Head of Sudhanwa

Arjuna hurled a rock which Sudhanwa cut off.
Arjuna then picked up three arrows and adjusted them on his bow. He said I will kill you with these.
Sudhanwa said I do not fear death. I wished to die after seeing Krishna and now that I have seen Krishna, death can take me away. I will perform my duty as a Kshatriya and fight you. I will cut off all your arrows.
Seeing Sudhanwa's pride, Arjuna hurled the thee arrows. Seeing the arrows, Sudhanwa started taking the name of Krishna. The arrows touched Sudhanwa , who cut them into two and they fell on the ground. Arjuna felt insulted. Suddenly the cut arrows rose from the ground and aimed themselves towards Sudhanwa. The broken arrows pierced Sudhanwa who fell dead. One of the arrows cut off Sudhawa's head. The cut head began taking the name of Krishna. The soul of Sudhanwa merged with Krishna. It fell on Krishna's feet. Krishna lifted the head in his hands. Krishna the called out to Garuda. Garuda appeared there. Krishna asked Garuda to place the head in Prayaga.
Shiva saw this. He asked his bull to go behind Garuda and stop him from throwing the head in the waters of Prayaga. Durga seeing this said Do not send your bull. He will fail, Garuda is doing what Krishna has asked him to do.
Shiva got angry and asked the bull to proceed.
The bull approached Garuda and said Shiva wanted Sudhanwa's head.
Garuda said he had come on Krishna's orders and will not be able to give the head.
The two started quarreling and soon began fighting. Garuda lifted the bull and hurled him. The bull went and fell near Shiva. Seeing Durga said I told you this would happen.
Shiva sent for Nandi. He asked him to get the head from Garuda and bring that. He also gave his trident to Nandi.
Garuda saw Nandi coming with Shiva's trident. He hurled the head in the waters. Nandi caught the head and brought it to Shiva.

Back home, Hamsadhwaja was wondering what had happened to his son. Suratha, the other son, said I will get Krishna for you.

Saying this, he started getting ready to fight. 

Sudhanwa begins his fight

The king asked the people who had put his son in the oil, if they had anointed any special lotion on him, to save him from burning. The people denied and said it was Narayana who had saved him. Sudhanwa had been praying to Narayana before he entered the cauldron and Narayana had thus saved His devotee.
Sudhanwa climbed out of the cauldron. The priest said Sudhanwa a great devotee and he could win the war with Arjuna.

The war started. Sudhanwa was a fierce warrior and no one was able to face him. Vrishaketu came to fight. All his arrows were cut off and Vrishaketu fainted. Sudhanwa then started fighting with Pradyumna. Regaining consciousness, Vrishaketu started fighting again. Sudhanwa cut off the flag staff of Vrishaketu and his charioteer. He then started showering arrows which Vrishaketu could not stand and then had to flee. Pradyumna came to fight and was badly wounded. Kritavarma came to fight and had to flee. Seeing this Anusalva came and started throwing rocks at Sudhanwa. Sudhanwa cut those off. Anusalva, not able to bear the weapons, fainted. Yuvanashwa and his son came next and had to flee. Satyaki came and he too had to flee. Seeing this, Arjuna came to fight.

Sudhanwa seeing Arjuna said - Where is Krishna, who was your charioteer? Why is he not with you? All your battles and wars have been won with Krishna's help. Without Him you will not be able to win the battle with me. If you want to fight me, then make Krishna your charioteer.

In anger, Arjuna started shooting arrows at Sudhanwa. The sky became dark with arrows from both warriors. Sudhanwa then cut the head of Arjuna's charioteer, thinking that Krishna would come to help Arjuna. Arjuna then tried to control the reins of the chariot and fight but he was not able to continue this for long. He then thought of Krishna.

Sudhanwa suddenly saw Krishna come and take control of the chariot. He bowed down to Krishna. He said Glory to Arjuna on whose one word Krishna comes, and to see whom yogis have to pray for ages.

Both restarted their fight. Arjuna cut off Sudhanwa's arrows. Sudhanwa shot a divine arrow at Arjuna. It wounded Arjuna. Arjuna fell on Krishna who caressed Arjuna's body with his lotus hands. Arjuna then shot an arrow, and Sudhanwa's chariot went miles away. Sudhanwa returned and began fighting. 

Sudhanwa thrown in hot oil

Sudhanwa came near the cauldron. He took the name of Krishna and was put in the vessel.
Cries broke out. Sudhanwa's mother began crying. Hamsadhwaja, who had managed to bring the priest back, fell on the ground, in grief.
Narayana saved him and people saw him sitting in the hot oil, unharmed.
The king and the queen were amazed to see this and so were all the people who had gathered there. 

