Vyasa talks to Yudhistira

Janmajeya asked - What did Yudhistira do after he went inside the city? What did Bhishma say to him? Tell me about Bhishma's death when the sun started its northward journey.
The sage said -
Yudhistira became king but he was still sad. he was not able to concentrate on his duties. His brothers tried talking to him, but that did not help. Knowing this Vyasa came to Yudhistira. The new king greeted the sage and welcomed him.
Vyasa said Why are you so worried? You have four brothers who like Indra. The city has welcomes you as the king. Your people are happy. The fields have good harvest. What pains you?

Yudhistira said - I am not able to get over the fact that I have had to kill my dear ones to get the kingdom.

Vyasa said - You have not sinned. You have Krishna with you, the mere mention of whose name removes all sins. Death is inevitable. One who is born has to die. Pride killed your enemies.

Age is but a number and your deeds increase or decrease that. Near you is an example. Seated near you is the sage Markadeya. When he was born, he was destined to die at twelve. With his devotion, he was able to avoid death.

Yudhistira asked - How did he achieve this?

Vyasa said - Markandeya put his entire mind in meditation. He spent days in the state of bliss. Such austere was his penance that he never realized when termites ate up his flesh and made a termite hill. On the termite hill began growing trees. On the trees birds began living. Soon some sages came and set up their abode there. In the heaven, Brahma laughed.

The sages asked Brahma the reason. Brahma said One who was destined to die at twelve has been meditating for sixty thousand years now. Taking water from his pot, Brahma showered some water on the trees. The trees fell making a great noise. The sages saw a glow of light inside the termite hill.

Brahma asked Markandeya to get up and have a bath and come. When Markandeya went near the waters, it evaporated. When looked for some water but did not find any. Traveling around, he came across a village where the villagers earned their livelihood by tending to swine. There, a puddle had got created from the excreta and urine of the pigs. Markandeya saw this and bathed in that.

He returned and started looking for a brahmin, but could not find one. He returned back to the village. There he saw a poor woman with two children. The elder one asked for milk . She had to breast feed the younger one.After feeding the young child, she washed her breasts and then fed the elder one. Markandeya saw this. He asked why she was doing this? Were both not her children?
The woman said the first one was through a brahmin and a second from a potter, the community that she belonged to.

Markandeya said he had been looking for a brahmin and as the eldest child was a brahmin born, his search was now over. He washed the feet of the elder child. The potter woman was horrified.

Brahma appeared there then and blessed Markandeya with immortality.

Vyasa said I will tell you more.

Once Vishwakarma was working hard. Whatever he did, Indra was not pleased. He made something, Indra found fault with that. Angry and dejected, the celestial architect went to Vishnu. Vishnu said he would do something.

One day Vishnu went to the court of Indra. The Gods offered Vishnu a seat. Vishnu said he would be going to see the sage Lomash. Indra went along with Vishnu. They went and bowed down to the sage - who had hair all over his body, thus called Lomash. Indra observed that there was a patch on his chest that had no hair. Indra asked the sage the reason for this. The sage said he would not tell Indra. Indra insisted. The sage said - The hair on my body depicts the countless Indras. When a Indra dies, a hair falls off. This is the reason for this.
Indra was scared. He bowed to the sage and left along with Vishnu.

All who are born, have to die. Anyone who has a body will perish. Some die in their youth, some when they are middle aged and some when they are old. People have wants and desires. Those are never ending. The actions in this life will decide the kind of death you will have.

Discard your grief. I will tell you more. Listen to me.

There was a king called Uttanapada. He had two queens Subhaga and Durbhaga. He had seven sons, one them was called Uttama. One day the was sitting on the throne and Uttama was playing with him. Dhruva, another son, also wanted to climb up on the throne and be with his father. Seeing this, Subhaga said - Your mother is of a low caste You have no right to sit on the throne. If I see you again, I will beat you. If you do want to sit on the throne, please the Gods first and be born as my son. Then you will get the right to sit on the throne.

