to the forest and live

migrate

severe penance

an

and Kama in this stage. He should keep

creatures. He should not hurt anybody

or town

whatever

for

3.3.10 Customs

more

little is available

up

related to Dharma,

all activities

impartial view for all and cultivate

or even thoughts.
his life on alms.

by his words, actions

than five days. He should sustain

from the nature. This

senses.

ones

and restraining

is the fourth stage of life. One should give

Sanyaasashram

village

on

simple life sustaining

stage must be passed observing

Artha

feeling of love for all the

He should not stay in

and Consecrations

At the time of childbirth,

it is the fathers

for the child. First of all, Jatakarma

the family. During this custom,

certain customs

and consecrations

is carried out by which the newly born baby is included

should sit facing east while feeding. Thereafter,

and dead ancestors.

carry out

to

responsibility

Sanskara

Brahmin couple is fed. It is also

necessary

the parents should offer oblations

to

Lumps made of barley flour, curd and berries should be offered

are

Similar consecrations

carried out at the time of childrens

in

for the couple that they

appease the
as oblations.

gods

marriage.

On the tenth day after the birth, the naming

ceremony

traditions

seen that most of the children are named after

name should not be meaningless, abusive or inauspicious.
difficult to pronounce names should also be avoided.

regarding

Practice

of selecting

one

should

exceptionally

The second stage in

ceremony

childs

see

out. Different

castes and religion have different

that the

long and

or she begins education. In ancient times, thread

were sent to their teachers hermitage for education.
more or less in similar way as it used to be in the past. But
education any more.

life is when he

used to be carried out and the children

age, thread ceremony is

are not sent to Gurukul for

In modern

children

is carried

naming the newly born child. It is commonly

the deities and gods. Still

After completing

been elaborate

education,

followed

a person

should get married

rituals for the selection

of suitable

cases

match for the boy. Their choice in most

run

his

on many

own

life. In the past, there had

attributes

a proper

and bodily features

of the

among the people, it is not possible to follow each

and every custom related to selection of bride. Still one should take care not to marry in his mothers
lineage for up to fifth generation and in his fathers lineage up to seventh generation.
girl. But in modern

age,

and

bride. Elders of the house used to select

depended

with increased

interaction

3.3.11 Description
A married

man

knows the importance

of Righteousness

of following

couple gives birth and raises next generation.

contemplate

on

religious

natural environment
by cleansing

righteous

A married

away

from his house. Soil is considered

of the body. He should then offer oblations

ancestors. Offering oblations

If the household

discourse.

Married

is expected

to get

discourse.

means to

the best

some cattle,
a guest arrives,

man.

talk. In Indian tradition,

First of all, after finishing

daily chores,

married

is also good for his health to take food early in the evening

intimacy

suitable

period for enjoying

with his wife only.

and
call in

sages,

deities and his dead

the head of the family should himself milk them and then wait for

deity. He should take food only after feeding the guest. Evening

is considered

in which

to attend natures

wash hands. It should be followed

to

wearing fresh clothes

a penance

early in the morning

a seat respectfully and

a guest is regarded equal to a
rituals for a

the head of the family must offer him

treat him well with delicious food and pleasant

married

life is like

up

He is expected

to the Sun, worship of tutelary god and other deities follows then.

is having

the guest. If and when

man

things. It helps him to follow righteous

time has also elaborate

man must worship with peaceful mind. It

a wooden bedstead. Night time
a married man should enjoy

and retire to

carnal pleasure. Here too,

3.3.12 Sanctification

on

Life

after Birth and Death

an

earth is like

ocean in which birth appears like a bubble and death marks the bursting
no more. Atmosphere of a household is said to be defiled when a
are different sanctifying customs to be carried out on both these
a son, the father should offer oblations to please the gods and his

infinite

of that bubble after which it exists

or

birth

death

occasions.

in it. There

After the birth of

ancestors

When

occurs

after taking

occurs

death

and garlands

in

outside

of the deceased,

household,

or

the village

close relatives

well-demarcated

or

sweet balls made of barley flour,

(offering

The

are

person

who had carried out the cremation

classes

Kshatriyas,
for
for

same

On the

3.3.13 Days for Monthly

A Shraadh

day in

every

every

and of

lunar month

course

are

considered

subsequent

Amavasya

pleases

the entire world including

benefiting.

have enough

fortunate

Moonless

phase of Vaishaakh,

and Amavasya

an

excellent

rivers like Ganga, Sutlej, Yamuna, Vipaasha,

doesnt

Marudgana,

for thirteen days. Outsiders

For the

should be offered to the dead

It is not

money to

necessary

offer oblations

enough to have wealth.

conjugation

Saraswati,

oblations

also considered

for offering oblations

may

birds, animals,

pomp
simply

phase of Kartik, thirteenth

excellent.

During lunar and

Nakshatra

occurs on

to dead ancestors.

Bathing in

seeds. If Shatabhisha

etc. while making oblations

Gomti, Godavari

properly, he

Pitragana,

to the dead ancestors.

ninth day in brighter

are
sesame

also to show great

Thus, his ancestors

human beings, Brahma, Indra,

Vishwadeva,

and eighth day in the darker phase of

of Maagh

should be made with water and

of Maagh, it is considered

to be extremely

in holy places of pilgrimage.

death has occurred.

month, oblations

the best days for offering

day in the darker phase of Bhaadrapad

also, oblations

tradition

it is fifteen days and for Shudras, this period has been fixed

the dead ancestors.

Apart from these two, third day in the brighter

solar eclipses

for immersion

where

with flowers

should again

Oblations

carried out with devotion

sages

adorned

the religious

Since that day,

period varies. For Brahmins, it is ten days, for

Rudra, Ashwini Kumars, Surya, Agni, Vasugana,

reptiles,

person.

and honey) should be done for ten

seeds, jaggery

household

per

As

buried. Then the relatives

to the dead

must abstain from intimacy

of Hindu society, this sanctifying

it is twelve days, for Vaishyas,

one month.
one year.

sesame

the cadaver

for cremation.

or

ashes should be collected

also barred from eating cereals from such

different

ground

to the flames

river facing south and offer watery oblations

days. On the fourth day of the cremation,

carry

should take bath and

cremation

the body should either be consigned

take bath in the pond

Pindadaan

bath.

is also said

and show while making oblations.

pray

would be pleased

If

one

the Sun saying that he is not

by his devotion

alone.

3.3.14 Method for Oblations

While making oblations
Brahmins

to the dead ancestors,

who respect their parents. Intimacy

one
with

should feed his

women

oblation. Any guest who happens to arrive unexpectedly

near

and dear

KAVYA

SOMAAY

PITRAMATE

VAIVASVATAAY

well

as

learned

hymns.

VAAHAANAYE
SWAHAA

SWAAHA

||

an

should be treated well. Before

feeding, plain cereals should be offered thrice to the fire reciting following

AGNAYE

ones as

is barred for those who have taken food in

and uninvited

SWAHAA

Remaining

cast

on

cereals then should be served with the food to the Brahmins

earth and water should be offered

After the feast, the Brahmins

should be

on

seen

and

some parts

should also be

them.

off with respect. The host should then take food along with

over

his family. Anger

enthusiasm

on

and walking

the street is forbidden for the host during oblation

period.

3.3.15 Dos and Dont during Oblation

mongoose,

Oblation with flesh of fish, rabbit,

the ancestors.

hog, deer,

But in modern Kaliyug, all types of flesh

milk, honey, etc.

are

allowed. Offering

salve all the ancestors.

ram and cereals cause extreme satisfaction for

are forbidden in oblation rituals. Only cereals,
in Bihar) is said to

of oblation in Gaya (a place of pilgrimage

Barley, wheat, rice,

sesame

seeds,

peas,

are

and mustard

the

common

cereals

and grains used in oblations.

Offering

of oblation is

sinner, imposter,
house

death

or

care should be taken that an eunuch, Chandaal,

person, monkey, pigs, a woman in menses, and anybody in whose
see the performer otherwise neither the deities nor the ancestors would

sacred affair. During the procedure,

patient, cock, dog,

birth has occurred

dont

naked

accept the oblations. Water used in oblation should also be free from odour and foam. Milk of camel, sheep, doe
and buffalo should not be used in oblations.

Before beginning

piece of land. It should be cut off from outside

influences

the ritual, drive out the evil spirits from the selected

through enclosures.

3.3.16 The Battle of Gods and Demons

are

Rig, Sama and Yajurveda

naked. This statement

Once

upon a

time,

battle occurred

of which period, the demons

Vishnu. Pleased

like the clothes

is endorsed

by their

Lord! In sheer violation of Brahmas

the oblations.

Protect

religion. Kindly show

Hearing

the gods. The humiliated

Lord Vishnu appeared

dictate, formidable

us from the onslaught of the

us a way to kill the demons."

will

cause

gods reached

one

demons

even our

have kidnapped

demons. We cannot fill them because

Mayamoha

disappeared.

the abode of the demons.

of Mayamoha

and reached

form. It reached
Mayamoha

then approached

penance?"

The demons

the metaphysical

religion which is like

demons

place in the heaven, give

violence

is the religious

green grass

world." Mayamoha

an open gate to

mind. Mayamoha

confused

up

said- "If

the bank of Narmada

you

long for salvation,

them further saying- "O demons, if

animals

sacrificing

are

would have killed his

own

you

and attain enlightenment.

of oblations

an

many
they no

do

as

I suggest. Follow

" O

began to illumine

the

the

or a
to say

long for salvation

It is

in fire is also childish. Even

animal which is sacrificed

the demons

a sweet voicepenance to

wrong notion
that
an animal which eats

that position after

in Yagya attains heaven, performer

of Yagya

father."

Thus with these witty talks, Mayamoha

they lost interest

the

observing

With such sweet talk, Mayamoha

salvation."

path. Offering

saw

and

them and said in

said- "We

is better than Indra who is obliged to eat wood despite attaining

of great Yagyas. If

hundreds

due shares offered in

they abide by their

with Demons

was produced in a naked

penance there. The naked
What is the purpose of your

observing

achieve

the end

kill them after that". Saying this, the Lord

Mayamoha

demons!

years at

Him and said- "O

from His body and giving them to the

can

The gods took Mayamoha

in fact

and prayed Lord

illusion in the minds of the demons. The illusion will influence

demons to violate the path shown by the Vedas. You

3.3.17 Dialogue

hundred

Ksheersagar

before the gods. All the gods greeted

the pleas of the gods, Lord Vishnu produced

gods, said- "Mayamoha

up are

tale.

between the demons and the gods. It lasted for

defeated

prayers,

of Hindu society. Those who give them

by the following

in Vedas. Once it

were

Ultimately,

demons

because

longer followed

was

deviated

the demons

achieved,

killed whereas
the teachings

from the righteous

the gods attacked

those who remained

the demons

came to

of Vedas. Thus, anybody

path because

of which

with full preparations.

be known

as

naked

who does not practice

the

teachings

of Vedas

in his life is known

after the completion

of Grihasthashram

as naked. Those
are naked.

or

who do not take to Vanprastha

Sanyaas

was a king named Shatadhanu. His queen Shaivya was a

queen had worshipped Lord Vishnu observing severe penance.
queen came out of the Ganges after taking bath,
they happened to sight an imposter Brahmin who was coming from the opposite direction. The Brahmin was a
friend of the kings teacher. So, the king treated the Brahmin with respect. But his chaste wife did not show any
respect for the imposter and kept silent all through the talk. She then had a sight of the Sun to expiate for the
meeting with an imposter. On their return to the palace the king and the queen worshipped Lord Vishnu with
proper rituals.
Tale of Shatadhanu-

righteous

In the ancient

woman.

and religious

On the full

moon

times there

The king and the

day in the month of Kartik when the king and

course, the king died. The queen also committed Sati. Since the king had committed the sin of
an imposter during his penance the king had committed the sin of talking to an imposter
penance, he took birth in a dog form whereas queen Shaivya took birth as the daughter of a
Kashi king. She was extremely beautiful and knew everything about her previous birth. When her father
decided to marry her off, she requestfully refused for she knew that her previous birth husband was
roaming the streets and lanes of Vidisha in a dog form.
In due

talking to

during his

The princess

of Kashi then reached

princess. The princess

of talking to

an

saluted the dog and narrated

imposter

Thus, reminded

gave up

he

King Shatadhanu

as a

was

an

Ashwamedha

It

was

respectfully

crow

for her. In the Swayamvara,

3.4

as

This chapter
3.4.1Description

contains

son

reminded

as

son

became

vulture

peacock. During that time, King

the peacock

the

birth? Only then,

birth. The kings

was

also given

ceremonial

(King Shatadhanu)

of his

of King Janak.

that the princess

told her father to organise

the prince also arrived. The princess

accepted

a
him

Manus

12 sections.
Lineage

produced

Aditi and Aditi produced

Ikshvaaku,

Nrig, Grishth, Sharayaati,

Prishadhra

are

sons

the ten

a son

was

the first to

appear

from Lord Vishnu

for the whole creation. From the right hand thumb of Brahma, Daksha

Vivasvaan.

desire for

as a

form and then

Manu finds its origin at Brahma. Brahma

cause

Prajapati appeared. Daksha

in the previous

4 (Part 4)

of Vaivasvat

of Vaivasvat

who is the primitive

With

birth. He

her husband.

Chapter

Lineage

dog.

Yagya. In the Yagya, the peacock

only after the birth of King Janaks

Swayamvara

of his sin

fast till death. But in his next birth, he

him of his previous

too died and took next birth

birth, the peacock

She

before the

because

the events of his previous

after their conversation

reminded

bath by the princess. During the bath, the princess

previous

on

realise his mistake. He then observed

wolf. Again the princess

organising

for long

was

on the outskirts of the town. In his next birth however he was

came to know that the jackal was King Shatadhanu and asked him

in his next birth. After that, he took birth in

Janak

as a

that he had to take birth

to talk to the imposter

came to

in fact King Shatadhanu.

its tail and show humility

the dog form

Again the princess

whether he continued

born

penance

wag

the whole thing to it that it

by the princess, the dog contemplated

grew so sad that

born as a jackal.

was

during

was

and found out that dog

Vidisha

food eating which the dog began to

fed the dog with delicious

Narishyant,

Vivasvaan.

Manu

Pranshu, Naabhaag,

was

the

son

of

Dishta, Karup and

of Manu.

Manu organised

Yagya to please the deities Mitra and Varun. But during the Yagya

because

of

a wrong

resolution

Varun, she got masculine

of oblator,

appearance

and

daughter

a name

named Ila

Sudyumna.

was

born to them. But by the

In later

course

grace

of Mitra-

by the wrath of Lord Shiva,

was converted into a woman. In woman form when

son of Chandrama, her beauty infatuated Buddha.

Sudyumna

sages

learned

Pururavas

progenies

Yagya for Sudyumna

spread in all directions

because

Shudra

strong Kshatriya

Balbandhan-

Kirtimaan-

Khaninetra-

Keval- Sughrittidaughter

Lineage

Janmejaya-

son

Aanart

was

a man again. In
a town named

caste. Manus

another

son,

grew as

Khanitra-

masculine

form,

to

Prathishtha

son,

Prishadhra

an

Karush produced

follows- Naabhaag-

Vimbha-

Chaakshush-

Vivimbhak-

grew as

Hemchandra-

follows-

Veghvaan-

course

Dama- Rajvardhan-

Buddha-

Dhumraksh-

Chandra-

Trinvindu.

Suvriddhi-

Trinvindu

had

Vishaala.

founded

Srinjay-

Sahadev-

Krishasva-

son

daughter

who

Sukanya

earth. Raivat

Revati. Raivat

was

married

Aanart

of Sharayaati.

on

had

one

had

to

a son

hundred

sage

Chyavan

Raivat

in peculiar

who founded

sons,

the eldest

took Revati with him and approached

suitable match for her. At that time, Gandharvas

whom

Brahma

who

said smiling-

listening

to the Gandharvas

"No

on

Manu is about to end

Brahma

earth and Kaliyug is about to start." These words frightened

and asked- "O Lord! Now tell

me

Parmeshwar

at Kushasthali

which

was

Baldev who is

a part

of Lord Vishnu. Marry this daughter

folk and Baldev

an

Lord Vishnu had taken

equal to Indras

is praised all

abode Amravati

over

Raivat who

whom should Imarry Revati to?" Brahma

unborn all pervasive

women

singing

one even in the progeny of these people is alive on earth because here
songs you have passed four ages. Presently even the age of eighteenth

Brahma

greeted

were

his capital at

among

near Brahma. Raivat

listened to their songs intently and forgot about the passage of time. Many ages passed like that but
Raivat felt as if only an hour had passed. When the Gandharvas stopped singing, Raivat once again
asked Brahma about a suitable match for Revati. Brahma asked Raivat about his own choices first.
Raivat counted the names of many deserving princes and kings all of whom belonged to earth.
asked about

He had

near the hermitage of

a son Pururava was
a man again. Hence,

Marut.

of Narishyant

daughter

the

and ruled his kingdom

Kakudmi.

into

Kshatriya

of Dishta

Prajapati-

Keval- Bandhumaan-

follows-

to be

Sumati.

had

Sharayaati

Kushasthali

and acquired

Vishal. Vishal in later

grew as

of Vishal

circumstances.

was

a son

roaming

result of their union,

his temptation

of his teacher. Manus

Avikshit-

Lineage

Nara- Chandra-

Ilavila and

Somadutta-

Manu

Karandham-

Narishyant.

Manu had presented

named Kaarush. Lineage

Vatsapreeti-Praanshu-

Ativibhuti-

a son,

Marut had

a cow

of killing

exceptionally

up

and got him converted

sons- Utkal, Gaya and Vinat.

on presented to Pururava.

three

which he later

Sudyumna,

became

organised

produced

Sudyumna

As

could not give

born. Even after the birth of Pururava, Sudyumna

was

Sudyumna

Buddha, the

is

incarnation

now

on

Dwarkapuri.

to him because

said- "That

earth. O king! Your capital

In that Dwarkapuri,

she is

jewel

the world by all. Hence only he deserves

among
your

to be

stays

the

son-in-

law."

Hearing

the verdict

transformation

of Brahma,

Prajapati

had taken place in the

Raivat

descended

appearance

known

as

Dwarkapuri.

Revati appeared
pressed

found out Baldev

and married

with anterior

his granddaughter
because

part of his plough and she assumed

Revati to Baldev, Raivat

3.4.2 Description

saw that an amazing

were now smaller in stature, ugly,
a new appearance and was now

the earth and

had acquired

quite large and taller in stature than Baldev

her slightly

After marrying

Raivat

on

of people who

and devoid of strength. Even his capital Kushasthali

of Ikshvakus

migrated

to the Himalayas

dull

Revati to him. But

of age difference.
a stature equal to
penance.

Baldev
normal

women.

to observe

Lineage

was born from the nostril of Manu as a result of sudden sneezing. Ikshvaaku had hundred
sons among whom Vikukshi, Nimi and Danda were prominent. Once Ikshvaaku organised a Shraadh.
For the purpose of feeding Brahmins, he ordered his son Vikukshi to bring fresh meat of wild animals.
Taking his bow and arrows, Vikukshi set out for the forest and hunted many deer and rabbits. Towards
Ikshvaaku

noon,

over

sage Vashishta
name of Shashaad

In the past

who
and

convince

the Shraadh

the capital and

the truth to Manu. Thus Vikukshi got

revealed

his father. Shashaad

in later

the demons

son

course

had

a son,

Puranjay.

and the gods. The demons

Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu said-"I

in he body of Shashaads

defeated

am aware of your desire. I will

your responsibility to

to kill the demons. But it is

Puranjay

him for the battle."

The gods approached

our

was conducting
was expelled by

fierce battle had taken place between

the gods who approached

appear

rabbit from the stock. Then he reached

flesh to his father.

the remaining

But the
the

one

he felt tired and hungry and hence ate

handed

enemies."

Puranjay

Puranjay

and requested-"O

great

among

the Kshatriyas!

Kindly help

us to

defeat

is Indra. If I fight the battle riding his shoulder, Iwill be able to

said-"Shatkratu

kill the demons."

The gods accepted

his condition.

Lord Vishnu had partially

of Aneyna

founded

the town of Shaavasti

Vrihadashva-

follows- Aneyna-

got the

(modern

Kuvalayaashva-

Prithu- Vishtrabhva-

Shraavasti).

Dridaashva-

Lineage

Tandraashva-

long time, Yuvanashva

sages.

of learned

asleep because

Mandhaata

married

Ambareesh,

sage

The Yagya

of tiredness

did not have

lasted for

keeping

Bindumati,

and Muchukunda.
arrived

Saubhari

the

name

killed the demons

Kakutsth.

Chaandrayuvnashva-

continued

of Shaavasta

a son

He had

Shaavasta.

as

because
Aneyna.

Shaavasta

follows- Shaavasta-

Kapilaashva.

a Putreshti Yagya in the auspices

when the Yagya ended, sages fell
near the altar. The water had been
empowered with sacred mantras. Meanwhile the thirsty king came there and drank that water from the
urn. When the sages awakened, they enquired about the water in the urn. Yuvanashva told them that
he had himself drunk it. The sages told that as the water had been empowered with sacred mantras
and was meant for the queen in order to make her conceive. Hence the king instead of the queen will
conceive now. As a result Yuvanashva conceived and in due course gave birth to a child from his right
armpit. But the childs birth did not kill the king. The baby was Mandhaata. In due course Mandhaata
ruled the entire earth, which was divided into seven islands.
For

Indra took the guise of the bull riding which Puranjay

arrived in his body. Since then Puranjay

grew as

Lineage

child. So, he organised

whole day. At mid-night

urn

the daughter

of Yagya

water

They had three

of Shatabindu.

They also had fifty daughters.

in the palace and requested

sons-

Purukutsa,

When all the daughters

to

Mandhaata

marry one

grew young a
to him.

of his daughters

sage appeared old and frail. So, Mandhaata hesitated and tried to send him off making many
excuses. The sage assured him about his physical abilities. But still the king felt hesitant and said-O
sage, it is our tradition that we marry our daughter only to he whom our daughter chooses as her
husband. Your request is beyond our desires."
The

Hearing

Mandhaatas

word

sage

eunuch who guards the quarters

Mandhaata

instructed

quarters, the
arrived there,

as

for

a moment

daughters

and said-"All right O king! Kindly instruct

to escort

me

there." Fearing

handsome
choose him

that she had first chosen him. Thus all the daughters

a curse

Gandharva.

as

from the

the

So, when he

her husband

of Mandhaata

the

sage,

While entering

first. Each

chose

one

sage

their husband.

When the eunuchs

informed

happen. But still he

was

sage

your

to escort him into the quarters of his daughters.

sage assumed the appearance of an extremely

a row started among the girls as to who would

of them claimed
Saubhari

considered
of

the eunuchs

Saubhari.

Vishwakarma,
Vishwakarma

Marrying

all the fifty girls,

he instructed
erected

the king about this development,

bound by his promise

sage

so

him to build separate

fifty beautiful

palaces

in

he had

Saubhari

no

he fell in deep thoughts

choice but to

brought

marry

castles for each of his wives. In

a row.

Each

one

how it could

all his daughters

them to his hermitage.

no

to

Calling

time,

of them had ample spacious

and airy

rooms,

surrounded

by beautiful

gardens. Since then, all the girls occupied

live there. Every kind of luxury and food

was

One day, drawn by the love for his daughters,

in place of Ashram, he found

a row

was

their husband

capable

King Mandhaata

enough to provide

were

him that they

informed

to visit Saubharis

grief that her husband

enjoyed

that

he met Saubhari

you are

In due

up

and worshipping

course,

the daughters
their

end till death.

with fifty princesses.

take to the

Thinking

penance

that

If I keep

time

gave
sage

lord! It is the result of

there for

birth to

one

Saubhari thought- I have

of Lord Vishnu.

way, sage

to the forest along with his fifty wives. There they conducted

migrated

Saubhari

of Mandhatr,

Lord Vishnu.

Ascend of Trishanku

to Heaven and Birth of Sagar

upon a time Gandharvas of collective name Mauneya defeated the Nagas

wealth and powers. The Nagas prayed Lord Vishnu to rescue them. Lord Vishnu
would appear in Mandhaatas son Purukutsa and kill the Gandharvas. Afterwards
to Rasaatal where Lord Vishnu appeared

Vishnu, Purukutsa

blessed

boon that whoever

Purukutsa

that he would have

Purukutsa

and Narmada

TrasadasyuSatyavrat.

Anaranya-

Satyavrat

had become

Lineage

and feed

Narmada

brought

by the action of Narmada, the Nagas

no

occurred

sage

of Trasadasyu

Hasta- Sumana-

Trishanku

drought

Pleased

her would have

Lineage

Haryashva-

as

all their

told them that he

fear of snake

venom

and

son.

