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Mahabharata
Sambhava Parva (IX)
History of Yayati.
Janamejaya said:
O Brahmana, I have heard from you the great history of my ancestors. I have also heard from you about the great kings that were born in my dynasty.
But I am not still satiated with this charming account, for it is so short. Therefore, narrate to me in detail. This delightful history, commencing from Prajapati Manu. Who will not feel delight in hearing such an account, sacred as it is.
The fame of these monarchs covered the three on account of their wisdom, virtue, accomplishments and high characters.
Having heard of their liberality, prowess, physical strength, mental vigour, energy and perseverance; this history, sweet as ambrosia, I have not been satiated.
Vaishampayana said :
O king, hear the auspicious history, of your own race as I recite it to you in detail and just as I heard it before from Dvaipayana.
Daksha, begot Aditi, Aditi begot Vivasvata. Vivasvata begot Manu. Manu begot Ila. Ila begot Pururava, Pururava begot Ayusha, Ayusha begot Nahusha, Nahusha begot Yayati, Yayati had two wives. Namely Devayani, the daughter of Ushanas (Shukra) and Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva.
This is a Sloka about this line - Devayani gave birth to Yadu and Turvasu; and Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva, gave birth to Druhyu, Ann and Puru.
From Yadu, the Yadavas were descended and from Puru and Pauravas.
Puru had a wife, named Kaushalya and he begot on her a son named Janamejaya. He performed three great Horse-sacrifices and a sacrifice called Vishvajita. He then retired into a forest.
Janamejaya married Ananta, the daughter of Madhava- He begot on her a son, named Prachinata. He was so called because he conquered all the countries in the east even where the sun rises.
Prachinata married Ashmaki, the daughter of the Yadavas and she gave birth to a son, named Sanyati.
Sanyati married Varangi, the daughter of Drishadvata and she gave birth to a son called Ahanyati.
Ahanyati married Bhanumati, the daughter of Kritavirya and he begot on her a son, named Sarvabhauma.
Sarvabhauma married Sunanda, the daughter of Kekaya who was taken by force and she gave birth to a son, named Jayatsena.
Jayatsena married Sushrava, the daughter of the Vidharbha king and she gave birth to a son, named Avachina.
Avachina married another princess of the Vidharbha kings, called Maryada and she gave birth to a son, named Ariha.
Ariha married Agni and she gave birth to a son, named Mahabhauma.
Muhabhauma married Suyajna, the daughter of Prasenjit and she gave birth to a son, named Ayutanayi. He was so called, because he performed a sacrifice in which the fat of one Ayuta male beings was required.
Ayutanayi married Kama, the daughter of Prithushrava and she gave birth to a son, called Akrodhana.
Akrodhana married Karambha, the daughter of the king of Kalinga and she gave birth to a son, called Devatithi.
Devatithi married Maryada, the princess of Videha and she gave birth to a son, named Ariha.
Ariha married Sudeva, the princess of Anga and she gave birth to a son, Riksha.
Riksha married Jwala, the daughter of Takshaka and she gave birth to a son, named Matinara.
Matinara performed the most efficacious twelve years' sacrifice on the banks of the Sarasvati. At the conclusion of the sacrifice, the Sarasvati herself appeared before him and chose him as her husband. He begot on her a son, named Tangsu.
Here is Sloka describing Tangsu's descendants. Tangsu begot on his wife, the princess of Kalinga, a son, named Ilina.
Ilina begot on his wife, Rathantari, five sons, Dushyanta being the eldest of them.
Dushyanta married Sakuntala, the daughter of Vishwamitra and she gave birth to a son, named Bharata.
Here are two Slokas, describing the descendants of Bharata. "O Dushyanta, the mother is but a sheath of flesh (within which the son dwells). The son sprung from the father is the father himself. Therefore, cherish your son. Do not insult Shakuntala.