Dhruva went to his mother and said he had been turned away.

Durbhaga said Krishna was the way out. If the mind was set on Krishna and his meditation, all things will fall in place.

Dhurva was barely five years old. He was determined to worship Krishna. He left the palace to meditate on Krishna.  On the way, he saw Narada. Narada asked him where he was going. Dhruva said he was going to find Krishna. Narada said You are a very young boy. How will you get Krishna? You do not have a Guru to guide you. Getting to Krishna is tough and you need a guide.

Dhruva said he would not return back. He would either get Krishna or die.
Narada was pleased with the determination of the boy. He taught Dhruva the mantra to get Krishna to appear before him and also how to recite the mantra and how many times to recite it.

Dhruva went to the banks of river Yamuna. He had a bath in the river. Then standing on one foot, with the other foot folded, he started reciting the mantra given by Narada. He concentrated on his meditation and gave up his food.

In the heaven, the Gods were scared as they did not know what Dhruva wanted. They assumed fiery forms and tried to scare Dhruva away but failed.

Seeing his devotion, Hari appeared before him finally. Dhruva was blessed to be become the king after his father. After a long successful rule, along with his mother he would go to heaven where he would stay as the pole star (Dhruva).

Dhruva returned home and was greeted by all. Subhaga begged for forgiveness but Dhruva said he was blessed as it was because of her, he had been able to see Krishna.

After his father, Dhruva became the king and ruled for thirty six thousand years and then after his death he went to heaven where he became the pole star.

Saying all this, Vyasa said You need to control your mind. Listen while I tell you more.

Uttanpada gave the throne to Dhruva and went to the forest. There, he was able to achieve the vision of Hari. In the forest where the king lived, was a doe that used to come to drink water. One day, the king heard a lion's roar. The king was scared and so was the doe. In fright, the doe gave birth to a fawn and died. The fawn, not knowing where to go, followed the king everywhere. Taking pity on the fawn, the king lifted it. He forgot about his penance and meditation and gave all his thought on the fawn. His thought was on bringing up the fawn.

The fawn grew up and became a deer. The king was always concerned about the well being of the deer. One day the deer ventured into the forest and became the meal of a hungry lion. From a distance, the king saw this. He was devastated. He could get put off his thoughts from the deer. Always he thought of the deer and was soon born as one. He lived on the banks of a river and soon died. He was then born as the son of a brahmin. The boy was called Bharata. Bharata was aware of the happenings of his previous births. Bharata was engrossed in devotion and his thoughts were concentrated on Hari. He was rooted in his devotion and was thus also known as Jada Bharata. As he did nothing but the whole day, his brothers frustrated with him, began ill treating him. They gave him burnt food to eat and torn clothes to wear. Jada Bharata did not complain. His mind was concentrated on Hari. A flock of wild boar used to come and eat up the grain. Seeing this, the brothers appointed Bharata as the guardian of the grain. Bharata would sings songs in praise of Hari in the day and then guard the granary in the night.
A king called Subahu was the ruler of the land. One day he wanted to visit his guru, the sage Kapila. He was travelling in a palanquin when one of the bearers fell sick. An alternate was searched for. The people found Bharata near the granary. He was healthy and was selected for the task.
Bharata walked slowly and carefully putting his steps on ground, lest he trample a small ant.
As the speed was not being matched, the palanquin started shaking. The king wanted to know why this was happening. The bearers said this was because of the new one, who was very slow.
The king peeped out and saw the healthy bearer walking slowly. He asked Bharata the reason for this.
Bharata said O King, who bears whom? The earth bears us. The legs bear the body. The branches bear the leaves. The neck bears the head. Who am I to bear you?

Hearing this, the king was stunned. He said I was going to my Guru but what is the need when I have one like you. Saying this, he bowed down and became a disciple of Bharata.


