The Birth of Parikshit
Saunaka said: On the departure of Narada, What did the divine and all powerful Vyasa do, after hearing the counsel of the celestial sage?
Suta replied: On the western banks of Saraswati, there is a hermitage called Samyaprasa, which is Vyasa’s own abode and surrounded by a grove of jujube trees, where sage Vyasa sat down and after sipping little water, collected his mind by self-effort. In his sinless mind, which had been perfectly concentrated through the practice of devotion, he saw the Supreme Person as well as Maya, who depends for her very existence on him. He saw how the Jivatma gets deluded by this Maya and though beyond the three gunas, gets affected by identifying with it and suffers the evil consequences brought about by this identification. Knowing that the practice of devotion, to the Lord to be the direct means of counteracting these evils, the sage composed Bhagavata Purana, so that even the common people, who are ignorant of this fact would get benefited. Having composed and revised the Bhagavata Purana, the sage taught it to his son Suka, who loved to live in retirement.
Saunaka said: The sage Suka is a lover of quietism and indifferent to everything, he delights only in his self. What was his motive, then in mastering this voluminous work?
Suta replied: Even sages who delight in the self alone and the knot of whose ignorance has been cut asunder practice disinterested devotion to Sri Hari; such are his virtues. This was very much true of the divine sage Sukadeva, who studied this chronicle everyday.
I shall now tell you the story of the birth, exploits and emancipation of the royal sage Parikshit, inasmuch as this serves as a prelude to the story of Sri Krishna. When in course of the Mahabharata war the warriors of the Kaurava and Pandava hosts had fallen like heroes and when Duryodhana had his thigh broken by a stroke of the mace dealt by Bhima, Aswathama severed the heads of Droupadi’s sons, while they were asleep with an intention of pleasing Duryodhana, but which really proved most distasteful to him. Sore distressed at the news of the terrible slaughter of her sons, Draupadi wailed bitterly, her eyes blinded with tears. Then Arjuna, comforting her said: “Then alone shall I wipe your tears, my good lady, when I cut off the head of that Brahmana, with the arrows discharged from my Gandiva and present it to you so that you may set your foot on it and bathe after the cremation of your sons.” Having thus consoled his wife, Arjuna put on his armour and taking his fierce weapon, rode in a chariot with Krishna and an ensign bearing the figure of a monkey, in pursuit of Aswathama.
Aswathama, who was now sad at heart for his shameful act, saw at a distance that Arjuna was rushing towards him, he ran for life in a chariot as far as he could on earth. When he saw that his horses were tired and had none to protect him, that son of a Brahmana thought of Brahmastra as the only means to protect his life. Even though he did not know how to withdraw the missile, he sipped a little water and finding his life in peril, fitted the same to his bow with an attentive mind. A fierce flame blazed forth from the missile and enveloped all sides. When Arjuna saw the danger to his life, he addressed Krishna as follows.
Arjuna said: Krishna, mighty of Arm, you are the only rescuer. You are God himself. Casting aside Maya by the power of your wisdom, you stand in your absolute being. Effulgent Lord, I know not from where comes this powerful flame, which is enveloping me on all sides.
Bhagavan replied: It is none other than Brahmastra and released by Aswathama in extreme peril. You are aware that he knows not how to call it back. There is no other missile that can overpower it. Therefore quench the formidable flame of this weapon by a counter flame of the same missile, expert as you are in the use of these weapons.
