Vishnu

 

Essence Of
Vishnu Purana

 

15    Chandra Deva and Chandra Vamsha

Maharshi Parashara initiated the description of the origin of Chandra and his Vamsha. Lord Brahma conceived Maharshi Atri who performed Tapasya for thousand Divya (Divya) years and pushed up his virility upward in his physique during that period; that magnificent deposit got materialised in the form of drops from his eyes and spread out the outstanding illumination all over the Ten Directions. Realising this unprecedented development, Brahma Deva enabled it to take the Swarupa of Chandra Deva who was provided a chariot to travel across the entire Universe. Chandra was seated in the chariot and made twenty one full circles from Prithvi to the Great Samudra. In the process, the unique radiance when it touched Bhumi created ‘Anna’ (Food grains) and variations like seeds, ‘Aoushadhis’ (herbal medicines), water and Brahmanas whom he made the Chief. He also organised a mammoth Rajasuya Yagna, which was attended by the ‘Who’s Who’ of the Universe, besides lakhs of Brahmanas to whom ‘dakshinas’- Cash money and gifts were given in abundance; nine illustrious Women of universal repute arrived to serve to Chandra viz. Sini, Kuhu, Dyuti, Pushti, Prabha, Vasu, Kirti, Dhruti and Lakshmi. At the end of the Yagna, when Chandra was given ‘Avabhruta Snaan’ (Sacred bathing at the time of the Principal Sacrifice), he was worshipped by all the Devas and Rishis and he displayed extraordinary humility and honesty. But in course of time, he changed his attitude due to conceit, might and prosperity and committed the greatest sin of enticing his Guru’s wife Devi Tara and both of them lived together, despite Brihaspati’s warnings. Devas and Maharshis tried their best to prevent such an ugly siutation. Brahma himself chided his nasty and highly immoral activities and intervened but already Tara got pregnant; when confronted by Brahma, Tara confirmed that the child to be born was of Chandra’s only. Brihaspati insisted that Tara’s derlivery must not be in his residence and when born, Chandra named the child as Budha whom Brahma appointed as a ful-fledged Graha (Planet) as he was a highly accomplished Vidwan of Vedas and Shastras completely devoid of Chandra’s arrogance and selfishness; Budha’s placement on the Sky was right opposite that of Chandra and understandably  so!

Budha’s son was Pururava who was a highly virtuous King and Apsara Urvashi enticed him and gave birth to Ayu, Amaavasu and six other sons. In the lineage of Amaavasu was born Jahnu who performed Sarpa Yagna; Devi Ganga approached Jahnu with a proposal to wed him and flooded the Yagna Shaala but Jahnu desired to marry Kaveri the daughter of Yavanaashva. Since Ganga insisted to marry Jahnu, he got tired of her and drank her up; the Maharshis present begged of Jahnu who agreed to revive her as his daughter and that was why the River was known as Jahnavi. Pururava’s another son was Ayu and Ayu’s eldest son was the famed Nahusha, who performed ninty nine Aswamedha Yagnas and nearly got the eligibility to Indratva. In fact, Brahma appointed Nahusha as proxy Indra, since Indra killed Vritrasura a Brahmana with the help of the backbone of Maharshi Dadhichi converted as Vajraadutha and disappeared as a fugitive in a lotus stem in Manasarovara. Nahusha gradually became arrogant and egoistic and asked Sachi Devi to serve him as his keep. Sachi Devi wanted to escape Nahusha and on his insistence asked Nahusha to come to her house by his own carrier as Iravata used to go to her by Indra and thus Nahusha also should come to her by his own distinct Carrier. Nahusha pushed aside a Palki of Maharshis and commanded Agastya Muni to lift the Palki quickly; Nahusha said ‘Sarpa Sarpa’, meaning thereby ‘Quick Quick’.  Agastya Muni felt that not only Nahusha blatantly took away his Palki and even had the audacity to say Sarpa Sarpa to the Muni to reach Sachi Devi’s home. Agastya Muni purposively misunderstood Nahusha’s ‘Sarpa Sarpa’ and converted Nahusha as an Ajagara (python) and dropped and cursed the arrogant Nahusha from Indraloka to the thick forests in Bhuloka. On praying the Muni, Nahusha got a reprieve in the next Yuga when Yudhister would provide relief to the Ajagara’. When in Dwapara Yuga Pandavas were suffering ‘Aranyavasa’ following Yudhishter’s losing fake chess game and one day in the Forest life Draupadi longed for a Saugandhika flower in a pond and asked Bhima to fetch to her; it was at that time the Ajagara coiled Bhima’s body and when Draupadi ran for Bhima’s rescue, Yudhistara gave correct replies to the difficult questions asked by the Ajagara, then Nahusha got Shapa Vimochana (Relief from Agastya’s curse). As Nahusha got his python’s form, Agastya helped Sachi Devi to search for Indra who hid himself in a lotus stem in Manasa Sarovara and brought Indra back to Swarga and sought Brahma’s exoneration of committing Brahmahatya dosha, on the ground that though by birth Vritrasura was a Brahmana, he was an unpardonable demon responsible to commit countless killings of of innocent persons.



