VIDURA

Among the three princes of King Vichitravirya's queens, Dritharastra is known to be the father of the Kauravas and Pandu the father of the Pandavas, the two groups who fought in the epic Kurukshetra battle. However in the previous post we saw that there was a third brother, Vidura. We can see that throughout the Mahabharata Vidura plays a key role in most tale- turning events. Hence I found it insightful to understand the need for a Vidura in this great saga and who he actually is.

THE sage Mandavya who had acquired strength of mind and knowledge of the scriptures, spent his days in penance and the practice of truth. He lived in a hermitage in the forests on the outskirts of the city. 

One day while he was immersed in silent contemplation under the shade of a tree outside his hut of leaves, a band of robbers fled through the woods with officers of the king in hot pursuit. The fugitives entered the ashrama thinking that it would be a convenient place to hide themselves in. They placed their booty in a corner and hid themselves. The soldiers of the king came to the ashrama tracking their footsteps. The commander of the soldiers asked Mandavya, who was rapt in deep meditation in a tone of peremptory command: "Did you see the robbers pass by? Where did they go? Reply at once so that we may give chase and capture them." The sage, who was absorbed in yoga, remained silent. The commander repeated the question insolently. But the sage did not hear anything. In the meantime some of the attendants entered the ashrama and discovered the stolen goods lying there. They reported this to their commander. All of them went in and found the stolen goods and the robbers who were in hiding. The commander thought: "Now I know the reason why the brahmana pretended to be a silent sage. He is indeed the chief of these robbers. He has inspired this robbery." Then he ordered his soldiers to guard the place, went to the king and told him that the sage Mandavya had been caught with the stolen goods. 

The king was very angry at the audacity of the chief of the robbers who had put on the garb of a brahmana sage, the better to deceive the world. Without pausing to verify the facts, he ordered the wicked criminal, as he thought him, to be impaled. The commander returned to the hermitage, impaled Mandavya on a spear and handed over the stolen things to the king. The virtuous sage, though impaled on the spear, did not die. Since he was in yoga when he was impaled he remained alive by the power of yoga. Sages who lived in other parts of the forest came to his hermitage and asked Mandavya how he came to be in that terrible pass. Mandavya replied: "Whom shall I blame? The servants of the king, who protect the world, have inflicted this punishment."

The king was surprised and frightened when he heard that the impaled sage was still alive and that he was surrounded by the other sages of the forest. He hastened to the forest with his attendants and at once ordered the sage to be taken down from the spear. Then he prostrated at his feet and prayed humbly to be forgiven for the offence unwittingly committed. Mandavya was not angry with the king. He went straight to Dharma, the divine dispenser of justice, who was seated on his throne, and asked him: "What crime have I committed to deserve this torture?" Lord Dharma, who knew the great power of the sage, replied in all humility: "O sage, you have tortured birds and bees. Are you not aware that all deeds, good or bad, however small, inevitably produce their results, good or evil?" Mandavya was surprised at this reply of Lord Dharma and asked: "When did I commit this offence?" Lord Dharma replied: "When you were a child." Mandavya then pronounced a curse on Dharma: "This punishment you have decreed is far in excess of the deserts of a mistake committed by a child in ignorance. Be born, therefore, as a mortal in the world." Lord Dharma who was thus cursed by the sage Mandavya incarnated as Vidura and was born of the servant-maid of Ambalika, the wife of Vichitravirya. 

This story is intended to show that Vidura was the incarnation of Dharma. The great men of the world regarded Vidura as a mahatma who was unparalleled in his knowledge of dharma, sastras and statesmanship and was totally devoid of attachment and anger. Bhishma appointed him, while he was still in his teens, as the chief counsellor of king Dhritarashtra. Vyasa has it that no one in the three worlds could equal Vidura in virtue and knowledge. When Dhritarashtra gave his, permission for the game of dice, Vidura fell at his feet and protested solemnly: "O king and lord, I cannot approve of this action. Strife will set in among your sons as a result. Pray, do not allow this." Dhritarashtra also tried in manly ways to dissuade his wicked son. He said to him: "Do not proceed with this game. Vidura does not approve of it, the wise Vidura of lofty intellect who is ever intent on our welfare. He says the game is bound to result in a fierceness of hate which will consume us and our kingdom." But Duryodhana did not heed this advice. Carried away by his doting fondness for his son, Dhritarashtra surrendered his better judgment and sent to Yudhishthira the fateful invitation to the game

BIRTH OF DRITHARASHTRA, PANDU & VIDURA

After Bhishma made an oath to never marry or have children, Satyavati’ s father then agreed to the marriage and Bhishma along with Satyavati returned to the palace and told the King about all that had happened. Shantanu was overjoyed on hearing the news but was also greatly saddened. He understood what a great sacrifice his son had made by taking such an oath. 

