01. ADI PARVA (235)

“Janamejaya said, ‘O worshipful one, I wish to hear from thee in detailabout the birth, among men, of the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, theRakshasas, the lions, the tigers, and the other animals, the snakes, thebirds, and in fact, of all creatures. I wish also to hear about the actsand achievements of those, in due order, after they became incarnate inhuman forms.’

“Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana, I have, indeed, heard from thee thisaccount of the incarnation, according to their portions, of the gods, theDanavas, the Rakshasas, and also of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras. Ihowever, again desire to hear of the dynasty of the Kurus from the verybeginning. Therefore, O Brahmana, speak of this in the presence of allthese regenerate Rishis.’

“Janamejaya said, ‘I desire to hear from thee about the birth and life ofthe high-souled Bharata and of the origin of Sakuntala. And, O holy one,I also desire to hear all about Dushmanta–that lion among men–and howthe hero obtained Sakuntala. It behoveth thee, O knower of truth and thefirst of all intelligent men, to tell me everything.’

“Sauti said, ‘the god of fire enraged at the curse of Bhrigu, thusaddressed the Rishi, ‘What meaneth this rashness, O Brahmana, that thouhast displayed towards me? What transgression can be imputed to me whowas labouring to do justice and speak the truth impartially?

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then the king with his followers, having killedthousands of animals, entered another forest with a view to hunting. Andattended by a single follower and fatigued with hunger and thirst, hecame upon a large desert on the frontiers of the forest.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The monarch then, as he proceeded, left even hisreduced retinue at the entrance of the hermitage. And entering quitealone he saw not the Rishi (Kanwa) of rigid vows.

Kanwa continued, ‘And Sakra, thus addressed by her, then commanded himwho could approach every place (viz., the god of the wind) to be presentwith Menaka at the time she would be before the Rishi.

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘King Dushmanta, hearing all this, said,’Well-spoken, O princess, this that thou hast said! Be my wife, Obeautiful one! What shall I do for thee?

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After Dushmanta had left the asylum having madethose promises unto Sakuntala, the latter of tapering thighs broughtforth a boy of immeasurable energy. And when the child was three yearsold, he became in splendour like the blazing fire.

“Janamejaya said, ‘O thou of the wealth of asceticism, tell me how ourancestor Yayati, who is the tenth from Prajapati, obtained for a wife theunobtainable daughter of Sukra. I desire to hear of it in detail. Tell mealso, one after another, of those monarchs separately who were thefounders of dynasties.’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘After the expiry of the period of his vow, Kacha,having obtained his preceptor’s leave, was about to return to the abodeof the celestials, when Devayani, addressing him, said, ‘O grandson ofthe Rishi Angiras, in conduct and birth, in learning, asceticism andhumility, thou shinest most brightly.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The dwellers in heaven became exceedingly glad inwelcoming Kacha who had mastered the wonderful science. And, O bull ofBharata’s race, the celestials then learnt that science from Kacha andconsidered their object already achieved.

“Sukra continued, ‘Know, then, O Devayani, that he that mindeth not theevil speeches of others, conquereth everything! The wise say that he is atrue charioteer who without slackening holdeth tightly the reins of hishorses.

“Sauti said, ‘O Brahmana, Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu, begot a son in thewomb of his wife Sukanya. And that son was the illustrious Pramati ofresplendent energy. And Pramati begot in the womb of Ghritachi a soncalled Ruru. And Ruru begot on his wife Pramadvara a son called Sunaka.And I shall relate to you in detail, O Brahmana, the entire history ofRuru of abundant energy. O listen to it then in full!

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Kavya, the foremost of Bhrigu’s line, becameangry himself. And approaching Vrishaparvan where the latter was seated,began to address him without weighing his words, ‘O king,’ he said,’sinful acts do not, like the Earth, bear fruit immediately! Butgradually and secretly do they extirpate their doers.

Vaisampayana said, ‘After some length of time, O best of monarchs,Devayani of the fairest complexion went into the same woods for purposesof pleasure. And accompanied by Sarmishtha with her thousand maids shereached the same spot and began to wander freely.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Yayati then, on returning to his capital which waslike unto the city of Indra, entered his inner apartments and establishedthere his bride Devayani.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘When Devayani of sweet smiles heard of the birth ofthis child, she became jealous, and O Bharata, Sarmishtha became anobject of her unpleasant reflections. And Devayani, repairing to her,addressed her thus, ‘O thou of fair eye-brows, what sin is this thou hastcommitted by yielding to the influence of lust?’

