The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section LXVII
Section LXVII.
( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Janamejaya said, "Worshipful one, I wish to hear from thee in detail about the birth, among men, of the gods, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Rakshas, the lions, the tigers, and other animals, the snakes, the birds, in fact, of all creatures! I wish also to hear about the acts and achievements of these, in due order, after they became incarnate in human forms!"
Vaisampayana said, "O king of men, I shall first tell thee all about those celestials and Danavas that were born among men. The first of Danavas who was known by the name of Vipra-chitti became that bull among men notes as Jarasandha. And, O king, that son of Diti who was known as Hiranya-kasipu was known in the world among men as the powerful Shishupala. He who had been known as Sang-hlada, the younger brother of Prahlada, became among men the famous Salya,—that bull amongst the Vahlikas. The spirited Anuhlad who had been the youngest became noted in the world as Dhrista-ketu. And, O king, that son of Diti who had been known as Shivi became on earth the famous monarch Druma. And he who was known as the great Asura Vashkala became on earth the great Bhaga-datta. The five great Asuras gifted with great energy, Aya-shira, Aswa-shira, the spirited Aya-shanku, Gagana-murdha, and Vegavana, were all born in the royal line of Kekaya and all became great monarchs. That other Asura of mighty energy who was known by the name of Ketumana became on earth the monarch Amitouja of terrible deeds. That great Asura who was known as Swarvanu became on earth the monarch Ugra-sena of fierce deeds. That great Asura who was known as Aswa became on earth the monarch Asoka of exceeding energy and invincible in battle. And, O king, the younger brother of Aswa who was known as Aswapati, a son of Diti, became on earth the mighty monarch Hardikya. The great and fortunate Asura who was known as Vrisha-parva became noted on earth as king Dhirgha-prajna. And, O king, the younger brother of Vrisha-parva who was known by the name of Ajaka became noted on earth as king Shalya. The powerful and mighty Asura who was known as Aswa-griva became noted on earth as king Rocha-mana. And, O king, the Asura who was known as Suksma, endued with great intelligence and whose achievements also were great, became on earth the famous king Vrihad-ratha. And that first of Asuras who was known by the name of Tuhunda became noted on earth as the monarch Senavindu. That Asura of great strength who was known as Ishupa became the monarch Nagna-jita of famous prowess. The great Asura who was known as Ekachakra became noted on earth as Priti-vindhya. The great Asura Virupaksha capable of displaying various modes of fight became noted on earth as king Chitravarma. The first of Danavas, the heroic Hora, who quelled the pride of all foes became on earth the famous and fortunate Suvahu. The Asura Suhara of great energy and the destroyer of foemen beame notes on earth as king Vahlika. That best of Asuras called Nichandra whose face was as handsome as that of the Moon became noted on earth as the fortunate monarch Munka-kesha. That Asura of great intelligence called Nikumbha who was never vanquished in battle was born on earth as king Devadhipa the first among monarchs. That great Asura known amongst the sons of Diti by the name of Sharava became on earth the royal sage called Paurava. And, O king, the great Asura of exceeding energy, the fortunate Kupatha was born on earth as the famous monarch Suparsha. The great Asura, O king, who was called Kratha was born on earth as the royal sage Parvatya of form resplendent like a golden mountain. He amongst the Asuras who was known as Shalava the second became on earth the monarch Prahlad in the country of the Vahlikas. The foremost among the sons of Diti known by the name of Chandra and handsome as the lord of the stars himself became on earth noted as Chandra-varma the king of the Kambojas. That bull amongst the Danavas who was known by the name of Arka became on earth, O king, the royal sage Rishika. That best of Asuras who was known as Mritapa became on earth, O best of kings, the monarch Paschimanupaka. That great Asura of surpassing energy known as Garishta became noted on earth as king Druma-sena. The great Asura who was known as Mayura became noted on earth as the monarch Viswa. He who was known as the younger brother of Mayura became noted on earth as the monarch Kalakirti. The mighty Asura who was known as Chandra-hanta became on earth the royal sage Sunaka. The great Asura who was called Chandra-vinashana became noted on earth as the monarch Janaki. That bull