There was once a king called Virbahu. He worshiped the goddess Ambika and sacrificed a fat sheep every year. Once when the king was about to kill the sheep, it somehow managed to escape and run away. The guards began looking for the sheep. They could find it but they found a healthy Bharata. They caught him and brought him to the king. The king was happy to see Bharata.
The day of the sacrifice was announced. The women of the household dressed in their finery, to see the sacrifice. All rushed to see the human sacrifice.
The priests performed the worship of the goddess. When it was time, the king asked for Bharata to be brought to the altar. He was dressed in new clothes. The king took the sword and got ready to kill Bharata.

The goddess saw and decided to intervene before it was too late. She came out of the idol. She snatched the sword from the king. She then began cutting and devouring the people who had gathered there.
The king fell on his knees and asked the goddess why she was doing this. The Goddess said Do you know whom you were about to kill? This is a great seer. One who sees him, is absolved off all sins. Hari resides in him. Fall before him and ask for forgiveness.

The king did that. Bharata said All roads lead to Hari. Who kills whom? Who saves whom? All is Hari.
The king became his disciple.


Yudhistira was quiet. Arjuna said to Krishna - Yudhistira is in shock. He is grieving for our sons. How do I console him?

Hearing this Krishna went where Yudhistira was. Holding his hands, Krishna said - Why do your trouble yourself? Discard your grief. The ones who fell in war are in heaven. Do not grieve for them. You heard Vyasa talk about Bharata. Hearing this gets rid of sins.

At this point Janmajeya said - O Sage, you spoke of Uttanpada. He was thinking of the deer till his death, so was born as one. How was the deer born as the brahman Bharata?
The sage said - The king was born as a deer. He was still aware of his past birth. He left the forest and went to the city. People seeing the deer, tried to catch him. Thinking his deer was near, the deer started taking the name of Narayana. Taking the name of the lord, the deer ran and fell in the waters of Yamuna and drowned.

Vyasa kept telling Yudhistira to discard his grief. He said - Rama went to the forest leaving Ayodhya. He suffered a lot there. His wife was abducted by Ravana. Rama killed Vali, made Sugriva the king of vanaras and crossed the ocean towards Lanka. There a fight started between him and Ravana.
Mandodari said to Ravana - Your son, Mahiravana, lives in the nether world. Think of him. He should be able to help you.

Ravana thought of Mahiravana. In the nether world, Mahiravanaa's throne started shaking. He started meditating and realized that Ravana was thinking of him and that Lanka was in danger. He decided to leave for Lanka.
He came up and saw Lanka surrounded by vanaras and bears. He decided that this was not the way to proceed. He observed the army, gauging who were there. He saw Rama, Lakshmana, Hanumana, Angada and Vibhishana. He was surprised to see Vibhishana there. He realized that Vibhishana was helping Rama win the battle. He decided to meet Ravana and then decide on the course of actions.
Ravana greeted him and hugged him. He asked Ravana what Vibhishana was doing with Rama. Ravana told him and Mahiravana asked Ravana to relax while he dealt with Rama and his army.
He went outside and saw the army. He decided that instead of fighting, he would kidnap Rama and Lakshmana and take them away. That would scare the army of animals who would go away to their forest homes.
He saw Hanumana guarding Rama and Lakshmana. He took the form of Dashratha and went to Hanumana. He said I have not seen my sons for long and anxiously want to see them. Please let me.
Mahiravana then saw Vibhishana coming that way. He then fled from there. He tried many forms and finally taking the form of Vibhishana, he managed to capture Rama and Lakshmana and flee with them to his kingdom.
In Lanka, the army was worried. Vibhishana realized that this was the work of Mahiravana. Hanumana then happened to spot the tunnel opening. Taking the name of Rama, Hanumana jumped into the tunnel. He landed in the city of Mahinravana. He saw a lake and a tree near that. He climbed the tree, taking the form of a monkey and waited.
Women were filling water from the lake and were amazed o see the monkey. An old woman was there among them. She said she knew of humans in the city and now a monkey meant the city was doomed.
Hanumana was happy to hear this. He took the form of a fly and sat on the pitcher of the old woman. The old woman went to the temple of the reigning goddess. Seeing the goddess, Hanumana asked her if she had wished for the blood of Rama and Lakshmana, as her sacrifice. The goddess denied that.

