By that time, Goddess Kalika Devi was not in the temple. She had gone to visit and to protect the Ujjain Nagar i.e. city. Bhatti had noticed that. He had driven out the ghosts who were on guard duty to the temple. He sat in front of the idol of Goddess and started meditation of her name. After some time Bhadra Kali Devi returned to the temple. She had observed Bhatti, his devotion and obedience towards Goddess. She appeared to him and asked, “My dear child, Bhatti! Why do you come here by this mid night? Why are you praying to me?”
Bhatti put namaskar to her and said, “Oh! Mother! You are my golden Mother! You are beautiful Mother! You are the leader to this entire world. I’m putting of namaskar [wish] to you. You asked me why I’m praying you. I want to have boons from you.”
Goddess Bhadra Kali said, “Oh my best devotee! Let me know what do you want?”
Bhatti said, “Oh Goddess! You are the protector to all! My brother, your devotee and the king of this country Vikramadithya had gone to heaven and got boons from Devendra to be on earth for 1000 years. He had forgotten me. Moreover, he had brought a golden throne. I don’t know any other than you. I trust you. I believe you. I’m praying you. I’m devoting you. Hence, I came to you. Where I can go to other than you? Who is there to fulfill my desires, other than you? Hence, I’m asking you to give me boons to live 2000 years on this earth.”
By hearing this Kalika Devi said, “Oh Minister! I can’t give such boon to you.” To test him she kept calm. Bhatti prayed her in several ways. He said, “Oh! Mother! You are the Goddess. You are kind. You are mother to this universe. What are there as impossible to you? If you say no, then who are there to say yes?”
She pleased with him. Still she had said, “Well Bhatti! I say, hear with care. You cut your brother Vikramadithya’s head and keep it on the altar. Then I can give you the desired boon”.
Bhatti said, “Well” He had gone to the palace of Vikramadithya. He was sleeping by that odd hour of night. Bhatti reached his bed. It was bright with lights like daytime. Bhatti had worn his sword, which was sharp and bright in the hand and made Vikramadithya to wake up.
Vikramadithya had got up and saw Bhatti. He said, “Oh my dear younger brother! What is the reason to come here by this mid night?” Bhatti said, “Oh, the best among kings! I require your head for certain work. That’s why I came to your palace.” Vikramadithya said, “Okay! Take it.” By saying like this Vikramadithya laid on the bed.
Bhatti had cut down the head of Vikramadithya and took it to temple. He had kept it on the alter and prayed to Goddess Bhadra Kalika Devi. She appeared him and gave boon to live 2000 years in the earth. Bhatti had laughed at this.
Goddess Kalika Devi asked him “Bhatti! Why are you laughing?” Bhatti said, “Oh Mother! Mrudhani [the other name of Devi] Devendra had given long life boon to my brother in the assembly of AmaraVathi, in the presence of all deities and saints. This happened recently. Until date, a month even not passed. Within one month, I myself had killed him. He was died. Devendra’s boon was like this. In such case, what about my boon? I laughed for this.”
Goddess Kalika Devi felt happy with his wisdom, trust, adventure and devotion.
Bhatti had succeeded in her test. She said, “Bhatti! You are clever. Your wisdom, adventure and spontaneity are not found even in deities.”
Bhatti said, “Oh Mother! Don’t consider me with deities.” Goddess Kalika Devi said, “Oh Minister! Don’t doubt my boons. If you want any more ask me.” Bhatti said, “I want Vikramadithya alive.” She had congratulated him for his wisdom and told the idea to make Vikramadithya alive.
Bhatti was extremely happy. He had brought the cut off head to the palace and joined it to the body of Vikramadithya. He spread magic water on the body and head. He murmured the Goddess Kalika Devi’s Sthotram [magic words]. Vikramadithya got up as if he got up from sleep. He said, “Bhatti! What happened?” Bhatti had narrated everything. By hearing all of this, Vikramadithya felt so much happy. But not Bhatti. He realized his mistake now. He said, “MY dear elder brother, Vikramadithya. You had gone to heaven and got boon to be on this earth for 1000 years. You had forgotten me. This made me to feel sad and unhappy. That’s why I approached Goddess Kalika Devi. But with my anger, revenge, or something like that, I could bag 2000 years to live on this earth. Now I’m realizing the truth. Without your company, how can I lead life happily? It is my fault.”
Vikramadithya said, “My dear younger brother, Bhatti! It is not your fault. It is my fault to forget you in the heaven. But I also cannot live happily without you. That’s why when you asked about my head, I had given it to you happily. Now both of we are in trouble. How to solve this?”
They thought for some while. They got the idea. Bhatti said, “Brother. Devendra had given boon to you to rule the kingdom for 1000 years by sitting on the golden throne. Hence, you rule the country for 6 months in a year. For remaining 6 months, you go on tour to different places on this earth. In your absence, I’ll look after the kingdom. If we both go on tour, let our ministers look after the kingdom for such 6 months. What do you say?”
With extreme joy, Vikramadithya hugged his brother Bhatti. Since that day, the king Vikramadithya and the Minister Bhatti were ruling the country together, and doing everything with co-operation. They were respecting each other; loving each other. They were taking the 6th part of yield from the farmers and people as taxes. They were ruling the country with perfect administration. Their subordinates were obedient and service oriented to them and to people. In their kingdom, all were co-operative and co-ordinative. The cat and rat were playing at a place. The tiger and cow were drinking water at a bank of river. Crops, weather etc everything was good.
Vinoda Ranjitha idol said, “Oh Bhoja Rajendra! You had heard the dare, adventure nature and morality of Vikramadithya. Is there any other man who can give his head i.e. life to fulfill the desire of his brother? If you have at least 1% of these characteristics in yourself, you can climb up this throne. Otherwise, it is better to drop the idea.”
Bhoja Raja, his Minister Budhi Sagar and all his courtiers had heard this with wonder. By that time, it was sunset. The assembly was adjourned for next day. The king had gone to his palace.
OUT COMING SKILLS: By reading this story, children can inspire to behave without ego and pride. Vikramadithya had accepted his mistake with Bhatti as he had forgotten to think about Bhatti at heaven. By reading about such personality, children can inspire to behave in such gentle manner. Because of this hero i.e. Vikramadithya, children can get motivation to absorb such qualities as dare, adventure, learning of all arts etc. By Bhatti’s character, his behavior at Goddess Ujjain Maham Kali’s temple to fetch a boon to live 2000 years, children can induce the nature of factorizing the truths. However, these fantasy stories can motivate children to dream about some unknown worlds. These qualities improve their imagination power, logical power and other capabilities.
Showing posts with label STORIES TOLD BY 1st IDOL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STORIES TOLD BY 1st IDOL. Show all posts
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Dance competition of Rambha - Urvasi in Devendra’s Assembly
Vinoda Ranjitha idol said, “Oh Bhoja Raja. Follow the story with care and clear mind.”
She continued…
Days were passing like that. In such time … one day… at Devendra’s [Devendra is heaven’s king] assembly.
Among the divine dancers in AmaraVathi [city of deities] like Rambha, Urvasi, Menaka, Thilothama, Ghrathachi etc, a dispute had raised. Rambha and Urvasi felt competitive with each other in the talent of dancing. They were challenging each other, as ‘I’m the best’. It reached up to Devendra. He thought that it was not advisable to quarrel the divine persons who live together at AmaraVathi. He had called on both and said, “Oh Rambha and Urvasi! Why are you quarrelling with each other? What makes if one of you is greater or lesser than the other? What is the benefit of it? Hence I advise you to leave your quarrel and be peaceful.”
Rambha and Urvasi put namaskar [greeted him] and said, “Oh Devendra! You are the king of deities. Untalented people can live without proving themselves. We can’t live like that. Depend up on our skills only we will be eligible to get regards in public. The king should not treat skilled and unskilled as equivalents. If a king treats the people according to their eligibility, he will be known as righteous king, otherwise it will be immoral.”
Devendra recognized the truth in those words … He ordered them as “Okay! If you want to be competitive with each other, come to the court i.e. Sabha with suitable appearance i.e. get up. Perform dance in the assembly. The courtiers can decide who will be the best dancer in between you.”
On the prescribed day, in the assembly, Rambha and Urvasi had performed their dance in beautiful and many styles. Both were beautiful. Both had made up their appearance with beautiful dress and ornaments. Both had danced in marvelous way. Devendra was not able to decide who the best was. He asked his courtiers to decide. Nobody could. He asked the saints “Oh saints! You had seen the dance of Rambha and Urvasi. Please decide who the best is.” The saints also were helpless to justify. They kept silence.
At that time, Narada Maharishi [He is the son of God Brahma] got up in the assembly and said, “Oh Devendra! It is not correct to say, as we like to decide who the best in between Rambha and Urvasi is. It is useless to say like that. That’s why only our elders used to tell to do not go to the courts or assemblies. Because if a person in any assembly says something without knowing, say something with knowing or keep silence by knowing the faults, it will be notorious in the world. To decide anything in any assembly as acceptable by all is a tough task. Hence, to decide who the best in between Rambha and Urvasi is will be a difficult issue. How to decide it? To solve this, there is a man on the earth who knows these arts. He is famous as Vikramadithya. He is great worrier and adventurous. He has his brother Bhatti, very wise man as his Prime Minister. They are liberal and peaceful. They are other forms of knowledge, kindness, helping nature, dare and adventurous. They learnt 64 art forms. They know ‘Manu Smruthi’. [It was the ancient constitution of Indians] you invite such Vikramadithya to know the victory and defeat in between Rambha and Urvasi. It not, though it takes long time, nobody can absorb the art of Rambha and Urvasi to decide who the best in between them is.”
By hearing this, Devendra was happy. He felt wonder. He thought “Oh God! Is there such person on the earth? It not, how this great saint Narada Maharishi will tell? It is
good to watch such great person.”
He had called on his chariot driver, Mathali and ordered him “Oh Mathali! You go to Ujjain city on the earth. Visit Vikramadithya, the great king of that country. You inform him about my invitation and bring him here.”
Mathali got shocked. He thought “What! In this heaven, the deities and Satwa Guna people are there. To this heaven, have I to bring Rajo Guna people like kings on the earth? Is Devendra getting mad?”
He didn’t respond to Devendra. He feared to express his dislike. He thought, “If I say this to Devendra, it may be wrong.” Mathali kept silence and watching the earth from heaven.
Narada Maharishi, being the son of God Brahma sensed the thoughts of Mathali. He said, “Mathali! I know your doubts. But you should not doubt Vikramadithya, the king of Ujjain. He is equivalent to the deities. Hence, you go fast and bring him here.”
