M15. Mahabharata - Short Life of Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya

 M15. Mahabharata - Short Life of Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya 

Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya were born to King Shantanu and Satyavathi. Not long enough, King Shantanu passes away, and the responsibility of taking care of young lads falls on Bheeshma. 

Chitrangada grew up to become a great warrior. Gradually, pride took over him to the extent he believed that none can defeat him, be it humans or gods. 

Gandarva Chief, who also possessed the same name as Chitrangada, heard it and challenged him. A war broke out between them near Kuruskhetra, which continued for 3 full years. Both were fierceful, but ultimately, Gandarva killed the prince using foul means of invisible warfare. Bheeshma performed the last rites of his half-brother, Chitrangada. 

Vichitraveerya, the second scion of Kuru Dynasty, was nurtured to become the future king. He was very obedient and an able ruler. People equated him to King Shantanu.

When Vichitraveerya entered adolescence, Bheeshma and Satyavathi decided to get him married to a suitable bride. 

Secretively, Bheeshma was informed that Kashi Raja intends to perform Swayamvara for his 3 daughters, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika. Bheeshma, though uninvited, decided to attend the event for the sake of Vichitraveerya. 

The kings who were present at Swayamvara were rather surprised and even mocked at Bheeshma as he had taken a vow of celibacy and had crossed marriageable age. 

Hearing it, Bheeshma said he intended to take the brides for Vichitraveerya, using Rakshasa Vivah (one of the practices adopted for marriage and acceptable for kshatriyas) and challenged the kings who stood against it. 

He sought the permission of Kashi Raja and immediately took the brides in his chariot and moved towards Hastinapura.  

Meanwhile, the kings who participated in that event were angry and chased Bheeshma. Bheeshma gave them a fitting reply through his prowess. King Salva, who desired to marry Amba, also had to face a humiliating defeat.

Upon reaching Hastinapura, Amba makes a request to send her to King Salva as she desires to marry him. Bheeshma honoured her request and sent her back, but King Salva refused to accept her on moral grounds.

Amba returns to Hastinapura and makes a request to Bheeshma to marry her, which the latter flatly refuses.

Meanwhile, Ambika and Ambalika were married to Vichitraveerya. Drowned in sensuous pleasure for a very long period, Vichitraveerya failed to perform his prescribed duties as a king. 

Eventually, he fell prey to tuberculosis disease and met his end, leaving no progeny. 

Source: Mahabharatha - Sabha Parva

Technically, the Kuru dynasty ended with the death of Vichitraveerya. Extreme self-esteem led to the fall of Chitrangada, and insatiable desires led to the fall of Vichitraveerya. No matter what, destiny has a role to play in each one’s life.

M14 - Mahabharata - Devavrata Makes a Terrific Vow

 M14 - Mahabharata - Devavrata Makes a Terrific Vow

 

Devavrata, the crown prince of the Kuru Dynasty, took care of the administration efficiently. Once King Shantanu went hunting near Yamuna River and was pleasantly surprised by the fragrance emitted there. He sees a beautiful lady near the river bank and makes inquiries about her whereabouts.  

The lady introduced herself as Satyavathi, daughter of Dasaraja. As per her father’s wish, she was assigned to row the boat across the river for travellers. 

[Vasu Maharaj is the biological father of Satyavathi. Dasaraja was given the girl child and was named Matsya Gandi. Due to the grace of Sage Parasara, she got rid of the fish smell and instead fragrance emitted from her body.]

Charmed by her beauty, the king wished to meet her father and place a proposal to marry her. 

Dasaraja welcomed the king with honours and was overwhelmed by the proposal but put forth his condition. The king agreed, provided it was feasible. 

Dasaraja knew the king had a worthy son and was the crown prince and yet said the male child born out of their wedlock should be heir apparent. The king did not want to do injustice to Devavrata and hence returned back to his kingdom silently. 

The thought of Satyavathi was constantly disturbing him. Devavrata noticed it and questioned him. The king subtly said he is worried about the legacy of the kuru kingdom. His conviction was that if some untoward event occurred, the kingdom would be left with no legacy.

Devavrata could intelligently grasp the hidden issue of his father. He contacted trusted ministers and reached out to Dasaraja. He made a rare request to Dasaraja to facilitate the marriage of his daughter with his father, King Shantanu. 

Dasaraja was very much pleased with Devavrata, and since he couldn't oppose him directly, he politely said “I have no objection but foresee danger to my daughter's children from you”. 