Suta continued: On hearing the Lord’s words, Arjuna sipped little water and fitted a Brahmastra to repulse the Brahmastra. The two flames filling the heavens as well as all the space between heaven and earth swelled like the sun and the fire at the time of universal destruction. Perceiving the mighty flames of the two missiles, which were consuming all the three worlds, all the people, who were being scorched by their heat, thought it to be the fire of universal destruction. Seeing the distress of the people and the impending destruction of all the worlds and finding the approval Sri Krishna, Arjuna withdrew them both. Then he quickly seized the hard hearted Aswathama, his eyes burning with rage and bound him with a rope as one would bind a sacrificial animal. Having forcibly bound the enemy with a rope and when he was about to be taken to the camp, the Lord said to Arjuna in rage: “Arjuna, you ought not to spare him. Do kill this fallen Brahmana, who murdered at night innocent boys buried in sleep. A pious man would never kill an enemy who is drunk, unguarded, insane, asleep, tender of age, stupid, terror stricken or fallen at his feet, nor would he kill a woman or one who has lost one’s chariot. But to slay this merciless wretch who maintains his own life at the cost of another’s is to do him good. Moreover you gave your word to Draupadi within my hearing that I shall bring you the head of the man who has slain your sons. Therefore, Arjuna, dispose this sinful ruffian, who has murdered your sons.” Urged in these words by Sri Krishna, who was putting his righteousness to test, the great Arjuna would not slay Aswathama even though he had killed his own sons. Taking him to his camp, Arjuna dumped him before Draupadi, who had been grieving all the while for her dead sons. Looking intently at Aswathama, who had been bought bounded with cords like a sacrificial beast, his face cast down on account of his shameful act, Draupadi, who was tender by nature took compassion on the offender and bowed to him and said, “Let him be freed, a Brahmana that he is and worthy of our utmost adoration. That worshipful Dronacharya, by whose grace you learnt the science of archery with its manifold secrets and acquired the knowledge of the various missiles is himself present in the form of his son. His wife still survives because of her having given birth to a valiant son. Therefore my lord, the family of your preceptor does not deserve persecution at your hands, pious as you are. Let not his mother wail even as I do.” On that occasion Bhima indignantly said, “For him, who murdered sleeping youngsters without any gain, death has been declared as a boon.” Hearing the words of Bhima as well as Draupadi, Sri Krishna asked Arjuna to carry out the commands of both Bhima and Draupadi. Arjuna instantly understood the words of Sri Krishna and with his sword cut off the gem on Aswathama’s head and expelled him from his camp.
Having offered water to the deceased and bitterly wept for them, they all immersed themselves in the Holy Ganga. Showing how all living beings are subject to death, which cannot be averted, Krishna and the sages consoled Yudhistra and his younger brothers, Dhrtarastra and his wife, as well as Kunti and Draupadi, all of whom had lost their kith and kin.
Having secured to King Yudhistra his own kingdom, that had been usurped by gamblers, brought about the destruction of wicked kings and having helped Yudhistra perform as many as three Aswamedha sacrifices, Lord Krishna caused his sacred renown to spread in all direction. Having taken leave of everyone, He mounted his chariot and was just intending to leave for Dwaraka when, He perceived Uttara, wife of Abhimanyu, rushing towards him stricken with fear.
Uttara said: Protect me, great yogi. Save me. Lord of the universe, I see no asylum other than you in this world, where everyone is death to another. This dart of burning steel is pursuing me, Let it burn me by all means, but let it not kill the child in my womb.
Suta said: Hearing her words, the Lord understood that it was a missile discharged by Aswathama in order to exterminate the line of the Pandavas. That very moment the Pandavas also saw five burning shafts coming towards them and took up their own missiles. Perceiving the calamity of his kinsmen, who thought of none else other than him for protection, the almighty Lord, protected them with his own discus, Sudarshana. Sri Hari, the master of the universe, enveloped the womb of Uttara by his own maya in order to protect the line of Kuru. Even though the Brahmastra is unfailing and irresistible, it proved ineffectual when it met the effulgence of Lord Vishnu.
Freed from thirst for all enjoyments through the service of Sri Krishna, the righteous king Yudhistra protected his subjects like a father. He had untold riches and had performed many a sacrifice and earned thereby a place in the highest worlds. His suzerainty extended over the entire globe. But could all these objects of enjoyment, coveted even by the gods bring delight to the king, who had given his mind to Lord Sri Krishna, any more than things other than food gratify a hungry man.
While being scorched by the fire of the Brahmastra, that hero in the womb of his mother, beheld some effulgent being of the size of a thumb, most charming in appearance, clad in yellow robes that shone like lightning and wearing a brilliant diadem of gold. He was no other than Lord Achyuta. He had four long and graceful arms, was adorned with pendants of refined gold, had bloodshot eyes and held in one of his hands a mace that shone like a sun even as he waved it in a circle again and again, Himself revolving round the child all the time. He was quenching the fire of the Brahmastra with his mace, even as the sun disperses the fog. Perceiving him by his side, the child in the womb wondered who it was. Having quenched that fire, Sri Hari disappeared in the womb itself, that child of ten months still looking on.