Then Mathali felt fear that the saint might curse him if he delays the work further. He had decorated the chariot of Devendra and he travelled to earth through sky. He reached Ujjain by night sixteen Ghadious. [It was the ancient measure of time of Indians] He kept the chariot near Goddess Maham Kali temple. He approached the king’s palace. He met the king Vikramadithya and said, “Oh! Rajendra! [The best in the kings] Devendra had wanted to see you. Hence, he sent me with chariot to take you to heaven. What do you say?”
Vikramadithya consulted Bhatti. Bhatti said, “Oh King! This is special and good. Your fame might reach up to heaven. Otherwise, why Devendra would call you? You please go there immediately. There is nothing to worry!”
Vikramadithya decorated himself with rich dress and ornaments. He had gone to the temple of Goddess Kali Devi. He prayed her as “Oh Devi! Oh, Mother! You are protecting me and all the world. I’m your son. I’m your devote. Look me with kind. Protect me with affection.”
Goddess Kalika Devi appeared to him. She said, “Oh Child! Vikramadithya. You go to heaven. You will have faith and fame. Everybody will be happy, in the heaven and earth.” She had given Vibhuthi [A powder that Indians wear on their forehead as the mark of devotion as per their tradition] and lemon fruit.
Vikramadithya obediently took them and came to the chariot. Because it was the divine chariot, Vikramadithya had turned round the chariot thrice and put namaskar to it obediently. Then he kept his right leg in the chariot. Before he lift left leg from the earth, Mathali had driven the chariot with high speed.
But the king Vikramadithya didn’t fear. He pressed his left toe to the earth and stood strongly. Wonderful! The chariot didn’t move. Mathali surprised and thought, “What is this? Why the chariot is not moving? How surprising is this? What is the reason?”
Then he observed king Vikramadithya’s effort. He felt fear and wonder. He thought, “What Narada Maharishi said is true. I thought that it might be false. But now I’m watching this miracle. No human being can do this. This Vikramadithya might be equivalent to deities.”
Immediately he got down from the chariot and stood before Vikramadithya. He put namaskar to the king and said, “Oh king, the best among all! Please forgive me for my mistake.” Mathali felt shy and guilty. He said the above words obediently. His face was pity. But the king Vikramadithya smiled gently at him.
Mathali had taken him to AmaraVathi and served him with respect. He had taken Vikramadithya to the court of Devendra.
Vikramadithya put namaskar [greeted] to Devendra. Devendra was pleased by watching Vikramadithya. He thought, “Narada Maharishi told the truth. His glory is equivalent to that of deities.”
Devendra received Vikramadithya with honor and well treated him as a guest. Vikramadithya sat on his seat. Devendra said, “Oh Vikramadithya Maharaja! Is your kingdom with evergreen crops and wealth? Do your people respect you and behave with obedience? Are you protecting the people by giving all their requirements according to the practicality? Do your people like your employees and officials?”
Vikramadithya replied “Devendra! With your kindness, all is good and prosperous in my kingdom.” Devendra had provided a guesthouse to him. Kamadhenuvu [the divine cow that can give whatever we wish] had given all needful things to Vikramadithya including food. Vikramadithya was there in heaven for 15 days. He was engaged in discussions with deities and attending the court of Devendra twice in a day. One day in the assembly of Devendra, Rambha and Urvasi were dancing. They were beautiful with nice dress and ornaments. Devendra said, “Oh Vikramadithya Maharaja! You have to decide who the best in between these two dancers Rambha and Urvasi is.”
Vikramadithya said, “Tomorrow I’ll decide. Let them stop for today.”
Next day, Vikramadithya secretly fetched so many different and beautiful flowers. To test the talent of the dancers, he had made two flower garlands. He kept some poisonous worms and creatures inside the garlands carefully in such a way others cannot notice them. Secretly he brought them to the assembly.
The dance competition was about to start. Vikramadithya called on Rabha and Urvasi and said, “If you dance with empty hands, it won’t be attractive. Hence, you take these garlands in your hands and dance.” He had given the garlands to them. They started dancing.
While dancing, Rambha had held her flower garland with stress. Hence, the hidden poisonous worms, creatures got disturbed and they disturbed her. By the way, her dance also got disturbed. The flowers in her garland got tore off to some extent.
Where as, Urvasi had held her flower garland without stress. Hence, the hidden poisonous warms and creatures didn’t get disturbance. So that she didn’t disturb by them. Her performance was also perfect. The flowers in her garland were fresh as it was given to her.
After the performance, Devendra asked him “Oh great adventurous man! Who win the competition? You decided whom as the best dancer?”
Vikramadithya said, “Devendra. Urvasi is the winner.”
Devendra said, “How do you decide like that?” Vikramadithya called Rambha and Urvasi and said, “Where are the garlands that I have given to you?”
Urvasi immediately had handed over her flower garland. The flowers in that garland were fresh. Rambha had thrown away the garland because of irritation due to the poisonous worms and creatures. She had picked it up and handed over it to the king Vikramadithya. The flowers in that garland were torn off and the garland was spoiled.
Vikramadithya said, “Devendra! You had seen the difference in between them. Rambha had thrown away the garland. Urvasi had danced by holding the garland. I had given the garlands to both of them. Might be the garland became weight to Rambha.”
By saying like this, Vikramadithya had opened the both the garlands. The poisonous worms and creatures had came out. He said, “Oh, the king of clouds. [Devendra!] Urvasi had held this garland freely, without stress; hence, these creatures didn’t hurt her. Rambha had held the garland with stress, so that the creatures had hurt her. That’s why she had thrown it away. Urvasi was confident on her talent. She didn’t bother about the victory. That’s why she is peaceful and with free mind. Hence, she had held the garland freely. Rambha worried about the victory. Hence, she spoilt her dance. She was with tense while dancing. Hence, she had held the garland with tight hands so that she got hurt by the poisonous creatures. This is the difference in their talent. Hence, I said Rambha defeated and Urvasi won the competition.”
[In fact, this is the extract of Sri Bhagavad Geetha. People should think about their work only, but not about the result. You are eligible to do work. But you have no authority on its result. You should not perform works with the desire on its result. On the other hand, you should not drop the work to do [Ref. 2-47].
By hearing Vikramadithya’s decision, the members in that assembly including deities, divine people, and saints were happy. They praised Vikramadithya’s wisdom and sensitive thinking. Devendra had awarded Urvasi. Rambha also got well treat and rewards from Devendra.
Devendra said, “Vikramadithya. You have to stay here as our guest for 4 more days. I wish to gift you with a great thing.”
Vikramadithya puzzled about it. But out of curiosity even, he didn’t ask Devendra what it was. He was balanced and not eager towards anything. While send off, Devendra presented this golden throne with 32 steps. On each step, there are 32 golden idols like beautiful girls. God Shiva gifted this throne to Devendra on the occasion of coronation. Devendra said, “Oh! Vikramadithya! Bhupathi! [Raja i.e. king] You rule the country for 1000 years by sitting on this golden throne. It is my boon. God bless you.”
Vikramadithya had expressed his thankfulness to him and took send off. Devendra ordered Mathali to drop him at Ujjain. Mathali with regards and respect, brought Vikramadithya along with the golden throne on his chariot and left them at Ujjain.
Vikramadithya visited Goddess Kali temple and performed pooja [Devotion]. Later he had gone to his palace to relax. Bhatti came to him. Vikramadithya ordered him “Oh Bhatti! Devendra had gifted me with a golden throne. It is at the temple of our Goddess Kali Devi. Send servants to bring it. Keep it at our court.”
Bhatti arranged so. He informed the same to the king. He said, “Oh Rajendra. [The best among kings] You please tell us what happened since you had reached heaven till now.” Vikramadithya narrated everything in detail. He said, “My dear brother, Bhatti! This throne was given to Devendra by God Sankara. Because Devendra pleased with me, he had gifted it to me. He had given boon to me to rule the country for 1000 years by sitting on this throne. He sent this with me through Mathali’s chariot. This is all happened.”
Bhatti said, “Oh Brother! You got the boon to live 1000 years. Did you get any boon to me, as your dear brother?” Vikramadithya said, “Brother! I had forgotten to ask.” Bhatti said, “Yes. It is natural to forget earthen things and issues in the heaven. Okay! Leave it off. Why should we cry towards passed issues? If we cry, what will be the benefit?”
By saying like that, Bhatti left to his palace. He had dinner with delicious dishes and lay on the bed, which made with the feathers of swans. But he was not able to sleep. He thought, “I also have the wish to live 2000 years. How it is possible? Vikramadithya got boons from Devendra. Why don’t I get boons from Bhadra Kali, the Goddess of our race? Yes! That is the right work to do.” He thought like this and left to the temple of Maham Kali, by wearing his ornaments and weapons at the time of 10 ghadiyas at night
She continued…
Days were passing like that. In such time … one day… at Devendra’s [Devendra is heaven’s king] assembly.
Among the divine dancers in AmaraVathi [city of deities] like Rambha, Urvasi, Menaka, Thilothama, Ghrathachi etc, a dispute had raised. Rambha and Urvasi felt competitive with each other in the talent of dancing. They were challenging each other, as ‘I’m the best’. It reached up to Devendra. He thought that it was not advisable to quarrel the divine persons who live together at AmaraVathi. He had called on both and said, “Oh Rambha and Urvasi! Why are you quarrelling with each other? What makes if one of you is greater or lesser than the other? What is the benefit of it? Hence I advise you to leave your quarrel and be peaceful.”
Rambha and Urvasi put namaskar [greeted him] and said, “Oh Devendra! You are the king of deities. Untalented people can live without proving themselves. We can’t live like that. Depend up on our skills only we will be eligible to get regards in public. The king should not treat skilled and unskilled as equivalents. If a king treats the people according to their eligibility, he will be known as righteous king, otherwise it will be immoral.”
Devendra recognized the truth in those words … He ordered them as “Okay! If you want to be competitive with each other, come to the court i.e. Sabha with suitable appearance i.e. get up. Perform dance in the assembly. The courtiers can decide who will be the best dancer in between you.”
On the prescribed day, in the assembly, Rambha and Urvasi had performed their dance in beautiful and many styles. Both were beautiful. Both had made up their appearance with beautiful dress and ornaments. Both had danced in marvelous way. Devendra was not able to decide who the best was. He asked his courtiers to decide. Nobody could. He asked the saints “Oh saints! You had seen the dance of Rambha and Urvasi. Please decide who the best is.” The saints also were helpless to justify. They kept silence.
