Description of Iksvaku Dynasty (Story of Rama)

Suta said, “Thereafter Tridhanvan, the son of the king, started ruling the country with a righteous mind. He got a son who was well-read and was known by the name of Trayaruna.

Не had a son named Satyavrata who was extremely strong. Satyadhana was the name of his wife and Haris'candra was bom of her.

Rohita was the son of Hariscandra who was quite valorous. Vrka was the son of Rohita, from whom was bom Bahu. Harita was Rohita’s son. Harita's son was known as Dhundhu. Sudeva and Vijaya were the two sons of Dhundhu. Karuka, the son of Vijaya was extremely valorous. Sagara, his son, was an extremely virtuous king. Sagara had two wives, known as Prabhavatl and Bhanumatl. Both of them had been bestowed with a boon each by lord Agni. Bhanumatl gave birth to a son named Asamanjasa, while Prabhavatl produced sixty thousand sons. The son of Asamanjasa was known as the king Arhsuman.

Dillpa was his son and Bhagiratha was born to Dillpa. Bhagiratha, after performing severe tapas, brought Ganga over the earth. Because of this she came to be known as Bhaglrathl.

The wise Mahadeva, the god of gods, had been merciful on him. With the tapas performed by Bhaglratha, lord Shiva felt delighted.

Then the moon-bedecked Mahadeva bore Gaiiga on his head near the moon-crest. Sruta was known as the son of Bhaglratha.

Не had a son named Nabhaga, while Sindhudvipa was the son of Nabhaga. His son came to be known as Ayutayu who had a son named Rtuparna.

Saudasa was the most religious-minded son of Rtuparna. Saudasa had a son named Kalmasapada.

Vasistha of great splendour begot of the wife of Kalmasapada the son named Asmaka, who was established as the flag for the Iksvaku dynasty. From Utkala, the wife of Asmaka, a son named Nakula was bom, who became the king. The said king went on exile getting frightened from Parasurama. Reaching in the forest, he took to the form of a woman. Sataratha was bom of Nakula, while Bilibili was bom as son of Sataratha. Vrddhasarma was bom to him as his son. He had a son named Vis'vasaha, who had a well-known son named Khatvariga. Dlrghabahu was his son. Raghu was bom of Dlrghabahu.

Aja was bom as son to Raghu, while Dasaratha was bom as son to Aja. The valorous and great Rama was bom as a son to Das'aratha. He was immensely strong, religious-minded and glorious. Besides Rama, Dasaratha had three more sons known as Bharata, Laksmana and valorous Satrughna. All of them having possessed the Shakti of Visnu, were comparable to Indra in the battlefield.

Lord Visnu, the consumer of the universe, had incarnated on earth from his own ariisa for the killing of Ravana. The extremely virtuous wife of Rama was Sita, the daughter of Janaka and was well known in the three worlds. She was quite humble and extremely beautiful. Because the king Janaka had pleased Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya, therefore Parvati gave away Sita to Janaka as his daughter. Sita on the other hand, had the support of Rama who became her husband.

The bluish-red complexioned, trident bearer Shiva, feeling extremely delighted, for the destmction of the enemies, handed over an astonishing bow to Janaka. О Best of the Brahmanas, the intelligent king Janaka, the destroyer of his enemies on earth, desirous of the marriage of his daughter, declared that who- so-ever shall lift up the bow would achieve Sita in the marriage.

Knowing about the vow of Janaka, the valorous lord Rama, reached the abode of Janaka and lifting the bow playfully, broke it. Then Sita was married to Rama, the highly virtuous soul, as Parvati had been wedded t1 Shiva, or Sena was married to six-headed god Karttikeya. Thus Sita was married to Rama.

Thereafter the lapse of a long period, the king Dasaratha, himself desired to crown his son Rama as the king. Then his wife Kaikeyl who was quite beautiful and fortunate, stopped her husband and said, “My valorous son Bharata is fit enough to be crowned as the king, because earlier you had promised me to give two boons. The king Das'aratha felt dejected in his mind with the listening to her words.

