20 - The glorification of the Royal Dynasties

Recording the legendary history of ancient royal dynasties is a characteristic of a Mahapurana. KP. describes here mainly the solar dynasty especially the race of King Ikshvaku. This topic (with due allowance to variety in some names) has been treated in a number of Puranas like the Bh. P. IX. 6, VP. 4. 1 and 2, and others. Vide F.E. Pargiter’s AIHT for their comparison.

Suta said:

1. Aditi gave birth to her son Lord Aditya (the sun-god) from Kashyapa. This Aditya had four wives.2

2. Aditya had three wives only, the fourth wife viz. Chaya mentioned here was the shadow of his wife Samjna. Being afraid of the refulgence of Aditya, Samjna left behind her own shadow and assuming the form of a mare she escaped to a jungle to perform penance. The Sun-god, being in a passionate mood, mistook Chaya for Samjna and had from Chaya Savarni, Shani, Tapati and Vishti. Cf. VP. 3.2.3-13.

Probably ‘Raivata’, as Revanta is the son of Samjna in her mare- from from the sun-god who assumed the form of a horse on that occasion. Cf. VP. 3.2.3-13. Revanta, thus is a brother of Ashvini Kumaras.

2. They were Samjna, Rajhi, Prabha, and Chaya. Now know (the names of) sons. Samjna, the daughter of Tvashtru, bore to the Sun-god the excellent Manu.

3-4. She gave birth to Yama and Yamuna also. Rajhi gave birth to Revanta,3 Prabha bore to Aditya the “dawn” and Chaya gave birth to sons Savarni, Shani (Saturn), Tapati and Vishti in the same order. The first Manu had nine sons equal to himself.

5-6. They were: Ikshvaku, Nabhaga, * Dhrushta, Sharyati, Narishyanta, Nabhaga, Arishta, Karusha and Prushadhra of great splendour. All these nine were glorious like Indra. Ila the eldest and the most excellent made the race of the moon flourish.

*Nabhaga is repeated twice in this verse. The first is presumably a misprint for Nabhaga.

7-8a. After going to the abode of Budha (Mercury), she had the union with the son of the moon. The gentle lady bore to the son of the moon, the excellent (son) Pururavas who—as this has been heard by us—was the propitiator of the Pitrus.

8b-9. After attaining the extremely pure son* well-known as Sudyumna, Ila obtained three sons viz.: Utkala, Gaya and Vinata and regained womanhood.

*The reading Pumstva is more acceptable, as Ila after recovering her original manhood as Sudyumna procreated then three sons. If that v.l. is adopted the verse means, ‘After attaining defect less manhood, it is well-known that Ila obtained three sons.’

10. All these were of un-paralleled glory. They sought refuge m the lotus-born deity. From Ikshvaku was born the heroic king named Vikukshi.

11. He was his eldest son. He had fifteen sons. The eldest of them was Kakutstha. Kakutstha’s son was Suyodhana.

12. The glorious Pruthu was born of Suyodhana. Vishvaka was Pruthu’s son. From Vishvaka was born the intelligent Ardraka, Yuvanashva was his son.

13-14. The valorous king Yuvanashva was desirous of (begetting) a son. He went to Gokarna1 and there he saw the Brahmana sage Gautama, resplendent like fire, performing a penance. He prostrated himself at his feet to bow and asked him by what holy rite he could obtain a righteous son.

1. As these kings ruled in the north and north-west of India, this Gokarna is most probably the holy place on the confluence of Sarasvati mentioned in the Varaha P. 170 and not the holy place in Karwar district of Karnataka.

Gautama said:

15. “After propitiating the primordial person Narayana, free from ailments, the Lord without beginning or destruction, one shall obtain a righteous son.

16. By propitiating the ruler of the Universe, the primordial Krishna whose son is Brahma himself and whose grandson is Nilalohita (i.e., Shiva), one begets a good son.

17. By propitiating Hrushikesha, whose power and influence even Lord Brahma does not comprehend factually, one shall have a righteous son.”

18-19. On hearing the words of Gautama, King Yuvanashva propitiated Hrushikesha, the eternal Vasudeva. His son was a great hero and was famous by the name of Savasti. It was by him that the great city of Savasti1 (v.l. Shravasti) in the land of Gauda was built.

1. V.l. Shravasti is more probable as no place called Savasti is found in the Puranic list of ancient towns. Shravasta is Sahet-Mahet on the Rapti in the U.P. The V.P. 4.2.13 states Shravasta (and not Savasta or Osti) as the founder of this city. Pasenadi (Prasenajit), a contemporary of Gautama Buddha ruled at Shravasti (Shavatthi in Pali records).

