep into the orest and then disappeared$ Yayati was tired and thirsty$ &e saw a lake
and decided to Muench his thirst$ <irst o all he took his bath and then drank sweet water rom the
lake$As Yayati was relaGing at the bank o that lakeE he heard a sweet voice singing a song$ Yayati
proceeded towards the direction rom which the sound was coming$ &e saw a beautiul woman singing
a song$ &er companion accompanied the beautiul woman$Yayati became enchanted by the divine
beauty o that woman and wanted to marry her$ -he beautiul womanKs companion told Yayati that her
riend could marry him only ater he shed the signs o his old age$
-he beautiul woman was Ashrubindumati==the daughter o "ati$Vishala=her companion was the
daughter o Varun$ Yayati returned to his palace and reMuested his two sons==-aru and Yadu to
eGchange their youth in lieu o his old ageE but both o them reused to oblige him$ Yayati cursed both o
them$
Yayati had a son===8uru rom his wie named ,harmishtha$ 6hen he made the same reMuest to 8uruE
he agreed without any hesitation$ Yayati became pleased with 8uru and appointed him as his
successor$
1owE Yayati became young once again and went to meet Ashrubindumati$ ButE AshrubindumatiKs riend
Vishala was still not convinced and eGpressed apprehension that her riend would never play second
iddle to his two wives==,harmishtha and Devayani$King YayatiE being blinded by his lustE assured
Vishala that Ashrubindumati would enCoy the supreme authority and she had nothing to ear$ &e said==R.
promise that you will be my only wie and . will have nothing to do with my wives$R
-his way Yayati married Ashrubindumati and enCoyed a blissul married lie or twenty=thousand years$
%nceE Ashrubindumati eGpressed her desire o visiting all the divine places==.ndralokaE BrahmalokaE
,hivaloka and Vishnuloka$ Yayati took back his old age rom 8uru and returned his youth$ &e
appointed 8uru as his successor and instructed his subCect to live peaceully$ ButE the people wanted to
be with YayatiE so all o them accompanied him to the heaven$ Yayati visited all the divine places and
ultimately attained to Vishnuloka$
($($4 KunCal ! -he +nlightened 8arrot
%nceE while describing about the importance o a teacherE Lord Vishnu had narrated the ollowing tale to king
Ven=== ,age :hyavan came rom the lineage o Bhargav$ %nceE he arrived at %mkareshwar with the obCective o
acMuiring knowledge$ ,ince he was tiredE he decided to take rest under the shade o a Banyan tree$ A parrot
named KunCal lived on that tree$ -he parrot had our young ones==2CCawalE ,amuCCwalE ViCCwal and KapinCal$ KunCal
was a very learned parrot and had mastery over all the scriptures$ %nceE 2CCawal reMuested KunCal to give
discourse on various aspects o religiousness$ KunCal said===-he whole world is ull o sorrow$ A man can be
liberated rom his sorrow by the means o salvation because salvation is ree rom sorrow$ ,alvation can be
attained with the help o abstinenceE sel=control and having deep devotion in lord Vishnu$ -he soul being
enlightened is also called K8aramatmaK$ ButE covered by the darkness o ignorance it becomes diicult or the soul
to attain salvation$ A devotee can meditate on both the orms o Lord Vishnu==,akar (with orm) P 1irakar
(ormless)$ ButE meditating on the ,akar orm is easy or anybody$ %n the other hand only an enlightened soul can
meditate on the KnirakarK orm o Lord Vishnu$ -here are various austerities related with Lord Vishnu and which i
observed by a devoteeE pleases him==@ayaE ViCayaE @ayantiE VanCuliE -ilgandhaE -rihsprishaE Akshanda and
'anoraksha$ All these austerities are similar to dierent types o +kadashi or Dwadashi Vrata$ ,imilarlyE two other
austerities namely Ashunyashayan and @anmashtami are capable o reeing a man rom all his sin$ A devotee
who chants ,hatnaam stotra attains salvation$
($($9 KunCal 8reaches ViCCwal
Describing the virtue o benevolence to ViCCwal$ KunCal==the learned parrot narrated the ollowing tale ===
%nceE there lived a king named ,ubahu who ruled over chola desha$ A learned brahmin named @aimini used to
counsel him on religious and spiritual matters$%ne dayE while @aimini was giving a discourse on the virtue o
benevolenceE ,ubahu reMuested him to describe about those deeds that enables a man either to attain to the
heaven or to hell$
@aimini replied=== %ne who earns his livelihood by improper means deinitely goes to hell$ ,imilarlyE atheistsE
licentious peopleE proudyE backbiters and ungrateul people go to hell too$ %ne who gobbles up otherKs wealth by
illegal means or shows disrespect to his guest goes to hell$%ne who is a habitual liar or one who kills innocent
animals or one who has abandoned the religious path is certain to go to hell$%ne who is truthul and engages
himsel in various virtuous deeds like penanceE meditationE study o the scripturesE goes to the heaven$ %ne who
is respectul towards his elders and leads a virtuous lie goes to the heaven$ .n the same mannerE he who is
benevolent and ree rom vices like Cealousy hatred etc$ goes to the heaven$ ,imilarlyE one who leads his lie as
per the instructions given in the scriptures or has ull control over his sensual desires goes to the heaven$
King ,ubahu was so impressed by @aiminiKs preaching that he decided to spend rest o his lie in the service o
lord 'adhusudan$ &e perormed countless oblations as long as he was alive and attained to Vishnuloka ater his
death$
($($; KunCal 1arrates about his 8revious Birth
,age :hyavanE who had been listening to the narration o KunCalE was amaBed by his proound knowledge$ &e
asked KunCal===% great soulL 6ho are youN <rom where did you acMuire such divine knowledge$K
KunCalE who remembered everything about his previous birth said==
.n my previous birthE . was the youngest son o a brahmin named Vidyadhar$ 'y name was Dharma ,harma$
,eeing my dislike or studyE my ather became worried about my uture$ . used to waste my time loitering here and
there$ 8eople used to make un o my stupidityE which made me eGtremely sad$ . decided to acMuire knowledge
but did not ind anybody willing to teach me$
.n due course o time . became old but was still an idiot$ %ne dayE . was sitting in a temple cursing my ate$
,uddenlyE a sage arrived there and asked me as to what made me so sad$ . narrated my woeul tale$ -he sage
elt pity on my condition and blessed me with divine knowledge that made me capable o having advance
knowledge o all the uture incidents o the world$ ,age :hyavan was curious to know about the reason that made
Dharma ,harma to be born as a parrot$
KunCal replied=== % BrahminL A man is inluenced by the company he keeps$ -he reason why . took birth as a
parrot is related with an incidentE which occurred in my previous birth$ %nceE a wicked owler sold a parrot to a
brahmin who in turn presented it to me$ 6ith the passage o time . became very attached with the parrot and
gradually deviated rom my virtuous path$ As a result all my divine knowledge vanished and . became an idiot
once again$
%ne dayEa cat arrived and killed that parrot in my absence$ . became very sad and used to spend my time crying
over the dead parrot$ 2ltimately . died but even at the time o deathE my mind was preoccupied with the thoughts
o my beloved parrot$ As a resultE . was born as a parrot but ortunately . remembered my previous birth even
while . was still in my motherKs womb$ . was ull o remorse and used to curse mysel or having wasted my
lie$,age :hyavan was amaBed by the narration o KunCal==the learned parrot$
!&* )warga.hand
-his chapter contains 9 sections$
($0$# ,ome 8rominent &oly 8laces in Bharat=Varsha
%nceE sages reMuested ,utCi to describe about the most prominent places o pilgrimage situated in Bharatvarsha$
,utCi commenced his narration by describing the origin o creation and then switched over to the geographical
characteristics o Bharatvarsha$ ,utCi said===K-here are seven prominent mountain ranges in Bharatvarsha==
'ahendraE 'alayE ,ahyaE ,haktimanE "ikshavanE Vindhya and 8ariyatra$ ,ome prominent rivers supplying
potable water to the inhabitants o Bharatvarsha are===*angaE ,indhuE ,araswatiE *odwariE 1armadaE ,hatadruE
YamunaE VipashaE 'ahanadiE VidishamE Varuna etc$ -he names o the main @anapadas situated in the northern
part o Bharatvarsha are KuruE 8anchalE ,halvaE 'atreyaE @aangalE ,hoorsenE 8ulindE BaudhE :hediE 'atsyaE
BhoCE ,indhuE 2tkalE KoshalE 'adraE KalingaE KashiE 'alavE 'agadhE VidehE AngaE BangaE ,urashtraE KekayE
Kashmir P *andhar$ ,imilarlyE @anpadas like DravidE Keral$ 8rachyaE karnatakE KuntalE cholE ,auhridE KonaE
KorakE KaladE 'ushal and ,utap are situated in the southern part o Bharatvarsha$
,utCi then described about the greatness o 8ushkar teerth by recounting an incident related with the 8andavas===
R%ne dayE ,age 1arad visited the 8andavas who were living in eGile$ -he 8andavas had visited many places
during the course o their eGile period and wanted to know about the ruits they had acMuired due to their
pilgrimage$
R,age 1arad then recounted an incident when king Dilip had once posed the same Muestion to ,age Vashishth$
,age Vashishth while describing about the greatness o 8ushkar said===8ushkar teerth is the holiest place where
lord Brahma has his abode$ Deities consider themselves ortunate to be at 8ushkar$ A person who takes a holy
dip at 8ushkar and worships lord Brahma acMuires virtues eMuivalent to the accomplishment o the Ashwamedha
yagya$R
,age Vashishth continued with the description o some other prominent places o pilgrimage like @ambumargE
1armada Amarkantak etc$
($0$( @ambubargE "iver 1armadaE Amarkantak
:ontinuing with his narrationE ,age Vashishth said=== A man desirous o going on a pilgrimage should irst o all
visit @ambumargE because it is revered even by the deities and the sages$ By visiting this holy place a man
acMuires virtue eMuivalent to the accomplishment o an Ashwamedha yagya and attains to Vishnuloka$ A man
should then visit -undulikashramE Agastya Ashram P Kanya AshramE which are situated near @ambumarg$ -aking
a dip in the holy water o KotiteerthE situated near 'ahakal temple is believed to bestow undiminished virtue$
Bhadravat is a amous place o pilgrimage related with Lord ,hiva and paying a visit here gives virtue eMuivalent
to donation o #333 cows$
A man who takes holy dip in river 1armada and perorms KtarpanK in the name o manes acMuires ruits similar to
the accomplishment o Agnishtom yagya$ 1armada is the holiest o all the river$ A man becomes liberated rom
his sins by taking bath or three weeks in river ,araswati$ ,imilarly it takes one week o regular bath in river
yamuna or a man to become absolved o all his sins$ -he mere touch o *anga water liberates a man rom all his
sinsE but mere sight o river 1armada is enough to liberate a man rom all his sins$
Kotirudras are believed to dwell in the vicinity o Amarkantak mountain$ All together siGty crores and siGty
thousand places o pilgrimage are situated all around this holy mountain$ Anybody present in the vicinity o this
mountain must rerain rom any kind o sinul deeds$ Visiting Amarkantak mountain during solar and Lunar
eclipses is considered to be eGtremely auspicious$ ,imilarly the conluence site o 1armada and Kaveri is
considered to be sacrosanct$ Anybody who takes a holy dip in the conluence o 1armada and Kaveri becomes
liberated rom his sins$
($0$0 FDharma=-eertha? P Yamuna=,nan
,age 1arad continued with the description o various holy places and said=== RA pilgrim must visit Dharma -eerthE
which is named ater the lord o death==Dharma$ %nce upon a time DharmaraC had perormed an austere penance
at that place this is the reason why it became amous as Dharma -eerth$ By visiting Dharma -eerthE a man
liberated all his ancestors up to seventh generation$ Ater that a pilgrim should go to Kalap=orestE ,augandhik=
orestE ,uvarna=Dhumavanti respectively$ All the above mentioned holy places are capable o giving salvation$R
Describing about the virtues o taking a holy dip in river Kalini (Yamuna) sage 1arad said ==
A person who takes a holy dip in Yamuna becomes liberated rom all his sorrows$ -he virtue acMuired by taking a
bath in Yamuna is greater than paying visits to various holy places like 8ushkarE KurukshetraE Brahmavarta and
Kashi$-aking a dip in Yamuna also helps in the ulillment o all the desires o a man$ AlthoughE dierent rituals
have been attributed to various yugas like ,aytayuga==penanceE -reta==KnowledgeE Dwapar==yagya and Kaliyug==
DonationE yet virtue o taking a holy dip in Yamuna transcends even time$R
RAlthough the whole stretch o river Yamuna is believed to be holyE yet Yamuna lowing near 'athura holds
special importance because o her deep association with lord Krishna$R1arad narrated a tale to prove the
signiicance o taking a bath in Yamuna$
RDuring ,atyayuga there lived a Vaishya named &emakundal$ &e had earned lot o wealth by dint o hard work$
Although he was very rich yet happiness deluded himE as he had no progeny$ &e was worried as to who would
inherit his property ater his death$
R.n course o timeE &emakundal attained old age and ater realiBing about the impermanence o the world indulged
himsel in virtuous deeds$ &e was blessed with two sons==,hrikundal P Vikundal$ 6hen both his sons grew upE
&emakundal went into the orest to do penance$R
R,hri Kundal and &emakundal sMuandered the whole wealth which their ather had earned so painstakingly$ Both
o them were o loose moral character and had illicit relationship with many prostitutes$ .n a very short time they
became poor and both o them starved to death$ 6hen the yamdoots reached yamloka ater taking their soulsE
YamraC ordered==K8ut ,hri Kundal in "aurav hell but send Vikundal to the heaven$K 6hile Vikundal was being
taken to the heaven he asked one o the yamdoots==K-he sins committed by my brother and me were almost
identitical then why is my brother being sent to hell while . am being sent to heaven$K
-he yamdoot replied=You are being metted out this special treatment on account o your virtues
acMuired by bathing twice in river Yamuna$-here was a brahmin riend o yourKs named ,wamitra$You
had accompanied him to 'athura and twice taken bath in the holy Yamuna$ By the virtue o the irst
bath you became liberated rom all your sinsE while the second bath helped you in attaining to the
heaven$Vikundal reMuested the yamdoot to allow his brother to accompany him to heaven$ Yamdoot
replied that his brother could accompany him to the heaven provided he donated all his virtues to him$
Vikundal agreed to donate his virtues to his elder brother or the sake o his liberation$ -his wayE both
,hrikundal and Vikundal attained to the heaven$
($0$4 KashipuriE Kapardishwar P *aya
%n being asked by Yudhishthir about the grandeur o holy places like KashipuriE Kapardishwar P *aya$ 1arad
said ===
@ust as Lord 'ahadev is supreme among all the deitiesE in the same manner Kashipuri holds a signiicant status
among all the places o pilgrimage$ &ence an individual should make it a point to visit Kashi once in his lie time$
-he amous ,hiva linga Kopardishwar is installed at Kashi and is said to ulill all the desires o a man$
8erormance o various rituals at Kashi liberates a man rom all his sins=all his laws are eliminated automatically
Cust by residing in Kashi$
A devotee who regularly practices meditation in the temple o Lord Kapordishwar attains Yogasiddhi within siG
months$ 6orshipping Lord Kapardishwar ater taking a holy dip in 8ishach=mochan kunda liberates a man rom
gravest o sin like KBrahmahatyaKE etc$ *aya is considered to be a sacrosanct place o pilgrimage and various
rituals or the paciication o the souls o dead ancestors are perormed here$ Anybody who oers 8indadaan and
tarpan at *aya not only liberates his ancestors but also himsel$ -here is a very amous Banyan tree named
Akshayvat at *aya$ *aya is situated at the bank o river <algu$
($0$9 8uranas ! -he +mbodiment o ,ri &ari
According to ,utCiE all the 8uranas are nothing but the mediums through which ,ri &ari maniests
himsel===Brahma 8uran is said to be the <orhead o ,rihariE 8adma 8uran is said to be the KheartK o
,rihariE Vishnu 8uran is said to be the Kright armK o ,rihari$ ,hiva 8uran is said to be the Klet armK o
,rihari$ ,hrimad Bhagawat is said to be &is KthighKE 1arad 8uran is said to be &is KnavelKE 'arkendeya
8uran is said to be &is Kright=ootK$ Agni 8uran is said to be &is Klet ootKE Bhavish 8uran is said to be &is
Kright=kneeKE Brahma Vaivratapuran is said to be &is Klet=kneeK$ Linga 8uran is said to be &is Kright
ankleKE Varaha 8uran is said to be &is Klet ankleK ,kanda 8uran is said to be the hair on the body o K,ri
&ari$

