STORY OF VISHWAMITRA - 3

(This is the second half of Chapter 51 in Balakanda of Sri Valmeeki Ramayana where Shatananda, the virtuous Minister of Janaka Maharaja, divulges the story of Sage Vishwmitra. It is an interesting story. Hope it meets with the approval of all my Facebook friends. Read it, comment and share it, if you like) 
Hearing the pleasant words of knowledgeable Vishwamitra, most radiant Shatananda told Rama: 
“Supreme human Raghava, it is our good fortune that you have arrived here along with indefatigable sage Vishwamitra. You are welcome. Vishwamitra can do impossible and unbelievable tasks with ease. He can do things that others can hardly imagine. He has become a Brahmarshi through penance alone. His influence is infinite. His power is immensurable. Please be aware that most radiant Vishwamitra, who is an outstanding performer of penance, can do the best of fa

vour to you. He is your protector. Certainly, you are the luckiest person on earth. What is the power of this great person’s penance? What a divine history he has? I will tell all these things in detail, please listen to me.” 
“In the past, he was a spirituous, scholarly, learned king thinking always about the welfare of his subjects. For several years, he was ruling his kingdom, destroying all his enemies. I will now tell you his family tree, please listen. Rama, Prajapati Brahma had a son called Kusha, who was born out of the mind of Lord Brahma, He had been created by Lord Brahma exclusive for looking after the subjects and therefore, he had become the emperor of the world. Virtuous, powerful and strong Kushanabha was his son. A famous person called Gadhi was born to Kushanabha as the son. ThE son of that great Gadhi is none other this Maharshi Vishwamitra. As I told you earlier, being a very strong and powerful king, he was ruling over this land, which he inherited from his predecessors, with good culture and tradition. Once, he got his Akshauhini army ready and began an expedition of travelling around the world. After crossing many towns, cities, countries, rivers and rivulets, mountains, hills, valleys, dense forest and hermitages which were the abodes of great Maharshis, before finally landing in the hermitage of sage Vasishtha. The charm of that Ashram was inexplicably enchanting. It was covered with a variety of flower-yielding plants and creepers of pleasant and rare fragrance and charm. That ashram was adorned with Sidhdhas, Gandharvas, Charanas, Kinnaras and other celestial beings. It was covered with calm deer. Several outstanding Brahmins were living there. Many Brahmrshis, Devarshis were doing penance in that hermitage. Outstanding students of Veda, who were as radiant as fire, were there. That hermitage was entirely filled with great persons, who were equal to four-faced Lord Brahma. Some of them were consuming water as food; some were inhaling the air as food and indulging in penance; some were eating the withered leaves of trees as food and a few were consuming roots and fruits. All of them had control over external and internal organs; they had overpowered anger. That hermitage was adorned with Valakhilyas1 and Vaikhanasas, who were engaged in meditation and penance. What else can I say, Rama, the hermitage of Vasishtha was certainly existing like another Brahma Loka. Vishwamitra, who was the greatest of victorious persons and was very strong, visited such a wonderful and divine hermitage.

GANGAVATARANA - SUBSTANTIATION

There were five superscriptions in Chapter 43 of Balakanda in Valmeeki Ramayana and their explanations are given hereunder, without which the understanding may become slightly lopsided. 

1The first stanza of this chapter reads as under: 

DEvadEvE gatE tasminsO(a)nguShThAgranipeeditAm|

KrutwA vasumateem RAma samwatsaramupAsata

The second word in the first line is “AnguShThAgranipeeDitAm”, which literally means “Bhageeratha was torturing the Earth with his right toe-end. Scholars clarify that tormenting the earth with right toe-end only means that Bhageeratha was standing on his right toe-end while doing the penance. Because of the sharpness of the nail, perhaps, the Goddess Earth was being pained, though it was not the intention of Bhageeratha. He was standing on the right toe-end as a means of concentration. Because of the power of his penance, the toe-end had become so strong that it could bear the whole weight of the body of Bhageeratha. Taking explanations provided in Bhagavata and other Puranas, the interpretation of Sri Madhwacharya, it can be said that Lord Vishnu had provided Bhageeratha with that power, strength, patience and perseverance to press for his demand. 

2Ganga is also known as Tripathage which means a river which flows in three paths (Tri = three and Patha means paths). Some scholars state that since Ganga flew in all the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld, she has been called as Tripathage. Some others say that since three streams of Ganga flew towards West, three towards East and one followed Bhageeratha, she has been named as Tripathage. There is no harm in accepting both the arguments. 

3Jahnu was born in the royal family of Chandra or the dynasty of Moon to Ajameedha, who was the son of Suhotra. His mother’s name was Keshini. He is also the originator of a dynasty called Kushika to which Vishwamitra belongs. Even in Ramayana, Valmeeki addresses Vishwamitra as Kaushika or Kushika. 

