King Gaya
Gaya, simply known as Gaya, Sanskrit: गय, Telugu: గయుడు, Hindi: गय.
Gaya was a great righteous king of Bhārata-varsha. He came down from Bharata Cakravartī through Bharata’s son Sumati. He is known as a ruler of great goodness who performed great yajñas (fire rituals) and ruled his people in full accord with dharma. Bhagavān Vishṇu was so pleased with Gaya’s virtues and yajñas that he came to Gayā-kshetra. There he declared that he would stay always, for the sake of those who offer śrāddha and piṇḍa-dāna (rice-ball offerings) to their ancestors. The tīrtha (holy place) of Gayā is named after this king.
Lineage
Gaya came down from Bharata Cakravartī through this line:
Bharata, Sumati, Teja, Indradyumna, Parameshṭhin, Pratīha, Pratihartā, Bhava, Udgītha, Prastāva, Vibhu, Pṛthusheṇa, Nakta, Gaya.
Gaya was many generations after Bharata. The line kept its dharmic character all through. The Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa gives this line in Skanda 5, Chapter 15.
A king of great virtue
The Bhāgavata describes Gaya as a perfect king. He was kind to his subjects and devoted to dharma. He knew all the śāstras (sacred teachings). His conduct was pure, and his ārādhanā (worship) of Bhagavān Vishṇu never failed. He treated all beings alike and ruled without favour. He was free from the pride that troubles even many good kings. His mind was made so pure by tapas (austerity) and devotion that only the image of Bhagavān Vishṇu appeared in it, as in a mirror.
The Bhāgavata also describes Gaya as an aṃśa (partial appearance) of Bhagavān Vishṇu. In him the divine qualities of Bhagavān Vishṇu shone without any block.
Great yajñas and the approval of Bhagavān Vishṇu
Gaya performed many large yajñas, including several aśvamedhas (horse yajñas). He held them on the banks of the river Sarasvatī and at other holy places. They followed the Vedic rules fully. He gave proper dakshiṇā (gifts) to the brāhmaṇas. His one aim was to please Bhagavān Vishṇu, not to gain puṇya (merit) for himself.
Bhagavān Vishṇu was so pleased with Gaya’s conduct and the purity of his yajñas that he appeared before the assembled ṛshis and brāhmaṇas and praised Gaya in a special way.
Bhagavān Vishṇu declared three things. The earth where Gaya ruled was blessed. The ancestors of those who offered piṇḍa-dāna at the holy place in his kingdom were set free. And he himself would always be present at the place called Gayā-kshetra, to receive the piṇḍa-dāna offered there for ancestors. This blessing made Gayā a tīrtha. It is still one of the holiest places in all Bhārata-varsha for piṇḍa-dāna and śrāddha.
The tīrtha of Gayā
The tīrtha of Gayā, in present-day Bihar, gets its holiness from its link with this great king. The Bhāgavata records that the feet of Bhagavān Vishṇu touched the earth at this place, in honour of Gaya’s great virtue. Piṇḍa-dāna offered at Gayā-kshetra is held able to free ancestors from any state, even naraka (hell), because of the blessing of Bhagavān Vishṇu. The rite of Gayā-śrāddha has been kept without a break since the time of King Gaya.
Gaya’s descendants
Many more generations of righteous kings came after Gaya. They carried on the dharmic tradition of Bhārata-varsha. The Bhāgavata gives further names in this line.
Gaya among those who gave up meat
In its teaching on ahiṃsā (non-harm) and meat-eating, the Anuśāsana Parva has Bhīshma name Gaya, whom he calls mahātmā (great soul), among the great rājarshis (royal seers). They gave up māṃsa (meat) and so reached svarga (heaven) and Brahmaloka.
Sources
- Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 5th Skanda, Chapter 15
- Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 115