Vaman 8uran is said to be &is ,kin

Kurma 8uran is said to be &is Back

'atsya 8uran is said to be &is ,tomach

*aruda 8uran is said to be &is Bone=narrow

Brahmanda 8uran is said to be &is Bone$

,oE all the 8uranas being maniestation o dierent parts o ,ri &ariKs body are very sacred and capable
o bestowing salvation$
!&, Patal.hand
-his chapter contains #3 sections$
($4$# ,heshnag narrates the -ales o ,ri "ama?s "eturn rom Lanka
%nceE ,ages reMuested ,utCi to describe about ,ri "amKs return rom Lanka$ ,utCi narrated the same taleE which
,heshnag had once told Vatsyayan$,heshnag said==Ater the killing o demon king "avanE ,ri "am appointed
Vibhishan as the king o Lanka$ &e then decided to return to Ayodhya on 8ushpak=VimanE which Vibhishan had
presented to him$ &e along with ,itaE LaGmanE ,ugreev and &anuman boarded the aircrat and lew towards
Ayodhya$-he earth looked beautiul rom such a high altitude and ,ri "am was continuously describing about the
importance o various places over which the aircrat lew$ As the aircrat was about to enter the airspace o
AyodhyaE ,ri "am recogniBed BharatE who was living at 1andigram at that time$ Bharat had vowed not to enter
Ayodhya till the return o ,ri "amE hence he stayed at 1andigram situated at the outskirts o Ayodhya awaiting ,ri
"amKs return$ &e led an austere lie as the result o which he had become weak and eeble$
%n seeing BharatE ,ri "am instructed &anuman to inorm him about his ("amKs) arrival$ &anuman went to the
hermitage o Bharat and inormed him about ,ri "amKs arrival$ BharatKs Coy knew no bound and he eGpressed his
desire to reward &anuman or bringing such auspicious news$ Bharat then accompanied &anuman and went to
meet ,ri "am$,ri "amKs heart was illed with grie when he saw BharatE who looked like a hermit in his KValkalK
and KKaupinK$ %n the other hand Bharat cursed himsel or being the cause o ,ri "amKs miseries$ Bharat asked or
,ri "amKs orgiveness and said===K% LordL You had to go into eGile only because o me$ . can never be absolved o
my sin$K
,ri "am consoled him and ater taking Bharat into his embrace enMuired about his welare$ &e told Bharat that he
had to undergo the suerings o eGile because o his own destiny$KYou are not at ault$ DonKt curse yoursel or my
misery$K said ,ri "am$ At last all o them including Bharat boarded 8ushpak Viman and the aircrat took= o or
Ayodhya$:ontinuing with ,ri "amKs taleE ,heshnag said==6hen ,umanth brought the news o ,ri "amKs arrival at
AyodhyaE people danced in CoyE 8reparations started being made or ,ri "amKs grand reception$ -he whole city o
Ayodhya was decorated with rows o lighted lamps$
,ri "am and ,ita alighted rom the 8ushpak Viman and both o them were carried in a palanMuin to the palace$
8eople stood in Mueues on both sides o the road with olded hands$ ,ri "am blessed them by raising his
hand$<irst o all "am went to meet Kaikayi who was ull o remorse and guilt$ ,ri "am consoled her and then went
to meet ,umitra to pay his obeisance to her$ At lastE he went to meet his own mother==KaushalyaE who was dying
to see him$ Kaushalya blessed ,ri "amE ,ita and LaGman$ Bharat then instructed the royal astrologers to decide
upon an auspicious moment or ,ri "amKs coronation$ -hus ,ri "am became the king o Ayodhya$ During his
reign peace and prosperity prevailed everywhere$ 8eople were virtuous and there was no sign o sin$
($4$( "avana ! -he 'ighty Demon
8eople o Ayodhya lived peaceully during ,ri "amKs reign until one ateul day when they were struck by a bad
news==,ri "am had abandoned ,ita ater a 6asherman leveled an unair charge against her character$ ,uch was
the greatness o ,ri "am that opinion o each and every individual was given due respect irrespective o his
position and status$ %ne dayE ,age Agastya arrived in the royal court o ,ri "am$ Ater the ormal ,alutations
were over$ ,age Agastya complimented ,ri "am or killing "avana$
,ri "am asked Agastya==K6ho was "avana== the tormentor o deitiesN . am anGious to know about the origin o his
whole clan$R
,age Agastya replied==Vishrava was the grandson o Lord Brahma$ &is ather was sage 8ulastya$ Vishrava had
two wives=='andakini and Kaikasi$ 'andakaniKs son was Kubera while Kaikasi was the mother o "avanaE
Kumbhakarna and Vibhishan$ Kubera ruled over Lanka$ %ne dayE KuberaE came to see his parents boarded on
his aircrat==8ushpak Viman$ Ater he returned to LankaE "avanaE who was very much impressed by KuberaKs
royal appearances asked Kaikasi==R6ho was this ellowN <rom where did he acMuire such an amaBing aircrat$R
Kaikasi revealed to "avana that the guest was none other than his step=brother Kubera$ ,he said==RKubera is the
son o your step mother=='andakini$ &e has made his mother proud by his conduct but . am ashamed o youE
because o your inconseMuential eGistence$ You are no better than a worm$R
"avan decided to prove his mother wrong by acMuiring insurmountable power and authority$ "avana went to the
orest and perormed an austere penance or ten thousand years by standing on one oot$ &e iGed his gaBe at the
sun and never or a moment did he remove his gaBe rom it$ Kumbhakarna and Vibhishan also engaged
themselves in austere penance$ At lastE Lord Brahma became pleased and blessed "avana with a vast kingdom$
"avan then started tormenting his step=brother Kumbhakarna$ &e snatched KuberaKs 8ushpak Viman and drove
him out o Lanka$ "avan then turned his attention towards the deities and drove them out o heaven$ -he deities
went to seek the help o Lord Brahma who in turn took them to Lord ,hiva$ +ven Lord ,hiva was clueless about
the means by which the indomitable "avana could be subdued$ 2ltimately all o them including Lord ,hiva went
to Lord Vishnu and sought his help$
Lord Vishnu assured them by saying ===
R. shall take incarnation as "am at a place called Ayodhya$ 8resentlyE Ayodhya is being ruled by
DashrathE who inspite o having three MueensE does not have any son$ . shall maniest mysel as "am$
DonKt worryL . shall eliminate the menace called "avana$R ,age Agastya also told ,ri "am that "avana
belonged to the caste called KBrahmrakshasK$ -his wayE ,age Agastya ater having inished his
narration looked at ,ri "am anticipating urther Mueries$
($4$0 Agastya Advises ,ri "ama to 8erorm Ashvamedhya Yagya
,ri "am reMuested sage Agastya to tell about the means by which he could become liberated rom the sins o
killing brahmins$ ,age Agastya advised him to perorm Ashwamedha=yagya$ &e also described the rituals o
perorming Ashwamedha Yagya=== R*et a horse o white colour and ater worshipping it on Vaishakh 8urnima
leave it to wander reely$ -ie a piece o paper on its orehead on which your name and other details are
mentioned$ ,oldiers should ollow that horse wherever it goes$ You should ight a battle against any king who
dares to stop the horse$ You should lead a celibate lie till the horse returns back to the same place rom where it
had been let loose$ .t is customary or the perormer o Ashwamedha yagya to indulge himsel in benevolent
deeds till the completion o Ashwamedha yagya$R ,ri "am agreed to perorm Ashwamedha yagya$ &e went to the
seashore accompanied by numerous sages$ &e then cultivated a vast eGpanse o land with the help o a golden
plough$ A large oblation site was constructed and thus began Ashwamedha yagya under the supervision o
Vashishth$
($4$4 -he &orse is Let Loose
As per the advice o ,age VashishthE ,ri "am instructed his soldiers to bring a white=horse$ A white parasol was
iGed on its back and the horse was decorated with colourul clothes$ -he horse was then let loose and the aithul
soldiers o ,ri "am ollowed it wherever the horse went$A gold=sheet was hanged in the horseKs neck and upon
which was inscribed==-his horse belongs to ,ri "am==the son o Dasharath$ Anybody who dares to stop this horse
will meet ruthless punishment$
,hatrughan ollowed the horse as per the instruction o his elder brother == ,ri "am$ Bharat and 8ushkal also
accompanied him$ A huge army led by Kalnemi was marching behind the horse$
($4$9 Lav <astens the &orse
,ome o the kings tried to stop the horseE but were deeated by ,hatrughan$ -his way the horse continued to
move ahead without any problem till it reached the bank o river *anga$.t was early morning and Lav ater noticing
the presence o horse become curious$ &e went near the horse and tried to read the inscription hanging down itKs
neck$ &e made un o the might o ,ri "am and astened the horse$-he soldiers tried to release the horse but Lav
severed their arms$ -hey returned to ,hatrughan and narrated the whole incident to him$
($4$; Lav VanMuishes the 6hole Army
,hatrughan became eGtremely urious ater seeing the condition o his inCured soldiers$ &e instructed Kalnemi to
teach Lav a lesson$ Kalnemi conronted Lav with a huge army and a erocious battle took place$ Lav managed to
kill KalnemiE which created havoc in the rivalKs army$ -he surviving soldiers tried to hold their ground but were
orced to lee on account o a ierce assault rom Lav$
,hatrughan then ordered 8ushkal to ight Lav but he became unconscious ater being hit by LavKs arrow$ 1owE
,hatrughanKs anger crossed all limits and he ordered &anuman to kill Lav$&anuman uprooted a large tree and
tried to hit LavE but Lav cut that tree into hundred pieces with a volley o arrows$ Lav then released many arrows in
the direction o &anuman$ &anuman ought valiantly but ultimately he ell down unconscious$
($4$7 Lav Becomes 2nconscious
6hen ,hatrughan learnt about &anumanKs ate he was inuriated and went to ight Lav$ But when he
saw a tender looking child in ront o him he was surprised$ ,hatrughan asked ==
K% brave childL 6ho are youL 6ho is your atherNK
But Lav was not interested in his irrelevant Mueries and challenged him or a duel$ ,hatrughan was let
with no other option but to ight$ A tremendous battle was ought between them$ ,hatrughan released
volleys o arrow towards Lav but all o them were neutraliBed by him$ <or a brie time ,hatrughan lost
his consciousness$ Ater regaining his consciousnessE he aimed his most lethal weapon towards Lav$
-he arrow hit Lav and he ell down unconscious$ LavKs companions went and inormed ,ita about the
whole incident$ Kush came orward to ight against ,ri "amKs army$ 6hen he reached the battleield he
saw Lav who was held captive by the enemyKs armyKs$ By that timeE Lav had regained his
consciousness and ater seeing Kush he somehow managed to ree himsel rom the clutches o his
captors$
1owE both the brothers launched a ierce attack on the enemy$ -he whole army o ,ri "am started
running helter and shelter$ .t did not take much time or Lav and Kush to vanMuish the whole army$ All
the great warriors like &anumanE ,ugreevaE 8ushkalE Angad Veermani and even ,hatrughan were
either held captive or inCured in the battle$Both the brothers astened &anuman and ,ugreeva with
ropes and took them to ,ita$ ,ita immediately recogniBed &anuman and ,ugreeva$ ,he instructed both
her sons to set them ree as well as the horse$ Lav and Kush ollowed the instruction o ,ita and
released everybody rom their captivity$ ,ita then whispered===K'ay all the dead soldiers become alive$K
&er words came true and all the dead soldiers became alive once again$ ,hatrughan regained his
consciousness too$
($4$) -he Army "eturns to Ayodhya
,hatrughan decided to return to Ayodhya$ &e instructed ,umati to make all the necessary
arrangements or the sae return o the :aravanE which comprised not only o ,ri "amKs army but also
o all the deeated kings and their vanMuished armies$ 6hen ,ri "am came to know about their arrivalE
he sent LaGman to receive them$ LaGman received the victorious army with all the honour and the all o
them came to the palace$ ,ri "am curiously asked ,umati about everything that had happened$
,umati paraded all the vanMuished kings who had made the mistake o stopping the horse== ,umadE
,abahuE DamanE ,atyavanE ,urathE etc$ &e then narrated the brave deed o Lav and Kush$&e also
revealed how mighty warriors like &anumanE ,ugreeva ,hatrughan etc had been deeated by both o
them$
($4$/ ,ri "ama sends LaGman to bring ,ita
,age Valmiki was present in Ayodhya to attend the Ashwamedha yagya$ ,ri "am asked him about the
identity o the two children==Lav and KushE Valmiki said === ,ita was pregnant at the time you had
abandoned her$ . gave her reuge in my hermitage where she gave birth to twins==Lav and Kush$ Both
the children were brought up in my hermitage with love and care$ . taught them all the sacred teGts and
scriptures and made them masters o various weaponries$ ,oE Lav and Kush are your sons$ You must
bring ,ita back to Ayodhya with due honourE because she is pure and chaste$ 'oreover your whole
army owe its lie to her$R
,ri "amKs heart was illed with grie$ &e instructed LaGman to bring ,ita along with Lav and Kush$
LaGman went to ValmikiKs hermitage and reMuested ,ita to return to Ayodhya$ ,ita reused to return but
sent Lav and Kush along with LaGman$ 6hen ,ri "am ound that only Lav and Kush had comeE he
once again sent LaGman to bring ,ita$ LaGman ollowed his instruction and went to ValmikiKs hermitage
or the second time$'eanwhileE Valmiki instructed Lav and Kush to sing the praise o ,ri "am in their
melodious voice$ +verybody was moved by their soulul rendition$ ,ri "am took Lav and Kush in his
embrace$
($4$#3 ,ita "eturns to Ayodhya
,ri "am eulogised all the revered sages who had arrived to attend the Ashwamedha yagya$ -he holy
water o ,aryu was brought and sprinkled in the yagya kund where Ashwamedha yagya was being
perormedE amidst the chanting o vedic mantras$&ardly had ,ri "am touched the horse with his hands
then it transormed into a human being$ +verybody was amaBed by this incident$ ,ri "am asked that
man as to how he had attained the orm o a horse$ -he man revealed to the assembled people that he
had become a horse due to DurvasaKs curse$ KLater on ,age Durvasa had mercy on me and assured
that . would regain my human orm by the divine touch o ,ri "am$K
&aving said this the man attained to the heaven$ .n course o time ,ri "am organised two more
Ashwamedha yagyas and his glory reverberated through all the three worlds$
!&/ ttar.hand
-his chapter contains (0 sections$
($9$# Badrik=Ashram
%nceE on being asked by the sages about the greatness o BadrikasharamE ,utCi narrated the same taleE which
Lord ,hiva had once told sage 1arad ===
Lord 'ahadeva had told 1arad that altogether there were one lakh and twenty=ive thousand mountains and
Badrikashram was supreme among them$ Lord 'ahadeva said===Badrikasharam is the abode o Lord 1ara=
1arayan$ 1arayan==the origin o all creations has our arms and his compleGion is dark$ 1arayan maniests himsel
in both orms==,akar as well as 1irakar$ &e is the eternal 8urusha and is worshipped by people during the ull
period o 2ttarayan$ ,ince Badrikashram is covered with snow during the period o DakshinayanE 1arayan is not
worshipper during these siG months$ All the deities dwell at Badrikasharam$ -he sages live in their hermitages at
Badrikasharam$ "iver Alaknanda lows at Badrikasharam$ Anybody taking a dip in the holy water o Alaknanda
becomes liberated rom his sins$
($9$( -he Descent o "iver *anga
Describing about the reason why river *anga was brought down on the earthE Lord 'ahadeva told 1arad=== King
Bhagirath was the architect o *angaKs arrival on the earth$ &e wanted to liberate his dead ancestorss rom the
curse o ,age Kapil$King ,agar came rom the lineage o the amous king==&arishchandra$ ,agar had two
Mueens$ -he elder Mueen had siGty thousand sons while the younger Mueen had Cust one==8anchaCan$ 8anchaCanKs
son was AnshumanE who himsel was the ather o Dilip$ Dilip was the ather o Bhagirath$
Bhagirath did an austere penance on the &imalayas or ten thousand years$ As a resultE river *anga descended
on the earth$ . (,hiva) held her in the locks o my hair and she remained there or ten thousand more years$
Bhagirath reMuested me to release *anga so that his ancestors could be liberated$ . agreed to release *anga and
Bhagirath took her to the 8atalloka where his ancestorKs had been charred to death due to KapilKs curse$
Bhagirath sprinkled the water o *anga on the ashes o his ancestors and each o them attained salvation as a
result$+ventuallyE *anga resuraced at &aridwar==the most sacred place o pilgrimage$
($9$0 Dasharatha 8aciies ,hani
,age 1arad curiously asked Lord 'ahadeva as to what made ,hani such a volatile planet$Lord
'ahadeva replied=== ,hani is eGtremely violent by nature and everybody is scarred o this planet$ %nceE
the royal astrologer o Dasharath was petriied at the prospect o ,hani entering the constellation o
"ohini and warned him o its dire conseMuences$ K. the ,hani is not prevented rom entering "ohiniE
then amine would occur lasting or more than twelve years$K said the royal astrologers$
Dasharath went above the sky to subdue the might o ,hani well armed with divine weapons$ ,hani
became terriied on seeing Dasharath in such a menacing mood and eGpressed his willingness to ulill
his desires$
($9$4 Aualities o a Vaishnava
*iving a detailed description o the Mualities o a VaishnavaE Lord 'ahadeva told 1arad ===
A person who has total devotion in Lord Vishnu is called a Vaishnava$ &e is truthulE kind and orgiving
by nature$ &e engages himsel in austere penance and rerains rom any kind o violence$ &e wears a
-ulsi bead in his neck and puts on tilak$ &e is well versed in sacred teGt like the vedasE 8urans etc$-he
mere sight o a Vaishnava is enough to liberate a sinner rom all his sins$ <eeding a Vaishnava
bestowes virtue eMuivalent to eeding thousand o ordinary Brahmins$
($9$9 .ndraprastha
-he sages enMuired rom ,utCi about the holiest city situated on the banks o river yamuna$
,utCi narrated the tale which ,age ,aubhari had once told Yudhishthir===%nceE 1arad and 8arvat were
travelling through an aerial routeE while they were lying over Khandav orestE they were lured by the
beautiul sight o river Yamuna$ -hey decided to take rest or a while$ Both o them descended down
and entered river yamuna to take their bath$'eanwhileE King ,hibi who ruled over 2shinar saw them$
&e eagerly waited at the bank o Yamuna$ 6hen 1arad and 8arvat emerged out o the yamunaE they
ound king ,hibi eagerly waiting or them$ 'eanwhile king ,hibi had noticed the remains o numerous
Khavan=kundasK (oblation=altars) spread in a large area$
Ater the ormal eGchanges o pleasantaries were overE King ,hibi asked 1arad about those havan=
kundas$
1arad replied==During ancient times .ndra had perormed numerous Yagyas at this place to eGpress his
gratitude to Lord VishnuE with whose blessings he had regained the heaven rom the clutches o
&iranyakashipu$ .n course o timeE this place became amous as .ndraprastha$ -his sacrosanct place is
holier than all the holy places combined together$ .ndraprastha is spread in the area o one yoCan rom
east to west and our yoCans rom north to south$
($9$; Vaikunth ! -he Abode o Lord Vishnu
Describing about the grandeur o VaikunthE Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati==A person who has total
devotion in Lord Vishnu attains to Vaikunth ater his death$ Vaikuntha is the abode o Vishnu and
constitutes o numerous @anapadas$ -he magniicence o Vaikunth is beyond description and it houses
many grand palaces ully decorated with Cewels and diamonds$-he central part o Vaikuntha is called
Ayodhya and is well protected by dwarpals named :handaE 8rachandaE BhadraE ,ubhadraE @ayaE ViCayE
Dhata and Vidhata$Vaikunth is inhabited by countless divine people who live in well illuminated houses$
.n the central part o Ayodhya is situated the KantahpuriK o Lord Vishnu$ .t is inhabited by celestial
beauties==apsaras$ -here is a divine :anopy situated Cust at the centre o antahpuriE where Lord Vishnu
has his divine throne$ -he divine throne is surrounded by deities as well as by the embodiments o all
the our Vedas=== "igvedaE YaCurvedaE ,amaveda and Atharvaveda$ -he deities===AgniE ,urya and
:handrama have their dwellings at the centre o VishnuKs throne$-here is a grand pedestal called
yogapeeth established on the throne$ A beautiul lotus lower is established on the yogapeeth on which
is seated Lord Vishnu along with his consort= LaGmi$
Lord Vishnu appears divine in his compleGion o a blue lotusE whose radiance is enough to subdue
crores o sun$ &e has radiant ear=rings hangings down his earlobes$ &is orehead is covered with curly
hair$ &e has the amous KKaustubh maniK in his neck$ &e holds a conch and a chakra in each o his two
hands and the remaining two hands are in the posture o giving blessings$
($9$7 -he .ncarnations o 'atsya and Kurma
%nceE goddess 8arvati eGpressed her desire to know about all the incarnations o Lord Vishnu$Lord 'ahadeva
replied== Lord Brahma had created numerous 8raCapatis like BhriguE 'arichiE AtriE DakshaE KardamE 8ulastyaE
8ulahaE Angira and Kratu$ 'arichi was the ather o Kashyap$ ,age Kashyap had our wives==AditiE DitiE Kadru and
Vinta$Aditi was the mother o Deities while Diti gave birth to demons like=='akarE &ayagreevaE 'ahabaliE
&iranyakshaE &iranyakashipu @ambhaE 'aya etc$ 'akar was a mighty demonE 6ho ater deceitully acMuiring the
Vedas rom Lord Brahma had hidden himsel inside an ocean$ Lord Brahma reMuested Vishnu to liberate the
sacred Vedas rom the possession o 'akar$
Lord Vishnu then took the incarnation o 'atsya and ater killing 'akar gave back the vedas to Lord Brahma$
Durvasa was the son o ,age Atri$ %nceE he went to .ndraloka to see .ndra$ At that timeE .ndra was planning to go
out somewhere$ Durvasa presented a garland o 8ariCat lowers to .ndra$ .ndraE ater receiving the garland rom
Durvasa kept it carelessly on the orehead o his elephant=+ravat$ -his garland was trampled under its eet by the
elephantE which inuriated ,age Durvasa$ &e cursed .ndra by saying===.mmense prosperity has made you
arrogant$ But you will become a pauper within a very short time$
DurvasaKs words came to be true and .ndra ound that not only the heaven but all the three worlds had become
beret o goddess LaGmi$ 8rosperity vanished and poverty prevailed everywhere$-he deities became worried and
went to take the help o Lord Brahma$ Lord Brahma took the deities to Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu became pleased
with their eulogy and said ==
. will take incarnation as Kurma$ . the ocean were churned with the help o 'andarachal mountain and VasukiE
then goddess LaGmi would maniest hersel$ . shall hold the 'andarachal mountain on my back$-his way the
churning o ocean commenced$ -he 'andarachal mountain was uprooted and placed inside the KKsheer=,agarK
and which rested on the back o Lord Kurma$ -he serpent==VasukiE was held by deities and demons on both the
ends$ <irst o all the most venomous poison==Kalkut emerged rom the ocean$ ,eeing both the deities and demons
unwilling to accept it$ (Lord ,hiva) drank it$
Ater the emergence o KalkutE goddess Daridra and Varuni maniested themselves$ ,imilarlyE +ravat=
elephantE 2chchaishrava=horseE DhanvantaariE ,urabhi==cow and 8ariCat= tree emerged rom the
ocean$2ltimatelyE goddess LaGmi maniested hersel$ -he deities reMuested her to dwell in the heart o
Lord Vishnu and bless all the three worlds by her presence$ *oddess LaGmi agreed and blessed them$
($9$) 1ri,imha .ncarnation
:ontinuing with the various incarnations o Lord VishnuE Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati ===
,age Kashyap had two mighty sons rom Diti==&iranyakashipu and &iranyaksha$ &iranyaksha had once
carried the earth to "asatala$ -he deities reMuested Lord Vishnu to rescue the earth$ Lord Vishnu took
the incarnation o a boar and killed &iranyaksha with his sharp horn$6hen &iranyakshipu learnt about
his brotherKs death he went to 'erugiri mountain and started doing penance to please me (Lord ,hiva)$
. blessed him with immortalityE Later onE &iranyakashipu married 2ttanpadKs daughter==Kalyani and had
a son named 8rahlad rom her$.nspite o being born in the clan o a demonE 8rahlad proved to be an
eGtremely religious child and was a supreme devotee o Lord Vishnu$
6hen &iranyakshipu came to know about 8rahladKs religious tendencyE he tried his best to stop him
rom worshipping Vishnu$ ButE all his eorts went in vain and 8rahlad continued to worship Lord
Vishnu$&iranyakashipu instructed his subordinates to kill 8rahlad but each time he came out unharmed$
%ne dayE &iranyakashipu pulled out his sword and said===KYou say that Vishnu is omnipresent$ .s he
present in this pillarNK &aving said like this he assaulted the pillar with his sword$ ,uddenly to his ,heer
amaBementE Lord Vishnu maniested himsel rom that pillar in the orm o 1risimha$
&iranyakashipu had been blessed by Lord ,hiva that he could be killed neither by a man nor a beast$
1o weapon could harm him$ &e could be killed neither during the day nor during the night$
&iranyakashiu had taken into consideration all the possible threat perceptions to his lie and tried to
become immortal$ButE Lord Vishnu takes incarnation to protect the humanity whenever religiousness is
under threat$ -his timeE Lord Vishnu took incarnation as 1risimha (partly lion and partly human) and
tore apart his belly with his sharp nails$Ater the death o &iranyakashipuE 8rahlad was coronated as his
successor$ 8rahlad ruled Custly and his subCect were happy and satisied$
($9$/ Vaman .ncarnation
:ontinuing with the various incarnations o Lord VishnuE Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati ===
8rahlad had a son named Virochan$-he most benevolent king==K'ahabahu=BaliK was VirochanKs son$ Bali had
deeated the deities and ruled over all the three worlds$ ,age Kashyap commenced the most austere penance==
8ayovrata to help the deities regain their lost kingdom (heaven) once again$ &e was accompanied by his wie==
Aditi in his penance which lasted or one thousand years$ At lastE Lord Vishnu became pleased by their penance
and appeared beore them$ ,age Kashyap narrated the woeul tales o the deities and reMuested him to make
.ndra the Lord o all the three worlds$ Lord Vishnu promised that he would take incarnation as Vaman$.n course o
timeE Aditi became pregnant and ultimately gave birth to Lord Vaman$ Lord Vaman appeared in the orm o a
KBrahmchariK$ &e wore a deer==,kin and carried a stick and a KmekhalaK in both his hands$ Lord Vishnu enMuired
the deities about the uture course o action$ -he deities inormed him that Bali was busy perorming a yagya and
he would not turn down any demand made to him because i he did so there was a ear o loosing all his virtues
attained by the perormance o the yagya$
Lord Vaman went to the oblation site where Bali was perorming a yagya and demanded a small piece o land
measured by his three steps$ Bali agreed to meet the demand o his guest inspite o ,hukracharyaKs warning$Bali
resolved to donate land by holding holy water in his palm$ 1owE Lord Vaman abandoned his dwarish orm and
appeared in a giant orm$ &e measured the whole earth by his irst step$ Lord Vishnu then measured the whole
sky by his second step$ -he helpless Bali agreed to donate all the three worlds to protect his vow$2ltimatelyE Lord
Vishnu sent Bali to the "asatala and thus .ndra became the ruler o heaven once again$
($9$#3 ,ri "ama?s Birth
Describing about ,ri "amKs incarnation Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati==K%nceE ,wayambhuva 'anu had eGpressed
his desire o having Lord Vishnu as his son to which Lord Vishnu had agreed$ During tretayuga 'anu maniested
himsel as Dasharath and Vishnu kept his promise by taking birth as his son==,ri "am$ ,imilarlyE during
dwaparyuga 'anu was born as Vasudev and Lord Vishnu kept his word by taking birth as his son==Krishna$ Ater
the completion o one thousand divine yearsE 'anu will be born in the village o ,ambhal as &arigupta and lord
Vishnu will take birth as his son==KKalkiK$
Lord ,hiva then continued with the incarnation o ,ri "am and said==K,age Vishrava was the son o 8ulasya and
was married to Kekashi$ "avan and Kumbhakarna were born to the couple$ ,age Vishrava also had a daughter
named ,hurpanakha and a virtuous son named Vibhishan$"avan and Kumbhakarna did austere penance to
please me (Lord ,hiva)$ 6hen . appeared beore "avan he reMuested the boon o immortality rom me$ Ater
receiving the boonE "avan became very arrogant and started tormenting the inhabitants o all the three worlds$
-he deities became scarred and took the reuge o Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu assured them that he would solve
their problem by taking incarnation as ,ri "am$
Dasharath came rom the lineage o ,urya$ &e had three Mueens===KaushalyaE ,umitra and Kaikeyi$ %nceE
Dasharath perormed a Vaishnav Yagya with the obCective o acMuiring a son$ Lord Vishnu appeared and assured
him that he would take incarnation as ,ri "am in a short time$ Lord Vishnu gave a bowl o divine kheer to
DasharathE which he distributed amongst his three Mueens$ .n course o timeE Kaushalya gave birth to ,ri "am on
the auspicious day o :haitra=1avami$ -he deities and the sages reCoiced at his birth$
($9$## ,ri "ama *rows 2p
:ontinuing with the tale o ,ri "amE Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati==Dasharath reMuested Vashishth to perorm the
@aatkarm ,anskar o ,ri "am$ .n course o time Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharat==an incarnation o 8anchaCanya
conch$ ,imilarlyE ,umitra gave birth to two sons==LaGman and ,hatrughan$ LaGman was the incarnation o
,heshnag while ,hatrughan was the incarnation o ,udershan chakra$ ,ri "am and his brothers received
education under the guidance o ,age Vashishth$ .n a very short time they became proicient in all the scriptures
and mastered various weaponaries$ Although all the our brothers were very close to each otherE yet LaGman
could not bear to live in "amKs separation even or a moment and was specially close to him$
,ita maniested hersel rom the ield while @anak was ploughing it$ King @anak brought up ,ita with great love and
care$ At that timeE Vishwamitra was busy perorming a grand yagya at ,iddhashram$ But the demons created
numerous problems and made it impossible or him to accomplish the yagya$ Vishwamitra went to Ayodhya and
reMuested Dasharath to send ,ri "am and LaGman along with him so that the yagya could be accomplished
without any problems$ Dasharath agreed to send ,ri "am and LaGman along with Vishwamitra$-his wayE
Vishwamitra returned to his hermitage acompanied by both the brothers$ *aruda presented a pair o bow and
imperishable set o arrows to both the brothers$
6hile staying at the hermitage ,ri "am and LaGman killed many demons like -araka and ,ubahu$ 6hen 'arich
tried to disrupt the yagyaE ,ri "am attacked him with 8avan=astraE which sent 'arich lying across the sea=
shore$'eanwhileE on learning that @anak was perorming VaCapeya yagya at @anakpurE Vishwamitra took ,ri="am
and LaGman to attend it$ %n the way ,ri "am liberated Ahalya who had turned into a rock ater being cursed by
her husband$Ater reaching @anakpurE ,ri "am broke Lord ,hivaKs bow and married ,ita$ LaGman married 2rmila$
Dasharath had come to attend the marriage ceremony accompanied by Bharat and ,hatrughan$ Bharat was
married to 'andavi while ,hatrughan married ,hrutkeerti$
'eanwhileE on learning that ,ri "am had broken ,hivaKs bowE 8arshuram arrived there and challenged himE but
ultimately 8arashuram realiBed about the divinity o ,ri "am and accepted his superiority$At lastE ,ri "amE
LaGmanE Bharat and ,hatrughan returned to Ayodhya alongwith their respective consorts$
($9$#( ,ri "ama?s +Gile
Lord 'ahadeva continued with the tale o ,ri "am and told 8arvati ==Dasharath wanted to appoint ,ri
"am as his successor but Kaikeyi did not like this idea$ ,he wanted Bharat to be made the king o
Ayodhya and ,ri "am to be sent into eGile or #4 years$ %nceE Kaikeyi had saved DasharathKs lie while
he was ighting a battle against the demons$ -o show his gratitudeE Dasharath had promised two boons
to her$ At that timeE Kaikeyi had told Dasharath that she would make her demand at the appropriate
time$
-his wayE Dasharath was compelled by Kaikeyi to accept the two demands$ As a resultE ,ri "am was
sent into eGile$ Bharat reused to become the king o Ayodhya and vowed to wait till ,ri "am returned$
Dasharath could not bear the sorrow o "amKs separation and died in his sorrow$ Bharat tried his best
to convince ,ri "am to change his mind and accept the throneE but ,ri "am did not listen to his
reMuest$ Bharat then brought ,ri "amKs wooden=sandal and kept it on the throne$ &e vowed to spend
rest o his lie in austerities till ,ri "am returned$
6hile ,ri "am was still in eGileE he went to the hermitage o ,age Atri and received his blessings$ AtriKs
wie= Anasuya preached ,ita on the virtues o chastity$ ,ri "am also visited hermitages o some other
prominent sages like ,harbhangaE ,uteekshaE Agastya etc$ %nceE while ,ri "am was living in
8anchavatiE ,hurpanakha arrived there$ ,hurpanakha was "avanaKs sister and wanted to marry ,ri
"amE But LaGman severed her nose and ears$ ,he went to a mighty demon named Khar and narrated
her woeul tale$ Khar attacked "am with a huge armyE which comprised o brave warriors like -rishira
Dushan etc$ ,ri "am was Victorious in this battle and KharE -rishira and Dushan were killed$
,hurpanakha went to "avan and inormed him about the misdeeds o "am$ "avan was inuriated and wanted to
take revenge$ &e abducted ,ita with the help o 'arich$6hen @atayu saw "avan carrying ,ita to LankaE he ought
with valiance but was inCured in the ensuing battle$,ri "am went in search o ,ita and met @atayuE who was
inCured and who inormed "am that ,ita had been abducted by the demon king "avan$,ri "am met &anuman at
the "ishyamook mountain$ Later on he beriended ,ugreeva on the advice o &anuman$ ,ugreeva had enemity
with his brother=Bali$ ,ri "am killed Bali and made ,ugreeva the king$
,ri "am reMuested &anuman to ind out the whereabouts o ,ita$ &anuman went to Lanka and ound ,ita at
Ashoka Vatika$ &e destroyed the garden and killed many demons including "avanaKs son==Akshay Kumar$
2ltimatelyE he was captured by 'eghnath and taken to "avanaKs court$ "avan ordered &anumanKs tail to be
ignited$ &anuman then burnt the city o Lanka and returned to ,ri "am$ 6hen ,ri "an came to know about the
eGact location o ,itaE he decided to attack Lanka with a huge armyE which comprised o monkeys$ -he army
camped at the sea=shore where Vibhishan came to meet him$
A bridge was built across the ocean and the army reached Lanka$ A ierce battle took place in which many
demons were killed$ At lastE "avan came orward to ight against ,ri "am but was killed$,ri "am appointed
Vibhishan as the king o Lanka and blessed him$ Vibhishan presented his pushpak Viman to ,ri "am$ All o them
boarded the 8ushpak Viman and lew towards Ayodhya$ %n the way ,ri "am met Bharat who was still awaiting
his arrival at 1andigram$ ,ri "am was very pleased to meet Bharat$ 2ltimately all o them returned to Ayodhya$
($9$#0 ,ri "ama?s :oronation
Describing the coronation o ,ri "am Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati==8eople o Ayodhya reCoiced at the
return o ,ri "am$ An auspicious day was chosen or his coronation and ,ri "am became the king o
Ayodhya amidst the chantings o Vedic mantras$ ,ri "am ruled over Ayodhya or one thousand years
without any problem$ 'eanwhileE some ignorant people started pointing out ingers at the character o
,ita$,ri "am decided to abandon ,ita in the orest to Muell the rumour$ ,ita was pregnant at that time$
<eeling pity on her conditionE Valmiki took her to his hermitage where ,ita gave birth to Lav and Kush$
'eanwhile ,ri "am decided to perorm Ashwamedha yagya at the bank o river *omati$ ButE since the
yagya could not have been accomplished without ,itaE thereore he perormed the rituals seated beside
a golden idol o ,itaE .n the mean time Valmiki arrived thereE accompanied by ,ita$ &e reMuested ,ri
"am to accept ,itaE vouching or her chastity$,ri "am told Valmiki==K. am conident o ,itaKs chastity but
she will have to prove her chastity or the satisaction o common people$K
,ita was deeply hurt by ,ri "amKs unkind remarks$ ,he said==K'ay mother earth swallow me i . ever
had thought about any man other than my lord ,ri "am$K &ardly had ,ita inished her lines than the
earth cracked and ,ita vanished into that crevice$ ,ri "amKs heart was illed with remorse but thinking
that it was perhaps in his destiny to live in separation with ,itaE returned to Ayodhya accompanied by
Lav and Kush$ .n course o timeE KaushalyaE ,umitra and Kaikeyi let or heavenly abode$ ,ri "am
continued to rule Ayodhya or #3E333 more years$
%ne dayE Kala (death) arrived and reminded ,ri "am that the time had arrived or him to leave his
mortal body$ 'eanwhile LaGman became aware o ,ri "amKs decision o leaving his mortal body$ &e
gave up his lie by taking samadhi in river ,aryu$ ,ri "am could not bear the sorrow caused by
LaGmanKs bereavment$ &e appointed Lav and Kush as the kings o Dwarawati and Kushawati
respectively and decided to leave or heavenly abode$
,ri "am entered the water o river ,aryuE lowing at the distance o three yoCans rom Ayodhya$
($9$#4 ,ri Krshna
%ar,ati re8uested "ord Mahade,a to narrate the di,ine ta)es of Vasude,a Krishna1 "ord Mahade,a
rep)ied44Vasude, /as the descendant of *adu1 His father /as De,ameedha1 He /as married to De,a2i44
the dau'hter of U'rasena1U'rasena a)so had a mi'ht* son named Kansa1 Kansa /as e9treme)*
affectionate to/ards his sister De,a2i1 After her marria'e( /hi)e De,a2i /as 'oin' to her husband:s
house on a chariot bein' dri,en b* Kansa( sudden)* a hea,en)* ,oice /as heard1
:Kansa( *ou /ou)d meet death at the hands of De,a2i:s ei'hth son1:
Kansa became ,er* scarred and /anted to 2i)) his sister then and there1 But( Vasude, re8uested Kansa to
spare De,a2i:s )ife and promised to hand o,er an* chi)d that she 'a,e birth to1 Thus Kansa imprisoned
both Vasude, and De,a2i1&n course of time( De,a2i 'a,e birth to se,en sons and Kansa 2i))ed each of
them1 "ord Sri Hari manifested himse)f /hen De,a2i concei,ed for the ei'hth time1 &t /as the month of
Shra,an and the da* /as :Krishna4ashtami: /hen Sri Hari too2 his incarnation at midni'ht1 Soon after
ta2in' his incarnation he 'a,e a ')impse of his di,ine form to Vasude, and De,a2i1 $n the instruction of
Sri Hari( Vasude,a carried the infant to !and:s house1 He had no prob)em in mo,in' out of the prison as
a)) the 'uards had fa))en as)eep due to the i))usion of Sri Hari1
$n seein' the s/ift currents of o,erf)ooded *amuna( Vasude, became /orried1 But the )e,e) of ri,er
+amuna receded as soon as Sri Krishna touched the ri,er /ith his feet1 Sheshna' protected Sri Krishna
from hea,* rain /ith his thousand hoods1 6hen Vasude, reached !and:s house he found that !and:s
/ife44 +ashoda had 'i,en birth to a bab* 'ir)1 +ashoda /as s)eepin' at that time and Vasude, had no
prob)em in e9chan'in' Sri Krishna /ith that bab* 'ir)1 Vasude, then returned to the prison and )aid
do/n the bab* 'ir) beside De,a2i1
-he baby=girl started crying and the guards immediately woke up$ -hey inormed Kansa about the birth
o DevakiKs eighth child$ Kansa tried to kill that baby girl by smashing her headE but she escaped rom
his hands and lew up in the sky$ ,he thundered===KYour death is certain as your assasin has already
taken birth$K Kansa was terriied at the prospect o his death$ &e instructed his soldiers to kill all the
inantsK whereever they were to be ound in his kingdom$ &e also ordered the release o Vasudev and
DevakiE as there was no point keeping them in captivity$'eanwhileE ,ri Krishna grew up under the
guardianship o 1and and Yashoda$
%ne day Kansa sent a wicked ogress named 8utna to kill ,ri Krishna$ 8utma had applied poison on her
breasts and tried to kill Krishna by breast=eeding him$ ,ri Krishna sucked her breast with such erocity
that she died$ -husE ,ri Krishna gave the irst glimpse o his divinity to the inhabitants o VaCra$,ri
Krishna accomplished many such divine deeds during his childhood$ &e grew up to be a mischieveous
child and used to play numerous pranks on the ellow *opis$ &e used to steal their butter and curd$
%ne dayE all the *opis complained to Yashoda about ,ri KrishnaKs misdeeds$ Yashoda became angry
and tied him with a wooden=mortar in order to prevent him rom troubling the *opis$ ,he then placed
that mortar between two trees so that Krishna could not move$ ButE ,ri Krishna toddled away uprooting
both the huge trees$
%nceE a demon named Bakasur disguised himsel as a huge heron and tried to kill ,ri Krishna$ ButE ,ri
Krishna hit him with a stone with such orce that he met an instant death$-his way ,ri Krishna had killed
many erocious demons while he was still a small child$ ,ome o them well Kaliya==the serpent etcE
DhenukasurE ArishtE Keshi etc$ A signiicant incident had occurred during KrishnaKs childhood$ 8eople o
VraCa were devotees o .ndra and used to worship him$ ,ri Krishna stopped this tradition and
encouraged people to worship *ovardhan mountain$ .ndra became eGtremely urious and caused
incessant rain or one week$ ,ri Krishna protected the people by liting *ovardhan mountain and
shielding them rom the continuous downpour$At lastE .ndra accepted deeat and eulogiBed ,ri Krishna$
($9$#9 Killing o Kansa
Continuin' /ith the di,ine ta)es of Sri Krishna( "ord Mahade,a to)d %ar,ati446hen Kansa fai)ed in his
repeated attempts to 2i)) Sri Krishna( he instructed :A2rura: to in,ite both Krishna and Ba)aram to
Mathura on the prete9t of attendin' a ceremon* ca))ed Dhanush4*a'*a1 Kansa had p)anned to 2i)) Sri
Krishna b* deceitfu) means1A2rura /as a 'reat de,otee of Sri Krishna and /as a/are of Kansa:s e,i)
intentions1 But( he had no other option but to fo))o/ the command of his master4Kansa1 So( A2rura /ent
to Vraja /here Sri Krishna and Ba)aram used to )i,e1
Sri Krishna and Ba)aram /ere de)i'hted to meet A2rura1 After the forma) e9chan'e of p)easantaries(
Krishna too2 A2rura to his home1 A2rura con,e*ed the instructions of Kansa to !anda and re8uested
him to send both Sri Krishna and Ba)aram to Mathura1 A2rura said44:Sri Krishna is the incarnation of
"ord Vishnu and Kansa /i)) be 2i))ed b* him1:!anda and +ashoda /ere re)uctant to send Sri Krishna to
Mathura but Sri Krishna con,inced them( U)timate)*1 A2rura returned to Mathura accompanied b*
Krishna and Ba)aram1 The peop)e of Vraja became sad /hen the time for Krishna:s departure to Mathura
arri,ed1
6hen A2rura reached Mathura accompanied b* Sri Krishna and Ba)aram it /as a)read* e,enin'1 Sri
Krishna sa/ a d*er /ith co)ourfu) appare)s 'oin' to/ards Kansa:s pa)ace1 Sri Krishna p)a*fu))*
demanded some set of c)othes from that d*er /hich he refused to 'i,e1 Sri Krishna /as infuriated and
s)apped him so hard that he started ,omitin' b)ood1 &n a short time the d*er /as dead1 Sri Krishna and
Ba)aram chose some beautifu) set of c)othes for themse),es and proceeded to/ards the pa)ace of Kansa1
After sometime the* met a croo2ed /oman carr*in' :sanda)4/ood4paste:1 Sri Krishna demanded some
sanda) /ood paste from her( /hich she 'a,e /ithout an* hesitation1 Sri Krishna b)essed that croo2ed
/oman as a resu)t of /hich she /as cured of her ph*sica)44deformit*1
At )ast( both Sri Krishna and Ba)aram reached the ob)ation44site /here :Dhanush4*a'*a: /as suppossed
to be performed1 Sri Krishna )ifted the di,ine bo/ 2ept there and bro2e it into t/o pieces16hen Kansa
)earnt that the di,ine bo/ had been bro2en( he ordered Chaanur to 2i)) Krishna in a /rest)in'4bout1
Kansa a)so fortified his pa)ace b* positionin' /i)d e)ephants and mi'ht* /arriors at a)) the entrance4
points1Sri Krishna and Ba)aram spent the ni'ht at the ob)ation4site1 &n the mornin' both of them
proceeded to/ards the pa)ace1 Sri Krishna found an e)ephant named Ku,a)*apeeda standin' at the main
entrance of the pa)ace1 He 2i))ed that ferocious e)ephant /ithout much difficu)t*1
,ri Krishna and Balaram then entered the gymnasium where wrestling=bouts were supposed to take
place$ All the demons those who had witnessed ,ri Krishna killing that huge elephant without any
problemE became terriied and led away rom the gymnasium$ ,ri Krishna and Balaram entered the
chamber o Kansa$ Kansa became terriied and ordered his trusted lientenants==:hanur and 'ushtik to
kill Krishna$:hanur conronted ,ri Krishna while 'ushtik ought a duel with Balaram$ 2ltimatelyE both
the demons were killed ater a ierce duel$ 1owE Kansa was let all aloneE ,ri Krishna pulled Kansa rom
the throne where he was sitting and slapped him so hard that he ell down on the ground$ -he inCury
proved to be atal and as a result Kansa died$ Balaram also killed KansaKs younger brother whose
named was ,unama$
Ater killing KansaE Krishna and Balaram went to meet their parents==Vasudev and Devaki$ -hey also
reed their maternal grandather= 2grasena who had been imprisioned by Kansa$ At last they appointed
2grasena as the king o 'athura$
($9$#; @arasandh
@arasandh was the ather=in=law o Kansa$ 6hen he learnt about KansaK death he surrounded 'athura
with a huge army$ ,ri Krishna was well aware o @arasandhKs might and bravery$ &e was also
convinced that it would not be easy to deeat @arasandh$ ,oE he remembered Daruk==his eternal
charioteer and sought his help$ Daruk appeared with a divine chariot named ,ugreeva==pushpak$ -he
chariot was well armed with all the divine weapons o lord Vishnu$
,ri Krishna and Balaram then entered the battleied mounted on that divine chariot$ A ierce battle was
ought between ,ri Krishna and @arasandhKs army$ @arasandh covered Krishna chariot with his various
weapons but ,ri Krishna destroyed them with his K:hakraK$ ,ri Krishna then destroyed @arasandhKs
army by showering volley o arrows rom his amous bow==,harang$ ,eeing the death and destruction
in his armyE @arasandh came orward to ight Balaram$
Balaram attacked @arasandh with his dangerous weapon==&ala (plough) and destroyed his chariot$
@arasandh ell down on the ground and as Balaram was about to kill him ,ri Krishna reMuested Balaram
not to kill @arasandh$ Ater being deeatedE @arasandh sought the help o KaalyanE who had a large
army$ Kaalyavan agreed to help @arasandh and surrounded 'athura with his army$
"ealiBing that 'athura was no longer a sae place to liveE ,ri Krishna shited the whole population o
'athura to Dwarka and went to ight Kaalyavan$ -he battle continued or a long period and ater
realiBing that it was not easy to deeat his enemyE ,ri KrishnaE ran towards the cave where K'uchkundK
had been sleeping since many past eras$ 'uchkund was blessed with a boon according to which any
person upon whom he put his glance ater woking rom his sleep would die$ Krishna hid himsel behind
'uchkund$ KaalyavanE who was chasing KrishnaE entered the cave and kicked 'uchkund$ 'uchkund
opened his eyes and saw Kaalyavan$ Kaalyavan was burnt to ashes$ -his wayE ,ri Krishna was able to
deeat his powerul enemy by his cleverness$
($9$#7 Abduction o "ukmini
Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati=== 6hen @arasandh learnt about KaalyavanKs deathE he attacked Balaram
to avenge his riendKs death$ ButE very soon he realiBed that it was beyond his capacity to deeat
BalaramE so he retreated alongwith his army$ ,ri Krishna and Balaram returned to Dwarka$.n course o
timeE Balaram married "evati==the daugher o "aivat$ At that timeE there ruled a king named
Bheeshmak$ &e ruled over Vidarbha$ &e had a beautiul daughter named "ukmini$ &e also had many
sons among whom "ukmi was prominent$
"ukmi wanted "umini to get married to ,hishupal much against her wishes$ "ukmini being an
incarnation o goddess laGmi rightly wanted o have ,ri Krishna as her husband$"ukmini sent a
message to ,ri Krishna about her brotherKs intention$ ,ri Krishna went to help herE accompanied by
Balaram$,ri Krishna reached Vidarbha on the same dayE "ukmini was supposed to marry ,hishupal
and abducted her to Dwarka$ @arasandh and "ukmi chased KrishnaKs chariot but Balaram deeated
@arasandh while ,ri Krishna astened "ukmi with the chariot$ ,ri Krishna also shaved o "ukmiKs hairE
which illed him with so much o shame that he decided not to return to Vidarbha$Ater reaching
DwarkaE ,ri Krishna married "ukmini on an auspicious day$
($9$#) ,ri Krshna?s Aueens
Continuin' /ith the di,ine ta)es of Sri Krishna( "ord Mahade,a to)d %ar,ati44Sri Krishna had =@
thousand 8ueens amon' /hom Sat*abhama( Ka)indi( Mitra,inda( etc1 /ere prominent1Kin' Sattajit had
a price)ess diamond named44S*amanta2( /hich he had presented to his *oun'er brother44%rasena1 Sri
Krishna /as fascinated b* that diamond and demanded it from %rasena( /hich he refused to part /ith1
$ne da*( Sri Krishna a)on'/ith %rasena and other *ada,as /ent into the forest for huntin'1 6hi)e
chasin' a deer( %rasena seceded from his 'roup and /as 2i))ed b* a )ion1 The )ion too2 the diamond and
started p)a*in' /ith it1 &ncidenta))*( 5amba,an44/ho had once fou'ht a)on' /ith Sri Ram a'ainst
Ra,ana( sa/ the )ion p)a*in' /ith the diamond1 He 2i))ed that )ion and too2 the diamond in his
possession1
6hen Sri Krishna returned to D/ar2a( he /as surprised b* a stran'e rumour( /hich per,aded the /ho)e
cit*1 Some peop)e suspected that Sri Krishna had 2i))ed %rasena for the diamond1Sri Krishna /as ,er*
much distributed b* this base)ess rumour1 To c)ear the doubts( he /ent into the forest accompanied b*
a)) the residents of D/ar2a and sho/ed the dead bod* of %rasena( /hich /as sti)) )*in' there1 6hen
peop)e sa/ the muti)ated corpse of %rasena( /hich bore mar2s of the )ion:s c)a/s and canines( the*
became con,inced of Sri Krishna:s innocense1
6hi)e returnin' bac2 to D/ar2a( Sri Krishna sa/ an effu)'ent ca,e1 Sri Krishna /as ,er* surprised and
/anted to find out the source of )i'ht1 He entered the ca,e and sa/ %rasena:s diamond han'in' on top of
a crad)e( in /hich a chi)d /as )*in'1 A /oman /as sin'in' a )u)ab* so that the chi)d fa))s as)eep444:The
)ion 2i))ed %rasena /hi)e 5amba,an 2i))ed the )ion and ac8uired this diamond from its possession1 $
chi)dA Don:t cr* as this price)ess diamond be)on's to *our father1:Sri Krishna furious)* b)e/ his conch1
5amba,an came out from the ca,e after )istenin' to the sound of the conch1 A fierce due) too2 p)ace
bet/een them( /hich continued for ten da*s1 At )ast( 5amba,an rea)iBed that the person a'ainst /hom he
/as fi'htin' /as none other than Sri Ram himse)f1 5ambha,an then 'a,e his dau'hter445amba,ati to
Krishna in marria'e and 'a,e )ot of /ea)th as do/r* inc)udin' that :S*amanta2: diamond1 Bhadraraj had
three dau'hters44Su)a2shamana( !a'najiti and Sushee)a1 Sri Krishna had married a)) three of them in a
:S/a*am/ara:1 This /a*( Sri Krishna had a)to'ether ei'ht prominent 8ueen consorts44Ru2mini(
Sat*abhama( Ka)indi( Mitra,inda( 5amba,ati( !a'najiti( Su)a2shamana and Sushee)a1
-here lived a mighty demon named 1arakasur$ &e had deeated the deities and snatched the divine
earrings o Aditi==the mother o deities$ &e had created an aerial city in which he lived alongwith other
demons$ -he deities went to ,ri Krishna and sought his help$ ,ri Krishna lew up in the sky mounted on
the back o *aruda$ ,atyabhama was also accompanying him$ ,ri Krishna was amaBed to see the well
ortiied palace o 1arakasur$ 6hen the demons saw ,rikrishnaE they attacked him but ,ri Krishna
challenged them by blowin his conch$ 1arakasur came orward to ight ,ri Krishna$ A ierce battle took
place in which ,ri Krishna broke 1arakasurKs bow with his arrows$ 2ltimatelyE ,ri Krishna was
successul in killing 1arakasur$
,ri Krishna then returned the whole wealth to the deitiesE which 1arakasur had looted rom them$ &e
also liberated siGteen thousand women whom 1arakasur had imprisoned$ Ater being liberated all the
women accepted ,ri Krishna as their husband$
($9$#/ Anirudha 'arries 2sha
Lord 'ahadeva continued with the divine tales o ,ri Krishna==% 8arvatiL ,ri Krishna had a son rom
"ukmini whose name was KAniruddhaK$ Aniruddha was very brave and had killed a demon named
,hambasur$ -here is an interesting tale how Aniruddha married 2sha$
%nceE 2sha==the daughter o BangurE saw a very handsome young man in her dreams$ ,he was so
inatuated by his handsome personality that she developed a deep desire o marrying him$ 6hen she
woke up neGt morningE she eGpressed her desire to her companion==:hitralekha$:hitralekha was an
accomplished painter$ ,he drew a sketch o a handsome man as per the descriptions o 2sha$ 6hen
the painting was readyE :hitralekha revealed to 2sha that the preson who she had seen in her dream
was none other than Aniruddha$
:hitralekha had divine powers$ ,he went to Dwarka and abducted Aniruddha while he was asleep$ ,he
then carried the sleeping Aniruddha and laid him on the bed o 2sha$6hen 2sha woke upE ,he was
thrilled to see the man o her dreams$ Aniruddha remained there or many days without Banasur being
aware o his presence$%ne dayE Banasur came to know about AniruddhasK presence$ &e became
urious and imprisoned Aniruddha$,age 1arad inormed ,ri Krishna about AniruddhaKs imprisonment$
,ri Krishna went to ight a battle against Banasur and release Aniruddha rom his imprisonment$
Although ,ri Krishna was leading a large army and was accompanied by mighty warriors like Baldeva
and 8radyumna yet he was aware that it was not easy to ight Banasur who had one thousand arms
and whom Lord ,hiva had vowed to protect$
A ierce battle commenced between the armies o ,ri Krishna and Lord ,hiva$ But the battle remained
indecisive or a long time$ 'eanwhileE Banasur came orward to ight against ,ri Krishna$Very soon ,ri
Krishna severed all the thousand hands o Banasur with his KchakraK$ Lord ,hiva then reMuested ,ri
Krishna to spare BanasurKs lie and said =KBanasur has received the boon o immortality rom me$ 1owE
only you can protect the dignity o my boon given to him$K ,ri Krishna spared BanasurKs lie$ Banasur
then agreed to marry his daughter to Aniruddha$ -his way Aniruddha married 2sha with great anare$
($9$(3 -he Decline o the Yadu Dynasty
%ar,ati /as )istenin' to the di,ine ta)es of Sri Krishna /ith rapt attention1 "ord Mahade,a to)d %ar,ati44
:%aundra2 /as the 2in' of Kashi1 He did an austere penance for t/e),e *ears to p)ease me1 6hen &
appeared before him( he re8uested me to ma2e his appearance )oo2 )i2e Sri Krishna1 & b)essed him /ith
an appearance simi)ar to that of Sri Krishna1 %eop)e became confused as to /ho the rea) Krishna /as1
$ne da*( !arad arri,ed at Kashi and casti'ated %aundra2 b* sa*in' that his intention of befoo)in'
peop)e /ou)d not meet success as )on' as rea) Krishna /as a)i,e1 %aundra2 /ent to D/ar2a /ith a )ar'e
arm* and cha))en'ed Sri Krishna for a due)1 Sri Krishna se,ered the impersonator:s head /ith his cha2ra1
Mean/hi)e( 5arasandh continued to torment the *ada,as1 Sri Krishna decided to sett)e the matter for
once and a))1 He ad,ised Bheema to cha))en'e 5arasandh for a /rest)in'4bout1
5arasandh and Bheema fou'ht ,a)iant)* for ;C da*s1 6hi)e both of them /ere fi'htin'( Sri Krishna
si'na))ed Bheema to tear apart 5arasandh:s thi'hs1 After the 2i))in' of 5arasandh( Sri Krishna re)eased a))
the 2in's /ho had been imprisoned b* him1 After the 'reat /ar of Mahabharat had ended( +udhishthir
decided to perform a Rajasu*a4*a'*a at &ndraprashth1 Sri Krishna a)so /ent there to b)ess the %anda,as1
Shishupa) /as a)so present at the ceremon*1 He had an o)d 'rud'e a'ainst Sri Krishna and started
abusin' him1 &nitia))* Krishna tried to o,er)oo2 his abuses but /hen situation /ent be*ond repair Sri
Krishna se,ered his head /ith his cha2ra1
Dantavaktra attacked 'athura to avenge the death o ,hishupal$ A long battle was ought at the bank
o river yamunaE which continued or many days$ 2ltimatelyE ,ri Krishna was successul in killing
Dantavaktra with his mace$ -here was a childhood riend o ,ri Krishna whose name was ,udama$ &e
was a poor brahmin$ %nceE he went to meet ,ri Krishna$ ,ri KrishnaE being an incarnation o the
almighty immediately understood the precarious situation his poor riend was living in$ &e blessed
,udama as a result o which he got rid o his poverty and became prosperous$ ,ri Krishna had one
crore sons rom his siGteen thousand Mueens$ 8radyumna was his eldest son$ -he yadavas dominated
the whole earth and had become arrogant ater being intoGicated by their power$ -here is an interesting
tale how this powerul yadava dynasty met their downall ==
%nceE some young yadavas played a prank with ,age KanvaE which caused the downall o the
Yadavas$ %ne dayE some Yadva children went at the bank o river 1armada where sage Kanva was
doing penance$ ,amba was one o those Yadava children$ &e disguised himsel as a pregnant woman
by keeping a pestle under his clothes$ All the yadava children then went near ,age Kanva and asked
him as to when was the pregnant woman supposed to deliver a child$,age Kanva uriously cursed them
that the whole clan o yadavas would be liMuidated because o that very pestle$ All the children were
scarred and told ,ri Krishna about the mistake they had made$ ,ri Krishna ordered that the iron pestle
be crushed to powder and be thrown into a pond$ ButE that was not the end o the matterE as long reeds
grew all around the pond$ -he reeds had very sharp edges$ A ish swallowed a small part o that iron
pestle and was subseMuently caught by a owlerE who retrieved that iron=piece rom the ish and iGed it
on the top o his arrow$
.n course o time all the Yadavas developed enemity among themselves and killed each other with
those sharp=edged reeds$ %nceE ,ri Krishna was taking rest under the shade o KKalpaK tree$ -he owler
mistook his pink oot to be that o a deer and pierced it with his arrow$ 6hen the owler arrived at the
spot he ound ,ri Krishna in an inCured condition$ -he owler regretted his action and begged or ,ri
KrishnaKs pardon$ ,ri Krishna consoled the owler by saying that he had committed no crime$
'eanwhileE Daruk arrived there on his chariot$ ,ri Krishna instructed Daruk to call ArCuna as soon as
possible$ ArCuna arrived at the site within a short time$ ,ri Krishna told ArCuna==K-he time or my inal
departure has arrived$ 8lease call all my eight Mueen consorts$K
ArCuna rushed towards Dwarka to summon the Mueens but ,ri Krishna had already let or his heavenly
abode beore he could come back with the Mueens$ ArCuna inormed the Mueens about ,ri KrishnaKs
inCury$ .n a short time the news spread like a wild ire and all the residents o Dwarka rushed towards
the site o incident$ Ater reaching thereE the eight Mueen consorts o Krishna ound that their beloved
husband had already departed$ All o them gave up their lives and united with ,ri Krishna$ -he great
Yadavas like VasudevE 2grasena and Akrur ollowed suit$ Balaram could not bear the sorrow caused by
,ri KrishnaKs separation and he gave up his lie$ &is wie=="evati entered the burning pyre with her
husbandKs body in her lap$ ,imilarly all the rest o ,ri KrishnaKs amily members like "ukmiKs daughterE
8radyumnaE 2sha and Aniruddha let or heavenly abode$
ArCuna perormed the last rite o all the dead Yadavas$+ventuallyE Dwaraka got submerged into the
ocean$ -husE ,ri Krishna ater having liberated the earth rom all the sinners let his mortal body$ Ater
completing his story Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati that ,ri Krishna takes incarnation whenever there is
predominance o sin or sinners$ &e also revealed to her that ,ri Krishna would incarnate as Kalki at the
ag end o Kalkiyuga to liMuidate the KmlechchhasK$
($9$(# "ituals o Vishnu 6orship
Describing about the rituals connected with the worship o lord VishnuE lord 'ahaddeva told 8arvati== A
devotee can worship Lord Vishnu by making his idol$ -his mode o worship is known as K,thapitaK
(installation o an idol)$ -here are also some sacred places related with lord Vishnu which are called
K,wayam=VyakataK (sel maniested) like .ndradyumna ,arovarE (Kurma sthan)E KashiE 8rayagE DwarkaE
1aimisharanyaE 'athura etc$ .n all these holy placesE Lord Vishnu had maniested himsel$ A devotee
should get up early in the morning and perorm KaachamanK$ &e should then chant the holy name o
Lord Vishnu$ &e should take his bath and sit down to worship Lord Vishnu$
A devotee should install idols o LaGmi=1arayana on a beautiul pedestal and adorn it with lowers$ &e
should then make oerings o various articles like akshatE ruitsE lowersE etc$ to the deity$ 6hile
worshippingE it is most necessary that a devotee ollowes the rituals as mentioned in the ancient
scriptures like ,hrutiE ,mritiE Vedas etc$ &e should chant the shlokas o 8urush=,ukta as well as the
cryptic mantra or the accomplishment o K,hodashopacharK$ &e should light a ghee lamp and make
oerings o articles like camphor and betel leaves to Lord Vishnu$ 6hile making oerings in the
sacriicial=ireE chanting o a shloka either rom 8urushsukta or ,hrisukta is madatory$
-here are some speciic days which are considered to be specially auspicious or the worship o lord
Vishnu==AmavasyaE ,aturdayE ,olar eclipseE lunar eclipse etc$
($9$(( Lord Vishnu ! -he Almighty *od
Describin' about the superiorit* of "ord Vishnu amon' the trinit* 3ods: Sa'e Vashishth narrated the
fo))o/in' ta)e44Durin' ancient times( S/a*ambhu,a manu had once 'one to Mandaracha) mountain to
perform a *a'*a1 Man* scho)ars and )earned men had come to attend that *a'*a1 Ver* soon( the* 'ot
into a debate as to /ho /as the supreme amon' a)) the deities1 Some of them eu)o'ised the 'reatness of
Brahma( /hi)e some said that )ord Shi,a /as the 'reatest of a)) the deities1 Dai)in' to come to an*
conc)usion a)) of them re8uested Sa'e Bhri'u to find out as to /ho /as the 'reatest amon' the trinit*
3ods1
Sa'e Bhri'u /ent to meet "ord Shi,a at Kai)ash mountain1 He sa/ !andi standin' 'uard at the main
entrance1 Sa'e Bhri'u arro'ant)* ordered !andi to inform "ord Shi,a of his arri,a)1 !andi refused to
comp)* /ith Bhri'u:s command1 Sa'e Bhri'u cursed "ord Shi,a b* sa*in'44+our master4 Shi,a( /ou)d
bear the conse8uences of sho/in' disrespect to me1 Drom toda* on/ards peop)e /ou)d ma2e offerin's
of forbidden artic)es to him1:
Sa'e Bhri'u then /ent to meet "ord Brahma1 After reachin' Brahma)o2a( he made sa)utations to )ord
Brahma1"ord Brahma a)so did not 'i,e an* respect to Sa'e Bhri'u and ne')ected him1 Sa'e Bhri'u
became furious and cursed "ord Brahma444:Bein' into9icated b* *our Rajo'una( *ou ha,e sho/n
disrespect to me1 Drom toda* on/ards peop)e /i)) not /orhsip *ou1: Sa'e Bhri'u then /ent to meet "ord
Vishnu at his abode4 Ksheersa'ar1 He did not ha,e an* prob)em in reachin' the p)ace /here "ord
Vishnu /as ta2in' rest on Sheshna'( en'rossed in his *o'anidra1 3oddess "a9mi /as pressin' Vishnu:s
)e's /ith tota) de,otion1 Sa'e Bhri'u 2ic2ed "ord Vishnu on his chest1 "ord Vishnu /o2e up and seein'
sa'e Bhri'u said444:$ 3reat BrahminA +our tender foot must ha,e 'ot hurt because of m* chest( /hich is
as hard as Vajra1 Ho/ b)essed & am to ha,e been touched b* a brahmin:s foot1:
"ord Vishnu 'ot up and eu)o'ised Sa'e Bhri'u1 This 'esture of "ord Vishnu made Sa'e Bhri'u cr* in
jo*1 !o/( he /as con,inced as to /ho /as the supreme amon' a)) the three deities1Sa'e Bhri'u returned
to Mandaracha) mountain /here a)) the sa'es /ere an9ious)* /aitin' for him1 He dec)ared44
KLord Brahma is the possesser o "aCogunaE while Lord ,hiva possesses tamoguna$ %nly Lord Vishnu
is the proud possessor o ,atvaguna and hence &e is the supreme among all three o them$K Ater
inishing his taleE ,age Vashishth told the sages that anybody who worships Lord Vishnu with complete
aith and total devotion become liberated rom all his sins$ A devotee o Lord Vishnu attains to Vishnu
Loka ater his death$
($9$(0 8arashuram
Describing Lord VishnuKs incarnation as 8arshuramE Lord 'ahadeva told 8arvati==,age @amadagni came rom the
lineage o Bhrigu$ &e had pleased .ndra by his tremendous penance and received ,urabhi cow in return$ .n
course o time he married the daughter o king "enuk whose name was "enuka$ A child was born to themE who
was named K"amK by ,age Bhrigu$ -he child was also known as K@amadganyaK because o @amdagni$
Ater growing upE "am became proicient in all the scriptures$ &e also mastered various weaponaries$ %ne dayE
the king o &aihaya named ArCun arrived at the hermitage o @amadagni$ ,age @amdagni treated the king with due
honour and respect$ &e presented numerous gits to the king$ ArCun wanted nothing else but the ,urabhi==cow
rom ,age @amdagni which he was unwilling to part away with$ 2ltimatelyE ArCun orcibly took away the divine cow$
-he cow was unwilling to go alongwith ArCun and she attacked his army with her sharp horns$ As a resultE ArCunKs
whole army was liMuidated within no time$-he revengeul ArCun killed @amadagni$ At the time o this incident$ "am
was not present in the hermitage$
"am wanted to avenge his atherKs death and did a tremendous penance to please Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu
became pleased by his devotion and presented many divine weapons to him$ -he weapons included the amous
aGe==8arshu and Vaishnav=bow$ Ater acMuiring 8arshu rom Lord VishnuE "am became amous as 8arshuram$
&e had vowed to kill all the KshatriyasE which he did onlyE the clan o .kshavaku was spared by him as he had
promised his mother that he would not harm .kshavaku and his clan$
Ater reeing the earth rom the terror o KshatriyasE 8arshuram perormed an Ashwamedha yagya and donated
his whole kingdomE to the brahmins$ &e then went to do penance at the hermitage o 1ar=1arayan$
+1D %< 8AD'A 82"A1
3 +ishnu Purana
-his 8urana has ; :hapters (; 8arts) as ollowsJ
8art #J Describes the creation o the universeE birth o the gods and the demonsE 8ralayaE churning o
the seaE tales o the devotee DhruvaO killing o &iranyakashipu etc$
8art (J :ontains the description o 8riyavrata?s sons and Bharat dynasty$ .t also has a geographical
description o @ambu dweepE Bharat varshE ,hatdweepE 8atal (the hades)E the sun and the planetsE
chariot o the sunE origin o the *anges etc$
8art 0J :ontains a detailed description o 'anavantarasE KalpaE Veda VyasaE religion and the caste
system etc$ .t also has a description o the origin o Buddhism$
8art 4J %rigin o Brahmanand Daksha etc$ Birth o 8ururavaE marriage o Balarama with "evati$ Birth o
.kshavaku$ Kukutstha dynasty$ -ale o Yuvanashva and ,aubhari$ ,arpvinasha mantra$ A 1arayana
dynastyE Birth o ,agar$ Ashwamedha by ,agar$ Descendence o the *anges through the penance o
Bhagirath$ Birth o Lord "ama$ Yagya o VishwamitraE birth o ,itaE tales o :handra dynasty$ Abduction
o -araE %rigin o AgnitrayoE birth o Dhanvantri and his clan$ 6ars with the demonsE clan o 1ahushE
tale o YayatiE Yadu dynasty$ Birth o Kartveerya ArCun$
-ales o Krishna?s birthE marriage o Krishna with @ambvanti and ,atyabhama$ ,alvation o ,hishupaal$
%ver population o Yaduvanshis$ Birth o Karna and his ind him by Adhirath$ @anameCaya dynasty and
origin o Bharat$ :lans o @ahnu and 8andu$ :lan o 8arikshit and royal dynasties o the uture$ <uture
generation o .kshvaku dynasty$ <uture generation o Brihad dynasty$ <uture generations o 8radyot
dynasty$ Kingdom o 1and$ Advent o Kali Yuga and description o royal dynasties o Kali Yuga$
8art 9J 'arriage o Vasudev and Devaki$ .ncarnation o Lord Vishnu to kill Kansa$ Arrival o Yagmaya in
Yashoda womb and o the Lord in Devaki?s womb$ Birth o Lord KrishnaE carrying o Krishna to *okulE
Dialogue o 'ahamaya with KansaE acMuiring o deensive stance by Kansa$ "eleasing o Vasudeva
and Devaki$ Killing o 8utana$ Killing o ,hakat$ 1aming o Krishna and Balarama$ &umiliation o Kaliya$
Killing o DhenukasuraE killing o 8ralambE description o estival devoted to .ndraE worshipping o
*ovardhanaE arrival o .ndraE killing o Arishtakasura$ Arrival o 1arad in Kansa?s court$ Killing o KeshiE
Arrival o Akrur in Vrindavana$ Arrival o Lord Krishna in 'athura$ Lord Krishna?s mercy on KubCa$
Arrival o Lord Krishna in amphi=theatre and killing o Kansa$
:oronation o 2grasenaE bringing o ,udharma in 'athuraE deeat o @arasandhaE birth o KalayavanE
killing o Kalayavan$ Vrindavan tour by BalaramaE getting o Varuni by Balarama$ Abduction o
"ukmaniE abduction o 8radyumnaE getting o 8radyumna by 'ayavatiE killing o ,hambar by
8radyumnaE killing o "ukmi by BalaramaE getting o siGteen thousand Mueens by Lord Krishna$
Abduction o 8ariCat$ <ight with .ndra$ Begging or pardon by .ndra$ 'igration to DwarkaE bow battle$
-elling o dream by 2shaE abduction o AniruddhaE ight with Lord ,hivaE amputation o Bana by Lord
KrishnaE killing o KashiraC 8aundraka$ 8utting o Varanasi on lames$ Abduction o Lakshmana$
8resentation o ,amb beore the sages as an eGpecting mother$ %rigin o pestle$ Destruction o Yadu
vansha$ Ascendence o Lord Krishna to heavenE beginning o Kali YugaE preaching o ArCun by Vyasa$
:oronation o 8arikshit$
8art ;J Description o religion in Kali Yuga$ Description o the importance o Kali YugaE ,hudra and
women olk by Vyasa$ Description o Kalpa$ Description o a day o Brahma$ 8osition o Brahma in
8ralaya$ 1atural disasters$ Dierent kinds o sorrows$ -orturing in hell$ Awakening o BrahmaE
8reaching o Yoga$ -ale o KeshidhwaCa$ Killing o the religion and the cow$ &olding o counsel by
Khandikya$ ,el knoweldge$ "idicules o body=spiritualism$ Auerries o Yoga$ Brahmagyana (Vedas)$
:oncepts o tangible=intangible appearances o *od$ ,alvation o Khandikya and KeshidhwaCa$
+Gcellence o Vishnu 8urana$ Virtues o Lord Vishnu?s names$ "esults o hearing Lord?s name$
*&1 0hapter 1 (Part 1%
-his chapter contains #; sections$
1AA"AAYA1A' 1A'A,K"2-A' 1A"A' :&A.V 1A"%--A'A' S
D+V++' ,A"A,6A-++' VYAA,A' -A-% @AY'2D++"Y+- SS
0$#$# .ntroduction and %rigin o the 2niverse rom Basic +lements
,age 8arasharE the eGponent o Vishnu 8uraan had narrated this grand treatise to 'aitreya$ ,age ,uta inherited
it rom 'aitreya$ -he teGt presented here is a narration by ,uta$
,uta says= %ne dayE 'aitreya greeted sage 8arashar and said= R*urudevE you have studied all the scriptures$ .
wish to hear the tale o universe?s origin rom you$ &ow will be the ages that are about to comeN 6hat is the
reason or this whole creationN 6ho created itN 6here did it eGistN 6hom did it mingle withN And with whom it will
annihilate eventuallyN Apart rom theseE . also wish to hear about the eGpansion o athomless skyE origin o ocean
and mountainsE origin o earthE eGpansion o the ,unE division o time in our agesE 8ralayE religionE sagesE kingsE
creation o Vedas by VedavyasaE origin o our classes in our society and system o our Ashrams in one?s lie$R
8arashar saysJ R'aitreyaE you have reminded me today o the description once made by my grandather
Vashishta$ 6hen . learnt that the monsterE which was created by VishwamitraE had devoured my atherE . grew
Muite angry and started a Yagya to destroy all the monsters$ -he Yagya destroyed such a large number o
monsters that the whole race began to ace the ear o eGtinction$ 'y grandather consoled me that too much
anger was not good and that all the monsters could not be blamed or my ather?s death$ According to my
grandather my ather was sure to ace such a ate ultimately$ %nly the ools get angry$ A human being bears the
ruit o his deeds himsel$ % sonL Anger destroys all the virtues o penance$ &enceE ascetics always shun anger$
&enceE stop this Yagya or orgiving has always been the virtue o ascetics$R
-husE convinced by my grandatherE . stopped the Yagya$ At the same timeE Brahma?s sonE 8ulastyaE arrived there
and said= RDespite your angerE you orgave the monsters when convinced by your grandather Vashishta$ You will
learn all the scriptures and give commentaries on 8uraans$ You will also learn the real appearance o the godsR$
Vashishta also endorsed these words o 8ulastya$
R% 'aitreyaL 1ow . narrate to youE the whole contents o 8uraan$ -his whole universe has originated rom Lord
Vishnu$ .t is eGisting within &im and will annihilate in &im eventually$R
8arashar saysJ R-he trinity o BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh is also known as the creatorE the preserver and the
destroyer$ All o them salve the devotees$ All o them have eMual importance$ ,tillE preserver who osters and
protects all the living beings is ar more signiicant$ . salute to &im and narrate the tale that was once narrated by
Brahma to all the Dakshas$ Dakshas had narrated this tale to the King 8urukutsa at the bank o the river
1armada$ .n turnE 8urukutsa narrated this tale to ,araswat who narrated it to me$R
R% BrahminL Lord is eternal and endless$ &enceE origin o universeE its eGistence and annihilation are also
unending processes$ During the period o 8ralayE the nature eGists in a state o eMuilibrium$ .t is during this period
that 8urush (masculine orces o creation) separates rom 8rakriti (eminine orces o creation) and Kaalroop o
Vishnu (eternalE unending orm o the Lord) is maniested$ Lord Vishnu is beyond all the bonding o lie like birthE
growthE intelligenceE sensesE decay and death$ 8urush is the irst appearance o Lord Vishnu$ 8rakriti is the
maniestation o &is action while Kaalroop is &is supreme appearance$R
During the 8ralayE there was neither day nor nightE neither earth nor sky and neither darkness nor light$ At the
subsidence o 8ralayE with &is desireE the Lord entered the 8urush who is beyond all bonding$ &is entry
stimulated the process o creation$ <irst o allE a single great element originated encompassing all the other lesser
elements$ <rom this great element originated three egos= ,attvicE "aCas and -aamas$ -aamas created sky with
sound as the main virtue$ -he sky then created the sense o touch$ -ouch produced air$ &enceE touch is the main
eature o airO no one can see air but only have an eGperience o it through touch$ Air created "oopE which gave
birth to ire with "oop as its main virtue$ <ire gave birth to taste$ -aste produced water with taste as its main
property$ <rom water originated scentE which produced earth with scent as the main eature$ -hese senses have
no special eGpression$
-he ego "aCas produced ten sense organs whereas the ruling deities o these organs were produced by ,attvic
ego$ -husE the ten deities who rule ten sense organs and the eleventh entity mind are ,attvic in nature$ ,kinE
eyesE earsE nose and tongue= these ive organs aid the mind in its unction$ % 'aitreyaL AnusE seG organsE handsE
legs and speech organs are the ive organs that help in action$ 6orks like eGcretionE reproductionE movement and
speech are carried out with the help o these ive organs$ All the ive elements like skyE airE ireE water and earth
are ull o emotions$ &enceE they are also known to have a special signiicance$
All these elements have dierent and distinct powers$ 6ithout their combinationE creation o the universe was
impossible$ .n the beginningE all these elements were present in the great ball or eggE which came into eGistence
because o the inspiration o the Lord$ As this ball increased in siBeE it ormed the base as 8rakriti in whichE Lord
Vishnu &imsel entered as &iranyagarbh$
6hen the universe comes into eGistenceE Lord Vishnu osters it till the end o Kalpa$ At the end o KalpaE Lord
Vishnu &imsel devours the entire physical elements in "udra appearance$ During that timeE &e inundates the
entire universe and &imsel sleeps on ,hesha in Ksheersagar$ 6hen he awakes once againE &e begins the
process o creation in the appearance o Brahma$
0$#$( Birth o Brahma and ,alvation o +arth by Varaha
At the end o the previous KalpaE when Brahma awakened rom his long slumberE he saw all the worlds devoid o
everything$ 6ith a desire to salve the earth rom the depth o unathomable inundationE &e took the appearance o
Varaha$ +ntering the waterE &e reached 8aataaloka$ ,eeing &imE the earth prayed &im with respect$ &earing her
prayersE the Lord roared with rightening sound$ -henE &e supported the earth on &is great incisors and came out
rom the abysmal depth$ 6hen &e was risingE &is breath produced big sprays o waterE which drenched sinless
sages while the orce o &is breath rightened common creatures$ 6hen the Lord emerged rom the waterE all the
sages prayed &im with reverence and respect$
Very soonE the Lord installed the earth at a position ar above the unending stretches o water$ -henE Lord carved
out the topographical eatures on earth and divided it into many divisions and created all the our worlds$ -hen
Lord Vishnu in the guise o Brahma carried out the process o creation$
As soon as Brahma thought o creationE -amoguni (ull o darkness) creatures were the irst to appear$ Absence
o knowledge and presence o evils like attachmentE anger etc$ were the main virtues o these creatures$ -hese
creatures include lower organismsE treesE shrubsE creepersE plants and grasses$ -hese together constitute the
primitive world$ -heir creation was ollowed by the appearance o animals and birdsE which are devoid o wisdom
and are ull o ego$ -hey are also unaware o the nature o another organism o their status$
,till unsatisied with &is creationE Lord created the neGt worldE which has a somewhat elevated position$ -he living
beings that were produced in this world had internal and eGternal knowledgeE power o relection and loved
physical comorts$ -hough this creation pleased the LordE &e was still unsatisied$ ,o &e created the neGt worldE
which was situated at a somewhat lower position$ -his new world had eGcess o all the three virtues$ &uman
beings populate this world and because o eGcess o vicesE they are ull o sorrow but at the same timeE highly
activeE have internal and eGternal knowledge and are able to attain their goals$
-he irst ew creations had resulted rom the thoughts o the Lord$ <or the creation o the godsE the demonsE
8itraganasE human beings and waterE the Lord decided to use &is body$ -husE the demons were the irst to
emerge rom &is thighs$ -he Lord then shed &is dark bodyE which ormed the night$ -hen rom &is mouthE the
Lord produced the gods who had ,attvic virtues$ -he Lord then shed &is ,attvic body as well rom which the day
came into being$ .t is also the reason why the gods acMuire more strength in day and the demons are stronger
during nights$ -hen the Lord acMuired yet another body and behaved like 8itraganas to produce 8itraganas
beore shedding that body tooE which gave rise to the dusk= the twilight between the day and the night$ -hereaterE
the Lord acMuired a new body with "aCas virtue rom which the human beings were produced$ 6hen the Lord
shed that "aCas body it ormed dawn= the twilight between the night and the day$ .t also eGplains why the human
beings are stronger at dawn and 8itraganas at dusk$
-hen the Lord assumed yet another body with "aCas virtues and produced desire rom it$ -he desire gave birth to
lust$ ,taying in the darkness thenE the Lord created the worldE which is ull o desire and lust$ .n that worldE many
ugly looking human beingsE who had long beard and moustache appeared and ran towards &im$ Among those
who saidE F8rotect him? came to be known as "aakshas (demons) and those who saidE F6e will eat him? came to
be known as Yakshas$ -hen the angry Lord produced aggressive carnivores$ -hereaterE the singing Lord
produced *andharvas$ -husE by turnsE the Lord produced birdsE sheepE goatE cowE horseE elephantE donkeyE deerE
camelE pony rom &is ageE chestE mouthE belly and eet respectively$ <rom the innumerable body hair o the LordE
ruitsE lowers and herbs were produced$ <rom &is east=acing headE Lord produced *ayatri mantraE "igvedaE and
Yagyas$ <rom &is south=acing headE &e produced YaCurveda$ <rom west=acing headE &e produced ,amaveda
and rom &is north=acing headE &e produced Atharvaveda$
0$#$0 Divisions o +arth and %rigin o :ereals
6ith the desire o creating the worldE Brahma produced dierent kinds o human beings rom his dierent organs$
-husE rom his mouthE Brahmins appeared$ Kshatriyas appeared rom his chestE Vaishyas rom his thighs and
rom his eetE ,hudras appeared$ -husE physical body is the greatest means or human beings in order to achieve
his goals$ 6ith timeE the human beings lost their divine virtues and perections$ @ealousyE sorrowE decay and
inighting began to rise among the people$ .n order to earn their livelihood and run their lie peaceullyE the human
beings developed agriculture and other handicrats$
R% sageL 8addyE barleyE wheatE lesser cerealsE sesameE milletE riceE peasE pulsesE beansE ryeE gram and hemp are
common agricultural produce that have edible as well as medicinal values in the villages$ -hese and other
produce are also used as oblations in the Yagyas because all o them have produced as a result o Yagyas$
8erorming Yagyas daily is the most virtuous eGercise that every human being should undertake$ -his destroys
the sins committed by common people$R
0$#$4 Birth o 8raCapatis and their 8rogeny
At one pointE the process o creation got saturated and no increase took place in the number o living beings$
-henE with a desire o continuing the creationE Lord created nine sages rom &is thought$ -hen he produced nine
daughters and handed them over as the wives to those nine sages$
6hen initially produced sons o Brahma took to asceticismE &e got very much inuriated$ &is anger was enough to
burn all the three worlds$ <rom this angerE "udra originated who was shining like the ,un$ "udra had appeared in
hal=masculine and hal=eminine orm$ .mmediately ater &is appearanceE "udra separated &is body into eleven
male parts and eleven emale parts$
-hen ,wayambhu 'anu appeared rom the body o Brahma$ &e agreed to ollow Brahma?s dictate o continuing
creation$ &e got a woman ,hatrupa who had also appeared along with him$ -ogether they begot two sonsE
8riyavrata and 2taanpaad and two daughtersE 8rasooti and Aakooti$ -hese two daughters were married to
Daksha and 8raCapati respectively$
8raCapati and Aakooti gave birth to twinsE Yagya and Dakshina$ Yagya and Dakshina got married and produced
twelve sons who later on came to be known as YaamE the gods$
Daksha and 8rasooti produced twenty=our daughtersE thirteen o which were married to Dharma$ -he remaining
eleven daughters were married to BhriguE ,hivaE 'arichiE AngiraE 8ulastyaE 8ulahaE KratuE AtriE VashishtaE Agni
and 8itars$
<rom his thirteen wivesE Dharma produced KamaE DarpaE 1iyamE ,antoshE LobhaE ,hrutE DandE 1ayaE VinayE
BodhE VyavasaayE KshemaE ,ukh and Yash$ Kama got married to "ati and produced &arsh$ Darpa married &insa
and produced a son Anrit and a daughter 1ikriti$ Anrit and 1ikriti got married and produced Bhaya and 1arak and
their wives 'aya and Vedana$ 'aya produced 'rityuE the destroyer o all the creatures in the world$ Vedana
produced a sonE Dukh$ 'rityu produced VyadhiE @araE ,hokE -rishna and Krodh$ -hese are all the ierce
appearances o Lord Vishnu and cause 8ralay$
-he omnipresent eternal *od creates this world in the orm o 'anusE protects it and ultimately destroys it$ -here
are our kinds o 8ralay= 1aimittikE 8rakritikE Aatyantik and 1itya$ Among themE 1aimittik is Brahma 8ralay during
which *od takes a nap$ During 8rakritik 8ralayE the universe annihilates in nature$ Annihilation o Yogi in the
,upreme Being is Aatyantik 8ralay and a decay o physical elements that continues day and night is 1itya 8ralay$
0$#$9 :reation o "udra and %mnipresence o LaGmi
.n the beginning o Kalpa when Brahma was thinking about a sonE who would be like him in virtuesE a boy with
reddish=blue body appeared in his lap$ Brahma addressed the boy with names like "udraE BhavaE ,hivE .bhaanE
8ashupatiE BheemaE 2gra and 'ahadev$ Brahma also iGed ,uryaE waterE earthE airE ireE skyE Dikshit (graduate
scholar) Brahmin and the 'oon &is abode$ ,ince thenE all these things idolise ,hiv$ -hese eleven idols o ,hiv
have wives like ,uvarchalaE 2shaE VikeshiE AparaE ,hivaE ,wahaE Disha and "ohini$ ,hanaishcharE ,hukraE
LohitaangE 'anoCavE ,kandE ,argE ,antaan and Buddh are the sons o these idols respectively$ "udra &imsel got
,atiE the daughter o Daksha 8raCapati as &is wie$ ,ati had committed sel=immolation because o the disrespect
that her ather had shown or her husband$ .n her neGt birthE she had appeared as 8arvatiE the daughter o
&imalaya and 'aina$ 8arvati too got married to ,hiv$ Khyaati got married to Bhrigu and gave birth to two sons
Dhata and Vidhaata and a daughter Lakshmi$ Lakshmi then married Lord Vishnu$
'aitreya says = R% sageL .t is heard that Lakshmi was produced rom Ksheersagar during the churning o the sea
but you say that Lakshmi was the daughter o Bhrigu and Khyaati$ &ow is it possibleNR
8arashar says= R% great BrahminL Lakshmi who never separates rom the Lord is &ersel eternal like &im$ But
stillE as you have eGpressed your doubtE . will narrate you the real story$R
-he amous short=tempered sage Durvaasa is a partial incarnation o ,hankar$ %ne dayE he was wandering on
the earth when all o a suddenE he happened to see an eGtremely divine beauty$ ,he was wearing a garland o
beautiul lowers$ -he sage reMuested the beauty to give him that garland$ ,he presented the garland respectully
to the sage$ -he sage adorned the garland on his head and began to wander again$ "ight at that momentE he saw
.ndra riding on Airaavat and going somewhere in the procession o the gods$ .nstinctivelyE sage Durvaasa put that
garland around the neck o .ndra but .ndra removed it and put it on Airaavat?s head$ Airaavat pulled the garland
with his trunk and smashed it on the ground$ -his whole seMuence o events inuriated Durvaasa who cursed
.ndra$ R% .ndraL You are so inebriated with your luGuries that you dared to insult my humble git$ &enceE all your
splendour shall be destroyed$ You will lose all your wealth$R
.ndra at once descended rom the elephant and began to reMuest sage Durvaasa$ Durvaasa said= R.ndraL
<orgiveness has no place in my personality$ ,oE all your repenting is meaningless$R ,aying thisE sage Durvaasa
departed rom the scene and .ndra to let or Amravati$
Very soonE the curse began to show its inluence$ 6ith the loss o .ndra?s luGuriesE all the verdancy on the earth
too began to wane$ &ermits too began to give up Yagyas$ All the human beings began to be guided by greed and
gave up pious virtues$ And at a place where pious virtues have no roomE Lakshmi too doesn?t stay there$
,he made her abode in the abysmal depth o the sea$ Very soonE the demons launched an attack on the gods
and drove them out o heaven$ .ndra along with other gods approached Brahma and told him the whole thing$
Brahma suggested them to take reuge at Lord Vishnu$ &e assured them also that Lord Vishnu would deinitely
protect them$ Brahma even accompanied the gods to Lord Vishnu$ -hereE they together prayed Lord Vishnu and
intimated &im about their ordeal$
8leased by their prayersE Lord Vishnu appeared beore them and said= R. will deinitely help you regain your
splendour$ 8resentlyE do what . say$ You reconcile with the demons and convince them to carry out the churning
o the sea$ -hen bring all kinds o herbs and put them in the sea$ 6ith the help o the demons and using
'andaraachal as churner and VaasukiE the 1aag as the rope to carry out the churning o the sea$ -husE you will
recover ambrosia drinking whichE all o you will become immortal and regain your strength$R
<ollowing the advice o Lord VishnuE the gods reconciled with the demons and convinced them to carry out the
churning o the sea$ -hey together procured all kinds o herbs and put them in the sea$ -hen they began the
churning using 'andaraachal 'ountain$ As soon as the churning beganE 'andaraachal began to sink$ Lord
Vishnu took incarnation o Kachchhap (the great tortoise) and bore the weight o the mighty mountain on &is
back$ During the churningE KamadhenuE the wishul cow was the irst to emerge$ .t was presented to the sages as
an aid or their Yagyas$ .t was ollowed by the damselE VaaruniE Kalpavriksha (the wishul tree) ater whichE
beautiul elves appeared$ -he 'oon ollowed the elves and was taken up by ,hiva on &is orehead$ During the
churningE huge Muantity o poison had also emerged$ .t was drunk by Lord ,hiva and some parts o it were taken
up by the serpents$ .n the endE Dhanvantari himsel emerged rom the sea carrying the urn o ambrosia$
.t was during the churning itsel that Lakshmi appeared once again rom the sea holding lotuses in her hands$ All
the sages prayed her$ -hen taking bath with divine waterE goddess Lakshmi took her seat in the heart o Lord
Vishnu$
6hen the demons saw that Lakshmi had chosen Lord Vishnu?s heart as her abodeE they got perpleGed$ -hey at
once snatched the urn rom Dhanvantari and ran away$ -hen a row broke out among them over the drinking o
ambrosia$ +ach o the demons wanted to drink ambrosia in maGimum Muantity$ 'eanwhileE Lord Vishnu also
arrived there in the guise o an eGtremely pretty woman 'ohini and took possession o the urn$ 'ohini had
pleased the demons with her sweet smile while distributing ambrosia among the gods$
-husE the gods came to drink ambrosia$ 6hen at lastE the demons realised that they had been cheated they
immediately attacked the gods$ But since the gods had regained their strengthE they soon deeated the demons
without much ado$ AterwardsE the gods prayed Lord Vishnu and returned to heaven to rule it$ -he world also
regained its verdancy$ Ater regaining his splendourE comorts and luGuries o the heavenE .ndra prayed goddess
Lakshmi with devotion and respect$
8leased by the prayers o .ndraE Lakshmi asked him to seek a boon$ .ndra said= R% goddessL . you are pleased
with meE kindly bless me with a boon that irst you will never desert this world and also that you will never desert
those who worship you with this prayer$R Lakshmi granted these boons$
-husE Lakshmi had appeared as the daughter o Bhrigu and his wie Khyaati$ -hen second timeE she emerged
rom beneath the sea during its churning$ -husE whenever Lord Vishnu takes an incarnationE Lakshmi
accompanies &im$ 6hen *od appears in divine ormE she too takes a divine appearance$ 6hen *od appears in
human ormE Lakshmi appears in human orm also$
0$#$; Dhruv?s 'igration to the <orest
,wayambhu 'anu had two sons= 8riyavrata and 2taanpaad$ 2taanpaad had two wives= ,uruchi and
,uniti$ ,uruchi had a son= 2ttam while ,uniti had also a son= Dhruv$ King 2taanpaad loved ,uruchi
more than he loved ,uniti$
%ne day the king was sitting on the throne$ 8rince 2ttam was playing in his lap$ 'eanwhile Dhruv also
arrived there and insisted to play in the lap o his ather$ At his insistenceE Mueen ,uruchi ridiculed that
as he was not born to her he had no right to the king?s loveE T Rso your insistence is useless$ -hough
you are also a son o this king but this throne belongs to my son$ Don?t you know that you have been
born to ,uniti$R
*etting angry over his stepmother?s ridiculesE Dhruv went to his mother$ ,uniti consoled her son and
enMuired about the reason or his anger$ Dhruv narrated the whole thing to his mother$ ,uniti too got
perpleGed and saidJ R% sonL ,uniti speaks the truth but you don?t worry or no one can do away the
virtues o your deeds that you perormed in your previous birth$ &ence you should not eel sorry over
such petty things$ . you eel really sorry by the words o your stepmother why don?t you try to gather
virtuesN 6hy don?t you try to be a gentle and altruistic personNR
-hus consoled by mother Dhruv said= R'otherL ,ince now onwardsE . will do every such thing so that .
may attain the most respected position in the world$ . am no longer desirous o getting a position
granted by others$ . will achieve the same position as my ather has$R ,aying this Dhruv let the palace
and the town and reached a dense orest$
,even 'unishwars (mendicants) were already present in the orest$ Dhruv greeted them all and said
very politely= R% great sagesL . am the prince Dhruv$ King 2taanpaad is my ather and his younger
Mueen ,uniti is my mother$ . have arrived here out o desperation$R -he sages said= R% princeL You are
Cust a small boy$ You have no reason to be worried because your ather is still alive and neither you
have any disease$ 6hat then caused you such a severe desperationNR
Dhruv narrated the whole events and also that how his stepmother ,uruchi ridiculed about his inerior
position in the palace$ -he sages said= R% princeL Kindly tell us whatever you have decided to do to
change your destiny and also tell us i we can help you in any way$R
Dhruv said=R% sagesL . neither long or wealth or or the kingdom$ . simply long to enCoy such a position
that nobody have ever enCoyed earlier$ Kindly help me and guide me what . should do to attain such a
position$R
'arichi said=R% princeL 1obody can attain such an unparalleled position without the worship o *ovind
(an epithet o Lord Vishnu)E so you also worship that eternal ,upreme Being$R Atri said= R&e who is ar
above the tangible can only satisy &im and bring you that supreme position$R
Angira said=R*o and worship *ovind who holds the entire universe within &im$R
8ulastya said=R+ven the wretched people attain the rare salvation worshipping &ari$R
8ulaha said=R*o and worship that Vishnu worshipping whom even .ndra attained the position o the
gods? king$R
Kratu said= R*o and worship @anardana who is supremeE who is deity o the Yagyas and Yagya
&imsel$R
Vashishta said=R% sonL You will attain whatever you wish by worshipping Lord Vishnu$R
Dhruv said = R% sagesL At my prayers all o you told me about whom . should worship$ 1ow kindly tell
me what should . do to please the Lord$R
-he sages said= R.t is imperative or a personE who wishes to worship Lord Vishnu that irst o allE he
should eGpel all other menial thoughts rom his mind and replace them with the contemplation Lord
alone$ % princeL -hus concentrate on that omnipotent eternal Lord with the mantra = F%' 1A'%
B&A*6A-+ VAA,2D+VAAY? $ Your grandather ,wayambhu 'anu had himsel recited this mantra
during the previous age and had received the perection o his desire rom the Lord$ ,o you too go and
recite the same mantra in order to please Lord Vishnu$R
0$#$7 Dhruv 8leases *od with his 8enance
-he prince Dhruv greeted the sages and continued on his Courney$ At lastE he reached a beautiul orest
'adhuvan on the bank o the river Yamuna$ .t was the same orestE which was later occupied by a demon 'adhu$
,hatrughanaE the youngest brother o Lord "ama had killed the demon LavanE the son o 'adhu in the same
orest and ounded the township o 'athura$ .n the same orestE prince Dhruv decided to carry out his penance$
As per the dictate o the sagesE he began to recite the mantra continuously$
Very soonE the earth began to move because o Dhruv?s severe penance$ +ven the seat o .ndra could not remain
stable$ A stampede resulted among the gods$ -he gods then hatched a conspiracy to disturb the penance$
According to the plan an illusionary image o ,unitiE Dhruv?s mother appeared beore him and pleaded = R% sonL
8lease stop this severe penance that is bound to decay your body$ . got you ater great desires and worship$ .t is
not proper or you to take your stepmother?s words so seriously and desert your real mother$ You are my only
support$ You are only our or ive years old$ 8resently you should pay more attention to your plays and studies$
6hy are you observing such a severe penance thenN % sonL . you don?t give up your penance right now . will
give my lie$R But Dhruv was so much sunk in the contemplation o Lord Vishnu that he did not hear the wailing o
his mother$R
&is mother then said= R"unE % sonL "un away to save your lie$ LookL <ormidable demons are approaching$ -hey
are carrying lethal weapons$R ,uddenly that illusionary image blew out intense ire rom her mouth$ -hat ire took
appearance o many dreadul monstersE who were shouting loudly like Fkill him?E Feat him?$ -hose monsters bore
the heads o lionE camelE crocodile etc$ and appeared eGtremely ormidable$ -he monsters were roaring loudly$
But Dhruv?s mind was deeply in contemplation$ &e neither saw the monsters or heard the noises made by them$
-husE seeing their all attempts ailed$ -he gods decided to take reuge at Lord Vishnu$ -here they said= R% LordL
6e have come to you perpleGed by the severe penance o Dhruv the son o 2taanpaad$ &is penance is
increasing like a waGing 'oon$ 6e are not sure i he desires or the position o .ndraE ,uryaE KuberE Varun or any
other deity$ But kindly remove our ears$R
Assuring the godsE the Lord said= R-hat boy has no desire or attaining the position o any deity$ But . will deinitely
grant him whatever he desires$ But all o you need not worry$R -he gods greeted the Lord and returned$
2ltimately pleased by the severe penance o DhruvE Lord Vishnu appeared beore him in his ormal our=armed
orm and said= RDhruvL 'ay it all be well or you$ . am very much pleased with you$R &earing these words Dhruv
opened his eyes and to his amaBement ound Lord Vishnu standing beore him$ <or a moment he did not believe
his eyes$ ,tanding beore him was the same Lord Vishnu whom he used to see in contemplation$ <or a momentE
Dhruv orgot how to pray *od$ &e then took reuge o *od and said= R% LordL . you are pleased with meE kindly
bless me with power to pray you$ 'y mind is eGhilarated with devotion or you$ .t wishes to pray you$R &earing
these words the Lord touched Dhruv with &is conch and as soon as it happenedE an unbinding stream o
devotional prayer sprang rom Dhruv?s mouth$
At the completion o the prayer Lord Vishnu said= R% sonL Your penance succeeds with my sight but my
presenting a sight should also not go waste$ ,o seek a boon o your desire$R Dhruv said= R% LordL 1othing is
hidden rom your divine sight$ . started this severe penance out o desperation caused by the harsh words o my
stepmother$ ,he had ridiculed my insistence o playing in my ather?s lap saying that as . was not born to herE .
had no right to the king?s love$ &enceE % LordL . wish to attain such a position that could be the base o the entire
universe$R
Lord said= R% sonL You were born in a Brahmin amily in your previous birth$ -hen you had pleased me by your
abidance to the religion$ You were also a riend o a prince and wished to enCoy the same royal luGuries that your
riend was enCoying$ You had in act wished to be a prince$ &ence % sonL You are born as a prince in this birth$ .t
is rare to get a place in the lineage o ,wayambhu 'anu$ But this honour has no value or a devotee like you$ %
sonL . will deinitely accord you the position that is eGcellent among all the three worlds$ .n uture you will be the
base o all the planets and all the constellations$ . grant you a iGed position that is ar above the ,unE the 'oonE
the planetsE constellationsE ,aptarishis and all the gods who ly about in divine aircrat$ Besides itE you will stay
there or a complete Kalpa whereas even the gods do not stay in their position more than a single 'anvantara$
Your mother ,uniti too will come to stay with you as a bright star or the same period o time$ -here she will stay
on an aircrat$ 8eople will see you with aith or you will show them the right direction$R
-hus receiving a boon rom Lord VishnuE Dhruv occupied a iGed position in the northern sky$ +ven the sage like
,hukracharya praises Dhruv that how ortunate he is$$$$ that even ,aptarishis go around himN -hat pivotal position
o Dhruv would continue even in the ages to come$
0$#$) -ale o King Ven and 8rithu
8arashar says= R 6ith the help o DhruvE his wie gave birth to two sons= ,ishti and Bhavya$ ,ishti had ive sons=
"ipuE "ipunCayE VipraE Vikal and VrikteCa$ "ipu had a brilliant son :haakshush$ :haakshush had a son 'anu$
'anu had sons= 8uruE KuruE ,hatadyumnaE -apasviE ,atyavaanE ,uchiE AgnishtomeE AtiraatraE ,udyumna and
Abhimanyu$ Kuru had sons= AngaE ,umanE KhyaatiE KratuE Angira and ,hivi$ Anga had a son named Ven$ -he
sages had churned the right hand o Ven to produce a son named Vainya$ &e later on became renowned as
8rithu$ &e had even milked the earth or the beneit o his subCects$R
'aitreya says= R6hy did the sages churn Ven?s handN 6hat was their purpose o getting 8rithuNR
8arashar says= R'rityu had his irst child as a daughter named ,unitha who was married to Anga$ ,unitha had
given birth to Ven$ Ven had all the aults o his maternal grandather 'rityu and hence was devil=like in nature$R At
the time o his coronationE Ven had declared= R. am the *od and the Yagyapurush$ &enceE in utureE no one shall
perorm Yagyas and donate Dakshina$R -he sages praised him and said= R% kingL 6e speak about the beneit o
you and your subCects$ -hrough grand YagyasE we shall worship omnipotent Lord &ari$ -hus pleasedE he will grant
all your desires$ % kingL .n the kingdom o which kingsE Lord &ari is worshipped as the presiding deity o YagyasE
&e ulils all their desires$R
Ven said= R6ho is greater than me and even venerableE whom you regard as the presiding deity o the YagyasN
All the deities like BrahmaO VishnuE 'aheshE .ndraE Vayu etc$ are present in the body o the king$ &enceE the king
has all the virtues o these deities$ -hereoreE do what . say$ ,uch as a woman?s duty is to serve her husbandE
similarly it is your duty o all o you to obey my dictate$R
-he sages tried to convince Ven repeatedly but in vain$ At lastE when he did not agree to their proposalE the sages
killed him$ .mmediately ater killing the kingE the sages saw the clouds o dust rising all around$ .t was revealed to
them upon enMuiry that the subCects o a king=less kingdom have resorted to plundering and looting each other
and it was because o that stampede that clouds o dust were rising$
-he sages then churned the thighs o issue=less king and produced an ugly black man$ &e was eeling eGcited
and asked the sages what he should doN -he sages asked him to 1ishid (sit down)O hence he came to be known
as 1ishaad$ &is progeny came to be known as 1ishaadgana$ Appearance o 1ishaad did away with all the sins o
Ven$ -he sages then churned Ven?s right hand and produced prowessive 8rithu whose body was radiating like
ire$ As soon as he appearedE bow and arrow and shield o Lord ,hiva descended rom heaven and all the
subCects elt eGtreme Coy$ 6ith the birth o such a pious sonE Ven attained a position in the heaven$
<or the coronation o 8rithuE Brahma himsel had appeared there with the water rom all the rivers and oceansE all
kinds o gems and along with all the deities$ 8resence o chakra in right hand o 8rithu pleased Brahma$ -his
chakra o Lord Vishnu is present in the hands o eGtremely dominating kings$ ,uch a king remains unaected
even by the gods$
-hus occupying the royal throneE King 8rithu was a boon or his subCects$ &e was so religious that the seas and
mountains paved way or him$ &is lag always remained resh and new$ +ven there was no need to sow the
seedsO the earth hersel provided all the cereals$ :ows gave milk spontaneously and every lea o all the trees in
the kingdom was ull o honey$
.mmediately ater his appearanceE King 8rithu organised a grand Yagya$ At the time o ,omabhishek (bathing with
grape=wine) during the YagyaE a man and a woman appeared rom the earth$ -he sages advised them to pray
King 8rithu$ 6ith olded hands they asked that the king had arrived moments beore them$ &is reputation had not
spread ar and wide$ 6hy should then they pray such a kingN -he sage said that they should pray the king or the
great achievements he would attain in uture$ King 8rithu thought that it was because o merits that a man
becomes praiseworthy$ F&ence . will do eGactly the same things that this couple would recite during the prayers?
thought the king$ -hus during the later courseE king 8rithu planted those virtues irmly in his conscience and ruled
the earth$ During his ruleE he perormed many great Yagyas$
During the anarchy o his ather?s regimeE all the vegetation had been destroyed rom all over the earth$ -here
was nothing or the subCects to satisy their hunger with$ ,oE they approached him and said= R% great kingL Due to
the anarchy o your ather?s regimeE the earth had annihilated all the cereals within her$ Your subCects have no
choice but to starve$ Kindly protect us rom this condition$R
8itiable condition o the subCects inuriated king 8rithu$ -aking the divine weapons o Lord ,hivaE he ran ater the
earth$ .n guise o the cowE the earth ran in all the three worlds but wherever she went she ound 8rithu still
chasing her$ -hus shivering with earE she ultimately appeared beore him and said= R% kingL Don?t you see the sin
in killing a helpless woman$R 8rithu said= R. killing a wretched person beneits scores o other peopleE there is no
sin doing so$R -he earth said= RYou want to kill me in the interest o your subCects but think what will be the base o
the subCect thenNR 8rithu said= RYou need not worry about that$ . will mysel support my subCects$R -hese words
rightened the earth$ ,he greeted the king and said= R% kingL All the tasks started with a distinct purpose reach
their completion successullyE so . am telling you a way out o the present condition$ Do thenE as you desire$ . can
give out all the herbs and cereals that . have annihilated in the orm o milk$ ,oE or the beneit o the subCectsE
kindly produce such a cal or which . can give milk spontaneously with motherly eelings$ You then provide me
with a plain surace everywhere so that . can produce milk that is the seed o all the cereals and herbs$R
King 8rithu then uprooted many great mountains with his bow and arrow and stowed them at a single place$
Beore that there was no distinct demarcation o villageE townsE cities etc$ because o the plain surace o the earth
and there was no distinct seMuence o cerealsE cowsE agriculture and trade$ All this systems started rom the time
o 8rithu$ ,ince then people began to populate those parts o the earth that were plain$
<or the beneit o his subCectsE King 8ritu himsel milked all the cereals rom earth making ,wayambhu 'anu a
cal$ .t is the cereals that still sustain the entire population o the world$ ,ince then King 8rithu came to be known
as the ather o earth because he had spared her lie$
0$#$/ Birth o 8rachin Barhi 6orship o *od by 8rachetas
King 8rithu had two sons= Antardhaan and Vaadi who were very religious minded themselves$ Antardhaan?s wie
,hikhandi gave birth to .virdhaan$ 8rachin Barhi was the son o .virdhaan and his wieE *hishna$ ,hukraE *ayaE
KrishnaE VriC and ACin were their other sons$ 8rachin Barhi was a great osterer o his subCects$ -hrough
continuous oblationsE he increased his subCects to great limits$
King 8rachin Barhi married again with ,avarnaO the daughter o ,amudra and they together produced ten sons$
All o them were known as 8rachetas who were eGpert in the art o archery$ All o them observed serious penance
under the sea or #3E333 years$
'aitreya says= % great sageL Kindly narrate to us the reason or which 8rachetas observed severe penance under
the sea$
8arashar says= %nce by the inspiration o BrahmaE King 8rachin Barhi asked his sons 8rachetas to continue the
progeny in an honoured way$ 8rachetas agreed to obey the dictate o their ather but they asked= % atherL Kindly
narrate to usE what should we do to enable ourselves so that we could carry out the process o reproduction$
King 8rachin Barhi said that worship o Lord Vishnu was the only thing that enabled a person to achieve his
desired obCectives$ &e dictated his sons to worship Lord Vishnu$ .t was by the dictate o the ather that all the ten
8rachetas observed severe penance or ten thousand years under the sea$
At the end o their penanceE ,hri &ari appeared beore them radiating with blue light like a reshly bloomed blue
lotus$ Accepting the greetings o the 8rachetasE Lord Vishnu asked them to seek a boon$ 8rachetas then told the
dictate o their ather$ Lord granted their boon$ -hereater all the 8rachetas re=emerged rom the waters$
0$#$#3 'arriage o 8rachetas and Birth o 8raCapatis
8arashar says= During the time when 8rachetas were engaged in penanceE the earth was unprotected$
&enceE huge trees came to cover her everywhere on land$ -heir oliage was so dense they that cut o
entire sky and the sun could not reach the surace o the earth$ Ater their emergence rom the seaE
8rachetas got very angry when they saw the trees$ .n angerE they let out ormidable lames miGed with
ghastly winds and uprooted all the trees beore reducing them to ashes$ A massive destruction o the
trees ollowed$ ,eeing that ,omaE the king o the trees approached 8rachetas and reMuested= K% kingsL
Kindly relinMuish your anger and listen to what . say$K
. will mediate a pact between the trees and you$ -he trees have produced an eGtremely pretty girl
named 'arisha$ &er creation has been meant only or the continuation o your progeny$ ,he will
produce Daksha 8raCapati who will be as radiant as the ire and cause much increase in your progeny
urther$
.n the ancient timesE a great savant o VedasE sage Kandu was observing penance at the bank o river
*omti$ <rightened by his penance .ndra sent an el 8rabhalocha to create a disturbance$ -hat el
successully created a disturbance in the penance o Kandu who then began to live with her in a cave$
Kandu passed one hundred years enCoying sensual pleasures with the el$ %ne dayE the el eGpressed
her desire to leave or her heavenly abode$ -his came as a shock or the sage Kandu$ &e reMuested
her to stay or some more time with him$ -he el agreed to his reMuest and stayed with him or another
hundred years$ -hen once again she eGpressed her desire to leave or her heavenly abode$ %nce
againE blinded by lustE the sage reMuested her to stay or some more time$ %nce again the el stayed or
another hundred years with Kandu$
-husE every timeE when the el got ready to leaveE sage stopped her$ -he el knew about the agony o
separation that a person eGperiences who is blinded by lust$ ,he also eared the curse that such a
person might pour down out o agony$ -hus she hersel did not desert the sage and their love kept on
increasing like a new moon$ %ne dayE towards the eveningE the sage hurriedly let his hut$ AmaBingly
8rabhalocha enMuired about the reasons why he was going out in such a hurry$ -he sage replied that
as it was duskE he should oer his evening prayers$ -he sageKs reply amaBed the el urther$
LaughinglyE she said= R% knower o religionE your day has ended ater hundreds o yearsL 6ho will not
be surprised to learn that your day ends ater hundreds o years$R
-he sage said= RYou had arrived at the river bank right in the morning today$ You passed the whole day
with me and now its evening$ 6hy do you laugh at me thenN 8rabhalocha said= R% BrahminL &undreds
o years have passed since . had arrived at your hut$R 8erpleGed sage asked her= R-ell me eGactly how
much time has passed in our present communionN 8rabhalocha told the sage that they had together
passed nine hundred and seven years siG months and three days$ &earing thisE the sage began to
curse himsel that he was so sunk in the carnal pleasure with the el that he even orgot the time$ &e
also began to ret that his whole penance had been brought to nought$ -hus cursing himselE the sage
also scolded the el and asked her to leave his hut at once$
R-he el was shivering in ear while her whole body was drenched in sweat$ 6hen she let the
hermitageE she wiped her sweat with the leaves o the trees$ 6hile having carnal pleasure with the
sageE 8rabhalocha had conceived$ &er oetus also ooBed out in the orm o sweat and was collected on
the leaves$ -he wind brought the dierent parts o the oetus together while . nourished it with my rays$
-hus the oetus grew saely and ultimately took birth as a girl childE 'arisha$ -he trees will present you
that same girl as your wieRE said ,oma$
%n the other hand ater his penance was disturbed sage Kandu migrated to 8urushottam region
(modern @agannath=8uri) and began his penance aresh to please Lord Vishnu$
-ale o 'arishaKs previous birth
'arishaE daughter o sage Kandu and 8rabhalocha was a Mueen in her previous birth$ ,he had lost her
husband without having any child$ ,he had then pleased Lord Vishnu with her devotion$ -he Lord had
then asked her to seek a boon$ ,he said= R% LordL &aving been widowed at a young ageE . eel that my
lie has gone utile$ . am very unortunate$ &ence % LordL 'ay . have by your graceE a virtuous husband
like you and sons like 8raCapati in my neGt birth$ 'ay . take birth not rom the body o my mother$
Lord Vishnu said= RAll your wishes shall come true in your neGt birth$ You will have ten prowessive and
popular husbands$ 6ith their helpE you will give birth to 8raCapati whose progeny will populate all the
three worlds$ You will take birth not rom your motherKs body still you will be unmatched in beauty$R
-husE coerced by ,omaE 8rachetas dropped their angry stance and accepted 'arisha as their wie$
<rom the parts o 8rachetasE 'arisha gave birth to Daksha 8raCapati who had emerged rom Brahma
earlier$ <ollowing the dictate o BrahmaE Daksha 8raCapati produced dierent kinds o living beings as
his children$ <irst o allE he created womenolk rom his mind$ &e got ten o those women married to
Dharma$ -hirteen women were married to Kashyap while twenty=seven were married to :handrama$ All
the godsE demonsE 1agasE cowsE birdsE *andharvasE ApsarasE giants etc$ are the progeny o those ity
women$
'aitreya says= R% great sageL . want to hear the tale o origin o the godsE the demons and all other
creatures in detail$R
8arashar says= RDaksha created the sagesE *andharvasE demonsE and serpents rom his mind irst$ But
none o those creatures could continue the progeny$ ,oE with an intention o producing his progeny
through carnal unionE Daksha married AsikniE the daughter o another 8raCapati$ Daksha and Asikni
together produced ive thousand sons$ All o those sons were eager to continue the process o
reproduction when Devarshi 1arad approached them and said= R% childrenL .t appears rom your action
that all o you are eager to begin the process o reproduction right now$ But beore you do anythingE
kindly listen to what . say$ All o you are so ignorant that you do not know anything about the earth$ &ow
then will you carry out the reproductionN LookL You can move anywhere in the universeE so why donKt
you go and see the end o the earthNR -hus motivated by 1aradE all the ive thousand sons o Daksha
dived into the sea and never returned thereater like a river annihilates in the ocean$
Daksha then married Vairuni and produced one thousand sons$ -hey also intended to carry out
reproduction but were misguided by 1arad$ -hey too ollowed the ootsteps o their elder brothers$
Learning about the ate o his sonsE Daksha cursed 1arad$ -hen Daksha and Vairuni gave birth to siGty
daughters$ -en o them were married to DharmaE thirteen to KashyapE twenty=seven to ,omaE our to
Arishtnemi and two to Angira and Krishasva each$ ArundhatiE VasuE YaamiE LambaaE BhaanuE
'arutvatiE ,ankalpaE 'uhurtaE ,aadhya and Vishwa were the wives o Dharma$ Vishwa gave birth to
VishwadevaE ,aadhya to ,aadhyaganaO 'arutvaan was the son o 'arutvati$ Vasu gave birth to eight
Vasus$ Lambaa gave birth to *hoshaE Yaami to 1aagveethi whereas Arundhati gave birth to all other
creatures that dwell on earth$ ,ankalpa produced ,ankalp that is omnipresent resolution$
1ames o the eight Vasus were AapE DhruvE ,omaE DharmaE AnilE AnalE 8ratyush and 8rabhas$
VaitandE ,hramE ,hant and Dhvani were the sons o Aap$ All annihilating Kaal was the son o Dhruv$
Varcha was the son o ,oma$ DravinE &utaE .tyavarE ,hishirE 8ran and Varun were the sons o Dharma$
'anoCav and Avigyaatgati were the sons o Anil$ ,harastambE ,haakhE Vishaakh and 1aigmeya were
the sons o Anal$ 8ratyush had a son Deval$ Vatstree the sister o Brihaspati was the wie o 8rabhas$
-hey had Vishwakarma as their son$ Vishwakarma himsel had our sons= ACaikpadE AhirbudhanyaE
-washtaE and "udra$ -he great penancer Vishwaroop was the son o -wasta$
% great sageL &arE BahuroopE -reyambakE AparaCitE VrishakapiE ,hambhuE KapardiE "aivatE 'rigvyadhE
,harpa and Kapaali are the eleven "udras$ ,age Kashyap had thirteen wives= AditiE DitiE DanuE ArishtaE
,urasaE KhasaaE ,urabhiE VinataE -aamraE KrodhavashaE .raE Kadru and 'uni$ 1ow listen to the
description o their progenies$
During the previous 'anavantarE there were twelve gods named -ushit$ At the end o the 'anavantarE
they met together and said= R% brothersL Let us now enter the womb o Aditi and take birth as the gods
again in Vaivasvat 'anavantar$R -husE VishnuE .ndraE AryamaE DhataaE -washtaE 8ushaaE VivasvaanE
,avitaE 'aitraE VarunE Anshu and BhagaE these twelve sons o Aditi came to be known as Aditya$
-he twenty=seven wives o ,oma gave birth to many talented sons$ 6ives o Arishtnemi gave birth to
siGteen sons$ -hus in all thirty=three gods including eight VasusE eleven "udraE twelve AdityaE 8raCapati
and Vashatkar have been described in the Vedas$ All o them are capable o taking birth at will$ @ust as
the ,un rises and setsE similarly these gods also appear in dierent Yugas$
<rom the part o KashyapE Diti gave birth to two invincible sonsE &iranyakashipu and &iranyaaksh and a
daughter ,inhika who was married to Viprachiti$ &iranyakashipu had our sons= AnuhladE AahladE
,ahlad and 8rahlad$
0$#$## -ale o 8rahlad and 1arasimha .ncarnation
8arashar says= By the boon o BrahmaE &iranyakashipu had acMuired tremendous power and came to
control all the three worlds$ &e had driven the gods out o heaven and used to receive the oblations
oered to ,uryaE VayuE AgniE VarunE :handramaE KuberE YamaraaC etc$ Because o his earE all those
gods roamed on earth$
All the creatures began to worship &iranyakashipu$ Beautiul and amorous elves danced in his palace
while *andharvas accompanied them on instruments$ 8rahlad was the youngest son o
&iranyakashipu$ Like other childrenE he too was sent to *urukula to be educated$ %ne dayE his teachers
took 8rahlad to &iranyakashipu who was engaged in drinking o wine at that moment$ Lovingly he took
his son into his lap and asked= R% sonE tell meE what you have learnt so ar in the auspices o your
teachersNR
8rahlad said= R% atherL . salute to that ,hri &ari who has no beginningE no end and no mid=partE who
doesn?t take birth and who is ree rom growth and decay$R &earing thisE &iranyakashipu looked at the
teachers with bloodshot eyes and shouted at them= R% wretched BrahminsL .n sheer violation o my
ordersE you have taught my son to praise my enemy$R -he teachers tried to eGpress their apology
saying that what 8rahlad was saying was not taught by them$ &iranyakashipu asked then 8rahlad who
had taught him like that$ 8rahlad said= R% atherL Lord Vishnu who resides in the heart o us all is the
supreme creature$ 6ho can teach anybody anything apart rom &imNR &iranyakashipu said= R% oolL
6ho is that Vishnu about whom you are describing beore meE the Lord o entire worldNR 8rahlad
replied= RLord Vishnu is he who is contemplated about by the Yogis$ &e is the originator o the entire
universe$ &is virtues cannot be described in words$ -hat 8armeshwar is Vishnu$R
&iranyakashipu said= R<oolL 6ho can be 8armeshwar other than meN Do you want to die that you are
babbling like thatNR 8rahlad said= R% atherL Your anger is baseless$ Lord Vishnu is the creator o all o
us including you and me$ &e controls our breaths$R
.nuriated &iranyakashipu then ordered the teachers to take 8rahlad away at once and wash his brain
thoroughly$ -he teachers took 8rahlad with them to their *urukula$ 8rahlad began to concentrate in his
studies$ Ater many monthsE &iranyakashipu once again called 8rahlad to his palace and asked about
his learning$ %nce againE 8rahlad began to praise Lord Vishnu$ -his timeE &iranyakashipu ordered his
assassination$ &e began to see his son as a threat to his throne$ By the orders o &iranyakashipuE
many ormidable demons attacked 8rahlad with their weapons but 8rahlad stood unaBed$ &e said= R%
oolsL Lord Vishnu is present in youE in me and even in your weapons$ 'ay your weapons have no
eect on me$R .ndeedE the weapons o the demons could not even touch 8rahlad$ &iranyakashipu said=
R. can still pardon your lie provided that you stop praising my opponent$R 8rahlad said= R% atherL . ear
nothing$ By the *od?s graceE . am ree rom the ear o birth and death$R &iranyakashipu then got
8rahlad thrown amidst venomous snakes$ ButE biting by the snakes had no eect on 8rahlad because
his mind was contemplating in Lord Vishnu$
&iranyakashipu then got 8rahlad trampled by big bull elephants$ But even elephants could not harm
8rahlad$ .nstead their tusks were broken as soon as they touched 8rahlad$ +ven then 8rahlad tried to
paciy his ather that it was Lord?s strength that protected him every time$ 8rahlad?s teachers who were
the sons o ,hukracharya then assured &iranyakashipu that 8rahlad was having a ickle mind because
o his tender age$ -hey also assured the demon king o transorming 8rahlad and took him to their
hermitage once again$
8rahlad?s 8reaching
But in the hermitageE 8rahlad assembled other demon children and said= R <riendsE listen to my
preaching careully and don?t take it or granted because . have no personal interest in it$ +very living
being takes birth and suers a lot while passing his lie through childhoodE youth and old age$ -he end
result o lie is nothing but death$ .t is one?s Karma that accompany him birth ater birth$ But in every
birthE this soul mistakes hungerE thirstE cold or hot or the pleasures$ 'ore o the luGuries one collectsE
more the sorrow increases$ Attachment and passion are the greatest cause o sorrow$ +ven ater
passing a lie that is ull o sorrowE one suers the agony o death and rebirth again$ -his whole cycle
continues again and again$ Lord Vishnu is the ultimate reuge or the soulE which eels drowned in the
ocean o sorrow$R
Don?t be conused with my young age$ . am a boy like you$ But the soul that stays within me is eternal$
-he soul has no distinct stages in lie$ But a human being is inlicted with lot o misconceptions$ .n the
childhoodE he preers to play than contemplating on *od$ .n the youthE lust and carnal pleasures attract
the mind$ ,till a human being doesn?t get serious about his beneit$ &e keeps on postponing his spiritual
matters or his old age$ But in old ageE a human being has no option but to see his trembling ingers
and repent about his past$ -hus a human being spoils his whole lie$ A wise person hence must ignore
the dierent stages o his body?s stay on earth and make eorts or his beneit right in his childhood$
6hat . have told you is unchangeable act$ ,tart reciting Lord Vishnu?s name or my pleasure atleast$
&is remembrance is enough to destroy all the sins$ 'ay your mind always contemplate on &im day and
night$ -hus all your miseries shall come to an end$
0$#$#( Attempts to Kill 8rahlad
6hen the demons saw that their all eorts ailed to aBe 8rahlad and that he was preaching the demon children
they inormed &iranyakashipu about all these happenings$ &iranyakashipu at once called his cook and ordered
him to poison 8rahlad through ood$ But the poisonous ood also could not hurt 8rahlad$ .n actE its poison was
rendered ineective by the recitation o Lord?s name$ -his rightened the cook$ &e inormed &iranyakashipu about
that miraculous event$
&iranyakashipu then ordered the priests who were 8rahlad?s teachers to invoke the ogress Kritya in order to kill
8rahlad$ -he teachers tried to convince 8rahlad beore invoking KrityaR% princeE you are the son o great
&iranyakashipu and have taken birth in Brahma?s lineage$ 6hat have you to do with matters like *od and all thatN
-he whole world is dependent on your ather$ You should also take reuge o your ather and stop praising his
opponent$ <ather is revered and even greater than the teachers$R
8rahlad said=R% ortunate onesL . know the prowess o my ather$ . also do not doubt regarding my ather?s
reverence and greatness$ . will not commit any crime against him but kindly listen to me what . mean by the
endless *od$R
R% teachersL -here are our attainable goals in one?s lie$ You ask me what have . to do with &eE who helps all the
human beings to attain these our goals= DharmaE ArthE Kama and 'oksha$ You are my teachers$ You are ree to
say anything to me$ But within me stays &e who is the creator o allE who is the preserver o all and who is the
destroyer o all o us$ Kindly orgive me i . have committed any thing wrong in your honour$R
-he teachers said=R% oolish boyE we saved you rom imminent death thinking that you are our disciple and that
you will not balderdash in uture$ But still you speak nonsense$ ListenE i you don?t drop your stubbornness we?ll
have to invoke Kritya the ogress in order to get you slain$R
2naBed 8rahlad said that lie and death were immaterial or the soul that protects or destroys itsel through
auspicious and inauspicious deeds$ &ence one should always strive to behave in an auspicious way$ But
8rahlad?s words urther enraged his teachers$ -hey invoked the ogress Kritya to get 8rahlad slain$ Kritya hit
8rahlad?s chest hard with her trident$ But as soon as the trident touched his chest it broke into pieces without
harming 8rahlad$
,eeing her attempt ailedE Kritya killed the teachers and disappeared$ &is teachers? death caused immense pain
or 8rahlad$ 'ourning or their deathE he prayed Lord Vishnu to resurrect them$ &earing his prayersE Lord Vishnu
once again granted lie to his teachers$ -he teachers got up as i rom a deep slumber$ -hey realised their mistake
and blessed 8rahlad and resolved never to have hostility against him$ -hen they went to the palace and inormed
&iranyakashipu about all the happenings$
0$#$#0 Description o Lord?s Virtues by 8rahlad and 8rotection o 8rahlad by ,udarshan
:hakra
&earing the news o Kritya?s ailure to kill 8rahladE killing o teachers and their subseMuent revival as eected by
8rahladE &iranyakashipu called his son and asked i all those miracles were natural or he knew some magical
tricks$ 8rahlad said= R% atherE neither . know any magic nor is the miracle a part o my nature$ All these are
ordinary things or he who has eternal *od in his heart$ 1o one can harm those who never wish ill or the others$
All the living beings are eMual or &im$ .n every creatureE . see the same Lord Vishnu who is present within meO
hence . never try to harm him or her$ . cannot even think o harming anybody$ .t is this eeling that protects me
rom every physicalE mental or divinely discomort$R
But these words ailed to please &iranyakashipu$ &e ordered his men to throw 8rahlad rom a very high ort$ +ven
this attemptE however ailed to cause any harm to 8rahlad or the mother earth took him in her lap tenderly in the
midway$ ,uspecting some illusionary powers helping 8rahladE &iranyakashipu ordered ,hambarasur to kill him
using his illusionary powers$ ,hambarasur created many illusions to kill 8rahlad$ But right then Lord Vishnu sent
&is ,udarshan :hakra to counter those demonic illusions and protect 8rahlad$ ,udarshan :hakra destroyed all
the demonic illusions one by one$ -hen &iranyakashipu ordered Vayu to dry up 8rahlad to death$ 6hen Vayu
entered 8rahlad?s body and began to dry him upE the Lord came to stay in his heart where *od absorbed all the
drying eects o the air thus rendering it weak$
Ater all those attempts ailedE 8rahlad returned to his teachers? hermitage and resumed his education once again$
-he teachers trained him all the relevant subCects$ -hen they once again took 8rahlad to his ather and told him
that now his education was over$ &iranyakashipu asked= R% sonL &ow should one behave with the othersN -ell
me what have learned so ar$ . am eager to know your opinions$R
8rahlad said=R% atherE indeed my teachers have taught me in dierent subCects$ . have too learned them with
heart$ -hey taught me that diplomatic policies should be applied in order to train riendship$ But eGcuse me atherE
. see no riend or no enemyE so in my opinion these policies are totally irrelevant$ -ell me % ather what is the use
o means when there is nobody to be trained$ Lord Vishnu is present everywhere$ .n youE in me and in all other
creatures$ &ence instead o using in sinisterly actionsE one should use his wits or good and beneit o all$R
R% ortunate oneE everybody longs or the throne and a big kingdom$ But only those attain these things who really
deserve and have them in their destiny$ +ven the most inert and imprudent people who are weak and know
nothing about the policies get these things because o destiny$ &ence all those who wish or splendour must strive
to accumulate pious actions$ -hose who long or salvation must strive to acMuire impartial view or all$ ,uch
actions please *od and when &e is pleased all the miseries are attenuated$R
&earing these wordsE &iranyakashipu kicked 8rahlad hard and ordered his demons to tie him in 1aagpaash and
throw into the sea$ -he demons obeyed their master and threw 8rahlad into the sea ater tying him in 1aagpaash$
6ith 8rahlad?s motion great disturbances occurred in the seaE seeing that &iranyakashipu ordered the demons to
cover the sea with huge mountains so that 8rahlad could not get a passage to escape$ 6hen the demons
uprooted huge mountains and put them into the seaE 8rahlad began to pray *od with concentrated mind$
0$#$#4 Appearance o the Lord
As soon as 8rahlad began to pray the LordE his 1aagpaash broke and the mountains that the demons had thrown
into the sea also lightened up causing great relie or 8rahlad$ Lord Vishnu appeared beore him and said= R%
8rahladL . am pleased with your devotion$ You may seek any boon o your wish$R 8rahlad said= R'ay . always
have an unconditional devotion or you$ 'ay your remembrance never be away rom my heart$R
*od said = R Your devotion or me shall always remain the same$ 1owE seek anything you wish$R 8rahlad said= R%
LordL 'y ather has always cultivated hostility or you because o my devotion$ 'ay my ather be ree rom the sin
o his action$R Lord said= R% 8rahladL All your wishes shall come true but still seek any boon o your choice$R
8rahlad said= R% LordL . don?t want anything other than devotion or you$R Lord said =R % 8rahladL You have
nothing in your mind but devotion or meE so with my graceE you will attain supreme abode$R
,aying thisE the Lord disappeared$ .n later courseE ultimately &iranyakashipu decided to kill 8rahlad himsel$ &e
tied 8rahlad to a pillar and shouting abusively or *odE he hit the pillar$ As soon as he hit the pillarE it broke and
Lord appeared rom it in 1arsimha incarnation$ &is appearance was eGtremely ormidable with hal human and
hal lion orm$ Dragging &iranyakashipu to the thresholdE &e killed him with his powerul talons$ Ater the killing o
his atherE 8rahlad took over the throne and ruled his subCects religiously$
0$#$#9 Lineage o Kashyap?s %ther 6ives and %rigin o 'arudgana
Ater the death o &iranyakashipuE 8rahlad continued his lineage$ 8rahlad had a sonE Virochan$ Virochan in his
turn had Bali as his son$ -he prowessive Bali was sent to the nether world by Vaaman incarnation o Lord$ Bali
had one hundred sons among whom Baanasur was the eldest$
Kashyap?s second wie Danu had sons like DwimurdhaE ,hambarE AyomukE ,hankushiraE KapilE ,hankarE
+kchakraE 'ahabaahuE -aarakE 'ahabalE ,warbhanuE VrishparvaE 8ulom and Viprachiti$ ,warbhanu had a
daughter= 8rabha whereas ,armishthaE 2pdanE and &aishira were the daughters o Vrishparva$ Vaishwanar had
two daughters= 8uloma and Kaalka who were married to Kashyap$ <rom the part o KashyapE they gave birth to
siGty thousand giants known as 8aulom and Kaalkeya$
Kashyap?s another wieE -aamra gave birth to siG daughters= ,hukiE ,hyeniE BhaasiE ,ugreeviE ,uchi and
*riddhrika$ ,huki gave birth to the birds like parrotsE owls and crows$ ,hyeni gave birth to sleep while Bhaasi
produced light$ *riddhrika gave birth to vultures whereas ,uchi produced aMuatic birds$ ,ugreevi gave birth to
eMuine animals like horseE camels and asses$
VinataE one o the wives o Kashyap gave birth to *arud and Arun$ *arud became the vehicle o Lord Vishnu
while Arun became the charioteer o the ,un$ ,urasa gave birth to millions o the snakes$ Kadru also had great
snakes like ,heshaE VaasukiE -akshakE ,hankhshwetE 'ahapadmE KambalE AshwatarE .laputraE 1aagE KarkotakE
DhananCay etc$ as her sons$ Krodhavasha gave birth to anger and devils$ ,urabhi gave birth to cows and
bualoes$ .ra gave birth to the treesE creepersE and scores o grasses$ Khaasa gave birth to Yaksha and
monsters$ 'uni produced elves whereas Arishta gave birth to *andharvas$
Ater the annihilation o her sonsE Diti once again pleased Kashyap and sought a son who could destroy even
.ndra$ Kashyap granted her boon but stipulated that she would have such a son only when she observes
complete sanctity during one hundred years o gestation period$ Diti agreed to abide by the stipulation$ -hen they
copulated as a result o which Diti conceived$
6hen .ndra came to know that Diti had conceived a son who would be able to destroy even him he arrived at
Kashyap?s hermitage and began to serve Diti with ull devotion$ &e had in act arrived there to see i by chance
Diti ever violated the stipulation or then he would easily destroy the unborn child without incurring any sin$
,ometime beore the completion o gestation periodE one dayE Diti did violate the stipulation$ ,he orgot to wash
her eet ater attending nature?s call and retired on the bed$ .ndra was waiting or the moment$ &e at once entered
Diti?s womb carrying his mace in hand$ -here he broke the oetus into seven pieces but still the oetus survived
and began to cry loudly$ .ndra then broke each o those seven pieces into seven pieces more and consoled them
not to cry$ -hose orty=nine pieces o Diti?s oetus later on came to be known as 'arudgana the assistants o
.ndra$
0$#$#; -he Description o 2niversal %rder
6hen the great sages crowned 8rithu as the king o the entire earthE Brahma had also divided the kingdoms$
-husE Brahma appointed :handrama as the ruler o all the 1akshatrasE planetsE BrahminsE vegetationE YagyaE
penance etc$ &e also appointed Kuber as the ruler o the kingsE Varun as the ruler o the water bodiesE Vishnu as
the ruler o Adityas and Agni as the ruler o Vasus$ ,imilarlyE Daksha was appointed as the ruler o all the
8raCapatisE .ndra as the ruler o 'arudgana and 8rahlad was appointed as the ruler o the demons$ DharmaraaC
Yama became the ruler o 8itragana and Airavat became the ruler o all the elephants$ *arud came to rule the
birds$ .ndra was appointed as king o the godsE 2chchaisharva as the king o the horsesE Vrishabh as the king o
the cows$ Lion became the king o the beastsE ,heshnaag o the snakesE &imalaya became the king o all the
landmassesE Kapil became the king o the sages and tiger became the king o those animals that have nails and
long teeth$
-hereaterE Brahma appointed Dikpals (guardians o the directions) on all corners o the earth$ -hese Dikpals still
guard the earthE which has seven continents and scores o big and small cities$
All the godsE demonsE human beingsE animalsE birdsE reptilesE in act every living being have originated rom the
parts o omnipotent Lord Vishnu$ &ence nobody but Lord Vishnu has the capacity to oster all the living beings on
earth$ -hat eternal *od creates the world osters it and ultimately destroys it$ -husE the Lord has our parts in the
orm o this entire creation$ %ne o &is parts remains unmaniested as Brahma$ ,econd part appears like
8raCapatis$ -ime is &is third part whereas all the living beings constitute &is ourth part$
,ince the beginningE during the eGistence and till the ultimate annihilation o the universeE the process o creation
continued through BrahmaE 8raCapatis and all other living beings$ .n the beginningE Brahma creates the primitive
living beings$ -hen the process o creation is taken over by 8raCapatis$ 6hen their progenies populate the worldE
the process o creation continues spontaneously$ 6ithout KaalE no one including BrahmaE 8raCapatis and all the
living beings can carry out the process o creation$ ,hri &ari is in the base o every new creation that takes place
through a pre=eGisting creation$ -he supreme abode o Lord Vishnu remains intangible$
,hri &ari bears the intangibleE pure and all pervasive spirit o the universe as Kaustubh 'ani$ &e bears the
intelligence as his mace$ &e bears the two kinds o ego in his conch and ,haarang bow$ -hird kind o ego is
present as the wheel in &is hand$ VayCayanti garland that adorns &is neck represents ive senses and ive
physical elements$ &e bears the sense and motor organs as the arrows and the sword that &e holds is
knowledge$ -husE everything is dependent on ,hri &ari$ &e is &imsel intangible but or the beneit o human
beingE he bears all these things as ornaments$ +ven the counting o time is present in &im$
*od is present in all the seven worlds$ &e is the base o all the knowledgeE our ancestor and the ancestors o our
ancestors$ &e is present in the godsE human beingsE animalsE all the VedasE AyurvedaE 8uraan and other religious
scriptures$ All the visible and invisible things in the world have Lord Vishnu in them$ 1othing is dierent rom &im$
,uch a eeling in the mind keeps all the miseries and physical ailments away$
*&! 0hapter ! (Part !%
-his chapter contains #9 sections$
0$($# Description o 8riyavrat?s Lineage
'aitreya says= R% sageL 1ow . wish to hear the description o the lineage o 8riyavrata who was the
son o ,wayambhu 'anu$R
8arashar says= 8riyavrata was married to the daughter o sage Kardam$ -hey had two daughters and ten sons$
-hree o his sons= 'edhaE Agnibaahu and 8utra knew everything about their previous births$ &enceE they did not
take any interest in royal luGuries$ -he remaining seven sons received the domain o seven parts o the earth rom
their ather 8riyavrata who then had taken to penance at a greatly sacred place named ,haalgraam$
Among the eight VasusE one was &ima$ 'erudevi was his wie$ -hey had a son "ishabh$ "ishabh had
one hundred sons among which Bharat was the eldest$ 6hen he grew oldE "ishabh transerred the
onus o his kingdom on his eldest son Bharat and himsel took to penance in the orest$ ,ince thenE this
landmass that stretches rom the snowy peaks o &imalayas to the splashing .ndian %cean is known as
Bharatvarsha$ Bharat had a religious minded son ,umati$
.ndradyumna was the son o ,umati$ .ndradyumna?s son was 8armeshthi$ Ater himE the lineage o
8riyavrata continued as ollows= 8ratihaar= 8ratiharta= Bhava= 2dgeeth= 8rastav= 8rithu= 1aka= *aya=
1ar= Virat= 'ahavirya= Dheemaan= 'ahaant= 'anasyu= -wasta= ViraC= "aC= ,hataCit$ ,hataCit had one
hundred sons whose descendants populated the earth$ -hey divided Bharatvarsha into nine parts$
0$($( *eographical Description
-he earth has seven great islands= @ambuE 8lakshaE ,haalmaliE KushaE KronchE ,haakh and 8ushkar$
-hese are surrounded by oceans having saline waterE sugarcane CuiceE wineE gheeE curdE milk and
sweet water respectively$ @ambudweep is situated at the centre$ ,ituated at the centre o @ambudweep
is golden ,umeru 'ountain (&imalayas)E which is eighty=our thousand YoCans high$ -owards the south
o ,umeru are &imavaanE &emkut and 1ishad 'ountains$ -owards its north are 1eel and ,hringi
'ountains$ All these mountains are two thousand YoCans high with similar eGpansion$
-owards the south o ,umeru 'ountainE Bharatvarsha is the irst landmass ollowed by Kimpurushvarsha and
&arivarsha$ .n the north o ,umeru 'ountainE "amyak is the irst landmass ollowed by &iranyamay and
2ttarkuruvarsha$ All these landmasses have eGpansion o nine thousand YoCans$ At the centre o these
landmasses is .laavritvarsha that bears ,umeru 'ountain$ %n the our sides o ,umeru 'ountain are our smaller
mountains that seem to support the massive ,umeru$ Among these our mountainsE 'andrachal 'ountain is in
the east and in the south is *andhmaadan$ Vipul is in the west and ,upaarsh is in the north$ All these our
mountains are ten thousand YoCans high and have loty trees o :adambaE @ambuE 8ipal and Banyan$ Because o
abundance o @ambu treesE this island came to be known as @ambudweep$ .t bears big ruitsE which scatter all
around upon alling on the earth$ -heir Cuice gives rise to the river @ambu$ .t is said that its water is capable o
keeping demerits like sweatE oul smellE old age and loss o senses away rom the drinker$ 6hen the Cuice o this
ruit driesE it leaves the soil golden in colour$
-owards the east o ,umeru 'ountain is Bhadrashvavarsha and towards the west is Ketumaalvarsha$
'idway between the two is .laavritvarsha$ %n the eastern side o 'eru 'ountain is the orest o
:haitrarath$ .n the south is *andhmaadan and in the west is VaibhraaC and towards the north is the
orest named 1andan$ 'ount ,umeru also holds our holy lakes named ArunodayaE 'ahabhadraE
Asitoda and 'aanas$
,hitambhE KumundE KukriE 'aalyavaanE Vaikank are some o the peaks situated towards the eastern
side o ,umeru$ -owards the southern side are the peaks o -rikutE ,hishirE 8atangE "uchak and
1ishaad$ .n the west are situated peaks o ,hikhivaasaE VaiduryaE KapilE *andhmaadan and @aarudhi
and in the north are situated the peaks o ,hankhkootE "ishabhE &ansE 1aag and KaalanC$
Above the mount 'eru is situated Brahmapuri o Brahma which has an eGpansion o #4E333 YoCans$
-he *anges that rises rom the eet o Lord Vishnu circles the lunar sphere beore alling in
Brahmapuri$ -hence it divides into our rivers= ,itaE :hakshuE Alaknanda and Bhadra that low into our
directions$
-he landmasses o BharatE KetumaalE Bhadraashva and Kuru appear like lotus lea in shape$ Among all
the peaks that surround 'ount 'eru are present beautiul caves$ -here also eGist beautiul towns and
gardens$ .n these towns are situated beautiul temples o LakshmiE VishnuE Agni and ,urya$ "avines o
these mountains are populated by *andharvasE "akshasaE Yaksha and Daanavas$ Besides themE
scores o religious people also live there$
Lord Vishnu stays as &ayagreev (human igure with horse head) orm in Bhadrashvavarsha$ .n
KetumaalvarshaE &e is in boar orm and in BharatvarshaO &e stays in turtle orm$ .n KuruvarshaE Lord
Vishnu stays as ish$ -hus Lord Vishnu is present everywhere$ 8eople o these eight landmasses are
ree rom all kinds o sorrowE painE emotionsE hunger etc$ and lead a healthy and rich lie that eGtends
up to ten or twelve thousand years$ All these landmasses have seven indigenous mountains each rom
which hundreds o rivers rise$
0$($0 Division o Bharat and %ther Landmasses
-he landmass that is present between &imalayas and the ocean is known as Bharat$ .t has an
eGpansion o /E333 YoCans$ .t is populated by the descendants o Bharat$ .t has seven native
mountains= 'ahendraE 'alayE ,ahayaE ,huktimaanE "ikshaE Vindhya and 8aariyaatra$
Bharatvarsha has nine divisions named .ndradweepE KaseruE -aamraparnE *amastimaanE 1aagdweepE ,oumyaE
*andharvaE Vaarun and Yahadweep which is surrounded by the sea and has an eGpansion o #333 YoCans$ .n the
eastern part o BharatE live Kiraat whereas in the western part live Yavans$ .n the mid part o BharatE live
population o BrahminsE KshatriyasE Vaishyas and ,hudras who pass their lives engage in works ascribed to their
respective class$
"ivers in .ndia= <rom the &imalayas rise ,hatudri (,utleC) and :handrabhaaga rivers$ <rom 8aariyaatra
'ountain rise Veda and ,mriti rivers$ 1armada and ,urasa rivers rise rom Vindyachal$ -aapiE
8ayoshani and 1irvindhya rivers rise rom "iksha 'ountain$ *odavariE Bheemrati and Krishnaveli rivers
rise rom ,ahaya 'ountains$ Kritmaala and -amraparni rivers rise rom 'alayaachal$ -risaama and
Aryakulyaa rivers rise rom 'ahendragiri$ "ishikulya and Kumaari rivers rise rom ,huktimaan
'ountain$ All these rivers have scores o other branches and tributaries$
<our Yugas namely ,atayugE -retayugE Dwaparyug and Kaliyug descend on Bharatvarsha$ .n
BharatvarshaE sages observe penance to attain better lie in another worldE people organise Yagyas
and oer donations to the Brahmins respectully$ .n @ambudweepE Lord Vishnu is worshipped in
Yagyas$ Bharatvarsha is the land par eGcellence in @ambudweep or it is a land o action$ ,oul passes
through millions o birthsE only then it inds a chance to take birth in Bharatvarsha when its pious deeds
accumulate to a certain eGtent$ +ven the gods envy those people who take birth in Bharatvarsha$
8eople in Bharatvarsha act without a desire to get ruits rom their action$ -hey dedicate their whole
action to Lord Vishnu and ultimately mingle with &im$
0$($4 Description o %ther Dvipas
8lakshdweep= 8lakshdweep has an eGpansion o (E33E333 YoCans$ .ts ruler 'eghatithi had seven sons=
,haanthayaE ,hishirE ,ukhodayaE AnandE ,hivaE Kshemak and Dhruv$ -hose seven princes later on
came to rule 8lakshdweep$ &enceE 8lakshdweep had seven divisions named ater these seven princes$
,even mountains mark the boundaries o 8lakshdweep$ -hese are *omedE :handraE 1aaradE
DundubhiE ,obhakE ,umana and VaibhraaC$ 8eople o 8lakshdweep live long and pleasant lie$ ,even
rivers namely AnutaptaE ,hikhiE VipaashaE -ridivaE AklamaaE Amrita and ,ukrita low in 8lakshdweep$ .n
all the islands rom 8lakshdweep to ,haakhdweepE only -retayug stays$ 8laksh tree (8aakad) abound
in 8lakshdweep$ Lord Vishnu is worshipped there as ,oma$
,haalmaldweep= Vayushmaan was the ruler o ,haalmaldweep$ &e too had seven sons= ,hwetE &aritE @ibhootE
"ohitE VaidyutE 'aanas and ,uprabh$ &ence ,haalmaldweep was also divided into seven divisions named ater
these princes$ A sea o sugarcane Cuice surrounds this island$ ,haalmaldweep has seven mountains which are
the source o all the gemstones$ ,even rivers low in ,haalmaldweep$ -hese rivers contain innumerable kinds o
medicinal herbs$ Lord Vishnu is worshipped there in Vayu orm$ Because o the abundance o ,emul (silk cotton)
treesE this island came to be known as ,haalmaldweep$ A sea o wine surrounds this island$
Kushdweep= -he ruler o KushdweepE @yotishmaan had seven sons$ -heir names were VenumaanE
VairathE LambanE *hritiE 8rabhakar and Kapil$ -he divisions o this island were named ater them$ -his
island too has seven mountains and seven rivers$
Lord Vishnu is worshipped here in @anardan orm$ Because o abundance o Kusha grassE this island is
known as Kushdweep$ A sea o ghee surrounds this island$
Kraunchdweep= -he ruler o KraunchdweepE Dyutimaan had seven sons named KushalE 'andakE
2shnaE 8eevarE AndhkaarakE 'uni and Dudhumbi$ &ence the seven divisions o this island were named
ater these princes$ -his island too has seven mountains and seven main rivers with hundreds o small
rivers and tributaries$ Lord Vishnu is worshipped here in "udra orm through Yagyas$ A sea o whey
surrounds this island$
,haakhdweep= -he ruler o ,haakhdweep BhavyaE also had seven sons named @aladE KumarE
,ukumarE 'arichakE KutumodE 'audaaki and 'ahadrum$ &ence the seven divisions o this island were
named ater these princesO this island too has seven mountains and seven holy rivers$ Lord Vishnu is
worshipped here in ,urya orm$ Because o an abundance o ,haakh treesE this island got its name$ A
sea o milk surrounds this island$
8ushkardweep= -his is the largest among all the seven islands$ .ts ruler ,avan had two sons= 'ahavir
and Dhaataki$ &enceE this island has two divisions= 'ahavirkhand and Dhaatakikhand$ A huge
mountain named 'aansotra is situated at the centre o this great island$ Brahma stays on a huge
Banyan tree in this island$ A sea o sweet water surrounds this island$
0$($9 Description o the 1ether 6orlds
+arth?s total height is 73E333 YoCans$ .n her depthE are situated seven nether worlds with a depth o
#3E333 YoCans each respectively$ 1ames o these seven nether worlds are AtalE VitalE 1italE
*amastimaanE 'ahaatalE ,utal and 8aatal$ -hese nether worlds have beautiul palacesE and have
lands which are whiteE blackE red and yellow in colour with gravelE rocky and golden soil$ ,cores o
races including DaanavE DaityaE Yaksha and 1aagas live there$
%nce upon a timeE 1aarad visited these nether worlds$ 6hen he returned to heavenE he told the people there that
the nether world was more beautiul than heaven$ &e told them that ornaments o the 1aagas contained precious
gemstones and the womenolk o Daitya and Daanavas were an attraction even or the gods$ -he sun was
illuminating in the nether worlds but not scorching$ ,imilarlyE the 'oon only shone there but did not cause bitter
cold$
Beneath the nether worlds is situated an idolised orm o Lord Vishnu$ .t is known as ,hesh$ +ven the
demons and giants cannot describe &is virtues$ &e has thousands o hoods each carrying a bright
gemstone that illuminates the aBimuths$ .n &is presenceE the demons lose their strength$ &is eyes are
red and &e wears an earringE crownE garland and blue length o cloth$ Bearing the low o *angesE &e
stays like the Kailash 'ountain$ At the end o the KalpE poison emanates rom &is thousands o hoods
and destroys all the three worlds taking the orm o "udra named ,ankarshan$ 1obody can ind the
ends o &is virtuesO hence &e is known as Anant$
0$($; Description o &ells
Beneath the earth and water are situated the hells into whichE the sinners are thrown$ "auravE ,ukarE
"odhaE -aalE VishsanE 'ahaCwaalE -aptakumbhE LavanE VilohitE "udhirambhE VaitarniE KrimishE
KrimibhoCanE AsipatravanE KrishnaE LalabhakshaE DaarunE 8uyuvahE 8aapE VahniCwaalE AdhahshiraE
,andanshE KaalsutraE -amasE AavichiE ,wabhoCanE Apratishthit and Aprachi are the main hells$ -hese
are all under the domain o YamaraaC$
-hose who give alse witness are thrown into "aurav hell$ -hose who kill unborn babies and cows or destroy the
villages all into "odha hell$ -hose who drink wineE kill Brahmin or steal gold all into ,ukar hell$ -hose who kill
Kshatriya or Vaishya all into -aal hell$ -hose who copulate with teacher?s wie or their own sister all in
-aptakumbh hell$ -hose who sell women and horses all in -aptloha hell$ -hose who copulate with their daughter
or daughter=in=law all into 'ahaCwaal hell$ -hose who criticise the teachers and the Vedas or sell Vedas all into
Lavan hell$ -hose who violate social norms all in Vilohit hell and those who envy the godsE the Brahmins and their
parents all in Krimibhaksha hell$
-hose who dine irst even beore the parentsE the gods and the guests all into Lalabhaksha hell$ -hose
who manuacture arrows all in Vedhak hell$ -hose who manuacture swords all in Vishsan hell$
BackbitersE killers o riends and sellers o wine all in "udhiraandh hell$ Destroyers o Yagya and
villages all in Vaitarni hell$
-husE the sinners have to suer scores o tortures in these and many other hells$ -hese sinners ater
passing their lives in the hell take birth as wormsE aMuatic animals and birdsE terrestrial animalsE human
beingsE religious people etc$ %nly those sinners who do not eGpiate or their sins all into the hell$ %ur
sages have made provisions o eGpiation or those sinners who eel guilty in their conscience ater
committing their sins$ "emembrance o Lord?s name is in itsel the greatest eGpiation$ "emembrance o
Lord?s name anytime in lie destroys all the previous sins instantaneously$ &ence recitation o
Vasudeva?s name is sure way o attaining salvation$ -hus those who recite and remember Lord
Vishnu?s name never all in any hell because their sins have been destroyed$ Anything where one eels
pleasant is heaven and opposite o it is hell$
0$($7 Description o :elestial 6orlds
'aitreya says= R% BrahminL Kindly narrate now about the celestial worlds and the position o stars and planets
there$R
8arashar says= At a height o #E33E333 YoCans above the earth is the sphere o the ,un$ #E33E333 YoCans above it
is the sphere o the 'oon and #E33E333 YoCans above it is the sphere o the stars$
At a height o (E33E333 YoCans aboveE the sphere o stars is Buddh ('ercury) and (E33E333 YoCans above it is
,hukra (Venus)$ Above Venus are 'angal ('ars)E Brihaspati (@upiter)E and ,hani (,aturn) at respective heights o
(E33E333 YoCans each$ #E33E333 YoCans above the ,aturn is ,aptarishi and #E33E333 YoCans above it is the sphere
o Dhruv$ .t appears as the centre o a bright ring$
%ne crore YoCans above Dhruv is 'aharloka where sages like Bhrigu etc$ live$ -wo crore YoCans above
'aharloka is @analoka where Brahma?s sons ,anakaadi Kumars live$ At a height o )E33E33E333 YoCans above
@analoka is -apaloka live deities named VairaaC who are never consigned to lames$ -welve crore YoCans above
-apaloka is ,atyaloka which is also known as Brahmaloka$ %nly immortal beings live there$
0$($) %rder o the ,unE the ,tars and other :onstellations
-he ,un travels speedily across the sky like an arrow$ &e determines the night and the day$ 6ith the
rising and setting o the ,unE one can have knowledge o the directions$ ,un lights up all the places in
the entire world eGcept Brahmaloka$ ,un?s rays that reach Brahmaloka return back rendered ineective
by the radiance o Brahma$ ,ince 'ount ,umeru is situated at the north o all the islands and VarshE
hence towards the northern side o itE one part o land eGperiences the day while another part
eGperiences the night all the time$ -he radiant ,un setting merges with ire$ &enceE ire also has the
power o illuminating and warming its environment$
At the beginning o 2ttaraayan (northward motion o the ,un)E the ,un enters the Bodiac o :apricorn$
-ravelling through AMuarius and 8iscesE it reaches the eMuator which is at the centre o the earth$
-hereater the nights begin to decrease in comparison o the days$ -hen travelling through AriesE
-aurus and *eminiE the ,un enters :ancer to begin its southward Courney$
-he period o time between the day and night is dusk twilight$ At that timeE ormidable demons try to swallow the
,un$ -hus they have ierce battle with the ,un$ -he recitation o hymns by learned Brahmins during dusk twilight
helps the ,un regain his lost radiance$ 6ith his brilliance then the demons are destroyed$ -hus the ,un is a
perect orm o Lord Vishnu$ .t shines with its inner radiance$ %mkar is a symbolisation o the ,un$ .t is also
mandatory or the Brahmins to perorm evening worship$ -hose who do not worship in the evening hurt the ,un$
-owards the north o ,aptarishi constellationE where polestar is situatedE there is an abode o Lord
Vishnu$ %nly those sages can reach there who are ree rom aults and whose sins and pious deeds
have been attenuated$ ,upremely brilliant Dhruv stays in the abode o Vishnu$ +very other thing is
dependent upon Dhruv$ All the 1akshatras also depend on Dhruv$ %n 1akshatras depend the clouds
and on the clouds depends the rain and on the rains depend the nourishment o entire world$ -husE all
the other things come to depend upon Dhruv$
-he sacred *anges which is the destroyer o every sin also rises rom the abode o Lord Vishnu$ Dhruv
bears the *anges on his head$ <lowing through the sphere o the 'oonE the *anges alls on 'ount
'eru and lows in every direction to sanctiy the entire world$ Bathing in the water o the *anges
destroys all the sins$ %ering o oblations in the waters o *anges satiates dead ancestors or one
hundred years$
,tarryE chameleon=like appearance o Lord Vishnu can be seen in the night sky$ A polestar is present in
its tail$ All the other starsE the ,unE the 'oon and other planets are present on dierent parts o this
chameleon and go round the polestar$ 2ttanpaad?s son Dhruv had pleased this chameleon=like
appearance o Lord Vishnu with his penance and sought a iGed position in &is tail$ +ven the ,un is
dependent on Dhruv$
-he ,un keeps on evaporating the water or eight months in a year$ -his evaporated water then rains
or our months and nourishes the soil and produces dierent kinds o cereals or the nourishment o
the entire world$ -he water that is evaporated by the ,un also nourishes the 'oon$ But the 'oon itsel
does not consume that water$ .nstead it gives that water to the clouds$ During winter seasonE this water
released by the 'oon alls on earth as snow and dew$
-he ,un draws water rom Akashganga (the 'ilky 6ay) also and causes it to rain on earth at once$
-hat water is so sacred that mere touch o it destroys all the sins$ -he rains that all during 1akshatras
like KritikaO "ohiniE Addra etc$ come rom the water o Akashganga$
0$($/ -welve 1ames o the ,un
.n the month o :haitraE the ,un rides his chariot as Dhaata$ During that periodE el KratusthalaE sage 8ulastyaE
1aag VaasukiE Yaksha "athmirithE demon &eti and the *andharva -umbaru are also present on the chariot as his
assistants$
.n the month o VaishaakhE the ,un rides his chariot as Aryamaa with sage 8ulahE Yaksha "athauCaE el
8unCasthalaE demon 8rahetiE snake Kachchhveer and *andharva 1aarad as his assistants$
.n the month o @yeshthaE the ,un is known as 'itra with sage AtriE snake -akshakE demon 8aurusheyaE el
'enakaE *andharva &aha and Yaksha "athswan as his assistants$
.n the month o AshaadE the ,un rides his chariot as Varun with sage VashishtaE snake 1aagE el ,ahaCanyaE
*andharva &uhuE demon "atha and Yaksha "athachitra as his assistants$
.n the month o ,hraavanE the ,un is known as .ndra with *andharva VishwabasuE Yaksha ,trotE snake +laputraE
sage AngiraE el 8rabhalocha and the demon ,arpi as his assistants$
.n the month o BhaadrapadE the ,un is known as Vivasvaan$ 6ith *andharva 2grasenaE sage BhriguE YakshaE
AapuranE el AnubhlochaE snake ,hankhpaal and the demon Vyaghra as his assistants$
.n the month o AshwinE the ,un is known as 8usha with *andharva VasuruchiE demon VaatE sage *autamE
snake DhananCayE Yaksha ,ushen and the el *hritaachi as his assistants$ .n the month o KartikE the ,un is
known as 8arCanya and is assisted by the *andharva VishwabasuE sage BharadwaCE snake AiravatE el
VishwashreeE Yaksha ,enCit and the demon Aap$
.n the month o 'aargsheershE the ,un is known as Ansh and is assisted by sage KashyapE Yaksha -arkshyaE
snake 'ahapadmaE el 2rvashiE *andharva :hitrasen and the demon Vidyut$ .n the month o 8aushE the ,un is
known as Bhaga and is assisted by sage KratuE *andharva 2rnaayuE demon ,urCaE snake KarkotakE Yaksha
Arishtnemi and el 8urvachitti$ .n the month o 'aaghE the ,un is known as -wasta with sage @amadagniE snake
:ambalE el -ilottamaE demon BrahmopetE Yaksha "itaaCit and *andharva Dhritarashtra$
.n the month o 8hagunE the ,un is known as Vishnu and is assisted by snake AshwatarE el "ambhaE *andharva
,uryavachaE Yaksha ,hataCitE sage Vishwamitra and the demon Yagyopet$ -hus having some parts o Lord
Vishnu?s radianceE these seven ganas stay in the sphere o the ,un or one month alternatively$ -hey are also the
cause o seasons like summerE winter and rain$
0$($#3 Description o ,urya ,hakti and Vaishnava ,hakti
'aitreya says= RLordE i only the seven *anas are entrusted with the Cob o causing cold and summerE
drought and rainE what is the purpose then o the ,un?s eGistenceN R
8arashar says= .t is true that ,urya is one o the seven *anas$ Yet being the chie among themE it has
special signiicance$ %mnipotent para=power o Lord Vishnu is nothing but the three Vedas$ -hese
together stay within the ,un and provide it with energy necessary to sustain the world$ -heir presence
within the ,un remains constant irrespective o the ,un?s changing names every month$ .n the morningE
"igveda prays the ,un with its ,hrutis$ .n the noontimeE YaCurveda prays the ,un whereas in the
eveningE ,hrutis o ,amaveda pray the ,un$ -husE Lord Vishnu always energises the ,un$
BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh are also present in trinity orm$ -heir trinity too represents the three Vedas$ At the
beginning o creationE Brahma was in the orm o "igveda$ During the sustenance o the universeE Lord Vishnu
stays in YaCurveda orm whereas at the end o the creation when 8ralay occursE "udra takes ,amaveda orm$
&ence the recitation o ,amaveda is considered inauspicious$ +nergies o the trinity stays within the ,un in
synergetic orm$ &ence the ,un glows brilliantly and destroys the darkness$
Lord VishnuE who represents energy o this trinityE never rises nor sets$ &is Vaishnavi ,hakti never
parts with the ,un?s chariot and stays there irrespective o the changing names o the ,un with months$
-husE the ,unE which causes the ormation o day and night always satiates 8itraganaE Devgana and
human beings$ %ne o the ,un?s rays named ,ushumna nourishes the 'oon during its brighter phase$
-hen during the darker phaseE the gods drink the phases o the 'oonE which are in actE ambrosia
accumulated during the brighter phase$ 6hen two days are let or the completion o darker phaseE
8itragana drink the remaining two phases o the 'oon$ -husE the ,un satiates the gods and the
deceased ancestors$
-he water that the ,un draws rom earth is returned to the earth in the orm o rains$ -his rainall
produces cerealsE which nourish the entire population on earth$
0$($## Description o the 1ine 8lanets
-he 'oon rides a chariot with three wheels$ -his chariot is hauled by ten horses$ During its entire
CourneyE the 'oon passes through all the twenty=seven 1akshatras$ -hese horses haul the 'oon?s
chariot or a complete Kalpa$ 6ith his raysE the ,un nourishes the 'oonE which loses its strength
because o drinking o its ambrosia by the gods$
6hen the gods brought even the last drop o nectar rom the 'oonE it enters the ,un?s sphere$ -hat day is known
as Amavasya (moonless night)$ -hat dayE the 'oon irst enters the water then the oliage o the treesE creepers
etc$ and ultimately enters the ,un?s sphere$ -hat is whyE anybody who cuts trees or even plucks a lea commits
crime eMual to killing o Brahmin$ %n the day o AmavasyaE 8itragana drink the nectar rom the 'oon and eel
sated$ -husE 'oon sates the gods during the brighter phase and the 8itragana during darker phase$ -he 'oon
also showers its nectar on the treesE creepers and other vegetation$ .t also causes eGhilaration or the human
beingsE animalsE birds and creatures like insects etc$
Buddha ('ercury) is the son o the 'oon$ &is chariot is made o ire and air and is hauled by eight
horses o deep yellow colour$ -he chariot o ,hukra (Venus) is also very splendid and is adorned by
beautiul lags$ 'angal ('ars) rides a golden chariotE which is born rom the ire$ &is chariot is hauled
by eight red horses$ Brihaspati rides a golden chariot hauled by eight yellow horses$ ,hani (,aturn) is
amous or slow motion$ &e rides a chariot which was born rom the sky$ -he colour o his chariot?s
horses is also very peculiar$ "ahu?s chariot is brown in colour and is hauled by eight black horses$
Ketu?s chariot is also drawn by eight horsesE which are red in colour$
:hariots o all the nine planets are tied to Dhruv$ -husE all o them traverse the same path again and
again year ater year$ ,ighting o ,hishumaar chakra (constellation path) in the night destroys all the
sins that a human being commits during the daytime$
6ater is a tangible orm o Lord Vishnu$ +ven the earth was born out o water$ ,tarsE all the three
worldsE orestsE vegetationE mountainsE directionsE riversE sea and entire nature is the orm o Lord
Vishnu$ -his vivid nature thus shows omnipresence character o Lord Vishnu$
0$($#( Lie ,ketch o Bharat
'aitreya says= RLordL 1ow . wish to hear various tales rom the lie o King Bharat$ &e was born in a
pious land and always contemplated on *od$ +ven then why he ailed to attain salvationN 6hat did he
do in his neGt birth as a BrahminNR
8arashar says= King Bharat always contemplated on *od$ &e stayed at ,haalgraam or a long time$
-here he used to recite the names o *od and collect various materials or &is worship$ %ther than thatE
he did not do anything$ %ne day while he was taking bath in the riverE a doe arrived at the opposite
bank$ ,he was in the inal stage o pregnancy$ 6hile she was drinking waterE a lion roared somewhere
in the orest behind her$ -hat roar rightened the doe so much that she Cumped across the river to save
her lie$ +Gertion o Cumping resulted in premature littering o her awnE which ell in the river$ %n the
other handE the doe also could not bear the pain and died$
King Bharat rescued the Cust born awn and brought it to his hermitage$ ,ince then he began to oster the awn
with love and care$ 6ith timeE Bharat?s attachment grew or the awn and whenever it went out o sightE he would
eel perpleGed$ ,oon King Bharat deserted everything or the love o the awn$ &e even let his routine worship
and meditation or it would be hard to concentrate whenever the awn was near and at times when the awn was
out o sightE it worried Bharat and hence he could not concentrate$
But the awn could not give up its natural instincts$ 6hen it grew upE one dayE it happened to sight a
herd o deer and mingled with it to ind a mate o its own choice and since that dayE it never returned to
the hermitage$ ,eparation rom the deer proved atal or the King Bharat$ 6hile dying his mind was ully
concentrating on the thoughts o the deer which he had ostered with love and care$ Because o itE
Bharat took his neGt birth as a deer$ But still he remembered his past lie$ ,o he deserted his herd and
ound a place in ,haalgraam where he passed his time eating dry grass and oliage$
.n his neGt birthE Bharat was born in a cultured Brahmin amily$ .n this birth alsoE he remembered his
past lives$ ,ince birthE Bharat knew all the rituals and scriptures and saw his soul in a transcendental
way$ &enceE even ater his thread ceremonyE he did not take up his education$ +ven the teachers ailed
to incite his interest in education$ Bharat roamed here and thereE clad in rags and was hence insulted
by ellow Brahmins and village olk$
-hus Bharat remained indierent to the others? treatment and sustained himsel on whatever little he
got to eat$ Ater the demise o his atherE his brothers made him work hard in the ields but gave little to
eat$ Because o his inertnessE he was known as @adabharat$
%ne nightE when @adabharat was guarding his ieldsE the king?s commander=in=chieE VrishatraaC caught
him and took him away$ -he king wanted to sacriice him beore goddess 'ahakali$ But seeing the
supreme Yogi being brought as a votive animalE goddess 'ahakali eGpressed her wrath by decapitating
the king and drank his blood$
.n another incident later onE the king o ,auveer was travelling in a palanMuin to visit sage Kapil or
religious preaching$ .ncidentallyE one man ell short to carry his palanMuinE so the other carriers saw and
caught @adabharat to orcibly engage him in the work o carrying the palanMuin$ 6hile walkingE
@adabharat was taking care not to put his eet on any creature$ ,o he was moving very slowly whereas
other carriers were walking briskly$ As a result o itE the palanMuin was moving Cerkily causing irritation
to the king$ -he king enMuired the carriers about the reasons o that Cerky motion$ -he carriers inormed
him that it was because o the new recruit who is moving very slowly$ -he king shouted at @adabharat=
RYou appear to be Muite burly$ Don?t you have enough strengthN Does a little work tire youNR
@adabharat said= R% kingL 1either . am burly nor carrying your palanMuin$ . am neither tired nor there is
any need or me to labour$R -he king said= RApparently you are burly and my palanMuin is also resting
on your shoulder$ :arrying a load always tires anybody$ &ow are you dierent then rom the othersNR
@adabharat said= R% kingL <irst o allE tell meE what do you see directlyN Your saying that . am carrying
your palanMuin is also meaningless$ 1ow listen to what . say$ Both my eet are resting on the earth$ %n
the eet are thighsE and on the thighs is bellyE on the belly are chestE shoulders and arms$ Your
palanMuin is resting on the shoulders$ 6hat load am . carrying thenN You are in the palanMuin and . am
on the earth are meaningless words$ All the creaturesE you and me are all carried by the ive basic
elements$ +ven our virtues are controlled by our action$ %nly action is born out o ignorance$ -he soul
is pureE non=degradableE calmE intangible and beyond all nature$ -his same soul pervades all the
creatures$ .t neither grows nor decays$ 6hy did you say then that . am burlyN . this palanMuin that is
resting on my shoulders=chest=belly=thighs and eetE could be a burden or meE it could also be a burden
or you$ Like thisE all the living beings are carrying not only this palanMuin but all the mountainsE treesE
houses and even the earth$R
,aying thisE @adabharat became silentE still carrying the palanMuin$ -he king at once got down rom the
palanMuin and ell at @adabharat?s eet and said= R% BrahminL Leave this palanMuin and tell me why
have you taken this guise$ 6ho are youN 6hat is the reason o your coming hereN . am eager to know
about you$R
@adabharat said= R. cannot tell what . am and or the reason why . came hereE . can say only that
coming and going are all done so that one can eGperience their result$ -he soul takes an incarnation
only to eGperience the Coy and sorrow as per its deeds$ 6hy are you then enMuiring speciically about
the reason or my coming hereNR
-he king said= R-he soul transmigrates rom one body to another only because o its action$ . want to
hear rom you preaching regarding Fwho am . cannot be told?$ % BrahminL -he soul that is eternal and
eGperiences the results o its action is .$ -his mark o ego is not a cause o demerit in the soul$R
@adabharat said= RYou are right that words do not cause any demerit in the soul$ But the ego eGpressed
in the orm o words is the reason or demerit in soul$ 6hen the same and single soul stays in
everybodyE possessive words are then meaningless$ You are the king$ -his is the palanMuin$ -hey are
the carriers and those are the subCects$ % kingL 1one o these words has any meaning$ -his palanMuin
is made o the wood received rom some tree$ ,o tell me what it should be called as= a palanMuin or
wood$ 1obody says that the king is sitting on a tree$ .t is because o speciic construction that a heap o
wood has assumed the shape o a palanMuin$ <or the purpose o actionE the same soul is identiied
physically as a manE a womanE a cowE a goatE a horseE an elephantE a bird or a tree$ But in actE the soul
is none o them$
-hings like wealthE kingE kingdomE king?s army and all other things that you possess are not act$ -hey
are imaginations$ <or the subCectsE you are king$ <or the sonE you are ather$ <or the wieE you are
husbandE and the ather o her children$ % kingL -ell meE what should . address you asN Are you
dierent rom any o these nounsN &enceE always be careul while considering who am .N % kingL -he
soul is so arranged in dierent roles that it is very diicult to tell speciically its real identity$R
0$($#0 @adabharat 8reaches the King
-he king said=R% Brahmin$ . was going to see sage Kapil and have the preaching regarding eGcellent
human virtues$ But nowE hearing your wordsE . eel that . need not go any urther$ You are an ocean o
knowledge$ Kindly preach me about human virtues$R
@adabharat said= R% kingL <or those who worship the Lord with a desire to receive wealth and kingdomE these
things are a supreme goal$ <or those who want to attain heavenE action in the orm o orming Yagya is the goal$
But the supreme virtue is to act in a selless way without having a desire or results$ A Yogi must contemplate on
that transcendental soul because it is the only means to merge with that supreme soul$R
. the wealth is the goal while it is spent in religious activities$ . the son is the goalE the ather too might
have been a goal or someone$ -husE there is no supreme goal because everything eGists or a time
then ceases to eGist$ &ence the assumption o any physical thing as a supreme goal is meaningless$
And consideration o soul separate rom supreme soul is also utile$
-he soul is oneE all pervasiveE impartialE pureE intangible and transcendental$ .t is ree rom the cycles o
birth and death$ .t can neither be created nor be destroyed$ .t is supremely omniscient$ .ts maniestation
in dierent lie orms is temporary and identiication o soul with living beings is baseless$ ,oul which is
present in scores o living beings is basically single and same$ %nce one comes to know thisE he
doesn?t remain in darkness$ Veil o ignorance then parts with him$
0$($#4 -ale o "ibhu and 1idaagh
&earing @adabharat?s wordsE the king ell in deep thoughts$ @adabharat then narrated the tale o "ibhu and
1idaagh$ %nce upon a timeE in the beautiul town o Veernagar at the bank o the river DevikaE there lived
1idaaghE the son o 8ulastya$ &e was a disciple o "ibhuE the son o Brahma$ %nceE ater a gap o one thousand
yearsE "ibhu decided to see his disciple 1idaagh$ ,o he arrived at Veernagar$ 1idaagh welcomed and treated
him warmly$ .n the night ater dinnerE they both sat together and 1idaagh asked him i he relished the ood$
"ibhu said= R% BrahminL %nly those who eel hungry are sated$ . have never eGperienced hunger or thirst$ &ow
then can . tell you about my satisactionN &unger and thirst are the virtues o the physical body$ &ealth and
satisaction are the states o mind$ % BrahminL Ask this Muestion only to those who have these virtuesE not me$
+ven the Mualities o ood like deliciousness and insipidness are meaningless because a delicious edible item
loses its taste ater sometime and causes irritation instead o satisaction$ &ence you should strive to develop a
sense o impartiality towards delicious and insipid ood items$ Also sense o impartiality is essential to attain
salvation$R
0$($#9 "ibhu 8reaches 1idaagh
%ne thousand years ater this incidentE "ibhu once again decided to see his disciple 1idaagh$ ,o he
once again arrived in Veernagar$ At that timeE king o that town was leading a procession o his army$
,o there was a great crowd on the main road o the town$ 1idaagh was carrying some worship
materials rom the orest but seeing a huge crowd on the roadE he stood aside waiting or its dispersion$
'eanwhileE "ibhu also arrived there$ ,eeing 1idaagh standing alone away rom the crowdE "ibhu
approached him and asked why he was standing there$ 1idaagh said= R% BrahminL -odayE the king o
our town had taken out a procession$ ,o . am standing here waiting or the dispersion o crowd so that .
can reach home and oer my worship$R
"ibhu asked= R .t appears rom your words that you know everything about your town$ Kindly tell me
who is the king and who are the subCectsNR 1idaagh said= R-he one who is riding an elephant is the king
and those who are ollowing him on the ground are his subCects$R
"ibhu said= R% 1idaaghL You have shown me the king and the elephant together but did not show their
distinguishing symptoms separately$ 6ho is the king among them and who is the elephantNR 1idaagh said= R-he
one who is above is the king and the one who is beneath is the elephant$R "ibhu said= RKindly elaborate what is
above and what is beneathNR As soon as "ibhu inished his wordsE 1idaagh climbed on his shoulders and said=
RLookE like the kingE . am above you and like the elephantE you are beneath me$R "ibhu said= R. you are like the
king and . am like the elephantE kindly eGplain to meE who are you and who am .NR
1idaagh at once climbed down and ell at "ibhu?s eet and said= R:ertainlyE you are the great sage
"ibhu$R "ibhu said= RYesE . am "ibhu and . have come to preach you out o aection$R -hereater "ibhu
preached 1idaagh on the universality o soul and development o impartial view and let$ By his
preachingE 1idaagh?s ignorance dispersed and he began to see all the creatures eMual to impartially$
% kingL Like the Brahmin who attains salvation because o impartial viewE you also develop an impartial
view regarding soul$ -hen you will not see anyone separate rom you$ +verything in this world is a
maniestation o soul$
8arashar says= R-hus preached by @adabharatE the king o ,auveer let his partial attitude$ @adabharat
too received salvation when he realised the true knowledge$R
*&* 0hapter * (Part *%
-his chapter contains #7 sections$
0$0$# Description o 'anvataras
'aitreya says= R% *urudevL 1ow . wish to hear the description o all the 'anvantaras and the 'anus
who ruled those 'anvantaras$R
8arashar says= R<irst 'anu was sel=begotten$ Ater him ive more 'anus occurred namely
,warochishE 2ttamE -aamasE "aivat and :haakshush$ All these 'anus had occurred during the
previous ages$ -he present 'anuE Vaivasvat is the son o the ,un and this 'anvantara is seventh$R
.n the ,warochish 'anvantaraE 8aaraavat and -ushitgana were the gods$ Vipaschit was .ndra$ 2rCCaE
,tambhE 8raanE VaatE VrishabhE 1itya and 8arivaan were the ,aptarishis$ :haitra and Kimpurush etc$
were the sons o 'anu$
2ttam was the 'anu in 2ttam 'anvantara$ ,ushaanti was .ndra with ,udhaamE ,atyaE @apaE 8ratardan
and Vashvarti were his *anas$ ,even sons o Vashishta were ,aptarishis$
.n -aamas 'anvantaraE there were our categories o the gods namely ,upaarE &ariE ,atya and ,udhi$ +ach o
them had twenty=seven gods each$ King ,hibi was .ndra during that 'anvantara$ @yotirdhamaE 8rithuE KaatyaE
:haitraE AgniE Vanak and 8eevar were ,aptarishis$
During "aivat 'anvantaraE Vibhu was .ndra$ -here were our categories o the gods namely AmitabhE
BhootrathE Vaikunth and ,umedha with ourteen gods each$ &iranyaromaE VedshriE 2rdhvabaahuE
VedbaahuE ,udamaE 8arCanya and 'ahamuni were the ,aptarishis$ <our 'anus ,warochishE 2ttamE
-aamas and "aivat are said to be the direct descendant o King 8riyavrat$
During :haakshush 'anvantaraE .ndra?s name was 'anoCav$ AapyaE 8rasootE BhavyaE 8rithuk and
Lekh were the categories o gods each with eight deities$ ,umedhaE ViraCaE &avishmaanE 2ttamE
'adhuE Atinaama and ,ahishnu were the ,aptarishis$
During the present 'anvantaraE the ,un?s brilliant son ,hraaddhdev is 'anu$ AdityaE Vasu and "udra
are the categories o the gods$ .ndra?s name is 8urandar$ VashishtaE KashyapE AtriE @amadagniE
*autamE Vishwamitra and BharadwaC are the ,aptarishis$ 8resent 'anu has nine sons .kshvaakuE 1rigE
DrishtE ,harayaatiE 1arishyantE 1aabhaagE ArishtE Karush and 8rishadhra$
0$0$( Birth o ,avarni 'anu and Description o the 1eGt 'anvataras
'aitreya says= R% sageE now kindly narrate about the 'anvantaras that are to come in uture$R
8arashar says= Vishwakarma?s daughter ,angya was the wie o ,urya$ -hey had three childrenE 'anuE
Yama and Yamani$ ,angya once elt unable to bear the radiance o ,urya$ ,oE appointing :hhaya (her
shadow) in the service o ,uryaE she hersel migrated to the orest and began to observe a penance$
,urya mistook :hhaya or ,angya and copulated with her$ -his resulted in the birth o three children=
one more 'anuE ,hani and -apati$
%ne dayE getting angry or some unknown reasonE :hhaya who was in the guise o ,angya cursed Yama$ %nly
then ,urya and Yama came to know about her real identity$ -hrough meditationE ,urya saw that the real ,angya
was observing penance as a mare in the orest$ ,urya also arrived in the orest and mated with ,angya in horse
orm$ -heir mating resulted in the birth o two Ashwini kumarsE "etahstrav and "evant$ -hereaterE ,urya brought
,angya to his abode where Vishwakarma dulled his radiance$ :hhaya?s sonE 'anu was a sibling o 'anuO hence
he came to be known as ,aavarni$
During the neGt 'anvantaraE ,aavarni will rule as 'anu$ ,utapE Amitabh and 'ukhya will be the
categories o gods each with twenty deities$ DitimaanE *aalavE "amaE KripE AshwatthamaE "ishishring
and my sonE Vedavyasa will be among the ,aptarishis$ By the grace o Lord VishnuE Virochan?s son
Bali will occupy the throne o .ndra$
Daksha ,aavarni will be the ninth 'anu$ During that 'anvantaraE 8aarE 'aarichgarv and ,udharma will
be the three categories o the gods with twelve deities each$ Adbhut will be .ndra$ ,avanE DyutimaanE
BhavyaE VasuE 'eghatithiE @yotishmaan and ,ata will be among the ,aptarishis$
Brahma ,aavarni will be the tenth 'anu$ During that 'anvantaraE ,udhaama and Vishuddh will be the
two categories o gods with hundred deities each$ ,hanti will be .ndra$ &avishmaanE ,ukritE ,atyaE
-apomurtiE 1aabhaagE ApratimauCa and ,atyaketu will be among the ,aptarishis$
Dharmasaavarni will be the eleventh 'anu$ VihangamE Kaamgam and 1irvaangati will be the
categories o gods each with thirty deities$ .ndra?s name will be Vish$ 1ihsvarE AgniteCaE VayushmaanE
*hriniE AaruniE &avishmaan and Anagh will be among the ,aptarishis$
"udraputra ,aavarni will be the twelth 'anu$ "itudhaama will be .ndra and &aritE "ohitE ,umnaE
,ukarma and ,uraag will be the ive categories o the gods each with ten deities$ -apasviE ,utapaE
-apomurtiE -aporatiE -apoghritiE -apodyuti and -apodhan will be among the ,aptarishis$
"uchi will be the thirteenth 'anu$ ,utramaE ,ukarma and ,udharma will be the categories o the gods
each with thirty=three deities$ Devaspati will be .ndra$ 1irmohaE -atvagarshiE 1ishprakamE 1irutsukE
*hritimaanE Avyay and ,utapa will be among the ,aptarishis$
Bhaum will be the ourteenth 'anu$ ,uchi will be .ndra$ :haakshushE 8avitraE KanishthE BhraaCik and
Vaachaavriddh will be the ive categories o the gods$ AgnibaahuE ,uchiE ,hukraE 'aagadhE AgnidhraE
Yukt and @it will be among the ,aptarishis$
6ith the passing o these ourteen 'anvantarasE a Kalpa that comprises o one thousand Yugas will
come to an end$ .n ,atayugE Lord Vishnu preaches about the metaphysical knowledge in Kapil?s
incarnation$ .n -retayugE &e destroys the evil doers and protects the world$ .n DwaparyugE &e divides
the Vedas into our divisions$ At the end o KaliyugE Lord takes Kali incarnation and inspires corrupt
people to religious path$ -husE Lord Vishnu maintains order in all the our Yugas and causes the
creationE sustenance and ultimately destruction o the universe$
0$0$0 Description o Veda Vyasa and the ,igniicance o Brahma*yana
'aitreya says= R% LordL &ow did *od divide Vedas in the orm o Vedavyasa during dierent YugasNR
8arashar says= During each DwaparyugE in every KalpaE Lord Vishnu takes incarnation as Vedavyasa
and eects the division o Vedas or the beneit o human beings$
During every Dwaparyug o the present Vaivasvat 'anvantaraE dierent Vyasas have divided the
Vedas twenty=eight times$ During the irst DwaparE Brahma himsel had divided the Vedas$ During the
second DwaparE 8raCapati was Vedavyasa$ During the third DwaparE ,hukracharya was Vedavyasa$
During ourth DwaparE Brihaspati acted as Vedavyasa$
Description o other sages who acted as Vedavyasa during the subseMuent Dwapars is as ollows= ,urya= ith
VedavyasaO 'rityu= siGth VedavyasaE .ndra= seventh VedavyasaE Vashishta= eighth VedavyasaE ,araswat= ninth
VedavyasaE -ridhama= tenth VedavyasaE -rishikh= eleventh VedavyasaE BharadwaC= twelth VedavyasaE
Antariksh= thirteenth VedavyasaE Varani= ourteenth Vedavyasa$ 1ames o neGt ourteen Vedavyasas are as
ollows= -rayyarunE DhananCayE KrutunCayE @ayE BharadwaCE *autamE &aryatmaE VaaCshravaE -rinbindhuE "iksh
(Valmiki)E ,haktiE 8arasharE @aatukarn and Krishnadwaipayan$ Ater KrishnadwaipayanE Drona?s sonE
Ashwatthama will be the neGt Vedavyasa$
0$0$4 +Gpansion o the Branches o the "g Veda
At the beginning o creationE "igveda contained all the our Vedas with hundred thousand mantras$ -hat "igveda
helped a lot in the propagation o ten kinds o Yagyas$ -hen during the twenty=eighth DwaparE my sonE
Krishnadwaipayan eected the division o "igveda in our Vedas$ At the same timeE he also trained our o his
distinguished disciples in the study o Vedas$ +ach one o them was interested with the study o one particular
Veda or ininite period o time$ AccordinglyE sage 8ail mastered in "igvedaE Vaishampayan in YaCurvedaE @aimini
in ,amaveda and ,umantu in Atharvaveda$ 6ith the our VedasE practice o :haturhotra also came into being$
:haturhotra is now the main guiding eature o all kinds o Yagyas$ Vyasa also established the Karmas o
Adhvarayu by YaCurvedaE o &ota by "igvedaE o 2dgaata by ,amaveda and o Brahma by Atharvaveda$
,age 8ail divided "igveda into two divisions and taught them to two o his disciples= .ndrapramiti and
Vaashkal$ .n his termE Vaashkal divided his branch into our sub=branches and taught them to his
disciples$ .ndrapramiti taught his branch o "igveda to his talented sonE sage 'aandukeya$ -hus
branches and sub=branches o "igveda grew substantially$ .n this traditionE ,haakalyavedamitra learnt
a ,amhita and divided it into ive sub=branches$ %ne o his disciples named ,haakpurn created three
,amhitas whereas his another disciple created 1irukta *rantha$ Vaashkal created three ,amhitas and
taught them to KaalaayaniE *aargya and -athaaCa$
0$0$9 Description o the Branches o the YaCur Veda
A disciple o Vedavyasa named Vaishampayan created twenty=seven branches o YaCurveda and
taught them to his disciples$ &e had a disciple Yagyavalkya who was the son o Brahmarat$ At that
timeE all the sages together constituted a rule that whoever did not Coin their group within seven days on
'ahameru would be held as a sinner eMual to killing a Brahmin$ %nly Vaishampayan had violated that
ruling$ -he curse o the sages did come true when Vaishampayan killed his sleeping nephew
accidentally$ -hen he asked his disciples to do away with his sin$
Yagyavalkya said= RLordL All these Brahmins are eGtremely dull$ . will alone do away with your sin$R -hese boastul
words inuriated Vaishampayan$ &e said= HYou are insulting these Brahmins so at onceE regurgitate whatever .
have taught you$R Yagyavalkya said= HLordL . uttered these words out o devotion or you$ ,till you wish me to
regurgitate what you have taught me$ &ere it isL ,aying thisE Yagyavalkya vomited out all the ,hrutis o YaCurveda$
%ther disciples o Vaishampayan pecked them in the orm o partridges$ ,ince thenE they came to be known as
-aitriya Brahmins$ &olding his breathE Yagyavalkya then started the worship o the ,un with a desire to regain
YaCurveda$
8leased by his prayersE ,urya appeared beore him in horse orm and asked him to seek a boon$
Yagyavalkya reMuested ,urya to preach him those ,hrutis o YaCurvedaE which were not known even to
his teacherE Vaishampayan$ ,urya preached him those ,hrutis o YaCurvedaE which were known as
Aayaatyaam$ -he Brahmins who read these ,hrutis came to be known as VaaCi$ 1owadaysE there are
iteen sub=branches o these VaaCi ,hrutisE which were initially eGpounded by sage Yagyavalkya$
0$0$; -he Branches o the ,ama Veda and the #) 8uranas
,age @aiminiE a disciple o VedavyasaE eected branches o ,amaveda$ ,age @aimini had a sonE
,umantu$ ,umantu in turn had a sonE ,ukarma$ Both o them studied a branch o ,amaveda each$
,ukarma divided his branch o ,amaveda into sub=branches and taught them to his two disciples=
Kaushalya &iranyanaabh and 8aushpinCi$ &iranyanaabh had ive hundred disciples$ 2pon receiving the
knowledge o ,amaveda branch rom &iranyanaabhE these disciples came to be known as 8rachya
,aamaag$ Disciples o 8aushpinCi also eected divisions in ,amaveda that they received rom their
teacher$ %ne more disciple o &iranyanaabh named Kriti taught twenty=our ,amhitas o ,amaveda to
his disciples$
,age ,umant taught Atharvaveda to his disciple Kabandh$ Kabandh divided it into two parts and taught them to
Devdarsh and 8athya respectively$ A disciple o 8athya named ,haunak divided his ,amhita into two parts and
gave one o them to his disciple Vabhru and another to ,aindhav$ ,aindhav?s disciple 'unCikesh divided his
,amhita into three parts$ 8resentlyE ive ,amhitas o Atharvaveda namely 1akshatrakalpaE VedakalpaE
,amhitakalpaE Aangiraskalpa and ,hantikalpa are considered authentic$
,till unsatisied by his achievementE sage Vedavyasa created 8uraan ,amhita and taught them to his
amous disciple "omaharshan ,uta$ -he ,amhita that was created by "omaharshan was the base o
three ,amhitas= AkritvranaE ,aavarni and ,haanspaayan created by Kashyapgotriya Brahmins$ Vishnu
8uraan is in a way a summation o these our ,amhitas$ -here are in all eighteen 8uraans$ .n
chronological orderE these are as ollows= Brahma 8uraanE 8adma 8uraanE Vaishnav 8uraanE ,haiv
8uraanE Bhaagwat 8uraan$ 1aarad 8uraanE 'arkandeya 8uraanE Agneya 8uraanE Bhavishya 8uraanE
Brahmavaivart 8uraanE Linga 8uraanE Varaha 8uraanE ,kand 8uraanE Vaaman 8uraanE Kaurma
8uraanE 'atsya 8uraanE *arud 8uraan and Brahmaand 8uraan$
0$0$7 Yama *ita
'aitreya says= RLordL At the end o a lie spanE all the people come to be controlled by YamaraaC$ 6hen
they are bound to undergo scores o suering in dierent kinds o hells$ Kindly narrate about such
action by which a human being gets ree rom the noose o YamaraaC$R
8arashar says= Youngest among the 8andavasE 1akul had once put the same Muestion beore 8itamaha
Bheeshma$ . am narrating what once Bheeshma had narrated to 1akul$ Beore sending YamaraaC advises his
agents to stay away rom the devotee o Lord Krishna$
YamaraaC is lord o all the human beings eGcept Vaishnavas$ %nly Lord Vishnu is able to control
YamaraaC$ About the devotee o Lord VishnuE YamaraaC says = &e who does not deviate rom his duties
even in severest o crisisE who does not steal the wealth o others and kill animals is undoubtedly a
devotee o Lord Vishnu$ &e who bears Lord Vishnu in his heart is a devotee o Lord Vishnu$ &e who is
ree rom all kinds o ego and illusions and always wishes well or the others with pure and peaceul
heart is a devotee o Lord Vishnu$ -hus those who always contemplate on Lord Vishnu don?t even ear
death$ YamaE YamadootE YamapaashE Yamagana and even tortures o Yama are unable to hurt them$
0$0$) Duties o <our :lasses o ,ociety
'aitreya says = RLordL &ow should one worship Lord VishnuN Kindly describe it to me$
8arashar says= King ,agar had asked the same thing rom sage Aurv$ . am narrating what sage Aurv
had preached him$
%nly those who ulil their responsibilities and discharge their duties as per their class can worship Lord
Vishnu$ -hose who shun activities like criticising othersE backbitingE womanisingE stealing others? wealth
and violenceO those who do not torture others and are always ready to serve the godsE Brahmins and
teachers are able to please Lord Vishnu$ ,imilarlyE one should be always conscious regarding his
duties as per his class$
AccordinglyE a Brahmin should carry out YagyasE study scriptures and should not ever try to hurt anybody$ A
Kshatriya must organise Yagyas and study scriptures$ &e should also make donations to Brahmins and take
weapons in order to protect the earth$ A Vaishya must earn his livelihood through cattle rearingE commerce and
agriculture$ Besides he should also organise Yagyas make donations and study scriptures$ A ,hudra is eGpected
to earn his livelihood through handicrats$ ,aluting learned people is eMual to organising Yagya or a ,hudra$ A
,hudra may also make donations and oblations to appease his dead ancestors$
.n the time o emergencyE a Brahmin may shit to the occupations meant or Kshatriya and Vaishya$ A
Kshatriya may take the occupation o a Vaishya during emergency but none o them should ever take
to the occupation o ,hudra$
0$0$/ Description o Dierent Ashrams
,ince birth till deathE human lie passes through dierent stages$ <or the purpose o simplicity in
ollowing these stagesE our sages have made provisions or our stages or Ashrams in lie namely
BrahmacharyaE *rihasthaE Vanprastha and ,anyaas$
2panayana ,anskara (thread ceremony) marks the beginning o education or the children born in BrahminE
Kshatriya and Vaishya classes$ <or this purposeE a disciple must stay in his teacher?s hermitage and observe
celibacy strictly$ -hereE he must serve his teacher and worship ,urya and Agni$ -he disciple is eGpected never to
disobey his teacher$ Activities should be according to the teacher?s guidelines$ &e should also make
arrangements or the daily worship o his teacher in the way o collecting dierent materials like &avan saamagriE
waterE KushaE lowers etc$
Ater the completion o education and paying all the duesE the disciple is ready to start second stage o
his lie that is *rihasthashram$ <or this he should irst ind a suitable girl rom his class and make merry$
During this stageE he should earn his livelihood by occupations ascribed or his class$ &e should please
the gods by YagyasE his ancestors by oblationsE 8raCapatis by producing childrenE spectres by oering
sacriices o cereals and society by love$ +ven the ascetic and celibates depend on married people or
their daily bread$ &ence married lie or *rihasthashram is stated to be eGcellent among all the
Ashrams$
A *rihastha must welcome and warmly treat the guests who arrive uneGpectedly$ ,uch a household
rom where a guest returns desperately never succeeds in religious matters$ All the worship and
Yagyas oered in such a household go utile$ &ence it is not proper or the householder to show ego
and abuse a guest otherwise he will have to eGpiate or it later$
A person must always be on alert to recognise the time when it is apt to take Vanprastha$ 6hen the
children grow and begin to hold the responsibility o the householdE one enters the third stage i$e$
Vanprasthashram$ ,oE leaving his wie in the shelter o his children or taking her with himE one should
migrate to the orest and live a simple lie sustaining on whatever little is available rom the nature$ -his
stage must be passed observing severe penance and restraining one?s senses$
,anyaasashram is the ourth stage o lie$ %ne should give up all activities related to DharmaE Artha
and Kama in this stage$ &e should keep an impartial view or all and cultivate a eeling o love or all the
creatures$ &e should not hurt anybody by his wordsE actions or even thoughts$ &e should not stay in a
village or town or more than ive days$ &e should sustain his lie on alms$
0$0$#3 :ustoms and :onsecrations
At the time o childbirthE it is the ather?s responsibility to carry out certain customs and consecrations
or the child$ <irst o allE @atakarma ,anskara is carried out by which the newly born baby is included in
the amily$ During this customE a Brahmin couple is ed$ .t is also necessary or the couple that they
should sit acing east while eeding$ -hereaterE the parents should oer oblations to appease the gods
and dead ancestors$ Lumps made o barley lourE curd and berries should be oered as oblations$
,imilar consecrations are carried out at the time o children?s marriage$
%n the tenth day ater the birthE the naming ceremony is carried out$ Dierent castes and religion have dierent
traditions regarding naming the newly born child$ .t is commonly seen that most o the children are named ater
the deities and gods$ ,till one should see that the name should not be meaninglessE abusive or inauspicious$
8ractice o selecting eGceptionally long and diicult to pronounce names should also be avoided$
-he second stage in a child?s lie is when he or she begins education$ .n ancient timesE thread
ceremony used to be carried out and the children were sent to their teacher?s hermitage or education$
.n modern ageE thread ceremony is ollowed more or less in similar way as it used to be in the past$ But
children are not sent to *urukul or education any more$
Ater completing educationE a person should get married and run his own lie$ .n the pastE there had
been elaborate rituals or the selection o suitable bride$ +lders o the house used to select a proper
match or the boy$ -heir choice in most cases depended on many attributes and bodily eatures o the
girl$ But in modern ageE with increased interaction among the peopleE it is not possible to ollow each
and every custom related to selection o bride$ ,till one should take care not to marry in his mother?s
lineage or up to ith generation and in his ather?s lineage up to seventh generation$
0$0$## Description o "ighteousness
A married man knows the importance o ollowing a righteous discourse$ 'arried lie is like a penance in which a
couple gives birth and raises neGt generation$ A married man is eGpected to get up early in the morning and
contemplate on religious things$ .t helps him to ollow righteous discourse$ &e is eGpected to attend nature?s call in
natural environment away rom his house$ ,oil is considered the best means to wash hands$ .t should be ollowed
by cleansing o the body$ &e should then oer oblations wearing resh clothes to sagesE deities and his dead
ancestors$ %ering oblations to the ,unE worship o tutelary god and other deities ollows then$
. the household is having some cattleE the head o the amily should himsel milk them and then wait or
the guest$ . and when a guest arrivesE the head o the amily must oer him a seat respectully and
treat him well with delicious ood and pleasant talk$ .n .ndian traditionE a guest is regarded eMual to a
deity$ &e should take ood only ater eeding the guest$ +vening time has also elaborate rituals or a
married man$ <irst o allE ater inishing daily choresE a married man must worship with peaceul mind$ .t
is also good or his health to take ood early in the evening and retire to a wooden bedstead$ 1ight time
is considered suitable period or enCoying carnal pleasure$ &ere tooE a married man should enCoy
intimacy with his wie only$
0$0$#( ,anctiication ater Birth and Death
Lie on earth is like an ininite ocean in which birth appears like a bubble and death marks the bursting
o that bubble ater which it eGists no more$ Atmosphere o a household is said to be deiled when a
birth or death occurs in it$ -here are dierent sanctiying customs to be carried out on both these
occasions$ Ater the birth o a sonE the ather should oer oblations to please the gods and his
ancestors ater taking a bath$
6hen a death occurs in a householdE close relatives should take bath and carry the cadaver adorned with lowers
and garlands outside the village or well=demarcated cremation ground or cremation$ As per the religious tradition
o the deceasedE the body should either be consigned to the lames or buried$ -hen the relatives should again
take bath in the pond or river acing south and oer watery oblations to the dead person$ ,ince that dayE
8indadaan (oering sweet balls made o barley lourE sesame seedsE Caggery and honey) should be done or ten
days$ %n the ourth day o the cremationE ashes should be collected or immersion in holy places o pilgrimage$
-he person who had carried out the cremation must abstain rom intimacy or thirteen days$ %utsiders
are also barred rom eating cereals rom such a household where a death has occurred$ <or the
dierent classes o &indu societyE this sanctiying period varies$ <or BrahminsE it is ten daysE or
KshatriyasE it is twelve daysE or VaishyasE it is iteen days and or ,hudrasE this period has been iGed
or one month$ %n the same day in every subseMuent monthE oblations should be oered to the dead
or one year$
0$0$#0 Days or 'onthly %blations
A ,hraadh carried out with devotion pleases the entire world including human beingsE BrahmaE .ndraE
"udraE Ashwini KumarsE ,uryaE AgniE VasuganaE 'arudganaE VishwadevaE 8itraganaE birdsE animalsE
reptilesE sages and o course the dead ancestors$ 'oonless and eighth day in the darker phase o
every lunar month are considered the best days or oering oblations to the dead ancestors$
Apart rom these twoE third day in the brighter phase o VaishaakhE ninth day in brighter phase o KartikE thirteenth
day in the darker phase o Bhaadrapad and Amavasya o 'aagh are also considered eGcellent$ During lunar and
solar eclipses alsoE oblations should be made with water and sesame seeds$ . ,hatabhisha 1akshatra occurs on
Amavasya o 'aaghE it is considered an eGcellent conCugation or oering oblations to dead ancestors$ Bathing in
rivers like *angaE ,utleCE YamunaE VipaashaE ,araswatiE *omtiE *odavari etc$ while making oblations is also said
to be eGtremely beneiting$ .t is not necessary also to show great pomp and show while making oblations$ . one
doesn?t have enough money to oer oblations properlyE he may simply pray the ,un saying that Fhe is not
ortunate enough to have wealth?$ -husE his ancestors would be pleased by his devotion alone$
0$0$#4 'ethod or %blations
6hi)e ma2in' ob)ations to the dead ancestors( one shou)d feed his near and dear ones as /e)) as )earned
Brahmins /ho respect their parents1 &ntimac* /ith /omen is barred for those /ho ha,e ta2en food in an
ob)ation1 An* 'uest /ho happens to arri,e une9pected)* and unin,ited shou)d be treated /e))1 Before
feedin'( p)ain cerea)s shou)d be offered thrice to the fire recitin' fo))o/in' h*mns1
A3!A+ KAV+A VAAHAA!A+ S6AHAA #
S$MAA+ %&TRAMAT S6AHAA #
VA&VASVATAA+ S6AAHA ##
Remainin' cerea)s then shou)d be ser,ed /ith the food to the Brahmins and some parts shou)d a)so be
cast on earth and /ater shou)d be offered on them1
After the feast( the Brahmins shou)d be seen off /ith respect1 The host shou)d then ta2e food a)on' /ith
his fami)*1 An'er o,er enthusiasm and /a)2in' on the street is forbidden for the host durin' ob)ation
period1
0$0$#9 Do?s and Don?t during %blation
%blation with lesh o ishE rabbitE mongooseE hogE deerE ram and cereals cause eGtreme satisaction or
the ancestors$ But in modern KaliyugE all types o lesh are orbidden in oblation rituals$ %nly cerealsE
milkE honeyE etc$ are allowed$ %ering o oblation in *aya (a place o pilgrimage in Bihar) is said to
salve all the ancestors$ BarleyE wheatE riceE sesame seedsE peasE and mustard are the common cereals
and grains used in oblations$
%ering o oblation is a sacred aair$ During the procedureE care should be taken that an eunuchE :handaalE
sinnerE imposterE patientE cockE dogE a naked personE monkeyE pigsE a woman in mensesE and anybody in whose
house a death or birth has occurred don?t see the perormer otherwise neither the deities nor the ancestors would
accept the oblations$ 6ater used in oblation should also be ree rom odour and oam$ 'ilk o camelE sheepE doe
and bualo should not be used in oblations$ Beore beginning the ritualE drive out the evil spirits rom the selected
piece o land$ .t should be cut o rom outside inluences through enclosures$
0$0$#; -he Battle o *ods and Demons
"igE ,ama and YaCurveda are like the clothes o &indu society$ -hose who give them up are in act
naked$ -his statement is endorsed by the ollowing tale$
%nce upon a timeE a battle occurred between the demons and the gods$ .t lasted or one hundred years at the end
o which periodE the demons deeated the gods$ -he humiliated gods reached Ksheersagar and prayed Lord
Vishnu$ 8leased by their prayersE Lord Vishnu appeared beore the gods$ All the gods greeted &im and said= R%
LordL .n sheer violation o Brahma?s dictateE ormidable demons have kidnapped even our due shares oered in
the oblations$ 8rotect us rom the onslaught o the demons$ 6e cannot ill them because they abide by their
religion$ Kindly show us a way to kill the demons$R
&earing the pleas o the godsE Lord Vishnu produced 'ayamoha rom &is body and giving them to the
godsE said= R'ayamoha will cause illusion in the minds o the demons$ -he illusion will inluence the
demons to violate the path shown by the Vedas$ You can kill them ater thatR$ ,aying thisE the Lord
disappeared$ -he gods took 'ayamoha and reached the abode o the demons$
0$0$#7 Dialogue o 'ayamoha with Demons
'ayamoha was produced in a naked orm$ .t reached the bank o 1armada and saw the demons
observing penance there$ -he naked 'ayamoha then approached them and said in a sweet voice= R %
demonsL 6hat is the purpose o your penanceNR -he demons said= R6e are observing penance to
achieve the metaphysical world$R 'ayamoha said= R. you long or salvationE do as . suggest$ <ollow the
religion which is like an open gate to salvation$R 6ith such sweet talkE 'ayamoha began to illumine the
demons? mind$ 'ayamoha conused them urther saying= R% demonsE i you long or salvation or a
place in the heavenE give up sacriicing animals and attain enlightenment$ .t is wrong notion to say that
violence is the religious path$ %ering o oblations in ire is also childish$ +ven an animal which eats
green grass is better than .ndra who is obliged to eat wood despite attaining that position ater
hundreds o great Yagyas$ . an animal which is sacriiced in Yagya attains heavenE perormer o Yagya
would have killed his own ather$R
-hus with these witty talksE 'ayamoha deviated the demons rom the righteous path because o which
they lost interest in Vedas$ %nce it was achievedE the gods attacked the demons with ull preparations$
2ltimatelyE many demons were killed whereas those who remained came to be known as naked
because they no longer ollowed the teachings o Vedas$ -husE anybody who does not practice the
teachings o Vedas in his lie is known as naked$ -hose who do not take to Vanprastha or ,anyaas
ater the completion o *rihasthashram are naked$
-ale o ,hatadhanu= .n the ancient times there was a king named ,hatadhanu$ &is Mueen ,haivya was a
righteous and religious woman$ -he king and the Mueen had worshipped Lord Vishnu observing severe penance$
%n the ull moon day in the month o Kartik when the king and Mueen came out o the *anges ater taking bathE
they happened to sight an imposter Brahmin who was coming rom the opposite direction$ -he Brahmin was a
riend o the king?s teacher$ ,oE the king treated the Brahmin with respect$ But his chaste wie did not show any
respect or the imposter and kept silent all through the talk$ ,he then had a sight o the ,un to eGpiate or the
meeting with an imposter$ %n their return to the palace the king and the Mueen worshipped Lord Vishnu with
proper rituals$
.n due courseE the king died$ -he Mueen also committed ,ati$ ,ince the king had committed the sin o
talking to an imposter during his penance the king had committed the sin o talking to an imposter
during his penanceE he took birth in a dog orm whereas Mueen ,haivya took birth as the daughter o a
Kashi king$ ,he was eGtremely beautiul and knew everything about her previous birth$ 6hen her ather
decided to marry her oE she reMuestully reused or she knew that her previous birth husband was
roaming the streets and lanes o Vidisha in a dog orm$
-he princess o Kashi then reached Vidisha and ound out that dog was in act King ,hatadhanu$ ,he
ed the dog with delicious ood eating which the dog began to wag its tail and show humility beore the
princess$ -he princess saluted the dog and narrated the whole thing to it that it was because o his sin
o talking to an imposter during penance that he had to take birth as a dog$
-husE reminded by the princessE the dog contemplated or long on the events o his previous birth$ &e
grew so sad that he gave up the dog orm on the outskirts o the town$ .n his neGt birth however he was
born as a Cackal$ Again the princess came to know that the Cackal was King ,hatadhanu and asked him
whether he continued to talk to the imposter ater their conversation in the previous birthN %nly thenE
King ,hatadhanu came to realise his mistake$ &e then observed ast till death$ But in his neGt birthE he
was born as a wol$ Again the princess reminded him o his previous birth$ -he king?s became a vulture
in his neGt birth$ Ater thatE he took birth in crow orm and then as a peacock$ During that timeE King
@anak was organising an Ashwamedha Yagya$ .n the YagyaE the peacock was also given a ceremonial
bath by the princess$ During the bathE the princess reminded the peacock (King ,hatadhanu) o his
previous birthE the peacock too died and took neGt birth as the son o King @anak$
.t was only ater the birth o King @anak?s son that the princess told her ather to organise a
,wayamvara or her$ .n the ,wayamvaraE the prince also arrived$ -he princess accepted him
respectully as her husband$
*&, 0hapter , (Part ,%
-his chapter contains #( sections$
0$4$# Description o Vaivasvat 'anu?s Lineage
Lineage o Vaivasvat 'anu inds its origin at Brahma$ Brahma was the irst to appear rom Lord Vishnu
who is the primitive cause or the whole creation$ <rom the right hand thumb o BrahmaE Daksha
8raCapati appeared$ Daksha produced Aditi and Aditi produced Vivasvaan$ 'anu was the son o
Vivasvaan$ .kshvaakuE 1rigE *rishthE ,harayaatiE 1arishyantE 8ranshuE 1aabhaagE DishtaE Karup and
8rishadhra are the ten sons o 'anu$
6ith a desire or a son 'anu organised a Yagya to please the deities 'itra and Varun$ But during the Yagya
because o a wrong resolution o oblatorE a daughter named .la was born to them$ But by the grace o 'itra=
VarunE she got masculine appearance and a name ,udyumna$ .n later course by the wrath o Lord ,hivaE
,udyumna was converted into a woman$ .n woman orm when ,udyumna was roaming near the hermitage o
BuddhaE the son o :handramaE her beauty inatuated Buddha$ As a result o their unionE a son 8ururava was
born$ +ven ater the birth o 8ururavaE ,udyumna could not give up his temptation to be a man again$ &enceE
learned sages organised a Yagya or ,udyumna and got him converted into a man again$ .n masculine ormE
,udyumna produced three sons= 2tkalE *aya and Vinat$ 'anu had presented a town named 8rathishtha to
,udyumnaE which he later on presented to 8ururava$
8ururava?s progenies spread in all directions and acMuired Kshatriya caste$ 'anu?s sonE 8rishadhra
became a ,hudra because o killing a cow o his teacher$ 'anu?s another sonE Karush produced an
eGceptionally strong Kshatriya named Kaarush$ Lineage o Dishta grew as ollows= 1aabhaag=
Balbandhan= Kirtimaan= Vatsapreeti=8raanshu= 8raCapati= Khanitra= :haakshush= Vimbha= Vivimbhak=
Khaninetra= Ativibhuti= Karandham= Avikshit= 'arut$
'arut had a sonE 1arishyant$ Lineage o 1arishyant grew as ollows= Dama= "aCvardhan= ,uvriddhi=
Keval= ,ughritti= 1ara= :handra= Keval= Bandhumaan= Veghvaan= Buddha= -rinvindu$ -rinvindu had a
daughter .lavila and a son Vishal$ Vishal in later course ounded Vishaala$
Lineage o Vishal grew as ollows= &emchandra= :handra= Dhumraksh= ,rinCay= ,ahadev= Krishasva=
,omadutta= @anmeCaya= ,umati$
'anu? son ,harayaati had a daughter ,ukanya who was married to sage :hyavan in peculiar
circumstances$ Aanart was the son o ,harayaati$ Aanart had a son "aivat who ounded his capital at
Kushasthali and ruled his kingdom on earth$ "aivat had one hundred sonsE the eldest among whom
was Kakudmi$ &e had a daughter "evati$ "aivat took "evati with him and approached Brahma who
asked about a suitable match or her$ At that timeE *andharvas were singing near Brahma$ "aivat
listened to their songs intently and orgot about the passage o time$ 'any ages passed like that but
"aivat elt as i only an hour had passed$ 6hen the *andharvas stopped singingE "aivat once again
asked Brahma about a suitable match or "evati$ Brahma asked "aivat about his own choices irst$
"aivat counted the names o many deserving princes and kings all o whom belonged to earth$
Brahma said smiling= R1o one even in the progeny o these people is alive on earth because here
listening to the *andharvas songs you have passed our ages$ 8resently even the age o eighteenth
'anu is about to end on earth and Kaliyug is about to start$R -hese words rightened "aivat who
greeted Brahma and asked= R% LordL 1ow tell me whom should . marry "evati toNR Brahma said= R-hat
unborn all pervasive 8armeshwar Lord Vishnu had taken an incarnation on earth$ % kingL Your capital
at Kushasthali which was eMual to .ndra?s abode Amravati is now Dwarkapuri$ .n that DwarkapuriE stays
Baldev who is a part o Lord Vishnu$ 'arry this daughter to him because she is a Cewel among the
women olk and Baldev is praised all over the world by all$ &ence only he deserves to be your son=in=
law$R
&earing the verdict o BrahmaE 8raCapati "aivat descended on the earth and saw that an amaBing
transormation had taken place in the appearance o people who were now smaller in statureE uglyE dull
and devoid o strength$ +ven his capital Kushasthali had acMuired a new appearance and was now
known as Dwarkapuri$ "aivat ound out Baldev and married his granddaughter "evati to him$ But
"evati appeared Muite large and taller in stature than Baldev because o age dierence$ Baldev
pressed her slightly with anterior part o his plough and she assumed a stature eMual to normal women$
Ater marrying "evati to BaldevE "aivat migrated to the &imalayas to observe penance$
0$4$( Description o .kshvaku?s Lineage
.kshvaaku was born rom the nostril o 'anu as a result o sudden sneeBing$ .kshvaaku had hundred
sons among whom VikukshiE 1imi and Danda were prominent$ %nce .kshvaaku organised a ,hraadh$
<or the purpose o eeding BrahminsE he ordered his son Vikukshi to bring resh meat o wild animals$
-aking his bow and arrowsE Vikukshi set out or the orest and hunted many deer and rabbits$ -owards
noonE he elt tired and hungry and hence ate one rabbit rom the stock$ -hen he reached the capital and
handed over the remaining lesh to his ather$
But the sage Vashishta who was conducting the ,hraadh revealed the truth to 'anu$ -hus Vikukshi got
the name o ,hashaad and was eGpelled by his ather$ ,hashaad in later course had a sonE 8uranCay$
.n the past a ierce battle had taken place between the demons and the gods$ -he demons deeated
the gods who approached Lord Vishnu or help$ Lord Vishnu said=R. am aware o your desire$ . will
appear in he body o ,hashaad?s son 8uranCay to kill the demons$ But it is your responsibility to
convince him or the battle$R
-he gods approached 8uranCay and reMuested=R% great among the KshatriyasL Kindly help us to deeat
our enemies$R 8uranCay said=R,hatkratu is .ndra$ . . ight the battle riding his shoulderE . will be able to
kill the demons$R
-he gods accepted his condition$ .ndra took the guise o the bull riding which 8uranCay killed the demons because
Lord Vishnu had partially arrived in his body$ ,ince then 8uranCay got the name Kakutsth$ &e had a son Aneyna$
Lineage o Aneyna grew as ollows= Aneyna= 8rithu= Vishtrabhva= :haandrayuvnashva= ,haavasta$ ,haavasta
ounded the town o ,haavasti (modern ,hraavasti)$ Lineage o ,haavasta continued as ollows= ,haavasta=
Vrihadashva= Kuvalayaashva= Dridaashva= -andraashva= Kapilaashva$
<or a long timeE Yuvanashva did not have a child$ ,oE he organised a 8utreshti Yagya in the auspices
o learned sages$ -he Yagya lasted or a whole day$ At mid=night when the Yagya endedE sages ell
asleep because o tiredness keeping the urn o Yagya water near the altar$ -he water had been
empowered with sacred mantras$ 'eanwhile the thirsty king came there and drank that water rom the
urn$ 6hen the sages awakenedE they enMuired about the water in the urn$ Yuvanashva told them that
he had himsel drunk it$ -he sages told that as the water had been empowered with sacred mantras
and was meant or the Mueen in order to make her conceive$ &ence the king instead o the Mueen will
conceive now$ As a result Yuvanashva conceived and in due course gave birth to a child rom his right
armpit$ But the child?s birth did not kill the king$ -he baby was 'andhaata$ .n due course 'andhaata
ruled the entire earthE which was divided into seven islands$
'andhaata married BindumatiE the daughter o ,hatabindu$ -hey had three sons= 8urukutsaE
AmbareeshE and 'uchukunda$ -hey also had ity daughters$ 6hen all the daughters grew young a
sage ,aubhari arrived in the palace and reMuested 'andhaata to marry one o his daughters to him$
-he sage appeared old and rail$ ,oE 'andhaata hesitated and tried to send him o making many
eGcuses$ -he sage assured him about his physical abilities$ But still the king elt hesitant and said=H%
sageE it is our tradition that we marry our daughter only to he whom our daughter chooses as her
husband$ Your reMuest is beyond our desires$R
&earing 'andhaata?s word sage considered or a moment and said=RAll right % kingL Kindly instruct the
eunuch who guards the Muarters o your daughters to escort me there$R <earing a curse rom the sageE
'andhaata instructed the eunuchs to escort him into the Muarters o his daughters$ 6hile entering the
MuartersE the sage assumed the appearance o an eGtremely handsome *andharva$ ,oE when he
arrived thereE a row started among the girls as to who would choose him as her husband irst$ +ach one
o them claimed that she had irst chosen him$ -hus all the daughters o 'andhaata chose sage
,aubhari as their husband$
6hen the eunuchs inormed the king about this developmentE he ell in deep thoughts how it could
happen$ But still he was bound by his promise so he had no choice but to marry all his daughters to
sage ,aubhari$ 'arrying all the ity girlsE sage ,aubhari brought them to his hermitage$ :alling
VishwakarmaE he instructed him to build separate castles or each o his wives$ .n no timeE
Vishwakarma erected ity beautiul palaces in a row$ +ach one o them had ample spacious and airy
roomsE surrounded by beautiul gardens$ ,ince thenE all the girls occupied those palaces and began to
live there$ +very kind o luGury and ood was available to them$
%ne dayE drawn by the love or his daughtersE King 'andhaata decided to visit ,aubhari?s Ashram$ But
in place o AshramE he ound a row o beautiul palaces$ -hereE he met his daughters and enMuired
about their well being$ -he daughters inormed him that they were happy to live with the sage and that
their husband was capable enough to provide them with all the luGuries$ But still they remembered their
native place$ +ach o the girl also eGpressed one grie that her husband enCoyed intimacy with her at all
times and did not share time with her other sisters$ -hese words o the girls surprised the king$
2ltimately he met ,aubhari and worshipping him he said=R% lordL .t is the result o your severe penance
that you are able to keep all the ity girls happy$R ,taying there or a ew daysE the king returned$
.n due courseE the daughters o 'andhaata gave birth to one hundred and ity sons$ -hose sons grew
up and produced their progeny$ At that time sage ,aubhari thought= F. have seen the birth o my sons$
1ow they have their own sons$ . . stay thereE . will long to see my great=grandchildren$ Desires do not
end till death$ AcMuiring a human body is in itsel a great sorrow$ . have received enough in lieE enCoyed
intimacy with ity princesses$ . . keep more desiresE . will receive nothing but sorrow$ &ence . should
take to the penance o Lord Vishnu$?
-hinking that wayE sage ,aubhari migrated to the orest along with his ity wives$ -here they conducted
Yagyas and passed their time worshipping Lord Vishnu$
0$4$0 8rogeny o 'andhatrE Ascend o -rishanku to &eaven and Birth o ,agar
%nce upon a time *andharvas o collective name 'auneya deeated the 1agas and snatched all their
wealth and powers$ -he 1agas prayed Lord Vishnu to rescue them$ Lord Vishnu told them that he
would appear in 'andhaata?s son 8urukutsa and kill the *andharvas$ Aterwards 1armada brought
8urukutsa to "asaatal where Lord Vishnu appeared in his body$ -hus having the strength o Lord
VishnuE 8urukutsa deeated and killed the *andharvas$ 8leased by the action o 1armadaE the 1agas
blessed her with a boon that whoever remembered her would have no ear o snake venom and
8urukutsa that he would have an immortal son$
8urukutsa and 1armada had a son -rasadasyu$ Lineage o -rasadasyu continued as ollows=
-rasadasyu= Anaranya= Vrihadashva= &aryashva= &asta= ,umana= -ridhanva= -rayaruni and
,atyavrat$ ,atyavrat became amous as -rishanku in later course$ By the curse o a sageE -rishanku
had become a :handaal$ %nce a drought occurred or twelve long years$ During that droughtE to get rid
rom this condition o :handaal and eed sage VishwamitraE -rishanku used to tie a whole skinned deer
to a Banyan tree on the bank o the river *anges$ 8leased by his selless serviceE sage Vishwamitra
sent -rishanku to the heaven with his ephemeral body$
Lineage o -rishanku grew as ollows= -rishanku= &arishchandra= "ohitashva= &arit= :hanchu= ViCay and
Vasudev$ ViCay had a son "uruk$ "uruk?s son was Vrik who had a son Baahu$ Baahu had two Mueens$ Ater a
long time o their marriageE Baahu?s Mueen consort conceived a son$ But the circumstances took a strange turn$
Baahu?s enemies together attacked his kingdom and deeated him$ -he deeated king migrated to the orest along
with his Mueens and began to live at the hermitage o sage Aurv$ Very soonE King Baahu died o old age$ &is
Mueen consort also wanted to commit ,ati but sage Aurv prevented her rom doing so$ Ater sometime getting
envious o her ortuneE the other Mueen deceitully ed her with poison$ But the poison could not harm the oetusE
which stayed unborn or a period o seven years because o poison?s eect$
,taying at the hermitage o sage AurvE the Mueen consort gave birth to a son$ ,ince the child was born
with the eect o the poisonE ,age Aurv named him as ,agar$ ,agar began to grow in he hermitage in
natural surrounding$ %ne day he asked his mother about his ather$ -he Mueen narrated the whole
incident to him$ ,agar then and there took an oath to eGterminate the Kshatriyas who had been the
cause o his ather?s death$ Acting as per his oathE ,agar destroyed &aihaya Kshatriyas whereas ,hak
Kshatriyas got their heads shaven out o ear$ ,ince those Kshatriyas had given up their religionE hence
Brahmins boycotted them$ As a result they became 'alechchha$ -hereater King ,agar returned to his
capital and ruled the earth$
0$4$4 Description o ,uryavansh
King ,agar had two MueensE ,umatiE the daughter o Kashyap and KeshiniE the daughter o Vidarbha?s
king$ Keshini had a son AsmanCas whereas ,umati had siGty thousand sons$ Anshuman was the son o
AsmanCas$ AsmanCas was very whimsical since his childhood$ +ven in his youthE he did not change his
behaviour$ &ence King ,agar had abandoned AsmanCas$ But the things did not improve or ,agar
because even his siGty thousand sons ollowed the ootsteps o AsmanCas$
-he gods one=day approached sage Kapil who was a partial incarnation o Lord Vishnu$ *reeting himE
they said= H. the siGty thousand sons o ,agar continued on their whimsical wayE the earth would not
remain suitable or living$I ,age Kapil assured the gods that the siGty thousand sons o ,agar would
meet their ate very soon$ By the instigation o sage KapilE King ,agar organised an Ashwamedha
Yagya$
-he siGty thousand princes also ollowed the horse guarding it$ But somehow .ndra managed to kidnap the horse
and tethered it at the hermitage o sage Kapil$ -he siGty thousand princes searched or the horse and ollowing
the ootprintsE they also reached the hermitage$ -here they ound the horse and also a sage in deep meditation$
-hinking that the sage might have been responsible or abduction o the horse they began to abuse him$ As soon
as sage Kapil disturbed by the abuses opened his eyesE a lame appeared and incinerated all the siGty thousand
princes$ 6hen King ,agar came to know about this incidentE he sent Anshuman to bring back that horse$
Anshuman also reached the hermitage and greeted sage Kapil with respect$ 8leased by his politenessE sage
Kapil blessed Anshuman and instructed him to take the horse away with him$ &e also asked him to seek a boon$
As the boonE Anshuman only sought the salvation or his siGty thousand dead uncles$ ,age Kapil assured
Anshuman that his ancestors would certainly attain to the heaven but only ater a long wait and that his grandson
Bhagirath would bring the *anges onto the earth and that the *anges? waters would wash the ashes o his
ancestors to the ocean and cause their salvation$
-hus blessed by the sae KapilE Anshuman returned to the capital with the horse in order to help his
grand ather inish the Yagya$ Anshuman had a son Dileep$ Dileep?s son was Bhagirath who observed
severe penance and pleased *anga to descend on the earth$ ,ince the *anges had descended on
earth because o Bhagirath?s penanceE she also got a name Bhagirathi$
-he lineage o Bhagirath grew as ollows= Bhagirath= ,uhotra= ,hruti= 1aabhaag= Ambareesh=
,indhudweep= Ayutayu= "ituparn= ,arvakaam= ,udas and ,audas$
%ne dayE King ,audas went hunting in the orests$ -here he spotted a pair o the tigers$ -hey were
actually a tiger and a tigress in mating$ ,audas killed one o them by his arrowE while the other turned
into a demon and threatening o an avenge disappeared rom the scene$
.n due courseE King ,audas organised a Yagya in the auspices o sage Vashishta$ -owards the end o
YagyaE sage Vashishta went away to take bath$ 'eanwhile the same demon arrived there in the guise
o Vashishta and eGpressed his desire to eat non=vegetarian ood$ -hen the demon arrived beore the
king in the guise o the cook$ -he king ordered him to cook meat or the sage$ -he cook cooked human
lesh and served it beore the sage$ ,age Vashishta knew that the ood contained human lesh$ &e
cursed the king in anger to be a demon$ 6ithin three daysE King ,audas became a demon and began
to roam in the orests$ ,ince then he ate the humans only$
%ne dayE ,audas in demon orm saw 'uni who was in the process o mating his wie$ -he demon
caught and ate the 'uni neglecting all the cries and wailing o his wie$ -he Brahmani angrily cursed
the demon that as her husband had been killed while he was about to sate his carnal lust similarly he
would also die right in the same process$
King ,audas remained in the demon?s orm or twelve more years$ Ater that he recovered rom the
curse and began to rule like a pious king$ %ne dayE King ,audas saw the Mueen in an amorous
condition and an impulse o carnal pleasure ran within his body$ &e made advances to satisy his lust
but the Mueen who knew everything about the curse stopped him reminding him o the curse$ ,ince
then the king stuck to celibacy$ ,ince the king had no sonE he allowed his Mueen 'adayanti to conceive
a child with the help o sage Vashishta$ -he Mueen did conceive but the oetus remained unborn or
seven years at length$ At last the irritated Mueen hit her oetus with a stone$ -his resulted in the birth o
child at once$ -he child was named Ashmak$ -he lineage o Ashmak grew as ollowsJ Ashmak= 'oolak=
Dasharath= .livil= Vishvasah and Khatwang$ Khatwang had killed many ormidable demons ighting by
the side o the gods$ 8leased by his gallantryE the gods wanted to grant him a boon$ Khatwang wanted
to know how long would live more$ -he gods told him that he would live or one 'uhurta more$ &earing
thisE Khatwang came back on earth and prayed Lord Vishnu to take him in &is reuge$ At last he did
annihilated with Lord Vishnu$
Lineage o Khatwang grew as ollows=Khatwang= Deerghbahu= "aghu= ACa and Dasharath$ King
Dasharath had three Mueens who gave birth to our sons="amaE LakshmanaE Bharat and ,hatrughana$
"ama was an incarnation o Lord Vishnu$ &is lie too had lot o ups and downs$ Ater being trained in
archeryE &e and Lakshmana spent most o their boyhood time in the hermitage o sage Vishwamitra
guarding his Yagyas rom the demons$ Ater that when Vishwamitra was taking them to 'ithila Lord
"ama salved Ahilya who had been converted into a stone by the curse o her husband sage *autam$
.n 'ithilaE Lord "ama broke the bow o Lord ,hiva and won ,ita as &is wie$ 6hen they returned to
AyodhyaE King Dasharath decided to crown "ama as the new king$ But misguided by 'antharaE Mueen
Kaikeyee stubbornly sought that her son Bharat should be crowned as the new king whereas "ama
should be sent on an eGile or ourteen years$ Bounded by his promises that he had made to Kaikeyee
earlierE King Dasharath had no choice but to accept her demands$
-hus to keep &is ather?s wordsE Lord "ama accepted the eGile$ ,ita and Lakshmana also ollowed &is
steps$ .n the orestsE the demon king "avan deceitully abducted ,ita$ .t was ollowed by meeting o
"ama with &anumana and ,ugreevE killing o Baali= ,ugreev?s brotherE inding o ,ita by &anumana in
LankaE bridging o the sea that separated LankaE ierce battle with the demons and ultimately killing o
"avan by Lord "ama$ Ater the completion o eGile period Lord "ama returned to Ayodhya and ruled
there or twelve years$
Lord "ama had two sons= Lava and Kusha$ Lineage o Kusha grew as ollows= Kusha= Atithi= 1ishadh=
Anal= 1abh= 8undareek= Kshemdhanwa= Devaneek= Ahinaka= "uru= 8ariyatrak= Deval= Vanchal= 2lka=
VaCranabha= ,hankhan= Yushhitashva= Vishvasaha= &iranyanaam= 8ushya= Dhruvsandhi= ,udarshan=
Agnivarn= ,highrag= 'aru= 8rasushrut= ,usandhi= Amarsh= ,ahaswan and Vishvabhav$ Vishvabhav
had a son Brihdal who was killed by Abhimanyu in the battle o 'ahabharat$
0$4$9 -ale o 1imi and Description o his Lineage
.kshvaku?s son 1imi once decided to organise a Yagya that was to last or one thousand years$ &e also
wanted the sage Vashishta to guide the Yagya$ But .ndra had already booked Vashishta or a period o
ive hundred years$ ,o sage Vashishta eGpressed his inability to conduct any other Yagya till the
completion o that period and reMuested the king to wait till he was ree rom .ndra?s obligations$ 1imi
kept Muite at that time$ -aking his silence as an approvalE the sage began the Yagya or .ndra$ But the
king meanwhile started Yagya in the auspices o other sages like *autam etc$
At the completion o Yagya or .ndraE sage Vashishta hurried back to the earth to conduct Yagya or King 1imi$
But here he ound that a Yagya was already in progression$ -his inuriated the sage to the eGtent that he poured
down curse on 1imiE who was sleeping at that timeE to lose his body at once$ 6hen the king learned about the
curse and that he was cursed in sleepE he cursed the sage in retaliation to lose his body at once beore giving up
his own body$ By the curse o 1imiE Vashishta?s body was destroyed but he himsel entered the semen o
'itravarun$ -hereaterE one day 'itravarun happened to sea the el 2rvashi$ &er amorous beauty caused the
eCaculation o his semen spontaneously$ 6ith eCaculated semenE sage Vashishta also came out and acMuired a
new body$
%n the other handE at end o Yagya when the gods appeared to accept their due share rom the
oeringsE the sages prayed them to grant 1imi some boon$ 1imi however sought nothing in boon but
eGpressed his desire to stay in eyes o the people orever$ -he gods granted that desire$ Beore that
nobody had ever blinked his eyes$ Blinking o eyes came into practice because 1imi stays there$ .n
order to save the kingdom rom anarchyE the sages churned the dead body o 1imi with a stick o
BombaG tree and produced a son$ -hat son came to known as @anak$ ,ince he was born rom the dead
body o his atherE the boy also came to be known as Vaideha$ Lineage o @anak continued as ollowsJ
@anak= 2davasu= 1andivardhan= ,uketu= Devrat= Brihadukth= 'ahaveerya= ,udhriti= Dhrishtketu=
&aryashva= 'anu= 8rateet= Kritrath= Devbheed= Vibudh= 'ahadhriti= KritraC= 'aharoma= ,uvarnaroma=
&rasyaroma and ,eerdhvaC$ 6ith a desire o a sonE ,eerdhvaC was once ploughing the earth when he
stumbled upon a pitcher$ .n the pitcherE he ound a beautiul baby whom he named as ,ita$
0$4$; Description o ,omavansh and the -ale o 8ururava
-he creator o the worldE Brahma had a son named Atri$ :handrama was the son o Atri$ %nce
:handrama organised a "aCsuya Yagya and received great powers$ Aterwards blinded by his powersE
:handrama kidnapped -araE the wie o Brihaspati$ +ven his grandather Brahma tried to dissuade him
rom committing such a grave crime but :handrama was not to listen to anybody$ Because his hostility
with BrihaspatiE the teacher o the demons ,hukra was also assisting :handrama$ At that moment o
needE only "udra came orward to help Brihaspati$ A ierce battle ollowed between :handrama and
"udra$ -he gods were helping Brihaspati while because o ,hukraE the demons ought rom the side o
:handrama$ ,oon the battle assumed the proportion o a war that perpleGed the entire world$ At lastE
Lord Vishnu mediated to end the battle and helped Brihaspati to get his wie back$ By that time -ara
had conceived a child$ ,eeing her condition Brihaspati instigated -ara to abort the baby$ -ara aborted
the baby amidst some shrubs but it did not die$ .nsteadE his brilliance dulled even the radiance o the
gods$
-he baby was so beautiul that both Brihaspati and :handrama were eager to accept him$ -o settle the
matterE Brahma asked -ara about the paternity o the child$ <eeling shyE -ara revealed that :handrama
was the ather o the child$ -hen Brahma himsel adopted the child and named him as Buddha$
6hen he grew youngE Buddha produced 8ururava rom .lla$ 8ururava was very magnanimous and
handsome$ %nce an el 2rvashi happened to see him and at once ell in love$ ,he then approached
8ururava$ &er beauty enchanted 8ururava also$ &e reMuested the el to stay with him$ But 2rvashi
stipulated that she might stay with him i he agreed to ollow her two conditions that he would never
drive the two sheepE which were like her children away rom her bed and that he would never undress
beore her in visible light$ 8ururava accepted both the conditions$
,ince then 8ururava began to live with 2rvashi$ -ogether they enCoyed their physical intimacy or siGty
thousand years$ -heir love grew so much that even 2rvashi orgot those heavenly comorts that she
used to enCoy once$ But because o her absenceE even the heaven appeared more dreaded than hell$
At lastE one Vishvavasu who knew about the conditions stole one sheep rom their bedroom and lew away$
&earing the cries o the sheepE 2rvashi got up in anGiety and shouted who was stealing her son$ But 8ururava
pretended as i asleep or the ear o being seen naked$ As the uss grew urtherE he could no more contain
himsel and ran ater the thie$ "ight at that momentE the *andharvas produced intense lightning illuminating the
whole scene$ As a resultE 2rvashi saw 8ururava in a naked state and at once let his palace to her heavenly
abode or now both o her conditions had been violated$ 8ururava could not tolerate the separation o 2rvashi$ &e
began to roam here and there in that bare condition like a mad$ -hus roaming he reached at Kamal ,arovar in
Kurukshetra where he saw 2rvashi with our other elves$ ,eeing 2rvashi 8ururava began to behave madly$ .t was
impossible or him to control his sensual desires even in the presence o other elves$ But 2rvashi stopped him
saying that she was eGpecting an issue and ater a yearE she will give birth to his child$ ,he also promised at that
time she will stay with him or a night$
Ater a year King 8ururava once again reached that place where 2rvashi handed over his son Aayu$ As
per her promise she also stayed with 8ururava or a night and conseMuently in later course gave birth to
ive more sons$ 2rvashi inormed 8ururava that because o their love *andharvas wished to bless him
with a boon$ 8ururava sought a lie=long union with 2rvashi$ *andharvas presented him with an altar
and instructed to conduct regular Yagyas properly$ -hen all o his desires would come trueE the
*andharvas assured 8ururava$ But King 8ururava let that altar in the orest and returned to his capital$
At mid=nightE he awakened suddenly as i rom a trance and hurried to the orest to recover his altar$
But the altar was no more thereO it had transormed into a peepal tree$ 8ururava got that tree elled and
brought it to his capital where the carpenters made Arani (a wooden implement used in ancient .ndia to
produce ire) rom its wood$ ,ince then 8ururava conducted regular Yagyas with the help o that Arani
and attained to the *andharvaloka where he was never separated rom 2rvashi again$
0$4$7 Birth o @amadagni and Vishwamitra
8ururava had siG sons= AayuE AmavasuE VishwavasuE ,hrutaayuE ,hataayu and Ayutayu$ Amavasu had
a son Bheema and Bheema in turn had a son Kanchan$ @ahnu was the son o Kanchan?s sonE ,uhotra$
At the time o *anga?s descend on earthE when @ahnu saw his hermitage inundatedE he drank all her
water$ &e released the *anges only when the Devrishis prayed him$ ,ince then *anges also came to
be known as @ahnaviE the daughter o @ahnu$
Lineage o @ahnu grew as ollows= @ahnu= ,umant= ACak= Balaakashva and Kusha$ Kusha had our sons=
KushaambE Kushnaam= AdhurtraCa and Vasu$ Kushaamb observed severe penance with a desire to have a son
like .ndra$ 8leased by his penanceE .ndra himsel took birth as his son$ &e came to be known as Kaushik$ Kaushik
had a daughter named ,atyavati who got married to "icheek$ ,age "icheek prepared kheer in two parts= one or
his wie ,atyavati and another or ,atyavati?s mother$ .nstructing ,atyavatiE he went to the orest$
6hen ,atyavati and her mother were about to eat the kheerE her mother eGchanged her part o kheer
with that o her daughter saying that her son had to oster the world while the son o the sage had
nothing to do with wealth and all that$ ,atyavati agreed to that and ate that part o kheerE which was
reserved or her mother whereas her mother ate ,atyavati?s part$ 6hen "icheek returned rom the
orestE he noticed ormidable changes in the body o his wie$ &e understood that she had eaten her
mother?s part o the kheer$ Angrily the sage predicted that she would have a son who would be
Kshatriya=like in virtues whereas her mother would have Brahmin=like son$ ,atyavati begged pardon
and reMuested the sage to change his prediction saying that the crime was committed by mistake and
that she would be happy to have a Kshatriya=like grandson but not a son$ At her reMuest the sage
changed his prediction$
As per the predictionE ,atyavati gave birth to @amadagni whereas her mother gave birth to Vishwamitra$
Ater giving birth to @amadagni turned into a river named Kaushiki$
.n later courseE as a partial incarnation o Lord VishnuE 8arashuram took birth as the son o sage
@amadagni$
0$4$) Description o Kashyavansh
8ururava?s son Aayu had been married to "ahu?s daughter$ -hey had ive sons= 1ahushE
KshatravriddhE "ambhE VraCi and Aneyna$ ,uhotra was the son o Kshatravriddh$ &e had three sons=
KaashyaE Kaash and *ritsamad$ ,haunak was the son o *ritsamad whereas Kaasheya was the son o
Kaashya$ Lineage o Kaasheya grew as= Kaasheya= "aashtra= Dirdhakapa and Dhanvantari$
Dhanvantari?s body was ree rom all the physical aults like ageing and diseases$
Dhanvantari?s lineage grew as= Dhanvantari= Ketumaan= Bheemrath= Dibodas and 8ratardan$ 8ratardan was also
known as ,hatruCit because o his conMuering his enemies$ ,ince he had acMuired a horse named Kulavay hence
he also came to be known as Kulvayaashva$ 8ratardan had a son named Alarka who enCoyed his rule on earth or
siGty=siG thousand years$
Lineage o Alarka continued as ollows= ,annati= ,unith= ,uketu= Dharmaketu= ,atyaketu= Vibhu=
,uvibhu= ,ukumar= Dhristhaketu= Vitihotra= Bhaarga and Bhaargbhumi$ .t was progeny o Bhaargbhumi
who gave rise to our classes o people$
0$4$/ Description o King "aCi and his ,ons
King "aCi had ive hundred prowessive sons$ %nce at the beginning o battle between the demons and
the godsE they appeared beore Brahma and enMuired as to which part would win$ Brahma said that
only that part would win which would be aided by King "aCi$ <irst the demons approached "aCi and
reMuested him to ight rom their side$ King "aCi stipulated that he would ight only when the demons
agreed to appoint him as their .ndra$ -he demons told him that 8rahlad was their .ndra and returned$
-hen the gods also approached King "aCi and reMuested him to take their side$ "aCi put the same
condition beore them also to which the gods agreed$
.n a ierce battle and aided by King "aCiE the gods deeated the demons$ Ater their victoryE .ndra bowed beore
King "aCi and eGpressed his desire to present him with the kingdom o heaven$ -hus King "aCi became .ndra$
Ater the demise o "aCiE 1arad instigated his sons to acMuire the rule o heaven$ All the ive hundred sons o "aCi
approached .ndra and reMuested him to give them the rule o heaven but .ndra reused plainly$ At that "aCi?s sons
dethroned .ndra orcibly and themselves became .ndra$ Ater much time had passedE .ndra approached Brihaspati
and prayed him to help him regain the rule o heaven$ Brihaspati assured him that he would soon establish him at
the throne$
Aterwards Brihaspati created illusions in the minds o "aCi?s sons$ &e also conducted many Yagyas to
increase the radiance o .ndra$ *uided by the illusionsE "aCi?s sons began to behave in anti=religious
ways$ -hen .ndra easily killed them all and regained his designation$
0$4$#3 -ale o Yayati
1ahush had siG sons= YatiE YayatiE ,anyatiE AayatiE Viyati and Kriti$ Yayati had two wivesE DevyaniE the
daughter o ,hukracharya and ,harmishthaE the daughter o Vrishparva$ Devyani gave birth to Yadu
and -urvasu whereas ,harmishtha gave birth to DruhayuE Anu and 8uru$ Because o a curse o
,hukracharya old age had descended on Yayati prematurely$
Yayati then reMuested his eldest son Yadu to eGchange his youth with his old age but Yadu reused$
-hen Yayati reMuested each o his sons one by one but all o them reused plainly or the ear o getting
old prematurely$
At last Yayati?s youngest son 8uru gladly accepted his reMuest and gave him his youth$ "egaining the youthE
Yayati once again indulged in carnal pleasures with both his Mueens$ But everyday his desire or pleasures
increased like a ire lared up by ghee$ Ater one thousand years Yayati realised his mistake and decided to
eGpiate or his sin$ -husE Yayati returned 8uru his youth and acMuired his old age once again$ -hen crowning 8uru
as the kingE he took an eGile to the orest$
0$4$## Description o Yaduvansh and the -ale o ,ahastrArCuna
Yayati?s eldest son Yadu had our sons= ,ahastraCitE KroshtuE 1ala and 1ahush$ ,ahastraCit had a son
,hataCit who had three sons &aihayaE &ehaya and Venuhaya$ Lineage o &aihaya grew as= Dharma=
Dharmanetra= Kunti= ,ahaCit= 'ahishmaan= Bhadrashrenya= Durdabh and Dhanak$ Dhanak had our
sons= KritveeryaE KritaagniE Kritdharma and KritauCa$
Kritveerya had a prowessive son ArCun$ ArCun had worshipped Dattatreya and by his blessings acMuired
one thousand arms$ ,ince then he came to be known as ,ahastrarCun$ Dattatreya had blessed him with
many other boons like rule o entire earthE ostering o his subCects in religious ways and killing by some
human being amous in all the three worlds$ At that timeE there was no other king eMual to ,ahastrarCun
in virtues$ &e ruled the entire earth or eighty=ive thousand years$
%nce ,ahastrarCun was enCoying his past time on the waters o 1armada when he happened to have an
encounter with "avanE the king o Lanka$ ,ahastrarCun captured "avan easily and imprisoned him at an isolated
place in his kingdom$ 6ith time ego o ,ahastrarCun had crossed all limits$ &e began to terrorise the sages and
other religious people$ 6hen his atrocities increased beyond tolerance levelE Lord Vishnu took a partial
incarnation as 8arashuramE the son o sage @amadagni and "enuka$ As per the prediction o sage "icheekE
8arashuram grew with Kshatriya = like virtues$ &e had in act taken incarnation to relieve the earth rom the
atrocities o egoist kings$ 8arashuram had received arms training rom none other than Lord ,hiva$ &e was very
obedient to his ather and had beheaded his own mother by the 8arashu (aGe) that he had received rom Lord
,hiva at the dictate o his ather$ .n due course 8arashuram not only got "avan released rom captivity but also
killed ,ahastrarCun$
,ahastrarCun had one hundred sons among whom ,hurE ,hursenaE VrishasenaE 'adhu and @ayadhwaC
were prominent$ @ayadhwaC had a son -aalCunga$ -aalCunga had one hundred sons among whom
Vitihotra and Bharat were prominent$ Bharat again had one hundred sons whereas 'adhu also had
hundred sons among whom Vrishni was prominent$ Ater the name o their oreather YaduE this clan
came to be known as Yaduvansha$
0$4$#( Description o Kroshtuvansh
Lineage o Kroshtu grew as ollows= Kroshtu= DhwaCnivan= ,wati= "ushanku= :hitrarath= "ashibindu$
"ashibindu had one lakh Mueens and ten lakh sons among whom 8rithusharvaE 8rithukarmaE 8rithukirtiE
8rithuyashaE 8rithuCay and 8rithushan were prominent$ .n their lineage later on occurred a king named
@yamadh$ &e was so dedicated to his wie ,haivya that despite being childlessE he did not dare to
marry other women because o her ear$
%nceE @yamadh took part in a ierce battle in which he deeated all his enemies$ 6hile he was about to returnE he
heard pitiable cries o a woman$ &e saw a beautiul young lady who was crying or her protection$ @yamadh was
so inatuated by her beauty that he took her to his kingdom$ 6hen they reached at the gate o the palaceE the king
saw that the Mueen ,haivya was waiting or him along with a big crowd$ 6hen ,haivya saw a beautiul young lady
sitting beside the king on the chariotE she began to shout at him$ -he horriied king tried to eGplain that the young
lady was his daughter=in=law$ -he Mueen shouted even louder that when they did not have a sonE whence the
daughter=in=law came$ But the king eGplained that he had selected a wie or her would=be son$
As the eect o their conversation Mueen ,haivya soon conceived and gave birth to a son inspite o her
advancing age$ -hey named the son as Vidarbh$ .n due course o timeE Vidarbh got married to that lady
whom his ather had brought home earlier$ -hey had three sons= KrathE Kaushik and "omapad$
"omapad had received preaching rom 1arad$
Lineage o Krath grew as ollows= Krath= Kunti= *hrishti= 1ighriti= Dashaard= Vyoma= @imoot= Vikriti=
Bheemrath= 1avrath= Dasharath= ,hakuni= Karambhi= Devraat= Devakshatra= 'adhu= Kumarvansh=
Anu= Kurumitra= Anshu= ,atvak$ ,atvak was the oreather o a clan that was named ater him$
*&/ 0hapter / (Part /%
-his chapter contains ; sections$
0$9$# 8uruvansh
-he lineage o 8uru grew as 8uru= @anmeCaya= 8rachinvaan= 8raveer= 'anasyu= Abhayad= ,udayu= Bahugat=
,anyati= Ahamyaati= "audraashva$ "audraashva had ten sons among whom "iteshu was the most prominent$
"iteshu had three sons among whom Apratirath was most prominent$ Lineage o Apratirath is as ollows=
Apratirath= Aileen= Dushyant and Bharat$ King Dushyant had allen in love with ,hakuntalaE the daughter o sage
Vishwamitra and el 'enaka$
-hey got married secretly in the orest and ater a ew daysE King Dushyant returned to his kingdom
promising ,hakuntala that he would call her as soon as he reached his palace$ &e had given
,hakuntala his ring as a memento$ But while ,hakuntala was crossing the river on her way to the
palaceE the ring slipped rom her inger and was swallowed by a ish$ .n the absence o the ringE King
Dushyant reused to identiy ,hakuntala$ ,oE she returned to the hermitage o sage Vishwamitra and
gave birth to a child who later on became amous as Bharat$
Bharat had been very prowessive since his childhood$ &is irst meeting with King Dushyant was also
very dramatical$ .t is said that once King Dushyant was hunting in the orest and he saw a boy who was
counting the teeth o a lion$ .mpressed by the bravery o the boyE the king enMuired about his parentage
and reached the hermitage where sage Vishwamitra narrated him the whole story$ 'eanwhile a
isherman had also recovered the ring rom the ish and handed it to the king who had thus recalled the
whole story$ .n the hermitageE King Dushyant came to see ,hakuntala and he candidly accepted her
and his son Bharat$
Bharat had three Mueens and nine children$ ,ince none o the children resembled him in eaturesE he
eGpressed his doubts about their paternity$ <earing the wrath o BharatE his Mueens killed all the
children$ -hen with a desire to have a sonE Bharat organised a 'arutsoma Yagya$ As a result he got
BharadwaC as his son$ BharadwaC?s second name was Vitath$ &is lineage grew as ollows= Vitath=
'anyu$
'anyu had many sons like BrihatkshatraE 'ahaveerE 1araE *arg etc$ -heir lineage grew as ollows
1ara= ,anskriti= *urupreeti and "antidev$ *arg had a son ,hini who became amous as *aargya and
,hainya also$ 'ahaveer lineage is as ollows= Durukshay= -rayyaruni= 8ushkarinya and Kapi$ .n the
lineage o Brihatkshatra occurred a king &asti who ounded the city o &astinapur$ &asti had three
sons= ACmirh= DwiCmirh and 8urumirh$ Among the sons o ACmirh were included 8anchals and a
daughter Ahilya$ Ahilya was married to sage *autam$ -hey had a son ,hatanand$ ,atyaghriti was the
son o ,hatanand$ %nce ,atyaghriti happened to sight the eGtremely amorous and beautiul el 2rvashi$
&er mere sight was enough to cause the eCaculation o his semenE which ell on a reed and divided into
two parts$ <rom these two parts were born a boy Krip and a girl Kripi$ King ,hantanu discovered Krip
and Kripi in the orest and brought them to his palace$ .n later courseE Kripi was married to
DronacharyaE the teacher o Kauravas and 8andavas$ Ashwatthama was the son o Dronacharya$ %ne
o the king named Kuru in the lineage o ACmirh established the sacred region o Kurukshetra$
0$9$( Description o Kuruvansh
.n the lineage o KuruE there occurred a King 8rateep$ &e had three sons= DevapiE ,hantanu and
Vaahlik$ Devapi had taken an abode in the orest in his childhood$ &ence ,hantanu came to become a
king ater their ather 8rateep$
%nce in the kingdom o King ,hantanuE there was no rainall or twelve years at length$ 8erpleGed by
the continuous drought=like situationE ,hantanu consulted learned Brahmins$ Brahmins inormed him
that he had no genuine right on the kingdomE which in act belonged to his brother Devapi$ -hey also
told him that as long as Devapi was not allen rom his supreme positionE the drought would continue$
AlternativelyE handing over the kingdom to Devapi might also result in the end o the drought$
-hen ,hantanu?s minister Ashmasari appointed certain Brahmins who always spoke in anti=Vedas
ways$ -heir continuous preaching disinclined Devapi?s mind rom Vedas$ %n the other hand one dayE
King ,hantanu proceeded towards the orest along with Brahmins and his courtiers to hand over the
kingdom to Devapi$ -here the Brahmins tried to convince Devapi to accept the onus o the kingdom$
-hey were sighting anecdotes rom the Vedas to corroborate their argument$ But Devapi criticised
Vedas and spoke in anti=religious ways$ At that Brahmins instructed the king to return to the kingdomE
as there was no use to convince Devapi$ -hey also assured ,hantanu that since Devapi had been
disinclined rom VedasE he had lost his right to the kingdom and the amine would also come to an end$
,hantanu?s younger brother Vaahlik had a son ,omadutta$ BhuriE Bhurishrava and ,halya were the
sons o ,omadutta$ .n later course ,hantanu got married to *anga and had a son Bheeshma$ <rom his
second wie ,atyavatiE ,hantanu had two sons= :hitrangad and Vichitraveerya$ :hitrangad was killed
by a *andharva whereas younger Vichitraveerya was married to the princesses o KashiE Ambika and
Ambalika$ &e was so busy in carnal pleasures with his two wives that soon he contracted tuberculosis
and died because o it$ Despite their indulgence in carnal pleasuresE Ambika and Ambalika could not
bear a child rom Vichitraveerya$ &ence in order to continue their lineageE ,atyavati inspired Ambika
and Ambalika to appear naked beore Vedavyasa and beget a child$ ,ince Ambika closed her eyes
while she appeared naked beore VedavyasaE she begot a blind sonE Dhritarashtra$ ,imilarlyE Ambalika
grew pale when she appeared naked beore Vedavyasa$ &ence she begot a son 8andu who was
congenitally alicted with Caundice$ 1ot satisied by the outcomeE ,atyavati once again persuaded
Ambika and Ambalika to appear naked beore Vedavyasa$ But the Mueens sent a maidservant Vinita
beore Vedavyasa$ Vinita appeared naked beore Vedavyasa without any ear or shyness$ &ence she
begot an eGtremely wise son Vidur$
.n later course Dhritarashtra got married to *andhaariE the princess o Kandahar whereas 8andu
received two wives KuntiE the daughter o ,hoorsen and 'adriE the princess o 'adra$ Dhritarashtra
had one hundred sons and a daughter Dushala$ Duryodhan was the eldest among the one hundred
sons o Dhritarashtra$ 8andu on the other hand had ive sons among whom Yudhishthir was the eldest$
All the ive sons o 8andu were born with the help o ive gods= DharmaE VaayuE .ndra and Ashwini
kumars because 8andu was carrying a curse that he would die i he ever tried to copulate$ 8andu?s ive
sons= YudhishthirE BheemaE ArCunE 1akul and ,ahadev came to be known as 8andavas$ <ive 8andavas
were married to DraupadiE the daughter o 8anchal King Drupad$ <rom Draupadi each o the 8andavas
had a son$ -heir names were 8rativindya rom YudhishthirE ,hrutsen rom BheemaE ,hrutkirti rom
ArCunE ,hrutaneek rom 1akul and ,hrutkarma rom ,ahadev$ Besides them Yudhishthir had a son
Devak rom Yaudheyi$ <rom &idimbaE Bheema had a son *hatotkachch and rom Kashi a son ,arvak$
<rom ViCayaE ,ahadev had a son ,uhotra whereas rom "enumatiE 1akul had a son 1irmitra$ ArCun was
the most prowessive among the 8andavas$ Apart rom Draupadi he had three more wives= 2lupi who
belonged to the 1agasE :hitrangadaE the princess o 'anipur and ,ubhadraE the sister o Lord Krishna$
<rom these three wives ArCun had three sons=.ravaan rom 2lupiE Vabhruvaahan rom :hitrangada and
Abhimanyu rom ,ubhadra$ .n the battle o 'ahabharat all these sons o the 8andavas ought valiantly
and sacriiced their lives$ .t was Abhimanyu?s son 8arikshit who continued the lineage o 8andavas and
ruled the earth till right now$
0$9$0 .ncarnation o Lord Krshna
VasudevE the son o ,hoorsen was married to DevakiE the daughter o Devak$ %n that occasion o their
marriageE Devaki?s cousin Kansa was driving their chariot$ At that timeE a celestial voice declared that
the eighth son o Devaki would kill Kansa$ Kansa in the eGcitement was ready to kill Devaki ten and
there but Vasudev convinced him saying that he would himsel hand over all his children to him$ -hus
assured by VasudevE Kansa dropped the idea o killing Devaki$
6hen the marriage o Vasudev and Devaki was taking placeE 8rithvi approached Brahma in the guise
o a cow$ ,he complained to Brahma that population o mean=minded people was increasing and that
she was not more able to bear the burden o their anti=religious deeds$ 8rithvi said= R% LordL -he same
demon Kaalnemi whom Lord Vishnu had killed in his previous birth has taken incarnation o KansaE the
son o 2grasena$ 'any other earsome demons ArishthE DhenukE KeshiE 8ralambE ,undaE Banasura
and many more have taken over the rule and tormenting the religious people in many ways$ -hey keep
million strong orces$ . am unable to bear their burden$ ,o kindly do something to get me rid o this
burden$R
&earing the words o 8rithviE Brahma said to the gods= R8rithvi speaks the truth$ .ndeed she is carrying
too much burden$ Let us all go to the shore o Ksheersagar and pray Lord Vishnu and intimate &im
about all this matter$R -hen accompanied by the godsE Brahma arrived at the coast o Ksheersagar and
prayed Lord Vishnu$ 8leased by their prayerE Lord Vishnu appeared beore them in &is universal orm
and said= RBrahmaCiL Believe my words and be assured that whatever you and these gods desire shall
realise$R -hus assured by the Lord all the gods and Brahma prayed once again$ 8leased by their
prayerE Lord Vishnu plucked a black and a white hair rom his head and said=RBoth these hair o mine
shall take incarnation on earth and remove the miseries that the people ace there$ All o you take
partial incarnation on earth to attenuate the strength o the demons$ -his black hair o mine shall take
birth as the eighth son o Devaki and kill Kansa who is an re=incarnation o Kaalnemi$R
6hile this conversation was onE Devarshi 1arad appeared beore Kansa and inormed him that Lord
Vishnu would take birth as the eighth son o Devaki$ &earing the words o 1aradE Kansa angrily put
Vasudev and Devaki behind the bars$ -here in his abodeE Lord Vishnu instructed 'ahamaaya
(personiied illusion) to implant the siG oetuses who were in 8ataal in the womb o DevakiE one by one$
&e knew that all o them would be killed by Kansa$ -hen he instructing 'ahamaaya to implant his part
,hesha who would appear as the seventh issue o DevakiE in the womb o "ohiniE the second wie o
Vasudev so that he could appear as her son instead o Devaki?s$ Lord instructed 'ahamaaya to appear
in the womb o Yashoda in *okul while &e &imsel would appear as the eighth issue o Devaki$ &e also
told 'ahamaaya that &e would take birth on the eighth day o the darker phase in the month o
Bhaadrapad while she would take birth on the ninth day and that immediately ater &is birthE Vasudev
would himsel carry &im to *okul and leaving me beside YashodaE he would carry her back to 'athura$
0$9$4 Appearance o Lord in Devaki?s 6omb
As per the dictate o Lord VishnuE Yogamaaya implanted siG oetuses in the womb o Devaki$ All the siG
children were killed by Kansa immediately ater their birth$ Yogamaaya transplanted the seventh issue
o Devaki into the womb o "ohini who was residing at that time in *okul$ -hen Lord &imsel appeared
as the eighth issue o Devaki$ ,ince the time o &is arrivalE radiance o Devaki increased maniold$ At
the same timeE Yogamaaya also appeared as an issue o Yashoda in *okul$ ,eeing the arrival o Lord
&imsel as the eighth issue o DevakiE the gods prayed &im with devotion$
-hen on the eighth day in the darker phase o BhaadrapadE Lord took birth$ At the time o &is birthE the
wind suspended its motion$ -he reverse attained eGtremely puriied state whereas dense clouds
gathered in the sky and caused driBBling$ ,eeing the child born with auspicious ,wastik mark on his
chestE Vasudev recognised &im and prayed &im$ At the same timeE he and Devaki also eared that
Kansa would kill their eighth son also$ ,oE they prayed the Lord to hide &is divine appearance$ Lord
assured them that their ordeals would end soon$
-hen Vasudev put the child in a winnower and started his Courney on oot to *okul carrying the
winnower on his head$ Because o the inluence o YogamaayaE all the guards ell asleep while the
gates o the prison opened automatically$ .t was raining heavily at that time$ ,o when Vasudev reached
in the openE ,heshnag spread its hood over him to shade the Lord rom rain$ .n *okulE 1and?s wie
Yashoda too gave birth to a girl child but because o Yogamaaya?s inluence she did not know anything
about the birth$ Vasudev arrived there and putting Lord beside the sleeping YashodaE he took her baby
and returned to his prison in 'athura$
As soon as the baby reached in the prisonE she began to cry loudly$ &er cries awakened the guards
who ran to inorm Kansa about the child?s birth$ Kansa at once arrived there and snatching the baby
rom Devaki?s lapE he dashed her on the wall$ But beore he could throw the babyE she slipped rom his
grip and taking eight armed @agdamba?s appearanceE established in the air$ Laughing loudly thenE
mother @agdamba said= R% KansaL You cannot kill me$ Your killer has taken birth$ Lord &ari had been
your death in your previous births$ .n this birth also &e will kill you$ ,o rom now onE make eorts or
your beneit only$ ,aying this @agdamba vanished$ 6orried by the words o YogamaayaE Kansa called
a meeting o his prominent demons and said =R-hese evil gods have hatched a conspiracy to kill me$
But being a brave manE . do not take these gods into account$ You have yoursel witnessed how .ndra
led beore the shower o my arrows$ You would also remember how the clouds rained heavily in my
kingdom when .ndra had orbidden them rom raining on a kingdom and . had pierced them with my
arrows$
All the things on earth eGcept my ather=in=law @arasandh bow beore me in ear$ . don?t care or the
gods$ +ven their eorts to kill me make me laugh$ But still . must not take the word o @agdamba lightly
that my killer had taken birth$ 6e should thereore kill all the children who have taken birth within the
past ew days$R .nstructing the demons Kansa approached Vasudev and Devaki in the prison and
released them apologising his cruel action in the way o killing their innocent children$
0$9$9 Killing o 8utana and ,alvation o other Demons
6hen Vasudev was released rom the prisonE 1and visited 'athura on some oicial trip$ &e also came
to see Vasudev$ Vasudev greeted him or the birth o a son and instructed him to return to *okul as
soon as possible$ &e also reMuested 1and to look ater the son o "ohini as his own son$ Ater meeting
Vasudev when 1and was returningE many kinds o thoughts were disturbing him$ .n the *okul while
1and was awayE an ogress 8utana had stolen the little Krishna in the night and was breast=eeding him
with her poisoned milk$ But little Krishna sucked even her lie through her breast$ 'aking a loud noise
and assuming a huge bodyE 8utana ell on earth and died$ %nly then the village olk came to know
about the incident$ -hey also saw little Krishna sitting in the lap o 8utana$
-he rightened Yashoda swept little Krishna with the tail o a cow to do away with all the bad omens$
-he other cowherds also prayed Lord Vishnu to protect the child rom all calamities$
K.LL.1* %< ,&AKA
6hen Lord Krishna was twenty=seven days oldE a estival was organised in *okul$ 'ata Yashoda
bathed the baby while the Brahmins recited hymns$ Yashoda saw that baby was eeling sleepyE so
putting him in a cradleE she let it under a cart$ -he cart was loaded with pitchers o milkE curd and
butter$ Ater sometimeE lord Krishna awoke and began to cry or a eed$ But amidst estivitiesE Yashoda
could not hear his cries$
'eanwhile a demon ,hakatasur rode the cart wishing to press the cart and thereby kill the Lord$ But
beore he could actE the Lord touched the cart with &is eet and lo and beholdL -he cart turned over and
all the utensils kept on it came crashing down$ +ven the demon was crushed to death under the cart$
%ther boysE who were playing nearbyE inormed the *opis (ladiesolk) that the little Kanhaiya had turned
over the loaded cartE but they did not believe the kids$ Yashoda ran in horror and lited the baby in her
lap$ -he Brahmins recited paciying hymns then$ -hereater the baby was bathed again with sanctiied
water$ A east o Brahmins ollowed then$ 2ltimately they were seen o with many gits$
,ALVA-.%1 %< -".1AVA"-
%nce 'ata Yashoda was playing with the baby lord in her home$ All o a sudden she elt as i the baby
was getting disproportionately heavy$ ,oonE she elt hersel unable to bear the child anymore$ ,o she
let the child on the ground and began to pray 8urushottam Lord "ama$ ,oon aterwards she orgot
about the eventE but all was not over yet$ -rinavartE a demon minister o KansaE had arrived in *okul as
a ierce cyclone$ &e covered entire *okul with dust and blinded the people temporarily$ <or a moment
people could not see anything and during that moment -rinavart blew the baby in air with him$ 6hen
the dust settledE Yashoda did not ind the baby Krishna where she had let him$ ,he elt eGtremely sorry
and ell on ground in depression$ %ther womenolk also gathered round her$ -hey too began to cry not
seeing baby Krishna there$
.n the orm o cycloneE the demon -rinavart had blown baby Krishna with himO but he too could not bear
his heavy burden$ ,o he began to lose his velocity$ Lord Krishna caught him by neck$ -he demon died
in a ew moments and his dead body ell in VraC$ And Yashoda got a new lease o lie when she saw
baby Krishna sae and sound$ 1and and other *opas too were overCoyed$
1A'.1* %< L%"D K".,&1A
%nceE the supreme ascetic *argacharya arrived in *okul$ &e was the ancestral teacher o
Yaduvanshis$ 1and Coyully welcomed and treated the hermit$ -hen he reMuested him to carry out the
ritual o naming and suggest suitable named or both o his sons$ Acharya *arg saidE R% 1andE
everyone knows that . am the ancestral teacher o the Yadavas$ . . carry out the naming ritual or these
boysE people will understand that they are DevakiKs sons$R ,o 1and reMuested *argacharya to name
his sons secretly$ *argacharya accepted his reMuest and carried out the naming rituals secretly in
1andKs cattle shed$
*arg saidJ R-his son o "ohini will cause by his virtueE great pleasures or his near and dear ones$ ,o
his second name will be "ama$ And because o eGcessive strengthE people will call him as Bala also$
,ince he will unite the people alsoE so one o his names would be ,ankarshan$R
-hereaterE *arg said pointing to Yashodanandan$ &e has taken incarnation in every age$ .n the past
agesE he had taken whiteE red and yellow compleGions respectively$ -his time he has taken dark
compleGionE so he will be known as Krishna$ %nce he has been the son o VasudevE so people will call
him as Vasudev also$ &e will cause salvation o all o youE and great Coy or the ellow *opas and cows$
6ith his helpE you will overcome even the severe crises$ % 1andE -his boy will be eMual to 1arayana in
virtuesE wealthE beautyE ame and inluence$ <oster this child with care and earnestness$R -hus naming
the boys as per their virtuesE *arg returned to his hermitage$
:&.LD&%%D %< L%"D K".,&1A
-he time passed in *okul as usual$ Balrama and Krishna too grew normally$ ,oon they began to walk
on knees and palms$ 6ith their childish plays they both amused men and women olk o *okul$
+veryone took special care o them and looked ater them to save them rom any possible danger$
Ladiesolk were especially careul about them$
,oon aterwardsE both the kids began to walk trottingly$ 1ow their movement no longer conined within
the boundary o their home$ Because o his special virtuesE Krishna began to lead other kids o his age
group whereas his elder brother Balaram was somewhat serious in nature$ Krishna specially enCoyed
teasing the girls and milkmaids o *okul$ %ten he would eat stealing their milkE curd and butter$ At
other timesE &e did not hesitate even to break their pitchers$ .n such situations the ladiesolk used to
gather in 1andKs home to complain against Krishna$ And every time Yashoda promised them to punish
Krishna$ But every timeE when she proceeded to punish himE she orgot everything beore his sweetE
innocent smile$
%ne dayE Balaram complained against KrishnaE R'aE the little Kanhaiya has eaten mud$ 6orried about
KrishnaKs healthE Yashoda scolded at himJ R-ell meE % mischievous KrishnaE why did you eat mudR$ At
that momentE little KrishnaKs eyes were moving with ear$ &e made an eGcuseJ R1o 'aE . have not eaten
any mud$ -hey are telling you a lie$ . you donKt believeE me see yoursel$R ,aying thisE Krishna opened
his little mouth$ Yashoda peeped into his mouth and what she saw there amaBed her$ ,he could not
believe it$ -he entire universe was visible in his little mouth$ Yashoda saw strange placesE entire VraC
and even hersel in the little mouth o Krishna$ ,he elt diBBy$ 6ith his illusionary powersE Lord wiped
out the memory o this incidence rom the mind o YashodaE and she again immersed in love with her
child$
2K&AL BA1D&A1 A1D ,ALVA-.%1 %< YA'ALA"@21
%nceE wishing to eed Krishna with butterE Yashoda began to churn milk in the morning$ Very soonE
Krishna too awakened and not inding the mother on her bedE &e set out to search her$ ,oon &e ound
her in the courtyard where she was churning the milk$ &e began to insist or breast eeding at once$ ,o
Yashoda stopped churning and began to breast eed Krishna$ Aection played on her ace$ ,uddenly
the milk kept on the ire pot began to boil$ Yashoda let Krishna in order to attend the boiling milk$ But
the unstiated Krishna illed with anger and broke the pitcher o curd$ -hen he went inside and began to
eat butterE when Yashoda came backO she understood the matter and began to search him with a stick
in her hand$ Ater eating butter himselE Krishna was now eeding the monkeys with it$ ,eeing the
mother come in hot pursuitE Krishna Cumped over the mortar and ran away$ Yashoda chased himE but
soon elt tired because o her bulky body$
-hereaterE Yashoda proceeded to tie Krishna as a punishment$ ,he got a rope and tried to tie Krishna$
But the rope ell short by two ingers$ ,he Coined many ropes together but the result was same$ +very
time the ropes ell short by two ingers$ ,oonE Yashoda was bathing in sweat$ 6hen Krishna saw his
mother in depressionE he himsel tied in the ropes$ -ethering little Krishna to a heavy mortarE Yashoda
engaged in usual household tasks$ -ethered to the mortarE Krishna glanced at the two ArCun treesE
which were standing on the gate like two sentries$ &e resolved to salve them$
'aitreya asked 8arashar about the trees$ 8arashar saidJ R-he lord o wealth Kuber had two sons
1alkubar and 'anigreev$ %ne day they were enCoying the sweet company o pretty women on the bank
o 'andakini "iver$ @ust by coincidenceE Devarshi 1arad arrived there$ %ut o ,hynessE the women olk
at once covered themselvesE but both the sons o Kuber stood boldly without eeling any shame$
.ndignant 1arad cursed them to become trees and stay in that orm or one hundred years$ 1arad
showed kindness as well that despite being in tree ormsE they would have the memory o *od alive
and would be salved by Lord ,hri Krishna$ -husE to keep the words o his supreme devotee 1aradE
Lord dragged the mortar to the two ArCun trees$ &e walked in such a way that the mortar got stuck
between the trees$ Krishna then pulled the mortar and in no time the trees were uprooted$ -wo divine
men appeared rom the uprooted trees and bowed at the eet o Krishna and prayed him with pure
hearts$ -hen they departed to their heavenly abode$
'.*"A-.%1 -% V".1DAVA1A
-he uprooted ArCun trees ell with thundering sound$ All the people shivered with ear and elt as i
lightning had struck somewhere$ All the elders including 1and met together and discussed the matter$
2nanimously they concluded thatE o late disturbance had increased in *okul and the circumstances
were no longer conducive to raise the kids like Balaram and Krishna there$ ,o they unanimously
decided to leave *okul and migrate to a verdant place named Vrindavana$ .n their opinionE Vrindavana
had ample vegetation and ertility to support them and their cattle$
-husE on an auspicious dayE the entire population o *okul set out or Vrindavana$ -hey packed their
households on bullock carts and drove their cattle in herds and started in convoy$ .n Vrindavana they
built their houses and started their lie once again$
8arashar saysJ R-he verdant environment o VrindavanaE *ovardhan mountain and crystal clear waters
and sandy banks o Yamuna river together illed the hearts o Balaram and Krishna with Coy$ Along with
the ellow cowherdsE they began diverse kinds o plays there$
,ALVA-.%1 %< VA-,A,2"
%ne dayE Balaram and Krishna were graBing their cattle on the bank o Yamuna "iver$ A demonE
meanwhileE took the guise o a cal and miGed with the herd$ %bviouslyE he had malicious intentions$
Lord Krishna had already seen the demon taking calKs guise and miGing up with the herd$ &e signalled
Balaram and they together reached near the cal$ -he cal appeared particularly healthyE so Krishna
and Balaram mockingly saw it with admiring eyes$ ,uddenly they held the cal with its hind legs and tail
twirling it in air they threw it in the sky$ 6hen the demon diedE they threw him on a Kath (wood=apple)
tree$
,ALVA-.%1 %< BAKA,2"
%ne dayE all the cowherds took their cattle to a large pond to let them drink water$ -here they say a
huge creature sitting like a hillock on the bank$ -hey were rightened by its appearance$ -he creature
was in act a demon named Bakasur who had arrived there in the guise o a storke$ &e was himsel
very strong and had a long pointed bill$ As soon as the cowherds drew near himE -he storke hastily
picked up Krishna and swallowed him$ %ther cowherds including Balaram were stupeied$ -hey could
not believe their eyes$ But inside the beakE Lord Krishna made him eGtremely hot and caused severe
burning in demonKs throat$ ,o the demon could not swallow Krishna and regurgitated himE and began to
hit him with his strong beak$ But Lord held his beak with both his hands and tore the demonKs mouth
apart$ And as son as the demon diedE a ripple o Coy surged among the cowherds$
,ALVA-.%1 %< A*&A,2"
%ne dayE Krishna planned a picnic near 1andanvan$ ,o rising early in the morningE &e awakened his
ellow cowherds sounding a horn$ -ogetherE all the cowherdsE and their cattle went to the orest$ -hereE
on the bank o Yamuna "iver they began to play Coyully$ 1andanvan was in act an abode o the
demon Aghasur$ Kansa had sent him there$ ,eeing the boys playingE he elt eGtremely Cealous$
Knowing that Krishna had killed his brother Bakasur and sister 8ootanaE it seemed an ideal moment or
the demon to avenge the death o his siblings$ -hinking thusE the demon took guise o python and lay in
the way and opening his mouth like an opening o a cave$ -he cowherds too ell in his trap$ -hus driven
by curiosityE all the cowherds entered the demon mouth one by one$ 6hen Lord Krishna saw that his
riends had entered demonKs mouth$ &e too entered it to protect them$
Aghasur wanted to masticate the cowherds including lord KrishnaO but the lord increased his body and
choked demon throat$ 1ow the breath o demon stopped$ &is eyes rolled over and at last his lie let his
body through Brahmrandhra (cosmic pore)$ 6ith his ambrosial eyeE Lord resurrected these dead
ellows and their cattle and together they came out o the demonKs mouth$ As soon as the demon diedE
a divine lame emerged rom the pythonKs mouth$ .t waited there sometime or *od$ And when lord
Krishna came outE the lame mingled with him$
A--A:&'+1- %< B"A&'AE ,-+AL.1* %< :A--L+ A1D :%6&+"D,
8arashar saysJ -he cowherds told the tale o AghasurKs salvation to their parents only ater a year o
the incidence$ During that period o one yearE Lord Krishna multiplied himsel and took the guise o his
ellow cowherd and their stock o cattle to remove the illusion o BrahmaE who was the cause o the
ollowing incidence$
Ater AghasurKs lie mingled with *odE Lord Krishna came with &is ellow cowherd on the bank o
Yamuna$ -hey let their cattle to graBe reely and they sat together to take their lunch$ All o the
cowherds tasted one=anotherKs oodE as they wanted to eed Krishna with the tasty ood$ 'eanwhile
surprised by AghasurKs salvationE Brahma too had arrived there and saw Krishna eating ood deiled by
the cowherds$ 6ith that sightE Brahma grew suspicious i Krishna was indeed an incarnation o lord$
-hus driven by the illusion and to test the authenticity o lordKs incarnationE Brahma kidnapped all the
cattle irst and when Krishna went out to search the cattle Brahma kidnapped and concealed the
cowherds also$ ,oon lord Krishna understood the cratiness o BrahmaE so he multiplied himsel into his
ellow cowherds and cattle$ "eplicas resembled truly to the cowherds in appearanceE compleGionE
natureE activitiesE voiceE sticks and even in costumes$ -he replicas remain in eGistence or complete one
year$
Back thereE when Brahma returned ater hiding the cowherds and the cattleE he was stunned to see the
cowherds and cattle as usual$ Brahma was eeling diBBy when lord bestowed his grace on him$ Brahma
saw 1arayana in every dust particle$ Brahma thereore bowed his head at the eet o lord and saidJ R%
lordE . submit beore you$ You can be won only with devotion and not by ego$ 1o one can know your
omnipresent appearance$ -hus praying and worshipping lord 1arayanaE Brahma returned to his abode$
-he cowherds remained separated rom *od or one year$ But they elt as i only hal a second had
passed because o the illusionary inluence o *od$ -hat is why they related the incidence o Aghasur?s
killing to their parents only ater a year it took place$
,ALVA-.%1 %< D&+12KA,2"
6hen Krishna and Balaram entered siGth year o their agesE they got the permission to take the cattle
out or graBing$ Along with their ellow cowherds the two brothers too began to take their cattle to
Vrindavana$ -hus they sanctiied the earth o Vrindavana with their pious eet$ ,eeing the beauty o
VrindavanaE with beautiulE colourul lowers and sweet ruitsE Lord Krishna elt overCoyed$ &e then used
to graBe his cattle at the oothills o *ovardhan and on the banks o Yamuna "iver$ 8laying lute was
his avourite pass time$ %ne day KrishnaKs beloved riend ,udama saidJ RKanhaiyaE there is a beautiul
orest name -alvana$ .t has uncountable numbers o trees laden with ripe ruits$ But a ormidable
demon Dhenukasur guards that orest$ &e is very strong$ ,o no one goes thereO even animals and birds
shun that place$ But we are tempted to eat those sweet delicious ruits$ . you and Daau (Balaram)
wishE we may go there and eat those delicious ruits$R
-hus hearing thisE Krishna and Balaram guided all o them to -alvana$ -here they shook the trees and
in no time a heap o ripeE delicious ruits gathered under the trees$ All the cowherds began to eat ruits$
6hile eatingE they were also making lot o noises$ Disturbed by the sound o ruits alling and noise o
the cowherdsE the demon Dhenukasur arrived there as a donkey$ &e was braying loudly and tried to hit
BalaramE but Balrama caught him by his hind legs and threw him in the air$ -he demon died in an
instance$ ,ince that dayE everyone visited -alvana earlessly and the cattle graBed there reely$
*"A:+ %1 KAL.Y -&+ 1A*A
%ne dayE Bala=Krishna arrived on the banks o Yamuna with their riends$ Balaram was not with them
that day$ -he water o the river Yamuna was intoGicated by the poison o Kaliy= the 1aga$ .t was
eGceptionally hot that day and all the cowherds and cattle were very thirsty$ ,o without giving any
thoughtE they all drank the water rom Yamuna and died$ But Lord Krishna resurrected them by his
ambrosial sight$
-hen Lord Krishna decided to puriy the waters o Yamuna$ -hus tying a cloth round his waistE Krishna
climbed a :adamba tree and Cumped into the river$ .n the water the lord started playing and splashing
water$ ,oon the waves began to rise high$ 6hen Kaliy= the 1aga heard the noise$ &e got eGtremely
angry and appeared beore Krishna$
&e saw a beautiulE tenderE dark compleGioned boy playing Coyully in the waters$ &e stung him and tied
him in his spirals$ -ied in the spirals o KaliyE lord became absolutely motionless$ ,eeing Krishna in
death like situationE all the cowherds and even the cows elt very sorry$ @ust then lord reed himsel rom
the hold o Kaliy$ -hen a game o hide and seek began between them$ Lord dodged the 1aga or a long
time$ -hereater he rode on KaliyKs hood and began to dance there$
-he ollowers o *odE like *andharvas etc$ began to play 'ridangE Dhol etc$ to give him a company$
-ired rom the blows o lordKs eetE Kaliy soon began to vomit blood$ 1agaKs wives began to pray *odE
R% lordE your incarnation is to punish the evil ones or their sins$ You have shown your grace on us also$
6e are ortunate to have a sight and touch o your eet$ 8ity % lord$ -his 1aga can no longer bear your
momentum$ &e will die$ 6e are all your slaves$ Kaliy is our lord$ Kindly orgive him$R 6ith kindnessE lord
released KaliyE who prayed thusJ % lord in your creation we snakes represent -amoguna (dark virtues)$
6e are conused by your illusions$R Lord dictated Kaliy to migrate with his amily to "amanakdweep$
,ince then water o Yamuna became pure or humans and animals$
D".1K.1* %< DAVA1AL (<%"+,- <."+)
Ater deeating KaliyE Lord Krishna and all other people o VraC elt eGtremely tired$ -hey were very
hungry and thirsty also$ ,o they did not go back to VrindavanaE but stayed on the bank o Yamuna in
the night$ Because o intense heat o summerE surrounding orests had been shrivelled$ At midnight
those shrivelled orests caught ire and the sleeping people were enguled by it$ -hey awakened
startled and took shelter at Krishna$ ,eeing their horriied appearanceE Lord Krishna drank the inernal
orest ire and thus saved the lives o innocent people who had rested their lives at him with aith$
,ALVA-.%1 %< 8"ALA'BA,2"
%ne dayE Balaram and Krishna were playully graBing their cattle along with other cowherds in the
orests$ 6hen a demon 8ralamb arrived there with an intention o kidnapping Krishna and Balaram$
-he demon had come in the guise o a cowherdE but the *od easily recognised him$ -hey accepted his
proposal o riendshipE but were thinking about the way or his salvation$ *od thereater summoned all
his riends and saidJ R8alsE today we shall divide ourselves in to two teams and play Coyully$ -hus the
teams were divided and each team chose Krishna and Balaram as its captain respectively$ .t was
stipulated that the members o deeated team would carry the members o winner team on their back
up to the place pointed by them$ -hus the game began and soon both the teams reached a secluded
place$
At one timeE the team headed by Balaram won$ ,o the members o KrishnaKs team were to carry them
on their back$ Demon 8ralambasur oered Balaram a ride on his back$ Balaram agreed to ride on the
demonKs backO but as soon as he rode on the demonKs backE the demon galloped$ But he could not go
ar or not being able to bear BalaramKs weight$ -hem the demon regained his huge ormidable siBe and
tried to escape by lying$ <irst Balaram elt terrorised but soon he realised his real powers and hit on the
demonKs head with a powerul ist$ -he blow shattered demonKs head and he ell on earth dead like a
huge mountain$
8arashar saysJ R'ost o the time o Lord KrishnaKs boyhood passed in Vrindavana$ -here &e graBed
cattle and played lute$ &is lute had a divineE enchanting sound$ -he *opis used to gather around &im
drawn by the enchanting tunes$R
-hey also heard the enchanting Venugeet that ills one hearts with the memory o Bhagwat$ %ne o the
girls said to her riendJ R% dear riendE having the privilege o seeing Lords beauty and receiving &is
kindness is the real salvation$ Another girl saidJ R% riendE what penance this lute had observed that it
has got a closer contact with lips o 1andnandan (an epithet or Krishna)$ +ven the siblings o this luteE
trees and other vegetationKs are pleased with its ortune and are hence showering their leaves and
lowers on him$R %ne more saidJ R% riendE lookE even Bhagwati Lakshmi has let her luGurious abode in
Vaikunth and arrived in Vrindavana to have a look o lord Devakinandan$R A *opi eGpressed her
CealousyJ R+ven this doe is better than usE % riendsE look how engrossed is she looking at *od that her
eyes are not blinking$R
&earing the sweet enchanting tunes o lute even the heavenly elves gather in the sky over Vrindavana$
-hey also see the beauty o lord Krishna and showered the lowers o their braids on him$ +ven the
cows orgot graBing when then heard the enchanting music o lute$ -he calves too orgot drinking milk
and began to look at lord Krishna with Coy$ -his is the real devotion or lord Krishna$ You have to orget
yoursel in order to ind him$ :ondition o girls o Vrindavana was eGactly the same$ Ater having the
sight o lord Krishna they remembered nothingO not even the way back to home$ -hey stood in the
orests in a tranceE completely tiredE unaware o their sel$
A girl said pointing to the aunaJ RLook % riendsE look at these birds$ Do you know that these birds were
the saints and sages in their previous births$ .n this birth also they are sitting in a state o trance$ Look
they have orgotten their knowledge hearing the sweet enchanting music o the lute$ And look at
Yamuna$ ,he is also unable to contain her eGhilaration$ ,he is eagerly splashing her waves to wash
Lord?s eet$ Yet another girl saidJ RLook riends the clouds cannot see their lord scorching in the sun$ ,o
they have covered the sun and shaded Lord Krishna$ 1ow they are driBBling as i showering petals$R A
girl saidJ R<riendsE lookE these Bheelanis are better than us$ -hey have such a strong urge o KrishnaKs
sight that when *ovind returns homeE they smear their body with dusts o his eet$ Blessed is this
mountain which has dedicated its entire sel in the eet o BraCnandan and eels overCoyed$ .t is his
supreme devotee$ Kanhaiya has inused even non=living things with lie by his sweet tunes o lute$
,-+AL.1* %< :L%-&+,
-he unmarried girls o Vrindavana elt as i their lives were dedicated to Lord Krishna$ +ach o them
wished heartily to have lord Krishna as her husband$ ,o in order to get their desire ulilledE all o the
spinster girls o VraC began to take bath in Yamuna early in morning o &emant season and worshipped
goddess Katyayani$ 6hen 'adan'ohan learned that the unmarried girls wished to marry him$ &e went
to see them at dawn$ -he girls were bathing naked in the riverO their clothes were kept on the bank$
Lord Krishna stealthy took those clothes and climbed on a :adamba tree$ Lord had not stolen their
clothes with malicious intentions$ &e had stolen them to remove their laws and make them realise their
real appearance that they were not mere girlsE but pure souls$ 6ithout realisation o the real selE one
can not eGperience the *od$
-he girls wereE in actE the hymns o VedasE ,adhanaE ,iddhisE ,ages and Brahmvidyas (Vedas)
themselves that took the guise o girls to enCoy the vicinity o *od$ *od removed their clothes that
symbolised lust$ Because o the lords grace they all were able to enCoy *odKs company$
8arashar saysJ R% 'aitreyaE -hus Lord Krishna removed the shyness o the girls o VraC through &is
sweet talks$ &e derided at themE made them dance like puppets and even stole their clothes when they
were bathing nakedE but they did not deter his actions$ .nstead they elt overCoyed by the close
presence o their beloved Kanha$R
L.<-.1* %< *%VA"D&A1
8arashar saysJ %ne dayE Balaram and Krishna saw that many delicious kind o sweetmeats were being
cooked at home$ 6ith curiosity and politenessE they asked 1and and other eldersJ R<atherE which
estival are you preparing orN 6hich god will be worshippedN 6hat purpose will such worship serveN
1and Baba eGplainedJ R,ons DevraC .ndra is the god o clouds$ .t is because o .ndraKs grace that we
get rain$ ,o these materials are being prepared to worship .ndra$
Krishna saidJ <ather every creature in the world enCoys comorts or suers as per his ate$ 1one o the
gods can change the results$ Action is primary in the world$ %ne gets the results as per his actions$
+ven .ndra is *od as a result o his action$ AnyoneE who perorms one hundred Ashvamegh YagyasE
becomes .ndra$ But even ater perorming crores o Ashvamegh Yagyas one can not stay in VraC$ .t is
the duty o .ndra to cause rain$ ,o it will rain even i you donKt worship .ndra$ But to eed the poors and
satisy them with clothes and other gits is real worship$ By their blessingE we shall be happier$ . desire
that with all these materials we should worship *iriraC *ovardhan and distribute the 8rasad among the
poors$ 6ith which their souls will be sated and will have the grace o *od$
-hus Lord Krishna told his ather that all the people should worship unitedly and unitedly they should
receive 8rasad$ . you are ready to do as per my desireE its all rightE otherwise . will not worship your
haughty godE nor receive his 8rasad$
6%",&.8 %< *%VA"D&A1 A1D .1D.*1A-.%1 %< .1D"A
-hus convinced by KanhaiyaKs wise reasoningE all the *opas agreed to him$ 1and Baba saidE R%
KrishnaE we are making all these preparation or you only and we will do as you say$ 6e will worship
*ovardhan$ <or us *ovardhan is also like a god$ .t gives us grassE waterE and uel etc$E which are
necessary or our lives$ -hus with lord?s consentE they dropped their plan to worship .ndra and resolved
to worship *ovardhan aithully$
%n the 8urnima (ull moon) day in the month o Kartik (1ovember) all the *opas (people o VraC region)
gathered near mount *ovardhan$ During the night all o them circumambulated the mountain$ Lord
invoked the *anges by his wish and bathed *ovardhan with her water$ -hen they put vermilion on itE
oered basil=leavesE lowers etc and worshipped it$ Brahmins recited hymns in its praise$ -o make the
people believe in their ritualsE Lord Krishna himsel appeared on the mountain in huge orm and
eGclaimedJ R. am *iriraC (the king o the mountain) and began to eat the oerings$ But as a childE &e
was still among the villagers who aithully bowed beore the mountain$ Among themE the child Krishna
saidJ RlookE what a surprise *iriraC has appeared himsel and bestowed his grace on us$ &e has
accepted our worship$R -here ater all the *opas distributed 8rasad among themselves and elt
supremely satisied$
6hen .ndra learned that the *opas had stopped worshipping himE he grew outrageous$ .n angerE he
ordered the clouds to rain torrentially over VraC and cause heavy lood in VraC region$ .n no time dense
clouds gathered over VraC$ ,oon there was lightningE thunderE darkness and storm all around$ -hen it
began to rain torrentially$ All the people took reuge at Lord Krishna and prayed him to save them rom
the anger o .ndra$ Lord Krishna saidJ R-hose who regard me as theirE are mine and . am theirsE ,o
there is no need to worry or you$R
,aying thisE Lord lited *iriraC on his little inger and called all the people o VraC along with their cattle
under the lee o *ovardhan$ -hen he ordered his wheel ,udarshan to absorb the water o the clouds so
that not even a single drop could all on earth$ -hus or seven days continuously Lord balanced
*ovardhan on the little inger$ -hus Lord Krishna also came to be known as *iridhari$ 8eople who had
gathered around himE Cust kept on seeing Lords moon=like ace and hence did not eel thirsty or hungry$
.n act the comorts those people got during those seven days are beyond verbal description$ Lord held
*ovardhan on one handE and conch in the otherE while with the remaining two hands &e began to play
this lute$ &earing the tunes o his luteE all the people o VraC began to dance with Coy$ Ater the rains
stoppedE all o them returned to their homes$
:+"+'%1.AL BA-& %< ,&". K".,&1A
6hen .ndra learned about the happenings in VraCE he soon realised his mistake$ .ndra himsel reached
VraC and begged lord or &is pardon$ -hen he gave lord a ceremonial bath with the milk o ,urabhi$ <or
protecting the cowsE the Lord also got one more name R*ovindR$
"A,, L++LA
8arashar related to 'aitreya the tale o KamadevKs humiliation$ -he purpose o describing this tale is
Cust that common people should relect on the selless love o *opis or Lord Krishna and eGperience
the love o *od or them as well$
Ater conMuering Brahma and other godsE ego o Kamadev had surged to great heights$ &eE thereoreE
reMuested *od to Muench his thirst or war$ *od invited Kamadev to visit Vrindavana on the night o
,harad 8urnima (<ull moon night) in the season that precedes winterE and told him that on that divine
night &e would enCoy the company o crores o *opis$ R. . have slightest passion or any o themE you
will winE otherwise you will lose$R
-hat night Lord Krishna added more divinityE more brilliance to it with a resolution o "aas with the help
o Yogmaya (personiied illusion)$ .t was a perect night or the purpose = lowers bloomed in
VrindavanaE ull moon shoneE and gentleE cool breeBe blew rom the banks o river Yamuna$ Amidst this
stimulating ambience Lord Krishna began to play an enchanting tune on his lute$ -he tune attracted
*opisE their passion surged to its Benith and under the inluence o love or lord Krishna and as i in
tranceE all o them ran to meet their beloved Kanhaiya leaving all their earE bondageE patience and
shyness behind$ ,ome o them were intercepted by their husbands and dragged back to home$ But
only their physical bodies stayed putE their souls reached Vrindavana$
.n Vrindavana on the bank o YamunaE *opis saw Vrindavana Vihari (epithet or Krishna) near their
amiliar :adamba tree$ Yogmaya adorned all the *opis rom tip to toe$ .n act those *opis were not
ordinary women$
'aitreya asksJ R*opis had not regarded Krishna as 8araBrahma$ 6hat was the basis or their passion
thenNR
8arashar saysJ 6hen a wretched person like ,hishupalE who always abused lord Krishna could ind
supreme positionE there should be no doubt or *opis who had such a proound passion or Lord$R ,o
*opis arrived and gathered around Lord Krishna$
-o test their devotion and to enhance the honour o KamadevE Krishna said to themJ R% *opisE the pure
onesE it is not it or you to stay here at this hour o night$ *o and serve your husbands$ Your duties
must be irst to your husbandKs children and cows$ -hey will be waiting or you eagerly$ *o and console
them$ You can gain me by hearingE recitingE seeing etc$ You need not sit here$ *o to your homes$R
*opisE however saidJ R*ovindE we have come to you leaving all the mundane lusts behind$ 1ow going
back is like ruining our lives$ .t is the greatest misortune i someone returns to mundane aairs even
ater being at your eet$R -hese words that relected divine eelings o *opis pleased Lord$ &e began to
enCoy their company$ But a eeling o ego began to creep in the minds o *opis because o lordKs
closeness$ -hey began to assume themselves as highly ortunate$ -o remove their egoE Lord
disappeared right among them$
8.-.ABL+ :%1D.-.%1 %< *%8., .1 *%DK, AB,+1:+
Ater the disappearance o *odE *opis were perpleGed$ -heir hearts burned with desire$ -hey had
dedicated their entire selves in the eet o Lord$ -hey were entirely merged in the love o Krishna$ -hus
driven by passionE *opis began to search Lord Krishna$ -hey asked treesE creepers and vegetation or
the whereabouts o their beloved$ -hey then spotted &is ootprints at one place$ <ootprints o "adha
were also there$ K.ndeed &e would have carried herE that great ortunate oneE on &is shoulders$K -hey
thought$ Lord had indeedE ater disappearing rom amidst *opisE taken "adha to an isolated place$ ,he
had then began to think hersel superior to other *opis$ ,o at one placeE she saidJ R% LordE . canKt walk
now$ 'y tender eet are tired$ Kindly carry me on your shoulders to wherever you wish$R At her reMuestE
Lord Krishna agreed to carry her on his shoulder$ But as soon as she proceeded to rideE Lord
disappeared rom there also$ 1owE "adha began to cry and wail and ainted$ At the same timeE other
*opis also reached there and ound "adha lying unconscious on the ground$ All o them including
"adha then returned to the bank o Yamuna and began to wait or KrishnaKs appearance$
"+=A88+A"A1:+ %< L%"D A'%1* *%8.,
6hen the beloved *opis burst into tearsE KrishnaKs patience gave away$ &is heart melted at their
condition and &e appeared amidst them$ A sweet smile played on his beautiul ace$ &e wore a garland
o resh VaiCayanti lowers and yellow clothes$ &is beauty could have moved even Kamadev$ ,eeing
their beloved Kanha once again amidst themE *opis got a new lease o lie$ All o them began to
embrace Lord and thus Muench the ire o separation that was burning their bodies$
-hereaterE along with the beauties o VraCE Lord came to the bank o Yamuna$ *opis put their Mueries
beore him or solution$ Lord saidJ R% beloved *opisE . do not reciprocate to the desire o my beloved
ones or physical love$ Because o it their conscience remains always engrossed in me$ &enceE . take
to hiding even ater meeting so that you could eel complete imbibement in me$
'A&A"AA,
<rom the words o the LordE *opis orgot the pains o separation$ <rom the closeness o their belovedE
their lives were successul now$ 6ith those *opisE Lord Krishna started 'aharaas on the pious banks
o river Yamuna$ All the gods gathered in sky to witness that divine estival$ *opis were even more
ortunate than Lakshmi$ But even amidst crores o *opisE who were eager to devote their everything to
&imE Lord completely rerained rom desiresE eelings and even actions$ -hus Lord deeated even
Kamadev and removed his ego$
,ALVA-.%1 %< ,2DA",&A1 A1D ,&A1K&:2"
8arashar saysJ %nce on the occasion o ,hivaratriE 1and Baba and all other *opas drove their carts
with amilies and reached Ambikavana on a pilgrimage tour$ -here they took bath in the river ,araswati
and with devotion worshiped lord ,hiva and 8arvati$ -hey also observed day long ast and decided to
pass their night on the bank o ,araswati$ But a huge python inhabited that place$ During the night the
python emerged and caught hold o 1andKs leg$ 1andbaba cried loudly$ All the *opas gathered around
him$ &e cried againJ RKanhaiyaE -his snake is all set to strangulate me$ ,ave me$R
Lord touched the python with his eet and instantaneously the python vanished$ .n its place appeared a
divine=looking human being$ &e saidJ R% LordE . was a Vidyadhar named ,udarshan$ . was so much
obsessed with my beautyE youthE luGury and comorts that . used to insult others$ %ne day . had derided
at the ugly appearance o the sage Angira$ ,o indignantly he cursed me to become a python$ ButE
pleased by my realisation o mistakeE he had told that when *od himsel would touch meE . would
regain my original appearance$R -hereaterE ,udarshan went round the *odE worshiped &im and with
his permissionE departed to his abode$
%n another occasionE Lord arrived in Vrindavana during Vasant "itu (spring ,eason)$ -here &e took
part in Vasantik "aas ("aas o spring season) with the *opis$ During "aas itselE a demon ,hankhchur
tried to escape away kidnapping some o the *opis$ A stampede resulted among *opis$ &earing their
noiseE Lord ran ater the demonE carrying a huge ,al (,horea) tree in his hands$ .n no time &e overtook
the demon and killed him by Cust one blow$ &e picked up the gem rom demonKs head and handed it to
Balaram$
,ALVA-.%1 %< A".,&-A,2"
%nceE Kansa sent a demon Arishtasur to Vrindavana$ -he demon arrived there in a bullKs guise$ -hat
huge bull came to Vrindavana and began to terrorise the people with his loud sound$ ,eeing the bullE
Balaram said to KrishnaJ RKanhaiyaE . have never seen such a huge bull beore$R All the people began
to cry or help$ Lord consoled them and challenged the bull demonJ H% oolE why are you terrorising
these cows and cowherdsN . am going to shatter your ego$R -he challenge rom *od pinched the
demon$ -apping his hooves angrilyE the demon attacked *od$ &e wished to gore &imE but *od held his
horns and pushed him back$ -hen kicking the demon *od killed him in no time$
KA1,A ,+1D, AK"2"
Ater the killing o ArishtasurE Devarshi 1arad visited Kansa and askedJ R% KansaE the girl who had
slipped orm your hand was in act the daughter o Yashoda$ Krishna and BalaramE who are staying in
VrindavanaE are inact the sons o Devaki and "ohini respectively$ Because o your earE Vasudev has
kept them under the supervision o his riend 1and$ -hose two boys have killed the demons sent by
you$R &earing these wordsE Kansa shook with anger and put Vasudev and Devaki in prison again$
-hereater he called his minister Akrur and asked him to set out at once or *okul$ &e said to AkrurJ
RAkrurCiE you are an old riend and well=wisher o mineE *o to *okul and bring the sons o VasudevE who
are staying at 1andKs home$ .nvite them to visit 'athuraE to witness the estivities o Dhanush=Yagya$R
Akrur understood KansaKs intentionsE but eared that i he reusedE that demon would kill him$ ,o he
decided to visit *okulE and also have the opportunity o seeing *od$ &e was eeling overwhelmed by
the mere thought o it$ 1eGt dayE he set out on a grand chariot to meet his supreme Lord in *okul$
'editating in the eet o LordE Akrur was heading towards Vrindavana$ &e was eeling himsel as the
most ortunate one or he was sure to have a sight o Lord$ -hus obsessed with many kinds o
devotional eelingsE Akrur alighted rom the chariot at the border o Vrindavana and started walking$ &e
ound it unCust to ride a chariot on the land o Vrindavana where lord Krishna treaded$ By the timeE he
reached VrindavanaE Lord Krishna and Balaram had returned home ater graBing their cattle$ ,eeing
themE Akrur ell at their eet$ Both the brothers raised Akrur and addressed him as R:hachaR (uncle)E
and escorted him into the house$
Akrur was given a warm welcome and treatment there$ Ater the dinnerE they assembled in 1andKs
drawing room$ 1and inMuired about the reason o his sudden arrival$ Akrur saidJ RKansa is organising a
wrestling competition in 'athura$ &e has invited all the big and small kings to the competitions$ &e has
invited you with Krishna and Balaram as well$ Beautiul 'athura is worth seeing$ *ullible 1and elt
pleased by AkrurKs talking and saidJ RKing Kansa has shown a great honour to me$ &e has sent
invitation only to other kingsE but has sent his minister to call me and a golden chariot or my kids$R ,o it
was announced in *okul that all the people would go to 'athura the neGt day and witness the estivities
there$
D+8A"-2"+ %< K".,&1A=BALA"A' <%" 'A-&2"A
6hen the *opis heard about Krishna leaving *okul to visit 'athuraE they began to wail and cry$ -hey
were getting so much restless by the news thatE they eltE their lives would end beore the sunrise$ -hey
started imprecating ate that it had no kindness$ <irst it provided them with a closer contact with their
beloved KanhaE now it was causing a long separation rom him$ ,ome o *opis even begged or deathE
they elt it better than living without Kanha$ All the *opis kept on crying and wailing nightlong$ 'other
Yashoda awoke early in the morning neGt day$ ,he churned out butter and adding 'ishri (sugar
candies)E she took it to Krishna to eed him$ But there she ound that both Krishna and Balaram were
getting ready to set out or 'athura$ -hey held motherKs eet and saidJ R8ardon usE % motherE we are
going to 'athura$R -hese words disturbed Yashoda$ ,he ran and ell at AkrurKs eet and saidJ R. am
your slave$
% AkrurE please do not take my beloved sons to 'athura$ -hey are inseparable rom my heart$ 6hy
Kansa has summoned them to 'athuraN
% AkrurE go and tell him to take everything rom usE but spare our sons$ 6e are also ready to live in CailE
but canKt lose our beloved sons$R Akrur consoled Yashoda$ RBhabhi (sister=in=law)E donKt worry$ -hese
two brothers are going to 'athura to witness the estivities there and will return soon to comort your
heart$R Yashoda saidJ RAkrurCiE 'athura is a town o gold and both o my sons are too young yet to be
needed there or any reason$R
-ouching the eet o 1and and YashodaE both the brothers saidJ R<atherE motherE we will deinitely
return$ 8resently we wish to see the grandeur o 'athura$R 'eanwhile all the *opis and *opas had
gathered there$ :rying and wailingE the *opis saidJ RYou are very :ruelE % AkrurE who named you as
Akrur$ You have come here to lacerate our hearts$R ,econd *opi saidJ R1o riendE it is not a ault o
Akrur$ %ur complaints are with ,hyamsundar$ 6e let everythingE our husbandsE childrenE our homes
and dedicated our entire selves in your service$ And now you are deserting us so ruthlessly$ 6e have
no support or our lie eGcept youE % 'adhusadan$R ,aying thisE all the *opis burst into tears again$
All the *opasE including ,hridama surrounded the chariot and saidJ R% Krishna we had not even dreamt
that you would desert us so ruthlessly$ % Kanhaiya we have seen with our eyes that even .ndraE VarunE
,anakadi and Brahma bow beore you$ But we have never regarded you as *od$ 6e regarded you as
our riend$ Are you angry with usN % my childhood riend KanhaiyaE we reMuest youE we will never
abuse you in uture$ . you were intending to goE why did youE then save us rom the inernal orest ire$
6hy did you save rom the deluging rainsN 6e cannot live without you$ -ell us % benevolent riendE
6hen will you return$R
Lord Krishna consoled them all and took many o them with &im$ -he chariot began to move$ As long
as the lag o the chariot remained visibleE people kept on crying and wailing$ +ven the eyes o Akrur
illed with tears$ Lord asked himJ RKakaE why are you weepingNR Akrur repliedJ R% LordE Kansa is the
great sinner$ . eel he will try to torment you by all means$ ,oE my heart saysE that . should take you
back to VrindavanaE because i Kansa did any harm to youE their spirits will curse me or ever$R
AK"2" &A, A ,.*&- %< L%"D .1 <%2"=A"'+D <%"'
&earing AkrurKs wordsE Lord understood that when he had arrived in VraCE he was alicted with a eeling
o maCesty$ But nowE it has been replaced by aection now$ &e thereore decided to remove his
dilemma$ -husE Lord said to himJ RKakaE 'athura is still some distance away$ ,o you take a bath in
Yamuna$ 6e brothers are waiting or you in the chariot$R
As soon as Akrur took a dip in YamunaE Lord showed him a sight o &is abode Vaikunth and his
1arayanaKs appearance in whichE he was holding conchE wheelE mace and lotus in each o his our
hands and was lying on the bed o ,heshnaga$ 6ith olded handsE Akrur prayed to lordJ R% lordE you
are the reason or the eGistence o Brahma and the 2niverse$ % LordE . pray at your eet again and
again$ 1ow . recognise you$ You are the one who took the incarnations o 'atsyaE KachchapE VarahE
1arsinhE VamanaE "ama etc$ -hus ater bath and worshipE Akrur returned to the chariot$ Lord Krishna
understood that now a devotional eeling had arisen in the mind o Akrur or 1arayana$ Lord askedJ
RYour condition seems miserable$ Did you see anything eGtra=ordinary under waterNR Akrur saidJ R%
LordE now bestow your grace on me$ Kindly come to my home and accept my hospitality$R
A"".VAL .1 'A-&2"A
Ater the departure o AkrurE 1andbaba too set out or 'athura along with the *opas$ %n the way itselE
they caught up with Krishna and Balaram$ All o them then reached 'athura together$ -here they
stayed in a garden$ Ater sometimeE with 1andKs permissionE both the brothers set out to see the city o
'athura$ 'athura was indeed a beautiul town$ All the residents o 'athura thronged on roadsE roos
and attices to have a sight o Krishna and Balaram$
*"A:+ %1 K2B@A
%n the wayE they met a pretty but hunched woman$ ,he introduced hersel as KubCaE the maid o
Kansa$ &er duty was to smear the members o the royal amily with sandalwood paste$ *od asked her
i she would smear him with sandal paste$ KubCa saidJ R% 'anmohanE . see no one more itting than
you or the sandal paste$R -hus she smeared LordKs orehead with saron$ %n DauKs orehead she
smeared musk containing sandal pasteE other *opas smeared all the remaining sandal paste on their
heads$ Lord thenE put &is eet on KubCaKs and holding her chin gave her head a slight Cerk$ And in no
timeE KubCaKs hunch was gone and she turned into a pretty woman$ ,he begged lord or &is love$ -he
Lord promised her a meeting in utureE and proceeded ahead$
B"+AK.1* %< -&+ B%6
Ater salving KubCaE Lord Krishna and other *opas moved ahead$ At a place they saw a huge bow kept
on a high stage$ 'any strong men were guarding it$ Lord entered the canopy and easily lited the bow
and broke it into pieces$ -here was a big applause rom all around$ Dau saidJ RKrishnaE now the crowd
will increase hereE so let us escape in time$ -husE both the brothers and their riends beat a retreat to
their camp$ -here they rested or night$ -here in 'athuraE breaking o the bow had rightened Kansa$
&e could not sleep during the night$ +ven in his dreamsE he saw nothingE but Krishna everywhere
around him$
K.LL.1* %< +L+8&A1-
+arly in the morningE Kansa summoned his minister and ordered him to make KuvalayapeedE the
elephant to stand in the centre o the main gate$ &e thought that the elephant would kill both the boys i
they dared to enter the ort through main gate$ Back there in the gardenE Krishna and Balarama set out
in wrestlers guise or the ort$ At the gateE seein an elephant blocking the passageE they asked mahout
loudlyJ R% 'ahoutE why have you made the elephant stand in the centre o the gate$ 'ove it either
ahead or back$R But instead o moving the elephant out o the passageE the mahout steered it right on
them$ But beore elephant could attack themE Balarama caught its trunkE while Krishna caught its tail$
Both the brothers then dragged the elephant out o the gate and loted it in the air$ -he elephant ell on
the ground with a loud thud and died on the spot$
,ALVA-.%1 %< 6"+,-L+",
Kansa elt very nervous by the news o elephantKs killing$ Beore he could take stock o the situationE
Lord Krishna and Balaram arrived in the amphi= theatre$ -he spectators present in the amphitheatre
saw Lord as per their eelings$ -he menolk saw Lord as a @ewel among the men$ 6omenolk saw him
as an incarnation o Kamadev$ :owherds saw their natural riend in LordE while to Kansa &e appeared
as his death$ But to his mother and atherE Devaki and Vasudev and to 1andE Krishna and Balarama
appeared as small kids$ ,ages and ascetics saw nothing but metaphysical coming in boysK guise$
Learned ones sighted &is cosmic orm while to Yadavas &e appeared as their tutelary *od$
As soon as the Lord and Balaram arrived in the ringE the wrestlersE who were already present thereE
stood up like springs$ A wrestler :hanur dragged Krishna and one named 'ushtik dragged Balarama
into the ring$ -hey said to themJ RBoth o you and we are the subCects o the great king Kansa$ .t is our
duty to please our king with our art and skill$ 'ore over we will receive many rewards also$R
Krishna saidJ R% wrestlersE you please ight among yourselves$ 6e are boys yetE so we shall witness
your ight rom a distance$R :hanur saidJ R1o you are neither boy nor teenagers$ You are stronger than
the strongest$ You have Cust killed an elephant which was stronger than thousand elephants$R -husE
both the brothers were compelled to wrestle with the royal wrestlers$ Balaram beat 'ushtik on the
ground so hard that he died at once on the spot$ Krishna similarly killed second wrestler :hanur$ All the
remaining wrestlers met similar ate one by one$ -he massive crowd present there applauded them
Coyully$
,ALVA-.%1 %< KA1,A
,eeing the shameul deeat o his wrestlersE Kansa inuriated with anger and proclaimedJ R-ie all the
opponentsO tie 2grasenE DevakiE Vasudev and 1and in ropes and bring them beore me$R Lord Krishna
could not tolerate this and in a single CumpE &e reached on the stage where Kansa was present$ Lord
Krishna caught him by hair and saidJ R% KansaE once you have caught a helpless woman by hairE .
have avenged that insult$ 1ow you will receive the ruits or your atrocities$R ,aying thisE Lord began to
twirl Kansa catching him by hairE and threw him down rom the stage$ -hen Lord Cumped once again
and landed on the chest o Kansa$ Kansa died instantaneously$ -husE Kansa who was an incarnation o
the demon Kaalnemi received salvation$ Lord Krishna thenE released his parents rom the prison and
crowned his maternal grand ather 2grasen as the king o 'athura$
YA*Y%8AV.- %< K".,&1A=BALA"A'A
Ater the successul completion o all the royal ceremoniesE the consecration o Krishna and Balaram
was carried out$ -hereaterE they came to stay at the hermitage o sage ,andipani or ormal education$
+Gtraordinarily brilliant Krishna successully learned all the knowledge in short period o time$ -henE as
*urudakshina (paying respect to the teacher) Krishna brought back his dead sons rom the abode o
YamaraaC$ -aking convocation bathE thereaterE Lord Krishna returned to 'athura$ -hereE though living
among royal luGuries and grandeur Lord Krishna remained indierent$ 'emory o his sentimentalE
beloved devotees riend and other people o VraC kept on pricking him$
,+1D.1* 2DD&AV A, '+,,A1*+"
,avant 2ddhavE the son o YadavaKs minister Brihaspati was an intimate riend o Lord Krishna$ %nly he
had the permission to enter LordKs sanctum$ ,eeing his riend Krishna in remorseE 2ddhav askedJ
R'athuranathE you seem to be upset$ 6hat is troubling youNR Lord Krishna repliedJ R2ddhavE . eel
perpleGed$ . remember my days in Vrindavana$ 8lease go to Vrindavana and get the news regarding
*opis there$ Also give them my message$R -hus Lord Krishna donned 2ddhav in his attire and sent him
to VraC in his chariot$
-here he stayed at 1andKs home$ At nightE 2ddhav enMuired about 1and and YashodaKs well being and
about VraC in general$ -hat whole might passed in chatting$
B&"A'A" *++-
1eGt dayE when the *opis got the news o 2ddhavKs arrivalE they thronged in and around 1andKs
residence$ -hey recognised the chariot parked in ront o the gate$ .t was the same chariot on which
Krishna and Balaram had departed or 'athura$ <irst they thought that their beloved Krishna had
returned$
But someone inormed that it was 2ddhavE KrishnaKs ,avant riendE who had come to preach them
about metaphysical knowledge$ ,oon aterwardsE 2ddhav came out and spoke out loudJ R% *opisE
listen to the preaching o 2ddhav$R But instead o listening to himE *opis covered their ears$ <eeling
insultedE 2ddhav eGpressed his dissatisaction over their behaviour$ *opis said to himJ H% gentlemanE
irstly we are not amiliar with youE secondly we have no capacity to hear your preaching$ Yes i you
wish to give us a message o our most belovedO thousand o ears are eager to hear that$R 2ddhav then
introduced himsel as the intimate riend o Lord Krishna$
Knowing his identity *opis welcome and treated 2ddhav warmly$ 2ddhav then began to say againJ R%
*opisE the personE whom you are declaring as your beloved riendE in act recognises no motherE no
ather and no other relation$ &e has no ormE no colour and no body$ &e is above allE non=eGisting all
pervasive and the giver o Coy$ &e is never separate rom his devotee and beloved ones$ All o youE tooE
eel the presence o that ,upreme Being and be happy orever$R *opis saidJ R2ddhavE as long as
*hanashyam stayed with usE we saw endless virtues in him$ But only within siG months o his stay in
'athuraE you wiped out all o his virtues and turned him virtueless$
-ell us with which mouth did he eat butterE with which hand did he break our pitchersE with which eet
did he pasture cows in the orests and with which eet did he dance on the hood o Kaliy$ 6as he
another KrishnaNR
&arsh reaction o the *opis startled 2ddhav$ &e began to think where he had been caught$ &is
knowledge o Vedanta was proving ineective on the *opis who were sunk in so much love$ %n the
other handE *opis too were eeling embarrassed or treating the guest bitterly$ But they were also not
prepared to listen to such preaching that condemned love$ 'oreoverE they had let out their long
accumulating eeling$
'eanwhile a bumblebee perched at "adhaKs eet mistaking them or lotus$ 8ointing to itE all the *opis
saidJ RBeware % bumblebeeE beware i you dare to touch the eet o our "adha$ .t appears that you are
a disciple o Krishna$ -here is now no secret regarding the virtues and actions o your riend$ But it is
good that he and you tied in riendship$ You are black and your riend has a black heart$ Virtues o both
o you are same$
<irst &e imbibed us in &is loveO then let us ruthlessly orever$ &e is not sorry or us$ But why does
Lakshmi serve in those eetN ,he must be careulE lest she should be deceived like us$ % bumblebee
you also appear to be a polymath who has come here to preach us$ But you wonKt get an audience in
BraC$ You should better go to 'athura$
-here is one KubCa go and relate your tale to her$ You will receive ample donations rom her$ 6hat will
you get rom the *opis hereN -hey have already lost their mental balanceE because o separation rom
the beloved Krishna$ . you have come to askE why we loved Krishna$ % bumblebeeE we have no
knowledge$ But we know that our love or Krishna was not a mistake$ +ven the goddess Lakshmi does
not leave &is eet or a moment$ 6hy should we leave his eet thenN But % bumblebeeE have you really
come to convince us$ 6hen &e could not come out o shameE &e sent you to console us = the dea and
dumb *opisE But be careul i you put your head at the eet o "adha$
*et awayE we have already seen enough o lattery and lirtation o your riend$ Deserting our aection
or ephemeral thingsE we loved that eternal one$ But &e too abandoned us$ :an you guess about our
conditionN -ell usE % 2ddhavE shall we ever get the sight o ,hri Krishna againN
&earing the tragic tale o the *opisE 2ddhav too elt very sorry or them$ &e elt as i 'athuranathE lord
Krishna was indeed neglecting those *opis$ 2ddhav stayed in Vrindavana or siG months$ -here he
saw every placeE every spot where lord Krishna had played once$ 6hen he was returning to 'athuraE
mother Yashoda presented him with butterE "adha gave him the lute$ -hus immersed in the love and
overwhelmed by its eelingsE 2ddhav reached 'athura$ &e said to KrishnaJ RLordE the real appearance
o loveE that . saw in Vrindavana is the only truth$R ,hri Krishna saidJ R2ddhavE You are weeping$ @ust
look at me$R 2ddhav looked at him with wideE opened eyes$ .n every single hair o LordE there eGisted
*opis$ 2ddhav was indeed a ,avant$ But Lord had sent him to BraC only to be taught a lesson o love$
Ater the death o Kansa his widowed Mueens Asti and 8rapti returned to their ather @arasandhKs home
and inormed him that Krishna and Balaram had killed their husband Kansa$ .nuriated by the newsE
@arasandh at once launched a massive attack on 'athura$ -he people o 'athura were rightened by
the strength o @arasandhKs army$ Lord Krishna too ell in deep thought$ @ust thenE divine weapons and
chariots appeared rom the heaven$ Both the brothers took the weapons and boarded their chariots$
-hen they ought a ierce battle and slayed all the army o @arasandh$
Balaram uriously caught @arasandh and was about to kill him$ But Lord Krishna stopped him$ -hey
then released @arasandh and let him go unhurt$ @arasandh elt ashamed that Krishna released him
because o his helpless condition$
8arashar saysJ Despite his shameul deeatE @arasandh attacked 'athura seventeen times with huge
armies$ But every timeE the Lord deeated him and released him in kindness$ And every time @arasandh
elt more humiliated$R
At lastE instead o attacking 'athura himselE @arasandh sent Kalyavan to deeat ,hri Krishna$ Kalyavan
launched an attack on 'athura with one crore strong 'alechchh army$ -his time Lord Krishna decided
to vacate 'athura instead o countering the attack$ &e got Dwarkapuri constructed by Vishwakarma
and settled all the people o 'athura there$ -henE unarmedE Lord Krishna walked past Kalyavan$
8ointed by 1aradE Kalyavan at once recognised Krishna and gave &im a chase$ &e also challenged
&imE but the Lord did not listen to his challenges and kept moving with ace turned away$ Kalyavan
chased &im or longE but could not catch up$
2ltimately the Lord entered a cave$ Kalyavan too ollowed &im into the cave$ .n the cave the Lord saw
that someone was sleeping there$ ,o &e covered the man with his yellow length o cloth and himsel
hid inside the cave$ Kalyavan too arrived there and saw the sleeping man$ &e mistook him or *od and
saidJ RKrishnaE you might have thought that braves do not attack on sleeping people$ ,o . will irst wake
you up and then kill you$R ,aying thus Kalyavan kicked the sleeping man hard$ &oweverE as soon as
the man awakened and glanced at KalyavanE Kalyavan got incinerated at once$
-AL+ %< '2:&K21D
'aitreya askedJ R*urudevE who was that sleeping manNR
8arashar saysJ R% kingE that sleeping man was 'uchkundE the son o the king 'andhaata$ -he gods
had sought his assistance in their war against the demon during the ,atayug$ 6ith 'uchkundKs helpE
the gods had deeated the demons and thus pleased had asked him to seek a boon$ 'uchkund then
had sought a boon o seeing *od in tangible orm$ -he gods had assured him that he would have a
sight o *od in Dwapar Yuga$ ,ince Dwapar Yuga was still ar awayE so 'uchkund had askedJ R6hat
should . do till thenNR -he gods asked him to sleep somewhere and blessed him with a boon that
whoever waked him up would be incinerated at onceE by his glance$ -husE in order to get Kalyavan
incinerated and show 'uchkund with his Divine ormE Lord had gone to that spot where 'uchkund was
sleeping$
'uchkund got the sight o *od in :haturbhuC ormO and sought a boon o continuous devotion or three
births$ -husE Lord deeated 'alechchh army and captured all their wealth$ &e also deeated @arasandh
and caused great Coy or the people o Dwarka$
'A"".A*+ %< BALA"A'A
-he king o AnartE "aivat got his daughter "evati married to Balaram with the blessing o Brahma$
'+,,A*+ %< "2K'A1. <%" L%"D
8arashar saysJ RBheeshmak was the king o Vidarbh$ &e had ive sons and a daughter "ukmani$
"ukmiE the eldest son o BheeshmakE had iGed his sisterKs engagement with ,hishupalE the prince o
:haidi$ 1arad did not like this development$ &e went to KundanpurE the capital o Vidarbh and said in
the court o BheeshmakJ % KingE . am coming rom Dwarka$R Bheeshmak saidL R% great ,ageE . have
never heard about any city named DwarkaR$ -husE in the court o BheeshmakE 1arad narrated about
the lie o Lord Krishna and the grandeur o Dwarka$ Bheeshmak heard the tale with ull attention$ &is
daughter "ukmani too enCoyed the tale$
But "ukmi had a strong opposition against lord Krishna$ .gnoring the wish o his atherE he was not
ready to get his sister married to Lord Krishna$ %n the appointed dayE ,hishupal appeared thereE in a
processionE to get married with "ukmani$
But "ukmani was determined to marry Lord Krishna$ ,he sent a love letter to Krishna through a loyal
Brahmin and declared a ast unto death$ Lord Krishna read her letterE which saidJ R% -rilokinathE since
the momentE these ears have heard about your virtuesE actionsE character and playsE my soul
eGperiences divine peace$ % AchyutE my mind is dedicated in your eet$ % great among the menE this
"ukmani has dedicated hersel in your eet$ 1ow it is up to you to see that no Cackal could take away
the lionKs share$R -he BrahminE the carrier o the letterE returned to Kundanpur with an assurance rom
the Lord$ Lord too called the charioteer and set out at once or Kundanpur$ -here in KundanpurE
"ukmani ater getting the assurance rom the Brahmin was thus waiting or LordKs arrival$
8reparations or "ukmaniKs marriage with ,hishupal were on with ull swing in Kundanpur$ All the
housesE streets and lanes were cleaned and sprinkled with scented water$ All the men and women olk
donned new clothes and ornaments$ King Bheeshmak worshipped his ancestors and gods and
welcomed the Brahmins liberally$ +Gtremely beautiul princess "ukmani was given ceremonial bath and
donned with auspicious clothes and bracelets$
-he king o :hediE Damaghosh got the auspicious rites or the marriage o his son ,hishupalE
perormed by Brahmins$ All the Baratis (people in marriage procession) were given grand reception$
'any great kings like ,halvE @arasandhE DantvaktraE Vidurath and 8aundrak were present in the
marriage procession$ -hey had come with their armies with an intention o ighting Krishna and
Balaram$ Ater KrishnaKs departureE Balaram too set out or Kundanpur with chaturangini (with our
wings) armyE or he had known about their opponentsK preparedness$
"ukmani was eagerly awaiting LordKs arrival$ ,he had received the news that Dwarakanath (Krishna)
had resolved to take her away$ ,he was eeling overwhelmed in her heart$
,eeing Lord Krishna arrived intently in the marriage ceremonies o his daughterE king Bheeshmak
welcomed him$ ,eeing himE even the common people o Vidarbh prayed R'ay our princess "ukmani
get ,hri Krishna as her husband$ At the same timeE "ukmani emerged rom her palace to go to the
temple o AmbikadeviE soldiers were guarding her$ .n the templeE "ukmani prayed peaceullyJ R%
'other Ambika . greet you and *anapatiE who is sitting in your lap$ . seek your blessing that may my
wish be ulilled and may . receive ,hri Krishna as my husband$R
%n her way backE "ukmani was walking very slowly or she was awaiting LordKs arrivalE which was due
in any moment$ @ust thenE Lord Krishna appeared beore her$ Beore she could ride her chariot Lord
lited her rom amidst the crowd$ And in the presence o hundreds o kingsE Krishna and Balaram
eloped away with "ukmani$
D+<+A- %< "2K'. A1D ,&.,&28AL
&earing the news that Krishna has eloped with "ukmaniE "ukmi and all other kings present there boiled
with anger$ Accompanied by their huge armiesE they decided to give them a chase$ -hus chased my
themE Yadnvanishis stopped and encountered the kings boldly$ 6ith a true ambition to winE brave
Yadav soldiers deeated the enemies$ All the kings like @arasandh led or their lives$ "ukmi had
resolved that without getting "ukmani released rom KrishnaKs captivityE he would not show his ace in
Kundanpur$ &e chased Lord Krishna or long$ But Dwarakanath deeated him and got his head shaved$
'A"".A*+ %< "2K'A1. A1D K".,&1A
-hus deeating all the kingsE Lord Krishna brought "ukmani to Dwarka$ -here they got married ormally$
All the people o Dwarka celebrated estivities or many days$ 8eople presented them with lot o
precious gits$ All the people were in great Coy to see Lakshmi as "ukmani with her husband Lord
Krishna$
B."-& %< 8"ADY2'1E K.LL.1* %< ,&ABA"A,2"
Kamadev was a part o lord himsel$ Ater getting incinerated by "udraE Kamadev took reuge in the
supreme lord to get an incarnation once more$ -husE Kamadev was born as "ukmani?s irst son
8radyumn$ But Cust ater his birthE 8radyumn was kidnapped by a demon ,hambarasur$ -he demon
dropped the baby into the seaE where a huge ish swallowed him in whole$ :oincidentally the ish was
caught by the ishers and presented to the kitchen o ,hambarasur$ 6hen the cooks cut the ish openE
an eGtremely beautiul baby emerged$ 'ayawatiE the governess o the kitchenE elt overCoyed to see the
baby$ ,he began to rear the baby with love and aection$
%nce 1arad arrived in the kitchen and saidJ R'ayawatiE do you know who is in your lapN R R1oE %
DevarshiE . ound him rom the belly o a ishER said 'ayawati$ Devarshi 1arad saidJ R&e is your
husband Kamadev and you are his wie "ati$ .n this birthE he has appeared as 8radyumn the son o
Krishna$ &earing thisE 'ayawati saluted 1arad with respect$ ,ince then she regarded 8radyumn as her
husband and served him accordingly$ 6hen 8radyumn matured$ 'ayawati reminded him about his real
appearance$ 8radyumnE thereaterE killed ,hambarasur and got married with 'ayawati$ -hen the
couple arrived in Dwarka$
-AL+ %< ,YA'A1-AK -&+ *+'
A person named ,atraCit was a great devotee o Lord ,uryanarayana$ 8leased by his devotionE
,uryadev presented him a gem called ,yamantak$ -he gem had radiance eMual to the ,un$ Bearing
that gemE ,atraCit arrived in LordKs court$ By the radiance o his gemE all the people and the courtiers
mistook him or ,uryadev and stood in his regard$ But the Lord recognised him and asked his courtiers
to be calm$ -hen to ,atraCitE Lord ,aidJ R,atraCitE your gem is really very beautiul$ 1ana (maternal
grandather) 2grasen is the king o this region$ . you present this gem to himE it will be very good$ But
,atraCit reused to present that gem$
%ne dayE later onE ,atraCitKs brother 8rasenCit went huntingE wearing the gem in his neck$ .n the orest a
lion killed him and snatched the gem$ -he lion was in turn killed by the ursine king @ambvant$ @ambvant
took the gem to his cave and gave it to his children to play with$ 6hen 8rasenCit did not return rom
huntingE ,atraCit elt sorry and accused Krishna that &e had killed his brother or the gem$
6hen lord Krishna heard that he was being blamed or the mishapE &e himsel went to the orests$
-here he ound the dead body o 8rasenCitE but there was no sign o gem around the cadaver$ &e ound
only ootprints o a lion leaving rom there$ <ollowing the ootprintsE &e discovered the dead lion and the
ootprints o a great bear$ <ollowing the ootprintsE &e reached in the cave where @ambvantKs daughter
@ambvati was playing with the gem$
As soon as lord Krishna proceeded to take the gemE @ambvant arrived$ A ierce duel resulted between
them$ -hey continued to ight or twenty=siG days without truce$ %n the twenty=seventh day @ambvant
reMuested LordL R8lease wait % Lord$R Lord saidJ RDo you want to take restNR R1oRE said @ambvantE R.
have recognised you$ You are none other than Lord 1arayana &imsel$ 1obody else has the power to
deeat me$R Lord appeared beore @ambvant as ,hri "ama$ @ambvant prayed and worshipped &im$ &e
was eeling guilty that he dared to ight Lord$ Lord said that &e had arrived there or the gem only$
@ambvant gave him the gem and also his daughter @ambvati$ Lord returned the gem to ,atraCit and
married @ambvati ormally$
'A"".A*+ %< ,A-YAB&A'A A1D K".,&1A
Lord summoned ,atraCit to &is court and in the presence o the king 2grasenE related the seMuence o
incidents that took place in the Cungle$ ,atraCit elt ashamed$ 6ith a eeling o repentance he took the
gem$ &e was getting araid also that he made enemity with lord Krishna without reason$ &ence to
eGpiate his crimeE ,atraCit thought o presenting the gem ,yamantak and his daughter ,atyabhama to
Lord Krishna$ Lord Krishna accepted ,atyabhama as his wie but returned the gem to ,atraCit sayingJ R.t
is a git o lord ,uryadev$ Keep it with you$ You are reMuired to deposit the gold that you get rom itE in
the royal treasure$R
-&+<- %< ,YA'A1-AK
Akrur and Kritvarma were not pleased with the marriage o ,atyabhama$ ,o they got ,atraCit killed by
,hatadhanva$ ,hatadhanva killed ,atraCit in his sleep and absconded with the gem$ Lord Krishna was
then away in &astinapur$ ,atyabhama too reached there and inormed Krishna about her atherKs
assassination$ 6ith BalaramE Lord Krishna chased ,hatadhanva$ But even ater killing himE they could
not trace the gem$ ,hatadhanva had given the gem to Akrur to keep till his return$ But ater the death o
,hatadhanvaE rightened Akrur came to stay in Kashi$ <rom the eect o the gem Akrur perormed
many grand Yagyas there$ Lord summoned Akrur rom Kashi$ Ater welcoming and treating him in the
courtE Lord asked him about the gem$ Akrur showed the gem in the court$ But Lord returned the gem to
Akrur$
'A"".A*+ %< L%"D K".,&1A 6.-& KAL.1D.
%nce Lord Krishna visited .ndraprasth to see 8andavas$ -here riding a chariot with ArCunaE &e came to
the orests$ %n the bank o river Yamuna a pretty woman was observing penance$ By the instinct o
*odE ArCun drew near her and asked or her identity$ ,he saidJ R. am KalindiE the daughter o ,uryadev$
. am penancing here in order to get married with Lord Krishna$R Lord got Kalindi boarded on the chariot
and got married to her ormally$
L%"DK, 'A"".A*+ 6.-& '.-"V.1DA
'itrvinda was the sister o Vind Anuvind the king o 2CCain$ ,he had a desire to get Lord as her
husband$ But her brotherE Vind Anuvind was a ollower o Duryodhan$ ,o he stopped his sister
'itrvinda rom getting married to Krishna$ But Krishna eloped with 'itrvinda rom the court and got
married to her ormally later on$
L%"DK, 'A"".A*+ 6.-& ,A-YA
,atya was the daughter o 1agnCitE the king o Kaushal$ ,he was eGtremely beautiul lady$ -he king had
resolved that he would marry his daughter only to him who would deeat his seven most ormidable
oGen$ 'any princes has tried their luck since then but ailed$ 6hen Lord Krishna heard about thatE &e
reached Kaushal with his army$ -he king o Kaushal welcomed and treated him wellE and told him about
his resolution$ Lord then took seven guises and in no time deeated his seven ormidable oGen$ *ladly
the king married his daughter ,atya to Lord Krishna$
L%"DK, 'A"".A*+ 6.-& B&AD"A
8arashar saysJ R8arikshitE LordKs aunt (atherKs sister) ,hrutkirti was married in the kingdom o KaikauCa$
Bhadra was the daughter o ,hrutkirti$ BhadraKs brothers like ,antardan etc$ themselves had got their
sister married to Lord Krishna$
L%"DK, 'A"".A*+ 6.-& LAK,&'A1A
Lakshmana was the daughter o the king o 'adra$ ,he was very beautiul and meritorious$ Lord
abducted her all alone rom the ,wayamvara organised or her marriage$ LaterE Lord married to her
ormally$ ,ALVA-.%1 %< B&A2'A,2"
8ragCyotishpur was the capital o the demon Bhaumasur$ &e was very strong and powerul$ &e had
snatched the canopy o VarunE earrings o Aditi the mother o the godsE and 'aniparvat o the gods on
'eru$ Apart rom theseE he had also captured siGteen thousand and one hundred princesses as well$
DevraC .ndra himsel visited Dwarka and 8rayed Lord to get them rid o BhaumasurKs atrocities$ 6ith the
dear wie ,atyabhama and riding his vehicle *arud$ Lord Krishna arrived in the capital o Bhaumasur$
But to enter 8ragCyotishpur was an impossible task$ But with the blows o his mace and arrowsE Lord
easily broke the hillsE destroyed strategic positions and cut the snares with sword$ By his wheel he
destroyed the walls o ireE water and air$ 6ith the loud sound o conchE Lord rendered the machinesE
installed thereE useless$
2ltimatelyE *od destroyed the rampart o the citadel$ Disturbed by the noiseE the ive=headed demon
'ur ran with a trident to kill *od$ But with a single shot o his arrowE Lord broke his trident and cut his
head with his wheel$ ,oldiers and commanders o Bhaumasur were also killed$ Bhaumasur then came
himsel to ight$ &e had donned a shinning crown and was wearing big earrings$ 6ith his wheelE Lord
cut the demonKs head$ As soon as &e beheaded the demonE the gods showered lowers on the Lord
and worshipped &im$ +ven the mother earth came and put a garland o ive colours around lord?s neck$
,he also presented to him the earrings o AditiE canopy o VarunE and a great gem$ At the reMuest o
earthE Lord assured BhaumasurKs son Bhagdatt reedom rom his ears$
L%"DK, 'A"".A*+ 6.-& :A8-.V+ 8".1:+,,+,
Ater slaying BhaumasurE Lord entered his palace$ -here &e released the siGteen thousand one
hundred captive princesses$ -he princesses were very much impressed by the Lord$ -hey had all
accepted in their mindE Lord Krishna as their husband$ Lord too bowed beore their love and accepted
them as his wives and arranged to send them to Dwarka$
8"ADY2'1K, 'A"".A*+ 6.-& "2K'VA-.
"ukmvati was the daughter o "ukmiE the brother o "ukmani$ 6hen a ,wayamvara was organised or
herE she saw 8radyumn$ ,he was so impressed by him that she chose him as her husband$ But it was
not acceptable to other princes$ -hey tried to stop their marriage$ But deeating them allE 8radyumn
abducted "ukmvati and married her ormally$ -hen to please his sister "ukmaniE "ukmi got his
granddaughter "ochana married to "ukmaniKs grandsons Anirudh$
'A"".A*+ %< 2,&A=A1."2D&
-he son o the demon king BaliE Baanasur was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva$ Baanasur ruled over the
kingdom ,honitpur$ By the grace o Lord ,hivaE he had received thousand arms$ +ven all the gods
including .ndra used to serve him$ -hus blinded by his physical strengthE Baanasur sought a boon rom
Lord to meet a match or his strength$ Lord ,hiva saidJ R% oolE your thirst or war shall be Muenched
when your lag is broken$R
Baanasur had a daughter named 2sha$ %nce she had a dream in which Anirudh was making love with
her$ ,he was very much perpleGed by the dream$ Ater a ew days with the help o her riend
:hitralekhaE Anirudh sneaked into her palace$ &e stayed there and enCoyed the company o 2sha or
long$ But AnirudhKs clandestine stay could not remain hidden rom the eyes o Banasura$ ,o he put
Anirudh in prison$ -here in DwarkaE everyone was worried by AnirudhKs long absence$
.t was 1aradE who ultimately revealed the act that Anirudh was in the prison o Baanasur$ &earing the
newsE Lord Krishna launched an attack on Baanasur$ &is armies surrounded ,honitpur$ During
*hurabandi the lag o BaanasurKs palace ell$ Lord ,hankar arrived to assist Baanasur$ Lord Krishna
cut all the arms o Baanasur$ At the reMuest o ,hivaE he let only our o his arms intact$ Baanasur
bowed his head beore Lord Krishna and brought Anirudh and 2sha respectully beore &im$ 6ith them
Lord Krishna returned to Dwarka where ormal marriage o 2sha and Anirudh took place$
-AL+ %< -&+ K.1* 1".*
%nceE Lord KrishnaKs sons visited the orests$ -here they saw a huge :hameleon allen in a largeE deep
well$ -hey tried to pull it out but in vain$ -he princesE thereoreE returned to the palace and related this
strange episode to Lord Krishna$ Lord too came to the well and with &is let handE easily pulled the
:hameleon out$
As soon as the chameleon came outE it turned into a divine god and began to worship *od$ &e saidJ R%
LordE . am 1rig$ -he king .kshvaaku was my ather$ .n my lieE . had donated uncountable numbers o
cows to the Brahmins$ But once a cowE donated by meE returned to my cowshed$ By mistake . made a
resolution to donate it to another Brahmin$ 'y action led to a dispute between the two BrahminsE and
my wisdom ailed to settle their dispute$ Both the Brahmins went away unsatisiedE but . met this ate
ater death$ ,ince thenE . had been in this well in the orm o a chameleon$ 1owE by the graceul touch
o your handsE % LordE . have received salvation$R King 1rig then went around the Lord and returned to
his heavenly abode$R
,ALVA-.%1 %< 8A21D"AK
%nce Balaram and Krishna had gone to BraC to see 1andbaba there$ 'eanwhile the king 8aundrak o
Karush sent an envoy to lord Krishna with a message that saidJ K. am Lord Vasudev$K 8andrakKs envoy
arrived in the court and read out the messageJ R-o bestow my grace on the peopleE . have taken an
incarnation$ You have alsely named yoursel as Vasudev and bore my insignia$ -ake my reuge or ace
the battle$R
&earing the message o 8aundrakE 2grasen and other courtiers began to laugh$ Lord asked the envoy
to inorm 8aundrak that &e would launch &is wheel on him and his army$
"eceiving the message 8aundrak launched an attack on Dwarka with two Akshauhini armies$ -he king
o Kashi was a riend o 8aundrak$ &e too came to his assistance with three Akshauhini armies$
8aundrak had disguised as Vasudev and was bearing artiicial conchE wheelE mace and lotus and$ &e
had also adorned ,wastikaE Kaustubh etc$ All the people began to laugh at 8aundrakKs clown like attire$
.n no timeE the Lord stripped him o all his adornments$ &is wheel cut his head$ -hen with an arrow the
Lord cut the head o the king o Kashi$ &is head ell in ront o his palaceKs gate$ ,udakshinE the son o
the Kashi kingE organised a grand Yagya to avenge his atherKs killing$ An ogressE Kritya emerged rom
the Yagya and began to burn Dwarka$ All the people prayed Krishna to protect them$ Lord assured
them to be earless and ordered &is wheel ,udarshan to kill Kritya$ ,udarshan eGtinguished the ireE
killed Kritya and destroyed Kashi$ -hen it returned to the LordKs inger$
,ALVA-.%1 %< D6.V.D
-here was once a monkey named Dwivid$ &e was the riend o Bhaumasur$ 6hen Dwivid heard about
BhaumasurKs killing by ,hri KrishnaE he began to cause large=scale destruction in the kingdom$ &is
disruptive activities in the country began to terrorise the subCects o Lord Krishna$ %nce hearing sweet
musicE the monkey was drawn towards the "aivtak 'ountain$ -here he saw Balaram amidst beautiul
young women$ -he monkey began to behave indecently$ Angered by his indecencyE Balaram hit him
with his pestleE named ,unandE and killed the monkey$
'A"".A*+ %< ,A'B
,amb was the son o lord Krishna and born to @ambvati$ &e had Kidnapped LakshmanaE the daughter
o Duryodhan rom her ,wayamvara$ .nuriated Kauravas chased them andE with diicultyE they caught
,amb and tied him$ 6hen the Yaduvanshis got the newsE they began preparations to launch an attack
on Kauravas$ Balaram paciied them and reached &astinapur alone$ -here he received a warm
welcome rom the Kauravas$ Balaram said to themJ R.t is an order o the king 2grasen that you should
see ,amb o with his newly wedded wie$R &earing BalaramKs words Kauravas got angry and began to
deride Yaduvanshis$ .nuriated by Kauravas derisionE Balaram trained his pestle and plough$ &e
intended to turn over the town o &astinapur into the river Yamuna$ 6hen the city began to shakeE
Kauravas elt perpleGed and begged Balaram or his pardon$ Balaram assured them to be earless and
returned to Dwarka with ,amb and his newly wedded wie Lakshmana$
-&+ K.1*, .1 :A8-.V.-Y ,++K L%"DK, &+L8
%nce Lord Krishna was holding &is court when an emissary arrived in the court$ -he kings who were
held captive orcibly by @arasandh had sent him$ -he emissary related the miseries o those kings to
Lord Krishna$ -hrough the emissaryE the kings had reMuestedJ R% Lord o the worldE Kindly get us ree
rom our miseries$ 6e are in your reuge$ 6e desire your sight$ Kindly bestow us with your grace$R Lord
Krishna sent the emissary o with assurance o timely action$ 'eanwhileE Devarshi 1arad arrived in the
court and inormed the Lord o YudhisthirKs intention to organise a grand "aCsuy Yagya and his cordial
invitation or the Lord to attend the ceremony$ Lord asked his riend 2ddhav or an advice as to where
&e ought to go irst = to .ndraprasth in "aCsuy Yagya or to liberate the king rom the captivity o
@arasandh$ 2ddhav advised Lord to go to .ndraprasth irst$ -here &e would be able to serve both the
purposes$
L%"DK, D+8A"-2"+ <%" .1D"A8"A,-&A
2ddhavKs advice was in the interest o all$ +veryone supported it$ -aking permission rom &is priest and
teachersE Lord set out on a chariot with the whole amily to reach .ndraprasth$ .n .ndraprasthE 8andavas
accorded the Lord with warm=hearted elicitations$ By the dictate o LordE 'ayasur built a divine looking
court or Yudhishthir$ -he courtroom was a marvellous piece o architecture$ -he shinningE smoothE
loor o it appeared like waterE while water bodies presented a look like marble loors$
K.LL.1* %< @A"A,A1D&
During Yudhisthir?s "aCsuy YagyaE all the 8andavas set out in all the directions to conMuer the kings
and eGpand the boundaries o their kingdom$ 6arriors like BheemaE ArCun deeated great kings all
around and eGtended the boundaries o YudhisthirKs empire$ But to deeat @arasandhE = BheemaE ArCuna
and Lord Krishna went in the guise Brahmins$ -hey reached @arasandh capital *irivraC and prayed him
or donations$ @arasandh promised to give them the things o their desires$ Lord Krishna then
introduced them and begged @arasandh or a duel with any o them$ @arasandh accepted to ight a duel
with Bheema$ &e gave Bheema a mace and both o them came out to the outskirts o the townE where
they began their duel$ Both o them were eMually strong and eMually brave and well pitted$
-wenty=seven days passedE but their duel remained inconclusive$ %n the twenty=eighth dayE during the
ightE Lord signalled Bheema a way to kill @arasandh$ &e took a small twig in his hands and tore it apart
into two$ Bheema understood the signal and beating @arasandh on groundE he tore him apart in two
pieces and threw them in opposite directions$ -hus came the end o evil @arasandh$ Lord Krishna and
ArCuna heartily greeted Bheema or his success$ -hey then enthroned @arasandhKs son ,ahadev and
also got the captive kings released$
,ALVA-.%1 %< ,&.,&28AL
King Yudhishthir had invited great Vedic Brahmins and Acharayas on the occasion$ 8ersons rom
Kauravas side like DronaE BheeshmaE KripacharyaE DhritarashtraE Vidur and Duryodhan etc$ were too
invited to witness the celebrations$ +ven BrahmaE ,hivE .ndraE *andharvasE Vidyadhar had too arrived$
But beore the Yagya could start a dispute cropped up among the great sages as to who ought to be
worshipped irst in the Yagya$
.n the opinion o ,ahadev (youngest o the 8andava brothersE not the son o @arasandh)E Lord Krishna
deserved the irst worship$ +very one supported him$ %nly ,hishupal could not tolerate the decision$
&e stood up and saidJ R.n the presence o such great asceticsE savantsE polymaths and sagesE how can
this cowherd deserve the irst worship$R Despite ,hishupal bitter remarks Lord Krishna kept Muiet$ But
,hishupal did not$ +ncouraged by LordKs silence he began to attack the kingsE who stood by LordKs
sideE with sword$ &e was simultaneously abusing Lord Krishna also$ Lord had assured ,hishupal o this
orgiveness or up to one hundred sins$ But now ,hishupalKs sins have crossed that permitted number$
,oE Muieting allE Lord cut his head with &is wheel$ As soon as the dead body o ,hishupal ell on the
groundE a lame emerged rom it and merged with Lord Krishna$ ,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE eelings o
hostility had been accumulating in the heart o ,hishupal or his past three births against Lord Krishna$
.t was because o these intense hostile eelings that ,hishupal met salvation eventually$
Ater the salvation o ,hishupalE ceremonies and rituals o Yagya proceeded unabated$ At the end king
Yudhishthir presented all those present there with itting gits and took ceremonial bath$ At the reMuest
o 8andavasE lord Krishna stayed in .ndraprasth or many months$
,ALVA-.%1 %< ,&ALV
,hukdev saysJ R8arikshitE now listen to the tale o how Lord caused salvation or ,halv$ ,halv was the
childhood riend o ,hishupal and had attended the marriage o "ukmani as a member o ,hishupalKs
wedding party$ At that timeE Yaduvanshis had deeated them all including @arasandh and ,halv$ "ight
at that momentE ,halv had resolved to destroy Yaduvanshis and began worshipping *ods o the gods
8ashupati (,hiv)$ Lord Ashutosh ,hiva was pleased with him$ As a boonE ,halv had got an aeroplane
that was invincible even or the godsE demonsE humansE 1agasE etc and was particularly ormidable or
Yaduvanshis$ By the dictate o Lord ,hivaE the demon 'aya constructed such an aeroplane o iron$ -he
aeroplane named ,aubh was as big as a city and was diicult to be spotted or caught$ .t could move as
ast as oneKs wishes$ ,oon ater getting the aeroplaneE ,halv launched an attack o Dwarka$
,urrounding DwarkaE ,halv began to destroy buildings and houses there$ ,eeing the people terrorisedE
8radyumn consoled them to be earless and he set out on a chariot to counter ,halv$ &e pierced ,halv
with arrows$ But ,halvaKs minister Dyumana attacked 8radyumna with a mace$ By the blow o the
maceE 8radyumn lost his consciousness$ But soon he came around and began to slay ,halvKs orces$
-he ierce battle continued or twenty=seven days$ Lord was away then in .ndraprasth Yagya$ But &e
was sure that in his absence Kshatriya kings o ,hishupal side would be attacking on Dwarka$
Lord reached Dwarka and saw a ierce battle between 8radyumn and ,halv$ ,eeing Lord arriveE ,halv
began to attack &im with sharp arrows$ Lord hit ,halv with a powerul blow o mace and he began to
spit blood rom his mouth$ &e then tried to show many illusions and showered Lord with weapons$ But
Lord wounded ,halv with his arrowsE broke his aeroplane with his mace$ Very soon thereater the
aeroplane plunged in to the sea$ ,halv then attacked Lord with mace but Lord cut his head with
,udarshan wheel$ ,eeing his endE all the gods showered lowers on Lord$
,ALVA-.%1 %< DA1-VAK-"A A1D V.D2"A-&
Ater the killing o ,hishupalE ,halv etc$ Dantvaktra arrived in the battleield carrying a mace$ 6hen
Lord saw him comingE &e too Cumped down rom the chariot and balked his movement with a mace$
Dantvaktra tried to humiliate *od with his abuses and hit him on head with his mace$ Lord easily bore
the blow o mace and hit DantvaktraKs chest with his mace named Kaumodaki$ DantvaktraKs heart tore
apart by the blow and he ell dead$
Vidurath was the brother o Dantvaktra$ &e came in the ield with sword and shield to avenge his
brotherKs death$ ,eeing him ready to launch an attackE Lord cut VidurathKs head with his wheel$ -husE
Lord Krishna entered Dwarka only ater killing ,halvE Dantvaktra and Vidurath$ All the gods and other
inhabitants o heaven showered lowers on &im$
,2DA'AJ -&+ L%"DK, <".+1D
During his stay as a disciple at the hermitage o sage ,andipaniE Lord Krishna had a Brahmin riend
named ,udama$ &e was very indierent in nature with no desires or the material things$ Ater their
educationE Lord Krishna came to Dwarka while ,udamaE who had no any inclination or accumulating
material wealthE got married and began to pass his lie with his wie ,usheela in abCect poverty$ %ne
day his wie ,usheela saidJ R% lordE your riend Krishna is the king o Dwarka$ &e is very benevolent to
Brahmins and his devotees$ . you go to see himE he will understand your miseries and grant you a lot
o wealth$R But ,udama plainly reused sayingJ RDeviE . have chosen the path o devotion or sel
uplitment and not or the wealth$R ,usheelaE howeverE kept o insistingJ RAll rightE donKt go or the
wealth$ But at least you can go to see your old riend$ ,udama accepted this propositionE thinking that
only the sight o Lord yields supreme beneit to the devotee$ But he wanted something as a git to
present to his old riend$ At thisE his wie tied our handuls o raw rice in a bundle$
6ith that humble gitE ,udama set out or Dwarka$ &is poverty was at its helm$ But he kept on reciting
LordKs name all along the way$ Ater walking or some distanceE ,udama elt thirsty$ &e drank waterE
Muenched his thirst and thanked *od that &e at least does give water to drink$ ,udama kept on walking
the whole day$ .n the eveningE he kept the bundle o rice under his head as a pillow and slept$
1ow it was *odKs turn to show &is gratitude or the devotee$ 6hen ,udama awoke in the morningE he
ound himsel right in ront o Lord KrishnaKs palace$ At irst he could not believe his eyesO but the
people told him that he was in Dwarka and standing right beore the lordKs palace$ ,udama reMuested
the gatekeeper to inorm Lord Krishna that his childhood riend ,udama had come$ Lord Krishna was
sitting in the company o "ukmani when the gatekeeper delivered the message$ As soon as Lord
Krishna learned about ,udamaKs arrivalE &e stood up and ran helter=skelter to welcome his childhood
riend$ At the gate &e cordially embraced ,udama and escorted him into his private chamber and made
him sit on the throne$
Krishna and Mueen "ukmani both washed ,udamaKs eet one by one$ By the mere touch o his riendE
Krishna was eeling overCoyed$ &is eyes illed with tears$ &e and ,udama were holding each otherKs
hands$ -heir hearts were beating with the memories o their period as disciples at the hermitage o
,andipani$ <or longE none o them could utter a word$ At last ,udama saidJ R% @agadguru KrishnaE .
have the ortune o being your riend$ 6hat remains or me to doNR
Lord Krishna saidJ RBrotherE have you brought or me something sent by my sister=in=lawN . love to
accept even the pettiest thing presented with aection$R At the LordKs wordsE ,udama elt ashamed and
he did not reveal the our handuls o raw rice that he had brought as git$ 6ith shameE ,udama began
to look at the ground$ Lord knew everything that his dear riend ,udama had never remembered him
with a desire or wealth$ -his time too he has come at the insistence o his wie$ K&enceE . will give him
the wealth that is rare even or the godsEK thought Lord Krishna and snatched the bundle o raw rice and
opened it with great respect$ &e put one handul o it in his mouth$ 6hen Lord proceeded to take neGt
handulE Mueen "ukmani held his hand and prayedJ R% Vishvambhar (osterer o the world) or the
prosperity o entire world this one handul is suicient$R
,udama stayed that night in the palace o ,hri Krishna$ -here he eGperienced the comort o Vaikunth
(abode o *od)$ ,taying there or many daysE ,udama at lastE took leave o ,hri Krishna and set out or
his home$ Lord did not give ,udama anything apparently nor did ,udama asked or &is avour$ &e was
travelling overwhelmed by a divine sense o devotion and elt that Krishna might have not given him
wealth lest he should orget &im$
-husE sunk in myriad kinds o thoughtsE ,udama reached his home$ But at the placeE where his
dilapidated hut stood once there was now a divine palace surrounded by verdant gardens$ -he loors o
the palace were embedded with precious gems and stones$ ,tanding at the gateE ,udama elt
conusedE when his wie ,usheela came out with scented water to welcome him$ -ears were rolling on
her cheeks$ 6ith love she greeted ,udama and escorted him inside the palace$ ,udama was still
relecting over the *odKs grace and prayingJ R'ay . have the riendship o lord in every birthE may my
aection increase or LordKs eet$ . donKt want wealth$I ,ince thenE ,udama enCoyed the comorts o the
palace as the bounty o Lord bestowed upon him by none other than the Lord Krishna himsel$ &is
devotion increased day by day$
'++-.1* %< L%"D 6.-& *%8.,
,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE Lord Krishna was passing his time with pleasure in Dwarka$ A total solar
eclipse happened to all during that period$ 8eople rom all over .ndia thronged in Kurukshetra to take a
dip in sacred *anges on that great occasion$ All the Yaduvanshis too arrived there$ 6hen VraCvasis
(.nhabitants o VraC) learned about Krishna and BalaramKs arrival in KurukshetraE they too assembled
there$
During the estivalE Lord Krishna met &is oster=ather 1and and other cowherds who were his
childhood riends$ Lord Krishna met the *opis also who had been pining or his sight since long$ -hey
enCoyed the meeting and kept on chatting or long$ %verwhelmed by love and CoyE Vasudev embraced
1and$ Lord Krishna and Balaram respectully greeted mother Yashoda and ather 1and$ -hey too
embraced Krishna=Balaram cordially$
*opis were specially overwhelmed by LordKs sight$ -hey had no other desire but to have a sight o
Lord$ -hat day their long cherished dream had come true$ *opis imbued the captivating appearance o
Lord and eGperienced the Coy o embracing &im$ Lord met all the *opis and embraced them$ .nMuired
about their well being and preached them with spiritual knowledge$ By the virtue o that knowledgeE
eeling o living disappeared among the *opis and they merged with *od orever$
%"*A1.,A-.%1 %< YA*YA BY VA,2D+V
Devarshi 1aradE Vyasa and many other great sages arrived in Kurukshetra to have a sight o Lord$ Lord
welcomed them all$ -hen Vasudev greeted them and enMuired about way or his sel=uplitment$
LaughinglyE 1arad saidJ RVasudevE a personE already living at the bank o the *angesE discards her holy
water and goes to other places o pilgrimage or his puriication$
.n the presence o Krishna=BalaramE the sages saidJ RYou regard the indescribableE eternalE
,achchidanand ,hri Krishna as your sonE and seek the way o your sel uplitment rom us$ % VasudevE
recognise &im$ -ake to &is reugeE only &e can salve you$R Vasudev got the meaning o sageKs words
and began to develop eelings o devotion or his son$ +very human being has obligation or the godsE
sages and his ancestors$ -he sages got a Yagya perormed in Kurukshetra by Vasudev to ree him
rom the obligation or gods$
"+V.,-.1* %< D+VAK.K, ,.5 ,%1,
.n DwarkaE Krishna and Balaram used to greet their parentKs irst daily in the morning$ 1ow Vasudev
had recognised &is identity$ ,o ater their return rom KurukshetraE when Krishna=Balaram went as
usual to greet their parentsE Vasudev greeted them irst$ Lord Krishna then preached his ather about
the metaphysical knowledge$ 6ith that knowledgeE Vasudev began to see Krishna everywhere$
'other Devaki was also present there$ 'emory o her siG childrenE who were killed by KansaE was still
aresh in her mind$ ,he had heard that Krishna had etched the dead son o ,andipani rom Yamloka$
,o she prayed to them R You both are venerable even to the gods$ Kindly grant me my desire$ ,how
me my siG sons who were killed by Kansa$ By their motherKs dictate and helped by YogmayaE both the
brothers reached ,utal Loka$
-he demon king Bali welcomed them there and oered them a seatE and washed their eet$ King Bali
then asked *od what could he do or &im$ Lord saidJ % demon kingE in ,wayambhu 'anvantaraE siG
sons were born to 2rna the wie o 8raCapati 'arichi$ -hey were all gods$ -hey had once seen Brahma
trying to copulate with his own daughter and hence derided at him$ .ndignant Brahma had then cursed
them to take birth in demon incarnation$ -hey thereore were born as the sons o &iranyakashipu$
.n the present eraE Yogmaya had made them born as DevakiKs sons who were killed by Kansa$ -hey
are all now in your Loka$ 'other Devaki is mourning or themE so we shall take them with us$ -hey will
thus be reed rom the curse and go to their heavenly abode$R -hus Lord Krishna and Balaram brought
those siG babies to Dwarka and handed them to mother Devaki$ ,eeing her babies againE DevakiKs
heart illed with love or her sons$ 'ilk began to lood her breasts$ ,he breast=ed them$ Drinking the
milkE all the babies received salvation$ -hey then departed to their heavenly abode$
L%V+ A1D 'A"".A*+ %< ,2B&AD"A A1D A"@21
King 8arikshit askedJ R*urudevE how did my grandather ArCun and grandmother ,ubhadra got
marriedN . want to hear this tale$ Kindly narrate it to me$R
,hukdev saidJ 8arikshit once travelling on a pilgrimage tourE ArCun reached in 8rabhas region$ -here he
learned that Balaram was desirous o marrying his sister ,ubhadra to Duryodhan$ But Vasudev and
Krishna were not in the avour o this marriage$ ,oE a strong urge took hold in his mind to get ,ubhadra
as his wie$ Acting as per the urgeE ArCun reached Dwarka in the guise o Vaishnav sage$ .t was rainy
season thenE so with an eGcuse o :haturmasya Vrata (our months long ast)E ArCun stayed in Dwarka$
During his stayE Balaram served and looked ater him very well$ But neither Balaram nor any other
inmates o the palace could recognise ArCun$
%nce Balaram invited ArCun to his home$ -here he oered goodE delicious ood to ArCun$ ,ubhadra too
served him well$ -hereE they ell in love with each other$ Later onE boarding a chariotE ,ubhadra went
out o the palace or a Coy ride$ At the outskirts o the townE ArCun was awaiting or her$ &e had already
taken permission o Devaki=Vasudev and Krishna$ ,ubhadra too had silently nodded her acceptance$
,o that evening ArCun and ,ubhadra eloped rom Dwarka$ -he news o ,ubhadra eloping with ArCun
irst outraged Balaram$ But Lord Krishna and other near and dear ones convinced and paciied him$
"+L+A,+ %< ,&.VA <"%' :".,.,
'aitreya askedJ R*urudevE those among the godsE human beings and the demonsE who worship Lord
,hivaE get wealth very soon$ But thoseE who worship Lord 1arayanaE remain alicted with scarcity$
6hat is the reason or thatNR
.n replyE Lord Krishna had saidJ R% YudhishthirE . take away all the wealth rom those whom . bestow
my grace$ 6hen they are poorE their relatives desert them$ . even render their eorts useless when they
try to earn money$ -hus being unsuccessul repeatedlyE the people develop an attitude o indierence
or wealth$ -hen they begin to take shelter as my devotee and mingle with me$ %nly thenE . bestow my
ull grace on them and they receive me as ,achchidanand 8araBrahma$ -husE pleasing me through my
worship is eGtremely diicult$ &enceE ordinary people give me up and worship other deitiesE which are in
act dierent orms o me$ Lord ,hiva is Ashutosh and bestows his devotees Muickly with grace$ &e
gives wealth and other riches to his devotees$ But once they get wealthE the devotees become despotic
and even orget the *od who had blessed them$R
%nce upon a timeE there was a demon Vrikasur$ &e had pleased Lord ,hiva and sought a boon that the
personE upon whose head the demon put his handE should be incinerated at once$ Lord ,hiva granted
the boon without considering the conseMuences$ But as soon as the demon got this supernatural
powerE he ran to incinerate Lord ,hiva irst$ -he demon was eyeing *auri 8arvatiE so he was
determined to eliminate Lord ,hiva$ 1ow araid o his own boonE Lord ,hiva ran or his lieE with the
demon ollowing him in hot pursuit$ At last ,hiva reached in Vaikunth and told Lord Vishnu about his
crisis$ Lord at once illumined the demon and made him put his handE on his own head$ By the virtue o
the boonE the demon was incinerated in no time and thus Lord ,hiva could be saved$
-+,-.1* %< -".1.-Y
%nce upon a timeE all the sages assembled on the bank o ,araswati "iver$ A dispute erupted among
them as to who among the trinity was the greatest$ By consensus they appointed sage Bhrigu to test
the trinity o BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh$ Bhrigu reached to BrahmaE but did not greet him$ Brahma
got inuriated but since the sage Bhrigu was his sonE &e did not curse him$ -hen Bhrigu visited ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva proceeded to embrace the sage$ But instead o accepting ,hivaKs welcomeE the sage began
to abuse &imE sayingJ RYou violate the dignity o VedasE so . will not meet with you$R Angry ,hiva raised
his trident to kill himE but Bhagwati stopped &im$ At last Bhrigu reached Vaikunth to see Lord Vishnu$
Lord was lying with head in the lap o Lakshmi$ Bhrigu kicked hard at &is chest$ But instead o getting
angryE Lord got upE bowed his head beore the sage and begged pardonJ R% ,ageE pardon meE . could
not welcome you at onceE at your arrival$ Your eet are sotE . hope they are not hurt$ All my sins have
been washed by the touch o your eet$R Bhrigu elt very pleased by the serious talks o Lord$ &is heart
elt overwhelmed with eGcess o devotion$ &e returned to the assembly o the sages and narrated his
eGperience$ ,ince then Lord Vishnu is regarded as the ,upreme and giver o peace and earlessness$
"+V.VAL %< B"A&'1K, D+AD :&.LD"+1
-here in Dwarka lived a Brahmin$ 6hen the irst son was born to his wieE it died immediately ater birth$
-he Brahmin took his dead son to the royal court and complainedJ R'y ,on has died because o anti=
Brahmin and licentious actions o the king$R %ne by oneE thusE eight sons were born to the Brahmin
coupleO but they all died immediately ater birth$ And the Brahmin kept on dumping his dead sons at the
gate o the royal palace$
6hen his ninth son was bornE and diedE ArCun was also there in Dwarka$ &e made a promise to the
BrahminsJ . shall guard your son or commit sel=immolation$ At the time o neGt deliveryE the agitated
Brahmin came to ArCun$ -raining his bow and arrowsE ArCun made all arrangements to protect BrahminKs
tenth son$ ,anctiied by many mantrasE ArCunKs arrows constructed a ence around the labour room$ A
child took birthO but it too died ater some time$ BrahminE thenE cursed ArCun$
ArCun scouted through all the three worlds and even the netherworlds in search o the BrahminKs dead
sonE but he could not ind him anywhere$ 2ltimately accepting his ailure and as per his promiseE ArCun
proceeded to immolate himsel$
'eanwhileE Lord Krishna too learned about ArCunKs vow and stopped him rom sel=immolation$
-hereaterE riding a divine chariotE Lord set out with ArCunE towards west$ Beyond the limits o cosmos$
-hey reached the abode o Lord Vasudev in -ripadvibhuti$ -here ArCun saw that Lord was present in
8urushottam?s appearance$ ,hri Krishna and ArCun greeted &im$
Lord 8urushottam said in a serious voiceJ R% Krishna and ArCunaE only to have a sight o both o youE .
brought the BrahminKs sons to me$ Both o you had taken incarnation on earth rom my part to protect
the religion$ All the demons have been slain by now$ 1ow you too return to me$
,hri Krishna and ArCun again greeted Lord and returned on earth with all the sons o the Brahmin$ ArCun
was greatly surprised to see the supreme abode o Lord$ &e elt that whatever strength a living being
hadE it been all by ,hri KrishnaKs grace$ Like commonE ordinary peopleE the Lord stayed on earth
enCoying mundane comortsE perormed Yagyas like kingsE behaved like idealistic peopleO deterred &is
subCects and slayed evil kings to re=establish religion on earth$
0$9$; -he ,ages :urse Yaduvanshis
8arashar saidJ RAs the time passedE Yaduvanshis grew stronger and more inluential$ 1ow no longer
did they like the welcoming and treating o the great sages by the Lord$ Lord Krishna knew about their
dislikingE but secretly &e was pleased by this change in YaduvanshiKs behaviourE or &e knew that by
disregarding the saints and the scripturesE they would meet their end sooner$
%nce the Yaduvanshis clothed @ambvatiKs son ,amb in a womanKs attire andE showing him to the sages
asked mockinglyJ R'aharaCaE this is our sister=in=law$ ,he is an eGpecting mother$ ,he eels shy to ask
but tell us what will be born to herN
-hrough their unailing visionE the ,ages knew the reality and saidJ R<oolsE a pestle shall be born to her and that
pestle shall eGterminate the entire Yaduvansha$ 1ow all the Yaduvanshis were perpleGed by sagesK predictionE
and approached their king 2grasen$ ButE even the king was helpless now because he could not change the words
the pious sages$ .n due courseE a pestle was born to ,amb$ <rightened o an imminent ateE Yaduvanshis crushed
the pestle into a ine powder and threw it into the sea$ %nly a nail remainedE that also was thrown into the sea
where a ish swallowed it$ A isher caught the ish and cut it open and ound the nail$ &e gave it to a hunter$ -he
hunter iGed the nail in the head o his arrow$ %n the other handE the sea waves washed the powder o the pestle
ashore where it germinated and grew as luGuriant grasses$ Later onE once all the Yaduvanshis assembled at the
seashore or a picnic where they drank wine and began to ight with one another under intoGication$ ,oon their
Muarrel grew so high that they pulled out the grassesE which were growing thereE to use as the arms$ 6ith the
grasses the Yaduvanshis beat one another to death$
1A"AD 8"+A:&+, VA,2D+V AB%2- B&A*A6A-
%nce 1arad arrived in Dwarka$ Vasudev prayed him and reMuested to provide him with pious company
o Bhagwat Dharma$ 1arad saidJ R% kingE once upon a timeE nine great sages arrived in the court o the
king @anak$ King @anak had put the same curiosity beore them also$ . will narrate the conversation that
ollowed there between the sages and the king$R
<irst o allE the irst Yogishwar Kavi saidJ R% king @anakE dedication is the irst duty (Dharma) o a
Vaishnav$ &e should devote everything = his actionsE ruits o actions and even himselE at the eet o
Lord$ &e ought to hear about LordKs virtues$ ,uch a devotee shall be indierent to the worldly aairs
and shall laughE dance or sing occasionally and sanctiied all the three worlds$R -he king then asked
about the characteristics o the LordKs devotees$ Another Yogeshwara &ari saidJ RA true devotee o the
Lord remains unaected by eelings like hungerE thirstE lieE deathE labourE painE ear and desire$ ,uch a
devotee is the eGcellent kind o Bhagwat$ +ven the wealth o all the three worlds cannot shake the aith
o such a devoteeE because Lord ,hri &ari himsel stays in his heart$R
R6hat is illusionNR A Yogeshwara Antariksh repliedJ RKingE an illusion is also *odKs play$ &aving a
possessive eeling about mundane is illusion$ -hinking in terms o K.KE K'eKE K'ineKE K'yKE KYouKE KYourK is
also illusion$ . one can have such an aection or *od as he has or worldly thingsE one can easily
surmount the illusion$R
King @anak then asked about the method o worshipping Lord$ A YogeshwaraE KarbhaCan saidJ R %
kingE the Lord had a air compleGion in ,atayug$ 8eople used to receive &im through methods like
meditationE reconciliationE etc$ .n -retayugE the Lord had reddish compleGion and Yagyas were the main
means to achieve &im$ .n DwaparyugE the Lord had yellowish compleGion and &e could be pleased
through worships$ .n the present KaliyugaE Lord has dark compleGion and one can receive &im through
means like recitationE narration and hearing o &is name and plays$
-husE 1arad preached Vasudev about Bhagwat Dharma$ 1ow the heart and mind o Vasudev were
thoroughly clean and pure$
L%"D D+8A"-, -% &., AB%D+ A1D D+,-"2:-.%1 %< YAD2VA1,&.,
-o remind the Lord about the moment o &is departureE Brahma arrived in Dwarka accompanied by all
the gods$ &e prayed to &imJ R% LordE you have completed your duty o what we had once reMuested
you$ 1owE You please return to your abode$ Lord saidJ R%n the seventh day rom nowE Dwarka shall
submerge in the sea and Yadavas shall ight among themselves to death$ . too shall depart then$ -he
arrow o a hunter shall be the cause o my departure$R
6hen 2ddhav learned that Lord was about to wind up &is playsE he approached &im and saidJ R.
understandE % LordE that this all is happening by your wish$ But . cannot part or a moment rom your
eet$ &enceE take me also with you to your abode$R Lord saidJ R2ddhavE . will not go anywhere$ 'y
entire brilliance will be present in ,hrimad Bhagwat$ You stay here preaching Bhagwat Dharma$R
,aying thusE lord preached 2ddhav about the *eeta *yana through the tale o Avadhoot$
Lord narrated thusJ R2ddhavE %nceE our ancestor Yadu happened to see Lord Dattatreya in a orest$
Lord was indulged in the supreme Coy in the guise o Avadhoot$ Yadu asked him about the reasons or
his whimsical state$R Avadhoot had saidJ R% kingE making the various animalsE birdsE insects etc as my
teacherE . have learned about spirituality rom them$ -hat is why . am ree rom mourning and
attachment$ +arthE airE skyE waterE ireE the moon the sunE pigeonE pythonE seaE grasshopperE
bumblebeeE honey beeE elephantE eGtractor o honeyE deerE ishE prostituteE ospreyE boyE girlsE arrow=
makerE snakeE spider and wasp are all my teachers$ . took reuge at these twenty=our teachers and
learned rom their behaviour$
. learned orgiveness rom earthE purity rom the skyE holiness and cleanliness rom the waterE
innocence and renunciation rom the ireO indierentness rom the airE to remain unaected by
circumstances rom moonE abdication rom the ,unE incoherence rom the pigeonE dependence upon
ate and remain eortless rom the pythonE to remain always happy and serious rom the seaE to be
under the control o sense organs and hence meet total destruction rom the grasshopperE acMuiring o
virtues rom bumblebeeE ault in cumulating rom honey beeE to abstain sensuous talks rom the DeerE
to eliminate greed rom the ishE sorrow in hope and happiness in desperation rom the prostituteE to eel
happy in uncertainty rom ospreyE dispute among many rom the girlsE concentration rom the arrow=
makerE to roam alone and detachment rom a particular place rom the snakeE virtues o the creator
Lord rom the spiderE and . learned similarity rom the wasp$R
.n the guise o AvadhootE Lord Dattatreya saysJ R% kingE . learned wisdom and apathy rom my body
alsoE because lieE deathE lie and death again are inseparably intertwined with it$ &ence the net result o
loving this body is nothing but sorrow$ -hus our own body also helps us to learn about metaphysical
knowledge$
Lord Krishna also eGplained 2ddhav regarding utility o physical and heavenly luGuries$ -his human
body is like a treeE on which two birds = @eevatma and 8aramatma (microcosm and supreme soul) =
have taken shelter$ -wo ruits = happiness and sorrow = appear on it$ @eevatma (microcosm) eats these
ruits while 8aramatma (supreme soul) stays as an indierent onlooker$ -here are three kinds o @eev =
Baddh (Bound)E Bhakt (devotee) and 'ukt (liberated)$ Baddh @eevas (bound souls) are those who
indulge in sensual pleasures and those who dislike pious company$ 'ukt @eev (liberated souls) are
those who are ree rom attachment and bindings$ Bhakt (devotees) are those who meditate on me and
dedicate their everything in my eet and have love or my virtues$ 'y devotee is kindE ree rom lawsE
tolerantE has eeling o raternity or all and controls his desires$
B&.K,&2 *++-
Lord saidJ R2ddhavE in the worldE there is indeed a dearth o such tolerant people who can tolerate bitter
remarks o evil ones$ .n this conteGt there is a tale o a greedy Brahmin who lived in 2CCain$ -hat
Brahmin had been badly tormented by the evil people ater he had lost his wealth$ But still the Brahmin
did not lose his patience and regarding his present state as a result o his previous birthKs deedsE he
eGpressed his eelings thusJ
-hese people are not the cause o my miseriesO neither the godsE nor bodyE even planets and timeE can
be blamed or my miseries$ ,criptures and learned ones held the mind itsel guilty o oneKs miseries$ .t
is the mind that runs the cycle o the world and makes every kind o eorts$
.n the absence o mindE even the soul is rendered motionless$ 6hen one accepts the dictates o the
mind and indulges in sensual pleasuresE soul too comes to be bound with them$ -he ultimate outcome
o all the spiritual eorts like celibacyE study o Vedas etc$ and abidance to pious actions is the
concentration o mind$ :oncentration o mind and is abstaintation rom sensual pleasures are the
primary conditions or attainment o 8aramyoga (supreme meditation)$ -hus Lord preached 2ddhav
about *yana *eeta$ 2ddhav too took Bhagwat (which is a orm o the Lord) with honour and departed
or Badrikashrama$
*&1 0hapter 1 (Part 1%
-his chapter contains # section$
0$;$# Descriptions o Dynasties in Kali=Yuga
8arashar describes about the dynasties that would occur in Kaliyug$ "ipunCay or 8uranCay would be the last king
o Brihdrath dynasty$ -he kings o 1and dynasty would succeed this dynasty$ -hen a diplomat BrahminE named
:hanakyaE would eGterminate this dynasty and enthrone :handragupta 'aurya$ .n 'aurya dynastyE a great king
would occur by the name o Ashokvardhan$ Ater himE Yavans would rule then or siG hundred and orty years$
-heir rule would be succeeded by the governance o the air=compleGioned oreignersE who would rule or one
hundred and siGty years$ -hereaterE there would be no king and no subCects because people rom all the classes
would come orward to rule$
-he ruler would be selected by the maCority votes$ -here would be no any thing like holiness$ :ows would grow
thin like nannies$ 8eople would not marryE as per their castes$ *reedE selishness and seG would be the base o
marriage lie$ .n adverse conditionsE spouses would desert each other$ -here would be nothing like dutyE
responsibility and conduct$ &air would be the main item o adornment or the women$
8eople would not have the knowledge o religious scriptures in Kaliyug$ -alkativeness would be identiied with
knowledge$ %nly those would be regarded as cleverE who could pick othersK pockets$ :hildren would not regard or
pay due respect to their parents$ :hildren would maintain relations with parents till their marriage onlyE not ater
that$ Boys would not touch the eet o their own parentsE but would pay ull respect to their ather and mother=in=
lawE Brother=in=law would be dearer to them than their own brother$ 8arashar saysJ Kaliyug is the mine o aultsE
but it has only one great virtue = that the people will acMuire divine position only by reciting LordKs name$
"ecitation o LordKs nameE regardless o intention and motivation== whether it is loveE derisionE laBiness or
maliceness= would destroy oneKs sins$
But the sinister people would do even the most diicult tasks in KaliyugE but they would not recite LordKs name$
-hey would not have an interest in the Lord$ -heir interests would be more in sensuous things like soundE touchE
beautyE scent etc$
-he 8aramgati (supreme salvation) that people could receive by ten thousand years o meditation in ,atayugO by
perorming Yagya or hundred years in -retayug and by worshipping Lord?s idol or ten years in DwaparE that
supreme salvation is easily available or people in Kaliyug simply by reciting LordKs name or one day and one
night continuously$ But stillE in Kaliyug people would not have aith in LordKs name$ .t is their misortune$
- S9anda Purana
Largest o all the 8uranas$ :ontains eighty eight thousand and one hundred ,hlokas (stanBas)$ &as
seven parts= 'aheshwarE VaishnavaE BrahmaE KashiE AvantiE 1agar and 8rabhasa$ 8urana got its
name rom ,kand (Kartikeya) the son o Lord ,hiva$ Birth o ,kandO its reason and eects constitute
the main theme$ Kartikeya was the commander o the gods? army and had killed the demon -arkasura$
-his 8urana contains 7 chapters$
,&1 Maheshwar 2hand
-his :hapter contains (3 sections$
4$#$# Daksha?s Animosity towards Lord ,hiva
,kanda 8uran begins with the eulogy o Lord ,hiva==
+AS+A3+A 5A3AT SR&SHTA V&RA!CH&H %A"K$ HAR&H0
SA!HARTA KAA"RUDRAKH+$ !AMASTASMA& %&!AK&!1
('eaning)=== ,alutations to Lord ,hankar who has entrusted the Cob o creation to Lord Brahma==6ho
has instructed Lord Vishnu to nurture the world and who himsel acts as the supreme annihilator$During
ancient timesE onceE ,age ,haunak had perormed a grand KyagyaK at his hermitage in 1aimisharanya
orest$ 'any sages had thronged 1aimisharanya to attend it$ %ne o them was ,age Lomesh$Ater the
yagya was overE all the assembled ,ages reMuested ,age Lomesh to narrate the divine tales o Lord
,hiva$
,age Lomesh said==Daksha=8raCapati had got his daughterE ,ati married to Lord ,hiva$ %nceE he had
perormed a grand yagya in which he had invited everybody eGcept his own son=in=law$6hen ,ati
learnt about the yagyaE she sought Lord ,hivaKs permission to attend that yagya$ Lord ,hiva tried to
convince her that it was not proper to attend a ceremony in which one had not been invited$ But ,ati did
not pay any heed and was bent upon attending that yagya$ 2ltimatelyE Lord ,hiva had no option but to
give his conscent$ But he did not orget to send his K"udraganasK with her or her protection$
4$#$( ,ati Cumps into the ,acriicial <ire
6hen ,ati reached her atherKs placeE she saw a grand yagya being perormed$ A large number o
people had been invited==the deitiesE the sages and the hermits$
,ati became sad because Daksha had invited everybody eGcept her husband$ ,he knew Muite well that
it was a deliberate decision on part o her atherE not to invite Lord ,hiva$ ButE she got inuriated when
she ound that Daksha had not even kept ,hivaKs share in the yagya while the KsharesK o other deities
had been kept$
6hen Daksha saw ,atiE he was enraged===&ow dare you come hereN Your husband is an embodiment
o inauspiciousness$ &e is the Lord o the spiritsE ghosts and all types o mean powers$ -his was the
reason why . did not invite him$K
-he insult heaped on her husband in ront o everybody devastated ,ati$ ,he elt so humiliated that she decided
to give up her lie$ Beore any one could understandE she Cumped into the sacriicial ire and was charred to death$
All the deities present there were stunned by this sudden development$ All the K"udraganasK mourned ,atiKs death
with deep sorrow$'eanwhileE Lord ,hiva got the sad news rom 1arad$ &e got mad with anger and uprooted
some hair rom his scalp$ &e then dashed the hair against a mountain$ -here was a thundering sound and
Veerbhadra maniested within a split second$ Lord ,hiva ordered him to punish Daksha or his evil deedE which
caused the death o ,ati$Veerbhadra proceeded with a huge army o spiritsE ghosts and marudganas to punish
Daksha$ 6hen he reached the oblation siteE Daksha and all the other deities became scarred$ ButE ,age Bhrigu
came at the deitiesK rescue and told them not to worry$ &e then chanted ew mantrasE which helped the deities to
win the irst round o the battle$
-he deeat o his army enraged Veerbhadra to such an eGtent that he created havoc in the ranks o
deitiesK army$ &e showered volleys o arrow on themE which orced the deities to make a hasty retreat
rom there$ Veerbhadra dashed ,age Bhrigu against the ground and uprooted his beard$ &e then
severed the head o Daksha and threw it in lames o sacriicial ire$Lord Brahma took the reuge o Lord
,hiva and reMuested him to stop Veerbhadra rom causing urther death and destruction$ Lord ,hiva
told Brahma==K1obody else but Daksha himsel was responsible or his death$ButE Lord Brahma
reMuested Lord ,hiva to make Daksha alive once again$ Lord ,hiva then went to DakshaKs place and
iGed a goatKs head on the trunk o DakshaKs body$ -his way Daksha became alive once again albeit
with a goats body$ &e was very ashamed o his behaviour and reMuested Lord ,hiva to orgive him$
Lord ,hiva blessed him and said==
R,alvation can not be attained merely by perorming the rituals$ . you are desirous o salvation then
engage yoursel in virtuous deeds with$R
4$#$0 Virtues o 6orshipping Lord ,hiva
,age Lomesh told the assembled sages=== %ne who brooms the courtyard o ,hiva temple attains to ,hiva loka$
-hose who make oerings o incense to lord ,hiva not only liberate himsel rom the bondage o this world but
also both his KKulasK$ %ne who gets constructed a ,hiva temple or renovates itE attains incomparable virtue$ %ne
who chants the holy mantra K%' 1A'A& ,&.VAYK daily and begins his day by visiting ,hiva temple in the
morning becomes absolved o all his sins$
4$#$4 :hurning o the %cean
,age Lomesh narrated the taleE which described how .ndra lost heaven ater he showed disrespect to
Vrihaspati==
%nceE .ndra was enCoying the songs sung by *andharvas when sage Vashishth arrived$ ButE .ndra was so
engrossed in musicE that he orgot to welcome his distinguished guest$ ,age Vashishth was enraged by his
behaviour and went away uming with anger$6hen the demon King Bali==the lord o 8atallokaE learnt about this
incident he attacked .ndraloka with a large army$ A ierce battle took place in which all the deities were deeated$
Bali and his army brought all the wealth to 8atalloka$ But the demons were not destined to be the owner o this
plundered wealth or too long as the whole wealth got submerged into the ocean$ Bali was surprised and asked
,hukracharya about the reason$ ,age ,hukracharya revealed to Bali that he could not enCoy the splendours o
deitiesK wealth because he had not perormed #33 Ashwamedha yagyas$
-he deitiesE ater being deeated went to seek Lord VishnuKs help$ Lord Brahma was also present with
them$ Ater giving a deep thought to the whole issueE Lord Vishnu advised them to patch up with the
demons so that all the wealth could be retrieved rom the ocean bed$-he deities went to 8atal=loka and
convinced the demons to participate in the churning o the ocean$ 6hen the process o churning o the
ocean beganE 'andarachal mountain was used as a churner and the serpent =Vasuki as the rope$Both
the parties immersed the 'andarachal mountain into the ocean but it sank downE as there was no base
upon which it could be placed$ ,oE Lord Vishnu took the orm o a tortoise and held the mountain on his
back$
:hurning o the ocean resulted into the emergence o many things like :handramaE ,urabhi (cow)E
Kalpa treeE KaustubhE 2chchaihshrava (&orse)E +ravat (elephant)E goddess LaGmiE poisonE ambrosiaE
intoGication etc$6hen poison emerged rom the sea bedE neither the deities nor the demons made any
claim or it$ -he poison was so venomous that the whole world started getting inlamed by it$ Lord ,hiva
then drank the &alahal poison and thus the world was saved$Lord Vishnu accepted goddess LaGmi as
his consort$
4$#$9 -he +mergence o Ambrosia
6hen Dhanvantri appeared with a pot o ambrosia in his handsE a demon named Vrishparva snatched it rom him$
All the demons then led to 8atal loka with the pot o ambrosia$Lord Vishnu disguised himsel as an enchanting
beauty and went to 8atalloka$ -hereE he ound all the demons Muarrelling among themselves$ +ach o them
wanted to have his own share o ambrosia$-he demons were stunned by 'ohiniKs beauty the moment they saw
Lord Vishnu in the orm o a beautiul lady$ 'ohini took control o the ambrosia pot and summoned the deities to
8atal loka$
All the deities and demons were made to sit in separate rows$ 'ohini then started distributing ambrosia
to the deities$ A demon named "ahuE who had disguised himsel as a deity was also sitting among the
deities$ &ardly had "ahu gulped down some ambrosia then 'ohini severed his head on the inormation
given by chandrama ('oon)$-he severed head o "ahu tried to take revenge by swallowing
chandramaE who took the reuge o Lord ,hiva$ ,hiva kept chandrama within the lock o his hair$
'eanwhileE "ahu too came chasing chandrama and Lord ,hiva wore his head as a garland in his neck$
4$#$; Lord Brahma?s Boon to -arakasur
Ater the death o ,atiE Lord ,hiva became aloo and engaged himsel in an austere penance$ &is lack o interest
in perorming his duties resulted into the predominance o sin in the world$A demon named -arakasur had
received a boon o invincibility rom lord Brahma$ %nly a child and nobody else could kill him$ -arakasurE being
drunk with power started to torment the deities$
All the deities eulogiBed Lord Brahma and they heard a heavenly voice saying===
K1obody can kill -arakasur eGcept ,hivaKs son$ ,o you must put all your eorts to help ,hiva get
married$K
-he deities were aware that ater the death o ,atiE ,hiva had lost all interest in lie and was living like a
recluse$ 1everthelessE they wanted to give a try$ ,o they went to &imalayaE who had no progeny at that
time and reMuested him to beget a girl$ &imalaya agreedE as he was aware o the misdeeds o
-arakasur$.n course o timeE &imalayaKs wieE 'ena gave birth to a girl child who was in act the
reincarnation o ,ati$ -he girl child was named *iriCa$*iriCa was brought up with great love and care$
6hen she attained the age o eightE &imalaya once took her to the cave where Lord ,hiva was doing
penance$ .nitiallyE ,hiva was little hesitant to meet &imalaya because *iriCa was accompanying her
ather and he had vowed never to put his glance on any woman ater the death o ,ati$ ButE Later on he
relented and allowed both o them to meet him whenever they liked$ 1owE *iriCa made it her habit to
visit Lord ,hiva regularly$ ,he used to look ater all the needs o ,hiva while he was engrossed in his
penance$
+ven ater the passage o a long time the deitiesK wishes did not look like getting ulilledE as ,hiva
remained as nonchalant as ever$ ,oE the deities reMuested KamadevaKs help in sowing the seeds o
love and passion in ,hivaKs heart$Kamadeva went to the place where Lord ,hiva was doing his
penance$ &e tried to sow seeds o compassion in ,hivaKs heart only to receive his wrath$ Lord ,hiva
was inuriated by the eorts o Kamadeva$ &e opened his third eye as the result o which Kamadeva
was charred to death$"ati started wailing inconsolably at the death o her husband but *iriCa assured
her that she would try to bring Kamadeva back to lie$*iriCa commenced her penance to please Lord
,hiva$ -here was a great turmoil in the world on account o her penance$ Lord Vishnu led the deities to
,hiva and reMuested him to marry *iriCa so that the world could be protected rom the torments o
-arakasur$ <inallyE ,hiva gave his conscent and went to the place where *iriCa was doing penance$
4$#$7 ,hiva tests 8arvati?s Devotion
Ater reaching thereE Lord ,hiva ound 8arvati engrossed in her penance$ 8arvati was surrounded by
her ew trusted companions$Lord ,hiva decided to test 8arvatiKs devotion towards him$ ,o he disguised
himsel as a hermit and asked her companions about the reason why 8arvati was doing such a severe
8enance$ @ayaE one o 8arvatiKs companions inormed him that her riend was doing penance in order
to get Lord ,hiva as her husband$ @aya also inormed Lord ,hiva that her riend *iriCa was the daughter
o &imalaya$
Lord ,hivaE who was in the guise o a hermit said===K6hy is this tender girl so eager to marry ,hiva who is an
embodiment o inauspiciousness==who carries a skull in his hand and who lives in a crematorium$ &ow can your
riend think o marrying one who has been eGpelled by Daksha rom the yagya ceremonyN Does your riend know
that ,hiva wears a snake around his neck and is surrounded by numerous spirits and ghostsNK
8arvatiE who had been listening to all those nonsensical utterancesE told @aya===K-his ellow seems to
abhor ,hiva$ 6e should not talk to this evil person$ -ell him to leave at once$KLord ,hiva was eGtremely
pleased by 8arvatiKs unwavering devotion towards him$ &e appeared in his original orm and said==KYou
can ask or anything you wish$K
But 8arvati replied=== K% ,upreme LordL . am the same ,ati or the sake o whom you had destroyed
DakshaKs yagya$ DonKt you recogniBe meN -here is a great purpose behind my reincarnation$ A son
born to us would kill -arakasur$ ,o go to my ather and reMuest or my hand in marriage$KBut Lord ,hiva
reused to make a reMuest to &imalaya considering it as an undigniied act$ &e then returned to the
place where he had been meditating$Ater a whileE &imalaya and 'ena arrived there and asked 8arvati
how her penance had been progressing$ 8arvati narrated the whole incident how Lord ,hiva had inally
given his conscent to marry her$&imalaya and 'ena were eGtremely pleased by this good news$
4$#$) -he Arrival o the ,apta="ishis
Later on Lord ,hiva sent the ,aptarishis with the proposal o marriage to &imalaya$ &imalaya received his
distinguished guests with respect and enMuired about the purpose o their visit$ -he ,aptarishis replied==K6e have
come to reMuest you to give your daughterKs hand in marriage to ,hiva$KAter consulting his wieE 'ena and other
mountainsE &imalaya agreed to accept ,hiva as his son=in=law$ -he ,aptarishis then returned and conveyed the
good news to ,hiva$-he preparation or marriage ceremony started being made$ <inally the marriage procession
proceeded towards the brideKs home$ -he marriage procession consisted o all the deitiesE apsarasE gandharvas
even spirits and ghosts$
,age *arg ,upervised the rituals o marriage ceremony$ Vishwakarma constructed the canopyE where
marriage ceremony was supposed to take place$Ater the marriage was overE &imalaya perormed the
ritual o Kanyadan and this way ,hiva returned with his consort$
4$#$/ Birth o Kartikeya
Lord ,hiva and 8arvati lived happily at *andhamadan 'ountain enCoying every bit o their conCugal lie$
%nce it so happened that a small Muantity o ,hivaKs sperm ell on the ground while he was enCoying
intimate moments with 8arvati$ As a resultE tremendous amount o heat was generated and the whole
world started burning$Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu instructed Agni to employ some means so that the
destruction caused by ,hivaKs over lowing sperms could come to an end$Agni went to *andhamadan
mountain in the guise o a hermit$ &e reMuested 8arvati by saying===K% 'otherL 8lease give me
something as alms$ . have nothing but my hands as a begging bowlK
8arvati kept ,hivaKs sperms on his palmE which was eaten up by Agni$ 8arvati was enraged to see this and cursed
Agni==RYou have shown disrespect to me$ <rom today onwards you would become omnivorous$ -he sperms
which you have devoured would cause unbearable inlammation in your body$R
As the result o 8arvatiKs curseE Agni really started eGperiencing unbearable inlammation in his body$
&e reMuested Lord ,hiva to reveal the means by which his pain would come to an end$ Lord ,hiva
instructed Agni to implant those sperms in any womanKs womb to get rid o the unbearable
inlammation$-husE AgniE who was suering rom eGtreme heat that generated in his bodyE sat at a
lonely place waiting eagerly or a woman to arrive there$&e did not have to wait or too longE as siG
KritikasE shivering with cold arrived there to warm themselves$ -he sperms o ,hiva entered into their
bodies through the pores$ -hese siG Kritikas became pregnant$
6hen their respective husbands learnt about their pregnancy they cursed them$ As a result they got
transormed into K1akshatrasK and established themselves in the sky$ ButE they aborted their respective
oetus at &imalaya mountain beore getting transormed into siG constellations$ -he holy *anges
carried that oetus to a secluded placeE which was covered with dense bushes o reeds$.n course o
timeE Lord Kartikeya maniested rom those reed bushes$ &e had siG heads$ -he deities were delighted
at the birth o Kartikeya$ Lord ,hiva along with 8arvati went to the place where Kartikeya had
incarnated$ 8arvati took young Kartikeya in her embrace$
4$#$#3 Kartikeya Kills -arakasur
Lord ,hiva assured the deitiesE who were also present there that -arakasurKs days were numbered$
-he deitiesKs army then proceeded towards the battleield$%n their wayE the deities heard a heavenly
voice==KYou can deeat the demons only i you ight under the leadership o Kartikeya$K
1ow all the deities reMuested Kartikeya to become their leader$ 'enawhileE Devasena==the daughter o 'rityu
arrived there and reMuested Kartikeya to become her husband$ Kartikeya accepted Devasena as his wie$ -his is
the reason why he is also known as Deva senapati$Karitkeya was leading the deitiesK armyE mounted on an
elephant$ -he army had all the deities in its rank= .ndraE VarunE VayuE KuberE Dharma "aCE etc$Both the rival
armies met at an island situated between *anga and Yamuna$ -arakasur had come with a large armyE which
boasted o many brave and mighty warriors$
-he battle commenced and the irst phase was dominated by the demons$ -he deities could not stand
up to the might o demons$ +ven .ndra was severely wounded when -arakasur attacked him with his
deadly weapon= K,haktiK$ %n seeing the level o destruction caused in the deitiesK armyE King
'uchkundaE who was on the side o the deitiesK attacked -arakasur$ .n the ensuing battle 'uchkunda
got inCured and ell down on the ground$ &e got up uriously and tried to kill -arakasur with his
Brahmashtra$ ,age 1arad told him that Brahmashtra would be o no use as -arakasur had been
blessed with invincibility against mortals$ 1arad said==K%nly Kartikeya is capable o killing -arakasur$
,oE you all need to have patience till Kartikeya accomplishes his mission$K
'eanwhile Veerabhadra was ighting a dual bought against -arakasur$ &e had already caused
indescribable losses to the demons$ 6hile the ight was going onE -arakasur realiBed that it was not
easy to deeat him$ ,oE he decided to use his illusionary powersE which helped him in acMuiring ten
thousand hands$ -he deities ran away rom the battle ieldE when they saw erocious -arakasur
approaching them$Lord Vishnu instructed Kartikeya to kill -arakasur beore it was too late$ Kartikeya
chased -arakasur with his deadly weapon= ,hakti in his hand$ A ierce ight took place between both o
them$ Kartikeya attacked -arakasur with his ,hakti$ -arakasur retaliated by hitting him with his own
,hakti$ -he assault was so severe that Karikeya lost his consciousness or ew moments$
6hen Kartikeya regained his consciousnessE he got up Muickly to ight against -arakasur$ %nce again a
ierce battle commenced$ Kartikeya remembered his parents in reverence and released his ,hakti in
the direction o -arakasur$-arakasur died instantly$ -he deities were delighted at the death o their
tormentor$
4$#$## Virtues o %bserving a <ast on ,hiva="atri
,age Lomesh eulogiBes the virtues o ,hivaratri in the ollowing words==K-he ourteenth day o the dark
hal o a month is dedicated to the worship o Lord ,hiva and is amously known as K,hivaratriK$ .t
destroys all the sins committed by a man$,age Lomesh then narrated a taleE which emphasiBed the
greatness o ,hivaratri==
%nce upon a time a brahmin widow developed an illicit relationship with a K:handalK (a low caste man)$ Later on
she gave birth to a son who was named Dussah$ &er son had all the bad Mualities one can think o== a gamblerE a
drunkerE a thieE a murdererE etc$
%ne dayE Dussah went to a ,hiva temple with the intention o committing robbery$ .t was the estive
night o ,hivaratri and people had thronged the temple in a large number$ ,oE he did not get an
opportunity to steal temple property$ &e remained awakened or the whole night waiting or an
opportune moment but his wishes remained unulilled$ &e spent his time listening to the divine tales o
Lord ,hiva that was being narrated by the temple priest$ -hough he was a sinner yet he took his neGt
birth in a royal amily on account o his two virtuous deeds==he had remained awakened or the whole
night o ,hivaratri and he had listened to the tales o ,hiva$ .n his neGt birthE he was born to a king
named :hitrangad and he himsel was named Vichitraveerya$Vichitraveerya was a great devotee o
Lord ,hiva$ &e ultimately united with lord ,hiva and maniested as Veerabhadra at the time when Lord
,hiva had shaken his head violently ater hearing the sad news o ,atiKs demise$-here are numerous
instances o people attaining salvation by observing a ast on ,hivaratri$ -he names o some great
devotees to do so are King BharatE 'andhataE DhundhumarE &arishchandra etc$
4$#$#( Kartikeya?s ,orrow
6hile the deities hailed the glory o Kartikeya or having killed -arakasurE Kartikeya himsel was
saddened by his act$ &e told the deities==K. regret or having killed -arakasur because he was a great
devotee o Lord ,hiva$ .s there any way to atone or my sinNK
Lord Vishnu consoled him===KKilling a wicked personE who nourishes himsel on the blood o innocent peopleE is
not a sinul deed$ ButE stillE i you eel guilty then there is no better way to atone or your sin than worshipping Lord
,hiva$ .nstall ,hivalingas and worship them with deep devotion$KKartikeya instructed Vishnukarma to make three
divine ,hivalingas$ Later on Kartikeya installed these ,hivalingas at three dierent places and worshipped them
with appropriate rituals$ .n course o time these three holy places came to be known as 8ratigyeshwarE
Kapaleshwar and Kumareshwar$ KartikeyaE while worshipping at Kapaleshwar sprinkled holy water on the
,hivalinga and prayed so that -arakasurKs soul rested in peace$ &e also oered sesame seeds to lord
Kapaleshwar and prayed ==
K'ay my oerings made in the orm o sesame seeds reach -arak==the descendant o ,age Kashyap$K
-his wayE Kartikeya was absolved o his sins$
4$#$#0 Killing o 8ralamb
A demon named 8ralamb had escaped unharmed in the battle ought between the deities and demons$ As the
deities were busy installing ,hivalingas at dierent placesE 8ralamb started to torment their amilies in their
absence$ -he deities got this inormation rom Kumud who appeared at the time when the deities were digging up
a reservoir near K,iddheshwarK temple$All the deities reMuested Kartikeya to do something$ Kartikeya released his
iery weaponE ,hakti in the direction o 8ralamb$ ,hakti pierced the heart o earth and went right up to 8atal loka
where 8ralamb lived with the surviving demons$ All the demons were killed within ew moments$
A long tunnel had been created as the impact o ,haktiKs penetration o the earth$ -his tunnel was later
on illed up with the water o 8atal *anga and became amous as K,iddha=koopa$K
4$#$#4 Kaalbhiti?s Austere 8enance
-here is an amaBing tale related with the birth o Kaalbhiti$ During ancient times there lived a sonless
brahmin named 'anti in Kashi$ &e did an austere penance to get a son$ At lastE lord ,hiva became
pleased by his devotion and appeared$ Lord ,hiva said==KYou will be blessed with an enlightened son
who would liberate your whole clan$K
.n course o time 'antiKs wie became pregnant but amaBingly did not deliver a baby even ater a long time$ <our
years passed like this but 'antiKs wie did not deliver the child$ 'anti was perpleGed by this unusual event so he
asked the babyE who was still in his motherKs womb as to why he was hesitant to come out$-he child replied that
he eared KKaalK and this was the reason why he was not taking birth$ -he child said==K. you can assure me o
protection rom KKaalK then . shall certainly take birth$K &ow could have 'anti given such an assurance$ ,o he took
reuge in Lord ,hiva$Lord ,hiva ordered our o his ganas to go and convince the baby$ -he names o these ive
ganas were DharmaE *yanE Vairagya Aishwarya and Adharma$ -hey assured the baby by saying==K*et rid o your
ear$ 6e assure you that each our o us (DharmaE *yanE Vairagya and Aishwarya) will never abandon you$R
-he ith gana named Adharma on the contrary promised not to caste his evil ,hadow on the baby$
-hese assurances were enough or the baby to come out rom the womb$ ButE even ater taking birth
the child was trembling and wailing in ear$-he ganas said=='antiL Your child is still earul o the Kaal$
&e is trembling and crying inspite o the best o our eorts to drive away is ears$ ,o he will become
amous as Kaalbhiti (one who is earul o Kaal)$
Kaalbhiti grew up to be a virtuous person$ &e used to engage himsel in various kinds o austerities$ &e
was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva$%ne dayE as Kaalbhiti was meditating under a KbaelK tree (wood
apple)E he went into his trance$ -he Coy eGperienced during trance period was somethingE which he had
never eGperienced beore$ &e decided to regularly meditate under that tree$ &e did penance or one
hundred years standing on his toe$Lord ,hiva became pleased by his devotion and appeared in the
guise o a human being$ Lord ,hiva said==K% *reat soul 8lease discontinue with your penance$ . have
brought some water or youL 8lease Muench your thirstLK
But Kaalbhiti reused to take water rom an unknown person$ &e reMuested Lord ,hiva to reveal his
identity$ Kaalbhiti also inMuired Lord ,hiva about his religion and conduct$ Lord ,hiva told him that he
was beyond any religion or conduct$6hen Kaalbhiti reused to have waterE Lord ,hiva dug up a large
pit and emptied the pot into it$ Ater that he disappeared$Kaalbheeti stood iGed at that placeE being
stunned by the disappearance o Lord ,hiva$ ,uddenlyE an eulgent ,hivalinga appeared under that
bael (wood apple) tree$ Kaalbheeti worshipped that shiva=linga which was radiating light in all
directions$1owE lord ,hiva appeared and blessed Kaalbheeti to become ree rom the ear o
Kaal(Death)$ <rom that day onwards the ,hivalinga situated there became amous as 'ahakaal$
Beore disappearing once againE Lord ,hiva instructed Kaalbheeti to preach ,age Karandham who was
eGpected to visit him shortly$ Kaalbheeti himsel became renowned as 'ahakaal because he had been
successul in conMuering death$
4$#$#9 Karandham?s Aueries
As predicted by Lord ,hivaE king Karandham arrived at the place where 'ahakaal (Kaalbheeti) was
staying$ <irst o all he worshipped Lord 'ahakaal and subseMuently went to meet sage 'ahakaal
(previously Kaalbheeti)$King Karandham had numerous doubts regarding the rituals o ,hraddh so he
asked 'ahakaal==K&ow does the rituals related to KtarpanK satisy the dead ancestorsNK
'ahakaal replied==-he souls o dead ancestors are capable o accepting whatever is oered to them$ -ime and
distance does not matter to them$ -hey accept only the essence o whatever is oered to them and not the gross
materials as such$Karandham posed his second Muery==K. think a soulE ater it has abandoned the mortal body is
bound by its own karma$ -henE howE can the dead ancestors be eGpected o giving us blessings and changing our
ortunes$K
'ahakaal replied===1ot all 8itras (dead ancestors) are bound by their karma$ 8itras belonging to
dierent classes like deitiesE KasurasK and KyakshaK are unembodied and ormless (amurta)$ ,imilarlyE the
dead ancestors o all the our castes are called Kmurta 8itrasK (with orm)$ -hese seven types o 8itras
are considered to be eternal and powerul$ -hey also transcend the law o Karma$ A total number o 0#
ganas are subordinate to them$ -he rituals o ,hraddh are perormed or the paciication o these seven
eternal 8itras$ -hese seven 8itras are the ones who shower blessings on the perormers o ,hraddh
rituals$KKarandhamKs neGt Muestion was==K,ome people are o the view that one can attain salvation only
by taking reuge in Lord Vishnu$ 6hile some think that only Lord Brahma is capable o giving salvation$
-here are many people who consider Lord ,hiva as the supreme liberator$ 6hat do you have to say on
thisNK
'ahakaal replied==K*od is one$ -he three deities you have named even they eulogiBe each other$ .t is
nothing but oolishness to grade them as superiorE average or inerior$ -he thingE which matters most in
the path o salvationE is individualKs unlinching aith and devotion$ Any deity in whom he has total
devotion is capable o giving salvation$Karandham then reMuested 'ahakaal to describe the
appropriate rituals related with the worship o Lord ,hiva$
'ahakaal replied===A devotee who puts on KtripundK mark on his oreheadE chest and both the shoulders
while worshipping Lord ,hiva is blessed to see the divine appearance o Lord ,hiva$ &e should enter
the temple premise with a pure heart$ Ater entering the temple he should puriy the ,hiva linga by
removing all the unnecessary articles which may be lying there$ &e should then ill up our K*aruasK
(drinking pot with a curved spout) with water$ Articles like milkE curd clariied butterE honey and
,ugarcane Cuice are kept to the let side o ,hiva linga$-he devotee should then come out o the temple
and worship the KdwarpalasK$ Ater thatE deities like KuldevtaE 1andiE 'ahakaal Dhata and Vidhata are
worshipped$
%nce again he should enter the temple and sit in ront o the ,hivalinga and meditate on Lord ,hiva$
6hile perorming KardhyaK he should make oerings o articles like waterE akshatE Kusha grassE
sandalwoodE lowersE mustard seedsE milkE curd and honey$&aving oered ardhyaE a devotee should
perorm the ritual o ablution with waterE milkE curdE honeyE clariied butterE and sugarcane Cuice in the
given order$
6hile perorming this ritual the devotee should also oer dhupa (incense) and chant
:$M H$$M V&SHVAMURTA+ !AMAH:1
,ome other deities whom a devotee must worship along with the worship o Lord ,hiva are .shanE -atpurushE
,adryoCat etc$ A devotee must also not orget to worship ,hivaKs trident$ 6hile doing this he should chant
TR&SHU" DHA!UH KHAD3A KA%A" KUTHARBH+$ !AMAH1
A devotee should conclude his worship by begging or Lord ,hivaKs orgiveness or any mistake that he might
have committed while perorming the rituals$
4$#$#; Arunachal ,hiva Linga
%nceE ,utCi had gone to 1aimisharanya$ All the sages residing there asked him about the maniestation o
Arunachal ,hivalinga$,utCi recounted a tale when ,age ,anak had posed the same Muery to Lord Brahma == KLord
Brahma had told ,anak=,onE once Lord Vishnu and . witnessed an eulgent 8illar$ .t had maniested rom
nowhere and was limitless in siBe$ .tKs radiance put the whole world ablaBe$ Both o us worshipped that marvelous
pillar by chanting vedic mantras$KActuallyE that eulgent pillar was a ,hivalinga$ Lord ,hiva maniested rom it ater
being pleased by our devotion$ 6e reMuested him to minimiBe his siBe and establish himsel in the orm o
Arunachal ,hivalinga$K
KLord ,hiva agreed to minimiBe his siBe as well as his eulgence by establishing himsel in the orm o
KArunachaleshwarK$-he holy place o Arunachaleshwar remains untouched while the whole world gets
submerged in water at the time o deluge$
4$#$#7 Lord ,hiva ! -he ,overeign :reator
-he sages then asked ,utCi how Lord ,hiva had created the universe$
,utCi replied===Lord ,hiva commenced creation by his own will$ Vishnu maniested rom the let side o his body
while Brahma rom the right side$ &e then attributed the Mualities o K"aCasK and K,atvaK to Brahma and Vishnu
respectively$ <rom then onwards Lord Brahma took the responsibility o urther creation and Lord Vishnu became
the preserver o the world$Later on Lord Brahma created his ten 'anasputra ('arichi etcE) by his will and Daksha
8raCapati rom his right thumb$ &e also created the brahmins rom his mouthE Kshatriyas rom both his armsE
Vaishyas rom both his thighs and ,hudras rom both his eet respectively$BothE the deities and demons came
rom the lineage o ,age KashyapE who himsel was 'arichiKs son$ 1ot only that Kashyap also athered dierent
species like 'arutE 1agE YakshaE *andharva and apsaras$
,imilarlyE Lord Brahma had also created 'anu who is believed to be the person rom whom human
race originated$ All the sages as well as the Kshatriyas are the descendants o ,age Atri$ Yakshas
originated rom 8ulastya whereas "akshashas were the descendants o 8ulah$ Agni as well as ,ages
like :hyavan was the descendant o Bhrigu$ 'any amous sages came rom the lineage o Vasishth$
-hese are the names o ew prominent sagesE whose descendants have populated the earth$-husE
Lord ,hiva is the ,overeign creator because he created Brahma==the creator$
4$#$#) +Gecution o ,humbhE 1ishumbh and 'ahishasur
-he demons named ,humbh and 1ishumbh had received boons rom Brahma according to which no deityE
demon or 'an could kill him$ ,humbh and 1ishumbh became eGcessively arrogant and started tormenting the
deities$ All the deities including Lord Vishnu went to Lord ,hiva and reMuested or his help$ Lord ,hiva assured
them that both the demons would be killed at the opportune time$ -he deities were satisied and returned back to
their respective abodes$8arvati was o dark compleGion$ ,he thought that ,hiva would be more aectionate
towards her i she somehow discarded her dark skin$ ,he eventually discarded her dark skin at a place and it
instantly got transormed into KKali KaushikiK$ ,he then did an austere penance at Vindhyachal mountain$ At that
timeE ,humbh and 1ishumbh lived there$ 6hen both the demons saw goddess Kali Kaushiki her divine beauty
inatuated them$ But *oddess Kali Kaushiki ultimately killed both o them$
&aving accomplished her missionE Kali Kaushiki did a tremendous penance at K*auri=peakK and
regained her air compleGion$ .n course o time she became the mother o *anesh and Kartikeya$
%nceE goddess 8arvati went to Arunachal mountain where ,age *autam was doing penance$ ,he was
so enchanted by the scenery over there that she decided to do penance$ ,he instructed goddess Durga
to stand guard till she accomplished her penance$ ,he also ordered the two goddesses ,ubhaga and
Dhundhukumari to keep a watch in all directions$
'ahishasur==the demon sent a emale messenger to convince 8arvati into marrying him$ -he emale
messenger disguised hersel as a emale hermit and tried to impress all the three goddess who were
keeping surveillance by praising the glory o 'ahishasur==
K% beautiul ladiesL 6hy is your mistress living in such a secluded placeN ,he is worthy o living in a
royal palace$ -here is nobody among the deities who is it enough to marry her$ ButE 'ahishasur==the
lord o all the three worlds is certainly it to become her husband$KBut all the three goddesses drove the
emale messenger away$ 2ltimatelyE 'ahishasur came accompanied by a large army to orcibly abduct
goddess 8arvati$ -he commotion caused by the demons disturbed 8arvatiKs meditation$ ,he instructed
Durga to kill all the demons$*oddess Durga transormed her appearance$ 1ow she looked erocious in
her new appearance$ ,he was well eMuipped with all sort o lethal weapons and was mounted on a lion$
,he thundered loudly and challenged 'ahishasur$ :ountless KyoginisK maniested rom her body$ -hese
yoginis attacked 'ahishasurKs army and killed many demons$ -he whole battleield was splashed with
blood$
*oddess :hamunda (Durga) severed the heads o K:handK and K'undK with her chakra$ 'ahishasur
was enraged and he attacked goddess Durga$ ,ome other demons like 8rachandaE :hamarE
'ahamauliE 'ahahanuE 2gravaktraE Vikataksha and Dahan also came orward to help him but each
one o them was killed by goddess Durga$1owE 'ahishasurKs anger crossed all limits and he
menacingly ran towards goddess Durga$ A severe battle was ought between both o them$ 6hen
'ahishasur realiBed that the goddess was dominating the battleE he started changing his guises
reMuently$ &e tried to dodge goddess Durga by transorming his appearance into that o a boar$ ButE
goddess Durga kept on chasing him$ -henE 'ahishasur became a lion$ -his way he kept on changing
his appearances reMuently to avoid getting killed by goddess Durga$ %nce he transormed himsel into
a bualo but goddess Durga attacked him$
-his wayE 'ahishasur was orced to change his appearance reMuently on account o relentless attack
by goddess Durga$ 2ltimately Durga killed him$ *oddess Durga picked up his severed head and
danced in Coy$ -he deities were relieved at the death o 'ahishasur$
4$#$#/ 8arvati "eceives Arunchaleshwar?s *race
*oddess Durga then went to the place where goddess 8arvati was still doing penance$ ,he held
'ahishasurKs head in one hand and a sword in the other$*oddess 8arvati said===K% VindhyavasiniL You
have accomplished an impossible act$ . it were not or you . would not have been able to accomplish
my own penance$ 1owE you should get rid o this skull and create a holy spring bathing in which would
destroy your sin acMuired by killing 'ahishasur$K
*oddess Durga hit erociously at a huge rock breaking it into pieces$ A large pit was created which was
soon illed up with underground water$ ,he then took her bath in it by chanting 1A'A&
,&%1AD".1A-&AY$
.n the meantimeE an amaBing incident took place$ 6hile goddess Durga was taking her bath with 'ahishasurKs
skull in her handE a ,hivalingaE which was struck in 'ahishasurKs throat ell down$ -his ,hivalinga later on
became amous as K8apanashan ,hivalingaK$ ,he then released the skull and came out rom the
pond$Arunachaleshwar (Lord ,hiva) became pleased by 8arvatiKs devotion and appeared beore her$ Lord
Arunachaleshwar then made 8arvati to sit by his let side$ -he neGt moment 8arvatiKs identity mingled with that o
Lord Arunachaleshwar$ -he place where this incident took placeE there is situated a grand temple o goddess
Apitastani and Lord Arunachaleshwar$
,&! +aishnav 2hand
-his :hapter contains ( sections each with #4 and #( sub=sections respectively$ .n order to simpliy
the presentation o inormation hereE the ( sections will be combined into one with all (; sub=sections
listed as sections$
4$($# Lord Varah satisies 8rithvi?s :uriosity
,utCi then narrated the tale o Lord Varah to the sagesE which he had heard rom ,age Vyas===
%nceE while 1arad was wandering aboutE he reached 'eru mountain where he saw the abode o Lord Brahma$
&e also saw a giant siBed entityE Cust neGt to BrahmaKs abode$ -he person possessed our arms and his ace
resembled a boar$ -he person held a conch and a chakra in his two hands==-he remaining two hands were in the
postures o giving blessings$ 1arad was very surprised to see that divine person being surrounded by ,ages like
VashishthE AtriE 'arkandeya and Bhrigu$ Ater paying his eulogy to himE he stood in a corner$.n the meantimeE
8rithvi (earth) arrived there with her two companions==.la and 8ingla$ ,he was curious to know about the identities
o various mountainsE which Lord Varah had established on her$Lord Varah told 8rithvi about the prominent
mountains==='ountains like ,umeruE &imavanE 'andarachalE VindhyachalE 8ariyatrakE 'ahendraE 'alayE
,inhachal and *andhamadan are situated to the north o &imalaya$
-he mountain ranges situated to the south o &imalaya are ArunachalE &astiE *ridhachal and
*hatikachal$ ,ages believe that in ,atyayuga Lord Vishnu had his abode at AnCan 'ountainE while in
tretayugaE dwaparyuga and Kaliyuga he has his abode at 1arayangiriE ,inhachal and ,hrivenketachal
respectively$Lord Varah and 8rithvi lew away towards Venkatachalgiri mounted on *aruda$
4$($( Lord Varah 'antra
%n their wayE 8rithvi reMuested Lord Varah to reveal the sacred mantraE chanting o which makes him
pleased$
Lord Varah said==K-he secret mantra that pleases me to no limits is ===%' 1A&A' ,&".VA"A&AY
D&A"A1Y2 2DD&A"1AY ,6A&A$ -his mantra is capable o liberating a man and also brings all sort
o worldly accomplishments to him$.n the irst Krita yugaE a 'anu named Dharma had realiBed me by
continuously chanting this mantra$ +ven .ndra regained the control o heaven by chanting it$ Anant==the
lord o all serpentsE chanted Varaha mantra and as a result became capable o holding the earth on itKs
hood$K
4$($0 'aniestation o 8admavati
Lord Varah then narrated the tale o 8admavatiKs maniestation to 8rithvi$ &e also revealed to her that 8admavati
was the reincarnation o Vedavati and had maniested so that she could become his (Vishnu) consort$Lord Varah
said===%nce upon a time there lived an emperor named Akash$ %ne day he ordered his men to get the land
situated at the bank o Arani ploughed so that a grand yagya could be organiBed there$As the land was being
cultivatedE the plough suddenly struck against something$ 8eople ploughing the ield dug up that place and were
surprised to ind an inant girlE crying loudly$-he news o girlsK maniestation spread like a wild ire$ -he emperor
became eGtremely happy since he had no progeny$ &e brought up that child as his own daughter$ -his way the
baby girl was brought up like a princess$ ,he was named 8admavati$ 8admavati proved very lucky or the
emperorE as the emperorE who was still sonless till then was blessed with a son$ -his male child was named
Vasudan$
%ne dayE 1arad visited the palace and met both the children$ &e was impressed by VasudanKs
intelligence but 8admavati appeared to be shy and absorbed in her own thoughts$ 1arad lovingly called
her and instructed her to spread her let palm$ 1arad was amaBed to ind signsE which predicted
8admavatiKs marriage to Lord Vishnu$ +verybody living in the palace became happy ater getting this
news$ 1arad then went away$
4$($4 8admavati becomes Lord &ari?s :onsort
:ontinuing with the taleE Lord Varah said== %ne dayE while 8admavati and her companions were playing
in the gardenE they saw an eMuestrian approaching them$ &e held a bow and arrows in both his
hands$-he stranger asked all the girls whether they had seen a wol$ Apparently the stranger was on
his hunting spree$ 8admavati angrily reminded the stranger that hunting was strictly prohibited in that
area and hence he should go back home$-he stranger was stunned by 8admavatiKs beauty and said==K.
am Ananta rom Venketachal mountain$ 8eople also call me Veerpati$ :an . have this beautiul lady as
my wie$K
8admavatiKs companions angrily rebued Anant who then galloped back on his horse$ -hese unortunate girls
were unable to recogniBe Lord Vishnu who had come disguised as Anant$Ater reaching his palaceE Anant ound it
very diicult to concentrate on his work$ &is mind was occupied by the thoughts o 8admavati$ %ne dayE while he
was sitting in a thoughtul moodE Vakulmalika (a maid servant) arrived there and reMuested him to come down or
lunch$ ButE ,ri &ari (Anant) was lost in the thoughts o 8admavati$ %n being asked by VakulmalikaE ,ri &ari
narrated the ollowing tale to her ===
.n treta yugaE when . had incarnated as "amE "avan had deceit= ully abducted my consort==,ita$ But
ortunately she was not ,ita but AgniKs consort ,waha$ Beore this incident could occurEAgni had
already taken ,ita to 8atalloka and kept his own wie K,wahaK in her place$ .ndraKs act had special
purpose behind it==to avenge ,wahaKs deathEwho was Vedavati in her previous birth and who had
committed suicide ater being touched by the same demon$ActuallyE AgniKs consort K,wahaK was
KVedavatiK in her previous birth$ ,oE in reality "avan had abducted Vedavati instead o ,ita$ Later onE .
thanked Agni and promised him that . would make Vedavati my consort in Kaliyuga$ -he same vedavati
has taken birth as 8admavati$ You must go and convince 8admavati to become my
consort$Vakulmalika went to 1arayanpur and inormed the king about ,ri &ariKs desire$ +mperor Akash
was eGtremely delighted at the prospect o having ,ri &ari as his son=in=law$ An auspicious day was
chosen or the marriage and thusE Lord ,ri &ari got 8admavati as his consort$
4$($9 King 8arikshit
%nceE ,utCi narrated the tale o king 8areekshit to all the assembled sages===
8areekshit ruled over &astinapur$ %ne day he went into a orest on a hunting spree$ &e saw a deer and managed
to inCure it with his arrow$ But the inCured deer disappeared rom his sight$ 8areekshit chased the inCured deer in
the direction it had disappeared$&e reached a place where sage ,hamik was engrossed in his meditation$
8areekshit enMuired sage ,hamik i he had seen that inCured deer$ Bur sage ,hamik being in deep meditation did
not respond to 8areekshit Muery$ -his made 8areekshit eGtremely angry and he wrapped a dead snake around
,hamikKs neck as a punishment or not having answered his Muestion$ ButE it made no dierence to ,age ,hamik
and he continued with his meditation$ 8areekshit went back uming in anger$
,hringi was the son o ,age ,hamik$ 6hen he saw a dead snake coiling around his atherKs neckE he
cursed==K6hoever has tried to insult my ather will not live to see the seventh day because a takshak
nag would bite him to death$K
6hen sage ,hamik learnt about his sonKs curseE he reproached his son and sent a disciple named
KDaurmukhK to inorm 8areekshit so that he (8areekshit) could take some preventive measures$
Daurmukh went and narrated the whole incident to king 8areekshit$8areekshit became very scarred
and he started living on a canopy that had been constructed in the middle o river *anges on his
instructions$ 1ow he elt secured and sae$'eanwhile a poor brahmin named Kashyap came to know
about the curse that poor 8areekshit had received$ &e knew how to cure a person bitten by snake$ ,o
he thought that it was an eGcellent opportunity or him to receive monetary awards rom the king$ ,oE he
proceeded towards the place where 8areekshit was staying$
%n his wayE Kashyap met a brahmin who in reality was takshak in disguise$ -akshak was on his way to
kill 8areekshit$ &e asked Kashyap about the reason he was going to meet 8areekshit$ Kashyap
revealed to -akshak that he could neutraliBe the inluence o poison in any person bitten by a snake$
-akshak wanted to eGamine the authenticity o KashyapKs statementE so he inserted his poisonous
angs into the trunk o a huge tree$ A man was sitting on the branches o that tree$ -he tree as well as
the man was charred to death within no time$
KashyapE really brought the tree and that man back to lie$ -akshak was stunned by this unbelievable
act$ &e asked Kashyap how much he eGpected as reward rom the king$ Kashyap revealed the amountE
which he eGpected rom 8areekshit in lieu o giving him a resh lease o lie$ -akshak gave lot o wealth
to him as a bribe and Kashyap went back home satisied$-akshak then summoned all his companions
and instructed them to go to the place where 8areekshit livedE disguising themselves as hermits$ All the
serpents went to meet 8areekshit impersonating as hermits and oered ruits to him$ According to his
planE-akshak had hidden himsel within a plum ruit$ &e bit 8areekshit as soon as he got a chance$
8areekshit died instantly$@anmeCaya was crowned as the neGt king$ 'eanwhileE people started
criticiBing the treacherous conduct o KashyapE which had resulted in the death o king 8areekshit$ &e
decided to make a pilgrimage to Venketachaleshwar so that he became liberated rom his sin$
4$($; Krshna -eertha
,utCi narrated a tale to all the assembled sages==During ancient timesE a brahmin named "amkrishna did an
austere penance at Venketachal mountain$ &e remained immobile during the entire course o his penance
resulting into the development o mole hills all over his body$.ndra was scarred by "amkrishnaKs penance and
caused a heavy downpour or a week$ All the mole hills were washed away rom "amkrishnaKs body$Lord ,rinivas
became pleased and appeared beore him$ &e blessed "amkrishna by saying==K-his holy placeE where you have
perormed a great penance will be named ater you as Krishna teerth$ Anybody who makes a pilgrimage to this
place will be liberated rom all the sins$K
+ulogiBing Lord VenketashwarE ,utCi says===
KA manE who has the good ortune o seeing the divine appearance o Lord ,rinivas even or a momentE
attains salvation$
4$($7 ,ome %ther 8laces o 8ilgrimage on Venketachal 'ountain
All the sages then reMuested ,utCi to tell about some other places o pilgrimage situated on Venketachal
mountain$
,utCi replied===-here are about one hundred and eight holy places situated on Venketachal mountain$
Among all these holy placesE siG are considered to be capable o bestowing salvation===,wami
pushkariniE Akash gangaE 8apvinashanE 8anduteerthE Kumar dharika teerth and -umbu teerth$
4$($) AnCana?s 8enance at Akash=*anga -eertha
Describing how Vayudeva had once assured AnCana that he would take birth as her sonE ,utCi told the sages===
AnCanaE being issue less even ater a long married lieE decided to do penance in order to beget a son$ ,age
'atang advised her to go to Akashganga teerth where her wishes would get ulilled$ ,age 'atang also described
the geographical location== KAt a distance o ten yoCans towards south is situated Dhanachal mountainE which is
believed to be the abode o Lord 1risimha$ Brahma teerth lies in its vicinity$ At a distance o ten yoCans south o
Brahma teerthE lows river K,uvarnamukhariK$ Venkentachal mountain is situated to the north o this river and the
holiest place called ,wamipushkarni is situated among its numerous peaks$ You should visit that place and take a
holy dip in its water$ Ater that you should seek the blessings o Lord Varahaswami and Lord Venketeshwar$ You
should then go towards north o ,wami teerth and you would reach Akashganga$K
Acting as per 'atangKs instructionsE AnCana went to Akashganga teerth and did her penance$ <inally
Lord Vayudeva appeared beore her and promised to incarnate as &anuman$
4$($/ Lord Vishnu Advises Lord Brahma to go to 8urushottam Kshetra
-he ,ages asked===K% revered sageL 6e would like to know more about 8urushottam KshetraE where
there is a maCestic wooden idol o Lord Vishnu$K
,age @aimini replied==-he sacrosanct place o 8urushottam Kshetra is graced by the presence o Lord @agannath$
During ancient timesE Lord Varah had rescued 8rithvi rom the clutches o &iranyaksha==the mighty demon who
had abducted her to "asatala$ Ater 8rithvi had been established in its original positionE Lord Brahma commenced
his creations$ Lord Brahma wondered about the means by which human beings could get liberated rom three
maCor types o sorrow===Adhyatmic (spiritual)E Adhidaivik (deities wrath)E Adhibhantik (related with this world)$ &e
sought the help o Lord Vishnu who eulogiBed the greatness o 8urushottam Kshetra and advised him to go there$
Lord Vishnu said== K8urushottam Kshetra is situated at the sea=shoreE to the south o river 'ahanadi$ -his
sacroscant place o mine does not get aected by deluge$ . dwell at this holiest place as KLord 8urushottamK$
-here is a holy pond called "ohin in the vicinity$ Anybody who takes a holy dip in that pond gets absolved o all
his sins$ % BrahmaL You must pay a visit to 8urushottam kshetra where spending a day bestows virtues greater
than all the austerities combined together$K
-his wayELord Brahma went to 8urushottam kshetra as per the instructions o Lord Vishnu$
4$($#3 'arkandeya +ulogiBes Vishnu
Lord Brahma soon ater reaching 8urushottam kshetra sat down and started meditating$ &e was so
engrossed in his meditation that he remained in that state or a very long time$ -his resulted into total
chaos as YamaraC ound that his power o causing death had no eect on people living in 8urushottam
kshetra$ 6orried as he wasE YamaraC rushed towards 1eelachal mountain and sought Lord VishnuKs
intervention in the matter$
Lord Vishnu smiled and signaled goddess LaGmi to say something$ *oddess LaGmi said==K%
,uryanandanL Anybody residing at this holy place is reed rom the vicious cycles o birth and death
ater becoming absolved o all his sins$ -his is the reason why you are eGperiencing this unusual
problem$ -he whole world eGcept this holy place will come into your Curisdiction$K
YamaraC was amaBed by this revelation so he asked LaGmi==K. would like to know why such a privilege
is being given to this placeNK
LaGmi replied==K% "avinandanL At the time o deluge when the whole world was submerged in the water sage
'arkandeya was struggling to ind a secure place or his survival$ Although he was blessed with an unusually
long lie o seven kalpas but still he needed a place to live in$ &e started swimming and inally managed to reach
8urushottam kshetraE which had remained unscathed by the turbulence o the deluge$ -here he saw a divine tree
called KAkshay VatK$ 'arkandeya continued to swim along the coast wondering how that place had managed to
remain unaected by deluge when the whole world had been submerged$ ,uddenly he heard a voiceE which
appeared to be coming rom the direction o the Akshay Vat==K% 'arkandeyaL DonKt worryL -ake my reuge and
you shall be protected$K
'arkandeya was very surprised and looked all around$ &e kept on swimming and saw Lord VishnuE
who was engrossed in his yoga nidra in ksheer sagar$ . (LaGmi) was also present there$ 'arkandeya
eulogiBed Vishnu in the ollowing way==K,alutations to the supreme lord= the source o all creationsL %
@agannathL 8rotect me rom getting drowned$K
Lord Vishnu opened his eyes and ound 'arkandeya gasping or breath$ %n realiBing the gravity o the
situation he said==K"aise your head and look at the top o this Kalpa Vat$ You would ind an inant
sleeping on a lea o the Kalpa Vat$ -he inant is none other than Kaal himsel$ You should enter inside
his (KaalKs) body through his opened mouth and live peaceully as there is no other place or you to live
in$K
'arkandeya entered into KaalKs body as per the instructions given by Lord Vishnu and was amaBed by
the eGpanse o his bellyE which appeared like a bottomless pit$ &e also saw all the ourteen Bhuvans
eGisting within KaalKs belly including all the creatures=deitiesE sagesE siddhasE gandharvasE etc$
'arkandeya wandered all over the place and ater getting tired came out through KaalKs opened mouth$
&e ound Lord Vishnu was still present there accompanied by his consort=LaGmi$ 'arkandeya made
salutations to both o them and narrated his eGperiences he had inside KaalKs belly$Lord Vishnu blessed
him and made a revelation==K -he place you had visited ew moments ago is beyond the limits o
creation or deluge$ -he name o this holiest place is 8urushottam kshetra and it is my permanent abode
or . do not leave it even or a moment$K'arkandeya was very impressed and reMuested Lord Vishnu to
allow him to live there$ Lord Vishnu replied==K % BrahmarishiL . shall remain at 8urushottam=kshetra till
the end o this kalpa$ . shall also create a sacrosanct placeE which would enable you to become
immortal$K
,age 'arkandeya then dug up a reservoir with the help o VishnuKs chakra$ &e did an austere penance
to please lord 'aheshwar as the result o which he was indeed blessed with immortality$ .n course o
timeE this reservoir became amous as K'arkandeya kundK$
4$($## &oly 8laces in the vicinity o 8urushottam=Kshetra
Dwelling in length upon the maCesty o 8urushottam kshetraE goddess LaGmi said==8urushottam kshetra
resembles a conch in shape and is graced by the presence o lord ,hiva$ -owards its north is situated a
temple o lord 1eelkanth$ A amous shiva linga named Kapal mochan is also situated in the vicinity$
%ne who makes a pilgrimage to Kapalmochan becomes liberated rom gravest o sins$ A temple o
goddess Vimla devi is also situated nearby$
8urushottam kshetra is considered to be supreme among all the places o pilgrimage and or this very reason it is
aptly named K-eerth "aCK$ A divine pond called "ohin kund is also situated nearby$ Anybody who takes a holy dip
there is reed rom the vicious cycles o birth and death$ .t is believed that the increased level o water at the time
o deluge ultimately recedes and disappears into this pond$
*oddess LaGmi said==K % DhanraCL -his holy place is beyond your Curisdiction because people living
there never eGperience death$ .t is well protected by eight goddesses rom all the eight directions$ -he
names o these eight goddesses are 'anglaE LambaE KaalratriE 'arichikaE VimlaE ,arvamanglaE
Ardhashini and :handrupa$ &ow can lord "udra be absent when "udrani has maniested hersel in
eight ormsE soE he has maniested himsel in eight dierent orms as well= KapalmochanE KshetrapalE
YameshwarE 'arkandeyeshwarE .shanE BilveshwarE 1eelkanthE and Vateshwar$6hile describing the
maCesty o 8urushottam kshetraE goddess LaGmi revealed to lord Brahma==K .n the coming satya yuga
there would be a king named .ndradyumna and would be amous or his unlinching devotion in lord
Vishnu$ Being pleased by the kingKs devotionE lord Vishnu would ultimately maniest himsel rom a
wooden structure to bless him$ Vishwakarma would then carve out our idols (@agannathE BalbhadraE
,ubhadra and ,udarshan chakra) rom the wooden block all o which would be installed by none other
than you (Brahma)$K
%nceE while sage @aimini was describing the greatness o 8urushottam kshetra to the assembled
sagesE all o them curiously asked him==
K 6here is 8urushottam kshetra situated N
@aimini replied ==K 2tkal is situated at the eastern coast o Bharatvarsha$ At the time o delugeE when
everything gets submerged in water 2tkal remains unaected and it is the very place rom where the
knowledge o the Vedas spread in all directions$ -he residents o 2tkal are not only learned but also
very prosperous$ -here is not a single person in this land who is not a devotee o lord Vishnu$ All the
people belonging to the our prominent castes (BrahminE KshatriyaE Vaishya and ,hudra) diligently
ollow their respective dharma$ -his holy place never eGperiences natural calamities o any kind$K
,age @aimini then went on to narrate the tale o king .ndradyumna to all the assembled sages ==
K.n satya yuga there lived a noble and virtuous king named .ndradyumnaE who ruled over the province
o 'alva$ &e was a great devotee o lord Vishnu$ %ne dayE while worshipping in a templeE he asked the
priest=. have a wishE which still remains unulilled$ . have a deep desire o seeing lord @agannath with
my mortal eyes$ .s there any means with the help o which . can get my wish ulilledN
-he royal priest had no answer to the kingKs Muery so he kept Muiet$,uddenlyE he saw a group o
pilgrims coming towards the temple$ &e thought that perhaps one o them might be having an answer
to the kingKs Muery$ 6hen the pilgrims arrived at the templeE the royal priest posed the same Muestion to
them$ %ne o the pilgrims answered==K -here is a place called %dhraE where is situated a grand temple
o lord @agannath$ -his sacrosanct place is also amously known as 8urushottam kshetra and is
situated at the oothills o the 1eelachal mountain$ -here is a holy pond called "ohin situated nearby$
At the eastern bank o this pond is situated a maCestic temple o lord Vasudev$ -he idol o lord Vasudev
is made o K.ndraneelK diamond$ -o the west o this temple lies K,habardeepK hermitageE rom where
starts a path leading to @agannath temple$K
&aving said thisE the pilgrim disappeared rom everybodyKs sight$ 1ot only .ndradyumna but all the
pilgrims were eMually amaBed by his sudden disappearance$ .ndradyumna was convinced that lord
@agannath had himsel come there in the guise o a pilgrim$ 1owE his desire o visiting 8urushottam
kshetra became even more intense$ .ndradyumna instructed his priest to ind out the eGact location o
8urushottam kshetra by sending somebody over there$ Later onE the priest went home and sought the
help o Vidyapati=his younger brother in this regard$ Vidyapati readily agreed to help his brother and
one ine day he proceeded on his Courney with a select group o his trusted riends$
Ater a long and arduous Courney all o them reached K+kamravanK orestE situated at the oothills o
1eelachal mountain$ -he thought o being so near their destination made everybody eGtremely eGcited$
ButE despite their best o eorts they could not ind ,habardeep ashram$ Being tiredE all o them
decided to take rest or a while and then recommence their eorts to ind out the location o
,habardeep hermitage$ <inding a huge treeE all o them took rest under the shade o that tree$
,uddenlyE they heard a heavenly voiceE which appeared to be coming rom the western direction$ -hey
ollowed the voice and reached ,habardeep ashram in a short time$ -here they saw a large gathering
o devotees$ %ne o the devoteesE whose name was VishvavasuE curiously asked Vidyapati==K.t is not
easy to reach this place$ <rom where are you coming and where do you intend to goN You must be
tired==waitE till . return with some rereshment or all o you$K
Vidyapati was not in a mood to waste his timeE as he was aware that .ndradyumna was eagerly waiting
or him to return$ &e told Vishvavasu== . have a diicult mission to accomplish soE . am not in a position
to waste my time$ . am the younger brother o the royal priest o king .ndradyumna$ -he king has vowed
not to have a single morsel o ood till he makes a pilgrimage to 8urushottam kshetra$ &e has sent me
with a speciic purpose o inding the eGact location o 8urushottam kshetra and the easiest route
leading to it$ ,oE help me reach the temple o lord @agannath as soon as possible$K
4$($#( Vidyapati +ulogiBes Lord 1eel'adhava
Vishvavasu told Vidyapati==K . have heard this prophesy o .ndradyumnaKs possible arrival at
8urushottam kshetra in the near uture$ 1ot only thatE . have also heard that .ndradyumna would
become so impressed with 8urushottam kshetra that he would settle down there or good ater
renouncing everything$K
Vishvavasu then reMuested Vidyapati to ollow him and started negotiating the steep heights o
1eelachal mountain$ Vidyapati ollowed him through the curvy and arduous paths o the mountain$
&aving walked or sometimeE Vishvavasu pointed towards a pond and said==-his pond is amously
known as "ohin kund$ -he kalpa vat that you see towards the east o this pond is considered to be so
sacrosanct that a sinner becomes liberated o all his sins once he comes under its shade$ Lord
@agannathKs temple is situated between "ohin kund and the kalpa vat$ *o ahead and have a darshan
o lord @agannath or whom you have undertaken such an arduous travel$
VidyapatiKs Coys knew no bounds as he had been waiting or this moment or a long time$ <irst he puriied himsel
by taking a holy dip in "ohin kund and then went inside the temple to worship lord @agannath$ &e worshipped lord
@agannath by chanting the sacred pranav mantra$Ater the worship was overE Vishvavasu reMuested Vidyapatito
visit his place which was nearby$ Vidyapati agreed and accompanied Vishvavasu to his place$ Vidyapati was
given a royal treat by his hostE which made him wonder as to how could Vishvavasu arrange all the luGurious
things at such a remote place$ &e could not control himsel and asked Vishvavasu== +ven a king would have
ound it diicult to treat his guest as lavishly like youL . am amaBed how you could make arrangements or all
these things at a remote and secluded place like thisL &ow do you manage thisN
Vishvavasu replied== .t is not as diicult as you believe$ ,ince 8urushottam kshetra is a sacrosanct
place and it is reMuently visited by the deities who make divine oerings to lord @agannath$ . collect the
residuals o whatever is oered to @agannath rom the temple and bring it home$ ,oE . really donKt have
to make any special eorts to accumulate divine ood stus$ %n account o eating these divine ood
stusE not only we have been blessed by eternal youth but also we are never troubled by old
age$Vidyapati was very impressed and reMuested Vishvavasu to become his riend$ &e also reminded
Vishvavasu that he wanted to return as soon as possible so that the king could go on a pilgrimage to
8urushottam kshetra$ ButE Vishvavasu made a shocking disclosure to Vidyapati and said== King
.ndradyumna will never be able to have a divine glimpse o lord @agannath as the lord is soon going to
disappear$ ButE donKt disclose this act to the king otherwise he would get disheartened and abandon
his plan o making a pilgrimage to 8urushottam kshetra$ <inallyE when the king in his utter rustration
would try to end his lie ater not being able to have a divine glimpse o 1eelmadhavE the most gracious
lord will appear in his dream and instruct him to get constructed our wooden idols o @agannathE
BalbhadraE ,ubhadra and ,udarshan chakra$
&aving accomplished his missionE Vidyapati proceeded on his return Courney and once again he visited
8urushottam kshetraE which ell on the way$ &e picked up a garlandE which had been oered to
1eelmadhav by some deity$<inallyE when he reached 'alwa he ound king .ndradyumna eagerly
waiting or him$ Ater presenting the garland to the kingE he narrated his eGperiences he had at
8urushottam kshetra==K % kingL Lord @agannathKs idol is made o 1eelmani diamond and is very ancient$
+ven the deities have deep regards and undiluted reverence or lord @agannath and are reMuent
visitors to 8urushottam Kshetra$ -he garlandE which . have given youE was in act had been oered to
Lord @agannath by the deities= these lowers do not wither and have ragrance lasting or eternity$
8urushottam kshetra remains untouched by old ageE sorrow or disease and gives salvation to anybodyE
who goes on a pilgrimage over there$K
4$($#0 .ndrayumna Leaves or 8urushottam=Kshetra
.ndradyumna had been waiting or this moment or a long time= the moment when he would get a chance to go on
a pilgrimage to 8urushottam kshetra$ "evealing his great plan to VidyapatiE he said==K 1owE the time has inally
come or me to go on a pilgrimage to 8urushottam kshetra$ . also intend to develop that holy place as a prominent
place o pilgrimage$ . would shit my subCect to that holy place and perorm one hundred Ashwamedha yagyas
once . reach there$ . also intend to devote rest o my lie in the worship o Lord @agannath$K
6hile the conversation was going onE the ever wandering sage=1aradE arrived there and inormed
.ndradyumna how pleased were the deities ater learning o his holy intention o developing
8urushottam kshetra into a maCor place o pilgrimage$ 1arad also dwelt on length on the virtues o
@agannathKs worship$ .ndradyumnaE thinking that 1arad might prove to be o great help during the
course o pilgrimage because o his vast travelling eGperienceE reMuested him to accompany him to
8urushottam kshetra$ 1arad readily agreed to accompany the king and said==K % kingL . shall reveal to
you the importance o all the holy places that we come across in the course o our pilgrimage$K
<inallyE king .ndradyumna let or 8urushottam kshetra ollowed by a large processionE that consisted o
his subCectE all the ministers and army oicers$ -he entourage touched the bank o river 'ahanadi by
evening$ Deciding to take rest and spend the night thereE king .ndradyumna irst took his bath and then
worshipped Lord @agannath$ Ater the king had taken his bathE all the rest o the people also took their
bath and then everybody sat down to have their dinner$ Ater the meal was overE while .ndradyumna
was busy discussing with his ministers on the uture course o actionE somebody came with the news
that the king o 2tkal had arrived$ .ndradyumna ordered the messenger to bring the esteemed guest
with all the honour and respect$ -he king o 2tkal arrived and broke a disturbing news== K .ndradyumnaE
. am araid your intention o having a divine glimpse o Lord @agannath is not going to ructiy as lord
1eelmadhav has presently concealed himsel beneath a huge heap o sand caused by a erocious
sandstorm$ -he allout o this inauspicious incident has been eGtremely adverse on my kingdom== as
my people are eGperiencing acute amine$
.ndradyumna was shockedE especially the thought o not getting a chance to have a divine glimpse o
lord 1eelmadhav made him deCected= he saw all his eorts going in vain$ ButE 1arad consoled him by
saying ==K DonKt worryL Lord 1eelmadhav is eGtremely merciul and he will certainly give you an
opportunity to have his divine glimpse$K
4$($#4 .ndrayumna "eaches +kamrachhetra
:ontinuing with the tale o .ndradyumnaE sage @aimini told all the sages==K 1eGt morningE .ndradyumna and his
entourage crossed 'ahanadi on boats and reached +kamrachhetra where they worshipped lord 8urushottam$
Ater that they worshipped on their onwards Courney and reached Kotishwar 'ahalaya where they worshipped
lord -ribhuneshwar with appropriate rituals$ Lord -ribhuneshwar appeared ater becoming pleased and blessed
.ndradyumna that his wish o seeing lord @agannath was soon going to be ulilled$ Lord -ribhuneshwar then
instructed 1arad==K % great soulL Ater reaching 8urushottam kshetraE help .ndradyumna perorm one hundred
yagyas as per the instructions given by lord Brahma$ . along with goddess DurgaE dwell at the entrance o conch
shaped 8urushottam kshetra$ AlthoughE presently lord @agannath has concealed himsel beneath a heap o sand
yet very soon he is going to maniest himsel$ .ndradyumna should get constructed a magniicent temple o lord
@agannath at the same placeE where once eGisted his idol and presently which is hidden beneath the heap o
sand$ Later onE Vishwakarma would then carve out our idols rom a single piece o woodE which would
subseMuently be installed by Lord Brahma himsel$ <inallyE .ndradyumnaKs wish o seeing lord @agannath would
get ulilled$
1arad assured lord -ribhuneshwar that all his instructions would be ollowed in letter and spirit$ -he
procession then let or the place indicated by Lord -ribhuneshwar$
4$($#9 .ndrayumna +ulogiBes Lord 1eel'adhava
Ater reaching the temple o 1eelkanth='ahadevE all o them worshipped 'ahadev and Durga$ -hey then visited
the temple o lord 1risimhaE situated under a sandalwood tree at the oothills o 1eelachal mountain$King
.ndradyumna was anGiously waiting or the moment he would have a divine glimpse o lord @agannath$ &e
reMuested 1arad to take him to the place where @agannath had hidden himsel beneath the heap o sand$ 1arad
took him near a Banyan tree and said==K Look at this huge Banyan tree that is two yoCans in height and whose
trunk is spread in the area o one yoCan$ -o the north o this Banyan tree and to the north o 1risimha temple lies
the place where lord 1eelmadhav used to have his dwelling sometime ago but who has presently concealed
himsel$ 1owE the time is not very ar when you would see lord @agannath with your mortal eyes$K
.ndradyumna bowed in reverence to the place where lord @agannath was supposed to re=maniest
himsel in the near uture$ &e eulogiBed the lord as i he were already present there and this was true
as @agannathKs idol was indeed present there albeit hidden beneath heaps o sand$ &e prayed==K % lordL
You are the one in whom every living creature ultimately takes reuge$ 'y only wish is to be able to see
your idolE which is presently hidden beneath heaps o sand$K&ardly had .ndradyumna inished his prayer
when he heard a heavenly voice==K% kingL Do not worryL -he day is not ar when you would see me with
your mortal eyes$ You Cust need to ollow 1aradKs instructions and your wish will be ulilled$
4$($#; 1arad .nstalls the .dol o 1ri,imha
1arad told .ndradyumna==K 1owE we should install an idol o lord 1risimha near 1eelkanthKs temple or this is the
very place where you will be perorming one thousand Ashwamedh Yagyas in the days to come$ ,oE your irst
priority should be to get constructed a magniicent temple o lord 1risimha$ . plan to stay here or ive more days
as Vishwakarma will be needing my help in carving out the idol o lord 1risihma$K
Leaving 1arad alone near the 1eelkanth templeE .ndradyumna went near the sandalwood treeE which
was at a little distance rom the templeE and was surprised to ind ,ughat= VishwakarmaKs son waiting
or him$ &e reMuested ,ughat to construct a grand temple with its main entrance acing west$ ,ughat
constructed the temple within our days$ %n the ith dayE 1arad arrived there with an idol o lord
1risimhaE which had been carved out by Vishwakarma$ An auspicious day was chosen or installing the
idol$ Ater the idol had been installedE every body including king .ndradyumnaE 1arad as well as the
people accompanying the procession worshipped Lord 1arsimha$
4$($#7 .ndrayumna 8erorms Ashvamedhya Yagyas
,agesE who had been listening to the tale narrated by @aimini with rapt attention till then asked==K 6hat
did .ndradyumna neGt do ater the idol o Lord 1risimha had been installedNK
,age @aimini replied==K Ater the idol o Lord 1risimha had been installedE .ndradyumna began making
preparations or Ashwamedha yagya$ &e sent invitations to all the deitiesE learned brahmins and sages$ 6hen
everybody arrivedE he made a special reMuest to .ndra to remain present at the oblation site till the completion o
one thousand Ashwamedha yagyas$.ndra assured .ndradyumna o his ull cooperation and advised him to go
ahead with his plan o accomplishing one thousand Ashwamedha yagyas$ <inallyE .ndradyumna perormed the
irst yagya under the supervision o learned priests$ -his wayE he was able to successully accomplish nine
hundred and ninety nine yagyas without any problem$ <inallyE when the last Ashwamedha yagya was being
perormedE .ndradyumna had a divine glimpse o Lord Vishnu while he was engrossed in his meditation$
.ndradyumna narrated his eGperience to 1arad to which he got a reply that it was a good omenE which proved that
the king was going to see Lord @agannath with his mortal eyes$
4$($#) @aganath .dol is :arved %ut
Ater the rituals o inal yagya endedE 1arad advised .ndradyumna to perorm the rituals o K8urnahutiK to
mark the end o Yagya ceremony$ 1arad then went on to say==K A tree is considered to be the partial
incarnation (Ansha avatar) o Lord Vishnu or each o his hair that alls on the earth gets transormed
into a tree$K 1aradE then pointing towards a tree told .ndradyumna== K -he almighty Lord has maniested
himsel in the orm o this tree$ 1owE you should make preparations to get this tree installed on the great
altar inside the temple$K
-he tree to which 1arad had pointed was uniMue in the sense that it had only our branches on it$
.ndradyumnaE ollowing the instructions ordered his men to uproot the said tree and then install it on the
K'ahavediK inside the temple$ ButE at the same time he was wondering as to who would carve out the
our idols o @agannathE BalbhadraE ,ubhadra and ,udarshan chakra$ ,uddenlyE a heavenly voice was
heard==K Lord Vishnu would maniest himsel on the sacred altar on his own$ An old carpenterE who is
standing among youE should be sent inside the temple premise$ -he main door o the temple should
then be shut and nobody should try to enter the temple till the idols are ready$ %ne more thing to be
kept in mind is that all o you should keep on beating drums so that nobody hears the sound emanating
rom the carving o the idols$ AnybodyE who hears this soundE is doomed to become dea$ ,imilarlyE
anybody who tries to see the act o idols being made shall loose his power o sight$K
.ndradyumna made elaborate arrangements as per the instructions given by the heavenly voice$ -he
old carpenter was sent inside and the main door o the temple shut$ %n the iteenth dayE Lord
@agannath maniested himsel along with BalbhadraE ,ubhadra and ,udarshan chakra$ %nce again
heavenly voice was heard which said==K % kingL *et all the our idols coloured on the basis o the
compleGion o the respective deities$ -he colour o @agannathKs idol should be dark blue similar to that
o dark clouds$ ,imilarlyE the idol o Balbhadra should be coloured in white Cust like his air compleGion$
-he colour o goddess ,ubhadraKs idol should be reddish Cust like the rising ,un$ ,udarshan chakra
should be painted deep red$ +ither the descendants o Vishvavasu or your royal priest are entitled to
participate in the consecration ceremony o the idols in uture events$K
.ndradyumnaE once again ollowing the instructionsE got the idols coloured in the way speciied by the
heavenly voice$ Ater thatE all the our idols were adorned with beautiul apparels and ornaments$ 1owE
they really looked divine in their new looks$ Looking at the divine idols o @agannathE .ndradyumna went
into trance$ ,eeing his conditionE 1arad advised not to waste time and seek any boon rom lord
@agannath because the sole purpose or which @agannath had maniested himsel was to bless him and
to ulill his wish$ .ndradyumna immediately realiBed what 1arad meant to say$ &e eulogiBed lord
@agannath in the ollowing way==K % @agannathL &elp me out rom the sorrows o this world$ . donKt
aspire or anything else$K
,ubseMuentlyE 1arad and the whole entourageE which had come along with king .ndradyumna worshipped lord
@agannathE BalbhadraE ,ubhadra and ,udarshan chakra$ Lord @agannath was worshipped amidst the chanting o
dwadashakshar mantra while @agannath was worshipped with 8urush sukta$ ,imilarlyE ,ubhadra and ,udarshan
chakra were worshipped amidst the chanting o Devisutra and vedic verses respectively$ <inallyE donations were
made to the brahmins and everybody was sent o with respect$
4$($#/ :onsecration o the .dols
King .ndradyumna was anGious to get perormed the rituals o consecration as soon as possibleE so he asked
1arad==K . am not aware o the proper rituals that are employed in the consecration o an idol$ . need your help in
this regard$K1arad then made a list o articles reMuired or the consecration o idols and instructed .ndradyumna to
make arrangements or all those items$ &e also instructed the king to get constructed a grand palace or Lord
BrahmaE who was supposed to arrive shortly to perorm the consecration ceremony$ 1arad said==K *et constructed
three chariots or all the three deities$ -he chariot meant or lord @agannath should have a mast on its top with the
igure o *aruda on it$ ,imilarlyE BalbhadraKs chariot should have a mast with a plough drawn on it whereas
,ubhadraKs chariot should have a mast with a beautiul lotus drawn on it$ -he number o horses pulling the
chariots o @agannathE Balbhadra and ,ubhadra should be ,iGteenE ourteen and twelve respectively$K
.t did not take much time to construct the three chariots as per the instructions given by 1arad$ Very
soon lord Brahma arrived thereE accompanied by all the deitiesE to perorm the consecration o the our
idols$ %n seeing Lord BrahmaE .ndradyumnaKs Coys knew no bounds and he paid his obeisance to the
creator$ Lord Brahma said==K ,ee how ortunate you are$ All the deities and sages have come here to
help you in your cause$K
Lord Brahma then perormed the rituals o consecration on the auspicious day o ashtami o the bright
hal o the hindu month Vaishakh$ -he day was -hursday and the 1akshatra was 8ushya$
4$($(3 "ath Yatra
Dwelling on length about the auspicious days on which "ath Yatra should be taken outE sage @aimini told the
assembled sages==K -he combination o K-eeCK alling in the month o Vaishakh (bright hal) and "ohini nakshatraE
is considered to be eGtremely auspicious$ A king should get constructed three chariots on the above mentioned
day$ -he entire path along which the chariots as well as the procession is supposed to pass should be decorated
with beautiul lowers and banners$ %n the second day o the bright hal o the hindu month=AshadhE all the three
deities are worshipped and subseMuently installed on their respective chariotsE which are then pulled by the
devotees$ -he procession then passes through the maCor routes o the city so that people can pay their
obeisance$ Ater reaching *undicha 1agarE the procession should stay there or seven days on the bank o Bindu
teerth$ %n the eighth dayE all the chariots should begin their return Courney$ -his amous "ath yatra lasts or nine
days$
4$($(# ,ome 8rominent 8laces o 8ilgrimage
%nceE sage ,haunak asked ,utCi about the meansE which enabled human beings to attain salvation in
Kaliyuga$
,utCi recounted a tale == %nceE Kartikeya had posed the same Muestion to kartikeya$ +mphasiBing on the
importance o pilgrimagesE Lord ,hiva had told him that in kaliyuga anybody could attain salvation by going on
pilgrimage to holy places$ *iving names o some prominent holy places and riversE Lord ,hiva had told Kartikeya
that some o them were capable o ulilling any wish o a manE while some gave salvation$ -he names o some
prominent rivers Lord ,hiva had given were *angaE *odavariE 1armadaE -aptiE YamunaE KshipraE *autamiE
KaushikiE KaveriE -amraparniE :handrabhagaE ,indhuE *andakiE ,arswatiE etc$ According to ,hiva all these rivers
were not only capable o ulilling any wish o a man but also giving salvation$ 1aming some prominent holy
placesE Lord ,hiva had told Kartikeya that AyodhyaE DwarkaE KashiE 'athuraE AvantiE KurukshetraE "amteerthE
KanchiE 8urushottam kshetraE 8ushkar kshetraE Varah kshetra and Badrikashram were capable o liberating a
man rom the sorrows o this world$K
Lord ,hiva had told Kartikeya== KAnybody who goes on a pilgrimage to Ayodhya becomes absolved o
all his sins$ Lord &ari dwells at Dwarka and does not abandon it even or a moment$ A devoteeE who
takes a holy dip in river *omti and then pays obeisance to lord KrishnaE attains salvation even i he is
ignorant$ .n the same mannerE one who takes a bath in the holy 8anchganga at VaranasiE becomes ree
rom the cycles o birth and death$ AnybodyE who goes on a pilgrimage to Kashi and pays obeisance to
lord VishwanathE is reed rom all the bondage o this world$ *reat importance has been attached to the
perormance o KtarpanK at Vishramteerth and anybody who perorms the rituals o tarpan with sesame
seeds and waterE his ancestors are reed rom the tortures o the hell$ -aking a holy dip in Kotiteerth at
AvantipuriE in the hindu month o Vaishakh and worshipping lord 'ahakaleshwar too absolves a man o
all his sins$ Donating gold either at Kurukshetra or "amteerthE on a solar eclipse dayE helps a man in
attaining salvation$ *oing on a pilgrimage to 8urushottam kshetra and worshipping lord @agannath ater
taking a holy dip in 'arkandeya sarovarE bestows incomparable virtues$ BadrinathE the dwelling place
o lord VishnuE is considered to be the supreme place o pilgrimage and even its remembrance is
capable o giving salvation$ Virtues attained by the perormance o various deeds (tapaE yogaE
samadhi)E appear to be insigniicant as compared to virtues attained by going on a pilgrimage to
Badrikashram$
4$($(( -he 'aCesty o Badri=Kshetra
Kartikeya asked lord ,hiva==K &ow did this sacrosanct place originateN 6ho is the presiding deity o this
placeNK
Lord ,hiva replied==K Badrikashram is an eternal city and lord 1arayan is its presiding deity$ A mere
sight o Badrikashram is enough to ree a man rom all the bondage o lie$ -here are numerous other
holy places situated in the vicinityE Kedarnath being one o them$K
-o emphasiBe the signiicance o BadrikashramE lord ,hiva narrated the ollowing tale to Kartikeya==K .n
,atyayugaE lord Vishnu eGisted in his physical orm at Badrikashram or the benediction o human beings$ ButE in
-retayugaE only sages had the privilege o perceiving him with the help o yoga$ At the advent o Dwapar things
changed drastically and lord Vishnu Cust disappeared rom Badrikashram$ Deities became worried and asked lord
Brahma about the reason that made lord Vishnu disappear$ +ven lord Brahma had no answer to this Muestion$
-hinking that lord Vishnu must have gone to Ksheer sagar=his eternal abodeE all the deities led by Brahma went
there$ -hey eulogiBed VishnuE who emerged rom the Ksheer sagar$ ButE none o the deities eGcept lord Brahma
could see him$ Lord Vishnu told Brahma that the main reason why he disappeared rom Badrikashram was the
lawed intelligence and arrogance o the deities$ Brahma inormed the deities whatever Vishnu had told him$ All
the deities were ashamed o themselves and returned to heaven with long aces$ <eeling pity on the deitiesE .
(,hiva) disguised mysel as a sanyasi and carried lord VishnuKs idol rom 1aradteerth to Badrikashram and
installed it over there to uplit the sagging morale o the deities$ -his is how lord Vishnu once again graced
Badrikashram with his presence$ +ven a grain o KprasadK had at Badrikashram is enough to liberate a man rom
all his sins$
4$($(0 -he .mportance o &indu 'onthE Kartik
%nceE on being asked by some sages about the signiicance o the hindu month= KartikE ,utCi narrated the
ollowing tale== K%nceE 1arad had asked lord Brahma the same Muestion$ At that time Lord Brahma had revealed
to 1arad that KKartikK was supreme among all the months Cust as lord Vishnu is supreme among all the deities and
Badrikashram is the crown o all the places o pilgrimage$ According to Brahma all these three would have greater
signiicance in Kaliyuga as compared to any other yuga$ Kartik is very dear to Lord Vishnu and any virtuous deed
done during this month never goes without being rewarded$ %ne important characteristic o this month is that all
the deities live in the proGimity o human beings or the entire period o the month and accept everything that is
oered to them$ 8enance done in this month or donations made during this month is believed to give .mperishable
virtues$ -here is a special signiicance o donating ood grains during this month$ ,imilarlyE worshipping ,haligram
during this month also has great signiicance$ %bserving austerities during this month or worshipping lord Vishnu
with appropriate rituals liberates oneKs ancestors rom the tortures o the hell$ 6orshipping lord Vishnu with petals
o Lotus helps him to become absolved o all the sins committed in his previous many births$ 6orshipping lord
Vishnu with tulsi leaves helps one in getting cured o incurable diseases$
4$($(4 -he .mportance o &oly Dips in 'argashirsh
:ontinuing with the description o the signiicance o various monthsE ,utCi said== K%nceE while lord Vishnu was
engrossed in his KyoganidraK at ,hwetdweepaE lord Brahma arrived there and reMuested him to describe the
importance o 'argashirsh$ Lord Vishnu had told him that a devotee aspiring or uniication with himE must
observes austerities during this month$ Describing the proper method o observing austerities lord Vishnu had
said that one should get up early in the morning and ater perorming the ritualistic KachamanKE he should
remember me by chanting my one thousand names$ 1eGtE he should take his bath according to the rituals
mentioned in the scripturesE as ollows== &e should remove some soil rom near the roots o tulsi plant and pluck
ew tulsi leaves$ &olding both the things in his handE he should chant either *ayatri mantra or the mantraE Kom
namo narayanayKE so that they become sanctiied$ 6hile taking his bathE it is a must to eulogiBe *anga in the
ollowing way= K % *angaL -hough have maniested rom VishnuKs eet and hence called Vaishnavi$ 'ysel being a
devotee o lord VishnuE you should protect me rom all the possible sins . am likely to commit in my whole lie$K A
devotee should say this prayer or seven times and take the same number o holy dips in the river$ &e should then
put on tidy clothes and perorm KtarpanK in the names o all the deities sages as well as ancestors$
4$($(9 -he ,igniicance o :harity made in Vaishakh
:ontinuing with his talesE ,utCi said==K %nceE king Ambarish asked 1arad about the reason why lord Vishnu had
special liking or the hindu month=Vaishakh$ 1aradKs answer was that Vaishakh had been given special privilege
by lord Brahma himsel and is believed to ulill all the wishes o a man$ 1o other month is as dear to Lord Vishnu
as Vaishakh$ -he sin raises its ugly head only till a devotee has bathed beore sunrise in the month o Vaishakh
but once he has taken his bath all his sins Cust disappears$ -his is also the period when all the deities are believed
to dwell in all the riversE pondsE lakesE apart rom the holy rivers$ *reat signiicance has been attached to doing
charitable deeds in this monthE especially providing water to thirsty$ ,imilarlyE donating certain articles like
umbrellaE ansE shoesE all have their own importance$ %ne who gets constructed an inn or the comort o the
travelers and provides water to them attains imperishable virtues$ 1o charitable deed can ever match the virtue o
donating ood grains and one who accomplishes this great act can be aptly called a K8itaK (<ather)$
4$($(; Ayodhyapuri
%nceE on being asked by sage BhardwaC and ew others about the grandeur o AyodhyaE ,utCi replied==K AyodhyaE
a sacrosanct city is based on the bank o river ,aryu$ .t is the very city where the amous king .kshavaku ruled
once upon a time$ -he term Ayodhya means unconMuerable and consists o three root lettersJ a= symboliBing
BrahmaE y=symboliBing Vishnu and dh=symboliBing "udra$ .t is a place where lord Vishnu has his abode or
eternity and does not leave it even or a moment$ According to the scriptures Ayodhya is based on ,udarshan
chakra$ .t is well eGpanded in the radius o one yoCan$ .ts eastern boundary stretches up to one yoCan rom a place
called K,ahastradhanK$ ,imilarlyE the western ront stretches up to one yoCan rom a place called K,amaKE the
southern up to one yoCan rom the bank o ,aryu and its northern boundary up to one yoCan starting rom the bank
o river -amsa$ .n ancient timesE a brahmin named Vishnu ,harma had perormed an austere penance at
Ayodhya$ Lord Vishnu had appeared ater becoming pleased by him and had created a holy place by digging up
the earth with his ,udarshan chakra$ AnybodyE who takes a holy dip in :hakrateerth becomes absolved o all his
sins$
,&* #rahm 2and
-his :hapter contains ) sections$
4$0$# "ameshwar Kshetra
%nceE ,haunak and ew other sages asked ,utCi as to how could a man become ree rom the bondage
o the world$ -hey also inMuired whether there was an eGistence o any such holy place capable o
liberating a man rom heinous o sin$
,utCi replied==K "amteerth is supreme among all the places o pilgrimage$ A mere sight o this holy place is enough
to ree a man rom the bondage o this mortal world$ *oing on a pilgrimage to "ameshwar gives virtues similar to
what is attained by perorming all the yagyas$ %neE who takes a holy dip at ,etu "ameshwarE attains to
Vishnuloka$ 'erely by sleeping at the sea shore o "ameshwar a man gets absolved o heinous o sins like
brahmhatyaE etc$ A man is blessed i his remains are consigned to the holy waters at "ameshwar ater his death$
,criptures say that ive types o sins are as grave as the sin o brahmahatya==
%neE who criticiBes sages
A selish person who cooks ood only or himselE
%ne who destroys well laid path making it diicult or people to tread uponE
%ne who accepts ood rom a KchandalK and
%ne who sells ood grains to a chandal$ ButE all these Cust disappears once the sinner reaches
"ameshwar$
4$0$( ,etu Bandh
All the sages were curious to know about the holy places in the vicinity o "ameshwar$ ,utCi replied==,ri "am
replied went into eGile accompanied by ,itaE his consort and his younger brotherE LaGman$ "avanE the demon king
who ruled over Lanka deceitully abducted ,ita$ ,ubseMuentlyE ,ri "am beriended ,ugreev and killed BaliE who
harboured enemity against him$ ,ugreev sent monkeys in all directions to ind out where ,ita had been kept by
"avan$ Later on ,ri "am reached 'ahendra 8arvat accompanied by LaGmanE &anumanE ,ugreevaE @ambavanE
1al and may more brave warriors$ -hey stayed or a brie period at :hakrateerthE where Vibhishan came to see
,ri "am$ +ventually Vibhishan was nominated the king o all the demons by ,ri "am to the great displeasure o
his brother "avan$
,ri "am and his army aced an uphill task o reaching Lanka or they had to cross the oceanE which lay
as a great barrier between them and their destination$ ,amudra (ocean) revealed to ,ri "am that 1ala
had divine powers and whatever he would throw in the %cean would not sink down but keep on
loating$ 1ala tried to check the authenticity o ,amudraKs statement by throwing a huge rock into the
oceanE as he himsel was not aware o his powers$ -o the sheer amaBement o everybody present
there the rock started loating on the surace o the ocean instead o sinking down$ All the rest o the
monkeys tried to emulate 1alaKs eat by throwing huge rocks into the ocean and to their own surprise
ound that the rocks did not sink$ -his was how a bridge was built and across the ocean which made it
possible or ,ri "am and his army to cross the ocean$ -hen length o ,etu "ameshwar Bandh is
hundred yoCan and it is ten yoCan broad$ -here are many holy places situated on the bridge prominent
among which are :hakra=teerthE 8aap=vinashan teerthE ,ita =sarovarE 'angal= teerthE Amrit=watikaE
Brahma=kundE &anumat= kundE Agastya=teerthE "am=teerthE LaGman=teerthE @aya=teerthE LaGmi=teerthE
Agni=teerthE ,hiv=teerthE ,hankh=teerthE Yamuna=teerthE *anga=teerthE Koti=teerthE 'anas=teerth and
Dhanushkoti teerth$
4$0$0 "ameshwar Linga
Describing how ,ri "am had installed "ameshwar lingaE ,utCi said==K Ater killing "avanE ,ri "am enthroned
Vibhishan as the king o Lanka$ 6hile returning to Ayodhya he made a brie stop at *andhamadan mountain$
,ince the thought o having killed a brahmin ("avan) kept on tormenting himE he decided to atone or his sins$ ,oE
he installed the idol o "ameshwar linga at "ameshwar setu$ "ameshwar linga is so sacrosanct that all the holy
placesE sages and ancestors are believed to eGist within the temple premise o 'aheshwar linga$ Being installed
by ,ri "am himselE this particular linga has special signiicance attached to it$ %ne who goes on a pilgrimage to
this holy place is certain to attain salvation even i he were a K'lechhaK (born in a low caste)$
4$0$4 Dharma"anya Kshetra
%nceE sage Vyas went to meet YudhisthiraE who reMuested him to describe the signiicance o
Dharmaranya kshetra$
,age Vyas replied== K % kingL %nceE DharmaraC=Yudhisthira did an austere penance to please lord ,hiva$ As usualE
.ndra became scarred because he thought that DharmaraC was doing penance with the intention o acMuiring
.ndraloka$ &e and other deities went to seek the help o lord BrahmaE who did not have any clue$ ,oE all o them
went to Kailash mountain to seek Lord ,hivaKs help$ ,ince ,hiva was aware o DharmaKs motiveE he eGplained to
the deities that there was nothing to worry about$ ButE .ndra was not satisied and the thought o loosing his
kingdom continued to torment him$
.ndra then instructed a beautiul Apsara named Vardhini to go to the place where Dharma was doing
penance and disturb him by corrupting his thoughts$ Vardhini went to the place where Dharma was
engrossed in his penance and was successul in disturbing him$ 6hen Dharma opened his eyes he
ound a beautiul Apsara in ront o him$ Vardhini asked Dharma==K % LordL 6hat is the obCective with
which you are doing such an austere penanceN Being an embodiment o virtuosity yourselE you prevail
in the whole world$ ,oE in a sense you already the lord o the world = what else do you needNK
Dharma told Vardhini that he was doing penance with the obCective o having a divine glimpse o lord
,hiva$ Vardhini inormed him that .ndra was scarred o losing his kingdom and hence had sent her to
disturb his penance$ Dharma was pleased by her truthulness and wanted to reward her or that$
Vardhini eGpressed her desire o having her abode in .ndraloka or eternity and also o having a place
o pilgrimage named on her$ Dharma blessed her ater which she returned to .ndraloka$
Dharma once again engrossed himsel in penance$ 2ltimatelyE Lord ,hiva became pleased and
appeared beore him$ K Ask or any boon and it shall be bestowed to youKE said Lord ,hiva$ DharmaraC
replied =K % lordL . want this place to be named ater me$ . also reMuest you to grace this place by your
presence$K Lord ,hiva blessed him and ulilled both his wishes$ -his was how Dharmakshetra got its
name$ ,ubseMuentlyE lord ,hiva appeared in the orm o Dharmeshwar linga in accordance with the
second wish o DharmaraC$ Ater his penance was overE Dharma also had created a holy reservoir over
there which is believed to absolve a man o all his sins$
4$0$9 Loss o 'oral Values in Kaliyuga
%n being asked by Yudhisthira about the lie=style o people in KaliyugaE sage Vyas replied== K-here will
be a widespread prevalence o sinul deeds and lack o moral values in Kaliyuga$ 8eople would
become untruthul and would become critical o revered sages$ 'oral values would decline to such an
eGtent their minds would be preoccupied by nothing else but the thought o seG$ .n Kaliyuga women will
eel most insecure and even her near and dear ones would become untrustworthy = men belonging to
their own gotras would try to eGploit her$ Brahmins would be criticiBed because o their inappropriate
conduct= -hey would become arrogantE would start trading their knowledge and would not ollow the
teachings o the Vedas$
,imilarlyE Kshatriyas would become cowards and a mere reerence o battle would be enough to scare
them$ 'aCority o people would indulge in immoral deeds like gambling and consume variety o
intoGication$ -hey would always look out or an opportunity to grab otherKs wealth by deceitul means$
'arried women would not ulill their obligation towards their husbands$ :ows would give lesser milk
and trees would bear ewer ruits$ Young girls would become pregnant at the raw age o eleven years$
BrahminsE by their conduct would undermine the importance o holy places and would indulge in
eGcessive eating and drinking$ .n KaliyugaE people would not give any importance to caste system$
Kings would loose their kingdoms and 'lechhas would become the rulers$ -reacheryE enemity and
disrespect towards elders would become the norms o the day$
4$0$; -he ,igniicance o :hatur'asya Vrata
%nceE on being asked by 1arad about the importance o :haturmasyaE lord Brahma said==K :haturmasya is the
period o our months during which lord Vishnu is believed to take rest in ksheer=sagar$ ,o Muite naturallyE all the
oceansE rivers and ponds are believed to attain divinity due to the presence o Lord Vishnu in ksheer=sagar during
this period$ -his is the reason why great importance has been attached to taking holy bath during this period$ A
devoteeE who observes austerities related with Lord Vishnu during these our monthsE becomes absolved o all his
sins$ All the deities are believed to dwell within Lord Vishnu during this period$ *oing on pilgrimage to holy places
and taking holy dips in rivers bestow indescribable virtues$
A devotee must not orget to perorm the rituals o K-arpanK ater taking his daily bath$ &e should also
observe abstinence and avoid indulging in sensual pleasures during this period o our months$ -here is
special signiicance o making donations during this periodE especially donating ood=grains$
4$0$7 .mportance o Abstinence during :haturmas
:ontinuing with the importance o austerities observed during :haturmasE Lord Brahma said==K &uman=beings are
bundle o desires and long or worldly things$ ,oE there is a great importance o abstinence and orsaking thingsE
which one is very ond o$ %ne who relinMuishes his most avourite thing during this period gets the same thing in
abundance in the neGt world$ A householderE who renounces his amily lie or the sake o his devotion during this
periodE becomes ree rom the tortures o recurring births and deaths$ ,imilarlyE relinMuishing the use o chilly in
oneKs ood during this period helps him to acMuire great ortune$ "enouncing silk cloths during this period gives
imperishable Coy$ %ne should avoid wearing black cloths during this period$ :ombing and shaving are prohibited
during this period$
A devotee should worship Lord Vishnu on the auspicious day o Kark sankranti$ 1ormally black plums
are oered to Lord Vishnu while worshipping$ :elibacy is believed to be the best austerity and anybody
who observes it during the period o chaturmasE never eGperiences sorrow in his lie$
4$0$) "ituals 8ertaining to ,hodash 2pachar
%nceE on being asked by 1arad about the proper methods o perorming ,hodash upachar ritualsE lord
Brahma said ==K.n normal circumstancesE when lord Vishnu is worshipped by employing the rituals o
,hodashopachar it is considered as K-apaK$ ButE when the same rituals o shodashopachar are
employed to worship lord Vishnu during chaturmasE it is considered as K'ahatapaK$ .n the same
mannerE all the austerities that are observed during :haturmas attain greater importance$
Lord Brahma then went on to elucidate the proper method o perorming the rituals o K,hodashopacharK==K RA
particular KmahasuktaK o YaCurveda consisting o siGteen K richas are chanted while worshipping Lord Vishnu$
,imilarly richas like Ksahastra=sheersha purushahK and iteen others are considered to be most appropriate or the
worship o almighty Vishnu$ <irst o allE a devotee should perorm the ritual o KnyasK by mentally associating all the
siGteen richas with dierent organs o the body as per the instructions given in the smritis$ -he same rituals o
KnyasK are then perormed on the idol o lord Vishnu or ,haligram$ Ater that an invocation is made to Lord Vishnu
by chanting the irst richa o 8urush sukta==K,ahashtra sheersha 8urushahK with a slight modiication i$e$ by adding
KomK in the beginning o the mantra$ ,imilarlyE Lord Vishnu and other K8arshadsK should be installed at the place o
worship by chanting the second richa= K8urush evedamK$ 6ith the chanting o third richaE Lord VishnuKs lotus eet
are washed ater which KardhyaK is oered with the holy water collected rom all the seven seas and other holy
rivers$ ,ubseMuentlyE the ritual o KachamanK is perormed amidst the chanting o ith richa$ -he ritual o ablution is
then perormed in which the idol o Lord Vishnu is bathed amidst the chanting o the siGth richa$ -he idol is
adorned with beautiul apparels amidst the chanting o seventh richa$
,imilarlyE a sacred thread is oered to Lord Vishnu amidst the chanting o eighth richa while
sandalwood paste is smeared on the idol amidst the chanting o ninth richa$ ,ubseMuentlyE amidst the
chanting o tenthE eleventhE twelth and thirteen richasE lowersE incenseE lighted lamp and naivedya are
oered to the deity respectively$ 1aivedya should consist o cereals$ 6hile perorming KaartiK the
ourteenth richa should be chanted$ A devotee should then circumambulate around the idol amidst the
chanting o iteenth richa$ .magining himsel as an inseparable part o lord VishnuE he should meditate
amidst the chanting o the siGteenth richa$R
,&, 2ashi 2hand
-his :hapter contains 9 sections$
4$4$# Vidhyachal %bstructs the 8ath o ,urya
%nceE sage Vyas narrated the ollowing tale to all the assembled sages== K %nceE while wandering
aboutE sage 1arad arrived at Vindhyachal mountain$ &e was received with great honour and respect by
Vindhyachal mountain$ ButE when the time arrived or 1arad to take his leaveE he took a deep sighE
which made Vindhyachal eGtremely perpleGed and he asked 1arad i anything was wrong$ 1arad
replied==K Your rival='eru mountain is superior to you in every respect and this is the act . am lamenting
about$ 'y deep sigh is Cust the indication o my worried state o mind$K
Vindhyachal mountain was illed with ineriority compleG and started waiting or an opportunity when he
could prove his superiority to 'eru mountain$ &e thought==K 8erhaps 1arad was right or even Lord
,urya has great respect or 'eruKs might and this is the reason why he circumambulates my adversary$
. . am able to beat 'eru in height then may be Lord ,urya would start circumambulating me and this
way . shall prove my superiority to 'eru$K
1owE Vindhyachal started increasing his height and in a short time its peaks became invisible$ -he
allout o this amaBing incident proved to be Muite catastrophic or the world because even Lord ,urya
was let stranded at a particular point in the horiBon$ As a resultE one part o the earth became too hot
or any lie to eGist$ ,imilarlyE the other hal o the earth became unbearably cold$ -he time became still
and everything went haywire in the world$
All the deities became eGtremely worried and went to Lord Brahma to seek his help$ Lord Brahma
advised them to go to Kashi and seek help rom sage Agastya$ Deities were pleased at their good
ortune o getting a chance to visit Kashi$ DeitiesE ater reaching Kashi paid a visit to K'anikarnika teerthK
and took their bath$ ,ubseMuentlyE they went to Vishwanath temple and worshipped Lord Vishwanath$
At lastE they reached the hermitage o Agastya where he was busy worshipping a sel made ,hivalinga$
-he entire hermitage was crowded with young pupils o Agastya$ Ater the pleasantries having been
eGchangedE sage Agastaya asked the deities about the purpose o their visit$
4$4$( Agastya orders the Vindhya 'ountains to diminish their siBe
6hen Agastya learnt o the problem created by VindhyachalE he agreed to help the deities despite ully
aware o the act that once he let Kashi it would not be possible or him to see his dearest Kashi once
again at least in his present birth$ Beore leaving or VindhyachalE he sought permission rom Lord
Bhairav$ &e then reached the place where Vindhyachal had obstructed the path o ,urya$ LopamudraE
his wie accompanied him$
6hen Vindhyachal ound Agastya starring angrily at him he became scarred and immediately
minimiBed his siBe$ ,age Agastya was pleased that his obCective had been achieved without making
any eort but he knew Muite well that once he let the place Vindhyachal would regain his mammoth
siBe$ ,o he decided to do something so that Vindhyachal could not obstruct the path o ,urya$ &e
worked out a plan according to which he instructed Vindhyachal to wait or him until he returned ater
accomplishing his pilgrimage$ Vindhyachal agreed assuming that Agastya would return in a short time$
Vindhyachal thanked his good ortune o escaping AgastyaKs wrathE which could otherwise have
threatened his very eGistence$ ,age Agastya then went away never to return and Vindhyachal kept on
waiting or his arrival$ -his wayE the path being clearedE ,urya was once again able to move reely on
its orbit without any problem and as a result normalcy returned to the world$
%n the other handE Agastya who was not at all happy leaving his dearest Kashi was desperate to get
there back as soon as possible$ ButE he knew that his wish was going to remain unulilled$ 6hile
wandering aboutE he reached Kolapur where he worshipped goddess 'ahalaGmi$ 6hen goddess
'ahalaGmi appearedE he asked her whether he would ever be able to reach Kashi in his present lie$
*oddess 'ahalaGmi replied==K Your wishes will be ulilled in the coming nineteenth dwaparE when you
would incarnate as Vyas and would contribute a great deal in the propagation o the Vedas and
8uranas$ -here is a sacrosanct place o Kartikeya not very ar rom here$ *o there and pay your
obeisance to Lord Kartikeya and he would unravel the mysterious aspects o Kashi to you$K
,age Agastya and his wie Lopamudra then went to the mountain called ,ri ,hailE where Kartikeya
lived at that time$
4$4$0 Kashi ! -he ,acrosanct 8lace o 8ilgrimage
Ater travelling or sometimeE both o them arrived near ,ri ,hail mountain$ 8ointing his inger towards
the mountainE Agastya told his wie==K%neE who has a good ortune o seeing the peaks o this mountainE
never takes a second birth$K
Lopamudra replied in amaBement==K . the sight o this mountain was capable o giving salvation then
why do you long or KashiNK
,age Agastya then went on to clariy that there were many other holy places capable o giving
salvation$ 8rayag is one such place$ .t is capable o bestowing all the our K8urusharthK to man=DharmaE
ArthE Kaam and 'oksha$ Apart rom 8rayagE there are many more holy places like 1aimisharanyaE
KurukshetraE *angadwarE AvantiE AyodhyaE 'athuraE DwarkaE BadrikashramE 8urushottam kshetra
which are capable o giving salvation to a man$ But none o these places can match Kashi because
Kashi is incomparable$
4$4$4 Lord Kartikeya Describes the 'aCesty o Kashi
,age Agastya and his wie Lopamudra circumambulated ,ri ,hail 'ountain and climbed up Lohit mountain where
they ound Lord Kartikeya$ Both o them eulogiBed kartikeya by singing vedic hymns in his praise$ Lord kartikeya
was eGtremely pleased by their devotion and said= % revered sageL You can understand KashiKs importance by
the act thatE though . am capable o reaching any place according to my wish but stillE here . am doing this
austere penance or the attainment o Kashi$ . must coness that . have not been successul in my eorts till date$
. any body thinks that he can attain to kashi Cust by perorming austerities than he is totally wrong$ Kashi can
never be attained to until and unless one has the blessing o Lord mahadeva$ And one who is ortunate enough to
have reached Kashi must under no circumstances leave it till he is alive$ % AgastyaL You are blessed because
you had the good ortune o residing at Kashi$ 8lease allow me to touch your bodyE which has acMuired holiness
due to its proGimity to Kashi$K &aving said thisE Kartikeya touched dierent parts o agastyaKs body as i he were
touching the sacred soil o Kashi$
4$4$9 -he %rigin o Kashi
,age Agastya asked Lord Kartikeya how the sacrosanct placeE Kashi came into being$ &e also asked
how Kashi became amous as a place capable o giving salvation to a man$
Lord Kartikeya revealed to Agastya that once 8arvati had asked Lord ,hiva the same Muestion$ Lord
,hiva had told her==K At the time o deluge when every thing had submerged in the ocean and darkness
prevailed everywhereE only B"A&'=the embodiment o truth eGisted at that time and nothing else$
B"A&'E the absolute truth is indescribable and ineGpressible$ 1o name can be attributed to &.'$ &+ is
the absolute truthE the ultimate knowledgeE the ininiteE the omnipresent and the eternal bliss$ -hough
basically ormless &+ attained a orm on account o &., own wish$ -hat orm is none other than me$
Later on . created 8rakriti rom my body$ All three o us (,hivaE 8arvati and Kashi) maniested
simultaneously by the grace o KAadi purushK (-he Almighty *od)$K
:ontinuing with the tale o KashiKs greatnessE Kartikeya told Agastya=K -here is no holy place as dear to
Lord ,hiva as KashiE which is not abandoned by him as well as his consort=8arvati even at the time o
deluge$ Lord ,hiva named this holy place= Ananda vanE because it gave immense Coy to him$
,ubseMuentlyE Lord ,hiva and goddess @agdamba put a glance on the let portion o their respective
bodies as the result o which a divine entity maniested himsel who was none other than Lord Vishnu
and who was named 8urushottam by Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva ater blessing 8urushottam went away$
Later onE Lord Vishnu created a divine reservoir with his sudarshan chakra and illed it up with his
sweat$ &e then engaged himsel in an austere penance$ Lord ,hiva once again appeared along with
8arvati and blessed Vishnu by saying=K -his holy place will become amously known as 'anikarnika
because this is the very place where . had once lost my diamond ear=ring$K
Lord Vishnu made a reMuest to ,hiva ==K 'ay this place ulill the wishes o those who seek salvation$
,ince it is blessed with your eternal presence hence its another name would be Kashi$K
Lord ,hiva assured Vishnu by saying= K -his sacrosanct place is very dear to me and no event takes
place here against my wish$ +ven i a person living here happens to be a sinner he has nothing to ear
because . protect him$ %ne who lives ar rom Kashi but remembers it with reverence becomes
absolved o all his sins$K
-here is a magniicent ,hiva=linga at Kashi amously known as Kashi Vishwanath$ &ere is situated one
o the twelve @yotirlingas$ @ust as the ,un is visible in the whole world despite its presence at a
particular point in the horiBonE in the same manner Kashi has its inluence throughout the length and
breadth o the world$
,&/ Avanti 2shetra 2hand
-his :hapter contains / sections$
4$9$# ,anat Kumar *loriies 'ahakaal -eertha
%nceE goddess 8arvati reMuested ,hiva to describe the signiicance o 'ahakaal teerth$ Lord ,hiva replied=R
%nceE ,anatkumar= one o the manasputras o Lord Brahma had gone to his atherKs abodeE situated at a place
near 'eru mountain$ ,age Vyas arrived there and asked him the same Muestion$ ,anatkumar had revealed to
him that all kinds o sins loosed their evil inluence at 'ahakaal teerth$ &e had also told him that it was called
K8eethaK because 'atrikas had their abode over there$ AnybodyE who is ortunate o leaving his mortal body at this
holy=placeE is reed rom the vicious cycles o birth and death$ -his place is very dear to Lord ,hiva and is also
called by various other names like +kamrak=vanE 'ahakaal=van and Vimukti=kshetra$
4$9$( Kapal 'ochan
%nceE lord ,hiva arrived at 'ahakal orest with a skull in his hand$ All the trees and vegetation were
delighted to ind him in their midst$ -hey reMuested lord ,hiva to remain their orever$ Lord ,hiva told
them that it was not possible or him to stay there orever but on being reMuested once again agreed to
stay there or at least a year$ Ater one yearE when the time or departure came he released the skull
rom his hand as a memorial$
6hen lord Brahma came to know o this incidentE he instructed all the deities to reach 'ahakal orest without
wasting any time so that a grand yagya could be perormed at the place where ,hiva had let the skull$ All the
deities went to the said place and worshipped Lord ,hiva by employing the rituals o 8ashupat vrataE which Lord
Brahma had taught them$ Lord ,hiva became pleased by their devotion and said==K 8erhaps you all are not aware
that there was a speciic obCective behind my act o releasing the skull rom my hand$ -his act o mine was done
to protect your lives but it seems you are unaware o its signiicance$ .n a wayE all o you have already received
my blessings in advance or your deep devotion$ 6hat else do you wish or NK
Deities were amaBed by ,hivaKs statements and were wondering what ,hiva was trying to convey$ ,oE
they reMuested ,hiva to unravel the mystery so that they could understand what he meant to say$ Lord
,hiva told them=K -he ollowers o 'aya were planning to kill you while you were busy doing penance
but no one o you was aware o their evil motive$ . came to know about this in my deep state o
meditation and dropped the skull rom my hand$ As soon as the skull touched the ground a thunderous
sound was made as the result o which all the demons were killed instantaneously$K
All the deities thanked Lord ,hiva or protecting their lives$ .n course o time this particular place
became amous as Kapal mochan temple and is presently situated in 2CCain$
4$9$0 Various 1ames o 2CCainipuri
%nceE sage Vyas reMuested ,anatkumar to reveal why 2CCainipuri was known by various names like
KanakshringaE Kushasthali Avanti and 8admavati$
,anatkumar replied=K %nceE Lord Brahma and Lord ,hiva arrived at 2CCainipuri in search o Lord VishnuE
who had disappeared rom his abode$ -o their pleasant surprise they ound Lord Vishnu staying there$
Both o them reMuested Vishnu to allow them to stay at 2CCainipuri and said=K % LordL 6hen did you
create such a magniicent place with golden mountain peaksN Allow us to live in this beautiul city or
we can not live in your separation$K
Lord Vishnu reMuested Brahma to make his abode in the northern part o the city while ,hiva was told
to make southern part as his abode$ Lord Vishnu then told them=K ,ince you have reerred to this place
as a city o golden mountain peaks thereore rom now onwards it would become amous as KKanchan
,hringaK (golden peaks)K$
,anat kumar then went on to eGplain why 2CCainipuri was also called Kusha sthali=K &aving created the
worldE Lord Brahma reMuested Lord Vishnu to nurture it$ Lord Vishnu agreed on the condition that Lord
Brahma provided him a pious place on the earth rom where he could perorm his duty$ Brahma then
picked up a handul o kusha grass and threw down on the earth$ -his way Lord Vishnu perormed his
duty as the nurturer o the world sitting on the seat o Kusha grass$ -his is the reason why this place
came to be known as Kusha sthali$K
,anat kumar then described how 2CCainipuri also came to be known as Avanti puri=K %nceE ater being
deeated by the demonsE deities led to 'eru mountain$ Later on they went to Lord Brahma and sought
his help$ Lord Brahma took all the deities to Lord Vishnu$ &ardly had they reached the abode o Vishnu
and oered their obeisanceE then they heard a heavenly voice= K-here is a sacrosanct place called
Kushasthali in the orest o 'ahakal van$ -his holy place is graced by the presence o Lord 'ahadeva$
*o there and engage yoursel in austerities and you will certainly become the master o the heaven
once again$K
,ubseMuentlyE all the deities went to a place called 8aishachmochan situated in Kushasthali and
engaged themselves in various austerities$ As prophesiBed by VishnuE the deities indeed deeated the
demons and became the ruler o heaven$ -he term KAvanK means Kthe protectorK and since it had
protected the deities hence it became amous as Avanti$
,anat kumar also described how Kushasthali also came to be known as 2CCaini=K %nceE a demon named
-ripur did an austere penance to please Lord Brahma$ 6hen Brahma appeared he eGpressed his wish
o becoming immortal$ Lord Brahma ulilled his wish as the result o which -ripur became arrogant and
started tormenting the deities$ -he deities sought the help o Lord ,hivaE who assured them that he
would kill the demon$ ,ubseMuentlyE Lord ,hiva did kill -ripur with his most lethal weapon Kpashupat
ashtraK ater a ierce battle$ -he place where this incident took place became amous as 2CCaini because
o the ierce battle ought between ,hiva and -ripur$
:ontinuing with the tale which described the reason why 2CCainipuri also came to be known as
8admavatiE ,anatkumar told Vyas=K During the time o ocean churning ambrosia had also emerged
rom the ocean bed along with many other valuable things$ -he demons wanted to drink ambrosia so
that they could become immortal but the deities were against this idea$ Very soonE the arguments
turned into a maCor dispute and both the sides started Muarrelling$ 1arad reMuested Lord Vishnu to do
something in this regard$ Lord Vishnu disguised himsel as a beautiul lady and was successul in
inatuating the demons$ <inallyE he started giving ambrosia to the deities who ater drinking it became
immortal$ A demon named "ahu was sitting in the rows o the deities ater changing his guise$ Lord
Vishnu was unable to recogniBe "ahu and gave some ambrosia to him mistaking him to be a deity$ ButE
hardly had "ahu gulped down Ambrosia and beore it could reach down his throatE Vishnu severed his
head$ "ahuKs head became immortal as the result o ambrosiaKs inluence$ -his incident had taken
place at 'ahakal orest$ Later on all the deities distributed the whole wealthE which had emerged rom
the ocean among themselves$ -his is the reason why 2CCainipuri came to be known as 8admavati
because 8adma is another name o *oddess LaGmi$
4$9$4 -he *randeur o Avantipuri
,anatkumar says=K %nceE 8arvati reMuested Lord ,hiva to eGplain why Avantipuri was considered so holy by the
devotees$ Lord ,hiva told her that it was so because there were numerous holy places situated over there$ Lord
,hiva had told her=K -here are our holy rivers lowing through the dierent regions o Avantipuri= KshipraE Divya=
navE 1eelganga and *andhavati$ -here are temples belonging to eighty our shiva lingasE eight BhairavasE eleven
"udrasE -welve AadityasE siG *aneshas and twenty our goddesses$ 1ot only this there are also temples o Lord
Vishnu and Brahma$ Avantipuri is spread in the radius o one yoCan$ -here are temples belonging to ten dierent
incarnations o Lord Vishnu= VasudevE AnantE BalaramE @anardanE 1arayanE &rishikeshE VarahE DharnidharE
Vaman and Lord Vishnu himsel taking rest on ,heshnag$ Apart rom these there are many other holy places
situated at AvantipuriE which enhances its sanctity and holiness$
4$9$9 -he Descent o 1armada
+Gplaining the reason why 1armada had to descend down to earthE ,utCi narrated a tale to the
assembled sages=K %nceE sage markandeya was taking rest at the bank o river 1armada where
Yudhisthira accompanied by Draupadi arrived there$ Yudhishthira curiously asked 'arkandeya about
the reason he had chosen the bank o 1armada as his resting place when there were so many other
holy places o greater signiicance$ ,age 'arkandeya recounted a taleE which said how some sages
had reMuested king 8ururva to bring down river 1armada to the earth so that the whole world becomes
liberated rom its sins$ Describing the holiness o 1armadaE sages had told 8ururava= K -he holy
1armada is capable o liberating the whole world rom its sin$ ,oE you should ind means so that
1armada descends down to earth$K Later onE 8ururva did an austere penance to please ,hiva$ 6hen
Lord ,hiva appeared beore himE 8ururva eGpressed his wish$ ,hiva instructed 1armada to descend
down to earth but she told him that she needed a base or that to happen$ Lord ,hiva then instructed
8aryank= the son o Vindhyachal mountain to hold 1armada while she descended down to earth$
8rayank agreed to do that and this was how 1armada came down on earth$ .nitiallyE the whole world
was looded with the waters o 1armada but at the reMuest o the deities she minimiBed her siBe$
1armada blessed 8ururva and instructed him to perorm the rituals o tarpan in the name o his
ancestors so that they became liberated rom their sins$ 8ururva complied and thus by perorming
tarpan liberated all his ancestors$K
&aving inished his taleE 'arkandeya told Yudhishthira that one who takes a holy dip in 1armada
attains virtues similar to that o perorming Ashwamedh yagya$
4$9$; 1armada 'arries 8urukutsu
'arkandeya says=K % YudhishthirL King 8urutkutsu was ,amudra in his previous birth and had been cursed by
Brahma$ -he descent o 1armada on earth made the deities eGtremely delighted and they reMuested 1armada to
give them the privilege o eGperiencing her divine touch$ ButE 1armada reused to give them that privilege on the
preteGt that she was still unmarried and it would not be proper or her to do so$ All the deities then reMuested her
to become the consort o 8urukutsu to which she agreed$ -his wayE 1armada married 8urutkusu$ Ater getting
marriedE 8urutkutsu reMuested her to liberate his ancestors so that they could attain to heaven$ 1armada readily
obliged and this way 8urutkutsu contributed in his ancestorsK departure to heaven$
4$9$7 'anu "eceives a Boon rom 1armada
'arkandeya says=K 'anu ruled over Ayodhya during ,wayambhuva manvantar$ %ne dayE while he was
going to sleepE he heard a peculiar soundE as i numerous small bells were ringing$ &e was perpleGed
and could not ascertain the cause o that sound so he asked sage Vashishth about this$ ,age
Vashishth made a revelation by which 'anu was startled$ ,age Vashishth told him= -here is a holy
place called -ripuri situated at the bank o river 1armada$ -he sound that you heard last night
emanated rom the small bells attached to number o aircrat kept on the roos o the residences o such
people who are virtuous$ % kingL %nly 1armada is capable o giving salvation to lowly o sinners$K
'anu was highly impressed and decided to go to -ripuri along with his whole clan$ All o them took holy
dips in the 1armada and became liberated rom all their sins$ 'anu perormed a grand yagya at the
bank o 1armada to which all the sages and hermits were invited$ 1armada became pleased by his
devotion and eGpressed her willingness to ulill any wish that 'anu desired$
'anu reMuested her help in bringing down *anga and other holy rivers to earth$ 1armada blessed him
and said= .n the irst hal o tretayugaE one o your descendants named Bhagirath would accomplish this
great eat o bringing down holy *anga to earth$ .n the second hal o the same era other holy rivers like
KalindiE ,araswatiE ,arayuE and 'ahabhaga would also maniest themselves$
4$9$) @amadagni receives Kaamdhenu
'arkandeya told Yudhishthir=K ,age @amdagni was a great devotee o ,hiva and he lived in
1armadapur$ &e spent his day chanting mantras in the praise o Lord ,hiva$ %nceE he perormed an
austere penanceE which lasted or a month$ 2ltimatelyE ,hiva maniested himsel rom the ,iddheshwar
Linga and appeared beore him$ Lord ,hiva asked @amdagni to ask or any thing he wished or$
@amdagni eGpressed his desire to have Kaamdhenu so that he could perorm his rituals and other
religious obligations without any problem$ Lord ,hiva blessed @amdagni and disappeared$ -he neGt
momentE @amdagni ound Kaamdhenu standing in ront o his hermitage$
1owE @amdagni got everything that he wished or$ -his wayE he was a happy and contented lie until
one ateul day when he was killed by a greedy king named KartaveeryaE who subseMuently took
Kaamdhenu along with him$ 6hile the greedy king was still on his wayE Kaamdhenu cursed him that
very soon not only he but the whole caste o Kshatriya would be liMuidated by 8arshuram= @amdagniKs
sonE as punishment or having committed such a ghastly sin o killing an innocent sage$ Ater cursing
KartaveeryaE Kaamdhenu went to her original abode=the heaven$ Later onE when 8arshuram learnt o
his atherKs slayingE he liMuidated Kartaveerya and the whole caste o Kshatriya as had been
prophesiBed by Kaamdhenu$
4$9$/ Description o &ell
Yudhishthira reMuested 'arkandeya to describe what a sinner had to go through in Yamaloka and also
that what kind o a person should be considered as the most ghastly sinner$
'arkandeya replied= K Donating ood to needy people is an eGtremely virtuous deed and there is no
virtuous deed greater than this$ A person who donates cereals can be aptly called KAnnadataK= one who
provides ood$ %ne who has never donated cereals in his lietime is deinite to go to hell and has to
tread an arduous path leading to it that is ridden with prickly thornsE pointed nails and other sharp
obCects$ -he entire path leading to hell is eGtremely dark and covered with large pits$ -he path is also
covered with unbearably hot sand spilled all over the place$ -he sinner is orcibly taken by the
Yamdoots despite their reluctance$ -he sinners repent or the sins they have committed but it is o no
use to themE as they will have to reap the ruits o their evil deeds$ -hey have to undergo all sorts o
painul eGperience= they are orced to pass through ire and pits ull o ilth$
-hose sinners who have atoned or their sins are not treated so harshly by the Yamdoots$ Ater they appear
beore YamraCE :hitragupta reminds them o all the sins they had committed$ -hereaterE YamraC orders his
attendants to puriy the sinners by putting them into the ocean o the &ell$ -here are -wenty=eight types o hells=
AtighoraE "audraE *hortamaE DukhCananiE *horrupaE -arantaraE BhayanakaE KaalratriE *hatotkataE :handaE
'ahachandaE :hndakolahalaE 8rachandaE VaragnikaE @aghanyaE AvaralomaE BhishniE 1ayikaE KaralaE VikaralaE
VaCravinshtiE AstaE 8anchkonaE ,udirghaE 8arivartulaE ,aptabhaumaE Ashtabhauma and Deerghamaya$ +ach o
the latter hell is more horriic than the ormer$,inners have to undergo unbearable pain and suerings in the hell$
-hey are tied up by very hot iron chains and hanged down rom trees$ Yamdoots attach hot and heavy iron balls
to their eet and thrash them with hot iron rods$ -hey are then put into wells o ilth$ -he tongue o a liar is rooted
out with brute orce and a personE who shows disrespect to his elders and teachersE his mouth is illed with hot
sands and boiling oil$ ,imilarly immoral womenE who do not ulill their obligation towards their husbandsE are
thrown into a horriic hell named Lohakumbh$ % YudhishthirL A manKs lie is too short and uncertain$ %ne is not
sure when his inal call would come$ ,oE one should try to lead a virtuous lie to the best o his ability$K
,&1 3agar 2hand
-his :hapter contains ( sections$
4$;$# -rishanku cursed by Vashishth?s ,ons
,utCi once narrated the ollowing tale to the assembled sages= .n ancient times there lived a mighty king named
-rishanku$ &e belonged to ,uryavanshi dynasty$ %ne dayE he asked sage Vashishth whether there was any such
Yagya by perorming whichE he would be entitled to go to heaven with his physical orm$ ,age Vashishth laughed
at his naive Muery and told him that there was no such Yagya by perorming which a man could go to the heaven
with his mortal body$ ButE -rishanku was not satisied by VashishthKs answer and so he went to ask the same
Muestion to VashishthKs sons who were one hundred in number$ But even they corroborated their atherKs
statement$ -rishanku got inuriated and threatened them that he would appoint somebody else as his royal priest
to get the same yagya perormed as they all lacked the reMuired knowledge and competence$ VashishthKs sons
also got angry and cursed him to become a KchandalK (a low caste person)$ -he neGt moment -rishanku indeed
became a KchandalK and was so much ashamed o himsel that he decided to go to the orest ater relinMuishing
his throne$ &e called his son =&arishchandra and narrated the whole tale o his misery$ Beore going to the orest
he appointed &arishchandra as his successor$
%ne dayE while wandering in the orestE -rishanku met sage Vishwamitra and narrated his miserable
tale to him$ ,ince Vishwamitra was a competitor o VashishthE he took it as a golden opportunity to
prove his superiority to his adversary$ ,oE he assured -rishanku that he had the reMuisite power to send
anybody to heaven and said= K . shall help you perorm a grand yagyaE which would allow you to attain
to the heaven with your mortal body$ But beore that you will have to go on a pilgrimage so that you
become pure once again$K Both Vishwamitra and -rishanku set out on a pilgrimage and reached
KArbudachalK where they met sage 'arkandeya$ Ater the pleasantries were overE 'arkandeya asked
Vishwamitra about -rishankuE who was standing Muietly$ Vishwamitra revealed everything to
'arkandeya and said = . had taken a vow not to take rest until -rishanku got absolved o the evil
inluence o the curse given by VashishthKs sonsK$ . have not achieved success in my obCective till dateE
so . have decided to renounce the world$
,eeing Vishwamitra in such desperationE 'arkandeya consoled him and instructed him to go to
&aatkeshwar where taking a holy dip in 8atal *anga would puriy -rishanku and solve all his
problems$Both Vishwamitra and -rishanku reached K&aatkeshwarK and bathed in the holy 8atal *anga$
-o his pleasant surpriseE -rishanku ound that he had indeed become puriied and all the lowly Mualities
had vanished within no time$ Vishwamitra was delighted as the irst condition or -rishankuKs departure
to &eaven had been met$ &e decided to go to Brahma loka to reMuest Lord Brahma to be present at the
Yagya which was to be perormed or the success o -rishankuKs departure to heaven$ But beore
leavingE he instructed -rishanku to make all the necessary preparations beore his return$
Ater reaching Brahma lokaE Vishwamitra narrated the whole story to Lord Brahma and reMuested him
to grace the Yagya by his presence$ Lord Brahma told him that it was Cust impossible or any mortal to
attain to heaven in his physical orm but he added that i -rishanku perormed the rituals diligently then
he would certainly attain to heaven ater his death$ Vishwamitra did not like BrahmaKs words and
challenged him that no power on earth could stop him rom sending -rishanku to &eaven$
4$;$( Vishwamitra :ommences 1ew :reation
Vishwamitra then instructed -rishanku to make preparation or the Yagya$ Ater everything was readyE
Vishwamitra initiated -rishanku into the rituals o Yagya$ -rishanku made oerings in the sacriicial ire
at the instruction o Vishwamitra$ -he deities readily accepted all the oerings that were made to them$
-his wayE the yagya continued or twelve long years but still there was no sign o VishwamitraKs desire
o sending -rishanku to heaven getting ulilled$ -rishanku became deCected and told him about his
decision to renounce everything and spend rest o his lie doing penance as chances o attaining to
heaven appeared impossible$ &e was also sure that VashishthKs sons would make un o him i he went
back to his kingdom without achieving his obCective$ ButE Vishwamitra consoled him and said==K 1o
power on earth can stop you rom going to heaven with your physical orm$ You Cust need to have some
patience and your desire will be certainly ulilled$K
Vishwamitra decided to please Lord ,hiva as he was convinced that ,hiva was the only deity who
could help him achieve his goal$ &e eulogiBed ,hiva by singing hymns o praise in his name$ At lastE
,hiva appeared beore him and eGpressed his desire o ulilling any wish o Vishwamitra$ Vishwamitra
reMuested ,hiva to bestow on him the power o creation Cust like Brahma had$ Lord ,hiva blessed him
and disappeared$1owE Vishwamitra was eager to test his powers so he began creating dierent things$
&e created ,unE 'oonE ,tarsE oceansE "iversE so on and so orth$ .n a short time the whole world was
illed by his creations resulting into chaos all over$ As the result o his creationsE every natural thing
became double in number= one that had already been created by Brahma and the second created by
Vishwamitra$ 1ow there eGisted two sunsE two moonsE so on and so orth$ VishwamitraKs amaBing
deeds had catastrophic allout on the natural course o events$
Deities were scarred and rushed to seek the help o lord Brahma$ -hey told Brahma that i Vishwamitra
was not stopped the whole world was doomed to destruction$ Lord Brahma appeared beore
Vishwamitra and ordered to stop doing creations$ Vishwamitra told him that he was ready to do that i
Brahma helped -rishanku attain to heaven with his mortal body$ ,eeing no other optionE Brahma
accepted VishwamitraKs condition$ -his wayE Vishwamitra was able to send -rishanku physically to
heaven with the help o Lord Brahma$
,&4 Pra5has 2hand
-his :hapter contains ## sections$
4$7$# Description o 8uranas and 2p=puranas
%nceE while describing the origin o puranasE ,utCi told the sages who had assembled at 1aimisharanya=K Lord
,hiva had irst revealed the contents o ,kanda puran to 8arvati at Kailash 'ountain$ Lord Brahma and ew other
deities were also present there at the time when ,hiva was narrating the tale$ ,ubseMuentlyE 8arvati narrated this
tale to ,kandaE ,kanda to 1andi and 1andi to sages like ,anakE etc$ and inally ,anak narrated it to Vyas$ 1ow .
am going to tell you the same tale which Vyas had narrated to me$K
,utCi began by saying=K During ancient timesE Lord Brahma once did a very austere penance resulting
into the maniestation o all the our Vedas$ Later onE all the eighteen 8uranas too appeared rom his
mouth$ -hese eighteen 8uranas were= Brahma 8uranE Vishnu 8uranE ,hiva 8uranE Bhagawat 8uranE
Bhavishya 8uranE 1arad 8uranE 'arkandeya 8uranE Agni 8uranE Brahma vaivarta 8uranE Linga 8uranE
8adma 8uranE Varah 8uranE ,kanda 8uranE Vaman 8uranE Kurma 8uranE 'atsya 8uranE *aruda
8uran and Vayu 8uran$Apart rom these eighteen main 8uranasE there are also similar number o
secondary 8uranas known as 2p= 8uranas$ -hese 2p= 8uranas are = ,anat kumarE 1arsimhaE ,kandE
,hiva DharmaE DurvasaE 1aradE KapilE 'anuE 2shanaE BrahmandE VarunE KalikaE 'aheshwarE ,aambE
,auraE 8arasharE 'aarich and Bhargava$K
,utCi then went on to describe the other eatures o each 8urana=K Brahma 8uran contains ten thousand
shlokas in it whereas 8adma 8uran contains ity=ive thousand shlokas$ ,imilarlyE there are twenty=
three thousand shlokas in Vishnu 8uran$ Vayu 8uran contains the tales related with Lord ,hiva and it
contains twenty=our thousand shlokas in it$ ,imilarly the remaining 8uranas like BhagawatE 1aradE
'arkandeyaE AgniE BhavishyaE BrhmavaivartaE LingaE VarahE ,kandaE VamanE KurmaE 'atsyaE *aruda
and Brahmanda 8uran contain #)E333E (9E333E /E333E #;E333E #4E933E #)E333E ##E333E (4E333E )#E#33E
#3E333E #7E333E #4E333E #)E333 and #(E(33 shlokas respectively$K
,utCi told the sages that all the 2p= 8uranas owe their origin to the main 8uranas which are eighteen in
number$ &e also revealed to them that they could be categoriBed into three main types= ,atvikE "aCas
and -amas$ ,atvik 8uranas contain the tales o Lord Vishnu while "aCas 8uranas contain the tales o
Brahma and -amas 8urans contain the tales o Agni and "udra$ %ne o the chie characteristics o
8uranas is that each o them is divided into ive sections= K,argK (Description o how creation began)E
K8ratisargaKE KVanshK (Description o prominent dynasties)E K'anvantarK and KVanshanucharitK (-ales
related with the descendants o the amous sages)$
4$7$( 8rabhas -eertha
%n being asked by the sages about the prominent places o pilgrimageE ,utCi named many holy places but
according to him 8rabhas -eerth was the crown o all the places o pilgrimage and was incomparable$ "ecounting
a tale when 8arvati had once asked Lord ,hiva the same MuestionE ,utCi said=K At that time ,hiva had told 8arvati
that 8rabhas Kshetra was supreme among all the holy places and capable o liberating a man rom all his sins$ &e
had also told her that due to prevalence o sins in Kaliyuga people would not attain virtues despite going on
pilgrimages$ ,hiva had also told her that this was the reason why he had created numerous holy places and kept
them secret so the holiness o these places remained intact$ . have maniested mysel in the orm o a divine
,hiva linga at 8rabhas kshetra$ -he whole universe has originated rom it and merges into it ultimately at the time
o deluge$ -he ,hiva linga is called ,omanath and very ew people are aware o itKs eGistence$ -his ,hivalinga
continue to eGist since itKs maniestation in a particular kalpa named Bhairav long ago$ 2nortunatelyE people o
kaliyaga under the inluence o all pervading ignorance would ail to recogniBe the importance o holy places$
,uch people would try to demean the value o holy places and make un o those people who go on pilgrimages$
Being blinded by their supericial intelligence they would try to ind aults with rituals and religion$ ,uch would be
the condition o the mortals in kaliyuga that they would criticiBe everything that is religious and spiritual in nature$
&ow can one eGpect rom these unortunate people o kaliyuga to understand the signiicance o 8rabhas kshetra
and which is revered even by me NK
8arvatiE who had been listening to the tale with rapt attentionE became even more curious to know
about 8rabhas kshetra$ ,o she reMuested Lord ,hiva to shed more light on the other important aspects
o this sacrosanct place$ Lord ,hivaE continuing with his description o 8rabhas kshetraE said= K -his
sacrosanct place has temples o three deities on itKs three sides$ -o its east is situated a grand temple
o ,urya 1arayan while there is a magniicent temple o 'adhav to itKs west$ .n the same way there is a
beautiul temple o goddess Bhavani to the north o 8rabhas kshetra and towards itKs south lies the
ocean$ -his holy place is spread in the area o ive yoCans and is divided in three maCor areas=
'aheshwarE Vaishnav and Brahma$ -here are about one crore temples related with dierent deities in
Vaishnav and Brahma kshetras while 'aheshwar kshetra contains one and hal crore temples$ As the
name impliesE each area has been named ater one *od orming the -rinity$ Anybody who has the
good ortune o living in the central part o 8rabhas kshetra becomes absolved o all his sins even i he
has committed most abhorrent sins$ -he signiicance o this holy place can be understood by the act
that a man born there does not take a second birth and attains salvation$ %ne whom scholars o the
Vedas call KKaalagni "udraK is amously known as Bhairav in 8rabhas kshetra$
4$7$0 ,omnath Linga
+mphasiBing on the signiicance o ,omeshwar linga and its deep association with the VedasE Lord ,hiva told
8arvati=K -he divine ,omeshwar linga eGists since time immemorial and will remain or eternity$ -his revelation
descended on me while . was engrossed in a deep state o meditation$ ,omeshwar Linga has deep association
with the Vedas and it enhances their sanctity by establishing itsel in each o them at dierent periods o time
during the day$ During morning time ,omeshwar linga establishes itsel in the "igvedaE during noon in the
YaCurvedaE during aternoon in the ,ama veda and during evening time it establishes itsel in Atharva veda$
4$7$4 Dierent 1ames o ,omnath
8arvati curiously asked Lord ,hiva about the reason why ,omnath was known by so many dierent
names$ Lord ,hiva said= K ,ince the time this divine linga irst maniested itsel very ew blessed souls
had the knowledge o itKs eGistence$ Brahma has a lie span o one kalpa at the end o which even he
ceases to eGist giving way to his successor= a new Brahma$ .n the same manner this divine Linga
acMuires a new name at the end o each kalpa$ -he present kalpa is seventh in order as siG kalpas
have already passed$ -he name o the present Brahma is ,hatanand and this divine Linga is presently
amous by the name o ,omnath$ ,imilarly it was amous as 'rityunCay during the time o Brahma
named Virinchi$ During second kalpa this Linga was amous as Kalagnirudra and the name o Brahma
was 8admabhu$ -he third kalpa had ,wayambhu as Brahma and the Linga was amous as Amritesh$
-he name o the ourth Brahma was 8armeshthi in ourth kalpa and the linga was amous as Annamay$
.n the same way the names o the ith and siGth Brahma were ,uraCyeshtha and &emagarbha
respectively and the names o the Linga during their periods were Kritiwas and Bhairav 1ath
respectively$K
Lord ,hiva also revealed to 8arvati that the neGt kalpa= eighth in order would have :haturmukh as
Brahma and the divine Linga would be known as 8ran 1ath$*oddess 8arvati then asked ,hiva about
the eGact location o the Linga in 8rabhas Kshetra$ Lord ,hiva told her that the sacrosanct place o
8rabhas Kshetra was situated between the plains o two rivers VaCrini and 1yankumati$ &e also told her
that the eternal Linga was not very ar rom the sea coast$ Dwelling at length about the good ortunes o
those living in 8rabhas kshetraE Lord ,hiva told her=K Anybody who does not abandon this holy place
despite his hardships and troubles is certain to attain to my abode$ %ne who has the good ortune o
dying at 8rabhas kshetra attains salvation$ -here will be prevalence o sins in Kaliyuga$ As a result o
this people would eGperience all sorts o hurdles and problems in their lives$ -o minimiBe their sorrows
and to lessen their miseriesE . have personally instructed *anesh not to abandon this place even or a
moment$ % all the Lingas present on the earthE ,omnath is specially dear to me$K
4$7$9 ,iddheshwar Linga and ,iddha Linga
Describing the reason why this sacrosanct place was named 8rabhasE Lord ,hiva told 8arvati= K . dwell
in the entire area stretching between the ocean in the south and river Kaureshwari$ Being situated at
the western coastE this entire area is radiated by ,uryaKs light or a relatively longer period o time and
hence it has been named K8rabhasK meaning luster$ -his is the reason why there is situated a grand
temple o Lord ,urya in 8rabhas Kshetra$ 1ot ar rom this ,urya temple is situated a magniicent
temple o Lord ,iddheshwarE which was amously known as @aigishavyeshwar in ancient times$K
Lord ,hiva then went on to describe why ,iddheshwar was called @aigishavyeshwar during ancient
times=K -here lived a sage named @aigishavya in previous kalpa$ &e used to daily worship a ,hiva linga
named 'ahodayE which had maniested on its own$ Keeping in view ,hivaKs ondness or ashesE he
used to smear it on his body hoping to please his deity$ 1ot only this he even slept on ashes$ &e thus
led an eGtremely austere lie$ At last he was able to please Lord 'ahoday by his devotion$ 6hen Lord
'ahoday appeared beore him and eGpressed his willingness to ulill anything he wished but
@aigishavya wanted nothing but total devotion in his deity ('ahoday)$ Lord 'ahoday blessed him with
immortality and said=K -here would be nobody as powerul as you$ Your eats achieved in spiritual
things will be unmatched and you would become amous as KYogacharyaK or teacher o Yoga$ %ne who
regularly worships this particular Linga which you have been worshipping with such deep devotion till
now is certain to get absolved o all his sins$K &aving blessed Yaigishavya thusE Lord 'ahoday
disappeared rom his sight$ Ater this incidentE 'ahoday linga also came to be known as
Yaigishavyeshwar$ .n course o timeE when the Kaliyuga o that Kalpa arrivedE some sages named
KBalkhilyasK had gone to the same place and worshipped Lord 'ahoday$ ,imilarlyE many more sages
went there and attained KsiddhiK or accomplishment$ -his is how this Linga came to be known as
K,iddheshwarK (the lord o all accomplishments)$ -here are many holy places in the vicinity like ,iddha
lingaE which was installed by lord ,urya$ Anybody who worships this linga on the auspicious day o
trayodashi o the bright hal o the hindu month :haitra attains virtues similar to the accomplishment o
K8undareek YagyaK$
4$7$; :handra Deva +ulogiBes ,hiva
8arvati asked Lord ,hiva about the reason :handra deva had to install a ,hiva linga at 8rabhas
Kshetra$ Lord ,hiva replied that Daksha had got married twenty seven o his daughters to :handra
Deva$ :handra Deva was very attached to "ohiniE who was one o them and neglected others$ 6hen
Daksha came to know about this he cursed :handra Deva as the result o which he lost his luster and
started waning day by day$ -he worried :handra Deva did an austere penance or thousand o years to
please Lord ,hiva$ At last Lord ,hiva became pleased and appeared beore him$ ,ubseMuentlyE
:handra Deva got a divine ,hiva linga installed by Brahma and worshipped it or thousand o years$
Lord ,hiva appeared once again and eGpressed his willingness to ulill any wish :handra Deva
eGpressed$ :handra Deva reMuested Lord ,hiva to dwell in the very ,hiva Linga he had been
worshipping till then$ Lord ,hiva revealed to him that there was no Muestion o dwelling in the ,hiva
Linga as he had never abandoned it in the irst place$ :handra Deva had regained his luster on account
o his arduous penance$ Lord ,hiva blessed him and said= K ,ince you have regained your luster
(8rabha) by dint o your austere penanceE this holy place will become amous as K8rabhas KshetraK$
-his Linga would be named upon you and become amous as ,omnath Linga$K
&aving blessed :handra Deva thusE Lord ,hiva disappeared$ Later on :handra Deva instructed
Vishwakarma to build a magniicent temple at the sight$ &e also built a city nearby so that all the priests
who were supposed to supervise the rituals o worship could live there$
4$7$7 -he ,igniicance o *etting %ne?s &ead -onsured
Dwelling on length about the signiicance o getting oneKs head tonsured at holy placesE Lord ,hiva told
8arvati=K A man should get his head tonsured whenever he gets an opportunity to visit a holy place
because hair are believed to contain all the sins he has committed$ -here is a holy place called 8adma
teerthE not ar rom ,omnath temple$ A devotee should irst get his hair removed at ,omnath teerth and
then immerse them at 8adma teerth$ -his way he becomes absolved o all his sins$ 6omen should
have a symbolical cut o their hair$ .t is necessary to perorm the rituals o tarpan in the names o
ancestors ater the head tonsuring ceremony$ According to the scripturesE an ocean is considered holy
and nobody should its holy water in an impure state$ 6hile bathing a devotee should chant the
ollowing mantra=
K%m namo Vishnu guptaaya Vishnu rupaaya namahO
,aannidhye bhava devesh saagare lavanaambhasi$K
-here are about ive crore ,hivalingas submerged in the ocean near ,omnath$ -here are also other
holy places situated nearby like AgnikundaE 8adma sarovar etc$
4$7$) -he +mergence o ,arasvati in 8rabhas Kshetra
%n being asked by 8arvati about the emergence o river ,araswati at 8rabhas KshetraE Lord ,hiva narrated the
ollowing tale to her=K -he holy ,arswati lowing in 8rabhas kshetra constitutes o ive dierent streams= &ariniE
VaCriniE 1yankuE Kapila and ,araswati$ Lord Vishnu once instructed ,araswati to carry KBadwanalK (,ubmarine ire)
and dump it in the ocean near 8rabhas kshetra$ Ater taking permission rom Lord BrahmaE her ather ,araswati
lew towards her destination$ *anga became sad at her departure so she asked her as to how could she have a
glimpse o her now that she was going to such a distant place$ ,araswati consoled *anga by saying that she
would be able to see her whenever she looked eastwards$ -he swit currents o ,araswati penetrated the earth
and reached 8atal Loka carrying Badwanal along with her$,he continued to move beneath the ground towards
her destination$ As she reached 8rabhas KashetraE our learned sagesE who were well versed in Vedas arrived
there and invoked ,araswati to give them the privilege o separate bath by dividing hersel in our dierent
streams$
-he names o these sages were &iranyaE VaCraE 1yanku and Kapil$ 6hile ,araswati was about to
comply with their reMuestE suddenly ,amudra arrived there and he too eGpressed the same wish$ -hus
,araswati divided hersel into ive dierent streams= &ariniE VaCriniE 1yankuE Kapila and ,araswati$
+ventuallyE when ,araswati reached near the oceanE Badwanal whom she was carrying was surprised
to see the high tides rising in the ocean$ &e thought that the ,amudra was rightened o his ury so he
asked ,araswati= 6hy is the ocean scarred o meN ,araswati inlated his ego by saying that who would
not be scarred o him$ Badwanal was pleased and wanted to grant her a boon$ ,araswati remembered
Lord VishnuE who instantly gave his divine appearance in her heart$ ,he narrated the whole story and
sought his advise$ Lord Vishnu advised her to ask Badwanal to make his appearance small like the eye
o a needle$ ,araswatiE ollowing the advise o Lord Vishnu asked Badwanal to become small like a
needle and keep sucking the ocean$ ,ubseMuentlyE ,araswati summoned ,amudra and told him to
accept Badwanal to which he agreed$ -his way ,amudra devoured BadwanalE who continues to suck
the water o the ocean even today as per the instructions given by ,araswati$ .t is believed that tides
are nothing but the maniestation o BadwanalKs eGhalations$ -his was how ,araswati emerged in
8rabhas kshetra$
4$7$/ 8rabhas ! -he Abode o -rinity *oddesses
Lord ,hiva revealed to goddesses 8arvati that 8rabhas kshetra boasted o possessing many more
,hiva lingas apart rom the amous ,omnath ,hiva linga$ &e also gave names o some o the
prominent ,hiva lingas situated over there and said= K -o the 1orth=+ast o ,omnath temple is situated
a grand temple o lord ,arveshvar DevaE who is also amously known as ,iddheshwar$ -he reason
behind this is that ,hiva linga over there had been installed by the KsiddhasK (accomplished ones) in
ancient times$ 8eople who are desirous o acMuiring siddhis throng this holy place and engage
themselves in austere penance$ -o the east o ,iddheshwar temple is situated one more temple called
Kapileshwar$ .t has been named ater sage KapilE who had installed the ,hiva linga over there$ A ,hiva
linga named *andharveshwar is also situated nearby$ -his particular ,hiva linga had been installed by
a gandharva named Dhanvahan$ -o the east o *andharveshwar temple is situated Vimaleshwar
temple$ .t is believed that anybody suering rom tuberculosis gets cured ater he worships in that
temple$ Dhandeshwar linga was installed by KuberE who was bestowed with the lordship o wealth on
account o his austere penance$K
Lord ,hiva told 8arvati that there were also temples o three goddesses in 8rabhas Kshetra apart rom
,hiva temples$ -hese three goddesses were 'anglaE Vishalakshi and :hatwar representing the three
types o power=will powerE power o action and power o knowledge$ Lord ,hiva said=K -he pilgrimage to
8rabhas kshetra is believed to be incomplete until and unless these three goddesses have been
worshipped$ *oddess 'angla represents the power o lord Brahma (Brahma shakti) while goddess
Vishalakshi that o lord Vishnu$ *oddess :hatwar represents my power$ *oddess 'angla holds the
privilege o getting worshipped irst$ During ancient times :handrama did an austere penance or
thousand o years and all the deities including Lord Brahma had gone there to witness his amaBing
eat$ At that time goddess 'angla had blessed them and this was how she got her name$K
Lord ,hiva then went on to describe how goddess Vishalakshi got her name=K A ierce battle had taken
place between the deities and demons during :hakshus manvantar$ Lord Vishnu ought along with the
deities and helped them in deeating the demons$ Demons led towards the south but were chased by
the deities$ "ealiBing that it was not easy to annihilate the demonsE Lord Vishnu remembered goddess
'ahamaya and sought her help$ 'ahamaya appeared instantly and looked at Lord Vishnu with her
large eyes$ -his is how she got her name$ .n the present kalpa she is also known as Lalitoma$ -o the
south o Vishalakshi temple is situated the temple o goddess :hatwarpriya$ *oddess :hatwarpriya is
the saviour o people living in that area$ Anybody who worships her on the auspicious day o
'ahanavami with appropriate rituals is blessed$
4$7$#3 Dvarka 'ahatmya ! ,ages Aueries to 8rahlad
%nceE ew sages asked ,utCi about the means by which Lord Vishnu could be realiBed in kaliyuga= the
era dominated by sin and decaying moral values$
,utCi started by describing how Lord Vishnu on seeing the prevalence o sin in Dwapar yuga had to take
incarnation as Krishna to liberate the world rom the sinners$ &e also described in detail all the incidents
culminating into the killings o many cruel demons =Kaaliya serpentE :hanurE ,hishupaal and ogress
like 8utna$ &e gave in depth description o the events leading to the war o 'ahabharat and how the
inighting among the mighty Yadavas led to their destruction$ &e told them how a owler mistook
KrishnaKs eet to be a deer and killed him$
,utCi also told the assembled sages how the magniicent city o Dwarka had been submerged in the
ocean ultimately$ &e revealed to them that the passing away o Krishna marked the advent o Kaliyuga
and the situation became even worse$ %n inding how diicult it was to realiBe lord Vishnu in the
Kaliyuga= the era dominated by sinE some prominent sages decided to seek Lord BrahmaKs help in this
regard$ Ater reaching Brahma lokaE they eulogiBed Brahma and received his blessings$ Lord Brahma
told them to go to 8atal loka and meet 8rahladE the supreme devotee o Lord Vishnu who according to
Lord Brahma was in a better position to help them$
All the sages went to 8atal loka as per the instructions given by Lord Brahma$ -here they not only ound 8rahlad
but also the most charitable king=Bali$ Ater the pleasantries were eGchangedE they came to the real issue and
said=K 6e are very much distressed by the prevailing situation where it appears that the evil orces have
overshadowed the virtuous ones$ -he ways shown by the Vedas are no longer in practice and the Brahmins are
being tormented by the ,hudrasE who have become the rulers$ 6e have come with a reMuest and a desire to
know whether there was any possibility o realiBing Lord Vishnu in this dark era o KKaliK$ . yes then where can we
ind Lord VishnuNK
4$7$## -he ,anctity o Dvarkapuri
8rahladE being an ardent devotee o Vishnu himselE understood Muite wellE the desperation with which
a devotee seeks his Lord$ ,o he told them=K By the grace o Almighty VishnuE . am revealing to you the
name o that sacred place which has remained a secret till now$ Kushasthal 8uri is a divine city situated
on the western coast$ 1earby is the place where river *omti meets the ocean and at this convergent
point is situated the sacrosanct city called Dwarawati 8uriE where you can ind Lord Vishnu in all his
glory o siGteen kalas$ Blessed be the Dwarka 8uriE which -he almighty Vishnu has chosen as his
abode and where he dwells in his glorious :haturbhuC orm$ -his is the very placeE which even liberates
the most allen sinner rom all his sins$ -here is a amous temple o Lord -rivikram at the bank o river
*omti and not ar rom this temple is a divine pond$ Anybody desirous o salvation must bathe in this
pond or the ulillment o his wish$ .t is believed that beore leaving or heavenE Lord Krishna had
transerred all his divine powers into the -rivikram idol$ ,oE there is no place as holy as Dwarka and i
you are desirous o having a divine glimpse o Lord Krishna then you must visit Dwarka$K
All the sages thanked 8rahlad or sharing his secrets with them because nobody else eGcept 8rahlad
was aware o the act that Lord Vishnu had given Dwarka the privilege o being his abode$ -hese
revelations made them more curious about DwarkaE so they reMuested 8rahlad to disclose how the holy
*omti descended down to Dwarka$
8rahlad began by describing the virtues o going on a pilgrimage to Dwarka=K -he mere resolution o
going on a pilgrimage to Dwarka is enough to liberate oneKs ancestors rom the tortures o the hells$
+ach step that a devotee takes towards Dwarka gives virtues similar to what is attained by perorming
Ashwamedh Yagya$ %ne who encourages others to go on a pilgrimage to Dwarka certainly goes to
Vishnu Dhaam$K
8rahlad then switched over to the second part o the sagesK Muestion and said=K -here is an interesting
tale describing how sage Vashishth had brought down *omti rom the heaven to earth$ At the time o
deluge when the whole world had submerged in waterE a lotus lower maniested rom Lord VishnuKs
navel on which was seated Brahma$ Lord Vishnu instructed him to perorm his duty as a creator to
which Brahma agreed$ <irst o all Brahma created his ten manasputras (,anakE ,anandanEetc$) and
sought their help in increasing the population o the world by becoming householders$ ButE all o them
were eGtremely virtuous and did not show any inclination towards getting married$ 2ltimately all o them
went to the western coast and engaged themselves in austere penance$ -heir penance continued or a
number o years ater which K,udarshan chakraK appeared beore them$ As all o them looked up in
bewildermentE they heard a heavenly voice =K % sons o BrahmaL Very soon the almighty Vishnu is
going to maniest himsel$ -he K:hakraK you are seeing is his$ You all must perorm the rituals o
KardhyaK in the name o Lord Vishnu to show your reverence towards him$K All the 'anasputras
eulogiBed ,udarshan=:hakra with deep devotion$ All o them wished that there were a holy riverE with
whose water they could perorm the rituals o ardhya$ But to their utter dismay there was no such holy
river nearby$ -hey then remembered Lord BrahmaE who immediately understood what they desired$
Lord Brahma instructed *anga by saying=K *angaL *o to the earthE where you would be known as
*omti$ ,age Vashishth will lead you to your destination$ @ust ollow him like a daughter ollows her
ather$K
<inallyE when sage Vashishth ollowed by *omti reached their destinationE all the 'anasputras were
delighted$ -hey eulogiBed *anga and eGpressed their gratitude to Vashishth or bringing *anga on
earth$ All o them thanked Vashishth by saying=K ,ince you have brought *omti on earthE you would be
considered as her ather$K -hey oered KardhyaK to *omti and subseMuently eulogiBed Lord Vishnu$ Lord
Vishnu appeared ater being pleased and blessed them=K Your unlinching devotion in me has pleased
me no bound$ ,ince you did this penance with the obCective o 'oksha (salvation)E this place would
become amous as 'oksha Dayak (giver o salvation)$ -his sacrosanct place would also be called
:hakra teerth because o ,udarshan chakraE who inormed you all o my maniestation at Dwarka 8uri$
. assure you that . wonKt abandon this sacrosanct place even or a moment$K
-his wayE all the 'anasputras were inally successul in their obCective o oering ardhya to Lord Vishnu
with the holy water o *omti$ At lastE *omti having ulilled her mission or which she had descended
down to +arth merged with the ocean$ Lord Vishnu disappeared rom there and 'anasputras continued
to live there$
/ Shi:a &aha0Purana
<irst o allE ,age ,haunak eGpressed his desire to ,utCi about knowing the meansE which could help a
man in this era o Kali to attainment lord ,hivaE by cleansing all the impurities o his mind and rectiying
his inherent demonic tendencies$ ,utCi then described about ,hiv 'ahapuran = the supreme o all the
puranasE which was narrated by Lord ,hiva himsel and which was later on retold by ,age Vyas with
the permission o 'aharshi ,anatkumarE or the benediction o common man$ ,utCi saidE RBy
understanding the mysteries o ,hivmahapuran and singing its praisesE a man attains greater virtues
than that which could be attained by being charitable or by the perormance o all the UyagyasK$
:ontemplating on the subCect matters o ,hivmahapuran give auspicious ruits Cust like a KKalpa=taruK (A
mythological tree which ulills all the wishes)$ ,hiv 'ahapuran contains twenty=our thousand shlokas
and seven$
,hivmahapuran is the best means or manKs liberation$
8"%8+" '+-&%D %< L.,-+1.1* -%
,&.V82"A1 ,age ,haunak reMuested ,utCi to tell about the proper method o listening to ,hivpuranE
so that the man kind gets complete beneit$ ,utCi replied=
R<irst o allE an auspicious moment should be determined by an Astrologer$ Ater thatE riends and
relatives should be invitedE especially those who have the tendency o being away rom such
occasions$ -he sages and the virtuous people should be invited too$ -he KKathaK must be help in scared
places like ,hiva templeE any place o pilgrimage or in oneKs home ater doing a Bhumi 8uCan o the
land 6here one intends to held the Katha o ,hiv 8uran$ -he canopy should be well decorated$R RAter
making a resolution and doing worship o *anapati = the destroyer o all hurdles and obstacles the
Katha should be commenced$ -he person who is telling the KKathaK should be acing north and all the
listeners should sit acing east$ -he person who is telling the KKathaK should be a scholar and should be
capable o clearing all the doubts rom the listenerKs mind$ -here should be no kind o distraction during
the KKathaK period$ A devoteeE who listens to the Katha leaving behind all o his worldlys worries get
complete beneits$ A devotee should also make donations and oerings according to his capacity and
capability otherwise he would become a wretched man$ -he 'antra K%' 1A'A& ,&.VAYK should be
chanted through out the period o Katha$
".*&- %< L.,-+1.1* -% ,&.V'A&A82"A1J=
An uninitiated person does not have the right to listen to the Katha o ,hivmahapuran$ ,o a man
desirous o listening to ,hivmahapuran should irst get initiated$
A2,-+".-.+, -% B+ <%LL%6+DJ
A devotee who has taken the vow o listening to the Katha o ,hivmahapuranE should ollow a celibate
lie$ &e should sleep on the loor and should have only ruits in the diet$ &e can have his normal dinner
only ater the completion o the Katha$ -he diet should be resh and pure$ &e should also try to avoid
sinul tendencies like lustE angerE greedE attachment and condemning otherE etc$ 'aking donations o
even meager things give undiminishing virtues$
".-+, 8+"<%"'+D %1 :%'8L+-.%1 %< %B,+"VA1:+J=
Ater the methodical completion o the KathaE a devotee should perorm 2DDYA8A1 (:onclusion o the
Katha)E which is similar to the :&A-2"DA,&. 2DDYA8A1$ -he devotee should also :haritably make
donations to all the brahmins who have helped in the perormance o Katha$ %n the neGt day the K8athK
o ,&.V *.-A should be perormed$ . the devotee (listener o the Katha) is a householdersE then he
should perorm K&avanK with the ghee prepared rom :owKs milkE or the paciication o the unhindered
completion o the Katha$ -he &avan should be perormedE either with the help o K"udra ,amhita
mantrasK or K*ayatri 'antraK or with the shlokas o 8uran$
-his 8urana consists o the ollowing 7 :haptersJ
/&1 +idyeshwar )amhita
-his :hapter contains (4 sections$
9$#$# ,ages +nMuire
Viddyeshwar ,amhita which is classiied into twenty ive chaptersE has a narration in its irst chapter
which goes as ollows=
%nce upon a timeE the sages were perorming a yagya at 8rayag kshetra$ ,age ,utCi came to know
about this and arrived there$ All the sages were very pleased to see him$ -hey reMuestedJ=
RLordL -hough we have heard many tales rom you regarding the manKs benedictionE but today we want
to listen to something special$ Because in this present era o KaliE when all the castes have orgotten
about their respective duties we want to know is there any way to prevent the deterioration in the
human valuesNR
,utCi repliedJ=
R% *reat menL Your enMuiry has great relevance in this era o Kali$ . will certainly tell you about the way
by the help o which a man can achieve benediction$ ,hivmahapuran contains the essence o Vedantic
philosophyE which gives worldly pleasures as well as ,alvation$ 'ere remembrance o it destroys all the
sins o a man$ %ne who studies the "udra=,amhita attentivelyE his gravest o sins are destroyed
instantaneously$ %ne who studies "udra=,amhitaK silentlyE sitting in ront o Bhairav=idolE all o his
aspirations are ulilled$ A man gets liberated rom the sin o killing a brahminE i he studies "udra
,amhita while circulbulating around a Banyan tree$R
RKailash ,amhita is even ,uperior than "udra ,amhitaE as it elaborates upon the meaning o %mkar$
,hivmahapuran is created by lord ,hiva &imsel$ .t contains twelve ,amhitas which are = ViddyeshwarE
"udraE VinayakE 2maE 'atriE +kadash=rudraE KailashE ,hat=rudraE Koti=rudraE ,ahastra KotiE Vayaviya
and Dharma$R
R.nitially it contained one lac shlokas but it was precised to twenty=our thousand shlokas by sage Vyas$ -he
present ,hiv8uran is the ourth one which consists o seven ,amhitas$ -he earlier three ,hivpuranas are
unavailable$ -he scientiic analysis o the Vedantic mysteries are the main subCect o this divine ,hivpuran$ -he
study o ,hivpuran helps a man to attain DharmaE ArthaE Kaam and 'oksha$
9$#$( 8roposition and 'eans
,utCi continued with his narrationJ=
RDuring the initial period o K,vet Varah KalpK$ ,iG prominent sages collected near -riveni and started
debating as to who was the greatest deityE among Brahma Vishnu and 'ahesh$ -heir debate remained
inconclusiveE so they went to lord Brahma to seek the answer$
Lord Brahma told themJ=
R% revered ,agesL -he source o VishnuE "udra all the deities including mysel and all the other
creations is none other 'ahadeo$ 2nion with the ,hiva should be the obCective o a man to attain that
obCective$ Listening to the Mualities o Lord ,hivaE singing devotional songs in his praise and
contemplating on him are the greatest meansE which help to unite with ,hiva$R
9$#$0 ListeningE KirtanE :ontemplation
,&"AVA1 K."-A1 'A1A1
8uriication o the mind by the help o doing worship and chanting the name o *od is called
contemplation$ ,inging devotional songs in the orm o stotraE or hymns o the vedas or even in oneKs
own language is called Kirtan$
-he above mentioned three activities are the supreme means to attain liberation$
9$#$4 *reatness o ,hiva Linga
According to ,utCiE i a person is incapable o ollowing the above mentioned three activities i$e$
,hravanE Kirtan and 'anan then he should worship the ,hivalinga$ +ven by doing this he can attain
liberation rom all the bondages o the world$
Describing about the maCesty o ,hivalingaE ,utCi saysJ RLord ,hiva is the maniestation o Almighty *od
(Brahma) himsel and or this very reason he is known as 1.,&KAL$ Because o his divine beautyE
,hiva is called ,A*21A (*od with orm)$ -he term ,A*21A is also eGpressed in another wayE that is
,AKAL$ ,hivalinga is worshipped since it symboliBes the orm o ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva is also considered
to be 1."*21A (without any Mualities$)R
R.n the irst Kalpa o ,wetvarahE a battle was ought between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to prove their
superiority$ Lord ,hiva maniested beore arrogance$ Ater that he also showed them his orm in the shape o
,hivalinga$ <rom that day onwards the ,hivalinga became amous$R
9$#$9 -he Deities go to Kailash 'ountain
1andikeshwarCi narrates the tale o battle between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu$
R%nce while travelling lord Brahma reached the abode o Lord Vishnu$ &e saw Lord Vishnu$ &e saw lord Vishnu
resting on ,hesh=1ag and being attended by *aruda and other attendants$ 6hen BrahmaCi saw that Vishnu did
not get up to receive himE he became very angry$ Very soonE Verbal dual erupted between them$ .t became so
severe that a battle was ought between themE which continued or very long time$ All the deities arrived rom the
heaven to watch the battle$ -hey became very worried when they saw no sign o battle coming to an end$ -hey
decided to go to lord ,hivaE to seek his help$
9$#$; Anaal=,tambh (-he 8illar o <ire)
R-hough Lord ,hiva knew everythingE but still eigning ignoranceE he asked about the well beings o the
world$ -he deities told him about the battleE ought between BrahmaCi and VishnuCi$R
RLord ,hiva then sent his one hundred *anas to paciy both o them$ &e too went there accompanied
by mother 8arvatiE boarded on a chariot$ 6hen Lord ,hiva reached thereE he saw that BrahmaCi and
VishnuCi were about to use their deadly weapons= 'aheshwar and 8ashupat respectively$ <earing the
destructionE which these deadly weapons might have causedE Lord ,hiva maniested himsel in the
orm o KAnalstambaK (pillar o ire) between them$ BrahmaCi and VishnuCi had already released their
weapons= 'aheshwar and 8ashupat$ Both the weapons ell into that pillar o ire and got destroyed$
RBrahmaCi and VishnuCi were very surprised to see the pillar o ireE which was so enormous in siBe that
it reached the sky and penetrated down the earth$ VishnuCi transormed himsel into a boar and went to
the K8atalK (nether world) to ind the base o that K8illar o ireK$ But he was unsuccessul in his attempt
and came back$
,imilarly BrahmaCi transormed himsel into a swan and lew up in the sky to ind its limit$ 6hile going
through the aerial route he met a withered KKetakiK lowersE which had still some reshness and
ragrance let in it$R
RLord ,hiva smiled at the utile attempts o ,hri BrahmaCi and VishnuCi$ As a result o his smile the
Ketaki lower ell down rom the branch$ Ketaki lower told BrahmaCi that he had been present there
since the beginning o the creationE but was unable to know about the origin o that K8illar o ineK$ -he
lower also advised BrahmaCi against making any eort in that directionE as it would be o no use$R
RBrahmaCi then sought the help o Ketaki lower to give a alse witness beore lord VishnuE that he (BrahmaCi) had
been successul in seeing the limit o that pillar o ire$ Ketaki lower agreed$ Both o them went to VishnuCi and
BrahmaCi told him that he had seen the limit o that 8illar o ire$ Ketaki lower gave a witness$ VishnuCi accepted
the superiority o BrahmaCi$R
RLord ,hiva became very angry with BrahmaCi$ &e proceeded to punish BrahmaCi or his alsehood$ Lord
Vishnu reMuested Lord ,hiva to spare the lie o BrahmaCi$ Lord ,hiva became pleased with VishnuCi
and accorded him the same status as &at o his own$R
9$#$7 ,hiva %bliges Brahma
1andikeshwar continuing with the tale saidJ
RAter according same status to VishnuCi as that o his ownE Lord ,hiva opened his third eye rom it
maniested KBhairavK$ &e ordered Bhairav to kill BrahmaCi$ Bhairav severed the ith head o Lord
Brahma with his sword$ BrahmaCi became very terriied$ &e was trembling in ear$ Lord Vishnu elt pity
on his condition and reMuested Lord ,hiva to orgive him$
Lord ,hiva then stopped BhairavE but told Brahma$
RYou spoke untruth with a desire to become worshippable$ .t is my curse thatE you will not be
worshipped by anybody$ You will posses only our heads$R
BrahmaCi begged his orgiveness$ Lord ,hiva eeling pity on BrahmaCi gave him a boon o being the
presiding deity o all the yagya$ ,imilarly the Ketaki lower also prohibited rom being used during
worship$ But when Ketaki lower tendered his apology ,hiva gave blessing that it would be ortunate to
be oered to lord Vishnu during the worship$
9$#$) :onsecration o 'aheshwar
Lord Vishnu and Brahma made salutations to lord ,hiva and oered him a seat$ -hey then worshipped
him$ -his was the irst timeE Brahma and Vishnu had worshipped lord ,hiva$ ,hiva was very pleased$
,hiva=ratri has been continued to be celebrated since that day$ -his particular day is considered to be
the most auspicious day or the worship o Lord ,hiva$
A devotee who asts on ,hiv ratri remaining only on ruitsE attain virtues eMuivalent to the worship done
or the whole year$