4 According to scriptures, the oceans, initially, consisted of Ganga waters and was therefore it was sweet. Once, when the deities were battling with demons, the demons suddenly vanished and hid in an ocean. The deities appealed to Sage Agastya to help them. Sage Agastya obliged, drank the

ocean waters at once and emptied the whole region to expose the demons. Deities could then destroy the demons and emerge victorious. From then on, Sage Agastya is also known as Samudrachuluka. Later, Agastya released the water in the form of urine and that is why the sea waters became salty. 

5The significance of the immersion of the ashes of corpses in holy waters of Ganga, Kaveri or union of sacred rivers called Sangam is established with the incident of Bhageeratha immersing the ashes of his ancestors in Ganga waters, which cleared their sins and empowered them to enter the Heavens, say scholars. 

(The merits of reading this story of Gangavatarana will be furnished next time, because of the length and also significance. It is highly meritorious to read or hear the story of Gangavatarana. Please read, attract the Punya, peace and prosperity, comment and share it if you like it. Thank you.- SDN)

STORY OF SAGE VISHWAMITRA - 1

Sage Vishwamitra is one of the Saptarishis who have formed the Saptarishi Mandala as Stars. This Saptarishi Mandala has been named as Great Bear by the scientists.

Other sages of Saptarishi Mandala are Kashyapa, Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni and Vasishtha, as mentioned in Shalya Parva of Mahabharata. However, there is a slight change in the names of these sages in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata, where the names have been mentioned as: Mareechi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya, Kratu and Vasishtha. Scholars are of the opinion that due to change in the Kalpa, which denotes a complete cycle of Kruta Yuga, Treta Yua, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. The first set of Saptarishis belong to the present Vaivaswata Manvantara. The variation in the names only indicates that the other set belong to another Manvantara.

The story of Vishwamitra is mentioned in Mahabharata and Ramayana. In Ramayana, Shatananda, Chief Minister of Janaka Maharaja, narrates the transformation of King Vishwaratha, a descendant of Kushika dynasty and hence addressed as Kaushika in some places, and his father was Gadhi. The origin of Vishwaratha finds mention in Hari Vamsha and Vayu Purana, besides Mahab

harata. Wife of Vishwaratha was Haimavati. He had several other wives, including Shalavati, Drushadwati, Renu, Madhavi and so on. Madhuchchandana, Kati, Panina, Yajnavalkya, Sankruti, Gala, Mudgala, Devala, Ashtaka, Devarata and his most beloved Shunashyepa were among his over one hundred children. As the king in the lineage of Chandra Vamsha or dynasty, he once goes on a hunting spree and chances to enter the hermitage of Vasishtha, another sage among the Saptarishis, and then attains the Brahmarshi status through penance, which is a very thrilling, meritorious and interesting story. This is an introduction to that thrilling story, which will be narrated here from the next issue for my dear FACEBOOK friends. This portion is also an excerpt of Chapter 50 onwards in Balakanda of Sri Ramayana. Please go through, comment and share it if you like it. HAPPY READING 

A TRIBUTE TO BHEESHMA PITAMAHA

Magha Shukla Ashtami is the day on which Bheeshma Pitamaha discarded his corporal body on the Sharashayye. He is the only epic character, who had received a boon from his father Shantanu to ‘die on his own accord’. Bheeshma was the incarnation of Vasu, born on earth due to a curse of Sage Vasishtha. He was born to Shantanu from Ganga as the eighth, last and the only surviving son since his seven brothers born earlier were killed. As soon as he was born, Ganga takes him away and brings him up. Therefore, he spent his boyhood days and had the education in archery under Parashurama during his stay with Ganga. Later, when Shantanu was on the banks of Ganga, the latter handed over young Bheeshma to him. Shantanu promptly performed the coronation of Bheeshma as the king-designate. Those were the only early days in the life of Bheeshma which can be considered as pleasant and joyful. Ever since Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, a fisher woman, Bheeshma had to pronounce one oath after the other. Dasharaja, the father of Satyavati, puts a condition to marry off his daughter Satyavati to Shantanu only if the King were to promise that the son born to her would be the successor. Shantanu did not agree but the passion he had developed for Satyavati took away all the smile and spirit from his face, which young Bheeshma noticed quickly. He enquired with his father about the reason for the ‘distress’ he had drowned in but to no avail. Bheeshma investigates the reason, goes to Dasharaja, promises him that the son born to Satyavati would be the successor. Bheeshma goes on to declare that he would never marry in his life to ensure that the successive children born to Satyavati’s son and so on would continue to occupy the throne. Bheeshma also states that he would protect the King, the throne of Hastinavati and the values of Kuru Vamsha. Because of his own oath, he refuses to marry Ambike. King Salva had rejected her 