Devavrata's sole intention was to make his father happy and hence took a vow not to claim rulership. However, Dasaraja was still not satisfied. Dasaraja said, “what if your children claim their due rights over the Kingdom?”

Devavrata again made a terrific vow to remain celibate throughout his life. By making such a vow, Devavrata became Bheeshma, one who made a terrible promise.

[Devavrata, in his previous birth, was a Vasu (Demigod), carrying a curse of Sage Vasishta to be born as human. The Sage had said that he would live long, be powerful, but remain bachelor. The curse had its effect now.]

Dasaraja was happy and sent his daughter, Satyavathi, along with Bheeshma. When the news reached King Shantanu, he was overwhelmed with joy and blessed his son, Devavrata, that he could choose the exact time of his death. Death will not approach Beeshma until he so wishes.

Shantanu married Satyavathi, and in the course of time, they had 2 sons, Chitrangada and Vichitraveerya. 

Source: Mahabharatha - Sambava Parva

M13 - Mahabharata - King Shantanu Led a Pious Life

 M13. Mahabharata - King Shantanu Led a Pious Life  

When King Shantanu broke his promise, his wife Ganga left him with their 8th child. The king was sad and returned back to his kingdom and was immersed in administrative work. 

He developed equanimity and treated the citizens as his own progeny, making no differentiation. He was always friendly with them. He was like Sun God in strength, Wind god in speed and punished Adharmic people similar to Yama raja. He never killed animals for fun. 

He believed in fulfilling Devaruna (by performing yaga, yagnas and duties towards God), Rishiruna (by reading scripture), and Pitruruna (by performing prescribed rituals to ancestors).

Under his rule, people never lied, and they always adhered to a dharmic way of life. King Shantanu was kind-hearted (as his name suggests) and was an able administrator. He led a disciplined life and ruled the kingdom for 36 years. 

Once, while hunting near Ganga River, he noticed that the mighty river was running like a small stream instead of its usual vast expanse. Upon keen observation, he found the river had been obstructed by a dam made of innumerable arrows.

He saw a charming boy with the divinity of Devendra practicing archery. The king was astonished that a young boy had built an artificial dam across the river using arrows. Seeing the King, the boy disappeared. 

King Shantanu called Ganga and enquired about the boy. Ganga appeared before him with the boy and said, “I am returning your son, Devavrata. He is now capable of assisting you in running the kingdom.  

Further, Ganga said Devavrata had learnt Vedas and other scriptures from none other than Sage Vasishta; also has learnt astras (weapons with divine mantras) and sastras (bows, arrows, mace etc) vidyas from Sage Parasurama.

She informed him that their son is as powerful as Lord Indra in warriorship; equivalent to Brihspathi and Shukracharya in knowledge. also has mastered administrative skills, Neeti Shastra (Law), and Raja dharma. 

Shantanu was very happy and returned back to Hastinapura along with Devavrata. He made Devavrata his heir apparent (Crown Prince) of the Kuru Dynasty. Subjects celebrated the event in a grand manner. 

Devavrata looked after the day to day administration and was effectively managing the kingdom. Shantanu spent four years happily along with his son.

Source : Mahabharatha - Sambava Parva 

M12. Mahabharata - Shantanu Weds Ganga and Birth of Devavrata

 M12. Mahabharata - Shantanu Weds Ganga and Birth of Devavrata 

Why was King Shantanu unhappy with Ganga's acts?

Once King Shantanu went on a hunt and reached the banks of Ganga River. A beautiful lady appeared before him, and the king was naturally attracted to her and made a proposal (afterall It's a play of destiny - desires of previous birth as King Mahabisha).

Ganga never revealed her identity but accepted his proposal. She put forth her condition that she shouldn't be, at any cost, question her actions, lest she would leave him forever. 

When the first child was born, Ganga, as desired by Vasus, took the baby to the river and gave it a water burial. 

Shantanu was astonished but couldn't question her for the fear that she might leave him forever. As destined, he took the pain of losing his child. This process of giving birth to a child and drowning it carried on until the eighth child.

When Ganga was taking the baby to the river side, Shantanu became furious and stopped her, undeterred by the consequences. He questioned her who she was, why she was behaving oddly, and what her motive was.

Ganga calmly revealed her identity and said those babies were Asta Vasus (demigods gods), and their water burials were as per their wish.

She told him that he is fortunate to father them and also the merits he had earned during his previous birth.