-he idol o ,hiva is consecrated on this day$
Lord ,hiva has himsel told the deities that he had maniested in the orm o 8illar o <ireK in the month
o Agahan and during the constellation o Ardra$ &e also said=
R%ne who has my darshan on this day (,hivratri) or worships me in my orm o linga is dearer to me
than Kartikeya$ -he place whereE . maniested in the orm o 8illar o ire will become amous as
Lingasthan$ Because o its resemblance with the K'ountain o <ireKE it will also be known Arunachal$R
Later on ,hiva brought back to lie all the people who had died in the battleE ought between BrahmaCi
and VishnuCi$
9$#$/ %mkar
Lord ,hiva then preached BrahmaCi and VishnuCi on the ive duties (8anchakritya) saying that K,hrishtiK
(creation)E K,thithiK (position)E ,amhar (Annihilation)E -irobhav (:oncealment) and KAnugrahK (obligation
or kindness) are the ive duties by which this world unctions$
-he source o this world in K,argaK or 1ature$ -he establishment o this world is K,tithiK or position$ -he
tendency o this world to destroy is ,amhar or destruction$ -he eeling o absence o this world is
-irobhav or :oncealment and 'oksha or ,alvation is obligation or Anugrah$
Lord ,hiva then goes on to eGplain that the irst our duties like ,arga (1ature) etc help in the
nurturement o the world and the ith duty Anugrah is a giver o ,alvation$
Lord ,hiva also told them (BrahmaCi P VishnuCi) that he (,hiva) had blessed both o them to look ater
the two duties i$e$ ,hrishti and ,thiti$ "udra and 'ahesh have been entrusted with the Cob o ,anhar P
-iribhav$ R-he ith duty KAnugrahK has been kept by me$R ,aid ,hiva$
Ater describing about the allocation o the various dutiesE Lord ,hiva described the meaning o
K%'KA"K to them$ &e said that %'KA" signiied the world and contained the power o both ,hiva and
,hakti$ -his powerul mantra gives all kinds o worldly accomplishment as well as salvation$
Ater that Lord ,hiva initiated both BrahmaCi and VishnuCi with the %'KA"K mantra$ &e also preached
them on the importance o the worship o ,hivalinga$
9$#$#3 "ituals o ,hiva 6orship
%n the reMuest o the sagesE ,utCi describes about the methods o worshipping ,hiva Linga$ &e says
R%ne should construct a ,hivalinga either o mudE rock or metal and establish it in such a place where it
can be worshipped daily without any hindrance$R
R-he K:harK (mobile) Linga should be small in siBe and the ,thira (<iGed) linga should be large$ -he
Linga should be constructed along with the pedestal$ -he rule or constructing a ,hiva Linga has been
speciically described$ -he breadth o thickness o the Linga should be twelve times the thickness o the
devotees (one who is constructing the linga) ingerE while the length should be twenty=ive times$ Ater
establishing the linga in the above mentioned wayE it should be worshipped ater perorming the
,hodasopachar$ -he thumb also symbolise a ,hiva linga and its worship can be done$ 6hile
worshipping the ,hiva LingaE the mantra %' 1A'A& ,&.VAY should be continuously chanted$
:hanting this mantra or ive crore timesE helps a man in attaining to the abode o ,hiva$ 6orship o
,hiva done during the mid night is considered to be especially ructiying$
9$#$## ,acred 8ilgrimages o ,hiva
-here are numerous places o pilgrimages connected with ,hiva at the banks o river *anges and river
.ndus$ "iver ,araswati is considered to be a sacrosanct river and having an opportunity o living at its
banksE helps in attaining to the abode o Brahma$
,imilarlyE there are amous temples o Lord ,hiva at KashiE 1aimisharanyaE Badrikasharam and Kedar
etc$ -here are many temples o ,hiva at the banks o holy river like *angesE YamunaE ,araswatiE
*odavariE 1armadaE KaveriE ,arayuE -ungabhadra etc$ 6orshipping ,hiva at these places bestows
undiminishing virtues and liberates a man rom all o his sins$
9$#$#( :onduct o the respective :astes
%n the reMuest o the sagesE ,utCi described about the virtuous and invirtuous activities o a man
according to the respective castes be belong$ &e saidJ
RA brahmin who perorms the ritualsE as described in the VedasE only is entitled to be called a DwiCa$ A
brahmin who is not that proicient in the Vedas is called a KKshatriya brahminK$ A brahmin engaged in
agricultural activities and business is called a Vaishya=brahminK$ A brahmin who is in the habit o
condemning and criticiBing othersE is called a K,hudra=BrahminK$
RA Kshatriya who looks ater the welare o his subCects is called a kingE while the rest o them are known as
simply Kshatriya$ A Kshatriya who indulges in business is called a Vaishya Kshatriya$ ,imilarly a Kshatriya who
engages himsel in the service o the three superior castes = Brahmin Kshatriya and Vaishya is called a ,hudra
Kshatriya$
9$#$#0 -ypes o Dharma
Dharma is considered to be o two types=
#) Dharma perormed by matter and 'aterials$
() Dharma perormed by indulging in physical activities$
-he perormance o Yagya etc comes in the irst category$ 'aking pilgrimages o holy places comes in
the second category$ During the ,atya=YugaE meditation was the way to attain sel knowledge$ During
-reta=YugaE it was attained by penanceE during Dwapar Yuga it was attained by perorming KYagyaK
while in the present era o Kali YugaE idol worship is considered to be the means to achieve sel=
realiBation$ .nvirtuosity invites sorrow while virtuosity bestows Coy and happiness$
K-&+ .'8%"-A1:+ %< A*1.=YA*YAK -he sages then asked ,utCi about the Agniyagya Brahma
yagya and *uru 8uCa in order o importance$
,utCi said=
R8erorming KhavanK by oering matter and materials into the sacred ireE is called Agni yagya$ -his ritual
is especially meant or the brahmachari (:elibates)$ 8erorming havana during the evening time brings
prosperityE while perormance o havana during the morning times gives long lie$ 'aking sacriices to
the deities during the day time is called KDeva YagyaK$ A brahmin should perorm KBrahma yagya with
the help o the study o the Vedas$R
R<irst o all lord ,hiva adopted an auspicious day or himsel and named it ,unday$ Ater that he named
the ,iG remaining days o the week and attributed them to the ollowing deities respectively = 'onday
(Durga)E -uesday (,kand)E 6ednesday (Vishnu)E -hursday (Yama)E <riday (Brahma)E and ,aturday
(.ndra)$
6orshipping the deities on their respective days give peace properity and all kinds o accomplishments$
9$#$#4 Appropriate 8lace and -ime or 6orshipping ,hiva
.'8%"-A1:+ %< 8LA:+J
.n the Viddyeshwar ,amhita o ,hivapuranE describing about the importance o place and time or
worship o ,hiva says=
R6orshipping ,hiva at a pure place in a house gives appropriate ruitsE while worship done in a
cowshed gives virtueE which are ten=times more than the ormer one$ 6orshipping ,hiva at the banks o
a river givesE ten times more virtues than the second one$ 6orship o ,hiva done either in templeE
under the basil plant etc$ or at the banks o ,apt *angaE gives ten times more virtue than the third one$
. ,hiva is worshipped at the seashore than the ourth oneE while worshipping ,hiva on the peak o a
mountainE gives ten times more virtue than the ith one$ But worship done with a ully concentrates
mindE gives the best ruits$
.'8%"-A1:+ %< -.'+J During the ,atya=yuga perormance o Yagya and donations gave complete
results$ During the -reta=yuga it gave halE while in the present Kaliyuga it gives one=ourth results$
Virtuosity perormed with a pure heart does not go in vain$ -he other auspicious days in order o their
increasing importance are K,urya=,ankrantiKE -ula ,ankranti and 'esh=,ankrantiE Lunar eclipse and
,olar eclipse respectively$
9$#$#9 6orshipping the .dol o ,hiva
.t has been mentioned in the siGteenth chapter o Viddyeshwar ,amhita that all the desires o a man
are completely ulilledE i he worship even in earthen idol o ,hiva$ <or making an idol o ,hiva$ Day
should be acMuired rom the base o river E pondE well or any such other place$ .n this clay ragrant
powder and milk should be added to make it into a paste$ Ater the constructing o idol is completeE it
should be worshipped by all the siGteen types o rituals ,hodasopachar$
. the ,hiva Linga is constructed by somebody elseE then three KseraK o 1aivedya should be oered to
the deityE whereas i one himsel has constructed the ,hiva=Linga then the one=ourth o a K,eraK should
be oered$
. such an idol s worshipped or one thousand timesE then it helps a devotee in attaining to the
,atyaloka$ 8erorming KabhishekK o such an idol helps in sel=puriicationE oering ragrance gives
virtuesE 1aivedya increases the lie span and worshipping it with KDhoopK gives wealth and prosperity
respectively$
6orshipping the idol with a burning lamp gives knowledge to the devoteeE whereas oering beetel
leaves gives splendours$
A devotee who worships Lord ,hiva in the hindu month o 'agh and on Krishna :haturdashi achieves
longevity o lie$ BothE worldly pleasures and salvation are achieved by worshipping ,hiva$
6orshipping ,hiva in the hindu month o Kartik by going @apaE penance etc gives special ruits and the
devotee becomes ree rom all kinds o diseases$
. a devotee worships lord ,hiva on ,unday he becomes ree rom rebirth$
9$#$#; -he 'aCesty o 8ranav 8anchakshar
-he root sounds AkaarE 2kaarE 'akaarE Bindu and 1aadE which are ree rom the delusions and which
originates rom the mother 1ature are called 8ranav$ .t is o two typesJ=
a) *rossE b) ,ubtle$ (8ranav 'antra %' A1D %' 1A'A& ,&.VAYL
.t symboliBess the uniied power o ,hiva and ,hakti and destroyes all the sins o a man$ A man
desirous o worldly pleasures must chant the mantra K&rishva 8ranavK containing the three root sounds
AE 2E P 'aE which symboliBes BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh respectively$ %n the other hand a man
aspiring or the salvationE must chant the mantra KDeergha 8ranavK containing AE 2E 'aE 1aad and
Bindu$
Beore commencing the study o Vedas pronouncing %'KA" is a must$ By chanting K8ranavK or nine
crore times man becomes pure$ By chanting it or urther nine crore times a man develops a control
over natural orces like windE smell and earth etc$
-his 8ranav mantra is considered to be most powerul and helps a man to attain the abode o ,hiva$
9$#$#7 6orldly Bondage and ,alvation
.n the eighteen chapterE all the sages reMuested ,utCi to eGplain the meaning o bondages o lie and
,alvation
,utCi replied=
RBecause o the eight types o bondages which a man eels on this earthE the soul is also known as
R@eevaR$ -he @eeva becomes liberated only ater becoming ree rom these eight bondages$ -hese
eight bondages are = 1atureE .ntelligence Mualitative= ego and the 8anchatanmatras i$e$ ,oundE touchE
appearanceE taste and smell$
R+ach soul is binded by these eight aspects o the 1ature$ -he actions perormed as the result o these
bondages is called Karma$ A man reaps the ruits o his actions= 6hether good or evil$ &e either enCoys
pleasures or suers because o sorrowE due to this Karma$R -he soul takes rebirth in a cyclic was
binded by the eects o his Karmas$ -he eight :hakraK are nothing but the eight orms o the nature$
,hiva is beyond the reach o these eight chakrasE on the contrary he has ull control these eight
chakras$ ,o a man can become ree rom the bondages o this worldE only by worshipping ,hiva Linga$
-he linga is both gross as well as subtle$ -here are ive types o Linga on this earth$= ,6AYA'B&2
L.1*AE B.1D2 L.1*AE 8"A-.,-&.- L.1*AE :&A" L.1*AE *2"2 L.1*A$ A person desirous o
worldly pleasures should worship the cross ,hivalingaE where as one who is desirous o attaining
salvation must worship the subtle ,hiva linga$R
9$#$#) -he 6orship o 8arthiva Linga
,utCi then eGplains the greatness o worshipping a 8arthiva Linga=J
R8arthiva Linga is the most supreme among all the ,hiva=Lingas$ All the aspirtions o he deities as well as men
are ulilled by the worship o 8arthiv linga$ During the era o ,atyaE Cewel was considered to be o prime
importanceE where as during -retayuga and DwaparyugaE gold and mercury had the prime importance
respectively$ .n the present era o KaliE a 8arthiva Linga hold this place o honour$ -he worship o 8arthiva Linga
begets more virtues than even penance$ @ust as *anga among the riversE Kashi among the sacred places o
pilgrimagesE %mkar among all the mantras are considered to be superiorE .n the same way 8arthivalinga is
considered to the supreme among all the Linga$ 6orshippingE a 8arthiva linga with a K1ishkam bhavaK helps a
man to attain liberation$R
9$#$#/ 'ethods o 6orshipping 8arthiva Linga
+laborately describes about the methods o doing worship o 8arthiva LingaJ=
RAter becoming resh in the morningE a man should wear a rudraksha garland in his neck and apply
bhasma (Ash) on his orehead$ &e should then worship the 8arthiva Linga$ &e should chant the various
names o ,hivaE while worshipping the 8arthiva LingaE like &arE 'aheshwarE ,hambhuE ,hoolpaniE
'ahadevE etc$ Ater worshipping the 8arthiva LingaE it should be immersed in the riverE -hen the mantra
= %' 1A'A& ,&.VAY should be canted with complete devotion$ -his is the method which has been
described in the Vedas or the worship o 8arthiva Linga$R
9$#$(3 1umber o 8arthiva ,hivalingas
-he numbers o 8arthiva Linga dier according to oneKs desires$ <or eGample a man who is desirous o
learning and knowledge must worship one thousand 8arthiva Linga$ A man who is desirous o wealth
must worship$ %ne thousand ive hundred 8arthiva Lingas$ A man who is desirous o attaining salvation
must worship one crore 8arthiva Lingas$
8arthiva lingaE which is eMuivalent to the height measured by the our ingers and which has been established on
a beautiul pedestalE is considered to be the best$ 8arthiva Linga which is the hal o the above mentioned height
is considered to be K'ediumO and still hal than the second category is considered to be inerior 8arthiva Linga$ .t
is better and advisable to worship a single 8arthiva Linga dailyE because it is eMuivalent to the worship o the
whole world$ 1obody is barred rom worshipping ,hivaE eGcept the people whose ancestors had been cursed by
the sages like DadhichiE *autam$ ,uch people should also worship the eight idols (earthE waterE ireE airE skyE sunE
moon and the host) alongwith the 8arthiva linga$
A brahmin should worship 8arthiva linga as per the methods described in the vedas$ 6orship should be
doneE acing north$
9$#$(# .mportance o 1aivedya and Bilva Leaves
,utCi then described about the important o 1aivedya oered to Lord ,hiva$
RA devotee gets liberated rom all o his sins merely at the sight o the 1aivedyaE which have been
oered to lord ,hiva$ &e attains great virtues by having the 8rasada$R
A man must not accept the 8rasada i the worship have been done under supervision o a K:handalaKE but some o
the ,hivalingas like BaanlingaE ,iddhalinga and ,wayambhu Linga are eGceptions to this rule$ -he prasada which
has been oered to the ,hivalinga and remains lying on itE is prohibited rom havingE but the prasad which is not
touching the ,hivalinga should be accepted$
B.LVA (6%%D A88L+)=J Bilva ruit is considered to be a orm o lord ,hiva .tKs greatness has been
eulogiBed even by the deities himsel$ .t is believed that all the places o pilgrimagesE dwell in the Bilva=
lea$ Lord ,hiva is believed to have his abode in the roots o the Bilva tree$ A devotee who waters the
roots o the Bilva tree attain greater virtues than oering water to the deities o all the places o
pilgrimages$ ,imilarly a devotee who worships the roots o the Bilva tree attains to the abode o lord
,hiva$
9$#$(( -he 'aCesty o ,hiva?s 1ame
,utCi then goes on he eGplain the greatness o ,hivaKs name and the importance o Bhasm (Ash) and
rudraksha beads in his worship$
-he name o ,hiva is as sacred as *angesO ,imilarly KBhasmK and K"udrakshaK are as holy as river Yamuna and
,araswati respectively$ -hereore a devotee who possesses the name o lord ,hiva on his lipsE 6ho applies
Bhasm on his person and who wears a rudraksha in his neck attain the virtues similar to that o taking a bath in
the sangam$ .n the ancient timeE a king by the name o .ndrayumna got liberated rom the bondages o the worldE
Cust by chanting the name o ,hiva$
9$#$(0 -he .mportance o Bhasma in ,hiva?s 6orship
Bhasma are o two typesJ=
#) 'ahabhasma and () ,walpabhasma$
K,hrotaK (listener)E K,martO (rites according to the smritis) and Laukik (worldly) are considered to be the
'ahabhasma$ -here are many types o ,walpabhasma
K,hrotaK and K,martK are meant only or the brahmins$ <or the rest o the castesE KLaukik bhasmaK is appropriate$ A
brahmin must apply bhasmaE only ater initiating it with the mantras$ -he ashes which remains ater burning dry
cowdung is called Aagneya Bhasma$ Applying K-ripundaK on the orehead with the ashes ater the completion o
YagyaE is to the upanishad rituals like ,andhya and @apa should only be perormed ater applying tripunda on the
orehead$
9$#$(4 .mportance o "udraksha
"udraksha is very dear to lord ,hiva and hence all the sins o a man get destroyed i he chants the
name o Lord ,hiva using a "udraksha beads$ &e also attain salvation ater his death$ .t is believed
that the origin o "udraksha is connected with ,hiva penance$
%nce while ,adashiv was perorming his penanceE his eyes opened due to some disturbances$ &e was
so remorseul that tears rolled down rom his eyes$ -hese tear=drops are believed to be the origin o the
"udraksha trees$
"udraksha o speciic colours have been prescribed or dierent castes$ <or eGample a BrahminE a
KshatriyaE a Vaishya and a ,hudra have been instructed to put on "udraksha o white colourE red
colourE yellow colour and black colour respectively$
A person who wears eleven hundred "udraksha on his bodyE he unites with ,hiva$ "udrakshas are o
various types i$e$ +K'2K&A "2D"AK,&A (one opening) to rudraksha with ourteen openings$ +ach
type o rudraksha has speciic mantra and speciic deity connected with it$
/&! 6udra )amhita
-his :hapter contains #4/ sections$
9$($# ,hrishti=Khand
-he sages eGpress their desire o knowing about the maniestation o ,hiva and 2maE their marriage
and their lie as a householder and the other aspects o ,hivaKs divinity
,utCi narrated the story o 1aradKs attachment and lust = how they were ultimately destroyed$ &e also
narrated o 1aradKs deep desire to know about ,hiva$
9$($( Victory o 1arada over FKama?
%nce upon a time a 1arad was perorming a penance in the cave o &imalaya mountain$ .ndra becoming earul
sent Kamadev to obstruct his penance$ But Kamadeva was unsuccessul in his attempt as the place where
1arada was doing penance was the same place where Lord ,hiva did penance$ Ater the completion o his
penanceE 1arada became arrogant that he had deeated Kamadeva$ &e went to Kailash mountain and narrated
about his eat to Lord ,hiva$ 1arada was naVve not to realiBe the act hat is happened only because o the divine
power o ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva listened to his arrogant statement$ &e advised 1arada not to reveal this secret to anybody$
But 1arada went to Brahmaloka and boasted about his eet to Lord Brahma$
Lord Brahma listened to his boisterous statements and advised him not to reveal this to anybody$
But 1arada was not satisied$ &e wanted to give the news o his achievement to Lord Vishnu$ ,oE he
went to Lord VishnuKs abode and boasted about his eat o deeating Kamdeva$
Lord Vishnu with a desire to subdue his inlated egoE maniested his illusionary power with the blessings
o Lord ,hiva$
9$($0 1arada?s +go ,ubduedJ
6hile 1arada was returning rom Vaikuntha LokaE he saw a beautiul city$ -his city was ruled by a king
named ,heel1idhi$ -he king had a daughter and her ,wayamvar was being organised$ 1umerous
kings had arrived to take part in that ,wayamvar$ 1aradaE curiously entered the place were ,wayamvar
was being held$ -he king reMuested 1arada to study the lines o the palm o the princess$ 1arada was
inatuated by the princess beauty$ &e returned back to Lord Vishnu and eGpressed his desire o
marrying that princess$ &e also reMuested VishnuCi to make him as handsome as himsel (Vishnu)$
Lord Vishnu made 1aradaKs whole body very beautiul eGcept his ace$ 6hich he made like a monkey$ 1arada
being unaware o this happily went back to ,wayamvar site$ 1arada sat among the kings = his ace resembling
like a monkey Lord Vishnu too was present there$ -he princess saw 1aradE whose ace was looking like a
monkey$ ,he was amused$ 2ltimately she put the garland around the neck o Lord Vishnu and went to Vaikuntha
Loka alongwith him$
,ome o the ,hivaKs gana too were present there in the guise o a brahmin$ -heir names were 'arud
ganas$ 6hen they saw 1arada to see the relection o his ace in the water$
6hen 1arada saw his ace in the waterE he saw that he was looking like a monkey$ &e became very
urious and cursed the 'arudganas to be the born as demonsE even though being brahmins by birth$
<urious 1arada then went to Lord Vishnu and cursed him= RYou too would suer due to separation rom
your wieE during your incarnation o "am and the monkey would come to your help$
9$($4 Vishnu 8reaches 1aradJ
Lord Vishnu accepted 1aradaKs curse without any hesitation$ &e then removed the illusionary powers
by which 1aradasK mind was inluenced 1owE 1arada regretted his actions$ Lord Vishnu told 1arada
that everything happened because o ,hivaKs divine illusions$
RYou did not pay heed to his advice and hence ,hiva by his illusionsE has taught you a lesson$ ,hiva is beyond
the reach o the three basic Mualities=,atvaE "aCo and -amas$ -hereore you must worship and contemplate on
the name o ,hiva$ All o your sins will be destroyed$
Ater preaching 1aradaEE Lord Vishnu vanished rom his sight$ 1arada then descended down to earth
and while having darshan o numerous ,hivalingasE he saw two o the 'arudganasE whom he had
cursed$ &e told both o them that they would take birth rom a giantessKs wombE but their ather would
be sages$ &e also told them that they would become very amous due to their devotionE 1arad went to
lord Brahma and reMuested him to tell about the divinity o ,hiva$
9$($9 BrahmaCi 8reaches 1aradJ
%n 1aradKs reMuest BrahmaCi said=
RDuring the period o 'ahapralaya (<inal annihilation) nothing eGistE eGcept ,hiva$ -he power which ,hiva
maniested rom his own sel came to be known as Ambika$ -his Ambika is understood to be the cause o the
whole world as well as the 1ature$ Lord ,hiva then created a ,hivalokaE which is known as Kashi$ .t is the abode
o ,hiva and 8arvati$ A man who makes a pilgrimages o Kashi attains salvation$
9$($; -he %rigin o Vishnu
Lord ,hivaE elt the need o somebodyE who could look ater the creation in his absenceE as he wanted
to retire along with Ambika at Kashi$ -he uniied energy o ,hiva and AmbikaE resulted into a radiant
physical orm o a child$ -he child asked ,hiva about his name and purpose o his being$
Lord ,hiva named the child as Vishnu and advised him to do a penance which would help him to attain all kinds
o accomplishment$ &e then oered him the knowledge o VedasE through his breath$ <or this reason it has been
said=
RYA,YA 1.,&VA,.-A' V+DA& R
'eaningJ 6hose eGhaled air is Veda$
Vishnu ollowed the instruction o ,hiva and did a tremendous penance or twelve yearsE but still he
was not successul in having a darshan o lord ,hiva or the second time$ &e became worried$ &e
heard a heavenly voiceE instructing him to do urther penance$
Vishnu then recommenced his penance$ .t continued or many days$ By the blessings o ,hivaE
numerous ountain o streams errupted rom his bodyE which spread in all directions in the orm o
Brahma$ VishnuCi was very pleased to see that stream$ &e went to sleep in that streams due to which
he also came to be known as K1arayanK$ %ne who has his abode in the water$ Ater thatE all the ive
elements maniested rom his sel$ -he three Mualities= ,alvaE "aCos and -amas as well as the ego
maniested rom his body$ ,imilarlyE ive -anmantras (,ubtle orm o matter)E 8anchabhuta (,ky waterE
airE ire and earth) and ultimately ive sense organs and ive organs o action also maniested rom$
Altogether twenty=our types o element maniested rom the body o ,hri Vishnu$
9$($7 %rigin o BrahmaCi
BrahmaCi told 1arad=
R6hile VishnuCi was sleeping in the waterE a lotus lower maniested rom the navel o Vishnu according to the
wish o ,hiva$ %n that lotus was seated with our heads$ . did not see anything eGcept that lotus lower$ . had a
desire to know about my identity$ ,o . entered into the hollow tubular stalk o that lotus lowerE but . was not able
to ind the source$ . returned back to the same place$ ,uddenly . heard a voice which instructed me to do
penance$ . did a tremendous penance or twelve years with a desire to know about my creator$ Being pleased with
meE lord Vishnu maniested beore me with in his :haturbhuC ormE but . could not identiy himE being inluenced by
the illusionary power o ,hiva$ . Muarreled with him$R
9$($) Dispute Between BrahmaCi P VishnuCi
R. asked him as to who he was$ VishnuCi replied that he was the uliller o all o his desires$ But . replied to him
that . only was the creatorE nurturer and the supreme soul o this world$ VishnuCi became angry and said that
undoubtedly . (Brahma) was the creator o this worldE but he (Vishnu) was the oneE who had created me (Brahma)
and the whole world$ VishnuCi also ordered me to take his reuge and promised to protect me$ But being an
ignorant . did not believe him$ A ierce battle was ought between both o us$ A ,hiva linga maniested between us
to end the battle$ 6e reMuested that ,hivalinga to show its real identity$ -hat ,hivalinga had destroyed our pride$R
9$($/ ,habda=Brahma
6e heard a sound %'$ 6e became curious to know the origin o that sound$ VishnuCi saw a letter KAK towards the
south o that ,hivalinga$ &e also saw the letters K2K and K'K centre towards the north o the ,hivalinga and in its
centre respectively$ &e also saw the mantra K%'KE which was daBBling like a ,un$ -here was no beginning and
end to this mantra %'$ As we were making eorts to know about its originE suddenly ,hiva appeared in the orm
o a sage$ &e gave us the knowledge regarding %'$ &e also revealed to us that . originated rom the letter KAKE
VishnuCi originated rom letter K2K and ,hiva himsel originated rom letter '$ -he letter A signiies creationE 2
,igniies nurturement and ' signiies salvation$
-he three letters AE V P ' also symboliBes the basic causes o creation$ A or brahma also symboliBes
the semenE 2 or Vishnu symboliBes the Vagina and the sound o %' is 'aheshwar= the combined
sound o AE 2 and '$ All the three united rom which maniested a golden egg$ -his golden egg
remained submerged in the water or one thousand years$ -he almighty then cut that egg into two
halvesE rom which appeared heaven and +arth$ 6e also saw the divine beauty o 'aheshwar$R
9$($#3 ,habda=Brahma -anu
-hen we saw all the vowels and consonants emanating rom the physiMue o 'ahadeva$ VishnuCi saw the orty
eight letters within %'KA"E which in act were the two ollowing mantras= R-A-82"2,&AY V.DDYA'A&+
'A&AD+VAY D&.'A&.E -A11% "2D"A& 8"A:&%DAYA-$R And R-A-,AV.-2"VA"+1YA' B&A"*%
D+VA,YA D&.'A&. D&.Y% Y%1A& 8"A:&%DAYA-$R
RAter that we also received the 'ahamrityunCay mantras like K%' @%%' ,A&RE R&"A2' &".' @%%' ,A&R and
R-"AYA'BAKA' YA@A'A&+R$ Ater that we received the ive lettered mantra R%' 1A'A& ,&.VAYRE the
chintamani mantra KK,&A'YA2'KE the dakshinamurti mantra = R%' 1A'% B&A*A6A-+ DAK,&.1A'2"-AY+
'A&YA' '+*&A' 8"AYA:&:&&A ,6A&A$ At last we received the great mantra -A-VA'A,.$ VishnuCi was
so enchanted by this mantra that he started chanting this mantra$ 6e then prayed to ,hiva=the creatorE the
nurturer and the destroyer$
9$($## ,hiva +nlightens Brahma P Vishnu
R,hiva became very pleased with both o us$ &e preached us the contents o Veda$ ,hiva told VishnuCi about the
methods by which his (,hivaKs) worship could be done$ &e revealed to us that VishnuCi actually had maniested
rom the let portion o his ,hivaKs body and mysel rom the right portion o his body$ &e also blessed us that he
would maniest his incarnation o "udra rom our body and also that the purpose o this incarnation would be to do
annihilation$ Lord ,hiva revealed to us that his consort 2maE was in act mother 1ature and her power in the
incarnation o ,araswati would be my consort$ LaGmiE who would also maniest rom the nature would be the
consort o Vishnu$R
9$($#( Age o BrahmaE Vishnu P "udra
BramhaCi told 1aradaJ
RLord ,hiva inormed us that my day consists o our thousand eras and similarly my night too consists o our
thousand eras$ ,ince a month consists o thirty days and a year consists o twelve months$ .n this way my age
was iGed to be o one hundred years$ %ne day o Vishnu is eMuivalent to one year o Brahma$ VishnuKs age too
was iGed to be o one hundred years$ -he day o "udra is eMuivalent to one year o Vishnu and his age also was
iGed to be o one hundred years$
9$($#0 -he 'ethods o 6orshipping ,hiva
%n the reMuest o the sagesE ,utCi retold the preaching which had been narrated by BrahmaCi to 1arad$
Describing the method o ,hiva worship he says=
RA devotee should get up early in the morning and contemplate on ,hivaE who gives benediction$ Ater thatE he
should inish his daily routing work and perorm rituals like K,andhyaK and Vandana etc$ Ater thatE he should
worship ,hivalinga according to vedic rites like 8anchopacharE ,odashopachar etc$ &e should also perorm
KAbhisekaK with various oerings$ At lastE the should beg pardon or his sins$R
9$($#4 AcMuiring o ,hiva Lingas by the Deity
%nceE BrahmaCi went to KKshirsagarK (the abode o Vishnu) accompanied by the deities and asked lord
Vishnu how a man could be liberated rom his sorrows$ Lord Vishnu told them that this obCective could
be met b worshipping ,hiva=Linga$
All the deitiesE then prayed to lord ,hivaE who ater becoming pleased instructed KVishwakarmaK to construct a
,hivalinga or them$ Vishwakarma then made a ,hivalinga or KuberE a ,hivalinga o yellow diamond or
DharmaraCE a ,hivalinga o dark coloured diamond or VarunE a ,hivalinga o .ndraned diamond or Vishnu and a
goldden ,hivalinga or BrahmaCi$ ,imilarly Vishwadeva was given a ,hivalinga made up o silverE the Ashwini
Kumars were given ,hivalinga made up o bronBeE LaGmi was given a ,hivalinga made up o :rystal (,phatik)E
,un=god was given a ,hivalinga made o copper and the moon was given a ,hivalinga made o pearl$
9$($#9 'ethods o 6orshipping ,hiva Linga
BrahmaCi has described the ollowing methods or the worship o ,hivalinga=
RAter perorming the rituals like KAachamanK and 8ranayam a devotee should apply a tripunda on his orehead
and wear a rudraksha on his body$ Ater the study o ,hanti=path and the perormance o Devata=1amaskarE he
should make a resolution i he has any wish to be ulilled$ -hen the worship o ,hivalinga should be doneE with
the help o 'ahima=,tavan and oering lowers to the ,hivalinga$ -he purity o the mantras should be maintained
while chanting them$
9$($#; -he Virtues o 6orshipping ,hiva 'ethodically
.t has been mentioned in the ,hivapuran that making oerings in the orm o lotusE ,hatapatraE E ,hankhapushpiE
the leaves o wood apple treeE helps a man in attaining wealth and prosperity$ <or becoming ree rom diseaseE
ity lotus lowers should be oered to the ,hivalinga$ 'rityunCay=@ap should be chanted or ive lac timesE or all
types o accomplishment$ %ne lac dhatura=ruits should be oered or long lieE worldly=pleasureE as well as or
attaining salvation$
9$($#7 -he %rigin o Kailash P Vaikunth
BrahmaCi revealed to 1arad how the process o creation commenced=
RAter Lord ,hiva vanished rom our sightE . transormed mysel into the appearance o a swan and
VishnuCi transormed his appearance into that o a boar with the purpose o commencing the process o
creation$ <irst o allE . created the water$ . poured a palmul o water into it and an egg maniested which
consisted o all the twenty our elements$ -his egg was very enormous in siBe which made me
conused$ . did penance or twelve years$ VishnuCi appeared beore me$ . reMuested him to bring that
egg to consciousness$ VishnuCi entered into that egg$ As a result o thisE Kailash mountainE and all the
seven worlds came into eGistence$ Ater that the static living things were createdE which symboliBed the
dark Muality (-amogun)$ Ater that . created our ooted animals like cows and %G etc$ inspite o these
creationsE . was not satisiedE so . again went into meditation$
As a result the deities were created which symboliBed the virtuous Muality (,atoguna)$ %nce again . meditated and
the human species came into eGistenceE which symboliBed the medium Muality ("aCoguna)$ 6ith the permission o
Lord ,hivaE . then created spirits like ghosts etc$ Ater that . created my ive 'anasputras= ,anakE ,anadan etc$
But they were so ascetic and detached rom the world that they showed their disinclination in contributing in the
process o creation$ -his made me angryE tears rolled down rom my eyes$ 6ith the permission o VishnuCiE . did a
tremendous penance to have a darshan o lord ,hiva$
9$($#) -he +mergence o "udra=Avatar
BrahmaCi said to 1aradJ
R6hen . accomplished my penanceE Lord ,hiva maniested in his incarnation o "udra rom in between the
eyebrows$ &al o his body resembled like that o a woman (Ardhanarishwar)$ . reMuested him help me in my
creational activities$ "udra created his hosts ("udragana) who resembled like him$ . reMuested him to create the
mortalsE to which he laughed and saidE that he liberated mortals rom their sorrowE so how could he asten them
with bondages$ "udra reMuested me to create the mortals and then he vanished$
9$($#/ :reation
8reaching 1arad on the essence o ,hivatattvaE BrahmaCi said=
R6ith the permission o ,hivaE . created the ive basic elements rom which the matter is made and also
all types o arts$ . also created the time$ Despite all these creationsE . was not satisied$ . created sage
'arichi rom my eyesE ,age Bhrigu rom my heartE ,age Angira rom my headE ,age 8ulaha rom my
Vyan VayuE ,age 8ulatsya rom my 2dan VayaE ,age Vashishth rom my ,aman VayuE ,age Kratu
rom my Apan VayuE ,age Atri rom my earE Daksha 8raCapati rom my vital air You (1arad ) maniested
rom my lap$ ,age Kardam and Dharma maniested rom my ,hadow$ -hen . divided my body into two
partsE and rom each o the two parts$ 'anu and ,hatarupa maniested respectively$ Both o them got
married and in this way commenced the conCugal creation$ 8riyavrata and 2ttanpad were the two sons
born to them$ ,hatarupa also gave birth to three daughters whose names were Aakuti Devahuti and
8rasuti$ ,age "uchi was married to AakutiE ,age Kardam was married to Devahuti and Daksha
8raCapati was married to 8rasuti$ ,age Yagya and Dakshina were born to sage "uchi and Aakuti$R
R1umerous daughters were born to sage Kardam and Devahuti$ ,imilarly twenty=our daughters were
born to Daksha and 8rasuti$ Daksha married thirteen o his dhauthers to Dharma$
-he rest o his daughters were married to sages like 8ulastya etc$ All the three worlds are inhabited by
the progenies o these sages$ -he same Daksha 8raCapati had siGty daughters in another KalpaE who
were married to sages like Kashyap$ +tc$ .n this KalpaE K,ati was one o his daughters who was married
to Lord ,hiva$ K,atiK being distressed by the disrespect sown by her ather=DakshaE to her husband=
,hivaE had given up her lieE by Cumping into the sacriicial ire$ .n her neGt birth she was born as 8arvati
and was again married to ,hiva$ -his wayE . created this world with the permission o ,hiva$R
9$($(3 *unanidhiE -he Brahmin?s ,on
1aradCi asked lord BrahmaE when did lord ,hiva make Kailash as his abode and what was the reason
o riendship between ,hivaCi and Kubera$ BrahmaCi narrated the ollowing story= v -here used to live a
brahmin by the name Yagyadutt in KampilyanagarE who was proicient in the perormance o
,omyagya$ &e had a son named *unanidhi$ -hough he was a scholar but at the same time he was
irreligious and kept bad company$ &e used to indulge in evil activities like gambling$
&is ather = Yagyadutt was unaware o his evil activities$ 6henever he asked his wie about *unanidhi
habits and conductE his wie used to tell lies and praised the conduct o *unamidhi$ -hus *unamidhiKs
condition became worst day by days$
Yagyadutt married *unanidhi with a girl belonging to a well to do amily$ But his habits had not
changed$ &is mother tried her best to make him understandE but it was o no avail$
%ne day Yagyadutt sawE a gambler wearing his ring$ &e asked him about that ring$ -he gambler told
him that his son = *unanidhu had lost it to himE in the gamble$ &e also inormed him that he had also
lost numerous ornaments and other properties in the gamble$
Yagyadutt became very angry$ &e married with another woman ater abandoning his wie and son$
9$($(# *unanidhi?s ,alvation
6hen *unadhi came to know about his atherKs second marriageE he moved to another placeE cursing
his ate$ &e kept on walking till he became tired$ &e sat under a tree and started thinking about his
urther course o action$ &e heart was ull o remorse and he repented or his past actions$ As his mind
was engrossed in such kind o thoughts$ &e saw somw villages going towards temple$ -hey were
carrying prasad in their hands$
R,ince *unanidhi was hungryE he ollowed them and ater reaching the temple he sat at the main gate
o the temple$ .1 the nightE ater the accomplishment o the 8uCanE the devotees went to sleep$
*unanidhi entered the premise went to sleep$ *unanidhi entered the premise o the temple$ -he lame
o the lamp was gradually becoming dim as the result o which he could not see properly$ &e tore some
pieces o clothE he was wearing and made a thick wick and put it in the lamp$ 1ow the light was
suicient to enable him to see whatever had been oered to the deity$R
R&e carried as much ruits and other eatables as possible and tried to sneak out rom the temple$
2nortunatelyE he dashed against a devotee woke up and chased him shouting thie=thie$R
R&earing his cries all the other devotees woke up and caught *unanidhi$ &e was given such a nice
thrashing that proved to be atal and as a result *unanidhi died$R
-he YamadutKs arrived to take his soul to yamloka$ But right thenE the ,hivaganas arrived and
prevented the Yamadutas rom carrying his soul$ -hey inormed the Yamdutas that *unanidhi was
entitled or ,hivaloka as he had devoutly observed the ,hivaratri astE had listened to the tales o ,hiva
and lighted up the lamp which was about to go o$ -he ,hivaganas also inormed the Yamadutas thatE
in his neGt birth *unamidhi would become the king o Kalinga$R
R.n this way *unanidhi attained to ,hivaloka$ .n his neGt birth he was born as a son o king Arindam= the king o
Kalinga$ &e was named as Dama$R R6hen he was still youngE his atherArindam dies$ ,o Dama succeeded him
as the king o Kalinga$ &e renovated all the ,hiva=templeE which came under his Curisdiction and passed a
stricture which made the worship o lord ,hiva compulsory or all the subCects$ By the blessings o lord ,hivaE he
became the king o Alkapuri and was known as Kubera$R
9$($(( ,hiva Blesses *unanidhi
RDuring the 8adma kalpaE ,age Vishrawa was born to sage 8ulastya= the manasputra o lord Brahma$
VishrawaKs son = Vishrawan ruled over Alkapuri or a long time$ -his city was constructed by the deity
Vishwakarma$ Vishrawan was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva$R RDuring the kalpa named 'eghawahanE
*unanidhi did a tremendous penance or ten lac years$ As a result o this penance his body was
reduced to skelton$R
RLord ,hiva became very pleased with him and appeared beore himE accompanied by his consort
8arvati$ &e told *unanidhi to ask or any boonE which will be ulilled$R R6hen *unanidhi heard ,hivaKs
Voice he opened his eyesE but his eyes were daBBled by the sheer radiance o lord ,hiva$ &e reMuested
,hiva to restore the power o sight in his eyes$ ,hiva blessed himE as a result o which he was now able
to see the divine sight o lord ,hiva$ But he became Cealous o 2maE who was present by the side o
,hiva$ &e was wondering as to who was this ladyE dearer to ,hiva than him$ &e glanced cruelly
towards her$ As a result o this his let eye lost the power o sight$R R8arvati asked lord ,hiva as to why
was this sage (*unanidhi) looking cruelly towards her$ ,hiva replied= R&e is none other than your son$
&e is looking at you in astonishment as he his bewildered at the eats achieved your penance$R RLord
,hiva then blessed *unanidhi to become the king o the kings$ &e also assured him that he will always
be present in the vicinity o Alkapuri$ Ater being blessed by ,hivaE *unanidhi also made salutations to
8arvati$
8arvati said=
R,ince you have looked at me angrily your hatred and enemity (Bair) towards me was clearly visible$
<or this reason you will be known as Kubers$R Ater blessingsE *unanidhi both ,hiva and 8arvati to a
place called Vaishveshwar$ Kailash mountain was situated near Alka1agri$
9$($(0 ,hiva goes to Kailash
6hen "udra = the Ansha o the Almighty brahmaE heard about the tremendous penanceE Kubera was
doing he started to play his KdamaruK (drum)E the sound o which reached all the three worlds$ "udra
then reached the place where Kubera was doing penance$R
R&earing the sound o his damaruE all the deities including BrahmaE Vishnu and ,adashia appeared
beore him$R
R6hen Kubera saw lord "udra beore himselE he oered his seat to him and worshipped him$ &e also
worshipped the other deities$ "udra was so pleased with Kubera that he decided to stay near him$ &e
called Vishwakarma and ordered him to conduct his abode at Kailash mountainE so that he could live in
could live in the vicinity o his great devotee=Kubera$ Kubera constructed a beautiul city as per his
instruction$ An auspicious moment was chosen and ,hiva went to live at Kailash mountain$ &e was
coronated by the deities$R
BrahamaCi in this way told 1arada about ,hivaKs departure to Kailash mountain$
,A-. K&A1D
.n the ,ati Khand o "udra=,amhitaE 1arada enMuires lord Brahma about the reasonE why lord ,hiva
married ,atiE inspite o being a KyogiK$ &e also reMuested BrahmaCi to tellE how ,ati became the daughter
o Daksha 8raCapati and in her neGt birth as 2ma the daughter o &imalaya$ &ow did 2ma get lord
,hiva as her husbandN= asked 1arada
Lord Brahma narrated the ollowing tale=
RA girl by the name o ,andhya maniested rom my being$ . was amaBed by her heavenly beauty$ "ight then a
divine entity appeared beore meE whose beauty could not have been matched even by the deities$ &e was
Kamadeva= the god o love$ &e inluenced me to such an eGtent that . orgot that ,nadhya was my daughter and
got inatuated by her$R
R6hen "udra came to know about my lust or ,andhyaE he admonished me and ridiculed about my
character$ . elt ashamed$ But . also became Cealous o "udra$ . decided to inluence him with the power
o inatuationE but . was unsuccessul in my attempts$ . remembered lord Vishnu and he tried to make
me understand about the utility o my attemptsE as according to him (Vishnu)E "udra was beyond the
reach o any human emotions$R
RBut . instructed my son = Daksha to help in the procreation o a girl child rom the womb o
Ashwinivirini$ -hus ,ati was born$ ,ati later on became amous o 2ma and got "udra as her husband
on account o her tremendous penance$R
R-hough "udra was ree rom all kinds o attachmentE but still he became so inluenced by the desire
or procreation that he married with ,ati$ &e enCoyed a blissul married lie or a very long time$R
R"udra ather in lawE Daksha in his arrogance started condemning his son in law ="udra$ %nceE Daksha
organised a grand yagya ceremony$ &e gave invitation to everybody eGcept "udra and 2ma$ Despite o
"udraKs disinclination to allow ,ati to go to her atherKs yagyaE ,he insisted and ultimately she was
successul in convincing "udraE to allow her to go$R
R6hen ,ati reached thereE she was not given respect by her ather=Daksha$ 1ot only thisE Daksha
made un o "udra$ <eeling dishonouredE ,ati gave up her lie by Cumping into the sacriicial ire$R
R6hen "udra got the news o ,atiKs death he became eGtremely urious$ -o take revengeE he created
Veerbhadra rom his locks o hair$ Veerbhadra went to Daksha place and destroyed his oblation site$
&e severed DakshaKs head$ All the deities became araid and prayed to "udraE to have mercy$ "udra
then brought back Daksha to lie and helped him the accomplished o the still incomplete Yagya$ -he
site where ,ati had died later on became amous as @walamukhi devi$R
R-he same ,ati in her neGt birth was born as 8arvati to &imalaya$ By her tremendous penance she
again got lord ,hiva as her husband$
Ater that lord Brahma told 1arada about the maniestation o Kama = the god o love$
9$($(4 -he 'aniestation o FKama?
R6hen . became inatuated by the divine beauty o ,andhyaE my inatuation resulted into the maniestation o my
another 'anas=putra named Kamadeva$ &is beauty and Mualities were incomparable$ &is maniestation not only
inlicted me with lustE but also my other 'anasputras became illed up with lust$ Kamadeva made salutations to
me and asked as to what was his name and purpose o being$ . gave him the name K8ushpavanK and instructed
him to help in the process o procreation$ . also blessed him that nobody would remain unaected by his inluence
including mysel and VishnuCi$R
9$($(9 Brahma :urses Kamadeva
Ater being named by lord Brahma as K8ushpavanKE Kamadeva was also given various names as
'anmathE KamaE 'adan etc by sages like 'areechE etc$ -hey also said to him that he would be
married to K"atiK the daughter o Daksha$
Kamadeva himsel was inatuated with the beauty o ,andhya$ -o test the authenticity o BrahmaKs
boonE Kamadeva took out his ive arrows and wanted to eGamine their power$ -he names o their
arrows were &arshanE "ochanE 'ohanE ,hoshan and 'aran$
-hese arrows had eect on all the people present there including lord Brahma and ,andhya$ *etting
aected by those arrowsE ourty nine types o thoughts emerged in BrahmaKs mind$ ,imilarlyE laws
were clearly visible in ,andhyaKs behaviour$
Kamdeva became convinced o his powers and capabilities$ But Dharma = the manasputra o Brahma
was saddened by this event$ &e prayed to lord ,hiva$
6hen Lord ,hiva saw the condition o BrahmaCiE he became amused and made un o him and his
'anasputras$ +verybody was ashamed$
Due to his shameE BrahmaCi perspired prousely$ <rom his perspiration were created the 8itraganas$
,imilarly rom the perspiration o Daksha 8raCapati was created the most beautiul woman="ati$
BrahmaCi was very angry with Kamadeva because o whom he was ridiculed by ,hiva$ &e cursed him
and said= RYou would be charred to death by the arrow o ,hiva$R
Kamadeva became very scarred and said that he was only testing the authenticity o his boon and he
had no other evil intention$ &e also reMuested BrahmaCiE not to curse him$
<eeling 8ity on himE BrahmaCi consoled him thatE although he would deinitely get killed by the arrow o
,hivaKs sightE yet he would regain his physical body as soon as ,hiva getKs married$ Lord Brahma then
went to Brahmaloka$
9$($(; Kama 'arried "ati
Daksha reMuested Kamadeva to get married with his daughter = "ati$ Kamadeva was very pleased at this
proposal$ Both Kamadeva and "ati got married$
9$($(7 ,andhya does 8enance
,andhya was very ashamed o hersel$ <or the atonement o her sin she decided to do penance$ ,he
went to :handrabhaga mountain and commenced her tremendous penance$
Lord Brahma then instructed Vashishtha to go to her in disguise and help in getting her initiated$ &e went to
:handrabhaga mountain in the guise o a brahmin and gave the mantra = %' 1A'A& ,&A1KA"AYA %' to her
and also told her the methods o doing worshipE then he returned back$
9$($() ,andhya "eceives a Boon rom ,hiva
Ater sage Vashishtha who was disguised as brahmin went away$ ,andhayd did penance as per his
instructions$ Ater the passing o one :haturyugaE she had a darshan o lord ,hiva$
,hiva being pleased by her devotion asked her to demand anything$ ,andhya said=
R1obody should have lust towards the member o his own clan$ -here should e no virtuous and chaste woman
greater then me in this whole world$ Anybody other than my husband who looks at me with evil intentions become
an impotent man$R
Lord ,hiva blessed her by saying=
K+VA'A,-2LK
Lord ,hiva then categorised the lie=span o a man into our parts = :hildhoodE adolescenceE youth and
old age$ &e than told her that it was written in her destiny to die by burning$ &e also advised her to go
and surrender her body in the sacriicial ire o the yagyaE perormed by 'edhatithi$ RBeore Cumping into
the sacriicial ireE Cust remember anybodyE whom you want as your husbandE and your wish would be
ulilled in your neGt birthE 6hen you would take birth as a daughter o Daksha 8raCapati$ Your ather=
Daksha 8raCapati would marry his (7 twenty daughter to 'oonE but the moon would have aection only
towards "ohini and rest o his wives would be neglected by him$ <or this reason he would be cursed by
Daksha$ All the deities would take your reuge$R
Ater blessing ,andhya in the way lord ,hiva went back to Kailash mountain$
9$($(/ ,andhya?s Birth P her 'arriage with ,age Vashistha
6hen lord ,hiva went away$ ,andhya got up and went to the place where 'edhatithi was perorming
his yagya$ ,he made a mental resolution to have that brahmin as her husbandE who in reality was
vashishtha and then entered into the sacriicial ire$ -he ire o the yagya burnt her body and carried it ti
the solar=systemE where it was divided by the sun=god into three parts and established in his chariot$
-he names o these three parts were 8ratah=,andhyaE 'adhyanha=,andhya and ,ayam ,andhya$
,andhya Vital orce was absorbed by lord ,hiva$
6hen the yagya endedE the sages were surprised to see the presence o a girlE who was radiating like
gold in the sacriicial ire$ -hey took out that girl child rom that yagya=kunda$ -he sages then brought
up that girl with love and aection$ ,he was named Arundhati$
6hen she attained the age o iveE Brahma Vishnu and 'ahesg arrived and married her with Vashishth$ Arundhati
enCoyed a happy lie and became amous or her chastity$
9$($03 Appearance o ,pring ,eason (Vasant "itu)
BrahmaCi told 1arada that since the day he was hermiliated by ,hivaE he had grudges against him and wanted to
take revenge$ R. wanted to subdue the arrogance o ,hiva by proving it to him that even he could be binded by
attachment$ . asked Daksha and sages like 'areech as to how this eat could be achieved$ As a result K"atiK and
KKamaK maniested$ . instructed Kama to inluence ,hiva by his powers$ Kama agreed but reMuested me to create
a suitably divine women or ,hiva$ 'ysel and Daksha became worried and during that time we eGhaled ragrant
air through our nostrilsE which resulted into the creation o spring season$ -he spring season was looking divinely
beautiul in her physical orm$ . handed over her to Kama and thus all the three o them (spring seasonE Kama and
"ati) went to inluence lord ,hiva who was in his deep state o meditation$
9$($0# -he :reation o 'arganas and Kama?s <utile Attempts
Kama tried his best to bring lord ,hiva under his inluence$ All the living creatures were spell bound by
his powers eGcept lord ,hiva and *anesha$
Kama returned back to BrahmaCi ad told him about his unsuccessul attempts$ BrahmaCi sighed heavily$
<rom his sighes were created the erocious ganas$ -hese ganas were shouting KKaray='arayKK(Kill=Kill)$
-hey eve tried to attack lord BrahmaE Kama then paciied the anger o these ganas$ -hese ganas were
named as 'aar$
Lord Brahma then sent these ganas to ,hiva along with Kama and "ati to give it a second try$ %nce again their
attempts went utile$ All o them returned to lord Brahma and eGpressed their inability in inluencing ,hiva$
9$($0( Dailogue Between Brahma P Vishnu
Lord Brahma then remembered VishnuCiE who appeared instantaneously$ BrahmaCi revealed about his
intentions to him$ LordVishnu told him that it was oolishness on his part to have enemity towards
,hiva$ But when lord Brahma kept on insistingE he revealed to him that this could be only achieved by
the blessings o *oddess 8arvati$ Lord Vishnu said=
R. she becomes pleased with youE then she could help you in achieving your goal by taking birth in a human orm
and having ,hiva as her husband$ .nstruct Daksha to do penance so that 8arvati takes birth in his house$R
9$($00 *oddess Durga
Ater lord Vishnu went awayE Lord Brahma started meditating on the orm o goddess Durga$ ,he
appeared beore him$ Lord Brahma said=
R. need your help in binding ,hiva with your maya$R
*oddess Durga told BrahmaCi that Lord ,hiva in his incarnation o "udra was beyond the reached o
any kind o 'aya$ But when BrahmaCi kept in insisting then goddess Durga agreed to help him in his
eort$ ,he said=
R. will take birth as the daughter o Daksha 8raCapati and try to please him by my penance$R
Ater assuring Lord Brahma she vanished$ Lord Brahma too went to his abode$
9$($04 Daksha 6orships Devi
6ith the permission o lord BrahmaE Daksha did penance or three thousand years$ As a result goddess
@agdamba appeared beore him$ ,he blessed him by saying that she would take birth as his daughter and by her
tremendous penance would attain "udra as her husband$ But she warned Daksha that i he showed any kind o
disrespect to herE she would end her lie$
9$($09 Daksha :urses 1arad
6ith the permission o lord BrahmaE Daksha 8raCapati created many thing Cust by his mental resolution$
But inding the absence o any kind o evolution and development in themE he went to BrahmaCi to take
his advice$
BrahmaCi instructed him to create by the help o copulation$ Daksha 8raCapati then married Asikti = the
daughter o 8anchaCan$ -en thousand sonsE including &aryasya were born to themE but all o them were
directed by 1arada to ollow the path o salvation$
Ater thatE Daksha married 8anchaCani rom whom were born thousand o sonE but all o them ollowed
the path o salvation and were not interested in creation$ 1arada was instructed in changing their mind$
Daksha 8raCapati became very urious with 1arada and cursed him to become an eternal wandered$ &e
said=
RYou will never remain at a place or long$R
9$($0; Birth o ,ati
6hen lord Brahma came to know about Daksha 8raCapatiKs anger towards 1arad he went to him and cooled him
down$ ,ubseMuently siGty daughters were born to Daksha$ &e married his ten daughters with DharmaE thirteen
daughters with Kasyap$ -wentyseven daughters with 'oonE two daughters with BhutangirasE two daughters with
Krishashva and the remaining siG daughters with *aruda$ Daksha mediated on the orm o BhagawatiE and was
instructed by her to do penance$ Daksha did a tremendous penance and thus was born 2ma to Daksha and
Virani$ 2ma was brought up with great love and aection$ 2ma used to worship lord ,hiva by singing devotional
songs in his praise$
9$($07 ,ati does 8enance
6hen ,ati attained marriageable ageE Daksha started worrying$ ,ati understood the reason behind her
atherKs worried$ ,he went to her 'other Virani and eGpressed her desire o marrying lord ,hiva$
&er mother made all the arrangements so that ,ati could worship ,hiva without any problem$ ,ati
commenced her austerity named 1andavrata which continued or a year$ Being impressed by her
austeritiesE all the deities descended down rom heaven to see her$
9$($0) BrahmaCi makes a reMuest to Lord ,hiva
All the deities and the sages reMuested lord ,hiva to get marriedE but ,hiva did not want to curtail his
reedom by getting married$ 6hen the deities insisted he told them to ind a suitable match or him$
Brahma and Vishnu told ,hiva about the tremendous penance 2ma was doing to him (,hiva) as her
husband$ -hey also reMuested him have to go to her (uma) and ulill her desire$ Lord ,hiva agreed$
9$($0/ ,hiva Blesses 2ma with a Boon
Ater 2ma had accomplished her penance named 1andavratE lord ,hiva appeared beore her and
asked her to demand anything$ 2ma because o her shyness could not say anything$ Lord ,hiva knew
about her desire so he said=
RYou will have me as your husband$R
2maKs ace beamed with CoyE but she shyly reMuested lord ,hiva to keep this proposal beore Daksha$
,hiva agreed and said= K-athastuK$ &e then went back to his abode= Kailash$
,ati narrated the whole story to her parents$ Both o them became very happy with this news$ Lord ,hiva then
instructed BrahmaCi to put a ormal proposal to Daksha regarding his marriage with ,ati$ Lord Brahma went and
inormed Daksha about lord ,hivaKs proposal$ Daksha was very happy at the proposal$ Brahma then came back
to lord ,hiva$
9$($43 ,hiva 'arried ,ati
Lord ,hiva was anGiously waiting or his arrival$ 6hen Lord Brahma arrived he curiously asked about
DakshaKs response$ 6hen lord Brahma told him about DakshaKs approval o the marriage$ ,hiva was
very pleased at this$
Lord ,hiva proceeded towards DakshaKs abode on the auspicious moment o 8halgunE Krishnapaksha
and on the thirteenth day o 8halguni 1akshatra$ ,itting on the back o 1andi and accompanied by all
the deities including lord BrahmaE VishnuCi he reached DakshaKs residence$
-he marriage=procession was received by Daksha with great respect$ ,hiva narrated ,ati in an
auspicious lagna$ Being pleasedE all the deities eulogised ,hiva and danced in Coy$
9$($4# Lord Brahma <aces the 6rath o ,hiva
Daksha presented invaluable things to his daughter= ,ati as dowry$ ,imilarly the brahmins were
presented with large Muantities o wealth$
Lord Brahma was enchanted by the divine beauty o ,ati$ 6ith a desire to see her aceE he put logs o
wood which were wetE into the yagni kunda and poured ghee on them$ As a result the atmosphere was
illed up with smoke$
1ow Brahma removed the piece o cloth which covered her ace$ &e became inatuated by her beauty$
6hen lord ,hiva discovered about his evil intentions he ran towards him menacingly$ Lord ,hiva
wanted to kill himE but the deities prayed to spare his lie$ Lord Vishnu eulogised and worshipped him
and only then his anger was subdued$ -hus lord Brahma was orgiver by ,hiva$
9$($4( Deormed <ace o Brahma
-hough lord ,hiva had orgiven BrahmaCiE yet he instructed him to apologiBe by bowing down his head$
Brahma did as he was instructed Lord ,hiva then established on his head$ BrahmaCi became ashamed
and asked as to how could he atone or his sins$ Lord ,hiva instructed BrahmaCi that by worshipping
him he could appropriately atone or his sins$ &e than instructed Brahma to go to the earth where he
would be worshipped as K"udra ,hirK$ ,hiv said=
RYour worship would help the brahmin in accomplishing every kinds o work$ -aking lessons rom you
people would not dare to have eGtramarital aairs$
9$($40 ,hiva=,hakti as &usband P 6ie
Ater reaching Kailash mountainE lord ,hiva instructed all his ganas (attendants)E not to disturb them (,hiva and
,hakti)$ 6hen all the ganas went away ,hiva and ,hakti enCoyed a blissul union or twenty ive Deva=years$
9$($44 ,hiva=,hakti Depart or &imalya
6hen the rainy season arrivedE ,hakti reMuested ,hiva to make a residence in such a place to that
they could not be disturbed by rain etc$ Lord ,hiva smiled and said=
RDear ,atiL -he clouds and rain will not dare to disturb i you are present by my sideE no matter
whereever we live = even i we live on the peaks o &imalayas$
,ati reMuested him to make &imalaya as his abode$ Lord ,hiva agreed and both i them shited to their new
abode at &imalayaE where they lived or ten thousand KDeva=yearsK$
9$($49 -he .mportance o Devotion in Kaliyuga
,ati reMuested lord ,hiva to enlighten her mind by giving discourses$ ,hiva revealed to her the
importance o devotion in the Kaliyug$ &e said that the value o knowledge (gyan) and asceticism
(vairagya) would diminish to the eGtent o eGtinction in the era o Kali and only devotion would help a
man in attaining liberation$ Lord ,hiva said=
R. had burnt the time (Kala) or the beneit o the devoteesE with my third eye$ <or the sake o my
devoteesE . even abandoned "avana without any partiality$ <or the welare o my devoteesE . even
instructed 1andi to punish sages VyasE who was eGiled out o Kashi$R
,hiva preached on may topics like devotion types o devotionE yantraE mantraE scriptures etc$
9$($4; ,ati?s Doubt
Devarshi 1arad who was listening to the divine tales o ,hivaE narrated by lord Brahma with rapt
attentionE reMuested him to describe about other characteristics o ,hiva$ BrahmaCi said=
R%nceE lord ,hiva accompanies by ,atiE arrived at Dandak aranyaE where ,ri "am was wandering in
search o ,itaE who had been abducted by "avana$ Ater walking or some time Lord ,hiva saw ,ri
"am and LaGman$ Lord ,hiva made salutations to ,ri "am$ ,ati was surprised at ,hivaKs behaviours$
,he asked lord ,hiva about the reason he made salutations to ,ri "am$ ,hiva told ,ati that he (,ri
"am) was his deity and an incarnation o lord Vishnu$ But ,ati was not satisied by this reply$ ,he
wanted to testE whether ,ri "am was really an incarnation o lord Vishnu or not$ ,he disguised hersel
as ,ita and went to ,ri "am$ But ,ri "am recognised her real identity and addressed her as 'other$
,ati was ashamed but asked ,ri "am as to why did ,hiva made salutations to her$R
,ri "am narrated the ollowing story=
9$($47 ,hiva does not see ,ati as his consort
%nceE lord ,hiva reMuested Vishwakarma to construct a grand palace and a magniicent throne or him$
6hen everything was readyE ,hiva invited all the deities or the crowning ceremony o lord Vishnu$
Lord Vishnu was reMuested to be seated on the throne and was worshipped by all the deities including
,hiva himsel$ &e assured lord Vishnu that all o his (VishnuKs) incarnations would be shown respected
by his (,hivaKs) devotees ( "am) am the incarnation o Vishnu$R
,ati was now completely satisied$ ,he was also ashamed o hersel that she had doubted ,hivaKs
words$ ,he went to lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva stopped looking at ,atiE as her consortE because she had personiied hersel as mother ,ita$
-his act was even corroborated by a heavenly voice$ 1ow ,atiKs heart was illed up with sorrows$
,he ollowed disenchanted ,hiva to the Kailash mountainE where he commenced his meditation and
went into ,amadhi$ ,he sat down without saying a word$ 6hen lord ,hiva came out rom his ,amadhiE
he saw her stire sitting their$ &e elt pity on her and drove away her guilt and sorrowsE by giving
discourses$
9$($4) Daksha?s Animosity towards ,hiva
%nceE the sages organised a yagya at 8rayagaE which was attended by all the deities$ Lord ,hiva too
had comeE accompanies by ,ati$ &e was eulogiBed and worshipped by all the deities and the sages$
Daksha arrived there and ater making salutations to lord Brahma sat down without showing any kind o
respect to ,hiva$ Ater thatE all the deities and the sages came and made salutations to DakshaE but
,hiva sat where he was sitting$
-he ignorant Daksha cursed ,hiva that rom now onwards his (,hivaKs) share would not be kept in the
yagya$
At this 1andi= the vehicle o ,hiva became very angry and cursed Daksha that rom today onwards the
brahmins would ail to understand the essence o Vedas$
Lord ,hiva then paciied 1andiKs anger and both o them went back to their abode$ Daksha too went
back to his place and started having hatred towards ,hiva$
9$($4/ Daksha 8erorms Yagya
Daksha organised a yagya at KKanakhalK in which everybody eGcept ,hiva and ,ati were invited$ ,age
Dadhichi arrived and not inding the seat or ,hiva went backE saying that it was impossible to
accomplish a yagya without ,hiva$
-hen Daksha commenced the yagya with the assistance o other sages who were present there$
9$($93 ,ati?s Arrival at the %blation ,ite
6hen ,ati saw all the deities going happilyE she became curious to know where they were going$ ,he
reMuested her companion to ask the moon as to where he was going in such a cheerul mood$
-he moon told her companion that they were going to attend the yagya ceremonyE being organised by
Daksha$
,ati was very surprised at this inormation$ ,he went to lord ,hiva and sought his permission to go
there$ Lord ,hiva then told ,ati that her ather did not invite them because o the animosity he was
having towards him (,hiva)$
,ati became very urious and decided to go there to know about the reason why Daksha was
perorming the yagya without inviting her husband=,hiva$ ,hiva sent 1andi and other rudraganas as
her escorts$
9$($9# ,ati?s Dishonor
6hen ,ati reachedE where Daksha was perorming his yagyaE she met her mother and sisters$ -hey
met her with all the respect and honour$ But Daksha did not even caste a glance at her$ .mitating him
many other people did the same$
But ,ati not bothering about the disrespect shown to her made salutations to both her parents$ 6hen
she reached near the yagya=mandap she saw that shares o all the deities was there eGcept that o
,hiva$ ,he became urious and asked her ather as to why was ,hiva not invited to the yagya$
Daksha then made un o ,hiva and cursed him$ -his made her more angry and she declared that she
would give up her lie in everybodyKs presence$ Ater the declaration her mind was engrossed by the
thoughts o ,hiva$
9$($9( ,ati *ives 2p &er Lie
,ati then sat in padmasan and closed her yes$ By her yogic powers she united with ,hiva and her
lieless body ell into the yagya=kunda$ -his incident shocked everybody and the rudraganas uriously
picked up their weapons$ "ight then a heavenly voice was heard$
R% mean DakshaL ,hare on youL you are a sinner and a ool$ 1ow you are certain to ace the wrath o
,hiva$ Because o your actE the deities too will have to suer$R
Daksha became scarred$ &e immediately eulogising lord Vishnu$
9$($90 'aniestation o Veerbharda P 'ahakali
6hen 1andi inormed ,hiva about ,atiKs deathE he became very urious$ &e angrily pulled out a locks
o hair and dashed it against the mountainE which got divided into two parts$ <rom one part maniested
the valiant Veerbharda and rom the other part 'ahakali$
Veerbhadra and 'ahakali were instructed by ,hiva to destroy the yagya o Daksha and to kill all the people who
were present during the time o ,atiKs deathE including the deities and the sages$
9$($94 Veerbhadra P Kali Assemble their Army
Ater getting the instructions rom lord ,hivaE Veerbhardra marched with a huge army which included the mighty
,hivaganas like DakiniE Bhairav and Kapalish etc$ *oddess Kali to Coined him with her army which consisted o all
her nine incarnations like Katyayani etc$ As the army marched on numerous auspicious signs were visible$
9$($99 Daksha +Gperiences .nauspicious ,igns
%n the other hand Daksha eGperienced many inauspicious signs$ &is let eyeE let army and let thigh started
throbbing$ &e saw the vultures lying over his head$ &e heard the sounds o Cackals howling$
9$($9; Lord Vishnu 8reaches Daksha
Daksha then prayed to lord Vishnu to rescue him rom the imminent wrath o lord ,hiva$ Lord Vishnu
preached Daksha and said=
RDakshaL ,ince you have committed the greatest sin by dishonouring ,hiva and ,ati$ +ven . can not
prevent the calamities which you are certain to ace$R
As lord Vishnu was preaching Daksha suddenly there was a loud commotion$ -he army o Veerbhadra
had arrived$ Daksha was rightened and again prayed to Vishnu to save his lie$
Lord Vishnu again eGpressed his helplessness and told him that because o him all the deities too
would have to suer$
9$($97 Daksha *ets his &ead ,evered
A terrible battle was ought between the armies o Veerbhadra and the deities$ -he deities got deeated
and led away$ -hey went to lord Vishnu and sought his help$ Lord Vishnu decided to ight on the side
o the deities$
-he battle recommenced or the second time$ Lord Vishnu having a dual ight with Veerbhadra and the
deities were ighting against his army$
,uddenly everybody heard a heavenly voice which said that Veerbhadra was invincible$ &earing thisE
Lord Vishnu and BrahmaCi went to their respective abodes$
Daksha ran or his lie and hid himsel behind the attar where the yagya was being perormed$ But
Veerbhadra pulled him out rom there and severed his head$ &e then threw his head in the agni=kunda$
Ater this he returned back to Kailash accompanies by his army$
9$($9) :ontention between Kshuva P Dadhichi
1aradE who was listening to the divine tales o ,hiva with rapt attentionE was very curious to know about
the reasons why lord Vishnu attended a yagya where ,hiva was not invited and why did he ight a
battle against veerbhadra despite knowing about his invincibility$
Lord Brahma told him that all this happened due to the curse o ,age Dadhichi=
.n the ancient timesE there used to live a king named KshuvaE who was a great riend o ,age Dadhichi$
Due to some reasons both o their developed animosity towards each other$ Dadhichi considered
himsel superior because o being a brahminE on the other hand Kshuva considered himsel superior on
account o his wealth$ -he dispute took a worst turn and Dadhichi punched him on his head$ As a result
Kshuva elt down unconscious$ 6hen he regained his consciousness he attained sage Da dhichi with
his weapon named VaCraE which inCured Dadhichi$
Dadhichi sought the help o ,hukracharya$ ,hukracharya healed his wounds by his mantras$ &e also
taught Dadhichi the mahamrityunCay mantra$ Dadhichi then did a tremendous penance to please lord
,hiva$ Lord ,hiva appeared beore him and blessed him with three boonsE they were #) his bonesE
would become as hard as lightning (VaCra)E ii) he would not be killedE iii) he would never be humiliated$
Armed with these three boonsE ,age Dadhichi again went to ight Kshuva$ &e kicked himE in return
Kshuva too attacked him with his weapon named VaCraE but it did not have any eect on Dadhichi as his
bones had become as hard as lighting$
King Kshuva did a tremendous penance to please lord Vishnu$ Vishnu revealed to him that Dadhichi
had become immortal because o the blessings o lord ,hivaE but assured him that he would certainly
help him in deeating Dadhichi$
9$($9/ Battle between Vishnu P Dadhichi
Lord Vishnu then visited the hermitage o ,age DadhichiE disguised as a brahmin$ %n being asked by
Dadhichi about the purpose o his arrivalE he said that he had come with a desire o a boon on his heart$
,age DadhichiE by his yogic power came to know about the real identity o a KBrahminK$ &e told that he
had been caught$ Lord Vishnu was ashamed$
Lord Vishnu then went back to Kshuva and instructed him to go to sage Dadhichi and act as i he had
accepted his superiority$
RKshuva went to sage Dadhichi and did as he was instructed to doE but Dadhichi did not believe his
words$ 1ow lord Vishnu became angry and tried to kill him by his sudarshan chakraE but he was not
successulE as the chakraE which was given to him by lord ,hiva himselE was not willing to harm a
devotee o ,hiva$
RLord Vishnu then tried to kill Dadhichi by shooting volley o arrows$ -he deities too attacked with their
weapon$ ,age Dadhichi threw a handul o Kusha grassE initiated with mantras towards themE which
destroyed all the weapons o the deities$R
R.n the meantime lord Brahma arrived on the scene accompanies by Kshuva$ &e told the deities that it
was utile to ight with Dadhichi as he was invincibleE due to the boon given by lord ,hivaER
R2ltimately King Kshuva begged his orgiveness or his oence$ Dahichi orgave him but cursed Vishnu
including all the deities that they would be burnt to ashes by the wrath o "udra$R
R-his was the reason why all the deities and lord Vishnu attended the yagyaE organised by Daksha and
got deeated by Veerbhadra$R
9$($;3 -he Deities go to Lord ,hiva
-he deities ater being deeated by Veerdbharda went to Brahmaloka and narrated everything about
the destruction o DakshaKs yagya and also how his head was severed by Veerbharda$
BrahmaCi became very sad$ -o bring Daksha back to lie and to accomplish the still uninished yagyaE
he went to lord Vishnu to take his help$ All the deities accompanies him$
Lord Vishnu told them that it was wrong on the part o Daksha to have shown disrespect to ,hiva$ -he
deities were wrong to support him$ Lord Vishnu then went to Kailash mountainE accompanied by Lord
Brahma and all the other deities$ All o them eulogiBed and worshipped ,hiva$ -hey also reMuested him
to bring Daksha back to lie$
9$($;# Daksha becomes Alive
Lord ,hiva became very pleased and agreed to make Daksha alive$ All o them went to Kanakhal=the
place where Daksha had organised the yagya ceremony$ Veerbhadra too accompanied them$
6hen they reached the siteE Lord ,hiva could not hold his laughter ater seeing the destruction o the
site$ AnywayE he Coined the head o a goat to the torso o DakshaKs body and made him alive$ &e also
compensated or all the losses which had been caused by the destruction$ All the deities became very
pleased and they eulogised ,hiva$
9$($;( Daksha %rganiBes Yagya once again
Becoming pleased by the invocation and eulogy o the deitiesE Lord ,hiva preached Daksha in the
ollowing way=
R-he person who has the right knowledge (gyani) is the supreme among all human beings$ An action
which is perormed in oneKs ignorance and Cealousy does not liberate a man rom his world bondages$
% Daksha then accomplished his yagya singing the praise o lord ,hiva$ &e also give lots o donation to
the brahmins$ -hey everybody returned to their respective houses being ully satisied$
,ati = the daughter o Daksha was reborn as *auri= the daughter o &imalaya and 'aina$ By her
tremendous penance she again had lord ,hiva as her husband$
9$($;0 8arvat KhandJ &imalya 'arries 'aina
1arada reMuests lord Brahma to shed light on the birth o 'aina and also too she was married with
&imalaya$
BrahmaCi ,aid=
RAter relinMuishing her bodyE ,ati = the daughter o Daksha attained to the abode o ,hiva$ .n her neGt
birth she was born to 'aina = the wie o &imalaya and was known as 8arvati$ 'aina had done great
service to ,ati in her previous lie considering as her own daughter$ <or this reason she was blessed
and got 8arvati as her daughter$ 8arvati did tremendous penance and got lord ,hiva as her husband$R
:ontinuing with his story BrahmaCi said=
R%nce &imalaya = the king o the mountainsE decided to marry with the desire o eGpanding his lineage$
-he deities came to know about his desires and so they went to the 8itras and reMuested them to give
their daughter = 'ainaE so that &imalaya could marry her$ -he 8itras agreed at this proposal$ -hus
'aina got married wih &imalaya$ Ater the marriage ceremony the deities returned back to their
respective abodes$
9$($;4 'aina gets Liberated rom the :urse
Daksha had ,iGty daughtersE K,wadhaK was one o them and was married to the 8itras$ .n due course o
time three daughters were born to them = 'ainaE Dhanya and Kalawati$ %nce all the three o them went
to ,wetadweepa to have a darshan o lord Vishnu$ "ight thenE sages like ,anakE ,anadan etc arrived
there$ +verybody present there stood up in reverenceE but 'ainaE Dhanya and Kalawati could not
identiy who they were and hence they remained sitting$ 1ot only thatE they did not even make any
salutations to them$
-he sages became angry and cursed them to be born as humans in their neGt birth$ 'ainaE Dhanya
and Kalawati became very araid and reMuested to be pardoned$
,ages ,anak eeling pity on them told that 'aina would become the wie o &imalayaE in her neGt birth
and give birth to 8arvatiE ,imilarly Dhanya would be married to king @anak and ,ita would be born to
themE similarly Kalawati would be married to Vrishbhan and "adha would be born to them$ ,age ,anak
also told themE that in this way all three o them would attain to the heaven$
9$($;9 .nvocation o 2a
BrahmaCi told 1arad that ater getting married with 'ainaE &imalaya enCoyed a happy married lie or a
long time$
%nceE lord Vishnu paid a visit to his placeE accompanied by all the deities$ &imalaya was very pleased
by his arrival$ Ater making salutationsE he asked or the purpose o their visit$
-he deities revealed to them that very soon the incarnation o ,ati = 8arvati is going to take birth$
R-hereoreE % &imalayaL be prepared or that glorious occasion$R ,aid the deities$
&imalaya was very pleased at this news$ -he deities started invocating 2ma$
9$($;; *oddess 2ma :onsoles the Deities
Being pleased by the invocation made by the deities *oddess 2ma assured the deities about her arrival in this
world$ ,he told that her incarnation would take place in the house o &imalaya and by the virtues o her
tremendous penance she would get lord ,hiva as her husband$ ,he also told the deities that she was satisied by
the service o 'ainaE done to her in the previous lie$ Ater being assured the deities went back satisied$
9$($;7 'aina and &imalya :ommence 8enance
&imalaya and 'aina commenced their penance with the obCective o getting 2ma as their daughter$
'aina did a tremendous penance which lasted or twenty=seven years$
*oddess uma became very pleased by her penance$ ,he appeared beore her and asked her to
demand anything she wished or$ 'aina eGpressed her desire o having one hundred valiant sons and
a daughterE who would be worshipped by the people in all the three world$
*oddess 2ma blessed her by saying -athastu$ 'aina narrated this incident to her husband &imalaya$
&e became very pleased$ .n due course o time one hundred sons were born t o 'aina$ %ne o the
sons was 'ainak who possessed supreme Mualities$ Due to some reasonsE .ndra had severed the
wings o 'ainakKs ninety=nine brothersE but by taking the reuge o ocean 'ainak was able to survive
the assault o .ndraKs VaCra$
9$($;) Birth o 8arvati
&imalaya and 'aina engaged themselves in the worship o ,hiva and ,haktiE day and night$ Ater some days
8arvati maniested hersel by taking birth$ Ater her birth the whole mountaneous region o &imalaya became
illuminated by her radiance$
9$($;/ Divine :hildhood 8lays o 8arvati
Ater taking her birthE 8arvati gradually started growing up$ Varioua names given to her like *irCaE 2maE
and @agdamba$ &imalaya and 'aina elt proud o their ateE which had made them the parents o an
incarnation$ ,eeing the childhood plays o 2maE their hearts knew no bounds$
%ne day sage 1arad arrived there &imalaya reMuested him to study the palm o 8arvatiE as he was
curious to know about her uture$ Ater studying the lines o the palmE 1arada predicted that 8arvati was
destined to be the wie o an entityE who would be beyond the reach o all the three Mualities$ &e also
revealed to themE that her husband would be devoid o any laws and would be sel born="udra$
1arad told &imalaya that to have "udra as her husbandE 8arvati will have to accomplish great
austerities and penance$ 1arad then went away$
9$($73 -he Dreams o 8arvati and &imalya
6hen 2ma had attained the marriagable ageE 'aina reMuested her husband a suitable bridegroom or
her$ &imalya told her that the words o 1arada would never go in vain hence 2ma should be asked to
do penanceE so that she could have "udra as her husband$
But 'aina was disinclined in orcing her tender daughter = 8arvati in to such hardhsips like penance$
8arvati then told 'aina about her dreamE in which she had seen a brahmin instructing her to do
penance in order to have "udra as her husband$
'aina told &imalaya about 8arvatiKs dream$ &imalaya then revealed to 'aina about his own dreamE in
which he had seen lord ,hiva doing penance at Kailash mountain$ &e had tried to give 8arvati to him
(,hiva) was unwillingly to have her service$ But ,hiva ultimately changed his mind ater being satisied
by 8arvatiKs repliesD
&imalaya said= R. saw in my dream that 8arvati had pleased ,hiva by her tremendous penance and
ultimately both o hem got married$ 'aina was satisied and waited eagerly or that auspicious moment$
9$($7# -he Birth o FBhaum?='ars
%nceE when the ganas o ,hiva praised the glory o mother ,atiE lord ,hiva became overCoyed Cust like
an ordinary human being$ .n his CoyE he travelled all around the three world without any clothes on his
body$ &e returned back to Kailash and went into meditation$
6hile he was engrossed in his ,amadhiE three drops o perspiration originated rom his orehead ell
down on the earth$ <rom those drops maniested a very beautiul inantE who was o reddish compleGion
and who had our arms$
,eeing the child lord ,hiva became concerned about his upbringing$ "ight thenE mother earth
maniested and lord ,hiva entrusted the Cob o childKs upbringing$ -he child was brought up by mother
earth with great love and care$ -he child was named KBhaumK as he was nurtured and brought up by
KBhumiK (earth)$
6hen the child grew upE he went to Kashi and did a tremendous penance to please lord ,hiva Lord
,hiva became pleased with him and blessed him by granting him K'angallokaKE which was superior
even to the K,hukralokaK$ -he same KBhaumaK is established in the solar system by the name o K'ars$K
9$($7( ,hiva Arrives at &imalya
%ne day lord ,hiva accompanied by his ganas like BhringiE 1andiE etcE arrived at &imalayaE with the
purpose o doing penance$ 6hen 8arvati ather &imalaya came to know about his arrivalE he went to
receive him$ Ater he had made his salutations to ,hivaE he was instructed by ,hiva to see that he is
not disturbed while doing his penance$
&imalaya made all the necessary arrangements so that Lord ,hiva could perorm his penance without
being disturbed$ %ne day &imalaya arrived at the place where lord ,hiva was doing his penance$
8arvati too came along with him$ &imalaya reMuested him to keep 8arvatiE so that she could be at his
service$ Lord ,hiva declined to keep her with himE earing her presence might cause hindrance in the
path o his penance$ 1owE &imalaya became very concerned about his daughterKs uture and wandered
whether 8arvati would remain unmarried$
9$($70 :onversation between 8arvati P ,hiva
6hen 8arvati saw her ather becoming worried by ,hivaKs response she decided to intervene$ ,he said
to lord ,hiva=
R. am K8rakritiK (1ature) and you are the K8urushaK (almighty)$ You eGist in the K,agunK orm (with orm)
because o me$ .n my absenceE you will ind it impossible even to eGist$R
Lord ,hiva was impressed by her knowledge$ &e allowed her to be present near her$ &imalaya and
8arvati became very pleased$
8arvati used to come daily at the place where lord ,hiva was doing his penance$ &er companions too
used to come along$ ,he used to engaged hersel in the worship o lord ,hiva with great devotion$
-hough lord ,hiva was very much impressed by her devotionE but he decided that he wonKt marry her
until she has proved her mettle by her tremendous penance$
-he deities were tormented by a demon named$ -arakasur$ -hey went to lord Brahma to seek his help$ Lord
Brahma sends KKamadevaK to disturb the ,amadhi o ,hivaE so that being inluenced by him ,hiva married 8arvati
and ultimately kills -arakasur$
-his attempt o Brahma was unsuccessul$ ,hiva KburntK Kamadeva with the help o his third eye$
8arvatiE then redoubled her eort to attract the attention o ,hiva by engaging hersel in a tremendous
penance$
9$($74 -he Birth o VaCrang
1arada was curious to know about -arakasur$ &e asked BrahmaCi to narrate his tale$
BrahmaCi said=
RKashyap=the son o 'arichiE had thirteen wives Diti was the eldest among them$ ,he was the mother
o &iranyakashipu and &iranyaksha$ Both her sons were killed by lord Vishnu in his incarnations o
1risimha and Varaha respectively$ Diti became very sad by the death o her sons$
Ater somtime she again became pregnant but the oetus was destroyed by .ndraKs weapon= VaCra in
the womb itsel$ &owever .ndra was not able to destroy the oetus completelyE but was only successul
in dividing the oetus into orty=nine parts$ -hese orty=nine partsE later on became amous as
K'araudganasK$
Again Diti gave birth o VaCrangE who was very valiant and brave$ 6hen he grew upE Diti ordered him to
deeat the deities$ 6ith his motherKs permission and blessingsE VaCrang deeated the deities and held
them captive$ &e astened all the deities$ 6ith strings and himsel became the king o heaven$
,eeing the pitable state o the deities . (brahma) went to VaCrang accompanied by Kashyap and
reMuested him to ree the deities$ VaCrang agreed to ree them but said he did not have any aspiration o
becoming the king o heavenE he only wanted to teach a lesson to .ndra$
VaCrang returned the heaven to the deities$ Later on the married VaranCi who had been created by me (Brahma)$
6hile VaCrang was o virtuous natureE Varangi was met$R
9$($79 Birth o -arakasur and his 8enance
Varangi gave birth to -arakasur= the valiant and brave demon$ During the time o his birth E the world
was aected by inauspicious events like earthMuakesE cyclones etcE &is name -arakasur was given by
Kashyap$
Ater he grew upE -arakasur went to 'adhuvan to do penance$ &is tremendous penance scarred the
deities$ Becoming pleased by his penanceE lord Brahma appeared beore him and asked him to
demand anything$
-arakasur demanded two boons = there should be no man as powerul as him and eGcept ,hivaKs son
nobody should be able to kill him$ Lord Brahma blessed him by saying K-athastuK$
Ater receiving the boonsE -arakasur returned back to "onitpur and was crowned as the king by
,hukracharya$ &e then deeated the deities and drove them out rom the heaven$ 1ow it came under
the rule o the demons$
9$($7; -arakasur "elinMuishes &eaven on the Advice o Lord Brahma
Ater being driven away rom the heavenE the deities went to lord Brahma to seek his help$ -hey asked
him as to how they could get rid o this menace called -arakasur$
BrahmaCi revealed to the deities that -arakasur could be killed only by such a personE whose parents
are ,hiva and 8arvati$ &e also advised them to make eortsE so that ,hiva agrees to marry 8arvati$
Lord Brahma them went to K-arakasurK who had now become the king o heavenE and tried to convince
him to return it back to the deities$ -arakasur agreed to relinMuish the heaven and give it back to the
deities$ -he deities went back to the heaven$
9$($77 Kamadeva ,ent to Lord ,hiva
Lord Brahma told 1arada that the deities decided to send Kamadeva to inluence lord ,hiva so that the
marriage between him and 8arvati is elicitated$
.ndra called Kamadeva and told him that the demon king -arakasur could be killed only by such a
person who was the son o ,hiva and 8arvati$ .ndra instructed Kamadeva to arouse passion in lord
,hivaE so that he agrees to marry 8arvati$
KamadevaE accompanied by his wie "ati went to lord ,hiva to accomplish his mission$
9$($7) +orts o Kamadeva
Ater reaching the place where lord ,hiva was engrossed in his meditationE Kamadeva made repeated
attempts to arouse passion in the heart o lord ,hivaE but his actions were no avail$
"ight thenE Kamadeva saw 8arvati arriving accompanied by her companions$ ,he was looking divine in
her beauty$ @ust at that moment lord ,hiva too had come out o his meditational trance$ Kamadeva
thought that it was the most appropriate moment to have a go$
Kamadeva struck lord ,hiva with his KKamabanaK which did have a deep impact on him$ Lord ,hiva was
struck by the awesome beauty o 8arvati and his heart became ull o passion or her$ But at the same
time he was surprised at the sudden change in his behaviour$ &e realiBed that it was an act o
Kamadeva$
9$($7/ Kamadeva "educes to Ashes
Lord ,hiva looked all around him$ &e saw kamadeva standing towards his let sideE with a bow and
arrows in his hands$ 1ow he was ully convinceed that it was indeed an act o Kamadeva$
Kamadeva becameterriiedE he started remembering godE but beore the deities could come at his
rescue the third eye o lord ,hiva got opened and Kamadeva was reduced to ashes$
8arvati got scarred ater seeing Lord ,hiva in such a destruction anger$ ,he went to her house along
with her companions$ "ati= the wie o Kamadeva wept unconsolably$
-he deities arrived and consoled her by saying that by the grace o lord ,hivaE her husband would be
alive once again$ Ater that the deities went near lord ,hiva and did his worship$ -hey told him that it
was not the ault o KamadevaE as he had acted in accordance with the aspirations o the deities$ -hey
also told him the mystery o -arakasurKs death$ -he deities then reMuested him to make Kamadeva
alive once again$
Lord ,hiva told the deities that Kamadeva would take birth as the son o Krishna and "ukmini in the era o
dwapar$ A demon by the name o ,hambar would throw him o in the sea$ &e would kill that demon and marry
"atiE who too would be living in a city near the sea$
But the deities were not satisied$ -hey reMuested lord ,hiva to help "ati to unite with her husband$
Lord ,hiva then told them that Kamadeva would become his ganaE but he also warned them against
revealing this act to anybody$ "ati then went to the city where the demon ,hambar was eGpected to
appear in the era o dwapar$ -he deities too went back to the heaven$
9$($)3 -he Anger o ,hiva ,ubsides
Lord ,hivaKs anger did not subside ater the death o Kamadeva and the whole world started to eel the
wrath o lord ,hivaKs ury$ All the living creatures became terriied$ -hey went to lord Brahma and
prayed to himE to save them rom ,hivaKs wrath$
Lord Brahma went to lord ,hiva and conveyed their reMuest to him$ Lord ,hiva agreed to relinMuish his
anger$ Lord Brahma then carried ,hivaKs KuryK to the sea and went to the sea$ &e reMuested the sea to
posses it until the inal annihilation$ -he sea agreed to do this$ -his way Lord ,hivaKs ury entered into
the sea and all the living creatures elt a sign o relie$
9$($)# 1arada 8reaches 8arvati
6hen 8arvati reached her homeE she became very sad as she was unable to bear the sorrow o
,hivaKs separation$ ,age 1arada arrived there$ &er ather &imalaya narrated the whole story to him
,age 1arada then gave the ive lettered mantra = R%' 1A'A& ,&.VA@K to her and he also instructed
her to do penance$ 8arvati heart was illed up with new enthusiasm$
9$($)( 8arvati does 8enance
Ater taking the permission o her parents and relinMuishing all o her ornaments and royal apparelsE
8arvati went to the same place where Lord ,hiva himsel had done penance$ -his sacred place was
situated at the &imalayasE rom where the holy *anges originated$ 8arvati companions too had
accompanied her$
8arvati commenced her penance which gradually became severer day by day$ ,he did penance or
three thousand years by chanting the ive lettered mantra= %' 1A'A& ,&.VAY and perorming other
kinds o austerities$ Becoming impressed by her tremendous penance even the deities locked to see
her$ 8arvati did her penanceE surrounded by ire on all her sides during summer$ .n rainy season she
did her penance without any shelter and during winter she used to do penance by immersing hersel in
neck deep water$
9$($)0 -he Deities go to Lord ,hiva
8arvatiKs power created such heat in the atmosphere that the whole world started to burn$ All the deities
P sages went to lord Brahma and told him about the eectsE 8arvatiKs penance was having on all the
three worlds$
Lord Brahma accompanied by all o them went to VishnuCi$ -hey visited the place where 8arvati was
doing her penance$ -hey realiBed that lord ,hiva was the only remedy and hence all o them went to
lord ,hiva and made salutations to him$
9$($)4 ,alutations *ives &is Approval
Lord ,hiva enMuired about the purpose o their arrival$ Lord Vishnu then revealed to him that how
distressed and tormented were the deities by the activities o the demon = -arakasur$
&e also told ,hiva that he could be killed by such a personE who is born out o the parentage o ,hiva
and 8arvati$ Lord Vishnu then told ,hiva about 8arvatiKs penance$
.nitially lord ,hiva reused to comply with their reMuest but when the deities continued with their insistenceE he
ultimately gave his conscent$ -he deities became very pleased$
9$($)9 8arvati?s Love or ,hiva -ested by the ,apta="ishis
Ater the deities went backE lord ,hiva summoned the ,aptarishis (Vashishth etc) and instructed them to test
8arvatiKs love or him$ -he ,aptarishis went to 8arvati and tested her resolve to marry lord ,hiva$ -hey tried to
deter her by all meansE but 8arvati was irm in her resolve$ -hey went back to lord ,hiva and narrated the whole
story$
9$($); Lord ,hiva -ests 8arvati
Lord ,hiva then himsel went to 8arvati in the guise o a brahmin$ 8arvati on seeing a brahmin
welcomed her with ull honour$
,hiva asked 8arvati as to why was she doing penance$ 8arvati told him that she wanted to have ,hiva
as her husband$ Lord ,hivaE who was in the guise o a brahmin started cursing ,hiva to see how
8arvati reacted to it$
8arvati replied that inspite o her penance ,hiva did not appearE so she has decided to give up her lie
in burning pyre$ Ater saying like this 8arvati reMuested the Brahmin to go back and she hersel entered
into the burning pyre but remained unharmed Lord ,hiva was very pleased to see her irm resolve and
devotion$ &e again asked her as to what was the purpose behind doing such a tremendous penance$
9$($)7 8arvati?s "eply
8arvati told the brahminO who in reality was ,hiva himsel thatE she wanted to have ,hiva as her
husband at any cost$ ,he said=
RYou say that lord ,hiva does not possess anything = not even wealth$ &e does not put on clothes on
his body$ You also say that he is not it to be a bridegroom o me$ But all o your utterances prove your
mean intelligence$R
9$($)) ,hiva "eveals his -rue .dentity
8arvati continuing with her statements said that ,hiva was the most capable deity in all the three world$
R-here is no sin greater than condemning ,hiva$R ,aid 8arvati$
As ,hivaE who was in the guise o Brahmin was about to say something 8arvati said to one o her
companion=
R-his condemner should be killedE i this is not possible then we must leave this place at once$R
As she was about to leave that placeE lord ,hiva revealed his true identity and by holding her hand
said= RYou have been my wie since time immemorial where are you goingNR
8arvati became very pleased and her heart was illed up with eGtreme Coy$ ,he reMuested him to take to
her ather regarding their marriage$ Lord ,hiva agreed$ &e went back to Kailash mountain and narrated
the whole story to his *anas = 1andiE Bhairav etc$ +veryone became very happy and awaited eagerly
or the day ,hiva would marry 8arvati$
9$($)/ ,hiva Demands 8arvati as his :onsort
8arvatiE ater successully accomplishing her penance came back to her home$ +verybody was happy
at her arrival$
Ater sometime &imalaya went out to take his bath in the river *anges$ 'eanwhile lord ,hiva arrived in
his appearance o 1ataraC and started dancing in ront o 8arvatiKs mother = 'aina$ ,he was so pleased
by his dance that she wanted to present Cewels to him in appreciationE but ,hiva reused to take them$
&e eGpressed his desire to marry 8arvatiE which made 'aina urious$
.n the meantimeE &imalaya arrived and she inormed him what ,hiva had said$ &e became angry too
and ordered his attendants to drive away 1ataraC (,hiva) rom that place$ ,hiva then showed his divine
appearance due to which &imalaya had the vision o Lord Vishnu and 8arvati sitting by the side o lord
,hiva in him$ &imalaya was very surprised$
Lord ,hiva again demanded 8arvati to be made as his consortE but &imalaya in his ignorance again
reused it$ 1ataraC then returned back to his abode$
Ater ,hiva went backE &imalaya had a eeling that perhaps it was lord ,hiva himselE who had arrived in the
appearance o 1araraC$ &e realiBed what a grave blunder had been committed$ Because o their guilt
consciousnessE both 'aina and &imalaya elt the germination o devotion in their heart$
9$($/3 ,hiva?s Delusionary 8ower
.ndra and the other deities became araid when they saw both &imalaya and 'aina having deep
devotion towards lord ,hiva$ -hey apprehended that i &imalaya happily agrees to marry 8arvati with
,hivaE then he would no longer live on the earth= &e would attain salvation$ &is departure would make
the earth devoid o Cewels and other kinds o wealth$
-o prevent this rom happeningE they went to Vrihaspati and reMuested him to inluence &imalayas
mind by condemning ,hiva$ But Vrihaspati reused to comply$
-he deities then went to lord Brahma and made the same reMuest$ Brahma reused to meet their
demand$
1ow the deities went to lord ,hiva and reMuested him not to marry 8arvati as it would make the earth
devoid o all kinds o wealth$ Lord ,hiva eeling pity agreed to help them$
Lord ,hiva went to &imalaya in the guise o a hermit and started cursing himsel (,hiva)$ 'aina was
deeply inluenced by the hermits word and decided not to marry 8arvati with ,hiva$ ,he also
threatened to give up her lie along with 8arvati$ . 8arvati was married with ,hiva against her wish$
9$($/# ,hiva .nstructs ,apta="ishis to :onvince 'aina P &imalya
Lord ,hiva summoned the ,aptarishis and instructed them to convince 'aina and &imalaya to marry
8arvati with himE so that -arakasur could be killed$ &e eared that his actions would have created many
misconceptions in their minds$
-he ,aptarishis went to &imalaya and tried to make himE so that -arakasur could be killed$ &e eared
that his actions would have created many misconceptions in their minds$
-he ,aptarishis went to &imalaya and tried to make him understand that there was not any other way
out than marrying 8arvati with ,hiva$ -hey also warned both &imalaya and 'aina i they did not give
their conscent to marry 8arvati with ,hivaE then she would be orcibly abducted by him (,hiva)E causing
death and destruction to their whole clan$ -he ,aptarishis then narrated the ollowing story=
9$($/( AnaranyaE -he King
-here was a king named AnaranyaE who belonged to the lineage o ourteenth 'anu=.ndrasavarni$ &e
was a great devotee o lord ,hiva$ &e had ive Mueens rom whom one hundred sons and a very
beautiul daughter named 8adma were born$
6hen 8adma grew upE the king started looking or a suitable match$ %ne day while 8adma was taking
her bath in the Bhadra riverE sage 8ippalada arrived there$ &e became enchanted by 8admaKs beauty$
Ater gathering inormations about her rom the peopleE he went to king Anaranya and eGpressed his
wish to marry 8adma$ &e threatened him o dire conseMuences i she was not married to her$
Anaranya became rightened and gave his daughter to him$ ,age pippalada happily went away
accompanied by 8adma$ But both the king and the Mueen went to the orest because o the sorrow o
giving their young daughter to an old sage$ -he Mueen died because o her grie$ -he kingE because o
his deep devotion towards ,hiva attained to the abode o ,hiva$
9$($/0 8adma and 8ippalad
%n the reMuest o &imalayasE ,age Vashishth who was one o the ,aptarishis narrated the story o
8adma the princess and sage 8ippalad=
RAt the time o his marriage sage 8ippalad was old and weakE but still 8adma devotely perormed the
duties o a aithul wie$
-o test her aithulness towards her husbandE DharmaraC arrived at the bank o that river where 8adma
was taking her bath$ &e was in the guise o a young and handsome prince$ &e coaGed 8adma to leave
behind her Kold husbandK and come along with him$ 8adma became urious and cursed him$ DharmaraC
became very pleased and revealed his true identity$ &e also asked as to how the eects o her curse
could be nulliied$
8adma told her that his sins would result in having our legs during the era o ,atyaE but they reduced
to three during the era o tretaE which would again reduced to two legs during the era o Dwapar and
ultimately he would have only one leg during the era o Kali$ 8adma also told her that even his single
leg would disappear during the ending phase o Kali$ R-his would apropriately act as an atonement or
your sins$R = said 8adma$
DharmaraC blessed her by saying that she would have ten sons and also that her husband would
possess youth and long lie or eternity$
Ater listening to this story$ &imalaya agreed to marry 8arvati with ,hiva$ -he ,aptarishis then went
back to lord ,hiva and gave the good news to him$
9$($/4 &imalya ,ends Lagna=8atrika
&imalaya then reMuested sage *arga to prepare a beautiul Lagna=8atrikas which were then sent to his near and
dear ones$ &e then reMuested Vishwakarma to construct a beautiul KmandapK or the marriageE which was
constructed by him in a very short time$
9$($/9 Lord ,hiva .nvites the Deities
Lord ,hiva invited all o his *anas to the marriage ceremony$ &e also instructed sage 1arada to
intimate all the deitiesE sages and the celestial entities$
Ater getting the invitation rom ,hiva everybody started making preparations to be a part o ,hivaKs
marriage=procession$ -he seven mothers= BrahmiE 'aheshwariE KaumariE VaishnaviE VarahiE Aindri and
:hamunda dressed him up beautiully ,hiva then perormed all the necessary Karmas to paciy the
planet$ At last this wonderul marriage=procession o ,hiva proceeded towards the in=laws house$
9$($/; Lord ,hiva?s 'arriage 8rocession
,hiva proceeded with his marriage procession which considered o crores o his K*anasK and deities like
Vishnu who were boarded on their vehicles$ +ven 1arad and Lord Brahma were present in his (,hivaKs)
marriage procession$
<irst o allE ,hiva sent 1arada to &imalayaKs house to inorm him about their (marriage procession)
arrival$ &imalaya sent his son='ainak to receive them$
9$($/7 ,hiva Divine 8lays
6hen 'aina saw that the marriage procession was coming she curiously told 1arad about her desire to
see her son in law$
,hiva understood the arrongance which her desire contained$ &e wanted to teach her a lesson$ &e
sent all the deities one by one$ 'aina mistook each one o them to be ,hivaE but was later inormed by
1arada that in act they were not ,hiva but the attendants o ,hiva$
'aina was very delighted and wondered how handsome the master (,hiva) must beE i the attendants
were so handsome$ "ight then ,hiva arrived with his *anas = &is body coated with ashes on it$ &is
*anas too were looking erocious$ 'aina could not bear this horrible sight and lost her consciousness$
9$($/) 'aina?s 6ail
-he maid servants arrived instantaneously and helped 'aina to regain her consciousness$ ,he started
crying and cursing everybody$ ,he thought was responsible or her daughterKs marriage with ,hiva$
1obody was spared= 1aradE the ,aptarishis and even her own sons$ ,he even admonished 8arvati by
saying$
RDid you do severe penance to get such a horrible husband like this (,hiva)NR
Lord Brahma and 1arad tried to console and convince herE but it was o no avail$ 6hen &imalaya tried
to interveneE he was soundly rebuked$ 'aina threatened him that i this marriage took place then it
would be the last day o her lie$
At last lord Vishnu arrived and tried to paciy her anger by saying that her anger was baseless as she
had not seen the real appearance o ,hivaE which bestows benediction$ Lord Vishnu and 1arad then
eulogised ,hiva who on being pleased showed his most enchanting beauty$
'aina now became ully satisied$ &imalaya too elt proud o her daughterKs good ortune$ At last ,hiva
entered the 'andap (canopy) where marriage ceremony was going to be organised$ &e saw 8arvati
sitting there$ Both o them were very delighted to see each other$
9$($// &imalya Bestows 8arvati to ,hiva
Ater the marriage ceremony was overE ,age *arg helped &imalaya in perorming the rite o KanyadanE amidst
the chantings o vedic mantras$ -he womenKs were singing auspicious songs$ &imalaya presented large Muantities
o dowry to ,hiva$ 8arvatiKs companions were engaged with ,hiva in Cocular and humorous conversation$
9$($#33 ,hiva Brings Back Kamadeva Alive
"ati= the wie o KamadevaE seeing the moment opportuneE arrived and reMuested ,hiva to bring back
her dead husband back to lie$ &er wailings made the other goddesses very sympathetic towards her$
-hey too reMuested ,hiva to make her dead husband back to lie$
<eeling pity on her condition$ ,hiva brought back Kamadeva back to lie rom the ashes which "ati had
given to him$ %n seeing her husband aliveE "atiKs heart was illed up with eGtreme Coy$ Both o them
eulogised lord ,hiva and eGpressed their gratitude$
Ater the marriage ceremony was over the marriage=processionist sought the permission o &imalaya to
make a moveE but he reMuested them to remain there or some more days$
9$($#3# ,hiva?s Departure
,hiva remained at his in=laws house or many days$ %ne day he sought the permission o &imalaya to
go back$ +verybody became sad at the prospect o ,hivaKs departure$ +specially 'aina who was very
saddened by this news$ At last it was time or ,hiva to depart or KailashE accompanied by 8arvati$
Lord ,hiva and 8arvati were blissully enCoying their martial statusE unaware o the eagerness with
which the deities were awaiting the arrival o their progeny$
-arakasur = the demon continued tormenting the deities$ 6hen their miseries became unbearable they
went to lord Brahma to seek their help$ All o them then went to lord Vishnu$ -hey told him that even
ater passing o such a long duration o timeE 8arvati and ,hiva had not yet become parents$ -hey
reMuested lord Vishnu to remind ,hiva about the purpose behind his marriage$
.nitially lord Vishnu showed his disinclination to disturb ,hivaKs martial blissE but when the deities
insisted he went to ,hiva accompanied by all o them$ All o them eulogised ,hiva and 8arvati$ -he
deities then reMuested ,hiva to make his contribution in the destruction o -arakasur$
,hiva understood everything$ ,ome drops o his semen ell down on the ground$ %ne being insisted by
the deities$ Agni transormed his appeared in the orm o a pigeon and pecked up those drops o
semen$
"ight then 8arvati arrived there and became eGtremely urious on seeing the semen going waste$ ,he
cursed the deities that their respective wives would remain issue less as the conseMuences o their
mindless acts$
Agni was having inlammation in his stomach because o the ,hivaKs semen$ Lord ,hiva advised him to
transer it into the womb o any noble woman$ Agni ollowed the instruction and inCected the semen into
the body o siG women through the pores o the hair on their body$
-hose women could not bear the eGtreme luster o the ,hivaKs semen$ -hey went to &imachal and
evacuated it$ +ven &imachal could not bear its eGtreme eulgence and immersed it into the lowing
*anga$ "iver *anga carried it with her current and established it amidst bushes o reed (,arkanda)$
.nstantaneously a beautiul child maniested rom it$ &is birth made all the deities eGtremely Coyous
including ,hiva and 8arvati$ .t was the siGth day (bright hal o the lunar month) o the hindu month o
'argashirsha$ &e was Kartikeya$
9$($#3( Kartikeya
,age Vishwamitra arrived at the spot where the child had maniested$ %n the repeated insistence o the
childE Vishwamitra perormed his puriication rites and named him K*uhaK$
-he divine child blessed Vishwamitra and bestowed divine knowledge to him$ &e also blessed him to
become amous as KBrahmarshiK$ Agnideva arrived there and gave a divine weapon named K,haktiK to
that child$ *uha went to the Kroncha mountain and banged his weapon on it$ -he mountain could not
bear the eect o the blow and started crumbling down$ .nnumerable demons living on that mountain
came to kill him$ But the child killed all o them by his weapon$
6hen .ndra heard about his braveryE he came along with other deities to ight him .ndra assaulted
*uha with his VaCra on the right side o his bodyE which resulted into the maniestation o a very
powerul entity named K,hakhK$ .ndra again assaulted him on the let side o his bodyE rom which
maniested an eGtremely powerul entity named KVishakhK$ .ndra assaulted *uha or the third time= this
time his chest was the target$ <rom this third blow o .ndra maniested K1aigamK$
*uha accompanied by all the three powerul entities= ,hakhE Vishakh and 1aigam attacked .ndra and
his armyE but they led away$
,iG goddesses arrived on the scene$ All o them tried to eed that small child out o aection$ -hey
started Muarelling among themselves$ "ight then they were surprised to see the child appearing with siG
head$ 1ow their problems were solved$ +ach o the goddesses ed their breast milk to the child$ -hey
took *uha with them and brought him up with great love and care$ *uha later on became amous as
Kartikeya$
9$($#30 ,earch or Kartikeya
%ne dayE 8arvati curiously asked ,hiva about his semen which had allen on the ground$ Lord ,hiva
summoned the deities and asked them about it$ -he deities narrated the whole story$ Both ,hiva and
8arvati were very pleased to know about Kartikeya$
Lord ,hiva then ordered his *anas to bring Kartikeya rom the possession o Kritika$ -he *anas
reached Badrikasharam where Kritika lived$ 6hen Kritika saw the *anas she became very rightened
but Kartikeya gave him solace$ -he *anas reMuested Kartikeya to come along with him$
Kartikeya happily took permission rom his mothers and proceeded to meet ,hiva and 8arvati$
9$($#34 Kartikeya?s :oronation
At the time or KartikeyaKs departureE the mothers had become very emotional$ Kartikeya consoled
them$ &e then boarded the beautiul chariot which had been sent by 8arvati and proceeded towards
Kailash mountain$
All the deities including ,hiva were eagerly awaiting his arrival$ 6hen Kartikeya reached Kailash
mountainE he was given a royal reception$ -he whole atmosphere was illed up with Coy$ +verybody was
celebrating$ +ach o the deities presented him their respective weapons to him$
Lord ,hiva coronated him as the king with the help o the brahmin$ -his way he had now become the
lord o Kailashpuri$
9$($#39 Kartikeya?s AmaBing :haracter
Kartikeya narrated a story connected with himselJ=
R%ne day a brahminE whose name was 1arad came to me and reMuested me to help him ind his he=
goat which had got lost$ &e told me that the goat was supposed to be oered as the sacriice$
R. the goat was not oundE my vow would remain unulilled$R ,aid 1arad
. went in search o that goat$ . ound it in the Vishnuloka where it was creating nuisance $ 6hen the
goat saw meE it tried to attack me with its sharp horns$ . climbed on its back$ Ater travelling through all
the three worldsE the goat returned back to his original place$ . climbed down rom its back$
1arada arrived and demanded his goat$ . told him that his Yagya had been accomplished by my
blessings and there was no need to sacriice the poor goat$ 1arada = the brahmin went back satisied$
9$($#3; -he Battle
-he deities were very encouraged by the presence o Kartikeya amidst themselves$ -hey were
beaming with conidence and enthusiasm$ -he deities assembled at the seashore$ -arakasur arrived
their with his huge army$ -he battle began$
-arakasur appeared to be invincible$ &is blow was so severe that .ndra ell down unconscious$ All the
KLokpalasK met the same ate$ Ater that -arakasur ought with Veerbharda and made him unconscious$
+ven Lord Vishnu could not sustain or long and was ultimately deeated$
Lord Brahma reMuested Kartikeya to ight with -arakasur as nobody eGcept him would be able to kill
him$
9$($#37 Killing o -arakasur
%n being instructed by lord Brahma Kartikeya came orward to ight with -arakasur$ -arakasur ridiculed
the deities or taking the shield o a small child$
R. he gets killed by meE the responsibility should lie on you$R -hundered -arakasur$
A ierce battle started between both o them in which both o them got inCured$ At last seeing an
opportune momentE Kartikeya hit -arakasur on his chest with his weapon= ,hakti$ -he blow proved to
be atal and as a result -arakasur died$
Kartikeya eat was hailed by all the deities$ Ater killing -arakasurE Kartikeya went to mother 8arvatiE
who aectionately took him into her lap$ &e was eulogiBed by all the deities$
9$($#3) Killings o 8ralamb P Banasur
-he mountain = KraunchE who was tormented by the activities o the demon named BanasurE went to
Kartikeya and narrated his woeul tales$
Kartikeya threw his weapon = ,hakti in the direction which Banasur lived$ -he weapon banged right on
target and returned back to him$ Bamnasur was burnt to ashes$ Kraunch went back being very pleased$
-he mountain = Kraunch established three ,hivalingas to please lord ,hiva$ -he names o these three
,hivalingas were = KumareshwarE 8ratigyeshwar and Kapaleshwar$
%nce upon a timeE the deities were trying to reach the abode o Lord ,hiva= Kailash mountain$ -heir
preceptor Vrihaspati was walking ahead o all o them$ 'eanwhile a demon by the name o 8ralamb
started creating turbulence$ Ater being tormented by his activitiesE Kumud = son o ,heshnag took
KartikeyaKs reuge$ Kartikeya killed the demon with his divine weapon = ,hakti$
9$($#3/ *anesh
%nce 1arada had a desire to listen to the tales o *anesha$ BrahmaCi replied=
R-here were various *aneshas in dierent Kalpas$ During the period o K,hweta=KalpKE *anesha was
born to ,hiva and 8arvatiE when they went to Kailash mountain shortly ater their marriage$
R%nce while going to take her bathE 8arvati instructed 1andiE to stand guard at the entrance and not to
allow anybody to enter the premise without her permission$ Lord ,hiva arrived there by chance$ Despite
o 1andiKs reusal to allow himE in he went inside$ 8arvati did not like this$
%ne day it happened so that %nce againE 8arvati wanted to take her bath$ ,he made an idol rom the
dirt o her body$ ,he made the idol alive and instructed him not to allow anybody without her
permission$ ,he also gave him a stick or his protection$
.ncidentally lord ,hiva arrived once again$ &e tried to enter inside but *anesha reused to let him go
inside$ But when ,hiva tried to go inside orciblyE *anesha hit him with his stick$ Lord ,hiva became
urious and ordered his ganas to kill him$
9$($##3 *anesha Deeats -he ,hivaganas P -he Deities
-he ganas o ,hiva attacked *anesha but all o them were no match or him$ Ater being deeated by
*aneshaE the ,hivaganas went to ,hiva and narrated everything$
6hile the ,hivaganas were narrating their storiesE Lord BrahmaE Lord Vishnu and some other deities
arrived there$ Lord Brahma then went to *anesha to convince himE but as soon as *anesha saw him
he tried to attack lord Brahma$ BrahmaCi came back without achieving anything$ Ater this lord ,hiva
himsel came to ight *anesha$
9$($### ,hiva ,everes *anesh?s &ead
A ierce battle was ought between ,hiva and *anesha$ 6hen Lord ,hiva realiBed that *anesha was dominating
the ightE he severed his head with his trishul$
9$($##( *anesh Becomes Alive
8arvati became eGtremely urious at the death o *anesha$ &er anger resulted into the maniestation o
innumerable goddessesE who started creating havoc on the deities$
-he deities became rightened and they were orced to take the reuge o 8arvati$ -hey eulogiBed her
and reMuested to be pardoned$ 8arvati told them that they could be saved only when *anesha
becomes alive and becomes worshippable Cust like thee (Deities)$
-he deities went to lord ,hiva and reMuested him to make *anesha alive once again$ Lord ,hiva
instructed them to go in the northern direction and bring the head o any creature they might ind and
Coin it with the trunk o *anesha$ -he deities ollowed the instruction and went in the northern direction$
-hey ound an elephant which had only one tusk$ -hey severed the elephantKs head and Coined it with
the trunk o *anesha$ By the blessings o ,hivaE *anesha became alive once again$ -he deities
worshipped *anesha and returned back to their respective abodes$
9$($##0 *anesha?s 'arriage
Both Kartikeya and *anesha grew up to become handsome youths in due course o time$ ,hiva and
8arvati started to think about their marriage$
6hen *anesha and Kartikeya came to know about the plan o their marriage both o them started
Muarreling among themselves as to who should get married irst$
Lord ,hiva and 8arvati devised a plan to sort out this problem$ -hey told them that whoever between
them return ater circumambulating the earthE will get married irst o all$
Kartikeya and *anesha agreed$ Kartikeya proceeded on his Courney to circumambulate the earth$
*anesha was very intelligent$ &e reMuested his parents = Lord ,hiva and 8arvatiO to sit at a place
together and circumambulated them or seven times and said=
RAccording to VedaE :ircumambulating oneKs parents give virtues eMuivalent to that o
circumambulating the whole earth$ ,o now you must get me married irst$R
Lord ,hiva and 8arvati were very impressed by his intelligence$ -hey decided to get him married with
,iddhi and "iddhi=the daughter o Vishwaroop 8raCapati$ .n due course o time two sons were born to
them Kshem and Labh$
6hile Kartikeya was returning ater circumambulating the whole earthE he met sage 1arad on the way$
&e told Kartikeya about *aneshaKs marriage$ Kartikeya became very sad and elt like having been
cheated by their parents$
6hen Kartikeya reached Kailash mountain he made salutations to lord ,hiva and 8arvati and without
saying anythingE went to Kraunch mountain to do his penance$
8arvati was very sad$ ,he went to Kraunch mountain to meet Kartikeya accompanied by ,hiva$ 6hen Kartikeya
saw them coming he moved to another place$ Lord ,hiva and 8arvati ollowed him and ultimately met him$ Both
these places have religious signiicance$ &aving a darshan o Kartikeya on the ull moon day o Kritika nakashatra
is considered to bestows immense auspicious and destroyes all the sins o a man$
9$($##4 Yudh=KhandJ -ripurasur= -he -hree Demon
1arada reMuested lord Brahma to narrate how lord ,hiva annihilated the demons$ Lord Brahma
narrated the tale o -ripurasur$
RAter the killing o -arakasurE three o his sons started doing their penance$ -he eldest among them
was -arkashaE younger to him was Viddyunmali and Kamalaksha was the youngest$ . (Brahma)
became very pleased by their tremendous penance$R
R-hey reMuested me to create three invincible orts or themE which should be ull o all kinds o wealth
and splendour and which nobody could be able to break$R
RA golden ort was constructed or -arakshaO or Kamlaksha a ort o silver was constructed and or
Viddyunmali iron=ort was constructed$ . had ordered the demon named 'aya to construct these orts$
%ne o these orts was constructed in the skyE the other was constructed on the earth and the third was
constructed in the nether world$R
RAter constructing the orts or them 'aya took the responsibility o protecting them$ . (Brahma) warned
the three demons that they would be killed by lord ,hiva$ Ater this . came back$R
9$($##9 -he Deities +ulogiBe ,hiva P Vishnu
-he three demon=brothers started tormenting the deities$ -he deities went to lord Brahma and narrated
about their miseries$ Lord Brahma instructed them to seek the help o ,hiva$
-hey went to lord ,hiva and eGplained about their woes$ -hey also reMuested ,hiva to eliminate those
three demons$ Lord ,hiva instructed them to go to lord Vishnu and said=
R-he -ripurasurs are very virtuous so they could not be killed$ You all must go to lord Vishnu and try to
seek his help$R
-he deities then went to lord Vishnu and made the same reMuest$ Lord Vishnu perormed an oblation$
-housands o armed spirit appeared rom the yagya=kunda$ Lord Vishnu sent these spirits to kill the
three demon=brothers$ But these spirits were no match or the -ripurasurs might and they had to run or
their lives$ -hey came to lord Vishnu and narrated the whole story$ Lord Vishnu became very worried$
&e sent back all the deities and started thinking about the meansE -ripurasurs could be killed$
9$($##; +mergence o Atheism
Lord Vishnu came to the conclusion that the -ripurasurs could not be killed till they remain Virtuous and
religious$ &e then created an illusionary entity rom his body who had no hairs on his head$ &e had
worn dirty clothes and a bag was hanging down his shoulder$ &e also had a broom in his head$
-he entity asked lord Vishnu about the purpose o his eGistence and his name$ Lord Vishnu told him
that his name was Arihan$ &e also instructed him to create a scripture which stresses upon the
importance o action (Karmavad3 and which is dierent rom the rituals eGplained in the Vedas$ Lord
Vishnu speciically instructed him to keep the language o that scripture as simple and degenerated as
possible$
Lord Vishnu then preached Arihan on the science o illusion which stressed that the heaven or the hell
does not eGist anywhere elseE but on this earth itsel$
Lord Vishnu instructed Arihan to get -ripurasurs initiated into with this philosophy so that the demon=
brothers become irreligious$ Vishnu ordered Arihan to make his residence in a desert with his disciples$
RYou should propagate your philosophy when Kaliyuga arrivesR = said Lord Vishnu$
Ater giving his instruction lord Vishnu disappeared$ Arihan then created our illusionary entities rom his
bein who were supposed to act as his ollowers$ -heir names were "ishiE YatiE Keerya and 2padhyay$
1ow the time had arrived to enter the orts o -ripurasurs$ All o them entered the orts and in a gradual manner
started increasing their inluence$ As a result the -ripurasurs became irreligious$ 1ot only that their subCects too
became irreligious in a very short time$
9$($##7 -he Deities +ulogiBe Lord ,hiva
6hen the deities saw that the -ripurasurs had become irreligious completelyE they went to lord ,hiva
and reMuested him to kill -ripurasurs$ "ight then mother 8arvati arrived there accompanied by Kartik
and *anesha$ ,he reMuested ,hiva to come along with her into the palace$ All the deities ollowed
them and kept on reMuesting$ -he deities were angry that 8arvati had caused obstacles in the
ulillment o their obCective$ -hey could not conceal their anger and eGpressed it$
%ne o the ganas o ,hivaE whose name was Kumbhodar angrily attacked the deities$ All o them got
inCured and went to lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu advised them to chant the ive lettered mantra = %'
1A'A& ,&.VAY or one crore times$ -he deities ollowed the instruction$ Lord ,hiva became pleased
and appeared beore them$ &e assured the deities that their wishes would be ulilled$
9$($##) Killings o -ripurasurs
6hen ,hiva agreed to kill the demon = brothers -ripurasur the deities became eGtremely Coyous$ -hey
gave their respective weapons to ,hivaE so that he did not have any diiculty in killing the demons$
Vishwakarma gave his beautiul chariot to him$
Lord ,hiva proceeded towards the orts o -ripurasur ollowed by a huge army o the deities$ &is army
entered the orts o his bow but he was not able to release it$ &e remained in this position or one
thousand years but still he was not successul in releasing his arrow$
Lord ,hiva then worshipped *anesha and heard a heavenly voice instructing him to use his weapon =
8ashupat$ Lord ,hiva released it in the direction o the orts o -ripurasur$ All the three orts were
destroyed by the assault o 8ashupat and it created havoc among the demons$
,eeing death and destruction all around them = -ripurasurs prayed to lord ,hiva to have mercy on
them$ Lord ,hiva assured them that ater their death they would be born as his ganas$ At last
-ripurasurs were burnt to death$ 'aya was the only demon who survived$ Ater their death the
-ripurasurs were privileged to be reborn as the ganas o ,hiva$
9$($##/ -he Deities "eceive a Boon rom ,hiva
Ater the killings o three demons= -ripurasurE lord ,hivaKs anger had still not subdivided$ -he anger
was paciied only ater the deities and the sages prayed to him$ &e blessed the deities by saying that
he would always be present on their side to protect them$
'aya = 6ho had survived the ,hivaKs attackE arrived there and he too was blessed by lord ,hiva$ Ater
that Arihan arrived with his ollowers and worshipped ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva blessed him and his ollowers$
Ater taking permission rom lord VishnuE Arihan proceeded towards a desert region accompanied by
his ollowers$ Ater receiving the boon the deities too received to their respective abode$
9$($#(3 Lord ,hiva ,pares -he Lie o .ndra
,utCi narrates the ollowing story to the sages=
R%nce upon a timeE .ndra was going towards Kailash mountain to have a KdarshanK o lord ,hiva$ ,age
Vrihaspati was accompanying him$
Lord ,hiva came to know about his arrival$ &e wanted to test his devotion towards him$ 6hile both
.ndra and Vrihaspati were still on their way$ Lord ,hiva met them on their in the guise o a hermit$
.ndra did not recogniBe ,hivaE who was sitting on the way disguised as a hermit$ .ndra inMuired as to
who he was and where he live$ Lord ,hiva sat Muietly without saying a word$ .ndra repeatedly asked the
same MuestionE but each time ,hiva remained Muiet$ .ndra became urious and tried to attack lord ,hiva
with his VaCra$
Lord ,hiva paralyBed the raised hands o .ndra by his divine power$ ,hivaKs eyes had reddened due to anger
which made .ndra very rightened sage Vrihaspati was able to recogniBe the real identity o the hermit as to who
he was$ &e made salutations to lord ,hiva and reMuested him to pardon .ndra$ Lord ,hiva became pleased and
diverted the power o his radiant eyes to the ocean$ -his way .ndraKs lie was spared by ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva then
returned to Kailash mountain$ .ndra and ,age Vrihaspati to Kailash mountain$ .ndra and sage Vrihaspati too
returned to their respective abodes$
9$($#(# 'aniestation o @aladhar
-he eulgenceE which had been divided by lord ,hiva into the %cean resulted into the maniestation o
a small child$ -his incident happened at the place where river *anges submerged into the ocean and
which is also known as *angasagar now a days$
-he child was crying so erociously that an environment o ear was created everywhere$ -he deities
and the sages went to lord Brahma to satisy their curiously$ Lord Brahma assured then to ind out the
reason$ &e went to the seashore$ -he sea put the child in his lap and enMuired about the name o that
child and also about his uture$
'eanwhile the child pressed lord BrahmaKs neck with such power that tears rolled down rom his eyes$
<or this reason he named the child as @alandhar$ Lord Brahma told the sea that the child will become
the mighty ruler o the demons$ 1o deity would be able to kill him eGcept ,hiva$
-he sea was very pleased by lord BrahmaKs predictions$ Ater Lord Brahma returned to his abodeE the
sea brought that child to his home and brought up that child with great love and care$
6hen @alandhar grew up he married VrindaE who was the daughter o Kalnemi$ Later on he became the
ruler o the demons$
9$($#(( Battle Between @alandhar P -he Deities
%ne day ,age Bhrigu came to meet @alandhar$ Ater receiving him with due respect @alandhar asked
him as to who severed the head o "ahu$
,age Bhrigu then told him about &iranyakashipu who was the maternal uncle o "ahu$ ,age Bhrigu
also told him about Virochana = the son o the eGtremely charitable king Bali$ -hen sage Bhrigu
narrated the tale connected with the churning o ocean and how ambrosia emerged rom the churning
o the ocean$
,age Bhrigu told @alandhar how "ahuKs head was severed by lord VishnuE while he was sitting among
the deities and at the time when ambrosia was being distributed to all the deities$
@alandhar became very urious ater hearing this story$ &e summoned one o his messengers whose
name was *hasmar and instructed him to go and ask .ndraE as to why had he misappropriated all the
wealth o his ather (,ea) which emerged during the churning o ,ea$ &e also instructed *hasmar to
warn .ndra about the dire conseMuences unless he takes his (.ndraKs) reuge$
But .ndra sent back *hasmar without any speciic assurance$ -his action o .ndra made @alandhar
more angry than beore$ &e collected his army and attacked .ndra$
A ierce battle was ought between his army and the army o the deities$ 'any warriors got killed rom
both the sides$ ,hukracharya the guru o the deities brought back the dead warriors rom the demon
side back to lie by his mritasanCivani vidya$ ,imilarly ,age Vrihaspati brought back the dead warriors
rom the deities side back to lie with the help o medicinal herbs$
6hen ,hukracharya saw thatE sage Vrihaspati too was successully making the dead deities aliveE he
instructed @alandhar to submerge the Drongiri mountain into the seaE so that it becomes impossible or
Vrihaspati to get the medicinal herbs by the help o which he made the dead deities alive$
@alandhar obeyed the command o ,hukracharya and by liting the Drongiri mountain submerged it into
the sea$ -he deities became demoraliBed and led rom the battle ield @alandhar captured .ndrapuri$
9$($#(0 Battle Between Lord Vishnu P @alandhar
-he terriied deities took the reuge o lord Vishnu and sought his help$ Lord Vishnu gave a patient
hearing and agreed to help themE but there was a hitch$ &is consort goddess LaGmi considered
@alandhar as her brother because both o them originated rom the sea$ ,he instructed Lord Vishnu
against killing @alandhar$
Lord Vishnu promised to her that he wonKt kill @alandhar$ Ater giving his word to goddess LaGmiE he
went to ight a battle with @alandhar$
A ierce battle was ought between both o them which remained indecisive till the end$ Lord Vishnu
became very much impressed by the valiance o @alandhar and asked him to demand any boon he
liked$
@alandhar reMuested him to make his dwelling in the Ksheersagar=the abode o @alandharE alongwith
his sister (LaGmi)$ Lord Vishnu agreed to ulill his wish and started living in the Ksheersagar along with
his consort LaGmi$
Being undeeated by Lord Vishnu himselE @alandhar became the ruler o all the three world$ All his
subCects were satisied by his Cust and virtuous ruleE eGcept the deities$ -he deities now eulogiBed lord
,hiva to seek his help in deeating @alandhar$
9$($#(4 1arad?s ,tratagem
According to the wish o lord ,hivaE ,age 1arad came to meet the deities$ -he deities narrated their
woeul tales to him$ <eeling pity on their conditionE he went accorded a grand reception by @alandhar
which pleased him very much$
1arad praised the splendours and prosperity o @alandhar but added that it was nothing in comparison
to ,hivaKs splendours 1arad told him that inspite o all his authority and splendoursE his prosperity was
still incompleteE as he did not have a consort$ @alandhar asked curiously as to where could he ind his
consort$
According to his strategyE 1arada advised @alandhar to make 8arvati as his consort @alandhar ell into
1aradKs trap$ &e sent K"ahuK to lord ,hiva with a proposal to part with 8arvati$ "ahu went to lord ,hiva
and demanded 8arvatiE which made lord ,hiva eGtremely urious$ &is anger resulted into the
maniestation o a erocious creatureE which ran towards K"ahuK to devour him$ "ahu had no option but
to take the reuge o Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva protected the lie o K"ahuK$
-he hungry creatureE asked ,hiva as to what should he eat to satisy his hunger$ Lord ,hiva instructed
him to devour his own limbs$ -he creative ollowed his instructions and devoured his limbs$ Lord ,hiva
was very pleased by his sense o obedience$ &e named that creature o his palace$ &e also blessed
him saying that he too would be worshipped along with him (,hiva)$
9$($#(9 Battle Between Lord ,hiva P @alandhar
"ahu went back to @alandhar and narrated the whole story to him$ @alandhar then attacked Kailash
mountain with his huge army$ A ierce battle was ought between the ,hiva=ganas and the demons$
6hen @alandhar realiBed that lord ,hiva had begun to dominate the battle he created beautiul
KApsarasK and K*andharvasK by his illusionary powers to divert the attention o lord ,hiva and his ganas$
&e was successul in his attempt$ Lord ,hiva and his ganas became enchanted by the heavenly beauty
o the apsaras$ -hey stopped ighting and started watching their dance and music$
'eanwhile @alandhar went to 8arvati in the guise o lord ,hiva but was recogniBed by her$ Being
enchanted by the beauty o goddess 8arvatiE he looked at her with his evil intentionsE but was
immobiliBed by her wrath$
'other 8arvati then went to lord Vishnu and narrated the whole story$ ,he wanted to teach @alandhar a
lesson$ ,he reMuested lord Vishnu to go to @alandharKs wie in the guise o @alandhar and act in the
same way$ @alandhar had dared to do$
9$($#(; Vrinda *ets Dishonored
6ith the help o his divine powersE Lord Vishnu created many inauspicious dreams while Vrinda was
asleep$ Vrinda became very restless and when the anGieties become unbearable she proceeded
towards the orest$
Vrinda saw a hermit in the orest who was preaching his disciples$ -he hermit was none other than lord
Vishnu$ ,he went to that hermit and prayed to save her husbandKs lie$
Lord Vishnu disappeared rom the scene and reappeared = this time in the guise o @alandhar$ But
Vrinda was unable to recogniBe the real identity o her husband$ ,he was very pleased ater inding her
husband$ Both o them stayed in that very orest as husband and wie or a very long time$
%ne dayE came to know about the real identity o the personE who was impersonating as her husband$
"ealiBing that her chastity has been breachedE she cursed lord Vishnu by saying that Cust as he had
played a deceitul trick with her in the same way somebody would deceitully abduct his wie and he too
would wander in her search$
Ater cursing lord VishnuE Vrinda embraced death by entering into the ire$
9$($#(7 Killing o @alandhar
%n the other sideE ater the departure o 8arvati rom Kailash 'ountain and ater the illusionary powers
created by @alandhar had ended all the apsaras and gandharvas vanished$ ,hiva realiBed that
whatever he was watchingE was nothing more than illusion$
Lord ,hiva recommenced his battle$ -he demons=,humbh and 1ishumbhE came orward to ight with himE but
ultimately they had to lee rom the battleield$ Lord ,hiva warned both o them that though they had escaped
death at that momentE but they would be killed by 8arvati$
1ow @alandhar again arrived to ight with lord ,hiva$ A ierce battle commenced between them$ <inding
an opportune timeE ,hiva severed the head o @alandhar by his K:hakraK which had been created rom
his toe$ Ater his deathE @alandharKs soul united with ,hiva$
9$($#() -he Deities +Gpress *ratitude
6hen the deities came to know about the killing o @alandharE they became overCoyed$ -hey came to Lord ,hiva
and eulogiBed him$ -hy also hailed his great achievement$ Ater eGpressing their gratitude they returned to their
respective abodes$
9$($#(/ 'aniestation o Amla ('yrobalan)E -ulsi (WBasil) and 'alti
Lord Vishnu was very much saddened by the death o Vrinda$ &e took the ashes rom the pyre and
ater applying them on his body started wondering here and there$
-he deities became very worried to see the condition o lord Vishnu$ -hey went to lord ,hiva and
reMuested him to eliminate the alse attachment with which ,ri Vishnu was suering$
Lord ,hiva sent the deities to goddess 8arvatiE saying that she would ceratainly help in this regard$
-he deities went to goddess 8arvati and prayed to her$ ,he became very pleased and with the
assistance o LaGmi and ,araswatiE gave some seeds to then$ -he deities sprayed those seeds on the
pyreE on which Vrinda had given up her lie$ -hree holy plants maniested rom that pyre=AmlaE -ulsi
and 'alti$ Later on -ulsi and 'alti attained to the VishnulokaE by the virtue o their respective penance$
9$($#03 Birth o ,hankhachuda
,utCi narrated the tale o the birth o ,hankhachuda and how ,hiva killed him with his -rishula$ &e told the sages
that ,hankhachuda was born to the demon king KDambhaK$ ,hankhachuda was in actE ,udamaE in his previous
lie$ &e was born in the amily o demons due to the curse o "adha$
9$($#0# ,hankhachuda?s 'arriage
6hen ,hankhachuda gre upE he went to 8ushkar (ACmerE "aCasthan) and did a tremendous penance to
please lord Brahma$ Lord Brahma blessed him and said that he would remain invincible$ &e also
instructed ,hankhachuda to go to KBadrikashramK where he would ind his would be wie -ulsi= the
daughter o DharmadhwaCa$
,hankhachuda went to Badrikasharam and married -ulsi as per the instructions o lord Brahma$ &e then returned
back to his capital accompanied by his wie= -ulsi$
9$($#0( ,hankhachuda Becomes the "uler o All -hree 6orlds
6hen ,hankhachuda reached his capital ater marrying -ulsiE he was crowned as the king o the
demons by ,hukracharya$ Ater his coronationE ,hankhachuda attacked .ndrapuri supported by his
huge army and deeated the deities$ .n a very short time all the three worlds were under his control$
Ater being deeated by ,hankhachudaE the deities went to lord Brahma and sought his help in
eliminating the menance called ,hankhachuda$ Lord Brahma then took them to lord Vishnu$ All o them
were taken to lord ,hiva by VishnuCi$ -hey eGpressed their reMuest to liberate them rom the troubles
created by ,hankhachuda$
9$($#00 ,hiva Assures the Deities
Lord ,hiva assured the deities that he will certainly kill ,hankhachuda and hence they should not worry about
him$ -he deities then happily returned to their respective abodes$
9$($#04 :onversation Between 8ushpadant P ,hankhachuda
Lord ,hiva sent his messenger named 8ushpadantE to ,hankhachuda to ask him to return back the kingdom o
the deities to them$ ,hankhachuda reused to oblige this demandE on the contrary he eGpressed his willingness
and readiness to ight lord ,hiva$ 8ushpadant returned back and narrated the whole story to lord ,hiva$
9$($#09 ,hiva 8roceeds with his Army
Lord ,hiva was now ully convinced about the inevitability o the battle$ &e irst sent all his ganas under the
leadership o Kartekiye and *anesha$ Later on Bhadrakali proceeded towards the battleield with a huge army as
per the own wish o lord ,hiva himsel$ At last lord ,hiva proceeded towards the battleield accompanied by the
deities$ All the troops collected at the bank o river :handrabhaga and rested under the shade o a Banyan tree$
9$($#0; ,hankhachuda 8roceeds with his Army
,hankhachuda handed over the kingdom to his son and went to his wie to take her permission beore going to
the battleield$ &is wie was reluctant to allow him to goE but he somehow managed to convince her$ &e then
proceeded towards the banks o :handrabhaga with a huge army$
9$($#07 Battle Between the Deities and the Demons
A ierce battle started between the deities and the demons$ Both o them attacked each other with the most
destructive weapons$ But when the army o :handrachuda began to dominate the ightE the deities led away and
took the reuge o lord ,hiva$ -hey told ,hiva o the number o deities who had been killed while ighting$
9$($#0) -he Battle Between ,hiva?s <amily P ,hankhachuda
Ater the deeat o the deities and the ganas Kartikeya and *anesha went to ight ,hankhachuda$ A spectacular
battle was ought between ,hankhachuda and both o them$ Later on they were Coined by Bhadrakali$ Bhadrakali
would have devoured ,hankhachuda without any problemE but she spared his lie because o the boonE given to
him by Lord Brahma$ 1ow it was the turn o Lord ,hiva to Coin the battleE but even he could not cause any harm to
him because o lord BrahmaKs boon$
9$($#0/ ,trategy +mployed to Kill ,hankhachuda
6hile a tremendous battle was being ought between lord ,hiva and ,hankhachuda$ Lord Vishnu appeared and
demanded the armour rom ,hankhachudaE which he had put onE his body in the guise o a brahmin$
,hankhachuda gave his armour to him without any kind o suspicion$ Lord Vishnu then went to ,hankhachudaKs
wie in the guise o her husband i$e$ ,hankhachuda$ &e destroyed the chastity o -ulsi = ,hankhachudaKs wie$
,hankhachuda derived his power rom the chastity o his wie and it vanished the momentE her chastity was
destroyed$
9$($#43 Lord ,hiva Kills ,hankhachuda
Bhadrakali was creating havoc in the army o ,hankhachuda$ ,hankhachuda became very urious and attacked
,hiva$ ,hiva repulsed his assault and attacked him with his -rishul$ ,hankhachuda who had became powerless
was killed instantaneously$ -he deities were very pleased at the death o ,hankhachuda$ Ater worshipping lord
,hiva they went back to their respective abodes$
9$($#4# -ulsi :urses Lord Vishnu
Ater being instructed by goddess 8arvatiE Lord Vishnu had gone to -ulsi in the guise o her husband=
,hankhachudaE so that the breach o -ulsi chastity could help lord ,hiva to kill ,hankhachudaE who
derived his power rom -ulsiKs chastity and virtuosity$
.nitially -ulsi could not recogniBe lord Vishnu$ ,he was eGtremely Coyous at his arrival$ But very soon
she was able to realiBe the real identity o lord VishnuE who had disguised himsel as her husband$
,he became very angry and cursed lord Vishnu to become a stone$ ,he was crying unconsolably$ Lord
Vishnu contemplated on ,hiva as a result o which he appeared$ Lord ,hiva blessed -ulsi that she
would become the beloved o Lord Vishnu$
Due to -ulsiKs curseE Lord Vishnu attained the orm o ,haligram which is a stone and because o lord
,hivaKs blessings$ -ulsi leaves started being oered to the ,haligramE in the process o its worship$
9$($#4( Killing o &iranyaksha
&iranyakashipu was illed with grie when he heard the news o his brothersK death$ -o avenge
&iranyakshaKs deathE he started to torment the deities$ Becoming homelessE the deities started
wandering here and there$ &iranyakashipu was still unsatisied$ &e wanted to acMuire more power and
authority$ &e went to the 'andarachal mountain and started doing a tremendous penance to please
Lord Brahma$
Lord Brahma appeared beore him and asked him demand anything he wished to be ulilled$
&iranyakashipu said=
R% LordL Bless me so that . do neither die during the day nor during the nightO neither on the earth nor in
the skyO neither by the deities nor by the demonsO neither by a human being nor by an animal$ Bless me
% LordL % that . do not get killed by any type o weapon$R
Lord Brahma blessed &iranyakshipu and said Kso be itK$ 1owE &iranyakashipu became more ruthless
and arrogant$ &e declared himsel the almighty *od and ordered his subCects to worship him and his
idol$ &is son=8rahlad was a very great devotee o lord Vishnu$ &e did not pay heed to his atherKs
command and continued to worship Lord Vishnu$ &iranyakashipu tried to kill 8rahalada many timesE but
each time he survived by the blessings o lord Vishnu$
6hen &iranyakashipuKs atrocities crosses all its limitsE the deities went to lord Vishnu and reMuested
him to kill &iranyakashipu$ Lord Vishnu appeared in his incarnation o 1risimha (hal lion and hal man)
and killed &iranyakashipu with his sharp nailsE during the dusk$ Ater giving his kingdom to his son =
8rahalad Lord Vishnu went back to his abode$
9$($#40 Lord ,hiva -eaches -he ,ecrets o 'rita=,anCivani Vidya to ,hukracharya
,hukracharya did a severe penance or ive thousand years to please ,hiva and acMuire the secrets o
'ritasanCivani Viddya (bringing back dead person alive) rom him$
6hen Lord ,hiva did not appear even ater such a tremendous penanceE then he indulges himsel in
severest orm o penanceE by Muitting having ood and water$ &e now started living only on air$ -his
continued or thousands o year$
Lord ,hiva became very pleased with his penance$ &e maniested rom the very ,hivalingaE
,hukracharya had been worshipping till now$ &e taught the secrets o K'ritasanCivaniK viddya to him and
told him that by the help o this viddya he would become capable o making alive the dead persons$
Lord ,hiva also blessed ,hukracharya to become a star and attain respectability among all the planets$
Ater blessing ,hukracharya like thisE Lord ,hiva disappeared into the same ,hivalinga rom which he
had appeared$
9$($#44 Andhak?s ,plendors
%nceE Andhak brothers Cokingly told him thatE since his real parents were somebody else (,hiva and
8arvati) thereore he was not it to rule them$ -hough they had told this in good humourE yet Andhak
was very much saddened by their remark$ &e relinMuished his throne and went to a deserted place in
the orest and started to do a severe penance$ Lord Brahma became very pleased by his penance and
appeared beore him$ &e asked him to demand anything he wished to be ulilled$ Andhak said=
R. only long or the love and aection o my brothers$ % LordL Bless me so that nobody should be able
to kill one eGcept lord ,hiva$R
Lord Brahma blessed him and said= Kso be itK$
Andhak returned to his kingdom and with the co=operation o his brothers like 8rahalad etc he brought
even the deities under his control$ But drunk with power he became very arrogant and started
tormenting all the creatures$ &e did not show any respect to the VedasE brahmin and the deities$
9$($#49 Battle Between Lord ,hiva and Andhak
Andhak had become so arrogant that onceE he even dared to dishonour his own mother=8arvatiE who at
that time was living at the 'andarachal mountain$ ,hiva became very urious with him$
Andhak attacked ,hiva with his huge army$ Lord ,hiva sent his numerous ganas to ight himE but all o
them were killed by Andhak$
6hen lord ,hiva got the news o the arrival o Andhak with his armyE he sent Lord Vishnu and his
remaining ganas to ight him$ &e himsel went to perorm his austerity named K8ashupatK$ -he deities
ought with Andhak or one thousand years$ 'eanwhile Lord ,hiva returned ater completing his
K8ashupat VrataK and Coined them$
,eeing Lord ,hiva in ront o himE Andhak became urious and attacked him erociously$ &is
companionE whose name was KVidhasKE devoured all the deities$ -he demons who had been killed in the
battleE were brought back to lie by ,hukracharya$
Lord ,hiva became very angry and swallowed ,hukracharya$ &e also eGtracted the deities rom the
stomach o Vidhas who had been swallowed by him earlier$ Ater thatE lord ,hiva attacked Andhak with
his tridentE which inCured him$ But rom each drop o his blood which ell on the groundE maniested
thousands o demons who resembled Andhak$
Lord ,hiva then instructed goddess K:handikaK to drink the bloodE while he killed all the demons$
*oddess :handika ollowed the instructions o ,hiva and drank each drop o bloodE which ooBed out
rom the wounds o the demons and did not let single drop o blood to all on the ground$
Ater killing all the demonsE lord ,hiva lited Andhak with his trident and hanged him between the earth
and sky$ Andhak remained there or a very long period o timeE bearing the heat o the sun and the
showers o rain$ But he remained alive$ 2ltimately he had to take the reuge o Lord ,hivaE to save his
lie$ Lord ,hiva became pleased by his eulogy and made him his K*anadheesK (leader o all the *anas)$
9$($#4; "eemergence o ,hukracharya
6hen lord ,hiva swallowed up ,hukracharyaE he became very restless and started to ind out a way
through which he could come out rom ,hivaKs stomach$ But all o his eorts went in vain$ <inding no
other optionE he started to chant the name o lord ,hiva$ &is chantings continued or one hundred
years$ By the blessings o ,hivaE he came out rom ,hivaKs stomach through the eCaculated semen$
Ater coming outE ,hukraharya eulogiBed Lord ,hiva$ ,hiva became pleased with him and showered
him with aection Cust like his own son$ Ater being blessed ,hukracharya went and reCoined the army
o the demons$
9$($#47 Killing o *aCasur
*oddess Durga had killed the demon = 'ahishasurE who used to torment the deities$ *aCasur was the
son o 'ahishasur$ -o avenge his atherKs deathE *aCasur did a tremendous penance to please lord
Brahma$
Lord Brahma appeared beore him and asked him to demand any boon$ *aCasur said= R% LordL +ven a
K@eetendriyaK (one who has ull control over his senses) should not be able to kill meER
Lord Brahma blessed him by saying = K,o be itK$ *raduallyE *aCasur atrocities crossed all limits$ &e
became the lord o all the three worlds$ &e orced even the deities to worship him$ &e used to torment
the brahmins and the other religious people$
%ne day *aCasur arrived at Kashi and started tormenting the people living over there$ -he deities came
to lord ,hiva and reMuested him to rescue Kashi by killing *aCasur$
Lord ,hiva came to Kashi and ought a battle with *aCasur$ &e killed *aCasur with this trident$ At the
time o his deathE *aCasur eulogiBed Lord ,hiva and reMuested him to put his (*aCasurKs) skin on his
(,hivaKs) body$
Lord ,hiva agreed to ulill his wish$ At the spot whereE *aCasur was killed a amous ,hivalinga by the
name o Krittivaseshwar was constructed as per the own wish o lord ,hiva$
9$($#4) Killing o 1irhaddaitya
Diti was illed with grie when she came to known about her sonKs (&iranyaksha) deathE who was killed
by lord Vishnu$
1irhad daityaE who was the maternal uncle o 8rahlad consoled her an promised to avenge the death o
&iranyaksha$ &e thought to destroy the vedic religion$ According to him the deities derived their
strength and power rom this very vedic religion$ &e planned to eliminate the priestly class=brahminsE so
that the chances o KYagyasK being perormed becomes eGtinct and the deities were starved to such an
eGtent that they became weak and powerless$ -hinking that then it would not be very diicult to kill the
KweakK deities$
1irhaddaitya arrived at Kashi to eGecute his planE which during those time was the chie centre o the
brahmins$ &e attained the orm o a tiger and stationed himsel in a nearby orest$ &e used to kill any
brahmin who used to come over there to collect KKushaK grass and uel$ 6ith the help o his illusionary
powers he used to attain the orm o a hermit during the day time and lived among them$ But during the
nightE he used to enter into the houses o the brahmins in the orm o a tiger and used to devour them$
%n one night o ,hivaratriE when a brahmin was busy worshipping Lord ,hivaE 1iraddaitya who was in
the orm o a tiger entered the temple$ ButE since the brahmin was engaged in the worship o Lord
,hivaE he could not harm the brahmin$ Lord ,hiva emerged rom the very ,hivalingaE which the
brahmin was worshipping and punched the demon with his clenched istE so hard that he died$
9$($#4/ Killing o Vidal and 2tpal
Long long ago there used to live two demons by the names o Vidul and 2tpal$ Both o them did a
tremendous penance to please lord Brahma$ Ater being blessed by lord BrahmaE they became very
arrogant and started tormenting the deities and the brahmins$
-he deities went to lord Brahma and sought his help$ Lord Brahma told them that both the demons
would be killed by goddess 8arvati very soon$ &e also instructed the deities to eulogiBe ,hiva and
8arvati to seek their blessings$ -he deities went back and started eulogiBing ,hiva and 8arvati$
%ne ateul dayE Vidal and 2tpal arrived at the place where goddess 8aarvati was having amusements
with her companions$ Vidal and 2tpal had disguised themselves as the ganas o ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva recogniBed the real identity o the demons$ &e signaled towards 8arvati pointing towards
the demons$ 8arvati who was playing with a ball with her companionsE understood what lord ,hiva
meant to say$ ,he hit both o them with the ballE with such orce that both the demons died on the spot$
-he ball then ell down on the ground and transormed into a ,hivalinga which became as
KKandukeshwarK$ -he deities became very pleased at the death o Vidal and 2tpal$
/&* )hatrudra )amhita
-he sages reMuested ,utCi to describe about the dierent incarnations o Lord ,hiva$ ,utCi told them
thatE although Lord ,hiva took many incarnations but ive o his incarnations were very important=
,adhoCat 1amadevaE -atpurushE Aghoresh and .shan$
-his :hapter contains 0( sections$
9$0$# ,adhoCat (#)
Lord ,hiva took his irst incarnation rom the physiMue incarnation rom the physiMue o Lord BrahmaE
who was engrossed in his deep state o meditationE during the nineteenth Kalpa named ,hweta Lohit$
Lord Brahma gave him the name ,AD&%@A- and eulogiBed him$
Later onE rom the physiMue o ,adhoCat our o his disciple maniestedE whose names were ,unandE
1andanE Vishwanandan and 2panandan$ All the our disciples were o air compleGion$ Lord ,hiva
blessed Brahma and empowered him to do creation$
9$0$( 1aamdeva (()
During the twentieth Kalpa named K"aktaK the compleGion o lord Brahma turned redE while he was
engrossed in his meditative state$ <rom his body maniested an entity who also was o red compleGion$
Lord Brahma named him 1amadeva considering him to be the incarnation o lord ,hiva and eulogiBed
him$ Later on our sons were born to 1amadevaE whose names were ViraCE ViwahE Vishok and
Vishwabhawan$ All o them were o red compleGion Cust like their ather 1amadeva$
1aamdeva ,hiva alongwith his virtuous progenies blessed lord Brahma with the power o creation$
9$0$0 -atpurush (0)
-he twenty=irst Kalpa on the earth was known as K8eetavasaK$ .t was named so because o the apparel o lord
Brahma which were o yellow colours$ Lord BrahmaKs prayer resulted into the maniestation o a eulgent entity$
:onsidering this entity as Lord ,hivaE Lord Brahma started chanting the mantras o ,hiva *ayatri$ Ater the
chantings o the mantrasE numerous entities maniested who had put on apparels o yellow colour on their body$
-his way the third incarnation o ,hiva popularly known as -atpurush maniested$
9$0$4 *horesh (4)
Ater the 8eetavasa Kalp came the ,hiva Kalpa$ A black compleGioned maniested while Lord Brahma was
engrossed in his deep meditative state$ Lord Brahma considering this entity as Aghor ,hiva started eulogiBing
him$ Lord BrahmaKs eulogiBation resulted into the maniestation o our more entities who had the same black
compleGion as that o KAghor ,hivaK$ -heir names were KrishnaE KrishnashikhaE Krishnamukha and
Krishnakanthdhari$ *hor ,hiva along with those our entities blessed lord Brahma with the power o creation$
9$0$9 .shan (9)
During the Kalpa named VishwaroopE maniestations o ,araswati and .shan ,hiva took place$ Lord Brahma
eulogiBed .shan ,hiva ater which our divine entities named @atiE 'undiE ,hikhandi and Ardhamundi maniested
rom .shan ,hiva$ All o them blessed lord Brahma with the power o creation$
9$0$; +ight .dols o ,hiva
Ater describing about the ive chie incarnations o lord ,hivaE ,utCi eGplained about the eight amous idols o lord
,hiva= ,harvaE BhavaE "udraE 2graE BheemaE 8ashupatiE .shan and 'ahadeva$ -hese eight idols o ,hiva
symboliBes the eight natural elements which help in the process o creationE nurturement and annihilation$ -hese
eight natural elements are LandE waterE ireE airE skyE supreme soul (Kshetragya)E ,un and the moon$ Being
established in these eight idolsE ,hiva controls the whole world$
9$0$7 ,hiva as Ardhanarishwar
%nce upon a time Lord BrahmaE not seeing an eGpansion in his creation became very worried$ A
heavenly voice instructed him to commence creation with the help o copulative activities$ But since all
the incarnation o ,hiva had been males till thenE thereore lord Brahma was inding it impossible$
Lord Brahma contemplated on the orm o ,hiva and ,hakti$ Lord ,hiva became very pleased with him
and appeared in his orm o KArdhanarishwar (hal male hal emale)$ Let side o his body resembled
like a woman while the right side appeared like a man$ Lord Brahma worshipped this orm o ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva then separated the eminine part o his body and thus maniested mother ,hakti$ Lord
Brahma worshipped her and reMuested to bestow such power by which he could create a woman$
*oddess ,hakti blessed him by saying ! K,o be itK and vanished$ -his way Lord Brahma became capable o
commencing copulative creation$
9$0$) Various .ncarnations o Vyasa and Lord ,hiva
During the KVarahK Kalpa o the ,eventh K'anvantarK lord Vishnu illuminated all the three world by his
divine presence$ -his seventh 'anvantara consisted o our yugas which repeated themselves in a
cyclic way or twelve times$
-he irst dwapar o this seventh manvantar saw the maniestation o lord ,hiva or the welare o the
brahmins$ 6hen Kaliyuga arrived Lord ,hiva again maniested himsel along with goddess ,hakti and
was known as 'ahamuni ,hweta$ Lord Brahma had the priviledge o becoming his disciple$
During the second dwaparE sage Vyas eGisted as ,atyaE 8raCapati and Lord ,hiva became amous as
K,utarK$ Lord ,hiva in his incarnation o ,utra had many disciples among whom KDundubhiK was very
amous$
During the third dwapar sage Vyas took his incarnation as Bhargava and lord ,hiva became amous as
Daman$ Lord ,hiva in his incarnation as Daman had our disciples among whom Vishoka was very
amous$ 6hen Kaliyuga arrived ater this third dwapar$ Lord ,hiva along with his Disciples helped ,age
Vyas$
During the ourth Dwapar ,age Vyas took his incarnation as Angira and Lord ,hiva as K,uhotraK$ +ven
in this incarnation Lord ,hiva had our disciples among whom ,umukh was very amous$ Lord ,hiva
along with his disciples helped Angira$
During the ith dwapar sage Vyas took incarnation as ,avita and Lord ,hiva as KKankaK who was very
amous or his tremendous austerities$ Kanka had our disciples among whom ,anak was very amous$
During the siGth dwapar sage Vyas took incarnation as 'rityu and Lord ,hiva as KLokakshiK$ Lokakshi
had our disciples among whom ,udhama was very prominent$
During the seventh dwapar sage Vyas maniested himsel as .ndra and Lord ,hiva as @aigisatya$
@aigisatya had our disciples among whom ,araswat was very prominent$
During the eighth dwapar sage Vyas took incarnation as Vashishth and Lord ,hiva as Dadhivahan$
Dadhivahan had our disciples among whom Kapil was very amous$
During the nineth dwapar sage Vyas took incarnation as ,araswat and Lord ,hiva as K"ishabhK$ Lord ,hiva in his
incarnation as "ishabhdeva had our disciples among whom 8arashar was very amous$
9$0$/ 1andikeshwar
6hile describing about the incarnation o 1andikeshwar ,utCi says=
,age ,hilad did a tremendous penance to please lord ,hiva with an aspiration to have a son$ Lord
,hiva appeared beore him and asked him to demand any boon he wished$
,age ,hilad eGpressed his desire o having a son who is not born rom a physical body and who is
proicient in all the sriptural knowledges$ Lord ,hiva blessed him by saying ! K,o be itK$
,age ,hilad then returned to his hermitage and perormed a KYagyaK$ <rom the yagya=kunda appeared
a child who possessed our arms and three eyes$ ,age ,hilad was very pleased to see that child$ -he
birth o the child was celebrated with great anare$ Lord ,hiva and 8arvati arrived to bless the child$
-he child was named 1andi as his birth had given immense Coy (anand) to sage ,hilad$ Later on 1andi
lived with his ather like any other normal child and was brought up with great love and care$ &e
became proicient in all the scriptures within seven years$
Being inspired by lord ,hivaE two brahmins came to sage ,hilad and inormed him that ater one year
1andi would be no more$ ,age ,hilad became eGtremely sad$
,eeing his ather in his sorrowul moodE 1andi consoled him and later on went to do penance$ &is tremendous
penance pleased Lord ,hiva and 8arvati and both o them appeared beore him$ Lord ,hiva blessed him and
said= HYou are Cust like meE so you will never dieI$
Lord ,hiva also gave one o his garlands to him$ As soon as 1andi wore that garland he imbibed all the
Mualities o lord ,hiva$ Ater that Lord ,hiva took out some water rom his locks o hair and sprinkled on
himE as a result o which ive rivers came into eGistence$ -hese ive rivers were later on came to be
known as 8anchanad$ Lord ,hiva then made him the leader o all his ganas$
Later on goddess 8arvati took 1andi under her guidance and considered him Cust like her own son$
1andi was married to ,uyasha= the daughter o 'arut$ 2ltimately all o them accompanied lord ,hiva to
his abode$
9$0$#3 Bhairav *ets Liberated rom his ,in
Bhairav who was created by lord ,hiva rom his third eyeE had severed one o the ive heads o Lord
Brahma on the instruction o lord ,hiva$ 1ow BrahmaCi was let with only our heads$
:arrying the skull o Brahma in his handE Bhairava started wandering in all the three worlds$ -o atone
his sin o severing the head o lord BrahmaE he was begging alms$
Bhairav reached Vishnuloka where he was welcomed warm heartedly by lord Vishnu and LaGmi$
*oddess LaGmi dropped the learning (Vidya) named 'anorath (by which all the wishes could be
ulilled) in the begging bowl (,kull) o Bhariav$ Bhairav became eGtremely happy by this git$ Lord ,hiva
had created a oegrass named KBrahmahatyaK and had instructed Bhairav to reach KashiE beore her$
According to lord ,hiva this way the sin committed by Bhairav could successully atoned$
Ater being blessed by goddess LaGmiE Bhairav took the permission o Lord Vishnu and proceeded
towards Kashi$ Ater his departure asked Brahmahatya to stop chasing Bhairav$ But she reused saying
that she was Cust ollowing the instruction o Lord ,hiva$
6hen Bhairav reached KashiE Brahmahatya too came near the outskirts o the cityE but could not enter
it because o Lord ,hivaKs power instead she entered in to the netherworld (8atal loka)$ As soon as
Bhairav had entered Kashi$ -he begging=bowl (skull) ell on the ground and thus Bhairav got liberated
rom his sins$ Bhairav was eGtremely relieved$ -he place where the skull o Brahma had allenE later on
became as Kapal mochan= the most sacred place o pilgrimage$
9$0$## ,hiva -akes an .ncarnation as ,harabh
6hile describing about the incarnation o ,harabh ,utCi told sages=
H6hen VishnuCi took his incarnation o 1risimha to kill the demon king !&iranyakashipuE his anger could
not be subdued even ater the killing o &iranyakashipu$ &is anger had rightened all the three worlds$
Lord Brahma sent 8rahalada to 1risimha so that his anger gets cool down$ 8rahalada prayed to
1risimha$ 1risimha took him in his embrace but still his anger was not subdued$I
HAll the deities went to lord ,hiva and reMuested to him to cool down VishnuKs anger$ Lord ,hiva then
sent Bhairav and Veerbhadra to 1risimha$ 6hen Veerbhadra politely reMuested 1risimha to cool downE
he (1risimha) tried to pounce on him (Veerbhadra)$ "ight then Lord ,hiva appeared in his most
devastating orm$ &e was looking rightening in his giant orm and with thousands o hand$ &is
appearance was resembling a huge cannibal bird$ Lord ,hiva inCured 1risimha with his giant wings and
ater carrying Lord Vishnu in his giant wings and ater carrying lord Vishnu in his arms he lew in the
sky$ Lord Vishnu was so rightened that he became unconscious$I
HAter regarding his consciousness Lord 1risimha appeared in his orm o Lord Vishnu and eulogiBed
,hivaE which made lord ,hiva very pleased$ Lord ,hiva wore the head o 1risimha with the garland o
skull in his neck$ -he remaining body was carried by Veerbhadra and abandoned at a mountain$I
9$0$#( Vishwanar "eceives a Boon rom ,hiva
%nce upon a timeE there used to live a brahmin named Vishwanar who was a great devotee o lord
,hiva$ ,huchismati was his wie who was a devout wie$ Being pleased by her sense o dutiulnessE
Vishwanar tried to reward his wie$
,huchismati eGpressed her desire o having a son Cust like lord ,hiva$ Vishwanar went to Kashi to
please Lord ,hiva by his penance$ &e worshipped Vishveshwar linga with supreme devotion$
Lord ,hiva became very pleased by his devotion and he appeared beore Vishwanar rom the
,hivalinga$ 6hen Vishwanar eGpressed his desireE lord ,hiva agreed to take birth as his ,on$
Vishwanar came back to his house happily$
9$0$#0 ,hiva?s .ncarnation as *rihapati
.n due course o timeE ,huchismati became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiul child$ -he whole
amily celebrated the birth o the child$ -he whole amily celebrated the birth o the child$ -he name
giving ceremony o that child was attended by all the deities and sages including lord ,hiva and 8arvati$
Lord Brahma named the child as *rihapati$ 6hen *rihapati attained the age o iveE his sacred thread
ceremony was perormed$ 6ithin a year he became proicient in all the Vedas and other sacred teGts$
6hen *rihapati attained the age o nineE 1arada came and inormed Vishwanar that death o *rihapati
was imminent because o the evil eects o the planetary combinations$ Vishwanar and ,huchismati
were saddened and started crying$
*rihapati then consoled his parents and proceeded towards Kashi to do penance so that the KdeathK
could be conMured$
9$0$#4 *rihapati?s 8enance
*rihapati commenced his penance at Kashi$ -he deity .ndra arrived there and reMuested him to
demand anything he wished but *rihapati reused$ .ndra became urious and tried to attack him with his
weapon=VaCra$ *rihapati was very terriied$
"ight then Lord ,hiva appeared and .ndra had to retreat rom the scene$ Lord ,hiva blessed *rihapati
by saying ! H6hat to say about this lightning ! VaCraE even KaalvaCra would not be able to kill you$I
*rihapati became very pleased$ -he ,hivalinga which he worshippedE later on became amous as
KAgnishwar linga$ Lord ,hiva made *rihapati the lord o all the directions$
9$0$#9 Lord ,hiva?s .ncarnation as Yaksheshwar
During the time when ocean was being churned irst o all poison appeared rom it$ -he deities were
very terriied to see the tremendous heat it generated$ -hey went to lord ,hiva and reMuested to protect
them rom the heat o that poison$ Lord ,hiva drank all the poison but did not let it pass down his throat$
Ater the poisonE 1ectar appeared rom the oceanE which was drunk by the deities$ -he demons too
wanted to drink the nectarE so a tremendous battle ensued between them and the deities$ -he deities
became victorious in this battle because they had become immortal due to the eect o the 1ectar$ -his
victory made the deities very arrogant$
Lord ,hiva was very concerned about their arrogant nature$ &e went to them in the guise o a Yaksha$
&e asked as to what was it that had made them so arrogant$ -he deities replied that their arrogance
stemmed rom victory over the demons$ Lord ,hiva who was disguised as Yaksha replied= HYour pride
is based on alse notionE because you did not achieve victory due to somebodyKs grace and blessing$I
-he deities disagreed with him$ Lord ,hiva then asked them to cut the grass i they considered themselves so
mighty$ &e then kept a grass lea in ront o them$ +ach o the deities tried to cut that grass with their respective
weapons but remained unsuccessul in their attempts$ -hey were all amaBed$ ,uddenly a heavenly voice was
heard which said that the Yaksha was none other than Lord ,hiva himsel$ -he deities realiBed their mistakes$
-he apologiBed to lord ,hiva$ Ater vanMuishing the alse pride o the deities lord ,hiva disappeared$
9$0$#; Dash Avatar (#3 .ncarnations o ,hiva)
Describing about the ten incarnations and their corresponding power (,hakti)E ,utCi said=
-he irst incarnation o lord ,hiva was as 'ahakal and his ,hakti was called 'ahakali$ Lord ,hiva took
his second incarnation as -ar and his ,hakti was called K-araK$ -he third incarnation o Lord ,hiva was
as Bhuvaneshwar and his ,hakti was called KBhuvaneshwariK$ Lord ,hiva took his ourth incarnation as
K,hodashK who was also known as K,rividdyeshK and his ,hakti was called K,hodashiK or K,hriK$
Lord ,hiva took his ith incarnation as Bhairav and his ,hakti was called KBhairaviK$ -he siGth
incarnation o Lord ,hiva is amous as K:hhinamastakK and his ,hakti by the name o K:hhinamasta$
Lord ,hiva took his seventh incarnation as KDhoomvanK and his ,hakti was known as KDhoomvati$ -he
eighth incarnation was as Baglamukh and his ,hakti as Baglamukhi$
-he nineth incarnation o lord ,hiva became amous as 'atang and his ,hakti as K'atangiK$ Lord ,hiva
took his tenth incarnation as KKamalK and his ,hakti as Kamala$ . these ten incarnation o ,hiva are
worshipped along with his ten 'ahavidyas then a man attains salvation$
9$0$#7 -he %rigin o +leven "udras
%nceE the deities went to sage Kashyap ater being tormented by the demons$ -hey complained to him
about the misdeeds o the demonsE who also happened to be their step brothers$ ,age Kashyap
became eGtremely uriousE when he heard about the misdeeds o his sons ! the demons$ -o protect the
deities rom his sonsE he commenced a penance to please lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva became very pleased by his penance and appeared beore him$ &e asked Kashyap to
demand anything he wished$ Kashyap then reMuested Lord ,hiva to take birth as his son and destroy
the demons$ Lord ,hiva blessed him and said ! K,o be itK$
Lord ,hivaE later on took birth as eleven "udras rom the womb o his wie ,urabhi$ -he name o these
eleven rudras were as ollowsJ=
#) KapaliE () 8ingalE 0) BheemE 4) VirupakshaE 9) VilohitE ;) ,hastraE 7) ACapaadE )) AhirbudhnyaE /)
,hambhuE #3) :hand and ##) Bhav$
-hese eleven "udras ought battles with the demons and killed them$ -he deities were relieved ater
the death o the demons$ -hey worshipped these eleven rudras to eGpress their gratitude and
indebtedness$
9$0$#) ,hiva?s .ncarnation as Durvasa
Describing about the Lord ,hivaKs incarnation as DurvasaE ,utCi told the deitiesJ= Honce Atri ! the
manasputra o lord Brahma went to do penance at the bank o the river 1ivindhya which lew by the
oothills o -rayakshakul mountain as per the instructions o Lord Brahma himsel$ &e commenced
doing a tremendous penance$ -he eects o his penance was such that devastating lames o ire
maniested rom his head$ -he ire spread in all the three world in no time$ -he deities were terriied by
the death and destruction caused by the ire in all the three worlds$ -hey went to lord Brahma to seek
his help$ Lord Brahma took them to lord Vishnu and revealed to him about the destruction caused by
the ire$ All o them went to lord ,hiva and told him everything$
Lord BrahmaE Lord Vishnu and Lord ,hiva went to Atri and blessed him$ Atri recogniBed them$ &e
eulogiBed them$ Later on AtriKs wie= Anusuya gave birth to three sonsE who in act were the
incarnations o Lord BrahmaE Lord Vishnu and Lord ,hiva$ Lord Brahma incarnation as the 'oonE Lord
Vishnu as Dutt and ,hiva took incarnation as Durvasa$
Durvasa had tested the religiousness and virtuosity o numerous people$ &e had also tested the
religiousness o king AmbareeshE who ruled over K,aptadweepaK$ %nce king Ambareesh had observed
a ast on K+kadashiK$ 1eGt dayE when he was about to break his ast sage Durvasa arrived accompanied
by his large number o disciples$
Durvasa was very urious with king Ambareesh$ &e said=
HYou had invited me or this particularE but you have also insulted me by breaking the ast by drinking
water in my absence$I
,age Durvasa would have burnt king Ambareesh to ashes by his curseE had not ,udarshan=the
weapon o Vishnu came to his rescue$ ,udarshan then tried to burn sage Durvasa when suddenly a
heavenly voice was heard rom the sky which said=
HDurvasa is no one but the incarnation o lord ,hiva himsel$I &earing this ,udarshanKs anger was paciied$ King
Ambareesh then begged his orgiveness rom sage Durvasa$
9$0$#/ .ncarnation o &anuman
Lord ,hiva was so inatuated by the appearance o lord Vishnu in his orm o 'ohini roopa that his
semen was released on the ground$ -his semen was established by the ,aptarishis in the womb o
AnCaniE with the permission o lord ,hiva himsel$
.n this way was born the mighty &anuman$ %nceE during his childhood &anuman had swallowed the
,unE which he released only ater the deities prayed to him$ -he sun accepted him as his disciple and
made him proicient in all the learningKs$ &e started living with ,ugreeva as per the instructions o his
teacher ! the ,un$
During the time o ,ri "amKs eGileE ,ugreeva developed riendship with him with the help o &anuman$
&anuman helped ,ri "am in inding the whereabouts o ,itaE who had been abducted by the demon
king="avana$ &e took a giant leap and Cumped across the ocean$ &e went to Ashok=Vatika where
"avana had kept ,ita$ &e gave ,ri "amKs ring to her and consoled her by saying that very soon ,ri
"am was going to arrive and release her rom "avanaKs captivity$ &e also burnt the whole Lanka by his
burning tail and returned to ,ri "am to give him ,itaKs news while the battle was ought between ,ri
"am and "avana LaGmana got seriously inCured and became unconscious$ &anuman saves his lie by
bringing the whole o mountainE upon which the herb ,anCivani grew$
Being present at the service o ,ri "amE &anuman perormed his duties marvelously$ 6orship o
&anuman helps a man to become ree rom all kinds o problemsE diseases and hurdles etc$
9$0$(3 ,hiva?s .ncarnation as 'ahesh
%nceE Bhairav who was entrusted with the Cob o a doorkeeper became so inatuated with 8arvatiKs
beauty that he tried to prevent her rom going outside$
8arvati became urious and cursed him to be born as a mortal man on the earth$ Bhairav became very
sad but now the damage had been already done$ Bhairav later on appeared in the orm o a man
named KVetalK$
Vetal prayed to lord ,hiva who took his incarnation as 'ahesh and goddess 8arvati as *iriCa$
9$0$(# Lord Vishnu :reates -urbulences
Ater the churning o the ocean had been accomplishedE numerous things had emerged out rom the
ocean$ @ewelsE 'oonE LaGmiE 8oisonE 2chchaishrava horseE +ravat elephantE Vessel containing 1ectar
were some o the things which emerged out rom the ocean ater the churning$
A tremendous battle was ought between the deities and the demons to have control over the vessel
containing 1ectar$ -he demons had snatched that vessel rom the deities$
By the divine inspiration o lord ,hivaE Vishnu appeared in the orm o 'ohini ! the enchanting beauty$
&e successully recovered that vessel rom the control o the demons$
-o distract the attention o the demons rom the nectarE lord Vishnu created numerous enchanting
beauties$ 6hen the demons saw themE they orcibly carried these enchanting beauties to their abode !
the 1ether world$ Ater that they again returned to take control o the 1ectar$
By that timeE Vishnu had made the deities drink all the nectar$ 6hen the demons came to know about
thisE they became very urious and attacked the deities$ A tremendous battle ensured between both the
sides$ 2ltimately the demons got deeated$ -o save their lives the demon ran towards their abode$ Lord
Vishnu chased the demons and entered the 1etherland$ &e killed all the demons$
Lord Vishnu then saw those enchanting beauties who had been abducted by the demons$ .ronicallyE lord Vishnu
got inatuated by their beauty= who were his own creation$ Lord Vishnu remained there or a long time$
9$0$(( ,hiva?s .ncarnation as Vrishabh
During his stay in the 1etherlandE many sons were born to Lord VishnuE who were very wicked and
cruel$ -hese sons o lord Vishnu started tormenting the inhabitants o all the three world$
All the deities and the sages went to lord ,hiva to take his help$ -hey reMuested him to kill the cruel
sons o Vishnu and reestablish him (lord Vishnu) in his own abodeE which he had abandoned or the
1ether world$
Lord ,hiva went to the 1etherworld in the orm o a %G (Vrishabh)$ &e killed all the sons o lord Vishnu
with his sharp horns$ ,eeing the death o his sonsE lord Vishnu came orward to ight him$ &e attacked
lord ,hiva with his various weaponsE but lord ,hiva remained harmless$ 2ltimately lord Vishnu was able
to recognise him$ &e eulogiBed lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva then reMuested him to return back to VishnulokaE he accepted$ Lord Vishnu let his
K,udarshan chakraK in the 1etherworld and went to his own abodeE where lord ,hiva presented him a
new ,udarshan chakra$
9$0$(0 Killing o Vrittrasur
%nceE when the deities were deeated by vrittrasurE they went to lord Brahma ater hiding their weapons
in the hermitage o sage Dadhichi$ -hey reMuested lord Brahma to reveal about the meansE how
vrittrasur could be killed$
Lord Brahma advised the deities to male a weapon named VaCra rom the bones o sages DadhichiE as
DadhichiKs bones were even harder than the VaCra o .ndra by the blessings o lord ,hiva$
All the deities then went to the hermitage o Dadhichi in the leadership o Vrihaspati$ %n being enMuired
about the purpose o their visitE .ndra said that he wanted his bones so that a weapon could be made
out o it$
Dadhichi *ave up his lie by his yogic power$ .ndra then instructed Kamdhenu to eGtract the bones rom
the dead body o Dadhichi$ -he bones were on given to K-washtaK to construct the weapon=VaCra$
-washta took the weapons to Vishwakarma who at last constructed the VaCra$
.ndra killed Vrittrasur with this weapon$ 6hen ,uvarcha ! the wie o Dadhichi came to know about the
cunning deeds o the deitiesE she cursed them to became animals$
9$0$(4 ,hiva?s .ncarnation as Yatinath
-here used to live a bheel named Aahuk o the Arbudachal mountain$ &is wie was Aahuka$ Both o
them were supreme devotee o lord ,hiva$
%nceE lord ,hiva wanting to test their devotionE appeared beore them disguised a hermit$ Aahuk
honoured his guest and treated him very well$ Lord ,hiva then reMuested him to give shelter or the
whole night$ Aahuk eGpressed his inability as he had a very small hutE in which only two people could
be accommodate at a time$
But his wie intervened and reMuested Aahuk to sleep outside the hut with his armsE as it would be
inappropriate on their part to miss this chance o proving their hospitality$
-he hermitE who in reality was lord ,hiva slept with AahukKs wie inside the hutE while Aahuk himsel
slept outside the hut$ 2nortunately Aahuk was killed by a wild animal while he was asleep$
.n the morning when lord ,hiva ound that Aahuk had diedE his heart was illed with grie$ But Aahuka
consoled him by saying that she was proud o her husband as he had given up his lie or a noble
cause$ 1aturally she was very much saddened by her husbandKs death so she decided to give up her
lie by Cumping into the burning pyre$
"ight then lord ,hiva appeared in his real orm and blessed her by saying=
H.n his neGt birth your husband would take birth in a royal amily$ &e would become amous as 1ala and
you would be born as Damayanti to king Bheema o Vidarbha$ . would mysel appear in the orm o a
swan and help both o you to unite$ Ater enCoying all the pleasures o this world both o you would
attain to may abode$
Ater saying thusE lord ,hiva established himsel as immovable ,hivalingaE which later on became
amous as Achaleshwar linga$
9$0$(9 ,hiva?s .ncarnation as Krshna Darshan
King 1abhag was born in the nineth geneology o ,hraddhdeva who himsel was a descendant o
.kshavaku$ 1abhag was the grandather o Ambareesh$ During his childhood 1abhag let his home or
Kgurukula to get education$ .n his absence his brothers got the wealth o the kingdom distributed among
themselves$
6hen 1abhag returned home ater the completion o his educationE he demanded his share o wealth
rom his brothers$ &is brothers told him that they had orgotten to iG his share as he was absent at the
time when wealth was being distributed$ -hey advised him to go and meet their ather$
1abhag went to his ather and made the same reMuest$ &is ather advised him to go to sage Angiras
who was trying to accomplish a yagyaE but was not being able to accomplish it because o his
attachment$
H*o and try to eliminate his attachment by your discourses$ -his way sage Angiras on being pleased
with you would give all the wealth which remains ater the completion o the yagya$I ,aid his ather$
1abhag did the same$ &e went to the place where sage Angiras was perorming his yagya$ &e
preached sage Angiras on the virtues o "eligiousness$ As a result he became ree rom all sorts o
attachments and the yagya was successully accomplished$
,age Angiras was very pleased by 1abhagKs knowledge o religion$ &e gave all the remaining wealth o
the yagya to 1abhag$ @ust then lord ,hiva arrived there in his incarnation o Krishna darshan and tried
to prevent sage Angiras rom donating the wealth to 1abhagE instead he staked his own claim$
1abhag told lord ,hiva thatE since the wealth was given to him by sage Angiras himselE it naturally
belonged to him$ Lord ,hiva then sent 1abhag to his ather=,hraddhdev to know about his opinion$
1abhag went to ,hraddh deva who revealed to him that the person who was staking his claims on the
wealth was none other then lord ,hiva$ &e also told him that whatever remained ater the
accomplishment o the yagya belongs to lord ,hiva only$
1abhag was now satisied$ &e went back to lord ,hiva and narrated everything what his ather had
said$ &e then eulogiBed and worshipped lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva blessed him which helped 1abhag to
attain salvation$
9$0$(; Lord ,hiva Appears as a Beggar
-here was a king named ,atyarath who ruled over Vidarbha$ %nce he was attacked by a neighbouring
king$ ,atyarath was killed in that battle$ &is wie somehow managed to save her lie by hiding in a
orest$ -he Mueen was pregnant at that time$
At the shore o a pond she gave birth to a child$ ,he was eeling thirstyE so she went into the pond to
Muench her thirst$ 2nortunately she was killed by a crocodile who used to live in that pond$
-he hungry child started crying= A beggar woman arrived there with her one year old child$ -hough her
heart was illed with compassion seeing the hungry child cry but still she was hesitating to take him in
her lap$
"ight then lord ,hiva appeared as a beggar and advised her to bring up the orphan child$ -he beggar
woman asked about the origin o the child$ Lord ,hiva told her that the ather o this child ,atyarath in
his previous lie had let the pradoshavrata incomplete$ &e had also ordered his men to severe the
head o his enemy$ Ater thisE he had broken his ast in his impure stateE without taking a bath$
As a resultE ,atyarath met a premature=death in his neGt lie$ -he mother o this orphan child too
committed a sin by deceitully getting the co=wie o her husband killed$ As a result she was devoured
by a crocodile in her neGt lie$
Describing about the child lord ,hiva said=
H-his child was brahmin by birth in his previous lieE but still he never engaged himsel in any religious
or virtuous deeds$ ,o in his neGt lieE though he was born in a royal amilyE buts still he remained poor$
You must take this child under your control and ater his sacred=thread ceremony gets accomplishedE
you must engage him in my (,hivaKs) devotion$ . you donKt obey my command then it would not be
good or the welare o your own child$I
Ater saying like this lord ,hiva disappeared$ -he beggar woman took that child to her house and
brought him up with great love and care$ 6hen he grew up his sacred=thread ceremony was perormed
and then he was initiated into the worship o lord ,hiva$
By the blessing o lord ,hivaE ,atyarathKs son ormed a pot ull o gold while he was taking both in a pond$ 1ow
the beggar amily became very rich$ %nce again when he had gone to a orest he met a KgandharvaK princess to
whom he ultimately got married$ -his way he became a king$ &e lived happily with his mother and his brother$
9$0$(7 Lord ,hiva Appears in the *uise o .ndra (,ureshwar)
2pamanyu !the son o sage VyaghrapaadE was brought up in his maternal uncleKs home since his
childhood$ %ne day 2panyu was very hungry$ &is mother gave him milk to drink which was not enough
to satisy his hunger$ &e demanded more and started crying$ &is mother mined some wheat lour in the
water and gave him to drink as there was no milk let in the house$ 2pamanyu inding the taste dierent
told his mother that it was not milk but something else$ &e again started crying$
&is mother told him that i he wanted milk then he should worship lord ,hiva as he only was capable o
making the milk available$ 2pamanyu proceeded towards the &imalaya and started doing penance to
please lord ,hiva= continuously chanting the mantra %m 1amah ,hivay$ &is penance generated so
much o heat that all the three worlds started burning$
-o test his devotionE Lord ,hiva and goddess 8arvati appeared beore him disguised as .ndra and
.ndrani respectively$ Both o them told 2pamanyu to stop doing penance$ -hey said=
H6e .ndra and .ndrani are eGtremely pleased by your devotion$ ,top worshipping ,hiva$ 6e will ulill all
your desires$I
Lord ,hiva and goddess 8arvati did not stop at this$ -hey even cursed ,hiva$ 2pamanyu became very
urious and got up to attack the abuser ! .ndra$
,hiva and 8arvati were satisied by his total dedication and devotion$ -hey revealed their real identity
and blessed him$ ,hiva promised 2pamanyu that he would be present in the vicinity o his hermitage
along with 8arvati orever$
2pamanyu returned back to his home and narrated the whole story to his mother who was very
pleased$ Lord ,hiva got the name K,ureshwarK because he appeared in the guise o .ndra$
9$0$() ,age Vyasa Advises the 8andavas to 6orship ,hiva
Ater loosing their whole kingdom to Duryodhan in the gambleE 8andavas went to the dwait orest
accompanied by Draupadi$ -hey started living in a place which was donated by Velotra ,un$
Duryodhan instigated sage Durvasa to torment the 8andavas$ ,age Durvasa went to the place where
8andavas were stayingE accompanied by thousands o his disciples$ &e demanded ood rom the
8andavas$ &ow could have the 8andavas satiated rom the hunger o thousands o people$ Lord
Krishna came to their rescue and saved them rom being disagraced$ As a result Durvasa and his
disciples went back satisied$
Lord Krishna advised the 8andavas to worship lord ,hivaE but they neglected that advice$ As a result
their suerings increased in magnitude$ %ne day sage Vyas arrived there$ -he 8andavas gave a
rousing reception$ :onsidering ArCuna to be the most capable among the 8andavasE Vyas taught him
the method o doing K8arthivaK worship$ Later on ArCuna went to the .ndrakeel mountain to please .ndra
by his penance$ ,age Vyas preached Yudhisthir to remain irm on his virtuously and religiousness$
9$0$(/ .ndra Appears beore ArCun
ArCunaKs penance generated so much o heat that all the living creature o the three worlds were unable
to bear its scorching heat$ All the living creatures o the three worlds went to .ndra to seek his help$
.ndra went to ArCuna in the guise o a celibate and asked about the purpose or which he was doing
penance$ ArCuna told him that he wanted to deeat the Kauravas$ .ndra then told ArCuna that it was not
in his capacity to help him achieve victory over the KauravasE because o Aswatthama who was a
partial incarnation o lord ,hiva$
.ndra advised ArCuna to please lord ,hiva by his penance so that his wishes could be ulilled$ .ndra
then entrusted some o his menE the Cob o ArCunaKs security and went back to his abode$ ArCuna
commenced his penance to please lord ,hiva$
9$0$03 Lord ,hiva Appears in the *uise o Kirat
ArCuna did a tremendous penance by standing only on one leg and concentrating his gaBe upon the
blaBing sunE$ -he deities became very impressed by ArCunaKs penance$ -hey went to lord ,hiva and
reMuested him to bless ArCuna$ Lord ,hiva accepted their reMuest$
Duryodhan had sent a demon named 'ooka to kill ArCuna$ 'ooka had disguised himsel as a boar$
ArCuna was engrossed in his meditationE when suddenly his concentration got disturbed by a loud noise$
&e opened his eyes and saw 'ooka being chased by a band o Kirats$ .n act it was none other than
,hiva who had appeared in the guise o Kirat$
Both ArCuna and Lord ,hiva struck the boar with their respective arrows at the same time$ As a result
the boar was killed$
9$0$0# Kirat Blesses ArCun
Lord ,hiva sent his ganas to bring back the arrow$ ,imilarly ArCuna too went near the dead boar to
bring his arrow$ ArCuna ound his arrow lying on the ground$ &e picked it up in his hand$ "ight then the
ganas arrived there and asked ArCuna to return that arrow as it belonged to their master (,hiva)$ But
ArCuna reused to part with his arrow$ .nstead he asked the ganasE to convey his challenge to their
master to have a dual with him$
-he ganas went back to lord ,hiva and narrated the whole story to him$ Lord ,hiva accepted ArCunaKs
challenge and went to ight him$ &is ganas accompanied him$ ArCuna deeated all the ganas o ,hiva$ .n
the end Lord ,hiva came orward to have a dual ight with him$ ,hiva was very much impressed by his
valour$ &e revealed his real identity$ ArCuna was very ashamed that he ought with ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva
consoled him and gave his weapon 8ashupat to ArCuna$
9$0$0( -he -welve @yotirlingas
Describing about the twelve @yotirlingasE ,utCi told the sagesJ= R-here are twelve @yotirlingas which are
as <ollows J #) ,omnath in ,aurashtraE () 'allikarCuna in ,ri,hailE 0) 'ahakal in 2CCainE 4) Amareshwar
in %mkarE 9) Kedar in the &imalayaE ;) Bheemashankar at the bank o Bheema river$ 7) Vishwanath in
Varanasi$ )) -rayambakeshwar ar the bank o *autami riverE /) Baidyanath at :hitabhumiE #3) 1agesh
which is situated between Darukvan dwarika and Bhet dwarika ##) "ameshwar at Betubandh and #()
Dhushmesh in ,hivalaya$
-hese above mentioned twelve @yotirlingas are considered to the very sacred$ A devotee who pays a
visit to any o these places and worshipE gets all o his wished ulilled$
%ut o these twelve @yotirlingasE ,omnath @yotirlinga is belived to destroy the sorrows o 'oon$ A
devotee who worships this @yotirlinga gets cured rom incurable diseases like leprosy etc$ enCoys all
kinds o worldly pleasures and attains salvation$
,imilarly having a darshan o 'allikarCuna helps a devotee to ulill all o his desires$
&aving a darshan o 'ahakaal at 2CCain helps a devotee to ulill all kinds o desire and achieve
salvation$
,imilarly i a devotee merely touches the idol o %mkar linga then he achieves the desired ruits$
Kedarlinga is situated in the &imalayas and is considered to be very sacred$
Lord ,hiva took his siGth incarnation as Bheema ,hankar to kill the demon Bheema$ -his incarnation o
,hiva tool place at a place called Kamarupa in Assam$
-he seventh incarnation o lord ,hiva was as Vishwanath at Kashi$ -his @yotirlinga is considered to be
very sacred and uliller o all the desires o a man$
Lord ,hiva took his eighth incarnation at the bank o river *autami at the reMuest o sage *autam$ -his
@yotirlinga too is considered to be very sacred and a uliller o all the desires o a man$
-he ninth incarnation o ,hiva was as Baidyanath at Deoghar in Bihar$ -his @yotirlinga was established
by the demon King "avana$ A devotee who worships this @yotirlinga gets all o his wishes ulilled$
Because o thisE it ia also known as Kamanalinga$ Devotees carry the holy water o the *anges rom
,ultanganC and both the idol o Baidyanath in the months o ,hravan and Bhadrapaksha according to
the &indu calendar$
Lord ,hiva took his tenth incarnation to kill the demon Daruk who used to live in Daruk orest$ A
devotee who worships 1ageshE never aces any calamity$ -he eleventh incarnation o lord ,hiva was
as "ameshwar lingaE this linga was established by ,ri "am while the construction o a bridge over the
sea was going on$ &aving a darshan o this @yotirlinga bestowes both worldly pleasures and salvation$
Lord ,hiva took his twelth incarnation as Dhumeshwar ater being pleased by Dhushma = the wie o
,umedha$ &aving a darshan o this @yotirlinga helps a devotee to ulill all o his desires$
All the above mentioned twelve @yotirlingas are very sacred and give total accomplishment to the
devotees$
/&, 2oti 6udra )amhita
-his :hapter contains () sections$
9$4$# -he *reatness o 2palingas
Ater describing about the twelve @yotirlingaE ,utCi mentioned about the various 2palingas originating
rom them$ -he 2palinga named ,omeshwar is situated at a place where the earth meets the ocean$
-his 2palinga is also known as KAntakeshK$
-he 2palinga originating rom 'allikarCuna is amous by the name o K"udreshwarK$ ,imilarly the
2palinga originating rom 'ahakal @yotirlinga is known as KDughdheshK$
-he 2palinga maniesting rom %mkar Cyotirlinga is amous as KKardameshwarK$ -he 2palinga
maniesting rom Kedareshwar Cyotirlinga is known as Bhuteshwar and is situated at the bank o
Yamuna "iver$
-he 2palinga maniesting rom Bheema ,hankar @yotirlinga is amously known as KBheemeshwarK$ -he
2palingas maniesting rom 1ageshwarE "ameshwar and Dhushmeshwar @yotirlingas are known as
BhuteshwarE *upteshwar and Vyagreshwar respectively$
All these upalingas are considered to be very sacred$ A devotee who has darshan o these 2palingas
gets liberated rom all o his sins$
Apart rom these twelve @yotirlingas and upalingasE there are numerous other lingasE which have great
religious importance$ -hey are KritikavaseshwarE -ilmandeshwarE BhuteshwarE BatukeshwarE
8ureshwarE ,iddhanateshwarE ,hringeshwarE *opeshwarE "angeshwarE "ameshwarE AtrishwarE
'ahabal linga KameshwarE *aneshwarE ,hukreshwarE :handrashekharE "ishishwar LaliteshwarE
8ashupatishwarE (8ashupatinath)E Kumtinath and Andhakeshwar etc$
9$4$( Atri and Anusuya do 8enance
,age Atri and his wie Anusuya were doing penance in the orest called KamadE situated near the
:hitrakut mountain$ %nce it did not rain or many days$ As a result people living in that area aced a
severe drought$
Anusuya reMuested her husband to help out the people rom their hardships$ ,age Atri sat down to
meditate$ %ne by oneE his disciples deserted him$ %nly Anusuya remained with him$ ,he spent her
days worshipping the 8arthiva lingas and circumambulating sage Atri who was engrossed in his
meditation$ ,he had vowed not to have a single morsel o ood till it rained$
All the deities became very pleased with their penance$ -hey arrived at the place where both o them
were doing penance and ater giving blessings went back to their respective abodes$
Lord ,hiva and river *anges stayed there$ .t did not rain or ity our years$ Both sage Atri and Anusuya continued
with their respective penance$
9$4$0 -he *reatness o Atri
6hile doing penanceE sage Atri elt thirsty$ &e reMuested Anusuya to etch some water$ Anusuya went
with a KamandalE in search o water but did not ind it anywhere$
*anga appeared beore her and said= R. am very pleased with you$ You can demand anything rom me
you like$R
Anusuya demanded only a Kamandal ull o water or her husband$ *anga instructed her to dig up a pit
and when it was done she entered into that pit$ Anusuya illed her Kamandal with the water rom that pit
and went back to her thirsty husband$
Ater Muenching his thirstE Atri enMuired orm Anusuya as to where did she ind water$ Anusuya narrated
the whole story$ Both o them then went back to the place where Anusuya had met *anga$ Both o
them reMuested *anga to stay at that very place$ *anga agreed to remain there on the condition that
Anusuya donates all the virtues attained by her husband by worshipping Lord ,hiva or one year$
Anusuya donated all the virtuesE without any hesitation$ Lord ,hiva became very much pleased by their
charitable tendencies$ &e appeared beore them$ Ater eulogiBingE Atri reMuested lord ,hiva to remain
in his hermitage accompanied by 8arvati$ Lord ,hiva agreed to do so$ *anga also stayed with them$
Later on Atri perormed a grand Yagya ater the completion o which it rained heavily$ -hus Atri ended
the phase o drought by his tremendous penance$
"iver 'andakani lows rom that same K8itK which Anusuya had dugged up$ -he ,hivalingaE which was
worshipped by Anusuya during that time later onE came to be known as Atrishwar Linga$
9$4$4 -he Brahmin 6oman Attains to &eaven
%nce upon a timeE there lived a brahmin at a place called KKarniK situated at the bank o river K"evaK$
6hen the brahmin became oldE he went to Kashi ater leaving behind his wie to live with his sons$ Ater
sometime the brahmin died$
6hen the brahmins sons came to know about his deathE they went to Kashi and perormed his last
rites$ Ater some days the brahmins woman died too$ -he BrahminKs son = ,uvas again went to Kashi
carrying the ashes o their dead mother as per her own wish$
%n his wayE ,uvad became a guest o another brahmin$ ,uvad witnessed an amaBing even in the
nightE in which he saw his host trying to milk the cow$ At irst he allowed the cal to drink the cowKs milk
or sometime$ &is host then moved away the cal rom the cow$ -he cal was still hungry and was not
willing to move away rom the cow$ -he brahmins trashed the cal very badly$ -his made the cow very
sad and vowed to teach that wicked brahmin a lesson$
-he cal tried his best to convince his mother against doing this as her action might make her commit
the gravest o sins = the brahmahatya$ But the cow was not worriedE as she knew the method o
nulliying that sin$
,uvad was surprised that the cow knew the method o nulliying the sin o brahmahatya$ 1eGt morningE
the brahmin entrusted the Cob o milking the cowE the brahminsK son gave a severe trashing to the cal
who was unwilling to move away rom his mother$
-he angry cow lited the BrahminKs son with her horns and dashed him against the ground$ -he
BrahminKs son died on the spot$ 6hen the brahmin returned to his home he became very urious on
seeing his son dead$ &e drove both the cow and the cal out o his houseE ater beating them very
badly$
-he colour o the cow had turned blue due to the trashing she got rom her brahmin$ -he cow went to
the temple o 1andikeshwarE situated at the bank o river 1armada$ -o neutraliBe the sin o
Brahmahatya she took dip in the water o river 1armada or three times$ As a result she regained her
original colour$
,uvad had ollowed the cow all along the way$ &e was amaBed to see the cow regaining her original
colour$ &e proceeded on his urther Courney towards Kashi$ &e met a beautiul lady on the way who
enMuired as to where was he going$ ,uvad told her that he was going to immense the ashes o her
mother in the holy water o the river *anges$
-he lady advised him to immerse the ashes in the water o 1armada itselE as the holy *anga hersel
comes to meet 1armada on the seventh day o Vaishakh every year$
R-oday is the same auspicious day when the holy *anga will be coming to meet 1armada$R ,aid the
beautiul woman$ ,he also told him that immersing the ashes in the waters o 1armada would help his
mother to attain to the divine abode$
-his beautiul lady was none other than *anga hersel$ Ater advising ,uvad she disappeared$ ,uvad
ollowed the instruction o that beautiul lady$ &e immersed the ashes in the waters o 1armada$ &e
saw his mother attaining a divine body$ &is mother blessed ,uvad and then attained to the abode o
Lord ,hiva$
9$4$9 'ahabal ,hiva Linga
Describing about 'ahabal ,hiva LingaE ,utCi said to the sages= R'ahabal ,hivalinga is situated at
*okarna area$ A devotee who has a darshan o 'ahabal ,hivalinga on the eighth or ourteenth day o
KArdranakshatra alling on 'ondayE becomes ree rom all o his sins and attains to the ,hivaloka$R
&aving a darshan o this ,hivalinga on any other day too helps a man to attain to the abode o
Almighty$ All the deitiesE ancestorsE holy rivers like *anga and the 1agas stand guard on all the our
entrances o 'ahabal templeR
R+ven the most degraded sinner attains salvation i he worships 'ahabal ,hivalinga on the ourteenth
day o 'agha (dark lunar phase)$ %n this day people come rom all over .ndia to see the grand
estival$R
9$4$; -he "eason Behind 8hallic 6orship
-he sages curiously asked ,utCi about the purpose with which 8arvati had decided to appear in the
orm o a Vagina$ ,utCi narrated the ollowing taleJ
RLong long agoE some sages used to do penance in a ,hiva temple situated near Daruk orest$ %ne day
they went to collect woods needed or the Yagya$ Lord ,hiva wanted to test their devotionE so he
arrived beore the sagesK wives in naked position holding his own phallus in his hand$ -he wives o the
sages became rightened by ,hivaKs appearance$
R6hen the sages returned ater collecting woodsE they became very urious to see a naked person
luring their wives$ -hey asked ,hiva to reveal his identity$ 6hen ,hiva did not give any replyE they
cursed him to become a phallus$R
R-he 8hallus ell down rom the hand o Lord ,hiva and generated so much o heat that all the three
worlds started to burn$ -he sages became very nervous and went to seek the help o lord Brahma$ Lord
Brahma revealed to then that the person who they cursed was none other than Lord ,hiva himsel$ &e
also instructed them to please goddess 8arvatiE as she only could have them rom ,hivaKs wrath by
appearing in the orm o Vagina and holding the 8hallus$R
R-he sages ollowed the instruction o Lord Brahma$ *oddess 8arvati appeared in the orm o Vagina
and held ,hivaKs phallus in hersel$ -he sages then worshipped the ,hivalinga$ -his Cyotirlinga became
amous by the name o &aatkeshwar$R
9$4$7 -he %rigin o Batuknath
Long long ago there lived a brahmin by the name o Dadhichi$ &is wie to a low casteE though his son =
,udarshan was very learned$ -he name o his wie was -ukula$ ,he had her husband under total
control and inluence$
,udarshan had our sons$ %ne day Dadhichi planned to go out due to some work$ &e entrusted the Cob
o ,hivaKs worship to ,udarshan$ ,udarshan worshipped the idol o ,hiva daily without any ail$
%n the ,hivaratri dayE ,udarshan too had observed a ast like rest o his amily members$ &e
worshipped ,hivaKs idol in the morning as usual and then went to his home$ During the night timeE he
had a seGual relationship with his wie$ Ater thatE he sat down to worship without puriying himsel$ Lord
,hiva became very urious by his action$ &e immobiliBed him by his curse$
Dadhichi was very sad to see the condition o his son$ &e commenced a tremendous penance to
please goddess 8arvati$ Ater being pleased by his penanceE 8arvati reMuested Lord ,hiva to liberate
,udarshan rom his curse$
Lord ,hiva became pleased and blessed ,udarshan by saying that he would become amous as
Batuknath and also that the worship o Batuknath would amount to the worship o lord ,hiva$
9$4$) -he %rigin o ,omnath
-he moon had twenty seven wivesE one o whom was "ohini$ -he moon loved "ohini very muchE which
made the rest o his wives very Cealous and angry$ -hey went to their ather = Daksha and complained
about 'oonKs behaviour$
Daksha went to 'oon and advised him to give proper attention to all o his wives$ But it did not have
any eect on him and he continued giving special treatment to "ohini$
6hen Daksha came to know about thisE he became very curious$ &e cursed 'oon to become weak
and devoid o radiance$ -he moon then sent the deities to lord Brahma to seek his help$ At irstE lord
Brahma became very angry with 'oonE but later on he cooled down and told the deitiesE that 'oon can
get liberated rom the curseE i he chants K'ahamrityunCaya mantraK by going to 8rabhus area$
'oon went to 8rabhas area and chanted 'ahamrityunCaya mantra or ten crore time ater sitting in one
posture$ Lord ,hiva appeared beore him and asked him to demand anything he wished$
'oon reMuested lord ,hiva to liberate him rom the curse given by Daksha$ Lord ,hiva told moon that
the words o Daksha can never became untrue$ &owever he blessed moon by saying that he would
wane during the dark lunar phase due to the curseE but waG during the dark lunar phase due to his
(,hivaKs) blessings$ Lord ,hiva also provided moon that he would be present along with 8arvati near
him (moon)$
-hus Lord ,hiva established himsel as ,omanath$ -he deities constructed a KKundaK named
:handrakunda$ .t is believed that the 'oon because liberated rom the curse by taking a bath in this
8unda$
9$4$/ -he %rigin o 'allikarCuna
%nceE under the inluence o ,age 1aradE Kartikeya had gone to the Kraunch 'ountain to do penance$
,hiva and 8arvati could not bear the pain o his separation or long$ Both o them went to the Kraunch
mountain to see him$
6hen Kartikeya saw them coming he moved to some other place$ 6hen lord ,hiva saw this he
established himsel in the orm o @yotirlingaE which later on became amous as 'allikarCuna Cyotirlinga$
9$4$#3 -he %rigin o 'ahakaleshwar
-here used to live a brahmin at Avantikapuri$ &e was a great devotee o lord ,hiva and used to worship
dialy$
-his brahmin had our sons whose names were DevapriyaE 'edhapriyaE ,ukrit and Dharmabahu$ By
the blessings o lord ,hiva the brahmin enCoyed a very happy and contented lie$ Ater his deathE the
brahminKs son continued the tradition o ,hivaKs worship$
-here was a mountain named "atanak on which a demon named Dushan used to live$ Being
intoGicated by the boons received rom Lord BrahmaE he used to torment all the people$ &e had all the
surrounding area under his control eGcept the house in which the brahmin amily lived$
Dushan ordered his ellow demons to bring the brahmin ater capturing them$ All the demons went to
Avantikapuri and created havoc$ -hey went to the brahmins and told them about DushanKs order$ -he
brahmins were busy doing worship at that time so they did not give ear to their words$ -he brahmins
continued with their worship$ -he demon became very angry and tried to attack them$
,uddenly the earth cracked with a tremendous sound and lord ,hiva maniested rom within the cracks$
&e killed all the demons$ &e then went to the "atnamala mountain and killed Dushan$ &e again
returned to the brahmins and eGpressed his desire o ulilling their wishes$ -he brahmins eGpressed
their desire o getting liberated rom the bondageKs o this world$ -hey also reMuested him to remain at
that place$ Lord ,hiva accepted their reMuest and established himsel in the orm o 'ahakal$
9$4$## -he %rigin o %mkareshwar
%nceE 1arad had gone to meet Vindhya mountain$ Vindhya was very arrogant in his behaviour$ 1arad
told him that ,umeru mountain was even greater than him and so his alse pride had no basis$
Vindhya became very deCected and disheartened$ &e went to Amgreshwar and started worshipping
,hiva ater making a 8arthiv linga$ Lord ,hiva became very pleased by his penance$ &e appeared
beore Vindhya and blessed him$ Ater sometime the sages too arrived there and worshipped ,hiva$
-hey reMuested lord ,hiva to remain at that place orever$ Lord ,hiva established himsel as
8aremeshwar Linga$ %ne ,hivalinga already eGisted at AmareshwarE which became amous as
%mkareshwar$
9$4$#( -he %rigin o Kedareshwar
-wo incarnations o Lord Vishnu by the names o 1ara and Vishnu did penance at Badrikasharam$
Both o them used to worship the idol o ,hiva daily$ Lord ,hiva used to arrive in his subtle orm and
accept their oerings without being noticed by them$
%ne day Lord ,hiva appeared beore them$ 1ara and 1arayana eulogiBed him and reMuested to remain
at that place orever$ Lord ,hiva accepted their reMuest and established himsel as KKedareshwar
CyotirlingaK$
9$4$#0 -he %rigin o Bheema ,hankar
Bheema = the demonE was the son o Kumbhakarna and Karkati$ Ater Kumbhakarna was killed by ,ri
"am$ Karkati and Bheema went to live at ,ahya mountain$
6hen Bheema grew up he asked Karkati about his ather$ Karkati told him that his ather had been
killed by "am$ Bheema swore to avenge his atherKs death$ &e did a tremendous penance to please
lord Brahma$ Brahma appeared beore him and blessed him with insurmountable power and strength$
Bheema then drove out the deities rom heaven$ &e went to Kamarupa and deeated the king$ &e
captured the king and put him in prison$ -he helpless king used to pass his time by chanting the
mantra= %m 1amah ,hivay$ &is wie worshipped the 8arthiva linga o ,hiva or the release o the king$
All the deities went at the bank o river 'ahakeshi and worshipped the 8arthiva linga o lord ,hiva$ Lord
,hiva appeared beore them and assured them that the end o Bheema was near$
Lord ,hiva went to the king who had been held captive by Bheema$ &is ganas too accompanied him$
All o them waited or the opportune time to kill Bheema$
'eanwhile somebody inormed Bheema that the king was doing worship o ,hiva in the prisonE with the
obCective o getting Bheema killed$
Bheema arrived at the spot in the prison where the king was worshipping the 8arthiva linga o Lord
,hiva$ &e made un o ,hiva and struck the ,hiva linga with his sword$
"ight thenE Lord ,hiva appeared$ A tremendous battle was ought between both o them$ -he battle
continued or a long period$ ,age 1arad reMuested lord ,hiva to kill Bheema as soon as it was
possible$
Lord ,hiva produced ire by his loud roar$ .n a very short time the ire spread in the whole orest$ All the
demons including Bheema were burnt to death$ -he deities and the sages arrived there$ -hey
reMuested Lord ,hiva to remain there$ Lord ,hiva accepted their reMuest and established himsel in the
orm o Bheema ,hankar @yotirlinga$
9$4$#4 -he %rigin o Vishveshwar
6ith the desire o giving liberation to the living creatures o this worldE lord ,hiva had kept some portion o land on
his -rishul ater separating it rom the rest o BrahmaKs creation$ -he name o this sacred place is 'anikarnika$
-he ,hiva linga by the name o Avinukta was established by lord ,hiva himselD Later on this sacred place was
brought down rom the -rishul and established on the land o ,hiva$ -his sacred place o pilgrimage later on
became amous as Kashi and the ,hivalinga as Avimukta Visheshwar$
9$4$#9 -he %rigin o -rayambakeshwar
During the ancient time there lived a amous sage named *autami$ -he name o his wie was Ahilya$
%nce it did not rain or one hundred years as the result o which the whole area was aected by
drought$
,age *autami did a tremendous penance to please Varun appeared beore *autamE he was reMuested
to cause rain$ But Varun eGpressed his inability in causing rain$ &e told *autam to please lord ,hiva so
that his wish could be ulilled$ Later on Varun instructed *autam to dig a up a pitE which he (Varun)
illed with water$ Varun blessed *autam by saying that this pond would never dry up$ -he sages who
had abandoned that place returned there$ +verybody became happy and satisied$
%ne dayE sage *autam instructed his disciples to etch some water rom that pond$ 6hen the disciples
reached thereE they ound the wives o numerous sages present at the bank o the pond$ -he sagesK
wives did not allow them to take water and instead they rebuked them$ -he disciples returned back to
the hermitage and narrated the whole story to sage *autam$
Ahilya paciied the angry disciples and went to the pond to etch water$ <rom that day onwards this
became very daily routine$ %ne day Ahilya met the wives o the sages$ -hey tried to prevent her rom
etching water$ 1ot only that they went back to his respective hermitages and illed the ears o their
husbands$ All the sages became very angry$
-he sages worshipped lord *anesha to please him$ 6hen *anesha appearedE they reMuested him to
drive *autam out rom that place$ At irst *anesha was reluctant to accept their demand but when they
kept a persisting he agreed at last$
*anesha entered the ield o *autam in which barley was being cultivated$ *anesha had disguised
himsel as a cow$ &e started graBing the barley crops$
6hen *autam saw the cow graBing cropsE he tried to drive her out rom the ield by hitting a grass on
her back$ -he artiicial cow died instantly$ *autam was very sorry or his act$ 'eanwhile all the sages
rom the surrounding area arrived there$ -hey orced *autam to abandon that place at once$
*autam let that place and made his hermitage at a little distance rom there$ %ne day he came to the
sages and asked them as to how could he atone or his sins$ -he sages told him that his sins could be
atoned only when he circumambulates the whole earth thriceE all the while sayingE K. have killed a cowK$
-hey also told him that ater that he would have to perorm austerities or one month$
. this is not possible then you will have to help *anga maniest hersel and take bath in her water$
%therwise you will have to worship three crores 8arthiva lingas$ %nly thenE you can get liberated rom
the sin o killing a cowER said the sages$
*autam made the 8arthiva lingas and started worshipping them$ Lord ,hiva became very pleased by
his devotion and appeared beore him$ ,age *autam reMuested lord ,hiva to liberate him rom the sins
o killing a cow$ &e also reMuested lord ,hiva to maniest the stream o river *anga that place$
Lord ,hiva tried his best to make him understand that he was innocent and the real culprits that he was
innocent and the real culprits were those wicked sages$ ButE *autam was unconvinced$ At last lord
,hiva instructed *anga to appear in the orm o a woman$ *autam eulogiBed *anga$ By the blessings
o lord ,hiva *autam was liberated rom his sins o killing a cow$ Ater that *anga eGpressed her desire
to go back but lord ,hiva asked her to remain on the earth till the twenty=eighth nanvantar$ *anga
accepted to do thatE on the condition that Lord ,hiva along with 8arvati too would remain present on
the earth$ Lord ,hiva established himsel as -rayambakeshwar @yotirlinga and *anga became amous
as *autami *anga$
9$4$#; -he %rigin o Baidyanath
-he demon king= "avana did a tremendous penance to please lord ,hiva and to get a boon rom him$
+ven ater his severe penance when lord ,hiva did still not appearE he started oering his heads one by
one to lord ,hiva$ -his way he already severed his nine heads and oered them to ,hiva$ 6hen he
was about to severe his last remaining headE Cust the lord ,hiva appeared beore him$ &e blessed
"avana with unparalleled power and strength$ Lord ,hiva also made him a ten headed demon once
again$
But "avana was not satisied$ &e reMuested lord ,hiva to come along with him to Lanka$ Lord ,hiva
gave "avana s ,hivalinga and warned him against keeping it on the earthE as then no power on the
earth could lit that ,hivalinga rom there$
"avana proceeded with the ,hivalinga$ %n the way he elt the urge o urinate$ "avana gave that ,hivalinga to a
cowherd boy and went to urinate$ -he cowherd boy held the ,hivalinga or sometime$ &e elt that the ,hivalinga
was becoming heavier and heavier$ &e could not bear the weight o the ,hivalinga or too long$ &e kept it on the
ground$ 6hen "avana returned he became very sad ater seeing the ,hivalinga on the ground$ &e knew thatE
now it was impossible to lit it rom that place$ "avana established the ,hivalinga thereE which became amous as
KBaidyanath CyotirlingaK$
9$4$#7 -he %rigin o 1ageshwar @yotirlinga
During ancient timesE there lived a demon named Daruk$ -he name o his wie was Daruka$ -hey used
to torment the people living in that area$ -he residents o that area went to sage KAurshK and narrated
about their miseries and reMuested him to end this menace$
KAurshK assured them that very soon their hardships would come to an end$ &e then went to do his
penance$ -he deities appeared beore him ater being pleased by his tremendous penance$ ,age
KAurshK reMuested the deities to kill the demons$
-he deities went to ight with the demons$ -he demons got scarred and started thinking about the
means by which their lives could be saved$ Daruka the wie o Daruk had received a boon rom
goddess 8arvati due to which she had gained unparalleled power$ ,he carried the whole orest and
placed it in the middle o the sea$ -his way the demons again lived without being perturbed by the
threat o the deitiesK attack$
%ne day the demons saw many boats sailing in the seaE on which were many people on board$ -he
demons made all the people captive$ -here was a man named ,upriya who was great devotee o Lord
,hiva$ &e used to worship lord ,hiva dailyE even though he saw held under captivity$ "est o the people
too got inluenced by his devotion and everybody started worshipping lord ,hiva$-his wayE siG months
had passed$
%ne day a demon saw ,upriya worshipping the idol o lord ,hiva$ &e went to Daruk and inormed him$
Daruk became eGtremely urious$ &e asked ,upriya as to whom was he worshipping$ ,upriya still
engrossed in his worship did not give any reply$ -his made Daruk even more angry$ &e tried to kill
,upriya$ Lord ,hiva appeared and killed all the demons$
DarukaKs heart became ull o grie at the news o her husbandKs death$ ,he went to 8arvati and told her
how lord ,hiva had killed Daruka$ 8arvati met lord ,hiva and both o them decided to protect there
respective devotees by establishing themselves at that place$ -husE 1ageshwar Cyotirlinga came into
eGistence$
9$4$#) +stablishment o "ameshwar
Ater &anuman brought the new that ,ita had been held captive by "avana at LankaE ,ri "am
proceeded towards Lanka with a huge army$ Ater receiving the seashore he aced the problems o
crossing over the sea$
,ri "am made a 8arthiva linga o ,hiva and worshipped it$ Lord ,hiva became very please with him
and appeared$ &e blessed ,ri "am to be victorious$ ,ri "am on the other handE reMuested him to
establish himsel in that 8arthiva lingaE to which lord ,hiva agreed$ -his way K"ameshwar CyotirlingaK
came into eGistence$
9$4$#/ -he %rigin o Dhushmesh @yotirlinga
-here used to live a brahmin by the name o ,udharmaE who belonged to the lineage o sage BhardwaC$
&e was a great devotee o lord ,hiva$ ,udeha was his wie$ ,udharma had no son$
,udeha desires or a son$ ,he eGpressed her desire to ,udharma but he did not listen to her pleas$
%ne day ,udeha had gone or an outing accompanied by her companions$ .ncidentally a Muarrel
ensured among them and her companions made un o her issue less status$ ,udeha became very
sad$ Ater returning to her hermitageE she narrated the whole incident to ,udharma$
,udharma meditated on the orm o ,hiva and threw two lowersE towards his wie$ &e thought that i
,udeha picks up the lowerE which he had thrown with his right handE then certainly a son would be
born$ But i she picks up the another lower then there is no chance o her giving birth to a son$
2nortunately ,udeha picked up the lower which ,udharma had thrown with his let hand$
,udharma told his wie that she was never going to become a mother$ &e advised her to dedicate her
lie in the devotion o lord ,hiva$ 6hen ,udeha learnt that there was no chance o her becoming a
motherE she insisted her husband to marry or a second timeE so that he could become a ather$ But
,udharma reused to marry or the second$
,udeha brought her younger sister=Dhushma to the hermitage and married her with reluctant
,udharma$ Dhushma proved to be a very aithul wie$ ,he engaged hersel in the service o ,udharma
and ,udeha$ ,he also used to worship the 8arthiva=linga o ,hiva daily$
Ater her worship she used to immerse the 8arthiva lingas in a pond$ -his wayE when she had
accomplished the worship o one lakh 8arthiva lingasE lord ,hiva blessed her with a son$ ,udharma
was eGtremely pleased but ,udeha became Cealous o her own sister$
6hen the child grew upE he was married to a beautiul brahmin girl$ Dhushma instructed the bride to take a
special care o ,udeha$ ,o the bride engaged hersel in the service o everybody$ ,he took special care o looking
into the needs o ,udeha$ But stillE ,udehaKs Cealousy did not diminish$
%ne day engripped by eGcessive Cealousy and angerE she killed DhushmaKs son while he was asleep$
,he cut his body into many pieces and threw those pieces into the same pondE in which Dhushma used
to immerse the 8arthiva lingas$
6hen the daughter in law noticed a piece o lesh on the bed she started crying$ ,he went to Dhushma
and narrated the whole story$ &earing the news o her sonKs killingE Dhushma too started crying ,udeha
also wept artiicially$
,udharma arrived there$ -hough he himsel was very sad yet he instructed Dhushma to do the daily
worship o 8arthiva linga as usual$ Dhushma obeyed the command o her husbandE ,he worshipped
the 8arthiva lingas and went to the pond o immense$
By the blessings o lord ,hivaE her son was standing at the bank o the pond alive$ &e came towards
his mother and said=
R'otherL . have become alive even ater my death$R
Dhushma was still engrossed in her thoughts o lord ,hivaE so she could not listen to her son$ Lord
,hiva appeared and blessed Dhushma$ &e also eGpressed his desire to punish her wicked sister =
,udeha or her evil deedE but Dhushma reMuested him to orgive her$ ,he also reMuested lord ,hiva to
stay there orever$ Lord ,hiva accepted her demand and established himsel in the orm o
Dhushmeshwar @yotirlinga$ ,udharma and ,udeha arrived at that place and worshipped ,hiva$ At last
everybody returned home happily$
9$4$(3 Lord Vishnu "eceives ,udarshan :hakra
-he deities went to lord VishnuE ater being tormented by the demons$ -hey reMuested him to annihilate
the demons$ Ater assuring themE Lord Vishnu went to Kailash mountain to do his penance$ But even
his tremendous penance was not enough to please Lord ,hiva$
Lord Vishnu then worshipped lord ,hiva by chanting the mantras o ,hiva ,ahastranamavali$ &e also
oered one thousand lotus lowers to lord ,hiva in course o his worship$
%ne day ,hiva wanted to test the devotion o lord Vishnu$ &e stole one lotus lower rom among the
one thousand lowers$ 6hen lord Vishnu began his worship he ound that there was one lower less$ -o
make up or this deiciencyE he oered his one eye to lord ,hiva = his eye which has been compared
with a lotus lower$
Lord ,hiva was very mush impressed by his eGceptional devotion$ &e appeared beore Vishnu and
asked him to demand any boon he wished$ Lord Vishnu demanded a divine weapon to annihilate the
demons$ Lord ,hiva gave him a sparkling ,udharshan :hakra$ %n the reMuest o Lord Vishnu he
established himsel in the orm o &arishwar ,hivalinga$ At last lord Vishnu killed the demon with his
,udarshan :hakra$
9$4$(# ,hiva ,ahastranaam
,utCi told the sages that lord Vishnu had worshipped lord ,hiva with the help o his one thousand names$ ,ome o
the chie names o ,hiva are ,hivaE &arE 'ridE "udraE 8ushkarE 8ushpalochanE ArthigamyaE ,adacharE ,harvE
,hambhuE 'aheshwarE etc$
9$4$(( -he *reatness o ,ahastranaam
A devotee who chants these one thousand names o lord ,hiva attains all the accomplishments$ :hanting it
during distress helps a man to become ree rom all kings o misortune$ Lord Vishnu could kill the demons only
because o the power he derived rom the chanting o ,ahastranaam$
9$4$(0 -he Devotees o ,hiva
Describing about the numerous devotees o ,hiva who were amous or their devotion towards lord
,hivaE ,utCi named a ew o them like DurvasaE VishwamitraE DadhichiE *autamE KanadE BhargavE
VrihaspatiE VaishampayamE 8arasharE VyasE 2pamanyuE YagyavalkyaE @aimini and *arg etc$
&e also narrated a tale connected with King ,udyumna$ %nce ,udyumna had gone into that orest
which was gited to 8arvati by lord ,hivaE with the warning that any man who dares to enter it would
become a woman$
As soon as ,udyumna entered that orest he got transormed into a woman$ &e became very sad$ &e
worshipped lord ,hiva to regain his masculinity$ Lord ,hiva pleased by his devotionE he blessed him to
be as a man or one month and again as a woman or the same period o time alternately$
9$4$(4 Austerities P <astings :onnected with ,hiva?s 6orship
%nce 8arvati asked lord ,hiva as to which were the austerities when on being perormed by a devoteeE
helps him to attain both worldly accomplishments as well as liberation$
Lord ,hiva told her about ten austerities connected with his worship and their methods$ &e said=
R%n the eighty day o every month a devotee should worship me by observing a ast or the whole day
and breaking it in the night$ But on Kalashtami a devotee must observe the ast or the whole day and
night$ &e must not have ood on that day$ %n the eleventh day o the dark=lunar monthE a devotee must
worship me and observe ast during the day$ &e should break the ast in the night$ But on the eleventh
day o the bright lunar monthE a devotee should observe a ast or the whole period o day and night$ %n
the thirteenth day o dark=lunar month a devotee must observe ast or the whole period o day and
nightE whereas on the thirteenth day o a bright lunar phase he should observe a ast during the day
and break it in the night$ A ast observed on 'onday should be broken only in the night$R
9$4$(9 'ahashivaratri
Lord ,hiva continued with his statements=
RAmong all the austerities and astings 'ahashivaratri holds a supreme place$ .t alls on the ourteenth
day o the dark lunar month o 8halgun$ %n this day the devotee should take a vow to observe a ast
ater awakening in the morning and inishing his daily choirs$ &e must observe a ast or the whole day
and night$ .n the night he should worship me either in the temple or in his own home according to his
convenience$ &e should worship me with the help o siGteen modes o worship (,hodasopachar)$ &e
should either chant the mantras o Laghurudra or perorm KabhishekK during the course o worship$
6hile doing worship he should eulogiBe me and perorm KartisK in my praise$ &e can perorm KabhishekK
with either o the ollowings = 'ilkE waterE sacred water o belonging to a place o pilgrimageE sprinkling
water with KushaE ,ugarcane CuiceE &oney and *hee etc$ -he devotee should engage himsel in my
devotion or the whole day$ .n the end he should eed the brahmins and make donation to them$ A ast
observed in this way gives ininite virtues to the devotee$R
9$4$(; Accomplishment o ,hivratri (2ddyapan)
Ater observing asts or ourteen consecutive years on each o the ,hivaratri daysE a devotee should
perorm K2ddyapanK (religious rites perormed on the accomplishment o an observance)$
%n the day preceding the 2ddyapan ceremonyE a devotee must have ood or one time$ -he neGt day a
devotee should perorm 2ddyapan ater making a religious vow and according to the appropriate
methods$ A devotee who perorms 2ddyapan in the above mentioned way attains to the ,hivaloka$
9$4$(7 -he *reatness o ,hivaratri
-here used to live a poor bheel named *urudruha$ &e was very poor$ %ne day inding no ood
available in his houseE he went to the orest to hunt an animal$ 2nortunately he did not ind any animal
which he could hunt$
Being hungryE he sat down on the bank o a pond and pondered as to what would happen to his amily
members who were hungry too$ &e thought that i he waited thereE then he might get a chance to kill a
thirsty animalE which arrives there to drink water$
*urudruha climbed up a bael tree and waited or his prey$ A ,hivalinga was established Cust under that
tree and co incidentally it was a ,hivaratri day$ 6hen the irst three hours o the night had passedE he
saw a emale deer arriving with her young ones$ &e got ready with his bow and arrow and aimed his
arrow towards the emale deer$ By coincidence some leaves rom that bael tree ell on the ,hivalinga
along with some drops o water rom the vessel in which he was carrying water$ *urudruha had
accomplished the worship o ,hiva during the irst K8raharK o the night unawaringly$
Ater hearing the noise made by alling drops o waterE the emale deer looked up$ ,he saw *urudruha
sitting with his bow and arrows$ ,he asked him about his desire$ *urudruha told her that he wanted to
kill herE so that he could eed his amily members$
-he emale deer reMuested him to allow her to go so that she could leave her young ones in the sae
custody o her husband$ ,he promised to come back$ At irst *urudruha was reluctant but when the
emale deer started giving illustrations rom the scripturesE he allowed her to go$
'ean while the sister o emale deer arrived there with her young ones$ 6hen *urudruha sow herE he
got ready to kill her$ ,uddenly his movements on the treeE made some leaves o bael and ew drops o
water to all on the ,hivalings$ .t was the second 8rahara o the night and *urudruha had again
perormed the worshiped o ,hiva unawaringly$
6hen the emale deer (,econd) heard the noise made by alling drop o water ,he looked up towards
*urudruha$ ,he asked him about his desire$ 6hen *urudruha told about his desireE she reMuested him
to allow her to go so that she could hand over her young ones in the sae custody o her husband$
.nitiallyE *urudruha was reluctant to allow her to goE but when she promised to return backE he allowed
her to go$
*urudruha sat on the branches o the bael tree waiting or his prey$ -he second prahar o the night was
coming to an end and the third prahar about to begin$
-he deer arrived there searching his wie and children$ *urudruha again made himsel ready to kill that
dear$ Again some leaves and ew drops o water ell on the ,hivalinga$ -he worship o ,hiva during the
third 8rahara had been accomplished by *urudruhaE though unawaringly$ %n hearing the noise made
by the alling drops o waterE the dear looked up and asked *urudruha about his desire$ *urudruha told
him about his desire$
-he deer reMuested *urudruha to allow him to meet his wie and children or once$ -he deer promised
to return back$ Ater becoming satisied by his intentionsE *urudruha allowed him to go to meet his
amily$
*urudruha sat on the bael tree waiting or the deers anGiously$ -he third prahar o the night was
approaching its end and the ourth prahar was about to begin$
,uddenly *urudruha saw all the three deerKs coming towards the pond$ &e became eGtremely pleased
at the prospect o getting lesh o three animals$ &e got read with his bow and arrows$ &is movements
on the bael tree again made some leaves and ew drops o water to all on the ,hivaling$ *urudruha
had successully accomplished the worship o ,hiva even during the ourth 8rahar$ 1ot only this he had
also remained awake or the whole night o ,hivaratri$
-he ast observed by *urudruha on ,hivaratri along with the worship o ,hiva though unawaringly had
made him on enlightened person$ -he thought o killing the deers remained no longer in his heart$ &e
thanked all the deers or their help in his attainment o enlightenment$
Lord ,hiva became eGtremely pleased and appeared beore him$ &e blessed *urudruha that in his neGt
birth he would get an opportunity to serve ,ri "am and would become amous as 1ishad$ Lord ,hiva
also told *urudruha that by the blessings o ,ri "am he would attain salvation by the blessings o ,ri
"am he would attain salvation$
,utCi while describing about the virtues o observing ast on ,hivaratri told the sages that i a ast
observed unwaringly on ,hivaratri gives such virtues then what could be said about a ast which is
observed deliberately$ According to ,utCi such a ast would bestow both worldly pleasures and
salvation$
9$4$() Dierent ,tages o Liberation
"egarding the dierent stages o liberationE ,utCi told the sages that there were ive stages o liberation
capable o reeing a man rom the sorrows o this world$ #) ,arupya (,imilitude with the Almighty)E ()
,alokyaE 0) ,annidhya (living in the proGimity o the almighty)E 4) ,ayuCya (getting united with the
almight)E 9) Kalvalya (Devotion towards *od)
%nly lord ,hiva is capable o bestowing liberation$ %ne can attain dharm (virtuosity)E Artha (6ealth) and
Kaam (desires and wishes) by the worship o other deitiesE but lord ,hiva bestowes all the our o them$
Lord Brahma is believed to be the master o the three elementary Mualities i$e$ ,atE "aCa and -ama$
,hiva is beyond these Mualities and even the nature itsel$ &e is ormless$ Lord ,hiva is a mystery
which remains unsolved even though many sages and even lord Brahma have tried to solve this
mystery called ,hiva$
-he ith stage o liberation is called Kaivalya which is attained by having complete devotion towards
lord ,hiva$ .n the present era o KaliE where the attainment o sel knowledge is very diicultE devotion is
relatively an easier path$
+ven devotion has been categorised into two typesJ a) ,agun (6ith orm) b) 1irguna (<ormless)
. man worships lord ,hiva with total devotion he attains sel knowledge$ +ach and every obCects o this
world is nothing but the maniestation o ,hivaKs power$ -he creation achieves eGpansion only when he
desires$ ,hiva is omniscient but himsel invisible$ @ust as the ireE which already eGists in the wood but
is visible only ater it is rubbedE similarly only the K*yanisK can eGperience lord ,hiva even though he is
omnipresent$ @ust as there is no dierence between cause and eectE but is appears so due to our
ignoranceE similarly an ignorant man can never eGperience the omnipresent ,hiva by his sense organs$
-he living things possess ego but lord ,hiva is egoless$ A man can successully subCugates his ego by
becoming knowledgeable and attains liberation ater uniting with lord ,hiva$
-his knowledge was received by lord Vishnu rom ,hiva$ Lord Vishnu later on revealed it to lord
Brahma and Brahma in turn revealed it to his manasputra = ,anakE etcO -he manasputra revealed this
knowledge to 1arad and 1arad revealed it to Vyas$
/&/ ma )amhita
-his :hapter contains (3 sections$
9$9$# :onversation Between Krshna P 2pamanyu
%nceE Lord Krishna went to Kailash mountain to do penance with the desire o having a son$ &e ound
'aharishi 2pamanyu engrossed in his meditation$ &e told 2pamanyu about his desire and reMuested
him to describe about the greatness o lord ,hiva$
2pamanu described about his own eGperience when he had divine glimpses o lord ,hiva who was
meditating
R%nce . saw ,hiva who was surrounded by all the deities$ Lord ,hiva was engrossed in his deep
meditation$ ,hiva had in his possession all the divine weapons like = -ridentE AGeE 1ooseE ,udarshan
etc$ Lord Vishnu and BrahmaCi were also present there$ . eulogiBed lord ,hiva who became pleased
with me$ Lord ,hiva wanted to bless me with a boon$ . reMuested lord ,hiva to bless me with three
things= #) . should always remain his devotee b) to be able to know about the pastE present and uture
eventsE c) 'y amily should never eel the scarcity o rice and milk$R
RLord ,hiva not only blessed me with all these three thingsE but also to be able to see the Vaivasvat
kalpa$R
Ater completing his storyE sage 2pamanyu told Krishna he must worship lord ,hiva i he was desirous
o a sonE because Lord ,hiva can be pleased Muite easily$
9$9$( ,ri Krshna Does 8enance
,ri Krishna then proceeded to do his penance ater getting initiated by 2pamanyu with the mantra = %m 1amah
,hivay$ &e did a tremendous penance or iteen months by standing on his toe$ .n the siGteenth month lord ,hiva
and 8arvati appeared beore him ater being pleased by his penance$ Lord ,hiva eGpressed his desire to bless
Krishna$ Krishna demanded eight boon$ #) 'ay his intelligence always remain inclined towards religiousness$ ()
'ay he attain immortal ameE 0) 'ay he has his abode in ,hivaKs proGimityE 4) 'ay his aith and devotion in ,hiva
be unswervingE 9) 'ay he have ten valiant sonsE ;) 'ay he be victorious against his enemiesE 7) 'ay all his
enemies be destroyed and )) 'ay be dear to all the yogis$ Ater receiving eight boons rom Lord ,hivaE Krishna
demanded one boon rom goddess 8arvati 'ay he always be in the service o his parents and the brahmins$ ,ri
Krishna then went back to 2pamanyu and narrated the whole story$ At last he returned to Dwarka$
9$9$0 :lassiication o *rave ,ins
Describing about the sinsE ,utCi told the sages that altogether there were twelve types o sins committed
by a man by his actionsE thought speech$ %ut o them having a desire or another personKs wieE being
desirous o anotherKs wealthE having evil designs against other people and driting towards sinul path
are considered to be sins committed by oneKs thoughts$
-he ollowing sins are supposed to be committed by speech = :onversating with a woman who is
having periodsE telling liesE 2npleasing talks and back biting$
-he ollowing sins are committed by oneKs actions eating thingsE which are not worth eatingKsE indulging
in violence and unciviliBed activities and taking otherKs wealth by improper means$
+ven among all these sins some are considered to be graverE like criticiBing teacherE hermit and
parents etcE stealing the property o temple or a brahmin$ A person commits 'ahapap (grave sin) i he
indulges in any o the ollowingJ not having devotion towards oneKs preceptor abandoning oneKs
preceptorE sleeping on the preceptorKs bedE drinking intoGicating drinksE having illicit relationship with
oneKs teacherKs wieE taking back the wealth which has already been donatedE earning wealth by
employing improper means$
A man who commits the ollowing sins are considered to be the grave sinners = burning a cowshedE a
orest or a cityE not marrying a girl with a suitable manE having illicit relationship with daughter in lawE
and sister in law$
9$9$4 -he Description o &ell
+ach living being has to taste the ruits o his KKarmasKE when his soul reaches the abode o Yama ater
his death$ -he soul o a virtuous man enters the hell rom the 1orthern sideE where as that o sinul man
enters rom the southern side$
Yamanagri = -he abode o Yama is situated at a distance o eighty siG thousand yoCans (%ne YoCans =
+ight miles) rom the surace o the earth$
-he virtuous soul reaches there without any problem because o his virtuous deeds$ %n the contraryE
the soul o a sinner reaches Yamanagri tasting the ruits o his sins all along the way$ 'oreoverE when
the soul o a sinner reaches YamanagriE it gets punished by the KYamadutasK$ -he lord o death then
gives the inal Cudgement on the basis o each individualKs sins$
<rom the hell the virtuous soul leaves or the heaven$ -here are many categories o hells all illed up
with ilth$
9$9$9 :harity and its .mportance
,utCi while warning the sages told=
R8eople who engages themselves in virtuous deeds through out their lives and who have been kind o
othersE cross the terriying path o the hell Muite easily$ A personE who donates shoes or wooden
sandals to brahminsE reaches the hell riding on the horse$
,imilarlyE a person who donates an umbrella to brahmins reaches the hell under the shade o an
umbrella$ 'aking donations o bed or chairs to brahminsE help a man to reach the hell ater taking
adeMuate rest on the way$ 'aking donations o *old or silver to brahmin helps a man to attain to
heaven$R
A man who donated ood grains enCoys all the pleasures o lieE because ood grains sustain lie$ +venE
making donation o water is considered to be o supreme value because lie can not eGist without it$ A
manE who digs up wells and ponds or the beneit o peopleE acMuires great virtues$ 8lanting treesE
especially which gives ruits or lowers are considered to give immeasurable virtues$
'aking donations o cowE landE knowledge and such obCects that can be weighed are considered$
'aking donations o *oldE ,esameE elephantE girlE maidE servantE houseE chariotE diamondE cow whose
colour is pure white and ood grains are considered to be 'ahadan (great donation)$
-he donations should be made only to worthy brahmins$
9$9$; -he Description o the 1etherworld (8atal Loka)
-he earth is balanced on the hood o ,heshnag$ Lord Vishnu is the nurturer o this world$ -here are seven more
worlds beneath the earthE which are AtalaE VitalaE ,utalaE "asatalaE -alaE -alatala and 8atal$ +ach o these worlds
is ten thousand yoCans in length and twenty thousand yoCans deep$ All these worlds are ull o invaluable and
priceless diamonds$ -he residents o each o these worlds enCoy all the luGuries and pleasures o lie$ -he demons
and the 1agas reside in these worlds$
9$9$7 Liberation <rom &ell
+ven arther than these seven worlds is situated the hellE 6here the soul o the sinner goes to ater the death$
,ome o the main names o hell are = "auravE ,hukarE "odhE -aalE Vivasan and 'ahaCwala etc$ -he soul o a
sinner goes to each o these hells according to the magnitude o his sins$ A man should worship lord ,hiva and
sing hymns in his praise to get liberated rom his sins$
9$9$) -he Description o ,even .slands
-he whole earth is divided into seven islands or dweepas$ -he name o these islands is @ambuE
8lakshaE ,halmaliE KraunchE ,haaka and 8ushkar$ All these islands are surrounded by such oceans on
all sides$ -he content o each o these oceans is salt$ ,ugarcane CuiceE gheeE milkE curds and honey
respectively$
@ambudweepa is also known as .ndia$ .t stretches rom south o &imalaya to the north o ocean$ -he
total area is about nine thousand yoCans$ .t is urther subdivided into nine land segmentsE seven
mountainsE and seven sacred rivers near the seven places o pilgrimage and many other rivers$
,imilarly the K8lakshaK island is surrounded by ocean o salt on all sides and spread up in the area o
one thousand yoCans$
-he area o ,halmali island is twice as that o 8laksha island$ .t is surrounded by the ocean o honey$
-he are o Kusha island is twice as that o ,halmali island and is surrounded by the ocean o ghee$
,imilarly the Krauncha is surrounded by the ocean o curd and its area is thrice as that o Kusha island$
-he area o ,haka island is twice as that o Kraucha island and is surrounded by the ocean o milk$
-he ocean o sweet water surrounds the 8ushkar island$ .ts total length is ive thousand yoCans and ive lakh
yoCans respectively$ -he mountain 'anas is situated in this island$ -he residents o these islands never attain old
age$ Lord Brahma resides in 'ahaveet section o this island$ -he people living in this island get ood without
making any eort$
9$9$/ -he Description o 8lanets
As ar as the light o ,un and 'oon reaches the earthE it is called KBhoo lokaK$ ,urya loka is situated one
lakh yoCan above the Bhooloka$ -he :handra loka is situated one lakh yoCan above ,urya loka$ All the
constellations as well as the planets are spread in the area o the ten thousand yoCans above the 'oon$
'ercury is situated above the moon Venus above the 'ercury and 'ars is situated above the Venus$
@upiter is situated above 'ars and ,aturn above @upiter$
-he ,aptarshi mandals are situated at a distance o one lakh yoCan above ,aturn$ -he KDhruvaK is
situated at a distance o one lakh yoCan above the ,aptarshi 'andals$ All the planets are situated
between the earth and Dhruva star in the orm o three lokas = BhoolokaE Bhuvar loka and ,warga loka
(heaven)$
'ahar looka is situated even beyond the Dhruvaloka$ -his is the world where the manasputras (,anak
sanandan etc) o lord Brahma reside$
@ana loka is situated above 'ahaloka where as the -apaloka is situated at a distance o twenty siG lakh yoCans
above 'ahaloka$ ,atyaloka is situated siG times the distance between 'ahaloka and -apaloka$ ,atyaloka is also
known as Brahmaloka$ Beyond Brahmaloka is situated the Vaikuntha loka$ ,imilarly the world o Kartikeya Kumar
loka is situated beyond Vaikunth loka$ Ater Kumar loka comes the 2ma loka and then comes the ,hiva lokaE
which is the arthest loka$ *oloka is situated near ,hivaloka where lord Krishna lives with the cow names ,ushilaE
with the permission o lord ,hiva$
9$9$#3 :ategories o Austerity (-apa)
-ruth or ,atya is the best among all the types o austerity$ A truthul man is the supreme devotee and a
great accomplisher$ Austerity helps a man to attain all the worldly pleasures o lie and ultimately
salvation$ Austerities have been classiied into three types on the basis o three basic Mualities or gunas
i$e$ ,atvik tapaE "aCassi tapa and -amassi tapa$
Austerities observed by the deitiesK hermits and celibates come under the category o ,atvik -apa$
Austerities maintained by the KdaityaGK and man come under the category o "aCasi=-apa$
Austerities maintained by the demons and those people who indulge in evil and cruel deeds come
under the category o -amasi -apa$
9$9$## -he %rigin o Body
-he ood intaken by a man gets transormed into KsemenK in the body$ -he semen is transormed to the womanKs
womb during the time o intercourse where it gets miGed with the blood$ .t then develops into an egg$ *radually all
the organs start to maniest themselves$ -he body then attains the vital orce and ultimately comes out rom the
motherKs womb ater suering great pains$ But ater taking birth he orgets all about those pains$ &e then lives his
lie by reaping the ruits o his past Karmas$
9$9$#( 8uriication o the Body
Beore taking birthE the body lives a very ilthy environment in motherKs womb$ .t becomes so dirty that even
8anchagavya can not make it pure$ "emembrance o ,hiva is the only means to make it pure$
9$9$#0 :ontrol over Death (.chchha 'rityu)
,utCi told the sages that a person who wants to control death should irst be seated on a pure seat$ &e
should then perorm 8ranayama by holding his breath$ 6hile doing this eGercise care should be taken
that lamp is not burning$
Both the ears should be shut by the indeG ingers or the period o one hour$ Ater doing this he would
be able to hear the sounds emerging rom within$ &e should try to concentrate his mind on that sound$
. this eGercise is practiced daily or two hoursE then he will have ull control over his death$
-his particular eGercise helps a man to attain great accomplishmentsE sel=knowledge and salvation$
9$9$#4 -he Descent o *anga
%nceE emperor ,agar perormed an Ashwamedha Yagya$ .ndra abducted the horse used in this Yagya
and kept it in the hermitage o ,age Kapil$ All the siGty thousand sons o ,agar went to search the
horse and ound it in KapilKs hermitage$
&earing the commotion and noiseE sage Kapil who was engrossed in his meditation opened his eyes
and came out to see what was happening$ &e was very angry$ &e looked angrily towards the sons o
,agar$ All o them were burnt to death eGcept our$
.n due course o timeE ,age Bhagirath became successul in bringing river *anga to earth with the
blessings o lord ,hiva$ Bhagirath was the descendants o ,agar$ Bhagirath made all o his ancestors
alive who had met an untimely death by sprinkling the water o *anga on their bones$ "iver *anga is
also known as Bhagirathi because o Bhagirath$
9$9$#9 -he Austerities o Ved Vyasa
1arrating about the lie o ,age Ved VyasE ,utCi said to the sages=
R%nce while sage 8arashar was on his pilgrimageE he arrived at the bank o Yamuna$ ,atyavatiE who
emitted the smell o ishE helped him cross the river$ ,age 8arashar was very pleased with her$ &e
transormed the bad smell emitting rom her body into ragrance$ &e also told her that she would be
ortunate to give birth to a son as mighty as lord Vishnu$
.n due course o time ,atyavati gave birth to a child$ -he child was given the name Krishnadwaipayan
by ,atyavatiKs ather$ ,oon ater his birth the child told his mother that he was going to do penance and
he would come back to see her the moment she desired$
-he child did tremendous penance and became amous as Ved Vyas$ 6ith this deep knowledge and
insight he categoriBed the dierent sections o Veda$ Ater the accomplishment o his penance$ Ved
Vyas went on a pilgrimage$ &e came to Kashi with a desire to write the 8uranas$ -o get the blessings
o Lord ,hiva he worshipped the 'adhyeshwar linga$ Lord ,hiva became pleased by his devotion and
blessed him$ Ved Vyas created numerous puranas like = Brahma 8uranaE 8adma=8uranaE Vishnu
8uranaE ,hiva 8uranaE Bhagawat 8uranaE Bhavishya 8uranaE 1arad 8uranaE 'arkandeya 8uranE Agni
8uranE Brahma Vaivarta 8uranE Linga 8uranE Varah 8uranE Kurma 8uranE 'atsya 8uranE *aruda
8uranE Vaman 8uranE ,kanda 8uran and Brahmanda 8uran$
9$9$#; .ncarnation o 'ahakali
%nce upon a time king ,urath ater loosing his kingdom to his enemy led to the orest$ Ater wandering
or some time he reached the hermitage o sage 'edha$ &e started living thereE as he had no place to
go$ -he deCected king used to pass his time wondering about his uture$
%ne dayE ,urath met a man named ,amadhiE who was driven out rom his house by his own sons$ &is
sons had captured all the wealth$ Both o them went to sage 'edha and narrated about their woeul
tales$ ,age 'edha advised both o them to contemplate on the orm o 'ahamaya Bhagawati ,urath
and ,amadhi were curious to know about Bhagawati ,age 'edha said=
R-he demonsE 'adhu and Kailash were produced rom the ilth which came out rom the ears o lord
VishnuE while he was resting on the back o ,heshnag during the time o total annihilation$R
R%n seeing lord Brahma sitting on the lotus lowerE which emerged rom the navel o lord VishnuE both
the demons tried to kill him$ Lord Brahma eulogiBed yoga nidra$ ,o that lord Vishnu could be awakened
rom the sleep$ *oddess Bhagawati became pleased and told Brahma that in a short while rom now
she would be maniesting hersel to kill the demons$R
RBhagawati maniested hersel in the orm o Kali rom the mouth and eyes o lord Vishnu$ 'eanwhile lord Vishnu
awakened rom his sleep$ &e ought with the demons or one thousand years but could not deeat them$ At last
the demons told lord Vishnu that they wanted to bless him with a boon$ Lord Vishnu demanded their death$
,eeing water on all sides the demons told him that he could kill them where no water was ound$ Lord Vishnu then
severed their heads ater laying them on his thighs$R
9$9$#7 .ncarnation o 'ahalaGmi
'ahishasur = the son o "ambhasur had captured the heaven ater deeating the deities$ -he sorrowul
deities came to seek the help o lord Vishnu and Lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva and Lord Vishnu became eGtremely urious ater hearing about the misdeeds o 'ahishasur$
"adiant lights appeared rom the bodies o VishnuE ,hiva and other deities and collectively maniested
into a single orm o 'ahalaGmi$ All the deities presented their respective weapons to her$
'ahalaGmi went to ight 'ahishasurE who ought valiantly by changing his appearanceE but ultimately got killed by
her$ -he deities became very pleased by the death o 'ahishasur$ -hey eulogiBed and worshipped her$
9$9$#) .ncarnation o 'ahasarasvati
Ater being tormented by the demons ,humbha and 1ishumbhaE the deities went to goddess 8arvati
and reMuested her to protect them$ Kaushiki maniested rom the body o goddess 8arvati$ *oddess
Kaushiki assured the deities and disappeared$
By coincidence the attendants o the demons = ,humbha and 1ishumbhaE happened to see Kaushiki
and became enchanted by her divine beauty$ -hey went to ,humbha and 1ishumbha and praised
about her beauty$
Both the demons sent a messenger to ,ummon her$ Kaushiki asked the messenger to convey the
message to the demons that only such a person can become her lordE who deeats her in a battle$ -he
messenger returned and gave the message to ,humbha and 1ishumbha$
Both the demons were enraged$ -hey sent a huge army to bring Kaushiki orcibleE under the
commandership o Dhumralochan$ 6hen Dhumralochan reached thereE he told her about his masterKs
command$ Kaushiki gave the some reply that only such a person can become her masterE who deeats
her in a battle$ Dhumralochan then tried to abduct her orcibly$ Kaushiki gave a loud roar in her anger
as a result o which Dhumralochan was burnt to death$ -he whole army was annihilated by her vehicle=
lion$
6hen ,humbha and 1ishumbha learnt about the death o Dhumralochan and the destruction o his
armyE they sent many mighty demons like :handaE 'undaE "aktabeeCa etc to ight her$ But each o
them got killed by goddess Kaushiki$
2ltimately ,humbha and 1ishumba themselves came orward to ight$ Both o them attacked Kaushiki
with volley o arrows$ Kaushiki destroyed their whole army$ -he whole battle ield became looded with
blood$ Ater that Kaushiki killed 1ishumbha with special types o arrowsE which did not allow single drop
o blood to all on the ground$
Angered by his brotherKs deathE ,humbha attacked Kaushiks with his Various weaponsE but she
neutraliBed all o them$ At lastE she killed ,humbha with her trident$
9$9$#/ 2ma 6arns the Deities
%nceE ater having deeated the demons the deities had become very arrogant and proud$ -hey started
indulging in sel praise$ ,uddenly they were started by the emergence o radiant light beore them$ All
the deities became scarred and went to .ndra$ .ndra sent Vayu to test the power o that radiant light$ As
soon as Vayu reached thereE he ound that he had become powerless$ %ne by one all the deities came
but returned ater being deeated$ At last .ndra himsel went there$
As soon as .ndra reached thereE he ound that he had become beret o all his powers$
,uddenly goddess 2ma maniested hersel and warned .ndra against becoming arrogant$ .ndra
realiBed his mistake$
9$9$(3 -he .ncarnation o ,hakambari
-he most valiant demon Durgam had acMuired all the our Vedas rom lord Brahma ater pleasing him$
Lord Brahma had also given a boon o invincibility to him$
Durgam became very arrogant and started tormenting the whole world$ As the conseMuence it did not
rain or one hundred years and the whole world was hit by drought$
-he deities went to goddess 'aheshwari (8arvati) and narrated about their woeul tales$ *oddess
'aheshwari was so moved by their plights that tears rolled down rom her eyes or nine continuous
days and nights$ -he tear tool the orm o a river as the result o which the phase o drought came to an
end$
-he deities then reMuested her to recover the VedasE which were in possession o Durgam$ -hey then
went back to their abode$ 6hen Durgam saw that people were living happilyE he attacked with a large
army$ At that very moment goddess maniested hersel and ought a tremendous battle with Durgam$
<rom her body maniested the ten 'ahavidyas and many other goddesses$ At last goddess
'aheshwari killed Durgam with her trident and recovered the Vedas rom his possession$ ,he then
handed over the Vedas to the deities$ 'aheshwari is also known as ,hakambhari as she had created
river by her tears and saved the lives o 8eople$
#) . should always remain his devotee b) to be able to know about the pastE present and uture eventsE
c) 'y amily should never eel the scarcity o rice and milk$R
RLord ,hiva not only blessed me with all these three thingsE but also to be able to see the Vaivasvat
kalpa$R
Ater completing his storyE sage 2pamanyu told Krishna he must worship lord ,hiva i he was desirous o a sonE
because Lord ,hiva can be pleased Muite easily$
/&1 2ailash )amhita
-his :hapter contains ; sections$
9$;$# :lassiications o Yoga
Describing about the various types o YogaE ,utCi told the sages that there were three types o Yoga = *yan YogaE
Kriya Yoga and Bhakti Yoga$ R+ach o them is capable o giving salvation to a man$ 6hen the mind or intellect
unites with the soul it is called *yan Yoga$ 6hen the soul gets attached with eGternal obCectsE it is called Kriya
yoga$ -he uniication o oneKs whole being with goddess Bhagawati is called Bhakti Yoga$ All these three yogas
combinedly are capable o giving salvation to a man$ A man becomes a devotee by his actions or Karmas$
Devotion or Bhakti helps a man to attain *yan or knowledge$ *yan or Knowledge gives salvation$ Yoga is the
path through which a man can attain liberation whereas Kriya=yoga is the chie means to attain it$
9$;$( :onduct o a ,anyasi
A ,anyasi should wake up early in the morning$ Ater getting up he should remember his preceptor or
*uru and then he should pray to eGpress his gratitude towards his *uru$
Ater that he should practice 8ranayama and try to concentrate his mind on the siG chakras present in
his bodies$
Ater the completion o 8ranayama and concentration on the siG chakras he should inish his daily
routines$ Ater applying KashesK on his body he should chant the sacred mantras and perorm KtarpanaK$
,ubseMuently he should perorm Aachaman and then practice 8ranayama or three times$ Ater that he
should remember the sages or rishis$ 6hile going to do worshipE he should maintain silence all along
the way$ &e should do worship only ater washing his eet and perorming Aachaman$
9$;$0 'ethods o ,hiva 6orship
A ,anyasi should paste the ground with cow dung and construct a Muadrangular K'andapK$ &e should then keep a
broad lea o 8alm tree at its centre$ &e should then ence the area with coloured threads rom all the our
directions$ Ater that he should draw a eight petalled lower in the centre o the 'andapE upon which he should
draw a ,hiva Yantra$ At last he can commence his worship o the ,un god$
9$;$4 -he *reatness o 8ranay 'antra
,age Vamadev was a great devotee o lord ,hiva rom his birth$ &e never used to remain at a place or
long$ %ne day he had gone to a mountain peak named KumarE which was situated towards the south o
,umeru 'ountain$ &e met Kartikeya who revealed to him that 8ranam 'antra directly signiies the
almighty *od$ Kartikeya also told him that with the help o that mantra a person can attain lord ,hiva =
who liberates rom all the bondage o lie$
-houghE Vamadeva himsel knew about the power o 8ranav mantra yet he reMuested Kartikeya to
shed some more light on it$ Kartikeya told him that any one could have the proGimity o lord ,hivaE by
the help o the means prescribed in the ,hrutis and the ,amritis$
"egarding the methods o ,hivaKs worshipE Kartikeya told Vamadeva that though ,adashiva was oneE
yet he was known by various names like 'aheshwarE "udraE Brahma and Vishnu$ 'ahesh was created
rom the thousandth part o ,adashiva$ -he goddess o all illusions = Bhagawati dwells in the let side o
,adashivaE thereore he is the lord o all the actions o the universe$ ,adashiva plays his desire acts by
indulging in creationE nurturement and annihilation o this world$
9$;$9 .nitiation o a ,anyasi
Vamadeva reMuested Kartikeya to enlighten his mind with that knowledgeE without which a ,anyasi can
never attain liberation$
Kartikeya then told him about the methods how a ,anyasi should get initiation rom his guru$ A disciple
should worship his guru in any o the ollowing months = ,hravanE AshwinE KartikE Agahan and 'agh$
&e should then establish a Kalash and worship it$ &e should again worship his guru considering him as
the orm o ,hiva$
-he guru should then initiate him with the ,hiva mantra$ Ater getting the 'antraE the disciple should
chant it considering himsel as ,hiva=,hivoaham$ Ater this the disciple should get his head tonsured$
-he barber who is supposed to shave o the hairs should be given pure clothes to wear$ -he barber
should also wash his hands with mud and water$ -he instruments and apparatusE which he is supposed
to useE should be made pure by the KAstraK mantras$
<irst o all the ront portion o the head should be shaved o ater that the back portion o the head
should be shaved o$ -he disciple should then get his beards and moustache shaved o$ Ater this the
disciple should massage his body with mud and take bath by taking twelve dips in a pond$ Ater taking
his bath he should worship his *uru and meditate on lord ,hiva$
9$;$; Last "ites o an Ascetic (,anyasi)
Kartikey told ,age Vamadev that an ascetic does not die but takes a ,amadhiE thereore instead o
being cremated he is buried$ -hereore an ascetic must practice the art o ,amadhi to perection$ . he
has not yet perected the art o ,amadhiE then he should keep on practicing yoga till he attains mastery
over the art o ,amadhi$ &e should try to concentrate his mind on the %mkar mantraE which is eternal$ .
his body has become weak and eeble and incapable o doing physical eGercises like 8ranayama then
he should indulge himsel in ,hiva remembrance$ -his way an ascetic can attain to heaven$ Ater his
death the rest o the ascetics should perorm the rituals at his place o death or ten days$
An alter should be constructed on the eleventh day$ <ive Muadrangular mandals should be made acing
towards the northern direction$ .n each o these mandasE deities like DeveshwariE Atiwahak etc$ should
be established irst and then worshipped$ -he worship should be done as per the instruction o *uru by
oering K8rasadaK$ -his 8rasada should beE given to a virgin girl or cowE later on$ -he articles used in
the process o worship should be immersed in the river or pond$ .n this wayE the 8arvan shraddh
ceremony o the deceased ascetic is accomplished$ .t is worth nothing that K+kodishtaK ,hraddh is not
perormed ater an ascetic death$
Ater the completion o K8arvan ,hraddhK the ascetic should perorm the +kadashah ,hraddh as per the
instructions o their *uru$ %n the twelth dayE the ascetics should invite the brahminsE ater getting up in
the morning and taking their bath$ -hese brahmins should be eeded$
-he ascetics should then take a vow to worship their *uru by holding a KKushaK grass in their hands$
Ater thatE they should wash the lotus eets o their *uru and worship him$ +ven the worship o *uruKs
teacher should be done$
Ater the worship is overE the *uru should get up by saying K,hubhamastuK= benediction to all$ &e should then
sprinkle the puriied rice by chanting mantras$ At last donations should be made to the invited brahmins$
/&4 +ayviya )amhita
-his :hapter contains GG sections$
9$7$# -he %rigin o Vidya (Knowledge)
-here are ourteen types o learning or Vidyas = our VedasE ,iG VedangsE 'eemansaE 1yayE 8uranas
and other religious scriptures$ -hese ourteen learning along with AyurvedaE DhanurvedaE
*andharvaveda and Arthashastra becomes eighteen$ All these eighteen learningKs originate rom lord
,hiva$
Lord ,hiva created lord Brahma to elicitate the process o creation and bestowed him with all these
eighteen learningKs$ &e also empowered lord Vishnu to protect the creation$
-he our Vedas emerged rom the mouth o Lord BrahmaE on the basis o which were created the
numerous scriptures like Vedangs etc$ ,ince these Vedas were diicult to understandE thereore lord
Vishnu took incarnation o Vyas and created the 8uranasE so that they could be understood easily$ -he
8uranas contain our lakh shlokas and they help us to understand the essence o the Vedas$
9$7$( -he -ale o 1aimisharanya
%nceE lord Brahma released his 'anomaya chakra and instructed the sages to ollow it$ &e also told
them that the place at which the 'anomaya chakra broke down would be very auspicious or doing
penance$
-he sages ollowed the 'anomaya chakraE which ater travelling or a long time ell down on a large
segment o land and its circumerence (1emi) broke down as predicted by lord Brahma$ -his segment
o land became amous as 1aimisharanya$
-he sages decided to perorm a Yagya at that sacred place$ -his way the very placeE sitting where lord
Brahma did creations$ All the sages commenced their YagyaE which continued or ten thousand years$
%n the completion o YagyaE the deity arrived there and blessed them as per the instruction o lord
Brahma$
9$7$0 -ime ! -he "adiance o ,hiva
Describing about the time (Kala)E Vayudeva told the sages that KKalaK or time is the radiance o lord
,hiva$ Kala or time is also known as KKalatmaK$ -he time lows smoothly without being disturbed$
-ime is under the control o lord ,hiva$ ,ince the time contains the element o ,hiva (,hivattatva)E
hence its momentum can not be checked by any other powerE eGcept that o ,hiva$ %neE who
understands the meaning o KalaE has a darshan o lord ,hiva$
9$7$4 -ime ! :alculation
-he smallest unit or measuring the time is called K1imeshK$ -he time taken to drop oneKs eyelid is called
one 1imesh$ A kala consists o iteen 1imeshas and thirty Kalas make a K'uhurtaK$
A day and a night consist o thirty K'uhurtasK$ A month consists o thirty daysE divided into two ortnights$
%ne ortnight is known as KKrishna 8aksha (dark lunar phase) and the other is known as ,hukla 8aksha
(bright lunar phase)$
.n 8itarloka the day consists o one ortnight and night o the same number o days$ ,hukla 8aksha is
the day o the 8itraloka and Krishna 8aksha the night$
%ne KAyanaK consists o ,iG months$ A year consists o two KAyanasK$ %ne year o the earth is eMuivalent
to a day and a night o the deities$ -he siG months when ,un is in the southern hemisphere o the earthE
is actually the time when the deities eGperience night$ %n the contraryE the siG months when sun is in
the northern hemisphereE is the day time o the deities$ %ne year o the deities is eMuivalent to three
hundred and siGty years o this world$
-he yugas are counted on the basis o the years o the deities$ According to the scholars there are our
yugas = ,atyayugaE -retayugaE Dwapar yuga and Kaliyuga$
A satyayuga is eMuivalent to our thousand years o the deities$
A -reta yuga is eMuivalent to three thousand years o the deities$
,imilarly a dwapar yuga is eMuivalent to two thousand years o the deities and a Kaliyuga to that o one
-housand years o the deities$
-his way all the our yugas collectively are eMuivalent to twelve thousand years o the deities$
A Kalpa consists o one thousand :haturyugas$ A 'anvantar consists o seventy one :haturyugas$
%ne Kalpa is inhibited by ourteen 'anus one ater another in succession$
A BrahmaKs day is eMuivalent to one divine Kalpa$ A BrahmaKs year is eMuivalent to one thousand
Kalpas$ A BrahmaKs yuga consists o eight thousand such years$
A BrahmaKs K ,avanK consists o his one thousand yugas$ BrahmaKs lie span is complete ater three
thousand such ,awanas$ <ive lakh and orty thousand numbers o .ndras succeed one ater another
during the whole lie span o Brahma$
A Vishnu day is eMuivalent to the whole lie span o Brahma$ -he whole lie span o Vishnu is eMuivalent
to a day o K"udraK$ -he whole lie span o "udra is eMuivalent to a day o lord ,hiva$ .n the whole lie o
lord ,hiva ive lakh and our thousand numbers o "udras come and go$
A ,hivaKs day commences with the creation and beore the end o the night the whole creation gets annihilated$
,adashiva is eternal$
9$7$9 'editation
Describing about 'editation Vayudeva told the sages that to concentrate oneKs restless mind during meditative
stateE a man needs some kind o orm (,warupa) or appearance$ .dol worship is very helpul in this regard$ . an
idol o the deity is worshipped with ull devotionE then a time comes when a man can have its sight even in an
empty space$ .dol worship also helps a devotee to reach towards the almighty *odE who is ormless$ .t is easy or
a devotee who believes in K,akarK (with orm) to change over to the 1irakar (ormless) worship o *od$ But it is
very diicult or a devotee who believes in the ormless almighty to switch over to ,akar mode o worship$ -he
knowledge o ,hivaKs essence is a must attain salvation in both the modes o devotion$
9$7$; "ituals :onnected with ,hiva?s 6orship
%ne being asked by the sages about the rituals which gives salvationE Vayudeva told them that by
having devotion towards lord ,hivaE a man can achieve all the pleasures o the world and even attain
salvation$ Vayudeva also told them about 8ashupat Vrata and the beneits derived rom it$
-he whole 8ashupat Vrata is divided into ive parts = KriyaE -aipeiE -apaE Dhyana and *yan$ -he
,haiva=dharma is the supreme religion and the rituals pertaining to it are based on the ,hruits and the
,mritis$ 8ashupat Vrata has been mentioned in the Vedas as the bestower o ,upreme knowledge$ .t
also contains all the eight organs o yogaE which were created by lord ,hiva himsel$ Lord ,hiva is
easily pleased i worship is done by this method$ -he devotee attains supreme knowledge and
becomes liberated rom all the bondageKs o this world$
9$7$7 8ashupat Vrata and its "ituals
8ashupat Vrata has been mentioned even in the Atharvasheersha 2panishad$ .t begins on the ull
moon dayE in the month o :haitra$ .t can be perormed anywhere = a ,hiva templeE any sacred place o
pilgrimageE orest or garden$
A devotee should get up early in the morningE on the thirteenth day o bright lunar phase (two days
preceding the ull moon day) and ater inishing his daily duties he should make salutations to his *uru$
6ith the permission o his guruE the devotee should then put on while coloured clothes and a sacred
thread o the same colour$ &e should also wear a white garland around his neck and apply sandal
wood paste on his body$
&e should then sit on the seat made o Kusha grass and take a vow by holding a Kusha grass in his
hand$ Ater this he should do &avana by oerings articles into the sacred ire$ &e should observe a ast
or the whole day and break it only in the night by having K8rasadaK$
-his ritual should be repeated on the ollowing day but the ast should not be broken in the night$ %n
the inal dayE that is ull moon day he should repeat all the rituals and ater putting o the ire o the
&avana KundaE he should smear his body with the ashes$ &e should then take his bath and put on
dearKs skin or bark o the tree$ &e should also hold a stick and put on a waist band ('ekhala)$
Ater that he should again rinse (Achaman) his mouth and smear ashes on his body$ &e should perorm
the eGercise o Ashtanga yoga$ -hree times in a day as per the instructions o his guru$ -his way a man
is reed rom the beastly Mualities present in him$
8ashupat Vrata can be perormed by a devotee as long as he is alive or he can continue it or twelve
years o three years or one year or siG months or one monthE or twelve days or three days or even one
day$
%n the completion o 8ashupat VrataE a devotee should establish a ,hiva idol and worship it with all the
siGteen modes o worship (,hodasopachar)$ At last he should perorm Awaran 8uCan and then worship
his guru$ -hrough out the period o astE a devotee should have ruits only and he should sleep on the
bare land$ 8ashupat Vrata done in such a way helps a devotee to attain to the abode o lord ,hiva$
9$7$) .ntroduction o the 2niverse
Vayudeva told the sages who had assembled at 1aimisharanya that goddess *auri was the
maniestation o ,hivaKs power and ,hankar the omnipotent almighty$ Both ,hiva and goddess ,hiva
contain athomless splendours o which only a raction is visible in this world$
-his world is under the control o ,hiva and goddess ,hiva$ Both o them are inseparable$ @ust as the
light o the sun can not eGist without the ,un in the same way goddess ,hiva can not eGist without lord
,hiva$ @ust as a lieless body is o no use similarly the world can not eGist without goddess ,hakti$
-his illusionary world is tied up with the delusionary ropes o ,hiva and ,hakti$ -he whole creation is
the appearance o Almighty ,hiva$ -he ignorant sages describe it in dierent ways according to their
own perceptions$ ButE the act is that ,hiva is one and this world is the creation o his illusions$ A man
can attain liberation rom this illusionary world only when he has the blessings o ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva is beyond the reach o lustE attachment and pleasures$ &is eGistence is separate rom the natureE
delusionE intelligence and ego$ &e is ree rom all the bondageKs$
9$7$/ Duties o a Brahmin
An ideal brahmin is supposed to perorm the ollowing dutiesJ=
a) -rikal ,andhya (worshipping thrice a day)
b) &avan (oerings made to the sacred ire)
c) 6orship o ,hivalinga
d) 'aking donations
A brahmin should also have the ollowing MualitiesJ=
a) -o see god in each soul
b) :ompassion
c) Virtuous conducts
d) ,atisaction
e) Belie in *od
) 1on violence
g) Devotion
h) "egular study o the Vedas
i) 8racticing Yoga
C) 8reaching the teachings o Vedas
k) *iving lectures on the religious scriptures$
l) Being a celibate
m) 8enance
n) &aving a ,hikha and a scared thread etc$
A brahmin should never have ood during the night and should contently chant the K%m 1amah ,hivayK mantra$
Lord ,hiva is not pleased that much by rituals as by aith and devotion$ A man who worships lord ,hiva while
maintaining the rules o KVarnashram DharmaKE has the blessings o lord ,hiva and all o his desires are ulilled$
9$7$#3 :hanting o 'antras
Ater getting initiated with the ,hiva mantraE a devotee should chant it or once crore times or ity lakh
timesE or twenty lakh times or ten lakh timesE while worshipping ,hiva$ K&avanaK should be perormed
or tenth part o the total chanting$ K-arpanK should be perormed or tenth part o the number o &avana$
,imilarly K'arCanK should be perormed or the tenth part o the numbers o -arpan$ -he numbers o
Brahmins selected or eeding should be eMuivalent to the tenth part o the numbers o 'arCan$
At last the disciple should give donations to the brahmins and engage himsel in the welare o society
as per the instructions o his *uru$
9$7$## +stablishing Deities in the orm o Alphabets within the Body
('A-".KA 1YA,)
Asceticism (1yas) are o three types = ,thiti (posture) 2tpatti (origin) and Laya (usion)$
+stablishing and chanting the cryptic mantras (alphabets) rom the thumb to the little inger is called
K,thiti nyasK$
+stablishing and then chanting the cryptic mantras rom the right thumb to the let thumb is called
R2tpatti nyasK$
+stablishing and then chanting the cryptic mantras rom the let thumb to the right thumb is called KLaya
1yasK$
K,thitiK nyas should be practiced by the householders K2tpatti nyasK should be practiced by the celibates
KLaya nyasK should be practiced by those people who have relinMuished the world (Vanprasth)$
A widow should practice ,thiti 1yas$ An unmarried girl should practice 2tapatti 1yas$
-hese modes o 1yas should be practiced only ater being taught by the *uru$
9$7$#( 'ental 6orship o ,hiva
6hile doing a mental worship o ,hivaE a devotee should worship lord *anesha by ollowing the K1yasK
mode o worship$ Ater that he should worship various deities related with lord ,hiva like 1andi etc$
-hen he should bring the orm o lord ,hiva into his imagination and worship him mentally by making
mental oerings$
-he devotee should then perorm &avana in the navel o lord ,hiva by oering ghee$ -he worship
should be accomplished by meditating on the orm o ,hiva$
9$7$#0 'ethod o Doing 'ental 6orship
-he devotee should take his seat only ater puriying it$ &e should take a vow ater completing all the
necessary rituals like KAchamanK$ 8ranayamE tying a knot in his ,hikha etc$
Ater doing the KDeepa 8uCanK he should worship various deities like ,un godE 'oon godE VarunE
*anesha and Kartikeya etc$ &e should then worship both ,hiva and ,hakti by employing all the siGteen
modes o worship (,hodasopachar)$ -he devotee should perorm KartiK in the end$
.n the specialiBed orm o ,hivaKs worship KAwaran 8uCanK o ,hiva is done along with the normal puCan$
Awaran 8uCan means worship o all the articles connected with lord ,hiva like his trident his drum etc$
.n this specialiBed worship the ,hivaKs idol should be bathed irst o all$ -hen the idol should be clothed$
A sacred thread should be oered to the ,hivaKs idol along with the other oerings like KtilakKE Akshat
etc$ Ater this the Kawaran puCan o ,hiva should be done along with the worship o ,hivaKs amily$
. the devotee eels that something was lacking in the worshipE he should atone or that mistake by
chanting the 8anchakshar mantra %m 1amah ,hivay$
9$7$#4 'ethod o 8erorming &avan
6hile perorming a ,hiva Yagya a devotee should make oerings to the KhavanakundaK made o iron or
mud$ <ire should be ignited in the havankunda ollowing the methods as prescribed in the scriptures$
&e can then commence the actual worship$
-he devotee should make o oerings o ghee with ,ruva (a wooden spoon) and other articles with his
hands$ -he oerings should be irst made in the names o lord Brahma (8raCapati) then to the nine
planets and other deities$ Ater that oerings should be made in the name o the chie deity$
-he devotee should then make nine oerings to each o the deities like AgniE Vayu and ,urya etc$ At
last he should perorm the arti and atone or those mistakesE which he might have committed during the
whole process o worship$ &e should also give donations to the brahmins and eed them$
9$7$#9 Auspicious Days or 8erorming ,hiva 6orship
-he eighth day and the ourteenth day o both the ortnights o each &indu month are considered to be
the most auspicious or the worship o lord ,hiva$
,imilarly the solstice day (,ankranti)E when the sun is positioned north o eMuator and eclipse day are
considered to be very auspicious$ %n these days a special worship o lord ,hiva should be done by
bathing the ,hiva idol with 8anchagavya and having it is prasadam$ .t rees a man rom the gravest o
sins$ ,imilarly the day o K8ushyaK 1akshatra alling in the month o K8aushaK is considered as very
auspicious and perorming arti o ,hiva on this day gives immense virtues$
'aking donations o *hee and blankets on K'agha 1akshatraK alling in the month o 'agh gives
immense virtues$
-he ollowing days are considered to be the most auspicious or the worship o lord ,hiva$
= 2ttara <alguni 1akshatra on the same day as 8urnimaE in the month o <algun$
= :hitra 1akshatra alling on the same day as 8urnima in the month o :haitra$
= Vishakha 1akshatra alling on the same day as 8urnimaE in the month o Vaishakh$
= 'oola 1akshatra alling in the month o @yeshtha$
= 2ttarashadha 1akshatra alling in the month o KAshadhaK$
= ,hravana 1akshatra alling in the month o ,hravana$
= 2ttara bhadra 1akshatra alling in the month o KBhadraK$
=8urnima in the month o Ashwin$
= Kartika 1akshatra alling on the same day as 8urnima in the month o Kartik$
= Ardra 1akshatra alling in the month o 'argasheersha
9$7$#; Desirable "ituals (Kamya Karma)
"ituals can be categoriBed in to two types=
#) "ituals perormed with the obCective o ulilling worldly desires$
() "ituals pertaining to 2ltra mundan desires$
.n generalE rituals can be classiied into ive categories = ritualsE penanceE chanting o mantrasE
meditationE and all the our collectively$
<or perormance o rituals a man needs power and strength and one can not achieve power unless and
until ,hiva wishes it$ .t is only with the blessings o ,hiva that a man can attain both worldly pleasures
as well as liberation$
-hese rituals (Kamya Karma) are perormed by making a mandal acing towards east and doing
Kawaran puCanK as well as worship o lord ,hiva$ 6orship o lord ,hiva done in this way ulills all the
desires o a man$
9$7$#7 "ituals 8ertaining to ,hiva 6orship (,haiva Kamya Karma)
-he methods or the worship o ive KawaransK o ,hiva have been mentioned in ,hivamahastotra$ +ach o the
KawaransK have separate presiding deitiesE the worship o which should be done according to the methods as
described in the ,hivapuran or as per the instruction o *uru$
9$7$#) .nstallation o ,hiva Linga
According to the scripturesE a ,hiva linga should be made in an auspicious moment$ -he landE where
the ,hivalinga is supposed to be installed should be puriied by perorming KBhoomi=8uCanK$
Ater bhoomi=8uCanE worshipping lord *anesha should be done$ Ater thatE the ,hiva linga should be
puriied by washing it with panchgavya and ater worshipping itE it should be immersed in the water$
-he ,hivalinga should be then taken out rom the water and ater worshipping itE it should be laid down
on the bed meant or him$ .t should be then installed at the desired place and should be consecrated by
chanting the mantras$ All the rituals should be perormed as per the instructions o *uru$
9$7$#/ :lassiication o Yoga
Yoga means such actionsE which ater paciying all the human tendencies helps a man to unite with
,hiva$ <ollowing are the ive divisions o yoga=
#) 'antra YogaE
() ,parsh Yoga (union o touch)E
0) Bhava Yoga (union by devotion)E
4) Abhava yoga (2nion without being emotionally attached)E
9) 'ahayoga (-he great union)$
'antra yoga helps a man to understand the meaning o mantras and uniting with ,hiva by the
concentration o mind$
6hen 'antra yoga is perected by the practice o 8ranayama it is called K,parshyogaK$
Bhavayoga means meditating and chanting without uttering a word$
Abhava yoga means such a union when the devotee contemplates on the inal annihilationE without
being emotionally attached with the world$
A man whose mind is preoccupied with the thoughts o ,hiva is supposed to have attained the state o
'ahayoga$ A yogi can unite with ,hiva ater puriying his body with the help o 8ranayama etc$
9$7$(3 &urdle in the 8ath o Yoga
-here are possibilities o numerous hurdles being aced by a man who practices yoga like laBinessE
diseaseE carelessnessE lack o concentrationE conusion and sorrow etc$ 6hile practicing yogaE one
must try to keep himsel ree rom such demerits$ Ater becoming liberated rom these laws a man can
easily attain siG types o accomplishment = talent (8ratibha)E super power o hearing (,hravan)E
eGcellent conversational power and power o speech (Vrata)E Divine sight (Darshan)E Divine power o
taste (Aswad)E Divine power o touch (Vedana)$
-he capability o seeing things situated at distant places is called K8ratibhaK$
-he ability to listen without making any eort is called K,hravanK$
-he ability to decipher the meaning o animalKs language is called KVrataK$
Being able to see divine things without making any eort is called KDarshanK$
-he powerE which enables a man to know about the taste o a thing without actually tasting itE is called
KAswadK$
KVedanaK means the knowledge o all types o touch$
9$7$(# ,hiva Yoga
A devotee can attain all types o accomplishment merely by having devotion towards lord ,hiva and by meditating
on him$ .n the beginningE a yogi should try to meditate on the orm o ,hiva (,aguna)E but later on the switch over
to ,hivaKs ormless (nirguna) Muality$ 'editating on nirguna orm o ,hiva is not easy$ .t can be mastered only by
constant and steady practiceE 6hen mastered it bestows all kinds o accomplishment$ 'editation combined with
8ranayama gives our types o accomplishments peace (,hanti)E tranMuility (8rashanti)E luster (Dipti) and boon
(8rasad)$ A devotee can have a darshan o lord ,hiva i he does meditation with non attachment$
9$7$(( ,anatKumar "eceive ,hiva=*yan rom 1andi
-he sages thanked Vayudeva or giving the knowledge o *yan=Yoga$ -he neGt dayE they took bath in
river ,araswati and perormed their worship and rituals$ Ater that they proceeded towards Kashi$
At Kashi ater taking their bath in river *anga they had a darshan o lord Vishwanath$ -hey saw very
radiant eulgence appearing in the skyE in which they saw thousand sages who had accomplished
8ashupat Vrata getting merged$ -he radiant eulgence vanished in no time$
-he sages were very curious to know about that radiant eulgenceE so they went to lord Brahma and
asked him about it$ Lord Brahma told them that the radiant eulgence had actually instructed them to
accomplish 8ashupat Vrata and attain ,alvation$ Lord Brahma then instructed them to go to the
,umeru mountain where 1andi was supposed to come and teach the methods o doing 8ashupat Vrata
to ,anat Kumar$
%nce ,anat Kumar became very arrogant o his asceticism$ %ne day lord ,hiva arrived at his place but
,anat Kumar did not get up to greet him$ At this 1andi became urious and cursed him to become a
camel$ ,anat Kumar got transormed into a camel$
Lord Brahma worshipped ,hiva to liberate his son = ,anat Kumar rom the curse$ Lord ,hiva became
pleased and blessed ,anat KumarE as the result o which he regained his human body$
Ater regaining his human body ,anat Kumar commenced a tremendous penance$ Lord ,hiva
instructed 1andi to go to ,umeru mountain and preach ,anat Kumar$
-he sages reached ,umeru mountain as per the instruction o lord Brahma$ -hey saw many sages
meditating at the bank o a pond$ -hey also saw ,anat Kumar engrossed in his meditation at a little
distance rom the other meditating sages$
-he sages went near ,anat Kumar and told him about their penances done or ten thousand years$
-hey also revealed to him about the purpose o their arrival$ "ight thenE 1andi arrived thereE
accompanied by his ganas ,anat Kumar and all the sages welcomed him$
,anat Kumar introduced all the sages to 1andi and told him about their tremendous penance done or
ten thousand years$ 1andi became very pleased and blessed them$ &e then preached ,anat Kumar
and all the sages on the ,hiva=tattva$
,anat Kumar passed on that knowledge to ,age VyasE who again passed it on to ,utCi$ ,utCi then
revealed this knowledge to those sages who had assembled at 8rayag$
Ater receiving that knowledge rom ,utCi all the sages went to 8rayaga teertha and took their bath$ As
they saw the signs o approaching KaliyugaE they went to Kashi and perormed the 8ashupat Vrata$ All
o them attained liberation with the blessings o Lord Vishnu$
Listening to ,hivapuran or one time liberates a man rom all o his sins$ Listening to it or two times
helps him to develop devotion in lord ,hiva$ Listening to ,hivapuran or three timesE helps a man to
attain to the abode o ,hiva$
, +amana Purana
-his 8urana consists o the ollowing (; chaptersJ
1&1 7ntroduction
-his chapter contains only # sectionJ
1arad asks sage 8ulastya about Vaaman incarnationJ
Vaaman 8uraan is one o the eighteen 8uraans written by sage Vyasa$ .t contains tales pertaining to
Lord Vishnu in his Vaaman (dwar) incarnation$ ,age 8ulastya while giving answers to 1aradKs enMuiry
narrates the tale o Vaaman 8uraan$
All the 8uraans give glimpses o .ndian civiliBation and culture and Vaaman 8uraan is no eGception$ .t
also teaches the virtue o righteousness and religiousness$ Vaaman 8uraan not only contains the divine
tales o 1ara=1arayana and *oddess Durga but it also contains tales o amous devotees like 8rahladE
the salvation o *aCendra (elephant) etc$
,age 1arad asks 8ulastya= R% revered sageL 6hy did ,hri &ari take the incarnation o VaamanN 6hy
did 8rahlad ight a battle with the deities despite being a devotee o Lord VishnuN &ow did ,atiE Daksha
8raCapatiKs daughter become 'ahadevKs consort in her neGt birthN . am eager to know the answers to
all these Muestions$R
8ulastya replied= R% 1aradL %nceE ,ati reMuested Lord ,hankar to make arrangements or a permanent
abode$ At that timeE Lord ,hankar had his abode at 'andaar 'ountain$ ,ummer season was
approaching and ,ati Muite rightly had apprehensions o living in the open$ Lord ,hankar told her that
as he was a recluseE he never elt a need o a permanent dwelling$ -hough ,ati was not satisied by his
answers yet she kept Muiet$ -his wayE both o them continued to live there$ -he summer season had
passed and now it was the turn o rainy season to arrive$ ,ati made the same reMuest to Lord ,hankar$
-his timeE Lord ,hankar told her that it was impossible or him to construct a houseE as he had no
wealth$ &e also told her that he had only a tiger skin as his clothingE the king cobra= his sacred threadE
8adma and 8ingal (snakes)= his ear=rings and Keval and DhananCay as his armlets$
Ater hearing thisE ,ati became worried as to how she would pass the rainy season without a home$
Lord ,hankar then assured her that this problem would be easily solved i she lived above the clouds$
-his wayE she would remain untouched by the showers$ Ater thisE both o them ascended towards the
sky and started living above the clouds$ <rom that day onwardsE Lord ,hankar came to be known as
@eebhootvaahan (one whose vehicle is the cloud)$
1&! "ales of 'ord )hiva
-his chapter contains 4 sectionsJ
;$($# ,hiva "eturns to 'andaar 'ountain
DAK,&A 8+"<%"', A *"A1D YA*YA
8ulastya says= R-his wayE both ,hiva and ,ati lived above the clouds till the end o rainy season$ 6hen
autumn season arrivedE both decided on returning to 'andaar 'ountain$ Daksha had organised a
grand Yagya in which he had invited all the prominent deities and sages eGcept his own son=in=lawE
,hankar and his daughterE ,ati$R
1arad was surprised as to why 'aheshwar= the lord o all splendours was not invited by Daksha$ &e
was also curious to know why Lord ,hankar had become a Kapaali (a mendicant)$ 8ulastya told him
that during the period o inal annihilationE Lord Vishnu ater waking up rom his sleep ound a divine
entityE who possessed three eyesE who had a trident in his hands and who wore a "udraksha garland
around his neck$ Lord Vishnu then created egoE which had its evil eects on both Brahma and ,hankar$
Lord ,hiva in his arrogance asked BrahmaE his identity and origin$ Lord Brahma then arrogantly asked
,hankarE his identity$ -his wayE a dispute ensued that later on turned into a ight in whichE Brahma
deeated ,hankar$ Lord ,hiva severed two o the ive heads o Lord Brahma$ But the second head ell
and got stuck on Lord ,hivaKs let palm$ AngrilyE Lord Brahma created a terriic creatureE which
challenged ,hankar and ridiculed him by saying that as he (,hankar) was a sinnerE thereoreE he would
not dirty his hands by killing him$
Lord ,hankar was ashamed o himsel$ &e went to Badrikashrama and reMuested Lord Vishnu or some
alms$ Lord Vishnu asked ,hankar to hit on his (VishnuKs) let arm$ ,hankar hit VishnuKs let arm with his
trident and the impact resulted in the creation o three streams$ -he irst stream went up in the sky and
established itsel as Akashganga$ -he second one was 'andakiniE which was received by sage Atri$
-he third stream ell on the skullE which was stuck in Lord ,hankarKs let palm$ -his resulted in the
maniestation o a divine child who was erocious and well armed with bow and arrows$ ,hankar
instructed him to kill that creatureE which was created by Brahma$
A tremendous duel was ought between themE which was inconclusive or thousands o divine years$
;$($( Atonement o Lord ,hankar
Lord ,hiva had committed a grave sin o Brahmahatya$ All his eorts o separating BrahmaKs skull rom
his let palm went in vain$ .n the meantimeE an entity named Brahmahatya appeared beore him and
entered into his body$
Lord ,hankar decided to go to Badrikashrama to atone or his sins$ Ater reaching thereE he became
worried when he did not ind Lord Vishnu$ &e went to take a bath in river Yamuna but as soon as he
entered the riverE the water dried up$ &e eGperienced this strange phenomenon at the ,araswati "iver
as well$ &e then made pilgrimages to numerous sacred and holy places but still did not become ree
rom Brahmahatya$ DeCectedE he ultimately went to Kurukshetra where he ound ,hri 1arayana and
reMuested him to ree him (,hankar) rom the sins o Brahmahatya$ Lord Vishnu advised him to go on a
pilgrimage to Varanasi where he would be liberated rom his sins$
<ollowing VishnuKs instructionsE Lord ,hankar went to Varanasi and visited all the sacred sites like
Dashashwamedh templeE Lolarka temple and Keshav temple$ 6hile he was worshipping KeshavE he
said= R-hough . have become liberated rom my sinsE yet . ail to understand the reason why this skull
still sticks in my hand$R Keshav told him that his problems would be solved i he takes a bath in the lakeE
which was near the temple$ Lord ,hankar took a bath in that lake and ultimately the skull ell on the
ground$ -he place where the skull had allen later on became amous as Kapaalmochan$
;$($0 ,ati *ives up her Lie
,age 8ulastya says= R% 1aradL -his wayE Lord ,hiva became amous as Kapaali$ -his was the reason
why Daksha did not invite him$ .n the meantimeE @ayaE sage *autamKs daughter went to see ,ati at
'andaar 'ountain$ ,eeing her aloneE ,ati asked about her two sistersE @ayanti and AparaCita$ @aya
revealed to her that both o them had gone to their maternal=grandatherKs (Daksha) Yagya$ @aya also
told her that all the deities had been invited to the Yagya$ 6hen ,ati heard thisE she was grieved and
angry with her ather$ .n a it o rageE she gave up her lie$ ,eeing her lieless bodyE @aya started
wailing$ Lord ,hiva arrived there and upon hearing @ayaKs wailsE asked her why ,ati was lying on the
ground$ @aya then narrated the whole story$ Lord ,hankar became so inuriated that it resulted in the
creation o numerous *anas among whom Veerbhadra was the most prominent one$
Lord ,hiva accompanied by the *anas went to the site where Daksha was perorming the Yagya$ A
tremendous battle ensued between them and the deities and inallyE the deities were overpowered and
ran away rom the site$ VeerbhadraE inding the time opportuneE entered the oblation site$ 6hen the
deities saw him entering the oblation siteE they returned and tried to prevent him rom doing so$ AgainE
an intense battle erupted between both the sides$ -he deities used all kinds o weapons but they could
not control the onslaught o Veerbhadra and led$
Veerbhadra then went near the sacriicial ire$ -he sages were terriied and ran towards Lord Vishnu
who attacked Veerbhadra with arrows but it did not hurt him at all$ Vishnu then attacked him with other
divine weapons$ But stillE Veerbhadra succeeded in neutralising those weapons$ Vishnu was enraged
and attacked him with his ,udarshan chakra that Veerbhadra swallowed$ -his angered Lord Vishnu
urther$ &e lited Veerbhadra and dashing him to the groundE pressed VeerbhadraKs stomach as a result
o whichE the ,udarshan chakra came out rom his mouth$ But Lord Vishnu spared VeerbhadraKs lie$
Veerbhadra then went to Lord ,hiva and narrated his woeul tale o deeat$ Lord ,hiva instructed
Veerbhadra to leave or a saer haven and himsel went to the oblation site accompanied by Bhadrakali$
-he sages became scared on seeing his terriying appearance$
;$($4 -he Destruction o Daksha?s Yagya
<earing Lord ,hivaKs wrathE Lord Vishnu went to &rishikesh and remained aloo or Muite some time$
,hivaKs anger generated so much heat that it was enough to melt the eight Vasus$ As a resultE a river
named ,ita started lowing rom there$ Ater being attacked by Lord ,hivaE the deities led rom the
scene$
Lord ,hiva then opened his third eye and uriously looked at the lame burning in the &avan=kund$ -he
neGt momentE the ire went o$ +ven Yagya was terriied and he took the aerial route in the guise o a
deer$ Lord ,hiva chased him in the appearance o Kaal (Lord o death) with a bow and arrow named
8ashupat$
.n the endE Kaal (epithet o ,hiva) was successul in killing the deerE which was Yagya in reality$ Ater
his deathE YagyaKs body was established among the stars$ Ater narrating the tale o destruction o
DakshaKs YagyaE sage 8ulastya then goes on to tell 1arad that the names o the Bodiacs had been
given Cust according to their appearances or e$g$ Aries ('esh) appeared like a ram$ ,imilarlyE -aurus
(Vrishabh) appeared like an oG and so on$
1&* "ales of $emons
-his chapter contains ; sectionsJ
;$0$# Andhak ! -he Demon King
,age 1arad was curious to know how the demon King Andhak behaved with the deities$ &e asked
8ulastya in this regard$ 8ulastya replied= RAter ascending the throneE Andhak did a severe penance to
please Lord ,hiva and received a boon according to which he could neither be killed by the deities nor
by any mortal$ &e also received another boon according to which even ire could not burn him$
Andhak appointed ,hukracharya as his chie priest$ &e deeated the deities and had gained control
over the whole earth$ %nceE Andhak had gone to see the beautiul sight o ,umeru 'ountain$ .ndra
ater making adeMuate arrangements or the security o his capital Amravati came orward to ight him
with a huge army$ A ierce battle was ought between both the armies$ -he whole atmosphere was
covered in darkness due to the dust$ .t became diicult or the warriors o both the sides to distinguish
between riend and an enemy$ -he whole battleield was strewn with dead bodies and blood$
.ndra unleashed a volley o arrows towards Andhak$ .n replyE Andhak too retaliated by unleashing a
volley o arrows towards .ndra$ .n this duelE both o them got inCured$ .nuriatedE .ndra attacked him with
his VaCraE which destroyed all o AndhakKs weapons$ .ndraKs VaCra then chased Andhak who Cumped
down rom his chariot to save his lie$ Andhak deended himsel by attacking it with his ist$ As a resultE
it ell on the ground$ .ndra then attacked Andhak by unleashing a volley o arrows in his direction$
Andhak dodged the assault and ran towards him menacingly$ &e attacked Airavat= the elephant and
mount o .ndra with such orce that it became paralysed$ ,eeing his elephant in such a pitiable
conditionE .ndra picked up his VaCra and ran inside the ort to save himsel$ Andhak then single=
handedly destroyed .ndraKs whole army$
YamaraC was ighting rom the deitiesK side$ &e attacked 8rahlad who was ighting rom AndhakKs side$
.t became impossible or YamaraC to match 8rahladKs valour and bravery$ As a resultE he was orced to
lee rom the battleield$ .nspite o having mighty warriors like Varun and Agni in their ranksE the deities
could not match the valour o the demonKs armyE which comprised o valiant and brave ighters like
VirochanE 'aya and ,hambar$ 2ltimatelyE the deities were deeated in this battle$ -he victorious demon
King Andhak returned to 8aatal loka with his army$
;$0$( ,ukeshi?s Aueries
,ukeshi was the son o demon King Vidyutkeshi$ &e was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva$ Being pleased
by his devotionE Lord ,hiva had blessed him with invincibility and gited him a cityE which was situated
in the sky$ ,ukeshi was a virtuous and Cust king$
%nceE he had gone into the 'agadh orest where he ound numerous sages engrossed in meditation$
Ater introducing himsel to the sagesE he eGpressed his desire to know about the path that led to
benediction$ &e also wanted to know how a man could achieve respectability and contentment in his
lie$ -he sages told him that a man could achieve benediction only by ollowing the path o Dharma$ RA
religious man achieves both respectability and contentmentRE said the sages$ ,ukeshi then asked them
about the characteristics o Dharma$ -he sages revealed to him that the deities engage themselves in
religious activities like YagyaE sel=studyE study o Vedas and worship o Lord Vishnu$ ,oE all these
activities are the Dharma o the deities$ R-he Dharma o the demons consists o negative Mualities like
Cealousy etc$ But they have proound knowledge in policy matters and have great devotion towards
,hivaRE said the sages$ R-he ,iddhaKs Dharma is to engage himsel in activities like practice o YogaE
study o VedasE sel=realisation and devotion to both Lord Vishnu and ,hivaRE said the sages$ .n this
wayE the sages enlightened ,ukeshi on the Dharma o dierent sections o divine entities$
At lastE ,ukeshi reMuested the sages to tell something about the hell (1arak)$ -he sages replied that
altogether there were (# hells$ -he name o the irst hell is "auravE which covers the area o (333
YoCans$ -he second hell 'aharaurav is twice the area o "aurav$ ,imilarlyE the names o the remaining
hells are -aamistraE AndhataamistraE KaalchakraE AprathisthE *hatiyantraE AsipatravanE -aptakumbhE
KootshaalmaliE KarpatraE ,wabhoCanE ,andanshE LohapindE KalmasiktaE KshaarnadiE KrimibhoCanE
VaitarninadiE ,honitpayabhoCanE KshuraagradhaarE 1ishitachakra and ,anshoshan$
;$0$0 ,inul Deeds
,ukeshi asked the sages about the sinul deedsE which leads to hell$ -he sages replied= R8eople who
condemn VedaE deitiesE Brahmins etc$ go to hell$ -hose who donKt believe in religious teGts like 8uraan
etc$ or those who cause obstacles in the accomplishment o Yagya or those who prevent a charitable
man rom giving donation also go to hell$
8eople who torment othersE who steal sandals etc$ go to the hell named Kalmsikta$ Disobedient
children who donKt obey their parents and elders go to the hell named Aprathisth$ 8eople who touch
their elders with their eet go to "aurav 1arak$ A selish person who nourishes himsel during drought
without caring about his relatives go to the hell named ,wabhoCan$ A person who does not protect
people who have taken his reuge goes to the hell named Yantrapeed$ A man who misappropriates the
deposited money o other people goes to Vrishchikashan 1arak$ -he sinners who copulate on
auspicious days or who have illicit relations with other women go to the hell named ,haalmali$
-his wayE the sages told ,ukeshi about various types o sinul deedsE which led sinners to dierent
hells$
;$0$4 @ambudweep and Bharatvarsh
,ukeshi eGpressed his desire to the sages to know about @ambudweep$ -he sages replied=
R@ambudweep is a very large island$ .t is sub=divided into nine parts$ .lavritvarsh is situated in its central
part while Bhadraashvavarsh is situated towards its eastern side$ ,ome prominent places situated
around it are= &iranyakvarsh towards north=eastE Kinnarvarsh towards south=eastE Bharatvarsh towards
southE &arivarsh towards south=westE Ketumaalvarsh towards westE "amyakvarsh towards north=west
and Kuruvarsh towards north$ All these nine Varshas are ull o natural beauty$ -he inhabitants o all the
eight Varshas eGcept .ndia are never troubled by old age or death$ -he inhabitants are also religious
and virtuous by nature$ -hey attain great accomplishment without making any real eort$
Bharatvarsh has nine sub=islands$ All these islands are surrounded by oceans on all sides and it is
diicult to go rom one island to another$ -hese sub=islands are .ndradweepE KaserumaanE
-aamravarnaE *abhastimaanE 1aagdweepE KaraahaE ,inhalE Vaarun and Kumar$ Kiraat live towards
east o Bharatvarsh while Yavan live towards the west$ 8eople living towards the south o Bharatvarsh
are called Andhra and those living towards the north are called -uruyak$ Bharatvarsh is mainly
inhabited by people belonging to all the maCor our castes i$e$ BrahminE KshatriyaE Vaishya and ,hudra$
-he seven prominent mountains situated within Bharatvarsh are 'ahendraE 'alayE ,ahyaE ,huktiE
'aanrikshE Vindhya and 8aariyaatra though there are many more mountains$
-he ollowing rivers originate rom &imalaya 'ountain= ,araswatiE YamunaE &iranvatiE ,utleCE
:handrikaE 1eelaE VitastaaE +ravatiE KuhuE DevikaE 2shiraE DhaatakiE "asaaE *omtiE *andkiE KaushikiE
,arayu etc$ ,imilarlyE many rivers originate rom the other mountains$
;$0$9 Dashaang Dharma
-he sages say= RDharma consists o ten properties such as non=violenceE truthE charityE not stealing the
property o othersE orgivenessE sel=restraintE cleanliness etc$ &ence it is known as Dashaang Dharma$
-hese properties are obligatory or people belonging to all castes and creeds$ A BrahminKs lie is
categorised into our Ashrams= BrahmacharyaE *rihasthaE Vanprastha and ,anyaas$ A Brahmachari is
supposed to acMuire knowledge by living a celibate lie$ Ater completing his studiesE the Brahmachari
graduates to the lie o a householder$ &e gets married and perorms his duties towards his amily$ Ater
thisE he enters into Vanprasthashram where he is reMuired to go to the orest ater abandoning worldly
pleasures$ At lastE he accepts ,anyaasE which is total renunciation$ &e is supposed to pass the rest o
his lie doing meditation and penance$R
;$0$; -he "ise and <all o ,ukeshi?s Kingdom
8ulastya says= RAter being enlightened by the sages on various subCectsE ,ukeshi returned to his
capital$ &e taught the demons all that he had learnt$ As a resultE all the demons became very virtuous$
-he newly attained virtuosity and religiousness made the demons invincible and powerul$ ,ukeshiKs
capital was situated in the sky$ -he whole city illumined brightly due to virtuosity attained by the
demons$ .ts illumination even subdued the radiance o ,urya (,un)$ 1ow it became very diicult to
determine when the ,un rose$
-he deity ,urya became worried at this development$ &e started pondering on how the demons
became so powerul and contemplated over the means to destroy the demons$ 6hile ,urya was
meditatingE the act regarding the demonsK power dawned on him$ ,urya became urious and angrily
glanced at ,ukeshi$ -he city started alling towards earth$ ,ukeshi became worried and started praying
to Lord ,hiva$ ,eeing his devoteeE ,ukeshi in troubleE Lord ,hiva looked angrily at ,urya as a result o
whichE he too started alling towards the earth$ 6hen the sages and hermits saw ,urya alling downE
they advised him to take reuge in Lord Vishnu$ ,urya curiously asked as to how could he take VishnuKs
reuge as he had been punished by Lord ,hiva$ -he sages then advised him to direct his descent to
Varanasi$ ,urya accepted their advice and landed at Varanasi between two rivers= Varuna and Asi$ &e
was eeling restless because o severe heat and so he decided to take a bath in the Asi "iver$ Ater
taking his bathE he started revolving around both the rivers$ .n the meantimeE all the sagesE demonsE
Apsaras went to Brahma loka and reMuested Lord Brahma to re=establish ,urya in his original abode$
Lord BrahmaE accompanied by all the deities went to Lord ,hiva and reMuested him to orgive ,urya$
,hiva was pleased at their humbleness and orgave ,urya and re=established him on his chariot$ &e
also gave a new name to ,urya= Lolaark$ At lastE ,urya was re=established in the sky$
1&, "ales of 3ar-3arayana
-his chapter contains 0 sectionsJ
;$4$# 'aniestation o 1ar=1arayana
,age 8ulastya says= RDharmaE the possessor o divine body and who maniested rom the heart o Lord
Brahma married 'urtiE the daughter o Daksha$ <our sons were born to them= &ariE KrishnaE 1ara and
1arayan$ &ari and Krishna engaged themselves in the practice o Yoga while 1ar and 1arayan went to
the &imalaya 'ountain and started doing penance or the welare o humans$
.ndra became rightened by their arduous penance$ &e eared that he might lose his authority and
power$ &e sent beautiul Apsaras to disturb their penance$ &e himsel went to that site accompanied by
Kamadev and Vasant (spring)$
;$4$( 8rahlad meets 1ar=1arayana
%ne 1arayan saw all three o them coming and he treated all o them with respect$ As he was aware o
the reasons or their arrivalE he decided to give them a surprise$ &e made the igure o a beautiul
woman on his thigh with a lower$ -he neGt momentE the igure transormed into a live womanE which
surprised all o them$
<or KamadevE the beautiul woman resembled his wie "ati$ &e became so inatuated by her beauty
that he orgot about the actual purpose o his visit$ -he same thing happened to Vasant and all the
Apsaras$ +verybody who had come with the desire o victory had actually become a victim$
,eeing all o them surprised and amaBedE 1arayan told them that the beautiul woman was created by
him rom his thigh$ &e also instructed them to take away that beautiul woman to heaven$ Kamadev and
Vasant were captivated by 1arayanKs power$ -hey also became terriied$ -hey went back to heaven
accompanied by 2rvashi and narrated the whole story to .ndra$ +ven .ndra was amaBed$ .n a short
timeE the amaBing deeds o 1arayan spread in all the directions and the various lokas$
%nceE 8rahlad= the son o demon King &iranyakashipu asked sage :hyavan about the most revered
and sacred place o pilgrimage in the whole world$ ,age :hyavan told him about 1aimisharanya= the
most sacred place o pilgrimage on the earth$ 8rahlad visited 1aimisharanya accompanied by many
other demons$ Ater reaching thereE all o them took bath in a river$ 6hile roaming about in the cityE
8rahlad saw the trunk o a tree pierced with numerous arrows$ 1ot ar rom the treeE he saw two
hermits doing penance$ -wo divine bows and a pair o Muiver were lying by the side$
8rahlad was amaBed as to why the hermits would reMuire weapons$ &e revealed his thoughts to the
hermits$ Both the hermits replied that a person who works according to his capabilitiesE earns respect$
8rahlad became angry at their reply$ &e asked them as to what were their capabilities$ ActuallyE the
hermits were none other than 1ar and 1arayan$ Both o them told 8rahlad that they were invincible and
nobody could deeat them in battle$ 8rahladKs anger crossed all limits$ A tremendous battle ensued
between 8rahlad and 1ar=1arayan$
;$4$0 8rahlad blessed by 1ar=1arayana
A erocious battle was ought between 8rahlad and 1ar=1arayan in which all types o lethal weapons
were used$ -he battle continued or #333 divine years$ 2ltimatelyE 8rahlad was deeated in this battle$
&e went to Vaikunth and asked Lord Vishnu as to why 1ar=1arayan was invincible$ Lord Vishnu
revealed to them that 1arayan was his own incarnation$ &e also told them that 1arayan could be won
only by devotion and not by power$
8rahlad decided to relinMuish his throne and appointed Andhak as his successor$ &e went to
Badrikashrama and made salutations to 1arayan in reverence$ 1arayan was surprised at the sudden
change in his behaviour$ &e asked 8rahlad as to what the matter was$ 8rahlad then said= R6ho can
deeat youN You are none other than Lord @anardan$ You are the one who has taken incarnation o
&rishikeshE :hakrapaani and &ayagreev$R
1arayan was pleased by his devotion$ &e told 1arayan that though he was not able to deeat him in the
battle but he was successul in doing so by his devotion$ 1arayan also blessed 8rahlad$ 8rahlad then
returned to his capital$ Andhak eGpressed his desire to make 8rahlad the king once again but it was
turned down by him$ 8rahlad spent the rest o his lie preaching on the virtues o religiousness and
truthulness$
1&/ Manifestation of +egetation from the $eities
8ulastya says= RLotus lower maniested rom VishnuKs navel in the month o Ashwin$ ,imilarlyE other
vegetation also maniested rom the dierent organs o the deities= Kadamb tree rom the palm o
KamadevE Dhatura tree rom the heart o Lord ,hivaE Khair tree rom the middle portion o BrahmaKs
bodyE Kataiya tree rom VishwakarmaKs body$
Kundalata maniested rom 8arvatiKs palmE ,induar tree rom *aneshaKs bellyE 8alaash tree and *ular
tree rom the right and let armpits o YamaraC$
,imilarlyE ,arpat maniested rom the body o ,heshnaagE black and white Durva grass rom the tail
and back o Vaasuki 1aagE &arichandan tree maniested rom the heart o a devotee$
1&1 Mahishasura
-his chapter contains 4 sectionsJ
;$;$# 'ahishasura?s Atrocities
During ancient timesE there lived two demons= "ambh and Karambh who would torment people$ As
both were sonlessE they decided to do severe penance by keeping their bodies submerged in
8anchmad "iver with a desire o having sons$ .ndra becoming earulE took the guise o a crocodile and
killed Karambh while he was doing penance in the river$
"ambh became so deCected by his brotherKs death that he decided to give up his lie by severing his
head and oering it in the sacriicial ire$ As he was about to turn his thoughts into realityE Agni
appeared beore him and prevented him rom doing so and said= RKilling onesel is a grave sin$ DonKt
give up your lie$ . am willing to ulil any o your wish$R
"ambh was pleased and reMuested Agni to bless him with a mighty and powerul son$ Agni blessed him
by saying= RYou will beget a son rom a woman o your own choice$ But destiny had something else in
store or him$
%nceE "ambh had gone to see Yaksha King= 'aalvat$ &e was impressed by 'aalvatKs prosperity and
unlimited wealth$ King 'aalvat possessed lot o animal wealth like goatsE lambsE oGenE elephantE
horsesE cows etc$ "ambh saw a beautiul bualo in the cowshed$ &e started caressing her body Cust to
appreciate her beauty$ -he bualo got aroused and orced "ambh to copulate with her and this
resulted in the bualoKs pregnancy$
"ambh returned to 8aatal loka accompanied by the bualo$ But the other demons came to know about
this unusual incident and as a resultE "ambh was eGcommunicated rom the demonsK tribe$ Both o
them decided to return to Yaksha King 'aalvatKs palace$ .n due course o timeE the bualo gave birth to
a beautiul calE which could change its appearance according to its wishes$
%nceE seeing the bualo aloneE a bull tried to breach her modesty$ -he bualo ran towards "ambh or
her saety$ "ambh attacked the bull with a sword and inCured it$ .n retaliationE the bull also dashed its
horns against "ambhKs chestE which proved to be atal$ ,eeing the dead "ambhE the bualo became
enguled in sorrow$ ,he had no other option but to take reuge o the Yakshas who protected her lie$ .n
the meantimeE the seriously inCured bull ell into a divine lake and died$ AmaBinglyE its body transormed
into a demon$
-he Yakshas decided to cremate "ambhKs body$ -he bualo too decided to embrace death by Cumping
into the burning pyre$ But as soon as the pyre was litE a erocious demon emerged rom it with a sword$
&e drove away all the Yakshas and killed the bualo but spared her cal$ -his erocious demon later on
became amous as "aktabeeC$ &e had deeated all the deities including .ndraE "udraE ,urya and 'arut$
But the calE which became amous as 'ahishasura was even mightier than "aktabeeC$ All the deeated
demons had accepted him as their leader and he was crowned as their king$ 'ahishasura deeated all
the deities and drove them out rom heaven$
-he deeated deities accompanied by Brahma went to Lord Vishnu and narrated their woes to him$
Lord ,hiva too was present there$ Both o them became urious ater hearing the atrocities committed
by 'ahishasura$ Divine eulgence appeared rom the mouth o all the angry deities$ -hese eulgence
got collected at a place resulting in the maniestation o *oddess Katyayani$
All the deities presented their weapons to her= Lord ,hiva gave his tridentE Lord Vishnu gave his
chakraE Agni gave his ,hakti etc$ Ater acMuiring all the weaponsE *oddess Durga thundered loudly$
-he deities eulogised her ater which she proceeded towards Vindhya 'ountain mounted on her lion$
Vindhya 'ountain had been cursed by sage Agastya as a result o whichE its enormous siBe turned into
a hill$ -he tale behind this curse is as ollows= .n the ancient timesE Vindhya 'ountain was so high that
it became very diicult or the ,un to make its movement$ -he ,un went to sage Agastya and
reMuested him to minimise the siBe o Vindhya 'ountain$ ,age Agastya went near the Vindhya
'ountain and said= R. am going on a pilgrimage but you are coming in my way$ ,ince . am an old manE
it is impossible or me to climb your steep slopes$ . reMuest you to reduce your siBe and remain in the
same position till . return rom my pilgrimage otherwise you will have to ace my wrath$R
Vindhya 'ountain accepted his reMuest and turned into a hill$ ,age Agastya then proceeded on his
pilgrimage towards south but did not return according to his promise$ &e constructed a magniicent
hermitage and asked Lopamudra= the daughter o Vidarbha King to stay there and himsel returned to
his hermitage$ Vindhya 'ountain remained in that position waiting or sage AgastyaKs arrival$ -his wayE
sage Agastya solved the problem o the ,un$
*oddess Durga chose this very mountain to launch her assault$ All the deitiesE ,iddhasE 1agasE
Apsaras etc$ were present with her$
;$;$( -he Demons ! :hand and 'und
%nceE the demon brothersE :hand and 'und were passing near the Vindhya 'ountain when they saw
*oddess :handika there$ Both these demons were stunned by her divine beauty$ -hey had never seen
such a beautiul woman in their lie$ -hey went to 'ahishasura and told him about her beauty$
'ahishasura proceeded with a huge armyE which comprised o valiant commanders like VidaalnetraE
VishangE VaayakalE AgraayudhE :hikshurE "aktabeeC etc$ -he army assembled at the oothills o
Vindhya 'ountain$ -hereE 'ahishasura instructed Dundubhi to go and bring *oddess Durga by any
means$
Dundubhi went to *oddess Durga and boasted about 'ahishasuraKs might and power by saying= R-he
mighty 'ahishasura has deeated all the deities who ran out rom heaven to save their lives$ &e is lord
o all the three worlds and is invincible but this victorious and mighty king has been enslaved by your
beauty$ You must not miss this chance o marrying him$R
*oddess Durga replied= R. am aware o 'ahishasuraKs eats$ . am most willing to marry him$ But there
is one problem$ -here is a tradition in our clan according to which an aspiring husband is reMuired to
give a ,hulk (taG) in lieu o getting married$R Dundubhi was happy thinking that it would not be diicult
or 'ahishasura to ulil her demand$ &e said= R'ahishasura can even give up his lie or your sake$R
&earing thisE *oddess Durga laughed loudly and said= R% demonL According to the tradition o our clanE
only such a person can marry a woman who deeats her in the battle$R Dundubhi went back to
'ahishasura and narrated the whole story$ 'ahishasura instructed :hikshur to go and bring *oddess
Durga ater enslaving her$ :hikshur proceeded with a huge army$ ,eeing him coming in the direction o
*oddess DurgaE Lord Brahma instructed her to use an armour to protect hersel$ -he *oddess reused
by saying= R1o demon can stand beore me in a battle$R
All the deities then chanted VishnupanCar ,totra or her saety$ 8rotected by the ,totraE she was
successul in killing many demons$ ,eeing his devastated armyE 'ahishasura himsel came to ight her$
;$;$0 Killing o 'ahishasura
1arad asked sage 8ulastya as to how *oddess Durga kill 'ahishasura$ ,age 8ulastya replied= RAter
the killing o :hikshurE 'ahishasura sent 1amar to ight *oddess Durga$ 1amar proceeded towards the
Vindhya 'ountain accompanied by a huge battalion$ Ater reaching thereE he shot a volley o arrows
towards the Vindhya 'ountain$ As a resultE the whole mountain was covered by innumerable arrows$
-his deiant act o 1amar made *oddess Durga eGtremely urious$ ,he attacked her enemies
menacingly$ ,he killed some o the demons by her swordE some with her mace and many more were
killed by her arrows$ +ven her mount= ,imha killed many demons$ -he demons were completely
surprised by the erociousness o the attack and led rom the battleield$
,eeing his whole army leeing rom the battleieldE 1amar came orwardE mounted on an elephant to
ight *oddess Durga$ &e unleashed his devastating weapon= ,hakti towards her$ At the same timeE he
also attacked her mount= ,imha (lion) by releasing many arrows towards it$ But *oddess Durga
destroyed all the weapons$ .n the meantimeE the elephant held the ,imha with its trunk but the
*oddessKs mount somehow released itsel rom the trap and attacked 1amar$ 1amar ell rom the
elephant and died$
Ater 1amarKs deathE :hikshur came to ight the *oddess but both his hands and legs were severed by
her$ 2ltimatelyE *oddess Durga severed his head as a result o whichE :hikshur died$ -he news o
:hikshurKs death spread like a wildire$ 'any more valiant commanders o 'ahishasuraKs army came
orward to ight her but all o them were vanMuished$
At lastE 'ahishasura came orward to ight *oddess Durga in the guise o a bualo$ *oddess Durga
started playing her damru (small drum) and VeenaE which resulted into the emergence o numerous
ghosts$ &e attacked the ghosts with his hornsE our legs and by violently lashing his tail$ &e then
attacked DurgaKs mount= ,imha and his violent movements shook even the earth and the mountain$
*oddess Durga grabbed his neck with the help o a noose$ -he neGt momentE 'ahishasura
transormed his appearance into an elephant$ *oddess Durga then severed his trunk$ 'ahishasura
again changed his guise into a bualo$ *oddess Durga attacked him by unleashing various weapons
but the demon escaped unhurt$
*oddess Durga suddenly Cumped down rom her mount= ,imha and climbed upon 'ahishasuraE who
was in the guise o a bualo$ 'ahishasura started Cumping violently$ *oddess Durga pressed
'ahishasuraKs back with such orce that he suocated$ ,he then severed his head$ ,uddenlyE
'ahishasura appeared in human orm with a sword$ *oddess Durga kicked him on his chest and again
severed his head$ -he news o his death created havoc in his army and the demons led rom the
battleield and hid themselves in 8aatal loka$
-he deities became pleased at 'ahishasuraKs death and eulogised *oddess Durga$ ,he became
pleased and ater assuring the deities o taking re=incarnation or their welareE disappeared rom the
scene$
;$;$4 "eincarnation o *oddess Durga
"evealing the reasons or *oddess DurgaKs re=incarnationE sage 8ulastya says= R*oddess Durga is
also known as Kaushiki as she had maniested rom the cell (Koshika) o 2maKs (8arvatiKs) body$ Ater
the maniestationE she went to Vindhya 'ountain with the obCective o killing the demons= ,humbh and
1ishumbh$ ,he was accompanied by numerous Bhoot ganas (spirits)$
Ater ,atiKs deathE "udra engaged himsel in penance and became a celibate$ &e had even
relinMuished his responsibility o leading the deitiesK army$ 6hen 'ahishasura came to know that the
deities were beret o their commanderE he attacked them as a result o whichE the deities were
deeated$ -he deities went to Lord Vishnu who was at that time living at ,hwetdweep$ 6hen they
reached thereE they were surprised to ind that Lord Vishnu was aware o their deeat$ Lord Vishnu then
advised them by saying= RAll o you must go to 'ena= 'aanasputri o Agnishwat and reMuest her to
give consent to marry &imalaya$ -he same 'ena would give birth to a beautiul girl who in reality would
be the re=incarnation o ,ati$ All o you must go to Kurukshetra and eulogise her on the night o
Amavasya$R
-he deities were curious to know about the origin o Kurukshetra$ Lord Vishnu told them= RDuring the
initial phase o ,atya YugaE there was a mighty king named "ikshE who was the descendant o ,oma$
,amvaran was the son o "iksh$ &e succeeded his ather at a young age$ ,amvaran was a great
devotee o mine$ Vashishth= the son o Varun was his chie priest and had taught him all the Vedas$
%ne dayE ,amvaran went to the orest or hunting ater entrusting his responsibilities to Vashishth$ Ater
reaching the orestE he started wandering in search o his game$ &e saw a beautiul lake ull o
numerous lotus lowers$ &e also saw many Apsaras and other divine beauties enCoying themselves by
singing and dancing$ ,amvaran was inatuated by the divine beauty o one o those Apsaras= -aptiE
who was the most beautiul among them$ :oincidentallyE -apti too saw ,amvaran staring at her$ ,he
was so inatuated by ,amvaranKs handsomeness that she ell unconscious$ ,he was carried by her
companions back home$
Ater returning to his capitalE Vashishth was surprised to ind change in ,amvaranKs behaviour$ .t
seemed as i his mind was pre=occupied by something$ By his Yogic powerE Vashishth came to know
about the whole incident$ &e decided to take the help o -aptiKs ather= ,urya$ &e went to ,urya and
reMuested him to marry -apti with ,amvaran$ ,urya did not want to annoy his esteemed guestE so he
gave his consent$ Vashishth then returned to his hermitage accompanied by -apti and ultimately -apti
and ,amvaran got married$
1&4 "ales of 2ing 2uru and 2uru.shetra
.n course o timeE -apti gave birth to a sonE who possessed all the signs o royalty$ Ater growing upE he
mastered all the our Vedas and other scriptures within a very short period$ At the raw age o (4E he
became a scholar$ 6hen he attained marriageable ageE he was married to ,audamini= the daughter o
,udama$ Later onE he was appointed as the successor by his atherE ,amvaran$
Ater becoming the kingE Kuru ruled his subCects in a Cust manner but very soon he got bored o his
monotonous lie$ &e knew that only those kings became immortal who accomplished amaBing eats$ &e
decided to do something or which people would remember him$ 6ith the obCective o making his name
immortalE he went to the most sacred place called ,amantpanchak and decided to cultivate the eight
virtues = -apaE ,atyaE KshamaE DayaE ,hauchE DaanE Yuga and Brahmacharya on its barren land$ &e
started ploughing a piece o land with a golden ploughE which was pulled by Lord ,hankarKs bull and
YamaraCKs bualo named 8aundrak$
6hile he was busy ploughing the ieldE .ndra approached him and asked suspiciously as to what he
was trying to cultivate$ 6hen Kuru revealed his intentionsE .ndra made un o him and went back$ But
Kuru was not worried and continued to cultivate the land$ .n a very short timeE he had already cultivated
the land measuring 7 kosas$ %ne dayE Lord Vishnu arrived and asked the same MuestionE which .ndra
had asked$ 6hen Kuru revealed his intentionsE Lord Vishnu was surprised and wondered as to rom
where he would get the seeds to grow these things$ Kuru told him that all these eight virtues were
present in his own body and it would not be a diicult task to cultivate these things$ Lord Vishnu wanted
to test his commitment and sincerity and said= R*ive the seeds to me$ . would sow the seeds while you
should plough the ield$R
Kuru outstretched his right hand but Lord Vishnu cut it into thousands o pieces with his chakra$ All the
pieces were distributed among the deities but Kuru was unaBed and again stretched his let hand
towards Lord Vishnu$ But his let hand too met the same ate$ .n this wayE the most generous and
benevolent King Kuru oered all his organs to Lord Vishnu$ But all the organs were severed by Lord
Vishnu$ At lastE Kuru oered his head as he had nothing else to oer$ Lord Vishnu was pleased by his
generosity and asked him to demand anything$ Kuru replied= RAll the area cultivated by me should
become amous as a sacred pilgrimage$ All the devotees who visit or die at this sacred pilgrimage must
attain salvation$ -his place should be known by my name$R
-his is how the most sacred place o pilgrimage= Kurukshetra came into eGistence$
1&8 #ali 8 "he $emon 2ing
-his chapter contains 7 sectionsJ
Lomaharshan told the sages= RBali was the descendant o Virochan and the son o &iranyakashipu$
Ater his atherKs deathE he deeated the deities and drove them out rom their abodes$ Very soonE all
the three worlds were under his control$ &e was a virtuous king and so were his subCects$ During his
reignE every corner in his kingdom would be abuBB with religious activities$ As a resultE the whole world
became devoid o sin$R
%ne dayE *oddess Lakshmi arrived and said= R% brave king o the demonsL . am pleased by your
valiance with which you ought and vanMuished the deities$ -his is the reason why . have come on my
own will to bless you$R Ater saying thisE *oddess Lakshmi merged with his body$ -his wayE Bali
acMuired all the splendours o the world$
;$)$# Deities go to Brahma Loka
-he sages asked= R&ow were the deities able to deeat Bali and why did Lord Vishnu take the
incarnation o VaamanNR Lomaharshan replied= RAter being deeated by BaliE .ndra went to 'eru
'ountain where his mother Aditi lived and narrated the woeul tale o the deitiesK deeat$ Aditi took her
husbandKs (KashyapKs) advice in this regard$ Kashyap thought that only Lord Brahma could solve their
problem$ ,oE he went to Brahma loka accompanied by the deities$
6hen they reached thereE they ound numerous Brahmins engaged in religious activities$ Lord Brahma
too was sitting among them$ ,age Kashyap and all the deities made salutations to Lord Brahma and
stood silently$
;$)$( -he Deities do 8enance
Lord Brahma told the deities that he was aware o their plight$ &e was o the opinion that the mighty
Bali could be deeated only by the Almighty himsel and nobody else$ Lord Brahma said= RYou must go
to a place called AmritE which is situated towards the north o Ksheersagar$ -he Almighty *od is
engaged in an austere penance at that place$ All o you must go there and try to please him by doing
penance and ater he is pleasedE Cust reMuest him to take his neGt incarnation as AditiKs son$R
,age Kashyap and all the deities agreed to ollow BrahmaKs advice$ All o them proceeded towards
,hwetdweep$ 6hen they reached thereE they were amaBed to ind the place devoid o any creature$ .ts
boundary seemed limitless and even the ,unKs rays could not reach it$ ,age Kashyap initiated all the
deities into the austerity named Kaamad= uliller o all the desires$ Ater thatE all o them commenced
their severe penance$
;$)$0 Lord 1arayana Blesses Kashyap
Lord 1arayan became pleased by KashyapKs eulogies and austere penance$ &e appeared beore the
deities and asked them to demand anything they wished or$ Kashyap reMuested him to give AditiE the
privilege o becoming his mother$ Lord Vishnu agreed to take birth as AditiKs son$
-he deities became pleased and all o them proceeded back towards KashyapKs hermitage$ 6hen they
reached KurukshetraE the place where Kashyap had his hermitageE they inspired Aditi to commence her
penance to please Lord Vishnu$ Aditi did a severe penance or #3E333 years$ -he place where she did
her penance later on became amous as Aditivan$ Lord Vishnu was eGtremely pleased by her devotion$
;$)$4 Lord Vishnu Appears
Lomaharshan says= Lord Vishnu appeared and told her that he was most willing to ulil her wish$ Aditi
reMuested him to make her son= .ndraE the lord o all the three worlds once again$ Lord Vishnu assured
her that he would take birth as her son and kill all the demons$
Aditi had apprehensions as to how she could bear the weight o Almighty *od in her womb$ But Lord
Vishnu assured her by saying= RDonKt worry$ . will give you the strength to do that$ .n course o timeE
Aditi became pregnant$ But soon ater her pregnancyE the earth shook violently because o the
unbearable weight o the oetus$ 6herever she wentE that particular portion o earth tilted down
because o the enormous weight$ &er pregnancy had signiicantly eroded the radiance o the demons$
;$)$9 Bali?s Aueries to 8rahlad
Lomaharshan says= R6hen Bali saw the demons becoming devoid o radiance and powerE he enMuired
about the reasons rom his grandatherE 8rahlad$ &e wondered whether it was a bad omen$ 8rahlad
went into a deep trance and saw the whole earth shaking violently$ &e also saw high tides rising in the
ocean$ &e was convinced that these signs went to prove the inevitable emergence o the deitiesK
power$ 8rahlad then meditated upon Lord Vishnu and ound him maniesting in AditiKs womb as a
Vaaman (dwar)$ &e also saw the whole universe eGisting in his body$ 8rahlad was surprised but the
neGt moment he controlled himsel and told Bali= R1ow . know the reason why the demons have
become devoid o their radiance and power$ Lord &ari is about to take incarnation as the son o Aditi
and this is the reason why all the demons have become powerless$R
Bali curiously asked 8rahlad= R6ho is this &ariE the tormentor o the demonsN 6hy should we be
scared o him as we have many valiant demons who could deeat him easily$R 8rahlad became urious
at BaliKs utterances and cursed him by saying= R&ow dare you say like thisL . am ashamed that you have
taken birth as my grandson$ . curse you to lose your kingdom and all rom grace because you have
criticised Lord Vishnu= the supreme saviour$R
;$)$; 'aniestation o Lord Vaaman
Bali elt sorry or hurting 8rahladKs eelings$ &e said= RDear grandatherL 'y intelligence has been
overshadowed by my arrogant attitude$ You have done the right thing by cursing me$ . am not scared o
losing all my prosperity and splendour but your anger is unbearable or me$R
1ow even 8rahlad realised that he had committed a mistake by cursing his own son$ &e said= R2nable
to control my angerE . cursed you but now nothing can be done and my words will deinitely come true$
But donKt worry as my blessings would help you to become a supreme devotee o &ari and you would
be protected by him$R
Lomaharshan says= R.n course o timeE Lord Vishnu took birth as Vaaman$ -his incident o VishnuKs
birth had liberated Aditi and all the deities rom their sorrow$ Lord Brahma appeared and perormed
VaamanKs @aatkarm$ &e also eulogised Vaaman and worshipped him$ Lord Vishnu was pleased by his
eulogy and revealed to him that he took the incarnation o Vaaman to make .ndraE the lord o all the
three worlds$R
Lord Brahma was pleased and presented a black coloured deer skin to him$ ,imilarlyE sages like
'arichiE VashishthE BrihaspatiE Angira etc$ presented 8alaash DandaE kamandaluE sacred thread and
silken clothes respectively$ Lord Vaaman then proceeded towards the place where King Bali was
perorming his oblation$ Lord Vaaman was in the appearance o a hermit$ -hough he was o diminutive
siBeE yet each o his steps were enough to shake the earth$
;$)$7 Lord Vaaman?s Demands
Lomaharshan says= R-he shaking and trembling o earth surprised Bali and he enMuired about this
strange happening to ,hukracharya$ &e was also surprised by the act that Agni was not accepting the
oerings$ ,hukracharyaE ater contemplating or a while on this matterE came to know about VaamanKs
incarnation$ &e inormed Bali that Vaaman was on his way to the oblation site and his each step was
causing turbulence on the earth$
Bali was pleased that he would get an opportunity to see the Almighty *od whom the sages
contemplate upon$ &e was proud o his good ortune that the lord was paying him a visit$ ,hukracharya
aware o the reason or VaamanKs arrival warned Bali against making any promise to him$ Bali replied=
R&ow can . reuse i the Almighty *od demands anything rom meN . am willing to ace any hardship to
saeguard my benevolent image$ . donKt mind i the deities get beneited by my actions$ +ven i the lord
is coming with the intention o killing meE . am not scared as that is how . would attain salvation$ :ome
what mayE . am not going to abandon my charitable nature$R
As the conversation between ,hukracharya and Bali continuedE suddenlyE Lord Vaaman arrived at the
site$ VaamanKs radiance subdued the power o all demons present there$ Lord Vaaman being
impressed by the grandeur o VaamanKs Yagya complimented him or organising such a magniicent
Yagya$ Bali eulogised and worshipped his esteemed guest$ &e reMuested Vaaman to reveal the reason
o his arrival and promised that his wishes would be ulilled$ Lord Vaaman smiled and told him that he
needed a small piece o land measured by three steps or the perormance o Yagya$ Bali was
surprised by this demand and reMuested him to ask or more land but Lord Vaaman told him that he
needed only that much land$
Bali agreed and took a vow to donate a piece o land measured by three steps$ &ardly had Bali taken
his vowE when suddenly Lord Vaaman eGpanded his siBe$ &is irst step covered the whole earth$ By his
two successive stepsE he covered the two worlds$ -his wayE Bali was orced to donate all the three
worlds according to his vow$ Lord Vishnu then made .ndraE the king o all the three worlds and sent Bali
to the nether world named ,utal$ &e blessed Bali by saying= RYou would enCoy a long lie till the end o
this present Kalpa$ You would hold the post o .ndra till the arrival o ,aavarni 'anavantar$ As long as
you remain supportive o the Brahmins and the deitiesE you would enCoy all the pleasures o lie$ But i
you go against their wishes then you would be astened by VarunKs noose$R
1&9 )arasvati 6iver
-he sages reMuested Lomaharshan to reveal about river ,araswatiKs originE which lowed in
Kurukshetra$ Lomaharshan said= R,araswati originates rom 8aakad tree (.ndian ig tree)$ ,he enters
Dwaitvan ater passing through numerous mountains$ 6hile describing about her maCestyE sage
'arkandeya elt that ,araswati was the source romE which everything originated= all the three worldsE
three VedasE Vidya (learning)E heavenly bodies like ,unE 'oon etc$ %nceE sage 'arkandeya eulogised
,araswati by saying= R% ,araswatiL You maniest in the orm o cryptic mantra= R%'KA"R$ You are the
eternal orm through which the Almighty *od (Brahma) maniests himsel in dierent appearances$R
,araswati was pleased by his devotion and said= R% BrahminL . am willing to go wherever you want to
take me$R According to 'arkandeyaE river ,araswati was initially known as Brahmasar$ Later onE she
became amous as "amhalad$ ,age 'arkandeya reMuested ,araswati to low in the territory o
Kurukshetra where sage Kuru was doing his penance$ -his wayE ,araswati diverted her course towards
Kurukshetra$
1&1: 2uru.shetra
-he sages reMuested Lomaharshan to describe about the geographical condition o Kurukshetra$
Lomaharshan replied= R-here are 7 dierent orest ranges in Kurukshetra$ -hey are= RKamyakvanE
AditivanE VyasavanE 8halkivanE ,uryavanE 'adhuvan and ,heetvan$ 1ine rivers low across
Kurukshetra= ,araswatiE VaitarniE AashgaE 'andakini *angaE 'adhustravaE VaasuE KaushikiE Kaggar
and &iranyavati$ Kurukshetra is believed to be the most sacred place o pilgrimage$ A pilgrim visiting
Kurukshetra should begin his pilgrimage only ater worshipping the Yaksha$ &e should then pay a visit
to the amous Aditivan where Aditi had accomplished a severe penance to get a son$ By doing thisE he
is blessed with sons possessing all the good Mualities$ Ater thatE he should pay a visit to a place called
,avan where Lord &ari dwells$ A devotee who pays a visit to Lord Vimaleshwar becomes liberated rom
all his sins and goes to "udraloka ater his death$ ,ome other places o pilgrimage situated in
Kurukshetra and which are considered to be very sacred are 8aritlavE KaushikiE DharaniE DakshaKs
hermitageE ,haalukiniE ,arpeedadhiE the temples at the bank o 8anchnad riverE Vaaraha templeE
,omeshwar temple etc$R
RA devotee should also pay a visit to "amkunda where 8arashuram had constructed ive ponds and
illed them up with the blood o the KshatriyasE whom he had killed$ &e had paciied the soul o his
ancestors by perorming -arpan with the blood o the dead Kshatriyas$ -he dead ancestors were
pleased with him and blessed him in becoming ree rom the sinsE which he had acMuired because o
killing Kshatriyas$R
1&11 )age Man.ana. Eulogi;es )hiva
,age 'ankanak was the 'anasputra o Kashyap$ &e had seven sonsE who were amously known as
'arud *anas$ -hey are the one who hold all the movable and immovable obCects o this world$
%nceE sage 'ankanak inCured his inger by the sharp edge o Kusha grass while he was trying to pluck
them or his religious rites$ But he was Muite surprised when he ound vegetative Cuice (,haak "asa)
ooBing out rom the wound instead o blood$ &e thought that perhaps his blood had transormed into
vegetative Cuice by the virtue o his penance$ -his abnormal event made him arrogant and he started
dancing in Coy as a result o which the whole world started to swerve$ Lord Brahma became puBBled by
this sudden development$ &e went to Lord ,hiva and reMuested him to stop 'ankanak rom dancing so
that the universe became steady$
Lord ,hiva went to sage 'ankanak and said= R% supreme sageL Being a hermitE you are supposed to
have control over your emotions$ 'ay . know the reason o your eGtreme CoyE which makes you dance$R
'ankanak told him that his penance had given him great power due to which vegetative Cuice was
ooBing out rom the wound instead o blood and this was the reason or his eGtreme Coy and happiness$
R-hat is why . am dancingRE said 'ankanak$ But Lord ,hiva was not amused and wanted to teach him a
lesson$ &e hit the thumb with the nail o his inger as a result o whichE ashes poured out rom the
wound$ 'ankanak was surprised by this$ Being ashamedE he said= R. knowE you are none other than
Lord ,hiva because nobody else can perorm this amaBing eat$ . am your great devotee$ You are the
one on whomE deities like Brahma and Vishnu are dependent$ . need your blessings so that the virtues
o my penance remain intact$R Lord ,hiva blessed him and promised to dwell in his hermitage orever$
1&1! )ome )acred Places of Pilgrimage
-his chapter contains 4 sectionsJ
;$#($# Aushanas -irtha
Describing about the greatness o AushanasE the most sacred place o pilgrimageE Lomaharshan
narrates the ollowing tale= RDuring -reta YugE Lord "ama had killed many demons while he was in
eGile$ %nceE while he was living in Dandak orestE he had severed the head o a wicked demon with his
Kshura arrow$ -he severed head o the demon was carried by the arrow or Muite a distance and
coincidentally it got stuck on the thigh o sage "ahodar$ .t became very diicult or him to perorm his
religious duties$ Bad smell emanating rom the severed head was unbearable$ ,ome sages advised
him to pay a visit to Aushanas to become ree rom his problem$
"ahodar went to Aushanas and as soon as he touched the holy water o the riverE the severed head got
detached and ell in the river$ DelightedE he went back to his hermitage$ <rom that dayE Aushanas also
came to be known as Kapaalmochan$
;$#($( Vashishtha=pavah -irtha
-he sages asked Lomaharshan about the origin o Vashishthapava -irtha and about the reason why
sage Vashishth was carried along by the powerul current o ,araswati river$ Lomaharshan said= R-here
was great rivalry between sage Vashishth and sage Vishwamitra$ .n course o timeE it turned into a
bitter enemity$ Vashishth had his hermitage at a place called ,thanu -irtha and VishwamitraKs
hermitage was situated Cust towards the west o it$ Vishwamitra was Cealous o VashishthKs
accomplishment$R
%nceE Vishwamitra asked river ,araswati to bring Vashishth to his hermitage with the help o powerul
currents so that he could kill him$ "iver ,araswati became sad and reused to obey himE which made
Vishwamitra angry$ &e again repeated his commands$ ,eeing no other optionE she went to VashishthKs
hermitage and narrated the whole story to him$ Vashishth agreed to be carried away by her current$
6hen Vishwamitra saw VashishthE he uriously started looking or some weapon to kill him$ ,araswati
became scared and carried Vashishth to saety as she did not want to acMuire the sin o collaborating in
the killing o a Brahmin$ Vishwamitra angrily cursed her= R'ay your water be miGed with blood and may
the demons thrive on your banks$R
-his wayE ,araswati lowed with her water miGed with blood or one year$ All the sagesE deitiesE
*andharvas and Apsaras were worried at this happening$ ButE this was not the case with the demonsE
who lived happily at the bank o river ,araswati thriving on the blood miGed in her water$ -hey used to
live happily= dancing and reCoicingE as i they had won the heaven rom the deities$
%ne dayE some sages arrived at the bank o river ,araswati and became distressed ater seeing her
water miGed with blood$ -hey asked her about the reason$ ,he revealed the whole story and the
misdeeds o Vishwamitra$ -he sages then reMuested river Aruna= the liberator o all sins to change her
course and start lowing towards river ,araswati$ As soon as river Aruna submerged into river
,araswatiE she (,araswati) regained her purity once again$
;$#($0 Kamyakvan -irtha
-he sages asked Lomaharshan about the origin o Kamyakvan -irtha$ Lomaharshan replied= R%nce
upon a timeE the sages o 1aimisharanya came to Kurukshetra to take bath in river ,araswati$ ButE
since they were large in numberE the banks o river ,araswati could not accommodate all o them$ .n
their helplessnessE they created an imaginary place o pilgrimage named Yagyopavitik -irtha and took
an imaginary dip in it$ But many o the remaining sages were unable to do even this$R
6hen ,araswati saw such a large gathering o BrahminsE desirous o having bath in her holy watersE
she created a garden (KunC) and started lowing towards west$ -his very garden later on developed into
a dense orest and became amous as Kamyakvan$
;$#($4 ,thanu -irtha
-he sages then asked Lomaharshan about the origin o ,thanu -irtha and the importance o ,thanu
Vata$ -hey also eGpressed their desire to know about the reservoir named ,aanihitya and how .ndra
had illed it up with mud$ ,age Lomaharshan replied= R%nceE ,anat Kumar upon being asked by
Baalkhilya and other sages the same MuestionE narrated the ollowing tale= During the period o inal
annihilationE when the whole earth was submerged in waterE Lord Brahma maniested inside an egg$ &e
slept there or thousands o Yugas$ 6hen he woke up rom his sleepE he ound the world devoid o any
inhabitants$ Being under the inluence o "aCo *unaE he planned to commence his creation$ At the
same timeE Lord Vishnu awakened rom his sleep and broke that egg ater seeing that the whole world
had merged inside him$ ,ubseMuentlyE Lord Brahma began his creation starting rom the word=
K%'KA"K$ Ater thatE the terms= BhurE Bhuvah and ,wah respectively came into eGistence$ -he brilliant
eulgence radiating rom the egg had dried up the water as a result o whichE the remaining water had
turned into the shape o an embryo$ -he reservoir= ,aanihitya is situated at the same place where the
egg had maniested itsel$ 'eru 'ountain is nothing but the outer shell o that egg and all the other
mountains are its membrane$ -he oceans and the rivers are the luid inside that egg$ -here is a great
reservoir near the navel area o Lord Brahma$ A big Banyan tree is situated Cust in the middle o that
reservoir$ -his tree appears like a pillar (,thanu)$ All the three maCor castes (BrahminE Kshatriya and
Vaishya) originated rom that tree$ Lord Brahma then created his 'anasputras= ,anatE ,anandan etc$
,ubseMuentlyE he created the ,aptarishis and the Baalkhilyas$ All the Baalkhilyas did a severe penance
or thousands o years without having a morsel o ood$ -hey had become very weak but still Lord ,hiva
was not pleased with them$R
%nceE Lord ,hiva and 2ma were travelling by aerial route when suddenly 2ma saw the weak
Baalkhilyas engaged in penance$ ,he was saddened to see their rail bodies and reMuested Lord ,hiva
to end their miseries$ Lord ,hiva told her that the Baalkhilyas had not attained a bit o virtuousness
inspite o their severe penance$ R-hey have still not become ree rom anger and desiresRE said Lord
,hiva$ But 2ma was reluctant to believe his words$ Lord ,hiva then asked her to wait there and himsel
went to show their real worth to her to prove his point$
Lord ,hiva then shed his apparels and became naked$ As a mendicantE he visited the hermitages o all
the Baalkhilyas$ At that time the Baalkhilyas were engaged in penance and hence only womenolk were
present at the hermitages$ -he womenolkE inatuated by Lord ,hivaE started running ater him$ 6hen
the Baalkhilyas came to know about thisE they uprooted his private organ (Linga) and threw it on the
ground$ &ardly had the Linga allen on the groundE the whole world got enguled by the process o
destruction$ All the sages and learned saints became worried and went to seek Lord BrahmaKs help$
Lord Brahma revealed to them that this destruction was due to ,hivaKs wrath$ &e also told them about
the utility o their penance as they were still under the inluence o anger and lust$ RYou cannot attain
perection until your laws are removedRE said Lord Brahma$
1&1* )ages "a.e 'ord )hiva<s 6efuge
AshamedE the sages reMuested Lord Brahma to tell them the way to paciy Lord ,hiva$ Lord Brahma
assured them that they would be orgiven i they took Lord ,hivaKs reuge$ Lord Brahma went to Kailash
8arvat accompanied by all the sages$ Ater reaching thereE he eulogised Lord ,hiva with deep
devotion$ -he sages also worshipped Lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva was satisied by their eulogy and devotion$ &e instructed the sages to establish the severed
Linga at ,aanihitya ,arovar$ RBy doing thisE you would have all your desires ulilled$ -he Linga would
become amous by the name o ,thanu= the whole world$ A devotee who pays a visit to this sacred
place o pilgrimage would become liberated rom all his sinsRE said Lord ,hiva$
-he sages returned to the place o Lord ,hivaKs allen Linga$ -hey tried their best to lit it but were
unsuccessul in their attempt$ -hey became worried and went to Lord Brahma or help$ Lord Brahma
told them= R,ince ,hivaKs Linga had allen on his own willE hence nobody eGcept him can lit that Linga$R
All o them went back to Kailash 8arvat but Lord ,hiva was nowhere to be ound$
Lord Brahma went into a state o deep meditation and sighted Lord ,hiva in the guise o an elephant$
6hen Brahma and the deities proceeded on their wayE they ound a goddess with a kamandalu in hand
and oered them Amrit$ Ater being rereshedE the sages asked whether she knew o Lord ,hivaKs
whereabouts$ ,he told them that Lord ,hiva was presently living in the middle o ,aanihitya ,arovar$
Ater reaching the reservoirE they ound Lord ,hiva in the guise o an elephant$ -hey reMuested him to
help themE establish his Linga at the desired place$ Lord ,hiva agreed$ All o them then went to the site
o Lord ,hivaKs allen Linga$ &e lited it with his trunk and established it towards the west o ,aanihitya
,arovar$ -he sages were satisied and eGpressed their gratitude to Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hivaE pleased by
their eulogy and devotionE decided to make the Linga as his abode$
1&1, (reatness of )thanu "irtha
-his chapter contains 4 sectionsJ
;$#4$# -he *reatness o ,aanihitya ,arovar and ,thanu -irtha
,anat Kumar says= Describing the greatness o ,aanihitya ,arovarE Lord ,hiva told the sages that a
devotee cannot attain salvation unless he pays a visit to this sacred place o pilgrimage$ -here is no
other -irtha like this one$ R. would be easily accessible to a devotee who worships me with total
devotion$R Ater saying thisE Lord ,hiva disappeared$
.n course o timeE the heaven became crowded with human beings due to virtues attained by going on
pilgrimages to ,thanu -irtha$ -he deities became worried at this development and went to seek Lord
BrahmaKs help$ .ndra said= R. things continue like this then the heaven will be dominated by mortals and
we will have no option but to move out rom there$ 1owE its your duty to protect us$R Lord Brahma
ordered .ndra to ill up ,aanihitya ,arovar with mud so that the ,thanu Linga gets concealed and
devotees no longer visited that sacred place o pilgrimage$
,aanihitya ,arovar was illed up with mud as .ndra created a dust stormE which lasted or several days$
But still .ndraKs obCective remained unulilled as Lord ,hiva lited ,thanu Linga and -irtha Vata (Banyan
tree) in his hands$ -here were some sages present on the bank o ,aanihitya ,arovar at the time o this
incident$ -hey smeared their bodies with that mud and due to thisE all o them went to Brahma loka$
;$#4$( %ther 8rominent Lingas
,anat Kumar says= R-he sacred places o pilgrimage named ,hukra -irtha and ,oma -irtha are
situated towards north and south o ,thanu Vata respectively$ Daksha -irtha is situated towards its
south and ,kand -irtha towards its west$ -he sacrosanct ,thanu -irtha is situated Cust in between all
these our places o pilgrimage$ 1ear ,thanu -irtha is a ,hiva Linga and *oddess 2ma dwells there$
-here is a 'aha Linga established by -akshak towards the north o ,thanu Vata while the ,hiva Linga
constructed by Vishwakarma is established towards the east$
By the side o that Banyan tree (Vata -irtha) is situated= Bateshwar LingaE which was established by
Lord Brahma$ ,ome other prominent Lingas established in the vicinity o ,thanu Linga are= *okarna
'aha Linga established by "avanaE KumareshwarE &astipadeshwar ,hivaE ,iddheshwar LingaE
&ibhavateshwar Linga etc$
;$#4$0 King VenE Birth o 8rithu
,age 'arkandeya then goes on to describe about the splendours o ,thanu -irtha= ,urya was 'anuKs
ather$ Ven was 'anuKs grandson$ &e was wicked and always criticised the Vedas$ Being displeased
by his irreligious sonE VenKs ather let or the orest to do penance where he attained salvation$
.n course o timeE VenKs tyranny spread across the length and breadth o the earth$ .n a very short timeE
he became the lord o whole earth$ &e had strictly warned his subCects against worshipping any other
deity eGcept him$ ,ages became urious by his irreligious stricture and tried to change his mind but their
eorts went in vain$ 2ltimatelyE Ven was killed by the angry sages$ Ater his deathE the sages churned
his let handE which resulted in the maniestation o a dwar$ -he sages considered him to be unit to
become a ruler and churned VenKs right hand or the second time$ -his timeE a divine entity maniestedE
who had all the auspicious signs on his body$ -he deities crowned this divine entity as the king and
named him 8rithu$ 8rithu proved to be a Cust king and his subCects were satisied by his rule$
%ne dayE sage 1arad arrived at 8rithuKs court$ 6anting to grab the opportunityE he asked 1arad how
his ather could be liberated rom his sins$ 1arad told him that his ather was presently living among the
'lechchas and was suering rom diseases like consumption and leprosy$ R&e would be cured o his
diseases i he is taken to ,thanu -irtha and made to take a dip in the holy ,aanihitya ,arovarRE said
1arad$
&e went to the site and ound his ather living among the 'lechchas$ Ater taking the 'lechchasK
permissionE he brought his ather to ,thanu -irtha$ &is eort o helping his ather to take a bath was
resisted by the deity= Vaayu who said= R-he waters o ,aanihitya ,arovar would get polluted i such a
lowly sinner took a bath in it$ <irst o allE you must go on a pilgrimage and visit all the sacred places to
make your ather pure$ %nly then he will be entitled to take bath hereR$
8rithu accompanied by his ather went on a pilgrimage and visited all the sacred places$ 6hen both o
them returned to ,thanu -irthaE his ather had become pure by this time$ Ven took his bath and became
liberated rom his sins$ &e worshipped Lord ,thanu and eulogised him with total devotion$
;$#4$4 Ven Attains &eaven
,anat Kumar says= RLord ,hiva became pleased by his devotion and blessed Ven that he would
maniest rom his body as Andhak in his neGt birth$ Due to the sins acMuired by criticising the VedasE he
would be born in the amily o the notorious demon &iranyaaksh$R Lord ,hiva then asked Ven to
demand any boon$
Ven reMuested Lord ,hiva to bless his attendant who had transormed into a dog due to his sin
acMuired by eating divine ood$ Lord ,hiva blessed the attendant as a result o whichE he regained his
original orm$ "ight thenE 8rithu arrived there$ Ater seeing himE Ven eGpressed his gratitude or his
tremendous eort without whichE he would not have been liberated rom his sins$ Ater blessing 8rithuE
Ven departed or heaven$
.n his atherKs absenceE 8rithu continued to rule Custly$ &e perormed many religious activities and gave
unlimited donations to the Brahmins$ Ater ruling or a long periodE he went to Kurukshetra where he did
a severe penance and attained the supreme abode ater his death$
1&1/ "he =rigin of #rahmeshwar<s >our ?eads
Ater creating all the movable and immovable living thingsE Lord Brahma created a beautiul lady$ &e
was so inatuated by her beauty that he eGpressed his desire to procreate with her help$ As a result o
this grave sin committed by Lord BrahmaE one o his our heads got detached and ell on the ground$
&e carried his severed head and went to ,aanihitya ,arovar to atone or his sins$ Ater reaching that
siteE he established a our=headed ,hiva Linga and worshipped it daily$ 8leased by his devotionE Lord
,hiva appeared beore him$ &e blessed Lord Brahma and said= RYou have become ree rom the sin
due to the virtue attained by establishing a our=headed ,hiva Linga at this sacred place$R Ater blessing
himE Lord ,hiva disappeared$
Ater getting liberated rom his sinE Lord Brahma worshipped the idol o our=headed 'ahadev and
established another ,hiva Linga in the middle o a nearby lake$ &e also created a reservoirE which is
named ater him= Brahmasar$ &e established two other ,hiva Lingas= one towards the east o his
hermitage and another at the bank o river ,araswati$ A devotee who goes on a pilgrimage to these
sacred places created by Lord Brahma becomes liberated rom all his sins and attains salvation$
1&11 Prithuda. "irtha
Describing the maCesty o 8rithudak -irthaE 'ahadev told the deities= RAll o you must pay a visit to this
sacrosanct place o pilgrimage situated near ,aanihitya reservoir$ -he day on which 'oonE ,un and
@upiter unitedly come under 'rigshira 1akshatra is called Akshay -ritiya$ You must go to that sacred
place and perorm ,hraadh o your ancestors$R
All the deities led by .ndra went to Kurukshetra where 8rithudak was situated$ Vrihaspati was also
present with them$ Ater taking their bathE the deities reMuested Vrihaspati (@upiter) to enter into the
'rigshira 1akshatra as directed by 'ahadev$ Vrihaspati agreed to do that and entered into the
'rigshira 1akshatra along with the ,un and the 'oon on Akshay -ritiya$
All the deities then worshipped their dead ancestors by oering 8ind comprising o sesame seeds and
honey$ -he ancestors were pleased and presented 'ena to the deities$ -he deities in turn presented
'ena to &imalaya$ &imalaya was pleased to have 'ena as his wie$ .n course o timeE three daughters
were born to them$
1&14 #irth of ma and her Marriage to )hiva
-his chapter contains #3 sectionsJ
;$#7$# 'ena gives birth to 2ma
'ena gave birth to three daughters and a son$ -he eldest daughter= "aagini was red compleGioned
and had red eyes$ Kutila was air compleGioned and had beautiul eyes like that o lotus petals$ -he
youngest daughter= Kali was dark compleGioned and had beautiul eyes like the petals o blue lotus$
'ena also had a son named ,unaam$
6hen all three o them were o siG yearsE they started to do penance$ -he deities saw these beautiul
girls and were enchanted by their beauty$ Aditya and the Vasu *anas took Kutila to Brahma loka and
asked Lord Brahma= R% lordL 6ill this girl give birth to a son capable o killing 'ahishasuraNR
Lord Brahma told them that she was incapable o bearing the eulgence o Lord ,hiva and hence she
should be released$ Kutila was deCected by Lord BrahmaKs reCection and challenged him that she would
try every means so as to attain the capability o holding the eulgence o Lord ,hiva$ Lord Brahma
became angry with her arrogant utterances and cursed her to become a river$ .n a very short periodE
the urious current o Kutila over=looded the whole Brahma loka but Lord Brahma managed to control
her current$ .n this wayE Kutila remained in Brahma loka in the orm o a river$
6hen the deities saw "aagini doing penanceE they took her to Lord Brahma$ +ven she was cursed by
Lord Brahma in the same manner as her sister had been cursed$ Due to Lord BrahmaKs curseE she
became ,andhya (evening) and started or the auspicious yoga o Kritika$
Ater losing her two daughtersE 'ena tried to dissuade Kali rom doing penance$ But Kali was not to
listen$ "eacting to her motherKs advisesE Kali pronounced K2K K'aK and as a result she was named 2ma
by her mother$ 2ma commenced her severe penance to please Lord ,hiva$ 6hen Lord Brahma came
to know about thisE he instructed the deities to bring her along to Brahma loka but the deities were
unsuccessul in their attempt as 2maKs radiance was unbearable or them$ -hey returned to Brahma
loka and narrated the whole story to Lord Brahma$ Lord Brahma was convinced that 2ma was worthy
o being ,hivaKs consort$ %ne dayE &imalayaE 2maKs ather brought her back home$
%nceE Lord ,hiva went to &imalaya 'ountain to do penance$ 6hen &imalaya came to know o his
arrivalE he was eGtremely happy$ &e made all necessary arrangements or Lord ,hiva$ %ne dayE while
Lord ,hiva was engrossed in meditationE 2ma arrived there$ Lord ,hiva was pleased to know that ,ati
had re=incarnated as 2ma$ But his Coy was momentary as he went back into deep meditation$ 2ma paid
her obeisance by touching ,hivaKs eet$ Lord ,hiva wanting to test 2maKs devotion went into hiding$
2ma sought her atherKs permission to do penance with the obCective o having ,hiva as her husband$
&imalaya agreed and gave his permission$ ,he started her penance ater creating an earthen idol o
Lord ,hiva$ ,he worshipped that idol with total devotion$ Lord ,hiva became pleased with her devotion
and appeared beore her in the guise o a mendicant$ %n being enMuired by 2maE Lord ,hiva told her
that he was on his pilgrimage to 8rithudak$ R. am used to all these austerities as . have been practising
it since my childhood$ But why are you torturing yoursel in such a tender ageNRE asked Lord ,hiva$
LomaprabhaE 2maKs companion was also present there$ ,he told the mendicant about the obCective
with which 2ma was doing her penance$ R,he wants to have Lord ,hiva as her husbandRE said
Lomaprabha$ &earing thisE the mendicant laughed loudly and made un o ,hiva$ &e tried to dissuade
2ma rom marrying Lord ,hiva$ 2ma became eGtremely angry and asked the mendicant to keep mum$
But when the mendicant continued with his abusesE she got up and tried to move away rom the side$
Lord ,hiva became pleased by her total devotion and appeared in his real orm$ &e assured 2ma to go
back home and said= R. will send the sages to your house with a marriage proposal$ -he idol which you
have been worshipping with such deep devotion would become amous as Bhadreshwar$
2ma returned home and ,hiva proceeded on his way to 8rithudak$
;$#7$( Lord ,hiva sends 'arriage 8roposal
Ater paying a visit to 8rithudak -irthaE Lord ,hiva returned to his abode$ At that timeE he was living at
'andaar 'ountain$ Ater Lord ,hivaKs contemplationE the ,aptarishis arrived$ Ater the ormal
salutationsE Lord ,hiva told the sages that his wie= ,ati has re=incarnated as 2ma$ RAll o you must go
to &imalaya and reMuest him to marry his daughter to meRE said Lord ,hiva$ -he ,aptarishis abided by
his instructions$
All o them went to &imalaya with ,hivaKs proposal$ 6hen 2ma came to know about thisE she was Muite
pleased but did not reveal her emotions$ &imalaya was in a dilemma$ &e did not know whether to
reuse or accept the marriage proposal$ -he 'eru 'ountain advised him to go ahead with the marriage
as it would not be proper to reuse the ,aptarishis$
'enaE &imalayaKs wie said= R% lord o the mountainL -he dead ancestors gave 2ma to me on the
condition that . would get her married with ,hiva$ -he son born to her would kill the demons=
'ahishasura and -arakasura$ At last &imalaya agreed$ -he ,aptarishis were pleased and chose an
auspicious moment or the marriage ceremony$ -hey said= R,hiva would marry your daughter on 'aitra
'uhurta= the third day rom today when the 'oon will enter the 2ttar 8halguni 1akshatra$R Ater saying
thisE the ,aptarishis returned to 'andaar 'ountain and gave the good news to Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva
became pleased and worshipped the ,aptarishis$ -he ,aptarishis then went to inorm all the deities
about ,hivaKs marriage$
;$#7$0 2ma 'arries Lord ,hiva
Lord VishnuE BrahmaE the deities and the *anas were pleased to hear about ,hivaKs marriage$ Lord
,hiva went to his abode= Kailash 'ountain to make preparations or the marriage ceremony$
Lord ,hivaKs marriage procession proceeded towards &imalaya 'ountain$ &is appearance was Muite
terriying with a tiger skin around his waist and *orochan -ilak on his orehead$ &e had a garland o
skulls around his neck$ ,nakes were coiling all around his body$ &is mount= Vrishabh (oG) was walking
in a maCestic way$ -he marriage procession comprised o the deitiesE YakshasE demons and his *anas$
Lord Vishnu had *oddess Lakshmi by his side and was mounted on *arud (eagle) while Lord Brahma
was mounted on &ans (swan)$
6hen the marriage procession reached its destinationE &imalaya received his esteemed guests with
great honour and guided them to his palace$ -he womenolk envied 2ma as they glanced at the
handsome appearance o Lord ,hiva$ 2ma was looking divinely beautiul in her white coloured silken
apparel$ At lastE both the bride and the bridegroom entered the canopy where the marriage ceremony
was supposed to be perormed$
&imalaya placing 2maKs hand in ,hivaKsE reMuested him to accept her as his wie$ Lord ,hiva said= R%
king o the mountainsL Despite being homelessE . agree to accept your daughter as my wie$R Ater thatE
both ,hiva and 2ma tied the nuptial knot and circumambulated the sacred ire or three times$ Both o
them made oerings to the sacred ire$ As 2ma touched ,hivaKs eetE Lord Brahma got a chance to
have a glimpse o her beautiul ace$ &e was so inatuated by her divine beauty that he eCaculated$
1obody eGcept Lord ,hiva was aware o this incident$ Lord Brahma tried to conceal his eCaculated
sperms (Veerya) under the soil$ But Lord ,hiva prohibited him rom doing so and said= RDonKt destroy
this Virya$ <rom it would maniest )3E333 Baalkhilyas$R
Lord ,hivaKs prophesies came true and in a very short timeE )3E333 Baalkhilyas appeared there$ Lord
,hiva then returned to 'andaar 8arvat accompanied by his consortE 2ma$
;$#7$4 Vishwakarma :onstructs a 8alace
Ater reaching 'andaar 'ountainE Lord ,hiva instructed Vishwakarma to construct a home$
Vishwakarma constructed a spacious home or ,hivaE which was spread in the area o ;4 YoCans$ -he
home was decorated with ,wastika symbols and its walls were made o gold$
%ne dayE Lord ,hiva Cokingly reerred to 2ma as Kali because o her dark compleGion$ But 2ma did not
take his comments lightly and told ,hiva that she was going to the &imalayas to do her penance so that
he did not dare to call her by that name again$ -husE 2ma went to &imalaya 'ountain and commenced
her penance$ ,tanding on one eetE she engaged hersel in severe penance$ %ne dayE a lion arrived
and seeing 2ma standing on one eetE waited patiently or the moment when she would lose her
balance and all into its clutches$ 2ma continued with her penance or one hundred years by
continuously chanting the sacred Brahma mantra$ 8leased by her devotionE Lord Brahma appeared
beore her and asked what she wished or$ 2ma irst o all reMuested him to bless the lion with immense
power$ ,he then reMuested him to bless her with a golden compleGion$ Lord Brahma blessed her and
disappeared$ ,he abandoned her dark compleGioned skin rom which maniested Kaushiki$ 1owE her
compleGion turned golden due to Lord BrahmaKs blessings$ .ndra appeared beore her and sought her
permission to take Kaushiki along with him$ 2ma gave her consent without any hesitation$
.ndra took Kaushiki to Vindhya 'ountain and reMuested her to stay there$ &e said= RYou would become
amous as Vindhya Vaasini and would be revered even by the deities$R &e presented a lion to her and
went back to his abode$ %n the other handE 2ma returned to 'andaar 'ountain and lived happily$ Lord
,hiva became so deeply attached to her that he orgot about his duties and as a result o whichE the
whole world became disturbed$ -he deities became scared by this development and went to seek Lord
BrahmaKs advice$
Lord Brahma went to 'andaar 'ountain accompanied by all the deities$ -hey tried to enter ,hivaKs
abode but 1andi= ,hivaKs mount did not let them in$ &elplessE all o them waited eagerly or the time
,hiva would come out$ Agni seeing rows o swans coming out rom ,hivaKs abode disguised himsel as
a swan and thus managed to get inside$ &e went near Lord ,hiva and said= R% lordL -he deities are
anGiously waiting or you outside$ &ow comeE you are not aware o thisNR Lord ,hiva immediately got
up and ran towards the deities$
.ndra and other deities were scared at the prospect o losing heaven to Lord ,hivaKs progeny$ ,oE they
reMuested Lord ,hiva not to procreate any child rom 2ma$ Lord ,hiva agreed but asked them as to
who was capable o holding his out=lowing sperms$ Agni came orward and swallowed each drop o
,hivaKs sperm$ ,atisiedE the deities let$ Lord ,hiva went inside and told everything to 2ma$ ,he
became urious and cursed the deities that they too would remain sonless Cust like her$
%ne day beore taking her bathE 2ma applied 2btan (miGture o sandalwoodE turmeric etc$) on her body$
,he then peeled o the paste rom her body and made an elephant=headed image rom it$ 'aaliniE her
companion assisted her in taking bath$ 'aalini was smiling all the while as 2ma was taking her bath$
2ma became curious and wanted to know the reason o her strange smile$ 'aalini told 2ma about her
irm belie that one dayE she (2ma) would deinitely become a mother$ 2ma told her that this was
impossible as the deities had prohibited her husbandE ,hiva rom procreating a child$ But 'aalini
continued to smile$ Ater taking her bathE 2ma went back home$
Ater sometimeE Lord ,hiva arrived and took his bath at the same place$ -he elephant=headed image
created by 2ma was lying there$ ,uddenly it became alive and started making a hissing sound rom his
trunk$ Lord ,hiva delightully took him to 2ma and said= RLook at your son$R 2ma was surprised to see
that elephant=headed image alive and aectionately embraced him$ Lord ,hiva again said= RYour son
will become amous as Vinayak and the whole world would worship him$R Lord ,hiva then entrusted the
task o childKs security to *hatodar$
-husE both Lord ,hiva and 2ma lived happily$ -he same 2ma later on took incarnation as *oddess
Katyayani and killed the demons= ,humbh and 1ishumbh$
;$#7$9 Killing o 1ishumbh and ,humbh
,humbh and 1ishumbh were sons o Danu$ -hey wanted to avenge 'ahishasuraKs death and sent
many demons like to bring *oddess :handika ater enslaving her$ <irst o allE ,ugreev was sent
ollowed by Dhumralochan but both o them were killed by the *oddess$ 6hen ,humbh and 1ishumbh
heard o their deathE they were inuriated$ 1ishumbh attacked the goddess with a huge army$ ,humbh
attacked rom the other side$ .n the ierce battleE *oddess :handika broke 1ishumbhKs sword as well
as his shield$ 1ishumbh then attacked *oddess :handika with his weapon= ,hakti$ *oddess :handika
broke it with her :hakra$ At lastE she attacked him with her arrows at him and as a resultE 1ishumbh got
inCured and ell$
6hen ,humbh saw 1ishumbhE inCured and unconsciousE he ran towards *oddess :handika to kill her$
*oddess :handika blew her conch and made a thunderous noise by pulling the bowstring$ ,humbh
released the dangerous weapon= 2gradipti in the direction o *oddess :handika$ But her weapon
'aholkanaamni destroyed it$ ,humbh thundered loudly and attacked *oddess :handika with a volley
o arrows but none could cause any harm to her$ <inallyE *oddess :handika attacked ,humbh with her
trident$ ,humbh ell down unconscious$ Ater sometimeE he regained his consciousness and attacked
*oddess :handika with his arrows$ But she destroyed all the arrows$ .n the meantimeE 1ishumbh had
regained his consciousness$ &e got up and attacked *oddess :handika with his trident$ .n the endE
*oddess :handika killed 1ishumbh by piercing her trident in his heart$ As 1ishumbh was dyingE an
another demon maniested rom his body$ +ven he was killed by her$ &er mount ,imha devoured all the
dead demons$
,humbh became angry at the death o his brother= 1ishumbh$ &e uriously told the goddess= R% wicked
ladyL Do not be proud o your strength borrowed rom others$R *oddess :handika replied= R% wicked
demonL . am the only power o this whole universe$ . am the origin o cause and eect$ LookL All the
divinities are entering into my body$
-he neGt momentE all the divine entitiesE which had earlier maniested rom the bodies o the deities
united with the goddess$ 1owE the goddess was alone$ A tremendous battle was ought between
*oddess :handika and ,humbh$ Ambika attacked him with numerous divine weapons$ ButE ,humbh
neutralised her attack with his own weapons$
,humbh covered the whole body o *oddess :handika with his arrows$ ,he broke his bow$ Ater thisE
,humbh attacked her with his weapon= ,haktiE which was broken into pieces by her chakra$ 1owE
,humbh took out his sword and attacked her with it$ ,he broke his shield and sword with her arrows$
,humbh then attacked her with his mace$ +ven his mace was broken into pieces$
,humbh had no more weapons let with him$ &e hit the goddess on her breast with his clenched ist$
,he slapped him so hard on the ace that he ell down$ -he neGt momentE he got up and maniested
himsel in the sky$ 1owE a tremendous duel was ought between them in the sky$
.n the endE she dashed him to the ground and pierced the trident in his heart$ ,humbh was instantly
killed$ Ater the killing o ,humbhE *andharvasE the deities and Apsaras were so pleased that they
danced and reCoiced$ -he whole atmosphere echoed with the sound= R,&A1-. ,&A1-.R (Let there be
peace)$
Ater goddess :handika killed ,humbhE all the deities under the leadership o .ndra and Agni started
eulogising her= R% *oddessL Be pleased upon usL 8rotect the whole worldE as you are the goddess o
this whole universe$ You appear in the orm o this earth= the base on which everything is situated$ Your
light illuminates all the living creatures$ You are the only power through which creationE nurturing and
annihilation takes place$ You are the BrahmaniE 'aheshwari and the Kaumari$ 6e salute you because
you have protected us rom the terror o the demons$ 6e need your protection rom all the calamities o
this world$R
*oddess :handika was very pleased by their eulogy$ ,he asked them or any wish$ -he deities said=
R% AkhileshwariL 6e need your protection$ :lear all the obstacles rom our path$ +liminate our
enemies$R
*oddess :handika replied= RDuring Vaivasvat 'anavantarE . will take incarnation rom YashodaKs
womb= the wie o 1andE to kill the demons ,humbh and 1ishumbh$ Ater thatE . will kill the demon=
Vaiprachit in my most aggressive orm$ %ne hundred years laterE . will maniest mysel and would be
known as ,atakshi because o my hundred eyes$ 'y neGt incarnation would be known as ,hakambhari
because . would nurture the whole world during the period o drought$ . will kill the demon Durgam
during that drought period$ . will kill the demon Arun= the tormentor o all the three worlds by taking the
orm o a bee$ Due to thisE . will be known as Bhramari$ . will take incarnations every time the demons
torment the world$
*oddess :handika says= R. will clear all the obstacles rom the path o such a man who worships me$ .
a devotee listens to the great tales o how . killed 'ahishasuraE ,humbh and 1ishumbhE on the eighthE
ninth and ourteenth days o any month then he would be liberated rom poverty and all his sins$ &e
would become ree rom ear$ A devotee must listen to my divine tales during all the religious
ceremonies like making sacriiceE worship and perorming Yagya$ By doing thisE all his enemies will be
eliminated$ A man who remembers me when aced with dangerous situations remains protected by
me$R
Ater blessing the deitiesE *oddess :handika disappeared rom their sight$ All the demonsE who had
survived ater the killings o ,humbh and 1ishumbhE went to the nether world to save their lives$
;$#7$; Birth o Kaartikeya
,wallowing o Lord ,hivaKs sperm had subdued AgniKs radiance$ -he deities advised him to take Lord
BrahmaKs help$ 6hile he was on his way to Brahma lokaE he came across a river named Kutila and
reMuested her to hold ,hivaKs sperm$ ,he agreed and reMuested him to release it in her waters$
.n course o timeE she became pregnant$ -he thought o giving birth to an illegitimate child tormented
herE so she went to Lord Brahma to take his advice$ Lord Brahma instructed her to abort her oetus at
2dyachal 'ountainE which was covered by the dense orest o reed$ Lord Brahma elt that it was a very
sae place or her and nobody will be aware o this incident$ Kutila ollowed his instructions$
Kutila aborted her oetus Cust according to Lord BrahmaKs instructions$ -he oetus remained there or
#3E333 years ater which a child was bornE radiant like a rising ,un and eyes like the petals o lotus
lower$ -he child being hungry started to cry$ At that timeE all the siG Kritikas were passing through that
orest$ -hey were so mesmerised by the childKs beauty that they started Muarrelling among themselves
as to who should irst eed breast milk to the child$ ,eeing their MuarrelE the child appeared with his siG
heads$ -his wayE all the siG Kritikas ed their breast milk to the child at a time$ -his is the reason why
Kartikeya has siG heads$
Ater Agni came to know o KaartikeyaKs birthE he proceeded to bring him back home$ But Kutila saw
him on the way and enMuired about his Courney$ 6hen Agni revealed his intentionE she started
Muarrelling with him or KaartikeyaKs custody$ 'eanwhileE Lord Vishnu arrived there and enMuired
regarding their Muarrelling$ Lord Vishnu ater being told the reason advised them to take Lord ,hivaKs
help as he was the best Cudge on such matters$
Both Kutila and Agni went to Lord ,hiva and tried to get his consent$ 2ma advised Lord ,hiva by
saying= RAll o us must go to that place where the child is living and try to know as to whom he would
like to have as his guardian$R All o them went to that reed orest and ound Kaartikeya in the lap o one
o the Kritikas$
Kaartikeya knew about their desires$ ,eeing them worriedE he maniested in our dierent appearances
o KumarE VishaakhE ,haakh and 'ahasen$ Kumar went towards Lord ,hiva while Vishaakh went
towards 2ma$ ,imilarlyE ,haakh went towards Kutila while 'ahasen went towards Agni$ -husE
everybody was satisied$ Lord ,hiva then blessed the Kritikas by saying that Kaartikeya would become
amous deriving his name rom them$
All the deities arrived there and decided to make KaartikeyaE the chie commander o their army$
;$#7$7 Kaartikeya Kills -araka and 'ahishasura
Ater being appointed as the chie commander o the deitiesE Kaartikeya sought his guardiansK
permission to kill the demons= -araka and 'ahishasura$ All the deities including Lord Vishnu blessed
Kaartikeya and wished or his victory$ Lord Vishnu eulogised Kaartikeya and praised his valiance$
Kaartikeya then proceeded with a huge army comprising o *anas and Kritikas$ Kaartikeya had taken
an aerial route so that he could reach his enemiesK territory as soon as possible$ -he *anas disguised
as birdsE ollowed him$
As they were about to reach their enemyKs placeE Kaartikeya reMuested the *anas to descend to the
earth$ -he *anas ollowed his instruction and descended to the earth making a thunderous noise$
,ome demons like 'ahishE -arakaE VirochanE @ambh and KuCambh heard this noise and went to
Andhak to inorm him about it$
As the demons were trying to ind out the cause o the noiseE a demon= 8aatalketu arrived there in an
inCured condition$ -he demons were surprised and asked how he got inCured$ 8aatalketuE narrating the
incident said= R. had entered sage *aalavKs hermitage in the guise o a boar with the intention o killing
him$ ,uddenlyE an arrow pierced my body$ . ran towards the sea coast to save my lie where . ound
large number o people who were planning to kill 'ahishasura and -araka$ . have come here to inorm
you about their plan$ . am very scared and worried$R Andhak assured them that there was nothing to
worry about as both 'ahishasura and -araka were mighty and it was not an easy task or anybody to
kill them$
6hen 'ahishasura and -araka came to know about thisE they immediately set out with a huge army
towards the sea coast$ An intense battle commenced in which both the sides ought valiantly$ -he
*anas and the 'atrikas launched a severe attack on the enemy with all the weapons they had at their
disposal$ But the demons remained unaected and their assault was too much or the *anas to bear$
Ater deeating the *anasE 'ahishasura menacingly ran towards Kaartikeya$ ,uchakraksh who was
ighting rom KaartikeyaKs side unleashed his chakra to stop 'ahishasura$ 'ahishasura retaliated by
attacking the chakra with his mace but his mace was cut into pieces by the chakra$ Ater destroying the
maceE ,uchakrakshKs chakra chased 'ahishasura$ 6hen Banasura saw 'ahishasuraKs lie in dangerE
he came orward to help him$ &e attacked the chakra with his 933 hands and grabbed ,uchakraksh
with the remaining 933$ ,eeing ,uchakraksh in dangerE 'akaraksh hit Banasura on his head with his
mace$ ,eething in painE Banasura immediately released ,uchakraksh$
,eeing his army deeatedE -araka came orward to ight with a sword$ &e ought valiantly and deeated
the *anas and the 'atrikas in a very short time$ -he deeated *anas took the reuge o Kaartikeya$
6hen Kaartikeya saw -araka chasing the *anasE he killed him with his weapon= ,hakti$ -arakaKs death
scared 'ahishasura and Banasura$ -o save his lieE 'ahishasura ran away towards &imalaya
'ountain while Banasura hid himsel in the ocean$ Kaartikeya chased 'ahishasura as a result o
whichE he was orced to abandon &imalaya$ 'ahishasura now took reuge in a cave o the Kraunch
'ountain$ ,eeing the demon being protected by his maternal cousin= *uh (cave)E Kaartikeya was in a
dilemma$ &e knew that i he attacked 'ahishasura inside the cave then his cousin= *uh might get hurt$
&e waited or 'ahishasura to come out$ Lord BrahmaE Lord Vishnu and Lord 'ahesh appeared and
advised Kaartikeya to kill the demon$ .ndra too advised him the same$ But Kaartikeya did not pay heed
and told them that he would kill 'ahishasura only ater he came out rom the cave$
<uriousE .ndra told Kaartikeya that a man did not become a sinner i he killed one person to saeguard
his communityKs interest$ *iving his own instanceE he narrated as to how he had killed his own brother=
1amuchi$ But Kaartikeya was not convinced and reused to act according to .ndraKs instruction$ Very
soonE their arguments turned into a maCor dispute when .ndra boasted o his strength$ Kaartikeya
challenged him or a duel$ .ndra proposed a plan according to whichE whoever circumambulated the
Kraunch 'ountain irst would be considered as the winner$
6hen Kaartikeya returned ater circumambulating Kraunch 'ountainE he ound .ndra sitting there$
<uriouslyE he asked .ndra why he was seated$ .ndra replied that he was the winner as he had already
inished circumambulating the Kraunch$ Both o them Muarrelled but were not able to decide the winner$
,oE both o them went to Lord BrahmaE Lord Vishnu and Brahma to take their help$ Lord Vishnu advised
them that only Kraunch 'ountain could decide the winner$ Both o them went to Kraunch 'ountain and
reMuested him to tell as to who the winner was$ Kraunch 'ountain said= R.ndra is the winner since he
was the irst to circumambulate me$ Kaartikeya became urious and attacked Kraunch 'ountain with
his ,hakti as a result o whichE the great mountain was ragmented into pieces$ 'ahishasura who was
hiding in the cave o Kraunch 'ountain was also crushed to death$
Later onE Kaartikeya elt very sorry or having killed his maternal cousin= *uh and ater being advised
by Lord VishnuE he went to 8rithudak -irtha to atone or his sin$
;$#7$) "itudhwaC .nCures 8aatalketu
King "ipuCeet= a descendant o "aghu lived with his valiant and brave son named "itudhwaC$ "itudhwaC
being a virtuous prince thought it as his duty to protect all the sages and hermits$ 2nder his protectionE
the sages perormed their religious duties without any problem$
During "ipuCeetKs reignE a great sage= *aalav lived in his hermitage doing penance$ A demon named
8aatalketu used to torment him$ Although *aalav was capable o burning 8aatalketu to death yet he
hesitated to do so or the ear o losing his virtuosity$ %ne dayE sage *aalav was contemplating on the
means to get rid o 8aatalketuKs terror tactics but was unable to ind any solution and let out a deep sigh
in rustration$ &e was amaBed to see a horse alling rom the sky$ As he was looking towards the skyE
he heard a heavenly voice= R-his horse can travel thousands o YoCans in a single day$ *ive this horse
to "itudhwaC who will solve your problems$R
As per the instructions o that heavenly voiceE *aalav presented that horse to "itudhwaC and engaged
himsel in penance$ -his horse was sent by a *andharva king named Vishwavasu with a special
purpose$ Vishwavasu had a beautiul daughter named 'adalasa$ .natuated by her beautyE the demon=
8aatalketu had abducted her to 8aatal loka$ &e wanted to marry her but 'adalasa reCected his
advances$ Vishwavasu knew that only "itudhwaC was capable o killing 8aatalketuE so he presented
that horse to sage *aalav with the instruction that it should be given to "itudhwaC$
"itudhwaC went to 8aatal loka on that horse and ought a ierce battle in which 8aatalketu was seriously
inCured$ "itudhwaC released 'adalasa rom 8aatalketuKs captivity and married her$
;$#7$/ Lord ,hiva does 8enance
Lord ,hiva was so deeply attached to 2ma that or #333 yearsE he was possessed by only her
thoughts$ &e orgot about his duties and as a resultE there was anarchy all over the world$ &is
obsession with 2ma had also decreased his radiance$ &e decided to do penance with the obCective o
regaining his radiance$
6hen 2ma came to know about his decisionE she was unhappy but Lord ,hiva consoled her by relating
the signiicance o his decision$ Beore leavingE he entrusted the responsibility o her security to 1andi$
&e started wandering in search o a suitable place or doing penance$ ,ometimesE he did penance
under the treeE sometimes on the mountain peaks and sometimes on the banks o a river$ .nitiallyE he
used to eat only kand and 'oola but later on he stopped eating even that and lived only on air$ -his
wayE /33 years passed during which he travelled to all the three lokas$
2ltimatelyE he even stopped breathing$ &e inserted a small wooden block in his mouth to stop the air
rom entering his body$ -his act o ,hiva resulted in the tremendous generation o energy inside his
body as a result o which that wooden block blasted o through his skull and ell on the &imalaya
'ountain with such orce that the wooden block levelled numerous peaks o &imalaya 'ountain to the
ground$ -he amous place o pilgrimage= Kedarnath is situated at this very place$
Ater thatE Lord ,hiva did a severe penance by immersing his whole body in the waters o ,araswati
river$ &e remained immersed in the water or one complete year and did not come out$ All the seven
worlds including the oceans and the mountains started shaking violently$ -he stars and the 1akshatras
started alling down on the earth$ :urious to know why this happenedE the worried deities went to Lord
Brahma$ +ven Lord Brahma could not satisy their curiosity as he had no answer$ All o them then went
to Lord Vishnu but he too was not aware o the reason$
All the deities including Lord Vishnu then went to 'andaar 8arvat to see Lord ,hiva$ But they were
surprised to ind out that neither Lord ,hiva nor 2ma were present there$ Lord Vishnu was aware o
Lord ,hivaKs penance in the ,araswati river$ Due to the sin o causing 'ridaniKs oetus to abortE the
deities could not know the act behind this strange event$
-he deities then perormed the most austere -aptakrichcha Vrata to atone or their sin$ Lord Vishnu
then gave them a glimpse o ,hiva LingaE which maniested in his heart$ All the deities again
worshipped that ,hiva Linga and made oerings$ Lord Vishnu then took them to Kurukshetra where
Lord ,hiva was doing his penance in the waters o ,araswati$ -he deities eulogised Lord ,hiva by
saying R,-&A1AV+ 1A'A&R and .ndra reMuested him to stop doing his penance as the whole world
was in turbulence$ Lord ,hiva accepted their reMuest with a smile and discontinued with his penance$
+ven ater Lord ,hiva had stopped doing his penanceE the earth continued to shake violently$
,urprisedE he started wandering here and there to know the truth behind this turbulence$ &e ound sage
,hukracharya doing penance on the bank o river %ghavati with the obCective o learning the most
secret 'ritsanCeevani Vidya$ Lord ,hiva blessed him and his desire was ulilled but the earth still
continued to shake violently$ Lord ,hiva then proceeded towards ,aptasaraswat where he ound sage
'ankanak was dancing in Coy and his steps were causing the earth to shake$ ,age 'ankanak had
acMuired tremendous virtues due to his severe penance and as a result instead o bloodE vegetative
Cuice secreted rom his wound$ &e had become arrogant and thought that it happened only because o
his penance$ Lord ,hiva then subdued his arrogance by causing wound on his inger rom which ashes
poured out$ ,age 'ankanak was ashamed o himsel and stopped dancingE and the earth became calm
once again$
;$#7$#3 Lord Vishnu Kills 'ura
'ura was the Aurasputra o sage Kashyap and Danu$ 6hen he saw the demons being vanMuished by
the deitiesE he went to do penance with the obCective o getting boons rom Lord Brahma$ 6hen Lord
Brahma appeared beore himE he said= R% lordL Bless me with a boonE which enables me to kill anybody
merely by the touch o my hand$R Lord Brahma blessed him and said= R,o be it$R
*etting this boon made 'ura very arrogant$ &e challenged the deitiesE Yakshas and Kinnars to ight
him but nobody accepted his challenge as they were scared o his power$ &e then entered Amravati=
.ndraKs capital and challenged .ndra or a duel$ .ndra became terriied and abandoned his abode=
heaven$ 1owE 'ura became the lord o heaven and very soonE he invited the other demons to Coin him
in heaven$
%nceE 'ura challenged a king named "aghu who was proicient in rituals or a duel$ At that timeE
"aghu was busy perorming his Yagya$ &e admonished 'ura by saying= R6hat is the great deal in
ighting with the mortalsN . you are really that brave then you should deeat YamaraC$R -he arrogant
'ura then went to Yama loka and challenged Yama$ Yama was aware o Lord BrahmaKs boon given to
'ura$ ,oE he went to take Lord VishnuKs help$ Lord Vishnu advised him to send 'ura to Vishnu loka by
any means$
1&18 $escription of ?ells
Lord BrahmaE on being enMuired by ,anat Kumar on the dierent hells said= R-hose who have illicit
relationship or are in the company o sinners go to the irst hell$ <elling o trees and stealing the ruits o
othersK tree lead to the second hell$ 8eople who kill creatures unworthy o killing and those who Muarrel
over property dispute go to third hell$ -errorising the living creatures and deviating rom oneKs own
religion lead to the ourth hell$ Behaving deceitully with riends and taking alse oath lead to the ith
hell$ Keeping somebody in captivity and causing hurdles in the path o others would lead to the siGth
hell$ ,tealing o royal property or copulating with the Mueen leads to the seventh hell$ *reed and misuse
o hard earned money lead to the eighth hell$ ,tealing o BrahminKs property and condemning others
lead to the ninth hell$ 8eople who lack courtesy or who steal sacred teGts go to the tenth hell$R
AltogetherE Lord Brahma described about #; hells$
1&19 2ing $anda and Araja
-his chapter contains 4 sectionsJ
;$#/$# Andhakasura ! -he Demon
1arad asks sage 8ulastya= R6hat did the demon Andhak do ater entering 8aatal loka and how was
Lord ,hivaKs lie at 'andaar 'ountainNR 8ulastya says= RAndhak was inatuated by *iriCaKs divine
beauty and his lust only became stronger as the days passed by$ Although 8rahlad tried very hard to
convince him and narrated the tale o his birthE which happened only because o Lord ,hivaKs blessing$
%nce Lord ,hiva was engrossed in meditation when 2ma playully shut all his three eyes and the whole
atmosphere was covered in darkness$ An entity maniested rom that darkness who was presented to
&iranyaaksh and who later on became amous as Andhak$ 8rahlad also told him that his lust or his
own mother (8arvati) was licentious and most immoral$R
.n order to dissuade Andhak rom going ahead with his immoral intentionE 8rahlad narrated a storyE
which described the destruction o an immoral king named Danda$ R,age ,hukracharya was the royal
priest o King DandaE who perormed all the religious rites$ &e had a daughter named AraCa$ %nce
,hukracharya had gone to meet the demon Vrishparva and stayed there or some days$ King Danda
went to ,hukracharyaKs hermitage to ind out the reasons or his absence$ &e saw AraCa and became
enchanted by her beauty$ &e eGpressed his desires to AraCa that he wanted her at any cost$ AraCa tried
to dissuade him by saying that his immoral action would amount to committing treachery towards his
*uru= ,hukracharya$ ,he also tried to scare him by citing about her atherKs rageE which even the
deities eared$ King Danda then narrated this tale to orce her to accept his proposal=
RVishwakarma had a beautiul daughter= :hitrangada$ %nceE she had gone to take bath in the river with
her companions$ ,uddenlyE King ,urath arrived there and being inatuated by her beauty became
lovesick$ ,eeing his pitiable conditionE :hitrangada oered hersel to him despite her companionsK
obCection$R
Ater narrating this storyE King Danda asked AraCa to ollow the eGample o :hitrangada$ But she said=
RYou have narrated only hal the story$ . will tell you what happened ater that$R ,he then told this story=
R-he immoral act o :hitrangada had angered her ather and he cursed her that her married lie would
be unsuccessul$ %ne dayE King ,urath was drowned by the powerul current o the ,araswati$
:hitrangada ainted as she could not bear the sorrow o her husbandKs separation$ Ater regaining her
consciousnessE she looked all around but could not ind her husband$ %nce againE she became
unconscious and ell in the ,araswati river$ -he powerul currents o ,araswati drowned her and she
was ultimately thrown in *omti river$ *omtiKs current abandoned her near a orest inhabited by
erocious lions$R
Ater narrating her storyE AraCa told King Danda that she would certainly not accept his proposal as she
did not want to meet the same ate as that o :hitrangada$ -he king told her that the story was still
incomplete and narrated the ollowing tale=
R6hen :hitrangada regained her consciousnessE she ound hersel in a dense orest$ ,eeing her in a
sorrowul moodE AnCan= a *uhyak consoled her by saying that very soonE she would re=unite with her
husband$ &e also advised her to go on a pilgrimage to ,hrikanth$ :hitrangada went to ,hrikanth
situated towards the south o river Kalindi$ Ater taking a bath in Kalindi riverE she visited the ,hrikanth
temple and worshipped Lord 'aheshwar$
'eanwhileE a sage arrived there and seeing :hitrangada Mueried about her staying in a deserted place$
:hitrangada narrated the whole story as to how she was cursed by her own ather$ -he sage became
eGtremely urious ater hearing her woeul tale and cursed Vishwakarma to become a monkey$ &e also
advised her to go to ,aptagodaavar and engage in the worship o Lord &aatkeshwar where one day
she would meet Devavati= the daughter o demon Kandarmaali$ :hitrangada went to ,aptagodaavar
and engaged hersel in the worship o Lord &aatkeshwar$ -he sage wrote the ollowing lines on the
walls o ,hrikanth temple= R.s there anybody who could liberate this beautiul girl rom her sorrowNR
Ater thatE the sage proceeded on his pilgrimage to 8ushkarnath$
;$#/$( Vishvakarma becomes a 'onkey
:ontinuing with his storyE King Danda says= R:hitrangada stayed or a long period at ,aptagodaavar$
,he used to spend time by engaging in the worship o Lord &aatkeshwar waiting or the day she would
meet her husband$ Vishwakarma had become a monkey due to the curse o that sage and started living
at ,haalveya 'ountain$
%ne dayE a demon named Kandarmaali arrived at the oothills o ,haalveya 'ountain accompanied by
his daughter= Vedavati$ -he monkey (Vishwakarma) held Vedavati by her hand$ Kandarmaali became
urious and took out his sword to kill the monkey$ ,ensing dangerE the monkey ran away towards
&imalaya 'ountain carrying Vedavati in his lap$ Kandarmaali chased him$ %n the wayE the monkey
abandoned Vedavati at the door o a secluded hermitage and hid himsel in the waters o river Kalindi
but was drowned$ Kandarmaali had seen the monkey drowning and conCured that his daughter too
might have drowned along with him$ &e returned to his abode in a remorseul mood$
-he erocious current o Kalindi river carried that monkey to a amous place called ,hivi$ Ater regaining
his consciousnessE he returned to the place where he had let Vedavati$ Ater reaching that spotE he
ound AnCan accompanied by his daughter= 1andayanti treading along$ &e mistook 1andayanti or
Vedavati and ran towards her$ ,ensing dangerE 1andayanti Cumped into the &iranvati "iver and was
carried by its erocious current to Kaushal$ 6hen she regained her consciousnessE 1andayanti ound
hersel near a large Banyan tree$ ,itting on the rock in a thoughtul moodE she heard a heavenly voice=
K.s there anybody who could inorm sage "itdhwaC about his sonKs captivity and who has been tied to
this Banyan treeNK 1andayanti was surprised to ind a 9 year old child being tied to the topmost branch
o the Banyan tree$ %n being enMuiredE the child told her= R'y name is @abaali$ ,age "itdhwaC is my
ather who has blessed me with 9333 years o childhood birthE #3E333 years o adolescence and (3
years o adulthood respectively$ But he had also warned me o being held captive or the period o 933
years during my childhood$ %ne dayE . had gone to take bath in the &iranvati "iver when suddenlyE .
came across a huge monkey who enslaved me$ . am living here in captivity since then$R
Ater narrating his storyE @abaali enMuired about 1andayantiKs identity$ 1andayanti told everythingE
which had happened to her$ @abaali advised her to go to ,hrikanth temple situated on the bank o river
Yamuna and said= R-hereE you would meet my ather "itdhwaC who comes to the temple daily in the
aternoon to worship Lord ,hiva$ You can seek his help$R 1andayanti went to "itdhwaCKs hermitage as
per the instruction o @abaali$ %ne day while she was worshipping in the ,hrikanth templeE she saw
those lines inscribed by the sageE who had once cursed her ather= Vishwakarma$ ,he added one more
line to that inscription= R,age 'udgal had prophesised that . would become a Mueen$ .nstead o
becoming a MueenE . am going through my most turbulent period$ .s there anyone who could help me
outNR
Ater thatE she went to the bank o river Yamuna where she ound a beautiul hermitage$ ,he entered
inside the hermitage and ound Vedavati sitting there$ Very soonE both o them became ast riends$ .n
the meantimeE sage "itdhwaC had gone to oer prayers in the ,hrikanth temple and saw those lines
inscribed on its walls$ &e went into deep contemplation and understood what those lines meant$ Ater
worshippingE he let or Ayodhya where he met King .kshvaaku$ &e reMuested .kshvaaku to instruct his
son= ,hakuni to release @abaali rom the monkeyKs captivity$ .kshvaaku instructed his son to ulil sage
"itdhwaCKs desire$ All three o them including .kshvaaku went to the site o @abaaliKs captivity$ ,hakuni
being a master archerE cut all the creepers that had grown around @abaali$ ,age "itdhwaC climbed up
the tree and ound that @abaali was tied to the branch$ &e tried to open the knot but was unsuccessul
and called ,hakuni or help$ ,hakuni tried hard to open the knot but even he was unsuccessul$ &e
then cut that branch into three pieces by unleashing a volley o arrows$ -hus @abaali became ree albeit
partially as he was burdened with the three pieces o that branch$
;$#/$0 ,earch or :hitrangada and Vedavati
.n the meantimeE both daughters o Yaksha and the demon arrived at ,hrikanth 'ahadev temple and
engaged themselves in the worship o lord 'ahadev$ %ne dayE sage *aalav arrived at the temple and
was astonished to ind two young ladies at such a deserted place$ 6hile taking bathE he heard the
melodious songs o the two ladies$ &e became convinced o their divinity as it was impossible or
mortals to sing with such eGpertise$
Ater the worshipE sage *aalav asked them their identity who then narrated the whole story$ -he neGt
morningE as *aalav was about to leaveE both o them reMuested him to take them along$ All three o
them then let or 8ushkar -irtha$ Ater reaching their destinationE sage *aalav decided to take a dip in
the holy river$ 6hile taking bathE he saw many emale ish trying to coaG their male counterparts into
making love by saying=R. sage *aalav is not araid o being in the company o young women then what
makes you so scared in copulating with usNR -he male ish replied that he was araid o getting ridiculed
by the public$ ,age *aalav was so ashamed o his conduct that he did not come out o the river$
Both ladies waited anGiously or sage *aalav$ ,uddenlyE :hitrangada arrived and was surprised to see
strangers standing there$ All three o them were looking at each other with surprised eGpressions on
their ace when Vedavati arrived there suddenly$ ,he went near :hitrangada and enMuired about her
identity$ :hitrangada narrated the whole story and revealed how circumstances had orced her to reach
this place$ .n a very short timeE all our o them became well acMuainted with one another$ -hey went to
&aatkeshwar temple situated on the banks o ,aptagodaavar "iver and worshipped Lord &aatkeshwar$
-hey started living in the temple premises and spent their time in the daily worship o Lord
&aatkeshwar$
%n the other sideE ,hakuniE @abaali and "itdhwaC were anGiously searching them$ During the searchE
@abaali went to ,haakal @anpad accompanied by his ather= "itdhwaC$ At that timeE ,haakal @anpad
was ruled by .ndradyumna= the son o 'anu$ Ater meeting himE "itdhwaC sought his help in inding his
lost daughter= 1andayanti$ .ndradyumna told him= R% BrahminL +ven . have lost my daughter and donKt
know where she is at present$ ,oE all three o us must go in search o our respective daughters$R Ater
saying thisE all three o them decided to proceed ahead in search o their daughter$
6hen they reached BadrikashramaE they were amaBed to ind a young man engaged in austere
penance$ Ater ormal introductionE it dawned on .ndradyumna that the young sage was his own
nephew= ,urath$ .ndradyumna reMuested his nephew to Coin him in searching his daughter$ "itdhwaC
told ,urath= R-he girl or whom you are doing such austere penance had been taken by me to
,aptagodaavar$ :ome with me and . will help you to re=unite with her$R All o them then let or
,aptagodaavar$
.n the meantimeE as *hritaachi= DevavatiKs mother arrived at 2daygiri 'ountain to where she came
across a monkey and enMuired i he had seen her daughter$ -he monkey told the rail looking
*hritaachi that he had taken a young woman named Devavati to a hermitage near ,hrikanth temple$
*hritaachi revealed to the monkey that the girl whom he was reerring as Devavati was actually her
daughter Vedavati$ ,he reMuested the monkey to help her in locating her lost daughter$ *hritaachi
proceeded towards river Kaushiki in search o Vedavati ollowed by the monkey$ Ater reaching thereE
*hritaachi took a holy dip in the waters o Kaushiki$
.n the meantimeE @abaali and "itdhwaC too had reached the banks o river Kaushiki$ 6hen @abaali saw
that monkeyE he told his ather "itdhwaC by pointing his inger towards that monkey= R-his is the same
monkey who had enslaved me and tied me up with creepers$R ,hakuniE the master archer became
urious and sought "itdhwaCKs permission to kill that monkey$ "itdhwaC paciied him by saying=
RBondage is because o your past KarmasE so it is useless to kill this poor monkey$R
&e then reMuested the monkey to ree his son= @abaali rom the weight o the three branchesE which
were still tied to his body$ -he monkey opened the knots and @abaali was now absolutely ree$ "itdhwaC
was pleased and wanting to bless the monkeyE said= RYou can demand anything rom me$ . am willing
to ulil any o your wishes$R -he monkey replied by saying= R% great sageL DidnKt you recognise this
unortunate monkeyN . am :hitranagadaKs ather whom you had cursed to become a monkey$ Bless me
that . become liberated rom all my sins$R "itdhwaC blessed the monkey and said= RYou would be
liberated rom all your sinsE the day you procreate a child rom *hritaachi$ You would also regain your
human body on that day$R -he monkey became pleased ater receiving the blessings$
.n course o timeE *hritaachi became aware o the monkeyKs real identity and developed physical
intimacy with it$ At irstE both o them stayed at Kolaahal 'ountain but later onE they shited to Vindhya
'ountain$
'eanwhile the group o ive people= "itdhwaCE @abaaliE ,hakuniE .ndradyumna and ,urath reached
,aptagodaavar -irtha$ All o them got down rom the chariot and took bath in the holy river$ -he thirsty
horses Muenched their thirst and satisied their hunger by graBing on the green grass$ Ater satisying
their hungerE the horses galloped towards &aatkeshwar temple$ 6hen :hitrangadaE and her
companions heard the galloping soundE they climbed on top o the temple and looked all around$
:hitrangada saw "itdhwaC and his companions taking bath and immediately recognised him$ &er
companion= 1andayanti too recognised @abaali$ -hey were eGtremely pleased and climbed down rom
the rootop o the temple$ -hey worshipped and eulogised Lord &aatkeshwar to eGpress their gratitude$
Ater sometimeE "itdhwaC and his riends arrived at the temple to worship Lord &aatkeshwar$ &e
recognised :hitrangada and was pleased to meet her$ .n the meantimeE *hritaachi and the monkey
also arrived there$ *hritaachi was pleased to meet her daughter= Vedavati and embraced her$ "itdhwaC
instructed the monkey to summon *uhyak rom the AnCan 'ountainE Kandarmaali rom the 8aatal loka
and the *andharva King 8arCanya rom heaven respectively$
*uhyakE Kandarmaali and 8arCanya arrived at the &aatkeshwar temple and all three o them were
pleased to meet their respective daughters$ :hitrangada accusing hersel or her atherKs turning into a
monkeyE tried to give up her lie$ But "itdhwaC consoled her by saying that her ather would regain his
human body very soon$ *hritaachi too approved his statement and said= RAter ten monthsE . would give
birth to a son and on that same dayE your ather would be liberated rom sage *aalavKs curse and
regain his human body$R
Ater ten monthsE *hritaachi gave birth to a son who later on became amous as 1ala$ Vishwakarma
became liberated rom the curse and regained his human body$ :hitrangada was delighted to meet her
ather$ A grand marriage ceremony was organised at ,aptagodaavarE which was witnessed by the
deitiesE the *andharvas and the demons$ .n this marriage ceremonyE sage *aalav perormed the rituals
ater whichE @abaali was married to KandamaaliKs daughterE .ndradyumna to VedavatiE ,hakuni to the
YakshaKs daughter and ,urath was married to :hitrangada$ Ater the marriage ceremonyE everybody
returned to their respective places$
Ater completing this storyE King Danda once again reMuested AraCa to accept his proposal$ But she was
not convinced and said= R,ay whatever you like but . will never surrender to your evil intentions$R
;$#/$4 ,age ,hukracharya :urses Danda
8rahlad says= RBlinded by lustE Danda orcibly breached the modesty o unrelenting AraCa and returned
to his palace$ AraCa was saddened by the inability to protect her chastity and started wailing$
6hen ,hukracharya returned to his hermitageE he ound AraCa lying down at the entrance$ &e asked
her about what transpired with her$ AraCa narrated the whole storyE which made ,hukracharya
eGtremely urious and his eyes were reddened due to his anger$ &e thundered= R-he wicked Danda
would become a pauper ater losing his wealth and kingdom within a week$R Ater cursing DandaE he
instructed his daughter AraCa to do penance so that she could become liberated rom her sin and
himsel went to 8aatal loka accompanied by his disciples$ ,hukracharyaKs curse came true and as a
resultE Danda lost his whole kingdom within a week$
Ater narrating this storyE 8rahlad told Andhak= R%n account o the immoral deeds o King DandaE the
deities abandoned Dandakaarnya and it was now inhabited by the demons$ 1ow it must be clear to you
that a person who breaches a chaste womanKs modesty against her will is doomed to destruction$
AndhakE you must not go ahead with your evil intention o marrying 8arvati because she is Lord ,hivaKs
consort whose might is unmatched$R
Andhak replied angrily= R. have driven out the deities rom heaven$ 6hy should . get scared o ,hiva
who is ascinated by his wieKs beautyNR 8rahlad tried his best to convince Andhak against going ahead
with his evil plan but it had no eect on him$ Andhak ordered his lieutenant ,hambar to go to 'andaar
'ountain and inorm Lord ,hiva that 8arvati should be given to him (Andhak) i he (Lord ,hiva) wanted
to remain alive$ ,hambar went to 'andaar 'ountain with narrated AndhakKs desire to Lord ,hiva$
&earing thisE *oddess 8arvati who was sitting besides Lord ,hiva told ,hambar that she would agree
to marry Andhak on the condition that he deeats Lord ,hiva in a battle$ ,hambar returned and narrated
everything to Andhak$ 1owE AndhakKs anger crossed all limits and he ordered Duryodhan to prepare or
the war$ AndhakKs huge army was instructed to assemble$ -he whole atmosphere reverberated with the
sound o bugles and war cries$ Andhak proceeded towards 'andaar 'ountain with a huge armyE which
consisted o mighty warriors like @ambhE KuCambhE ,hambarE VirochanE Duryodhan and Vrishparva$
Destiny led Andhak towards his own death trap$
1&!: 'ord )hiva Prepares for the #attle
-his chapter contains 7 sectionsJ
;$(3$# *anas -hrong 'andar 'ountain
8ulastya says= R6hen Lord ,hiva became aware o AndhakKs imminent attackE he reMuested 1andi to
summon all the *anas who were more than 733 crores in number$ ,ome o the prominent *anas like
8ashupatE KaalmukhE 'ahavratiE DigambarE 'ainiE 'ahapashupat and VrishabhdhwaC arrived at
'andaar 'ountain to help Lord ,hiva at the reMuest o 1andi$
%n seeing the valiant *ana= 8ashupatE Lord ,hiva embraced himE which surprised all the other *anas$
-hey were amaBed at the special honour given to him$ Lord ,hiva realised their astonishment and said=
RAlthough all o you have great devotion towards me but in your ignoranceE you have shown disrespect
towards Lord Vishnu$ All o you eGcept 8ashupat donKt realise that both o us (Lord ,hiva and Vishnu)
are inseparable and there is no dierence between us$ 8ashupat is aware o this and hence he has
been accorded the highest honour$R &aving said thisE Lord ,hiva revealed his maCestic orm o
,adashiva to the *anas$ -he *anas were bewildered on seeing the whole universe eGisting within
,adashiva$ Lord ,adashiva then transormed his appearance into that o Lord Vishnu$ -he *anas also
viewed the orms o deities like .ndraE ,urya and Lord Brahma etc$ in him$ -hey were now convinced
that both Lord ,hiva and Lord Vishnu were the same$ -he dawning o this realisation liberated them
rom their ignorance$ Lord ,hiva blessed the *anas and embraced them$ All the *anas then took their
position all around 'andaar 'ountain and readied themselves or the orthcoming attack$
;$(3$( -he Battle :ommences
8ulastya says= R6hen the *anas saw AndhakKs army approaching the 'andaar 'ountainE they made a
loud roarE which reverberated through the land and sky$ &earing this roarE Lord *anesha became
apprehensive and went to 'andaar 'ountain to ask Lord ,hiva about the origin o that tremendous
roar$ Lord ,hiva told him= R. am going to ight a battle with Andhak$R Lord *anesha also eGpressed his
willingness to accompany him$ Lord ,hiva then entrusted the Cob o 8arvatiKs security to prominent
'atrikas like 'aaliniE @ayaE ViCayaE AparaCita and @ayanti$ &e then went to ight Andhak holding his
weapon= trident in his hand and mounted on a bull$ -he *anas made a protective ring and surrounded
him rom all sides$
.n a very short timeE both armies conronted each other and a tremendous battle began in which the
*anas crushed many demons to death$ -he demons retaliated by attacking them with mace and
swords$ All the deities assembled in the sky to witness this battle$ 'ahapashupat attacked the demons
with such orce that it caused great losses to the enemy$ %n seeing death and destruction caused in
the demonKs campE -uhunda= the mighty demon attacked the *anas with his most destructive weapon=
8aridhiE which scared the *anas and they led$ -hen Lord *anesha came orward to ight -uhunda$
-uhunda assaulted him with his weapon= 8aridhi but it ragmented into hundreds o pieces ater
dashing against *aneshaKs belly$ %n seeing the destruction o his maternal uncleKs most destructive
weaponE "ahu came running towards Lord *anesha and held him tightly$ Lord *aneshaE *hatodar and
,ukeshi assaulted him simultaneously with their respective weapons$ 6rithing in painE "ahu
immediately released *anesha$ ,eeing the time opportuneE Lord *anesha severed -uhundaKs head
with his aGe$ Ater killing -uhundaE Lord *anesha attacked the demons but the attack was repulsed by
the mighty Bali$ .n this battleE the *anas were inally able to annihilate the demons$ ,hambar protected
himsel by taking ,hukracharyaKs reuge and all the surviving demons including Andhak ollowed suit$
;$(3$0 ,hukracharya 2ses ,anCeevani Vidya
Andhak went to ,hukracharya and narrated the woeul tale o demonsK deeat$ &e also reMuested
,hukracharya to help the demons win the battle$ ,hukracharya was deCected but he assured the
demons that he would make aliveE all the dead demons with the help o ,anCeevani Vidya and really all
the mighty demons like @ambhE KuCambh etc$ became alive once again$
6hen 1andi came to know about this unbelievable incidentE he went to Lord ,hiva and inormed him$
Lord ,hiva instructed him to bring ,hukracharya by any means$ R. shall control him by my Yogic
powerRE said Lord ,hiva$ 1andi iniltrated into the demonKs army but &ayakandhar spotted him and tried
to resist his orward march$ 1andi attacked &ayakandhar with his VaCra as a result o whichE he ell
down unconscious$ Ater thisE KuCambhE @ambh and some other demons ran menacingly towards
1andi$ -hey surrounded him rom all sides and started assaulting him ruthlessly$ %n seeing 1andi in
dangerE Lord Brahma became very worried and instructed the deities to help him$
.ndra and all the other deities Coined Lord ,hivaKs army and ought bravely against the demons$ -he
sudden entry o the deities in the battleield had distracted the attention o the demons and as a resultE
1andi got an opportunity to penetrate through the rank and iles o demons army$ 2ltimatelyE he
successully accomplished his mission and brought ,hukracharya to Lord ,hiva ater abducting him$
Lord ,hiva wasted no time and swallowed ,hukracharya immediately$ -he neGt momentE ,hukracharya
ound himsel in Lord ,hivaKs stomach$ ,hukracharya made rantic eorts to come out o the stomach
but was unsuccessul$ Being helplessE he started eulogising Lord ,hiva$ Ater becoming pleased by
,hukracharyaKs eGtreme devotionE Lord ,hiva eGpressed his desire to bless him with a boon$
,hukracharya reMuested Lord ,hiva to give him a way so that he can come out rom his stomach$ Lord
,hiva agreed and asked him to come out immediately$ ,hukracharya started searching or an eGit point
but was amaBed by the vastness o ,hivaKs stomach in which he saw the eGistence o the whole
universe$ &e made ceaseless eort or one divine year but was unsuccessul in his attempts to come
out rom ,hivaKs stomach$ At lastE he surrendered to the will o Lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva told ,hukracharya= RBy entering into my stomachE you have become my son$ 1owE i you
want to become ree then you should come out through the pore o my Linga$R Ater saying thisE Lord
,hiva liberated ,hukracharya through his Linga who ater being released made salutations to him and
Coined the demonsK army once again$ -he demons were eGtremely pleased at his arrival$ %nce againE a
ierce battle took placeE which continued or eight divine years$ 6hen the demons realised about the
deitiesK supremacy in the battleE they started employing illusionary tactics and swallowed all the *anas
and the deities$ -he scene o the battleieldE 'andaar 'ountain became devoid o *anas and the
deitiesE which made Lord ,hiva eGtremely urious$ &is eGtreme anger resulted into the maniestation o
@rimbhayika= a erocious entity$ -he mere touch o @rimbhayika made the demons to yawn$ All the
deities and the *anas came out rom the opened mouths o the demons$ %nce againE the battle
commencedE which continued or 733 years$
6hen Andhak realised that Lord ,hiva was invincible then he decided to acMuire 8arvati by deceitul
means$ &e sought the help o one o his most trusted commander= ,unda by saying= R% brave ,undaL
You are like my brother$ . need your help$ -he battle has continued or such a long period but has still
remained indecisive$ . have decided to approach 8arvati in the guise o her husband= ,hiva and . want
you to disguise yoursel as 1andi$R ,unda agreed to disguise himsel in the orm o 1andi to help his
master$
Andhak went to 'andaar 'ountain in the guise o Lord ,hiva mounted on ,undaKs back who had
disguised himsel as 1andi$ 6hen 8arvati saw the inCury marks on ,hivaKs (AndhakKs) bodyE she told
her companions= RLookE how grievously the demons have inCured my husbandL 8lease bring the
medicinal herbs Muickly so that . can dress his wounds$R &er companions rushed to bring the medicinal
herbs and in the meantimeE 8arvati started observing the wounds o ,hiva (Andhak) minutely$ ,he was
surprised to see the absence o both the shoulders on his body$ ,he immediately realised that
somebody else had come in the guise o her husband= ,hiva$ ,ensing dangerE she ran away to protect
hersel$ &er companions ran behind her and Andhak chased all o them$ 8arvati and her companions
hid behind bushes$ Being unable to locate 8arvatiE Andhak returned to the battleield and the battle
continued$
-he deities were ighting valiantly$ Lord Vishnu created havoc among the enemy ranks and Lord
Brahma sprinkled holy water rom his kamandaluE which had increased the strength and power o the
deities$ .ndra attacked the demon= Bala on his head with his VaCra but it was broken into pieces$ %n
seeing the destruction o his weaponE .ndra became scared and wanted to lee rom the battleield$
@ambhE the demon made un o him and challenged him or a duel$ .ndra then reMuested Lord Vishnu to
provide him with a weapon so that he could ight @ambh but Lord Vishnu sent him to Agni$ Agni made a
replica o his weapon= ,hakti and gave it to .ndra$ &olding his new weaponE .ndra then proceeded on
his way to ight @ambh mounted on his elephant= Airavat$ @ambh assaulted Airavat with such orce that
.ndra started alling down towards the ground$
6hen the ,iddhas and :haranas saw .ndra alling downE they provided a magniicent chariot to him so
that he could ight with the demons$ 'eanwhile .ndra dashed against the ground with a great thud as a
result o whichE the earth shook violently$
,age ,hamikKs wie thought that the earth was shaking violently due to the impact o earthMuake$ ,he
reMuested her husband to carry their son outside the hermitage so that he remains unharmed and said=
R-he astrologers say that whatever is kept outside home during an earthMuake becomes stable$R ,age
,hamik was very surprised but still ollowed her instructions$ Ater the shaking o the earth had
subsidedE ,hamikKs wie reMuested him to bring back the child$ ,age ,hamik went outside and was
surprised to ind two children instead o one$ &e came back carrying both the children in his lap and
asked his wie as to what made the second child to maniest$ ,he told him that the second child will
become the charioteer o .ndra and assist him in the battle$ -his second child was none other than
'aatali who acted as the charioteer o .ndra during the battle$
1owE .ndra had both the chariot and the charioteer in his possession$ &e went to the battleield
mounted on his new chariot$ %n the wayE he saw a multicoloured bow and arrows lying on the ground$
&e picked up the weapons and ought valiantly with the demons$ &e killed many mighty demon
warriors$ @ambh and KuCambh ran menacingly towards him but Lord Vishnu severed the head o
KuCambh with his ,udarshan chakra$ @ambh assaulted .ndra with his mace but .ndra retaliated by
attacking with his ,hakti as a result o which @ambh was killed$ -he rest o the demons led rom the
battleield$
;$(3$4 Lord ,hiva Kills Andhak
.nspite o death and destruction caused to his armyE Andhak still wanted to continue ighting against
Lord ,hivaKs army$ &e even dismissed the advises o ,hukracharya who wanted a momentary retreat
and rebued him by saying= RAll the deities including 'aheshwar and .ndra cannot save themselves
rom my wrath$ Very soonE . am going to vanMuish them$R &e then instructed his charioteer to move the
chariot towards enemyKs position$ &e shot a volley o arrowsE which entirely covered the deities$ Lord
Vishnu advised the deities to kill Andhak along with his charioteer and destroy the chariot so that Lord
,hiva could kill Andhak without any diiculty$
All the deities then attacked the demons with renewed vigour$ Lord Vishnu killed thousands o enemyKs
horses with his mace$ ,kand killed the charioteer and Vinayak accompanied by the *anas destroyed
AndhakKs chariot$ Ater being beret o his chariotE Andhak attacked the deities with his mace$ ,eeing
the deities in dangerE Lord ,hiva concealed them within his body and challenged Andhak or a duel$
Andhak tried to attack Lord ,hiva who was mounted on 1andi$ Lord ,hiva immediately Cumped down
rom 1andiKs back and attacked Andhak with his tridentE which pierced his chest$ +ven ater being
seriously inCuredE Andhak did not die instead he pulled Lord ,hiva or one mile holding him tightly in his
clutch$ Lord ,hiva tried to resist by attacking or the second time$ But Andhak retaliated by hitting ,hiva
with his mace causing serious inCury on his head$ A stream o blood ooBed out rom the woundE which
poured down towards all the our directions$ -he blood stream which poured down towards east
resulted into the maniestation o Bhairav named KaalraC$ ,imilarlyE KamaraCE :hakramalaE ,omaraCE
,wachcharaCE LalitraC and VighnaraC maniested rom the other three directions$
Lord ,hiva then lited Andhak above his head with the help o his tridentE which was still pierced in
AndhakKs chest$ &is body had become red due to the blood ooBing out rom AndhakKs wound$ Lord
,hiva had toiled hard to kill Andhak and as a resultE he was perspiring prousely$ -he sweat drops
originating rom ,hivaKs orehead resulted into the maniestation o a divine girl while the sweat drops
that ell on the ground rom ,hivaKs ace resulted into the maniestation o a divine boy$ Both the
children started gulping down the blood emanating rom AndhakKs wound$ Lord ,hiva named the girl
child as :harchika while the boy child was named 'angal and blessed both o them$ Lord ,hiva held
Andhak above his head or #333 divine yearsE which reduced his body to a skeleton$
At lastE Andhak realised his mistake and begged or orgiveness$ &e eulogised Lord ,hiva and hailed
his greatness$ Lord ,hiva told him that he would orgive him only when he accepts 8arvati as his
mother$ Andhak agreed not only to accept 8arvati as his mother but also ,hiva as his ather$ ,hiva
became pleased and lowered down his trident$ &e healed AndhakKs wound by his divine touch$ -he
deities became pleased at AndhakKs change o heart and blessed him$ Lord ,hiva then took Andhak to
'andaar 'ountain$
8arvati was still hiding behind the bushes$ 6hen she saw Lord ,hiva approachingE she recognised him
and called her companions to come out rom their hiding$ Lord ,hiva gleeully told 8arvati that Andhak
had now become her slave$ RLook at him$ &e is making salutations to you$ Accept him as your son$
Andhak then eulogised 8arvati with complete devotion$ 8arvati became pleased and eGpressed her
desire to bless him with a boon$ Andhak said= R. donKt want anything$ . Cust want to become liberated
rom all my sins and remain in the proGimity o Lord ,hiva$R 8arvati blessed him and made him the
*ana o ,hiva who became amous as Bhringi$
;$(3$9 -he %rigin o 'arut *anas
1arad asked 8ulastya about the battle which .ndra ought with the demon at 'alay 'ountain$ 8ulastya
replied= RAndhakKs ollowers= 'aya and -aar tried to enter 8ataal loka ater being deeated by the
deities$ 6hile they were passing close to the 'alay 'ountainE they decided to live there being
enchanted by its natural beauty$ -he caves o 'alay 'ountain were inhabited by sages who were Lord
,hivaKs devotees$ -he demons started causing obstacles in the rituals perormed by the sages$ 6hen
Lord ,hiva came to know about thisE he instructed .ndra to go to 'alay 'ountain and help the sages$
.ndra went to 'alay 'ountain and successully drove out the demons rom there$
1arad again asked 8ulastya as to why .ndra was also known as *otrabhit$ 8ulastya narrated the
ollowing tale= RAter her sonKs deathE Diti reMuested her husbandE Kashyap to bless her with another
son so that .ndra could be killed$ ,age Kashyap advised her that she would get her desire ulilled ater
the successul accomplishment o her penance lasting or #33 divine years$ .n course o timeE Diti
became pregnant$ %ne dayE sage Kashyap let or 2daygiri 'ountain to do his penance and Diti was
let all alone$
%ne dayE .ndra arrived at the hermitage and eGpressed his desire to be at DitiKs service i she permitted$
Diti gave permission and .ndra engaged himsel in serving her$ &e used to keep the oblation site clean
and bring dry wood necessary or the perormance o Yagya$ -his continued or #333 divine years$ %ne
dayE Diti was taking rest ater her bath$ ,he had postponed her penance or sometime because o her
impurity$ As she was tiredE very soonE she ell asleep$ ,eeing the moment opportuneE .ndra entered into
her womb through her nostrils and cut the oetus into seven parts$ Ater waking upE Diti realised about
her oetusK destruction$ .ndra was very scared on the prospect o being cursed by Diti and said= R. am
not the cause o your oetusK destruction$ .t has been destroyed due to your own impurity$ ,o please
donKt curse me$R Diti replied= RYou are certainly not responsible or my oetusK destruction$ .t was all in
my destiny$ <rom the pieces o the oetus maniested the 'arut *anas and since .ndra had tried to
harm his own uterine brothers thereore he became amous as *otrabhit$
;$(3$; 'arut *anas o Dierent 'anvataras
,age 8ulastya says= R% 1aradL 1owE . am going to describe about the origin o 'arut *anas o various
'anvantaras$ ,avan was ,wayambhu 'anuKs son$ &e had no sons and when he diedE the sorrowul
Mueen= ,udeva heard a heavenly voiceE which instructed her to give up her lie by Cumping into the
burning pyre$R RYou would become a proud mother o seven sonsRE said the heavenly voice$ -he Mueen
acted accordingly and died ater Cumping into the burning pyre$R
R-he souls o the dead king and Mueen ascended towards the sky$ -he prophesies made by the
heavenly voice came true and ,udeva ound hersel in her periods$ -he king enCoyed a physical
relationship with the Mueen or ive days$ .ncidentallyE ew drops o sperms ell towards earth$ Ater this
both the souls departed towards Brahma loka$ -hese alling drops o sperms were gathered by the
wives o some sages and stored in a lotus lower$ -hose women were ,amanaE 1aliniE VayushmatiE
:hitraE VishakhaE &arita and Alini$ -hey mistook the sperms or ambrosia and drank it ater getting
permission rom their husbands$ But ater drinking itE they became devoid o their eulgence and were
abandoned by their respective husbands$ .n course o timeE they gave birth to seven sons who became
amous as Aadya 'aruts during ,wayambhu 'anvantara$R
Ater having described about the 'arut *anasE sage 8ulastya went on to describe about ,warochish
'anvantara= RKratudhwaC was the son o ,warochish 'anu$ &e had seven sons$ All o them went to
'eru 'ountain to do penance as they were desirous o .ndraKs kingdom$ .ndra being scared instructed
8utna to create hurdles in their penance so that KratudhwaCKs sons wishes remained unulilled$R
R8utna went to the place where KratudhwaCKs sons were doing penance$ -here was a river nearby
where KratudhwaCKs sons arrived one day to bathe$ Acting according to her planE 8utna too entered into
the river to take bath$ KratudhwaCKs sons were inatuated by her divine beauty$ -hey could not control
themselves and as a resultE they had an eCaculation$ 8utna was successul in accomplishing her
mission o corrupting the thoughts o KratudhwaCKs sonsE who ater realising that their penance had
gone in vain returned to their atherKs kingdom$ -he released sperms o KratudhwaCKs sons was
swallowed by a ish named ,hankhini$ %ne dayE she was caught by a isherman and presented to
KratudhwaCKs sonsE who again released her into a nearby pond$ .n course o timeE ,hankhini died ater
giving birth to seven young ish$ -he seven young ish started crying at their motherKs death$ Lord
Brahma appeared and advised them not to cry and or this reasonE they were called 'arut$ Lord
Brahma blessed them by saying= RAll o you would attain the status o deities and would be capable o
lying in the air$R Ater inishing his storyE sage 8ulastya told 1arad that this was how 'arut *anas
originated during ,warochish 'anvantara$
,age 8ulastya says= R1owE . am going to describe about the 'arut *anas o 2ttam 'anvantara$
@yotishmaan was the son o Vayushmaan and his wie was the daughter o sage Vrihaspati$ As they
were sonlessE both o them decided to do penance to beget a son$ -he ,aptarishis arrived there and
enMuired as to why they were doing such a severe penance$ @yotishmaanKs wie told the ,aptarishis
that they were desirous o a son$ -he ,aptarishis blessed her by saying that she would become a
mother o seven sons$ .n course o timeE @yotishmaanKs wie became pregnant$ %ne ateul dayE
@yotishmaan passed away$ &is sorrowul wie wanted to commit ,ati$ 6hile he was sitting on the
burning pyreE suddenlyE a piece o burning lesh ell into the nearby river and got ragmented into seven
pieces$ ,even 'arut *anas maniested rom these seven pieces o lesh$R
,age 8ulastya says= RDuring -aamas 'anvantaraE "itdhwaCE the son o -aamas 'anu did a severe
penance with the desire o getting a son$ &e made oerings o his own leshE blood and sperms to the
oblation ire$ ,uddenlyE he heard a heavenly voice instructing him not to make oerings o his sperms$
But the king continued with his oering and as a resultE he died$ Ater sometimeE seven inants
maniested rom the oblation ire who later on became amous as the 'arut *anas o -aamas
'anvantara$R
King "ipuCeet was the descendant o "aivat$ &e was sonless and ater being pleased by his eGtreme
devotionE the deity= ,un had blessed him with a daughter named ,urati$ .n course o timeE she grew
into a beautiul woman$ %ne dayE "ipuCeet passed away and a grieved ,urati decided to give up her
lie$ -he ,aptarishis arrived there and they were so inatuated by her beauty that they tried to prevent
her rom doing so$ But unrelenting ,urati did not listen and gave up her lie by Cumping into the burning
pyre$ -he sorrowul ,aptarishis went away ater casting lusty glances on her$ ,even inants maniested
rom the burning pyreE who became amous as 'arut *anas o "aivat 'anvantara$
During :haakshush 'anvantaraE a sage named 'anki did a tremendous penance at the banks o
,aptasaraswat$ But he ell down rom grace ater being inatuated by the beauty o an Apsara named
Vapu$ &is sperms eCaculated and ell into the ,aptasaraswat river rom which maniested the seven
'arut *anas$
;$(3$7 Lord Vishnu Kills Kaalnemi
Ater hearing the news o BaliKs coronationE 'aya and some other demons went and advised Bali to
avenge the killings o his ather= Virochan and other relatives by .ndra$ Bali became urious and
marched with a huge army to ight the deities$
6hen .ndra heard this newsE he started making preparations or the battle and very soonE the deitiesK
army assembled at the oothills o 2dyachal 'ountain$ A ierce battle was ought between both the
armies$ -he movement o the troops covered the whole sky with dust which subsided only ater the
tremendous bloodbath wetted the earth with blood$ Kartikeya ought valiantly in this battle and killed
many demons$ -he demons too retaliated by vigorously attacking the deities$ Lord Vishnu created
havoc in the demonsK army by killing many demons in a very short time$
6hen Kaalnemi= the demon saw that his comrades were scared o ighting Lord VishnuE he attacked
the deities with renewed vigour and swallowed many o the YakshasE Kinnars and the deities$ -he
deities became scared and started running away rom the battleield$ -he demons became delighted
considering it as their victory and the deeat o Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu became urious and covered
the 2dyachal 'ountain with a volley o arrows named 1aarach$ Bali and 'aya became terriied and
instigated Kaalnemi to ight against Lord Vishnu$
Kaalnemi conronted Lord Vishnu with a mace but it was destroyed by VishnuKs chakra$ Ater destroying
KaalnemiKs weaponE Lord Vishnu irst severed both his hands and then his head$ -he news o
KaalnemiKs death spread like a wildire in the demons army and they led rom the battleield$
1&!1 2ing #ali
-his chapter contains ( sectionsJ
;$(#$# Bali "ules &eaven
-he mighty Banasura saw the demons running away rom the battleield and came to their rescue$ -he
arrival o Banasura boosted the morale o the deeated demons and they returned to ight the deities$
Lord Vishnu advised the deities to ight gallantly and disappeared rom the battleield$ ,hukracharya
assured the demons o their victory because he thought that the deities would be no match or the
demons might in the absence o Lord Vishnu$
%nce againE a ierce battle commenced$ Bali attacked the deities erociously with his mace$ Banasura
devastated the deitiesK army with his thousand hands$ 2ltimatelyE the deities were deeated in this battle
and the heaven came under the control o demons$ -he deeated deities took reuge in Brahma loka
ater abandoning the heaven$ Bali ruled the heaven with the help o his relatives$
%ne dayE Bali called his ather= 8rahlad to heaven and reMuested him to become the ruler o heaven but
8rahlad reused by saying= RAs . have chosen the path o Yoga ater relinMuishing everythingE it would
not be proper or me to get attached to worldly matters once again$ ,ince you have snatched heaven
rom the deities on account o your valianceE hence the heaven belongs to you$R Bali reMuested 8rahlad
to enlighten him on the duties o a king and on the virtuous deeds which would enable him in attaining
DharmaE ArthE Kama and 'oksha$
8rahlad advised Bali to rule in a Cust manner and or the benediction o the world$ &e also advised Bali
to engage himsel in the service o all the three castes so that they remain loyal to him$ 8rahlad said=
RVirtuosity increases when people unwaveringly ollow their Dharma$ .ncrease in virtuosity helps a king
to rule without any problem$R
Bali agreed to rule in a Cust manner as per the advice o 8rahlad$
;$(#$( -he ,plendors o Bali
8ulastya says= R-he Cust rule o Bali had transormed the Kaliyuga into ,atayuga$ +ven his subCects
engaged themselves in virtuous activities like penance and Yagyas$ -hey practised non=violence and
always spoke the truth$ %ne dayE *oddess -railokya Lakshmi went to Bali and said= R. have come to
bless you because you are a victorious king$ You have even deeated .ndra and have control over all
the three worlds$R Ater saying thisE *oddess Lakshmi entered into the body o Bali$
During the reign o BaliE his subCects were happy and prosperous$ 1obody eGperienced the pangs o
hunger and everybodyKs desire was ulilled$ -he prominence o virtuosity and religiousness during
BaliKs rule was incomparable and prosperity prevailed throughout his kingdom$
1&!! Mythological "ales
-his chapter contains 7 sectionsJ
;$(($# Dhundhu 8erorms Ashvamedhya Yagya
8ulastya says= RDuring his pilgrimageE 8rahlad visited many sacred places like 'anas -irthaE KaushikiE
Devahnad and &astinapur etc$ At last he reached the bank o river Yamuna where he worshipped Lord
-rivikram (Vaaman)$R 1arad was surprised at the mention o VaamanKs name and asked 8ulastya=
RLord Vishnu is still to take Vaaman incarnation then how come 8rahlad visited his templeN 8ulastya
says=R,age Kashyap had an Aurasputra named Dhundhu$ Lord Brahma had blessed Dhundhu o
immortality$ .n course o timeE Dhundhu deeated the deities and drove them out rom heaven as a
result o whichE they had to take reuge in Brahma loka$
6hen Dhundhu came to know that the deities were living in Brahma lokaE he decided to attack Brahma
loka$ &e consulted the demons but they told him that it was impossible or them to reach Brahma loka$
,age ,hukracharya said= R.ndra had accomplished #33 Ashwamedha Yagyas by the virtue o whichE he
could go to Brahma loka$ . you are desirous o reaching Brahma loka then you too will have to perorm
Ashwamedha Yagya$R Dhundhu eGpressed his willingness to perorm Ashwamedha Yagya$
,hukracharya started making preparations or Ashwamedha Yagya at the bank o river Devika$ &e
appointed his disciples and some other sages belonging to BhargavaKs clan to supervise the Yagya
ceremony$ -he Ashwamedha Yagya commenced and a horse was let loose according to the tradition$
6hen the deities came to know about this Ashwamedha Yagya being perormed by DhundhuE they
were scared and reMuested Lord Vishnu to disrupt the Yagya so that Dhundhu could not reach Brahma
loka$ Lord Vishnu assured the deities and went to the site where Dhundhu was perorming
Ashwamedha Yagya in a dwar appearance$ &e entered into the Devika "iver and started drowning
according to his plan$
6hen the demons saw the dwar (Lord Vishnu) drowningE they rushed to save him$ Ater taking him out
rom the riverE they asked him about his identity$ -he dwar said= R. am the youngest son o 8rabhas$
'y name is *atibhaas and my elder brother is 1etrabhaas$ Ater our atherKs deathE my elder brother
did not give me my due share in the property$ 6hen . insistedE he lung me into this river$R
-he Brahmins who were perorming the Yagya reMuested Dhundhu to donate wealth to *atibhaas$
Dhundhu agreed and said= R. am willing to ulil all your wishes$ Demand anything you like$ *atibhaas
demanded a small piece o land measured by three steps$ Lord Vishnu then revealed his giant
appearance and covered the whole earth with his irst step$ &is second step covered the heaven and
there was no place let or his third step$ Lord Vishnu became urious and put his third step on the back
o Dhundhu as a result o which he was crushed to death$ A large pit measuring #333 YoCans was
created due to the impact o his weight and Lord Vishnu threw DhundhuKs dead body in that pit$R
Ater completing his storyE 8ulastya told 1arad= R-his is how Lord Vishnu became -rivikram or the irst
time to deeat the evil designs o Dhundhu$ 8rahlad paid a visit to the temple o Vaaman situated at the
place where Dhundhu was killed$
;$(($( 8ururava "egains his *ood Looks
8ulastya says= RAter worshipping Lord -rivikramE 8rahlad went to Lingabhedak 'ountain and
worshipped Lord ,hankar$ &e also visited many more sacred places like Kedar -irthaE BadrikashramaE
Bhadrakarna and Vipaasha$ At lastE he reached .rawati and worshipped that Almighty Lord with whose
blessingsE 8ururava was able to regain his good looks$R 1arad was curious to know this story$
8ulastya says= R%nce upon a timeE there lived a rich trader named ,udharma$ %nceE while passing
through the ,urashtra desertE he was attacked by bandits and robbed o all his possessions$ DeCectedE
he started wandering in the desert like a lunatic$ &e saw a ,hami tree and decided to take rest under its
shade$ %n this tree lived numerous ghosts$ %n seeing ,udharmaE the leader o the ghosts asked him
as to where he was going$ ,udharma narrated his woeul tale which made the ghosts very sad$ -he
leader o the ghosts said= You must not lose heart$ . you are destined to possess wealth then you
would become wealthy once again but worrying about your lost wealth will only have ill eects on your
health and you would become weak$ %n being instructed by their leaderE the ghosts oered ood to the
hungry ,udharma$ Ater satiating his hungerE ,udharma asked the leader o the ghosts= 6ho are youN
&ow could you provide me such a delicious dish in this deserted orestN -he leader o the ghosts said=
R.n my previous birthE . was a Brahmin and my name was ,omasharma$ . was very poor but my
neighbour ,omashrava was a rich and prosperous trader$ Being a poor BrahminE . was not able to
perorm my religious duties$ %nceE people o all castes thronged .rawati and 1advala to take a holy dip
on the auspicious occasion o ,hravan Dwadashi$ . ollowed them and ater taking my bathE perormed
all the necessary rituals$ As . was poorE . could donate things o little importance like umbrellaE shoesE
sweetsE curds etc$ -his was the irst and the last timeE . had donated anything in my lie$ Ater my deathE
. became a ghost$ 'y companions also never donated anything in their previous lie$ -he delicious ood
which you had relished Cust now was due to the virtue o ood items donated in my previous lie$ -his
,hami tree is due to the virtue o donating umbrella$R
,omasharma was surprised and asked the leader o the ghosts whether he could be o any help to him
to which the leader reMuested him to oer 8ind Daan at *aya so that he became liberated rom 8reta
Yoni$ ,omasharma went to *aya and perormed the necessary rituals o 8ind Daan as a result o
whichE the ghosts went to Brahma loka ater being liberated$
,omasharma continued to observe the ast o ,hravan Dwadashi every year$ %ne ateul dayE he
passed away and was reborn in a royal amily$ Ater reaching youth ageE he became the king o
,haakal 8uri and indulged in enCoyments and sensual pleasures$ Ater his deathE he was born in a
Brahmin amily$ -hough uglyE he was well versed in all the scriptures$ Ater a ew yearsE he got married$
&is wie would make un o his ugly looks which annoyed him$ &e went to .rawati and worshipped Lord
@agannath with ull devotion$ Lord @agannath blessed him and his ugly looks turned into a handsome
appearance$ &e enCoyed a very satisied married lie and ater his death was reborn as King 8ururava$
;$(($0 -he Description o 1akshatra 8urusha
,age 1arad asks 8ulastya about the austerity named 1akshatra 8urusha which King 8ururava had
accomplished to please Lord Vishnu$ 8ulastya says= RAll the constellations dwell in dierent parts o
Lord VishnuKs body$ -he 'ula 1akshatra dwells in his eetE "ohini 1akshatra in his thighsE Ashwini in
his kneesE 8urvashadha and 2ttarashadha in his chest etc$ A devotee who worships Lord Vishnu= the
possessor o all the constellations methodically and according to the rituals attains liberation$
6orshipping Lord VishnuKs dierent organs helps in attaining good health and a disease ree lie$ Being
pleased by this austerityE Lord Vishnu bestows radiance and sweet voice to the devotee$ Arundhati had
achieved great acclamation due to the successul accomplishment o this austerity$ Aditya with a desire
o a son had his wish ulilled in the orm o "evantE his amous son$ -he Apsaras= "ambha and
'enaka had acMuired unparalleled beauty and sweet voice respectively ater successul
accomplishment o this austerity$ ,imilarlyE :handra had attained supreme radiance and 8ururava
regained his kingdom$ -his wayE whoever perormed this austerityE his desire was ulilled$
;$(($4 8rahlad?s 8ilgrimage
8ulastya says= R8rahlad went to the sacred place called "ishikanya and took a holy dip in the .rawati
"iver$ Ater thatE he worshipped Lord @anardan in the temple situated nearby and then proceeded on
his Courney towards Kurukshetra$ Ater reaching thereE he worshipped Lord KurudhwaC and paid a visit
Lord 1arsimha temple$ Ater taking a holy dip in the river DevikaE he proceeded on towards *okarna
-irtha where he took bath in river 8rachi and worshipped Lord Vishwakarma$ 2ltimately ater visiting
numerous sacred placesE he reached 'adhunandini where he worshipped Lord ,hiva who had a
chakra in his hands and Lord Vishnu possessing a trident$R
1arad was surprised and asked 8ulastya why Lord ,hiva and Lord Vishnu had held ,udarshan chakra
and trident respectively$ 8ulastya eGplained= RDuring ancient timesE there was a mighty demon king
named @alodbhav$ &e had pleased Lord Brahma by his severe penance and was blessed by him to
become immortal$ Ater receiving the boonE @alodbhav became arrogant and started tormenting the
deities and the sages$ -he deities sought the reuge o Lord Vishnu$ -hey accompanied Lord Vishnu to
&imalaya 'ountain to meet Lord ,hiva$ Lord Vishnu and Lord ,hiva eGchanged their weapons$ Both o
them went to kill the demon who on seeing them got scared and hid in a nearby river$ Lord Vishnu and
Lord ,hiva waited eagerly or him on the opposite banks o the river$R
RAter sometimeE @alodbhav came out o the river thinking that both o them must have departed by
now$ &e climbed up the &imalaya 'ountain and both the deities chased him$ Lord ,hiva attacked him
with his chakra while Lord Vishnu pierced his trident in his chest$ @alodbhav died and ell down rom the
&imalaya 'ountain$R Ater inishing his storyE 8ulastya says= R-his was the reason why both Lord
Vishnu and Lord ,hankar had eGchanged their weapons$ -he spot where Lord ,hankar had kept his
oot resulted into the maniestation o river Vitastaa$ 8rahlad ater worshipping Lord Vishnu and Lord
,hiva at 'adhunandini went to Bhrigutung -irtha situated on the &imalaya 'ountain$R
;$(($9 -ales o 2pamanyu and ,hridama
,age 1arad was still not satisied by 8ulastyaKs eGplanation and asked 8ulastya as to what compelled
Lord Vishnu to give his chakra to Lord ,hiva$ 8ulastya says= R-here used to live a learned Brahmin
named Veetmanyu$ &e was well versed in all the Vedas and other scriptures$ &is wieKs name was
Atreyi and 2pamanyu was his son$ .nspite o his knowledgeE Veetmanyu lived in absolute poverty and
ound it diicult to make arrangements or daily necessities$ %ne dayE young 2pamanyu on being
hungry started crying$ &is helpless mother consoled him by saying that i he worshipped Lord ,hiva
then he would even get nectar and would get liberated rom the pangs o hunger or ever$ Veetmanyu
was surprised and asked as to who this Lord Virupaaksh was$ Atreyi narrated the ollowing story=
During ancient timesE there was a demon king named ,hridama$ &e ruled over the whole earth$ %nceE
he decided to snatch the ,rivatsa= Lord VishnuKs dearest ornament rom him$ 6hen Lord Vishnu came
to know about his intentionE he became urious but since he had no weapon at his disposal he went to
take Lord ,hivaKs help in this regard$ Lord ,hiva gave ,udarshan chakra to him and said that with the
help o that inallible weaponE he could kill anybody$ But Lord Vishnu was not convinced about the
weaponKs destructive power and eGpressed his desire to test it on Lord ,hiva himsel$ Lord ,hiva
agreed and Vishnu released the ,udarshan chakra towards him$ As a resultE Lord ,hivaKs body was
severed into three parts= VishveshE Yagyesh and YagyayaCak$ 1owE Lord Vishnu became satisied and
made salutations to Lord ,hiva to eGpress his gratitude$R
RLord Vishnu went to the mountain where the demon ,hridama lived and severed his head with the
,udarshan chakra$ Ater killing the demonE Lord Vishnu returned to his abode= Ksheersagar$R Ater
inishing her storyE Atreyi told 2pamanyu that such was the greatness o Lord Virupaaksh$ 2pamanyu
did a severe penance to please Lord Virupaaksh and was blessed by him as a result o whichE he never
elt hungry in his lie$
;$(($; *aCendra and the :rocodile
,age 1arad reMuests 8ulastya to describe how *aCendra managed to release itsel rom the Caws o the
crocodile$ 8ulastya says= R-here lived a crocodile in a reservoir near -rikut 'ountain$ %ne dayE a thirsty
elephant arrived there to Muench its thirst$ -he wicked crocodile caught hold o the elephantKs leg and
dragged it towards the middle o the reservoir$ -he elephant tried its best to release itsel rom the
crocodileKs Caws but was unsuccessul$ Being helplessE it started remembering Lord ,hri &ari as it was
his great devotee$ .t picked up a lotus lower and chanted the ollowing stotra= K,alutations to that Lord
Vishnu who is the originator o this universe$ ,alutations to the omnipresent Lord Vishnu who is revered
by the sages$ . take the reuge o Lord Vishnu who is also known by the names o VishveshvarE ,hri
&ari and ,anatan 8urush$K -his wayE the elephant eulogised Lord Vishnu with great devotion$
8leased by his devotionE Lord Vishnu killed the wicked crocodile with his ,udarshan chakra and
liberated the elephant$ ActuallyE this crocodile was none other than *andharva &uhu who had attained
the orm o a crocodile ater being cursed by sage Deval$ &e was liberated rom the curse and went to
heaven$ Lord Vishnu touched the elephant and it got transormed into a divine human being$ -his wayE
with the blessings o Lord VishnuE both o them were liberated$
;$(($7 -he *reatness o ,arasvat ,totra
,age 8ulastya says= R-here lived a Kshatriya who kept enemity towards Brahmins$ Ater his deathE he
was reborn as a demon and spent his lie indulging in nearious activities$ %nce he saw a hermit doing
penance$ &e wanted to devour him but was unsuccessul in his attempt as the hermit had protected
himsel by chanting VishnupanCar stotra$ ,oE he waited or the hermit or our months to come out rom
his meditative trance$ Ater the completion o his meditationE the hermit was surprised to see a weak
and rail demon waiting or him$ &e asked the demon about his identity and the purpose or which he
was waiting there$ -he demon told him that although he had come with the intention o devouring himE
he was unsuccessul in his attempt as he (hermit) was well protected by VishnupanCar stotra$ R. am very
impressed by your spiritual eats and . am desirous o learning the same rom you$ . have committed
many sins in my lieE so tell me how to become liberated rom themRE asked the demon$ But the hermit
was not convinced and told the demon that he would never preach a demon$ &e advised the demon to
take help o some other Brahmin$ -he demon went in search o another Brahmin$ %ne dayE he saw a
Brahmin doing penance and caught hold o him$ -he Brahmin was rightened and reMuested the
demon= R6ait until . return ater giving this ruit to my teacher$R But the demon thought that the Brahmin
was trying to escape hence he did not allow the Brahmin to leave$ -he worried Brahmin went near a
burning ire and pleaded or help$ ,uddenlyE *oddess ,araswati maniested hersel and told the
Brahmins= RDonKt be araid$ 6ith my blessingsE you would be able to narrate the means or the demonKs
benediction$R Ater blessing the BrahminE *oddess ,araswati disappeared$
-he Brahmin narrated the ,araswat stotra to the demon= You must chant the ollowing stotra thrice in a
day= K. make salutations to Lord &ari who is also known as KrishnaE &rishikeshE VasudevE @anardan and
@agannath$ 'ay he liberate me rom my sins$ . make salutations to Lord Vishnu who rests on
,heshnaag and who hails ,hankchakra *ada and chakra in his handsE may he liberate me rom my
sins$ Lord Vishnu who maniests himsel in each individual soul Cust like the element o ire maniests
itsel in a piece o wood$ 'ay he liberate me rom my sins$K
-he Brahmin told the demon that the daily chanting o ,araswat Vishnu stotra would enable him to get
liberated rom his sins$ -he demon was pleased and ater releasing the Brahmin went to a place called
,haalgraam$ &e engaged himsel in severe penance and started chanting the stotra taught by the
Brahmin$ 2ltimatelyE he was successul in becoming liberated rom his sins and went to Vishnu loka$
1&!* #ali Performs Ashvamedhya @agya
-his chapter contains ; sectionsJ
;$(0$# Bali?s Arrival at Kurukshetra
8ulastya says= RAter the departure o 8rahlad on his pilgrimageE Bali desirous o perorming a Yagya
went to Kurukshetra$ ,hukracharya had invited the descendants o sage Bhargava to supervise the
proceedings o Ashwamedha Yagya but his decision was not approved by the descendants o some
other sages like AtriE *autamE Kaushik and Angira$ As a resultE all o them let Kurukshetra$
Ater their departureE ,hukracharya started making preparations or the Yagya and initiated both Bali
and his wie= Vindhyavali into the rituals$ Ater thatE a horse was let loose according to the tradition$ -he
demon -arkaaksh ollowed that horse$ -he Ashwamedha Yagya continued or three months ater
whichE Aditi gave birth to a child who was dwarish in siBe at a time when the ,un had Cuts entered the
Bodiac o *emini$ All the deities and sages including Lord Brahma were eGtremely pleased by Lord
VaamanKs birth$ -hey went to AditiKs hermitage and eulogised Lord Vaaman$ Lord Vaaman became
pleased by their eulogy and reMuested Lord Brahma to help perorm his consecrations$ %n being
instructed by Lord BrahmaE sage BharadwaC perormed VaamanKs @aat karma and Yagyopavit$ Ater
thatE sage BharadwaC taught him Vedas and other scriptures which was mastered by Vaaman in less
than one month$ Ater inishing his studiesE Lord Vaaman sought his *uruKs permission to go to
Kurukshetra$ ,age BharadwaC eGpressed his inability by saying= R&ow can a mortal like me give
permission to the supreme lordN . you want to go to Kurukshetra then how can . stop you rom going
thereN . have some Mueries regarding your various abodes and would you be gracious enough to
enlighten me on thatNR
Lord Vaaman said= R-he whole universe including the skyE earthE oceanE mountainsE clouds are
pervaded by my eGistence$ All the deitiesE sagesE living and non=living things have maniested rom me$
6hen . took my irst incarnation o 'atsya . had my abode in the holy waters o 'anas ,arovar$ As my
second incarnation o tortoiseE . had my abode in the holy waters o Kaushiki "iver$ . had my abode at
&astinapur when . took my incarnation as *ovind$ As 1arayanE . had my abode at BadrikashramaE as
@ayeshE . had my abode at Bhadrakarna$R -his wayE Lord Vaaman described about his dierent abodes
in great detail$
;$(0$( Arrival o Lord Vaaman at Kurukshetra
8ulastya says= RAter satisying BharadwaCKs curiosity about his dierent abodesE Lord Vaaman let or
Kurukshetra where Bali was busy perorming his Yagya$ As soon as Lord Vaaman reached
KurukshetraE the whole earth started shaking violently and high tides rose in the ocean$ Being
rightened o Lord VishnuE Agni did not accept the oerings made by Bali$ Bali was very surprised by all
these sudden developments$ &e asked ,hukracharya about the reason or all these strange
happenings$R
,hukracharya replied= R% king o the demonsL DeinitelyE all these strange happenings signiies the
arrival o Lord Vasudev$R Bali then asked ,hukracharya as to what was the most appropriate way o
honouring his eminent guest$ R6hat donations should . make to him so that he is pleased and
satisiedNRE asked Bali$ ,hukracharya warned him by saying= R<orget about donating anything otherwise
you will get into serious trouble$R Bali told him that he would not disgrace himsel by reusing to meet
the demands made by Vasudev$ R-he way a man behaves in his speechE action and thoughts is the
result o his past karmas$ Are you not aware o the incident related with Koshkar which happened at
'alay 'ountainN Koshkar was the son o sage 'udgal$ &e was amous or his austerities and his wie
too was very virtuous$ .n course o timeE a son was born to them but alas he was blind and dea$
KoshkarKs wie abandoned that child in ront o her house$ .ncidentallyE an ogress named ,urpaakshi
happened to arrive there and ater seeing the abandoned childE eGchanged him with her own child$ ,he
carried KoshkarKs child to ,haalodar 'ountain with the intention o devouring him$ 6hen her husband
came to know about the incidentE he reprimanded ,urpaakshi or her misdeed$ -he demon warned the
ogress that both o them would be cursed by the Brahmin and advised her to keep the child at the same
place rom where she had brought him$R
.n the meantimeE Koshkar came out rom his hermitage ater hearing the cries o ,urpaakshiKs child$ &e
was surprised to ind some other child instead o his own and told his wie= R.t seems that this child is
under the inluence o a ghost$R Ater saying thisE he protected the child by demarcating a round circle
initiated with mantra around him$ "ight thenE the ogress arrived and ater keeping the BrahminKs child
on the ground wanted to take back her own child$ But she could not enter inside that circle$ Koshkar
took his child in his lap and went inside the hermitage$ -his wayE the ogress returned to the mountain
without her child$
Koshkar brought up both the children with great care$ &e named the ogressKs child as Diwakar while his
own son was named 1isachar$ As destiny would have liked itE Diwakar turned out to be a very studious
child and became well versed in Vedas within a very short time whereas 1isachar was not interested in
studies and had a bad habit o criticising everybody$ Koshkar became urious and threw 1isachar in a
well$ -here was a Amla tree inside that well and the child survived living on its ruits$ -his wayE ten
years passed and one dayE KoshkarKs wie arrived at the well to etch water$ %n seeing his motherE
1isachar tried to convince her that he was her son but she was not convinced$ &e then accompanied
his mother back home and narrated the reason why he had taken birth as a dea and blind child$ R.n my
previous birthE . was the son o Vrishakapi and was very amous or my scholarly traits$ .n due course o
timeE . became very arrogant and started indulging in all sorts o evil deeds$ Ater my deathE . went to
"aurav 1arak and suered all the tortures over there$ . was reborn as a tiger and ater being enslaved
by a kingE . was kept inside a cage$ %nceE the king had gone out and the beautiul Mueen arrived near
the cage$ . was inatuated by her beauty and eGpressed my lusty desires to her$ ,he was taken aback
by my proposal and said= R&ow can physical relationship be possible between usNR But . reMuested her
to release me by opening the cage door$ -he Mueen opened the door and . became ree$ . caught hold
o her and tried to satiate my lust but right then the guards arrived there and killed me$ %nce again .
went to the hell and ater suering the pains . was reborn as an ass$ 'y master was AgniveshyaE a
Brahmin$ %nceE his wie= ,umati wanted to go to her atherKs house$ Agniveshya advised her to go
riding on my back and instructed his servant to escort us$ 6hile on our CourneyE we reached a river and
,umati eGpressed her desire to take bath$ ,he went to take bath and . waited or her to return$ 6hile
she was taking her bathE . became inatuated by her beauty and caught hold o her$ -he servant who
was escorting us saw this and became angry$ &e killed me by hitting with his stick$ %nce againE . went
to hell and was reborn as a parrot$ A wicked owler trapped and sold me to a traderKs son$ Although .
lived a luGurious lieE yet . was not happy because o my slavery$ %nceE his daughter arrived near my
cage and playully kept me on her breasts$ . became inatuated and tried to have physical relations with
her$ But . was suocated to death ater getting entangled in her necklace$ %nce againE . went to hell
and ater suering the torturesE was reborn as a bull$ 'y master was a :handaal and . used to pull his
cart$ %nceE his wie was sitting in the cart . was pulling$ 2nmindul o her surroundingsE she was singing
songs in a beautiul voice$ Ater listening to her melodious voiceE . became inatuated and tried to have
physical relations with her$ . turned back but the noose around my neck became tight and . was
suocated to death$ %nce again . went to hell and ater suering the painsE was reborn as a blind and
dea son to you$ . remember all my previous lives and . am aware that my physical disabilities are only
because o my past sins$ . have decided to atone or all my sins by doing penance and indulging in
virtuous deeds$ Ater saying thisE he went to Badrikashrama to do penance$
Ater inishing his storyE Bali told ,hukracharya that a man inherits his Mualities rom his past lie and it
is impossible or him to change them$ R.t is applicable to both good and bad Mualities$ 'y penanceE
virtuosityE benevolence and generosity have been inherited rom my past lie and come what mayE .
have decided not to shun them$R
8ulastya says= R-his wayE Bali remained irm in his resolve to meet any demand made by his esteemed
guest and started waiting eagerly or his arrival$R
;$(0$0 Lord Vaaman?s Demands
Bali was pleased that he would get an opportunity to see the Almighty *od whom the sages
contemplate upon$ &e was proud o his good ortune that the lord was paying him a visit$ ,hukracharya
aware o the reason or VaamanKs arrival warned Bali against making any promise to him$ Bali replied=
R&ow can . reuse i the Almighty *od demands anything rom meN . am willing to ace any hardship to
saeguard my benevolent image$ . donKt mind i the deities get beneited by my actions$ +ven i the lord
is coming with the intention o killing meE . am not scared as that is how . would attain salvation$ :ome
what mayE . am not going to abandon my charitable nature$R
As the conversation between ,hukracharya and Bali continuedE suddenlyE Lord Vaaman arrived at the
site$ VaamanKs radiance subdued the power o all demons present there$ Lord Vaaman being
impressed by the grandeur o VaamanKs Yagya complimented him or organising such a magniicent
Yagya$ Bali eulogised and worshipped his esteemed guest$ &e reMuested Vaaman to reveal the reason
o his arrival and promised that his wishes would be ulilled$ Lord Vaaman smiled and told him that he
needed a small piece o land measured by three steps or the perormance o Yagya$ Bali was
surprised by this demand and reMuested him to ask or more land but Lord Vaaman told him that he
needed only that much land$
Bali agreed and took a vow to donate a piece o land measured by three steps$ &ardly had Bali taken
his vowE when suddenly Lord Vaaman eGpanded his siBe$ &is irst step covered the whole earth$ By his
two successive stepsE he covered the two worlds$ -his wayE Bali was orced to donate all the three
worlds according to his vow$ Lord Vishnu then made .ndraE the king o all the three worlds and sent Bali
to the nether world named ,utal$ &e blessed Bali by saying= RYou would enCoy a long lie till the end o
this present Kalpa$ You would hold the post o .ndra till the arrival o ,aavarni 'anavantar$ As long as
you remain supportive o the Brahmins and the deitiesE you would enCoy all the pleasures o lie$ But i
you go against their wishes then you would be astened by VarunKs noose$R Ater saying thisE Lord
Vishnu disappeared$
;$(0$4 Lord Brahma 6orships Lord Vaaman
1arad asked sage 8ulastya as to where did Lord Vaaman go ater disappearing rom the oblation site$
8ulastya replied= RLord Vaaman went to Brahma loka mounted on his *arud$ %n seeing himE Lord
Brahma gave a warm reception and ater worshipping him asked about the reason or his sudden
arrival$ Lord Vaaman told him that he had sent Bali to ,utal loka or the welare o the deities and so
that they could get their share o the Yagya$ Lord Brahma eGpressed his desire to see the giant orm o
Vishnu which he had taken while measuring all the three worlds$ Lord Vishnu obliged him and showed
his giant appearance$ Lord Brahma was impressed and eulogised him$ &e reMuested Lord Vishnu to
remain in Brahma loka in his appearance o Vaaman$ Lord Vishnu had agreed to do this and remained
there$
;$(0$9 Bali Lives in 8aatal Loka
8ulastya says= Ater reaching the nether worldE Bali got constructed a beautiul city made o diamonds
and other precious stones$ Vishwakarma had constructed an enormous siBed altar in the central part o
the city$ -he windows o BaliKs palace were well decorated with pearls$ Bali lived there in luGury and by
enCoying all the pleasures o lie$
%ne dayE while the demons were engaged in their sensual pleasuresE suddenly the earsome
,udarshan chakra entered BaliKs palace and ater making the demons beret o their radiance went
back to Lord Vishnu$ Bali was very worried and thought that only his grandather 8rahlad could help
him out rom this situation$ %n being remembered by BaliE 8rahlad appeared beore him$ Bali reMuested
him to describe the means which would be benedictory to him$ 8rahlad was pleasantly surprised by his
change o heart and said= RAt lastE you have realised your mistake$ Listen BaliL A man who takes reuge
in Lord Vishnu and surrenders himsel to his will becomes liberated rom all the miseries and sorrows o
lie$ A man who has accepted Lord Vishnu as his master need not ear rom anything not even death$
All the things which are visible in this universe are the various maniestations o Lord Vishnu himsel$ A
devotee o Lord Vishnu does not have to go to hell and he becomes liberated rom the cycles o birth
and death$R -his wayE 8rahlad described about the greatness o Lord Vishnu and his worship in great
detail$
;$(0$; Bali?s Aueries to 8rahlad
Bali enMuired about the virtues which a man attains by the worship o Lord Vishnu$ &e also asked
8rahlad about the worship and its rituals by which Lord Vishnu is pleased$ 8rahlad says= R,ages
believe that the donations which are made with total devotion and in the name o Lord Vishnu eGist
orever$ Lord Vishnu is eGtremely pleased i 'alatiE ,hataavariE :hampaE @uhi and 1aagar lowers are
oered to him$ &e is also pleased when the oerings o Bilva patraE ,hami patraE -amaal and Amaali
patra are made to him$ &e is pleased when sesame seeds are donated during the &indu month o
'aagh$ A person who gets a Vishnu temple constructed liberates his ancestors rom their sins$ BaliE
you must get the Vishnu temple constructed and worship with complete devotion$ You must try to
please Lord Vishnu by making donations o cowE CewelsE gold and land$ . you engage yoursel in such
virtuous activities then you will certainly attain benediction$R Ater saying thisE 8rahlad disappeared$
Ater 8rahladKs departureE Bali ollowed his instructions aithully and engaged himsel in the worship o
Lord Vishnu$ &e instructed Vishwakarma to construct a magniicent temple o Lord Vishnu and started
worshipping Lord Vishnu accompanied by his wie$ &e used to clean the temple premises and oer the
articles which were dear to Lord Vishnu$ -his wayE Bali and his wie Vindhyavali engaged themselves in
the worship o Lord Vishnu with complete devotion$
1&!, #enefits of )tudying +amana Purana
,tudy o Vaaman 8uraan helps a man to enhance his knowledge and makes him ree rom all kinds o
worldly attachments$ .t also increases his love and devotion towards the lotus eet o Lord Vishnu$
-here are ten characteristics evident in all the 8uraans= #) ,arg$ () Visarg$ 0) ,thaan$ 4) 8oshan$ 9)
2ti$ ;) Vritti$ 7) "aksha$ )) 'anvantara$ /) Vansh$ #3) 2paashraya$
,arg deals with the descriptions o the origin o this universe$ Visarg enlightens us as to how a living
thing transorms itsel rom one species to another$ ,thaanE 8oshanE 2ti and Vritti deal with the
descriptions o various means which are employed by a man or his survival$ "aksha describes about
the various incarnations o Lord Vishnu which he takes or the protection o the humankind$ 'anvantara
deals with the complete description o the history o the whole 'anvantara period$ Vansh describe
about the lineage o all the kings including Lord Brahma$ 2paashraya enlightens us on the real
meaning o Brahma$
8ulastya says= RA man who listens to the divine tales o Vaaman 8uraan attains to Vishnu loka ater
becoming ree rom all his sins$ &e attains the same virtues which a perormer o Ashwamedha Yagya
does$ +ven listening to one part o Vaaman 8uraan bestows great virtues and eMuivalent to making
pilgrimage o numerous sacred places$ 1aradE Vaaman 8uraan is the #4th among all the #) 8uraans
which describes about the maCesty o Lord Vishnu$R
<ive names o Lord Vishnu has been mentioned in Vaaman 8uraan= Kaaran VaamanE 1arayanE
AmitvikramE ,haargang chakra and 8urushottam$ A devotee who chants any o these sacred names o
Lord Vishnu and makes salutation either by speechE thought or deed attains to Vishnu loka$
1&!/ +aaman 7ncarnation
-his chapter contains ( sectionsJ
;$(9$# .ndra does 8enance to Atone or his ,ins
8ulastya says ater being deeated by the demons .ndra went to Brahma loka and narrated his woeul
tale to him$ ,age Kashyap= his ather was also present there$ Lord Brahma told .ndra that he was
reaping the ruits o his evil deeds$ ,age Kashyap told him that his miseries were due to the sin
acMuired by the destruction o DitiKs oetus$ .ndra asked both o themE how his sins could be atoned$
Lord Brahma advised him to take ,hri &ariKs help$
.ndra then went to the north o KalinCar 'ountain and started living in a hermitage situated on the bank
o river 'ahanadi$ &e did penance or one year$ 8leased by his devotionE Lord Vishnu appeared and
blessed him saying= RYour austere penance has liberated you rom the sin o destroying DitiKs oetus
and very soonE you will regain your kingdom$R Ater receiving the blessingE .ndra went to AditiKs
hermitage and narrated the tale o his deeat at the hands o demons$ Aditi knew that .ndra would not
have been deeated had Lord Vishnu been on his side during the battle$ ,oE she went to Lord Vishnu
and worshipped him with devotion$ Lord Vishnu assured her that very soonE he would incarnate as her
son and destroy the demons$ &aving said thisE a part o Lord VishnuKs eulgence entered into AditiKs
womb$
;$(9$( Bali Abuses Lord Vishnu
Ater Lord Vishnu had established himsel inside AditiKs wombE the demons became devoid o their
radiance$ Bali was surprised by this sudden development and asked 8rahlad about it$ 8rahlad went into
deep meditation and saw Lord Vishnu maniesting in AditiKs womb$ Ater coming out rom his meditative
tranceE he told Bali that the demons had lost their radiance due to ,hri &ari who is about to take
incarnation at the reMuest o the deities$
-he arrogant Bali made un o ,hri &ari by saying= R6ho is this ,hri &ariN 6e have many mighty
warriors in our ranks who are more powerul than Vasudev$R 8rahlad was a devotee o ,hri &ari and he
did not like the arrogant utterances o Bali$ &e cursed him by saying that very soon he would meet his
downall and lose his kingdom$ Ater being cursedE Bali realised his mistake and begged or
orgiveness$ 8rahlad too had calmed down by that time and said= R+ven though Lord Vishnu is
omnipresentE . cursed you being under the inluence o my ignorance$ 'y words will certainly become
true but donKt lose heart$ *o and take reuge in ,hri &ari= the supreme protector$ &e will liberate you
rom all your sorrows$R Ater saying thisE 8rahlad went on his pilgrimage$
1&!1 "he $eities 6esting $ays
Lord Vishnu takes rest on ,heshnaag during the whole period o 2ttaraayanE which begins Cust ater the
last day o the bright lunar phase in the &indu month o Ashaadh is over$ Ater he goes to sleepE all the
deitiesE *andharvaE Devamaata etc$ ollow suit$
1arad reMuested ,age 8ulastya to shed light on the days when the deities take rest$ ,age 8ulastya
replied= RA devotee should consider the eleventh day o the &indu month o Ashaadh ,hukla 8akshaE
when the ,un enters the Bodiac o *emini as the day when Lord Vishnu goes to rest$ A devotee should
make a replica o ,heshnaag and ater worshipping the idol o Lord VishnuE lay him down to rest on the
twelth day$ Kamadev is said to take rest on the thirteenth day on his bed made o Kadamb lowers$ -he
Yakshaganas take rest on the ourteenth day o the &indu month o Ashaadh ,hukla 8aksha$ -heir
beds are made o yellow lotus$ Lord ,hiva is believed to take rest on 8urnima$ &is bed is made o tiger
skin$
1 &ar9andeya Purana
-his 8urana consists o #; chaptersJ
4&1 7ntroduction
%nce @aiminiE a disciple o sage Vedavyasa eGpressed his curiosity beore 'arkandeya= K% LordL .n the
great epic 'ahabharatE which was created by VedavyasaE description o DharmaE ArthE Kama and
'oksha appears to be intertwined at times and at other timesE it appears to be separate rom one
another$ Vedavyasa had described the normsE the stages and the means to perorm the duties in all the
our stages$ -his epic contains cryptic knowledge o Vedas$ &ence % great sageL . have approached
you in order to grasp the ull knowledge contained in 'ahabharat with your help$ 6hy did Lord take
human incarnation even though &e is the cause o the originE perpetuation and destruction o the
universeN &ow did Draupadi become the wie o ive 8andavasN &ow did Balaram eGpiate or the sin o
killing a BrahminN &ow did DraupadiKs sons give up their livesN Kindly narrate all these things in detail$ K
'arkandeya says= K% 'uni L 8resently . am engaged in evening worship$ &ence . do not have time to
narrate these things in detail$ But . am telling you about the birds which will narrate you the entire
content o 'ahabharat$ -hose birds will also remove all your doubts$ ,ons o the great bird Drona=
8ingakshaE VibodhaE ,uputraE ,umuk etc$ stay in the caves among the hills o Vindhyachal$ -hey are
proicient in Vedas$ *o and ask themE they will remove all your doubts$K
'arkandeyaKs words surprised @aimini$ -o conirmE he asked again= K.t is surprising that the birds could
narrate the content o 'ahabharat Cust like human beings$ .t is even more surprising that they are
proicient in Vedas knowledgeE which is even rare to ind among humans$ Kindly tell me how did they
come to acMuire such proound knowledge despite having being born in the orm o birds$ 6hy do you
call them as the sons o DronaNK
'arkandeya says= KLong agoE a strange event took place in 1andanvan involving .ndraE Devrishi 1arad
and some o the elves$ %ne dayE .ndra was enCoying his time in the 1andanvan orest along with his
elves$ At the same time 1arad also arrived there$ .ndra welcomed and oered him a seat$ -he elves
also greeted 1arad$ .ndra then said= K'univarL -ell me what you desire nowN . you desire to listen to a
songE should . order the *andharvas or i you wish to watch the danceE should . order one o my elvesE
'enkaE "ambhaE 'ishrakeshi or 2rvashiN Any o these our can perorm a seducing dance beore you$K
1arad eGpressed his desire to watch the dance o an elE who was superior in beauty to the other elves$
-his led to a row among the elves$ +ach one o them was proud o her beauty and talent$ 1arad then
advised them to test their beauty by breaking sage DurvaasaKs penance who was at that time staying
on a hilltop$ All the elves eGpressed their inability to perorm this task successully$ %nly an el named
VapuE driven by her haughtiness accepted to break the penance o sage Durvaasa$
Accordingly she reached the hill where Durvaasa was staying and began to sing an inatuating song in
her sweet voice$ Very soonE the song began to show its eect on Durvaasa$ Attracted by the sweet
voiceE Durvaasa went in search o the origin o the voice and ound Vapu singing at a distance$
Durvaasa understood that the el had come to break his penance$ AngrilyE he cursed the el that she
would take birth in the lineage o the birds or siGteen yearsE she would not bear a child and ultimately
would be killed by a weapon to regain her heavenly abode$ Ater saying thisE sage Durvaasa migrated
to Akashganga$
4&! +arious 0reations and >amous Mythological 0haracters
-his chapter contains / sections$
7$($# Birth o <our Birds
'arkandeya says = K.n the lineage o the avian King *arudE there were two brothers= Kank and
Kandhar$ %ne dayE Kank visited Kailash 8arbat where a demon VidrayudrupE who was a slave o
KuberE was enCoying privacy with his wie and drinking wine$ ,eeing KankE the demon showed his
displeasure at his arrival at an improper time$ But Kank boldly asserted his right on the mountain as
according to himE it belonged to all$ -he inuriated demon decapitated Kank with his sword$
&earing the news o his brotherKs killingE Kandhar resolved to kill the demon$ Ater perorming the last
rites o his brotherE he also arrived on the mountain where the demon Vidrayudrup was still drinking
wine with his wie$ -he demon lost his temper again$ Kandhar then challenged the demon to have a
ight with him$ A ierce battle ensued between them$ 2ltimatelyE Kandhar killed the demon$ -he demonKs
wie= 'adanika inding hersel in a helpless situation accepted Kandhar as her husband$ -husE Kandhar
returned to his palace with a newly ound wie$ 'adanika was in act the daughter o 'enkaE the el and
could change her guise at will$ Ater marrying KandharE she took the guise o the bird$ -he bird
'adanika was born as el = Vapu in her neGt birth due to the curse o sage Durvaasa$ Kandhar named
her -aarkshi$
A Brahmin named 'andapal had our sons$ Drona was the youngest among them and proicient in
scripturesE Vedas etc$ Kandhar married his daughterE -aarkshi to Drona$ Ater their marriageE Drona
and -aarkshi were spending their time happily$ -aarkshi conceived during the same time when the
battle o 'ahabharat was going on$ As destiny would have itE -aarkshi lew over the battleield where
she saw ArCuna and BhagdattE the king o 8ragCyotishpurE ighting valiantly against each other$
Accidentally an arrow aimed at Bhagdatt went in the direction o -aarkshi and struck her in the
abdomen and tore it apart$ As a result o thisE our eggs ell on the ground$ At the same timeE a huge
bell ell rom ,upratikKs neckE the elephant o BhagdattE and covered the eggs saely$
Ater the battle o 'ahabharat was overE a sage ,hami visited the battleield$ -here he happened to
spot the bell and heard aint chirping coming rom underneath the bell$ -he sage removed the bell and
discovered our wingless chicks beneath it$ ,urprisingly he said to his disciples= KLookL <alling o these
eggs and getting saely covered by the bell simultaneously shows that these chicks are no ordinary
birds$K -hen he instructed his disciples to carry the eggs to the hermitage and keep it securely at a
place sae rom predators$ -he disciples did as told$
7$($( Birds 'igrate to Vindhyachal
,age ,hami thereater began to oster the chicks in his hermitage$ 6ith timeE the chicks grew eathers
and began to ly here and there$ But every time the birds went outE they returned to the hermitage by
evening$ -he birds also gained Vedic knowledge by hearing the discoursesE which sage ,hami used to
give daily to his disciples$
%ne dayE when sage ,hami was preaching his disciplesE the birds arrived there and said= K% great
sageL You are like our ather because you have protected us$ You are our teacher also because we
have gained knowledge rom you$ 1ow we have grown upE kindly tell us what should we doNK$ -he birds
speaking like learned people amaBed the sage as well as his disciple$
&e asked the birds= K-ell usE how did you speak so clearly and is there any curse behind your present
conditionNK$ -he birds replied= K% sageL Long agoE there used to live a sageE Vipulasvan$ &e had two
sons= ,ukrish and -umbaru$ .n our previous birthE we were the sons o ,ukrish$ 6hen our ather and
uncle perormed YagyaE we brought them all the reMuired materials$ %ne dayE .ndra arrived at our
hermitage disguised as an aged bird$ -he aged bird was starvingE hence we reMuested our ather to
provide him with some ood$ 2pon enMuiring by our atherE the bird eGpressed his desire to eat human
lesh$ %ur ather tried to dissuade the bird but it did not give up its insistence$ -hen our ather called us
and said that he had promised the bird to eed it with human lesh$ ,oE we were asked to donate our
body in order to satisy the birdKs hunger$ But being rightenedE we eGpressed our inability to meet the
demand o the starving bird$ -his inuriated our ather or we were violating his promise that he had
made to the bird$ &e then cursed us to take birth as birds in our neGt lie and himsel got ready to
donate his body$ As our ather was breathing his lastE .ndra resumed his real sel and said= K% great
sageL . took this guise only to test your character$ Kindly orgive me and tell me what you desire nowNK
.ndra blessed our ather to have divine knowledge and penance ree rom all obstacles$ -hereater we
also ell at our atherKs eet and begged or his pardon$ 6e reMuested him to take back his words but he
said that his words would not go utile$ But still he blessed us to have supreme knowledge even in the
orm o birds$K
:oncluding their talkE the birds said= K% lordL -hus controlled by destinyE our ather cursed us$ Ater
sometimeE we took birth in bird orm in the battleield where you ound us and ostered us in your
hermitage$ 1ow we are strong enough to ly long distances$ ,o kindly ree us rom your obligation$K
&earing the words o the birdsE sage ,hami said to his disciples= KLookL . had already told you that
these birds were no ordinary creatures$ -hey even survived the battle o 'ahabharat$ .t shows their
greatness$K -hen sage ,hami granted them permission to migrate to the Vindhyachal$ -he birds
decided to pass their time by studying the Vedas and doing penance as long as they stayed there$
7$($0 Divine 8lays o *od
,age @aimini reached Vindhyachal and arrived beore the birds as per 'arkandeyaKs instructions$ &e
said= K% birdsL . am @aiminiE the disciple o Vedavyasa$ . have come here with a desire to have your
glimpse$K -he birds welcomed him saying= K.t is our great ortune that you have arrived here$ Your arrival
has made us eel as i *od himsel has arrived$K @aimini said= K% learned birdsL Kindly listen to the
purpose o my visit$ ,age 'arkandeya instructed me to come here and see you$ You kindly answer my
Muestions that . have in the conteGt o 'ahabharat$K -he birds assured him o every possible
eGplanation as per their knowledge$ ,age @aimini proceeded= K6hy did Lord take human incarnation
even though &e is the cause o the originE perpetuation and destruction o the universeN &ow did
Draupadi come to be the Mueen o ive 8andavasN &ow did Balaram eGpiate or the sin o killing a
BrahminN &ow were DraupadiKs sons attain martyrdomN Kindly narrate all these things in detail$K
-he birds say= K-he omnipotentE omniscient and the omnipresent Almighty *od is worshipped even by
the deities$ 6e salute that Lord Vishnu who is the originator o this universe and who pervades
everywhere$ 6e salute Brahma rom whose our mouthsE the Vedas appeared and sanctiied all the
three worlds$ 6e bow down at the eet o 'ahadev$ -hose sages who have metaphysical knowledge
assert that 1arayan eGists in our ormsE which are both tangible and intangible$ &is irst orm is
VasudevE appearance o who is more imaginative in nature$ -his orm eGists everywhere and in every
ages$
-he second orm o 1arayan is the one that bears the earth on his head$ -his orm o god is known as
,hesh$ Being -aamasi in natureE this orm has taken a serpent incarnation$ -he third orm o *od
eGhibits his divine power and plays$ .t osters all the creaturesE protects religionE and is known as
8radyumna$ Yet another orm o *od known as Aniruddh rests on the serpentKs bed in the abysmal
depth o water$ .t carries out the task o creation$
-he third orm o *od destroys the irreligious demons$ .n the pastE this same orm rescued the earth rom the
abyss in the incarnation o a boar (Varaha avatar) and killed the demon King &iranyakashipu in the orm o
1arsimha (lion ace with human body)$ -his same orm o *od has appeared now in Lord KrishnaKs incarnation$
7$($4 Draupadi?s <ive &usbands
-he birds say= K<rightened by the severe penance o -rishiraE .ndra killed him to protect his authority
and power$ But the sin o killing a Brahmin took away .ndraKs radiance$ -rishira was the son o -washta$
-washta became urious at his sonKs death$ &e plucked one strand o hair rom his hair=lock and oered
it in the sacriicial ire$ -his resulted into the creation o a ormidable and strong demon named
Vritrasur$ -his demon was created with the obCective o killing .ndra$
Learning about the birth o VritrasurE .ndra sent ,aptarishis as emissaries to work out a pact with the
demon$ -he ,aptarishis eected a riendship between .ndra and Vritrasur$ But .ndra had other ideas$
&e took Vritrasur by surprise and killed him$ -his deceitul action o .ndra urther enraged the clans o
the demons$ ,oon the atrocities o the demons increased to unbearable limits$ +ven 8rithvi elt unable
to bear the burden o their atrocities$ ,he approached the deities and reMuested them to get her rid o
the burden$
-husE to relieve 8rithvi o her burdenE the deities began to take incarnation on earth$ Dharma and Vayu
implanted .ndraKs radiance in the womb o Kunti$ -his resulted in the birth o Yudhishthir and Bheema$
-hen .ndra himsel produced ArCuna rom Kunti$ 1akul and ,ahadev were born because o .ndraKs
radiance implanted by Ashwini kumars in the womb o 'adri$ -hus all the ive 8andavas originated
rom the same source even though they appeared as distinct entitiesE whereas Draupadi was none
other than ,huchiE the wie o .ndraE produced rom the altar in DrupadKs palace$ .n human incarnationE
Draupadi got ive 8andavas as her husband$
7$($9 +Gpiation o Balaram
,hri KrishnaKs brother Balaram had remained impartial in the battle o 'ahabharat$ .nstead o
championing the cause either or the 8andavas or or the KauravasE he had preerred to go on a
pilgrimage$ &is wie "evati also accompanied him on this pilgrimage$ %nce while travellingE Balaram
drank toddy and entered a beautiul garden known as "aivat$ -aking a strollE Balaram and "evati then
reached a hut$
.n the hutE many Brahmins were sitting and listening to ,utaCiKs oration$ 6hen the Brahmins saw
BalaramE they stood up and elicitated him$ %nly ,utaCi did not stand up$ Balaram elt insulted and at
once killed him$ 6hen Balaram regained his composure ater the intoGication recededE he elt guilty or
his deed$ &is belie that killing o ,uta would enable him to attain a place in Brahma loka proved to be
based on alse notion as the Brahmins had shunned him or his deed$
Ater Balaram realised his ollyE he began to curse himsel and resolved to observe a twelve=year long
ast in order to eGpiate or his sin$ -hereaterE Balaram migrated to a place o pilgrimage known as
8ratiloma ,araswati to carry out his eGpiation$
7$($; Killing o Draupadi?s ,ons
.n -reta YugE there was a king named &arishchandra$ %nce he was hunting in the 'ahabaahu orest
when suddenlyE he heard loud cries o a woman= K,ave meL ,ave meLK .t was ollowed by the cries o
many women$ &earing those criesE King &arishchandra shouted loudly= KDonKt be araidK and dashed in
the direction o the cries$ -he cries however were an illusion created by VighnaraCE the lord o the
obstacles$ At that time when King &arishchandra heard those criesE sage Vishwamitra was observing
severe penance in the orest$ .n order to test &arishchandraKs virtuosityE VighnaraC entered his body$ As
soon as VighnaraC entered &arishchandraKs bodyE &arishchandra lost his temper and began to abuse
VishwamitraE which enraged him$ &is anger destroyed all the knowledgeE he had acMuired due to his
severe penance$ ,eeing the angry VishwamitraE King &arishchandra began to shiver$ 6ith olded
handsE he begged VishwamitraKs pardon$ &e said= K% great sageL .t is my duty to protect the subCects$
Kindly orgive me$ Your wrath could greatly aect the perormance o my duties as a king$ Vishwamitra
said= K% kingL . you are a true ollower o religionE tell meE who should be given a donationN 6ho should
be protected and who should be ought withNK &arishchandra answered= K% great penancerL Donations
should be made only to such a Brahmin who indulges in ast and religious actions$ 8rotection should be
eGtended to those who are araid and battle should be ought with enemies$K
Vishwamitra said= K. you are a religious kingE give me Dakshina (donation) as . am a Brahmin seeking
salvation$K &arishchandra said= K-ell me your desire$ . am ready to grant it$ Vishwamitra said= K% kingL
@ust presume that . have received whatever you would donate me$ 1owE give me Dakshina or the
"aCsuya Yagya$K
&arishchandra said= KAsk me whatever you wish to have as the Dakshina o "aCsuya Yagya$K
Vishwamitra said= K% kingL *ive me all you have eGcept your own bodyE your wie and child$K <eeling
pleasedE King &arishchandra granted what Vishwamitra desired$ Vishwamitra said= K% kingL -ell meE
who is the lord o your kingdomNK &arishchandra said= K,ince the moment . have presented this
kingdom to youE you are its master$K Vishwamitra said= K. . am the master o this kingdomE what are you
doing hereN Leave at onceL But beore leavingE remove all your clothesE ornaments and other royal
insignia and go out wearing treeKs bark only$K
-hus ater losing his kingdomE King &arishchandra got ready to leave with his wie ,haivya and son
"ohit$ Vishwamitra then intercepted him and said= K6here are you going without paying a Dakshina or
"aCsuya Yagya$ &arishchandra said= K% lordL . have donated my whole kingdom$ 1ow only our bodies
remain with us$ 6hat can . give you nowNK Vishwamitra said= KYou cannot leave without paying a
Dakshina because you have promised me$K &arishchandra said= KDonKt be angryE % BrahminL . have
nothing at present in my position but . will deinitely pay you your Dakshina in due time$K Vishwamitra
said angrily= K,peciy the time period within which you will give me my Dakshina or else be ready to get
cursed by me$K &arishchandra said= K. will pay the Dakshina within a month$K -hereaterE &arishchandra
started to live in seclusion with his wie and children$ ,eeing the kingKs pitiable conditionE his entire
subCects began to ollow him$ ,eeing their conditionE &arishchandra halted and took a look on his
subCects$ At the same timeE sage Vishwamitra also arrived there and began to curse &arishchandra or
having attachment towards his subCects$ &earing the harsh words o VishwamitraE &arishchandra let
the kingdom with his wie ,haivya and son "ohit$ -o drive the king away as soon as possibleE
Vishwamitra began to beat the MueenKs back with a stick$
VishwamitraKs abhorrent action enraged the ive guardian deities o the directions and they condemned him$
+nraged Vishwamitra cursed them= K% sinnersL *o and take birth as human beings$K -his curse o Vishwamitra
rightened the deities$ -hey begged his pardon$ 8leased by their prayersE Vishwamitra said= K'y words cannot be
undone$ But despite having incarnation o human beingsE you will remain bachelors throughout your lie$ You will
never eel attachment and allurement or anybody$K -hus due to VishwamitraKs curseE those ive guardian deities
took birth as the ive sons o Draupadi$ DronacharyaKs sonE AshwatthamaE ultimately killed them$
7$($7 King &arishchandra
Ater being thrown out rom his kingdom by VishwamitraE &arishchandra reached the holy town o
VaranasiE which was an abode o Lord 'ahadev$ -here &arishchandra saw Vishwamitra standing
beore him$ Vishwamitra said= KA month has been completed now$ 1owE give me my Dakshina$K
&arishchandra said= K-here is still hal an hour in the completion o this month$ 8lease wait$ . will give
your Dakshina$K Vishwamitra said= K. will come ater hal an hour$K ,aying thisE Vishwamitra departed$
6hen Vishwamitra letE &arishchandra started to worry as to what would happen to him in his neGt birth
i he did not keep his promise made to a Brahmin$ ,eeing him perpleGedE Mueen ,haivya tried to
console him$ ,he said= K'an reMuires a wie only to produce a child$ 1ow we already have a child=
"ohit$ &ence . am no longer useul or you$ You sell me and pay the acMuired wealth as Dakshina to
the Brahmin$K &arishchandra ainted ater hearing his wieKs words$ -he Mueen began to wail at her
husbandKs condition$ -hus wailingE the Mueen also ell unconscious$ -he little "ohit also elt perpleGed
by his parentKs condition$ &e began to cry= K% atherL % motherL . am hungry$ *ive me ood$K At the
same timeE Vishwamitra arrived there in the guise o Kaal$ Ater sprinkling water on &arishchandraKs
aceE he made him conscious and said= K% kingL *et up and pay my Dakshina$ Your sorrows will
increase i you do not ulil your promise$K
&arishchandra was regaining his consciousness slowly but seeing Vishwamitra he ainted once again$
-his urther enraged Vishwamitra$ &e said= K% kingL . you have even slightest o respect or DharmaE
give my Dakshina at once$ . will wait till evening and curse you i you ail to pay my Dakshina$K ,aying
this Vishwamitra departed$ -he ear o the curse began to terrorise &arishchandra$ 'eanwhile the
Mueen also regained consciousness$ ,he once again insisted to sell her in order to pay the Dakshina$
-his timeE &arishchandra accepted her proposal and took the Mueen to the township$ -here addressing
the crowdE he said= K% dear citiBensE kindly listen to me$ . am selling my wie who is dearer to me than
my own lie$ Anybody interested in buying herE please do so beore evening$K An old Brahmin stepped
orward rom the crowd and said= K. will buy her$K &earing his wordsE &arishchandra became eGtremely
sad that he could not even utter a word$ -he Brahmin then stued the money in the bark clothes o
&arishchandra and began to drag the Mueen by her hair$ -he boy "ohit began to cry holding the hem o
her mother$ ,eeing the condition o her sonE the Mueen reMuested the Brahmin= K% AryaL Kindly let me
see the ace o my child or once$K -hen the Mueen turned towards "ohit and said= K% sonL Your mother
is no longer ree now$ ,he has become a slave$ Do not touch me because . have become an
untouchable$K
-hen the old Brahmin began to orcibly drag the Mueen with him$ "ohit also ollowed them crying loudly
or his mother$ -he old Brahmin angrily kicked him$ But still the boy did not give up ollowing them$ At
lastE the Mueen reMuested the Brahmin= K% lordL . will not be able to serve you without my son$ ,o kindly
buy him also$K &earing the words o the MueenE the Brahmin once again stued some more money in
the clothes o &arishchandra and tied the boy with the Mueen and began to drag both o them$
'eanwhile Vishwamitra also appeared there and demanded the Dakshina$ &arishchandra gave him all
the money he had got rom selling his wie and son$ ,eeing that amount o moneyE Vishwamitra boiled
with anger and said= K% wretched among the KshatriyasL You call this small amount o money as
DakshinaL 1ow look at the powers o my penance$K &arishchandra trembled with ear and said= K% lordL
8lease wait a little more$K Vishwamitra said= K1ow onlyE a Muarter o the day remains$ . will wait only or
this period and not more$K ,aying thisE Vishwamitra went away$ 6ith stooped aceE &arishchandra once
again said addressing the crowd= K1ow . am available or sale$ 6hoever wishes to buy meE please
come orward beore sunset$K Dharma in the guise o a :handaal stepped orward rom the crowd$ &e
had a huge stinking body$ &e said= K. will buy you$K &arishchandra asked= K6ho are youNK -he :handaal
said= K. am a :handaal$ 'y name is 8raveer and . am the resident o this very town$K &arishchandra
thought= K.t is better to accept the curse than accepting the slavery o a :handaal$K At the same timeE
Vishwamitra also arrived there and said angrily= K-his :handaal is ready to pay you a lot o money$ 6hy
donKt you then pay my DakshinaNK &arishchandra said= K% lordL . am born in ,uryavansh$ Accepting the
slavery o a :handaal causes great pain or me$ . have no money now$ ,ince now onwardsE . will be
your slave and do whatever you will ask me to do$K Vishwamitra said= K. you are my slave and ready to
obey meE then . sell you to this :handaal or #333 gold coins$ *o and become his slave$K -he :handaal
then presented many villages that were spread over an area o #33 YoCans to Vishwamitra and tying
&arishchandra with a rope dragged him to his town$
.n the :handaalKs houseE &arishchandra contemplated= K-he Mueen must be thinking that . would soon
get her reed rom the slavery o the old Brahmin ater paying his dues$ But she does not know that .
mysel have become the slave o a :handaal$K Ater a ew daysE the :handaal appointed
&arishchandra as the supervisor o the cremation place and instructed him to be there present all the
time and to cremate each dead body only ater thorough investigation$ &e also instructed him to collect
the toll or cremating every dead body and divide it in such a way that one siGth part o the toll goes to
the king and rom the remaining ive partsE three parts should be reserved or him he should take only
the remaining two parts as his remuneration$ ,ince that dayE &arishchandra began to live in the
cremation ground$ &e always remembered the glorious days o his kingdomE his Mueen and his son$ &e
had great regret that Cust because o the anger o VishwamitraE he lost everything$ Very soonE his new
ound occupation began to show on his appearance$ &is hair grew long and was unkemptE his body dry
and stinking$ .n this guiseE he began to roam in the cremation ground always carrying a stick in his
hand$ &is whole day passed in the assessment o the cremation toll and its division among the various
claimants$ &e had lost his mental stature as he even orgot the count o the days and could not
distinguish between the day and night$
%ne dayE a snake bit "ohit as a result o whichE he died$ ,haivya brought "ohitE crying and wailing to
the cremation ground$ +ven in the unkempt guiseE she recognised &arishchandra$ &earing her wailingE
&arishchandra went near her eGpecting to get the clothes o the deceased$ -here he saw a woman
carrying a dead boy wrapped in a black cloth$ &e could not recognise Mueen ,haivya but the royal
appearance o the boy orced him to think= K-o which royal amily did this unortunate boy belong toN
&ow pitiableE the cruel Kaal did not even spare this boy$ 'y son "ohit would have attained the same
age by now$K &is silence urther hurt the Mueen who said= K% lordL % kingL &ow comeE you have been
living here without caring or your wie and sonN 6e have already lost our kingdom$ 1owE we have lost
our son also$ % destinyL Did you not destroy everything o &arishchandraNK &arishchandra began to
think who that woman could be and who that dead boy wasN K.snKt she my wieNK -hus recognising his
wie and dead sonE &arishchandra began to cry loudly and ainted$ -he Mueen ater seeing her
husbandKs condition ainted too$ Ater sometime both o them regained their consciousness$ -hen the
king took the dead boy in his lap and once again ainted$ Aueen ,haivya began to wonder why
&arishchandra was staying in the cremation ground$ <or a momentE she orgot her sorrow and began to
look at her ainted husband$ -hen she noticed the stick in &arishchandraKs hand$ 2sually :handaals
used to carry that kind o stick$ ,he became deCected with the thought that she had become the wie o
a :handaal$ ,he then began to curse the destiny and began to wail embracing King &arishchandra and
said= K% kingL . donKt know whether . am dreaming or it is a reality$ . have lost the power o thinking$K
&earing the words o the MueenE the king opened his eyes and narrated the whole events that led to his
becoming a :handaal$ -hen the Mueen narrated her eGperiences and how their son "ohit died because
o snakebite$ &arishchandra ell on the ground and began to hug his dead son$ &e was wailing= K&ow
unortunate . am that even my wishes are not under my control$ 6ithout the permission o the
:handaalE . cannot even commit sel=immolation$ But nowE . will not dierentiate between the sin and
virtuosity$ . will destroy my body in the pyre o my son$K -he Mueen said= K% kingL . am also unable to
bear the burden o sorrows$ . will also commit immolation with you$ -hen all three o us will stay unitedly
in the heaven$ .t wonKt matter to us even i we suer the tortures o hell$K -hen the king arranged a huge
pyre and put his dead son on it$ 6ith the MueenE he began to pray to *od$ @ust then all the deities
arrived there led by Dharma$ ,age Vishwamitra also accompanied them$ -hey praised &arishchandra$
-hen DharmaE .ndra and Vishwamitra came closer to the king$
Dharma said= K% kingL You have satisied me with your merits like patienceE enduranceE truthulness
etc$K .ndra said= K&arishchandraE you are very ortunate$ You have won our hearts along with your wie
and son$ You have even won the heaven with your action$ . invite you to stay in heaven along with your
wie and son$K -hen .ndra sprinkled ambrosia on the dead "ohit$ "ohit got up and sat up in no time$
&arishchandraE his wie and son "ohit were clad in divine clothes and garlands$ .ndra invited them to
stay in the heaven orever but &arishchandra said= K% king o the deitiesL 6ithout the permission o this
:handaalE . cannot go anywhere$
K Dharma said= K% kingL . had learnt in advance about the miseries you would suer in uture$ -hatKs why
. took the guise o a :handaal and showed you all the grotesMue action$K .ndra once again invited them
to heaven but once againE &arishchandra reused saying that in KoshalE people must have been living
mournully in his absence$ K. cannot leave them in that pitiable condition to enCoy the comorts o the
heavenKE said &arishchandra$ -henE .ndraE Dharma and Vishwamitra led &arishchandra to AyodhyaE the
capital o Koshal$ -here they carried out the coronation o "ohit$ -hereaterE they took &arishchandra
and his Mueen ,haivya to the heaven$
7$($) -he ,tork and the 8artridge
-he birds say= % great sage @aiminiL 6henE King &arishchandra attained his heavenly abodeE their
amily priestE sage Vashishta re=emerged rom water$ &e came to know about the entire development$
&e was angry at VishwamitraKs stubbornness$ &e at once cursed Vishwamitra to become a stork$
%n the other hand Vishwamitra cursed Vashishta to become a partridge$ -hus both o them turned into
birds and began to ight$ -heir ight caused great panic all around$ At last accompanied by the deitiesE
Brahma himsel arrived at the scene and dissuaded the birds rom ighting$ But Brahma could not
convince them and they continued to ight$
Brahma then destroyed their avian appearances and both the sages regained their original orm$ -heir
enemity too ended at the same time$ Brahma eGplained to them that Vishwamitra had not done any
harm to &arishchandra$ .n act he had elicitated &arishchandraKs ascend to the heaven$ Both the
sages elt ashamed and they embraced each other beore leaving or their respective hermitages$
7$($/ Birth o Living :reatures
@aimini says= % great birdsE how does a living being take birthN &ow does it grow in the womb bearing
all the painN &ow does it grow ater taking birthN 6hat happens to the soul ater deathN &ow does it
eGperience the ruits o his KarmasN -he greatest surprise is how does a little oetus survive in the
womb$ Kindly clear all these doubts$
Birds say= %nce upon a timeE a Brahmin lived along with his son= ,umati$ %ne dayE the Brahmin
instructed ,umati to study Vedas under the tutelage o a teacher and himsel went to the orest to attain
Brahmagyan= the knowledge which rees the soul rom transmigration$ But due to his laBinessE ,umati
did not pay heed to his ather$ 6hen his ather repeated his instructionE he simply laughed and said= K%
atherL . know everything$ . have studied all the Vedas in my various births$ . have eGperienced the
darkness o motherKs belly or many times$ . have suered thousand kinds o diseases in my previous
lives$ . have eGperienced the authority as well as slavery in my previous births$ . had killed as well as
got killed by others$ &enceE . eelE . have all the knowledge and . am sure that . will deinitely attain
Brahmapad$K ,umatiKs ather was pleased at his sonKs claims and asked him how he attained such
virtuosity$
,umati said= K% atherL . was a Brahmin in my previous birth$ . had attained the designation o Acharya$
Ater sometimeE . became a recluse$ . was blessed with an eGtraordinary memoryE which . retained even
ater my death$ -his is the reason why . remember the sel knowledge attained in my previous birth$
6ith the support o this knowledge and religious virtuesE . will attempt to attain salvation$ -ell me what
you eGpect rom me$ . will try to ulil your eGpectations$K -he Brahmin then asked many Muestions
related to lie and death$ ,umati eGplained those Mueries thusJ
-hose who never tell a lieE who have aith and devotionE only such people die peaceully$ 6hoeverKs
mind is ree rom the evils like KamaE KrodhE 'ohaE Dwesh etc$ (lustE angerE aectionE Cealousy etc$)
and who are altruistic in nature and make donations liberally die in peace$ -hose who lack these virtues
suer great pain at the time o death$ As soon as such people sight Yamadoot they begin to cry and call
their relatives$ But their relatives do not understand their calls$ -hen the dying person turns away his
eyes and grasps or breath$ &e eels great pain when his soul leaves his body$ +ven ater deathE
suerings o such people do not end$ -hey have to undergo scores o tortures in hell$ -hose who
donate umbrellaE shoesE clothes and cereals attain heaven$ -he sinners on the other hand pass through
dierent hells and take birth as inerior creature in their neGt lives$ Ater continuous transmigration
through lower lie ormsE these sinners once again take birth as human beings but are imperect$ -hey
remain dwarE hunched or have any other deormity$ -hen they pass through all the our castes=
,hudraE VaishyaE Kshatriya and Brahmin classes$ As their action improvesE they might even attain the
position o .ndra$K
4&* $escription of $ifferent ?ells
-his chapter contains 4 sections$
7$0$# .ntroduction
-he Brahmin says= % sonL Describe in detail about hell$
,umati says= % atherL Yamadoots carry and lynch those people who eat inedible thingsE who deceive
and dishonour their riendsE who indulge in illicit relationshipsE who desert their wieE and who destroy
public properties like gardenE water sources etc$ Yamadoots tie hands and legs o such people and
throw them into the ire$ %n their way to hellE such people are bitten by crowsE storksE wolvesE vultures
etc$ -hey stay in the inerno or thousand years$
-hen they are shited to another hell named -amaE which is always shrouded in darkness$ ,inners who
kill the cows and their brothers are thrown into this hell$ -hey panic due to darkness and eGtreme cold$
-hey get nothing to eat and drink$ 'oreoverE chilling winds aggravates their miseries by making their
bones sti$ -hese sinners then drink their own blood and eat their own lesh$ -hey stay there until all
their sins have been attenuated completely$
-hen they are thrown into yet another hell named 1ikrintanE which revolves like the wheel o a potter$
&oisting the sinners on the wheelE Yamadoots cut their organs but still their suerings do not end
because the cut organs reCoin and get cut repeatedly$ -his continues or thousand o years$ -hen the
sinners are put in Aprathisth hell where they eGperience unbearable sorrow and miseries$ -he sinners
are then put in :hakrasankar hell where they are tormented with wheels and huge bells$ -hey are
disembowelled and their eyes are also pricked$ -he sinners have to pass through dierent hells namely
AsipatraE -aptakumbha and Lohakumbha$
7$0$( Yamadoot and the King o Videha
,umati says= . was born in a Vaishya amilyE seven births beore this present one$ .n that birthE . once
prevented cows rom drinking water$ As a result o this sinE . was thrown in the hell named Daarun
where . spent one hundred years without a drop o water$
,uddenly one dayE cool pleasant wind began to blowE its cool touch gave some relie to me$ . saw that a
Yamadoot was guiding a gentle looking man$ Besides meE all the inmates o the hell elt eGtreme Coy by
the sight o that gentleman$ -he gentleman was asking that Yamadoot as to why he was being taken to
the hell$ <rom the words o that gentlemanE it appeared that he was a renowned scholar$ -hat man was
in act the ruler o a kingdom named Videha and was popular as the osterer o his subCects$
7$0$0 Description o -ortures in &ell
-hus asked by the gentlemanE Yamadoots replied politely= K% kingL You once deliberately prevented
your wie 8ivari rom conceiving because you were more attracted to your second wie= ,ushobhana$ .t
is because o that action that you have been brought here to undergo severe torture$K -he religious
minded king said= K . am willing to go where ever you want to take meE but beore doing that . would like
to have answers to my Muestions$ . see many people undergoing severe tortures in this hell$ Big and
rightening crows prick their eyes$ -ell meE or what sin they are acing such tortures$K
Yamadoot said= K% kingL &umans suer or enCoy according to their Karmas$ -he eect o their Karmas
diminishes in proportion to their suerings$ -hese crows are pricking the eyes o such people who had
seduced other women and deceitully acMuired othersK wealth$ -hese people will suer or the same
number o years as their eyes blinked during the leering$ -hese crows prick the tongues o those
people who had criticised VedasE deitiesE Brahmins and teachers$ -hose who caused dierences
between riendsE husband=wivesE ather and sons and relativesE or killed the perormer o the Yagyas
are suering under the saw$ -hose who insulted their parents and teachers have been thrown in the pit
o pusE aeces and other eGcretions with their head down$ -hose who had ood beore oering it to the
deitiesE guestsE servantsE ather and eldersE ire and birdsE stay in a pit o pus$
.ron nails are hammered into the ears o those people who gleeully heard the criticism o creaturesE
deitiesE Brahmins and Vedas$ -hose who remarried their daughters to another person despite her
ormer husband being alive are cut into pieces and thrown into saline river$ -hose who betrayed their
riends are tied tightly with a rope$ 6ormsE scorpionE crows and owls then bite their bodies$ -hose who
enCoyed carnal intimacy during daytime or had illicit relations with women are hammered with nails to a
prickly BombaG tree$ -hose who insulted Vedas and ire are thrown rom the loty peaks o mountain$ %
kingL -hose who steal goldE those who kill BrahminE those who drink wine and those who rape the wie
o their teacher are burnt in ire$K
7$0$4 Attenuation o ,ins
Yamadoot says= As a result o accepting money rom a degraded personE a Brahmin takes birth as an
ass$ A Brahmin who carries out Yagya or a degraded person takes birth as worm ater undergoing
severe suerings in dierent types o hell$ A person takes birth as an ass or an inerior bird as a result
o abusing his parents$ A person who does not worship his tutelary god beore eating takes birth as a
monkey$ -raitors take birth as ish$ -hose who steal cereals take birth as mice$
A ,hudraE who manages to establish intimacy with a Brahmin womanE takes birth as a worm$ ,imilarlyE
killers o woman and children also take birth as worms$ 2ngrateul people take birth as wormE insectsE
grasshoppersE scorpionE crows etc$ +ncroacher o land takes birth as grass shrubsE creepers and
inerior trees$ Butchers who kill bulls take birth as eunuchs$ -hus a person has to ace the result o his
Karma according to the gravity o his sins$
,umati says= As Yamadoot began to push the king aheadE all the creatures in hell gave a loud cry= K%
kingL 8lease stay here or ew more moments$ -he wind that blows towards us ater touching your body
gives us immense Coy$ -his wind has ended our suerings and pains$ &ave pity on us$K -he king asked
the Yamadoot= K6hy are these people so Coyous by my presenceN Yamadoot said= K% kingL .nitiallyE you
used to sustain your body by the letovers o the deitiesE ancestorsE guests and ascetics$ -his is the
reason why the wind that blows touching your body causing such pleasure to these people$
K -he king said= K. . can eliminate the suerings o these sinners merely by standing hereE . will deinitely
stay here$K Yamadoot said= K1oE you cannot stay here$ .t is a place or the sinners only$ :ome with us$
You will have to enCoy the pleasure o your pious action$K -he king said= K1oE . will not go anywhere
leaving these poor people in this pitiable condition$K Yamadoot said= K% kingL LookE Dharma and .ndra
have themselves arrived to escort you to the heaven$
K Dharma said= K% kingL You have worshipped me$ &ence ollow me to the heaven$K -he king replied=
K1oE . will not go anywhere leaving these thousands o people in the hell$K .ndra said= K+veryone has to
taste the ruits o his Karmas$ You cannot help them$K -he king said= K% .ndraL -ell meE how virtuous
was . in my previous lieNK Dharma said= K -hough your pious actions are athomlessE be sure that their
signiicance are not much than drops o water in an oceanE the stars in the sky$ -he kindness you have
shown towards these sinners has urther enhanced your virtuosity$K -he king said= K. it is soE may all
these people be released rom their suerings by the virtue o my good Karmas$K .ndra said= K% kingL By
your wordsE your pious action has increased like the height o the mountain and these sinners have
also been released rom their suerings$K
4&, >amous Mythological 0haracters
-his chapter contains / sections$
7$4$# *reatness o Being :haste (and birth o DurvasaE DattatreyaE :handrama)
Brahmin says= % sonL -ell meE what should . do nowN
,umati says= 1owE you should become a Vanprasthi and lead a lie o a Bhikshu by having control over
your senses$ You will attain that rare YogaE which helps a man to unite with the almighty ater reeing
him rom the cycles o birthE death and re=birth$
Brahmin says= % sonL 1ow eGplain to me about this YogaE which bestows liberation to a man$
,umati says= . am now describing to youE the same teGt related with Yoga that was once narrated by
Dattatreya to Alark$
-he Brahmin asked ,umati= 6ho was DattatreyaKs atherN &ow did he acMuire the knowledge o YogaN
6ho was AlarkN
,umati says= .n ancient 8ratisthanpur (modern 8aithan) there lived a Brahmin$ &e was inlicted by
leprosy because o the sins he had committed in his previous birth$ -he Brahmin was very short=
tempered and used to sco at his wie reMuently$ But his wie was very chaste in character and
worshipped him like a deity$ %ne dayE the Brahmin ordered his wie to carry him to the prostituteKs
houseE as he had become too weak and eeble$ Being chasteE the wie collected some money and
began to carry the Brahmin on her shoulders to the home o the prostitute$ %n their wayE they reached
a place where sage 'aandavya was hanged but still was alive$ .n the darknessE the woman could not
see the things clearly and the Brahmin who was riding her shoulders happened to touch the sage$ -he
sage cursed angrily that whoever had touched him would die beore sunrise$ &earing the words o the
sageE the BrahminKs wie thundered that there would be no sunrise tomorrow$
6ords o the woman came to be true as neGt morningE the ,un did not rise$ -hus the whole world was
shrouded in darkness as a result o whichE the deities became worried$ -he deities apprehended that
without the occurrence o sunriseE the whole universe might be destroyed$ -hey were also worried that
without the dierentiation o day and nightE how could the months be calculated and the seasons
known$ +ven the calculation o year would be impossible$ -he chastity o Brahmins wie had orced
even the mighty sun to eschew its daily routine$ As a result o thisE religious activities like &avanE Yagya
etc$ also came to a halt$ ,eeing them perpleGedE Brahma advised the deities to eulogise AnsuyaE the
wie o sage Atri$ All the deities then pleased Ansuya who assured them to convince the wie o the
Brahmin to retract her words$ Ater thatE Ansuya reached the BrahminKs hut and said to his wie= K%
ortunate oneL 'ay you always serve your husband with ull dedication$ A chaste woman enCoys hal the
virtues o her husbandE which he earns by his religious activities$K
Brahmini said= K. am blessed today that the deities have at last glanced at me$ 1owE tell meE what
should . doNK Ansuya said= K% ,aadhviL .n the absence o the dayE all the religious activities have
ceased to eGist$ -he world is on the verge o eGtinction$ %nly your wish can protect the world rom
imminent calamity$ &enceE be pleased now and allow the ,un to rise as usual$K Brahmini said= K%
ortunate oneL ,age 'aandavya had cursed that my husband would die with sunrise$ . cannot aord to
lose my husband$K Ansuya said= KDonKt worryE % chaste womanL . will resurrect your husband$ ,oE kindly
allow the ,un to rise now$K
-henE Ansuya invoked the ,un by oering water as an oblation$ &oweverE the leper=inlicted Brahmin
died as soon as the ,un rose$ -hen by the powers o her penanceE Ansuya resurrected the Brahmin
and transormed him into a disease=ree handsome young man$ ,he also blessed the couple to live or
hundred years$ -he deities were pleased with Ansuya and asked her to seek a boon$ Ansuya
eGpressed her desire to give birth to the trinity o BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh as her sons$ -he trinity
blessed her with this boon$ .n due course o timeE BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh took birth as
:handramaE Dattatreya and Durvaasa rom Ansuya$
7$4$( Dattatreya 8reaches Kartaveerya ArCuna
,umati says= % atherL Ater the demise o KaartaveeryaE his ministers and priests decided to crown his
son ArCun as their new king$ But ArCun reused saying that he would not become the king unless and
until he had attained the status o a Yogi$ ,age *arg then advised ArCun to worship Dattatreya who had
helped the deities to reunite ater the deeat o the demons$
AterwardsE ArCun migrated to DattatreyaKs hermitage and began to worship and serve him$ 8leased by
his penance and serviceE Dattatreya asked ArCun to seek a boon$ ArCun said= K% lordL Kindly bless me
with such a powerE which enables me to perorm my duties as a king in a Cust manner$ 'ay nobody
match me in war and may . have one thousand arms$ . wish to get killed only by such a person who is
more virtuous than me and may . guide the people towards the right path$ 'ay nobody in my kingdom
remain poor and may my devotion or your lotus eet be eternal$K Dattatreya said= K% sonL All o your
wishes shall come true$ 6ith my blessingsE you shall rule over all the our directions$K -henE Dattatreya
crowned ArCun as the king$ Large number o people witnessed his crowning ceremony$ ,oon ater
becoming the kingE Kaar taveerya ArCun ordered that nobody in his kingdom should wield a weapon
eGcept him$
7$4$0 Kuvalayashva and the &orse Kuvalaya
,umati says= % atherL 1ow listen to the tale o a Brahmin named Alark$ Long agoE there lived a king
named ,hatruCit who had a meritorious sonE "itudhwaC$ 8rince "itudhwaC had many riends with whom
he used to play with$ .n course o timeE two sons o AshwatarE the king o 1agas became his riends in
the guise o Brahmin boys$ Both o them were young and good=looking$ Both o them used to pass the
entire day in the company o "itudhwaC$ -hey would return to their abode in 8aatal loka only at night$
%n being enMuired by their atherE they revealed the reason about their late arrival at home$ -hey said=
K% atherL 2p there on the landE there is a prince named "itudhwaC$ &e is the son o King ,hatruCit$ &e is
very handsomeE gentleE braveE truthulE knowledgeous and meritorious$ 6e enCoy his company$K
Ashwatar said= K8rince "itudhwaC is really blessed or even the meritorious people like you praise him$
But have you done anything to make him happyNK &is sons asked= K6hat can we do or his pleasureN
6e ind ourselves incapable o pleasing such a person whose riches are even rare or 8aatal loka$K
Ashwatar said= K+ven thenE . wish to hear about the characteristics o your new riend$K
-he sons said= % atherL %nce the prince narrated us a taleE we are going to relate it now$ A Brahmin
named *aalav lived in King ,hatruCitKs kingdom$ %ne dayE he arrived in the court o the king riding on a
horse and said= K% kingL <or the past many monthsE a wretched demon has been tormenting me and
causing severe disturbances in my daily rituals$ &e is capable o taking any guise at will$ Disguising as
an elephantE lionE tigerE wol and many other wild animalsE he terrorises me$ .t has become very diicult
or me to do my meditation$ %ne day in my rustrationE . let out a deep sigh$ As soon as . did soE this
divine horse descended rom the sky$ . heard a heavenly voiceE which said= K% BrahminL -his horse is
capable o circumambulating the entire earth without getting tired$ .t can climb loty mountains
eortlessly and can also run in all the three worlds with the same speed$ &enceE this horse shall be
renowned as Kuvalaya$ "iding itE the son o King ,hatruCit will kill the demon that torments you day and
night$ K% kingL -hat is the reason that . have arrived in your court with this horse$ Kindly accept it and
instruct your son to ride it and kill the demon$K King ,hatruCit saw his son "itudhwaC o with the Brahmin
riding that divine horse$
7$4$4 Kuvalaya goes to 8atal LokaE Killing o Demon 8atal Ketu and 'arriage with 'adalasa
8rince "itudhwaC stayed in the hermitage o sage *aalav and helped him to perorm his Yagyas without
any problem by clearing all the minor obstacles$ -he demons were not aware o his arrival in the
hermitage$ %ne dayE a demon arrived in the hermitage disguised as a wild boar and began to rub his
bushy head against the body o sage *aalav$ ,eeing thisE his disciples began to scream$ 8rince
"itudhwaC at once rode the horse and wielding a weapon dashed ater the boar$ -he prince inCured the
boar with an arrowE which was sickle=shaped$ -he demons led rom the scene$ 8rince "itudhwaC
ollowed the boar everywhere it went on the mountainsE in the orests and on the riverbank$ &e was
determined to slay the demon that had been disturbing the sage or long$ 2ltimatelyE the boar Cumped
into a pit$ "itudhwaC also ollowed it but could not see the boar anywhere in the pit$ .nstead he saw a
beautiul town which could have matched even the abode o .ndra$ &e entered the town where he saw
an eGtremely pretty girl who was walking briskly$ "itudhwaC tried to know about her destination but she
ignored him and climbed the stairs o a palace$ "itudhwaC also ollowed her and in the palaceE he saw a
beautiul girl sitting on a bedstead$ As soon as the girl saw himE she ainted$ &er beauty attracted even
"itudhwaC$ &e assured her that there was nothing to be araid about$ -hen the same girl whom
"itudhwaC had sighted earlier came there and began to an the ainted lady$ -he prince enMuired about
the reason o her unconsciousness$ But the girl did not say anything$ .nstead she whispered something
in the ears o her riend who then said= K% strangerL -his is the daughter o VishwavasuE the king o
*andharvas$ &er name is 'adalasa$ %ne dayE while she was playing in her gardenE a demon
8aatalketu abducted her$ ,ince then she stays here in his captivity$ %n the coming thirteenth day o this
month that demon will marry her$ But he doesnKt deserve to be her husband$ YesterdayE she was ready
to commit suicide but the cow ,urabhiE assured her that a man rom the earth would come and kill the
demon$ %nly he would be suitable or my riend$ . am her riend$ 'y name is Kundala$ . am the
daughter o Vindhyavan and wie o 8ushkarmali$ 'y husband had been killed by the demon ,humbh$
,ince then . have been touring various places o pilgrimage in order to receive salvation$ -hat wretched
8aatalketu had taken the guise o a boar but a brave man has inCured him with his arrow$ . have arrived
here only to investigate who is that man$ Do not worry about my riendKs unconsciousness$ ,he has
ainted because o your inatuating handsomeness$ ,he has begun to love you but her problem is that
only that man can marry her who has inCured the boar$ -his thought has caused her to lose her
consciousness$ 1ow reveal your identity$K
"itudhwaC said= K. am the son o King ,hatruCit$ . have been staying in the hermitage o sage *aalav to
protect the sages$ @ust a ew days backE a boar arrived in the hermitage and began to torment the
sages$ . have inCured that boar with my arrow$ 1ow . have arrived here ollowing that boar and
happened to see you$K
&earing the words o "itudhwaCE 'adalasa elt shy as well as eGtreme Coy$ Kundala then said to her
riend= K-he prince speaks the truth$ 6ords o ,urabhi cannot go wrong$K ,he then said to "itudhwaC= K%
brave manL Doubtlessly you have killed the demonE 8aatalketu$ 'y riend 'adalasa is blessed now$
1ow its your duty to marry my riend and take her home as your bride$K "itudhwaC said= K&ow can .
marry your riend without the permission o my ather$ . am still not ully independent$K Kundala said=
K8lease do not say this$ 'y riend is a divine beauty$ 'arry her right now$K 8rince "itudhwaC then agreed
to marry 'adalasa then and there$ 'adalasa happily remembered their amily priest -umbaru who
arrived there instantaneously$ .n the presence o sacred ireE -umbaru carried out the rituals o
marriage and tied them in nuptial knot$ -hereater blessing the newly wed coupleE -umbaru and
Kundala took to their respective paths$
%n the other handE when "itudhwaC and 'adalasa started o riding the horseE KuvalayaE demonsK army
surrounded them$ A ierce battle ollowed$ .n no timeE prince "itudhwaC slayed the entire army and
reached his kingdom$ -here he narrated the whole incident to his ather ,hatruCit$ King ,hatruCit elt very
much pleased by the prowess o his son and blessed them heartily$ -hereaterE "itudhwaC came to his
palace with his wie 'adalasa$ -hey then began to live happily$
7$4$9 ,eparation o 'adalasa
-he newly=wed couple had hardly spent ew months together when King ,hatruCit once again instructed
"itudhwaC to travel across the entire earth and see whether the Brahmins were perorming their
religious duties without any obstacles$ "itudhwaC obeyed the dictates o his ather$ &e used to scale
vast distances or the whole day and returned to his wie only at night$ %ne day he noticed that a sage
was staying at the bank o river Yamuna$ &e was in act -aalketuE the younger brother o 8aatalketu$
But the prince could not recognise him$ -hat sage approached "itudhwaC and reMuested him to eGtend
his protection over his hermitageE as he was about to start Yagyas$ &e also begged or the precious
necklace o the prince on the preteGt that he had nothing to pay as Dakshina$ -he gullible prince gave
his necklace to the sage$ -hen instructing the prince to guard the hermitage and promising to return
soonE the sage let$
.n actE the sage who was actually a demon arrived in the court o King ,hatruCit$ 'adalasa was also
present in the court$ &e said= K8rince "itudhwaC sacriiced his lie ighting with the demon while
protecting my hermitage$ Beore his deathE he gave me his necklace$ &is horse has been captured by
the demon$ . have brought this necklace to you to inorm you about that sad incident$K Ater giving the
necklace to 'adalasaE the demon returned to the hermitage$
&earing the news o her husbandKs deathE 'adalasa also gave up her lie$ 'ourning soon enveloped
the entire palace$ ,eeing the death o his daughter=in=lawE 'adalasaE King ,hatruCit was in a dilemma
as or whose death should he mourn$ A little contemplation led him to the conclusion that it would be
utile to mourn his son= "itudhwaCKs death because he had died or a noble cause$ But his daughter=in=
law had ollowed the steps o her husbandE so her death should be mourned or$ -he Mueen also
supported the king$ -hereater the king perormed the last rites o both o them$
6hen -aalketu returned to his hermitageE he ound "itudhwaC still standing alert$ .n a sweet toneE
-aalketu said= K. am obliged by youE % princeL ,taying here with unwavering mindE you have eGecuted
my desired task$ . have met my obCectiveE so you may go now$K 8rince "itudhwaC then returned to his
palace riding his horse$
7$4$; 'adalasa is "eborn
6hen prince "itudhwaC reached the capitalE everyone eGpressed his pleasure with surprise$ "itudhwaC
met everyone happily and went to the palace o his parents$ -hough the king and the Mueen blessed
him but sad eGpression on their ace surprised the prince$ 2pon enMuiryE the king related the entire
incident and also how his wie 'adalasa had died$ -he news o 'adalsaKs death shocked "itudhwaC$
-hen consoled by his parents and riendsE prince "itudhwaC carried out the necessary consecrations to
paciy the soul o his dead wie$ &e had decided never to marry again$
-he sons o the 1aag said= K% atherL 1ow prince "itudhwaC lives like an ascetic$ &e never casts his
eyes on women and only indulges in playing with people o his age$ &ence all we can do or him is to
keep him happy$K
&earing the entire taleE 1aagraC ell in deep thought$ Ater sometime he said to his sons with a laughter=
K% sonsL 1ow . will do such a thing that will bring back the smile o "itudhwaC$K ,aying thisE 1aagraC
Ashwatar reached 8lakshaavataranE a place o pilgrimage at the oothills o &imalayas along with his
brother Kambal$ -here they began to do severe penance to please *oddess ,araswati$ At lastE
,araswati appeared beore them and asked them to seek a boon$ Ashwatar reMuested her to bless
both o them with a sweet and melodious voice$ Ater granting them this boonE *oddess ,araswati
disappeared$ By her blessingsE Ashwatar and his brotherE Kambal became amous singers$ -hen they
began worshipping Lord ,hiva singing sweet and melodious hymns$ 8leased by their prayersE Lord
,hankar also asked them to seek a boon$ At that Ashwatar said= K% lordL . wish that "itudhwaCKs wie
'adalasa takes birth as my daughter$K Lord ,hankar said= K6ith my blessingsE your wish shall come
true$ During the ,hraadh periodE you yoursel take the middle portion o the 8ind (ood oered to dead
ancestors) and contemplating on meE oer oblations to your ancestors$ 'adalasa will emerge rom your
Kmiddle=hoodK$
Bowing beore Lord ,hiva thereaterE both the brothers returned to their kingdom in 8aatal loka$
Ashwatar organised a ,hraadh in the same way as told by the Lord and consumed the middle portion
o the ood oered to the ancestors$ -hen contemplating on the desired obCectE he let out a deep sigh$
.nstantaneouslyE 'adalasa emerged rom his Kmiddle=hoodK$ Ashwatar did not reveal this act to
anybody and made adeMuate arrangements so that she could live in secrecy$
-hereater one dayE he instructed his sons to bring their riend "itudhwaC to the palace$ Both the sons
once again Coined the company o "itudhwaC$ %ne day while playingE they insisted him to visit their
palace$ -he prince gladly accompanied them$ .n 8aatal lokaE he was amaBed to see his Brahmin
riends getting transormed into serpents$ -hey took "itudhwaC through the streets and lanes o their
kingdom$ 2ltimately they reached the palace o Ashwatar$ .ntroducing "itudhwaCE the serpent princes
said= K% atherL -his is our brave riendE "itudhwaC$K "itudhwaC greeted Ashwatar respectully and
received his blessings$ Ashwatar said to him= KLong live % princeL 'y sons always sing praise o your
divine virtues$ . reMuest you to stay with us or a ew months and enCoy the pleasures o 8aatal loka$K
7$4$7 "itudhwaC "eunites with 'adalasa
"itudhwaC stayed in the palace o Ashwatar$ 1aagraC did his best to keep "itudhwaC happy and orget
the sorrow o his wieKs separation$ During his stayE Ashwatar tried many times to coaG "itudhwaC into
revealing his heartiest desire$ But every time "itudhwaC intelligently avoided the topic$ %nceE King
AshwatarE in "itudhwaCKs presenceE asked his sons what should be done to please him$ -hey inormed
the king that nothing less than 'adalasa would please the prince most and that the prince was eager to
see his deceased wie once more$
8rince "itudhwaC also said shyly that he would be greatly obliged i 1aagraC could help him to have a
sight o his deceased wie$ Ashwatar said= K% sonL . you wish to see the illusionE come onE have a sight
o your deceased wie$K ,aying thisE 1aagraC called 'adalasa who was staying secretly in his palace
and asked "itudhwaC= K-ake a good lookE % sonE i she is your wie$K ,eeing his wie beore himE the
prince ainted$ 6hen he regained his consciousnessE he stepped orward to touch her but Ashwatar
stopped him cautioning that she was not real but illusionary and would vanish as soon as he touched
her$
&earing thisE "itudhwaC once again lost his consciousness$ 6hen he regained his consciousnessE he
uttered nothing but K,heKs mineL ,heKs mineLK ,eeing the pitiable condition o the princeE 1aagraC
revealed the whole story o 'adalsaKs resurrection$ "itudhwaC became eGtremely Coyous ater re=uniting
with his wie$ -hen he contemplated on his divine horse as a result o whichE it appeared within a
moment$ "iding the horseE prince "itudhwaC returned to his kingdom with his wie 'adalasa$
7$4$) Birth o 'adalasa?s ,ons
Ater returning to his atherKs kingdomE "itudhwaC narrated the whole incident to his parents o how he
regained 'adalasa$ -hen they began to live happily$ Ater many yearsE King ,hatruCit crowned
"itudhwaC as the king$ Ater King "itudhwaCKs accession to the throneE 'adalasa gave birth to her irst
son$ "itudhwaC named the child as Vikrant$ Ater sometimeE 'adalasa gave birth to her second son
whom "itudhwaC named as ,ubahu$ ,ubseMuentlyE their third son was born and named ,hatrumardan$
Ater the naming ceremony o the third sonE 'adalasa could not help laughingE as she was very
amused by such a name given to her son$ -he metaphysical knowledgeE which 'adalasa gave to her
three sonsE had helped them to become ascetics$ 6hen their ourth son was bornE the king sought her
approval on the name being given to him$ -his made the Mueen laugh$ -he king asked her to name the
child$ 'adalasa named this child as Alark$
&earing the nameE the king ridiculed its relevance$ 'adalasa said that the names have signiicance
only or worldly matters$ ,he also reminded the king about the utility o the names given to their
previous children$ As 'adalasa began to preach her ourth son about the metaphysicsE the king
stopped her by saying that she had already preached all the three sons on the path o renunciation$ &e
reMuested her to spare the ourth child so that he could grow up and become the king one=day$
'adalasa then blessed her son= KYou are blessed my son because you will rule the earth without
obstacles$ 1ow cultivate in your heart the desire to do well to others$ 1ever caste your eyes on women
other than your wie$ Always contemplate on 'urari to destroy the evil thoughts in your heart$K
7$4$/ 8reachings o 'adalasa
'adalasa used to preach the little prince while played$ 6hen Alark attained boyhoodE he asked= K%
motherL 6hat should . do in order to mastery over physical and metaphysical mattersN &ow can . serve
my subCects in the best possible wayNK
'adalasa said= KLooking ater the welare o the subCects religiously is the supreme duty o a king$ &e
should always be alert against the activities o his enemies$ 6ith the help o spiesE the king should keep
a watch on the activities o his minister so that he could not make riends with the enemies$ .t is unwise
or the king to trust everybody but under certain circumstancesE he may trust even his enemies$ A king
must control his lust but at the same timeE he should make eorts to increase the boundaries o his
kingdom$ ,urrendering to sensual comort is like death or a king$ A king should appear as all pervasive
and omnipresent$ <ostering the subCects with total righteousness enhances the wisdom o the king$K
4&/ $uties of People #elonging to +arious Ashrams
-his chapter contains ( sections$
7$9$# Varnashram Dharma
Alark says= K-ell me about the duties o the dierent classes and stages o lie$K
'adalasa says= KDonationE study and YagyaE these three are the religion o a Brahmin$ 8erorming
Yagya or othersE teaching and accepting donation are the three vocations o Brahmin$ DonationE study
and Yagya are also the religious duties o Kshatriyas$ 8rotection o land and using weapons are
vocation or Kshatriyas$ "eligious duties o a Vaishya are also same like that o the Brahmins such as
donationE study and Yagya$ <or a livingE Vaishya may take up animal rearingE agriculture and trade as
proession$ ,erving all these three above mentioned castes as well as making donations and
perorming Yagya are the religious duties o a ,hudra$ -illing the earthE serving BrahminsE eeding
animalsE selling and purchasing items are proessions o a ,hudra$ A person belonging to DwiC class
may relatively enCoy reedom until his sacred thread ceremony has not been perormed$ Ater the
sacred thread ceremonyE he should come to stay at the home o his teacher and observe celibacy
strictly while studying scriptures$ -here he is eGpected to serve the *uru sincerely$ At the completion o
educationE he should pay Dakshina to his *uru$ &e may get married and start the second stage o his
lie that is *rihasthashram$ &e should then subseMuently opt or Vanprastha and ,anyaas respectively$
Ater the completion o education and paying all the duesE the disciple is ready to start second stage o
his lie that is *rihasthashram$ <or this he should irst ind a suitable girl rom his caste and get married$
*rihasthashram is considered as the best stage o lie$ .t is in itsel a complete Yagya$ As a
householderE he is eGpected to oster those who are dependent on him$ During this stage o his lieE he
should earn his livelihood by occupations ascribed or his caste$ &e should please the deities by
perorming YagyasE his ancestors by making oblationsE 8raCapatis by producing childrenE spectres by
oering sacriices o cereals and society by showering love$ +ven the ascetic and celibates depend on
married people or their daily bread$ &ence married lie or *rihasthashram is stated to be superior
among all the Ashrams$
A *rihastha must welcome and treat even his uneGpected guests with great warmth$ A householder
who ails to satisy his guest never succeeds in religious matters$ -he Yagyas that are oered in such
households go utile$ &ence it is not proper or the householder to show ego and abuse a guest
otherwise he will have to eGpiate or it later$
6hen the children o the householder grow up and his body becomes senileE he should go to the orest
ater relinMuishing the world$ -hereE he should pass his time by indulging himsel in austerities and
religious activities$ -his stage is known as Vanprasthashram and is most necessary or the
sanctiication o his soul$ -his stage is ollowed by ,anyaasashram= the stageE which reMuires complete
renunciationE celibacyE control o senses and anger etc$ -he virtues like truthulnessE sanctityE non=
violenceE toleranceE orgivenessE kindnessE generosity and contentment are the religious merits
applicable to all the Ashrams eMually$ -hose who abide by their religion stay in the abode o BrahmaCi
till the reign o ourteen .ndras$ -he king punishes those who violate this religious code$ . the king
doesnKt punish themE he is himsel destroyed$ &ence a king must irst o all abide by the duties as
prescribed or dierent Ashrams in his lie and only then he has the right to punish those people who
violate these dictates$ K
7$9$( Duties o a *rihastha (&ouseholder)
Alark says= 6hat are the duties o a married man by discharging which he becomes ree rom all kinds
o bondage and attains salvation$ Kindly tell me about these things$
'adalasa says= % sonL -hose people who discharge their duties as a householder by ostering all the
living beings attain to the heaven automatically$ All the living creatures o the world including the deities
and the dead ancestors are dependent on their nurturing on the householder$ -hey always look at the
ace o the married man or their living$ .n actE *rihasthashram can be compared to a cow that osters
others with her milk$ All the our Vedas are present in this KcowK that is *rihasthashram$ +ntire universe
is relected in this Ashram$
Daily ater the bath in the morningE a *rihastha must perorm oblations to the deitiesE to the sagesE
8raCapati and ancestors by oering water to them$ -hen he should perorm a Yagya and oer cereals in
the sacriicial ire$ -here are certain places in the houseE which are reserved or speciic deities and
where oerings are made to them$ ,acriice to BrahmaCi should be oered in the central part o the
homeE to Vishwadeva in the eastern side o the homeE to Dhanvantari in the northern sideE to .ndra
again in the eastern sideE to Yama in the southern sideE to Varun in the western side and to ,oma in the
northern side o the home$ At the threshold o the houseE sacriice should be oered to Dhaata and
Vidhaata$ %ne must sit acing the south while oering sacriice to his dead ancestors$ <or the dogs and
birdsE sacriices should be given on the ground in the morning and evening$ At the arrival o a guestE a
*rihastha must worship him by oering waterE cerealsE lowers etc$ as per his inancial condition$ .
possibleE a *rihastha should eed one or more Brahmins in order to paciy his ancestors$ &e should
give alms to a beggar and a celibate$ 6ithout giving almsE a *rihastha must not proceed to dine$ &e
should also eed starving and diseased people irst$ ,uch kind o living deinitely beneits a *rihastha$
4&1 )hradha and its 6ituals
-his chapter contains 4 sections$
7$;$# "egular and :ausal Duties
'adalasa says= % sonL A *rihastha has three kinds o duties= regularE causal and a combination o
both$ "itualsE which are connected with oblations and carried out dailyE are called regular duties$ "ituals
and consecrations perormed at the birth o a child are called causal duties$ Yearly perormance o
,hraadh or the dead ancestors is a combination o regular and causal duties$ 1ow listen about the
causal duties$
At the time o a childKs birthE dierent kinds o rituals and consecrations are carried out in the
household$ During the time o marriage ceremony alsoE many more rituals are carried out$ At the time o
marriage howeverE perormance o the ,hraadh named 1aandimukh is a must$ During the ,hraadhE the
host should sit acing the north or the east and oer a loa made o barley lour and yoghurt$ -hen he
should circumambulate around two Brahmins and worship them$
"ituals and ,hraadh carried out in the household ater the occurrence o any death in the household
comes under the category o causal duties$ During the ,hraadh periodE all kinds o sacred activities are
orbidden$ %nly the use o Kusha grass is permitted$ Donation o K8indK comprising o barley lourE
yoghurtE honey etc$ is made or only one time to paciy the soul o the dead person$ -hen oblation o
water with sesame seeds should be oered in the name o the dead person$ -his ritual should continue
or a year= once every month$ Ater a yearE ,hraadh is organised in which oneE three or ive Brahmins
are ed$ -hereaterE every yearE during the darker phase o Ashwin monthE a ,hraadh should be carried
out or the dead ancestors$ -his ritual is a combination o regular and causal duties$
,ages have made provision or appeasement o dead ancestors up to the last seven generations$
:erealsE which the people oer in the name o their dead ancestorsE paciy those souls who stay in
8ishaach Yoni$ 6ater alling on the earth at the time o wringing the clothes ater oneKs bath paciies
those soulsE who have taken the orm o vegetation ater their death$ 6ater alling during the bath
satisies those souls who have attained the status o deities$ :ereals that all during the liting o 8ind
satisy those souls who are in lower lie orms$ -he cereals that scatter here and there and swept aside
satisy souls o those peopleE who had died in their childhood beore the accomplishment o any
consecration$ -he waste water alling down while Brahmin washes his hands ater dining and paciies
all the other souls$
+very monthE during the waning phase o the 'oon or on the day o AmavasyaE ,hraadh should be
carried out$ Besides itE eighth day o darker phase in the month o 8aush is also good or carrying out
,hraadh$ . a virtuous Brahmin is availableE time o solar and lunar eclipses is also good or ,hraadh$
-he time when the ,un crosses the eMuator during its northward and southward Courney is also good
or ,hraadh$ Apart rom these above mentioned situationsE one can also organise ,hraadh in the
ollowing circumstances= at the time o great calamityE availability o items suitable or ,hraadhE ater a
nightmareE during the period o birth 1akshatra and during the period o unavourable stars etc$ %n the
irst day o the ,hraadhE a virtuous Brahmin should be invited while the host must observe total
restraint$ .t is said that such a manE who indulges in seGual intercourse on the same day ater carrying
out ,hraadh or eating ood o ,hraadhE causes his dead ancestors to sleep in semen or one month$
Ancestors o such a manE who perorms ,hraadh immediately ater having a seGual intercourseE drink
urine and semen or one month$ &ence a virtuous BrahminE whom the host is intending to eedE should
be inormed about the ,hraadh one day earlier in advance$ . a Brahmin is not availableE a true celibate
can be ed on the day o ,hraadh$
Ater the Brahmin has carried out all the necessary ritualsE &avanE oblation etc$E he must be ormally
insisted to dine$ All kinds o edible items that a Brahmin may wish to eat should be oered$ 6hile
reciting the "akshodhn mantraE grains o sesame and mustard should be scattered on the ground$ Ater
the Brahmin has dinedE he should be oered with water to wash his hands and some cereals that
should be scattered on the ground with his permission$ -hen sitting on the seat o Kusha grassE the
host should oer a 8ind made o sesame seedsE barley lourE sugarE ghee etc$ An oblation o water
should ollow it$ At the endE the Brahmin should be seen o with proper Dakshina$ %nly then the host is
ree to dine himsel along with other invited guests and amily members$
7$;$( Dos and Don?t During a ,hraadha
'adalasa says= % sonL . am now narrating about the doKs and donKts to be ollowed during ,hraadh$
'any kinds o edible items can be oered in the ,hraadh$ -hese include cereals like barleyE wheatE
riceE milletE cornE etc$E ishE lesh o deerE rabbitE birdE wild boarE goat and 1eelgai (antelope)$ All these
kinds o items are capable o paciying the soul o dead ancestors or dierent period o time depending
on the nature o oerings being made$ Likewise cereals oered in sacred ire cause satisaction or one
month$ <ish causes satisaction or two months$ <lesh o deer causes satisaction or three months$
<lesh o rabbit causes satisaction or our months$ <lesh o bird causes satisaction or ive months$
<lesh o wild boar causes satisaction or siG months$ <lesh o goat causes satisaction or seven
months$ <lesh o dierent types o deer and antelope causes satisaction or eightE nine and ten months
respectively$
<ood items made o cowKs milk and ghee and kheer cause satisaction to the dead ancestors or one
year$ Dierent varieties o riceE barleyE milletE wheatE sesameE moong dalE mustard etc$ are eGtremely
satisying ood or the ancestors$ Dierent types o pulses and corn can also be oered$ 2se o garlicE
carrotE onionE radishE reined saltE red gumE gourd etc$ is prohibited$ 6ater that is stinkingE rothyE stale
or otherwise incapable o Muenching a cowKs thirst should also be discarded$ 'ilk o doeE camelE goatE
bualo and other one=hoo animalsE yak and such a cow that was milked or the past ten days is also
orbidden or use in ,hraadh$ ,oil that is inested with insectsE dryE baked with ireE stinking or collected
rom an unholy place should not be used$ ,imilarlyE such people who are violentE wretchedE killers o
BrahminsE impotent or have iendish characters should not be involved in the ,hraadh$ :ocks and pigs
should also be kept away rom the place o ,hraadh$ -his is the reason why sesame seeds are
scattered at the site o ,hraadh secretly$ -he host must not see a woman in menses$ .t is also not
necessary to eed a host o Brahmins$ .nstead it is suicient to eed only one meritorious Brahmin with
complete devotion and respect$ .t is enough to appease the dead ancestors$ Appeasement o ancestors
automatically lead to appeasement o the deitiesE planetsE 1akshatras and all whose blessings can
transorm the living condition o the person$
7$;$0 Auspicious Days and 'onths
'adalasa says= ,hraadh can be perormed on any day during the dark lunar phase in the &indu month
o Ashwin i$e$ rom the irst day to the Amavasya$ 8erorming o ,hraadh on any o these days brings
the ollowing beneits= 8erorming ,hraadh on the irst day or 8ratipada brings monetary gain$ ,hraadh
perormed on the second day brings prosperityE ,hraadh perormed on the third day blesses the
perormer with a boon$ 8erorming ,hraadh on the ourth day leads to the destruction o enemies$
8erorming ,hraadh on the ith day gives beneit rom a womanO ,hraadh perormed on the siGth day
helps a man to acMuire respect in the society$ ,hraadh perormed on the seventh day makes the
perormer an able leaderO ,hraadh perormed on the eighth day enhances the intelligence$ ,hraadh
perormed on the ninth day brings the company o the attractive women$ ,hraadh perormed on the
tenth day leads to the ulilment o all the desires$ 8erorming ,hraadh on the eleventh day helps him to
attain the knowledge o Vedas$ ,hraadh perormed on the twelth day makes the perormer victorious$
,hraadh perormed on the thirteenth day leads to long lie and luGuries$ ,hraadh perormed on the
ourteenth day and Amavasya lead to the ulilment o all the desires$
<ruits o ,hraadh perormed during dierent 1akshatrasJ
1AK,&A-"A "+,2L-J