In the kingdom of Hamsadhawaja

The kingdom where the horse was grabbed by the rock belonged to the king Hamsadhwaja. He was a righteous king. He had two sons Surath and Sudhanwa.
The king got the message that the Yudhistira's horse had come to his kingdom and Arjuna had come with the horse.The king was pleased that a son of Pandu had come to his kingdom. He thought Krishna would be Arjuna and he would get to see Krishna. He gave orders for the horse to be caught.
He also gave orders for Arjuna to be caught. If Arjuna was caught, Krishna would follow, and the king's wish of seeing Krishna would be fulfilled.
A huge copper cauldron was got and was filled with oil. It was heated up. The king then said his soldiers needs to go and fight Arjuna. If they refused they were to be thrown in the hot oil.
The king's son Sudhanwa started preparing himself for war. Hearing this, his wife wanted to know where he was going. When she heard this, she asked him to stay the night with her. She said she wanted a son and wanted her husband for that. She was fine with him leaving in the morning. Sudhanwa said he was going to fight so that he could get to see Krishna. If Krishna came, all prosperity would follow.
His queen persisted and then Sudhanwa said if he stayed back with her, his father would throw him the hot oil.  His wife managed to convince him. Sudhanwa took off his armor and climbed up on the cot with his wife. Pleasing his wife, he got ready and started for battle.His sister and mother came and blessed him and asked him to go fast and get Arjuna, so that they would get to see Krishna.
The army had already gathered and Sudhanwa was not there. Angry, the king gave orders for Sudhanwa to be thrown in the hot oil. Sudhanwa then came and the king angry said, what was the point in coming now.All had come except his son. Sudhanwa said he would start immediately.
Prabhavati, Sudhanwa's wife, came there and said it was because of her that he had got delayed.
The king was furious. He said you gave priority to passion over your duty as Kshatriya. Turning to his priest, he asked what was to be done.
The priest said you said you will stick to your word and now are bending. I will not stay in your kingdom anymore. Saying this, the priest left.
Hamsadhwaja said he would go behind the priest and get him back. He gave orders for his son to be thrown in the oil.
Hearing this, Sudhanwa said he would end his life in the hot oil. He said he had one regret that he would be seeing Krishna.

Chandi becomes a rock

Janmajeya asked the sage - Why did the brahmin woman get cursed? The sage said -
There was a sage called Uddalaka. He had a wife called Chandi. Chandi was a stubborn woman who refused to listen to anything her husband said.
One day Uddalaka asked his wife to fetch his water pot for worship. Chandi refused to listen.

One day a sage came to visit Uddalaka along with his disciples. Uddalaka asked Chandi not to welcome the sage and not give them any food. Hearing this, and acting opposite of what her husband said, Chandi welcomed the sage and his disciples and offered them food.

It was the date when Uddalaka was to perform worship for his departed ancestors. The sage who had come visiting, asked Chandi to make arrangements. Chandi refused. Angry the sage cursed her to become a rock. When Chandi wanted to know when she would be relieved, the sage said when Arjuna came chasing his horse and touched the rock, the curse would be gone.

She remained as a rock till Arjuna touched her.

Rock grabs the Horse

Janmajeya asked the sage - Why did Lakshmi curse the Earth? The sage said -
The earth was jealous of the fact that Lakshmi was very much in love with Vishnu. She said she knew that Lakshmi was devoted to Vishnu and she would try and separate the two.
Hearing this Lakshmi cursed the earth to be born as Swaha, the daughter of Jana.
Earth then said Narayana will be born on earth and you will then be separated from him, while I will enjoy his company.

Hearing this, Janmajeya said, Where did the horse go after that?
The sage said -

The horse moved south and came into a forest. There was a huge rock of the way. The horse stood and rubbed its body on the rock. The moment he did so, the rock grabbed the horse. The horse was unable to free itself.

All were wondering how to free the horse. Pradyumna said to Arjuna - In this forest, I see a sage. Let us approach him and see if he can help us.

The sage was teaching Vedas to his disciples when the warriors approached him. Pradyumna and Arjuna apporached the sage and bowed down to him. They explained their situation to him.

The sage said to Arjuna - You are a great devotee of Krishna, and in this time why do you not take His name? The rock is a brahmin woman, Chandi,  who has been cursed. Take Krishna's name and touch the rock. The horse will be released.

The moment Arjuna touched the rock with his two hands, the rock changed into a woman. The woman, released from her curse, went off to her house and the horse was free.

Agni marries Swaha

Janmajeya asked the sage - How was Agni related to Niladhwaja? The sage said -

Niladhwaja was great king. He had a beautiful wife called Jana. They had a daughter called Swaha. Swaha was the earth cursed by Lakshmi to be born as the daughter of Jana.

Swaha grew to be a beautiful maiden.
When it was time for her marriage, Swaha said she did not want to marry a mortal but wanted to marry a God. The king asked her whom she wanted to wed. Swaha said Agni was the most powerful and she wanted him.

The king wanted to know how to get him.

Swaha said if she thought of him, Agni would come there. Saying this, she sat in meditation taking the name of Agni.
Agni appeared before her and asked her what she wanted. Swaha spoke about her wish. Agni agreed to marry her.  The king said he would give his daughter to him, if Agni presided in his kingdom and protected him.

Agni agreed and got married to Swaha. 

Ganga curses Arjuna

Jana felt insulted. She decided to end her life. She went to the river Ganga. With folded hands she said - O River, Arjuna has killed my son and I am now going to kill myself. I want you to take my revenge.
Saying this, Jana entered the waters of Ganga and ended her life.
Seeing this, Ganga cursed Arjuna - A devoted woman has killed herself because of you. You killed my son Bhishma using cunning means. I curse you. You will die in the hands of your son.

When Krishna heard this, he smiled. Vyasa understood the meaning. Yudhistira asked Krishna - Why do you suddenly smile?
Krishna said - Arjuna has been cursed by Ganga to die in the hands of his son Babruvahana. Arjuna fought and killed Prabir. His mother ended her life in the waters of Ganga. Do not worry. When time comes, I will rescue Arjuna.

