| [39] | This refers to Veda Vyasa who compiled and arranged the four Vedas. The word Vyasa means "an arranger" Veda Vyasa is the surname of a Rishi, the son of Parashara, who compiled the four Vedas. The Vedas originally existed in the shape of hymns that were sung by the ancient Aryans and passed from one family to another as sacred heir-looms. For some centuries they existed in this form. It was this great Rishi who first committed them to writing and arranged them in the order in which they are now found. The four divisions are his own creation. On account of this great work he received the appellation 'Veda-Vyasa'. |
CHAPTER XIX. BHARADWAJA's FAMILY.
Markandeya said:—"O my child, in the previous Yuga, the Brāhmanas, the sons of Bharadwāja, although carrying on Yoga practices, were polluted by their transgressions (1). On account of their degradation consequent upon the violation of Yoga practices they will remain in an unconscious state on the other side of the huge lake called Mānasa (2). Stupified by the thought that the transgressions (they had committed) had been washed away and having failed to attain to the state of union (with Brahman) they became invested with the characteristics of time[40] (3). And although they had deviated from the path of Yoga, they lived for a long time in the land of celestials. They will be born in the land of Kurus as foremost of men, the sons of Kushika (4). They will carry on religious practices by slaying creatures for the ancestral manes. And again being (thus) degraded they will come by the most inferior birth (5). On account of the favour of ancestral manes and their pristine birth they will have recollection of those inferior births (6). They will be of controlled minds and always carry on religious practices. And again by their own Karma they will acquire the status of Brāhmanas (7). They will then acquire the knowledge of unification (of the human soul with the divine soul) on account of their pristine birth. And then having attained perfection again they will acquire the eternal region (8). Thus you will repeatedly pay attention towards religion and acquire a most consummate mastery of Yoga (9). It is very difficult for men of limited understanding to acquire mastery of Yoga. If they happen to acquire it, that even is destroyed on account of their being contaminated by vices. Those who commit iniquities and torture their elders (also lose their Yoga) (10). Those, who do not beg by unfair means, who protect those seeking refuge with them, who do not disregard the poor, who are not elated with pride on account of their riches, who are of regular habits both as regards diet and other appetites, who energetically carry on their own work, who are bent upon carrying on meditation and studies, who do not seek to recover their stolen properties, who do not always seek enjoyments, who do not take meat or drink intoxicating liquors, who are not addicted to sexual pleasures, who serve the Brāhmanas, who do not take pleasure in impure conversation, who are not idle, who are not haughty and egoistic, such accomplished persons acquire Yoga, which it is so hard to acquire in this world. Persons of quiescent souls, who have mastered anger, who are shorn of egotism and pride and who are observant of vows, are crowned with blessings. Such were the Brāhmanas of that period (11-16). They used to remember their follies consequent upon their mistakes, engage in study and meditation and walk in the path of peace (17) There is no other religious rite, O you conversant with religion, superior to Yoga. It reigns supreme over all other religious observances. Practise it therefore, O descendant of Bhrigu (18). With the advancement of years, one, who lives upon restricted diet, who has mastered his senses and who is respectful, acquires Yoga" (19). Having said this the reverend Sanatkumāra disappeared therefrom. Eighteen years appeared to me as one day (20). Having worshipped that lord of deities for eighteen years, by the grace of that divine person, I did not suffer any pain (21). O sinless one, I did not feel then hunger and thirst nor (the progress of) time. Afterwards I learnt about time from my disciple (22).
| [40] | i. e. They became mortal like other creatures who become subject to death in time. |
CHAPTER XX. ACCOUNT OF BRAHMADATTA AND THE STRANGE BIRD.
Markandeya said:—After the disappearance of that deity and according to the words of that lord, I acquired discriminative knowledge along with celestial vision (1). Thereupon, O son of Gangā, I saw at Kurukshetra, all those Brāhmanas, the descendants of Koushika of whom that lord (Sanatkumār) spoke to me (2). Of them the seventh Brāhmana became the king Brahmadatta. By his name, character and action he also became celebrated by the name Pitridatta (3). In an excellent city by name Kāmpilya, the foremost of kings Anuha begat that monarch on Suka's daughter Kritvi (4).