King Shantanu using up all his accumulated penances which he had acquired during his lifetime, granted his son Bhishma a boon that death will have to wait on him, he would only die when he wished to.

The marriage of Satyavati and Shantanu was a happy one and to them were born two sons. Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Time passed by and eventually King Shantanu passed away in old age.

Chitrangada was too young to run the administration so Bhishma acted on his behalf and all was well for quite some time. Then came a Gandharva whose name was also Chitrangada. He was furious because someone else had the same name as his. He challenged Chitrangada to a duel.  The Gandharva killed Chitrangada in that duel and Bhishma had to appoint Vichitravirya as king .Bhishma continued acting as ruler because of the inexperience and young age of Vichitravirya. Everyone enjoyed having Bhishma as their ruler. 

When Vichitravirya reached adolescence Bhishma cast about for a bride for him. And as

he heard that the daughters of the king of Kasi were to choose their husbands according to the ancient Kshatriya practice he went there to secure them for his brother. The rulers of Kosla, Vanga, Pundra, Kalinga and other princes and potentates had also repaired to Kasi for the swayamvara, attired in their best. The princesses were so far-famed for beauty and accomplishments that there was fierce competition to win them. Bhishma was famous among the Kshatriyas as a mighty man-at-arms. At first everyone thought that the redoubtable hero had come merely to witness the festivities of the swayamvara. But when they found that he was also a suitor, the young princes felt themselves let down and were full of chagrin. They did not know that he had really come for the sake of his brother, Vichitravirya. The princes began to cast affronts at Bhishma: "This most excellent and wise descendant of the Bharata race forgets that he is too old and forgets also his vow of celibacy. What has this old man to do with this swayamvara? Fie on him!" The princesses who were to choose their husbands barely glanced at the old man and looked away. Bhishma's wrath flamed up. He challenged the assembled princes to a trial of their manhood and defeated them all. 

And taking the three princesses in his chariot he set out for Hastinapura. But before he had gone far, Salva, the king of the Saubala country who was attached to Amba, intercepted and opposed him. For that princess had mentally chosen Salva as her husband. After a bitter fight Salva was worsted, and no wonder, as Bhishma was a peerless bowman. But at the request of the princesses Bhishma spared his life. 

Arriving in Hastinapura with the princesses, Bhishma made preparations for their marriage to Vichitravirya. When all were assembled for the marriage, Amba smiled mockingly at Bhishma and addressed him as follows: "O son of Ganga, you are aware of what is enjoined in the scriptures. I have mentally chosen Salva, the king of Saubala, as my husband. You have brought me here by force. Knowing this, do what you, learned in the scriptures, should do." Bhishma admitted the force of her objection and sent her to Salva with proper escort. The marriage of Ambika and Ambalika, the two younger sisters, with Vichitravirya was duly solemnized.

Amba went rejoicing to Salva and told him what had happened: "I have mentally chosen you as my husband from the very start. Bhishma has sent me to you. Marry me according to the sastras." Salva replied: "Bhishma defeated me in sight of all, and carried you away. I have been disgraced. So, I cannot receive you now as my wife. Return to him and do as he commands." With these words Salva sent her back to Bhishma. She returned to Hastinapura and told Bhishma of what had taken place. The grand sire tried to induce Vichitravirya to marry her. But Vichitravirya roundly refused to marry a maiden whose heart had already been given to another. Amba then turned to Bhishma and she sought him to marry her himself as there was no other recourse. It was impossible for Bhishma to break his vow, sorry as he was for Amba. And after some vain attempts to make Vichitravirya change his mind, he told her there was no way left to her but to go again to Salva and seek to persuade him. This at first she was too proud to do, and for long years she abode in Hastinapura. 

Some ascetics whom she met there and to whom she told her sorrowful tale advised her to go to Parasurama as a suppliant. She followed their advice. On hearing her sad story, Parasurama was moved with compassion and said: "Dear child, what do you want? I can ask Salva to marry you if you wish it." Amba said: "No, I do not wish it. I no longer desire marriage or home or happiness. There is now but one thing in life for me, revenge on Bhishma.The only boon I seek is that you convince Bhishma as you are someone he will not say no to." Parasurama moved as much by her anguish as by his abiding hatred of the Kshatriya race, espoused her cause and sought out Bhishma and tried to convince him. It was a long and equal combat between the two greatest men-at-arms of the age. But in the end Parasurama had to acknowledge defeat as Bhishma was very determined on his vow of celibacy. He told Amba: "I have done all that I could and I have failed. Throw yourself on the mercy of Bhishma. That is the only course left to you.” Finally, in sheer desperation, she went to Salva and found him adamant in refusal.