Trasadasyu.

famous

of Chandaal

on

Banyan tree

sent Trishanku

a son

remembered

immortal

Vrihadashva-

became

Chandaal. Once

from this condition

to

had

an

and snatched

in his body. Thus having the strength of Lord

and killed the Gandharvas.

defeated

her with

your severe penance

few days, the king returned.

Once

Purukutsa

their

the king.

there, I will long to

Yagyas and passed their time worshipping

3.4.3 Progeny

and that

with her at all

hundred and fifty sons. Those sons grew

seen the birth of my sons.
see my great-grandchildren. Desires do not
is in itself a great sorrow. I have received enough in life, enjoyed
more desires, Iwill receive nothing but sorrow. Hence I should

of Mandhaata

progeny. At that
own sons. If I stay
Acquiring a human body

and produced

intimacy

him he said-"O

able to keep all the fifty girls happy." Staying

Now they have their

sage

intimacy

times and did not share time with her other sisters. These words of the girls surprised
Ultimately

Ashram. But

and enquired

happy to live with the

them with all the luxuries. But still they remembered

one

native place. Each of the girl also expressed

decided

palaces. There, he met his daughters

of beautiful

about their well being. The daughters

and began to

those palaces

to them.

available

as

follows-

Trayaruni

and

By the

curse

for twelve long

years.

During that drought, to get rid

Vishwamitra,

the bank of the river Ganges. Pleased

to the heaven with his ephemeral

continued

Tridhanva-

course.

in later

Trishanku

of

used to tie

by his selfless service,

a sage,

Trishanku

a whole skinned deer

sage Vishwamitra

body.

grew as follows- Trishanku- Harishchandra- Rohitashva- Harit- Chanchu- Vijay and

a son Ruruk. Ruruks son was Vrik who had a son Baahu. Baahu had two queens. After a
Baahus queen consort conceived a son. But the circumstances took a strange turn.

of Trishanku

Vasudev. Vijay had

long time of their marriage,

Baahus

enemies

together

attacked

queens and began to

queen consort also wanted to
with his

envious

his kingdom

commit

Sati but

sage

of

sage

soon,

king migrated

to the forest along

King Baahu died of old

her from doing

so.

age.

After sometime

His

getting

with poison. But the poison could not harm the foetus,
of poisons

effect.

queen consort gave birth to a son. Since the child was born
with the effect of the poison, Sage Aurv named him as Sagar. Sagar began to grow in he hermitage in
natural surrounding. One day he asked his mother about his father. The queen narrated the whole
incident to him. Sagar then and there took an oath to exterminate the Kshatriyas who had been the
cause of his fathers death. Acting as per his oath, Sagar destroyed Haihaya Kshatriyas whereas Shak
Staying

at the hermitage

of

sage

him. The defeated

Aurv. Very

Aurv prevented

queen deceitfully fed her

a period of seven years because

of her fortune, the other

which stayed unborn for

and defeated

live at the hermitage

Aurv, the

got their heads shaven out of fear. Since those Kshatriyas

Kshatriyas
Brahmins

boycotted

them. As

result they became

Malechchha.

had given

Thereafter

up

their religion, hence

to his

King Sagar returned

capital and ruled the earth.

3.4.4 Description

of Suryavansh

Asmanjas.

queens, Sumati, the daughter of Kashyap and Keshini, the daughter of Vidarbhas
a son Asmanjas whereas Sumati had sixty thousand sons. Anshuman was the son of
Asmanjas was very whimsical since his childhood. Even in his youth, he did not change his

behaviour.

Hence King Sagar had abandoned

King Sagar had two

king. Keshini had

even

because

sons

his sixty thousand

The gods one-day

sage
sons

approached

they said- If the sixty thousand

remain suitable for living.

meet their fate

Asmanjas.

But the things did not improve

the footsteps

followed

was a

Kapil who

partial incarnation

of Sagar continued

for Sagar

of Asmanjas.

on

of Lord Vishnu. Greeting

him,

way, the earth would not

sons of Sagar would
organised an Ashwamedha

their whimsical

Sage Kapil assured the gods that the sixty thousand

very soon.

By the instigation

sage

of

Kapil, King Sagar

Yagya.

The sixty thousand

and tethered

Thinking

as sage

princes

sage

that the

by the abuses

also reached

came to

the horse guarding

opened

only sought

that his ancestors

would bring the Ganges

ancestors

to the

by the

sae

Kapil, Anshuman

The lineage

of Bhagirath

Sindhudweep-

Ayutayu-

One day, King Saudas

actually
into

Ganga

tiger and

In due

Yagya,

grew as

returned
had

a son
on

she also got

away

Sarvakaam-

by his politeness,

with him. He also asked him to seek

long wait and that his grandson

waters would wash the ashes of his

son was

Dileep. Dileeps

of

an avenge

Bhagirath

the earth. Since the Ganges

a name

Shruti- Naabhaag-

Suhotra-

killed

one

disappeared

to

roam

anger to

be

in the auspices

Meanwhile

the

arrow,

in demon form

saw

caught and ate the Muni neglecting

Muni who

was

were

while the other turned

scene.

of sage Vashishta. Towards the end of

same demon arrived there in the guise

food. Then the demon arrived before the

him to cook meat for the sage. The cook cooked

sage. Sage Vashishta knew that the food contained human flesh.
a demon. Within three days, King Saudas became a demon and

in the forests. Since then he ate the humans

One day, Saudas

on

Ambareesh-

pair of the tigers. They

of them by his
from the

king in the guise of the cook. The king ordered

cursed the king in

who observed

had descended

Bhagirathi.

Sudas and Saudas.

his desire to eat non-vegetarian

flesh and served it before the

sage
a boon.

dead uncles. Sage Kapil assured

went hunting in the forests. There he spotted

tigress in mating. Saudas

and expressed

soon

him. As

all the sixty thousand

to the capital with the horse in order to help his

Bhagirath-

follows-

Rituparn-

course, King Saudas organised a Yagya

sage Vashishta went away to take bath.

of Vashishta

in deep meditation.

to bring back that horse.

Kapil with respect. Pleased

for his sixty thousand

to descend

penance,

demon and threatening

a sage

their salvation.

grand father finish the Yagya. Anshuman

of Bhagiraths

sage

to kidnap the horse

for the horse and following

and incinerated

attain to the heaven but only after

cause

earth because

flame appeared

onto the earth and that the Ganges

and

and pleased

Indra managed

searched

of the horse they began to abuse

for abduction

eyes, a

him to take the horse

ocean

severe penance

his

the salvation

would certainly

Bhagirath

princes

There they found the horse and also

and greeted

and instructed

As the boon, Anshuman

it. But somehow

Kapil. The sixty thousand

know about this incident, he sent Anshuman

the hermitage

Kapil blessed Anshuman

Thus blessed

sage

the hermitage.

might have been responsible

Kapil disturbed

Anshuman

of

they also reached

princes. When King Sagar

Anshuman

also followed

it at the hermitage

the footprints,

human
He
began

only.

in the

process

of mating his wife. The demon

all the cries and wailing of his wife. The Brahmani

angrily cursed

the demon that

as

her husband

would also die right in the

had been killed while he

was

about to sate his carnal lust similarly

he

same process.

more years. After that he recovered from the

saw the queen in an amorous
ran within his body. He made advances to satisfy his lust
but the queen who knew everything about the curse stopped him reminding him of the curse. Since
then the king stuck to celibacy. Since the king had no son, he allowed his queen Madayanti to conceive
a child with the help of sage Vashishta. The queen did conceive but the foetus remained unborn for
seven years at length. At last the irritated queen hit her foetus with a stone. This resulted in the birth of
child at once. The child was named Ashmak. The lineage of Ashmak grew as follows: Ashmak- MoolakDasharath- Ilivil- Vishvasah and Khatwang. Khatwang had killed many formidable demons fighting by
the side of the gods. Pleased by his gallantry, the gods wanted to grant him a boon. Khatwang wanted
to know how long would live more. The gods told him that he would live for one Muhurta more. Hearing
this, Khatwang came back on earth and prayed Lord Vishnu to take him in His refuge. At last he did
King Saudas

curse

Lineage

an

and

annihilated

in the demons

impulse

form for twelve

pious king. One day, King Saudas

of carnal pleasure

with Lord Vishnu.

of Khatwang

Dasharath

Rama

remained

and began to rule like

condition

had three

was an

grew as follows-Khatwang- Deerghbahuqueens who gave birth to four sons-Rama,

of Lord Vishnu. His life too had lot of

incarnation

Raghu-

Aja and Dasharath.

Lakshmana,

ups

King

Bharat and Shatrughana.

and downs. After being trained in

of sage Vishwamitra
was taking them to Mithila Lord
a stone by the curse of her husband sage Gautam.
In Mithila, Lord Rama broke the bow of Lord Shiva and won Sita as His wife. When they returned to
Ayodhya, King Dasharath decided to crown Rama as the new king. But misguided by Manthara, queen
Kaikeyee stubbornly sought that her son Bharat should be crowned as the new king whereas Rama
should be sent on an exile for fourteen years. Bounded by his promises that he had made to Kaikeyee
earlier, King Dasharath had no choice but to accept her demands.

archery, He and Lakshmana

guarding

his Yagyas

spent most of their boyhood time in the hermitage

from the demons. After that when Vishwamitra

Rama salved Ahilya who had been converted

Thus to keep His fathers

into

words, Lord Rama accepted

steps. In the forests, the demon king Ravan deceitfully

Rama with Hanumana
Lanka, bridging

of the

sea

that separated

sons-

Anal- Nabh- Pundareek-

Agnivarn-

had

a son

Sita. It

was

followed

also followed
by meeting

His

of

brother, finding of Sita by Hanumana

of exile period Lord Rama returned

and ultimately

to Ayodhya

in

killing of

and ruled

years.

Lord Rama had two

Vajranabha-

abducted

Lanka, fierce battle with the demons

Ravan by Lord Rama. After the completion

there for twelve

the exile. Sita and Lakshmana

and Sugreev, killing of Baali- Sugreevs

Shankhan-

Shighrag-

Lava and Kusha. Lineage

KshemdhanwaYushhitashva-

Maru- Prasushrut-

Brihdal who

was

DevaneekVishvasahaSusandhi-

killed by Abhimanyu

3.4.5 Tale of Nimi and Description

of Kusha

grew as

Ahinaka-

Ruru- Pariyatrak-

Hiranyanaam-

Amarsh-

follows-

Kusha- Atithi- Nishadh-

Deval- Vanchal-

Pushya- Dhruvsandhi-

Sahaswan

and Vishvabhav.

Ulka-

Sudarshan-

Vishvabhav

in the battle of Mahabharat.

of his Lineage

son Nimi once decided to organise a Yagya that was to last for one thousand years. He also
sage Vashishta to guide the Yagya. But Indra had already booked Vashishta for a period of
years. So sage Vashishta expressed his inability to conduct any other Yagya till the
completion of that period and requested the king to wait till he was free from Indras obligations. Nimi
kept quite at that time. Taking his silence as an approval, the sage began the Yagya for Indra. But the
king meanwhile started Yagya in the auspices of other sages like Gautam etc.
Ikshvakus

wanted the

five hundred

At the completion

of Yagya for Indra,

But here he found that

curse on

down

curse and that

his own body.

was

sage

Vashishta

already

sleeping

hurried

in progression.

back to the earth to conduct

This infuriated

at that time, to lose his body at

the

once.

sage to

Yagya for King Nimi.

the extent that he poured

When the king learned

about the

was cursed in sleep, he cursed the sage in retaliation to lose his body at once before giving up
curse of Nimi, Vashishtas body was destroyed but he himself entered the semen of
Thereafter, one day Mitravarun happened to sea the elf Urvashi. Her amorous beauty caused the
of his semen spontaneously. With ejaculated semen, sage Vashishta also came out and acquired a

Mitravarun.
ejaculation

new

was

Yagya

Nimi, who
he

By the

body.

On the other hand, at end of Yagya when the gods appeared

sages

offerings, the

ever
to save the

nobody
order

body of

eyes of the
eyes. Blinking

to accept their due share from the

boon. Nimi however

sought

people forever. The gods granted

nothing in boon but

that desire. Before that

eyes came into practice because Nimi stays there. In

kingdom from anarchy, the sages churned the dead body of Nimi with a stick of
tree and produced a son. That son came to known as Janak. Since he was born from the dead
his father, the boy also came to be known as Vaideha. Lineage of Janak continued as follows:
had

Bombax

some

prayed them to grant Nimi

his desire to stay in

expressed

blinked his

Janak- UdavasuHaryashva-

stumbled

Nandivardhan-

Manu- Prateet-

Hrasyaroma

and Seerdhvaj.

upon a

With

of Somavansh

The creator of the world, Brahma

Chandrama

organised

Chandrama

kidnapped

from committing

Rajsuya

Devrat- Brihadukth-

Devbheed-

the teacher

Rudra. The gods

Mahaveerya-

Vibudh- Mahadhriti-

Dhrishtketu-

Sudhriti-

Kritraj- Maharoma-

a son, Seerdhvaj was once

found a beautiful baby whom

desire of

ploughing

Suvarnaroma-

the earth when he

as

he named

Sita.

and the Tale of Pururava

had

a son

Yagya

was

named Atri. Chandrama

great

and received

Tara, the wife of Brihaspati.

a grave

such

need, only Rudra

Chandrama.

pitcher. In the pitcher, he

3.4.6 Description

with Brihaspati,

Suketu-

Kritrath-

of

powers.

the

son

Afterwards

Even his grandfather

of Atri. Once

blinded by his

was not to listen to anybody.

was also assisting Chandrama.

crime but Chandrama

of the demons

Shukra

powers,

tried to dissuade

Brahma

Because

him

his hostility

At that moment

of

came forward to help Brihaspati. A fierce battle followed between Chandrama and
were helping Brihaspati while because of Shukra, the demons fought from the side of
the proportion of a war that perplexed the entire world. At last,

Soon the battle assumed

to end the battle and helped Brihaspati

Lord Vishnu mediated

had conceived

the baby amidst

child. Seeing her condition

some

Brihaspati

to get his wife back. By that time Tara

instigated

Tara to abort the baby. Tara aborted

shrubs but it did not die. Instead, his brilliance

dulled

even

the radiance

of the

gods.

The baby

was so

beautiful that both Brihaspati

matter, Brahma asked Tara about the paternity

was

the father of the child. Then Brahma

When he

and Chandrama

were eager to accept

him. To settle the

of the child. Feeling shy, Tara revealed

himself

adopted

the child and named him

as

that Chandrama
Buddha.

grew young, Buddha produced Pururava from Illa. Pururava was very magnanimous and
Once an elf Urvashi happened to see him and at once fell in love. She then approached

handsome.

enchanted

Her beauty

stipulated

that she might stay with him if he agreed to follow her two conditions

drive the two sheep, which

were

Pururava

like her children

before her in visible light. Pururava

Since then Pururava

thousand

At last,
Hearing

one

Vishvavasu

accepted

much that

as

never

never

undress

their physical intimacy

for sixty

both the conditions.

they enjoyed

even Urvashi forgot

even the heaven

who knew about the conditions

if asleep for the fear of being

that he would

from her bed and that he would

those heavenly

her absence,

the cries of the sheep, Urvashi got

pretended

away

began to live with Urvashi. Together

years. Their love grew so

once. But because of

used to enjoy

also. He requested

the elf to stay with him. But Urvashi

Pururava.

up in anxiety
seen naked.

stole

one

appeared

comforts

more

dreaded

that she
than hell.

away.
son. But Pururava
no more contain

sheep from their bedroom and flew

and shouted
As the fuss

who

grew

was

stealing her

further, he could

and ran after the thief. Right at that moment, the Gandharvas produced intense lightning illuminating the
scene. As a result, Urvashi saw Pururava in a naked state and at once left his palace to her heavenly
now both of her conditions had been violated. Pururava could not tolerate the separation of Urvashi. He
began to roam here and there in that bare condition like a mad. Thus roaming he reached at Kamal Sarovar in
Kurukshetra where he saw Urvashi with four other elves. Seeing Urvashi Pururava began to behave madly. It was
impossible for him to control his sensual desires even in the presence of other elves. But Urvashi stopped him
saying that she was expecting an issue and after a year, she will give birth to his child. She also promised at that
time she will stay with him for a night.
himself

whole

abode for

a year King Pururava once again reached that place where Urvashi handed over his son Aayu. As
she also stayed with Pururava for a night and consequently in later course gave birth to
more sons. Urvashi informed Pururava that because of their love Gandharvas wished to bless him
with a boon. Pururava sought a life-long union with Urvashi. Gandharvas presented him with an altar
and instructed to conduct regular Yagyas properly. Then all of his desires would come true, the
After

per

her promise

five

Gandharvas

assured

At mid-night,
But the altar

Pururava.

he awakened

was no more

produce

to the Gandharvaloka

3.4.7 Birth of Jamadagni

Pururava

had six

Bheema

sons-

water. He released
be known

Lineage

as

grew as

on

daughter

When Satyavati

and another

Indra himself

reserved

who got married

were

changes

in virtues whereas

the

sage to

changed

As

per

son

and Ayutayu. Amavasu

son,

of Kanchans

inundated,

had

Suhotra.

he drank all her

prayed him. Since then Ganges

also

came to

and Kusha. Kusha had four sonssevere penance with a desire to have a son
son. He came to be known as Kaushik. Kaushik
Sage Richeek prepared kheer in two parts- one for

observed

as

to Richeek.

his

Satyavati,

he went to the forest.

son

had to foster the world while the

her part of kheer

of the

sage

part. When Richeek returned

in the body of his wife. He understood

sage

son

had

agreed to that and ate that part of kheer, which

predicted

was

from the

that she had eaten her

a son who would be

son. Satyavati begged pardon
was committed by mistake and
not a son. At her request the sage

that she would have

his prediction

saying that the crime

Kshatriya-like

grandson

but

his prediction.

the prediction,

Satyavati

After giving birth to Jamadagni

In later

the

her mother would have Brahmin-like

change

that she would be happy to have

Shataayu

was

his hermitage

her mother ate Satyavatis

part of the kheer. Angrily the

and requested

with the help of that Arani

from Urvashi again.

about to eat the kheer, her mother exchanged

saying that her

for her mother whereas

Kshatriya-like

Jahnu

saw

mother. Instructing

for Satyavatis

forest, he noticed formidable

mothers

his altar.

used in ancient India to

Ajak- Balaakashva

took birth

to do with wealth and all that. Satyavati

nothing

recover

got that tree felled and

of Jahnu.

and Vasu. Kushaamb

and her mother

with that of her daughter

Shrutaayu,

Kanchan.

earth, when Jahnu

follows- Jahnu- Sumant-

penance,

named Satyavati

his wife Satyavati

regular Yagyas

separated

only when the Devrishis

Adhurtraja

by his

peepal tree. Pururava

conducted

was never

a son

in turn had

descend

the Ganges

Kushnaam-

like Indra. Pleased

and Vishwamitra

Jahnavi, the daughter

of Jahnu

Kushaamb,

and hurried to the forest to

into

made Arani (a wooden implement

where he

to his capital.

left that altar in the forest and returned

a trance

Aayu, Amavasu, Vishwavasu,

and Bheema

At the time of Gangas

if from

fire) from its wood. Since then Pururava

and attained

had

as

it to his capital where the carpenters

brought

a son

But King Pururava

suddenly

there; it had transformed

course, as a

Jamadagni.

gave

birth to Jamadagni

turned into

partial incarnation

whereas

her mother

gave

birth to Vishwamitra.

river named Kaushiki.

of Lord Vishnu, Parashuram

took birth

as

the

son

of

sage

3.4.8 Description

son

Pururavas

of Kashyavansh
to Rahus daughter. They had five

Aayu had been married

Kshatravriddh,

Rambh, Vraji and Aneyna. Suhotra

Kaashya, Kaash and Gritsamad.

Kaashya. Lineage
Dhanvantaris

grew as-

of Kaasheya

body

was

was

Shaunak

Kaasheya-

lineage grew as- Dhanvantarias Shatrujit because of his conquering

came to be known as Kulvayaashva.
sixty-six thousand years.
he also

who

as

of Alarka continued

follows-

Dhristhaketu-

Sukumar-

gave

rise to four classes

3.4.9 Description

son

the

sons-

of Kshatravriddh.

whereas

of Gritsamad

Raashtra-

Ketumaan-

known

Suvibhu-

was
son

Dirdhakapa

the gods, they appeared

Bheemrath-

Dibodas

and Pratardan.

his enemies. Since he had acquired

Pratardan

Sannati-

Vitihotra-

a son

had

Sunith- Suketu-

Bhaarga

Dharmaketu-

and Bhaargbhumi.

prowessive

sons.

before Brahma

Once at the beginning

as to

and enquired

him to fight from their side. King Raji stipulated

of

Pratardan

It

was

on

his rule

Satyaketu-

was progeny

also

hence

earth for

Vibhu-

of Bhaargbhumi

of battle between

as

him

their Indra. The demons

approached

and

said that

Raji and

that he would fight only when the demons

told him that Prahlad

King Raji and requested

the demons

which part would win. Brahma

was

their Indra and returned.

him to take their side. Raji put the

same

before them also to which the gods agreed.

condition

sonsson

the

of people.

Then the gods also approached

In

was

horse named Kulavay

named Alarka who enjoyed

only that part would win which would be aided by King Raji. First the demons

agreed to appoint

He had three

and Dhanvantari.

of King Raji and his Sons

King Raji had five hundred

requested

Nahush,

Kaasheya

free from all the physical faults like ageing and diseases.

Dhanvantaris

Lineage

the

fierce battle and aided by King Raji, the gods defeated

his desire to present

King Raji and expressed

After the demise

approached
dethroned

of Raji, Narad instigated

Indra and requested

Indra forcibly

his

the demons. After their victory, Indra bowed before

him with the kingdom

sons to

acquire

of heaven. Thus King Raji became

the rule of heaven. All the five hundred

Indra.

sons

of Raji

him to give them the rule of heaven but Indra refused plainly. At that Rajis

and themselves

became

Indra. After much time had passed, Indra approached

and prayed him to help him regain the rule of heaven. Brihaspati

assured

soon

him that he would

sons

Brihaspati

establish

him at

the throne.

Brihaspati

Afterwards

increase

ways.

created

the radiance

illusions

in the minds of Rajis

of Indra. Guided by the illusions, Rajis

Then Indra easily killed them all and regained

sons.
sons

He also conducted
began to behave

many

Yagyas

to

in anti-religious

his designation.

3.4.10 Tale of Yayati

Nahush had six
daughter

sons-

Yati, Yayati, Sanyati, Aayati, Viyati and Kriti. Yayati had two wives, Devyani, the
and Sharmishtha,

of Shukracharya

and Turvasu whereas

Shukracharya

old

age

the daughter

gave birth to
descended on Yayati

of Vrishparva.

Devyani

Sharmishtha

Druhayu, Anu and Puru. Because

had

prematurely.

Yayati then requested

his eldest

Then Yayati requested

each of

son Yadu to exchange

his sons one by one but

his youth with his old

age

all of them refused plainly

gave birth to Yadu

of a curse of

but Yadu refused.

for the fear of getting

old prematurely.

At last Yayatis
Yayati

once

increased

youngest

son

again indulged

like

fire flared

Puru gladly accepted

in carnal pleasures

up

by ghee. After

and gave him his youth. Regaining the youth,

queens. But everyday his desire for pleasures
years Yayati realised his mistake and decided to

his request

with both his

one

thousand

expiate

as

for his sin. Thus, Yayati returned

an

the king, he took

3.4.11 Description

son

of Yaduvansh

Yayatis

eldest

Shatajit

who had three

Dharmanetra-

sons-

Yadu had four

sons

his old

age once

again. Then crowning

Puru

Kritaagni,

and the Tale of SahastrArjuna

sons-

Sahastrajit,

Haihaya, Hehaya

Kunti- Sahajit-

Kritveerya,

Puru his youth and acquired

exile to the forest.

Mahishmaan-

Kritdharma

Kroshtu, Nala and Nahush.

and Venuhaya.

Bhadrashrenya-

Lineage

Durdabh

had

Sahastrajit

a son

of Haihaya

grew as-

Dharma-

and Dhanak.

Dhanak

had four

and Kritauja.

a prowessive son Arjun. Arjun had worshipped Dattatreya and by his blessings acquired
one thousand arms. Since then he came to be known as Sahastrarjun. Dattatreya had blessed him with
many other boons like rule of entire earth, fostering of his subjects in religious ways and killing by some
human being famous in all the three worlds. At that time, there was no other king equal to Sahastrarjun
in virtues. He ruled the entire earth for eighty-five thousand years.
Kritveerya

had

was

Once Sahastrarjun

encounter

his past time

enjoying

on

the waters of Narmada

with Ravan, the king of Lanka. Sahastrarjun

place in his kingdom.

