HRASVABHAGAVATHAM - CANTO - 9 -PART B

                                                      CANTO  -  9  -  PART  -  B
                                                              स्कन्ध:  ९

13

इक्ष्वाकोस्तनयो निमिः कुलगुरोः शापान्मुदा त्यक्तवान्

देहं सर्वविलोचनेषु च निमेषोन्मेषणे कारयन्।

आस्ते; त्यक्तशरीरमस्य मथितं; जातः
नाम्नासौ मिथिलः; पुरी च मिथिला तस्या;ऽत्र सीताƒजनि॥

Meaning: Nimi was Ikshvaku's son. (the other two being Vikukshi and Dandaka). He was cursed by his Guru for his race Vashishta that he would lose his life and his body would fall. When he died with all satisfaction, he never wanted to become alive when the devas offered him to make him alive again.Then the devas gave benediction to him that he would reside permanently in all human beings as in closing and opening of their eyes..

When his body was churned , there appeared an young man by name Mithila.The city Mithila was named after him.In Mithila Sita was born.

Commentary:In this chapter 13 Nimi's lineage is described. In this lineage also many persons with Highest Knowlegde (Brahma Vidya ) became ब्रह्मज्ञा:.When Nimi wanted to perform a sacrifice , he requested his Guru Vashishta. But his Guru wanted to perform the sacrifice of Indra first. Thinking that the life as temporary in nature, Nimi performed the sacrifice by appointing another priest.When Vashishta came to know about it, he became angry for ignoring him and cursed Nimi that he would fall dead. Nimi also cursed him back that Vashishta did not conduct himself as befitting a Guru of his race and did not follow Dharma and therefore Vashishta also would fall dead. Both the curses had their effect. Nimi fell dead. The other Rishis preserved his body and prayed to the Devas who had assembled in the sacrifice.When the devas wanted to restore Nimi back to life again, Nimi did not want to be alive again, as the fish in water also had the fear of life always (meaning that death is unavoidable for any body). Then the devas blessed Nimi that he would remain in all human beings permanently as closing and opening of their eyes. Vashishta also lost his life and was born again as Mitra and Varuna (Vashishta and Agastya ) from Urvashi later.

When the maharishis , out of fear of anarchy in absence of a king, churned Nimi's body and NIMI's son was born by name Janaka.Janaka was also called as Vaideha (as born from one without body) and Mithila (because he was born by churning). He created Mithla city.There were a number of descendants of Janaka of whom Siradhvaja was one -when he ploughed the earth for a sacrifice Sita was found at the end of the plough.Kushadvaja and others were his descendants.

Nimi's lineage is completely described in this chapter. Now the lineage from Moon commences from the next chapter 14.

14

ताराचन्द्रमसोः सुतो बुध इलां चक्रे प्रियां मानवीं;

तत्पुत्रश्च पुरूरवा उदवहत् स्वःसुन्दरीमुर्वशींम्।

तं त्यक्त्वा च जगाम सा; स तु चरन्नुन्मत्तवत् सर्वत-

स्तद्वाचाƒथ निवृत्त एव च यजन् गन्धर्वलोकं ययौ।

Meaning: IN chapter 1, it was said that the son of Moon ad Tara was Budha . He married Ila who was the daughter of Manu, and Pururava was born to them. Pururava married Urvashi a damsel of the paradise.She left him and went back to the svarga.Pururava roamed like a mad man on the earth in search of her and found her at last. Listening to her advice, he returned back.He performed a sacrifice and went to the Gandharva loka.

Commentary:Urvashi came to the earth due to a curse of Mitra and Varuna from the paradise. As she had heard of Pururava from Narada earlier she came to see him and the king was attracted towards her. She put two conditions 1) that he should protect two lambs which had fallen from heaven along with her which she would entrust to him 2) she would consume eatables made in ghee and he should never appear before her naked except in sexual union.Pururava accepted these conditions and lived with her . As Indra wanted Urvashi back in the heaven, he sent gandharvas to bring her there. They stole the two lambs and when Urvashi realised their loss she lamented loudly in the night. Pururava who was naked ran after the gandhavas and brought back the two lambs from them. When Urvashi saw Pururava naked, she left him and went back to the heaven. Pururava roamed the earth like a mad person in search of her. He saw her at Kurukshetra on the bank of Saraswathi river.She advised him not to trust any woman.She was pregnant and was the mother of a heroic son.She agreed to visit him for one night during the year.When after one year she visited him He was sorry to be separated from her. She then told Pururava to approach the gandharvas, and he did as told. Gandharvas gave Pururava a girl by name Agnisthali similar to Urvashi .He spent some time with her. Then he realised it was Agnisthali and not Urvashi and then he left her in the forest and was meditating on Urvashi. Then Treta Yuga commenced and he could remember all Vedas and the process of performing yagna.When he wanted to perform an yagna, he came back to the same spot he left Agnisthali. There he saw an aswatha tree from the womb of a sami tree.When he made two aranis and churned fire came out and Agni is considered to be the son of Pururava. After performing a sacrifice Pururava reached Gandharvaloka , where Urvashi lived.