Arjuna in the kingdom of Maheshwari

The horse went southwards. It landed in the kingdom of Maheswari which was ruled by a king called Niladhwaja. The king had a son called Prabir who was a fearless person. He was bathing in the river with his women when the horse happened to stop there. One of the women asked Prabir to get her the horse. He got up and grabbed the horse. He read the inscription on the horse. He then asked the women to go inside with the horse.
Arjuna came there and asked why he had stopped the king's horse. The prince refused to hand over the horse. He started a blazing fire. Arjuna prayed to the fire. He said - I satisfied you by giving you the Khandava forest. Satisfied you gave me the Gandiva. Why do you trouble me now?
Hearing this, Agni reduced his intensity. Arjuna then invoked water and the fire went out. With a crescent arrow, Arjuna then cut off the head of Prabir.
Niladhwaja then came for battle. Agni was related to the king and told him to not pick up a fight with the Pandava. That would result in disaster for all. It was best to return the horse.The king agreed and went inside to fetch the horse. The queen, Jana,  was in grief at the death of her son and asked the king to get her the head of Arjuna.
While Jana kept wailing, the king took the horse and returned it to Arjuna.
Seeing this, Jana left her palace and went to her brothers.
Her brothers tried to console her and asked her not to ask for the death of Arjuna. That was something impossible. They asked her to return back to her home.

Sacrifice begins

Janmajeya said What happened in the sacrifice? Where did Arjuna go along with the horse? Whom did he fight with?
The sage said - Listening to the story of the sacrifice removes all sins. Listen to me while I tell you more.
Vyasa said to Yudhistira Get the sages and start the sacrifice. Yudhistira asked Bhima to do that. Bhima went fetched the sages who all came and took their seats.
In the place where the sacrifice would take place, an eighty feet deep pit was dug. It was a hundred feet in circumference. As per the scriptures, the pit was decorated and pillars were erected at corners. Wearing clean clothes, Yudhistira and Draupadi sat around the pit. Chanting of the Vedas began. Yudhistira gave gifts to all the invited guests. The horse was fetched and decorated. The name tag of Yudhistira was added on. Along with the women of the household, Kunti and Gandhari worshiped the horse.
Yudhistira then called Arjuna. He said - I will be sit in prayer here. Go with the horse and guard it. Make sure it does not get stolen. Only Nakula will stay with me. Take whoever you need.
Arjuna said I do not need anyone. With the blessings of Krishna, I will be back safe, along with the horse.
Arjuna started.
Krishna called Bhima, Pradyumna, Satyaki and Kritavarma and asked them to go along with Arjuna.
Along with them, Yuvanashwa, Anusalva, Subeg and Vrishketu also accompanied Arjuna.

The horse was let free. It went southwards.

Anusalva attacks

Janmajeya asked the sage - What is this trouble? The sage said -
The sacrifice was about to start when the daitya Anusalva came to Hastinapura, looking for Krishna. He came with a huge army. He wanted to kill Krishna, who had killed his brother Salva.
Barring Yudhistira, the other brothers started a fight with Anusalva.
The daitya attacked and wounded Bhima and Sahadeva. The two fled. Seeing this, Arjuna attacked. The daitya broke all arrows of Arjuna and then shot arrows wounding Arjuna.
The Pandavas were in a fix. Somehow saving their lives they went to Krishna and asked him what to do.
Krishna smiled and holding a betel leaf in his hand and said Whoever can capture the daitya will get this from me.
Krishna's son, Pradyumna, said he will do that.
Pradyumna went and attacked Asusalva but had to flee. Krishna got angry and rebuked his son for having to flee from battle.
Krishna then went to attack and was wounded and he too had to flee.
Yudhistira heard this and was dumb struck. How could this happen? Yudhistira asked Vyasa why this happened. Vyasa said the sage Garga had cursed Krishna that he would have to suffer defeat and this is the result of the curse.
Vrishaketu decided to go and fight. Vrishaketu fought valiantly. Taking the name of Narayana, the brave warrior shot arrows at the daity and Anusalva fainted. Vrishaketu captured the daity and brought him as a prisoner to Yudhistira. Everyone praised the son of Karna.
Anusalva, regaining consciousness, saw himself in front of the Pandavas. Krishna blessed the daitya and he saw the Great Lord in front of him.
The daitya fell at Krishna's feet and begged for forgiveness. Yudhistira forgave the daity and asked him to return back. The daitya refused saying if he stayed back, he would get to see Krishna.
Yudhistira said If that was the case then Anusalva was to go with Arjuna and guard the sacrificial horse.
This pleased the daitya. he told his army to be ready to guard the horse.

Yudhistira misses Krishna

Next day early morning Yudhistira called Arjuna. Arjuna came. Yudhistira said he was expecting Krishna to be there too. Arjuna said He had no idea. He had seen Krishna the previous day and after that, he did not know where Krishna had gone.
Yudhistira wondered why Krishna had left without informing. Had Yudhistira done something wrong? Everyone came to console Yudhistira. His brothers, Dhritarashtra, Vidura all came there. Soon Vyasa also came. Seeing the sage, Yudhistira wanted to know if the great sage knew about the whereabouts of Krishna.
Vyasa asked Yudhistira to start the sacrifice and not to worry. It must have been something very important because of which Krishna had to rush back. The sage he would leave and before that he said Send Bhima to fetch Krishna.
Bhima said he would start immediately.
When Bhima arrived in Dwaraka, he was warmly welcomed by Krishna. Rukmini brought food and Bhima was fed.
Bhima then said to Krishna that all were worried in Hastinapura as Krishna had left without informing anyone.
Krishna asked Bhima to stay the night and promised that he would go to Hastinapura in the morning.
The next day Krishna called Balarama, Samba and Pradyumna and asked them to take care of Dwaraka while he left to attend the sacrifice of Yudhistira. Kritavarma and Uddhava would go with him. Satyabhama and Rukmini also left with Krishna.
Hearing that Krishna was coming Yudhistira , the Pandava brothers, Vidura and Yuvanashwa came to welcome him.
Vyasa then came there to participate in the sacrifice. Krishna asked Yudhistira to not waste time and start the process for the sacrifice.
Vyasa said When you start the sacrifice there will be many difficulties. Your friend Krishna will help you combat those. Invite all great sages. They will all come and participate in this.