At that time, Narada Maharishi [He is the son of God Brahma] got up in the assembly and said, “Oh Devendra! It is not correct to say, as we like to decide who the best in between Rambha and Urvasi is. It is useless to say like that. That’s why only our elders used to tell to do not go to the courts or assemblies. Because if a person in any assembly says something without knowing, say something with knowing or keep silence by knowing the faults, it will be notorious in the world. To decide anything in any assembly as acceptable by all is a tough task. Hence, to decide who the best in between Rambha and Urvasi is will be a difficult issue. How to decide it? To solve this, there is a man on the earth who knows these arts. He is famous as Vikramadithya. He is great worrier and adventurous. He has his brother Bhatti, very wise man as his Prime Minister. They are liberal and peaceful. They are other forms of knowledge, kindness, helping nature, dare and adventurous. They learnt 64 art forms. They know ‘Manu Smruthi’. [It was the ancient constitution of Indians] you invite such Vikramadithya to know the victory and defeat in between Rambha and Urvasi. It not, though it takes long time, nobody can absorb the art of Rambha and Urvasi to decide who the best in between them is.”
By hearing this, Devendra was happy. He felt wonder. He thought “Oh God! Is there such person on the earth? It not, how this great saint Narada Maharishi will tell? It is
good to watch such great person.”
He had called on his chariot driver, Mathali and ordered him “Oh Mathali! You go to Ujjain city on the earth. Visit Vikramadithya, the great king of that country. You inform him about my invitation and bring him here.”
Mathali got shocked. He thought “What! In this heaven, the deities and Satwa Guna people are there. To this heaven, have I to bring Rajo Guna people like kings on the earth? Is Devendra getting mad?”
He didn’t respond to Devendra. He feared to express his dislike. He thought, “If I say this to Devendra, it may be wrong.” Mathali kept silence and watching the earth from heaven.
Narada Maharishi, being the son of God Brahma sensed the thoughts of Mathali. He said, “Mathali! I know your doubts. But you should not doubt Vikramadithya, the king of Ujjain. He is equivalent to the deities. Hence, you go fast and bring him here.”
Then Mathali felt fear that the saint might curse him if he delays the work further. He had decorated the chariot of Devendra and he travelled to earth through sky. He reached Ujjain by night sixteen Ghadious. [It was the ancient measure of time of Indians] He kept the chariot near Goddess Maham Kali temple. He approached the king’s palace. He met the king Vikramadithya and said, “Oh! Rajendra! [The best in the kings] Devendra had wanted to see you. Hence, he sent me with chariot to take you to heaven. What do you say?”
Vikramadithya consulted Bhatti. Bhatti said, “Oh King! This is special and good. Your fame might reach up to heaven. Otherwise, why Devendra would call you? You please go there immediately. There is nothing to worry!”
Vikramadithya decorated himself with rich dress and ornaments. He had gone to the temple of Goddess Kali Devi. He prayed her as “Oh Devi! Oh, Mother! You are protecting me and all the world. I’m your son. I’m your devote. Look me with kind. Protect me with affection.”
Goddess Kalika Devi appeared to him. She said, “Oh Child! Vikramadithya. You go to heaven. You will have faith and fame. Everybody will be happy, in the heaven and earth.” She had given Vibhuthi [A powder that Indians wear on their forehead as the mark of devotion as per their tradition] and lemon fruit.
Vikramadithya obediently took them and came to the chariot. Because it was the divine chariot, Vikramadithya had turned round the chariot thrice and put namaskar to it obediently. Then he kept his right leg in the chariot. Before he lift left leg from the earth, Mathali had driven the chariot with high speed.
But the king Vikramadithya didn’t fear. He pressed his left toe to the earth and stood strongly. Wonderful! The chariot didn’t move. Mathali surprised and thought, “What is this? Why the chariot is not moving? How surprising is this? What is the reason?”
Then he observed king Vikramadithya’s effort. He felt fear and wonder. He thought, “What Narada Maharishi said is true. I thought that it might be false. But now I’m watching this miracle. No human being can do this. This Vikramadithya might be equivalent to deities.”
Immediately he got down from the chariot and stood before Vikramadithya. He put namaskar to the king and said, “Oh king, the best among all! Please forgive me for my mistake.” Mathali felt shy and guilty. He said the above words obediently. His face was pity. But the king Vikramadithya smiled gently at him.
Mathali had taken him to AmaraVathi and served him with respect. He had taken Vikramadithya to the court of Devendra.
Vikramadithya put namaskar [greeted] to Devendra. Devendra was pleased by watching Vikramadithya. He thought, “Narada Maharishi told the truth. His glory is equivalent to that of deities.”
Devendra received Vikramadithya with honor and well treated him as a guest. Vikramadithya sat on his seat. Devendra said, “Oh Vikramadithya Maharaja! Is your kingdom with evergreen crops and wealth? Do your people respect you and behave with obedience? Are you protecting the people by giving all their requirements according to the practicality? Do your people like your employees and officials?”
Vikramadithya replied “Devendra! With your kindness, all is good and prosperous in my kingdom.” Devendra had provided a guesthouse to him. Kamadhenuvu [the divine cow that can give whatever we wish] had given all needful things to Vikramadithya including food. Vikramadithya was there in heaven for 15 days. He was engaged in discussions with deities and attending the court of Devendra twice in a day. One day in the assembly of Devendra, Rambha and Urvasi were dancing. They were beautiful with nice dress and ornaments. Devendra said, “Oh Vikramadithya Maharaja! You have to decide who the best in between these two dancers Rambha and Urvasi is.”
Vikramadithya said, “Tomorrow I’ll decide. Let them stop for today.”
Next day, Vikramadithya secretly fetched so many different and beautiful flowers. To test the talent of the dancers, he had made two flower garlands. He kept some poisonous worms and creatures inside the garlands carefully in such a way others cannot notice them. Secretly he brought them to the assembly.
The dance competition was about to start. Vikramadithya called on Rabha and Urvasi and said, “If you dance with empty hands, it won’t be attractive. Hence, you take these garlands in your hands and dance.” He had given the garlands to them. They started dancing.
While dancing, Rambha had held her flower garland with stress. Hence, the hidden poisonous worms, creatures got disturbed and they disturbed her. By the way, her dance also got disturbed. The flowers in her garland got tore off to some extent.
Where as, Urvasi had held her flower garland without stress. Hence, the hidden poisonous warms and creatures didn’t get disturbance. So that she didn’t disturb by them. Her performance was also perfect. The flowers in her garland were fresh as it was given to her.
After the performance, Devendra asked him “Oh great adventurous man! Who win the competition? You decided whom as the best dancer?”
Vikramadithya said, “Devendra. Urvasi is the winner.”
Devendra said, “How do you decide like that?” Vikramadithya called Rambha and Urvasi and said, “Where are the garlands that I have given to you?”
Urvasi immediately had handed over her flower garland. The flowers in that garland were fresh. Rambha had thrown away the garland because of irritation due to the poisonous worms and creatures. She had picked it up and handed over it to the king Vikramadithya. The flowers in that garland were torn off and the garland was spoiled.
Vikramadithya said, “Devendra! You had seen the difference in between them. Rambha had thrown away the garland. Urvasi had danced by holding the garland. I had given the garlands to both of them. Might be the garland became weight to Rambha.”
By saying like this, Vikramadithya had opened the both the garlands. The poisonous worms and creatures had came out. He said, “Oh, the king of clouds. [Devendra!] Urvasi had held this garland freely, without stress; hence, these creatures didn’t hurt her. Rambha had held the garland with stress, so that the creatures had hurt her. That’s why she had thrown it away. Urvasi was confident on her talent. She didn’t bother about the victory. That’s why she is peaceful and with free mind. Hence, she had held the garland freely. Rambha worried about the victory. Hence, she spoilt her dance. She was with tense while dancing. Hence, she had held the garland with tight hands so that she got hurt by the poisonous creatures. This is the difference in their talent. Hence, I said Rambha defeated and Urvasi won the competition.”
[In fact, this is the extract of Sri Bhagavad Geetha. People should think about their work only, but not about the result. You are eligible to do work. But you have no authority on its result. You should not perform works with the desire on its result. On the other hand, you should not drop the work to do [Ref. 2-47].
By hearing Vikramadithya’s decision, the members in that assembly including deities, divine people, and saints were happy. They praised Vikramadithya’s wisdom and sensitive thinking. Devendra had awarded Urvasi. Rambha also got well treat and rewards from Devendra.
Devendra said, “Vikramadithya. You have to stay here as our guest for 4 more days. I wish to gift you with a great thing.”
Vikramadithya puzzled about it. But out of curiosity even, he didn’t ask Devendra what it was. He was balanced and not eager towards anything. While send off, Devendra presented this golden throne with 32 steps. On each step, there are 32 golden idols like beautiful girls. God Shiva gifted this throne to Devendra on the occasion of coronation. Devendra said, “Oh! Vikramadithya! Bhupathi! [Raja i.e. king] You rule the country for 1000 years by sitting on this golden throne. It is my boon. God bless you.”
Vikramadithya had expressed his thankfulness to him and took send off. Devendra ordered Mathali to drop him at Ujjain. Mathali with regards and respect, brought Vikramadithya along with the golden throne on his chariot and left them at Ujjain.
Vikramadithya visited Goddess Kali temple and performed pooja [Devotion]. Later he had gone to his palace to relax. Bhatti came to him. Vikramadithya ordered him “Oh Bhatti! Devendra had gifted me with a golden throne. It is at the temple of our Goddess Kali Devi. Send servants to bring it. Keep it at our court.”
Bhatti arranged so. He informed the same to the king. He said, “Oh Rajendra. [The best among kings] You please tell us what happened since you had reached heaven till now.” Vikramadithya narrated everything in detail. He said, “My dear brother, Bhatti! This throne was given to Devendra by God Sankara. Because Devendra pleased with me, he had gifted it to me. He had given boon to me to rule the country for 1000 years by sitting on this throne. He sent this with me through Mathali’s chariot. This is all happened.”
Bhatti said, “Oh Brother! You got the boon to live 1000 years. Did you get any boon to me, as your dear brother?” Vikramadithya said, “Brother! I had forgotten to ask.” Bhatti said, “Yes. It is natural to forget earthen things and issues in the heaven. Okay! Leave it off. Why should we cry towards passed issues? If we cry, what will be the benefit?”
