Philosophy and Religion / Harivamsa

Harivaṃśa

5. An account of Vena and Prithu

VAISHAMPAYANA said:—Formerly the Patriarch Anga, born in the race of Atri, and equally all-powerful like him, became the protector of religion (1).

A highly impious son by name Vena was born to him. That Patriarch was begotten on Sunithā the daughter of Death (2).

Imbibing the defect of his maternal grand-father, that son of Kāla's daughter deviated from his own duties and preached freedom of conduct in the world (3).

That king established an irreligious order and disregarding Vedic observances he engaged in impious actions (4).

During his administration the study of the Vedas and the performance of the Vedic rites were suspended. And the celestials did not get Soma juice consecrated in Yajnas (5).

Such was the dreadful promise of the Patriarch that no one would perform, even at the time of destruction, either Homa or Yajna (6).

O foremost of Kurus, (he said) I am worthy of being adored, I am the agent of Yajna, 'I am identical with Yajna-you should dedicate all your Yajnas and Homas unto me (7).'

Beholding him thus transgress the order and partake unduly and unfairly of the sacrificial offerings the great Rishis, headed by Marichi, said (8):–

“We shall enter upon the initiation ceremony for many long years—therefore do not act irreligiously, O Vena, for such is the eternal religion (9).

After the death of Atri you have forsooth been born as a Patriarch. And you made the contract that you would govern the subjects” (10).

After they had said this the wicked and ill disposed Vena, laughing, said to all those great Rishis, the following evil words (11).

Vena said “Who else will be the founder of religion ? Whom shall I hear? Who else is superior to me on this earth in learning, energy, prowess, asceticism and truth (12)?

All creatures and especially all forms of religion have originated from me. You are all stupid and void of consciousness and therefore you do not know me (13).

If I wish I can burn down the earth or overflow it with water. I can obstruct the heaven and earth : there is no need of discussing it (14).

When the noble Rishis could not make Vena humble on account of his pride and egotism, they, worked up with anger, belaboured that highly powerful king and began to churn his left thigh (15–16).

When the thigh of that king was thus churned there arose from it a greatly short and dark person (17).

O Janamejaya, he stood there, stricken with fear and folding his arms. Beholding him thus possessed by fear Atri said to him “Nishida” Sit down (18).

O foremost of speakers, he became the originator of the race of Nishadas (hunters) and procreated the race of fishermen begotten of the sins of Vena (19).

And Tukhāras, Tumuras and other races taking delight in impiety who live on the Vindhya mountain were also born of Vena (20).

Thereupon, those high-souled Rishis, worked up with anger, began to churn the right arm of Vena like a piece of wood used for kindling fire (21).

From that arm originated Prithu resembling the very flame, and burning in effulgence like the fire itself (22).

The highly illustrious Prithu was born with his most excellent prime bow Ajagava, heavenly arrows and a highly lustrous coat of mail to protect his body (23-24).

At his birth all the creatures were filled with delight and Vena too, O monarch, repaired to the celestial region (25).

O descendant of Kuru, the great Prithu, a good son, being born he saved Vena from the hell called Put¹ (26).

Taking all the jewels the oceans came to him with water for his installation (27).

The Divine Brahmā with the Devas, the offspring of Angiras, and all other creatures, mobile and immobile, came there and installed the effulgent king, the son of Vena, the lord of an extensive kingdom (28-29).

The highly energetic and powerful son of Vena, Prithu, was installed as the first king by the leading Rishis conversant with the Vedas and other scriptures (30).

By him were pleased the subjects who had been dissatisfied by his father. On account of his being the object of their love he was called Rājā (king) (31).

When he used to make a voyage in the ocean the water used be grow hard as land and the mountains made way for him and the branches of the trees were not broken down (32).

The earth grew easy of production and yielded articles of food as soon as thought of. The kine gave milk whenever milched and honey grew in every leaf (33).

In the meantime at the sacred Yajna of Brahmā, was born the highly intelligent Suta (34).

At that great Yajna was also born the wise Māgadha. They were invited by the celestial saints for chanting the glories of Prithu (35).

All the Rishis said to them “Do ye sing the glories of this king. This is a work that befits you and this king too is also an worthy subject for it (36).

Then Suta and Māgadha said to all those Rishis:—“We shall, with our own actions, delight the gods and Rishis (37).

O ye twice born ones, we are not cognizant of the actions, characteristics and fame of this energetic king. How shall we then chant his glories” (38)?

They were then engaged by the Rishis (to chant his glories) saying “Do ye chant his glories by the deeds which the highly powerful Prithu did in the previous Kalpa (39).

This king speaks truth, has a good character, keeps his promise, is modest, does good unto all, is forgiving, powerful, represses the wicked, observes his duties,

is grateful, merciful, always speaks sweet words and respects those who deserve it, performs Yajnas, is devoted to Brāhmanas, is of a quiet temperament, and observes the rules of society.”

Since then, O Janamejaya, at the time of chanting glories Sutas and Māgadhas (panegyrists) pour their benedictions in this world (40-42).

Being highly pleased with their eulogy the king Prithu conferred upon Suta the province of Arupa, and on Māgadha, that of Magadha (43).

Thereat delighthd the great Rishis and the subjects said “The king will forsooth grant us maintenances in abundance” (44).

Thereupon at the words of the great saints, the subjects approached the son of Vena and begged of him their maintenances (45).

Thus approached by his subjects and with a view to do them good the powerful king took up his bow and assailed the earth (46).

Thereupon assuming the form of a cow the earth fled away in fear of Vena's son. Prithu too, taking up his bow, pursued her (47).

Traversing the region of Brahmā and all other regions in fear of Vena's son she saw him everywhere before her with the bow in his hand (48).

He looked effulgent like the burning eternal fire with his sharpened arrows and even the immortals could not repress that high-souled one (49).

Even when repairing to the region of Brahmā she could not find safety; the earth, adored even by the three worlds with folded hands then said to the son of Vena:—

“You should not perpetrate the iniquity of slaying a woman. Without me, how will you be able, O king, to protect your subjects (50-51).

O king, all the worlds are situated on me, and this universe is sustained by me. Know this, O king, that with my destruction all the creatures will be destroyed (52).

O king, if you wish to encompass the well being of your subjects it does not behove you to kill me. Listen to these words of mine (53). If works are undertaken commensurate with their means they are crowned with success.

Do you, O king, find out the means by which you will protect your subjects (54).

By slaying me, O king, you will not be able to protect your subjects by any means. O you of great effulgence, I will find it out; do you restrain your anger (55).

Even women of inferior births should not be slain. Therefore, O king, you should not forsake your morality (56).”

Hearing those various words of the earth the high-souled and pious king, restraining his anger, said to her (57).

Footnotes

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