All arrangements were made. The sacrifice was about when trouble started.

Yuvanashwa meets Krishna

Yuvanashwa went where Bhima was. He said he was willing to give the horse and in exchange, he wanted to meet Krishna. Bhima agreed and the king announced in his kingdom that the next day they would be going to see Krishna. When his mother heard this, she said she had never heard of Krishna and was not in favor of the king going there. The king asked his guards to take care of his mother and keep her under house arrest, till he returned.

Along with the horse and the king, Bhima, Meghavrna and Vrishketu returned to Hastinapura.
Yudhistira was happy to see them. He asked Draupadi to welcome Yuvanashwa and take him inside.

Yuvanashwa came and was welcomed by the women of Hastinapura. He then went to see Yudhistira and bowed down before him. Seeing Krishna, he then fell down at his feet.

Krishna blessed the king and without informing anyone, left for Dwaraka.

Fight with Yuvanashwa

The moment the horse was grabbed, the magic vanished and sun was seen again. The soldiers realized that the prize horse was missing.
The soldiers came to fight and Meghavarna attacked them by hurling mountains. Some soldiers died. Some managed to run and inform the king.

Angry Yuvanashwa came to fight, along with his army.
Karna's son came to fight the king. A terrible fight started and Yuvanashwa was amazed to see the skill of Vrishketu. He asked him who he was.
Vrishketu said he was son of Karna who had come to take the horse for Yudhistira.

Hearing this, Yuvashawa hurled arrows at Vrishketu. Subeg, son of Yuvanashwa attacked. Bhima started fighting with his mace killing the horses and elephants. Seeing this, Subeg attacked Bhima. Bhima struck Subeg with his mace and Subeg fell senseless.

Vrishaketu then attacked Yuvanashwa. Wounded Yuvanashwa fell on the ground. Vrishaketu then started praying to Vishnu to revive Yuvanashwa.

When Yuvanashwa came to his senses, he fell at Vrishaketu's feet. He said Having prayed for my life, you are like a father to me now and I cannot fight you anymore. I take refuge with the Pandavas.

He then called his son and asked him to stop the fight. He then said to Bhima My land is blessed to have you here. Please come to me and be my guest. I will come with you and gift the horse to Yudhistira.

Bhima, Vrishaketu and Meghavarna see the horse they need

Krishna came to meet Yudhistira. Yudhistira told Krishna about the meeting with Vyasa and about the horse sacrifice.

Krishna asked the king not to worry. He said I know your sacrifice will be fruitful. Bhima will get the horse for you.

Hearing this, Yudhistira asked Bhima to proceed.

Bhima along with Vrishaketu and Meghavarna started for their journey to fetch the horse. From a distance they saw the magnificent kingdom of Yuvanashwa. They wondered how to enter the place. The fortress had tall walls which were heavily guarded.

Vrishaketu said If we cannot enter then we will wait for the horse to come out. When it comes, we will capture it.

They began waiting of a hill nearby. When the horses came out for a drink in the stream, Bhima was ready with his team. They saw a horse which matched the description of the horse that was needed.

Meghavarna said he will go and get the horse.

Meghavarna took Bhima's blessing and jumped into the sky. He covered the sun and it suddenly became dark. The horses did not know where to go.
The kings guards reported to the king about this.
Meghavarna, in the mean while, picked up the horse he needed and took that off with him to the hill.

Vyasa advises Yudhistira

Yudhistira began ruling the kingdom like Rama ruled Ayodhya.
One day he called his brothers and said Something is disturbing me. I am not able to concentrate on my duties. Krishna has left for Dwaraka and I am feeling alone.
Arjuna said If you think of Krishna, he will come to you.
Vyasa happened to come there and the brothers welcomed him.
Yudhistira said I still feel guilty of having killed my dear ones.
Vyasa said Do not feel guilty. You have fulfilled the duties of a Kshatriya. If you want to be free of everything then perform the Ashwamedha Yagna (Horse sacrifice). Tell me tell you something.
You have heard of Parashurama, who on the command of his father, killed his mother. He had to perform a horse sacrifice to get rid of the sin. Later Rama was born in the age of Treta. He performed the sacrifice to wash off the sin of killing many people. Indra performed the sacrifice because he had killed a brahmana.
Yudhistira said The sacrifice requires a lot of wealth. How will I perform such a sacrifice when my treasury is empty?
Vyasa said :
Once there was a king called Marutta. He performed a horse sacrifice and distributed a lot of wealth in the process. The wealth distributed was so much that the priests could not carry that with them. They had to hide the same in the Himalayas. Go there and get that wealth. Use that for the sacrifice.
Yudhistira said This may not be correct. How can I get a brahmin's wealth to wash off my sins?
Vyasa said There is nothing wrong in that. The wealth has been discarded by the brahmins. Wealth does not belong to one alone. What is wealth but part of the earth? And who has control over the elements of the earth?
Yudhistira said You have solved the problem of wealth. Now where will I get the horse?
Vyasa said Go to the kingdom of Yuvanashwa. Defeat the king and get his horses. Send Bhima to fight and get the horses for you.
Yudhistira said Bhima is tired and wounded from the great fight. How can I tell him to fight for me for a horse?
When Bhima heard this he was happy. He said Do not worry. I will go and get the horse for you. Send Arjuna to get the wealth. Vrishaketu, son of Karna, said he would go along with Bhima and get the horse.
Hearing this Yudhistira said I am sad for you. We did not know Karna's real identity and Arjuna, thinking him to be the son of a charioteer, killed him.
Vrishaketu said It is the duty of a Kshatriya to fight. If death comes during that, one will go to heaven. My father chose the wrong side. He paid for his sins. Do not grieve for that. Allow me to go with Uncle Bhima. Yudhistira was happy and gave permission.
Meghavarna, son of Ghatotkacha then came there. He said he too wanted to go along with Bhima. he said he was skilled in the arts of illusion and magic and would be able to help with his skills. Along with Vrishaketu and Bhima, he would go and get the horses.
Yudhistira gave him permission.
Vysasa then said Send Arjuna to get the wealth.
Arjuna climbed up on his chariot and was soon back with all the wealth.
Vyasa then said Let me tell you how to conduct yourself.
Get up early and offer food and water to the Gods. Invite twenty thousand priests and give them gifts. Worship the Gods with flowers and sandal paste. Then the priests will pour five pitchers of butter on the idols. This way hundred thousand pitchers of butter will be used everyday.
Start the sacrifice in the spring time in the month of Chaitra.
The ideal horse should be dark with a yellowish tail. Decorate the horse and worship it. On a plate write your name and tie that on the horse. Also write that whoever captures the horse will have to fight you. On the full moon night let the horse loose and let it go where it wishes.
You will sit at the sacrifice site along with Draupadi till the horse returns back.
Send for Krishna. He will assist you in the process.