Bhishma said:—O king, hear I shall describe the family of that king as recounted by the highly regenerate great Rishi Mārkandeya (5).
Yudhisthira said:—Whose son was Anuha, the foremost of the pious? In what age was he born? How powerful was he? Whose son was the highly illustrious king Brahmadatta? How did the seventh Brāhmana become a king (6-7)? (Certainly) the self-controlled, omnipotent sage Suka, respected by all the world, did not give away his illustrious daughter Kritvi to an effeminate person (8). O thou of great effulgence, I wish to hear at length the account of Brahmadatta; it behoves thee to describe it (9). Do thou describe unto me how the Brāhmanas, mentioned by Mārkandeya, are living in the world (10).
Bhishma said:—I have heard that this king (Brahmadatta) was contemporary of my grand-father the royal saint Pratipa (II). The noble ascetic Brahmadatta, the foremost of royal saints, was grateful unto all creatures and engaged in their well-being (12). He made (that division of the Vedas) which is called Sikshā[41] by means of his Tapas and instituted an order of study. The highly illustrious teacher of Yoga, Gālava, was his friend and the ascetic Kandarik was his minister (13). In another birth they all help each other. As narrated by the noble and great ascetic Mārkandeya they, in the seventh birth, were all gifted with unlimited energy (14). Hear, O king, I shall describe to you the ancient family of the high-souled king Brahmadatta born in the race of Puru (16).
The pious son of Vrihatkshetra was celebrated by the name of Suhotra. Suhotra's son was known by the name of Hasti (16). By him in the days of yore the most excellent city of Hastināpur was founded. Hasti had three highly pious sons (17). Of them the eldest was Ajāmida, the second Dwimida and the youngest Paramida. Ajāmida begat on Dhumini the king Vrihadishu whose son was the highly illustrious Vrihaddhanu (18). His son Vrihadbharma was known as a highly pious king. His son was Satyajit whose son was Viswajit (19). His son was the king Senajit who had four sons celebrated in the world (20). Ruchira, Swetaketu, Mahim nāra and Vatsa, the king of Avanti—these were his four sons (21). Ruchira's son was the highly illustrious Prithusena whose son was Pāra, from whom was born Neepa (22). Neepa had a hundred sons who all were of unlimited energy, mighty car-warriors, heroic and powerful. All these kings were known by the name of Neepa (23). The illustrious descendant of those Neepas was known as Samara in the Province of Kāmpilya. He was greatly fond of Dar (24). Samara had three sons—Para, Pāra and Sadashwa, who were all greatly pious. Para's son was Prithu (25). Prithu's son was Sukrita, who, by good actions, was endued with all accomplishments. His son was Vibhrāja (26). His son was the king Anuha. He was the illustrious son-in-law of Suka and the husband of Kritvi (27). Anuha's son was the royal saint Brahmadatta. His son was the ascetic Viswaksena, the subduer of foes (28). By his own actions Vibhrāja was again born (as the son of Brahmadatta). He had another son by the name of Sarvasena (29). His eyes, O king, were torn by a sparrow known by the name of Pujanyā (worshipful) that lived in the house of Brahmadatta for a long time (30). Brahmadatta had an other highly powerful son by the name of Viswaksena (31). His son was the king Dandasena. His son was Bhattata who was formerly killed by Karna (32). This son of Dandasena was heroic and perpetuated his race. O Yudhishthira, Bhattata's son was evil-minded (33). O king, he brought about the fall of the house of Neepas. For him all the Neepas were destroyed by Ugrayudha (34). I have killed Ugrāyudha, in battle, on account of his being elated with pride. He was proud and took delight in haughtiness and sinful ways (35).