47 - The Story of Parašhurāma (Continued)

Vasistha said: 

1. “Thereafter, Råma captured alive twelve thousand kings who had unmeasured splendour and who were duly coronated. 

2. That sage of great splendour took these thousands of kings along with the sages to the pilgrimage centre Kurukşhetra which is full of penance (i.c. sages performing penance). 

3. The leading member of the family of Bhrugu caused five lakes to be dug there. All around them, he got built holy bathing ghats of comfortable access. 

4. Bhargava killed the kings there. With the blood flowing out of their bodies he filled those five lakes. 

5. The valorous son of Jamadagni duly bathed in them and performed the rite of offering libations to the manes in accordance with the scriptures carefully. 

6. He performed ŚHhrāddha and other rites. O leading king, of his departed father and mother as mentioned in the scriptures in the company of Brahmaņas. 

7. Surmounting all unfavourable circumstances thus, he stayed in the holy centre of Kurukșhetra abounding in austerities. He was alertly engaged in the worship of Pitrus. 

8. Thenceforward, the holy spot created by the son of Jamadagni in the penance grove of Kurukşhetra became the most excellent of all excellent sacred places. 

The place where the most excellent one among the members of the family of Bhrugu caused the everlasting satisfaction to the manes has come to be known as Syamantapanchaka or Samantapañchaka. It is well known in all the three worlds. 

10. It is the place where all his Pitrus were fully propitiated by him by means of holy baths, charitable gifts, penance Homas, feeding of the Brāhmaṇas and offerings of libations, 

11-13a. The Pitrus obtained everlasting satisfaction and the eternal world of the Pitrus. The holy centre named Samantapañchaka is well known in the world as destructive of all sins and developed by means of great merit. All the sins of men who go there are removed even from a great distance like a dry leaf in a strong wind. 

13b-13a. The opportunity to go to that pilgrim centre is never obtained by bad men, O great king, even after hundreds of births. 

The sacred spot Samantapañchaka in Kurukshetra is extremely sanctifying. A man who takes his holy bath there is (on a par with) a man who bathes in all holy rivers and tanks. 

15b-17a. Having fulfilled all his religious acts very well, Rāma felt completely satisfied in regard to his desires. The highly intelligent sage stayed there for some time with great self-restraint. 

Then, at the end of a year, the son of Jamadagni of great self control, went to Gayà accompanied by the Brāhmaṇas in order to offer the balls of rice to the Pitrus. 

17h-20a. After going there, the suppressor of enemies propitiated the Brahmaņas, greeted and honoured on behalf of the Pitrus in the Shraddha in accordance with the scriptures. 

There is another holy spot there pertaining to Shiva, remembered as Chandrapada. A pilgrim centre that causes the satisfaction of the Pitrus like that, does not exist in the world, 

The Pitrus who are worshipped there by persons belonging to their families, even to the slightest extent in accordance with their capacity, will attain everlasting access to their goal through the offerings of balls of rice and similar objects. 

20b-23a. When the Brāhmaṇas had been fully propitiated on behalf of the Pitrus Råma who had devotion into the Pitrus duly offered the ball of rice. 

Thereupon, all the Pitrus beginning with Jamadagni came from the Pitruloka and accepted the reverent worship performed by him. 

Delighted in their minds they approached the delighter of the members of the family of Bhrugu (i.e. Parashurama). All those Pitrus remained invisible in the sky and addressed him:

The Pitrus said: 

236-26a. "O heroic one, a great deed has been accomplished by you which is difficult for others to do. You have duly and very well propitiated us. But still you have not given us everlasting pleasure; since it was after massacred Kshatriyas that you have achieved your aim. 

Due to the potentiality of this holy centre as well as to your own devotion, we have been met by you and worshipped. But we have not enjoyed everlasting benefits. 

26b-28. Hence, for the sake of destroying the sin of slaughter of heroes as well as other sins you should perform the due expiatory rites and perpetual Dharma. Henceforth, desist from killing the Kshatriyas. 

They are not directly responsible for the offence against your father since the universe is not uncontrolled. It was on account of that, that the murder of your father was committed formerly. 

29. Who is competent to kill whom? Who is competent to save whom in this world? In these two affairs everyone can at best be the instrumental cause alone in regard to everyone else. 

30-31. Certainly every one acts in accordance with his previous Karman. There is no doubt in this regard that the people became powerful befitting the proper time. 

Without (the intercession) of the fate, no living being on the Earth is capable of oppressing other living beings, dear one, because every one does his own action in accordance with his ability. 

32. Hence, give up your furious anger towards the Kshatriyas. With a desire to do what is pleasing to us, regain quietism (restraint of passions). That indeed is our great strength. Welfare unto you". 

Vasishtha said: 

33. After telling this to Bhargava all the Pitrus vanished. He too respectfully accepted their proposals." 

34. Accompanied by Akrutavrana, Ráma joyfully went from that place to Siddhavanåśhhrama. 

35. After staying there along with the Brahmaņas, O king, the noble-minded most excellent scion of the family of Bhřugu, resolved to perform penance. 

