Skip to main content

THE STORY OF JANMEJAYA

Janmejaya, along with his three brothers was attending a yajna on the plains of Kurushkhetra.There arrived the offspring of the celestial bitch, Sarama. Belaboured by the brothers of Janmejaya, it went crying to its mother. The mother was infuriated. She went to the brothers and asked them,”Why did u hurt my son without any fault of his?’’ ‘’He neither  looked at your sacrifical butter nor did he touch it with his tongue.’’The brothers had no answer. Possessed by pain and anger she said,’’As you have beaten my son who hadn’t committed any fault so evil will come upon you when you least expect it.’’
Janmejaya was shocked.After the yajna was over,he returned to Hastinapura. There he began to search for a saint who could do away with the effect of the curse.
One day,while he was in a hunting expedition,he came across the hermitage of rishi Srutasrava. He had a son named Somasrava who was ascetically devoted,accomplished in the study of the Vedas,and was born of a she snake who had drunk the vital fluid of rishi Srutasarva. Janmejaya beseeched Srutasarva to give his son to him for becoming his purohit.Srutasarva said that his son had the power to absolve one from all offences except those committed against Mahadeva, but he had a secret vow----that of granting anything any Brahmana asked   from him.Janmejaya could have him if he was ready for it.
Janmejaya was more than happy to have Somasrava.He returned to the capital with him.He said tohis brothers’’’This is the person whom I’ve chosen as my spiritual master.You must comply with whatever he says.’’His brothers did exactly as  was wanted from them.
And having given these directions, the king marched towards  Takshyashila and brought the country under
            his authority

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

STORIES OF ARUNI,UPAMANYU AND VEDA

Ayoda-Dhaumya was a contemporary sage who had three disciples named Upamanyu,Aruni, and Veda.The disciples resided in his hermitage and performed the various tasks that were assigned to them. One fine day,the rishi came to know about a paddy field where a sudden breach of a water course was causing havoc.He  asked Aruni of Panchala to go and stop the flow. Aruni left immediately for the field and on reaching there he saw that he couldn’t stop it by any ordinary means.He was distressed as he didn't want to let down his master. So he went down  and lied down prostrate on the ground,and thus the water was confined. After quite  some time Ayoda-Dhaumya became aware of Aruni’s absence.When he enquired about Aruni,his other disciples reminded him of the errand that the boy had been send for.The guru instantly reached the field along with his disciples to see what the matter was.He cried out for Aruni.On hearing his master’s voice Aruni came out running from  the water...
Post a Comment
Read more

PULOMA--THE BEAUTIFUL

A QUICK RECAP---Sauti,the son of Lomaharsana was narrating stories from the Mahabharata  in the august company of the learned sages of those times.  After finishing with the story of Utanka,he again asked Maharshi Saunaka  and the others,’’What now sir?What do you wish to hear now?’’To this the Maharsi replied,’’Recount the history of the clan of Bhrigu, and we will attentively listen to you.’’ {Here I would like to add that the race of Bhrigu, or the descendants of Maharshi Bhrigu  are the modern Bhargava Brahmins who reside mostly in North India} Thus Sauti began his story. When Brahma was conducting a yajna for Varuna, Bhrigu emerged from the sacred fire. He was thought to be one of the manasputras of Brahma. In due time the  son of Brahma grew up and was married to Puloma renowned for her extraordinary beauty.  Bhrigu loved his wife dearly. Puloma was also madly in love with her husband. One morning, when Puloma was heavy with child, Bhrigu ...
Post a Comment
Read more

UTANKA AND THE TAKSHAKA-2

Utanka decided to avenge the vile act of the Takshaka. He reached Hastinapur and met King Janmejaya .The king had just returned victorious from Takshasila . Celebration was in the air. Utanka seized the opportunity. He said,’’You are the mightiest of all the monarchs  that have ever lived. How come you are spending your time in mere merry and mirth when such a grave issue is looming large on your head?’’. He acknowledged,’’Yes, I was carried away,please tell me revered Brahmana, what is the call of the day?’’Utanka replied,’’ Go and avenge the death of your benevolent father, King Parikshita who was bitten without any reason by the vile serpent –Takshaka. The wicked fellow also drove away the physician,Kasyapa,who was coming to help your father.’’ Utanka went on,’’Conduct the snake –sacrifice yajna and let the wretch burn in blazing fire. Your father’s death would be avenged this way and I would be pleased too as the Takshaka had given be enough trouble.’’ The king was overcome...
Post a Comment
Read more