66 - Description of Amavasu Dynasty

Suta said: 

1-3. Budha was the son of the Moon and Budha's son was Pururavas. He was brilliant and liberal in charitable gifts. He used to perform sacrifices distributing much wealth as monetary gifts. He was an expounder of Brahman. Possessing valorous exploits, he was invincible to the enemies in battle. This king regularly performed Agnihotra and many (other) Yajnas. He was truthful in speed and righteous in mind. He was very lustrous. His sexual indulgence was only in secret. In handsomeness he was perfectly unrivalled in all the three worlds. 

4. Setting aside her personal prestige, Urvashi, the reputed (celestial damsel), chose as her husband that expounder of Brahman who had complete control of his sense organs, was conversant with dharma, and truthful in speech. 

5-7. That vigorous king stayed with her for a period of ten years, eight years, seven years, six years, seven years, eight years, ten years and eight years at the Chaitraratha forest, the beautiful bank of the Mandakini, Alaka (Capital city of Kubera), Vishala, Nandana, the excellent park, the feet (foothills) of mount Gandhamadana, the peak of the excellent most mount Meru, Northern Kurus and the village Kalapi (respectively). 

8. The king of great vigour accompanied by Urvashi sported with excessive joy in these important parks and forests frequented by the Suras.

The sages enquired: 

9. Tell us the misdemeanour of the king for which the Gandharva divine lady Urvashi left off the king of human birth and came back to heaven. 

Suta said: 

10. Overwhelmed with the curse of a Brahmana (or of Brahma), she came to the world of human beings. For the sake of getting herself released from the curse, she stipulated certain conditions. 

11-13. (Defective text). “Not seeing him naked, sexual intercourse without passion (?) and she would keep two goats near her bed.¹ (She then said) - “My sole diet shall be ghee and that too once a day, O king. If these conditions are agreed to, O king, and as long as you closely adhere to this stipulation, I shall continue to stay with you. This is our mutual agreement." The king strictly adhered to her stipulation.

1. Urvashi as her name implies was a resident of Ur, an ancient town in the middle east. It appears that fashionable ladies of B.C. 3300 of Ur used to keep a pair of rams as pets: A.J. Karandikar in his (Marathi) Background of the Mahabharata (Mahabharataci Parshvabhumi, Poona 1980. quotes from sir Leonard Wooley's excavations at Ur. Among the finds in a queen's tomb of 3300 B.C. deposited therein for the entertainment of the queen, "The strangest perhaps was a pair of rams. They were beautifully and intricately made. Their bodies were covered with fleece of shell. . . their heads and legs were of gold” (Intro. to Karandikar's book p. 8). This may be the cause of importance attached to this term of contract-marriage between Pururavas and Urvashi.

14-15. Thus, she stayed with the son of Ila and had intercourse with him. Deluded by the curse and on account of her devotion to him, she stayed for sixty-four years. 

Urvashi came to the mortal world. Hence the Gandharvas became worried.

The Gandharvas said: 

O fortunate ones, think about the ways and means where by that excellent lady Urvashi, the ornament of Heaven, may come back once again to the Devas. 

16-19. Then a Gandharva of very great intellect named Vishvavasu removed the two young kids belonging to her. After that, she left for heaven. The king began to wander (here and there) on account of separation from her and saw her at Kurukshetra. He had a talk with her. She told him..."Rush up to the Gandharvas”. He did so. Then they gave him a pot of fire. The king of great martial competency (literally-of great chariot) went to Heaven with it. Originally there was only one fire. But the son of Ila made it three. 

20-21. The son of Ila, O excellent Brahmanas, was a king of such ability and potentiality. The king of great fame established his kingdom at Prayaga on the northen bank of Yamuna in the city of Pratishthana (modern Jhusi, near Allahabad) in a holy realm adorned by great sages. 

22-23. Six sons were born to him. They had their splendour comparable to that of Indra. They are well-known in the world of Gandharvas viz.-Ayus, Dhiman, Amavasu, Vishvavasu, Shrutayus and Ghrutayus. These were the sons of Urvashi. 

The formidable king Bhima, the conqueror of the Universe, was born of Amavasu.¹

1. As noted by Pargiter, Amavasu was the founder of Kanyakubja kingdom (AIHT. p. 144).

24. The glorious king Kanchanaprabha was the heir of Bhima. The learned Suhotra of great strength was the son of Kanchana (i.e., Kanchanaprabha). 

25-27a. Jahnu, born of the womb of Keshini was the son of Suhotra. 

While his elaborate sacrificial rite was going on, the river Ganga turned her course and flooded that territory on account of the vision of inevitable future. 

On seeing the sacrificial chamber entirely flooded with (the waters of) the Ganga, the infuriated son of Suhotra, the king, drank up the Ganga.

27b-28. On seeing the Ganga drunk up by the saintly king, the celestial sages brought out the highly fortunate river (Ganga) as his daughter (and known as) Jahnavi. Jahnu married Kaveri the grand-daughter of Yuvanashva. 