But inspite of his mind having been hurt, Dasaratha agreed to her words with a heavy heart, saying, “So be it.” Accordingly the un­wavering Rama, the knower of Dharma, who could not transgress the traditions, accompanied by Laksmana, bowing at the feet of Dasaratha, proceeded on to the forest with his wife Sita.

In this way, the valorous Rama dwelt in the forest for a period of fourteen years along with Laksmana. During his stay in the forest, a Raksasa named Ravana, taking to the form of an ascetic, kidnapped Sita and took her to his place. Both Rama and Laksmana finding Sita absent from Pancavatl, became extremely anguish and sorrow. He was the destroyer of the enemies, but still they were overpowered with grief and pain.

О Best of the sages, then at some time Rama of indefatigable energy, the performer of the great deeds, made friendship with Sugrlva2. Sugrlva had a faithful attendant named Hanuman who was the son of the wind-god. He became dear to Sri Rama. Hanuman, keeping enormous patience, reached before Rama and emphatically told him, “I shall surely bring Sita back.” Thus speaking, he traversed throughout the areas upto the ocean in search of Sita.

1. Nasik, a district in the Bombay Presidency, is now pointed out as corresponding with the Pancavatl forest of Ramayana. Tlie river Godavari still flows there.

2. Sugrlva was the king and Hanuman the commander- in-chief of the Vanaras. They were a non-Aryan tribe inhabiting south India, corresponding, in my belief, with the modern Shanars living in the Southern districts of Madras. Sugriva’s fort is still pointed out in tha jungles of Travancore, Kishkinda was the capital of Sugrlva.

He ultimately reached the city of Lanka- the capital of Ravana, which was lodged in the mid­ocean. There he saw Sita lodged in a lonely forest under the shade of a tree. The spotless and chaste Sita was surrounded by the demonesses. Her eyes were wet with tears, still she appeared quite graceful. She looked innocent while uttering the name of Rama. Her mind was absorbed in the memories of dark blue- complexioned Rama and the self-possessed Laksmana. Hanuman, finding Sita in seclusion, introduced himself to her.

For the removal of any doubt, Hanuman handed over the finger ring of Rama to Sita. At that point of time finding the beautiful finger ring of her husband, Sita whose eyes blossomed because of the love of her husband, accepted it as if Rama himself had met her. Hanuman on the other hand, reassured Sita variously and said, “I shall myself carry you to the large­armed Rama.” Thus speaking he again returned to Rama. Hanuman who had controlled all his senses, narrated to Rama about his audience with Sita. Thus having been adored by Laksmana, he stood before Rama.

Thereafter, the valorous Rama, in the company of Laksmana and Hanuman, together with the hundreds of monkeys built a bridge over the ocean and prepared a road for reachin Lanka. Thereafter, the religious Rama, killing Ravana, together with his wife, son and the brothers, with the help of Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, got Sita back from Lanka. He also built a temple in the middle of the bridge, dedicated to lord Krttivasa Shiva, enshrining Shivalinga therein. Thereafter Raghava Rama adored Shiva.

Thereafter, lord Shiva appeared before Rama with Parvati. Lord Shiva bestowed an excellent boon on Rama saying, “The linga which has been consecrated by you, shall be visited by all the people. Even the grave sinners who would visit this place shall be relieved of all the sins. Similarly, a person who shall take bath in the ocean, all his sins will be washed out.

With the mere look at the Ramesvara linga, all the sins of a person shall be washed out. There is not the slightest doubt about it. Till the mountain are there on earth, and the earth remains, the bridge will continue here. I shall stay here in an invisible form. The bath taken here and the charities performed at this place shall remain undecaying. The Sraddhas performed here shall also be undecaying or everlasting.

With the mere recollection of this linga, the sins performed during the day shall be wiped out.” Thus speaking, Lord Shiva embraced Rama. Then lord Shiva together with Nandin and other attendants, disappeared from the scene. Thereafter, the religious-minded Rama ruled the country with due devotion to piety.

Bharata on the other hand, crowned Rama as the king. He especially honoured the lord as well as the Brahmanas. Rama pleased lord Shiva, the destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksa, with the performing of Asvamedha sacrifice. Rama had a son named Kusa. He had another son named Lava, who was well-versed in the entire scriptures as well as the principles. A son named Atithi was bom to Kus'a, who had a son named Nisadha. Nala was bom as son to Nisadha. Nabhas was bom of him. Pundarlkaksa was the son of Nabhas, while Ksemadhanvan was his son.

