Description of the race of Kasyapa
Suta said, “The king Bali had a hundred sons who were immensely valorous. Bana happened to be the bravest and the chief among them.
The king Bana had been a great devotee of Shiva. He, conquering the three worlds, ruled the universe. He even troubled Indra.
Then Indra and other gods went to Krttivasas (elephant-hide-robed Shiva) and said to him, “Bana, Your devotee is troubling us the most.”
At the prayer of all the gods, lord Mahesvara, shooting a single arrow burnt the city of Bana, quite playfully.
While the city was burning, Bana took refuge with Shiva, the holder of a trident, lord of the Bull, Is'ana and having blue-red complexion known as Rudra. Placing Shivalinga over his head, becoming unattached, he left the city and started praying lord Shiva.
Having been thus praised, the brown complexioned lord Shiva established him over the position of Ganapati.
Danu has sons like Tara and others who were quite strong. They were terrific. Among them Tara, Sambara, Kapila, Sankara, Svarbhanu and Vrsaparva were the foremost.
О Brahmanas, a thousand serpents were bom of the womb of Surasa as well as thousands of noble-souled, multi-headed and heaven- wanderers.
Arista gave birth to a thousand Gandharvas. Ananta and other great serpents having been bom of Kadrfl came to be known as Kadraveyas.
О Best of the Brahmanas, Tamra gave birth to six daughters, namely, SukI, Syeni, BhasI, Sugriva, Granthika and Suci.
The cows and buffaloes were bom of Surabhi. Ira gave birth to the trees, creepers, vines and all types of grasses.
О Excellent sages, Muni gave birth to the Yaksas, Raksasas and Apsaras. It was out of anger that she gave birth to the group of Raksasas.
Vinata, the daughter of Daksa had his famous sons named Garuda and Aruna. The wise Garuda performed severe tapas and with the grace of Shiva, became the vehicle of lord Yisnu.
Amna also performed severe tapas for Mahadeva, who was pleased and by his grace, he became the charioteer of Sun-god.
In the Vaivasvata Manvantara, these mobile and immobile beings are the descendants of Kasyapa, which have been described to you. They remove the sins of the listeners.
О man of holy vows, the twenty-seven daughters of Daksa, were married to the moon. The wives of Aristanemi, also gave birth to many sons and daughters.
The intelligent Bahuputra had four Devaganas known as Vidyuta. The excellent sages Angirasas became adorable due to their piety.
The sons of Devarsi Krsasva, became the attributes of the gods. All of them at the end of the thousands of yugas in the different Manvantaras, are bom again with similar achievements and with their respective designations.
1. Kadraveyas a species of Naga born from Tarksya (Kas'yapa) and Kadru having innumerable hoods. Pauranika Kosa, p. 98.
Chapter 19
Description of the dynasty of Rishis
Suta said, “With the desire of begetting more sons, for the increase in worldly population, Kasyapa performed great tapas for the continuity of progeny.
As a result of his performing so severe penances, he produced two sons named Vatsara and Asita. Both of them were well-versed in Brahman.
Vatsara had a son named Naidhruva and Raibhya who were immensely glorious. Raibhya produced the sons known as Stidras who were the most excellent among the learned ones.
Mahatma Naidhruva’s wife was Sumedha, the daughter of the sage Cyavana, who gave birth to the sons known as Kundapayins.
Asita produced a son who was well-versed in the Vedas, from his wife Ekaparna. He was know as Devala, who was a great preceptor of Yoga as well as performed great penance.
The second son was known as Sandilya, who possessed enormous fortunes and was knower of the true principles. He, by the grace of Parvati, achieved the best of the yogic Siddhis.
Sandilya, Naidhruva and Raibhya, having human temperament, belonged to the race of Kasyapa. О Brahmanas, now I shall speak about the children of Pulastya.
О Brahmanas, Ailavila was the daughter of the sage Tmabindu, who was given over by the royal sage in marriage to the sage Pulastya.
From Ailavila, the sage known as Visravas was bom. He had four wives, who flourished the race of Pulastya. They were known by the names of Puspotkata, Vaka, KaikasI and Devavaminl, all of them possessed excellent beauty. You listen to their progeny.
Devavaminl gave birth to the eldest of the sons known as Vaisravana. KaikasI gave birth to Ravana, the lord of Raksasas. Thereafter, the son Kumbhakarna, Surpanakha, the daughter and Vibhlsana, another son were bom to her. Puspotkata on the other hand, gave birth to Mahodara, Prahasta, Mahaparsva and Khara, the sons, besides a daughter named Kumbhlnasi. Now you listen about the children of Vaka.