29. Through the curse of Yuvanashva, Ganga gave birth from half of her part to Kaveri the praise-worthy wife of Jahnu, the most excellent of all rivers. 

30. Jahnu begot of Kaveri a beloved son of great virtue named Sunaha. His son was Ajaka. 

31. Ajaka's heir Balakashva of great fame, became a habitual hunter. Kusha is remembered as his son. 

32. Kusha had four sons of divine lustre and refulgence viz. Kushamba, Kusha-nabha, Amurtarayasa and Vasu. 

33. Kushika (? Kushanabha) the excellent king performed a penance seeking a son. When a hundred years were completed, Indra noticed him. 

34-35. On seeing him performing severe penance, the thousand-eyed lord Indra, the eternal one who was himself capable of causing a son to be born unto him became his son himself. The chastiser of Paka (i.e., Indra) became the son of Kushika under the name Gadhi. 

36. Paurukutsi (daughter of Purukutsa) became the wife of Gadhi. At first a splendid girl of exalted fortune was born of her known by the name of Satyavati.¹

1. Pargiter gives Kushashva as the name of Kusha's son and Kushika was Kushashva's son (AIHT, p.144). 

37-38. King Gadhi gave her (in marriage) to Ruchika who was desirous of a son, Being pleased with her, her husband, the delighter of the members of the family of Bhrugu, himself a descendant of Bhrugu, prepared Charu (consecrated cooked rice) for the sake of a son to himself as well as to Gadhi. Then Ruchika, the descendant of Bhrugu, spoke to his wife.

39-42a. This Charu should be eaten by you, O splendid lady and that Charu by your mother. To her will be born a lustrous son, a bull among Kshatriyas, who can never be conquered by Kshatriyas in battle and who will be able to slay even prominent Kshatriya warriors. So, you also, O lady of good weal, this Charu will cause the birth of a son of great courage, a great ascetic of quiescent nature, an excellent Brahmana. 

After saying this to his wife, Ruchika, the delighter of the members of the family of Bhrugu who was always engaged in penance, entered the forest for penance. 

42b-45a. At that time, in the course of his pilgrimage, Gadhi, the king, accompanied by his wife came to the hermitage of Ruchika in order to see his daughter. Taking up the two vessels of consecrated Charu of the sage, the delighted Satyavati intimated to her mother the words of her husband quietly, without any excitement. 

As fate would have it, the mother gave her own Charu to her daughter. Due to ignorance, she swallowed her daughter's Charu herself.¹

1. This exchange of charu seems an explanatory device to justify the militant nature of the Brahmin Parashurama and the Brahmanical transformation in the Kshatriya Vishvamitra.

45b-50. Then with her bright and lustrous body Satyavati conceived in her womb a splendid son, the future annihilator of Kshatriyas. She became terrible to behold. On seeing her and reflecting by means of his Yogic power, Ruchika the excellent Brahmana spoke to his wife, the lady of excellent complexion: 

"O gentle lady, you have been deceived by your mother by the inter-change of the Charus. An extremely terrible son of cruel activities will be born to you. Your mother will give birth to an ascetic of such a nature as I have mentioned before. The entire Brahminical splendour had been instilled into the Charu by me through my power of penance". 

On being told thus by her husband, Satyavati of exalted fortune and dignity sought the favour of her husband saying “A base Brahmana like this should not be born as my son through you”. 

51. On being told thus, the sage said "O excellent lady, this has never been thought of by me or by you. This has never been wished for by me or by you. A son shall become ruthless in his activities usually on account of his mother or father". 

52-55. On being told thus, Satyavati spoke again like this—"If you wish, O sage, you can create even worlds, why not a son? It behoves you, O husband to give me a son of quiescent nature. If it cannot be altered, O excellent Brahmana, of good holy rites, let our grandson be like this (i.e., terrible and ruthless)”. 

Thereupon, by means of the power of his penance, he made her pleased and contented saying—"Whether it is my son or my grandson, O lady of excellent complexion, I do not see any difference. It shall be as you have said, O gentle lady". 

56. Therefore, Satyavati gave birth to Jamadagni, a son of the Bhrugu family, of quiescent nature, having perfect control over his sense-organs and devoted to the performance of penance. 

57. Formerly, there had been an interchange of the Charus belonging to Rudra and Vishnu. Since he ate (i.e., since he was born as a result of his mother eating) the fire (Charu) belonging to Vishnu, he became Jamadagni 

58. After getting Vishvamitra as his heir, Gadhi the son of Kushika (or descendant of Kushika) attained the status equal to that of a Brahminical sage. He was chosen by Brahma (as such). 

59-60a. Satyavati of great sanctity and devoted to truthful vows and observances flowed as the great river named Kaushiki. Kaushiki the most excellent and distinguished river began to flow. 