Hanumana traveled to the executioner's house and saw the swords being sharpened. He saw the garland maker making garlands. Hanumana  saw him crying. He approached the person in the guise of an old man and asked him the reason. The garland maker said he was crying because he did not want to see the two young men, who had been brought there by the evil Mahiravana, die. Hanumana asked him how would Mahiravana die and the garland maker said he had heard that Mahiravana would be killed by Hanumana.

Taking the form of a fly again, Hanumana went inside Mahiravana;s house. There he saw Rama and Lakshmana tied up. Hanumana said to Rama and Lakshmana - When Mahiravana tell you to bow before the goddess, tell him you do not know how to bow and ask him to show you how.
The next day, Mahiravana made arrangements for the worship. In the form of a fly, Hanumana sat on a pitcher and started shaking it. Mahiravana thought the goddess was asking for the sacrifice. He asked Rama and Lakshmama to bow but Rama and Lakshmana said they did not know how, and wanted to be shown. The moment Mahiravana bent down, Hanumana took his form and cut off his head. Mahiravana was dead. Seeing him dead, Mahiravana's wife took a bow and started shooting arrows at Hanumana. Hanumana swung his fist. The rakshasa queen was pregnant, and with this blow, she delivered a baby boy. The boy, started jumping and fighting, the moment he was born. Hanumana was able to catch him, as he was covered with blood and mucus. He appealed to his father, Pavana. Wind started blowing and dust settled on the new born baby. Hanumana then grabbed the boy and hurled him to the ground and killed him.

Taking Rama and Lakshmana, Hanumana started travelling towards Lanka. The goddess, Bhadrakali, said she wanted to go along. Hanumana kept the idol of the goddess on his head and taking the two brothers on his shoulders, he traveled to Lanka.

Thus, Duryodhana was jealous of you and met his end.

Vyasa said many things to Yudhistira to calm him. He then said if you want to know how conduct yourself properly, with devotion to God, then you need to go to Bhishma. 

Rama meets Sugriva

Seeing no one around, Ravana kidnapped Sita. Fearing Rama, he swiftly drove his chariot. Sita crying out to Rama, started dropping off her jewels in various places. Jatayu, a bird and a friend of Dashratha, fought Ravana and finally fell when Ravana cut off his wings. Ravana reached Lanka with Sita and pleaded with Sita to accept him. Sita said Rama was her Lord. Ravana then made Sita a prisoner in the Ashoka garden. Few rakshasis reamined there to guard Sita.
Rama returned to see an empty home and Lakshmana rushing towards him. Lakshmana said Sita had sent him to see if all was well with Rama. The brothers cried, looking for Sita. Rama saw some jewels of Sita and went that way. Soon he came across a dying Jatayu. Jatayu said Sita had been captured by Ravana and taken to Lanka.  Jatayu then died and Rama and Lakshmana performed the last rites of the bird. They then went towards the mountain Rishyamukha where they met the vanaras Sushena, Nala, Nila, Hanumana and Sugriva. Sugriva said Vali, his brother, had taken over his kingdom by force.
Rama agreed to help Sugriva by killing Vali. In return Sugriva promised help in rescuing Sita.
As per his word, Rama killed Vali and made Sugriva the king of Kishkindhya. After four months, search for Sita started. Hanumana was sent to look out for Sita.
Hanumana killed many rakshasas and burnt the city of Lanka. He then came back to Rama with the news.
Vibhishana asked Ravana to return Sita and Ravana insulted him, by kicking him. Vibhishana came to Rama and took his shelter. Rama promised to make Vibhishana the king of Lanka, after killing Ravana.
A bridge was built over the mighty ocean and Rama crossed over along with the vanaras. 