"O best of men, the son, begotten by one's own self, rescues him from the abode of Yama. You are the father of this son. Sakuntala has spoken the truth."
It is for this reason he was called Bharata. Bharata married Sunanda, the daughter of Sarvasena, the king of Kashi and she gave birth to a son, called Bhumanyu.
Bhumanyu married Vijaya, the daughter of Dasarha and she gave birth to a son, named Suhotra.
Suhotra married Suvama, the daughter of Ikshaku and she gave birth to a son, named Hasti, who founded this city, called after his name Hastinapur.
Hasti married Yashodhara, the princess of Trigarta and she gave birth to a son, named Vikunthana.
Vikunthana married Sudeva, the princess of Dasarha and she gave birth to a son, named Ajamida.
Ajamida had four wives, namely Kaikeyi, Gandhari, Vishala and Riksha and he begot on them two thousands and one hundred sons. And Amongst them all, Samvarana became the perpetuator of the dynasty.
Samvarana married Tapati, the daughter of Vivasvata and she gave birth to a son, named Kuru.
Kuru married Shubhangi, the princess of Dasarha and she gave birth to a son, named Vidura.
Vidura married Sungpriya, the daughter of Madhava and she gave birth to a son, named Anashva.
Anashva married Amrita, the daughter of the Magadhas and she gave birth to a son, named Parikshit.
Parikshit married Suyasha, the daughter of Vahuda and she gave birth to a son, named Bhimasena.
Bhimasena married Kumari, the princess of Kekaya and she gave birth to a son, named Pratishrava.
Pratishrava begot Pratipa; Pratipa married Sunanda, the daughter of Sivi and she gave birth to three sons, namely Devapi, Shantanu and Balhika.
Devapi retired into a forest as a hermit when he was still a boy. Therefore, Shantanu became king.
Here occurs a Sloka, describing Shantanu. "Those that were touched by this king with his hands, felt indescribable pleasure. They became restored to youth. Therefore, this king was called Shantanu."
Shantanu married Ganga and she gave birth to a son, named Devavrata, who was afterwards called Bhishma.
Bhishma, being desirous of doing good to his father, got him married to Satyavati, who was also called Gandhakali.
In her maidenhood she gave birth to a son by Parashara, named Dvaipayana. Shantanu begot two more sons on her.
Namely Vichitravirya and Chitrangada. But before they attained to their youth, Chitrangada was killed by the Gandharvas. Therefore, Vichitravirya became king.
Vichitravirya married the two daughters of the king of Kashi born of Kaushalya, named Amvika and Ambalika.
Vichitravirya died childless. Thereupon, Satyavati began to think how the dynasty of Dushyanta might be perpetuated.
She then thought of Rishi Dvaipayana in her mind. He stood before her and said, "What are you commands?"
She told him, "Your brother Vichitravirya has gone to heaven childless. Beget virtuous children for him."
Dvaipayana consented to do it and he begot three sons, namely Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura.
The king Dhritarashtra begot one hundred sons on his wife Gandhari on account of the boon granted by Dvaipayana.
Amongst those one hundred sons, four became famous; (they were) Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikama and Chitrasena.
Pandu had two best jewels of wives, namely Kunti, also called Pritha and Madri.
Pandu one day went to hunt and saw a deer with its mate. It was s Rishi in the form of a deer. He killed it with his arrow in that state, when his desire was not satiated.
Wounded with the arrow of the king, the deer quickly changed its form and became a Rishi. He said to Pandu, "You are virtuous and you know the pleasure derived from the gratification of one's desire. My desire is not yet satisfied, but you have killed me. Therefore, you will also die when you will be so engaged and when your desire will not be gratified." Pandu became pale to hear this curse. And from that time he did not go to his wives.
He told them, "I have been cursed by my fault. But I have heard that there are no regions hereafter for those who are childless." Therefore, he asked Kunti to raise offspring for him. Kunti said, "Let it be so." By Dharma she had Yudhishthira, by Maruta Bhima and by Indra Arjuna.