A son named Devanlka was bom to Ksemadhanvan. Ahinagu was his son and had Mahasvan as his son.

Candravaloka was born to him. Taradhis'a happened to be his son. Candragiri was bom of Taradhis'a. Bhanuvitta was bom of him. He had a son named Srutayu. All of them were bom in Iksavaku dynasty. О Excellent Brahmanas, I have spelt out the names of prominent kings in brief. A person who listens to the story of the Iksavaku dynasty, he getting relived of all the sins, achieves Devaloka (the heavenly region).

 

Chapter 22

Description of Lunar Dynasty

Suta said, “Thereafter Puraravas, the son of Ila, started ruling the country. He had six sons who were as valorous as Indra.

The divine sons of UrvasI were- Ayu, Mayu, Amayu, valorous Visvayu, Satayu and Srutayu.

The five valorous sons of Ayu, were bom of Prabha, the daughter of Svarbhanu. This is what has been heard by us.

Nahusa was the first among them, who had been well-versed in dharma and was quite famous. Nahusa had five illustrious successors, comparable with Indra in splendour. They were born of Viraja, the daughter of Pitrs. They were known by the names of Yati, Yayati, Samyati, Ayati and Asvaka.

Out of these five sons, Yayati possessed enormous prowess and was quite strong. He got Devayani, the daughter of Sukra as his wife. Besides, Yayati had Sarmistha, as his wife as well. DevayanT produced Turvasu and Yadu as sons.

Sarmistha, on the other hand, produced Druhyu, Anu and Ptiru. Yayati, neglecting his eldest son Yadu, who disobeyed the command of his father, crowned his youngest son Ptiru as the king. The kingdom of the south-east was given over to Turvasu.

The king out of the five sons gave away, south and the west part of the kingdom to his excellent son, Yadu.1 Druhyu and Anu were given the rule of the western and the northern territories respectively.

All the kings started ruling the countries with a religious mind, while the glorious king Yayati, together with his wife left for the forest.

Yadu also had five sons resembling the gods. Sahasrajit was the best of them all. The remaining four were known by the names of Krostu, NTla, Jina and Raghu.

Satajit was the son of Sahasrajit. Satajit had extremely religious three sons known as Haihaya, Haya and Venuhaya. Dharma was well known as the son of Haihaya.

1. An account of this family is to be found in Visnu and Bhagavata Puranas.

О Brahmanas, the glorious Dharmanetra, had been the son of Dharma. Dharmanetra had a son named Kirti who had a son named Sanjita.

Mahisma was the son of Sanjita, while Bhadras'renya was the son of the former. The son of Bhadrasrenya was known as Durdama.

Durdama’s son was the intelligent and valiant king Andhaka. Andhaka had four famous sons, known as Krtavlrya, Krtagni, Krtavarma and Krtaujas. Krtavlrya had a son named Arjuna with thousand arms.

Arjuna had a thousand hands and was the foremost of those well-versed in archery. He met defeat at the hands of Rama, the son of Jamadagni and the incarnation of Janardana (Visnu).

Arjuna had a hundred sons, five out of whom were quite strong, valorous, powerful, righteous-minded as well as learned. They were known by the names of Sura, Sfirasena, Krisna, Dhrsna and Jayadhvaja. Jayadhvaja was quite strong and was also devoted to Narayana.

The first four sons including Sura and others were quite famous, strong, devoted to Rudra and were the noble souls. They all worshipped lord Shiva.

Jayadhvaja was quite intelligent, devoted to religion and took refuge with lord Narayana-Hari, and worshipped him alone.

The other sons spoke to him, “O Sinless one, this is not your faith. Our father worshipped Shiva. This is what has been heard by us.”

The immensely illustrious Jayadhvaja replied, “This is my faith, all the kings of the earth derive their lineage from Visnu and are his arhsa?'

Lord Purusottama will surely maintain the kingdom. Hari, the preserver of the universe and invincible Visnu are adorable.