She revealed the curse of Sage Vasishta on Ashta Vasus and her request to retain at least one of them for the progeny of King Shantanu. 

Curse of Vasishta on Ashta Vasus 

When Shantanu asked Ganga to detail him on the curse, Ganga said, “ Sage Vasista, born to Varuna (in this kalpa), was involved in tapas near Meru Parvatha He had a divine cow, Nandini, to fulfill the needs of yagnas.  

Once, Ashta Vasus (8 in no.) were going around his ashrama and saw the divine cow. Among them, the youngest Vasu Jouhu's wife desired to know about it. Jouhu said the milk of this cow gives a person strength, longevity, and good health. 

Jouhu's wife had a friend, and she intended to give this cow to her. She pleaded with Jouhu to get it for her friend. 

Since the Sage was not in ashrama, Jouhu captured the cow with the help of other Vasus and took them to their place. Unfortunately, they never had an afterthought of its consequences. 

Sage Vasishta returned back to his ashrama only to know that Nandini cow was missing. He searched for it everywhere and finally, using his yogic power, could trace it.   

The Sage was angry that it had been taken away for personal purposes and not for the welfare of the people.

The Sage cursed the Vasus of Garba Naraka (suffering in a womb) and will be born as humans on earth. When Vasus realized their fault, they sought forgiveness.  

The Sage said the curse cannot be reversed, but your stay on earth can be shortened to a year. The last Vasu Jouhu will live long, remain as a bachelor, and will not have progeny. He will have immense strength and earn a good name for the family.

Ganga said to Shantanu that she would take care of his son and hand over to him after the studies. She left with her son, Devavrata.

Source: Mahabharatha - Adiparva

M11. Mahabharata - Rebirth of Mahabisha as Shantanu

 M11. Mahabharata - Rebirth of Mahabisha as Shantanu

Why did Ganga meet King Pradipa?

King Pradipa, son of Dilipa of the Kuru lineage, had earned great merits. While the King was in tapas, Ganga, to test, quietly went near him and sat on his right lap. The king was astonished but remained calm. 

Unaware who this lady is, the King politely asked her who she was, the purpose of her visit. Ganga introduced herself and made a request to have a relationship with him. She also asserted he would be fit, for her stature, to be her spouse.

The king calmly said he observes Eka Patni Vrat and wishes not to break this rule for life. He suspected her act of sitting on his right lap, which is usually preserved for a son or a daughter or may be for a daughter-in-law (sitting on the left lap is preserved for spouse) 

The King said to Ganga, “Your action and speech do not match and hence can not accept you as my spouse. You can be my future daughter-in-law, though the aged king, till then, was childless.

Ganga was happy and readily accepted his proposal. She said,” Your yet-to-born son is a revered Sage and has earned sufficient merits. He would attain heaven and his progeny would be well-known as warriors and followers of dharma”. Ganga requested secrecy of their meeting and immediately left the place.

Later, King Pradipa had a son, Shantanu, who was soft-spoken, well-behaved, and grew up to become a great warrior. 

When Shantanu grew up and attained a marriageable age, King Pradipa said, “ A lady would meet you secretly and propose. You should neither question her whereabouts nor ask her name but accept her as spouse. This is my order”.

Shantanu, who had earned great merits in the past, was able to remember his previous birth as King Mahabisha and the curse of Lord Brahma. Hence, he maintained equanimity. 

King Pradipa, when time arrived, handed over the kingdom to Shantanu and retired to the forest.

Source: Mahabharatha - Adiparvam

King Shantanu, son of King Pradipa, in this birth is Chandravamshi, while during his previous birth as King Mahabisha of Ikswaku lineage was a Suryavamshi.

Ikswaku is the son of Vaivaswata Manu and the grandson of Vivasvan (Sun-god).

Source: Mahabharatha- Adiparva 

M3 - Mahabharata - Vasuki's Concern and Search for Aastika Maharishi

 M3 - Mahabharata - Vasuki's Concern and Search for Aastika Maharishi 

What is Serpent Adishesha’s frustration?

Adishesha was the first born serpent of Kadru. When Kadru made an unrighteous demand upon her progeny, Adishesha got frustrated and went away, severing ties with his mother and siblings. He undertook strenuous tapas. Brahma was pleased by the tapas of Adishesha and asked him to seek a boon. 

Lord Brahma Consoles Adishesha 

Adishesha says, "I am not interested in seeking boon, but I am concerned with the adharmic activity of my mother, Kadru, and infighting among his siblings”. 