She gave birth to Trisiras, Diisana and Vidyujjihva of great strength. All of them were performers of the cmel deeds and came to be known as the ten Paulastya demons. All of them were endowed with the power of penance and physical strength. They were quite awful, and were immensely devoted to Rudra.
Pulaha’s sons were deer, all kind of serpents, fanged beasts, goblins, Pis'acas, bears, boars and the elephants.
In the Vaivasvata Manvantara, Kratu was without progeny. Kasyapa who himself was Prajapati, was the son of Marichi.
From Bhrgu, was bom Sukra, who became the preceptor of the demons. He engaged himself always in stutis and the yogic practices.
1. She was the sister of Ravana, the king of Lanka and of Khara, the king of Janasthana. These Raksasas were probably barbarian kings reigning in the Southern India whom Rama killed and extended his conquests.
Не was quite illustrious and was devoted to Shiva.
Vahni was the son of Atri and Naidhruva was his uterine-brother. It is heard that some sons were bom of GhrtacI from the Brahmana sage Krs'asva.
The sons known as Svastyatreyas were included in them. All of them were fully devoted to the study of the Vedas and the post Vedic literature and destroyed their sins by performing tapas.
Narada had given over Arundhati to Vasistha but at the same time, because of the curse of Daksa, he himself become a Brahmacarl.
I This was due to the fact that when Haryasvas (the sons of Daksa) were lost due to the Maya of Narada, Daksa Prajapati, with eyes red shot with anger, pronounced a curse on Narada- “Since you have destroyed all my sons with your illusion, therefore you will never have any sons.”
Vasistha on the other hand, produced a son named Shakti, from his wife Arundhati. Parasara, the best of the ascetics, who was omniscient was bom as a son to Shakti.
Paras'ara, the great sage, adored the slayer of Tripuras, the Lord of the chief of Devas, Shiva and produced a great sage son named Lord Krisnadvaipayana.
Suka was bom of Dvaipayana, who resembled lord Shiva himself. He was bom out of the arhs'a of lord Shiva and then he attained his own great region.
Sukadeva, on the other hand, was immensely illustrious and produced five ascetic sons who came to be known by the names of Bhurisravas, Prabhu, Sambhu, Krisna and Gaura, besides three daughters known by the names of Klrtimatl, Yogamata and Dhrtavrata. These persons of the family of Atri, the expounders of Brahman, have been narrated by Brahma. Now you listen about the royal progeny from Kasyapa.
Chapter 20
Description of Royal Dynasty
Suta said, “From Kasyapa, Aditi produced a powerful son named Aditya, who had four wives named Sarhjna, Rajfil, Prabha and Chaya. Listen to the names of their sons, Sarhjna, the daughter of Tvastr, produced from the Sun-god, Yama, Yamuna and Vaivasvata, the best of Manus.
While Prabha gave birth to Prabhata as son from Aditya. Chaya gave birth to sons Savarni, Sani, Tapatl and Viti in the same order. The first Manu had nine sons who were as valorous as their father.
Their names were Iksvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrsta, Saryati, Narisyanta, Nabhaga, Arista, Karusa and illustrious Prsadhra. All these nine were glorious like Indra. Ila, the eldest and the most excellent, contributed to the growth of the race of the moon.
Reaching the abode of Buddha, in union with the son of the moon, the goddess Ila, produced a son named Purflravas.
Puriiravas, who had been bom of Budha, was the propitiator of the Pips. This has been heard by us. Ila, after getting spotless son, well-known as Sudyumna, again attained womanhood, and gave birth to three sons named- Utkala, Gaya and Vinata. All these sons were immensely intelligent and were devoted to Brahma. The valorous king Vikuksi was bom of Iksavaku.
He was the eldest son-of Iksavaku, who had fifteen other sons. Kakustha was the eldest of them. Suyodhana was the son of Kakustha.
The glorious Prthu was bom of Suyodhana. while Visvaka was Prthu’s son. The intelligent Ardraka was born from Visvaka, who had a son named Yuvanas'va.
Once, the glorious Yuvanasva, desirous of begetting a son, went to Gokama-tlrtha, where he found the sage Gautama resembling the fire, performing the tapas.
With the desire to have a son, king prostrated before the sage Gautama and then asked him, “By what means can I achieve a righteous- minded son?”
Gautama said, “By adoring the primordial person, lord Visnu, having no beginning, middle or end, you can achieve the religious-minded son.
He is the one having Brahma as his son, while the brown-bodied Shiva is his grandson, by adoring the same Krisna Isana, everyone can achieve the best of son.