15

जातः श्रीजमदग्नितो भृगुकुले चैलस्य वंशे हरी-

रामस्तस्य सवत्सधेनुमहरत् श्रीकार्तवीर्यार्जुनः।

हत्वा कृत्तसहस्रहस्तकममुं प्रत्यानयद्गां स च

प्रोचे तं जनकः ""क्षमां कुरु सदा पूज्यो द्विजः स्यात्वया।।''

Meaning: In the lineage of Pururava, Vishnu incarnated as Rama,the son of Jamadagni Rishi who was born in the lineage of Bhrughu Rishi. Kartaviryarjuna, who was a Hehaya king took away Jamadagni's cow and calf forcibly. Rama went in search of the cow and calf and cut off the 1000 hands of Kartaviryarjuna and killed him.He took back the cow and calf back to the hermitage. But Jamadagni , his father told him -" You have to keep patience always. For brahmanas Patience is the quality and essential. Then only he becomes fit to be respected and worshipped "

Commentary: In the Bhrughu race Ruchika Rishi was born and married Satyavathi , the daughter of Gadhi who was born in Pururava's race. Jamadagni was born to them- a union between a brahmana and a kshatriya woman. Jamadagni married Renuka who hailed from Ikshvaku's race. Rama (Parashurama) was born to them.

Karthaviryarjuna was a Hehaya king. He got 1000 hands by worshipping Dattatreya - an amshavathara of Vishnu and all yoga sidhdhis from Him. He conquered Ravana very easily. On one occasion he visted Jamadagni's hermitage.Jamadagni offered food to his army with the help of Kamadhenu in his hermitage.As the king wanted the cow, he forcibly took it along with the calf. When rama came to know of this, he went after him and cut off his 1000 hands and killed him in the battle. Karthaviryarjuna attained mukthi as he was killed by Rama-an incarnation of Vishnu. When Jamadagni knew of the king's death, did not approve Rama's killing of the king and his army He told his son Rama-" Patience is the desired quality in a brahmin.Yoy have committed a sin by killing a king.Hari appreciates those who have patience in their lives.You purge your sins by undertaking pilgrimage and meditating on Achyutha "

16

जघ्नुस्तेƒर्जुनपुत्रकाश्च पितरं रामस्य वैरेण, तान्

हत्वा क्षत्रियदुष्टनिग्रहकरस्त्रिःसप्तकृत्वः पुनः।

रामः सर्वमयं मखैरयजत क्षेमाय लोकस्य स

प्रीतः शान्तमनास्तपः कृतयशा आस्ते महेन्द्राचले।।

Meaning: The sons of Karthaviryarjuna bore a grudge on the death of their father at the hands of Rama. When Rama was absent in the hermitage, they killed Jamadagni.Rama also killed them. As there were wicked Kshatriyas in the earth, Rama killed all of them by circumambulated the earth for 21 times. Rama then performed sacrifices and worshipped Hari. After he attained full satisfaction and after donating all in charity he became calm and retired Himself to Mahendra Mountain and He is believed to be there , doing penance for the welfare of this universe.

Commentary: In chapter 16 of the Purana an episode is mentioned-Once Renuka went to Ganges to bring water , she saw a gandharva and in seeing him sporting in the river forgot that Jamadagni was waiting for a fire ritual for her return .When she returned, Jamadani in a fit of anger told his sons to kill her. When others were hesitating to do that Rama killed his mother and other brothers as well. When Jamadagni was pleased and asked him to ask for a boon, he asked that all of them should be brought back to life. Jamadani did as was asked for by Rama.