Then at an hour which was favorable for the development of all noble traits and when the stars were propitious was born that child, who maintained the thread of Pandu’s line and was another Pandu itself in bodily strength. Delighted at heart at the news of his birth, the king had benedictory hymns recited and rites connected with the birth of a child performed by holy brahmanas and asked questions regarding the future of the born child.
Yudhistra said: Will this child share the good reputation of the glorious and high souled royal sages of his own line?
The Brahmanas replied: Yudhistra, this grandson of yours will protect his subjects like Ikswaku, the eldest son of Vaivaswatha Manu, and will be devoted to the Brahmanas and true to his word like Sri Rama, the celebrated son of Dasaratha. He will be magnanimous and kind to those who seek his protection like Sibi and like Bharata will extend the fame of his own people. As a leader of bowmen he will be a match for both the Arjunas. He will be heroic as a Lion, worth resorting to as the Himalayas, enduring as the Earth and forbearing like parents. In even mindedness he will compare with Brahma himself; while in graciousness of disposition he will be equal to Lord Shiva and he will be the support of all living beings like God Vishnu. In high mindedness accompanied with excellent virtues, he will follow the example of Sri Krishna. He will be equal to Bali in firmness and unflinching in his devotion to Sri Krishna as Prahlada. He will be the progenitor of a race of royal sages and chastiser of those who stray from the path of Dharma. Hearing of his impending death at the hands of Takshaka, impelled by the curse of a brahmana’s son, he will renounce everything and take refuge in Sri Hari. Having ascertained the truth about the spirit from the sage Sukadeva, he will cast off his mortal coil on the bank of Ganga and attain the fearless state.
Having thus told the king, the brahmanas, who were well versed in Astrology, returned each to their own home after receiving their fee.
It was this very child who was known by the name of Parikshit, because this gifted boy used to look for, among those who he saw, the Person whom he perceived in his mother’s womb and who always lingered in his thought.
Suta replied: On the western banks of Saraswati, there is a hermitage called Samyaprasa, which is Vyasa’s own abode and surrounded by a grove of jujube trees, where sage Vyasa sat down and after sipping little water, collected his mind by self-effort. In his sinless mind, which had been perfectly concentrated through the practice of devotion, he saw the Supreme Person as well as Maya, who depends for her very existence on him. He saw how the Jivatma gets deluded by this Maya and though beyond the three gunas, gets affected by identifying with it and suffers the evil consequences brought about by this identification. Knowing that the practice of devotion, to the Lord to be the direct means of counteracting these evils, the sage composed Bhagavata Purana, so that even the common people, who are ignorant of this fact would get benefited. Having composed and revised the Bhagavata Purana, the sage taught it to his son Suka, who loved to live in retirement.
Saunaka said: The sage Suka is a lover of quietism and indifferent to everything, he delights only in his self. What was his motive, then in mastering this voluminous work?
Suta replied: Even sages who delight in the self alone and the knot of whose ignorance has been cut asunder practice disinterested devotion to Sri Hari; such are his virtues. This was very much true of the divine sage Sukadeva, who studied this chronicle everyday.
I shall now tell you the story of the birth, exploits and emancipation of the royal sage Parikshit, inasmuch as this serves as a prelude to the story of Sri Krishna. When in course of the Mahabharata war the warriors of the Kaurava and Pandava hosts had fallen like heroes and when Duryodhana had his thigh broken by a stroke of the mace dealt by Bhima, Aswathama severed the heads of Droupadi’s sons, while they were asleep with an intention of pleasing Duryodhana, but which really proved most distasteful to him. Sore distressed at the news of the terrible slaughter of her sons, Draupadi wailed bitterly, her eyes blinded with tears. Then Arjuna, comforting her said: “Then alone shall I wipe your tears, my good lady, when I cut off the head of that Brahmana, with the arrows discharged from my Gandiva and present it to you so that you may set your foot on it and bathe after the cremation of your sons.” Having thus consoled his wife, Arjuna put on his armour and taking his fierce weapon, rode in a chariot with Krishna and an ensign bearing the figure of a monkey, in pursuit of Aswathama.