20. From him was born Bruhadashva and from him was born Kuvalayashva. He became known as Dhundhumara by killing the great Asura Dhundhu.

21. O excellent Brahmanas, it is said that Dhundhumara had three sons. They were Drudhashva, Dandashva and Kapilashva.

22. Pramoda was the son of Drudhashva, his son was Haryashva, Nikumbha was the son of Haryashva and from Nikumbha was born Samhatashva.

23. Krutashva and Ranashva were the sons of Samhitashva; Yuvanashva whose strength in battle was equal to that of Indra was the son of Ranashva.

24. By performing the Ishti (sacrifice) of Varuna and through the grace of the sages, he obtained an excellent son who had no equals and who was a devotee of Vishnu.

25-26. (that son was) Mandhatru of very great intellect, who was the most excellent of all those who wield weapons. From Mandhatru were born Purukutsa and the valorous Ambarisa and the meritorious-souled Muchukunda. All of them were equal to god Indra on the battle-field. Ambarisha’s successor was another Yuvanashva.

27. Harita was the son of Yuvanashva and Harita was his son. Purukutsa’s successor was Trasadasyu of great fame.

28. Sambhuti, born of Narmada, is known as his son. His son was Vishnuvruddha and his son was Anaranya. Bruhadashva was the son of Anaranya and Haryashva was his son.

29. He was an extremely righteous king. By the grace of Kardama, the Prajapati, he begot a virtuous son devoted to the Sun.

30- That son, king Vasumanas, worshipped the sun-god and obtained the blessed son Tridhanvan who was without an equal and who had suppressed his enemies.

31. O excellent Brahmanas, after conquering his enemies, he performed a horse-sacrifice. The king practised self-study of the Vedas, was liberal-minded and desirous of crossing the ocean of worldly existence (v.l. forbearing) and devoted to piety. 

32. The sages, the chief of whom were Vasishtha and Kaśhyapa, and devas headed by Indra came to the sacrificial hall of the noble-souled king. 

33. After duly concluding the Yajna, the great king endowed with humility bowed down to Vasishtha and other excellent Brahmanas and asked them: 

Vasumanas said: 

34. O leading Brahmanas, which is more conducive to welfare in this world? Is it sacrifice, penance or renunciation1 Be pleased to tell me, O knowers of everything?

1. The replies to this query of Vasumanas record the thought currents then prevalent in the society. The tendency towards a compromise or samanvaya in different cults (e.g., Vaishnavism, Shaivism) is clear.

Vasishtha said: 

35. After studying the Vedas duly, after begetting and assiduously bringing them up, one should perform the worship of Yajñeshvara (the Lord of sacrifices) by performing yajnas and realising the Atman should repair to the forest. 

Pulastya said: 

36. Having at first performed sacrifices for excellent gods according to proper procedure (& formalities) and having propitiated the Supreme Lord, the Yogin, one should take to renunciation.2

2. Quoted in CC. Kala nirnaya, p. 809.

Pulaha said: 

37. By means of penance, one shall propitiate that thousand-rayed deity whom they call the sole ancient Person and the Supreme Lord, and shall obtain liberation. 

Jamadagni said: 

38. The Lord who is unborn, the maker of the Universe the eternal seed of the Universe, and the immanent soul of all living beings, is worshipped by means of penance. 

Vishvamitra said: 

39. That Rudra, who is the Fire-god, the soul of all, who is infinite, who is self-born, and who has faces all round is worshipped by means of severe penance and not through other sacrifices. 

Bharadvaja said: 

40. That eternal Vasudeva, the lord who is worshipped by means of Yajnas and whose form is constituted of all deities, is the Supreme Lord; he should be worshipped. 

Atri said: 

41. That great Supreme Ruler from whom all this Universe is born and whose offspring is god Brahma (the progenitor of the world) is worshipped only by taking recourse to austere penance. Gautama said: 

42. That eternal Lord of gods, the lord from whom Pradhana and Purusha originate, and whose energy is this universe, should be worshipped through penance.

Kashyapa said: 

43. The lord of thousand eye, Shambhu, the cosmic witness, Prajapati the creator of Prajas, the great Yogin, becomes delighted when worshipped by means of penance.

Kratu said: 

44. To a person who has concluded Vedic study and performed Yajnas, and has begotten sons, no other holy duty, excepting the performance of penance, is advised in the scriptures." 

45. On hearing these statements that saintly king became highly delighted in his mind. He bowed to and worshipped them. After bidding farewell to them, he spoke to Tridhanvan. 