With time

ego

of Sahastrarjun

captured

had crossed

when he happened

Ravan easily and imprisoned

to have
him at

all limits. He began to terrorise

the

an
an isolated
sages and

people. When his atrocities increased beyond tolerance level, Lord Vishnu took a partial
as Parashuram, the son of sage Jamadagni and Renuka. As per the prediction of sage Richeek,
grew with Kshatriya
like virtues. He had in fact taken incarnation to relieve the earth from the
atrocities of egoist kings. Parashuram had received arms training from none other than Lord Shiva. He was very
obedient to his father and had beheaded his own mother by the Parashu (axe) that he had received from Lord
Shiva at the dictate of his father. In due course Parashuram not only got Ravan released from captivity but also
other religious
incarnation

Parashuram

killed Sahastrarjun.

Sahastrarjun

were

were

sons among
as

be known

3.4.12 Description

sons among whom Shur, Shursena, Vrishasena, Madhu and Jayadhwaj

a son Taaljunga. Taaljunga had one hundred sons among whom
Bharat again had one hundred sons whereas Madhu also had
Vrishni was prominent. After the name of their forefather Yadu, this clan

hundred

Jayadhwaj

and Bharat

hundred

came to

one

had

prominent.

Vitihotra

had

prominent.

whom

Yaduvansha.

of Kroshtuvansh

grew as follows- Kroshtu- Dhwajnivan- Swati- Rushanku- Chitrarath- Rashibindu.

one lakh queens and ten lakh sons among whom Prithusharva, Prithukarma, Prithukirti,
and Prithushan were prominent. In their lineage later on occurred a king named
Jyamadh. He was so dedicated to his wife Shaivya that despite being childless, he did not dare to
marry other women because of her fear.
Lineage

of Kroshtu

Rashibindu

had

Prithuyasha,

Prithujay

took part in a fierce battle in which he defeated all his enemies. While he was about to return, he
cries of a woman. He saw a beautiful young lady who was crying for her protection. Jyamadh was
so infatuated by her beauty that he took her to his kingdom. When they reached at the gate of the palace, the king
saw that the queen Shaivya was waiting for him along with a big crowd. When Shaivya saw a beautiful young lady
sitting beside the king on the chariot, she began to shout at him. The horrified king tried to explain that the young
lady was his daughter-in-law. The queen shouted even louder that when they did not have a son, whence the
daughter-in-law came. But the king explained that he had selected a wife for her would-be son.
Once, Jyamadh

heard pitiable

As the effect of their conversation

advancing

age.

They named the

whom his father had brought

Romapad

had received

queen Shaivya soon conceived and gave birth to a son inspite of her
son as Vidarbh. In due course of time, Vidarbh got married to that lady
sons- Krath, Kaushik and Romapad.

home earlier. They had three

preaching

from Narad.

Lineage

grew as

of Krath

Bheemrath-

Navrath-

Anu- Kurumitra-

3.5

follows- Krath- Kunti- Ghrishti-

Dasharath-

was

Nighriti- Dashaard-

Devraat-

the forefather

of

Vyoma- Jimoot- Vikriti-

Devakshatraclan that

Madhu-

was

named

Kumarvanshafter him.

5 (Part 5)

Chapter

This chapter

Karambhi-

Shakuni-

Anshu- Satvak. Satvak

6 sections.

contains

3.5.1Puruvansh
The lineage

of Puru

grew as

Ahamyaati-

Sanyati-

Apratirath-

Aileen- Dushyant

Vishwamitra

Puru- Janmejaya-

Raudraashva.

sons among

Riteshu had three

Prachinvaan-

was most

and Bharat. King Dushyant

Praveer-

Manasyu-

sons among

had ten

Raudraashva

whom Apratirath

prominent.

Abhayad-

whom Riteshu
Lineage

was

Sudayu-

Bahugat-

the most prominent.

of Apratirath

is

had fallen in love with Shakuntala,

as

follows-

the daughter

of

sage

and elf Menaka.

a few days, King Dushyant returned to his kingdom

as soon as he reached his palace. He had given
was crossing the river on her way to the
palace, the ring slipped from her finger and was swallowed by a fish. In the absence of the ring, King
Dushyant refused to identify Shakuntala. So, she returned to the hermitage of sage Vishwamitra and
gave birth to a child who later on became famous as Bharat.
They got married secretly
promising

his ring

Bharat

very

fisherman

prowessive

It is said that

the teeth of

and reached

as a memento.

very

had been

dramatical.

counting

in the forest and after

that he would call her

Shakuntala

Shakuntala

the hermitage

Bharat

His first meeting

was

by the bravery

Vishwamitra

hunting

narrated

came to see

saw a

was

also

boy who

it to the king who had thus recalled

Shakuntala

was

about his parentage

him the whole story. Meanwhile

the ring from the fish and handed

King Dushyant

with King Dushyant

in the forest and he

of the boy, the king enquired

and he candidly

accepted

the

her

Bharat.

had three

expressed

King Dushyant

sage

where

had also recovered

son

since his childhood.

once

lion. Impressed

whole story. In the hermitage,

and his

But while Shakuntala

queens

and nine children. Since none of the children resembled him in features, he
Fearing the wrath of Bharat, his queens killed all the
a desire to have a son, Bharat organised a Marutsoma Yagya. As a result he got
son. Bharadwajs second name was Vitath. His lineage grew as follows- Vitath-

his doubts about their paternity.

children. Then with

Bharadwaj

as

his

Manyu.

Manyu had

many sons

Nara- SanskritiShainya

lineage of Brihatkshatra

sons-

like Brihatkshatra,

Gurupreeti

also. Mahaveer

and Rantidev.

lineage is
occurred

as

Mahaveer,
Garg had

follows-

Nara, Garg etc. Their lineage

a son

Durukshay-

Shini who became

Trayyaruni-

king Hasti who founded the city of Hastinapur.

and Kapi. In the

Hasti had three

were included Panchals and a

daughter Ahilya. Ahilya was married to sage Gautam. They had a son Shatanand. Satyaghriti was the
son of Shatanand. Once Satyaghriti happened to sight the extremely amorous and beautiful elf Urvashi.
Her mere sight was enough to cause the ejaculation of his semen, which fell on a reed and divided into
two parts. From these two parts were born a boy Krip and a girl Kripi. King Shantanu discovered Krip
and Kripi in the forest and brought them to his palace. In later course, Kripi was married to
Dronacharya, the teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas. Ashwatthama was the son of Dronacharya. One
Ajmirh- Dwijmirh and Purumirh.

Among the

sons

grew as follows
as Gaargya and

famous

Pushkarinya

of Ajmirh

of the king named Kuru in the lineage of Ajmirh established

3.5.2 Description

the sacred region of Kurukshetra.

of Kuruvansh

In the lineage of Kuru, there occurred

an

Vaahlik. Devapi had taken

sons-

King Prateep. He had three

Devapi, Shantanu

and

came to

abode in the forest in his childhood. Hence Shantanu

become

king after their father Prateep.

Once in the kingdom

the continuous

of King Shantanu,

drought-like

was no

there

situation, Shantanu

rainfall for twelve

consulted

learned

years at

Brahmins.

length. Perplexed

Brahmins

by
him

informed

no genuine right on the kingdom, which in fact belonged to his brother Devapi. They also
as long as Devapi was not fallen from his supreme position, the drought would continue.
Alternatively, handing over the kingdom to Devapi might also result in the end of the drought.
that he had

told him that

Then Shantanus

ways.

Ashmasari

preaching

proceeded

were

sighting

there

was no use to

Shantanus

younger

by

In later

of Somadutta.

Gandharva

Ambalika.

He

ways.

was so

course

to

a son

Shantanu

appear

was

in carnal pleasures,

Hence in order to continue

naked before Vedavyasa

naked before Vedavyasa,

would also

soon

a son

son,

From his

was

killed

Dhritarashtra.

and

tuberculosis

could not

and Ambalika

child. Since Ambika

blind

Bheeshma.

end.

the

of Kashi, Ambika

he contracted

Ambika

were

Chitrangad

their lineage, Satyavati

and beget

she begot

come to an

and Shalya

to the princesses

with his two wives that

their indulgence

the

that since Devapi had been

and Vichitraveerya.

married

day,

But Devapi criticised

Bhuri, Bhurishrava

Chitrangad

one
over

of the kingdom.

the king to return to the kingdom,

Shantanu

and the famine

got married to Ganga and had

sons-

onus

the

their argument.

instructed

Somadutta.

Vichitraveerya

busy in carnal pleasures

of it. Despite

while she appeared

had

to hand

and his courtiers

Devapi to accept

At that Brahmins

had two

younger

child from Vichitraveerya.

and Ambalika

grew

tried to convince

Devapi. They also assured

Shantanu

whereas

and died because

bear

convince

brother Vaahlik

second wife Satyavati,

who always spoke in anti-Vedas

mind from Vedas. On the other hand

from Vedas, he had lost his right to the kingdom

disinclined

sons

certain Brahmins

Devapis

from the Vedas to corroborate

anecdotes

Vedas and spoke in anti-religious

as

appointed

disinclined

towards the forest along with Brahmins

to Devapi. There the Brahmins

kingdom
They

minister

Their continuous

King Shantanu

inspired

Ambika

closed her

eyes

Similarly, Ambalika

a son Pandu who was

congenitally afflicted with jaundice. Not satisfied by the outcome, Satyavati once again persuaded
Ambika and Ambalika to appear naked before Vedavyasa. But the queens sent a maidservant Vinita
before Vedavyasa. Vinita appeared naked before Vedavyasa without any fear or shyness. Hence she
begot an extremely wise son Vidur.
pale when she appeared

In later

course

received

had

sons

one

naked before Vedavyasa.

got married to Gandhaari,

Dhritarashtra

two wives Kunti, the daughter

hundred

sons

of Dhritarashtra.

All the five

sons

and

Pandu

daughter

on

of Shoorsen

the princess

of Kandahar

and Madri, the princess

was the
sons among

Dushala. Duryodhan

the other hand had five

were born with the

was carrying a curse

of Pandu

Hence she begot

eldest
whom

help of five gods- Dharma,

whereas

Pandu

of Madra. Dhritarashtra

among

one hundred
Yudhishthir was the eldest.
the

Vaayu, Indra and Ashwini

Pandu
that he would die if he ever tried to copulate. Pandus five
sons- Yudhishthir, Bheema, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev came to be known as Pandavas. Five Pandavas
were married to Draupadi, the daughter of Panchal King Drupad. From Draupadi each of the Pandavas
had a son. Their names were Prativindya from Yudhishthir, Shrutsen from Bheema, Shrutkirti from
Arjun, Shrutaneek from Nakul and Shrutkarma from Sahadev. Besides them Yudhishthir had a son
Devak from Yaudheyi. From Hidimba, Bheema had a son Ghatotkachch and from Kashi a son Sarvak.
From Vijaya, Sahadev had a son Suhotra whereas from Renumati, Nakul had a son Nirmitra. Arjun was
the most prowessive among the Pandavas. Apart from Draupadi he had three more wives- Ulupi who
kumars because

belonged

to the Nagas, Chitrangada,

the princess

of Manipur

From these three wives Arjun had three sons-Iravaan

Abhimanyu

from Subhadra.

In the battle of Mahabharat

and Subhadra,

the sister of Lord Krishna.

from Ulupi, Vabhruvaahan

all these

sons

from Chitrangada

of the Pandavas

and

fought valiantly

and sacrificed

was
now.

their lives. It

ruled the earth till right

Abhimanyus

son

Parikshit

who continued

the lineage of Pandavas

and

3.5.3 Incarnation
Vasudev, the

son

marriage,

Devakis

the eighth

son

convinced

by Vasudev,

When the marriage

of

was married to Devaki, the

was driving their chariot.

daughter

cousin Kansa

of Devaki would kill Kansa. Kansa

there but Vasudev

assured

of Lord Krshna

of Shoorsen

Kansa

him saying that he would himself

dropped

of Vasudev

a cow. She complained to Brahma that

was not more able to bear the burden

was

taking place, Prithvi approached

population

of mean-minded

of their anti-religious

demon Kaalnemi

whom Lord Vishnu had killed in his previous

son

of Ugrasena.

Many other fearsome

and

many more

over

of their

the idea of killing Devaki.

and Devaki

she

have taken

of Devak. On that occasion

a celestial voice declared that

was ready to kill Devaki ten and
hand over all his children to him. Thus

At that time,

in the excitement

people

Brahma

was

in the guise

increasing

and that

deeds. Prithvi said- "O Lord! The

birth has taken incarnation

same

of Kansa, the

demons Arishth, Dhenuk, Keshi, Pralamb, Sunda, Banasura

the rule and tormenting

the religious

people in

million strong forces. I am unable to bear their burden. So kindly do something

many ways.
me rid

to get

They keep
of this

burden."

Hearing

the words of Prithvi, Brahma

go to

said to the gods- "Prithvi speaks the truth. Indeed she is carrying

too much burden. Let

us

about all this matter."

Then accompanied

all

prayed Lord Vishnu. Pleased

realise."

prayer,

Thus assured

partial incarnation
birth

as

the eighth

on

words and be assured

a
remove

black and

earth and

Vishnu would take birth

was on, Devarshi

as the eighth son

pray

Lord Vishnu and intimate

form

you and these gods desire

once again. Pleased by their

shall

that whatever
prayed

white hair from his head and said-"Both

the miseries

illusion)

you

take

of the demons. This black hair of mine shall take

is

an

re-incarnation

before

of Devaki. Hearing

who

these hair of mine

that the people face there. All of

Narad appeared

to implant the six foetuses

and

before them in His universal

of Kaalnemi."

Kansa and informed

were

him that Lord

the words of Narad, Kansa angrily

and Devaki behind the bars. There in his abode, Lord Vishnu instructed

(personified

Him

arrived at the coast of Ksheersagar

Lord Vishnu appeared

on earth to attenuate the strength

son of Devaki and kill Kansa who

While this conversation

Vasudev

and

by the gods, Brahma

prayer,

by the Lord all the gods and Brahma

Lord Vishnu plucked

shall take incarnation

by their

my

and said- "Brahmaji! Believe

the shore of Ksheersagar

in Pataal in the womb of Devaki,

He knew that all of them would be killed by Kansa. Then he instructing

put

Mahamaaya

one

by

one.

to implant his part

Mahamaaya

appear as the seventh issue of Devaki, in the womb of Rohini, the second wife of
Vasudev so that he could appear as her son instead of Devakis. Lord instructed Mahamaaya to appear
in the womb of Yashoda in Gokul while He Himself would appear as the eighth issue of Devaki. He also
told Mahamaaya that He would take birth on the eighth day of the darker phase in the month of
Bhaadrapad while she would take birth on the ninth day and that immediately after His birth, Vasudev
would himself carry Him to Gokul and leaving me beside Yashoda, he would carry her back to Mathura.
who would

Shesha

3.5.4 Appearance
As

per

of Lord in Devakis

were

killed by Kansa

immediately

of Devaki into the womb of Rohini who

as

Womb

the dictate of Lord Vishnu, Yogamaaya

children

implanted

six foetuses

residing

same time, Yogamaaya

Himself as the eighth issue
Then

on

issue of Yashoda

appeared

manifold. At

in Gokul. Seeing the arrival of Lord

of Devaki, the gods prayed Him with devotion.

reverse

its motion. The

recognised

would kill their eighth

assured

the seventh issue

of Devaki increased

attained

extremely

Lord took birth. At the time of His birth, the

purified

state whereas

in the sky and caused drizzling. Seeing the child born with auspicious

chest, Vasudev
Kansa

as an

the eighth day in the darker phase of Bhaadrapad,

wind suspended
gathered

also appeared

transplanted

at that time in Gokul. Then Lord Himself

the eighth issue of Devaki. Since the time of His arrival, radiance

the

in the womb of Devaki. All the six

after their birth. Yogamaaya

was

Him and prayed Him. At the

son

them that their ordeals

same

also. So, they prayed the Lord to hide His divine

would end

soon.

dense clouds

Swastik

mark

on

his

time, he and Devaki also feared that

appearance.

Lord

put the child in

Then Vasudev

on

winnower

his head. Because

winnower

in the

open,

Sheshnag

too

Yashoda

gave

spread its hood

birth to

about the birth. Vasudev

and started his journey

of the influence

gates of the prison opened automatically.

It

over

was

of Yogamaaya,

raining heavily

on

foot to Gokul carrying

the

all the guards fell asleep while the

at that time. So when Vasudev

reached

him to shade the Lord from rain. In Gokul, Nands

girl child but because

of Yogamaayas

influence

arrived there and putting Lord beside the sleeping

wife

she did not know anything

Yashoda,

he took her baby

to his prison in Mathura.

and returned

soon as the baby reached in the prison, she began to cry loudly. Her cries awakened the guards
ran to inform Kansa about the childs birth. Kansa at once arrived there and snatching the baby
lap, he dashed her on the wall. But before he could throw the baby, she slipped from his
grip and taking eight armed Jagdambas appearance, established in the air. Laughing loudly then,
mother Jagdamba said- "O Kansa! You cannot kill me. Your killer has taken birth. Lord Hari had been
your death in your previous births. In this birth also He will kill you. So from now on, make efforts for
your benefit only. Saying this Jagdamba vanished. Worried by the words of Yogamaaya, Kansa called
a meeting of his prominent demons and said -"These evil gods have hatched a conspiracy to kill me.
But being a brave man, I do not take these gods into account. You have yourself witnessed how Indra
fled before the shower of my arrows. You would also remember how the clouds rained heavily in my
kingdom when Indra had forbidden them from raining on a kingdom and I had pierced them with my
arrows.
As

who

from Devakis

on

All the things

earth except

gods. Even their efforts to kill

that

my

past few days." Instructing

released

my
me

father-in-law

make

me

Jarasandh

them apologising

3.5.5 Killing of Putana

the demons Kansa

in fear. I dont

care

for the

lightly

kill all the children who have taken birth within the

approached

his cruel action in the

and Salvation

me

bow before

laugh. But still I must not take the word of Jagdamba

killer had taken birth. We should therefore

way

Vasudev

and Devaki in the prison and

of killing their innocent

children.

of other Demons

was released from the prison, Nand visited Mathura on some official trip. He also came
see Vasudev. Vasudev greeted him for the birth of a son and instructed him to return to Gokul as
soon as possible. He also requested Nand to look after the son of Rohini as his own son. After meeting
Vasudev when Nand was returning, many kinds of thoughts were disturbing him. In the Gokul while
Nand was away, an ogress Putana had stolen the little Krishna in the night and was breast-feeding him
with her poisoned milk. But little Krishna sucked even her life through her breast. Making a loud noise
and assuming a huge body, Putana fell on earth and died. Only then the village folk came to know
about the incident. They also saw little Krishna sitting in the lap of Putana.
When Vasudev

to

The frightened

Yashoda

The other cowherds

KILLING
When Lord Krishna

swept little Krishna with the tail of

also prayed Lord Vishnu to protect

do

away

with all the bad

omens.

OF SHAKA
was twenty-seven

bathed the baby while the Brahmins

putting him in

a cow to

the child from all calamities.

days old,

butter. After sometime,

lord Krishna

was organised in Gokul. Mata Yashoda

saw that baby was feeling sleepy, so
was loaded with pitchers of milk, curd and
to cry for a feed. But amidst festivities, Yashoda

festival

recited hymns. Yashoda

cradle, she left it under

a cart.

The cart

awoke and began

could not hear his cries.

Meanwhile

demon Shakatasur

rode the cart wishing

before he could act, the Lord touched

all the utensils kept

on

it

came

to

press

the cart and thereby

kill the Lord. But

the cart with His feet and lo and behold! The cart turned

crashing

down. Even the demon

was

crushed

over

and

to death under the cart.

Other boys, who

over

were

playing nearby, informed

recited pacifying

water. A feast of Brahmins

was

Once Mata Yashoda

on

then. Ultimately

were seen

they

that the little Kanhaiya

was

bathed again with sanctified

many

off with

gifts.

heavy. Soon, she felt herself

was not over yet.

pray

Purushottam

Trinavart,

as if
anymore.

sudden she felt

unable to bear the child

Lord Rama. Soon afterwards

demon minister

see

the dust settled, Yashoda

on

and fell

and during that moment

anything

Other womenfolk

few moments

baby Krishna

safe and sound. Nand and other Gopas too

Yaduvanshis.

ascetic

welcomed

sons

Nand's

suitable

lease of life when she

saw

that they

secretly. Gargacharya

was

teacher

are

accepted

sons.

the ancestral

Acharya

teacher
him to

of

carry out

the

Garg said, "O Nand,

of the Yadavas. If I carry out the naming ritual for these

Devaki's

sons." So Nand requested

his request

name

to

Gargacharya

and carried out the naming

rituals secretly

in

cattle shed.

Garg said: "This

his second

name

son

of Rohini will

cause

Thereafter,

by his virtue, great pleasures

will be Rama. And because

Since he will unite the people also,

ages,

him by neck. The demon died

a new

overjoyed.

and treated the hermit. Then he requested

named for both of his

knows that I am the ancestral

boys, people will understand

his

arrived in Gokul. He

Gargacharya

Nand joyfully

ritual of naming and suggest

everyone

caught

got

were

OF LORD KRISHNA

supreme

Once, the

sorry
cry not

had blown baby Krishna with him; but he too could not bear

and his dead body fell in Vraj. And Yashoda

NAMING

as
a moment

round her. They too began to

also gathered

his heavy burden. So he began to lose his velocity. Lord Krishna

For

blew the baby in air with him. When

there.

In the form of cyclone, the demon Trinavart

in

So she

did not find the baby Krishna where she had left him. She felt extremely

ground in depression.

seeing baby Krishna

Trinavart

the baby

she forgot

of Kansa, had arrived in Gokul

fierce cyclone. He covered entire Gokul with dust and blinded the people temporarily.

people could not

had turned

in horror and lifted the baby in her

OF TRINAVART

the ground and began to

about the event, but all

ran

the baby

playing with the baby lord in her home. All of

getting disproportionately

left the child

hymns then. Thereafter

followed

SALVATION
was

the Gopis (ladiesfolk)

the loaded cart, but they did not believe the kids. Yashoda

lap. The Brahmins

Garg said pointing

so one

of excessive

of his

to Yashodanandan.

names

He has taken incarnation

he had taken white, red and yellow complexions

near

and dear

will call him

as

ones.

So

Bala also.

respectively.

in

every age.

In the past

This time he has taken dark

as Krishna. Once he has been the son of Vasudev, so people will call
him as Vasudev also. He will cause salvation of all of you, and great joy for the fellow Gopas and cows.
With his help, you will overcome even the severe crises. O Nand, This boy will be equal to Narayana in
virtues, wealth, beauty, fame and influence. Foster this child with care and earnestness." Thus naming
the boys as per their virtues, Garg returned to his hermitage.
complexion,

so

for his

strength, people

would be Sankarshan."

he will be known

CHILDHOOD
The time passed

on

in Gokul

OF LORD KRISHNA
as

usual. Balrama

and Krishna

too

grew normally. Soon they began to

men and women folk of Gokul.

knees and palms. With their childish plays they both amused

walk

Everyone

took special

were

Ladiesfolk

group

of them and looked after them to

of their home. Because

whereas

save

was

somewhat

of Gokul. Often he would eat stealing

other times, He did not hesitate

even to

innocent

Krishna. And

every

specially

within

age

enjoyed

time Yashoda

used to

the ladiesfolk
promised

them to punish

before his sweet,

smile.

Krishna's

health, Yashoda

against

Krishna, "Ma, the little Kanhaiya

at him: "Tell

scolded

eyes were moving

you a lie. If you don't

that moment, little Krishna's

mud. They

are

telling

his little mouth. Yashoda

peeped

believe it. The entire universe

and

longer confined

to punish him, she forgot everything

time, when she proceeded

One day, Balaram complained

any

danger.

their milk, curd and butter. At

break their pitchers. In such situations

home to complain against

every

no

serious in nature. Krishna

teasing the girls and milkmaids

Krishna. But

possible

began to lead other kids of his

of his special virtues, Krishna

his elder brother Balaram

gather in Nand's

any

them from

careful about them.

both the kids began to walk trottingly. Now their movement

Soon afterwards,

the boundary

care

especially

me,

O mischievous

with fear. He made

believe,

has eaten mud. Worried

Krishna, why did

an excuse:

you eat

about

mud". At

"No Ma, Ihave not eaten

me see yourself." Saying this, Krishna opened

saw there amazed her. She could not
saw strange places, entire Vraj
dizzy. With his illusionary powers, Lord wiped

into his mouth and what she

was

visible in his little mouth. Yashoda

even herself in the little mouth of Krishna. She felt

memory of this incidence from the mind of Yashoda,

out the

and she again immersed

in love with her

child.

UKHAL BANDHAN
Once, wishing

too awakened

Krishna

her in the courtyard

Yashoda

AND SALVATION

OF YAMALARJUN

to feed Krishna with butter, Yashoda began to churn milk in the morning. Very

stopped

and not finding the mother

where she

on

the unstiated

Krishna

churning

on

the fire pot began to boil. Yashoda

filled with

eat butter, when Yashoda

came

anger

soon,

her bed, He set out to search her. Soon He found

the milk. He began to insist for breast feeding

and began to breast feed Krishna. Affection

churning

the milk kept

was

played

on

at

once.