Pandu was much pleased with her and said, "This your sister (my co-wife) is also childless. Therefore, cause her to give birth to children." Kunti said, "Let it be so," and she imparted unto Madri the Mantra of invocation.
And Madri gave birth by the Ashvinis, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva.
One day Pandu saw Madri decked in ornaments and his desire was kindled, As soon as he touched her, he died. Thereupon, Madri ascended, his funeral pyre. She said to Kunti, "Let my twin sons be affectionately brought up by you."
Some time after, the Pandu princes, with their mother Kunti, were taken by the ascetics to Hastinapur and they were introduced to Bhishma and Vidura. After introducing them to all the orders, the ascetics disappeared in the very sight of all.
After the conclusion of the speech of these ascetics, flowers were showered down upon the place and celestial drums were beaten in the sky.
The Pandavas were, thereupon, accepted (by all). They then represented the death of their father and duly performed his obsequies. As they were brought up there in their boyhood, Duryodhana became very jealous of them.
The sinful (Duryodhana), acting like a Rakshasa, attempted by various means to drive them away, but what is to be can never be prevented.
Dhritarashtra then by an act of deception sent them to Varanavata. They also went gladly there.
An attempt was there made to burn them to death, but they were saved through the warning counsel of Vidura.
After this Hidimba was killed and they then went to a place, called Ekachakra.
They killed at Ekachakra a Rakshasa, named Baka. They then went to Panchala city.
There they obtained Draupadi as their wife and they returned to their own kingdom.
They lived in peace there (in Hastinapura) and begot sons. Yudhishthira begot Prativindhya, Bhima (begot) Sutasoma, Arjuna (begot) Shrutakirti, Nakula (begot) Shatanika and Sahadeva (begot) Shrutakarmana.
Yudhishthira obtained in Svaimvara for his wife Devika, the daughter of Govasana of the Shaivya race and he begot on her a son, named Yaudheya. Bhima also obtained for his wife Balandhara, the daughter of the king of Kashi, by offering as his dower his own great prowess. He begot on her a son, named Sarvaga.
Arjuna went to Dwarika and there he married by force the sweet-speeched Subhadra, the sister of Vasudeva (Krishna). He begot on her a son, named Abhimanyu, who was endued with all accomplishments and who was dear to Vasudeva himself.
Nakula obtained for his wife Karenumati, the princess of Chedi and he begot on her a son, named Niramitra.
Sahadeva obtained in Svaimvara Vijaya, the daughter of Dyutimata, the king of Madra. He begot a son on her, named Suhotra.
Bhima begot some time before on Hidimba a son, named Ghatotkacha.
These were the eleven sons, begot by the Pandavas. Amongst them Abhimanyu was the perpetuator of the dynasty.
He married Uttara, the daughter of the king of Virata. She gave birth to a dead child, whom Pritha (Kunti) took up on her lap at the command of Krishna, who said, "I will revive this child of six months."
Though born before time, having been burnt by the fire of the weapon (hurled by Ashvathama), though deprived of life, strength and energy, he was revived by Vasudeva and was given strength, energy and prowess. After thus making him alive, Vasudeva said, "As this child is born in an extinct race, let him be called Parikshit." Parikshit married Madravati, your mother and she gave birth to you, Janamejaya.
You have begotten two sons on your wife Vapushtama, named Shatanika and Shankukama. And Shatanika has also begotten a son on the princess of Videha, named Ashvamedhadatta.
Thus have I narrated to you the history of the Kuru and Pandu dynasty. It is excellent, virtue-increasing and greatly sacred. It should always be heard by the vow-observing Brahmanas and Kshatriyas devoted to the duties of their subjects. (It should be heard) also by Vaishyas with attention and with reverence by Sudras, whose chief duties are to wait upon the three other orders.
