Harivamsha Page 3
‘The extremely great-spirited Tamra is said to have had six daughters—Kaki, Shyeni, Bhasi, Sugrivi, Shuchi and Gridhrika. Kaki gave birth to owls and crows, Shyeni to hawks, Bhasi to predatory birds and Gridhrika to vultures. O scorcher of enemies! Shuchi gave birth to large numbers of birds that dwell in water. Through Sugrivi, horses, camels and donkeys are said to have been born in Tamra’s lineage. Vinata had two sons, Aruna and Garuda. Of these, because of his own deeds, Suparna72 was fierce and the best among birds. Surasa had one thousand infinitely energetic snakes as sons. O son! Those great-souled ones possessed many heads and roamed around in the sky. Kadru also had one thousand strong and infinitely energetic sons.73 They also possessed many heads and were known as those who were under Suparna’s control. The foremost among them have always been Shesha, Vasuki, Takshaka, Airavata, Mahapadma, Kambala, Ashvatara, Elapatra, Shankha, Karkotaka, Dhananjaya, Mahanila, Mahakarna, Dhritarashtra, Balahaka, Kuhara, Pushpadamshtra, Durmukha, Sumukha, Shankha,74 Shankhapala, Kapila, Vamana, Nahusha, Shankharoma, Mani and others. Know that all the categories that are descended from Krodhavasha are fanged. The birds on land and in the water are said to be the offspring of Dhara. Surabhi gave birth to cows and buffaloes. Ira gave birth to all kinds of trees, plants, creepers and grass. Khasa gave birth to yakshas75 and rakshasas and Muni to the apsaras. The great-spirited Arishta gave birth to the infinitely energetic gandharvas.
‘These mobile and immobile objects are mentioned as the descendants of Kashyapa. They had hundreds and thousands of sons and grandsons. O son! In this manvantara, heaven is known as Svarochisha. In vaivasvata manvantara, a great sacrifice was performed for Varuna. It is said that for the sake of generating offspring, Brahma himself offered oblations. Earlier, he had created seven brahmarshis through his mental powers. The grandfather himself generated them as his sons now. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! After this, there was a conflict between the gods and the danavas.76 When Diti’s sons were destroyed, she went and pleased Kashyapa. Worshipped properly by her, Kashyapa was gratified. He offered to grant her a boon and requested her to ask for a boon. She said, “I desire an infinitely energetic son who is capable of killing Indra.” The immensely ascetic one granted her the boon that she desired. However, after having granted the boon, Marichi’s son said, “If you desire a son who will kill Indra, you must carefully nurture the embryo for one hundred autumns. You must be pure and resort to supreme vows. If you sustain the embryo in that fashion, you will have that kind of son.” O lord of the earth! The goddess told her husband, the great ascetic, that she would act in that way. Accordingly, Kashyapa found pleasure in impregnating Diti, so that an infinitely energetic offspring would result, who would be superior to all the categories of the gods. He permeated her with his energy, something that was impossible for even the immortals to withstand. Having done this, the one who was devoted to his vows retired to the mountains to practise austerities. The undecaying chastiser of Paka77 continued to search for a deviation in her and discerned one before the one hundred years were over. Without washing her feet, Diti lay down to sleep. While she was sleeping, the wielder of the vajra penetrated through her side and shattered the embryo into seven fragments. When the embryo was thus split by the vajra, it began to weep and Shakra repeatedly told it, “Do not cry.” Indra, the afflicter of enemies, was enraged. Using the vajra, he sliced each of those seven fragments into seven fragments. O bull among the Bharata lineage! The gods known as the Maruts were created in this way.78 They came to be known as Maruts because of what Maghavan79 had said. Those forty-nine gods are the aides of the wielder of the vajra. O Janamejaya! Different kinds of beings began to prosper in this way. For each such class, Hari appointed a Prajapati. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! He gave the first kingdom to Prithu to rule and other kingdoms followed in due course. Hari is Purusha, Vira, Krishna, Jishnu, Prajapati, Parjanya and Tapana.80 He is everything that is manifest in the universe. O bull among the Bharata lineage! If a person knows this account about the creation of beings properly, he suffers no fear about being unable to find a means of subsistence. How can he entertain any fear about the world hereafter?’
