64 - Grant of boons by Pulastya 

The sages said: 

1. O Sūta, o best speaker, it behoves you to recount how Shakti the son of Vasişhtha was devoured by a denon along with his younger brothers. 

Süta said: 

2-3. The demon Rudhira374 devoured Shakti the son of Vasişhtha along with his younger brothers due to a curse by Shakti on king Kalmāşhapāda. O leading brahmins, urged by Viśhvāmitra, Rudhira haunted the king Kalmāşhapāda for whom a sacrifice was being performed by Vasişhtha and swallowed Shakti. 

374. There are different versions of this legend in the Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata and Vişhnupurāņa. According to Mbh. Kalmāşhapāda, king of the solar race, was the son of Sudās and a descendant of Ikşhvāku. While he was out hunting in the forest he met Shakti, the eldest son of Vasişhtha. Since Shakti refused to get out of his way, Kalmāshapāda was enraged. He then struck Shakti with the whip. Thereupon, Shakti cursed him to become a rākşhasa. Thus, Kalmāşhapāda was turned into a räkşhasa Rudhira by name and he devoured Shakti together with his brothers. But according to Linga, the rākşhasa Rudhira entered the body of King Kalmāşhapāda when the latter was engaged in sacrifice, under the leadership of Vasişhtha. Instigated by Vishvämitra, who was a rival priest, Rudhira devoured Shakti as well as his ninety-nine brothers. 

Linga refers to the legend of Viśhvāmitra. According to Valmiki's Rāmāyana, Shakti was cursed by Viśhvāmitra in the context of king Trishanku's sacrifice. 

4-5. On hearing that the most powerful Shakti had been devoured by that demon along with his brothers, Vasişhtha repeatedly lamented "hā (my) son, hā (my) son”. The wailing sage fell down on the ground along with Arundhati. 

6-10. Remembering his hundred sons, the eldest of whom was Shakti, and knowing that the family was extinct, the powerful sage decided to die. Coming to this conclusion that he will not remain alive without his sons; he felt all the more miserable. Vasishtha the son of Brahmā, the knower of everything, the self-possessed sage who had realized the Atman, climbed in the top of a mountain along with his wife. With tears welling up in the eyes he suddenly fell down on the ground. As he fell down on the ground, the earth (assuming the form of a lady) who had a wonderful necklace and the sportive gait of an elephant, caught him up with her lotus-like hands and as he cried, she too bewailed with him. At that time, his daughter-in-law, the wife of Shakti, cried in great fright and spoke thus to Vasişhtha, the great sage and the best among the eloquent sages. 

11. “O lord, O excellent brahmin, o powerful sage, preserve this excellent body of yours to see your grandson, that is my son. 

12. O leading brahmin, this splendid body should not be discarded by you, since the child that is born of Shakti and that is bound to be one who realises all objects, is within my womb." 

13-14. After saying thus, that lady who was conversant with Dharma and whose eyes resembled lotus flowers lifted up her father-in-law by her hands and wiped his eyes with water. Although she was herself miserable, she requested the dejected Arundhati to save her father-in-law. 

15-16. On hearing the words of his daughter-in-law Vasişhtha got up from the ground after regaining consciousness. Arundhatī embraced him in great distress and fell down. The leading sage touched Arundhati, in whose eye’s tears had welled up and cried along with her. 

17-18. Thereafter the son seated in the couch of the womb of his mother, like the four-faced lord Brahmã in the umbilical lotus of Vişhnu repeated a sacred verse. The holy sage Vasişhtha listened enthusiastically to the sacred verse wondering, by whom could it have been repeated. He then meditated with great concentration. 

19. Thereupon Vişhņu whose eyes resemble the lotus petals, who had been stationed in the courtyard of the firmament, who is the soul of the universe and who is the storehouse of mercy spoke to Vasişhtha mercifully. 

20. O dear one, O dear one, O Vasişhtha the leading brahmin, fond of his son, this sacred verse has emanated from the lotuslike face of your grandson. 

21. O sage, this grandson of yours, the powerful one born of Shakti is on a par with me. Hence, O most excellent sage and son of Brahmā, discard your grief and rise up. 

22. The child in the womb is a devotee of Rudra. He is engaged in the worship of Rudra. Thanks to the power of Rudra, he will redeem your family. 

23. After saying thus to Vasişhtha, the leading Brahmin sage, the merciful lord vanished there itself. 

24. Vasişhtha of great splendour bowed his head to the lotus eyed lord and then stroked the belly of Adruśhyanti with great respect. 

25-27. O brahmins, he cried out "hā my son, hā my son", and fell down extremely depressed. Glancing at Arundhati who was also crying and remembering his own son he cried out in misery— “O son, come again, come again. O Shakti, after the birth of your son who will sustain this family. I shall undoubtedly come near you along with your mother". 