Rama in Panchavati

Hearing Rama had left, Dashratha died. This was due to a curse from a blind sage, that the king would die when his son left him. Ayodhya was grief stricken. Bharata heard this when he returned. He rebuked his mother. He performed the last rites of the king. When the minsters told him to become king, Bharata said he was just there to serve, and the throne belonged to Rama. he asked all to accompany him and try to get back Rama.

Bharata found Rama on the Chitrakoota mountain. He asked Rama to return. Rama was grieved to hear of the death of Dashratha. He asked Bharata to rule for fourteen years till he came and claimed his throne. Bharata said he would rule alongside Rama and asked for his slippers. Rama gave away the slippers. Bharata took that back, placed it on the throne of Ayodhya.

After Bharata left, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita left Chitrakoota. Then across the ashrama of the sage Agastya. They asked the sage where they should reside. The sage asked them to live in the forest of Panchavati.

Surpanakha, sister of Ravana, one day came there. She saw Rama and wanted him for herself. She changed her self to look like a beautiful woman and approached Rama. Rama said he was married. Surpanakha then went to Lakshmana who said he would not marry or take any woman. Surpanakha thought all this was happening because of Sita. She tried to kill Sita. Lakshmana seeing this, cut off her ears and nose.

Surpanakha went to two rakshasas, Khara and Dushana and told them what had happened. The rakshasas came to fight Rama and were killed.

Surpanakha then went to Ravana. She said she was in the forest when the son of Dashratha had cut off her ears and nose. There was a very beautiful woman there, who deserved to be in Lanka. When tried to get that woman for Ravana, her nose and ears were cut.

Hearing of the beauty of Sita, Ravana wanted to get her. He asked Maricha to help him. Maricha said he had been once attacked by Rama and he did not have the courage to face him again. When Ravana threatened to kill him, Maricha agreed to go in the guise of a golden deer. Seeing the deer, Sita wanted it. She asked Rama to get it for her. Keeping Lakshmana guard, Rama went running behind the deer.

When Rama struck the deer, it shouted out for help, in Rama's voice. Sita was shocked. She requested Lakshmana, and sent him to look for Rama.

Birth of Rama and marriage with Sita

In the solar dynasty, the king Dashratha was performing a sacrifice to get sons. Because of the great deeds he had done, Vishnu was born in his house. From the sacrificial fire, rose a pot. A voice asked the content to be divided among the queens. Seeing two queens there, the king gave the pot to them. The youngest queen, Sumitra was not there then. When she came to know, she was sad. The other two queens, Kaushlaya and Kaikeyi, gave Sumitra portions from their share.  Soon the queens were pregnant.
One by one, the queens delivered their children. The eldest son was Rama, a dusky boy, born off Kaushalya. Bharata came next, born off Kaikeyi. Sumitra had twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
The princes began growing and soon it was time for them to go and learn the scriptures and the art of using weapons.
In Mithila, the king Janaka, was farming for many days tilling his land. Lakshmi was born there. Seeing a child in the furrow, Janaka brought her up as his daughter and named her Sita.
Seeing the future, the Gods kept the bow of Shiva, in Janaka's house. They said to Janaka that he should give away his daughter to that person only, who would be able to, easily lift and bend and thus break the bow.
None could break the bow and soon Rama came there and breaking the bow, married Sita.
Listen Yudhistira, what had had happened before this.
Ravana had sent his followers to destroy sacrifices. Seeing this, the sage Vishwamitra went to Dashratha asking for Rama, who was destined to help him. Fearing the sage, the king reluctantly agreed to give Rama and Lakshmana.
On their way, they came across the ferocious rakshashi Taraka. Rama, not fearing her, killed her.
Vishwamitra then took Rama to the place where he would be performing his sacrifice. He said the rakshasas would come when he started his sacrifice. Rama said He would stay guard.
Vishwamitra started his sacrifice. In the skies, the evil Maricha, started his attack. His shadow fell on the pyre. Rama released a flaming arrow, fearing which Maricha fled from there.
The sacrifice finished peacefully.
Vishwamitra then told the princes about the bow of Shiva. Rama said he wanted to see it. Taking the two brothers with him, the sage reached Mithila.