K".-.KA Abode in heaven
"%&.1. .ncrease in progeny
'".*,&."A "adiance
A"D"A Bravery
821A"VA,2 .ncrease in land property
82,&YA .mprovement in health
A,&L+,&A ,ons
'A*&A &elp rom relatives
82"VA8&AL*21. *ood ortune
2--A"A8&AL*21. .ncrease in the virtues
&A,-A .ncrease in greatness
:&.-"A Beauty and handsome personality
,6A-. .ncrease in trade
V.,&AAK&A .ncrease in progeny and ulilment o desires
A12"AD&A "espect
@Y+,&-&A Dominance
'%%LA Disease=ree lie
82"VAA,A"&A 8opularity
2--A"A,A"&A <reedom rom sorrows
,&"AVA1 Attainment o auspicious abode
D&A1.,&-&A .mmense wealth
AB&.@.- Knowledge o Vedas
AB&.@.- Knowledge o medical science
,&A-AB&.,&A .ncrease in animal wealth
82"VAB&AD"A8AD .ncrease in knowledge and cattle
2--A"AB&AD"A8AD "eceiving o precious metals like gold and silver
"+VA-. "eceiving o horses
A,&6.1. .ncrease in average lie
B&A"A1. 8rosperity and increase in comorts
7$;$4 <orbidden and 8ermitted .tems
'adalasa says= % sonL 1owE . will tell you the doKs and donKts or healthy living$ ,tale cerealsE oil and
ats stored over a prolonged period o timeE items prepared rom wheat and barley and ood items
which is not prepared rom pure ghee or milk should not be consumed$ <lesh o turtleE porcupine etc$ is
worth eating whereas lesh o village pigs and cocks should not be consumed$ Brahmin can eat lesh
oered to him in a ,hraadh$ -hings like conchE stoneE goldE pearl etc$ are puriied simply by washing in
water$ :ereals either touched or washed by unwarranted people is not it or any purpose$ <lesh o
animals killed by :handaal or killed or the purpose o oblation in ,hraadh is also considered pure$
,eatE bedE vehicleE boatE grassE rays o the ,un and 'oon and air are naturally pure things$ -ouch by a
woman who is in her mensesE dogE CackalE a mother who has recently given birth to a childE a :handaalE
carriers o the brier etc$ is deiling in nature$ A person however can become pure once again by taking
bath i touched by any o these people and animals$ %ne should not neglect the appearance o blood
and cough$ +Gcretions and water collected ater washing the eet should be thrown out o the home at
once$ *etting touched by the people who criticiBe deitiesE ancestorsE YagyaE mantra etc$ is also deiling$
,ighting o the ,un however puriies the deiled person$
Duties o the womanJ Dierent male and emale deities dwell at the threshold o the home$ &ence this
portion o the home should be worshipped properly everyday$ At dawnE the threshold should not be let
vacant or it may have adverse eect on oneKs lineage$ -he whole area inside the home should be
plastered with cow dung daily or washed with pure water$ All these activities should be carried out by
the better hal o the householder$ -hose womenE who prepare ood during the last Muarter o the nightE
suer rom inertility in uture births$ -hose womenE who do not sweep their home in the eveningE
remain unmarried and are beret o wealth in uture births$ ,uch women also lose their wealthE lie=span
and reputation$ Kicking the ollowing things like broomE hearth and mortar etc$ or touching them with
eet also leads to the loss o progeny and wealth$
-he householder should not use broken seatE board and black blanket or sitting purpose$ &e should
not comb his hair while acing south$ -hose who do not dineE perorm &avan or make donations at the
appropriate time are no better than eunuchs$ -hose who shun these activities despite having wealth are
worse than mice$ -hose who do not respect the deitiesE teachersE wie o the teacherE cowE Brahmin etc$
are boycotted by the society$ 1aked are those who are devoid o VedasE other religious scriptures and
rituals$ ,uch a house is really contemptibleE which is boycotted by the Brahmins and where daily
routines are not ollowed regularly$
Ater birth or death in the amilyE a Brahmin becomes puriied in ten days$ During this period o ten
daysE he should avoid all the religious activities$ .n similar conditionsE a Kshatriya gets puriied in twelve
days ater a birth or death in his amilyE a Vaishya in iteen days and a ,hudra in one month$ Dead
body o a person should be cremated outside the boundaries o the village$ &is amily members should
oer oblation o water to paciy his soul on the irstE ourthE seventh and ninth days ater the cremation$
Ashes should be collected rom the ourth day$ .n case o deaths caused by a snake bite or poisoning
amily members may get puriied ater a day$ -here is no impurity in case o the death o a childE an
immigrant and the one who has renounced everything$ +ven their cremation is not carried out nor
oblation o water is made$
. one more death occurs in the amily while the mourning period o the earlier death is still continuingE
impurity o the second death lasts as long as that o the irst one$ ,imilar rules are applied to the
impurity caused by the birth$ -hus abiding by these normsE the householder can easily attain the our
obCectives o lie that is DharmaE ArthE Kama and 'oksha$
4&4 2ing Alar. and his Aueries a5out @oga
-his chapter contains / sections$
7$7$# King Alark "eceives a "ing
Ater reaching youth=hoodE 8rince Alark got married$ By that timeE his ather King "itudhwaC had also
grown old$ &ence beore *rihasthaE he crowned his son as the new king$ At the time o crowningE
Mueen 'adalasa presented him a ring and said =
K% sonL -his ring contains a note which will teach you on how a king should administer the kingdom$K
,aying thisE 'adalasa blessed Alark and let the palace with her husband "itudhwaC to spend their lives
in the orest$
7$7$( 6isdom o Alark
Ater his accession to the throneE King Alark ruled Custly$ .n due course o timeE he got many sons$ &e
ollowed the dictates o DharmaE Arth and Kama while ruling his kingdom$ .nspite o enCoying all the
luGuriesE Alark still could not eGperience bliss and elt as i he was missing something in his lie$ Very
soonE ,ubahu came to learn about the royal luGuries o his brother Alark and got tempted to enCoy the
same luGuries$ -o attain his obCectiveE ,ubahu took the help o the king o Kashi$ -he king o Kashi sent
an envoy to Alark with a message to give the kingdom to ,ubahuE which Alark reused$ .nsteadE he sent
a reply that the reMuest must be made by ,ubahu himsel$ K. will not give him my kingdom out o ear o
warEK said Alark$ But ,ubahu did not pay heed and with the help o the king o KashiE launched a
massive attack on his kingdom and conMuered it$ 1ow AlarkKs days o sorrow had begun$
&e then remembered the ring presented by his mother 'adalasa$ &e opened the ring and ound a letter
in it$ -he letter said= K6hen you lose your everythingE give up the company o your present advisors and
Coin the company o learned sages$K -his message made Alark to pine or the company o the learned
sages$ Very soonE he went to the reuge o Dattatreya and reMuested him to remove his miseries$
Dattatreya assured him o removing his miseries at once but beore doing thatE he wanted to know the
reasons or his miseries$ Alark said= K. do not long or pleasures but my elder brother wants to grab my
kingdom$K
7$7$0 Dattatreya 8reaches Alark
Alark says= K% lordL 6ith the arising o disenchantment in my heartE . have no miseries now$ %nly those
people eel drowned in the ocean o miseries who are attached to worldly things$ A man eels all kinds
o sorrows due to his attachments towards the luGuries in which his mind indulges$ 1ow neither sorrow
nor Coy can aect me$K
Dattatreya says= K% kingL 6hatever you said is correct$ Attachment is the cause o both sorrow and
happiness$ .t is because o the knowledge . gave to you that the Kmist o attachmentK has disappeared
rom your heart$ A small sprout o ego ultimately develops into a huge tree o ignorance$ Aection is the
trunk o this tree$ &ome and amily are the branches and wie and children are the leaves o this tree$
6ealth and cereals are the lowers and happiness and sorrow are the ruits o this tree$ "elation that
emerges out o aection is the canopy o this tree$ -his tree grows day by day and obscures the path o
liberation$ -his tree is ull o desires and those who sit under the lee o this tree can never attain
salvation$ &ence elling o this tree is o oremost importance or a person desirous o attaining
KBrahmaCitva$K
7$7$4 Yogadhyay
Dattatreya says= % kingL 6ith the attainment o knowledgeE people come to conCugate with the
,upreme Almighty and which results into dispersion o their ignorance$ -o attain 'okshaE it is
necessary or a man to shun attachment irst o all$ %nly ater thatE he will become ree rom sorrows$
6hen he becomes ree rom sorrowE he unites with the supreme almighty$ -his phenomenon is known
as Yoga$ 2niication with the supreme almighty enables a man to attain knowledge and inally 'oksha
(salvation)$ .t is thereore essential or the all those seeking salvation that irst o all they should
renounce aection and attachment or the worldly obCects including their near and dear ones$
Knowledge and renunciation are nothing but two sides o the same coin and one is necessary to give
rise to the other$ &ome is nothing but the place or stayingE ood is nothing but the energy reMuired
sustaining our body and knowledge is nothing but an aid to attain salvation$ Anything that caused
obstacles in the way o salvation is ignorance$ A living being is bound to receive the ruits o action no
matter whether they are good or bad$ &ence one should carry out his duties without bothering or the
results$ 6ith the attenuation o the results o the action perormed in the previous birthsE a living being
becomes ree rom the cycles o lie and death$ 6ith the attainment o YogaE Yogis take reuge in none
other than Brahma$ But the path o attaining Yoga is indeed diicultE i not impossible$ %ne has to
conMuer his soul irst o all because the soul itsel is regarded as invincible$ :ontrol o physical
impurities with the help o 8ranayamE sins by determinationE lust by sel=restrains and contemplation on
*od are the ways to conMuer the soul$
7$7$9 8erection in Yoga
Dattatreya says=During the process o conMuering the soulE dierent kinds o allurements begins to
divert the mind o the Yogis$ .t is imperative or the Yogi to keep his mind busy by observing astE
worshipping and contemplating in *od$ .t is the duty o the Yogi to always contemplate on *odE only
then he can seek solace in &im$ -husE ater controlling his sensesE a Yogi ought to eat and sleep lessE
attain uniication with the ,upreme Being$ % kingL A Yogi uniies with Brahma once his physical and
mental aults are removed$ -henE he never separates rom the ,upreme Being$
7$7$; Daily "outine o a Yogi
Alark says= % lordE now kindly narrate about the daily routineE a Yogi should abide by in order to
preserve his piousness$
Dattatreya says= % kingL "espect and insult are the two reasons or love and hatred$ Yogis attain
perection by understanding insult as respect and vice versa$ A Yogi should thereore never attend
social unctions like ,hraadhE marriage ceremonies or other estivities$ &e should not accept the
hospitality o others and should shun unnecessary Courneys$ A Yogi should seek alms only ater the
householder and his amily has dined$ A Yogi should accept alms only rom those households whose
inmates are gentleE religious and ree rom blemishes and should accept things like wheyE milkE ruitsE
edible rootsE gram lour etc$ Beore going to dineE a Yogi should oer his ood to the deities reciting he
ollowing mantras=
8"A1A1YAY ,6A&A
AA8A1AY ,6A&A
,A'A1AY ,6A&A
2DA1AY ,6A&A
VYA1AY ,6A&A
Ater reciting these mantras one by one and oering ood to the deities who are present in his body as
dierent orms o airE the Yogi may now proceed to dine$
:ontrol o senses and greedE celibacyE renunciation and non=violence are the ive resolutions o a Yogi$
:ontrol o angerE service to the *uruE sanctityE eating less and studying Vedas regularly are the ive
norms or a Yogi$ A Yogi must practice meditation at a desolate placeE orestE cave or peak o a
mountain$ A true celibate has ull control over his speechE mind and action$ .ron and gold have eMual
worth in his eyeO he loves no one and hates no one$
7$7$7 Description o %mkar
Dattatreya says= -hose Yogis who abide by their resolution are never degraded rom their supreme
position$ ,uch Yogis always recite %m while contemplating on the eternal *od$ KAKE K2K and K'KE these
three syllables constitute the body %' or A2'$ -hese three syllables represent the virtues (gunas) o
,ataE -ama and "aCa respectively$ -husE by contemplating on *od and reciting %mE a Yogi ultimately
achieves uniication with that eternal spirit$ But there are still some disastrous traps that a Yogi should
guard himsel againstE otherwise his entire penance might turn utile at the time o death$ &ence every
Yogi must be aware o these disastrous traps$
7$7$) Description o Disastrous -raps
Dattatreya says= A person who is unable to see the path o the deitiesE or the heavenly bodies like=
DhruvE ,hukra (Venus)E ,oma ('oon)E or his own shadow or *oddess ArundhatiE must understand that
his death is near$ <or those people to whomE the ,un appears without radiance but ire appears as the
,unE die within eleven months$ ,ighting o gold and silver in urine or stools signiies death within ten
months$ -hose who see ghostsE *andharvas and gold tree in the dreams live or nine months only$
-hose who become at or thin suddenly live or eight months more$ -hose Yogis whose heels appear
cracked while walking on sand or mud die within seven months$ *etting perched on the body by volatile
birds like vultureE pigeonE owlE crow etc$ indicates that the concerned person will live or only siG
months$ -hose who see their shadow in opposite direction live or our or ive months more only$ -hose
who sight lightning without clouds or rainbow during the night timeE in their dream live or two or three
months more$ -hose who cannot see their relection in gheeE oilE water and mirror die within a month$ A
person whose body smells like a cadaver die within iteen days$ -hose whose hands and eet remain
dry even ater taking bath and dry even ater taking light rereshments live only or ten days$ -hose who
sight hairE cindersE ashE snakes and dried rivers in the dreamE die on the eleventh day$ -hose who eel
hungry even ater eating to their ill also die soon$
% kingL -here are many more disastrous symptoms that indicate death$ A Yogi must always be alert
regarding these signs$ 6henever a Yogi perceives the appearance o all or some o these disastrous
symptomsE he must at once take to Yoga to minimise the eects$
Brahmagyan= A Yogi eGperiences eGtreme Coy when he meditates while doing Yoga$ %nly then can he
eGperience Brahma$ 8hysical body is ephemeralO hence a true Yogi does not mourn over the loss o
physical body$ &enceE a Yogi must train his mind in Yoga ignoring sorrow or aection$ -his is indeed a
diicult task to achieve$
Alark says= % BrahminL By your blessingsE my ignorance has ended$ 1ow . will do everything so that
ignorance does not grip me once again$
-hen taking DattatreyaKs permissionE Alark went back to the king o Kashi and said= K% kingL You have a
desire or the kingdomE so take this kingdom and enCoy its luGuries yoursel or give it to ,ubahu$K -he
king o Kashi asked Alark as to why he was renouncing the kingdom without ighting a war$ &e also
tried to instigate Alark by saying that his conduct did not suit the Kshatriyas$ Alark said= K%nly Brahma is
truthE all the other things are alse$ 1ow controlling my sensesE . will attain perection in Yoga$K
7$7$/ Alark 'asters Yoga and 8enance o @ada and his <ather
6ords o Alark pleased the king o Kashi$ +venE ,ubahu got up gladly and ater embracing Alark said to
the king o Kashi= R% kingE . had taken your reuge to win the kingdom$ 1owE . have got it without
ighting a war and without a drop o blood being shed$ ButE . am leaving nowE renouncing everything$R
-he king o Kashi said= R,ubahuE why had you taken reuge in meN 6hat have you received nowNR
,ubahu said= R% kingL 'y younger brother Alark had been so ar indulging in luGuries despite having
metaphysical knowledge$ &e was in act eGperiencing miseries in his household$ 6hen the miseries
cross all limitsE only then renunciation arises in the mindE as is the case with Alark$ -hat was why . had
taken your reuge$ 'y Cob is inished now$ ,o . am leaving to attain perection in Yoga$ % kingE . regard
those people who ignore their near and dear ones in their miseries as heartless$
,uch people are degraded rom their position o DharmaE ArthE Kama and 'oksha and are criticised
everywhere$R
-he king o Kashi said= R% ,ubahuE You have salved your brother Alark$ 1ow kindly salve me also$R
,ubahu said= RAttainment o DharmaE ArthE Kama and 'oksha are the our maCor obCectives or the
attainment o which humans have been created$ You have already attained DharmaE Artha and Kama$
%nly 'oksha remains to be attained now$ K.t is mineKE K.t is meK etc$ are eGpressions o ego$ *uarding
the sel rom these thoughts is the true knowledge$ A man must know K6hat is to be knownN K6ho is to
knowNK and K6ho is heNK A knowledge o these automatically leads to the knowledge o all$R ,aying
these wordsE ,ubahu let the palace$
-he king o Kashi too returned to his kingdom$ Alark crowned his elder son as the new king and he
began to practice Yoga in a orest$ Ater many years o rigorous practiceE Alark attained salvation and
his abode in Brahma loka$
-he BrahminKs son said= R% atherL 1ow you too must take reuge in Yoga in order to attain Brahma$ .
too will try to attain salvation$R
-he birds say= R% BrahminL -hus the ather and son began their penance and attained salvation$
4&8 "he niverse and 'ord #rahma<s Manifestation
-his chapter contains ) sections$
7$)$# -he %rigin o the 2niverse
@aimini thanked the birds or enlightening him with sel=knowledge$ But he was still not satisied$ -here
were many Muestions to which he had no answers$ &e asked the birds=
K&ow did this universe come into beingN 6hat will happen to it during the time o inal annihilationN &ow
did the deitiesE the sagesE the ancestors and the living creatures originateN &ow did the 'anvantaras
arriveN . am anGious to know about all these things$K
-he birds replied= K% @aiminiL 6e salute the same @agannath who creates in the orm o lord BrahmaE
nurtures the world as Lord Vishnu and ultimately annihilates the world as Lord ,hiva in his most
terriying orm$ 6e will now reveal the knowledge which was once narrated by sage 'arkandeya$K
-he birds then narrated the ollowing tale as was originally told by sage 'arkandeya$ K.n the beginning
o creationE as soon as lord Brahma maniested himselE all the our Vedas and eighteen 8uranas came
out rom his our mouths$ Lord Brahma then created the ,aptarishis merely by wishingE who took all the
Vedas and 8uranas in their possession$K
KLater onE sage :hyavan got the 8uranas rom one o the ,aptarishis= sage Bhrigu and read out its
contents to the assembled sages$ -he sages then retold the 8uranas to Daksha$ Daksha narrated the
contents o the 8uranas to me ('arkandeya)$ -he virtues o listening to 8uranas are capable o
destroying all sins o a man$ 1ow . am going to reveal to you that secret knowledge o 8urana as was
told to me by Daksha$K
KBrahma= the cause and eect o everything pervades the universe even ater the inal annihilation$ All
the three gunas are present in him$ 6hen the time is appropriate or commencing the process o
creationE the whole atmosphere is covered by the great element ('ahatatva)E which itsel comprises o
the three basic gunas= ,atva (pure)E "aCas (semi=pure) and -aamas (dark)$K
K+go maniests itsel rom the great element ('ahatatva)$ +ven the ego remains covered by the great
element$ -he ego then creates K,habda tanmatraK (subtle orms o matter related with sound)$ -he sky
which symboliBes the ,habda (sound) is created rom this very ,habda tanmatra$K
K-he ego then covers the whole sky$ Ater that ,parsh tanmatra (subtle orms o matter related with
touch) comes into being$ AirE which signiies the Muality o touchE then comes into being$ Ater the
creation o airE light is created without which the orms and appearance cannot be perceived$K
K-he deormity o lie results into the creation o "asa matra$ <rom this very "asa matraE water comes
into being$ -he water is enveloped by the "oop matra (subtle orms o appearance)$ -he water then
gets deormed and as a result *andha matra comes into beingE rom which the earth is created$ All the
worlds are established in this earth$K
K<irst o allE the gunas enter into the atoms and create the seven basic elements which are a must or
procreation$ -he seven basic elements then establish themselves in 8urusha and 8rakriti$ -he union o
8urusha and 8rakriti results into the creation o egg$ -his egg keeps eGpanding in its siBe while being in
water$K
KLord Brahma who is also known as Kshetragya and who is also the creator o all the souls dwells in
that egg$K -he same Brahma pervades all the three worlds$ All the creatures o the world including the
deitiesE demons and human beings along with islandsE mountainsE oceansE air and sky etc$ are present
inside the egg$K
K-he 'other 1ature along with the great element covers this egg$ -his wayE the seven natural coverings
envelop the egg$ Beyond the 8rakriti (nature) is established the 8urusha (Almighty)$K
K1ow . am going to reveal the identity o Brahma to you$ @ust as drops o water all down rom the body
o a wet man immersed in waterE in the same wayE Lord Brahma too discards o the egg in the end$
-he nature is nothing else but Kshetra (spaceE area) and Brahma is also known as Kshetragya$ -his
wayE the whole creation came into being Cust like lightning$
7$)$( Lord Brahma?s Lie ,pan
Kraustuki said= K-ell meL % lordL &ow were the living beings created as the period o inal annihilation
was approaching its end$K
'arkandeya replied= K6hen the nature establishes hersel in the soul o the 8urusha (supreme
Almighty)E all the created matter gets annihilated$ 8rakriti and 8urusha are established in the mode o
parallelism$ During that periodE ,atva and -ama become neutrally balanced$ +ven the Muality o "aCas
establishes itsel within the Mualities o ,atva and -ama$K
K-he lie span o Brahma consists o Dwiparardha$ -he day and night o Brahma are o eMual duration$
Brahma is the origin o this universe$ &e is the inconceivable soul= the supreme lord and the cause o
all the events$ &e is beyond the reach o activities$ &e enters into 8rakriti and 8urusha= eGcites both o
them to get uniied$ 6hen 8rakriti gets eGcitedE the ,upreme Lord maniests &imsel in the egg as
Brahma$ &e then commences his creation$ -he same Brahma attains the orm o Vishnu due to the
eect o his ,atva guna and nurtures the whole creation$ 2nder the inluence o -amo gunaE &e attains
the orm o "udra and inally annihilates the whole creation$ &e then goes into hibernation$K
K-his wayE the same Almighty *od in his three dierent orms o BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh perorms
his duties o creationE nurturing and annihilation respectively$ -he lie span o Brahma consists o one
hundred years$ -he division o time is as ollows= %ne Kashtha consists o iteen 1imeshas$ %ne Kala
consists o thirty Kashthas whereas thirty Kalas make one 'uhurta$ %ne day and night o this material
world consists o thirty 'uhurtas$ -hirty days and nights are eMuivalent to one month or two ortnights
(8akshas)$K
K,iG months make one Ayan$ -wo Ayans make a year$ A day and night o the deities are eMuivalent to
one year o this material world$ ,imilarly twelve thousand years o the deities make the our Yugas$
,atya Yuga consists o the our thousand years o the deities$ -reta Yuga consists o three thousand
years o the deities$ Dwapar Yuga consists o two thousand years o the deities whereas Kali Yuga
consists o one thousand years o the deities$ ,imilarly ,andhya (evening) period o ,atya Yuga
consists o our hundred years and ,andhyansh (part o evening) consists o the same period that is
our hundred years$ -hus the total number o years that ,atya Yuga has come up to 4333X433X433Q
4)33 years$ .n the same wayE the ,andhya and ,andhyansh o -reta Yuga consist o 033 years each$
-husE the total number o years in -reta Yuga comes up to 0333X033X033Q 0;33 years$ ,andhya and
,andhyansh period o Dwapar Yuga is o (33 years each$ -hus the total number o years in Dwapar
Yuga comes up to (333X(33X(33Q (433 years$ ,andhya and ,andhyansh period o Kali Yuga are o
#33 years each$ -hus the total number o years in Kali Yuga comes up to #333X#33X#33Q #(33 years$
A day o Brahma consists o thousand times o the twelve thousand years o the deities$ <ourteen
'anus appear in succession during the whole day o Brahma$ +ach 'anavantar comprises o a 'anu
and his progeniesE .ndra and the other deitiesE ,aptarishis ganas and 1ripati ganas etc$
A 'anavantar consists o seventy=one :hatur Yugas$ %n the basis o the years o this material worldE a
'anavantar consists o 03E;7E(3E333 years or )E9(E333 years o the deities$ A BrahmaKs day consists o
4E(/E43E33E333 years o this world or #E#/E()E333 years o the deities$ -he dissolutionE which occurs at
the end o the day o BrahmaE is also known as causal dissolution (1aimittik 8ralay)$ During the time o
causal dissolutionE all the residents o BhurE Bhuva and ,warga lokas temporarily go to 'ahar loka$ -he
residents o 'ahar loka shit their base to @ana loka$ -he entire universe is submerged in the ocean
during the time o causal dissolution and this is the time or Brahma to take rest i$e$ at night$ Brahma
starts his creation at the end o the night$ -his wayE ater the completion o three hundred and siGty
years o BrahmaE his one=year is complete$ %ne hundred such years o Brahma make one 8ara and
ive hundred such years make one 8arardha$ %ne 8arardha o Brahma has already passed at the end
o which 8adrama 'ahakalpa occurred$ -he present periodE which alls under the second 8arardhaE is
also known as Varaha Kalpa$
7$)$0 1atural and <lawed :reations
Kraustuki asked curiously= K-ell me how Brahma did his creationsNK
'arkandeya replied= K6hen Brahma got up rom his sleep ater the end o dissolution (8ralay) named
8adramaE he ound a void all around himsel$ &e remembered 1arayana who is also known by the
name o 1astanu i$e$ one who dwells in water$ 1arayana was engrossed in his eternal sleep$ Ater
waking upE he rescued the earthE submerged in the ocean Cust like he had done in the previous Kalpas
by taking the orms o a boarE a ish and tortoise etc$ But even ater the earth was brought up rom the
seabed and was established above the oceanE it was still swinging like a boat$ 1arayana then created
the mountains to stop the earth rom swinging$ But the mountains were burnt down by Agni (ire) named
,amvartak$ -he mountains submerged into the ocean$ -he mountains ater having displaced the water
had become iGed at their respective places$ -hereoreE 1arayana divided the whole earth into seven
islands and created the our lokas Cust like beore$ Ater thatE ive Avidyas came into being$ -his wayE
the whole creation established themselves in ive ways$ -he whole creation was hidden in darkness till
this period$ Ater thisE 1arayana created the ignorant animalsE which symbolised the -amo guna$ Ater
the animals the deities who symbolised the ,atva guna were created$K
KBrahma was eGtremely satisied by the creations o 1arayana$ But he was desirous o creating even
more superior creatures$ As a result a group o ,adhakas named Arvaksrota came into being$ -hese
,adhakas were humans who possessed "aCo guna$ -he ith creation o Anugraha was itsel sub=
divided into our parts= ViparyayaE ,iddhiE ,hanti and ,hrishti$ -he siGth creation was o those special
people who had the knowledge o past and present events$ -hese people had wivesE enCoyed lie in a
balanced way but were o evil nature$ -hese people were known as Bhutadik$K
K-he irst creation was related with the maniestation o lord Brahma himsel$ -his great creation was
known as the 'aha ,hrishti$ -he second creation related with the part o Brahma is called Bhutsarga$
-he third creation is called 8rakrit and which consists o creatures possessing intelligence and lawed
sensual perceptions$ -he ourth creation consists o the ,thawars who are unable to move (e$g$
Vegetation)$ -he ith creation consists o our=ooted animals$ -he siGth creation consists o the deities
whereas the seventh creation that o human beings which originates rom Arvaksrota$ -he eighth
creation is known as Anugraha$ -he ninth creation o BrahmaCi is known as 8rakrit (natural) and Vikari
(lawed)$ -hese are the nine types o creation o Brahma$ -he root causes o this universe are 8rakrit
and Vikari$K
7$)$4 :reation o the Deities
Kraustuki then asked 'arkandeya about the origin o the deities$ 'arkandeya replied= K6ith the
obCective o creating the deitiesE demonsE ancestors and human beingsE Brahma abandoned the part o
his physical body in the ocean$ -he demons originated rom the thighs o his abandoned body$ Lord
Brahma blessed the demons with physical bodiesE which were -aamasik in nature$ -his part o
BrahmaKs body became amous as "atri (night)$ Ater that Brahma created the deities rom his mouth
with the help o ,atva guna$ -he deities were given pure bodies$ -his part o BrahmaKs body which was
,aatvik (pure) in nature became amous as day$K
KAter thisE Brahma acMuired another physical body and created the ancestors$ Ater creating the
ancestorsE he abandoned his bodyE which transormed itsel in the evening$ BrahmaCi then acMuired
another bodyE which was aluent o "aCas Mualities and thus was created human being$ &e again
abandoned his body and rom it was created @yotsna= the transition period o day and night$K
K@yotsnaE evening and day contain the Muality o ,atva in themselves$ 1ight has the Muality o -aamas
in itsel$ -he deitiesE demons and human beings are most powerul during the dayE night and @yotsna
period respectively$ -he ancestors are most powerul and invincible during the evening time$K
KBrahma then created creatures who had moustaches and beard on their ace$ ,ome creatures among
them started attacking the others$ -hose who were being attacked and pleaded Ksave usK were called
the "akshasas (demons)$ -he attackers who thundered Kwe would devour you upK were known as
Yakshas (celestial beings)$
KBrahma was very displeased by their tantrums$ ,ome o his hair ell down on earth and thus were
created the snakes$ -he lesh=eating *anas were neGt to be created$ -hese *anas were eGtremely
volatile in nature$ Ater thatE Brahma created the *andharvas$K
K-his way ater having created these eight types o divine creationE Brahma created all the animals and
birds rom his body$ &e created the goat rom his mouthE lamb rom his heartE cow rom his stomach
and backE animals like horseE elephantE donkeyE rabbitE deerE camel and mule were created by Brahma
rom both his legs$ Variety o vegetation and medicinal plants were created rom the hair o his body$K
KBrahma then created the ollowing things rom the irst o his our mouths= *ayatriE -ri= rikE tri= vritE
,aamE "athantar and Agnishtom$ <rom his mouth acing southE he created YaCuhE -raishtumchhandE
8anchadasha=stomE Vrihatsaam and 2ktha$ <rom his mouth acing westE he created ,haamE
@agatichhandE 8anchadasha=stomE Vairoop and Atiraatra$ <rom his mouth acing northE he created
twenty=one AtharvaE AaptoryaamE Aanushtubha and VairaaC$K
K.n the beginning o KalpaE Brahma created the natural things like lightningE VaCraE cloudE rainbow and
birds$ Ater that he created the deities etc$ &e then created stable things like mountainsE living creatures
that could moveE demonsE birdsE animals and snakes etc$ All these living creatures take birth and re=
birthsE reap the ruits o the past Karmas done in their previous lie$ -his is the way Brahma had done
creation at the end o the dissolution period$K
7$)$9 :opulative :reations
'arkandeya says= Brahma created one thousand couples rom his mouth in the beginning o creation$
-hese couples were radiant and possessed virtuous Mualities (,aatvik)$ %nce againE BrahmaCi created
one thousand couples rom his chest but this time they possessed the Muality o "aCas$ -his
phenomenon was repeated or the second time and once again one thousand couples maniested
themselves rom his chest$ -hese couples were both "aCas as well as -aamasik by nature$ At last
Brahma created one thousand more couples rom both his legs$ -hese couples were completely
-aamasik by nature$ -he couples started copulating and this process has been continuing since then$K
KBrahma now became worried as to how to accommodate such a large number o people$ .nitiallyE
these people used to roam about every whereE as there were no permanent residences to accomodate
them$ At the arrival o -reta YugaE they developed attachment and started living in houses$
,ubseMuently they started living in various types o abodes= 8uraE villageE DronimukhaE ,hakhanagarE
KharvatakE DramiE *ram and ,anghosh etc$K
7$)$; Daksha?s Lineage
'arkandeya says= KBrahma on seeing that inspite o all his creations the population was not increasingE
he decided to create his 'anasputras$ -hese 'anasputras were created merely by his wish$ -heir
names were BhriguE 8ulastyaE 8ulahaE KratuE AngiraE 'arichiE DakshaE Atri and Vashishta$ Ater thisE he
irst created the erocious "udra and then ,ankalpa and Dharma$ But all these people were very
virtuousE knowledgeable and unaected by worldly desires$ -hey showed their disinclination towards
the purpose or which they have been created by Brahma i$e$ increasing the population$ Brahma
became very urious in his anger and created an entity whose hal portion resembled a manKs body
while the remaining hal resembled that o a woman$
Brahma instructed that entity to bisect his body into two distinct orms o a man and a woman$ -he
entity ollowed BrahmaKs instruction and this way ,wayambhu 'anu and ,hatrupa came into being$
'anu accepted ,hatrupa as his wie$ -wo sons were born to them= 8riyavrata and 2ttanpada$ Apart
rom these two sonsE two daughters were also born to them= Akuti and 8rasuti$ 8rasuti was married to
Daksha while Akuti was married to "uchi$ -wenty=our daughters were born to Daksha and 8rasuti out
o which thirteen o them were married to Dharma$ -he remaining eleven daughters were married to
sages like BhriguE 'ahadevE 'arichiE AngiraE Atri etc$K
KDharma athered Kama rom ,hraddha$ ,hri gave birth to DarpaE Dhriti and 1iyama$ -ushti gave birth
to ,antoshE 8ushti to LobhaE 'edha to ,hrutE Kriya to DandE Buddhi to BodhE LaCCa to VinayE Vapra to
VyavasaayE ,hanti to KshemaE ,iddhi to ,ukh and Kirti gave birth to Yash$ KamaE the son o Dharma
was the ather o Atihrishta$K
K&imsa= the wie o Adharma gave birth to Anrita$ Anrita was married to 1irriti$ -wo sons named 1arak
and Bhaya and two daughters named 'aya and Vedana were born to them$K
K'aya gave birth to 'rityuE whereas Dukha was born as a result o 1arakKs marriage with Vedana$ <ive
children were born to 'rityu= VyadhiE @araE ,hokaE -rishna and Krodha$ All o them were very irreligious
by nature and they never got an opportunity get married and have progenies$K
K'rityuKs wie= 1irriti is also known by the name o Alakshmi$ Altogether ourteen sons were born to
them$ All these ourteen sons o 'rityu dwell in the organs o human beingsE during the time o
destruction$ %ut o these ourteen sonsE ten dwell in the sense organs o human beings and the
eleventh son dwells in the mind$ -hey inluence the sense organs and the mind o a man in a negative
way by means o attachment and anger$ -he twelth son eGists in the orm o arrogance$ -he thirteenth
son= Apar adversely aects the intelligence o a man$
-he ourteenth son= Duhsah resides in the house o males$ Duhsah is nakedE always hungryE his mouth
acing downwards and caws like the crow$
7$)$7 Descendants o Duhsah
'arkandeya says= K1irmashtiE the wie o Duhsah was the daughter o Yama$ Altogether siGteen
children were born to Duhsah and 1irmashti$ %ut o them eight were sons and the remaining eight were
daughters$ -he name o the sons were= DantakrishtiE -athoktiE 8arivartaE AngadhrukaE ,hakuniE *andaE
8ranratiE *arbhaha and ,asyaha while the names o the daughters were 1iyoCikaE VirodhiniE
,wayamahariniE BhramaniE "ituharikaE ,mritiharaE BeeChara and Vidveshini$ Dantakrishti causes the
teeth o the child to make a grinding sound$ -athokti is commonly used while men are conversing by
sayingE K,o be itK (-A-&A,-2)$ 8arivarta becomes happy by establishing an alien oetus in the womb o
women$ Angadhruka causes the organs o human beings to throb and enables him to eGpress the
emotions o Coy and sorrow$ ,hakuni resides in the bodies o birds like crow and animals like dog or
oG$K
K*anda destroys all the virtues$ *arbhaha destroys the oetus in the womb o a woman while ,asyaha
destroys all kinds o wealth$K
KAmong the daughtersE 1iyoCika encourages a man to have illicit relationship and also to steal the
wealth o others$ Virodhini causes dierences between husband and wie and also among the amily
members$ ,wayamaharini destroys the prosperity o a man$ Bhramani causes restlessness and anger
in the heart o a man living at one place or a long time$ "ituharika destroys the menstrual cycle o
women$ ,mritiharika causes loss o memory$ BeeChara destroys the seGual powers o a man and
woman$ Dweshini causes Cealousy in the heart o a man and woman$ Altogether 0) children were born
to all the #; children o Duhsah and 1irmashti$ All o them were wicked and caused miseries to people$K
7$)$) -he :reation o "udras
'arkandeya says= K1ow . am going to tell you about "udrasarga$ %ne o the eight sons o Brahma
started wailing ater being created rom his (Brahma) body$ Brahma asked him as to why he was crying$
-he crying child reMuested Brahma to give him a name$ Brahma named him as "udra since he was
wailing at the time o his birth$ But even ater getting his nameE the childKs wailing did not stop$ &e
wailed or seven times and as a result seven more children were maniested rom his cries$ Brahma
named these seven children as BhavaE ,harvaE .shaanE 8ashupatiE BheemE 2gra and 'ahadev$ &e
also gave them abodes so that they could live$ -he ollowing eight things respectively symboliBe the
orms o all these eight rudras= ,unE waterE earthE ireE airE skyE Dikshit Brahmin and ,oma$ All these
eight rudras were also given their respective wives who were ,uvarchalaE 2maE VikeshiE ,wadhaE
,wahaE DikE Diksha and "ohini$K
K-he eight sons o all the eight rudras are ,hanaishwarE ,hukraE LohitaangE 'anoCavE ,kandE ,argE
,antaan and Buddh respectively$K
K"udra had accepted ,ati as his wie$ ,ati gave up her lie because her ather Daksha had shown
disrespect to her husband= "udra$ ,ati took her second birth as 8arvatiE the daughter o &imavaan$
'ainak was her brother$ Bhava married 8arvati$ Khyaati was BhriguKs wie$ -hey had two children=
Dhata and Vidhaata$ Lakshmi was the consort o 1arayana$ 'eru had two daughters= Aayati and
1iyati$ Both o them were married to Dhata and Vidhaata respectively$ +ach one o them had two sons$
Aayati had named her son as 8ran while 1iyati named her son as 'rikandu$ -he same 'rikandu is my
('arkandeya) ather$ 'y motherKs name is 'anaswini and my sonKs name is Vedashira$K
K,ambhuti= the wie o 'arichi gave birth to 8aurnmaas$ ,mriti= the wie o 'arichi gave birth to our
daughters= ,iniwaliE KuhuE "aka and Anumati$K KAnsuyaE the wie o sage Atri gave birth to three sons=
,omaE Durvaasa and Dattatreya$ Dutt and Dambholi were born to 8reetiE the wie o 8ulastya$ &e
became amous as Agastya during the time o ,wayambhuva 'anavantar$K
K-hree sons= KardamE Arvaveera and ,ahishnu were born to KshamaE the wie o 8ulaha$ ,annatiE the
wie o "itu gave birth to ;3E333 Balkhilyaganas$ 2rCa= the wie o Vashishta gave birth to seven sons=
"aCaE *atraE 2rdhwabahuE ,abalE AnaghE ,utapa and ,hukra$ -hese seven are amous as the
,aptarishis$K
KAgni was married to ,waha$ -hree sons were born to them= 8aavakE 8avaman and ,huchi$K
4&9 "he +arious Manavantars
-his chapter contains #3 sections$
7$/$# ,wayambhuva 'anavantar
-his ,ection contains ; sub=sections$
'arkandeya says= K,wayambhuva 'anu had ten sons$ &e had divided the whole earth into seven
continents$ .n the beginning o -reta YugaE the sons o 8riyavrata had done the same$ 8raCavati= the
daughter o Kardam 8raCapati had ten sons and two daughters rom 8riyavrata$ 1ames o these ten
sons were= AgnighnaE 'edhatithiE VayushmaanE @yotishmaanE DyutimaanE BhatyaE ,avanE 'edhaE
Agnibaahu and 'itra$ Among all these ten sonsE the last three never ruled any kingdom$
-he remaining seven sons were made the rulers o all the seven continents by 8riyavrata$ Agnighna
was made the ruler o @ambudweepE 'edhatithi that o 8lakshdweep$ Vayushmaan was given
,haalmalidweep whereas @yotishmaan was made the ruler o Kushdweep$ ,imilarlyE Dyutimaan was
given Kraunchdweep to rule while Bhatya was given ,haakdweep$ -he seventh sonE ,avan was made
the ruler o 8ushkardweep$ ,avan had two sons= 'edhaavi and Dhaataki$ ,avan sub=divided the
8ushkardweep into two parts and each part was given to each o the sons$ Bhatya had seven sons=
@aladE KumarE ,ukumarE 'arnaavakE KushottarE 'edhaavi and 'ahadrum$ Bhatya too sub=divided the
,haakdweep into seven parts and distributed them among all his sons$ ,imilarlyE Dyutimaan too had
seven sons to whom were distributed his kingdom Kraunchdweep ater sub=dividing it into seven parts$
@yotishmaanE Vayushmaan and 'edhatithi made their respective sons the rulers ater giving them
kingdoms$ Agnighna was the ruler o @ambudweep$ &e had nine sons$ &is kingdom was eMually
distributed among all o them$ 1aabhi= the son o Agnighna was the ather o "ishabh$ Bharat was the
son o "ishabh$ Bharat was given the southern part o "ishabhKs kingdom$ %ur country is named ater
Bharat$K
7.9.1.1 Jambudveep
'arkandeya says that the total area o @ambudweep comprises o one lakh YoCan while the area o
8lakshdweep is twice the area o @ambudweep i$e$ two lakh YoCans$ ,imilarlyE ,haalmali is twice the
area o 8laksh while Kusha is twice the area o ,haalmali$ -he area o Kraunchdweep is twice the area
o Kushdweep whereas the area o ,haakdweep is twice the area o Kraunchdweep$
-he island o 8ushkar is twice the area o ,haak$ ,even mountains are situated in all these seven
islands$ -hey are &imavaanE &emkutE "ishabhE 'eruE 1eelE ,hwet and ,hringi$ .lavrit is situated in the
middle o siG mountainsE which themselves are situated in the middle o the ocean surrounding all the
seven islands named earlier$ ,umeru 'ountain is situated in the central part o .lavrit$ 8eople belonging
to all the our castes= BrahminE KshatriyaE Vaishya and ,hudra reside in .lavrit$
@ust above .lavrit are the dwelling places o Lokpals like .ndra etc$ Lord BrahmaKs assembly is situated
at the center$ Beneath .lavrit are situated the our mountains= 'andaarE *andhmaadanE Vipul and
,upaarshva$ -hese our mountains are situated in each o the our directions$ -he *reat 'ountain
1ishadh is situated towards the west o 'eruE while the *reat 'ountain 8ariyatra is situated Cust behind
it$ -owards the south o 'eru are situated the great mountainsE Kailash and &imavaan$ -he mountains
,hringvaan and @aarudhi are situated towards the north o 'eru 'ountain$ "iver @ambu lows all
around the 'eru 'ountain in a circular path$
7.9.1.2 The Origin of the Ganga
'arkandeya says= K"iver *anga originates rom a place named Dhruvaadhar$ -his particular place is
related with 1arayana$ "iver *angaE then alls on the ,umeru 'ountain and gets distributed into our
main streams$ %ne o these streams lows towards :haitrartha orest$ -he name o this particular
stream is ,ita$ -he same ,ita *anga enters into the Varunoda reservoir and rom thereE it moves
towards the ocean and again changes its course to get submerge into that stream o *angaE which has
allen on the *andhmaadan 'ountain and which is known as Alaknanda$ Alaknanda ater submerging
into 'ansarovar subseMuently entered the 'ahadri &imalaya where Lord ,hankar held her in &is locks
o hair$ &e released river *anga only at the reMuest o sage Bhagirath$
Ater being releasedE river *anga got sub=divided into seven streams and ultimatelyE all those seven
streams submerged into the ocean$ -he stream o *anga which originates rom the west o ,umeru
'ountain is known as ,uchakshu$ -his stream gets submerged in the ocean towards the southE ater
passing through many mountains$ -he ourth stream reaches ,avita orest ater passing through two
mountains= ,uparshu and 'eru$ -his particular stream is amously known as Bhadrasoma$
Bhadrasoma *anga ultimately get submerged into the ocean ater passing through mountains like
,hankhkoot and Vrishabh etc$
7.9.1.3 A Description of harat!"arsha
Kraustuki asked 'arkandeya= K% lordL 8lease describe about Bharatvarsha$K 'arkandeya replied=
KBharatvarsha is surrounded by oceans on all its three sides$ 8eople living towards the east o
Bharatvarsha are known as Kiraat while people living towards the west are called Yavan$ -he central
part o Bharatvarsha is inhabited by all the our castes= BrahminE KshatriyaE Vaishya and ,hudra$ -he
seven mountains are situated in the central part o Bharatvarsha$ -hey are 'ahendraE 'alayaE ,ahayaE
,haktimaanE "ikshE Vindhya and 8ariyatra$ -here are thousands o hills situated in the vicinity o these
seven mountains$ -he central part o Bharatvarsha is sub=divided into @anpadas$ -he residents o these
@anpadas are known as 'lechha and Arya$ All the maCor rivers o Bharatvarsha like *angaE ,araswatiE
,indhuE :handrabhaagaE YamunaE ,hatadruE VitastaaE .rawatiE *omtiE Vipaasha and *andki etc$
originate rom the mountains situated in the central parts$ -he names o the prominent @anpadas
situated in the central part o Bharatvarsha are 'atsyaE AshwakootE KulyaE KuntalE KashiE KoshalE
ArbudaE KalingaE 'alakE Vrik etc$ "iver *odavari lows towards the north o ,ahya 'ountain$
A city named *ovardhan is situated near this mountain$ ,ome other prominent places situated in the
vicinity o this mountain are BahalikE VaataghaanE Aamir and Kaaltoyak$ KshatriyaE Vaishya and
,hudras live in the ollowing states= ,hudraE 8ahalavE :harmakhandikaE *andhaarE YavanE ,indhuE
,auveerE BhadrakE ,hatadruCE 8aarad and Kekaya$ -he ollowing states are situated in the north o
Bharatvarsha= -aamasE &ansmargE KashmirE ,hulikE KuhakE 2rnaE Darva etc$ ,tates like AbhrarakE
'udgarakE AntagiriE 8lawangE 'alE DaamalE VartikE 2ttarbrahmaE 8raagCyotishE 'adraE VidehaE
-amraliptakE 'alla and 'agadh are situated in the east o Bharatvarsha$ ,tates situated in the south o
Bharatvarsha are 8aandyaE KeralaE :holaE 'aharashtraE 'aahishikE Kalinga and Aamir$ -hese are the
@anpadas where ,habar live$K
K@anpadas situated in the west o Bharatvarsha are ,uryarakE KaalibalaE DurgE KahaE 8ulindE -oshal
and Koshal etc$ Bharatvarsha is the only country in the whole world where all the our Yugas= ,atyaE
-retaE DwaparE and Kali occur in a cyclic way$ Bharatvarsha is the root o all orms o divinity where
deities reside and almighty *od takes incarnation$K
7.9.1.# Tortoise $ncarnation
Kraustuki asked 'arkandeya= K% lordL &ow does ,hri &ari live in the orm o a tortoiseNK
'arkandeya replied= K,hri &ari in the orm o a tortoise sits acing east$ ,tates situated in the central
portion o his body are VediE 'adraE 'aandavyaE ,haalvaE KhaasaE ,araswatE 'atsya etc$ ,tates which
are situated in the mouth o the tortoise are VrishadhwaCE AnCanE KashaE 'agadhE 8raagCyotishE 'ithilaE
Koshal etc$ .n the right oot o the tortoise are situated states like KalingaE Banga etc$ Vindhya 'ountain
is also situated in the right oot$ ,tates which are situated in the tail o the tortoise are 'animeghaE
KshuradriE KhanCE KonkanE 8anchmadE VamanE ,harkarE :hulikE Ashwakesha etc$ 'andakyaE
:handarwarE AshwaE KalandE *horE *huratwadi are the states that are situated in the let oot o the
tortoise$ @anpadas like KailashE &imalayaE KraunchE KaikayaE -akshashilaE *andharE KharasE Yaudheya
and "aCanya etc$ are situated in the let side o the tortoiseKs abdomen$K
1arayana in the orm o tortoise is that inconceivable soul in which reside all the lords o deities and
constellations$
7.9.1.% The Descriptions of hadrashva
'arkandeya says= KBhadraashva Varsh is situated towards the east o the great mountain Devakut$
<ive more mountains are situated within its area= KauranCE ,hwetaparnaE 1eelaE ,haiwaal and
8arnashaalagra$ Bhadraashva consists o thousands o @anpadas$ 1umerous rivers like ,itaE
,hankhavaliE Bhadra and :hakravarta lows there$ 8eople living in Bhadraashva Varsh are ull o
radiance and they live or #333 years$ 1arayana dwells in Bhadraashva in his incarnation o
&ayagreev$K
K1ow . am going to tell about Ketumaal Varsh which has seven mountains within its area= VishaalE
KambalE KrishnaE @ayantE &ariparvatE VishokaE and Vardhamaan$ -here are thousands o smaller hills
apart rom these seven maCor mountains where people live$ -he names o the rivers lowing at
Ketumaal Varsh are VankshuyamaE ,wakambhaE AmoghaE KaminiE ,hyama etc$ 1arayana dwells in
Ketumaal Varsh in his incarnation o a boar (Varaha)$K
K1ow listen about 2ttarkurudesha$ -here are thousands o treesE which are ruit laden in all the
seasons$ Apparels are made rom the bark o the trees and ornaments rom its ruits$ Ater being
degradedE the residents o Devaloka take birth here$ 2ttarkuru has two mountains= :handrakant and
,uryakant$ -he river= Bhadrasoma lows between these two mountains$ 1arayana in his incarnation o
'atsya (ish) lives at 2ttarkuru$ :handradweep and Bhadradweep are the two amous islands situated
at 2ttarkuru$K
7.9.1.& The Description of 'impurush!"arsha
'arkandeya says= K-he people residing in Kimpurush Varsh enCoy a long lie$ -hey live or #3E333
years$ -hey are never bothered by any kind o disease or sorrow$ @ust behind Kimpurush Varsh is
situated &ari Varsh$ -he residents o &ari Varsh enCoy an eternally youthul lie because o the
sugarcane Cuice they intake$ 'eru VarshE which is situated near &ari VarshE is also known as .lavrit$ .t is
devoid o the light o the ,un but gets suicient light rom the radiant ,umeru 'ountain$ .t is so bright
that even the ,un gets overshadowed$ 8eople living in 'eru Varsh enCoy a very long lie or 03E333
years$ ,imilarly people living in "amyak Varsh sustain themselves by drinking ruit Cuice$ -hey live or
#3E333 years$ &iranyamay Varsh is situated towards the north o "amyak Varsh where the river
&iranvati lows$ -he residents o &iranyamay are powerulE rich and handsome in appearance$
7$/$( -he Beginning o ,warochish 'anavantar
-his ,ection contains ; sub=sections$
:onversation between the Brahmin and VarudhiniJ
Kraustuki asked 'arkandeya= K% great sageL 1ow tell me something about ,warochish 'anavantarNK
'arkandeya replied= K%nce upon a timeE there lived a Brahmin at the bank o river Varuna$ %ne dayE a
guest arrived at his place$ -he Brahmin treated his guest with due respect$ Ater ormal introductionE the
Brahmin became aware that his guest was not an ordinary person$ &e had travelled around the world
with the help o some special mantras he knew and medicinal herbsE which he had in his possession$
-he Brahmin was Muite impressed$ &e too wanted to see the whole earth$ &e reMuested his guest to
give the mantra and the medicinal herb so that he could travel around the world Cust like him$ -he guest
applied some medicinal solution on his legs$ Ater this the Brahmin went to see the &imalaya 'ountain$
6hile wandering thereE the solutionE which had been applied on his legsE got washed away$ As a resultE
he now became immobile$ &e started looking all around himsel$ &e ound numerous Apsaras
entertaining the KinnarsE *andharvas and deities$ -he Brahmin was very much pleased to see the
happy atmosphere prevailing all around &imalaya$ &e thought o going back to his place but was
unsuccessulE as the medicinal solution had been washed$ &e became very sad$ An Apsara by the
name o Varudhini saw him in a miserable condition$ ,he became inatuated by him$ 6hen she went
near himE he asked= K6ho are youN 6ho is your husbandN 6hat are you doing hereNK
Ater thisE he narrated his own story and said= K. had come rom Aruna nagar to see the &imalaya$ But .
am unable to return home as the medicinal solutionE which was applied on my legs has been washed$
Varudhini told the Brahmin that she was an Apsara$ ,he also eGpressed her deep love towards the
Brahmin$ ,he reMuested the Brahmin to stay there and not to go back home$ ,he assured him i he didE
as per her instructions then he would enCoy an eternal youth$ &e would never become old$ Varudhini
orcibly tried to embrace the Brahmin$ -his made the Brahmin very angry$
&e said= KVarudhiniL -he sacred scriptures prohibit a Brahmin rom indulging in sensual pleasures
because it gives sorrow not only in this world but also ater his death$K But Varudhini was not satisied
by his answers$ ,he threatened to give up her lie i the Brahmin did not marry her$ -he Brahmin did not
agree$ -he Brahmin puriied himsel by perorming Aachaman and began worshipping Agni$ &e said= K%
AgniL You are the root cause o all Karmas$ -he deities bless us with rain only ater you are pleased$ %
AgniL . need your blessings$ . want to go back home$K
7.9.2.1 "arudhini(s )odest* reached
'arkandeya says= KAgni became pleased by the BrahminKs devotion$ Agni entered into his body$ -he
BrahminKs body illuminated due to AgniKs radiance$ 6hen Varudhini saw thisE she was ascinated by the
BrahminKs appearance$ -he Brahmin proceeded towards his home$ <eeling helplessE Varudhini cursed
her ate$K
Varudhini had once insulted a *andharva named Kali sometime in the past$ :hancing upon the
opportunityE Kali went to Varudhini take his revenge$ &e had disguised himsel as a Brahmin$ 6hen she
saw himE she said= K. need your protection i you heed to my reMuest then you will certainly attain
virtuosity$ Kali did not want her to know about his real identityE so he replied= K. you really want my
protectionE then you must have your eyes closed while having copulation$K Varudhini agreed$
7.9.2.2 +is )arriage ,ith )anorama
.n due course o timeE Varudhini became pregnant$ ,he gave birth to a child who was named ,warochi$
-he child was eGtra=ordinary$ .n a very short timeE he became proicient in all the scriptures$ %ne dayE
young ,warochi saw a terriied girl near the 'andaar 'ountain$ 6hen the girl saw ,warochiE she
pleaded or help$ ,warochi assured her and asked about her identity$ ,he said= K'y name is
'anorama$ %nce . had made un o a sage who was doing penance near the Kailash 'ountain$ At that
timeE two o my companions= Vibhaavari and Kalavati were also present with me$ -he sage cursed all
three o us$ Vibhaavari and Kalavati got inlicted with leprosy and tuberculosis due to his curse$ +ven .
was not spared$ . am being chased by a erocious demon since then$ . need your protection rom that
demon$ . am giving you this very powerul weapon with which you can successully kill the demon$K
,warochi took the weapon$ During the conversation between ,warochi and 'anoramaE a demon
arrived Cust then$ -he demon wanted to devour 'anorama$ ,warochi was conusedE as he did not want
the sageKs curse to go utile$ &e allowed the demon to get hold o 'anoramaE who then started wailing$
&earing her wailE ,warochi thought o killing the demon$ Becoming araidE the demon released
'anorama rom his clutches and pleaded ,warochi to spare his lie$ &e then narrated his own story$ &e
said= KYou have rescued me rom sage BrahmamitraKs curse$ ActuallyE my name is .ndivaraaksha$ . had
reMuested Brahmamitra to teach him the nuances o AyurvedaE which he reused$ . decided to learn
Ayurveda while sage Brahmamitra taught his disciples by hiding mysel$ %ne dayE the sage came to
know o this$ &e cursed me to become a demon$ . begged or his orgiveness$ &e said= K6hatever .
have said will deinitely come true$ You will certainly become a demon$ Ater becoming a demonE you
will try to devour your own daughter but would regain your original orm o *andharva due to the touch
o Astraanal weapon with which you would be attacked$ % great soulL ,ince you have liberated me rom
the curseE thereoreE . hand over this girl to you$ Accept her as your wie$ . will also bestow the
knowledge o AyurvedaE which . had learnt rom sage Brahmamitra$K
'anorama reMuested ,warochi to cure her companions rom the diseases they were suering rom$
,warochi assured 'anorama that he would certainly cure her companions with the help o AyurvedaE
which the demon had taught him$ Both ,warochi and 'anorama got married$ ,warochi then went to
her companions and cured them rom their diseases$
7.9.2.3 -,arochi(s Other )arriages
'arkandeya says= KAter getting cured rom their respective diseasesE both the companions o
'anorama eGpressed their gratitude to ,warochi$ ,warochi married both Vibhaavari as well as
Kalavati$ -o show her gratitudeE Vibhaavari taught ,warochiE a special art that helped him to
understand the language o all the living creatures$ Kalavati on the other hand while narrating her taleE
said= KA demon named Ali had asked my hand in marriage rom my ather but my ather reused$ -he
demon got angry and killed my ather$ . wanted to commit suicide but ,atiO the wie o ,hambhu
prevented me rom doing so by saying= K You would be ortunate to become a wie o great soul
,warochi$K
7.9.2.# -,arochi(s .eproachment
'arkandeya says= Ater getting marriedE ,warochi started living happily along with all his three wives at
'alaya 'ountain$ %ne dayE impressed by the mutual loveE ,warochi and his wives had or each otherE
a emale ruddy goose told another one= KVery rarely are ound such couples who have love or each
other$K But the other emale ruddy goose did not agree$ ,he replied= KYou are wrong$ ,warochi is not a
blessed man$ ActuallyE he deceives all o his three wives$ +ven his love or all the three wives is varied$
6hen one wie is desirous o his loveE he embraces the other wie$ ,o where is the Muestion o having
mutual love or one anotherN .n comparisonE my husband and . are blessed because we have mutual
love and respect or each other$K
,warochiE who was listening to their conversationE realised how true the ruddy goose was$ But stillE he
did not change his ways and continued to live with his wives or #33 years$
%ne day while wanderingE ,warochi saw a deer surrounded by a herd o doe$ %ne o the doe on having
a desire to copulate with the deer started sniing him in anticipation$ But the deer became angry and
said= KDo you think . am as shameless as ,warochiN A manE who is sought by numerous beautiesE his
condition becomes laughable$ 1ot only does the daily routine o such a man gets disturbedE but also his
behaviour is never air towards his wives$K
7.9.2.% The Origin of -,arochish )anu
'arkandeya says= K,warochi became very sad ater hearing the deerKs utterances$ &e realised how
lowly and mean he had become$ &e decided to renounce lie ater abandoning his wives$ But this did
not happen because as soon as he met themE he orgot everything about renunciation$ &e continued to
live with his wives$ .n due course o timeE ,warochi begot three sons= ViCayE 'erunand and 8rabhaav$
,warochi ordered the construction o three cities or his sonsE which he donated to each o them$ -he
city situated towards the east was given to ViCay while the city situated towards the north named
1andvati was given to 'erunand$ -he city named -aalE which was situated in the southE was given to
8rabhaav$
,warochi then lived happily with his wives$ %ne dayE ,warochi had gone or hunting$ &e saw a wild
boar and adCusted his arrow on the bowstring to kill it$ @ust thenE a doe arrived and reMuested him to kill
her instead o killing that boar$ ,he said= KKill me with your arrow so that . get liberated rom my
sorrows$ . donKt want to live because . have become inatuated with such a KpersonK whose heart lies
somewhere else$ 'y aspirations remain unulilled$ ,o death is my only reuge$K
,warochi was very much amaBed$ &e asked= K6ho is that ellowNK -he doe replied= K.t is nobody than
you$K ,warochi was puBBledE K&ow can this beN . am a man whereas you are an animal$K -he doe then
reMuested ,warochi to embrace herE which ,warochi agreed to do$ As soon as ,warochi embraced that
doeE she got transormed into a beautiul lady$ ,warochi was very much astonished but the doe said
that= KDonKt get puBBled$ . am the presiding deity o this orest$ . have come to seek your help on the
reMuest o the deities$ .t is your duty to help me in giving birth to a son named 'anu$ ,warochi married
her and in course o timeE she gave birth to a son$ -he whole atmosphere became Coyous and happy at
the birth o that child$ *andharvas started singing songs and the Apsaras danced$ -he deities
showered lowers rom heaven$ -he child was so radiant that all the our directions became illuminated
by his brilliance$ ,warochi named this child as Dyutimaan$ -his child was later on also known as
,warochishE the son o ,warochi$
%ne dayE while wanderingE ,warochi saw a swan who was telling his wie= K1owE we have become oldE
so what is the use o remaining attached to each other$ .ts timeE we must seriously start thinking o
renouncing lie$K But his wie said= K-his world is meant or enCoying sensual pleasures$ +ven the
Brahmins perorm Yagyas with that purpose in their mind$ All the virtuous people indulge in virtuous
activities with the sole desire o eGperiencing the pleasures o lie$ &ow come the idea o renunciation
has entered your mindNK -he swan replied= K%ne who is not attracted towards sensual pleasures is
totally devoted to *od$ %ne who is attached by worldly matters can never reach *od$ &ave you not
seen the state o ,warochiN &ow can he be liberated rom the sorrows o the world i he is not even
willing to shun the attachmentsN . am not like ,warochi$ . know that ater enCoying a ully satisied lieE
this is the time to renounce everything$K Ater hearing thisE ,warochi was very much ashamed o
himsel$ &e decided to do penance$ &is wives also accompanied him$ All o them ultimately went to
heaven by the virtue o their penance$
7.9.2.& -,arochish )anavantar
'arkandeya says= KDuring this ,warochish 'anavantarE .ndra was amously known as Vipaschit$ -he
other deities were known as 8aaraavat and -ushit$ -he names o the ,aptarishis who lived during this
'anavantar were 2rCaE ,tambE 8ranE DuttE AliE "ishabhE 1ischar and Arvaveera$ ,warochish 'anu had
seven sons who were very mighty and brave$ :haitra and Kimpurush were two o them$ -he
descendants o ,warochish ruled the earth till the end o this 'anavantar$
Kraustuki asked= K% lordL -ell me about the treasures o this world$K
'arkandeya replied= K*oddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity o learning (Vidya) called 8admini$ Ater
getting perection in this VidyaE a man becomes the master o eight types o treasures= 8admaE
'ahapadmaE 'akarE KacchuppE 'ukundaE 1andakE 1eel and ,hankh$ -he treasure called 8adma is
pure in nature$ A man who becomes the master o this treasure mainly deals in things like gold and
silver etc$ 1ot only heE but also his descendants derive beneits rom this particular treasure$ A person
who is the master o 'ahapadma deals in things like pearlsE corals etc$ -his particular treasure does
not abandon a man till his seventh generation$ -he treasure called 'akar is -aamasik in nature$ A man
who is the master o this particular treasure is basically -aamasik by nature$ ,uch a man has mastery
in handling over various weapons like swordsE bows and arrows etc$ -his particular wealth remains with
a man only or one generation$ -he treasure called Kacchupp is also -aamasik in nature$ A master o
this particular treasure enCoys all the pleasure o this world and he does not trust any person easily$
-his treasure also remains with a man only or one generation$ -he treasure called 'ukunda comprises
o "aCas Muality$ A master o this treasure becomes proicient in our types o musical instruments like
VeenaE VenuE 'ridang etc$ ,uch a man earns lot o money by eGhibiting his art$ -he treasure called
1andak is a combination o "aCas and -aamas Mualities$ A man who gets inluences by this treasure
becomes immobile$ ,uch a man deals in things like metalsE CewelsE cereals etc$ -he master o this
treasure is very benevolent and kind hearted$ -his particular treasure remains with a man till the
seventh generation$ -he treasure called 1eel is also a combination o "aCas and ,atva Mualities$ A
master o this treasure deals in things like clothesE cottonE pearlsE ruitsE lowers and things made rom
wood$ -his particular treasure remains with a man till three generations$ A possessor o this treasure is
a great social worker and constructs bridgeE ponds etc$ -he treasure called ,hankh comprises o "aCas
and -aamas Mualities$ %nly one person can master this particular treasure$ ,uch a man enCoys good
ood and is ond o wearing eGpensive clothes$ 1ormallyE this type o man does not give shelter to other
people and is constantly thinking o his own betterment$ K
7$/$0 Auttam 'anavantar Begins
-his ,ection contains 9 sub=sectionsJ
7.9.3.1 'ing /ttam Abandons his 0ife
Kraustuki says= K% lordL 1ow tell me about the Auttam 'anavantar$K
'arkandeya replied= K2ttanpada and ,uruchi had a son named 2ttam$ 2ttam was married to Bahula$
Bahula did not love 2ttam and always showed disrespect towards him$ %ne dayE while both o them
were sitting in the courtE watching the proceedingsE 2ttam oered a betel lea to Bahula which she
reusedE King 2ttam elt dishonoured$ &e ordered his attendant to abandon the Mueen in the orest$
Bahula too was very happyE thinking that now she will not have to be in the company o 2ttam$ -his
wayE Bahula was taken to the orest$
%ne dayE a sad Brahmin came to 2ttam and said= K% kingL ,omebody has abducted my wie$ . need
your help in inding out my lost wie$ 2ttam asked the Brahmin about the natureE physical construction
and about the age o his wie$ -he Brahmin revealed all the acts related with his wie$ -he king was not
impressed$ -he actsE which the Brahmin had urnishedE went to prove that his wie was not a chaste
lady$ -he king eGpressed his view about his wie in so many words$ &e said= K6hat is the use o having
such a wicked wieN <orget about her$ . will give you another one with all the good Mualities$K -he
Brahmin replied= K% kingL .t is oneKs duty to protect oneKs wie no matter how wicked she may be$ By
protecting your wieE your children also get protected$ A man who does not protect his wieE has a son o
hybrid class$ &is ancestors are degraded rom the heaven because o such type o sons$ . am not able
to perorm my religious obligations because o the absence o my wie$ % kingL 8lease help me$K
6hile searching the BrahminKs wieE King 2ttam saw a sage at a secluded place$ 6hen the sage saw
King 2ttamE he wanted to oer some Ardhya (some type o oering) to himE which his disciples
prohibited him rom doing$ -henE the sage changed his mind and oered his seat to the king$ -he king
asked about the reason why he changed his mind o oering the Ardhya$ -he sage replied= K-hough
you are the descendant o ,wayambhu 'anuE but since you have committed a grave sin by
abandoning your wieE . decided that you are not it to be oered the Ardhya$ 1o matter how mean your
wie isE it is your duty to protect her at all costs$K King 2ttam was very ashamed o himsel$ &e asked the
sage about the whereabouts o the BrahminKs wie$ -he sage replied= K&is wie has been abducted by
the demonE Balaak= the son o Adri$ &e has kept her in the orest called 2tpalaavat$ *o and help the
Brahmin to meet his wie so that he doesnKt commit a grave sin like you$
7.9.3.2 rahmin(s 0ife .eturns +ome
'arkandeya says= K6hen King 2ttam reached 2tpalaavat orestE he saw a woman eating a ,hriphal
ruit$ -he king asked that woman whether she was the wie o that Brahmin= ,usharma$ -he woman
replied in the airmative and said= K-he demon abducted me while . was sleeping$ ,ince that dayE he
has kept me here$ . am very araid o that demon$K -he king then asked the woman about the demonKs
whereabouts$ -he woman pointed towards the direction o the demonKs path$ -he king went in that
direction$
6hen the demon saw the king approaching himE he bowed down in reverence and said= K% kingL 6hat
can . do or youNK -he king asked= K6hy have you abducted the wie o this Brahmin$K -he demon
replied= K. am not the demon who devours human beings$ . devour their KlawsK$ . have many beautiul
wives$ ,o where is the need o aspiring or another womanN ActuallyE the Brahmin is a very learned
man and has mastered the mantras$ By chanting "akshodna mantras during oblationsE he has
increased my hunger by making incantations$ -hereoreE . have abducted his wie to prevent him rom
accomplishing any Yagya$K
-he king became very sad$ &e thought= K6hat a grave sin . have committed by abandoning my wieL
+arlierE that sage too did not ind me it or giving Ardhya$ 1owE this demon is also aware o the
importance o oneKs wie in religious ceremonies$ &ow cruel . have been to my wie$K -he demon told
the king= K% kingL 6hat should . do or youNK -he king replied= KDevour the laws o this woman so that
she becomes humble$ Ater thatE carry her back home$ -he demon acted as per the instructions o King
2ttam$ As a resultE the BrahminKs wie became very humble$ ,he said to the king= K.t seemsE there is no
ault o this demon$ 8erhapsE . must have caused separation between a husband and wieE in my
previous lie and or that very reasonE . was orced to suer this separation with my husband in this
present lie$ -he demon said= K% kingL 6hat else do you want rom meN -he king said= KYou must be
present beore me whenever . remember you$K -he demon agreed$ &e carried the BrahminKs wie to her
home$
7.9.3.3 The -age and 'ing /ttam
'arkandeya says= KKing 2ttam wondered as to what should he do to get liberated rom the sins o
abandoning his wie$ &e reMuested the sage to help him in this regard$ -he sage inormed the king that
his wie was living at "anatal$ -he king o the serpents= Kapotak is looking ater her$ Kapotak has a
daughter named 1anda$ Being concerned about her motherKs utureE 1anda had hidden your wie$ -he
sage became very urious and cursed her$ As a resultE she became dumb$ 2ttamE your wie was always
a chaste woman$ .t was only due to evil inluences o the planets that she was not paying adeMuate
attention to you$ 1owE you should go and take her back to your home$ 2ttam returned back to his
palace$K
7.9.3.# The irth of Auttam )anu
'arkandeya says= K2ttam met the Brahmin and told him that now as he had reunited with his wieE it
was now his turn to help him (king) to re=unite with his wie$ -he Brahmin assured 2ttam that he would
perorm a Yagya named 'itravindaE which would help him to achieve his goal$ &e reMuested 2ttam to
bring his wie so that the Yagya could be perormed$ 2ttam remembered 1isacharE a demon and
reMuested him to bring his wie$ 1isachar went to 8ataal loka and brought his wie$ -he Mueen was very
happy to see her husband once again$ ,he reMuested him to cure 1anda who had become dumb or no
ault o hers$ ,araswat @apa was chanted to cure 1anda$ 6hen 1anda regained her voiceE she came to
the oblation site and ater embracing the MueenE blessed her by saying that she would become a proud
mother o a very amous son named 'anu$ Ater thatE she went back to 8ataal loka$ .n due course o
timeE the Mueen gave birth to a son who was named Auttam by the sages$ K
7.9.3.% Auttam )anavantar
'arkandeya says= K% sageL -he ollowing *anas who reigned during Auttam 'anavantar are very
amous$ -hey are the irst *ana= ,wadhama$ -he second *ana= ,atya was related with the deities$
-he third *ana was ,hivaE the ourth was named 8ratardan and the ith *ana was Vashvarti$ +ach o
the *anas are the master o twelve deities$ .ndra by the name o ,ushaanti rules all the three worlds by
the virtue o accomplishing one hundred Ashwamedha Yagyas$ &e along with ,hiva and ,atya etc$
bestows peace to the world$ -he descendants o Auttam ruled the whole earth or the ull period o
Auttam 'anavantar$ -he ,aptarishis during this Auttam 'anavantar were the sons o sage 'ahatapa$
-he description o this third 'anavantar is now complete$ 1ow . am going to tell you about the ourth
'anavantarE which is also known as -aamas 'anavantar$ K
7$/$4 -amas 'anavantar
'arkandeya says= K-here used to live a king named ,warashtra$ -he deity ,urya had blessed him with
a long lie$ -he king had one hundred wivesE but they were not as lucky as he was as ar as enCoying a
long lie was concerned$ %ne by oneE all o them died$ A king rom the neighbouring state named
Vimard deeated him in a battle$ Ater being deeatedE ,warashtra went at the bank o river Vitastaa and
started doing penance$
%ne dayE it rained heavily and the king was swept by the erocious current$ -he drowning king saw a
doe and held her tail to save his lie$ -he doe told the king that she was aware about the lust o the
king$ ,he also told her that her pregnancy was causing hindrance in making love$ -he king was
amaBed$ &e asked as to how she could speak like a human being despite o being an animal$ -he doe
replied that she was his most beloved Mueen 'ahishi in her previous lie$ ,he had killed a pair o deer
while they were making love$ -he doe had died but the deer survived$ &e had cursed her to become a
doe in her neGt lie$ -he deer also revealed to the Mueen that she would give birth to the mighty Lola$
-he same Lola would later on become amous as 'anu ater deeating his atherKs enemies$ -he king
was very pleased at this$ .n due course o timeE the doe gave birth to a son ater which she went to the
heaven$ -he sages named the son -aamas$ 6hen -aamas became youngE he did penance to please
,urya$ ,urya gave him many weapons by the help o which -aamas was able to deeat all his enemies$
&e brought all the enemies in ront o his ather but ,warashtra orgave everybody$ &e gave his
kingdom to -aamas$
'arkandeya says= K-aamas ruled over the whole earth$ <our types o deities were amous during this
'anavantar= ,atya *anaE ,udhi *anaE ,urup *ana and &ari *ana$ .ndra was known as ,hikhi during
this 'anavantar$ -he names o these ,aptarishis who lived during this 'anavantar were @yotirdharmaE
8rithuE KaavyaE :haitraE AgniE Balak and 8eevar$ -he sons o -aamas 'anu were very mighty$ -heir
names were 1arE KshantiE ,hantE DaantE @ahnu and @angha etc$
7$/$9 "aivat 'anavantar
'arkandeya says= K1ow . am going to tell you about "aivat 'anu$ &is ather was "itvaak$ "aivat was
born in "evati 1akshatra$ Later onE he became inamous or his loose character$ &is ather was very
worried about him$ "itvaak asked sage *arg as to how such a mean child had been born to him$ ,age
*arg replied= K-he negative Mualities o your son is due to his birth in "evati 1akshatra$ "itvaak
became very urious with "evati 1akshatra and cursed it as a result o whichE "evati 1akshatra ell
down on Kumud 'ountain$
All the our directions became illuminated and a reservoir was created$ A girl maniested rom that
reservoir$ A sage named 8ramuchi brought that girl to his hermitage and named her as "evati$ 6hen
the girl became youngE the sage was very worried about her marriage$ %ne dayE &utaashan revealed to
him that she would get married to DurgamE the eldest son o ,wayambhu 'anu$ %ne day Durgam
arrived at 8ramuchiKs hermitage$ &e saw "evati and asked her= K% beautiul ladyL :an you tell me
where sage 8ramuchi isN . have come here to pay my obeisance to him$ At that timeE sage 8ramuchi
was busy perorming his Yagya$ &earing his voiceE he came out$ ,eeing Durgam at his hermitageE he
instructed his discipleE *autam to bring Ardhya or him$ -he sage said= KDurgam is not only a king but
also my son=in=law$K Durgam was very surprised at what sage 8ramuchi had said$ &e asked sage
8ramuchi as to how could he be his son=in=law and who was his wieN -he sage replied= KYour wie is
none other than the girl whom you met sometime earlier$ &er name is "evati$ -hen the sage narrated
the whole story how sage *arg had prophesised about "evatiKs marriage with Durgam$K Durgam started
contemplating on this peculiar situation$
,age 8ramuchi started to make arrangements or the marriage$ 6hen "evati saw the arrangements
being made or her marriageE she reMuested him to get her married in "evati 1akshatra$ ,age
8ramuchi revealed to her that this particular 1akshatra did not eGist in the sky any more$ "evati then
reMuested him to establish this 1akshatra in the sky$ ,age 8ramuchi re=established "evati 1akshatra in
the sky by the help o his divine powers$ -husE "evati and Durgam got married$ Ater getting marriedE
Durgam reMuested the sage to bless him with a mighty son$ ,age 8ramuchi blessed him$ Ater
sometimeE "evati gave birth to "aivat 'anu$ "aivat 'anu was proicient in all the scriptures$ -he chie
*anas o "aivat 'anavantar were ,umedhaE BhupatiE Vaikunth and Amitabhaichar$ -here were
ourteen deities present in each o the *anas$ -he presiding deity o these deities was .ndra by the
name o Vibhu$ -he ,aptarishis present during this 'anavantar were &iranyaromaE VedshriE
2rdhvabaahuE VedbaahuE ,udhaamaE 'ahamuniE 8aryanya and Vashishta$ "aivat 'anu had our
sons= BalabandhuE 'ahaveeryaE ,uyastanya and ,atyak$
7$/$; :hakshush 'anavantar
:haakshush had maniested rom the eye (:hakshu) o Lord Brahma in his previous birth$ <or this
reasonE he was known as :haakshush$ :haakshush was born to Anmitra and *iribhadra$ Ater taking
birthE he was abducted by @aathaarini and eGchanged with the son o King Vikrant who was sleeping
besides his mother$ Being unaware o this eventE Vikrant considered him as his own son and named
him as Anand$ 6hen Anand grew upE onceE his *uru instructed him to make salutations to his mother$
Anand replied= R-o whom should . make salutationsN -he one who has given birth to me or to the one
who has brought me up and nurtured meN -he *uru was surprised by his reply$ &e said= R% sonL
&aiminiE the wie o Vikrant has given birth to you and soE she is your mother$ But Anand replied back=
R-his woman is not my mother$ . have taken birth rom somebody elseKs womb$ -his woman is the
mother o :haitra$ . am the son o Anmitra and *iribhadra$ @aathaarini had abducted me and brought
me here$ ,he had also carried :haitra to 8unarvaKs place and kept him over there$ @aathaarini had
devoured the son o 8unarva$ 1ow tell meE who is my mother and to whom should . make salutationsNR
-he *uru became conusedE so were the king and the Mueen$ Anand went to the orest and started
doing penance$ 8raCapati became pleased by his tremendous penance and appeared beore him$ &e
said= R% sonL 6hat makes you undertake such a severe penanceN Anand replied= R% lordL . am doing
this penance with the purpose o becoming ree rom all the bondage o my Karma and to puriy mysel$
BrahmaCi said= R%nly the mortal men are it to become liberated because they are bound by their
Karmas but you being a virtuous person are not bound by your Karmas$ 6ith my blessingsE you would
become the siGth 'anu$ -here is no need or you to do penance$ Lord Brahma named him as
:haakshush$ Later onE he became amous as :haakshush 'anu$ 6hen :haakshush 'anu attained
marriageable ageE he married VidarbhaE the daughter o 2gra$ 'arkandeya says= RAapya was the most
prominent *ana o :haakshush 'anavantar$ &e was the master o eight deities$ -he second *ana
was called 8rasoot$ &e too was the master o eight deities$ ,imilarlyE there were two more *anas=
Bhatyakhya and 2thaga$ +ach o them was the master o eight deities$ -he presiding deity o these
deities was .ndra by the name o 'anoCav$ -he ,aptarishis present during this 'anavantar were
,umedhaE ViraCaE &avishmaanE 2nnatE 'adhuE Ati and ,ahishnu$ :haakshush had many mighty sons
like 2ruE KuruE ,hatadryumna etc$ 1ow . am going to tell you about the seventh 'anu who was called
Vaivasvat$R
7$/$7 Vaivasvat 'anavantar
-he Birth o Ashwini Kumars and "evantJ
'arkandeya says= K-he 'anu o Vaivasvat 'anavantar was amously known as Vaivasvat as he was
the son o Vivasvaan (,urya)$ ,urya was married to ,angya= the daughter o Vishwakarma$ AlthoughE
she had borne two sons (Vaivasvat and Yama) and a daughter (Yami) rom ,uryaE yet the radiance o
,urya was too much or her to bear$ ,oE one dayE she created a shadow identity o hersel and
reMuested it to act as i she was the real ,angya$ ,he said to the shadow= KAs long as your identity
remains unknownE . would not reveal mysel$K
Ater this ,angya went back to her atherKs home and ultimately to 2ttarkuru where she started doing
penance in the guise o a mare$ ,urya on the other hand was not aware o ,angyaKs doings$ .n due
course o timeE the shadow o ,angya gave birth to many children$ -hough she loved her own childrenE
she never had the same attitude towards the three sons o ,angya$ ,eeing her discriminatory attitudeE
Yama tried to kick her with his leg$ -he shadow o ,angya became urious$ ,he cursed YamaKs leg to
get severed rom his body$ Yama became very scared$ &e went to his ather ,urya accompanied by
Vaivasvat and Yami$
&e told ,urya= KA mother can never curse her own child$ ,oE this woman is certainly not our mother
because she has cursed me$K ,urya called the shadow o ,angya and asked about her true identity but
,angyaKs shadow kept mum$ ,eeing her MuietE ,urya became very angry and he held her by her hair
and was Cust about to curse her whenE out o earE she revealed the whole story$ ,urya went to the
place o his ather=in=lawE Vishwakarma and asked about ,angya$ Vishwakarma eigned ignorance$ &e
said= K,he did come but she had returned to your place ater staying here or a while$K Vishwakarma
knew the reason why ,angya had abandoned her husband$ ,oE he subdued the radiance o ,urya$
7$/$) -he ,ages o ,aavarnik 'anavantar
-his ,ection contains #0 sub=sections$
Kraustuki says= K% revered sageL You have already enlightened me by revealing the names o seven
dierent 'anus o each 'anavantar$ You have also told me about the deitiesE the kings and the sages
who eGisted during each 'anavantar$ 1owE . am curious to know about the seven 'anusE the deities
and the sages o this Kalpa$K
'arkandeya says= K,aavarniE the son o ,angyaKs shadow would be the eighth 'anu$ -he ,aptarishis
o ,aavarni 'anavantar would be "amaE VyasaE *aalavE DiptimaanE KripE "ishyashring and Drauni
(Ashwatthama)$ -he three main categories o deities eGisting during this 'anavantar would be ,utapaE
Amitabh and 'ukhya$ +ach o them is the master o (3 *anas$ Among theseE the *anas= 8rabhakarE
8rabhasE DathitaE DharmaE -eCahE "ashmi and Vakratu come under the authority o the deityE ,utapa$
,imilarlyE the deity Amitabh is the master o the *anas like 8rabhuE Vibhu and Vibhaas etc$ -he deity
'ukhya is the lord o *anas like DamaE DaantE "itE ,oma and Vint$ All o them are the ospring o sage
Kashyap$ -hey will become amous as the deities o ,aavarni 'anavantar$ BaliE the son o Virochan
would hold the post o .ndra during this 'anavantar$ VirCaE ArvaveeraE 1irmohaE ,atyavaakE Kriti and
Vishnu will be the sons o ,aavarni 'anu$K
7.9.1.1 'i22ing of )adhu 'aitabha
'arkandeya says= KKing ,urath was the descendant o :haitra$ &e was deeated in the battle against
King Kolvidhvansi$ All his wealth was deceitully taken over by his cunning ministers$ King ,urath led to
the orest to save his lie where he met a sage named 'edha$ &e stayed with him at his hermitage but
ater a whileE the thought o his lost kingdom began to torment him$ %ne dayE while he was roaming
near the hermitageE he met a Vaishya named ,amadhi$ ,amadhi narrated his woeul story as to how
his sons had driven him out o his home ater taking all his wealth$ But inspite o thisE his love or them
remained intact$ Both ,urath and ,amadhi went to sage 'edha and told him that= K.nspite o our
miserable conditionE we are unable to understand why we still have aection and love or our near and
dear ones even though they have cheated us$K ,age 'edha replied= K% kingL Due to the illusions o this
worldE human beings are deeply inluenced by attachments$ ,oE there is nothing to be amaBed$
*oddess 'ahamaaya inluences the mind o each human being$ ,he does not spare even the most
learned one$ 6hen she becomes pleasedE she bestows liberation$K -he king asked= K6ho is this
'ahamaayaN 8lease tell us about her$K
,age 'edha then told them about 'ahamaaya= K% kingL *oddess 'ahamaaya is beyond the reach o
origin and destruction$ 6hen the whole earth was submerged in water at the end o the KalpaE Lord
Vishnu took reuge o Yoganidra$ 6hile &e was sleepingE two demonsE 'adhu and Kaitabh maniested
rom the waG o his ears$ -he demons wanted to attack Brahma$ Lord Brahma got scared and sought
help rom *oddess 1idra$ ,he maniested rom the body o Lord Vishnu and appeared beore Lord
Brahma$ Lord Vishnu woke up rom his sleep$ &e saw that the demons were trying to kill Lord Brahma$
&e ought with both the demons or 9E333 years$ *oddess 'ahamaaya inluenced the demonsK minds
as a result o whichE they asked some boons rom Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu granted the boons to them
and said= KBoth o you will get killed by me$K -he demons said= K6e are ready to get killed on the
condition that you kill us only in such a place where there is no water$K As the whole earth was
submerged in waterE so the demons thought that Lord Vishnu would not be able to get a base to kill
them$ But Lord Vishnu severed their heads ater making them sit on &is thighs$
7.9.1.2 The Destruction of )ahishasura(s Arm*
'arkandeya says= KDuring ancient timesE the deities and the demons ought a ierce battle which lasted
or a hundred years$ -he deities were deeated in this battle$ 'ahishasura drove out the deities rom
heaven and ascended the throne o .ndra$ -he deeated deities went to seek the help o Lord BrahmaE
Vishnu and 'ahadev$ -hey narrated their woeul tale to all the three deities$ BrahmaE Vishnu and
'ahadev became urious at the demonsK cruelty$ A powerul eulgence appeared rom the mouth o
BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahadev$ ,imilar eulgence appeared rom the bodies o all the deities$ -he
super eulgence was created rom the unison o all these eulgence and a *oddess maniested rom it$
-he deities were very pleased$ All the deities presented their weapons to the *oddess$ Ater thisE they
hailed her name in a loud voice by chanting= KVictory be to her$K -he *oddess laughed loudly$ &er
laughter shook the whole earth violently$
6hen 'ahishasura heard her laughterE he proceeded towards her accompanied by a huge army$ 6hen
he reached thereE he was amaBed at the appearance o the goddess$ &e attacked her with his armyE
which boasted o mighty warriors like :haamarE :hikshurE 2dagraE AsilomE 'ahaahanuE VaashkalE
8arivaaritE Vidaal and Kaal$ -hese demons had dangerous weapons like -omarE ,haktiE aGeE mace etc$
%ne by oneE the *oddess destroyed all the demonsK weapons and launched an attack on them$ -he
deep eGhalations made during the battle resulted into the creation o numerous *anas$ -hese *anas
Coined the *oddess in the battle$ 2ltimatelyE the *oddess succeeded in killing all the demons$
-he battleield was covered by demonsK corpses as well as carcasses o elephants and horses$ -he
deities were pleased by the outcome o this battle$
7.9.1.3 The Deities 3u2ogi4e Goddess hag,ati
'arkandeya says= KAter the killing o 'ahishasuraE all the deities including .ndra eulogised *oddess
Bhagwati and said= K6e make salutations to her who has maniested hersel as a result o the unison o
the powers o all the deitiesE one who is revered by all the deities and the sages$ 'ay she bless us$ 6e
make salutations to that *oddess whose powers are indescribable even by Lord BrahmaE Vishnu and
'ahesh$ % goddessL 8lease nurture the whole world with your love and care$ 6e ind ourselves
incapable o describing your grandeur and magniicence$K
*oddess Bhagwati became very pleased with their devotion and asked them to demand any boon$ But
the deities replied= K% goddessL By killing 'ahishasuraE you have already ulilled our aspirations$ . you
really want to bless usE then please appear beore us at the time o our need$ -he goddess blessed
them by saying= K,o be itK$
'arkandeya says= K1owE . am going to tell you how *oddess Bhagwati protected the deities by killing
the demons= ,humbh and 1ishumbh$K
7.9.1.# Goddess 5arvati and -humbh(s )essenger
'arkandeya says= KDuring ancient timesE the demons= ,humbh and 1ishumbh had captured all the
three worlds ater deeating the deities$ -he deities went to *oddess 8arvati and eulogised her by
saying= K% goddessL You had promised us that you would come to our help at the time o our need$ -he
time has arrived$K
As the deities were busy eulogising *oddess 8arvatiE she was preparing to go or her bath$ ,he came
near the deities and asked them as to who were they eulogising$ ,uddenlyE a divine entity maniested
rom her body and answered on behal o the deities= K-hese deities are eulogising me$K -his divine
entity was none other than *oddess ,hivaa$ As ,hivaa had maniested rom the cell (Koshika) o
8arvatiKs bodyE she was also known as Kaushiki$ Kaushiki possessed divine beauty$ -he demonsE
:hand and 'und happened to see her$
Both o them went to ,humbh and described to him about KaushikiKs beauty$ ,humbh wanted to marry
her$ &e sent a messenger named ,ugreev to Kaushiki to inorm her about his intentions$ ,ugreev went
to Kaushiki and said= KYou are so beautiul$ You are it to marry a mighty demon king like ,humbh who
rules over all the three worlds$K
-he goddess laughed and said= K% messengerL . am ready to marry ,humbh or 1ishumbh because .
know they are very powerul but there is one problem$ As . have taken a vow that . would marry only
such a person who deeats me in a battle$K -he messenger replied= K% beautiul ladyL &ow can you ight
the mighty ,humbh who has deeated even the deities and who is the master o all the three worldsNK
,ugreev made persistent reMuests but the goddess reused to go along with him$ ,he instructed him to
inorm ,humbh and 1ishumbh about her vow$
7.9.1.% 'i22ing of Dhumra2ochan
'arkandeya says= K,ugreev went back to ,humbh and narrated the whole story$ ,humbh became very
urious and instructed Dhumralochan to bring her by orce$ Dhumralochan went to *oddess Bhagwati
accompanied by ;3E333 demons$ .nitiallyE he reMuested her to come along with him$ &e also threatened
to take her orcibly i she did not accept her proposal$ *oddess Bhagwati reused to go along with him$
Dhumralochan angrily ran towards her$ -he *oddess made a loud roar as a result o whichE
DhumralochanKs body was reduced to ashes$ Ater his deathE DhumralochanKs army attacked *oddess
Bhagwati$ -he mount o the *oddess= ,imha killed all the demons$ 6hen ,humbh got the news o
DhumralochanKs deathE his anger knew no bounds$ &e instructed :hand and 'und to go and bring
*oddess Bhagwati ater capturing her$
7.9.1.& 'i22ing of 6hand and )und
:hand and 'und proceeded with a huge army$ At that timeE *oddess Bhagwati had positioned hersel
at the peak o &imachal 'ountain$ ,he was mounted on the back o ,imha and was smiling sweetly$
:hand and 'und tried to enslave her but suddenlyE *oddess Kali appeared rom her mouth and
erociously attacked the demons$ ,he devoured some o them and killed the rest$ Ater seeing his huge
army vanMuishedE :hand angrily ran towards *oddess Kali$ 'und attacked her with a range o arrowsE
which inuriated *oddess Kali and she pulled :hand by his hair and severed his head by a sword$
,eeing him all to the groundE 'und ran towards *oddess Kali but even he was killed$ -he rest o the
army retreated$ Ater killing :hand and 'undE *oddess Kali told *oddess Bhagwati= K. have done my
duty$ . have killed :hand and 'und$ 1ow you should do the same by killing ,humbh and 1ishumbh$K
*oddess Bhagwati replied= K,ince you have killed the demonsE :hand and 'und rom now onwardsE
you will also become amous as :handika$K
7.9.1.7 'i22ing of .a7tabee8
'arkandeya says= K6hen ,humbh got the news o :hand and 'undK s deathE he became very urious$
&e proceeded to ight *oddess Bhagwati accompanied by numerous mighty warriors like 2dayudhE
KambuE KotiveeryaE DhumravanshaCaatE KaalakE Kaalkeya etc$ 6hen *oddess :handika saw them
comingE she made a loud sound by pulling the bowstring$ -he demons came near and surrounded
*oddess :handika and *oddess Bhagwati rom all the sides$ Lord BrahmaE Lord ,hiva and Lord
Vishnu became anGious$ -hey created divine entities with the help o eulgence emanating rom their
bodies$ -hese divine entities resembled *oddess :handika$ -hey instructed these divine entities to kill
all the demons$ *oddess :handika reMuested Lord ,hiva to approach ,humbh and 1ishumbh as her
messenger and inorm him that they should either take reuge in the 8aatal loka or be ready to die$ Lord
'ahadev went to the place where Katyayani was ighting the demons$ -he demons attacked her with
dierent weapons but :handika gave them a beitting reply$ 2nable to ace the assault o the
goddessesE the demons started leeing$ ,eeing thisE "aktabeeC came orward to ight$ "aktabeeC was
blessed with a boon that was i a single drop o his blood ell on the groundE this drop would create
another orm o his$ -his wayE in a very short timeE thousands o "aktabeeCas covered the battleield$
-he deities became araid$
,eeing the rightened deitiesE Bhagwati said to Kali= K% :hamundaL %pen your mouth and drink each
drop o blood coming out rom the inCuries o "aktabeeC$K Ater saying thisE *oddess Bhagwati attacked
"aktabeeC with her trident$ *oddess Kali drank all the blood coming out rom his wound$ At lastE
"aktabeeC was killed$ -he deities were pleased$ *oddess Kali started to dance with erocity due to the
intoGication caused by drinking o the blood$
7.9.1.1 'i22ing of 9ishumbh
'arkandeya says= K6hen ,humbh and 1ishumbh heard about "aktabeeCKs deathE they were inuriated$
1ishumbh attacked the goddess with a huge army$ ,humbh attacked rom the other side$ .n the ierce
battleE *oddess Bhagwati broke the sword as well as the shield o 1ishumbh$ 1ishumbh then attacked
*oddess Bhagwati with his weapon= ,hakti$ *oddess Bhagwati broke it with her :hakra$ At lastE she
attacked him with her arrows at him and as a resultE 1ishumbh got inCured and ell$ K
6hen ,humbh saw 1ishumbhE inCured and unconsciousE he ran towards *oddess Bhagwati to kill her$
*oddess Bhagwati blew her conch and made a thunderous noise by pulling the bowstring$ ,humbh
released the dangerous weapon= 2gradipti in the direction o *oddess Bhagwati$ But her weapon
'aholkanaamni destroyed it$ ,humbh thundered loudly and attacked *oddess Bhagwati with a volley
o arrows but none could cause any harm to her$ <inallyE *oddess Bhagwati attacked ,humbh with her
trident$ ,humbh ell down unconscious$ Ater sometimeE he regained his consciousness and attacked
*oddess Bhagwati with his arrows$ But she destroyed all the arrows$ .n the meantimeE 1ishumbh had
regained his consciousness$ &e got up and attacked *oddess Bhagwati with his trident$ .n the endE
*oddess Bhagwati killed 1ishumbh by piercing her trident in his heart$ As 1ishumbh was dyingE an
another demon maniested rom his body$ +ven he was killed by her$ &er mount ,imha devoured all the
dead demons$
7.9.1.9 'i22ing of -humbh
'arkandeya says= K,humbh became angry at the death o his brother= 1ishumbh$ &e uriously told the
goddess= K% wicked ladyL Do not be proud o your strength borrowed rom others$K *oddess Bhagwati
replied= K% wicked demonL . am the only power o this whole universe$ . am the origin o cause and
eect$ LookL All the divinities are entering into my body$K
-he neGt momentE all the divine entitiesE which had earlier maniested rom the bodies o the deities
united with the goddess$ 1owE the goddess was alone$ A tremendous battle was ought between
*oddess Bhagwati and ,humbh$ Ambika attacked him with numerous divine weapons$ ButE ,humbh
neutralised her attack with his own weapons$
,humbh covered the whole body o *oddess Bhagwati with his arrows$ ,he broke his bow$ Ater thisE
,humbh attacked her with his weapon named ,haktiE which was broken into pieces by her :hakra$
1owE ,humbh took out his sword and attacked her with it$ ,he broke his shield and sword with her
arrows$ ,humbh then attacked her with his mace$ +ven his mace was broken into pieces$
,humbh had no more weapons let with him$ &e attacked the goddess on her breast with his clenched
ist$ ,he slapped him on his ace because o which he ell down$ -he neGt momentE he got up and
maniested himsel in the sky$ 1owE a tremendous duel was ought between them in the sky$
.n the endE she dashed him on the ground and pierced the trident in his heart$ ,humbh was instantly
killed$ Ater the killing o ,humbhE all the deities became pleased$ -he *andharvas and the deities
reCoiced$ -he Apsaras danced$ -he whole atmosphere echoed with the sound= K,&A1-. ,&A1-.K (Let
there be peace)$
7.9.1.1: Devi -totra
'arkandeya says= Ater goddess Bhagwati had killed ,humbhE all the deities under the leadership o
.ndra and Agni started eulogising her= K% *oddessL Be pleased up on usL 8rotect the whole worldE as
you are the goddess o this whole universe$ You appear in the orm o this earth= the base on which
everything is situated$ Your light illuminates all the living creatures$ You are the only power through
which creationE nurturing and annihilation takes place$ You are the BrahmaniE 'aheshwari and the
Kaumari$ 6e salute you because you have protected us rom the terror o the demons$ 6e need your
protection rom all the calamities o this world$K
*oddess Bhagwati was eGtremely pleased by their eulogy$ ,he asked them or any wish$ -he deities
said= K% AkhileshwariL 6e need your protection$ :lear all the obstacles rom our path$ +liminate our
enemies$K
*oddess Bhagwati replied= KDuring Vaivasvat 'anavantarE . will take incarnation rom YashodaKs
womb= the wie o 1andE to kill the demons ,humbh and 1ishumbh$ Ater thatE . will kill the demon=
Vaiprachit in my most aggressive orm$ %ne hundred years laterE . will maniest mysel and would be
known as ,atakshi because o my hundred eyes$ 'y neGt incarnation would be known as ,hakambhari
because . would nurture the whole world during the period o drought$ . will kill the demon Durgam
during that drought period$ . will kill the demon Arun= the tormentor o all the three worlds by appearing
in the orm o a bee$ Due to thisE . will be known as Bhramari$ . will take incarnations every time the
demons torment the world$
7.9.1.11 Goddess hag,ati 2esses the Deities
*oddess Bhagwati says= . will clear all the obstacles rom the path o such a man who worships me$ A
devotee who listens to the great tales o how . killed 'ahishasuraE ,humbh and 1ishumbhE on the
eighthE ninth and ourteenth days o any monthE would be liberated rom all sins and poverty$ &e would
become ree rom ear$ A devotee must listen to my divine tales during all the religious ceremonies like
making sacriiceE worship and perorming Yagya$ By doing thisE all his enemies will be eliminated$ A
man who remembers me when aced with dangerous situation remains protected by me$K
Ater blessing the deitiesE *oddess Bhagwati disappeared rom their sight$ All the demonsE which had
survived ater the killings o ,humbh and 1ishumbhE went to the nether world to save their lives$
7.9.1.12 Goddess hag,ati 2esses -urath and the "aish*a
-he sage says= K% kingL . have described in detail about the greatness o *oddess Bhagwati who is the
creator o this universe$ ,he is the one who bestows the knowledge o sel to us$ ,he is the 'aya
(illusion) by whom the whole world is inluenced$ You must take her reuge$ You can achieve all the
pleasures o this worldE heavenE as well as liberation$K
King ,urath and the Vaishya went to do their penance$ 6hile doing their penanceE they chanted the
mantras o Devi ,ukta$ -hey made an earthen idol o Bhagwati and worshipped it by oering lowersE
Dhup etc$ -hey did an austere penance or three years implying various modes o worship$ ,ometimesE
they observed astE the other timeE they oered their own blood to please *oddess Bhagwati$ At lastE
the goddess was pleased and appeared beore them$ ,he said= K. am pleased with both o you$ . will
ulil whatever you wish$K
King ,urath sought her blessings in regaining his kingdom rom the clutches o his enemies$ &e also
reMuested her to bless him with an undivided kingdom in his neGt lie$ -he Vaishya reMuested her to
make him ree rom all kinds o attachments$ *oddess Bhagwati said= K% kingL Very soonE you will be
able to regain your whole kingdom rom your enemies$ .n your neGt birthE you would be born as
,aavarni 'anuE the son o ,urya$ You will also attain sel=knowledge and become ree rom all kinds o
attachments$K Ater blessing both o themE *oddess Bhagwati disappeared$
7.9.1.13 -avarna )anavantar
'arkandeya says= K% great sageL 1ow . am going to tell you about the 'anavantar o ,aavarnE which
will be the ninth 'anavantar$ ,aavarn was the son o Daksha$ During this 'anavantarE there will be
three prominent groups (*anas) o deities$ +ach group would comprise o twelve deities$ During this
'anavantarE .ndra would be known as Adbhut$ -he names o the ,aptarishis o this 'anavantar would
be 'edhatithiE VasuE ,atyaE @yotishmaanE DyutimaanE ,abal and &atyavaahan$ ,aavarn will have eight
sons= DhrishtketuE BarhaketuE 8anchahastaE 1iraamayE 8rithushravahE AchishmaanE Bhuridruymna and
Bhrihadmay$K
-he tenth 'anavantar will be named ater the tenth 'anasputra o Lord Brahma$ During this
'anavantarE the names o two prominent groups o deities will be ,ukhasin and 1iruddha$ -he total
population during this 'anavantar will be hundred people$ -he total number o deities during this
'anavantar will also be o the same number$ -he name o .ndra during this tenth 'anavantar would be
,hanti and the names o the ,aptarishis during this tenth 'anavantar would be AapomurtiE
&avishmaanE ,ukritE ,atyaE 1aabhaagE Apratim and Vashishta$ -he tenth 'anu would have ten sons=
,ukshetraE 2ttamoCaE BhurishenE VeeryavaanE ,hataanikE VrishabhE AnmitraE @ayadrathE Bhuridruymna
and ,uparva$
-he eleventh 'anavantar will be named ater ,aavarnE the son o Dharma$ During this 'anavantarE
there will be three prominent groups o deities= VihangamE Kaamag and 1irmaanpati$ +ach group would
comprise o 03 deities$ .ndra would be known by the name o Vrishakhya$ -he name o the ,aptarishis
o this 'anavantar would be &avishmaanE VarishthaE 1ischarE AnaghE VishtiE Agnidev etc$ -he eleventh
'anu would have siG sons= ,arvatragE ,usharmaE DevaneekE 8urudwahaE &emdhanva and Dhridhayu$
-he twelth 'anavantar will be named ater ,aavarnE the son o "udra$ -he names o the ive
prominent groups o deities o this 'anavantar will be ,udharmaE ,umanaE &aritE "ohit and ,uvarn$
+ach group will comprise o ten deities$ During this 'anavantarE .ndra would be known by the name o
Kratadhaama$ -he names o the ,aptarishis during this 'anavantar would be DyutiE -apasviE ,utavaE
-apomurtiE -aponidhiE -aporati and -apodhiti$ -he 'anu o this 'anavantar would have siG sons=
DevavaanE 2padevE DevashresthaE VidurathE 'itravaan and 'itravinda$
"auchya would be the 'anu during the thirteen 'anavantar$ -hree prominent groups o deities would
be ,udharmaE ,ukarma and ,usharma$ During this 'anavantarE .ndra would be known by the name o
Divaspati$ -he name o the ,aptarishis o this 'anavantar will be DhritimaanE AvyayE -atvadarshiE
1irutsukE 1irmohaE ,utapa and 1ishkamp$ During this 'anavantarE 'anu would have eight sons=
:hitrasenE VichitraE 1iyatiE 1irbhayE DhridhE ,unetraE Kshatrabuddhi and ,uvrat$
7$/$/ "auchya 'anavantar
-his ,ection contains 4 sub=sections$
7.9.9.1 irth of .auch*a )anu
'arkandeya says= KAs soon as the ancestors departedE a beautiul Apsara came near "uchi$ &er name
was 8ramlocha$ ,he said to him= K% great sageL . have a daughter named 'aalini$ -he name o my
husband is 8ushkar$ . want to get her betrothed to you$ 8lease accept her as your wie$ .n course o
timeE she would give birth to 'anu$
"uchi accepted her proposal$ "uchi married 'aalini in the presence o sages$ .n course o timeE 'aalini
gave birth to a son who was named "auchya$ "auchya 'anavantar was named ater him$
7.9.9.2 .uchi Advised to get )arried
'arkandeya says= KDuring ancient timesE the ancestors o "uchi were not pleased by his unmarried
status$ &e was a sage o high degree and used to have ood once a day$ -he ancestors asked him= K%
sonL 6hy didnKt you get marriedN *rihasthashram holds a very important place in the lie o a man$ .t is
only ater paying his three debts (rina) that a man is entitled to become a householder$ All your eorts
in paying o your debts towards the deities and ancestors are useless unless you are married$ Your
aspirations o attaining the supreme abode would go in vain unless you have become a ather$K
"uchi replied= K*etting married is the root cause o all sorrows$ .t also obstructs the upward spiritual
movement o a man$ -hat is why . am not having any interest in getting married$ &aving sel control
helps a man to attain salvation$K
-he ancestors said= K-he path you have chosen would never lead you towards salvation$ A man reaps
the ruits o his Karmas committed in his previous lives in the orm o happiness and sorrow$ An
intelligent man must act in such a manner that his soul remains aloo rom his Karmas$K
"uchi replied= K-he path o actions (Karma) has been described as an Avidya in the Vedas$ 6hy are
you pushing me towards that pathNK -he ancestors replied= K.t is true what you have said$ But at the
same timeE it can be proved wrong by oneKs Karmas because Karmas are the means by which a man
attains sel=knowledge$ Your belie that your actions are puriying your soul is based on alse notions$
ActuallyE by not doing your KarmaE you are only torturing your soul$ Karma is very beneicial or a manKs
uplitment$ ,oE you must get married to enCoy a blissul lie$K
"uchi replied= K% great ancestorsL 6ho will give his daughter to a poor and an old man like meNK -he
ancestors warned "uchi that i he went against their wishesE he would ace degradation in every sphere
o his lie$ Ater saying thisE the ancestors disappeared$
7.9.9.3 .uchi 3u2ogi4es his Ancestors
'arkandeya says= KAter the departure o his ancestorsE "uchi started wandering here and there in his
restlessness$ Ater sometimeE when he regained his composureE he decided to do penance to please
Lord Brahma$ &is penance continued or one hundred years$ Ater the accomplishment o his penanceE
Lord Brahma appeared beore him and asked what he desired$ "uchi eGpressed his desire o getting
married as per the aspirations o his ancestors$ Lord Brahma blessed him and also instructed "uchi to
eulogise his ancestors so that his wishes could be ulilled$K
"uchi eulogised his ancestors by chanting ,totras= K. make salutations to my ancestors who preside
over the ceremony o ,hraadhE who are paciied even by the deitiesE by the chanting o ,wahaE made
during the ceremony o ,hraadh$ . make salutations to my ancestors who dwell in the space and in the
heaven$ 'ay my ancestors accept the oeringsE which . am making in the orm o lowersE cerealsE
waterE Dhup etc$K
7.9.9.# Ancestors 2ess .uchi
'arkandeya says= K&ardly had "uchi accomplished his eulogy o the ancestorsE a very bright
eulgence appeared in ront o himE who were in act his ancestors$ -hey said= KDemand any boon$K
"uchi replied= KLord Brahma has instructed me to enhance the process o creation$ ,o . need a wie or
that purpose$ -he ancestors said= K&ere at this very placeE you will ind a very beautiul wie$ ,he would
give birth to "auchya$ You too would become very amous as 8raCapati because o your numerous
sons and you will attain salvation in the end$K
Ater blessing "uchiE the ancestors departed or heaven$
7$/$#3 -he Beginning o Bhautya 'anavantar
-his ,ection contains # sub=section$
'arkandeya says= K1ow . am going to tell you about the origin o Bhautya 'anavantar$ ,age Angira
had a disciple named Bhuti$ &e was short tempered in nature and used to curse anybody at the earliest
opportunity$ +verybody including the deities like .ndraE VayuE ,urya etc$ were scared o him$ 1obody
went against his wishes and ollowed his commands$K
Bhuti had no children and commenced a rigorous penance to achieve one$ But stillE his aspiration
remained unulilled$ &e decided to Muit doing penance$ &is brother named ,uvarcha invited him to the
Yagya he was perorming$ Bhuti let the hermitage ater entrusting his disciple= ,hanti to look ater its
aairs$
,hanti tried his best to perorm his duties according to the instructions o his teacher= Bhuti$ YetE one
dayE the sacriicial ire got eGtinguished somehow$ ,hanti became scared at the prospect o acing his
preceptorKs wrath$ &e was certain o being cursed by Bhuti$ <inding no other optionE he went to Agni
named @aativeda and sought his help$ &e tried to please him by chanting Agni ,totra$ &e eulogised
Agni in many ways$ &e said= K% AgniL -he irst o all creationsE . need your blessings$ 6ithout youE the
Yagya cannot be perormed$ All the Vedas are ull o praise or you$ -he deities as well as the demons
try to paciy you by making oerings to you$K
-he deity Agni became eGtremely pleased by ,hantiKs eulogy and appeared beore him$ &e asked
,hanti to eGpress his desire$ ,hanti reMuested Agni to re=ignite the sacriicial ireE which had gone oE
so that he does not have to ace the wrath o his *uru$ &e then reMuested Agni to bless his *uru with a
son having all the good Mualities$ Agni was very much pleased by ,hantiKs devotion towards his *uru$
&e said= KYour *uru Bhuti would have a son named Bhautya ater whom the 'anavantar would be
named$K Ater blessing himE Agni disappeared$
,hanti returned to his hermitage and was very pleased to see the sacriicial ire burning$ .n the
meantimeE his *uru Bhuti arrived$ &is *uru was very pleased with the sincerity o ,hanti with which he
perormed his duties in his absence$ Bhuti said= K% sonL . donKt understand the reason why my heart is
overwhelmed with love$ Love is alien to my nature$ . you are cognisant o the reasonE please tell me$K
-hen ,hanti narrated the whole story$ Bhuti was very pleased by his devotion$ &e taught all the Vedas
to ,hanti$
.n course o timeE Bhautya was born to him$ &e was the 'anu o the Bhautya 'anavantar$ During this
'anavantarE there would be ive prominent groups o deities= :haakshushE KanishthE 8avitraE BhraCir
and Dharavrit$ During this 'anavantarE .ndra would be known as ,huchi$ -he names o the ,aptarishis
would be AgnighE AgnibaahuE ,uchiE 'uktE 'aadhavE ,hukra and ACit$ Bhautya 'anu would have ten
sons= *uhE *ambhirE BrahnaE BharatE AnugrahaE ,hrimaaniE 8rateerE VishnuE ,ankraman and ,ubal$ A
man who listens to the tales o all the ourteen 'anvantaras is not only blessed but becomes liberated
rom all his sins$
7.9.1:.1 irth of )artandadev
Lord Brahma had created Daksha rom the thumb o his right hand$ DakshaKs wie was created rom the
thumb o BrahmaKs let hand$ Daksha had a daughter named Aditi$ 'aartandadev was the son o Aditi
and his ather was Kashyap$
Kraustuki asked= K% lordL -ell me the reason why Vivasvaan ,urya took birth as the son o Kashyap$K
'arkandeya says= KDuring the initial phase o creationE when nothing eGistedE eGcept a large egg$ Lord
Brahma maniested inside that egg$ ,ubseMuentlyE he came out rom that egg$ At that timeE a loud
sound o %' came out rom his mouth$ <rom this sound o %mkarE were created BhurE Bhuvah and in
the end ,wah$ -hese three mystic words are the orms o ,urya$ Ater thatE three more mystic words
were created= 'ahahE @an and -apahE each o the ormer word being grosser than the latter one$ .n the
endE the word ,atya was createdE which was the grossest o all$ -hese seven mystic words related with
the %mkar illustrate the gross and the subtle orms o Vivasvaan$
4&1: Manifestation of the )un (od (Aditya% and the +edas
-his chapter contains ; sections$
'arkandeya says= KAter Brahma came out rom that eggE "igveda maniested rom his irst mouth$
<rom the mouth acing southE maniested the YaCurveda$ Ater thatE ,amaveda maniested rom his
mouth acing west$ .n the endE Atharvaveda came out rom the mouth acing north$ -he "igveda
symbolises the "aCo *una while the YaCurveda symbolises the ,atva *una$ ,amaveda comprises o
-amo *una whereas Atharvaveda is the miGture o ,atva and -amo *una$ -he maniestation o the
Vedas had illuminated the whole atmosphere$ But the maniestation o %mkar overlapped their
radiance and covered all the Vedas$
At lastE the radiance o the Vedas got united with that o the %mkar$ -he "igveda symbolises the orm
o Brahma during the period o creation while YaCurveda symbolises Lord Vishnu during the whole
period o nurturing$ ,amaveda is symbolical o "udra at the time o annihilation$
7$#3$# Lord Brahma +ulogiBes ,urya
'arkandeya says= K.n the beginning o the creationE ,urya shed unbearable amount o heat$ -his made
the process o creation very diicult$ Lord Brahma became worried$ &e thought= KDue to the eGtreme
heat o the ,unE all the water on this earth is getting evaporated$ . this continues to happen then how
would the creatures surviveNK
Lord Brahma eulogised ,urya to please him$ &e said= K. make salutations to ,urya who is the obCect o
contemplation o great sagesE who is the source o all energy$ % ,uryaL .t is only because o you that .
can createE nurture and annihilate$ You are the protector o this universe created rom the
8anchatatvas$ 8lease subdue your radiance so that . can commence my creation$K
Vivasvaan ,urya became very pleased by BrahmaKs eulogy and subdued his radiance$ -husE it became
possible or Lord Brahma to begin his creation$ &e created the deitiesE demonsE human beingsE
animalsE vegetation etc$ in the same way as he had done in earlier Kalpas$
7$#3$( 8rogeny o Kashyap 8raCapati and Aditi?s +ulogy o Divakar
'arkandeya says= KLord BrahmaE ater having created the universe divided the earth into various
islands$ &e also created the oceans and the mountains$ 'arichiE the son o Brahma was the ather o
Kashyap$ Kashyap was married to the ten daughters o Daksha$ &e had numerous sons rom them like
the deitiesE the demons and many creatures like reptiles$ Aditi was the mother o the deitiesE Diti o the
demonsE Danu o the Daanavas (monsters)$ Vinata gave birth to *arud and Arun$ "avasa was the
mother o Yakshas and the "akshasasE Kadru o the 1agas$ 'uni was the mother o *andharvas$
Krodha was the mother o Kulyaava *anasE "ishta o Apsaras$ .ra was the mother o the elephants and
-aamra was the mother o ,hyeni$ .la gave birth to all the vegetation while 8radha gave birth to the
insects$ -he earth was inhabited with the progenies o AditiKs sons$
Lord Brahma had made the deities masters o all the three worlds$ -his decision o Brahma had made
the DaityasE Daanavas and "akshasas very angry$ -hey got united and started causing obstacles in
the path o the deities$ A great battle was ought between the deities and the demons in which the
deities were deeated$ AditiE the mother o the deities became very sad$ ,he did a rigorous penance to
please the ,un god$ ,he observed asts and eulogised the ,un god or most o her time$ At lastE the
,un god appeared beore her but she could not bear his radiance which was so powerul that she could
not even open her eyes$ ,he reMuested him to subdue his power so that she could see him$
7$#3$0 Aditi gives birth to Aditya
'arkandeya says= KAter being pleased by the eulogy o AditiE the ,un shed its radiance and became
sombre$ 1owE Aditi could see him$ ,he said= K% lordL Be pleased upon me$ -he Daityas and the
Daanavas have captured all the three worlds rom my sons$ . reMuest you to take birth as my son and
deeat the demons$K
-he ,un god agreed to take birth as her son$ .n course o timeE Aditi became pregnant$ ,he engaged
hersel in religious activities so that she could become a mother o a virtuous child$ ,eeing his pregnant
wie observing astsE Kashyap became very angry$ &e said= K.t is not proper or a pregnant woman to
observe ast as it may prove to be harmul to the oetus$ 6hy are you trying to destroy itNK Aditi replied=
K. am not trying to destroy my oetus$ Ater taking birthE our child will destroy our enemies$K
.n her angerE Aditi released her oetus$ Kashyap started chanting the mantras o "igveda$ .n a very
short timeE her child came out rom that oetus$ A heavenly voice was heard which said= K% sageL ,ince
you have called this oetusE 'aaritE thereore your son would be amously known as 'aartand$K Ater
the birth o 'aartandE the morale o the deities was boosted up$ .ndra challenged the demons$ A
tremendous battle ensued between both the sides$ 'aartand glanced towards the demons as a result
o which they were charred to death$ -he deities were pleased and eulogised 'aartand$ At lastE the
deities regained their territories they had lost to the demons$
7$#3$4 Vishwakarma +ulogiBes Aditya
'arkandeya says= KVishwakarma had married his daughter ,angya to the ,un=god$ But being unable to
ace the unbearable radiance o the ,unE she went to do penance ater instructing her shadow to
perorm the duties o an ideal wie on her behal$ 2ltimatelyE she returned back to her husband only
ater Vishwakarma had subdued the radiance o the ,un god$ Vishwakarma then eulogised the ,un
god by saying= . make salutations to the ,un god whose eGistence is beneicial or the whole universe$ .
make salutations to one whose own origin remains a mystery and who enables our eyes to see$ . make
salutations to the ,un god who destroys the darkness and who lightens up the whole world$K
7$#3$9 "aCyavardan?s ,ubCects +ulogiBe Aditya or their King?s Long Lie
Kraustuki says= K% lordL +nlighten us on the greatness o Bhaskar$K
'arkandeya replied= K-here was a king named "aCyavardhan$ &is subCects were very happy and
satisied under his rule$ -hey were ree rom all the diseases$ "aCyavardhan ruled or 7E333 long years$
&is wie was 'aanini$ %ne dayE while 'aanini was applying oil on his headE she saw a grey hair$ ,he
became very sad and started crying$ A drop o tear ell on the king$ &e asked the Mueen as to why she
was crying$ -he Mueen told him about the reason$ -he king laughingly said= K. am ully satisied by my
rule o 7E333 years$ -he grey hair on my head is an indication that . must now abandon my worldly lie
and become a recluse$ -his would be more appropriate or me$K
6hen his subCects came to know about his decisionE they became sad$ But nothing could make the king
change his mind$ &e decided to become a recluse ater appointing his son as his successor$ -he king
called the astrologers or consultation$ -he astrologers advised the king to change his mind$ But
"aCyavardhan did not listen to them$
At lastE his subCects decided to eulogise the ,un god and demand a long lie or their king$ All o them
started worshipping the ,un god$ A *andharva whose name was ,udama appeared beore them and
instructed them to go to a orest named *uhaVishaal and continue their penance$ All o them went to
the orest as per the instruction o the *andharva$ -here was a beautiul temple o Lord Bhaskar in the
orest$ -hey worshipped ,urya and eulogised him$ -heir worship continued or three months ater which
the ,un god became pleased and appeared beore them$ Lord Bhaskar asked them to demand any
boon$ &e said= K% BrahminL Demand anything you wish$K All o them said= K% lordL . you are really
pleased with usE then bless our King "aCyavardhan with a long lie$ 8lease bless him with an eternal
youth and a lie ree rom all the deities$ 6e want our king to live or #3E333 years$ -he ,un god
blessed them by saying= K,o be itK$
Ater receiving the boonsE all o them came to the kingKs palace and narrated the whole story$ -he
Mueen was very pleased but the king was worried$ -he Mueen was surprised at the kingKs sadness even
ater getting such good news$ -he king replied= K6hat is the use o remaining alive or #3E333 yearsN
You wonKt be alive then$ 6ill . be able to enCoy my lie in your absenceN 6ill not the deaths o my sonsE
my grandsons and my near and dear ones make me sadN -he boon o mysel enCoying lie or #3E333
years will actually prove to be a curse$K
-he Mueen sadly said= K6hatever you have said is true$ . could not understand this act because o my
ignorance$ 1owE you must do your dutyE as the boon o the ,un god is not going to go in vain$ -he king
decided to go to the 'ountain= 8rabhriti and do penance$ &e wanted to receive a boon rom ,un godE
which enabled all his subCects and his relatives to remain alive as long as he lived$ -he Mueen also
decided to move along with the king$ Both o them did an austere penance$ -he ,un god appeared
beore them and blessed them$ -husE "aCyavardhan lived or #3E333 years along with his subCects$
7$#3$; 'artandadev and his Descendants
'arkandeya says= K'aartandadev had a son named 'anu$ -he seventh 'anavantar in which we are
living is named ater him$ 'anu had many sons among whom 1arishyantE 1aabhaagE 8rishadhna and
Drisht were the rulers o dierent kingdoms$ 'anu had perormed a special Yagya named 'itravarun
with the desire o having more sons$ But ater the YagyaE a daughter was born to him and who was
named .la$ 'anu then reMuested 'itravarun to transorm that girl into a boyE i he was really pleased
with him$ Both the deities blessed 'anu and instantly that girl was transormed into a boy$ &e was
named ,udryumna$
%ne dayE ,udryumna had gone to the orest or hunting$ .ncidentallyE because o the wrath o *oddess
8arvatiE he again got transormed into a lady$ At that timeE he was married to Buddh and a son named
8ururava was born to them$ Later onE he regained his body o the male$ -his timeE he became the
ather o 2tkalE Vinay and *aya$ All these three sons were very Cust rulers$ 8ururava was made the king
o 8ratisthanpur$
4&11 >amous Mythological "ales
-his chapter contains #3 sections$
7$##$# King 8rishadhna
King 8rishadhna was the son o 'anu$ %ne dayE he had gone to the orest on a hunting spree$ &e killed
a cow by mistake$ -his cow belonged to an Agnihotri Brahmin who was perorming a Yagya$ -he
Brahmin became very urious and cursed 8rishadhna to become a ,hudra$ King 8rishadhna too
became angry and he wanted to retaliate$ &e took some water in his hand and was Cust about to curse
the BrahminE Cust then the BrahminKs ather 'auli arrived$ &e warned both o them against cursing each
other$ &e said= KAnger decreases the lie span o a man$ .t also destroys the knowledge and makes a
manE a destitute$ An angry person can neither be virtuous nor he can accumulate wealth$ +ven i the
king had killed the cow deliberatelyE he is worthy o being shown compassion$ But i he has committed
this sin out o his ignoranceE then certainlyE he is not it to be cursed$ -hereoreE % sonL DonKt curse the
king$ -he cow must have died because o her own past Karmas$K
King 8rishadhna made salutations to the Agnihotri Brahmin and said in a loud voice= KBe pleased on
me$ . did not kill the cow deliberately$ .t only happened by mistake$ -he Brahmin replied= K% kingL . have
never spoken a lie in my lie$ +ven my curse which . have given to you will not go in vain$K ,age 'auli
took his son to his hermitage$ .n course o timeE 8rishadhna became a ,hudra due to the curse$
7$##$( 8rince 1abhag
'arkandeya says= K1aabhaag was the son o King Dishta$ %ne dayE he saw a beautiul woman who
was the daughter o a Vaishya$ &e was very enchanted by her beauty and wanted to marry her$ &e
went to the Vaishya and eGpressed his desire$ -he Vaishya was terriied at the prospect o acing the
wrath o the king$ &e said= KYou belong to a royal amily whereas . am a poor man$ -here is no match
between both o us$ 6hy do you insist on marrying my daughterNK
1aabhaag was not amused at the VaishyaKs reply$ &e threatened to give up his lie i he was not
married$ -he Vaishya went to the king and narrated the whole story$ -he king consulted his ministers
and the Brahmins$ -he Brahmin said= K8rince 1aabhaag should irst marry a woman within his own
casteE only then he can marry the VaishyaKs daughter otherwise he would be committing a grave sin$
1aabhaag was not satisied by the BrahminsK decision$ &e decided to orcibly abduct the VaishyaKs
daughter$ -he Vaishya went to the king and sought his help$ -he king gave death punishment to
1aabhaag$ &earing o this punishmentE 1aabhaag went into hiding$ -he royal army went in search o
him and inally ound him$ -hen a tough battle was ought and ultimatelyE 1aabhaag was victorious$ -he
king himsel came orward to ight with 1aabhaag$ As the battle was going onE sage 1aarad appeared
and reMuested the king to stop ighting$ &e said= K% kingL 8lease stop this battle$ Being a KshatriyaE it is
not proper or you to ight a battle with a VaishyaE which your son has become ater abducting a
Vaishya girl$ &e is not entitled to ight with you$K
7$##$0 :urse o ,age 8ramati
'arkandeya says= K-he king stopped ighting at the reMuest o 1aarad$ 1aabhaag married the Vaishya
girl$ Ater the marriageE the king ordered 1aabhaag to ollow a VaishyaKs occupation$ 1aabhaag got
engaged in activities like animal husbandry and agriculture$ 6ith the passage o timeE a son was born
and who was named Bhalandan$ 6hen he grew upE his mother entrusted him the Cob o looking ater
the cows$ Bhalandan knew nothing about the Cob he was entrusted with$ &e went to sage 1eep and told
his problem$ ,age 1eep understood everything and taught him the nuances o handling various
weapons as a result o whichE he became a master in this art$ Ater thisE Bhalandan went to VasuraatE
the son o 8itravya and demanded his share in the kingdom o his great=grandather$ Vasuraat reused
to give anything by saying= KBeing the son o a VaishyaE you are not entitled to become a king$K
Bhalandan became very angry and attacked Vasuraat with a huge army$ .n this battleE Vasuraat was
deeated$ 1owE Bhalandan had control over the entire earth$ &e returned to his atherE 1aabhaag in
order to hand over the reign o the kingdomE he had won in the battle$ But 1aabhaag reused to take
anything by saying = K. have been cursed by my ather to become a Vaishya$ . cannot go against his
wishes by taking over the responsibility o a king as this would disturb the peace o my ancestors who
are in heaven and even . would not attain liberation$ -he second thing is that you have won this
kingdom by your power and strength$ .t will not be proper or me to rule over this kingdom$K
,uprabhaE the wie o 1aabhaag was listening to their conversation$ ,he could not stop laughing$ ,he
said= KYou are not a VaishyaE because . too belong to a Kshatriya amily$ During ancient timesE a king
named ,udev had a riend= 1ala$ %ne day both o them went to the orest to hunt$ .n the orestE 1ala
saw sage 8ramatiKs wie and became enchanted by her immense beauty$ &e wanted to marry he and
tried to orcibly abduct her$ Being a chaste womanE 8ramatiKs wie started shouting or help$ ,age
8ramati heard her screams and arrived at the site$ &e became enraged when he saw 1ala trying to
abduct his wie and King ,udev doing nothing to protect her$ 8ramati reMuested King ,udev to protect
his wie rom 1ala$ King ,udev lied to sage 8ramati about his casteE to help his riend= 1ala$ &e said= K.
cannot help you because . am a Vaishya$ You must go to any Kshatriya to take help$ ,age 8ramati was
eGasperated$ &e umed= KYou will certainly become a Vaishya as you have lied to me about your caste$K
7$##$4 Agastya?s Brother :urses Kripavati
'arkandeya says= K-he king stopped ighting at the reMuest o 1aarad$ 1aabhaag married the Vaishya
girl$ Ater the marriageE the king ordered 1aabhaag to ollow a VaishyaKs occupation$ 1aabhaag got
engaged in activities like animal husbandry and agriculture$ 6ith the passage o timeE a son was born
and who was named Bhalandan$ 6hen he grew upE his mother entrusted him the Cob o looking ater
the cows$ Bhalandan knew nothing about the Cob he was entrusted with$ &e went to sage 1eep and told
his problem$ ,age 1eep understood everything and taught him the nuances o handling various
weapons as a result o whichE he became a master in this art$
Ater thisE Bhalandan went to VasuraatE the son o 8itravya and demanded his share in the kingdom o
his great=grandather$ Vasuraat reused to give anything by saying= KBeing the son o a VaishyaE you
are not entitled to become a king$K Bhalandan became very angry and attacked Vasuraat with a huge
army$ .n this battleE Vasuraat was deeated$ 1owE Bhalandan had control over the entire earth$ &e
returned to his atherE 1aabhaag in order to hand over the reign o the kingdomE he had won in the
battle$ But 1aabhaag reused to take anything by saying = K. have been cursed by my ather to become
a Vaishya$ . cannot go against his wishes by taking over the responsibility o a king as this would
disturb the peace o my ancestors who are in heaven and even . would not attain liberation$ -he second
thing is that you have won this kingdom by your power and strength$ .t will not be proper or me to rule
over this kingdom$K
,uprabhaE the wie o 1aabhaag was listening to their conversation$ ,he could not stop laughing$ ,he
said= KYou are not a VaishyaE because . too belong to a Kshatriya amily$ During ancient timesE a king
named ,udev had a riend= 1ala$ %ne day both o them went to the orest to hunt$ .n the orestE 1ala
saw sage 8ramatiKs wie and became enchanted by her immense beauty$ &e wanted to marry he and
tried to orcibly abduct her$ Being a chaste womanE 8ramatiKs wie started shouting or help$ ,age
8ramati heard her screams and arrived at the site$ &e became enraged when he saw 1ala trying to
abduct his wie and King ,udev doing nothing to protect her$ 8ramati reMuested King ,udev to protect
his wie rom 1ala$ King ,udev lied to sage 8ramati about his casteE to help his riend= 1ala$ &e said= K.
cannot help you because . am a Vaishya$ You must go to any Kshatriya to take help$ ,age 8ramati was
eGasperated$ &e umed= KYou will certainly become a Vaishya as you have lied to me about your caste$K
7$##$9 Bhalandan and Vatsapri
1aabhaag told his wie= K. would never accept the kingdom or the second timeE which . had
relinMuished at the instruction o my ather$ &e then instructed his son to rule over the kingdom he had
won$ <ollowing his atherKs instructionsE Bhalandan started ruling over his kingdom$ Later onE he got
married and begot a son named Vatsapri$ Vatsapri was married to ,aunanda when he attained youth=
hood$ Vatsapri married her ater killing the demon KuCrimbha$
-here was a king named Vidurath$ &e had two sons whose names were ,uniti and ,umati$ %ne dayE
while Vidurath was having his usual walkE he saw a large pit$ &e became very curious$ @ust thenE a
sage arrived at the scene whose name was ,uvrat$ 8ointing his inger towards the pitE the king asked
,uvrat as to what it was$ -he sage said= KA demon by the name o KuCrimbha lives inside this pit$ &e
controls all the eventsE which occur on this earth and in heaven$ &e possesses a mace called ,unand
and which was made by Vishwakarma$ -his large pit which you see is the result o the assaultE he
made with his mace$ -his demon is very cruel and wicked$ &e torments the deities and destroys the
oblation sites o the sages$ -here is one very peculiar characteristic related with his mace$ -he mace
would become powerless i touched by a woman$ But this is only a temporary change because it
regains its power the neGt day$ But this act is unknown to the demon$ Ater saying thisE sage ,uvrat
went on his way$
King Vidurath returned to his palace and consulted his ministers$ &is daughterE 'udaavati was listening
to their conversation$ %ne dayE the demon abducted 'udaavati$ -he king sent both his sons
accompanied by a huge army to bring her back but the demon deeated them$ -he king made a
declaration that he will marry his daughter to anybody who brings back his daughter and sons rom the
clutches o the demon$
&earing his declarationE Vatsapri came to Vidurath and said= K*ive me your permission$ . will bring back
your daughter and your sons ater releasing them rom the clutches o the demon$K Vidurath gave the
permission$ Vatsapri entered into the nether land through that large pit$ A tremendous battle ensued
between him and the demon$ -his battle continued or three days$ %n the inal day o the battleE the
demon tried to take the help o his mace and went to grab hold o it$ But sensing that the demon was
going to pick up the maceE she immediately touched the mace as a result o which it became
powerless$ Being unaware o this happeningE the demon attacked Vatsapri with that powerless mace$
But he could not harm Vatsapri$ 2ltimatelyE Vatsapri was successul in killing the demon$
Vatsapri released all three o them= ,unitiE ,umati and 'udaavati rom the demonKs captivity and
brought them back to the kingKs palace$ Ater the death o the demonE ,heshnaag acMuired the mace$
'udaavatiKs name was later changed to ,unandaE ater that mace$ King Vidurath became very pleased
and married 'udaavati to Vatsapri$
7$##$; -he Kingdoms o 8ranshuE 8raCaati and Khanitra
'arkandeya says= K,unanda gave birth to #( sons$ -heir names were 8ranshuE 8raveerE ,hoorE
,uchakraE VikramE KramaE BalaE BalaakE :handE 8rachandE ,uvikram and ,warup$ Ater growing upE
8ranshu became the king$ 8ranshu had a son named 8raCaati$ 8raCaati had ive sons among whom
Khanitra was one o them$ Khanitra became a mighty king and was very amous or his religiousness
and virtuosity$ &e distributed the kingdoms among his brothers$ ,hauri was made the king o the
eastern regionE 2davasu o the southern regionE 'uni o the western region while 'ahaarathi was
made the king o northern region$
%ne dayE a minister o ,hauriE Vishwavedi instigated him against his brother Khanitra by saying= K%
kingL You must try to capture your brotherKs kingdom as your kingdom is too small or your descendants
to rule over$ A time may come when your descendants would be orced to choose agriculture as their
occupation because the continuous distribution o your kingdom among your progenies would leave
almost nothing or them$K
,hauri said= K'y brother is so kind to me$ 6hy should . cheat him like thatNK -he minister said= K-he duty
o the king is only to look ater the kingdomKs interest$ -he relation should not come in the way$K At lastE
the minister was successul in convincing him$ Ater sometimeE the wicked minister also inluenced the
rest o his brothers$ 2ltimatelyE King Khanitra was let all alone as all o his ministers and even his sons
were misguided by Vishwavedi$ Vishwavedi appointed our priests o Khanitra as the supervisor o
Yagyas$ %ne dayE while the priests were perorming YagyaE our ogresses appeared rom the sacriicial
ire and tried to attack King Khanitra$ But they could not harm him because o his virtuous character$
-hey then turned towards Vishwavedi and the priests and killed all o them$ -husE Vishwavedi bore the
ruits o evil deeds$
7$##$7 King Khanitra
'arkandeya says= K8eople present at the oblation site were shocked to see the dead bodies o
Vishwavedi and the our priests$ 6hen Khanitra got this newsE he too was shocked$ Khanitra went to
Vashishta and asked him the reason about the deaths o his brotherKs minister and the our priests$
Vashishta revealed the conspiracy hatched by Vishwavedi to kill him (Khanitra)$
Khanitra in a sad toneE said= K,hame on me as . have been the cause o the death o the Brahmins$
&ad . not taken birth as a human beingE my brotherKs priests wonKt have died$ . am the real culprit$ 6hat
should . do nowN 6here should . goN -he remorseul Khanitra decided to relinMuish his kingdom and
go to the orest to do penance so thatE he could get liberated rom the grave sins o causing death to
the Brahmins$ &e went to the orest accompanied by his three Mueens ater appointing his son Kshup
as the king$ &e did a severe penance or 093 years$ Ater thatE he died because o his bad health$ All
the three Mueens died too and went to heaven along with him$
7$##$) King Vivinsha
'arkandeya says= KKing Kshup ruled Custly in the same way as his ather Khanitra did$ KshupKs wie
was 8ramatha$ -hey had a son who was handsome and mighty$ &e had deeated all the kings and
anneGed their kingdom$ &e was married to 1andiniE the princess o Vidarbha$ 1andini gave birth to a
son who was named Vivinsha$ Vivinsha was a very mighty king$ During his reignE the earth had become
very populated$ -he enemies o King Vivinsha were very araid o him but his subCects were satisied by
his Cust rule$ King Vivinsha had perormed numerous Yagyas and ater ruling or a long timeE he
attained martyrdom while ighting a battle$
7$##$/ King Khaninetra
'arkandeya says= KKhaninetra was the son o King Vivinsha$ &e was very brave and valiant$ -he
*andharvas had proclaimed that no one could match KhaninetraKs benevolenceE who had donated the
whole earth ater accomplishing #3E333 Yagyas$ Khaninetra had given so much wealth as donations to
the Brahmins that there was no need or them to take donations or the rest o their lives$
Khaninetra was sonless$ %ne dayE he went to the orest to hunt an animal or sacriicial purpose needed
during 8itra Yagya$ -he perormance o this Yagya was supposed to bless him with a son$ .n the orestE
he saw a deer that was cognisant o his desire$ -he deer reMuested him by saying= K% kingL You can get
my lesh by killing me$K -he king was very amaBed$ &e asked the deer as to why it was willing to get
sacriiced$ -he deer replied= K% kingL . donKt have any ospring$ <or this reasonE . consider my lie as
useless$K 6hile the conversation was going on between the king and the deerE another deer came near
them and eGpressed his desire to get sacriiced by saying= K% kingL 8lease kill me and get the lesh
because the lesh o this sonless deer would be o no help to you$K -he king was astonished$ &e asked
the second deer as to why he was willing to die$ -he second deer replied= K% kingL . have numerous
sons and daughters and this worries me a lot$ 6henever my children go out in search o oodE . become
very anGious till they have returned to me saely$ -his wayE . pass the whole day and night in anGiety$
-he king was very conused$ &e said= K. donKt know who is superior between a sonless person and a
person who doesnKt have any son$ Although . needed the lesh or the accomplishment o 8itra Yagya
but now ater meeting both o youE . have become conused$ .t is true that a man has to ace all kinds o
sorrows because o their children but yetE a sonless man is not complete and remains indebted$ ,oE .
have decided to get a son by doing a penance Cust like my predecessors did in the past$K
7$##$#3 Karandham
'arkandeya says= KKing Khaninetra went at the bank o the river *omti and started doing a severe
penance to please .ndra$ Ater being pleased by his devotion and eulogyE .ndra appeared beore him$
&e said to Khaninetra= K% kingL . am very much pleased by your devotion$ Demand anything you wish$K
-he king replied= K% lordL . you are really pleased with meE then bless me with a religious and virtuous
son because . am a sonless person$K .ndra blessed him by saying= K,o be itK and then disappeared$
Khaninetra returned to his palace$ .n course o timeE a son was born to him$ &e named the child
Balaashva$ 6hen Balaashva grew upE he became the king ater the death o his ather$ &e anneGed
many kingdoms ater deeating his enemies and imposed taGes on them$ Ater sometimeE his enemies
not only stopped paying him the taGes but also regrouped themselves and recaptured their lost
territories$ Balaashva had become weak due to the constant battles$ &e had only the capital city in his
possession and had lost the other territories$ %ne dayE his enemies surrounded his capital$ Balaashva
became restless as he would be no match or his enemies$ .n a sorrowul moodE he heaved deeply
covering his ace by both his hands$ -he eGhaled air resulted into the maniestation o numerous valiant
ightersE chariotsE elephants and horses$ Very soonE this huge army covered the whole area$
-his army battled under the leadership o Balaashva$ 2ltimatelyE the enemies were deeated$ Later onE
King Balaashva became amous as Karandham because o the huge armyE which had maniested rom
between both the trembling hands o Balaashva$
4&1! 2ing Avee.shit
-his chapter contains ; sections$
7$#($# Birth o Aveekshit and Abduction o Vaishaalini
'arkandeya says= K,hubhvrata= the daughter o Veeryachandra had decided to marry Karandham$ A
son was born to them who was named as Aveekshit$ -he astrologers had predicted a very bright uture
or him$ Aveekshit learnt lessons in handling all kinds o weapons rom the son o Kanva$ .n a very short
timeE he attained mastery in the art o weaponry$ VaraE *auriE ,ubhadraE 1ibhaE LilavatiE 'anyavati and
Kumridwati had chosen Aveekshit as their husband in a ,wayamvara$ Aveekshit had also orcibly
married numerous other women$
%nceE a ,wayamvara was conducted in the palace o the king o Vishaal or his daughter= ,udati
Vaishaalini$ Aveekshit was present in the ,wayamvara$ But ,udati due to her arrogant nature did not
choose Aveekshit as her husband$ &enceE he orcibly abducted her by deeating the other kings$ -he
act that a single man had deeated all o them had made the other kings ashamed o themselves$ All o
them decided to ight Aveekshit unitedly$ -hey picked up their arms and marched towards Aveekshit
with a huge army$
7$#($( Aveekshit gets deeated in Battle
'arkandeya says= KA erocious battle ensued between AveekshitKs army and the other kings$ Both sides
ought bravely and Aveekshit managed to kill many o the kings but was outnumbered and got severely
wounded$ Aveekshit was inally made captive$ Aveekshit and ,udati Vaishaalini were brought to the
king o Vishaal$ -he king instructed ,udati Vaishaalini to choose any king as her husband but she
reused this oer$ -he king then reMuested his astrologer to choose an auspicious day or her marriage$
-he astrologer said to the king= K% kingL -he present time is not auspicious or marriage but donKt worryE
very soonE the princess would get married at the advent o the most auspicious moment$K
7$#($0 Liberation o Aveekshit and his Disenchantment
6hen king Karandham came to know about his sonKs deeat and captivityE he consulted his riends$ All
o them decided to attack the kingdom o Vishaal and release Aveekshit rom captivity$
Karandham marched towards the kingdom o Vishaal ollowed by a huge army$ A tremendous battle
was ought which continued or three days$ Karandham became victorious in this battle$ At lastE
Aveekshit was rescued rom his captivity$
King Vishaal decided to marry his daughter with Aveekshit but Aveekshit was disillusioned with lie$ &e
said to Vishaal= K. can never accept such a woman as my wie who has witnessed my deeat$ . have
decided to renounce lie$ ,oE it would be better i you marry your daughter with somebody else$K
King Vishaal asked his daughter to choose any other king as her husband as Aveekshit was not willing
to marry her$
But the princess wanted to marry Aveekshit and believed that he still remained an undeeated king
because he had ought single=handedly with all the kings$ &e was deeated only because o unair
means adopted by his Cealous rivals in the battle$
K. shall accept only Aveekshit as my husband otherwise . shall remain unmarriedKE said the princess$
King Karandham reMuested his son to marry the princess but Aveekshit turned down even his atherKs
reMuest$ ,eeing the utility o his adviceE Karandham returned to his kingdom$ Aveekshit too went along
with him$
,udati Vaishaalini went in the orest to do penance$ ,he observed a ast or three months$ ,he became
very weak but still continued with her penance$
-he deities elt sorry at her condition$ -hey sent an envoy to persuade her to discontinue with her
penance$ -he envoy reMuested her to stop torturing hersel$ KYou would be a mother o a :hakravarti
king who would be mighty and powerulKE said the envoy$
,udati Vaishaalini said= K&ow can . become a mother without a husbandN . have decided that nobody
eGcept Aveekshit will be my husband$ But he has turned down my proposal$ ,oE . have vowed to
remain unmarried in this lie$K
-he envoy said= K% great soulL . have been asked not to reveal much$ You must take care o your
health$ Due to the virtues o your penanceE you will certainly become a mother$K ,udati ollowing her
instructions and broke her ast$
7$#($4 Aveekshit 8romises his <ather to get 'arried
'arkandeya says= K%nceE Veera= the wie o King Karandham and mother o Aveekshit had taken a vow
to accomplish a very arduous penance$ But this could only be accomplished with KarandhamKs and
AveekshitKs assistance$ Karandham had assured her that he would provide all the wealth reMuired or
the accomplishment o that austerity while Aveekshit had assured her o physical help$
Veera commenced her arduous austerity named KKimichhak VrataK$ -his particular Vrata had a peculiar
characteristic and that was= any demand made during the course o the VrataE ought to be ulilled at
any cost ailing which meant oreiting all the virtues o this arduous austerity$
King Karandham was consulting his minister about the means that would change AveekshitKs decision
regarding his marriage$ -he ministers said that as Karandham had become oldE there was an urgent
need or his successor$ -he Muestion was that who would become king ater Aveekshit as he had
decided to remain unmarried$ -his thought was tormenting all o them$
,uddenlyE King Karandham heard the priest who was assisting Mueen Veera in the accomplishment o
the Kimichhak VrataE telling somebody= K-he Mueen is busy perorming the Kimichhak Vrata$ 6hat is
your demandN . promiseE it will be ulilled by the Mueen no matter how eGtraordinary it may be$K
Aveekshit too arrived at the scene$ &e promised that their demands would be met without delay as it
was obligatory or the success o Kimichhak VrataE which his mother was perorming$ ,eeing the time
as opportuneE King Karandham said beore the people could say anything= K% sonL . have a demand$
8romise me that you will ulil it$K
Aveekshit gave his word$ -he king said that he aspired or a grandson but this was impossible unless
he (Aveekshit) got married$ .nitiallyE Aveekshit tried to convince Karandham that it was an impossible
task as he had vowed to remain a celibate but ultimately he had to change his mind to honour his
words$
7$#($9 Aveekshit "escues Vaishalini
'arkandeya says= K%nceE Aveekshit had gone or a hunt in the orest when suddenlyE he heard a
emale voice shouting or help$ &e proceeded in the direction o the voice$
Ater reaching thereE he saw DanuKs (a demon) son DhridhakeshaE holding a lady by her hair$ -he
woman was crying= K. am the wie o Aveekshit$ -his wicked demon is trying to abduct me$K
Aveekshit was surprised as to how could the lady claim that she was his wie$ &e apprehended that it
must be the illusionary tactics o the demon to trap him$ But despite his apprehensionsE he went near
the wailing woman to release her rom the clutches o that demon$ &e warned the demon o dire
conseMuences i he did not release her$ -he demon let the woman and attacked Aveekshit$ A
tremendous duel was ought$ .n the endE Aveekshit severed the head o that demon$
-he deities were very pleased at DhridhakeshaKs death$ -hey praised Aveekshit or his bravery$ -hey
asked him to demand any boon$
Aveekshit demanded a valiant son or himsel as per the aspirations o his ather= Karandham$ -he
deities said= KYou would get your son rom this very womanE you have rescued$ -he child would
become a very mighty king ater growing up$K
Being unaware o the real identity o VaishaaliniE he told the deities= K. had vowed to remain a bachelor
but changed my decision only due to the word . had given to my ather$ But . cannot marry this woman
because by doing soE . would be breaching the trust o that woman who wanted to marry me and who
had reCected everybody or my sake$K
-he deities then revealed to him that this lady was none other than Vaishaalini whom he was talking
about$ K,he had done a severe penance to be your wie$K Ater saying thisE the deities disappeared$
Vaishaalini reMuested him to accept her as his wie$ KYou have rescued me rom this demon$ . oer
mysel to youKE said Vaishaalini$
7$#($; Aveekshit 'arries Vaishalini
'arkandeya says= KAter Vaishaalini had inished her linesE Aveekshit told her that he was orced to
abandon her in the past ater getting deeated but once againE he had regained her ater deeating the
demon$ Both o them decided to get married in the orest itsel$K
K"ight thenE a *andharva= -anaya arrived there accompanied by many Apsaras and revealed to
Aveekshit that Vaishaalini was his daughter in her previous birth$ KBecause o the curse given to her by
sage AgastyaE she was born to the king o Vishaal$ 1ow you must accept her as your wie$K
Aveekshit married Vaishaalini under the supervision o -umbaru= the priest o the *andharvas$ Both o
them then accompanied the *andharvas to the *andharva loka$ -hereE Vaishaalini gave birth to a son$
Knowing about the eatsE the child would accomplish in utureE the *andharvas celebrated his birth
ceremony with great anare$ Ater the birth ceremonyE while -umbaru was eulogising the childE
everybody heard a heavenly voiceE which said= K-his child will become amous as 'arutO he will
become the ruler o all the 'ahipals$K
+verybody was eGtremely satisied by this orecast$
4&1* 2ing Marut
-his chapter contains 9 sections$
7$#0$# Birth o 'arut
'arkandeya says= KAter Vaishaalini had inished her linesE Aveekshit told her that he was orced to
abandon her in the past ater getting deeated but once againE he had regained her ater deeating the
demon$ Both o them decided to get married in the orest itsel$K
K"ight thenE a *andharva= -anaya arrived there accompanied by many Apsaras and revealed to
Aveekshit that Vaishaalini was his daughter in her previous birth$ KBecause o the curse given to her by
sage AgastyaE she was born to the king o Vishaal$ 1ow you must accept her as your wie$K
Aveekshit married Vaishaalini under the supervision o -umbaru= the priest o the *andharvas$ Both o
them then accompanied the *andharvas to the *andharva loka$ -hereE Vaishaalini gave birth to a son$
Knowing about the eatsE the child would accomplish in utureE the *andharvas celebrated his birth
ceremony with great anare$ Ater the birth ceremonyE while -umbaru was eulogising the childE
everybody heard a heavenly voiceE which said= K-his child will become amous as 'arutO he will
become the ruler o all the 'ahipals$K
+verybody was eGtremely satisied by this orecast$
7$#0$( 'arut Ascends the -hrone
'arkandeya says= KAter the birth o 'arutE Aveekshit accompanied by Vaishaalini returned to his
atherKs palace$ Ater making salutations to his atherE he kept the new born baby in his lap and told him
that he had kept his word$ Karandham became very pleased ater seeing his grandson$K
K.n course o timeE 'arut grew up$ &e had mastered all the scriptures$ &e was also proicient in handling
all kinds o weapons$ -here was nobody like him$K
KKarandham had become old$ &e decided to go to the orest ater making Aveekshit the king but
Aveekshit was not interested in becoming a king$ &e too wanted to go to the orest$ &e said= K-he
shame o the deeat still remains there$ &ow can a personE who was not able to protect himselE protect
his subCects$K
Karandham tried his best to convince him to become his successor but Aveekshit was irm in his
resolve <inding no other optionE 'arut was made the king$
'arut went to the orest and did penance or #E333 years$ &is wie did the same and went to live in
sage BhargavaKs hermitage$
7$#0$0 A &ermit Advises 'arut on behal o Veera
Kraustuki asks 'arkandeya= K% lordL 6e want to know more about 'arut$K
'arkandeya says= KAter becoming the kingE 'arut started ruling in a Cust manner$ &e perormed many
Yagyas under the supervision o numerous KYagyikasK and esteemed priests$ AngiraKs son=,amvart and
BrihaspatiKs brother were his chie priests under whose supervisionE the Yagyas used to be perormed$
,amvart had brought the peak o 'unCavaan 'ountain ater uprooting itE or 'arut$ King 'arutKs palace
and the sacred oblation site were constructed on this very mountain peak$K
%ne dayE a hermit said to 'arut= KYour grandmother Veera is very tormented by the nuisanceE the
serpents are creating around the sacred oblation site$ ,he is very displeased by your negligence$ -he
serpents have bitten seven sons o a sage and have also polluted the water o the sacred pond$ -he
sages have started making oerings to the serpents to please themE instead o paying attention on the
perormance o the Yagyas$ Although the sages are capable o destroying the serpentsE yet they have
decided against doing so as this is not their Cob$ -his is the Cob o a king$ A king should be aware o
each and every event taking place in his kingdom$ You are not aware o the misdeeds o the serpents
because you donKt have any detective to keep you inormed o such events$ Being a kingE it is your duty
to protect your subCects by punishing the wrong doers$ . you donKt do this then you will become a
sinner$ % kingL Your grandmother is very much concerned about your negligent attitude and wants you
to act in a way beitting a king$K
7$#0$4 -he ,erpents take the "euge o Bhamini (Vaishalini)
'arkandeya says= K'arut was ashamed ater hearing the sageKs words$ &e cursed himsel or his
negligence$ &e picked up his bow and arrows in anger and went to the oblation site$ 6hen he reached
thereE he saw the dead bodies o seven hermits lying on the ground$ Being enragedE he picked up his
most devastating weapon named ,amvartak$ -he serpents became terriied as the tremendous amount
o heat generated by this weapon had started to burn them$ 2nable to bear the tremendous heat
caused by the weaponE the serpents took the reuge o Bhamini (Vaishaalini)= the mother o 'arut$K
K,ometime in the pastE Vaishaalini had promised to protect the serpents when in danger$ Vaishaalini
reMuested her husband= Aveekshit to persuade 'arut against killing the serpents$ Aveekshit told her
that the intensity o 'arutKs anger was a result o the grave sins committed by the serpents$ KBut or
your sakeE . will reMuest him to pardon the serpents= . he still does not agree to stop killing the serpents
then . will have no option but to destroy his weapon= ,amvartak$K
Ater saying thisE Aveekshit picked up his bow and arrows and went to the oblation site accompanied by
his wie$
7$#0$9 -he &ermit?s ,ons :ome to Lie Again
'arkandeya says= K6hen Aveekshit reached the oblation siteE he ound that the whole atmosphere was
ablaBe by the tremendous heat generated by 'arutKs weaponE ,amvartak$ &e reMuested 'arut to drop
his weapon but 'arut reused by saying= K% atherL -hese serpents are the culprits$ -hey have killed
the hermitKs sons$ -hey have also polluted the reservoir and caused obstacles in the accomplishment o
oblation=rituals$ . am never going to orgive them$
Aveekshit told 'arut that the serpents had taken his reuge and hence he should orgive them to
protect the honour o his atherKs promise$ 6hen 'arut did not listenE Aveekshit picked up his weapon
KKaalK to kill him$ 'arut enMuired rom him as to why he was trying to kill his own sonE who was Cust
perorming his duty o protecting the oblation site rom the serpents$ Aveekshit replied that he too was
duty bound to protect the serpents that had taken his reuge$
6hen the sages saw both ather and son were bent on killing each otherE they intervened and advised
them against killing each other$ "ight thenE a sage came with the news that the serpents had agreed to
make all the dead sons o the hermitE alive$
-husE all the dead sons o the hermits became alive and once againE the ather and son were prevented
rom killing each other$
<rom then onwardsE 'arut took proper care while ruling his kingdom$ Later onE he married ,ukesha=
the daughter o KekayaE ,aindhavi= the daughter o ,indhuraaCE Vayushmati= the daughter o :hediraaC
etc$ &e had eighteen sons rom his wives among whomE 1arishyant was the eldest$
4&1, 2ing 3arishyant
-his chapter contains ( sections$
'arkandeya says= KAmong the eighteen sons o 'arutE 1arishyant was the eldest$ 'arut ruled over his
kingdom or 73E3#9 years ater which 1arishyant succeeded him as the king$ 'arut went to the orest to
do penance$ Ater becoming the kingE 1arishyant decided to perorm a grand YagyaE the like o which
had never been accomplished by his ancestors$ 1arishyant made such huge donations to the Brahmins
that it was more than enough or their uture generations to come$
%nceE 1arishyant decided to organise another Yagya grander than the earlier one$ But no priest was
ound to supervise it$ At his repeated reMuestsE some Brahmins agreed to supervise the Yagya$ But this
particular Yagya was uniMue o its kind because the Brahmins played the part o host as well as that o
priests$ -he Brahmins made donations to the Brahmins who were acting as priests$ .n this grand
YagyaE crores o Yagyas were perormed in all the directions o the earth at one time$ -his grand Yagya
was possible only because o the wealth donated to the Brahmins by King 1arishyant$ 1arishyant was
such a religious and virtuous king$
1arishyant elt Coyous that due to his donationsE the Brahmins had become wealthy and at the same
timeE he was also sad that his desire o perorming a grand Yagya was not going to be accomplished as
the Brahmins no longer needed donations$
7$#4$# ,umana :hooses Dama as her &usband
'arkandeya says= Dama was the son o 1arishyant$ &is mother was .ndrasena= the daughter o
Babhru$ &e became the master in archery under the tutelage o Vrishparva$ &e also learnt the nuances
o handling other kinds o weapons under the guidance o Dundubhi$ &e learnt the scriptures rom sage
,hakti and the art o yoga rom Aashartishen$
,umanaE the daughter o King :harusharma had chosen Dama as her husband in a ,wayamvara$ But
'ahanandE Vayushmaan and 'ahadhanu did not like her decisionE as they too wanted to marry her$ All
three o them decided to abduct her by orce and marry who ever among them she decided to marry
with$ -heir evil intentions were corroborated by the riends o Dama$ -husE all three o them abducted
,umana$ Dama became angry$ &e asked all the kings who were present in the ,wayamvara= K-ell me
whether ,wayamvara is religious or irreligiousNK
%ne o the kings said that certainly a ,wayamvara is religious and only Dama has the right to marry
,umana as she had hersel chosen him$ But some other kings supported DamaKs opponents$ -hey
said= K"aakshas Vivaaha is the norm prevalent among people possessing arms$ %nly such a person
has a right to marry ,umana who has deeated his rivals$K
Dama became urious with them$ &e knew that they were saying such things out o Cealousy$ But still he
decided to accept their proposal$ &e threw an open challenge by saying= KAnybody who wants to die
may abduct my wie in ront o my eyes$K
A tremendous battle was ought between Dama and his opponents$
At irstE 'ahanand came orward to ight him with a sword in his hand$ Dama showered a volley o
arrows at him$ All the arrows were neutralised by 'ahanand$ Ater thatE 'ahanand Cumped and climbed
on the chariot o Dama$ Dama severed his head$ Ater the killing o 'ahanandE Vayushmaan came
orward to ight Dama but his sword was broken into two pieces by the assault o Dama$ Dama then
killed his charioteer$ Ater thatE Vayushmaan picked up his spiked mace but Dama destroyed even this
mace$ .n the battleE Vayushmaan got inCured and ell on the ground$ Vayushmaan Muit the idea o
ighting$ ,eeing him reluctant to ightE Dama spared his lie$
At lastE :harusharma married his daughter ,umana with Dama$ Ater staying or some days at his
ather=in=lawKs placeE Dama returned home accompanied by his wie= ,umana$
7$#4$( Killing o 1arishyant
'arkandeya says= K6hen the newly married couple= Dama and ,umana returned to the capitalE King
1arishyant was eGtremely pleased$ King 1arishyant ater knowing about the brave deeds o his son
was very proud o him$ As he had become oldE he appointed Dama as his successor and he went in the
orest to do penance accompanied by his wie= .ndrasena$
%nceE Vayushmaan came in the same orest where King 1arishyant was doing his penance$ Ater
seeing 1arishyant and his wieE he enMuired as toE who they were$ But King 1arishyant did not give any
reply as he was observing a 'auna Vrata$ ,omehowE Vayushmaan came to know about his identity
that he was none other than the ather o his bitter enemy= Dama$ &e elt that this was the most
opportune moment or him to take his revenge and killed 1arishyant$ .ndrasena on seeing her dead
husbandE started to wail$ All the sages and hermits who were doing penance in that orest arrived there
and started cursing Vayushmaan or the grave sin he had committed$ .ndrasena reMuested one o the
sages to go and inorm Dama about his atherKs death$ ,he said= K*o and tell him that his ather
1arishyant has been killed by Vayushmaan while he was doing penance$ 1owE it was his duty to
avenge his atherKs death$K Ater saying thisE .ndrasena committed ,ati by Cumping into the burning pyre
o her husband$
4&1/ 2ing $ama and his Marriage with )umana
-his chapter contains ( sections$
7$#9$# Dama Vows to Kill Vayushmaan
'arkandeya says= K6hen Dama came to know about his atherKs deathE he became eGtremely urious$
Although he was very patient by nature but still the news o his atherKs death made him restless$ &e
thought= K,hame on me$ .nspite o mysel being aliveE the wicked Vayushmaan had killed my ather$ .
have ailed in my duty$ Being a kingE it is my duty to punish the wicked people and protect the virtuous
ones$ But my enemy is still alive ater committing a heinous crime$ 1owE . will perorm my atherKs
-arpan only with the blood o Vayushmaan$ . . ail in doing thisE then . would give up my lie by Cumping
into the ire$ . will not only kill Vayushmaan but also his whole amily$ 6hoever tries to help him will be
put to death$ +ven i the deitiesE Yama or Kuber try to help himE they will get destroyed$K
7$#9$( Killing o Vayushmaan
'arkandeya says= K6hen Dama came to know about his atherKs deathE he became eGtremely urious$
Although he was very patient by nature but still the news o his atherKs death made him restless$ &e
thought= K,hame on me$ .nspite o mysel being aliveE the wicked Vayushmaan had killed my ather$ .
have ailed in my duty$ Being a kingE it is my duty to punish the wicked people and protect the virtuous
ones$ But my enemy is still alive ater committing a heinous crime$ 1owE . will perorm my atherKs
-arpan only with the blood o Vayushmaan$ . . ail in doing thisE then . would give up my lie by Cumping
into the ire$ . will not only kill Vayushmaan but also his whole amily$ 6hoever tries to help him will be
put to death$ +ven i the deitiesE Yama or Kuber try to help himE they will get destroyed$K
4&11 "he #enefits of 'istening to the Mar.andaya Purana
-he birds said= K% @aiminiL -his was the wayE sage 'arkandeya had narrated the divine tales to
Kraustuki$ A person who either studies this 8uraan or listens to it achieves great accomplishment$ All
his desires are ulilled and he enCoys a long lie$ &e becomes ree rom all his sins$ 'arkandeya
8uraan is the seventh among all the eighteen 8uraans$ Listening to it helps a man to atone or all the
sins committed during the period o one hundred crore Kalpas$ -he virtues attained by listening to
'arkandeya 8uraan are eMuivalent to the virtues attained by making donations at 8ushkar or by
studying all the Vedas$K
@aimini replied= K% birdsL You have enlightened my mind by narrating the tales o 'arkandeya 8uraan
and have made it ree rom all sorts o conusion$ 'ay the almighty *od bless youE may you enCoy a
long lie ree rom all the diseases$K
,aying like thisE @aimini went back to his hermitage$
* +araha Purana
-his 8urana consists o the ollowing ## sectionsJ
1arrates the tale o rescuing o the earth rom "asatal by Varaha incarnation o Lord Vishnu$ .ts
contents in brie are as ollowsJ=
'angala charanJ 8raying o 1arayana by 8rithvi (earth)$ -ale o the creation$ %rigin o "udraE
,anatkumarE 'arich etc$ -ale o 8riyavrata$ -ale o Dashavatar (ten incarnations)$ -ale o Dharma=
Vyadha$ -ale o ,uprateek and sighting o Viratroop (colossal appearance)$ -ale o *aurmukha$ Karma
related to ,hraddha$ -ale o 8raCagana$ %rigin o Agni (ire)$ -ale relating greatness o the days$ *auri$
Destruction o Daksha Yagya$ 6edding o &ar8arvatiE *aneshaE 1agaE KartikeyaE AdityaE killing o
Andhakasura$ 'atriganaE Katyayani$ KumerE DharmaE "udra etc$ and their origin$ -ale o Aruni$ -ales
o the days alling in dierent months$ Agastya *eeta$ -ale o ,hubhvrata$ -ale o Dhanyavrat$
Dialogue between 1arad and Vishnu$ 'ethods or eGpiation$ -ale o Agastya$ *eographical description
o @ambhudweepE KushadweepE Kraunchdweep etc$ -ale o Andhakasura?s vrata etc$ %rigin o
Vaishnava etc$Killing o 'ahishasura$ "itual o Kapalik vrata$ Dialogue between 8rithvi and
,anatkumar$ Dialogue between 1arayana and 8rithvi$
.n this section . will introduce some terminology that will be used in most o this paper$ 'any o these
terms may be unamiliar to the readerE but they are based on sound reasoning (versus historical
miscommunications)$
-ale dierentiating between sorrow and happiness$ -ale describing twelve kinds o crime$ +Gpiation to
destroy the sins$ 'ethods o Vishnu worship in the evening$ Description o ,anatan Dharma$
Description o illusion$ Description o the karma or salvation$ &istory o *ridhra and ,hringali$ Dialogue
between :handal and Brahmarakshasas$ *reatness o Kokamukh$ *reatness o Badrikashrama$
*reatness o 'athurakshetra$ *reatness o ,halgram$ -ale o ,halankayank$ *reatness o
,tutswamitirth$ *reatness o LohargalamE 8anchar kslutraE Vishran tirth and Devavana$ 6orship o
Lord Vishnu at the conluence o Yamuna=,araswati$ *reatness o Krishna=*anga$ -ale o ,amb$
*reatness o Dwadashi vrat in "ama -irth$ "ituals o installing dierent kinds o idols$ Description o the
origin o ,hraddh$ 'ethods o removing impurities$ 'edhatithi 8itrasambad$ Kinds o 8indsankalpa$
"itual o 'adhupark$ Kinds o 'adhupark donation$
Description o the appearance o Yama$ Description o the court o Yama$ Description o the ate met by
sinners$ Description o hell$ Description o the appearance o Yamadoot$ Description o :hitragupt?s
eect$ Directions by :hitragupt or eGpiation$ .ndications by :hitragupt o the ruits o auspicious=
inauspicious karmas$ Description o 8ativrat$ Dialogue between Yama and 1arad$ *reatness o
8rabodhini$ Description o the greatness o *okarneshwar$ *ranting o boon by 1andikeshwar$
Description o greatness o @aleshwar$ Description o the greatness o ,hringeshwar$
8&1 'ord +arah Enlightens Prithvi
-his section contains ; sections as ollowsJ
)$#$# 8rithvi?s Aueries
Lord VishnuE in his incarnation o Varah( a boar)Ehad liberated 8rithvi('other +arth) rom the clutches o
&iranyaksha= the mighty demon who had abducted her to rasatal$Ater being rescuedE8rithvi heaved a
sigh o relie and looked at her saviourEwho was smiling$,he curiously asked lord Varah= R&ow does the
process o creation begin in the beginning o each KalpaN 6hat is dissolutionN &ow do you nurture the
whole creationN .n what order do all the our Yugas occur and how are they calculatedN6hy do you
take incarnation in each yugaN All these things puBBle me a lot and . reMuest you to enlighten me on all
these subCects$R
Lord Vishnu burst into laughter and the whole universeEincluding the deities became visible to 8rithvi
through his opened mouth$8rithvi became so rightened by this amaBing sight that she started to
tremble in ear$Lord Vishnu then transormed his appearance and revealed his divine orm to 8rithvi so
that she could become ree rom her right$6hen 8rithvi saw the divine orm o lord VishnuEwho was in
his meditative sleep taking rest on ,heshnagEall her ear vanished$,he was eGtremely pleased to see
the divine appearance o lord Vishnu and thanked her good ortune$8rithviEilled with eGtreme devotion
eulogiBed lord Vishnu$
Lord Vishnu was eGtremely pleased by her eulogy and said=R-he answers to the Muestions you have
asked are not easy to understandEbut still . ,hall try to satisy your curiosity$-he supreme Almighty is
eternal$.n the biginning o creationE+go(ahamkar) as well as the ive basic elements=
spaceEwaterEearthEair and ire maniest themselves rom the supreme Almighty$,ubseMuentlyEthe great
element=mahattatvaEnature and collective conciousness maniest themselves$-he collective
conciousness then combines with each o the three basic Mualities=satva(pure)EraCas and tamas(dark)
and eGits in three dierent states$.tKs combination with the dark Muality results into the maniestation o
'ahadbrahm which is also called prakriti or nature by the enlightened ones$Kshetragya(soul) is
considered to be more superior than the 8rakriti$-his way the dierent permutations and combinations
o all the three gunas with collective intelligence result into the creation o dierent RtanmatrasR(subtle
orm o matters)$<rom the tanmatras are created the R.ndriasR or sense organs$-his is the way how the
2niverse comes into eGistence$. then create all the living creatures with the help o ive basic elements$R
R.n the beginning there was nothing but empty space$,ubseMuentlyEvarious natural elements like
RshabdaR(sound)ERakashR(ether)ERvayuR(air)ERteCaR(light) and Cal(water) came into being respectively =
each o the latter maniesting rom the ormer$-henE. :reated you(earth)to provide base to all the living
creatures$-he combination o earth and water resulted into an R+ggR(anda)$As the egg grew in siBeE.
maniested mysel as 1arayan within it$During each kalpa a lotus maniests itsel rom my navel upon
which is seated lord Brahma$. then reMuest lord Brahma to commence creation$.nspite o all his eortsE
lord Brahma does not succeed in commencing his creation$As a result he becomes urious and rom his
ury maniests a divine child who starts to wail incessantly$-he divine child is none other than "udra
who is reMuested by lord Brahma to begin creation but the child being incapable o doing that decides
to acMuire power by doing penance and enters into deep water$R
RLord Brahma then created 8raCapati rom his great toe o his right oot and 8raCapatiKs consort rom the
great toe o his let oot$-he maniestation o 8raCapati and his consort marks the beginning o
copulative creation and thus ,wayambhuva 'anu is born$.n course o time population increases$-his is
the way how creation takes place in each kalpa$R
'other +arth reMuested lord Varah to shade some more light on the creational process as her curiosity
had still not been totally satisied$Lord Varaha replied= RAt the end o the last kalpaEwhen the whole
universe was enguled in darknessE1arayan went into his yogic=sleep$Ater waking up he ound the
world devoid o any creature$1arayanEbeing the supreme Almighty=the creatorEthe nurturer as well as
the annihilatorEdecided to commence creation$-he term 1arayan means one who has his abode in the
water= naar means water and ayan means abode$<irst o all ive types o RavidyaR(alse knoledge)
maniested rom 1arayan= tamas(darkness)E moha(attachment)Emahamoha(absolute
attachment)Etamisra(Cealousy) and andhatamisra(anger)$Ater the maniestation o these ive
RavidyasREcame into eGistence immovable things like mountainsEtrees etc$-hese being the primary
creations came to be known as Rmukhya sargaR(main creation)$:ontinuing with his creationsElord
Brahma created species that were superior to the earlier creation=animals$-his particular creation was
called R-iryaksrotaR(Muadruped)$-his way Brahma did his creation$BrahmaKs siGth creation was called
,atvik sarga which consisted o the deities who were all virtuous by nature$-he creation o human
beings was seventh in order and was known asRArvaaksrota sarga$+ven human beings were o three
types =those who were predominantly virtuous possessed satva guna had radiant personality and never
eGperienced sorrow but those who possessed raCas and tamas gunas eGperienced sorrows$R
RBrahmaKs eighth creation was called RAnugrah sargR in which he created the sages and the hermits or
the benediction o the world$-he nineth creation o Lord Brahma was called RKaumar sargR(creation o
adolescent beings)$,oEthese are the nine main types o creation through which Brahma creates$<irst o
all "udra and other deities maniested themselves and then came into being eternal adlescents like
,anakE,anandanE etc$,ubseMuentlyEall the ten manasputras o Brahma maniested themselves=
'arichiEAngiraE AtriE8ulahEKratuE8ulasyaE8rachetaEBhriguE1arad and Vashishth$R
RLord BrahmaKs irst creation="udra had maniested himsel as Ardha narishwar(hal male and hal
emale)$ At the reMuest o BrahmaE"udra dismembered his emale part resulting into the creation o two
distinct orms= one male and the other emale$Later onEten more "udras maniested rom the male orm
and all o them collectively came to be known as K+leven "udrasK$R
)$#$( 8riyavrata Attains to &eavenly Abode
Describing the incident which enabled King 8riyavrata to attain to heavenly abode Lord Varah told
8rithvi=
R,wayambhuva 'anu lived during the irst kalpa$&e had two sons=8riyavrata and 2ttanpad$8riyavrata
was eGtremely virtuous by nature$.n course o timeEhe relinMuished his throne and ater distributing his
kingdom among his sons went to Badrikashram to do penance$%nce sage 1arad paid a visit to his
hermitage$ 8riyavrata received his esteemed guest with all the respect which made 1arad eGtremely
pleased$8riyavrata then reMuested 1arad to narrate about some interesting incident which had occured
in his lie$
1arad narrated about an interesting incident which had happened while he was on his way to meet
8riyavrata= R. eGperienced an amaBing incident yesterday while . was passing by a lake in
,hwetdweepa$. saw a divinely beautiul woman who was standing alone at the bank o that lake$. was
surprised to ind such a beautiul woman at such a lonely place$<or a moment . became so inatuated
by her beauty that . lost all control over my senses$'y lust had made me devoid o all my knowledge
and learning$1owE. became very worried and ashamed o my conduct=but the damage had already
been made$. immediately realiBed that she was not an ordinary woman$-o my surpriseE. saw a orm o
a divine person visible clearly within her body$6ithin neGtew moments two other male orms revealed
themselves$,uddenlyEall three o them disappeared leaving behind Cust that divine lady$. was
dumbstruck by this amaBing incident$. asked her as to who she was$-he divine lady disclosed to me
that she was none other than goddess ,avitri = the mother o all the Vedas and since . was unable to
recogniBe her thereore all the knowledge had vanished rom my memory$,he also revealed to me that
the three divine men which had maniested themselves within her body were in act the three Vedas=
"igvedaE,amveda and YaCurveda$Ater revealing these amaBing acts to me goddess ,avitri assured
me that by taking a bath in that lake . would not only regain my memory o the Vedas but also o all my
previous births$. eulogiBed goddess ,avitri and thanked her or the blessings showered on me$. then
bathed in that lake and to my pleasant surprise . now remembered everything o my past births as had
been prophesised by goddess ,avitri$R
8riyavrat was very surprised and reMuested 1arad to describe some interesting incident related with his
past birth$1arad narrated the ollowing incident to him= R.n satyayugaE. was born in a brahmin amily
and was named ,araswat by my parents$. was very studious and grew up to become a renowned
scholar$-he almighty *od had blessed me with immense riches and . never eGperienced scarcity o any
kind in my lie$ButEvery soon . got bored o my monotonous and routined lie$ .t had become clear to me
that there was more to lie than Cust worrying about the gains and losses$,oE. decided to do penance to
attain salvation$. distributed all my wealth among my sons and went to the bank o river
,araswatiEwhere . irst perormed the rituals o shraddh in the name o my ancestors and then
perormed yagyas$. also donated lot o wealth to poor people$Being satisiedE. then went to 8ushkar
teerth and did penance at the bank o river ,araswat by continuously chanting the sacred mantraRom
namo narayanR and brahm paar stotra$2ltimatelyElord 1arayan became pleased and appeared beore
me$Lord ,ri &ari asked me o my wish and . eGpress my desire to get united with his divine
orm$ButElord 1arayan told me that the world needed me and so this desire o mine could not be
ulilled$&e blessed me and gave me my name= 1arad because . had KdonatedK water(naar) to my
ancestors during the course o perorming shraddh rituals$Although my wish o uniting with the divine
orm o ,ri &ari had remain unulilled but still there was a consolation as . had been ortunate enough
to see his divine orm with my mortal eyes$ -hereaterE. devoted my lie to the worship o ,ri &ari$Ater
my deathE. attained to brahmaloka= . had been adeMuately rewarded or my devotion toward lord ,ri
&ari$Later onE. maniested as one o the ten manasputras o lord Brahma when he commenced his
creation$.t was only because o the blessings o ,ri &arithat . came to be regarded as Klok guruK by the
masses$,o 8riyavratEi you are desire o attaining salvation then you should ollow my eGample and
devote your lie in the name o Lord ,rihari$R
8rithviEwho was listening to the tales narrated by Lord Varah with rapt attention asked him whether it
was possible or anybody to see Lord 1arayan with hisDher mortal eyes$Lord Varah replied =RLord
1arayan has taken ten incarnations in various orms such as
matsya(ish)Ekachchap(tortoise)Evarah(boar)Enarsimh(hal human and hal
lion)Evaman(dwar)EparshuramE"amEKrishnaEBuddha and kalki$-he last incarnation=Kalki is yet to take
place$A man can realiBe Lord 1arayan by having total devotion in any one o the ten incarnations$ +ven
the deities are incapable o this divine eGperience=what to say about humans$Lord Brahma is the
maniestation o all the three Mualities o ,ri &ari and actually it is &e(,ri &ari) who creates in the orm
o Lord Brahma=it is &e who maniests himsel in various natural orms like earthEwaterEireEair and sky=it
is &e who maniests himsel in various abstract Mualities like consciousness= &e is omnipresent and the
whole universe is pervaded by him$R
8rithvi was anGious to know whether 1aradKs sermons had any eect on 8riyavrat and asked Lord
Varah regarding this$Lord Varah replied= 8riyavrat was so impressed by 1aradKs discourses that he
relinMuished his throne and went to do penance ater eMually distributing his kingdom among his
sons$2ltimatelyEhe did manage to attain to the abode o lord ,ri &ari by the virtue o his total devotion$
)$#$0 Ashvashira?s 2niication with Lord 1arayana
8rithvi asked lord Varah about the amous incident which described AshvashiraKs uniication with lord
1arayan$Lord Varah then narrated the ollowing tale= RDuring ancient timesEthere used to live a virtuous
king named Ashvashira$&e had perormed an ashwamedh yagya in which he had donated large
amount o wealth$%nceEsage Kapil arrived at his palace acoompanied by sage @aigishavya$King
Ashvashira received both his distinguished guests with due honour$Ater the ormalities were overEhe
asked both his guests about the means by which lord 1arayan could be pleased and also about the
rituals pertaining to the worship o lord 1arayan$R
Both the sages being enlightened souls realiBed that Ashvashira was asking this Muestion out o his
ignorance soEthey decided to enlighten him on the omnipresent nature o 1arayan and said=K6hat do
you mean by pleasing 1arayanN :anKt you see two 1arayans standing in ront o youNK ButEAshvashira
was unamused and unconvinced so he replied=K. donKt deny that both o you possess supernatural
powers and also that all your sins have destroyed on account o the virtues attained by doing
penance$ButE. donKt believe your claim to be 1arayan$Lord 1arayan is the almighty *od and the
supreme deity$&e holds a conchEa chakra and a mace in his hands$&e wears pitambar and has *aruda
as his mount$&is glory is indescribable and incomparable$K
As Asvashira had raised valid pointsEsage Kapil transormed his appearance with the help o his divine
powers$,imilarlyEsage @aigishavya transormed his appearance and became *aruda$ButEAshvashira
still remained unconvinced and said=K&ow can . accept you to be 1arayan as there is no sign o lotus
maniesting rom your navel in which lord Brahma has his abode$K
,age Kapil then slightly transormed his appearance and created an illusion whereby a lotus lower
emanating rom his navel became visible to Ashvashira$,age @aigishavya sat on that lotus lower in the
guise o lord Brahma$1ot only thatEthey also created an illusion due to which all types o living creatures
inside the palace premise$
1owEAshvashira was really conused and reMuested both the sages to break the magic spell$Both the
sages decided not to test the limit o AshvashiraKs patience and soEthey trasormed their respective
guises into their original appearances$Both o them said= K1arayan is one but can maniest himsel in
countless orms$-he whole universe is &., creation and &+ is present in every single creature$.t is
impossible or a mortal being to bear the radiance o almighty 1arayan and it is only when &+ appears
in his more gentle orm that the enlightened person is able to see him$-hereoreEyou should engage
yoursel in the service o mankindEconsidering each human being to be the medium through which lord
1arayan maniests himsel$
Ashvashira was satisied by the eGplanation given by both the sages but there was still one Muestion
bothering him a lot soE he asked= K6ho is most likely to attain salvation=a knowledgeable person or a
person who indulges in rightul deedsNK ,age Kapil narrated the ollowing tale=K%nceEsage "aimya and
king Vasu had asked the same Muestion to sage Vrihaspati$At that time Vrihaspati had replied that
anybody who perormed his duties with a sense o detachment is sure to attain salvation and to prove
his point he had narrated the ollowing tale=KDuring ancient timesEthere lived a brahmin named
,anyaman$&e was the descendant o sage Atri$%ne dayEwhile he was going to take his bath he met
1ishthoor=a owlerEwho used to catch birds and animals or his livings$K
,anyaman reprimanded 1ishthoor or his evil deeds and said= 6hy do you trap innocent birds and
animalsN 1ishthoor replied=K-he almighty *od is present in each living creature$%ne who is desirous o
attaining salvation must under no circumstances allow his ego to dominate him$-he KdoerK is not the
man but the supreme Almighty present in him$Keeping this act in his mind a man should perorm his
duties with nonchallance and a sense o detachment$. . earn my livelyhood by catching birds and
animals then it is the will o almighty$K -o prove his pointEthe owler spread his iron=net and kept dry
blocks o wood underneath it and then reMuested ,anyaman to ignite those blocks$,anyaman was
surprised but burnt the wodden=logs as per the owlerKs instruction$.n a short time all the wodden=blocks
became ablaBe and the lames startes coming out rom the thousand o small holes o the iron=net$-he
owler then told ,anyaman that although the lames coming rom each hole appeared to have distinct
sourcesEyet the act was that the lames maniested rom the single source=wodden blocks that were
burning beneath the iron=net$
-he owler said=R.t was impossible to eGtinguish the ire untill and unless the source o the ire was
eGtinguished$+ach hole o the iron=net can be compared with an individual and the almighty *od with
the source o ire$A man does what *od wills and he can never eGperience sorrow provided he
constantly remembers the Almighty even while he is perorming his daily chores$R ,anyaman was very
much impressed by the owlerKs wisdom$ &aving inished his taleEsage Vrihaspati told "amya=R1ow it
must be evident to you that salvation is within the reach o any individual$.t does not make much
dierence whether the seeker o salvation is a householder or a hermit aspiring or knowledge$R
:ontinuing with the story o AshvashiraElord Varah told 8rithvi=RKing Ashvashira was so impressed by
KapilKs preachings that he went to 1aimisharanya and spent his rest o his lie in the service o lord
1arayan$%nceEwhile he was perorming yagyaEsuddenly lord Vishnu maniested himsel rom the altar
in the orm o a brilliant eulgence and the identity o Ashvashira merged with it$-his wayEAshvashira
got united with lord Vishnu by the virtue o his deep devotion$
)$#$4 King Vasu and ,age "aimya 2nite with ,ri &ari
8rithvi was anGious to know about the eect sage VrihaspatiKs discources had on King Vasu as well as
sage "aimya$,he asked lord Varah=R6hat did both king Vasu and sage "aimya do ater listening to the
preachings o sage VrihaspatiNR
Lord Varah replied=RKing Vasu was so impressed by VrihaspatiKs discources that he decided to spend
the rest o his lie in the service o lord 1arayan$&e appointed Viwasman=his eldest son as his
successor and let or 8ushkar teerth$&e engaged himsel in austere penance by chanting
pundarikaksha stotra$%ne dayEwhile Vasu was chanting pundarikaksha stotraEhe eGperienced an
amaBing incident=an entity whose compleGion was blueE maniested rom his body and stood with olded
hands$.n his bewildermentEking Vasu reMuested the stranger to introduce himsel$
-he entity narrated the ollowing tale to him =
R% KingEyou were the ruler o @anasthan in your second previous birth$%nceEwhile you had gone deep
into the orest on a hunting spreeEyou were delighted to ind a deer which in act was none other but
mysel$.n actE. had disguised mysel as a deer and was wandering in the orest$Being oblivious o this
act you had killed that dear$Later onEwhen you realiBed your mistakeEyou cursed yoursel or having
killed an innocent brahmin$-o get absolved o this sinEyou had observed a ast on +kadashi and had
donated a cow to please lord 1arayan$ButEinspite o all these austerities you did not attain liberation
because at the time o your death you had chanted your wieKs name whose name was 1arayani
instead o 1arayan$-his blunder o yourKs had stopped you rom attaining to Vishnu loka or one
complete kalpa$ButEmy revengeul soul continued to torture your soul till it was driven out by lord
1arayanKs escorts$.t was only then that you were able to attain to Vishnu loka$R
R.n your neGt birth you were born as the king o Kashmir$. did not spare you even in that birth and
possessed your body$You perormed numerous yagyas to get rid o me but all your eorts went in vain
as you had not chanted the holy name o lord Vishnu in any o the rituals that you had
perormed$ButEnow . was orced to abandon your body since you have been constantly chanting the
sacrosanct pundarikaksha stotra$. have also become absolved o all my sin by the virtue o listening to
the pundarikaksha stotra$R
King Vasu eGpressed his gratitude to the entity or shedding light on his previous births$,uddenlyEa
divine aircrat descended rom the heaven and king Vasu let or Vishnuloka mounted on
it$'eanwhileEsage "aimya got the news o VasuKs ascension to heaven to VishnulokaEhe wanted to
emulate the eat o his riend$&e reached *aya and perormed shraddh in the name o his ancestors$&e
then engaged himsel in an austere penance$,anat kumar=one o the manasputras became very
pleased by "aimyaKs penance and appeared beore him$&e complimented "aimya or liberating his
ancestors by perorming shraddh at *aya$&e then described the virtues o perorming shraddh at *aya
and narrated the ollowing tale !
R-here lived a king named Vishal who had no son$%ne dayEhe invited ew brahmins to his palace and
asked them how he could beget a son$All the brahmins revealed to him that he did not have son
because o the curse o his ancestors$RYou have not perormed their shraddh soE they are angry with
you and you can never beget a son unless you perormed shraddh rituals at *aya$Vishal went to *aya
as per the instruction o the brahmins$&e perormed the shraddh rituals and oered pinda=daan in the
name o his ancestors$6hile he was still perorming the ritualsEhe was amaBed to see three men
descending rom the sky=one o them was o air compleGion while the remaining two were o wheatish
and dark compleGion respectively$Vishal curiously asked them as to who they were$-he air=
compleGioned person replied=
K. am your ather=KsitK$-he person with wheatish compleGion is my ather and the third person amongst
us is my grandather$'y ather had committed grave sins while he was alive and killing a brahmin was
one the gravest sin he had committed$'y grandather was even worst than my ather and his dark
compleGion is nothing as compared to his grave sins$&e had killed numerous innocent sages or no
ault o theirs$All three o us have come to eGpress our gratitude as we have become liberated rom our
sins by the virtue o the shraddh rituals you have perormed$-he water which you had oered to us
while perorming the rituals have given us the ability to communicate with youEeven though we are
spirits$K
Ater inishing his taleE ,anat kumar told sage "aimya that *aya was supreme among all the places o
pilgrimage and the virtues o perorming shraddh overthere is incomparable$,age "aimya dedicated
rest o his lie to the worship o lord *adadhar$At lastElord *adadhar appeared beore him$,age "aimya
reMuested the lord to give him a place in his abode which was dwelled by sages like ,anak and
,anandan$Lord *adadhar blessed him by saying=K,o be it$K-his wayEsage "aimya attained
enlightenment with the blessings o the merciul lord *adadhar and ultimately attained to the divine
abode o lord Vishnu$
)$#$9 'atsya Avatar
%nceE when lord Vishnu awakened rom his yoga nidraE he ound that the Vedas had submerged in the ocean as
the result o pralaya (deluge)$&e incarnated as matsya(ish) to retrieve the Vedas rom the ocean=bed$As soon as
lord 'atsya entered into the oceanE&+ attained such an enormous siBe that the deities became rightened$
All the deities then eulogiBed lord 'atsya and reMuested him to regain his original orm= R% 1arayan=the
imperceivable lord$ You maniest yoursel in each and every particle o this 2niverse$You are omnipresent and
eGist even during the time o deluge when nothing else eGist$ % LordL we are scared o your present orm$R
%n seeing the deities rightenedE lord 'atsya retrieved the Vedas rom the seabed and transormed his
appearance rom the huge ish to that o lord Vishnu$-he deities were illed with Coy to see the divine appearance
o lord Vishnu$
)$#$; King DurCay
During satya yugaEthere lived a king named ,uprateek$Although he had two MueensEyet none o them
bore any son to him$%ne dayE,uprateek went to meet sage DurvasaEwho had his hermitage at the
oothills o chitrakut mountain and engaged himsel in the sevice o Durvasa$-he sage blessed the king
and prophesised that he would become a proud ather o a mighty son named DurCay$DurvasaKs
prophesy came true and ,uprateekKs eldest Mueen=Vidyutprabha gave birth to a son$-he child was
named DurCay$.n course o time DurCay grew up to become a worthy successor o ,uprateek$,uprateek
decided to spend rest o his lie in the service o *odEso he went to :hitrakut mountain to do penance$
'ean whileEDurCay being an ambitious king eGpanded his kingdom by subCugating all the neighbouring
states$&e conMuered numerous mighty kingdoms and vanMuished almost all the prominent warrior
castes like= gandharvasEkinnarsEdemons and even the deities$.ndra=the lord o the deities was deeated
by DurCay and was orced to retreat towards east o ,umeru mountain alongwith the lokpals=various
lords protecting dierent regions o the 2niverse$-he whole world went into turmoil as the allout o
lokpalKs power being snatched by DurCay$6hile DurCay was returning to his capital along with his
victorious armyEhe met two asuras=Vidyut and ,uvidyutE who had diguised themselves as sages$Both
the impersonators reMuested DurCay to make some alternative arrangements so that the world could
unction smoothly$.n realityEboth o them harboured wishes o having the powers o lokpalKs so they
oered their services in this regard$DurCayEbeing unaware o their real identity agreed to appoint them
as lokpalKs and then proceeded towards his capital$6hile he was passing by the mandarachal
mountainEhe saw two beautiul women$DurCay was surprised to ind them at such a deserted place$As
he stood their wondering about their identityEhe saw two hermits approaching him$Both the hermits
asked DurCay=R6ho are youN 6hat is the purpose o your arrivalN
DurCay introduced himsel and told them that he was on his way to conMuer the whole world$1ow it was
the turn o both the sages to introduce themselves=R6e are the sons o ,wayambhuva 'anu=&etu and
8rachetu$6e had successully deeated the deities and driven them out rom their abode=,umeru
mountain$All the deities went to seek the help o lord Vishnu and were successul in getting his
assurance$Lord Vishnu then attacked us and vanMuished our army but he spared our lives$-hen
onwards we became ardent devotees o the merciul lord Vishnu$
&etuEthen pointing towards one o the women said=R,he is my daughter=,ukeshi$-he other woman you
see is my brother= 8rachetuKs daughter and her name is 'ishrakeshi$8lease accept both these
beautiul as your wives$RDurCay readily agreed to marry both o them as they were really very
beautiul$&e then returned to his capital$
+verything was going Muite smoothly or DurCayEwhen on one ateul day he met his downall because o
his eGtreme greed$-he incident happened as ollows=%nceEDurCay had gone into the orest on a hunting
spreeEwhere he met a sage named *aurmukh$*aurmukh had been blessed by lord Vishnu with a
divine diamond named :hintamani which was capable o ulilling all desires$*aurmukh gave a royal
treatment to DurCay with the help o wish=ulilling diamond$&e created an illusionary palace and oered
variety delicacies to him as well as his whole army$
DurCay wanted to have chintamani diamond at any cost and thereore sent his minister=Virochan to
persuade *aurmukh to part with that diamond$*aurmukh became urious ater coming to know about
the evil intention o DurCay and told Virochan to ask DurCay to leave at once$ButE*aurmukh knew Muite
well that the greedy DurCay would not give up so easily and would deinitely try to acMuire chintamani by
orce$,oE he reMuested chintamani diamond to create a huge army$
'eanwhileEDurCay ordered his chie=commanderEnamed 1eel to bring chintamani at any cost$1eel
proceeded with a large number o soldiers$A ierce battle took place between both the armies in which
1eel was killed and his army got vanMuished$<inallyEDurCay himsel came orward to ight but even he
was deeated$ .n the meantimeE&etu and 8rachetu got the news that their son=in=law was in
trouble$Both o them proceeded with a huge army to help their so=in=law$ButEthey were no match or the
might o their adversary and both o them eventually dieed in the ensuing battle$
'eanwhileEsage *aurmukh ound DurCay standing at the entrance o his hermitage with a small number
o surviving soldiers$&e sought the help o lord VishnuEwho appeared within no time$*aurmukh
reMuested him to punish DurCay or his evil intention$Lord Vishnu severed DurCayKs head with his
sudarshan chakra$-he place where DurCay was killed later on became amous as 1aimisharanya$,age
*aurmukh continued to live at 1aimisharanya without any problem$
8&! )hraddh 6ituals
-his section contains / sections as ollowsJ
)$($# 8itras and the ,igniicance o F,hraddh
%nceEsage 'arkandeya arrived at 1aimisharanya to see sage *aurmukh$,age *aurmukh was
delighted to ind such an enlightened soul at his hermitage$Ater the ormalities were overE *aurmukh
reMuested him to shed light on the venerability o ancestors and the signiicance o shraddh rituals$
,age 'arkandeya replied=RLord BrahmaEater having created the sapta rishis instructed them to
worship him(Lord Brahma) but they became so arrogant that they started to worship themselves$Lord
Brahma elt insulted and so he cursed them o becoming beret o all the knowledge$.n course o
timeEthe sapta rishis had numerous sons$Ater the death o the sapta rishisEall the sons perormed
shraddh so that their souls could rest in peace$-he sapta rishis were also amously known as
KVaimanikKbecause they had maniested rom the mind o Brahma$R
,age *aurmukh was listening to 'arkandeyaKs utterances with rapt attention$&e asked about the most
appropriate time or perorming shraddh and also about the number o KganasK each o the pitras were
supposed to have$,age 'arkandeya replied=R8itras living in the heaven are known as Ksomap pitrasK
are believed to be the most privileged ones among all the pitras$-hey enCoy the most delicious
beverage=somaras$-heir lie=span eGtends or the ull period o kalpa and they worship KmarutasK$,age
'arich belongs to this category o pitras$R
8itras belonging to the category o KvairaCK are revered even by the marutganas$,anak comes under this
categoty o pitras$+ach o these pitras have seven ganas$,imilarlyEpitras known as KbhaswarK have their
abode in the world called KsantanakK$-hese pitras are revered even by the deities as all o them are
Kbrahma vadisK(one who has realiBed Brahma)$-hey remaniest themselves ater every hundred yugas$
8eople belonging to any caste can worship the revered KpitrasK with an appropriately modiied rituals
and obviously with the permission o the brahmin$,ome o the prominent pitras are
KVasuKEKKashyapKEK'arichiK K,anakK etc$
)$($( -he Appropriate -ime or 8erorming ,hraddh
Describing the auspicious time or perorming the rituals o shraddhE'arkandeya told *urumukh=RA person
desirous o perorming the rituals o Kkamya shraddhK can do so on any o the ollowing days=a) at the
commencement o uttarayan or dakshinayan$ b)at the time when vyatipat yoga takes place$ c) at the time when
vishu yoga occurs$ d) during both solar and lunar eclipses$ e) i troubled by the evil inluences o a constellation or
a planet$ ) i troubled by nightmares$ g)at the time when the ,un changes itKs position rom one Bodiac to another$
-he various nakshatras like AnuradhaEVishakha and ,hwati are considered to be very auspicious or perorming
shraddh= especiallyE i the day happens to be amavasya$,hraddh perormed on such a day paciies the ancestorKs
soul or eight years$,imilarly the combination o amavasya with either Kpushya nakshatraK or Kpunarvasu nakshatraK
is believed to paciy the ancstorKs soul or twelve years$,ome other days which are considered to be very
auspicious or perorming shraddh are=the third day o the bright hal o the hindu month VaishakhEthe nineth day
o the bright hal o the hindu month KartikEthe thirteenth day o the dark hal o the hindu month Bhadrapad and
amavasya alling in the hindu month o 'agh$A man desirous o perorming shraddh can do so on any o the
above mentioned days$&e should take bath in a holy river and oer KtarpanK(libation) to his ancestors$
)$($0 ,hraddh Kalpa
Describing the types o brahminEconsidered to be elligible to preside over the rituals o shraddhE 'arkandeya told
sage *aurmukh=R-he ollowing types o brahmin are elligible to perorm shraddh=KtrinachiketK KtrimadhuK KtrisuparnaK
and the brahmins who are well versed in all the Vedas$-he shraddh rituals can be perormed by any o the
ollowing relatives o the deceasedE apart rom his son=maternal nephewE grandson(daughterKs son)Eather=in=
lawEson=in=lawEmaternal uncleEetc$
,imilarlyEthe ollowing types o brahmin should never be invited at the shraddh at the shraddh ceremony=a
deceitul or a wicked brahminEa brahmin who is a habitual backbiter or who is accused o thetEa brahmin who has
married a shudra woman and a brahmin who earns his livelihood by working as a priest$
)$($4 &ow to .nvite Brahmins to a ,hraddh :eremony
.nvitation should be given to the all the brahmins one day in advance$. uivited brahmins arrive to attend
the shraddh ceremonythey should be treated with due respect$-he brahmin who is supposed to
perorm the rituals should wash the eet o other brahmins to show his respect towards them$&e should
then help them perorm KachamanK(rinsing o mouth)$<inallyEthe invited brahmins should be ed ater the
rituals have been completed$
)$($9 1umber o Brahmins
As ar as the number o invited brahmins to the shraddh ceremony o the ancestors is concernedEthe
scriptures have strictly put it to odd numbers=oneEthreeEiveEetc$,imilarlyEthe number o invited brahmins
or the shraddh o the deities is concerned the number has been put to even number=twoEourEetc$ ButEi
the person inds it diicult to invite the above number o brahmins then he can invite only one brahmin
or both the types o shraddh$6hile perorming the shraddh o maternal grandather it is mandatory to
perorm the shraddh o Vaishyadeva simultaneously$.n the shraddh ceremony related with the deities
the brahmins should always have their ood acing east$%n the contraryEin the shraddh ceremony o the
ancestors the brahmins should have their ood acing north$
)$($; -ypes o ,hraddh
A person perorming the shraddh rituals should have his seat made o KkushaK grass$Ater taking his
seatEhe should invoke the deities and make oerings o KardhyaK to them$6hile oering KardhyaK to the
deities water and barley are commonly used alongwith other articles like
sandalwoodEincenseEetc$During the entire course o shraddh rituals KyagyopavitK(sacred thread) should
be worn in an inverse position=across the right shoulder and not across the let shoulder as it is
normally worn$6hile perorming the shraddh o ancestors oerings o articles like sesame seedsEwater
and kusha grass are normally made$
)$($7 ,hraddh 'antra
.t is customary to scatter sesame seeds near the place where brahmins are having ood in the shraddh
ceremony$-he perormer o the shraddh rituals should imagine that the ood partaken by them are
actually satiating the ancestors$-he chanting o K"akshodhna mantraK is a must$
)$($) -he "ituals o 8inda Daan
%ne important characteristic o the rituals connected with pinda daan is the oerings made to manes in
the orm o sesame seeds and water$Another important aspect is that KpindaK is oered on the KkushaK
grass which are kept acing south=irst in the name o oneKs dead ather and then in the name o oneKs
grandather and other ancestors$
)$($/ Balivaishva Deva
-he perormance o Balivaishva deva rituals mark the end o shraddh ceremony ater which the person should sit
down along with all the invited guests to have his ood$Ancestors become satisied i shraddh is perormed in their
names and all the desires o such a man are ulilled$-hree things have great importance in shraddh rituals=black
sesame seedsEthe auspicious muhurta named KKutupK and grandson(daughterKs son)$Donating silver is considered
to be eGtremely auspicious$A person perorming the shraddh rituals should not venture out o his house till the
completion o the entire ceremony$
8&* "he Manifestation of +arious $eities
-his section contains #; sections as ollowsJ
During tretayugaEthere lived a king named 8raCapal$%nceEwhile he was on his hunting spreeEhe entered
into a dense orest$&e was delighted to see a dear who started running or itKs lie ater hearing the
noise$ 8raCapal let his horse loose in the direction o the running dear$,age 'ahatapa had his
hermitage in that orest$6hile chasing that dearE8raCapal arrived at the hermitage o 'ahatapa$Being
curiousEhe entered the hermitage and saw sage 'ahatapa$-he sage treated his guest with all the
respect and oered him ruits to eat$Ater the ormalities were overE8raCapal reMuested 'ahatapa to
describe the appropriate way o contemplating on the various orms o lord 1arayan which gave
salvation to a man$ ,age 'ahatapa replied=R-he Vedas proclaim that all the deities owe their eGistence
to lord Vishnu=AgniEAshwini kumarE*auriE*aCananE,heshnagEKartikeyaEAditya *anasEDurgaEall the ;4
matrikasEKuberE VayuE YamaE "udraE:handramaE8itra *anasEetc$have originated rom lord ,ri &ari$All
the deitiesEalthough appearing to to have distinct identityEare in act inseparable rom lord Vishnu$R
)$0$# Agni
R6hen Agni maniested himsel rom BrahmaKs angerEhe reMuested him(Brahma) to assign an
auspicious day to him or his worship$Lord Brahma said=K,ince you have maniested irst o all the
deitiesEthereore the irst day(pratipada) will be reserved or your worship$%ne who perorms havan on
pratipada would be blessed$R
)$0$( Ashwini Kumars
King 8raCapal reMuested 'ahatapa to describe how both the Ashwini kumars maniested themselves$,age
'ahatapa narrated the ollowing tale=K'arichi was Lord BrahmaKs son while Kashyap was 'arichiKs son$All the
twelve Adityas are the sons o sage Kashyap$%ne o the Adityas='artandEwas marrird to VishwakarmaKs daughter
whose name was ,angya$'artand had two children rom her and their names were=Yama and Yami$Being unable
to bear the eGtreme radiance o 'artandE,angya created her shadow identity and ater instructing her to serve her
husband('artand) in best possible waysEshe hersel went to live at 2ttarkuru$Later onEwhen 'artand came to
know about the realityEhe went to 2ttarkuru and ound ,angya in the orm o a mare$&e then changed his own
orm and became a horse$Both o them stayed there or a long time$.n course o timeE,angya gave birth to two
sons who became amous as Ashwini kumars$K
'artand instructed both his sons to please lord Brahma with their devotion$Both o them engaged themselves in
austere penance$<inallyElord Brahma appeared and blessed both o them by saying=KYour good=looks and
knowledge o ayurveda will be unmatched in the world$K.t was KdwitiyaK(second day) when lord Brahma had
blessed both the Ashwini kumars$-his is the reason why this particular day is the reason why this particular day is
deeply attached with the worship o Ashwini kumars$K
)$0$0 *oddess 8arvati
King 8raCapal asked 'ahatapa about the reason why goddess *auri=the epithet o powerEhad to take
incaranation$,age 'ahatapa replied =R*oddess *auri maniested rom lord 1arayan and was oered to
"udra as his consort by lord Brahma$Lord Brahma then instructed Brahma to begin creation but "udra
being ree rom all kinds o worldly attachment reused to oblige lord Brahma and engaged himsel in
austere penance$*oddess *auri then merged her identity with BrahmaEwho later on created his seven
Kmanas=putrasK$ .n course o timeE*auri was born as the daughter o Daksha 8raCapati and hence came
to be known as KDakshayaniK$
%nceE Daksha 8raCapati organised a grand yagya in which all the seven manasputras were assigned
speciic responsibilities$'eanwhileE"udra came out rom his meditation and was eGtremely urious to
see the earth occupied by countless creatures$&e thought=KBrahma had reMuested me to create then
who is responsible or all these creationN 6ho has dared to transgress my authority NK As "udra stood
wonderingEsuddenly he heard the sound o the mantras being chanted at the yagya perormed by
Daksha$1owE "udraKs ury crossed all limits resulting into the emergence o numerous spirits and
ghosts rom his ears$&e then went to the oblation=site accompanied by the ghosts and started
destroying it$Lord Vishnu tried to protest as a result o which a ierce battle was ought between both o
them$.t was only on lord BrahmaKs intervention that both o them stopped ighting$Lord Brahma
said=K<rom now onwards "udra would become amous as K&arK while Vishnu would be known as
K&ariK$&e then directed the deities to eulogiBe "udra and give his due share o the yagya being
perormed by Daksha 8raCapati$K
"udra became pleased by deitiesKs eulogy and blessed them$-his wayEDaksha 8raCapati was able to
accomplish his yagya with the blessings o "udra$.n course o timeE"udra married *auri=the daughter
o Daksha 8raCapati$%nceE*auri went to her atherKs place to attend a yagya ceremony against the wish
o her husband$%n seeing herEDaksha 8raCapati started cursing "udra$*auri was so enraged by her
atherKs attitude that she gave up her lie by Cumping into the sacriicial ire meant or the yagya$Later
onEshe took rebirth as 8arvati=the daughter o &imalaya$8arvati did an austere penance to get ,hiva as
her husband$2ltimately her desire was ulilled and she became the consort o lord ,hiva$
-he tithi o tritiya is very deeply attached with the worship o goddess 8arvati because all the important
events o her lie(birthEmarriageEetc$)took place on this day$-his is the reason why tritiya is attributed to
the worship o goddess 8arvati$A woman who observe a ast on this day enCoys a blissul married
lie$%ne important ritual related with the austerity o tritiya is avoiding the usage o salt on this day$
)$0$4 Lord *anapati
King 8raCapal then asked sage 'ahatapa about the maniestation o lord *anapati and about the
signiicance o chaturthi in terms o *anapatiKs worship$'ahatapa narrated the ollowing tale= R%nceEall
the deities went to seek ,hivaKs help in sorting out a peculiar problem they were aced with= while they
eGperienced all sorts o hurdles and problems in their work resulting into repeated ailures in their
workEthe demons on the contrary accomplished all their work successully without any problem$ 6hen
lord ,hiva learnt about their problemEhe burst into laughter$&ardly had he stopped laughing than a
radiant adolescent maniested himsel rom his opened mouth$-he child was so divinely charming that
8arvatiEwho was sitting beside ,hiva looked at him without dropping her eyelids$6hen ,hiva ound her
staring at the child he became Cealous$@ealousy transormed into anger and ,hiva cursed the
child=K<rom now onwards your ace will resemble an elephant and your belly will become large as a
pot$.n the name o yagyopavit you would have nothing but a snake hanging across your shoulder$K
-he child was none other than *anesh$Lord ,hivaKs anger did not subside even ater having cursed
*anesh$ &e was still trembling in anger and was sweating prousely$1umerous *aneshas maniested
themselves rom those sweat=drops and each o them had a head o an elephant as well as a large
belly$,uddenlyE lord Brahma appeared and reMuested lord ,hiva by saying=KYou should make this
divine childEwho has maniested rom your mouthEthe lord o all these Vinayakas$-husElord ,hiva made
*anesh the lord o all the Vinayakas and blessed him=KYou will be the irst deity to get worshipped in
any ritual$K
:haturthi has deep association with the worship o lord *aneshEas it was on this very day that he had
maniested himsel$&aving prasadEprepared rom sesame seeds and worshipping lord *anesh on this
day is believed to bring great auspiciousness$A devotee who worships lord *anesh on chaturthi never
eGperiences any kind o obstacle in his work$
)$0$9 1ag Devta
King 8raCapal then reMuested 'ahatapa to shed light on the origin o the serpents and the signiicance o
KpanchamiK$,age 'ahatapa replied=-he serpents came rom the lineage o Kadru=KashyapKs wie$,age Kashyap
had numerous progeny rom Kadru=VasukiEAnantEKambalEKarkotakE8admaE'ahapadmaE,hankhEKulikEetc$ 6hen
all these serpents started tormenting human=beingsElord Brahma cursed them that they would be annihilated
during swayambhuva manvantar due to the curse o their own mother$
-he serpents became terriied and promised to mend their ways$-hey then reMuested lord Brahma to give them a
place to live in$Lord Brahma instructed them to go to three dierent netherworlds=,utalEVital and 8atal$&e also
warned them that during Vaivaswat manvantar @anmeCay would perorm a grand yagya with the obCective o
destroying the wicked serpents but the virtuous among them would manage to survive$-his particular incident had
occured on panchami and hence it became the destroyer o all sins$A devotee who worships K1agK(serpent) on
this day and oers milk will never be troubled by them$
)$0$; Kartikeya
Describing KartikeyaKs maniestation and how his worship got associated with the auspicious day o shashthiEsage
'ahatapa told king 8raCapal=%nceEa ierce battle was between the deities and demons in which the deities got
deeated$-he reason behind their deeat was the absence was the absence o an able commander who could
lead them$-he deities went to seek the help o lord Brahma$Being unable to solve their problemElord Brahma took
the deities to lord ,hiva$
Lord ,hiva invoked K,haktiK present within his body and thus maniested lord Kartikeya$&e was named ater the
siG KKritikasK who had nurtured him by eeding their breast milk$Lord shiva then made Kartikeya the commander o
the deities on the auspicious day o shashthi$2nder his able leadershipEthe deities inally managed to deeat the
demons$
A devotee who worships lord Kartikeya on shashthi enCoys prosperity and gets all his desire ulilled$ A childless
couple must worship on this auspicious day to get blessed with a son$
)$0$7 Lord Aditya
King 8raCapal asked 'ahatapa=R-he thought o divine radiance taking the orm o human radiance
bewilders me$8lease clear my doubts$R
,age 'ahatapa replied =R6hen the almighty *od willed to maniest himsel in other tangible ormsEan
eulgence emanated rom his being resulting into the creation o K,uryaK(-he ,un)$-he whole world
became illumined with ,uryaKs radiance and all the deities dwelling within the body o Almighty *od
eGpressed their gratitude$.nitiallyEunbearable heat emanated rom K,uryaKEcausing great uncomort to
the deities but later on Almighty *od reduced it to bearable limit at the reMuest o the deities$,urya had
maniested himsel on the auspicious day o KsaptamiK hence this particular day became deeply
associated with the worship o ,urya$
)$0$) Ashta 'atrikas
:ontinuing with his narrationEsage 'ahatapa said =RDuring ancient timesEthere lived a mighty demon
named KAndhakasurK$Andhakasur had become arrogant because o a boon o immortality received rom
lord Brahma$ Being tormented by AndhakasurEall the deities went to seek lord BrahmaKs help$Lord
Brahma took the deities to lord ,hiva who agreed to kill the wicked demon=Andhakasur$
-he battle commenced and a ierce dual ight broke out between Lord ,hiva and Andhakasur$,hiva
attacked Andhakasur with his trident$,tream o blood ooBed out rom the woundEbut to ,hivaKs utter
amaBement each drop o blood alling on the ground resulted in into the creation o numerous
Andhakasuras$.n a short time the battle ield was overcrowded with countless
Andhakasuras$1owE,hivaKs anger crossed all limits and he thundered loudly$<lames emanated rom
the mouth o enraged ,hiva resulting into the maniestation o goddess KYogishwariK$,imilarlyEseven
more goddesses maniested themselves rom dierent deities= Vaishnavi rom lord VishnuEBrahmi rom
lord BrahmaEKaumari rom KartikeyaE'ahendri rom .ndraEYami rom YamaEVarahi rom lord Varah and
'aheshwari rom lord 1arayan$All these eight goddesses came to be known as K'atrikasK and lord
assigned them the auspicious day or their worship$A devotee who worships these eight matrikas on
ashtami are blessed$-he use o KbaelK(wood=apple)ruit on this day has great signiicance$
)$0$/ *oddess Durga
King 8raCapal reMuested sage 'ahatapa to narrate about the maniestation o goddess Durga and the signiicance
o her worship on navami$,age 'ahatapa replied=-he mighty demon=Vetrasur had driven out deities rom the
heaven$All the deities went to lord Brahma and sought his help$As lord Brahma was wondering about his urther
course o actionEsuddenly goddess Durga appeared rom nowhere$,he held various weapons in each o her eight
arms and was mounted on a erocious lion$Lord Brahma was relieved as he was conident that *oddess Durga
would certainly kill Vretasur$<inallyEgoddess Durga indeed killed the dreaded demon without much diiculty$Later
onEall the deities reMuested her to make himalaya mountain as her abode to which she agreed$-his particular
placeEin course o time became amous as 1andadevi$%ne who worships goddess Durga on the auspicious day o
navami gets her blessings$
)$0$#3 Dash Dishas
&aving inished the tale o goddess DurgaEsage 'ahatapa revealed how all the siG directions came into
eGistence=R,iG divine women maniested themselves rom both the ears o lord Brahma during the initial
phase o creation$-he name o these siG divine women were
8urva(east)EDakshina(south)E8aschima(west)E2ttara(north)E 2rdhva(upwards) and
Adhara(downwards)$.n course o time all o them got married to siG dierent Lokpals$ Lord Brahma
assigned the auspicious day o dashami or their worship$%ne who worships all these siG goddesses on
the auspicious day o dashami is blessed and one who observes ast on this day gets absolved o all
his sins$
)$0$## Kuber
:ontinuing with the tales o the maniestation o various deitiesEsage 'ahatapa said=R.n the process o
doing his creationElord Brahma bellowed as a result o which Kubera maniested himsel$Lord Brahma
assigned kubera the lordship o all the wealth and prosperity$.t was KekadashiK when Kubera had
maniested himselEso this particular day has deep association with his worship$%ne who observes a
ast on the auspicious day o ekadashi never lives in poverty$R
)$0$#( Lord Vishnu
Describing how lord Vishnu maniestedEsage 'ahatapa told 8raCapal =R1arayan =the almighty *od
incarnated as lord Vishnu to nurture all the living creatures inhabiting the world$+ventuallyElord Vishnu
entrusted the Cob o worldKs welare to goddess Yoganidra and himsel went into his meditative
sleep$6hile he was still in his meditative sleepEa lotus lower emanated rom his navel$Lord Brahma
was seated on that lotus lower$
-he almighty *od was delighted to see himsel in the incarnation o Vishnu$&e blessed Vishnu by
saying= K'ay you destroy all kind o ignorance with the help o your sword$&old this chakra . am giving
youEto sever the evil inluences o Kkaal=chakraK(wheel o time)$'ay all the sins be destroyed by your
mace$'ay the deity=Vayu adorn your hand in the orm o a conch and vaiCyanti mala in your neck$'ay
the ,un and 'oon adorn your person in the orm o shrivatsa and kaustubh diamonds$'ay *aruda be
your mount and goddess LaGmi your consort$'ay people desirous o salvation worship you on the
auspicious day o dwadashi$%ne who worship you on this day will deinitely attain to the heaven$K
)$0$#0 Dharma
,age 'ahatapa then told king 'ahapal about the maniestation o Dharma and the signiicance o
trayodashi=KDharma maniested himsel rom the right part o almighty *od and appeared like a bullock$
-he almighty *od instructed him to protect the mankind rom all evils and sins$All the our eet o
Dharma signiied our various virtues=truthEpurityEpenance and charity$.n satyayugaEDharma was our
ooted=all the our virtues were prevalent during that era$.n treta yugaEthe eet reduced to three$-he
subseMuent eras o dwapar and kaliyuga saw the urther decline in virtuosity in which Dharma had two
eet and one oot respectively$K
K%nceEa ierce battle was ought between the deities and demons$-he bone o contention was a woman
or whom both the side made claims$Dharma intervened and solved the contentious issue to the
satisaction o both the warring sides$Lord Brahma was very impressed by the detness with which
Dharma had handled such a tough situation and blessed him by saying=. am assigning the auspicious
day o tryodashi to you$%ne who observes a ast and worship you on this day will be liberated rom all
his sins$K
)$0$#4 Lord "udra
,age 'ahatapa then went on to describe the incident that led to the maniestation o lord "udra and
the signiicance o chaturdashi=K.n the beginning o creationEwhen lord Brahma ailed in his repeated
attempts to createEhe became rustrated$<rustration turned into ury and rom his ury maniested a
divine entity who cried incessantly$Lord Brahma tried to stop him rom crying and said=tvam ma
rud(donKt cry)$-his is how lord "udra got his name$Lord Brahma then reMuested "udra to commence
creation but since "udra lacked the power needed or doing creation thereore he reused and went to
do penance$Later onE lord Brahma created his manasputras and other living creatures$Daksha 8raCapati
was one o these manasputras$%nceEhe had organised a grand yagya in which all the deities and even
the demons had been invited$K
'eanwhileE"udraKs penance was disturbed by the constant chanting o the mantras at the yagya
perormed by Daksha 8raCapati$"udra was inuriated resulting into the emanation o lames rom his
mouth$+ventually these ire=balls got transormed into erocious spirits and ghosts$"udra then reached
the place where the yagya was being perormed and with the help o all the spirits and ghosts started
destoying the oblation site$.t was only ater lord BrahmaKs intervention that "udra calmed down$All the
deities then eulogiBed "udra and sought his blessings$ %ne who worships lord "udra on the auspicious
day o chaturdashi becomes absolved o all his sins$
)$0$#9 -anmatras
Describing the importance o amavasyaEsage 'ahatapa told 8raCapal=R%nceEwhile lord Brahma was
Cust about to commence the process o creationEsuddenly KtanmatrasK(subtle orms o matter) revealed
themselves rom his mind$All o them being eGtremely virtuous were eager to go up in the sky to do
penance byt lord Brahma reMuested them to become the KpitrasK(ancestors)o the human beings$All the
tanmatras then reMuested Brahma to make arrangement or their sustenance$Lord Brahma blessed
them by saying=K. assign to you the auspicious day o amavasya$Anybody who perorms the rituals o
KtarpanK(libation) on this day would become absolved o his sins$You would sustain yourselves on
various things like waterEsesame seedsE and kusha grass which are oered by human beings to their
ancestors on this day$?
)$0$#; :handra='a
Describing the importance o purnima sage 'ahatapa said=RDaksha 8raCapati had cursed
:handramaEhis son=in=law or maltreating his daughters$As the allout o that curse :handrama started
waning day by day and eventually became invisible on amavasya$All the deities became worried and
went to seek lord VishnuKs help$Lord Vishnu advised them to get the ocean churned$6hile the ocean
was being churnedE:handrama once again maniested himsel rom the ocean$Lord Brahma then
assigned the auspicious day o purnima to him and blessed him$A devotee should observe a ast on
purnima and worship :handrama or the attainment o kowledgeEprosperity aswell as salvation$
8&, Austerities 6elated with 'ord +ishnu<s 7ncarnations
-his section contains #3 sections as ollowsJ
)$4$# 'atsya=Dvadashi Vrata
'atsya=dwadashi is celebrated on the twelth day o hindu month='argashirsh$%n this auspicious day a
devotee should worship lord 'atsya =the incarnation o lord Vishnu with appropriate rituals and give
charity to brahmins$8rithvi was the irst one to observe this particular austerity while she was being
abducted to rasatala by a mighty demon named &iranyaksha$A devotee who observes a ast on this
day and worships lord 'atsya with appropriate rituals attains to Brahma loka and remains their or
eternity$ ,uch a person attainKs a divine body when creation recommences ater the period o
deluge$An issue=less woman is blessed with a virtuous son i she observes a ast on this day$'atsya=
dwadashi is capable o absolving a man even o the gravest o his sin$
)$4$( Kurma=Dvadashi Vrata
-his particular austerity is dedicated to the worship o lord Kurma=the incarnation o lord Vishnu$.t is
celebrated on the twelth day o the bright hal o the hindu month KpaushaK$-he austerity which
commences on the tenth day itsel when a devotee is supposed to puriy himsel by taking a holy
bath$%n the ollowing day he observes a ast and worships lord Kurma with appropriate rituals$&e
breaks his ast on dwadashi which marks the conclusion o the austerity$A devotee who observes a ast
on this auspicious day becomes absolved o all his sins and attains salvation$
)$4$0 Varah=Dvadashi Vrata
Varah dwadashi is celebrated on the twelth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=magh$-his was
the day on which 8rithvi had been rescued by lord Varah=the incarnation o lord Vishnu$An idol o lord
Varah is installed on a pot illed with water and worshipped with appropriate rituals amidst the
continuous chanting o the mantra=Kom varahay namahK$%erings o various articles are made while
worshipping lord Varah=sandal= woodEincenseE naivedyaEetc$Ater the accomplishment o the rituals
brahmins are ed and charity given to them$%ne who observes a ast on this day enCoys a good health
and prosperity$,uch a man becomes absolved o all his sins and attains to heaven ater his death$
)$4$4 1ri,imha=Dvadashi Vrata
-his austerity is observed on the twelth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=phalgun$A devotee
should observe ast on this day and worship lord 1risimha with appropriate rituals$-his particular
austerity is capable o absolving a man rom all his sins$
)$4$9 Vaman=Dvadashi Vrata
Vaman dwadashi is celebrated on the twelth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=chaitra$A
devotee should observe a ast and worship lord Vaman by saying the ollowing prayer=% LordLVaman=
the dwarish incarnation o the almighty VishnuEwho took incarnation on the auspicious day o dwadashi
in the month o chaitra=. seek your blessings$R%ne who observes a ast on this day is blessed and
protected rom all kinds o danger$
)$4$; @amadagnya=Dvadashi Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o lord 8arshuram who is also amous as @amdagnya$.t is cele=
brated on the twelth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=vaishakh$Beore commencing the ritualsE
a devotee should puriy himsel by taking a bath and then worship an idol o lord 8arshuram kept on a
pot illed with water$6hile worshipping he should make oerings o various articles tothe deity=lowersE
sandalwoodEardhyaEetc$.t is mandatory to remain awake or the whole night$%n the ollowing dayEhe
should donate the idol to a brahmin$A devotee who observes a ast on this day gets all his wishes
ulilled and attains to Brahma loka$
)$4$7 Kalki=Dvadashi Vrata
A devotee should commence this austerity by observing a ast on the eleventh day o the bright hal o
the hindu month=bhadrapad and break it on the ollowing day=dwadashi$&e should worship lord Kalki
with appropriate rituals$As per the norms o the ritualsEthe idol o lord Kalki is placed on a pot which is
illed with water$-his idol is donated to a learned brahmin on the ollowing day=trayodashi$
)$4$) 8admanabh=Dvadashi Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o lord 8admanabh=an epithet o lord Vishnu and is observed
on the twelth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=ashwin$%ne important charecteristic o the ritual
is that all the organs o lord 8admanabh is worshipped$-he idol is placed on a pot illed with water and
while worshipping oerings o various articles are made=lowersEruitsEsandalwoodEetc$%n the ollowing
day the idol is donated to a brahmin$%ne who observes a ast on this day enCoys a prosperous lie and
attains to the abode o lord 8admanabh$
)$4$/ Dharni=Vrata
This particu)ar austerit* is obser,ed in the hindu month of Karti21The ritua)s commence b* /orshippin'
,arious or'ans of )ord !ara*an amidst the chantin' of different mantras /hich are as fo))o/s4
om sahastra shirse namah = head