So

her face. Suddenly

in order to attend the boiling milk. But

left Krishna

and broke the pitcher of curd. Then he went inside and began to

the matter and began to search him with a

was now feeding the monkeys with it. Seeing the
over the mortar and ran away. Yashoda chased him,

back; she understood

stick

in her hand. After eating butter himself, Krishna

come

mother

soon

in hot pursuit, Krishna

felt tired because

but

of her bulky body.

to tie Krishna as a punishment. She got a rope and tried to tie Krishna.
rope fell short by two fingers. She joined many ropes together but the result was same. Every
ropes fell short by two fingers. Soon, Yashoda was bathing in sweat. When Krishna saw his
in depression, he himself tied in the ropes. Tethering little Krishna to a heavy mortar, Yashoda

Thereafter,

But the

jumped

Yashoda

proceeded

time the
mother

engaged
which

in usual household

were

standing

on

tasks. Tethered

to the mortar, Krishna glanced at the two Arjun trees,

the gate like two sentries. He resolved

to salve them.

sons
women on the bank
women folk
at once covered themselves, but both the sons of Kuber stood boldly without feeling any shame.
Indignant Narad cursed them to become trees and stay in that form for one hundred years. Narad
showed kindness as well that despite being in tree forms, they would have the memory of God alive
and would be salved by Lord Shri Krishna. Thus, to keep the words of his supreme devotee Narad,
Lord dragged the mortar to the two Arjun trees. He walked in such a way that the mortar got stuck
between the trees. Krishna then pulled the mortar and in no time the trees were uprooted. Two divine
men appeared from the uprooted trees and bowed at the feet of Krishna and prayed him with pure
Maitreya

asked Parashar

about the trees. Parashar

Nalkubar

and Manigreev.

One day they

of Mandakini

River. Just by coincidence,

were

said: "The lord of wealth Kuber had two

enjoying

Devarshi

the sweet

company

of pretty

Narad arrived there. Out of Shyness, the

hearts. Then they departed

to their heavenly

MIGRATION

TO VRINDAVANA

Arjun trees fell with thundering

The uprooted

lightning

had struck somewhere.

Unanimously

they concluded

longer conducive

decided

to leave Gokul and migrate to

had ample vegetation

on an

Parashar

says:

"The verdant

as

if

the matter.

place named Vrindavana.

once

environment

of Gokul set out for Vrindavana.

convoy.

They packed their

In Vrindavana

they

again.

of Vrindavana,

river together

In their opinion, Vrindavana

them and their cattle.

Govardhan

mountain

and crystal clear waters

filled the hearts of Balaram and Krishna

with joy. Along with

they began diverse kinds of plays there.

SALVATION

OF VATSASUR

One day, Balaram and Krishna

a
seen

took the guise of

Lord Krishna

verdant

day, the entire population

and sandy banks of Yamuna

meanwhile,

to support

and started their life

the fellow cowherds,

and discussed

in Gokul and the circumstances

bullock carts and drove their cattle in herds and started in

built their houses

with fear and felt

Nand met together

had increased

to raise the kids like Balaram and Krishna there. So they unanimously

and fertility

auspicious

on

households

sound. All the people shivered

All the elders including

that, of late disturbance

were no

Thus,

abode.

had already

Balaram and they together

and Balaram mockingly

were

their cattle

on

the bank of Yamuna

the demon taking calf's guise and mixing

reached

saw

grazing

calf and mixed with the herd. Obviously,

near

the calf. The calf appeared

it with admiring

eyes.

River. A demon,

he had malicious

up

intentions.

with the herd. He signalled

particularly

healthy,

so

Krishna

they held the calf with its hind legs and tail

Suddenly

twirling it in air they threw it in the sky. When the demon died, they threw him

on a

Kath (wood-apple)

tree.

SALVATION

OF BAKASUR

a large pond to let them drink water. There they say a

sitting like a hillock on the bank. They were frightened by its appearance. The creature
was in fact a demon named Bakasur who had arrived there in the guise of a storke. He was himself
very strong and had a long pointed bill. As soon as the cowherds drew near him, The storke hastily
picked up Krishna and swallowed him. Other cowherds including Balaram were stupefied. They could
not believe their eyes. But inside the beak, Lord Krishna made him extremely hot and caused severe
One day, all the cowherds

took their cattle to

huge creature

burning in demon's

throat. So the demon could not swallow

Krishna

and regurgitated

him, and began to

hit him with his strong beak. But Lord held his beak with both his hands and tore the demon's

apart. And

as son as

the demon died,

SALVATION
One day, Krishna

fellow cowherds

planned
sounding

ripple of joy surged

among

mouth

the cowherds.

OF AGHASUR
a
a

picnic

near

Nandanvan.

So rising early in the morning,

horn. Together, all the cowherds,

He awakened

his

and their cattle went to the forest. There,

on

the bank of Yamuna

Knowing

that Krishna

the demon to
the

way

and opening

by curiosity,
friends

abode of the

his mouth like

all the cowherds

an

entered

opening

a cave. The cowherds too fell

mouth one by one. When Lord

mouth. He too entered

wanted to masticate

the cowherds

it to protect

including

jealous.
ideal moment

for

thus, the demon took guise of python and lay in

in his trap. Thus driven

of

the demon

an

and sister Pootana, it seemed

the death of his siblings. Thinking

had entered demon's

Aghasur

an

in fact

had sent him there. Seeing the boys playing, he felt extremely

had killed his brother Bakasur

avenge

was

River they began to play joyfully. Nandanvan

demon Aghasur. Kansa

Krishna

saw

that his

them.

lord Krishna; but the lord increased

his body and

eyes rolled over and at last his life left his

eye, Lord resurrected these dead
demon's mouth. As soon as the demon died,

choked demon throat. Now the breath of demon stopped. His

body through Brahmrandhra

(cosmic

pore). With his ambrosial

came out

fellows and their cattle and together they

divine flame emerged

Krishna

came out,

ATTACHMENT
Parashar

says:

the incidence.

of the

mouth. It waited there sometime

STEALING

AND COWHERDS

to their parents only after

salvation

and their stock of cattle to

incidence.

After Aghasur's

life mingled

with God, Lord Krishna

graze freely
as they

Yamuna. They left their cattle to

cowherds

tasted one-another's

surprised

by Aghasur's

salvation,

Brahma

came

cattle first and when Krishna

suspicious

fellow cowherds

if Krishna

saw Krishna
was indeed an

of lord's incarnation,

went out to search the cattle Brahma

also. Soon lord Krishna

understood

and cattle. Replicas

the craftiness

resembled

even

nature, activities, voice, sticks and

with the tasty food. Meanwhile

too had arrived there and

grew

of Brahma,

The replicas

in

eating food defiled by

incarnation

Brahma

kidnapped

truly to the cowherds

in costumes.

the bank of

to take their lunch. All of the

wanted to feed Krishna

Thus driven by the illusion and to test the authenticity

on

with His fellow cowherd

and they sat together

food,

the cowherds. With that sight, Brahma

cowherds

OF CATTLE

a year of
one year, Lord Krishna multiplied himself and took the guise of his
remove the illusion of Brahma, who was the cause of the

told the tale of Aghasur's

During that period of

for God. And when lord

with him.

OF BRAHMA,

The cowherds

fellow cowherd
following

from the python's

the flame mingled

of lord.

kidnapped

and concealed

all the
the

so he multiplied himself into

appearance, complexion,

remain in existence

for complete

his

one

year.
returned after hiding the cowherds and the cattle, he was stunned to see the
as usual. Brahma was feeling dizzy when lord bestowed his grace on him. Brahma
every dust particle. Brahma therefore bowed his head at the feet of lord and said: "O
lord, Isubmit before you. You can be won only with devotion and not by ego. No one can know your
omnipresent appearance. Thus praying and worshipping lord Narayana, Brahma returned to his abode.
The cowherds remained separated from God for one year. But they felt as if only half a second had
Back there, when Brahma
cowherds

saw

and cattle

Narayana

in

passed because

of the illusionary

killing to their parents

only after

SALVATION
When Krishna

influence

a year

of God. That is why they related the incidence

OF DHENUKASUR

and Balaram entered

sixth

year

out for grazing. Along with their fellow cowherds

Vrindavana.

Thus they sanctified

Vrindavana,

with beautiful, colourful

to

graze

his cattle at the foothills

his favourite

pass

of Aghasurs

it took place.

of their

ages,

they got the permission

the two brothers

the earth of Vrindavana

flowers and sweet fruits, Lord Krishna

of Govardhan

time. One day Krishna's

and

beloved

on

to take the cattle

too began to take their cattle to

with their pious feet. Seeing the beauty of

felt overjoyed. He then used

the banks of Yamuna

River. Playing flute

friend Sudama said: "Kanhaiya,

there is

was

beautiful

name

forest

Talvana.

It has uncountable

guards that forest. He is

shun that place. But

we are

wish,

we may go

Thus hearing
in

no

time

there and eat those delicious

this, Krishna

were

caught

instance. Since that day,

arrived there

visited Talvana

arrived

on

He

began to eat fruits.

by the sound of fruits falling and noise of

donkey. He

was

fearlessly

braying

loudly and tried to hit

an

and the cattle grazed there freely.

was

with their friends. Balaram

intoxicated

was not

by the poison of Kaliy- the Naga. It

and cattle

were very

thirsty. So without

and died. But Lord Krishna

decided to purify the waters of Yamuna. Thus tying

resurrected

with them

was

any

giving

them by his

waves

before Krishna.

boy playing joyfully

him in his spirals. Tied in the spirals of Kaliy, lord became

death like situation, all the cowherds

and

even

the

cows

in the waters. He stung him and tied

absolutely

felt

motionless.

very sorry.

a game of hide and seek began between them.

rode on Kaliy's hood and began to dance there.

the hold of Kaliy. Then

he

cloth round his waist, Krishna

began to rise high. When Kaliy- the Naga heard the noise. He got extremely

beautiful, tender, dark complexioned

time. Thereafter

tree and jumped into the river. In the water the lord started playing and splashing

Cadamba

and appeared

saw a

and birds

sight.

water. Soon the

angry

animals

THE NAGA

hot that day and all the cowherds

Then Lord Krishna

climbed

as a

the banks of Yamuna

they all drank the water from Yamuna

ambrosial

formidable

and Daau (Balaram)

him by his hind legs and threw him in the air. The demon died in

everyone

that day. The water of the river Yamuna

thought,

there;

you

under the trees. All the cowherds

fruits gathered

GRACE ON KALIY
One day, Bala-Krishna

no one goes

fruits."

also making lot of noises. Disturbed

the cowherds, the demon Dhenukasur

Balaram, but Balrama

So

and Balaram guided all of them to Talvana. There they shook the trees and

heap of ripe, delicious

While eating, they

exceptionally

very strong.

to eat those sweet delicious fruits. If

tempted

a
even

of trees laden with ripe fruits. But

numbers

demon Dhenukasur

Seeing Krishna

in

Just then lord freed himself

Lord dodged

the Naga for

from
long

a company.
began to vomit blood. Naga's wives began to pray God,
ones for their sins. You have shown your grace on us also.
We are fortunate to have a sight and touch of your feet. Pity O lord. This Naga can no longer bear your
momentum. He will die. We are all your slaves. Kaliy is our lord. Kindly forgive him." With kindness, lord
released Kaliy, who prayed thus: O lord in your creation we snakes represent Tamoguna (dark virtues).
We are confused by your illusions." Lord dictated Kaliy to migrate with his family to Ramanakdweep.
Since then water of Yamuna became pure for humans and animals.
The followers

of God, like Gandharvas

etc. began to play Mridang, Dhol etc. to give him

Tired from the blows of lord's feet, Kaliy

"O lord,

your

incarnation

DRINKING

soon

is to punish the evil

OF DAVANAL

(FOREST

FIRE)

tired. They were very

go back to Vrindavana, but stayed on the bank of Yamuna in
summer, surrounding forests had been shrivelled. At midnight
those shrivelled forests caught fire and the sleeping people were engulfed by it. They awakened
startled and took shelter at Krishna. Seeing their horrified appearance, Lord Krishna drank the infernal
After defeating

hungry

Kaliy, Lord Krishna

and all other people of Vraj felt extremely

and thirsty also. So they did not

the night. Because

of intense heat of

forest fire and thus saved the lives of innocent

people who had rested their lives at him with faith.

SALVATION
One day, Balaram

forests. When

The demon had

OF PRALAMBASUR
were

and Krishna

demon Pralamb

come

proposal of friendship,

were

but

were

stipulated

up to

we

intention

way

of kidnapping

for his salvation.

Krishna

game

as

and Balaram

carry

team would

of defeated

the place pointed by them. Thus the

in the

and Balaram.

him. They accepted

summoned

God thereafter

his
all

in to two teams and play joyfully. Thus the

shall divide ourselves

divided and each team chose Krishna

that the members

their cattle along with other cowherds

an

cowherd, but the God easily recognised

thinking about the

his friends and said: "Pals, today

teams

grazing

playfully

arrived there with

in the guise of

soon

It was
on their back
a secluded

its captain respectively.

of winner team

the members

began and

both the teams reached

place.

At

one

on

their back. Demon Pralambasur

time, the team headed

demon's

back; but

escape

demon's

So the members

offered Balaram

he rode

on

far for not being able to bear Balaram's

tried to

won.

by Balaram

as soon as

powerful

on

of Krishna's

were to carry them

on the
go

team

his back. Balaram agreed to ride

back, the demon galloped. But he could not

weight. Them the demon regained

by flying. First Balaram felt terrorised

head with

ride

the demon's

soon

but

fist. The blow shattered

he realised

demon's

his huge formidable

powers
on earth

his real

head and he fell

size and

on the
a

and hit

dead like

huge mountain.

says:

Parashar

"Most of the time of Lord Krishna's

cattle and played flute. His flute had

drawn by the enchanting

boyhood

They also heard the enchanting

Venugeet

that fills

one

hearts with the

girls said to her friend: "O dear friend, having the privilege
kindness

is the real salvation.

has got

closer contact

on

Vaikunth

him." One

Another

are

more

pleased

eyes are not

Hearing

to have

cows

us,

even

see

the beauty

tunes of flute

of lord Krishna

and began to look at lord Krishna

sight of lord Krishna

a trance,

A girl said pointing

the saints and

they remembered

completely

Bhagwati Lakshmi

and receiving

His
that it

of this flute,

their leaves and

has left her luxurious

look of lord Devakinandan."

even

the heavenly

and showered

A Gopi expressed

abode in

her

is she looking at God that her

elves gather in the sky

the flowers of their braids

tired,

of girls of Vrindavana

nothing; not

unaware

in their previous

their knowledge

even

the

was
way

over

Vrindavana.

him. Even the

the sweet enchanting

Yamuna. She is also unable to contain her exhilaration.

the

same.

After having the

back to home. They stood in the

are

you

know that these birds

sitting in

a state

the

sun

splashing her waves to wash

see their lord scorching in the sun. So
are drizzling as if showering petals." A
us. They have such a strong urge of Krishna's

She is eagerly

and shaded Lord Krishna. Now they

girl said: "Friends, look, these Bheelanis

are better than

smear their body

sight that when Govind returns home, they

mountain which has dedicated

supreme

devotee. Kanhaiya

with dusts of his feet. Blessed

its entire self in the feet of Brajnandan

has infused

even

non-living

were

of trance. Look

music of the flute. And look at

feet. Yet another girl said: "Look friends the clouds cannot

they have covered

milk

for lord Krishna. You have to forget

exactly

of their self.

births. In this birth also they

hearing

on

music of flute. The calves too forgot drinking

to the fauna: "Look O friends, look at these birds. Do

sages

they have forgotten

Lords

of Bhagwat. One of the

this flute had observed

hence showering

with joy. This is the real devotion

in order to find him. Condition

forests in

are

O friends, look how engrossed

forgot grazing when then heard the enchanting

yourself

penance

blinking."

the sweet enchanting

They also

There He grazed

(an epithet for Krishna). Even the siblings

with its fortune and

said: "O friend, look,

and arrived in Vrindavana

jealousy: "Even this doe is better than

memory

of seeing Lords beauty

girl said: "O friend, what

with lips of Nandnandan

trees and other vegetation's

flowers

passed in Vrindavana.

sound. The Gopis used to gather around Him

divine, enchanting

tunes."

and feels overjoyed.

is this
It is his

things with life by his sweet tunes of flute.

STEALING

OF CLOTHES

The unmarried

girls of Vrindavana

wished heartily

to have lord Krishna

goddess

to

see

Katyayani.

When MadanMohan

them at dawn. The girls

Lord Krishna
clothes

real

as if
as her

felt

their lives

stealthy

with malicious

appearance

can not

were,

The girls

intentions.

to Lord Krishna. Each of them

dedicated

learned

early in morning

that the unmarried

season and worshipped

marry him. He went
kept on the bank.

of Hemant

girls wished to

bathing naked in the river; their clothes

took those clothes and climbed

were

on a Cadamba tree. Lord

remove their flaws and

He had stolen them to

were not mere

that they

experience

were

were

husband. So in order to get their desire fulfilled, all of the

girls of Vraj began to take bath in Yamuna

spinster

girls, but

pure

souls. Without

had not stolen their

make them realise

realisation

of the real self,

in fact, the hymns of Vedas, Sadhana, Siddhis, Sages

and Brahmvidyas

themselves

that took the guise of girls to enjoy the vicinity of God. God removed

symbolised

lust. Because

says:

Parashar

of the lords

grace

they all

"O Maitreya, Thus Lord Krishna

were

removed

able to enjoy God's

the shyness

sweet talks. He derided at them, made them dance like puppets

were bathing naked, but they did not

presence of their beloved Kanha."

LIFTING
says:

Parashar

are you

deter his actions. Instead

and

(Vedas)

their clothes

that

company.

of the girls of Vraj through His

even

stole their clothes

they felt overjoyed

when they

by the close

OF GOVARDHAN

One day, Balaram and Krishna

cooked at home. With curiosity

festival

their

one

the God.

preparing

Nand Baba explained:

and politeness,

saw

that

many

delicious

What

purpose

"Sons Devraj Indra is the god of clouds. It is because

get rain. So these materials

are

were

kind of sweetmeats

being

they asked Nand and other elders: "Father, which

for? Which god will be worshipped?

will such worship

of Indra's

grace

serve?

that

we

to worship Indra.

being prepared

every creature in the world enjoys comforts or suffers as per his fate. None of the
in the world. One gets the results as per his actions.
as a result of his action. Anyone, who performs one hundred Ashvamegh Yagyas,
becomes Indra. But even after performing crores of Ashvamegh Yagyas one can not stay in Vraj. It is
the duty of Indra to cause rain. So it will rain even if you don't worship Indra. But to feed the poors and
satisfy them with clothes and other gifts is real worship. By their blessing, we shall be happier. Idesire
that with all these materials we should worship Giriraj Govardhan and distribute the Prasad among the
poors. With which their souls will be sated and will have the grace of God.
Krishna
gods

said: Father

can

change the results. Action is primary

Even Indra is God

Thus Lord Krishna

receive Prasad. If
haughty

god,

nor

WORSHIP
Thus convinced
Krishna,

we are

Govardhan.

necessary

ready to do

as per my

unitedly

and unitedly

desire, its all right, otherwise

they should

Iwill not worship

your

his Prasad.

OF GOVARDHAN
by Kanhaiya's

wise reasoning,

making all these preparation

AND INDIGNATION

OF INDRA

all the Gopas agreed to him. Nand Baba said, "O

for

us Govardhan is also like a god.

our lives. Thus with lords consent,

For

for

told his father that all the people should worship

you are
receive

you

we will do as you say. We will worship

us grass, water, and fuel etc., which are

only and

It gives

they dropped

their plan to worship

Indra and resolved

to worship Govardhan

On the Purnima

near mount

gathered
invoked

faithfully.

(full moon) day in the month of Kartik (November)

the Ganges

flowers etc and worshipped

offered basil-leaves,

all the Gopas (people

During the night all of them circumambulated

Govardhan.

by his wish and bathed Govardhan

people believe in their rituals, Lord Krishna

it. Brahmins
appeared

himself

of Vraj region)

the mountain.

Lord

with her water. Then they put vermilion

on

it,

recited hymns in its praise. To make the

on

the mountain

in huge form and

"I am Giriraj (the king of the mountain) and began to eat the offerings. But as a child, He
among the villagers who faithfully bowed before the mountain. Among them, the child Krishna
a surprise Giriraj has appeared himself and bestowed his grace on us. He has
accepted our worship." There after all the Gopas distributed Prasad among themselves and felt
exclaimed:

was

still

said: "look, what

supremely

satisfied.

When Indra learned

ordered

over

Vraj. Soon there

began to rain torrentially.

the

worshipping him, he grew outrageous. In anger, he

over Vraj and cause heavy flood in Vraj region. In no time dense
was lightning, thunder, darkness and storm all around. Then it
people took refuge at Lord Krishna and prayed him to save them from
said: "Those who regard me as their, are mine and I am theirs, So

that the Gopas had stopped

the clouds to rain torrentially

clouds gathered

All the

anger of Indra. Lord Krishna

no need to worry for you."

there is

on his little finger and called all the people of Vraj along with their cattle
Then he ordered his wheel Sudarshan to absorb the water of the clouds so
even a single drop could fall on earth. Thus for seven days continuously Lord balanced
Govardhan on the little finger. Thus Lord Krishna also came to be known as Giridhari. People who had
gathered around him, just kept on seeing Lords moon-like face and hence did not feel thirsty or hungry.
In fact the comforts those people got during those seven days are beyond verbal description. Lord held
Govardhan on one hand, and conch in the other, while with the remaining two hands He began to play
Saying this, Lord lifted Giriraj
under the lee of Govardhan.

that not

this flute. Hearing

the tunes of his flute, all the people of Vraj began to dance with joy. After the rains

stopped, all of them returned

to their homes.

BATH OF SHRI KRISHNA

CEREMONIAL

in Vraj, he soon realised his mistake. Indra himself reached

gave lord a ceremonial bath with the milk of Surabhi. For
one more name "Govind".

When Indra learned about the happenings

Vraj and begged lord for His pardon. Then he

protecting

the

cows,

the Lord also got

RASS LEELA
related to Maitreya

Parashar
just that

common

the tale of Kamadev's

people should reflect

on

the love of God for them

as

After conquering

and other gods,

requested

Brahma

God to quench his thirst for

moon night)
night He would enjoy the company
will win, otherwise you will lose."
Sharad Purnima

(Full

That night Lord Krishna

humiliation.

the selfless

The

purpose

of describing

love of Gopis for Lord Krishna

this tale is

and experience

well.

added

ego of Kamadev had surged to great heights. He, therefore,

war. God invited Kamadev to visit Vrindavana on the night of
season that precedes winter, and told him that on that divine
crores of Gopis. "If I have slightest passion for any of them, you

in the
of

more

divinity,

more

brilliance

to it with

resolution

of Raas with the help

of Yogmaya

stimulating

illusion). It

(personified

Vrindavana,

moon

full

ambience

was a

night for the

perfect

purpose

an

began to play

tune

enchanting

Gopis, their passion surged to its zenith and under the influence

trance, all of them

shyness

ran to meet

their beloved Kanhaiya

behind. Some of them

only their physical bodies

on

In Vrindavana

- flowers

bloomed

in

shone, and gentle, cool breeze blew from the banks of river Yamuna. Amidst
Lord Krishna

were

intercepted

the bank of Yamuna,

tree. Yogmaya

Gopis

leaving all their fear, bondage,

women.

Maitreya

asks: "Gopis had not regarded

saw

and dragged

and

as

patience

Krishna

Vrindavana

as

if in

and

back to home. But

Vrindavana.

Vihari (epithet

for Krishna)

all the Gopis from tip to toe. In fact those Gopis

adorned

Cadamba

ordinary

this

his flute. The tune attracted

of love for lord Krishna

by their husbands

stayed put, their souls reached

familiar

on

ParaBrahma.

What

was

near their
were not

the basis for their passion

then?"

Parashar

says:

supreme

position, there should be

When

wretched

Gopis arrived and gathered

To test their devotion

ones,

and to enhance

you to stay

it is not fit for

must be first to

your

husband's

can

gain

me

them. You

person like Shishupal, who always abused lord Krishna could find
no doubt for Gopis who had such a profound passion for Lord." So

around Lord Krishna.

the honour

said to them: "O Gopis, the pure

serve your husbands. Your duties
you eagerly. Go and console
need not sit here. Go to your homes."

of Kamadev,

Krishna

here at this hour of night. Go and

cows.

children and

They will be waiting for

by hearing, reciting, seeing etc. You

we have come to you leaving all the mundane lusts behind. Now going
our lives. It is the greatest misfortune if someone returns to mundane affairs even
your feet." These words that reflected divine feelings of Gopis pleased Lord. He began to
company. But a feeling of ego began to creep in the minds of Gopis because of lord's

Gopis, however

said: "Govind,

back is like ruining

after being at

enjoy their

closeness.

disappeared

They began to

right

PITIABLE

among

as

themselves

CONDITION

After the disappearance

dedicated

assume

highly

fortunate.