Chapter 4
Vaishampayana said, ‘The grandfather made Prithu, Vena’s son, sovereign over the kingdom. In due course, he divided up the dominions further. Birds, herbs, nakshatras, planets, sacrifices and austerities were earmarked as Soma’s kingdom. Varuna’s kingdom was the water and Vaishravana81 became the lord of kings. Vishnu became lord of the Adityas and Pavaka82 of the Vasus. Daksha became lord of the Prajapatis, Vasava83 of the Maruts and the infinitely energetic Prahlada of the daityas and the danavas. Vaivasvata Yama84 was instated in the kingdom of the ancestors and also over the yakshas, rakshasas and kings.85 Girisha, the wielder of the trident, became the lord of all the bhutas and pishachas.86 The Himalayas became the lord of the mountains and the ocean of the rivers. The lord Chitraratha87 became the lord of the gandharvas. Vasuki became lord over nagas and Takshaka over sarpas.88 Airavata was instructed to be the king of the elephants.89 Uchchaishrava became lord of the horses and Garuda of the birds. The tiger became the king of animals and the bull of cows. Plaksha90 was indicated as the king of trees. In this way, in due order, the grandfather divided the dominions. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! He also established the guardians of the directions. He consecrated King Sudhanva, the son of Vairaja Prajapati, as the guardian of the eastern direction. He consecrated King Shankhapada, the son of the great-souled Kardama Prajapati, as the guardian of the southern direction. He consecrated the great-souled King Ketumanta, the son of the undecaying Rajasa, as the guardian of the western direction. He consecrated the invincible King Hiranyaloma, the son of Parjanya Prajapati, as the guardian of the northern direction. They ruled the entire earth, with its seven dvipas, habitations and the subregions, in accordance with dharma.91 These lords of men followed the rites prescribed in the Vedas. They observed a royal sacrifice and made Prithu the emperor over all the kings in the various dominions. This is what happened when the manvantara associated with the infinitely energetic Chakshusha was over. When the manvantara associated with Vaivasvata commenced, the earth was divided into dominions in this fashion. O Indra among kings! O unblemished one! If you are favourably inclined towards hearing it, I will describe vaivasvata manvantara in detail.’
Janamejaya replied, ‘O Vaishampayana! Tell me about Prithu’s birth in detail. How did the great-souled one milk the earth? How did the ancestors, the gods, the rishis, the daityas, the nagas, the yakshas and the trees perform the milking? O Vaishampayana! In particular, tell me about the vessels that they used. In due order, especially tell me everything about the calves and the milk. What was the reason why Vena’s arm was kneaded in those ancient times? O father!92 Tell me the reason why the maharshis were enraged.’
Vaishampayana said, ‘I will tell you about how Prithu was born from Vena. O Janamejaya! Listen devotedly and with single-minded attention. O king! I do not recount this to those who are impure, inferior in mind, ungrateful and injurious, or to those who are without disciples and vows. This is blessed and is honoured in the Vedas. It leads to heaven, fame and a long life. O king! Listen properly to the mystery spoken about by the rishis. If a person bows down before brahmanas and always recites the account of how Prithu originated from Vena, he does not sorrow, on account of what he has done and what he has not done.’
Chapter 5
Vaishampayana said, ‘Earlier, there was a lord who was Atri’s equal and he was the protector of dharma. He was born in Atri’s lineage and this Prajapati’s name was Anga. His son was Vena, who did not know about the purport of dharma. This Prajapati was born through Sunitha, Mrityu’s daughter.93 Since he was the son of Kala’s daughter, Vena suffered from the taints of his maternal grandfather.94 He turned his back on his own dharma and frequented the world of desire. This king established ordinances that were contrary to dharma. He transgressed the dharma of the Vedas and was always devoted to adharma. At the time of tha
t Prajapati, there were no sounds of svadha and vashatkara at sacrifices performed by the subjects.95 Therefore, the gods no longer drank the soma offered at these. O extender of the Kuru lineage! Since the time for that Prajapati’s destruction had arrived, the cruel one promulgated a rule that there should be no sacrifices and no oblations. “I am the one who should be worshipped through sacrifices. I am the sacrifice and the one who sacrifices. The oblations offered at sacrifices are meant for me.” He transgressed all the ordinances and appropriated everything for himself. All the maharshis, with Marichi at the forefront, said, “We will consecrate ourselves in a sacrifice that will last for many years. O Vena! Do not observe adharma. It is not the view of the virtuous that this constitutes dharma. Though there is no doubt that you have been born as a Prajapati, it is for your destruction. At that time, you took a vow that you would protect the subjects.” All the assembled maharshis spoke to him in this way. However, Vena was evil in his intelligence and thought what was inferior to be superior. He laughed at them. “Who other than me is the creator of dharma? Who other than me should be listened to? There is no doubt that you do not know of my superiority because of your folly. If I desire, I can burn the earth down, or flood it with water. Without even thinking about it, I can slow down the progress of the firmament and this earth.” The maharshis sought to persuade King Vena, who was overcome with insolence and strength. When they didn’t succeed, they became angry. In their rage, those great-souled ones seized the one who was swollen because of his strength. They kneaded his left thigh. When they kneaded the king’s left thigh, a man manifested himself. He was extremely short and dark. O Janamejaya! Frightened, that man joined his