Those Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas and all those men who will recite or listen to this holy history with attention and reverence, will conquer the heaven and attain to the abode of the blessed. They will be always respected and adored by the celestial, Brahmanas and all other men.
This holy history, Bharata, has been told by the illustrious Vyasa. The Brahmanas, learned in the Vedas and all those men who hear it recited with reverence and without malice, conquer the heavens and earn great virtues. Though sinning, he is not disrespected by any.
Here occurs a sloka. "This Bharata is equal to the Vedas. It is holy and good. It gives wealth, fame and life. Therefore, it should be heard by men with great attention."
Vaishampayana said:
There was born a king in the race of Ikshaku and he was known by the name of Mahabhisha. He, a man, a lord of the world, was truthful and was truly powerful. By performing one thousand Ashvamedha and one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, he pleased the lord of the celestial. Then he ascended to heaven.
Once upon a time, the celestial were one day worshipping Brahma. Many royal sages and king Mahabhisha were also present there.
The queen of the rivers, Ganga also came there to pay her adorations to the Grandsire. Her garments, as white as the moon, were blown away by the winds.
As her person thus became exposed, the celestial bent down their heads, but the royal sage Mahabhisha rudely continued to stare at her.
For this (rude act), Mahabhisha was cursed by Brahma. He said, "You will be born on earth and you shall then again attain to these regions."
"When you anger on Ganga, than you also free from his curse."
The king (Mahabhisha) then remembered all the monarchs and ascetics on earth and wished to be born as the son of the greatly powerful Pratipa. The best of the rivers, (Ganga) seeing the king Mahabhisha lose his firmness, went away thinking him in her mind. She saw on her way those dwellers of heaven, the Vasus, who were dejected and who had lost heaven.
The best of rivers, seeing them in that state them, "O dwellers of heaven, why do you look dejected? Is every thing all right with you?" The celestial Vasus replied to her, "O great river, we have been cursed for our little fault by the illustrious Vasistha in anger. Vasishtha was engaged in his Sandhya (twilight worship); that best of Rishis was not seen by us. We in our ignorance crossed him. Therefore, he cursed us in anger, saying, 'Be born as men.'
We are not able to frustrate what has been said by that Brahma-knowing Rishi. Kindly make us, the Vasus, your sons by becoming a woman on earth.
O amiable one, we are unwilling to enter the womb of any human female." Having been thus addressed she said :
Ganga said:
Who is that best of men who will be your father?
The Vasus said:
There will be born on earth a son to Pratipa who will be a greatly famous king. He will be our father on earth.
Ganga said:
O celestial, this is also my wish which you sinless ones have expressed. I shall do the favourite works of that king. It is also your wish as just expressed.
The Vasus said:
O lady of three courses (celestial terrestrial and subterranean), you should throw your children into water just after their birth, so that we may not have to live for long on earth.
Ganga said:
I shall do as you desire. But so that my companionship with him may not be entirely fruitless, do this that one son may live.
The Vasus said:
We shall each give one eighth part of our respective energies and from it a son will be born to you who will live according to your and his wishes.
But this son will not beget any children on dearth. Therefore, your that powerful son will be childless.
The Vasus making this arrangement with Ganga, went away in delight to the place where they lived.
Vaishampayana said:
There was a king, named Pratipa, engaged in doing good to all creatures. He spent many years in ascetic penances, going to the source of (the river) Ganga.
The accomplished and beautiful Ganga, in the form of a tempting woman, rose from the water and came to the king. That beautiful-featured lady, that intelligent celestial maiden, endued with ravishing beauty, sat upon the right thigh of the king which was like a Shala tree.
Thereupon, the king Pratipa asked that famous "O fortunate lady, what good can I do to you and which you desire?"
The Maiden said:
O king, I desire to have you. I offer myself, accept me. To reject a woman who is full of desire is never considered good by the wise.
Pratipa said:
O beautiful lady, I never go to another man's wife out of lust. O fortunate maiden, this is my solemn vow.