36. He sent off Sahasäha along with his chariot, the bows and other necessary requisites after making him agree to come again (if and when necessary). 

37-38. Going all over the world, he took holy plunges in all pilgrim-spots and performed the worship of Pitrus, Devas and others. 

In this manner, O leading king, the delighter of the family of Bhrugu went round the Earth three times, following the popular convention. 

39. Then once again, O king, he went to Mahendra, the excellent mountain in order to perform penance. He was surrounded by the Brāhmaṇas then. 

40. Conversant with Dharma, he made there a permanent abodc for himself, O king, as it was a place inhabited by Sages and Siddhas. 

41. Sages living in all the holy centres, the expounders of the Brahman with perfect Self-Control, came there desirous of seeing him as he performed penance. 

42. Those groups of sages saw him with his mind attached to austerities like a fire that had become calm after burning down a forest of dead trees in the form of Kshatriya completely. 

43. On seeing those divine sages full of the power of penance come, Bhargava honoured and welcomed them by means of conventional requisites such as Arghya etc. 

44. After enquiries about their mutual welfare (they themselves) engaged in fascinating stories and anecdotes that were meritorious and leading to great advancement and prosperity. 

45. Then, with the approval of these sages of purified souls, he began preparations for performing a horse-sacrifice,¹ the greatest of all sacrifices. 

1. One is surprised to find how Parashurama who was never anointed as a king nor was married at any time became eligible to perform Ashvamedha. For Apastamba (XX.1.1) and Lätyāyana (IX.10.17) Shrauta Sūtras have specifically prescribed this for a crowned king. Out of the four queens required of a king, one must be a crowned queen (Latyayana Shrauta Sutra IX.10.1-2). 

The wives of thc kings are to go round the horse when killed. The crowned queen is to unite with the dead horse under the cover of a mantle (Apasimba XXII. 11.3-4). Was this Ašhvamedha episode introduced to explain why Parashuråma gave all the conquered Land to Kashyapa? 

46-47. He collected the necessary requisites (for the sacrifice). He was accompanied by (sages like) Aurva, Viśhhvåmitra, Bharadvaja, Märkandeya and others. With their approval, he made Käshyapa as his preceptor and performed the great sacrifice called horse-sacrifice, O king. 

48. In that sacrifice of Råma who had realized the Ātman, the Adhvaryu was Käśhhyapa, the Udgåtru was the sage Gautama and the Hotri was Viśhhvāmitra. 

49-52a. The great sage Märkandeya did the work of Brahmā. Bharadvāja, Agniveśhhya and other sages who had thoroughly mastered the Vedas and the Vedāngas performed other rites in their due order. 

Accompanied by his sons, disciples and disciples of his disciples and assisted by other sages, O king, the holy Bhrụgu performed the work of Sadasya (i.c. Sadasaspati, the President of the sacrificial assembly). 

The leading scion of the family of Bhrugu (i.e. Parashurama) concluded all rites along with these sages and duly worshipped Brahmā along with his preceptor. 

52b-34. A beautiful girl was duly adorned with ornaments to represent the Earth. The leading member of the family of Bhrugu invoked the Earth consisting of hundreds of cities and villages, having oceans for its garments and garlands, and including mountains, forests and parks and granted the same to Kåśhhyapa except the excellent mountain (Mahendra). Räma rescrved it for his own residence thereafter, O leading king. 

55-56. He worshipped Käśhhyapa in accordance with the injunctions of the sacred texts, by means of gold, gems, jewels, garments, horses, elephants, food and other things. He concluded the sacrifice (Yajña). At the end of the Yajña he had his ceremonial bath called Avabhrutha. Then with the sage's permission, he performed the rite of Abandonment of wealth (by distribution of monetary gifts). 

37. After giving the promise of freedom from fear to all living beings, the delighter of the family of Bhrugu began to perform penance there itself on the excellent mountain. 

58. All the sages of praiseworthy holy rites who had acted as Sadasyas (members of the sacrificial assembly) and sacrificial priests (Rutviks) look leave of him and returned the way they had come. 

59. After they had gone, the holy lord (Rama) began the performance of a great penance and lived happily there itself in the company of Akrutavraņa. 

60-61. The Earth belonging to Käśhhyapa and having many rulers over it performed the holy observance called Dipapratişhtha (Establishment of lamps)., with the permission of Måricha (i.e. Kaśhhyapa) for the suppression of all miseries. The rite had been recounted by Vişhņu himself. Dharani (The Earth goddess) became perfectly rid of all miseries. 

62. Thus the appearance of the son of Jamadagni has been narrated. On hearing this story, a man is rid of all sins. 

63. In the course of the story, the prowess of Karttavirya whose splendour had become renowned in the world, had been duly narrated without being too brief or too prolix. 

64. That king Kårttavirya had such great potentiality and influence on the Earth that there will never be a man like him in future. A man like him has never been heard of in the past. 