om purushay namah = arms

om vishwa rupine namah = throat

om gyanastray namah = weapons

om shri vatsaaya namah = chest

om Cagad grasishnave namah = abdomen

om divya murtaye namah = waist

om sahastra paday namah = eet$

,imilarlyEsrikrishna dwadashi is celebrated in the hindu month o AshadhEshukla= paksha$A devotee

should worship lord Krishna on this day and observe a ast$
)$4$#3 Buddha=Dvadashi Vrata
Lord Buddha is believed to be the incarnation o Lord Vishnu$-he austerity begins on the eleventh day o the
bright hal o the hindu month=shravan$%n this day lord Vishnu is worshipped with appropriate rituals and by
making oerings o various articles like lowersEruitsEincenseEetc$-he ollowing mantras should be chanted while
worshipping the various organs o lord Vishnu =

om damodaray namah = eet

om hrishikeshay namah = waist

om sanatanay namah = abdomen

om shri vatsadharine namah = chest

om chakrapanaye namah = arms

om haraye namah = throat

om manCu keshay namah = head

om bhadray namah = top=knot(shikha)$

Ater the accomplishment o the ritualsE the idol should be donated to a brahmin$
8&/ )ome =ther Austerities
-his section contains #3 sections as ollowsJ
)$9$# ,hubh=Vrata
-his particular austerity on the irst day o the hindu month=margashirsh$.t is related with the worship o
lord Vishnu and the rituals have some special characteristics=having one meal on the eleventh day o
the month(ekadashi)Edonating barley to brahminsEworshipping the idol o goddess 8rithvi on KekadashiKE
etc$-he austerity concludes on dwadashi$ %n ekadashiEgoddess 8rithvi is also worshipped alongwith
lord Vishnu$Both the idols are installed side by side and covered with white clothes$Ater that some rice
grains are scattered in ront o both the idols$ As per the norms o the ritualsEa devotee is reMuired to
remain awake or the whole night$1eGt morningEhe should invite twenty=our brahmins and eed
them$&e should also donate a cowEapparelsEornamentsEan umbrellaEwoodden sandle and similar
articles to them$A devotee who observes a ast on this auspicious day enCoys prosperity$
)$9$( Dhanya=Vrata
-his particular austerity is a orm o Knakta=vrataKEwhich means observing ast or the whole day and
breaking it in the night$-he austerity commences on the irst day o the bright hal o the hindu month=
aghan and lasts or a year$"ituals include worshipping Agnideva=an embodiment o lord
VishnuEchanting o certain mantras praising the glory o the deity and perorming KhavanK$-here are
speciic instructions on the type o ood a devotee should have during the course o this austerity=or
our months(chaitra to ashadh) he should have delicacies like KkheerK seasoned in pure ghee$<rom
shravan to kartik he should have ood=items prepared rom gram=lour$ -his wayEthe austerity lasts or
one year whereby a devotee observes ast on the irst day o every month that ollows$-he austerity
concludes by worshipping an idol o lord Agni made o gold$-he idol is adorned with a piece o red=cloth
and red=lowers are oered to the deity while worshipping$Ater the rituals are accomplishedEthe idol
should be donated to a brahmin$-he observance o this particular austerity brings good ortune to a
man and makes him prosperous$
)$9$0 Kanti=Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o sri Krishna and Balaram$.t commences on the second day
o the bright hal o the hindu month=kartik and lasts or a year whereby a devotee observes ast on the
second day(bright hal) o every month that ollows$6hile worshipping BalaramaEa devotee should
chant=Kom baldevay namahKand while worshipping sri Krishna he should chant=Kom keshavay namahK$
,ubseMuentlyEKardhyaKis oered to both the deities$A devotee should have ood prepared rom barley=
lour in the night but those devotees who have resolved to observe this austerity or our months
beginning rom KalgunK should live only on KkheerK$%erings o rice and sesame seeds are made in the
sacriicial= ire during the months o KaghanK and KkartikK respectively$ -he rituals conclude by
worshipping the deity K:handramaKat the end o the year$<inally all the three idols (sri KrishnaEBalram
and :handrama) should be donated to brahmins$A devotee who observes this austerity is bestowed
with a charming personality$
)$9$4 ,aubhagya=Vrata
-his austerity commences on the third day o the bright hal o the hindu month=algun and lasts or a
year whereby a devotee observes ast on the third day(bright hal) o every month that
ollows$According to the tradition a devotee can either worship K,hiva=8arvatiK or K,ri &ari=LaGmi on this
auspicious day$ 6hile worshippingEthe devotee should chant the ollowing mantras=om gambhiray
namahE om saubhagyay namahEom devdevay namahEom trinetray namahEom vachaspataye namahEom
rudray namahEetc$%ne important eature o the rituals is making oerings o honey and ghee to the
sacriicial ire$During the course o the ritualsEa devotee should have ood prepared rom pure cereals
preerably wheat$ Ater the rituals are accomplished at the end o the yearEthe idols should be donated
to brahmins$%ne who observes this austerity is blessed with good ortune in his successive seven
births$
)$9$9 Avighna=Vrata
As the name impliesEthis austerity clears all the obstacles aced by a man$.t commences on the ourth
day o the bright hal o the hindu month=algun and lasts or our months whereby a devotee observes
ast on the ourth day(bright hal) o every month that ollows$%ne important characteristic o this
austerity is the importance and use o sesame seeds in itKs rituals$.t is not only the chie constituent o
the diet but it is also oered in the sacriicial ire and donated to the brahmins as well$Ater observing
this austerity or our monthsEa devotee should conclude it by worshipping lord *anesh in the ith
month and donating the *anesh=idol to a brahmin alongwith ive pots illed with sesame seeds$6hile
worshipping lord *aneshEhe should chant the ollowing mantras=om shooray namahE om dhiray
namahEom gaCananay namahEom lambodaray namahEom ekdanshtray namahEetc$A devotee thus
becomes ree rom all kind o obstacles and all his wishes are ulilled$
)$9$; ,hanti=Vrata
-his austerity commences on the ith day o the bright hal o the hindu month=kartik and lasts or a
year whereby a devotee observes ast on the ith day(bright hal) o the every month that ollows$.t is
related with the worship o lord Vishnu and ,heshnag$A devotee should abstain rom hot and spicy ood
during the course o this austerity$Lord VishnuKs idol is puriied by chanting mantras and by perorming
ablution with milk$%erings o sesame seeds and milk are made in the sacriicial ire$Ater the
accomplishment o the rituals at the year endEbrahmins are invited and ed$<inallyEthe idol o ,heshnag
is donated to one o them$A devotee who perorms this austerity becomes ree rom all kinds o
turbulence in his lie and eGperiences peace and tranMuility$
)$9$7 Kaam=Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o lord Kartikeya and is observed in the bright hal o the hindu
month=pausha$%n the siGth day o this monthEa devotee is eGpected to live on nothing else but
ruits$Lord Kartikeya is also known by several other names=
,hadananE,enaniEKritikasutEKumarE,kandEetc$ -he austerity concludes by eeding the brahmins at the
year end and making donations to them$A devotee who observes this austerity gets all his wishes
ulilled$
)$9$) Aarogya=Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o lord ,urya 1arayan who is also known by several other
names like AadityaEBhaskarE"aviEBhanuEDiwakarE8rabhakarEetc$A devotee should observe a ast on the
seventh day o any month and worship lord ,uryanarayan$-he ast should be broken on the neGt day=
ashtami$A devotee can continue this ritual or one year ollowing the above mentioned rituals$ A
devotee who observes the rituals o this austerity becomes ree rom all kind o diseases and enCoys a
healthy lie$
)$9$/ 8utra=8rapti Vrata
-his austerity commences on the eighth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=bhadrapad$-he rituals
consist o taking a KsankalpK on the preceding day(saptami)and worshipping lord sri &ari on the neGt day
with appropriate rituals$%erings are made to the sacriicial ireEwhich usually consist o articles like
barleyEsesame seedsEgheeEetc$-he austerity concludes by eeding the invited brahmins and making
donations to them$-his wayEthe austerity continues or a year whereby a devotee observes ast on
KashtamiK o every month$A sonless person is blessed with a son i he observes this austerity with total
devotion $-his austerityEwhich is popularly known as KKrishna ashtamiKalso helps a devotee to become
absolved o gravest o sin$
)$9$#3 ,haurya and ,arva Bhaum Vrata
,haurya and ,arva Bhaum vrata is related with the worship o goddess Durga and is observed on the
nineth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=ashvin$-he rituals commence by taking a KsankalpK as
well as observing a ast on the preceding day(saptami)$-he ast is broken on the neGt day(ashtami) by
having ruits$:ereals are eGcluded rom the diet$%ne important aspect o this austerity is the worship o
virgin girls along with goddess Durga$%ne who observes the rituals o this austerity attains power valour
and strength$ ,arva bhaum vrata is related with the worship o all the ten directionsEconsidered as
goddesses$A ast is observed on the tenth day o the bright hal o the hindu month=kartik and lasts or a
year whereby a devotee observes ast on the tenth day(bright hal) o every month that ollows$%ne
important charecteristic o this ast is that it is broken at the end o the day by having rice and
curd$'aking sacriices in the name o all the ten directions are the inseparable part o this austerity$A
devoteeEwho observes this austerity lasting or a year remains invincible in whatever he does$
8&1 "he )ignificance of $henu-$aan
-his section contains 9 sections as ollowsJ
)$;$# -il Dhenu=Daan
As the name impliesEan idol o a cow made rom powdered sesame seeds is donated to a brahmin$-he
idol should weigh not less than siGteen KprasthasK(one prasthaQour kudavEancient units o weight
measurment) ,imilarlyEa calKs idol made rom powdered sesame seeds and weighing our KprasthasKis
donated to a brahmin$Apart rom these idols ocow and cal a devotee should also donateKdeer=skinK$
6hile donating these thingsEhe should pray in the ollowing way=K% -il dhenuLBless me so that . enCoy
prosperity and never eGperience scarcity o any kind in my lie$K-he brahmin receiving the donation
should eGpress his gratitude in the ollowing way=% goddessL . am receiving you in all humility$Bless
and nurture my whole amily$KA person who donates K-il DhenuKgetKs all his wishes ulilled and attains to
Vishnu loka ater his death$
)$;$( @al Dhenu=Daan
-he method o donating K@al DhenuK is as ollows=irst o all small area o land is puriied by coating it
with cow dung and place two small pots are placed at the centre$-hese pots are illed with dierent
things like waterEcamphorEsandalwoodEetc$-he devotee should then imagine goddess @al Dhenu and
her cal to be dwelling in those pots respectively$Both the pots are adeMuately adorned with various
articles like sandalwoodElowers and then worshipped$Ater the completion o the rituals both the idols
are donated to brahmins$A person who donates @al Dhenu or a brahmin who accepts it attains to
Vishnu loka ater being absolved o all his sins$
)$;$0 "asa Dhenu Daan
<irst o allEthe area is puriied by coating it with cow=dung ater which a black deer=skin is spread on it
alongwith Kkusha grassK$-wo pots=one large and the other a small one are placed side by side$-hese
pots are illed with sugarcane Cuice and symboliBe K"asa=DhenuK and the cal$<our sugarcanes
symboliBing the our legs o K"asa=DhenuK are iGed at our corners$Ater thatEone small silver piece is
placed at the base o each o the sugarcanes symboliBing hoos$"asa=Dhenu is then adorned with
colourul cloths and lowers$AgainEour small pots illed with sesame seeds are kept at the our corners
near "asa=Dhenu$Ater the worship is accomplishedE"asa=Dhenu is donated to a brahmin$A person
who donates "asa=Dhenu is liberated rom all his sins and all his ancestors as well as the generations
to come attain to the &eaven$
)$;$4 *ud=Dhenu Daan
As it is amply clear by the nameEin this ritual some Caggery is taken and given the shape o a cow and a
cal$-he land is puriied by coating it with cow=dung$Ater thatEa black deer=skin is spread on that
puriied area$,ome kusha grass are then spread on the dear=skin and covered with a piece o
cloth$1owEboth the idols o cow and itKs cal are worshipped with appropriate rituals ater which they are
donated to brahmins$A devotee should also should also donate shoesEumbrella and i possibleEa gold
ring to brahmins$Donating a *ud=Dhenu enables a man to attain to such divine world where sages and
hermits dwell$By doing thusEhe also liberates his ancestors and the uture generations$
)$;$9 ,harkara=Dhenu Daan
.n this ritualEidols o a cow and a cal are made rom sugar$Ater being worshipped they should be
donated to a brahmin$A devotee should live only on sugar or a day$Donating a ,harkara=Dhenu
liberates a man rom all his sins$ ,imilarlyEdonating 'adhu=Dhenu(made rom honey)EKheer=
Dhenu(made rom rice and milk)EDadhi=Dhenu(curd)E1avneet=Dhenu(made rom butter)ELavan=
Dhenu(salt) and Karpas=Dhenu(cotton) are all believed to bestow incomparable virtues to a devotee$
8&4 )acred Places of Pilgrimage
-his section contains #) sections as ollowsJ
)$7$# Kokamukh -eertha
Describing the holiness o Kokamukh=teerthElord Varah narrated a tale to 8rithvi=R%nceEa isherman was
trying to catch a large ish in a lake situated at Kokamukh$,uddenlyEa hawk which was lying in the skyE
descended down and ater picking the ish in itKs beak tried to ly away$ButEas the ish was a large oneE
the hawk could not hold it or too long$As a resultEthe hawk ell on the ground being unable to bear the
weight o the ish$But amaBinglyEthe hawk turned into a handsome prince as soon as it touched the
ground$R
R.n the meantimeEthe ishermanKs wie arrived there carrying some meat=pieces in her hand$A kiteEwhich
was lying in the sky tried to snatch those meat=pieces$,eeing thisEthe isherman killed that kite with one
shot o his arrow$.n course o timeEthe kite took rebirth as a princess o :handrapur$,he was eGtremely
beautiul but hated men$,imilarlyEthe ish was reborn as a prince$As the destiny would have liked itEboth
o them got married$-here was a dramatic change in the attitude o the princess ater the marriage as
she no longer hated men$%n the contraryEshe loved her husband so much that she dreaded the thought
o separation or even a moment$R
R%ne dayEthe prince had a severe headache which showed no sign o subsiding$-he princess became
very worried and summoned the royal physician$-he physician let no stone unturned to cure his royal
physician but without any success$,omehowEthe prince remembered everything about his previous
birth and had a irm belie that he would be cured o his illness once he reached Kokamukh=the
sacrosanct place o pilgrimage$ ,o he decided to go there accompanied by the princess$R
RBoth o them reached a place at Kokamukh where they saw the remains(skeleton)o a ish lying on the
ground$-he prince revealed to his wie that he was a ish in his previous birth and that the skeleton was
his$-hen he went on to describe the cause o his headache which according to him was due to the
inCury sustained in his past birth when he had been badly mauled by a hawk$-he princess was aware o
her past birth as a kiteEso she revealed how she had been killed by a isherman in her previous
birth$,he also told her husband =KDying at Kokamukh in my previous birth prove to be a blessing to me
as . was reborn as a princess$&ad it not been soE. would certainly have not born as a princess$R RBoth
o them worshipped lord vishnu and as a result the prince was cured o his severe headache$,uch is
the greatness o Kokamukh=the reliever o all pains and miseries$R
)$7$( 'ayapuri (&aridvara) -eertha
1arrating about the sanctity o 'ayapuriElord Varah told 8rithvi= R-here lived a brahmin named
,omsharma at 'ayapuri$&e was a great devotee o mine(lord sri &ari)and had an impossible desire o
witnessing my divine powers by his mortal eyes$. tried to make him understand about the utility o his
desire but to no avail$ <inally . was let with no option but to ulil his wish$%ne day ,omsharma had
gone to take his bath in the holy *anges$&ardly had he taken a dip than he ound himsel eGperiencing
the pangs o birth in the womb o a nishad woman$+videntlyElord sri &ari had began giving a glimpse o
his divine powers to ,omsharma$.t was a terrible eGperience or him and he vowed to lead a chaste lie
as soon as he came out o the womb$R
R2nortunatelyEhe orgot everything about his vow once he took rebirth as a girl$.n course o timeEthe girl
grew up and married a young nishad$,he had many children rom him$%ne dayEthe nishad girl who in
reality was ,omsharmaEwent to take a bath in the holy *anges$As soon as she entered into the
riverEshe got transormed into a hermit$,he was illed with eGtreme bewilderment but this was not the
endEas there were more surprises to come$R
R-he hermit(previously nishad and originally ,omsharma)came out o thr river and looked all around in
amaBement$&e then sat down to meditate and very soon he was engrossed in his meditation$.n the
eveningEsome sages arrived and said=K,irL how come you are sitting hereNYou had gone to take a
bath$6e became anGious and started searching or you when you did not return till evening$R R-he
hermit was bewildered by the turn o events as he was aware o every incident that had occured$&e
was also well aware that he had spent ity years as nishad=woman but according to the statements o
hermits he had been absent only or ew hours$-he hermit was totally conused about his real
identity$.(lord Varah) elt pity on his miserable condition and decided to lit my magic spell$. asked him
whether his wish o witnessing my divine powers had been ulilled or not$-he hermit eulogiBed me and
agreed that it was impossible or any mortal to understand the ways o Aimighty$. then blessed him and
transormed him into ,omsharma once again$R
,uch is the grandeur o 'ayapuri=the sacrosanct place where lord sri &ari has maniested his divine
powers$A devotee who goes on a pilgrimage to 'ayapuri never gets entangeled in the worldly illusions$
)$7$0 KubCaamrak (&rishikesh) -eertha
Describing how KubCaamrak teerth derived itKs nameElord Varah told 8rithvi=R.n satyayugaEat the time
when the earth was still submerged in waterE. had killed two mighty demons named 'adhu and
Kaitabh$Ater killing both the demons . looked all around and ound sage "aimya engrossed in his
penance$,age "aimya was a great devotee o mine$
. was eGtremely impressed and watched him hiding mysel behind a mango tree$-he mango tree could
not bear the weight o my hands and became curved$-his is how KubCaamrak teerth derived itKs
name$Very soonEsage "aimya ound out that . was hiding behind that mango tree$&e eulogiBed me and
reMuested me to to grant a special status to KubCaamrak teerth among all the holy places$. blessed him
and thus KubCaamrak teerth became one o the holiest places$-here are several other holy places
situated in the vicinity o KubCaamrak teerth='anas=teerthE'aya=teerthE,arvakamik= teerthE8urnamukh
teerthEAgni=teerthE,hukra=terthE'anasar teerthE,apta samudrak=teerthEetc$All these holy places
including KubCaamrak teerth are capable o giving salvation to a man$R
)$7$4 Badrikashram
:ontinuing with his taleElord Varah told 8rithvi=R-here is a sacred place in the &imalayas which is very
inaccessible$.t is amously known as Badrikashram and holds an important place among all the holy
places$%ne who makes a pilgrimage to that place gets all his wishes ulilled$-here is a reservoir at the
mountain top called Brahma kund$%ne who observes ast or three consecutive nights and takes a holy
dip in that reservoir attains virtues similar to RAgnishtom yagyaR$%ne who takes his last birth in itKs
vicinity certainly attains to my abode$-here are several other holy places in the vicinity o Badrikashram
like Agnisatya padE .ndra lokaE,atya lokaE:hatuhsrotaEVed dharEetc$Ved dhar is the same place where
the vedas had maniested rom lord BrahmaKs mouth$
)$7$9 'andar -eertha
'andar teerth is named ater a celestial tree called 'andar$-his sacred place o pilgrimage is situated
at the oothills o vindhya mountain$-here is a large mandar tree overthere which has some uniMue
Mualities$-his tree is visible only on auspicious days o dwadashi and chaturdashi and becomes
invisible on the rest o the days$,ome other holy places situated in the vicinity o mandar teerth are
8rapanE'odanEBaikunthkaranEetc$
-here is another holy place called mandar but it is situated on the 'eru mountain$-his holy place is
also known asK,yamantpanchakK%ne important characteristic o this holy place is that there are huge
rocks resembling a maceEa wheelEa plough and a conch$
)$7$; ,omeshwar Linga
:handra deva had once perormed an austere penance to get absolved rom the curse o his Daksha
8raCapati his ather=in=law$During the course o his penance :handra deva made a shiva linga and
worshipped it$<inally lord ,hiva appeared and agreed to dwell in that particular shiva linga as per the
reMuest o :handra deva$ -here is a reservoir situated to the south o ,omeshwar temple which is
believed to liberate a man rom all his sins$.n course o time this place became amous as ,omeshwar
linga$
)$7$7 ,halgram Kshetra
8rithvi reMuested lord Varah to shed light on the amous penance which sage ,halankayan had
perormed$Lord Varah narrated the ollowing tale=RLong long ago sage ,halankayan did an austere
penance to please me(lord Vishnu)$-here was a KsalK tree nearby and the sage was ignorant o the act
that . dwell in that sacred tree$6hen . appearedEhe reMuested me to bless him with a divine son who
had Mualities like lord ,hiva$. revealed to him that his son(1andikeshwar)had already maniested and
was presently staying at KVraCaK('athura)$. also revealed to him that although . was present in the KsalK
tree but he was unware o this act because o his ignorance$.n course o timeEthis very place became
amous as K,halgram teerthK$A devotee who makes a pilgrimage to this holy place is liberated rom all
kinds o worldly bondages$R
)$7$) "uru Kshetra
Lord Varah told 8rithvi=R-his holy place is named ater "uru=the daughter o Devadutt and an apsara
named 8ramlocha$Devadutt came rom the lineage o sage Bhrigu$%nceEDevadutt did an austere
penance to please lord ,hiva$&is penance continued or ten thousand years$.ndra became worried and
sent a beautiul apsara named 8ramlocha to disturb his penance$2nortunatelyEDevadutt ell into the
trap laid by .ndra$&e was inatuated by 8ramlochaKs divine beauty and enCoyed an intimate lie with her
or a long time$<inallyEhe realiBed his mistake and regretted his oolishness$&e decided to abandon
8ramlocha and recommence his penance$2ltimatelyEhe was successul in pleasing lord ,hiva and
attaining to shiva loka$R
R'eanwhileE8ramlocha who was pregnantE gave birth to a girl child and died$-he baby girl was nurtured
and brought up by a deer named "uru ater whom she got her own name$.n course o time "uru ater
"uru grew up and decided to please lord Vishnu by her penance$,he did an austere penance or one
hundred years by remaining still at a place$At last .(lord Vishnu)became pleased by her total devotion
and appeared beore her$,he reMuested me to name that place on her$. blessed her and thus that place
became amous as "uru kshetra$R
)$7$/ *onishkraman -eertha
Lord ,hiva told 8rithvi=R*onishkraman teerth is situated in the himalayas$,age Aurva had his hermitage
at this sacred place which was incidentally burnt to ashes by lord ,hiva$Aurva cursed ,hiva as the
result o which ,hiva started wandering throughout the world in a restless manner$R
R%nceElord ,hiva visited the hermitage o sage Aurvanam accompanied by his consort=2ma$-he
purpose o the visit was to seek AurvanamKs help in curing his restlessness$,age Aurvanam advised
him to have a bath with the milk o surabhi cow$.(lord Vishnu) then brought down seventy=seven surabhi
cows rom the heaven and thus helped ,hiva take bath with their milk$At lastE,hivaKs reastlessness
came to an end and this holy place became amous as K*onishkramanK teerth$R
)$7$#3 ,tootswami -eertha
Lord Varah then went on to describe the greatness o ,tootswami teerth and told 8rithvi=R. shall
incarnate as Krishna at this place in the era o dwapar$. shall take birth in the house o Vasudeva and
Devaki$-here is a pond situated at about 9 kosas rom ,tootswami teerth$Anybody who take holy dips
in itKs holy water or ive days becomes absolved o all his sins$
)$7$## Dvaraka
Lord Varah told 8rithvi=R-here is a holy place called K8anchsarK in Dwarka$Anybody who stays there or
siG days and takes holy dips in K8anchasarK enCoys all the pleasures o lie$Dwarka is situated at the sea=
shore and the crocodiles living there never trouble people taking their bath$-hese crocodiles also have
one uniMue characteristic=they never eat anything that is oered to them by a sinner but unhesitatingly
accept anything rom a virtuous person$-here are several other holy places in and around Dwarka=
8anchpindE&anskundaE&ansteerthE:hakrateerthE"aivatakE Vishnu=sankaramEetc$Vishnu sankaram is
the very place where .Ein my incarnation as Krishna would be killed by a hunter named @ara$
)$7$#( ,anandoor -eertha
-his holy place is situated between 'alay mountain and the ocean$ 1earbyEthere is another holy place
called ,angaman where sri "am while on his way to lanka had conronted the ocean$-here are also
many other sacred places in the vicinity like ,hakrasarE ,hurparakEetc$-here are hermitages o sri "am
and 8arshuram at ,hurparak$
)$7$#0 Lohargal -eertha
Lord Varaha told 8rithvi=R-here is a region inhabited by mlecchasEsituated at the distance o some 03
yoCans$-his region is surrounded by &imalaya mountain in itKs central as well as southern
parts$Lohargal teerth is situated near this region and is well protected by nature which makes it very
inaccessible$ %nceEdemons tried to invade this holy place but all o them were killed by me(sri &ari)$.
also protected Brahma and "udra rom the wrath o the demons and named that place
Lohargal$Lohargal is the most sacred place o pilgrimage and spread in the area o (9 yoCans$.t is a sel
maniested place and has immense religious signiicance$
)$7$#4 'athura
Describing the maCesty o 'athuraElord Varaha told 8rithvi= R'athura is very dear to me because this is
the very place where . shall be taking incarnation as Krishna$'athura is the most sacro=sanct place and
no other holy place can be compared to it$ -here are many other holy places in and around 'athura=
VishrantiE ,urya teerthEKoti teerthEVayu teerthEetc$+ach one o them has itKs own religious signiicance$A
holy pond named KVatsa=krindanK lies in 'athura region$Anybody taking a holy dip in that holy pond is
certain to attain to the abode o KVayuK$.n the vicinity lies VrindavanEthe holiest place which would be
witness to many o my divine plays$R
)$7$#9 :hakra -eertha
.t is situated to the north o 'athura and lord Bhadreshwar has his dwelling place overthere$A person
who makes a pilgrimage to :hakra teerth and observes a ast or a day becomes absolved o heinous
o sins$
)$7$#; Kapil -eertha
Describing the origin o KKapil VarahK(an idol o lord Varah made by sage Kapil)lord Varah told
8rithvi=R,age Kapil was a great devotee o mine$&e had made my idol and worshipped it regularly$
Later onE.ndra acMuired it and started worshipping it$-he demon king "avan took it to lanka ater
deeating .ndra in a battle$.n treta yuga .(sri "am)deeated him and made VibhishanEhis brother the king
o Lanka$-his wayEthe idol came under the possession o Vibhishan but he agreed to part with it at my
reMuest$-his was how . brought that idol to Ayodhya$Ater reaching AyodhyaE. presented it to
,hatrughan as a reward or killing Lavanasur$ Later onEwhile ,hatrughan was going to 'athura he
carried that idol along with him$R
)$7$#7 *ovardhan -eertha
Lord VarahEcontinuing with the description o various holy places told 8rithvi about the magniicence o
*ovardhan parvat= R*ovardhan parvat is situated near 'athura$.t will have great religious importance
because it will witness a great eat o mine in dwapar yuga$. shall lit this mountain to protect people
rom the incessant rain caused by .ndra$-here are numerous holy places o great religious signiicance
in the vicinity o *ovardhan mountain like .ndra teerthEYama teerthEVarun teerth and Kuber teerth$-here
is also a amous resh=water lake called KKadamb khandKwhere people perorm tarpan o their
ancestors$R
)$7$#) *okarn -eertha
Lord Varah told 8rithvi about the greatness o *okarna teerth= RLong long ago there lived a vaishya
named Vasukarn at 'athura$ ,ushilaEhis wie was deeply religious but inspite o that she was
issueless$%ne dayEshe had gone to take her bath in river ,araswati where she ound many women
taking their bath$-he children o these women were playing nearby$,ushila became very sad and being
unable to control her emotions started crying$R
RA sage saw her crying and asked her as to what made her so sad$ ,ushila narrated her woeul tale to
him$-he sage took pity on her and advised her to worship lord *okarna$-he sage said=KYou will
deinitely be blessed with a son$K ,ushila went home and narrated the whole incident to her
husband$Both o them started worshipping lord *okarna 'ahadev with total devotion$Ater ten yearsEa
son was born to them$ Vasukarn named that child ater lord *okarna to eGpress his gratitude to the
deity$R
R.n course o timeE*okarna grew up and got married but even ater a long time he did not have a
progeny$,oEhis ather married him to three more womenEone ater anotherE but even this did not prove
to be o any help to *okarna because he remained a sonless person$-his made *okarna very sad and
he engaged himsel in various charitable activities thinking that the virtues thus attained might bless him
in begetting a son$&e got constructed many temples and ordered wells to be dug up or the beniit o
the travellers$Very soonEall his money was spent and he became worried about the uture o his
amily$,oEhe decided to go to distant places to earn wealth$R R%nceEwhile on his Courney he met a divine
parrot who possessed tremendous knowledge$*okarna was very much impressed by the parrotKs
knowledge$&e asked the parrot rom where had it imbibed such divine knowledge$-he parrot revealed
to him that he was ,hukodar in itKs previous birth and was a learned man$&e had attained the orm o
parrot due to the curse o sage ,hukdev$ ButEsage ,hukdev had been kind enough to allow him to
retain all the knowledge in his neGt birth$-he parrot also told *okarna how it had been kept inside a
cage by a owler and reMuested him to help it out rom the captivity$R
R*okarna reMuested the owler to give the learned parrot to him$ -he owler agreed but asked or all the
virtues attained by *okarna in return$*okarna happily agreed to donate all his virtues and proceeded
with that parrot$1owE *okarna had become beret o all his virtues he had attained so ar$%nceEwhile he
was on a voyage in connection with his trade the ship was caught in a severe cyclone and the chances
o survival looked very bleak$All his ellow travellers had a misconception that they had been struck by
the misortune only because o *okarnaKs sins$-he parrot was saddened ater hearing what people said
about his master$.t decided to help him and lew away towards north$6hile lying it ound a vishnu
temple where many divine women and other creatures had gathered to worship$-he descendants o
@atayu were also among them$-he parrot narrated the woeul tale o his master to all o them$All the
divine birds decided to help *okarna$R
R-he divine birds instructed the parrot to ollow them and then lew towards the place where *okarnaKs
ship was stranded$<inallyE they were successul in rescuing *okarna and bringing him back to the
same temple$*okarna worshipped lord Keshav and perormed the rituals o tarpan in the name o his
ancestors$.n the meantimeEall the divine women also arrived there to worship$-hey were pleased to
meet *okarna and gave him divine ood to eat$-hey also allowed him to stay there or as long as he
wished$R
R'eanwhile the ship managed to reach the sea shore$*okarnaKs companions met his parents and
narrated the whole incident to him$ *okarnaKs parents were illed with sorrow at the ate o their son$%n
the other handE*okarna continued to live in that temple or a long period$&e was worried about his
ather as it had been a long time since he saw him$&e sent the parrot to bring his news$-he parrot lew
away to 'athura and met his ather=Vasukarn$ Vasukarn thanked the parrot or saving his sonKs lie$-he
parrot then lew back on his return Courney and gave the good news to *okarna$R
R%ne day *okarna ound the divine ladies eGtremely sad$6hen askedEthey told him that the king o
Ayodhya had destroyed the beautiul gardens o 'athura and this was the reason or their sadness$
*okarna assured them that he would convince the king to abandon his evil plan i he got a chance to
meet him$-he divine women then provided *okarna with a divine aircrat boarded on which he reached
'athura$*okarna met the king and managed to convince him against destroying beautiul gardens$-he
king was eGtrtemely impressed by his knowledge and presented great amount o wealth to him$-his
way all the divine women became happy once again$R
R*okarna then went home and met his amily members$&is parents and his wives were very pleased to
see him$*okarna then got constructed a shukdev temple to honour his saviour=the learned parrot$.t was
only because o that parrot that he could acMuire such wisdom and knowledge$-o eGpress his gratitude
to the owler he donated all the virtues he had acMuired by taking bath in the holy conluence(triveni)
because had it not been or the owler he would never have got the knowledgeable parrot$*okarna
lived happily or a long time$R
8&8 7nstallation of 7dols
-his section contains 9 sections as ollowsJ
)$)$# .dol 'ade o 6ood
8rithvi reMuested lord Varah to describe the proper methods o installing various types o idols$ Lord
Varah replied that a devotee desirous o making a wooden idol must select the wood o KBassia latioliaK
or his purpose$-he wood should be puriied and then given shape as per the appearance o the
deity$-he idol is then installed in a temple amidst the perormance o appropriate $During installation
ceremony various articles like camphorEvermillionE sandalwoodEincenseEetc$are oered to the deity$-he
swastika mark is a sign o auspiciousness so the devotee must keep this in mind while giving shape to
the idol$
-his swastika mark must be carved out on the idol$,imilarlyEother signs o lord Vishnu like KsrivatsaK
andKkaushtubhK should also be carved out on the idol$Lord Vishnu is then invoked and reMuested to
dwell within that idol by chanting mantras$Ater the deity has been invokedE the KwoodK no longer
remains a lieless structure but it becomes the embodiment o the deity$-he idol is then considered to
be it or worship$6hile worshippingE a devotee should oer a bhoga o kheer to the deity$Burning a
ghee or sesame=oil lamp in ront o the deity is considered good$-he devotee should then
circumambulate around the temple premise$6hile circumambulatingE he should keep on chanting the
sacred mantra Kom namo narayanayK$-he idol thus installed should be worshipped daily without ailure$R
)$)$( ,tone .dol
RA proicient sculptor should be chosen to carve out the deityKs shape rom a pure and spotless
stone$<irst o all the sculptor should clearly draw the outline o deityKs appearance on the stone with a
marker and then careully carve it out rom the stone$-he idol is then puriied by sprinkling KakshatK on
the deityKs idol$6hile worshipping a devotee should burn a ghee lamp and invoke lord Vishnu to dwell in
that idol by chanting the sacred mantra=om namo narayanay$-he installation o idol being completeEhe
should observe a ast or the whole night$1eGt morningEater inishing his daily chores he should put on
white clothes and change his old KyagyopavitK with a new one$-he idol thus made is considered it to be
worshipped$8urva=bhadrapad is considered to be the best time or the installation o a stone=idol$During
the course o installation ceremonyEa devotee should live either on milk or cereal like barley$-he rituals
o worship consist o numerous activities like lighting our lamps in ront o the deityEkeeping our small
pots each illed up with articles like KpanchagavyaKEwaterEsandalwood and milk$-he rituals o worship are
considered to be incomplete without the chantings o vedic mantras$R
)$)$0 +arthen and :opper .dols
RA devotee should careully make a beautiul earthen idol without any sign o crack$-he most
auspicious time or the installation o an earthen idol is said to be during Kshravan nakshatraK$An
invocation is made to the deity to dwell within the idol ater which ablution o the idol is perormed with
the help o various articles like holy waterEpanchagavyaEsandalwoodEetc$-he rituals o worship are
similar to that o woodden or stone=idol$R
R-he best time or the installation o copper idol is said to be during KchitraK nakshatra$-he idol should be
installed acing north and should be puriied with the help o holy waterE panchagavyaEetc$-hen the
deity is invoked to dwell within the idol$-he invocation is made by chanting sacred mantras$1owEthe idol
is it to be worshipped$-he rituals are same as mentioned earlier$R
)$)$4 BronBe .dol
R-he most auspicious time or the installation o bronBe=idol is said to be during Cyeshtha nakshatra$-he
idol should be installed acing north$At the time o installation the devotee must not orget to keep our
small pots in ront o the deityEeach illed with articles likeKpanchgavyaKKwaterEsandalwood and
honey$-he rituals o invocation as well as worship are same as mentioned earlier$R
)$)$9 ,ilver and *old .dols
R-he rituals or the installation o silver or gold idols are similar to that o copper or bronBe idol$ 8rithvi
reMuested lord Varah to reveal the name o deities whom a devotee can worship at home$Lord Vishnu
replied=RA devotee can worship any deity at hom e but worship o two shiva lingas is
prohibited$,imilarlyEa devotee should never worship three shaligrams or three durga idols or two surya
idols$A devotee should also never worship shaligrams adding up to odd numbers= 0E9E7Eetc$ButEthere is
no harm in worshipping one shaligram$A devotee must never worship broken or cracked idol because it
does not bode well or the worshipper$A KchakraK mark on the shaligram is considered as very
auspicious and it can be worshipped even i the idol is broken or cracked$-he virtues attained by
worshipping twelve shaligrams are similar to that o worshipping twelve crore shiva lingas$8artaking o
KcharnamritK that has been oered to shaligram absolves a man rom all his sins$ButEa devotee should
never partake any KprasadK that has been oered to shiva linga$ Anybody who either buys or sells a
shaligram is certain to go to hell$R
8&9 6ituals Pertaining to 'ast 6ites
-his section contains 4 sections as ollowsJ
)$/$# Last "itesJ 8itra Yagya
8rithvi reMuested lord Varaha to deine the meaning o K8itraK yagya(rituals pertaining to last rite) and itKs
signiicance$ Lord Varaha replied=R,age 1imi was the irst person to perorm the the rituals o pitra=
yagya ater the death o his son Aatreya$,age Aatreya is amous or his penance which he did or ten
thousand years$6hen Aatreya diedEhis ather=1imi was illed with grie$1imi tried his best to overcome
his sorrow but to no avail$&e mourned his sonKs death or three consecutive nights$&e thought that
perhaps the perormance o KshraddhK rituals would be the best means to get rid o his sorrow$,oEhe
decided to perorm the KshraddhK rituals on the twelth day o KmaghK$%n that dayEhe invited many
brahmins and ed them with the same delicacies which Aatreya would have liked to eat$&e perormed
all the rituals well within a day which would otherwise have taken a week to perorm$&e also perormed
the rituals o Kpinda daanK by donating cerealsEvegetables and ruits$6hile perorming the rituals o
pinda=daanEhe took some kusha grass in his hands and ater pointing it towards south chanted
AatreyaKs name and gotra$.n the nightE1imi sat on the seat o deer skin underneath which kusha grass
had been spread$&e then tried to concentrate on the tip o the nose$ButEinspite o all his eorts there
was no sign o mental peace he was so desperately seeking and thought o his dead son continued to
torment him$R
R1imi was troubled by a guilt that perhaps he had set a bad precedent by perorming the rituals o pinda
daan because nobody in the past had ever perormed the rituals$&e was worried as to what would the
coming generation think o him$&e was so much troubled by the thought that he could not sleep or the
whole night$1eGt morning he got upEstill worried$&e remained in a disturbed state o mind or many
days$At lastEwhen it became too much or him to handleEhe decided to end his lie$.n the meantimeEsage
1arad arrived there and assured him that there was nothing to be worried about as whatever he had
done was most appropriate$1arad also convinced him that even his(1imiKs)dead ather would vouch or
this act$R
R1imi remembered his ather who had died long ago$&is ather revealed to him that the rituals which he
had perormed were in act the rituals o Kpitra=yagyaK$Describing the importance o pitra=yagya 1emiKs
ather told him= K-he name pitra=yagyaK was given by none other than lord Brahma himsel who was the
irst one to perorm the rituals$Later onElord Brahma had described the rituals to 1arad and this is why
1arad was convinced that you had committed no wrong$1emiKs ather then described as to what should
be done with regard to the person who lay dying= K6hen the death approaches a person looses his
consciousness and becomes eGtremely earul$At that timeEa brahmin should constantly study the
scriptures so that he could die in peace$Donating a cow helps to paciy the soul o a dead person$.
sacred mantras are whishpered in the ears o a dying person he dies peaceully$6hen the death seems
imminentEa morsel o K'adhuparkK(miGture o curdEwaterEhoney and clariied butter) should be kept in
the mouth o the dying person$6hile doing this one should pray to the almighty to liberate the dead
manKs soul$K K-he dead body should then be carried and kept under a tree where it is puriied by
smearing gheeEoilEperumesEetc$.t is then carried to creamation ground and kept at the bank o a river=
eet pointing towards south$Ater thisEthe dead body should be bathed by remembering all the sacred
places o pilgrimage$.t should then be kept on the pyre=eet pointing south$-he pyre should be lit and
the ollowing prayer should be said=% AgnidevaL. pray to you to burn all the sins committed by this
person so that he attains to heaven$1owEcircumambulation around the pyre is made and the pyre is lit
towards the head side$K
KAter consigning the dead body to lamesEthe rituals o KtarpanK and Kpinda=daanK are perormed$All the
people assembled there should puriy themselves beore returning home$-he period starting rom the
time the dead body is consigned to lames till the neGt ten days is called KAshauchaK$.t is applicable to all
the relatives coming rom the same gotra o the deceased$K
)$/$( Last "itesJ Ashaucha and 8inda Kalp
KAshauchaK means impurityEso it is the period during which the son o the deceased is considered to be
impure$-he period begins rom the day on which the death has occured and continues or the ollowing
ten days$K8inda=daanK means oering certain kind o ood to the deceased in the belie that it would
satiate his soul$
Lord VarahEwhile describing about the rituals which are supposed to be perormed during the period o
ashaucha and also the rituals o making pinda daanEtold 8rithvi=R-he observer o shraddh rituals should
take his bath in a river on the third day rom the day on which death has occured$Ater taking his
bathEhe should oer three KpindasK(consisting o cereal lour) as well as three palmul o water into the
river in the name o the deceased$%n the ourthEithEsiGth and seventh daysEhe should make oerings
o one pinda and one palmul o water in the name o the deceased$ &e should never make oerings o
the 8indas at the same place on the contrary he should select dierent spots or this purpose$R
R%n the tenth day he should get his hair tonsured and change his clothes$ &is relatives (same=gotra)
should take their bath ater applying an ointment prepared rom sesame seedsE amla and oil on their
bodies$ K+kodishta ,hraddhK is perormed on the eleventh day$ <or this ritual to be perormedE the
concerned person should irst puriy himsel and then oer 8inda to the deceased person as well as
other manes$ -he rituals o +kodishta ,hraddh are same or all the our castes$ -he brahmins should
be invited and ed on the thirteenth day$ 6hile eeding the brahmins a religious vow (,ankalpa) is taken
in the name o the deceased person$R
R<or the purpose o oering KpindaKE an KaltarK should be made at river=bank or any other suitable place$
-he rituals can be perormed either acing south or east$ %ering ;4 (8indas) is considered to be ideal$
8inda daan can also be made under a peepal tree but the place should be well protected rom the
reach o animals like dogsE cockE pigsE etc$ .t is believed that i these animals visit the place where
K8inda daanK is being made then it becomes diicult or the soul to attain liberation$ -he rituals o 8inda
daan should be perormed at a pure place otherwise there is a ear o soul going to hell$ -he name and
the gotra o the deceased person should be pronounced while perorming the rituals$ Ater the rituals
are complete all the assembled persons may sit down to have their meal$R
Donating things like an umbrellaE clothesE cerealsE ornaments to the brahmins are believed to be
auspicious$
)$/$0 Last "itesJ -he <lawed ,hraddh and its 8revention
8rithvi reMuested Lord Varaha to describe about the mistakes committed during shraddh rituals and
how they could be prevented==
Lord Varah replied===.t is a grave sin to partake o a meal meant or the soul o the deceased person$
Anybody who has committed this sin should atone or his sin by observing a ast or ull day and a night$
&e also has to perorm many other rituals like taking bath in a river lowing eastwardE perorming
tarpanE making oerings o sesame seeds into the ireE ,hanti pathE 'angal path etc$ 8artaking o
K8ancha=gavyaK (a miGture o cowKs milkE cowKs urineEcow=dungE curd and chariied butter) or
K'adhuparkK is also believed to puriy such a person$R
R,imilarlyE showing disrespect to the invited brahmins is also considered to be a grave sin$ Donating
articles to unworthy brahmins is also considered to be an inappropriate act$ -he perormer o ,hraddh
should rerain rom all these acts$R
)$/$4 Last "itesJ 8reparation o F'adhupark?
6hile describing the method o preparing 'adhuparkE Lord Varaha told 8rithvi==R'adhuparkR
maniested rom the right hal o my body at the time when the process o creation began$ -his is the
reason why it is so pure$ Anybody who makes oering o 'adhupark in the course o my
worshipEattains to my abode$ <or the preparation o 'adhupark honeyE curd and ghee are miGed in
eMual proportion$ 6hile preparing it sacred mantras in my praise should be constantly chanted$ *iving
some 'adhupark to a dying man liberates his soul$R
8&1: $escription of ?ell
-his section contains 4 sections as ollowsJ
)$#3$# 1achiketa?s +Gperience
%nceE @anmeCay asked ,age Vaishampayan about YamraCpuri and itKs location$ &e also wanted to
know as to what should a man do so that he does not have to go there$
,age Vaishampayan narrated the tale o 1achiketaE one o the ew blessed persons to have visited
yamaraCpuri with his mortal body==RLong Long agoE there lived a ,age named 2ddyalak$ &e had a son
named 1achiketa$ %ne dayE while 2ddyalak was perorming aKYagyaKE 1achiketa arrived there and
disturbed him by repeatedly asking=K-o whom will you give meNK ,age 2ddyalakE in a it o rage cursed
1achiketa to go to hell$ But ater he cooled downE he regretted or having cursed his dear son$
1achiketa being an obedient son was ready to go to hell$ &is ather tried his best to convince him
against doing this but to no avail$ 1achiketa assured his ather that he would return saely ater visiting
Yampuri$R
R-husE 1achiketa went to Yampuri and met YamaraC===the lord o death$ &e stayed there or some days
and witnessed all the events taking place over there$ 2ltimately he sought yamaraCKs permission to
return$ 6hen he returned homeE his ather was eGtremely delighted to ind his son alive$ Very soonE the
place was thronged by many people and everybody was curious to know about his eGperiences during
his stay in the hell$ 1achiketa replied==,inners like liarsE greedy peopleE Cealous peopleE caluminatorsE
treacherers etcE go to hell$ ,imilarlyE one who kills a child or a womanE or kills a brahminE or one who
criticiBes the VedasE or lends money on interestE or one who abandons his parents or aithul wieE or
one who ciritiBes his guruE or one who sells liMuorE or a brahmin who sells VedasE goes to hell and
tastes the ruits o his sinul actions$R
RYamapuri is made o gold and spread in the area o one thousand yoCan$ .t is well ortiied and it is
impossible or anybody to tresspass its territory$ . saw sinners eGperiencing unbearable torture over
there$ . also saw couple o rivers lowing there==8ushpodakaE at the bank o which there are trees in
abundance and VaivaswatiE which lows through the central part o Yamapuri$ Vaivaswati contains
divine water which never dries up$ Yamapuri has two entrances===one through which only virtuous souls
like sages and hermits are allowed to enter and the second through which sinners enter Yamapuri$ -he
ormer entrance is such that even heat loses its Muality in its vicinity$ -he latter entrance is situated in
the south and has a large iron gate$ . also saw three large ditches called KAudoombarKE KAvirchimanK and
K2chchavachK which are meant or the sinners$ ,inners are also orced to pass through the lames that
continuously keep on errupting to the west o Yamapuri$
R. saw a grand assembly hall where truthul and virtuous people live$ .t is graced by the presence o
sages like 'anuE VyasE AtriE *autamE AngiraE Bhrigu and others$ -hereE . saw a goddess who is
worshipped by YamaraC$ -he goddess controls all the unctions o the world$ . also saw the erocious
Kala$ &e possesses eGtreme anger and is very powerul$ -ime does not have any inluence on him as
the result o which he enCoys eternal youth$ . also saw various types o demons and giants in the hell$R
. saw many messengers o YamaraC punishing the sinners$ ,ome were beating the sinners with sticks
in their hands while some sinners were being orced to enter ire$ . saw all the sinner wailing and
repenting or their sinul deeds$ 'any sinners were kept at a very dark place where there was no light$
-hose who had committed graver sins were put in boiling oil$ . saw many sinners being given all sorts
o severe punishment$ . saw a place where iron nails were spread all around$ -his was the place where
people who breached the modesty o women were given punishment$R
R. saw ten dierent hells==-aptaE 'ahataptE "auravE etcO +ach o the latter is more erocious than the
ormer$ -he sinners are sent to all these hells on the basis o the gravity o their sins$ YamaraC himsel
instructs chitragupta on the punishment to be given to these sinners$R
)$#3$( Karma Vipak
Karma Vipak means the ruits one reaps according to his or her Karma$ 6hile continuing with the
description o various aspects o hellE 1achiketa told the assembled sages==At yamapuriE :hitragupta
goes through the record o all the deedsE committed by a man when he was alive and brings into the
notice o YamaraC$
YamaraC then decides upon the punishment to be given to the concerned soul$ -he punishment can be
varied like i the soul was virtuous then it would be sent to heavenE or the soul may even be made to
take birth as a treeE or an animal or any other creature$ ,inners like those who had remained disinclined
towards any kind o virtuous deedE or those who had abandoned there aithul wivesE were sent to the
hell named "aurav$ -he souls o virtuous people were sent to the heaven$ -hose who had eGtreme
attachment to women took rebirth as human beings$ 8eople who had attained martyrdom while ighting
a battle were sent to .ndrapuri$ -hose who had engaged themselves in virtuous deeds throughout their
lives were rewarded or their good deeds$R
)$#3$0 Virtues o :hastity
<irst o allEthe area is puriied by coating it with cow=dung ater which a black deer=skin is spread on it
alongwith Kkusha grassK$-wo pots=one large and the other a small one are placed side by side$-hese
pots are illed with sugarcane Cuice and symboliBe K"asa=DhenuK and the cal$<our sugarcanes
symboliBing the our legs o K"asa=DhenuK are iGed at our corners$Ater thatEone small silver piece is
placed at the base o each o the sugarcanes symboliBing hoos$"asa=Dhenu is then adorned with
colourul cloths and lowers$AgainEour small pots illed with sesame seeds are kept at the our corners
near "asa=Dhenu$Ater the worship is accomplishedE"asa=Dhenu is donated to a brahmin$A person
who donates "asa=Dhenu is liberated rom all his sins and all his ancestors as well as the generations
to come attain to the &eaven$
)$#3$4 Liberation rom ,ins
1arad asked YamaraC about the reason why Coy was so elusive to human beings$ &e also wanted to
know about the reasons or manKs sorrows$
YamaraC replied==='anKs destiny is deined by his own actions$ &e has to taste the ruits o his actions$
&e has to taste the ruits o his each and every actions$ ,o when a man inds himsel amidst sorrows he
must realiBe that he is reaping the ruits o his past actions$ . a man commits virtuous deeds then Coy is
eGperienced but sinul deeds invite sorrows and miseries$ Desires orce a man to take countless birth$ A
man takes birth on the basis o his past Karmas$ *od does not interere in this matter$ ,oE only oolish
people curse *od or their miseries$-hey orget that their sorrows are o their own making$ A man can
liberate himsel rom sins by engaging in virtuous deeds and abstaining rom sinul deeds$ A man
should perorm his duties with a sense o detachmentEbecause attachment results into the
transmigration o the soul$
Lord Brahma has declared that K,hishumar chakraK is the symbolic eGpression o his own sel$ Anybody
desirous o getting liberated rom his sins must make an image o this chakra and worship it$ %ne who
visualises this chakra within his bodyE tooE becomes liberated rom his sins$ 'ental worship o various
planets (@upiterE VenusE 'ercuryE ,aturnE 'ars etc) VisualiBed at the various points o this chakra helps
a man to become liberated rom all the sins$ ,imilarlyE practising 8ranayam or hundred times helps a
man to become liberated rom all the sins$-he most easiest way to become liberated rom sins is by
engaging onesel in the servitude o a cow$ -his deed is as virtuous as making pilgrimages to all the
sacred places together$ %bserving ast on +kadashi also helps a man to become liberated rom his
sins$R &aving inished his narrationsE 1achiketaE looked at the sagesE who were listening with rapt
attention$ -he sages thanked 1achiketa or enlightening them on the sacred place called Yamapuri$
8&11 Miscellaneous
-his section contains #( sections as ollowsJ
)$##$# *okarneshwar
-he amous battle o K-arakamayaK had ended$ -he deities ater having deeated the demons had once
again regained the control o heaven$ Lord Brahma being satisied with the postive outcome o the war
was engrossed in his meditation when ,anat Kumar arrived and asked==R% LordL . am anGious to know
about the origin o three amous ,hiva lingas==2ttar=*okarnE Dakshin=*okarn and ,hringeshwar$ 6hat
made Lord ,hiva to take the orm o a deer (*okarn)N 8lease enlighten me on all these subCects$R
Lord Brahma replied==-he northern peak o 'andarachal mountain is amously known as 'unCawan$
-his place is divinely beautiul and the stones and rocks over there glitter like diamonds$ .t has many
riversE lakes and springs$ -he atmosphere overthere is so serene that even the deities are tempted to
have their abodes at that place$ -his sacred place is graced by the presence o K,thanu 'aheshwarK$
1andi== the lord o all the *anas o ,hivaE was a virtuous brahmin in treta yuga$ %nceE he did an
austere penance to realiBe lord ,hiva$ -he penance lasted or one thousand years$ At last Lord ,hiva
became pleased and appeared beore him$ Lord ,hiva blessed 1andi with an appearance similar to
him(,hiva)$
Lord ,hiva said== <rom today onwards you will be blessed with three eyes Cust like me$ You will be
worshipped by the deities and demons alike$ You will be immortal and time and age will have no eect
upon you$ You are being granted with the lordship o all my *anas$ .t will be your duty to stand guard at
the entrance o my dwelling place$
Lord ,hiva then inormed 1andi that in a short time the deities would be visiting him(1andi)$ Due to
some reason Lord ,hiva had pledged not to give deities an opportunity to see his physical orm$ ,oE
ater blessing 1andiE ,hiva disappeared and went to live in ,leshmatak orest in the orm o a deer$
1andi was unaware o this act$
'eanwhileE ater being blessed by ,hivaE 1andi had attained a divinely radiant orm$ 6hen the deities
saw 1andi possessing three eyes instead o twoE they immediately understood that this could not have
happened without the blessing o Lord ,hiva$
All the deities arrived at 'unCawan peak and reMuested 1andi to reveal ,hivaKs whereabouts$ 1andi
eGpressed his helplessness and told them that he was not aware where ,hiva went ater blessing him$
&e reMuested the deities to ind out ,hiva on their own$ -he deities searched or ,hiva in all the three
worlds but could not ind him$ . (Lord Brahma) was also present in the search=team o the deities$. sat
down to meditate$ .n the deep state o meditationE . came to know that ,hiva was living in the orm o a
deer in sleshmatak orest$ . revealed this act to the deities$ All the deities then went into the sleshmatak
orest and recognised ,hiva living in the orm o a deer$ -he deer (,hiva) had one horn on its head$ All
the deities ran towards the deer with the desire o catching hold o it$ .ndra held the topmost part o the
horn with a irm grip while . (Lord Brahma) held its middle portion$ ,imilarlyE Lord Vishnu held the lower
part$ Very soonE the horn got uprooted because o the orce which was being applied on it$ Lord ,hiva
vanished out o our sight$ 6e were let behind with three pieces o horn in our hands$ 6e cursed
ourselves or our bad luck$ ,uddenlyE we heard ,hivaKs voice instructing us to install those pieces o
horns at that very place and worship them$ -he upper part o the horn become amous as 2ttar *okarnE
while itKs middle portion became amous as Dakshin *okarn$ -he part o the hornE which Vishnu
installed became amous as K,hringeshwarK$ All these three places have incomparable religious
signiicance and are situated in 1epal$ ,leshmatak orest is situated at the distance o ( miles rom the
amous 8ashupatinath temple$R ,anatkumar thanked Lord Brahma or enlightening him on these secret
topics$
)$##$( -he 'eans o Vishnu "ealiBation
%nceE ,age Agastya narrated the ollowing tale to King Bhadrashva=== %ne dayE 1arad went to Lord
Vishnu and asked about the means by which a devotee could realiBe him$ Lord Vishnu replied==-hose
who worship me by chanting the mantras o either K8urushsuktaK or KVaidik ,amhitaK can certainly
realiBe me$ -hose who perorm oblation according to the rituals o K8ancharatraK can also have my
divine glimpse$ ButE the rituals o 8ancharatra yagya can be perormed only by the brahmins$ All the
rest o the castes can realiBe me by devotionE chanting my name and making pilgrimage to holy
places$R,age Agastya while giving discourse to king Bhadrashwa also predicted that sinners would
outnumber the virtuous ones in Kaliyuga and said==R8eople would abandon their respective KdharmasK
and the caste system would become eGtinct$R
)$##$0 Lord Vishnu ! -he Almighty *od
%nceE ,age Agastya had organised a grand yagya in which he had invited all the deities and sages$
Lord VishnuE Lord Brahma and Lord ,hiva also went there$ Agastya was puBBled as to who was the
most superior among all three o them$ &e asked Lord ,hiva in this regard$ Lord ,hiva replied==%ne
who is worshipped by perorming oblation= %ne who is the source o this universe and into whom it
ultimately mergesO is none other than Lord @anardhan$ ,o he should be worshipped irst o all$
&e is the only one who eGpresses himsel in three orms==BrahmaE VishnuE 'ahesh$"aCoguna is
predominant in lord Brahma along with some Muantities o ,atvaguna and -amoguna$Lord Brahma has
maniested rom the naval o Lord Vishnu$-amoguna is the dominant Muality in me("udra)with little bit
o satva and raCo gunas$1arayan is the embodiment o pure satva guna$.n satya yugaE&e is worshipped
by the means o meditation$During -eta yugaE &+ is worshipped by the means o oblation$During
Dwapar yugaE &+ is pleased by nothing but the rituals o 8ancharatra$ During Kali yugaE people will
worship &.' by various means$ Lord ,hivaKs revelations had completely satisied ,age Agastya$
)$##$4 ,age *autam curses the Brahmins
-here were many sages present at the yagya organised by Agastya$ ,ome o them asked Lord ,hiva
as to why he had created some scriptures which appeared so conusing to human beings$ Lord ,hiva
revealed to them that he had done so to protect the brahmins rom the curse o ,age *autam$ -hen he
narrated the incident as it had happened ===
During ancient timesE ,age *autam did an austere penance in Dandakaranya orest$ Lord Brahma
became pleased and gave him some divine seeds capable o producing eternal crops$ *autam then
went to ,aptashring mountain and made his hermitage there$ &e sowed the seeds and became
pleasantly surprised when he saw rice grains sprouting up withiin ew moments$ &e lived there happily
with his disciples$ .n course o timeE the whole country was struck by amine eGcept the place where
*autam had his hermitage$
%ne dayE ew sages arrived at *autamKs hermitage$ *autam treated them with all the respect$ -hese
sages enCoyed the hospitality o *autam and stayed at his hermitage till the amine phase was over$
-hen they decided to go back to their respective native places$ 6hen they sought *autamKs
permissionEhe reMuested him to stay or ew more days$ -he sages then decided to use deceitul means
or taking *autamKs permission$ -hey created a supericial cow with the help o their illussionary powers
and let it near the hermitage o *autam$
*autam was very pleased to see that cow$ &e eulogised it by sprinkling water on it$ &ardly had he
inished his act than the cow died$ All those wicked sages arrived there and cursed *autam or killing
an innocent cow$ -hey told him that they could never live along with a person who had killed a cow$
*autam then reMuested those impostors to tell about the means by which he could become absolved
rom the heinous sin he had committed$ -he sages told him that the cow would become alive once
*anga water was sprinkled on its body$
*autam once again did a tremendous penance to please Lord ,hiva$ 6hen lord ,hiva appearedE he
reMuested him to give a lock o his hair$ Lord ,hiva agreed to give a lock o his hair to *autam$ *autam
then went to the spot where the cowKs body was lying$ &e sprinkled some water emanating rom the
hair$ -he illussionary cow disappeared within a moment and in its place was created a river$ "ight thenE
the sapta rishis arrived there and blessed *autam$ 'eanwhileE *autam realiBed that a wicked prank
had been played on him by those wicked sages$ &e cursed those wicked sages that they would
become beret o the knowledge o Vedas and also that they would no longer be entitled to perorm the
vedic rituals$
-he ,apta rishis reMuested *autam to have mercy on those unortunate brahmins$ *autam then
declared that his curse will come true only in Kaliyuga and those brahmins will not be aected by his
curse in all the remaining three yugas$ -he ,apta rishis came to me and inormed me about whatever
had happened to those unortunate brahmins$ . created K,hiva ,anhitaK rom my breath which is similar
to Vedas as ar as the importance o rituals are concerned$ . did this or the benediction o the
brahmins$ . know that brahmins would all rom grace during Kaliyuga$ 8eople would give little respect
to the Vedas and create their own scriptures$ :onusion would be prevalent and people would discover
alse religions$
)$##$9 8rakriti and 8urush
%nceE Lord ,hiva while describing about the incident when he had a divine glimpse o Lord 1arayanE
told ,age Agastya ==
K8urushaK is none other than Lord 1arayan himsel and 8rakriti is the medium through which he
maniests his powers$ . have been ortunate to have a divine glimpse o this 8urush$ Lord Brahma ater
having created meE instructed me to create$ ButE . did not know how to create$ ,oE . decided to do
penance and went into the ocean$ .n the oceanE . saw an entity who was no more than the siBe o a
thumb$ &e was purush himsel and . immediately recogniBed him$ . started meditating on the orm o
that almighty==8urush$ ,uddenlyE eleven more entities emerged beore me$ -hey were all very radiant
and the water had become hot on account o the heat emanating rom their bodies$ . asked them as to
who they were but they did not give any reply and went out o my sight$ -he neGt momentE . saw an
eGtremely handsome man$ . asked him about his identity and also about the eleven entities whom . had
seen ew moments ago$ -hose entities were the eleven Aadityas and had gone to help Lord Brahma in
the process o creation$ -hen he said==. am 1arayana==the omnipresent lord$ . am blessing you with
Kdivine visionK so that you can see my divine appearance$K
6hen . iGed my glance at 1arayan . was amaBed to see the same thumb=siBed 1arayana standing
beore me$ ButE now &e was no longer having the siBe o a thumb$ %n the contrary he had eGpanded
his body to such an eGtent that &e appeared like a giant$ . also saw Lord Brahma sitting on a lotus
lower emanating rom his navel$ . eulogiBed &.' with complete devotion$ &+ blessed me and
said==KYou are eternal and nothing is beyond your knowledge$ You will be worshipped by the deities$ .
shall take twelve incarnations in the coming eras and shall worship you in each o my incarnation$K
&aving said thisE Lord 1arayana disappeared$ -his was how . saw the divine orm o the K8urushK==Lord
1arayan$
)$##$; Bhuvan=Kosh and the .slands
All the sages listened with rapt attention to the description Lord ,hiva made o the Almighty 1arayan$
ButE they had ew more Mueries in storeE so they asked Lord ,hiva== R% Lord o 2maL please tell us
about the eGpanse o the +arth= the situation o mountains and the prominent islands$R
Lord ,hiva replied==RBhuloka is situated on the surace o the +arthE while the earth itsel is based on
AlmightyKs chest$ 6ith the desire o creating the three basic gunas===,atE raC and -amaE the Almighty
1arayan created water irst o all and went into KyoganidraK$ -hen a lotus lower maniested rom &.,
navel on which was seated Lord Brahma$ Lord Brahma then created his manasputras==,anakE
,anandanE ,anatan and ,anatkumar all o whom were enlightened souls$ -hen Lord Brahma created
sages like Daksha etc$ DakshaKs daughter ,hatarupa was married to 'anu rom whom she had two
sons==8riyavrata and 2ttanpad$ 8riyavrat had ten sons==AaghnighnaE AgnibahuE 'edhE 'edhatithiE
DhruvaE @yotishmanE DyutimanE &avyaE Vayushman and ,avan$ &e had divided the earth into seven
islands and presented them to each o his seven sons$ Aaghnighna became the king o @ambudweepa
whereas 'edhatithiE @yotishmanE DyutimanE &avyaE Vayushman and ,avan became the rulers o
,hakadweepaE Kraunch dweepaE ,halmalidweepaE *omeddweepaE 8lakshdweepa and 8ushkar
dweepa respectively$R
R,avan had two sons==Dhat and 'ahaveetiE who were the rulers o KDhatkiK and KKaumud provinces
respectively$ ,imilarly Dyutiman had three sons==KushE Vaidyut and @eemutvahan$ @yotishman had
seven sons==KushalE 'anugavyaE 8eevarE AndhraE AndhakarakE 'uni and Dundubhi$ Kush had seven
sons==2dbhidE VenumanE "athapalE 'anuE DhritiE 8rabhakar and 8apil$R
R'edhatithi too had seven sons==1abhiE ,hantmayaE ,hishirE 'ukhodamE 1andshivaE Kshemak and
Dhruv$ 1abhiKs wie was 'erudeviE who had given birth to "ishabh$ "ishabh was the ather o Bharat
upon whom the area lying south o &imalaya mountain is named$R
R,umati was the son o Bharat$ BharatE ater appointing ,umati as his successor went into the orest to
do penance$ -he names o some prominent kings coming rom the lineage o ,umati were -eCE ,atsutE
.ndradyumnaE 8armeshthiE 8ratihartaE 1ikhatE 2nmetaE Abhav=2dgataE 8rastotaE VibhuE 8rithuE AnantE
*ayaE 1ayaE ViratE 'ahavirya and ,udhiman$R
R,udhiman had one hundred sons$ -his way the population continued to grow$ -he our yugas==,atya
yugaE -retaE dwapar and Kali occur in a cyclic order$ +ach o the latter ollows the ormer$ A manvantar
comprises o 7# chaturyugas$R
)$##$7 @ambudveepa
Dwelling upon the prominent islandsE Lord ,hiva told the assembled sages===R@ambudweepa is spread
in the area o one lakh yoCan and it consists o numerous @anapadads$ .t is inhabited by KsiddhasK and
KcharanasK and is blessed with incomparable natural beauty$R
KA total number o nine KVarshasK lie within the territory o @ambudweepa which itsel is surrounded by
various oceans on all sides$ -owards its east and west lie salt water oceans$ ,ome prominent
mountains o @ambudweepa are the &imalayaE the sumeruE the &emakut and the 1ishadh$ -erritory
situated towards east o ,umeru mountain is inhabited by the air compleGioned brahmins$ -owards its
south live Vaishyas$ ,hudras live towards the south o ,umeru and the area lying towards its north is
inhabited by Kshatriyas$R
)$##$) ,hak Dweepa
.tKs area is approGimately twice as compared to @ambudweepa$ .t is inhabited by virtuous people who
are prosperous and who enCoy a long lie$ -hey are ree rom the tortures o old age$ -his island is
covered by oceans on its two sides==,alt water ocean on one side and KKsheer ,agarK (%cean o 'ilk)
on the other$
-he mountain ranges lying in the northern part o this island is known as 2dayachal while K:handragiri
is situated in the western part$ -here are some other mountain ranges like "aCatgiriE AambikeyE etc
situated on this island$ Altogether these mountain ranges total seven in number and are known as
KKula=8arvatasK$ ,ome primonent rivers lowing through this island are ,ukumariE KumariE 1andaE
VenikaE DhenuE .kshumati and *abhasti$ -here is a large tree named ,hak in the central part o this
island$ -his is how this island derived itKs name$
)$##$/ Kusha Dweepa
-his island is twice the area o ,hak dweepa$ -here are seven prominent mountain ranges in this island
which are known as KKula 8arvatasK=== KumudE 2nnatE DronaE KankE .shaE 'ahish and 'andar$ -here
are seven prominent rivers lowing through the various parts o this island==8ratoyaE ,hivaE :hitraE
:handraE VidyulltaE Varna and 'ahati$ -his island has got its name rom Kusha grass which are ound
in abundance in its central part$
)$##$#3 Krauncha Dweepa
.t is twice the area o Kusha dweepa$ .t has seven prominent mountain ranges==KraunchE 8aavanE
DevavritE DevishthaE DevaanandE *ovind and 8undareek$ -here are also siG prominent rivers lowing in
this island==*auriE KumudwatiE "atriE 'anoCavaE Khyati and 8undarika$ Kraunch dweepa is surrounded
by an ocean o chariied butter (ghee) on all its side$
)$##$## ,halmali Dweepa
R.t is double the area o Kraunch dweepa and covers the Kclariied=butterK ocean rom all sides$ -here
are seven prominent mountains as well as seven rivers in this island$R -his way Lord ,hiva
disappeared ater having inished the narration o all the prominent islands$
)$##$#( -rishakti
Describing the reason behind the maniestation o K-ri,haktiK (-hree goddesses maniesting rom the
bodies o Brahma Vishnu and ,hiva)E Lord Varah told 8rithvi=== -here lived a mighty demon named
KAndhakK who used to torment the deities$ Ater being driven out o the heaven all the deities sought lord
BrahmaKs help$ Lord Brahma took them to Lord ,hiva and reMuested him to ind some solution to the
miseries o the deities$ Lord Brahma then meditated on the orm o Vishnu who appeared instantly$
-he powers emanating rom the eyes o all the three deities got combined and resulted into the
maniestation o goddess 8armeshwari$%n the reMuest o the deitiesEgoddess 8armeshwari created
three more goddesses rom her body=BrahmiEVishnupriya and "udrani$*oddess Brahmi was o air
compleGion while VishnupriyaKs compleGion was wheatish$*oddess "udrani appeared eGtremely
erocious in her dark compleGion$
Lord Brahma advised goddess Brahmi to do penance at ,hwetgiri mountain$,imilarlyEVishnupriya went
to 'andarachal mountain to do her penance while Lord ,hiva advised goddess "udrani to go to 1ilgiri
mountain$ 6hile Vishnupriya was doing her penance at 'andarachal mountainE crores o goddesses
maniested rom her body prominent among whom were
VidyutprabhaE:handrakantiE,uryakantiE*ambhiraEViCayaE@ayaE @ayantiEAparaCitaEetc$All these
goddesses acted as the escorts o goddess Vishnupriya who is also called Vaishnavi$
%ne dayEsage 1arad visited goddess Vaishnavi and was dumbstruck by her divine beauty$&e had
never seen such a beautiul woman in his lie$%n his return CourneyE1arad met 'ahishasur=the mighty
demonEwho had been blessed by Brahma$'ahishasur had conMuered all the three worlds$1arad
praised the glory o 'ahishasur but went on to add that his maCesty was incomplete untill he married
Vaishnavi$
1arad said=R. have never seen such a beautiul woman in my lie$ ,he is worshipped by all the
sagesEgandharvasEdeities as well as other celestial beings$AlthoughEyou are worthy o becoming her
husband yet the act is that you can not have her as your wie untill you have conMuered the deities and
the gandharvas$R Ater sowing a seed o lust in 'ahishasurKs mindE1arad went away$ 'ahishasur
vowed to marry Vaishnavi at any cost$ Lord Varah continued with the tale and said=RAter 1arad went
awayE'ahishasur summoned his ministers=8raghasEVighasE,hanku=
karnaEVibhavasuEVidyunmaliE,umaliE8arCanya and Krura$6hen all the ministers arrivedEhe reMuested
them to ind out means so that he could marry Vaishnavi$ 8raghas=one o the ministersE was very
intelligent$&e warned 'ahishasur against going ahead with his evil designs and said= K-his illegal
abduction could become the cause or your destruction$KVighas corroborated the statements o
8raghas$ <inallyEeveryone agreed that it would be better i Vaishnavi was persuaded to accept
'ahishasur as her husband instead o orceully abducting her$
R,o all o themEinally came upon two conclusions=irst was to send a messenger to persuade Vaishnavi
into marrying 'ahishasur and the second was to deeat the deities in a battle$A demon named
Vidutprabha was sent to meet goddess Vaishnavi$ 'ahishasur then launched a ierce attack on the
deities and deeated them$-he deities were orced to lee the battle=ield and seek reuge in brahma
loka$R
R'eanwhileEVidutprabha had already reached 'andarachal mountain$ 6ithout showing any rspect to
goddess VaishnaviEhe tried to impress her by narrating the amaBing tale o 'ahishasurKs birth= KDuring
ancient timesEthere lived a sage named ,uparshva$%nceEhe was doing penance and an ogress named
'ahishmati alongwith her companionsE arrived at his hermitage$'ahishmati was very much impressed
by the grandeur o his hermitage and decided to occupy it$,he changed her appearance and became a
bualo$,he then started tormenting ,uparshvaEwho was initially terriied but inally came to know about
her real identity$,uparshva cursed her=KYou deserve to remain as a bualo or the rest o your lie$K
R1owE'ahishmati became eGtremely terriied and begged or being pardoned$<inallyE,uparshva took
pity on her and said=KYou will get liberated rom my curse only ater you give birth to a cal$K
-husE'ahishmati started wandering all over the places in the orm o a bualo$%nceEwhile wanderingE
she reached the bank o river 1armadaEwhere sage ,indhudweep was doing his penance$ A signiicant
incident had taken place Cust ew minutes beore her arrival=,age ,indhudweepEbeing unable to control
himselEhad eCaculated sperms ater inatuated by a beautiul ogress taking bath in river 1armadaEwhich
was lowing nearby$-he sperms ell on a rock and was eventually washed o by the swit currents o
1armada$R
RAs 'ahishmati was thirstyEshe drank water rom river 1armada$ 6hile Muenching her thirstEshe also
consumed the sperms as the result o which she became pregnant$.n course o timeEshe gave birth to
'ahishasurEwho grew up to be a mighty demon king$-he same 'ahishasur wants to marry you$R Ater
inishing his storyE Vidutprabha waited or VaishnaviKs response$
*oddess Vaishnavi burst into a loud laughter and all the the three worlds became visible to the
messengerEthrough her opened mouth$Vidutprabha was scarred to the hilt as he realiBed that the
woman was eGtraordinary and divine$
@aya=a dwarpalika o VaishnaviEtold him=K%ur goddess has taken a vow o celibacyEhence your masterKs
wish will remain unulilled$K At lastEVidutprabha went back empty handed$.n the meantimeE1arad
arrived there and inormed goddess Vaishnavi about the deitiesKs deeat at the hands o 'ahishasur
and reMuested her to kill the demon$
*oddess Vaishnavi ordered her escorts to get prepared or the battle$ ,he then proceeded with a huge
army to ight against the demons$.n the ensuing battleE'ahishasurKs army was severely humiliated$'ost
o the demons were killed and the survivors led rom the battleield$ A demon named Virupaksha
inormed 'ahishasur o the death and destruction caused by goddess Vaishnavi$'ahishasur was
inuriated and came orward to ight the goddess$*oddess Vaishnavi was aware o his mightEso she
maniested her divine orm in all her glory$ 1owEshe possessed ten arms and held lethal weapons like a
swordE a bowEa shieldEa maceEa tridentEa chakraEetc$in each o them$,he then remembered lord
,hivaEwho appeared within a moment$*oddess Vaishnavi reMuested him to be witness to the ierce
battleEwhich was going to take place$
A ierce battle commencedEwhich lasted or ten thousand divine years$'ahishasur ran helter and
skelterEchanging his disguise reMuentlyEin order to protect his lie but goddess Vaishnavi chased him
wherever he went$2ltimatelyEshe killed him at K,hata= shringK mountain by severing his head$All the
deities heaved a sigh o relie and praised the glory o goddess Vaishnavi$
,imilarlyEgoddess "udraniEwho had maniested rom lord ,hiva and had gone to 1ilgiri mountain to do
her penance had killed a mighty demon named K"uruK$ "uru was a very powerul demon king$&e ruled
over "atnapuriE which was situated in the middle o the ocean$&e had become invincible on account o
a boon received rom lord Brahma$Ater being deeated by himEall the deities went to seek the help o
goddess "udrani$ *oddess "udraniEwho is also known as K:hamundaK inally killed "uru=the dreaded
demon$R
&aving completed the taleElord Varah blessed 8rithvi and went back to his abode$
+1D %< VA"A& 82"A1
4 "rahma +ai:art Purana
.t?s the twelth 8urana$ .t contains our parts= Brahma khandE 8rakriti khandE *anesh khand and ,hri
Krishna @anma khand$
.n 1aimisharanya -irthE addressing a gathering o great sages like ,haunak etc$E ,utaCi has described
this 8urana as the marvelous creation$ -his 8urana describes the plays o the Lord Krishna and "adha
in considerable detail$ -husE it is a basic source o inspiration or all the subseMuent treatises that depict
the lie o "adha$ .t is only 8urana that eGclusively describes the episodes rom the lie o "adhaE the
most beloved lady o Lord ,hri Krishna$
Brahma khandJ :reation o the universe$ %rigin o 1arayana rom the body o ,hri Krishna$ %rigin o
"adha in "asamandal$ %rigin o *opasE *opis and cows rom the bodies o "adha and Krishna$
:reation o all other animate=inanimate world$
8rakriti khandJ *reatness o DurgaE "adhaE LakshmiE ,araswati and ,avitri in the creation o the world$
-ales o ,avitri=,atyavaanE ,urabhiE ,waha and ,wadha$ Description o the clan o ,urath$ -ale o
*anga$ -ales rom "amayana$ :urse o Durvasa on .ndra$ 6orship o Lakshmi$
*anesh khandJ 'ainly discusses about the greatness o Lord *anesh$ Also contains tales o
@amadagniE KarteveeryaE 8arashurama etc$
,hri Krishna khandJ Describes the lie and plays o Lord ,hri KrishnaE under the heads o BraC leelaE
'athura leelaE reunion o "adha and Krishna$ 'igration o the residents o *okul to *okula$
.n the opinion o this 8uranaE there are ten eatures o 'aha 8urana$ -hese areJ creationE preservationE
8ralaya (destruction)E osteringE karmaE description o lustE description o each o the ourteen 'anus
and their dynasties$ Description o salvationE recitation o the virtues o ,hri &ari and description o the
glory o the gods$ But 8uranas with ive eatures and 2pa 8uranas has ollowing common eaturesJ
creationE destructionE description o :handra and ,urya dynasties and their kings and description o the
ourteen 'anus$
-his 8urana consists o 0( chaptersJ
9&1 Preliminaries
-here was a orest known as naimisharanya$
-he sages (maharshis) arranged or a sacriice (yaCna) in this orest and the ceremony went on or
twelve years$ 1aimisharanya orest was a wonderul place to arrange sacriices in$ -he climate was
pleasant$ -here were trees ull o climate was pleasant$ -here were trees ull o lowers and ruit$ -here
was no shortage o ood in the orestE and animalsE birds and sages lived thee happily$
'any sages came to attend the sacriice that had been arranged in naimisharanya$ 6ith them was
"omaharshana (alternatively Lomaharshana)$ VedavyasaKs disciple$ Vedavyasa had instructed this
disciple o his in the knowledge o the 8uranas$ -he assembled sages worshipped the learned
"omaharshana and saidE R8lease tell us the stories o the 8uranas$ 6ho created the universeE who is
its preserver and who will destroy itN 8lease instruct us in all these mysteriesR$
"omaharshana repliedE R'any years agoE Daksha and the other sages had asked Brahma these very
Muestions$ . have learnt about BrahmaKs replies rom my guru) teacher) Vedavyasa$ . will relate to you
what . knowR$
.n the beginningE there was water everywhere and the Brahman (the divine essence) slept on this water
in the orm o Vishnu$ ,ince water is called nara and since ayana means a bedE Vishnu is known as
1arayana$
.n the water there emerged a golden egg (anda)$ Brahma was born inside this egg$ ,ince he created
himselE he is called ,vayambhuE born (bhu) by himsel (svayam)$ <or one whole yearE Brahma lived
inside the egg$ &e then split the egg into two and created neaven (svarga) and the earth (prithivi) rom
the two parts o the egg$ ,kiesE directionsE timeE language and senses were created in both heaven and
earth$
<rom the powers o his mindE Brahma gave birth to seven great sages$ -heir names were 'arichiE AtriE
AngiraE 8ulastyaE 8ulahaE Kratu and Vashishtha$ Brahma also created the god "udra and the sage
,anatkumara$
9&! More 0reation
-o continue with the process o creationE Brahma gave birth to a man and a woman rom his own body$
-he man was named ,vayambhuva 'anu and the woman was named ,hatarupa$ &umans are
descended rom 'anu$ -hat is the reason they are known as manava$ 'anu and ,hatarupa had three
sons named Vira$ 8riyavrata and 2ttanapada$
2ttanapadaKs son was the great Dhruva$ Dhruva perormed very diicult meditation (tapasya) or three
thousand divine years$ Brahma was so pleased at this that he granted Dhruva an eternal place in the
skyE near the constellation that is known as saptarshi or the seven sages$ -his is the constellation 2rsa
'aCoris and Dhruva is the pole ,tar$
.n DhruvaKs line there was a king named 8rachinavarhi$ 8rachinavarhi had ten sonsE known as the
8rachetas$ -hese 8rachetas were supposed to look ater the world and rule over itE but they were not
interested in such mundane matters$ -hey went o instead to perorm tapasya under the ocean$ -he
tapasya went on or ten thousand years$ -he upshot was that the earth had no ruler and began to
suer$ 8eople started to die and thick orests sprouted everywhere$ ,o thick were the orests that even
the winds could not blow$
1ews o this catastrophe reached the 8rachetas$ -hey were urious with the trees and created wind
(vayu) and ire (agni) rom their mouths$ -he wind dried up the trees and the ire burnt themE so thatE
very soonE there were very ew trees let on earth$
+veryone was alarmed at the eects o the 8rachetas anger$ -he moon=god ,oma (or :handra) came
to the 8rachetas with a beautiul woman and saidE R8rachetasE please control your anger$ You need
someone to rule over the world so that you can concentrate on your tapasya$ -his beautiul woman is
named Daksha$ &e will rule over the worldR$
-he 8rachetas agreed to this proposal and Daksha was born$ -he word praCa means subCect and the
word pati means master$ ,ince Daksha ruled over the world and its subCectsE Daksha came to be
known as 8raCapati$
-he sages interrupted "omaharshana$ -hey saidE R,ageE we are completely conused$ 6e have heard
that Daksha was born rom BrahmaKs toe$ And yet you have told us that Daksha was the son o the
8rachetas$ &ow is this possibleNR
"omaharshana repliedE R-here is no reason or bewilderment$ 'any Dakshas have been born to rule
over the world$ %ne was born rom BrahmaKs toeE yet another was the son o the 8rachetas$R
9&* $a.sha<s =ffspring
DakshaKs wie was named Asikli and Asikli gave birth to ive thousand sons$ -hey were known as the
&aryashvas$ -he &aryashvas were destined to rule over the world$ But the sage 1arada went to the
&aryashvas and saidE R&ow can you rule over the world i you donKt even know what the world looks
likeN Are you amiliar with its geography and its limitsN <irst ind out about these thingsE beore you
contemplate ruling over the world$R
-he &aryashvas went o to eGplore the world and never returned$
Daksha and Asikli then had another thousand sons who were named the
,havalashvas$ 1arada told them what he had told the &aryashvas and the ,havalashvas also went o
to eGplore the world and never returned$
Daksha and Asikli were distressed that their children should disappear in this manner$ Daksha blamed
1arada or the instigation and proposed to kill him$ But Brahma intervened and persuaded Daksha to
control his anger$ -his Daksha agreed to doE provided that his conditions were met$ RBrahma must
marry my daughter 8riyaER he said$ RAnd 1arada must be born as 8riyaKs son$R
-hese conditions were accepted$
.n actE Daksha and Asikli had siGty daughters$ (+lsewhereE the Brahma 8urana mentions ity
daughters$) -en o these daughters were married to the god Dharma and thirteen to the sage
Kashyapa$ -wenty=seven daughters were married to ,oma or :handra$ -he remaining daughters were
married to the sages ArishtanemiE VahuputraE Angirasa and Krishashva$
-he ten daughters who were married to the god Dharma were named ArundhatiE VasuE YamiE LambaE
BhanuE 'arutvatiE ,ankalpaE 'uhurta$ ,adhya and Vishva$ ArundhatiKs children were the obCects
(vishaya) o the world$ VasuKs children were the eight gods known as the Vasus$ -heir names were
ApaE DhruvaE ,omaE DharaE ,alilaE AnalaE 8ratyusha and 8rabhasa$ AnalaKs son was Kumara$ Because
Kumara was brought up by goddesses known as the KrittikasE he came to be called Kartikeya$
8rabhasaKs son was Vishvakarma$ Vishvakarma was skilled in architecture and the making o Cewelry$
&e became the architect o the gods$
,adhyaKs children were the gods known as ,adhyadevas and VishvaKs children were the gods known
as Vishvadervas$
-he twenty=seven daughters o Daksha who ere married to ,oma are known as the nakshatras (stars)$
As you have already been toldE Kashyapa married thirteen o DakshaKs daughters$ -heir names were
AditiE DitiE DanuE ArishtaE ,urasaE KhasaE ,urabhiE Vinata$ -amraE KrodhavashaE .laE Kadru and 'uni$
AditiKs sons were the twelve gods known as the adityas$ -heir names were VishnuE ,hakra$ AryamaE
DhataE VidhataE -vashtaE 8ushaE VivasvanaE ,avitaE 'itravarunaE Amsha and Bhaga$
DitiKs sons were the daityas (demons)$ -hey were named &iranyaksha and &iranyakashipuE and
amongst their descendants were several other powerul daityas liked Vali and Vanasura$ Diti also had a
daughter named ,imhika who was married to a danava (demon) named Viprachitti$ -heir ospring?s
were terrible demons like VatapiE 1amuchiE .lvalaE 'aricha and the nivatakavachas$
-he hundred sons o Danu came to be known as danavas$ -he danavas were thus cousins to the
daityas and also to the adityas$ .n the danava line were born demons like the poulamas and kalakeyas$
ArishtaKs sons were the gandharvas (singers o heaven)$
,urasa gave birth to the snakes (sarpa)$
KhasaKs children were the yakshas (demi=gods who were the companions o KuberaE the god o wealth)
and the rakshasas (demons)$
,urabhiKs descendants were cows and bualoes$
Vinata had two sons named Aruna and *aruda$ *aruda became the king o the birds$
-amra has siG daughters$ <rom these daughters were born owlsE eaglesE vulturesE crowsE water=owlE
horsesE camels and donkeys$
Krodhavasha had ourteen thousand children known as nagas (snakes)$
.la gave birth to treesE creepersE shrubs and bushes$
KadruKs sons were also known as nagas or snakes$ Among the more important o KadruKs sons were
AnantaE VasukiE -akshaka and 1ahusha$
'uni gave birth to the apsaras (dancers o heaven)$
DitiKs children (daityas) and AuditiKs children (adityas) continually ought amongst themselves$ %n one
particular occasionE the gods succeed in killing many o the demons$ -hirsting or revengeE Diti began to
pray to her husbandE Kashyapa that she might given birth to a son who would kill .ndraE the king o the
gods$
Kashyapa ound it diicult to reuse his wie outright$ RAll rightRE he said$ RYou have to bear the son in
your womb or a hundred years$ And throughout this periodE you will have indeed kill .ndira$ But i you
do not observe these instructions to the letterE your desire will not be satisied$R
Diti resolved to do as her husband had bidden her$ But .ndra had got to know about DitiKs resolve and
was waiting or an opportunity to save himsel$ -here was an occasion whenE tired ater her prayers$ Diti
went to sleep without irst washing her eet$ -his was an unclean act and it gave .ndra the reMuired
opportunity$ &e adopted a miniscule orm and entered DitiKs womb$ 6ith his weapon vaCraE he sliced up
the baby inside the womb into seven parts$ -he baby naturally began to cry at the pain$
.ndra kept on sayingE Rma rudaER that isE RdonKt cry$R But the bayE or rather its seven partsE would not
listen$ .ndra thereupon sliced up each o the seven parts into seven more sectionsE so that there were
orty=nine sections in all$ 6hen these orty=nine sections were bornE they came to known as the 'arutsE
rom the words that .ndra had addressed them$ ,ince Diti had not been able to adhere to the conditions
her husband had setE the 'aruts did not kill .ndra$ -hey instead became .ndraKs ollowers or
companionsE and were treated as gods$
9&, Prithu
.n DhruvaKs line there was a king named AngaE Anga was religious and ollowed the righteous path$ But
unortunatelyE AngaKs son Vena inherited none o the good Mualities o his ather$ VenaKs mother was
,unitha and she happened to be the daughter o 'rityu$ 'rityu was notorious or his evil ways and
deeds$ Vena spent a lot o time with his maternal grandather and picked up these evil characteristics$
Vena gave up the religion that was laid down in the Vedas and stopped all yaCnas$ &e instructed his
subCects that he alone was to be worshiped$
-he sages led by 'arichi came to Vena to try and persuade him to mend his ways$ But Vena was in no
mood to listen$ &e insisted that there was no one eMual to him in the whole universe$
-he sages realiBed that Vena was a lost cause$ -hey physically caught hold o Vena and began to
knead his right thigh$ <rom this kneading thee emerged a horrible looking creature$ .t was a dwar and
its compleGionE was eGtremely dark$ -he sage Atri was so aghast at the dwarKs appearance that he
blurted outE RnishidaRE which means RsitR$ <rom thisE the dwar came to be known as nishada$ -he race
o nishadas became hunters and ishermenE and lived in the Vindhya mountains$ <rom them were also
descended unciviliBed races like tusharas and tunduras$
-he evil that was in VenaKs body and mind came out with the emergence o the nishada$
6hen the sages began to knead VenaKs right armE 8rithu emerged$ &e shone like a laming ire and his
energy lit up the our directions$ &e held a bow in his hand and he was clad in beautiul armour$ As
soon as 8rithu was bornE Vena died$
All the rivers and the oceans arrived with their waters and their Cewels to anoint 8rithu as the king$ -he
gods and the sages also came or the coronation$ Brahma himsel crowned 8rithu the king o the earth$
&e also took the opportunity to apportion out the lordships o other parts o the universe$ ,oma was
appointed lord over creepersE herbsE starts (nakshatras)E planets (grahas)E sacriicesE meditation
(tapasya) and over the irst o the our classes (brahmanas)$ Varuna became lord o the oceansE
Kubera o all the kingsE Vishnu o the adityasE Agni o vasusE Daksha o all 8rahlada o daityas and
danavasE Yama o the pritris (ancestors)E ,hiva o yakshasE rakshasas and pishachas (ghosts)E and
&imalaya o the mountains$
-he ocean (samudra) was made the lord o all rivers$ :hitraratha o gandharvasE Vasuki o nagasE
-akshaka o sarpasE *aruda o birdsE the tiger o deerE Airavata o elephantsE 2cchaihshrava o horsesE
the bull o cows and the ashvattha tree (a banyan) o all trees$ Brahma also appointed our overlords
(dikapalas) or the our directions$ -o the east there was ,udhanvaE to the south ,hankhapadaE to the
west Ketumana and to the north &iranyaroma$
8rithu was a king who ruled the earth well$ During his reignE the earth was laden with oodgrains$ -he
cows were ull o milk and the subCects were happy$ -o gloriy King 8rithuE the sages perormed a
sacriice and rom this sacriice there emerged two races known as the sutas and the magadhas should
sing praises in honour o 8rithu$
RBut what praise will we singNR asked the sutas and the magadhas$ R8rithu is still young$ &e has not
done much that can be praisedR$
R-hat may be trueER replied the sages$ RBut he will do wonderous deeds in the uture$ ,ing praises o
those wonderul deeds$ 6e will tell you about them$R
&aving learnt o these uture deeds rom the sagesE the sutas and the magadhas began to compose
songs and chant praises in honour o 8rithu$ -hese stories were related throughout the earth$ ,ome o
8rithuKs subCects heard these stories and came to see 8rithu$ RKingER they said$ R6e have heard o your
great deeds$ But we ind it diicult to make a living$ 8lease indicate to us our habitations on earth$ And
tell us where we may be able to get the ood we need or subsistence$R
King 8rithu picked up his bow and arrow$ &e decided to kill the earthE since the earth was not yielding
oodgrains to his subCects$ -he earth adopted the orm o a cow and began to lee$ But wherever the
earth wentE 8rithu ollowed with his bow and arrow$ &e ollowed the earth to the heaven and to the
underworld$
<inallyE in desperationE the earth started to pray to 8rithu$ RKingER she saidE Rplease control your anger$ .
am a woman$ Killing me will only mean a sin or you$ BesidesE what purpose will killing me serveN Your
subCects will then be without a place to live in$ -here must be some other way o ensuring that your
subCects can make a living$
-he earth then hersel oered a solution and King 8rithu did her biddingE 6ith his bowE he leveled out
the earth$ -he plains could now be used or villages and cities and or agriculture and animal
husbandry$ -he plains could now be used or villages and cities and or agriculture and animal
husbandry$ -he mountains were gathered together in select placesE instead o being littered over whole
earth$ +arlierE 8rithuKs subCects had lived o ruits and roots$ 1ow 8rithu milked the earth (in her orm o
a cow) and obtained the seeds o oodgrains on which people could live$ Because o 8rithuKs deedsE the
earth came to be known as prithivi$
9&/ Manvataras
A manvantara is an era$ -here are our smaller eras (yugas) and their names are satya or krita yugaE
treta yugaE dvapara yuga and kali yuga$ +ach cycle o satya yugaE treat yugaE dvapara yuga and kali
yuga is called a mahayuga$ A mahayuga comprises o #(E333 years o the godsE or eMuivalentlyE
40(3E333 years or human$ 7# mahayugas constitute a manvantara and #4 manvantaras constitute a
cycle (kalpa)$ %ne kalpa is one o BrahmaKs days and the universe is destroyed at the end o a Kalpa$
+ach manvantara is ruled over by a 'anu$ .n the present kalpaE siG manvantaras have already passed
and the names o the siG 'anus who ruled were ,vayambhuvaE ,varochishaE 2ttamaE -amasaE "aivata
and :hakshusha$ -he name o the seventh 'anuE who rules over the seventh manvantara o the
present kalpaE is Vaivasvata$
-he titles o the seven great sages (saptarshi) as well as the tile o .ndra change rom manvantara to
manvantara$ -he gods also change$
.n the present vaivasvata manvantaraE the seven great sages are AtriE VashishthaE KashyapaE
*outamaE BharadvaCaE Vishvamitra and @amadagni$ -he gods now are the sadhyasE the rudrasE the
vishwadevasE the vasusE the marutsE the adityas and the two ashvinis$
-here will be seven 'anus in the uture beore the universe is destroyed$ <ive o these 'anus will be
known as ,avarni 'anus$ -he remaining two will be called Bhoutya and "ouchya$
9&1 "he )un and the )olar $ynasty
You have probably orgotten by now that Kashyapa and Aditi had a son named Vivasvana$
-his was the sun godE also known as ,urya or 'artanda$
,urya was married to ,amCnaE VishvakarmaKs daughter$ -hey had two sons$ -he ist son was
Vaivasvata 'anu and the second son was Yama or ,hraddhadevaE the god o death$ Yama had a twin
sister named Yamuna$
-he sunKs energy was so strong that ,amCna could not bear to look at her husband$ -hrough her
powersE she created an image rom her own body that looked eGactly like her$ -his image was called
:hhaya (shadow)$
,amCna told :hhayaE R. cannot bear the energy o my husbandE . am going o to my atherKs house$
,tay hereE pretend to be ,amCna and look ater my children$ 2nder no circumstances tell anyoneE
certainly not my husbandE that your are not ,amCna$R
R. will do as you have asked me toER replied :hhaya$ RBut the moment someone curses me or pulls me
by the hairE . shall be orced to reveal the truth$R
,amCna went to her ather Vishvakarma kept asking her to return to her husband$ But this ,amCna
reused to do$ .nsteadE she went to the land known as 2ttara Kuru and started to live there as a mare$
'eanwhileE ,uryaE who had not realiBed that ,amCna had been replaced by :hhayaE had two sons
through :hhaya$ -hey were named ,avarni 'anu and ,hani (,aturn)$ As soon as her own children
were bornE :hhaya no longer displayed as much o love or ,amCnaKs children as she used to do$
Vaivasvata 'anu was a Muiet sort o person and he ignored the implied neglect$ But Yama was not the
tolerant$ BesidesE he was also younger$ &e raised his leg to kick :hhaya$ At thisE :hhaya cursed Yama
that his legs would all o$
Yama went and complained to ,urya$ R . have not really kicked herER he said$ R. only threatened to$ And
does a mother ever curse her childrenNR
R. canKt undo the curseE R replied ,urya$ RAt bestE . can reduce its severity$ Your legs will not actually all
o$ ,ome o the lesh rom your legs will all o onto the earth and create worms$ -herebyE you will be
reed o your curse$R
But neverthelessE ,urya elt that there was some truth in YamaKs asking whether a mother would ever
curse her children$ &e taGed :hhaya with the truthE but :hhaya would not reveal anything ,urya then
grasped her by the hair and threatened to curse her$ ,ince her conditions were now violatedE :hhaya
blurted out the truth$
.n an eGtremely angry moodE ,urya dashed o to VishvakarmaKs house$ Vishvakarma tried to cool him
down$ Rit is all because o your eGercises energy that this has happenedEO eGclaimed Vishvakarma$ R.
you permitE . will shave o some o the eGtra energy$ -hen ,amCna will be able to look at you$R
,urya agreed to this proposition$ 6ith the shaved o energyE Vishvakarma manuactured VishnuKs
chakra (a weapon like a bladed discus)$
,urya ound out that ,amCna was in 2ttara Kuru in the orm o a mare$ &e Coined her there in the orm
o a horse$ As horseE they had two sons named 1asatya and Dasra$ ,ince ashva means horseE the
sons were also known as the two Ashvinish and became the physicians o the gods$
,urya and ,amCna then gave up their eMuine orms and lived happily ever ater$
9&4 +aivasvata Manu<s 0hildren
Vaivasvata 'anu has no children and he arranged or a sacriice so that he might have a son$ 1ine
sons were born as a result o this sacriice$ -heir names were .kshvakuE 1abhagaE DhrishtaE ,haryatiE
1arishyantaE 8ramshuE "ishtaE Karusha and 8rishadhra$ 'anu also made an oering to the two gods
'itra and Varuna$ As a result o this oeringE a daughter named .la was born$
Budha was the son o :handraE and Budha and .la had a son named 8ururva$ ,ubseMuentlyE thanks to
a boon conerred on her by 'itra and Varuna$ .la became a man named ,udyumna$ ,udyumnaKs sons
were 2tkalaE *aya and Vinatashva$ 2tkala ruled in %rissaE *aya in the region that is also called *ayaE
and Vinatashva in the west$
,udyumna was not entitled to rule since he had earlier been a woman$ &e lived in the city known as
8ratishthana$ 8ururava inherited this later on$
6hen Vaivasvata 'anu diedE his ten sons divided up the earth amongst themselvesE .kshvaku ruled in
the central regions$ &e had a hundred sonsE the eldest o whom was named Vikukshi$ Vikukshi came to
be known as ,hashada$ -hereby hangs a tale$
.kshvaku wanted to organiBe a sacriice and he sent his son Vikukshi to the orest to etch some meat
or the sacriice$ 6hile hunting or gameE Vikukshi elt very hungry and ate up some o the meat$ -his
was a sacrilege and the sage Vashishtha advised .kshvaku to banish Vikukshi rom his kingdom$
Because the meat that he had eaten had been the meat o a rabbit (shashaka)E Vikukshi came to be
known as ,hashada$
But ater .kshvaku diedE Vikukshi returned to his atherKs kingdom and began to rule there$ -his was the
kingdom o Ayodhya$ %ne o VikukshiKs sons was KakutshtaE and "ama o "amayana ame was born in
this line$
9&8 2u5alashva
Kubalashva was one o the kings descended rom Kakutstha$ KubalashvaKs ather was named
Vrihadashva$
Ater Vrihadashva had ruled or many yearsE he desired to retire to the orest$ &e thereore prepared to
hand over the kingdom to his son Kubalashva$ But learning o King VrihadashvaKs resolveE a sage
named 2tanka came to meet the king$
RDonKt go to the orest right nowRE 2tanka told the king$ 'y hermitage (ashrama) is on the shores o the
ocean and is surrounded by sand in all directions$ A strong rakshasa named Dhundhu lives under the
sand$ &e is so strong that even the gods have been unable to kill him$ %nce every yearE Dhundhu
eGhales his breath and this raises a tremendous cloud o sand and dust$ <or an entire week the sun
remains shrouded in dust and or the whole weekE there are earthMuakes as a result o DhundhuKs
eGhalation$ -his is disturbing my mediation (tapasya) and you canKt very well go away to the orest
without irst doing something about Dhundhu$ %nly you are capable o killing him$ . have accumulated a
lot o power as a result o my tapasya and . will give this to you i you kill Dhundhu$R
Vrihadashva told 2tanka that there was no need or Vrihadashva himsel to kill Dhundhu$ &e would go
to the orest as he had decided$ &is son Kubalashva was perectly capable o killing Dhundhu and
would accompany 2tanka$
Kubalashva and his hundred sons went to the shores o the ocean where all the sand was$ Kubalashva
asked his sons to start digging so that they might ind Dhundhu$ Dhundhu attacked KubalashvaKs sons
and killed all o them but three$ -he three who escaped were named DridashvaE :handrashva and
Kapilashva$ But Dhundhu himsel was killed by Kubalashva$ As a result o this great eatE Kubalashva
came to be known as Dhundhumara$ -he sage 2tanka blessed Kubalashva and by the sageKs
blessingsE KubalashvaKs dead sons went straight to heaven$
9&9 "rishan.u
<rom Dridashva was descended a king named -rayaruni$ -rayaruni was a righteous king and ollowed
all the religious dictates$ But -rayarunKs son ,atyavrata was Muite the opposite and reused to ollow the
righteous path$ King -rayaruniKs chie priest was the great sage Vashishtha$ Vashishtha advised the
king that his evil son should be banished rom the kingdom$ -rayaruni accepted the sageKs advice$
:onseMuentlyE ,atyavrata started to live with outcasts (chandalas) outside the kingdom$
Ater some timeE -rayaruni relinMuished his kingship and went away to the orest$ -he kingdom had no
king and degenerated into anarchy$ -he absence o a king is also rowned upon by the gods and or
twelve years there was a terrible drought$
Vishvamitra was another great sage$ 6hile all this was going onE Vishvamitra was not present in the
kingdom$ &e had gone away to perorm tapasya on the shores o the oceanE having let his wie and
children in a hermitage (ashrama) that was in the kingdom$ But because there was such a long spell o
droughtE there was also amine in the kingdom$ 8eople started to starve$ VishvamitraKs wie decided to
sell her son so that she might have some ood to eat$ ,he tied a rope round the sonKs neck and took
him to the market=place$ -hereE she sold him in eGchange or a thousand cows$ ,ince a rope had been
tied around the sonKs neck (gala)E he came to be known as *alava$
But ,atyavrata discovered what terrible straits VishvamitraKs amily was in$ &e reed *alava and started
to take care o VishvamitraKs wie and children$
,atyavrata had not been terribly ond o Vashishtha$ &e blamed the sage or his banishment$ 6hen
thee was amine everywhereE ,atyavrata stole VashishthaKs cow$ &e killed the cow and served the
meat to VishvamitraKs sonsE apart rom eating it himsel$
Vashishtha was in a terrible rage when he got to know about this incident$ &e cursed ,atyavrata$
RYou have committed three sins (shanku)ER Vashishtha told ,atyavrata$ R<irstlyE you have angered your
ather -rayaruni$ ,econdlyE you have stolen and killed a cow$ -hirdlyE you have eaten beeE a orbidden
meat$ Because o these three sinsE you will henceorth be known as -rishanku and be eternally
cursed$R (-he word tri means three$)
,atyavrata had however taken care o VishvamitraKs amily when the sage was away on his meditation$
Ater Vishvamitra returnedE he was very happy to learn about what -rishanku had done and oered to
grant him a boon$ -rishanku desired the boon that he might be allowed to go to heaven in his own
physical body$ -hanks to Vishvamitra?s immense powersE even this virtually impossible task was
accomplished$ -rishanku became king in -rayaruniKs kingdom and Vishvamitra acted as his chie priest$
9&1: )agara
-rishankuKs son was &arishchandra and rom &arishchandra was descended a king named Bahu$
Bahu devoted too much time to pleasurable pursuits$ -he upshot o this was that the deence o the
kingdom was not properly taken care o$ +nemy kings seiBed this opportunity to attack BahuKs kingdom$
-hey drove Bahu out and Bahu went o to the orest with his wie YadaviE
-he enemy kings who dislodged Bahu were led by the &aihaya and -alaCangha kings$ -hey were aided
by the ,hakasE YavanasE 8aradasE KamboCas and 8ahlavas$
King Bahu died in the orest$ &is wie Yadavi desired to die on her husbandKs uneral pyre$ But since
Yadavi was pregnant at the timeE the sage %urva persuaded her that such an act would be a sin$ &e
brought Yadavi to his own hermitage and began to take care o her$
Bahu had also a second wie and she had once tried to poison Yadavi$ -he poison (gara) had however
done Yadavi no harm and emerged when the baby was born$ ,ince the baby was born together with
poisonE he came to known as ,agara$
-he sage %urva took care o ,agaraKs education$ &e imparted to ,agara the knowledge o all the
shastras and also the usage o weapons$ Amongst other thingsE ,agara acMuired the skill o using a
divine weapon known as agneyastra$
6hen he grew upE ,agara attacked the &aihaya kings and deeated them through the use o
agneyastra$ &e then deeated the ,hakasE YavanasE 8aradasE KamboCas and 8ahlavas and was about
to kill them all$ But these enemy kings led to the sage Vashishtha or reuge and Vashishtha persuaded
,agara not to kill his enemies$ .nsteadE the heads o the ,hakas were hal shaven o$ -he Yavanas
and KamboCas had their heads completely shaven$ -he 8ahlavas were instructed that they would have
to keep beards$ -hese enemy kings also lost all right to ollow the religion laid down in the Vedas$
Amongst the other kings who ,agara deeated were the KonasarpasE the 'ahishakasE the DarvasE the
:holas and the Keralas$
King ,agara had two wives$ -he irst was named Keshini and she was the daughter o the king o
Vidarbha$ -he Brahma 8urana does not tell us the name o the second wie but rom the 'ahabharata
we know that it was ,umati$ Keshini and ,umati had no sons$ -hey thereore began to pray to %urva
so that they might have sons$
%urva was pleased at these prayers and saidE R Both o you will have sons$ But one o you will have a
single son and the other will have siGty thousand sons$ -ell meE who wants what$R
Keshini asked or a single son and ,umati asked or siGty thousand sons$ .n due courseE Keshini gave
birth to a son named 8anchaCana$ ,umati gave birth to a gourd$ .nside the gourd there was a lump o
meat$ -he gourd was placed inside a pot ull o clariied butter (ghrita)$ And rom the lump o meat were
born siGty thousand sons$
King ,agara proceeded to conMuer the entire earth$ As a recognition o this conMuestE he initiated an
ashvamedha yaCna (horse sacriice)$ .n this ceremonyE the sacriicial horse is let ree to wander all over
the earth$ -he siGty thousand sons accompanied the horse as its guards$ -he horse eventually reached
the shores o the ocean that lies towards the south=east$ 6hile ,agaraKs sons were restingE the horse
was stolen$ -he sons started to look or the horse and began to dig up the sands in their search$ .n this
processE they came upon the sage Kapila$ Kapila had been meditating and his meditation was
disturbed by the terrible din that ,agaraKs sons made$ &e gaBed at them in ury and all but our o the
sons were burnt to ashes$ -he our sons who were saved were named VarhiketuE ,uketuE Dharmaketu
and 8anchaCana$
-he Brahma 8urana is slightly conused here$ 6as 8anchaCana KeshiniKs son or ,umatiKs sonN -here is
some inconsistency with the account given in the 'ahabharata$ .n the 'ahabharataE it is Keshini who
gave birth to siGty thousand sons and it is ,umati who had a single son named AsamanCa$ Also in the
'ahabharataE all siGty thousand sons were burnt to ashes$
-he Brahma 8urana also tells us that the sacriicial horse was obtained by ,agara rom the ocean$ -his
is the reason why the ocean is reerred to as sagara$
-o come back to the account given in the Brahma 8urana$ 8anchaCanaKs son was Amshumana and
AmshumanaKs son was Dilipa$ Dilipa had a son named Bhagiratha$ Bhagiratha brought down the river
*anga rom heaven to earth and thus redeemed his ancestors who had been burnt to ashes by Kapila$
.t was because o this that the river *anga came to be known as Bhagirathi$
<rom Bhagiratha was descended "aghu$ "aghuKs son was ACaE ACaKs son Dasharatha and
DasharathaKs son "ama$
9&11 "he Moon and the 'unar $ynasty
-here was a sage named Atri$ Atri perormed very diicult tapasya$ ,o diicult was the tapasya that
AtriKs energy was thrown up into the sky$ -he sky could not bear this energy and hurled it down onto the
earth$ -his energy then gave birth to ,oma or :handraE the moon god$ Brahma took :handra up into
his chariot and drove the chariot around the earth twenty=one times$ <rom whatever energy was let
ater :handra has been createdE the herbs were born$
:handra also perormed very diicult tapasya$ %ne padma year consists o #3E333E333E333E333 normal
years$ <or one hundred such padma yearsE :handra mediated$ Ater the meditation was overE Brahma
appointed :handra lord over seedsE herbsE brahmanas and the oceans$ :handra also perormed a
raCasuya yaCna (royal sacriice) as a celebration o his lordship$ -his gave him a lot pompE gloryE wealth
and respect$
But all this merely served to turn :handraKs head$ -he guru (teacher) o the gods was the sage
Brihaspati$ Brihaspati had a wie named -ara and :handra abducted -ara$ Despite the gods and the
sages asking :handra to return -araE the moon god would not listen$ A terrible war then raged over
-araE the gods ighting or :handra$ ,hukracharyaE the guru o the demonsE ought on :handraKs side
and ,hiva ought on BrihaspatiKs side$ -his war (,amgrama) came to be known as tarakamaya
samgramaE since it was ought over -ara$
<inally Brahma intervened and a truce was called$ But :handra and -ara had by then had a sonE and
Brihaspati reused to accept this son as his own$ -his son was Budha$ As you already knownE Budha
married .la and they had a son named 8ururava$
-he Brahma 8urana now describes several kings belonging to the lunar dynasty$
9&1! @ayati
.n the lunar dynastyE there was born a powerul king named 1ahusha$ &e married ViraCa and they had
siG sons named YatiE YaCatiE ,amyatiE AyatiE YatiE and ,uyati$ Yati became a hermit$ ,o although Yayati
was not the eldestE he was crowned king ater 1ahusha$
Yayati had two wives$ -he irst was DevayaniE daughter o ,hukracharya$ And the second was
,harmishthaE daughter o VrishaparvaE the king o the danavas$ Devayani had two sons named Yadu
and -urvasu and ,harmishtha had three sons named DruhyaE Anu and 8uru$ Yayati conMuered the
whole earth and ruled over it$ 6hen he became oldE he divided the earth amongst his ive sons$ Yadu
was given the lands to the eastE 8uru the lands in the centerE -urvasu the lands to the south and south=
eastE Druhya those to the north and Anu those to the west$
Yayati gave up his weapons and decided to travel throughout the world$ &e called Yadu to him and
saidE R. wish to eGplore the world and my old age is a hindrance$ 8lease accept my old age and give me
your youth in return$R
Yadu reused$ R. will notER he said$ R%ne cannot eat well when one is oldE nor can one pleasure the
comorts o the world$ %ld age is not pleasant$ Ask one o my brothers instead$R
YaduKs reusal angered Yayati$ &e cursed Yadu that he or his descendants would never be kings$
Yayati neGt reMuested DruhyaE -urvasu and AnuE but they too reused and were similarly cursed by
their ather$ But 8uru agreed to his atherKs reMuest and gladly accepted the old age$ &e was blessed by
his ather$
Ater many years had passedE Yayati got tired o the world and returned 8uruKs youth to him$ &e
accepted back his old age and retired to the orest to mediate$
<rom 8uru was descended King Bharata ater whom the land came to be known as Bharatavarsha$
Also in this line was King KuruE ater whom all the descendants came to be known as Kauravas$ -he
sacred place named Kurukshetra owes its name to King Kuru$
<rom -urvasu were descended the kings o 8andyaE KeralaE Kola and :hola$
<rom Druhya were descended the kings o *andhara$ -he horses o the *andhara kingdom are
amous$
Yadu had ive sonsE ,ahasradaE 8ayodaE KroshtuE 1ila and AnCika$ ,ahasradaKs descendants were the
&aihayasE amongst whom the most amous was Kartyavirya ArCuna$ ArCuna pleased the sage
Dattatreya and became invincible$ &e also had a thousand arms$ ArCunaKs greatest deeds were his
deeat and imprisonment o "avanaE king o Lanks$ KroshtuKs descendants were Vrishni and Andhaka
and in the Vrishni line was born Krishna$
9&1* (eography
&aving heard accounts o the solar and lunar dynastiesE the sages reMuested "omaharshana$ R-ell us
a little about the geography o the world$ 6hat does the earth look likeN 6hat are its limitsNR
"omaharshana obliged$
-he earth is divided into seven regions (dvipas)$ -heir names are @ambudvipaE 8lakshadvipaE
,halmaladvipaE KushadvipaE KrounchadvipaE ,hakadvipa and 8ushkaradvipa$ -hese regions are
surrounded by seven oceans and their names are LavanaE .kshuE ,uraE ,arpiE DadhiE Dugdha and @ala$
@ambudvipa is in the center and right in the middle o @ambudvipa is 'ount ,umeru$ -o the south o
,umeru are the mountains &imavanaE &emakuta and 1ishadha and to the north o ,umeru are the
mountains 1ilaE ,hveta and ,hringi$@ambudvipa itsel is divided into several regions (varshas)$ <or
eGampleE ,umeru is in the middle o .lavritavarsha$ Braratavarsha is to the south o ,umeru$ -o the
east o ,umeru is Bhadrashvarsha and to the west is Ketumalavarsha$ &arivarsha lies to the south and
"amyakavarsha to the north$ ,till urther north is &iranmayavarsha and beyond thatE 2ttara
Kuruvarsha$
BrahmaKs city is on the peak o ,umeru$ .t is there that the river *anga descends rom heaven and gets
divided into our tributaries$ ,ita lows eastwardsE :hakshu westwardsE Bhadra 1orthwards and
Alakananda southwards into Bharatavarsha$
-here are seven maCor mountain range sin Bharatavarsha and their names are 'ahendraE 'alyaE
,ahyaE ,huktimanaE "ikshaE Vindhya and 8ariyatra$ Bharatavarsha itsel is divided into nine regions
(dvipas)$ -he names o eight o these regions are .ndradvipaE ,oumyaE *andharva and Varuna$ -he
ninth region is completely surrounded by the ocean in all directions$ -o the east o Bharatavarsha live
the Kiratas and to the west the Yavanas$
Below the earth lie the seven regions o the underworld (8atala)$ -heir names are AtalaE VitalaE 1italaE
,utalaE -alatalaE "asatala and 8atala$ -he daityasE danavas and the snakes (sarpa) live there$ -he
underworld is a wonderul placeE more beautiul than heaven itsel$ -he sage 1arada once went on a
trip to the underworld and was bowled over by its beauty$ .t is ull o palaces and Cewels$ -he sun rises
thereE but does not radiate too much o heat$ -he moon also risesE but its beams are not at all chilly$
-he orests are populated by beautiul trees and the ponds are thick with lotus lowersE the songs o
cuckoo birds are heard everywhere$ Below the underworld sleeps a great snakeE known as ,hesha or
Ananta$ .t has a thousand hoodsE all covered with Cewels$ .n actE this snake is really Vishnu in one o
this various orms$
Also part o the world are hells (naraka)E presided over by YamaE the god o death$ -hose are ull o
weaponsE ire and poisons and sinners are sent there to be punished$ ,ins that are punished by
dispatch to one o the several hells are lyingE murderE killing cowsE destroying citiesE drinkingE killing
brahmanasE thetE selling wines or hairE criticiBing the VedasE insulting eldersE making weaponsE selling
saltE destroying orests needlesslyE killing sheep or deerE cheating and studying under oneKs own son$
+ach sinner receives a punishment that is in proportion to the severity o his sin$ % courseE i one
perorms penance (prayashchitta) or oneKs sinsE one need not go to naraka$ -he best orm o penance
is praying to Krishna$
-he earth (8rithivi or bhuloka) eGtends upto those arts o the sky that can be lit up by the rays o the
sun and the moon$ -he eGpanse rom there to the solar circle is known as bhuvarloka and holy sages
live there$ Above the solar circle is the lunar circle and beyond itE in successionE come the regions o
'ercury (Budha)E Venus (,hukra)E 'ars ('angala)E @upiter (Brihaspati)E ,aturn (,hani)E the *reat Bear
constellation (saptarshi) and the 8ole ,tar (Dhruva)$ -he region rom the solar circle to Dhruvaloka is
known as heaven (,varloka or svarga)$ Beyond Dhruvaloka is 'aharloka and urther awayE @analoka
are -apaloka and ,atyaloka$ At the end o a kalpaE all the three lokas (regions) o bhulokaE bhuvarloka
and svarloka are destroyed$ But the our lokas o 'aharlokaE @analokaE -apaloka and ,atyaloka are not
destroyed$
9&1, 2onara.a
-here is an ocean to the south o Bharatavarsha$ %ne the shores o this great ocean there is a land
named %ndra or 2tkala (present %rissa)$ 2tkala is populated by religious people and the brahmanas
who live there are learned in the Vedas$ -hey are very good priestsE learned in the 8uranas and the
shastras and skilled in the art o sacriices$ .n the land o 2tkalaE there is an image o the sun (,urya)
known as Konaditya$ -he word aditya also means the sunE as does the word arka$ -husE Konaditya is
the same as KonarkaE a corruption o the latter word being Konaraka$ -he image o Konaditys is so
wonderul that even i one gaBes at the imageE all oneKs sins are orgiven$
All around the temple there is sand$ But neverthelessE many trees grow around the temple$ -he best
time to worship the sun there is at the time o sunrise$ %ne has to ace the east and draw a lotus lower
on the ground with red sandalwood$ -he lotus lower must have eGactly eight petals$ A copper vessel
has to be placed at the center o the lower and illed with paddyE sesamum waterE red sandalwoodE red
lowers and sacred grass$ %ne prays to ,urya to descend on the lotus lower that has thus been drawn$
. one worships Konaditya according to these prescribed ritesE the sins o seven preceding generations
are orgiven$
-he twelve adityas are nothing but dierent orms o ,urya$ -heir names are .ndra$ DhataE 8arCanyaE
-vashtaE 8usha AryamaE Bhaga VivasvanaE VishnuE AmshumanaE VarunaE and 'itra$ As .ndraE ,urya
destroys the enemies o the gods$ As DhataE he creates living beings$ As 8arCanyaE he showers down
rain$ As -vashtaE he lives in the trees and herbs$ As 8ushaE he makes oodgrains grow$ As AryamaE he
is in the wind$ As BhagaE he is in the body o all living beings$ As VivasvanaE he is in ire and helps to
cook ood$ As VishnuE he destroys the enemies o the gods$ As AmshumanaE he is again in the wind$
As VarunaE ,urya is in the waters and as 'itraE he is in the moon and in the oceans$
.n each month o the yearE it is a dierent aditya who shines$ .ndra shines in the month o AshvinaE
Dhata in KartikaE 8arCanya in ,hravanaE -vashta in <algunaE 8usha in 8oushaE Aryama in VaishakhaE
Bhaga in 'aghaE Vivasvana in @yaishthaE Vishnu in :haitraE Amshumana in AshadaE VarunaE in Bhadra
and 'itra in Agrahayana$ Vishnu has twelve hundred raysE Aryama one thousand and three hundred$
Vivasvana seventy=twoE Amshumana iteenE 8arCanya seventy=twoE Varuna one thousand and three
hundredE -vashta one thousand and one hundredE .ndra two thousand and two hundredE Dhata eleven
hundredE 'itra one thousand and 8usha nine hundred$ Apart rom the names o the twelve adityasE
,urya has twelve other names as well$ -hese are AdityaE ,avitaE ,uryaE 'ihiraE ArkaE 8rabhakaraE
'artandaE BhaskaraE BhanuE :hitrabhanuE Divakara and "avi$
Brahma once recounted to the sages the one hundred and eight sacred names o ,urya$ -he Brahma
8urana lists these names and we reproduce them in nine groups o twelve names each$
(#) ,uryaE ArchanaE BhagavanaE -vashtaE 8ushaE ArkaE ,avitaE "aviE *abhastimanaE ACaE KalaE 'rityu$
(() DhataE 8rabhakaraE 8rithiviE @alaE -eCaE AkashaE VayuE 8arayanaE ,omaE BrihaspatiE ,hukraE Budha$
(0) AngarakaE .ndraE VivasvanaE DiptamshuE ,huchiE ,houriE ,hanaishvaraE BrahmaE VishnuE "udraE
,kandaE Vaishravana$
(4) YamaE Vaidyutam CatharaE AgniE AindhanaE -eCohpatiE DharmadhvaCaE VedakartaE VedangaE
VedavahanaE KritaE -reta$
(9) DvaparaE KaliE ,arvasurashrayaE KalaE KashthaE 'uhurtaE KshapaE YamaE KshanaE ,amvatsaraE
AshvatthaE Kalachakra$
(;) VibhavasuE ,hashvataE 8urushaE YogiE VyaktavyaktaE ,anatanaE KaladhyakshaE 8raCadhyakshaE
VishvakaramE -amonudaE VarunaE ,agara$
(7) AmshaE @imutaE @ivanaE ArihaE BhutashrayaE BhutapatiE ,arvalokanamaskritaE ,hrashtaE
,amvartakaE VahniE ,arvadiE Alolupa$
()) AnantaE KapilaE BhanuE KamadaE ,arvotamukhaE @ayaE VishalaE VaradaE ,arvabhutasevitaE 'anaE
,uparnaE Bhutadi$
(/) ,highragaE 8ranadharanaE DhanvantariE DhumaketyE AdidevaE AditinandanaE DvadashatmaE "aviE
DakshaE 8itaE 'ataE 8itamaha$
9&1/ 7ndradyumna and Purushottama 2shetra
.n satya yuga there was a king named .ndradyumna$ &e was a very powerul king as .ndra himsel$ &e
was handsomeE honest and truthulE learned in the shastras and the VedasE and skilled in the use o
weapons$ &is radiance put the sun to shame$ .ndradyumna was devoted to Vishnu$ &e once decided
that he would worship Vishnu$ A tirtha is a sacred place o pilgrimage$ .ndradyumna scanned all the
eGisting tirthas and cities$ But none o them satisied him$ 1one o themE he eltE was appropriate as a
place or worshipping Vishnu$
.ndradyumnaKs own capital was the city o AvantiE in the kingdom o 'alva$ Avanti was a beautiul and
wealthy cityE surrounded on all sides by moats and other ortiications$ -raders rom many countries
came there with all sorts or commodities or trading$ -he roads o the city were lined with shopes$ -he
houses were painted white$ -he kingKs stables were ull o horses and elephants$ All citiBens o Avanti
were pleasant o appearance and happy$ ,acriices were held airly oten$ 'any were the templesE
groves and ponds in Avanti$ Any tree that grew on earth could be ound there$
-here was a temple to ,hiva in the city$ -his was known as the temple o 'ahakala$ -he image there
was so sacred that worshipping ,hiva in the temple o 'ahakala was tantamount to perorming one
thousand ashvamedha yaCnas$
-he river ,hipra lowed past Avanti$ %n the banks o the river there was a temple o Vishnu known as
*ovindasvami$ Another temple to Vishnu was named VikramasvamiE
But .ndradyumna was not satisied with these temples$ &e wanted to build another temple to Vishnu$
&e let Avanti to look or a proper place$ &is soldiers and subCects accompanied their kingE so that it
looked as i the entire city o Avanti was on the march$ Ater traveling or many daysE they arrived on the
shores o the southern oceanE the ocean that is known as lavana samudra$
-here were so many waves in the ocean that the ocean itsel seemed to be dancing$ 'arine animals
lived in the ocean and the waters were also the source o all sorts o Cewels$ .ndradyumna began to live
on the shores o the ocean$ &e discovered a place near the ocean that was thick with lower and ruit
trees$ 'any types o birds gathered there to eat the ruit$ -his was the place known as 8urushottama
kshetra (place)E the city o 8uri o modern times$
8urshottama kshetra was a very important tirtha$ But all knowledge o this tirtha had been hidden until
.ndradyumna arrived on the scene$ -here was a reason or this$ 'any years agoE there used to be an
image o Vishnu thereE where people used to pray$ ,o sacred was the image that all the sins o the
worshippers were immediately orgiven$ -he result was that Yama could not punish any o the sinners$
-hey simply prayed to Vishnu?s image and escaped$ Yama thereore prayed to Vishnu or a solution$
Vishnu hid the image under the sand so that no one knew that it eGisted$
.ndradyumna liked 8urushottama Kshetra$ -he river 'ahanadi or :hitropala lowed not very ar away$
-he people who lived around the place were religious$ &e decided that this was the right place or
building a temple to Vishnu$ %n an auspicious dayE the oundation stone was laid$
.ndradyumna then got in touch with the kings o KalkingaE 2takala and Koshala$ &e reMuested their help
in etching stones or the building o the temple$ -he kings sent their architects to the Vindhya
mountains$ -he stones were gathered rom these mountains and brought to 8urushottama Kshetra in
boats and chariots$ 'essengers were also sent to several other kings or aid$ -hey came with their
armies and with a lot o wealth$
.ndradyumna told the assembled kingsE H. wish to accomplish two diicult tasks$ -he irst is to perorm
an ashvamedha yaCna here$ And the second is to build a temple to Vishnu$ Both o these are diicult
CobsE particularly the second$ But i you help meE . am conident that both Cobs can be done$I
-he kings agreed to help$ -hey oered CewelsE wealthE goldE clothesE ood grains and other obCects$ -he
place where the yaCna was to be held was made entirely out o gold$ .n actE all the obCects used in the
yaCna were made out o gold$ Brahmanas rom all over @ambudvipa came to witness the sacriice$ -hey
were donated elephantsE horses and cows as alms$ 1ever has there been any other sacriice to rival
the one that .ndradyumna perormed$
Ater the sacriice was over and the temple builtE there remained the more important Muestion o the
image$ &ow was this to be madeN .ndradyumna began to pray to Vishnu or guidance$
Vishnu appeared beore .ndradyumna in a dream and saidE H6hy are you so miserableN 6hen the sun
risesE go to the shores o the ocean$ -here you will ind a tree$ &al o the tree is in the water and the
remaining hal in the sand$ :hop down this tree$ .t s wood will give you the material or the image$
.n the morningE .ndradyumna went to the seashore and ound the tree$ .t was Cust as Vishnu had
described it to be$ 6ith an aGeE he chopped down the tree$ As he was about to slice the trunk in twoE
two brahmanas appeared beore him$ Although .ndradyumna did not know itE these two brahmanas
were Vishnu and Vishvakarma in disguise$
HKing$ 6hat have you doneNI eGclaimed the brahmanas$ HYou have cut down the only tree that was on
the shores o the ocean$I
H<orgive meEI replied .ndradyumna$ H. wished to make an image o Vishnu$ Vishnu has instructed me in
a dream that this is the tree rom which the image should be made$I
H-hat is an eGcellent ideaEI said the brahmana who was Vishnu in disguise$ H-here is nothing so holy as
praying to Vishnu$ 'eet my companion$ &e is as skilled as the great Vishvakarma himsel$ . you wantE
he will build the image or you$R
King .ndradyumna agreed$ And instructed by VishnuE Vishvakarma started to build the image$ %rE to be
more accurateE there were three dierent images$ -he irst one was that o Baladeva or Balarama$ -his
was completely white in colourE eGcept or the eyesE which were red$ -he image was dressed in blue
and a snake held its hood over Balarama?s head$ A club and a mace were in Balarama?s hands$ -he
second image was Krishna?s$ -his was blue in colourE with eyes like lotus lowers$ -he image was
dressed in yellow and had a chakra in its hand$ -he third image was that o Krishna?s sister ,ubhadra$
-his image was golden in colour and was dressed in wonderul clothes$
6hen .ndradyumna discovered that the images were made in a matter o minutesE he was
thunderstruck$ &e realised that the two brahmanas cold not be mere mortals$ &e ell at their eet and
saidE H8lease tell me who you are$ You cannot be humans$I
Vishnu and Vishvakarma then revealed their true selves and .ndradyumna was thrilled$ Vishnu blessed
the king and told him that he would rule or ten thousand and nine hundred years$ And even ater
.ndradyumna diedE a place would be reserved or him in heaven$
%n an auspicious dayE the three images were instated in the temple$
9&11 Mar.andeya
'any years agoE a great destruction (pralaya) took place$ -he earth was shrouded in darkness and
nothing could be seen$ -here was neither sun nor moon$ Lightning and thunder crushed mountains and
trees$ -here were showers o meteors$ Lakes and rivers dried up$ -he entire earth burnt with ire and
the lames o the ire reached down to the underworld$ All living beings perished in this ireE including
the gods and the demons$
-here was a sage named 'arkandeya$ 6hile all this was going onE 'arkandeya was busy meditating$
,uch was the power o 'arkandeya?s tapasya that the ire dared not touch him$ But it is also true that
'arkandeya was scared o the ire that raged all around him$ &e suered rom hunger and thirst and
orgot all about his tapasya$ &is lips and throat dried up rom ear$ 'arkandeya discovered that there
was a banyan tree that was untouched by all these ravages$ &e retired to the shade o the banyan tree
and started to pray to Vishnu$
:louds gathered in the sky$ -hey were thick and dark clouds and they spread all over the earth$ .t
started to rain and it poured and poured$ 6ater was everywhere and the earth was looded$ -he water
put out the ire$ .t rained continuously or twelve years$ -he oceans looded the shores and the
mountains were pulverised$ Vishnu slept on the water$
'arkandeya did not know what to do$ -here was water everywhere and he loated on it$ But he
continued to pray to Vishnu$
Vishnu spoke to 'arkandeya$ HDo not be rightenedE 'arkandeyaEI he said$ HYou are devoted to me
and . shall protect you$I
'arkandeya did not realise that it was Vishnu who was speaking$ H6ho dares to address me thusNI he
demanded$ HAm . a child that . should be so addressedN . am the great 'arkandeyaE blessed by
Brahma himsel$I
But try as he mightE 'arkandeya cold not see anyone anywhere$ 6here had the voice come rom thenN
&ad it all been an illusionN 1ot knowing what to doE he started to pray again to Vishnu$ ,uddenly he
saw the banyan tree loating on the water$ A golden bed was spread on the branches o the tree and on
the bed there slept a small boy$ 'arkandeya was eGceedingly surprised to see the small boy loating in
the middle o this deluge$ &e was so conused by his illusions that he did not realise that this boy was
none other than Vishnu$
-he boy spoke to 'arkandeya$ HYou are tiredEI said the boy$ HYou are looking or a reuge$ +nter my
body and rest or some time$I
'arkandeya was so conused thatE beore he could reactE he entered the boy?s body through the
mouth$ .nside the boy?s stomach 'arkandeya discovered all the worldsE the seven regions and the
seven oceans$ -he mountains and the kingdoms were all there$ ,o were all living beings$
'arkandeya did not know what to make o all this$ &e started to pray to Vishnu$ 1o sooner than he had
startedE he came out o the boy?s mouth$ Vishnu now appeared beore him and blessed him$ -he sage
spent a thousand years with Vishnu$ Vishnu then askedE H. wish to grant you a boon$ 6hat is your
desireNI
H. want to build a temple to ,hiva in 8urushottama KshetraEI replied 'arkandeya$ H-his will prove to
everyone that Vishnu and ,hiva are really one and the same$I
Vishnu granted the boon and 'arkandeya built a temple to ,hiva known as Bhuvaneshvara (Lord o
the 6orld)$
9&14 2ing )hveta
.n satya yuga there used to be a king named ,hveta$ &e was such a good king that during his reign
people lived or ten thousand years$ 1o one dies as a child$ Longevity was high and there was no inant
mortality$
But there was a sage named Kapalagoutama$ 2nortunatelyE the sage?s son died as an inant$ -he
sage brought the dead body to ,hveta and the king resolved that i he could not bring the sage?s son
back to lie within a weekE he would immolate himsel in a ire$ &aving thus taken an oathE king ,hveta
worshipped ,hiva with one thousand and one hundred blue lotus lowers$ ,hiva appeared beore the
king and granted the boon that the inant son might be brought back to lie$
King ,hveta ruled or a thousand years$ &e also built a temple to Vishnu in 8urushottama kshetra$ -he
temple that had been built by .ndradyumna was known as the temple o @agannatha$ ,hveta?s temple
was not very ar rom this and was known as the temple o ,hvetamadhava$ -he image in this temple
was as white as the moon$
9&18 +ali
-here was a king o the daityas named Vali$ &e was powerul and invincible$ &e was also righteous and
truthul$ -he gods cold not bear to see Vali?s prosperity and began to plot how Vali might be oiled$ ,o
well did Vali rule that diseaseE drought and evil disappeared throughout the three worlds$
.n desperationE the gods approached Vishnu$ H8lease do something about ValiIE they reMuested$ HYou
always help us out when we are in trouble$I
H-here is no dierence between Vali and the gods so ar as . am concernedEI replied Vishnu HVali is
devoted to me$ . cannot thereore ight with him$ But . will think o a way so that his kingdom might be
taken away rom him and given to you$I
Vishnu decided to be born as Aditi?s son$ -he son was a dwar$ -his was the vamana avatara (dwar
incarnation) o Vishnu$
Vali proposed to organise a horse sacriice$ 'any sages came to the sacriice and ,hukracharya was
the chie priest$ -he dwar also arrived to witness the yaCna$
,hukracharya realised that the dwar was none other than Vishnu$ &e told ValiE H. suspect that this
dwar is Vishnu in disguise$ &e must have come here to ask you or something$ 8lease do not grant him
anything without irst consulting me$I
H:ertainly notEI replied Vali$ H.t is good ortune indeed that the great Vishnu has come to my house$
6hat is there to consult aboutN . shall grant Vishnu whatever he wants$I
Vali went to the dwar to ascertain what the dwar wanted$ Vishnu eGpressed the wish that he might be
given as much o land as might be covered in three o the dwar?s steps$ -his boon Vali readily granted$
But no sooner than the boon had been grantedE the dwar adopted a gigantic orm$ &e placed one oot
on Vali?s yaCna and the second on Brahmaloka$
H6here will . place my third stepNI demanded Vishnu$ H-here is no more space let in the entire
universe$ <ind me a place or my third step$I
Vali smiled and saidE H8lace it on my back$I
Vishnu was charmed at Vali?s generosity$ &e granted Vali the boon that Vali would hold the title o .ndra
in a uture manvantara$ &e then appointed Vali king o the underworld$ But .ndra?s kingdom o heavenE
which Vali had conMueredE was returned to .ndra$
Brahma had all this while been in Brahmaloka$ 6hen Vishnu placed his second oot on BrahmalokaE
Brahma elt that he should welcome his water=pot (kamandalu) to wash the oot$ -he water spilled over
rom the oot and ell on the mountains$ -here the water divided into our$ Vishnu accepted the low that
went northwards$ -he low that went westwards returned to Brahma?s kamandalu$ -he low that went
eastwards was gathered up by the gods and the sages$ But the low that went southwards got
entangled in ,hiva?s matted hair$ -his water was the river *anga$
9&19 (autama
8art o the water o the *anga that got stuck in ,hiva?s hair was brought down to earth by Bhagiratha$
-he remaining part was brought down by the sage *autama$
8arvati was married to ,hivaE but ,hiva seemed to be onder o *anga than o 8arvati$ 8arvati resolved
that a way had to be ound to remove *anga rom ,hiva?s hair$ ,he tried persuasionE but ,hiva reused
to listen$
At this timeE there was a terrible drought on earth which went on or ourteen years$ -he only place that
was not aected by the drought was the sage *outhama?s hermitage$ %ther people also gathered in
the hermitage to save themselves rom the drought and *outama welcomed them all$ *anesha thought
that he might be able to devise a way to ree his mother o the *anga problem$ &e went and began to
live in *outhama?s hermitage$
*anesha cultivated the acMuaintance o the other sages and become Muite riendly with them$
%ne o 8arvati?s companions was @aya$ *anesha told @aya that she was to adopt the orm o a cow and
eat up the grain in *outama?s ields$ And the moment she was struckE she was to lie down on the
ground and pretend to be dead$
*outama noticed that a cow was eating up his grain$ &e tried to drive away the cow by striking it with a
blade o grass$ As soon as he did thisE the cow uttered a shrill bellow and ell down on the ground$
*anesha and the other sages came running to see what had happened$ -hey discovered thatE to all
intents and purposesE a cow had been struck down dead by sage *outama$ -hey thereore reused to
stay in an ashrama where such a sin had been committed$
*outama tried to restrain them$ H8lease do not go away and orsake meEI he said$ H-ell me how . may
perormed penance$I
HYou will have to bring down *anga rom ,hiva?s hairEI replied *anesh$ H6hen that water touches the
dead body o the cowE your sin will be orgiven$I
HYou will have to bring down *anga rom ,hiva?s hairEI replied *anesha$ H6hen that water touches the
dead body o the cowE your sin will be orgiven$I
*anesha was so riendly with the other sages that they all accepted his solution$ *outama also agreed
to do the needul$
AccordinglyE *outama went to 'ount Kailasa and began to pray to ,hiva$ ,hiva was pleased at
*outama?s tapasya and oered to grant a boon$ *outama naturally wanted the boon that *anga might
be brought down to earth$ ,hiva agreed$ .t was thus that *anga was brought down to earth by the sage
*outama$ *anga has our tributaries in heavenE seven on earth and our in the underworld$ ,ince it was
*outama who brought *anga down to earthE the river is also known as *outami *anga$
9&!: "he $oves
.n a mountain known as Brahmagiri there used to live a hunter who was very cruel$ &e not only killed
birds and animalsE but brahmanas and sages as well$
-he hunter once went on a hunt$ &e killed many animals and birds and some he put in his cages$ &e
had penetrated so ar inside the orest that he was ar rom home$ .t became night and also started to
rain$ &ungry and thirstyE the hunter lost his way$ &e climbed up a tree and decided to spend the night
there$ But his mind kept going back to his wie and children at home$
<or many years a dove and its amily had lived happily on that tree$ Both the male and emale had gone
out to look or ood$ But although the make dove had returned to the nestE the emale dove had not$ .n
actE the emale had been captured by the hunter and was now inside a cage$
-he male did not know this$ &e mourned or his wie$
-hese words o mourning were heard by the emale dove inside the cage and she made her presence
elt$ -he male dove came down and discovered his wie inside the cage$ H-he hunter is sleeping nowEI
he said$ H1ow is the time or me to ree you$I
H1oEI replied the emale dove$ HYou know how it is with living beings$ %ne living being lives on another$ .
can ind not ault with the hunterE he is merely collecting his ood$ &e is like a guest to us$ And it is our
duty to oer up our bodies or the sake o a guest$I
HYou are Muite rightEI said the male dove$ H. lost my sense o propriety$ 6e have to serve our guest$ But
how do we serve our guestN 6e have nothing that we can call our own$I
HAt the moment the hunter is suering most rom the coldEI replied the emale dove$ H6e have to light a
ire to warm him up$ *o and ind a ire and bring plenty o dead leaves and branches so that the ire
may burn$I
-he male dove ound a laming branch$ &e also brought many dry leaves and branches so that the ire
could burn$ -he rain had stopped and the ire warmed up the hunter$
H1owEI said the emale doveE Hree me so that . may immolate mysel in the ire$ 'y roasted lesh will
serve as ood or the hunter$I
H1everEI replied the male dove$ H.t is my right to serve the guest irst$I
,aying thisE the male dove hurled himsel into the ire$ -he hunter had heard the entire conversation
and marveled that two doves could be so altruistic$ -he emale dove now reMuested the hunter to ree
her rom the cage$ And as soon as he did thisE the emale dove also hurled hersel into the ire$
-his selless deed o the two doves was so wonderul that a space vehicle (vimana) came down to take
the two doves straight to heaven$ -he cruel hunter was also impressed and repented his past
misdeeds$ &e told the dovesE HYou are indeed blessed$ Beore you go to heavenE please tell me how .
may perorm penance or my sins$I
H*o to *outami *anga and bathe there or iteen daysEI replied the doves$ HYour sins will also be
orgiven$I
-he hunter did as he had been asked to$ -he place where the doves immolated themselves became a
holy tirtha known as kapotatirthaE since the word kapota means dove$
9&!1 (aruda and Maninaga
You have already been told about the great snake (naga) Ananta$ Ananta had a son named 'aninaga$
*aruda was the enemy o the snakes and the snakes were all araid o *aruda$
'aninaga began to pray to ,hiva$ &aving pleased ,hivaE he obtained the boon that *aruda would be
able to do him no harm$ Armed with this boonE 'aninaga started to wander around reely and did not
run away even when aced with *aruda$ *aruda ound this to be eGceedingly strange$ Although he
could not kill 'aninagaE he captured him and kept him imprisoned in his own house$
,hiva had a companion named 1andi$ 1andi told ,hivaE HLordE what has happened to 'aninagaN 6e
have not seen him or some time$ . hope that *aruda has not done him some harm$I
,hiva o curse knew what had happened$ &e advised 1andi to pray to Vishnu$ 1andi was to please
Vishnu and then ask or the boon that 'aninaga might be reed rom *aruda?s imprisonment$ 1andi did
this and Vishnu asked *aruda to release 'aninaga$
HLordEI *aruda told VishnuEI this is very unair$ %ther masters treat their servants really well$ -hey give
their servants gits$ ,ee how ,hiva has sent 1andi himsel to rescue ,hiva?s devotee 'aninaga$ You
never give me any gits$ 'oreoverE when . obtain something on my ownE you ask me to relinMuish it$ .s
this proper on your partN .t is on me that you ride when you go out to ight the demons$ -hey get
deeated because o my prowess$ And yet it tickles your ego no end to think that you have deeated
them yoursel$I
Vishnu smiled and repliedE H*arudaE you are Muite right$ You have become thin and learn rom bearing
my weight$ .t is Muite true that . can deeat the demons only because o your prowess$ You have a lot o
strength$ 6hy don?t you bear the weight o my little inger and demonstrate your strengthNI
Vishnu placed his little inger on *aruda?s head$ ,o heavy was the inger that *aruda was crushed
against the ground$
H8lease orgive meEI said *aruda$ H. have been very stupid$ . am an ignorant ass and you are the lord o
everything$ . have been completely lattened by the weight o your little inger$ 8lease tell me how . may
regain my old sel$I
Vishnu asked 1andi to take *aruda to ,hiva$ ,hiva would ind a way o restoring *rauda?s old
appearance$ 'aninaga was releases and 1andi took *aruda to ,hiva$ ,hiva asked *aruda to bathe in
*outami *anga$ -his would make his appearance normal again$
*aruda did this$ 1ot only was his old appearance restoredE he became stronger and switer than he
used to be$ -he place where *aruda bathed is a tirtha known as *arudatirtha$
9&!! +ishvamitra and 7ndra
'any years agoE there was a terrible drought$ -here was no ood to be had$
-he sage Vishvamitra had come to the banks o the river *outami *anga with his disciples$
Vishvamitra?s wieE children and disciples were all hungry$ -he sage thereore sent his disciples out to
look or ood$ -hey searched everywhereE but could ind no ood$ -he only obCect that they could ind
was the body o a dead dog$ -hey brought this to Vishvamitra$
H6e have no choiceEI Vishvamitra told his disciples$ H:lean the meat careully with water$ -hen oer it
to the godsE the sages and the ancestors$ -his is what we have to live on$I
%ering the meat o a dog to the gods was unheard o$ .ndra adopted the orm o a hawk and stole the
vessel in which the meat was kept$ But Vishvamitra got to know about this and got ready to curse .ndra$
.ndra was naturally scared o Vishvamitra?s curse$ &e changed the dog=meat into amrita (a heavenly
drink) and brought the vessel back$
H. don?t want amritaEI Vishvamitra told .ndra$ HBring the dog=meat back$ . don?t want to have amrita when
the whole world is starving or ood$ -here is no ood available and . do not see any sin in eating dog=
meat$ 1or should there be a sin in oering it to the gods$I
.ndra was the god o rains$ &e realised that the only way to persuade Vishvamitra against eating the
dog=meat was to make it rain so that there would be an end to the drought$ .nstructed by .ndraE the
clouds poured down rain$ Vishvamitra and his disciples now consented to partake o the amrita$
-he place where all this happened has come to be known as Vishvamitratirtha$
9&!* )hveta
-here used to be a brahmana named ,hveta$ &e was a riend o the sage *outama and had a
hermitage on the banks o the *outami *anga$ ,hveta was also devoted to ,hiva$ .n due courseE
,hiveta died and Yama?s messengers arrived to take ,hveta to Yama$ But they could not even enter
,hveta?s house$
<inding that Yama?s messengers are not returningE Yama?s companion :hitraka told YamaE H6hat do
you think has happenedN 6hy aren?t the messengers returningN
Yama now sent his companion 'rityu (literally death) to ind out what was going on$ 'rityu went to
,hveta?s house and ound Yama?s messengers standing outside the house$ -hey eGplained that they
were unable to enter the house because ,hiva himsel was guarding ,hveta?s body$
%ne o ,hiva?s companions asked 'rityu$ H6hat are you doing hereN 6hat do you wantNI
H. have come to take ,hveta to YamaEI replied 'rityu$ H&is time on earth is up$I
'rityu lung a noose to grasp ,hveta?s body$ But ,hiva?s companion struck 'rityu with a rod and killed
him$ 6hen the news o this was taken to YamaE he was urious$ 6ith all his companions he attacked
,hveta?s house$ 1andiE *aneshaE Kartikeya and several o ,hiva?s companions came to ight on
,hiva?s sideE and a battle royal raged$ All the gods arrived to mediate and end the strie$ -hings had a
got a bit out o hand and Yama himsel had been killed by Kartikeya$
-he problem seemed to dey solution$ Yama wasE ater allE perorming his duty$ But ,hiva insisted that
his devotees would never be taken to YamaE but would instead go straight to heaven$ ,hiva?s condition
was inally agreed to$ 1andi brought water rom the *outami *anga and sprinkled it on Yama and the
others who had died in the ighting$ -hey were all immediately brought back to lie$
9&!, 2u5era
Kubera was the eldest son o the sage Vishrava$ Vishrava had two wives$ -he ist wie give birth to
Kubera$ -he second wie was a rakshasa (demon) woman and gave birth to "avanaE Kumbhakarna
and Vibhishana$ Kubera used to rule in Lanka and his relations with his cousins were eGtremely good$
But "avana?s mother did not like idea o her sons miGing so much with Kubera$
,he called her sons and saidE H6hat are you up toN 6hy do you cause me so much o painN You are
demons and Kubera is a god$ .s it proper that you should be so riendly with himN -he relation between
gods and demons is one o enmity$ :onsider Kubera?s pomp and glory$ &ave you got anything like that
to show or yourselvesN Do something so as to improve your own statures$I
-hus instructed by their motherE "avanaE Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana went o to the orest to
perorm tapasya$ -hey pleased Brahma with their prayers and desired the boon that they might win
over the kingdom o Lanka$ "avana also obtained the boon that he would become very strong$
-hus ortiied with the boonsE the demons attacked Kubera and deeated him$ -hey drove Kubera out o
Lanka$ Kubera possessed a beautiul vimana named pushpaka$ -his was also appropriated by "avana$
"avana also made it known that whoever gave Kubera reuge would be killed by him$ -his meant that
no one dared give reuge to Kubera$
Kubera sought the advice o his grandather 8ulastya$ 8ulastya told him to go to the banks o the
*outami *anga and pray to ,hiva there$ ,hiva appeared beore Kubera and blessed him$ &e granted
Kubera the boon that Kubera would become the god o all wealth$
9&!/ ?arishchandra
.n the .kshvaku dynasty there ruled a king named &arishchandra$ &arishchandra had no son$ %ne day
two sages named 1arada and 8arvata came to visit &arishchandra and told him that he would go to
hell i he did not have a son$
H&ow can . obtain a sonNI asked &arishchandra$
H*o to the banks o the *outami *angaEI advised the sages$ H8ray to the god Varuna there$ 6e are
sure that Varuna will grant you a son$I
&arishchandra pleased Varuna with his prayers and asked or a son$
HYou will have a sonEI said Varuna$ HBut there is a condition attached$ You will have to subseMuently
organise a yaCna in my honour and you will have to sacriice your son at this yaCna$ -ell me i this
condition is acceptable to you$I
HYes indeedEI replied &arishchandra$
.n due courseE &arishchandra had a son who was named "ohita$
Varuna came to &arishchandra and askedE H6hat about the yaCna in my honourNI
H'y son is still too youngEI replied &arishchandra$ HLet him at least attain ten days o age$ -ill thenE the
baby is in any case impure and is not it to be sacriiced$I
Ater ten days Varuna came again and askedE H6hat about the yaCna in my honourN
H8lease let him grow his teethEI replied &arishchandra$ HAnimals are sacriiced at yaCnas$ And no one
becomes an animal until he actually has teeth$I
Varuna waited till the teeth grew and returned when "ohita was seven years o age$ H6hat about the
yaCna in my honourNI he asked$
H-hese are only milk teethEI replied &arishchandra$ H-hese do not characterise an animal$ 8lease wait
until his proper teeth have grown$I
Varuna returned when the proper teeth grew and askedE H6hat about the yaCna in my honourNI
H&e is the son o kshatriya (the second o the our classesE a warrior class)EI replied &arishchandra$
HBut his training in the art o ighting has not even begun$ &e cannot be called a kshatriya until he
knows how to ight$ -ill that day he is an incomplete man$ Do you really want such an incomplete man
as a sacriiceNI
Ater some years had passedE "ohita became skilled in the art o ighting and was appointed the heir=
apparent (yuvaraCa) to the kingdom$ &e was then siGteen years o age$
Varuna appeared again and askedE H6hat about the yaCna in my honourNI
-his time the entire conversation took place in ront o the prince and "ohita intervened beore
&arishchandra could say anything$ H<atherEI he saidE H. have already resolved to perorm a yaCna in
Vishnu?s honour$ *rant me the permission to complete that irst$ Ater thatE do what you will$I
"ohita went o to the orest$ 'eanwhileE Varuna had had enough and he alicted &arishchandra with a
painul stomach ailment$ 1ews o his ather?s illness was taken to "ohita in the orest$ .n the orestE
"ohita met a sage named ACigarta$ -he sage was very poor andE together with his wie and three sonsE
was starving$
H6ill you sell one o your three sons to meNI asked "ohita$ H-he boy is needed or a sacriice$I
H. shall not sell my eldest sonEI said the sage$ H'y wie will not permit the youngest one to be sold$ You
can have the one in the middle$ &is name is ,hunahshea$ -he price will be one thousand cowsE one
thousand golden coinsE one thousand pieces o clothing and a lot o wealth$I
"ohita paid the price and brought ,hunahshea home to &arishchandra$
H6e can?t do thisEI said &arishchandra$ H.t is the duty o kings to protect the brahmanas$ &ow can we
sacriice the son o a brahmanaN .t is better to die instead$ *o and return ,hunahshea to his ather$I
@ust then a divine voice was heard rom heaven$ -he voice saidE H-here is no need or anyone to die$
-ake ,hunahshea to the banks o the *outami *anga and perorm the yaCna to Varuna there$ *outami
*anga is such a sacred river that no human sacriices are needed i a yaCna is perormed there$
-his is what &arishchandra did not Varuna was satisied$ As or ,hunahsheaE he was adopted by the
sage Vishvamitra as a son$
9&!1 +riddhagoutama
-he sage *outama had a son named Vriddhagoutama$ Vriddhagoutama was also a sage$ But he was
very ugly$ BesidesE he had no noseO had never had one since he had been born$ &e was so ashamed
o this deormity that he could not bear to Coin the other children o the sages in studying the Vedas and
,hastras under a teacher$ But Vriddhagoutama knew some incantations (mantras) which he always
chanted$ &e also worshipped the god Agni$
6hen he grew a bit olderE Vriddhagoutama went out to tour the world$ &e traveled to many places and
met many people$ ,ince he was deormedE he never got married$ 6ho would want to marry a person so
ugly as heN
.n the course o his travelsE Vriddhagoutama arrived at a mountain named ,hitagiri$ &e discovered a
beautiul cave in the mountain and thought that this might be a good place to live in$ ,o he entered the
cave and was very surprised to ind an old woman inside$ -he old woman had obviously been living
inside the cave or many years$ &er body was thin and wasted rom the rigours o severe tapasya$
Vriddhagoutama was about to touch the eet o such a venerable old womanE but the woman restrained
him$ H8lease don?t touch my eetEI said the woman$ HYou are my guru$ Does a guru ever bow beore his
discipleNI
Vriddagoutama was surprised at these words$ -his was the irst time in his lie that he had met the old
woman$ H&ow can . be your guruNIE he asked$ HYou are much older than me$ BesidesE . have never
learnt anything and you are clearly a respected ascetic$ Your words are a complete mystery to me$I
HLet me tell you my storyEI said the old woman$ H%therwiseE you will not understand$I
-here used to be a handsome and brave prince named "itadhvaCa$ &e was the son o King
Arshtishena$ "itadhvaCa went on a hunt to the orest and arrived at that very cave$ -here he happened
to meet an apsara named ,ushyama$ -he two ell in love with each other and got married$ But
eventuallyE "itadhvaCa had to return home and ,ushyama gave birth to a daughter there$ ,ushyama let
her daughter in the cave itsel with the instruction that she was not to leave the cave$ -he irst man to
enter the cave would become her husband$ .t was this daughter who had now become the old woman$
"itadhvaCa had reigned or eighty thousand years$ Ater thatE ritadhvaCa?s son had reigned or ten
thousand years$ All this whileE ,ushyama?s daughter had lived in the caveE that isE or ninety thousand
years all together$
H1ow you see that you are to be my husbandEI said the old woman$ H.s a husband not a guruNI
H6hat you say is Muite impossibleEI replied Vriddhagoutama$ HYou are much older than me$ . am only a
thousand years old and you more than ninety thousand$ &ow can we marryN . am like a child neGt to
you$I
H. you do not marry meE . will kill myselEI said the old woman$
HBut . am uglyEI protested Vriddhagoutama$ H. will promise you this much$ . . every become handsome
and learnedE . will indeed marry you$I
H. have pleased the goddess ,arasvatiE who presides over all learningE through my tapasyaEI said the
old woman$ H,he will make you learned$ . have also pleased the god Varuna and he will make you
handsome$I
Vriddhagoutama became handsome and learned and married the old woman$ -hey lived happily in the
cave$
%ne dayE various sages came to visit the couple$ Amongst them there were sages like Vashishtha and
Vamadeva$ But there were also young sages who ere not all that sensible$ -he younger sages started
to laugh at the sight o the young and handsome Vriddhagoutama and his aged wie$
H6ho is this manNI they asked the old woman$ H.s he your son or your grandsonNI
-he sages went awayE but the couple elt ashamed$ -hey asked the sage Agastya what they might do$
Agastya told them to go and bathe in the river *outami *anga$ -he river is so sacred that all one?s
heart?s desires are thereby granted$ -he couple did this and prayed to Vishnu and ,hiva$ 6onder o
wondersE the old woman became young and pretty$ -he place on the banks o the river where these
wonderul things happened is a tirtha named vriddhasangama$
9&!4 Pippalada
'any years agoE there used to be a sage named Dadhici$ &is wie was Lopamudra$ Dadhichi?s
hermitage was right neGt to the holy river *anga$ Lopamudra?s sister *abhastini also used to live in the
hermitage$ ,uch was the sage Dadhichi?s powers that daityas and danavas dared not set oot inside
the hermitage$
-he gods once ought with the demons and managed to deeat them$ Ater the war was overE they
came to pay their respects to Dadhichi$ Dadhichi welcomed his guests and wanted to know how they
were aring$
H-hanks to your blessingsE we are ineEI replied the gods$ H6e have Cust deeated the demons in a war$
.n actE we have a slight problem$ 6e no longer need our weapons now that the demons have run
away$ 6e don?t know o a sae place where we can store all these weapons$ 6e were wondering i we
might keep the weapons in your ashrama$ -his is one o the saest places that can be ound$I
Dadhichi consented to this proposal$ -he gods let their weapons in the hermitage and went back to
heaven$
6hen Lopamudra heard what Dadhichi had doneE she was not at all pleased$ HYou have done
something that is mot improperEI she told her husband$ H%ne should never accept responsibility or
someone else?s propertyE especially i one is an ascetic and has not material possessions o one?s own$
'oreoverE you have agreed to store the weapons o the gods$ Dose this not mean that those who are
the god?s enemies will look upon you too as an enemyN And what are you going to do i something
should happen to the weaponsN 6ill the gods not blame you thenNI
HYour points are well takenEI said Dadhichi$ HBut . had not thought o them and . have given the gods
my word$ . can?t very well go back on my word now$I
A hundred years passed$ -he gods did not return to collect their weapons$ -he weapons began to lose
their lusterE Dadhichi did not know how the energy o the weapons might be preserved$ &e washed
them with holy water and the energy o the weapons got dissolve in the water$ Dadhichi then drank up
the water$ As or the weapons themselvesE they aded away once their energy was gone$
<inally the gods came to claim their weapons$ H:an we have our weapons backN -hey asked$
H%ur enemies have become powerul again$ 6e need our weapons$I
H-hat may beEI said Dadhichi$ HBut the weapons are no longer there$ . have swallowed up their energy$
Let me tell you what can be done$ . will use the powers o meditation (yoga) to give up my lie$ -hen
eGcellent weapons can be made out o my bones$
-he gods were reluctantE but thee was no other solution$ Dadhichi died and the gods reMuested
Vishvakarma to make weapons or them out o Dadhichi?s bones$ Vishvakarma complied and the
weapon name vaCra that he made was truly remarkable$
Lopamudra was away when this incident took place$ ,he returned and ound that her husband had
died$ ,he was alicted with sorrow and wished to immolate hersel in a ire$ But she happened to be
pregnant at the timeE so that this could not immediately be done$ %nce the baby was bornE she killed
hersel ater having handed over the baby to a pippala (ig) tree or rearing$
,ince the pippala tree brought up the boyE he came to be known as 8ippalada$ :handra was the lord
over all trees$ -he trees asked :handra or some amrita or 8ippalada and :handra obliged$ -he
amrita gave 8ippalada a lot o strength$
6hen 8ippalada grew upE he wanted to know who his parents were and the trees told him the story$
8ippalada blamed the gods or his parents death and decided to seek revenge$ -he trees brought
8ippalada to :handra$
HYou are still too youngEI said :handra$ H<irst you must become learned and well=versed in the use o
weapons$ *o to the orest o dandakaranya$ -he river *outami *anga lows through that orest$ 8ray to
,hiva there and . am sure that your wishes will be ulilled$I
8ippalada pleased ,hiva through his prayers$
H6hat boon do you desireNI asked ,hiva$
. want the boon that . may be able to destroy the godsEI replied 8ippalada$
H. have a third eye in the middle o my oreheadEI said ,hiva$ H-he day you can see my third eyeE your
wish will be granted$I
-ry as he mightE 8ippalada could not see ,hiva?s third eye$ 8ippalada thereore perormed even more
diicult tapasya or even more years$ +ventually he managed to see ,hiva?s third eye$ <rom ,hiva?s
third eye was born a demon that looked like a mare$
H6hat is your desireNI asked the demon o 8ippalada$
HKill my enemiesE the godsEI was the reply$
-he demon immediately attacked 8ippalada$
H6hat are you doingNI asked 8ippalada$ H6hy are you trying to kill meN . asked you to kill the gods$I
HBut your body has bee created by the godsEI replied the demon$ H. will thereore kill you also$I
8ippalada ran to ,hiva or deliverance$ ,hiva earmarked a region inside the orest or 8ippalada$ -here
the demon was not permitted to enter$ 8ippalada lived thereE protected rom the ravages o the demon$
'eanwhileE the gods reMuested ,hiva to save them as well$ ,hiva persuaded 8ippalada to control his
anger$ &e convinced 8ippalada that nothing was to be gained by killing the gods$ -hat would not bring
his parents back$
8ippalada agreed$ But he wished to see his parents once$ AccordinglyE vimana descended rom heaven
on which Dadhichi and Lopamudra were seated$ -hey blessed 8ippalada and asked him to marry and
have children$
As or the demonE it became a river and merged with the holy *anga$
9&!8 3ageshvara
-here was a city named 8ratishthana$ A king named ,hurasena ruled in that city$ ,hurasena did not
have any sons$ Ater a lot o eortE a son was born to him$ But the son happened to be a snake$ -he
king and the Mueen were mortiied at this turn o events$ But they brought up their son in great secrecy$
1ot even the king?s ministers and priests knew that the prince was a snake$
6hen the prince grew slightlyE he began to talk like a humanE even though he was a snake$ King
,hurasena arranged or the prince?s education$ Ater the snake had become learned in the knowledge
o the VedasE he told his atherE H<atherE it is time or me to get married$ . . do not have a sonE . am
certain to go to naraka$I
King ,hurasena was very surprised to hear this$ H&ow is that possibleNI he asked$ H6hich princess will
consent to marry a snakeNI
H. don?t knowEI replied the prince$ HBut . do know that . have to get married$ %ther wiseE . will commit
suicide$ -here are many orms o marriage that are permissible$ 8erhaps a princess can be kidnapped
and married to me$I
,hurasena called his ministers and told themE H'y son 1ageshvara has now come o age$ &e has also
been made the heir=apparent to the kingdom$ -here is no one eMual to him in bravery on earthE in
heaven or in the underworld$ . am getting old$ 8lease arrange or 1ageshvara to get married$ . shall
then relinMuish my kingdom and retire to the orest$I
-he king did not o course tell his ministers that 1ageshvara was a snake$
,hurasena had an aged minister$ -his minister reported that there was a king named ViCaya who ruled
in the eastern part o the country$ King ViCaya had eight sons and one daughter$ -he daughter?s name
was Bhogavati and she was very beautiul$ ,he would be the right match or 1ageshvara$
-he aged minister was sent as a messenger to ViCaya and the king agreed to the match$ -here was a
custom amongst kshatriyas that the bride did not always have to be married to the bridegroom in
person$ ,he could also be married to the bridegroom?s sword or some other weapon$ -he minister
eGplained to King ViCaya that there were some private reasons which made it impossible or
1ageshvara to come in person or the marriage$ Bhogavati should be married o to 1ageshvara?s
sword$ ViCaya consented to this and the marriage ceremony was perormed$ -he entire retinue then
returned to the city o 8ratishthana$
But what was to be done now that the marriage was overN 1ageshvara?s mother sent a made to
Bhogavati$ -he maid was to tell Bhogavati that her husband was actually a snake and then observe her
reaction$
-he maid told BhogavatiE HYour husband is a godE but he has the orm o a snake$I
H-hat is my good ortuneEI replied Bhoavati$ H1ormallyE women are married to men$ . must have
perormed many good deeds in my earlier lie to have been married to a god$I
Bhogavati was then brought to 1ageshvara and at the sight o BhogavatiE 1ageshvara remembered his
earlier lie$ &e used to be a snake (naga) in his earlier lie and was a companion o ,hiva?s$ &is wie in
the earlier lie was Bhogavati$
-here had bee an occasion when ,hiva had laughed at a Coke o parvati?s and 1ageshvara had also
laughed$ -his had annoyed ,hiva and he had cursed 1ageshvara that he would be born on earth as
the son o a humanE but in the orm o a snake$ 6hen he went and bathed in *outami *angaE the
period o the curse would be over$ 6hen 1ageshvara recounted these incidents to BhogavatiE she also
remembered her earlier lie$ -he two went and bathed in the scared river and 1ageshvara obtained a
handsome and divine orm$ 1ageshavara ruled ater ,hurasena?s death$ And when 1ageshvara and
Bhogavati diedE they went back to Kailasa to live with ,hiva$
%n the banks o the *outami *angaE 1ageshvara and Bhogavati built a temple to ,hiva$ -his is a
amous tirtha known as nagatirtha$
9&!9 #rahma<s ?ead
Years agoE there was a war between the gods and the demons and the gods lost$ -he gods came to
Brahma or advice and Brahma asked them to pray to ,hiva$
6hen ,hiva appeared beore themE the gods saidE H-he demons have deeated us$ 8lease kill them
and save us$I
,hiva went to ight with the demons$ &e drove the demons o rom 'ount ,umeru and out o heaven$
&e pursued them to the ends o the earth$ All this eGertion made ,hiva sweat$ And wherever the drops
o sweat ell down on the groundE terrible ogresses named matris were created$ -he matris also started
to kill the demons and pursued them down to the underworld$
6hile the matris were killing the demons in the underworldE Brahma and the other dos waited on the
banks o the river *outami *anga$ -his place came to be known as 8ratishthana$
6hen the matris had killed all the demonsE they returned to earth and began to live on the banks o the
*outami *anga$ -his tirtha has come to be known as matritirtha$
Brahma used to have ive heads$ -he ith head was in the shape o a donkey?s head$ 6hen the
demons were running away to the underworldE this donkey?s head addressed the demons and saidE
H6hy are you running awayN :ome back and ight with the gods$ . shall aid you in your ight$I
-he gods were alarmed at this paradoGical situation$ Brahma was helping them in their light with the
demons and Brahma?s ith head was trying to help the demons$ -hey went to Vishnu and saidE H8lease
cut o Brahma?s ith head$ .t is causing too much o conusion$I
H. can do what you wantEI replied VishnuE Hbut there is a problem$ 6hen the cut=o head alls on earthE it
will destroy the earth$ . think you should pray to ,hiva to ind a way out$I
-he gods prayed to ,hiva and ,hiva agreed to cut o the head$ But what was to be done with the
severed headN -he earth reused to bear it and so did the ocean$ <inally it was decided that ,hiva
himsel would bear the head$
-he place where ,hiva cut o Brahma?s ith head is known as rudratirtha$ +ver since that dayE Brahma
has had our heads and is known as :haturmukha (chatur connotes our and mukha connotes ace)$
-here is a temple to Brahma on the banks o the *outami *anga$ -his is a holy place known as
brahmatirtha$ A killer o brahmanas is pardoned his sin i he visits this temple$
9&*: "he =wl and the $ove
A dove used to live on the banks o the *outami *anga$ -he dove?s name was Anuhrada and its wie?s
name was &eti$ Anuhrada was Yama?s grandson$
1ot very ar awayE there lived an owl named 2luka$ -he owl?s wie was called 2luki$ -he owls were
descended rom the god Agni$
-he doves and the owls were enemies$ -hey ought amongst themselves continually$ -he doves had
received all sorts o weapons rom Yama and the owls had received all sorts o weapons rom Agni$
-hese divine weapons threatened to burn up everything$ But Yama and Agni intervened$ -hey
persuaded the owls and the doves to orget their enmity and live together as riends$
-he place where the doves lived came to be known as a tirtha named yamyatirtha$ And the place
where the owls lived came to be known as agnitirtha$
9&*1 "he ?unter
-here was a sage named Veda$ &e used to pray to ,hiva every day$ -he prayers lasted till the
aternoon and ater the prayers were overE Veda used to go to the nearby villages to beg alms$
A hunter named Bhilla used to come to the orest every aternoon to hunt$ Ater the hunt was overE he
used to come to ,hiva?s linga (image) and oer to ,hiva whatever it was that he had hunted$ .n the
process o doing thisE he oten moved Veda?s oerings out o the way$ ,trange though it might seemE
,hiva was stirred by Bhilla?s oerings and eagerly used to wait or it every day$
Bhilla and Veda never met$ But Veda noticed that every day his oerings lay scattered and a little bit o
meat lay by the side$ ,ince this always happened when Veda had gone out to beg or almsE Veda did
not know who was responsible$ But one dayE he decided to wait in hiding so as to catch the culprit red=
handed$
6hile Veda waitedE Bhilla arrived and oered what he had brought to ,hiva$ Veda was amaBed to
discover that ,hiva himsel appeared beore Bhilla and askedE H6hy are you late todayN . have been
waiting or you$ Did you get very tiredNI
Bhilla went away ater making his oerings$ But Veda came up to ,hiva and saidE H6hat is all thisN -his
is a cruel and evil hunterE and yetE you appear beore him$ . have been perorming tapasya or so many
years and you never appear beore me$ . am disgusted at this partiality$ . will break your linga with this
stone$I
HDo it i you mustEI replied ,hiva$ HBut please wait till tomorrow$I
1eGt dayE when Veda came to present his oeringsE he ound traces o blood on top o the linga$ &e
careully washed away the traces o blood and completed his prayers$
Ater some timeE Bhilla also came to present his oerings and discovered traces o blood on top o the
linga$ &e thought that he was in some way responsible or this and blamed himsel or some unknown
transgression$ &e picked up a sharp arrow and began to pierce his body repeatedly with this arrow as
punishment$
,hiva appeared beore both o them and saidE H1ow you see the dierence between Veda and Bhilla$
Veda has given me his oeringsE but Bhilla has given me his whole soul$ -hat is the dierence between
ritual and true devotion$I
-he place where Bhilla used to pray to ,hiva is a amous tirtha known as bhillatirtha$
9&*! (outama and Mani.undala
-here was a city named Bhouvana$ .n that city there lived a brahmana named *outama$ -he brahmana
had a vaishya riend named 'anikundala$ (A vaishya belongs to the third o the three classes and his
primary duties are trade and agriculture)$
*outama?s mother gave him a lot o ill advice$ As a result o thisE *outama told 'anikundalaE HLet us go
to other countries to trade and make proits$I
HBut my ather has a lot o wealthEI replied 'anikundala$ H6hat is the need to obtain more wealthNI
HYou don?t have the proper perspectiveEI said *outama$ HA successul person is one who does not
thrive on what is let to him by his ather$ &e makes his own ortune$I
'anikundala was convinced by *ountama?s logic$ &e did not realise that his so=called riend was out to
deraud him$
-he two riends set out on their CourneyE 'anikundala providing all the capital$
.n the course o their travels *outama remarkedE H&ave you noticed how those who ollow the path o
dharma (righteousness) always suerN -hey are neither wealthy nor happy$ -here seems to be no
point in being righteous$I
H8lease don?t say thatEI protested manikundala$ H&appiness lies in ollowing the path o dharma$
8overty and misery are inevitableE they are o no account at all$I
-he two riends argued over thisE but could not decide who was right$ -hey resolved to have a bet$
-hey would ask the opinions o others$ And whoever lost the bet would surrender all his wealth to the
winner$ -hey asked many people or their opinions$ 1aturally most people said that it was the evil who
thrived and prospered$ And it was the righteous who suered$ -he upshot o this was that 'anikundala
surrendered all his wealth to *outama$ But 'anikundala continued to praise dharma$
HYou are an utter assEI said *outama$ H&aven?t you lost all your wealth to meN Yet you continue to
praise dharma$I
H-he wealth is o no account at allEI replied 'anikundala$ HDharma is on my side and your apparent
victory is only an illusion$ Dharma will triumph in the end$I
-he two riends decided to have another bet$ -his time it was agreed that whoever lost the bet would
have his two arms chopped o$ -hey again asked several people and most people said that is was
adharma (evil) which triumphed$ ,o 'anikundala lost his two arms$
H&ow does it eel nowNI asked *outama$
H-he same as everEI replied 'anikundala$ H6hat is important is dharma$ And dharma is on my side$I
*outama lost his temper at this$ &e threatened to cut o 'anikundala?s head i 'anikundala persisted
in his praise o dharma$ But 'anikundala was unperturbed$ -he riends decided to have another bet$
-his time it was agreed that whoever lost would oreit his lie$ 'anikundala lost yet again$ And
*outama gouged out 'anikundala?s eyes and let him or dead$
'anikundala lay on the banks o the *outami *anga and pondered about the ate that had beallen
him$ .t became night$
-here was an image o Vishnu on the banks o the river and the rakshasa Vibhishana used to come
there every night to pray to Vishnu$ Vibhishana?s son discovered 'anikundala lying there and ound out
rom him the entire story$ &e recounted the story to his ather$
H'any years agoE . had Coined "ama in his ight with "avanaEI Vibhishana told his son$ H"agvana?s son
'eghanada shot a venomous arrow at "ama?s brother Lakshmana$ Lakshmana ell unconscious$ -he
monkey &anumana then went to the &imalayas and brought a mountain named *randhamadana to
Lanka$ %n that mountain there was a wonderul herb named vishalyakarani which cures all illnesses$
6hen &anumana returned the mountain to the &imalayasE a bit o the vishalyakarani ell down at this
spot$ 1ear Vishnu?s image$ Let us try and ind it$ 6e should be able to cure 'anikundala$I
<ather and son hunted or the herb$ -he vishalyakarani had become a huge tree$ -hey lopped o a
branch and placed it on 'anikundala?s chest$ 'anikundala immediately regained his eyes and arms$
Ater curing 'anikundalaE Vibhishana and his retinue returned to Lanka$
'anikundala began to travel$ &e eventually came to a city named 'ahapura where a king named
'aharaCa ruled$ 'aharaCa had no sonsE only a daughter$ -he daughter was blind$ 'aharaCa had
announced that whoever cured his daughter would become his son=in=law and rule ater him$
'anikundala cured the princess with his knowledge o the vishalyakarani$ &e then married the princess
and became king o 'ahapura ater 'aharaCa$
'any years laterE *outama was brought beore 'anikundala by the soldiers$ &e had been arrested on
the charge o committing a crime$ *outama had lost all his wealth by then and was no more than a
beggar$ 'anikundala pardoned his riend and shared with him whatever he had$
,uch are the virtues o ollowing the path o dharma$ -here are many tirthas along the banks o the
*outami *anga where these wonderul incidents took place$
9&** 2andu
-here was a sage named Kandu$ &e had a hermitage on the banks o the *outami *anga$ -he
ashrama was a beautiul place and Kandu perormed very diicult tapasya there$ .n the summer Kandu
meditated in the hot sunE in the monsoon he meditated on the wet groundE and in the winter he
meditated dressed in wet clothing$
.ndra got sacred as a result o all this tapasya$ &e thought that the sage Kandu might want to become
.ndra the king o the gods$ &e thereore called an apsara named disturb Kandu?s tapasya$
8ramlocha went to the hermitage and began to sing there in a beautiul voice$ -his disturbed Kandu
and he discovered a beautiul woman wandering around in his ashrama$
H6ho are youNI Kandu asked the woman$
H. have come here to pluck lowersEI replied 8ramlocha$ H. am your servant$ . will do whatever you wish
me to$I
Kandu had allen in love with 8ramlocha and he married her$ &e orgot all about his tapasya and .ndra
heaved a sigh o relie$ Years passed$ 8ramlocha wished to return to heavenE but Kandu would not let
her$
Ater years and years had passedE Kandu came out o his hutE looking rather distracted$ .t was then
evening and Kandu was obviously going somewhere$
H6here are you goingNI 8ramlocha asked$
H6hat a stupid MuestionLI eGclaimed Kandu$ H:an?t you see that it is now eveningN . have got to go and
observe the evening rites$ -he day has passed$I
H6hat dayNI asked 8ramlocha$ H,everal days have passed and several evenings have come and
gone$I
H1oE you came here this morningEI said Kandu$ H. brought you to my hut and it is now eveningE . don?t
understand what you are trying to say$ +Gplain yoursel$I
H.t is true that . came here in the morningEI answered 8ramlocha$ HBut that was a morning which
dawned many years ago$ &undreds o years have passed since that day$I
H&ow many yearsNI asked Kandu$ H6hen did you come hereNI
H,iGteen hundred yearsE siG months and three days agoEI replied 8ramlocha$
HAre you sureNI asked Kandu$ H.t seems like a single day to me$I
H. am sureEI said 8ramlocha$ H. dare not lie to you$I
HYou have dislodged me rom my tapasyaEI responded Kandu$ HBut . will not curse youE since you have
been my wie$ *o back to heaven$ . have to atone or my sins$I
-he sage Kandu went to 8urshottama kshetra and perormed penance or his sins$ &e was blessed by
Vishnu$
Kandu and 8ramlocha had a daughter named 'arisha$
-he Brahma 8urana also describes several other tirthas$ 'ost o these are on the banks o the river
*outami *anga$ -his is now identiied as the river *odavari$
Ater describing these several tirthasE the teGt describes incidents in Krishna?s lie$ -hese we will skipE
since they are described in much greater detail in the other 8uranas$
9&*, +arnashrama
-here are our varnas (classes)$ -heir names are brahmanaE kshatriyaE vaishya and shudra$
-he duties o a brahmana are to donate almsE perorm tapasyaE worship the godsE perorm yaCnas and
study the Vedas$ -o earn a livingE brahmanas are authoriBed to teach and act as priests at sacriices$
-he duties o kshatriya are to beat arms and protect the earthE donate alms and perorm sacriices$ A
kshatriya is also permitted to study the shastras$ -he duties o a vaishya are agricultureE animal
husbandry and trade$ -hat apartE vaishyas should donate almsE perorm sacriices and study the
shastras$ -he duties o a shudra are to serve brahmanas$ ,hudras can also be shopkeepers and
artisans$
.n times o emergencyE a brahmana is allowed to adopt the livelihoods o kshatriyas or vaishyas to earn
a living$ .n similar ashionE a kshatriya is permitted to adopt the livelihoods o vaishyas or shudras and a
vaishya is permitted to adopt the livelihoods o shudras$
-here are our ashramas (stages o lie) as well$ -he irst o these is known as brahmacharya (celibate
studenthood)$ During this periodE the individual spends his days with his guru and studies the Vedas
well$ &e has to serve his guru in proper ashion and live on alms$ -he neGt ashrama is that o
garhasthya (householder stage)$ -he individual now gets married and has children$ &e serves the
godsE the sagesE the ancestors and guests$ .t is householders who provide alms or sages and hermits$
-hat is the reason why the householder stage is so very important$ -he third ashrama is known as
vanaprastha (orest=dwelling stage)$ -he individual now retires to the orest and withdraws his mind
rom the earthly lie$ &e can leave his wie in the care o his sons or take her with him$ &e lives on rootsE
ruits and leaves and makes a bed or himsel under the trees$ &e is not permitted to shave or cut his
hair and his clothes have to be made out o bark or skins$ -he inal ashrama is that o sannyasa
(hermithood)$ A hermit gives up all association with the world and lives alone$ &e grows completely
detached$ &e lives alone$ &e gets his ood through begging$ &e is not permitted to spend more than
one night in a villageE or more than ive nights at a time in a city$
9&*/ "he 0handala and the #rahma-6a.shasa
A chandala is an outcast$ %n the outskirts o the city named Avanti lived a chandala$ -here was a
temple o Vishnu in Avanti and the chandala was devoted to Vishnu$ &e was also a good singer$
+kadashi tithi is the eleventh lunar day$ +very monthE on ekadashi tithiE the chandala would ast during
the day$ At night he would go to Vishnu?s temple and sing praises o Vishnu$ &e never ailed to observe
this ritual$
-he river Kshipra (,hipra) lowed by the city o Avanti$ %n one particular nightE on ekadashi tithiE the
chandala went to the banks o the river to collect some lowers or worshipping Vishnu$ %n the banks o
the river there was a tree and on that tree there lived a brahmarakshasa (demon)$ As soon as the
demon saw the chandalaE it wished to devour him$
H8lease not tonightEI said the chandala$ H. have to worship Vishnu throughout the night$ Let me go now$I
H1ot on you lieEI replied the demon$ H. have not eaten or ten days and . am amished$ . can?t let you
go$I
H8leaseEI said the chandalaE Hlet me go$ . promise that . will come back once the prayers are over$ You
will then be ree to do with me as you will$I
-he demon let the chandala go$ -he chandala went to the temple$ &e worshipped Vishnu and spent the
night in singing Vishnu?s praises$ 1eGt dayE he returned to the demon$
H. am indeed surprisedEI said the demon$ HYou are very truthul$ You can?t be a chandala$ You must be
a brahmana$ Answer my Muestions$ 6hat did you do all nightNI
H. stood outside Vishnu?s temple and sang his praiseEI replied the chandala$
H<or how long have you been doing thisNI asked the demon$
H<or twenty yearsEI was the chandala?s reply$
HYou have acMuired a lot o punya (store o merit) through thisEI said the demon$ H8lease grant me one
night?s punyaE . am sinner$I
H1oEI replied the chandala$ H. will not part with my punya$ . have given you my bodyE eat me i you will$
But the punya is mine own$I
HVery well thenEI said the demon$ H*ive me two hoursI worth o punya$ . am a sinner$I
H. have told you . will not give you any o my punyaEI replied the chandala$ HBut what is your sinNI
-he brahmarakshasa related his story$
&is name was ,omasharma and he was the son o Devasharma$ Devasharma was a righteous
brahmana$ But ,omasharma ell into evil ways$ A brahmana is not authorised to act as a priest in a
sacriice beore he has had his sacred=thread ceremony (upanayana)$ But ,omasharma became a
priest at a yaCna even though his upanayana had not been held$ As a result o this sinE when he diedE
he became a demon$ -he chandala was stirred to pity at this sad story and parted with some o his
punya$ -he demon was delighted and eGpressed his gratitude$ &e went to a tirtha and perormed
penance$ -hus it was that the demon was reed$
6hat about the chandalaN &e returned home and then let or a tour o all the sacred places o
pilgrimage$ At one such tirtha$ &e remembered the story o his earlier lie$
&e used to be a hermit well=versed in the Vedas and the shastras$ &e used to beg alms or a living$
%nce he had obtained some alms$ But some thieves were then in the process o stealing cowsE and the
hooves o the cows raised a cloud o dust$ -he dust ell onto the ood and the hermit threw away the
alms in disgust$ ,ince he had thrown away almsE he was born as a chandala$
Ater perorming penance or this sinE the chandala was pardoned$
10 $;ni Purana
-his 8urana is basically a preaching to the sage Vashishth by Agni$ .n his turnE Vashishth narrated it to
VyasaCiE who related it to ,utCi$ 2ltimatelyE ,utCi narrated Agni 8urana to an assembly o the sages in
1aimisharanya$
,tarting chapters o the 8urana describe about various incarnations o LordE including "ama and
Krishna$ %ther chapters describe about religious rituals especially those related to the worship o Lord
,hiva$ 'any chapters have description about the earthE stars and constellations as well as the duties o
the kings$
-his 8urana consists o / chaptersJ
1:&1 "he Avatars
.n the orest that is known as 1aimisharanyaE ,hounaka and the other rishis (sages) were perorming a
yaCna (sacriice) dedicated to the Lord Vishnu$ ,uta had also come thereE on his way to a pilgrimage$
-he sages told ,utaE H6e have welcomed you$ 1ow describe to us that which makes men all=knowing$
Describe to us that which is the most sacred in the whole worldI$
,uta repliedE HVishnu is the essence o everything$ . went to a hermitage named Vadrika with ,hukaE
8aila and other sages and met Vyasadeva there$ Vyasadeva described to me that which he had learnt
rom the great sage VashishthaE Vashishtha having learnt it rom the god Agni himsel$ -he Agni
8urana is sacred because it tells us about the essence o the brahman (the divine essence)$ . learnt all
this rom Vyasadeva and . will now tell you all that . have learnt$I
Avataras (Avatars)
Do you know what an avatara isN An avatara is an incarnation and means that a god adopts a human
orm to be born on earth$ 6hy do gods do this$ -he purpose is to destroy evil on earth and establish
righteousness$ Vishnu is regarded as the preserver o the universe and it is thereore Vishnu?s
incarnations that one encounters most oten$ Vishnu has already had nine such incarnations and the
tenth and inal incarnation is due in the uture$ -hese ten incarnations o Vishnu are as ollows$
(#) 'atsya avatara or ish incarnation
(() Kurma avatara or turtle incarnation
(0) Varaha avatara or boar incarnation
(4) 1arasimha avatara = an incarnation in the orm o a being who was hal=man and hal=lion$
(9) Vamana avatara or dwar incarnation
(;) 8arashurama
(7) "ama
()) Krishna
(/) Buddha
(#3) Kalki = this is the incarnation that is yet to come$
-he Agni 8urana now describes these ten incarnations$
-his :hapter contains 7 ,ections$
#3$#$# 'atsya
Agni told Vashishtha the story o the ish incarnation$
'any years agoE the whole world was destroyed$ -he destruction in act eGtended to all the three lokas
(6orlds) o bhulokaE bhuvarloka and svarloka$ Bhuloka is the earthE svarloka or svarga is heaven and
bhuvarloka is a region between the earth and heaven$ All there worlds were looded with water$
Vaivasvata 'anu was the son o the sun=god$ &e had spent ten thousand years in prayers and tapasya
(meditation) in the hermitage vadrika$ -his hermitage was on the banks o the river Kritamala$
%nce 'anu came to the river to perorm his ablutions$ &e immersed his hands in the water to get some
water or his ablutions$ 6hen he raised themE he ound that there was a small ish swimming in the
water in the cup o his hands$
'anu was about to throw the ish back into the water when the ish saidE HDon?t throw me back$ . am
scared o alligators and crocodiles and big ishes$ ,ave me$I
'anu ound an earthen pot in which he could keep the ish$ But soon the ish became too big or the pot
and 'anu had to ind a larger vessel in which the ish might be kept$ But the ish became too big or this
vessel as well and 'anu had to transer the ish to a take$ But the ish grew and grew and became too
large or the lake$ ,o 'anu transerred the ish to the ocean$ .n the oceanE the ish grew until it became
gigantic$
By nowE 'anu?s wonder knew no bounds$ &e saidE H6ho are youN You must be the Lord VishnuE . bow
down beore you$ -ell meE why are you tantalising me in the orm o a ishNI
-he ish repliedE H. have to punish the evil and protect the good$ ,even days rom nowE the ocean will
lood the entire world and all beings will be destroyed$ But since you have saved meE . will save you$
6hen the world is loodedE a boat will arrive here$ -ake the saptarshis (seven sages) with that boat$
Don?t orget to take the seeds o oodgrains with you$ . will arrive and you will then asten the boat to my
horn with a huge snake$I
,aying thisE the ish disappeared$
+verything happened as the ish had promised it would$ -he ocean became turbulent and 'anu
climbed into the boat$ &e tied the boat to the huge horn that the ish had$ &e prayed to the ish and the
ish related the 'atsya 8urana to him$ +ventuallyE when the water recededE the boat was anchored to
the topmost peak o the &imalayas$ And living beings were created once again$
A danava (demon) named &ayagriva had stolen the sacred teGts o the Vedas and the knowledge o
the brahman$ .n his orm o a ishE Vishnu also killed &ayagriva and recovered the Vedas$
#3$#$( Kurma
'any years ago there was a war between the devas (gods) and the daityas (demons) and the gods lost
this war$ -hey prayed to Vishnu to rescue them rom the oppression o the demons$ Vishnu told
Brahma and the other gods that they should have a temporary truce with the demons$ -he two sides
should get together to churn the ocean$ Vishnu would ensure that the devas beneited more rom this
churning o the ocean than the daityas did$
-he truce was agreed upon and the two sides got ready to churn the ocean$ -he mountain 'andara
was used as a churning rod and great sake Vasuki as the rope or churning$ -he devas grasped
Vasuki?s tail and the daityas grasped Vasuki?s head$ But as the churning beganE the mountain 'andara
which had no baseE started to get immersed in the ocean$ 6hat was to be doneN Lord Vishnu came to
the rescue$ &e adopted the orm o a turtle and the peak was balanced on the turtle?s back$
As the churning continuedE terrible poison named kalkuta emerged rom the depths o the ocean and
was swallowed by ,hiva$ ,hiva?s throat became blue rom this poison and he is thereore known as
1ilakanthaE blue o throat$ -he goddess VaruniE the goddess o wine (sura)E came out neGt$ -he gods
readily accepted her and thus they came to be known as suras$ But the demons reCected Varuni and
were thereore known as asuras$ ,he was ollowed by the 8ariCata treeE a beautiul tree that came to
occupy the pride o place in .ndra?s garden$ A Cewel named koustubha emerged and was accepted by
Vishnu as his adornment$ -hree wonderul animals came out neGt = the cow KapilaE the horse
2cchaishrava and the elephant Airavata$ -hey were ollowed by the apsarasE beautiul women who
became the dancers o heaven$ -hey were known as apsaras because they emerged rom ap (water)$
-he goddess Lakshmi or ,hri came out neGt and was united with Vishnu$
<inallyE Dhanvantari emerged with a pot o amrita (the lie = giving drink) in his hands$ Dhanvantari was
the originator o medicine (ayurveda)$ -he daityas led by @ambha gave hal o the amrita to the devas
and departed with the remaining hal$
But Vishnu Muickly adopted the orm o a beautiul woman$ ,o beautiul was the woman that the
demons were charmed$ H8retty ladyEI they said$ H take the amrita and serve it to us$ 'arry us$I Vishnu
accepted the amritaE but he had no intention o giving it to the demons$ &e served it to the gods instead$
-here was only one demon who was somewhat clever$ &is name was "ahu$ &e adopted the orm o
:handraE the moon=godE and succeeded in drinking some o the amrita$ -he sun=god and the moon=
god noticed what was happening and reported it to Vishnu$ Vishnu thereupon cut o "ahu?s head with
a sword$
But "ahu had drunk the amritaE so he could not die$ &e prayed to Vishnu and Vishnu granted him a
boon$ -he boon was that occasionally "ahu would be permitted to swallow up the sun and the
complained about him$ You can see this happening at the time o the solar and the lunar eclipses$
8eople who give alms during such eclipses are blessed$
-he gods obtained the amrita and the demons did not$ -husE the gods became more powerul than the
demons$ -hey deeated the demons and regained heaven$
#3$#$0 Varaha
Vishnu?s neGt incarnation was in the orm o a boar$
-he sage Kashyapa and his wie Diti had a son named &iranyaksha$ became the king o the asuras$
&iranyaksha?s meditation pleased Brahma and Brahma granted him the boon that he would be
invincible in battle$ -hus armed$ &iranyaksha went out to ight with the devas$ &e comprehensively
deeated the gods and conMuered heaven$ &e also deeated VarunaE the god o the ocean$ -husE
&iranyaksha became the king o the heavenE the earth and the underworld$
But the asura was not particularly ond o the earth$ &e himsel had begun to live in Varuna?s palace
under the ocean$ ,o he hurled the earth into the depths o the ocean$
-he gods went to Vishnu and prayed that something might be done about &iranyaksha$ -hey wished to
be restored to heaven and they wished that the earth might be brought back rom the depths o the
ocean$ .n response to these prayersE Vishnu adopted the orm o a boar and entered the ocean$ 6ho
should he meet there but &iranyaksha himselN
&iranyaksha o course did not know that this boar was none other than Vishnu$ &e thought that it was
an ordinary boar and attacked it$ -he two ought or many years$ But inallyE &iranyaksha was gored to
death by the boar?s tusks$ -he boar raised the earth up once again with its tusks$
Vishnu thus saved the gods and the principles o righteousness or dharma$
#3$#$4 1arasimha
&iranyaksha had a brother named &iranyakashipu$ &iranyakashipu was urious to learn that his brother
had been killed and the resolved to kill Vishnu$ But this could not be done unless h e himsel became
powerul land invincible$ &iranyakashipuE thereoreE began to pray to Brahma through diicult
meditation$ Brahma was pleased at these prayers and oered to grant a boon$
H. want to be invincibleEI said &iranyakashipu$ H8lease grant me the boon that . may not be killed by
night or dayO that . may not be killed by man or beastO and that . may not be killed in the skyE the water
or the earth$I
Brahma granted the desired boon$ And &iranyakashipu was happy$ &e thought that he had taken care
o all possible eventualities$ And since he had become so powerulE he conMuered all the three worlds
and kicked the gods out to heaven$
&iranyakashipu had a son named 8rahlada$ You no doubt remember that &iranyakashipu had resolved
to kill Vishnu$ But strangely enoughE 8rahlada became devoted to Vishnu$ &iranyakashipu tried to
persuade his son$ -hat did not work$ &e tried to kill his son$ -hat too did not work since each timeE
Vishnu intervened to save 8rahlada$
'eanwhileE the gods had been driven o rom heaven$ -hey had also been deprived o their shares in
yaCanas by &iranyakashipu$ -hese shares now went only to the asura king$ .n desperationE they went
and prayed to Vishnu and Vishnu promised them that he would ind a solution$
%ne dayE &iranyakashipu called 8rahlada to him$ H&ow is it that you escaped each time . tried to kill
youNIE he asked$
HBecause Vishnu saved meEI replied 8rahlada$ HVishnu is everywhere$I
H6hat do you mean everywhereNIE retorted &iranyakashipu$ &e pointed to a crystal pillar inside the
palace and askedE H.s Vishnu inside this pillar as wellNI
HYesEI replied 8rahlada$
HVery well then$ . am going to kick the pillarEI said &iranyakashipu$
6hen &iranyakashipu kicked the pillarE it broke into two$ And rom inside the pillarE Vishnu emerged in
his orm o hal=man and hal=lion$ &e caught hold o &iranyakashipu and placed the demon across his
thighs$ And with his clawsE he tore apart the demon?s chest and so killed him$ Brahma?s boon had been
that &iranyakashipu would not be killed by man or beast$ But then narasimha was neither man nor
beast it was hal=man and hal=beast$ -he boon had said that the asura would not be killed in the skyE
the water or the earth$ But &iranyakashipu was killed on Vishnu?s thighsE which were not the sky$ -he
water or the earth$ And inallyE the noon had promised that &iranyakashipu would not be killed by night
or day$ ,ince the incident took place in the eveningE it was not night or day$
Ater &iranyakashipu diedE the gods were restored to their rightul places$ VishnuKs made 8rahlada the
king o the asuras$
#3$#$9 Vamana
8rahlada?s grandson was Vali and Vali became very powerul$ 6hen he was the king o the asurasE
there was a war between the devas and the asuras$ -he gods were deeated and were driven o rom
svarga$ As alwaysE the gods led to Vishnu and began to pray to him to save them$ Vishnu assured the
gods that he would do something about Vali$
AccordinglyE Vishnu was born as the son o Aditi and Kashyapa$ -he son was a dwar$
King Vali had arranged or a huge sacriice and had announced thatE on the occasion o the sacriiceE
he would not reuse anyone a boon$ -he dwar arrived at this sacriice and began to recite the Veda?s$
Vali was so pleased at this that he oered the dwar a bon$ Vali?s guru(teacher) was ,hukracharya and
,hukracharya thought that there was something ishy about the way the dwar had arrived$ ,o he tried
to restrain Vali$
H1oEI said Vali$ H. have oered a boon and . shall stick to my word$I 6hat boon do you desireN . will give
whatever you want$I
Beore a boon was actually grantedE a small rite had to be perormed with holy water$ ,hukracharya
was still trying to do his best to prevent the boon rom being given$ ,o he entered the vessel in which
the holy water was kept to seal the mouth o the vessel and prevent the water rom being taken out$ -o
get at the holy waterE the vessel was pierced with a straw$ -his straw also pierced one o
,hukracharya?s eyes$ +ver since that dayE the preceptor o the demons has been one eyed$
H*ive me as much o land as may be covered in three o my stepsEI said the dwar$ H. need this as
dakshina (ee) or my guru$I
Vali agreed$ But the dwar adopted a gigantic orm$ 6ith one step he covered bhuloka$ 6ith another
step he covered bhuvarloka$ And with the last step he covered svarloka$ -he three worlds were thus
lost to Vali and Vishnu returned them to .ndra$ Vali had no option but to go down to the underworld
(patala)$ But so pleased was Vishnu at Vali?s generosity that he granted the asura the boon that he
would bear the title o .ndra in the uture$
#3$#$; 8arashurama
-he kshatriyas were the second o the our classes$ .t was their Cob to wear arms and protect the world$
And rule$ -he brahmanas were the irst o the our classes$ .t was their Cob to prayE study the sacred
teGts and perorm religious rites$ But the kshatriyas became very insolent and began to oppress the
world and the brahmanas$ Vishnu was then born as the son o the sage @amadagni and his wie
"enuka$ ,ince this was the line o the sage BhriguE 8arashurama was also called Bhargava$
8arashurama?s mission was to protect the brahmanas and teach a lesson to the kshatriyas$
-here was a king named Kartavirya who had received all sorts o boons rom the sage Dattatreya$
-hanks to these boonsE Kartavirya had a thousand arms and conMuered and ruled over the entire
world$
%ne dayE Kartavirya went on a hunt to the orest$ &e was very tired ater the hunt and was invited by
the sage @amadagni had a kamadhenu cow$ -his meant that the cow produced whatever its owner
desired$ @amadagni used the kamadhenu to treat Kartavirya and all his soldiers to a sumptuous east$
Kartavirya was so enamoured o the kamadhenu that he asked the sage to give it to him$ But
@amadagni reused$ Kartavirya then abducted the cow by orce and a war started between Kartavirya
and 8arashurama$ .n this warE 8arashurama cut o Kartavirya?s head with his aGe (parashu) and
brought the kamadhenu back to the hermitage$
Ater some timeE 8arashurama was away when Kartavirya?s sons arrived at the ashrama and killed
@amadagni$ %n the death o his atherE 8arashurama?s anger was aroused$ &e killed all he kshatriyas in
the world twenty=one times$ %n the plains o KurukshetraE he built ive wells which were illed with the
blood o kshatriyas$ +ventuallyE 8arashurama handed over the world to Kashyapa and went and lived
on 'ount 'ahendra$
#3$#$7 "ama
Brahma came out o Vishnu?s navel$ Brahma?s son was 'arichi?s son KashyapaE Kashyapa?s son
,uryaE ,urya?s son Vaivasvata 'anuE 'anu?s son .kshvakuE .kskhvakku?s son KakutsthaE Kakutstha?s
son "aghuE "aghu?s son ACaE ACa?s son DasharathaE Dasharatha?s sons were "amaE BharataE
Lakshmana and ,hatrughna$ ,ince "ama was descended rom Kakutstha and "aghuE he was also
called Kakutstha and "aghava$ ,ince his ather?s name was DasharathaE he was also called
Dasharathi$ "ama?s story belongs to the solar line (surya vansha)E since one o his ancestors was
,urya$
Vishnu himsel wished to destroy "avana and the other rakshasas (demons)$ &e thereore divided
himsel into our parts and was born as "amsE BharataE Lakshmana and ,hatrughna$ "ama was
Koushalya?s sonE Bharata Kaikeyi?s$ Lakshmana and ,hartrughna were the sons o ,umitra$
-he sage Vishvamitra came to Dasharatha and pleaded or "ama?s help in deeating the rakshasas
who were disturbing his yaCanas$ "ama killed these demons and Vishvamitra was so pleased that he
taught "ama the use o all divine weapons$ "ama broke a bow o ,hiv?s that had been in the
possession o the king o 'ithilaE @anaka$ -his was the task that had been appointed or marrying ,itaE
@anaka?s daughter$ "ama married ,itaE Lakshmana married urmilaE Bharata married 'andavi and
,hatrughna married ,hrutakirti$ %n the way back to AyodhyaE "ama also beat 8arashurama in a duel$
Dasharatha resolved that "ama should be made yuvaraCaE that isE the heir apparent to the kingdom$
But Kaikeyi had a servant named 'anthara who plotted otherwise$ 6hen he was youngE "ama had
pulled at 'anthara?s eet and ever since that dayE 'anthara had not been kindly towards "ama$ ,he
reminded Kaikeyi o the twoO boons that had been promised to her by King Dasharatha$ Years agoE the
gods had been ighting with the demon ,hambara and had asked Dasharatha or his help$ .n ighting
with ,hambaraE Dasharatha had been inCured$ &e had been nursed back to health by Kaikeyi$
Dasharatha had promised two boons to Kaikeyi as a reward and 'anthara?s suggestion was that
Kaikeyi should now ask or these two boons$ By the irst boon "ama would be banished to the orest or
ourteen years and by the second boon Bharata would become yuvaraCa$
Kaikeyi listened to 'anthara$ At 'anthara?s instanceE she asked or these two boons$ Dasharatha was
very angryE but "ama insisted that he would indeed go to the orest or ourteen years$ "amaE
Lakshmana and ,ita irst went to the banks o the river -amasa$ <rom there they went to the kingdom
o *uhaE the king o the hunters (nishadas)$ -hey crossed the river @ahnavi and arrived in 8rayagaE
where the sage BharadvaCa had his hermitage$ -heir inal destination was the mountain range o
:hitrakutaE on the banks o the river 'andakini$
'eanwhileE back home in AyodhayaE King Dasharatha who could not bear to be parted rom "amaE
died$ Bharata and ,hatrughna had gone on a visit to their uncle?s house and were recalled$ But
Bharatha reused to be king$ &e went to the orest to try and persuade "ama to returnE but "ama
insisted that he would not return beore the ourteen years were over$ ,o Bharata brought back "ama?s
sandals$ &e placed these sandals on the throne as a token o "ama?s kingship$ And he began to rule
the kingdom in "ama?s name rom 1andigramaE rather than rom Ayodhya$
"amaE Lakshmana and ,ita then went to the orest that is known as the Dandaka orestE
dandakaranya$ -his orest was on the banks o the river *odavari and there was a beautiul lgrove
inside the orest known as 8anchavati$ -hey built a hut there and resolved to live there$
-here was a rakshasa woman named ,hurpanakha$ ,he happened to come to the place where "ama
Lakshmana and ,ita had built their hut$ ,hurpanakha liked "ama so much that she wanted to marry
"ama and eat up Lakshmana and ,ita$ But Lakshmana cut o ,hurpanakha?s nose and ears with his
sword$
,hurpanakha led to brother Khara and demanded revenge$ Khara and ourteen thousand other
demons (rakshasas) attacked "amaE but they were all killed by "ama$ ,hurpanakha then went to her
other brother "avanaE the king o Lanka$
"avana asked the rakshasa 'aricha to adopt the orm o a golden deer and roam around in ront o
"ama?s hut$ ,ita was so charmed by the deer that she asked "ama to capture it or her$ "ama was
long in returning and Lakshmana went to look or him$ -aking advantage o "ama and Lakshmana?s
absenceE "avana kidnapped ,ita$ @atayuE the king o the birdsE did try to stop "avanaE but he met his
death at "avana?s hands$
"ama and Lakshmana were greatly distressed to ind ,ita missing and they looked or her everywhere$
"ama made riends with the monkey ,ugriva$ &e killed ,ugriva?s brother Bali and made ,ugriva the
king o monkeys$ -he monkeys were sent o in all the our directions to look or ,ita$
-he monkeys who had gone towards the south learnt that ,ita was in LankaE across the ocean$ %ne o
these monkeys was &anumana$ &anumana leapt over the ocean and arrived in Lanka$ &e discovered
the lonesome ,ita in a grove o ashoka treesE the ashokavana$ &anumana introduced himsel and
assured ,ita that he would soon be back with "ama$ &anumana caused some general havoc in Lanka
and was captured by 'eghnada or .ndraCitE "avana?s son$ "avana ordered that &anumana?s tail should
be set on ire$ But &anumana used his burning tail to set ire to all the houses o Lanka$ &e then
returned to "ama with the news that ,ita had been ound$
"amaE Lakshmana and the army o monkeys arrived at the shores o the ocean$ -here they built a
bridge over the ocean so that they could cross over into Lanka$ -here was a terrible war in which "ama
killed the giant KumbhakarnaE "avana?s brother$ Lakshmana killed .ndraCit$ "ama killed "avana with a
powerul divine weaponE the brahmastra$
-he ourteen years were by now over and "amaE Lakshmana and ,ita returned to Ayodhya$ -here
"ama was crowned king and he treated his subCects as his own sons$ &e punished the wicked and
ollowed the path o dharma$ During "ama?s rule there was no shortage o oodgrains anywhere and
the people were righteous$ 1o one died an untimely death$
%n "ama?s instructionsE ,hatrughna killed the asura Lavana and built the city o 'athura in the place
where Lavana?s kingdom had been$ Bharata was sent by "ama to kill a wicked gandharvaE a singer o
heaven named ,hailushaE who lived on the banks o the river .ndus with his sons$ Bharata killed them
and built two cities thereE -akshashila and 8ushkaravati$ .n -akshashila Bharata established his son
Ataksha as king and in 8ushkaravati he made his son pushkara the king$ "ama and ,ita had two sons
named Kusha and Lava$ "ama ruled or eleven thousand years beore he died$
-his is the story o the "amayana as recounted in the Agni 8urana$ .t was written by the sage Valmiki
ater he had heard the story rom the sage 1arada$
"ama was the seventh avatara o VishnuE Krishna was the eighth$
1:&! ?arivamsha and Maha5harat
-his :hapter contains ( ,ections$
#3$($# -he &arivamsha
As you have already been toldE Brahma emerged rom Vishnu?s navel$ Brahma?s son was AtriE Atri?s
son ,omaE ,oma?s son 8ururavaE 8ururava?s son AyuE Ayu?s son 1ahusha and 1ahushCa?s son Yayati$
Yayati had two wivesE Devayani and ,harmishtha$ Devayani had two sonsE Yadu and -urvusu$ And
,harmishtha had three sonsE DruhyaE Anu and 8uru$ -he descendants o Yadu were known as the
Yadavas$
Vasudeva was a Yadava$ &is wie was Devaki$ Vishnu was born as sthe son o Vasudeva and Devaki
in order to remove the wicked rom the world$ -he seventh son o Vasudeva and Devaki was Baladeva$
And the eight son was Krishna himsel$ Krishna was born in the month o Bhadra in the thick o the
night$ ,cared that the wicked Kakmsa might kill the newly born childE Vasudeva let him with YashodaE
the wie o 1anda$
1anda was the king o the cowherds and he brought up Baladeva and Krishna$ Kamsa sent a rakshasa
woman named 8utana to kill Krishna but Krishna killed her instead$ .n VrindavanaE Krishna subdued the
terrible snake known as Kaliya$ &e killed several other rakshasas named ArishtaE VrishabhaE KeshiE
Dhenuka and *ardhabha and made the country sae rom the attackso these demons$ &e also
stopped the worship o .ndra$ -his led to a ight between .ndra and KrishnaE .ndra tried to destroy the
inhabitants o *okula by sending down torrents o rain$ But Krishna held alot the mountain *ovardhana
and saved the inhabitants o *okula$
Kamsa?s capital was in 'athuraE Baladeva and Krishna went there$ Kamsa let loose a mad elephant
named Kuvalayapida on Krishna$ But Krishna killed Kuvalayapida$ Baladeva and Krishna also killed two
strong wrestlersE :hanura and 'ushtikaE whom Kamsa had instructed to kill Baladeva and Krishna$
<inallyE Krishna killed Kamsa and made 2grasena the king$