Saying this, Vyasa left.

Bhishma dies

Yudhistira asked about Uttanka and Krishna.
Bhishma said -
Uttanka was a great devotee of Krishna. He used to worship the Lord from his childhood.
Pleased with his devotion Krishna appeared before him and blessed him.

Saying all this Bhishma said Go to Hastinupura. Take over the kingdom and rule it like an ideal king. It is time for me to leave this world. I give you to Krishna along with your brothers and Draupadi. Krishna will guide you.

Bhishma closed his eyes and started taking the name of Krishna. He closed his eyes and could see Vishnu. It was the month of Magha (January / February) and the dark phase of the moon. On the eight day Bhishma left his mortal body.

All broke down. Cries were heard everywhere. Vyasa the came there. He consoled all.
Yudhistira performed the last rites of Bhishma.

Giving away many gifts to the priests, all left.

Company of Holy Men

Yudhistira was already feeling very composed.
Bhishma said - It is difficult to cut off the bonds of the material world. The one who does is the great soul. Soul is the same in all. It is part of the divinity.
The illusion or Maya makes one create friends and enemies. It makes one gather material things. They say things like Me Mine. They do not remember Hari.
One who will take the name of Hari and enjoy the company of the Holy Men will get salvation.
There was once a hunter called Kalik. He was a cruel person.
One day he happened to arrive in a beautiful garden where there happened to be a temple. He saw a priest there. He asked the priest who he was. The priest said he was Uttanka.
The hunter saw that the idol of the God was decorated with many valuable jewels. He decided to kill the priest and rob the valuables. Taking a sword when he tried to kill the priest, the priest asked the reason for this action and then started telling him about God and Soul.
This made the hunter think. His sins were gone the moment he had touched the priest.
He bowed down at the feet of the priest and taking the name of the Lord achieved salvation.

Going around the temple

Bhishma said - Let me tell you more.

The Guru Brihaspati had a temple where he worshiped Krishna and regularly went around the temple. One Indra went there and saw the Guru worshiping the Lord and going around the temple seven times.Indra wanted to know about this. To this the Guru said Let me tell you a story.

There was a brahmin called Sudev who was known to be a cruel person. He was driven away by the town people because of his evil deeds.

He went to the banks of the river Narmada where he saw a sage lost in meditation. Sudev picked up feathers of vultures and put those on the sage.

When the sage realized this, he cursed Sudev to be transformed into a vulture.

The vulture flew around in the forest. One day a hunter shot the bird and managed to wound it. The bird flew a bit and fell on a temple. The bird unknowingly went around the temple seven times and got salvation.

Saying this Brihaspati said Going around the temple relives one off their sins. 

Worship of Krishna

Bhishma said - I will tell you about some more rituals.
I have spoken of Ekadashi earlier. I will tell you something more.
You need to get up at dawn and have a bath. After that, wearing clean clothes, you will apply oil on your body and take the name of Narayana. You will sit facing Eastwards and the pray to Narayana. You will then give offerings of food. You will then distribute the food among the poor. I have told you about the Ekadashi earlier.


At this point Vaishampayana said Yudhistira was now at peace after listening to Bhishma. He now wanted to know of the merits of worshiping Krishna.

Bhishma said - Listen to me.

There was a Brahmin called Devmali. He was earning well but he and his wife had no children. One Narada came and asked brahmin why he was said. When brahmin told him about not having children, Narada asked him not to worry. He would have twins.
After sometime time, the brahmin performed a sacrifice and then were born two sons - Yagyamali and Sumali.

Sumali was the younger one and was engrossed in evil deeds. Seeing Devmali divided all his wealth equally among his two sons and retired into the forest along with his wife, to worship Narayana.

Yagyamali spent his days in worship and giving away alms to the poor. He soon earned a lot of respect and built temples and ponds for people.
Sumali on the other hand wasted away whatever wealth he had got.

Yagyamali tried to talk to Sumali, but Sumali began beating him. Seeing this the people of the town began beating up Sumali. They bound him up but he was rescued by the kind Yagyamali. Yagyamali was driven away from that place.