The one whose power and influence is unknown even to Brahma, by adoring the same lord Hrslkes'a, you can achieve the excellent son, with a religious mind.”
Then king Yuvanas'va, listening to the words of the sage Gautama, started adoring the eternal HrshIkesa.
In due course of time, he had a valorous son, named Savasti, who established the city of Savasti in the land of Gauda.
Brhadasva was bom of him. Kuvalayasva was born of Brhadasva. He became known as Dhundhumara by killing the great Asura Dhundhu.
After killing the demon Dhundhu,1 he came to be known as Dhundhumara, who had three sons, who were known as the excellent Brahmanas. They were known as Dandasva, Drdhas'va and Kapilasva. Drdhasva had the son named Pramoda, whose son was known as Haryasva. Nikumbha was bom to Haryasva while Sariihatasva was bom to Nikumbha as a son. Sariihatasva had two sons known as Kftasva and Ranasva. Yuvanasva, the son of Ranasva, was as strong as Indra in the battlefield.
1. Bhagavata РигЗпа IX.23.35-39 p. 473. One of the five sons of Rucaka whom his brother exiled. Saivya was his wife. Who was a barren woman. In a battle victory he got a merides whom he broughtin a chariot. Saivya's fear did not allow him to reveal the truth. He called her his daughter-in-law. Visvedevas and Pitaras blessed her with a son Vidarbha whose two sons Krutha and KesI started a lineage. Pauranika Kosa P. 189.
By performing the Varuril yajha and by the grace of the sages, Yuvanasva got a son named Mandhata, who was immensely wise, virtuous and was the best of all the carriers of the weapons. Mandhata had three sons known as Purukutsa, valorous Ambarisa and the auspicious Mucukunda. All of them were like Indra on the battle-field. Ambarlsa’s successor was another Yuvanas'va.
Harita was the son of Yuvanasva, and his son was known as Harita. Pumkutsa’s successor was Trasadasyu of great fame. He had a son named Sambhflti, who was bom of Narmada. Visnuvrddha was the son of Sambhuti, while Anaranya was the son of Visnuvrddha. Brhadasva was the son of Anaranya, who had a son named Haryasva.
He was an extremely righteous king. By the grace of Kardama, the Prajapati, he begot a son who was quite a religious one and was devoted to the sun.
Vasumanas was his name, who adored the sun, bestowed welfare on all and got a unique son named Tridhanvan who could subjugate his enemies.
О Excellent Brahmanas, the king Vasumanas, after conquering the enemies, performed the As'vamedha sacrifice. He was quite studious, charitable, devoted to dharma and was desirous of achieving moksa.
In the yajna performed by him, Vasishtha, Kasyapa and other Rishis participated, besides the gods headed by Indra. After completing the yajna appropriately and bowing in reverence to Vasistha and other excellent Brahmanas, he asked them.
Vasumanas said, “O Excellent Brahmanas, which is more conductive to welfare in this world? Is it sacrifice, penance or renunciation? Be pleased to tell me, О knowers of everything.”
Vasistha said, “After appropriate study of the Vedas, after begetting and assiduously bringing them up, one should worship the lord of yajnas by performing sacrifices and realising the Atman should repair to the forest.”
Pulastya said, “Initially one should adore the gods, Paramesvara and perform the yajnas, then one should embrace sannyasa (renunciation) appropriately.”
Puloha said, “By means of penance, one shall propitiate that thousand-rayed deity whom they call the sole ancient Person and the Supreme Lord, and shall obtain liberation.”
Jamadagni said, “The one who is the seed of the universe, and is well aware of the inner feelings of all, is eternal, beyond birth, creator of the universe, the same Visnu can be achieved with the performing of tapas.
Visvamitra said, “The one who has the form of fire, is the universal soul, beyond measure, having faces all-round, besides being self-bom, the same Rudra can be achieved by severe tapas and not with the performing of other sacrifices.”
Bharadvaja said, “The eternal Vasudeva, who is adored with the performing of the yajnas, and whose form is constituted of all deities, is the Supreme Lord and he should be adored.”
Atri said, “The one from whom the entire universe has emerged, and who has the son like Prajapati Brahma, the same Mahesvara should be adored performing the severe tapas."
Gautama said, “The one from whom Pradhana and Purusa were bom, and the one whose Shakti is represented by the universe, the same eternal god of gods, can be achieved with the performing of tapas."
Kasyapa said, “The god who is the witness of all, having a thousand eyes, besides being the excellent yogi and Prajapati, the same Sambhu is pleased with the performing of the tapas.”