Kamsa was @arasandha?s son=in=law and @arasandha became urious when he learnt o Kamsa?s
death$ &e attacked the Yadavas and laid siege to the city o 'athura$ Ater a prolonged warE Krishna
managed to deeat @arasandha$ Krishna also deeated another evil king named 8oundraka$ %n
Krishna?s instructionsE the Yadavas built the beautiul city o Dvaraka or Dvaravati$ -he Yadavas began
to live in Dvaraka$
-here was an asura named 1araka who was killed by Krishna$ 1araka had imprisoned siGteen
thousand daughters o the devasE gandharvas and yakshas (guards o &eaven?s treasury)$ -hese
women were reed by Krishna and Krishna married all o them$ Amongst Krishna?s other eGploits were
deeating the daitya 8anchaCanaE killing KalayavnaE seiBing the pariCata tree rom .ndra and bringing
back to lie the sage ,andipani?s dead son$
Krishna had several sons$ ,hamba was born o Krishna?s wie @ambavati and 8radyumna was born o
Krishna?s wie "ukmini$ As soon as 8radyumna was bornE he was abducted by the asura ,hambara$
,hambara threw the baby into the seaE but a ish swallowed the baby$ A isherman caught the ish and
brought it to ,hambara?s house$ 6hen the ish?s stomach was cut openE the baby came out$ -here was
a woman named 'ayavati who lived in ,hambara?s house and ,hambara handed over baby
8radyumna to 'ayavati so that he might be brought up well$ 6hen he grew upE 8radyumna killed
,hambara and married 'ayavati$ -hey returned to dvaraka and Krishna was very happy to see his lost
son$
8radyumma and 'ayavati had a son named Aniruddha$ Aniruddha secretly married 2shaE the daughter
o King VanaE Vana himsel being the son o Vali$ Vana?s capital was in a city named ,honitapura$ Vana
had pleased ,hiva through hard and diicult tapasyaE so that sometimes he was called the son o
,hiva$ Vana loved to ight and he had wanted a boon rom ,hiva that he might get the chance to ight
with someone who was his eMual in battle$ A lag with a peacock on it used to ly rom the ramparts o
Vana?s palace$ ,hiva told him the day this lag ell down$ Vana?s desire or with an eMual would be
satisied$
6ith the help o a riend o 2sha?sE Anuruddha and 2sha used to meet secretly in Vana?s palace$
Vana?s guards inormed him about this and there was a ierce battle between Vana and Aniruddha At
the same timeE the lag with the peacock on it ell down$ Krishna got to know rom 1arada about the
ight between Vana and Aniruddha and heE Baladeva and 8radyumna arrived in Vana?s capital$ ,hiva
came to ight on Vana?s sideE accompanied by 1andi and ,kanda or Kartikeya$ But ater a duel that
lasted or a long timeE Krishna triumphed over these enemies$ Krishna?s arrows also cut o the
thousand arms that Vana had$ But at ,hiva?s reMuestE Krishna spared Vana?s lie and gave two arms
with which to make do$
All o these stories about Krishna are related in detail in the &arivamsha$ -he Agni 8urana merely gives
a brie summary o the &arivamsha$ But stories about KrishnaE the eight avatara o VishnuE also crop up
in the 'ahabharata$ -he Agni 8uranaE thereoreE neGt summarises the 'ahabharata$
#3$($( -he 'ahabharat
-he 8andavas were merely a preteGt$ Krishna used the 8andavas to rid the world o evil men$
You have already learnt that one o Yayati?s sons was 8uru$ .n 8uru?s line were born Bharata and Kuru$
%ne o Kuru?s descendants was the king ,hantanu$ ,hantanu married *anga and Bhishma was born
rom this marriage$
But ,hantanu also married ,atyavati and had two more sonsE :hitrangada and Vichitravirya$ Bhishma
never married$ :hitrangada died young$ 6hen Vichitravirya grew upE Bhishma deeated the king o
Kashi and brought two o the king?s daughtersE Ambika and AmbalikaE as brides or Vichitravirya$
Vichitravirya as also Muite young when he died o tuberculosis$
,ince Vichitravirya had let no childrenE Vyasadeva was brought to &astinapura$ Vyasadeva and
Ambalika had a son named Dhritarashtra and Vyasadeva and Ambalika had a son named 8andu$
Dhritarashtra married *andhari and they had a hundred sonsE o whom the most important was
Duryodhana$ 8andu had two wivesE Kunti and 'adri$ Kunti?s sons were YudhishthiraE Bhima and ArCuna
and 'adri?s sons were 1akula and ,ahadeva$ But Yudhishthira was really the son o the god Dharma
and not 8andu?s son$ ,imilarlyE Bhima was the son o the god 8avanaE ArCuna the son o .ndra and
1akula and ,ahadeva the sons o the two Ashvinis$ +arlierE Kunti had a son named Karna rom the
sun=god$
-his was beore she had god married to 8andu$ Karna became a riend o Duryodhana?s$ Because o a
curse imposed on him by a sageE 8andu died in the orest$
Duryodhana tried his best to kill the 8andavas$ &e set ire to a house o lac (Catugriha) in which Kunti
and the ive 8andavas were staying$ But the 8andavas were saved and led to a city named +kachakra$
-here they livedE disguised as brahmanas$ .n +kachakraE they destroyed a rakshasa named Vaka$
-hey then won the hand o the daughter o the king o 8anchala$ &er name was Droupadi and all ive
8andava brothers married her$ 6hen Duryodhana learnt that the 8andavas were aliveE he handed over
hal the kingdom to them$
'eanwhileE the orest Khandava had to be burnt and Krishna and ArCuna did this together$ Krishna had
beriended ArCuna$ 6hen ArCuna successully deeated the god Agni at the burning o the Khandava
orestE Agni gave him several divine weapons$ ArCuna had also obtained divine weapons rom his guru
Dronacharya$
%n the 8andava sideE Yudhishthira had become king$ -he 8andavas organised a raCasuya yaCna (royal
sacriice) in which they conMuered several kingdoms and accumulated lot o wealth$ -his made
Duryodhana envious$
&e arranged a game o dice (aksha) between Yudhishthira and Duryodhana?s uncle ,hakuni$ ,hakuni
did not play airly and Yudhishthira lost the game$ As penalty or the lossE the 8andavas were to spend
twelve years in the orest and one additional year without being detected$ Droupadi went with them to
the orestE as did the 8andava?s priestE Dhoumya$
Ater the twelve years were overE the 8andavas came to the kingdom o King Virata where they
proposed to spend the additional year that had to be spent in disguises$ Yudhishthira pretended to be a
brahmanaE Bhima a cookE ArCuna a dancerE 1akula and ,ahadeva stable=hands$ Droupadi became the
Mueen?s maid$ -he Mueen?s brother Kichaka tried to molest DroupadiE but was killed by Bhima$ 6hen
the year was overE the Kauravas attacked King Virata to rob him o his cattle$ But ArCuna deeated all
the Kauravas and saved Virata?s cattle Ater this successE the identity o the 8andavas could no longer
be kept a secret$ But thankullyE the one year during which identities had to be kept a secretE was over$
King Virata?s daughter 2ttara was married to AbhimanyuE ArCuna?s son$ Abhimanyu?s mother was
,ubhadraE whom ArCuna had married$ ,ubhadra also happened to be Krishna?s sister$
-he 8andavas now demanded their rightul share o the kingdomE but Duryodhana reused$ A war was
imminent$ A huge battalion o soldiers was known as an akshouhini$ Duryodhana collected eleven
akshouhinis or the war and Yudhishthira collected seven$ Krishna was sent as a messenger to
Duryodhana to try and preserve the peace$ Krishna told Duryodhana that the 8andavas would be
satisied with a mere ive villages$ Duryodhana reused to give them even this without a ight$
,o the armies gathered or a war on the plains o Kurukshetra$ 1oticing that elders and relatives like
Bhishma and Dronacharya were ighting on the side o the KaurvasE ArCuna was reluctant to ight$ But
Krishna gave ArCuna lessons which have come down to us as the *ita$ &e taught there was no reason
or sorrow i Bhishma or Dronacharya diedE that was only a death o their physical bodies$ -he true
identity o a person was his atman (soul) which never diedE but passed rom one body to another$ -rue
bliss was obtained when the atman united with the brahman (divine essence) or paramatman (supreme
soul)$ -his was always the goal o a yogiE that isE a person who sought union with god$
-hus instructed by KrishnaE ArCuna started to ight$ 6ith the help o ,hikhandiE he deeated Bhishma$
-his happened on the tenth day o the ighting$ Bhishma did not however die$ &e had earlier received
the boon that he would only die when he actually wished to do so$ <or many daysE he lay there in the
battleield on a bed o arrows$ Ater Bhishma?s deeatE Dronacharya became the general on the
8andava side$ Dronaharya killed VirataE Drupada and several other kings and soldiers on the 8andava
side$ Dhrishtadyumna also killed many Kaurava soldiers$ %n the iteenth day o the ightingE a rumour
gained currency that AshvatthamaE Dronacharya?s sonE had been killed$ Dronacharya abandoned his
weapons on hearing this bad news and Dhrishtadyumna aced no problems in killing him$ Karna now
became the Kaurava general and lasted or two and a hal days beore he was killed by ArCuna$ ,halya
was the last Kaurava general$ &e ought or only hal a day and was killed by Yudhishthira$
Bhima and Duryodhana ought the last duel o the war with maces$ Bhima broke Duryodhana?s thighs
and killed him$ Ashvatthama had been uming ever since his ather Dronacharya had been killed by
unair means$ .n the dead o the nightE he entered the 8andava camp where he killed Dhrishtadyumna
and the ive sons o Droupadi$ Droupadi was disconsolate and demanded revenge$ ArCuna and
Ashvatthama let loose divine weapons at each other$ ,ince this might destroy the worldE they were
asked to withdraw these weapons$ ArCuna could withdraw his weaponE but Ashvatthama could not$
Ashvatthama?s weapon killed the baby that was in 2ttara?s wombE but when the dead baby was bornE
Krishna brought it back to lie$ -his baby was 8arikshita$
'any kings and soldiers died in the course o the Kurukshetra war$ -he only ones let alive were
KritvarmaE Kripacharya and Ashvatthama on the Kaurava side and 8andava side$ Ater the war was
overE Bhishma taught Yudhishthira the duties o king$ .t was only ater this that he died$
As a kingE Yudhishthira perormed many yaCnas and gave a lot o to brahmanas$ 6hen Yudhishthira
learnt that the Yadvas had been destroyedE he no longer wished to rule$ &e handed over the kingdom
to 8arikshita and the 8andavas let on a pilgrimageE in the course o which they died$
.t was Krishna who had used the 8andavas as a tool to rid the world o evil kings and establish the
good ones$ "ealising that the Yadavas were also evilE Krishna also ensured that the Yadavas would be
destroyed$ &e then gave up his lie at the place o pilgrimage that is known as 8rabhasa$ Ater Krishna
diedE the city o Dvarka was swallowed up by the sea$
-his was the story o the eighth avatara o Vishnu$
1:&* #uddhaB2al.i and 0reation
-his :hapter contains ( ,ections$
#3$0$# Buddha and Kalki
-he ninth avatara o Vishnu was Buddha and the tenth will be Kalki$
'any years agoE there was a war between the devas and the asuras in which the demons managed to
deeat the gods$ -he gods went running to Vishnu or protection and Vishnu told them that 'ayamoha
would be born as BuddhaE the son o ,huddhodana$ ,uch were the illusions that Buddha createdE that
the asuras let the path indicated by the Vedas and became Buddhists$ -hese dastardly creatures
perormed ceremonies that were a sure ticket to naraka$ -owards the end o the Kali eraE all people will
be dastardly$ -hey will oppose the VedasE become robbers and will be concerned only with wealth$ -he
disbelievers will then become kings and these kings will also be cannibals$
'uch laterE Kalki will be born on earth as the son o Vishnuyasha$ &e will take up arms to destroy these
disbelievers$ Kalki?s priest will be the sage YaCnavalkya$ -he norms o he our classes (varna) and the
our stages o lie (ashrama) will be established yet again$ 8eople will honour the sacred teGts and
become righteous$ .t will then be time or the dawn o a new satya yugaE a resh period o
righteousness$
.n every cycle (kalpa) and in every era (manvantara) Vishnu is thus born in various orms$ .t is a sacred
duty to listen to the stories o the ten avataras$ -he listener attains his desires and goes to heaven$
#3$0$( :reation
Agni neGt told Vashishtha the history o creation$
Vishnu is the Lord o creationE preservation and destruction$ Beore creationE it was only the brahman
that was everywhere$ -here was no dayE night or sky$
<irst Vishnu created the waters$ And in the waters he sowed the seeds o brahmanda$ the great egg$
<rom this seed there developed a golden egg which began to loat on the waters$ <rom the egg
Brahma created himsel$ ,ince he created himsel (svayam sambhuta)E Brahma is also known as
,vayambhu$ &aving created himselE Brahma stayed inside the egg or an entire year$ And at the end o
the yearE he split the egg into two$ %ne part o the egg ormed the heavenE the other the earth$ And in
between the two parts o the eggE Brahma created the sky$
Brahma neGt established the earth on the waters and made the ten directions$ &e created timeE
lightningE thunderE cloudsE rain bowsE words and anger$ -o ensure that yaCnas could be perormedE teGts
o the "ig VedaE the YaCur Veda and the ,ama Veda emerged rom his body$ &oly people use the
Vedas to perorm :eremonies meant or the gods$
<rom the powers o his mindE Brahma created seven sons$ -heir names were 'arichiE AtriE AngiraE
8ulastyaE 8ulaha Kratu and Vashishtha$
8rithu is recognised as the irst king 8rithu was descended rom Dhruva$ And 8rithu?s ather Vena was
also a king$ But Vena was an evil kingO he was simply not interested in protecting his subCects$ -he
sages thereore killed Vena with a straw and ater Vena had diedE they began to knead the dead body?s
right hand and it was thus that 8rithu emerged$ &e wore armour and carried bow and arrows when he
was born$ &e ruled wellE as per the dictates o dharma$ &e looked upon all his subCects as his own
sons$ <rom 8rithu the earth came to be known as prithivi$
1:&, "emples, ?oly Places and Astrology
-his :hapter contains 4 ,ections$
#3$4$# &ow to 8rayE &ow to Build -emples and Deities
-he Agni purana neGt has several chapters on how to pray and on how to build temples and idols$ -he
-echniMues o praying to Vishnu E ,hivaE ,urya and the other gods and goddesses are describedE
including the special mantras (incantations)that must be used so as to please speciic gods and there
are prescribed orms or such bathing as well$
A 8erson who builds temples is blessed$ +ven i one merely thinks o building templesE the sins o a
hundred lives are orgiven$ A builder o a single temple goes to heaven (svarga)$ A builder o ive to
shivalokaE a builder o eight vishnuloka and a builder o siGteen temples is reed rom the shackles o
being born again and again$ 6hat is the point o earning money i one does not build templesN 'oney
is also meant to be donated as alms to brahmanasE but the punya or merit earned rom building a
temple is greater than the punya earned rom donating alms$ -he merit earned by builder o temples is
greatest or a golden templeE lesser or a stone templeE still lesser or a wooden temple and least rom
earthen -emple$
'ore punya is acMuired rom building an idol than rom building a temple$ .dols o gods and goddesses
should always be set up so that they ace the cityO they should not ace away rom the city$ -he easy is
or Brahma?s$ Vishnu idol can be setup anywhere at all$
Dierent idols o Vishnu must have dierent orms$ :onsiderE or eGampleE idols or images o the ten
incarnations o Vishnu$ -he matsya (ish) avatara must naturally look like a ish and the kurma (turtle)
avatara must look like a turtle$ But the varaha (boar) avatara will our arms like a man and will hold a
gada (mace)E a padma (lotus lower)E a shankha (conch shell) and a chakra (bladed discuss) in these
our arms$ -he narasimha avatara should have two arms holding a chakra and a gada and should wear
a garland$ -he vamana (dwar) avatara should hold an umbrella and a stick in his two hands$
8arashurama will have our hands with a bow$ arrowsE a sword and an aGe in these hands$ "ama?s
image can have either two arms or our$ . there are our armsE the our hands will hold a bowE arrowsE a
conch shell and a chakra$ Balarama?s image may also have either our arms or two$ . there are two
armsE the our arms the hands will hold a ploughE a conch shellE a club and a chakra$ Buddha?s image
should have a calm appearance$ .t should be seated on a lotus$ -he ears should be elongated Kalka?s
image is that o a brahmanaE seated on a horse and holding a bow and arrowsE a conch shellE a sword
and a chakra$
Krishna?s image may be either two=armed or our=armed$ -hree o the our arms will hold a gadaE a
chakra and a shankha$ -he ourth palm will be opened out in the act o granting a boon$ %n either side
o Krishna?s imageE there will be images o Brahma and ,hiva$ Brahma has our aces and our arms
and the image should have a pronounced rides a swan $ %n either side o Brahma?s imageE there will
be images o ,arasvati and ,avitri$
Vishnu?s image has eight arms$ ,even o the arms hold a swordE a maceE arrowE a bowE a shieldE a
chakra and a conch shell$ -he eighth palm is spread out as i Vishnu is granting a boon$ Vishnu should
be shown riding on *aruda$ *aruda will also have eight arms$ -o the right o Vishnu?s imageE there
should be images o Lakshmi and ,arasvatiE Lakshmi holding a lotus and ,arasvati holding a veena (a
musical instrument)$ -here has also got to be and image o Vishnu eGhibiting his universal orm
(vishvarupa)$ -he Vishavrupa image has our heads and twenty arms$
:handi?s image has twenty arms$ -he ten arms on the right hold a spearE a swordE a shakti (a small
spear)E a chakraE a pasha (noose)E a shieldE a drum and any two other weapons$ -he ten arms on the
let hold snakes a rodE an aGeE an amkusha (used or driving elephants)E a bowE a bellE a lagE a mace a
mirror and a cub$ .n ront o :handi?s image there will be the image o a bualo with its head cut o$
-he image o an asura will be shown emerging rom the body o the bualo$ -he demon?s hairE eyes
and garland will be red in colour$ .t will be shown to be vomiting blood and it will hold weapons in its
handE -he demon?s neck will be on the lion and her let leg will be on the demon?s back .mages o
:handi may sometimes also have ten siGteen or eighteen arms$
,hiva?s image (linga) may be made out o earthE woodE ironE CewelsE goldE silverE copperE bronBe or
mercury$
#3$4$( 8laces o 8ilgrimage
A visit to a place o pilgrimage (tirtha) brings the same punya that is obtained rom perorming a yaCna$
.t is because people had not gone on pilgrimages or donated gold and cows in their earlier lives that
they were born poor in their neGt lives$
-he best place o pilgrimage is 8ushkaraE BrahmaE other gods and sages who wish to go to heaven live
there$ -he best time to go to 8ushkara is in the month o Kartika$ .n 8ushkara itsel there are two other
places o pilgrimage known as @ambumarga and -andulikashrama$
.t is diicult to go to 8ushkara$ But there are several other tirthas as well$ %ne such is KurukshetraE
where Vishnu and the other gods keep on coming$ -he river ,arasvati lows near Kurukshetra$ . one
bathes in the ,arasvatiE one attains brahmaloka$
Any region through which the river *anga lows also becomes a tirtha$ +ven i one sees the *angaE the
punya o per orming yaCnas is attained$ A person who bears earth rom the bed o the *anga on his
head is reed o all sins$
8rayaga is another amous place o pilgrimage$ BrahmaE VishnuE .ndra and the other godsE gandharvasE
apsaras and the sages are always there in 8rayaga$ -his is because the two holy riversE *anga and
YamunaE come together in 8rayaga$ -here are many tirthas inside 8rayaga itsel$ -he sages have said
thatE in the month o 'aghaE i one bathes or three days in 8rayagaE that is better than donating crores
and crores o cows$ . one donates alms in 8rayagaE one goes to svarga and is born as a king in one?s
neGt lie$ . one dies in 8rayagaE one goes straight to vishnuloka$
,hiva himsel had told 8arvati that Varanasi was a very holy tirtha and that ,hiva never let the city$
Varanasi is so named because it is located at the Cunction o two riversE Varana and Asi$ Varanasi is
also known as Kashi$
-he river 1armada is also sacred$
-here may be several holy tirthasE but *aya is the holiest o them all$ A demon named *ayasura once
started to perorm and such were the powers o his tapasya that the gods began to suer$ -hey went to
Vishnu and asked him to save them Vishnu agreed and appeared beore *ayasura$ HAccept a boonEI
said Vishnu$
H*rant me the boon that . may become the most sacred o all tirthasEI replied the daitya$
-he boon was granted and *ayasura disappeared$ -he gods returned to svargaE but elt that the earth
seemed to be deserted now that *ayasura had disappeared$ Vishnu then instructed Brahma and the
other gods to perorm a sacriice$ &e also asked them to go to *ayasura and ask or his body so that
the sacriice might be perormed on it$ *ayasura readily agreedE and as soon as he agreedE his head
ell o rom the bodyE Brahma then proceeded to perorm the sacriice on *ayasura?s headless body$
But as soon as the sacriice startedE the body began to shake$ -his meant that the sacriice could not
be properly perormed and a solution had to be ound$ -he solution was that the gods should all enter a
stone which would be placed on *ayasura?s body so that the body would not shake$ -he sacriice could
then be perormed$ Vishnu himsel also entered the stone$ .t is because the gods and Vishnu are
always there in *aya that *aya is sacred$
.n actE there is a story behind this stones as well$
-he sage 'arichi was Brahma?s son and had married Dharmavrata$ %ne dayE 'arichi went to the orest
to collect wood and lowers and returned eGtremely tired$ &e called Dharmavrata and saidE H. am very
tired$ -oday you must wash my eet or me$I
Dharmavrata began to wash 'arichi?s eet when Brahma suddenly arrived$ Dharmavrata did not know
what to do$ ,hould she inish washing her husband?s eetN %r should she irst attend to BrahmaE since
Brahma=was 'arichi?s atherN ,he decided to attend to Brahma irst$ At this 'arichi became very angry
and cursed Dharmavrata that she would turn into a stone$ Dharmavrata was greatly distressed at being
cursed or what she thought had not been a ault at all$ ,o she perormed tapasya or many years$
6hen Vishnu and the other gods were pleased at Dharmavrata?s meditationE they appeared and
oered to grant her a boon$
Dharmavrata wished that the curse imposed on her by 'arichi might be waived$ -he gods eGplained
that this was impossibleE since 'arichi was a very powerul sage$ 6hat they would howeverE do was to
make Dharmavrata a very holy stone desired even by the gods$ -he gods promised to be always inside
this stone$ .t was this stone that was placed on *ayasura?s body$
%nce the sacriice was overE *ayasura himsel desired a boon rom the gods and the gods granted him
that *aya would become the most sacred o all tirthas$ .t was in *aya that the 8andavas had prayed to
Vishnu$
#3$4$0 *eography
-he world is divided into seven regions (dvipas)$ -heir names are @ambuE 8lakshaE ,halmaliE KushaE
KrounchaE ,hakaE and 8ushkara$ -he seven dvipas are surrounded by seven oceans and the names o
these oceans are LavanaE .kshuE ,uraE ,arpihE DadhiE Dugdha and @ala$
"ight in the centre o @ambudvipa is 'ount 'eru$ 'ountains named &imavanaE &emakuta and 1ishada
are to the south o 'eru and mountains named 1ilaE shveta and ,hringi are to the north o 'eru$
@ambudvipa is known by that name as there are a large number o Cambu (Camun) trees in this area$ %n
the top 'ount 'eru is Brahma?s amous city$
2nder the earth is the underworld$ -his tooE consists o seven regions and their names are AtalaE VitalaE
,utalaE -alatalaE 'ahatalaE "asatsala and 8atala$ -he daityas and the danavas live in the underworld$
Vishnu is also there in the underworldE in his orm o the great snake ,hesha$ -he snake ,hesha holds
up the earth on its hood$
-hat part o the sky which is lit up by sun=rays is known as 1abha$ Above the earth is the sunE above
the sun the moonE above the moon the starsE above the stars 'ercuryE above 'ercury VenusE above
Venus @upiter and above @upiter the constellation o the *reat Bear (saptarshimandala)$ Beyond this
constellation is the world o Dhruva$
#3$4$4 Astrology
-he Agni 8urana neGt gives a lot o inormation on astrology$ .t states when marriages should take
place and when they should not$ <or eGampleE marriages are never to be held in the months o :haitra
and 8ousha or under the signs o Libra or *emini$ . one is going on a tripE then <riday is the best day
to start on$ 'edicine should not be taken i one o the nakshatras (stars) 8ushyaE &astaE @yeshthaE
,hravana or Ashvini is not in the sky$ . one wishes to have a bath ater recovering rom an illnessE then
,aturday is the best day or such a bath$
-he irst time a child?s head is shaved should never be on -uesday or a ,aturday$ +ars should be
pierced on 6ednesday or -hursday$ 1ew clothes should not irst be worn on 6ednesdayE -hursday or
<riday$ A new house should not be entered into the months o :haitraE @yeshthaE BhadraE AshvinaE
8ousha or 'agha$ .t is best to reap grain on a 6ednesday$
1:&/ Manvataras, +arnashrama and +ratas
-his :hapter contains 4 ,ections$
#3$9$# 'anvataras
+ach manvantara (era) is rule over by a 'anu$
-he irst 'anu was ,vayambhuva$ ,hatakratu held the title o .ndra during this manvantara$
-he second 'anu was ,varochisha$ Vipashchita held the title o .ndra during this manvantara$
-hird 'anu was 2ttama and ,ushanti was .ndra then$
-he ourth 'anu was tapasa and ,hikhi held the title o .ndra then$
-he ith 'anu was "aivata and Vitatha was .ndra then$
-he title o .ndra was held by 'anoCava during the siGth manvantaraE the 'anu being :hakhusha$
1eGt came ,hraddhadevaE the seventh 'anu 8urandara being the .ndra$
-he eighth 'anu?s name is ,avarni and the eighth .ndra?s Vali$ -he eighth manvantara has not yet
come$
-he ninth 'anu will be Dakshasavarni and the ninth .ndra wil be Adbhuta$
During the tenth manvantaraE the 'anu will be Brahmasavarni and the title o .ndra will be held by
,hanti$
During the rule o the eleventh 'anu DharmasavarniE the .ndra will be *ana$
-he twelth 'anu will be "udrasavarni and the twelth .ndra will be "itadhama$
"ouchya will be the thirteenth 'anu and Divaspati will be the thirteenth .ndra$
-he ourteenth 'anu will be Bhoutya and the title o .ndra will then be held by ,huchi$
During each o Brahma?s daysE there are ourteen such manvantaras$ Ater that comes Brahma?s nightE
when all these living beings are destroyed$
#3$9$( Varnashrama Dharma
All the 'anus practised the precepts o dharma (righteousness)$ -his meant non=violenceE truthulnessE
pietyE going on pilgrimages donating almsE serving devas and brahmanasE tolerance o all religions and
the ollowing o the sacred teGts$ .t also meant the practice o the system o the our classes (varna) and
the our stages in lie (ashrama)$
-he our varnas are brahmanasE kshatriyasE vaishyas and shudras$ 8erorming sacriicesE donating
alms and studying the Vedas are duties that brahmanasE kshatriyas and vaishyas must perorm$ .n
additionE the kshatriyas must protect the good and punish the evil$ -he vaishyas must take care o
tradeE agriculture and animal husbandry$ -he duties o shudras are to serve the brahmanas and
artisanship$ 6hen brahmanas take up the upavitaE the sacred thread that is the mark o the irst three
classesE it is like a second birth or them$ ,o brahmanas are known as dviCas(born twice)$
An anuloma marriage is a marriage where the husband is rom a higher class than the wie$ -he
ospring o such a marriage belong to the mothers class$ A pratiloma marriage is a marriage where the
wie is rom a higher class than the husband$ :handalas were born this way rom brahmana womenE
,utas rom kshatriya womenE Devalas rom vaishya womenE 8ukkashas rom kshatriya women and
'agadhas rom vaishya women$ :handalas are eGecutioneersE ,utas charioteersE Devalas guardsE
8ukkashas hunters and 'agadhas bards$ :handalas should live outside the villages and should not
touch those belonging to any other class$
-he best name or a brahmana is that which ends in ,harma$ ,imilarlyE the best name or a kshatriya
ends in VarmaE or a vaishya in *upta and or a shudra in Dasa$ -he sacred thread ceremony is to be
held at the age o eight years or brahmanasE eleven years or kshatriyas and twelve years or vaishyas$
1o sacred a thread ceremony should be held beyond siGteen years o age$
-he irst stage in lie is that o brahmacharya (studenthood)$ A student should never eat honey or meat
and should never indulge in singing or dancing$ &e should completely give up violence and speaking to
women$ &is duties are to discuss the shastras (holy teGts) and associate with learned men$ Apart rom
thatE he will meditate in solitude on the true nature o the brahman$
-he neGt stage o lie is that o garhasthya (household stage)$ A brahmana may have our wivesE a
kshatriya threeE a vaishya two and a shudra only one$ -he husband and the wie should be rom the
same varna$ 'arriage across varna is to be avoided$ A woman can marry again provided that her
husband has disappearedE is dead$ has become a hermit or is such a sinner that he is eGpelled rom his
own varna$ . her husband diesE a widow is permitted to marry her late husband?s younger brother$
A householder should get up at dawn and pray to the gods$ &e should always bathe in the morning$ &e
should not talk impolitely$ &e should not bite his nails$ &e should not laugh at those who are inerior$
And he should never reside in a place where there is no kingE no doctor or no river$ &e must not insult
his elders$ &e should never criticise the VedasE the shastrasE the devasE the sages and the king$ And he
must never travel without a light at night$
-he third ashrama is vanaprastha (orest = dwelling stage)$ ,uch a person should always sleep on the
ground and wear skins as clothes$ &e should wear his hair matted and give up the company o other
people$ &e has to serve gods and guests and live on ruit and roots$
.n the inal stage o lie (sannyasa) a person becomes a hermit$ .n this ashramaE a person attains true
knowledge and is completely reed$ But he should become a hermit only when he is convinced that he
has completely lost all interest in material pursuits$ ,uch a person is not aected by birth or death$ &e
realises that the physical body is transientE that it is o no concern at all$ .t is the knowledge o the
atman (soul) that is the best orm o knowledge$ 6hen one gains this knowledgeE one realises the
identiication o the atman with the brahmanE one understands that the brahman is everywhere$
#3$9$0 ,ins and their Attonement
. one commits a sinE one has to atone or it$ -his is known as prayashchitta$ . one does not atone or
the sins that one has committedE it is the king?s duty to punish the sinner$
. one drinks rom a well where the dead body o an animal has been loatingE one has to ast or three
days$ -he worst possible sins are the killing o brahmanaE the drinking o wine and thet$ %ther sins are
criticising the VedasE the bearing o alse witnessE killing a riendE killing a cowE orsaking one?s parents
or sonsE the selling o pondsE murderE lyingE killing animals and the cutting down o green trees or
odder$
A killer o a brahmana has to build a hut in the orest and live there or twelve years$ &e has to beg or a
living and give up all that he possesses to another brahmana$ A killer o cows has to live on Cust coarse
grain or a month$ &e has to live with cattle and ollow them around during the day$ All his possessions
have to be given up to a brahmana and he has to bathe in cow?s urine or two months$
. a brahmana steals goldE he should go and report his crime to the king$ -he king will then hit him with
a club and this will be the brahmana?s prayashchitta$
-he sin o killing kshatriya is one=ourth the sin o killing a brahmana$ . one kills a vaishyaE the sin is
one=eighth the sin o killing a brahmana$ And i one kills a shudraE the sin is one=siGteenth o the sin o
killing a brahmana$ Killing a catE a mongooseE a rogE a dogE a liBard or a crow is as sinul as killing a
shudra$
#3$9$4 Vratas
Depending on the tithi (lunar day)E the day o the weekE the nakshatras (stars)E the monthE the season
and the position o the sunE certain speciic religious rites and ceremonies have to be perormed$ -hese
are known as vratas$
-he irst day o the lunar ortnight is known as pratipada$ -he day o pratipada in the months o KartikaE
Ashvina and :haitra are Brahma?s tithis$ .t is then that the worship o Brahma must be done$
%n the second day o the lunar ortnight (dvitiya)E one should eat only lowers and pray to the two
Ashvinis$ this makes the supplicant handsome and lucky$ ,huklapaksha is that lunar ortnight in which
the moon waGes and ,huklapaksha dvitiya in the month o Kartika is earmarked or the worship o
Yama$ . one perorms this vrataE one does not have to go to naraka (hell)$ -his is also the day or
praying to Balarama and Krishna$
.t was on the third day o the lunar ortnight (tritiya)E in shuklapaksha and in the month o :haitraE that
,hiva married 8arvati or *ouri$ "ites perormed on this day are thus known as gourivrata$ ,hiva and
8arvati have to be given oerings o ruit$ -he eight names o 8arvati have to be recited$ -hese are
LalitaE ViCayaE Bhadra BhavaniE KumudaE ,hivaE Vasudevi and *ouri$
:haturthi vrata is perormed on the ourth day o the lunar ortnightE is shuklapaksha and in the month
o 'agha$ -his is the day or worshipping the common gods (gana devata)$ -he oerings on this
occasion are to be wine and ragrant perumes$
%n the ith day o the lunar ortnightE one perorms panchami vrata$ -his grants good health and takes
care o bad omens$ 8articularly auspicious or panchami vrata are the shuklapakshas in the months o
,hravanaE BhadraE Ashvina and Kartika$
%n the siGth day o the lunar ortnight one perorms shashthi vrata$ %ne has to live only on ruit and i
one perorms this vrataE the ruits o any action that one perorms live orever$ ,hashthi vrata should be
observed especially in the months o Kartika and Bhadra$
,urya is to be worshipped on the seventh (saptami) day o the lunar ortnight$ . saptami vrata is
observed in shuklapakshaE all sorrow disappears$ ,ins are stoned or and all one?s desires are attained$
6omen who have no children can have sons i they observe these rites$
-he eight day o the lunar ortnight (ashtami) is very signiicant$ Krishna was born on this tithi in the
month o Bhadra when the nakshatra "ohini was in the sky$ Ashtami is thereore auspicious in the
month o Bhadra$ . one asts on that day and prays to KrishnaE the sins o one?s earlier seven lives are
atoned or$ But this vrata is to be observed in krishnapaksha and not in shuklapakshaE since Krishna
was born in Krishnapaksha$ -ogether with KrishnaE "ohini and the moonE DevakiE VasudevaE YashodaE
1anda and Balarama are also to be worshipped on the occasion$ ,ince Krishna took birth (Canma) on
this ashtami tithiE this particular day is known as Canmashtami$
-he eighth day o the lunar ortnight can be important even i it is not the month o Bhadra$ <or
eGampleE the eighth day o the lunar ortnight might be a 6ednesday (budha vara) in both
shuklapaksha and krishnapaksha$ .rrespective o the monthE such an ashtami is important and is known
as budhashtami$ %n that day one has to live only on molasses and rice and perorm the vrata$
-here used to be a brahamana named Dhira whose wie was named "ambha$ Dhira?s son was
KoushikaE his daughter was ViCaya and Dhira?s bull was named Dhanada$ Koushika would go with the
other cowherds to graBe the bull$ %nce when Koushika was having a bath in the river Bhagirathi and
the bull was graBingE some thieves came and stole the bull$ Koushika and his sister ViCaya looked
everywhere or itE but could not ind it$ .n searching or the bullE they came to a lake where some women
were bathing in the course o perorming a vrata$ Brother and sister were tired and hungry and they
craved or some ood$ -he women agreed to give them oodE but only ater Koushika and ViCaya had
also perormed the budhashtami vrata$ And as soon as Koushika peromed the ritualE the bull was
miraculously returned to him$ ,uch were the powers o the vrata that Koushika could get his sister
ViCaya married o to Yama and himsel became the king o Ayodhya$ Ater their parents Dhira and
"ambha had diedE ViCaya discovered that her ather and mother were in naraka$ 6hen she asked
Yama as to how her parents might be delivered rom narakaE Yama told her that Koushika and ViCaya
should perorm budhashtami vrata again$ And immediately ater they did soE the parents attained
svarga$
-he ninth day o the lunar ortnight is navami and navami in shuklapakshaE especially in the month o
AshvinaE is earmarked or the worship o *ouri$ An animal has to be sacriiced and oered to the
goddess on this occasion$
-he brahmanas become all powerul i they observe dashami vrata on the tenth day o the lunar
ortnight and donate ten cows$ -he eleventh day o the lunar ortnight (ekadashi) is or asting$ .t is also
the tithi or praying to Vishnu$ -he observance o ekadashi vrata grants sons and wealth and atones or
one?s sins$
-he twelth day o the lunar ortnight is dvadashi$ Any dvadashi in shuklapaksha is auspicious or
worshipping Vishnu$ Duadashi in the month o Bhadra is or praying to cows and calves and in the
month o :haitra it is or praying to the god o love ('adana)$ . one observes dvadashi or an entire
yearE one never has to go to naraka$ An especially good conCunction is dvadashi in shuklapaksha in the
month o Bhadra when the nakshatra ,hravana is in the sky$ i one asts and observes a vrata thenE
one earns greater punya than rom bathing in the conluence o sacred rivers$ . Budha ('ercury) is
also in the skyE the punya is multiplied severalold$
-rayodashi vrata is on the thirteenth day o the lunar ortnight and this ritual was irst perormed by the
god o lover when he wanted to please ,hiva$ -his is the tithi on which ,hiva is worshipped$ .n the
month o AshvinaE .ndra is also revered on this tithi$ And in the month o :haitraE the god o love is
worshipped in shuklapaksha on the same tithi$
-he ourteenth day o the lunar ortnight (chaturdashi) is also earmarked or ,hivaE particularly in the
month o Kartika$ %ne asts and donates to brahmanas and thereby attains svarga$ -he chaturdashi in
krishnapaksha that comes between the months o 'agha and <alguna is known as ,hivaratri$ -hen
one has to ast and stay awake the whole night$ +arlierE there used to be an evil hunter named
,undarasena$ But because he perormed a vrata on ,hivaratriE all his sins were orgiven$
1:&1 ?ellish Planets, 0harity and (ayatri
-his :hapter contains 4 ,ections$
#3$;$# &ellish 8lanets ! 1arakas (&ells)
. one worships Vishnu with lowersE one never goes to hell$
-here are several such hells$ Although people do not wish to dieE they are bound to die once their
predestined time span on earth has been eGhausted$ %ne then has to pay or whatever sins one might
have committed$ -he sinners suer and those who have perormed good deeds are naturally rewarded$
-here are in act two gates that lead into Yama?s abode$ -he good are brought by yamadutas (Yama?s
servants) through the western gate and are then taken to svarga$ Yama?s servants bring the evil to him
through the southern gate and Yama then despatches them to the various hells$
. one kills a cowE one has to spend one lakh years in a naraka known as mahavicha$ . one kills a
brahmana or steals landE there is a burning naraka named Amakumbha that one goes to$ -here one
suers till the day when the world is destroyed$ A killer o womenE children or old men stays in "ourava
naraka or the span o ourteen manavantaras$ An arsonist is sent to 'aharourava and burnt there or
an entire kalpa$ A thie goes to -amisraE were he is continuously pierced with spears by Yama?s
servants or several kalpas$ Ater thatE a thie is taken to 'ahatamisra to be bitten by snakes and
insects$
. you kill you ather or motherE you will be sent to the hell Asipatravana$ -here you will be continuously
sliced into pieces with swords$ . you burn someone to deathE you will go to Karambhavaluka where you
will be placed on burning sands$
A person who eats sweets alone goes to Kakola and is ed only worms$ A person who does not perorm
yaCnas goes to Kuttala and is ed blood$ An oppressor is sent to -ailapaka and is crushed like an
oilseed there$ A liar is sent to the naraka named 'ahapata$ -here are several other narakas or those
who encourage inter=class marriagesE those who kill animalsE those who cut treesE those who eat too
much meatE those who criticise the VedasE those who bear also witness and those who criticise their
teachers$
#3$;$( *iving :harity
*iving alms is eGtremely important as means or achieving punya$ Alms always have to be donated
when one goes to visit a temple or a place o pilgrimage$ -he giver must always ace the east and the
receiver must always ace the north when alms are being given$ ,uch donations have to be made ater
one has had a bath$
-he best obCects or donations are goldE horsesE oilseedsE snakesE maidsE chariotsE treesE housesE
daughters and cows$ . one promises to give something but later goes back on one?s promiseE one is
sure to be destroyed$ .t should be remembered that the entire obCect o donation alms is lost i one
eGpects gratitude or riendship in return$ .t is better to give something to a brother than to a daughterE it
is better to give to a ather than to a mother$
-he entire concept o donation alms is dierent in the our dierent eras$ .n satya yugaE the giver went
out in search o recipient to whom he could give something$ .n treta yugaE the recipient had to come to
the giver?s house beore he would be given anything$ .n dvapara yugaE the giver never gave anything
without being asked or it by the recipient$ And in kali yugaE the giver gives only to those who are servile
to him$
#3$;$0 *ayatri 'antra
*ayatri mantra is a very powerul incantation$
-he human body has many veins$ %ut o theseE ten veins are important and their names are .daE
8ingalaE ,ushumnaE *andhariE &astiCihvaE 8rithaE YashaE AlambushaE &uha and ,hankhini$ -hese
veins bear the breath o lie$ -he breath o lie is called prana vayu$ Apart rom prana vayuE nine other
maCor breaths course through the human body$ -heir names are ApanaE ,amanaE 2danaE VyanaE
1agaE KurmaE KrikaraE Devadatta and DhananCaya$
*ayatri is a goddess worshipped even by Vishnu and ,hiva$ -his goddess is there everywhereE even in
every individual?s heart in the orm o a swan$ *ayatri mantra is an incantation to the goddess$ . one
chants the mantra seven timesE one?s sins are orgiven$ :hanting it then times means that one attains
svarga$ -o attain worlds (lokas) which are even more desirable than svargaE one has to chant gayatri
mantra twenty times$ . one chants the mantra a hundred and eight timesE one does not have to be born
again$ -he severest o sinsE like killing cowsE brahmanas or parentsE are orgiven i one chants the
mantra a thousand times$ *ayatri mantra has always to be preceded by the chanting o the sacred
syllable %m$
#3$;$4 -he King
-he king?s duties are many$ &e has to punish his enemiesE ensure the prosperity o his subCects and
arrange that his kingdom is ruled well$ &e has to protect the sages who perorm tapasya inside the
boundaries o his kingdom$
A king should appoint a wise brahmana as his priest$ &is ministers should also be wise and his Mueen
should be a woman who ollows the path o dharma$ 6hen a king diesE time must not be wasted$ -he
priest must immediately ind an auspicious occasion so that a new king can be appointed and crowned$
A kingdom can never be without a king$
Beore the coronationE a prospective king has to puriy himsel by rubbing his body with mud$ 'ud rom
a mountain peak is used or the earsE orm a Krishna temple or the aceE rom an .ndra temple or the
backE orm a palace or the chestE mud raised by an elephant?s tusks or the right handE mud raised by a
bull?s horns or the let handE mud rom a yaCna or the things and rom a cowshed or the eet$ Ater the
king has thus rubbed himsel with dierent orms o mud and puriied himselE he is ready to be
anointed$ <our types o ministers will appoint him$ Brahmana ministers with golden vessels ull o
clariied butter will stand o the eastern side$ Kshatriya ministers with silver vessels ull o sweet and
thickened milk will stand on the eastern side$ Vaishya ministers with copper vessels ull o curds will
stand on the western side$ And shudra ministers with earthen vessels ull o water will stand on the
northern side$ -he priests will then use material rom all our directions to anoint the king$ 6ater rom all
the places o pilgrimage will be poured on the king?s head and throat$ -here must be songs and musical
instruments must be played$
-he king will neGt pray to BrahmaE VishnuE .ndra and the other gods$ &e will look at a mirrorE some
clariied butter and the various signs o good omen that have been placed all around$ -he king will then
be crowned and introduced to his ministersE advisers and guards$ -he priest will be given cowsE goatsE
bualoes and houses by the king$ &e will also bow beore the brahmanas$ Ater all these ceremonies
have been completedE he truly becomes the king$ &e circles the ireE touches his guru?s eet and with all
his soldiersE goes out on a procession through the streets so that his subCects can see him$ At that timeE
the king must be seated either on an elephant or a horse$ Ater the procession is overE the king may
return to his palace$
-he king has to appoint many oicials$ -he general has got to be a brahmana or a kshatriya$ -he
charioteer must know about horses and elephantsE and treasurer must be amiliar with dierent Cewels$
-here has to be a doctorE a keeper o elephantsE a keeper o horsesE a captain or the palace and
another captain or looking ater the women o the royal household$ +ach person must be appointed to
the Cob which suits his eGpertise and temperament best$
Anyone thus appointed by a king has to stick to certain rules$ &e must always obey the king?s orders
and must never do anything that is contrary to the king?s commands$ .n public he must always say
pleasant things to the king$ . there are any unpleasant utterances to be madeE they have to be made in
a private audience with the king$ -hose who serve the king must not be thievesE nor must they ever
insult the king$ -hey will not dress like the kingE nor will they become too intimate with the king$ -hey
must not divulge royal secrets$
<or a ortE the king should choose a place that cannot readily be attacked by enemies$ -he king must
ensure that the gods are worshippedE the subCects are protected and the evil are punished$ &e should
never steal orm the templesE instead he should build temples and set up idols o the gods there$ -he
brahmanas must also be protected and the king has to make sure that no brahmanas are killed in his
kingdom$ <or a MueenE he has to choose a woman who subscribes to these belies$
-he king will appoint an oicial to look ater every ten villages and another oicial to look ater every
hundred villages$ ,pies must be appointed to ind out all that is going no in the kingdom$ -he king is
entitled to one=siGth o all the punya that accrues in his kingdom through his subCects$ But he is also
credited with one=siGth o all the sins that are committed in his kingdom$ -he taGes will be levied as per
the dictates o the sacred teGts$ <rom whatever is received as taGesE hal will go into the royal treasury
and the remaining hal will be distributed amongst the brahmanas$ . there is a liarE the king will impose
a penalty on him to the eGtent o one=eighth o the liar?s total wealth$ . the owner o any property is not
knownE the king will keep the property is not knownE the king will keep the property is sae custody or a
period o three years$ %nce the owner is identiied within a period o three yearsE he can claim the
property$ But beyond three yearsE the becomes entitled to the property$
-he property rights o any minor orphan are to be protected by the king$ . there is a thet in the
kingdomE the king must immediately replace what has been stolen with wealth taken rom his own royal
treasury$ . the thie is caught and the stolen goods recoveredE they are used to replenish the treasury$
%ne=twentieth o proits made orm trade are to be paid to the king as taGes$ %ne=ith or one=siGth o
oodgrains are to be paid as taGes$ %ne day every monthE cratsmen will work ree o charge or the
king$ -hey will only be gives ood rom the royal kitchen$
-he king has to pay proper attention to the princes$ -hey have to be taught our types o shastras$ -he
irst is dharma shastraE which teaches what is right and what is wrong$ -he second is artha shastraE
economics$ -he third is dhanurvedaE the art o ighting$ And the last subCect that has to be taught to
princes is shilpaE arts and crats$ -he king has to assign bodyguards to take care o the princes$ &e
must ensure that the princes associate with honourable and learned people and not with undesirable
characters$ .n instances where the princes do not grow up properly despite the king?s best eortsE the
king is ree to keep them imprisoned$ But they should be comortable in the prison and should not be
made to suer there$
-he king should give up huntingE drinking and the playing o dice$ &e must not unnecessarily waste
time in travelling around$ &e must irst win over his servants through his behaviour and then do the
same or his subCects$ .t is only ater this has been achieved that he attains a position to conMuer his
enemies through the use o arms$ Anyone who brings harm to the kingdom must immediately be killed$
. the king delays in doing that which has to be doneE the purpose o the action is completely lost$ 1or
must the king inorm others in advance about what is going to be done$ 1o one must get to know about
the king?s intended actions$ %nce the actions have been completedE the ruits o the actions perormed
are inormation enough or everyone to see$ -his does not mean that the king will not consult his
ministers$ % course he willE that is why they are ministers$ Beore sleeping or eatingE the king must
check whether the bed or the ood is sae$
-here were seven techniMues that kings were supposed to use in ruling their kingdoms$ -hese were
known as samaE danaE dandaE bhedaE mayaE upeksha and indraCala$ % theseE the irst our are the most
amous$ ,ama means the art o gentle persuasion$ Dana means the usage o donations or money to
achieve one?s purpose$ Danda is punishment$ And bheda is the art o aggravating dissension amongst
parties opposed to each other$ 'aya means to use illusions or deceit and upeksha is to deliberately
ignore people so as to achieve one?s purpose$ .ndraCala literally means Cugglery$ .n this conteGtE it would
mean to perorm a balancing act amongst opposing pulls and opposing parties$
6hat sort o punishment the king should mete out is also laid down$ . anyone lies and says that his
possessions have been stolenE he is to be ined an amount eMual in value to that o the possessions
which have supposedly been stolen$ A brahmana who bears alse witness is to be banished rom the
kingdom$ A person who kills cowsE elephantsE horses or camels will have a leg or a hand cut o$ A thie
who steals gold or silver or an abductor o women will be eGecuted$ +Gecution is also prescribed in
cases o arson and poisoning$ A wie who does not obey her husband shall be torn to death by dogs$ A
woman who does not obey her husband or brahmanas may also have her noseE ears or arms chopped
o$ ,he will when be set astride a cow and banished rom the kingdom$
1:&4 $reams, =mens and )ri 6ama
-his :hapter contains 4 ,ections$
#3$7$# Dreams
,ome dreams are bad omens$ .n actE they are nightmares$ +Gamples areJ dreams about grass or trees
growing on one?s bodyE dreams in which the dreamer is shaven=headed or is wearing shabby clothes or
dreams in which one is alling orm above$ .t is also bad to dream o marriagesE singingE the killing o
snakes and the killing o chandalas or animals$ . you dream that you are drinking oil or eating bird
meatE that is also a bad omen$ %ther eGamples areJ where the dreamer dreams that he is playing with
monkeys or chandalasE when he dreams that devasE brahmanasE the king or the guru is angry or when
he dreams that his house had collapsed$
"emedies have to be ound i one dreams such evil dreams$ Brahmanas have to be worshippedE a
yaCna has to be perormed and the dreamer has to pray to VishnuE ,hivaE BrahmaE *anesha or ,urya$
Dreams dreamt in the irst Muarter o one?s sleep normally come true over the neGt one year$ Dreams
rom the second Muarter come true over the neGt siG months and dreams rom the third Muarter over the
neGt three months$ Dreams rom the last Muarter come true over the neGt ortnight and dreams dreamt
right at dawn come true within the neGt ten days$ . one irst dreams a good dream and then an evil oneE
it is the evil dream the will come true$ -hereoreE i one dreams a good dreamE one should not sleep
anymore$ %ne should immediately arise$
-here are many dreams that are good dreams$ <or eGampleE dreams that involve mountainsE palaces
or snakes$ %r the dreamer might dream that he is riding on a horse or a bull$ .t is also good to dream o
white lowers in the sky or to see trees in a dream$ +specially good dreams are those o the dreamer?s
possessing many arms or many heads or o grass and bushes sprouting orm his navel$ 6hat i you
dream o wearing white garlands or clothesN -hat too is good$ . you dream o eclipses o the sunE the
moon or the starsE by all means reCoice$ And i in a dream you see that you have caught hold o the
enemy?s lagE that surely means that you will triumph over the enemy$ And i you actually dream o
deeating the enemyE the interpretation is clear enough$
,trangely enoughE a dream where the dreamer sees that he is eating rice pudding is a good dream$ As
is the case with dreams o drinking wine or blood$ %r even o eating wet meat$ A clear sky in a dream is
good$ Dreaming o milking a cow or a bualo with one?s own mouth is also good$ -he dream continues
to be a good one i one dreams o milking a lioness or a she=elephant thus$ %ther dreams which have
good interpretations areE or eGampleE dreams o the dreamer?s receiving blessings orm devas or
brahmanas or o being anointed with water$
-he dreamer who dreams o his coronation is blessed$ And he is doubly blessed i he dreams that his
head has been cut o or that he has died or even that his house has been burnt down$ -he relatives o
such a dreamer increase in number and he also prospers$ .t is good to dream o musical instruments
being played$ %r o riding a bull or climbing a tree$ 6et clothesE trees laden with ruit and clear blue
skies in dreams are especially good$
#3$7$( %mens and ,igns
. one is about to go out o the houseE one should take care o any bad omens that there might be$ ,uch
bad omens are cottonE dried grassE cowdungE coalE molassesE leatherE hairE a lunaticE a chandalaE a
widowE a dead bodyE ashesE bones and a broken vessel$ . one comes across these as one is about to
leaveE one should not start without paciying the elements through prayers to Vishnu$ -he sound o
musical instruments is not an auspicious sound at the beginning o a Courney$ . the means o transport
by which one is travelling breaks downE that tooE is a bad omen$ . weapons breakE perhaps you should
postpone the Courney$ -he same is the case i an umbrella held over one?s head happens to all$ . one
hits one?s head against the lintel o the door as one is about too cross the thresholdE prayers are again
indicated$ And never call back someone who has Cust let$ -hat is a bad omen and bodes ill or the
success o the Courney$
-here are good omens or a departure and i one sees these good omensE the Courney is bound to be
successul$ *ood omens are white lowersE ull vesselsE meatE distant noisesE an old goatE a cowE a
horseE an elephantE ireE gold silverE a swordE an umbrellaE ruitE clariied butterE curdsE a conch shellE
sugarcaneE the sound o thunderE lightning and a dead body with no one crying over it$
%mens are important even i one is not going on a Courney$ A peacock crying on the let means that
something is going to be stolen$ . a donkey brays with a broken voiceE that is good omen and
something good will happen$ . a boar or a bualo crosses over rom the let to the rightE that is a good
omen$ But i they cross over rom the right to the letE that is a bad omen$ %ne?s desires will be attained
i horsesE tigersE lionsE cats or donkeys cross over rom the right to the let$ CackalsE molesE liBardsE pigs
and cuckoos are good omens or the let and monkeys are good omens on the right$ . a Cackal calls
onceE twiceE thrice or our timesE that is a good omen$ .t is a bad omen i a Cackal calls ive or siG times$
.t is a very good omen i a Cackal calls seven times$
. crows caw on the let o an armyE the soldiers will not be able to win$ . a crow can be seen near the
door a houseE this means that there will soon be a guest$ A crow looking at the sum with one eye
signiies great danger$ A crow covered with mud means the attainment o one?s desires$ A dog barking
inside the house leads to the death o the householders$ A person whose let limbs are snied by a
dogE will attain riches$ . the right limbs are sniedE there will be danger$ A dog blocking one?s path
signiies thet$ A dog with a bone or a rope in its mouth means the loss o property$ But it is a good
omen to see a dog with meat in its mouth$
:ows mooing irregularly mean threats to the master o the house$ . this happens at nightE there will be
a thet or a death in the house$ . the cows have horns that are wet or daubed with mudE that is a good
sign or the householders$ A cow that plays with cranes or doves is bound to die$ A cow that licks its
eet is also destined to die$ . an elephant strikes its right oot with its letE that is a good sign$ 8rosperity
comes i an elephant rubs its right tusk with its oot$
-here is great danger i an umbrella alls Cust as one is about to leave on a trip$ @ourneys are to be
avoided i the stars are not avourable$
#3$7$0 Battle
%nce a king decides to go out to battleE seven days are needed or preliminaries$ %n the irst dayE
VishnuE ,hiva and *anesha have to be worshipped$ %n the second day the dikpalas (guardians o all
the directions) are worshippedE the "udras on the third dayE the planets and the stars on the ourth day
and the two Ashvinis and the rivers on the ith day$ %n the siGth dayE the king has ceremonial bath in
honour o the victory that is to come$ And on the seventh dayE the king leaves to do battle$
8rior to the marchingE the army must always assemble to the east o the capital city$ -he start o the
march must be accompanied with the playing o musical instruments$ %nce the army has begun to
marchE it must never look back$ Ater having travelled or a couple o milesE it must stop to rest any pray
to the gods and the brahmanas$
-he king must never directly ight$ Because i the king is killedE the battle is lost$ -he king must be right
behind his armyE not too ar away rom it$ An elephant will be guarded by our chariotsE a chariot by our
horses and a horse by our inantrymen$ -he inantry will also be at the ront o armyE ollowed by
archers and then by the horses$ -he chariots and the elephants come last o all$ -he cowards in the
army must not be in the rontE they must be at the back$ -he ront is or the brave soldiers$ -o the eGtent
possibleE one should ight with the sun behind one?s army$
. a soldier dies in the course o battleE he goes straight to heaven$ -he blood o brave men wash away
all sins$ -o be struck with a weapon is better than to perorm many sacriices$ A person who lees orm
the ield o battle perorms a sin that is worse than that o killing a brahmana$
-he ight should be between eMuals$ -hose who are running away should not be killed$ 1or should
spectators and those who are unarmed be killed$ An enemy captured in battle should not be kept
imprisoned$ &e should be released and treated like a son$
#3$7$4 ,ri "ama?s -eachings
"ama had once taught Lakshmana about the duties o a king$ -he Agni 8urana now relates these
precepts o "ama?s$
-he duties o king are ourold$ <irstlyE he has to earn wealth$ ,econdlyE he has to increase it$ -hirdlyE
he has to protect it$ And ourthly and inallyE he has to donate it$ -he king must also be polite and
politeness comes through the conMuering o the senses$ -he king must be humble$ -he senses are like
mad elephants$ . the senses are pamperedE like mad elephantsE they trample politeness and humility
underoot$
-he king must also be non=violentE truthulE clean and orgiving$ &e should take care to observe all the
rituals$ &e should give ood to those who are poorE he should protect those who seek royal protection$
&e should always use words that are pleasant to hear$ -he body is here today and gone tomorrow$
,tupid is the king who deviates orm the path o righteousness to give pleasure to a body that is
transient$ -he curses o unhappy people are enough to bring down a king$
-here is only one dierence between gods and animals$ *ods use pleasant wordE while animals use
rough words$ -he king must use pleasant words like a god$ And he must use pleasant words not only
or those who are his riends or are goodE but also or those who are his enemies or are evil$ 6ith
obeisance the king pleases his guruE with good behaviour the righteousE with duties the godsE with live
the servants and with alms those who are inerior$
-he kingdom has seven components$ -hese are the kingE the ministersE the riendsE the treasuryE the
armyE the orts and the state itsel$ % theseE the most important is the state and it has to be preserved
at all costs$ -he king must be eGtremely careul in the choice o the ministers and the royal priest$ -he
king must not choose or consult ministers who are stupid$
-he king?s signs are his golden rod or sceptre and an umbrella that is held over his head$ -he umbrella
should be made o the eathers o swansE peacocks or cranesE but the eathers o dierent types o
birds should not be miGed in the same umbrella$ -he throne should be made o wood and should be
embellished with gold$ A bow can be made o ironE horn or wood$ -he best bow is one that eGtends
over our armlengths$ -he king can spend upto one year?s taG revenue on armaments and lags$
1:&8 $hanurveda, $ynasties and 'iterature
-his :hapter contains ; ,ections$
#3$)$# Dhanurveda
-he section on Dhanurveda is on arms and weapons$
-here are ive types o weapons that are used in war$ -he irst category is that o yantramukta
weaponsE released rom a machine (yantra)$ -his machine may be a launcher or even a bow$ -he
second category is that o panimukta weaponsE weapons that are lung by the hand (pani)$ +Gamples
are spears and stones$ -he third category is known as muktasandharita$ -hese are weapons that can
be lung and also withdrawn$ -he ourth category consists o weapons like swords that are never
released rom the hand during battle$
-hese are known as amukta weapons$ And the last category o weapons consists o brute orce and
strength$ -his is o use in bouts o wrestling$
-he best orm o ighting is that with bows and arrows$ 1eGt comes ighting with spearsE ollowed by
ighting with swords$ 6restling is the worst orm o ighting$
Beore aimingE the bow (dhanusha) should be held with the arch pointing down towards the earth$ -he
arrow (vana) should be placed against the bow with the head pointing down$ -he bow should now be
raised and the lower end o the bow should be in line with the archer?s navel$ -he Muiver should be at
the back$ Beore releasing the arrowE the bow should be held irm with the let hand and the arrow with
the ingers o the right hand$ -he string o the bow should be pulled back such that the tassel o the
arrow is between the archer?s ear and right eye$ -he body should not be bent when one is releasing an
arrow$ 1or should on get eGcited$ -he archer has to be still as a pillar$ -he target has to be in line with
the let ist and the archer?s posture has to be like that o a triangle$ .t is best to pull back the string o
the bow upto the right ear$
A noose (pasha) is ten arms in lengthE with both ends o the weapon being circular$ -he main body o
the weapon is made o rope$ -here are eleven dierent ways in which a noose may be held$ A noose
must always be lung with the right hand$
A sword (asi) must hang to the let o the waist$ 6hen a sword is to be taken outE the scabbard should
be grasped in the let hand and the sword should be taken out with the right hand$ -here are thirty=two
dierent way in which a sword and a shield may be held$
#3$)$( 8roperty
6hat happens to a person?s debts when he diesN . he does not have any sonsE the person who
inherits the property also inherits the debts and had to pay them o$ . there is a sonE the son pays the
debts o$ But a woman is not to be held responsible or debts contracted by her husband or her son$
1or is a man responsible or debts contracted by his wie or son$ +Gceptions are instances where a
husband and a wie contract a debt Cointly$
. there are no witnesses to a contracted debt but the king eels that the debt was indeed contractedE
the king must arrange or the debt to be repaid within a period o siGty=our days$ .n cases o a disputeE
the person who brings a alse suit will be punished by the king$ And a alse witness will be given twice
the punishment that is meted out to the one who brings a alse suit$ A brahmana who bears alse
witness will be banished rom the kingdom$ A person who agrees to be a witnessE but later withdrawsE
will be punished eight times as much as the bringer o the alse suit$ A brahmana who does this will be
banished rom the kingdom$
.t is better that the details o a debt contracted be written downE with the names o the two parties and
the witnesses clearly indicated$ . the debtor pays in instalmentsE the details o all such payments must
be recorded on the written document$ Debts made in the presence o witnesses should also be repaid
in the presence o witnesses$ . a witness has to take an oathE the oath should be administered ater
cottonE ireE water or poison has been placed on the head o the witness$
<ire or water can be used to ind out i a person is lying or not$ . ire is usedE seven banyan leaves are
placed on the accused?s hand$ A red hop lump o iron is then placed on the hand and the accused had
to go around a ire seven times$ . it is ound that the hand has not been burntE the person has been
telling the truth$ And i the hand has been burntE he had been lying$ ,imilarlyE an accused person can
be immersed in the water and i he does not drownE he has been telling the truth$ AlternativelyE the
accused can be made to drink poison$ . the poison does him no harmE he is truthul$
. the ather makes a willE the property will be divided amongst the sons in accordance with the
provisions o the will$ But i all the sons get an eMual share o the propertyE the wie should also be given
an eMual shareE otherwiseE the ather can leave all his property to the eldest son$ -he sons and the
ather obtain eMual shares to any property or debt that has been let by the grandather$ But the sons
are not necessarily entitled to any property that has not been let by the grandatherE but been earned
by ather$ . a son is born ater the property has been dividedE he too will be entitled to an eMual share o
any property let by the grandather$ Daughters are not entitled to property$ But sons who have go
married will use one=ourth o their inherited property to get their sisters married$
#3$)$0 Donating the 8uranas
-he Agni 8urana now describes the beneits o giving alms along with the purans$ -he puranas are to
be donated together with cows$ And in talking o the mahapuranasE the Agni 8urana also mentions
most o their lengthE in terms o the number o shlokas (couplets) that each has$ -his is worth stating$
-he Brahma 8urana = twenty=ive thousand
-he 8adma 8urana = twelve thousand
-he Vishnu 8urana = thirteen thousand
-he Vayu 8urana = ourteen thousand
-he Bhagavata 8urana = eighteen thousand
-he 1arada 8urana = twenty=ive thousand
-he 'arkandeya 8urana = nine thousand
-he Agni 8urana = twelve thousand
-he Brahmavaivarta 8urana = eighteen thousand
-he Linga 8urana = eleven thousand
-he Varaha 8urana = ourteen thousand
-he ,kanda 8urana = eighty=our thousand
-he Vamana 8urana = ten thousand
-he Kurma purana = eight thousand
-he 'atsya 8urana = thirteen thousand
-he *aruda 8urana = eight thousand
-he Brahmanda 8urana = twelve thousand
-he only mahapurana which is missing rom the above list is the Bhavishya 8urana$ You now have a
pretty good idea o how long the 8uranas are$ -he ,kaknda 8urana is the longest and the Kurma and
*aruda 8uranas the shortest$ But unortunatelyE the numbers in the Agni 8urana are not terribly
accurate$ -he 8adma 8urana has ity=ive thousand couplets and not twelve as stated$ -he Varaha
8urana has twenty=our thousands couplets and not ourteen thousand$ -he Agni 8urana itsel has
slightly over iteen thousand couplets land not twelve thousand$ But at least you have some
approGimate idea about the lengths o the various 8uranas$
-he Brahama 8urana is to be given in the month o Vaishakha$ -he 8adma 8urana is to be donated in
the month o @yaishtha$ -he Vishnu 8urana is to be donated in the month o Ashada and the Vayu
8urana in the month o ,hravana$ -he Bhagavata 8urana is to be given in the month o BhadraE the
1arada 8urana in the month o AshvinaE the 'arkandeya 8urana in the month o KartikaE the Agni
8urana in the month o 'argashirsha and the Bhavishya 8urana in the month o 8ousha$ -he
Brahmavaivarta 8urana in the month o 8ousha$ -he Brahmavaivarta 8urana is or the month o
'aghaE the Linga 8urana or the month o <alguna and the Varaha 8urana or the month o :haitra$
-he ,kanda 8urana is to be given to brahmanas$ -he Vamana 8urana is to be given in the autumn$
-he Kurma 8urana is to be given together with a golden urn$ -he 'atsya 8urana is to be donated
together with a golden swan$ -he Brahmanda 8urana is to be given to brahmanas$
*reat beneits are also to be derived rom hearing the 8uranas recited$ -he reciter has to be given alms
and the brahmanas must be given cowsE rice and land at the time o the recitation$ . one arranges or a
recitation o the 8uranasE one lives longE stays healthy and attains heaven$
#3$)$4 Vamsha (Dynasties)
Brahma was born rom Vishnu?s navel$ Brahma?s son was 'arichiE 'arichi?s son Kashyapa and
Kakshyapa?s son Vivasvana$ <rom this line was descended 8ururava and 8ururava?s descendants
were the kings o the surya (solar) dynasty$
Brahma also had a son named Atri and Atri had a son named ,oma$ ,oma perormed a raCasuya yaCna
(royal sacriice)$ &aving perormed the sacriiceE ,oma became the ruler o all the worlds$ -his made
him very arrogant and he abducted the sage Brihaspati?s wie -ara$ -his led to a terrible war between
the devas and the asuras$ -ara was eventually restored to BrihaspatiE but ,oma and -ara had a son
named Budha$ <rom Budha were descended the kings o the chandra (lunar) dynasty$
-here were twelve maCor wars between the devas and the asuras$ -he irst o these was known as the
1arasimha 6ar$ -his took place when &iranyakashipu was the king o the asuras$ Vishnu adopted the
orm o 1arsismha and killed &iranyakashipu$ &e then made 8rahlada the king o the demons$ -he
second war was the Vamana war and it took place when Vali was the king o the demons$ Vishnu
adopted the orm o a dwar (vamana) to subCugate the demons$ -he third war was the Varaha war and
this took place when &iranyaksha was the king o the demons$ Vishnu adopted the orm o a wild boar
(varaha) and killed &iranyaksha$ -he ourth war was the Amritamanthana war and this took place over
the manthana (churning) o the ocean or amrita (nectar)$
-he ith war between the devas and the asuras took place over the abduction o -ara and this came to
be known as the -arakamaya war$ -he siGth war was known as the ACivaka 6ar$ -he seventh war took
place when -ripura led the asuras and this was known as the -ripuraghatana war$ .t was ,hiva who
killed the demon -ripura in this war$ -he eighth warE the Andhaka warE took place when Andhaka led
the asuras$ .t was Vishnu who engineered that Andhaka be killed when Andhaka eGpressed a desire to
abduct ,hiva?s wie$
-he ninth war was known as Vritrasamhara and took place when Vritra led the demons$ -he tenth war
was simply known as @ita$ .n this warE Vishnu killed ,halva and the other demonsE and 8arashurama
killed the evil kshatriyas$ -he eleventh war was known as &alahala$ An asura named &alahala (poison)
had invaded ,hiva?s body and looded it with poison$ But Vishnu managed to destroy the demon$ .n the
twelth warE known as KolahalaE Vishnu destroyed an asura named Kolahala (tumult)$
#3$)$9 'edicine
Dhanvantari was the physician o the gods and he taught ,ushruta the art o ayurveda (medicine)$ -he
Agni 8urana now describes what the sage ,sushruta had learntE that isE the treatment or various
diseases$ -his does not simply mean the treatment o human illnesses$ -here is a section known as
vriksha ayurvedaE which describes what trees are to be planted where$ .t describes how a garden is to
be constructed and maintained$
-he chapters on medicine also describe the treatment o elephantsE horses and cattle$ -he mantras
(incantations) which are the remedy or snake poison are also related$
#3$)$; Literature and *rammar
-hereaterE the Agni 8urana has many chapters on literature and grammar$
.t describes the dierent types o chhanda (metres) that are used in poetry$
1eGt it discusses the alphabet$ -here are siGty=our letters (varna) in the alphabetE o which twenty=one
are vowels (svara varna)$ -here are three tones (svara) in which the letters o the alphabet may be
uttered$ -heir names are udattaE anudatta and svarita$ -here are eight places rom which the letters
may be pronounced$ -hese are the chestE the throatE the headE the back o the tongueE the teethE the
noseE the lips and the palate$ 8ronunciations should be clear and audible$ -hey should not be nasal
and mumbled$
-he Agni 8urana then discusses the alamkaras (rhetoric) that are used in poetry and plays$ 8oetry is
entirely dierent rom the shastras (sacred teGts) and itihasa (history)$ -he sacred teGts are ull o words
and historical teGts are ull o narrations o incidents that took place$ But that does not constitute poetry$
"eal men are diicult to ind on this earth$ Amongst these real menE it is diicult to ind men who are
learned$ Amongst the learned menE it is not easy to ind some who have a poetic sense$ And amongst
those who have poetic senseE it is diicult to ind a ew who can compose poetry$ 8oetry is impossible
without a knowledge o the rules o poetry and even more importantE without a sense o eeling$
,anskrit is the language o the gods$ -he language o humans is 8rakrita$ 8oetry can be either in
,anskrit or in 8rakrita$ -here are three types o poetry$ -hese are gadya (prose)E padya (poetry) or
mishra (a miGture o the two)$ *enuine poetry isE howeverE only padya
*adya can be o three types=churnakaE utkalika and vrittagandhi$ :hurnaka prose is easy on the earsE it
has very ew compouond words$ 2tkalika prose is hard on the earsE it is ull o compound words$
Vrittagandhi prose is some where between churnaka and utkalika$
An epic must always be split up into sections (sarga)$ .t has to be written in ,anskritE although some
miGture o ,anskrit words with 8rakrita ones is permissible$ -he theme o an epic must always be good
and historical elements may be introduced i the author so desires$
Literature is useless without the lavour o sentiments (rasa)$ -here are nine sentiments that are used$
-he irst is hasya (humour)$ -he second is karuna rasa (pathos)$ -he third is roudra rasa (that which is
wrathul and awe=inspiring)$ -he ourth is vira rasa (heroic themes)$ -he ith is bhayanaka rasa
(horror)$ -he siGth is bibhatsa rasa (vulgar and obscene themes)$ -he seventh is adbhuta rasa (that
which is strange)$ -he eighth is shanta rasa (placidity)$ And the ninth is shringara rasa (amorous
themes)$
But the sentiments must be used with eeling$ 6ithout eelingE all literature becomes mediocre$
8articularly in a playE sentiments can be supplemented with skills (kalal)$ -hese skills are normally
associated with women and there are siGty=our o them$ -he more important ones are singingE playing
musical instrumentsE dancingE actingE drawingE making garlandsE sewingE hairdressing and using magic$
*rammatical rules o sandhi and samasa (rules or orming compound words) are neGt described$ -he
dierence between the two is that in sandhiE the two words that are being Coined retain their original
senses in the compound word$ -he case o samasa is dierent$ ,andhi occurs when two varnas
(letters) met$ ,amasa is a condensation or conversion o two or more words into one$ ,andhi does not
create any new word$ ,amasa leads to the ormation o a third word which reers to something related
to but distinct rom either or any o the words combined$ 8ita (yellow) and ambara (cloth) combined by
way o sandhi are pronounced pitambara and mean cloth that is yellow$ -he same two words combined
by way o samasa result in the third word pitambara which means Hthe one dressed in yellowIE that isE
Krishna$
-here are several possible declensions o wordsE depending on the vachana and the vibhakti$ -he
vachana reers to the number$ +ka=vachana is when there is only one (phalamE a ruit) dvi=vachana
when there are two (phaleE two ruits) and vahu=vachana when there are more than two (phalaniE more
than two ruits)$ -here are three gendersE pumlinga (masculine)E strilinga (eminine) and klivalinga
(neuter)$ DevaE asuraE Vishnu areE or eGampleE masculine in gender$ DeviE Kalika or maya are
eminine$ 8ushpa (lower) or phala (ruit) are neuter$
-here are siG karakas (cases) and seven vibhaktis (case=endings)$ -he agent who perorms the action
indicated by the kriya (verb)E is the kartri or doer$ -o the kartri karaka or 1ominative :aseE the
prathama vibhakti or irst case=ending is attached$ -he obCect o the action is karma and to the karma
karaka or obCective :aseE the second (dvitiya) case=ending is attached$ -he means or instruments by
which the action is perormed takes on the karana karaka or .nstrumental :ases and the third (tritiya)
case=ending$ 6hen a git is given irrevocablyE the recipient takes on the sampradana karaka or Dative
:ase and the case=ending in Muestion is the ourth (chaturthi)$ -hat which is the source o something
takes on the apadana karaka or Ablative :ase and the ith (panchami) case=ending$ 6hen there is a
relation o possessionsE the possessor takes on the shashthi vibhakti (siGth case=ending)$ -here is no
counterpart o the possessive :ase o +nglish grammar because the relation o possession is not
directly related to the verb (kriya) and thereore to the doer (karaka)$ .n case o the location in which the
action takes placeE the karaka is adhikarana (Locative :ase) and the case=ending the seventh
(saptami)$
1:&9 $estruction, Pralaya and @ama
-his :hapter contains 9 ,ections$
#3$/$# 8ralaya (Destruction)
8eriodically pralayas (destructions) take place$ A destruction comes at the end o our thousand yugas
on earth$ <or a hundred years there are no rains and there is widespread drought$ -hereaterE Vishnu
uses the rays o the sun to drink and dry up all the waters that there are on earth$ ,even dierent suns
appear in the sky and they burn up the three worlds o heavenE the earth and the underworld$ -he earth
becomes as lat as the back o a turtle$ -he breath o the great snake (,hesha) also serves to burn up
the three worlds$
Ater the three worlds have been burnt upE dark clouds ull o thunder and lightning appear in the sky$
<or a hundred years it continue to rain$ -he rain puts out the ires that have been raging$ <rom Vishnu?s
breath are created tremendous winds and these drive away the clouds$ But there is water everywhere$
And Vishnu sleeps on these waters$ <or an entire kalpa he sleeps$ -he sages then pray to Vishnu or
the three worlds to be created yet again$
#3$/$( Yama and &ell
6hen human beings dieE their physical bodies are given up$ But they acMuire new bodies that are
known as ativahika bodies$ .n these bodiesE they are brought to Yama?s abode by Yama?s servants$
Living beings other than human are not brought to Yama$ Yama then decides whether the dead person
should go to heaven or to hell$ Ater he has served his time in heaven or in hellE he is born again$ Yama
urther decides what living being the person should be born asE depending on the actions in his past
lie$ And so the cycle o birth death and rebirth goes on and on$
,ince he keeps tally o all good deeds and all sinsE Yama is also known as the god Dharma$ -hose who
have done good deeds are rewaraded by Yama and those who have committed sins are punished$
:hitragupta is Yama?s accountantE he keeps the account o all punya and papa$
-here are twenty=eight circles o hells with many hells located in each circle$ A sinner may have to go to
more than one hell depending on the sins that he has committed$ ,ome sinners are boiled in oilE others
are pierced with spears and still others are whipped$ ,ome sinners are ed heated iron ballsE others are
ed blood and rubbish$ -here are also machines or torturing sinners$ -errible birds eat up some
sinners$ %ther sinners have their heads cut o$
6hen it is time to be rebornE the killer o a brahamana is born as a deerE dogE pig or camel$ A drunkard
is born as a donkey$ A stealer o gold is born as a worm or an insect$ A killer o a brahmana may also
suer rom tuberculosis$ a drunkard will have teeth like a dog and a stealer o gold will malormed nails$
A stealer o ood is born dumb$ A person who has stolen the property o brahmanas is born as a
rakshasa and lives alone in the orest$ A stealer o ragrant scents is born as a mole$ %ne who steals
oodgrains is born as a rat$ %ne who steals animals is born as a goatE one who steals milk as cowE one
who steals ruit as monkey and one who steals meat as a vulture$ A stealer o clothes is born as a
crane and a stealer o salt as a cricket$
#3$/$0 Yoga
Yoga is the way to circumvent the miseries o lie$ -rue knowledge is that which inorms one about the
true nature o brahman or paramatman$ -he atman or Civatman is that which characterises an
individual$ Yoga means unionE it is the union o the Civatman with the paramatman$ Yoga concentrates
one?s mind on the paramatman$
-he irst prereMuisites o yoga is non=violence$ A non=violent person is always righteous$ -he second
reMuirement o yoga is truthulness$ -he third prereMuisite is celibacy$ -he ourth is controlling one?s
senses and the last is the worship o god$ %ne who practices yoga should not go around collecting
material possessions$ A piece o clothE a covering against the coldE and a pair o sandals are
possessions enough or him$
Beore meditating on the true nature o the paramatmanE one has to seat onesel in a proper asana
(posture)$ -he piece o cloth on which one is to sit should be placed in a clean place$ %ne sits on such
a seat and tries to puriy one?s atman by controlling one?s mind and senses through yoga$ -he head
and the neck should be held straight upE motionless$ -he point o vision should be directed towards the
tip o one?s nose$ %ne should not look in any direction$ -he arms should lightly rest on the olded thighs
and the right hand should be placedE palm upwardsE on the let palm$ 8admasana (lotus position) is one
such recommended posture$
-he breath o lie (prana vayu) has to be controlled$ -his process o control is known as pranayama$ A
inger is placed on the nose when the breath is being eGhaled$ -he entire breath should be eGhaled
rom the body$ ,ince rechana means eGhalationE this process o control is known as rechaka$ 6hen the
breath is inhaledE the inhalation should be such that it ills the entire body$ ,ince puraka literally means
Fthat which ills?E this process o control is known as puraka$ 6hen the breath is neither being eGhaled
nor inhaledE one sits completely still like a kumbha (pot) and this is known as kumbhaka$ 8ranayama
makes one healthyE switE enthusiasticE strong and collected$ ,ince the senses are controlledE one goes
to heaven and avoids going to hell$ 'aterial pursuits are like the strong current o a river$ -he atman
drowns in it$
8ranayama alone is not enough$ .t has to be supplemented with dhyana o Capa (meditation and
contemplation)$ %ne contemplates the true nature o the paramatman$ -he body is like a chariot$ -he
senses are its horsesE the mind is the charioteer and pranayama is the bridle$ An individual who dies
while perorming dhyana is immediately assimilated with Vishnu$
Dhyana involve our dierent thingsE all o which must be in complete harmony$ -he irst is the
meditatorE the second is the act o meditatingE the third is the obCect that one is meditating upon and the
ourth is the reason why one is perorming the mediation$ %ne does not have toO sit in a rigid posture or
dhyana to be possible$ .t can be done while one is walkingE sitting or even sleeping$ -he important
aspect is to establish the obCect o one?s meditation in one?s heart$
-here are dierent ways o establishing one?s concentration$ As an obCect o meditationE one can
meditate on three concentric circles which are blackE red and white$ .n the centre o the circles is a
divine lotus$ -he lotus has eight petals$ %ne thinks that detachment is the stem o the lotus and praying
to Vishnu its stamen$ "ight in the centre o the lotus is a pure spark o ire and that is the paramatman$
AlternativelyE one can visualise the paramatman in a blaBe o lightE in the centre o the lotus$ Dhyana is
ar ar superior to any yaCna that one might perorm$
%ne particular orm o deep and intense meditation is known as samadhi$ -he meditator is then
completely stillE as calm as the ocean$ &e loses all track o the outside world$ &e does not hearE smellE
see or touch$ &is mind has no wishes and eels nothing$ &e is completely united with god$ ,uch a
meditator automatically gets to know all the knowledge that can be gleaned rom the Vedas or the
shastras$ &e can obtain all the material possessions that he wantsE but he regards them all as no more
important than a blade o grass$
,uch a meditator attains supreme knowledge$ . you look at various pots ull o waterE you will ind that
the same sky is relected in them all$ ,upreme knowledge tells one thatE eGactly similarlyE it is the same
atman that is everywhere$ .t is the atman which is the same as the paramatmanE it is this atman that is
in the waterE in energyE in waterE in the earth and in metals$ -he atman is everywhere$
#3$/$4 -he Knowledge o Brahman
Brahma Cnana is the knowledge o brahman$ -his knowledgeE which gives the ultimate blissE is nothing
but the sense that the individual atman is identical with the universal brahman or paramtman$ -he
physical body is not the atman$ 1or are the senses the atman$ -he mind or intelligence is not the
atman$ Lie itsel is not the atman$
-he atman is dierent rom all the obCects that have been mentioned above$ -he atman is in an
individual?s heart$ .t sees everything and senses everythingE but is dierent rom the physical body$ .t is
this that sages contemplate when they meditate$ -he sky was created rom the brahmanE rom the sky
came windE rom wind ireE rom ire waterE rom water the earth and rom the earth the ive elements$
%ne has to meditate on the physical body gradually disappearing and merging into the brahman$
-he brahman is neither true nor untrue$ .t has neither orm nor is it without orm$ -he brahman has several partsE
but at the same time it is an integral whole$ -he brahman cannot be described$ .t cannot be achieved through the
power o action$ -he brahman is always pure$ .t has no ties and it is the true orm o happiness$ 6hat is reMuired
is the sense that it is .E the individualE who am the brahman$ . am nothing but the atman and the atman is nothing
but the brahman$ -his sense is true knowledge$ -he brahman is the Lord who is the origin o everything and the
individual is part o the brahman$ .t is this knowledge that rees one rom the ties o the world and this is what
brahman Cnana is all about$
-he brahman is not the earthO it is beyond the earth$ -he brahman is not the windE nor is it the sky$ -he
brahman has no beginningO it is independent o all action$ -he brahman is hugeO it is everywhere$ -he
brahman not only has no ormE it is beyond all orm$ -he brahman cannot be heard$ .t cannot be
touched$ -he brahman has neither intelligence nor mind$ .t has no sense o ego or vanity$ .t does not
have lieE birthE old age or death$
-he brahman is neither happy nor unhappy$ .t does not eel hungry or thirsty$ .t cannot be measured$ At
the same timeE it is both nothing and everything$
Lie has ive possible ends$ By perorming yaCnas one can attain heaven$ By perorming tapasya one
can become an ascetic$ By perorming actions one can attain brahmaloka$ By detachment rom
material pursuits (vairagya) one can merge onesel into nature$ And by true knowledge the individual
gets absorbed into the divine essence$ -his is known as kaivalya$ Detachment means to withdraw
onesel rom the eects o all actions$ And knowledge means the knowledge that the atman is no
dierent rom the brahman$ -his is known as Cnana yoga (the yoga o knowledge)$
-here are ew people who attain this knowledge$ %ne o those was Bharata$ Bharata had done a lot he
became very attached to a deer and when he diedE he died thinking o the deer$ -he result was that in
his neGt lieE Bharata was born as a deer$ But the deer happened to be a CatismaraE that isE it
remembered its earlier lie$ -he deer eventually died and Bharata was again born as Catismara human$
-he king o ,oubira was once travelling on a palanMuin and he wanted someone who would bear his
palanMuin ree o charge$ -he king?s servants caught hold o Bharata to bear the palanMuin$ But Bharata
moved slowly and could not keep up with the other bearers$ -he palanMuin did not progress and the
king asked Bharata$ H6hy are you so tiredN You have not been bearing my palanMuin or long$ :an?t
you some toilN You look airly strong to me$I
Bharata repliedE H. am not strong$ 1or am . bearing your palanMuin$ . am not tired$ nor am . laBy$ . am
my atman and eet are and my body is balanced on my thighs$ 'y shoulders are on my body and your
palanMuin rests on my shoulders$ But . am not my eetE thighsE body or shoulders$ . am the atman$ -he
atman is not carrying you$ ,o why do you say that . am beating youNI
Bharata then instructed the king on the mysteries o true knowledge$ -he atman was pureE ever=lastingE
calmE without traits and beyond natural characteristics$ ,ince the atman had no traits and since an
individual was the atman and not the bodyE it was meaningless to say that an individual was strong or
weak$ -he physical body was made o the elements and so was the palanMuin$ 6hat was the point
thereore in saying that the physical body was bearing the palanMuinN
&eating these words o wisdomE the king ell at Bharata?s eet$ H<orgive meEI he saidE Hand let go o the
palanMuinE 6ho are youNI
H6ho am .NIE asked Bharata$ H-hat is not a Muestion that can easily be answered$I
-he king answeredE H. ail to understand$ ,urely the orm in which you are now eGisting is who you are$I
H1oEI said Bharata$ H. am the atman and the atman is the same as the paramatman$ -he paramatman is
everywhere and thereoreE the atman is also everywhere$ . am everywhere$ . am in all physical bodies$
.t is meaningless to ask who you are and who . am$ 6e are all one and the same$ 6ood has come rom
the trees and this palanMuin is made o wood$ But is the palanMuin wood or treeN 6hen you ride on the
palanMuinE does anyone say that you are riding on a treeN 'enE womenE cowsE horsesE elephantsE birds
and treesE these are all meaningless names$ -hey are all illusions$ +verything is one and the same$ .
am everywhere$ . there had been a place or an obCect where . do not eGistE . could have everywhereE .
do not know how to answer your Muestion$ -ell me kingE are you your head or your stomachN %r is all o
itE youN But thenE what will you call that which is distinct rom your physical bodyN -hink about what .
have said$I
Bharata?s words were so proound that the king immediately accepted Bharata as a teacher$ And
Bharata told the king the story o "ibhu and 1idagha$
-he sage "ibhu was Brahma?s son$ &e was also eGtremely learned$ 1idagha was "ibu?s disciple$ Ater
"ibhu had taught 1idagha what there was to be taughtE 1idagha went to the city to see how 1idagha
was getting on$ 1idagha worshiped his teacher and gave him all sorts o things to eat$ Ater "ibhu had
eatenE 1idagha asked himE HAre you satisiedNI
H6hat do you meanNIE asked "ibhu$ H-he Muestion o satisaction would have arisen had . been hungry
or thirsty$ . am my atman and the atman is always satisied$ ,o what is the brahman that is omnipresent
and so are you$ You are not distinct rom meE we are both part o the same whole$ . came to teach you
this knowledge$ 1ow that you have learnt that the brahman is everywhereE let me leave$I
Ater another thousand years had passedE "ibhu came to the city again and discovered that 1idagha
no longer lived in the city$ &e had begun to live on the outskirts o the city$
H6hy have you given up living in the cityNIE "ibhu asked 1idagha$
HBecause . do not like to live in the cityE where there is a kingE H replied 1idagha$
H6ho is the king NI$ asked "ibhu$ H8oint him out to me in this procession that is passing$ And point out
to me the subCects$I
1idagha saidE H-he king is the one who is as tall as a mountain peak$ &e is the one who is riding the
elephant$ -he ones who are walking are the subCects$I
H6hat do you meanNIE asked "ibhu$ H-he brahman is in the king and the brahman is in the elephant$
&ow do you distinguish one rom the otherE how do you say that one is riding the otherN .s the king the
physical body or the atman and is the elephant the physical body or the atmanN 6ho is riding on
whomN . do not understand$I
-his knowledgeE that the atman is the same as the brahmanE is known as advaita (uniied) brahma=
Cnana$ "ibhu taught this to the king o ,oubira$ -his is the knowledge that all elements are one and the
same$ .t is only those who suer rom illusions who think that dierent elements and dierent beings
have dierent identities$
#3$/$9 -he *ita
Krishna had taught ArCuna the lessons o the *ita on the plains o Kurukshetra$ -he Agni 8urana now
relates the essence o the *ita $
. physical body is aliveE that is no reason or reCoicing$ @ust asE i the physical body is deadE that is no
reason or mourning$ -he atman does not die$ .t does not decayE it cannot be destroyed and it is
immortal$ -he atman does not warrant any tears that might be shed over it$ people who are addicted to
sensual pleasures cannot realise this$ -he person who is addicted to the atman alone has no desire or
anything else$ &e had no action to perorm$ &e had neither gains nor losses$ -he knowledge o this is
like a rat that rescues one rom the lood o illusions$
11 "ha:ishya Purana
+leventh among the 8uranasE contains ive parts$ -he irst part contains a description o the genesisE
greatness o the dates and worship o Lord VishnuE ,hiva and ,urya$ ,econdE third and ourth parts
describe about the greatness o ,hivaE Vishnu and ,urya respectively$
-he ith part contains a description o the heaven$ Like other 8uranasE Bhavishya 8urana also contains
a description o the ancient kings and :handra and ,urya dynasties$ .nterestinglyE Bhavishya 8urana
contains a description o a game that resembles modern chess to a great eGtent$ .n allE the subCect
matter o Bhavishya 8urana seems to be an attempt to prove and establish the supremacy o Brahma$
-he Bhavishya 8urana is an ancient teGt authored by ,ri Vyasa 'uniE the compiler o the Vedic teGts$ .t
is listed among the eighteen maCor 8uranas$ Bhavishya means RutureR and 8urana means RhistoryRE so
the teGtKs name would translate literally as R-he &istory o the <utureR$ -hough the teGt was written
many thousands o years beore the recorded events took placeE by the power o his mystic visionE ,ri
Vyasa was able to accurately predict the happenings o the modern times$ %ne o the teGtKs poetic
styles is to present the events as though they have already happened$ -his is a common practice in
,anskrit poetryE and does not indicate that the book was written in modern times$ 'odern scholars
reCect the contents o Bhavishya 8urana mostly on the grounds that its inormation is too accurate$ But
we should ask ourselvesJ . there was an empowered saintE who knew pastE present and utureE and i
he chose to write a book named Rthe &istory o the <utureRE shouldnKt it contain accurate inormation
about the modern timesE as the title suggestsN 6e cannot disMualiy it simply because it speaks
accurately o the British controlling .ndiaE &itler ighting the worldE and 'aG 'ueller misrepresenting the
Vedic teachings$ RVedaR means knowledgeE and the Vedic teGts contain knowledge o everything = pastE
present and uture$
-his 8urana consists o 7 chaptersJ
11&1 #i5lical and Modern ?istory
Y<rom the 8ratisarga 8arvaE :hapters <our to ,even$Z
,uta *oswami saidJ %nce upon a time in &astinapuraE 8radyota the son o Kshemaka was leading an
assembly and meanwhile the great sage 1arada arrived there$ King 8radyota happily honored him$
&aving him seated on the seat the sage told king 8radyotaE RYour ather was killed by the mlecchasE
thereore he attained Yamaloka or the hellish planet$ . you perorm a Fmleccha=yaCna?E then by the
eect o this sacriice your ather will attain the heavenly planets$R
&earing this king 8radyota immediately called the best o the learned Brahmanas and started Fmleccha=
yaCna? in Kuruksetra$ -hey built a yaCna=kunda which was #; yoCanas in sMuare (#() miles)$ -hey
meditated on the demigods and oered oblations o mlecchas$ -here are harasE hunasE barvarasE
gurundasE sakasE khasasE yavanasE pallavasE romaCas and those who are situated in dierent dvipas
and in kamaruE china and the middle o the oceanO all o them were called with the mantra and burnt to
ashes$ -hen he (the king) gave dakshina (donation) to the brahmanas and perormed abhiseka$ As a
result his ather Kshemaka went to the heavenly planets$ Ater that he became amous everywhere as a
mleccha=hanta or destroyer o mlecchas$ &e ruled the earth or ten thousand years and went to
heaven$ &e had a son named Vedavan who ruled or two thousand years$
At that time the Kali purusha prayed to Lord 1arayana along with his wie$ Ater sometime the Lord
apperared to him and saidE R-his age will be a good time or you$ . will ulil your desire having various
kinds o orms$ -here is a couple named Adama and his wie &avyavati$ -hey are born rom Vishnu=
kardama and will increase the generations o mlecchas$ ,aying thisE the Lord disappeared$ &aving
great Coy the Kali purusha went to 1ilacha
Vyasa saidJ R1ow you hear the uture story narrated by ,uta *oswami$ -his is the ull story o o Kali=
yugaE hearing this you will become satisied$R
.n the eastern side o 8radan city where there is a a big *od=given orestE which is #; sMuare yoCanas in
siBe$ -he man named Adama was staying there under a 8apa=Vriksha or a sinul tree and was eager to
see his wie &avyavati$ -he Kali purusha Muickly came there assuming the orm o a serpent$ &e
cheated them and they disobeyed Lord Vishnu$ -he husband ate the orbidden ruit o the sinul tree$
-hey lived by eating air with the leaves called udumbara$ Ater they had sons and all o them became
mlecchas$ AdamaKs duration o lie was nine=hundred and thirty years$ &e oered oblations with ruits
and went to heaven with his wie$ &is son was named ,veta=namaE and he lived nine=hundred and
twelve years$ ,veta=namaKs son was AnutaE who rulled one=hundred years less than his ather$ &is son
Kinasa rulled as much as his grandather$ &is son 'alahalla ruled eight=hundred ninety ive years$ &is
son Virada rulled #;3 years$ &is son &amuka was devoted to Lord VishnuE and oering oblations o
ruits he achieved salvation$ &e ruled 0;9 years and went to heaven with the same body being
engaged in mleccha=dharma$
having good behaviorE wisdomE Mualities like a brahmana and worship o *odE these things are called
mleccha=dharma$ -he great souls have declared that the dharma o the mleccha is devotion to *odE
worship o ireE nonviolenceE austerity and control o the senses$ -he son o &amuka was 'atocchila$
&e ruled or /73 years$ &is son Lomaka ruled 777 years and went to heaven$ &is son 1yuha (1oah)
ruled or 933 years$ &e had three sons named ,imaE ,ama and Bhava$ 1yuha was a devotee o Lord
Vishnu$
%nce the Lord appeared in his dream and saidJ H'y dear 1yuhaE please listenE there will be devastation
on the seventh day$ -hereoreE you have to be very Muick that you make a big boat and ride in it$ %
chie o the devoteesE you will be celebrated as a great kingI$
-hen he made a strong boat which was 033 eet longE 93 eet wide and 03 eet high$ .t was beautiul
and all the living entities could take shelter in it$ &e then himsel rode in itE engaged in meditating on
Lord Vishnu$
Lord .ndra called the devastating cloud named ,ambartaka and poured heavy rain continuously or 43
days$ -he whole earthE Bharat=varsaE had merged in the water and our oceans came up together$ %nly
Visala or Badarikasrama was not submerged$ -here were )3E333 great transcendentalists in Visala
who Coined with king 1yuha and his amily$ All o them were saved and everything else was destroyed$
At that time all the sages praised the eternal energy o Lord Vishnu$ Being pleased by the prayers o
the sagesE the Vishnu=maya reduced the waters o devastation$ Ater one year gradually the earth
become visible$ 2nder the hill there is a place named ,isina and the king was situated in that place with
his other people$ 6hen the water completely dried upE king 1yuha came back to his place$
,uta *oswami continuedJ -he mlecchaE king 1yuha became attached to Lord Vishnu and as a result
Lord Vishnu increased his generation$ -hen he created a language it or the mlecchasE unavorable to
the Vedas$ &e named it as brahmi=bhashaE or brahmi languageE ull o bad wordsE or increasing the
degradation o Kali=yuga$ -he Lord who is &imsel the master o intelligence gave this language to
1yuha$ 1yuha named his tree sons opposite$ -hey were known as ,imaE &amaE Yakuta and also
YakutaE ,apta putraE @umara and 'aCuya$ -he name o their countries were known as 'adiE YunanaE
,tuvalomaE -asa and -irasa$
&ama who was the second son o his atherE had our sons know as KusaE 'israE KuCa and Kanaam$
Kusa had siG sons = &avilaE ,arvaE -oragamaE ,avatikaE 1imaruha. and 'ahavala$ -heir sons were
known as KamalaE ,inara and 2raka$ And their countries names are AkvadaE Bavuna and "asana$
Ater telling this story ,uta *oswami inluenced by Yoga=nidra entered mystic slumber$ &e woke up
ater two thousand years and thereupon he saidJ H1ow .?m going to say about the generation o ,ima$
Because he was the irst son o his ather he became the king$ -his mleccha king ruled over the country
or 933 years$ &is son Arkansoda ruled or 404 years$ &is son ,ihla ruled or 4;3 years$ &is son
.ratasya ruled the same length as his ather$ &is son 8hataCa ruled or (43 years$ &is son "au ruled or
(07 years$ &is son @uCa ruled the same length as his ather$ &is son 1ahura ruled or #;3 yearsE and he
destroyed his many inimical kings$ &is son -ahara ruled the same length as his ather$ &e had three
sonsJ AviramaE 1ahura and &arana$ -hus . have eGplained the generation o mlecchas with the
indication o their names only$ -he mleccha language is considered the lowest language because it
bears the curse o goddess ,arasvati$ -hus . have summarily narrated the rise o the mlecchas in Kali=
yuga$
,anskrt is the language by which the whole Bharata=Varsa is being praised and gloriied$ -he same
languageE ater going to another country became the mleccha language and mlecchas took advantage
o it$
Ater hearing all thisE the sages situated in BadarikashramaE worshipped Lord 1ara=1arayana and
meditated upon them or (33 years$ 6hen they woke up rom their meditationE they inMuired rom their
teacher ,uta *oswamiJ
H% disciple o ,ri VyasaE you are so ortunate and greatly intelligentE may you live long$ 1ow please tell
us who is the king at the present timeNR
,uta *oswami saidJ HAt the present timeE the Kali=yuga has already passed its 0333 years$ 1ow the
king ,ankha is ruling the earth and in the mleccha countries the king named ,akapat is ruling$ 8lease
hear about how they came up$R
6hen the Kali=yuga passed (333 yearsE the dynasty o mlecchas increased$ -hey created many paths
to grow and gradually the whole earth become ull o mlecchas$ -he spiritual master and teacher o the
mlecchas was named 'usa$ &e was residing on the bank o the river ,arasvatiE and he spread his
doctrince throughout the whole world$ As soon as Kali=yuga startedE the devotion to the Lord and the
language o the Vedas were destroyed$ -here are our kinds o mleccha languagesJ VraCa=bhasaE
'aharastriE Yavani and *arundika$ .n this way there are our million kinds o other languages$
<or eGampleJ paniyam (water) is called paniE bubhuksa=hunger is called bhukh$ 8aniyam=drinking is
called papadi and bhoCanam=eating si called kakkanam$ .sti is called suddharavaE istini is called
masapavaniE ahuti is called aCu and dadati is called dadhati$ -he word pitri is called paitara and bhrata
is bather and also pati$ -his is the yavani lanugage in which the asva is called aspaE @anu is Cainu and
sapta=sindhu is called sapta=hindu$
1ow you hear about *urundika language$ "avi=vara (the irst day o the week) is called sundayE
phalguna and chaitra months are called pharvari (<ebruary)$ ,asti is called siGtyE these kinds o
eGamples are there$
:rime is becoming prominent in the holy place o ,apta=puri$ *radually the people o Aryavata are
becoming theivesE huntersE bhillas and ools$ -he ollowers o mleccha=dharma in oreign countries are
intelligent and having good MualitiesE whereas the people o Aryavarta are beret o good Mualities$ -hus
the ruling o mlecchas is also in Bharata (.ndia) and its islands$ Knowing all thisE % great and intelligent
sageE you should Cust perorm the devotional service to Lord &ari$
-he great sage ,aunaka inMuiredJ H8lease tell usE what was the reason that the mlecchas did not arrive
in Brahmavarta$
,uta *oswami saidJ -hat was by the inluence o goddess ,arasvati that they could not enter that
place$ By the order o the demigodsE when the Kali=yuga pursued his #E333 yearsE a brahmana named
Kasyapa come down to earth rom the heavenly planets with his wie Aryavatil$ -hey had ten spotless
sons who are known by the namesJ 2padhayayaE DiksitaE 8athakaE ,uklaE 'israE AgnihotriE Dvi=vediE
-ri=vediE :atur=vedi and 8andey$ Among them was the learned one ull o knowledge$ &e went to
Kashmir and worshipped goddess ,arasvati with red lowersE red akshata (rice)E incenseE lampsE
naivedya (ood oerings) and puspanCali (lower oerings)$ -o please her he praised her with some
prayersE asking her or better knowledge o ,ankrt to put mlecchas into illusion$ Being pleased by his
prayers she remainded situated in his mind and blessed him with knowledge$ -hen the sage went to
the country known as 'isra and put all the mlecchas into illusion by the greace o goddess ,arasvati$
-hen he made #3E333 people as dviCas or twice born brahmanasO he made (E333 people into vaishyasO
and the rest o them as shudras$ &e came back with them and staying in Arya=desha (.ndia) he
engaged in the activites o the sages$ -hey were known as Aryans and by the grace o goddess
,arasvati their generation gradually increased upto 4 millionE both the men and women with their sons
and grandsons$ -heir kingE Kasyapa muniE ruled the earth or #(3 years$
-here were )E333 sudras in the county known as "aCputra ("aCput) and their king was Arya=prithu$ &is
son was 'agadha$ -he sage made him a king and let$
,aunaka inMuiredJ R% disciple o VyasaE % LomaharsanaE please tell us who were the kings to rule the
earth in Kali=yugaE ater 'agadhaNR
,uta *oswami saidJ 6hen king 'agadhaE the son o Kasyapa was ruling the earthE he remembered his
atherKs administration and he separated the Arya=desha (.ndia) into many states$ -he state which is on
the eastern side o 8ancala is known as 'agadhaE the state o Kalinga is on the east=south sideE the
state o Avanta is in the southE Amarta=desha is to the south=westE ,indhu=desha is on the western sideE
Kaikaya is to the north=westE 'adra=desha is in the northE and Koninda=desha is to the north=east$
-hese states are named according to his sonsK names$ Ater perorming a sacriice he gave the states
to his sons$ Lord Balabhadra became pleased with his sacriiceE and ,isunaga appeared rom the
sacriice as his son$ &e ruled or #33 years and his son Kakavarma ruled or /3 years$ &is son
Kshemadharma ruled or )3 years and his son ruled or 73 years$ &is son Vedamisra ruled or ;3
years$ &is son ACata=nipu ruled or 93 years$ &is son Darbhaka ruled or 43 yearsE his son 2dayasva
ruled or 03 yearsE his son 1anda=Vardhana ruled or (3 yearsE his son 1anda=sutaE who was born rom
the womb o a sudri or a low class ladyE also ruled or (3 years$ &is son 8ranancala ruled or #3 years$
&is son 8arananda also ruled #3 years$ &is son ,amananda ruled or (3 years$ &is son 8riyananta
ruled or (3 yearsE his son Devananda also ruled or (3 years$ his son YaCna=bhanga ruled or #3 years$
&is son 'auryananda ruled or #3 years$ And his son 'ahananda uled or #3 years$
At this time Lord &ari was remembered by Kali$ At that time the great and amous *autamaE the son o
Kasyapa introduced the Buddhist religionE and attained Lord &ari in 8attana$
*autama ruled over #3 years$ <rom him ,hakya muni was bornE who ruled (3 years$ &is son
,huddhodana ruled 03 years$ &is son ,hakyasimha became the king on ,atadri ater (333 years and
he ruled or ;3 yearsE by which time all the people were Buddhists$ -his was the irst position o Kali=
yuga and the Vedic religion was destroyed$
. Lord Vishnu becomes a king then all the people would ollow &im$ -he activities o the world are
carried out by the prowess o Lord Vishnu$ &e is the master o maya or the illusory energy and whoever
takes shelter o that Lord &ariE though he may be a sinul and abominable personE will become
liberated$
Buddha=simha was born rom ,hakyasimha and he ruled or only 03 years$ Buddha=simha?s son was
:handra=guptaE who married with a daughter o ,uluvaE the Yavana king o 8ausasa$ -hus he miGed
the Buddhists and yavanas$ &e ruled or ;3 years$ <rom him Vindusara was born and ruled or the
same number o years as his ather$ &is son was Ashoka$ At this time the best o the brahmanasE
KanyakubCaE perormed sacriice on the top o a mountain named Arbuda$ By the inluence o Vedic
mantrasE our Kshatriyas appeared orm the yaCna$ Among these our 8ramara was samavediE
:hapahani was yaCurvediE ,hukla was trivedi and 8ariharaka was the Atharvavedi$ -hey were
accustomed to ride on elephants$ -hey kept Ashoka under their control and annihilated all the
Buddhists$ .t is said there were 4 million Buddhists and all o them were killed by uncommon weapons$
Ater that 8ramara became king in Avanta and he constructed a large city called Ambavati or his
happiness$ .t was as big as 4 yoCanas or about 0( miles$
-hen ,uta *oswami saidJ R'y dear brahmanas .?m being inluenced by yoga=nidraE thereoreE please
go to your respective ashramas and meditate on Lord Vishnu$R
Ater the completion o (E333 yearsE ,uta *oswami saidJ 6hen the kali=yuga had passed his 0E7#3
yearsE at that time the king was 8ramara who rulled ; yearsE rom him 'ahamada was born$ &e ruled 0
years and his son Devapi did the same$ &is son Devaduta also did the same$ <rom him *andharva=
sena was bornE who went to the orest ater ruling or over 93 years and having given his kingdom to his
son ,hankha$ ,hankha ruled or over 03 years$ Lord .ndra sent a heavenly girl to *andharva=sena
named Viramati$ A Cewel like son was born orm her womb$ At the time o his birthE there were lowers
raining rom the skyE many auspicious instruments were played and the wind was blowing pleasingly$
-he name o the baby was ,iva=drishtiE who later let or the Cungle with his disciples$ Ater (3 years he
became perect in Karma=yoga$ 6hen kali=yuga copmleted 0E333 yearsE the terrible symptoms o kali
had appeared$ -hat baby took birth in the secret place o KailasaE by the benediction o Lord ,hivaE to
destroy the shakas and to increase the Arya=dharma or the Vedic reigion$ &is ather *andharva=sena
named his son as Vikramaditya and become happy$ -his child was very intelligent and very pleasing to
his parents$ 6hen he was 9 years oldE he let or the orest to perorm austerities and he continued it
upto #( years$ Ater #( years he went to the holy city named Ambavati with all the opulence and
accepted the transcendental throne sent by Lord ,hiva$ <or his security goddess 8arvati created a
Vetala (a king o ghosts) and sent it to king Vikramaditya?s palace$ %nce the powerul king went to the
temple o Lord ,hiva named as 'ahakaleshvaraE who is the chie o the devasE and who has a bow
named 8inaka$ -here he worshipped Lord ,hiva$ .n that place he built a religious council hall with the
pillars made o various metals and decorated with many kinds o Cewels and covered with so many
plants and creepers and lowers$ .n that hall he kept a celestial throne$ &e invited the oremost
brahmanas who are well=versed in Vedic knowledgeE worshipped them with proper hospitality and
heard many religious histories rom them$ Ater that one demigod named Vitala come there having a
orm o a brahmana$ *loriying and blessing the kingE he sat down on the seat and saidJ % master o
this earthly planetE king VikramadityaE i you are very eager to hear them . will describe the stories and
histories to you$
-hus ends the seventh chapter o the 8ratisarga 8arva o the Bhavishya 8urana$
11&! "he Prediction of 7slam
Y<rom the third part o the 8ratisarga 8arva$Z
,hri ,uta *osvami saidJ .n the dynasty o king ,halivahanaE there were ten kings who went to the
heavenly planets ater ruling or over 933 years$ -hen gradually the morality declined on the earth$ At
that time BhoCaraCa was the tenth o the kings on the earth$ 6hen he saw that the moral law o conduct
was declining he went to conMuer all the directions o his country with ten=thousand soldiers
commanded by Kalidasa$ &e crossed the river ,indhu and conMuered over the gandharasE mlecchasE
shakasE kasmirisE naravas and sathas$ &e punished them and collected a large ammount o wealth$
-hen the king went along with 'ahamada ('ohammad)E the preceptor o mleccha=dharmaE and his
ollowers to the great godE Lord ,hivaE situated in the desert$ &e bathed Lord ,hiva with *anges water
and worshipped him in his mind with pancagavya (milkE gheeE yoghurtE cow dungE and cow urine) and
sandalwood pasteE etc$ Ater he oered some prayers and pleased him$
,uta *oswami saidJ Ater hearing the king?s prayersE Lord ,hiva saidJ % king BhoCaraCaE you should go
to the place called 'ahakakshvaraE that land is called Vahika and now is being contaminated by the
mlecchas$ .n that terrible country there no longer eGists dharma$ -here was a mystic demon named
-ripuraE whom . have already burnt to ashesE he has come again by the order o Bali$ &e has no origin
but he achieved a benediction rom me$ &is name is 'ahaoda and his deeds are like that o a ghost$
-hereoreE % kingE you should not go to this land o the evil ghost$ By my mercy your intelligence will be
puriied$ &earing this the king came back to his country and 'ahamada came with them to the bank o
the river ,indhu$ &e was eGpert in eGpanding illusionE so he said to the king very pleasinglyJ % great
kingE your god has become my servant$ @ust seeE as he eats my remnantsE so . will show you$ -he king
became surprised when he saw this Cust beore them$ -hen in anger Kalidasa rebuked 'ahamadaE H%
rascalE you have created an illusion to bewilder the kingE . will kill youE you are the lowest$$$R

Y$$$Z
-hat city is known as their site o pilgrimageE a place which was 'adina or ree rom intoGication$
&aving a orm o a ghost (Bhuta)E the eGpert illusionist 'ahamada appeared at night in ront o king
BhoCaraCa and saidJ % kingE your religion is o course known as the best religion among all$ ,till . am
going to establish a terrible and demoniac religion by the order o the Lord$ -he symptoms o my
ollowers will be that they irst o all will cut their genitalsE have no shikhaE but having beardE be wickedE
make noise loudly and eat everything$ -hey should eat animals without perorming any rituals$ -his is
my opinion$ -hey will perorm puriicatory act with the musala or a pestle as you puriy your things with
kusha$ -hereoreE they will be known as musalmanE the corrupters o religion$ -hus the demoniac
religion will be ounded by me$ Ater having heard all this the king came back to his palace and that
ghost went back to his place$
-he intelligent kingE BhoCaraC established the language o ,anskrit in three varnas = the brahmanasE
kshatriyas and vaisyas = and or the shudras he established prakrita=bhashaE the ordinary language
spoken by common men$ Ater ruling his kingdom or 93 yearsE he went to the heavenly planet$ -he
moral laws established by him were honored even by the demigods$ -he arya=vartaE the pious land is
situated between Vindhyacala and &imacala or the mountains known as Vindhya and &imalaya$ -he
Aryans reside thereE but varna=sankaras reside on the lower part o Vindhya$ -he musalman people
were kept on the other side o the river ,indhu$

%n the island o BarbaraE -usha and many others also the ollowers o .samsiha were also situated as
they were managed by a king or demigods$
11&* "he Prediction of #uddhism
Y<rom the (/th chapter o the 8ratisarga 8arva$Z
Long ago in the country known as :itrarthaE the inhabitants o the heavenly planets used to come to
play during the time o autumn$ %ne day a heavenly apsara know as 'anCughosha came to that place
where the sage ,huka was residing$ ,eeing this beautiul boyE she tried to attract him while singing and
dancingE being overwhelmed by lusty desires$ ,he praised him with a beautiul prayer holding her
hands and bowing down$ ,omehowE she pleased the muni$ -hen the glorious ,hukaE hearing this
auspicious prayer asked her to reMuest a benediction$ 'anCughosha humbly saidJ I% lordE you are the
protector o those who came to your shelterE thereore .?m at your shelterE please become my husbandI$
-he sage accepted her and ater some time they produced a son named F'uni? who perormed
austerity very strictly upto #( years$ &e married the daughter o ,varnadevaE the god o gold$ -hey
gave birth to a daughter named Kinnari$ ,he was very young and beautiul$ ,he perormed austerity to
please Lord ,hivaE and as a benediction lord ,hiva intrusted her to a sober sage 'akaranda$
-hen her atherE 'uniE asked lord ,hiva to bless herE so that they will successully make progress in this
world$
Lord ,hiva saidJ 2pto 03 years you will enCoy your country in the middle o the earthE then it will be
destroyed$ Ater hearing this 'uni went to his place with 'akaranda and resided there$ As soon as the
(/th year started the battle took place among those kings who took birth as the incarnations o the
associates o Krishna$ BauddhaE the lord o nyuhas (the lessened people) attacked the beautiul city o
1etrapalaE thinking that this city is wonderully decorated with various kinds o Cewels$ -he powerul king
Bauddha=simha who had seven=million soldiersE ought with those kings who had only three million
soldiers$ -he ight went on terribly between the armies or seven days and nights$ -he great powerul
kingsE who killed all the inimical armies protected by Baudha=simhaE were Yoga=simhaE Bhoga=simha
and ViCaya$
Ater that more Buddhists came rom the countries known as ,hyama and @apakaE and all o them were
magicians$ Again they had a large battle which lasted or one month$ -hen 1etrasimha arrived with
seven million soldiers protected by eight generalsE or the destruction o the Buddhists$ Being araidE all
the Buddhists let .ndia completely and went to :hina to continue the war rom there$ -he opposite
army also continued ollowing them$ 6hen they arrived on the bank o the &uha riverE it was the month
o 'aghE the second hal part o the month o @anuaryE the ight took place again$ -here were one
million soldiers each rom the countries o ,yama and @apakaE and ten million soldiers rom :hina
assembled or a ight$ %n the other sideE KrishnamsaE DevaE 1etrapalaE 'andalikaE DhanyapadaE
LallasimhaE -alana and @ana nayaka were the generalsE each o them having one million soldiers$
-here was a terrible battle between the Buddhists and the Aryans$ .n that war seven million BuddhistsE
and two million Aryans were killed$ Being araid the Buddhists ran away rom the battle and went to
their home to produce a wooden army with the help o a machinery arrangement$ -hey made ten=
thousand elephants (made out o wood) along with warriorsE one million horsesE one thousand
bualoesE one thousand hogsE one thousand tigersE one thousand swansE and seven thousand camels$
All these creatures had wooden warriors on their back$ -hus with the wooden army which was #(9E333
in numberE they killed two million soldiers protected by Krishnamsas$ ,eeing this wonder @ayantaE the
eGpert ighter shot ire arrows toward the wooden armiesE so that they were immediately destroyedE
being burnt to ashes$ %nly three million kshatriyas (warriors) were letE and they gloriied the proicient
warrior @ayanta again and again$ -hen the Buddhists rom :hinaE made a twenty thousand strong iron
horse calvary and sent them to ight$ -he powerul warrior YogasimhaE riding on an elephant held the
bow and arrows in his hands and shot to the neck o the iron warriors$ Being alicted by the arrows o
Yogasimha ive thousand soldiers were killed$ ,eeing thisE Bauddhasimha made an iron tiger and sent
it to Yogasimha$ By the attack o that iron tiger the brave Yogasimha was inally killedE and then
Bhogasimha riding on a horseE went to ight with the tiger$ &e killed the tiger by throwing a missileE and
roared loudly$ -hen a lion was sent to him by Bauddhasimha and thus he (Bhogasimha) was killed by a
lion$ 6hen the son o ,warna=vati (@ayanta) saw that his maternal uncles were already deadE he rode
on a powerul horse and went to Bauddhasimha$ &e took illusory arrows and put the opposite army into
delusion along with Bauddhasimha$ &e captured ten=thousand kings including BauddhasimhaE and
returned to Krishnamsas having destroyed the mechanical armies$
-hen all o them happily went to the city and orcibly HlootedI the wealth rom the palaceE which was
very opulentE and came back the ort o the king$ @ayanta came and released Bauddhasimha$ Ater
being released he oered his daughter 8admaCa to @ayanta and also oered #33E333E333 golden coins
or the pleasure o his in law$ Ater that all the Buddhists made their vows there itsel saying H6e will
never go to Arya=desa to invade the country$I -hen they oered their homage and let$ -hey went to
1etrapala with their three million remaining soldiers$
11&, "he Prediction of 7ndia<s 2ings
Y<rom the 0#st chapter o the 8ratisarga 8arva$Z
,uta *oswami saidJ -he great powerul king o 'adrakesa worshipped the mendicants o the heavenly
planets (the Asvini kumaras) or ive years and ater having received a benediction rom them he
produced ten sons and one beautiul young daughter named Kantinati$ King 'adraka invited 'aharaC
,uryavarna (the present king o &astinapura)E and gave his daughter to him with proper conduct$
&aving accepted the new wieE ,uryavarna Muickly returned to his home with his army$ -here was a
mystic demon named KarburaE the son o BigbhisanaE when he saw Kantimati the daughter o king
'adrakesaE he came there and kidnapped her in their presence and went to a mountain called
,ahyadri$ ,eeing this incident 'ahiraCa became very upset and lamented again and again$ 'ahiraCa
came to &astinapura and sent a message to Krishnamsa$ &e eGplained everything to him and
immediately with ive hundred warriors Krishnamsa went to ,ahyadri mountain and said earlesslyJ H%
best o the demonsE please listen$ Your ather Bibhishana is a great devotoeeE and you are the dear son
o himE thereoreE you should not act in this manner (sinully) which is the cause o the destruction o
amily$ Do you rememberE long ago mother ,ita was kidnapped by "avana and what happened to
himNI
-he rakshasa saidE R8reviously she was the daughter o a *andharva and my beloved wieE but
because o a curse by a sage she took birth on the earthly planet$ -hereoreE eeling her separation .
went to 'adrakesa$ Although . stayed there so many daysE being araid o the king . could not kidnap
her$ 1ow she is in my controlE but i you deeat me in battle you can take her back$ -hen Krishnamsa
started ighting with him with a sword and it went on or seven nights$ <inally he deeated the rakshasaE
and with Kantimati came back to Delhi to see 'ahiraCa$ -he king ('ahiraCa) oered #3E333E333 golden
coins to the great Krishnamsa$ -hen he came to 8ramdavanaE or the orest called 8ramodaE with his
riends$
,uta *oswami saidJ -here was a powerul king named 8urnamala in 8attana$ &e worshipped the
Vasus or ive years and received a benediction rom them$ By their blessings he had ten sons and a
daughter named Vidyun mala$ <or the marriage o his daughter he invited king 'ahiraCa and with seven
million soldiers he gave his daughter to the son o 'ahiraCa (Bhima)$
Bhima came back happily to his home (&astinapura) with his beautiul wie$ -hen the king o paisaca=
dasaE ,ahodaE came with ten=thousand mlecchas to get Vidyunmala$ -hey came to Kurukshetra by the
order o BaliE the grandson o 8rahlada 'aharaCa$ -hey broke the deities o godsE killed so many cows
and in the places o sacred water they put cow=blood$ ,ahodaE the mleccha kingE wrote a letter and
sent it to 'ahiraCa$ King 'ahiraCa answeredJ R% mleccha kingE you are the master o the mlecchasiE why
are you worried about VidyunmalaN You should know that .?m the one who can shoot arrows Cust by
hearing a sound and .?m the central point o the country o the thieves$R
-hen the king went to Kurukshetra with three million soldiers$ -here was a largeE terrible ight between
them$ At night in the month o @esta (@uly)E Bali 'aharaCa came rom 8atalaE the lowest region with ten=
thousand demons and killed the soldiers o the king very MuicklyE eating them again and again$ -he
kingE being araid took shelter o goddess ,arasvati$ Ater that immediately Krishnamsas arrived and
killed the ten=thousand demons$ -hey came to BaliE the lord o the demonsE and pleased him with their
words$
-hen BaliraCa saidJ .?m very pleased with youE now you can ask or any benediction$
-hey saidJ -hese demons should never come to Aryadesha (.ndia) with youE all o you should stay
always in mleccha=desha and eat the ollowers o mleccha=dharma$
BaliraCa became upset hearing these earulE terrible words$
-hen Krishnamsa saidJ as long as .?m in this world you should simply stay in your homeE ater that you
come here and do whatever you likeI$
&earing this the mleccha king ,ahoda went back to "asatalaE the siGth lowest region o demons$
Y<rom 8ratisarga 8arvaE 4th 8artE :hapter ;$Z
-he sage (,aunka) saidJ H% great ortunate oneE you know everything please tell us about the kings
who came ater 'ahiraCa$
,uta *oswami saidJ -he ghostly KutukoddinaE with human natureE was situated in the kingdom o Delhi$
-he best king BhapasenaE the grandson o Virasena was situated in the beautiul city o Aligarh$ -his
city was protected by yadavas$ Kutukaddin with ten=thousand warriors went there and deeated him and
returned to Delhi$ -hen so many kings orm other countries came there and deeated him and reCected
him rom their countries$ 6hen ,hahoddina heard thisE he came to DelhiE conMuered the kings and
broke all the deities$ Ater that so many mlecchas came rom all sides and ruled the kingdom or 9E ; or
7 years$ -hey had destroyed the places o pilgrimage and the templesE thereore as a reaction they
become short=lived$ <rom todayE the mleccha kings will continue or a hundred yearsE thereore %
sagesE you should Muickly go to Vishala (Badarikashrama) with me$
-hen all the sages sadly let this place (1aimisaranya) and went to VishalaE the best o the &imalayas and
meditated upon Lord &ariE being in samadhi (trance)$ And ater a hundred years all o them attained the kingdom
o *od$
11&/ "he Prediction of 3im5ar.a Acharya
Y<rom the 7th chapter o the 8ratisarga 8arva$Z
-he sun godE being pleased by the praise o the demigodsE saidJ By the order o the Lord KrishnaE
,udarshana will take birth in the Dvapara=yugaE and will be known as 1imbaditya (1imbarka)$ &e will
be able to remove the declination o religious principles$
,uta *oswami saidJ 1ow you hear about the pastimes o the great 1imbarka$ Lord Krishna personally
ordered him to appear on the auspicious bank o 1armada riverE which lows to the southern side o
mountain 'eru$ -hat state is known as -ailangaE the place used by the devarsisE the godly sages$
Lord Krishna saidJ RYou receive knowledge rom devarsi 1arada and establish the true principles o
religion$ You should remain in 'athuraE 1aimisaranya and Dvaraka$R
Lord ,udarshana accepted the order o Lord Krishna saryingE RYesER and appeared on the earth to ulill
the desires o the devotees$ -here was a broad=minded holy brahmana living in the auspicious state o
-ailanga$ &is name was Aruna and was well versed in the Vedas and Vedangas$ &is wie was known
as @ayanti$ -hey were living an austere lie like the sages$ -he brilliant luster o ,udarshana suddenly
entered in the heart o @ayantiE and by that luster she looked brilliant like the moon$ 6hen the time
arrived with all auspiciousness and good MualitiesE in *aura paksha purnima o Kartika monthE Vrisha
rasiE the moon in KrittikaE the ive grahas (planets) situated in higher placesE in the evening at the time
o sunsetE in 'asa=lagnaE the Lord o the universe (,udarshana)E who engaged the whole universe in
Vedic religionE appeared rom mother @ayanti (as 1imbarka)$
%ne day Lord Brahma went to 1imbarka?s ashrama Cust beore the sunset and saidJ % brahmanaE .?m
very hungryE as long as the sun is in the skyE please give me something to eat$ (. will not eat ater the
sun sets)$ -he brahmana (1imbarka) gave him ood and while he was eating the sun went down$ -hen
the brahmana by his power kept a sudarshana on a nimbe tree$ Lord Brahma wondered seeing that
sunlike shine and paid his obeisances to the brahmana by lying lat on the ground$ 8leased with his
austerity Lord Brahma saidJ +Gcellent$ You will become amous on this earthE and you will be known as
1imbaditya (1imbarka = %ne who made the sun appear rom a 1eem tree)$
11&1 "he Prediction of Madhva and )ridhara
Y<rom the 7th chapter o the 8ratisarga 8arva$Z
Brihaspati saidJ Long agoE during the age o tretaE % .ndraE there was a brahmana named
,hakrasharmaE in Ayodhya$ &e worshipped demigods such as the Asvini KumarasE "udrasE VasusE and
,urya with the mantras mentioned in the YaCur=veda$ Ater worshippingE he satisied them by oering
oblations every day$ -hus being pleased with his worship all the 003 million demigods awarded him all
desired obCects and even the rarest things$ By the benediction o the demigods the brahmana lived on
this earth or ten=thousand years without getting old and having no disturbance$ Ater leaving his body
he become the ,un=god and predominated the sun planet or one hundred thousand yearsE beore
going to Brahmaloka$ &e spent eight thousand celestial years or visiting the higher planets and then
returned to the sun planet$
&earing thisE Lord .ndra with his sober intelligence began to worship the sun=god along with other
demigods in the month o @une=@uly$ %n the purnimaE the ull moon dayE the sun=god came down to the
earth and said to demigodsJ . will take birth in Kali=yuga in Vrindavana and this brahmana will eGecute
avorable acts or the demigods$ &e will be born as a son o 'adhavaE named 'adhu and ollow the
Vedic path$
,uta *osvami saidJ ,aying this the sun=god created a light rom his body and sent it to Vrindavana$
Attracting all the irreligious people with pleasing speech he gave them Vaishnavi=shakti or the spiritual
energy o Lord VishnuE the bestower o enCoyment and liberation$ -hus he become amousE known as
'adhvacarya$
@iva saidJ .n the age o DvaparaE there was a brahmana named 'egha ,harma$ &e was very much
religiousE intelligentE learned and a ollower o the Vedic path$ &e was engaged in armingE and with the
ten percent proit rom arming he was worshipping the demigods every day with devotion$ %nce there
was no rain during the administration o 'aharaCa ,hantanu or ive yearsE but the arm o 'egha
sharma was about our miles wider and was watered by rain$ 1aturally the grain=rate increased and
'egha sharma became rich by taking advantage o the scarcity$ %ther people being so distressed took
shelter o the king$ -he king called 'egha sharma and saidJ % great brahmanaE . oer my obeisances
unto youE please became my *uru and guide usE so that we can be ree rom the scarcity$
'egha sharma saidJ when the month o ,hravana (@uly=August) startsE you should call twelve Vedic
brahmanas to chant one=hundred thousand times the mantra o the sun=god with the proper mind$ -hen
on the ull moon day (purnima) oer one tenth the number o oblations in the sacriicial ireE through the
brahmanas$ . you could do this as mentionedE you will become ree rom anGiety$ ,o the king
perormed accordingly and ed all the brahmanasE then the sun=god being pleased by this poured heavy
rain on the earth rom all sides$ Ater this king ,hantanuE engaged in perorming ,urya=vrata and
become a greatly pious person$ 6hoever he touched with his hand immediately turned to a young man$
By the mercy o the sun=godE 'eghasarma lived or ive=hundred yearsE being reed rom old ageE and
then went to sun=planet$ Ater #33E333 years he will attain Brahmaloka$ 6hile he was speaking thusE
sun=god revealed his identity to @iva and went to 8rayaga (Allahabad) and being in a happy mood he
said to the demigodsJ H.n kali=yugaE when the mlecchas will be ruling the kingdomE . will come to
Vrindavana and preach or the mission o the Devas$R
,uta saidJ -hen the sun=god descended in Vrindavana as a son o Deva=sharmaE named ,ridhara$ &e
studied ,rimad Bhagavatam very deeply and a great commentary on it which is known as ,ridhar=
bhasyaE the commentary o ,ridhara$
11&4 "he Prediction of Cayadeva (osvami
Brihaspati saidJ Long ago there was a brahmana named &eliE in the beautiul city 8ampapura$ &e was
a worshipper o the sun=god and he knew the ;4 arts$ &e avoided the mood o accepting dakshina
(donations) and he became an artistE having established a workshop or clothesE paintingsE picturesE
metal statues etc$ &e spent ive thousand coins to establish it$ 6hatever proit he made he used or
worshipping the sun=god in the month o 'agha (@anuary=<ebruary) by perorming sacriices$ -hus the
sun=god Vishvakarma (the architect o the gods) became pleased with this sacriice and descended on
the top o a big pillar in 8ampasarovaraE the lake named 8ampaE having a brilliant shining orm$ At the
noon timeE &eli oered ood to the sun=god according to his desire$ .n this way he satisied the three
worlds$ Ater leaving his body he entered into the sun=planet$ -hereore % king o devas you may
worship the sun=godE he will help you$
,uta saidJ Lord .ndra hearing this rom his guruE began to worship the sun=god Visvakarma along with
other demigods$ -hus being pleased with their worship -vashta (Visvakarma) saidJ % godsE please
listen to my wordsE . will appear in a village named Bilvagram in BengalE and . will be the poet known as
@ayadevaE the compiler o 1irukti$ ,aying this the sun=god went to Bengal and took birth in the house o
a brahmana named Kanduke$ 6hen he was Cust ive years oldE he was engaged in the service o his
parents and continued or twelve years$ Ater sometime his parents let their body and @ayadeva did all
the inal ceremonies (,hraddha) in *aya$ Being satisied they went to heaven$ -hen @ayadeva lived in
a Cungle as a detached brahmana$
At the age o twenty threeE a brahmana (someone) oered his beautiul daughter to Lord @agannatha$
At the end o his worship the eternal Lord AniruddhaE having the orm o DarubrahmaE directly spoke
thusJ H% ,atyavrataE please listen to 'eE it is my order that you oer your daughter 8admavati to
@ayadeva because he is the body o 'ineE or he is as good as 'e$I -hen he ound the detached
brahmana (@ayadeva) and leaving his daughter in ront o himE he went to his home$ 8admavati served
her husband or so many years accepting him as a beautiul and learned one$ @ayadeva compiled a
book known as 1iruktaE the Vedic vocabularyE one o the siG Vedangas$ -here were ive kinds o
1iruktasE but in Kali=yuga they were destroyed by the evil people and 8rakrit=bhasha or the illiterate
language was established$ <or the sake o the demigodsE 8anini the author o Ashtadhyayi grammarE
overtook them and established the pure ,anskrit languagae$
%nce the evil minded Kali situated in the hearts o thievesE plundered all the money o the brahmana
@ayadeva which was given to him by the king$ <ollowing this they cut both his hands and legs and went
home leaving 8admavati aside$ @aydeva was thrown into a ditch$ 8admavati took him out cried and
lamented again and again seeing the situation o her husband$
%ne dayE when the king Dharmapala was out hunting$ &e saw the sage @ayadeva without hands and
eet and askedJ H6ho put you in such a conditionNI
@ayadeva answeredJ H1o one put me in this conditionE % king$ .t is due to my previous activities that .
am suering now in this abominable condition$R
&aving heard this statementE the religious king put the brahmana on a palanMuin along with his wie and
brought them to his palace$ -he king built a dharma=shalaE religious institutionE ater receiving
instructions rom @ayadeva$
%ne day those same thievesE dressed as Vaishnavas came to the king and saidJ H6e are very much
eGpert in the scriptures and thereore we have come to you$ % best o the kingsE Lord VishnuE while
being in the stone (,halagrama) eats ood cooked by us everyday with love$ . you don?t believe usE you
can see this right here$I
,aying thus the slaves o kali by their power showed the king a our handed orm o Lord Vishnu eating$
Being struck with wonderE king Dharmapala said to @ayadevaJ H% my gurudevaE some vaishnavasE the
devotees o Lord Vishnu have come to my palaceE and they have shown me the Lord beore my very
eyesE thereore please come Muickly$R
-he theives saw @ayadeva and became struck with wonder$ -hey said to the king in a Coking moodJ H%
kingE this brahmana was a cook in the palace o the king o *audadesa (Bengal)$ %nce he became very
much greedy or money and he miGed some poison in the ood and oered it to a king$ 6hen the king
come to know about it he ordered him to be cruciied$ -hen we came to him (@ayadeva)E and knowing
him to be an oenderE we instructed him in the Vedic knowledge$ -hen the king reused to cruciy himE
but he cut o his hands and legs$ At that time the king became our discipleE having been enlightened by
us$I
6hile they were speaking thusE the earth broke in two and those thieves ell within the earthE being sent
to the lowest hell known as patala=loka$ @ayadeva began to cry to the thieves and while he was crying
his hands and legs appeared to be as they were$ -hen he eGplained to the bewildered king what had
happened$ -he king became very happy ater hearing everything rom him$ @ayadeva wrote a song
called *ita=*ovindaE the song sung or the pleasure o Lord *ovinda$ -he king read the song and
attained liberation$ H% brahmanasE thus . have narrated the birth story o @ayadevaE now you listen
about how the ,upreme Lord appeared as ,ri Krishna :haitanya $R



Y<rom 8ratisarga 8arvaE 4th 8artE :hapter ;$Z
-he sage (,aunka) saidJ H% great ortunate oneE you know everything please tell us about the kings
who came ater 'ahiraCa$
,uta *oswami saidJ -he ghostly KutukoddinaE with human natureE was situated in the kingdom o Delhi$
-he best king BhapasenaE the grandson o Virasena was situated in the beautiul city o Aligarh$ -his
city was protected by yadavas$ Kutukaddin with ten=thousand warriors went there and deeated him and
returned to Delhi$ -hen so many kings orm other countries came there and deeated him and reCected
him rom their countries$ 6hen ,hahoddina heard thisE he came to DelhiE conMuered the kings and
broke all the deities$ Ater that so many mlecchas came rom all sides and ruled the kingdom or 9E ; or
7 years$ -hey had destroyed the places o pilgrimage and the templesE thereore as a reaction they
become short=lived$ <rom todayE the mleccha kings will continue or a hundred yearsE thereore %
sagesE you should Muickly go to Vishala (Badarikashrama) with me$
-hen all the sages sadly let this place (1aimisaranya) and went to VishalaE the best o the &imalayas
and meditated upon Lord &ariE being in samadhi (trance)$ And ater a hundred years all o them
attained the kingdom o *od$
12 .urma Purana
Lord VishnuE in Kurm Avatar (tortoise incarnation)E had irst preached this 8urana to 1arad$ .n his turnE
1arad narrated it to ,utCi who later narrated this 8urana to an assembly o the great sages$ .nitiallyE this
8urana had our parts namely Bramhi ,amhitaE Bhagawati ,amhitaE *auri ,amhita and Vaishnavi
,amhita$ 8resentlyE howeverE none o these ,amhitas is available eGcept Brahm ,amhita$ 8resent
version too contains two parts=8urv and 2ttar 8arts$
8urv 8artJ -ale o .ndradyumna$ Description o Kurm 8urana$ Description o Varnashram$ Description o
the seMuence o these ashramas$ %rigin o the geo=sphere$ Description o various incarnations$
8reaching o the gods$ Description o the sel=begotten 'anu$ Destruction o Daksh?s yagya$ Killing o
&iranyakashipu$ Vamana avatar (dwar incarnation)$ Description o .kshvaku clan$ Description o
8ururava clan$ Description o "ama and Krishna incarnations$ Description o ,atya=E -reta=E Dwapar=
and Kali yugas$ *reatness o Varanasi$ *reatness o Lingas$ *reatness o 8rayag and Yamuna etc$
2ttar 8artJ Yoga o uneGpressed knowledge$ Appearance o Devadidev ("udra) during -andava$
Description o metaphysical knowledge$ 8reaching o metaphysical knowledge by the *od$ Description
o Ashtang Yoga$ Duties o a celibate$ Duties o a graduate$ Description o edible and non=edible things$
"ituals to be perormed regularly$ "ituals o dining$ Description o the duties o a Vanaprasthi$ Duties o
an ascetic$ Description o eGpiation$ +Gpiation or drinking o wine$ *reatness o dierent places o
pilgrimage$
-his 8urana consists o 09 chaptersJ
1!&1 7ntroduction
(-he samudra manthana story is given in great detail in the "amayana and the 'ahabharata$ As or
LakshmiE some o the 8uranas state that she was born as the daughter o Khyati and the sage Bhrigu$
,he was then married to Vishnu$ But the demons deeated the gods and .ndra$ -he sage Durvasa
thereore cursed Lakshmi that she would have to live in the ocean$ And when the ocean was churnedE
Lakshmi emerged yet again$)
.ndraE the other godsE and the sages were charmed at Lakshmi?s beauty when she appeared$ H6ho is
this wonderul goddessNI they asked Vishnu$
H-his is LakshmiEI replied Vishnu$ H,he is also known as ,hakti$ .t is with her help that . delude the
universe and its inhabitants with my illusions (maya)$ .t is Lakshmi who gives me all my powersE
although she is no dierent rom me in essence$I
Vishnu then proceeded to tell the gods and the sages the story o .ndradyumna$
1!&! 7ndradyumna
'any years agoE there was a king named .ndradyumna$ &e ruled the world well andE when he diedE
was reborn as a brahmanaE (-he brahmanas constitute the irst o the our classesE their primary duties
are to study the Vedas and perorm sacriices$)
As a brahmanaE .ndradyumna observed religious rites and meditated$ &e also stared to pray to the
goddess Lakshmi$ 6hen Lakshmi appearedE .ndradyumna begged o herE H8lease tell me about
yoursel$ 8lease give me insight into what constitutes true knowledge$I
H+ven the gods and the sages are unable to comprehend my true natureEI replied Lakshmi$ H. an
Vishnu?s illusions and there is no dierence between him and me$ As or knowledgeE it is beyond my
powers to grant you that$ You will have to pray to the great Vishnu himsel$I
&aving said thisE Lakshmi disappearedE and .ndradyumna started to pray to Vishnu$ ,everal years
passedE but .ndradyumna continued to meditate$ <inallyE Vishnu appeared and instructed .ndradyumna
on the path to true knowledge$
H6hat did you tell .ndradyumnaNI asked the gods and the sages$ H6hat was this wonderul
knowledgeNI
H. will repeat it or your beneitEI replied Vishnu$
,ince Vishnu repeated his teachings while in the orm o a turtle o KurmaE these sacred words are
known as the Kurma 8urana$ -here are many subCects that Vishnu?s instructions coveredE but let us
irst start with the concept o varnashrama dharmaE Dharma means righteousness and these precepts
lay down the undamental principles o righteous conduct$ -his is typiied in the system o our varnas
(classes) and our ashramas (stages o lie)$
1!&* +arnashrama $harma
Vishnu said that beore creation beganE there was only water in the universe and Vishnu slept on these
waters$ 6hen it was time or creation to beginE Brahma emerged rom Vishnu?s body$ And ,hiva
emerged rom Vishnu?s anger$ Lakshmi too was created rom Vishnu?s body and took her place by
Vishnu?s side$
Brahma told VishnuE H8lease use this goddess to delude the beings whom . will create$ -ell her to sow
the seeds o illusions in their minds$ 8lease tell her to make the righteous prosper$I
Vishnu complied$ &e reMuested LakshmiE H8lease delude and destroy godsE demons and humans who
are about to be created$ But please leave the righteous alone and make them prosper$ . will tell you
how to know the righteous$ -hey are those that ollow the precepts o varnashrama dharma$I
-he brahmanas constitute the irst o the our classes$ Brahma created nine sons rom his mental
powers$ -heir names were 'arichiE BhriguE AngiraE 8ulastyaE 8ulahaE KratuE DakshaE Atri and
Vashishtha$ -hese sons became sages and they were the irst brahmanas$ -hey were created rom
Brahma?s mouth -here are siG types o action that are recommended or brahmanas$ -hese are yaCana
(perorming sacriices)E yaCana (acting as priests at sacriices)E dana (donation o alms)E pratigraha
(receiving gits)E adhyapana (teaching and adhyayana (studying)$ A brahmana who perorms these
tasks wellE attains the wonderul place known as praCapatya$ (-his would seem to be synonymous with
Brahma?s residence o Brahmaloka)$
-he kshatriyas constitute the second o the our classes$ -hey were created rom Brahma?s arms$ -he
duties o kshatriyas include dana (donation o alms)E adhyayana (studying) and perorming yaCnas
(sacriices)$ But their primary duties are to take up arms and ightE .t is their Cob to punish the evil and
protect the good$ A kshatriya who perorms these tasks wellE attains .ndra?s residence o .ndraloka$
-he vaishyas constitute the third o the our classes$ -hey were created rom Brahma?s thighs$ Like the
kshatriyasE the vaishyas can also donate almsE study and perorm sacriicesE But their primary duty is
agricultureE (.n many other 8uranasE trade and animal husbandry are mentioned in addition to
agriculture)$ A vaishya who perorms these tasks wellE gets to live with VayuE the god o the wind$
-he shudras constitute the last o the our classes$ -hey were created rom Brahma?s eet$ -heir
primary duty is to serve the other three classes$ .n additionE a shudra can adopt artisanship as an
occupationE A shudra who perorms these tasks wellE will live with the gandharvas (singers o heaven)$
*enerally speakingE all our classes have to observe the religion that is prescribed in the vedas$ -here
are various other shastras (religious teGts) that circulate on earth$ But many o them are against the
Vedas$ -he religion that is prescribed in such anti=Vedic teGts must not be ollowed$ %nly sinners ollow
such religionsE and they are doomed to eternal damnation$
-here are our ashramas (stages o lie)$ -he irst one is brahmacharya (celibate studenthood)$ -he
primary duties o a person who is in this stage o lie are studying the Vedas and serving one?s guru
(teacher) well$ &e has to live on alms that are obtained through begging$ 6hen this stage o lie i overE
there are two options that are available to the individual$ .n rare instancesE he may desire to devote the
rest o his lie to studying and meditation$ ,uch a person is known as naishthika$ 'ore commonlyE
individuals wish to step into the neGt stage o lieE An individual who does so is known as an
upakurvana$
-he second stage o lie is garhasthya (householder stage)$ A householder?s primary duties are serving
guestsE perorming sacriicesE donating almsE worshipping the gods and keeping the sacred ire burning
in the house at all times$ .n cases where the householder is absent rom the houseE these unctions are
to be perormed by his wie or sonsE or even by his priest$ A householder must not also orget to study
a little bit o the Vedas every day$ -he householder stage is superior to the other three stages o lie$
-he reason is that the alms provided by a householder are the means o sustenance or individuals who
are in the other three stages o lie$ A householder may be one o two types$ &e may be a sadhakaE in
which case his chie obsession is that o satisying his riends and relatives$ AlternativelyE there may be
a householder who is udasina$ -his means that he is not really interested in his wieE his sons or in the
acMuisition o material wealth$ &is chie obsession is that o being reed rom the bonds o the world$
-he third stage o lie is vanaprastha (orest dwelling stage)$ ,uch a person retires to the orest and
lives on ruits and roots$ &e studies the VedasE perorms tapasya (meditation) and observes religious
rites$ %ne should never embark on a orest=dwelling stage unless one?s mind is ready or it$ -his also
means that one must have had sons$ 6ithout sons to carry on the lineE it is not recommended that a
householder venture out on the orest=dwelling stage$ -here are two types o orest=dwellers$ -he irst
type consists o individuals who primarily devote themselves to worshipping the gods and perorming
religious ceremonies$ ,uch an individual is known as a tapasyaE because he does do some tapasya$
But there are individuals who devote themselves entirely to meditation$ ,uch a person is known as a
sannyasikaE since there is very little o dierence between him and a sannyasi (hermit)$
-he ourth and inal stage o lie is sannyasa (hermithood)$ ,uch individuals spend all their time in
meditating$ -hey beg ood or a living$ .t is not proper to become a hermit unless one?s mind has
achieved detachment rom the world$ -here are two types o hermits$ -he irst type consists o those
who are trying to realise the true nature o the atman (human soul)$ ,uch a person treats all other
individuals as he would treat himsel and is known as a yogiE but there are also hermits who go through
intense meditation so as to attain the supreme wisdom$ ,uch a person is known as a parameshthika$
-here are various other traits that are demanded by the righteous way o lie$ %ne must orgive and
display pityE one must not be Cealous and must be ready to sacriice one?s own selish interests$ %ne
must be truthulE practice non=violence and learn to control the senses$ %ne must also visit tirthas
(places o pilgrimage)$ .t is also important to realise that one does not perorm actions or the sake o
the ruits o the actions$ -he ruits o all actions vest with the brahman (the divine essence)$ .n actE it is
a gross misconception to think that la speciic action is being perormed by an individual$ All actions are
perormed by the brahmanE the ordinary human being is merely an instrument$ As long as this
realisation is missingE an individual is ignorant and is doomed to the shackles o worldly bonds$
1!&, 0reation
Vishnu neGt narrated to the gods and the sages the history o creation$
.n the beginningE the brahman was everywhere$ -he brahman had no ormE but nor was it without orm$
.t had no beginning and no end$ .t had no traitsE but nor was it without traits$ -he brahman is impossible
to describeE sense or see$
BrahmaE Vishnu and ,hiva are derived rom the brahmanE Brahma perorms the unction o a creatorE
Vishnu that o a preserver and ,hiva that o destroyer$
6hen it was time or creation to beginE the brahman created water throughout the universe$ Beore thatE
there was nothing$ .n the waterE there appeared a golden (hiranya) egg (anda)$ -he egg grew in siBe
and BrahmaE the creatorE appeared inside the egg$ +verything that there is in the universeE was already
thereE in in embryonic ormE inside the egg$ -here were godsE the demons humansE the sunE the moonE
the starsE the planets and the wind$ -he word garbha means womb and since Brahma originated rom
inside a golden (hiranya) eggE he is known as &iranyagarbha$ Brahma was the irst being to be created$
&e had our aces$ &e had no birth (Canana) in the real sense o the term$ &e is thereore also reerred
to as ACa (without birth)$ .t is also true that he created (bhuva) himsel (svayam)$ .t is because o this
that Brahma is known as ,vayambhu$ Brahma was to be the lord (pati) o all the subCects who were
going to be born (praCa)$ -husE Brahma acMuired the name o 8raCapati$
-o appreciate how creation took placeE it is irst necessary to have some conception about the nature o
time$
1!&/ A $igression on "ime
-he smallest unit o time is a nimesha$ <iteen nimeshas make one kashthaE thirty kashthas are one
kala and thirty kalas constitute one muhurta$ -here are thirty muhurtas in a span o day and night
(ahoratra)$ -hirty such ahoratras make up a month$ -here are two pakshas (ortnight) in every month$
,iG months constitute an ayana and two ayanas a year$ -here are thus twelve months in every year$
-he names o the two ayanas are uttarayana and dakshinayanaE 6hile humans pass through
uttarayanaE the gods pass through only one day$ ,imilarlyE when humans pass through dakshinayanaE
the gods pass through merely one night$ %ne year or humans is eMuivalent to a time span o one day
and one night or the gods$
-welve thousand years o the gods make up one mahayuga$ -his is subdivided into our yugas (eras)$
-he names o these eras are satya yuga or krita yugaE treta yugaE dvapara yuga and kali yuga$ ,atya
yuga has our thousand yearsE treta yuga three thousandE dvapara yuga two thousand and kali yuga
one thousand$ -his adds up to ten thousand years$ But there are also periods that Coin two yugasJ
(sandhyamsha)$ ,atya yuga has a sandhyamsha o our hundred yearsE treta yuga o three hundredE
dvapara yuga o two hundred and kali yuga o one hundredE -here will thereore be seven hundred
additional years between satya yuga and treta yugaE ive hundred between treta yuga and dvapara
yuga o two hundred and kali yuga o one hundred$ -here will thereore be seven hundred additional
years between satya yuga and treta yugaE ive hundred between treta yuga and dvapara yugaE three
hundred between dvapara yuga and kali yuga and ive hundred between kali yuga and the neGt satya
yuga$ -hese are two thousand additional yearsE and when added up to the earlier igure o ten
thousand$ make up twelve thousand years$
-here are a little over seventy=one manvantaras (eras) in each mahayuga$ +ach manvantara is a time
period that is ruled over by a 'anu$ -he irst 'anu in the present kalpa (cycle) was ,vayambhuva
'anu and there were several other 'anus ater him$ +ach kalpa in act passes during one o brahma?s
days and there are ourteen manvantaras in a kalpa$ ,tated dierentlyE there are one thousand
mahayugas in every kalpa$
-hree hundred and siGty kalpas constitute one o brahma?s years$ %ne hundred times this time period is
known as a parardha$ At the end o this periodE the whole universe is destroyed and BrahmaE Vishnu
and ,hiva are also destroyed$ At the end o the destructionE creation starts aresh and this creation is
known as sarga$
-here is a smaller process o destruction that takes place at the end o every kalpa$ Brahma Vishnu
and ,hiva are not destroyedE but everything else is$ -he creation that comes at the end o this minor
destruction is known as pratisarga$
-he present kalpa is known as varaha kalpa$ -he one that preceded it was known as padma kalpa$
H6hy is the present kalpa called varaha kalpaNI the gods and the sages asked Vishnu$
Vishnu told them the story o his boar incarnation$
1!&1 "he #oar 7ncarnation
A varaha is a boar and the boar incarnation is usually catalogued as the third o Vishnu?s ten
incarnations$
6hen the universe was submerged in water ater the destruction that came at the end o padma kalpaE
Vishnu slept on the waters$ -hus he slept or a thousand mahayugas$ ,ince the word nara means
water and ayana means resting=placeE Vishnu is also reerred to as 1arayana$
Brahma decided to start creation areshE but discovered that the earth was submerged in water$ &ow
would his creations survive i there was no earthN &e thereore reMuested Vishnu to bring the earth up
rom under the water$
Vishnu adopted the orm o a boar and went to the underworld$ &e discovered the earth there and
raised her up on the tusks o the boar$ -he boar careully raised the earth and laid her to rest on top o
the water$ -he earth began to loat like a gigantic boat$
,ince Vishnu raised the earth in the orm o a boar at the beginning o the kalpaE the present cycle is
known as varaha kalpa$
(-he story o the boar incarnation is rather summarily disposed o in the Kurma 8urana$ -he other
8uranas describe it at great length$ Apart rom the Muestion o raising up the earth rom under the
waterE the story revolves around the demon &iranyaksha$ this demon was the son o the sage
Kashyapa and his wie Diti$ &e deeated the gods and drove them out o heaven$ .n desperationE the
gods started to pray to Vishnu$ &iranyaksha used to live under the water and Vishnu entered the water
in his orm o a boar and killed &iranyaksha$ &e also recovered the Vedas which had been stolen by
&iranyaksha$)
1!&4 0reation 0ontinued
Brahma irst created ive sons through his mental powers$ -heir names were ,anakaE ,anatanaE
,anandanaE Kratu and ,anatakumara -hese ive sons became sages and did not have any ospring$
Brahma thereore had to create some more beings so that the population o the universe might
increase$ But prior to thatE he decided to perorm tapasya$ &oweverE the meditation did not yield him
any results and Brahma became very angry and disheartened$ &e started to weep and a teardrop ell
on the ground$ <rom this dropE there emerged ,hiva$
Brahma bowed beore ,hiva and saidE H8lease create some living beings$I
-his ,hiva proceeded to do$ But all the beings that ,hiva created were mirror images o himsel$ -hat
isE they were all immortal$
H. beg your pardonEI retorted ,hiva$ H-hat . reuse to do$ %ld age and disease are not obCects that
should be sought ater$ .n actE they are evil$ . latly reuse to create such evil$I
HAll right then$I said Brahma$ H. will take care o creation mysel$ 8lease stop creating$I
-he irst obCects that Brahma created were waterE ireE the skyE heaven (svarga)E windE riversE
mountainsE oceansE treesE herbs and time$
Brahma neGt created eleven sons rom his mental powers$ -heir names were 'arichiE BhriguE AngiraE
8ulastyaE 8ulahaE KratuE DakshaE Atri VashishthaE Dharma and ,ankalpa$
(.n the earlier section on varnashrama dharmaE only nine sons were mentioned$ Dharma and ,ankalpa
did not igure in that list$)
-hereaterE Brahma created our classes o beings$ -hese were godsE demonsE ancestors (pitris) and
humans$ -he demons were born rom Brahma?s thighsE the gods rom his mouth$ -he snakes (sarpa)E
the yakshas (demi=gods)E the ghosts (bhuta) and the gandharvas were born neGt$ :ows were born rom
Brahma?s stomachE and horsesE elephantsE donkeysE deerE camels and mules rom his eet$ &erbs and
trees emerged rom Brahma?s body=hair$
(-his account contradicts a more common account given in some o the other 8uranasE such as the
Bhagavata 8urana$ .n the more usual accountE all beings are descended rom the sage Kashyapa$
Kashyapa married thirteen o Daksha?s daughters$ -hese daughters were named AditiE DitiE DanuE
KashthaE ArishthaE ,urasaE .laE 'uniE KrodhavashaE -amraE ,urabhiE ,arama and -imi$ Aditi?s ospring
were the gods (adityas)E Diti?s the demons (daityas)$ Danu?s ospring were other demons (danavas)E
Kashtha?s children horsesE Arishtha?s gandharvasE ,urasa?s demons (rakshasas)E .la?s ospring trees
and herbsE 'uni?s the apsaras (dancers o heaven)E Krodhavasha?s ghosts (pishachas)E -amra?s birdsE
,urabhi?s cattleE ,arama?s wild animals and -imi?s marine creatures$ -he Kurma 8urana itsel reers to
this alternative account subseMuently)$
-o return to the present account o the Kurma 8uranaE Brahma thereater divided his body into two$
%ne hal was male and was called ,vayambhuva 'anu$ -he remaining hal was emale and was called
,hatarupa$ 'anu and ,hatarupa married and had two sons and two daughters$ -he sons were named
8riyavrata and 2ttanapada and the daughters were named 8rasuti and Akuti$ ,ince all humans are
'anu?s descendantsE they are known as manava$
8rasuti married Daksha and they had twenty=our daughters$ (-he 8uranas are not at all consistent
about the number o daughters 8rasuti and Daksha had$ -he number is sometimes twenty=ourE
sometimes ity and sometimes siGty)$ -hirteen o the twenty=our daughters were married to Brahma?s
son Dharma$ % the remaining elevenE Khyati was married to BhriguE ,ati to ,hivaE ,ambhuti to 'arichiE
,mriti to AngiraE 8riti to 8ulastyaE Kshama to 8ulahaE ,annati to KratuE Anasuya to AtriE 2rCCa to
VashishthaE ,vaha to the ire=god Agni and ,vadha to the ancestors (pitris)$
1!&8 #rahma, +ishnu and )hiva
-he gods and the sages told VishnuE H6e are getting a bit conused$ You have told us that Brahma
emerged rom Vishnu?s body And yet you have also told us how Brahma was born inside a golden egg$
6hich o these is the correct accountN -hen againE you have told us that ,hiva was born rom one o
Brahma?s tears$ But we have sometimes heard otherwise$ 6hich is rightN 8lease remove this
conusion$I
H-here is no conusionEI replied Vishnu$ HLet me eGplain it or you$I
Brahma was born rom the golden egg right at the beginningE at the time o the original creation$ But at
the end o every kalpa there is a minor destruction when all living beings other than BrahmaE Vishnu
and ,hiva die$ 6hen the destruction is overE creation has to start aresh$
At the end o the last kalpaE there was water everywhere in the universe$ -he heavenE the earth and
the underworldE were all looded with water$ -here were no gods and no sages$ %nly the great Vishnu
slept on the water$ &e had a thousand hoodsE a thousand eyesE a thousand arms and a thousand eet$
-his was his orm o AnantaE the snake (naga)$
(-he Kurma 8urana completely identiies Vishnu with Ananta$ 'ore commonlyE the 8uranas state that
the snake Ananta was the son o Kadru and the sage Kashyapa$ &e pleased Brahma through his
prayers and obtained rom Brahma the boon that he would be permitted to hold up the earth on his
hoods$ -he Kalika 8urana speciically states thatE at the time o destructionE Vishnu and Lakshmi rest
on Ananta?s central hood$ -he Vishnu 8urana adds the inormation that Ananta was one o Balarama?s
avataras$ -he names ,hesha Vasuki and *onasa are oten used synonymously with Ananta$)
6hile Vishnu thus slept on the waterE a wonderul lotus sprouted rom his navel$ the lotus was gigantic
and shone like the sun$ .ts ragrance spread in all directions$ Brahma appeared inside the lotus$ ,ince
padma means lotus and yoni means place o BirthE Brahma is also known as 8admayoni$
Brahma saw Vishnu sleeping on the water and woke him up$ H6ho are youNI asked Brahma$
H. am Vishnu$I replied Vishnu$ H. am the origin o everything$ -hat will be there in the universe is inside
my body$I
H.s that really soNI asked Vishnu$ HLet me see$I
Vishnu thereupon entered Brahma?s body$ &e really ound the three worldsE the godsE the demons and
the humans inside Brahma?s stomach and was greatly surprise$ &e emerged rom Brahma?s mouth and
told BrahmaE H6hat . have seen inside your body is truly wonderul$ But . too can show you many
worlds inside my body$ 8lease enter and see or yoursel$I
.t was now Brahma?s turn to enter Vishnu?s body$ But when Brahma did thisE he could ind no end to
Vishnu?s stomach$ .t was true that there were many worlds inside Vishnu?s body$ &oweverE Brahma
could ind no way o coming out rom Vishnu?s stomach$ &e inally Cab to emerge through Vishnu?s
navelE through the stalk o the lotus that was there$
H&ow dare you try to conine me inside your bodyNI demanded BrahmaE as soon as he managed to get
out$
H8lease do not get angry$I replied Vishnu$ H. merely thought that . would play with you or a while$
%therwiseE it is inconceivable that anyone should dare to conine the great Brahma$ 8lease pardon me$
And as a token o your pardonE please grant me the boon that henceorthE you will be known as my son$
Ater allE you did emerge rom a lotus that grew out o my navel$I
HAgreed$I said Brahma$ HLet us make peace$ Ater allO there is no one else$ 6e are the lords o
everythingE we are parts o the brahman$I
H8lease do not orget ,hivaEI responded Vishnu$ HYour words will anger him and bring about your
undoing$I
6hile the two were thus conversingE ,hiva appeared on the scene$ &e had a third eye in the middle o
his orehead and his hair was matted$ A trident could be seen in his hand$
H6ho is this ellowNI asked Brahma$ H&e looks like an upstart$I
Vishnu calmed Brahma down$ &e also gave Brahma divine eyes so that Brahma could comprehend the
true nature o ,hiva$ Brahma then started to pray to ,hiva$ 8leased with Brahma?s prayersE ,hiva
agreed to grant Brahma a boon$
H8lease grant me the boon that you will be born as my sonEI said Brahma$
,hiva agreed to do so and went away$
1!&9 6udra
Brahma returned to his seat on the lotus lower$
,uddenlyE two demons named 'adhu and Kaitabha appearedE -hey were eGceedingly strong and
threatened to destroy everything that Brahma would create$ Brahma thereore reMuested Vishnu to kill
these two demons$ Vishnu created two beings rom his own body and these two beings killed the
demons$
(-he 'adhu and Kaitabha story is given in greater detail in other 8uranasE such as the Kalika 8urana$
6hile Vishnu was sleepingE the two demons were born rom his ears$ %ne o them desired to have
some honey as soon as he was bornE ,ince the word or honey is madhuE he came to be known as
'adhu$ -he other one looked like an insect$ ,ince the word or insect is kitaE he came to be known as
Kaitabha$ these brothers attacked Brahma and Vishnu had to ight with them so as to rescue Brahma$
-he ight went on or ive thousand years beore Vishnu could kill them$ ater the demons were killedE
the at (meda) rom their bodies ormed the earth$ -hat is the reason why the earth is known as medini$)
Ater 'adhu and Kaitabha had been killedE Brahma could start to create$ &e irst createdE through his
mental powersE the sons whose names have earlier been mentioned$ since ,hiva had promised that he
would be born as Brahma?s sonE Brahma decided to perorm tapasya so as to accomplish this$ &e
prayed or many yearsE but nothing happened$ .n utter rustrationE Brahma began to cry$ the ghosts
(bhuta and preta) were born rom these tears$ Brahma was so disgusted at having created these awul
creaturesE that he committed suicide$ .t was then that ,hiva was born rom Brahma?s mouth and
Brahma revived$
(You will have noticed the contradiction$ +arlierE it had been stated that ,hiva was born rom a teardrop
and there had been no mention o Brahma?s suicideE -he suicide is not mentioned in other 8uranas
eitherE nor is there any mention o ,hiva or "udra being born rom a teardrop$ .n the Vishnu 8uranaE he
suddenly appeared in Brahma?s lap$ .n the 8adma 8uranaE he was born rom Brahma?s urrowed
brows)$
-he baby started to cry as soon as he was born$
HDon?t cryEI said Brahma$ I,ince you cried when you were bornE you will be known as "udra$I
(-he Kurma 8urana is not speciic on why the baby cried$ -he other 8uranas state that the baby cried
or the want o a name$ Brahma thereore gave the boy the name o "udraE as the word rub means to
cry$ -he boy continued to cry and Brahma gave him several other names as well$ -he 8uranas
however disagree about what these various names were)$
.n addition to "udraE Brahma gave the boy the names BhuvaE ,arvaE .shanaE 8ashupatiE BhimaE 2gra
and 'ahadeva$ .n these eight dierent ormsE ,hiva was to live in the sunE the waterE the skyE the ireE
the windE the treesE the bodies o brahmanas and the moon$
1!&1:Parvati<s "housand 3ames
,hiva was married to Daksha?s daughter ,ati$ ,ati died and was reborn as 8arvatiE the daughter o
&imalaya and his wie 'ena (alternativelyE 'enaka)$ 8arvati was married to ,hiva$
.n actE &imalaya and 'ena prayed so that they might have the goddess as their daughter$ 8leased
with their prayersE the goddess arrived beore &imalaya and 'ena and showed them her divine orm$
,he also promised them that she would be born as their daughter$
-here were a thousand names o the goddess that &imalaya recited in the course o his prayers (one
thousand and eight to be precise)$ -hese names are as ollows$ <or convenienceE we have reproduced
them in groups o ten names each$
(#) ,hivaE 2maE 8aramashaktiE AnantaE 1ishkalaE AmalaE ,hantaE 'aheshvariE 1ityaE ,hashvati$
(() 8aramaksharaE AchintyaE KevalaE ,hivatmaE 8aramatmaE AnadiE AvyayaE ,huddhaE DevatmaE
,arvagaE
(0) AchalaE +kaE AnekavibhagasthaE 'ayatitaE ,unirmalaE 'ahamaheshvariE ,atyaE 'ahadeviE
1iranCanaE Kashtha$
(4) ,arvantarasthaE :hitshaktiE AtilalasaE 1andaE ,arvvatmikaE VidyaE @yotirupa AmritaE AksharaE
,hanti$
(9) ,arvvapratishthaE 1ivrittiE Amritaprada$ VyomamurtiE VyomalayaE VyomadharaE AchyutaE AmaraE
AndinidhanaE Amogha$
(;) KaranatmaE KalakulaE ,vatahprathamaCaE AmritanabhiE AtmasamshrayaE 8raneshvarapriyaE 'ataE
'ahamahishaghatiniE 8ranarupaE 8radhana=8urusheshvari$
(7) ,arvvashaktiE KalakaraE @yotsnaE ,arvvakaryaniyantriE ,arvvabhuteshvariE ,amsarayoniE ,akalaE
,arvvashaktisamudbhavaE ,amsarapotaE Durvara$
()) DurnirikshyaE DurasadaE 8ranashaktiE 8ranavidyaE YoginiE 8aramakalaE 'ahavibhutiE DurddharshaE
'ulaprakritidsambhava$
(/) AnadyanantavitavaE 8aramaghapakarshiniE ,vargasthityan -arakaraniE ,udurvvachyaE DuratyayaE
,habdayoniE ,habdamayiE 1adakhyaE 1advigrahaE Anadi$
(#3) AvyaktagunaE 'ahanadaE ,anataniE AkashayoniE YogasthaE 'ahayogeshvareshvariE 'ahamayaE
,udushparaE 'ulaprakritiE .shvari$
(##) 8radhanapurushatitaE 8radhanapurushatmikaE 8uranaE :hinmayiE AdipurusharupiniE
BhutantavasthaE KutasthaE 'ahapurushasamCnitaE @anmamrityuCaratitaE ,arvvashaktisamanvita$
(#() VyapiniE AnavachhinnaE 8radhananu=8raveshininE KshetraCnashaktiE AvyaktalakshanaE 'alavarCCitaE
AnadimayasambinnaE 8rakritigrahaE 'ahamayasamutpannaE -amasi$
(#0) 8ourushiE DheuvaE VyaktatmikaE KrishnaE AvyaktatmikaE "raktaE ,huklaE 8rasutikaE AkaryaE
KaryaCanani$
(#4) 1ityaprasavadharminiE ,argapralayanirmuktaE ,rishtisthityantadharminiE BrahmagarbhaE
:haturvimshaE 8admanabhaE AchyutatmikaE VaidyutiE ,hashvatiE Youni$
(#9) @aganmataE .shvarapriyaE ,arvvadharaE 'aharupaE ,arvvaisharyasamannitaE VishvarupaE
'ahagarbhaE VishveshechhanuvartiniE 'ahlyasiE Brahmayoni$
(#;) 'ahalakshmisamudbhavaE 'ahavimana='adhyasthaE 'ahanidraE AtmahetukaE ,arvva=,adharaniE
,ukshmaE AvidyaE 8aramarthikiE AnantarupaE Anantastha$
(#7) 8urushamohiniE DeviE AnekakarasamsthanaE KalatrayavivarCitaE BrahmaCanmaE &arimurtiE
BrahmakhyaE Brahmavishnu=,hivatmikaE BrahmeshavishnuCananiE Brahmasamshraya$
(#)) VyaktaE 8rathamaCaE BrahmiE 'ahatiE Brahmarupini$ Vairagyaishvaryadharmatma$ BrahmamurtiE
&ridisthitaE ApamyoniE ,vayambhuti$
(#/) 'anasiE -attvasambhavaE .shvaraniE ,arvvaniE ,hankararddhashaririniE BhavaniE "udraniE
'ahalakshmiE AmbikaE 'aheshvara=,amutpanna$
((3) BhuktimuktialapradaE ,arvveshvariE ,arvvavandyaE 1itamuditamanasaE Brahmendro=
8endranmitaE ,hankarechhanuvartiniE .shvararddhasanagataE 'aheshvarapativrataE ,akridvibhataE
,arvvartisamudraparishoshini$
((#) 8arvatiE &imavatputriE 8aramanadadyiniE *unadhyaE YogaCaE YogyaE @nanamurtiE VikashiniE ,avitriE
Kamala$
((() LakshmiE ,hriE AnantavakshahsthalasthitaE ,aroCanilayaE *angaE YoganidraE Asurardini ,arasvatiE
,arvvavidyaE @agaCCveyashtha$
((0) ,umangalaE Vagdevi VaradaE Avachya KirtiE ,arvvarthasadhikaE YogishvariE BrahmavidyaE
'ahavidyaE ,ushobhana$
((4) *uhyavidyaE AtmavidyaE DharmavidyaEAtmabhavitaE ,vahaE VishvambharaE ,iddhiE ,vadhaE
'edhaE Dhriti$
((9) ,hrutiE 1itiE ,unitiE ,ukritiE 'adhaviE 1aravahiniE 8uCyaE VibhavatiE ,oumyaE Bhogini$
((;) BhogashayiniE ,hobhaE VamshakariE LolaE 'aniniE 8arameshthiniE -railokyasundariE "amyaE
,undariE Kamacharini$
((7) 'ahanubhavaE ,attvasthaE 'ahamahisha='ardiniE 8admamalaE 8apaharaE VichitramukutangadaE
KantaE :hitrambaradharaE Divyabharana=Bhushita$
(()) &amsakhyaE VyomanilayaE @agasrishtivivarddhiniE 1iyantriE YantramadhyasthaE 1andiniE
BhadrakalikaE AdityavarnaE Koumari$
((/) 'ayuravaravahanaE VrishasanagataE *ouriE 'ahakaliE ,urarchitaE AditiE 1iyataE "oudriE
8admagarbhavivahana$
(03) VirupakshiE LelihanaE 'ahasuravinashiniE 'ahaalaE AnavadyangiE KamarupaE VibhavariE KoushikiE
VichitraratnamukutaE 8ranatarti=8rabhanCani$
(0#) KarshaniE "atriE -ridashartivinashiniE VahurupaE VirupaE ,urupaE "upavarCitaE BhaktartishamaniE
BhavyaE Bhavatapavinashini$
(0() 1irgunaE 1ityavibhavaE 1ihsaraE 1irapatrapaE -apasviniE ,amagitiE BhavankanilayalayaE DikshaE
VidyadhariE Dipta$
(00) 'anendrarinipatiniE ,arvvatishayiniE VidyaE ,arvvasiddhipradyiniE ,arvveshvarapriyaE -arkshiE
,amudrantaravasiniE AkalankaE 1iradhara$
(04) 1ityashiddhaE 1iramayaE KamadhenuE VrihadgarbhaE DhimatiE 'ohanashiniE 1ihsankalpaE
1iratankaE Vinaya$
(09) VinayapriyaE @valamalasahasradhyaE DevadeviE 'anomayiE 'ahabhagavatiE BhagaE
VasudevasamudbhavaE 'ahendrapendrabhagini$
(0;) BhaktigamyaE 8aravaraE @nanaCneyaE@aratitaE VedantavishayaE *atiE DakshinaE DahanaE DantaE
,arvvabhutanamaskrita$
(07) YoganmayaE VibhagaCnaE 'ahamohaE *ariyasiE ,andhyaE BrahmavidyashrayaE
ViCankurasamudhbutiE 'ahashaktiE 'ahamatiE Kshanti$
(0)) 8raCnaE :hitiE ,amvitE 'ahabhogindra=,hayiniE VikritiE ,hankariE ,hantiE *anagandharvasevitaE
VaishvanariE 'ahashala$
(0/) DevasenaE *uhapriyaE 'aharatriE ,hivanandaE ,hachiE DuhsvapnanashiniE .CyaE 8uCyaE
@agaddhatriE Durvineya$
(43) ,urpiniE *uhalvikaE *unotpattiE 'ahapithaE 'arutsutaE &avyavahantaragadiE &avyavahasa=
'udhbhavaE @agadyoniE @aganmataE @anmamrityuCaratiga$
(4#) VuddhiE 'ahavuddhimatiE 8urushantaravasiniE -arasviniE ,amadhisthaE -rinetraE DivisamsthitaE
,arvvendriyamanomataE ,arvvabhutahridisthitaE ,amsaratarini$
(4() ,attvashuddhikariE ,huddhiE 'alatrayavinashiniE @agatpriyaE @aganmurtiE -rimurtiE AmritashrayaE
1irashrayaE 1iraharaE 1irankushapododbhava$
(40) ,urupaE BhaviniE &ariniE 8rabhaE 2nmilaniE ,arvasahaE ,arvvapratyayasakshiniE ,usoumyaE
:handravadanaE -andavasaktamanasa$
(44) ,ativashuddhikariE ,huddhiE 'alatrayavinashiniE @agatpriyaE @aganmurtiE -rimurtiE AmritashyaE
1irashrayaE 1iraharaE 1irankushapadodbhava$
(49) :hakrahastaE ViochitrangiE ,ragviniE 8admadhariniE 8aravaravidhanaCnaE 'ahapuushapurvaCaE
VishveshvarapriyaE VidyutE VidyuCCihvaE @itashrama$
(4;) VidyamayiE ,ahaasrakshiE ,ahasravadanatmaCaE ,ahasrarashmiE ,attvasthaE
'aheshvarapadashrayaE KshaliniE 'rinmayiE VyaptaE 8admavodhika$
(47) -aiCasiE 'ahamayashrayaE 'anyaE 'ahadevamanoramaE VyomalakshmiE ,imharathaE :hekitanaE
AmitaprabhaE VireshvariE Vimanastha$
(47) -aiCasiE 'ahamayashrayaE 'anyaE 'ahadevamanoramaE VyomalakshmiE ,imharathaE :hekitanaE
AmitaprabhaE VireshvariE Vimanastha$
(4)) VishokaE ,hokanashiniE AnahataE KundaliniE 1aliniE 8admabhasiniE ,adanandaE ,adakritiE
VagdevataE ,arvvabhutashrayasthita$
(4/) BrahmakalaE VishnushivagraCaE 8aragatiE KshobhikaE BandhikaE BhedyaE BhedabhedavivarCitaE
KalalitaE Kalarani$
(93) BrahmashriE BrahmahridayaE VyomashaktiE KriyashaktiE @amashaktiE AbhinnaE BhinnasamsthanaE
VashiniE VamshakariniE *uhyashakti$
(9#) *unatitaE ,arvadaE ,arvatomukhiE BhaginiE BhagavatpatniE ,akalaE KalakariniE ,arvvavitE
,arvvatobhadra$
(9() *uhyatitaE *uharaniE 8rakriyaE YogamataE *angaE VishveshareshvariE KapilaE AkapilaE KantaE
Kamalabha$
(90) KalantaraE 8unyaE 8ushkariniE BhoktriE 8uranadarapurahsaraE 8oshaniE 8aramaishvaryabhutidaE
BhutibhushanaE 8anchabrahmasamutpatti$
(94) 8aramarthavigrahaE DharmodayaE BhanumatiE YogiCneyaE 'anoCavaE 'anoramaE 'anoraskaE
-apasiE VadarupiniE Vedashakti$
(99) VedamataE VedavidyaprakashiniE YogeshvareshvariE 'ataE 'ahashaktiE 'anomayiE E ViyanmurtiE
VidyunmalaE Vihayasi$
(9;) KinnariE ,urabhiE VidyaE 1andiniE 1andivallabhaE BharatiE 8aramanandaE 8araparavibhedikaE
,arvvapraharanopetaE Kamya$
(97) KameshvareshvariE AchintyaE AnantavibhavaE BhulekhaE KanakaprabhaE KushmandiE
DhanaratnadhyaE ,ugandhaE *andhadayiniE -rivikramapadodbhuta$
(9)) DhanushpaniE ,hivodayaE ,udurlablaE DhanadhyakshaE DhanyaE 8ingalalochanaE ,hantiE
8rabhavatiE DiptiE 8ankaCayatalochana$
(9/) AdyaE &ritamalodbhutaE *omataE "anapriyaE ,atkriyaE *irishaE ,huddhiE 1ityapushtaE 1irantaraE
Durga$
(;3) KatyayaniE :handiE :harichitangaE ,uvigrahaE &iranyavarnaE @agatiE @agadyantrapravartikaE
,aradaE 'andaradrinivasaE ,varnamalini$
(;#) "atnamalaE "atnagarbhaE 8ushtiE VishvapramathiniE 8admananaE 8admanibhaE 1ityatushtaE
AmritodbhavaE DhunvatiE Dushprakampa$
(;() ,uryamataE DrishadvatiE 'ahendrabhaginiE ,oumyaE VarenyaE VaradayikaE KalyaniE KamalavasaE
8anchachudaE Varaprada$
(;0) VachyaE AmareshvariE VandhyaE DurCCayaE DuratikramaE KalaratriE 'ahabegaE VirabhadrapriyaE
&itaE Bhadrakali$
(;4) @aganmataE BhaktamangaladayiniE KaralaE 8ingalakaraE KamabhedaE 'ahasvanaE YashasviniE
YashodaE ,hadadhvaparivartikaE ,hankhini$
(;9) 8adminiE ,ankhyaE ,amkhyayogapravartikaE :haitraE ,amvatsararudaE @agatsampuraniE .ndraCaE
,humbhariE KhechariE Khastha$
(;;) KamburgrivaE KalipriyaE KhagadhvaCaE KhagarudaE VarahiE 8ugamaliniE AishvaryapadmanilayaE
ViraktaE *arudasanaE @ayanti$
(;7) &ridguhagamyaE ,hankareshtaganagraniE ,amyasthaE ,ankalpasiddhaE ,arvvaviCnandayiniE
KalikalkavihantruiE *uhyanpanishaduttamaE 1ishthaE Drishti$
(;)) ,mritiE VyapiE 8ushtiE -ushtiE KriyavatiE VishvamareshvasreshanaE BhuktiE 'uktiE ,hivaE Amrita$
(;/) LohitasarpamalaE BhisaniE 1aramaliniE AnantashayanaE AnantaE 1aranarayanodbhavaE 1risimhiE
DaityamathiniE ,hankachakragadadharaE Ambika$
(73) ,ankarshanasamutpattiE 8adasamshravaE 'ahaCvalaE 'ahabhutiE ,umurtiE ,arvvakamadhukaE
,uprabhaE ,ustaniE ,ouriE Dharmakamarthamokshada$
(7#) BhrumadhyanilayaE 8urvaE 8uranapurusharaniE 'ahavibhutidaE 'adhyaE ,aroCanayanaE ,amaE
AnadyaE 1ilotpaladalaprabhaE AsthadashabhuCa$
(7() ,arvvashaktyasanarudaE DharmadharmavivarCitaE VairagyaCnananirataE 1iralokaE 1irindriyaE
VichitragahanadharaE ,hvashvatasthanavasiniE ,thaneshvariE 1iranandaE -rishulavaradharini$
(70) AsheshadevatamurtiE DevatavaradevataE *anambikaE *iriputriE 1ishumbhavinipatiniE AvarnaE
VarnarahitaE -rivarnaE @ivasambhavaE Anantavarna$
(74) AnanyasthaE ,hankariE ,hantamanasaE AgotraE *omatiE *optriE *uhyarupaE *unottaraE *oE *ih$
(79) *ovyapriyaE *ouniE *aneshvaranamaskritaE ,atyabhamaE ,atyasandhaE -risandhyaE
,andhivarCitaE ,arvvavadashrayaE ,amkhyaE ,amkhyayogasamudbhava$
(7;) AsamkhyeyaE AprameyakhyaE ,hunyaE ,uddakulodbhavaE VindunadasamutpattiE ,hambhuvasaE
,hashiprabhaE 8ishangaE BhedarahitaE 'anoCna$
(77) 'adhusudaniE 'ahashriE ,hrisamutapattiE -amohparepratishthitaE -ritattvamataE -rividhaE
,usukshmapadasamshrayaE ,hantyatitaE 'alatitaE 1irvikara$
(7)) 1irashrayaE ,hivakhyaE :hittanilayaE KashyapiE ,hivaCnanasvarupiniE DaityadanavanirmukhiE
KalakarnikaE ,hastrayoniE KriyamurtiE :hatruvargapradarshika$
(7/) 1arayaniE 1arodbhutiE KoumudiE LingadhariniE KarmukiE KalitaE BhavaE 8aravaravibhutidaE VadavaE
8ararddhaCatamahima$
()3) VamalochanaE ,ubhadraE DevakiE ,itaE 'anasviniE VedavedangaparagaE 'anyumataE
'ahamanyusamundbhavaE AmanyuE Amritasvada$
()#) 8uruhutaE 8urushtutaE AshouchyaE BhinnavishayaE &iranyaraCatapriyaE &iranyaraCaniE &aimiE
&emabharanabhushitaE VibhraCamanaE DurCneya$
()() @yotishtomaalapradaE 'ahnidrasamudbhyutiE AnidraE ,atyadevataE DirghaE KakudminiE &ridyaE
,hantidaE ,hantivarddhiniE LakshyadishaktiCanani$
()0) ,haktichakrapravartikaE -rishaktiCananiE @anyaE ,hadurmiparivarCitaE ,udhamaE KarmakaraniE
YugantadahanatmikaE ,ankarshiniE @agaddhatriE Kamayoni$
()4) KiritiniE AindriE -railokyanamitaE VaishnaviE 8arameshvariE 8radyumnadayitaE DatriE YugmadrishtiE
-rilochanaE 'adotkata$
()9) &amsagatiE 8rachandaE :handavikramaE VrishaveshaE VishyanmatraE VindhyaparvatavasiniE
&imavanmerunilayaE KailasagirivasiniE :hanurahantritanayaE 1itiCna$
();) KamarupiniE VedavedyaE VratasnataE BrahmashailanivasiniE VirabhadrapraCaE ViraE ,iddhaE
'ahakamasamudbhavaE Vidyanadharanirakriti$
()7) ApyayaniE &arantiE 8avaniE 8oshaniE KalaE 'atrikaE 'anmathodbhutaE VariCaE VahanapriyaE ,udha$
())) KarishiniE VaniE VinavadanatatparaE ,evitaE ,evikaE ,evyaE *arudatmatiE ArundhatiE &iranyakshi$
()/) 'rigakshiE 'anadayiniE VasupradaE VasumatiE VasudharaE VasundharaE DharadharaE VararohaE
:haracharasahsradaE ,hriala$
(/3) ,hrimatiE ,hrishaE ,hrinivasaE ,hivapriyaE ,hridhariE ,hrikariE KalyaE ,hridhararddhashaririniE
AnantadrishtiE Akshudra$
(/#) DhatrishaE DhanadapriyaE DaityasamuhaniyantriE ,imhikaE ,imhavahanaE ,uvarchalaE ,ushroniE
,ukirtiE :hhinnasamshayaE "asaCna$
(/() "asadaE "amaE LelihanaE AmritasravaE 1ityoditaE ,vayamCyotihE 2tsukaE 'ritaCivaniE VaCratundaE
VaCraCihva$
(/0) 'angalyaE 'angalaE 'alaE 1irmalaE 'alahariniE *andharviE *arudiE :handriE
KambalashvatarapriyaE ,oudamini$
(/4) @ananandaE BhrikutikutilananaE KarnikarakaraE KakshyaE KamsapranapahariniE YugandharaE
YugavartaE -risandhyaE &arshavardhiniE 8ratyakshadevata$
(/9) DivyaE DivyagandhathivasanaE ,hakrasanagataE ,hakriE ,adhyaE :harusharasanaE .shtaE
VishishtaE ,hishteshtaE ,hishtashishtaprapuCita$
(/;) ,hatarupaE ,hatavartaE VinataE ,urabhiE ,uraE ,urendramataE ,udyumnaE ,ushumnaE
,uryasamsthitaE ,amiksha$
(/7) ,atpratishthaE 1ivrittiE @nanaparagaE DharmashastrarthakushalaE DharmaCnaE DharmavahanaE
DharmadharmavinirmatriE DharmikamangalapradaE DharmamayiE Dharmashakti$
(/)) VidharmaE VishvadharminiE DharmantaraE DharmamayiE DharmapurvaE DhanavahaE
DharmopadeshtriE DharmakshaE DharmagamyaE Dharadhara$
(#33) 'ahadevaikasakshiniE ,adashivaE VishaynmurtiE VedamurtiE AmurtikaE 8arameshvariE ,hobhaE
VishalaE 8rasannavadanaE &rishtatma$
-his completes the list o the one thousand names given to the goddess$ Although &imalaya had used
on thousand and eight names in the course o his prayersE ten o these names are missing in the list$
You will also have noticed that a ew o the names occur more than once$
1!&11"he 'ine of ttanapada
.t is hoped that you have not orgotten that ,vayambhuva 'anu and his wie ,hatarupa had a son
named 2ttanapada$ 2ttanapada?s brother was 8riyavarta$ Dhruva was 2ttanapada?s son$ Dhruva was
so devoted to Vishnu that Vishnu earmarked or him a place in the heaven known as Dhruvaloka$
(Dhruva became the 8ole ,tar$ -he complete story o Dhruva and his tapasya in given in the Vishnu
8urana)$
Also in 2ttanapada?s line was born :hakshusha$ &e became a manu$ (:hakshusha was the siGth 'anu
o the present kalpa)$ .n :hakshusha 'anu?s line was born VenaE and Vena?s son was 8rithu$ 8rithu
milked the earth and obtained oodgrains on which people can survive$ -hat is the reason why the earth
is known as prithivi$ (8rithu?s story is given in several 8uranasE in addition to the 'ahabharata and the
&arivamsha)$
8rithu?s son was ,hikhandi and ,hikhandi?s son was ,ushila$ ,ushila was a very religious person$ &e
aithully studied the Vedas and visited several places o pilgrimage$ &is travels eventually brought him
to the &imalayasE through which the sacred river 'andakini lowed$ 1ear the banks o the river was a
beautiul hermitage$ .t was there that ,ushila began to pray to ,hiva$ 6hile ,ushila was thus prayingE a
sage named ,hvetashvatara arrived$ -he sage?s body was lean with tapasya and he was smeared with
ashes$
,ushila inished praying to ,hiva and worshipped the sage$ I. am indeed ortunate that . have met youEI
he told ,hvetashvatara$ H8lease make me your disciple and teach me all that there is to know$I
-he sage agreed$ &e taught ,ushila and several other disciples the knowledge o the shastras (sacred
teGts)$
,hikhandi had a brother named &avirddhana$ &avirddhana?s son was 8rachinavarhi$ &e married
,avarnaE the daughter o the oceanE and had ten sons$ -hese sons were known as the 8rachetas$ -he
8rachetas were devoted to Vishnu and prayed to Vishnu or several years$ (-he Vishnu 8urana states
that they meditated or ten thousand years under the ocean$) All ten 8rachetas married 'arisha and
Daksha was born as a result o this marriage$ ('arisha?s story is given in the Vishnu 8urana$) .t was
this Daksha who had earlier been born as Brahma?s son$ Because he Muarrelled with ,hivaE ,hiva
cursed Daksha that he would be born as the son o the 8rachetas$
H-ell us the story o DakshaEI the sages reMuested Lomaharshana$
(-he 8rachetas are not to be conused with a sage named 8racheta$ -he sage 8racheta was Brahma?s
sonE as per the Brahmavaivarta 8urana$)
1!&1!$a.sha<s )tory
Daksha was Brahma?s son and had a daughter named ,ati$ ,ati was married to ,hiva$ Daksha was
thus ,hiva?s ather=in=law$
%nce Daksha came to visit his son=in=law$ But although ,hiva worshipped him with all due respect$
Daksha elt that he had been slighted$ ,ubseMuentlyE when ,ati went to visit her atherE Daksha
severely reprimanded her$
HYour husband is worse than uselessEI he told his daughter$ H'y other sons=in=law are ar superior to
him$ You are not welcome in my house$ "eturn to your worthless husband$I
,ati could not bear to hear this abuse o her husband and immolated hersel$ ,he was later born as
8arvatiE the daughter o &imavana (the &imalayas) and married ,hiva again$
,hiva was urious to learn that ,ati had died$ &e visited Daksha and cursed him that he would be born
on earth as the son o a kshatriya$ .t was thus that Daksha had been born as the son o the 8rachetas$
(Dakhsa?s story is ull o inconsistencies in the 8uranas$ -here is an account o a yaCna that Daksha
perormed$ ,hiva either destroyed this yaCna himselE or had it destroyed by Virabhadra$ But which
Daksha perormed this yaCnaE the one who was the son o Brahma or the one who was the son o
8rachetasN -he Kurma 8urana suggests that it was the son o the 8rachetas who perormed this
ceremony$ -he more customary accountE such as that in the Bhagavata 8uranaE is that it was Brahma?s
son who perormed the sacriice$ Daksha was angered at ,hiva becauseE on one particular occasionE
,hiva did not stand up to show him respectE although Daksha happened to be ,hiva?s ather=in=law$
Daksha thereore organised a yaCna to which he did not invite ,hiva$ ,ati went to the ceremony
uninvitedE and immolated hersel when her ather started criticise her husband$ &earing o ,ati?s deathE
,hiva destroyed the yaCna$ &e also cursed Daksha that Daksha would have to be born as the son o the
8rachetas$)
-o return to the account o the Kurma 8uranaE the DakshaE who was the son o the 8rachetasE
organised a yaCna$ All the gods and sages were invited to this ceremony$ But as a result o Daksha?s
earlier enmity with his son=in=lawE ,hiva was not invited$
-here was a sage named Dadhichi who protested at this slight to ,hiva$ H&ow can you have a religious
ceremony without inviting ,hivaNI he told Daksha$
H,hiva is a worthless ellowEI replied Daksha$ H&e is not it to be worshipped together with the other
gods$ he wears skulls and destroys all that is created$ &ow can he be treated as an eMual o the great
VishnuE the preserver o all that one can seeN 'y yaCna is dedicated to Vishnu$ .t is not meant or the
likes o ,hiva$I
Dadhichi tried to persuade Daksha that ,hiva should not be ignoredE but Daksha was in no mood to
listen$ Dadhichi reused to take part in such a yaCna and assured Daksha that his ceremony would not
be successully completed$ &e also cursed the other sagesE who had sided with DakshaE that they
would go to hell and would deviate rom the path laid down in the Vedas$ (-he 'ahabharata also
records Dadhichi?s protest$ According to the 'ahabharataE Dadhichi was devoted to ,hiva$)
Daksha went ahead with his yaCna$ -he other godsE including VishnuE came to attend the ceremony$
'eanwhileE 8arvati got to know about the yaCna and told ,hivaE H&ow can there be a ceremony at which
you are not invitedN Although Daksha used to be my ather in my earlier lieE this evil act o his should
not be condoned$ 8lease destroy the ceremony$I
(. one goes by the more customary accountE the Muestion o 8arvati?s asking ,hiva to destroy the yaCna
does not arise$ ,ati died on the occasion o the ceremony and it was the grie o ,ati?s death that led
,hiva to eGact vengeance$ -his happened much beore 8arvati was born as the daughter o
&imavana$)
Because o 8arvati?s biddingE ,hiva created a demon named Virabhadra$ Virabhadra had a thousand
headsE a thousand eetE a thousand eyes and a thousand arms$ &is body shone with radiance like the
sun at the time o destruction$ -he thousand arms held all sorts o weapons in them$
H6hat are my ordersNI Virabhadra asked ,hiva$
H*o and destroy Daksha?s yaCnaEI was the reply$
Virabhadra ascended a bull and set out or Daksha?s house$ &e created thousands and thousands o
demons who would aid him in the task o destruction$ -hese demons were armed with spearsE tridentsE
macesE clubs and stones$ 8arvati also created a goddess named Bhadrakali who would help
Virabhadra$
-his strange army arrived at the place where the yaCna was being held and saidE H6e are ,hiva?s
ollowers$ 6e have come to receive ,hiva?s share o the oerings$I
H1o oerings have been earmarked or ,hivaEI replied the gods and the sages$ H&e has not even been
invited to the sacriice$
-hese words angered Virabhadra and he began his task o destruction$ &is companions uprooted the
scaoldings that had been erected on the occasion o the sacriice$ -he sacriicial horse was lung into
the waters o the river *anga$ (-his was an ashvamedha yaCna (horse sacriice) that was being
perormed on the banks o the river *anga$
Virabhadra caught hold o Bhaga (identiied as the sun=god ,urya) and tore out his eyes$ &e smashed
the teeth o the god 8usha (also identiied as another maniestation o the sun=god ,urya)$ As or the
moon=god :handraE Virabhadra gave him a resounding kick and sent him reeling$ -he ire=god Agni
had his arms and tongue sliced o by Virabhadra?s companions$ -he sages were kicked and boGed$
Vishnu himsel came to intervene and Virabhadra began to ight with Vishnu$
Vishnu has a wonderul weapon named sudarshana chakra (a bladed=discuss) and he hurled this at
Virabhadra$ But Virabhadra easily repelled this weapon with his arrows$ Vishnu is carried by *arudaE
king o the birds$ *aruda attacked VirabhadraE but so ierce was VirabhadraE that *aruda had to lee$
-he entire universe marvelled to see that Virabhadra could thus vanMuish Vishnu and *aruda$
Brahma now arrived and sought to put an end to the ighting$ &e started to pray to ,hiva and ,hiva and
8arvati arrived on the scene$ -he assembled gods and sages also began to pray to ,hiva and 8arvati$
8arvati was moved to pity by these prayers$
H-hese gods and sages have now sought reuge with youEI she told ,hiva$ H8lease pardon them their
sins$I
HAgreedEI replied ,hiva$ HYou have my blessing snow$ But please remember that one cannot have a
religious ceremony without . being worshipped$I
-he gods and the sages realised that ,hiva was no dierent rom Vishnu$ -hey were really one and the
sameE dierent maniestations o the same universal orce$
6hen Daksha had earlier been born as the son o BrahmaE he had married AsikliE the daughter o
Virana$ (-here is a minor contradiction here as well$ +arlierE the Kurma 8urana has stated that
Daksha?s wie was 8rasuti$ .t is o course possible that 8rasuti and Asikli were dierent names or the
same individual$)
Daksha and Asikli had one thousand sons$ But the sage 1arada had persuaded these sons to become
hermitsE disinterested in worldly pursuits$ (-he Vishnu 8urana given a more complete account$ <irstE
ive thousand sons named the &aryashvas had been born and 1arada had persuaded these sons to
become hermits$ 1eGtE one thousand sons named the ,havalashvas had been born and these had also
become hermits at 1arada?s instigation$ -hereaterE siGty daughters had been born$)
-o return to the account o Kurma 8uranaE Daksha and Asikli had had siGty daughters had been
married to DharmaE Brahma?s son$ (-here is again a contradiction$ .n the section on creationE the
Kurma 8urana had stated that thirteen daughters had been married to Dharma$) -he ten daughters
who had been married to Dharma were 'arutvatiE VasuE YamiE LambaE BhanuE ArundhatiE ,ankalpaE
'uhurtaE ,adhya and Vishva$ Vishva?s sons were the gods known as the vishvadevasE ,adhya?s sons
the gods known as the sadhyasE 'arutvati?s sons the gods known as the bhanus$ ('ore usuallyE the
8uranas have a completely dierent account o the birth o the maruts$ -hey were born as the sons o
DitiE Kashyapa?s wie$) 'uhurta gave birth to timeE Lamba to cattle (ghosha)E Yami to snakes (nagas)E
Arundhati to all the obCects (vishaya) on earth and ,ankalpa to resolution (sankalpa)$
-hirteen o Daksha?s daughters had been married to the sage Kashyapa$ -heir names were AditiE DitiE
ArishtaE DanuE ,urasaE KhasaE ,urabhiE VinataE -amraE KrodhavashaE .raE Kadru and 'uni$ -he twelve
godsE known as the adityasE were born as the sons o Aditi$ -heir names were AmshaE DhataE BhagaE
-vashtaE 'itraE VarunaE AryamaE VivasvanaE ,avitaE 8ushaE Amshumana and Vishnu$
Danu?s sons were demons (danavas)$ :hie among them were -araE ,hambaraE KapilaE ,hankaraE
,varbhanu and Vrishaparva$ (,ome 8uranas mention orty such sons$)
,urasa gave birth to the gandharvas$ ('ore usuallyE it is stated that ,urasa was the mother o the
snakes (nagas)$)
Aristha?s sons were thousands and thousands o snakes (sarpas)$
Kadru?s sons were also snakes (nagas)$
-amra?s daughters were the ancestors o the birds$ ,urabhi gave birth to cows and bualoes and .ra to
trees and herbs$
Khasa was the mother o yakshas (demi=gods)E 'uni o apsaras and Krodhavasha o rakshasas$
Vinata had two sons named *aruda and Aruna$ -hese two sons perormed very diicult tapasya$
*aruda pleased Vishnu and obtained the boon that he would carry Vishnu around$ Aruna pleased
,hiva and obtained the boon that he would become the sun?s charioteer$ (-he story o the rivalry
between Vinata and Kadru and their respective ospring is given in the Bhagavata and 'atsya
8uranas$)
-his leaves Diti$ ,he had two sons named &iranyakashipu and &iranyaksha$ -here two sons were
demons and their children came to be known as the daityas$ &iranyakashipu was elder to &iranyaksha$
(-he 8uranas do not agree on this$ .n some 8uranasE &iranyaksha is reerred to as the elder brother$)
1!&1*?iranya.shipu
&iranyakashipu pleased Brahma through his prayers$ As a result o the boon that he received rom
BrahmaE he became invisible and started to oppress the world$ &e drove the gods out o heaven$
-he gods and the sages went to Brahma to persuade him to do something about &iranyakashipu$
H. cannot really help youEI said Brahma$ H*o to the northern shores o the great ocean and pray to
Vishnu there$ . will accompany you$ .t is Vishnu alone who can ind a solution$I
Brahma led the gods and the sages to the shores o the great ocean and started to pray to Vishnu
there$
Vishnu appeared beore them$ H6hy have all o you come hereNI he asked$ H6hat do you wantNI
H.t is &iranyakashipuEI replied the gods and the sages$ H&e is oppressing the world thanks to a boon
received rom Brahma$ Because o the boonE he can only be killed by you$ 8lease kill him and save the
universe$I
Vishnu created a being out o his body$ -his being was as gigantic as 'ount ,umeru and held a lotus
(padma)E a conch=shell (shankha) and a mace (gada) in his hands$ H*o and kill &iranyakashipuEI
Vishnu instructed the being$
-he being thereupon ascended *aruda and let or &iranyakashipu?s capital$ &is roars made the
ramparts o the city Muake$
&iranyakashipu had our sons named 8rahladaE AnuhradaE ,amhrada and &rada$ (-he more usual
names are 8rahladaE AnuhladaE ,amhlada and &lada$) Accompanied by &irayakashipu?s demon
soldiersE these our sons came out to ight with the being easily repelled all o these$ -he our princes
then unleashed divine weapons on the being$ 8rahlada used brahmastraE Anuhrada vaishnavastraE
,amhrada koumarastra and &rada agneyastra$ But these divine weapons could do the wonderul being
no harm$ &e merely picked up the princes and lung them ar away$
%n seeing that his sons had thus been disposed oE &iranyakashipu came to ight$ &e gave the being a
resounding kick on his chest and the creature led in pain to Vishnu$
Vishnu now realised that he would have to take care o &iranyakashipu himsel$ &e adopted the orm o
a being who was a hal=man and hal=lion$ ,ince nara means man and simha means lionE this came to
be known as the narasimha incarnation (avatara) o Vishnu$
H*o and kill this peculiar creatureEI &iranyakashipu instructed 8rahrada$
8rahrada and his brothers tried to ight with VishnuE but were deeated easily$ &iranyakashipu now sent
his brother &iranyakasha to ight$ &iranyakasha used several weapons on VishnuE including the diving
weapon known as pashupata$ But these weapons could do Vishnu no harm$
'eanwhileE 8rahrada had realised that this being could be none other than Vishnu$ &e started to pray
to Vishnu$ &e reMuested his brothersE uncle and ather not to ight with Vishnu$ But &iranyakashipu?s
chest with his claws and thereby killed him$ &e also killed AnuhradaE ,amhrada and &rada$
(A airly common story in the 8uranasE such as the Vishnu 8uranaE is the story o 8rahlada$ Despite
being &iranyakashipu?s sonE 8rahlada was devoted to Vishnu rom his childhood$ &iranyakashipu had
no desire to have a son who was devoted to Vishnu and did his level best to kill 8rahlada$ But 8rahlada
was protected by Vishnu and survived all these attempts$ .n the inal incidentE narasimha appeared
while &iranyakashipu was arguing with 8rahlada and killed the demon=king$ Vishnu then crowned
8rahlada king in &iranyakashipu?s place$ -here was no Muestion o &iranyaksha becoming king ater
&iranyakashipu$ .n the more common accountE &iranyaksha was the elder brother and had already
been killed by Vishnu in his boar (varaha) incarnation$ .t was &iranyakasha?s death that led to
&iranyakashipu?s hatred o Vishnu$ -here is thus some variance between this more common account
and that related by the Kurma 8urana$)
1!&1,?iranya.sha
Ater &iranyakashipu diedE &iranyaksha became the king o the demons$
&iranyaksha promptly began to oppress the world$ &e deeated the gods and drove them out o
heaven$ &e also took the earth down to the underworld$ -he gods again went to Brahma in search o a
solution and Brahma took them to Vishnu$ -hey prayed to Vishnu so that &iranyaksha might be killed$
Vishnu adopted the orm o a boar and killed &iranyaksha$ &e also raised the earth up to its rightul
place$ (-his was the story that was alluded to when the Kurma 8urana mentioned Vishnu?s boar
incarnation$)
6hen &iranyaksha was killedE 8rahlada became the king o demons$ .nitiallyE he ruled well$ &e
worshipped Vishnu and perormed yaCnas$ -he kingdom thrived and prospered$ But on one occasionE
8rahrada orgot to worship a brahmana through inadvertence$
-he brahmana was urious as he thought that 8rahrada had done this knowingly$ HYou have dared to
ignore me because you thank that you are blessed by VishnuEI said the brahmana$ H. curse you that
you will orget all about Vishnu$ Your delusions will make you ight with Vishnu and you will lose all your
powers$I
As a result o the brahmana?s curseE 8rahrada deviated rom the righteous path$ &e ignored the
brahmanas and the Vedas$ &e desired to have revenge on Vishnu or having killed his ather and uncle$
8rahlada ought a long and bitter war with Vishnu$ 6hen he was eventually deeated by VishnuE he
realised the olly o his evil ways and sought reuge with Vishnu$
Ater 8rahrada?s deathE &iranyaksha?s son Andhaka became the king o the demons$
1!&1/A $igression on (outama
'any years agoE there was a terrible drought on earth$ -here was no ood to be had and amine
prevailed$
-here were several sages who lived in the orestE and they tooE suered rom a lack o ood$
*outama was a very powerul sage and he had a hermitage in the orest$ ,uch were the powers that
*outama had that it never stopped raining in his hermitage$ -here was no amine there and plenty o
ood was to be had$ -he other sages thereore went to *outama?s hermitage and begged him to
provide them with ood and shelter$ -his reMuest *outama readily agreed toE and the sages lived there
happily$
Ater twelve years had passedE it began to rain again$ -he drought had passed and oodgrains started
to grow$ -he sages no begged their leave o *outama$
H,tay or a ew more daysEI said *outama$ HBe my guests and bless my household$I
-he sages tarriedE but they were Cealous o *outama and his powers$ -hey thereore plotted to bring
about *outama?s downall$ 6ith their own powersE they created a black cal$ -his cal was nothing but
an illusion$ But having created itE the sages sent it to *outama$ *outama ound the cal wandering
around and decided to take it to his cowshed$ But as soon as he touched the calE the cal seemed to
die$ All this was because o the illusionE but *outama did not know this$ &e was thunderstruck at
having killed a cow$
HYou are evilE you have killed a cowEI the sages told *outama$ H.t would be a sin to remain as your
guest$ 6e are leaving$I
By thenE *outama had got to know that the cal had been an illusion$ &e was eGtremely angry with the
sages and cursed themE Hbecause you have been evilE you have deviate rom the path laid down by the
Vedas$ You will rot in hell and will have to be born several times to be reed o your sins$I
-he sages started to pray to Vishnu and ,hiva$ -hey wished that their sins might be cleansed$
H6hat shall we do with these sagesNI ,hiva asked Vishnu$ H,hall we pardon themN -hey are praying
or deliverance$I
H1everEI replied Vishnu$ H-hose who do not ollow what is laid down in the Vedas will surely rot in hell$
But since they are not permitted to ollow the sacred shastrasE let us compose some other shastras or
them$ -hey will ollow those evil shastrasE rot in hell and be born on earth several times$ -hat is their
penance$I
-o delude the sagesE ,hiva himsel pretended to be a great religious teacher$ &e preached evil ways
and the stupid brahmanas began to ollow what he preached$
1!&11Andha.a
6hile ,hiva was goneE he let his companion 1andi to look ater his household$ &e also gave Vishnu
the overall responsibility o ensuring that all was well with 8arvati and the gods and the sages$
"ealising that ,hiva was awayE Andhaka thought that this was the opportune moment or abducting
8arvati$ &e ound that 1andi stood guard at the entrance to ,hiva?s house and began to ight with
1andi$ 1andi struck Andhaka on the chest with a trident$
-his angered Andhaka and he created a thousand other demons who were Cust like him in appearance$
-his army o demons deeated 1andi and the gods$ 1andi did not know what to do and started to pray
to Vishnu$ Vishnu created some goddesses rom his body and these goddesses killed the demon
soldiers$ Andhaka also led$
Ater twelve years had passedE ,hiva returned and learnt what had transpired$
By thenE Andhaka had recovered and he returnedE determined in his bid to abduct 8arvati$ Both ,hiva
and Vishnu started to ight with Andhaka?s army$
Vishnu told ,hivaE HKill this demon$ 1o one but you can kill Andhaka$ 8lease kill the demon and deliver
the universe$I
,hiva pierced Andhaka?s chest with a trident$ &e held the trident alotE with Andhaka transiGed to one
o its prongs$ And with his trident held alotE ,hiva began to dance$
But all the evil had deserted Andhaka?s body and mind as soon as he had been pierced by ,hiva?s
trident$ &e started to pray to ,hiva$ -hese prayers pleased ,hiva$
&e lowered the trident and told AndhakaE H. am pleased with your prayers$ 'y companions are known
as the ganas$ ,tay by my side and be a ganapatiE that isE a lord over the ganas$ You will be 1andi?s
companion$I
1!&14+ali
6ith Andhaka thus taken care oE 8rahrada?s son Virochana became the king o the demons$ &e ruled
his kingdom well$
-here was a sage named ,anatakumara who once went to visit Virochana$ Virochana was delighted to
see the sage and ,anatakumara instructed Virochana on the true nature o the universe$ -hese
teachings so impressed Virochana that he no longer had any desire to be a king$ &e went o to
meditateE ater having crowned his sonE ValiE as the king o the demons$
Vali was a good and righteous king$ &e ruled well and observed religious rites aithully$ But he
deeated .ndra and the other gods and won over heaven rom them$ .ndra and the other gods started to
pray to Vishnu or deliverance$
-he mother o all the gods was Aditi and she was despondent at seeing her children suer thus$ ,he
tooE started to pray to Vishnu$ ,tirred by these prayersE Vishnu appeared beore Aditi$
H6hat boon do you desireNI he asked$
H8lease grant me the boon that you will be born as my son$I replied Aditi$ HAnd as my sonE you will take
care o Vali$I
Vishnu granted the boon and was born as Aditi?s son$ As Aditi?s sonE Vishnu studied the Vedas under
the sage BharadvaCa$
'eanwhileE Vali arranged a yaCna and Vishnu came to attend the ceremony in the orm o a dwar
(vamana)$ (.n more usual accountsE such as the Bhagavata 8uranaE Vishnu was born as a dwar$)
Vali was not going to reuse anything to anyone on the occasion o the sacriice$ As soon as he saw the
dwarE he worshipped him and saidE H. am ortunate that you have come to attend my ceremony$ 8lease
tell me what . can do or you$I
H*rant me as much o land as can be covered in three o my ootstepsEI replied the dwar$
-his boon Vali granted$ -he dwar immediately assumed a gigantic orm$ 6ith one ootstepE Vishnu covered the
entire earth$ 6ith a secondE he covered the sky$ And with the third and inal ootstepE he covered heaven$ -he
entire universe is inside and egg (anda) and outside the egg there is water$ Vishnu?s oot cracked the shell o the
egg and some o the water that was outsideE poured in$ -his water began to low through the sky and became the
heavenly *anga$ (-he story o the heavenly *anga (identiied as the 'ilky 6ay) descending to earth is a
separate story$ -he story o *anga being born rom Vishnu?s body is given in the Brahmavaivarta 8urana$)
&aving traversed all the land that was availableE Vishnu resumed his orm o a dwar$
HYou have now donated to me all the three worldsEI he told Vali$ H6here will you stayNI
H. seek reuge with youEI was Vali?s answer$
Vishnu then instructed Vali to go and live in the underworld$ As or heavenE it was restored to .ndra$
-his is the story o Vishnu?s dwar (vamana) incarnation$
1!&18+ana
Vali had a hundred sonsE the eldest among whom was Vana$ Vana was devoted to ,hiva$ &e was also
eGtremely powerul$ &e deeated .ndra and conMuered the three worlds$
.ndra and the other gods went to ,hiva$ HYour devoteeE Vana is oppressing usEI they told ,hiva$ H8lease
take care o him$I
,hiva took up a single arrow and with thisE he completely burnt up Vana?s city$
(-his is deviation rom the usual account o the 8uranasE such as the Vishnu 8urana or the Bhagavata
8urana$ .n those accountsE Krishna ought with Vana and deeated himE although ,hiva ought on
Vana?s side$ .t was because o Krishna?s blessings that Vana became ,hiva?s companion$ Vana?s
capital was named ,honitapura$)
6hen Vana?s city was being burnt upE Vana emerged and started to pray to ,hiva?s linga (image o
,hiva)$ 8leased at Vana?s prayersE ,hiva made Vana a ganapati$ -husE Vana came to be ,hiva?s
constant companion$
1!&19"he )olar $ynasty
-he sun=godE VivasvanaE was the son o Kashyapa and Aditi$ &e had our wivesE ,amCnaE "aCniE 8rabha
and :hhaya$
,amCna?s son was Vaivasvata 'anu$ "aCni?s children were YamaE yamuna and "evanta$ ,avarniE
,haniE -apati and Vishti were :hhaya?s children and 8rabha?s son was 8rabhata$
(-he names do not tally across the 8uranas$ <or eGampleE in the 'arkandeya 8uranaE the sun had only
two wivesE ,amCna and :hhaya$ Yama and Yamuna were also the children o ,amCna$)
Vaivasvata 'anu had nine sons$ -heir names were .kshvakuE 1abhagaE ArishtaE Karusha and
8rishadhra$ 'anu also had a daughter named .laE rom whom the lunar dynasty originated$
.kshvaku?s son was Vikukshi and this was the line o Kakutstha$ .n this line was born "amaE o
"amayana ame$
-he names o several kings o the solar dynasty are given$ But these we will not reproduceE as they are
merely a catalog o names$
1!&!:"he 'unar $ynasty
Budha was the son o the moon=god :handra$ Budha married .la and they had a son named 8ururava$
8ururava married the apsara 2rvashi and they had siG sons$ %ne o these sons was Ayu and amongst
Ayu?s descendants was a king named Yayati$
Yayati had two wives$ -he irst was DevayaniE daughter o ,hukracharyaE the preceptor o the demons$
-he second wie was named ,harmishtha and she was the daughter o VrishaparvaE the king o the
danavas$ Yayati and Devayani had two sonsE Yadu and -ursavu$ Yayati and ,harmishtha had three
sonsE DruhyaE Anu and 8uru$ 6hen it became time or Yayati to retire to the orestE he gave puru the
bulk o the kingdom and 8uru?s descendants came to be known as the 8auravas$ Yadu was given
some land towards the south=west and his descendants were the Yadavas$ -urvasu ruled to the south=
eastE Druhya to the west and Anu to the north$
%ne o Yadu?s descendants was the king Kritavirya and Kritavirya?s son became amous as Kartavirya
ArCuna$ he had a thousand arms and was the most skilled o ighters$ &e eventually met his death at the
hands o 8arashurama$
Kartavirya ArCuna had several hundred sons$ But the ive most important ones were ,huraE ,hurasenaE
KrishnaE Dhrishna and @ayadvaCa$ @ayadvaCa was devoted to VishnuE but his brothers were more
inclined towards the worship o ,hiva$
-he our brothers told @ayadhvaCa$ H,top worshipping Vishnu$ %ur ather was a devotee o ,hiva?s and
it is our duty to ollow the eGample set by our ather$ Let us worship ,hiva$I
H.t is my duty to worship VishnuEI replied @ayadhvaCa$ HVishnu is the lord o everythingE he is the
preserver$ &ow can . do otherwiseNI
-he brothers debated about the virtues o worshipping ,hiva vis=a=vis VishnuE but could arrive at no
consensus$ -hey thereore decided to seek the advice o the seven great sages (saptarshi)E chie
amongst whom was Vashistha$
Vashishtha told the brothersE H%ne worships the god that one choosesE there are no rules in this regard$
All gods yield the desired ruitE i properly worshipped$ -o the eGtent that there are rulesE there are as
ollows$ Kings worship Vishnu and .ndraO brahmanas worship AgniE AdityaE Brahma and ,hivaO the gods
worship VishnuO the demons worship ,hivaO the yakshas and gandharvas worship :handraO the sages
worship Brahma and ,hivaO and women worship 8arvati$ But or humansE the best way is to realise that
,hiva is no dierent rom Vishnu and that ,hiva and Vishnu should thereore be worshipped
simultaneously$I
-he Kurma 8urana also gives the names o several kings belongings to the lunar dynasty$ But these we
will gloss overE as they are merely only a catalogue o names$
1!&!1$urjaya and rvashi
-here used to be a king named DurCaya$ &e was learned in the shastras and a good king$ &is wie was
a beautiul and good woman$
%ne dayE King DurCaya went to the banks o the river Kalindi$ -here he met the apsara 2rvashi and ell
in love with her$ &e married 2rvashi and lived with her or many years$
Ater several years had passedE DurCaya remembered his kingdom and wie$ &e told 2rvashiE H8lease
let me return to my home now$I
H1ot yetE kingEI replied 2rvashi$ H8lease stay with me or one more year$I
H. will return as soon as . have visited my kingdomEI said DurCaya$ H. promise you that . will not tarry
there$ -hereoreE let me return$I
H. will let you go on condition that you do not live as the husband o any other womanEI replied 2rvashi$
DurCaya agreed to this condition and returned home$ But because o the word that he had given
2rvashiE he stayed away rom his wie and did not venture near her$ &is wie tried to ind out what the
matter wasE but DurCaya would not reply$ <inallyE the Mueen got to know what DurCaya had done and
realised that her husband had committed a sin$ &e should not have married 2rvashi while his wie was
still alive$ -he Mueen thereore told DurCayaE HYou have sinned$ You must perorm penance$ -hat is the
sort o action that beits a kingE not this despondency that you have become addicted to$I
King DurCaya went and met the sage Kanva to ascertain what sort o penance should be perormed or
the sin that he had committed$ Kanva advised him to go to the &imalayas and meditate$
6hile DurCaya was going to the &imalayasE he met a gandharva king$ -he gandharva king wore a
divine garlandE DurCaya remembered 2rvashi$ &e thought that the garland was a itting adornment or
no one but 2rvashi$ &e began to ight with the gandharva over the possession o the garland$ DurCaya
managed to deeat the gandharva king and obtain the garland$ &e immediately hastened to banks o
the river KalindiE because he thought that he might ind 2rvashi there$ But 2rvashi was not to be oundE
and DurCaya roamed the world in search o her$
<inallyE DurCaya arrived in the region o 'ount ,umeru$ -he lake 'anasa is located there$ And by the
shores o the lakeE DurCaya ound 2rvashi$ &e gave the apsara the garland and lived happily with her
or some time$
Ater a ew days had passedE 2rvashi asked DurCayaE HKing please tell me what transpired when you
went home$I
DurCaya thereupon told 2rvashi about the conversation that he had with his wie and about what the
sage Kanva had asked him to do$
2rvashi was alarmed when she heard the king?s account$ H6hat have you doneNI she eGclaimed$
H&asten backE otherwise Kanva and your wie will curse the two o us$I
But DurCaya was so smitten with love or 2rvashi that he reused to listen to 2rvashi?s entreaties$
2rvashi thereore made hersel very ugly$ -his repelled DurCayaE and he gave 2rvashi up$
<or twelve years DurCaya perormed diicult tapasyaE living only on ruits and roots$ <or another twelve
yearsE he lived only on air$ Ater having thus meditated or twenty=our yearsE DurCaya went to Kanva?s
hermitage and told the sage all that he had done$
H. am pleased that you have realised the olly o your ways and have perormed tapasyaEI said Kanva$
HBut that alone is not enough$ Your sin has been too severe$ *o to the city o Varanasi and live there$
,hiva is ever=present in that city and he will pardon all your sins$I
DurCaya did this and was pardoned all his sins$ ,uch are the beneits o praying to ,hiva and such are
the virtues o the wonderul city o Varanasi$
1!&!!2rshna<s "apasya
Krishna was the eight incarnation o Vishnu and he was born as the son o Devaki and Vasudeva$
.nitiallyE Krishna did not have any sons Desirous o obtaining a sonE Krishna went to visit the sage
2pamanyu$ -he sage?s hermitage was beautiul$ 6onderous were the trees and lowers and grew
there$ -he constant chanting o the Vedas could be heard$ 6ild animals lost their erocity as soon as
they entered the hermitage$ Lotus lowers bloomed in the ponds$ ,ages came rom all over the country
to meditate in the hermitage$ -he sacred river *anga lowed past the hermitage$
Krishna greeted the sages and they worshipped him in return$
2pamanyu welcomed Krishna with various oerings and saidE H%ur meditation has been amply
rewarded by your visit$ -he great Vishnu has himsel come to grace us by your presence$ But is there
any particular reason as to why you have come to the hermitageNI
H. wish to meet ,hivaEI replied Krishna$ H&ow does one get to met himNI
H,hiva appears i a devotee perorms diicult tapasyaEI said 2pamanyu$ H.t helps i the meditation is
accompanied by great aith$I
&earing these wordsE Krishna began a diicult religious rite known as pashupata vrata$ &e donned
clothes made out o the barks o treesE smeared ashes on his body and continuously chanted ,hiva?s
name$ Ater many years had passedE ,hiva and 8arvati appeared beore Krishna$
HKrishnaE why are you perorming tapasyaNI asked ,hiva$ HYou are the great Vishnu himsel$ Any obCect
that you desire is immediately attained$ 6hy are you then engaged in this task o meditationNI
H. wish to have a son who is Cust like youEI said Krishna$ H8lease let him also be devoted to you$I
,hiva gladly granted the boon and the son who was born was ,hamba (alternativelyE ,amba)$ &e was
the son o Krishna and @ambavati$
(,tories about ,hamba are to be ound in the Vishnu 8uranaE and also in 'ahabharata$)
1!&!*"he @ugas (Eras%
You probably remember that there are our yugas or eras = satya yuga or krita yugaE treta yugaE
dvapara yuga and kali yuga$
Lomaharshana neGt told the sages about the characteristics o these our eras$
Kali yuga is the worst o the our eras$ 8eople are sinul and orget the dharma o the our varnas and
the our ashramas$ .n actE men are so sinul that no prescribed penance atones or their sins$ -he only
place which is ree rom such sins is the sacred city o Varanasi$
.n satya yugaE the best course to be pursued is meditationO in treta yuga it is the pursuit o knowledge
(Cnana)O in dvapara yuga it is the perormance o yaCnasO and in kali yuga it is the donation o alms$
Brahma is the primary god in satya yugaE ,urya in treta yugaE Vishnu in dvapara yuga and ,hiva in kali
yuga$
+nvy and Cealousy were unknown in satya yuga and everyone was happy$ -here was no superiors and
ineriors and all individuals were eMually healthy and eMually handsome$ -here were no iGed places or
people to live inE no cities and no villages$ men lived in the mountains and on the shores o the oceans$
.n satya yugaE water was always reely available$ -his was no longer the case in treta yuga$ 6ater only
became available when it rained$ "ain was unknown earlier$ And as it rainedE trees began to grow$
8eople lived on these trees$ -he ruit rom these trees provided the sustenance reMuired to make a
living$ But graduallyE anger and Cealousy came to be known and many o the wonderul trees
disappeared as mankind picked up evils ways$ &oweverE enough trees were let to ensure that people
did not die o starvation$ -hey lived on honey gathered rom the trees$ Although men looked on satya
yuga with nostalgiaE ill=health and disease continued to be unknown even in treta yuga$ But towards the
end o treta yugaE people became really sinul$ All the trees disappeared$ -o make a livingE mankind
had to resort to agriculture and animal husbandry$ -he weather became inclement and seasons like
summerE monsoon and winter led to hardship$ 1otions o property were also introduced$ .ndividuals
appropriated mountainsE riversE landE trees and herbs as their own$ -o instil righteousness in the minds
o peopleE the principles o varnashrama dharma were set out towards the end o treta yuga$
.n dvapara yugaE hatredE anger and Cealousy became much more common$ <ighting started$ .t was then
that Vedavyasa spread amongst ordinary peopleE the knowledge that was in the VedasE by dividing
them$ DroughtE death and disease came to be known in dvapara yuga$
.n kali yugaE raudulence is the norm$ -here are severe droughts and aminesE revolutions take place$
8eople are liars and sinners$ -hey are easily angered$ -hey d not respect the brahmanas$ -he
brahmanasE on their partE orget all about the Vedas and yaCnas$ ,hudras become kings and oppress
the brahmanas$ ,ome ,hudras shave o their heads and wear saron clothes$ -hey pretend to be
religious teachers$ And horror o horrorsE people start to believe in these raudulent teachers$ 6omen
wear hairpins in their hair$ As i this alone were not enoughE they reuse to obey their husbands$
-hieves are everywhere$ -he only redeeming eature o kali yuga is the act that even i one worships
,hiva Cust a little bit in kali yugaE one attains undying punya (store o merit)$
1!&!,'ingas
A linga is an image o ,hiva$ -here are several wonderul lingas in the wonderul city o Varanasi$
-here is a gigantic linga named %mkara$ Amongst other amous lingas located in the city are
KrittivaseshvaraE 'adhyadeshvaraE Vishveshvara and Kaparddishvara$
-he Kurma 8urana recites the glories o these lingas$ .t also enumerates the various tirthas (places o
pilgrimage) that are to be ound in the city o Varanasi$
.t goes on to list the virtues o the *angaE the Yamuna and the city o 8rayaga (modern Allahabad)$
1!&!/(eography and Astronomy
.t is hoped that you have not orgotten that ,vayambhuva 'anu had a son named 8riyavrata$
8riyavrata had ten sons$ -heir names were AgnidhraE AgnivahuE VapushmanaE DyutimanaE 'edhaE
'edhatithiE BhavyaE ,avanaE 8utra and @yotishmana$
'edhaE Agnivahu and 8utra had no desire to rule$ -hey were not interested in material pursuits and
became hermits$
8riyavrata divided the earth amongst the remaining seven sons$ -hus it was that the earth came to be
divided into seven regions or dvipas$ -he names o these regions are @ambudvipaE 8lakshadvipaE
,halmalidvipaE KushadvipaE KrounchCdvipaE ,hakadvipa and 8ushkaradvipa$ Agnidhra ruled over
@ambudvipaE 'edhatithi over 8lakshadvipaE Vapushmana over ,halmalidvipaE @yotishmana over
KushadvipaE Dyutimana over KrounchadvipaE Bhavya over ,hakadvipa and ,avan over 8ushkaradvipa$
AgnidhraE the ruler o @ambudvipaE had nine sons$ -heir names were 1abhi KimpurushaE &ariE .lavritaE
"amyaE &iranyavanaE KuruE Bhadrashva and Ketumala$ Agnidhra divided @ambudvipa into nine regions
(varshas) and gave each o his sons a region to rule over$ A king named Bharata was one o 1abhi?s
descendants$ Ater the name o BharataE the region that 1abhi ruled over has come to be known as
Bharatavarsha$
-here are ourteen regions (lokas) in the universe$ ,even o them orm the upper regions$ -heir names
are bhulokaE bhuvarlokaE svarlokaE maharlokaE CanalokaE tapolaka and satyaloka$ Bhuloka is the earth
and its limits eGtend upto the points that can be lit up the rays o the sun and the moon$ -ake the
distance rom bhuloka to the solar circle$ An eMual distance beyond the solar circle constitutes
bhuvarloka$ -he region rom the limits o bhuvarloka to the region o Dhruva (the 8ole ,tar) is svarloka
or svarga (heaven)$ Above the solar circle is the lunar circle and above that comeE successivelyE the
regions o the stars (nakshatras)E Budha ('ercury)E ,hukra (Venus)E 'angala ('ars)E Brihaspati
(@upiter)E the saptarshis? (the constellation 2rsa 'aCoris or the *reat Bear) and Dhruva$
,hani (,aturn)E Brihaspati and 'angala move slowly$ -he sunE the moonE Budha and ,hukra move
relatively ast$ -he sun?s chariot is drawn by seven horses named *ayatriE VrihatiE 2shnikaE @agatiE
8amkiE Anushtupa and -rishtupa$ .n each monthE the sun adopts a speciic orm known as an aditya$
-here are thus twelve adityas = DhattaE AryamaE 'itraE VarunaE ,hakruE VivasvanaE 8ushaE 8arCanyaE
AmshuE BhagaE -vashta and Vishnu$
'aharloka is above the world o Dhruva (dhruvaloka)$ .t is reserved or those who have been reed rom
the bonds o the world$ @analoka is still urther away$ Brahma?s sons live there$ -apaloka is beyond
Canaloka and satyaloka is beyond tapaloka$ Another word or satyaloka is brahmalokaE since Brahma
lives there$ Vishnu lives there as well$
(-he Kurma 8urana does not mention the seven lokas that constitute the lower regions o the universe$
-his is the underworld (patala)$)
-here are seven seas that surround the seven dvipas on earth$ -he names o the seas are KsharaE
.kshuE ,uraE *hritaE DadhiE Kshira and ,vadu$ (-he names o the seven oceans oten dier rom
8urana to 8urana$)
"ight in the centre o @ambudvipa is 'ount ,umeru$ -o its south lie the mountains &imavanaE
&emakuta and 1ishadhaO and to its north the mountains 1ilaE ,hveta and ,hringi$ Bharatavarsha is to
the south o 'ount ,umeru$ Brahma?s assembly is located on the peak o 'ount ,umeru$
1!&!1Manvataras
You already know what a manvantara is$ -he titles o the seven great sages (saptarshi)E the names o
the gods and the title o .ndra change rom the manvantara to another$
.n the present kalpa (cycle)E siG manvantaras have passed$
-he irst 'anu was ,vayambhuva$
-he second 'anu was ,varochisha$ -he gods then were the paravatas and tushitas and the title o
.ndra was held by Vipashchita$ -he seven great sages were 2rCCaE ,tambaE pranaE DambholiE
VrishabhaE -imira and Arvarivana$
2ttama was the third 'anu$ -he gods o this manvantara were the sudhamasE stayasE shivasE
pratardanas and vashavartis and the name o the .ndra was ,ushanti$ "aCahE *otraE 2rddhavahuE
,avanaE AnaghaE ,utapa and ,hukra were the seven great sages$
-he ourth 'anu was -amasa$ -he gods o this era were the suravasE harisE satyas and sudhas and the
title o .ndra was held by ,hibi$ -he seven great sages were @yotirdhamaE 8rithuE KavyaE :haitraE AgniE
Varuna and 8ivara$
.n the ith manvantaraE the 'anu was "aivata and the title o .ndra was held by Vibhu$ -he gods were
the bhutis and the vaikunthas and the seven great sages were &iranyaromaE VedashriE 2rddhavahuE
VedavahuE ,uvahu and ,uparCanya$ (-he name o the seventh great sage is missing$)
-he 'anus ,varochishaE 2ttamaE -amasa and "aivata were all descended rom ,vayambhuva 'anu$
-he siGth 'anu was :hakshusha and the .ndra then was 'anoCava$ -he gods were known as the
adyasE prasutasE bhavyasE prithukas and lekhas$ ,umedhaE VriCaE &avishmanaE 2ttamaE 'adhuE
Abhimana and ,ahishnu were the seven great sages$
-he seventh manvantara is the one that is now current and the .ndra now is 8urundara$ -he 'anu is
,hraddhadevaE the gods are the adityasE the vasusE the rudras and the maruts$ -he names o the
seven great sages are VashishthaE KashyapaE AtriE @amadagniE *outamaE Vishvamitra and BharadvaCa$
.n the present kalpaE there will be seven more manvantaras in the uture$ -hereaterE the world will be
destroyed$
(.t should be mentioned that the names given in this section do not necessarily tally with the names
given in the other 8uranas$ 1ot only do the names o the godsE the sages and the .ndras dierE the
names o the uture manvantaras also sometimes dier rom 8urana to 8urana$)
1!&!4+edavyasa
.n every dvapara yugaE a Vedavyasa is born so as to divide the Vedas and disseminate their
knowledge$ .n the present eraE there have been twenty=eight dvapara yugas and there have thereore
been twenty=eight individuals who have held the title o Vedavyasa$ -he Kurma 8urana gives their
names as ollows$
(#) ,vayambhuva 'anu$
(() 8raCapati$
(0) 2shana$
(4) Brihaspati$
(9) ,avita$
(;) 'rityu$
(7) .ndra$
()) Vashishtha$
(/) ,arasvata$
(#3) -ridhama$
(##) "ishabha$
(#() ,uteCa$
(#0) Dharma$
(#4) ,achakshu$
(#9) -rayaruni$
(#;) DhananCaya$
(#7) KritanCaya$
(#)) "itanCaya$
(#/) BharadvaCa$
((3) *outama$
((#) Vachashrava$
((() 1arayana$
((0) -rinavindu$
((4) Valmiki$
((9) ,haktri$
((;) 8arashara$
((7) @atukarna$
(()) Krishna Dvaipayana
Vedavyasa divided the Vedas into our parts and taught them to our o his disciples$ &e taught 8aila
the "ig Veda$ Vaishampayana the YaCur VedaE @aimini the ,ama Veda and ,umantu the Atharva Veda$
As or the 8uranasE they were taught to Lomaharshana$
1!&!8)hiva<s 7ncarnations
'ost 8uranas only mention Vishnu?s incarnations (avataras)$ -he Kurma 8urana is one o the rate ones
which mentions ,hiva?s incarnations$
.n each kali yugaE ,hiva has had an incarnation$ -he names o these incarnations are as ollows$
(#) ,hveta$
(() ,utara$
(0) 'adana$
(4) ,uhotra$
(9) Kankana$
(;) Lokakshi$
(7) @aigishavya$
()) Dadhivaha$
(/) "ishabha$
(#3) Bhrigu$
(##) 2gra$
(#() Atri$
(#0) Vali$
(#4) *outama$
(#9) Vedashirsha$
(#;) *okarna$
(#7) ,hikhandaka$
(#)) @atamali$
(#/) Attahasa$
((3) Daruka$
((#) Langali$
((() 'ahavama$
((0) 'uni$
((4) ,huli$
((9) 8indamunishvara$
((;) ,ahishnu$
((7) ,omasharma$
(()) 1akulishvara$
1!&!9"he 7shvara (ita
6hile Lomaharshana was reciting the Kurma 8urana to the assembled sagesE Krishna Dvaipayana
Vedavyasa arrived on the scene$ Lomaharshana and the other sages reMuested Vedavyasa to instruct
them about the path to true knowledge$ -his is what Vedavyasa told them$
-he paramatman (the divine soul) is the only truth$ .t is ever pure and ever present$ .t is rom the
paramatman that the universe is created and it is into the paramatman that the universe merges at the
time o its destruction$ -he paramatman is not the earth$ .t is not waterE energyE wind or sky$ .t cannot
be touchedE nor can it be sensed$
-he paramatman is always present in the Civatman (human soul)$ Any sense o distinction between the
paramatman and the Civatman is due to illusions and the presence o the ego$ -he truly learned rise
above such illusions$ -hereoreE a wise person does not see any distinction between his own sel and
other obCects$ -he same paramatman pervades everything$ @ust as all rivers unite with the oceanE a
learned person realises that all individuals Civatmans unite with the paramatman$
Yoga (literallyE union) is a techniMue o meditation that helps to bring about this sense o identity
between the Civatman and the paramatman$ Yoga has eight components$ -he irst is pranayama$ -his
means the control o one?s breath$ -he breath o lie is known as prana and ayama means control$
-here are three parts to any pranayama eGercise$ 6hen the breath is being eGhaledE that is known as
rechakaO and the process o inhalation is known as puraka$ 6hen the breath is neither being inhaled
nor eGhaledE that is kumbhaka$
-he second component o yoga is pratyahara$ -his connotes the control o oneKs senses$ Yoga must
always be perormed in a proper posture and this is the third component o asana$ -he ourth
component is called yama$ -his means the practice o non=violenceE truthulness and pity$ -he ith
component is known as niyama$ -his encompasses worshipE studying the VedasE cleanliness and
meditation$
Yoga has a siGth component named dhyana$ .n this processE one conCures up an image o the
paramatman and meditates continuously on it$ -he process o iGing this image in oneKs heart is the
seventh componentE dharana$ And the inal componentE samadhiE is a situation where the individual
realises the complete identity between the Civatman and the paramatman$
1!&*:6ituals
-he sacred thread (upavita) ceremony is very important and must always be perormed at eight year o
age$ Brahma had created the cotton tree so that sacred threads might be made out o cotton$ But on
occasions it is permissible to make sacred threads out o grass$
A guru (teacher) is always to be respected and worshipped$ .n principleE a guru is anyone rom whom
knowledge might be gained$ But apart rom usual teachersE a ather=in=lawE a grandather and an
individual belonging to a superior varna are also recognised as gurus$ A motherE a grandmotherE a
guruKs wieE an auntE a mother=in=law and the wie o an elder brother are recognised as being
eMuivalent to a guru$ %ne must a guru ever be show disrespect or argued with$ A person who hates his
guru is certain to go to hell$
Amongst gurus or those who are eMuivalent to gurusE the most important are a atherE a motherE a
teacherE an elder brother and a husband$ -hese have to be respectully served at all costs$
A brahmana must always wash his mouth ater eatingE drinkingE sleepingE bathingE spitting or changing
clothes$ -he mouth must also be washed beore sitting down to study$ .t is also recommended that the
mouth be washed ater talking to those who do not believe in the VedasE shudrasE outcasts and women$
. a mouthwash is not possibleE one can cleanse onesel by touching a piece o clothing is touched
inadvertentlyE the act o puriication reMuires the touching o waterE wet grass or the earth$
%ne o the most sacred mantras (incantations) that one can chant is the gayatri$ Beore chantingE thirty=
two=cells must be drawnE as shownE and the letters o the mantra must be written down in the cellsE as
indicated$ -o recite the gayatriE one now reads the letters as they occur in the numbered cells$ -hat isE
one starts with cell number oneE moves to cell number two and so on and so orth$

9 #0 (# (/ () (3 #( 4
vvr sya pra se Ca nah va tu

; #4 (( 03 (7 #/ ## 0
re dhi cho sa ra yo de vi

7 #9 (0 0# (; #) #3 (
ni ma da va ro yo rgo tsa

) #; (4 0( (9 #7 / #
yam hi yat dom pa dhi bha ta

A person who kills a brahmanaE drinks wineE or steals gold rom a brahmanaE has to perorm penance
by killing himsel$ A person who kills a brahmana may also build a hut in the orest and live there or a
period o twelve years$ But throughout the periodE he has to bear a mark signiying the dead
brahmana?s head on his palm$ &e is also not permitted to visit another brahmana or a temple as long
as the penance is going on$ .t needs to be mentioned that the sin o killing a brahmana can be thus
pardoned only i the killing was done inadvertently$ . the killing was consciousE no penance will suice$
2nder such circumstancesE the sinner had best immolate himsel in a ireE drown himselE or ast to
death$
<or other sinsE the observance o a religious rite (vrata) is oten indicated$ -he maCor vratas are as
ollows$
(i) ,antapanaJ -his involves living or one whole day on cow?s urineE cowdungE cow?s milkE curds made
rom cow?s milk and clariied butter made rom cow?s milk$ -he neGt day is a day o asting$
(ii) 'ahasantapanaJ -his is a more severe version o the earlier vrata$ .n the case o santapana vrataE
ive items were listed as permissible ood$ 'ahasantapana vrata lasts or a period o siG daysE and on
each o these daysE only one o the ive items mentioned may be partaken o$ -he seventh day is day o
asting$
(iii) 8raCapatya or krichhaJ . this vrata is to be observedE one can eat only during the day$ <or the irst
three daysE one is only permitted to eat twenty=siG handuls o oodE each handul being as large as a
hen?s egg$
<or the neGt three daysE twenty=two handuls are permittedE but only in the evenings$ And or the inal
three daysE twenty=our handul are permitted$
(iv) AtikrichhaJ -his is a more severe version o the earlier vrata$ <or the irst three daysE a single
handul o ood is permitted during the day$ <or the neGt three daysE one handul is permitted in the
evenings$ %ne handuls o oodE each handul being as large as a hen?s egg$
<or the neGt three daysE twenty=two handuls are permittedE but only in the evenings$ And or the inal
three daysE three=our handuls are permitted$
(v) 8arakaJ -welve continuous days o asting are reMuired or this$
(vi) -aptakrichhaJ -his vrata lasts or a period o twelve daysE during which time one is permitted to
bathe only once a day$ <or the irst three days one drinks only waterO or the neGt three days one lives
on milkO one has to live on clariied butter or the ensuing three days are days o asting$
(vii) KrichhatikrichhaJ . one is to observe this vrataE one has to live only on milk or the space o twenty=
one days$
(viii) 8adakrichhaJ -his vrata lasts or our days$ <or the irst day one eats only one mealO the second
day is a day o astingO on the third day one can eat as much as one wantsO and on the ourth and inal
dayE one asts$
(iG) :handrayanaJ -his vrata lasts or an entire month and begins on the day o the ull moon (purnima)$
%n the irst dayE iteen handuls are to be eaten$ -hereaterE one handuls less is eaten on successive
daysE until on the day o new moon (amavasya)E one asts completely$ %n each day that ollowsE the
amount o ood eaten is increased by one handul$ <inallyE on the day o the neGt ull moonE iteen
handuls o ood are eaten and the vrata is completed$
As mentioned earlierE those who kill brahmanasE steal their goldE or drink wineE are sinners$ Also sinners
are those who associate with these aorementioned sinners or more than one year$ -hose who
associate with outcasts or more than a year are also sinners$
A brahmana who drinks wine should drink boiling wine as a penance$ .t is also permitted to drink cow?s
urine as atonement$ A person who steals gold rom brahmanas will go to the king and coness his guilt$
&is penance will be completed when the king beats him to death with a club$ -he only eGception is a
case where the thie himsel happens to be a brahmana$ &e can then perorm penance by meditating$ .t
is always a king?s duty to punish sinners$ . the king ails in this taskE the sins vest with the king$
A person who associates with sinners has to observe taptakrichha vrata or one year$ A man who takes
on outcast or a wie has to observe taptakrichha or santapana$ A brahmana who kills a kshatriya is
reMuired to observe praCapatyaE santapana or taptakrichha or one year$ .n case the victim is a vaishyaE
krichhatikrichha or chandrayana are indicated$ . a shudra is killedE ive hundred cows have to be
donated$ . an elephant is killedE taptakrichha vrata has to be observed$ :handrayana will suice i a
cow is killed inadvertently$ But i a cow is consciously killedE there is no penance that is adeMuate$
<or minor thetsE the stolen goods have to be returned to the rightul owner and santapana observed$
But i a brahmana steals oodgrainsE he has to observe praCapatya or an entire year$ A cannibal can
purity himsel through chandrayana vrata$ A person who eats the meat o a crowE dog or elephantE has
to observe taptakrichha$ ,antapana is or those who happen to eat mongoosesE owls or cats$ An eater
o camels or donkeys observes taptakrichha$
A brahmana who becomes an atheist can cleanse himsel through praCapatya$ . he revolts against the
gods or against his guruE the act o puriication involves taptakrichha$ A brahmana who recites the
8uranas to outcasts has to observe chandrayana$
-here are several other orms o penance that are catalogued by the Kurma 8urana$
1!&*1"he )ita who was an 7llusion
.t is certain that you know the story o the "amayana and you thereore also known that "avanaE the
king o lankaE abducted ,itaE "ama?s wie$ But you certainly do not know the story o the ,ita who was
an illusion (maya sita)$
-his story clearly illustrates that no harm can come to a person who is righteous$
"avana disguised himsel as a hermit and came to abduct ,ita$ But ,ita got to know o "avana?s plan
and was determined to oil it$ ,he thereore began to pray to AgniE the god o ire$
-hus stirred by ,ita?s prayersE Agni appeared and produced a ,ita who was really an illusion$ -his
maya sita he let in the real ,ita?s place$ As or the real ,itaE she was absorbed into the ire$ 6ithout
realising the substitutionsE "avana abducted the illusory ,ita and the entire war was ought over a ,ita
who was not even real$
6hen "ama triumphed over "avana and recovered ,itaE a test by ire (agni pariksha) was held$
.n the processE the sita who was an illusion was returned to the ire and the real ,ita emerged once
again$ -hus the real ,ita was never tainted by "avana?s touch$
(-he story o the ,ita who was an illusion is also given in the Brahmavaivarta 8urana)$
1!&*!)hiva and #rahma
'any years agoE Brahma lost his head slightly$ &e began to imagine that he was superior to ,hiva and
Vishnu$ &e told all the sagesE H. am the supreme godhead$ -here is no one else but me$I
6hile Brahma was thus instructing the sagesE Vishnu arrived and was enraged at Brahma?s behaviour$
HYou are indeed ignorantEI he told Brahma$ H. am the supreme godhead$ You are only the creator$ But .
amE ater allE the preserver$I
6hile Vishnu and Brahma were thus arguing the our Vedas adopted animate orms and appeared
beore them$ +ach o the Vedas tried to persuade Brahma and Vishnu that ,hiva was superior to both
o them$ Vishnu was persuaded by this reasoningE but Brahma was not$
&e told the VedasE HYou must be Coking$ &ow can ,hiva be superior to the two o usN &e is always
wandering around with ghosts and demons or companions$I
6hile all this was going onE who should arrive but ,hivaN Brahma promptly proceeded to insult ,hiva$
,hiva then created a being named Kalabhairava rom his own body and Kalabhairava started to ight
with Brahma$ .n those daysE Brahma used to have ive heads$ .n course o the ightingE Kalabhairava
chopped o one o Brahma?s heads$ +ver since that dayE Brahma has had our heads and our aces$
(.n many other 8uranasE there is no mention o Kalabhairava$ shiva perormed the chopping o
himsel)$
Brahma died as soon as his head had been cut o$ ,hiva did manage to revive him$ But the mere act
that ,hiva had killed BrahmaE meant that ,hiva and committed the sin o killing BrahmaE a brahmana$
As a result o this sinE Brahma?s severed head got stuck to Kalabhairava?s palm and would not be
dislodged$ (.n accounts where ,hiva was himsel responsible or the KillingE the severed head adhered
to ,hiva?s palm)$
Kalabhairava roamed around the world and the head accompanied him on his travels$ or a thousand
years o the godsE Kalabhairava continued to travel$ +ventuallyE Vishnu advised Kalabhairava to go to
the sacred city o Varanasi$
As soon as Kalabhairava arrived at the city o VaranasiE the head (kapala) got dislodged (mochana)$ A
tirtha is a place o pilgrimage$ -he eGact spot where this wonderul happening took place is accordingly
known as Kapalamochana tirtha$
-here are many other tirthas that the Kurma 8urana describesE Among these are 8rayagaE
KurukshetraE *aya and 'adhuvana ('athura)E -he glories o the river 1armada are also described$
-he waters o the river ,arasvati puriy a sinner ater three days o bathingE while the waters o the river
Yamuna takes an entire week$ -he mere touch o a drop o water rom the river *anga puriies a
sinner$ But as or the river 1armadaE the sight o the waters alone is enough$
1!&**3andi
-here used to be a sage named ,hilada$ &e was righteous and learned in the shastras$
-o obtain a sonE ,hilada began to pray to shiva$ -he tapasya went on or a thousand years and shiva
appeared beore ,hilada$
H. am pleased with your meditation$I said shivaE Hwhat boon do you desireNI
H8lease grant me the boon that . may obtain a son who will not be born rom a mother$ H replied
,hiladaE HAnd my son should be immortal$I