Years passed. When Yagyamali died, he was brought up to the abode of Narayana. On the way he saw Sumali being dragged by servants of Yama. Yagyamali asked the attendants of Vishnu is there was a way in which his brother could be relieved.
The attendant said let me tell you a story.
In a faraway kingdom lived an evil prostitute. Tired with her, the town people drove her away. Tired and hungry she roamed around till she came across a Krishna temple. Seeing a lake nearby, she had a bath there and came back to the temple. She found the temple to be dirty and cleaned that with her hands. She then slept there and got bitten by a snake. Having served Krishna, she was taken away from the attendants of Yama by the attendants of Vishnu.
Saying this attendant said if Yagyamali was willing to give a part of his good deeds to Sumali, he would be saved. Yagyamali did that. Both the brothers got salvation.

Bhishma then said If one worships Vishnu with humility and devotion, he gets salvation.

Ashtami

Bhishma said - Let me tell you about more worships. The fasting of Ashtami is very dear to the consort of Shiva.. The person performing this is blessed. One who performs the worship of Shiva and Durga gets divine bliss. Let me tell you more.
In the olden days there was a king called Subahu. He was a great king. He performed the worship for Ashtami. He organized for a ceremony to make offerings to the departed ones. He gave away lots of gifts. Having finished he was about to have food when a brahmin came and asked for gifts. The king got angry. He was irritated but still gave gifts away.
One day the king happened to be in a garden. He found that his flowers were being stolen by a Gandharva. He tried to catch the Gandharva and one day caught him red handed. Subahu asked him who he was and the Gandharva introduced himself and said he was taking flowers for his people. He said he was seeing showers of grain falling there and wanted to know the reason for that. Subhahu said he did not see such shower. Gandharva said I will give you divine sight and you will be able to see this.
The Gandharva did that Subahu saw the shower of grain. He then said to the Gandharva I realize now. I had once given gifts to a brahmin but I had been angry. It is because of my sin that I do not see the shower of grain. How will I get salvation.
The Gandharva decided to help Subahu. He went to Indra to ask for a solution for this. Indra said giving gifts, that too food, with anger was a grave sin. To atone for this, the king would need to perform the fasting of Ashtami. He would need to please Goddess Parvati and then he would get salvation.
The king did that and got blessed.

Chandraketu dies

In the house of the king Niladhwaja, grew up and became a very beautiful maiden. The king arranged for a swayamvar for her. There the king Chandraketu wed Chandravati.
It was the time of the Chanrayana vrata. The king was smitten by his wife and ignoring the rules of the vrata, he made love to his wife. Chandravati tried to stop him but he did not listen. As a result of the incomplete worship, the king died. His son was made the king.

The dead king was taken to the abode of Yama. Yama said his sins were little and if could remove those, he would be free. To wash off the sins, the king was born as a vulture.

Chandravati hearing this went where her husband residing as a vulture. There the vulture performed the worship and soon by the blessings of Yama went back to heaven along with Chandravati.

Chandra's children

Bhishma said - Let me tell you about some more customs. There was a king called Chandraketu. He was married to Chandravati, who was the daughter of the Moon. She had been cursed to be born as a human.
Yudhistira asked - Who cursed Chandra's daughter? Why was she born on earth?
Bhishma said -
Chandra used to go to the house of Brihaspati to study. There Chandra fell with love with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati. He ran away with her when Brihaspati was not at home. When Tara became pregnant with Chandra's child, Chandra left her at her house.
When Brihaspati came to know of his, he cursed Chandra to have spots on his body. He also said Chandra would be born as the son of Arjuna.
Hearing this Chandra said I was not in control of myself when I saw Tara. I curse you to be born as a vulture.
Yudhistira asked How did Brihaspati get relieved?
Bhishma said The Guru was born as a vulture and lived in the forest. He got married and soon his wife gave birth to four eggs which hatched to four little birds. This was a happy family.
One day the vulture went to a forest to get food, leaving his wife to look after the children. A hunter spotted the bird and shot it with its arrow. Wounded, the bird managed to drag itself and take shelter in a temple. The hunter entered the temple and tried to catch the bird which was unable to fly but kept hopping around. This happened seven times. The hunter frustrated, killed the bird by shooting another arrow and took the bird along with him.
Having gone around the temple seven times, the bird was relieved of the curse and Brihaspati returned back home. He asked his wife to abort the child and only he would accept her.
Tara was scared and immediately gave birth to a boy and a girl. Tara picked up her children and said the world would know them as her children. Chandra was not sure if the daughter was his and  cursed her to be born on earth. Sure that the son was his, he took the child and named him Budha.
Tara returned with Brihaspati.
The daughter of Chandra was born on earth as Chandravati.

Ananta Vrata

Bhishma said - Leave your grief aside Yudhistira. Let me tell you about Ananta Vrata, about which I have heard from Narada. There was a king called Chitrangad in the kingdom of Kosala. He and his wife were devotees were Narayana.
The king performed the worship for Ananta Vrata and the same was announced in the city. He asked all his subjects to perform the worship.
Fearing the king, everyone started performing the worship. With performing the worship, the subjects were relieved of all their sins. With this worship, people started living longer and this dis-balanced the cycles. The celestial beings were worried that king was changing the laws of creation. This was the Dwapara Yuga and not the Satya Yuga. The spirit of Dwapara Yuga called out to Vishwakarma for help. When Vishwakarma came, Dwapara said please provide me a maiden whose beauty is incomparable.
Getting all the good qualities, an immensely beautiful woman was created.  The woman asked Dwapara what to do. Dwapara asked her to go to earth and entice Chitrangad. Who ever was performing the Ananta Vrata was to be enticed and his worship was to be broken.
The woman went and started her work. The king had gone hunting near a hill and she went there. The king wanted to know who she was and wanted to marry her. The woman said she was a resident of the hill and would marry him if he agreed to listen to whatever she said. The king agreed and took her home.
When the time for the Anata Vrata came, and the king and his first queen performed the worship and were fasting. Seeing this, the new wife said the king needed to break his fast. The king got angry and said he would not do that. He then said I will tell you about the merits.
In my previous birth I was born in a low caste family. I was called Sushena. I was cruel person who rejoiced in killing birds and animals. Seeing my nature, I was driven away. Alone, hungry and thirsty, I came across a temple of Krishna. I was fasting and entering the temple, I went to sleep there. In the middle of the night, a snake came and bit me. When I died, I was taken to Vaikuntha. This is why in this birth I am following the worship.
The woman said This means you do not respect my word and you are a liar.
The king said I will kill myself but I will not break my fast.
Saying so, the king called his eldest son, made him king. The king then sat in a yogic posture and gave up his body.