To

remove

their

ego,

Lord

them.

of God, Gopis

OF GOPIS IN GOD'S

were

perplexed.

their entire selves in the feet of Lord. They

ABSENCE

Their hearts burned with desire. They had

were

entirely

merged

in the love of Krishna. Thus

creepers and vegetation for

one place. Footprints of Radha
were also there. 'Indeed He would have carried her, that great fortunate one, on His shoulders.' They
thought. Lord had indeed, after disappearing from amidst Gopis, taken Radha to an isolated place. She
had then began to think herself superior to other Gopis. So at one place, she said: "O Lord, I can't walk
now. My tender feet are tired. Kindly carry me on your shoulders to wherever you wish." At her request,
Lord Krishna agreed to carry her on his shoulder. But as soon as she proceeded to ride, Lord
disappeared from there also. Now, Radha began to cry and wail and fainted. At the same time, other
Gopis also reached there and found Radha lying unconscious on the ground. All of them including
Radha then returned to the bank of Yamuna and began to wait for Krishna's appearance.
driven by passion, Gopis began to search Lord Krishna. They asked trees,

the whereabouts

of their beloved. They then spotted His footprints

RE-APPEARANCE
When the beloved
condition

OF LORD AMONG

Gopis burst into tears, Krishna's

and He appeared

amidst

at

them. A sweet smile

GOPIS

gave away. His heart melted at their

played on his beautiful face. He wore a garland

patience

of fresh Vaijayanti

their beloved
embrace

flowers and yellow clothes. His beauty

once

Kanha

Thereafter,

along with the beauties

of Vraj, Lord

before him for solution. Lord said: "O beloved

ones

for physical love. Because

to hiding

even

so

after meeting

that

came to

that

you

Kamadev.

Seeing

All of them began to

bodies.

the bank of Yamuna. Gopis put their queries

Gopis, Ido not reciprocate

of it their conscience

even

could have moved

a new lease of life.

was burning their

again amidst them, Gopis got

Lord and thus quench the fire of separation

remains

could feel complete

to the desire of

always engrossed

imbibement

in

in

me.

my

beloved

Hence, Itake

me.

MAHARAAS
From the words of the Lord, Gopis forgot the pains of separation.

their lives

were

now.

successful

With those Gopis, Lord Krishna

in sky to witness

of river Yamuna. All the gods gathered

fortunate

than Lakshmi. But

Him, Lord completely

Kamadev

his

SALVATION
Parashar

says:

with families

Once

pass

on

and reached

and with devotion

their night

python emerged

even

crores

were eager to

of Gopis, who

and

even

of their beloved,

on the pious banks

were even more
to

devote their everything

actions. Thus Lord defeated

even

ego.

AND SHANKHCUR

OF SUDARSHAN

of Shivaratri, Nand Baba and all other Gopas drove their carts

the occasion
Ambikavana

worshiped

on

amidst

from desires, feelings

refrained

and removed

From the closeness

started Maharaas

that divine festival. Gopis

on a

tour. There they took bath in the river Saraswati

pilgrimage

lord Shiva and Parvati. They also observed

the bank of Saraswati.

and caught

But

hold of Nand's

him. He cried again: "Kanhaiya,

huge python inhabited

leg. Nandbaba

day long fast and decided

This snake is all set to strangulate

me.

to

that place. During the night the

cried loudly. All the Gopas gathered

around

Save me."

In its place appeared a

a Vidyadhar named Sudarshan. Iwas so much
my beauty, youth, luxury and comforts that I used to insult others. One day I had derided
at the ugly appearance of the sage Angira. So indignantly he cursed me to become a python. But,
pleased by my realisation of mistake, he had told that when God himself would touch me, I would
regain my original appearance." Thereafter, Sudarshan went round the God, worshiped Him and with
Lord touched

the python with his feet and instantaneously

divine-looking

obsessed

human being. He said: "O Lord, I was

with

his permission,

On another

noise,

departed

occasion,

part in Vasantik
tried to

the python vanished.

to his abode.

Lord arrived in Vrindavana

Raas (Raas of spring season)

escape away
Lord ran after

kidnapping

some

the demon, carrying

the demon and killed him by just

one

during Vasant Ritu (spring Season). There He took

with the Gopis. During Raas itself,

of the Gopis. A stampede

huge Sal (Shorea)

blow. He picked

up

the

resulted

among

gem

from demon's

demon Shankhchur

Gopis. Hearing their

tree in his hands. In

no

time He overtook

head and handed

it to

Balaram.

SALVATION
Once, Kansa sent

huge bull

came to

OF ARISHTASUR

demon Arishtasur

Vrindavana

to Vrindavana.

and began to terrorise

Balaram said to Krishna: "Kanhaiya,

Ihave

The demon arrived there in

bull's guise. That

the people with his loud sound. Seeing the bull,

never seen

such

huge bull before."

All the people began

to

cry

for help. Lord consoled

cows

these

them and challenged

Iam going to shatter

and cowherds?

horns and pushed

KANSA

ego." The challenge

slipped form

Vrindavana,

are

Devarshi

Akrur understood

Narad visited Kansa and asked: "O Kansa, the girl who had

the

anger

mere

Meditating

devotional

intentions,

for he

found it unjust to ride

reached

on a

Lord Krishna

chariot

on

and escorted

of seeing God. He

grand chariot

the land of Vrindavana

and Balaram

by

as

himself

the

kinds of

and started walking. He

treaded. By the time, he

home after grazing

him

their cattle. Seeing

as

(uncle),

"Chacha"

the dinner, they assembled

with Krishna

by Akrur's

announced

arrival. Akrur said: "Kansa

in Nand's
is organising

in Mathura. He has invited all the big and small kings to the competitions.
and Balaram

as

well. Beautiful

Mathura

talking and said: "King Kansa has shown

invitation only to other kings, but has sent his minister to call

was

overwhelmed
Lord in Gokul.

him into the house.

competition

you

of Vasudev, who

of Dhanush-Yagya."

was feeling
supreme

where lord Krishna

had returned

was given a warm welcome and treatment there. After

room. Nand inquired about the reason of his sudden

pleased

sons

to meet his

raised Akrur and addressed

drawing

invited

has

sent by

for Gokul. He said to Akrur:

the festivities

from the chariot at the border of Vrindavana

them, Akrur fell at their feet. Both the brothers

wrestling

once

was heading towards Vrindavana. He was feeling

was sure to have a sight of Lord. Thus obsessed with many

feelings, Akrur alighted

Vrindavana,

staying in

but feared that if he refused, that demon would kill him. So he

of it. Next day, he set out

one

are

fear, Vasudev

in the feet of Lord, Akrur

most fortunate

Akrur

who

and Devaki in prison again.

of mine, Go to Gokul and bring the

home. Invite them to visit Mathura, to witness

Kansa's

thought

and put Vasudev

Akrur and asked him to set out at

old friend and well-wisher

to visit Gokul, and also have the opportunity

decided

time.

of his friend Nand. Those two boys have killed the demons

he called his minister

you are an

staying at Nand's

the

Him, but God held his

your hand was in fact the daughter of Yashoda. Krishna and Balaram,
are infact the sons of Devaki and Rohini respectively. Because of your

you." Hearing these words, Kansa shook with

"Akrurji,

gore

AKRUR

SENDS

kept them under the supervision

Thereafter

no

terrorising

from God pinched

God. He wished to

him back. Then kicking the demon God killed him in

After the killing of Arishtasur,

are you

the bull demon: O fool, why

your

demon. Tapping his hooves angrily, the demon attacked

in Gokul that all the people would

go to

is worth seeing. Gullible

a great honour to me. He has sent

me and a golden chariot for my kids."
the next day and witness

Mathura

He has

Nand felt

So it

the festivities

there.

DEPARTURE

OF KRISHNA-BALARAM

When the Gopis heard about Krishna

were

getting

so

much restless

started imprecating
beloved

Kanha,

by the

no
was causing a

fate that it had

now

it

they felt it better than living without

Yashoda

candies), she took it to Krishna

First it provided

long separation

them with

closer contact

from him. Some of Gopis

on

even

with their

begged

crying and wailing nightlong.

for death,

Mother

next day. She churned out butter and adding Mishri (sugar

were
we are
am

to feed him. But there she found that both Krishna and Balaram

These words disturbed

O Akrur, please do not take

They

that, they felt, their lives would end before the sunrise. They

kindness.

getting ready to set out for Mathura. They held mother's

going to Mathura."
your slave.

cry.

leaving Gokul to visit Mathura, they began to wail and

news

Kanha. All the Gopis kept

awoke early in the morning

FOR MATHURA

my

beloved

Yashoda.

sons to

feet and said: "Pardon

She

ran

and fell at Akrur's

Mathura. They

are

us,

O mother,

feet and said: "I

inseparable

from

my

heart. Why

them to Mathura?

Kansa has summoned

O Akrur,

go

and tell him to take everything

but can't lose

two brothers

our beloved
are going to

said: "Akrurji, Mathura

needed there for

any

gathered

spare our sons.

is

a town

of gold and both of

we

wish to

see

both the brothers

the grandeur

of Mathura."

there. Crying and wailing, the Gopis said: "You

Akrur. You have

come

here to lacerate

are

Akrur. Our complaints

and dedicated

no support

for

our
our

We

are

also ready to live in jail,

don't worry. These

soon to comfort your
my sons are too young yet to be

"Bhabhi (sister-in-law),
there and will return

reason."

the feet of Nand and Yashoda,

return. Presently

but

Yashoda.

to witness the festivities

heart." Yashoda

Touching

us,

from

sons." Akrur consoled

Mathura

our

hearts." Second

with Shyamsundar.

entire selves in
life except

you,

your

Meanwhile

now you are

service. And

will definitely

all the Gopis and Gopas had

you as
a fault of
our homes

Cruel, O Akrur, who named

Gopi said: "No friend, it is not

We left everything,

O Madhusadan."

we

said: "Father, mother,

are very

our

husbands,

children,

us so

deserting

ruthlessly.

We have

Saying this, all the Gopis burst into tears again.

the chariot and said: "O Krishna we had not even dreamt
O Kanhaiya we have seen with our eyes that even Indra, Varun,
you. But we have never regarded you as God. We regarded you as
our friend. Are you angry with us? O my childhood friend Kanhaiya, we request you, we will never
abuse you in future. If you were intending to go, why did you, then save us from the infernal forest fire.
Why did you save from the deluging rains? We cannot live without you. Tell us O benevolent friend,
When will you return."
All the Gopas, including

that

you

Shridama

us so

would desert

Sanakadi and Brahma

surrounded

ruthlessly.

bow before

of them with Him. The chariot began to move. As long

on crying and wailing. Even the eyes of Akrur
are you weeping?" Akrur replied: "O Lord, Kansa is the
great sinner. I feel he will try to torment you by all means. So, my heart says, that I should take you
back to Vrindavana, because if Kansa did any harm to you, their spirits will curse me for ever."

Lord Krishna

as

consoled

many

them all and took

the flag of the chariot

remained

visible, people kept

filled with tears. Lord asked him: "Kaka, why

AKRUR HAS A SIGHT

OF LORD IN FOUR-ARMED

Hearing

that when he had arrived in Vraj, he

Akrur's

of majesty. But

words, Lord understood

now,

it has been replaced

by affection

dilemma. Thus, Lord said to him: "Kaka, Mathura

are

Yamuna. We brothers

Akrur took

waiting for

you

afflicted

FORM
with

now. He therefore decided to remove

some distance away. So you take a

is still

feeling

his

bath in

in the chariot."

a sight of His abode Vaikunth and his

appearance in which, he was holding conch, wheel, mace and lotus in each of his four
was lying on the bed of Sheshnaga. With folded hands, Akrur prayed to lord: "O lord, you
are the reason for the existence of Brahma and the Universe. O Lord, I pray at your feet again and
again. Now I recognise you. You are the one who took the incarnations of Matsya, Kachchap, Varah,
As

soon as

was

dip in Yamuna, Lord showed him

Narayana's

hands and

Narsinh, Vamana, Rama etc. Thus after bath and worship, Akrur returned

to the chariot. Lord Krishna

now a devotional feeling had arisen in the mind of Akrur for Narayana. Lord asked:
seems miserable. Did you see anything extra-ordinary under water?" Akrur said: "O
now bestow your grace on me. Kindly come to my home and accept my hospitality."

understood

that

"Your condition

Lord,

ARRIVAL
After the departure

IN MATHURA
of Akrur, Nandbaba

too set out for Mathura along with the Gopas. On the

way

itself,

up

they caught

stayed in

with Krishna

and Balaram. All of them then reached

garden. After sometime,

with Nand's

permission,

was indeed a beautiful town. All the

to have a sight of Krishna and Balaram.

Mathura. Mathura
and attices

Mathura

together. There they

both the brothers

residents

of Mathura

set out to

thronged

on

see

the city of

roads, roofs

GRACE ON KUBJA
On the

way,

they met a pretty but hunched woman. She introduced herself as Kubja, the maid of
was to smear the members of the royal family with sandalwood paste. God asked her
smear him with sandal paste. Kubja said: "O Manmohan, I see no one more fitting than

Kansa. Her duty

if she would

you

for the sandal paste." Thus she smeared

smeared

time, Kubja's

hunch

Lord promised

her

on

was gone

Lord's forehead

with saffron. On Dau's forehead

sandal paste, other Gopas smeared

musk containing

heads. Lord then, put His feet

meeting

Kubja's

all the remaining

gave her
a pretty woman. She

and holding her chin

and she turned into

in future, and proceeded

head

begged

she

on

sandal paste

slight jerk. And in

their

no

lord for His love. The

ahead.

OF THE BOW

BREAKING

and other Gopas moved ahead. At a place they saw a huge bow kept
men were guarding it. Lord entered the canopy and easily lifted the bow
was a big applause from all around. Dau said: "Krishna, now the crowd
us escape in time. Thus, both the brothers and their friends beat a retreat to

After salving Kubja, Lord Krishna

on a

high stage. Many strong

and broke it into pieces. There

will increase

their

camp.

here,

so

let

There they rested for night. There in Mathura, breaking

He could not sleep during the night. Even in his dreams, he

saw

of the bow had frightened

nothing, but Krishna

Kansa.

everywhere

around him.

OF ELEPHANT

KILLING

Early in the morning, Kansa summoned

elephant

his minister

and ordered

him to make Kuvalayapeed,

to stand in the centre of the main gate. He thought that the elephant
guise for the fort. At the gate, seein

in wrestlers

loudly: "O Mahout, why have

ahead

or

you

an

back." But instead of moving the elephant

them. But before elephant

Both the brothers

the ground with

Kansa felt

loud thud and died

very nervous

Lord Krishna

the elephant

on

blocking the

set out

and Balarama

passage,

they asked mahout

stand in the centre of the gate. Move it either

out of the

could attack them, Balarama

then dragged

SALVATION

elephant

made the elephant

the

would kill both the boys if

they dared to enter the fort through main gate. Back there in the garden, Krishna

passage,

caught

the mahout

steered

its trunk, while Krishna

it right

caught

on

its tail.

out of the gate and lofted it in the air. The elephant

fell

on

the spot.

OF WRESTLERS
by the

and Balaram

news

of elephant's

killing. Before he could take stock of the situation,

arrived in the amphi- theatre. The spectators

saw Lord as per their feelings.

as an incarnation of Kamadev.
as his death. But to his mother

Cowherds

present

in the amphitheatre

saw Lord as a Jewel among the men.

saw their natural friend in Lord, while to

The menfolk

and father, Devaki and Vasudev

Womenfolk

saw

him

Kansa He appeared

and to Nand, Krishna

and Balarama

appeared
Learned

as small kids. Sages and ascetics saw nothing

ones sighted His cosmic form while to Yadavas

but metaphysical

as

He appeared

coming in boys' guise.

their tutelary

God.

soon as the Lord and Balaram arrived in the ring, the wrestlers, who were already present there,
up like springs. A wrestler Chanur dragged Krishna and one named Mushtik dragged Balarama
you and we are the subjects of the great king Kansa. It is our
duty to please our king with our art and skill. More over we will receive many rewards also."
As

stood

into the ring. They said to them: "Both of

among yourselves. We are boys yet, so we shall witness

you are neither boy nor teenagers. You are stronger than
which was stronger than thousand elephants." Thus,
both the brothers were compelled to wrestle with the royal wrestlers. Balaram beat Mushtik on the
ground so hard that he died at once on the spot. Krishna similarly killed second wrestler Chanur. All the
remaining wrestlers met similar fate one by one. The massive crowd present there applauded them
Krishna

your

said: "O wrestlers,

fight from

the strongest.

distance."

you

please fight

said: "No

Chanur

You have just killed

an

elephant

joyfully.

SALVATION

OF KANSA

with anger and proclaimed: "Tie all the

ropes and bring them before me." Lord Krishna
on the stage where Kansa was present. Lord
Krishna caught him by hair and said: "O Kansa, once you have caught a helpless woman by hair, I
have avenged that insult. Now you will receive the fruits for your atrocities." Saying this, Lord began to
twirl Kansa catching him by hair, and threw him down from the stage. Then Lord jumped once again
and landed on the chest of Kansa. Kansa died instantaneously. Thus, Kansa who was an incarnation of
Seeing the shameful

defeat of his wrestlers,

opponents; tie Ugrasen, Devaki, Vasudev

could not tolerate

this and in

the demon Kaalnemi

crowned

received

his maternal

was

salvation.

as

then, released

of all the royal ceremonies,

they

came to stay at

the consecration

the hermitage

Extraordinarily

brilliant Krishna

successfully

Gurudakshina

(paying respect

to the teacher) Krishna brought

Yamaraaj.

among

Taking convocation

royal luxuries

beloved devotees

learned

bath, thereafter, Lord Krishna

and grandeur

Lord Krishna

from the prison and

UDDHAV

sage

remained

on

back his dead

returned

indifferent.

pricking

of Krishna

Sandipani

and Balaram

for formal education.

in short period of time. Then,

sons

as

from the abode of

to Mathura. There, though living

Memory

of his sentimental,

him.

AS MESSANGER

Brihaspati was an intimate friend of Lord Krishna. Only he

to enter Lord's sanctum. Seeing his friend Krishna in remorse, Uddhav asked:
you seem to be upset. What is troubling you?" Lord Krishna replied: "Uddhav, I feel
perplexed. Iremember my days in Vrindavana. Please go to Vrindavana and get the news regarding
Gopis there. Also give them my message." Thus Lord Krishna donned Uddhav in his attire and sent him
Savant

Uddhav, the

had the permission

"Mathuranath,

to Vraj in his chariot.

son

of

all the knowledge

friend and other people of Vraj kept

SENDING

his parents

the king of Mathura.

OF KRISHNA-BALARAMA

completion

carried out. Thereafter,

infuriated

Lord Krishna

grand father Ugrasen

YAGYOPAVIT
After the successful

Kansa

and Nand in

single jump, He reached

of Yadava's

minister

There he stayed at Nand's

home. At night, Uddhav

enquired

about Nand and Yashoda's

well being and

about Vraj in general. That whole might passed in chatting.

BHRAMAR

GEET
news

Next day, when the Gopis got the

residence.

They recognised

Krishna and Balaram

the chariot

had departed

of Uddhav's

arrival, they thronged

parked in front of the gate. It

for Mathura. First they thought

was

in and around Nand's

the

same

on

chariot

that their beloved Krishna

which
had

returned.

But

someone

was

that it

informed

about metaphysical

knowledge.

Uddhav, Krishna's

friend, who had

Savant

Uddhav

Soon afterwards,

came out

come to

preach them

and spoke out loud: "O Gopis,

ears. Feeling
expressed his dissatisfaction over their behaviour. Gopis said to him: O gentleman,
we are not familiar with you, secondly we have no capacity to hear your preaching. Yes if you
wish to give us a message of our most beloved; thousand of ears are eager to hear that." Uddhav then
introduced himself as the intimate friend of Lord Krishna.
listen to the preaching

But instead of listening to him, Gopis covered

of Uddhav."

their

insulted, Uddhav
firstly

Gopis welcome and treated Uddhav warmly. Uddhav then began to say again: "O
person, whom you are declaring as your beloved friend, in fact recognises no mother, no
no other relation. He has no form, no colour and no body. He is above all, non-existing all
pervasive and the giver of joy. He is never separate from his devotee and beloved ones. All of you, too,
feel the presence of that Supreme Being and be happy forever." Gopis said: "Uddhav, as long as
Ghanashyam stayed with us, we saw endless virtues in him. But only within six months of his stay in
Mathura, you wiped out all of his virtues and turned him virtueless.

Knowing

his identity

Gopis, the

father and

Tell

us

with which mouth did he eat butter, with which hand did he break

cows

did he pasture

another

in the forests and with which feet did he dance

Harsh reaction of the Gopis startled

knowledge

of Vedanta

other hand, Gopis too

accumulating

Meanwhile

our

pitchers, with which feet

the hood of Kaliy. Was he

proving

Uddhav. He began to think where he had been caught. His

ineffective

on

feeling embarrassed

the Gopis who

for treating

that condemned

were

sunk in

so

much love. On the

the guest bitterly. But they

love. Moreover,

were

also not

they had let out their long

feeling.

said: "Beware

bumblebee

perched

O bumblebee,

at Radha's

feet mistaking

them for lotus. Pointing

to it, all the Gopis

if you dare to touch the feet of our Radha. It appears that you are
now no secret regarding the virtues and actions of your friend. But it is
friendship. You are black and your friend has a black heart. Virtues of both

beware

disciple of Krishna. There is

good that he and

of

was
were

to listen to such preaching

prepared

on

Krishna?"

you

tied in

you are same.

us in His love; then left us ruthlessly forever. He is not sorry for us. But why does
serve in those feet? She must be careful, lest she should be deceived like us. O bumblebee
you also appear to be a polymath who has come here to preach us. But you won't get an audience in
Braj. You should better go to Mathura.
First He imbibed

Lakshmi

There is

you get

one

Kubja

go

and relate

your

tale to her. You will receive ample donations

from the Gopis here? They have already

the beloved

Krishna. If

knowledge.

But

we

you

have

know that

our

come to

lost their mental balance, because

ask, why

love for Krishna

we
was

loved Krishna. O bumblebee,

not

from her. What will

of separation

we

mistake. Even the goddess

have

from

no

Lakshmi does

Why should we leave his feet then? But O bumblebee, have you really
come out of shame, He sent you to console us the deaf and
you put your head at the feet of Radha.
Get away, we have already seen enough of flattery and flirtation of your friend. Deserting our affection
for ephemeral things, we loved that eternal one. But He too abandoned us. Can you guess about our
condition? Tell us, O Uddhav, shall we ever get the sight of Shri Krishna again?

not leave His feet for

come to

a moment.

us.

convince

When He could not

dumb Gopis, But be careful if

the tragic tale of the Gopis, Uddhav too felt very sorry for them. He felt as if Mathuranath, lord
was indeed neglecting those Gopis. Uddhav stayed in Vrindavana for six months. There he
saw every place, every spot where lord Krishna had played once. When he was returning to Mathura,
mother Yashoda presented him with butter, Radha gave him the flute. Thus immersed in the love and
overwhelmed by its feelings, Uddhav reached Mathura. He said to Krishna: "Lord, the real appearance
of love, that I saw in Vrindavana is the only truth." Shri Krishna said: "Uddhav, You are weeping. Just
look at me." Uddhav looked at him with wide, opened eyes. In every single hair of Lord, there existed
Gopis. Uddhav was indeed a Savant. But Lord had sent him to Braj only to be taught a lesson of love.
Hearing
Krishna

queens

After the death of Kansa his widowed

and informed

him that Krishna

once

at

Jarasandh

launched

the strength of Jarasandh's

chariots appeared

Balaram

furiously

then released
because

Parashar

more

Jarasandh

of his helpless

Krishna

says: Despite
every time,

and

and let him

go

was

to their father Jarasandh's

Kansa. Infuriated

by the

home

news,

were

frightened

by

too fell in deep thought. Just then, divine

weapons

and

Mathura. The people of Mathura

took the

army

weapons

and boarded

their chariots.

of Jarasandh.

about to kill him. But Lord Krishna

unhurt. Jarasandh

felt ashamed

stopped him. They

that Krishna

released

him

condition.

his shameful defeat, Jarasandh

the Lord defeated

attacked

him and released

Mathura

seventeen

him in kindness.

And

times with huge

every

time Jarasandh

humiliated."