Aswathama, who was now sad at heart for his shameful act, saw at a distance that Arjuna was rushing towards him, he ran for life in a chariot as far as he could on earth. When he saw that his horses were tired and had none to protect him, that son of a Brahmana thought of Brahmastra as the only means to protect his life. Even though he did not know how to withdraw the missile, he sipped a little water and finding his life in peril, fitted the same to his bow with an attentive mind. A fierce flame blazed forth from the missile and enveloped all sides. When Arjuna saw the danger to his life, he addressed Krishna as follows.
Arjuna said: Krishna, mighty of Arm, you are the only rescuer. You are God himself. Casting aside Maya by the power of your wisdom, you stand in your absolute being. Effulgent Lord, I know not from where comes this powerful flame, which is enveloping me on all sides.
Bhagavan replied: It is none other than Brahmastra and released by Aswathama in extreme peril. You are aware that he knows not how to call it back. There is no other missile that can overpower it. Therefore quench the formidable flame of this weapon by a counter flame of the same missile, expert as you are in the use of these weapons.
Suta continued: On hearing the Lord’s words, Arjuna sipped little water and fitted a Brahmastra to repulse the Brahmastra. The two flames filling the heavens as well as all the space between heaven and earth swelled like the sun and the fire at the time of universal destruction. Perceiving the mighty flames of the two missiles, which were consuming all the three worlds, all the people, who were being scorched by their heat, thought it to be the fire of universal destruction. Seeing the distress of the people and the impending destruction of all the worlds and finding the approval Sri Krishna, Arjuna withdrew them both. Then he quickly seized the hard hearted Aswathama, his eyes burning with rage and bound him with a rope as one would bind a sacrificial animal. Having forcibly bound the enemy with a rope and when he was about to be taken to the camp, the Lord said to Arjuna in rage: “Arjuna, you ought not to spare him. Do kill this fallen Brahmana, who murdered at night innocent boys buried in sleep. A pious man would never kill an enemy who is drunk, unguarded, insane, asleep, tender of age, stupid, terror stricken or fallen at his feet, nor would he kill a woman or one who has lost one’s chariot. But to slay this merciless wretch who maintains his own life at the cost of another’s is to do him good. Moreover you gave your word to Draupadi within my hearing that I shall bring you the head of the man who has slain your sons. Therefore, Arjuna, dispose this sinful ruffian, who has murdered your sons.” Urged in these words by Sri Krishna, who was putting his righteousness to test, the great Arjuna would not slay Aswathama even though he had killed his own sons. Taking him to his camp, Arjuna dumped him before Draupadi, who had been grieving all the while for her dead sons. Looking intently at Aswathama, who had been bought bounded with cords like a sacrificial beast, his face cast down on account of his shameful act, Draupadi, who was tender by nature took compassion on the offender and bowed to him and said, “Let him be freed, a Brahmana that he is and worthy of our utmost adoration. That worshipful Dronacharya, by whose grace you learnt the science of archery with its manifold secrets and acquired the knowledge of the various missiles is himself present in the form of his son. His wife still survives because of her having given birth to a valiant son. Therefore my lord, the family of your preceptor does not deserve persecution at your hands, pious as you are. Let not his mother wail even as I do.” On that occasion Bhima indignantly said, “For him, who murdered sleeping youngsters without any gain, death has been declared as a boon.” Hearing the words of Bhima as well as Draupadi, Sri Krishna asked Arjuna to carry out the commands of both Bhima and Draupadi. Arjuna instantly understood the words of Sri Krishna and with his sword cut off the gem on Aswathama’s head and expelled him from his camp.
Having offered water to the deceased and bitterly wept for them, they all immersed themselves in the Holy Ganga. Showing how all living beings are subject to death, which cannot be averted, Krishna and the sages consoled Yudhistra and his younger brothers, Dhrtarastra and his wife, as well as Kunti and Draupadi, all of whom had lost their kith and kin.