hands in salutation and stood there. On seeing that he was supremely anxious, they asked him to sit. O supreme among eloquent ones! He was the progenitor of the lineage of nishadas.96 The fishermen were also created from the sin in Vena. O son! There were others, the Tumuras and the Tumburas, who reside in the Vindhya mountains and are addicted to adharma. Know that they were also created from the sin in Vena. In their anger, the great-souled maharshis then again kneaded Vena’s right hand, as if it was a piece of wood used to kindle a fire. Prithu arose from this. His form blazed like the flames of a fire, and he was like a dazzling fire. From the time of his birth, he held the bow known as Ajagava,97 which makes a loud roar, and divine arrows. For his protection, he was clad in immensely radiant armour. When he was born, all the beings were delighted. O great king! They assembled before him and Vena went to heaven. O Kouravya! Having given birth to a virtuous son, the great-souled tiger among men was thus saved from the hell named put.98
‘To consecrate him, all the oceans and the rivers presented themselves and brought their water and all kinds of jewels. With the gods and the descendants of Angiras, and with all the mobile and immobile objects, the illustrious grandfather himself arrived to consecrate Vena’s son and the immensely radiant protector of the subjects as the king in that great kingdom. Following the prescribed rites, those who knew about dharma consecrated the greatly energetic and powerful Prithu, Vena’s son, as king and sovereign. The subjects were not delighted with his father, but were delighted with him. Because of this, he came to be known as king.99 When he proceeded,100 the water in the oceans was stupefied and the mountains offered him a path. That is the reason his standard never got attached to either. At that time, through the mere thought, the earth yielded grain, even when it had not been tilled. The milk of the cows yielded every object of desire and there was honey in every hand.101 At this time, on a day, when an auspicious sacrifice was performed in honour of the grandfather, an immensely intelligent suta, who gave rise to the suta class, was generated as offspring.102 It was at this great sacrifice that the wise magadhas were also born. To praise Prithu, the maharshis summoned them there. All the rishis said, “Praise the king. This lord of men is a right recipient of praise and your task is to do that. At this, the sutas and the magadhas told all the rishis, “We will please the gods and the rishis through our own deeds. O brahmanas! However, we know nothing about this energetic king’s deeds or manifestations of fame. How can we compose hymns of praise?” Engaged by the rishis, they began to praise the deeds that the immensely strong Prithu would perform later. O Janamejaya! In the three worlds, since that time, the practice of using sutas, magadhas and bandis for praise and benedictions has been adopted. Prithu, the lord of subjects, was extremely delighted at the praise and gave sutas the land of Anupa and magadhas the land of Magadha.103 On seeing this, the maharshis were extremely happy and told the subjects, “This lord of men will grant you means of subsistence.” At this, all the subjects approached the great king who was Vena’s son and said, “Following the words of the maharshis, identify means of subsistence for us.” When all the subjects approached in this way, wishing to do what would ensure welfare for the subjects, the powerful one grasped his bow and arrow and rushed towards the earth. Terrified of Vena’s son, the earth assumed the form of a cow and fled. Prithu seized his bow and rushed after the fleeing one. Out of fear for Vena’s son, she went to Brahma’s world and all the other worlds. However, wherever she went, she saw Vena’s fierce son, with the bow and arrow. Resorting to great yoga, the great-souled one was invincible, even before the immortals. She could thus find no escape from Vena’s son. Finally, the one who is always worshipped in the three worlds joined her hands in salutation and told Vena’s son, “You should not see any dharma in killing a woman. O king! Without me, how will you be able to sustain the subjects? O king! I am the one in whom all these worlds are established. I am the one who holds up the universe. O king! You should know that for my sake, you should not destroy the subjects. You should not kill me. There is no benefit in it and you should not desire it. O lord of the earth! For the sake of the subjects, listen to my words. All tasks become successful if they are started in the appropriate way. O king! Search for a means so that the subjects can be sustained. O king! If you kill me, you will not be able to sustain the subjects. O immensely radiant one! If your anger is pacified, I will become full of grain. It is said that women must not be killed, especially those who are of inferior species.104 O lord of the earth! Be established in that spirit and do not abandon dharma.” The great-minded king heard many words of this kind. The one with dharma in his soul controlled his rage and spoke these words to the earth.’
Chapter 6
‘Prithu said, “In this world, if a person kills many beings for the sake of a single entity, whether that single entity is he himself or someone else, he commits a sin. O auspicious one! O fortunate one! However, for the happiness of many, if a single entity is killed, then one does not commit a major sin or a minor one. O earth! Therefore, unless you act in accordance with my words and ensure benefit to the universe, for the sake of the subjects, I am going to kill you. You are reluctant to come under my subjugation. I will now slay you with my arrow. I will establish myself in your place and myself sustain the subjects. O supreme among those who uphold dharma! You are capable of imparting life to all the subjects and sustaining them. Therefore, accept my rule. If you become my daughter, I will withdraw this arrow, terrible to see, that I have raised to kill you.”