The lotus-eyed Amba spent six bitter years in sorrow and baffled hope. And her heart was seared with suffering and all the sweetness in her turned to gall and fierce hatred towards Bhishma as the cause of her blighted life. She sought in vain for a champion among the princes to fight and kill Bhishma and thus avenge her wrongs but even the foremost warriors were afraid of Bhishma and paid no heed to her appeal. At last, she resorted to hard austerities to get the grace of Lord Subrahmanya. He graciously appeared before her and gave her a garland of ever-fresh lotuses, saying that the wearer of that garland would become the enemy of Bhishma. Amba took the garland and again be sought every Kshatriya to accept the garland gift of the six-faced Lord and to champion her cause. But no one had the hardihood to antagonize Bhishma. Finally, she went to King Drupada who also refused to grant her prayer. She then hung the garland at Drupada's palace gate and went away to the forest. Consumed with grief and rage, and kept alive only by the passion for revenge, Amba went to the Himalayas and practiced rigorous austerities to get the grace of Siva, now that all human aid had failed her. Siva appeared before her and granted her a boon, that in her next birth she would slay Bhishma. Amba was impatient for that rebirth which would give her heart's desire. She made a pyre and plunged into the fire pouring out the flame in her heart into the scarcely hotter blaze of the pyre.

By the grace of Lord Siva, Amba was born as the daughter of King Drupada. A few years after her birth, she saw the garland of never-fading flowers that still hung at the palace gate and had remained there untouched by anyone through fear. She put it round her neck. Her father Drupada was in consternation at her temerity which he feared would draw on his head the wrath of Bhishma. He sent his daughter in exile out of the capital to the forest. She practiced austerities in the forest and in time was transformed into a male and became known as the warrior Sikhandin. With Sikhandin as his charioteer, Arjuna attacked Bhishma on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Bhishma knew that Sikhandin was born as female, and true to his code of chivalry he would not fight him under any circumstance. So it was that Arjuna could fight screened by Sikhandin and conquer Bhishma, especially because Bhishma knew that his long and weary probation on earth was finished and consented to be vanquished. As the arrows struck Bhishma in his last fight, he singled out those which had pierced him deepest and said: "This is Arjuna's arrow and not Sikhandin's." So fell this great warrior. 

The marriage of Prince Vichitravirya to the other princesses Ambika and Ambalika took place in grand style. There was lots of happiness in the kingdom but alas, it was to come to an end. Vichitravirya fell victim to a deadly disease which even the best of medicines could not cure. He died at a very young age leaving his wives without any progeny. 

Satyavati was in extreme grief. First she lost her husband, then a son and now her other son was lost too. In addition there was no heir to the throne. Bhishma had to continue running the administration. Extremely worried by this situation, she summoned Bhishma and suggested that he take his brother's wives as his own so that the lineage could continue. 

Bhishma reminded her of his vow of celibacy and as such could not act on her recommendation. Having explored all possible avenues for resolve then they finally considered the recommendation by the Shastra for dealing with such a unique situation. The Shastra recommends that in such a situation, the queens can obtain sons by a Brahmin of noble character. Satyavati then told Bhishma that before she married his father Shantanu, she had a son for the sage Parasara. 

She then narrated her encounters with the sage Parasara. Parasara was a very learned person, a Gyani who was well versed in astrology. He knew that if a child was conceived in a certain muhurtha or auspicious moment in time, that child will possess the qualities like Lord Vishnu himself. The memorable son of Parasara and Satyavati was Krishna Dvipayana Veda Vyasar, as he had held the purity of Lord Vishnu himself and Dvipayana since he was born in a river island (Dvipa).

Vyasa was his name and at an early age he had decided to go to the forest and perform Akhanda tapasya. Satyavati told Bhishma of her hesitation to let Vyasa do so but how she had eventually submitted on the condition that he appears before her whenever she should summon him.  Having received approval from Bhishma, Satyavati summoned her first born son Vyasa. Without any delay, Vyasa came to his mother and was given a briefing as to the crisis facing the family. Satyavati told Vyasa that it now depended on him to bring forth an heir to the throne and he would have to impregnate the wife of Vichitravirya. Vyasa agreed to do it. 

Then Satyavati informed Ambika of Vyasa's visit and advised her that she should welcome the Rishi accordingly for the purpose of obtaining an heir to the throne of Hastinapura Ambika accepted and was willing to comply with the instructions she received. 

Later that night, Vyasa entered the chambers of Ambika. She became terrified at the sight of the Rishi. Using his yoga maya or his illusionary powers to impregnate her she closed her eyes in fright. She kept her eyes closed for the entire duration of the encounter. 

When Satyavati asked Vyasa next morning how things went, he said to her that a very strong and learned son would be born to Ambika. However, because she closed her eyes at the time of her conception, the child would be born blind. 

This was very disappointing news for Satyavati and so she now instructed Vyasa to impregnate Vichitravirya’s second wife, Ambalika. Satyavati advised Ambalika not to close her eyes and she did not. However, at the sight of Vyasa, she became pale. 

When Vyasa was done, he reported back to his mother and told her that Ambalika would have a son who would be handsome and brave but because she became pale at the time of impregnation, her son would also be pale. 