since she had been forcibly abducted by Bheeshma, along with Amba and Ambalika to settle the marriage of Satyavati’s son Vichitraveerya. Bheeshma had to wage a war against Salva to make him accept Ambike. But, in the war, King Salva died. Ambike wanted Bheeshma to marry her. The story of Bheeshma is too long. One particular incident worth mentioning is that when Lord Krishna declares in front of Duryodhana that he would not behold any weapon during the Great War Kurukshetra, Bheeshma also announces that he would make the Lord behold the weapon, Sudarshana Chakra. Lord Krishna knew that Bheeshma was a blessed soul, an ardent devotee and a victim of several conflicting circumstances. Therefore, to show to the world that the Lord always loves his devotee without any bias or prejudice, Lord Krishna pretends to be angry with Bheeshma, beholds the Sudarshana Disc against his devotee. The Lord broke his own promise to safeguard the oath of his devotee, Bheeshma. Lord also makes Bheeshma teach Yudhishthira only to show to the universe how scholarly was Bheeshma. Entire Mahabharata revolves around Bheeshma even though Lord Vishnu was there in several forms like Parashurama, Sri Vedavyasa and Lord Krishna.

It is the duty of everyone to pay libations, give Tarpana to Bheeshma on this day.         

GANGAVATARANA - 10

(This is the most important section as far as Gangavatarana is concerned. Words marked with superscript will be explained in the next article. Please read, comment and Share, if you like it. This is the latter par

t of Chapter 42 in Balakanda of Sri Valmeeki Ramayana.) 

Raghava, the spiritually awakened and pious king, Rajarshi Bhageeratha had no children. Hence, he decided to handover the reigns of his throne to his Ministers and went away to Gokarna kshetra3, consecrated Panchagni4, stood at the centre with his shoulders risen upwards, launched a penance by controlling all his sensory organs and consuming food only once in a month; his goal was to beget children and more importantly to bring Ganga to the Earth. He spent several years doing such a penance. 

Impressed with the dreadful penance of Bhageeratha, Lord, Prajapati5, Sarveshwara6 and Pitamaha7 Chaturmukha8 Brahma, reached Bhageeratha, who was still engaged in penance, along with other deities, and said:

“Most radiant Janeshwara, I am very much pleased with your grueling penance. Oh Committed, seek the boon you desire most and I am ready to grant the same.” 

Highly radiant and broad shouldered Bhageeratha, with folded hands and standing in a posture of devotion and submission, told the Pitamaha of universe: 

“My most revered Lord, if you are truly pleased with my penance and willing to grant the fruits for my penance, kindly enable me to perform the Salila Kriya to the 60,000 children of my great grandfather Sagara. Lord Brahma, if the heap of ashes of great children of Sagara can be soaked in the holy waters of Ganga River, my forefathers will secure the eternal world of heavens. Apart from that, I also request you to bless me with a heir. Our dynasty should not be destructed due to any reason. Being born in Ikshwaku dynasty, please oblige me with this second boon as well.”

Raghava, Pitamaha of the Universe Brahma told these words, which were pleasing and consisted of attractive letters, to King Bhageeratha, who had pleaded him: 

“Maharaja Bhageeratha, you can make the Ikshwaku dynasty grow. Your desire will be fulfilled. I wish you good luck. This Goddess Ganga is the eldest daughter of Himavanta. She is also popular as Haimavati. As she comes to Earth from the Divine World in the form of a deluge, please request Lord Ishwara to withstand her force. Goddess Earth will not be able to bear the flood-like fall of Ganga. Only spear-beholding Shiva is capable of holding her. None else can bear her. Therefore, offer prayer to him only.” 

Brahma, the originator of universe, asked Goddess Ganga to sanction the appeal of Bhageeratha, consoled Bhageeratha and returned to his World, along with deities and the groups of Marut.

JADABHARATOPAKHYA - 22

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(The story of Jadabharata is in the form of a narration by Shuka Muni to King Pareekshit. In this part, Jadabharata cites the examples of extraordinary kings to tell Rahugana that even such Kings were not comparable to Lord Hari. PLEASE READ, COMMENT AND SHARE IT YOU LIKE IT)

It is first said that the gods and goddesses praise Bharata as incomparable, unmatched and super most King of all times:

ArShaBhasyEha rAjarShErmanasA(a)pi mahAtmanaha|

NAnuvartmArhati nrupO makShikEva Garutmataha||

The deities sang thus in praise of Bharata Muni:

Son of great Rushabha called Bharata was a Rajarshi and none can ever imagine in the wildest of thoughts about the way Bharata pursued the path of penance and salvation or Moksha. Can a housefly fly like golden eagle?