There are three forms of the self-born lord, relating to the creation, sustenance and destruction, also known as the Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.

Lord Visnu is the form of Sattva and is always engaged in the sustainment of the universe. Brahma, the form of Rajas is engaged in the creation and Mahesa, representing Tamas is engaged in destruction of the universe.

Therefore, Lord Visnu, Kes'ava the suppressor of Kesin, is the adorable lord being propitiated by the kings who protect their respective kingdoms.

Listening to the words of the king, his other steady-minded brothers spoke. “The people desirous of moksa (liberation), should adore Rudra, the destroyer.

The lord Rudra is verily the Supreme deity. Under the influence of tamoguna, he destroys the whole universe at the end of the kalpa.

The trident-bearing lord dissolves the world by means of Vidya at the outset and then with his terrific and illustrious form, he destroys the universe.”

Thereafter the king Jayadhvaja, after the deep thinking, spoke to those people, “A living being is redeemed by means of Sattvaguna and lord Hari is the form of Sattva.”

His brothers said, “The Sattvika people too adore Rudra. Lord Shiva also liberates the Sattvika persons. One who is endowed with Sattva Guna shall always worship Shiva.”

At this, the prince Jayadhvaja laughingly said, “For achieving salvation, one's own dharma is always favourable and none else. This is opinion of the sages as well.

Therefore, embracing the Vaisnavl Shakti, the rulers should always adore the resplendent lord Visnu which is the greatest Dharma of kings.”

Thereafter the prince Krisna, who was the best among the learned people, said to him, “This had been established by Arjuna, our father. Therefore, his adoration is the dharma for us.” With the escalation of the controversy, Surasena spoke these words, “The sages are the authority in this case. We should therefore do whatever is told by them”

Thereafter, all of them consulted the learned Rishis. Then all of them feeling enthusiastic, reached the hermitage of SaptaRishis or the seven divine sages.

Vasistha and other sages enlightened them about the reality that in whomsoever deity one is inclined, the same becomes adorable for him.

But if the gods are adored for a particular purpose, they surely establish the task of their devotees. Therefore, О kings, it is not the rule that after the establishment of the task, all have to adore the same deity.

Visnu, Shiva and Indra, all are the lords of the kings, while Agni, Aditya (sun-god), Brahma and Sankara (Pinaka-wielding deity) are the gods for the Brahmanas.

Visnu is the god of gods, the trident-bearing Shiva is the god for the demons, while the Soma (moon) is the god for the Yaksas and Gandharvas.

Sarasvatl is the deity for the Vidyadharas, Lord Hari is meant for the siddhas, while Rudra-Shiva is the deity for the Raksasas. Parvati is the deity for the Kinnaras.

Brahma happens to be the deity for the Rishis, besides the trident-bearing Shiva. Visnu is the deity for the women, besides goddess Uma, Surya and Isa.

All these gods can be adored by the householders. Brahma is the god for Brahmacarins, Arka (Surya) for the

Vaikhanasas (recluses) while Mahes'vara is for the Sannyasins.

Rudra is the god of the goblins, while Vinayaka is the god of Kiisrhandas. Prajapati Brahma happens to be the god of all.

This is what has been stated by Brahma himself. Thus, Jayadhvaja is surely entitled to adore lord Visnu.

But taking Rudra to be the same as Visnu, one should adore lord Hari. Otherwise the enemies of the kings cannot be destroyed by lord Visnu.

Thereafter the kings offering their salutation to the sages, retired to the beautiful city and after conquering the enemies in the battlefield started protecting the earth.

О Best of the Brahmanas, thereafter, once, a terrific Danava known by the name of Videha reached the city.

He was awful to look at with his fangs; his body was burning like the fire flames and appeared like the fire of the time of dissolution. His trident was dazzling like the sun and was issuing horrible sound which was spread in all the directions. All the people living there started dying listening to his thunder. Some people started fleeing out of terror.

Then, the sons of Karttavlrya, the five powerful kings including Surasena and others got ready for a fight.