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Yayati, then, overcome with decrepitude, returned tohis capital and summoning his eldest son Yadu who was also the mostaccomplished, addressed him thus, ‘Dear child, from the curse of Kavyacalled also Usanas, decrepitude and wrinkles and whiteness of hair havecome over me. But I have not been gratified yet with the enjoyment ofyouth.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The excellent monarch Yayati, the son of Nahusha,having received Puru’s youth, became exceedingly gratified. And with ithe once more began to indulge in his favourite pursuits to the fullextent of his desires and to the limit of his powers, according toseasons, so as to derive the greatest pleasure therefrom.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘King Yayati, the son of Nahusha, having thusinstalled his dear son on the throne, became exceedingly happy, andentered into the woods to lead the life of a hermit.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘While that king of kings dwelt in heaven–the homeof the celestials, he was reverenced by the gods, the Sadhyas, theMaruts, and the Vasus. Of sacred deeds, and mind under complete control,the monarch used to repair now and then from the abode of the celestialsunto the region of Brahman. And it hath been heard by me that he dweltfor a long time in heaven.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Alter this Indra again asked Yayati, ‘Thou didstretire into the woods, O king, after accomplishing all thy duties. OYayati, son of Nahusha, I would ask thee to whom thou art equal inascetic austerities.’

“Yayati said, ‘I am Yayati, the son of Nahusha and the father of Puru.Cast off from the region of the celestials and of Siddhas and Rishis forhaving disregarded every creature, I am falling down, my righteousnesshaving sustained diminution. In years I am older than you; therefore, Ihave not saluted you first. Indeed, the Brahmanas always reverence himwho is older in years or superior in learning or in ascetic merit.’

“Sauti said, ‘While those illustrious Brahmanas were sitting around thedead body of Pramadvara, Ruru, sorely afflicted, retired into a deep woodand wept aloud. And overwhelmed with grief he indulged in much piteouslamentation. And, remembering his beloved Pramadvara, he gave vent to hissorrow in the following words, ‘Alas! The delicate fair one thatincreaseth my affliction lieth upon the bare ground.

“Ashtaka said, ‘Capable of assuming any form at will, thou hast lived fora million years in the gardens of Nandana. For what cause, O foremost ofthose that flourished in the Krita age, hast thou been compelled to leavethat region and come hither?’

“Ashtaka said, ‘Those cognisant of the Vedas differ in opinion as to howthe followers of each of the four modes of life, viz., Grihasthas,Bhikshus, Brahmacharins, and Vanaprashthas, should conduct themselves inorder to acquire religious merit.”

“Ashtaka asked, ‘Who amongst these, O king, both exerting constantly likethe Sun and the Moon, first attaineth to communion with Brahma, theascetic or the man of knowledge?’

“Vasumat said, ‘I am Vasumat, the son of Oshadaswa. I would ask thee, Oking, whether there are any worlds for me to enjoy as fruits of myreligious merits, in heaven or the firmament. Thou art, O high-souledone, acquainted with all holy regions.’

“Janamejaya said, ‘O adorable one, I desire to hear the histories ofthose kings who were descended from Puru. O tell me of each as he waspossessed of prowess and achievements. I have, indeed, heard that inPuru’s line there was not a single one who was wanting in good behaviourand prowess, or who was without sons.

“Janamejaya said, ‘O Brahmana, I have now heard from thee this greathistory of my ancestors. I had also heard from thee about the greatmonarchs that were born in this line.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘There was a king known by the name of Mahabhishaborn in the race of Ikshvaku. He was the lord of all the earth, and wastruthful (in speech) and of true prowess. By a thousand horse-sacrificesand a hundred Rajasuyas he had gratified the chief of the celestials andultimately attained to heaven.

“Vaisampayana said. ‘There was a king of the name of Pratipa, who waskind to all creatures. He spent many years in ascetic penances at thesource of the river Ganga. The accomplished and lovely Ganga, one day,assuming the form of a beautiful female, and rising from the waters, madeup to the monarch.

“Vaisampayana said, ‘The maiden then, hearing those soft and sweet wordsof the smiling monarch, and remembering her promise to the Vasus,addressed the king in reply. Of faultless features, the damsel sending athrill of pleasure into the heart by every word she uttered, said, ‘Oking, I shall become thy wife and obey thy commands.

“Santanu asked, ‘What was the fault of the Vasus and who was Apava,through whose curse the Vasus had to be born among men? What also haththis child of thine, Gangadatta, done for which he shall have to liveamong men? Why also were the Vasus, the lords of the three worlds,condemned to be born amongst men? O daughter of Jahnu, tell me all.’