119 - Vivimsha’s exploits. 

 Canto cxx in the calcutta edition. 

Kshupa emulated a more ancient king of the same name and enriched the brahmans—He was succeeded by his son Vira; and Vira by his son Vivimsha whose was a prosperous reign. 

Markandeya spoke:

1 Now Khanitra’s son Kshupa on receiving the kingdom protected his people, while delighting them in righteousness, even

2 as his father had done. That king was by disposition liberal of gifts, and a sacrificer of sacrifices; he was just alike both to foe and friend in the path of the administration of justice and so forth. 

3 One day the king, while at his own residence, O muni, was addressed by his bards,— “As was king Kshupa of yore, so art

4 thou, sir.” † Of yore there was a king Kshupa,†† Brahma’s son as had been the exploits of this king, such that one indeed endeavoured to achieve. 

† For tathabhavat read tatha bhavan as in the Poona edition.

†† It must apparently be this Kshupa to whom reference is made in the Maha-Bh. (Shanti-p. clxvi. 6164-65 and 6192-93) where it is said that after the sword was fashioned Manu gave it to Kshupa for the protection of the people, and Ikshvaku got it from Kshupa. 

The king spoke:

5 I wish to hear of the exploits of the most high-souled Kshupa. If such can be accomplished by me, I will perform them. 

The bards spoke:

6 That king made cattle-kceeping brahmans § multitudes of yore, O king; and with the tribute of the sixth portion that high-souled king performed a sacrifice on the earth. 

§ Go-brahmanan. The compound occurs again in verses 10 and 12. It does not seem to mean “cattle and brahmans,” for this meaning hardly suits the verb used, and the compound occurs twice in the singular in verse 12. In that verse the Poona edition varies in reading go-brahmanah, plural, but both editions agree in reading go-brahmanaya, singular. 

The king spoke:

7 Who like me will follow those high-souled kings? Nevertheless, may he be strenuous after the exploits of those kings

8 of exalted exploits! Hear then the promise which I now

9 make—I will imitate the great king Kshupa’s exploits. I will perform sacrifices three and three on the present and future* gathering of the harvests on the earth which has four

* Sasyapate gatagate; = shasya-praptau jatayam ajatayam va (comment.)

10 streams—this promise I have made. And the tribute which cattle-keeping brahmans gave to that king of yore, the very same I will restore to the brahmans and the cattle. 

Markandeya spoke:

11 Having thus pledged his word, Kshupa performed it accordingly. He, best of sacrificers, offered three sacrifices on the

12 appearance of the crops. And the very tribute which a cattle keeping brahman gave to kings before, of that same quantity gave he other wealth to the cattle-keeping brahman.

13     He had a son, Vira,† of his wife Pramatha, a blameless prince, by whose majesty and valour kings were brought into

† This king is called Vimsha in the Vishnu Pur. (IV. i). Between Kshupa find Vimsha a, king Ikshvaku is inserted in the genealoey given in Maha-Bh. Ashvam.-p. iii. 65-68. 

14 subjection. And his dear wife was a Vidarbha princess named Nandini; he, the lord, begat a son Vivimsa†† of her.

†† The Vishnu Pur. calls him Vivimsha or Vivimshati (IV.i)

15 While Vivimsha was ruling the earth, as a king of great vigour,

16, the earth became densely populated with men. Parjanya rained in due season, and the earth abounded with

17 harvests, and the harvests were most fruitful, and the fruits were full of juice, and the juices gave nourishment, yet the nourishment caused no outrageous behaviour; nor did the stores of riches become causes of debauchery among men.

18 His enemies were cowed by his energy, O great muni. The people, who were all a band of friends, desire good health; the

19 citizens desire mirth. After performing very many sacrifices, after protecting the earth well, he met his death in battle and departed hence to the world of Indra * 

* For shatru-lokam read Shakra-lokam, as in the Poona edition.