By saying like that, Bhatti left to his palace. He had dinner with delicious dishes and lay on the bed, which made with the feathers of swans. But he was not able to sleep. He thought, “I also have the wish to live 2000 years. How it is possible? Vikramadithya got boons from Devendra. Why don’t I get boons from Bhadra Kali, the Goddess of our race? Yes! That is the right work to do.” He thought like this and left to the temple of Maham Kali, by wearing his ornaments and weapons at the time of 10 ghadiyas at night
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Story of Bharthru Hari
Bharthru Hari got married 360 girls. He was concerned to the promise, which he had given to his father. That’s why he was not spending with his wives before the twelve days to their menstrual period in order to prevent the birth children. [In those days, there were no medicines and medical assistance to prevent the birth of children.]
In those days, there was a great saint, famed as equivalent to God Shiva, and the best among saints by name Chandyoga Rushi. One day he had toured on 14 worlds. [It is as per the belief of Indians i.e. Hindus] From heaven, he reached earth. On the way, when he had a shire in the divine garden ‘Nandanodyanam’, he found a divine fruit.
He came to the court of Bharthru Hari. Bharthru Hari observed the saint and sensed that he might be great man. Immediately Bharthru Hari personally welcomed the saint, offered his seat, served him and treated him with obedience and devotion. The saint, Chandyoga Rushi was pleased by the behavior of the king. He said, “Oh. Maharaj! I’m saint Chandya. Because of my penance power, I’m able to visit all the worlds. When I was in heaven, I found this fruit in the Indra’s Nandanodyanam. This fruit has a power. Whoever eats this, they will get rid of the fear of old age and death. If I live long time with youth and without death fear, what is the use to this world with me? If you eat this fruit, because you are the king and ruling the kingdom with morals, people will be comfortable and peaceful under your ruling. That’s why I wish to give this fruit to you. Eat this and lead long life with youth. I bless you.”
Bharthru Hari had taken that fruit and expressed his thankfulness to the saint. After nice hospitality, the saint had left there.
After the royal works, the king Bharthru Hari had gone to his palace. Among his 360 wives, the pattamahishi [Elder Queen] was Mohanangi. [The meaning of this name is a girl who has crazy body.] She was the elder wife to him. Bharthru Hari told the magic power of the fruit to her. He said, “My dear wife. If I eat this fruit, I will live long life with ever youth. But in front of my eyes, on some day you will die. That I can’t bear. Because, I love you so much. Hence you eat this fruit.” He had given that fruit to her. She had kept it aside and made him happy with her company.
But this woman, Mohanangi was not loyal to her husband. She had a secret love affair with her chariot driver, by name Sahini. On the next day morning, she had given that fruit to him and told about its specialty. This man had a secret affair with another servant-maid. She was working in the palace to clean the palace. She used to apply the paste of mud and dung to the floor of palace surroundings. Sahini went for her in the evening. She met him. Sahini told her about the fruit and gave it. She said, “Okay! Later I’ll eat this after bathing.” She had taken send off from him. This servant-maid had kept the fruit on dung in the basket, by keeping the basket on head; she was walking on the royal road to her house. By that time, accidentally the king Bharthru Hari was relaxing in the evening terrace walk. He had recognized the fruit. But he felt wonder as how this servant woman got it to keep on the dung basket. He ordered his servants to bring that woman. The soldiers presented her in front of the king. Bharthru Hari asked her, “Look Mother. [Indians used to call and treat other women as Mother] How do you get this fruit?”
The servant-maid trembled and said, “Maha Raja! Forgive me. The chariot driver of the royal palace, Sahini had given this to me. I don’t know how he got it.”
The king summoned Sahani. He sensed the danger. He thought, “I can’t prevent the truth. If I try to hide it, the king may hang me.” With fear, he told, “Maha Raja! Please excuse me. Your wife, Queen Mohanangi had given this fruit to me.”
Bharthru Hari understood the truth. He had taken the fruit from the servant-maid and sent them away. He had gone to the palace of Mohanangi immediately. He asked her, “Mohanangi. Yesterday I had given a miracle fruit to you. Where is it?” she said, “I had eaten it up already.”
Bharthru Hari said, “Then, how this fruit is in my hands?”
She felt shocked by it. Immediately she could guess what had happened and what would be going to happen. She revealed the truth to the king and begged for mercy.
Because Bharthru Hari was a scholar, he didn’t angry to her. He called on all of his wives and said, “I want to go to penance in forest. I’m leaving all of you. You can remarry with whom you want. Take your ornaments and wealth and go to your desired places.”
Later he made his brother Vikramadithya as king. He ate the divine fruit and went to forest to do penance.
[In Indian Sanskrit literature, there is a great poet Bharthru Hari. He had written moral slokas with beautiful lyric, meaning with nature comparison. I don’t know whether he is the above mentioned or some other. Here we have to notice one point, that is more interesting. The saint Chandyoga Rushi got the miraculary fruit. By eating that fruit, anybody can get rid of the fear of old age and death. But he didn’t eat the fruit by thinking that there won’t be any use of his long life to this world. Hence, he had given that to the king Bharthru Hari. Being king, he didn’t eat it to enjoy the life. Because he loved his wife Mohanangi, he had given that to her. Finally, while going to the forest to do penance, after giving his kingdom to his brother Vikramadithya, he had eaten up the fruit. But not to enjoy the life. He had eaten up the fruit to effort to get ‘Mukti’ by doing penance, through long life. Such is the Indian blood. Ancient people, they didn’t think to enjoy themselves. Their attitude was to make the others to be happy.]
Vinoda Ranjitha idol said, “Bhoja Raja. I told the past history i.e. story of Vikramadithya’s father and brothers. Now I’m going to narrate the story of Vikramadithya and his brother, Minister Bhatti. Listen with care.”
The idol continued …
Vikramadithya made his brother Bhatti as Prime Minister and started to rule the kingdom. They developed their administration and country.
One day Vikramadithya said, “Bhatti! I have a desire in my mind. To fruitful it, I need your co-operation, I’m putting a proposal now to you. You think about it without emotions, analyze it and then tell me about its advantages and disadvantages. Don’t hesitate to oppose if you want to do so. Don’t oblige my proposal as the king’s desire. Think well then support me. Our kingdom, which we received from our father, is very small. To satisfy with this is not advisable to us. If we live here, life long, it will be like a frog in well. Life will end without fame and satisfaction. When we born in this world, we should achieve something. People should recognize us and praise us. That’s why let us defeat other kings and expand our kingdom. Let us construct a new, big and beautiful city as our capital. You should locate suitable place for it. It should be surrounded by hills in all directions. There should be a river. It should be like heaven i.e. AmaraVathi Nagaram. By having such capital, we should rule our kingdom. Brother Bhatti. What do you say?”
Bhatti replied, “Oh brother. You told the truth. What your desire is, it is my desire also. There won’t be any difference in our attitude and thinking. Let us expand our kingdom”.
On one auspicious day, after performing devotional programs, Bhatti, Vikramadithya along with their army had gone to defeat the other kings. It was like a procession with musical instruments, war music’s, singers, dancers and poets. The army had enjoyed the wars and victories. Vikramadithya made so many kings as his sub ordinates and made them to pay ‘Kappam’ to him. [Kappam means the monthly or yearly tax share paid by subordinate kings to the Emperor.] With huge wealth, after expanding this kingdom wide, they returned to Kanya Puram. Then Bhatti went on to search suitable place to construct their capital city. He wandered so wide. Finally, he reached Vindhya Mountains area. There was a beautiful place surrounded by hills. A river by name Guna Vathi was flowing beside that. It was filled with beautiful plants, which bear fruits and flowers. Bhatti felt happy and satisfaction. He decided to construct their capital city there. He returned to Kanya Puram to inform this to his brother, king Vikramadithya. On the way, he had seen a beautiful lake and an old temple.
He took bathe in that lake and went into the temple. When he was taking walking around temple as per tradition, he had seen a pillar on which a notice was carved. He read it. On that rock plank pillar, the following was carved.
Any person, irrespective to which caste or community does he belongs, can perform this. Whoever has adventurous nature, can come to this holy temple and take bathe in this lake. Then he has to climb up the banyan tree on the bank of the lake. There are 7 slings [hanging frames] to this tree. There is a spear in the mid of lake. The man has to cut off the 7 slings at a time and before the slings fall down; he has to jump vertically inverted [as head in the bottom and foot in the top] on to the spear. Like that, if any man sacrifices his life, to such man Goddess Maham Kalika Devi would appear and give boons. Such man could become rich and fame emperor.”
By reading this notice on the rock pillar, Bhatti was extreme happy. He had confidence that Vikramadithya was able to do such adventures. He was happy because what they wished, it was there. Bhatti had entered into the temple and performed devotion to Goddess Mahan Kalika Devi there. He had observed that a spear was ejected in the mid of the lake without any base. He wondered about it.
After taking little rest, he had returned to Kanya Puram. He approached the king and his brother Vikramadithya and put namaskar to him obediently. By watching Bhatti, Vikramadithya felt very happy. With affection, he hugged Bhatti and said, “My dear brother, Bhatti! You are protecting me like eyelid to eye. You left from here since six months back. Did you watch any place as we discussed?” Bhatti replied, “Yes brother”. He narrated everything about the temple and notice on the pillar.
Vikramadithya felt happy. They decided to go there. They appointed an eligible man to look after and to rule Kanya Puram. On an auspicious day, and at good time, in disguise they started to go to Vindhya forest. They crossed thick and beautiful forests, hillocks, hills and rivers. They had enjoyed the beauty of forests, nature and wild animals. After few days, they reached the Vindhya hills and GunaVathi River. They entered into the temple. They had taken bathe in the lake and had darsan of Goddess Maham Kali Devi. Goddess Kali Devi was pleased by Vikramadithya’s appearance. She wished to construct a beautiful city there by him. She was watching the both Vikramadithya and Bhatti with affection like a mother towards her sons. She wanted to test his adventure and determination. She was accompanied them, in invisible form.
After performing devotional programs, i.e. Pooja to Goddess Kali Devi, Vikramadithya and Bhatti reached the lake. Vikramadithya read the notice on the pillar once again. They watched the spear ejected in the mid of the lake. Vikramadithya wondered how the spear ejected there without any base. He asked Bhatti how it was happened. Bhatti said, “Maha Raja! Because this spear is just in front of Goddess Kali Devi, due to her magic, it is like that. I think so.”
Vikramadithya felt emotional, and devotion. He determined himself to perform the feat as per written in the notice. With devotion, once again he had taken bathe in the lake and put namaskar to Goddess in the temple. He asked his brother Bhatti to stand under the tree. He put namaskar to the banyan tree; and climbed up. He had taken his sword from holder [Vora] and held it in hand. He had very much known that how much risk it was. But they had trust on Goddess. Vikramadithya reached the branch of banyan tree to which 7 slings were hanging. It was right above the spear. But the 7 slings were hanging circularly.