Sri Madhwacharya states that this is just an exaggeration of the qualities of Bharata only to drive home the fact that he was very great. However, one can come across other great kings like Kartaveeryarjuna, Pruthu, Priyavrata and so on, who were emperors of extraordinary brilliance, virtues and spirituality, which can only be compared with the qualities of Karma Devatas or deities having certain specific area of duties and responsibilities. Therefore, the above Shloka should be read as:

RutE HaihayavainyAdeen ArShaBhasyEha kaha samAha?

YastyOpadEshAt sinDhveeshO dadarsha Kapilam praBhum iti cha||

Which other king, except Kartaveeryarjuna, Pruthu and others, can match Bharata? Because, due to the preaching of Bharata, King Rahugana saw Kapila Maharshi in him.

Shuka Muni reiterates with King Pareekshit that even during his life as a deer, Bharata was praising the qualities of the Lord.

Jadabharata had told King Rahugana that if a group of traders happen to enter forest area by mistake and they do not have any leader to fight for them, then robbers waylay them and snatch away everything in their possession. Fox and Wolves take away lambs and sheep. Roads become beyond penetration due to dense growth of thorny herms and shrubs. The whole scenario is like the Second Coming of W.B. Yeats. It is a scene of utter chaos where ‘falcon cannot hear the falconer.’  All these metaphors and descriptions convey the pattern of life of a man and Jadabharata tells King Rahugana that in spite of such disdainful, awful, unbearable troubles and empirical facts, human being does not try to cross the tunnel of darkness so that he can see the light of the day. This is the tunnel of worldly life, the tryst with a bliss through family life and so on. At every state, human being loses his path and jumps from one forest into another ‘dark and deep woods’. As a result, he keeps circumambulating in the family life, always missing his path. (to be continued…)            

GANGAVATARANA - EIGHT

(Some of the points mentioned in Chapter 41 of BALAKANDA, RAMAYANA need further explanation, which is being done in this issue. Hope it will interest the valued readers. Picture is something I am struggling for. Please pardon. HAPPY READING AND SHARE IT IF YOU LIKE IT. FURTHER HAPPY SANKRANTI TO EVERY ONE OF YOU.)

Salilakriya means immersion of the ashes into water, which is one of the most important duties to be followed as part of final rites. Some commentators state that Salilakriya means offer of oblations or Tarpanakriya. Both meanings are appropriate. Amarakosha states: Aapaha vArvAri salilam kamalam Jalam, which means salilam is synonym of water and Kriya is action with hand.

The advice of Garuda to Amshumanta that he should immerse the ashes of his uncles into Ganga is relieving the soul from its sins, which has been stated in Smrutis too. In the present context, Garuda has clearly stated that the deceased children of Sagara could not be relieved of their sins through immersion of their ashes in the waters of any earthly river because they had insulted a Brahmin and got killed by a Brahmin. 

The arrogance exhibited by Sagara’s sons was, at least from the point of view of Kapila Maharshi, unwarranted and anyone disturbing someone without reason or relevance deserves punishment. If the Lord had left them unpunished, it would have become a bad precedent and sent wrong message to sinners. Sin, whether committed in a fit of rage or with a cool mind, is a sin and its impact cannot be avoided or left unpunished and that is why they were punished.

“Chandaladudakatsarpadyaidudyatadbrahmanadapi|

Damshstribhyashcha maranam papakarmanam||

 Udakam pindadanam cha Yetebhyo yadvidheeyate|

Nopatishthati tatsarvamantarikshe vinashyati|| 

This Sanskrit verse amply describes that the immersion of Asthi or the ashes of thedeceased who are sinful, comprising Chandalas — according to the V.M. Apte’s Sanskrit English Dictionary, Chandala meansan outcaste, wicked and/or the most despised person — those drowned, killed by snake bite, electrocuted, cursed to death by Brahmins, killed by wild animals and beasts, will end up midway in the space. This means there will be no salvation for such souls and unless their sins are cleared with special rites, including the immersion of Asthi in holy waters, and as prescribed by the holy texts, salvation will not be possible.

Since the death of the uncles of Amshumanta and sons of Sagara was caused by a curse of Kapila Maharishi, it was essential that their Asthi was immersed in Ganga. 

Even while immersing the Asthi in the waters, texts like Garuda Purana, which deals with various aspects of the soul’s journey to the world hereafter, the punishments that await the deceased person for different sins committed during his lifetime and also the benefits of good and righteous deeds, states that the performer should take it in an urn and immerse in the middle of the river. It is said that the soul of a deceased person will not return to earth till the Asthi remains in the holy waters/river of Ganga. Hence, it is desirable that the Asthi is immersed in Ganga.