Shivaratri

Yudhistira said - Please tell me about auspicious days.
Bhishma said - Let me tell you in brief.




Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king. The sage asked, "O king! why are you observing a fast today?"
King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the incidents of his previous birth.
The king said to the sage: "In my past birth I was a hunter in Varanasi. My name was Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in search of animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a bael (wood apple)  tree. I had shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. I bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away the time that night I engaged myself in plucking the bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some food for myself and for my family. I was about to break my fast when a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him first and then took my food.
At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt then for the first time of the great merit I had earned by the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. They told me that there was aShiva Linga at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Linga. My tears which I had shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell onto the Linga and washed it. And I had fasted all day and all night. Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord.

This is greatness of the day of Shivaratri.

Five Ghosts

Bhishma said -
On his travels around the pilgrim places, Parashurama came across five ghosts near the site of Kurukshetra. The ghosts were devouring the dead. Parashurama asked them who they were. They said - Let us tell you about ourselves. Before that tell us who you are. You have matted locks in your head and are very handsome. You seem strong and have a lean physique.
Parashurama said I am a brahmin by birth who is roaming the earth visiting every pilgrim place.
The ghosts then said I am Sachimukha. The others are Shigrakh, Pashyurshit, Lekhak and Pathak. We live in the forests.
Parashurama said Why do have such weird names?
To this, Sachimukha said - Once I was the son of a merchant. Once I had a guest in my house whom I ignored. I ate my meal with my family not caring for the guest. I was then born as a ghost Sachimukha.
Shigrakh then said I was a hunter once. I used to steal from others. Once a guest came to my house and I drove the guest away. The guest cursed me to become a ghost and live on excreta and urine of others.
One ghost said I was a son of a priest. I was cruel and a miser. One day a brahmin came and said he was hungry and asked for some food. I drove the brahmin away and now I am born as the ghost Lekhak.
One ghost said I was a son of a merchant. Once a guest came asking for food. I defiled the food by first putting my saliva in it and then gave it. That is why I was born as the ghost Pashyurshit.
The last ghost said - We roam the cremation grounds eating excreta. We look for brahmins who do not perform regular worship, and use their bodies to travel. We look for those people who are not performing their duties and we live in them. Listen to me. I was born in a low caste house. When a guest came to my house, I refused to let the person in and acted as if I was sleeping. I was then cursed to become a ghost and became Pathak.
Parashurama asked them how would they get salvation. The Ghosts said if they came across an ideal person who was a devotee, they would get relieved.
While the ghosts were talking to Parashurama, all their sins were removed. The ghosts then took divine forms and bowing down to the sage , went to heaven. 

Gaya

Bhishma then spoke of the pilgrim place of Gaya. He said - the place is named after the asura Gayasura.
Yudhistira said - Please tell me more.
Bhsihma said -
There was a asura called Tripura. He was killed by Shiva and thus Shiva became known as Tripurari. At the time, Tripura was to fight Shiva, he got to know that his wife was pregnant and she would give birth to a great child. Tripura left his wife in her father's house. He was later killed by Shiva.

In her father's house, Tripura's wife gave birth to a son who was called Gayasura.
One day the boy wanted to know who his father was as he was called fatherless by the students who went to study under the Guru, where he went. His mother said he was the son of Tripura who had met his end in the hands of Shiva.

The boy said he will take revenge. He began learning all scriptures and the use of all weapons. Completing his learning, he went and attacked the Gods. He defeated Indra and the other Gods in battle. He then fought and defeated Shiva also. The Gods, not knowing what to do, went to the cosmic ocean to take help of Vishnu. Vishnu promised to help them.

Vishnu then went where Gayasura was. A fierce battle started between the two. Vishnu was unable to defeat him and pleased with his skill, he said Ask for a boon.

Gayasura said He wanted to reside in Gaya as a rock. Let this place be known by my name. Whoever comes and performs the last rites of their departed ancestors will get salvation.

Vishnu agreed and then pressed his foot on the asura. The body disintegrated and the soul merged into the rock there with a imprint of Vishnu's foot..