At last, instead of attacking

launched

on

fierce battle and slayed all the

caught Jarasandh

armies. But
felt

attack

from the heaven. Both the brothers

Then they fought

Asti and Prapti returned

and Balaram had killed their husband

a massive
army. Lord

an

attack

on

Mathura

Mathura

with

himself, Jarasandh

one crore strong

to vacate Mathura instead of countering

and settled all the people of Mathura
Pointed by Narad, Kalyavan

at

once

sent Kalyavan to defeat Shri Krishna. Kalyavan

Malechchh

there. Then, unarmed,

recognised

Him, but the Lord did not listen to his challenges

chased Him for long, but could not catch

army.

the attack. He got Dwarkapuri

Krishna

and

This time Lord Krishna

constructed

Lord Krishna

gave

Him

decided

by Vishwakarma

walked past Kalyavan.

chase. He also challenged

and kept moving with face turned

away.

Kalyavan

up.

the Lord entered a cave. Kalyavan too followed Him into the cave. In the cave the Lord saw
someone was sleeping there. So He covered the man with his yellow length of cloth and himself
cave. Kalyavan too arrived there and saw the sleeping man. He mistook him for God and
said: "Krishna, you might have thought that braves do not attack on sleeping people. So I will first wake
you up and then kill you." Saying thus Kalyavan kicked the sleeping man hard. However, as soon as
the man awakened and glanced at Kalyavan, Kalyavan got incinerated at once.
Ultimately
that

hid inside the

TALE OF MUCHKUND
Maitreya

asked: "Gurudev,

who

was

that sleeping

man?"

says:

Parashar

had sought

had sought

man was

"O king, that sleeping

his assistance

the gods had defeated

in their

war

the demons

against

Muchkund,

the

son

had asked him to seek

boon of seeing God in tangible form. The gods had assured

sight of God in Dwapar

Yuga. Since Dwapar

Yuga

was

still far

away, so

should Ido till then?" The gods asked him to sleep somewhere

whoever

waked him

incinerated

of the king Mandhaata.

up

once,

at

would be incinerated

and show Muchkund

The gods

the demon during the Satayug. With Muchkund's

and thus pleased

help,

boon. Muchkund

then

him that he would have

Muchkund

and blessed

had asked: "What

him with

boon that

by his glance. Thus, in order to get Kalyavan

with his Divine form, Lord had

gone to

that spot where Muchkund

was

sleeping.

got the sight of God in Chaturbhuj

Muchkund

births. Thus, Lord defeated

army

Malechchh

form; and sought

and captured

boon of continuous

devotion for three

all their wealth. He also defeated

Jarasandh

and caused great joy for the people of Dwarka.

OF BALARAMA

MARRIAGE

The king of Anart, Raivat got his daughter

OF RUKMANI

MESSAGE
says:

Parashar

was

"Bheeshmak

Rukmi, the eldest

son

of Bheeshmak,

had fixed his sister's

heard about

any

the life of Lord Krishna

daughter

Rukmani

But Rukmi had

city named

sons

and

engagement

He went to Kundanpur,

O King, I am coming

the court of Bheeshmak:

from Dwarka."

daughter

Bheeshmak

of Dwarka. Bheeshmak

Rukmani.

with Shishupal,

the prince of

the capital of Vidarbh and said in

said! "O great Sage, Ihave

Dwarka". Thus, in the court of Bheeshmak,

and the grandeur

of Brahma.

FOR LORD

the king of Vidarbh. He had five

Chaidi. Narad did not like this development.

never

Revati married to Balaram with the blessing

Narad narrated

about

heard the tale with full attention.

His

too enjoyed the tale.

a strong

opposition

ready to get his sister married

against

lord Krishna. Ignoring

to Lord Krishna. On the appointed

the wish of his father, he

was not

day, Shishupal

there, in

appeared

to get married with Rukmani.

procession,

to marry Lord Krishna. She sent a love letter to Krishna through a loyal
a fast unto death. Lord Krishna read her letter, which said: "O Trilokinath, since
ears have heard about your virtues, actions, character and plays, my soul
experiences divine peace. O Achyut, my mind is dedicated in your feet. O great among the men, this
Rukmani has dedicated herself in your feet. Now it is up to you to see that no jackal could take away
the lion's share." The Brahmin, the carrier of the letter, returned to Kundanpur with an assurance from
the Lord. Lord too called the charioteer and set out at once for Kundanpur. There in Kundanpur,
Rukmani after getting the assurance from the Brahmin was thus waiting for Lord's arrival.
But Rukmani

Brahmin

was

determined

and declared

the moment, these

Preparations

for Rukmani's

houses, streets

donned

new

welcomed

and lanes

marriage

were

the Brahmins

donned with auspicious

by Brahmins.

were on

and sprinkled

King Bheeshmak

liberally. Extremely

beautiful

with full swing in Kundanpur.

with scented water. All the

worshipped
princess

his ancestors

Rukmani

was

men

and

All the

women

folk

and gods and

given ceremonial

bath and

clothes and bracelets.

The king of Chedi, Damaghosh

performed

with Shishupal

cleaned

clothes and ornaments.

got the auspicious

All the Baratis (people

rites for the marriage

in marriage

procession)

of his

were

son

Shishupal,

given grand reception.

Many great kings like Shalv, Jarasandh,

marriage

procession.

Balaram.

After Krishna's

wings)

army,

had resolved

eagerly

awaiting

to take her

Seeing Lord Krishna

welcomed

come

Dantvaktra,

as

was

She

even

the

her husband.

temple of Ambikadevi,

soldiers

common
same

At the

were

guarding

the

news

and

(with four

that Dwarakanath

ceremonies

of his daughter,

(Krishna)

king Bheeshmak

our

people of Vidarbh prayed "May

time, Rukmani emerged

princess

from her palace to

Rukmani

go to

her. In the temple, Rukmani prayed peacefully:

you and Ganapati, who is sitting in your lap.

may Ireceive Shri Krishna as my husband."

wish be fulfilled and

with chaturangini

in her heart.

I greet

Mother Ambika

in the

intention of fighting Krishna

preparedness.

feeling overwhelmed

arrived intently in the marriage

him. Seeing him,

get Shri Krishna

an

with

Lord's arrival. She had received

away.

were present

Vidurath and Paundrak

with their armies

Balaram too set out for Kundanpur

departure,

for he had known about their opponents'

was

Rukmani

They had

your

I seek

blessing

way back, Rukmani was walking very slowly for she was awaiting Lord's arrival,
any moment. Just then, Lord Krishna appeared before her. Before she could ride her
the crowd. And in the presence of hundreds of kings, Krishna and
eloped away with Rukmani.

may my

that

was

On her

which

in

chariot

lifted her from amidst

Balaram

DEFEAT
Hearing
with

the

anger.

news

resolved

Accompanied

and encountered

Thus defeating

getting Rukmani

released

celebrated

gifts. All the people

were

brought

festivities

for

in great joy to

a true

there boiled

chase. Thus chased

ambition

my

to win, brave

fled for their lives. Rukmi had

captivity, he would not show his face in

from Krishna's

OF RUKMANI

to give them

for long. But Dwarakanath

all the kings, Lord Krishna

All the people of Dwarka

Rukmi and all other kings present

the kings boldly. With

the enemies. All the kings like Jarasandh

He chased Lord Krishna

MARRIAGE

precious

has eloped with Rukmani,

by their huge armies, they decided

stopped

defeated

that without

Kundanpur.

due

Lord

OF RUKMI AND SHISHUPAL

that Krishna

them, Yadnvanishis
Yadav soldiers

the

"O

defeated

him and got his head shaved.

AND KRISHNA
to Dwarka. There they got married formally.

Rukmani

many days. People presented

see Lakshmi as Rukmani with

them with lot of

her husband

Lord

Krishna.

BIRTH OF PRADYUMN,
was a part

Kamadev

supreme

KILLING

of lord himself. After getting incinerated

took refuge in the

once more. Thus, Kamadev was born as Rukmanis first son

was kidnapped by a demon Shambarasur. The demon
dropped the baby into the sea, where a huge fish swallowed him in whole. Coincidentally the fish was
caught by the fishers and presented to the kitchen of Shambarasur. When the cooks cut the fish open,
an extremely beautiful baby emerged. Mayawati, the governess of the kitchen, felt overjoyed to see the
baby. She began to rear the baby with love and affection.
lord to get

Pradyumn.

an

OF SHABARASUR

by Rudra, Kamadev

incarnation

But just after his birth, Pradyumn

Once Narad arrived in the kitchen and said: "Mayawati,

do

you

know who is in

your

lap? " "No, O

Devarshi,

I found him from the belly of

husband

Kamadev

and

you are

husband

Pradyumn,

fish," said Mayawati.

Devarshi

Narad said: "He is

as

Pradyumn

saluted Narad with respect. Since then she regarded

and served him accordingly.

appearance.

his wife Rati. In this birth, he has appeared

Krishna. Hearing this, Mayawati

thereafter,

When Pradyumn

matured. Mayawati
and got married

killed Shambarasur

reminded

your
son

the

of

as

Pradyumn

her

him about his real

with Mayawati.

Then the

couple arrived in Dwarka.

TALE OF SYAMANTAK
A

person

named Satrajit
presented

Suryadev

gem,

that

mistook

him

Satrajit arrived

THE GEM

was a great devotee of Lord Suryanarayana. Pleased by his devotion,

a gem called Syamantak. The gem had radiance equal to the Sun. Bearing
in Lord's court. By the radiance of his gem, all the people and the courtiers

him for Suryadev

and stood in his regard. But the Lord recognised

to be calm. Then to Satrajit, Lord Said: "Satrajit,

Ugrasen is the king of this region. If

grandfather)
Satrajit

to present

refused

One day, later

on,

that

lion killed him and snatched

took the

gem to

hunting, Satrajit

his
felt

When lord Krishna

cave
sorry

gem. The lion was in turn killed

gave it to his children to play with.

the

and

and accused

heard that he

was

Krishna

of a lion leaving from

a great bear. Following
was playing with the gem.

there. Following
the footprints,

of

soon as

requested

lord Krishna

proceeded

you.

have recognised

You

was no

married

gave

him the

Jambvati

are none

Lord summoned

as

cave

the dead lion and the

where Jambvant's

gem

Satrajit

Himself. Nobody

else has the

that took place in the jungle. Satrajit

was

presence

gem to

gem

Him. He
only.

Satrajit

and

thought

Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna

gift of lord Suryadev.

AND KRISHNA

of presenting

accepted

Keep it with

the

Satyabhama

you.

of the king Ugrasen,

felt ashamed.

getting afraid also that he made enemity

expiate his crime, Satrajit

You

are

With

related the

feeling of repentance

with lord Krishna

without

reason.

sequence

of

he took the
Hence to

gem Syamantak and his daughter Satyabhama to

as his wife but returned the gem to Satrajit saying: "It
required to deposit the gold that you get from it, in

the royal treasure."

THEFT

the

"I

power to

prayed and worshipped

Lord returned

OF SATYABHAMA
to His court and in the

gem.

He

Jambvati.

between

day Jambvant

take rest?" "No", said Jambvant,

Shri Rama. Jambvant

and also his daughter

daughter

arrived. A fierce duel resulted

truce. On the twenty-seventh

you want to

other than Lord Narayana

before Jambvant

incidents

Jambvant

around the cadaver. He found

He discovered

in the

gem.

went to the forests.

formally.

MARRIAGE

is

gem,

days without

gem

sign of

Jambvant

did not return from

When Prasenjit

feeling guilty that he dared to fight Lord. Lord said that He had arrived there for the

Jambvant

But

in his neck. In the forest

by the ursine king Jambvant.

the footprints,

He reached

wait O Lord." Lord said: "Do

defeat me." Lord appeared

was

to take the

to fight for twenty-six

Lord! "Please

gem

that He had killed his brother for the

footprints

them. They continued

him and asked his courtiers

very beautiful. Nana (maternal

gem to him, it will be very good.

being blamed for the mishap, He himself

only footprints

As

this

went hunting, wearing the

There he found the dead body of Prasenjit, but there

Jambvati

really

gem.

brother Prasenjit

Satrajit's

your gem is
you present

OF SYAMANTAK

Akrur and Kritvarma

Shatadhanva.

then

away

assassination.

not trace the

pleased

with the marriage

killed Satrajit

Satyabhama

had given the

Shatadhanva

Akrur

frightened

chased Shatadhanva.

came to stay

grand Yagyas there. Lord summoned

court, Lord asked him about the

gem.

gem to

So they got Satrajit killed by

of Satyabhama.

in his sleep and absconded

But

gem.

with the

too reached there and informed

With Balaram, Lord Krishna

gem.

Shatadhanva,

many

were not

Shatadhanva

in Hastinapur.

Krishna

even

was

Akrur to keep till his return. But after the death of

in Kashi. From the effect of the

gem

Akrur from Kashi. After welcoming

Akrur showed

Lord Krishna

about her father's

after killing him, they could

the

gem

Akrur performed

and treating him in the

in the court. But Lord returned

the

gem to

Akrur.

MARRIAGE

WITH KALINDI

OF LORD KRISHNA

see Pandavas. There riding a chariot with Arjuna, He came to

the forests. On the bank of river Yamuna a pretty woman was observing penance. By the instinct of
God, Arjun drew near her and asked for her identity. She said: "I am Kalindi, the daughter of Suryadev.
I am penancing here in order to get married with Lord Krishna." Lord got Kalindi boarded on the chariot
Once Lord Krishna

and got married

LORD'S
was

Mitrvinda

visited Indraprasth

to

to her formally.

MARRIAGE

the sister of Vind Anuvind

husband. But her brother, Vind Anuvind

Mitrvinda

from getting married

married to her formally

LORD'S
Satya

was

resolved

oxen.

later

that he would

was a

to Krishna. But Krishna

desire to get Lord

So he stopped

eloped with Mitrvinda

his daughter

was

extremely

Lord then

the king married

LORD'S

his daughter

sister married

king of Kaushal welcomed

guises and in

no

formidable

heard about that, He

and treated him well, and told him about

time defeated

his

seven

formidable

oxen.

Gladly

WITH BHADRA

Lord's aunt (father's

of Shrutkirti.

Bhadra's

sister) Shrutkirti

was

married in the kingdom

brothers like Santardan

etc. themselves

to Lord Krishna.

LORD'S

lady. The king had

seven most

Satya to Lord Krishna.

MARRIAGE

says: "Parikshit,
was the daughter

Parashar
Bhadra

army. The
took seven

Kaushal with his

his resolution.

her

from the court and got

beautiful

only to him who would defeat his

Many princes has tried their luck since then but failed. When Lord Krishna

reached

as

his sister

WITH SATYA

of Nagnjit, the king of Kaushal. She

marry

follower of Duryodhan.

on.

MARRIAGE

the daughter

WITH MITRVINDA
the king of Ujjain. She had

MARRIAGE

WITH LAKSHMANA

of Kaikauja.

had got their

was

Lakshmana
abducted

the daughter

of the king of Madra. She

her all alone from the Swayamvara

formally. SALVATION

was very

beautiful and meritorious.

for her marriage.

Lord

Later, Lord married to her

was the capital of the demon Bhaumasur. He was very strong and powerful. He had
canopy of Varun, earrings of Aditi the mother of the gods, and Maniparvat of the gods on
sixteen thousand and one hundred princesses as well.

Pragjyotishpur
snatched

organised

OF BHAUMASUR

the

Meru. Apart from these, he had also captured

Devraj

Indra himself

visited Dwarka

dear wife Satyabhama

was an

easily broke the hills, destroyed

strategic

positions

and cut the

atrocities.

With the

arrived in the capital of Bhaumasur.

task. But with the blows of his

snares

mace

and

arrows,

Lord

with sword. By his wheel he

the machines,

there, useless.

Ultimately,
Mur

impossible

the walls of fire, water and air. With the loud sound of conch, Lord rendered

destroyed
installed

and Prayed Lord to get them rid of Bhaumasur's

and riding his vehicle Garud. Lord Krishna

But to enter Pragjyotishpur

ran

the rampart

God destroyed

with

of the citadel. Disturbed

trident to kill God. But with

single shot of his

by the noise, the five-headed

arrow,
were

demon

Lord broke his trident and cut his

came
a shinning crown and was wearing big earrings. With his wheel, Lord
soon as He beheaded the demon, the gods showered flowers on the Lord
and worshipped Him. Even the mother earth came and put a garland of five colours around lords neck.
She also presented to him the earrings of Aditi, canopy of Varun, and a great gem. At the request of
earth, Lord assured Bhaumasur's son Bhagdatt freedom from his fears.
head with his wheel. Soldiers

himself

LORD'S
hundred

as

Lord entered

her, she

his wives and arranged

as

then

were very

abducted

much impressed

and married

Rochana

married

MARRIAGE

to send them to Dwarka.

MARRIAGE

WITH RUKMVATI

Shonitpur.

including

Indra used to

him

as

to Rukmani's

organised

for

was

them all, Pradyumn

Rukmi got his

Anirudh.

OF USHA-ANIRUDH

By the

match

grandsons

was

her husband. But it

was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Baanasur ruled over the

grace of Lord Shiva, he had received thousand arms. Even all the gods
serve him. Thus blinded by his physical strength, Baanasur sought a boon from
for his strength. Lord Shiva said: "O fool, your thirst for war shall be quenched

kingdom

your

Swayamvara

her formally. Then to please his sister Rukmani,

of the demon king Bali, Baanasur

Lord to meet

one

by the Lord. They had all

to other princes. They tried to stop their marriage. But defeating

Rukmvati

granddaughter

PRINCESSES

the sixteen thousand

their husband. Lord too bowed before their love and accepted

was the daughter of Rukmi, the brother of Rukmani. When a

saw Pradyumn. She was so impressed by him that she chose

not acceptable

son

his palace. There He released

The princesses

in their mind, Lord Krishna

PRADYUMN'S
Rukmvati

WITH CAPTIVE

MARRIAGE

captive princesses.

accepted

when

also killed. Bhaumasur

head. As

After slaying Bhaumasur,

The

of Bhaumasur

to fight. He had donned

cut the demon's

them

and commanders

flag is broken."

had a daughter named Usha. Once she had a dream in

was very much perplexed by the dream. After a few days

Baanasur

her. She

Chitralekha,

Anirudh sneaked

long. But Anirudh's

clandestine

everyone was

was
news,
It

Narad, who ultimately

Lord Krishna

Ghurabandi

cut all the

revealed

launched

an

arms

of Baanasur.

returned

on

Baanasur.

At the request

by Anirudh's

was

eyes

in the prison of Baanasur.

Shonitpur.

arms

Anirudh and Usha respectfully

to Dwarka where formal marriage

of Usha for
So he put

of Banasura.

arrived to assist Baanasur.

of Shiva, he left only four of his

and brought

company

the

long absence.

His armies surrounded

palace fell. Lord Shankar

bowed his head before Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna

the fact that Anirudh

attack

the flag of Baanasur's

worried

making love with

with the help of her friend

stay could not remain hidden from the

Anirudh in prison. There in Dwarka,

was

which Anirudh

into her palace. He stayed there and enjoyed

Hearing

the

During
Lord Krishna

intact. Baanasur
before Him. With them

of Usha and Anirudh took place.

TALE OF THE KING NRIG

sons

Once, Lord Krishna's

visited the forests. There they

saw a

well. They tried to pull it out but in vain. The princes, therefore,

strange episode to Lord Krishna. Lord too

Chameleon

came to

huge Chameleon

returned

fallen in

large, deep

to the palace and related this

the well and with His left hand, easily pulled the

out.

soon as the chameleon came out, it turned into a divine god and began to worship God. He said: "O
Lord, Iam Nrig. The king Ikshvaaku was my father. In my life, Ihad donated uncountable numbers of
cows to the Brahmins. But once a cow, donated by me, returned to my cowshed. By mistake Imade a
resolution to donate it to another Brahmin. My action led to a dispute between the two Brahmins, and
my wisdom failed to settle their dispute. Both the Brahmins went away unsatisfied, but I met this fate
after death. Since then, I had been in this well in the form of a chameleon. Now, by the graceful touch
of your hands, O Lord, I have received salvation." King Nrig then went around the Lord and returned to
As

his heavenly

abode."

OF PAUNDRAK

SALVATION
Once Balaram and Krishna

Karush sent

an envoy to

had

gone to

lord Krishna

arrived in the court and read out the

incarnation.

You have falsely

named

Braj to see Nandbaba there. Meanwhile the king Paundrak of

with a message that said: 'I am Lord Vasudev.' Pandrak's envoy
message: "To bestow my grace on the people, Ihave taken an
yourself as Vasudev and bore my insignia. Take my refuge or face

the battle."

Hearing

the

message

to inform Paundrak

of Paundrak,

the message
was a friend of

Receiving
of Kashi

Paundrak

In

no

Paundrak

and other courtiers

as

Swastika,

time, the Lord stripped

on

began to laugh. Lord asked the

him and his

He too

Vasudev
Kaustubh

and

an attack on Dwarka with two Akshauhini armies. The

came to his assistance with three Akshauhini armies.
was bearing artificial conch, wheel, mace and lotus and.

etc. All the people began to laugh at Paundrak's

him of all his adornments.

grand Yagya

to

avenge

his father's

killing. An

the Yagya and began to burn Dwarka. All the people prayed Krishna
them to be fearless

and ordered

His wheel Sudarshan

king

He

clown like attire.

His wheel cut his head. Then with

Lord cut the head of the king of Kashi. His head fell in front of his palace's
the Kashi king, organised

envoy

army.

launched

Paundrak.

had disguised

had also adorned

Ugrasen

that He would launch His wheel

an arrow the
the son of

gate. Sudakshin,

ogress,

Kritya emerged

from

to protect them. Lord assured

to kill Kritya. Sudarshan

extinguished

the fire,

killed Kritya and destroyed

OF DWIVID

SALVATION
There

was once a

monkey

was the friend of Bhaumasur. When Dwivid heard about

cause large-scale destruction in the kingdom. His

named Dwivid. He

killing by Shri Krishna, he began to

Bhaumasur's
disruptive

to the Lord's finger.

Kashi. Then it returned

in the country

activities

was

music, the monkey

young women.

began to terrorise

drawn towards

the Raivtak

began to behave

The monkey

the subjects

Mountain.

indecently.

sweet

of Lord Krishna. Once hearing

There he

Angered

saw

Balaram

by his indecency,

amidst

beautiful

Balaram hit him

with his pestle, named Sunand, and killed the monkey.

MARRIAGE
Samb

was

son

the

of Duryodhan

OF SAMB
and born to Jambvati.

of lord Krishna

from her Swayamvara.

Infuriated

on

Kauravas.

welcome

see

Balaram

pacified

from the Kauravas.

them and reached

Balaram

to turn

intended
Kauravas

Infuriated

over

by Kauravas

felt perplexed

and begged

Hastinapur

an attack
a warm
you should
angry and began to

alone. There he received

order of the king Ugrasen

Balaram's

got

words Kauravas

that

trained his pestle and plough. He

into the river Yamuna. When the city began to shake,

Balaram for his pardon. Balaram

THE KINGS IN CAPTIVITY

was

Once Lord Krishna

held captive forcibly

holding His court when

miseries. We

are

Krishna sent the emissary

court and informed

in

your

off with

them to be fearless

assured

and

the Lord of Yudhisthir's

go

Jarasandh.

Uddhav

first

- to Indraprasth
advised

arrived in the court. The kings who

your

intention

ceremony.
in Rajsuy

go to

Lord to

sight. Kindly bestow

of timely action. Meanwhile,

to organise

or to

Indraprasth

liberate

with

Devarshi

grand Rajsuy

Lord asked his friend Uddhav

Yagya

us

for

your

us

free

grace." Lord

Narad arrived in the

Yagya

an

were

of those kings to

related the miseries

"O Lord of the world, Kindly get

the kings had requested:

assurance

HELP

SEEK LORD'S

emissary

refuge. We desire

invitation for the Lord to attend the

He ought to

an

had sent him. The emissary

by Jarasandh

Lord Krishna. Through the emissary,

our

an

to Dwarka with Samb and his newly wedded wife Lakshmana.

returned

from

the daughter

to launch

they began preparations

derision, Balaram

the town of Hastinapur

Lakshmana,

chased them and, with difficulty, they caught

news,

said to them: "It is

Samb off with his newly wedded wife." Hearing

deride Yaduvanshis.

He had Kidnapped

Kauravas

got the

Samb and tied him. When the Yaduvanshis

and his cordial

advice

as to

the king from the captivity

first. There He would be able to

serve

where

of

both the

purposes.

DEPARTURE

LORD'S
Uddhav's

advice

was

teachers, Lord set out

accorded

in the interest

on a

chariot

of all. Everyone

floor of it appeared

supported

it. Taking permission

with the whole family to reach Indraprasth.

the Lord with warm-hearted

court for Yudhishthir.