Satyavati was still disappointed and told Vyasa that after Ambika gives birth to the child that he should return and impregnate her once more so that she will also have a son with eyesight. Vyasa agreed and then left for the forest. 

In time both queens Ambika and Ambalika gave birth to their sons and as Vyasa had said, one was blind and the other was pale. The blind son was named Dhritarashtra and the pale one was named Pandu. 

Then Satyavati again sent for Vyasa and she warned Ambika to be careful this time. She reminded her that her son was born blind because of her mistake. Ambika was willing once more and accepted the advice. However, as much as she tried, she could not muster up the courage and the bravery to face Vyasa. So she sent her maidservant instead. 

The maid served with attention and devotion to the sage. The next morning Vyasa told Satyavati that a son who would be the replica of Dharma would be born but he will be born to the maid because it was she who spent the time with him. He then gave blessings to all and departed once again. 

The son born to the maid was named Vidura. All three boys received education under the guidance of Bhishma. Dhritarashtra was strong, Pandu was good at archery and Vidura was ever wise. Pandu was appointed as the ruler even though Dhritarashtra was elder. This was so because the Shastra forbids the appointment of a king who has a disability. Pandu ruled the kingdom with assistance from Vidura who was appointed as the Chief Minister.

DEVEVRATA TO BHISHMA

WITH joy Shantanu received to his heart and his kingdom the resplendent and youthful prince Devavrata and crowned him as the Yuvaraja, the heir apparent.

So Shantanu took up the entire burden of bringing up the little son with care and affection. He was both father and mother to him. He engaged very learned scholars to teach him the Vedas and the Puranas. Devavrata was taught archery by the greatest archer of the times, Parashurama. Shantanu himself was a good and just king. Devavrata learnt from his father how to rule the kingdom following the ideals of Truth and Justice. Thus Devavrata was well trained in every way to take up the reins of kingship, when he came of age.

Devavrata was happy in every way, except for the absence of his mother. His father had taken care to provide him with everything else he needed; there was nothing wanting. Devavrata looked upon Shantanu as a god comes down to the earth to look after him. Devavrata had all the qualities of a good king. In course of time, Shantanu enthroned Devavrata as the Yuvaraja, as his worthy successor. Devavrata, like his father, looked after his subjects with love and kindness. They felt very happy under his kind rule. Shantanu was happy to be relieved of his duties as a king. He now had plenty of leisure and rest.

One day Shantanu went out with his men to hunt. At the end of the day, his men camped on the banks of the river Jamuna. While his men rested, Shantanu went all-alone into the heart of the jungle. A cool and fragrant breeze blew from a distance. The air was suddenly filled with a fragrance so divinely sweet that the king sought for its cause, and he traced it to a maiden so lovely that she seemed a goddess. A sage had conferred on her the boon that a divine perfume should emanate from her, and this was now pervading the whole forest. So she was better known as Yojanagandhi, though her parents had named her Satyavati.

From the moment the goddess Ganga left him, the king had kept his senses under control, but the sight of this divinely beautiful maiden burst the bonds of restraint and filled him with an overmastering desire. He asked her to be his wife.

The girl grew shy at his words. She bent down her head and said, "Your Highness, I have a father. If he agrees, you can marry me." And before the king could say a word, she went away.

In a day or two kings Shantanu went to Dasharaja. He told him that he wished to marry Satyavati.

Dasharaja was surprised. What was he before the king? Was it possible the king would marry his daughter? What could he say?

Shantanu himself helped him. He gave him an assurance. He said, "Tell me whatever you have in your mind. Do not fear just because I am the king. Think of me as a relative."

Dasharaja felt free to speak. He said, "Great king, you are a good man. I shall gladly give you my daughter. But you have a son who is grown up. He is the Yuvaraja, and is looking after the kingdom."

King Shantanu said, "But how that matter?"

Dasharaja's mouth went dry. With great difficulty he said, "Great king, Satyavati is my daughter. I have to think of her prosperity. What will happen to her son? The Yuvaraja will become the king, will he not?"

Shantanu was taken aback when he heard these words. Dasharaja said, “If my daughter's son can become the king, I will agree. I shall gladly give you my daughter in marriage. Please do not be angry with me. I beg of you, forgive me. I am the father of the girl."

Though almost mad with passion, the king could not make this promise, as it meant setting aside the godlike Devavrata, the son of Ganga, who was entitled to the crown. So, he thought over Dasharaja's words for a long time. Then he said firmly, "Dasharaja, I am proud of my son Devavrata. I cannot be his enemy." So saying, he left the place at once. His heart was with Satyavati. It was a price that could not be thought of without shame.