He said, “Brother, Bhatti! These 7 slings are not attached to one rope. They are hanging to 7 different ropes in circular shape. I have to cut them off at a time with a single sword attack. Tell me any idea to achieve it.”
Bhatti observed them. He said, “Brother. Keep your right foot in one sling and hold its side sling with your left hand. You take a round swing towards right side. Then 7 slings’ ropes will turn in round and become as one by tensile force. Then cut off them with one stroke. Before the slings reach the lake, you take inverted jump on to the spear in the mid of the river.”
Vikramadithya observed it keenly. He had taken a long breath and got ready to do the adventure. He meditated Goddess for few seconds. With care and determination, he kept his right foot in one sling. He had hold beside sling with left hand and moved his body to right by having a swing. The ropes of 7 slings came together. He had cut off them with a single stroke of the sword. Immediately he jumped vertically inverted on to the spear before the slings reached the lake. Bhatti was watching all this without breathing. When the head of Vikramadithya touched the spear, a big flash appeared in front of Bhatti’s eyes. He closed his eyes. Next moment, he watched nothing there. Vikramadithya’s body was not there. Bhatti guessed that Goddess Kali had saved him. Immediately he ran into the temple. There he watched Vikramadithya lay in front of Goddess Kalika Devi’s idol. Vikramadithya was unconscious.
Bhatti expected this. He prayed to Goddess Mahan Kalika Devi as “Oh Mother! Happiness Donor! You bless good people. You are the protector to helpless. You save people from dangers. You are kind to all! Sankari! Shambhavi! Parameswari! The form of extreme joy! Bhavani! Kali! Bhadra Kali! Parananda Kali! Om kari! Kreemkari! Hreemkari! [These are all other names of Goddess Durga i.e. Kali] you are our mother! Please be kind to us. To secure your kindness Vikramadithya had got ready to loss his life. Bless him.”
Goddess Kali was pleased to both Vikramadithya due to his determination, to Bhatti due to his sweet words i.e. prayer. She made Vikramadithya conscious and appeared before them.
Vikramadithya and Bhatti were extreme happy. They put Namaskar to Goddess and praised her with joy. She said, “Children. What is your desire? I’ll fulfill it.” Vikramadithya said, “Oh mother! We want to construct a big and beautiful city here. Bless us to construct a wide city around this temple with 10 Amadas radius [Amada was the ancient measure of distance in India. Approximately, it is equal to the 4 miles of FPS system]. We need wealth to construct it and to rule the kingdom. Please bless us to achieve all!”
Goddess Kalika Devi said, “Dear sons! I’m giving every boom what you asked. You dig North East of this temple. You can locate huge gold and gems. You can construct a capital city and kingdom here. By name Ujjain, it will become famous.”
By saying like this Goddess Kalika Devi vanished. Vikramadithya and Bhatti were happy. [Still, Ujjain Kali temple is in Madhya Pradesh State of India. It is one of the Shakhty Peetham.]
Bhatti and Vikramadithya deputed army and workers to dig at North East of the Kali temple. There they found mine of gold and diamonds. By investing that wealth, they had constructed wide and beautiful city of Ujjain. They had constructed palaces, residential colonies, Royal office buildings, gardens, stadiums, swimming pools, halls, museums and temples. They had made Kanya Puram as their territory and appointed their representative there to rule it.
Along with family members and fellow men, they had entered into the city of Ujjain on an auspicious day. It was celebrated like a festival. They performed pooja [devotion] on grand scale to Goddess Mahan Kali Devi for serial of days. They allotted houses to their fellow men, their ministers, employees, army and common people according to their eligibility.
Every body was happy in their ruling. Bhatti and Vikramadithya once again had gone on war on to the surrounding kingdoms and expended their kingdom. They established a very good and strong administration. People in their kingdom were enjoying the life without the fear of theft and natural disasters like floods, droughts, and earth quacks etc. Due to the Goddess Kalika Devi; there the weather was cool and comfortable. Rains were sufficient. The crops were prosperous. Life of public was peaceful.
In those days, there was a great saint, famed as equivalent to God Shiva, and the best among saints by name Chandyoga Rushi. One day he had toured on 14 worlds. [It is as per the belief of Indians i.e. Hindus] From heaven, he reached earth. On the way, when he had a shire in the divine garden ‘Nandanodyanam’, he found a divine fruit.
He came to the court of Bharthru Hari. Bharthru Hari observed the saint and sensed that he might be great man. Immediately Bharthru Hari personally welcomed the saint, offered his seat, served him and treated him with obedience and devotion. The saint, Chandyoga Rushi was pleased by the behavior of the king. He said, “Oh. Maharaj! I’m saint Chandya. Because of my penance power, I’m able to visit all the worlds. When I was in heaven, I found this fruit in the Indra’s Nandanodyanam. This fruit has a power. Whoever eats this, they will get rid of the fear of old age and death. If I live long time with youth and without death fear, what is the use to this world with me? If you eat this fruit, because you are the king and ruling the kingdom with morals, people will be comfortable and peaceful under your ruling. That’s why I wish to give this fruit to you. Eat this and lead long life with youth. I bless you.”
Bharthru Hari had taken that fruit and expressed his thankfulness to the saint. After nice hospitality, the saint had left there.
After the royal works, the king Bharthru Hari had gone to his palace. Among his 360 wives, the pattamahishi [Elder Queen] was Mohanangi. [The meaning of this name is a girl who has crazy body.] She was the elder wife to him. Bharthru Hari told the magic power of the fruit to her. He said, “My dear wife. If I eat this fruit, I will live long life with ever youth. But in front of my eyes, on some day you will die. That I can’t bear. Because, I love you so much. Hence you eat this fruit.” He had given that fruit to her. She had kept it aside and made him happy with her company.
But this woman, Mohanangi was not loyal to her husband. She had a secret love affair with her chariot driver, by name Sahini. On the next day morning, she had given that fruit to him and told about its specialty. This man had a secret affair with another servant-maid. She was working in the palace to clean the palace. She used to apply the paste of mud and dung to the floor of palace surroundings. Sahini went for her in the evening. She met him. Sahini told her about the fruit and gave it. She said, “Okay! Later I’ll eat this after bathing.” She had taken send off from him. This servant-maid had kept the fruit on dung in the basket, by keeping the basket on head; she was walking on the royal road to her house. By that time, accidentally the king Bharthru Hari was relaxing in the evening terrace walk. He had recognized the fruit. But he felt wonder as how this servant woman got it to keep on the dung basket. He ordered his servants to bring that woman. The soldiers presented her in front of the king. Bharthru Hari asked her, “Look Mother. [Indians used to call and treat other women as Mother] How do you get this fruit?”
The servant-maid trembled and said, “Maha Raja! Forgive me. The chariot driver of the royal palace, Sahini had given this to me. I don’t know how he got it.”
The king summoned Sahani. He sensed the danger. He thought, “I can’t prevent the truth. If I try to hide it, the king may hang me.” With fear, he told, “Maha Raja! Please excuse me. Your wife, Queen Mohanangi had given this fruit to me.”
Bharthru Hari understood the truth. He had taken the fruit from the servant-maid and sent them away. He had gone to the palace of Mohanangi immediately. He asked her, “Mohanangi. Yesterday I had given a miracle fruit to you. Where is it?” she said, “I had eaten it up already.”
Bharthru Hari said, “Then, how this fruit is in my hands?”
She felt shocked by it. Immediately she could guess what had happened and what would be going to happen. She revealed the truth to the king and begged for mercy.
Because Bharthru Hari was a scholar, he didn’t angry to her. He called on all of his wives and said, “I want to go to penance in forest. I’m leaving all of you. You can remarry with whom you want. Take your ornaments and wealth and go to your desired places.”
Later he made his brother Vikramadithya as king. He ate the divine fruit and went to forest to do penance.
[In Indian Sanskrit literature, there is a great poet Bharthru Hari. He had written moral slokas with beautiful lyric, meaning with nature comparison. I don’t know whether he is the above mentioned or some other. Here we have to notice one point, that is more interesting. The saint Chandyoga Rushi got the miraculary fruit. By eating that fruit, anybody can get rid of the fear of old age and death. But he didn’t eat the fruit by thinking that there won’t be any use of his long life to this world. Hence, he had given that to the king Bharthru Hari. Being king, he didn’t eat it to enjoy the life. Because he loved his wife Mohanangi, he had given that to her. Finally, while going to the forest to do penance, after giving his kingdom to his brother Vikramadithya, he had eaten up the fruit. But not to enjoy the life. He had eaten up the fruit to effort to get ‘Mukti’ by doing penance, through long life. Such is the Indian blood. Ancient people, they didn’t think to enjoy themselves. Their attitude was to make the others to be happy.]
Vinoda Ranjitha idol said, “Bhoja Raja. I told the past history i.e. story of Vikramadithya’s father and brothers. Now I’m going to narrate the story of Vikramadithya and his brother, Minister Bhatti. Listen with care.”
The idol continued …
Vikramadithya made his brother Bhatti as Prime Minister and started to rule the kingdom. They developed their administration and country.
One day Vikramadithya said, “Bhatti! I have a desire in my mind. To fruitful it, I need your co-operation, I’m putting a proposal now to you. You think about it without emotions, analyze it and then tell me about its advantages and disadvantages. Don’t hesitate to oppose if you want to do so. Don’t oblige my proposal as the king’s desire. Think well then support me. Our kingdom, which we received from our father, is very small. To satisfy with this is not advisable to us. If we live here, life long, it will be like a frog in well. Life will end without fame and satisfaction. When we born in this world, we should achieve something. People should recognize us and praise us. That’s why let us defeat other kings and expand our kingdom. Let us construct a new, big and beautiful city as our capital. You should locate suitable place for it. It should be surrounded by hills in all directions. There should be a river. It should be like heaven i.e. AmaraVathi Nagaram. By having such capital, we should rule our kingdom. Brother Bhatti. What do you say?”
Bhatti replied, “Oh brother. You told the truth. What your desire is, it is my desire also. There won’t be any difference in our attitude and thinking. Let us expand our kingdom”.
On one auspicious day, after performing devotional programs, Bhatti, Vikramadithya along with their army had gone to defeat the other kings. It was like a procession with musical instruments, war music’s, singers, dancers and poets. The army had enjoyed the wars and victories. Vikramadithya made so many kings as his sub ordinates and made them to pay ‘Kappam’ to him. [Kappam means the monthly or yearly tax share paid by subordinate kings to the Emperor.] With huge wealth, after expanding this kingdom wide, they returned to Kanya Puram. Then Bhatti went on to search suitable place to construct their capital city. He wandered so wide. Finally, he reached Vindhya Mountains area. There was a beautiful place surrounded by hills. A river by name Guna Vathi was flowing beside that. It was filled with beautiful plants, which bear fruits and flowers. Bhatti felt happy and satisfaction. He decided to construct their capital city there. He returned to Kanya Puram to inform this to his brother, king Vikramadithya. On the way, he had seen a beautiful lake and an old temple.
