Nābhāga Upākhyāna
The Nābhāga Upākhyāna is told in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Chapters 110–112. It is about Nābhāga, a son of Vaivasvata Manu’s line. He rightly claims the avadāna, the residue of a yajña (fire ritual) performed by brāhmaṇas. Then a dark-complexioned figure appears and says the residue belongs to him. That figure reveals himself as Rudra.
Nābhāga claims the avadāna
His father sent Nābhāga to a place where brāhmaṇas of the Aṅgiras line were performing a great yajña. The brāhmaṇas were unsure how to share out the avadāna. This is the final portion that remains after all the other shares have been given.
Nābhāga recited the Vedic verses correctly, and this settled their doubt. The brāhmaṇas were grateful. They gave him the avadāna as his fee.
The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa tells this in Chapters 110–111.
Rudra appears
Nābhāga was about to take the avadāna when a dark and terrifying figure appeared. He was black in colour and had matted hair. He said: “The avadāna of every yajña belongs to me. It always has. These brāhmaṇas had no right to give it to you.”
Nābhāga was bewildered. He went back to his father and asked what this meant. His father said: “That is Rudra himself. Go back, win his favour and ask for his grace.”
Nābhāga returned and prayed to the dark figure, who then showed himself as Rudra. Nābhāga understood rightly that the final residue of every yajña belongs to the master of the universe. Rudra was pleased with his devotion and blessed him. He let Nābhāga keep the avadāna as a gift from Rudra himself. This made it far more sacred than if Nābhāga had only claimed it by right.
The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa tells this in Chapter 112.
Sources
- Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Chapters 110–111
- Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Chapter 112