Tracing the Lineage of Chandra in the Mahabharata of Kashidas

 I have written an update tracking the initial phases of the Lunar dynasty. The chapter covers the lineage from Brahma's son Marichi down to King Puru.

The analysis focuses heavily on the character flaws that brought down prominent figures like Nahusha and Yayati, viewing their subsequent difficulties as the direct output of cause and effect. Additionally, I look into the historical geography of Bharatvarsha as the southern region of Jambu Dvipa, highlighting how ancient texts mapped out the concentric zones of the earth. https://writtenbybabu.blogspot.com/2026/07/mahabharata-of-kashidas-0032-how-did.html

Nahusha cursed

Brihaspati said Let Sachi ask for sometime from Nahusha within which something could be done. Sachi, as per plan, went to Nahusha and said she would come to him later. Nahusha was smitten by lust seeing Sachi. He wanted her to accept him then, but Sachi asked for time again. She said she wanted to know where Indra was and wanted to find him. Once she was convinced that she would never find Indra, she would come to him.

Nahusha agreed to this. Sachi returned to Brihaspati. The Gods went to Vishnu. They said Indra was hiding because of the sin. Vishnu said - Let Indra offer me a sacrifice. I will liberate him from the sin. Indra will have to perform the horse sacrifice and this will also mark of end of Nahusha's rule. Be patient till then.

The Gods went and gave the message to Indra. Indra performed the sacrifice and was liberated. He then went to face Nahusha. Indra trembling the moment he saw Nahusha. He fled again and hid somewhere.

Sachi appealed to the Goddess of the night, Ratri, to help her. When Ratri appeared before her, Sachi said she wanted to know where Indra was hiding. Ratri agreed to help her. Ratri asked Sachi to follow her. They crossed many fields, many mountains and when they came to the sea, they stopped at an island in the middle of the sea. It was a beautiful island, where birds were nesting. Colorful lotus flowers blommed there. In the middle was a large white lotus with a thick stem. Ratri pierced the stem of the flower, and Sachi saw Indra there.

Seeing Indra in a minute form, Sachi too reduced her size and went to Indra. She told Indra all about Nahusha. Sachi asked Indra to come and fight Nahusha. Indra said at this moment, the battle had to fought with the mind and not weapons. He said he had a plan and told Sachi what to do.

Sachi returned. She then asked to meet Nahusha. When Nahusha came,  Sachi said - I had asked for time. Now my time is over. I want to you to come to me in an unique vehicle. Indra had horses and elephants. I want you to come in a palanquin borne by the great sages.

Nahusha was pleased. He agreed to this. He said would come to her in a palanquin borne by the seven great sages.

Brihaspati, in the meantime , started a fire and started chanting mantras to find out where Indra was. Agni appeared before Brihaspati and the priest said he wanted to know where Indra was.

Agni assumed the form of a maiden and went around and soon came back to Brihaspati. He said he had searched everywhere except in the waters and Indra was not found. Brihaspati gave Agni the power to travel in water. Agni went again and this time Indra was found in the lotus stem. Agni came and informed Brihaspati.

The Gods and Brihaspati then went to Indra and asked him to return.

While Indra was thinking what to do, Agastya appeared there. He said he had helped in getting rid of Nahusha. All asked him what he had done. Agastya said -

Nahusha had become proud and haughty. He argued with the sages bearing the palanquin and had in the process, kicked Agastya. Angry, Agastya had cursed Nahusha to be turned into a snake.

Indra then returned back to his kingdom and regained his throne.

End his tale, Shalya said - Even Indra had to suffer. Your enemies will soon be gone.

Yudhistira repeated his request of asking Shalya to become the charioteer of Karna. Shalya agreed to that.

Saying this, Shalya returned back.

Nahusha

Indra was happy having killed Vritra but was still sad as he had killed a brahman, the three headed son of Twasta. Full of guilt, he went into hiding.

As soon as Indra vanished, the earth went into turmoil. Trees began falling, rivers became dry and animals and people were in distress. The Gods and sages were afraid. The universe had no ruler. The great sages suggested that Nahusha be invited from earth and he be made king.


Nahusha, in all humility said he was not the right person for this. The sages and the Gods said they felt he was the best choice. They said they would guide Nahusha.  They said fear would be there when doing something different, but that would have to be overcome.

Nahusha became the king, but the heavenly pleasures took over him. He began enjoying the company of the apsaras. He enjoyed the beautiful breeze that blew and the songs that the bards sang.

One day Nahusha saw, Sachi, queen of Indra and wanted her for himself. He asked her to come and visit him. Sachi went the priest, Brihaspati, for advise. The priest asked her to stay with him, promising her that she would would soon be united with Indra.

When Nahusha heard that Sachi was with Brihaspati, he was enraged. How could Sachi refuse the king of heaven? Seeing him angry, the Gods and sages asked Nahusha to control his anger and be happy with what he had. Taking another's wife was a sin.
Nahusha said - If this is a sin, then why was Indra not prevented when he tried to rape Ahalya?

The Gods said they would bring Sachi to him.

They went to Brihaspati and asked him to help. Brihaspati said he would help the one who had sought his protection. The Gods then sat with Brihaspati and decided on the course of action.