He therefore returned to his capital, Hastinapura, sick with baffled desire. He did not reveal the matter to anyone and languished in silence. One day Devavrata asked his father: "My father, you have all that your heart could wish. Why then are you so unhappy? How is it that you are like one pining away with a secret sorrow?" The king replied: “Dear son, what you say is true. I am indeed tortured with mental pain and anxiety. You are my only son and you are always preoccupied with military ambitions. Life in the world is uncertain and wars are incessant. If anything untoward befalls you our family will become extinct. Of course, you are equal to a hundred sons. Still, those who are well read in the scriptures say that in this transitory world having but one son is the same as having no son at all. It is, not proper that the perpetuation of our family should depends on a single life, and above all things I desire the perpetuation of our family. This is the cause of my anguish.” The father prevaricated, being ashamed to reveal the whole story to his son.

The wise Devavrata realized that there must be a secret cause for the mental condition of his father, and questioning the king's charioteer came to know of his meeting with the fisher maiden on the banks of the Yamuna. Devavrata came away from his father. He sent for his father's charioteer. From him he learnt all that had happened. 'My father's happiness alone is important. I shall sacrifice anything for him', he said. He went to the chief of the fishermen and besought his Daughter’s hand on his father's behalf.

Dasharaja welcomed Devavrata and treated him with great respect. Then Devavrata said, "Dasharaja, I know everything. I have thought over what has happened. I have taken a decision. My name is Devavrata; that means one who is loyal to God. My father is my God. So, for my father I shall give up the throne. This is my vow - and I shall be true to it."

The chief of the fishermen said: "O best of the Bharata race, you have done what no one else born of royal blood has you have done till now. You are indeed a hero. You can yourself conduct my daughter to the king, your father. Still, hear with patience these words of mine which I say as the father of the girl. "I have no doubt you will keep your word, but how can I hope that the children born of you will renounce their birthright? Your sons will naturally be mighty heroes like you, and will be hard to resist if they seek to seize the kingdom by force. This is the doubt that torments me." When he heard this knotty question posed by the girl's father, 

Devavrata, who was bent on fulfilling the king's desire, made his supreme renunciation. He vowed with upraised arm to the father of the maiden: "I shall never marry and I dedicate myself to a life of unbroken chastity." And as he uttered these words of renunciation the gods showered flowers on his head, and cries of "Bhishma," "Bhishma" resounded in the air. "Bhishma" means one who undertakes a terrible vow and fulfils it. That name became the celebrated epithet of Devavrata from that time. Then the son of Ganga led the maiden Satyavati to his father.

And so Bhishma became famous all over the world.

KING SHANTANU AND GANGA

In his previous birth, Shantanu was Mahabhisha, a king of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Due to his meritorious deeds he attained heaven after his death. Once he got an opportunity to visit the court of Brahma where all the Devas and Ganga were also present. While the celestials were worshiping Brahma, a wind blew and displaced Ganga's clothes revealing her body. Everybody present there bashfully bent their heads except Mahabhisha who kept on gazing at her body. Upon seeing this act, Brahma lost his temper and cursed him and Ganga to be born as mortals and that Ganga will cause much emotional pain to him. He also said that he will be only freed from this curse when he becomes angry upon Ganga's deeds. Mahabhisha then requested Brahma to be born as the son of the Kuru king Pratipa and his wish was granted by Brahma.

King Shantanu was born to Pratipa and grew up to be just and fair ruler of Hastinapura. Once when he was walking by the Ganges River when he saw this incredibly beautiful woman. She was goddess Ganga in human form, but Shantanu did not know that. He was so enamored by her beauty that he at once asked Ganga to marry him. He put his heart, love, wealth and his entire kingdom at her feet and made this request. Ganga pleased with the King's love replied to him "O king, I shall accept to marry you on one condition-you must never ask me where I am from or the true nature of my origin, you must also never question me on any of my actions, good or bad. You must stand by me on all counts. If you act against any of these conditions I will leave you then and there." This was Ganga's condition. The king was so much in love that he accepted Ganga's condition and they both got married.

   

     Shantanu and Ganga lived a life of serene happiness and love. It was a perfect marriage. Ganga was pure in her thoughts and this attracted Shantanu to her to even more. Time passed and they were blessed with a newborn son. When the child was born Ganga took the child to the Ganges and cast it in the river immediately drowning and killing their newborn. She then walked back to the kingdom with a smile on her face. Shantanu was aghast with horror this brutal act. He could not believe what he had just seen but he stopped himself from asking Ganga any questions mindful of the promises he had made. As the years passed, Ganga gave birth to 6 more children and to each child she did the same, as soon as each child was born she dropped it in the river and drowned and killed it. Shantanu grieved as he was asked no questions and bore the pain with restraint. As the 8th child was born and walked to the river with the same intention, Shantanu could hold himself no longer.