FOR INDRAPRASTHA

The courtroom

felicitations.

was a

marvellous

like water, while water bodies

piece of architecture.

presented

from His priest and

In Indraprasth,

By the dictate of Lord, Mayasur

built

Pandavas

divine looking

The shinning, smooth,

look like marble floors.

KILLING

OF JARASANDH

During Yudhisthirs

Rajsuy

around and extended

introduced

of their kingdom. Warriors

the boundaries

Jarasandh

gave

conquer

the kings

great kings all

- Bheema,

capital Girivraj

Arjuna

and prayed him

to give them the things of their desires. Lord Krishna then

promised

them and begged

with Bheema. He

to

like Bheema, Arjun defeated

empire. But to defeat Jarasandh,

of Yudhisthir's

went in the guise Brahmins. They reached Jarasandh

and Lord Krishna

for donations.

set out in all the directions

Yagya, all the Pandavas

and expand the boundaries

for a duel with any of them. Jarasandh accepted to fight a duel

a mace and both of them came out to the outskirts of the town, where
were equally strong and equally brave and well pitted.

Jarasandh

Bheema

they began their duel. Both of them

Twenty-seven

days passed, but their duel remained

fight, Lord signalled

Bheema

a way to

into two. Bheema

understood

pieces

and threw

them in opposite

Arjuna

heartily

inconclusive.

kill Jarasandh.

the signal and beating

greeted Bheema

directions.

Thus

success.

for his

He took

Jarasandh

came

On the twenty-eighth

day, during the

small twig in his hands and tore it apart

on

ground, he tore him apart in two

the end of evil Jarasandh.

They then enthroned

Lord Krishna

son

Jarasandh's

Sahadev

and

and

also got the captive kings released.

SALVATION
Kauravas

OF SHISHUPAL

had invited great Vedic Brahmins

King Yudhishthir

side like Drona, Bheeshma,

invited to witness

the celebrations.

But before the Yagya

worshipped

could start

Dhritarashtra,

up among

dispute cropped

(youngest

deserved

the first worship. Every

He stood

up

and said: "In the

this cowherd

deserve

supported

presence

the first worship."

did not. Encouraged

was
up to one

him. Only Shishupal

Despite

Shishupal

simultaneously

for

hundred

all, Lord cut his head with His wheel. As

ground,

hostility

had been accumulating

flame emerged

because

SALVATION
childhood
wedding

from

were too

etc.

had too arrived.

who ought to be

"Parikshit,

son

of Jarasandh),

could not tolerate

bitter remarks

Lord Krishna
Shishupal's

Lord Krishna

the decision.

sages,

and

Lord Krishna

ceremonies

also. Lord had assured

sins have crossed

soon as

how

can

kept quiet. But

says:

many

of this

number.

on

the

feelings of

Lord Krishna.

met salvation eventually.

and rituals of Yagya

for

fell

"O Parikshit,

for his past three births against

that Shishupal

proceeded

unabated.

there with fitting gifts and took ceremonial

stayed in Indraprasth

Shishupal

that permitted

the dead body of Shishupal

with Lord Krishna. Shukdev

in the heart of Shishupal

all those present

lord Krishna

says:

now

from it and merged

of Shishupal,

presented

of Pandavas,

abusing

sins. But

of these intense hostile feelings

After the salvation

Shukdev

sages as to

of such great ascetics, savants, polymaths

So, quieting

Yudhishthir

Persons

Vidyadhar

by Lord's silence he began to attack the kings, who stood by Lord's

forgiveness

was

the great

brothers, not the

of the Pandava

one

side, with sword. He

It

the occasion.

Vidur and Duryodhan

first in the Yagya.

In the opinion of Sahadev

Shishupal

on

and Acharayas

Kripacharya,

Even Brahma, Shiv, Indra, Gandharvas,

At the end king

bath. At the request

months.

OF SHALV
now

friend of Shishupal

listen to the tale of how Lord caused

and had attended

party. At that time, Yaduvanshis

the marriage

had defeated

salvation for Shalv. Shalv

of Rukmani

them all including

as a

member

Jarasandh

was

the

of Shishupal's

and Shalv. Right

at that moment, Shalv had resolved

Pashupati
that

was

Yaduvanshis.
aeroplane
fast

as

to destroy Yaduvanshis

was

(Shiv). Lord Ashutosh Shiva

even

invincible

pleased

was as

big

as a

city and

Dwarka, Shalv began to destroy

The fierce battle

was sure

that in

Lord reached

them to be fearless

Dwarka

minister

and

saw a fierce
arrows.

But

attacked

soon

or

an

aeroplane

formidable

aeroplane

for

of iron. The

caught. It could

move as

attack of Dwarka.

Pradyumna

he

Pradyumn

Lord hit Shalv with

many

and Shalv. Seeing Lord arrive, Shalv

blow of mace and he began

Lord with weapons.
arrows, broke his aeroplane with his mace. Very soon thereafter the
in to the sea. Shalv then attacked Lord with mace but Lord cut his head with
Seeing his end, all the gods showered flowers on Lord.

wheel.

powerful

illusions

and showered

OF DANTVAKTRA

SALVATION

Shalv etc. Dantvaktra

After the killing of Shishupal,

saw

an

an

to
But

Shalv with his

plunged

Sudarshan

such

and houses there. Seeing the people terrorised,

battle between

spit blood from his mouth. He then tried to show

aeroplane

launched

particularly

and he set out

Dyumana

consciousness.

began to attack Him with sharp

Lord wounded

Shalv

buildings

was

to be spotted

difficult

Gods of the gods

boon, Shalv had got

on a chariot to counter Shalv. He pierced Shalv

with a mace. By the blow of the
came around and began to slay Shalv's forces.
continued for twenty-seven days. Lord was away then in Indraprasth Yagya. But He
his absence Kshatriya kings of Shishupal side would be attacking on Dwarka.

consoled

arrows. But Shalva's

mace, Pradyumn lost his
with

Lord

was

one's wishes. Soon after getting the aeroplane,

Pradyumn

Nagas, etc and

By the dictate of Lord Shiva, the demon Maya constructed

named Saubh

Surrounding

and began worshipping

with him. As

for the gods, demons, humans,

him coming, He too jumped down from the chariot

Dantvaktra

tried to humiliate

the blow of

mace

chest with his

mace

carrying

a mace. When
with a mace.

and balked his movement

God with his abuses and hit him

and hit Dantvaktra's

AND VIDURATH

arrived in the battlefield

on

head with his

named Kaumodaki.

mace.

Lord easily bore

Dantvaktra's

heart tore

apart by the blow and he fell dead.

Vidurath

was

brother's

death. Seeing him ready to launch

Lord Krishna

inhabitants

the brother of Dantvaktra.

entered

Dwarka

of heaven showered

as a

named Sudama. He
education,

upliftment

on

was very indifferent

came to Dwarka

and Vidurath. All the gods and other

Him.

of

FRIEND
sage

Sandipani,

in nature with

Lord Krishna

day his wife Susheela

of wealth."

flowers

disciple at the hermitage

material wealth, got married

Brahmins

came in the field with sword and shield to avenge his

an attack, Lord cut Vidurath's head with his wheel. Thus,

THE LORD'S

SUDAMA:
During his stay

He

only after killing Shalv, Dantvaktra

no

Lord Krishna

had

Brahmin friend

desires for the material things. After their

while Sudama, who had

no any

inclination

for accumulating

pass his life with his wife Susheela in abject poverty. One
your friend Krishna is the king of Dwarka. He is very benevolent to
you go to see him, he will understand your miseries and grant you a lot

and began to

said: "O lord,

and his devotees.

But Sudama

If

plainly

refused

saying: "Devi, Ihave chosen the path of devotion

for self

go for the
you can go to see your old friend. Sudama accepted this proposition, thinking
of Lord yields supreme benefit to the devotee. But he wanted something as a gift to
old friend. At this, his wife tied four handfuls of raw rice in a bundle.

and not for the wealth." Susheela, however, kept of insisting: "All right, don't

wealth. But at least

only the sight

present to his

With that humble gift, Sudama

set out for Dwarka. His poverty

was at

its helm. But he kept

on

that

reciting

Lord's

name

quenched

way.

all along the

After walking

his thirst and thanked

for

some

felt thirsty. He drank water,

distance, Sudama

God that He at least does give water to drink. Sudama

as a

the whole day. In the evening, he kept the bundle of rice under his head

was

Now it

God's turn to show His gratitude

people told him that he

Krishna

was

in Dwarka

company

learned

of Rukmani

about Sudama's

friend. At the gate He cordially

on

him sit

and standing

when the gatekeeper

arrival, He stood

embraced

Sudama

eyes;

up

and

ran

the

requested

had

to welcome his childhood

helter-skelter

and escorted

walking

come. Lord Krishna was

message. As soon as Lord

friend Sudama

delivered

on

but the

right before the lord's palace. Sudama

to inform Lord Krishna that his childhood

the gatekeeper

kept

pillow and slept.

awoke in the morning, he

palace. At first he could not believe his

right in front of Lord Krishna's

found himself

sitting in the

for the devotee. When Sudama

him into his private chamber

and made

the throne.

Krishna

and

queen

Krishna

was

feeling overjoyed.

both washed Sudama's feet one by one. By the mere touch of his friend,
His eyes filled with tears. He and Sudama were holding each other's
were beating with the memories of their period as disciples at the hermitage of
Sandipani. For long, none of them could utter a word. At last Sudama said: "O Jagadguru Krishna, I
have the fortune of being your friend. What remains for me to do?"
Rukmani

hands. Their hearts

Lord Krishna

accept

even

said: "Brother, have

you

brought

the pettiest thing presented

he did not reveal the four handfuls

of

rare even

handful,

queen

prosperity

Sudama

Rukmani

come at

for the gods,' thought

opened it with great respect. He put

one

sent by

something

as

one

sister-in-law?

the insistence

Lord Krishna

had

never

there for

overwhelmed

by

him

the bundle of

raw

rice and

to take next

of the world) for the

(fosterer

handful is sufficient."

many

his home. Lord did not give Sudama

travelling

and

began

remembered

of his wife. 'Hence, I will give him

and snatched

stayed that night in the palace of Shri Krishna. There he experienced

(abode of God). Staying

Ilove to

felt ashamed

gift. With shame, Sudama

handful of it in his mouth. When Lord proceeded

held his hand and prayed: "O Vishvambhar

of entire world this

my

At the Lord's words, Sudama

that his dear friend Sudama

desire for wealth. This time too he has

the wealth that is

me

rice that he had brought

to look at the ground. Lord knew everything

with

for

with affection."

raw

divine

sense

apparently

of devotion

the comfort

of Vaikunth

at last, took leave of Shri Krishna and set out for

days, Sudama

anything

nor

did Sudama

and felt that Krishna

asked for His favour. He

was

might have not given him

wealth lest he should forget Him.

Thus, sunk in myriad kinds of thoughts, Sudama

hut stood

were

the palace

affection

palace

says:

there.

upon

him by

Since then, Sudama

none

enjoyed

the comforts

other than the Lord Krishna

of the

himself. His

OF LORD WITH GOPIS

Lord Krishna

was

passing

his time with pleasure

to fall during that period. People from all

dip in sacred Ganges

(Inhabitants

of Lord bestowed

day by day.

"O Parikshit,

eclipse happened

with precious

for Lord's feet. I don't want wealth.

the bounty

increased

MEETING
Shukdev

there

embedded

increase

as

devotion

once

reached his home. But at the place, where his

was now a divine palace surrounded by verdant gardens. The floors of

gems and stones. Standing at the gate, Sudama felt
confused, when his wife Susheela came out with scented water to welcome him. Tears were rolling on
her cheeks. With love she greeted Sudama and escorted him inside the palace. Sudama was still
reflecting over the God's grace and praying: "May I have the friendship of lord in every birth, may my
dilapidated

on

that great occasion.

of Vraj) learned

about Krishna

over

and Balaram's

in Dwarka. A total solar

India thronged

All the Yaduvanshis

in Kurukshetra

to take

too arrived there. When Vrajvasis

arrival in Kurukshetra,

they too assembled

met His foster-father

During the festival, Lord Krishna

childhood
enjoyed

Nand. Lord Krishna

embraced

chatting

specially

overwhelmed

Lord and experienced

many

Devarshi Narad, Vyasa and

In the

and began

the captivating

sages

arrived in Kurukshetra

them and enquired

a person,

way

about

to have

sight of Lord. Lord

for his self-upliftment.

living at the bank of the Ganges, discards

already

her holy

for his purification.

the sages said: "You regard the indescribable, eternal,

as your son, and seek the way of your self upliftment from us. O Vasudev,
can salve you." Vasudev got the meaning of sage's words
to develop feelings of devotion for his son. Every human being has obligation for the gods,
his ancestors. The sages got a Yagya performed in Kurukshetra by Vasudev to free him

and

for gods.

In Dwarka, Krishna

OF DEVAKI'S

usual to greet their parents, Vasudev

the metaphysical

Mother Devaki

SIX SONS

used to greet their parent's

and Balaram

knowledge.

was

greeted

With that knowledge,

also present

there. Memory

So she prayed to them " You both

sons

who

reached

were

are

when Krishna-Balaram

them first. Lord Krishna

venerable

then preached

began to

Vasudev

see

Krishna

even to

the dead

were killed by Kansa, was still

son of Sandipani from Yamloka.
me my desire. Show

the gods. Kindly grant

killed by Kansa. By their mother's

dictate and helped by Yogmaya,

them there and offered them

a seat,

and washed

born to Urna the wife of Prajapati

with his

own

daughter

them to take birth in demon incarnation.

In the present

now

in

both the

their feet. King Bali

then asked God what could he do for Him. Lord said: O demon king, in Swayambhu

trying to copulate

as

Sutal Loka.

The demon king Bali welcomed

sons were

went

his father about

everywhere.

of her six children, who

afresh in her mind. She had heard that Krishna had fetched

six

first daily in the morning. Now Vasudev

His identity. So after their return from Kurukshetra,

had recognised

all

of

By the virtue of that knowledge,

Shri Krishna

REVISTING

are

a sight of
appearance

them. Inquired

BY VASUDEV

OF YAGYA

other places of pilgrimage

from the obligation

brothers

other desire but to have

Him. Take to His refuge, only He

recognise

me my

embraced

of Krishna-Balaram,

Sachchidanand

sages

his

the Gopis and they merged with God forever.

greeted

Narad said: "Vasudev,

no

Gopis imbued

Him. Lord met all the Gopis and embraced

other great

them all. Then Vasudev

presence

were

and father Nand. They too

Yashoda

them with spiritual knowledge.

ORGANISATION

goes to

mother

come true.

dream had

among

feeling of living disappeared

water and

greeted

by Lord's sight. They had

the joy of embracing

about their well being and preached

Laughingly,

who

by love and joy, Vasudev

cordially.

Lord. That day their long cherished

welcomed

for long. Overwhelmed

and Balaram respectfully

Krishna-Balaram

were

Gopis

on

and kept

Nand and other cowherds

met the Gopis also who had been pining for his sight since long. They

friends. Lord Krishna

the meeting

era,
your

Yogmaya

Marichi. They

They therefore

had made them born

curse

those six babies to Dwarka

and

go to

and handed

all gods. They had

and hence derided at him. Indignant

as

Loka. Mother Devaki is mourning

thus be freed from the

were

their heavenly

were

born

Devaki's

for them,

abode."

as

the

Manvantara,

once seen

Brahma

sons

sons who were

so we shall take

six

Brahma

had then cursed

of Hiranyakashipu.

killed by Kansa. They

them with

Thus Lord Krishna

us.

They will

and Balaram

brought

them to mother Devaki. Seeing her babies again, Devaki's

heart filled with love for her

sons.

milk, all the babies received

Milk began to flood her breasts. She breast-fed

salvation.

They then departed

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

King Parikshit
married?

asked: "Gurudev,

how did

to their heavenly

OF SUBHADRA
my

grandfather

them. Drinking

the

abode.

AND ARJUN

Arjun and grandmother

got

Subhadra

I want to hear this tale. Kindly narrate it to me."

once travelling on a pilgrimage tour, Arjun reached in Prabhas region. There he

learned that Balaram was desirous of marrying his sister Subhadra to Duryodhan. But Vasudev and
Krishna were not in the favour of this marriage. So, a strong urge took hold in his mind to get Subhadra
as his wife. Acting as per the urge, Arjun reached Dwarka in the guise of Vaishnav sage. It was rainy
season then, so with an excuse of Chaturmasya Vrata (four months long fast), Arjun stayed in Dwarka.
During his stay, Balaram served and looked after him very well. But neither Balaram nor any other
Shukdev

inmates

said: Parikshit

of the palace could recognise

Arjun.

Once Balaram invited Arjun to his home. There he offered good, delicious

served him well. There, they fell in love with each other. Later

out of the palace for

taken permission

joy ride. At the outskirts

of Devaki-Vasudev

So that evening Arjun and Subhadra

first outraged

RELEASE
Maitreya

those

very soon.
reason for that?"

Shiva, get wealth

among

too

too had silently nodded her acceptance.

eloped from Dwarka. The

and other

OF SHIVA

asked: "Gurudev,

What is the

and Krishna. Subhadra

Balaram. But Lord Krishna

food to Arjun. Subhadra

on, boarding a chariot, Subhadra went

was awaiting for her. He had already

of the town, Arjun

near

news of
ones

and dear

Subhadra

eloping

convinced

and pacified him.

with Arjun

FROM CRISIS

the gods, human beings and the demons, who worship

But those, who worship

Lord Narayana,

remain afflicted

Lord

with scarcity.

had said: "O Yudhishthir, I take away all the wealth from those whom I bestow
my grace. When they are poor, their relatives desert them. I even render their efforts useless when they
try to earn money. Thus being unsuccessful repeatedly, the people develop an attitude of indifference
for wealth. Then they begin to take shelter as my devotee and mingle with me. Only then, I bestow my
full grace on them and they receive me as Sachchidanand ParaBrahma. Thus, pleasing me through my
worship is extremely difficult. Hence, ordinary people give me up and worship other deities, which are in
fact different forms of me. Lord Shiva is Ashutosh and bestows his devotees quickly with grace. He
gives wealth and other riches to his devotees. But once they get wealth, the devotees become despotic
and even forget the God who had blessed them."
In reply, Lord Krishna

upon a
person, upon

Lord Shiva and sought a boon that the

at once. Lord Shiva granted
as soon as the demon got this supernatural
power, he ran to incinerate Lord Shiva first. The demon was eyeing Gauri Parvati, so he was
determined to eliminate Lord Shiva. Now afraid of his own boon, Lord Shiva ran for his life, with the
Once

time, there

was a

demon Vrikasur. He had pleased

whose head the demon put his hand, should be incinerated

considering

demon following

him in hot pursuit. At last Shiva reached

crisis. Lord at

once

illumined

the boon, the demon

was

the

consequences.

the boon without

But

in Vaikunth

the demon and made him put his hand,

incinerated

in

no

and told Lord Vishnu about his

on

his

own

head. By the virtue of

time and thus Lord Shiva could be saved.

TESTING
Once

them

OF TRINITY

upon a time, all the sages assembled on the

as to who among the trinity was the greatest.

bank of Saraswati

By

consensus

the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Bhrigu reached

got infuriated but since the

Lord Shiva proceeded

sage

was
sage.

Bhrigu

to embrace the

his

son,

He did not

his trident to kill him, but Bhagwati stopped

curse

But instead of accepting

to abuse Him, saying: "You violate the dignity of Vedas,

so

River. A dispute erupted

they appointed

sage

among

Bhrigu to test

to Brahma, but did not greet him. Brahma

him. Then Bhrigu visited Shiva.
Shiva's

welcome,

the

sage

began

I will not meet with you." Angry Shiva raised

Him. At last Bhrigu reached

Vaikunth

to

see

Lord Vishnu.

was lying with head in the lap of Lakshmi. Bhrigu kicked hard at His chest. But instead of getting
angry, Lord got up, bowed his head before the sage and begged pardon: "O Sage, pardon me, Icould
not welcome you at once, at your arrival. Your feet are soft, I hope they are not hurt. All my sins have
been washed by the touch of your feet." Bhrigu felt very pleased by the serious talks of Lord. His heart
felt overwhelmed with excess of devotion. He returned to the assembly of the sages and narrated his
experience. Since then Lord Vishnu is regarded as the Supreme and giver of peace and fearlessness.
Lord

REVIVAL
There in Dwarka

DEAD CHILDREN

OF BRAHMN'S
a

lived

Brahmin. When the first

The Brahmin took his dead

Brahmin and licentious

son to

son was

born to his wife, it died immediately

the royal court and complained:

one,

actions of the king." One by

couple; but they all died immediately

after birth.

"My Son has died because

of anti-

sons were born to the Brahmin

kept on dumping his dead sons at

thus, eight

after birth. And the Brahmin

the

gate of the royal palace.

son was born, and died, Arjun was also there in Dwarka. He made a promise to the
I shall guard your son or commit self-immolation. At the time of next delivery, the agitated
came to Arjun. Training his bow and arrows, Arjun made all arrangements to protect Brahmin's
son. Sanctified by many mantras, Arjun's arrows constructed a fence around the labour room. A
took birth; but it too died after some time. Brahmin, then, cursed Arjun.

When his ninth

Brahmins:

Brahmin
tenth
child

Arjun scouted

son,

to immolate

Lord Krishna

Thereafter,

riding

Purushottams

too learned

appearance.

was

vow

about Arjun's

Shri Krishna

a serious
sons to me.

said in

the Brahmin's

the religion. All the demons

Shri Krishna

the netherworlds
accepting

in search of the Brahmin's

his failure and

and stopped

divine chariot, Lord set out with Arjun, towards

the abode of Lord Vasudev

Lord Purushottam
brought

Ultimately

as per

dead

his promise, Arjun

himself.

Meanwhile,

They reached

even

through all the three worlds and

but he could not find him anywhere.

proceeded

in Tripadvibhuti.
and Arjun greeted

voice: "O Krishna

you

Both of

have been slain by

him from self-immolation.

cosmos.
was present in

west. Beyond the limits of

There Arjun

saw

that Lord

Him.

a sight of both of you,

on earth from my part to protect
you too return to me.

and Arjuna, only to have

now.

Now

on earth with all the sons of the Brahmin. Arjun

supreme abode of Lord. He felt that whatever strength a living being
grace. Like common, ordinary people, the Lord stayed on earth

and Arjun again greeted Lord and returned

to

greatly surprised

see

the

had, it been all by Shri Krishna's

enjoying

mundane

subjects

and slayed evil kings to re-establish

Yagyas

comforts, performed

like kings, behaved

religion

on

like idealistic

people; deterred

His

earth.

3.5.6 The Sages Curse Yaduvanshis

Parashar

said: "As the time passed, Yaduvanshis

did they like the welcoming

disliking, but secretly

disregarding

He

asked mockingly:

Through

us

by this change in Yaduvanshi's

the saints and the scriptures,

Once the Yaduvanshis

but tell

pleased

clothed Jambvati's

"Maharaja,

this is

our

grew stronger and more influential.

sages by the Lord. Lord Krishna

of the great

and treating

was

they would meet their end

son

Samb in

sister-in-law.

woman's

She is

an

behaviour,

Now

no

longer

knew about their

for He knew

that by

sooner.

attire and, showing

expecting

him to the

sages

mother. She feels shy to ask

what will be born to her?

their unfailing

had taken incarnation

vision, the Sages knew the reality and said: "Fools,

pestle shall be born to her and that

the entire Yaduvansha. Now all the Yaduvanshis were perplexed by sages' prediction,
their king Ugrasen. But, even the king was helpless now because he could not change the words
sages. In due course, a pestle was born to Samb. Frightened of an imminent fate, Yaduvanshis crushed
the pestle into a fine powder and threw it into the sea. Only a nail remained, that also was thrown into the sea
where a fish swallowed it. A fisher caught the fish and cut it open and found the nail. He gave it to a hunter. The
hunter fixed the nail in the head of his arrow. On the other hand, the sea waves washed the powder of the pestle
ashore where it germinated and grew as luxuriant grasses. Later on, once all the Yaduvanshis assembled at the
seashore for a picnic where they drank wine and began to fight with one another under intoxication. Soon their
quarrel grew so high that they pulled out the grasses, which were growing there, to use as the arms. With the
grasses the Yaduvanshis beat one another to death.

pestle shall exterminate

and approached
the pious

NARAD PREACHES

VASUDEV

Once Narad arrived in Dwarka. Vasudev

prayed him and requested

of Bhagwat

there between

followed

once upon a

Dharma. Narad said: "O king,

same

king Janak. King Janak had put the

the

sages

First of all, the first Yogishwar

curiosity

or

- his actions,

sing occasionally

of the Lord's devotees.

Lord remains

by feelings

is the excellent

of such

"What is illusion?"
possessive

surmount

A Yogeshwara

one can

meditation,

means to

Another

even

of

himself, at the feet of

shall be indifferent

to the worldly affairs

all the three worlds."

