Why Draupadi's sons did not marry and Harishchandra - from Markandeya Purana

Long aago there was a pious king called Harishchandra. He took well care of his subjects. One evening, in a forest, the king heard someone calling out for help. It was the voice of a woman. This was actually the voice of an evil spirit who wanted to distract Vishwamitra . Entering deeper into the forest in search of the voice, the king disturbed the sage who was angry.
The king told the sage he had come with good intentions, wanting to help someone in distress. Wanting to test the king, the sage he would approach him soon and ask for something. If the king was just, all wishes would have to be fulfilled. The king was delighted to have got an opportunity to serve the sage and agreed.

Vishwamitra then asked for his entire kingdom. Without thinking for a minute, the king agreed. Vishwamitra told Harishchandra that all he owned at that moment was his own body, his wife and son. he asked to wear dress made of leaves and bark and even leave the royal garments to which he no longer  a right to.


The king fetched his wife and son and all having changed to attire of forest dwellers when Vishwamitra asked for Dakshina. Harishchandra said he had nothing left. Vishwamitra gave him time of a month to earn the dakshina, to which the king agreed.

Five gods were feeling sympathy for Harishchandra. Seeing this, Vishwamitra cursed the Gods to be born as mortals. Though born as men, they would not have the pleasure of leading the lives of normal people, and would die before they marry. These gods were then born as sons for Draupadi, this is the reason why they had to die before they could marry.

Meanwhil, Harishchandra left for the city of Varanasi. There, after sometime he was approached by Vishwamitra, who asked for the dakshina. With one more day left for the month to complete, Harishchandra asked the sage to return the next day. Wondering what to do, the queen advised Harischandra to sell her in the market, and pay the sage with that money.

An old Brahman bought the queen and took her home as his maid. Paying extra money, the brahman also bought Harishchandra's son. With the money, Harishchandra paid Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra wanted more money. With time of the day fast fading, Harishchandra then sold himself to a keeper of the funeral pyre, Chandala,

Time passed. Harishchandra's job was to take over the clothes of corpses as a fee. The king's appearance had also changed. His body was pale and rough. His body was stinking from the smell of corpses. He was wearing a blanket which he had gathered from a rotting corpse. He had become stern and lost all sense of pity.

 One day taking her own dead son, bitten by a serpent, his wife brought her son there. Harishcnadra asked for the fee for last rites of teh body. Not recognizing who they were, Harishchandra's behavious was harsh. The queen cried over fate and that of her husband Harishchandra.

Hearing her words and recognizing them, Harishchandra consoled the queen.  Then making a funeral pyre and placing his son on it, the king, with his wife, began to meditate upon Vishnu, asking for death.

Indrs then appeared before Harishchandra and promised him a place in the heaven. His son was brought back to life. Harishchandra wanted to talk to Vishwamitra and take his permission before he left for heaven.

Vishwamitra then appeared before the king and returned hiss kingdom back to him. Harishchandra then went back to his kingdom with his wife and son, where his son was crowned 'crown prince'.

The Talking Birds - from the Markandeya Purana

Hindu Mythology has some wonderful stories. I will talk a bit of one of them. If I can, I will continue further.

This particular story is in the beginning of Markandeya Purana. The sage Jamini, a disciple of Vyasa, author of Mahabharata, approached Rishi Markandeya asked about the happenings in Mahabharat. He  wanted to know why Vishnu had to be born as a human (Krishna)? He further wanted to know why Draupadi alone became the wife for the five Pandavas and why the sons of Pandavas were killed even before they could marry and settle down?

Jamini had approached Markandeya in the evening when the sage was about to perform his evening prayers. He asked Jamini to speak to the four sons of the Drona bird who lived in the Vindhya mountains. Jamini was amazed that there were birds who could talk and wanted to know more. Markandeya then began telling him about the birds.

Once, the celestial sage, Narada, came to visit the king of the Gods, Indra. Indra was in his garden, watching the celestial nymphs (apsaras) dance. Seeing the sage approach, Indra offered his seat to the sage. Seeing this, the apsaras stopped their dance and bowed down to the seer.

Indra asked Narada to choose an apsara whose dance he would like to see. Narada asked the apsaras to choose among themselves, the one who was most noble and most beautiful.

On hearing this, the apsaras starting arguing among themselves. Each thought one self to be superior than the others. Reaching no decision, they asked Narada to decide. Narada told them to dance for Rishi Durvasa. Durvasa, known for his temper, was meditating in the forest. Of the apsaras, the one who would be able to tempt Durvasa would be the winner.

All expect one apsara, Vapu declined the offer. Vapu left for the mountain Praleya, where Durvasa was meditating. She was confident that she would be victorious.