He cried out, "Stop you heartless woman. Why did you do this wretched act, why do you do what no other mother would do? You are as insane as you are beautiful" He held Ganga's hand pleading her not to do this terrible act. As Shantanu restrained Ganga from committing this act terrible act Ganga replied "Dear king you have broken the promise you have made to me and the time had come for me to leave you. However before I leave I shall answer your questions and reveal my origin and my reasons for my actions. I am goddess Ganga and I am in this human form as a result of Sage Vashishta on the 8 Vasus.”  In Hinduism, the Vasus are attendant deities of Indra, and later Vishnu. They are eight elemental god representing aspects of nature, representing cosmic natural phenomenon. The name Vasu means 'Dweller' or 'Dwelling'. They are eight among the Thirty-three gods.

Ganga continues "Once, the wife of Prabhasa persuaded her husband to get her a cow which actually belonged to Rishi Vashishta. Prabhasa was initially reluctant to ask for anything from a Brahmin but disarmed by the usual weakness of a man towards his wife, he agreed to steal the cow for her. With the help of his seven brothers, the eight vasus purloined away Vashisht’s cow for Prabhasa’s wife. Rishi Vashisht, through his ascetic powers, figured out that the stealth was an act of the vasus. He cursed the eight vasus to be born on earth as mortals and suffer the pain like all mortals do.

The eight vasus begged Rishi Vashisht for mercy, but a curse could not be taken back. It could, at best, be modified. Rishi Vashisht granted some relief to the seven vasus that their lifetime on earth would be short and after that they could ascend to paradise. But the eighth vasu, Prabhasa, who instigated the other seven to steal the cow out of his passion for his wife would suffer the pain of the account of all the seven vasus.

He who committed a crime out of desire for his wife will never know the pleasure of a woman. Even without a wife and sons, he will spend his entire life struggling to serve his household. And in the end he will die at the hands of a woman, for his desire for a woman made him turn vasus into criminals.

The eight vasus then went to the Mother of all beings, Ganga to help them keep their stay on earth short. Ganga, who too was cursed by Brahma to suffer as a mortal on earth promised them that she would give them birth through her own womb and will drown them in the waters of Ganga to set them free from the curse the moment they would be born. Ganga drowned the seven vasus immediately on their birth, but Rishi Vashisht’s curse came true when she was about to drown Prabhasa-The eighth son and she was stopped by Shantanu. She took the eight son with her and promised to return him to the king at right time she named him Devavrata.

Whenever Shantanu missed Ganga and his son he would go to the bank of river Ganga and try to find her in the streams of water. 16 years passed away and king was waiting for his eighth son. One day as the winds blew hard and the waters of the Ganges rose in great waves, Shantanu, walking along its banks saw a small boy with the beauty and form of Devendra (the king of gods), amusing himself by building a dam across the flooding Ganges with his arrows. He watched stupefied as each arrow cast, turned into a thousand others creating a barrier in the mighty river. The scene of fury and jollity appeared to his eyes to be that of an indulgent mother playing with her child. Indeed it was so, because as the king stood transfixed with amazement at the sight, the goddess Ganga revealed herself and presented the child as Shantanu’s own, saying: "O king, here is the eighth child I bore you, known by the name of Devavrata. He has mastered the art of arms, and is unparalleled on earth equaling sage Parasurama’s skills, adept also, as he is, with the knowledge of the Vedas and the Vedanta, tutored by Vasishtha, and in arts and sciences, no less than Sukra himself. Take back your child, the finest archer and master statecraft, for he will bring immortal fame to his father’s name, and will be a great boon to posterity". With these words, she entrusted the child to his father, blessed the boy, before disappearing into the river. Upon reaching the capital Shantanu crowned Devavrata as the heir-apparent to the throne.

Here are the names of 8 vasus and their meanings:

Dhara	Earth	Prithvi	Support
Anala	Fire	Agni	Living
Anila	Wind	Vayu	Wind
Aha	Space	Antariksha	Pervading
Pratyusha	Sun	Aditya	Eternal
Prabhasa	Sky	Dyaus	Shining dawn
Soma	Moon	Chandramas	Soma Plant
Dhruva	Star	Nakstrani	Motionless

Next up- Devavrata becomes Bheeshma 

DUSHYANTA SHAKUNTALA VRUTAANTA

The legend of the exquisitely beautiful Shakuntala and the mighty king Dushyanta is a thrilling love story from the epic Mahabharata, which the great ancient poet Kalidasa retold in his immortal play Abhijnanashakuntalam.

Shakuntala was born of the sage Vishwamitra and the Apsara Menaka. Menaka had come at the behest of the King of the Heaven, Indra, to distract the sage Vishwamitra from his deep meditations. She succeeded, and bore a child by him. Vishwamitra, angered by the loss of the virtue gained through his many hard years of strict ascetic habit, distanced himself from the child and mother to return to his work. Realizing that she could not leave the child with him, and having to return to the heavenly realms, Menaka left the newborn Shakuntala in the forest. It was here that the new born child was found by Kanva Rishi surrounded by Shakunta birds. He thus named her Shakuntala. Kanva Rishi took the child to his ashram, on the banks of the Mālini River which rises in the Shivālik hills of Himālayas and lies about 10 km from the town of Kotdwāra in the state of Uttarākhand, India. Dushyanta is the son of Ilina and Rathantara and is a descendant of the Puru dynasty, a great warrior and a just ruler.