,hiva granted the desired boon$
6hen shilada was ploughing the landE a handsome boy suddenly appeared on the top o his plough$
-he our directions shone with the boy?s radiance and the boy began to address shilada as HatherI$
-he son studied the shastras and became learned$ &e was given the name o 1andi$
1andi wished to see shiva and he also wished to become immortal$ &e thereore went to the shores o
the ocean and started to pray to shiva$ &e chanted the reMuired mantra one crore times$
6hen ,hiva appeared and wished to grant a boon$ 1andi said$ H8lease grant me enough o lie so that .
can chant the mantra one crore times more$I
,hiva appeared once againE and 1andi desired the same boon$
6hen this had happened three times$ ,hiva saidE H+nough is enough$ -here is no need or any more
chanting o incantations$ . make you immortalE . also make you a ganapatiE lord over the ganas$ You will
be my constant companion$I
-he place where 1andi chanted the incantation has become amous as Capyeshvara tirtha$
-he maruts had a daughter named ,uyasha$ ,hiva himsel arranged that 1andi should be married to
,uyasha$
1!&*,Epilogue
Vishnu completed his recital o the Kurma 8urana and the sages saluted him$ -hey sung his praise$
-he Kurma 8urana is most sacred$ a person who reads it attains Brahmaloka$ A person who reads only
one chapter o the teGt is orgiven all his sins$ 2ndying punya is attained by an individual who donates
this 8urana to brahmanas in the months o Vaishakha or Kartika$ 8articularly sacred is the part that is
known as the brahmi samhita$
But the teGt should never be read or recited in the presence o shudras$ A person who ignores this
inCunction will surely go to hell$ -here is also a similar inCunction about reciting the teGt to those who are
disbelievers (that isE those who do not believe in the Vedas)E a person who violates this inCunction will
be born as a dog in his neGt lie$
You will almost certainly not be interested in donating the Kurma 8urana to brahmanas in the months o
Vaishakha or Kartika$ But . hope you have ound the stories interesting enough or you to which to read
the teGt in the original$
13 &atsya Purana
.t?s the siGteenth 8urana$ During the period o 'ahapralayaE Lord Vishnu had taken 'atsya avatar (ish
incarnation) to save the seeds o all lives and 'anu$ 'atsya 8urana contains a comprehensive description o
'anu and 'atsya avatar$
*eneral contents o this 8urana are Description o the greatness o 1arsimh incarnation$ Description o all the ten
incarnations o Lord Vishnu$ *reatness o asting like Anant -ritiya and the places o pilgrimage like 8rayag$ -ales
o :handra vanshE ,urya vansh and Kuru vansh and the kings like YayatiE Kartveerya etc$ Description o the
Kalpa and Yugas$ Appearance o idols$ Appearance and construction o Deva=mandapa (canopy or the deities)$
-ale o ,avitri and ,atyavan$ "esults o auspicious and inauspicious motion o the planets$ Birth o 8arvati$
.mmolation o 'adan (Kamadeva) 6edding o Lord ,hiva with 8arvati$ Birth o Kartikeya$ Duties o a king$
Description o the uture kings$
-his 8urana is said to be narrated by 'atsya avatar o Lord Vishnu to 'anuE who was awaiting Lord?s arrival
during 'ahapralaya in his boat anchored on a very high mountain$
[6%"K .1 8"%*"+,,T\
According to the 'atsya 8urana (47$0()E R6hen the end o an Age rolls around and time has lost its strengthE then
Lord Vishnu is born among men$ 6hen the gods and demons go to warE then &ari YVishnuZ is born$R
-he 'atsya 8urana (47$0(=9()E or instanceE enumerates twelve avatars$
'atsya 8urana (((#$()E 8rosperity orsakes those who always dream o ate and avors those who persevere$
%ne should thereore always be active and alert$
'atsya 8urana (#)3$9=7)E +ven the worst problems have solutions i one only perseveres$
'atsya 8urana (90$;9E;)E;/)J
A 8urana has ive characteristics as opposed to an Akhyana$ (-he scriptures are divided into three classes =
sattvikaE raCasikaE and tamasika$) -he glory o Lord &ari is greater in the sattvika 8uranasO the glory o Lord
Brahma is more in the raCasika 8uranasO the glory o Lord ,iva and Agni is more in the tamasika 8uranas$ .n the
miGed scriptures the glory o ,arasvati and the 8itrs is eGplained$R
-he verse cited rom the 'atsya 8urana reers to the ive characteristics o a 8urana$ -hese characteristics are
given in another verse o the 'atsya 8uranaE 90$;9J
sargasca pratisargasca vamso manvantarani ca
vamsyanucaritancaiva puranam pancalaksanam
R:reationE dissolutionE genealogyE manvantaras and descriptions o the activities o amous kingsE these are the
ive characteristics o a 8urana$R
-he characteristics o ,rimad Bhagavatam are given in the 'atsya 8urana (90$(3=(()E R-hat which eGplains the
topmost principles o religionE basing it on *ayatriE and which has the incident o the killing o Vrtrasura is to be
known as the ,rimad Bhagavatam$ -his 8urana has eighteen thousand verses$ 6hoever makes a copy o the
,rimad Bhagavatam andE placing it on a golden lion throneE donates it on the ull moon day in the month o
Bhadra (August=,eptember)E will attain the supreme goalR$
According to 'atsya 8urana (:hapter 90) the &ayagriva avatara o Visnu preceded 'atsyaO when the worlds
were burnt downE Visnu in the orm o a horse re=compiled the our VedasE VedangasE etc$ -he Devi Bhagavata
and the ,kanda 8urana in its Dharnmranya KhandaE howeverE allude to two dierent accounts on the origin o the
&ayagriva orm o Visnu$
-his 8urana consists o GG chaptersJ
1*&1 0hapter
teGt
#0$#$# ,ection
teGt
1- 5aruda Purana
-his 8urana contains #4 :hapters ! each with many sub=sections$
1,&1 7ntroduction
-his chapter contains GG sections as ollowsJ
#4$#$# Lord Vishnu?s .ncarnations
,utCi once reached 1aimisharanya in course o his pilgrimage$ -here he ound numerous sages
engaged in austerities and penance$ All o them were delighted to ind ,utCi in their midst and
considered it as a *od sent opportunity to get their doubts related with religious topics cleared$ ,age
,haunak was also present there and he asked ,utCi ==K % revered sageL 6ho is the creator o this
worldN 6ho nurtures it and who annihilates it in the endN &ow can one realiBe the supreme AlmightyN
&ow many incarnations the Almighty has taken till nowN 8lease enlighten us on all these thingsE which
are shrouded in mystery$K
,utCi replied==K . am going to reveal to you the contents o *aruda 8uranE which contains the divine tales
o Lord Vishnu$ -his particular 8uran is named ater *aruda because he was the one who irst narrated
these tales to sage Kashyap$ Kashyap subseMuently narrated them to sage Vyas$ . came to know about
these divine tales rom sage Vyas$ Lord Vishnu is the supreme almighty and the source o all creations$
&e is the nurturer o this world and the annihilator as well$ -hough he is beyond the bondage o birth
and death yet he takes incarnations to protect the world rom the tyranny o sinners$ &is irst incarnation
was in the orm o the eternal adolescent ,anat kumar and others who were all celibates and eGtremely
virtuous$K
KLord Vishnu took his second incarnation in the orm o a boar (Varah) to protect the +arth rom the
mighty demon named &iranyakshaE who had abducted her to 8atal loka (1ether world)$ .n his third
incarnation as 1aradE he propagated the virtues o Knishkaam karmaK (perorming oneKs duties without
bothering about the results)$ .n his ourth incarnation as 1ar=1arayanE he perormed arduous austerities
or the protection and propagation o Dharma or religiousness$
Lord VishnuKs ith incarnation was as KapilE which he took to protect the ,aankhya shashtraE which was
on the verge o becoming eGtinct$ &e took his siGth incarnation in the house o Atri and Anusuya as
Dattatreya with the speciic obCective o propagating the most secret Brahma vidya to worthy people$
&is disciples included virtuous souls like 8rahalad and others$ Lord Vishnu took his seventh incarnation
as the son o "uchi 8raCapati and Aakuti and was known as Yagya deva$ &is eighth incarnation was as
"ishabh deva= the son o sage 1aabhi and 'erudevi$
.n this incarnation he established the norms or *rihashtha ashramE which later on became the
guidelines or every householders$ Lord Vishnu took his ninth incarnation as 8rithu and
KmilkedK(eGtracted) various nutrients (cerealsE pulses etc$) rom the +arth who had disguised hersel as a
cow and thus protected the populace rom getting starved to death$
.n his tenth incarnation as 'atsya (ish)E he protected the lie o Vaivaswat 'anuE who would not have
survived otherwise$ Lord Vishnu took his eleventh incarnation in the orm o a tortoise (kurma) and held
the 'andarachal mountain on his back at the time when the ocean was being churned$ &is twelth
incarnation was as Dhanvantari and thirteenth as the most enchanting beauty= 'ohini to retrieve the
ambrosia pot rom the possession o the demons$ &e subseMuently distributed it among the deities as
the result o which they became immortal$
.n his ourteenth incarnationE Lord Vishnu maniested himsel as K1risimhaK (partly human and partly
lion) and to protect his devotee= 8rahlad killed the wicked demon &iranyakashipu by tearing apart his
abdomen with his sharp claws$ &is iteenth incarnation was as Vaman (dwar) in which he demanded
all the three worlds rom Bali=the most benevolent demon king and then sent him to 8atal loka$ .n his
siGteenth incarnation as 8arshuramE he wiped out the whole caste o kshatriyas rom the ace o the
earth or twenty=one timesE as they had all become immoral$
.n his seventeenth incarnation he was born as Vyas to 8arashar and ,atyavati and accomplished his
mission o propagating the knowledge o Vedas by categoriBing them into our parts$ .n his eighteenth
incarnation he maniested himsel as ,ri "am$ &is nineteenth incarnation was as Krishna and his
twentieth incarnation as Balram$ &e will take his twenty=irst incarnation as Buddha to bring the
mankind back to virtuous path by preaching against the rituals and proving that it is not proper or a
seeker to get bound by them$ Lord Vishnu would take incarnation as Kalki and will be born to a Brahmin
named Vishnuyasha to liberate the earth rom the sinners$K
#4$#$( &ow *aruda 8urana was propagated
%n being asked by the sages as to how did he come to know about the contents o *aruda 8uranE ,utCi
told them==K %nceE . had gone to BadrikashramE where . met sage Vyas$ . reMuested him to enlighten me
on various spiritual matters to which he agreed saying that he was going to narrate the tales o *aruda
8urana which was irst told by Lord Brahma to 1aradE Daksha 8raCapati and mysel$ ,age Vyas then
told ,utCi how once he along with 1aradE Daksha and Bhrigu had gone to Brahmaloka to see Lord
Brahma$ Ater reaching thereE all three o them reMuested Lord Brahma to shed light on the essence o
the real knowledge$
Lord Brahma revealed to them that *aruda 8uran contained the essence o all the scriptures and Lord
Vishnu himsel had narrated its divine tales to him (Brahma)$ Describing the incident when Lord Vishnu
had told the divine tales o *aruda 8uran to him as well as ,hivaE Lord Brahma said== K . once went to
Kailash mountain accompanied by .ndra and other deities$ 6e ound ,hiva engrossed in his meditation$
6e were amaBed and asked him as to who was he meditating upon$
Lord ,hiva told us that he was meditating upon the omnipresentE omniscient and the omnipotent
Vishnu= in whom the entire universe eGists$ Lord ,hiva also revealed to us that this was all he knew o
VishnuKs power and also that i we wanted to know more about him then we will have to ask Lord
Vishnu himsel$ ,oE all o us including ,hiva went to Vishnu loka and reMuested Lord Vishnu to clear our
doubts on various topics which conused us$ Lord Vishnu gave a long discourse covering all the maCor
religious topics$
#4$#$0 Lord Vishnu reveals his omnipotent nature
Dwelling on length about his powerE Lord Vishnu told ,hiva== K % "udraL . am the lord o all the deities$ .
am the one who controls each and every event that occurs in the 2niverse$ . am the one whom mortals
worship with the desire o attaining salvation$ -he universe would have ceased to eGist but or me$ . am
the creatorE the nurturer as well as the supreme annihilator$ . maniest mysel in the sacred mantras as
well as their meanings$ 8eople meditate on me$ 'atter is nothing but a medium through which .
maniest mysel$K
#4$#$4 Lord Vishnu Blesses *aruda
Describing how *aruda pleased him with his deep devotionE Lord Vishnu said== KDuring ancient times
*aruda once did an austere penance to please me$ . appeared beore him and eGpressed my
willingness to ulil anything that he wished or$ *aruda wanted to liberate his motherE Vinta rom the
slavery o Kadru=the mother o serpents$ &e also wanted to avenge his motherKs humiliation at their
hands$ &e also eGpressed his desire o becoming immortal by having a 8urana credited to his name
and inally he reMuested me to give him the privilege o becoming my mount$ . blessed *aruda as the
result o which all his wishes were ulilled$ %nceE on being reMuested by sage KashyapE *aruda
narrated the divine tales o *aruda 8uran to him$ ,age Kashyap had once brought back a dead tree
back to lie with the help o *arudi Vidya= a sacred mantra ound in *aruda 8uran$ ,imilarlyE *aruda
too had brought numerous dead creatures back to lie with the help o same mantra$K
#4$#$9 -he Beginning o :reation
Lord ,hiva reMuested Vishnu to shed light on dierent topics like ,arga (world)E 8ratisargaE Vansh
(dynasties)E 'anvantar (ourteenth part o BrahmaKs day) and Vanshanucharit (genealogy)$ Lord Vishnu
replied==K % "udraL Lord Vasudeva in his incarnation o 1ara=1arayan perorms his responsibilities o
the creatorE protector as well as the annihilator$ +ach particle that is ound in this universe whether
perceptible or imperceptible is nothing but the medium through which the Almighty makes his presence
elt$ .n the beginning o the creationE on account o &., will subtle matter o nature (imperceptible) came
into being$ &+ is the one to whom KAtmaK or K8urushK owe its eGistence$ ,ubseMuentlyE intelligence or
KBuddhiK maniested itsel rom the subtle matter o natureE mind or K'unK rom intelligenceE space or
KAakashK rom mindE air or KVayuK rom ,paceE <ire or K-eCaK rom airE water rom K-eCaK and inally the
earth maniested itsel rom water$K
K % "udraL -hen came into eGistence an enormous siBed egg$ . dwell within that egg and so do all the
other deities$ .n actE the whole universe is situated within that egg$ -he almighty Vishnu creates in the
orm o BrahmaE nurtures in the orm o Vishnu and annihilates in the orm o ,hiva at the end o each
kalpa$ -he creations o the almighty are known as K,argasK$ <irst o allE the almighty creates the 'ahat
tatvaE which symboliBes his gross Muality$
,ince it was his irst creation thereore it was called the irst ,arga$ -he second ,arga consisted o the
creation o the 8anch=-anmatras or the ive basic elements= +arth (8rithvi)E 6ater(@ala)E <ire(-eCa)E
Air(Vayu) and ,ound(,habda)$ -hese ive basic elements are the stus rom which matter is made$
-he third ,arga namely Vaikarik sarga comprising the creation o all the sense organs and the organs
o the actionsE is basically intelligence orientedE because the sense organs can not unction without
intelligence$ All these above mentioned three sargas come under the category o 8rakrit sarga or
natural creation$K K -he ourth sarga is known as 'ukhya sarga or the main creation and consisted o
immovable things like mountainsE treesE etc$ -he ith ,arga is known as -iryak sarga and consisted o
animals and birds$ -he siGth sarga comprised the creation o the deities and other celestial beings and
hence it is also known as Deva sarga$ -he seventh sarga comprised the creation o human beings and
hence it was called 'aanush sarga$ -he eighth sargaE which is also called Anugrah sargaE consisted o
creations that are both KsatvikK (pure) and KtamasikK(dark) in nature$ -he ninth sarga is called Kaumar
sarga$K
K Lord Brahma commenced his creation o supreme entities by eGpressing his will resulting into the
maniestation o all the ten 'anasputras$ ,ubseMuentlyE Lord Brahma created dierent other entities
like deities (deva)E demons (danav)E ancestors (pitra) and human=beings (manushya)$ &e then created
the Ashuras rom his thighs and subseMuently abandoned his body$ -he dark Mualities emanating rom
the body resulted into the creation o nightE a creation that immensely pleased the demons$K
K Lord Brahma then attained a new physical ormE which was pure (satvik) in nature$ &e created the
deities rom his mouth and once again abandoned his body resulting into the creation o day this time$
All the deities became eGtremely pleased by this particular creation o Brahma$ %nce again Lord
Brahma attained another orm and created the KpitrasK and when he abandoned that bodyE KsandhyaK
(evening) maniested rom it$K
KLord Brahma then attained a orm that was K"aComayaK in nature and created human beings$ &is
abandoning that particular orm resulted into the creation o K8ratahkaalK(dawn)$ ,ubseMuentlyE Lord
Brahma created the dierent species like KyakshaKE KsarpaKE K*andharvaK and KApsarasK and many more
creatures rom the dierent parts o his body$ All the our Vedas namely "igvedaE YaCurvedaE ,amveda
and Atharvaveda maniested themselves rom each o BrahmaKs our mouths$ ,imilarlyE all the our
castes such as BrahminE KshatriyaE Vaishya and ,hudra maniested rom BrahmaKs mouthE armsE
thighs and eet respectively$K
#4$#$; -he Beginning o :opulative :reation
K&aving created Daksha 8raCapati and his wie 8rasuti rom his right and let thumb respectivelyE Lord
Brahma instructed both o them to make their contribution in increasing the population with the help o
copulative creation$ .n course o timeE Daksha 8raCapati begot numerous daughters all o whom were
given in marriage to ten 'anasputras$K
K%nceE Daksha 8raCapati had organiBed a grand Ashwamedha Yagya to which he had invited all his
daughters and son=in=laws eGcept ,ati and "udra$ ,ati eventually reached her atherKs place much
against the advise o ,hivaE who was strictly against going to a place uninvited$ ,hivaKs apprehensions
were not unounded suppositionE as ,ati was indeed humiliated by Daksha in ront o all the esteemed
guests$ ,ati was so deeply hurt by her atherKs rude behaviour and the manner in which he made un o
her husband that she gave up her lie by Cumping into the sacriicial ire$ 6hen "udra learnt about ,atiKs
death he cursed Daksha by saying that he would loose his divine status and would be born as a human
being in the lineage o Dhruva$ .n her neGt birthE ,ati was born as the daughter o &imalaya and
'ainak$ ,he was once again successul in getting ,hiva as her husband by virtue o her deep devotion
towards ,hiva$K
#4$#$7 -he Dhruva Dynasty
Lord VishnuE continuing with the tales o *aruda 8uran told ,hiva=K 2ttanpad had two wives=,uruchi
and ,uniti$ <rom his ormer wie he begot a son named 2ttamE while ,uniti gave birth to DhruvaE who
became immortal because o his unlinching devotion in me$ Dhruva had a mighty son named K,hlishtaK$
8rachinvarhi was ,hlishtaKs son and DhruvaKs grandson$ <ew other prominent personalities coming
rom the lineage o Dhruva were= 2dardhiE DivanCayaE "ipuE :hakshushE "uruE AngaE Ven etc$ Ven was
an atheist and was eventually killed by sages or his immoral deeds$ ,ince Ven had no progenyE his
death put a Muestion mark on his successor$ ,ages tried to solve this problem by churning his thighsE
which resulted into the emergence o 1ishad$ ButE 1ishad went to Vindhyachal to do penance$ ,eeing
their whole eort go in vainE all the sages once again churned VenKs hands$ -his time Lord Vishnu
himsel incarnated as 8rithu$K
K 8rithu was an eGtremely kind hearted king and cared or his subCects$ %nceE when his kingdom was
eGperiencing an acute amineE he successully eGtracted the essential nutrients rom the earth and thus
saved his subCects rom starvation$ 8rithu had ten sons prominent among whom were AntardhanE
&avirdhanE 8rachinvarhi and 8raachetas$ .n course o time 8raachetas married 'arisha$K
K @ust according to the curse o ,hivaE Daksha 8raCapati was reborn in the clan o Dhruva$ &is atherKs
name was 8raachetas and his mother was 'arisha$ .n the beginningE Daksha 8raCapati tried to do
creation by merely eGpressing his will but his eorts went utile because o ,hivaKs curse$ ,oE he had no
option but to take the help o copulative creation and to meet his obCective he married Asikni= the
daughter o Viran$
.n course o time he became the ather o one thousand sonsE all o whom perished while on their
impossible mission o inding out the circumerence o the earth$ Actually sage 1arad had incited all o
them to undertake this impossible mission$ Daksha though angry did not loose heart and in course o
time he once again athered one thousand sons$ %nce againE 1arad was successul in convincing them
to emulate the deeds o their elder brothers$ All o them set out on an impossible mission never to
return$ 1owE DakshaKs anger crossed all limits and he cursed 1arad by saying that he would take birth
as a human or inciting his sonsK to death$ -his is the reason why 1arad was born as KashyapKs son$K
K .n the years to ollowE Daksha 8raCapati begot siGty beautiul daughters rom Asikni among whom he
gave away two daughters in marriage to sage AngiraE two to sage KrishashvaE ten to DharmaE ourteen
to sage Kashyap and twenty=eight daughters to :handrama$ -he names o KrishashvaKs wives were
,upragya and @aya while DharmaKs wives were ArundhatiE VasuE YamiE LambaE BhanumatiE 'arutvatiE
,ankalpaE 'uhurtaE ,aadhya and Vishva$ -he names o KashyapKs wives were AditiE DitiE DanuE KalaE
AnayuE ,inhikaE 'uniE KadruE ,aadhyaE .raE KrodhaE VintaE ,urabhi and Khaga$K
DharmaKs wives Vishva and ,aadhya gave birth to the Vishvedevas and ,aadhyaganas respectively$
,imilarlyE 'arutvati gave birth to 'arutvaans and Vasu to Vasuganas$ DharmaKs wie named Bhanu
gave birth to twelve Bhanus while 'uhurta gave birth to 'uhurtaganas$ Lamba gave birth to *hosh
while Yami gave birth to 1aagvithi$ ,ankalpa gave birth to ,ankalpa$
KashyapKs wie Aditi gave birth to twelve Aadityas while Diti gave birth to two sons (demons)=
&iranyakashipu and &iranyaksha$ Diti also had a daughter named ,inhikaE who was married to
Viprachiti$ &iranyakashipu had our sons= AnuhladE &ladE 8rahlad and ,anhlad$ AayushmanE ,hibi and
Bashkal were the sons o ,anhlad$ 8rahlad had a mighty son named Virochan who himsel had a son
named Bali$ Bali had one hundred sons in all and Baan was the eldest among them$ &iranyaksha had
siG sons all o whom were very brave and valiant$ -heir names were 2tkurE ,hakuniE BhutsantapanE
'ahanamE 'ahabahu and Kaalnaam$
Danu had numerous sons who were all very brave=DwimurdhaE ,hankarE AyomukhE ,hankushiraE KapilE
,hambarE +kachakraE 'ahabahuE -arakE 'ahabalE ,warbhanuE VrishaparvaE 8ulomaE 'ahasur and the
mightiest among them=Viprachiti$ 8uloma and KalkaE both daughters o Vaishwanar were married to
sage Kashyap$ Kashyap had siGty thousand sons (demons) rom both o them$ Demons such as 1ighat
Kavach came rom the lineage o 8rahlad$ -amra had siG daughters and their names were ,hukiE
,hyeniE 'asiE ,ugriviE ,huchi and *ridhika$ ,huki gave birth to numerous species o birds like ,huka
(8arrot)E 2luka (owls) and Kaak(crows)$ ,imilarly ,hyeni gave birth to ,hyen (hawks) and *ridhika to
*ridh (vultures)$ ,huchi was the mother o aMuatic birds while ,ugrivi gave birth to various animals likeE
horsesE camelsE donkeysE etc$K Arun and *aruda were born to Vinta while ,ursa and Kadru gave birth
to serpents$ Krodha gave birth to powerul 8ishachasE ,urabhi to cows and bualoesE +ra to various
vegetation likeE creepers and grassE Khaga to Yakshas and "akshasE 'uni to Apsaras and Arishta
gave birth to *andharvas$ Diti gave birth to ourty=nine 'arutganasE all o whom are in act the
incarnations o Lord Vishnu$
1,&! Powerful Mantras
-his chapter contains 4 sections as ollowsJ
#4$($# 1avgrah 'antra
Describin' the si'nificance of /orshippin' !a,'raha -nine p)anets.( "ord Vishnu to)d Rudra 44: $ne
/ho /orships the !a,'raha /ith appropriate ritua)s attains a)) the four :purusharth:-objecti,es of man:s
)ife.4dharma-re)i'ion.( artha-mone*.( 2aam-se9. and mo2sha-sa),ation.1: He then /ent on to 'i,e
,arious mantras re)ated /ith the !a,'rahas( /hich a de,otee shou)d chant /hi)e /orshippin' them 44
,2"YA(,21) == %' ,2"YA '2"-AY+ 1A'A&$
%' &"A' &".' ,A& ,2"YAY 1A'A&$
:&A1D"A'A('%%1)== %' ,%'AY 1A'A&$
B&A2'('A",)==%' B&A2'AY 1A'A&$
B2DD&('+":2"Y)==%' B2DD&AY 1A'A&$
V".&A,8A-.(@28.-+")==%' V".&A,8A-AY+ 1A'A&$
,&2K"A(V+12,)==%' ,&2K"AY 1A'A&$
,&A1.(,A-2"1)==%' ,&A1A.,&:&A"AY 1A'A&$
"A&2(D"A*%1K, &+AD)==%' "A&AV+ 1A'A&$
K+-2(D"A*%1K, -A.L)== %' K+-AV+ 1A'A&$
#4$($( ,hiva 'antra
-here are various mantras used in the rituals o ,hiva worship$ A devotee should begin by worshipping
the KAasanK (the pedestal) on which the deity is seated$ -here is a speciic mantra or this particular
ritual= %' &"A' ,&.VAY 1A'A&$ ,ubseMuentlyE a salutation to lord ,hiva is made by chanting = %'
,&.VA '2"-AY+ 1A'A&$ A special ritual named K,hadanganyasK is then perormed by chanting
dierent mantras associated with the speciic parts o the deitiesK body such as =
%' &"A' &".DAYAY 1A'A&E
%' &".' ,&.",+ ,6A&AE
%' &%%' ,&.K&AYA. VA,&A-E
%' &"A.' KAVA:&AY &%%'E
%' &"A2' 1+-"A -"AYAY VA2,&A-E
%' &"A& A,-"AY 8&A-$
&aving accomplished the above mentioned ritualsE a devotee should then worship each o the ive
aces o ,hiva by chanting the ollowing mantras =
%' &"A' ,ADDY%@A-AY 1A'A&
%' &".' VAA'D+VAY 1A'A&E
%' &%%' A*&%"AY 1A'A&E
%' &"A.' -A-82"2,&AY 1A'A&E
%' &"A2' .,&A1AY 1A'A&$
V.,&12 'A1-"A
6hile worshipping Lord VishnuE irst o all a devotee should worship the KAasanK o the deity by chanting
= %' VA,2D+VA AA,A1AY 1A'A&$
&e should then make salutations to Lord Vishnu by chanting the ollowing mantras==
%' VA,2D+VAY '2"-AY+ 1A'A&E
%' A.' %' 1A'% B&A*AVA-+ VA,2D+VAY 1A'A&E
%' AA' %' 1A'% B&A*AVA-+ ,A1KA",&A1AY 1A'A&E
%' A.' %' 1A'% B&A*AVA-+ 8"ADY2'1AY 1A'A&E
%' A& %' 1A'% B&A*AVA-+ A1."2DD&AY 1A'A&$
,ubseMuentlyE a devotee should worship the various incarnations o Lord VishnuE his weapons as well
as his dierent mounts by incorporating the rituals o K,hodashopacharK and by chanting the ollowing
mantras==
%' 1A"AYA1AY 1A'A&E
%' -A-,AD B"A&'A1+ 1A'A&E
%' &%%' V.,&1AV+ 1A'A&E
%' &"A2' 1A'% B&A*AVA-+ 1".,.1&AY 1A'A&E
%' B&2& %' 1A'% B&A*AVA-+ VA"A&AY 1A'A&E +-:$
#4$($0 ,arasvati 'antra
A devotee should begin his worship by making salutations to goddess ,arswati by chanting== %' &".'
,A",6A-YA. 1A'A&$
&e should then perorm the rituals o K,hadangnyasK by chanting the ollowing mantras== %' &"A'
&".DAYAY 1A'A&E
%' &".' ,&.",+ ,6A&AE
%' &%%' ,&.K&AYA. VA,&A-E
%' &"A.' KAVA:&AY &%%'E
%' &"A2' 1+-"A -"AYAY VA2,&A-E
%' &"A& A,-"AY 8&A-$
#4$($4 LaGmi 'antra
A devotee desirous o acMuiring wealth and prosperity must worship *oddess LaGmi with appropriate
rituals$ &e should begin by making salutations to the goddess by chanting the ollowing mantra ==
%' ,".' &".' 'A&ALAK,&'YA. 1A'A&$
-hen ollows the rituals o K,hadangnyasK that is perormed by chanting the speciic mantras meant or
them$
1,&* Astrology in (aruda Purana
-his chapter contains ## sections as ollowsJ
#4$0$# -he :hariots o 1avgrahas
6hi)e describin' the chariots of a)) the nine p)anets( "ord Vishnu to)d Rudra44: The chariot of Sur*a
de,a-sun. has an unbe)ie,ab)e e9panse stretchin' up to nine thousand *ojans1 The a9)e of the chariot is
one crore and fift* se,en )a2h *ojans )on' and /hee)s are fi9ed at both its ends1 The /hee)s ha,e si9
circumferences s*mbo)iBin' the si9 main seasons and fi,e spo2es s*mbo)iBin' the fi,e different units of
time measurement in them1 The chariot of Sur*a-sun. is pu))ed b* se,en horses1 These horses s*mbo)iBe
the se,en :chhands: -stanBas used in poetr*.4 'a*atri( ,rihati( ushni2( ja'ati( trishtup( anushtup and
pan2ti1
The chariot of chandrama-moon. has three /hee)s in it1 &t is pu))ed b* ten /hite horses1 The co)or of
Man'a):s-mars. chariot is 'o)den and is pu))ed b* horses of dar2 red co)or1 Buddh:s-mercur*. chariot is
of bro/n co)or and is pu))ed b* ei'ht horses of the same co)or1 The chariot of Vrihaspati-jupiter. is made
of 'o)d and is pu))ed b* ei'ht horses of *e))o/ish comp)e9ion1 5upiter remains in each of the t/e),e
Bodiacs for a *ear1
Shu2ra:s -,enus. chariot is /e)) escorted b* his arm*1 The chariot has a mast on it:s top and is pu))ed b*
horses that are found on earth1
&orses pulling the chariot o ,hani(saturn) are o varicolored$

-he chariot o "ahu is pulled by eight horsesE which are o the color o smoke$

-he chariot o Ketu is pulled by eight horsesE which are red in color$

#4$0$( Description o Yogas and 'uhurtas

3i,in' e)aborate description of inauspicious da*s on /hich one shou)d not underta2e tra,e)s or
journe*s( "ord Vishnu to)d Shi,a44 :Various +o'inis -'oddesses. d/e)) in different directions on
specific da*s and one shou)d ne,er set out on journe*s on those da*s1 A *o'ini named Brahmani d/e))s
in the ast on %ratipada-first. and na,ami-ninth. of both the fortni'hts of each month and nobod* shou)d
tra,e) on both these dates to/ards east1 Mahesh/ari d/e))s in the north on second and ninth of both the
fortni'hts of each month and hence nobod* shou)d tra,e) to/ards north on both these dates1 Varahi
d/e))s in the south on the fifth and thirteenth of both the fortni'hts of each month and hence it is
unad,isab)e to tra,e) to/ards south on the abo,e mentioned dates1 &n the same manner( &ndrani d/e))s in
the /est on si9th and fourteenth of both the fortni'hts of each month and therefore nobod* shou)d tra,e)
in this direction on both the abo,e mentioned dates1:
6hile giving names o some auspicious 1akshatras suitable or undertaking CourneysE lord Vishnu
said==K :onstellations like AshviniE AnuradhaE "evatiE 'rigashiraE 'oolE 8unarvasuE 8ushyaE &ast and
@yeshtha are auspicious or undertaking Courneys$K
Lord VishnuE giving some speciic combinations o days and tithis considered to be inauspicious said=K
%ne should never travel on the ollowing inauspicious daysJ Dwadashi alling on ,unday or +kadashi
alling on 'onday or 1avami alling on 6ednesday or Ashtami alling on -hursday or ,aptami alling on
<riday and ,hashthi alling on ,aturday$
#4$0$0 Amrit Yoga
.t is the most auspicious yoga or commencing any work$ -he conCunction o a particular day and
speciic nakshatra constitute this yoga$ <ew eGamples o Amrit yoga are 'ool nakshatra alling on
,undayE ,hravan nakshatra on 'ondayE 2ttara bhadrapad on -uesdayE Kritika on 6ednesdayE
8unarvasu on -hursdayE 8urvaalguni on <riday and ,wati nakshatra alling on ,aturday$
#4$0$4 Visha Yoga
.t is considered to be an inauspicious yoga and unsuitable or commencing any important work$ <ew
eGamples o this particular yoga are Bharni nakshatra alling on <ridayE :hitra nakshatra on 'ondayE
2ttarashadha on -uesdayE Dhanishtha on 6ednesdayE ,hatabhisha on -hursdayE "ohini on <riday and
"evati nakshatra alling on ,aturday$
#4$0$9 *raha Dasha
Describing the period or which a particular planet is supposed to have its inluence on the nativeE Lord
Vishnu told ,hiva== K ,uryaKs dasha continues or siG years and brings turbulenceE turmoil and agony to
the concerned person$ 'oonKs dasha continues or iteen years and is considered very auspicious as it
brings happiness and prosperity$ 'angalKs dasha is considered inauspicious and lasts or eight years$ .t
brings sorrow and misortune$ BuddhKs dasha is auspicious and lasts or seventeen years$ .t brings all
kinds o avorable results and is eGtremely rewarding in every respect$ ,haniKs dasha lasts or ten years
and brings all kinds o inauspicious results to a man$ VrihaspatiKs dasha continues or nineteen years
and is eGtremely auspicious$ "ahuKs dasha continues or twelve years and is inauspicious$ ,hukraKs
dasha lasts or twenty years and is auspicious$K
1%-+ == -he period o years stated in the above mentioned *raha= dashas are at variance rom those
mentioned by sage 8arasharE which is in practice nowadays$
#4$0$; 8redictions based on 8hysical -raits
Dwelling on length about the importance o physical traits and symptoms apparent in an individualE Lord
Vishnu told ,hiva=K . one sees the ollowing physical traits in a manE he should immediately understand
that he is seeing a prospective King J &ands and eet as sot as a Lotus lowerE pink nails and no space
let between the ingers when kept straight$ -here is no sign o bulging veins on his hands and palms
and they do not sweat eGcessively$ %n the contraryE a person having rough eet that appears paleE with
prominent veins on them indicates that the concerned person would be poor and miserable$K
#4$0$7 8redicting Age with the help o <orehead Line
Lord Vishnu said=K Anybody having three parallel lines on his orehead lives happily or siGty years
whereas two parallel lines indicates that he would live till the age o orty years$ %nly one line on the
orehead indicates that he would have a short lie but i the line stretches up to both the ears then he
lives or a century$ . two parallel lines on the orehead stretches up to both the years then the
concerned person lives or seventy years while a triple parallel lines reaching both the years indicates
that he would live till the age o siGty years$ A orehead devoid o any line on it means that the
concerned person would live or only orty years while a cobweb o intersecting lines on the orehead
indicates that the concerned person is deinite to die a premature death$ A orehead with a -rident or an
AGe mark on it indicates that the concerned person would be prosperous and live or a century$
#4$0$) 8redicting Age by 8almistry
Lord VishnuE continuing with his narration told ,hiva that the age o a person could be predicted by the
lines ound on his palms= K . the lie line reaches the base between indeG and middle ingers then the
concerned person lives or a century$ . the lie line is longE clear and without intersections rom other
lines then the concerned person lives or a hundred years$
#4$0$/ 8rediction based on physical traits o women
Lord Vishnu said=KA woman having a round aceE curly hair and lower portion o her navel slightly
slanted towards rightE is eGtremely ortunate not only or hersel but also or her whole clan$ ,imilarlyE a
woman with golden compleGion and hands as beautiul and sot as red lotus lower is eGceptionally
chaste and aithul towards her husband$ A woman having dry and unruly hair and also round eyes
becomes a widow$
A woman whose ace is round like a ull moon and which radiates like a rising ,un and whose lips are
Cuicy like a KBaelK ruit (6ood apple)E enCoys a happy and contented lie$ A woman having a cobweb o
lines on her palms is sure to lead a torturous and painul lie whereas a palm with ew lines indicates
that she would be poor$ . the lines are pinkE then they indicate happinessE prosperity and good health
whereas blackish lines indicate that she would live a lie o slavery$ Any woman having either a
K:hakraKE a hook or a ear ring mark on her hand indicates that she would beget worthy sons and rule
like a Mueen$ A woman having hair around her breasts as well as a protruding lower lip spells doom or
her husband$ Any woman having a estoon mark on her palms indicates that she would get married in a
amily superior to her in status$
A woman having a round navel with brown hair around it leads a lie o slavery despite being born in a
royal amily$ A woman whose little toes as well as big toes o both the legs do not touch the ground
while walking spells doom or her husband$ .n the same manner beautiul eyes indicate good ortune
while sot and tender skin indicate a happy married lie$
#4$0$#3 Various 1ames o F,haligram?
Describing how a ,haligram is named on the basis o number o :hakra present on itE Lord Vishnu
said=K . there is only one :hakra on the ,haligram idol then it is called K,udarshanK$ .n the same wayE
,haligram with two :hakras is known as KLaGmi 1arayanK while that having three :hakras on it is called
KAchyutK$ ,haligram with our :hakra on it is known as K:haturbhuCKE that with ive :hakras KVasudevK$
,imilarlyE ,haligram with siGE sevenE eightE ninthE tenthE eleven and twelve :hakras are called
K8radyumanaKE K,ankarshanKE K8urushottamKE K1avavyuhaKE KDashatmakKE KAniruddhaK and Dwi=Dashatmak
respectively$ ,haligrams with more than twelve :hakras are called ininite$
#4$0$## &ow @ewels %riginated
,utCiE once narrated the ollowing tale to the assembled sages which sheds light on the origin o Cewels
and other precious stones =
K During ancient times there lived a mighty demon named Bala$ Although he had deeated the deities
and driven them out rom the heavenE yet he had assured them that he would eGtend ullest cooperation
and support in any yagya perormed by deities in uture$ All the deities planned to perorm a KYagyaK in
order to regain their lost kingdom$ -hey made all the necessary preparations or the Yagya but were
unable to ind a person who could oer himsel as a Ksacriicial beingK= a ritual without which any yagya
is incomplete$K
K,eeing no other optionE the worried deities took reuge o KBalasurK and reMuested him to oer himsel
or sacriice so that the yagya could be accomplished without any hitch$ Balasur was bound by his
promise so he agreed$ -his wayE the deities were able to accomplish their yagya$ ButE a strange event
coincided with the death o BalasurE which surprised even the deities$ -he virtuous deed o oering
himsel as a sacriicial being in the yagya ceremony had amaBingly transormed BalasurKs corpse into
Cewels$ Deities tried to carry the K@ewel=bodyK through the aerial route towards a saer placeE but it was
ragmented into countless pieces due to the impact o erocious speed o the wind it had to negotiate$
-hese pieces scattered all over the places= oceanE riversE 'ountainsE <orestsE etc$ .n course o time
these places got transormed into countless mines o Cewels and precious stones such as VaCra
(diamond)E 'uktamaniE .ndraneelE ,phatikE 8rawalE 8ushparag and many more$
1,&, Prominent Places of Pilgrimage
-his chapter contains 9 sections as ollowsJ
,utCiE while giving the names o some prominent places o pilgrimage told the assembled sages=K-he
banks o *anga are considered to be the holiest among all the places o pilgrimage$ -he holy *angaE
which originates rom the &imalayas in the northE ultimately gets merged with the ocean in the east$
During her entire course o lowE she passes through numerous holy placesE which owe their holiness
mainly to her$ AlthoughE any place situated on the banks o *anga is considered holyE yet 8rayagE
&aridwarE Varanasi and *anga sangam (-he place where she meets the ocean) have special
signiicance and there is no other place as holy as each o them$ 8rayag is believed to ulil both the
wishesE which a man aspires or= worldly enCoyments as well as salvation$
8erorming the rituals o pinda daan here not only helps the ancestors to liberate but also himsel$
Varanasi is the same place where lord ,hiva and Keshav have their respective abodes$ Donating at
Kurukshetra brings incomparable virtues and gives both worldly enCoyments as well as salvation$ Kedar
teerth is capable o liberating even a heinous sinner rom all his sins$ <ew other places considered very
holy are= ,hwetdweepaE 1aimisharanyaE 8ushkarE AyodhyaE :hitrakutE *omtiE KanchipuriE ,ri ,hailE
Kaam= teerthE AmarkantakE 2CCainE 'athuraE *ovardhanE etc$ All these places have great religious
signiicance and each o them is capable o liberating a man rom all his sins$
#4$4$# -he ,igniicance o *aya -eertha
%nceE while narrating how *ayaE a prominent place o pilgrimage in eastern part o .ndia got its nameE
Lord Brahma told sage Vyas=K During ancient times there lived a mighty demon named *aya$ &e used
to torment the deitiesE who ultimately went to seek the help o Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu successully
killed *ayasur ater a ierce mace=duel$ -he place where *aya died became amous by his name$
-here is a grand Vishnu temple situated at *aya where there is a magniicent idol o Lord K*adhadharK
(Lord Vishnu holding a mace in his hand)$
*aya is considered to be the most ideal place o pilgrimage or perorming the shraddh rituals$ .t is
believed that a person goes to hell i he dies in the ollowing circumstances= i he dies without his
consecrations being perormedE or i a wild animal kills himE or i he meets an accidental death no
matter what the reasons are$ ButE i K,hraddh ritualsK are perormed at K*ayaK then the soul o such a
man gets rid o the tortures o the hell and goes to heaven$
-he importance o perorming K,hraddh ritualsK over there can be gauged by the act that a person
becomes liberated rom Kpitra rinaK (debts towards oneKs ather) once he touches the sacrosanct soil o
K*ayaK$ -he reason being that Lord Vishnu himsel dwells there in the orm o K8itra devataK and by
having his divine glimpse a man is reed o all his three debts$ -he entire area stretching rom the
oothills o Vishnu mountain to K2ttar 'anasK is considered eGtremely holy and this is the same area
where river <algu lows$ %ering K8inda daanK to ancestors at this place helps them to attain salvation$
6hile perorming the rituals o K8inda daanK he should chant the ollowing matra=
K+,&A 8.1D% 'AYA DA,-"A-AV &A,-+ @A1A"DA1A&O
8A"L%KA' *A-+ '%K,&A' K,&AY'2 8A-.,&-&A-AA'$
-here are many other places as holy as the banks o <algu and perormance o K,hraddh ritualsK over
there give undiminished virtues to the ancestors = Dharma=8rishthaE BrahmasarE *ayashirshaE Akshay=
-eerthE Dhenukaranya are ew such places capable o liberating twenty generations o a man$ -he
entire city o K*ayaK is considered sacrosanct and perorming the rituals o K,hraddhK or oering 8inda
daan to ancestors at any place within K*ayaK helps the soul o the ancestors to attain to Brahmaloka$
#4$4$( -he "ituals o 8indadaan
Beore setting out or *aya to oer 8inda daanE a man should appropriately perorm K,hraddh ritualsK in
the village or town he lives$ +ach step taken towards *aya acts as a stepping stone to the heaven or
the ancestors$ *etting oneKs head tonsured or observing ast is prohibited in some places o pilgrimage
like BadrinathE KurukshetraE @agannathpuri and *aya$ -here is no time restriction on the perormance
o ,hraddh rituals at *aya and they can be perormed anytime$
Ater reaching *ayaE a man should irst o all invoke his ancestors while taking bath in the holy <algu
and oer pinda daan to them$ &e should then visit the temple o Lord *adadhar(Vishnu) and worship
the deity$ -he neGt dayE he should once again perorm the ,hraddh rituals at Dharmaranya and
'atangwapiE two sacrosanct places having great religious signiicance$ %n the third dayE he should
perorm the rituals o K-arpanK on the banks o KBrahmasada teerthK and then go to KKoop=teerthK and
KYoop=teerthK to repeat the perormance o ,hraddh rituals$
&e should then eed the Brahmins at K*oprachar teerthKE an act considered to help ancestors attain
salvation$ %n the ourth day he should take a holy dip in river <algu and once again perorm K,hraddh
ritualsK at a place called K*ayashirshK$ -here are many more holy places in the vicinity where he is
reMuired to perorm ,hraddh ritualsK= VyasE DehimukhE 8anchagniE ,urya= teerthE ,om=teerth and
Kartikeya=teerth are ew o them$ <inallyE on the ith dayE he should take a holy dip in K*ada=lolakK teerth
and oer K8inda=daanK under the Banyan tree called KAkshay vatK= an act believed to liberate all his
predecessors as well as coming generations rom the bondage o +arth$ Ater that Brahmins are ed$
<eeding one Brahmin at *aya brings the same virtues what one would get by eeding one crore
Brahmins elsewhere$K
#4$4$0 -ale o King Vishal
Lord Brahma then narrated a tale gloriying the signiicance o perorming K,hraddh ritualsK at *aya= K %
VyasL %nce upon a time there lived a trader who was sonless$ %ne dayE while he was on his
pilgrimageE he met a restless ghostE who reMuested him to perorm the rituals o 8inda daan at *aya so
that not only he became liberated rom the pains and tortures o being a spirit but also he (-rader) went
to heaven$ -he trader went to *aya accompanied by his younger brotherE as per the reMuest o the
*host and not only perormed the rituals o K8inda=daanK or the ghost but also or his own ancestors$
As a result not only the ghost but all his ancestors became liberated$ %n account o his virtuous deedsE
the trader was blessed with a son$ &e enCoyed a long lie ull o Coy and contentment$ Ater his death he
was reborn as VishalE in the princely state o Vishala$ Ater growing up he got married but even ater a
long time he did not beget a son and this made him very sad$ %ne day he asked the royal priests about
the reason he did not beget a son$ All the priests advised him to oer 8inda daan at *aya as they elt
that by doing so the king would deinitely get blessed with a son and they were not wrongE as Vishal
indeed was blessed with a son ater he had oered 8inda daan at *aya$K
%ne day while Vishal was having a walk in the royal garden he was amaBed to see three entities
descending down rom the sky$ Ater all three o them had landed on the groundE Vishal had a close
look at them$ %ne o them was air while the second oneKs compleGion was reddish$ -he third and the
most erocious among them was o dark compleGion$ <or a moment Vishal was dumbstruck by this
mysterious sight but it did not take him long to gather his composure$ &e asked them as to who they
were and was stunned by the answers he got$
ActuallyE these three entities were none other than the souls o his <atherE *rand <ather and *reat
*rand <atherE all o whom had died long ago$ -hey had come to thank VishalE who by perorming the
rituals o ,hraddh had helped them in getting liberated rom all their sins$ -he entity appearing airE who
in act was VishalKs ather said= -hank you or helping me attain to .ndra loka$ . it were not or youE .
would have still been languishing in hell$ -he entity with reddish compleGion is your *rand <atherE who
had committed grave sins while he was alive and as the conseMuences he went to the most erocious
hell named Avichi ater his death$ +ven he has been liberated because o you$ -he third entity among
us and having dark compleGion is your *reat *rand <ather$ &e had committed heinous o sins while he
was alive but even he has become liberated because o you$ 6e have come to eGpress our gratitude
and to thank you or having liberated us rom our miserable conditions$ All three o us are now
departing or heaven$K
&aving said this all three o them disappeared in a moment$ Vishal was eGtremely satisied that he had
been successul in ulilling one o the maCor obligations towards his ancestors (pitra=rina) by helping
them attain to heaven$ &e enCoyed a long lie and ater his death he too went to heaven$
#4$4$4 8raCapati "uchi?s Disenchantment
%nceE ,utCi recounted the ollowing tale to the assembled sagesE which had been originally told by sage
'arkandeya to Kraunchki long ago= K%nceE sage "uchi became so disenchanted with the world that he
decided to remain a bachelorE a decision which made his K8itrasK(ancestors) eGtremely worried$ -hey
tried to change his mind by citing numerous beneits o householderKs lie and the yeomen service he
does to the society$
-hey said= % "uchiL -he decision you have taken is most unortunate$ 8erhaps you are not aware o
the importance a K*rihastaK holds in the society$ But or his cooperationE not a single religious activity
can take place$ .tKs your misconception that a K*rihastaK can not attain salvation$ %n the contraryE he
has numerous opportunities in his lie to attain salvation$ Dierent rituals and consecrations enable him
to achieve this important goal o a manKs lie$K 8itrasK advises had great impact on 8raCapati "uchi and
he agreed to get married$K
-hereater a search or an ideal match began but even ater best o his eorts he did not get any$
8raCapati "uchi then decided to please Lord Brahma by his austere penance$ &e commenced his
penanceE which continued or a very long period$ <inallyE Lord Brahma appeared and advised him to
please his K8itrasK$ Acting on the advice o Lord BrahmaE 8raCapati "uchi eulogiBed his ancestors and
perormed the rituals o K-arpanK to paciy their souls$ All his K8itrasK appeared and blessed him$
#4$4$9 8raCapati "uchi marries 'anini
-he blessings given by K8itrasK ructiied instantaneously as a beautiul KApsaraK maniested hersel rom
the river lowing nearby and said=K % great sageL . am 8ramlocha$ . would consider it as my good
ortune i you give your consent to marry my daughter= 'anini$ 8ushkar= son o Varun is her ather$ .n
course o time a son named K"auchyaK will be born to you$K
-his was the day 8raCapati "uchi was eagerly waiting or$ &e decided to get married then and there so
he invited all the prominent sages and the marriage ceremony was solemniBed in their presence$ .n
course o timeE a son named K"auchyaK was born to them$ &e was a great sage ater whom a
'anvantar was named$
1,&/ $escription of +arious 0onsecrations
-his chapter contains ; sections as ollowsJ
6hile describing the signiicance o various consecrationsE Lord Vishnu told ,hiva that the union o
manKs sperm and womanKs ovum results into the birth o a child$ -his union along with the whole
process o oetus getting transormed into a baby is a lengthy aair during which it imbibes numerous
impurities$ :onsecrations puriy a man rom all these impurities$ Lord Vishnu said =K -he mankind has
been categoriBed into our prominent castes= BrahminE KshatriyaE Vaishya and ,hudra$ -he ormer
three castes are also known as KDwiCasK (-wice born$ -he solemniBation o a consecration named
Yagyopavit is believed to be their second birth$) because only they are entitled to get consecrated into
this particular ceremony$ "ight rom his birth till he takes his last breathE a KDwiCaK has to undergo
various consecrations$K
*iving the names o some prominent consecration ceremonies that a DwiCa has to go throughE Lord
Vishnu said=
K *arbhadhan ,anskar is perormed at the time o conception$ -he scriptures have clearly stated about
the best time or a woman to conceive= twelve days ater her menstruation has startedE beginning rom
the ith day as the irst our days are not considered auspicious or this purpose$ K8unsavan sanskarK is
perormed in the third month ater conception while K,eemantonayan sanskarK is perormed in the siGth
or eighth month ater conception$ Ater the birth o a child the consecration named K@aat karmaK is
perormed while K1aam karan sanskarK is perormed on the eleventh day ater his birth whereby the new
born baby is given a name$ K1ishkraman sanskarK is perormed in the ourth month and KAnnaprashan
sanskarK in the siGth month$ -he consecration named K:hudamani sanskarK can be perormed either in
the irstE third or ith year o the child$K
#4$9$# 2panayana ,anskara
Dwelling on length about the appropriate way o perorming K2panayan sanskarK (,acred thread
ceremony) ritualsE Lord Vishnu said=K A Brahmin child should get consecrated with the sacred thread in
his eighth year while a Kshatriya childKs consecration should be perormed when he has attained the
age o eleven$ K2panayan sanskarK o a Vaishya child should be perormed in his twelth year$K
A dwiCaE whose K2panayan sanskarK has been perormedE must ace southwards while relieving himsel
in the night whereas during daytime he should ace northward$ ,ubseMuentlyE he should puriy himsel
by properly washing his urinary organ with mud (soap) and water$ &e should also wash his hands and
eet$ -he puriication is believed to be incomplete until and unless the rituals o KAachmanK (ritualistic
rinsing o the mouth) have been perormed$ 1eGt morningE ater having a bathE he should do K8ranayamK
and chant the sacred *ayatri mantra acing east$ .n the evening he should chant *ayatri mantra acing
south$ Ater this the ritual o KBhikshatanK is perormed whereby he seeks alms and donates everything
that he gets to his *uru as a mark o respect to him$
-his particular ritual is symbolic and emphasiBes the absolute necessity o subduing oneKs ego beore
acMuiring knowledge rom his *uru$ A celibate is supposed to wear nothing but a Deer skin and a waist
band made o long reeds on his person with a sacred thread hanging across his shoulder and carry a
stick in his hand$ -he celibate whose 2panayan sanskar has been perormed should stay at his *uruKs
hermitage till he completes his education$ .t is also his duty to collect ood grains rom the
neighbourhood to meet the ood reMuirement o all the people living in the hermitage$ A Brahmin
celibate should chant KBhavati bhiksham dehiK while seeking alms whereas a Kshatriya celibate should
chant the same mantra with a slight modiication K Bhiksham bhavati dehiK$ ,imilarlyE a Vaishya celibate
should chant KBhiksham dehi bhavatiK while seeking alms$K
#4$9$( Keshant ,anskara
Ater inishing his education the celibate should shave his beards and moustaches or the irst time$
,trict guidelines have been laid down or each caste with respect to this particular consecration$ A
Brahmin should get consecrated with this ritual in his siGteenth year while a Kshatriya should get it
perormed in his twenty= second year$ ,imilarlyE a Vaishya should get consecrated with this ritual in his
twenty=ourth year$ -he above mentioned age limits are also the maGimum beore which respective
castes are supposed to get consecrated with the sacred thread ceremony ailing which he becomes a
religious outcaste$
#4$9$0 *rihasta Ashrama
&is education being complete now it is the time or him to enter the lie o a householder$ ButE beore
leaving the hermitage he should pay KDakshinaK as a mark o gratitude to his *uru or all the knowledge
he has imparted to him$ 6ith the permission o his *uruE he should then marry a girl who is beautiulE
younger to him and belonging to dierent K*otraK$ Although the best option or him is to marry a woman
belonging to his own casteE but he is allowed to marry outside his casteE provided the woman hails rom
a caste inerior to him but under no circumstances he should marry a woman belonging to superior
caste$
#4$9$4 :opulation 8rohibited on :ertain Days
An ideal wie is one who obeys the commands o her husband without any inhibition$ According to the
scriptures the best time or a married couple to copulate is ater the woman has had her menstruationE
especially till siGteen days ater her periods have commenced are considered best or this purpose$ ButE
there are also certain days on which making seGual contacts is prohibited= the irst our days ater her
periods have startedE AshtamiE :haturdashiE Amavasya and 8urnima are ew such days$ . the above
given rules are ollowed then a couple can beget worthy sons possessing good Mualities$ :onsidering
the act that a woman has seGual urge eight times more than a manE scriptures have also advised a
man not to overlook the seGual urge o his wie and to satisy her without bothering about the prohibited
days$
#4$9$9 8uriication o Dierent Articles
Describing the methods o puriying dierent articlesE Lord Vishnu relected on the instructions which
sage Yagyavalkya had once given to other sages in this regard=K ,ubstances like goldE silverE conchE
vegetablesE ropeE leather articlesE etc$ become pure once they are washed with water$ .n the same wayE
utensils made o wood or animalKs horn become pure ater they have been chiseled$ 2tensils used in
yagya become pure ater they have been rubbed with mud and then washed with water$ 6ashing
woolen and silken clothes with tepid water or cow=urine make them pure$
Land is puriied i it is coated with cow=dung$ :opper vesselsE articles made o lead and -in vessels
become pure i cleaned with a solution o alkaliE acid and then washed with water$ .ron and BronBe
vessels become pure i cleaned with ash and water$ -he ollowings are believed to be pure= sun=lightE
ireE cowE horseE earthE airE dew=dropsE ood=grains up or sale in the marketE etc$ A man should perorm
Aachaman in the ollowing circumstances= ater his bathE ater drinking waterE ater sneeBingE ater
waking up rom sleepE ater having oodE ater having a walk on dusty pathE ater changing clothesE etc$
#4$9$; Brie Description o ,hraadh "ituals
Describing the proper way o perorming ,hraddh ritualsE sage Yagyavalkya told the assembled sages=K
A perormer o ,hraddh rituals should invite able Brahmins and oer them seats o Kusha grass$ <irst
o all an invocation is made to KVishvedevaK by chanting a mantra in his praiseE an action which is
ollowed by scattering grains o barley in the vessels kept in ront o the DeityKs idol$ ,ubseMuentlyE
some water and a small Muantity o barley is taken in a small vesselE which is then handed over to the
Brahmins along with other articles such as ghee lampE garlandE incenseE etc$ -here are speciic
mantras or this particular ritual$ Ater that he should oer seats o Kusha grass to all his ancestors one
by one beginning rom the let hand side and subseMuently moving on to the right hand side$ All the
ancestors are then invoked with speciic mantras$
-he scriptures allow the use o sesame seeds in place o barley i latter is unavailable due to some
reason$ -hese sesame seeds should be kept in a KArdhya patraK and placed to the let side o each
K8itrasK (ancestors) in an inverted position$ 6hile perorming KhavanK he should make oerings o KgheeK
and other articles in the Khavan kundaK$ <inallyE Brahmins are ed ater which the perormer o ,hraddh
rituals oers 8indadaan in the name o his ancestors$ Ater that he helps all the Brahmins perorm
KAachamanK and gives donations to them$ -he idol o Vishvedeva is immersed in a nearby river or pond
and the inverted pots are kept back in the normal position$ <inallyE all the Brahmins are seen o with
respect$ ,hraddh rituals perormed in the above mentioned way immensely satisy the ancestors and
help them attain to heaven$
1,&1 2arma and its conseAuences 8 2arma +ipa.
-his chapter contains # section as ollowsJ
:ontinuing with his discoursesE sage Yagvalkya told the assembled sages that an enlightened soul is
aware o the act that the mortal world being impermanent in nature has its beginning as well as its end$
&e is also aware that a man reaps the ruits o his evil deeds in the orm o KAdhidaivikK(heavenly wrath)E
KAdhyatmikK(obstacles in spiritual development) and KAdhibhautikK (worldly problems like diseasesE
povertyE etc$) -hat is why he endeavours to ollow the path o virtuosity so that he can attain salvation=
the ultimate obCective o manKs lie$
Anybody engaged in sinul deeds is deinite to go to hell whereas virtuous deeds help a man to attain to
heaven$ Ater tasting the ruits o his actions he once again has to take birth to realiBe the unulilled
wishes o his previous birth$ -his cycle o transmigration is an endless processE leading to countless
births and deaths o a man$ &e eGperiences unbearable pains in his motherKs wombs lying in an
inverted position or nine months$
%nce again he has to go through the same dreadul eGperiences o youthE old ageE diseases and death$
A sinnerE ater tasting the ruits o his actions in the heaven or hellE depending on his virtuous or sinul
deeds takes re=birth on the basis o the gravity o sins committed$ Killing a Brahmin is believed to be the
most heinous o sin and the person who has committed such a sin ater having suered the tortures o
hell takes re=birth as a donkey or a dog$
.n the same way a person who has stolen gold takes re=birth as lowly creatures such as worms or
insects$ A drunkard takes re=birth as a rog and a person developing illicit relationship with his teacherKs
wie takes re=birth as grass or hay$ %ne who shows disrespect to his parents is reborn as a tortoise
whereas anybody who wishes ill o his riends is reborn as a donkey$
#4$;$# Atoning or ,ins
6hile describing various means by which a sinner can atone or his sinsE sage Yagyavalkya said=K A
man is certain to meet downall and degradation in the ollowing three conditions= i he goes against the
instructions given in the scripturesE indulges in prohibited activities and runs ater sensual pleasures$
Atoning or oneKs sin is the best means o getting liberated rom his sin as well as guilt$ A sinner who
does not atone or his sin goes through unbearable tortures and pains in hells more horrible than in
K'aharauravK (name o a hell)$
Very severe punishment has been recommended or a personE who has breached the modesty o a
woman especially i she happens to be his riendKs wieE teacherKs wieE his own daughter or sister=in=
lawE etc$ ,criptures are o the opinion that such a sinner should be killed without showing any mercy$ .
the woman is a willing partner in this ghastly crime then even she should be meted out the same
punishment$
A person who has killed a Brahmin should atone or his sin by seeking alms or twelve years carrying a
skull as his begging bowl$ &e should sustain himsel on whatever he receives as alms$ 8rotecting a
cowKs lie also helps a man rom getting liberated rom the sin o KBrahma=hatyaK$ A drunkard should
atone or his sin by consuming any o the ollowing= boiling liMuorE gheeE cow=milk or cow=urine$ A
person accused o stealing gold can become liberated rom his sin by donating gold eMuivalent to his
own weight$ A person who has killed a cow can become liberated rom his sin by consuming
K8anchgavyaK( a miGture o cow=milkE cow=dungE cow=urineE ghee and curd) and leading the rest o his
lie in the servitude o cows$
1,&4 $ifferent 2ind of Austerities
-his chapter contains #9 sections as ollowsJ
Describing the various types o austeritiesE Lord Vishnu named ew o them=
#4$7$# Yama ("estraining 8assion)
-his particular austerity comprises o ten virtues= :elibacyE <orgivenessE 'editationE -ruthulnessE
&onestyE 1on=violenceE 1ot stealingE *entleness and ,el control$
#4$7$( 1iyama (Daily "outine)
-his austerity stresses the importance o purityJ both o the body as well as o the mind$ .t comprises o
the ollowing activitiesJ bathing dailyE contemplationE observing astE perorming oblationsE sel studyE
abstinenceE penanceE avoiding angerE being respectul towards teacher and purity$
#4$7$0 'ahasantapana Vrata
-his particular austerity comprises o speciic rituals related with the usage o K8anchagavyaK(a miGture
o cow milkE curdE gheeE cow urine and cow dung)$ %n the irst day o the austerity a devotee should
have only milkE on the second day curdE on the third day KgheeKE on the ourth day KgomutraK(cow urine)E
on the ith day KgomayaK (cow dung)E on the siGth day he should live only on KkushodakK( drinking water
rom a vessel in which KkushaK grass have been kept) and on the last day o the austerity he should
observe complete ast$
#4$7$4 8arna Krichchha Vrata
,eparate solutions o K8alashK(Butea rondosa)E K*ularK(<icus glomerata)E KKamalK( lotus) and KBaelK tree
(wood apple) are prepared ater boiling the leaves o respective vegetation mentioned above$ %n the
irst day o the austerity a devotee should have only K8alashK solution while on the second day he
should have K*ularK solution$ %n the third day he should have KKamalK solution while on the ourth day
he should live only on KBaelK solution$ %n the ith day o the austerity he should live only on KKushaK
grass solution and nothing else$ -his is the manner in which the austerity o K8arnakrichchha vrataK is
observed$
#4$7$9 -apta Krichchha Vrata
A person observing this austerity should begin by having hot milk on the irst day ollowed by tepid ghee
and lukewarm water on the second and third day respectively$ &e should observe a complete ast on
the ourth day$
#4$7$; 8aad Krichchha Vrata
-his particular austerity lasts or our days$ %n the irst day a devotee should observe K+kabhakta
vrataK(having ood only once a day in the noon)$ %n the second day he should observe K1aktaK
vrata(having ood only once a day in the night)$ %n the third day he should break his ast by having
whatever is available with him because anything that has been provided by others is strictly prohibited$
&e should observe a total ast on the ourth day$ 6hen a devotee observes these cycles o austerity or
three times then it is called K8raCapatya krichchhra vrataK$
#4$7$7 Ati Krichchha Vrata
"ituals o this austerity is more or less similar to that o 8raCapatya krichchhra vrata with a slight
dierence= here ast is broken with a handul o cooked ood$ 6hen this particular ritual is observed or
our days then it is called Atikrichchha vrata$
#4$7$) Krichchha Atikrichha Vrata
%bserving the rituals o Atikrichchha vrata or twenty=one days living only on milk and water is called
Krichchhakrichha vrata$
#4$7$/ 8arak Vrata
%bserving complete ast or twelve continuous days is called 8arak vrata$
#4$7$#3 :handrayana Vrata
.tKs an important austerity lasting or a month which commences on <irst day o the bright hal o a
month by observing ast or the whole day and breaking it in the night with one morsel o ood$ %n the
neGt dayE i$e$ KdwitiyaK one morsel o ood is increased which means that instead o one morsel o ood
now two morsels are taken$ -his way one morsel o ood is increased on each o the ollowing days till
the ourteenth day (chaturdashi) when the ast is broken by having ourteen morsels o ood$ A total ast
is observed on KAmavasyaK (dark moon)$ %n the neGt day i$e$ irst day o the dark hal o the month one
morsel is decreased which means that the devotee should break his ast with thirteen morsels o ood$
-his way one morsel is decreased on each successive day till KchaturdashiK when a devotee breaks his
ast by having only one morsel o ood$ -his is the wayE how a :handrayan vrata should be observed$
#4$7$## Anang -rayodashi Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o Lord ,hiva and commences on the thirteenth day o the
bright hal o the &indu month 'argashirsh and lasts or a year$ .t concludes eGactly ater a year when
K"atiK and KAnangK are worshipped with appropriate rituals$ -en thousand oerings are made in the
sacriicial ire$ Brahmins are ed and donations made to them$ %ne who observes this austerity is
blessed with healthE wealth and good ortune$
#4$7$#( Akhand Dvadashi Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o Lord Vishnu$ .t commences on the twelth day o the bright
hal o the &indu month 'argashirsh and lasts or a year consisting o three phases$ %ne important
characteristic o this austerity is that ater our monthsE which is the irst phase o the austerityE ive
vessels illed with ood=grains are donated to Brahmins$ .n the second phase o the austerity consisting
o our months and commencing rom the &indu month :haitraE pots illed with parched grams are
donated to Brahmins$ ,imilarlyE in the third and inal phase o the austerity pots illed with ghee are
donated to Brahmins$
#4$7$#0 ,hiva "atri Vrata
-his austerity is related with the worship o Lord ,hiva and a ast is observed on the ourteenth day o
the dark hal o the &indu month <algun$ A devotee should observe ast in the night and worship Lord
,hiva by chanting K%m 1amah ,hivayK$ &e should perorm KhavanK with black sesame seeds and
worship Lord ,hiva at midnightE in the third and the ourth KpraharK(one prahar eMuals three hour) with
appropriate rituals$ %ne who observes ast on this day gets all his wishes ulilled and attains salvation
as well$ A devotee who observes ,hiva "atri ast or twelve successive years acMuires knowledgeE
wealthE success and happiness$ ,uch a man also attains to ,hiva loka ater his death$
#4$7$#4 Virtues o %bserving <ast on ,hiva "atri 1ight
During ancient times there lived a hunter named ,undarsen in the province o Arbuda$ %ne dayE he
went deep into the orest in search o his prey but unortunately he ound none$ &e wandered all over
the place but in vain$ 6hen evening cameE he climbed up a wood apple (Bael) tree to protect himsel
rom the wild animals$ ,undarsen was worried that his amily would have nothing to eat that night$
+ngrossed in his contemplative moodE he kept on plucking leaves rom the KBaelK tree and throwing
them down$ -here was a ,hiva linga Cust under the tree and the leavesE which ,undarsen threwE ell
down on it$
1eGt morning while ,undarsen was climbing down the treeE his arrow ell down$ 6hile picking up his
arrowE he touched the ,hiva linga$ ,undarsen was unaware o the act that it was ,hivaratri night and
he had worshiped Lord ,hiva with appropriate rituals albeit inadvertently=he had oered Bilva patra to
Lord ,hiva and had touched the ,hiva linga$ &e attained to ,hiva loka on account o the virtues
attained by his inadvertent worship o Lord ,hiva$
#4$7$#9 -he 8ower o :hastity
%nceE sage Vyas went to Brahmaloka to get his doubts cleared on certain spiritual matters rom Lord
Brahma$ 6hile dwelling on a wide range o religious topics such as importance o austerities and
various incarnations Lord Vishnu took to protect righteousnessE Lord Brahma narrated a tale o a
Brahmin woman who possessed divine powers on account o her chastity$ Lord Brahma said=
K During ancient times there lived a Brahmin named Kaushik in 8ratishthanpur 1agar$ &e was inlicted
with leprosy but still his wie was very chaste and aithul towards him$ &is wie used to be on her toes
attending to all his demands and looking ater all his reMuirements$ But stillE he used to scold and abuse
his wie at the irst given opportunity without any rhyme or reason$ &oweverE his wie did not mind his
behaviour understanding Muite well the rustrations o a man suering rom dreaded disease like
Leprosy$K
%ne dayE something happened which made Kaushik eGtremely angry and in a it o rage he made an
impossible demand thinking that his wie would never comply by it giving him an opportunity to curse
her to the satisaction o his heart$ ,houting angrily at his wieE Kaushik said= Age has started showing
eect on you$ You donKt look beautiul as beore$ You have also started neglecting me$ -ake me to a
beautiul prostitute so that . can satisy my seGual urge$
KaushikKs wie was deeply hurt by his rude and unair remarks but she remained cool and calm$ Being a
chaste and aithul wie she had no option but to obey her husbandKs command$ ,oE she let or a
prostituteKs house carrying Kaushik on her shoulders$
-he prostituteKs house was ar and it became dark while they were still on the way$ Because o
darknessE KaushikKs wie could not see sage 'andavyaE who in spite o his innocence was given a
severe punishment by the king= he had been made to sit on a pointed cone which ater having
penetrated through his body had pierced even his skull$ ButE being a great sageE 'andavya was
engrossed in his meditation even in such a painul physical condition$ 2nortunatelyE KaushikKs eetE
which were hanging down the shoulders o his wieE touched 'andavyaKs body$ 'andavyaKs meditation
was disturbed and he came out rom his meditative level$ As a result he became conscious o his
unbearable physical pain and cursed that whoever had disturbed his meditation would not live to see
the neGt day$K
Kaushik died the neGt day but his wieE who had ull conidence in her power o chastityE knew that her
husband would be alive once again$ ,he cursed angrily = K 'andavya has a misconception about his
power$ &e thinks that only he can control the natural phenomena but perhaps he does not know what
eats a chaste woman is capable o perorming$ .ts my command to the ,un not to rise rom tomorrow
onwards$K
And indeedE the ,un stopped rising rom the neGt morning leading to catastrophic allout$ +verything
went haywire in the worldE which made the deities eGtremely worried$ -hey came to me (Lord Brahma)
with a reMuest to reveal why ,un had stopped rising$ . told them that it was all due to the curse o a
chaste woman and then . narrated the whole story$ . revealed to them that nobody eGcept ,ati Anusuya
was capable o bringing back order in the world$ . advised them to seek the help o ,ati Anusuya who
was amous or her eGceptional chastity$ ,oE all the deities went to ,ati Anusuya and reMuested her to
make the ,un rise so that everything became orderly in the world once again$ ,ati Anusuya agreed to
lend her help in bringing back normalcy in the world$ ,heE by the virtue o her chastity not only made
the ,un rise daily but also made dead Kaushik alive once again$ ,uch is the power commanded by a
woman practicing the austerity o chastity$ -here are numerous eGamples o such women amous or
their chastity and ,ita was one o them$
1,&8 "he "ale of 6amayana
Lord Brahma then went on to describe the amous tale o "amayana the mere listening to which
absolves a man rom all his sins$ &e began by giving the details o ,ri "amKs lineage and said=K . (Lord
Brahma) maniested rom the Lotus originating rom the navel o Lord Vishnu$ ,age 'arich maniested
rom me while Kashyap was 'arichKs son$ ,urya maniested rom KashyapE Vaivaswat='anu rom
,urya and .kshavaku was born to Vaivaswat='anu$ -he great King "aghu was also the descendant o
.kshavaku$ "aghuKs son was ACaE whose son was Dasharath$
Dasharath had three Mueens=KaushalyaE Kaikeyi and ,umitra$ Kaushalya gave birth to ,ri "am while
Kaikeyi was the mother o Bharat$ ,umitra had two sons=LaGman and ,hatrughan$
,ri "am had great devotion towards his parents$ ,age VishwamitraE who was tormented by the
demonsE took ,ri "am and LaGman along with him so that he could do his penance peaceully$ &e
assured Dashrath that he would make both his sons proicient in all the scriptures as well as in the
usage o various weapons$ 6ith great reluctanceE Dasharath allowed ,ri "am and LaGman to go along
with Vishwamitra$
%nce in the orest ,ri "am assured his *uru to do his penance without bothering about the demons$
Vishwamitra commenced his penance and ,ri "am killed all the demons trying to disturb him$ -he
names o ew demons killed by ,ri "am were -adakaE ,ubahuE etc$
@anakE the ather o ,ita had organiBed a grand K,wayamvarK ceremony to which he had invited all the
prominent kings o that time$ &e had also sent invitation to Vishwamitra$ Vishwamitra set out or
@anakpur accompanied by ,ri "am and LaGman$
@anak had a huge bow gited to him by Lord ,hiva and which he worshipped daily with appropriate
ritual$ %nce during the process o cleaning the area where ,hivaKs bow was keptE ,ita lited the bow
and kept it a distance$ Later on she orgot to keep it back at the original place$ 6hen @anak came to
worship the bow he was surprised to ind it to be kept at a dierent place$ &e made an inMuiry and ,ita
conessed that she had kept it while cleaning the place o worship$ @anak Cust could not believe that his
tender looking daughter possessed such strength and power$ 1o wonder he decided to give ,itaKs hand
in marriage to such a man who could break ,hivaKs bow$ ,oE he made a declaration that anybody
capable o breaking ,hivaKs bow could have ,ita as his wie$
-here were many mighty warriors present at the K,wayamvarK ceremony but none had the strength to
even lit the bow what to say about breaking it$ <inallyE as the destiny would have liked itE ,ri "am broke
the bow into three pieces and thus married ,ita$ LaGman married 2rmila= another daughter o
Dasharath while Bharat and ,hatrughan married 'andavi and Keertimayi respectivelyE both daughters
o King KushadhwaCa$
Later onE when Dasharath decided to crown ,ri "am as the King o AyodhyaE Kaikeyi played a
spoilsport and demanded her son=Bharat to be made the King o Ayodhya and ,ri "am to be sent into
eGile or ourteen years$ ActuallyE Kaikeyi had taken undue advantage o DasharathKs helpless condition
to serve her own interest$ %nceE Dasharath was busy ighting a battle oblivious o the act that one o
the wheels o the chariot was about to eCect rom its aGle as the nail supporting it had allen o$ KaikeyiE
who was also accompanying himE saved his lie by preventing the wheel rom alling o and thus
maintaining the balance o the chariot$ 6hen Dasharath learnt how Kaikeyi had saved his lie he
promised to grant her two boons$ At that time Kaikeyi did not ask or any thing and merely said that she
would demand at the appropriate time$ ,oE when the time or "amKs coronation came she thought it
was the best opportunity or her to remind Dasharath about the two boons he had promised to grant
her$
DasharathE bound by his deep love or ,ri "am on the one hand and by his vow on the otherE agreed to
KaikeyiKs demand with a heavy heart$ ,ri "am without any hesitation ollowed his atherKs order and let
or the orest$ &ow could have ,ita and LaGman lived without himN ,oE they too accompanied him to the
orest$ .n course o his CourneyE ,ri "am passed by many holy places and inally ater reaching
:hitrakoot he made a K8arna kutiK (hermitage made o leaves) and started living there$
-he shock caused by ,ri "amKs separation proved to be atal or DasharathE who died with an
unulilled desire o having a glimpse o his dearest son$ BharatE who at that time was at his maternal
uncleKs placeE returned to Ayodhya ater hearing the news o his atherKs demise and perormed his last
rites$ &e then went to :hitrakoot and tried his level best to convince ,ri "am into returning back to
Ayodhya$ ButE ,ri "am did not agreeE as it was against his principle to disobey the commands o his
ather$ ,ri "am gave his pair o wooden sandals to Bharat as a token o love and reMuested him to
return to Ayodhya$ Bharat returned to Ayodhya and kept ,ri "amKs sandals on the throne$ &e then
stationed himsel at 1andigram= a city situated at the outskirts o Ayodhya and started ruling rom there
on behal o his elder brother$ &e had vowed not to return to Ayodhya till the completion o ,ri "amKs
period o eGile$
<rom :hitrakootE ,ri "am reached Dandakaranya accompanied by ,ita and LaGman and started living
in a hermitage made o leaves$ -here they also met prominent sages like Atri and Agastya$ %nce an
ogress named K,urpanakhaK ("avanKs sister) attacked ,ri "am but LaGman retaliated by severing both
her ears as well as her nose$ ,urpanakhaE badly inCured and bleeding prouselyE went to Khardushan
and narrated her woeul tale$ Khardushan attacked ,ri "am with a huge army consisting o ourteen
thousand soldiers but lost all his men in the battle$
-he revengeul "avan went to the hermitage disguised as a hermit and abducted ,ita while ,ri "am
was away in pursuit o 'arich=the golden deer$ ActuallyE 'arich was a demonE who had disguised
himsel as a golden deer on the instruction o "avan so that ,ita could be abducted successully$
"avan knew Muite well that it was impossible or him to abduct ,ita in the presence o ,ri "am$ ,oE he
hatched a plan according to which 'arich was to disguise himsel as a golden deer and enchant ,ita$
"avan was sure that ,ita ater being enchanted by the beauty o the golden Deer would ask her
husband to get it at any cost$ +verything happened as per the plan o "avan and he was successul in
abducting ,ita$
6hen ,ri "am did not ind ,ita in the hermitage he became worried and started searching or her
rantically$ %n the way he met old @atayuE who had got inCured while trying to resist "avan rom taking
away ,ita$ @atayu inormed him that "avan had taken ,ita towards south$ @atayu was so badly inCured
that he died soon ater giving ,itaKs inormation to ,ri "am$ ,ri "am perormed his last rites and
continued with his search$ &e proceeded towards south as per the instructions o @atayu and reached
K"ishyamookK mountain where he met ,ugreevaE whom he beriended$ &e killed BaliE who harboured
enemity against his brother= ,ugreeva$ &e then made ,ugreeva the King o KKishkindhaK and himsel
went to live at K"ishyamookK mountain$
,ugreeva sent monkeys in all directions to ind out ,itaKs whereabouts$ &anuman went towards south
and with the help o ,ampati managed to ind out the eGact location where "avan had kept ,ita$
&anuman took a giant leap and the neGt moment he ound himsel on the other side o the ocean$ &e
went to KAshok= VatikaK where "avan had kept ,ita in captivity$ &e presented the ring to herE which ,ri
"am had given him$ ,itaE in turn gave her K:hudamaniK(ornament) and reMuested him to give it to ,ri
"am$ @umping rom one branch to anotherE hungry &anuman ate all the ruits and in the process
destroyed the beautiul garden$ 6hen "avan came to know about the destruction caused in the
beautiul garden o KAshok VatikaKE he sent many demons to capture &anuman$ ButE all o them were
killed including Akshay KumarE "avanKs son$ 2ltimatelyE &anuman was made captive by 'eghanad and
produced beore "avanE who ordered his tail to be set ablaBe as a punishment$ &anumanE with his tail
ablaBeE Cumped rom one palace to another and burnt the golden city o Lanka within no time$ &e then
returned to his master ,ri "am and described everything in detail$
<inallyE ,ri "am attacked Lanka with a huge army comprising o mighty warriors like &anumanE
,ugreevaE Angad and many others$ A ierce battle took place in which all the demons including "avan
were killed$ -he victorious ,ri "am returned to Ayodhya along with his consort ,ita$ -he residents o
Ayodhya danced in Coy at the return o their prodigious son$ ,ri "am ruled over Ayodhya or eleven
thousand years$ <inally he ascended to the heaven taking along all the people o Ayodhya with him but
beore doing that he appointed Lav and Kush=his ,onsE as his successors$
1,&9 )ri 2rshna
'aking a revelation to Vyas that the Almighty *od maniests himsel whenever the civiliBation is endangered by
the dominance o sinnersE Lord Brahma said= K.n Dwapar yugaE Lord Vishnu incarnated as ,ri Krishna to protect
Dharma rom being subCugated by KAdharmaKE which had become all pervasive at that time$ &e was born to
Vasudev and Devaki$ Both his parents had been kept under captivity by KansaE who was aware o the prophesy
that he would be killed by DevakiKs eighth son$ .n due course o time Devaki gave birth to seven sons all o whom
were mercilessly killed by Kansa one by one$ .n order to protect the lie o ,ri Krishna= the eighth child born to
DevakiE Vasudev eGchanged him with the baby girl born to Yashoda and 1and$ Vasudev had no problem in
moving out o the prison as Krishna by his divine power induced all the guards to sleep$
,ri KrishnaE being an incarnation o Lord Vishnu perormed great eats right rom his childhood$ %nceE
Kansa sent an ogress named 8utnaE who tried to kill ,ri Krishna by breast=eeding him$ ButE Krishna
sucked her breasts with such erocity that 8utna met an instant death$ .n due course o time ,ri Krishna
killed many more erocious demons like ,hakatasurE Kaliya 1agE Dhenukasur and mesmeriBed the
residents o *okul by his divine bravery$ &e also perormed many other divine eats like liting
*ovardhan mountain and perorming "aas=Lila with the *opis$ ,eeing all his plans o killing ,ri Krishna
go in vainE Kansa sent him a message challenging or a Kduel= boughtK with his court=wrestlers named
K'ushtikK and K:hanurK$ ,ri Krishna killed both the dreaded demons without much diiculty$ 2ltimatelyE
,ri Krishna climbed up the throne sitting on which "avan had been watching the wrestling bout and
pulled him down by his hair$ &e then punched Kansa on his chest so hard that he died an
instantaneous death$
&aving accomplished his most important mission o killing the demon king=Kansa and liberating the
earth rom his tyrannyE ,ri Krishna went on to complete his education under the tutelage o ,age
,andipani$ During ancient times it was customary or a disciple to oer Dakshina to his teacherE as a
mark o respect ater his education was complete$ ,ri Krishna ollowing this tradition gave an invaluable
Dakshina to his *uru by bringing all his dead sons alive to earth rom KYamlokaK$
,ri Krishna was subseMuently crowned as the king o 'athura but on account o the relentless attack by
@arasandha he had to abandon his dear city and shit his base to Dwarka$ &e had eight Mueens among
whom "ukmini and ,atyabhama were prominent$ Later on he rescued siGteen thousand and one
hundred women rom the captivity o 1arakasur and married all o them$ <rom "ukmini he had a son
named 8radyumnaE who killed ,hambarasur$ Aniruddha was 8radyumnaKs son and he married 2sha=
daughter o Banasur$ Banasur was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva and was blessed with one thousand
hands$
Lord ,hiva came to his rescue at the time when he was battling against the might o ,ri Krishna$ A
ierce battle was ought between both the deitiesE which remained inconclusive even ater a long time$
Lord ,hiva then reMuested ,ri Krishna to spare BanasurKs lie to which he agreed albeit partially$ ,ri
Krishna severed all the hands o Banasur barring two$ <inallyE ater accomplishing his mission o
liberating the earth rom the darkness o sin ,ri Krishna let or heavenly abode$
1,&1:"he "ale of Maha5harat
*iving the reasons that lead to the great battle o 'ahabharatE Lord Brahma told sage Vyas that ,ri
Krishna had planned this great battle and eGecuted it to perection to relieve the earth rom the burden
o tyrants$ 6hile giving the names o lineal ascendants o Kauravas and 8andavasE he said=K . (Lord
Brahma) maniested rom the lotus which itsel had its origin in the navel o Vishnu$ Atri maniested rom
me while :handra rom Atri$ Buddh was born to :handra while he himsel was the ather o 8ururava$
Aayu was 8ururavaKs son while he himsel was the son o Yayati$
-he names o ew amous descendants o Yayati were BharatE Kuru and ,hantanu$ ,hantanu had two
wives= *anga and ,atyavati$ -he ormer was the mother o BhishmaE the indomitable warriorE who had
vowed to remain a bachelor throughout his lie$ -he latter i$e$ ,atyavati gave birth to two sons=
:hitrangad and Vichitraveerya$ A *andharva killed :hitrangad while Vichitraveerya died issue=less
despite having two wives= Ambika and Ambalika(both daughters o the king o Kashi)$ .n order to
eGpand their clan both Ambika and Ambalika begot one son each rom sage Vyas$ Ambika gave birth to
Dhritrashtra while Ambalika to 8andu$ -he same Vyas also had a son rom a maid servant who became
amous as Vidur and who was amous or his statesmanship and tactulness$
Dhritrashtra married *andhari and begot one hundred sons rom her among whom Duryodhan was
most notorious$ -hese one hundred sons o Dhritrashtra became amous as Kauravas$ 8andu had two
wives Kunti and 'adri rom whom he begot ive sons=YudhishthirE BhimaE ArCunE 1akul and ,ahdevE
who all grew up to be very powerul and mighty$ All ive o them became amous as 8andavas$ 8anduE
their ather had died while they were still young and 'adriE unable to bear the sorrow had given up her
lie by Cumping into the burning pyre o her dead husband$ ,oE the 8andavas were brought up under the
guardianship o Kunti$
Kauravas and 8andavas were bitter rivals right rom their childhood$ Duryodhan never missed a chance
to torment the 8andavas= his cousins$ Both Kauravas and 8andavas were brought up under the
tutelage o Kripacharya and DronacharyaE both prominent scholars o their times$ %nceE Duryodhan
tried to kill Bhima by poisoning him but ortunately Bhima not only came out unscathed but also with
renewed strength and vigour$ Duryodhan tried his luck or the second time to eliminate his enemies by
setting ablaBe the house o waG in which 8andavas were living but once again they came out
unharmed$ 8andavas then went to K+kchakra 1agarK and took reuge in the house o a Brahmin amily$
A demon named KBakaK used to torment the people o +kchakra 1agar$ Bhima killed that demon and
the people were relieved at the news o their tormentorKs death$ -hereater 8andavas went to attend the
,wayamvar ceremony o Draupadi$ ArCun won Draupadi as his wie by piercing the eye o the ish
hanged above his head by looking at its image in the water=pot kept below$
At the insistence o Dronacharya and BhishmaE Yudhishthir reluctantly agreed to share hal o his
Kingdom with the 8andavas$ -hus 8andavas started living at .ndraprashthE the capital o their newly
acMuired Kingdom$
ArCuna married ,ubhadraE his second wie and the sister o ,ri Krishna$ &e pleased Agni Dev by his
austere penance and received divine weapons like= a divine chariotE *andiv (bow)E imperishable arrows
and an impenetrable shield$ Ater being armed with these divine weapons he successully deeated
many powerul monarchies and gave the whole acMuired wealth to YudhishthirE his elder brother$
Dhrithrashtra invited Yudhishthir or a game o KDyutaK (gamble) but Duryodhan deeated him by
employing unair and deceitul tactics with the active connivance o ,hakuni= his cunning maternal
uncle$ Yudhishthir lost everything in the gamble= his whole wealthE his kingdom and even Draupadi$
8andavas had to go into eGile or twelve years with an additional year o KAgyatwasK(they were not
supposed to be recogniBed during this period) as per the terms and conditions laid down or the game$
Ater completing their total period o eGileE 8andavas reached Virat 1agar to spend their year o
KAgyatwasKE which posed more dangers and challenges because i they were recogniBed during this
period it would have meant another twelve years o eGile or them$
&aving successully completed their period o eGileE 8andavas demanded back their Kingdom but
Duryodhan was not even willing to part away with ive villages$ -hus 8andavas were let with no option
but to ight or their legitimate rights$ Both the rival armies boasted o mighty and brave warriors on their
sides$
Duryodhan appointed Bhishma as the chie commander o his army whereas ,hikhandi was leading
8andavaKs army$ -he irst ten days o the battle saw a ierce ight between both the rival armies during
which period many warriors rom each side achieved martyrdom$ <inallyE while Bhishma lay down
inCuredE his whole body pierced with ArCunaKs arrowsE but still alive because he had received a boon o
K.ccha 'rityuK(death by his choice) prominent warriors rom both sides stood around him$ .t was only
ater the ,un came north o eMuinoG (2ttarayan)E the auspicious time Bhishma had chosen to leave his
mortal body that he died ater preaching the 8andavas on wide range o subCects$
Ater BhishmaKs death Dronacharya led the KauravaKs army$ -his was the most crucial phase o the
battle$ Dronacharya had become so demoraliBed ater his sonKs deathE that he had Cust no motivation
let in him to ight the battle$ <inding an opportune momentE Dhrishtadyumna severed his head and
Kauravas thus lost their most able and eGperienced commander$
Duryodhan appointed Karna as the neGt commander o KauravaKs army$ -he most decisive phase o
the battle began and ater a ierce battle o two days ArCuna managed to kill his brave rival$
,ubseMuentlyE Yudhishthir killed ,halya$
Ater loosing all his mighty warriorsE DuryodhanaE in a it o rage challenged Bhima or a duel o mace$
Bhima killed him ater a ierce ight$ -he revengeul AshwatthamaE son o DronacharyaE attacked the
8andavaKs camp at nightE much against the norms o battle and killed all the ive sons o Draupadi and
thousand o other 8andava soldiers$ ArCuna avenged the death o his sons by deeating Ashwatthama
and eGtracting the diamond set in his orehead$
Ater the battle endedE Yudhishthir perormed the rituals o ,hraddh in the name o all the dead warriors
and ascended the throne$ &e ruled in a Cust manner Cust according to the instructions given by Bhishma$
Ater ,ri Krishna let this mortal worldE Yudhishthir appointed 8arikshit as his successor and let or
&imalaya accompanied by his brothers as well as Draupadi$
1,&11"he Eternal "ruth
-his chapter contains ( sections as ollowsJ
Lord BrahmaE while shedding light on various aspects o religion told sage Vyas that a man should look
at his sorrows (shoka) with a sense o alooness and detachmentE considering it as a passing phase$
&e also revealed to Vyas that the K<ire o sorrowK consumed everything that came into its old and
nothing remained untouched by it$ A sorrowul man becomes beret o all his possessions=knowledgeE
religionE physical strengthE patienceE happiness and all such Mualities$
Lord Brahma also told him that virtuous deeds never went without being rewardedE as all good things
enCoyed by a man in his lie are nothing but the result o his virtuous past KKarmasK$ %n the contrary
sinul deeds committed by a man makes his present as well as his uture births miserable$ <urtherE
gloriying the virtues o some other good deedsE Lord Brahma said=K 8rotecting the lie o a personE
whose lie is endangered and who has sought oneKs reuge is the greatest virtue and no other deed can
be compared with it$ %ne who sheds his lie to protect his religion attains to heaven$
A contented man enCoys even his adversities and remains unperturbed by them$ A man should never
miss a chance to get beneited by the company o enlightened souls because it gives him an
opportunity to understand religion in a better way$ Donating ood begets incomparable virtues and no
other virtuous deed stands anywhere near it$K
Lord Brahma concluded by describing ,anatan Dharma in a nutshell and said=K Anybody observing the
ollowing austerities should be considered an ardent ollower o K,anatan DharmaK= truthE penanceE sel=
controlE purityE orgivenessE compassionE knowledge and donation$
#4$##$# -he ,upreme Yoga
%nceE sage ,haunak asked ,utCi about the reasons behind manKs sorrow$ ,utCi told him that manKs ego and his
attachments to this mortal world were the two most important causes or his sorrow and until he gets rid o them
he will continue to suer$ ,utCi said=K -he K-ree o ignoranceK sprouts rom the seed o K+gotismK and it receives its
nutrition rom sensual pleasures$ %nly those who possess the KAGe o knowledgeK are successul in elling this
K-ree o ignoranceK and eGperience the ecstasy o Divine bliss$ %nce a man has eGperienced this divine bliss he
not only becomes ree rom all kinds o sorrow but is also reed rom the cycles o birthE death and rebirth$ -his
divine link which a man establishes with the Almighty is called K'ahayogaK (-he supreme Yoga)$ ButE those
unortunate people who have not eGperienced this divine bliss continue to get trapped by the worldly illusions
leading to their countless births and deaths$K
,utCi then went on to describe the means by which a man can have a pure heart and said=K Austerities
like meditationE worshipE astsE oblationsE charityE etc$E certainly helps a man in getting rid o all kinds o
impurities$K
#4$##$( Devotion ! -he 8ath Leading to the Almighty
*loriying devotion as the simplest means to reach *odE ,utCi told ,haunak that there was nothing else
that pleased *od more than the unlinching devotion o his devotee in him$ ,utCi said= KA devotee who
chants the holy name o *od acMuires imperishable virtues and attains salvation even i he were a lowly
sinner$ %ne who has surrendered himsel to the will o *od is absolved o all his sins$ +ven KYamaraCK=
-he lord o death has strictly instructed his escorts to spare those who are devotees o Lord Vishnu$
Lord Vishnu himsel has declared that anybody having total devotion in him should be considered as
the most virtuous soul even i he had committed the most heinous o sins$K
<urther hailing the glory o chanting Lord VishnuKs name ,utCi said=K -he mere chanting o Lord VishnuKs
name in KKaliyugaK brings the same virtue what the combined virtues o meditating on him during
K,atyayugaKE chanting his sacred mantras during K-retayugaK and worshipping him during KDwaparyugaK
brought$ A devotee who has nothing but the sacred name o Lord Vishnu on his lips is certain to attain
to Vishnuloka ater becoming ree rom the bondage o this world$ :hanting the divine name o Vishnu
even in dreams is believed to absolve a man o all his sins then what to say about people who
consciously chant his holy name while they are awake$K
-hus ,utCi told sage ,haunak that anybody could attain salvation by simply having total devotion in
Lord Vishnu as it was the most simplest path leading to the Almighty$
1,&1!$ivine )totras
-his chapter contains 0 sections as ollowsJ
#4$#($# 1ri,inha ,totra
-elling about the origin o this KstotraKE ,utCi said=
KLord ,hiva had created this KstotraK praising the glory o Lord 1risinha and invoking him to protect the
world rom the wrath o 'atrikas$ -he KstotraK goes as ollows =
1A'A,-+,-2 @A*A11A-& 1A",.1&A VA82"D&A"O
DA.-+,&6A" +1D"A ,A1&A".1AK&A B&2K-. V."A@.-$
1AK& 'A1DAL ,A'B&.11A &+'8.1*AL V.*"A&O
1A'%,-2 8AD'A1AB&AY ,&%BA&A1AY @A*AD*2"%$
KAL8 A1-A'B&% DA1.*&%,& ,2"YAK%-. ,A'8"AB&AO
,A&A,-"A YA' ,A1-"A, ,A&A,-"+1D"A 8A"AK"A'$
,A&A,-"A D&A1DA,<++- ,A&A,-"A :&A"A1A-'AKAO
,A&A,-"A :&A1D"A 8"A-.' ,A&A,-"A1,2 &A".K"A'$
,A&A,-"A "2D"A -+@A,KA ,A&A,-"A B"A&'A ,A1,-2-O
,A&A,-"A "2D"A ,A1@AA- ,A&A,-"A AK,&A 1.".K,&A1A$
,A&A,-"A @A1'A 'A-&A1A ,A&A,-"A BA1D& '%:&A1O
,A&A,-"A VAY2 V+*A,A ,A&A,-"A A1*A K".8AKA"$
#4$#($( Kulamrit ,totra
,age 1arad once asked Lord ,hiva about the means by which a man could become ree rom the
delusions o the world$ Lord ,hiva revealed to him the contents o KKulamrit stotraKE eulogiBing the
maCesty o Lord Vishnu$ By chanting this KstotraKE 1arad successully attained to that supreme statusE
which even the most enlightened souls can only dream o$ %ne who eulogiBes Lord Vishnu by chanting
this KstotraKE becomes liberated rom all the bondage o the world$ -he KstotraK goes as ollows =
YA,-2 V.,&6A'A1A DYA1-A 'A@A'AA-'A1. ,A1,-&.-A'O
,A"VA*YA 'A:&ALA' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAY+- ,A '2:&Y+-$
D+VA' *A"B&% :&.-A' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAYA1 V.'2:&Y+-O
A,&A"."A' V.D&A-A"A' ,A"VA*YA1 'A1%"A-.'$
A:&ALA' ,A"VA*A' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAY+1 V.'2:&Y+-O
1."V.KAL8A' 1."AB&A,A' 1.,&8"A8A1:&A' 1."A'AYA'$
VA,2D+VA' *2"2' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAY+1 V.'2:&Y+-O
,A"VA-KA' :&A VA. YAVADA-'A :&A.-A1YA "28AKA'$
,&2B&A' +KAK,&A"A' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAY+1 V.'2:&Y+-O
VA'YA-.-A' -".KALA*YA' V.,&V+,&A' L%K,AK,&.1A'$
,A"VA ,'ADY2-A' V.,&12 ,ADA D&YAY+1 V.'2:&Y+-O
B"A&'AD. D+VA *A1D&A"VA. '21.B&.& ,.DD&A :&A"A1A.&$
Y%*.B&.& ,+V.-A' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAY+1 V.'2:&Y+-O
,A1,A" BA1D&A1A1 '2K-. '.:&&A'L+K% D&YA ,&+,&A-A&$
,-2-VA.VA' VA"ADA' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAYA1 V.'2:&Y+-O
,A1,A" BA1D&A1AA- K%8. '2K-. '.:&:&&A1 ,A'A&.-A&$
A1A1- 'A-YAYA' D+VA' V.,&12' V.,&VA 8"A-.,&-&.-.'O
V.,&V+,&6A" 'A,A"A' V.,&12' ,ADA D&YAYA1 V.'2:&Y+-$
#4$#($0 'rityu Ashtak ,totra
Describing the origin o this KstotraKE ,utCi said= KLord Vishnu himsel had taught this powerul KstotraK to
sage 'arkandeya$ -he daily chanting o this powerul mantra had enabled 'arkandeya to conMuer
death$ %ne who daily chants this KstotraK thrice a day enCoys a long lie and never dies a premature
death$ -he KstotraK goes as ollows =
DA'%DA"A' 8"A,A11%,'. K.11% '".-Y2& KA".,&YA-.O
,&A1K& :&AK"A D&A"A' D+VA' VYAK-A "28.1 'A-YAYA'$
AD&%K,&A@A' 8"A8A11%,'. K.11% '".-Y2& KA".,&YA-.O
VA"A&A' VA'A1A' V.,&12' 1AA",.&A' @A1A"DA1A'$
'AD&AVA' :&A 8"A8A11%,'. K.11% '".-Y2& KA".,&YA-.O
82"2,&A' 82,&KA" K,&+-"AB.@A' 821YA' @A*A-8A-.'$
L%K1A-&A' 8"A8A11%,'. K.11% '".-Y2& KA".,&YA-.O
,A&A,-"A ,&."A,A' D+VA' VYAK-A -YAK-A' ,A1A-A1A'$
'A&AY%*A' 8"A8A11%,'. K.11% '".-Y2& KA".,&YA-.O
B&2-A-'A1A' 'A&A-'A1A' YA*YAY%1. 'AY%@.1A'$
V.,&VA"28A' 8"A8A11%,'. K.11% '".-Y2& KA".,&YA-.O
.-Y2D. ".-'A"KA1DYA' ,-%-"A' -A,YA 'A&A-'A1A&$
.-. -+1A @.-% '".-Y2 'A"KA1D+ Y+1 D&.'-AO
8"A,A11+ 821DA".KAK,&+ 1".,.1&+ 1A,-. D2"LAB&A'$
1,&1*)alvation "hrough @oga
-his chapter contains ( sections as ollowsJ
,utCi told sage ,haunak that the ultimate aim o a manKs lie was to attain salvation$ A man can not
attain salvation until and unless he has seen through the trappings o the worldly illusions$ ,utCi
said=K8ractice o Yoga helps a man to live in this world with a sense o detachment and to successully
avoid the allurements o this mortal world$ Yoga comprises o siG organsJ
8ranayam ( Breathing eGercises)E
@apa ( chanting)E
8ratyahar( restraining sense organs)E
Dharana (resolution)E
Dhyan (meditation) and
,amadhi (deep meditation)$
1ot running ater sensual pleasures by having sel=control helps a man in diminishing his sins and
diminishment o sins pleases the deities who give blessings$ Blessings o deities help a man to attain
salvation$ 8ranayamE an important part o Yoga is o two types=K*arbhaK and KAgarbhaK$ 8ranayamE
done with simultaneous chanting o a mantra is called K*arbhaK whereas in KAgarbhaK 8ranayam
mantras are not chanted$
.t is natural or a man to get attracted by worldly pleasures and checking this tendency o the mind is
called K8ratyaharK$ .t is not easy to control the mind and concentrate on anything or a long time but
KDharanaK helps a man to do that$ 6hen a man has successully controlled his sensual desiresE then it
becomes very easy or him to concentrate his mind$ A concentrated mind inds it easy to meditate$
6hen he has mastered meditation it is not much diicult or him to enter into the deep state o
meditation i$e$ K,amadhiK$ .n the state o K,amadhiKE all sense o dualism cease to eGist as one
establishes divine link with the AlmightyE which helps him in eGperiencing indescribable divine bliss$
#4$#0$# ,el "ealiBation
%nceE on being asked by sage 1arad about the means that helped a man in attaining sel realiBationE
Lord Vishnu told him that only those privileged ew who have understood the impermanent nature o
this world and have successully controlled their sensual desires can attain sel realiBation$ All the
mysteries o this 2niverse are unraveled to a man o sel=realiBation and he attains salvation$ Lord
Vishnu said=K .t should be the prime obCective o a man to make incessant eorts so that he can
eGperience this divine knowledge o sel realiBation=the real knowledgeE or every other kind o
knowledge is supericial and o least signiicance$K
Lord Vishnu went on to describe how sel=realiBation could be attained=
KYADA,A"V+ V.'2:&YA1-+ KA'A Y+,&YA &".D. ,-&.-A&O
-ADA'".- -6A 'A81%8A-. @.VA11+VA 1A ,A1,&AYA&$
'eaning= 6hen there is no desire let in the heart then a man is certain to eGperience the divine taste
o this nectar (sel realiBation) in his lie time== and there is no doubt about it$
2nraveling the mystery o 2niverse to sage 1aradE Lord Vishnu said=K KBrahmK is the cause behind this
universe and one who has understood this act can be rightly called a man o sel realiBation$ A man
being under the inluence o his sensual perceptions alsely believes this world to be real and is unable
to understand the real cause behind the eGistence o this worldE which is not the case with a man o
sel=realiBation$ .nstead o searching KwithoutK a man should seek KwithinK because within him eGists the
2niverse Cust like our sense organs perceive them eGternally$ -he whole mystery o 2niverse is
unraveled to a man who makes incessant eorts to undertake this inner Courney or i his eorts are
made with a pure heart and a irm determination then he is sure to reach his goal o sel realiBation one
day or the other$ -he soul (Atma) is KBrahmK but this act becomes apparent only to those privileged
ewE who have attained sel=realiBation$ ,el realiBation illuminates the soul in the same way Cust as a
lightning illuminates the dark sky at night$K
Lord Vishnu went on to describe himsel in the ollowing words=K . am 8ure and beyond the limits o
human intelligence$ . am beyond the coninement o three basic Mualities (,atva gunaE "aCas guna and
-amas guna)$ %nly he can eGperience '+ who possesses an enlightened soul because . maniest
'Y,+L< in the heart o every individual as a divine eulgence in order to drive away the darkness
which enguls it$K
#4$#0$( Brahm=*ita
Anybody who studies the sacred teGts o KBrahm=*itaK is certain to attain salvation or it brilliantly propounds the
theory o divinity o man by proclaiming that in each individual dwells KBrahmK=the supreme Almighty$ +ulogiBing
the glory o KBrahm *itaK Lord Vishnu said=K Brahm=*ita declares that in each individual dwells KBrahmK and one
who has understood this act becomes ree rom the bondage o the world i$e$ attains salvation$ 1obody can deny
the act that *od eGists because the Almighty maniests himsel all around us in various orms both perceptible
and imperceptible$ All the ive elements (spaceE airE waterE ire and earth) are nothing but the maniestations o
Almighty *od$K
K 2nortunatelyE most o the people are unaware o the presence o divinity in them= the eGistence o KBrahmK in
each o them$ -he reason or this is not much diicult to comprehend because this act is so subtle that only
enlightened souls can eGperience it$ &+ lies dormant and cannot be eGperienced until and unless &+ is awakened
by means o austerities and penance$ KBrahmK is ever present in a man and does not abandon him in any o the
three states o his consciousness= while he is awakeE while he is dreaming or even while he is asleep$
Despite being present in every individual he still remains unaected by his deeds because by nature &+ is
eternally pure$ %ne more reason why man is unable to eel the presence o KBrahmK in himsel is his own egoE with
which he alsely develops deep association$ ,oE a person who is desirous o realiBing *od must irst subdue his
ego so that KBrahmK maniests himsel in all his glory$ 6ithout subduing his KegoK a man can never realiBe *od
because the sense o dualism is the greatest impediment in the path o *od realiBation and KegotismK only
strengthen this sense o dualism$K
K%nce man has successully subdued his egoE the dawning o *od realiBation becomes imminent because KBrahmK
now has no problem in maniesting himsel in the changed scenario$ KBrahmK who is absolute truthE eternally pure
and the supreme Almighty$ &+ is the eternal bliss dwelling in each individual= the realiBation which made the
Vedas to proclaim K-atvam AsiK(-hou is me) and who is beyond the coninement o time and space$K
2ltimatelyE Lord Vishnu revealed to sage 1arad that KBrahmK whose glory he had praised was none other than
himsel$
1,&1,(aruda<s Dueries
-his chapter contains ( sections as ollowsJ
,utCi once reached the orest o K1aimisharanyaK in course o his Courney$ 1aimisharanya was a holy
place where sages and hermits went to do penance$ Ater reaching there ,utCi met many prominent
sages who were pleased at his arrival$ -hey took it as a *od sent opportunity to get their doubts
cleared on the mystery called death and what eGactly happened ater a man died$
,age ,haunakE one o those sagesE asked ,utCi=K % "evered ,ageL 6e were Cust awaiting your arrival$
.t seems *od has listened to our prayer$ 6e are conused by so many diverse and contradictory
opinions eGpressed on the mystery o KdeathK and what happens ater death$ ,ome people are o the
belie that a man takes rebirth soon ater his death whereas there are some who believe that a man
ater his death irst goes to KYamlokaK to taste the ruits o his KKarmasK and only then he takes rebirth$
6e reMuest you to clear our doubts and enlighten us on the mystery called death$K
,utCi recounted the tale o *arudaE who had once posed the same Muery to Lord Krishna$ 6hile
narrating the taleE ,utCi said= K*aruda=son o VintaE once decided to get a irst hand eGperience o all the
three KLokasK(worlds)$ Ater visiting all the three worlds he returned to KVaikunth lokaK and narrated his
eGperiences to Lord Krishna$
*aruda said= K Ater visiting all the three KLokasK . ound the +arth (8rithvi) little overcrowded as
compared to other KLokasK$ . also ound that it provided better opportunities to a man both or
materialistic enCoyments as well as his spiritual advancement$ ,oE . have come to the conclusion that
K8rithvilokaK was the best o all the KLokasK in every respect$ ButE all round prevalence o sorrow and
misery in K8rithvilokaK made me sad$
. was really perpleGed to see people perorming compleG rituals ater the death o their relative$ All
these rituals appeared so absurd to me$ . was really amaBed to see people laying down their dead
relatives on the ground$ . could also not understand why a dead body is laid on the bed o KkushaK grass
and sesame seeds$ . witnessed so many rituals that surprised meE or instance . could not understand
the reason why donations are made ater a man dies$ . am puBBled by the mystery called death orE
what becomes o him ater he dies$
-he sight o sons liting the dead body o their ather on their shoulders is still resh in my memory$ .
could not understand the reason why KgheeK(clariied butter) is applied on a dead body or why the
relatives o the deceased chant KYama suktaK acing north$ . was also surprised to see the son o the
deceased being debarred rom having meal along with his other relatives$ % LordL 8lease reveal to me
the signiicance o making Kpinda= daansK orE the signiicance o KtarpanK ritualsN 8lease tell me the
proper method o oering Kpinda daanK and invoking ancestorsN . ind it hard to believe that all the
deeds virtuous or evil committed by a man ollows him ater his death$K
-his way *aruda looded Lord Krishna with a barrage o Muestions and sought clariications on them$
#4$#4$# ,alvation through "ituals
Lord Krishna replied==R . am so delighted that you have asked such important Muestions or the beneit
o mankind$ . am revealing to you the secretsE which were hitherto unknown even to the deities and
yogis$ % *arudaL A man should try to beget a son with the help o means as mentioned in the
scriptures because there is no salvation or a person beret o son$R
Lord Krishna then went on to describe the proper rituals which are perormed ater the death o a man
and said=R <irst o allE the area should be puriied by coating it with a layer o cow=dung$ -his puriied
area is called KmandalK and it is graced by the presence o the K-rinityK== BrahmaE ,hiva and 'ysel$
,esame seeds are then sprinkled on the puriied area and kusha grass is spread$ A person whose
death is imminent is then laid down on the bed o kusha grass$ ,criptures say that a person who does
not leave his mortal body in the above mentioned wayE wanders hither and thither in the orm o a
restless spirit$ 1o amount o rituals can put such a soul to rest$ % *arudaL ,esame seed has
maniested rom my sweat and hence is eGtremely pure$ All kind o evil orces likeE ghostsE spiritsE
demonsE etc$ keep away rom the place where it is used$
,imilarlyE Kusha grass has maniested rom my body hair and is graced by the presence o K-rinityK==
BrahmaE ,hiva and Vishnu$ Deities are satisied i kusha grass is oered to them while ancestors are
satisied by the oerings o sesame seeds$ ,criptures say that i dying man is laid down on the bed o
kusha grass spread on the land puriied by cow=dungE he becomes absolved o all his sins$ -here is a
great signiicance o donating salt ater the death o a person$ ,alt owes its origin to 'e and donating it
helps ancestors in attaining heaven$ Donating salt also helps in reducing the pain and suerings o a
dying man and this is why it is donated along with other articles ater a death o a person$ -he relatives
o the deceased should chant the sacred KYama suktaK acing north because it helps him to attain
liberation$R Lord Krishna then eGplained to *aruda the appropriate way o carrying the corpse to the
cremation ground==R -he dead body should be carried to the cremation ground by the sons an other
relatives o the deceased$ .n the cremation ground the dead body should be kept in such a way that itKs
head should be either towards east or north$ -he pyre should be made either o sandal or KpalashK
wood$R
Describing the eGperiences o the soul when it leaves the bodyE Lord Krishna said==R -he soul leaves
the mortal body with great reluctance because the attachment with the mortal world eGists even ater
his death$ YamdootsE descend down to earth to take the soul o the dying man to Yamloka$ -hose who
have committed grave sins are tied with ropes and taken to Yamloka with great humiliation but virtuous
souls are taken with honour and due respect$ YamraC= the lord o death receives the virtuous soul with
all the honour and respect and metes out punishment to those who had committed sins during their
lives$
.n his dark compleGion and with a bualo as his mount and with a noose and iron stick in his handsE
YamraC appears terriying$ %n the other handE the sight o lieless body appears disgusting and people
try to dispose it o as Muickly as possible because it is worthless without a soul$ ,oE one must try to
make the best use o this mortal body by indulging in good deeds beore the day o his inal Courney
arrives otherwise he would be let with nothing but regrets at the time o his death$
#4$#4$( Death and Ater
:ontinuing with his narrationE Lord Krishna said==R % *arudaL Death comes at the predetermined timeE
which remains iGed and unaltered under all circumstances$ A manKs sense organs become weak and
his body eebleE which gets inlicted with numerous diseases in his old age$ At the time o his deathE
man eGperiences unbearable pain and he begins to loose his consciousness$ Yamdoots arrive and
begin to retrieve the soul rom the body and this aggravates the pain$ 2ltimatelyE the soulE which is not
more than the siBe o a thumbE reluctantly comes out rom the body as the attachment with the world
eGists even ater his death$ ButE a virtuous person does not go through all these painul eGperiences at
the time o his death$ -he soul has to take birth in dierent species as well as go through cycles o
countless birthsE deaths and rebirths in order to taste the ruits o his Karmas$
Describing the signiicance o K8inda daanK ritualsE Lord Vishnu told *aruda that they are perormed so
that manes are satiated$ &e also revealed to him that siG pinda daans are oered to the manes while
perorming the rituals o last rites== R -he irst Kpinda=daanK is made at the place where person has
breathed his last while the secondE thirdE ourthE ith and siGth K8inda daansK are made at the main
entrance o the houseE the nearest cross=roadsE the cremation groundE on the pyre itsel and at the time
o collecting last remains (Asthi) respectively$
Ater reaching the cremation ground the dead body should be laid down with its head towards south$
-he mortal body then should be consigned to lames and ater some time sesame seeds and ghee
should be poured into the burning pyre so that it continues to burn without any problem$ <or the neGt
ten days the relatives coming rom the same gotra o the deceased should observe a period o
KAshauchaK= a period during which he observes strict austerities and avoids social contacts$ -he son o
the deceased is prohibited rom having ood along with his relatives simply because he is believed to be
impure during this period$R
-his wayE being satisied by Lord KrishnaKs answersE *aruda thanked him or clearing whatever doubts
he had in his mind$ Lord Krishna blessed him$
+1D %< *A"2DA 82"A1
1/ "rahmananda Purana
&t is the ei'hteenth %urana1 %resent)* a,ai)ab)e in separate pieces( Adh*atma Rama*ana is a)so inc)uded
in this %urana( but the present ,ersions of Brahmand %urana do not contain Adh*atma Rama*an1 &t has
four parts4 %ra2ri*a( Anushan'a( Upota'hat and Upasamhar1 This %urana is said to be narrated b* Sutaji
on the ban2 of the ri,er Drishd,ati in +a2sh 2shetra -identified /ith Sut)ej in modern Himacha)
%radesh.1 Drom his narration( it is c)ear that Sutaji had heard the %urana from Veda V*asa /ho( in his
turn( recei,ed it from Va*ude,1
Creation of the uni,erse( determination of Ka)pa( differentiation of +u'as( description of Man,antaras(
description of 5ambud/eep and Bharat,arsh( description of Kimpurush1 Anud/eep( Ketumaa) ,arsh etc1
and description of Bharat ,ansha( %rithu ,ansha( De, ,ansh( Rishi ,ansh( A'ni ,ansh and preceptors are
the main topics of Brahmand %urana1
Described in the %urana( Adh*atma Rama*ana has se,en parts1 Dirst part describes the Brahmas/arup
-cosmic appearance. of Shri Rama1 &ncarnation of "ord Rama to re)ie,e the earth from the atrocities of
the demons1 Baa)4)ee)a -chi)dhood p)a*s.1 mancipation of Ahi)*a1 Remo,a) of Bhar'a,aEs
-%arashuramEs. e'o1 Second part contains: "ord RamaEs 'oin' into e9i)e1 Demise of Dashrath1
Aran*a2and describes 2i))in' of the i))usionar* deer and abduction of Sita1 Kish2indha 2hand describes
the 2i))in' of Baa)i1 Search of Sita1 Sundar Khand has the ta)es of HanumanEs entr* into "an2a1 "an2a
2hand contains the description of 2i))in' of Ra,ana and coronation of "ord Rama upon his return to
A*odh*a1 &n Uttar Khand reasons for Ra,anaEs birth ha,e been described1 &t a)so contains the
description of SitaEs desertion b* Rama1 Desertion of "a2shmana1 Coronation of "u, and Kush and
departure of Rama to his ori'ina) Vai2unth )o2a1
-his 8urana consists o GG chaptersJ
1/&1 0hapter
teGt
#9$#$# ,ection
teGt
1, Shrimad "ha;a:ata Purana
-his 8urana contains #( :hapters ! each with many sub=sections$
Introduction
,hrimad Bhagwad is regarded as a delicious ruit o Veda=Kalpa the period o our Yugas during which
Vedas are supposed to be written$ -here is nothing abdicable in ,hrimad Bhagwad$ -he Bhagwadkar
(the orator o ,hrimad Bhagwad) invites all the devotees in the world to relish this great scripture$
,hrimad Bhagwad is a contemporary o VedasO there is a prouse mention o Karm (action)E 2pasana
(worship) and *yan (knowledge) in VedasE but Bhakti (devotion) could not ind a place in Vedas$
,hrimad Bhagwad compensates or this drawbackE or it has vivid and comprehensive description o
Bhakti (devotion)$ 1o actionE worship and knowledge can eGist without devotion$ 8resentation style o
,hrimad Bhagwad is also remarkableO itKs every page is lowing in the stream o devotion$ All the orms
and appearances o *od have been described eGhaustively$ .t is such a benevolent scripture that mere
hearing o it even without getting itKs meaningE is beneicial or the listener$ . however one relects on
the meaning o the contentE it would be a bonus$ -here are many eGamples in the past (when even the
most dreaded sinister received salvation by mere hearing o ,hrimad Bhagwad$ ,inister DhundhukariE
who was in ghost ormE is one such eGample$ King 8arikshit tooE had a sight o his own soul by listening
to ,hrimad Bhagwad$ ,uch eGamples are getting scarcer now days$ +ven then the devotees who really
relish Bhagwad get ree rom the ears o death$
,hrimad Bhagwad makes a man earless$ Dhruv rode the death itsel or his heavenly departure$
8itamah Bheeshma turned away the inevitable death many times$ &enceE those devotees who have
taken a shelter at ,hrimad Bhagwad develop aith in themselves$ -hen they have no ear o death$
,hrimad Bhagwad is an immortal scripture that generates devotion$ .t is a means to ind *od without
Yoga and -apa$
Virtues )i2e unconditiona) )o,e( 'enerosit*( 'race( 2indness and protection of the refu'ee( that are the
adornments of 3od( ha,e been described in simp)e( eas* to 'rasp /a* in Shrimad Bha'/ad1 Virtues of
3od )i2e His p)a*in' and chattin' /ith ordinar* peop)e and he)pin' them in e,er* circumstance
s*mpathetica))*( natura))* attract the peop)e to/ards him1 Bha'/ad ma2es a man free from doubts1 &t is
a supreme creation b* V*asaji1 Bha'/ad is in fact an appearance of !ara*ana1 &t is a comp)ete scripture1
Didd)es 'et 'uidance b* )istenin' to it( /hi)e the infide)s become fidd)e1 ,en the sa'e )i2e Shu2de,ji(
/ho deserted e,er*thin'( cou)dn:t 'i,e up the temptation to hear Shrimad Bha'/ad1 &t is a )ife 'i,er to
a)) 2ind of peop)e1 &t has a beautifu) ba)ance bet/een the practice and a)truism1 &t has a comprehensi,e
content re'ardin' the 2no/)ed'e( action( socia) duties( /omen:s duties( re)i'ion and po)itics etc1 Ha,in'
heard and ref)ected o,er Shrimad Bha'/ad( there remains nothin' to 2no/ then1 &n the present era the
societ* has ne')ected the 2no/)ed'e( de,otion and spiritua)it*1 &t re'ards ph*sica) achie,ements as
e,er*thin'1 Bha'/ad does not forbid or den* the ph*sica) achie,ements( but it 'i,es a messa'e to
ac8uire a ba)anced ,ie/ for them4neither too much indifference nor too much indu)'ence1
TATHA!AT MADHAV TAVAKAH KVACH&T BHRASH+A!T& MAR3AT VAD& BADDH
SAHR&DA&1
TVA+A BH&3U%TA V&CHARA!T& !&RBHA+A V&!A+AKA!&KA%AMURDHA SU%RABH$1
TAVAD RA3A DA+A! STMASTAVAD KARA3R&HAM 3R&HAM
TAVA!M$H$!DHR& !&3AD$ +AVAT KR&SH!A !A T 5A!AM1
Preface
Created b* Maharshi Badra*an an epithet of Ved V*as Shrimad Bha'/ad Mahapuran is an immorta)
herita'e of the /or)d:s ancient )iterature1 &t is no )ess than ambrosia1 Shrimad Bha'/ad is e8ua))*
honored b* the )earned ones( de,otees( sa'es and the metaph*sica) researchers1
Ta)es from the time of the be'innin' of creation to the %ra)a*a Kaa) -The 'reat de)u'e. ha,e been
s2i))fu))* inter/o,en in Shrimad Bha'/ad1 Because of it:s uni8ue( dia)o'ue )i2e presentation st*)e(
Shrimad Bha'/ad is an enc*c)opaedia in itse)f1
VADA!T& TATTATTVAV&DAH TATTVAM +A$3+A!AM DVA+AM #
BRAH!T& %ARA MATMT& BHA3AVA !&T& SHABD+AT #
6ord Bha'/ad )itera))* means 3od or a2in to 3od1 A)) the ,irtues of 3od( therefore and e,en those of
His de,otees are e9pressed b* this seemin')* simp)e /ord( Bha'/ad /hich has been transformed into
an immorta) scripture b* Krishna1
V*asji:
&DAM BHA3VATAM !AM %URA!AM BRAHMA SAMBH&TAM #
UTTAM SH"$R CHAR&TAM CHAKAR BHA36A!ARASH&H ##
Durin' the t/i)i'ht of D/apar +u'a( Maharashi Veda4V*as tau'ht this scripture to his son Shu2de,1
$ri'in of Shrimad Bha'/ad is e,en o)der1 &n the tradition of Shrimad Bha'/ad( 3od !ara*an himse)f
narrated its content to Brahma1 Brahma narrated it to De,arshi !arad /ho preached it to Badra*an V*as1
V*as brou'ht it into scriptura) form and handed it to his son Shu2 De,1 Shu2de,( in his turn( preached
Shrimad Bha'/ad to the 2in' %ari2shit and SUT5&1 Kin' %ari2shit died soon after hearin' it( /hi)e
SUT5& narrated this scripture to the sa'es )i2e Shauna2 et a)1 in !emisharan*a durin' his thousand *ears
sta* there1
%URA! SA!H&TAMTAMR&SH&R!ARA+A!$ AV+A+AM #
!ARADA+ %URA %RAH KR&SH!DVA& %A+!A+ SAH ##
SAVA& MAH+M MAHARA5 BHA3VA! BADRA+A!AH#
&MAM Bha'/ad& %R&TAH SA!H&TAM VD SAMM&TM ##
TAM VAKSHV+ASAV SUT R&SHT&BM+$ !A&M&SHA"A+#
D&R3HSATAR KURUSHRSHTH SAM%USHRAH SHUA!AKAD&BH&M##
The 'reatest feature of Bha'/ad is that it i))ustrates the mutua) but eterna) re)ationship of the 5i,atma
-microcosm. and %ramatma -the supreme sprit1. &t a)so i))ustrates the se)f)ess dedication of the de,otees
and unconditiona) )o,e of 3od for His de,otees1 Thus it introduces one /ith onese)f and hence )eads him
to sa),ation1 The author has beautifu))* /o,en the p)a*s of 3od into enticin' ta)es /ith the he)p of the
*arns of 2no/)ed'e( de,otion and action:
VASUDV BHA3VAT& BHAKT& +$3A %RA+$5&TAH #
5A!+AT+A SHUVA&RA3+AM 3+A!AM CHA +ADHTUKAM ##
VAM %RASA!! MA!AS$ BHA36AD BHAKT&+$3ATAM #
BHA3VATTA TTVA V&3+A!AM MUKT SA!3AS+ 5A+AT ##
This stor* of 3od attracts the )earned ones )i2e Shi,( Sana2( Shu2 etc1 as much as it p)eases the common
peop)e /ho are stric2en /ith man* 2inds of e,i)s1 &t is indeed a /ea)th for the )o,ers of Bha'/ad(
de,otees and other re)i'ious peop)e1
TAV KATHAMR&TAM TA%T 5&VA!AM KAV&BH&R&D&TAM KA"M SHA%AHAM #
SHRAVA! MA!3A"AM SHR&MADATATAM( BHUV&3A!AT&T BHUR&DA 5A!AM ##
Hence( the e9ce))ent( easi)* a,ai)ab)e and simp)e means to 2no/ the se)f are recitin'( rememberin' and
sin'in' in praise of "ord Krishna1 %aramatma -"ord. enters the heart of the de,oted )istener of Hari
Charitra -,irtues of 3od. in ,erba) form and destro*s the b)emishes present there1
SA!K&RT+AMA!$ BHA36A!A!T$ SHR& TA!UBHAV$ V+ASA!AM H& %U!SHAM
%RAV&SHTH CH&!TAM V&DHU !$T+SHSHAM +ATHA TAM$RK$ABHRA M&VAT&VATAH1
&t is c)ear( therefore( that /ithout resortin' to an* other difficu)t and m*sterious means( one can afford
his /e)) bein' simp)* b* ta2in' refu'e at Bha'/ad1 &nstead( dedicatin' himse)f to 3od and rememberin'
Him( one 'ets the )o,e of 3od in his mundane )ife1 Such an achie,ement is rare e,en for 'reat ascetics1
AH$AT&DHA!+A VRA5 3$RAMA!+AM STA!+AMR&TAM %&TMT! T MUDA #
AH$BHA3+AMAH$BHA3+ !A!D 3$R VRA5A&KSAM #
+A!M&CHAM %ARMA!A!DAM %UR!AM BRAMHA SA!ATA!AM ##
11&1 0hapter 1
-his chapter contains #( sub=sections$
VASUDVSUTAM DVAM KA!S CHA!UR MARDA!AM #
DVAK& %ARMA!A!DAM KR&SHAM VA!D 5A3AD 3URUM ##
!ARA+A!AM !AMASKR&T+ !ARAM CHA&V !AR$TTAMAM #
DV& SARAS6AT&M CHA&V TAT$ 5A+ MU!D&RA+T ##
+AH S6A!U BHAVAM4KH&"K SHRUT& SARMKAM DH+ATM D&%MAT&
T&T&RSHATAMTAM$ADAM #
SA!SAR&!AM KARU!AAAH %URA! 3UH+AM TAM V+AS SU!UMU%A+AM& 3URUM
MU!&!AM ##
#;$#$# %beisance to the ,upreme Being
6e meditate to that 8aramatma (,upreme Being) who is the eternal truthO and who creates the
universeE holds it and causes 8ralaya$ &e is the light independence and rom o knowledge in himsel$
&e causes illusions even or the most knowledgeous ones$ YetE &e is ar beyond all the illusions$
.n ,hrimad BhagwadE created by the great sage VyasaCiE -here is a description o the supreme religionE
which is ree rom desire$ -here is also a description o 8aramatmatatva ( the metaphysical entity) that
every pious people with holy spirit must know about$
,hrimad Bhagwad is a delicious and relishing ruit o Vedas$ Because o a touch o ,hri ,hukacharyaKs
lipsE it is impregnated with blissul nectar$ ,oE as long as there is lie in his bodyE a devotee keeps on
relishing this nectar o divine scripture$ .t is easily available right here on the earth itsel$
#;$#$( 8erormance o *yan Yagya
.n the beginning o the KalyugE sages like ,haunak et al organiBed a vast *yan Yagga in the holy
region o the 1aimisharanya$ -he purpose o the yagya was the beneit o the common people and it
was to last or a millennium$ -o Muench the spiritual curiosity o the sagesE ,2-@.E the orator o
8uranasE also arrived there$ <elicitating himE the sages asked ,2-@.E R % great sageE by the grace o
VyasCiE you have learned all the 8uransE historyE religion etc$ You also know about all the other subCects
as well$ ,o kindly narrate the tale which could surely beneit the common people so that they too can
eGperience the real spiritual Coy$R
#;$#$0 ,utCi narrates 8urana
8leased by the curiosity o the sagesE ,2-@. saidE R % great sagesE it is eGtremely auspicious to talk
about Lord Krishna$ %nly by discussing about the *odE can the mind o the people be reed rom
illusions$ Love then begins to emerge in it or *od and it begins to detach itsel rom physical comort
and eGperience the blissul Coy$
#;$#$4 Lord Vishnu ! -he ,ource o All :reation
Dri,en b* the desire( the Adipurush -primiti,e bein'. !ara*an too2 the he)p of his %ra2riti -nature:s
fema)e creationa) force. and 'enerated himse)f in Chaturbhuj -four4armed. from1 And from His na,e)
appeared "ord Brahma( the creator1 That form of 3od /as fu)) of pure truth and from the parts of His
bod*( a)) the "o2as -/or)ds. 'ot e9tension1 Metaph*sicists sa/ the 3od /ith innumerab)e heads( e*es(
arms and )e's1 That end)ess( eterna) Supreme Bein' /as the source of a)) the A,atars -incarnations. and
from the parts of His bod* /ere created 3ods( human bein's( birds anima)s and a)) other creatures1
Drom the a'es( t/ent*4four incarnations of that Supreme bein'( )i2e Sana2adi Kumar( Varah( !arad(
!ar4!ara*ana( Kapi)( Dattatre*a( Rishabhde,( %rithu( Mats*a( Kachchhap( Dhan,antari( Mohini(
!arsinh( Vaman( %arshu Ram( V*as Shri Rama( Ba)arama( Krishna and Buddha ha,e appeared to 'uard
the peop)e and to remo,e the burden from the earth( and to sa),e their de,otees and 'ent)emen1 SUT5&
sa*s( F b)essed are those /ho ha,e unconditiona) )o,e for "ord Vasude,( the )ord of the uni,erse1 Such
peop)e don:t fa)) a'ain and a'ain( in the c*c)es of )ife and death1 Bha'/ad Mahapuran is such a scripture
in /hich the 'reat sa'e VedV*as describes the ho)* and pious ta)es of the 3od1 Dor the benefit of the
peop)e( VedV*as compi)ed this 'reat scripture ta2in' e9tracts of a)) the Vedas( and other ancient
treatises1 Readin'( hearin' or ref)ectin' on /hich( the human bein' inc)ines to de,otion and finds
sa),ation1
SHR&MADBha'/adAM %URA!AMA MA"AM+A DVATSH!AVA!AM %R&+AM #
+ASM&! %ARAM HA!S+A MKAMAMA"A" 3+A!AM %ARAM 3&+AT ##
+ATRA 3+A! V&RA3 BHAKT& SAH&TAM !ASH KAMR+AMA V&SHHR&TAM #
TACHCHHR&VA! V&%ATMA! V&CHARA! %AR$ BHAKT+A V&MUCH+ !!ARAH ##
#;$#$9 -he :reation and :ompilation o the 8urana
,haunkCi askedE R 6hen that tale was compiled in scriptural ormE that was later on related by
,hukdevCi$ 6here was it createdN <or what purpose and by whose inspirationE that scripture was
compiled and how did ,hukdevCiE who was congenital wanderedE came to study this scriptureE and how
he came to see the king 8arikshitN 6hat discussion took place between themNR
6hat ,2-@. narrated to the sagesE orms the main body o the great scripture ,hrimad Bhagwad$=
#;$#$; Ved=Vyas ! -he 8artial .ncarnation
VedvyasCi had appeared in Dwapar Yuga$ &e was the son o 'aharshi 8arashar and ,atyawati then
known as 'atsyagandha$ VyasCi was a partial incarnation o the *od$ VedvyasCi eected a division o
VedasE created 8uranas conceptualiBed history ('ahabharata=which was actually Cotted down by none
other than Lord *anesha$) &e also established dierent aculties or teaching his disciples$ Yet staying
in his hermitage at the banks o the river ,araswatiE he was not satisied with his perormance$
,omething was still writhing within his heart to come out$ ,o he was eelling upset and was unable to
ind a reason or his deCection$ @ust thenE Devarshi 1arad arrived thereE and saw that 'ahatma Vyas
was upset$ As nothing was concealed rom 1aradCiE he told him the reasons or his moroseness$
#;$#$7 1aradCi?s Advice to Ved=Vyas
!aradji to)d him that thou'h he had created 'reat epics( *et a)) of them )ac2 a de,otiona) description of
3od1 That /as /h* his sou) /as sti)) /rithin'1 !aradji a)so su''ested him to describe the ')or* of Hari(
or neither his ,oice( nor his creation /ou)d e,er 'et pure1 De,arshi !arad then narrated the ta)e of 3od
and the ')or* of His de,otees to V*asji and said( F$ 'reat sou)( )oo2 at the effect of de,otion and
compan* of the pious peop)e that & ha,e become De,arshi from an ordinar* son of a maidF
After the departure of !aradji( V*asji sat in meditation and e9perienced the i))usion that cau'ht the )ife1
He a)so e9perienced de,otion1 Thus( his fresh e9perience )ed Ved,*asaji to create this 'reat scripture1
The ,irtues of 3od had such a stron' attraction that()ured b* them( e,en se)f4indu)'ent Shu2de,i ran
bac2 from the jun')es to his father and pra*ed to )et him read that scripture1
HARR3U!A KSH&%TMAT& BHA36A! VAD RA+A!&H #
ADH+A3A! MHR&DAKH+A!AM T&T+AM V&SH!U 5A! %R&+AH ##
%AR&!&SHTH&T$A%& !A&R3U!+ UTTAM SH"$K ""A+A #
3R&HT +TA RA5ARSH AKH+A!AM +AD DH&TVA! ##
Because of their )in2 /ith "ord Shri Krishna( SUT5& narrates the stories of %amda,as( their hea,en)*
departure( coronation of %ari2shit( his a)) round ,ictories etc1 as per their se8uences in Mahabharat1 He
a)so narrates the episodes of Ash/atthama the son of 3uru Drona( /orship of 3od b* Kunti etc1 and
mi'ration of "ord Krishna to D/ara2a1
#;$#$) King 8arikshit encounters Kali Yuga
During his regimeE the king 8arikshit got untoward reports that Kaliyug had entered within the limits o
his otherwise peaceul kingdom$ 6ith a huge armyE 8arikshit at once setout to the spot where Kaliyug
had arrived$ %n the way he saw the religion and the earth in the guises o a bull and a cow respectively$
-he cow was in death=like conditionE while the bull was somehow dragging himsel on one leg only as
its three legs were broken$ &e also saw that a king=likeE but impolite man was beating them ruthlessly
with a stick$ <rom a distanceE the king 8arikshit shouted at the manE RYou scoundrelE why are you
beating such helpless creatures in my kingdomNR ,aying thisE the king 8arikshit drew his sword to kill
the evil Kali$ But the clever Kali ell at the eet o the king$ <or Kali was now in the kingKs reugeE he did
not kill himE but ordered that being an assistant o irreligiousE he should at once leave the kingdom$ Kali
then askedE R % king wherever . goE . ind you ready to kill me with you bow and arrow$ You tell me
where should . go and where should . liveNR -he king allowed Kali to live in ive things== gamblingE
drinking o wineE company o womenE violence and the *old$ ,ince thenE Kali i$e$ the dispute has had a
continuos association with these ive things$ &enceE anybody disirous o sel=improvement must avoid
these ive things which are governed by Kali$
#;$#$/ King 8arikshit dishonors ,age ,hamik
%ne dayE king 8arikshit went on a hunting eGcursion$ -ill noonE he could not ind a game$ &e was
eeling restless because o hungerE thirst and atigue$ ,earching water and shelter the king reached the
hermitage o the sage ,hamik$ ,hamik was in deep meditation so he did not welcome the king$ <or the
irst time the king 8arikshit grew angry with a Brahmin$ As a revenge and to show his anger he hanged
a dead snake around the sageKs neck$
'aharshi ,hamikKs son ,hringi was also an eluent person$ 6hen he came to know about his atherKs
insult by the king 8arikshitE he cursed him that on the seventh day rom that momentE -akshakE the
1aga would bite the king or his violation o kingly glory$ -here in the capitalE king 8arikshit realiBed his
mistake and elt sorry or his deed$ But he welcomed the curse$ -ranserring the kingdom to his son
@anameCayE king 8arikshit reached the banks o the river *anges and sat there on a ast unto death$
Very soon all the great sages and kings began to throng there$ King 8arikshit welcomed them and
begged them to recite the plays o *od or him$ &e also asked what a creature ought to do alwaysE and
what were the duties o those who ace an imminent death$
#;$#$#3 ,hukhdevCi?s Arrival
At that moment the e,er4/anderin'( indifferent4natured sa'e Shu2de,ji a)so arri,ed there1 He /as se)f
indu)'ent and free from the bonda'es of ashrams -phases of )ife.1 He /as then on)* si9teen *ears o)d but
appeared 8uite radiant and 'racefu)1
TATRA BHAVAD BHA3VA! V&AS %UTR$( +ADR&CHCHHA+A 3AMARMA!$
A!$+SHAH #
A"ASKH+"&!3$ !&5"ABHTUSHT$ VR&TASHCH BA"A&RAVADH$$T VSHAH ##
SH+AMAM SADA+&CH+ VA+$A!3 "AKSHM+A( STR&!AM MA!$ 3+AM RUCH&R
SM&T! #
%RAT+ATTH&TAST MA!U+AH S6AS!MTAH( TAT"AKSHA!A3+A A%& 3URH VARCH
SAM ##
Shu2de,ji /as an honorab)e fi'ure e,en for the sa'es /ho had 'athered there as 'ust themse),es1 Kin'
%ari2shit forma))* /e)comed and /orshiped Shu2de,ji and offered him a comfortab)e seat1 Kin'
%ari2shit then pra*ed to him( F $ sa'e( "ord Krishna is definite)* p)eased /ith me1 That:s /h* He has
sent a 'reat sa'e )i2e *ou to sa),e a /retched person )i2e me1 So( $ Mahatma -the 'reat sou).( 2ind)*
remo,e m* doubts and 'uide me re'ardin' the duties of a human4bein'E 6hat shou)d one ac8uire and
/hat shou)d one dropEF
11&! 0hapter !
-his chapter is very short ! containing only ( sub=sections$
#;$($# :ontents o this :hapter
Shri Shu2de,ji sa*s :$ Kin'( ordinar* peop)e )itera))* /aste their )i,es in pett* matters )i2e use)ess
discussions( /orr*( s)eep and feedin' themse),es1 Those /ho /ish to con8uer their fears( $ %ari2shit(
must )isten to( recite and remember the ta)es that depict the p)a*s of "ord Shri Krishna1 The human birth
can be successfu) on)* if b* an* means one has a remembrance of 3od in his )ast moments1 A)) the
scriptures a)so dictate the same doctrine:
TASMAD BHARAT SARVATMA BHA36A!&SHVAS HAR&H ##
SHR$TAV+AH K&RT& TAV+ASHCH SMARTAV +ASHCH CHCHHA TAMA+AM #
TAVA! SHA!KH+ +$3ABH+AM S6ADHRM %AR&!&SHTHA+A #
5A!M "ABHAH %ARAH %U!SAMA!T !ARA+A! SMR&T&H ##
TA!!!&RV& D+AMA!A !AM&CHCHH TAMKUT$BHA+AM #
+$3&!AM !R&%A!&R!&TAM HARR !A MA!UK&RTA!AM ##
$ne shou)d remember the hu'e( macro as /e)) as micro form of the omnipresent 3od( and must not )on'
for the ph*sica) objects1 Shu2de,ji then re,ea)ed the 2inds of Mu2ti -sa),ation. as to)d in Vedas and
said: :$ Kin'( there is no other /a* as beneficia) as the means to achie,e the affectionate de,otion of
"ord Vasude,1 Hence( e,er* human bein' must in a)) circumstances( use his mi'ht in )istenin' to(
recitin' and rememberin' the name of "ord Shrihari1
TASMAT SARVATMA!A RA5A! HAR&H SARVATR SARVADA #
SHR$TAV+AH K&RT&TAV+ASHCH SMARTA!+$ BHA36A!!R&!AM##
Thou'h as per the interest( nature( and the desires of different peop)e( and p)eased b* their /orship(
man* 'ods ob)i'e their de,otees /ithin their po/ers1 But materia)iBation of mundane desires of the
innocent peop)e has disastrous conse8uences1 "earned peop)e( therefore( /hether the* ha,e or ha,en:t
an* desire( /orship %urushottam 3od /ith fer,ent de,otion1
AKAMAH SARUKAM$ VA M$KSHKAM UDARDH&H #
T&UR! BHAKT& +$3! +A5T %URUSHAM %ARAM ##
#;$($( :reation o the 6orld
The 2in' %ari2shit fe)t e9treme p)easure /hen Shu2de,ji satisfied his 8ueries1 He then be'an to fee)
submer'ed in the stream of Bha'/ad Katha -ta)e of the 3od.1 His se)fish /orries re'ardin' his o/n
benefits e9isted no more1 He insisted a'ain: $ Brahmin( no/ 2ind)* e9p)ain ho/ does the 3od create
the uni,erse out of i))usions1 Ho/ does He preser,e the uni,erseE Ho/ does He destro* itE At the
instance of the 2in'( Shu2de,ji contemp)ated on the 3od and presented the dia)o'ue of Brahma and
!arad that i))ustrates the Maitre*a nature of the creation1
Brahamaji had preached !arad that because of %aramatma:s -Supreme Bein'. desire of creation( this
uni,erse into e9istence from the primiti,e e)ements1 "ord Brahma a)so to)d that after creatin' the
uni,erse 3od himse)f entered it1 Hence( the /ho)e uni,erse is a manifestation of 3od:s infinite
appearance1 His ,irtues can not be counted1 But( to sho/ his presence( !ara*an ta2es ,arious
incarnations and appears on earth time and a'ain1 Mere)*( b* )istenin' to ,arious beautifu) and enticin'
p)a*s of 3od( the mind( ,oice( thou'hts and the sou) of a human bein' become ho)*1
%RAV&SHTHAH KAR! RA! DHR! S6A!AM BHAV SAR$RUHAM #
DHU!$T& SHAMA"AM KR&SH! SA"&"AS+ +ATHA SHARAT ##
%ari2shit a'ain put forth man* ne/ 8ueries re'ardin' creation1 Shu2de,ji re)ated the e,ents )i2e
emer'ence of Brahamji on a )otus that cropped up from the na,e) of "ord Vishnu( si'htin' of "ord
Vishnu:s abode b* "ord Brahma( preachin' of Bha'/ad to "ord Brahma b* "ord Vishnu and
Dash)a2shan -ten indents. of Bha'/ad etc1
A-& ,A"*%V.,A"*A,&:& ,-&A1A' 8%,&1A'2-AYA& S
'A1VA1-A"+ ,&A12KA-&A 1."%D&% '2K-."A,&"AYA& SS
DA,&A'A,Y V.,&2DDAYA"-&A' 1AVA1A'.' LAK,&A1A' S
11&* 0hapter *
-his chapter contains ) sub=sections$
#;$0$# :ontents o the third :hapter
V.D2"%DD&AV ,A1VADA& K,&A-"'A.-"+Y Y%,-A-&A S
82"A1 ,A1&.-A 8"A,&1% 'A&A 82"2,& ,A1A-&.-.& SS
AVA-A"% BhagwadA& KA8.LA,Y 'A&A-'A1A& S
D+V&2-YA,&:& ,A1VAD& KA8.L+1 :&A D&.'A-A SS
#;$0$( Vidur warns Dhritarashtra
Shri Shu2de,ji sa*s( F$ %ari2shit( Vidurji deserted his home)* comforts and )u9uries because he had to
protest a'ainst injustice1F 6hen( after )osin' in the 'ame of dice( the %anda,as successfu))* passed the
period of their e9i)e and sta* in 'uise( and /ere denied e,en then of their ri'htfu) share in the 2in'dom(
Vidurji /as summoned for consu)tations1 Vidurji had then su''ested Dhritrashtra thus F$ 2in'( if *ou
/ish to sa,e *our fami)*( *ou p)ease abandon Dur*odhan /ho is an embodiment of a)) the e,i)s1 He is
jea)ous of none other than "ord Krishna1 That is /h* *ou are 'ettin' du)) da* b* da* and )oosin' *our
radiance1F These /ords infuriated Dur*odhan so much so that he be'an to abusi,e)* insu)t Vidurji1 But(
Vidurji didn:t mind his /ords e,en thou'h he fe)t serious)* hurt at heart1 Acceptin' his insu)t as a p)a*
of 3od( Vidurji si)ent)* )eft Hastinapur and /ent on a pi)'rima'e1
3AM %AR+ATA! +DH+AV&V&KTVR&T&H #
SADA%"UT$ADHAH SHA+A!$AVADHUTAH ##
A"AKSH&TAH SVA&RAVDHUT VSH$ #
VRATA!& CHR HAR&T$SHA!A!& ##
#;$0$0 Vidur comes to know about Kaurava?s Destruction
-ravelling through various pilgrimage placesE VidurCi reached 8rabhas region where he got the news o
total destruction o the Kaurvas$ -he news deeply moved him$ .n search o solaceE he continued to
wander rom one place o pilgrimage to another place$ During his wanderingE when he reached the
banks o the river YamunaE VidurCi met 2ddhavCi the selless and calm server o *od$ -hey both met
aectionately and enMuired about the wellbeing o each other$ -hey were both relecting on the plays o
Lord Krishna and eeling eGtreme Coy$ VidurCi had also got the news o departure o Lord Krishna to his
abode and destruction o Yadavas by ierce inightings$ ,o he was eGtremely depressed also$ 2ddhavCi
told him that Lord Krishna himsel had bestowed &is grace on him and preached Bhagwad gyanE which
&e had once preached to Lord Brahma$ By the dictate o LordE 2ddhavCi was going to Badrikasharma$
,o he suggested VidurCi to see 'aitreya or the metaphysical knowledgeE or beore departing to his
abodeE Lord Krishna had dictated him ('aitreya) to preach Bhagwad to VidurCi$ As per the suggestionE
VidurCi reached &aridwar and saw the sage 'aitrey on the banks o the river *anges$
#;$0$4 Vidur meets 'aitrey
The pious Vidurji respectfu))* 'reeted the sa'e Maitre*a and said( F$ )ord( the peop)e in this /or)d
perform ,arious actions /ith a desire to ha,e p)easure1 But neither do the* 'et p)easure nor is their
sorro/ remo,ed1 Their sorro/ increases instead1 6hat is 'ood then( is this conte9tE
SUKMA+ KARMA!& KAR$T& "$K #
!A TA&H SUKMAM VA!+ADU%ARAMA! VA ##
V&!DTMU+AS TAT $VAM DUKHAM #
+ADATR +UKTAM BHA36A! VAD!!AM ##
$ 'reat amon' the sa'es( 2ind)* preach me the /a* to peace( fo))o/in' /hich( one meets the 3od /ho
then ta2es abode in the heart of his de,otee and insti))s in him the Santan 3*an -eterna) 2no/)ed'e. that
)ets the de,otee fee) the direct presence of Him1
TAT SADHU VAR+AD&SH VARTM SHAM !AH( SAMRADH&T$ BHA36A! +! %U!SAM ##
HR&DSTH&T$ +ACHCHHAT& BHAKT& %UT( 3+A!AM SATA TVADH& 3AMAM %URA!AM ##
Thus as2ed /ith de,otion b* Vidurji( Mahatma Maitre*a i))uminated the ')or* of 3od and other e,ents
)i2e creation of uni,erse b* i))usion and ori'in of co)ossus bod*( and said: !o one can measure the
eterna) ')or* of 3od and the i))usions created b* Him1
&n the be'innin' 3od created the primiti,e e)ements and the f)a/s associated /ith them1 Then he created
the co)ossus uni,erse and entered it1
#;$0$9 Description o #3 6ays o :reation by 'aitrey
#$ By the inspiration o *od and because o imbalance in pious virtuesE creation o 'ahattatva (the
soul) was the irst ('ahattatva the soul)$
($ <rom 'ahattatva (the soul) originates Ahankaar (the ego) which generates ive primitive
elements (the earthE the ireE the airE the water and the ether)E sense organs and motor organs$
0$ *roup o -anmatras (the subtle orms o matter) that generate the ive maCor elementsE is the
third creation$
4$ :reation o organs that have the power o sensing and moving is the ourth creation$
9$ :reation o the mind that governs the senses and was appeared rom egoE is the ith creation$
;$ Appearance o mind and the illusions that misguide itE is the siGth creation$
7$ -he above mentioned siG creations are known as natural creations also$ :reatures other than
these siG have no power o knowledgeE they can eGperience the touch only$ -hese creatures like
trees and other vegetables are known as the seventh creation$
)$ +ighth creation is o the birds and animals$
/$ 1inth creation is o those human beings who seek pleasure in action and luGuries which are
inact the cause o sorrow$
#3$ -enth creation is o the great sages like ,anatkumar etc$ -hus at the beginning o the KalpE *od
the creator used "aCogunas (royal virtues) to create himsel in the orm o the universe$
Maitre*aji sa*s( F This /ho)e creation is a manifestation of the p)a*s of 3od1 That omnipotent 3od
created the uni,erse just b* His /ish and for the sa2e of His p)a*1 Dor the e9tension of the creation( "ord
Brahma /ished and create four sons4Sana2( Sanandan( Sanatan and Sanat2umar1
Thereafter( /ith a desire to create /or)d( "ord Brahma ordered them to produce popu)ation1 But "ord
Brahma:s sons had no interest in /ordi)* affairs1 "ord Brahma therefore cursed them to remain in
chi)dren:s form for e,er1 Then from "ord Brahma:s e*ebro/s appeared a bab*( b)ue4red in co)or1 The
bab* appeared in e)e,en forms and be'an to cr* immediate)* after his arri,a)1 "ord Brahma conso)ed
himA FDon:t cr* m* son( *ou /i)) be named as Rundra1F So the e)e,en forms of the bab* came to be
2no/n as e)e,en Rundras1 Rundranis -fema)e Rundra. /ere a)so created1 Drom Tamas %ra2riti
-ma)i'nant nature. Rundra created the 'hosts( the spoo2s( the spectres( the de,i)s( )amias etc1 Afraid b*
their appearances( "ord Brahma pra*ed Rudra( F $ Mahade,( p)ease stop creatin' such formidab)e
or'anisms1 The* are a)read* enou'h in number1 !o/( *ou p)ease underta2e penance to comfort a)) the
creatures1F
Thereafter( "ord Brahma created ten more sons4Marichi( Bhri'u( Kratu( %u)ah( %u)ats*a( An'ira( Atri(
Vashishtha( Da2sh and !arad1 !ine out of them too2 permission for the creation of their offsprin's( but
!arad accepted ce)ibac* and reso),ed to preach Bha'/ad bha2ti -de,otion for 3od1.
Dor the continuation of the creation( "ord himse)f appeared as a fema)e from the )eft hand and as a ma)e
from the ri'ht hand of "ord Brahma1 Those ma)es and fema)es forms /ere named Manu and Shatarupa
respecti,e)*1 The* /ere the first in the /ho)e creation to copu)ate and brin' about se9ua) reproduction1
The* be'ot t/o sons4 %ri*,rat and Uttanapad( and three dau'hters4 De,huti( A2uti and %rasuti1 As the
primiti,e 2in'( Manu /as the fosterer of the earth1 B* then a demon named Hiran*a2sh abducted the
earth and hid it under the ab*ssima) depth of the ocean( causin' /orries for "ord Brahma1 &nstant)* "ord
appeared himse)f in Varah -boar. incarnation and to do a/a* /ith "ord Brahma:s /orries( He at once
entered the depth of the ocean and rescued the earth on His )on' teeth1 $n the /a* the "ord had an
encounter /ith Hiran*a2sh and 2i))ed the demon /ith His /hee)1
'aitreyaJ says &iranyaksh represented anger$ -hose who donKt want to discharge their dutiesE but still
wish to live with all the comorts are abductors o others wealth$ ,uch peopleE who continuously
interere with eMual distribution o wealthE must be condemned as the demons$
%n the origin o the demonsE 'aitreya cryptic saidE once DitiE the wie 'aharshi KashyapE eGpressed
her desire to conceive$ 'aharshi Kashyap tried to disuade her that time was not suitable or an
auspicious Cob like conception$ But Diti kept on insisting and orced her husband shamelessly to assist
her in the process$ :onseMuently she conceived during the dusk$ KashyapCi cautioned her Ryou will give
birth to the demons$R And with the arrival o the demons in DitiKs wombE nature began to maniest
hersel adversely$
-here was terror and amine all aroundE and darkness prevailed even during dayE with stars appearing
in the sky$ <rightened by these maniestationsE the gods asked Lord Brahma about the reason o all
those disturbances$ Lord Brahma inormed them that two dread demons were to take birth rom Diti$
-hose two demonsE told Lord BrahmaE were the two gatekeepers== @ay=ViCayE o the LordKs abode$
%nceE ,anakadi Kumar had gone to Vaikunthdham (the abode o *od) to see *od but those two
gatekeepers didnKt let them in$ ,anakadi tried thriceE but only to be stymied every time by those two
gatekeepers at the gates$ &enceE ,anakadi Kumar cursed them to take birth on earth as demons$
-hose two gatekeepers o the *odKs abode @ay=ViCay appeared irst as &iranyakashipu and
&iranyakshaE second time as "avan and Kumbhkuran and third time as Duntvakra and ,hishupal$
#;$0$; ,age Kardam
:ontinuing the process o creationE Brahma produced ,age Kardam rom his shadow and asked him to
observe penance irst$ -hereaterE Brahma dictated Kardam to acMuire physical strength and the
strength o his sense and undertake the process o creating his osprings$ As per his atherKs dictateE
Kardam observed severe penance$ 8leased by his selless penanceE *od asked Kardam to seek a
boon$ Karadam saidE RLord all the things in the world are ephemeralO only youKre eternal$ .t will be an
abuse o the intelligence to beg or some ephemeral thing rom an eternal *od$R
%verwhelmed by KardamKs plain wordsE *od said in benediction K%n the third day rom now you will be
married to DevhutiE the daughter o 'anu$ 1ine daughters will take birth in your home$ . will mysel
appear as your sonK ,aying thisE *od disappeared$ As per the boon Kardam got married to DevhutiE the
daughter o 'anu$ -heir ormal marriage was the irst o itKs kind in the creationE adopted as a
religiously accepted means or continuation o lie$ Donating their daughter Devhuti to the sage KardamE
'anu and ,hatarupa returned to their abode$ As 'ata 8arvati used to serve Lord Lord ,hivaE similarly
Devhuti served Kardam with dedication$
%nce the sage Kardam noticed that Devhuti has aged and shriveled by harsh living$ 8leased by her
dedicationE Kardam asked her to seek a boon$ Devhuti only begged that there should never be any
lethargy in any service on her part towards him$ 8leased again by her pure eelings Kardam provided
her with heavenly luGuries$ -ogether they enCoyed those luGuries or many years during which nine
daughters were born to them$ All those daughters symbolised the 1avadha Bhakti (nine kinds o
devotion) and were married to nine 8raCapatis like 'arichi etc$ -hus kala was married to 'arichiE
Anusuya to AtriE ,hraddha to AngiraE &avirbhu to 8ulatsyaE *ati to 8ulahE ,hanti to AtharvaE Krita to
KratuE Khyati to Bhrigu and Arundhati was married to the sage Vashishtha$
#;$0$7 Lord Kapil
Married )ife of Kardam and De,huti is a )esson for a)) the ci,i)iBed coup)es of the /or)d1 Abidin' to the
)imits of human beha,iour in married )ife is a 'uarantee for the /e))bein' of the coup)e1 6ithout re)i'ion
and mora)it*( a man is not more than an anima)1 Kardam and De,huti fo))o/ed strict ru)es to /e)come
the arri,a) of eterna) 3od1 Thus( in due time( 3od appeared as their son1 6ith His arri,a) the 'ods
sho/ered f)o/ers1 "ord Brahma a)on'/ith his sons /e)comed the 3od and said :$ pious dau'hter of
Manu( Shri Hari has arri,ed as *our son1 He /i)) destro* the )ust( and i))usion and /i)) preach his o/n
phi)osoph*1 He /i)) be 2no/n in the /or)d as Kapi)1
SH MA!V&T 3ARBH %RAV&SHTAH KA&V MARDA!AH #
AV&D+A SA!SHA +A 3RA!TH& CHH&TVA 3AMV&CHAR&SH+AT& ##
A+AM S&DDH 3A!ADH&SHAH SHA!KH+ACHAR+$H SUSAMMATAH #
"$K KA%&" &T+A KH+AM 3A!TAT K&RT& VARDHA!AH ##
6orshipin' the )ord Kapi)( sa'e Kardam said :$ )ord( b* *our 'race( &:m free no/ from a)) the three
ob)i'ations and a)) m* desires are no/ 'ranted1: 6ith these /ords( Kardam too2 to asceticism1
#;$0$) Lord Kapil 8reaches 'etaphysical Knowledge to Devhuti
Mata De,huti pra*ed )ord Kapi) to preach the /a* for the benefaction of the sou)( /hich is attached /ith
ephimera) bod*1 "ord said :$ mother( Adha*atma +o'a -spiritua) conju'ation. is the main /a* of
benefaction for the human bein's1 6ith de,otion for me( sou) becomes se)f42no/in'1 Tota) de,otion of
the sou) in m* form and ,irtues and )istenin' m* ta)es( unmista2ab)* sho/ de,otion1 This )eads to an
inseparab)e rapport bet/een m* de,otee and me1 This is the 'reatest benefaction for the humans1
TAVA!V "$KASM&! %U!SAM !&SHR+ S$DA+AH #
T&VR! BHAKT& +$3! MA!$MAR+AR%&TAM STH&RAM ##
The /or)d is )i2e an ocean of death and & cause sa),ation of those /ho 'i,e up a)) their )usts and recite
m* name /ith fer,ent de,otion1 This /ho)e nature has different forms( but it is ephimera) and constant)*
chan'in'1 &t has t/ent*4four di,isions4fi,e major e)ements -ether( air( fire( /ater and earth.0 fi,e sou)s
-sound( touch( appearance( f)uid and sme)).0 fi,e sense or'ans -e*es( nose( ears( ton'ue and s2in.0 fi,e
motor or'ans -mouth( hands( )e's( penis and bones. and mind( inte))i'ence( conscience and e'o1
That omnipresent %urush -an epithet of 3od. ,o)untari)* accepted %ra2riti -an epithet for fema)e force.1
Drom her ,arious ,irtues( %ra2riti created ,arious creatures that corresponded e9act)* to the ,irtues that
caused their creation1 &n the mess( the mant)e that co,ered the 2no/)ed'e a)so caused i))usion for the
5i,atma -microcosm of omnipotent spirit. /hich thus for'ot his ori'ina) appearance1
-he creature then began to assume the nature as a relection o his own appearance== though she is
dierent rom and opposite to him== and himsel as the doer$ ,uch an ego regarding ones duties leads
to his entanglement in the cycles o lie and death$ Dierentiating between the 8rakriti and 8urush and
eGperiencing their real appearances respectivelyE introspecting sages have had a sight o the ,upreme
Being through their conscience and achieve the unparrlel Brahma 8ada$
Lord Kapil saysE R-hrough the union o the sperm and the ovumE the human body appears as a lump in
the womb$ &is body orms completely within siG months$ ,ense organs develop thereater$ -wenty ith
elementE the soulE then enters the human body$ 6ith thatE the body begins to eGperience hunger and
thirst$ -hen suering with many kinds o desiresE the microcosm prays me to save him rom the tortures
o staying in the womb$ . present him with a sight o me in his heart$
.t then takes birth because o my grace$ But as soon as it appears on the earh the human being begins
to orget me$ ,tillE . present him with my sight or two to three months moreE when he begins to laugh$
But people arooound him think that he is laughing or his mother$ 1obody reminds him o me in his
childhood$ Youth o a human being passes in utile activities$ .n old ageE his organs begin to ail and a
human being inds himsel unable to recite my name$ -husE the whole lie o a human being Cust passes
in the illusion o K.KE KmeK and KmyK and he reaches his last stageE and begins to realiBe his mistake$ But
then it is usually too late or him to do anything or his beneaction$ . he has done any good deed in lieE
he may meet ortuneE but without a devotion or meE no one can be happy$ %nly when the soul comes in
my reugeE he gets ree rom the bondages o lie and death$
'aitre saysE % VidurE thereater Devhuti concentrated her mind in the divine appearance o ,hri &ariE
as presented by Lord Kapil$ At onceE she got ree rom all the suerings$ ,he got a sight o *od in her
conscience and her body transormed into a holy river$ -he place where 'ata Devhuti received
salvation is still known as ,iddhi 8ada$ .t is a renowned place o pilgrimage$
11&, 0hapter ,
-his chapter contains 9 sub=sections$
#;$4$# Description o the :lans o 'anu?s Daughters
'aitrey then related the description o the 'anuKs daughters$ 'anu and ,hatarupa had three
daughters= AkutiE Devhuti and 8rasuti$ Akuti was married to a 8raCapati named "uchi$ -hey begot two
children== a son and a daughter$ -he son later on came to be known as Yagyavatar o Lord 1arayanaE
while the daughter was named Dakshina$ .n due courseE Yagya and Dakshina begot twelve sons=
-osh E 8ratoshE ,antoshE BhadraE ,hantiE .ndrapatiE .dhmE KaviE VibhuE ,wanhE ,udev and "ochan$
'anuKs second daughter Devhuti was married to the sage Kardam$ -hey begot nine daughters who
were marriedE in due course to nine 8raCapatis$ %ne o themE named KalaE was married to the sage
'arichi$ -hey begot Kashyap and 8urnima$ -heir osprings comprise todayKs population o the entire
world$ *ati was the wie o 8ulah$ -hey begot three sons KarmshreshthaE Variyan and ,ahishnu$
8leased by the penance o Ansuya and AtriE the -ridevas (trinity o BrahmaE Vishnu and Lord ,hiva)
sent their parts as the sons to the hermit couple$ Among them :handrama appeared rom BrahmaKs
partE Dattatreya rom Vishnus part and sage Durvasa appeared rom Lord ,hivaKs part$
-o ,hardha and Angira were born our daughters= ,imivaliE KuhuE "aka and Anumati$ -hey begot two
sons also= 2tathya and Brihaspati$ &avirbhu was married to 8ulastya$ -hey begot two sons= Agastya
and Vishrava$ .n later courseE sage Vishrava produced YakshraC Kuber rom .dvidaE while his second
wie Keshini gave birth to "avanE Kumbhkaran and Vibhishan$
Vashishth and his wie Arundhati begot seven Bramarishis like :hitraketu$ ,age Atharva and his wie
:hitti begot a son -aponishth$ *eat sage Bhrigu and his wie Khyati begot two sons= Dhata and
VidhataE and a daughter= ,hri$
'anuKs third daughter 8rasuti was married to DakshE the son o Lord Brahma$ ,he got siGteen
daughters$ Daksh married thirteen o them to Dharm$ % the remaining three daughtersE one was
married to AgniE one to 8itrgana and one to Lord Lord ,hiva$ ,hraddhaE 'aitriE DayaE ,hantiE -ushtiE
8ushtiE KriyaE 2nnatiE BuddhiE 'edhaE -itikshaE &ree and 'urti are the wives o Dharma$ % these 'urti
begot the sages 1ar=1arayan$ ,waha the wie o Agni begot three sons= 8avakE 8awaman and ,huchi$
-wo daughters were born to ,wadha the wie o 8itrganas$ -hey were named Dharini and Vayuna$
-hese both daughters were Brahma vadinis (eGpounders o vedas$) ,atiE the youngest daughter o
Daksh and wie o 'ahadevE however could not begot any ospring because she had committed
immolation in her youth as a protest against her atherKs misbehaviour with her husband 'ahadev$
#;$4$( 'isbehavior o DakshapraCapati with Lord ,hiva
Vidur asked 'aitreyJ KLord ,hiva is an idol o peace$ &e has no enemity with anyone$ &e is sel
indulgent 6hy did then Daksh 8raCapati misbehave with &imN
'aitrey saidE R %nce a meeting o Brahmavadis (eGpounders o vedas) was organiBed$ Alongwith all the
gods Lord ,hiva and Brahma were also present in the meeting$ Because o being a 8raCapatiE Daksh
was allowed a late entry in the meeting$ 'oreoverE when Daksh did arriveE all the godsE eGcept Brahma
and Lord ,hivaE stood up to pay him regards$ &onor by thousands o gods did not please Daksh as
much as he elt insulted the by behaviour o Lord ,hiva$
Brahma was the ather o DakshE so he didnKt mind his behaviour$ But seeing Lord ,hiva sitting there
and not paying due respect to himE Daksh got angry$ &e saidE R&e is like my disciple$ .Kve married my
daughter to him but he is uncourteous and irreligious$ . committed a blunder by marrying my daughter
to him$ &e smears ashes o pyre and roams at the cremation sites$ %nly the ghosts are his
companions$R -husE Daksh cursed Lord ,hiva$ R'ay this Lord ,hiva not get his due share alongwith the
*ods in oblations$R
1andiE the prominent among Lord ,hivaKs serversE cursed Daksh in retaliationJ R'ay the unwise Daksh
lose his mind and be like an animal always bound to a woman$R -hereater indignant Lord ,hiva at
once let the meeting alongwith his ollowers$ But still Daksh didnKt put the matter at rest$ -o behumble
Lord ,hivaEhe organised a grand yagya named Barhaspati$ All the BrahmarishisE devarishisE pitarsE
gods etc$ attended the yagya alongwith their wives$
<rom her abode on KailashE ,ati saw all the gods going through air to the grand occasion$ ,he also
learned about the grand yagya organised by her ather Daksh$ %ut o curiosityE she insisted her
husband Lord Lord ,hivaE R% VamdevE your ather=in=lawE Daksh 8raCapati has organised a grand east$
. you wishE should we also go there to attend the east$ . desire to see my beloved motherE sistersE and
other relatives$R Lord ,hiva repliedL R% beautiulE though one may go without invitation to his parentsK
homeE may visit teachers and siblings$ But your ather resents me$ ,o it is not good i we go there
uninvited$ . will not tolerate i he humiliates you$ ,oE you should not go thereE because a humiliation by a
near one may cause immediate death$K
.n actE ,ati had a logical mindE while Lord ,hiva gave more weightage to aith than logic$
,ati even had a doubt regarding *odKs incarnation as Lord "amaE that how could 8arbrahma
8armatmaE who is the ather o allE be a son o any human being$ 'oreoverE how could the ,upreme
Being be in so much sorrow because o his wieKs separation$ Lord ,hiva and ,atiE thereoreE had a
sight o Lord "ama in eGile$ Lord ,hiva silently saluted Lord "amaKs appearanceE while ,ati decided to
give "ama a test$ ,o taking a guise o ,itaE ,ati appeared beore "ama$ Lord "ama knew everything
so he regarded her as ,ati$ &e also showed her some o &is glories$
1ow ,ati had irm belie in Lord "ama$ ,he returned to Lord ,hiva and gave her verdict that Lord
"ama was indeed an incarnation o supreme Being$ But Lord ,hiva was much disturbed by ,ati
because o her taking the guise o ,ita$
Lord ,hiva hadE thereoreE acMuired an indierent stance towards ,ati$ -hus she was eeling anguished
by Lord ,hivaKs behaviour$ &ence she prayed silentlyJ K% LordE may my body be destroyed soonE as this
body is not able to serve Lord ,hivaK
&enceE when she heard about the grand east organised by her atherE in abCect violation o her
husbandKs dictateE ,ati got ready to attend the east$ Lord ,hiva too sent her with a lot o gits and
servants$ -here at DakshKs palace ,ati ound that all were ignoring her because o her atherKs
ear$+ven her sisters laughed at her or coming alone$ .n allE ,ati ound nothing avourable in her
atherKs home$ %nly her mother welcomed her that too in isolation$ .ndignantE ,ati went straight to the
Yagya 'andap (canopy or perorming oblation) and ound that no seat had been allotted there or Lord
,hiva$
6ith anger she saidO K+ven the mere name o Lord ,hiva is enough to destroy all the sins o the
humans$ 1o one can violate &is dictate$ And youE % atherE eel Cealous o such an auspicious igureE
holyE Lord Lord ,hivaE who is soul o every living being$ . am ashamed o having this body produced
rom an opponent o Lord ,hivaE like you$K ,aying these wordsE ,ati threw hersel in the lames o
Yagyagni(the ire o the Yagya) -hereaterE Lord ,hivaKs ganas (servers) destroyed the Yagya$ -hey
beheaded Daksh and dropped his head in the altar$ %ther gods and the sages were also punished or
showing disrespect or Lord ,hiva$ 2ltimatelyE Lord BrahmaE accompanied by the godsE went to Kailash
and paciied Lord Lord ,hiva$ Ashutosh Lord ,hiva granted them a boon to carry the Yagya to
completion$
.n her neGt birthE ,ati was born in the home o &imalayas$ ,he was named as 8arvati$ ,oberE coolE and
an idol o aithE 'ata 8arvati dedicated hersel ully to Lord Lord ,hiva$ 1arad gave her a talisman to
get Lord ,hiva as her husband$ Lord 1arayan himsel reMuested Lord ,hiva to accept 8arvati as his
wie$ Lord ,hiva accepted to get married with 8arvati$ -husE through hard penanceE 'ata 8arvati got
Lord ,hiva as her husband$ .n due course the auspicious marriage o 'ata 8arvati with Lord ,hiva took
place$
#;$4$0 -ale o Dhruv
-he sel=begotten 'anu had two sons= 8riyvrat and 2ttanpad$ King 2ttanpad had two Mueens= ,uniti
and ,uruchi$ 2ttanpad loved ,uruchi more than he loved ,uniti$ ,o ,uniti was orced to live outside the
royal palace with her son DhruvE while ,uruchi and her son 2ttam enCoyed all the luGuries in the palace$
%nce the King was playing with his soon 2ttam who was siting in his lap$ 'eanwhileE Dhruv too arrived
there and began insisting to sit in his atherKs lap$ But or the ear o ,uruchi the king did not take Dhruv
in his lap$ @ust thenE ,uruchi too arrived there$ ,trutting at her ortuneE she ridiculed DhruvJ K-hough you
are also a son o the kingE but you have no right to sit on the throne because you are not borne to me$
You are the son o Mueen ,uniti who is neglected by the KingE and now lives like a mistress$ ,o your
desire is hard to accomplish$ +ven then i you wish to have the throneE you begin to worship Lord
1arayanaE and take birth through me by &is grace and then wait or your chance to sit in the KingKs lap$K
&urt by his stepmotherKs harsh wordsE Dhruv came to his mother crying$ 6hen ,uniti heard about the
incidenceE she elt very sorry$ ,tillE with patience she consoled her son DhruvE K% my sonE donKt wish ill
or the others$ -hose who cause sorrow or othersE have to ace the outcome themselves one day$ Your
stepmother is right$ You have been born to me$ +ven thenE i you wish to be enthroned like the prince
2ttamE give up your Cealousy and start worshipping Lord 1arayan$ +ven youKre grand ather 'anu and
great grand ather Lord Brahma worshipped him$ %nly Lord 1arayan can remove your sorrow$K
'otherKs words shook the conscience o Dhruv$ &e at once set out with irm determination to please
,hri &ari by penance$ Leaving the townE while going in search o solitude he met devarshi 1arad in the
way$ Dhruv respectully greeted 1arad$ 1arad lovingly caressed his head and tried to test his
determination$ 1arad tried everything to convince Dhruv to send him back to his homeE but he ailed to
shake the irm determination o the boy$ -hen with kindnessE 1arad preached Dhruv about LordKs
appearance and gave him a mantra$
-husE 1aradCi perormed his duty as *uru and blessing DhruvE he disappeared$ Dhruv arrived in
'adhuvan and took a seat under a Kadamb (:adamba) tree on the bank o the river Yamuna$ -here he
began to recite the mantra and meditation$ During the irst month he ate roots and tubers$ .n the second
month he ate dried leaves$ During the third month he managed with YamunaKs water$ During the ourth
month he sustained himsel on the air only$ Dhruv even stopped breathing$ 1owE standing on one leg
onlyE he was ully concentrated in Lord Vasudev$ At the moment when Dhruv stopped breathing and
concentrated in 8arbrahmaE all the three worlds shook with ear$
All the gods ran to the reuge o Lord$ Because o stopping o breath all the organisms stood
still$Assuring them not to be araidE Lord arrived in 'adhuvan to see &is beloved devotee Dhruv$
,eeing the Lord &imsel arrived beore himE DhruvKs eyes illed with tears$ &e saidE R % LordE . donKt
know how to worship you$R Lord touched his cheek with &is conch$ 6ith thatE Dhruv came to realiBe the
glory o *od$ 6ith complete devotion and olded handsE he worshiped ,hri &ariJ R. salute to such an
omnipotentE omnipresent and all knowing LordE whose power is present in everybodyE and who entering
my heart revived my speech$R 8leased by his prayer Lord stroked DhruvKs head and saidE R Your desire
shall materialiBe$ Ater enCoying your kingdomE you shall come to my abode which is ar above the
,aptrishisN
-hen by *odKs permissionE Dhruv returned to his atherKs palace$ -here he was given a grand welcome$
+veryone wants to be kind with the one who has *odKs graceE his ather handed him the kingdom o the
entire earth$ &is brotherE 2ttam had gone to the orest or hunting where the Yakshas killed him$
.ndignant by his brotherKs deathE Dhruv at once launched an attack on the Yakshas$ But his grandather
consoled him that the devotees o *od donKt long or revenge$ -hereater Dhruv ruled the earth or a
period o thirty=siG thousand years$ +ven death bowed beore him$ .ndeedE the devotees o *od have
no ear o death$ -he death ears them on the contrary$
#;$4$4 -ale o 8rithu
.n the lineage o the king DhruvE had occurred a king named Anga$ AngaKs wie was ,umitaE who was
the daughter o 'rityadev$ -hey had a son named Ven who was evil in nature$ 6hen he grew up and
occupied the throneE he became a very cruel ruler$ Day by day his atrocites increased$ -hen he began
to openly insult the greatmen$ 6hen his atrocities became uncontrollableE sages killed him by their
curse to salve the people$
-hereaterE the sages churned VenKs dead body and produced a couple= a man and a woman$ -he man
was born by the world=preserving part o Lord Vishnu$ &e came to be known as 8rithu$ &e got an
eGtremely pretty wie Archi$ 8rithu was the Acharya (master) o Lord Archan Bhakti$ 6ith his occupying
the throneE the subCects became religiousE happy and moral=abiding people$ +verything was going well
in his kingdomE when one day the armers approached him and complainedE R% kingE the earth has
grown rude$ ,he does not give us cerealsE even though we sow a lot o seeds in every season$ ,he
eats them all$R King 8rithu set out at once to chastise the earth who ran in the orm o a cow to save
hersel$ ,colding at her king 8rithu saidE R% Vasudhu (earth) . will kill you$ You have violated my rule$R
-he earth then came to his shelter and begged or pardon$ R % king it is not my ault my ertility has
ended because o the sins o the king Ven$ 1owE .Km present beore you in the orm o a cow$ 1owE you
please eGploit me ully to make everybody happy$R
King 8rithu resolved then and there to perorm a hundred Ashvmedh Yagyas$ &is ninety=nine Yagyas
completed unabatedly$ But during the hundredth YagyaE .ndra kidnapped the horse deceitully$ .ndra
had himsel perormed one=hundred Ashvmedh Yagyas$ &e could not tolerate anybody eMualing himE
or then the perormer would have eMual claim on .ndraasana (the seat o .ndra$)
8rithuKs son was ViCitashva$ &e had seen .ndra stealing the horse deceitully$ &e even chased .ndra or
some distanceE but .ndra transormed himsel into a hermit$ ,omehowE the oblation completedE and *od
appeared and asked the king to seek a Boon$ King 8rithu beggedE R % LordE my soul remains
unsatiated by your tales$ ,o i you are pleased with meE kindly give me a hearing eMual to the hearings
o ten thousand ears$R
,anakadiks preached knowledge to the king 8rithu$ -hereaterE ostering his subCects religiouslyE king
8rithu ruled the earth or thousand years$ During the ruleE kingKs popularity spread in leaps and bounds$
At last he got the supreme position o god$R -hus narrating the tale o 8rithuE 'aitrey says to VidurJ
Kthose who listen to this tale o 8rithuE that shows the glory o *odE get a strong aection or *od and
receive salvation ultimatelyE like 8rithu$K
#;$4$9 <able o 8uranCan
King 8rithuKs son was ViCitashu$ .n his lineage later on occurred a king named 8rachin Barhi$ King
8rachin Barhi had many sons$ All o them were known as 8rachetasE they were all devotees o *od and
had been sunk in devotion since their childhood$ 8leased by their devotion once Lord ,hiva appeared
beore them$ 6ith simplicityE 8rachetas askedE R % Lord o the lordsE we have been worshipping
1arayanaE how did you arrive beore usNR
Lord ,hiva saidE R -hose who have devotion or 1arayanE are also dear to me$R -hereater Lord ,hiva
gave them "udra *eet which the 8rachetas continued to sing or years immersed in the water$
King 8rachinbarhi had a great interest in oblations that involved sacriice$ %ne=day devarshi 1arad
asked himE R6hat are you doingE % kingNR 'iseries donKt end by action aloneE nor does one get
supreme Coy$ -he animals which you have sacriiced or your oblations also eel the pain given by you$
-hey are all waiting or you in the heaven$ 6hen you go there ater death they will take revenge one by
one$R <rightened by these wordsE King 8rachinbarhi took shelter at 1arad and saidE R DevarshiE my
mind is caught in the actions$ You kindly show me the way to the supreme salvation$R
At the reMuest o the kingE 1arad narrated him the tale o Vigyat and Avigyat$ At the behest o AvigyatE
Vigyat migrated to and settled in a beautiul city$ -here he met the Mueen 8uranCani and got married to
her$ &e was so much indulged in sensual pleasures with 8uranCani that he became a woman in the neGt
birth$ As a womanE Vigyat got married in due courseE but was widowed soon$ ,he wanted to commit
,ati (sel=immolation) but people prevented her$
%ne=day she was travelling on an elephantE when she spotted some swans in the sky$ ,he asked the
mahout to look at them$ As soon as the mahoutKs attention divertedE the elephant got out o control and
both o them ell on the ground and died$ As she was looking at the swans at her last timeE she became
a swan in her neGt birth$ As a swan she reached the lake 'anasarovarE where she met her old riend
Avigyat who consoled the swan$ RYou are neither a man nor a womanE 6e are both swans now$ You
are same as meE no dierent rom me$ .t means that there is no dierence between the living beings
and the *od$ -here is only one soul$ .tKs because o non=knowledge that one sees the *od and the
living beings dierently$R -hus cautioned by his riend AvigyatE Vigyat realiBed and accepted his
incarnation as a swan$
ButE the king 8rachinbarhi didnKt get the meaning o the spiritual tale$ 1arad then revealed$ R*od is
Avigyat while microcosm is Vigyat$ Avigyat has established eighty=our lakhs cities and asked Vigyat to
select any one o them$ Ater sorting lakhs o cities the microcosm selects a city like the human body$
-hat city has a lake in the center=the belly rom where the whole city is controlled$ Again it has nine
gates=two eyesE two nostrilsE one mouthE two earsE one reproductive organ and one anus$ .t is such a
highwayE treading which no one returns$ .t has two courtiers= mind and ego$ -he living being passes his
lie caught between them$
Aueen 8uranCani is the intellect in this body$ Because o this intellect or non=knowledge the living being
or microcosm begins to eel in terms o K.KE K'yK and K'eK or his body and organs$ All the ten organs are
his riendsE through which the living being eGperiences the sensation and perorms action$ .nclinations
o the organs are his riends$ All the ive 8ranas (breaths) are the ive=hooded serpent that guards the
body$ %ld age is Kaal Kanya who launches an attack on the city (human body)$ ,hoka and 'oha
(sorrow and attachment) are the two brothers o Kaal Kanya$ Kaal Kanya is married to :handveg who
is also known as Varsh (year)$ .t has three hundered and siGty *andharvas (the days o the year)$
-welve months are his twelve commanders and seven days are the ministers$ -hey all together plunder
the human body like the city o 8uranCan$ -husE covered by Agyan (non=knowledge)E the living beingE
which has a great pride on his bodyE virtually wastes his lie suering dierent kinds o pains$
<rom this mystical preaching 8rachinbarhis inclination or Vedic Karmkands (action) and temptation or
mundane luGuries were removed$ By the grace o Devarshi 1aradE the king got a perception o *od and
living being$ &e at once abdicated his attachment or the body and concentrated his mind in *od$
11&/ 0hapter /
-his chapter contains 0 sub=sections$
#;$9$# -ale o 8riyvrata
&earing the tale o 8rachetasK devotion and receiving *odKs grace by themE a curiosity arose in the
mind o the king 8arikshit about sel=knowledge and *rihasth Dharm (duties o a married person)$ &e
asked ,hukdevE R% BrahminE 8riyvrat was a supreme devotee and sel=indulgent$ 6hy did he then live
in *rihasthi (married lie)N 'arried lie is binding rom all sides$ *reatmen never long or married lie$
+ven then the king 8riyurata lived a married lie yet he regularly prayed to *od$ -his is an intriguing
subCect or meE kindly remove my doubts$
,eeing 8arikshitKs curiosity and doubtsE ,hri ,hukdev saidE R% king you are right that once receiving
*odKs grace one canKt leave it$ 1o attachmentE no love remains in him or lie$ -he prince 8riyurata was
a great devotee o *od (Bhagwad Bhakt)$ By the grace o 1arad he had instinctively become aware o
8armarth tatva (knowledge that leads to salvation)$ &e had dedicated all his actions into the eet o Lord
Vasudev$ -husE an intense inclination or detachment developed in 8riyvrata since his childhood$ ,oE
Lord Brahma tried to admonish him$ R,onE you are too young yet to be an ascetic$ ,ince the moment
youKve acMuired the human bodyE enemies like Kama (seG)E Krodh (anger) 'oha (aection)E Lobh
(greed)E 'ada (ego)E 'atsar (Cealousy) etc$ have been continuously chasing it$ 6eKre all bound to ollow
the path laid down by *od$ 6e should serve &im by our actionE accepting our bodyE which the *od has
given to us and the merits associated with it$ &enceE you irst enCoy the luGuries given by *odE
thereater you will be ree to do what you wish$R
-husE as per the dictate o Lord BrahmaE the king 8riyvrata accepted two wives$ &is irst wie was
8raCapati VishwkarmaKs daughter Barhismati$ ,he begot ten sons= AgnidhraE .dhmCihvE YagyabahuE
'ahavirE 'iranyretaE ,avanE 'edhatithiE DhriprishthE Vitihotra and Kavi$ 8riyvratKs second wie begot
three sons= 2ttamE "aiwat and -amas$ %ut o these ten sonsE three became celibate$ All the three sons
rom the second wie became the lords o dierent 'anvantaras$ Despite leading married lieE the king
remained an ascetic$ .n his chariotE he travelled around the land and divided it into seven parts and
appointed each o his seven sons as the lord o one island$ AgnidhraE the eldest son was given @ambu
Dweep$ &e was married to an el 8urvchitti$ ,he had begotten nine sons who became the ruler o the
nine parts o @ambu Dweep$ 'erudevi was the wie o AgnidhraKs eldest son 1abhi$ As a git o YagyaE
Lord had taken an incarnation in his home$ -hat incarnation o Lord is known as "ishabhdev$
#;$9$( -ale o Bharat
"ishabhdev was married to @ayantiE the daughter o .ndra$ @ayanti gave birth to one hundred sons$
Bharat was the eldest among them$ -he youngest nine sons became Yogeshwars$ +ighty=one sons
accepted Brahaminism$ "emaining nine brothers ollowed their elder brother Bharat$ %ne day
"ishabhdev called a meeting o his sons and preached them about the well being o human beings$
R,onsR he saidE R1ever misuse this human body$ You have got this human lie by great luck and *odKs
grace$ &e does not deserve to be called as a riendE teacher or ather who does not preach his riendE
disciple or son about the welare o the sel$R 8reaching that "ishabhdev enthroned Bharat and himsel
departed or his supreme abode$
-he king Bharat was a great devotee$ By his atherKs permission he had married to 8anchCamE the
daughter o Vishurupa$ -hey begot ive sons$ Bharat dedicated his religious actions to Lord Vasudev$
-hus by the puriication o his actionsE his conscience was also puriied$ ,o he transerred the kingdom
to his son and himsel took an abode in 8ulahashram (hermitage o 8ulah) on the banks o the river
*andaki$ -here he passed his time in the worship o *od$
%ne ine morningE when he was perorming libations in the riverE a pregnant Doe arrived on the
opposite bank to drink water$ At that time a lion roared somewhere in the orest behind her$ <rightened
by the roarE the doe Cumped into the river to save her lie$ But the doe lost her lie in the action while her
oetus ell in the river$
<eeling pity or the awnE "aCarshi Bharat took it and began to oster it$ Day by day BharatKs aection
grew or the awn$ ,lowly he became irregular in his daily routine$ But Bharat loved the awn more than
his routine$ 6hen the awn grew into a deerE by its natural instinct it Coined its mates$ %n his returnE
Bharat did not ind the deer and grew so restless that he died out o depression$ As his mind was iGed
on the deer at deathE he was born in his neGt birth as a deer$ Bharat was a prudent man$ But aection
did not spare even him$
6hat would be the ate o common people thenN -hey are easy targets o the eelings and are more
vulnerable to all prey to attachment and aection$ 6hen a derangement occurs in the intellect o manE
he begins to conduct irreligiouslyE but thinks that his behaviour is religious$ "ealiBing his mistakeE
Bharat as a deerE came to his hermitage and once again began his penance beore *od$ +ven in deer
incarnation Bharat had a strong eeling o detachment$
6hen BharatKs deer incarnation endedE he took his neGt birth in a BrahminKs home$ ,ometime ater the
birthE his mother died$ By *odKs grace Bharat had remembrance o his previous birth$ ,o he always
remained immersed in relection on &ari (*od$)$-o avoid attention he posed himsel as an insane
stupidE blind and dea person$ +ven his brothers neglected him seeing his inertia$ 1ow he was ree to
wander at will$ &e was satisied with what he got and doing menial Cobs$
During that periodE a thieE who had no sonE wanted to oer a human=sacriice to Bhadrakali in desire o
a son$ ,earching a right person or the sacriiceE his men ound and caught @adabharat (.n Brahmin
incarnationE Bharat was known by this name because o his inactivity)E who was guarding his arms
then$ @ada Bharat remained Muite indierent and did not even resist his kidnapping$ -he thieves took
him into the temple$ -here as soon as the chie o the thieves raised his sword to kill @ada BharatE
Bhadrakali appeared rom the idol and beheaded all the thieves$ .t shows that one has to bear the ruit
himsel o the crime committed$ But @ada Bharat did not eGperience this and remained Muite unmoved
as beore$
.n another incidenceE the king "ahugana o ,indhu was riding a palanMuin to the hermitage o the sage
Kapil$ %n the wayE he ell short or one Kahar(carrier o the palanMuin)$ &is men ound @ada Bharat who
was wandering nearby and yoked him also in carrying the palanMuin$ @ada Bharat was walking
cautiously so as not to tread on even little creatures$ &enceE the king was getting Cerks and a bumpy
ride$ &e scolded at the Kahars$ -he Kahars inormed him that the new recruit was causing him those
Cerks$ -he king "ahungana then scolded at @ada Bharat$ R&eyE are you so rail that you canKt balance
the palanMuin properly$ DonKt you know that your master is riding in itN 6aitE .Kll teach you a lesson$R
@ada Bharat stood earlessly$ -he king was stunned to see him$ .t was then that @ada Bharat opened
his mouth to utter is irst words$ &e elt that he had carried the king on his shouldersE and though the
king was a haughty manE K$$$but my lie will be a sheer wastage i . donKt preach the king a way to
salvation$$$K ,o with a desire o beneiting the king @ada Bharat saidE R % kingE lie and deathE strength
and weakness are the virtues o the body$ But the soul is sinless$ . have put all my burden on the
shoulders o the *od$ You too have great burden on your head$ Lord o everyone is one$ +ven your
senses are not in your control how then will you control your subCectsN % king only knowledge is the
orm o the soul$ By knowledge alone you can recogniBe the soul$ 2nion with one homogenous and
holy ,upreme Being is the true introspection$ But as long as you donKt bear the dust o great menKs eet
on your headE you will not recogniBe the *od$
&earing these wordsE the king "ahungana ell at the eet o @ada Bharat and begged his pardon$ @ada
Bharat then preached the king about the metaphysical knowledge$ RListening to the tales o the *od
continuously is the only way to concentrate oneKs mind in ,hri &ari$ .n my previous birth$ . was the king
o Bharatvarsh$ But because o my attachment or a deerE . was deviated rom the path o supreme
knowledge$ &enceE . had to take birth in deer orm$ But by the grace o Lord KrishnaE memory o my
previous birth persisted in a deer incarnation also$ ,o in my present birth . preer to stay away rom the
people and wander secretly$ ,oE rom now on drop your attachments and start reciting *odKs name$ By
the virtues o &is tale alone you will easily get &im$ % KingE the body is like a merchantE who is roaming
on the earth borrowing this wealth o age$ .t has lost its wealth in useless worldly aairs$ %ne=day arrow
o the Kaal will snatch everything rom it$ ,oE the human being must utilise their invaluable moments in
the training o the supreme knowledge$R
#;$9$0 Description o the +Gtent o the Landmass
&earing the tale o the king 8riyvratKs lineageE 8arikshit asked ,hukdevJ R% great sageE what is the
eGpanse o the landmassN . wish to hear a description o it alongwith itKs islandsE because this world is a
tangible idol o *od alongwith his virtues$ &enceE knowing it intangibleE ininitesimal orm o *od can
also be known$K
,hukdev saidJ K% KingE illusions created by *od are so vast that nobody can ind their end$ -hereoreE .
will describe main eatures o the world with the help o nameE appearanceE eGtent and symptoms$ King
8riyvrata has divided the earth into seven islands$ -hese islands areJ (#)@ambudweepE
(()8lukshdweepE (0),halmalidweep(4)KushdweepE (9)KronchdweepE (;),hakdweep and
(7)8ushkardweep$ All these islands are surrounded by seven seasE which comprise o saline waterE
sugarcane CuicesE and wineE gheeE milkE whay and sweet water respectively$ +Gtent o each island is
double than that o itKs preceding one$
@ambudweepJ = ,hukdev saysE K,ituated in the centre o the world is @ambudweep$ .t has an eGtent o
one lakh YoCan$ .t has a round shape like a lotus lea$ .t has nine Bones each with an eGtent o nine
thousand YoCan$ -hese Bones are called Varsh$ +ight mountain ranges mark the boundaries o these
Varsh which are arranged in circular ashion$ At the centre o the VarshE is the tenth Varsh named
.llavrit$ .n the center o .llavrit is 'eru$ 1ames o other nine Varsh are = KinpurushE &arivarshE KamyakE
&iranmayaE KuruE BhadrashwaE Ketumal and Bharat$ ,uch as the mount 'eru is surrounded by
@amudweepE similarly @amudweep is surrounded by a vast sea$ Because o a maCority o @amun (black
berry) treesE this island is named as @ambudweep$
8lukshdweepJ = As there is a huge @amun (black berry) tree that is eleven hundred YoCan high in
@ambhudweepE similarly there are innumerable 8luksh (8akur=<icus pinctoria) trees in 8lukshdweep
hence itKs name$ Agni (ire) is the venerable *od in this island$ 8riyvrataKs sonE King .dhmCihv was the
ruler o this island$ &e divided it into seven parts and made his seven sons the ruler o these divisions$
-hese seven divisions were named= ,hivE YavasE ,ubhadraE ,hantE KshemE Amrit and Abhay$ -hese
divisions have seven mountainsE and seven rivers$ 8lukshdweep has an eGtent o two lakh YoCans$ .t is
surrounded by an ocean o sugarcane Cuice$
,halmalidweepJ = @ust double in eGtent than 8lukshddweepE is ,halmalidweep$ .t has a maCority o
,halmali (silk cotton) treesE which comprise the abode o *arudE the King o the birds$ 8riyvrataKs son
Yagyabahu was the ruler o this island$ &e too made seven divisions in the island as per his sons=
,urochamE DevvarshE 8aribhadraE "amanakE ,aumanasyaE Apyayan and Avigyat$ -his island too has
seven mountains and seven rivers$ <our classes o people inhabite this island$ -hey worship Vedmay
:handrama (the moon with vedas) -his island is surrounded by a sea o wine$
KushdweepJ = -his island is surrounded by a sea o the *hee$ .t has an eGtent o eight YoCansE and a
maCority o Kush shrubs$ <rom the light o their tipsE Kush shrubs illuminate this island$ 8riyvrataKs son
&iranyarata was the ruler o this island$ Dividing the island into seven divisionsE he too appointed his
seven sons as the ruler o each o these divisions$ -hese divisions are= VasuE VasuddanaE DrirhruchiE
1abhiguptaE ,tutyavrataE Vivikt and Vamaddev$ 8eople o Kushdweep worship the ire$
KraunchdweepJ = 6ith an eGtent o siGteen lakh YoCanE Kraunchdweep is surrounded by the sea o milk$
-here is a gigantic mountain named Kraunch on the dweep$ Ater this mountain the island is known as
Kraunchdweep$ 8riyvrataKs sonE King *hritprishtha was the ruler o this island$ &e too divided the island
into seven divisions and distributed them between his seven sonsE one to each son$ -he names o
these seven sons are= AamE 'adhuruhE 'eghprishthE ,udhamaE 'raCishthE Lohitarn and Vanaspati$
.nhabitants o the island worship Varundev (1eptune) the lord o water$
,hakadweepJ = ,urrounded by the sea o whey is ,hakadweep with an eGtent o thirty=two lakh YoCans$
.t has a huge tree o ,hakaE hence its name$ 6ith a sweet ragrance o this treeE the whole island emits
a pleasant scent$ -he ruler o this islandE 'edhatithi was also a son o 8riyvrata$ &e too had seven
sons= 8uroCavE 'anoCavE 8awamanaE DhumranikE :hitrareE Bahurup and Vishwdhar$ -hey were made
the rulers o the seven divisions o the island$ 8eople o the island use 8ranayama to weaken their
"aCoguna and -amogunaE and worship &ari (Vishnu) in Vayu(orm) through meditation$
8ushkardweepJ = 8ushkardweep has an eGtent o siGty=our YoCans$ .t is surrounded by a sea o sweet
water$ -here is present a huge lotus lower with a millionE golden petals$ -his lotus is regarded as a
seat o Brahma$ 8riyvrataKs son Vitihotra was the ruler o this island$ &e divided the island into two
divisionsE and made his sons "amanak and Dhataki the rulers o these divisions$ .nhabitants o this
island worship Brahma appearance o ,hrihari (Vishnu)$
11&1 0hapter 1
-his chapter contains 7 sub=sections$
#;$;$# -ale o ACamil
-he king 8arikshit reMuested ,hukdevE R% preacherE so ar you have related about the way how to
overcome attachment or wordily things$ .nadvertentlyE the lliving beings commit some kinds o sins or
crimes$ % great soulE now kindly tell me the way by which humans can get rid themselves o the
torturesE they are supposed to be subCected to in the hells$R
,hukdev saidE RA sinner is sure to be tortured in hellE unless and until he had observed penance or his
sins in his present birth$ But even penance is no guarantee o his salvation i the person indulges again
in sins thereater$ .t is all because o ignoranceE that desires to commit sin does not end$ ,piritual ways
areE thereater necessary$ Adopting spiritual ways like penanceE celibacyE tranMuilityE sel=restraintE
abdicationE truthulnessE holinessE restraint o passions and disciplineE even the most serious sins are
destroyed$ AlternativelyE taking reuge at the *od or developing a devotion or &imE all the sins can be
destroyed$ % 8arikshitE such a sanctiication o the sinner as achieved by dedication to *odE is rare
even by observing penance$R
,hukdev narrated the tale that was once related by 'uni Agastya$ .n the town o KannauCE lived a
Brahmin named ACamil$ &e had married to his mistress$ Being with an unchaste woman his Brahminical
virtues had been destroyed$ 1owE ACamil earned his living not by perorming holy tasksE but instead he
restored to petty tricks like plunderingE deceiving and even killing people to eed his amily$
%nceE a group o 'ahatmas(ascetics)came to the town$ 8eople greeted and oered them with edible
items$ ButEthe ascetics reused to accept anything$ -hey said that they would accept the ood only rom
the household where holy ood is cooked or the Lord$ .rritated people showed the ascetics the way to
ACamilKs home$ <rom ACamilE the ascetics accepted the alms and themselves cooked the oodE and
oered it to *od and ate themselves$ 1ow the heart o ACamil and his wie were illed with eGpiation$
-he ascetics wished to cause some beneit or ACamil$ -hey said to himE R. you get a son nowE please
name him 1arayana$ Ascetics words did materialiBe and ACamil got one more sonE the tenth one$ As per
ascetics adviceE ACamil named him 1arayana$ Being the youngest sonE 1arayana was very dear to
ACamil$ &e used to remember 1arayana always$ +verything was passing as usualE when the time o
ACamilKs departure arrived suddenly one day$ Yamadutas (agents o Yama=the *od o death) began to
take him or his last Courney$ 1ot seeing his youngest son 1arayana beore himE ACamil began to call out
loudlyJ K1arayana=1arayana$K
&earing the callsE servers o Lord Vishnu too arrived their and challenged Yamadutas$ -he rightened
Yamadutas saidE R 6e are the servants o DharmraC$ 6hy are you stopping usNR ,ervers o Lord Vishnu
saidE R. you are the servants o DharmaraC deine Dharma (religion) then$R Yamadutas saidE RActions
dictated by Vedas are Dharma (religion) in true senseE and the actions orbidden by Vedas are
Adharma (irreligious) and Veda is 1arayana &imsel$R
-he servers saidE RYouKre unaware o 8aram Dharma (,upreme religion)$ -his sinner has called out the
name o *odE so his sinsE rom the past crores o birthsE have been washed away$ 1ow he is no more a
sinner$ 6ise men say that recitation o *odKs name by any means= as a name o someone elseE in
derision or derogation= automatically does away with all the sins$ -his is the bounty o *odKs name that
a mere remembrance o it= whether wittingly or unwittinglyE does destroy all sins$R &earing this dialogueE
ACamil awakenedE as i rom a long slumber$
Yamdutas had returned to Yamaloka by then$ ButE the abCect sinner ACamil had recovered rom the
snare o death$ 6ithout losing a momentE ACamil went to the banks o the *anges$ -hereE drinking the
holy water o the *anges he let his body and went and ound a place in Vaikunth Loka=the abode o
Lord Vishnu$
#;$;$( Dialogue o Yama and Yamaduts
,hukdev saysE R8arikshitE when the servers o Lord Vishnu ailed the attempt o YamadutasE they
returned to Yamaloka and complained Yama about the event$R R% YamadevE we had so ar known that
you are the sole authority o punishing the people as per their deeds$ 1o body had dared so ar to
violate your rule$ But today those our servers o Lord Vishnu openly caused violation o your dictate$R
YamaraCa silently prayed Lord Vishnu and saidE R Lord 1arayana is the Lord o all living things$ &e is the
Lord o me alsoE and . mysel keep an account o the sins and pious deeds o the living beings by &is
order only$ All the *odKsE Digpals (guardian o the direction)E ,hiv and Brahma etc$ all o them ollow &is
dictates$-he greatest duty o all the living beings is that they should achieve a dedicated devotion or
the Lord$ ,ons Cust look at the bounty o Lord that even the sinner like ACamil escaped the noose o
death simply by calling out the names o the *od Cust once$ ,oE rom now on you never go near those
people who are reciting LordKs name or are his devotees$ Bring only the sinners to me$R
#;$;$0 Birth o Daksh rom 8rachetas
,hukdev saysE R-en sons o the King 8rachinbarhi were known as 8rachetas$ -hey observed severe
penance under the sea$ 6hen they re=emergedE :handra (the moon=the ruler o the vegetation) calmed
them and presented a beautiul daughter o the el 8rabhlochaE to them as their wie$ <rom herE
8rachetas begot prachetas Daksh$ .n due course the subCect o Daksh spread all over the world and
populated ar o places$ Daksh createdE irst o all the godsE the demons and the human beings who
inhabited the heavenE the earth and the waters respectively$
But Daksh was not still satisied$ &e thereore went to Vinddhyachal and started a severe penance
there$ 8leased by his penance *od appeared beore him$ By the permission o *odE Daksh 8raCapati
married with Ashinki the daughter o 8anchama 8raCapati$ <rom Ashinki Daksh got ten thousand sons
named &aryashva$ .n due course Daksh asked his sons to reproduce$ But instead o reproducing they
all reached 1arayana ,arovar on the banks o the river ,indhu (.ndus) to a place o 8ilgrimage$
Besalved by the preaching o 1arad about Bhagwad Dharma$ Daksh again produced one thousand
sons named ,havlashva and asked them to reproduce$ But they too ollowed the ootsteps o their
elder brothersE and took no interest in worldly aairs$ 1arad preached them also about Bhagwad
Dharma$
6hen Daksh came to realiBe that 1arad had converted his sons into ascetics by his preaching he
angrily cursed 1arad to be a wanderer or ever with nowhere a place to stay on$ 1arad accepted
DakshaKs curse and blessed him with a boon to have siGty daughters or the continuation o his subCect$
By the virtue o the boonE siGty daughters were born in the home o Daksh in due course$ 6hen they
grew upE Daksh got ten o them married to Dharma$ -hen ten to KashyapE twenty=seven to :handramaE
two to Angira and Krishashva each and remaining our daughters were married to a Kashyap named
-arkshya$ -he entire world came to be populated by the osprings o these siGty daughters o Daksh$
,hukdev saysE R8arikshit the names o DharmaKs ten wives were BhanuE LambaE KakubhiE @amiE
VishwasE ,adhyaE 'arutvatiE VasuE 'uhurta and ,ankalpa$ DakshKs daughters ,arupa and Bhoota
were the wives o Bhoot$ ,arupa begot uncountable "udragansE eleven o them are prominent$ BhootKs
second wie Bhoota gave birth to ormidable spooks and *anas like Vinayak etc$ AngiraKs irst wie
,wadha gave birth to pitragans while his second wie ,ati accepted a Ved= Atharvanigra as her son$
KrishashvaKs wie Archi begot DhumrakeshE while Dhishana= KrishashvaKs second wie gave birth to
our sons=VedshiraE DevalE Vayun and 'anu$ Kashyap named -arkshya had our wives= VinataE KadruE
8atangi and Yamini$ Birds were born to 8atangiE while Yamini gave birth to moths$ VinataKs son is
*aruda who is the vehicle o Lord Vishnu$ Arun was her second son who became the charioteer o
surya$ 1agas (snakes) were born to Kadru$
-wenty=seven daughters o Daksh were married to :handrama (the moon)$ -hese are the twenty=
seven 1akshatras like Kritika etc$ But :handrama had particular love or "ohiniE so he got tuberculosis
and hence could not produce a child$ 1ames o KashyapKs thirteen wives are AditiE DitiE DanuE KashthaE
ArihaE ,urasaE .llaE 'uniE KrodhE VarshaE -amraE ,urabhiE ,arama and -imi$ -hese are the mothers o
the whole world$ All the godsE demonsE animalsE giants etc$ were born to them$
#;$;$4 .nsult o Brhaspati by the *ods
,hukdev saysE R% 8arikshitE .ndra had become very haughty by the luGuries he received as the king o
the gods$ %ne dayE DevraC .ndra was sitting on his throne alongwith his Mueen ,hachi$ &is court was ull
o courtiers$ <orty=nine 'arudganasE eight VasusE eleven "udrasE AdityaE "ibhuganas VishvedevE
,hadhyaganas and both Ashwini Kumaras were present in the court$ *roups o ,iddhasE :harausE
*andhavasE VidyadharsE elvesE KinnarsE 1agas etc$ were singing in his praise and program o dance
and music was on$ Acharya BrihaspatiE the revered teacher o the gods arrived there$ ButE despite
having seen himE .ndra did not show any respect or Brihaspati$ .ndignant Brihaspati he at once
deserted Devaloka (the abode o the gods$)
6hen Acharya Brihaspati had goneE .ndra realiBed his mistake$ &e at once launched an eGtensive
search or *uru Brihaspati$ But no one could locate Brihaspati$ <eeling o insecurity in the absence o
their *uruE strongly agitated the gods$ %n the other handE when the demons came to know about
BrihaspatiKs missingE they began to intimidate the gods$ By the permission o their teacher
,hukracharyaE the demons launched an attack on the Devloka$ <eeling sad by the pitiable state o the
gods$
.ndra went to the reuge o the Brahma who told the gods that they were suering because o their
wrong policies and disregarding their learned *uru$ Brahma also told the gods that the demons had
strengthened their position because o their loyalty to their teacher ,hukarcharya$ Brahma advised the
gods to reMuest VishwarupE the son o the sage -vashtaE to become their teacher$ R&e is a sound
scholar o VedasE great ascetic and abstentious person$R R,erving himER Brahma saidE RYou will be ree
rom all the crisis$R <ollowing BrahmaKs adviceE the gods made Vishwarup their teacher by reMuest$
Ascetic Vishwarup used his Vaishnavi Vidya to annihilate the wealth and power o the demons and
endowed .ndraE with those powers$ Vishwarup also preached .ndra about the inallible Vaishnavi Vidya$
-hus securing himsel under the shield o this knowledge .ndra deeated all the demonic orces$
#;$;$9 8reaching o 1arayana Kavach (shield) to .ndra by Vishvarup
-he king 8arikshit askedE R % LordE kindly relate to me the knowledge (Vaishnavi Vidya) by the power o
which DevraC .ndra easily deeated the demons$R
,hukdev saysE R 8arikshit now . am telling you about the knowledge that was once taught to .ndra by
Vishwrup$ ,o listen to it careully with concentration$ 6henever you eel yoursel haunted with earsE
you must guard you body with this 1arayana Kavach (shield)$ But beore that it is necessary to puriy
onesel by bathE meditationE libationsE 8ranayama (control o breaths) and eight=lettered and twelve=
lettered mantras o *od$ -he &ymnal Kavach (shield) must be then recited acing north while relecting
on the divine appearances o *od$
'ay the *odE who rides *uruda and holds conchE wheelE mace and lotusE protect me rom all sides$
'ay all the incarnations o *od protect me rom all the lustsE aection and desires and in all the
circumstances$ -hus may . be protected in water by 'atsyavatarE on land by VamanavatarE in sky by
-rivikramaE rom Kamapida (seGual desire)by ,anakaditE rom Kupathya (diseases) by DhanvantriE rom
ignorance rom VedvyasE rom the hells by Kachchhap avatar (tortoise incarnation)E in the war by
1arsinha AvatarE in the way by VarahE on the top o the hills by 8arashuramaE during eGile by Lord
"ama along with LakshmanaCiE rom 'aranmohan Abhichar (death) by Lord 1arayanaE rom ego by
1araE rom obstacles by DattatreyaE rom the bondage o actions by KapilaE rom disregarding the *od
by &aygreev 'utriE rom the crimes by 1aradE rom the imposters by Buddha and rom the aults o Kali
Kaal may . be protected by Kalkidev$
'ay . be protected in the morning with mace by KeshavE with lute by govind in the dayE by 1arayana
,hakti beore the noon and may . be protected with ,udarshan chakra by Lord Vishnu in the noon time$
'ay the all knowing omnipotent Lord protect me in every circumstances$ 'ay the nameE appearanceE
vehicleE weaponsE and all the services o ,hri &ari protect my mindE intellectE organs and lie rom all the
calamities$ -his 1arayana Kavach (shield) saves one rom all kind o calamities and ears$
#;$;$; Killing o VishvarupE Deeat o the *ods and :onstruction o VaCra with the bones o
Dadhichi
Vishrupa became the second Acharya (teacher) o the gods$ &e also saw over indulgence o .ndra in
luscious obCects$ VishwarupKs mother belonged to demon clanE so he had some inclination or the
demons also$ ,tealthilyE he supplied parts o oerings o the oblations to the demons$ Very soonE .ndra
too came to learn that their teacher Vishvarup was stealthy nurturing their enemiesE the demons$ ,oE
indignantly .ndra severed the head o Vishvarup and to get rid o the sin o Brahmahatya (killing o
Brahmin) .ndra distributed his sin among the landE waterE tree and the woman olkE and himsel escaped
the sin$
-o take revenge o his sonKs murderE sage -vashta organiBed a yagya with the purpose o having a son
who could kill .ndra$ -he Yagya inished successully and as soon as the oeringKs endedE a ormidable
demon appeared rom the altar$ -he demon was named Vritrasur$ Very soonE Vritrasur deeated .ndra
and other gods and conMuered all the three worlds$ -erroriBed by his power and gallantryE all the gods
ran into the reuge o Lord 1arayana$ 8leased with their aith and prayersE Lord 1arayana advised them
to please the great sage Dadhichi and ask or his bones to build a VaCra (mace)$ <rom that VaCra
Vritrasur could be killedE *od assured them$
-husE all the godsE headed by .ndraE reached the hermitage o sage Dadhichi$ -here they very humbly
and respectully begged or his bones$ <or the beneit o the worldE sage Dadhichi gladly accepted to
donate his bones$ 6ith those bonesE Vishvakarma built a massive VaCra which had thousand edges$
-hus by the power o the Lord and aMuiring a divine VaCraE .ndra elt eGtremely strong$ &e at once
launched an attack on the demonKs armies and drove them away rom the battleield$
#;$;$7 Killings o Vritrasur by .ndra
,hri ,hukdev saysE R% 8arikshitE rom the gallantry o the gods the demon army began to led$ ,eeing
his army running away in panicE Vritrasur got inuriated$ :harging ahead he stopped the godsK army
rom advancing$ &e roared loudly$ 'any o the gods ainted rom the rightening thunder o the roar$
Advancing Vritrasur routed the allen ighters$ +ven the earth began to shake because o his
momentum$ DevaraC .ndra could not bear it$ &e made a powerul blow on Vritrasur with his mace$
Vritrasur held his mace in the way and hit AiravatE .ndraKs elephantE with it$ <eeling the pain o the blowE
Airavat moved back$
-hen Vritrasur scolded .ndra who had killed Vishvarupa the brother o VritasurE R% .ndraE you have
killed my brother Vishvarup without any reason$ 1owE . will gore you with my powerul trident$ %r you
may behead me by your vaCra$ Your vaCra has the power o the sage Dadhichi and the glory o ,hri
&ari$
ButE .ndra with you vaCraE . will get rid o the bondageKs o my body and get salvation at the eet o Lord
Vishnu$ ,oEkill me with your vaCra$R -husE even in the battleieldE Vritrasur eGperienced direct eGistence
o *od$ &e prayed *odL R % LordE may my mind relect constantly on your auspicious virtuesE may my
voice always recite your virtuesE may my body always be in your service$ . donKt want salvation without
serving you$ 'y mind is writhing or your sight$R ,hukdev saysE R -husE % 8arikshitE Vritrasur had
wished to leave his body in the battleield and get the *od$ &e did not want to enCoy the luGuries o the
heaven deeating .ndra$R
:alling out these wordsE Vritrasar hit .ndra with trident$ But .ndra cut that hand o VritrasurE which was
holding the tridentE by his vaCra$ Losing his one hand Vritrasur was very outrageous and hit .ndraKs chin
and AiravatKs orehead with his elbow$ Because o the blow .ndra dropped his vaCraE which ell near
vritrasurKs eet$ .ndra was now eeling too ashamed to pick up the vaCra$ Vritrasur saidE R % .ndraE pick
up the vaCra and kill your enemy$ .t is not the time to be gloomy$ .ndra showed his respect to Vritrasur
or his truthulness and undeceitul wordsE and said R % great demon you are really great$ Your
patienceE determination and devotion or *od are really remarkable$ You have surmounted the illusion
o *od that conuses ordinary ones$ You are a great man born in demon amily$ Vritrasur again raised
his wheel to hitE but .ndra cut his second hand$
1owE having lost both his handsE Vritasur shook the earth with his heavy steps and swallowed .ndra
along with his elephant$ +veryone was beginning to eel sorry or .ndra but because o 1arayana
KavachE .ndra remained unhurt even in the belly o Vritrasur$ -hereaterE .ndra lacerated the demonKs
belly and came out$ -hen he cut VritrasurKs head also$ At that momentE soul o Vritrasur annihilated in
the ,upreme Being$ All the gods then greeted .ndra or his victory$
Vritrasur was a religious king :hitraketu in his previous birth$ Because o the grace o 1arad and
AngiraE he had received detachment and supreme devotion and began to roam everywhere as a
,iddhapurush (one who achieves perection)$ %nce he was travelling on the aircrat gited to him by the
godsE he saw the Ardhnarishwar (hal male=hal emale) appearance o Lord ,hiva and said something
in derogation$ .ndignant o his discourtesyE 'ata 8arvati cursed :hitraketu to take birth in a demon
clan$ Because o that curseE :hitraketu appeared as demon$ But even in demon incarnationE his
devotion or the LordKs eet persisted as beore$
11&4 0hapter 4
-his chapter contains 9 sub=sections$
#;$7$# "emoval o Doubt about *od?s 8artiality
-he king 8arikshit askedE R % ortunate oneE *od is said to have an eMual view or everybody$ 6hy then
does &e avor the gods alone$ 6hy does &e kill the demons onlyN -hus . have some doubts regarding
*odKs impartiality$ Kindly remove them$R
,hukdev saysE R 8arikshitE *odKs sketches are so vivid that even the great sages canKt comprehend
them ully$ +ven then Cust by reciting these surprising sketches o *odE one receives the supreme
position$ Accepting the virtues o this illusionE *od acMuires the opposing orms o killer and killed
occasionally$ Virtues like ,atya (chastity)E "aCas (royalty) and -amas (darkness) are o natureE and not
o *od and hence keep rising and alling with time$ 6hen ,atguna (chastity) risesE *od adopts the
gods and the ,ages and causes a surge in their number$ A rise in "aCas (royal) virtues sees a surge in
demons number$ 6hile a rise in -ama (darkness) virtues leads to a surge in the population o the
Yaksh and "akshasas (ogres and other super natural beings)$ But *od is inact impartial$ ,hukdev
saysE R % king once Devarshi 1arad had related an incident to your grandather Yudhishthir$ .Km
narrating it to you right now$ Your doubts will be removed$R
#;$7$( Dialogue o 1arad ! Yudhishthira (-ales o @ay=ViCay)
During the "aCsuya Yagya in YudhishthirKs courtE Lord Krishna had beheaded ,hishupal with &is wheel$
+veryoneE including Yudhishthir saw ,hishupalKs soul annihilating in Lord Krishna$ ,urprised
Yudhishthir had asked 1arad thenE R % DevarshiE isnKt it surprising that ,hishupal who was so Cealous o
Lord KrishnaE got merged in &imN ,uch ortune is even rare or the great Yogis (ascetics)$ &ow did then
this rival o *od get such a supreme ortuneNR
1arad saidE R% king criticismE praiseE serving or negligence are all conined to the body only$ 6hen the
soul is identiied with the bodyE people suer rom the impact o scolding and abusing$ *od has no ego
like ordinary beingsE because &e is the supreme soul and ultimate$ . &e punishes someone it is or
oneKs beneit and not or any anger or Cealousy$ -hereore one must concentrate his mind in *od no
matter what his eelings are= enmityE devotionE earE aection$
.n *odKs view these eelings donKt make any dierence$R 1arad saidE R YudhishthirE in my opinion it is
certain that the concentration achieved through a eeling o enmity is rare to achiev otherwiseE even
with devotion$ -his is the reason why uncountable number o sinnersE who had strong enmity or Lord
KrishnaE merged with &im$ Your cousins= ,hishupal and Dantavkra were ortunate$ -hey both were the
gatekeepers o the Lord$ .t was by curse o BrahminE that they had to be relegated and take birth as
sinul demons$R
1arad saidE R% kingE BrahmaKs 'anasputras (sons begotten by thoughts) ,anakadikumars were reely
roaming all over the universe$ %nce they reached Vaikunth (the abode o Lord Vishnu)$ But assuming
them to be ordinary boys the gatekeepers @ay=ViCay did not allow them in$ .ndignant by the behaviour o
the *atekeepersE ,anakadi Kumars cursed themJ R<ools both o you donKt deserve a presence near
*od$ Both o you are endowed with "aCaguna and -amoguna (royal and dark virtues)E so go and take
birth as the demons$R 6hen both the gatekeepers were alling rom VaikunthE the kind ,anakadi
Kumars saidE R %$K$ the eect o our curse shall long or your three births onlyE thereater you shall
return to Vaikunth again$R
#;$7$0 -ale o &iranyaksh and &iranykashipu
By the curse o BrahminsE the gatekeepers o the *odE @ay=ViCay took their irst birth as the demons=
&iranyakashipu and &iranyaksh$ Diti was their mother$ &iranyaksh had stolen the earth and hidden it in
,utala LokaE causing worries or Brahma$ -o remove the worries o BrahmaE Lord appeared as
Varahavatar (the boar incarnation) and killed &iranyaksh$ Ater the killing o &iranyaksh his elder
brother &iraykashipu developed enmity with Lord Vishnu$ &e avowed to other demonsJ R. will kill that
tricky Vishnu with my trident$ -hus no one will be able to protect the gods$ All o you go out and bring
havoc on them$R -hen &iranykashipu cremated his younger brother &iranyakshE condoled mother Aditi
and wie o his younger brother and himsel went away to observe penance in order to acMuire strength
and gallantry$
.n the Valley o 'andarachal 'ountainE &iranykashipu stood on one toe only and raised his hands
towards sky$ &e continued to stand in the same position$ 2ltimately ire began to emerge rom his head$
-hat ire caused burning o all the three lokas (worlds$) 8anicked by the ire the gods reached to
Brahma and prayed to put the ire o$ Brahma at once appeared beore &iranykashipu and saidE R,on
&iranykashipuE your penance is over now$ 1ow seek a boon o your wish$K
6orshipping BrahmaE &iranykashipu saidJ K'ay . not be killed by any living being created by youE may .
be killed neither in day nor in nightE neither by humans nor by animalsE neither by weapons nor by armsE
neither on earth nor in sky$ 'ay no one match me in war$ 'ay . be an undisputed emperor o all the
living beings$K 8leased by his penanceE Brahma granted &iranykashipu that rare boon$
By the virtue o BrahmaKs boonE &iranykashipu grew eGtremely strong$ 1ow he had no ear o deathE so
his atrocities increased day by day$ &e deeated all the godsE human beingsE demonsE demigods$
+veryone accepted his superiority$ 1owE &iranykashipu began to reside in heaven itsel$ &e also made
an all round declarationJ Kall the people who worship or even remember VishnuE shall be put to death in
my kingdom$ 1obody else is *od eGcept me$K -hus all the gods and demons began to worship
&iranykashipu and presented him with gits to please him$ *andharvE ,iddhasE sagesE elves etc$ all
began to sing in his praise$
1arad saysJ K% YudhisthirE &iranykashipu had such a brilliance that he began to receive the oerings
himsel o the Yagyas perormed by Brahmins$ %n all the seven islands and upto the heavenE it was his
dominion$ 1ow he was reely and lavishly enCoying all the luGuries$ 'addened by the luGuriesE he even
began to violate the rulings o the scriptures$ 8erpleGed by his harsh ruleE all the gods went into the
reuge o the Almighty$ -hrough a celestial voiceE *od comorted themJ KDonKt be araid % gods$ . am
aware o havoc caused by this demon$ . will destroy himE you wait or some more time$ 6hen he will
begin to torment his calm and devotee son 8rahladE . will deinitely kill him$K
-he demon king &iranykashipu had our sons$ 8rahlad was youngest o themE 8rahlad was the greatest
lover and devotee o *od$ &iranykashipu had declared such a pious son like 8rahlad a criminal o the
state$ -hus he tried his best to kill 8rahlad$
#;$7$4 ,ketch o 8rahladE -he *reat Devotee
8ious virtues o 8rahladJ = -he youngest son o the demon king &iranykashipuE 8rahlad was very
virtuous$ &e used to serve the sages with love$ &e treated all the beings eMually and did never
dierentiate them as separate rom him$ &e had a respect or the elders$ Despite having knowledgeE
wealthE beautyE and nobilityE 8rahlad didnKt have any ego$ &e never lost patience even in most adverse
conditions$ &e also regarded the world as alse and worthless$ &e had no desire or anythingE but had
ull restraint on his mindE organE breathE and body$ Despite having born in demon amilyE he didnKt have
any demonic virtues$ 1arad saysJ K% YudhisthirE as the virtues o the *od are endlessE similarly the
virtues o 8rahlad had no limit$ But a natural and congenital love or Lord ,hri Krishna was his greatest
merit$
,ince his childhoodE 8rahlad had no inclination or childish plays$ %ten he used to meditate silently$
During his meditationE he used to become Muite motionless$ 'ore than oten he elt as i *od himsel
was ondling him taking him in &is lap$ At times when he eGperienced an absence o *odE 8rahlad
would cry loudlyE and at other times he would laugh with Coy seeing *od beore him$ &e also used to
singE shout and even dance whenever he elt *od nearby$ %ccasionallyE 8rahlad used to mimic *odE or
eeling the sot touch o *odE sit peaceully without movement$ ,uch was the trance like condition o
8rahlad who had a complete submersion in devotion or *od$
ducation of %rah)ad:
Shu2rachar*a /as the teacher of the demons1 Su2hrachar*a:s t/o sons had been appointed to teach the
bo*s of the ro*a) fami)*1 Sta*in' at a p)ace c)oser to the ro*a) pa)ace( these t/o brothers tau'ht the bo*s
in po)itics( economics etc1 %rah)ad too /as sent to them for forma) education1 There he used to )isten to
his teachers carefu))* and recite /hat he had been tau'ht1 But %rah)ad did not )i2e the education( /hich
/as based on fa)sehood1 $ne da* Hiran*2ashipu too2 %rah)ad in his )ap and as2ed )o,in')*: :M* son(
te)) me( /hat *ou )i2e the most1: %rah)ad said: :Dather( in m* opinion( this /or)d is nothin' but fu)) of
sorro/1 Hence it is just for e,er* bein' that the* shou)d 'i,e up this b)ind4pit )i2e /or)d and 'o to the
forests and ta2e she)ter in 3od( to be free of miseries1: A)armed b* these /ords( Hiran*2ashipu /arned
the teachers( the sons of Shu2rachar*a( to )oo2 after %rah)ad /e))( and to remo,e that mean thou'hts of
de,otion from his mind1 He a)so cautioned the teachers to 'uard %rah)ad a'ainst an* possib)e approach
b* a 'od( ascetic or Brahmin1
3uruputras -the teacher of %rah)ad. tried their best and trained %rah)ad in po)icies of Sama( Dama( Dand(
Bhed -con,iction( temptation( fear of punishment and partia)it*1. Then the* trained him in Arth( Dharma
and Kama -economic matters( re)i'ion and carna) 2no/)ed'e1. 6hen the* fe)t satisfied /ith their efforts
the 3uruputras brou'ht %raha)d a'ain to his father( the demon 2in' Miran*2asipu1
Hiran*2ashipu 2issed %rah)ad:s head and too2 him in his )ap and as2ed( FM* son %rah)ad( te)) me in
detai) /hat *ou ha,e )earned from *our teacher durin' *our sta* /ith them1F %rah)ad said( FDather there
are nine 2inds of de,otion for "ord Vishnu1 &f one de,e)ops these nine 2inds of de,otion /ith
dedication( & understand( it /ou)d be the best education1F &nfuriated b* these /ords( Hiran*2ashipu
thre/ %rah)ad on the f)oor and be'an to scoff at 3uruputras1
#;$7$9 Attempts to Kill 8rahlad
Hearin' his father scoffin' at 3uruputras( %rah)ad said( FDather it /as not tau'ht to me b* them( it is m*
natura) inc)ination1F These /ords further infuriated Hiran*2ashipu1 B)inded b* an'er he ordered his
so)diers to 2i)) %rah)ad at once1 Dormidab)e demons hit %rah)ad /ith their arms1 At that time %rah)ad:s
conscience /as focused in 3od1 A)) the b)o/s of the demons *ie)ded no resu)t1 Thereafter( %rah)ad /as
tramp)ed b* into9icated e)ephants( bitten b* poisonous sna2es thro/n from the hi'h c)iffs into the sea
and e,en in fire( buried under the mountain but a)) in ,ain1 !one of the attempts cou)d do an* harm to
the sin)ess %rah)ad1
!o/( Hiran2ashipu be'an to fee) /orried because of his inabi)it*1 Seein' him /orried the teacher
assured him( FBe free of /orries( $ 2in'1 Keep *our son tied in Varunpash -the noose of ,arun. unti) our
father Shu2rachar*a returns1F Then the* a'ain too2 %rah)ad to their hermita'e to teach him
3rihasthdharm -duties of a married man.1 $ne da* the teachers /ere a/a* for some ur'ent /or21
%rah)ad ca))ed his c)assmates and be'an to preach them about "ord Vishnu1
%reachin' to Demon Bo*s b* %rah)ad:
%rah)ad preached( FDriends( human incarnation is a rare thin' in this /or)d1 So ta2in' she)ter at the feet
of 3od in this human incarnation is a success for )ife1 Brothers( 3od is the friend( be)o,ed and the sou)
of each and e,er* bein'1 Sensua) p)easures are easi)* a,ai)ab)e in e,er* incarnation( so it is use)ess to
ma2e ph*sica) efforts to achie,e sensua) p)easures1 But this human bod* is a means to 'et 3od1 So( as
)on' as the bod* is sound and hea)th* and it has stren'th one must /or2 for his benefits1
&al o the lie o a man is simply wasted in sleeping$ <irst twenty years pass in playingE Young age
passes in satisying the ego while during the twenty years o old age human body becomes crippled$ ,o
riends donKt waste your lie running ater the physical pleasuresE luGuriesE wealth and all that leads to a
certain all$ %ne needs not work hard to please the *od$ &e is soul o every living being$ &e is sel=
achieved$ %nly do good to every living beingE be kind to them unconditionally$
*od is pleased with these actions only$ .mpressed by the beautiul preaching o 8rahlad about
Bhagwad DharmaE the demon boys askedE R% princeE you have never been away rom the hermitage$
&ow then did you get such a knowledge at such a raw ageN 8rahlad told his ellow disciples that when
his ather was away on 'andarachal or penanceE .ndra had kidnapped his mother Kayadhu$ &e was
taking her to Devloka when Devarshi 1arad stopped him in the way and asked why he was taking such
a helpless woman so orcibly$ .ndra had told then that he would destroy her oetus who was going to be
a demon and thereater would let her go$
1arad had saidE RDevaraC there is a great devotee o *od in this oetusE you cannot kill him$ But you
need not ear him$R -hus convinced by 1aradE .ndra had released Kayadhu who then came to stay at
1aradKs hermitage to pass her time$ .n the pious company o 1arad whoE with a desire to beneit my
mother and meE had preached us about Bhagwad dharmaE and absolute knowledge (Vishuddha
*yana)$R .t is that knowledge which . have preached you Cust now$ *od is pleased with unconditional
love only$ ,o you too develop devotion or *od$R
11&8 0hapter 8
-his chapter contains 9 sub=sections$
#;$)$# Description o the 'anvataras
718 ,wayambhu 'anvantra= King 8arikshit said to ,hukdevE R*urudevE . Cust heard that tale o sel=
begotten 'anuKs lineage$ 1ow kindly describe to me about the others 'anus$ Also describe the
plays o *odKs dierent incarnations which occurred during dierent 'anvantaras$R ,hukdev
saidE R8arikshitE during -amas 'anvantaraE Lord 1arayana was born as &ari incarnation rom
&ariniE the wie o a sage$ .n that incarnation &e saved an elephant rom the Caws o a crocodile$
During the present Kalpa (period comprising the sum o all the our Yugas)E siG 'anvantaras
have passed$ . have described the irst one$ 1owE listen to the description o the other
'anvantaras$R
728 ,warochish 'anvantara= ,warochi 'anu was the son o Agni$ &e had sons named DyumanaE
,ushena and "ochismana$ During that 'anvantaraE .ndraKs post was occuppied by "ochan$
,cholars o Vedas like VraCstambh etc$ were among the ,aptarishi (seven great sages)$ Lord
had taken incarnation as VibhuE the son o a sage Vedshira and his wie -ushita$ Vibhu
remained a loyal celibate lielong$ <ollowing &is conductE eighty=eight thousand more sages
observed celibacy lie long$
738 2ttam 'anvantara= -hird 'anu 2ttam was the son o the king 8riyvrata$ &e had sons named
8awanE ,anCayE YagyhotraE etc$ .n that 'anvantarE seven sons o the sage Vashisht were
,aptarishi (the seven great sages)$ .ndraKs name was ,atyaCit$ ,atyaE Vedshrut and Bhadra
were the main *anas (courtiers) o the *od$ *od had appeared in the incarnation o ,atyasenE
the son o Dharma and ,unrita$ &e was accompanied by Devganas named ,atyvrata$ Lord had
destroyed during that period the evil YakshasE demon and poltergeists$
7-8 -amas 'anvantara= -amasE the ourth 'anu was the real brother o 2ttamE the third 'anu$ &e
had ten sons$ -rishikh was .ndra thenE with ,atyakE &ariE Veer etc$ as his main courtiers$ ,age
like @yotirdham etc$ were the ,aptarishi$ During that 'anvantara Lord had saved *aCendra rom
the Caws o the crocodile$
7/8 "aiwat 'anvantaraJ "aiwas was the ith 'anu$ &e was also the real brother o -amasE the third
'anu$ &e had many sons$ Vibhu was the name o .ndra$ ,ages like &iranyromaE VedshiraE
2rdhubahm were among ,aptarishi$ *od had appeared in the incarnation o Vaikunth the son o
the sage ,hubh and his wie Vikuntha$ At the reMuest o *oddess LaGmiE Lord Vaikunth created
Vaikunth dhamE the best among all other lokas (worlds)$
7,8 :hakshush 'anvantaraJ :hakshush was the siGth 'anu$ &e had sons named 8uruE 8urushE
,adyumn etc$ 'antrradruma was .ndra thenE with Apya etc$ as main courtiers$ ,ages like
&avishmana and Veeraka etc$ were among the ,aptarishi$ During that 'anuantaraE Lord had
appeared in partial incarnation as ACitE the son o VanraC and his wie ,ambhunti$ .t was he who
caused the churning o the sea and made the *odKs drink nectar and supported 'andarachal
'ountain on his back in Kachchhap (tortoise) rom during the churning$
718 Vaivasvata 'anvantaraJ ,hri ,hukdev saysE R 8arikshit in the present eraE the seventh 'anuE
,hardhdev is the son o ,urya$ &e has ten sons= .kshvakuE 1abhagE DrishtE ,haryatiE
1arishyantaE 1abhagE DishtE KarushE 8rishadhra and Vasumana$ 8urandar is the name o .ndra$
&e has AdityaE VasuE "udraE VishvadevE 'arudganaE AshwiniE Kumar and "ishi as his main
courtiers$ KashyapaE AtriE VashishthaE VishvamitraE *autamE @amadagni and BhardwaC are the
,aptarishi$ During this 'anvantaraE *od has arrived in Vamana incarnation as the son o
Kashyapa and his wie Aditi$
7*8 ,avarni 'anvantaraJ ,avarniE the son o ,urya and :hhaya would be the eighth 'anu$ -he king
,urathE who had occurred in ,warachish 'anvantaraE had worshiped *oddess Bhagwadi
intenselyE and thus received a boon o having an unbroken empire on earth$ .n later course he
will be the son o ,urya and become the eighth 'anu also$ &e would have sons like 1irmakaE
ViraCask etc$ Vairochana Bali would be .ndraE Amritprabha etc$ as his main courtiers$ *alavaE
DiptimanaE 8arashuramaE AshwatthamaE KripacharyaE "ishyshring and Vyas= these great sages
would be the ,aptarishi during the eight 'anvantara$ *od would take incarnation as
,arvbhaumE the sons o Devguhya and his wie ,araswati$ *od as ,arvbhaum would snatch the
kingdom o ,warga (heaven) rom 8urandara .ndra and give it to the king Bali$
748 1inth 'anvantaraJ ,hri ,hukdev saysE VarunaKs son Dakshasavarni would be the ninth 'anu$
&e would have sons like BhutaketuE DiptketuE Dyutimana etc$ *od would take birth as the
incarnation o "ishabhE the son o sage Ayushmana and his wie Ambudhara$ A person named
Adbhut would be .ndra and he would have 8araE 'arichigarbh etc$ as his main courtiers$
7108 -he -enth 'anvantaraJ 2pshloksaKs son Brahma ,avarni would be the tenth 'anu$ &e
would be very pious in nature and have sons like Bhurishen etc$ &avishmanaE ,ukritiE ,atyaE
@ayE 'urti etc$ would be ,aptarishi$ ,hambhu would be .ndraE with ,uvasanaE Viruddh etc$ as
his main courtiers$ *od would appear in the incarnation o Vishwasen as the son o VishwasriC
and his wie Vishuchi$ &e would be a riend o .ndra$
7118 -he +leventh 'anvantaraJ -he sel=restraining Dharmasavarni would be the eleventh
'anu$ &e would have ten sons$ Vaidhrita would be .ndra with VihangamaE KamagamaE etc$ as
main courtiers$ Vedic sages like Arun etc$ would be the ,aptarishi$ *od would appear as
DharmasetuE the sons o Aryak and Vaidhrita$ .n this incarnation he would protect -riloki (all the
three worlds)$
7128 -welveth 'anvantraJ "udrasavarni would be the twelth 'anu$ &e would have sons
named DevavanaE 2pdev and Devshreshth etc$ "itdhama would be .ndra with &ari etc$ as his
main courtiers$ As the son o ,atyasahay and his wie ,unritaE the *od would protect this
'anvantara in the orm o ,wadham$
7138 -hirteenth 'anvantaraJ Devsavarni would be the thirteenth 'anvantara$ &e would have
sons named :hitrasenE Vichitra etc$ Divaspati would be .ndra o the gods like ,ukarmE ,utram
etc$ ,ages like 1irmokaE -atvadarsh etc$ would be the ,aptarishi$ *od would appear as
YogeshwarE the sons o Devhotra and his wie Brihati$ &e would bestow the designation o .ndra
to Divaspati$
71-8 <ourteenth 'anvantaraJ .ndrasavarmi would be the ourteenth 'anu$ &e would have
sons like 2ruE *ambhir Buddhi etc$ ,huchi would be .ndra and have 8avitra :hakshush etc$ as
his main courtiers$ AgniE BahuE ,huchiE 'agadh etc$ would be the ,aptarishi$ *od would appear
in the incarnation o Brihadbhahu as the son o ,atrayana and his wie Vinata and cause the
eGtension o Karmakand (actions)$R
,hukdev saysE R% 8arikshitE these ourteen 'anvantaras had continued in pastE are continuing in the
present and they would continue in the uture also$ .t is by themE that a Kalp (a period o thousand
:haturyugas) is completed$ :alculation o time is also done through these 'anvantaras$
8eriod o a 'anvantra is slightly more then seventy one :haturyugas (all the our Yugas passing
seventy=one times)$ A :haturyugya (period o all the our Yugas taken together) lasts or about 0 million
yearsE while a Kalpa lasts or about our thousand three hundred and twenty million years$ -his is eMual
to a day o Brahma$ BrahmaKs night is 'ahapralaya (the great deluge)$ 6hen that night is overE Brahma
again begins the work o new creation eGactly as per the previous Kalpa$ :arrying out this responsibility
continuously or a centuryE Brahma goes back to Bhagwad dham (the abode o Lord Vishnu)$
&is responsibilities are taken over by the neGt BrahmaE who carries out the work o creationE by the
inspiration o Lord 1arayana$
#;$)$( -ale o *aCendraE the elephant and *rahE the crocodile
King 8arikshit askedE R'univarE *od had salve *aCendraE in &is &ari incarnation$ . wish to hear this
tale$R
,hukdev saysE R % kingE in -amas 'anvantaraE *od had appeared as &ari and saved *aCendra rom
the Caws o *rah the crocodile$ . am narrating the tale to you listen to it careully$ ,urrounded by
KshirsagarE there was a high mountain named -rikuta$ .n the dense orest on the mountain there lived
*aCendra along with his harem o many cows$ *aCendra was the king o many big and strong elephants$
%ne dayE *aCendra was passing his time playully with his amily in the orests$ .t was very hot that day$
,oE perpleGed by the sunE *aCendra descended down the mountain with his amily$ At the oothillsE there
was a big lake with deepE cold water and many lotuses blooming in it$ *aCendra entered the lake and
drank water to his ill$ -hen he took bath and started to play in the water$ &is activities in the water
disturbed the crocodile who lived there$ 6ith angerE the crocodile caught hold o *aCendraKs leg$
,tartled by the sudden attackE *aCendra put all his might to get ree but in vain$ -hey only Costled
against each other or long$ +very momentE crocodileKs strengths seemed to be gaining$ At lastE
because o constant pulling into waterE *aCendraKs strength gave away$ 1owE he was very desperate
and thought that *od has sent the crocodile as a noose o Yama (death) or him$ -his thought horriied
the elephantE so he decided to take reuge at ,hri &ari$
%ra*er of 3od b* 3ajendra:
3ajendra had the memor* of his pre,ious birth fresh1 So concentratin' his mind in the beautifu)
appearance of 3od( he be'an to pra*( F& ta2e refu'e at 3od( /ho is the base of the entire /or)d( /ho is
the u)timate refu'e for e,er*one1 &t is difficu)t to unfo)d the m*steries of His p)a*s1 He ta2es man*
'uises1 !ot e,en the sa'es and the 'ods 2no/ His appearance and ')or*1 Ma* such a "ord protect me1 $
"ord( *our po/ers are unendin'1 +ou are 'racious to those /ho ta2e refu'e in *ou1 &))usioned b* *ou(
this humb)e creature does not reco'niBe *ou1 $ "ord( & am in *our refu'e1F
Shu2de, sa*s( F%ari2shit( 3ajendra had pra*ed 3od impartia))* and unspecifica))* so other 'ods did not
come to sa,e him1 Bein' the sou) of e,er*one( "ord Shri Hari appeared Himse)f and sa/ 3ajendra in
deep crisis1 6hen 3ajendra sa/ that "ord Shri Hari had arri,ed on his ,ehic)e 3aruda from the s2*( he
pic2ed a )otus from the )a2e and raised it in his trun2 and said( F$ 5a'adish/ar -3od of a)) /or)d.
!ara*ana( here is a sa)utation for *ou1F B* then "ord jumped do/n from the 3aruda and dra''ed both
of them out of /ater1 Then He tore the ja/s of the crocodi)e b* his /hee) and sa,ed 3ajendra1 A)) the
'ods( Brahma and "ord Shi,aa /orshiped 3od and sho/ered f)o/ers on Him1
%re,ious Births of 3aja G 3rah:
Ki))ed b* the 3od( the crocodi)e at once ac8uired a di,ine appearance1 He /as a 'ood4natured
3andhar,a -demi'od. named Huhu( in his pre,ious birth1 B* the curse of Mahatma De,a)( he had to
ta2e birth in crocodi)e form1 But no/( b* the 'race of 3od he /as sa),ed and /ent to his hea,en)*
abode1 3ajendra too recei,ed sa),ation b* mere touch of 3od1 He too /ent to the hea,en)* abode of
3od1
&n his pre,ious birth( 3ajendra /as a 2in' of %and*a d*nast*1 His name /as &ndrad*umna1 He /as a
fer,ent de,otee of 3od1 So he had abandoned his 2in'dom and ta2en to penance on Ma)a* Mountain1
$ne da* he /as en'rossed in his /orship /hen sa'e A'ast*a arri,ed there /ith his discip)es1 Dor not
'ettin' due /e)come from the 2in'( A'ast*a cursed him( F+ou /ith a du)) mind( /ho ne')ect his 'uests
/i)) be born as an e)ephant1F But e,en in e)ephant incarnation( and b* the ,irtues of his de,otion(
3ajendra retained the memor* of his pre,ious birth1 3od appointed him as his courtier and departed to
his di,ine abode ridin' on 3aruda1F
#;$)$0 :hurning o the ,ea
King 8arikshit askedE R% great sageE how did *od cause churning o the sea$ 6hat was the purpose
behind itN Kindly tell meNR ,hukdev saysE R8arikshitE in the siGth :hakshush 'anvantaraEthe demons
king Bali had deeated the gods$
.ndra had also lost his glory by insulting the garland which sage Durvasa had presented to him as a
*odKs git$ .ndra had put the garland in elephantKs neck and then got it crushed under its eet$ But now
having lost his kingdom and struck by misortuneE .ndra and other gods with Brahma prayed to the Lord
$ 'elted by their prayersE *od appeared beore them$ All the gods laid beore &im and worshiped$ -he
omnipotent *od inspired the gods to churn the sea$
Lord asked the gods to churn the sea and produce nectar$ &e also advised them to take the help o
demons in that great task$ Drinking the nectar one becomes immortal$ *od asked the gods to put
various medicinal plants and vegetations in Kshirsagar (sea o milk) and churn it by 'andarachal
'ountain moving it with the help o Vasuki the naga$ *od promised them o all help rom &is part$
-hereaterE .ndra and other gods went unarmed to the demon king Bali and told him o their intention$
Demons too liked the idea$ 6ith a riendly attitude then the gods and the demons together uprooted the
mount 'andarachal$ But they could not carry it to the sea$ Lord appeared on *aruda and carried the
mountain to the sea$
-he gods and demons had promised VasukiE the 1aga his due share in the nectar$ ,o Vasuki allowed
them to use him as a ropeE wound around 'andarachal as a means to move it$ .n the incarnation o
ACitE Lord told the gods to hold the head o Vasuki$ But the demons suspecting some mischie said they
would hold the head and asked the gods to hold the 1aga rom the tail or churning$ -hus the gods held
the tail while the demons took hold o VasukiKs head$
-hus they began the churning$ But as soon as the churning began the mountain started sinking or not
having a irm base$ Lord then took Kachchhap (tortoise) incarnation and supported 'andarachal on &is
back$ %n the mountain also Lord appeared in ,ahastrabahu ormE and held it$ -he gods and the
demons churned the sea or long but nothing emerged$ ,oE Lord ACit himsel began to churn the sea$
<irst o allE it was &alahalE the deadly poison to emerg$ -he intensity o the poison began to torment
every being$ -o save their subCects rom itE 8raCapatis prayed Lord Lord ,hiva$ -he lie=giverE Lord
Bholenath (an epithet o Lord ,hiva) drank all the poison$ By the impact o the poisonE Lord Lord
,hivaKs throat turned blue in color$ &ence Lord ,hiva got the name 1ilakantha$
+mergence o *ems P 1ectarJ Ater Lord ,hiva drank the poisonE the gods and the demons began to
churn the sea again with greater enthusiasm$ 1owE KamadhenuE the divine cow emerged$ ,he was
useul or Yagya etc$ so the sages received it$ -hen a horse named 2chchaishravaE emerged and taken
up by Bali the king o demons$ -he horse was ollowed by Airavat the elephant$ .ndra took it$ -he divine
gemE Kaustubh 'aniE emerged then$ Lord ACit took it on &is chest$ -hen emerged the KalpvrikshaE the
divine tree that reached the heavens$ -hen the elves emerged$ -hey all accepted to serve .ndra in
&eaven$
*oddess Lakshmi emerged ater the elves$ All the aBimuths were lighted because o her brilliance$
+veryone was attracted towards her beautyE generosityE youthulnessE appearance and glory$ DevaraC
.ndra presented a throne or her to sit$ "ivers brought water or her ceremonial bath$ -he earth
presented medicinal bath$ :ows gave 8anchganyas and Vasant (spring) presented many kinds o ruits
and lowers$ -he sages welcomed Lakshmi with "igsuktas (hymns o "igveda)$ *andharvas sang in
her praise$ -hen taking the lotus in her handE Lakshmi took a seat on the throne$ ,ea donned her with a
beautiul silk saree$ Varun presented a garland$ ,araswati gited her with a necklace o pearls$ Brahma
presented lotus while 1agas presented two earrings$
Ater the singing by Brahmins in her praiseE Lakshmi took lotus garland in her hand and put it around
Lord VishnuKs neck in a gesture o accepting &im as her husband$ @agatpitaE Lord Vishnu too gave
Lakshmi a supreme position in &is heart$ Lakshmi was ollowed by Varuni who was taken up by the
demons$
-he gods and the demons began to churn the sea again$ At last lord Dhanvantari emerged with an urn
o nectar$ .t was Dhanvantari who developed AyurvedE the ancient .ndian system o medicine$ As soon
as the demons saw the urnE they snatched it and ran away$ A row then began among the demons over
the drinking o nectar$ :onsoling the godsE Lord appeared among the demons in the guise o an
eGtremely pretty womanE 'ohini$
Distribution o 1ectar by Lord as 'ohiniJ -he demons who were ighting over the potions o nectar
orgot everything when they saw 'ohiniE who was actually a guise o Lord Vishnu$ Lured by her
prettiness the demons came to 'ohini and reMuested her to solve the dispute or them$ .llusioned by
*odE the demons even gave the nectar to 'ohini and sat peaceully showing their conidence in her$ .n
'ohiniKs guiseE Lord thought that the demons were congenitally cruel and giving nectar to them would
be akin to eeding sakes with milk$ -heir evils would increase$
,oE 'ohini oered the nectar to the gods only while oered wine to the demons$ 6hen the nectar was
being distributedE a demon named "ahu took the guise o a god and sitting among them drank the
nectar$ ,uurya and :handra spotted him and revealed his identity to *odE who at once beheaded him$
ButE by then "ahu had drunk enough nectar$
#;$)$4 :onMuering o &eaven by King Bali
,hukdev saysE R8arikshit by the virtues o the ambrosiaE the gods had become invincible$ -hey began
to take revenge and the demon king Bali met his death in the battle$ 6hen Brahma saw the imminent
eGtermination o the demonsE he sent Devarshi 1arad in the battleield to make the gods abstain rom
the war$ -he survivng demons carried the dead Bali towards Astachal$ -hereE ,hukracharyaE the
teacher o the demonsE resurrected all the demons with his ,anCivani Vidya (knowledge that resurrects
the dead)$ -hus obligated the demon=king Bali dedicated all his wealth to ,hukracharya and began to
serve him and other Brahmins o Bhirgu clan$
By the service o the Demons Brahmin o Bhrigu clan got very much pleased$ King Bali had a long
cherished desire o conMuering the heaven$ ,o the Brahmins organiBed a VishvCit Yagya or Bali$ At the
completion o YagyaE irst emerged a beautiul chariotE all covered with gold$ -hen green coloured
horsesE ineGhaustible Muiver and a divine shield emerged in seMuence rom the altar$ BaliKs grandather
8rahlad presented him a garland while ,hukracharya gave a conch$ -hus receiving all the
weaponariesE king Bali took oath and circumambulated Brahmins$ -hereaterE greeting them he
boarded the chariot ollowed by powerul demons and their huge armies$ -hus ully prepared Bali
launched a massive attack on the heaven$
6hen .ndra saw that Bali had come with ull preparation and that his armies had surrounded AmaravatiE
he went to his teacher Brihaspati and asked about the reason or the demonsK sudden uprising$
Devguru saidE R.ndraE blessing o Bhrigu Brahmins is the main reason o the demons uprising$ You canKt
ace the demon armies yetE because Kaal himsel is in their avor$ ,o you all abandon the heaven and
hide somewhere$R Ater the abdication o the heaven by the gods Bali captured it$ -hen he conMuered
all the three worlds$ 6ith advice o his priestsE Bali organiBed one hundred Ashvmegh Yagyas$ -hus by
the grace o ,hukracharya and other Brahmins o Bhrigu clanE king Bali got the domain o the heaven
and began to rule it generously$
8reaching o 8ayovrata to Aditi by KashyapJ ,hri ,hukdev saysE R% 8arikshitE Aditi( mother o the gods)
elt very sorry or the gods and capture o the heaven by the demons$ 6hen ,age Kashyap visited
AditiKs hermitageE he saw his wie in desperate mood$ %n enMuiring about the reasonE Aditi saidE R Lord
by your grace my married lie is running well$ But . am sorry or the pitiable condition o my sonsE the
gods$ ,trong demons have snatched their abode$ ,o kindly tell me the remedy$R At her reMuest
Kashyap preached Aditi about a worship named R8ayovratR to seek the blessing *od$
-his worshipE 8ayovrat is carried out during the waGing phase o the month 8halgun (that correspond to
<ebruary='arch months in *regorian calendar) or twelve days continuously$ %ne must drink milk only
during the worship$ %ne=day beore starting the VratE that is on the day o Amavasya (moonless night)
one must smear his body with the earth dug out by the boars and take bath in the river$ -henE one must
worship *od with ,hodushopchar (siGteen treatments) while ollowing the rules prescribed or daily
routine$ &e must recite Dwadashakshari 'antra (hymn containing twelve letters)E perorm &avan with
Kheer (rice cooked in milk) and distribute 1aivadya (remaining ood rom &avan) among the devotees$
"eciting the twelve=lettered hymnE one must tell the rosary=string at least once about the wish$ -husE
the same worship must be perormed or twelve days continuously$ . one eeds a Brahmin daily during
the VratE he can be sure o *odKs grace$
'other o the godsE Aditi perormed 8ayovrat as per the advice o her husband Kashyap$ 8leased by
her VratE the Lord appeared beore her in :haturbhuC (our=armed) orm$ 'other Aditi laid lat on the
ground to greet the *od$ ,he prayedE R% Lord you are the *od o YagyaE and Yagya yoursel$ -hoseE
who take reuge at your eet are saved when you are pleasedE nothing remains ungettable$R Lord saidE R
% mother o the godsE . know about your desire$ You have worshipped me or your sonsE But it is
diicult yet to deeat the demons$ But because o your worshipE . will protect your sons by becoming
your child$R
Vaman incarnation o *odJ 6hen the Lord arrived in AditiKs wombE Brahma prayed to &im$ By BrahmaKs
prayersE the unborn *od appeared beore Aditi$ ,hukdev saysE R % 8arikshitE on the twelth day o the
waGing phase o Bhadrapada month (corresponding to ,eptember) Lord tok birth in AbhiCit 'uhurta$
+verywhereE everybody celebrated the arrival o *od with Coy$ -he gods showered lowers on &im$ -he
*od had arrived in Vaman (dwar) orm$ &is continence appearance caused tremendous Coy or the
sages$ During 2pnayan consecration o LordE the ruling deity o the *ayatri mantraE ,avitri (an epithet
or ,urya) preached &im the hymn$ *uru gave him YagyopavitE Kashyap gave neck=kerchieE the earth
gave black buck skinE :handra gave scepterE 'other gave loin clothE the sky gave umbrellaE Brahma
gave Kamandalu (coconut shell bowl) ,aptrishi gave kush (sacred grass) while *oddess ,araswati
presented *od with a string o "osaries$ YakshraC (king o Yakshas) Kuber gave him the alms bowl and
mother Annapurnna gave him alms$ -hus everyone payed due respect to *od in Vaman (dwar)
incarnation who was radiating with divine glory$
Lord was intimated that the king Bali was perorming many Ashvamegha Yagyas with Bhrigu
Brahmans$ &e at once let or the Yagya siteE at a place named Bhrigu Kachch on the banks o the river
1armada$ As soon as Lord Vaman reached the siteE all the sagesE hosts and others present there
became dull beore the radiance o *od$ -hey elt as i ,urya himsel had arisen there$ +veryone stood
up to welcome *od$ &ost Bali oered &im the best seat and washed &is eet with aection$ -hen Bali
reMuested *od or his service$
Demanding three steps o Land by VamanJ King Bali reMuestedE R% Brahmin E now tell me how . can
serve you$ You are the tangible representation o the penance o Brahmarishis$ By your arrivalE all my
ancestors are salvedE my clan is blessedE my Yagya has succeeded$ Ask me whatever you wish$ . am
ready to give you your desired obCect$R
&earing the pious talk o the king BaliE Lord Vaman blessed him and saidE R% kingE no one have been
impatient and rugal in your clan$ "eputation o your grandather 8rahlad is still alive$ You great
grandather &iranykashipu had chased the illusionary Vishnu who had hid in your great grandatherKs
heart itsel$ 6hen the inuriated &iranykashipu could not ind Vishnu anywhere in all the three worldsE
he presumed that Vishnu had died because o his ear alone$R
R% kingR continued Lord VamanE R You are eGcellent among the religious people$ % demon kingE you
can ulill any great desire$ But . demand only as much land as could be covered in three steps o mine$
. need nothing else$R King Bali saidE R % BatuE (dwar Brahmin) you talk like aged persons but your mind
is childish$ . am the ruler o all the three worldsE and you are asking or three steps o land onlyE you can
still ask or anything else$ Lord Vaman repliedER % kingE greedy ones are not sated even i they get
whole o the earth$ But . donKt want more than my reMuirement$R King Bali agreed to donate Vaman the
Land as per his demands and picked up the water pot to make resolution$
6hen *uru ,hukracharyaE saw that Bali had agreed to donate landE he tried to persuade himE R% BaliE
this Vaman is none other than indestructible Lord Vishnu$ &e has taken incarnation o Vaman as a son
o AditiE KashyapKs wieE in the interest o the gods$ 2nknowingly you have made a promise to ulil &is
desire$ But &e will snatch everything rom you and hand it over to .ndra$ -his illusionary Batu will
measure whole o your empire in all the three worlds with his two stepsE so you will not be able to keep
your promise also$ &enceE show your inability to make donation as per &is demandE send &im back$R
'easuring o +arthKs heaven by VamanJ ,hukdev saysE R8arikshit withE politeness king Bali asserted to
his teacherE R *urudevE your words are true$ But . am the grandson o great 8rahlad$ 1ow . cannot
reverse my promise$ 1o religion is greater than truth$ .Km not araid o any calamity eGcept o deceiving
a Brahmin$R 6henE ,hukracharya saw that his disciple Bali was determined to violate his dictateE he
cursedE R % kingE soon you will be devoid o the wealth you have been enCoying$R
But despite having been cursed by his teacherE Bali stayed irm to his promise$ 6orshipping Vaman
ormallyE he took some water on his palm and made the promise to donate land$ As soon as Bali made
the promiseE Lord Vaman assumed a gigantic appearance and measured BaliKs entire empire in his
steps$ .n irst &e measured the whole o the earth$ .n the neGt &e measured the heaven$ -he second
step itsel reached ,atyalokaE where Brahma had once washed LordKs eet and kept the waterE in a
Kamandalu (a bowl o coconut shell) that came on earth later as the river *anges$ 1ow there was no
room or *od to put &is third step$ Lord ridiculed Bali or not keeping his promise ullyE RYour everything
is mine nowE but your promise is still incomplete$
,hukdev says Lord ridiculed Bali but he remained unmoved with patience$ &e saidJ K% LordE . keep my
promise ullyE you put your third step on my head$ . donKt want a blemish on my reputation$K Lord saidJ K.
snatch all the wealth rom people who are bestowed with my grace$ -hey then become an inseparable
devotee o meE ree rom every blemish$K -hus Lord Vishnu gave Bali the empire o ,utal Loka (hades)
that was even richer than the heaven and saidJ K. will protect you there rom all the obstacles$K Your
hundredth Ashvamudh Yagya shall be completed$ .n due course o time you shall be the king o the
heaven$K -his wayE without ighting a battleE Lord took the empire o heaven rom the demons and gave
it to &is brother .ndra$
#;$)$9 -ale o 'atysa=Avatar
King 8arikshit askedJ K% *urudevE Lord is omnipotent$ 6hy did &e then take 'atsyavatar like an
ordinary being bound by karmaN . want to hear the tale o *odKs 'atsyavatar$K ,hukdev saidJ K%
8arikshitE *od is one$ ,till or the preservation o &is devoteesE &e takes various incarnations$ &e also
shows &is plays by being present in all the creatures$ But &e remains unaected by the merits and
demerits o those living beings$K
K8arikshitE at the end o last KalpE Brahma had allen asleepE causing a 8ralaya$ All the worlds had been
inundated then$ 6hen Brahma had allen asleepE Vedas ell out rom his open mouth$ A demon
&ayagreeev abducted the Vedas by his illusionary powers$ %mnipotent *od had known the action o
the demon$ ,o he had to take 'atsyavatar (ish=incarnation)$K
K-here was a King named ,atyavrat during that time$ &e was very generous and great devotee o *od$
,ustaining himsel on water onlyE the King was observing severe penance$ -he same King ,atyavrat
has come to be known as ,hraddhdevE the son o ,urya (Vaivashvat) in the present Kalp$ %ne dayE
,atyavrat was taking a bath in the riverE when a small ish came in his olded palms$ -he ish reMuested
the King to save her$ ,o the King put the ish in Kamandalu (coconut shell bowl)$ But in no time the ish
grew too big to be accommodated in the Kamandalu$ ,o the King transerred the ish into anotherE
bigger potE but again it grew too big to be accommodated in the pot$ -he seMuence continued till the
ish outgrew even the big lake$ ,o the King decided to put the ish in the sea$
-he ishE which was actually an incarnation o *odE reMuested the King not to put it in a sea inhabited
by ierce monsters$ King ,atyavrat grew suspicious$ ,o with olded handsE the King reMuested the ish
to appear in its real orm$ .nstantaneouslyE Lord 1arayana appeared and told the KingJ K+Gactly on the
seventh day rom nowE 8ralaya will inundate all the three lokas$ But . will send a boat or you$ You will
board the boat and tether it to my horns with VasukiE the 1aga$K &aving received the inormation o
delugeE the King began to wait or its arrival while relecting on *odKs virtues$ %n the seventh dayE
dense clouds gathered in the sky and began to rain torrentially$ ,oon whole o the earth was inundated$
-he King ,atyavrat ound the boat sent by Lord$ Boarding the boatE ,atyavrat began to pray to *od$ At
his prayersE Lord preached him the knowledge o metaphysical$ -hereaterE the *od killed the demon
&ayagreev and recovered the Vedas$ 6hen Brahma awoke rom his sleepE Lord handed the Vedas to
him$K
11&9 0hapter 9
-his chapter contains 0 sub=sections$
#;$/$# Description o the Vaivasvat 'anu Dynasty
King 8arikshit reMuested ,hukdev to describe about the dynasty o his contemporary 'anuE
,hraddhdev$ ,hukdev saidJ K8arikshitE . describe about the dynasty o 'anu in short because i . go in
detailE it will not be completed in hundreds o years$K 'anu ,hraddhdev was the son o ,urya and
,andhya$ 1ame o 'anuKs wie was ,hraddha$ -hey did not have any child initiallyE so they organised a
8utrayeshti Yagya under the auspices o their amily teacher Vashishth$ But right amidst the
proceedingsE the Mueen ,hraddha prayed the Brahmins to bless her or a emale child$ -he Brahmins
made oerings as per her wish$ :onseMuently a girlE instead o a boyE was born to them$ ,he was
named .la$ But the King reMuested Vashishth to transorm her into a boy$ Vashishth did the sameE and
the boy thus obtained was named as ,udyumn$
-AL+ %< ,2DY2'1 J= %ne day ,udyumn had gone on a hunting eGcursion$ "iding the horse with his
ministersE ,udyumn reached a orest at the oothills o 'eru 'ountain$ -he orest was the nuptial
abode o Lord ,hiva and 'ata 8arvati$ As soon as ,udyumn and his companions entered the orestsE
they allE even horsesE got converted into emales$ "elating its reason ,ukhdev saidJ K%nceE 'ata
8arvati was sitting naked in the lap o Lord ,hiva when suddenly some great sages arrived there to
have a sight o Lord$ 'ata 8arvati sank with shyness and ran to don some cloth$ 6hen the sages saw
that *auri=Lord ,hiva were enCoying intimacyE they moved at once to the hermitage o 1ar=1arayana$
"ight at that momentE in order to please 'ata 8arvatiE Lord ,hiv saidJ K+Gcept meE any man who enters
hereE shall become a women$K .t was because o these words o Lord Lord ,hivaE that ,udyumn and his
companions were transormed into emales$ 6hile ,udyumn was roaming as womanE BudhE the son o
:handraE ell in love with her and they agreed to get married$ <rom their marriageE a sonE 8ururawa was
bornE who ounded the town named 8ratishthanpur$
,udyumnE in emale ormE prayed Lord ,hiva to ree him rom woman incarnation$ Lord ,hiva blessed
,udyumn that he would be a man or a month and a woman or another$ -hus this cycle would continue
lie long$ -hereater ,udyumn returned to the kingdom and began to rule it religiously$ &e got three
sons in due course= 2tkalE *aya and Vimal$ .n the twilight o his lieE ,udyumn gave his kingdom to
8ururava and he took eGile$
-AL+ %< 8A".,&AD&"2 J= Ater the eGile o ,udyumnE 'anu took to penance with a desire to have
son$ 8leased by his penance ,hri &ari blessed him to have ten sons$ 8arishadhru was the eldest o
them$ &e was appointed in the service o the cows$ %ne night in darknessE a tiger broke into the
cowshed causing a panic among the cows$ &earing the panicky noise o the cowsE 8rishadhru ran to
the cowshed$ -here he saw that the tiger had caught a cowE and she was bellowing in pain and ear$
8rishadhru at once ran to help and with a powerul blow o the sword he beheaded the tiger$ .t was
pitch dark in the cattleshedE so 8rishadhru could not see whom he had killed$ .n the morning he realiBed
that he had killed the cow and not the tiger$ &e elt eGtremely sorry$ -heir amily teacher cursed him to
lead a lie o a shudra$ 8rishadhruE thereater passed his lie as a celibate and mingled with the
supreme ,oul at last$
-AL+ %< ,&A"YA-. J= ,haryati was the second son o Vaivasvat 'anu$ &e was a great scholar o
Vedas$ &e had an eGtremely beautiul daughter named ,ukanya$ %ne dayE king ,haryati was in the
orests with his amily$ -hus roamingE they reached the hermitage o the sage :hyavan$ :hyavan was
immersed in deep meditation$ &is whole body was covered with termiteKs nestsO only eyes were shining
like irelies$ %ut o curiosityE the princess ,ukanya pricked those shining eyes o the sage with thorns$
All the kingKs army ell in crises by this incidence$ 6hen the king learned about the princessK crimeE he
begged pardon o the sage :hyavan and gave the princess in his service and himsel returned to his
palace$
.n the orest ,ukanya served :hyavan with dedication$ :hyavan received youth and vigor by the grace
o Ashwini Kumar$ 8leased by ,hukanyaKs dedicationE sage :hyavan provided her with all Mueenly
luGuries$ Ater many daysE king ,haryati again visited the orests$ -here he saw ,ukanya talking to a
beautiul young prince$ At irst ,haryati scolded at ,ukanya or violating the norms o a chast woman$
But ,ukanya told him about the transormation o the sage :hyavan by the grace o Ashwini Kumar$
Learning the reality the king elt overCoyed to see his son=in=law :hyavan in youthul state$
-AL+ %< A'B".,& J= ,hukdev saysE R 8arikshitE ,haryati was the king 1abhag$ &is son was
1aabhaag$ &e was a great devotee o his parents$ As a result o his service or his parentsE 1aabhaag
was very much comortable$ &e had a son Ambarish who was a great devotee o Vishnu$ +ven the
great wealth on earth had no value or Ambarish$-he king Ambarish served the *od with his own hands
and remained immersed in &is love$ %nceE Ambarish ollowed 1irCala +kadashi Vrat (waterless ast
observed on the eleventh day o each phase o lunar month) or a year$ During one such astE on the
twelth dayE king Ambarish was about to break his astE when sage Durvasa arrived there along with his
ten thousands disciples$ 6elcoming himE the king reMuested Durvasa to accept ood$ But the sage
turned down the reMuest saying that it was prayer time or himE so he would irst go to take bathE then
worship and take alms (ood) ultimately$ But the sage Durvasa did not return or long$ -hus by the
dictate o BrahminsE king Ambarish broke his ast with basil leaves and water$
@ust then sage Durvasa returned and saw Ambarish breaking his ast$ ,o taking it as an insultE the
inuriated Durvasa invoked Kritya in order to kill the king$ King Ambarish stood unmovedE and begged
pardon with olded hands$ Lord 1arayana saw &is devotee in trouble and inspired &is ,udarshan
:hakra (wheel) to save the king$
,udarshan :hakra irst incinerated KrityaE then aimed at sage Durvasa$ 6hen Durvasa saw ,udarshan
aimed at himE he ran or his lie$ <irst he reached Brahma$ But Brahma told him that he was not able to
protect the person who had done harm to a devotee o *od$ -hen Durvasa reached to "udra$ Lord
,hiva also saidE R DurvasaE by the wish o LordE "udras are engaged in the service o the universe$ -his
:hakra is unstoppable by me$ ,o you go to &is reugeE only &e can save you$R
<rom Lord ,hivaKs abode Durvasa reached VaikunthdhamE the supreme abode o Lord Vishnu$ &e was
eeling intense heat o the wheel$ ,oE shivering with earE he elt at the LordKs eet and saidE R% endlessE
you are the only venerable o all the saints$ % LordE . have committed a great crime against your
devotee$ % Lord please save meR$ ,eeing sage Durvasa in his reugeE Lord Vishnu saidE R Durvasa$ .
am bound to my devotee$ . am not independent$ As the devotees abdicate their everything to receive
me$ ,imilarly . am also devoted to my devotee$ ,o . too canKt protect you$ *o to the person who you
wanted to hurtE and pray him$ %nly he can save you rom the :hakra$
-husE by the dictate o *odE aggrieved Durvasa returned to the king Ambarish and ell at his eet$
Ashamed o the sage actE king Ambarish prayed *odE R% Lord i . had done any pious deedE may it be
enough to calm you and may the heat that torments this Brahmarishi Muenched$R -hus by the prayers
o king AmbarishE ,udarshan was Muietened and returned to its position on Lords inger and sage
Durvasa recovered rom his suerings$ &e blessed the king and let$
#;$/$( Description o .kshvaku Dynasty
,hukdev saysE R %nce ,hraddhdev 'anu sneeBed violently$ <rom his nostrilsE a son was born$ &e was
named .kshvaku$ .kshvaku had one hundred sons$ VikukshiE 1imi and Dandak were the eldest three o
them$
Vikukshi J= %nceE .kshvaku sent his eldest son Vikukshi to collect tubers or the oerings to be made to
their ancestors$ Vikukshi collected sacred ,hash tubers$ ButE he himsel was eeling tired and hungryE
so he ate one o them$ &e gave the remaining tubers to his ather$ King .kshvaku gave those tubers to
*uru Vashishth or oering to the ancestors$ Vashishth inormed the king that the tubers were deiled
and not it or oerings$ -hus told by VashishthE .kshvaku learned the deed o his son and eGpelled him
out o his kingdom in anger$ Vikukshi passed his lie in eGile and returned home only ater the death o
his ather$ &e became amous as ,hashad$
8uranCay J= 8uranCay was the son o Vikukshi$ &e is also amous as K.ndravahK and KKakutsth$K A ierce
battle had taken place between the gods and the demons$.n the battleE the gods had sought the help
rom 8uranCay$ But 8uranCay stipulated that he would ight only when .ndra agreed to become his
vehicle$ <rom *odKs inspirationE .ndra took the guise o a big and heavy oG and bore 8uranCay on his
back$ 6hen 8uranCay rode on the oG and trained his divine bow and arrowsE all the gods prayed to him$
,inceE 8uranCay had taken seat near oGKs humpE he came to be known as Kakutsth$ 8uranCay ought a
ierce battle with the demons$ -hus in no time 8uranCay deeated the demons and captured their townsE
wealthE luGuries and every other thing and gave them to .ndra$ ,inceE .ndra had acted as his vehicleE
hence 8uranCay is also known as .ndravah$
Yuvnashva J= .n the lineage o 8uranCayE had occurred a king named Yuvnashva$ &e had no sonE so in
desperation he gave up his kingdom andE accompanied by his MueensE came to stay in the orest$
-here he organiBed a grand YagyaE .ndrayag with a desire o a son and in the auspices o the great
sages$ -he Yagya lasted day and night$ But during the YagyaE Yuvnashva elt eGtremely thirsty and
without giving a thought he drank some o the water rom urn that had been sanctiied with mantras$
,inceE the water was meant to produce a childE Yuvnashva begot a child with auspicious signs$
.mmediately ater birth the child began to cry or milk$ ,o to Muiten him .ndra put his indeG inger in the
childKs mouth$ ,ince thenE the child got the name 'andhata$ 'andhata became a great emperor$ &e
was also known as -rasdasyu because big robbers like "avan had an inherent ear o him$ 'andhata
had deep sel=learningsE still he organiBed many grand Yagyas$ 'andhata had three sons= 8urykutsE
Ambarish (second) and 'uchkund$ &e had ity daughters also$ All o them were married to the sage
,aurabhi$
-rishanku J= .n this lineage o 'andhata there occurred a king named ,atyvrat$ &e was renamed as
-rishanku$ -hough by the curse o his ather and the teacherE he had become a :handal (an
untouchable person) yet by the power o his penanceE sage Vishvmitra helped him reach heaven with
the body$ But the Cealous gods pushed down poor ,atyvrat rom the heaven$ &e was alling headlong
while 'aharishi Vishumitra supported and iGed him in mid skyE hence he got the name -rishanku$
&arishchandra J= &e was the son o -rishanku$ <or himE two great sages Vishvmitra and Vashishth had
cursed each other and acMuired bird orms and kept on ighting or many years$ &arishchandra had no
son$ 6ith a desire to have a sonE &arishchandra worshiped Varundev$ By the grace o VarunE he got a
son named "ohit$ :aught in the love or his sonE &arishchandra orgot to organiBe Yagya to pay his
thanks to Varun$ "ohit too had led to the orest to save his lie when he learned that his ather wished
to sacriice him$ &e stayed there or long$ Back there in the kingdom &arishchandra acMuired a deadly
disease o Dropsy as a result o VarunaKs anger$ &aving learnt about his atherKs illnessE "ohit tried ive
times to return to the kingdomE but every time .ndra orebode him$ -hus he stayed in the orest or siG
years$ But in the seventh year he bought the middle son o ACigart and took him to the kingdom to be
used as a votive animal$ -here he handed the boy over to his ather$ -hereaterE king &arishchandra
organiBed a grand Yagya and pleased Varun$ 8leased by their unshakable aith in truthulness sage
Vishvamitra blessed &arishchandra and his wie and preached them about metaphysical knowledge$
,A*A" J= .n the lineage o "ohit later onE had occurred a King Bahuk$ 2nortunatelyE he met an
untimely death$ %ne o his widowed wie got ready to be immolated with her husbandKs pyre$ ,he was
pregnant thenE so the sage Aurv prevented her rom getting ,ati$ 6hen her ellow Mueens learnt about
her pregnancyE they ed her with poisoned ood$ But the poison proved ineective on the unborn baby$
-he baby was born in due course with poisonE so he came to be known as ,agar$ ,agar had a great
reputation as the King$ &e had siGty thousand sons$ &e had also resolved to organiBe one hundred
Ashvmamegh Yagyas$ &is ninety=nine Yagyas completed without hasslesE but during the hundredth
YagyaE .ndra stole the horse and tethered it in the hermitage o the sage Kapil$ ,agarKs siGty thousand
sons set out in search o the horseE but could not ind it anywhere on earth$
At lastE they reached the hermitage o the sage Kapil$ Beore thatE with their enormous powerE they had
dug out huge pitsE which illed with water and ormed the sea$ -he sea derived its &indi ,ynonym
,aagar rom ,agar$ 6hen those siGty thousand princes saw that the Yagya horse was -ethered in
KapilKs hermitageE they began to abuse the sage$ Disturbed by the noiseE the sage Kapil opened his
eyesE and instantaneously all the siGty thousand princes got incinerated$ .t was AnshumanaE the
grandson o ,agarE who paciied sage Kapil with his politeness and brought back the horse$ &e also
discovered the ashes o his ancestors$ ,age Kapil told Anshumana that the salvation o his ancestors
would be possible only i touched by *angaCiE (the sacred *anges)$ ,ince thenE all the kings in ,agarKs
lineage observed severe penance to bring the *anges on earth or the salvation o their ancestors$
Bhagirath J= <irst o allE king Anshumana observed hard penance$ But even ater many years o
penance he could not succeed in his eorts$ &is son Dileep also observed sever penanceE but his
eorts tooE could not succeed$ Bhagirath was the son o Dileep$ Ater DileepE Bhagirath started severe
penance$ Ater many years o penanceE Bhagirath succeeded in pleasing the *anges$ ,he appeared
beore him and asked him to seek a boon$ Bhagiratha reMuested the *anges to arrive on earth$ -he
*anges accepted his wishE but put a Muestion as to who would support her when she ell on earth rom
the heaven$ Bhagiratha then began his penance again to please Lord ,hiva so that &e could support
the *anges on earth$ Lord ,hiva accepted BhagirathKs prays and supported the *anges on his head$
-hereater &e moved on the path shown by Bhagirath with sacred *anges ollowing$ -husE the sacred
*anges reached at the place where ashes o BhagirathKs ancestors were lying$ -he holy waters o the
*anges washed the ashes to the conluence at *anga ,agar$ By the mere touch o *angesK holy
waterE Bhagirath ancestors received salvation$
Ater Bhagirath many great kings like 'ichsahE KhatvangE DhirghbahuE "aghu etc$ occurred in the
.kshvaku dynasty$ "aghuKs son was ACa and his son was Dashrath$ .t was in the home o King
DashrathE and by the prayer o the godsE that Lord ,hri &ari took birth as our sons o Dashrath$
Description o Lord "amaKs 8lays J= ,hukdev saysE R 8arikshitE to keep the words o his atherE Lord
"ama abdicated the entire kingdom and took eGile in the orest$ ,taying in the orest Lord "ama
protected many sagesE and helped them complete their religious rituals successully$ &e slayed many
ormidable demons there$ ButE or cutting the nose and ears o ,hupanakhaE the sister o demon king
"avanE &e had to bear the separation o his wie sita$
"ama had won ,ita as his wie in a swayamvar in @anakpur$ .n his teenageE sage Vishmatria had taken
"ama and LaGmana with him to his hermitage to guard his religious proceedings against the demons$
"ama and LaGmana had killed many demons then$ .t was during this period that the swayamvar was
organiBed in @anakpur$ LakshmiE the better hal o Lord VishnuE had hersel appeared as ,ita in
@anakpur$ ,age Vishvamitra himsel taken "ama and LaGmana to the swayamvar$ 'any more brave
and strong kings and princes had gathered there$ But no one could train the Bow o Lord ,hiva as per
the condition o the swyamvar$ .t was only "amaE who not only lited the bow but trained it also$ .n the
process o trainingE the bow broke with a loud noise$ -hus Lord "ama won ,ita as &is wie$
But during the eGile the demon king "avan deceitully abducted ,ita to avenge the insult o his sister
,hurpanakha$ -hereaterE the circumstances avored Lord "ama and &e soon ound out the
whereabouts o ,ita$ 6ith a huge army o monkeys and bearsE Lord "ama reached the seashore there
&e prayed to the sea to make way or &im$ But the sea did not pay heed to his prayersE so angrily &e
got ready to evaporate the sea$ -hus rightenedE the sea revealed to &im the way to make a bridge
over it$ Lord "ama then built a bridge over the sea and landed in Lanka$ A ierce battle ollowed in
which Lord "ama and LaGman together slayed the demon king "avanE his brother Kumbhkarn and
'egnaadE the son o "avan$
-husE they got ,ita ree rom "avanKs captivity$ :rowning VibhishanE the brother o "avan as the King
o LankaE they returned to Ayodha on 8ushpak Vimana$ Brahmrishis crowned "ama as the king o
Ayodhya$ All the three worlds became happierE healthier and wealthier$ BharatE LakshmanaE ,hatrughn
and &anumanCi stayed orever in the service o Lord "ama always ollowing the moral dictates and put
an eGample or the world o high morals$ As a kingE Lord "ama also organiBed Ashvmegh Yagya$
#;$/$0 :handra Dynasty
,hukdev saysE R8arikshitE now . narrate about :handra dynasty$ 'any great and pious kings like
8ururava had occurred in this dynasty$ :handrama was the son o AtriE the son o Brahma$ Budh was
the son o :handrama while 8ururava was the son o Budh$ .la was the mother o 8ururava$ &e was
very virtuous$ Attracted by his virtuesE el 2rvashi had approached 8ururava with a sensual desire$
8ururava welcomed 2rvashiE and together they begot siG sons= AyuE ,hrutayuE ,atyayuE "ayE ViCay and
@ay$
*aadhi J= .n the lineage o ViCay the son o 8ururavaE there had occurred a king *aadhi$ *aadhi had a
daughter ,atyvati$ ,atyvati was married to the sage "ichik$ "ichik and ,atyvati begot @amadagni who
married "enukaE the daughter o sage "enu$ @amadagni and "enuka begot 8arashuram$ .n the same
lineageE later onE occurred great kings like "antidevE ,hibiE YaduE KuruE 8uruE Dushyant and Bharat$ .n
this lineage o KuruE king ,hantanu had married *angaE who gave birth to Bheeshma$ ,atyavatiE the
daughter o 1ishad was the second wie o ,hantanu$ ,he begot :hitrangad and Vichitravirya$
:hitrangad had died in an encounter with a demigod o his own nameE while Vichitravirya was married
to Ambika and Ambalika the princesses o Kashi$ ButE having too much caenal indulgence with his
wivesE Vichitravirya soon developed tuberculosis and died without producing a child$
,inceE Bheeshma had vowed to abide by celibacy till deathE so VyasCi was summoned to produce
children rom Ambika and Ambalika$ <rom VyasCi the two Mueens and a maid gave birth to DhritrashtraE
8andu and Vidur respectively$ Dhritrashtra had one hundred sons$ -he KuaravasE while 8anduKs wie
Kunti begot KaranE YdhishthirE Bheem and ArCun$ 8anduKs second wie 'adri begot 1akul and ,ahdev$
ArCun had married ,ubhadraE the sister o Lord Krishna also$ ,ubhadra had begot Abhimanyu who was
married to 2ttraE the daughter o ViratraCaE and you were born to 2ttaraE % 8arikshit$
.n YaduvanshE lineage o Yadu a king ,hursen had occurred$ &e had a son Vasudev$ Vasudev had
eight wives$ Devaki was the prominent among them$ 1ine children were born to them$ KansaE the
brother o DevkiE killed siG o them$ ,eventh was BalramaE eighth KrishnaE and at ninth place was her
daughter ,ubhadra$
,hukdev saysE R% 8arikshitE Lord &imsel had appeared as the son o Vasudev and Devaki$ 6henever
the religion and religious virtues all in the world and sins risesE the omnipotentE Lord ,hri &ari takes
incarnation to destroy the evilsE and protect the pious ones and establish the religion again$
6hen the evil demons took the guise o the kings and began to route the earthE Lord Vishnu then took
the incarnation as Lord Krishna$ Along with &imE ,heshnagaE &is bedE also took incarnation as
BalaramaE in Yadu Vansh$ -ogether they presented such divine plays that even the gods could not
guess them$
At the same timeE to beneit the devoteesE who would be born in KaliyugaE Lord Krishna eGpounded &is
pious lie into uncountable incidents$ 'erely by reciting and hearing the tales o LordKs lieE all the
sorrowsE melancholis and ignorance o the devotees are removed$ -hrough the battle o 'ahabharata
between Kauravas and 8andavasE Lord Krishna relieved the earth o most o her burdens$ &e &imsel
slayed many demonsE while got many slain by Balarana$ 2ltimatelyE preaching 2ddhav about
metaphysical knowledgeE Lord Krishna departed to &is divine abode$
11&1:0hapter 1:
-his chapter is very large = containing )9 sub=sections$
&earing the tales o "oyal dynasties rom ,hukdevE king 8arikshit reMuested R*uruvarE you have Cust
narrated the suprising tale o ,uryvansh and :handravansh (dynasties)$ 1ow . wish to hear the tales o
Lord KrishnaKs lie in detail$ .t was because o *odKs grace that my ancestors could successully win the
'ahabharata$ . to had eGperienced Lords grace while . was an unborne child and Ashvathama had
triggered Brahmastra to destroy me$ .t was the Lord himsel who saved me rom the heat o Brahmastra
with his wheel$ % sageE thereoreE kindly narrate the tale o KrishnaKs lie who is the soul o every living
being$ . do not eel thirsty or hungry while hearing the pious tale o *odKs lie rom you$R
8leased by the pure devotion o 8arikshit or *odE ,hukdev ,aysE R6hen the atrocities o evil demons
increased on earth beyond a certain limitE the perpleGed earth reached to Brahma in the guise o a cowE
and vented her sorrows$ Brahma took her and Lord ,hiva to Lord Vishnu and prayed &im through
8urushsukta$ Lord heard their prayers and saidE R. know about the suerings o poor earth$ Very soonE
.Kll take incarnation in Yaduvansh to elevate her burden$ All the godsE should take birth in Yadukul to
assist me during my human incarnation$ And to serve my beloved "adhaE all the elves should appear
as the womenolk o Yudu community$R
Brahma dictated the gods and said that even Yog 'aya (personiication o illusions) o Lord Vishnu
would take a partial incarnation to assist the Lord in &is plays$ -hus consoling the earth Brahma
returned to his abode$
#;$#3$# 'arriage o Vasudeva and Devaki
,hursenKs son Vasudev was married to DevakiE the daughter o Devak$ Ater the marriage ceremonyE
2grasenKs son and DevkiKs cousin Kansa was driving the chariot o newly wedded couple$ %n the way a
celestial voice proclaimed R % <ool KansaE the eighth son o your beloved sisterE whose chariot you are
driving so aectionatelyE shall be the cause o your death$$R &earing the voice Kansa drew out his
sword to kill Devaki$ But Vasudev prayed to him politelyE R8rince KansaE you are the descendent o BhoC
dynastyE you are a brave man$ .t does not it you bravery that you are yoursel ready to kill your sister$
,he is a woman and has Cust got married$ ,he has not done any harm to youE she deserves pity$ . you
ear her childrenE . promise that . will give all her children to you$R -hus assured by truth abiding
VasudevKs wordsE Kansa dropped the idea o killing Devaki$
As per his promiseE Vasudev gave his irst newborn child to Kansa$ 8leased by VasudevKs abidance to
truthE Kansa saidE RYou eighth son will be my enemyE so . will kill only your eighth son$ -ake the child
back$R At the same timeE singing in LordKs praiseE Devarishi 1arad appeared there and saidE R% Kansa
in view o rising atrocities o demonsE Lord 1arayana himsel will take birth in Yaduvansh$ Besides &imE
all the cowboys and all others who belonged to Yadav clan are none other than the gods in &uman
guise$ -he gods are making massive preparations to eGterminate evil kings and as a lotus has only
eight petals and no one can mark out its eighth petalE similarlyE Devaki will have eight children and no
one would be able to ind out who is the eighth$R ,aying thisE Devarishi 1arad disappearedE
Kansa got irm belie that all the Yaduvanshis were gods and that Lord Vishnu &imsel would take birth
as Vasudev and DevakiKs son to kill him$ &eE thereoreE put Vasudev and Devaki in the prison$ ,ince
then Kansa killed the children one by one soon ater their birthE
,hesh 1arayana &imsel appeared as the seventh son$ 6hile he was still unbornE Lord Vishnu through
&is Yogmaya (personiied illusion)E transered the embryo in "ohiniKs womb$ Lord dictated Yogamaa
that she hersel should take birth rom YashodaE the wie o 1andE in *okul$ &e also blessed her that in
utureE people would worship her as DurgaE :handikaE BhadrakaliE 1arayaniE Vaishnavi etc$ 6hen the
seventh etus was transerredE Kansa got worried how was it destroyed$ &is ears and melancholy
increased since then$ A ear gripped him that his death was very near now$
#;$#3$( Arrival o *od in 2nborn Baby
Kans had known that during the battle between the gods and demons he was the demon KalnemiE and
he was killed by Lord Vishnu$ ,o earing Lord Vishnu rallying with YaduvanshisE Kansa cultivated high
degree o hostility towards them$ &e captured even his ather 2grasen and put him in the prison$ 1ow
the reign o the kingdom was entirely in his hands$ Kansa was himsel very strong and also had the
assistance o his ather=in=lawE @arasandh$ <ormidable demon like 8ralambE BakaE :hanurE -rinavartE
AghasurE 'ushtikE ArishtE DvividE 8ootanaE Kashi and Dhenuk were his courtiers$ As a result o Kansa
atrocities en mass eGodus o Yaduvanshis rom 'athura ollowed$ -hese Yaduvanshis let 'athura and
settled in regions like KuruE 8anchal etc$ ,till some o them accepted to serve KansaE but only
supericially$
6hen all pervasive Lord saw that Yaduvanshis were being tortured without reasonE &e transerred his
glory in Vasudev$ -hrough VasudevE Devaki received that brilliant part o the lord$ %n the other handE
Kansa also came to know about DevakiKs eighth issue$ ,inceE then his hostility surged unprecidently
and he began to wait or the birth o DevakiKs eight son very anGiously$ All it means to say that Kansa
mind relected on *od every moment day in and day out$
#;$#3$0 Birth o Lord Krshna
-he long awaited day also arrived at last$ .t was the eighth day in the waning (darker) phase o the
lunar month o Bhadrapada (corresponding to AugustD,eptember)$ "ohiniE the brightest star was rising
while dense clouds had gathered in the sky$
Beore actual arrivalE Lord maniested &imsel beore Vasudev and Devaki$ -hey elt as i a ull moon
had risen in the east$ Vasudev saw that an eGtraordinarily marvellous baby boy was standing beore
them$ &is eyes were as sot as lotusO &e had our arms and held a conchE maceE wheel and lotus$ &e
bore Kaustubh 'ani in the neck and wore yellow clothes$ Valuable ornaments adorned all parts o his
body$ -husE seeing *od himsel arrived as his sonE Vasudev was overwhelmed$ Devaki too was
overCoyed but eared Kansa irst$ -hen she Coyully prayed to *od$ *od said thenE RDuring ,wayambhu
'anvantarE both o you had worshipped me with a desire o son$ Vasudev was a 8raCapati ,utapa while
you were his wie 8rishni$ You had worshipped me with pure hearts$ 8leased by your penance . had
asked you to seek a boonE so you had sought a son like me in virtues$ . had arrived then as your son
8rishnigarbh$ .n the neGt birth you were Kashyap and Aditi and . was 2pendra$ 1owE in the third birth
also$ . have arrived as your son$R
,aying thisE the Lord transormed &imsel into an ordinary baby$ <rom the inspiration o *odE Vasudev
wished to move the baby out o the prison$ .nstantaneouslyE all the locks o the Cail opened
automatically and the guards ell asleep$ :arrying the baby in a winnowerE Vasudev set out or *okul
across the river Yamuna$
.t was raining heavilyE so ,heshnaga ollowed them shading the baby with his hoods$ Vasudev entered
the river Yamuna$ Yamuna too elt overCoyed that her most beloved lord has come to her$ &enceE she
began to rise in order to touch &is eet$ Dangling his eet behind VasudevE *od let Yamuna touch them$
-ouching the eetE the swelling river receded at once and gave Vasudev a sae passage$ :rossing the
riverE Vasudev reached *okul$ -hereE he entered the home o 1and and kept the baby beside Yashoda
and took her new born baby girl and brought her to the prison$ As soon as Vasudev kept the baby girl in
DevakiKs lapE the gates locked up again and the guards awakened$
-he baby who was actually Yogmaya (personiication o illusion) began to cry$ -he guards at once ran
to inorm Kansa about the birth$ Kansa came running and snatched the baby rom Devaki and
proceeded to throw her on the stone$ But beore he could throw herE the baby escaped rom his hands
and assumed AshtbhuCi (eight=armed) Durga appearance in the sky and reprimanded himJ R% oolE why
are you trying to kill meE when you canKt even harm meE the one who will kill youE has already
appearred$ 1ow stop killing the innocent children$R Kansa stood stunned by the talks and appearance
o the goddess$ *oddess Bhagwadi disappeared and became omnipresent$ ,he is now venerable with
dierent names in dierent locations$
Ater the disappearance o *oddess (Yogmaya) Kansa elt remorse$ &e at once ell at the eet o his
sister Devaki and brother=in=law Vasudev and began to beg their pardon$ -hereaterE Kansa released
both o them$ .n the morningE Kansa held a discussion with his ministers$ -he ministersE who were
ormidable demons themselvesE assured Kans that they would kill all the babies born within ten days
and destroy the BrahminsE cowsE godsE ascetics and all those who could pose potential danger to him$
,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE the demons were "aCoguni (having royal virtues) and -amoguni (Virtues o
darkness) and hence were unable to dierentiate good rom evils$ -heir eGtermination was imminent$
-hat was why they cultivated hostility towards saints and saintly people$ % KingE thoseE who disregard
saintly peopleE loose their lieE wealthE reputationE religion and everything$
#;$#3$4 <estivities in *okul or Lord?s Birth
DevakiKs seventh baby was transerred beore birth into the womb o "ohini$ -he baby was born as
BaldevCi$ At his birthE Brahmins blessed 1and$ But laughingly 1and saidJ R% holy BrahminsE this baby is
not mine$ .t is born to my riendKs wie$R Brahmins said thenJ R%kay BabaE we will return only when your
wie bears a child$ -he Brahmins thereater organised grand worships$ By their blessings Yashoda
conceived$
.t was 6ednesdayE the eighth day in the darker phase o the lunar month Bhadrapada
(AugustD,eptember)E when Yashoda said to her sister=in=law ,unandaJ R,isterE kindly wake me upE
when the baby takes birthER ,unanda laughed at that$ .t was in act the inluence o Yogmaya$ 6hen
Yogmaya took birthE all the people around her were ast asleep and continued to sleep until Vasudev
came there and replaced the baby girl with baby boy$ ,oon ater Vasudev letE Yashoda awakened rom
slumber and saw an eGtremely beautiul baby boy beside her$ 1and was meditating then in the
cowshed$ &e was inormed at once$ &is heart too illed with supernatural Coy$ &e took his bathE and
droned new clothes$ -hen he summoned the Brahmins and got necessary rituals perormed$ ,erved
the gods and his ancestors and donated cowsE clothesE ornaments and cereals to the Brahmins$
As 1and was the chie o VraC regionE so all the people decided to celebrate babyKs birth$ All the housesE
streets and lanes were cleaned and sprinkled with scented waters$ All the gateways were embellished
with lagsE pylons and estoons$ All the villagers began to gather in and around 1andKs home$ Ladiesolk
also elt overCoyed by the news o the birth o YashodaKs son$ +ven the cowsE oGen and calves also
were adorned beautiully$ BrahmaE 1aradE ,anakadi etc$ were all having the sight o lord rom heaven$
+ven Lakshmi appeared in *okulE illuminating all the aBimuths$ *opis (ladiesolk) decorated their palms
with hennaE anointed themselves with ubatan (a paste composed o gram loor and many herbsE
supposed to enhance beauty) and took bath$ -hen they adorned themselves rom tip to toes and set
out or 1andKs homes with various gits$ At 1andKs home they sprinkled the baby with water containing
turmeric and oil and sang auspicious songs loudly$
-husE when lord appeared in BraCE grand celebration was organised in &is welcomeE auspicious music
was played$ -he menolk celebrated the Coy spraying one another with milkE curdE butter etc$ 1and
presented the people generously with clothesE ornaments and cows$ 8risonersE ascetics and beggars
were given alms$ At the reMuest o 1andE "ohini hersel welcomed the womenolk$ ,ince the arrival o
lordE prosperity too came to stay in VraC$
#;$#3$9 ,alvation o 8ootana
,hukdev saysJ K8arikshitE ater many daysE entrusting other *opals with the onus o guarding *okulE
1and went to 'athura to pay annual taGes in KansaKs court$ Vasudev too learned about his arrival and
went to see him$ 1and elt overCoyed to see Vasudev and embraced him aectionately$ Vasudev asked
1andJ RYour age is declining now$ .t is very ortunate now that you have also got a son$ 'y ,on
Balarama and wie "ohini are staying with you$ &e would be regarding you as his parents$R 1and saidJ
-he evil Kansa killed many o your children$ &e did not even spare your daughterE 1o doubtE happiness
and sorrow are bound to ones ate$R
Vasudev saidJ RBrotherE now your duties here are over$ You should not stay here or longE because .
ear some disturbances in *okul in your absence$ &earing thisE 1and at once set out or *okul$ .n the
wayE he relected over the words o Vasudev and prayed *odJ R'ay *odE everything thing be well in
*okul$ -here in *okul however a curious incidence took place$ Ater his discussion with evil ministersE
Kansa had sent a cruel ogress 8ootana to kill all the newly born babies in his kingdom$ .n the guise o
an eGtremely pretty womanE 8ootana entered *okul$ ,he hypnotiBed the menolk with her sweet smile
and lirting glances$ ,he searched new=born babies here and there and entered 1andKs home
eventually$ Baby Lord Krishna was sleeping in the cradle$ &e had known about her arrivalO but posed as
i &e were asleep$ 8ootana is a orm o non=knowledge with an alluring outward appearance$ Lord
Krishna was only siG days old then$
8ootanaKs breasts were illed with poison$ ,uch as someone lits a sleeping snake mistaking it or a
rope$ ,imilarly 8ootana lited the baby who proved her death$ 8ootana took the baby to secluded place
and began to breast eed him$ Lord prayed to Lord ,hiva who came to stay in &is throat and drank all
the poison rom the milk$ -hereater the Lord began to suck 8ootanaKs lie$ 8erpleGed 8ootana began to
cry loudly and writhe nervously$ As her death approached she regained her realE ogress appearance$
All the men and women were rightened when they saw the hugeE ormidable body o 8ootana$ But
when they saw Krishna playing nearbyE their ear gone and with Coy they lited the baby and soothed
him$
'eanwhileE 1and and his ellow *opas too arrived rom 'athura$ 8ootanaKs body testiied the truth o
VasudevKs words$ *opas cut 8ootanaKs body into many pieces and burnt them outside *okul$ 6hen
her body was burningE a sweet smell o Agar (a kind o scented wood used in incense making) spread
all around$ Because Lord himsel had ed on her milkE ,o all her sins were destroyed$ Lord regarded
her as his mother and hence salved her$
#;$#3$; Killing o ,hakat
6hen lord Krishna was twenty=seven days oldE a estival was organised in *okul$ 'ata Yashoda
bathed the baby while the Brahmins recited hymns$ Yashoda saw that baby was eeling sleepyE so
putting him in a cradleE she let it under a cart$ -he cart was loaded with pitchers o milkE curd and
butter$ Ater sometimeE lord Krishna awoke and began to cry or a eed$ But amidst estivitiesE Yashoda
could not hear his cries$
'eanwhile a demon ,hakatasur rode the cart wishing to press the cart and thereby kill the Lord$ But
beore he could actE the Lord touched the cart with &is eet and lo and beholdL -he cart turned over and
all the utensils kept on it came crashing down$ +ven the demon was crushed to death under the cart$
%ther boysE who were playing nearbyE inormed the *opis (ladiesolk) that the little Kanhaiya had turned
over the loaded cartE but they did not believe the kids$ Yashoda ran in horror and lited the baby in her
lap$ -he Brahmins recited paciying hymns then$ -hereater the baby was bathed again with sanctiied
water$ A east o Brahmins ollowed then$ 2ltimately they were seen o with many gits$
#;$#3$7 ,alvation o -rinavart
%nce 'ata Yashoda was playing with the baby lord in her home$ All o a sudden she elt as i the baby
was getting disproportionately heavy$ ,oonE she elt hersel unable to bear the child anymore$ ,o she
let the child on the ground and began to pray 8urushottama Lord "ama$ ,oon aterwards she orgot
about the eventE but all was not over yet$ -rinavartE a demon minister o KansaE had arrived in *okul as
a ierce cyclone$ &e covered entire *okul with dust and blinded the people temporarily$ <or a moment
people could not see anything and during that moment -rinavart blew the baby in air with him$ 6hen
the dust settledE Yashoda did not ind the baby Krishna where she had let him$ ,he elt eGtremely sorry
and ell on ground in depression$ %ther womenolk also gathered round her$ -hey too began to cry not
seeing baby Krishna there$
.n the orm o cycloneE the demon -rinavart had blown baby Krishna with himO but he too could not bear
his heavy burden$ ,o he began to lose his velocity$ Lord Krishna caught him by neck$ -he demon died
in a ew moments and his dead body ell in VraC$ And Yashoda got a new lease o lie when she saw
baby Krishna sae and sound$ 1and and other *opas too were overCoyed$
#;$#3$) 1aming o Lord Krshna
%nceE the supreme ascetic *argacharya arrived in *okul$ &e was the ancestral teacher o
Yaduvanshis$ 1and Coyully welcomed and treated the hermit$ -hen he reMuested him to carry out the
ritual o naming and suggest suitable named or both o his sons$ Acharya *arg saidE R% 1andE
everyone knows that . am the ancestral teacher o the Yadavs$ . . carry out the naming ritual or these
boysE people will understand that they are DevakiKs sons$R ,o 1and reMuested *argacharya to name
his sons secretly$ *argacharya accepted his reMuest and carried out the naming rituals secretly in
1andKs cattle shed$
*arg saidJ R-his son o "ohini will cause by his virtueE great pleasures or his near and dear ones$ ,o
his second name will be "ama$ And because o eGcessive strengthE people will call him as Bala also$
,ince he will unite the people alsoE so one o his names would be ,ankarshana$R
-hereaterE *arg said pointing to Yashodanandan$ &e has taken incarnation in every age$ .n the past
agesE he had taken whiteE red and yellow compleGions respectively$ -his time he has taken dark
compleGionE so he will be known as Krishna$ %nce he has been the son o VasudevE so people will call
him as Vasudev also$ &e will cause salvation o all o youE and great Coy or the ellow *opas and cows$
6ith his helpE you will overcome even the severe crises$ % 1andE -his boy will be eMual to 1arayana in
virtuesE wealthE beautyE ame and inluence$ <oster this child with care and earnestness$R -hus naming
the boys as per their virtuesE *arg returned to his hermitage$
#;$#3$/ :hildhood o Lord Krshna
,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE time passed in *okul as usual$ Balrama and Krishna too grew normally$
,oon they began to walk on knees and palms$ 6ith their childish plays they both amused men and
women olk o *okul$ +veryone took special care o them and looked ater them to save them rom any
possible danger$ Ladiesolk were specially careul about them$
,oon aterwardsE both the kids began to walk trottingly$ 1ow their movement no longer conined within
the boundary o their home$ Because o his special virtuesE Krishna began to lead other kids o his age
group whereas his elder brother Balarama was somewhat serious in nature$ Krishna specially enCoyed
teasing the girls and milkmaids o *okul$ %ten he would eat stealing their milkE curd and butter$ At
other timesE &e did not hesitate even to break their pitchers$ .n such situations the ladiesolk used to
gather in 1andKs home to complain against Krishna$ And every time Yashoda promised them to punish
Krishna$ But every timeE when she proceeded to punish himE she orgot everything beore his sweetE
innocent smile$
%ne dayE Balarama complained against KrishnaE R'aE the little Kanhaiya has eaten mud$ 6orried about
KrishnaKs healthE Yashoda scolded at himJ R-ell meE % mischievous KrishnaE why did you eat mudR$ At
that momentE little KrishnaKs eyes were moving with ear$ &e made an eGcuseJ R1o 'aE . have not eaten
any mud$ -hey are telling yoou a lie$ . you donKt believeE me see yoursel$R ,aying thisE Krishna opened
his little mouth$ Yashoda peeped into his mouth and what she saw there amaBed her$ ,he could not
believe it$ -he entire universe was visible in his little mouth$ Yashoda saw strange placesE entire VraC
and even hersel in the little mouth o Krishna$ ,he elt diBBy$ 6ith his illusionary powersE Lord wiped
out the memory o this incidence rom the mind o YashodaE and she again immersed in love with her
child$
#;$#3$#3 2khal Bandan P ,alvation o YamarCun
%nceE wishing to eed Krishna with butterE Yashoda began to churn milk in the morning $ Very soonE
Krishna too awakened and not inding the mother on her bedE &e set out to search her$ ,oon &e ound
her in the courtyard where she was churning the milk$ &e began to insist or breast eeding at once$ ,o
Yashoda stopped churning and began to breast eed Krishna$ Aection played on her ace$ ,uddenly
the milk kept on the ire pot began to boil$ Yashoda let Krishna in order to attend the boiling milk$ But
the unstiated Krishna illed with anger and broke the pitcher o curd$ -hen he went inside and began to
eat butterE when Yashoda came backE she understood the matter and began to search him with a stick
in her hand$ Ater eating butter himselE Krishna was now eeding the monkeys with it$ ,eeing the
mother come in hot pursuitE Krishna Cumped over the mortar and ran away$ Yashoda chased himE but
soon elt tired because o her bulky body$
-hereaterE Yashoda proceeded to tie Krishna as a punishment$ ,he got a rope and tried to tie Krishna$
But the rope ell short by two ingers$ ,he Coined many ropes together but the result was same$ +very
time the ropes ell short by two ingers$ ,oonE Yashoda was bathing in sweat$ 6hen Krishna saw his
mother in depressionE he himsel tied in the ropes$ -ethering little Krishna to a heavy mortarE Yashoda
engaged in usual household tasks$ -ethered to the mortarE Krishna glanced at the two ArCun treesE
which were standing on the gate like two sentries$ &e resolved to salve them$
King 8arikshit asked ,hukdev about the trees$ ,hukdev saidJ R8arikshitE the lord o wealth Kuber had
two sons 1alkubar and 'anigreev$ %ne day they were enCoying the sweet company o pretty women on
the bank o 'andakini river$ @ust by coincidenceE Devarshi 1arad arrived there$ %ut o ,hynessE the
women olk at once covered themselvesE but both the sons o Kuber stood boldly without eeling any
shame$ .ndignant 1arad cursed them to become trees and stay in that orm or one hundred years$
1arad showed kindness as well that despite being in tree ormsE they would have the memory o *od
alive and would be salved by Lord ,hri Krishna$ -husE to keep the words o his supreme devotee
1aradE Lord dragged the mortar to the two ArCun trees$ &e walked in such a way that the mortar got
stuck between the trees$ Krishna then pulled the mortar and in no time the trees were uprooted$ -wo
divine men appeared rom the uprooted trees and bowed at the eet o Krishna and prayed him with
pure hearts$ -hen they departed to their heavenly abode$
#;$#3$## 'igration to Vrindavana
-he uprooted ArCun trees ell with thundering sound$ All the people shivered with ear and elt as i
lightning had struck somewhere$ All the elders including 1and met together and discussed the matter$
2nanimously they concluded thatE o late disturbance had increased in *okul and the circumstances
were no longer conducive to raise the kids like Balarama and Krishna there$ ,o they unanimously
decided to leave *okul and migrate to a verdant place named Vrindavana$ .n their opinionE Vrindavana
had ample vegetation and ertility to support them and their cattles$
-husE on an auspicious dayE the entire population o *okul set out or Vrindavana$ -hey packed their
households on bullock carts and drove their cattles in herds and started in convoy$ .n Vrindavana they
built their houses and started their lie once again$
,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE verdant environment o VrindavanaE *ovardhan mountain and crystal clear
waters and sandy banks o Yamuna river together illed the hearts o Balarama and Krishna with Coy$
Along with the ellow cowherdsE they began diverse kinds o plays there$
#;$#3$#( ,alvation o Vatsasur
%ne dayE Balarama and Krishna were graBing their cattles on the bank o Yamuna "iver$ A demonE
meanwhileE took the guise o a cal and miGed with the herd$ %bviouslyE he had malicious intentions$
Lord Krishna had already seen the demon taking calKs guise and miGing up with the herd$ &e signaled
Balarama and they together reached near the cal$ -he cal appeared particularly healthyE so Krishna
and Balarama mockingly saw it with admiring eyes$ ,uddenly they held the cal with its hind legs and
tail twirling it in air they threw it in the sky$ 6hen the demon diedE they threw him on a Kath (wood=
apple) tree$
#;$#3$#0 ,alvation o Bakasur
%ne dayE all the cowherds took their cattles to a large pond to let them drink water$ -here they say a
huge creature sitting like a hillock on the bank$ -hey were rightened by its appearance$ -he creature
was in act a demon named Bakasur who had arrived there in the guise o a storke$ &e was himsel
very strong and had a long pointed bill$ As soon as the cowherds drew near himE -he storke hastily
picked up Krishna and swallowed him$ %ther cowherds including Balaram were stupeied$ -hey could
not believe their eyes$ But inside the beakE Lord Krishna made himsel eGtremely hot and caused
severe burning in demonKs throat$ ,o the demon could not swallow Krishna and regurgitated himE and
began to hit him with his strong beak$ But Lord held his beak with both his hands and tore the demonKs
mouth apart$ And as son as the demon diedE a ripple o Coy surged among the cowherds$
#;$#3$#4 ,alvation o Aghasur
%ne dayE Krishna planned a picnic near 1andanvan$ ,o rising early in the morningE &e awakened his
ellow cowherds sounding a horn$ -ogetherE all the cowherdsE and their cattles went to the orest$
-hereE on the bank o Yamuna river they began to play Coyully$
1andanvana was in act an abode o the demon Aghasur$ &e was sent there by Kansa$ ,eeing the
boys playingE he elt eGtremely Cealous$ Knowing that Krishna had killed his brothers Bakasur and sister
8ootana$ .t seemed an ideal moment or the demon to avenge the death o his siblings$ -hinking thusE
the demon took guise o python and lay in the way and opening his mouth like an opening o a cave$
-he cowherds too ell in his trap$ -hus driven by curiosityE all the cowherds entered the demon mouth
one by one$ 6hen Lord Krishna saw that his riends had entered demonKs mouth$ &e too entered it to
protect them$ Aghasur wanted to masticate the cowherds including lord KrishnaO but the lord increased
his body and choked demon throat$ 1ow the breath o demon stopped$ &is eyes rolled over and at last
his lie let his body through Brahmrandhra (cosmic pore)$ 6ith his ambrosial eyeE Lord resurrected
these dead ellows and their cattles and together they came out o the demonKs mouth$ As soon as the
demon diedE a divine lame emerged rom the pythonKs mouth$ .t waited there sometime or *od$ And
when lord Krishna came outE the lame mingled with him$
#;$#3$#9 Attachment o BrahmaCi
,hukdev saysJ 8arikshitE the cowherds told the tale o AghasurKs salvation to their parents only ater a
year o the incidence$ During that period o one yearE Lord Krishna multiplied himsel and took the guise
o his ellow cowherd and their stock o cattles to remove the .llusion o BrahmaEwho was the cause o
the ollowing incidence$
Ater AghasurKs lie mingled with *odE Lord Krishna came with this ellow cowherd on the bank o
Yamuna$ -hey let their cattles to graBe reely and they sat together to take their lunch$ All o the
cowherds tasted one=anotherKs oodE as they wanted to eed Krishna with the tasty ood$ 'eanwhile
surprised by AghasurKs salvationE Brahma too had arrived their and saw Krishna eating ood deiled by
the cowherds$ 6ith that sightE Brahma grew suspicious i Krishna was indeed an incarnation o lord$
-hus driven by the illusion and to test the authenticity o lordKs incarnationE Brahma kidnapped all the
cattles irst and when Krishna went out to search the cattles Brahma kidnapped and concealed the
cowherds also$ ,oon lord Krishna understood the cratiness o BrahmaE so he multiplicated himsel into
his ellow cowherds and cattles$ "eplicas resembled truly to the cowherds in appearanceE compleGionE
natureE activitiesE voiceE sticks and even in costumes$ -he replicas remain in eGistence or complete one
year$
Back thereE when Brahma returned ater hiding the cowherds and the cattlesE he was stunned to see
the cowherds and cattles as usual$ Brahma was eeling diBBy when lord bestowed his grace on him$
Brahma saw 1arayana in every dust particle$ Brahma thereore bowed his head at the eet o lord and
saidJ R% lordE . submit beore you$ You can be won only with devotion and not by ego$ 1o one can know
your omnipresent appearance$ -hus praying and worshipping lord 1arayanaE Brahma returned to his
abode$ ,hukdev saysJ -he cowherds remained separated rom *od or one year$ But they elt as i only
hal a second had passed because o the illusionary inluence o *od$ -hat is why they related the
incidence o Aghasurs killing to their parents only ater a year it took place$
#;$#3$#; ,alvation o Dhenukasur
6hen Krishna and Balarama entered siGth year o their agesE they got the permission to take the cattles
out or graBing$ Along with their ellow cowherds the two brothers too began to take their cattle to
Vrindavana$ -hus they sanctiied the earth o Vrindavana with their pious eet$ ,eeing the beauty o
VrindavanaE with beautiulE colourul lowers and sweet ruitsE Lord Krishna elt overCoyed$ &e then used
to graBe his cattles at the oothills o *ovardhan and on the banks o Yamuna "iver$ 8laying lute was
his avourite pass time$ %ne day KrishnaKs beloved riend ,udama saidJ KanhaiyaE there is a beautiul
orest name -alvana$ .t has uncountable numbers o trees laden with ripe ruits$ But a ormidable
demon Dhenukasur guards that orestE &e is very strong$ ,o no oneE even animals and birdsE doesnKt
go there$ But we are tempted to eat those sweet delicious ruits$ . you and Daau (Balarama) wishE we
may go there and eat those delicious ruits$R
-hus hearing thisE Krishna and Balarama guided all o them to -alvana$ -here they shook the trees and
in no time a heap o ripeE delicious ruits gathered under the trees$ All the cowherds began to eat ruits$
6hile eatingE they were also making lot o noises$ Disturbed by the sound o ruits alling and noise o
the cowherdsE the demon Dhenukasur arrived there as a donkey$ &e was braying loudly and tried to hit
BalaramaE but Balrama caught him by his hind legs and threw him in the air$ -he demon died in an
instance$ ,ince that dayE everyone visited -alvana earlessly and the cattles graBed there reely$
#;$#3$#7 *race on KaliaE the 1aga
%ne dayE Bala=Krishna arrived on the banks o Yamuna with their riends$ Balarama was not with them
that day$ -he water o the river Yamuna was toGicated by the poison o Kaliy= -he 1aga$ .t was
eGceptionally hot that day and all the cowherds and cattles were very thirsty$ ,o without giving any
thoughtE they all drank the water rom Yamuna and died$ But Lord Krishna resurrected them by his
ambrosial sight$
-hen lord Krishna decided to puriy the waters o Yamuna$ -hus tying a cloth round his waistE Krishna
climbed a :adamb tree and Cumped into the river$ .n the water the lord started playing and splashing
water$ ,oon the waves began to rise high$ 6hen Kaliy= the 1aga heard the noise$ &e got eGtremely
angry and appeared beore Krishna$ &e saw a beautiulE tenderE dark compleGioned boy playing Coyully
in the waters$ &e stung him and tied him in his spirals$ -ied in the spirals o KaliyE lord became
absolutely motionless$ ,eeing Krishna in death like situationE all the cowherds and even the cows elt
very sorry$ @ust then lord reed himsel rom the hold o Kaliy$ -hen a game o hide and seek began
between them$ Lord dodged the 1aga or a long time$ -hereater he rode on KaliyKs hood and began to
dance there$
-he ollowers o *odE like *andharvas etc$ began to play 'ridangE Dhol etc$ to give him a company$
-ired rom the blows o lordKs eetE Kaliy soon began to vomit blood$ 1agaKs wives began to pray *odE
R% lordE your incarnation is to punish the evil ones or their sins$ You have shown your grace on us also$
6e are ortunate to have a sight and touch o your eet$ 8ity % lord$ -his 1aga can no longer bear your
momentum$ &e will die$ 6e are all your slaves$ Kaliy is our lord$ Kindly orgive him$R 6ith kindnessE lord
released KaliyE who prayed thusJ % lord in your creation we snakes represent -amoguna (dark virtues)$
6e are conused by your illusions$R Lord dictated Kaliy to migrate with his amily to "amanakdweep$
,ince then water o Yamuna became pure or humans and animals$
#;$#3$#) Drinking o Davanal (<orest <ire)
Ater deeating KaliyE Lord Krishna and all other people o VraC elt eGtremely tired$ -hey were very
hungry and thirsty also$ ,o they did not go back to VrindavanaE but stayed on the bank o Yamuna in
the night$ Because o intense heat o summerE surrounding orests had been shrivelled$ At midnight
those shrivelled orests caught ire and the sleeping people were enguled by it$ -hey awakened
startled and took shelter at Krishna$ ,eeing their horriied appearanceE Lord Krishna drank the inernal
orest ire and thus saved the lives o innocent people who had rested their liveKs at him with aith$
#;$#3$#/ ,alvation o 8ralambasur
%ne dayE Balarama and Krishna were playully graBing their cattles along with other cowherds in the
orests$ 6hen a demon 8ralamb arrived there with an intention o kidnapping Krishna and Balarama$
-he demon had come in the guise o a cowherdE but the *od easily recognised him$ -hey accepted his
proposal o riendshipE but were thinking about the way or his salvation$ *od thereater summoned all
his riends and saidJ R8alsE today we shall divide ourselves in to two teams and play Coyully$ -hus the
teams were divided and each team chose Krishna and Balarama as its captain respectively$ .t was
stipulated that the members o deeated team would carry the members o winner team on their back
up to the place pointed by them$ -hus the game began and soon both the teams reached a secluded
place$
At one timeE the team headed by Balarama won$ ,o the members o KrishnaKs team were to carry them
on their back$ Demon 8ralambasur oered Balarama a ride on his back$ Balarama agreed to ride on
the demonKs backO but as soon as he rode on the demonKs backE the demon galloped$ But he could not
go ar or not being able to bear BalaramaKs weight$ -hem the demon regained his huge ormidable siBe
and tried to escape by lying$ <irst Balarama elt terroriBed but soon he realised his real powers and hit
on the demonKs head with a powerul ist$ -he blow shattered demonKs head and he ell on earth dead
like a huge mountain$
#;$#3$(3 Venugeet
,hri ,hukdevCi saysJ R% kingE most o the time o Lord KrishnaKs boyhood passed in Vrindavana$ -here
he graBed cattles and played lute$ &is lute had a divineE enchanting sound$-he *opis (girls) gathered
around him under the inluence o enchanting tunes$R
-hey also heard the enchanting Venu geet that ills one hearts with the memory o Bhagwad$ %ne o
the girl said to her riendJ R% dear riendE &aving the privilege o seeing Lords beauty and receving his
kindness is the real salvation$ Another girl saidJ R% riendE what penance this lute had observed that it
has got a closer contact with lips o 1andnandan (an epithet or Krishna)$ +ven the siblings o this luteE
trees and other vegetationKs are pleased with its ortune and are hence showering their leaves and
lowers on him$R %ne more saidJ R% riendE lookE even Bhagwadi Lakshmi has let her luGurious abode in
Vaikunth and arrived in Vrindavana to have a look o lord Devakinandan$R A *opi eGpressed her
CealousyJ R+ven this doe is better than usE % riendsE look how engrossed is she looking at *odE that her
eyes are not blinking$R
&earing the sweet enchanting tunes o lute even the heavenly elves gather in the sky over Vrindavana$
-hey also see the beauty o lord Krishna and showered the lowers o their braids on him$ +ven the
cows orgot graBing when then heard the enchanting music o lute$ -he calves too orgot drinking milk
and began to look at lord Krishna with Coy$ -his is the real devotion or lord Krishna$ You have to orget
yoursel in order to ind him$ :ondition o girls o Vrindavana was eGactly the same$ Ater having the
sight o lord Krishna they remembered nothingO not even the way back to home$ -hey stood in the
orests in a tranceE completely tiredE unaware o their sel$
A girl said pointing to the aunaJ RLook % riendsE look at these birds$ Do you know that these birds were
the saints and sages in their previous births$ .n this birth also they are sitting in a state o trance$ Look
they have orgotten their knowledge hearing the sweet enchanting music o the lute$ And look at
YamunaCi$ ,he is also ale to contain her eGhilaration$ ,he is eagerly spalshing her waves to wash lords
eet$ Yet another girl saidJ RLook riends the clouds cannot see their lord scorching in the sun$ ,o they
have covered the sun and shaded Lord Krishna$ 1ow they are driBBling as i showering petals$R A girl
saidJ R<riendsE lookE these Bheelanis are better than us$ -hey have such a strong urge o KrishnaKs
sight that when *ovind returns homeE they smear their body with dusts o his eet$ Blessed is this
mountain which has dedicated its entire sel in the eet o BraCnandan and eels overCoyed$ .t is his
supreme devotee$ Kanhaiya has inused even non=living things with lie by his sweet tunes o lute$
#;$#3$(# ,tealing o :lothes
-he unmarried girls o Vrindavana elt as i their lives were dedicated to Lord Krishna$ +ach o them
wished heartly to have lord Krishna as her husband$ ,o in order to get their desire ulilledE all o the
spinster girls o VraC began to take bath in Yamuna early in morning o &emant season and worshipped
goddess Katyayani$ 6hen 'adan'ohan learned that the spinsters girls wished to marry him$ &e went
to see them at dawn$ -he girls were bathing naked in the riverO -heir clothes were kept on the bank$
Lord Krishna stealthy took those clothes and climbed on a :adamb tree$ Lord had not stolen their
clothes with malicious intentions$ &e had stolen them to remove their laws and make them realiBe their
real appearance that they were not mere girlsE but pure souls$ 6ithout realiBation o the real selE one
can not eGperience the *od$
-he girl were in act the hymns o VedasE ,adhanaE ,iddhisE ,ages and Brahmvidyas (Vedas)
themselvesE that took the guise o girls to enCoy the vicinity o *od$ *od removed their clothes that
symboliBed lust$ Because o the lords grace they all were able to enCoy *odKs company$ ,hukdevCi
saysJ R% 8arikshitE -hus Lord Krishna removed the shyness o the girls o VraC through his sweet talks$
&e derided at themE made them dance like puppets and even stole their clothes when they were
bathing nakedE but they did not deter his actions$ .nstead they elt overCoyed by the close presence o
their beloved Kanha$
#;$#3$(( Liting o *ovardhan 'ountain
,hukhdevCi saysJ R% 8arikshit one dayE Balarama and Krishna saw that many delicious kind o
sweetmeats were being cooked at home$ 6ith curiosity and politenessE they asked 1and and other
eldersJ R<atherE which estival are you preparing orN 6hich god will be worshippedN 6hat purpose will
such worship serveN 1and Baba eGplainedJ R,ons DevaraC .ndra is the god o clouds$ .t is because o
.ndraKs grace we get rain$ ,o these materials are being prepared to worship .ndra$R
Krishna saidJ <ather every creature in the world enCoys comorts or suers as per his ate$ 1one o the
gods can change the results$ Action is prime in the world$ %ne gets the results as per his actions$ +ven
.ndra is *od as a result o his action$ Any one who perorms one hundred Ashvamegh YagyasE
becomes .ndra$ But even ater perorming crores o Ashvmegh Yagyas one can not get a stay in VraC$ .t
is the duty o .ndra to cause rain$ ,o it will rain even i you donKt worship .ndra$ But to eed the poors
and satisy them with clothes and other gits is real worship$ By their blessingE we shall be more
happier$ . desire that with all these materials we should worship *iriraC *ovardhan and distribute the
prasad among the poors$ 6ith which their souls will be sated and will have the grace o *od$
-hus Lord Krishna told his ather that all the people should worship unitedly and unitedly they should
receive prasad$ . you are ready to do as per my desireE its all rightE otherwise . will not worship your
haughty godE nor receive his prasad$
#;$#3$(0 .ndignation o .ndra
-hus convinced by KanhaiyaKs wise reasoningE all the gopas agreed to him$ 1and Baba saidE R%
KrishnaE we are making all these preparation or you only and we will do as you say$ 6e will worship
*ovardhan$ <or us *ovardhan is also like a god$ .t gives us grassE waterE and uel etc$E which are
necessary or our lives$ -hus with lordsE consentE they dropped their plan to worship .ndra and resolved
to worship *ovardhan aithully$
#;$#3$(4 6orship o *overdhan
%n the 8urnima (ull moon) day in the month o Kartik (1ovember) all the *opas (people o VraC region)
gathered near mount *ovardhan$ During the night all o them circumambulated the mountain$ Lord
invoked the *anges by his wish and bathed *ovardhan with her water$-hen they put vermilion on itE
oered basil=leavesE lowers etc and worshipped it$ Brahmins recited hymns in its praise$ -o make the
people believe in their ritualsE Lord Krishna himsel appeared on the mountain in huge orm and
eGclaimedJ R. am *iriraC (the king o the mountain) and began to eat the oerings$ But he as a child was
still among the villagers who aithully bowed beore the mountain$ Among themE the child Krishna saidJ
RlookE what a surprise *iriraC has appeared himsel and bestowed his grace on us$ &e has accepted our
worship$R -here ater all the *opas distributed 8rasad among themselves and elt supremely satisied$
#;$#3$(9 Angry "etaliation o .ndra
,hukdevCi saydJ 8arikshitE when .ndra learned that the *opas had stopped worshipping himE he grew
outrageous$ .n angerE he ordered the clouds to rain torrentially over VraC and cause heavy lood in VraC
region$ .n no time dense clouds gathered over VraC$ ,oon there was lighting thunderE darkness and
storm all around$ -hen it rained torrentially$ All the people took reuge at Lord Krishna and prayed him
to save them rom the anger o .ndra$ Lord Krishna saidJ R-hose who regard me as thereE are mine and
. am theirsE ,o there is no need to worry or you$R
,aying thisE Lord lited *iriraC on his little inger and called all the people o VraC along with their cattles
under the lee o *ovardhan$ -hen he ordered his wheel ,udarshan to absorb the water o the clouds so
that not even a single drop could all on earth$ -hus or seven days continuously Lord balanced
*ovardhan on the little inger$-hus Lord Krishna also came to be known as *iridhari$ 8eople who had
gathered around himE Cust kept on seeing Lords moon=like ace and hence did not eel thirsty or
hungry$.n act the comorts those people got during those seven days are beyond verbal description$
Lord held *ovardhan on one handE and conch in the otherE while with the remaining two hands &e
began to play this lute$ &earing the tunes o his luteE all the people o VraC began to dance with Coy$
Ater the rains stoppedE all o them returned to their homes$
#;$#3$(; :eremonial Bath o Lord
6hen .ndra learned about the happenings in VraCE he soon realised his mistake$ .ndra himsel reached
VraC and begged lord or his pardon$ -hen he gave lord a ceremonial bath with the milk o ,urabhi$ <or
protecting the cowsE-hus the Lord also got one more name R*ovindR$
#;$#3$(7 "aas Leela
,hukdevCi related to 8arikshit the tale o KamadevKs humiliation$ ,hridhar ,wami calls "aasleela as
Kama=viCay leela (deeating o Kamadeva= &indu eMuivalent o cupid)$ @agad guru BallabhacharyaCi
decribes it as Lords Divy Vihar (divine enCoyment)$ -he purpose o describing this tale is Cust that
common people should relect on the selless love o *opis or Lord Krishna and eGperience the love o
*od or them as well$
Lord is an embodiment o "asa (8leasure)J
R"A,%VA.,A& S "A,A'&Y+VAL ABD&VAA1A1D. B&AVA-. SR
Ater conMuering Brahma and other godsE ego o Kamadev had surged to great heights$ &eE thereoreE
reMuested *od to Muench his thirst or war$ *od invited Kamadev to visit Vrindavana on the night o
,harad 8urnima (<ull moon night) in season preceding winter)E and told him that on that divine night$
&e would enCoy the company o crores o *opis$ R. . have slightest passion or any o themE you will
winE otherwise you will lose$R
-hat night Lord Krishna added more divinityE more brilliance to it with a resolution o "aas with the help
o Yogmaya (personiied illusion)$ .t was a perect night or the purpose = lowers bloomed in
VrindavanaE ull moon shoneE and gentleE cool breeBe blew rom the banks o river Yamuna$ Amidst this
stimulating ambience Lord Krishna began to play an enchanting tune on his lute$ -he tune attracted
*opisEtheir passion surged to its Benith and under the inluence o love or lord Krishna and as i in
tranceE all o them ran to meet their beloved Kanhaiya leaving all their earE BondagesE patience and
shyness behind$ ,ome o them were intercepted by their husbands and dragged back to home$ But
only their physical bodies stayed putE their souls reached Vrindavana$
.n Vrindavana on the bank o YamunaE *opis saw Vrindavana Vihari (epithet or Krishna) near their
amiliar cadamb tree$ Yogmaya adorned all the *opis rom tip to toe$ .n act those *opis were not
ordinary women$
8arikshit askedJ R*opis had not regarded Krishna as 8arbrahma$ 6hat was the basis or their passion
thenN ,hukdevCi saidJ R6hen a wretched person like ,hishupalE who always abused lord Krishna could
ind supreme positionE there should be no doubt or *opis who had such a proound passion or Lord$R
,o *opis arrived and gathered around Lord Krishna$
-o test their devotion and to enhance the honour o KamadevE Krishna said to themJ R% *opisE the pure
onesE it is not it or you to stay here at this hour o night$ *o and serve your husbands$ Your duties
must be irst to your husbandKs children and cows$ -hey will be waiting or you eagerly$ *o and console
them$ You can gain me by hearingE recitingE seeing etc$ You need not sit here$ *o to your homes$R
*opisE however saidJ R*ovindE we have come to you leaving all the mundane lusts behind$ 1ow going
back is like ruining over lives$.t is the greatest misortune i someone returns to mundane aairs even
ater being at your eet$R -hese words that relected divine eelings o *opis pleased Lord$ &e began to
enCoy their company$ But a eeling o ego began to creep in the minds o *opis because o lordKs
closeness$ -hey began to assume themselves as highly ortunate$ -o remove their egoE Lord
disappeared right among them$
#;$#3$() 8itiable :onditions o *opis in Lord?s Absence
Ater the disappearance o *odE *opis were perpleGed$ -heir hearts burned with desire$ -hey had
dedicated their entire selves in the eet o Lord$ -hey were entirely merged in the love o Krishna$ -hus
driven by passionE *opis began to search Lord Krishna$ -hey asked treesE creepersE vegetations or the
whereabouts o their beloved$ -hey then spotted &is ootprints at one place$ <ootprints o "adha were
also there$ K.ndeed &e would have carried herE that great ortunate oneE on &is shoulders$K -hey
thought$
Lord had indeedE ater disappearing rom amidst *opisE taken "adha to an isolated place$ ,he had then
began to think hersel superior to other *opis$ ,o at one placeE she saidJ R% LordE . canKt walk now$ 'y
tender eet are tired$ Kindly carry me on your shoulders to wherever you wish$R At her reMuestE Lord
Krishna agreed to carry her on his shoulder$ But as soon as she proceeded to rideE Lord disappeared
rom there also$ 1owE "adhaC began to cry and wail and ainted$ At the same timeE other *opis also
reached there and ound "adha lying unconscious on the ground$ All o them including "adha then
returned to the bank o Yamuna and began to wait or KrishnaKs appearance$
#;$#3$(/ *opika *eet
% LordE your incarnation has increased the glory o VraCbhumi$ +ven the glory o VaikunthE goddess
Lakshmi hersel came to stay in VraC$ *ovind we have dedicated our lives at your eet$ 1ow we are
searching you everywhere$ % 'adan'ohanE kindly show your beautiulE ace once$ 8rananathE your
eyesE that are even more beautiul than the lotus that bloom in pondsE is pricking our hearts$ 6e are all
your slaves$ . you kill us by your separationE will not you be criticised$ % 8urushottamE you have
protected us on many occasions$ You are the remover o miseries o VraC people$ % LordE you are not
the son o Yashoda onlyE but you are the soul o all the living beings$ At the reMuest o BrahmaE you
have arrived on earth to remove her burden$ 6hy donKt you protect usE our lives are in danger because
o your separation$
% LordE your tales are like ambrosia$ Your ambrosial tales paciy those who are inlicted with mundane
obstaclesE and sorrows$ -hey are indeed great and ortunate who recite your tales$
% 8urushottamE or the musics o your lute we gave up everything = our husbandsE childrenE social
bindings everything$ 6e even dedicated our lives or the sake o your love$ 1ow nothing amuses us
eGcept you$ 6e are livingE only to have a sight o youO now you are wandering rom orest to orest with
your tender eetE which even we did not bear in our hearts or the ears o hurting them$ &ow much
would they be sueringN 6e are ainting in your worry$ % the dearest oneE we were yoursE we are yours
and we shall be yours orever$R ,aying these words *opis burst into tears$
#;$#3$03 "eappearance o the Lord Among the *opis
,hukdev saysJ 8arikshitE when the beloved *opis burst into tearsE KrishnaKs patience gave away$ &is
heart melted at their condition and &e appeared amidst them$ A sweet smile played on his beautiul
ace$ &e wore a garland o resh VaiCayanti lowers and yellow clothes$ &is beauty could have moved
even Kamadev$ ,eeing their beloved Kanha once again amidst themE *opis got a new lease o lie$ All
o them began to embrace Lord and thus Muench the ire o separation that was burning their bodies$
-hereaterE along with the beauties o VraCE Lord came to the bank o Yamuna$ *opis put their Mueries
beore him or solution$ Lord saidJ R% beloved *opisE . do not reciprocate to the desire o my beloved
ones or physical love$ Because o it their conscience remains always engrossed in me$ &enceE . take
to hiding even ater meeting so that you could eel complete imbibement in me$
#;$#3$0# 'aha="aas
<rom the words o the LordE *opis orgot the pains o separation$ <rom the closeness o their belovedE
their lives were successul now$ 6ith those *opisE Lord Krishna started 'aharaas on the pious banks
o river Yamuna$ All the gods gathered in sky to witness that divine estival$ *opis were even more
ortunate than Lakshmi$ But even amidst crores o *opisE who were eager to devote their everything to
&imE Lord completely rerained rom desiresE eelings and even actions$ -hus Lord deeated even
Kamadev and removed his ego$
#;$#3$0( ,alvation o ,udarshan P ,hankhchuda
,hukdev saysJ % 8arikshitE once on the occasion o Lord ,hivaratriE 1and Baba and all other *opas
drove their carts with amilies and reached Ambikavana on a pilgrimage tour$ -here they took bath in
the river ,araswati and with devotion worshiped lord Lord ,hiva and 8arvati$ -hey also observed day
long ast and decided to pass their night on the bank o ,araswati$ But that place was inhabited by a
huge python$ During the nightJ the python emerged and caught hold o 1andKs leg$ 1andbaba cried
loudly$ All the *opas gathered around him$ &e cried againJ RKanhaiyaE -his snake is all set to
strangulate me$ ,ave me$R
Lord touched the python with his eet and instaneouslyE the python vanished$ .n its place appeared a
divine=looking human$ &e saidJ R% LordE . was a Vidyadhar named ,udarshan$ . was so much
obsessed with my beautyE youthE luGury and comorts that . used to insult others$ %ne day . had derided
at the ugly appearance o the sage Angira$ ,o indignantly he cursed me to become a python$ ButE
pleased by my realiBation o mistakeE he had told that when *od himsel would touch meE . would
regain my original appearance$R -hereaterE ,udarshan went round the *odE worshiped &im and with
his permissionE departed to his abode$
%n another occasionE Lord arrived in Vrindavana during Vasant "itu (spring ,eason)$ -here &e took
part in Vasantik "aas ("aas o spring season) with the *opis$ During "aas itselE a demon ,hankhchur
tried to escape away kidnapping some o the *opis$ A stampede resulted among *opis$ &earing their
noiseE Lord ran ater the demonE carrying a huge ,al (shorea) tree in his hands$ .n no time &e overtook
the demon and killed him by Cust one blow$ &e picked up the gem rom demonKs head and handed it to
Balarama$
#;$#3$00 ,alvation o Arishtasur
%nceE Kansa sent a demon Arishtasur to Vrindavana$ -he demon arrived there in a bullKs guise$ -hat
huge bull came to Vrindavana and began to terroriBe the people with his loud sound$ ,eeing the bullE
Balaram said to KrishnaJ RKanhaiyaE . have never seen such a huge bull beore$R All the people began
to cry or help$ Lord consoled them and challenged the bull demonJ % oolE why are you terroriBing
these cows and cowherdsN . am going to shatter your ego$R -he challenge rom *od pinched the
demon$ -apping his hooves angrilyE the demon attacked *od$ &e wished to gore &imE but *od held his
horns and pushed him back$ -hen kicking the demon *od killed him in no time$
#;$#3$04 Kans sends AkrurCi
Ater the killing o ArishthasurE Devarishi 1arad visited Kansa and askedJ R% KansaE the girl who had
slipped orm your hand was in act the daughter o Yashoda$ Krishna and BalaramE who are staying in
VrindavanaE are inact the sons o Devaki and "ohini respectively$ Because o your earE Vasudev has
kept them under the supervision o his riend 1and$ -hose two boys have killed the demons sent by
you$R &earing these wordsE Kansa shook with anger and put Vasudev and Devaki in prison again$
-hereater he called his minister Akrur and asked him to set out at once or *okul$ &e said to AkrurJ
RAkrurCiE you are an old riend and well=wisher o mineE *o to *okul and bring the sons o VasudevE who
are staying at 1andKs home$ .nvite them to visit 'athuraE to witness the estivities o Dhannsh=yagya$R
Akrur understood KansaKs intentionsE but eared that i he reusedE that demon would kill him$ ,o he
decided to visit *okulE and also have the oppurtunity o seeing *od$ &e was eeling overwhelmed by
the mere thought o it$ 1eGt dayE he set out on a grand chariot to meet his supreme Lord in *okul$
'editating in the eet o LordE Akrur was heading towards Vrindavana$ &e was eeling himsel as the
most ortunate one or he was sure to have a sight o Lord$ -hus obsessed with many kinds o
devotional eelingsE Akrur alighted rom the chariot at the border o Vrindavana and started walking$ &e
ound it unCust to ride a chariot on the land o Vrindavana where lord Krishna treaded$ By the timeE he
reached VrindavanaE Lord Krishna and Balarama had returned home ater graBing their cattles$ ,eeing
themE Akrur ell at their eet$ Both the brothers raised Akrur and addressed him as R:hachaR (uncle)Eand
escorted him into the house$
Akrur was given a warm welcome and treatment there$ Ater the dinnerE they assembled in 1andKs
drawing room$ 1and inMuired about the reason o his sudden arrival$ Akrur saidJ RKansa is organiBing a
wrestling competition in 'athura$ &e has invited all the big and small kings to the competitions$ &e has
invited you with Krishna and Balarama as well$ Beautiul 'athura is worth seeing$ *ullible 1and elt
pleased by AkrurKs talking and saidJ RKing Kansa has shown a great honour to me$ &e has sent
invitation only to other kingsE but has sent his minister to call me and a golden chariot or my kids$R ,o it
was announced in *okul that all the people would go to 'athura the neGt day and witness the estivities
there$
#;$#3$09 Departure o Krshna=Balarama or 'athura
6hen the *opis heard about Krishna leaving *okul to visit 'athuraE they began to wail and cry$ -hey
were getting so much restless by the news thatE they eltE their lives would end beore the sunrise$ -hey
started imprecating ate that it had no kindness$ <irst it provided them with a closer contact with their
beloved KanhaE now it was causing a long separation rom him$ ,ome o *opis even begged or deathE
they elt it better than living without Kanha$ All the *opis kept on crying and wailing nightlong$
'other Yashoda awoke early in the morning neGt day$ ,he churned out butter and adding 'ishri (sugar
candies)E she took it to Krishna to eed him$ But there she ound that both Krishna and Balarama were
getting ready to set out or 'athura$ -hey held motherKs eet and saidJ R8ardon usE % motherE we are
going to 'athura$R -hese words disturbed Yashoda$ ,he ran and ell at AkrurKs eet and saidJ R. am
your slave$ % AkrurE please do not take my beloved sons to 'athura$ -hey are inseparable rom my
heart$ 6hy Kansa has summoned them to 'athura$ % AkrurE go and tell him to take everything rom usE
but spare our sons$ 6e are also ready to live in CailE but canKt lose our beloved sons$R Akrur consoled
Yashoda$ RBhabhi (sister=in=law)E donKt worry$ -hese two brothers are going to 'athura to witness the
estivities there and will return soon to comort your heart$R Yashoda saidJ RAkrurCiE 'athura is a town o
gold and both o my sons are too young yet to be needed there or any reason$R
-ouching the eet o 1and and YashodaE both the brothers saidJ R<atherE motherE we will deinitely
return$ 8resently we wish to see the grandeur o 'athura$R 'eanwhile all the *opis and *opas had
gathered there$ :rying and wailingE the *opis saidJ RYou are very :ruelE % AkrurE who named you as
Akrur$ You have come here to lacerate our hearts$R ,econd *opi saidJ R1o riendE it is not a ault o
Akrur$ %ur complaints are with ,hyamsundar$ 6e let everythingE our husbandsE childrenE our homes
and dedicated our entire selves in your service$ And now you are deserting us so ruthlessly$ 6e have
no support or our lie eGcept youE % 'adhusadan$R ,aying thisE all the *opis burst into tears again$
All the *opasE including ,hridama surrounded the chariot and saidJ R% Krishna we had not even dreamt
that you would desert us so ruthlessly$ % Kanhaiya we have seen with our eyes that even .ndraE
VarunaE ,anakadi and Brahma bow beore you$ But we have never regarded you as *od$ 6e regarded
you as our riend$ Are you angry with usN % my childhood riend KanhaiyaE we reMuest youE we will
never abuse you in uture$ . you were intending to goE why did youE then save us rom the inernal
orest ire$ 6hy did you save rom the deluging rainsN 6e cannot live without you$ -ell us % benevolent
riendE 6hen will you return$R Lord Krishna consoled them all and took many o them with &im$ -he
chariot began to move$ As long as the lag o the chariot remained visibleE people kept on crying and
wailing$ +ven the eyes o Akrur illed with tears$ Lord asked himJ RKakaE why are you weepingNR Akrur
repliedJ R% LordE Kansa is the great sinner$ . eel he will try to torment you by all means$ ,oE my heart
saysE that . should take you back to VrindavanaE because i Kansa did any harm to youE their spirits will
curse me or ever$R
#;$#3$0; Appearance o the Lord beore ArCun
&earing AkrurKs wordsE Lord understood that when he had arrived in VraCE he was alicted with a eeling
o maCesty$ But nowE it has been replaced by aection now$ &eE thereore decided to remove his
dilemma$ -husE Lord said to himJ RKakaE 'athura is still some distance away$ ,o you take a bath in
Yamuna$ 6e brothers are waiting or you in the chariot$R
As soon as Akrur took a dip in YamunaE Lord showed him a sight o &is abode Vaikunth and his
1arayanaKs appearance in whichE he was holding conchE wheelE mace and lotus in each o his our
hands and was lying on the bed o ,heshnaga$ 6ith olded handsE Akrur prayed to lordJ R% lordE you
are the reason or the eGistence o Brahma and the 2niverse$ % LordE . pray at your eet again and
again$ 1ow . recognise you$ You are the one who took the incarnations o 'atsyaE KachchapE VarahE
1arsinhE VamanaE "ama etc$ -hus ater bath and worshipE Akrur returned to the chariot$ Lord Krishna
understood that now a devotional eeling had arisen in the mind o Akrur or 1arayana$ Lord askedJ
RYour condition seems miserable$ Did you see anything eGtra=ordinary under waterNR Akrur saidJ R%
LordE now bestow your grace on me$ Kindly come to my home and accept my hospitality$R
#;$#3$07 Arrival in 'athura
Ater the departure o AkrurE 1andbaba too set out or 'athura along with the *opas$ %n the way itselE
they caught up with Krishna and Balaram$ All o them then reached 'athura together$ -here they
stayed in a garden$ Ater sometimeE with 1andKs permissionE both the brothers set out to see the city o
'athura$ 'athura was indeed a beautiul town$ All the residents o 'athura thronged on roadsE roos
and attices to have a sight o Krishna and Balrama$
#;$#3$0) *race on KubCa
%n the wayE they met a pretty but hunched women$ ,he introduced hersel as KubCaE the maid o
Kansa$ &er duty was to smear the members o the royal amily with sandal=wood paste$ *od asked her
i she would smear him with sandal paste$ KubCa saidJ R% 'an'ohanE . see no one more itting than
you or the sandal paste$R -hus she smeared LordKs orehead with saron$ %n DauKs orehead she
smeared musk containing sandal pasteE other *opas smeared all the remaining sandal paste on their
heads$
Lord thenE put &is eet on KubCaKs and holding her chin gave her head a slight Cerk$ And in no timeE
KubCaKs hunch was gone and she turned into a pretty woman$ ,he begged lord or &is love$ -he Lord
promised her a meeting in utureE and proceeded ahead$
#;$#3$0/ Breaking o the Bow
Ater salving KubCaE Lord Krishna and other *opas moved ahead$ At a place they saw a huge bow kept
on a high stage$ 'any strong men were guarding it$ Lord entered the canopy and easily lited the bow
and broke it into pieces$ -here was a big applause rom all around$ Dau saidJ RKrishnaE now the crowd
will increase hereE so let us escape in time$ -husE both the brothers and their riends beat a retreat to
their camp$ -here they rested or night$ -here in 'athuraE breaking o the bow had rightened Kansa$
&e could not sleep during the night$ +ven in his dreamsE he saw nothingE but Krishna everywhere
around him$
#;$#3$43 Killing o the +lephant
+arly in the morningE Kansa summoned his minister and ordered him to make KuvalayapeedE the
elephant to stand in the centre o the main gate$ &e thought that the elephant would kill both the boys i
they dared to enter the ort through main gate$ Back there in the gardenE Krishna and Balarama set out
in wrestlers guise or the ort$ At the gateE seein an elephant blocking the passageE they asked mahout
loudlyJ R% 'ahoutE why have you made the elephant stand in the centre o the gate$ 'ove it either
ahead or back$R But instead o moving the elephant out o the passageE the mahout steered it right on
them$ But beore elephant could attack themE Balarama caught its trunkE while Krishna caught its tail$
Both the brothers then dragged the elephant out o the gate and loted it in the air$ -he elephant ell on
the ground with a loud thud and died on the spot$
#;$#3$4# ,alvation o 6restlers
Kansa elt very nervous by the news o elephantKs killing$ Beore he could take stock o the situationE
Lord Krishna and Balaram arrived in the amphi= theatre$ -he spectators present in the amphitheatre
saw Lord as per their eelings$ -he menolk saw Lord as a @ewel among the men$ 6omenolk saw him
as an incarnation o Kamadev$ :owherds saw their natural riend in LordE while to Kansa &e appeared
as his death$ But to his mother and atherE Devaki and Vasudev and to 1andE Krishna and Balarama
appeared as small kids$ ,ages and ascetics saw nothing but metaphysical coming in boysK guise$
Learned ones sighted &is cosmic orm while to Yadavas &e appeared as their tutelery *od$
As soon as the Lord and Balarama arrived in the ringE the wrestlersE who were already present thereE
stood up like springs$ A wrestler :hanur dragged Krishna and one named 'ushtik dragged Balarama
into the ring$ -hey said to themJ RBoth o you and we are the subCects o the great king Kansa$ .t is our
duty to please our king with our art and skill$ 'ore over we will receive many rewards also$R
Krishna saidJ R% wrestlersE you please ight among yourselves$ 6e are boys yetE so we shall witness
your ight rom a distance$R :hanur saidJ R1o you are neither boy nor teenagers$ You are stronger than
the strongest$ You have Cust killed an elephant which was stronger than thousand elephants$R -husE
both the brothers were compelled to wrestle with the royal wrestlers$ 'ushtik was beaten on the ground
by Balarama so hard that he died at once on the spot$ Krishna similarly killed second wrestler :hanur$
All the remaining wrestlers met similar ate one by one$ -he massive crowd present there applauded
them Coyully$
#;$#3$4( ,alvation o Kansa
,eeing the shameul deeat o his wrestlersE Kansa inuriated with anger and proclaimedJ R-ie all the
opponentsO tie 2garsenE DevakiE VasudevE 1and in ropes and bring them beore me$R Lord Krishna
could not tolerate this and in a single CumpE &e reached on the stage where Kansa was present$ Lord
Krishna caught him by hair and saidJ R% KansaE once you have caught a helpless woman by hairE .
have avenged that insult$ 1ow you will receive the ruits or your atrocities$R ,aying thisE Lord began to
twirl Kansa catching him by hairE and threw him down rom the stage$ -hen Lord Cumped once again
and landed on the chest o Kansa$ Kansa died instantaneously$ -husE Kansa who was an incarnation o
the demon Kalnemi received salvation$ Lord Krishna thenE released his parents rom the prison and
crowned his maternal grand ather 2grasen as the king o 'athura$
#;$#3$40 Yagyopavit o Krshna=Balarama
Ater the successul completion o all the royal ceremoniesE the consecration o Krishna and Balarama
was carried out$ -hereaterE they came to stay at the hermitage o sage ,andipani or ormal education$
+Gtraordinarily brilliant Krishna successully learned all the knowledge in short period o time$ -henE as
*urudakshina (paying respect to the teacher) Krishna brought back his dead sons rom the abode o
YamaraC$ -aking his convocational bathE thereaterE Lord Krishna returned to 'athura$ -hereE though
living among royal luGuries and grandeur Lord Krishna remained indierent$ 'emory o his sentimentalE
beloved devotees riend and other people o VraC kept on pricking him$
#;$#3$44 ,ending 2dhav as 'essenger
,avant 2ddhavE the son o YadavaKs minister Brihaspati was an intimate riend o Lord Krishna$ %nly he
had the permission to enter LordKs sanctum$ ,eeing his riend Krishna in remorseE 2ddhav askedJ
R'athuranathE you seem to be upset$ 6hat is troubling youNR Lord Krishna repliedJ R2ddhavaE . eel
perpleGed$ . remember my days in Vrindavana$ 8lease go to Vrindavana and get the news regarding
*opis there$ Also give them my message$R -hus Lord Krishna donned 2ddhav in his attire and sent him
to VraC in his chariot$
-here he stayed at 1andKs home$ At nightE 2ddhav enMuired about 1and and YashodaKs well being and
about VraC in general$ -hat whole might passed in chatting$
#;$#3$49 Bhramar *eet
1eGt dayE when the *opis got the news o 2ddhavKs arrivalE they thronged in and around 1andKs
residence$ -hey recogniBed the chariot parked in ront o the gate$ .t was the same chariot on which
Krishna and Balarama had departed or 'athura$ <irst they thought that their beloved Krishna had
returned$ But their belie did not last long$ ,ome o them opined that Akrur might have come again$ But
what orN
But then someone inormed that it was 2ddhavE KrishnaKs ,avant riendE who had come to preach them
about metaphysical knowledge$ ,oon aterwardsE 2ddhav came out and spoke out loudJ R% *opisE
listen to the preaching o 2ddhav$R But instead o listening to himE *opis covered their ears$ <eeling
insultedE 2ddhav eGpressed his dissatisaction over their behaviour$ *opis said to himJ % gentlemanE
irstly we are not amiliar with youE secondly we have no capacity to hear your preaching$ Yes i you
wish to give us a message o our most belovedO thousand o ears are eager to hear that$R 2ddhav then
introduced himsel as the intimate riend o Lord Krishna$
Knowing his identiy *opis welcome and treated 2ddhav warmly$ 2ddhav then began to say againJ R%
*opisE the personE whom you are declaring as your beloved riendE in act has no motherE no ather$ &e
has no ormE no colour and no body$ &e is above allE non=eGisting all pervasive and the giver o Coy$ &e
is never separate rom his devotee and beloved ones$ All o youE tooE eel the presence o that ,upreme
Being and be happy orever$R *opis saidJ R2ddhavE as long as *hanashyam stayed with usE we saw
endless virtues in him$ But only within siG months o his stay in 'athuraE you wiped out all o his virtues
and turned him virtueless$
-ell us with which mouth did he eat butterE with which hand did he break our pitchersE with which eet
did he pasture cows in the orests and with which eet did he dance on the hood o Kaliy$ 6as he
another KrishnaNR
&arsh reaction o the *opis startled 2ddhav$ &e began to think where he had been caught$ &is
knowledge o Vedant was proving ineective on the *opis$ 6ho are sunk in so much love$ %n the other
handE *opis too were eeling embarassed or treating the guest bitterly$ But they were also not
prepared to listen to such preaching that condemned love$ 'oreoverE they had let out their long
accumulating eeling$
'eanwhile a bumblebee perched at "adhaKs eet mistaking them or lotus$ 8ointing to itE all the *opis
saidJ RBeware % bumblebeeE beware i you dare to touch the eet o our "adha$ .t appears that you are
a disciple o Krishna$ -here is now no secret regarding the virtues and actions o your riend$ But it is
good that he and you tied in riendship$ You are black and your riend has a black heart$ Virtues o both
o you are same$
<irst &e imbibed us in &is loveO then let us ruthlessly orever$ &e is not sorry or us$ But why does
Lakshmi serves in those eetN ,he must be careulE lest she should be deceived like us$ % bumblebee
you also appear to be a polymath who has come here to preach us$ But you wonKt get an audience in
BraC$ You should better go to 'athura$
-here is one KubCa go and relate your tale to her$ You will receive ample donations rom her$ 6hat will
you get rom the *opis hereN -hey have already lost their mental balanceE because o their separation
rom the beloved Krishna$ . you have come to askE why we loved Krishna$ % bumblebeeE we have no
knowledge$ But we know that our love or Krishna was not a mistake$ +ven the goddess Lakshmi does
not leave &is eet or a moment$ 6hy should we leave his eet thenN But % bumblebeeE have you really
come to convince us$ 6hen &e could not come out o shameE &e sent you to console us = the dea and
dumb *opisE But be careul i you put your head at the eet o "adha$
*et awayE we have already seen enough o lattery and lirtation o your riend$ Deserting our aection
or ephemeral thingsE we loved that eternal one$ but &e too abandoned us$ :an you guess about our
conditionN -ell usE % 2ddhavE shall we ever get the sight o ,hri Krishna againN
&earing the tragic tale o the *opisE 2ddhav too elt very sorry or them$ &e elt as i 'athuranathE lord
Krishna was indeed neglecting those *opis$ 2ddhav stayed in Vrindavana or siG months$ -here he
saw every placeE every spot where lord Krishna had played once$ 6hen he was returning to 'athuraE
mother Yashoda presented him with butterE "adha gave him the lute$ -hus immersed in the love and
overwhelmed by its eelingsE 2ddhav reached 'athura$ &e said to KrishnaJ RLordE the real appearance
o loveE that . saw in Vrindavana is the only truth$R ,hri Krishna saidJ R2ddhavE You are weeping$ @ust
look at me$R 2ddhav looked at him with wideE opened eyes$ .n every single hair o LordE there eGisted
*opis$ 2ddhav was indeed a ,avant$ But Lord had sent him to BraC only to be taught a lesson o love$
#;$#3$4; Battles with @arasandhJ :onstruction o Dvarka=puri
Ater the death o Kansa his widowed Mueens Asti and 8rapti returned to their ather @arasandhKs home
and inormed him that Krishna and Balarama had killed their husband Kansa$ .nuriated by the newsE
@arasandh at once launched a massive attack on 'athura$ -he people o 'athura were rightened by
the strength o @arasandhKs army$ Lord Krishna too ell in deep thought$ @ust thenE divine weapons and
chariots appeared rom the heaven$ Both the brothers took the weapons and boarded their chariots$
-hen they ought a ierce battle and slayed all the army o @arasandh$
Balarama uriously caught @arasandh and was about to kill him$ But Lord Krishna stopped him$ -hey
then released @arasandh and let him go unhurt$ @arasandh elt ashamed that Krishna released him
because o his helpless condition$
,hukdev saysJ % 8arikshitE despite his shameul deeatE @arasandh attacked 'athura seventeen times
with huge armies$ But every timeE the Lord deeated him and released him in kindness$ And every time
@arasandh elt more humiliated$R
At lastE instead o attacking 'athura himselE @arasandh sent Kalyavan to deeat ,hri Krishna$ Kalyavan
launched an attack on 'athura with one crore strong 'alechchh army$ -his time Lord Krishna decided
to vacate 'athura instead o countering the attack$
&e got Dwarikapuri constructed by Vishvakarma and settled all the people o 'athura there$ -henE
unarmedE Lord Krishna walked past Kalyavan$ 8ointed by 1aradE Kalyavan at once recognised Krishna
and gave &im a chase$ &e also challenged &imE but the Lord did not listen to his challenges and kept
moving with ace turned away$ Kalyavan chased &im or longE but could not catch up$
2ltimately the Lord entered a cave$ Kalyavan too ollowed &im into the cave$ .n the cave the Lord saw
that someone was sleeping there$ ,o &e covered the man with his yellow length o cloth and himsel
hid inside the cave$ Kalyavan too arrived there and saw the sleeping man$ &e mistook him or *od and
saidJ RKrishnaE you might have thought that braves do not attack on sleeping people$ ,o . will irst wake
you up and then kill you$R ,aying thus Kalyavan kicked the sleeping man hard$ &oweverE as soon as
the man awakened and glanced at KalyavanE Kalyavan got incinerated at once$
#;$#3$47 -ale o 'uchkund
8arikshit askedJ R*urudevE who was that sleeping manNR
,hukdev saysJ R% kingE that sleeping man was 'uchkundE the son o the king 'andhata$ -he gods had
sought his assistance in their war against the demon during the ,atyayug$ 6ith 'uchkundKs helpEthe
gods had deeated the demons and thus pleased had asked him to seek a boon$ 'uchkund then had
sought a boon o seeing *od in tangible orm$ -he gods had assured him that he would have a sight o
*od in Dwapar Yuga$ ,ince Dwapar Yuga was still ar awayE so 'uchkund had askedJ R6hat should .
do till thenNR -he gods asked him to sleep somewhere and blessed him with a boon that whoever
waked him up would be incinerated at onceE by his glance$ -husE in order to get Kalyavan incinerated
and show 'uchkund with his Divine ormE Lord had gone to that spot where 'uchkund was sleeping$
'uchkund got the sight o *od in :haturbhuC ormO and seeked a boon o continuous devotion or three
births$ -husE Lord deeated 'alechchh army and captured all their wealth$ &e also deeated
@arasandha and caused great Coy or the people o Dwaraka$
#;$#3$4) 'arriage o Balarama
-he king o AnartE "aiwat got his daughter "ewati married to Balarama with the blessing o Brahma$
#;$#3$4/ 'essage o "ukmani or the Lord
,hukdev saidJ R% 8arikshitE Bheeshmak was the king o Vidarbh$ &e had ive sons and a daughter
"ukmani$ "ukmiE the eldest son o BheeshmakE had iGed his sisterKs engagement with ,hishupalE the
prince o :haidi$ 1arada did not like this development$ &e went to KundanpurE the capital o Vidarbh
and said in the court o BheeshmakJ % KingE . am coming rom Dwaraka$R Bheeshmak saidL R% great
,ageE . have never heard about any city named DwarakaR$ -husE in the court o BheeshmakE 1arad
narrated about the lie o Lord Krishna and the grandeur o Dwaraka$ Bheeshmak heard the tale with
ull attention$ &is daughter "ukmani too enCoyed the tale$
But "ukmi had a strong opposition against lord Krishna$ .gnoring the wish o his atherE he was not
ready to get his sister married to Lord Krishna$ %n the appointed dayE ,hishupal appeared thereE in a
processionE to get married with "ukmani$
But "ukmani was determined to marry Lord Krishna$ ,he sent a love letter to Krishna through a loyal
Brahmin and declared a ast unto death$ Lord Krishna read her letterE which saidJ R% -rilokkinathE since
the momentE these ears have heard about your virtuesE actionsE character and playsE my soul
eGperiences divine peace$ % AchyutE my mind is dedicated in your eet$ % great among the menE this
"ukmani has dedicated hersel in your eet$ 1ow it is upto you to see that no Cackal could take away the
lionKs share$R -he BrahminE the carrier o the letterE returned to Kundanpur with an assurance rom the
Lord$ Lord too called the charioteer and set out at once or Kundanpur$ -here in KundanpurE "ukmani
ater getting the assurance rom the BrahminE was thus waiting or LordKs arrival$
8reparations or "ukmaniKs marriage with ,hisupal were on with ull swing in Kundanpur$ All the
housesE streets and lanes were cleaned and sprinkled with scented water$ All the men and women olk
donned new clothes and ornaments$ King Bheeshmak worshipped his ancestors and gods and
welcomed the Brahmins liberally$ +Gtremely beautiul princess "ukmani was given ceremonial bath and
donned with auspicious clothes and bracelets$
-he king o :hediE Damaghosh got the auspicious rites or the marriage o his son ,hishupalE
perormed by Brahmins$ All the Baratis (people in marriage procession) were given grand reception$
'any great kings like ,halvE @arasandhE DantvaktraE Vidurath and 8aundruk were present in the
marriage procession$ -hey had come with their armies with an intention o ighting Krishna and
Balarama$ Ater KrishnaKs departureE Balarama too set out or Kundanpur with chaturangini (with our
wings) armyE or he had known about their opponentsK preparedness$
"ukmani was eagerly awaiting LordKs arrival$ ,he had received the news that Dwarakanath (Krishna)
had resolved to take her away$ ,he was eeling overwhelmed in her heart$
,eeing Lord Krishna arrived intently in the marriage ceremonies o his daughterE king Bheeshmak
welcomed him$ ,eeing himE even the common people o Vidarbh prayed R'ay our princess "ukmani
get ,hri Krishna as her husband$ At the same timeE "ukmani emerged rom her palace to go to the
temple o AmbikadeviE soldiers were guarding her$ .n the templeE "ukmani prayed peaceullyJ R%
'other Ambika . greet you and *anapatiE who is sitting in your lap$ . seek your blessing that may my
wish be ulilled and may . receive ,hri Krishna as my husband$R
%n her way backE "ukmani was walking very slowly or she was awaiting LordKs arrivalE which was due
in any moment$ @ust thenE Lord Krishna appeared beore her$ Beore she could ride her chariot Lord
lited her rom amidst the crowd$ And in the presence o hundrerds o kingsE Krishna and Balarama
eloped away with "ukmani$
#;$#3$93 Deeat o "ukmi P ,hishupal
&earing the news that Krishna has eloped with "ukmaniE "ukmi and all other kings present there boiled
with anger$ Accompanied by their huge armiesE they decided to give them a chase$ -hus chased my
themE Yadnvanishis stopped and encountered the kings boldly$ 6ith a true ambition to winE brave
Yadav soldiers deeated the enemeies$ All the kings like @arasandh led or their lives$ "ukmi had
resolved that without getting "ukmani released rom KrishnaKs captivityE he would not show his ace in
Kundanpur$ &e chased Lord Krishna or long$ But Dwarakanath deeated him and got his head shaved$
#;$#3$9# 'arriage o "ukmini P Krshna
-hus deeating all the kingsE Lord Krishna brought "ukmani to Dwaraka$ -here they got married
ormally$ All the people o Dwaraka celebrated estivities or many days$ 8eople presented them with lot
o precious gits$ All the people were in great Coy to see Lakshmi as "ukmani with her husband Lord
Krishna$
#;$#3$9( Birth o 8radyumnaE Killing o ,hambarasur
,hukdev saysJ % 8arikshitE Kamadev was a part o lord himsel$ Ater getting incinerated by "udraE
Kamadev took reuge in the supreme lord to get an incarnation once more$ -husE Kamadev was born
as "ukmaniEs irst son 8radyumn$
But Cust ater his birthE 8radyumn was kidnapped by a demon ,hambarasur$ -he demon dropped the
baby into the seaE where a huge ish swallowed him in whole$ :oincidently the ish was caught by the
ishers and presented to the kitchen o ,hambarasur$ 6hen the cooks cut the ish openE an eGtremely
beautiul baby emerged$ 'ayawatiE the governess o the kitchenE elt overCoyed to see the baby$ ,he
began to rear the baby with love and aection$
%nce 1arad arrived in the kitchen and saidJ R'ayawatiE do you know who is in your lapN R R1oE %
DevarishiE . ound him rom the belly o a ishR said 'ayawati$ Devarishi 1arad saidJ R&e is your
husband Kamadev and you are his wie "ati$ .n this birthE he has appeared as 8radyumn the son o
Krishna$ &earing thisE 'ayawati saluted 1arad with respect$ ,ince then she regarded 8radyumn as her
husband and served him accordingly$ 6hen 8radyumn matured$ 'ayawati reminded him about his real
appearance$ 8radyumnE thereaterE killed ,hambarasur and got married with 'ayawati$ -hen the
couple arrived in Dwaraka$
#;$#3$90 -ale o ,yamantakE the *em
A person named ,atraCit was a great devotee o Lord ,uryanarayana$ 8leased by his devotionE
,uryadev presented him a gem called ,yamantak$ -he gem had a radiance eMual to the sun$ Bearing
that gemE ,atraCit arrived in LordKs court$ By the radiance o his gemE all the people and the courtiers
mistook him or ,uryadeva and stood in his regard$ But the Lord recognised him and asked his coutiers
to be calm$ -hen to ,atraCitE Lord ,aidJ R,atraCitE your gem is really very beautiul$ 1ana (maternal
grandather) 2grasen is the king o this region$ . you present this gem to himE it will be very good$ But
,atraCit reused to present that gem$
%ne dayE later onE ,atraCitKs brother 8rasenCit went huntingE wearing the gem in his neck$ .n the orest a
lion killed him and snatched the gem$ -he lion was in turn killed by the 2rsine king @ambvan$ @ambvan
took the gem to his cave and gave it to his children to play with$ 6hen 8rasenCit did not return rom
huntingE ,atraCit elt sorry and accused Krishna that &e had killed his brother or the gem$
6hen lord Krishna heard that he was being blamed or the mishapE &e himsel went to the orests$
-here he ound the dead body o 8rasenCitE but there was no sign o gem around the cadaver$ &e ound
only ootprints o a lion leaving rom there$ <ollowing the ootprintsE &e discovered the dead lion and the
oot prints o a great bear$ <ollowing the ootprintsE &e reached in the cave where @ambvanKs daughter
@ambvati was playing with the gem$
As soon as lord Krishna proceeded to take the gemE @ambvan arrived$ A ierce duel resulted between
them$ -hey continued to ight or twenty=siG days without truce$ %n the twenty=seventh day @ambvan
reMuested LordL R8lease wait % Lord$R Lord saidJ RDo you want to take restNR R1oRE said @ambvanE R.
have recognised you$ You are non other than Lord 1arayana &imsel$ 1obody else has the power to
deeat me$R Lord appeared beore @ambvan as ,hri "ama$ @ambvan prayed and worshipped &im$ &e
was eeling guilty that he dared to ight Lord$ Lord said that &e had arrived there or the gem only$
@ambvan gave him the gem and also his daughter @ambvati$ Lord returned the gem to ,atraCit and
married @ambvati ormally$
#;$#3$94 'arriage o ,atyabhama P Krshna
Lord summoned ,atraCit to his court and in the presence o the king 2grasenE related the seMuence o
incidents that took place in the Cungle$ ,atraCit elt ashamed$ 6ith a eeling o repentance he took the
gem$ &e was getting araid also that he made enemity with lord Krishna without reason$ &ence to
eGpiate his crimeE ,atraCit thought o presenting the gem ,yamantak and his daughter ,atyabhama to
Lord Krishna$ Lord Krishna accepted ,atybhama as his wie but returned the gem to ,atraCit sayingJ R.t
is a git o lord ,uryadev$ Keep it with you$ You are reMuired to deposit the gold that you get rom itE in
the royal treasure$R
#;$#3$99 -het o ,yamantak
Akrur and Kritvarma were not pleased with the marriage o ,atyabhama$ ,o they got ,atraCit killed by
,hatdanva$ ,hatdanva killed ,atraCit in his sleep and absconded with the gem$ Lord Krishna was then
away in &astinapur$ ,atyabhama too reached there and inormed Krishna about her atherKs
assassination$ 6ith BalaramaE Lord Krishna chased ,hatdhanva$ But even ater killing himE they could
not trace the gem$ ,hatdhanva had given the gem to Akrur to keep till his return$ But ater the death o
,hatdhanvaE rightened Akrur came to stay in Kashi$ <rom the eect o the gem Akrur perormed many
grand Yagyas there$ Lord summoned Akrur rom Kashi$ Ater welcoming and treating him in the courtE
Lord asked him about the gem$ Akrur showed the gem in the court$ But Lord returned the gem to Akrur$
Other marria;es of 6ord .rshna!
#;$#3$9; Lord?s 'arriage with Kalindi
%nce Lord Krishna visited .ndraprasth to see 8andavas there$ -here riding a chariot with ArCunaE &e
came to the orests$ %n the bank o river Yamuna a pretty woman was observing penance$ By the
instinct o *odE ArCun drew near her and asked or her identity$ ,he saidJ R. am KalindiE the daughter o
,uryadev$ . am penancing here in order to get married with Lord Krishna$R Lord got Kalindi boarded on
the chariot and got married to her ormally$
#;$#3$97 Lord?s 'arriage with 'itrvinda
'itrvinda was the sister o Vind Anuvind the king o 2CCain$ ,he had a desire to get Lord as her
husband$ But her brotherE Vind Anuvind was a ollower o Duryodhan$ ,o he stopped his sister
'itrvinda rom getting married to Krishna$ But Krishna eloped with 'itrvinda rom the his court and got
married to her ormally later on$
#;$#3$9) 6ith ,atya
,atya was the daughter o 1agnCitE the king o Kaushal$ ,he was eGtremely beautiul lady$ -he king had
resolved that he would marry his daughter only to him who would deeat his seven most ormidable
oGen$ 'any princes has tried their luck since then but ailed$ 6hen Lord Krishna heard about thatE &e
reached Kaushal with his army$ -he king o Kaushal welcomed and treated him wellE and told him about
his resolution$ Lord then took seven guises and in no time deeated his seven ormidable oGen$ *ladly
the king married his daughter ,atya to Lord Krishna$
#;$#3$9/ 6ith Bhadra
,hukdev saidJ R8arikshitE LordKs aunt (atherKs sister) ,hrutkirti was married in the kingdom o KaikauCa$
Bhadra was the daughter o ,hrutkirti$ BhadraKs brothers like ,antardan etc$ themselves had got their
sister married to Lord Krishna$
#;$#3$;3 6ith Lakshmana
Lakshmana was the daughter o the king o 'adra$ ,he was very beautiul and meritorius$ Lord
abducted her all alone rom the ,wayamvar organised or her marriage$ LaterE Lord married to her
ormally$
#;$#3$;# ,alvation o Bhaumasur
,hukdev saidJ 8arikshitE 8rayCyotishpur was the capital o the demon Bhaumasur$ &e was very strong
and powerul$ &e had snatched the canopy o VarunaE ear=rings o Aditi the mother o the godsE and
'aniparvat o the gods on 'eru$ Apart rom theseE he had also captured siGteen thousand and one
hundred princesses as well$
DevraC .ndra himsel visited Dwaraka and 8rayed Lord to get them rid o BhaumasurKs atrocities$ 6ith
the dear wie ,atyabhama and riding his vehicle *aruda$ Lord Krishna arrived in the capital o
Bhaumasur$ But to enter 8ragCyotishpur was a impossible task$ But with the blows o his mace and
arrowsE Lord easily broke the hillsE destroyed strategic positions and cut the snares with sword$ By his
wheel he destroyed the walls o ireE water and air$ 6ith the loud sound o conchE lord renderered the
machinesE installed thereE useless$
2ltimatelyE *od destroyed the rampart o the citadel$ Disturbed by the noiseE the ive=headed demon
'ur ran with a trident to kill *od$ But with a single shot o his arrowE Lord broke his trident and cut his
head with his wheel$ ,oldiers and commanders o Bhaumasur were also killed$ Bhaumasur then came
himsel to ight$ &e had donned a shinning crown and was wearing big earrings$ 6ith his wheelE Lord
cut the demonKs head$ As soon as &e beheaded the demonE the gods showered lowers on the Lord
and worshipped &im$ +ven the mother earth came and put a garland o ive colours around lords neck$
,he also presented to him the earrings o AditiE canopy o VarunaE and a great gem$ At the reMuest o
earthE Lord assured BhaumasurKs son Bhagdatt reedom rom his ears$
#;$#3$;( Lord?s 'arriage with :aptive 8rincesses
Ater slaying BhaumasurE Lord entered his palace$ -here he released the siGteen=thousand one=
hundred captive princesses$ -he princesses were very much impressed by the Lord$ -hey had all
accepted in their mindE Lord Krishna as their husband$ Lord too bowed beore their love and accepted
them as his wives and arranged to send them to Dwaraka$
#;$#3$;0 8radyumna?s 'arriage with "ukmvati
,hukdev saysJ 8arikshitE "ukmvati was the daughter o "ukmiE the brother o "ukmani$ 6hen a
,wayamvar was organised or herE she saw 8radyumn$ ,he was so impressed by him that she chose
him as her husband$ But it was not acceptable to other princes$ -hey tried to stop their marriage$ But
deeating them allE 8radyumn abducted "ukmvati and married her ormally$ -hen to please his sister
"ukmaniE "ukmi got his grand=daughter "ochana married to "ukmaniKs grandsons Anirudh$
#;$#3$;4 'arriage o 2sha=Anirudha
-he son o the demon king BaliE Banasur was a great devotee o Lord Lord ,hiva$ Banasur ruled over
the kingdom ,honitpur$ By the grace o Lord Lord ,hivaE he had received thousand arms$ +ven all the
gods including .ndra used to serve him$ -hus blinded by his physical strengthE Banasur sought a boon
rom Lord to meet a match or his strength$ Lord ,hiva saidJ R% oolE your thirst or war shall be
Muenched when your lag is broken$R
Banasur had a daughter named 2sha$ %nce she had a dream in which Anirudh was making love with
her$ ,he was very much perpleGed by the dream$ Ater a ew days with the help o her riend
:hitralekhaE Anirudh sneaked into her palace$ &e stay there and enCoyed the company o 2sha or long$
But AnirudhKs clandestine stay could not remain hidden rom the eyes o Banasura$ ,o he put Anirudh
in prison$ -here in DwarakaE everyone was worried by AnirudhKs long absence$
.t was 1aradE who ultimately revealed the act that Anirudh was in the prison o Banasur$ &earing the
newsE Lord Krishna launched an attack on Banasur$ &is armies surrounded ,honitpur$ During
*hurabandi the lag o BanasurKs palace ell$ Lord ,hanker arrived to assist Banasur$ Lord Krishna cut
all the arms o Banasur$ At the reMuest o Lord ,hivaE he let only our o his arms intact$ Banasur
bowed his head beore Lord Krishna and brought Anirudh and 2sha respectully beore &im$ 6ith them
Lord Krishna returned to Dwaraka where ormal marriage o 2sha and Anirudh took place$
#;$#3$;9 -ale o King 1rig
%nceE Lord KrishnaKs sons visited the orests$ -here they saw a huge :hameleon allen in a largeE deep
well$ -hey tried to pull it out but in vain$ -he princesE thereoreE returned to the palace and related this
strange episode to Lord Krishna$ Lord too came to the well and with &is let handE easily pulled the
:hamelon out$
As soon as the chameleon came outE it turned into a divine god and began to worship *od$ &e saidJ R%
LordE . am 1rig$ -he king .kshvaku was my ather$ .n my lieE . had donated uncountable numbers o
cows to the Brahmins$ But once a cowE donated by meE returned to my cowshed$ By mistake . made a
resolution to donate it to another Brahmin$ 'y action led to a dispute between the two BrahminsE and
my wisdom ailed to settle their dispute$ Both the Brahmins went away unsatisiedE but . met this ate
ater death$ ,ince thenE . had been in this well in the orm o a chameleon$ 1owE by the graceul touch
o your handsE % LordE . have received salvation$R King 1rig then went around the Lord and returned to
his heavenly abode$
#;$#3$;; ,alvation o 8aundrak P KashraC
%nce Balarama and Krishna had gone to BraC to see 1andbaba there$ 'eanwhile the king 8aundrak o
Karush sent an envoy to lord Krishna with a message that saidJ K. am Lord Vasudev$K 8andrakKs envoy
arrived in the court and read out the messageJ R-o bestow my grace on the peopleE . have taken an
incarnation$ You have alsely named yoursel as Vasudev and bore my insignia$ -ake my reuge or ace
the battle$R
,hukdev saidJ 8arikshitE hearing the message o 8aundrakE 2grasen and other courtiers began to
laugh$ Lord asked the envoy to inorm 8aundrak that &e would launch &is wheel on him and his army$
"eceiving the message 8aundrak launched an attack on Dwaraka with two Akshauhini army$ -he king
o Kashi was a riend o 8aundrak$ &e too came to his assistance with three Akshauhini armies$
8aundrak had disguised as Vasudev and was bearing artiical conchE wheelE mace and lotus and$ &e
had also adorned ,wastikE Kaustubh etc$ All the people began to laugh at 8aundrakKs clown like attire$
.n no timeE the Lord stripped him o all his adornments$ &is wheel cut his head$ -hen with an arrow the
Lord cut the head o the king o Kashi$ &is head ell in ront o his palaceKs gate$ ,udakshinE the son o
the Kashi kingE organised a grand Yagya to avenge his atherKs killing$ An ogressE Kritya emerged rom
the Yagya and began to burn Dwaraka$ All the people prayed Krishna to protect them$ Lord assured
them to be earless and ordered &is wheel ,udarshan to kill Kritya$ ,udarshan eGtinguished the ireE
killed Kritya and destroyed Kashi$ -hen it returned to the LordKs inger$
#;$#3$;7 ,alvation o Dvivid
-he king 8arikshit eGpressed his desire to hear about the lie o Balarama$ ,hukdev saidJE R% kingE
there was once a monkey named Dwivid$ &e was the riend o Bhaumasur$ 6hen Dwivid heard about
BhaumasurKs killing by ,hri KrishnaE he began to cause large scale destruction in the kingdom$ &is
disruptive activities in the country began to terroriBe the subCects o Lord Krishna$ %nce hearing sweet
musicE the monkey was drawn towards the "aivtak mountain$ -here he saw Balarama amidst beautiul
young women$ -he monkey began to behave indecently$ Angered by his indecencyE Balarama hit him
with his pestelE named ,unandE and killed the monkey$
#;$#3$;) 'arriage o ,amb
,amb was the son o lord Krishna and born to @ambvati$ &e had Kidnapped LakshmanaE the daughter
o Duryodhana rom her ,wayamvar$ .nuriated Kauravas chased them andE with diicultyE they caught
,amb and tied him$ 6hen the Yaduvanshis got the newsE they began preparations to launch an attack
on Kauravas$ Balarama paciied them and reached &astinapur alone$ -here he received a warm
welcome rom the Kauravas$ Balarama said to themJ R.t is an order o the king 2grasen that you should
see ,amb o with his newly wedded wie$R &earing BalaramaKs words Kauravas got angry and began
to deride Yaduvanshis$ .nuriated by Kauravas derisionsE Balarama trained his pestle and plough$ &e
intended to turn over the town o &astinapur into the river Yamuna$ 6hen the city began to shakeE
Kauravas elt perpleGed and begged Balarama or his pardon$ Balarama assured them to be earless
and returned to Dwaraka with ,amb and his newly wedded wie Lakshmana$
#;$#3$;/ ,ending o +missary (Kings in captivity seek the Lord?s help)
,hukdev saysJ R8arikshitE once Lord Krishna was holding &is court when an emissary arrived in the
court$ -he kings who were held captive orcibly by @arasandh had sent him$ -he emissary related the
miseries o those kings to Lord Krishna$ -hrough the emissaryE the kings had reMuestedJ R% Lord o the
worldE Kindly get us ree rom our miseries$ 6e are in your reuge$ 6e desire your sight$ Kindly bestow
us with your grace$R Lord Krishna sent the emissary o with assurance o timely action$
'eanwhileE Devarishi 1arad arrived in the court and inormed the Lord o YudhisthirKs intention to
organise a grand "aCsuy Yagya and his cordial invitation or the Lord to attend the ceremony$ Lord
asked his riend 2ddhav or an advice as to where &e ought to go irst = to .ndraprastha in "aCsuy
Yagya or to liberate the king rom the captivity o @arasandh$ 2ddhav advised Lord to go to
.ndraprastha irst$ -here &e would be able to serve both the purposes$
#;$#3$73 Lord?s Departure or .ndraprastha
2ddhavKs advise was in the interest o all$ +veryone supported it$ -aking permission rom &is priest and
teachersE Lord set out on a chariot with the whole amily to reach .ndraprastha$ .n .ndraprasthaE
8andavas accorded the Lord with warm=hearted elicitations$ By the dictate o LordE 'ayasur built a
divine looking court or Yudhishthir$ -he courtroom was a marvellous piece o architecture$ -he
shinningE smoothE loor o it appeared like waterE while water bodies presented a look like marble loors$
#;$#3$7# Killing o @arasandh
During YudhishthirKs "aCsuy YagyaE all the 8andavas set out in all the directions to conMuer the kings
and eGpand the boundaries o their kingdom$ 6arriors like BheemE ArCun deeated great kings all
around and eGtended the boundaries o YudhisthirKs empire$ But to deeat @arasandhE = BheemaE ArCuna
and Lord Krishna went in the guise Brahmins$ -hey reached @arasandh capital *irivraC and prayed him
or donations$ @arasandh promised to give them the things o their desires$ Lord Krishna then
introduced themselves and begged @arasandh or a duel with any o them$ @arasandh accepted to ight
a duel with Bheema$ &e gave Bheema a mace and both o them came out to the outskirts o the townE
where they began their duel$ Both o them were eMually strong and eMually brave and well pitted$
-wenty=seven days passedE but their duel remained inconclusive$ %n the twenty=eighth dayE during the
ightE Lord signaled Bheema a way to kill @arasandh$ &e took a small twig in his hands and tore it apart
into two$ Bheema understood the signal and beating @arasandh on groundE he tore him apart in two
pieces and threw them in opposite directions$ -hus came the end o evil @arasandh$ Lord Krishna and
ArCuna heartily greeted Bheema or his success$ -hey then enthroned @arasandhKs son ,ahdev and
also got the captive kings released$
#;$#3$7( ,alvation o ,hishupal
King Yudhishthir had invited great vedic Brahmins and Acharayas on the occasion$ -hose great ,ages
included Ved VyasE BhardwaCE ,umantuE *autamE AsitE VashishthE :hyvanE KanvE 'aitreyE KavashE
:hitE VishvamitraE VamdevE ,umatiE @eminiE KratuE 8ailE 8arashuramaE ,hukracharyaE AsuriE VitihotraE
'adhuchchandaE Veersen and Akritvarn etc$ 8ersons rom Kauravas side like DronaE BheeshmaE
KripacharyaE DhritrashtraE Vidhur and Duryodhan etc$ were too invited to witness the celebrations$ +ven
BrahmaE ,hivE .ndraE *andharvasE Vidyadhars had too arrived$ But beore the Yagya could start a
dispute cropped up among the great sages as to who ought to be worshipped irst in the Yagya$
.n the opinion o ,ahdeva (youngest o the 8andava brothersE not the son o @arasandh)E Lord Krishna
deserved the irst worship$ +very one supported him$ %nly ,hishupal could not tolerate the decision$ &e
stood up and saidJ R.n the presence o such great asceticsE savantsE polymaths and sagesE how can this
cowherd deserve the irst worship$R Despite ,hishupal bitter remarks Lord Krishna kept Muiet$ But
,hishupal did not$ +ncouraged by LordKs silence he began to attack the kingsE who stood by LordKs
sideE with sword$ &e was simultaneously abusing Lord Krishna also$ Lord had assured ,hishupal o this
orgiveness or up to one hundred sins$ But now ,hishupalKs sins have crossed that permitted number$
,oE Muieting allE Lord cut his head with &is wheel$ As soon as the dead body o ,hishupal ell on the
groundE a lame emerged rom it and merged with Lord Krishna$ ,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE eelings o
hostility had been accumulating in the heart o ,hishupal or his past three births against Lord Krishna$
.t was because o these intense hostile eelings that ,hishupal met salvation eventually$
Ater the salvation o ,hishupalE ceremonies and rituals o Yagya proceeded unabated$ At the end king
Yudhishthir presented all those present there with itting gits and took ceremonial bath$ At the reMuest
o 8andavasE lord Krishna stayed in .ndraprastha or many months$
#;$#3$70 ,alvation o ,halva
,hukdev saysJ R8arikshitE now listen to the tale o how Lord caused salvation or ,halv$ ,halv was the
childhood riend o ,hishupal and had attended the marriage o "ukmani as a member o ,hishupalKs
wedding party$ At that timeE Yaduvanshis had deeated them all including @arasandh and ,halv$ "ight
at that momentE ,halv had resolved to destroy Yaduvanshis and began worshipping *ods o the gods
8ashupati (,hiv)$ Lord Ashutosh Lord ,hiva was pleased with him$ As a boonE ,halv had got an
aeroplane that was invincible even or the godsE demonsE humansE nagasE etc and was particularly
ormidable or Yaduvanshis$ By the dictate o Lord Lord ,hivaE the demon 'aya constructed such an
aeroplane o iron$ -he aeroplane named ,aubh was as big as a city and was diicult to be spotted or
caught$ .t could move as ast as oneKs wishes$ ,oon ater getting the aeroplaneE ,halv launched an
attack o Dwaraka$
,urrounding DwarakaE ,halv began to destroy buildings and houses there$ ,eeing the people
terroriBedE 8radyumn consoled them to be earless and himsel set out on a chariot to counter ,halv$
&e pierced ,halv with arrows$ But ,halvKs minister Dyumana attacked 8radyumn with a mace$ By the
blow o the maceE 8radyumn lost his consciousness$ But soon he came around and began to slay
,halvKs orces$ -he ierce battle continued or twenty=seven days$ Lord was away then in .ndraprastha
Yagya$ But &e was sure that in his absence Kshatriya kings o ,hishupal side would be attacking on
Dwaraka$
Lord reached Dwaraka and saw a ierce battle between 8radyumn and ,halv$ ,eeing Lord arriveE ,halv
began to attack &im with sharp arrows$ Lord hit ,halv with a powerul blow o mace and he began to
spit blood rom his mouth$ &e then tried to show many illusions and showered Lord with weapons$ But
Lord wounded ,halv with his arrowsE broke his aeroplane with his mace$ Very soon thereater the
aeroplane plunged in to the sea$ ,halv then attacked Lord with mace but Lord cut his head with
,udarshan wheel$ ,eeing his endE all the gods showered lowers on Lord$
#;$#3$74 ,alvation o Dantvaktra P Vidurath
Ater the killing o ,hishupalE ,halv etc$ Dantvaktra arrived in the battleield carrying a mace$ 6hen
Lord saw him comingE &e too Cumped down rom the chariot and baulked his movement with a mace$
Dantvaktra tried to humiliate *od with his abuses and hit him on head with his mace$ Lord easily bore
the blow o mace and hit DantvaktraKs chest with his mace named Kaumodaki$ DantvaktraKs heart tore
apart by the blow and he ell dead$
Vidurath was the brother o Dantvaktra$ &e came in the ield with sword and shield to avenge his
brotherKs death$ ,eeing him ready to launch an attackE Lord cut VidurathKs head with his wheel$ -husE
Lord Krishna entered Dwaraka only ater killing ,halvE Dantvaktra and Vidurath$ All the gods and other
inhabitants o heaven showered lowers on &im$
#;$#3$79 ,udama ! -he Lord?s <riend
During his stay as a disciple at the hermitage o sage ,andipaniE Lord Krishna had a Brahmin riend
named ,udama$ &e was very indierent in nature with no desires or the material things$ Ater their
educationE Lord Krishna came to Dwaraka while ,udamaE who had no any inclination or accumulating
material wealthE got married and began to pass his lie with his wie ,usheela abCect poverty$
%ne day his wie ,usheela saidJ R% lordE your riend Krishna is the king o Dwaraka$ &e is very
benevolent to Brahmins and his devotees$ . you go to see himE he will understand your miseries and
grant you a lot o wealth$R But ,udama plainly reused sayingJ RDeviE . have chosen the path o devotion
or sel uplitment and not or the wealth$R ,usheelaE howeverE kept o insistingJ RAll rightE donKt go or
the wealth$ But at least you can go to see your old riend$ ,udama accepted this propositionE thinking
that only the sight o Lord yields supreme beneit to the devotee$ But he wanted something as a git to
present to his old riend$ At thisE his wie tied our handuls o raw rice in a bundle$
6ith that humble gitE ,udama set out or Dwaraka$ &is poverty was at its helm$ But he kept on reciting
LordKs name all along the way$ Ater walking or some distanceE ,udama elt thirsty$ &e drank waterE
Muenched his thirst and thanked *od that &e at least does give water to drink$ ,udama kept on walking
the whole day$ .n the eveningE he kept the bundle o rice under his head as a pillow and slept$
1ow it was *odKs turn to show &is gratitude or the devotee$ 6hen ,udama awoke in the morningE he
ound himsel right in ront o Lord KrishnaKs palace$ At irst he could not believe his eyesO but the
people told him that he was in Dwaraka and standing right beore the lordKs palace$ ,udama reMuested
the gatekeeper to inorm Lord Krishna that his childhood riend ,udama had come$ Lord Krishna was
sitting in the company o "ukmani when the gatekeeper delivered the message$ As soon as Lord
Krishna learned about ,udamaKs arrivalE &e stood up and ran helter=skelter to welcome his childhood
riend$ At the gate &e cordially embraced ,udama and escorted him into his private chamber and made
him sit on the throne$
Krishna and Mueen "ukmani both washed ,udamaKs eet one by one$ By the mere touch o his riendE
Krishna was eeling overCoyed$ &is eyes illed with tears$ &e and ,udama were holding each otherKs
hands$ -heir hearts were beating with the memories o their period as disciples at the hermitage o
,andipani$ <or longE none o them could uttered a word$ At last ,udama saidJ R% @agadguru KrishnaE .
have the ortune o being your riend$ 6hat remains or me to doNR
Lord Krishna saidJ RBrotherE have you brought or me something sent by my sister=in=lawN . love to
accept even the pettiest thing presented with aection$R
,hukdev saysJ K% 8arikshitE at the LordKs wordsE ,udama elt ashamed and he did not reveal the our
handuls o raw rice that he had brought as git$ 6ith shameE ,udama began to look at the ground$ Lord
knew everything that his dear riend ,udama had never remembered him with a desire or wealth$ -his
time too he has come at the insistence o his wie$
K&enceE . will give him the wealth that is rare even or the gods$$$K thought Lord Krishna and snatched
the bundle o raw rice and opened it with great respect$ &e put one handul o it in his mouth$ 6hen
Lord proceeded to take neGt handulE Mueen "ukmani held his hand and prayedJ R% Vishvambhar
(osterer o the world) or the prosperity o entire world this one handul is suicient$R
,udama stayed that night in the palace o ,hri Krishna$ -here he eGperienced the comort o Vaikunth
(abode o *od)$ ,taying there or many daysE ,udama at lastE took leave o ,hri Krishna and set out or
his home$ Lord did not give ,udama anything apparently nor did ,udama asked or &is avour$ &e was
travelling overwhelmed by a divine sense o devotion and elt that Krishna might have not given him
wealth lest he should orget &im$
-husE sunk in myriad kinds o thoughtsE ,udama reached his home$ But at the placeE where his
dilapidated hut stood once there was now a divine palace surrounded by verdant gardens$ -he loors o
the palace were embedded with precious gems and stones$ ,tanding at the gateE ,udama elt
conusedE when his wie ,usheela came out with scented water to welcome him$ -ears were rolling on
her cheeks$ 6ith love she greeted ,udama and escorted him inside the palace$ ,udama was still
relecting over the *odKs grace and prayingJ R'ay . have the riendship o lord in every birthE may my
aection increase or LordKs eet$ . donKt want wealth$K ,ince thenE ,udama enCoyed the comorts o the
palace as the bounty o Lord bestowed upon him by non other than the Lord Krishna himsel$ &is
devotion increased day by day$
#;$#3$7; 'eeting o Lord with *opas=*opis
,hukdev saysJ R% 8arikshitE Lord Krishna was passing his time with pleasure in Dwaraka$ A total solar
eclipse happened to all during that period$ 8eople rom all over .ndia thronged in Kurukshetra to take a
dip in sacred *anges on that great occasion$ All the Yaduvanshis too arrived there$ 6hen VraCvasis
(.nhabitants o VraC) learned about Krishna and BalaramaKs arrival in KurukshetraE they too assembled
there$
During the estivalE Lord Krishna met &is oster=ather 1and and other cowherds who were his
childhood riends$ Lord Krishna met the *opis also who had been pining or his sight since long$ -hey
enCoyed the meeting and kept on chatting or long$ %verwhelmed by love and CoyE Vasudev embraced
1and$ Lord Krishna and Balarama respectully greeted mother Yashoda and ather 1and$ -hey too
embraced Krishna=Balarama cordially$
*opis were specially overwhelmed by LordKs sight$ -hey had no other desire but to have a sight o
Lord$ -hat day their long cherished dream had come true$ *opis imbued the captivating appearance o
Lord and eGperienced the Coy o embracing &im$ Lord met all the *opis and embraced them$ .nMuired
about their well being and preached them with spiritual knowledge$ By the virtue o that knowledgeE
eeling o living disappeared among the *opis and they merged with *od orever$
#;$#3$77 %rganiBation o Yagya by Vasudeva
Devarishi 1aradE Vyasa and many other great sages arrived in Kurukshetra to have a sight o Lord$
Lord welcomed them all$ -hen Vasudev greeted them and enMuired about way or his sel up litment$
LaughinglyE 1arad saidJ RVasudevE a personE already living at the bank o the *angesE discards her holy
water and goes to other places o pilgrimage or his puriication$
.n the presence o Krishna=BalaramaE the sages saidJ RYou regard the indescribleE eternalE
,achchidanand ,hri Krishna as your sonE and seek the way o your sel uplitment rom us$ % VasudevE
recognise &im$ -ake to &is reugeE only &e can salve you$R Vasudev got the meaning o sageKs words
and began to develop eelings o devotion or his son$ +very human being has obligation or the godsE
sages and his ancestors$ -he sages got a Yagya perormed in Kurukshetra by Vasudev to ree him
rom the obligation or gods$
#;$#3$7) "evisiting o Devaki?s ,iG ,ons
.n DwarakaE Krishna and Balarama used to greet their parentKs irst daily in the morning$ 1ow Vasudev
had recognised &is identity$ ,o ater their return rom KurukshetraE when Krishna=Balarama went as
usual to greet their parentsE Vasudev greeted them irst$ Lord Krishna then preached his ather about
the metaphysical knowledge$ 6ith that knowledgeE Vasudev began to see Krishna everywhere$
'other Devaki was also present there$ 'emory o her siG childrenE who were killed by KansaE was still
aresh in her mind$ ,he had heard that Krishna had etched the dead son o ,andipani rom Yamloka$
,o she prayed to them R You both are venerable even to the gods$ Kindly grant me my desire$ ,how
me my siG sons who were killed by Kansa$ By their motherKs dictate and helped by YogmayaE both the
brothers reached ,utal Loka$
-he demon king Bali welcomed them there and oered them a seatE and washed their eet$ King Bali
then asked *od what could he do or &im$ Lord saidJ % demon kingE in ,wayambhuv 'anvantaraE siG
sons were born to 2rna the wie o 8raCapati 'arichi$ -hey were all gods$ -hey had once seen Brahma
trying to copulate with his own daughter and hence derided at him$ .ndignant Brahma had then curse
them to take birth in demon incarnation$ -hey thereore were born as the sons o &iranykashipu$
.n the present eraE Yogmaya had made them born as DevakiKs sons who were killed by Kansa$ -hey
are all now in your Loka$ 'other Devaki is mourning or themE so we shall take them with us$ -hey will
thus be reed rom the curse and go to their heavenly abode$R -hus Lord Krishna and Balarama brought
those siG babies to Dwaraka and handed them to mother Devaki$ ,eeing her babies againE DevakiKs
heart illed with love or her sons$ 'ilk began to lood her breast$ ,he breast=ed them$ Drinking the
milkE all the babies received salvation$ -hey then departed to their heavenly abode$
#;$#3$7/ Love P 'arriage o ,ubhadra=ArCun
King 8arikshit askedJ R*urudevE how did my grandather ArCun and grandmother ,ubhadra got
marriedN . want to hear this tale$ Kindly narrate it to me$R
,hukdev saidJ 8arikshit once travelling on a pilgrimage tourE ArCun reached in 8rabhas region$ -here he
learned that Balarama was desirous o marrying his sister ,ubhadra to Duryodhan$ But Vasudev and
Krishna were not in the avour o this marriage$ ,oE a strong urge took hold in his mind to get ,ubhadra
as his wie$ Acting as per the urgeE ArCun reached Dwaraka in the guise o Vaishnava sage$ .t was rainy
season thenE so with an eGcuse o :haturmasya Vrat (our months long ast)E ArCun stayed in Dwaraka$
During his stayE Balarama served and looked ater him very well$ But neither Balarama nor any other
inmates o the palace could recognise ArCun$
%nce Balarama invited ArCun to his home$ -here he oered goodE delicious ood to ArCun$ ,ubhadra too
served him well$ -hereE they ell in love with each other$ Later onE boarding a chariotE ,ubhadra went
out o the palace or a Coy ride$ At the outskirts o the townE ArCun was awaiting or her$ &e had already
taken permission o Devaki=Vasudev and Krishna$ ,ubhadra too had silently nodded her acceptance$
,o that evening ArCun and ,ubhadra eloped rom Dwaraka$ -he news o ,ubhadra eolping with ArCun
irst outraged Balarama$ But Lord Krishna and other near and dear ones convinced and paciied him$
#;$#3$)3 8rayers o Vedas
King 8arikshit askedJ RBrahminE Brahma is beyond the limit o doKs and whyKs$ &e is ree rom the
virtues like ,atE "aCa and -ama$ &e cannot be seen by mind$ %n the other hand *una (Virtues) is the
subCect o all the ,hrutis (Vedas)$ &ow do Vedas then depict BrahmaNR
,hukdev saysJ R8arikshitE Lord is omnipotent and a treasure o all the virtues$ ,hrutis (Vedas) do depict
,aguna (with virtues) clearly$ But relect on them deeply and you get virtuesless meaning rom them$
%nceE Lord Badrinarayana had arrived among the inhabitant sages o Kalaygram$ Devarishi 1arad had
asked him the same Muestion$ .n the assembly o the great sagesE Lord then narrated the same taleE
which the inhabitants o @anloka had asked$
-he supreme sages like ,anakadi and his brothers were eMual in knowledgeE penance etc$ Yet they
chose ,anandan as the narratorE and rest three became the audience$ ,anandan had saidJ R,uch as
the savants and balladiers sing in praise their king to wake him up in the morningE similarly annihilating
the entire universe in &imE 8aramatma (supreme soul) lies asleep with all &is powers$ At the end o
8ralayaE Vedas (,hurtis) wake &im up through the words that demonstrate &im$R
,hrutis (Vedas) saysJ R% ACit (invincible one)E you are supremeE no one can conMuer youO may you win
everywhere$ % LordE you are complete with all the luGuriesE hence destroy the illusion that allures all the
living beings$ 6e are unable to describe your appearance$ But when your powers maniest in creation$
6e get some ability to describe you$
Description o BrahmaE .ndraE AgniE ,urya and other godsE by us (Vedas) appears as separateE -he
complete universe is not dierent rom you$ .t is a description o your various orms$ You are unbornE
even in those idols$ You do not take birth$
All the Vedas describe your merits$ All the savants love none but you through hearing and remembering
o your auspiciousE benevolent virtues$
%E endlessE i anybody in human incarnations does not recite or remember your name he is breathing in
vain$
Dharma(duty)E Arth (6ealth)E Kama (,ensual pleasure) and 'oksha (,alvation) have no meaning or
those who remember you with pure heart$
% endlessE glorious LordE common people are wandering in abCect darkness o unnecessary disputes$
Your realiBation is impossible$ 6hen will that moment arrive in my lie$ 6hen . shall recite your names
like 'adhavE VamanaE -rilochanE *ovind etc$ with Coy and get ree rom all the miseries$
% LordE this entire universe is alse$ But still appears as real$ 6e pray to that *od who is present as an
illuminating truth in this alse creation$
% Lord o allE people can not sail across this ocean o death without youE no matter what they do to
achieve salvation$ -heir all eorts are utile$
% LordE all the living beings are wandering in your illusion$ But the learned ones donKt regard
themselves separate rom the cycle o lie and death$ .n your shelterE they have nothing to ear$
,hukdev saysJ R8arikshit as per your MueryE . told you how Vedas describe 8arabrahma 8aramatma
who is ree rom natural virtues and invisible$ % kingE it is the lord who conceptualiBes the universe and
is present in the beginningE mid and the end o it$ &e is the Lord o nature and creatures$ .t is &e who
created the universe and entered it with the creatures$ &e created the bodies and controls them$ ,uch
as a human beingE who is immersed in deep sleepE is not aware o his body$ ,imilarlyE on receiving
*odE the creature is reed rom illusion$ ,o one must continuously relect on the virtues o Lord ,hri
Krishna$R
#;$#3$)# "elease o Lord ,hiva rom :risis
8arikshit askedJ R*urudevE those among the godsE human beings and the demonsE who worship Lord
Lord ,hivaE get wealth very soon$ But thoseE who worship Lord 1arayanaE remain alicated with
scarcity$ 6hat is the reason or thatNR
,hukdev said J R8arikshitE your grandather Yudhishthir had put the same Muestion beore Lord
Krishna$R
.n replyE Lord Krishna had saidJ R% YudhishthirE . take away all the wealth rom those whom . bestow
my grace$ 6hen they are poorE their relatives desert them$ . even render their eorts useless when they
try to earn money$ -hus being unsuccessul repeatedlyE the people develop an attitude o indierence
or wealth$ -hen they begin to take shelter as my devotee and mingle with me$ %nly thenE . bestow my
ull grace on them and they receive me as ,achchidanand 8arbrahma$ -husE pleasing me through my
worship is eGtremely diicult$ &enceE ordinary people give me up and worship other deitiesE which are in
act dierent orms o me$
Lord ,hiva is Ashutosh and bestows his devotees Muickly with grace$ &e gives wealth and other riches
to his devotees$ But once they get wealthE the devotees become despotic and even orget the *od who
had blessed them$R .n this conteGt ,hukdev narrated one ancient tale to 8arikshit$
%nce upon a timeE there was a demon Vrikasur$ &e had pleased Lord ,hiva and sought a boon that the
personE upon whose head the demon put his handE should be incinerated at once$ Lord ,hiva granted
the boon without considering the conseMuences$ But as soon as the demon got this supernatural
powerE he ran to incinerate Lord ,hiva irst$ -he demon was eyeing *auri 8arvatiE so he was
determined to eliminate Lord Lord ,hiva$ 1ow araid o his own boonE Lord ,hiva ran or his lieE with
the demon ollowing him in hot pursuit$ At last Lord ,hiva reached in Vaikunth and told Lord Vishnu
about his crisis$ Lord at once illusioned the demon and made him put his handE on his own head$ By the
virtue o the boonE the demon was incinerated in no time and thus Lord ,hiva could be saved$
#;$#3$)( -esting o -rinity
%nce upon a timeE all the sages assembled on the bank o ,araswati river$ A dispute errupted among
them as to who among the trinity was the greatest$ By consensus they appointed sage Bhrigu to test
the trinity o BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh$ Bhrigu reached to BrahmaE but did not greet him$ Brahma
got inuriated but since the sage Bhrigu was his own sonE &e did not curse him$ -hen Bhrigu visted
Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva proceeded to embrace the sage$ But instead o accepting Lord ,hivaKs
welcomeE the sage began to abuse &imE sayingJ RYou violate the dignity o VedasE so . will not meet
with you$R Angry Lord ,hiva raised his trident to kill himE but Bhagawati stopped &im$ At last Bhrigu
reached Vaikunth to see Lord Vishnu$
Lord was lying with head in the lap o Lakshmi$ Bhrigu kicked hard at &is chest$ But instead o getting
angryE Lord got upE bowed his head beore the sage and begged pardonJ R% ,ageE pardon meE . could
not welcome you at onceE at your arrival$ Your eet are sotE . hope they are not hurt$ All my sins have
been washed by the touch o your eet$R Bhrigu elt very pleased by the serious talks o Lord$ &is heart
elt overwhelmed with eGcess o devotion$ &e returned to the assembly o the sages and narrated his
eGperience$ ,ince then Lord Vishnu is regarded as the ,upreme and giver o peace and earlessness$
#;$#3$)0 "evival o Brahmin?s dead children
-here in Dwaraka lived a Brahmin$ 6hen the irst son was born to his wieE it died immediately ater
birth$ -he Brahmin took his dead son to the royal court and complainedJ R'y ,on has died because o
anti=Brahmin and licentious actions o the king$R %ne by oneE thusE eight sons were born to the Brahmin
coupleO but they all died immediately ater birth$ And the Brahmin kept on dumping his dead sons at the
gate o the royal palace$
6hen his ninth son was bornE and diedE ArCun was also there in Dwaraka$ &e made a promise to the
BrahminsJ . shall guard your son or commit sel immolation$ At the time o neGt deliveryE the agitated
Brahmin came to ArCun$ -raining his bow and arrowsE ArCun made all arrangements to protect BrahminKs
tenth son$ ,anctiied by many mantrasE ArCunKs arrows constructed a ence around the labour room$ A
child took birthO but it too died ater some time$ BrahminEthenE cursed ArCuna$ ArCun scouted through all
the three worlds and even the netherworlds in search o the BrahminKs dead sonE but he could not ind
him anywhere$ 2ltimately accepting his ailure and as per his promiseE ArCun proceeded to immolate
himsel$
'eanwhileE Lord Krishna too learned about ArCunKs vow and stopped him rom sel=immolation$
-hereaterE riding a divine chariotE Lord set out with ArCunE towards west$ Beyond the limits o cosmos$
-hey reached the abode o Lord Vasudev in -ripadvibhuti$ -here ArCun saw that Lord was present in
8urushottams appearance$ ,hri Krishna and ArCun greeted &im$
Lord 8urushottam said in a serious voiceJ R% Krishna and ArCunaE only to have a sight o both o youE .
brought the BrahminKs sons to me$ Both o you had taken incarnation on earth rom my part to protect
the religion$ All the demons have been slain by now$ 1ow you too return to me$
,hri Krishna and ArCun again greeted Lord and returned on earth with all the sons o the Brahmin$
ArCun was greatly surprised to see the supreme abode o Lord$ &e elt that whatever strength a living
being hadE it was all by ,hri KrishnaKs grace$ Like commonE ordinary peopleE the Lord stayed on earth
enCoing mundane comortsE perormed Yagyas like kingsE behaved like idealistic peopleO deterred &is
subCects and slayed evil kings to re=establish religion on earth$
11&110hapter 11
-his chapter contains 4 sub=sections$
#;$##$# :urse o ,ages to Yaduvanshis
,hukdev saidJ R% 8arikshitE as the time passedE Yaduvanshis grew stronger and more inluencial$ 1ow
no longer did they like the welcoming and treating o the great sages like KanuE DhrvasaE 'aitreyaE
Dhannmy etc$ by the Lord$ Lord Krishna knew about their dislikingE but secretly &e was pleased by this
change in YaduvanshiKs behaviourE or &e knew that by disregarding the saints and the scripturesE they
would meet their end sooner$
%nce the Yaduvanshis clothed @ambvatiKs son ,amb in a womanKs attire andE showing him to the sages
asked mockinglyJ R'aharaCE this is our sister=in=law$ ,he is an eGpecting mother$ ,he eels shy to ask
but tell us what will be born to herN
-hrough their unailing visionE the ,ages knew the reality and saidJ R<oolsE a pestle shall be born to her
and that pestle shall eGterminate the entire Yaduvansh$ 1ow all the Yaduvanshis were perpleGed by
sagesK predictionE and approached their king 2grasen$ ButE even the king was helpless now because he
could not change the words the pious sages$
.n due course E a pestle was born to ,amb$ <rightened o an imminent ateE Yaduvanshis crushed the
pestle into a ine powder and threw it into the sea$ %nly a nail remainedE that also was thrown into the
sea where a ish swallowed it$ A isher caught the ish and cut it open and ound the nail$ &e gave it to a
hunter$ -he hunter iGed the nail in the head o his arrow$ %n the other handE the sea waves washed the
powder o the pestle ashore where it germinated and grew as luGuriant grasses$ Later onE once all the
Yaduvanshis assembled at the sea=shore or a picnic where they drank wine and began to ight with
one another under intoGication$ ,oon their Muarrel grew so high that they pulled out the grassesE which
were growing thereE to use as the arms$ 6ith the grasses the Yaduvanshis beat one another to death$
#;$##$( 8reaching o 1arad about Bhagvad
%nce 1arad arrived in Dwaraka$ Vasudev prayed him and reMuested to provide him with pious
company o Bhagwad dharma$ 1arad saidJ R% kingE once upon a timeE nine great sages arrived in the
court o the king @anak$ King @anak had put the same curiosity beore them also$ . will narrate the
conversation that ollowed there between the sages and the king$R
<irst o allE the irst Yogishwar Kavi saidJ R% king @anakE dedication is the irst duty (dharma) o a
Vaishnav$ &e should devote everything = his actionsE ruits o actions and even himselE at the eet o
Lord$ &e ought to hear about LordKs virtues$ ,uch a devotee shall be indierent to the worldly aairs
and shall laughE dance or sing occasionally and sanctiied all the three worlds$R
-he king then asked about the characteristics o the LordKs devotees$ Another Yogeshwar &ari saidJ RA
true devotee o the Lord remains unaected by eelings like hungerE thirstE lieE deathE labourE painE ear
and desire$ ,uch a devotee is the eGcellent kind o Bhagwad$ +ven the wealth o all the three worlds
cannot shake the aith o such a devoteeE because Lord ,hri &ari himsel stays in his heart$R
R6hat is illusionNR A Yogeshwar Antariksh repliedJ RKingE an illusion is also *odKs play$ &aving a
possessive eeling about mundane is illusion$ -hinking in terms o K.KE K'eKE K'ineKE K'yKE KYouKE KYourK is
also illusion$ . one can have such an aection or *od as he has or worldly thingsE one can easily
surmount the illusion$R
King @anak then asked about the method o worshipping Lord$ A yogeshwarE KarbhaCan saidJ R % kingE
the Lord had a air compleGion in ,atyuga$ 8eople used to receive &im through methods like
meditationE reconciliationE etc$ .n -retayugaE the Lord had reddish compleGion and Yagyas were the
main means to achieve &im$ .n DwaparyugaE the Lord had yellowish compleGion and &e could be
pleased through worships$ .n the present KaliyugaE Lord has dark compleGion and one can receive &im
through means like recitationE narration and hearing o &is name and plays$
-husE narad preached Vasudev about Bhagwad dharma$ 1ow the heart and mind o Vasudev were
thoroughly clean and pure$
#;$##$0 Lord?s Departure to his Abode
-o remind the Lord about the moment o &is departureE Brahma arrived in Dwaraka accompanied by all
the gods$ &e prayed to &imJ R% LordE you have completed your duty o what we had once reMuested
you$ 1owE You please return to your abode$ Lord saidJ R%n the seventh day rom nowE Dwaraka shall
submerge in the sea and Yadavas shall ight among themselves to death$ . too shall depart then$ -he
arrow o a hunter shall be the cause o my departure$R
6hen 2ddhav learned that Lord was about to wind up &is playsE he approached &im and saidJ R.
understandE % LordE that this all is happening by your wish$ But . cannot part or a moment rom your
eet$ &enceE take me also with you to your abode$R Lord saidJ R2ddhavE . will not go anywhere$ 'y
entire brilliance will be present in ,hrimad Bhagwad$ You stay here preaching Bhagwad dharma$R
,aying thusE lord preached 2ddhav about the *eeta *yana through the tale o Avadhoot$
Lord narrated thusJ R2ddhavE %nceE our ancestor Yadu happened to see Lord Dattatreya in a orest$
Lord was indulged in the supreme Coy in the guise o Avadhoot$ Yadu asked him about the reasons or
his whimsical state$R Avadhoot had saidJ R% kingE making the various animalsE birdsE insects etc as my
teacherE . have learned about spirituality rom them$ -hat is why . am ree rom mourning and
attachment$ +arthE airE skyE waterE ireE the moon the sunE pigeonE pythonE seaE grasshopperE
bumblebeeE honey beeE elephantE eGtractor o honeyE deerE ishE prostituteE ospreyE boyE girlsE arrow=
makerE snakeE spider and wasp are all my teachers$ . took reuge at these twenty=our teachers and
learned rom their behaviour$
. learned orgiveness rom earthE purity rom the skyE holiness and cleanliness rom the waterE
innocence and renunciation rom the ireO indierentness rom the airE to remain unaected by
circumstances rom moonE abdication rom the ,unE incoherence rom the pigeonE dependence upon
ate and remain eortless rom the pythonE to remain always happy and serious rom the seaE to be
under the control o sense organs and hence meet total destruction rom the grasshopperE acMuiring o
virtues rom bumblebeeE ault in cumulating rom honey beeE to abstain sensuous talks rom the DeerE
to eliminate greed rom the ishE sorrow in hope and happiness in desperation rom the prostituteE to eel
happy in uncertainty rom ospreyE dispute among many rom the girlsE concentration rom the arrow=
makerE to roam alone and detachment rom a particular place rom the snakeE virtues o the creator
Lord rom the spiderE and . learned similarity rom the wasp$R
.n the guise o AvadhootE Lord Dattatreya saysJ R% kingE . learned wisdom and apathy rom my body
alsoE because lieE deathE lie and death again are inseparably intertwined with it$ &ence the net result o
loving this body is nothing but sorrow$ -hus our own body also helps us to learn about metaphysical
knowledge$
Lord Krishna also eGplained 2ddhav regarding utility o physical and heavenly luGuries$ -his human
body is like a treeE on which two birds = @eevatma and 8aramatma (microcosm and supreme soul) =
have taken shelter$ -wo ruits = happiness and sorrow = appear on it$ -hese ruits are eaten by
@eevatma (micrososm) while 8aramatma (supreme soul) stays as an indierent onlooker$ -here are
three kinds o @eev = Baddh (Bound)E Bhakt (devotee) and 'ukt(liberated)$ Baddh @eevas (bound souls)
are those who indulge in sensual pleasures and those who dislike pious company$ 'ukt @eev (liberated
souls) are those who are ree rom attachment and bindings$ Bhakt (devotees) are those who meditate
on me and dedicate their everything in my eet and have love or my virtues$ 'y devotee is kindE ree
rom lawsE tolerantE has eeling o raternity or all and controls his desires$
#;$##$4 Bhikshu=*eet
"ord said: FUddha,( in the /or)d( there is indeed a dearth of such to)erant peop)e /ho can to)erate bitter
remar2s of e,i) ones1 &n this conte9t there is a ta)e of a 'reed* Brahmin /ho )i,ed in Ujjain1 That
Brahmin had been bad)* tormented b* the e,i) peop)e after he had )ost his /ea)th1 But sti)) the Brahmin
did not )ose his patience and re'ardin' his present state as a resu)t of his pre,ious birth:s deeds( he
e9pressed his fee)in's thus:
These peop)e are not the cause of m* miseries0 neither the 'ods( nor bod*( not e,en p)anets and time(
can be b)amed for m* miseries1 Scriptures and )earned ones he)d the mind itse)f 'ui)t* of one:s miseries1
&t is the mind that runs the c*c)e of the /or)d and ma2es e,er* 2ind of efforts1
&n the absence of mind( e,en the sou) is rendered motion)ess1 6hen one accepts the dictates of the mind
and indu)'es in sensua) p)easures( sou) too comes to be bound /ith them1 The u)timate outcome of a))
the spiritua) efforts )i2e ce)ibac*( stud* of Vedas etc1 and abidance to pious actions is the concentration
of mind1 Concentration of mind and is abstaintation from sensua) p)easures are the primar* conditions
for attainment of %aram*o'a -supreme meditation.1 Thus "ord preached Uddha, about 3*ana 3eeta1
Uddha, too too2 Bha'/ad -/hich is a form of the "ord. /ith honour and departed for Badri2ashrama1
11&1!0hapter 1!
-his chapter contains ; sub=sections$
#;$#($# Description o Dynasties in Kaliyuga
,hukdev describes about the dynasties that would occur in Kaliyug$ "ipunCay or 8uranCay would be the
last king o Brihdrath dynasty$ -his dynasty would be succeeded by the kings o 1and dynasty$ -hen a
diplomatic BrahminE named :hanakyaE would eGterminate this dynasty and enthrone :handragupt
'aurya$ .n 'aurya dynastyE a great king would occur by the name o Ashokvardhan$ Ater himE Yavans
would rule then or siG hundred and orty years$ -heir rule would be succeeded by the governance o
the air=compleGioned oreignersE who would rule or one hundred and siGty years$ -hereaterE there
would be no king and no subCects because people rom all the classes would come orward to rule$
-he ruler would be selected by the maCority votes$ -here would be no any thing like holyness$ :ows
would grow thin like nannies$ 8eople would not marryE as per their castes$ *reedE selishness and seG
would be the base o marriage lie$ .n adverse conditionsE spouses would desert each=other$ -here
would be nothing like dutyE responsibility and conduct$ &air would be the main item o adornment or the
women$
8eople would not have the knowledge o religious scriptures in Kaliyug$ -alkativeness would be
identiied with knowledge$ %nly those would be regarded as cleverE who could pick othersK pockets$
:hildren would not regard or pay due respect to their parents$ :hildren would maintain relations with
parents till their marriage onlyE not ater that$ Boys would not touch the eet o their own parentsE but
would pay ull respect to their ather and mother=in=lawE Brother=in=law would be dearer to them than
their own brother$
,hukdev saysJ 8arikshitE Kaliyug is the mine o aultsE But it has only one great virtue = that the people
will acMuire divine position only by reciting LordKs name$ "ecitation o LordKs nameE regardless o
intention and motivation== whether it is loveE derisionE laBiness or maliceness= would destroy oneKs sins$
But % 8arikshitE the sinister people would do even the most diicult tasks in KaliyugE but they would not
recite LordKs name$ -hey would not have an interest in the Lord$ -heir interests would be more in
sensuous things like soundE touchE beautyE scent etc$
% 8arikshitE the 8aramgati (supreme salvation) that people could receive by ten thousand years o
meditation in ,atyugaO by perorming Yagya or hundred years in -retayuga and by worshiping LordEs
idol or ten years in DwaparE that supreme salvation is easily available or people in Kaliyug simply by
reciting LordKs name or one day and one night continuously$ But stillEin Kaliyug people would not have
aith in LordKs name$ .t is their misortune$
#;$#($( Last 8reaching o ,hukdevCi
,hukdev saysJ % 8arikshitE recitation o ,hri &ari has occurred in ,hrimad Bhagwad 'ahapuran$ %
KingE this soul is eternalE so you abandon this animal= like eeling that you would die$ You are not the
body$ You are the eternal orm o Coy$ .mbibe your mind with the relections o 8aramatma (supreme
spirit) and have a sight o &im in the end$ You are *od yoursel$ -hen neither -akshak nor death would
do any harm to you$ 2niy yoursel in the supreme being by thoughts likeE K. am 8arabrahma$K -hus
,hukdev assured 8arikshit to be earless$
#;$#($0 <inal Beatitude o 8arikshit
-hus graced by ,hukdevE king 8arikshit aithully worshiped Brahmrishi and prayed to him with olded
handsJ RLordE you are an idol o kindness$ You have bestowed your graced on me narrating the plays o
Lord ,hri &ari$ 1ow . am salved and have achieved my natural state$ You helped me receive the
supreme position in my lie alone$ 1ow . can eGperience the soul as separate rom my body$R Accepting
8arikshitKs worshipsE ,hukdev made his departure$ 8arikshit himsel achieved the status o the sage
and concentrated his soul in supreme spirit$ -husE beore -akshak could bite himE he was merged in
Brahma$ -akshak stung his physical body onlyE which was burnt by the eect o the sting$
#;$#($4 1agayagya o @anameeCaya
6hen @anmeCayE the son o 8arikshitE learned that a snake had stung his atherE he organisedE
,arpsatra$ During the ,atraE and invoked by the hymns o BrahminsE snakes drew rom ar and near
and got burnt in the ire$ <rightened -akshak approached .ndra or reuge$ .ndra promised to help him$
-hereE on earthE @anmeCay asked the BrahminsJ R6hy has -akshakE the killer o my atherE not arrived
yetNR -hrough reconciliationE Brahmins saw that -akshak was clinging to .ndraKs throne$ -he Brahmin
invoked -akshak along with .ndra$ .ndraKs throne began to move earthward$ But then BrahaspatiE the
teacher o the godsE intervened and stopped the Yagya$
#;$#($9 Branches o Vedas and Division
,2-@. described about the ,amhitas and divisions o Vedas to the sages like ,haunak etc$ Ved Vyas
divided Vedas into our parts and created our ,anhitas viBE "igE YaCurE ,ama and Atharva and taught
"igsanhita to 8ailE 1igad sanhita to VaishampayanE :hhandog ,anhita to @emini and tought
Atharvangiras ,anhita to ,umantu$ All these our sages are the disciples o Ved Vyas$
#;$#($; 8enance o 'arkandey P ,ighting o 'aya
SUT5& narrated the ta)e of Mri2andu:s son Mar2ande*1 Ta2in' she)ter at Maha2aa) -"ord Shi,a.(
Mar2ande* had turned a/a* e,en Kaa) -death.1 And b* penance had a si'ht of "ord Shri !ara*ana1 He
pra*ed 3od to sho/ His Ma*a -i))usion.1 Thus Mar2ande* sa/ the scene of %ra)a*a1 A)) the creatures
/ere dro/nin' in the de)u'e1 $n a )eaf of Ban*an( then he sa/ Ba) Mu2und1 Mar2ande* entered "ord:s
heart and sa/ end)ess cosmos there1 Then( b* 3od:s instinct( Mar2ande* returned to his hermita'e1 Thus
Mar2ande* had the 2no/)ed'e of "ord:s metaph*sica) state1
&n the )ast chapters( a brief content of Bha'/ad and ')or* of "ord:s de,otion ha,e been discussed1
SUT5& sa*s: $ 'reat sa'es( & ha,e described /hat *ou ha,e as2ed on the occasion of this pious
assemb)a'e1 That ,oice is use)ess( /hich cannot recite "ord:s name and can not praise His ,irtues1 A))
the sins and omens are destro*ed b* constant recitation of "ord:s name1 $ne then recei,es de,otion for
"ord /ith pure heart and be'ins to e9perience and fee) 3od:s tan'ib)e form1 Thou'h a)) the other %urans
contain description of "ord:s appearance( but in Shrimad Bha'/ad Mahapuran( there is profuse
description of Shri Hari in e,er* chapter1 Shrimad Bha'/ad has a conf)uence of 2no/)ed'e( asceticism
and de,otion1 $ne recei,es de,otion for "ord and sa),ation e,entua))* mere)* b* recitin'( )istenin' and
ref)ectin' o,er it1
!AMA SA!K&RTA!AM +AS+A SARV%A% %RA!ASHA!AM #
%RA!AM$ DUKHSHAMA!AM TAM !AMAM& HAR& %ARAM ##
11 6in;a Purana
-his is the <ith 8urana$ 8reaching about the greatness o Lord ,hiva and propagation o Ling=puCa
(worship o ,hiva=Ling) are the main obCectives o this 8urana$ -his 8urana has ive partsJ
#) Description o the creation$ %rigin o Ling and its worship$ Yagya by Daksha$ .mmolation o
'adan (Kamadev)$ 6edding o Lord ,hiva$ -ale o Varaha$ -ale o 1arasimha$ Description o
,urya and ,oma vansh$
() *reatness o Lord VishnuE Lord Brahma becomes the creatorE.ncarnations % ,hiva During
Various Dwapar Yugas EDadhichi ,ubCugates -he ,ages and ,hiladKs .mpossible Demand$
0) 'aniestation % Lord 1andishwar EKaliyuga E-he ,even .sland E-he 'eru 'ountainE-he
8rominent 'ountains ELord Brahma Assigns Lordships -o -he Deities and -he "adiance %
,urya$
4) Dhruva = -he ,upreme Devotee E-he %rigin % DeitiesE-he Lineage % AadityaEYadu DynastyE
Appointment % Andhak As -he Lord % *anasE-he Liberation % +arth EKilling % @alandhar
and -he %rigin % Lord *anesh$
9) ,tory % 2pamanyuE *reatness % Dwadakshar 'antra E*reatness % ,hadakshar 'antraE -he
'aCestic Lord 'aheshwarE-he ,un 'aniestation % ,hivaKs 8owerE .mportance % *uru
E.nstallation % ,hiva Linga EVaCreshwari Vidya And Dierent -ypes % Yoga is covered in <ith
8art$
As per the 8uranaE a iery ,hivaling appeared ater the 8ralaya$ <rom this ,hivalingE emerged all the
Vedas and other scripturesE even BrahmaE Vishnu and all other deities$ :urrent prevalence o worship
o ,hivaling and idols seems to be an outcome o this 8urana$
14&1 'inga Purana Part 1
-his section contains #4 sub=sections (to ollow)J
#7$#$# ,utCi 1arrates the Divine -ales o Linga 8urana
%nceE sageE 1arad arrived at 1aimisharanya where he ound many sages engaged in austerities$ All
the sages were delighted to see him$ -hey eulogiBed him in reverence and oered him seat$ ,age
1arad narrated some amaBing tales describing about the greatness o Linga 8uran$ -his made the
sages even more curious about Linga 8uran$ "ight thenE ,utCi also arrived there and the sages
reMuested him to narrate the tales o Linga 8uran$
Ater making salutations to lord BrahmaE VishnuE 'ahesh and ,age Krishna DwaipayanE ,utCi said===
,ound is the medium through which the almighty Brahma maniests himsel$ Brahma maniests himsel
in the sacrosanct %'KA" mantra$ "igveda is his mouthE ,amaveda his tongueE YaCurveda his neck
and Atharvaveda is his heart$ &e is the ,upreme Being and is beyond the reach o creation or deluge$
&e is one but maniests himsel as three distinct deities===BrahmaE Vishnu and "udra$ -hese three
deities are the eGpression o the three natural Mualities respectively="aCasE ,atva and -amas$ &e
maniests himsel as 'ahesh in his ormless (1irguna) identity$ &e maniests himsel in all the living
creatures as well as imperceptible things in the orm o seven natural elements='ahattatva (9 basic
elements) Ahankara (ego)E ,habda (,ound) ,parsh (touch)E "oop (appearance)E "asa (taste) and
*andha (smell)$
Lord Brahma compiled the divine tales o Linga 8uran$ .t covers wide range o subCects like the
beginning o creationE the origin o universeE description o the timeE tales o dierent KalpasE the
greatness o Linga and its worshipE tales related with Lord ,hivaE characteristics o ,hiva temple etc$ .t
specially elaborates upon the greatness o ,hiva linga and its worship$
<.",- :A1-% 8"A-&A' ,A"*
,hiva is both invisible as well as the root cause o all the delusions o the world$ -his is why ,hiva is also known
as Alinga (unknowable)$ Linga is nothing but the non=maniested (Auyakta) orm o ,hiva$ -his implies that the
visible world is the medium through which ,hiva maniests himsel$ 1ature (8rakriti) in itsel is devoid o Mualities
like smellE tasteE touch etc$ ButE all these Mualities become apparent in it only because o ,hivaE who is
imperishable and whose characteristics are the natural Mualities like tasteE smellE touch and sound$
-he whole world along with the gross and subtle has originated rom Alinga ,hiva$ -he whole world comes into
being with the help o eleven components=#3 sense organs and mind$ .t is pervaded by the delusions o KAlinga
,hivaK$ -he three prominent deities===Brahma Vishnu and 'ahesh are the maniestations o ,hiva$ &e is the
creator in the orm o BrahmaE the nurturer in the orm o Vishnu and the annihilator in the orm o 'ahesh$
1ature is pervaded by the delusion o ,hivaE which is also known as ACaa (unborn)$ -he three basic colour =redE
white and black are the symbolic eGpressions o the three Mualities "aCaE ,at and -amo respectively$ 'aCorities o
people all prey to the delusions o this world and get entangled in its illusionary appearancesE but there are ew
that understand the utility o this illusionary world$
6ith the desire o beginning creationE the supreme Almighty maniest himsel in the imperceptible which results
into the creation o the 'ahattatva (ive basic elements)$ <rom 'ahattatva maniests the ego or Kahankara which
comprises o three gunas$ <rom +go maniests the -anmantras or subtle orms o matter=soundE ormE taste smell
and touch$ Among these subtle orms o matterE ,ound came into being irst o all and space originated rom it$
-he second tanmantraE touch originated rom the space$ Air maniested rom touch or sparsh$ -he third
tanmantraE orm or roopa originated rom air or Yayu$ <ire or Agni maniested rom roopa$ -he ourth tanmantraE
taste or rasa maniested rom Agni$
,imilarlyE water or @al maniested rom "asaE smell or *andha rom @al and +arth maniested rom *andha
respectively$
All the ive organs o action (Karmendriya) sense organs and mind originated rom pure +go (,atva ahankara)$ .n
course o time all these elements got transormed into a mammoth egg (Anda)E inside which Lord Brahma
maniested himsel$ -he whole universe is said to be established inside the above mentioned egg$
-he egg is covered by seven layers and Lord Brahma dwells inside itE seated on a lotus lower$ -he
mammoth egg contains crores o universes inside its old$
#7$#$( -he Beginning o :reation
-he whole creation lasts or the total period eMuivalent to BrahmaKs day$ -he almighty *od created
during daytime and annihilated during night$ %ne day o Lord Brahma is eMuivalent to one Kalpa o this
world$ -he cycle o our Yugas occur periodically or #333 timesE during which period altogether
ourteen 'anus take incarnationE one ater another$ ,atyuga consists o 4333 years$
<iteen 1imesha make one Kashtha (unit o time measurement) -hirty Kalas make a 'uhurtaE iteen
'uhurta a day and night each$-he dark lunar phase is said to be the dayE while bright lunar phase is
said to be the night o the manes$ %ne year o this world consists o 0;3 days$-he deitiesK day lasts or
the ull periodE when the sun is positioned towards the north o eMuator$ ,imilarlyE the deitiesK night lasts
or the total period when the sun is positioned towards the south o eMuator$ %ne year o the deities is
eMuivalent to thirty years o this world$ ,imilarly three months o the deities are eMuivalent to one
hundred months o this world$
+ach o the our Yugas is measured on the basis o divine years$ ,atya Yuga is eMuivalent to 43E333
divine yearsE while -reta Yuga is eMuivalent to )3E333 divine years$ Dwarpar Yuga is eMuivalent to
(3E333 years o the deitiesE while Kali Yuga is eMuivalent to ;3E333 years o the deities$ -he period o
each Yuga given here is eGclusive o the periods o ,andhya (evening) and ,andhyansh (part o
evening$)
"ord Brahma commences creation at the fa' end of ni'ht and a)) his creations e9ist for the /ho)e da*1
6hen the ni'ht descends( e,er*thin' is annihi)ated1 This is the time /hen Ka)pa ends1
#7$#$0 -he %rigin o :reation
&n the initia) phase of his creation( "ord Brahma created immo,ab)e natura) thin's )i2e trees( mountains
etc4then birds and anima)s1 &n the process of creation( he created ,arious thin's and human bein' /as his
se,enth creation1
Dirst of a)) "ord Brahma created his Manasputras4Sana2( Sanandan etc( /ho had no /or)d)* desires1 He
then created the nine supreme sa'es444Marichi( Bhri'u( An'iras( %u)ast*a( %u)aha( Kratu( Da2sha( Atri
and Vashishth b* the he)p of his *o'ic po/ers1 After that( it /as the turn of the t/e),e %rajapatis4Ribhu(
Sanat2umar( Sanatan etc1 A)) of them /ere di,ine( e9treme)* ,irtuous and had rea)iBed the supreme 4
se)f( Brahma1Shatarupa had be'otten four chi)dren from S/a*ambhu,a Manu4%ri*a,rata( Uttanpad(
Aa2uti and %rasuti1
Aakuti was married to a 8raCapati named "uchiE while 8rasuti married Daksha$ Aakuti gave birth to two
children=Dakshina and Yagya$ Dakshina had twelve sons$8rasuti=the youngest daughter o ,hatarupa
had begotten twenty our daughters rom Yaksha=,hraddhaE LakshmiE DhritiE -ushtiE 8ushtiE 'eghaE
KriyaE BuddhiE LaCCaE VapuE ,iddhiE KeertiE KhyatiE ,ambhutiE ,mritiE 8reetiE KshamaE ,annatiE AnusuyaE
2rCaE ,wahaE ,ura Arani and ,wadha$ -hirteen o them were married to Dharma=a 8raCapati$ Khyati
was married to sage Bhrigu while Arani married sage Bhargava$ ,imilarly various sages like 'arichiE
AngiraE 8ulastyaE 8ulahaE "ituE Atri and Vashishth got married with ,ambhutiE ,mritiE 8reetiE KshamaE
,annati Anusuya and 2rCaa respectively$ ,waha was married to Vibhavasu while ,wadha married the
8itrishwaras$
Dharma had begotten all together #9 sons rom his thirteen wives=KaamE DarpE 1iyamE ,antoshE
AlobhaE ,hrutE DandE ,amayE BodyE 'ahadyutiE ApramaddE VinayE VyavasayE KshemE ,ukh and Yash$
Khyati=wie o sage Bhrigu gave birth to ,hri who later became the consort o lord Vishnu$ ,he also had
two sons named Dhata and Vidhata$
8rabhuti=wie o sage 'arichi gave birth to two sons=8uranama and 'aarich$ ,he also had our
daughters=-ushtiE DrishtiE Krishi and Apachi$Kshama=wie o ,age 8ulaha had many ospring among
whom Kardam P ,ahishnu were prominent$ 8reetiE wie o ,age 8ulastya had two sons named
Dattarnavr and Dahvahu$ ,he also had a daughter named Dwashdwati$ KratuKs wie=,annati had siG
thousand ospring who became amous as Baalkhilyas$
,mriti=6ie o ,age Angiras had given birth to ive daughters=== ,iniE ValiE KuhuE "aka and Anumati$
AnusuyaE wie o ,age Atri had siG children=ive sons and one daughter$ -he names o the sons were =
,atyanetraE BhavyamuniE 'urtirayE ,hanaishchar and ,omatha$2rCaaE wie o sage Vashishth gave
birth to seven sons=@yayCiE 8undarikaakshE "aCE ,uhotraE BahuE 1ishpaapE ,hravanE -apasvi and
,hukra$ AgniKs consort ,waha gave birth to three sons=8avamaanE 8aavak and ,huchi$
#7$#$4 Lord ,hiva ! -he ,upreme Liberator
,ati= daughter o Daksha had married lord ,hiva much against the wish o her ather$ %nceE Daksha
organiBed a grand yagya in which he did not invite his son=in=law$ ,ati went to attend the yagya
ceremony inspite o ,hivaKs orbiddance$ Ater seeing herE Daksha calumniated Lord ,hiva and made
un o him$ -his inuriated her to such an eGtent that she gave up her lie by Cumping into the sacriicial
ire$ ,he was born as 8arvati in her neGt birth and once again got ,hiva as her husband$
%nceE Lord Brahma reMuested ,hiva to create a worldE which was ree rom death$ Lord ,hiva reused
apprehending its disastrous conseMuences$ Lord Brahma was let with no other option than to
commence creation on his own$ 'eanwhileE ,hiva became immovable Cust like the trunk o a tree
(sthanu)$ Lord ,hivaE who is capable o attaining any orm$ &e showers benediction on mankind$ &e is
engrossed in the supreme state o Yoga with eortless case$ 1obody can attain liberation without his
grace$ &e is the bestower o religiousness (Dharma)E knowledge (*yan)E asceticism (Vairagya) and
splendour (Aishwarya)$ ,inners who do not take reuge in ,hiva have to eGperiences the unbearable
tortures o countless hells$
#7$#$9 .ncarnations o 'anu P Vyas
$n bein' as2ed about the incarnation of Sa'e V*as durin' ,arious eras and Man,antars( Sutji rep)ied4$
BrahminA !o/ & am 'oin' to mention the names of a)) the incarnations of V*as /ho e9isted durin'
Vai,as,at man,antar of Varah 2a)p1 The names are as fo))o/s4Ritu( Sat*a( Bhar'a,a( An'ira( Sa,ita(
Mrit*u( Shata2ratu( Vashishth( Saras/at( Tridhatma( Tri,rit( S/a*am( Dharm( !ara*an( Tara2shu(
Aaruni( Kritanja*( Trina( Bindu( Ru2sha( Muni( Sha2ti( %arashar( 5atu2arn*a and Sri Krishna
D/aipa*an1
The names of Manu:s be)on'in' to different man,antars of Varah 2a)p are4S/a*ambhu( S/arochi:s(
Uttam( Tamas( Rai,at( Cha2chhus( Vai,as/at( Sa,arni( Dharmasa,arni( Vishan'( A,ishan'( Shaba) and
Varna21 A)) of these Manu:s /ere named accordin' to their appearances and comp)e9ions1 Dor e9amp)e
,ai,as/at Manu /as of dar2 comp)e9ion1
#7$#$; -he +ssence o Yoga
+o'a means union /ith 3od1 The state of *o'a is impossib)e to attain /ithout the b)essin's of "ord
Shi,a1 &t needs a concentrated and focussed mind1 There are some specific spots in the human bod*
concentratin' upon /hich( enab)es a man to attain the state of *o'a4spot bet/een the e*ebro/s( )o/er
part of the throat( !a,e) and si9 inches abo,e it etc1
-he state o yoga can never be attained until and unless a person has ully controlled the tendencies o
sense organs$ .t can be achieved with the help o eight means=Yama (8enance)E 1iyam (discipline)E
Aasan (8osture)E 8ranayam (Breath=control)E 8ratyahar (restraint o passion)E Dharan (retention)E
Dhyan (concentration) and ,amadhi (deep meditation)$ +ach o them holds an important position in the
path o yoga$
Describing about the methods o perorming yogaE ,utCi says=== A person should sit with his legs
crossed in 8admasan and try to concentrate his mind by iGing his gaBe between his eyebrows$ &e
should keep his spine erect$ &e should meditate either on the orm o %mkar or on the orm o lord
,hiva$ Breath control is an important aspect o yogic eGercise$ A man should eGhale deeply or 0( times
and then breathe in deeply$ &e should then retain his breath as long as possible and visualiBe lord
,hiva within his body$ By constant practice he will achieve mastery over this art and a time will come
when he will eGperience divine bliss$ -his divine bliss can not be eGperienced unless one has attained a
deep state o meditation (,amadhi)$
#7$#$7 %bstacles in the 8ath o Yoga
A man eGperiences numerous obstacles in the path o Yoga=laBinessE restlessness conusionE a
diseased body etc$ -he main reason or being laBy is a bulky physiMue and oneKs inability to
concentrate his mind$ Lack o concentration results in restlessnessE which is a maCor obstacle in the
path o yoga$ . a person in unsure about the results he becomes conused$ .t is impossible or a person
suering rom any disease to concentrate his mind$
All the above mentioned hurdles can be overcome by irm resolution$ A man who has successully
overcome all these obstacles might eGperience other obstacles in the orm o siddhis (divine powers)$
-here is a real danger o getting lured by these divine powers$ As a result his mind may get distracted
rom his original goal and he may deviate rom his path$ -he names o these siddhis or divine powers
are=8ratibha (having knowledge o past present P uture incident)E ,hravan (being capable o listening
to abnormal sounds)E Varta (whatever is said becomes true)E Darshana (capable o seeing things which
can mot be seen by the mortal eyes)E Aaswada (being capable o eGperiencing divine (tastes)E Vedana
(being capable o relieving otherKs pain by a mere touch)$ . a person successully overcomes all these
allurements then he becomes a siddha= or man o accomplishment and divine powers$
#7$#$) Bali ! -he "ealiBation o ,hiva
Lord ,hiva showers his blessing on one and all without any discriminationE but virtuous people have
special privilege in the sense that it is easier or them to realiBe Lord ,hiva$%nceE 8arvati asked Lord
,hiva as to how a devotee could realiBe him$ Lord ,hiva recalled an incident when Lord Brahma had
asked the same Muestion$ Lord ,hiva had told lord Brahma=RAnybody can realiBe me by having deep
devotion towards me$ A devotee can meditate upon me in the orm o Linga with total devotion$ .t is only
by deep devotion that a man can achieve true knowledge as well as salvation$R
#7$#$/ Venerableness o ,adyoCaat
-he sages asked ,utCi as to how was lord Brahma able to have a divine glimpse o ,adyoCaat$ ,utCi
replied=During the Kalpa named ,hwetalohitE once lord Brahma witnessed the maniestation o a divine
child who was o miGed (red P white) compleGion$ -he child had a ,hikha (topknot) on his head$
:onsidering him to be an embodiment o almighty *odE Lord Brahma eulogiBed that child$ ,uddenly
our children appeared and ormed a protective ring around ,adyoCaat$ -he names o these children
were=,unandE 1andanE VishwanandE and 2panand$ All o them were o air compleGion and very
handsome$Anybody who is desirous o attaining to "udraloka must take reuge in ,adyoCaat$
#7$#$#3 Lord Vaamdev
%nceE during thirtieth kalpa named "aktaE Lord Brahma was meditating on 8arameshthi ,hiva$
,uddenly a divine child appeared beore him who was o red compleGion and who had put on red
apparels$ &e was none other than Lord Vaamdev$ Lord Brahma immediately realiBed the divinity o that
child and was convinced that he was the embodiment o Almighty *od$
Lord Brahma eulogiBed Vaamdev who was pleased by his devotions$ <our divine entities=ViriCaE VivahuE
Vishoka and Vishwabhavana maniested rom the body o Vaamdev$ All o them had great resemblance
to Lord Vaamdev$ Vaamdev preached them on the iner points o religiousness so that mankind could
be beneited by this knowledge$
#7$#$## Lord -atpurush
-he thirty=irst kalpa was known as 8eet Kalpa$ -he term K8eetK means yellow and this Kalpa was
named 8eet because Lord Brahma had put on yellow apparels during this Kalpa$ %nceE while he was
meditating on the orm o Lord ,hivaE a divine child maniested beore him$ -he child had a halo o light
all around him and had put on yellow coloured clothes$ +ven his turbanE sacred=thread and garland
were yellow in colour$ &is arms were abnormally long$
Lord Brahma immediately realiBed that the child was none other than Lord 'aheshwar himsel$
,uddenly a divine cow appeared rom the mouth o 'aheshwarE who had our aces and possessed all
the thirty=two Mualities$ -he divine cow was none other than *oddess *ayatri hersel$Lord Brahma
eulogiBed her and 'aheshwar was very pleased by his deep devotion$ 'aheshwar also blessed him
with divine knowledge and unrevealed the secret o yoga to him$ "ight thenE many divine children
appeared rom the body o lord 'aheshwar$ +ach o them had put on yellow apparels and had great
resemblance to lord 'aheshwar$ -hey were eGtremely virtuous and served the mankind by giving
sermons$ Ater having completed their mission o spreading the message o virtuosity to the mankindE
all o them got united with Lord 'aheshwar ultimately$
A personE who is desirous o getting liberated rom all his sinE must seek the blessings o Lord
'aheshwar who is also known as -atpurush$
#7$#$#( Lord Aghoresh
8eet kalpa was ollowed by 8radhritta kalpa$ Black was the predominant colour o this kalpa$ .nitiallyE
the whole earth was submerged in the water and Lord Brahma desirous o commencing his creations
wished or a son$ As a resultE a divine child maniested whose compleGion was dark$ 1ot only that he
had put on black apparels and a black crown on his head$ A black sacred thread was hanging across
his shoulder$
Lord Brahma immediately recogniBed Aghoresh and eulogiBed him$ Lord Aghoresh became pleased by
his devotion and blessed him$ @ust like the preceding KalpasE our divine children maniested rom lord
AghoreshKs body$ All o them had great resemblance with Aghoresh in every respect$ .n course o timeE
they did tremendous penance and preached the virtue o religiousness to the mankind$ A person who
worships Lord Aghoresh and has deep devotion in him becomes liberated rom gravest o sins like
Brahmhatya (sin acMuired due to killing a Brahmin) etc$
#7$#$#0 Lord .shaan
.n the beginning o Vishwaroopa kalpaE lord BrahmaE desirous o commencing creation was engrossed
in deep meditation$ -his resulted into the maniestation o a divine cowE which puBBled lord Brahma
very much$ ActuallyE this divine cow was none other then Vishwaroopa ,araswatiE but lord Brahma
ailed to recogniBe her$ Lord Brahma decided to take the help o Lord .shaan and started meditating on
him$
6hen Lord .shaan appeared beore himE he was reMuested by Lord Brahma to shed light on the identity
o that divine cow$ Lord .shaan replied by saying=R-he present kalpa is called Vishwaroopa kalpa$ .t has
originated rom the let side o my body and is the thirty=third kalpa$ -his divine cow has also originated
rom me$ ,he is goddess *auri=the source o all creation$ Ater saying like thisE Lord .shaan created
our divine entities rom the body o the cow=@atiE 'undiE ,hikhandi and Ardhamund$ All o them were
very luminous and virtuous$ Ater preaching the world or thousands o divine year$ -hey got reunited
with lord "udra$
#7$#$#4 -he %rigin o ,hiva Linga
-he sages asked ,utCi=== Lord ,hiva is ormless then how come ,hiva Linga is worshippedN 6hat is the
signiicance o ,hiva LingaN 6hat is the proper method o worshipping a ,hiva Linga N
,utCi replied=== %nceE Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu developed serious dierent on the matter o
superiority$ A tremendous duel broke out between them$ As they were ighting a mammoth Linga
appeared on the scenceE the eulgence o which made eorts both o them amaBed$Both o them
decided to ind out the origin o that divine Linga$ Lord Brahma transormed his appearance into that o
a swan and lew up in the sky to determine the height o that Linga$ Lord Vishnu transormed himsel
into a roar and entered the depth o earth to ind the source o that ,hiva Linga$ But both o them ailed
in their obCectives and returned to the same place eGhausted$
,uddenlyE they heard a loud sound o A2' emanating rom the ,hiva Linga$ Very soonE the whole orm
o %'E consisting o all the three letters AE 2 and ' became visible$ (-he letters AE 2 and ' symboliBe
Lord BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh respectively)$
At lastE both o them realiBed their mistake and stopped Muarrelling$ -his wayE Lord ,hiva was
successul in subduing their arrogance$Lord "udra is beyond sensual perception$ &e is the supreme
Almighty and the bestowers o divine bliss$ -he mystical orm o ,hivalinga is a symbolical eGpression
o sacred mantra=A2'$ -he letter A symboliBes BeeCa (,eed)E ' the creator himsel and 2 is the
symbolical eGpression o Yoni (Vagina)$
Lord "udra is beyond sensual perception$ &e is the supreme Almighty and the bestowers o divine
bliss$ -he mystical orm o ,hivalinga is a symbolical eGpression o sacred mantra=A2'$ -he letter A
symboliBes BeeCa (,eed)E ' the creator himsel and 2 is the symbolical eGpression o Yoni (Vagina)$
14&! 'inga Purana Part !
-his section contains #0 sub=sections (to ollow)J
#7$($# Lord ,hiva Blesses Brahma and Vishnu
At the timeE when this incident o mystical ,hiva linga had occurred and ater which Lord Brahmaand
Vishnu had stopped MuarellingE Lord ,hiva appeared beore them and said===
R. am very pleased with both o youE Both o =
R % VishnuL You are the creatorE Lord ,hiva$ -his made Lord ,hiva eGtremely pleased and he the
preserver as well as the destroyer o this world$ . am the supreme youE though having distinct identities
have actually maniested rom my body=Brahma rom my let side and Vishnu rom my right$R almighty
and distinct rom all three o you=BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh$Lord Vishnu eGpressed his undiluted
devotion towards Lord ,hiva$ -his made Lord ,hiva eGtremely pleased and he said$
R% VishnuL You are the creatorE the preserver as well as the destroyer o this world$ . am the supreme
almighty and distinct rom all three o you=BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh$R
Linga is the personiication o the Almighty *od$ -he term Linga means usion and the ,hivalinga are
said to be the symbolical eGpression o all the deities$
#7$($( -he 'aniestation o Lord Brahma
-he ,ages reMuested ,utCi to elucidate how Lord Brahma emerged rom the navel o Vishnu seated on
a lotus lower$
,utCi replied=== At the time o deluge Lord Vishnu went in his yoganidra lying on the back o ,heshnag$
As the result o his divine playE a huge lotus lower along with a long tubular stalk emerged rom his
navel$ Lord Brahma was seated on the Lotus lower$6hen Lord Brahma saw Lord VishnuE he
asked=R6ho are you sleeping in this oceanNKK Lord Vishnu also asked the same Muestion as to whom
was he and rom where had he maniested$ Very soonE a Muarrel ensures between them$Desirous o
knowing the identity o the strangerE Lord Vishnu entered BrahmaKs abdomen through his mouth$ &e
was amaBed to ind the eGistence o whole universe inside BrahmaKs abdomen$ &e remained there or
thousands o year but could not ind the end$ Being eGhaustedE he came out and told Lord Brahma that
even his abdomen had the same unlimited eGpanse$
Lord Brahma decided to check the authenticity o VishnuKs statement and entered into his abdomen
through the mouth$ Lord Brahma wandered inside the abdomen or thousands o year but could not ind
the end$ 'ean whileE Lord Vishnu has shut each and every opening o his body which made it
impossible or Lord Brahma to come out$ 2ltimately he was successul in coming out through the
tubular stalk o the lotus$As Lord Brahma was not amused by VishnuKs behaviourE he started ighting
with him$ "ight at that momentE Lord 'ahadev arrived there$ &is moments created high tide and strong
mindE which vigorously shook the lotus lower$
Lord Vishnu immediately realiBed that these signs orebode the arrival o 'ahadev$ &e revealed this
act to Brahma and about 'anadevKs greatness$ But Lord Brahma was not impressed$ Lord Vishnu
then said ===
R,hiva is the almighty *od$ &e is the oneE whomE enlightened people are always in search or$ &e
maniests himsel in the orm o an egg on account o the union o his ormless and with orm
appearances$ .n course o time the egg gets divided into two halvesE rom which are created the
dierent Lokas (world)$ -he egg is the very place rom where originates the whole creation$ +ven you
(Brahma) own your eGistence to that egg$ Your arrogance might invite the wrath o ,hiva$ ,oE come let
both o us eulogiBe and praise the holy name o 'ahadev$
#7$($0 Lord Brahma Becomes the :reator
At lastE Lord Vishnu was successul in convincing Brahma o ,hivaKs supreme status$ Both o them
eulogiBed and sang hymns in the praise o Lord ,hiva$Lord ,hiva became very pleased by their
devotion$ &e reMuested Lord Vishnu wanted nothing else but undiluted devotion in him$ Lord ,hiva
agreed and said R,o be itR$
Lord ,hiva then blessed Brahma and made him the creator$ Lord Brahma did a tremendous penanceE
which continued or a very long period$ -he severe penance strained his eyes as a result o which tears
started rolling down his cheeks$ 8oisonous snakes maniested rom those teardrops$ Lord Brahma
became disillusioned by his maiden creation and gave up his lie$ +leven "udras emerged rom his
body and started wailing$ -hey then brought Lord Brahma back to lie$Ater becoming aliveE Lord
Brahma eulogiBed Vishveshwar and goddess *ayatri$ &e was amaBed to see the eGistence o whole
universe inside the body o Lord Vishveshwar all the kalpas including the dierent incarnations o lord
,hiva about origin o these kalpas and various incarnations like sadyaE etc$
#7$($4 Description o Dierent Kalpas
Lord ,hiva revealed to Brahma that the ,hwet=kalpa derived its name rom his compleGion$ R. took
incarnation attired in white apparels$ 'y compleGion was air$ You being sel=begotten were able to
recogniBe me$ *oddess *ayatri had also maniested rom my body and later on became amous as
K,hwet=Lohit=BrahmK$R
R-he neGt kalpa was known as Lohit kalpa because o my red compleGionE *oddess *ayatri had also
incarnated in the orm o divine cow$ . became amous as Vaamdev during this kalpa$R
Lord ,hiva then went on to describe about the rest o the kalpas which had been named ater his
compleGion$ &e also gave in=depth description o various subCects likeE the dierent worldsE the vedas
the our maCor castes etc$
#7$($9 .ncarnations o ,hiva During Various Dvapar Yugas
%n being enMuired by Lord Brahma about his various incarnationsE Lord ,hiva said ===
R. shall incarnate as ,hwet='ahamuni during #st Dwapar yuga o Vaivaswat manvantar$ 'y abode
shell is at :hhogal peak o &imalaya mountain$ . shall have our disciples who will be proicient in the
Vedas$R
R. will incarnate as ,utar during second dwapar$ At that timeE ,addyoCaat 8raCapati will be holding he
post o Vyas$. will have our sons=DundubhiE ,hataroopaE "ichika and Keluma$R
RDuring third dwapar and at the time when ,age Bhargav will be acting as a VyasE . will take incarnation
as Daman$ . will have our sons=VikroshE VikeshE Vipash and 8aapnashak$R
RDuring ourth dwapar and at the time when ,age Angira will be acting as a VyasE . will take incarnation
as ,uhotra$ . will have our sons=,umukhE DurmukhE Durdhar and Duratikram$R
R. will take incarnation as Kank during ith dwapar and at the time when ,age ,avita will be ulilling the
obligations o VyasO . will have our sons=,anakE ,anandanE ,anatan and ,anatkumar$R
RDuring ,iGth dwaparE . will take incarnation as Laugakshi$ At that time ,age 'rityu will be holding the
post o Vyas$ 'y sons will be ,udhamaE ViraCaE ,hankh and 8adraC$R
R,age ,hataritu will act as Vyas during ,eventh dwapar$ . will have our sons=,araswatE 'eghE
'eghvah and ,uvahan$R
R,age Vashishth will be the vyas during eighth dwapar$ . will take incarnation as Dadhivahan$ 'y sons
will be=KapilE AasuriE 8anchE ,hikhomuni and Vashkal$R
R,age ,araswat will act as Vyas during nineth dwapar$ . will take incarnation as "ishabh$ . will have
our sons=8arasharE *argE Bhargav and Aangiras$R
R-he tenth dwapar will see -ripad ulilling the duties o Vyas$ . will incarnate as Bhavita 'uni$ . will
have our sons=BalaE BandhuE 1iramitra and Ketu$R
R,age -rivat will be the Vyas during eleventh dwapar$ . will take incarnation as 2gra$ 'y sons will be=
LambodarE Lambaksha P Lambakesh$R
R,age ,hatateCa will perorm the duties o Vyas during twelth dwapar$ . will have our sons=,arvagyaE
,ambuddhiE ,aadhya and ,arva$R
RDharma will be the Vyas during thirteenth dwapar$ . will take incarnation as Bali and live at the
hermitage o the Baalkhilya$ . will have our sons=,udhamaE KashyapE Vashishth and ViraCa$R
-his wayE Lord ,hiva elaborated upon his various incarnations till the period o twenty=eight dwaparE
which went as ollows$
D6A8A" VYA, ,&.VA ,&.VAK, ,%1,
#4th -arakshu *autam AtriE DevarudraE ,hravan P ,hrivishthak
#9th -raiyyaruni Vedshira KuniE KunibahuE Kusharir P Kunetrak
#;th Deva *okarn KashyaoE ,hukracharyaE :hyavn P Vrihaspati
#7th KritanCay *uhavasi 2tathyaE VamadevE 'ahayoga P 'ahabal
#)th "itanCay ,hikhani VachashravaE"ichikE,hyavashva P Yateeshwar
#/th BhardwaC @atamali &iranyabhE KaushalE Laungakshi P Kuthumi
(3th *autam Attahaas ,umantuE VarvariE Kavandh P Kushi Kandhar
(#st Vachashrava Daruko "ampkshodaE BhayaniE Ketuman P *autam$
((nd ,hushmayan Langli Bheem
DharmikE 'ahayotriE BhallaviE 'adhupingaE,hwetuE
Ketu P Kush
(0rd -rinabindu KalanCar 2shikE VrihadashvaE Deval P Kavirevach
(4th "iksha ,hooli ,halihotraE AgniveshE 2nashva P ,haradvasu$
(9th ,hakti Dandi='undishvar :hhagalE KundakE Kumbhand P 8rawahaC
(;th 8arashar ,ahishnu 2lookE ViddyutE ,hambuk P Aashwalayan$
(7th @atuk Karnya ,omsharma AkshapadE KumarE 2look P Vatsa$
()th Dwaipayan Lakuli KushikE *argE 'itra P Kaurushya
#7$($; "ituals o ,hiva=Linga 6orship (8urity)
$nce( 3oddess %ar,ati as2ed "ord Shi,a about the proper methods of /orshippin' Shi,a4)in'a1 6hi)e
Shi,a /as e)ucidatin' upon the ritua)s( !andi /ho /as present there too 'ot en)i'htened on this sacred
topic1 &n course of time( this 2no/)ed'e /as passed on to Sanat Kumar( /ho in turn re,ea)ed it to Sa'e
V*as1 Sutji came to 2no/ about it from Shai)adi1"ord Shi,a had described the fo))o/in' three methods(
b* the he)p of /hich a de,otee shou)d become pure before commencin' his /orship1