60b-64. There was a king named Renuka born in the family of Ikshvaku. His daughter of great fortune Renuka was otherwise known by the name of Kamali. By means of his power of penance, fortitude and concentration of mind, Jamadagni, the son of Ruchika, begot of Renuka alias Kamali a son of great terrific nature (named) Rama who was very excellent, who (later) mastered all lores and the science of archery, who was to kill the Kshatriyas who resembled well-kindled blazing fire. 

Thus, Jamadagni of lofty (noble) mind, the most excel lent one among the knowers of Brahman, was born of Satyavati, due to the vigour of the penance of Ruchika, son of Aurva. Shunahshepha was the middle and Shunahpuccha was the youngest son*

*In Va. P. 91.92 also Shunahshepa and Shunahpuccha are the names of Jamadagni's brothers.

65. Vishvamitra of noble soul was otherwise known by the name Vishvaratha. It was through the grace of (the scion of the family of) Bhrugu that he was born as the perpetuator of the line of Kaushikas. 

66-67. Vishvamitra’s son Shunahshepha was a sage.¹ He was intended (appointed) as the sacrificial animal in the Yajna of Harishchandra. He was given back to Vishvamitra by the Devas. Since Shunahshepha was given back by the Devas he became Devarata.

1. As Aitareya Brahmana notes Shunahshepa was adopted as a son by Vishvamitra.

68-69. Among the sons of Vishvamitra,² Sunahshepha is regarded as the eldest. Madhucchanda and others, Krutadeva, Dhruva, Ashtaka, and Purana also were the sons of Vishvamitra. The spiritual lines (Gotras) of those noble-souled Kaushikas are numerous.

2. A comparison of this list with that given in Mt.P., Baudhayana, Ashvalayana, Apastamba and Katyayana shows that our author is not exhaustive in giving the Gotras of the Kushika clan. (vide Mt.P.- Study' pp. 406-409)

70-73. They are as follows: 

Parthivas, Devaratas, Yajnavalkyas, Samarpanas, Udumbaras, Vatadyas, Talakayanas, Chandravas, Lohinis, Renus, Karishus, Babhrus, Panins, Dhyana-Japyas, Shyamayanas, Hiranyakshas, Sankrutas, Galavas, Devalas, Yamadutas, Shalankayanas, Bashkalas, Lalatyas, Badaras and others belonged to the Gotras of the intelligent Vishvamitra. 

Many descendants of Kaushikas (i.e., those of the spiritual lines of Vishvamitra) who have to enter into marriage alliance with other sages are also proclaimed. 

74-75. They are Kaushikas, Saushrutas, Saindhavayanas and others. They belong to the Gotra of the holy Brahminical sage Kaushika, the lord of Yogic practice. 

Among the sons of Vishvamitra, Shunahshepha is remember ed as the eldest. Ashtaka was the son of Drushadvati and Vishvamitra. Lauhi was the son of Ashtaka. Thus, the group of Jahnu has been recounted by me. 

The sages enquired: 

76-78. The status of Brahmanas has been acquired by Vishvamitra and other kings. What is the nature of Dharma (virtue, piety), penance or learning through which they acquired this? Under what names did the Kshatriyas attain the status of a Brahmana? We wish to know the difference through penance or charitable gifts. 

On being asked thus, he spoke these meaningful words. 

79. A rich man desirous of religious merit and virtue may invite excellent Brahmanas and perform Yajnas with wealth acquired by unjust means. But he does not attain the benefit of the righteous act. 

80-82. A person overwhelmed by passion and delusion, who had been always without any check or restraint due to covetousness for wealth, may in the end desire to sanctify himself and for this purpose he may perform Japa (chanting of Mantras etc.) intensely and distribute gifts also. But the charitable gifts made by him may become fruitless. That wicked man prone to violence may be inclined to perform meritorious deeds. After acquiring wealth thus (by unjust means), he may distribute charitable gifts and perform Yajnas out of delusion. The tarnished gift of that wicked soul does not stand in good stead. 

83-85a. If a man gives to the deserving persons wealth accumulated through just means, if a person worships and distributes gifts without cherishing desires in his mind, he acquires the fruit of those charitable gifts. That gift results in pleasure and happiness. One attains worldly pleasures through charitable gifts. One goes to heaven through truthfulness. One pervades the worlds and stands eternally by means of penance performed duly. 

85b. Truthfulness is more conducive to welfare than penance. Knowledge is remembered weightier, more efficacious than that. 

86a-90. It is reported that the twice-born castes who were born as Kshattriyas achieved (Brahmanhood) through penance. (For example) king Vishvamitra, Mandhatru, Sankruti, Kapi, Kashya, Purukutsa, Shala, lord Grutsamada, Arshtishena, Ajamidha, Bhargavyoma, Kakshivan, Aushija king Shishira, Rathantara, Shaunaka, Vishnuvruddha and other kings had been Kshatriyas, but these are remembered to have attained the status of sages by means of penance.¹ All these saintly kings had attained grcat Siddhis (spiritual accomplishments).

1. This is an evidence of social mobility in ancient India.

Henceforth, I shall recount the line of the noble-souled Ayus.