Parashurama

Bhishma said - Let me tell you more.
There is a great lake near the Brahmaputra river. It is here that the sage Parashurama had bathed to clean himself off the sin of killing his mother.
Yudhistira said - I am amazed. Why did a sage like Parashurama, kill his own mother?
Bhishma said -
Jamadagni was a great sage. He was married to Renuka. They had five sons, the youngest of whom was called Rama. One day Jamadagni asked Renuka to fetch water for his worship. Renuka went with the pitcher to get water. There she saw the aprasa Gritachi dancing. She stood watching the apsara and lost track on time. When she came back with the water, it was late. The sage got angry and asked his eldest son to cut off the head of Renuka. The eldest son did not want the sin of matricide in his hands and he refused. The sage asked the other three sons and they too refused.At this, the sage asked Rama to cut off the head of his mother and four brothers. Not thinking twice, Rama did that.
The sage was pleased and blessed him to be immortal and a great warrior. He asked his son to ask for something.
Rama said Please revive my mother and brothers.
Jamadagni did that and the four brothers and Renuka got up.
The sin of death was heavy in the hands of Rama.He was not able to throw down the axe from his hand. He asked his father what to do.
Jamadagni thought for a while and said The sin of killing ones mother is a grave one. For that you need to visit all the pilgrim spots. Once done, go to the brahmin Vishnuyasha. He will tell you how to loose the axe from your hand.
Rama started off.
He went to Gaya, Varanasi, banks of Ganga, Mansarovar, Prabhasa  and all other pilgrim spots across the land.
After that he went to the land of Kosala to meet Vishnuyasha.
Vishnuyasha wanted to know who he was.
Rama told him. Vishnuyasha told him to have a dip in the lake near Brahmaputra. The lake, he said, had whirlpools in it, and one had to be careful else the person would get pulled inside.
Vishnuyaksha said - Once a great sage Sutapa went to Brahma. There he happened to see the apsara Menaka with lustful eyes. The sage was cursed to live like a crocodile in the lake and devour anyone who went there. The sage asked how he would get relief. Brahma said When Rama with the axe (Parashu) went to the lake, the crocodile would be relieved.
When Parashurama went there, he saw the whirlpools trying to drown him. With his axe, he cut the current and the water quietened. Parashurama then had a bath there. The crocodile came and bit him. Parashurama pulled the crocodile to the shore. The crocodile, relieved of its curse, left the place.
Relieved of the sin, Parashurama went home.

Sumati

Bhishma said - Listen while you I tell you.

In the land of Ayodhya lived a merchant called Dhanpati who had a wife called Sumati. The couple had no children. They prayed and performed sacrifices but there was no result.
To divert his attention, one day the merchant sailed out for business.
One day the merchant's wife went to have a bath in a nearby lake along with her maids. When she was there, a hunter happened to pass by. He spotted Sumati bathing and was smitten by her. He requested her to accept him.
This angered Sumati who rebuked him for having spotted her while she was naked and also for approaching her to make love. She told the hunter that his clan served as servants in her house.
The hunter kept quiet, head hung in shame.
When Sumati left, the hunter wondered how he would be able to get Sumati. He approached her maids and asked them to help him. The maids laughed and said he was acting like the dwarf who wanted to grab the moon.
The hunter was adamant and one of the maids jokingly said if he went to the pilgrim place of prayaga and prayed to Narayana there, Sumati could be his.
The hunter went to Prayaga and there, on the banks of the river sat and started praying.
Narayana was pleased with him and said he would get this wish fulfilled if he had a dip in the river.
The hunter had a dip in the river and when arose he was a replica of the merchant.
The hunter then went to Sumati.
Sumati thinking her husband had come, welcomed him. They began talking to each other, holding hands.
At that instant, Dhanapati also arrived.
Sumati was stunned. There were two people who looked exactly like each other.
Dhanapati said to Sumati - I knew you to be a pious, chaste woman. Whom are you sitting with, in my absence?
Sumati said - The two of you look absolutely the same. How did I figure you which is the true person?
Sumati then wondering what to do, started calling out to Krishna for help.

Hearing her prayers, Vishnu appeared before Sumati in the form of Krishna playing the flute. All three bowed down to Krishna.
Sumati then told Krishna about her dilemma.
Krishna said It is your destiny to have two husbands. I cannot do anything about that.
Sumati said Then I want to leave this world, as I will not be able to live and bear the taunts of the people.
Krishna said I will take you all with me. Saying this, he ordered for his chariot to come and Krishna and the three climbed up. The chariot then started flying in the sky.

At the same time, two of Vishnu's attendants came there. They looked like Vishnu - dark complexion and four hands. They climbed up on another chariot and Sumati saw a couple on the chariot along with them.
Sumati asked Krishna - Who are these two, who look like you? And who is the couple with them?
Krishna said - Ask them. They will tell you.
Sumati asked them.

The two said - We are attendants of Hari. The person here was born a Kshatriya and performed many evil deeds. The woman here is a prostitute. While she kept sinning she kept a parrot and taught it to say the name of Hari. She lived with many men among whom was a Gandharva called Sumali. One day she went to get flowers in a garden. The Kshatriya here happened to see her and was smitten by her. He captured her and took carried her away forcibly. When the Gandharva came to know this, he attacked the Kshatriya. A fight took place and there the Gandharva shot an arrow and the chariot went flying fell in the waters of the river at Prayaga. The two drowned in the waters. With their sins gone, they are now being taken to Vaikuntha.

Sumati then realized that hunter had drowned in the waters of Prayaga and then had taken the form of her husband. She was amazed at the divinity of the waters of Prayaga.

The three then decided to stay as servants of Vishnu in Vaikuntha.

Worship and Gifts

Bhishma continued :
Narayana should be bathed with milk, water and honey.
Shiva should be bathed with coconut water.
One who prays to Tulsi in the evening, is blessed.
Giving away gifts like cows, jewels is a very good form of worship. The blessings received from the one who gets the gifts relieves one of sins.
The poor man who gives a small meal to a beggar is equal to the rich man who gives away thousands of cows.
While the rich worship Narayana with honey and milk, the poor worships Krishna with only water.The results are the same.
It is the actions of one that decides the fate. The great ones can sin and fall down and the sinner can live in the company of the good and rise up.

Yudhistira said - Please tell me more about this.