Sūta said: 

After saying this, the crying brahmin embraced Arundhati. Beating her belly, she was about to fall. 

28-32. The auspicious lady Adrushyanti who was distressed beat her belly—the abode of the child in womb. She cried out in distress and fell down. Arundhati and Vasişhtha, both of them were extremely frightened. They lifted up the young woman their daughter-in-law and said thus: 

“O silly woman, tell us how you have attempted to destroy the family of Vasishtha by striking at the region of womb. For seeing your son, the child born to Shakti and for tasting the nectar of the boyish face of the noble son, the leading sage has decided to preserve his body. Hence protect your body". 

Suta said: 

33-34. After pulling up her daughter-in-law and the sage, Arundhati the wife of Vasishtha stood up and said though highly distressed and agitated. 

“O lady of good holy rites, since the life of this sage, and that of mine depend on you, you should preserve your life. As a nurse do what is beneficial to us." 

Adrushyanti said: 

35. "If the excellent sage has decided to preserve his life I shall somehow preserve my body pure or impure. 

36-37. It is because of my sin that I have to bear the sorrow of separation from my husband. O sage, I am burnt with grief, even though I am your daughter-in-law, O sage. Alas, a miracle has been seen by me. O lord, I am the victim of grief, O brahmin, be my saviour from misery, O son of Brahma, O preceptor of the universe. 

38. Still, a woman without a husband shall be miserable. O noble lord (sage), save me from that situation. 

39. The father, mother, sons, grandsons, even the father-in-law, all are helpless to such a woman. None of them can be a real kinsman unto women. It is the husband alone who is her real kinsman, her greatest salvation. 

40. What has been mentioned by the learned men! viz. the wife is half of the husband, has turned out to be not true in my case. Shakti has gone. But I still survive. 

41. O leading sage, alas! the hardness of my mind! even after leaving off my husband who is like my own vital breath, I could live for even a moment. 

42. O Vasishtha, just as a creeper climbing on the holy fig tree, survives even after being cut off from its roots, I too survive even after I have become miserable on being abandoned by my husband". 

43. On hearing these words of his daughter-in-law, the intelligent Vasishtha who observed the duties of his stage of life decided to go to his hermitage along with his wife. 

44. The meritorious-souled holy lord Vasishtha though suffering badly, entered his hermitage quickly, accompanied by his wife and Adrushyanti, and began to ponder. 

45. O leading sages, that chaste wife of Shakti preserved the child in the womb with great difficulty for the continuity of the family line. 

46. In the tenth month the wife of Shakti gave birth to a lustrous son in the saine manner as Arundhati had previously given birth to Shakti. 

47. Shakti's wife gave birth to Parashara like Aditi who gave birth to Vishnu, like Svaha who gave birth to Guha and like Arani who gave birth to Agni. 

48. When the son of Shakti incarnated on the earth, Shakti, abandoned his sorrow and attained equality with the Pitrus. 

49. O leading sages, that meritorious son of Vasishtha, stationed in the world of the Pitrus along with his brothers shone like the sun along with the Adityas. 

50. O leading brahmins, when Parashara incarnated, the departed father sang, the grand fathers and great-grand-lathers danced. 

51. The Pitrus who previously expounded the Brahman on the earth and the deities in heaven danced. Pushkara and others moved about in the firmament showering flowers. 

32. O brahmins, in the cities of the Rakshasas there were odd and painful shouts. The sages in their hermitage applauded continuously with delightful experiences. 

53. Just as the four-faced lord incarnated from the Cosmic Egg, just as the sun emerges from the clusters of clouds, so also Parashara was born of Adrushyanti. 

54. On seeing the son and remembering her husband, O brahmins, even Adrushyanti felt both joy and grief. So was the case with Arundhati and sage Vasishtha. 

55. On seeing her son, the highly refulgent Parashara, the agitated lady lamented. With her throat choked she fell down. 

56. Even as her sinless son adored by the groups of Devas and Danavas, was born the mother realized that he was highly intelligent. With tears in her eyes, she lamented. 

57. “Hā, son of Vasishtha, you have gone somewhere after abandoning me whose wretchedness is visible in the face. You have left me in the middle of the forest as one desirous of seeing her son. O lord, you too, see your bosom-born, sinless son. 

58. O Shakti, with his delight evident in his face Maheshvara saw his six-faced son along with his Gana. Similarly, you too see your son in the company of your brothers". 

59. On hearing her lamentation, the excellent sage Vasishtha became miserable and said to his daughter-in-law. “Do not cry." 

60. At the behest of Vasishtha, that noble lady eschewed her sorrow. That lady with roving eyes like the fawn nursed and nurtured her son. 