Arjuna's sons bore a grudge against their father's killing, and when Rama was absent in the hermitage , they killed Jamadagni, in spite of Renuka's appeal not to kill him to them and carried his head along with them. When Renuka lamented and cried, Rama heard it from a long distance and returned to the hermitage and found his father dead.Then he decided to kill all kshatriyas and went to Mahishmathi and the heads of all kshatriyas were heaped and the heaps became a big mountain.He did this extinction of Kshatriya race for 21 times ,by circumambulating the earth.He performed yagnas and donated all the earth to Kashyapa,and other brahmanas. Jamadagni was restored to life again but he preferred to be in Rishimandalam , as one of the seven rishis. Parashurama resides in Mahendra mountain and still living there as completely satisfied and having gien up all the weapons of a kshatriya and worshipped by all the celestials.

                    17

आयुश्चैलसुत,स्ततो रजिरयं वीरः सुराभ्यर्थितो

दैत्यान् नाकपदापहारनिरतान् हत्वा सुरैर्मानितः।

प्रह्लादाद्यरिशङ्कितेन हरिणा न्यस्तं नृपश्चाƒददे

स्वाराज्यं; जनके मृते प्रतिददुः पुत्रा न तत्; ते हताः।।

Meaning: The son of EILA (Pururava) was Ayur, Raji was Ayur's son. Raji in response to the request of devas killed all asuras and returned the svarga to Indra. He was respected for this by Indra and other devas. Indra was afraid of rakshasas like Prahlada and others returned the kingdom of heaven to Raji.Upon Raji's death, Indra demanded his kingdom back from the 500 sons of Raji, they did not return the kingdom although they agreed to give Indra and others their shares in sacrifices.Brihaspathi made them fall from moral principles and when they fell as such, Indra killed allof them.

Commentary: Pururava had son by name Ayur. Ayur's sons were - Nahusha, Kshatravrudhdha, Raji and Rambha and Anena. In the lineage of Kshatravrudhdha, Shaunaka Rishi was born and he is well versed with Rig Veda.Rambha had a son by name Rabhasa. In this lineage Akriya came and from Akriya came Brahmavit. From Anena 's lineage came Shantaraya- a self realised soul and performed all sacrifices but did not get any progeny.

18

दैवात् संदृष्टकूपोद् धृतभृगुकुलजामुद्वहन् देवयानीं

शर्मिष्ठासंगदोषात् श्वशुरमुनिवरादाप्तशापो ययातिः।

वृद्धो भूत्वाƒथ पृष्टादलभत तनयाद् यौवनं तस्य दत्वा

वार्धक्यं चेद्धकामो रतिसुखरसिको वासुदेवं समीजे।।

Meaning: Yayathi married Devayani - Shukracharya's daughter- born in Bhrugu race (a brahmana family ), as he happened meet her by chance and rescued her from a well.Again he happened to meet Shamishta- daughter of Vrushaparva , an asura king, who accompanied Devayani to his palace and had a relationship with her also, though specifically asked by Shukracharya not to do so. Therefore Shukracharya cursed Yayathi that he would become an old person .As Shukracharya made amends to his curse when Yayathi appealed to him that if some one exchanges his with Yayathi's old age, Yayathi would become young. When Yayathi asked his sons-Yadu,Turvasu,Drhyu, and Anu, they refused to oblige. But Puru, his youngest sn agreed to exchange his youth with the old age of Yayathi. Yayathi enjoyed sexual union with his wives for a long time.Afterwards he exchanged his youth with Puru and in old age Yayathi worshipped and performed sacrifices to get the Grace of Vasudeva.

Commentary: Nahusha had six sons- Yathi,Yayathi,Samyathi,Ayathi, Viyathi and Kruthi.Yathi did not accept the kingdom although Nahusha offered it.On the contrary he sought self realization. So Yayathi became the king after Nahusha became a python due to Agastya's curse. The story of Yayathi is described above.

19

ऊचे भूपः स्वपत्नी""मज इव रतिभोगैकतृष्णोƒस्मि हा! हा!

भोगैः कामः प्रवृद्धो भवति, न तु शमं याति नूनं; मुमुक्षुः।

स्त्रीभिः संगं न कुर्यादहमिह विपिनं यामि; भद्रं तवास्त्वि-''

त्युक्त्वा गच्छन्नरण्यं हरिभजनरतः सर्वमुक्तो बभूव।।

Meaning: The king -Yayathi told his wife-Devayani -" I am living like a goat is interested in sexual affairs.What a Pity ! The more you indulge yourself in enjoying pleasures in life, the more desires crop up.So by enjoyment of desires and pleasures, the desires do not end and result in satisfaction or gratification.This s certain.Those who desire liberation of births and deaths and attain -mukthi, should never associate themselves in the company of women.Now I am going to the forest. Let there be welfare for you always.". Having said so, Yayathi went to the forest and with a total detachment and concentration in devotion to Hari , he attained mukthi in the end.