Having secured to King Yudhistra his own kingdom, that had been usurped by gamblers, brought about the destruction of wicked kings and having helped Yudhistra perform as many as three Aswamedha sacrifices, Lord Krishna caused his sacred renown to spread in all direction. Having taken leave of everyone, He mounted his chariot and was just intending to leave for Dwaraka when, He perceived Uttara, wife of Abhimanyu, rushing towards him stricken with fear.
Uttara said: Protect me, great yogi. Save me. Lord of the universe, I see no asylum other than you in this world, where everyone is death to another. This dart of burning steel is pursuing me, Let it burn me by all means, but let it not kill the child in my womb.
Suta said: Hearing her words, the Lord understood that it was a missile discharged by Aswathama in order to exterminate the line of the Pandavas. That very moment the Pandavas also saw five burning shafts coming towards them and took up their own missiles. Perceiving the calamity of his kinsmen, who thought of none else other than him for protection, the almighty Lord, protected them with his own discus, Sudarshana. Sri Hari, the master of the universe, enveloped the womb of Uttara by his own maya in order to protect the line of Kuru. Even though the Brahmastra is unfailing and irresistible, it proved ineffectual when it met the effulgence of Lord Vishnu.
Freed from thirst for all enjoyments through the service of Sri Krishna, the righteous king Yudhistra protected his subjects like a father. He had untold riches and had performed many a sacrifice and earned thereby a place in the highest worlds. His suzerainty extended over the entire globe. But could all these objects of enjoyment, coveted even by the gods bring delight to the king, who had given his mind to Lord Sri Krishna, any more than things other than food gratify a hungry man.
While being scorched by the fire of the Brahmastra, that hero in the womb of his mother, beheld some effulgent being of the size of a thumb, most charming in appearance, clad in yellow robes that shone like lightning and wearing a brilliant diadem of gold. He was no other than Lord Achyuta. He had four long and graceful arms, was adorned with pendants of refined gold, had bloodshot eyes and held in one of his hands a mace that shone like a sun even as he waved it in a circle again and again, Himself revolving round the child all the time. He was quenching the fire of the Brahmastra with his mace, even as the sun disperses the fog. Perceiving him by his side, the child in the womb wondered who it was. Having quenched that fire, Sri Hari disappeared in the womb itself, that child of ten months still looking on.
Then at an hour which was favorable for the development of all noble traits and when the stars were propitious was born that child, who maintained the thread of Pandu’s line and was another Pandu itself in bodily strength. Delighted at heart at the news of his birth, the king had benedictory hymns recited and rites connected with the birth of a child performed by holy brahmanas and asked questions regarding the future of the born child.
Yudhistra said: Will this child share the good reputation of the glorious and high souled royal sages of his own line?
The Brahmanas replied: Yudhistra, this grandson of yours will protect his subjects like Ikswaku, the eldest son of Vaivaswatha Manu, and will be devoted to the Brahmanas and true to his word like Sri Rama, the celebrated son of Dasaratha. He will be magnanimous and kind to those who seek his protection like Sibi and like Bharata will extend the fame of his own people. As a leader of bowmen he will be a match for both the Arjunas. He will be heroic as a Lion, worth resorting to as the Himalayas, enduring as the Earth and forbearing like parents. In even mindedness he will compare with Brahma himself; while in graciousness of disposition he will be equal to Lord Shiva and he will be the support of all living beings like God Vishnu. In high mindedness accompanied with excellent virtues, he will follow the example of Sri Krishna. He will be equal to Bali in firmness and unflinching in his devotion to Sri Krishna as Prahlada. He will be the progenitor of a race of royal sages and chastiser of those who stray from the path of Dharma. Hearing of his impending death at the hands of Takshaka, impelled by the curse of a brahmana’s son, he will renounce everything and take refuge in Sri Hari. Having ascertained the truth about the spirit from the sage Sukadeva, he will cast off his mortal coil on the bank of Ganga and attain the fearless state.
Having thus told the king, the brahmanas, who were well versed in Astrology, returned each to their own home after receiving their fee.
It was this very child who was known by the name of Parikshit, because this gifted boy used to look for, among those who he saw, the Person whom he perceived in his mother’s womb and who always lingered in his thought.