The Maiden said:
I am neither inauspicious, not ugly, nor a detestable maiden. I am a celestial damsel of great beauty, O king, I offer myself, accept me.
Pratipa said :
I have abstained from the course to which you would incite me. If I break my vow, its sin will destroy me.
O beautiful lady, you have sat upon my right thigh. O timid girl, it is the seat for daughters and daughters-in-law.
The left thigh is the seat for the wife, but you have rejected it. Therefore, O best lady, I cannot accept you.
O beautiful girl, be my daughter-in-law. I accept you for my son. The left thigh is for the wife which you have not accepted.
The Maiden said:
O virtuous man, let it be as you say. Let me be united with your son. Out of respect for you, I shall be a wife of the famous Bharata race.
You are the refuge of all the monarchs of the earth. I am incapable of reciting your qualifications even in one hundred years.
O virtuous man, the greatness and goodness of many celebrated monarchs of (your) this race is unlimited. But, O lord, this must be the term (of my becoming your daughter-in-law) that your son shall not be able to judge the propriety for my acts. Living thus with your son, I shall make him happy and do him good. He shall finally ascend heaven in consequence of his virtues and good conduct and of the sons I shall bear him.
Vaishampayana said:
O King, having said this, the celestial maiden then and there disappeared.
The king also waited for the birth of his son, so that he could fulfil his promise. Some time after, the best of Kshatriyas, that light of the Kuru race, Pratipa, was engaged with his wife in ascetic penances with the desire of a son.
When they grew old, a son was born to them and this son was Mahabhisha.
He was called Shantanu, because he was born when his father had controlled his passions by asceticism.
The best of Kurus, Shantanu, knowing that the regions of indestructible happiness could be gained only by virtuous deeds, devoted himself to virtue. When Shantanu grew up to be a youth, Pratipa told him -
"O Shantanu, some time before, a celestial damsel came to me for good. If you meet that beautiful celestial damsel in secret and if she solicits you to beget offspring on her, accept her as your wife. O sinless one, judge not the propriety of impropriety of anything she does. Ask not who she is, whom she belongs to and whence she comes. But accept her as your wife at my command."
Vaishampayana said:
Having thus commanded his son Shantanu and installed him on his throne, that king, Pratipa, retired into a forest.
That greatly intelligent king Shantanu, as effulgent as the king of the celestial, became a lover of hunting and passed much of his time in the woods.
That best of kings many deer and buffaloes. Wandering along the banks of the Ganges, he came upon a place frequented by Siddhas and Charanas.
There did the great king meet with one day a lovely damsel of blazing beauty like Sree herself.
She was a faultless beauty and her teeth were like peals. She was decked with celestial ornaments. She wore garments as fine and beautiful as the filaments of lotus.
The king was surprised to see that damsel of great beauty; and his hair all over his body stood up in rapture. His steadfast gaze drank her charms, but it failed to satiate him.
The maiden also, seeing that king of great effulgence move about in great agitation, was moved and felt for him an affection and friendship. She gazed at him and longed to gaze at him more.
The king then addressed her in sweet words. "O beautiful one, O beauty of slender waist, be you a lady of the Deva or Danavas race, be you a maiden of the race of the Gandharvas or the Apsaras, be you a damsel of the Yakshas or the Nagas, or be you a human female, I solicit you to be my wife.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard these soft and sweet words of the smiling king, that faultless maiden remembered the promise she had made to the Vasus. She spoke to the king, sending a thrill of pleasure; (she said), "O protector of the world, I shall become your wife and obey your commands.
But O king, you must not interfere in any of my acts, whether they be agreeable or disagreeable to you. You most not also speak to me in harsh words.
O king, so long you will act in the way I ask you to do, I shall live with you. But I shall certainly leave you as soon as you interfere with me or use harsh words towards me."
The best of the Bharata race, the king said, "Be it so." Thereupon, the maiden was exceedingly glad to get that excellent king for her husband.