Krishna comes to meet the Pandavas

United with Arjuna, Yudhistira asked Lomesh what was it that they should do now? What place shpuld we go to now?
The sage let us first leave the mountains and return to the Kamya forest where we were originally.
Yudhistira thought of Ghatotkacha who instantly appeared there. Yudhistira asked him to carry them all back to the Kamya forest.
Happy to be back, the Pandavas constructed huts and settled there. Bhima and Arjuna would go hunting and whatever food was cooked, was kept in the vessel given by Surya. The food would remain there, multiplying, till Draupadi had her meal.
One day the sage Lomesh came to the Pandavas and said it was time for him to return back to the land of Indra. Sad, the Pandavas bowed down at the feet of the sage and the sage left.

The forest became like Hastinapura with Yudhistira holding court and resolving problems of others.

Four years passed since the Pandavas were all united, Arjuna having returned. The Pandavas lived in the forest for one year. They used to hunt for food. One day, Bhima went out hunting. He saw a cave and wondered if he could find anything there. He came across a huge hungry snake. The snake caught Bhima and Yudhistira had to intervene to rescue Bhima.

Janmajeya asked the sage - Please tell me about this. I am interested to know how Yudhistira had to intervene to save the strong Bhima.

The sage said -  Bhima was roaming around with bow in hand and  a sword found a beautiful spot full of birds and animals. There many shady trees there. He saw streams in which swans were swimming.  Bhima roamed in the forest, killing wild boars and wild buffaloes. Excited, he began jumping and pulling trees out by the roots. The earth started trembling. Then Bhima saw a huge serpent, which was so big that it had coiled itself around the mountain. Seeing Bhima close by, the snake grabbed him. This was a celestial snake and Bhima could not free himself.

Bhima thought this was no ordinary snake. He asked the snake who was he. He said - I am Bhima, next brother of Yudhistira. I have great strength and have killed many rakshasas but why am I not able to defeat you?

The snake said - It is my luck that I have found someone like you to feed on. Let me tell you how I became a snake. You may have have heard about Nahusha. I am Nahusha, an ancestor of yours. I became a snake due to the curse of Agastya. I was ruling Indra's throne when I was cursed. When I slowly began transforming into a serpant, I asked Agastya how would I free myself. Feeling pity for me, Agastya said, I would be free after a long time. I then became a snake on earth but I remember my previous life. The sage said  The person who knows about the soul and its relation with the Supreme Being can free you by answering your questions. Other than that, anyone caught by you will lose their strength. Today you have come as my food.

Bhima tried to free himself but was unable to.

Yudhistira saw ill omens. He heard jackals howling. Sensing something wrong, he went in search of Bhima, leaving the others to protect the sages.

Going by, he saw dead animals and knew Bhima had passed that way. He saw the pulled trees and came across the snake, holding Bhima, in its coils.

Yudhistira asked Bhima how this had happened. Bhima, said this was Nahusha, in the guise of a snake.
The snake said I live on wil goats. Your brother came towards me. If you stay here longer, I will eat you too.

Yudhistira said he was willing to offer food in lieu of Bhima's life. The snake said I was your ancestor, known as the king Nahusha. I was known amongs Gods and Humans. It was due to my acts that Agastya cursed me. I had made the sages my palanquin bearers and insulted them. My memory is still sharp.  If you answer my questions, I will think about your offer.

Yudhistira asked the sage to ask the questions, and he would answer if he could.

The snake said - Who is a Brahmana?
Yudhistira said - One who is wise and known for his wisom. He practices truth, charity, good conduct, forgiveness and follows all rites that he needs to.

The snake said - A person born of a lower caste could also have these qualities. Would he be a brahman also?

Yudhistira said - A lower caste is not by birth alone. Also, one born a brahman does not become one. A low caste person is one who does not have the qualities. A brahman could be called a low caste because of his qualities.

The snake said - If that is so, what is the use of the caste system? That becomes senseless then.

Yudhistira said - Men from all castes have children from women from various castes. The wise ones have given emphasis on qualities. The person is a low caste by birth till he learns the Vedas. As per Manu, the mixed castes are better than many, if they perform good deeds. Whoever conducts himself in a pure and virtuous manner is a brahman as per me.

The snake said - Having heard you, how can I now eat your brother.

Yudhistira said - O learned snake, how does one attain salvation?

The snake said - It is by one's actions.

Yudhistira said - What is more important - truth or giving away of gifts?

The snake said - The actions need to be measured based on the need.

Yudhistira said - What is the characteristic of the mind and the inetllect?

The snake said - Through illusions, the soul becomes a slave of the intellect. Perception rules the inetllect. Sensation is caused by the mind. What is your opinion?

Yudhistira said Having lived in heaven and having all knowledge, why do you ask me this? How does illusion overpower one?

The snake said - Prosperity makes the wise fall. Luxury blinds one. I have been a subject of this. My feet came in touch with Agastya and the sage cursed me to be a sage. By talking to you, my curse is over. I was then told by the sage that talking to Yudhistira would relive me. I release Bhima. Let good luck be with you. I need to return to heaven.

Saying this, Nahusha quite the form of a snake and took a celestial form and proceeded towards heaven.

One Krishna and Balarama decided to visit the Pandavas. The Pandavas were very have to have Krishna and Balarama among them.
Krishna was very pleased to see Yudhistira having made the forest his kingdom and ruling from there. He said the sorrows that were there would soon be gone. The sages there, hearing Krishna, said that was true. Soon Yudhitira would be back in Hastinapura.
Soon Krishna and Balarama decided to take leave. With a heavy heart the Pandavas let them go.