Brahma consoles him and says King Janamejaya's Sarpa yaga is destined, and none can stop it. Further, Brahma said Aastika Maharshi would help stop the Sarpa Yaga, and all dharmic serpents would be protected. 

Brahma assigned Adishesha the job of holding the earth stable on his head, a task that none other could do. 

What was Serpent Vasuki’s concern?

Vasuki, the second son of Kadru, was worried about King Janamejaya’s Yaga and was devising ways to protect snakes from extinction. Some snakes suggested killing King Janamejaya, but such a suggestion was not accepted. Thenceforth snakes decided to seek advice from Father Sage Kashyapa.

Who is Serpent Ellapatru, and what is secretive dialogue narrated by the serpent?

Just then, one serpent by name Ellapatru said, “When this curse was pronounced, I was young and sleeping on Mother Kadru's lap. I heard a secretive dialogue between Devatas and Lord Brahma. Devatas asked Brahma how come a mother be so cruel towards her own sons. 

Brahma said, “The curse on serpents would in time prove good as their reproduction rate is very high. Snakes by their very nature are aggressive, and hence, their excessive population is not good for the welfare of humanity. At an appropriate time, Astika Maharishi would help stop the Sarpa Yaga and enable the survival of dharmic snakes.

Brahma said, “Aastika Maharishi would be born as the son of Sage Jagadkaru. Sage Jagadkaru would fulfill his ancestors' wish for progeny. He would marry a girl bearing the same name. Vasuki would give his sister Jagadkaru in marriage to Sage Jagadkaru”.

Vasuki Awaits Sage Jagadkaru's Call For Bride

Vasuki was relieved of his undue worries and thenceforth asked the serpents to ascertain the whereabouts of Sage Jagadkaru. He told the snakes to wait until the Sage sought help to find a bride and keep him informed about developments. 

In the course of time , Sage Jagadkaru loudly called for a bride as a gift, and Vasuki was duly informed. Vasuki approached Sage Jagadkaru and agreed to give his sister in marriage to him.  

Snakes blessed Aastika Maharishi and said, “Those who read, hear, or narrate your story would be protected from fear of snakes.

Source : Mahabharatha - Adi Parva 

M2 - Mahabharata - Sage Jagadkaru's Marriage and Aastika Maharishi Stops Sarpa Yaga

 M2- Mahabharata - Sage Jagadkaru's Marriage and Aastika Maharishi Stops Sarpa Yaga

Who is Sage Jagadkaru?

Sage Jagadkaru is the father of Maharishi Aastikai. On the request of the Maharishi Aastika, King Janamejaya stopped Sarpa Yaga, and thereby, serpent species were protected.

Sage Jagadkaru was a great tapasvi and remained brahmachari. He had no permanent place to live. His tapas were so powerful that he could see pitrudevatas in person. 

Once, to quench his thirst, the Sage was in search of a well. In a dry well, he saw pitrudevas hanging upside down from tree roots. He questioned them about their identity. They said they were his ancestors and explained their predicament (owing to the want of progeny they were unable to move to heaven).

Sage Jagadkaru agrees to marry

The Sage understood the plight of pitrudevatas and agreed to marry in order to beget a son. However, he put in some unique conditions for marrying. The sage sought for a bride who possessed good character, a matching name as his, said that he would take up tapas once a son is born, and also demanded that the bride should be given as part of Kanyadhan. Pitrudevatas agreed to his terms and agreed to facilitate the process.

 Sage Jagadkaru Meets Serpent Vasuki 

The Sage Jagadkaru was roaming around a forest and said,” Is there anyone who is willing to give me a bride as kanyadhan?”. 

Shortly, Vasuki, the serpent head, met the Sage and agreed to offer his sister, Jagadkaru, in kanyadhan to him. As all his conditions were met, the Sage agreed to marry Jagadkaru.

A son, Aastika, was born out of wedlock. Aastika was well versed in Vedas and was revered. 

Aastika Maharishi Makes a Request

Aastika Maharishi went to King Janamejaya’s Sarpa Yaga and was welcomed by the King with honours. The King politely asked him the purpose of his visit. 

When Serpent King Takshaka was about to fall into the Homa kund of Sarpa Yaga, Aastika Maharishi stopped him from falling. 

Maharishi said to King Janamejaya, “I request you to stop this Yaga in order to protect the remaining snakes belonging to my mother’s relatives”. The king agreed, and thus, snake species were protected.

Source: Mahabharatha- Adiparva