Kratu said, “The one who has achieved Vedic studies and performed yajnas, besides the sons, for such a person, there could be no other way, except to perform the penance. Nothing else is adviced in the dharmasastras."
Hearing this from the Royal-Rishis, that saintly king, feeling extremely delighted, bowed in reverence before the sages and after adoring them, sent them off. Then he spoke to Tridhanvan.
“By means of penance I shall now worship the Lord designated with the single syllable Om, the great purusa who is lodged in the middle of the solar disc.
You getting free from laziness, devoting yourself to dharma, protect the entire earth comprising of the four castes of people.”
Thus speaking, the sinless king entrusted the care of his kingdom to his son and retired to the forest for the performing of severe tapas.
He reached the beautiful peaks of Himalaya, in the forest of Devadaru and started worshipping the gods with bulbous and other roots and fruits grown in the forest and subsisted on them.
He burnt all his sins performing tapas for more than a hundred years and continued reciting the Mantras of goddess Savitrl, the mother of the Vedas.
Finding him so engaged in hard penance, Hiranyagarbha, lord Svayambhuva, the soul of the world, himself reached there.
Finding the arrival of the Lord Brahma, having faces in all the four directions, the king reciting his name, fell over the feet of 'lord Brahma in reverence.
He said, “O God of gods, О Brahma, О Supreme soul, the gold-complexioned creator having a thousand eyes, salutation to you.
You are Dhdta and Vidhata, salutation^ to you. Salutation to the form of the soul of'the gods. You could be achieved through the knowledge and practice of sdmkhya and yoga, salutation to you.
Salutation to you having the form of Trimurti. Salutation to the Purana Purusa and the preceptor of the yogis.”
Then, lord Brahma feeling pleased, said, “Let you meet with welfare. I intend to bestow a boon on you. I am the granter of boons.”
The king said, “O Lord of gods, I should have the longevity for the period of a hundred years and more so that I could continue to recite the mantra of Gayatrl, the mother of the Vedas.”
The universal soul-Brahma, said looking at the king, “Very well.” Thereafter, the delightful Brahma touched the king with both his hands and disappeared thereafter.
Soon after the receiving of the boon, the delightful king continued the reciting of the mantra. He took bath thrice a day, feeling calm continued to consume fruits and roots.
After completion of a hundred years, the lord of fierce-rays, the great Yogin, appeared in front of him from the solar disc of the sun.
Finding Brahma, having the body of the Vedas, being eternal, lodged in the solar disc, the king felt surprised.
He started offering prayer to him reciting the Vedic hymns, more particularly the Savitri mantra. After a moment, he found him in the form of Parames'vara.
He had four faces, had matted locks of hair over the head, had eight hands and three eyes. He was marked with the moon’s digits; infact he was Ardhanarls'vara (half male and half female body) Shiva.
The entire universe had been covered with his rays. He had a blue throat, was clad in red garments, garlands and unguents. He himself was red in colour.
Having an audience with such a Rudradeva, the king becoming emotional, with an overwhelming mind, reciting the Gayatrl mantra, with devotion, offered his salutation to Rudradeva, lowering his head.
Then the king said, “O Nllakantha, О Illustrious ParamesthI, the form of the Vedas, Rudra, Kalaruipa and the cause of all, salutation to you.”
Then Mahadeva, getting pleased spoke to the king, “O sinless king, these are my secret names and you care to listen to them.
All of them have been described in the Vedas and are blissful for the world. О King, keeping yourself always pure, you adore me with the reciting of these names.
О King, completely devoting yourself in me, you study and recite the Satarudriya-adhyaya which is the gist of Yajurveda.
A person, who, being a celibate, observing fast, applying ashes over the body, with a devoted mind, recites my .Тара of Rudra, till the time of death, he achieves the supreme position.”
Thus speaking, lord Rudra, bestowed to him another lease of life of a hundred years. He is always benevolent on his devotees.
Paramesvara Rudra, bestowing the supreme knowledge and detachment, disappeared in a moment. In this way, the astonishing event happened.
The king also, applied ashes over his body, taking bath every day, remaining calm, with a devoted mind, started performing the japam of Satarudriya.
While so performing the japam for a period of full hundred years, the Yogic activity began to function (resulting in deeper mediation). Then after some time, the king entered the place of Brahma, the ParamesthI, who is the gist of the Vedas. Then achieving the solar region, finally achieved the place of Mahesvara, which happened to be the supreme.
A person who reads or even listens to the excellent conduct of the king Vasumanas, he getting relieved of all the sins, is adored in the Brahmaloka.
Chapter 21
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