He took bathe in that lake and went into the temple. When he was taking walking around temple as per tradition, he had seen a pillar on which a notice was carved. He read it. On that rock plank pillar, the following was carved.
Any person, irrespective to which caste or community does he belongs, can perform this. Whoever has adventurous nature, can come to this holy temple and take bathe in this lake. Then he has to climb up the banyan tree on the bank of the lake. There are 7 slings [hanging frames] to this tree. There is a spear in the mid of lake. The man has to cut off the 7 slings at a time and before the slings fall down; he has to jump vertically inverted [as head in the bottom and foot in the top] on to the spear. Like that, if any man sacrifices his life, to such man Goddess Maham Kalika Devi would appear and give boons. Such man could become rich and fame emperor.”
By reading this notice on the rock pillar, Bhatti was extreme happy. He had confidence that Vikramadithya was able to do such adventures. He was happy because what they wished, it was there. Bhatti had entered into the temple and performed devotion to Goddess Mahan Kalika Devi there. He had observed that a spear was ejected in the mid of the lake without any base. He wondered about it.
After taking little rest, he had returned to Kanya Puram. He approached the king and his brother Vikramadithya and put namaskar to him obediently. By watching Bhatti, Vikramadithya felt very happy. With affection, he hugged Bhatti and said, “My dear brother, Bhatti! You are protecting me like eyelid to eye. You left from here since six months back. Did you watch any place as we discussed?” Bhatti replied, “Yes brother”. He narrated everything about the temple and notice on the pillar.
Vikramadithya felt happy. They decided to go there. They appointed an eligible man to look after and to rule Kanya Puram. On an auspicious day, and at good time, in disguise they started to go to Vindhya forest. They crossed thick and beautiful forests, hillocks, hills and rivers. They had enjoyed the beauty of forests, nature and wild animals. After few days, they reached the Vindhya hills and GunaVathi River. They entered into the temple. They had taken bathe in the lake and had darsan of Goddess Maham Kali Devi. Goddess Kali Devi was pleased by Vikramadithya’s appearance. She wished to construct a beautiful city there by him. She was watching the both Vikramadithya and Bhatti with affection like a mother towards her sons. She wanted to test his adventure and determination. She was accompanied them, in invisible form.
After performing devotional programs, i.e. Pooja to Goddess Kali Devi, Vikramadithya and Bhatti reached the lake. Vikramadithya read the notice on the pillar once again. They watched the spear ejected in the mid of the lake. Vikramadithya wondered how the spear ejected there without any base. He asked Bhatti how it was happened. Bhatti said, “Maha Raja! Because this spear is just in front of Goddess Kali Devi, due to her magic, it is like that. I think so.”
Vikramadithya felt emotional, and devotion. He determined himself to perform the feat as per written in the notice. With devotion, once again he had taken bathe in the lake and put namaskar to Goddess in the temple. He asked his brother Bhatti to stand under the tree. He put namaskar to the banyan tree; and climbed up. He had taken his sword from holder [Vora] and held it in hand. He had very much known that how much risk it was. But they had trust on Goddess. Vikramadithya reached the branch of banyan tree to which 7 slings were hanging. It was right above the spear. But the 7 slings were hanging circularly.
He said, “Brother, Bhatti! These 7 slings are not attached to one rope. They are hanging to 7 different ropes in circular shape. I have to cut them off at a time with a single sword attack. Tell me any idea to achieve it.”
Bhatti observed them. He said, “Brother. Keep your right foot in one sling and hold its side sling with your left hand. You take a round swing towards right side. Then 7 slings’ ropes will turn in round and become as one by tensile force. Then cut off them with one stroke. Before the slings reach the lake, you take inverted jump on to the spear in the mid of the river.”
Vikramadithya observed it keenly. He had taken a long breath and got ready to do the adventure. He meditated Goddess for few seconds. With care and determination, he kept his right foot in one sling. He had hold beside sling with left hand and moved his body to right by having a swing. The ropes of 7 slings came together. He had cut off them with a single stroke of the sword. Immediately he jumped vertically inverted on to the spear before the slings reached the lake. Bhatti was watching all this without breathing. When the head of Vikramadithya touched the spear, a big flash appeared in front of Bhatti’s eyes. He closed his eyes. Next moment, he watched nothing there. Vikramadithya’s body was not there. Bhatti guessed that Goddess Kali had saved him. Immediately he ran into the temple. There he watched Vikramadithya lay in front of Goddess Kalika Devi’s idol. Vikramadithya was unconscious.
Bhatti expected this. He prayed to Goddess Mahan Kalika Devi as “Oh Mother! Happiness Donor! You bless good people. You are the protector to helpless. You save people from dangers. You are kind to all! Sankari! Shambhavi! Parameswari! The form of extreme joy! Bhavani! Kali! Bhadra Kali! Parananda Kali! Om kari! Kreemkari! Hreemkari! [These are all other names of Goddess Durga i.e. Kali] you are our mother! Please be kind to us. To secure your kindness Vikramadithya had got ready to loss his life. Bless him.”
Goddess Kali was pleased to both Vikramadithya due to his determination, to Bhatti due to his sweet words i.e. prayer. She made Vikramadithya conscious and appeared before them.
Vikramadithya and Bhatti were extreme happy. They put Namaskar to Goddess and praised her with joy. She said, “Children. What is your desire? I’ll fulfill it.” Vikramadithya said, “Oh mother! We want to construct a big and beautiful city here. Bless us to construct a wide city around this temple with 10 Amadas radius [Amada was the ancient measure of distance in India. Approximately, it is equal to the 4 miles of FPS system]. We need wealth to construct it and to rule the kingdom. Please bless us to achieve all!”
Goddess Kalika Devi said, “Dear sons! I’m giving every boom what you asked. You dig North East of this temple. You can locate huge gold and gems. You can construct a capital city and kingdom here. By name Ujjain, it will become famous.”
By saying like this Goddess Kalika Devi vanished. Vikramadithya and Bhatti were happy. [Still, Ujjain Kali temple is in Madhya Pradesh State of India. It is one of the Shakhty Peetham.]
Bhatti and Vikramadithya deputed army and workers to dig at North East of the Kali temple. There they found mine of gold and diamonds. By investing that wealth, they had constructed wide and beautiful city of Ujjain. They had constructed palaces, residential colonies, Royal office buildings, gardens, stadiums, swimming pools, halls, museums and temples. They had made Kanya Puram as their territory and appointed their representative there to rule it.
Along with family members and fellow men, they had entered into the city of Ujjain on an auspicious day. It was celebrated like a festival. They performed pooja [devotion] on grand scale to Goddess Mahan Kali Devi for serial of days. They allotted houses to their fellow men, their ministers, employees, army and common people according to their eligibility.
Every body was happy in their ruling. Bhatti and Vikramadithya once again had gone on war on to the surrounding kingdoms and expended their kingdom. They established a very good and strong administration. People in their kingdom were enjoying the life without the fear of theft and natural disasters like floods, droughts, and earth quacks etc. Due to the Goddess Kalika Devi; there the weather was cool and comfortable. Rains were sufficient. The crops were prosperous. Life of public was peaceful.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Story told by Vinoda Rajitha idol on the Ist step
The first idol said, “Oh Bhoja Raja! Why should we play joke on you? With great effort, you, your minister and your people had brought this golden throne to your city and kept in your assembly hall. There was nobody who is eligible to sit on this throne to rule his public. That’s why only, this throne had sunk into the earth. To sit on this throne you have to know the past and you have to learn much. Without considering that you are daring to climb onto it. If we keep silence by thinking as ‘let him climb up, what will to us’; then we will be liable to the guilty of ‘Non-response.’ If some bad is going on, the sin not goes only to the person who is doing that bad, but also the sin goes to the people who allow that bad to happen without responding on it. Whoever ruled the country by sitting on the throne in previous, such person only eligible to sit now on this. Otherwise, if anybody tries to sit on this, without eligibility, their head will break into thousand pieces. In past, Raja Vikramadithya sat on this throne and ruled this country with the assistance of his Minister Bhatti. Vikramadithya was knowledgeous and great worrier. He was known 64 art forms. He was dare, adventurous, ferocious, donatives natured, kind and scholar. If you have at least one quality against his 1000 good qualities, then you will be eligible to sit on this. Otherwise, drop your desire back. By knowing this, we laughed when you came to climb up on to the throne. My name is Vinoda Ranjitha.” [Vinoda Rajitha means a person who can make us happy by entertaining us.]
Bhoja Raja was shocked at this. All the courtiers were became like statues by watching this miracle. After few minutes, Bhoja Raja said, “Oh, Vinoda Ranjitha idol! You had referrer about the king Vikramadithya. Who was he? What was his history? What were his qualities? Let me know. We are very much interested to know.” The idol, Vinoda Rajitha started to narrate the story of Vikramadithya. The assembly hall was silent. Everybody was hearing the story with wonder.
THE STORY OF VIKRAMADITHYA’S FATHER
The idol, Vinoda Ranjitha said, “Bhoja Raja. Now I’m telling the past story of Raja Vikramadithya. With care, obedience, interest and devotion, you hear this.”
Vinoda Ranjitha continued …
In ancient India, the holy land, there was a town by name Nandi Puram. In that town, in the Brahmin colony, there was a handsome and young man by name ‘Chandra Varna.’ [The meaning of his name is ‘A person who has fair and white skin’.] He was good moral and scholar. He leant so many arts and Sasthras i.e. subjects. But he didn’t satisfy with what he learnt. He thought, “We don’t know how many arts, subjects and knowledge are there in this world to know. I should learn much. Hence I must locate good teacher to coach me.”
He left house, he went on search of Guru i.e. teacher. He wandered so many places, in search of teacher. He didn’t find any suitable man to teach him. He didn’t drop out his decision. He continued his journey. On the way, he had reached a thick forest. He was tired. He reached a hill. Beside the hill, there was a river. On its bank, there was a big peepul tree.
Chandra Varna had drunk water in the river. He had taken bathee in the river. He relaxed. Then he slept under the shade of Peepul tree. A demon was living on that tree. This demon was a Brahma Rakshas. [It means he was one of the best in the demons. The Brahma Rakshas usually live like saints in demons.] This Brahma Rakshas had came down of the tree to take bathe in the river after completing his meditation. He used to practice penance on the branches of the peepul tree.