Nahusha and his wife Viraja gave birth to Yayati among four other brothers. Yayati became the famed Emperor who defeated all the Kings in the World. Shukracharya the Danava Guru gave his daughter Devayani to Yayati who also married Sharmishtha the daughter of Vrishaparva, a Rakshasa. Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu, while Sharmishtha had Druhya, Anu and Puru. Indra was pleased to have gifted a divine chariot with such powerful horses that Yayati was able to cover the whole world within six days and nights. Having conquered the Earth, he divided the Seven Dwipas into five divisions and distributed among his sons. As he got a boon that he could regain his youth if any of his sons would agree to exchange their youth against his olde age, he was tempted to get back his youth again, since he was getting old already. He approached his edest son Yadu who declined the offer and so did all other sons except Puru who readily agreed. Yayati cursed Yadu and the others and accepted Puru’s offer which enabled him to travel around and unravel the earthly pleasures for long. But finally he returned from his travels having found out that the ephemeral joys were endless like the Agni in a homakunda assuming larger proportions as per the ghee served into it, no human being could ever be satisfied with food, gold, ornaments and women and the more that a human being got lured into the whirlpool of life the worse that he would be dragged into it.

Najaatu kaamah kaamaanaamupa bhogena shaamyati,

Havishaa krishna vatmatmeva bhuya yaivaabhi vadbhutey/

Thus he realised that there could   never be a better satisfaction than that of a spiritual life. By so confessing, he returned his youth to Puru and left for Vanaprastha / forest life in seek of Paramatma.



In the lineage of Yadu, there was on offshoot branch of Haihaya Vamsa into which the illustrious Kartaveeryarjuna who too became a powerful Chakravarti having secured thousand mighty hands from Indra Deva. He proved to be an ideal ruler providing shield and contentment to his citizens that was rare in human history. His valour was such that in an encounter with Ravanasura the Epic Villian of Ramayana, he imprisoned the Asura and Maharshi Pulastya had to request him to be released! But in course of time, Kartaveerya became too vainglorious and killed Jamadagni Maharshi since he did not give away his kamadhenu. Meanwhile, Agni Deva approached Kartaveerya to let him satisfy his thirst and gift a huge forest so that he could consume it; unfortunately for Agni and Kartaveerya the Ashram of Vasistha Maharshi was burnt off too and the Maharshi gave a curse to Kartaveerya that soon enough there would be an incarnation of Vishnu as Parashurama who would not only kill  Kartaveerya but also exterminate the contempory Kshatriya Kings who had become so haughty and cruel towards Rishis, Brahmanas and the Subjects in general. Indeed the Curse of Vasishtha became a reality and Parashurama had uprooted the Kshatriya Kings in as many as twenty seven battles!

King Yadu’s son was Kroshti and the latter’s son was Shashabindu who was the famed foremost Chakravarti of Fourteen Maha Ratnas viz.

Chakram Ratho Manih khadgascharma Rarnam cha Panchamam,

Keturnidhischa Saptaiva Praanaheenaani chakshutey/

Bharyaa Purohitaschaiva Senaani Rathakruccha yah,

Pathyaswa kalaabhischeti Praaninah keertitaah/

Chaturdesheti Ratnaani sarveshaam Chakra -vartinaam/

( A Chakravarti is defined as one who possesses Chakra-Ratha-Mani- Charma (Shield)-Dhwaja -Nithi or Treasure, besides Stree-Purohitha-Senapati-Rathi or Charioteer-Padaati or Foot Soldiers-Ashwaarohi and Gajaarohi). Shashabindu had a lakh of wives and ten lakh sons!