65. Since he had formerly solicited from Dattātreya the boon of death at the hands of Uttamapurusha (Lord Vişhnu or an excellent person), he attaincd salvation on being killed in battle by Rama. 

66. His fifth son who had been well-known by the name Jayadhvaja, O king, had a powerful son named Tålajangha. 

67. He had a hundred sons who were excellent archers. They were known as 'Talajanghas'. The eldest among them was Vitihora. 

68. The senior Tälajangha lived for a long time in the middle of Himalayan forests along with his sons Vitihotra and others as well as Haihaya and other kings. 

69. Formerly, when he was fleeing, Talajangha was hit on his back by an arrow of Råma. With an excruciating pain he fell senseless on the ground. 

70 By chance, Vitihotra who was also fleeing saw him. Taking him in his chariot, he fled speedily. 

71. All of them lived on the Himalayas, afflicted by great fear. They had a lot of sufferings and they had only greens, roots and fruits for food. 

72. Thereafter, when Rama calmed down with his mind engrossed in penances, Tälajangha along with his sons regained his kingdom.¹ 

1, The rise of the power of Haihayas (Tälajanghas) after the retirement of Parashurama from active life, shows the temporary effect of Parashuråma's conquests. Tålajanghas not only recovered their kingdom but establishing their dominance on the Indo-gangetic plain, they drove out the ruler of Ayodhya who, due to blood relation with Jamadagni, was an ally of Parashurama. 

73. The excellent king, the suppressor of his enemies, established the city once again as before, stayed there and protected his own kingdom. 

74. Recollecting the previous enmity, O great king, Tälajangha attacked your city along with his sons, followers and armies. 

75. Accompanied by his army consisting of four units, that king approached the city of Ayodhya, making the Earth tremble as it were and yelled loudly. 

76. Your father, even though of futile authority, came out of the city. Although he was very old, he fought like a young man with all those kings. 

77-78. Though the old king killed many elephants, horses and soldiers, and destroyed many chariots, he was defeated by his enemies. Hence he decided to flee. 

Abandoning his city and kingdom along with the treasury, army and vehicles, he entered the forest accompanied by your mother who was pregnant. 

79-80. He was staying on the outskirts of the hermitage of Aurva. He had been weighed down by old age and was overwhelmed with grief and fury. He was looked at helplessly by your mother with her throat choked with tears. Thus like a helpless person, O leading king, he passed away to the heavenly world from this world. 

81. Your mother, O king, was full of misery and grief. Weeping and crying she placed the corpse of her husband on the funeral pyre. 

82. She had become emaciated due to starvation and other miseries, over and above it, she was now agitated over the demise of her husband. Hence, she firmly resolved to immolate herself and to enter into the funeral. 

83. On hearing about all these", Aurva, the great sage, himself came out of the hermitage. Restraining her from self immolation he said thus: 

84. “You must not die now, O queen. There lies in your womb a son who will be the most excellent one among all Emperors”. 

85-86. On hcaring these words of his, your mother of grcat fortitude, abstained from death. The sage took her to his hermitage. Desirous of seeing your lotus-like face, she curbed her miseries and stayed comfortably within the bounds of his hermitage. At the proper time, she gave birth to you in the hermitage of Aurva. 

87. That sage performed all the post-natal holy rites for you. You have been brought up in the hermitage of Aurva. He took pity on you. 

88-89. The story beyond this is already known to you. O suppressor of enemies. 

King Kärttavirya of such potentiality and power ruled over this Earth. Due to the power of observance of this holy vow, he became famous in all the worlds. Your father was defeated by his descendants and he fled to the forest. 

90. All details connected with him have been recounted to you by me. 

This holy rite too which is the most excellent one among all holy rites, has been fully recounted to you. 

91-92. This holy rite has been recounted along with its Mantras and Tantras. It yields the benefit of all the worlds. To a person who performs this holy rite, O king, there is no desire among the fourfold aims of a man that is difficult of accomplishment in all the three worlds. 

The holy rite of king Haihaya and the story of sage Jāmadagnya has been succinctly recounted by me. What else shall I tell you?" 

Jaimini said: 

93-94. “Thereupon, king Sagara said to the sage with palms joined in reverence--"O holy lord, I wish to perform this holy rite. Instruct me well in this connection and grant me permission for undertaking the same. 

95-97a. By means of this holy rite, O Brahmanical sage, I shall undoubtedly be blessed." 

On being requested thus by the king, the great sage said "So be it”. He initiated the king along the path mentioned in scriptural texts. 

On being initiated by Vasişhtha, Sagara, the excellent king, gathered together all the materials and duly performed the splendid holy rite. 

97b-100. Following those injunctions, the king worshipped the lord of the Universe. Getting the permission of the preceptor, he concluded the same in a befitting manner. 

The king of great intellect then took the vow—"I shall perform this excellent holy rite strenuously for the whole of my life.” 

After taking leave of the king and making him return when he followed, the holy sage Vasişhtha went back to his hermitage.