Approaching the mountain, the nymph saw the sage meditating. In her melodious voice, she began singing. Disturbed, Durvasa cursed the apsara to be born as a bird and live a life singing away in the forest. He further told her that she would have four sons. Then later she would return back to her position in the heaven.

In days past, the king of birds, Garuda had a son Sampati. Sampati had a son Suparshwa, whose son was  Kumbhi and Kumbhi's son was Pralolupa. Pralolupa had two sons, Kanka and Kandhara. Once Kanka spotted a Rakshasha, Vidyudrupa, living on Mounta Kailasha. The Rakshasha and his wife were enjoying a drink and were scantily dressed. Knowing he had been spotted, the Rakshasha started shouting at the bird for spying on him. Kanaka said the mountain was open for all, and if the Rakshasha wanted privacy, he should gone into a closed space. Angered, the Rakshasha killed the bird.


Hearing of his brother's death, Kandhara got ready for battle with Vidyadrupa. He took on a ferocious form and went to the mountain where he saw the Rakshasha who was seated with his wife, Madanika. Both were enjoying themselves.

A fight started among them and Kandhara killed the Vidyadrupa. Scared, the Rakshasha's wife took refuge of the bird. Madanika, was a daughter of Menaka, one of the nymphs of Indra. She knew how to assume many shapes. Assuming the shape of a she bird, she enticed Kandhara and wed him, and went with him, to his land. In time, a daughter, Tarkshi was born to them. This was the cursed apsara, Vapu.

The bird, Mandapala had four sons, the youngest of whom was called Drona. Drone married Tarkshi and in due course she knew she was going to have babies. Tarkshi then flew to Kurukshetra, where the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas was going on. While in flight, she was pierced by an arrow and her unlaid eggs began falling towards the ground. At the same time, one flying arrow, accidentally cut off a huge bell from one of the elephants in the war, and the eggs fell on soft grass and got covered by the bell.

 After the battle was over, Yudhisthira went to visit Bhishma, who lying on a bed of arrows. A rishi, Shamika, following Yudhisthira, heard noises on the ground and discovered the source to be coming from under the bell. He removed the bell and saw the birds. The sage blessed the birds. He asked his disciples to take care of the birds and to feed them and keep them safe. In some time, birds had grown up and started to fly around. Slowing they flew out and reached a place where the sage Shamika was teaching his disciples about religion. Having heard all holy thoughts from their birth, the birds went to the rishi and showed their gratitude for being their savior. They wanted to know what they should do with their lives.

Hearing the birds talk in human speech the sage was amazed. The birds then told him about the sage Vipulaswan, who had two sons  Srikrishna and Tamvaru. We are sons of Srikrishna. We used to help our father collect fire for his fire and flowers for his worship. Once, Indra came to Srikrishna, in the guise of a bird, seeking food. He asked the bird what food it needed, the bird said it wanted human flesh. The rishi offered us as the bird's food. We refused to be served and were cursed by our father to be born as birds. Hearing this, the bird said it would not accept living flesh and it resumed its own form, that of Indra. Indra blessed us and said we would have great knowledge. We then approached our father. Our father also blessed us, saying even though we would we would born as birds, we would knowledge and would become enlightened souls. He also gave us the power to understand human language and also talk in the same, thus we are able to talk.

108 Names of Durga - Transliteration and Translation

This is from the Markandeya Purana (part of the Durga SaptaSahti) where Shiva is telling Parvati about the 108 names

• shatanAma pravaxyAmi shR^iNushhva kamalAnane .

yasya prasAdamAtreNa durgA prItA bhavet.h satI

Lord Shiva speaks : O Parvati, Lotus Eyes one, I will now tell  You those one-hundred and eight names, by the means of which Durga  can be pleased.

• OM satI sAdhvI bhavaprItA bhavAnI bhavamochanI .
• AryA durgA jayA chAdyA trinetrA shUladhAriNI

(Salutaions - OM)
1) Sati, the daughter of Dakṣa;
2) Sadhvi, the Optimistic One;
3) Bhavaprita, loved by the universe; Also beloved of Shiva
4) Bhavani, the abode of the universe;
5) Bhavamocani, the reliever of the universe (she will relieve you from the ties of the universe);

6) Arya the noble;
7) Durga slayer of Durgamasura;
8) Jaya the victorious;
9) Adya, the beginning;
10) Trinetra, having three-eyes;
11) Suladharini, holding a spear;

• pinAkadhAriNI chitrA chaNDaghaNTA mahAtapAH .
• mano buddhiraha.nkArA chittarUpA chitA chitiH

12) Pinakadharini, Who holds the bow of Siva;
13) Citra  Beautiful (like a picture);
14) Chandraghanta, One who makes a mighty sound with bells;
15) Mahatapa, One can do severe penance;
16) Manas, power of mind;
17) Buddhi, power or knowledge of wisdom;
18) Ahankara, pride;
19) Cittarupa, thought-state;
20) Cita, death-bed;
21) Citi, the thinking mind (Chetana) ;

• sarvamantramayI sattA satyAnanda svarUpiNI .
• anantA bhAvinI bhAvyA bhavyAbhavyA sadAgatiH ..