Commentary: When Yayathi realised that he indulged himself in sensory pleasures so much that he forgot that birth as a human being was to take steps in getting liberation from the samsara and not getting involed in it, he wanted to go to the forest. So he addressed Devayani who was the cause for his ignorance. He regretted for his folly and narrated a story to make her know of his position. The company of a woman will make anybody to more attachments in life rather than making him to detach from samsara.

So he gave his entire kingdom to Puru ,while giving the southern part to Yadu, south-eastern portion to Drhyu, western part to Turvasu and northern part to Anu.Then he went to the forest to get mukthi through - Hari Bhajanam.

In verse 29 -last verse Suka offers his prayers to Vasudeva.Vishvanatha Chakravarthi expresses his opinion as that as Ambarisha was eighth in lineage from Brahma in the Surya Vamsha, Yayathi is the eighth from Brahma in Chandra Vamsha.Further as Ambarisha developed total detachment due to his association with sadhus amd mahathmas, Yayathi got total detachment and Bhakthi with his association with Devayani .

                          20

पूरो: कुले बहुषु राजसु कीर्तिशाली

दौष्यन्तिरेव भरतो महितस्त्रिलोके;।

पत्नीभिरात्मतनयेषु हतेषु धीरः

सर्वं मृषेत्युपरराम स भूपवर्यः।।

Meaning: Now the lineage of Puru is described in chapter 20.Many kings were born in this Puru's race.Among them Bharatha,who was the son of Dushyantha was a very famous king in all the three worlds. He was never perturbed in his mind even after knowing that his own wives had killed all his sons. This great king became totally detached to every thing in life that all the things in this world are illusions and not real.

Commentary;Dushyantha went on a hunting expedition and met Shakunthala in the hermitage of Kanva Mahrishi. He fell in love with her and their marrage took place according to Gandharva procedure. She became pregnant. Dushyantha went back to his kingdom. Shakunthala delivered a son by name Bharatha.Kanva looked after him and taught him all Vidyas. Later when Shakunthala went to Dushyantha, he refused to accept her and his son as he forgot the whole thing. Then there was heavenly sound and saying that informed Dushyantha that what Shakunthala said was correct. Dushyantha then accepted them . Bharatha became the king after Dushyantha. He was a very powerful king and performed many sacrifices . He was famous. Once he told his wives in jest that his sons do not look like him. His wives belived that saying to be true and killed all sons for the fear that their husband might desert them for this reason Bharatha became totally detached then. However to continue the lineage he performed a sacrifice called "Maruthsoma" and pleased all Maruths. They gave Bharadvaja as his son

                      21

वंशेƒस्मिन् रन्तिदेवो नृपतिरुरुकृपः क्लेशलब्धं स्वभक्ष्यं

पेयं च क्षुत्पिपासाविवशतरनृणां स्नेहपूर्वं प्रदाय।

"दुःखान्मुक्तस्त्रिलोको भवतु भवतु मे सर्वदुःखं तदेमी'-

त्युक्त्वा दृष्ट्वा त्रिमूर्तीन् विधिहरिगिरिशान् भक्तिपूर्वं ननाम।।

Meaning: In the lineage of Bharatha, Ranthideva- son of Sankruthi became a king. He was a very compassionate and a kind hearted king.There was a famine in his kingdom. He gave every thing to his guests and to those who asked from him.Further he surrendered himself to the Providence He lost every thing and was poor. He and his entire family were hungry and they were without food and water for 48 days continuously. With great difficulty he got some foodstuff with milk and ghee and some water. When he was about to partake the food a brahmana appeared and Rantideva seeing Hari every where and in all lving entities gave his share of food to him. Later when after dividing the remaining food with his relatives and he was about to take his share a shudra appeared. Seeing him as a form of Hari, he offered his share to him.When the drinking water only remained , a person surrounded by dogs came and asked for some food.Seeing that water was only remaining ,he asked the king to give him water .Rantideva gave him all the remaining water to him to save him from death.. Then Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva appeared bfrore the king Rantideva as it was they who presnted themselves as brahmana,shudra, and the lowly person surrounded by the dogs (a chandala ) .He never sought any boon from them as he had no ambition to enjoy the material benefits and pleasures.He offered them his obeisances with total devotion. His mind was fixed in the Lotus feet of Vishnu always and attached to Paramatma