King Shantanu also was exceedingly pleased to get her for his wife. He fully enjoyed her sweet company. Adhering to his promise, he refrained from asking her anything.
The lord of the world, king Shantanu, became very much pleased with her beauty, conduct, magnanimity and attention to comforts.
That celestial lady, Ganga of the three courses, assuming a human form of exceeding beauty and excellent feature. Lived happily as the wife of Shantanu, having as the fruit of her virtues, obtained that best of kings, as effulgent as the king of the celestial.
She pleased the king with her attractiveness and love, with her affection and wits, her music and dance and king was exceedingly pleased with her.
The king was so much sunk in the beauty of his wife, that months, seasons and years rolled away without his being conscious of them.
When the king was thus enjoying himself with his wife, eight sons were born to him. They were all like the celestial.
O descendant of the Bharata race, as soon as they were born, they were one after the other thrown into the river by Ganga, who said, when she threw them into the stream. " This is done for your good."
The king Shantanu could not be pleased with such conduct, but he did not speak a word to her for the fear of losing her.
When the eighth son was born and when Ganga was smiling (before she threw it into the river), the king, desiring to protect his son, said in sorrow -
"Do not kill it. Who are you? To whom do you belong? Why do you kill your own sons? Murderess of your sons, you are earning great sins by your improper acts."
Ganga said:
As you desire for a son, I shall not kill this child. You have become the foremost of fathers. But there must be an end of my stay with you according to our agreement.
I am Ganga, the daughter of Jahnu, worshipped by all great Rishis. I have so long lived with your for accomplishing the purpose of the celestial.
These sons were the eight celestial, the illustrious and greatly effulgent Vasus. They had to assume human form in consequence of the curse of Vasistha.
There is none on earth who desires to be their progenitor. There is none among human females like me who may be their mother.
Therefore I assumed the human form to become their mother. You have acquired great regions of celestial bliss by becoming the progenitor of the eight Vasus.
My agreement with the celestial Vasus was that I should free them from their human birth as soon as each would be born.
Thus have I freed them from the curse of the illustrious Rishi Apava (Vasistha.) Be blessed, I leave you now. Rear this child of rigid vows.
I promised to the Vasus to live with you so long (as I have lived). Let this child of mine be known by the name of Gangadatta.
Shantanu said:
Who was Apava and what fault was committed by the Vasus that they had to be born among men in consequence of his curse?
What also had this child done that he should have to live among men?
Why also the lord of the three worlds, the Vasus, were condemned to be born among men? O daughter of Jahnu, tell me all.
Vaishampayana said:
Having been thus addressed, the celestial lady, the daughter of Jahnu, Ganga, replied to her husband, the best of men, Shantanu.
Ganga said:
O best of the Bharata race, the son that was formerly born of Varuna, was the Rishi named Vasistha. He was subsequently known by the name of Apava.
His hermitage stood by the side of the best of mountains, the Meru. The place was holy and abounded in deer and birds. It was covered with all the best flowers.
O best of the Bharata race, that foremost of all virtuous men, the son of Varuna, practised his penances in that forest, abounding in sweet roots, fruits and water.
Daksha had a daughter who was known as Surabhi. O best of the Bharata race, that lady gave birth to a cow by Kashyapa.
The virtuous-minded son of Varuna, obtained that best of kine, capable of granting every desire, for the purpose of his Homa rites and for benefiting the world.
That cow dwelt in that forest adored of all the Rishis. She roamed fearlessly in those sacred and delightful woods.
O best of the Bharata race, once on a time came to that forest adored by the celestial Rishis, all the celestial Vasus, Prithu being at then head.
They roamed with their wives into that forest and enjoyed themselves in those delightful woods and mountains.
O Indra like powerful man, one of the slender-waisted of the Vasus saw that cow roaming in the forest.