22) Sarvamantramayi, possessing all the instruments of thought;
23) Satta, above all;
24) Satyanandasvarupiṇi, eternal bliss;
25) Ananta, infinite or beyond measure;
26) Bhavini, beautiful  creator of all
27) Bhaavya, Grand, One who is worth praising
28) Bhavya, Well wisher of all;
29) Abhavya, None one more well wisher than her;
30) Sadagati, always bestowing Mokṣa;

• shAmbhavI devamAtA cha chintA ratnapriyA sadA .
• sarvavidyA daxakanyA daxayaGYavinAshinI .. 5..

31) Sambhavi, consort of Sambhu or Shiva;
32) Devamata Mother of all Gods and Goddesses;
33) Cinta, thoughts;
34) Ratnapriya, adorned or loved by jewels;
35) Sarvavidya, abode of knowledge;
36) Dakshakanya, that is Sati, daughter of Dakṣa;
37) DakṣayajñavinaSini, destroyer of the sacrifice of Dakṣa;

• aparNAnekavarNA cha pATalA pATalAvatI .
• paTTAmbara parIdhAnA kalamaJNjIraraJNjinI ..

38) Aparṇa One who has given up on leaves while fasting;
39) Anekavarṇa, having many complexions (for example: Kali, Gauri);
40) Paṭala, red in color; (This in Sanskrit is Pa T La - T as in Tomato)
41) Paṭalavati, wearing red flowers;
42) Paṭṭambaraparidhana, wearing a dress made of silk;
43) Kalamañjirarañjini, wearing a melodious anklet she enjoys the melodious sound that comes;

• ameyavikramA krurA sundarI surasundarI .
• vanadurgA cha mAtaN^gI mataN^gamunipUjitA ..

44) Ameya, immeasurable;
45) Vikrama, fierce;
46) Krura, cruel (on demons);
47) Sundari Beautiful;
48) Surasundari Beautiful Goddess (assuming here Sura means Gods);
49) Vanadurga Goddess of the forests;
50) Matangi  Matangi is  considered to be the Tantric form of Saraswati and governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. Her worship is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to oneself, acquiring mastery over the arts and gaining supreme knowledge.;
51) Matangamunipujita, prayed by Sage Matanga;

• brAhmI mAheshvarI chaindrI kaumArI vaishhNavI tathA .
• chAmuNDA chaiva vArAhI laxmIshcha purushhAkR^itiH ..

52) Brahmi Power of Brahma;
53) MaheSvari Power of Mahesh (Shiva);
54) Aindri Power of Indra;
55) Kaumari Maiden;
56) Vaiṣṇavi Power of Vishnu
57) Camuṇḍa Slayer of demons Chanda and Munda;
58) Varahi - The female power of Varaha (form of Vishnu), upholder of life;
59) Lakṣmi  Goddess of Wealth;
 60) Puruṣakṛti, One who can take the form of a man;

• vimalotkarshhiNI GYAnA kriyA nityA cha buddhidA .
• bahulA bahulapremA sarvavAhana vAhanA ...

61) Vimalotkarṣiṇi, providing joy;
62) Jñana Knowledge ;
63) Kriya Action;
64) Nitya, eternal one;
65) Buddhida, bestower of wisdom;
66) Bahula, numerous in forms;
67) Bahulaprema, generously benevolent , loved by all;
68) Sarvavahanavahana, sits or rides all vehicles;

• nishumbhashumbhahananI mahishhAsuramardinI .
• madhukaiTabhahantrI cha chaNDamuNDavinAshinI ..

69) NishumbhaShumbhaHanani Slayer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha
70) MahishasuraMardini  Slayer of the buffalo demon Mahishaasura
71) MadhuKaitabhaHantri Slayer of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha
72) ChandaMundaVinashini  Destroyer of the ferocious asuras Chanda and Munda

• sarvAsuravinAshA cha sarvadAnavaghAtinI .
• sarvashAstramayI satyA sarvAstradhAriNI tathA ..

73) SarvasuravinaSa, destroyer of all demons;
74) Sarvadanavaghatini, causes injury to all the demons;
75) SarvaSastramayi, deft in all theories;
76) Satya; The truth
77) Sarvastradhariṇi, possessor of all  weapons;

• anekashastrahastA cha anekAstrasya dhAriNI .
• kumArI chaikakanyA cha kaishorI yuvatI yatiH ...