All of them rushed towards the Danava, carrying mountains, swords, clubs. О Best of Brahmanas, all the five kings, getting determined for a war, attacked the demon. With his trident he single-handedly fought all of them laughingly. Sura shot the the miraculous weapon of Rudra, while the missile of Vanina was shot by Surasena.

Krisna shot Prajapatya weapon, while the weapon of Vayu was shot by Dhrsna. Jayadhvaja discharged the mighty weapons of Kubera, Indra and Agni.

The Danava destroyed all those weapons with his trident. Thereafer, the immensely strong Krisna, picked up his horrible club and threw it against the Danava with full force. As soon as it touched him, he roared loudly. The iron club hit the chest of Videha which was like a rock.

The club could do no harm to the chest of the horrible Danava; witnessing the strength of the Danava, all the kings fled away in terror.

At that point of time, the intelligent Jayadhvaja recited the name of Visnu, the lord of the universe, who is beyond change, is protector of all, eternal Purusa, lord of Lakshmi and the one who is clad in Pltambara. Then the Sudarsana-cakra having the lustre of a million suns, appeared on the spot.

At the command of lord Vasudeva, the king Jayadhvaja held it in his hand, reciting the name of Narayana, the place of the origin of the universe.

The king then shot the cakra at Danava Videha, in the same way as lord Visnu, issues the same on his enemies. The cakra crossing through the shoulders of the Danava, cut off his head, which fell down on earth. At the killing of the Daitya, all the kings including the king Sura were delighted.

In earlier times, lord Visnu, performed tapas for Shiva, and received that cakra for the destruction of the Daityas and Raksasas. The cakra had been received by Visnu for the same purpose.

The kings reached in the beautiful city and they adored their brother. Listening to the prowess of Jayadhvaja, lord Vis'vamitra arrived there to meet the son of Karttavlrya. On his arrival, the eyes of the king were confused a little.

The king made him sit over a magnificent seat, adored him and said, “0 Lord, by your grace, the terrible demon Videha has been killed by me. My doubt has been cleared at your words. I have taken refuge with the valorous Visnu, who is quite truthful. Because of this, he has shown his grace on me. I shall adore the lotus-eyed lord Visnu.

You tell me, as to how lord Hari should be adored. Who is Narayanadeva and what is his influence?

 “You kindly enlighten me on all these points because, I am quite anxious about all of them.” Then listening to the words of Jayadhvaja, and realising about the true devotion of the king towards lord Visnu, sage Visvamitra having a peaceful mind, spoke calmly.

Vis'vamitra said, “The one from whom all the living beings emerge, and in whom all the living beings get absorbed, he is Visnu the supreme soul. One gets redeemed by taking refuge in him. He is called the knower of the tattva, undecaying Brahman, and even beyond that and is the one who resides in the cave like heart of all.

He is the highest bliss and the form of the sky. He is also remembered as Narayana. He always appears on earth, without substitute, always blissful, spotless, possessing Caturvyiihas (four manifestations), but he himself is said to be devoid of Vyiiha. Visnu is the supreme soul, the supreme abode resembling the supreme sky, and is the final place.

The Rishis well-versed in Brahman call him as tripada or the one having three amsas, besides undecaying Brahman. He is soul of the universe, Yogatma, Purusottama and Vasudeva. Paramesvara Rudra and Brahma, were born of his aths'a. Each and every person, following the Varnasrama-dharma (caste and stage of life), shedding away the desires, should adore lord Visnu. Thus speaking the sage Vis'vamitra, getting adored from Sura and other kings left for his place.

Thereafter, Siira and others started adoring Shiva-who is pleased, with the performing of yajnas. They worshipped him with the performing of the sacrifice. The yajna was presided over by lord Vasistha who was well- versed in dharma.

The performers of the yajna were Gautama, Agastya and Atri. All of them were devoted to Rudra. The yajna of Jayadhvaja was organised by the sage Visvamitra, in which the primordial god Janardana (Visnu), too was adored. In the said yajna, lord Hari himself appeared which was quite astonishing.

Tayadhvaja after realising Visnu to be the best form of Rudra, adored him making all the efforts.

A person who listens to the prowess of Jayadhvaja daily, he getting relived of all the sins, finally achieves Visnuloka.

 

Chapter 23

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