Commentary: In this chapter 21,,Bharata's lineage is described.The adopted son of Bharatha was Bharadvaja. In his lineage, the eighth descendant was Rantideva. Guru and Rantideva were sons on Sankruthi. HIS story is described in the above verse.What he said when the chandala begged him the drinking water is in veses 11 and 12 of this chapter

                     

Meaning : I do not pray to Sri Vishnu for the Ashtanga yoga nor mukthi - meaning salvation of repeated births and deaths. I want only to be among all living creatures and suffer all the miseries and distresses on their behalf so that they can get rid of their sorrows and miseries and become free. This poor person is suffering from hunger, thirst and fatigue and shivering, and poverty, distress and lamenting morose and not knowing and illusion.By offering this water to this person in distress and struggling to live,I will become free of , my hunger,thirst,fatigue, shivering and poverty,distress and lamentation moroseness and illusion.

This statement of Rantideva is the proof of his compassion to all living beings.

Rantideva had conquered Maya completely

In this lineage came Hasti , who built Hastinapuram.The threesons of Hasti-Ajamidha. Dwimidha, and Purumida. THe lineage Ajamidha is described in this chapter

 22

श्रीशन्तनुः पूरुकुले प्रसिद्ध-स्तद्वंशजाः पाण्डुसुता महान्तः

तन्मध्यमो जिष्णु,रतोƒभिमन्यु-स्तस्माद् भवान्; पौरव एव सत्वम्।।

Meaning: The lineage of Divodasa (son of Mudgala) and Riksha lineage ( son of Ajamidha) is described in this chapter.

Shantanu was a famous king in the lineage of Puru.Pandavas were descendants of Shantanu and were mahathmas. Arjuna was third among the three sons of Kunti. Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna. You are Abhimanyu's son and therefore you (Parikshit) also are frm Puru race.

Commentary: Shantanu's lineage, birth of Draupadi, Jarasandha , Pandavas, Kauravas, Sons of Pandavas and their lineage and descendants are described in detail in this chapter.

23

द्रुह्रुश्व तुर्वसुरनुश्च यदुर्ययातेः

पुत्रा; यदोर्ननु कुलं सुतरां पवित्रम्।

श्रीकृष्णजन्म यत एव; पुमान् स्मरंस्तत्

प्राप्नोति चिन्मयपदं शिथिलीकृताघ:॥

Meaning The remaining four sons of Yayathi- Druhyu, Turvasu, Anu and Yadu and their lineage and descendants are described in chapter 23 of the Purana. Yadu's descendants in particular are described in this chapter. IN YADU'S RACE SRI KRISHNA was born and incarnated Himself. Those who chant and remember the story of incarnation of Krishna will be purged of all sins and will get Vaikunta Prapthi.

Commentary: The descendants of Yadu is described in detail.In verse 19, it is said bu Shuka that the narration and listening to the lineage Of Yadu will purge of all sins and will bestow all virtues.Four sons of Yadu- Sahasrajit,Kroshta,Nala, Ripu. In the lineage of Sahasrajit , the descendants were,Madhu,Vrshni etc. In the lineage of Vrishni, Vishnu incarnated as Krishna.

24

जातोƒभून्मधुरापुरे हरिरजः शौरेः सुतो गोकुलं

कृत्वा पावनमर्जुनोद्धवगुरुः संहृत्त्य भूमेर्भरम्।

त्यक्त्वा देहमगात् स्वधाम भगवान्; यः पाति भक्तान् सदा;

यल्लीलाश्रवणेन भक्तहृदयं सच्चित्सुखं प्राप्स्यति।।

Meaning: SriHari (Brahman)- who has no birth-अज: - took incarnation as a human form as the son of Shauri (Vasudeva) in Mathura and He purified Gokula , was Guru of Arjuna and Udhdhava. Krishna saw to it that the burden on the earth as wicked kings and persons were eliminated.Finally He left the mortal body and reached His abode- Vaikunta.Hari protects His devotees always.Those who listen to the acts and leelas will become His true devotees and will experience the Brahmananda ब्रह्मानन्द .

Commentary:The descendants in Yadu's lineage - Mahabhoja's-Devamida- Vasudeva are described in this chapter. From Ahuka, Devaka and Ugrasena were born . From Ugrasena ,Kamsa and from Devaka, Devaki were born. Balarama and Krisna were born as the seventh and eighth sons of Vasudeva and Devaki.

For the details of all lineages please see chapter 24 of this Canto