61. On seeing his chaste mother as a weak lady, devoid or ornaments, sitting down dejectedly, with tears agitating the eyes, the boy said to her, 

Shakti's son said: 

62. "O mother, O sinless one, your lender body does not appear to be splendid without ornaments. It is like the night bereft of the disc of the moon. 

63. O my mother, O my mother, O splendid lady, it behoves you to recount to me why you are sitting here setting aside your auspicious marks as a woman without her husband." 

64. On hearing the words of her son, Adrushyanti did not tell her son anything, good or bad. 

65. The son of Shakti said to Adrushyanti again, "O mother where is my holy father of Great refulgence? Tell me, tell me." 

66. On hearing the words of her son, she became extremely agitated and wept. Saying "your father was devoured by a Rakshasa" she fell down unconscious. 

67. On hearing the words of his grandson, the kind-hearted Vasistha cried and fell down. So also, Arundhati and the leading sages, the residents of the hermitage. 

68. On hearing directly from his mother-"Your father was devoured by a demon", the intelligent Parashara spoke thus with his eyes dimmed and darkened by tears. 

Parashara said: 

69. O mother, I think I will be able to show my father in a moment by worshipping the lord of the chiefs of Devas and of the three worlds including the mobile and immobile beings.375

375. trailokyam sacharacharam: Change the accusative case into the genitive case and supply 'isham' to obtain the required meaning. The expression 'trailokyasya sacharacharasya isham' would mean lord of the three worlds including the mobile and immobile beings'. ST. is not in favour of this change. It supplies 'dagdhvã' which it construes with 'trailokyam sacharacharam; i.e., 'having burnt the three worlds including the mobile and immobile beings'.

70. On hearing these splendid words she was surprised. Smilingly she looked at him and said: -"O son, this is true. Worship the lord." 

71. On understanding the proposal and decision of the son of Shakti, Vasishtha the holy lord, the intelligent leading sage, and the storehouse of mercy, spoke to his grandson as follows: 

72-74. “O my grandson, O excellent sage of good holy rites, your proposal is proper and suitable. Still, listen, it does not behove you to destroy the world. You can worship the lord for, exterminating Rakshasas. But, O son of Shakti, what is the harm done to you by the world that you need destroy it?" 

Thereafter at the behest of the Vasishtha the extremely intelligent son of Shakti directed his mind towards the extermination of Rakshasas. 

75-78. Parashara bowed down to Adrushyanti, Vasishtha and Arundhati. In the presence of the sage, he made a single Linga, in a trice, out of dust. Repeating the following Mantras from the Vedas he worshipped it. The mantras were Shivasukta, Tryambakasūkta, Tvaritarudra, Shiva Sankalpa, Nilarudra, Rudra, Vamiya, Pavamana, Pancha Brahman, Hotrusukta, Linga-sukta and Atharvashiras. After worshipping duly, he offered the eightfold Arghya to Rudra.

Parashara said: 

79. "O lord Rudra, O Shankara, my father of great refulgence was swallowed by the demon Rudhira along with his brothers. 

80-81. O lord, I wish to see my father along with his brothers." 

Submitting thus he bowed down to the Linga again and again, cried "ha Rudra, ha Rudra" and prostrated before him. 

On seeing him, lord Rudra said to the goddess. 

82. "O highly blessed lady, see this boy whose eyes are dimmed and darkened with tears. He is engaged in propitiating me." 

83-84. The spotless great goddess saw Parashara, his eyes dimmed and his body drenched by tears due to misery. He was interested only in the act of worshipping the Linga. He repeated the names “Hara”, “Rudra" etc. Uma then spoke to Shiva her husband and the lord of the worlds. 

85-86. O supreme lord, be pleased, grant him all his desires. On hearing her words, Shankara Parameshvara, the swallower of halāhala poison, spoke to his noble consort Uma." I shall save this brahmin boy whose eyes resemble full blown blue lotus. 

87-88. I shall give him divine vision und enable him to see my form." After saying this, lord Nilalohita, Parameshvara, surrounded by the divine Ganas-Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, Rudra, and others granted vision to that intelligent son of the sage. 

89. On seeing Mahadeva, his eyes became dimmed with tears of delight, Delighted in his heart he fell at his feet with great respect. 

90. Thereafter he grasped the feet of Uma and the noble Nandin and then spoke to Brahma, and others—"My life is fruitful today. 

91. Today the crescent moon-bedecked diety has come for my protection. Who else can compare with me in this world, whether a Deva or a Danava?" 

92. Thereafter in a moment, Parashara the son of Shakti saw his father standing in heaven along with his brothers. 

93. On seeing him accompanied by his brothers in an aerial chariot that resembled the solar sphere and was open on all sides, he was delighted. He bowed down to his father. 