amongst the Danavas, O prince of the Kuru race, who was called Dhirgha-jihva, became noted on earth as Kashi-raja. The Graha who was brought forth by Singhika and who persecuted the Sun and the Moon became noted on earth as the monarch Kratha. The eldest of the four sons of Danayu who was known by the name Vikshara became on earth the spirited monarch Vasumitra. The second brother of Vikshara—that great Asura, was born on earth as the king of the country called Pandya. That best of Asuras who was known by the name of Valina became on earth the monarch Paundra-matsyaka. And, O king, that great Asura who was known as Vitra became on earth the royal sage known by the name of Mani-mana. That Asura who was the younger brother of Vitra and known as Krodga-hanta became noted on earth as king Danda. That other Asura who was known by the name of Krodha-vardhana became noted on earth as the monarch Danda-dhara. The eight sons of the Kaleyas that were born on earth all became great kings endued also with the prowess of tigers. The eldest of them all became king Jayat-sena in Magadha. The second of them, in prowess like to Indra, became noted on earth as Aparajita. The third of them, endued with great energy and power of producing deception, was born on earth as the king of the Nishadhas gifted with great prowess. That other amongst them who was known as the fourth was noted on earth as Sreniman, that best of royal sages. That great Asura amongst them who was the fifth became noted on earth as king Mahouja the oppressor of enemies. That great Asura possessing great intelligence who was the sixth of them became notes on earth as Abhiru that best of royal sages. The seventh of them became known throughout the earth, from the centre to the sea, as king Samudra-sena well-acquainted with the truths of the Dharma Shastras. The eighth of the Kaleyas known as Vrihat became on earth a virtuous king ever engaged in the good of all creatures. The mighty Danava known by the name of Kukshi became known on earth as Parvatia of form resplendent as a golden mountain. The mighty Asura Krathana gifted with great energy became noted on earth as the monarch Suryaksha. The great Asura of handsome features known by the name Surya, became on earth the monarch of the Vahlikas by name Darada, the foremost of all kings. And, O king, from the tribe of Asuras called Krodhavasa, of whom I have already spoken to thee, were born many heroic kings on earth. Madraka, and Karna-veshta, Sidhartha, and also Kitaka; Suvira, and Suvahu, and Mahavira, and also Vahlika; Kratha, Vichitra, Suratha, and the handsome king Nila; and Chiravasa, and Bhumi-pala; and Duntavakra, and he who was called Durjaya; that tiger amongst kings named Rukmi, and king Janamejaya; Ashada, and Vahu-vega, and also Bhuriteja; Ekalavya, and Sumitra, Vatadhana, and also Gomukha; the tribe of kings called the Karushakas, and also Khema-dhurti; Srutayu, and Udvaha, and also Vrihat-sena; Kshema, Ugra-tirtha, the king of the Kalingas; and Matiman, and he who was known as king Iswara; these first of kings were all born of the Asura class called Krodhavasa.
"There was also born on earth a mighty Asura known amongst the Danavas by the name of Kalanemi, endued with great strength, of grand achievements, and blessed with a large share of prosperity. He be came the mighty son of Ugra-sena and was known on earth by the name of Kansa. And he who was known among the Asuras by the name of Devaka and was besides in splendour like unto Indra himself, was born on earth as the foremost king of the Gandharvas. And, O monarch, know thou that Drona the son of Varadwaja, not born of any woman, sprung from a portion of the celestial Rishi Vrihaspati of grand achievements. And he was the prince of all bowmen, conversant with all weapons, of mighty achievements, of great energy. Thou shouldst know he was also well acquainted with the Vedas and the science of arms. And he was of wonderful deeds and the pride of his race. And, O king, his son the heroic Aswathama, of eyes like the leaves of lotus, gifted with surpassing energy and the terror of all foes, the great oppressor of all enemies, was born on earth of the united portion of Mahadeva, Yama, Kama, and Krodha. And from the curse of Vashista and the command also of Indra, the eight Vasus were born of Ganga by her husband Shantanu. The youngest of them was Visma the dispeller of the fears of the Kurus, gifted with great intelligence, conversant with the Vedas, the first of speakers, and the thinner of the enemy's ranks. And possessed of mighty energy and the first of all persons acquainted with all weapons, he encountered the illustrious Rama himself the son of Jamadagni of the Bhrigu race. And, O king, that Brahmana