O king, her name was Nandini and she could grant every desire; she possessed the wealth of all accomplishments and large eyes, full udders, fine tail, handsome hoop and every auspicious signs. She gave much milk. Seeing her such, the wife of the Vasu showed her in astonishment to her husband named Dyonai. O descendant of Puru, O king, this cow of many qualifications was formerly shown by the daughter of the Vasus to the Vasu. O elephant-like powerful man, when that cow was shown to Dyonai, O king, he began to admire her qualities and thus spoke to the lady (his wife). "O black-eyed lady of beautiful thighs, this excellent cow belongs to the Rishi, the son of Varuna, to whom belongs this excellent wood. O slender-waisted lady, he who drinks the milk of this cow lives young for ten-thousand years." O best of kings, having heard this, that lady of slender-waist thus addressed her husband of burning effulgence. I have a friend among men on earth, named Jitavati, the daughter of a king, who possesses great beauty and youth. She is daughter of the royal sage, truthful and intelligent Ushinara. Her wealth of beauty is famous all over the world. O illustrious one, for her, I desire to posses this cow with her calf.
O best of the celestial, O virtue increasing one, bring her soon. So that my that human friend, drinking her milk, becomes the only person on earth free from disease and
decrepitude. O illustrious god, O blameless god, you should grant me my this desire.
"There is nothing which would be more agreeable to me."
Having heard her these words, Dyo, in order to please that celestial lady, stole the cow with the help of Prithu and his other brothers. O king, commanded by his lotus-eyed wife, Dyo did her bidding, for getting the great ascetic merits of the Rishi who owned her (the cow). He did not know then that he would have to fall foe the sin of stealing the cow.
When in the evening the son of Varuna returned to his hermitage with the fruits he had collected, he did not find the cow and its calf Then he began to search for her in that excellent wood.
The noble-minded and greatly intelligent ascetic searched for the cow everywhere in the woods; but though he searched long, yet he could he not find her.
The man of ascetic vision then found that she had been stolen by the Vasus. His anger was at once roused and he cursed the Vasus -
Saying, "As the Vasus have stolen my cow sweet milk and handsome tail, they shall certainly be born as men on earth."
O best of the Bharata race, the illustrious Apava, the best of Rishis, thus cursed the Vasus out of anger.
Having thus cursed them, the illustrious man again engaged himself in asceticism. O king, when the celestial Vasus were thus cursed in anger by that Brahmarshi and ascetic of great power. They soon came to the hermitage of the illustrious man; as soon as they came to know of it. O best of men, Apava, learned in the ruled of every virtue. O best of kings, the Vasus tried to pacify that Rishi, but they failed to obtain grace from that best of Rishis.
The virtuous Rishi said, "You have been cursed by me along with Dyo and others. But you shall be freed from my curse within a year of your birth among men.
But he for whose act you have all been cursed by me, that Dyo, will have to remain on earth for long for his own (sinful) act.
I shall not make my words futile though uttered in anger. But Dyo shall not beget offspring when dwelling on earth.
"He will be virtuous-minded and learned in all Shastras. He will be very obedient to his
father and abstain from the pleasure of women."
Thus addressing all the Vasus, the great Rishi, went away. And the Vasus all came to me.
O king, they prayed to me for a boon, saying, "O Ganga, as soon as each of us will, be born, you yourself should throw us into the water."
O best of kings, I did act accordingly. (I threw them into the waters) in order to free them from their earthly life, the effect of that curse.
O descendant of the Bharata race, O excellent king, the only one, namely Dyo himself, is to live earth on account of the Rishi's curse.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this, the goddess disappeared then and there. Taking her son with her, she went away to the place she wished to go.
That son of Shantanu was named both Gangeya and Devavrata and he excelled his father in all accomplishments.
Shantanu then went to his own capital with a sorrowful heart. I shall now narrate to you the many accomplishments of Shantanu,
And the great fortune of the illustrious king of the Bharata race, the history of whom is called this effulgent Mahabharata.
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