Janaka greeted the sage. Vishwamitra said he wished Rama should marry Sita. Janaka told the sage that he was most willing to have Rama as a his son in law, except that he had promised that Sita would be given to only that person who would break the bow.

Rama said he would do that and went where the bow was, Rama lifted the bow with his left hand. The Gods were wondering if the world would sink and asking Vasuki, who was holding the earth, to be careful. Lakshmana asked Rama to hurry up. Rama took the names of the Gods and pulled the bow. The bow broke and fell down. In Lanka, Ravana heard the noise, and realized that the one who would kill him was there.

Yudhistira asked if Rama was Vishnu, then why did he take the name of Vishnu with the other Gods, before breaking the bow?

The sage said - When Hiranyakashipu was killed Narasimha, the creature kept growling and this disturbed the world. A brahmana then cursed him saying You are so proud of yourself. When you are born again, you will forget about divinity.

With the bow broken, Janaka gave away Sita to Rama. Rama said First send messengers to my father and ask him to come with my two brothers. Only when they are here, I will marry.

Janaka swiftly sent messengers. Dashratha hearing the news, came with his two sons. Janaka had another daughter who was given away to Lakshmana. Janaka's  brother, Kushadhwaja had two daughters who were given away to Bharat and Shatrughna.

Dashratha decided to leave for Ayodhya with sons and daughters in law. He got on his chariot when Parashurama appeared there.

To Rama, Parashurama said, All know that I am an enemy of the kshatriyas. You have the audacity to have the same name as mine. You think you are brave because you broke the bow of Shiva. That is an old bow. If you are brave, lift my bow.

Rama agreed. When Parashurama gave his bow to Rama, along with that all his powers also got transferred to Rama. Rama put an arrow on the bow and asked what should he do with that. Parashurama asked Rama to stop his entry to heaven.

Parashurama left and Dashratha also started for Ayodhya, with his sons and daughters in law.

Soon after, one day, Bharata decided to visit his grandfather, father of his mother. he took Shatrughna along with him. Dashratha also decided to make Rama the crown prince.

When Kaikeyi, Bharata's mother heard this from her maid, she became jealous.

When Dashratha came to her, she said she wanted two promises. The king agreed. Kaikeyi said she wanted Bharata to be made king and Rama to be exiled for fourteen years.

The king fainted and when he regained consciousness, he rebuked the queen.

Rama, when he heard this, agreed to go to the forest. Rama went to his mother and told her this and consoled her. Later, he left for the forest with his wife, Sita and Lakshmana. 

Parashurama humbled

Continuing his tale, the sage Lomesh said - The place where you are now, is a great pilgrim spot. Anyone who comes here, attains Vaikuntha. This was the place where Parashurama was subdued.

Yudhistira wanted to know what had happened to Parashurama. Lomesh said - Years ago, there was a king called Dashratha who had four sons, who were incarnations of Vishnu. Lakshmi was born as the daughter of king Janaka.
Janaka had made a promise - any one who could break the bow of Shiva would marry his daughter.
The news went around and all came to try their luck.

In the ashrama of the sage Vishwamitra, Rama heard this. He was then living with Vishwamitra, helping the sage fight rakshasas.
Rama went to the palace of Janaka and broke the bow. Winning the hand of Sita, he was on his way back, when he came across Parashurama, who was holding a bow on his left shoulder and an axe (Parashu) in his right hand. He had a quiver on his back full of arrows and he had matted hair oh his head.

His eyes glowing, he said to Rama - You go, breaking a bow and taking Sita, in front of me. All kshatriya are my enemy. I have made the earth free of kshatriyas three hundred times. If you think you are brave, string my bow and show me.

Rama easily strung the bow. Parashurama then gave him a celestial arrow. Rama asked the sage, in which direction should he release the arrow.

The sage said Shoot the arrow and block my passage to heaven.

Rama shot the arrow and Parashurama's pride vanished.