The king then asked

Yogeshwara

replied: "King,

is illusion. Thinking

an

Hari said: "A true devotee

of the

shake the faith

affection

for God

an

illusion is also God's play. Having

in terms of 'I', 'Me', 'Mine', 'My', 'You', 'Your' is

as

he has for worldly

things,

one can

of worshipping

etc. In Tretayug, the Lord had reddish complexion

achieve Him. In Dwaparyug,

In the present

the Lord had yellowish

thoroughly

clean and

LORD DEPARTS

Vasudev

easily

TO HIS ABODE

Now, You please return to

submerge

in the

arrow

hunter shall be the

When Uddhav

understand,

your

and Yadavas

learned

Karbhajan

name

and

and Yagyas

said: " O
like

were

the main

and He could be pleased

one can

receive Him through

and plays.

Dharma. Now the heart and mind of Vasudev

were

pure.

the gods. He prayed to Him: "O Lord,

sea

of His

about Bhagwat

To remind the Lord about the moment

complexion

Kaliyuga, Lord has dark complexion

like recitation, narration and hearing

Thus, Narad preached

Lord. A Yogeshwara,

in Satayug. People used to receive Him through methods

fair complexion

reconciliation,

through worships.

of

that

the illusion."

king, the Lord had

you.

is the first duty (Dharma)

fruits of actions and

devotee

Even the wealth of all the three worlds cannot

Antariksh

have such

King Janak then asked about the method

means

company

arrived in the court of the

Lord Shri Hari himself stays in his heart."

feeling about mundane

also illusion. If

sages

like hunger, thirst, life, death, labour, pain, fear and desire. Such

kind of Bhagwat.

devotee, because

and sanctified

about the characteristics

devotee

time, nine great

before them also. I will narrate the conversation

Kavi said: "O king Janak, dedication

Lord. He ought to hear about Lord's virtues. Such

unaffected

BHAGAWAT

to provide him with pious

and the king."

Vaishnav. He should devote everything

and shall laugh, dance

ABOUT

that Lord

you

Brahma

have completed

your

OF YADUVANSHIS

arrived in Dwarka
duty of what

we

abode. Lord said: "On the seventh day from

shall fight

cause

AND DESTRUCTION

of His departure,

of

was

my

among

themselves

accompanied

by all

once requested
now, Dwarka shall

had

to death. I too shall depart then. The

departure."

up His plays, he approached Him and

your wish. But I cannot part for a moment

about to wind

O Lord, that this all is happening

by

said: "I

from

your

feet. Hence, take

me

also with

will be present

entire brilliance

Saying thus, lord preached

Lord narrated
Lord

was

you to your

abode."

in Shrimad

Bhagwat.

Uddhav

our ancestor

thus: "Uddhav, Once,

indulged

supreme

in the

state." Avadhoot

his whimsical

teacher, Ihave learned

Yadu happened

joy in the guise of Avadhoot.

about spirituality

honey bee, elephant, extractor

wasp are

go

anywhere.

Bhagwat

My

Dharma."

all

to

see

Lord Dattatreya

my

moon

sun,

the

a forest.
reasons for
as my

in

Yadu asked him about the

the various animals, birds, insects etc

from them. That is why I am free from mourning

Earth, air, sky, water, fire, the

bumblebee,

learned

You stay here preaching

had said: "O king, making

attachment.

maker, snake, spider and

Lord said: "Uddhav, Iwill not

about the Geeta Gyana through the tale of Avadhoot.

pigeon, python,

of honey, deer, fish, prostitute,

and

sea, grasshopper,
osprey, boy, girls, arrow-

teachers. I took refuge at these twenty-four

teachers

and

from their behaviour.

I learned

from earth, purity from the sky, holiness

forgiveness

innocence

and renunciation

circumstances

from

moon,

sense organs

virtues from bumblebee,

to eliminate

from the water,

and hence meet total destruction

fault in cumulating

by

upon

from the pigeon, dependence

sea, to

from the grasshopper,

from honey bee, to abstain

sensuous

be

acquiring

of

talks from the Deer,

sorrow in hope and happiness in desperation from the prostitute, to

osprey, dispute among many from the girls, concentration from the arrowdetachment from a particular place from the snake, virtues of the creator

greed from the fish,

happy in uncertainty

roam

maker, to

and cleanliness

from the air, to remain unaffected

from the Sun, incoherence

from the python, to remain always happy and serious from the

fate and remain effortless

under the control of

from the fire; indifferentness

abdication

from

alone and

feel

from the wasp."

Lord from the spider, and I learned similarity

says: "O king, I learned wisdom and apathy from my body

also, because life, death, life and death again are inseparably intertwined with it. Hence the net result
loving this body is nothing but sorrow. Thus our own body also helps us to learn about metaphysical
In the guise of Avadhoot,

Lord Dattatreya

of

knowledge.

Lord Krishna
body is like

also explained

a tree, on

Uddhav

fruits while Paramatma

indulge in sensual pleasures

dedicate

are

soul) stays

(supreme

Baddh (Bound), Bhakt (devotee)

those who

regarding

futility of physical and heavenly

- Jeevatma and Paramatma (microcosm

- happiness and sorrow - appear on it. Jeevatma

which two birds

have taken shelter. Two fruits

in

my

tolerant, has feeling of fraternity

BHIKSHU

and Mukt (liberated).

ones.

for all and controls

In this context

did not lose his patience

his feelings

These people
be blamed

for

supreme

(microcosm)

are

Baddh Jeevas (bound souls)

company.

my

are

are

are
on me

souls)

those who meditate

and

is kind, free from flaws,

his desires.

there is

dearth of such tolerant

tale of

greedy

people who

can

tolerate

bitter

Brahmin who lived in Ujjain. That

by the evil people after he had lost his wealth. But still the Brahmin

and regarding

his present

state

as a

result of his previous

birth's deeds, he

thus:

are not the cause of my miseries; neither the gods, nor body, even planets and time, can
my miseries. Scriptures and learned ones held the mind itself guilty of one's miseries. It
runs the cycle of the world and makes every kind of efforts.

is the mind that

In the absence

those who

Mukt Jeev (liberated

virtues. My devotee

soul)

eats these

three kinds of Jeev

GEET

Brahmin had been badly tormented

expressed

onlooker. There

and bindings. Bhakt (devotees)

feet and have love for

Lord said: "Uddhav, in the world, there is indeed

remarks of evil

indifferent

and those who dislike pious

free from attachment

their everything

as an

luxuries. This human

and

of mind,

even

the soul is rendered

motionless.

When

one accepts

the dictates

of the

mind and indulges

in sensual pleasures,

soul too

comes to

be bound with them. The ultimate

of all the spiritual efforts like celibacy, study of Vedas etc. and abidance

concentration
primary

of mind. Concentration

conditions

for attainment

of mind and is abstaintation

of Paramyoga

(supreme

meditation).

outcome

to pious actions is the

from sensual pleasures

are

Thus Lord preached

the

Uddhav

too took Bhagwat

about Gyana Geeta. Uddhav

(which is

form of the Lord) with honour and departed

for Badrikashrama.

3.6

6 (Part 6)

Chapter

This chapter

1section.

contains

3.6.1Descriptions
Parashar

describes

of Brihdrath
Chanakya,

by the

Their rule would

hundred

name

this dynasty

years.

no

subjects

who would rule for

foreigners,

because

a great king
years.
one

and forty

people from all the classes

votes. There would be no any thing like holiness. Cows would grow
marry, as per their castes. Greed, selfishness and sex would be the base of
spouses would desert each other. There would be nothing like duty,
would be the main item of adornment for the women.

conditions,

pay

king and

Brahmin, named

dynasty,

would rule then for six hundred

not

would

marriage

life. In adverse

and conduct. Hair

would not have the knowledge

knowledge.

would be the last king

diplomat

by the majority

thin like nannies. People

People

no

Maurya. In Maurya

of the fair-complexioned

be

Puranjay

this dynasty. Then

forward to rule.

The ruler would be selected

responsibility

there would

Thereafter,

in Kali-Yuga
or

in Kaliyug. Ripunjay

Chandragupta

After him, Yavans

governance

by the

occur

would succeed

and enthrone

of Ashokvardhan.

be succeeded

and sixty

come

would

that would

dynasty. The kings of Nand dynasty

would exterminate

occur

would

about the dynasties

of Dynasties

of religious

Only those would be regarded

due respect

as

scriptures

in Kaliyug. Talkativeness

would be identified

clever, who could pick others' pockets. Children

to their parents. Children would maintain

relations

with parents

with

would not regard

till their marriage

or

only, not after

own parents, but would pay full respect to their father and mother-inlaw, Brother-in-law
would be dearer to them than their own brother. Parashar says: Kaliyug is the mine of faults,
but it has only one great virtue
that the people will acquire divine position only by reciting Lord's name.
Recitation of Lord's name, regardless of intention and motivation-- whether it is love, derision, laziness or
that. Boys would not touch the feet of their

maliceness-

would destroy

But the sinister

one's sins.

people would

They would not have

an

do

interest

even

the most difficult

tasks in Kaliyug, but they would not recite Lord's

in the Lord. Their interests

would be

more

in

sensuous

name.

things like sound, touch,

beauty, scent etc.

The Paramgati
performing

supreme
night

(supreme

salvation)

Yagya for hundred

salvation

continuously.

years

is easily available

that people could receive

in Tretayug

by ten thousand

and by worshipping

Lords

for people in Kaliyug simply by reciting

But still, in Kaliyug people would not have faith in Lord's

years

of meditation

in Satayug; by

years in Dwapar, that

name for one day and one

idol for ten

Lord's

name.

It is their misfortune.

Purana

Skanda

eighty eight thousand and one hundred Shlokas (stanzas). Has

seven parts- Maheshwar, Vaishnava, Brahma, Kashi, Avanti, Nagar and Prabhasa. Purana got its
name from Skand (Kartikeya) the son of Lord Shiva. Birth of Skand; its reason and effects constitute
the main theme. Kartikeya was the commander of the gods army and had killed the demon Tarkasura.
Largest

of all the Puranas. Contains

This Purana

4.1

7 chapters.

contains

Maheshwar

This Chapter

Khand

contains

4.1.1Dakshas

20 sections.

Animosity

Puran begins with the eulogy

Skanda

JAGAT

SANHARTA

KAALRUDRAKHYO

Salutations

VIRANCHIH

PALKO HARIH;

NAMASTASMAI

to Lord Shankar who has entrusted

PINAKINE.

the job of creation to Lord Brahma--Who

Lord Vishnu to nurture the world and who himself acts

has instructed

Lord Shiva

of Lord Shiva--

YASYAGYA

(Meaning)---

SRISHTA

towards

as

the

supreme

annihilator.During

once, Sage Shaunak had performed a grand 'yagya' at his hermitage in Naimisharanya
sages had thronged Naimisharanya to attend it. One of them was Sage Lomesh.After the
yagya was over, all the assembled Sages requested Sage Lomesh to narrate the divine tales of Lord
ancient

times,

forest. Many

Shiva.

Sage Lomesh said--Daksha-Prajapati

had got his daughter,

Sati married to Lord Shiva. Once, he had

yagya in which he had invited everybody except his own son-in-law.When Sati
yagya, she sought Lord Shiva's permission to attend that yagya. Lord Shiva tried to
convince her that it was not proper to attend a ceremony in which one had not been invited. But Sati did
not pay any heed and was bent upon attending that yagya. Ultimately, Lord Shiva had no option but to
performed

grand

learnt about the

give his conscent. But he did not forget to send his 'Rudraganas'

4.1.2 Sati jumps into the Sacrificial

When Sati reached

her father's

people had been invited--the

Sati became

it

was a

sad because

deliberate

decision

she found that Daksha

had been kept.

saw a grand yagya being

sages and the hermits.

place, she

deities, the

Daksha

had invited everybody

on part of her
even kept

had not

with her for her protection.

Fire
performed.

A large number

except her husband. She knew quite well that

father, not to invite Lord Shiva. But, she got infuriated

Shiva's

of

share in the

yagya

while the 'shares'

when

of other deities

When Daksha

saw

of inauspiciousness.

reason

Sati, he

was

enraged---How

dare

you come

here? Your husband

He is the Lord of the spirits, ghosts and all types of

is

mean powers.

an

embodiment

This

was

the

why I did not invite him.'

in front of everybody devastated Sati. She felt so humiliated that she decided
any one could understand, she jumped into the sacrificial fire and was charred to death.
were stunned by this sudden development. All the 'Rudraganas' mourned Sati's death
with deep sorrow.Meanwhile, Lord Shiva got the sad news from Narad. He got mad with anger and uprooted
some hair from his scalp. He then dashed the hair against a mountain. There was a thundering sound and
Veerbhadra manifested within a split second. Lord Shiva ordered him to punish Daksha for his evil deed, which
caused the death of Sati.Veerbhadra proceeded with a huge army of spirits, ghosts and marudganas to punish
The insult heaped

to give

up

on

her husband

her life. Before

All the deities present

there

Daksha. When he reached

the oblation site, Daksha

and all the other deities became scarred. But, Sage Bhrigu

came at

rescue

the deities'

and told them not to

worry.

He then chanted

few mantras, which helped the deities to

win the first round of the battle.

The defeat of his

army.

deities'

army

enraged

He showered

from there. Veerbhadra

severed

the head of Daksha

told Brahma--'Nobody

with

else but Daksha

a goat's head on the trunk

a goats body. He was very

Lord Shiva blessed

engage

from causing further death and destruction.

of Daksha's

ashamed

of his behaviour

by performing

sages---

of incense

and requested

Lord Shiva to forgive him.

the rituals. If

One who brooms

who chants the holy mantra

'OM NAMAH SHIVAY'

morning

of all his sins.

absolved

you are

desirous

of salvation then

Lord Shiva

the courtyard

of Shiva temple attains to Shiva loka.

to lord Shiva not only liberate himself from the bondage

also both his 'Kulas'. One who gets constructed

4.1.4 Churning

Lord Shiva

deeds with."

told the assembled

Those who make offerings

becomes

hasty retreat

took the refuge of Lord

was responsible for his death.But, Lord Brahma

once again. Lord Shiva then went to Daksha's place and
body. This way Daksha became alive once again albeit

4.1.3 Virtues of Worshipping

Sage Lomesh

his beard. He then

fire.Lord Brahma

himself
alive

be attained merely

in virtuous

yourself

havoc in the ranks of

the ground and uprooted

him and said--

can not

"Salvation

that he created

them, which forced the deities to make

and threw it in flames of sacrificial

Lord Shiva to make Daksha

requested
fixed

arrow on

him to stop Veerbhadra

Shiva and requested

an extent

to such

Veerbhadra

volleys of

dashed Sage Bhrigu against

or renovates

Shiva temple

of this world but

it, attains incomparable

virtue. One

daily and begins his day by visiting Shiva temple in the

of the Ocean

Sage Lomesh narrated

the tale, which described

how Indra lost heaven after he showed

to

disrespect

Vrihaspati--

Once, Indra

enjoying

and went

behaviour
incident

was

the

songs sung

he attacked

Bali and his

army

away

Indraloka

brought

with

Shukracharya

deities' wealth because

so

he had not performed

revealed

began, Mandarachal

was

enraged

were not destined to

ocean. Bali was

into the

be

surprised

help. Lord Brahma

was

the Mandarachal

used

ocean bed.The
the ocean. When

from the

in the churning

of

as a

mountain

churner

into the

and asked
of

yagyas.

was

also present

to the whole issue, Lord Vishnu advised them to patch

mountain

by his

were defeated.
the owner of this

to Bali that he could not enjoy the splendours

100 Ashwamedha

that all the wealth could be retrieved

the parties immersed

upon

But the demons

went to seek Lord Vishnu's

deep thought

was so

arrived. But, Indra

lord of Patalloka, learnt about this

A fierce battle took place in which all the deities

Sage Shukracharya

the demons to participate

convinced

ocean

army.

Vashishth

guest. Sage Vashishth

the whole wealth got submerged

The deities, after being defeated

them. After giving

large

sage

the demon King Bali--the

all the wealth to Patalloka.

as
reason.

about the

when

his distinguished

fuming with anger.When

wealth for too long

plundered

demons

by Gandharvas

in music, that he forgot to welcome

engrossed

deities

process

the

and the serpent

ocean

which it could be placed. So, Lord Vishnu took the form of

tortoise

with

with the

of churning

as

-Vasuki

but it sank down,

up

went to Patal-loka

as

and

of the

the rope.Both

there

was no base
on his

and held the mountain

back.

Churning

of the

ocean

resulted

into the

emergence

of

Kalpa tree, Kaustubh,

Uchchaihshrava

(Horse), Eravat

intoxication

poison emerged

from the

etc.When

claim for it. The poison

was so venomous

sea

many

things like Chandrama,

(elephant),

goddess

bed, neither the deities

Surabhi (cow),

Laxmi, poison, ambrosia,

nor

the demons

that the whole world started getting inflamed

then drank the Halahal poison and thus the world

was

saved.Lord

Vishnu accepted

made

any

by it. Lord Shiva

goddess

Laxmi

as

his consort.

4.1.5 The Emergence

When Dhanvantri

appeared

of ambrosia

of Ambrosia
a

in his hands,

demon named Vrishparva

then fled to Patal loka with the pot of ambrosia.Lord

All the demons

beauty and went to Patalloka.

wanted

a pot

with

to have his

own

There, he found all the demons

share of ambrosia.The

Lord Vishnu in the form of

beautiful

demons

were

Vishnu disguised

among

quarrelling
stunned

snatched

as an

himself

themselves.

by Mohini's

beauty

the moment

pot and summoned

lady. Mohini took control of the ambrosia

it from him.

enchanting

Each of them
they

saw

the deities to

Patal loka.

All the deities and demons

were

rows.

made to sit in separate

to the deities. A demon named Rahu, who had disguised

deities. Hardly had Rahu gulped down
given by chandrama
chandrama,
Meanwhile,

some

ambrosia

in performing

drunk with

came

chasing

his duties resulted

boon of invincibility

chandrama

and Lord Shiva

power

into the predominance

started to torment

can

kill Tarakasur

was

revenge

wore

also sitting

on

his head

ambrosia

among

the

the information

by swallowing

within the lock of his hair.

his head

as a

garland

in his neck.

Boon to Tarakasur

aloof and engaged

himself

in

an austere penance.

of sin in the world.A

from lord Brahma. Only

All the deities eulogized

'Nobody

deity

who took the refuge of Lord Shiva. Shiva kept chandrama

Rahu too

4.1.6 Lord Brahmas

a

as a

severed head of Rahu tried to take

(Moon).The

After the death of Sati, Lord Shiva became

received

Mohini then started distributing

himself

then Mohini severed

child and nobody

His lack of interest

demon named Tarakasur

had

else could kill him. Tarakasur,

being

the deities.

Lord Brahma

except Shiva's

and they heard

son.

So

you must put

heavenly

all

your

voice saying---

efforts to help Shiva get

married.'
in life and was living like a
who had no progeny at that
was aware of the misdeeds of
Tarakasur.In course of time, Himalaya's wife, Mena gave birth to a girl child who was in fact the
reincarnation of Sati. The girl child was named Girija.Girija was brought up with great love and care.
When she attained the age of eight, Himalaya once took her to the cave where Lord Shiva was doing
penance. Initially, Shiva was little hesitant to meet Himalaya because Girija was accompanying her
father and he had vowed never to put his glance on any woman after the death of Sati. But, Later on he
The deities

were aware

time and requested

relented

that after the death of Sati, Shiva had lost all interest

they wanted to give

recluse. Nevertheless,

him to beget

and allowed

a try.

girl. Himalaya

So they went to Himalaya,

agreed,

both of them to meet him whenever

as

he

they liked. Now, Girija made it her habit to

visit Lord Shiva regularly. She used to look after all the needs of Shiva while he

was

engrossed

in his

penance.
Even after the
remained

as

passage

nonchalant

a long
as ever.

of

love and passion in Shiva's

time the deities' wishes did not look like getting fulfilled,
So, the deities

heart.Kamadeva

requested

Kamadeva's

as

Shiva

help in sowing the seeds of

went to the place where Lord Shiva

was

doing his

penance. He tried to sow seeds of compassion in Shiva's heart only to receive his wrath. Lord Shiva
was infuriated by the efforts of Kamadeva. He opened his third eye as the result of which Kamadeva
was charred to death.Rati started wailing inconsolably at the death of her husband but Girija assured
her that she would try to bring Kamadeva back to life.Girija commenced her penance to please Lord
Shiva. There was a great turmoil in the world on account of her penance. Lord Vishnu led the deities

to

Shiva and requested

Tarakasur.

marry Girija so
gave his conscent

him to

Finally, Shiva

that the world could be protected

from the torments

and went to the place where Girija

was

doing

of

penance.

4.1.7 Shiva tests Parvatis

After reaching

Devotion

her few trusted companions.Lord

as a

himself

Penance.

in her

penance.

Parvati

Shiva decided to test Parvati's

devotion

towards

there, Lord Shiva found Parvati engrossed

hermit and asked her companions

one
as

Jaya,

of Parvati's

to get Lord Shiva

companions

reason

about the

was

him that her friend

informed

her husband. Jaya also informed

was

was

why Parvati

surrounded

by

him. So he disguised

a severe

doing such

penance in order
was the daughter

doing

Lord Shiva that her friend Girija

of Himalaya.

Lord Shiva, who

embodiment

was

wears a

that Shiva

in the guise of

hermit

of inauspiciousness--who

one

friend think of marrying

said---'Why

carries

snake around

can

by Parvati's

unwavering

you

ask for anything

But Parvati replied---

yagya.

Daksha's
born to

us

a request

place where he had been

penance

how her

to

told Jaya---'This

seems to
was extremely

fellow

Shiva

in his original form and said--'You

Lord! I am the

recognize

me? There is

go to my

So

had been progressing.

given his conscent

utterances,

Tell him to leave at once.'Lord

him. He appeared

same Sati for the sake of whom you had destroyed

a great purpose behind my reincarnation. A son
for my hand in marriage.'But Lord Shiva
to Himalaya considering it as an undignified act. He then returned to the
meditating.After a while, Himalaya and Mena arrived there and asked Parvati

you

Don't

person.

towards

wish.'

'O Supreme

would kill Tarakasur.

refused to make

devotion

from the

by

to all those nonsensical

abhor Shiva. We should not talk to this evil

pleased

by Daksha

his neck and is surrounded

Parvati, who had been listening

so eager to marry Shiva who is an

a crematorium. How can your
yagya ceremony? Does your friend know
numerous spirits and ghosts?'

is this tender girl

skull in his hand and who lives in

who has been expelled

marry

father and request

Parvati narrated

her.Himalaya

and Mena

the whole incident

were

extremely

how Lord Shiva had finally

pleased

news.

by this good

4.1.8 The Arrival of the Sapta-Rishis

Later

on

Lord Shiva sent the Saptarishis

come to request you to

mountains,
good

Himalaya

news to

proceeded

even

with the proposal

guests with respect and enquired about the

distinguished

daughter's

preparation

as

for marriage

ceremony

received

of their visit. The Saptarishis

to Shiva.'After

his son-in-law.

the bride's home. The marriage

to Himalaya. Himalaya

of marriage

purpose

hand in marriage

to accept Shiva

agreed

Shiva.The

towards

your

give

consulting

The Saptarishis

then returned

consisted

have

and conveyed

started being made. Finally the marriage

procession

his

replied--'We

his wife, Mena and other

of all the deities,

apsaras,

the

procession

gandharvas

spirits and ghosts.

Sage Garg Supervised

the rituals of marriage

ceremony was

marriage

ritual of Kanyadan

way

ceremony.

to take place.After

supposed

and this

Shiva returned

Vishwakarma

the marriage

constructed

was over,

the

canopy,

Himalaya

where

performed

the

with his consort.

4.1.9 Birth of Kartikeya

at Gandhamadan

Lord Shiva and Parvati lived happily

Once it

so

intimate

happened

moments

that

world started burning.Lord

destruction
mountain

something

small quantity

as

Brahma

caused by Shiva's

in the guise of

of Shiva's

flowing

my

his palm, which

have shown disrespect

to

fell

amount

and Lord Vishnu instructed

over

sperms

hermit. He requested

sperms on

Mountain

sperm

result, tremendous

alms. Ihave nothing but

Parvati kept Shiva's

Agni--"You

with Parvati. As

me.

hands

could

enjoying

on

as a

begging

From today onwards

bit of their conjugal

generated

end.Agni

was

life.

enjoying

and the whole

some means so

that the

went to Gandhamadan

Mother! Please give

me

bowl'

by Agni. Parvati

you

was

Agni to employ

come to an

Parvati by saying---'O

was eaten up

every

the ground while he

of heat

was

would become

enraged

to

omnivorous.

see

this and cursed

The

sperms

which

you

have devoured

would

cause

unbearable

inflammation

in

your

body."