94. Then the bull-bannered lord who was accompanied by his wife and the leading Ganas spoke thus to Shakti, the son of Vasishtha who was eager to see his son. 

The glorious lord said: 

95-96. O Shakti, see your son, the boy whose eyes are dimmed with tears of delight. O leading brahmin, see Adrushyanti, Vasishtha your father, Arundhati your mother, the highly blessed auspicious lady comparable to goddess. O highly intelligent one, make obeisance to both your father and your mother. 

97-98. At the behest of Shankara, Shakti immediately, at first, bowed down to the lord of Devas and to Uma. Ile then bowed to the excellent Vasishtha and to Arundhati his highly blessed mother, the auspicious lady who considered her husband her god. At the behest of the lord of the Universe the powerful Shakti said: 

The son of Vasistha said: --- 

99. O dear son, O leading brahmin, Parashara of great refulgence, I have been saved by you who had been in the womb when I died and who are a noble soul. 

100-101. O dear son, Parashara the attributes and the prosperities Animā376 etc. have been attained by me, on seeing your face today. O dear one, of great intellect, at my behest377 protect Adrushyanti the highly blessed lady and Arundhati, as also my father Vasishtha.

376. See P 134 note 241.

377. Construe ‘mamajnaya’ (v-100) with 'Adrushyanti raksha' (v-101), i.e., 'at my behest you shall take care of Adrushyanti.'

102. O dear son, our entire family has been redeemed by you. This has alway9378 been said by the learned that one conquers the worlds through one's son.

378. sadaiva -always. or read sadeva-uchitam eva ST: 'it is proper or truthful that...........'

103. Choose the desired379 boon from the lord who is source of origin of the worlds. After bowing down to the lord, I shall go along with my brothers.

379. ipsitam varay eshanam: take recourse to Shiva for obtaining your desire, viz, the destruction of Rakshasas. 

104-106. Thus, taking lease of his son after bowing down 10 Maheshvara and after seeing his wife in the assembly, the sage of perfect control over the senses went away to his father-land. On seeing his father gone after worshipping the lord, the son of Shakti eulogised him with pleasing words. Thereafter the delighted Mahadeva, the suppressor of the Cupid and of Andhaka, blessed the son of Shakti and vanished there itself. 

107. After Maheshvara had gone away accompanied by Uma, the son of Shakti, the knower of charms, burned the race of Rakshasas by means of Mantras. 

108. Then Vasishtha he knower of Dharma, surrounded by the sages, said to his grandson, “O dear son, stop this excess of fury. Eschew your anger. 

109. The Rakshasas are not guilty. It had been so ordained380 in your father's case. Auger provokes only the fools and not the intelligent people.

380. vihitam-destined.

110-111. O dear son, who is killed by whom? Man is but the partaker of fruits of his own activities. 

O dear son, fury is but the destroyer of fame and penance which men accumulate after a great deal of stress and strain. Enough of these Rajasaic activities of burning innocent people. 

112-113. Let your sacrifice cease. Indeed, good men have forbearance as their strong point." Thus, at the instance of Vasishtha, the leading sage, the son of Shakti wound up his sacrifice immediately after giving due deference to his words. Therefore, holy lord Vasishtha, the excellent sage was delight ed. 

114-117. Pulastya the son of Brahma had attended the Satra. Vasishtha duly offered him worship and the sage Pulastya was duly honoured. He then spoke to Parashara who was standing by after due obeisance. 

"In the course of the great enmity you have adopted forbearance at the instance of your preceptor. Hence you will understand all the scriptural texts. My line of descendants has not been broken by you even though you were infuriated. Hence, O blessed one, I am giving you another great boon. O dear one, you will be the compiler of the Purana Samhita (the compendium of ancient lore). 

118-119a. You will understand precisely the real nature of the deities.381 Due to my blessing your intellect will be devoid of impurities of activities, whether of active or absentious type and free from doubts."

381. devata-paramartham-vastava-svarūpam ST. i.e., facts.

119b-120a. Thereafter the holy sage Vasishtha the most excellent of all eloquent ones said: "Whatever has been said by Pulastya will take place wholly." 

120b-121. Then by the grace of Pulastya and the intelligent Vasishtha, Parashara composed the Vaishnava Purana. By means of six modes382 (i.e., Parts) it expounds all the topics. It is a mine of knowledge.

382. shad-prakaram-shad-amsharupam 'consisting of six parts'.

122-123. It extends to six thousand verses, and contains Vedic topics. It is the fourth383 among the Purana collections and a splendid one. Thus, O leading sages, the origin of the descendants of Vasistha and the prowess of the son of Shakti has been succinctly recounted to you.

383. chaturtham. But according to the serial order (of. Linga 39. 61-63) Shiva, and not Vishnu, is the fourth.