By watching the glory and beauty of Chandra Varna’s face, the Brahma Rakshas felt affection towards him. He could sense the thrust of Chandra Varna towards knowledge & learning. The Brahma Rakshas had completed his bathe, devotion to Sun God and approached Chandra Varna. He made Chandra Varna to wake up.
Chandra Varna had woken up. He had seen the Brahma Rakshas and put namaskar [wish] to him. The Brahma Rakshas said, “Hai child! Who are you? Why you came to this forest? No human being will be dare enough to enter into this forest.”
Chandra Varna obediently said, “Oh great soul! My name is Chandra Varna. Nandi Puram town is my native. I’m wandering in search of Guru i.e. teacher who can make me perfect. But unfortunately, I could not succeed in my trial. You seem to be great scholar. Your face and versatile behavior is telling it. Please accept me as your disciple.”
Brahma Rakshas was pleased with his prayer. He said, “My dear boy. I accept you as my disciple. I think that God had sent you for me. I’ll make you to learn what I know within six months. But there is one condition. You should not get tire. Without taking food and rest i.e. sleep, you should learn. I’ll tell you mantra [Magic word], which can give you everlasting energy for six months. With that help, you can avoid food and rest. I’ll be on the branch of this peepul tree. I’ll drop the leaves of this tree after writing the slokas on them, for you. You collect them and learn them.”
Chandra Varna felt happy. There started his education. Without taking food and rest, the Brahma Rakshas was teaching and Chandra Varna was learning. There passed the time of six months.
There happened a wonder!
A divine flight came down there from sky. The Bhahma Rakshas had turn as a divine man. He said, “My dear disciple, Chandra Varna! I am a divine man. I am a scholar. But unfortunately, I became egoistic by my education. With pride, I had ill-treated the saints. They cursed me to become as a Rakshas. I begged for mercy. They told me to donate my knowledge to a suitable disciple. Since that day, I lived on this tree by doing penance. I waited for suitable disciple. Due to your obedient nature, thrust towards knowledge, now I got rid of the curse. Now I’m going to my divine world. I bless you to lead peaceful and prosperous life. Always there will be victory to you. God bless you.”
Chandra Varna put namaskar to his guru and had a send off.
The divine flight flew off from there.
Chandra Varna started from there and reached a city called Kanya Puram. By that time, he was tired. Since the boon of his Guru i.e. the effect of mantra [magic word] was getting last, the tiresome and hunger occupied him like anything. He reached a rich house. It was decorated with lights and flowers. He thought that it was some Brahmin’s house. He laid on the street bench of that house and slept. Due to weakness, he became unconscious within few minutes.
But that house was not a Brahmin’s house. [In those days, in India, there was 4-caste system as Brahmin, Kshathriya, Vysya and Shudra.] It was a prostitute i.e. royal dancer’s house. Her name was Alankara Valli [The meaning of her name is ‘Decorative garland’] She was good, beautiful and moral. Though she was prostitute by profession, she was devotee and committed to her ‘Dharma’ i.e. duty.] It became night. Alankara Valli had completed her dance programs at the temple and reached house. In the dark, she noticed some body lying on the street bench beside the entrance of her residence. She tried to make him to wake up; but could not. She had brought light from the house and watched.
What was there?
There was a handsome young man [Chandra Varna]. He was unconscious. A bag was under his head. She ordered her servants to bring him inside. She felt wonder & craze about him. She examined his bag. The peepul tree leaves were there on which Sanskrit slokas had written. She understood that he was a great scholar. She was in love with him.
She called on doctors. They examined him and said, “Oh. Alankara Valli! This man didn’t take food and rest for past six months. That’s why his condition is like this. If he leaves like this, he may die.”
Alankara Valli worried by hearing this. She said “Oh doctors. You are scholars. How to save him? Please cure him.”
Doctors said, “Every day, you have to mix one Padi [It is the measure of ancient times in India. 1Padi = 1 ½ Kg. of now-a-days MKG system] of rice and one Padi of pure ghee and paste them. Apply that paste on his body from head to toe, thrice per a day. The extract of rice and ghee paste will reach his nerves through the hair holes on his body. By that, his life can be protected. He will get conscious from sleep.”
Alankara Valli had thanked the doctors and rewarded them.
Alankara Valli personally attended Chandra Varna, treated him and served him. After 8 days, he was cured and woken up. At that time, Alankara Valli was not in that room. Chandra Varna noticed that the house was not of Brahmins and of a prostitute. He tried to leave the house without making noise.
Alankara Valli noticed this. She objected him to leave the house. She said, “Oh, the best Brahmin! I had served you. I protected you like a eyelid to the eye. For 8 days, I had personally attended you, protected your body and I had cured your illness. I had saved your life. Like that, I am the life donor to you. In such case, without saying single word including thankfulness to me, to leave my house, is it justice to you? I won’t allow you to leave me.”
Chandra Varna said, “Why are you objecting me. Why don’t you allow me to go out?”
Alankara Valli said, “Oh Brahmin young man. I love you. I want to marry you. That’s why only I had taken care of you.”
Chandra Varna said, “Oh, young dancing woman! I am Brahmin man. You are not eligible to marry me. Let me go.”
But Alankara Valli didn’t agree. It turned as quarrel in the street. The king was informed about this. The king of Kanya Puram was Shudha Varma. [The meaning of his name is Mr. Fair] He sent his soldiers to bring them to the court. They presented both Chandra Varna and Alankara Valli in the royal court.”
King, Shudha Varna said, “Why are you quarrelling in the street?”
Chandra Varna said, “Maharaja! I’m a Brahmin. Some days back I slept on the street bench of this woman’s house. I thought that the house is a Brahmin’s house. I didn’t know that the house belongs to this prostitute. Because of my tiresome, I didn’t know anything. Now this woman is saying that she had treated me, cured my illness with the help of doctors and served me to save my life. As a return, she is demanding me to marry her.”
By hearing his words and by watching his glory king Shudha Varma wished to make him as his son-in-law by giving his daughter Chitra Rekha.[The meaning of this name is wonder line] At the same time, the royal Purohit and the minister got same thought.
Shudha Varma asked the scholars to solve the dispute among Chandra Varna and Alankara Valli. They said, “Maha Raja. If a Brahmin wants to marry other caste woman, there is a way. He has to marry a Brahmin, a Khsathriya, a Vysya and a Shudra woman at a time. If he wants to marry only one woman, he has to marry only Brahmin girl.”
The king Shudra Varma said, “I am pleased with this young man. I would like to marry my daughter Chitra Rekha with him.”
The Minister, Soma Sekhara said, “There is same case with me. I belong to Vysya section. Let this young man marry my daughter Komalangi.”[The meaning of this name is ‘a girl who has delicate body]
The royal Purohit said, “Maha Raja! I’m ready to give my daughter Kalyani to this young man.”
Every body felt happy. Chandra Varna had accepted all of this.
On an auspicious day, it was celebrated. Chandra Varna married 1. Kalyani [Brahmin girl] 2. Chitra Rekha [Khsathriya girl] 3. Komalangi [Vysya girl] 4. Alankara Valli [Shudra girl]
Days were passed. Everybody was pleased with the behavior of Chandra Varna. He got 4 sons by his 4 wives. Kalyani had given birth to son. Chandra Varna kept name Palla Varshi to him. Chitra Rekha had given birth to a son. Chandra Varna kept name Vikaramadithya to him. Komalangi had given birth to a son. His father Chandra Varna kept name Bhatti to him. Alankara Valli had given birth to a son. Chandra Varna kept name Bharthru Hari to him. Boys are growing like moon in the biweekly before full moon day. There started their education. They were learning well.
Shudha Varna passed away due to old age. Because he had only daughter Chitra Rekha, he made his son-in-law Chandra Varna as his heir. Chandra Varna became the king of Kanya Puram. He was ruling his kingdom ideally. People were happy in his ruling. The weather was co-operative and the crops were prosperous. Everybody was happy and peaceful.
Chandra Varna personally had taken care of his sons and taught them to learn what he learnt. [People who learnt education from their parents as Guru i.e. teachers had achieved great things and became fame. Vikramadithya was more successful and fame than Chandra Varna. Chandra Varna learnt education from Brahma Rakshas [divine man who got cursed] where as Vikramadithya was educated by his father himself. In history of India, we have such examples for this.]
His 4 sons became young and Chandra Varna became old. Due to old age, his death approached. On deathbed, he was watching his son Bharthru Hari and getting tears in eyes. His all sons had observed it. All were thought that Chandra Varna had more affection on Alankara Valli and her son Bharthru Hari.
Bharthru Hari sensed the thought of this father. He said, “Dear father! You are fearing that you may loss heaven or Mukti if I get sons, because I’m the ‘servant son’ to you. [It was the belief of those days] I promise you. I prevent marriage. If I get marry, I prevent to have children. Don’t worry. You be peaceful.”
Chandra Varna felt happy. He asked his all sons to hear and said, “Dear sons. I got marry to your mothers and I became as a king of this land, because of Bharthru Hari’s mother Alankara Valli. Hence, I want to make him as king. You serve as princes.”
Bhatti and Vikramadithya obediently accepted this. Pallavarshi said, “Father! I don’t like this wealth and physical world. I’m interested on penance. I want to go to forest and live like a saint. Please permit me.”
Chandra Varna understood the maturity and detachment of Palla Varshi. He blessed him and permitted him to go to penance.
Chandra Varna called on his ministers and purohith i.e. priests and ordered them to make Bharthru Harias king and Bhatti Vikramadithya as princes. The occasion was celebrated. With satisfaction, Chandra Varna passed away.
Bhoja Raja was shocked at this. All the courtiers were became like statues by watching this miracle. After few minutes, Bhoja Raja said, “Oh, Vinoda Ranjitha idol! You had referrer about the king Vikramadithya. Who was he? What was his history? What were his qualities? Let me know. We are very much interested to know.” The idol, Vinoda Rajitha started to narrate the story of Vikramadithya. The assembly hall was silent. Everybody was hearing the story with wonder.
THE STORY OF VIKRAMADITHYA’S FATHER
The idol, Vinoda Ranjitha said, “Bhoja Raja. Now I’m telling the past story of Raja Vikramadithya. With care, obedience, interest and devotion, you hear this.”