46. "By means of penance I shall propitiate the Lord designated with the single syllable OM, the great Purusha, the vital spirit stationed in the middle of Aditya. 

47. But you should be devoted to Dharma forever. Eternally vigilant, protect the entire earthly realm consisting of the four castes of people." 

48. After saying so, the sinless king entrusted the kingdom to the care of his son. In order to perform the excellent penance, he went to the forest. 

49. Resorting to the forest of Devadaru (Pinus Devadaru) trees on the beautiful peaks of the Himalaya, he worshipped gods with bulbous and other roots and fruits grown in the forest and subsisted on them. 

50. Shaking off his sins by means of penance, he mentally repeated the Mantra of goddess Savitri, the mother of the Vedas, for a hundred years and more. 

51. While he was performing penance like this, the self-born lord, the great Ishvara, Hiranyagarbha, the Atman of the Universe came to that spot himself. 

52. On seeing Lord Brahma with faces all round, coming there, the king bowed down his head at his feet and glorified his name. 

53. "Obeisance to you O Brahman, the supreme God, the Supreme Soul, the gold-complexioned creator with a thousand eyes. 

54. Salutations to the creator and the dispenser of destiny. Hail to you the embodiment of all gods. Obeisance to you, the embodiment of spiritual knowledge, comprehensible through the knowledge and practice of Samkhya and Yoga. 

55. Obeisance to you, the Trinity, the Creator, the Omniscient One. Hail to the ancient Purusha, the preceptor of the Yogins." 

56. Then, lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe, became delighted and said, -"Welfare unto you. Choose the boon. I am the granter of boons." 

The King said: 

57. "O lord of the lords of Devas, I wish to perform the Japa of Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas, once again. May I have the longevity for the period of a hundred years and more." 

58. Glancing at the king, the Atman of the Universe (i.e., Brahma) said "So be it". Stroking him gently with his hands, the delighted Lord vanished there itself. 

59. The glorious king on securing the boon was much delighted, and he repeated the Japa. He was tranquil. He used to take his holy ablution thrice a day and he subsisted on fruits, roots and bulbous roots. 

60. When hundred years were completed, the lord of fierce-rays (the Sun-god), the great Yogin, appeared in front of him from the middle of the Solar sphere. 

61. On seeing the eternal Lord stationed in the solar sphere, the self-born lord Brahma, the embodiment of the Vedas, he was surprised. 

62-64. He eulogised him through the Vedic Mantras and particularly through the Savitri Mantra. In a moment, he saw the same Purusha, the Supreme God Shiva with four faces, eight hands and three eyes. Matted hair constituted his coronet. He was marked with the moon's digits; he was Hara with half male and half female body. He was illuminating the entire universe by means of his rays. His neck was blue in colour. He was wearing red garments, garlands and unguents. He himself was red in colour.1

1. These verses emphasize the identity of the sun-god, Shiva, Brahma as they are the forms of one Reality (ekam sat), the Para-brahman.

65. With his mind overwhelmed with great emotion and with extremely deep devotion, he bowed down his head and eulogised him with the Savitri Mantra. 

66. "Obeisance to you the blue-throated Lord; the brilliant Parameshthin. Salutations to Rudra of the form of the three Vedas (Trayi). Obeisance to the embodiment of Kala, the cause of all." 

67. Then the great lord delighted in his mind, said to the king. 

"O sinless one, listen. These are my secret names: 

68. They are sung about in all the Vedas. They subdue and suppress the worldly existence. O king, with purity make obeisance to me through these. 

69. Recite the Shatarudriya Mantra which is the quintessence of the Yajur Mantras. O king, perform Japa with your mind not dwelling on anyone else but attached to me. 

70. Maintaining celibacy, observing fast, with concentration of mind and attachment to Bhasma (holy ashes), one should perform the Japa of Rudra till the time of death. He then attains the great region." 

71. After saying this, Lord Rudra, with a desire of blessing his devotee, granted a further lease of life to the king for a hundred years. 

72. After granting him the great perfect knowledge and detachment, Rudra, Parameshvara, vanished instantaneously. That was very wonderful. 

73. The king also performed the Japa of Rudra with a concentrated mind. He smeared ashes over his body, performed holy ablution three times (per day). He was tranquil and had full concentration of mind. 

74-75. When the king continued the Japa for a period of full hundred years, the Yogic activity began to function (resulting in deeper meditation). In due course of time, he attained the great region, the abode of Parameshthin, the essence of the Vedas. He then attained the splendid sphere of the sun, whence he went over to Maheshvara. 

76. Whoever reads or even listens to the excellent life story of this king, is absolved of all sins and is worshipped in the region of Brahma.