Varun ,nan (-aking bath in open)

Bhashma ,nan (,mearing ashes on the body)

'antra ,nan (:hanting o mantra)

Lord ,hiva had stressed upon the importance o taking bath in a river or a pond$ According to him a
manKs mindE which is like a lotusE could never blossom unless it received the radiance o the sun$
Describing about the methods o taking BhasmsnanE he said=Ater washing his hands and eetE a
devotee should smear any o the ollowing things on his body to make it pure=mudE cowdung ashes etc$
6hile smearing mud on his bodyE he should chant the mantra =2ddhatashivarahen$ Ater becoming
pure according to the methods mentioned aboveE he should then worship Lord Varun$ &aving doneE
thisE he should take a dip in the river ater puriying the water by chanting the sacred KAdhamarshanK
mantra$ &e should then worship all the deities by sprinkling water rom the ,hankh (:onch) and amidst
the chanting o mantras like K"udren 8avamanenK etc$ &e should then concentrate upon the orm o a
,hivalinga$ &e should drink some water holding some Kusha grass in his right hand simultaneously$
A devotee should commence his worship only ater becoming pure$ .n the beginning he should perorm
8ranayam or three times so that his lungs are illed up with resh air$ Ater thisE he should concentrate
his mind on the orm o Lord -rayambak in all his glory$ &e should puriy all the articles reMuired or the
worship by perorming ablution and by chanting %' 1A'A& ,&.VAY$ &e should also make oerings o
lowersE rice grainsE barley etc$ to the deity$ 6orship o Lord ,hiva is believed to be incomplete without
the worship o his amily=1andiE KartikeyaE Vinayak and *oddess 8arvati$ ,oE the devotee must not
orget to worship them$
#7$($7 Lord ,hiva -ests the 8atience o ,ages
%nce upon a timeE the sages were busy doing their penance to please Lord 'ahadev$ Lord ,hiva
decided to test patience and visited daruk orest in naked position$ By the virtue o his divine powerE he
was successul in corrupting the conduct o the sageKs wives$ -hose women became so inatuated by
his divine appearance that they lost control omen themselves$ -hey were desirous o satiating their lust
but ,hiva maintained silence and did not oblige them$
6hen the sages saw the womenolk in such a pitiable conditionE they started abusing Lord ,hiva$ Lord
,hiva did not respond and disappeared rom the scene$ 1owE the sages became very rightened$ All o
them went to Lord Brahma and narrated the whole incident$ Lord Brahma reprimanded them by saying
that how unortunate they had been in not recogniBing Lord ,hiva= the Almighty$ Lord Brahma
said=RYou have committed a grace sir by showing disrespect to your guest$ Your conduct was unlike
,udarshan=a Brahmin who by his hospitality was able to win the lord o death$R
Lord Brahma narrated the ollowing tale to them ===
R%nce there lived a kind hearted Brahmin named ,udarshan$ &e was very hospitable and considered
his guestsE as Lord ,hiva himsel$ &e had given strict instructions to his wie that under no
circumstance should a guest return unsatisied rom his home$R
RDharmaraC wanted to test ,udarshan irmness in his belie$ %ne day he arrived at ,udarshanKs
hermitage disguised as a Brahmin$ At that time he was not present in his hermitage$ DharmaraC reused
to accept anything in donation eGcept ,udarshanKs wie hersel$
R,udarshanKs wie oered hersel without any hesitation$ 6hen he returnedE not inding her wie started
calling her name$ At that time he heard a voice saying that his wie was satisying the lust o a guest$
,udarshan remained unperturbed and reMuested his guest to carry on till he is satisied$R
RDharmaraC became pleased$ &e appeared beore ,udarshan and gave blessings$ &e appreciated his
hospitable nature by saying that by the virtue o his undiluted hospitality he had even vanMuished him
(DharmaraC)$R
-he sages were very ashamed o their conduct and returned Lord Brahma to eGplain as to how they
could have devotion in Lord ,hiva$ Lord Brahma elucidated on the virtue o devotion and narrated the
tale o sage ,hwet who had subCugated even death by his devotion$
#7$($) ,age ,hweta
-he sages were very curious to know about sage ,hwet$ Lord Brahma narrated the ollowing tale ===
R%nceE there lived a sage named ,hwet$ &e was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva$ &e lived in a cave and
engaged himsel in severe penanceE continuously chanting the holy name o ,hiva$ 6hen the time o
his death approachedE KKaal arrived there to take his lie$ ,age ,hwet started eulogiBing Lord ,hiva$ &e
challenged KKaalK that being a devotee o ,hiva he was beyond the reach o death$ ButE Kaal made un
o him and told him that nobody could escape death$ ,age ,hwet had unshakable aith in Lord ,hiva$
8ointing towards the ,hiva LingaE he told Kaal that he would remain unharmed because o Lord ,hiva
who was present in that ,hivalinga$
,uddenlyE Kaal tied him with his noose and said===,eeE 1ow you are absolutely under my control and
even your deity seems to be helpless$ -o protect his devoteeE Lord ,hiva arrived on the scene
accomplished by *oddess AmbaE *anapati and 1andi$ KKaalK got scared to such an eGtent that he
ainted and died$R
-he sages curiously asked Lord Brahma about the means with which ,hiva could be pleased$ Lord
Brahma told them that only deep devotion and nothing else could please Lord ,hiva$
#7$($/ ,age +ulogiBes Lord ,hiva
&aving realiBed their mistakeE the sages returned to Daruk orest and engaged themselves in austere
penance to please ,hiva$ -hey did a tremendous penanceE which lasted or a year$ 2ltimately their
wished were ulilled as Lord ,hiva appeared with ashes smeared all over his body$ &e had a begging=
bowl in his hands and eGhibited strange mannerism$ But this time the sages did not ail in recogniBing
him$ -hey begged or his orgiveness and sought his blessings$
Lord ,hiva became pleased and blessed them divine sightE which made them enable to see his orm o
-rayambak$ -he illumines appearance o Lord -rayambak cast a spellbound over them$ -hey eulogiBed
Lord ,hiva by singing praise in his name$ -his wayE their deep devotion in Lord ,hiva had eGploited
them rom their sin$
#7$($#3 Lord ,hiva 8reaches the ,ages
Lord ,hiva revealed to the sages that a emale seG organ was nothing but a symbolic eGpression o
goddess 8arvati where as a male seG organ symboliBed his own sel$ &e also cautioned them against
making un o hermitKs appearance$ &e said=R-hese hermits who appear absured by their looks are my
great devotees$ -hey donKt care about their physical appearance because . predominantly occupy their
thoughts$ Anybody making un o these KnakedK hermitsE whose bodies are smeared with ashes is in act
making un o me$R
Lord ,hiva then went on to describe the purity o ash and said=== Ash is eGtremely pureE as it is the
residual element o matterE which is let ater burning$ .t is sacred and indestructible$ -his is whyE .
smear it on my body$ A person who smears ash on his body becomes liberated rom all his sins$ .t is
the destroyer o sin$ .t is the symbolic eGpression o my KVeeryaK (,emen)$
-his wayE Lord ,hiva enlightened them on various spiritual topics$
#7$($## Dadhichi ,ubCugates the ,ages (Kshoopa)
-here ruled a king named Kshoopa whose riend was ,age Dadhichi$ %nce they got into argument over
the superiority o their respective castes$ King Kshoopa was o the opinion that a Kshetriya was
superior to Brahmin$ Very soonE the dispute took an ugly turn and a duel broke out between them$
Dadhich punched Kshoopa on his head$ Kshoopa retaliated by attacking Dadhichi with his weapon
named VaCra$ -he assault proved to be or Dadhichi and he ell downE Beore his death he prayed to his
guru=,hukracharya and sought his help$ "ealiBing that his disciple was in dangerE ,hukracharya rushed
to the spotE but Dadhichi had already died beore he could arrive there$
,hukracharya knew the secret learning='ritasanCivani Vidya$ &e brought back Dadhichi alive and
advised him to please Lord ,hiva to attain invincibility$ &e also taught Dadhichi the proper methods o
worshipping ,hiva$ Dadhichi did an austere penance and pleased Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva appeared
and blessed him with invincibility and also made his bones as hard as .ndraKs thunderbolt (VaCra)$
Dadhichi then went to ight Kshoopa$ &e kicked Kshoopa on his chest$ Kshoopa retaliated by attacking
Dadhichi with his VaCra$ But this time Dadhichi remained unharmed$ Kshoopa was surprised to see his
assault going in vain$ &e decided to take the help o Lord Vishnu and engaged himsel in austere
penance$
#7$($#( Kshoopa Accepts Deeat
6hen Lord Vishnu appeared beore KshoopaE he sought his help in deeating Dadhichi$ Lord Vishnu
eGpressed his inability by saying=== . donKt punish a BrahminE especially i he is a devotee o "udra$
Dadhichi is bothE so orget about deeating him$ AnyhowE . will try me best to make Dadhichi devoid o
his power$
Lord Vishnu then went to DadhichiKs hermitage disguised as a Brahmin$ Dadhichi recogniBed him and
came to know about his intentions$ &e reMuested Lord Vishnu to go ahead with his demand$ R. have
conMuered ear on account o my total devotion in Lord ,hivaR said Dadhichi$
Lord Vishnu did not like his arrogant behaviour$ &e said=R. know you have conMuered ear$ ButE Cust or
onceE say that you are earul o meE as . am Vishnu$R
ButE Dadhichi reused to obey his commands$ -his inuriated Lord Vishnu and he tried to kill Dadhichi
with his :hakra$ Dadhichi remained unharmed and said=&ow can this :hakra harm meN Lord ,hiva
has given whose devotee . am it to you whose devotee . am$
Lord Vishnu tried to use his other weapons but ailed to cause any harm to Dadhichi$ All the deities
came to his help but still their eorts o deeating Dadhichi went utile$Lord Vishnu then tried to impress
Dadhichi by his divine powers and showed his divine appearance in which the whole world was visible$
Dadhichi gave a beitting reply by showing the whole universe including Lord Vishnu within his body$
Lord Vishnu was amaBed by his divine powers$ 2ltimatelyE Lord Brahma persuaded Lord Vishnu to
discontinue the ight$ ,eeing his lord in such a helpless conditionE Kshoopa had no other option but to
accept deeat$ &e tried to paciy Dadhichi anger by asking cursed him as well as all the deities by
saying=== All o you including the deities and Vishnu will be destroyed in DakshaKs yagya as the
conseMuence o "udraKs wrath$
-he place where DadhichiKs hermitage was situated later on became amously known as ,thaneshwar$
.t is considered to be the most sacred place o pilgrimage$
#7$($#0 ,hilad?s .mpossible Demand
%nceE ,hilad did an austere penance to please .ndra$ &e was desirous o begetting a son$ 6hen .ndra
appeared he reMuested him to bless him with a son who was sel=born as well as deathless$ .ndra
eGpressed his helplessness in ulilling impossible demand$ +ven Lord Brahma meets his end ater the
passage o crores o KalpasR=said .ndra$ ,hilad tried to convince the validity o his demand by citing the
eGample o DakshaKs son who according to his best o knowledge were sel=born as well as deathless$
.ndra told him that it was not true$ -o prove his point .ndra said=R+ven Vishnu and Brahma are not sel
born$ Lord Vishnu created Brahma during 'eghavahan Kalpa$ ,ome are o the view that Vishnu and
Brahma maniested rom the let and right sides o ,hiva respectively$ ,oE your demand is unsubstantial
and without any base$R
According to a mythological tale Lord Vishnu maniested rom in between the eyebrow o Lord Brahma$
At that time Lord ,hiva had arrived there to bless both o them$Ater the departure o Lord ,hivaE
Vishnu took the incarnation o Varah (Boar) and reestablished the earth in itKs original position$ Lord
Brahma then commenced his creation and in course o time the earth came to be inhabitated by all kind
o living creatures$
14&* 'inga Purana Part *
-his section contains #0 sub=sections (to ollow)J
#7$0$# -he :haracteristics o the <our +ras
,hilad reMuested .ndra to shed light on the special characteristics o each o the our eras$
.ndra replied===Lord Brahma created the our eras (yugas)==,atyaE -retaE Dwapar and Kali$ -here eras
keep on occuring in a cyclic order where the ormer is ollowed by the latter$,aoguna (8ure) prevails
during ,atyayuga$ "aCoguna is the dominant Muality prevailing during tretayuga$ During Dwapar yuga
both "aCoguna and tamoguna are present$ -amoguna (Dark) is the dominant Muality prevailing during
Kaliyuga$ During ,atya yugaE meditation was the means by the help o which a man could achieve
salvation while oblationE devotion and donation were said to be the means capable o giving salvation
during -retaE Dwapar and Kaliyuga respectively$
-he inhabitants o ,atyayuga were virtuous and ree rom sorrow$ ButE the vice o desire started to raise
itKs head during -reta and people started being troubled by it$ Lord Brahma created the warrior caste
Kshatriya or the protection o virtuosity$Lord Brahma propogated the rituals o oblation during
-retayuga$ +verything was ine till -retayuga but there was a drastic change in the human behaviour
during Dwapar Yuga$ All the vices suraced and people were troubled by them$ ,ome eGtraordinary
lietarary eats were accomplished during dwapar==,age Vyas categoriBed the veda into our sectionsE
all the maCor puranas were compiled and smritis were written$
Kaliyuga saw the devline o virtuosity and religiousness$ .gnorance and alse knowledge prevailed
everywhere during this era$
#7$0$( Kali Yuga
Describing about the decline in moral values during KaliyugaE .ndra told ,hilad== .n KaliyugaE people will
be under the total inluence o the worldly illusions$ .gnorance diseasesE ear and hunger will be
prevalent everywhere$ <amine and drought would occur Muite reMuently as the all out o inadeMuate
rain$ ,inners would outnumber the virtuous people would deviate rom the path o religiousness$
Brahmins would lose their superiority and ,hudras would become the rulers$ Brahmins will not be
respected and will be orced to serve the lowlye people$ 'aCority o women would be immoral and
progenies would not obey the commands o their parents$
8redicting a grim scenarioE .ndra stressed great importance o religiousness during Kaliyuga and said==
A virtuous deed accomplished in Kaliyuga gives ruits in aday as compared to -reta and DwaparE which
take one year and one month respectively$
#7$0$0 'aniestation o Lord Brahma
%nceE Lord Brahma did an austere penance to please Lord ,hiva$ ,hiva maniestated as
Ardhnarishwar (8artly male partly emale) rom his orehead and said==K. am your sonK$ ButE the
unberabale heat emanating rom the eulgence o Ardhanarishwar burnt the whole world including Lord
Brahma$
Lord ,hiva then separated the eminine part o his body (*oddess 8armeshwari) and instructed her to
begin creation$Both Brahma and Vishnu maniested rom the body o goddess 8armeshwari$
Lord Vishnu divided his body into two halves and created the world$ Lord Brahma once again did a
tremendous penance which lasted or ten thousand years$ %nce again ,hiva maniested rom his
oreheadE but this time as 1eelalohit$ Lord 1eelaLohit became pleased by BrahmaKs eulogy and
blessed him$
#7$0$4 'aniestation o Lord 1andishwar
,hilad did a tremendous penance to please Lord ,hiva$ &is penance continued or thousands o year$
At lastE Lord ,hiva appeared beore him and said==R. am eGtremely pleased by you devotion$ . shall
bless you with a son who will become amous or his knowledge and learning$R ButE ,hilad was
desirous o a sel=born and immortal son$ Lord ,hiva said==KYour desire will be ulilled$ +ven Lord
Brahma had reMuested me to take an incarnation$ . will take birth as your son and my name will be
1andi$R
.n course o timeE ,hiva maniested rom the oblation site$ -he deities became pleased ater seeing
1andiE who possessed three eyesE our arms and a crown on his head$
#7$0$9 -he 1ether 6orld
Lord ,hiva is the source rom where all the dierent worlds originate$ 8eople in their ignorance are
unware o the act that the whole universe is nothing but a medium through which ,hiva maniests
himsel$-he various worlds like 'ahaE @anaE -apaE ,atya etc$ and all the natural eOements like earthE
,ky ocean etcE owe their origin to ,hiva$ 2nderneath the earth lies the netherworlds which are all
together seven in number== -alaE VitaloE ,utala etc$ -he netherworld named 'ahatala is the dwelling
place o Lord 'uchkand and king Bali$ ,utala is yellow in colour while Vitalo shines brightly like a coral$
Atala is o white colour and -ala has a shade o white$
All these netherworld have the same eGpanse as the earth$ "asatal is the place where Vasuki resides$
-alatal is the dwelling place o mighty demons like Virochan and &iranyaksha$ .t is also the place where
hell is situated$ -he netherworld named ,utal is the dwelling place where -arkaE Agnimukh and
8rahlada live$ -ala is the dwelling place o mighty warriors like 'ahakumbhE &ayagreeva etc$
#7$0$; -he ,even .slands
-he earth consists o seven islandsE many riversE mountains and seven oceans$ -he 8lakshaE
,haalmaliE KushE KraunchE ,haak and 8ushkar$ Lord ,hiva alongwith goddess Ambika and his ganas
dwell in all these seven islands in one orm or the other$
-he name o the seven oceans are KsharodE "asodE ,urodE *hatodakshiE DadhyarnavE Kshirod and
,wadood$ L%rd ,&iva maniests himsel in all o them$ Lord ,hiva dwells in the ocean named
Kshirarnav$ King 8riyavrata was the grandson o 'anuE who ruled during ,wayambhuva manvantar$ &e
had ten sons== AgnighraE AgnibahuE 'eghatithiE VasuE Vayushmaan$ @yotishmaanE DyutimaanE &avyaE
,avan etc$ 8riyavrata had made Aghnighra the king o @ambudweepa$ ,imilarly the islands o
8lakshadweepaE ,haalmaliE KushadweepaE KraunchdweepaE ,haalvadweepa and 8ushkar were given
to 'edhatithiE VayushmaanE @yotishmaanE Dyutimaan &avya and ,avan respectively$ &avya had seven
sons who became rulers and the dierent territories they ruled desired their names rom them$
#7$0$7 Bharat Varsh
Agnighra==the ruler o @ambudweepa was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva$ &e had nine sons==1abhiE
KimpurushE &arivarshaE .lavrataE "amyaE &iranyamaanE KuruE Bhadrashva and Ketumaal$ Agnighra
appointed 1abhi the king o &emakhya$ ,imilarlyE KimpurushE &arivarshaE .lavrataE "amyaE
&iranyamanE KuruE Bhadrashva and Ketumaal were given the kingdoms o &emakootE 1aishadhE 'eruE
1eelachalE ,hwetE ,hringavarshE 'aalvan and *andhamoodan respectively$ Ater thisE Agnighra
renounced everything and went to do penance$
'erudevi was 1abhiKs wie and the mother o "ishabh$ Ater growing up "ishabh got married and
became the ather o no less than one hundred sons$ Among them Bharat was the eldest$ 6hen Bharat
grow upE "ishabh appointed him as his successor and ater renouncing everything went to the orest$
Bharat went on to become a great king and ruled over the whole territory southwards o &imalaya$ %ur
country derives itKs name rom him$ Bharat had a son named ,umati who succeeded his ather as a
king$
#7$0$) -he 'eru 'ountain
'eru mountain is situated in the heart o @ambudweepa$ -he 'eru range is spread in the area o #;
thousand yoCan$ .tKs towering peak is )4 thousand in height rom the ground level and had even
penetrated the depth o earth to the measurement o #; thousand yoCan$ 'eru mountain is considered
to be very sacred and is believed to be the dwelling place o the deities$
YamraCKs abode==Vaivaswatipuri is situated in the souther part o 'eru mountain$ ,%me other holy
places like ,huddhavatiE *andhavati and Yashomati are also situated on this mountain where Lord
BrahmaE Lord Vishnu and Lord ,hiva are believed to have their respective abodes$-he sun
continuously shines over 'eru mountain$ A river named @ambu lows down this mountain$ -here is also
a tree by the same name which is eternally ladden with ruits$ -he 'eru mountain is surrounded on all
its sides by a country .lavrita$ -he residents o .lavrita relish the ruits o @ambu tree$
#7$0$/ -he 8rominent 'ountains
Describing about the physical characteristics os all tCe seven islandsE ,utCi says ===
R,even mountains are situated in 8laksha dweepa=*obhedakE :haandraE 1aradE DundubhiE ,oyakE
,umana and VaibhraC$ ,imilarlyE the prominent mountain ranges situated in ,haalmali dweepa are
KumudE 2ttamE BalahakE DronaE Karkamahish Kumudman etc$ Kushadweepa also has seven
mountains among which Vidhrabh and &em are the prominent ones$ All these seven islands are
surrounded by seven oceans$ -he mountain named Lokalok is so gigantic in siBe that hal o its part is
always covered in darkness$
-he omnipresent Lord ,hiva pervades the whole universe$ %nceE being conronted by the eulgence o
Lord ,hivaE who had disguised himsel as a YakshaE all the deities became devoid o their power$ .ndra
was amaBed and asked the Yaksha as to who he was$ Lord ,hiva disappeared without giving any
answer and goddess Ambika appeared beore the deities$ .ndra asked her the same Muestion to which
goddess Ambika replied=== &e was none other than the almighty ,hiva$ . being the 8rakriti (nature) do
creation ollowing his instructions$ &e is the embodiment o 8urush (,upreme almighty)$
#7$0$#3 -he ,un
-he movement o ,un is rapid when it is positioned south o eMuator (Dakshinayan)E on the other hand
its movement is slow when positioned north os eMuator (2ttarayan)$-he time is indicated by the various
positions o ,un while it is on its course o movement in the horiBon$ 6hile the sun is situated in the
,outh=+ast direction it is believed to be the morning time$ ,imilarltE when the ,un has positioned itsel
in the south=westE 1orth=west or ,outh=+ast directionE it is said to be the Kbeore=noonKE Kater=noonK and
1ight respectively$
-he ,un is believed to be mounted on a chariot while on its course o movement in the &oriBon$ All the
deitiesE apsaras and gandharvas are believed to ollow its movement$-he periods o day and night
consist o 03 ghadi each$ -he ,un causes rainall due to the process o evaporation$ 6ater is the
source o lie and is the maniestation o Lord ,hiva himsel$
#7$0$## Lord Brahma assigns lordships to the Deities
-he ,ages reMuested ,utCi to describe how Lord Brahma assigned Lordships to all the deities and the
demons$
,utCi replied=== -he ,un was made the lord o all the planets$ ,oma was made the lord o all the
constellations and medicinal herbs$ ,imilarlyE Vaun was made the Lord o waterE while Kuber was
assigned the Lordship o wealth$ Lord Vishnu attained the Lordship o AadityasE 8awak o VasusE
Daksha o 8raCapatisE .ndra o deitiesE and 8rahlad attained the Lordship o all the demons$ ,ome other
prominent species and the assigned Lordships are as ollows===
,8+:.+, L%"D
Animals "udra
6omen 2ma
"udras 1eelalohit
%bstacles *aCanan
8ower o ,peech ,araswati
'ountains &imalaya
"ivers *anga
%ceans Ksheersagar
-rees 8eepal (&oly <ig)
*andharvas :hitrarathi
,erpents -akshak
Birds *aruda
8rithu was made the lord o +arth and Lord ,hiva the lord o whole universe$
#7$0$#( -he :hariots o the ,unE 'oon and 8lanets
-he chariot o ,urya is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma$ .t is made up o gold and its
wheels have ive spokeseach$ -he chariot is very huge in siBe and its eGpanse covers the area o nine
thousand yoCan$ .t is pulled by seven horses which are o green compleGion$ -he movement o ,un
results into the occurence o day and night$ -he moonKs chariot consists o three wheela and is pulled
by ten white horses$ +ach wheel is supported by one hundred spokes$-he chariots o 'ercuryE 'ars
and @upiter are believed to be pulled by eight horses each$ -he chariot o ,aturn is believed to be
pulled by ten black horses$
#7$0$#0 -he "adiance o ,urya
-he ,urya is the source to which all the living beings owe their eGistence$ All the deities derive their
eulgence rom ,uryaE who in turn derives its own radiance rom Lord 'ahadev$-ime is determined
with the help o ,uryaKs movement$ %ne can not even imagine the various units o timeE like KshanaE
muhurta dayE nightE ortnightE monthE season etc$ without the eGistence o ,urya$
-he ,unE which illuminates the whole world is nothing but the medium through which the almighty
"udra maniests himsel$ -he ,un sheds thousands o rays among which seven are prominent=
,ushumnaE "ishikeshE VishwakarmaE VishwatyachaE AnnadhE ,arvavasu and ,warah$
14&, 'inga Purana Part ,
-his section contains #( sub=sections (to ollow)J
#7$4$# Dhruva ! -he ,upreme Devotee
-he ,ages asked ,utCi as to how Dhruva became successul in attaining immortality and supreme
status among all the stars$
,utCi narrated the ollowing tale===
-here lived a king named 2ttanpadE who had two Mueens==,uniti and ,uruchi$ -he eldest Mueen ,uniti
had a son named Dhruva$ %ne day while Dhruva was sitting in his atherKs lapE ,uruchi==his step
motherE contemptuously pulled him rom 2ttanpadKs lap and made her own son sit in his place$ Dhruva
went to ,uniti and complained about his steps motherKs behaviour$
,uniti advised Dhruva that he should seek or the supreme statusE which is permanent$ <ollowing his
motherKs adviceE Dhruva went to the orest in search o that supreme status$ .n the orestE he met ,age
Vishwamitra who advised him to seek the blessings o Lord Keshav by chanting the sacred mantra K%m
1amo VasudevayK$
Dhruva did an austere penance or thousands o year$ At lastE lord Vishnu became pleased and
appeared beore him mounted on *aruda$ Lord Vishnu touched DhruvaKs ace with his conch as a
result o which he attained ,el knowledge$ Lord Vishnu blessed Dhruva by saying ===
. give you the supreme placeE which even the deities and the sages long or$
-his wayE Dhruva attained a supreme status among all the stars with the blessings o Lord Vishnu$
#7$4$( -he %rigin o Deities
%n being enMuired by the sages about the origin o deitiesE demons and other celestial entitiesE ,utCi
said== Daksha being desirous o enhancing the populationE created ten=thousand sons merely by his
wish and instructed them to contribute in the propagation o population$ &is obCective remained
unulilled as 1arad was successul in preaching them towards the path o devotion$ As a result all o
them went to do meditation ater renouncing the world$
,eeing his eorts go in vainE Daksha created ten thousand more sons who were convinced by 1arad to
the path o renunciation once again$Daksha then begot siGty daughters rom his wie named Vairini$
6hen these girls grew upE Daksha married to dierent sages==ten o them were married to DharmaE
thirteen to KashyapE twenty=seven to ,omaE our to ArishtanemiE two to BhriguKs sonE two to Krishashwa
and the remaining two were married to Angira$
-he named o DharmaKs wives were 'arutivatiE VasuE AryamaE LambaE BhanuE ArundhatiE ,ankalpaE
'uhurtaE ,adhya and Vishwabhamini$Vishwabhamini was the mother o VishvedevaE while ,adhya
gave birth to ,adhva$ ,imilarlyE 'arutvatiE BhanuE 'uhurtaE Lamba and ,ankalpa gave birth to
VarutwanE BhanavE 'ahurtik *hosh and ,ankalp respectively$ Vasu became the mother o eight Vasus$
Among the twenty seven wives o Kashyap the names o some prominent ones were==AditiE DitiE
ArishtaE ,urasaE 'uniE ,urabhiE VinataE -amraE KrodhaE VashaE .laE KadruE -wishadE Anga etc$Kashyap
had two sons rom DitiE &iranyakashipu and &iranyaksha$ Danu gave birth to one hundred sons among
whom Viprachit was very prominent$ -amra gave birth to siG daughters===,hukiE ,weniE ,ugreeviE
*ridhikaE Bhasi and ,huni$
Kashyap did an austere penance and was blessed with two sons==Vatsar P AsitE Vatsar had two sons==
1aibudh and "aimbh$ Asit married +kparna and had one son rom her==Brahmanishth$Vashishth was
married to Arundhati and had one hundred sons rom her among whom ,hakti was the eldest$ ,hakti
was married to Adrishyanti and 8arashar was his son$ Dwaipayan was the son o 8arashar and ,hukra
was DwaipayanKs son$
#7$4$0 ,age 8arashar
-he ,ages asked ,utCi how ,hakti had been devoured by a demon named "udhir$
,utiCi replied=== %nceE ,age Vashishth was presiding over a grand Yagya being organiBed by a king
named Kalmashpad$ Vashishth had a rivalry with Vishwamitra$ %n seeing Vashishth busy in that
YagyaE Vishwamitra instigated "udhir== a demonE to kill his sons$ "udhir ollowed the instructions and
devoured VashishthKs sons including ,hakti$
6hen Vashishth learnt about his sons death his heart was illed with grie$ &e desired to give up his lie
but was prevented rom doing so by his daughter=in=law$ ,he inormed him about her pregnancy and
said== Very soon you will see your grandson$ ,oE Muit the idea o giving up your lie$VashishthE though
still mournul o his sonKs deathE postponed the idea o giving up his lie or the time being$ %ne day
while he was engrossed in the thoughts o his departed sonE he was amaBed to listen the recital o a
vedic hymn$ &e looked all around but ound nobody$ ,uddenly he heard a heavenly voice that revealed
by his grandson who was still inside the womb o his mother$ .n course o timeE Arundhati gave birth to
a son who was named 8arashar$ %ne day young 8arashar curiously enMuired rom his mother as to
why she did not put on ornaments like other women o her age do$ Arundhati kept Muite but when
8arashar kept on insisting she revealed to him that it was not proper or a mournul women to adorn
hersel$ ,he also told him how his ather==,hakti had been killed by "udhirE the demon$
8arashar consoled Arundhati by saying that he would avenge his atherKs lord ,hiva$ &e then made an
earthen ,hivalinga and started worshipping it by chanting the scared mantras o ,hiva=,ukta and
trayambak ,ukta$ Lord ,hiva became pleased by his devotion and blessed him with a divine vision
which enabled him to see his dead ather$ 8arashar then commenced a yagya with the purpose o
annihilating the demons$ All the demons started being tormented by the eGtreme heat generated by that
oblation$ Vashishth prevented by that oblation$ Vashishth prevented 8arashar rom contiuing with that
Yagya as many innocent demons had suered$ 8arashar stopped perorming the rituals at his atherKs
reMuest$
,age 8ulastya had also been invited in that yagya$ &e was very pleased by his devotion toward his
ather and blessed him with the knowledge o all the scriptures$ .n course o timeE 8arashar became
amous or his treatise==Vishnu 8uran$
#7$4$4 -he Lineage o Aditya
%n being enMuired by the ,ages about the respective lineage o Aaditya (,un) and ,oma (moon) ,utCi
replied===
,age Kashyap had a son==AadityaE rom Aditi$ Aadity had our wives==,angyaE "aCyiE 8rabha and
:hhaya$ ,angya gave birth to 'anu whereas "agyi was the mother o YamaE Yamuna and "aivat$
8rabha gave birth to 8rabhat while chhaya was the mother o three children==,avarniE ,haniE -apti and
Vrishti$
:hhaya was eGtremely aectionate towards her step son== Yama$ %ne day Yama kicked her in anger
as a result o which his leg became inlicted with incurable disease$ &e became cured o his disease
only ater doing penance or thousands o years at as place called *okarna$
'anu had nine sons=== .kshavakuE 1abhagE DhrishnuE ,haryatiE 1arishyantE 1aabhaagE ArishtE Karush
and 8rishaghna$ &e also had three daughters==.laE @yeshtha and Varishtha who coincidentally attained
male physiMue later on in their lie$.la became amous as ,udyumna and had three sons== 2tkalE *opa
and Vinitashva$ &arishwa was the descendant o .kshavaku and had a son named Vasumana$
-ridhanva was VasumanaKs son$ &e had attained the designation o K*anapatyaK by virtue o
accomplishing one thousand Ashwamedha Yaga$ -ridhanva had a son named -rayyarun and the name
o his son was ,atyavrata$ -he same ,atyavrata became amous as -rishankuE who was the only
person to attain to heaven with his mortal body$
-he most truthul king &arish :handra was the son i -rishanku$ &arish chandra had a son named
"ohit$ ,agar belonged to the lineage o &arish chandra$ &e had two wives== 8rabha had given birth to
siGty thousand sons but Bhanumati had only one son named AsamanCas$Anshuman was the son on
AsamanCas$ AnshumanKs son was Dilip$ ,age Bhagirath was the son o Dilip$
,ome prominent personality who belonged to the lineage o .kshavaku were ,hrutE 1aabhaagE
AmbarishE DirghabahuE Dilip (DirghabahuKs son)E "aghuE ACaE DasharathE "amE LaGmanE BharatE
,hatrughnaE Lav and Kush$ -he amous king 8ururava also cause rom the same lineage$ &e was a
great devotee o Lord ,hiva$ &is son was 1ahush$ 1ahush had siG sons among whom Yayati was the
eldest$ Yayati had two wives=== Devayani and ,harmishtha$ Yayati ruled over the whole earth$ &e had
conMuered the whole earth with the help o divine weapons and chariot which he had received rom his
ather in law==,hukracharya (DevayaniKs ather)$
Yayati had two sons rom Devayani== Yadu and -urvasu$ &e also had three sons rom his second wie==
,harmishtha whose names were DrushyaE Anu and 8uru$Yayati appointed his youngest son 8uru as
his successor because o his total devotion towards his parent$ Yadu was made the ruler o ,outhern
province$
#7$4$9 -he Yadu Dynasty
Yadu had ive sons among whom ,ahastraCeet was the eldest$ ,hatarCay was the oson o ,ahastraCeet
and himsel had three sons==&aihyaE &aya and Venu$ Dharma was &aihyaKs son$ Dharmanetra was the
son o Dharma and himsel had two sons==Kirti and ,anCay$,anCayKs son was 'ahishman and
Bhadrashrenya was 'ahishmanKs son$ Durdam was the son o Bhadrashrenya and DurdamKs son was
Dhanak$
Dhanak had our sons among whom the youngest ==Kartaveerya ArCuna was very mighty$ &e was killed
by 8arashuran$ Kartaveerya ArCuna had many sons among whom ,hoorE ,hoorsenE DhrishtaE Krishna
and @ayadhuraCa were prominent$ @ayadhwaCa had a very mighty son named -alaCangha$ -alaCangha
too had many mighty and brave sons like VeetihotraE Vrisha eetc$ Vrisha had a son== 'adhu$ 'adhuKs
son was Vrishni$
,ome other prominent kings o Yadu dynasty were==8raghraCitE @yamaghE ,hrutE VidarbhE ,ubhagE
VayuE KrathaE KaushikE "omapadE VabhruE ,ughritiE KuntaE "anadhristaE BheemarathE 1avarathE
DhridharathE KarambhaE DevarathaE Devakshatrak and 'adhu$-he amous Kaurava dynasty came rom
the lineage o 'adhu$
#7$4$; ,ri Krshna
Aahuka came rom the lineage o Yadu$ &e had two sons== Devak and2grasen$ -he eldest sonE Devak
had eleven children==our sons and seven daughters$ -he names o his sons were== DevavaanE
2padevaE ,udeva and Devarakshit$ All his seven daughtersE which also included Devaki were married
to Vasudeva$ AahukKs youngest sonE 2grasen had nice sons among Kansa was the eldest$
Vasudeva had a son named Balaram rom "ohini$ DevakiE one o his wives gave birth o lord ,ri
Krishna$ Vasudeva had eGchanged ,ri Krishna with the daughter o Yashoda as ,ri KrishnaKs lie was
under threat rom Kansa$ 6hen Kansa tried to kill herE ,he slipped away rom her hand and ascended
towards the sky$ ,he then thundered$ KK-here is no use killing me$ -he person who is supposed to kill
you has already taken birthK$ &er prophesy came to be truth and Kansa was ultimately killed by ,ri
Krishna$
,ri Krishna had #;#3) Aueens among whom "ukmini was dearest$ &e did an austere penance to
please Lord ,hiva as the result o which &e was blessed with many sons like :harudeshnaE ,ucharuE
8radyumna etc$ &e also had a son named ,aamb rom @aambawati$ Lord Krishna let or heavenly
abode ater enCoying a long lie o #(3 years$ &e had destroyed &is whole clan beore leaving &is
mortal body$ A hunter named @ara who mistook him to be a deer killed him$ Due to the curse o
AshtavakraE ,ri KrishnaKs wives had been abducted by the dacoits$
#7$4$7 Lord Brahma blesses the Demons
-he ,ages asked ,utCi as to how did 'aya==-he demon acMuire three well ortiied orts rom Lord
Brahma and how was lord ,hiva inally successul in destroying them$
,utCi replied== Ater -arakasurKs death his three sonsE VidyunmaliE Kamlaksha and -arakaksha did
tremendous penance to please Lord Brahma$ 6hen Lord Brahma appeared$ -hey eGpressed their
desire o attaining immortality$ Lord Brahma reused to oblige them$ -he demons ater consulting each
other demanded three invincible orts rom him and said K%nly such a person should be able to kill usE
who is capable o destroying all the three orts with a single shot o an arrow$K
Lord Brahma blessed them and disappeared$ 'ayaE then did an austere penance and with the help o
divine powers attained rom itE constructed three orts at three dierent places$ -he ort made o gold
was situated in the heavenE while the silver=ort was situated in the space$ -he third ortE which was
made o ironE was situated on the earth$ -he gold=ort was given to -arakakshaE the silver=ort to
Kamalaksha and the iron=ort was given to Vidyunmali$ Ater acMuiring these invincible orts all the
demons had become eGtremely arrogant$ -hey started tormenting the deities$
-he deities went to Lord Vishnu and reMuested help$ Lord Vishnu created thousands o spirits
(Bhootganas) and instructed them to destroy those three orts$ ButE the Bhootganas were unsuccessul
in their attempt and were charred to death$ Lamenting their death the deities went to Lord Vishnu and
sought help once again$ Lord Vishnu was aware that the demons derived their power rom Lord ,hiva$
,oE &e decided to deviate them rom the path o ,hivaKs devotion$ &e then created an illusionary entity$
-he illusionary entity went to the place where demons lived and was successul in inluencing them by
his illusionary tactics$
All the demons became so impressed by him that they stopped worshipping Lord ,hiva and became
&is disciples$ -his resulted into a total degradation o moral values among the demons$ <inding the
time opportuneE Lord Vishnu eulogiBed ,hiva who appeared and agreed to destroy those three
orts$Vishwakarma made a divine chariot or Lord ,hiva and Lord Brahma became the charioteer$
'ounted on that chariotE Lord ,hiva proceeded towards the demon$ All the deities ollowed him$
Lord Brahma said===K"ight now it is 8ushya yoga and it is very auspicious or launching and it is very
auspicious or launching an attack on the demonKs orts$KLord ,hiva then released his arrowE which ater
destroying all the three orts returned to his Muiver$ -he deities became pleased and eulogiBed lord
,hiva$
#7$4$) Appointment o Andhak as Lord o the *anas
%n being asked by the ,ages how Andhak==the demon was appointed as the lord o *anas by Lord
,hivaE ,utCi narrated the ollowing tale to them$==-he mighty demonE Andhak was &iranyakshKs son$ By
the virtue o his austere penance he had received a boon o immortality rom Lord Brahma$ .n course o
time he conMuered all the three worlds$ &e started tormenting the deities and as a result o which they
had to take reuge in the causes o 'andarachal mountain$
-he deities went to Lord ,hiva and narrated their woeul tale to him$ -hey also reMuested him to kill
Andhak so that they could live in peace$Lord ,hiva went to the place where Andhak lived accompanied
by all the deities$ 6hen Andhak saw them comingE he attacked menacingly with his various weapons$
-he deities became scared and started running helter=skelter$ Lord ,hiva then killed Andhak with his
trident$ &e then lited the corpse with the help o his trident and kept in that position or a very long
period$
-he divine sight o Lord ,hiva had liberated Andhak rom all his sins$<inding himsel in a helpless
positionE Andhak eulogiBed ,hiva and begged or orgiveness$ At lastE Lord ,hiva became pleased and
brought Andhak down ater lowering his trident$ &e gave him the designation o a *anapati and made
him the lord o his ganas$
#7$4$/ -he Liberation o +arth
-he ,ages were curious to know how Lord Vishnu in his incarnation o Varah (Boar)E had liberated the
earth rom the captivity o &iranyaksha$ -hey also wanted to know why Lord ,hiva adorned himsel with
the horn o that boar$
,utCi narrated the ollowing tale=== &iranyaksha==AndhakKs ather was a tyrant$ Ater VanMuishing the
deitiesE he had taken the earth to K"asatalaK$ -he deities sought the help o Lord Vishnu$ Lord Vishnu
then took the incarnation o Varaha (boar) and killed &iranyaksha with his sharp horns$ &e then brought
the earth rom "asatala and kept it in its original position$
-he deities eulogiBed both Lord Vishnu and mother earth$ Lord ,hiva adorned and himsel with the
ornament carved out rom the horn o that boar$ -his is the reason why he is also called KDanshtriK (wild
boar)$
#7$4$#3 Killing o @alandhar
-he ,ages reMuested ,utCi to reveal how Lord ,hiva had killed the notorious demon== @alandhar$ ,utCi
narrated the ollowing tale===
-here was a demon named @alandhar$ &e had maniested rom the ocean$ &e had acMuired divine
power by the virtue o his austere penance$@alandhar had deeated the deities and conMuered the
heaven$ &e even deeated Lord Vishnu and boasted===K. have conMuered everybody$ 1owL %nly ,hiva
is lit to be conMuered$K
@alandhar went to ight a battle with Lord ,hiva accompanied by a huge army$ Lord ,hiva was aware o
the boonE which Lord Brahma had given to Andhak and which had made him invincible$ @alandhar
derived his power rom his wie= Vrinda who was an eGtremely chaste woman$As per the plans o the
deitiesE Lord Vishnu disguised as @alandhar and went to breach the modesty o Vrinda$ Vrinda could
not recogniBe Lord Vishnu and mistook him to be her husband==@alandhar$ 2ltimatelyE Lord Vishnu was
successul in his motives$
'eanwhileE the battle had commenced between @alandhar and Lord ,hiva$ Lord ,hiva destroyed the
whole army o @alandhar by the sight o his third eye$ @alandhar became urious and tried to kill Lord
,hiva with the ,udarshan :hakraE which he had snatched rom Vishnu$ Butas soon as he lited the
,udarshan chakraE his body got cut into two parts$ -he death o @alandhar brought immense Coy to the
deities$
#7$4$## -he %rigin o Lord *anesh
%nceE the deities reMuested Lord ,hiva to device some means so that they no longer had to live under
the threat o the demons$-he most merciul Lord 8inaki ,hiva then took the incarnation o *aneshwar$
&e had a human body but his heard resembled like an elephant$ &e held a trident in his hand$ All the
deities eulogiBed Lord *anesh==the Lord o wisdom and the remover o all obstacles$ Lord *anesh is
the irst deity to be worshipped in any ritual as he is believed to remove all the obstacles$ A devotee o
Lord *anesh is ree rom the ear o ailures and achieves success in any endeavour he undertakes$
#7$4$#( ,hiv -andav
-he deities were curious to know the story behind K-andavK= the amous dance o Lord ,hiva$ ,oE they
asked ,utCi how it started and what made ,hiva to perorm -andav$
,utCi replied=== -here lived a demon named Daruk$ &e had acMuired divine powers by the virtue o his
austere penance$ &e started tormenting te deitiesE sages and all the virtuous people$All the deities went
to Lord ,hiva and reMuested him to give protection rom the tyrany o Daruk$ Lord ,hiva then reMuested
8arvati to help the deities$ %ne part o 8arvatiKs consciousness entered into the body o Lord ,hiva$
ButE the deities were not aware o this happening$ *oddess 8arvati then attained her physical orm with
the help o poison stored in the throat o Lord ,hiva$ -he eet o poison had made her compleGion dark$
Lord ,hiva then brought her out rom within his body through his third eye$
-he deities became rightened ater seeing her terriic appearance$ ,he was none other than *oddess
Kali$ *oddess Kali then killed Daruk with the permission o 8arvati$ButE even ater the death o DarukE
her anger did not subside and the whole world was ablaBe due to her anger$ Lord ,hiva then
incarnated as a small child and started crying as i he was hungry$ *oddess Kali could not decipher the
illusions o ,hiva and thought that the child was crying because o hunger$ ,he started eeding the child
her breast=milk$ .n the process o sucking milkE ,hiva also sucked out her anger$
-he eGtreme anger o Kali had resulted into the maniestation o eight divine entities who became
amous as KKshetrapaal$ Ater her anger had subsided *oddess Kali became unconscious$ Lord ,hiva
then perormed his amous dance==-andav or the irst time to bring Kali back to consciousness$ &e
was accompanied by all the *hosts and spirits in his terriic dance$ 6hen Kali regained her
consciousness she ound ,hiva dancing$ ,he too started dancing and this is the reason why she is also
called Yogini$
14&/ 'inga Purana Part /
-his section contains #0 sub=sections (to ollow)J
#7$9$# 2pamanyu
-he sages were curious to know how Lord ,hiva had bestowed the designation o *aanpatya and an
ocean o milk to 2pamanyu$ -hey reMuested ,utCi to shed light on the two incidents$
,utCi narrated the ollowing tale ===
2pamanyu was a brilliant child$ -here is an interesting story how he became the supreme devotee o
Lord ,hiva$ %nceE during his childhood he had gone to his maternal=uncleKs place$ %ne dayE while he
was hungry he tried to drink some milk$ But his cousin did not allow him to drink milk and ater
snatching the bowl o milk drank himsel$
2pamanyu started crying$ &e went to his mother who tried to console him by giving a solution o
powdered grains$ ButE 2pamanyu did not want anything less than milk$ &is mother said==KYou should be
satisied with whatever you get$ 8erhaps we did not worship Lord ,hiva in our past lives$ %ur hardships
are the allouts o those unpardonable sins$ %nly a devotee o ,hiva is entitled to all kinds o comort
and pleasure$K
2pamanyu decided then and there to please ,hiva by his penance and attain an ocean o milk rom
him$ &e went to &imalaya mountain and started doing an austere penance$ &is penance had resulted
into the generation o unbearable heat$ -he deities became terriied and went to seek the help o Lord
Vishnu$
Lord Vishnu along with the deities went to Lord ,hiva and sought his help$ Lord ,hiva decided to test
the devotion o 2pamanyu$ &e disguised himsel as .ndra and went to the place where 2pamanyu was
doing penance$ &e started abusing ,hiva which made 2pamanyu so angry that he tried to kill him$
6hen 2pamanyu ailed in his attempt to kill ,hivaE he tried to kill himsel by chanting KAagneya mantraK$
Lord ,hiva was very pleased by his total devotion and revealed his identity$ &e blessed 2pamanyu and
ater accepting him as his son granted the designation o *anpatya$ &e also provided oceans o milk
and curd to 2pamanyu$
#7$9$( -he *reatness o Dwadashakshar 'antra
%n being asked by the sages about the sacred mantra== the chanting o which enabled a man to attain
salvation ,utCi replied ===
Lord Vishnu gives salvation to those people who endeavour to seek Brahm== the Almighty *od$ A man
whose mind is preoccupied with the thought o Lord Vishnu and nothing else is entitled to attain
,alvation$ ,uch a man is also blessed by goddess LaGmi$R
Describing about the greatness o Dwadakshar mantraE ,utCi said ==
KK-he sacrosanct Dwadakshar mantra consists o twelve letters
(as written in devanagri script==K%' 1A'% B&A*A6A-+ VA,2D+VAYK )$
-his powerul mantra helps a man to achieve proGimity with Lord Vishnu$
K%nce there lived a brahmin who used to stammer while talking$ All his eorts o making him speak
distinctly went in vain as the child continued to lisp$ 6hen the brahmin tried to teach his son$ the
dwadakshar mantraE he incorrectly pronounced KVasudev as K+tarevaK$ ,o the child was given the name
K+tarevaK$-he brahmin became disgusted and married or the second time$ &e had many sons rom his
second wieE all o whom were very studious$
+tarevaKs mother used to curse her ate because o his habit o stammering$ %ne day she said==KLookL .
am no more able to tolerate the humiliation o being a mother o a dull child==Look at your step=brothersE
who have achieved ame and respect on account o their learning$ . have decided to give up my lie$K
+tareva became very sad$ &e started chanting the dwadashakshar mantra regularly and as a result a
day cameE when he could pronounce it correctly and without stammering$
%ne day +tareva happened to pass by a place where a yagya was being perormed$ As soon as he
reached that placeE the priests ound to their surprise that they had become dumb$ All the priests
became restlessE as the rituals were still incomplete$Looking at their pitiable conditionE +tareva chanted
the dwadakshar mantra== %' 1A'% B&A*A6A-+ VA,2D+VAY$ -he priest regained their power o
speech by the virtue o the lawless pronunciation o the mantra$
,uch is the greatness o dwadakshar mantra$ Later onE +tareva went on to become a renowned
scholar$ A person who chants this sacred mantra regularly become liberated rom all his sins and
attains to Vishnu Lok$
#7$9$0 ,hadakshar 'antra
Describing about the greatness o ,hadakshar mantra that consists o siG lettersE ,utCi said ==
-he sacred mantra == %' 1A'A& ,&.VAY holds a supreme place among all the mantras$ During the
'eghavahan kalp o the irst -reta yugaE there lived a brahmin named Dhoondhmook$ &e became a
licentious person due to the curse o a sage$ As a result he became a man o loose moral conduct$ &is
wie gave birth to a child on the inauspicious day o Amavasya$ -he astrologers predicted a very bleak
uture or that new born child$
6hen the child grew up he became notorious or his sinul conduct$ Dhoondhmook married his son in a
respectable amily but his son being a man o loose characterE developed intimacy with a woman
belonging to a low caste$ %ne dayE Dhoondhmook that son developed sharp dierences with that
woman on some matter and in a it o range killed her$6hen the amily members o that woman came
to know about her deathE they retaliated by killing Dhoondhmook his wie and his daughter=in=law$
,inecE DhoondhmookKs son was not present in the house at that time he survived$ &e avenged the
death o his amily members by killing the assasins$
1ew DhoondhmookKs son had become disillusioned with lie$ &e started wandering aimlessly and
reached a hermitage$ -he sage who lived in that hermitage was a great devotee o Lord ,hiva and
taught him the rituals o 8ashupat Vrata as well as the sacred ,hodakshar mantra$DhoondhmookKs son
perormed the rituals o 8ashupat Vrat or twelve months$ All the while he kept on chanting the
,hadakshar mantra$ As the result o his devotion towards Lord ,hiva and by the virtue o chanting
,adakshar mantra he as well as all his ancestors attained salvation$
#7$9$4 Lord 8ashupati
-he sages were curious to know why Lord ,hiva was also known as 8ashupati== -he lord o all
animals$ ,utCi retold the same tale which sage ,hiladi had once narrated to ,anatkumar ===
%nceE ,anatkumar went to the hermitage o ,age ,hiladi and asked him as to why was Lord ,hankar
also known as 8ashupati$ &e also inMuired about the reason o manKs ondages and how could he be
liberated rom them$
,age ,hiladi replied===All the living beings including Lord Brahma have been reerred to animals
because o their attachment to worldly desires and ignorance$ Lord ,hiva being the lord o them is also
known as 8ashupati$ .t is none other than Lord Vishnu whose illusionary and divine powers keep them
in bondages$ .t is also only lord Vishnu who liberates them by bestowing the knowledge o *yan=Yoga$
1obody can attain salvation without the blessings o Lord ,hiva$ -he nothing but the (4 elements==#3
sense organsE 4 type o consciousnessE 9 basic elements rom which matter is made and 9 subtle orms
o matter$A person who worships Lord ,hiva with total devotion becomes liberated because devotion is
capable o destroying all types o sins$
#7$9$9 -he 'aCestic Lord 'aheshwar
Lord 'aheshwar is beyond the reach i any kind o bondage$ &e is totally liberated entity$ .t is only by
his blessings that the 1ature=8rakritiE creates intelligence==buddhi$ ,imilarlyE intelligence creates ego=
ahamkara and subtle orms o matter==tanmatra creates the greatest o matter by the blessings o Lord
,hiva$ 1o word can describe the greatness o Lord ,hiva$.t is only with the permission o Lord
'aheshwar that our sense organs unction the ire burns and all the living beings ulill their respective
duties$ Lord ,hiva is the Almighty *od and goddess 8arvati is also called ,hivaa$ &e is the 8urusha
and she is the nature or 8rakriti$
-he matter derives itKs power rom goddess *auri$ +verything that is capable o creating is nothing but
the orm o 2ma$ -he whole universe is established in the orm o ,hiva Linga and hence everybody
must worship Lord ,hiva$
#7$9$; -he ,un ! 'aniestation o ,hiva?s 8ower
"ord Shi,a manifests himse)f in the form of Sun1 The Sun radiates t/e),e different t*pes of ra*s /hich
ha,e specific impacts and inf)uences on the /or)d1

-he irst ray is called Amrit and the deities derive their power rom it$

-he second ray is called :handra and it helps in the preservation o medicinal herbs$

-he third ray is called ,hukla and it helps in the propagation o religiousness in the world$ .t also
helps the ood crops to become ripe$

-he name o the ourth ray is &arikesha and all the constellations get their nourishment rom it$

-he ith ray is called Vishwakarma and it gives the planet mercury$

-he siGth ray is called ,anyadwasu and it nurtures the planet=='ars$

-he seventh ray is called Arvavasu and it nurtures the planet @upiter$

-he eighth ray is called ,urat and it nurtures the planet ==,aturn$

-he nineth ray is called ,usumana and it nutures the moonE etc$
#7$9$7 ,hiva -atva
-he learned and sages call ,hiva by many names ===
KshetragyaE 8rakriti VyaktaE Kalatma etc$ -he synonyms o Kshetragya and 8rakriti are 8urush and
8radhan respectively$-he delusionary net o the 8rakriti is known as Vyakta (apparent)$ Kala (time) is
the resultant by product o 8radhan and Vyakta$
,ome sages call &iranyagarbha (Brahma) as the 8urush and ,hiva as 8radhan$ -hey consider
&iranyagarbha to be the creator and 8urush to be the enCoyer$ +ven these sages are o the opinion that
&iranyagarbhoE 8radhanE 8urush and enCoyer are the maniestations o ,hiva$
#7$9$) -he *reatness o ,hiva
-he almighty ,hiva maniested in the orm o ,thanu (8illar) rom his imperceptible orm and looked at
Lord Brahma$ Lord Brahma then commenced his creation and established the norms o Vannashram$
&e also created K,omaK which is reMuired or the perormance o KYagyaK$ -his worldE including all the
deities are the embodiments o ,oma$ -he deities eulogiBe Lord ,hiva by chanting the mantras o
K"udrashtadhyayK$
%nceE Lord ,hiva was sitting surrounded by all the deities$ %n being reMuested by the deities to shed
light on his mysterious selE Lord ,hiva said===
R. was present beore the beginning o time and . will be present orever$ +verything originate rom me
and get submerged in me ultimately$ . am the Lord o Brahma$ . am the truth itsel$ . maniest mysel in
the orms o "igvedaE ,amavedaE YaCurveda and Atharvaveda$ . am the light as well as the darkness$ .
am BrahmaE Vishnu and 'ahesh$ %ne who is aware o my omnipresence is the only person who is
worthy o being called an enlightened one$R
-his wayE ater enlightening the deities on his myssterious sel Lord ,hiva disappeared$
#7$9$/ -he .mportance o the *uru
A devotee should commence the worship o Lord ,hiva only ater taking permission rom his *uruE
%nly such a person is worthy o being called a *uru who is virtuous and well versed in the scripture$
A disciple should unwavering by be in the service o his *uru and should try to please him by his
devotion because only he (*uru) is capable o liberating him rom the miseries o world$ A guru should
try to test the worthiness o his disciple by employing dierent means or three years$%nceE the *uru
has accepted a person as his discipleE he should try to impart all the knowledge to him$ &e should
never discriminate on the basic o caste or creed o a disciple$ .t is the duty o a *uru to make his
disciple destitute o laws and shortcomings$
#7$9$#3 -he "ituals o .nitiation
Beore commencing the rituals o initiationE the *uru should puriy the place where the rites are
supposed to be perormed$ &e should make an attar and draw an eight=petalled lotus at its centre$ &e
should then establish the various embodiments o ,hiva like AghorE 8ranavE VamadevaE on each o the
eight petals$
-he *uru should then puriy all the directions by chanting dierent mantras$ &e should then meditate
on the orm o Lord ,hiva$ Ater that he should make oerings in the sacriicial ire and puriy himsel by
doing aachaman$ &e should then have 8anchagavya as prasadam and smear ashes on his body$
-he *uru should instructed his old disciples to sit towards the south o altar$ &e should make oerings
o ghee into the sacriicial ire or #3) times amidst the chanting o Aghor mantra$-he new disciple then
arrive blindolded and circumambulate the sacriicial altar or three times$ 6hile circumambulating
everybody should chant either the mantras o "udrashtadhyay or %mkar mantra$ -he new disciple then
smear ashes on their bodies amidst the chanting o Aghor mantra$ -he *uru then sprinkles holy water
on the new disciples$ .n the end the disciple takes a religious vow$
R. shall never have ood without worshipping ,hivaR$
-his way the ritual o initiation comes to an end$
#7$9$## .nstallation o ,hiva Linga
Describing about the methods o installing a ,hiva Linga ,utCi says== A devotee should install a
,hivalinga made o either goldE silver or copper$ -he shivalinga should be installed along with the altar$
-he altar o the ,hivalinga symboliBes goddess 2ma$ Lord Brahma is said to maniest at the base o
,hivalinga while Lord Vishnu at its centre$ Ater the installment o ,hivalinga it should be worshipped
with appropriate rituals$ -he ,hiva linga should be adorned with clothes and its ablution should be
perormed$
A devotee should chant the Brahma vigyan mantras or the consecration o Lord Brahma who is
supported to maniest at the base o ,hivalinga$ ,imilarlyE or the consecration o Lord Vishnu dwelling
at the centre o ,hiva lingaE *ayatri at the centre o Lord ,hiva is consecrated by the chanting o any o
the ollowing mantras===
%' 1A'A& ,&.VAYO 1A'% &A1,A ,&.VAY :&A
A devotee should then worship the ,hivalinga and make oerings in the sacriicial ire$
#7$9$#( VraCeshwari Vidya
-he sages reMuested ,utCi to elaborate upon the rituals o VaCravahanika Vidya or VaCreshwari Vidya$
,utCi replied=== Anybody who is desirous o VanMuishing his enemy must perorm the rituals o
VaCreshwari Vidya$ -he devotee should worship VaCra (a spear) and make oerings in the sacriicial ire
holding it (VaCra) in his hand$ -he ollowing mantra should be chanted while making oerings$
%' B&2"B&2VA& ,6A& -A-,AV.-2"VA"+1YA' B&A"*% D+VA,YA D&.'A&. D&.Y% Y%1A&
8"A:&%DAYA-O %' 8&A- @A&. &%%' 8&A- :&&.1D&. '.1D&.@A&. &A1 &A1 ,6A&A$
.n the past Lord Brahma had taught this secret Vidya to .ndra with the help o which he had killed the
erocious demon vritrasur$A man can acMuire all the types o supernatural powers with the help o
VaCreshwari Vidya$ Describing about the rituals o 'rityunCay @apE
,utCi said== A person who chants 'rityunCay mantra with appropriate rituals becomes ree rom the ear
o death$ A devotee is reMuired to make oerings o ghee in the sacriicial ire or one lakh times$
.nstead o ghee he can also make oerings o ghee and sesame seeds %" dhoob grassE gheeE milk
and honey$
#7$9$#0 Dierent -ypes o Yoga
-he sages asked ,utCi as to how should a devotee meditate on Lord -riyambak ollowing the path o
Yoga$ ,utCi then retold the tale which 'andishwar had once narrated to ,anatkumar==
#$ -he irst type o Yoga is called 'antra Yoga$ .n this type o yoga a devotee tries to attain deep
state o meditation by chanting mantras$ -he chanting o mantras helps a man to concentrate
his mind$
($ -he second type o Yoga is known as ,parsh Yoga$ .n this type o yogaE a man acMuires
perection in breath=control by constantly practicing various eGercises like "echak (+Ghalation)E
Kumbhak (retention)E etc$ -hese eGercises helps to puriy the nerves and blood vessels$
0$ -he third type o yoga is known as Bhava Yoga$ -his is the state in which a personKs mind is
totally engrossed in the thoughts o Lord 'ahadev$ -his state o mind can not be attained
unless the two ormer types o yoga have been mastered$
4$ -he ourth type o Yoga is called Abhava=yoga$ 6hen a man has mastered this particular yoga
his ego is subdued in totality$
9$ -he ith type o yoga is called 'aha yoga$ .t helps a man to understand his real sel and get
united with the supreme Almighty$
-he secret o Yoga should be revealed to worthy disciples==who are virtuous and religious$R
-his wayE ,utCi described the divine tales o Linga 8uran and blessed the sages$-he Linga 8uran
contains eleven thousand shlokas in it$ -he study o Linga 8uran ulills all the our worldly aspirations
o a man=DharmaE ArthaE Kaam and 'oksha$.t also helps a man to attain salvation$
1* (arad Purana
.t is a Vaishnav 8urana presented in a style o dialogue between 1arad and ,anat kumar in (( chapters$ -his
8urana contains detailed description o maCor places o pilgrimage$
Vedas are re'arded as the o)dest scriptures in the entire 2no/n histor* of human ci,i)iBation1 ,en the
Vedas spea2 about %uranas1 A sh)o2a in Mats*a %urana spea2s4
%URAA!AM SARVASHASTRAA!AAM %RATHAMAM BRAHMA!AA SMR&TAM
A!A!TARAM CHA VAKTRBH+$ VDAASTAS+A V&!&R3ATAH
Brahma reca))ed about %uranas e,en before startin' the creation of other scriptures1 Vedas emer'ed
thereafter from his mouth1
&t c)ear)* sho/s the anti8uit* of %uranas1
There are in a)) ei'hteen %uranas1 Amon' them( !arad %urana is perhaps the most si'nificant as it has
been created b* none other than the sa'e !arad1
!ARD$KTAM %URAA!AM TU !AARD&+AM %RACHACHHAT
Meanin'4 !arad %urana is /hat emer'ed from the )ips of Maharshi !arad1 &nitia))*( it had a co))ection of
about t/ent*4fi,e thousand stanBas1 But( the current)* a,ai)ab)e ,ersion of !arad %urana contains not
more than t/ent*4t/o thousand stanBas1
The /ho)e content of !arad %urana has been di,ided into t/o parts1 The first part contains four chapters
/hich inc)ude dia)o'ue bet/een Suta and Shauna2( ori'in of the uni,erse( sa),ation( birth of Shu2ade,(
trainin' of the mantras( /orship ritua)s( pro,isions and the resu)ts of the ,arious fasts obser,ed on
particu)ar da*s in particu)ar months1 The second part contains beautifu) ta)es re)ated to ,arious
incarnations of "ord Vishnu( depiction and si'nificance of pi)'rima'e centers and performin'
pi)'rima'e1
18&1 Penance of the )ages in 3aimisharn
$nce upon a time( about t/ent*4si9 thousand sa'es assemb)ed in the ho)* ambience of !aimisharan*a1
A)) of them had renounced their desires and home)* comforts and /ere /orshippin' "ord Vishnu for the
benefit of the entire humanit*1
Durin' their sta* in !aimisharan*a( those sa'es ca))ed a hu'e assemb)* to discuss about the means of
attainin' a)) the four 'oa)s of )ife )i2e Dharma( Arth( Kama and Mo2sha1 The 'reat sa'e Shauna2 /as
presidin' o,er the assemb)*1 He said: F$ sa'esA 6e ha,e assemb)ed here to discuss the most cr*ptic
discip)ines of )ife1 But it is be*ond m* po/ers to ans/er the 8uestions *ou ha,e put before me1 $n)* a
'reat sa'e )i2e Suta( /ho is the most )earned discip)e of Veda,*asa( is ab)e to ans/er these 8uestions1
%resent)*( he )i,es in a hermita'e in Siddhipeeth1 "et us a)) 'o there and re8uest him to preach us about
the cr*ptic discip)ines of )ife1F
Hearin' these /ords( a)) the sa'es than2ed Shauna2 /ith jo*1 Then( )ed b* Shauna2 himse)f( a)) of them
reached the hermita'e of the sa'e Suta1 At the hermita'e( sa'e Suta /e)comed them a)) and satisfied
their 8ueries1 He said:
F $ 'reat sa'esA & narrate to *ou( the 'reat %urana( /hich /as once narrated b* the 'reat saint
Sanat2umar to De,arshi !arad and no/ 2no/n as !arad %urana1F
18&! 3arad Prays to 'ord +ishnu
Shauna2 sa*s: FSutaji( ho/ did Sanat2umar unfo)d the m*stic character of the re)i'ion to !aradE 6hen
and /here the* had the meetin' to ho)d this pious discussionE Kind)* te)) us in detai)1F
Sutaji sa*s: FThe 'reat sa'e Sanat2umar( /ho /as free from i))usions( /as the creation of BrahmaHs
ima'ination1 He a)/a*s remained en'rossed in the /orship of Brahma1 $nce( he /as 'oin' to/ards the
pea2s of the mi'ht* Meru Mountains -Hima)a*as. /hen on the /a*( he happened to si'ht the sacred
3an'es1 He /as about to ta2e a dip in the /aters /hen De,arshi !arad a)so arri,ed there1 De,arshi
!arad 'reeted his e)der brother and too2 bath in the ri,er1
After carr*in' out usua) ritua)s( the* seated there and started a discussion about the ,irtues of "ord
Vishnu1F De,arshi !arad as2ed4 F$ brotherA Ho/ can one rea)iBe the "ord VishnuE 6ho is the cause of
this /ho)e creationE 6hat is the appearance of de,otion( 2no/)ed'e and penanceE Kind)* e)aborate the
m*ster* of treatin' the 'uests a)so1 A)so te)) me( ho/ did "ord Vishnu effected the ori'in of Brahma and
other 'odsEF
Sanat2umar sa*s: &n the be'innin' of creation( the se)f4i))uminatin' "ord Vishnu created Brahma from
His ri'ht hand side( Rudra from His centra) part and Vishnu( his o/n rep)ica from His )eft hand side1 As
"ord Vishnu is omnipresent( simi)ar)* his i))usions are a)so omnipresent and 2no/n /ith different
names )i2e "a2shmi( Uma( Sha2ti and Chandi1 These are the po/ers of "ord Vishnu1 Some peop)e
identif* these po/ers /ith the i))usions created b* the "ord /hereas the sa'es re'ard them as nature1F
The 'ods( /ho protect the /or)d( are %urush( and the Supreme Bein'( /ho is abo,e these )e,e)s( is "ord1
!obod* e)se is 'reater than He is1 Drom His na,e) e,en Brahma has ori'inated on a di,ine )otus1 He is
the Supreme Bein' the eterna) jo* incorporatin' a)) the three ,irtues1
$ !aradA Di,e senses4 si'hts( sound( scent( touch and taste ha,e ori'inated from the e'o1 'o is the
ori'in of other e)e,en senses a)so1 These fi,e senses in turn 'a,e rise to fi,e ph*sica) e)ements4 ether(
air( fire( /ater and earth1 &t /as after the creation of these fi,e ph*sica) e)ements that Brahma created the
)o/er )i,in' bein's1 Then he created human bein's fo))o/ed b* the creation of a)) the se,en /or)ds and
se,en 'uards of these se,en /or)ds1 Dor the inhabitation of the )i,in' bein's( Brahma a)so created 'reat
mountains( p)ains and se,en seas1
To/ards the north of the 'reat sa)ine sea and to/ards the south of the 'reat Hima)a*as is situated the
Ho)* "and of &ndia1 %eop)e /ho /orship "ord Shi,a and "ord Vishnu inhabit this )and1 Because of their
,irtues( e,en the 'ods /orship the peop)e /ho popu)ate the &ndian )andmass1 Those i'norant peop)e(
/ho do not see2 sa),ation despite ha,in' been born in &ndia( ha,e to suffer the tortures of he)) as )on' as
the Sun and the Moon shine in the s2*1 The /ho)e /or)d from Brahma to a seemin')* unimportant b)ade
of 'rass is the manifestation of Vasude, -"ord Vishnu.1
18&* Profile of the )age Mar.andeya
Sanat2umar sa*s: $ sa'eA Daith has the 'reatest si'nificance1 Achie,ement of e,er*thin' and
appeasement of "ord Vishnu depend upon the faith1 !othin' is attainab)e /ithout faith1 Such as a human
bein' faces inertia in the absence of )ife and is rendered motion)ess1 Simi)ar)*( faith is )i2e a spiritua)
)i'ht /ithout /hich( re)i'ious actions of a man come to cease1 Simi)ar)*( de,otion is a)so 2no/n as the
)ife of a)) the achie,ements1 &t is a)so the 'i,er of four supreme 'oa)s of )ife )i2e Dharma( Arth( Kama
and Mo2sha1 !o action succeeds /ithout the input of de,otion and faith1 ,en the menia) jobs done /ith
faith 'i,es e,er)astin' resu)ts1 $n the contrar*( e,en the pious actions of en,ious peop)e 'o futi)e1
Attainment of 3od b* en,ious peop)e is impossib)e1
n,* is the 'reatest enem* of the human bein'1 &t creates a 'ap as bi' as the one that separates the s2*
from the nether /or)d1 $ BrahmanandanA $n)* those peop)e( /ho remain en'rossed in faithfu) de,otion
of 3od( attain to the abode of Vishnu1 Da))en are those /ho( despite ha,in' the 2no/)ed'e of Vedas( do
not comp)* /ith the mora) code of conduct of their c)an1 !either Vedas nor e,en de,otion can sa),e
such peop)e1 &n other /ords( mora) conduct is e,er*thin'1 $ 'reat sa'eA De,otion is )i2e mother /ho is
the base of )ife for e,er* )i,in' bein'1
$ !aradA Compan* of the pious peop)e and the saints is the best means to cherish de,otion1 Saints are
the teachers of the entire /or)d1 6hen the sins that ha,e been accumu)atin' a)) throu'hout the pre,ious
births deca* on)* /hen one 'ets pious compan* and those /ho once 'et pious compan* e9periences
eterna) jo*1
!arad sa*s: F$ 'reat de,otee of "ord VishnuA Kind)* re)ate the actions and appearance of the "ordHs
de,otees to me1F
Sanat2umar sa*s: FDurin' the period of %ra)a*( /hen a)) the /or)d /as inundated( "ord Vishnu /as
s)eepin' on a Ban*an )eaf1 That scene had amaBed Mar2ande*a( the supreme de,otee of the "ord1F
The sa'es as2ed: F6hen a)) the /or)d /as inundated( ho/ did Mar2ande*a escapeE Sutaji 2ind)*
remo,e our doubt1F
Sutaji sa*s: F$ 'reat sa'esA !o/( & am 'oin' to narrate the ta)e of Mar2ande*a1 "isten to it carefu))*1F
$nce upon a time( there )i,ed a fortunate sa'e in the pious )and of &ndia1 The sa'e /as famous as
Mri2andu1 He had obser,ed a ,er* se,ere penance at the ho)* pi)'rima'e center of Sha)i'ram1 His
penance be'an to cause /orr* for &ndra1 So( accompanied b* other 'ods( &ndra reached to "ord Vishnu
/ho /as restin' on Sheshnaa' in Ksheersa'ar( the ocean of mi)21 The 'ods pra*ed the "ord to protect
them from the radiance of Mri2andu1 "istenin' to the pra*ers offered b* the 'ods( "ord Vishnu appeared
in His four4armed form ho)din' conch( /hee)( mace and )otus in each of those arms1 His radiance /as
enou'h to beat the shine of crore Suns1 His radiance caused tremendous jo* for the 'ods /ho fe)) f)at at
the feet of the "ord1
"ord sa*s: F$ 'odsA 3et up1 & am fu))* a/are about *our miseries1 But *our /orries are meanin')ess
because Maharshi Mri2andu is rea))* a 'ent)eman1 He is not 'oin' to harm *ou in an* /a*1 ,en if the
situation arises( & am a)/a*s read* to protect *ou1F Sa*in' these /ords( the "ord disappeared1 Thus(
assured b* the "ordHs /ords( the 'ods a)so returned to their abode1 $n the other hand( p)eased b*
Mri2anduHs penance( "ord appeared before him1 As soon as Mri2andu opened his e*es( he sa/ "ord
Vishnu standin' before him1 "ordHs four4armed( b)ue and radiant appearance caused 'reat e9hi)aration
for Mri2andu1 He fe)) f)at at His feet and pra*ed Him /ith tearfu) e*es1 %)eased /ith his pra*ers( "ord
as2ed Mri2andu to see2 a boon1 But Mri2andu refused sa*in' that he had attained sa),ation just b*
ha,in' His si'ht1 Sti))( "ord said that His appearance ne,er 'oes in ,ain(F So( & /i)) be *our son /ho
/i)) )i,e a )on' )ife1F 3rantin' this boon( the "ord disappeared1F
18&, "ale of the )age Mar.andeya
!arad sa*s: F$ 'reat sa'eA 6h* did "ord Vishnu appear as the son of Mri2anduE 6hat did He do as his
sonE The %uranas sa* that durin' the %ra)a*( Mar2ande*a had /itnessed the direct appearance of "ord
VishnuHs i))usion1 Kind)* narrate these thin's in detai)1F
Sanat2umar sa*s: F"isten $ De,arshiA After obser,in' se,ere penance( the sa'e Mri2andu 'ot married
and recei,ed an e8ua))* ,irtuous and chaste /ife1 &n the tenth month after their marria'e( his /ife 'a,e
birth to an e9treme)* beautifu) bab*1 The bab* in fact had incorporated the radiance of the "ord1
Mri2andu carried out a)) the necessar* ritua)s and consecrations of the bab* happi)*1 &n his fifth *ear( he
carried out the thread ceremon* of his son and started to educate him in Vedas1 His education de,e)oped
a)) the pious ,irtues in his son /hom he had named Mar2ande*a1 After finishin' his education( sa'e
Mar2ande*a a)so started a se,ere penance to p)ease "ord Vishnu1
%)eased b* his penance( "ord Vishnu b)essed him /ith a boon of creatin' %urana Samhita1 This is the
reason /h* the sa'e Mar2ande*a is a)so 2no/n as !ara*an1 $ BrahminsA "ord Vishnu did not
annihi)ate Mar2ande*a durin' the %ra)a* on)* to sho/ him His i))usions1 &t /as due to this 'race that
Mar2ande*a sur,i,ed the %ra)a* and passed that time f)oatin' on a Ban*an )eaf1 As )on' as the "ord
s)ept( Mar2ande*a 2ept f)oatin' on that )eaf1 As )on' as the ni'ht of the "ord )asted( Mar2ande*a sta*ed
on that f)ims* )eaf1 At the end of the ni'ht( /hen the inundatin' %ra)a* receded and the "ord a/a2ened
from His pro)on'ed s)eep( He be'an the /or2 of creation a'ain1 &t /as e,en more amaBin' for
Mar2ande*a to see the inundatin' /ater recede and ne/ creation ta2in' p)ace1 He be'an to pra* the
"ord /ith fo)ded hands1 %)eased b* his pra*ers( the "ord said that He a)/a*s protected His de,otees
e,en durin' the most se,ere crises1 Mar2ande*a then as2ed about the appearance of the true de,otees of
the "ord1 He a)so e9pressed his curiosit* to 2no/ the reasons of their birth1
"ord Vishnu sa*s: F$ 'reat amon' the sa'esA The 'reatest de,otees are those /ho do not harm others
/ith their mind( /ords and actions and /ho are free from en,*1 Those /ho ha,e impartia) ,ie/ are best
amon' the de,otees1 Those /ho protect the human bein's( co/s( Brahmins( ,e'etation and remain
en'rossed in discussion of "ordHs ,irtues1 Those /ho sa)ute the 'arden of basi) and put the earth from
basi)Hs roots on their heads( those /ho are be)o,ed to "ord Shi,a( put Tripund on their forehead and
/orship Him performin' +a'*as facin' south1 Those /ho a)/a*s donate /ater and cerea)s( co/s and
dau'hters are the e9ce))ent amon' a)) the de,otees1 $ 'reat sa'eA These are some of the characteristics
of a true de,otee1 Cherish these characteristics and *ou /i)) a)so attain sa),ation in the )ast1F Thus(
preachin'( "ord Vishnu disappeared1 Mar2ande*a thereafter )ed a pious )ife and obser,ed penance and
in the )ast he too attained to the supreme abode of the "ord1
18&/ "he (reatness of the (anges
Sutaji sa*s4 FThe ')orious description of de,otion for "ord Vishnu caused e9treme jo* for !arad1F
!arad sa*s: F$ 'reat sa'e SanatA !o/ 2ind)* te)) me about such a p)ace of pi)'rima'e /hich is e,en
ho)ier than the ho)iest p)aces of pi)'rima'e1F
Sanat2umar sa*s: $ !aradA Conf)uence of 3an'a and +amuna is the ho)ier than an* other p)ace of
pi)'rima'e1 The e9treme)* sacred and pious 3an'a rises from the feet of none other than "ord Vishnu1
+amuna on the other hand is the dau'hter of Sur*a1 ,en the remembrance of 3an'a is enou'h to do
a/a* /ith a)) the sins and ma2in' one peacefu)1
This p)ace /here 3an'a and +amuna mer'e is famous as %ra*aa' in the /or)d1 &t is the same p)ace
/here Brahma had once in,o2ed "ord Vishnu in a +a'*a1 Since then( innumerab)e sa'es ha,e fo))o/ed
Brahma and performed different 2inds of +a'*as there1 ,en a person /ho recites the name of 3an'a
hundred mi)es from %ra*aa' attains sa),ation1 Smear the sand of 3an'aHs ban2 on the forehead is )i2e( in
a /a*( bearin' the crescent shaped Moon on the head1 Those /ho remember 3an'a recei,e the benefit
of performin' pi)'rima'e to a)) the ho)* p)aces1 Amon' other p)aces of pi)'rima'e( Varanasi has a)most
e8ua) si'nificance to that of %ra*aa'1 $ BrahminA 3an'a is the mother of the entire /or)d1 Mere touch
of her sacred /aters sa),ed the si9t* thousand sons of Sa'ar1 !o one can describe the 'reatness of
3an'a
18&1 >ate of 2ing #aahu
!arad sa*s: F$ 'reat sa'e /ho in the d*nast* of Sa'ar recei,ed sa),ation from %reta Bha,a1 6ho /as
Sa'arE Kind)* narrate his /ho)e stor* to me1F
Sanat2umar sa*s: F"on' a'o( there occurred a 2in' named Baahu in the d*nast* of Sur*a1 He /as ,er*
re)i'ious in nature and )oo2ed after his subjects )i2e his o/n offsprin'1 ,er*one /as happ* in his
2in'dom( /hich he ru)ed /ith po)it* and justiceF1
But destin* /as p)a*in' another 'ame for the 2in'1 6ith time( e,i)s )i2e en,* and e'o be'an to rise in
the mind of Baahu1 He be'an to thin2 that nobod* e)se /as as re)i'ious as he /as1 These e,i)s in turn
caused the 2in' to inc)ine to/ards sensua) p)easures1 $ !aradA An unconscious mind is the 'reatest
cause of destruction1 ,er*one( e,en the better ha)f be'in to nurture hosti)it* a'ainst such a person1 So(
the same thin' happened /ith the 2in' Baahu1 Man* nei'hbourin' 2in's to'ether )aunched a massi,e
attac2 on the 2in'dom of Baahu and defeated him after a month4)on' fierce batt)e1
After his defeat( the 2in' Baahu )eft his 2in'dom and be'an to /ander a)on' /ith his 8ueens1 At )ast( he
came to sta* beside a bi' )a2e1 ,en the )oca) inhabitants and )o/er creatures hid seein' the 2in'
approach1 His subjects too had )ost their s*mpathies for him1
!o/ the )ife of the 2in' /as not more than the death1 So( repentin' his condition( 2in' Baahu met his
death in the presence of the sa'e Aur,1 At that time( his *oun'est 8ueen /as e9pectin' an issue1 After
her husbandHs death( she decided to commit Sati1 But( the sa'e Aur, pre,ented her con,incin' that her
/ou)d be son /ou)d enjo* more popu)arit* than his father had1 Besides( nothin' is more /retched than
2i))in' an unborn bab*1 Thus( con,incin' the 8ueen /ith a)) means( sa'e Aur, 'uided the 8ueens to
perform cremation of her husband and other ritua)s1 Since then( both the 8ueens be'an to )i,e in the
hermita'e of sa'e Aur,1
18&4 "he #irth of )agar
Sanat2umar sa*s :4 F$ !aradA Both the 8ueens /ere passin' their time in the hermita'e of sa'e Aur,1
6hen ha)f of the rain* season had passed( the e)der 8ueen be'an to cu)ti,ate e,i) fee)in's for the
*oun'er1 She( therefore( made deceitfu))* the *oun'er 8ueen to consume poison1 But the poison cou)d
not affect the 8ueen and her unborn bab* because of the ,irtues she had ac8uired ser,in' the sa'e Aur,1
After three months( the *oun'er 8ueen 'a,e birth to a son1 Sa'e Aur, carried out necessar* ritua)s and
consecrations of the chi)d and named him Sa'ar because he /as born /ith the effect of poison1F
Sa'ar be'an to 'ro/ in Aur,Hs hermita'e1 The sa'e had started to train the bo* in /eaponr*1 $ne da*(
out of curiosit*( Sa'ar as2ed his mother about his father1 His mother re)ated to him a)) the e,ents that
too2 p)ace /ith his father 2in' Baahu( her husband1 "istenin' to the fate of his father( Sa'ar too2 an oath
to destro* a)) those /ho had caused miser* to his father1 Circumambu)atin' his teacher Aur, and ta2in'
his motherHs permission( Sa'ar at once set out on his mission1 His first ha)t /as at the hermita'e of sa'e
Vashishta1
Sa'ar narrated the /ho)e thin' to the sa'e Vashishta1 Sa'e Vashishta presented him /ith a number of
di,ine /eapons and sa/ him off b)essin' him /ith a boon for ,ictor*1 Armed /ith man* di,ine
/eapons and the b)essin's of his mother and teachers( Sa'ar defeated e,en the most po/erfu) enemies
of his father in no time and estab)ished his ru)e o,er the entire earth1 The defeated 2in's too2 as*)um in
the hermita'e of sa'e Vashishta /ho assured them to be fear)ess1 Spies on the other hand informed
Sa'ar about this de,e)opment1 Sa'ar at once set out to the hermita'e of Vashishta /ith an intention of
e9terminatin' those 2in's but mean/hi)e( sa'e Vashishta had 'ot a)) the 2in's sha,en1 So( assumin' that
his enemies /ere dead( Sa'ar moc2in')* said to sa'e Vashishta: F$ sa'eA 6h* are *ou 'uardin' these
character)ess creaturesE & /i)) not spare their )i,es1F
Vashishta sa*s: F$ sonA +ou are 'reat1 !o/ )isten to me carefu))* for *our benefit1 & ha,e a)read* 2i))ed
*our enemies( so *ou /i)) not 'ain an*thin' 2i))in' them a'ain1 $ 2in'A This ph*sica) bod* is the root of
a)) the sins1 +ou /i)) not recei,e popu)arit* 2i))in' the ph*sica) bod*1 So( 'i,e this matter a )itt)e thou'ht
before 2i))in' them1F The /ords of sa'e Vashishta soothed Sa'arHs an'er1 Thereafter( sa'e Vashishta
carried out the coronation of Sa'ar1
The 2in' Sa'ar had t/o /i,es( Keshini and Sumati1 The* both /ere the dau'hters of VidharbaHs 2in'
Kash*ap1 6hen sa'e Aur, heard about Sa'arHs coronation( he ,isited his pa)ace and returned after
preachin' him1 Some months )ater( /ith a desire of ha,in' sons( both the 8ueens secret)* summoned
sa'e Aur, once a'ain and recei,ed the ta)isman for ha,in' sons1 Meditatin' for a /hi)e( the sa'e Aur,
said: F$ fortunate onesA $ne of *ou /i)) recei,e a son /ho /i)) continue his pro'en* in future and the
other /i)) ha,e si9t* thousand pro/essi,e sons1F
The sa'e a)so ad,ised them to see2 the boon of their respecti,e choices1 6ith time( Keshini 'a,e birth to
one son Asmanjas /ho 're/ in a /himsica) person1 Sumati 'a,e birth to si9t* thousand sons /ho /ere
,er* obedient initia))* but fo))o/in' Asmanjas( the* too be'an to beha,e /himsica))*1 Asmanjas had
one son( Anshuman /ho /as ,er* obedient to his 'randfather1 Si9t* thousand sons of Sa'ar soon be'an
to torment a)) the three /or)ds1 %erp)e9ed b* their atrocities( &ndra appea)ed to the sa'e Kapi) to 'et them
rid of their /oes1 6ith the inspiration of Sa'e Kapi)( Sa'ar or'aniBed an Ash/amedha +a'*a1 &ndra
2idnapped the horse of the +a'*a and tethered at the hermita'e of sa'e Kapi)1 6hen a)) the si9t*
thousand princes reached Kapi)Hs hermita'e( the* be'an to abuse him seein' the horse there1 &nfuriated
Kapi) at once incinerated them /ith his curse1 Kin' Sa'ar then sent Anshuman in search of his si9t*
thousand sons and reco,ered the horse1 Sa'e Kapi) assured Anshuman that his 'randson Bha'irath
/ou)d p)ease 3an'a to descend and sa),e his ancestors1
18&8 )alvation of )audas
1arad saysJ R% great brotherL 6hy did sage Vashishta curse ,audas and how did he recover rom this
curse by the virtue o the *anges watersNR ,anatkumar saysJ R% 1aradL ,audas was a virtuous king$
&e ruled over his subCects religiously$ &e was very ond o hunting$ ,oE one dayE he went on hunting in
the orest$ &e continued his eGcursion all day long$ -owards eveningE he reached at the bank o
*odavari and decided to pass the night there$ .n the neGt morning alsoE he began his hunting eGcursion
one again$ During the huntingE he spotted a deer and began to chase it$ :hasing the deerE he reached
the core o the orest$
-hereE the king saw a pair o tigers copulating$ ,audas was an eGpert archer$ &e trained an arrow and
killed the tigress in Cust one shot$ As soon as the tigress diedE she assumed the orm o an enormous
ogress$ Death o his partner inuriated the tigerE which was in act a monster in disguise$ &e decided to
avenge the death o his mate$ %n the other handE the whole event rightened the king$ &e held a hasty
parley with his ministers$ -hey unanimously took a decision to give up the hunting orever$
Long aterwardsE king ,audas organiBed an Ashwamedha Yagya in the auspices o sage Vashishta$ At
the completion o YagyaE sage Vashishta went to take a bath beore taking his meal$ 'eanwhileE the
monster appeared there in the guise o Vashishta and eGpressed his desire to eat meat$ -henE in the
guise o the cookE the monster cooked human lesh and served it in golden bowls$ 6hen sage
Vashishta arrivedE ,audas oered him the dishes made o human lesh$ <or a whileE Vashishta thought
in amaBement but soon he realiBed the whole thing$ .ndignantlyE he cursed the king to become a man=
eating demon$
-he king tried to assert his ignorance and said= RYou yoursel had eGpressed your desire to eat the
meat$R 6ith his divine sightE sage Vashishta learnt that the king had been tricked with$ By thenE the king
himsel got ready to curse the sage in retaliation$ But his prudent wie 'adayanti stopped him$ -husE
convinced by the MueenE the anger o ,audas subsided$ But he had taken water in his palmE so the
problem arose where to dispose it o or it was sure to burn anything it ell upon$ Ater a little
considerationE the king dropped that water right on his eet that burnt immediately$ ,ince thenE the king
,audas came to be known as Kalmaashpaad$ ,age Vashishta then consoled him$Vashishta saysJ R%
kingL .mprudence is the root o all the obstacles and crises$ But % kingL You have no reason to be sorry$
Your miseries will end soon and you will regain your original radiance by the virtue o the *anges?
waters$R ,aying thisE sage Vashishta returned to his hermitage$
-he whole body o the king had turned black$ ,ince thenE he began to roam in the orests like a wild
animal$ -here he ate whatever he ound=animalsE birds and even human beings$ 6ithin siG monthsE he
devoured all the animals in one hundred YoCan eGpanses o the orests$ -hen he migrated to another
area in the orest$ %ne dayE in the guise o a monsterE ,audas was wandering in a orest on the bank o
1armada$ -here he spotted a sage couple engaged in carnal conCugation$ ,audas at once got hold o
the sage and began to devour him$
-he sage?s wie pleaded him to release her husband but ,audas did not pay heed to her pleas and
devoured the sage$ .n anguish and angerE the Brahmini cursed ,audas that he would die i he tried to
copulate with a woman and that he would always remain a monster$ .nuriatedE ,audas cursed her in
retaliationJ R% evil oneL @ust one curse was suicient$ 6hy did you pour down two curses on meN *o
and become a devil$R -he Brahmini at once turned into a devil$ AterwardsE both o them began to
wander in the orest$ %ne dayE they reached to such part o the orest where another monster was
living$ -hat monster too had acMuired the ormidable appearance because o not obeying his teacher$
,eeing themE the monster enMuired about the reasons o their coming to that orest$ -hey narrated the
whole thing to him$
,audas saysJ R% riendL 6ho are youN -ell meE what sins did you committed$ Do not conceal anything
rom your riends$R
-he monster saysJ RBeore acMuiring this appearanceE . was a Brahmin and well versed in all the
Vedas$ . lived in 'agadh$ %ne dayE blinded by my knowledge and youthE . insulted my teacher$ -hat is
the reason o my acMuiring this monster?s appearance$ ,ince thenE . have been eating lesh only and .
do not know how many Brahmins . have devoured so ar$ ,tillE my hunger is insatiated$ % ortunate oneL
&ence . advise each and everyone never to insult their teachers$R
,audas saysJ R6hat is a teacherN 6ho was your teacherNR
-he monster saysJ % brotherL -here are many kinds o teachers but . am telling about the most revered
ones$ All including the teachers o VedasE preachers o scriptures and mantrasE remover o doubtsE
protectorsE wie?s atherE elder brotherE mother?s brotherE amily priest and own mother and ather all in
the category o teachers$
. had received preaching about all the religions rom sage *autam while staying on the enchanting
banks o the *anges$ %nceE when . went to worship ,hivaE . did not greet him$ ,age *autam did not
mind my behavior but Lord ,hiva turned me into a monster out o anger$R
That sort of pious discussion amon' the monsters attenuated their sins1 &n the meantime( a Brahmin( /ho
had hai)ed from Ka)in'a -$rrisa.( arri,ed there carr*in' the ho)* /ater of 3an'es1 The monsters
re8uested the Brahmin to sprin2)e some of the /aters o,er them1 The* a)so narrated the 'reatness of
3an'es before the Brahmin1 %)eased /ith their /i))in'ness( and appraisa) of 3an'es( the Brahmin
sprin2)ed some 3an'es /ater on them1 The monster and the o'ress resumed their di,ine appearance but
Saudas remained unchan'ed1 His /orries be'an to mount but the in,isib)e Saras/ati conso)ed and
ad,ised him to recite the "ordHs name1 Saudas then mi'rated to Varanasi /here he continuous)* recited
the "ordHs name and too2 bath in the ho)* 3an'es1 Thus( he o,ercame the curse of Brahmini and
returned to his 2in'dom1 There( sa'e Vashishta once a'ain carried out his coronation1 Since then( Saudas
ru)ed his 2in'dom throu'h re)i'ious means and attained the supreme abode of "ord Vishnu1
18&9 2ing #ali defeats the (ods
1arad saysJ R% brotherL Kindly narrate the tale o the *anges? origin rom the eet o lord Vishnu$R
,anatkumar saysJ Long agoE in the beginning o creationE one sage Kashyap had two wives Diti and
Aditi$ -hey both were the daughters o Daksha$ Aditi was the mother o the gods while Diti had given
birth to demons$ -husE the demons and the gods were stepbrothers and ought accordingly or the
power and prestige$ Demons were elder$ &iranyakashyapE the demon king was the son o Diti$ &is son
8rahlad was a great devotee o Lord Vishnu$ .n the lineage o 8rahladE occurred the great king Bali who
was the son o Virochan$
Ba)i had con8uered entire earth and /as no/ e*ein' the hea,en1 Ba)i had t/o ministers( Kubhand and
Koop2arna and an e8ua))* pro/essi,e son Baan1 6ith a hu'e arm*( Ba)i )aunched a massi,e attac2 on
hea,en and soon a fierce batt)e bro2e out1 The batt)e )asted for one thousand *ears1 At )ast( the 'ods )ost
the hea,en to the demons and be'an to /ander here and there in search of so)ace1 Defeatin' the 'ods(
the 2in' Ba)i or'aniBed man* Ash/amedha +a'*as1 Dee)in' sorr* for the p)i'ht of her sons( Aditi be'an
a se,ere penance on the Hima)a*as1
18&1:=rigin of the (anges
1arad saysJ R% brotherL You narrated a wonderul tale$ 1owE kindly relate to meE how did the *anges
originateNR
,anatkumar saysJ % 1aradL 8leased with the severe penance o AditiE Lord Vishnu appeared beore
her and asked her to seek a boon$ <eeling elated with eGhilarationE Aditi ell lat at the Lord?s eet$ ,he
intimated the Lord about the plight o her sons and sought that &e should help them to regain the
heaven without killing the demons or they were also her sons though step$ 8leased by her
indiscrimination or her stepsonsE Lord Vishnu assured Aditi that soon &e would arrive as her son and
salve the gods rom their miseries$ -henE the Lord presented Aditi with &is garland and disappeared$ .n
due course o timeE Aditi gave birth to a son who was holding a conchE a wheelE a mace and a lotus in
each o his our hands$ -he child was named as Vaaman$ +ven his atherE sage Kashyap greeted him
with respect$
By the timeE when the thread ceremony was about to be carried out or VaamanE king Bali organiBed a
grand Ashwamedha Yagya in the auspices o his teacher ,hukracharya$ Lord Vishnu &imsel had been
invoked in the Yagya along with Lakshmi$ -aking his parent?s permissionE Vaaman too arrived at the
sight o the Yagya$ 6ith their divine sightE all the sages who were present there recogniBed Lord Vishnu
and elt eGtreme Coy and greeted &im with respect$ +ven ,hukracharya understood the motive o
Vaaman?s coming there$ &e cautioned Bali in isolation not to grant any demand o Vaaman$ &e also
advised Bali to abide by his dictate or he would have to ace severe conseMuences$
But illumined by the destinyE king Bali did not pay heed to ,hukracharya?s advice and welcomed
Vaaman warmly and asked him to seek anything he wished$ Vaaman saidJ R% kingL . you want to give
me somethingE kindly grant me three steps o land so that . may carry out my Yagyas smoothly$ King
Bali tried to dissuade Vaaman with temptations o heavenly comorts and other luGuries$ But Vaaman
stayed to his demand that he needed nothing else but three steps o land or carrying out Yagyas$ At
last Bali agreed to grant his demand$ &e reMuested Vaaman to pour some water rom the Kamandalu
on his palm so that he could take a vow$ As the last attempt to prevent Bali rom making a vowE
,hukracharya assumed a miniature appearance and clogged the snout o the kamandalu$ -he
omniscient Lord pricked the snout with a sharp stem and pricked ,hukracharya?s one eye$
Thereafter( ta2in' some /ater on his pa)m( 2in' Ba)i proceeded to 'rant Vaaman three steps of )and1 As
soon as Ba)i 'ranted the demand( Vaaman assumed a 'i'antic appearance and measured the entire earth
and hea,en in his t/o steps1 6hi)e "ord Vishnu /as measurin' the uni,erse( it bro2e into t/o pieces
/ith the impact of His toe1 6ith the tearin' of the uni,erse( mi))ions of streams spran' out1 &n the course
of their f)o/( these streams mer'ed into a sin')e mi'htier stream and( sanctif*in' Brahma and other
deities( fe)) on the mi'ht* Sumeru Mountain -Hima)a*as.1 As there /as no other room )eft for the "ord
to put His third step( Ba)i presented his o/n head for the purpose1 Vaaman put his third step on Ba)iHs
head and pressed him do/n into the hades1
!arad sa*s: F$ 'reat sa'eA Ho/ did the "ord arran'e for Ba)iHs food in the nether /or)dEF
Sanat2umar sa*s: F$b)ations offered /ithout h*mns and a)ms 'i,en to undeser,in' person constitute the
food for Ba)i1 Thus( the "ord snatched the 2in'dom of hea,en from Ba)i /ithout an* b)oodshed and
returned it to the 'ods1F
18&11$efinition of $harma
1arad saysJR% great sageL . have Cust heard the tale o sacred *anges$ 1ow kindly describe about the
people who deserve to take donations$R
,anatkumar saysJ % 1aradL Brahmin is considered as the eGcellent among all the our castes$ &enceE
to make the donation ruitulE one should donate to the Brahmins only$ A Brahmin can accept donation
candidly but not a Vaishya or a Kshatriya$ +ven among BrahminsE there are many categories who do
not deserve to accept donation$
-hese are= Brahmins who practice astrologyE act against the religionE who are greedyE who sell
scriptures and other religious materialsE who have relations with other women than their wivesE who are
enviousE ungrateulE singerE who have characterless wieE who are soldiersE priestsE harbingerE cookE
poetE doctorE who eat meat and cereals given by a ,hudraE who carry out cremation and the Brahmins
who consume the ood given by prostitutes$ Donation given to all these types o Brahmins go utile$
Besides theseE Brahmins who habitually enCoy sensual pleasures during siestaE who dine during the
duskE who have been boycotted by their brothers and societyE who have taken birth illegitimately or
ater the death o their real ather because o dubious relations o their motherE whose younger brother
have married earlier and those who are always controlled by lusty womenE who act as pimps or remain
indulged in mean activities also do not deserve donation$
Donation( spendin' to meet necessities and /astin' in use)ess acti,ities are the three fates of /ea)th1 A
donation made se)f)ess)* to a deser,in' person on a re8uest is e9ce))ent amon' a)) 2inds of donations1 A
donation made /ith some desire is mediocre /hi)e donation 'i,en as sacrifice is of the )o/est cate'or*1
Sanat2umar then narrated the ta)e of Bha'irath and Dharmaraaj1
$nce( Dharmaraaj ,isited the 2in'dom of 2in' Sa'ar1 Dharmaraaj praised Sa'ar o,ert)*1 6ith fo)ded
hands( 2in' Sa'ar re8uested Dharmaraaj to preach him about re)i'ion and non4re)i'ion and te)) him
somethin' about di,ine /or)ds and he))1 Dharmaraaj sa*s:F$ 2in'A %ro,idin' a Brahmin fami)* or a
Vedapathi Brahmin /ith a means of sustenance is the most ,irtuous donation1 &nspirin' others to ma2e
donation to such a Brahmin is a)so e8ua))* fruitfu)1 Apart from these( di''in' out reser,oirs and
maintainin' them and inspirin' others to do the same thin' a)so bears unendin' fruits1F To corroborate
his point( Dharmaraaj narrated the ta)e of 2in' Veerbhadra2 and his minister Buddhiraaj1
18&1!$escription of 6eligious Action
Dharmaraaj sa*s: F$ 2in'A Those /ho bui)d temp)es /ith earth sta* in the abode of Vishnu for three
2a)pas1 Then the* attain Brahma)o2a1 $ne recei,es doub)e ,irtues if he bui)ds a temp)e /ith /ood1
Bui)din' a temp)e /ith bric2s and stones 'i,es four4fo)d ,irtue /hi)e /ith the precious stones one 'ets
ten4fo)d ,irtues1 Bui)din' of temp)e /ith copper and 'o)d 'i,es hundred fo)d and crore fo)d ,irtues1
Those /ho preser,e temp)es and reser,oirs recei,e hundred times more ,irtues than the bui)ders do1
Virtues of a rich man donatin' /ho)e estate and a poor person donatin' a *ard of )and are e8ua)1F
F$ ,irtuous oneA Those /ho de,e)op 'ardens and par2s a)so recei,e same ,irtues1 Those /ho preser,e
them recei,e more ,irtues than the de,e)opers1 $ne /ho p)ants a basi) sap)in' sa),es his crores of
ancestors1 Simi)ar)*( those /ho bathe the "ordHs ido) /ith mi)2 on D/adashi and %oornamaasi sa),e
mi))ions of their ancestors1 Those /ho bathe "ordHs ido) /ith %anchamrit on 2adashi recei,e
e,er)astin' jo* and sa),ation1 Simi)ar)*( those /ho bathe "ordHs ido) /ith coconut mi)2( su'arcane juice(
and /ater containin' f)o/ers or fi)tered /ater 'et free from a)) their sins1 Simi)ar)*( those /ho bathe
"ord VishnuHs ido) durin' ec)ipses or on auspicious dates and conju'ations recei,e the ,irtue of a)) the
+a'*as1 Those /ho bathe "ord VishnuHs and Shi,aHs ido)s /ith coconut mi)2( 'hee( hone* and sesame
oi) on auspicious dates assume respecti,e appearances of these 'ods1F
FThose /ho /orship "ord Vishnu and Shi,a offerin' them f)o/ers of )otus( %andanus( and particu)ar)*
offer Dhatura to "ord Shi,a attain their respecti,e abodes1 Simi)ar)*( donation of 3u''u) -scented
raisin.( )amp( /ater and cerea) bears ine9haustib)e fruits1 Virtues of donatin' )and and mi)ch co/ to a
Brahmin cannot be described in /ords1 &t is the case /ith the donation of 2no/)ed'e( Sha)i'ram(
Shi,a)in'a( horse( buffa)o( e)ephant or an* other ,ehic)e1 Those /ho arran'e for the cremation of an
orphaned Brahmin recei,e ,irtues e8ua) to thousands of Ash/amedha +a'*as1 Those /ho ser,e the
Brahmin deities or co/( those /ho p)a* instruments( be))( and b)o/ conch or c)ap in the temp)e enjo*
intimac* /ith di,ine beauties in the hea,en for fi,e Ka)pas1 B)o/in' of conch he)ps one attain the abode
of Vishnu1 ,en the remembrance of "ord VishnuHs name does a/a* /ith the imminent crises1F
18&1*E-piation for the )ins
DharmaraaC saysJ R% kingL . am now going to narrate about the religion$ Listen to it aithully$ . a person
touches or gets touched by an impure or irreligious thingE he should observe ast or three days and siG
nights or eGpiation$ &e should take bath thrice a day$ . a Brahmin deecates during diningE he must
give up his ood at once and take water only$ -hen he should observe a ast or a day and night and
close it taking 8anchgavya only to get pure again$ . a person dines immediately ater urinationE or
urinates during diningE he must observe a day and night long ast and close it with &avan$ -hose
women who do not serve their husbands should be eGpelled rom the home or a period o twelve years
and should not be helped in any way during the eGile$ .mpurity resulted because o touching a woman
in menses takes ast or three nights to get puriied$R
Dead body o a person who had committed suicide should be smeared with sandalwood paste or any
other holy material$ . a person escapes an attempt to suicideE a ine o two hundred rupees should be
imposed on him$
-hose who deliberately eat cereals o washersE skinners and other downtrodden classes and tribes or
have illicit contacts with their women are reMuired to observe :handrayan ast in order to get pure$ <or
those who establish abhorrent connection with their motherE sister or daughterE sel=immolation is the
only way to eGpiate$ -hose who mate with their teacher?s wie ormal observance o ast is reMuired$ .
someone has killed a pregnant cowE he must eGpiate or it observing :handrayan ast separately or
each o the animals$
$ne shou)d not use the soi) co))ected from pondHs bottom( termiteHs mound( mouse burro/( barren )and(
road( cremation 'round and 'round used for defecation purpose1 Use of %anch'a,*a /ashes e,en the
most se,ere sin1 &f a second death occurs in the fami)* /hi)e the purification period of first death is sti))
on0 separate purification is not re8uired1 &)) effect of an abortion )asts for three da*s1 After marria'e( a
/oman adopts her husbandHs name1 Hence( ob)ation for a married /oman must be offered b* her son or
someone be)on'in' to her husbandHs c)an1 Ashes must be co))ected on the first( second( third or fourth
da* after the cremation1 $ne must offer /ater* ob)ations to his dead ancestors standin' in na,e)4deep
/ater facin' south1
18&1,"orture in the ?ell
DharmaraaC saysJ R% kingL -hose who commit severe sin on earth are bound to suer eMually severe
torturing in hell$ . am now describing about such sins and the tortures vouchsaed or them in the hells$
-apanE BalukaakumbhE 'aharauravE "auravE KumbhipaakE 8ramardanE LalabhakshaE Vasaakup and
Vaitarni are some o the prominent hells$ Drinking o urine in a ditch ull o ecesE eating o canine leshE
eating o wormsE drinking o semenE sleeping on cindersE stinging by snakesE boring through bonesE
drinking o bileE biting by antsE breaking o teethE tethering to hot iron etc$ are some o the tortures one
has to ace or his sins in the hell$ -hose who criticiBe Brahmins and dictate them or kill themE drinkerE
those who steal goldE have illicit contact with the wie o their teacher and even those who accompany
such people are condemned as great sinners$ All o them deserve a place in the hell$R
,tealing o items like copperE ironE waterE muskE betelnutE sandalwood etc$ is also like the crime o
stealing gold$ .llicit contact with sister and daughter=in=law and orceul copulation with a woman in
menses are also like having illicit contact with the wie o the teacher$ %ur great sages have given
dictates or the eGpiation o such sins$ -hose who live in Buddhist monasteries or reMuently visit there
live in the hells or crores o years$ ,inners pass initial phase o their eGpiation in the hells$ <or the
seven births thenE they take incarnation as asses$ -hen or the neGt siG birthsE they appear as snakeE
diseased peopleE dogE deerE tree and monitor$ % kingL -hose who long or and have illicit contacts with
women other than wie are orced to copulate with a pretty but eGtremely hot copper manneMuin and
then thrown into the hells$ -hose women who preer to sleep with men other than husband are orced to
embrace hot iron statue on a blaBing bed$ -hen they are orced to embrace a hot iron pillarE take bath in
saline waterE and drink it$ -hey have to suer these tortures or thousand years$
-hose who listen to other?s criticism with interest have to bear lot o suering$ &ot nails are hammered
into their ears$ -he pores thus ormed are illed with boiling oil$ -hey are then thrown into Kumbhipaak
hell$
-hose who abuse Lord Vishnu and ,hiva are ed with salt only or crores o years then they are thrown
into "aurav hellE which is ull o hot scorching sand$ -raitors and greedy o other?s cereals have to eat
their own lesh$ -hose who eat astrologer?s and priest?s cereals are kept in dierent hells or crores o
years ollowed by their keeping in the wells o boiling oil and saline water where they are ed with eces
only$ At the completion o their punishmentE such people appear as 'alechchha on earth$ -hose who
torment others are thrown into Vaitarni$ -hose who do not perorm 8anchmaha Yagya or worship
deities are kept in Lalabhaksha and "aurav hells respectively$
-hose who do not act as per the scriptures are thrown into the hells or thousand crores o Kalpas$
-hose who throw eGcretion rom their bodies or leave parts like hairE toothE boneE nails etc$ in the temple
commit sins eMual to killing an unborn baby$ -hey are subCected to severe tortures in the hells beore
being sent into abhorrent incarnations$ -hose who give alse witness undergo suerings in the hells till
the rules o ourteen .ndras$ -hose who do not curb immoral traic despite being capable go to hell$
-hose who alsely blame gentlepeople have to live in the hell or crores o years$ -hose who give up a
ast beore stipulated period go to the hell named Asipatra$ -here is no penance or the ones who adopt
partial view during Custice or religious education$ -hose who consume cow?s lesh live in VingbhoCya hell
or thousands o years$ -hose who torture Brahmins through their thoughtsE actions and words always
all in the hell$ -hose who destroy gardens have to suer all the above mentioned hells$
$ 2in'AF $ne must repent for his sins before "ord Vishnu1 Si'ht of the 3an'es and basi)( sin'in' of
de,otiona) son's( ma'nanimit* and non4,io)ence attenuate the effect of the sin1 !o action bears fruit if
not offered to "ord Vishnu1 De,otion to "ord Vishnu is the e9ce))ent /a* to repent for the sins1
Abidance to mora)it* is the best /a* to train the re)i'ion1 Re)i'ion /ithout mora)it* is e8ua))* painfu)1 $
2in'A !o/ & ha,e re)ated a)) about re)i'ion1 Since no/ on/ards( cu)ti,ate de,otion for "ord Vishnu and
in,o2e the 3an'es to descend on earth in order to sa),e *our sinister ancestors1 $n)* the 3an'es is
capab)e of sa),in' one and a))1F
Sanat2umar sa*s: F$ !aradA Thus preachin' the 2in' Sa'ar( Dharmaraaj disappeared from the si'ht1 &t
/as due to the se,ere penance of 2in' Bha'irath that the 3an'es descended on the earth and sa),ed the
si9t* thousand deceased sons of Sa'ar1F
18&1/$escent of (anges and )alvation of )agar<s )ons
1arad saysJR% 'uniL 6hat did king Bhagirath do on &imalayasN &ow did he please *anges to
descend on the earthNR
,anatkumar saysJ % 1aradL "enouncing all his royal comortsE Bhagirath went to the snow=cappedE
loty peaks o the &imalayas$ -here he saw dense orest and herds o deer and elephants playing$
+ven his hermitage was ull o sweet chattering o the birds$ "eciting o Vedas and other scriptures was
reverberating all around$ Bhagirath came ace to ace with the sage Bhrigu who was surrounded by his
disciples$ Bhagirath approached and respectully greeted the sage Bhrigu$
Bhagirath saysJ R% omniscient sageL Kindly grace me with the knowledge o the path that leads even
the most mournul souls to salvation$R
Bhrigu saysJ R% kingL . know that you have arrived here with a beautiul motive o salving your
ancestors$ &enceE you are like ,hri &ari yoursel$ 1owE . describe about the actionsE which please ,hri
&ari$ % kingE be non=violentE altruisticE virtuousE speak truth and seek pious company to be a devotee o
Lord Vishnu$ "ecite the ollowing mantras=
A2' 1A'% B&A*6A-+ VAA,2D+VAAY 1A'A& S
A2' 1A'% VAA,2D+VAAY
You will deinitely attain peace o mind$R
Bhagirath saysJ R% sageL 6hat is truthN 6hat is in the interest o all the living beingsN 6ho are evil
onesN 6ho are asceticsN 6hat are virtuous actionsN &ow should one remember and worship Lord
VishnuN 6hat is peaceN % great sageL Kindly describe about these things$R
Bhrigu saysJ R% knowledgeous oneL All such actionsE which do not harm any living beingE are non=
violence$ ActionsE which aid in moral conduct and paciy the peopleE are in the interest o the public$ All
the people who are envious and oppose the religion and the scriptures are evil ones$ -hose who tread
the path shown by religion and scriptures and always engage in the beneit o people are ascetics in the
true sense$ All the actionsE which lead to devotion or Lord Vishnu and cause eGtreme Coy or all are
virtuous$ Lord Vishnu incorporates all the other deities$ &aving such thoughts like F. will worship &im
with correct methods? is devotion$ ,eeing Lord Vishnu in each living and non=living things is impartial
view$ -o be in peace and harmony in all circumstances with each and everyone is peace$ % kingL .
have described now all the things to you$ *o now and begin your penance$ 'ay it all be well or you$R
-husE with the permission and blessing o sage BhriguE king Bhagirath started his penance$ &e
continued his penance or siGty thousand years at length in an enchanting place 1aandeshwar in
&imalayas$ ,eeing his severe penanceE and perpleGed by its radianceE all the gods appeared beore
Lord Vishnu in Ksheersagar$
The 'ods sa*: F$ remo,er of sorro/sA $ contro))er of a)) the three /or)dsA 6e a)) 'reet *ou1F
%)eased b* the pra*ers( "ord Vishnu instincti,e)* )earnt about the moti,e of the 'ods1 He assured them
to be fear)ess and Himse)f appeared before Bha'irath1 Bha'irath fe)t hi)arious and 'reeted Shri Hari1
"ord Vishnu sa*s: F+our desires sha)) be fu)fi))ed1 +our ancestors sha)) attain to m* abode1 But no/ 'o
and pra* "ord Shi,a /ith *our fu)) capacit*1 He /i)) definite)* benefit *ou1F Sa*in' this( "ord Vishnu
disappeared1 The 2in' stood there for some time /onderin' /hether it /as a)) a dream /hen an in,isib)e
,oice announced( Iit /as not a dream $ 2in'A &t is rea)it*1 Do as "ord Vishnu has said1H
Kin' Bha'irath be'an e,en more se,ere penance to p)ease "ord Shi,a1 After a pro)on'ed penance( "ord
Shi,a appeared there1 Bha'irath fe)) f)at at His feet1 %)eased b* his de,otion and pra*ers( "ord Shi,a
b)essed Bha'irath that He /ou)d hand o,er the 3an'es to him for the sa),ation of his ancestors1 As soon
as "ord Shi,a uttered these /ords( the 3an'es emer'ed from His tussoc2s and fo))o/ed Bha'irath
/here,er he /a)2ed1
Thus( fo))o/in' Bha'irath( the 3an'es reached 3an'asa'ar at the hermita'e of sa'e Kapi) /here the
ashes of Bha'irathHs ancestors /ere )*in' unattended1 As soon as the ho)* /aters of the 3an'es touched
the ashes( Bha'irathHs ancestors 'ot freed from the noose of +ama and ascended to their hea,en)*
abode1 Since then( the 3an'es is a)so 2no/n as Bha'irathi1
18&11$escription of $wadashi >ast
-he sages sayJ R% ortunate oneL You have obliged us narrating the tale o sacred *anges$ 1ow we
desire to hear what 1arad asked ,anatkumar$R
,utaCi saysJ R% great sagesL 1ow . narrate what 1arad asked ,anatkumarE listen to it careully$R
1arad saysJ R. am blessed hearing the pious tale o the *anges$ 1ow kindly tell me about the ast and
rituals perorming whichE ,hri &ari could be pleased$R
,anatkumar saysJ % 1aradL 'ay *od bless youL You are the supreme devotee o Lord Vishnu$ -hat?s
whyE you are asking about these rituals$ 1ow . am telling you about these rituals and astsE which make
a man earless$ % 1aradL -here is a special provision or worshipping Lord Vishnu on the twelth day o
,hukla 8aksha (brighter phase) in the month o 'aargashirsh$ -his worship could be perormed
wearing white or yellow clothes$ During the worshipE one should recite the mantra !
K+,&AVAAYA 1A'A,-2B&YA'$
%ne should then oer oblations o ghee and sesame seeds in sacred ire$ During the nightE one should
sing devotional songs beore ,haligram and remain awakened$ -hen the idol o Vishnu should be
bathed with ive liters o milk$ ,imilarlyE *oddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu should be worshipped with
1aivedya and edible items three times$ 1eGt morningE similar worship should be repeated$
At the end o the worshipE one should donate sweetmeats made o milkE ghee and coconut to Brahmin
while reciting=F'ay the Lord materialiBe all my wishes$? ,eeing o the BrahminE one should break his
ast at the end$
%n the same dayE in the month o 8aushaE one should observe a ast and worship Lord Vishnu?s idol
bathing it with milk while reciting
1A'% 1A"AYA1A$
.n this worship alsoE there is provision o nightlong prayers and vigilance$ Donating the Brahmins with
riceE pulsesE ghee etc$E one should respectully eed them and break his ast in the last$ Donation o
Dakshina is a must$ ,imilarlyE on the same day in the month o 'aaghE there is a provision o daylong
ast and worship$ -his timeE ive kilos o sesame seeds are donated to the Brahmins$
%n the twelth day o ,hukla 8aksha in 8hagunE one should bathe ,hri &ari?s idol with ive liters o milk$
-hen one hundred and eight oblations o sesame seeds and ghee are made to the sacred ire$
1ightlong prayersE eeding o Brahmins etc$ are as usual$ .n this worshipE unhusked rice is donated$ -he
reMuired mantra is
*%V.1DAAY 1A'A,-2B&YA'
%n the same day in the month o :haitraE there is a provision o bathing Vishnu?s idol with ive liters o
ghee and making oblations o honeyE ghee and sesame seeds one hundred and eight times while
reciting =
1A'%,-2 V.,&1AV+ -2B&YA'
-hen our kilos o rice are donated to a Brahmin$
%n the twelth day in the brighter phase o VaishaakhE there is a provision o bathing Vishnu?s idol with
milk and making one hundred and eight oblations o ghee reciting =
1A'A,-+ 'AD&2&A1-+
%n the twelth day in the brighter phase o @yeshthaE there is a provision o oering one hundred and
eight oblations o kheer (rice cooked in our liters o milk) while reciting
1A'A& -".V.K"A'AAY$
-wenty 'aalpuas (wheat lour kneaded in milk and sugar and ried in ghee) are donated to a Brahmin$
%n the same day in the month o AshaadhE Lord Vishnu?s idol is bathed with our liters o milk$ -hen
oblations o ghee are made and cereal miGed with coconut and curd are donated to the Brahmins$ -his
worship is directed to Vaaman incarnation o Lord Vishnu$ &enceE mantra
1A'A,-+ VAA'A1AAY is recited all along the rituals$
.n the month o ,hraavanE there is a provision o bathing Lord?s idol with milk and honey on the twelth
day o the brighter phase$ -hen one hundred and eight oblations are made reciting !
,&".D&A"AAY 1A'%,-2-+$
-hen our liters o milkE clothes and two golden earrings are donated to the Brahmin$
Lord?s idol should be bathed with milk while reciting =
&".,&.K+,& 1A'%,-2B&YA' on the twelth day in the month o Bhaadrapad$
-hen one hundred and eight oblations are made with cooked cereals miGed with honey$ 6heat donated
along with gold to the Brahmins besides eeding them with respect$
.n the month o Ashwin alsoE Lord?s idol is bathed with ive liters o milk$ -henE one hundred and eight
oblations are oered with gheeE sesame seeds and rice reciting =
1A'A,-+ 8AD'A1AAB&AAY$
-wo hundred and ity grams o honey are donated to a Brahmin$ .n the month o KartikE on the same
dayE Lord?s idol is bathed with our liters o milkE curd or ghee while reciting=
1A'% DAA'%DA"AAY$
-henE one hundred and eight oblations are oered with sesame seeds miGed with honey and ghee$
-his worship is closed with donating ive types o edible items to a deserving BrahminE eeding him and
seeing him o with Dakshina$
% 'univarL -hose who observe this virtuous ast or the twelve months o a year attains to the supreme
abode$ %bservance o this ast or one or two months only is also eMually beneiting$ . this ast is
observed or a yearE there is a provision o special closing ritual at the end so that one shouldn?t have to
observe it again in his lie$ -his closing ritual is perormed on the twelth day o the darker phase in the
month o 'aargsheersh$
%ne should get up early in the morning that day and ater attending routine tasksO he should take bathE
wear white clothesE smear sandalwood paste on the orehead and make a sMuare=shaped altar on the
ground$ -his altar should be decorated with Cingling bellsE whiskersE lags and white cloth$ %n the our
corners o the altarE our lamps should be lighted$
At the center o the altarE a ,arvatobhadra wheel is drawn and twelve urns illed with water are kept on
it$ 8utting ive kinds o gems in these urnsE they should be covered with white cloth$ -he worshipper
must procure silver or gold idols o Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu and place them on the lids o the urns$
<rugality is not eGpected in this ritual$ -hese idols should be bathed with milk containing gheeE honeyE
curd and ive types o dry ruits$ .t should be ollowed with proper worship o Lord Vishnu and *oddess
Lakshmi$ -hese rituals last nightlong$
!e9t mornin'( ob)ations are offered /ith sesame seeds recitin' a)) the t/e),e mantras described abo,e1
Donation of ten Maa)puas( curd( 2heer( 'hee etc1 are made to t/e),e Brahmins1 At )ast( a)) the ido)s and
other materia)s are handed o,er to the priest /ho had 'uided the /orship1 De,otee must dine after a))
and he shou)d not spea2 durin' dinin'1 A)) the desires of the one /ho obser,es a)) these t/e),e fasts and
c)oses them proper)* are fu)fi))ed and he attains abode of Vishnu a)on' /ith his t/ent*4one 'enerations1
18&14$escription of >ast for 'a.shmi3arayana
,anatkumar saysJ R % great among the sagesL 1ow . am narrating about an eGcellent astE which
destroys all the sins$ %bserving ast on ull 'oon day is considered eGcellent among all the asts$ .t
leads to ulillment o all the desires and protects the devotee rom inluence o harsh planets$ Like the
ast o DwadashiE this ast is also begun rom the month o 'aargsheersh and observed continuously
on every ull 'oon day o succeeding months till Kartik when it is closed with proper ritualsR$
-o begin withE one should start worshipping Lord Vishnu since the morning o ull 'oon day in the
month o 'aargsheersh wearing white clothes and reciting
1A'% 1AA"AAYA1AA$
Ater the worshipE the devotee must perorm a &avan on a sMuare=shaped altar oering oblations with
cooked cerealsE sesame seedsE ghee etc$ 6hite lowersE unbroken rice grains and water are oered to
the Lord$ .n the eveningE the same things are oered to the rising ull 'oon also$ A devotee must pass
the night engaged in religious discussionE singing o devotional songs etc$ 1eGt dayE donations are
made to the Brahmins ater perorming usual worship$ -he same rituals are perormed every month to
observe the ast$
"ituals or closing this ast in the month o Kartik on ull 'oon day are also elaborate$
Dirst of a))( the de,otee shou)d bui)d a rectan'u)ar canop* and decorate it /ith f)ora) 'ar)ands( arches(
)amps( cinnabar( mirrors( /his2ers etc1 At the center of the canop*( on the 'round( Sar,atobhadra /hee)
shou)d be dra/n /ith fi,e pi))ars1 Then one to t/e),e urns are 2ept on this /hee) and on these urns(
si),er or 'o)den ido)s of "ord Vishnu are p)aced1 These ido)s are bathed /ith mi)2 containin' curd( 'hee(
hone* and fi,e t*pes of dr* fruits1 Then a proper e)aborate /orship is carried out for these ido)s1 !i'ht is
passed sin'in' de,otiona) son's1 !e9t mornin'( after proper /orship( these ido)s are donated to the
presidin' priest1 &t is fo))o/ed b* feedin' of Brahmins1 A)) these ritua)s are c)osed /ith performin' a
Ha,an offerin' sesame seeds as ob)ation1 Those /ho perform these /orships /ith proper ritua)s enjo*
/or)d)* comforts )ife)on' and attain abode of "ord Vishnu1
18&18>lagging in the "emple of 'ord +ishnu
Sanat2umar sa*s: F$ !aradA !o/ & am narratin' about the f)a''in' fast in order to p)ease "ord Vishnu1
He /ho performs this fast is e,en /orshipped b* Brahma and other deities1 This fast accords ,irtues
e8ua) to those of donatin' one thousand carats of 'o)d to a Brahmin or those attained ta2in' bath in the
3an'es and /orshippin' Shi,a)in'a and basi) sap)in'1 F The de,otee shou)d obser,e this fast on the
tenth da* of the bri'hter phase in the month of Karti21 He shou)d /orship Shri Hari since mornin' after
ta2in' bath and /earin' fresh c)othes1 He is e9pected to s)eep before the ido) that da*1 !e9t da*( he
shou)d a'ain perform /orship( recite !andishraaddh a)on' /ith four Brahmins and bathe masts of the
t/o f)a's1 He shou)d then /orship the Sun( the Moon and 3arud1
Then turmeric( sanda)/ood paste are smeared on the masts and /hite f)o/ers are offered on them1
Thereafter( the de,otee must smear just enou'h 'round /ith co/ dun' and produce a fire in an a)tar1
$ne hundred and ei'ht ob)ations are made /ith 2heer in this fire1 Ha,an thus performed is directed to
"ord Vishnu( Brahma and "a2shmi then ei'ht ob)ations are offered recitin' 4
V!T+AA+ S6AHA1
&t is fo))o/ed b* ob)ations offered to the Sun( the Moon and Kaamadhenu1
The ni'ht is passed in /orship and performin' Ha,ans1 !e9t mornin'( the same ritua)s are performed to
/orship "ord Vishnu1 At )ast( the f)a's are carried to a temp)e of "ord Vishnu and insta))ed at the
pinnac)e or on top of a co)umn1 "ord Vishnu is /orshipped /ith proper ritua)s1 Circumambu)atin' the
temp)e( one shou)d then present Brahmins /ith c)othes and Da2shina( feed them and shou)d ta2e food
after a))1 &t is said that as )on' as the f)a' f)utters in air( as much sins of the de,otee are destro*ed and he
attains the abode of "ord Vishnu1
18&19"ale of 2ing )umit<s Previous #irth
!arad sa*s: F$ Sanat2umarA A 2in' Sumit had performed this f)a''in' fast for the first time1 Kind)*
narrate to me the ta)e of his )ife1F
Sanat2umar sa*s: Durin' Sata*u'a( a Soma,anshi 2in' Sumit /as ru)in' the entire earth1 He /as ,er*
re)i'ious in nature and a 'reat de,otee of "ord Vishnu1 He ser,ed the other de,otees /ith respect and
/as a do/n to earth person1
His 8ueen Sat*amati /as a)so a chaste /oman1 Both of them /ere the 'reat /orshippers of Shri Hari
and 2ne/ e,er*thin' about their pre,ious birth1 The* re'u)ar)* donated cerea)s and /ater1 Sat*amati
used to dance in the temp)e of "ord Vishnu /ith pure fee)in's1 The 2in' a)so /ou)d insta)) a bi' and
beautifu) f)a' in the temp)e on the t/e)fth da* of bri'hter phase of e,er* month1 Their reputation had
reached a)) the three /or)ds1 $ne da*( a sa'e Vibhaanda2 came to ,isit the 2in' a)on' /ith his discip)es1
The 2in' and the 8ueen treated the sa'e /ith respect and the 2in' himse)f seated on a )o/er seat before
the sa'e1
The 2in' sa*s: F& am sa),ed $ sa'eA !o/ order me ho/ can & ser,e *ouEF
The sa'e sa*s: F$ 2in'A & am ,er* much p)eased /ith *ou1 !o/ & /i)) as2 *ou a fe/ 8uestions1 Ans/er
them honest)*1 +ou re'u)ar)* insta)) a bi' and beautifu) f)a' in the temp)e of "ord Vishnu /hereas there
are man* more ritua)s to p)ease Him1 Te)) me the reason for *our actions1F
The 2in' sa*s: F$ sa'eA & te)) the reason for m* action1 Kind)* )isten to it1 &n the pre,ious birth( & /as a
Shudra named Maa)ini and a)/a*s en'a'ed in appa))in' acti,ities1 $ne da*( & abandoned m* fami)* and
societ* and mi'rated to the forest /here & sustained m*se)f on deerHs f)esh1 But there too( & used to rob
the passersb*1 $ne da*( & had nothin' to eat nor cou)d & )a* m* hand on an* passerb*1 Scorchin' sun of
the summer /as addin' to m* /oe moreo,er1 Thus perp)e9ed b* the thirst( hun'er and intense heat( &
/as roamin' in the forest /hen a)) of a sudden & stumb)ed upon a temp)e of "ord Vishnu1 &t had )on'
been deserted and /as ,er* much in di)apidated condition1 A sma)) )a2e /as a)so there beside the
temp)e1 &n the )a2e( beautifu) birds )i2e s/an and duc2s /ere p)a*in' and de)icious fruits and scented
f)o/ers a)so abounded in the forest1 Since & /as fee)in' tired to the point of droppin' do/n( & ate the
fruits /hich had fa))en on the 'round1 Then & too2 rest at the ban2 of the )a2e1
Since that da*( & be'an to )i,e in that temp)e1 There & repaired the /a))s( c)eaned the premises and
erected a sma)) hut for m*se)f1 But sti))( & used to hunt sma)) anima)s to satisf* m* hun'er1 T/ent* *ears
passed )i2e that1 $ne da*( a Saadh,i -a fema)e hermit. named A,a2o2i)a( /ho hai)ed from a !ishaad
fami)* in Vindh*aacha)( came there1 Her fami)* members had deserted her because of sinister actions
she /as in,o),ed in1 She /as thin and )ean due to continuous star,ation1 Dee)in' pit* on her( & 'a,e her
some fruits and f)esh to eat1 6hen she reco,ered( she narrated her ta)e that & am narratin' to *ou as it
/as1F
Saadh,i sa*s: F& /as born in the fami)* of oarsman( Daaru2 /as m* father1 & /as a 'reat bac2biter( thief
and sinner1 M* fami)* therefore deserted me1 Dor sometime( m* husband fostered me but he too died1
Since then( & ha,e been /anderin' from this p)ace to that and it is because of "ordHs 'race that & ha,e
arri,ed here1F
The 2in' sa*s: F"istenin' to her ta)e( & married her and /e be'an to )i,e in the temp)e1 ,er* da* /e
used to eat f)esh and fruit1 $ne da*( under the into9ication of /ine( /e enjo*ed our time 'reat)*1 6e
e,en be'an to dance for'ettin' our ph*sica) condition1 Sudden)*( a'ents of +ama arri,ed there and
be'an to ti'hten their noose around us1 Simu)taneous)*( Shri Hari too sent His a'ents1F
VishnuHs a'ents sa*: F$ imprudent +amadootsA Re)ease this 'reat de,otee of "ord Vishnu1
+amadoots sa*: FThese are abject sinners1 6e /i)) definite)* ta2e them /ith us1F
These /ords infuriated the a'ents of Vishnu1
VishnuHs a'ents sa*: FThe* are not sinners1 The* are 'reat de,otees and the ser,ers of "ord Vishnu1
This /oman has performed a dance /hi)e this man has insta))ed a f)a' in the temp)e1 Thus( their sins
ha,e been destro*ed and the* ha,e no/ a ri'ht to the supreme abode1 The* ha,e ser,ed this temp)e for
the past thirt*4t/o *ears1F
Sa*in' this( the a'ents of Vishnu snapped the noose and carried us to the abode of Vishnu in a di,ine
aircraft1 Hearin' this ta)e from the 2in' Sumit( sa'e Vibhaanda2 fe)t e9treme jo* and /ent to the forest1
18&!:$escription of ?ariPancha6atra +rata
Sanat2umar sa*s: $ !aradA & am no/ narratin' about another fast1 &t is Haripancha2 fast and is rare in
a)) the /or)ds1 &t destro*s a)) the sorro/s of the de,otee( fu)fi))s his a)) desires and he)ps him attain the
four 'oa)s of )ife1 &t is obser,ed for fi,e da*s in the month of Maar'sheersh startin' from the tenth da*
of the bri'hter phase ti)) the fu)) Moon da*1 $n the first da*( a da* )on' fast is obser,ed after
/orshippin' "ord Vishnu in the mornin'1 &t is bro2en /ith a p)ain mea) in the e,enin'1
!e9t da*( "ordHs ido) is bathed /ith mi)2 containin' 'hee( curd( hone* and fi,e t*pes of dr* fruits
fo))o/ed b* usua) /orship1 Vo/s of the fast are recited and pra*ers are made for their successfu)
comp)etion1 That /ho)e ni'ht and a)so the subse8uent ni'hts ti)) fu)) Moon ni'ht are passed recitin'
"ordHs name and sin'in' de,otiona) son's1 Bathin' of "ordHs ido) /ith mi)2 containin' 'hee( curd(
hone* and dr* fruits continues in the mornin' e,er*da* ti)) fu)) Moon da*1
$n the fu)) Moon da*( Ha,an is performed /ith ob)ations of sesame seeds and donations1 $n the si9th
da*( the de,otee must drin2 %anch'a,*a and /orship Shri Hari( feed Brahmins and on)* then shou)d
ta2e mea) si)ent)*1 This fast is obser,ed e,er* month ti)) Karti2 and c)osin' ritua)s are ta2en up in the
month of Maar'sheersh ne9t *ear1 Durin' the c)osin' ritua)s( the de,otee shou)d obser,e da* )on' fast
on the e)e,enth da* and ta2e on)* %anch'a,*a on the t/e)fth da*1 Thereafter he shou)d /orship "ord
Vishnu( donate hone*( 'hee( fruits( 2heer and an urn fi))ed /ith /ater and containin' fi,e je/e)s to the
Brahmin1 He shou)d then feed the Brahmins before himse)f ta2in' an* mea)1
$ !aradA Those /ho obser,e this Haripancha2 fast ne,er return from Brahma)o2a1 Those /ho desire for
sa),ation shou)d essentia))* obser,e this fast1 &t destro*s a)) the sins )i2e a fire destro*s a forest1 &ts
,irtues are e8ua) to those of donatin' mi))ions of co/s1
18&!1$escription of the >ruits of the >ast
Sanat2umar sa*s:F!o/ & am narratin' about an e9ce))ent fast for the benefit of the /or)d1 "isten to it
carefu))* $ !aradA This fast must be obser,ed in the months of Ashaadh( Shraa,an( Bhaadrapad or
Ash/in1 $n an* da* durin' the bri'hter phase of these months( the de,otees must drin2 %anch'a,*a and
pass his time in the ,icinit* of "ord VishnuHs ido)1 Then( recitin' scriptures in the 'uidance of )earned
Brahmins( he shou)d ta2e a ,o/ to obser,e a month )on' fast pra*in' "ord Vishnu to protect him from
an* unforeseen crises1 The de,otee shou)d since then pass his time in a temp)e for one month1 ,er*da*(
he shou)d bathe the ido) /ith mi)2 containin' 'hee( curd( hone* and dr* fruits and )i'ht the )amps before
the ido)1 He is a)so e9pected to pass his )ife in a natura) /a* /ithout usin' an* artificia) thin' )i2e
toothpaste or soap1 Then he shou)d feed a Brahmin and 'i,e them Da2shina1
Accordin' to the pro,ision of fast( the de,otee shou)d feed at )east t/e),e Brahmins and donate je/e)r*1
Virtues of this fast are enormous1 A /ido/ /oman /ho has no son( ascetic( bache)or and Vanaprasthi
shou)d essentia))* obser,e this fast1
18&!!"ale of #hadrasheel #rahmin
Sanat2umar sa*s: F$ !aradA A fast on 2adashi -e)e,enth da*. in both the phases of a month p)eases
Shri Hari and fu)fi))s a)) the desires1 $n the e)e,enth da* of each phase( one shou)d not dine1 Those /ho
dine on the e)e,enth da* commit se,ere sins1 Sa),ation from sins )i2e 2i))in' a Brahmin is possib)e but
there is no method to e)iminate the sins incurred because of dinin' on the e)e,enth da*1 Brahmins shou)d
essentia))* obser,e fast on the e)e,enth da* of each phase1 The preparations for 2adashi Vrata start on
the tenth da*1 The de,otee shou)d /orship Shri Hari in the mornin' /ith proper ritua)s and pass the
ni'ht in the ,icinit* of the ido)1F
$n the e)e,enth da*( the de,otee shou)d /orship Shri Hari in the mornin' and ta2e an oath to obser,e
fast durin' the da* and pra* the "ord to protect him from ca)amities1 The de,otee must pass the ni'ht
sin'in' de,otiona) son's( recitin' scriptures and if possib)e dancin'1 &n the mornin' of the t/e)fth da*(
he shou)d /orship "ord Vishnu as usua)1 Then he shou)d feed Brahmins and ma2e donations as per his
po/ers1 %erformin' fi,e 2inds of +a'*as( the de,otee shou)d brea2 his fast in the )ast1 Durin' the period
of fast( the de,otee must not see /retched ones and desist from ta)2in' to such peop)e /ho oppose
Brahmins1
As there is no pi)'rima'e p)ace ho)ier than the 3an'es0 no teacher 'reater than the Mother and no deit*
more ,irtuous than "ord Vishnu1 Simi)ar)* there is no fast 'reater than 2adashi Vrata is1 $ !aradA & am
no/ narratin' an o)d ta)e1 "isten to it carefu))*1
&n the ancient times( a 'reat sa'e 3aa)a, )i,ed in the dense forest on the ban2 of the ri,er !armada1 He
/as ,er* peace )o,in' and truth abidin' in nature1 The forest surroundin' his hermita'e /as the
p)a*'round for beautifu) fauna( +a2shas( 3andhar,as and Vidh*aadhars1 Sa'e 3aa)a, passed his time
en'a'ed in penance1 Thus( he )i,ed there for a )on' time1 He had an e8ua))* ,irtuous son named
Bhadrashee) /ho /as a 'reat de,otee of "ord Vishnu and /ho 2ne/ e,er*thin' about his pre,ious
birth1 &n his chi)dhood( Bhadrashee) used to p)a* /ith his friends but his p)a*s ref)ected his re)i'ious
sentiments1 He /ou)d ma2e an earthen ido) of "ord Vishnu and /orship it1 He a)so /ou)d te)) his friends
to a)/a*s /orship "ord Vishnu and obser,e fast on the e)e,enth da* of e,er* phase in e,er* month1 His
friends too fo))o/ed him1 Durin' the /orship( Bhadrashee) used to /ish /e)) for the entire /or)d1 His
acti,ities p)eased the sa'e 3aa)a, ,er* much1
3aa)a, sa*s: F$ fortunate oneA +ou are rea))* Bhadrashee) because e,en the +o'is rare)* ha,e a nature
)i2e *ours1 +ou a)/a*s indu)'e in /orship of Hari( benefit of a)) and obser,e fast on 2adashi1 +ou
a)/a*s abstain from forbidden /or21 Ho/ come( *ou ac8uired such a peacefu) and unconf)ictin' mind1 &
am ,er* much p)eased /ith *ou1 Kind)* te)) me( about *our achie,ements1F
Bhadrashee) sa*s: F$ fatherA & ha,e some remembrance of m* pre,ious birth1 Durin' m* pre,ious birth(
+ama had preached me about re)i'ion1F These /ords surprised 3aa)a,1 He sa*s: F$ fortunate oneA 6ho
/ere *ou in *our pre,ious birthE 6hat did +amaraaj said to *ou and /h*EF
Bhadrashee) sa*s: F$ 'reat sa'eA & /as a 2in' in Soma d*nast*1 & had recei,ed 2no/)ed'e from
Dharma2eerti and Dattatre*a1 & ru)ed continuous)* for thousand *ears1 Durin' this period( & committed
,arious re)i'ious as /e)) as irre)i'ious tas2s1 &n the compan* of imposters( & too became an imposter1
6or2in' dip)omatica))*( & destro*ed +a'*as1 M* subjects a)so fo))o/ed me and be'an to beha,e
irre)i'ious)*1 & recei,ed si9th part of their e,i) deeds1 $ne da*( & /ent to the forest huntin'1 There( &
2i))ed man* anima)s1
After a /hi)e( perp)e9ed b* thirst and hun'er( & reached the ban2 of !armada1 & had stra*ed into deeper
forests a)) a)one1 The intense sun /as scorchin' m* bod*1 & /as about to drop do/n because of hun'er
/hen & sa/ that peop)e on the ban2 of !armada /ere obser,in' 2adashi Vrata1 & joined them and
sta*ed a/a2e a)) a)on' the ni'ht /ithout ta2in' an* food1 But & cou)d not bear the star,ation and
e9ertion and died as a resu)t1 Dierce )oo2in' +amadoots too2 me to +amaraaj1 +amaraaj as2ed
Chitra'upt to open the account of m* )ife1 Chitra'upt thou'ht for a moment and said: F&ts true $
+amaraaj that this person is a sinner1 But no/ he is free from his sins due to obser,in' fast on 2adashi
and passin' his ni'ht in the compan* of pious de,otees1F Hearin' these /ords( +amaraaj 'reeted me and
/orshipped me /ith de,otion1 Then( he ca))ed his ser,ers1F
+amaraaj sa*s: F"isten to me( $ a'entsA & am narratin' somethin' to *our interest1 !e,er brin' to me in
future an*bod* /ho is en'a'ed in re)i'ious tas21 Sta* a/a* from those /ho a)/a*s recite the name of
Shri Hari1 3reet them from a distance1 This is m* order as /e)) as teachin' to a)) of *ou1 Spare a)) those
/ho ser,e their teachers( )o,e their re)i'ion( are he)p)ess( ser,e the pious one and are tru)* deser,in'1
Brin' a)) such peop)e /ho abuse their mother( hate the /or)d( stea) the /ea)th of temp)es and Brahmins(
/ho are 2i))ers( /ho do not obser,e fast on 2adashi( /ho are short tempered( criticiBe me and nurture
hosti)it* /ith others1F
Hearin' such /ords from +amaraaj( fire of penance be'an to burn /ithin me1 More intense this fire
're/( more of m* sins /ere destro*ed1 & ac8uired an appearance of Shri Hari1 ,en( +amaraaj 'reeted
me /ith respect1 His action e,en surprised the +amadoots1 6orshippin' me( +amaraaj sent me on a
di,ine aircraft to the abode of Vishnu1
$ fatherA & /as passin' m* time happi)*1 & did not 2no/ ho/ and /hen crores of *ears passed1 Then &
arri,ed in &ndra)o2a1 There & sta*ed /ith the 'ods for man* Ka)pas1 &t /as after such a 'reat e9perience
that & ha,e arri,ed on the earth1 Ha,in' the 2no/)ed'e of m* pre,ious birth( & a)/a*s en'a'ed in the
/orship of Hari and inspire others to fo))o/ suit1 ar)ier( & didnHt 2no/ the ,irtues of 2adashi Vrata1
But no/( because of the 2no/)ed'e of m* pre,ious births( & ha,e come to 2no/ about it1 & obser,ed it
/ithout an* desire and /ithout 2no/in' that & /as actua))* obser,in' a fast and recei,ed so much in
return1 Hence( & cannot te)) ho/ much /i)) one recei,e if he obser,es 2adashi Vrata /ith some desire1
Those /ho de,oted)* /orship Shri Hari and obser,e 2adashi Vrata attain e,en the supreme abode of
"ord Vishnu1F
The /ords of his son ')addened sa'e 3aa)a,1 He sa*s4 FM* birth has been successfu) because & 'ot such
a de,otee son )i2e *ou /ho to)d me the comp)ete method of /orshippin' "ord Vishnu1F