78) AnekaSastrahasta, possessor of weapons in many hands;
79) Anekastrasya Dhariṇi, possessor of many weapons;
80) Kumari Virgin;
81) Ekakanya The girl child;
82) KaiSori; Young Girl
83) Yuvati Woman;
84) Yati; One has who has given up all

• aprauDhA chaiva prauDhA cha vR^iddhamAtA balapradA .
• mahodarI muktakeshI ghorarUpA mahAbalA ....

85) Aprauḍha, who never gets old;
86) Prauḍha, who is old;
87) Vṛddhamata, Old mother, with age comes knowledge - also a mother will all knowledge;
88) Balaprada, bestower of strength;
89) Mahodari, gigantic abdomen which stores the universe;
90) MuktakeSa, having flowing long hair;
91) Ghorarupa, having a fierce look;
92) Mahabala, having immense strength;

• agnijvAlA raudramukhI kAlarAtristapasvinI .
• nArAyaNI bhadrakAlI vishhNumAyA jalodarI

93) Agnijvala, glowing like fire;
94) Raudramukhi, having a fierce face like  Rudra (destroyer);
95) Kalaratri Dark like the night;;
96) Tapasvini Engaged in meditation;
97) Narayaṇi Destructive female force of Narayana or Vishnu;
98) Bhadrakali The letter 'Bha' means 'delusion' or 'Maya' in Devanagiri and 'dra' is used as a superlative i.e. meaning 'the most/the greatest e.t.c' which makes the meaning of Bhadra as Maha Maya
99) Viṣṇumaya Spell of Vishnu;
100) Jalodari, abode of the universe;

• shivadUtI karAlI cha anantA parameshvarI .
• kAtyAyanI cha sAvitrI pratyaxA brahmavAdinI

101) Sivaduti Messenger of Shiva;
102) Karali, fierce;
103) Ananta, immeasurable;
104) ParameSvari Beloved Goddess of all;
102) Katyayani One who was worshiped by Katyana;
106) Savitri From the Sun (Savitra), Gayatri;
107) Pratyakṣa  One who is real;
108) Brahmavadini.. Present everywhere

• ya idaM prapaThennityaM durgAnAmashatAshhTakam.h .
• nAsAdhyaM vidyate devi trishhu lokeshhu pArvati ..

Parvati, All those who daily read these 108 names from Durga Stotra, find nothing impossible in the three worlds.

• dhanaM dhAnyaM sutaM jAyAM hayaM hastinameva cha .
• chaturvargaM tathA chAnte labhenmuktiM cha shAshvatIm.h ..

Parvati, they receive benefits like  wealth (Dhana),  luxury (Dhanya), offspring (Suta) and wife (Jaya), horses and elephants (Haya Hasti), four things — dharma, artha, kaam, moksha, and in the end are liberated eternally.  .

• kumArIM pUjayitvA tu dhyAtvA devIM sureshvarIm.h .
• pUjayet.h parayA bhaktyA paThennAmashatAshhTakam.h ....

Having prayed and meditated upon Devi Kumari, and the Goddess of gods, Worship Her with devotion using this stotra.

• tasya siddhirbhaved.h devi sarvaiH suravarairapi .
• rAjAno dAsatAM yAnti rAjyashriyamavApnuyAt.h ....

O Goddess! The king who prays in the above manner attains perfection (siddhi), attains his kingdom, and splendor back from everyone including the gods. The kings become her slaves and attain their kingdom (Rajya) and Lakshmi or Wealth (Sri).

• gorochanAlaktakakuN^kumeva sindhUrakarpUramadhutrayeNa .
• vilikhya yantraM vidhinA vidhiGYo bhavet.h sadA dhArayate purAriH ..

Those who write a yantra (diagram) of this stotra with Gomutra ( cow's urine), Alta (a red color pigment used by women to colour their feet, could also be lacquer ), Kunkuma (Red herbal powder offered to the Goddess), Sindura (Red powder applied by women), Camphor, and Honey, and keep it in hand, becomes similar to Siva (attain salvation and are in eternal bliss).

• bhaumAvAsyAnishAmagre chandre shatabhishhAM gate .
• vilikhya prapaThet.h stotraM sa bhavet.h saMpadAM padam.h ..

The one who writes and recites this eulogy during the Bhauma Amavasya ,when Chandrma (Moon) is in Shatbhisha Nakshatra in the midnight ,attains every worldly luxury. According to hindu scriptures, amavasya that lies on Tuesday is known as Bhaumvati Amavasya. All kinds of pitra related activities are performed on this day. It is believed that the one who performs pitra daan and tarpan on Bhaumvati amavasya gets blessings from Pitra (departed ones).

• iti shrI vishvasAratantre durgAshhTottarashatanAmastotraM samAptam.h

Thus ends the narration of the 108 names as mentioned in the Vishwa Tantra