sage who on earth was known by the name of Kripa and was the embodiment of all manliness, was born of the tribe of the Rudras. And the mighty charioteer and king who on earth was known by the name of Sakuni, that crusher of foes, thou shouldst know, O king, was Dwapara himself (the third yuga.) And he who was Satyaki of sure aim and the upholder of the pride of the Visni race, that oppressor of foes was begotten of the portion of the gods called the Marutas. And that royal sage Drupada who on earth was a monarch the first among all persons bearing arms was also born of the same tribe of the celestials. And, O king, thou shouldst also know that Kritavarma, that prince among men, of deeds, unsurpassed by any one, and the foremost of all bulls among Khatrias, was born of the portion of the same celestials. And that royal sage also, Virata by name, the scorcher of the kingdoms of others, and the great oppressor of all foes, was born of the portion of the same gods. That son of Arishta who was known by the name of Hansa was born in the Kuru race and became the monarch of the Gandharvas. He who was known as Dhrita-rashtra born of the seed of Krishna-Dwaipayana, and gifted with long arms and great energy, a monarch besides of the prophetic eye, became blind in consequence of the fault of his mother and the wrath of the Rishi. His younger brother possessed of great strength and who was really a great being, known as Pandu, was devoted to truth and virtue and was purity's self. And, O king, thou shouldst know that he who was known on earth as Vidura, who was the first of all virtuous men, who was the god himself of justice, was the excellent and greatly fortunate son of the Rishi Atri. The evil-minded and wicked king Duryodhana, the destroyer of the fair fame of the Kurus, was born of a portion of Kali on earth. He it was who caused all creatures to be slain and the earth to be wasted; and he it was who fanned the fire of hostility that ultimately consumed all. They who had been the sons of Pulastya (the Rakshasas) were born on earth among men as Duryodhana's brothers—that century of wicked individuals commencing wish Dush-shasana as their first. And, O bull among the Bharata princes, Durmukha, Dush-shaha, and others whose names I do not mention, who always supported Duryodhana (in all his schemes), were, indeed, the sons of Pulastya. And over and above these hundred, Dhrita-rashtra had one son named Yuyutsu born of a Vaisya wife."
Janamejaya said, "O illustrious one, tell me the names of Dhrita-rashtra's sons according to the order of their births beginning from the eldest."
Vaisampayana said, "O king, they are as follows:—Duryodhana, and Yuyutsu, and also Dush-shasana; Dushshaha, and Dush-shala, and then Durmukha; Viving-shati, and Vikarna, Jala-sandha, Sulochana; Vinda and Anuvinda, Dud-dharsha, Suvahu, Dushpradharsana; Durmarshana, and Durmukha, Dushkarna, and Karna; Chitra and Upachitra, Chitraksha, Charuchitra, and Angada; Durmada, and Dushpradharsha, Vivitsu, Vikata, Sama; Urna-nava, and Padma-nava, Nanda and Upanandaka; Senapati, and Sushena, Kundodara and Mahodara; Chitra-vahu, and Chitra-varma, Suvarma, Durvirochana; Ayavahu, Maha-vahu, Chitrachapa and Sukundala; Bhima-vega, Bhim-vala, Valaki, Bhima-vikrama; Ugrayudha, Bhima-shara, Kanakayu, Dridhayudha; Dridha-varma, Dridha-kshatra, Soma-kirti, Anudara; Jara-sandha, Dridha-sandha, Satya-sandha, Sahasra-vak; Ugrasrava, Ugra-sena, and Kshema-murti; Aparajita, Panditaka, Vishalaksha, Duradhara; Dridha-hasta, and Suhasta, Vata-vega and Suvarchasa; Aditya-ketu, Vahvasi, Naga-datta and Anuyaina; Nishangi, Kavachi, Dandi, Danda-dhara, Dhanugraha; Ugra, Bhima-ratha, Vira, Viravahu, Alolupa; Abhaya, and Raudra-karma, also he who was Dridha-ratha; Ana-dhrishya, Kunda-veda, Viravi, Dhirgha-lochana; Dirgha-vahu, Maha-vahu, Vyudhoru, Kana-kangada; Kundaja, and Chitraka. There was also a daughter named Dush-shalā who was over and above the hundred. And Yuyutsu who was Dhrita-rashtra's son by a Vaisya wife was also over and above the hundred. Thus, O king, have I recited the names of the hundred sons and the name also of the daughter (of Dhrita-rashtra.) Thou hast now known their names according to the order of their births. All of them were heroes and great charioteers, and skilled in the art of war. All of them were, besides, versed in the Vedas, and, O king, all of them had crossed the Shastras. All of them were mighty in attack and defence, and all were graced with learning. And, O monarch, all of them had wives suitable to themselves in grace and accomplishments. And, O king, when the time came, the Kaurava monarch bestowed his daughter Dush-shala on Jayadratha the king of Sindhu agreeably to the counsels of Sakuni.