Once, while out on a hunt with his army, Dushyanta passed through a forest full of bilv, ark, khadir, kapith, and dahv etc. trees. The forest undulated with interspersed rocky hillocks and extended over several yojanas and there was no trace of any man. It was full of wildlife. Dushyanta, along with his powerful army, happened to pass through extensive desert after which he reached a good forest. This forest was full of ashrams (hermitages) and there were fruit-bearing trees but no xerophytes. Here Dushyanta came across the ashrama of Rishi Kanva, the son of Kashyapa Rishi. It was surrounded by the Malini River. All the animals were at peace in this garden and there was an atmosphere of great tranquility. The air was full of an intoxicating fragrance. Upon seeing this garden, the king was struck with wonder, and became curious as to who owned this garden. He gained that this was Sage Kanva's garden and decided to pay him a visit and get the great Saints blessings. As he wandered about this heavenly garden, he came across a maiden. This maiden, whose beauty rivalled of that of the Apsaras(divine nymphs), was the adopted daughter of the sage Kanva, Shakuntala.

She had inherited the intelligence of her father and the beauty of her divine mother. It was no wonder that Dushyanta fell in love with her instantly upon beholding her. Once Dushyanta came to know who she was, he began addressing her thus, "O Maiden. Your beauty shines like that of the mood.. If it is even possible, you are even more beautiful than your mother. Your radiance is something that does not dim others around you but radiant enough to beautify everything you see, I have fallen desperately in love with you. Please consent to be my wife."

Shakuntala was filled with admiration for this King, for it is to be remembered that Dushyanta was a handsome warrior. However, she would not consent to be his wife immediately. She told the king that at this moment her father Kanva is away from this hermitage and that he will not return for many months. Before proposing marriage to a girl, the consent of her guardian is essential. Therefore, she begged him not to pester her to return an answer to his proposal right then but instead come back later, and ask her father's consent to marry her.

Dushyanta could not bear the thought of waiting for so long before marrying her. He had never been accustomed to wait for anything in his life. He attempted to persuade her to an instant marriage. He told her that it is true that the common practice is to seek the consent of guardians before marriage, however, under extraordinary circumstances the scriptures allow a Gandharva Vivaha (marriage incognito), wherein two people in love marry with only each other as witnesses. Such a practice has been often resorted to in cases where the guardians cannot be reached immediately to ascertain their opinion. He pleaded her not to torment him any longer, and just let us marry him immediately, for he cannot think of a life without her.

So Shakuntala allowed herself to be persuaded to marry the king immediately, very much against her better judgment. Ardent love must be her only excuse, as nothing much would have been lost by waiting for a few months for her father to return and the marriage to take place according to the common mode. They married each other, with only the woodland creatures as witnesses. The King and Shakuntala spent a very pleasant month there in the hermitage. It was high time Dushyanta returned to his kingdom, as he had not left any word as to where he could be found. He wanted to take his wife along with him to the Kingdom.

However, Shakuntala could not consent to this. She told the king that her father would be returning very soon. If she isn’t at the hermitage to welcome him, he will be very worried. Since their marriage was very simply performed, it is but proper that the king arrive in form, accompanied by his retinue, to take his bride to his kingdom. Therefore Shakuntala asked the king to return to his kingdom now, but come back soon, and take me to her home.

Dushyanta agreed that this was a good plan and he went back to his country. Before going, Dushyanta gave Shakuntala a royal ring as a sign of their love, promising her that he would return for her.

Shakuntala spent much time dreaming of her new husband and was often distracted by her daydreams. One day, a powerful rishi, Durvasa, came to the ashram but, lost in her thoughts about Dushyanta, Shakuntala failed to greet him properly. Incensed by this slight, the rishi cursed Shakuntala, saying that the person she was dreaming of would forget about her altogether. His booming voice as he uttered the curse that shook Shakuntala out of her abstraction. She humbly begged his pardon, and requested him to rescind the curse. She pleaded tearfully that she had not noticed his arrival as she had been thinking about her husband. At last the sage relented. He could not completely annul the curse, and amended it so that Dushyanta would not permanently forget her, but only temporarily. After this, the sage took his leave. Sometime after this, sage Kanva returned to his hermitage. Shakuntala related to him the all the incidents that had happened during his absence, including her marriage to Dushyanta and Durvasa’s curse. Kanva was concerned about the curse, but consoled himself with the reflection that it was only temporary.

