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Friday, December 11, 2015

Conclusion of the Gandharva's story

Parasara was angry that his father had been killed by a king and he wanted to take revenge on all Kshatriyas. Vashistha, to control him , started telling him a story.

There was a Kritavirya, who had the Brigus as his priests. He was devoted to them. When he dies his descendants found that they did not have much wealth left and also found that the Brigus were very rich. They went and insulted and killed many of the Brigu priests. Not satisfied, they began killing more of the clan, even keeping small children and pregnant women. One woman was bearing child, and the kings got to know of this. When they went to kill the woman, they saw the child tear itself out of its mother's thighs. It was so bright that the kings were blinded.They went to the woman and begged for forgiveness. They said that if their sight was restored they would not conduct sins and would give up their ways. The woman said it was she who was angry but her child who was angry at the deeds of the kings. This child, who had been born from his mother's thigh was called Aurva. The kings approached the child, who then granted the kings their sight.

Aurva was still not content and he wanted to destroy all. His dead ancestors told him to control his anger. Aurva said if he did not do something, his anger would eventually destroy him. The ancestors told him to throw the fire of anger in the ocean. The fire of anger was cast into the sea which took the shape of a head of a horse, called Vadavamukha.

Parasara hearing this from Vashistha, controlled his anger. He setup a sacrifice to consume all rakshashas. The great rishi, Atri, seeing the destruction, came to the site accompanied by other great rishis like Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu, and asked Parasara to stop this mindless destruction of rakshashas. They told, that in the process, he was also destroying those who were innocent.

Parasara seeing reason cast his anger away.

Arjuna then asked the gandharva, who would be the ideal priest for the Pandavas. the gandharva asked Arjuna to approach Dhaumya, who was meditating in the forests.

Arjuna gave the knowledge of the fire weapons to the Gandharva. The Gandharva in turn presented horses that would never tire. Arjuna accepting the horses, said let teh horses remain with you until I feel a need for them. Thus the gandharva and Arjuna parted.

The Pandavas then approached Dhaumya, who accepted their offer and then they all set forth towards the land of Panchala. Hearing of the swayamvara of the princess of Panchala, the pandavas left for it.
The Pandavas had been told by Brahmans on the way, Drupada was hosting a grand swayamvara. They also got to know of the birth of Draupadi and  Dhrishtadyumna. The pandavas along withe brahmanas proceeded towards the palace of Drupada.


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