Vinoda Ranjitha continued …
In ancient India, the holy land, there was a town by name Nandi Puram. In that town, in the Brahmin colony, there was a handsome and young man by name ‘Chandra Varna.’ [The meaning of his name is ‘A person who has fair and white skin’.] He was good moral and scholar. He leant so many arts and Sasthras i.e. subjects. But he didn’t satisfy with what he learnt. He thought, “We don’t know how many arts, subjects and knowledge are there in this world to know. I should learn much. Hence I must locate good teacher to coach me.”
He left house, he went on search of Guru i.e. teacher. He wandered so many places, in search of teacher. He didn’t find any suitable man to teach him. He didn’t drop out his decision. He continued his journey. On the way, he had reached a thick forest. He was tired. He reached a hill. Beside the hill, there was a river. On its bank, there was a big peepul tree.
Chandra Varna had drunk water in the river. He had taken bathee in the river. He relaxed. Then he slept under the shade of Peepul tree. A demon was living on that tree. This demon was a Brahma Rakshas. [It means he was one of the best in the demons. The Brahma Rakshas usually live like saints in demons.] This Brahma Rakshas had came down of the tree to take bathe in the river after completing his meditation. He used to practice penance on the branches of the peepul tree.
By watching the glory and beauty of Chandra Varna’s face, the Brahma Rakshas felt affection towards him. He could sense the thrust of Chandra Varna towards knowledge & learning. The Brahma Rakshas had completed his bathe, devotion to Sun God and approached Chandra Varna. He made Chandra Varna to wake up.
Chandra Varna had woken up. He had seen the Brahma Rakshas and put namaskar [wish] to him. The Brahma Rakshas said, “Hai child! Who are you? Why you came to this forest? No human being will be dare enough to enter into this forest.”
Chandra Varna obediently said, “Oh great soul! My name is Chandra Varna. Nandi Puram town is my native. I’m wandering in search of Guru i.e. teacher who can make me perfect. But unfortunately, I could not succeed in my trial. You seem to be great scholar. Your face and versatile behavior is telling it. Please accept me as your disciple.”
Brahma Rakshas was pleased with his prayer. He said, “My dear boy. I accept you as my disciple. I think that God had sent you for me. I’ll make you to learn what I know within six months. But there is one condition. You should not get tire. Without taking food and rest i.e. sleep, you should learn. I’ll tell you mantra [Magic word], which can give you everlasting energy for six months. With that help, you can avoid food and rest. I’ll be on the branch of this peepul tree. I’ll drop the leaves of this tree after writing the slokas on them, for you. You collect them and learn them.”
Chandra Varna felt happy. There started his education. Without taking food and rest, the Brahma Rakshas was teaching and Chandra Varna was learning. There passed the time of six months.
There happened a wonder!
A divine flight came down there from sky. The Bhahma Rakshas had turn as a divine man. He said, “My dear disciple, Chandra Varna! I am a divine man. I am a scholar. But unfortunately, I became egoistic by my education. With pride, I had ill-treated the saints. They cursed me to become as a Rakshas. I begged for mercy. They told me to donate my knowledge to a suitable disciple. Since that day, I lived on this tree by doing penance. I waited for suitable disciple. Due to your obedient nature, thrust towards knowledge, now I got rid of the curse. Now I’m going to my divine world. I bless you to lead peaceful and prosperous life. Always there will be victory to you. God bless you.”
Chandra Varna put namaskar to his guru and had a send off.
The divine flight flew off from there.
Chandra Varna started from there and reached a city called Kanya Puram. By that time, he was tired. Since the boon of his Guru i.e. the effect of mantra [magic word] was getting last, the tiresome and hunger occupied him like anything. He reached a rich house. It was decorated with lights and flowers. He thought that it was some Brahmin’s house. He laid on the street bench of that house and slept. Due to weakness, he became unconscious within few minutes.
But that house was not a Brahmin’s house. [In those days, in India, there was 4-caste system as Brahmin, Kshathriya, Vysya and Shudra.] It was a prostitute i.e. royal dancer’s house. Her name was Alankara Valli [The meaning of her name is ‘Decorative garland’] She was good, beautiful and moral. Though she was prostitute by profession, she was devotee and committed to her ‘Dharma’ i.e. duty.] It became night. Alankara Valli had completed her dance programs at the temple and reached house. In the dark, she noticed some body lying on the street bench beside the entrance of her residence. She tried to make him to wake up; but could not. She had brought light from the house and watched.
What was there?
There was a handsome young man [Chandra Varna]. He was unconscious. A bag was under his head. She ordered her servants to bring him inside. She felt wonder & craze about him. She examined his bag. The peepul tree leaves were there on which Sanskrit slokas had written. She understood that he was a great scholar. She was in love with him.
She called on doctors. They examined him and said, “Oh. Alankara Valli! This man didn’t take food and rest for past six months. That’s why his condition is like this. If he leaves like this, he may die.”
Alankara Valli worried by hearing this. She said “Oh doctors. You are scholars. How to save him? Please cure him.”
Doctors said, “Every day, you have to mix one Padi [It is the measure of ancient times in India. 1Padi = 1 ½ Kg. of now-a-days MKG system] of rice and one Padi of pure ghee and paste them. Apply that paste on his body from head to toe, thrice per a day. The extract of rice and ghee paste will reach his nerves through the hair holes on his body. By that, his life can be protected. He will get conscious from sleep.”
Alankara Valli had thanked the doctors and rewarded them.
Alankara Valli personally attended Chandra Varna, treated him and served him. After 8 days, he was cured and woken up. At that time, Alankara Valli was not in that room. Chandra Varna noticed that the house was not of Brahmins and of a prostitute. He tried to leave the house without making noise.
Alankara Valli noticed this. She objected him to leave the house. She said, “Oh, the best Brahmin! I had served you. I protected you like a eyelid to the eye. For 8 days, I had personally attended you, protected your body and I had cured your illness. I had saved your life. Like that, I am the life donor to you. In such case, without saying single word including thankfulness to me, to leave my house, is it justice to you? I won’t allow you to leave me.”
Chandra Varna said, “Why are you objecting me. Why don’t you allow me to go out?”
Alankara Valli said, “Oh Brahmin young man. I love you. I want to marry you. That’s why only I had taken care of you.”
Chandra Varna said, “Oh, young dancing woman! I am Brahmin man. You are not eligible to marry me. Let me go.”
But Alankara Valli didn’t agree. It turned as quarrel in the street. The king was informed about this. The king of Kanya Puram was Shudha Varma. [The meaning of his name is Mr. Fair] He sent his soldiers to bring them to the court. They presented both Chandra Varna and Alankara Valli in the royal court.”
King, Shudha Varna said, “Why are you quarrelling in the street?”
Chandra Varna said, “Maharaja! I’m a Brahmin. Some days back I slept on the street bench of this woman’s house. I thought that the house is a Brahmin’s house. I didn’t know that the house belongs to this prostitute. Because of my tiresome, I didn’t know anything. Now this woman is saying that she had treated me, cured my illness with the help of doctors and served me to save my life. As a return, she is demanding me to marry her.”
By hearing his words and by watching his glory king Shudha Varma wished to make him as his son-in-law by giving his daughter Chitra Rekha.[The meaning of this name is wonder line] At the same time, the royal Purohit and the minister got same thought.
Shudha Varma asked the scholars to solve the dispute among Chandra Varna and Alankara Valli. They said, “Maha Raja. If a Brahmin wants to marry other caste woman, there is a way. He has to marry a Brahmin, a Khsathriya, a Vysya and a Shudra woman at a time. If he wants to marry only one woman, he has to marry only Brahmin girl.”
The king Shudra Varma said, “I am pleased with this young man. I would like to marry my daughter Chitra Rekha with him.”
The Minister, Soma Sekhara said, “There is same case with me. I belong to Vysya section. Let this young man marry my daughter Komalangi.”[The meaning of this name is ‘a girl who has delicate body]
The royal Purohit said, “Maha Raja! I’m ready to give my daughter Kalyani to this young man.”
Every body felt happy. Chandra Varna had accepted all of this.
On an auspicious day, it was celebrated. Chandra Varna married 1. Kalyani [Brahmin girl] 2. Chitra Rekha [Khsathriya girl] 3. Komalangi [Vysya girl] 4. Alankara Valli [Shudra girl]
Days were passed. Everybody was pleased with the behavior of Chandra Varna. He got 4 sons by his 4 wives. Kalyani had given birth to son. Chandra Varna kept name Palla Varshi to him. Chitra Rekha had given birth to a son. Chandra Varna kept name Vikaramadithya to him. Komalangi had given birth to a son. His father Chandra Varna kept name Bhatti to him. Alankara Valli had given birth to a son. Chandra Varna kept name Bharthru Hari to him. Boys are growing like moon in the biweekly before full moon day. There started their education. They were learning well.
Shudha Varna passed away due to old age. Because he had only daughter Chitra Rekha, he made his son-in-law Chandra Varna as his heir. Chandra Varna became the king of Kanya Puram. He was ruling his kingdom ideally. People were happy in his ruling. The weather was co-operative and the crops were prosperous. Everybody was happy and peaceful.
Chandra Varna personally had taken care of his sons and taught them to learn what he learnt. [People who learnt education from their parents as Guru i.e. teachers had achieved great things and became fame. Vikramadithya was more successful and fame than Chandra Varna. Chandra Varna learnt education from Brahma Rakshas [divine man who got cursed] where as Vikramadithya was educated by his father himself. In history of India, we have such examples for this.]
His 4 sons became young and Chandra Varna became old. Due to old age, his death approached. On deathbed, he was watching his son Bharthru Hari and getting tears in eyes. His all sons had observed it. All were thought that Chandra Varna had more affection on Alankara Valli and her son Bharthru Hari.
Bharthru Hari sensed the thought of this father. He said, “Dear father! You are fearing that you may loss heaven or Mukti if I get sons, because I’m the ‘servant son’ to you. [It was the belief of those days] I promise you. I prevent marriage. If I get marry, I prevent to have children. Don’t worry. You be peaceful.”
Chandra Varna felt happy. He asked his all sons to hear and said, “Dear sons. I got marry to your mothers and I became as a king of this land, because of Bharthru Hari’s mother Alankara Valli. Hence, I want to make him as king. You serve as princes.”
Bhatti and Vikramadithya obediently accepted this. Pallavarshi said, “Father! I don’t like this wealth and physical world. I’m interested on penance. I want to go to forest and live like a saint. Please permit me.”
Chandra Varna understood the maturity and detachment of Palla Varshi. He blessed him and permitted him to go to penance.
Chandra Varna called on his ministers and purohith i.e. priests and ordered them to make Bharthru Harias king and Bhatti Vikramadithya as princes. The occasion was celebrated. With satisfaction, Chandra Varna passed away.
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