A few months passed, and Shakuntala discovered that she was pregnant. Kanva decided that it was time for her to go to her husband's kingdom, as the heir to the throne should be born in his father's country. He found a group of Brahmanas who were planning to visit Dushyanta’ s kingdom. He asked them to escort his adopted daughter to her husband. The whole party set forth on their journey. Shakuntala always wore the signet ring given to her by Dushyanta on her ring finger. On the way, they had to cross a river by a canoe ferry and, seduced by the deep blue waters of the river, Shakuntala ran her fingers through the water. Her ring slipped off her finger without her realizing it.

The Brahmanas escorted her to the court of Dushyanta. Of course, the curse of Durvasa had taken effect by then and he did not recognize her at all. He said to her "O Fair maiden, who are you? What is that you seek from me? Have you suffered any injustice in my realm? If so, I shall see to it that justice shall be served."

Shakuntala was very much surprised. "O King, Do you not recognize me? I have not changed all that much in these six months that we have been apart. Seven months ago, you met me in the forest, near the hermitage of Sage Kanva. You spoke words of endearment to me and asked me to be your wife. In spite of me asking you to wait till my father returned, you persuaded me to marry you immediately. We were married according to the rights of the Gandharva Vivaha. You went back to your kingdom, promising to return soon and take me to my rightful place as your queen. Now you don't even recognize me? Is this the practice of Kings? Accept me as your wife, your queen."

Of course, Dushyanta did not remember any of this. He thought she was an imposter, and he became very angry. "O Maiden. Your fair form does not match the cunning of your mind. I have never even met you before today. Your audacity in claiming that I married you is unparalleled. Your ploy will not succeed. I can see that you are with child. You are trying to impose on me, after having lost your virtue to someone else. Be gone from my presence, before I change my mind to execute you for your unfounded allegations!"

Hearing the harsh words spoken by the King, Shakuntala fainted. When she awoke from her swoon, burning with righteous anger, she said. "O King, You thought that when you made your promise, there were no witnesses other than our two selves. You forget that Mitra and Varuna and other Gods are always witnesses to a promise. For some reason best known to them the Devas are not coming to my rescue. You ought to have been struck down with their wrath, when you spoke those harsh words and broke your promise. The Gods shall always punish the breaker of oaths. I will not stay one instant in this place where I have been insulted thus."

Hearing her words of wrath, Dushyanta was filled with wonder, however, he did not remember her at all, and was steadfast in his refusal. Humiliated, Shakuntala returned to the forests and, collecting her son, settled in a wild part of the forest by herself.

In due course of time, a male child was born to Shakuntala. He had inherited the beauty of his mother and his valor from his father. He was named Bharata. Ten years went by, during which time the child grew into a boy. The boy was taught the scriptures and Dharma (the path of truth). In addition to this, as befitting a prince, he was taught the use of weapons, and he particularly excelled with the bow.

Meanwhile, a fisherman was surprised to find a royal ring in the belly of a fish he had caught. Recognizing the royal seal, he took the ring to the palace and, upon seeing his ring; Dushyanta's memories of his lovely bride came rushing back to him. He was very much grieved, for she had come to meet him, only to be insulted in his court. He resolved to seek her out and apologize for his conduct, and ask her to be his queen but in vain.

One day when the king was passing by in the forest he saw a fat wild boar in the forest. He gave it a chase and finally managed to shoot it down with his arrows. At the same time, another hunter had also fired his arrows at the same boar. Both of them reached the boar at the same time. The King was very much surprised that the other hunter was a mere ten year old boy. Of course, this was none other than his son, but naturally the king did not recognize him. They both started arguing, claiming the boar as their kill. The argument became violent and the boy challenged the king to combat. The king hesitated, as it was not proper for such a renowned warrior to fight a mere child. However, when Bharata accused him of cowardice, he became very angry and accepted the challenge. Very quickly, once the battle commenced, Dushyanta became aware that although only ten years old, his opponent was a very accomplished warrior. The king was very hard pressed to counter the assault of the boy. The battle raged for hours, but in the end, the King was defeated and made prisoner. As per the rules of single combat of those times, he became a slave of the victor. The boy took him to his home. There, the King met Shakuntala and was made aware that his conqueror was none other than his son. There was a very happy reunion, with the King begging the sage's and his wife's pardon for the events that had taken place in his court. They both forgave him immediately, as he was blameless in this matter, Durvasa'scurse being the cause of his behavior.

Dushyanta returned to his kingdom, accompanied by his wife and heir. In due course of time, he abdicated the throne in favor of his son. Bharata ruled for a long time. He conquered all the kings in the world and brought them all under his control. Unfortunately, although he had many sons, he did not find any of them worthy of ruling the kingdom after him. He performed a magnificent Yagna (sacrifice), and as a result of it an illustrious son named Bhumanyu was born to him. Once Bhumanyu came of age, Bharata crowned him king and retired to the forest to spend the rest of his days in performing penances and even till today India still carries this great warrior’s name, Bharata.