"And, O monarch, know thou that king Yudhish-thira was a portion of Dharma; that Bhim-sena was of the diety of wind; that Arjuna was of Indra the chief of the celestials; and that Nakula and Sahadeva, the handsomest beings among all creatures, and unrivalled in beauty on earth, were similarly portions of the twin Aswinas. And he who was known as the mighty Varcha—the son of Shoma—became Abhimanyu of wonderful deeds, the son of Arjuna. And before his incarnation, O king, the god Soma had said these words to the celestials:—'I cannot give (part with) my son. He is dearer to me than life itself. Let this be the compact and let it not be transgressed. The destruction of the Asuras on earth is the work of the celestials and therefore is it our work as well. Let this Varcha therefore go thither but let him not stay there long. Nara, whose companion is Narayana, will take his birth as Indra's son and, indeed, will be known as Arjuna the mighty son of Pandu. This boy of mine shall be his son and become a mighty charioteer in his boyhood. And let him, ye best of immortals, stay on earth for sixteen years. And when he attaineth to his sixteenth year that war shall take place in which all who are born of your portions shall achieve the destruction of mighty warriors. But a certain encounter shall take place without both Nara and Narayana (taking any part in it.) And, indeed, your portions, ye celestials, shall fight having made that disposition of the forces which is known by the name of the Chakra-vuha. And my son shall compell all foes to retreat before him. The boy of mighty arms having penetrated the impenetrable Vuha shall range within it fearlessly and send a fourth part of the hostile force, in course of half a day, unto the regions of the king of the dead. Then numberless heroes and mighty charioteers returning to the charge towards the close of the day, shall my boy of mighty arms re-appear before me. And he shall beget one heroic son in his line who shall continue the almost extinct Bharata race.' Hearing these words of Shoma, the dwellers of heaven replied, 'So be it.' And they then all together applauded and worshipped (Shoma) the king of the stars. Thus, O king, have I recited to thee the (particulars of the) birth of thy father's father!
"Know thou also, O monarch, the mighty charioteer Drishtadyumna was a portion of Agni. And know also that Shikhandi, who was at first a female, was (the incarnation of) a Rakshasa. And, O thou bull of the Bharata race, they who had become the five sons of Draupadi—those bulls amongst the Bharata princes—were the celestials known as the Viswas. Their names were Pritivindhya, Suta-soma, Sruta-kirti, Sata-nika the son of Nakula, and Sruta-sena endued with mighty energy.