 It was in this lineage was born Satrajit who was an unparalelled worshipper of Surya Bhagavan and after considerable devotion of the Sun God, Satrajit was gifted ‘Syamantakamani’ by Surya Deva; the Dwarakavasis felt that Surya was descending in Dwaraka and such was the effulgence of the Syamantakamani as Satrajit returned to Dwaraka. The Shyamantaka yielded eight ‘bhaaraas’ ( ten kg.) of gold a day. Its magnificence was such that in the entire Region in which it was situated, there was no fear of Roga-Anavrishti-Sarpa-Agni- Chora-Durbhiksha! Satyajit was overwhelmed and desired to share the joy with Krishna whom he visited at His abode. Jokingly, Krishna asked Satrajit to spare the jewel for some time and the same was promptly declined.

Satrajit’s brother, Prasena, wore the rare jewel and visited hunting to a forest. A lion killed him and ‘ Jambavanta’ the illustrious Bear of Ramayana killed the lion in turn and took it to his cave to let his baby play with it. As Prasena did not return from the forest for a few days, Satrajit asked Krishna whether he knew any thing about Prasena as he did not return back.There were stray doubts expressed in the neighbourhood about Krishna’s credibility in the context. Krishna desired to vindicate His position and proceeded to the forest visited by Prasena and found his dead body and also that of a lion. He traced the foot steps of an animal to a cave and heard a lullaby saying:

 Simha prasenamavadhit –simho Jambavataa hatah,

Sukumaaraka Maa rodeesteva hyosha Syamantakah/

(A lion had killed Prasena and jambavaan killed the lion, Sukumara! this Syamantaka Mani is yours only!) As Krishna found a baby playing with the jewel, he entered the cave.A huge bear entered and a fierce battle ensued for twenty one days. As Krishna defeated the Bear, he felt that an ordinary human being could not be defeated  against him and said: Bhagavan! You are invincible by Devatas, Asuras, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Rakshasaas and what are ordinary animals like us; indeed you are of the Amsha of Shri Rama who was the incarnation of Vishnu!Thus eventually Jambavan recognised Krishna and made intensive prayers with humility and devotion he returned to Krishna the precious jewel as also offered his beautiful daughter Jambavati in wedding. On return from the forest, Krishna returned the jewel to Satrajit, who felt humiliated by suspecting Krishna and as an atonement returned the Jewel and requested Him to accept Satyabhama too as His spouse. But, three suitors of Satyabhama, viz. Akrura, Kritavarma and Shatadhanvi who were for long desirous of wedding her were highly disappointed as Satrajit gave hopes; they conspired to kill Satrajit and also secure the Shamantakamani. Shatadhanvi killed Satrajit and stole the Mani. That was the time when Krishna was away when Duryodhana and the other Kauravas were hatching to kill Pandavas by burning them in a lac house and made plans to save them. Satyabhama at once left for Varanavata to convey the news of Satrajit’s murder; Krishna assured his newly married spouse that for sure he would avenge Satrajit’s death. Krishna took Balarama into confidence and along with the brother, Krishna chased Shatadhanvi. The latter approached Kritavarma and Akrura but both of them refused to help him for fear of Krishna and Balarama. Shatadhanvi then requested Akrura to at least hide the Syamantaka Mani and the latter agreed on the condition that Akrura should never  claim the jewel back; having given away the Mani to Akrura,  Shatadhanvi ran away and Krishna and Balarama chased despite Balarama’s warning that Statadhanvi might not have stolen the Mani, after all! Krishna then stopped the chariot for a while and having asked Balarama to wait, ran by foot through lanes and byelanes and finally cought hold of Shatadhanvi and killed him. But the body search of Shatadhanvi could not reveal the Mani. On return to Balarama, Krishna told that he killed Shatadhanvi unnecessarily. Balarama became furious at Krishna for suspecting Sthatadhanvi and in anger left Krishna and instead of going to Dwaraka left for Videha nagara of Janaka and stayed there; during his stay there Balarama taught Duryodhana the ‘Gada-Yuddha’ or the Battle of Mace and relented to return to Mathura after three years.  Meanwhile, Krishna was on the pursuit of Shyamanta Jewel: Krishna, Balaram and Ugrasena the Yadava elders consulted each other and wondered why the problems of diseases, serpents, and rainlessness were happening in the absence of the Syamantaka mani in Dwaraka, while where-ever Akrura’s father the Bhoja King named Swyapalka was there, the Place was diseaseless, full of timely rains and of good crops! Yadava chiefs therefore invited Akrura and as soon as he arrived, there were rains, good crops and happiness. This gave the suspicion that Akrura was hiding the Mani and Krishna and other Yadavas confronted Akrura and the latter finally blurted out that the Mani was in his personal possession and Shatadhanva gave it to him before his death and who ever could claim it might as well take it! Yadava Chiefs argued that the jewel was basically the property of Satyabhama, but she said that she was the wife of Krishna but Krishna said that he was the husband of sixteen thousand and eight wives after all and thus finally it was decided that the Syamantaka Mani might be awarded to Akrura; Shri Krishna was thus rid of the suspicion of stealing the Mani finally! Maharshi Parashara stated:

Ityetat Bhagavato midhyaabhishasti lakshanam yah smarati  na tasya kadaachidalam paapi midhyaabhishastirbhavati avyaakhilendriyraschaakhila paapamoksha mavaapnoti/

(The unwanted suspicion which Krishna suffered  led to a black mark on his character  or even smaller or bigger such blames would never ever happen to any person reading about the above incident! Such persons would also be freed from charges and got rid of sins!)

In the illustrious Kuru Vamsha, King Pradip  had three sons viz. Devapi, Shantanu and Baahmika and since Devapi went away to forests, Shantanu became the King who was acclaimed as the one who when an old person touched would became youthful; he was thus called Shantanu who bestowed Shanti Laabha or the Gain of Peace !

Yam yam karaabhyaam sprushyati jeernam youvanametishaha,

Shantim chaapnoti yenagruyaam karmanaa tena Shaantanuhu/

King Shantanu bemame a key figure in the long ancestry of Kuru Vamsha and bore the brunt of the dynasty. Even as he took over the Kingship, there was severe famine for several years but as the Brahmanas first asked Shantanu to step down and offered the Kingship to his elder brother as per Scriptures and as he refused then only the Kingship was re-conferred on him.

King Shantanu and Devi Ganga gave birth to Deva vrata, popularly called Bhishma Pitamaha. He was so named since took a unique vow of celibacy and against the institution of marriage to facilitate the wedding of his father’s deep desire to wed Satyavati alias ‘Matsyagandhi’ renamed by Maharshi Parashara as ‘Yojanagandhi’; there the Maharshi took fancy for her while crossing a River as she-a fisherwoman- yielded to the Maharshi’s request and he granted the boons to her that her body smell of fish would change to that of a Yojana-wide fragrance, that her virginity would be intact and that she would be the Queen a famous King. As a result of this happening, a Vishnu Swarupa was born to Satyavati and Parashara as the most reputed Maharshi Veda Vyasa  who had the singular distinction of scripting Ashtaadasha Maha Puranas, countless other Scriptures and of course the Immotal Epic, Maha Bharata. It was against this background that Shantanu fell for Satyavati who insisted that in the event of her wedding to the King Shantanu, neither his elderson Devavrata nor his progeny should claim rights of Kingship to the throne of Kaurava dynasty and thus the fierce vow taken by Satyavrata which got him the renown of Bhishma. Subsequently, Shantanu’s son was named Vichitraveerya died an untimely death and as there was a threat of non- incumbency to the dynasty throne, Bhishma was invited to copulate his cousin’s wives as per the exceptionally approved Niyoga Practice in vogue then; as a result, Vichitraveerya’s widows Ambika and Ambalika begot Dhritarashtra (born blind as Ambika closed her eyes in the union out of fright of Veda Vyas) and Pandu (since Ambalika got pale out of horror at the sight of the Maharshi); both the women planned to depute their maid and normal and virtuous Vidura was born to her in the third attempt). Dhritarashtra married Gandhari and gave birth to hundred sons headed by Duryodhana and Pandu’s wife Kunti gave birth to Yudhishtara from the Amsha of Yama Dharma, Bhima from the Amsha of Vasudeva and Arjun from the Amsha of Indra while Kunti bore a child even before her marriage by the Amsha of Surya Deva but out of fear left the child in a floating basket in a water flow which was found by a childless woman called Radha and brought him up thus known as Radheya or Karna since he was born with Karna-kundalas or ear-rings. As the Kauravas and Pandavas grew up with mutual ill feelings, fanned by Dhritarashtra on one side and Shri Krishna siding the virtuous Pandavas on the other, an inevitable Maha Bharata Battle climaxed and ended with bloodbath of Good and Evil forces with Krishna Bhagavan assumed a historic role, exemplifying his assurance of:

Paritraanaaya Saadhunam  Vinaashaaya cha dushkrutaam,

Dharma Samsthaapanaarthaaya Sambhavaami Yugey Yugey!



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