"Shura—the first of the Yadus—was the father of Vasudeva. He had a daughter called Prithā who in beauty was unrivalled on earth. And Shura, having promised in the presence of fire that he would give his first-born child to Kunti-bhoja the son of his paternal aunt who was without offspring, gave his daughter unto that monarch in expectation of his favors. And Kunti-bhoja thereupon made her his daughter. And she was thenceforth, in the house of her (adoptive) father, engaged in attending upon Brahmanas and guests. One day she had to attend upon the wrathful ascetic of rigid vows—Durvasha by name—acquainted with truth and fully conversant with the mysteries of religion. And Prithā with all possible care gratified the wrathful Rishi of soul under complete control. And the worshipful one gratified with the attentions bestowed on him by the maiden told her, 'I am satisfied, O fortunate one, with thee! By this mantra (that I am about to give thee, thou shalt be able to summon (to thy side) whatever celestials thou likest. And by their grace shalt thou also obtain children!' Thus addressed, the girt, (a little while after) possessed with curiosity, summoned, during the period of her maiden-hood, the god Arka (Sun.) And the lord of light thereupon made her conceive and begat in her a son who was the first of all wielders of weapons. And from fear of her relatives she brought forth in sceresy that that child who came out with ear-rings and coal of mail. And he was gifted with the beauty of a celestial infant, and in splendour was like unto the maker of day himself and every part of his body was symmetrical and well embellished. And Kunti cast the handsome child into the water. But the child thus thrown into the water was taken up by the excellent husband of Radha and given by him to his wife to be by her adopted as their son. And the couple gave him the name of Vasu-sena by which appellation the child soon became known all over the land. And as he grew up he became very strong and excelled in all arms. And the first of all successful persons, he soon mastered the Vedangas. And while the intelligent one who had truth for his strength was studying the Vedas, there was nothing he would not give to the Brahmanas. At that time Indra—the originator of all things—moved by the desire of benefiting his own son Arjuna, assuming the guise of a Brahmana, came to him and begged of the hero his ear-rings and natural armour. And the hero taking off his ear-rings and armour gave them unto the Brahmana. And Sakra (accepting the gifts) presented to the giver a Sakti (missile weapon) surprised (at his open-handedness) and addressed him these words:—'O invincible one, amongst the celestials, Asuras, men, Gandharvas, Nagas, and Rakshasas, he at whom thou hurlest (this weapon), that one shall certainly be slain!' And the son of Surya was at first known in the world by the name of Vasu-sena. But for his deeds he subsequently came to be called Karna. And because the hero of great fame had taken off his natural armour therefore was he—the first son of Prithā—called Karna. And, O thou best of kings, the hero began to grow up in the Suta caste. And, O king, know thou that Karna—the first of all exalted men—the foremost of all wielders of weapons—the slayer of foes—and the best portion of the maker of day—was the friend and counsellor of Duryodhana. And he called Vāsudeva, endued with great valor, was among men a portion of him called Narayana—the god of gods—eternal! And Valadeva of exceeding strength was a portion of the Naga Shesa. And, O monarch, know thou that Pradyumna (Kama) of great energy was Sanat-kumara. And in this way the portions of various other dwellers of heaven became exalted men in the race of Vasudeva increasing the glory thereof. And, O king, the portions of the Gana of Apsaras which I have mentioned already, also became incarnate on earth according to Indra's commands. And sixteen thousand portions of those goddesses became, O king, in this world of men the wives of Vāsudeva. And a portion of Sri herself became incarnate on earth, for the gratification of Narayana, in the line of Bhismaka. And she was by name the chaste Rukmini. And the faultless Draupadi, slender-waisted like the wasp, was born of the portion of Shachi (the queen of the celestials) in the line of Drupada. And she was neither low nor tall in stature. And she was of the fragrance of the blue lotus, of eyes large as lotus leaves, of thighs fair and round, of dense masses of black curly hair. And endued with every auspicious feature and of complexion like that of the emerald, she became the charmer of the hearts of five foremost of men. And the two goddesses Siddhi and Dhriti became the mothers of those give and were called Kunti and Madri. And she who was Mati became the daughter (Gandhari) of Suvala.
"Thus, O king, have I recited to thee all about the incarnations, according to their respective portions, of the gods, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, and of the Rakshasas. They who were born on earth as monarchs invincible in war, those high-souled ones who were born in the wide extended line of the Yadus, they who were born as mighty monarchs in other lines, they who were born as Brahmanas and Kshatrias and Vaisyas, have all been recited by me duly. And this account of the incarnation (of superior being according to their respective portions) capable of bestowing wealth, fame, offspring, long life, and success, should always be heard in a proper frame of mind. And having listened to this account of incarnations, according to their portions, of gods, Gandharvas, and Rakshasas, the hearer becoming acquainted with the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe and acquiring wisdom, is never depressed even under the most engrossing sorrows."
And so ends the sixty-seventh Section in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.