https://www.boloji.com/articles/55021/the-legendary-churning-of-ocean

 

 

The Legendary Churning of Ocean

P C K Prem

A Page from the Ancient Literature

 

                                                   Samudra Manthan at Shri Viswa Vinayaka Mandir
                                    Rhenock Rungdung, East Sikkim ll Ganesha Temple Sikkim India

To eliminate an evil one must devise suitable plans. It is perfect if a man stamps out devils but if he continues efforts for personal benefits and greed, the plans turn out unethical and fraudulent. A contemporary man suffers from a tragic flaw at whatever state of life he is whether a worldly man or a man of god. A living being who does not seek refuge in the lord is fated to live a miserable life.

“You are the lord, who destroys sins, and until then, a living being lives with weakness, frailty, desire, love, infatuation, sufferings and miseries. O happy soul, be happy with the shelter-seekers. O lord, please empower gods with the divine grace and strength so that they recuperate lost glory and celestial magnificence, and thus, enhance innate exalted brilliance.”

          The gods looked at the Supreme lord with expectant eyes. It was essential that the gods of heavens obtain effective assistance of daityas so that churning of the great ocean helps them as desired.

The Supreme lord advised the gods eloquently and clearly and after serious consideration, the gods appeared before the arrogant and audacious demons, the mighty daityas. However, it was difficult to gratify immediately after the awful defeat demons had inflicted on gods. To doubt integrity of gods in this situation was quite sensible. After genuine efforts and apparent expression of true intent, daityas agreed to work in co-operation with the gods for a common cause because they also wanted to become immortal and mighty forever and wished to live in eternal joy, peace and harmony. After they entered into negotiation, the gods and the daityas thought deep and planned cautiously, and thereafter, made concerted efforts to secure nectar.

Afterward, in order to attain the objective, the gods and the daityas collected various herbal medicines and poured loads of herbs and aromatic plants in the ocean of milk that appeared a clear, brilliant and deep sky during winter. They brought Mandrachal Mountain and made it a great churning post. After that, they went to the land of Snakes and requested the king of snakes Vasuki to become a churning cord so that they achieve the great objective. At last, they gathered forces and material necessary for the tough churning and were now, geared up for the arduous and terrible stirring up of the ocean of milk. The gods held Vasuki from the tail probably on Vishnu’s signal. The daityas held the position firmly from the side of the Vasuki’s head. 

~*~

Awful churning began. Naturally, Vasuki felt the impact of the awesome churning as it held the mountain in tight grip and so it suffered excruciating and ferocious rubbing against the churning pole -the Mandrachal Mountain, and therefore, it suffered scorching heat, breathed heavily but the haling and inhaling upset the daityas. With the fire of dreadful breathings of Vasuki, daityas felt seared and experienced loss of energy and power. On the other hand, the breathing of the snake gave troubles to clouds and it rained from the tail’s side enhancing the power and energy of gods. The daityas were unable to comprehend the situation in proper perspective while the gods hoodwinked them the daityas wisely, intelligently and shrewdly.        

In the frightful churning, transformed into Kurma, the great god stood tall, surprised everyone and became a solid foundation so that Mandrachal Mountain could stand firmly and steadily. Again, the supreme god adorned with discus and mace, took another shape to support gods. Thus, directly or indirectly, another strong figure to help the demons took form while the mighty gods and demons pulled the cord -Vasuki from respective sides and churned the ocean. The gods and the daityas did not witness another miracle. The lord kept the mountain hard-pressed under feet and kept the foundation strong, and it facilitated uninterrupted churning. The lord infused and instilled incredible energy and vigour in Vasuki so the process did not suffer but amazingly, in these serious efforts, Vasuki sustained no injuries.  To visualize mysterious act of the great lord was difficult. The lord continued to enhance the capacity and power of the king of snakes and improved the strength of gods.

After intense churning, Kamadhenu, the divine cow appeared as a gift out of the turmoil-engulfed ocean whereas churning continued with the joint efforts of gods and demons. After sometime, sacrificial material of yajna surfaced even as the provider of shelter cow stood calm.

Sage Parasara description of the event appeared astutely guarded. 

He told, “O monks, as the divine cow emerged out of the ocean of milk, the gods and the daityas were extremely delighted to see a miracle. They looked fixedly at the cow capable of fulfilling desires.  They began to say and ask from one another ‘what is this…what is this?” as surprise stirred.

The question continued to raise doubts and hopes.

~*~

Afterward, as the worries pestered the gods and the demons, a goddess -Varuni appeared who wandered frantically before the siddhas. The churning began again and to the astonishment of everyone Kalpa Tree emerged, which filled the three worlds with divine aroma and gave extreme pleasure and joy to beautiful women. Nectar did not yet come out. Swift and powerful churning continued. Later on, apasaras – the celestial women of fantastic beauty, fascinating and generous in figure and qualities appeared. After the nymphs, moon emerged and astonished all. The churning continued, and later, to bless all lord Mahadeva appeared before the daityas and the gods as a celestial souvenir.  When poison surfaced, the great nagas drank it. Later, attired in white clothes, lord Dhanvantri, a dazzling figure with a huge vessel of nectar in hands stood before them.

          All the sages, the gods and the demons- the daityas looked very happy and delighted at the fulfillment of a great objective when they saw lord Dhanvantri with a container of nectar. 

Immediately after the lord, immensely radiant and brilliant goddess Laksmi came out of the ocean with a lotus flower in hand. All the sages were happy and began to sing hymns of glory and praise in cheering spirits before the beautiful goddess.  Visvasu and gandharavas began the celestial songs, and at the same time, charming Dhritachi and other celestial women started a divine dance. Holy Ganges appeared and flowed as the sacred and celestial elderly souls helped the goddess with golden bowls kamandals -full of water to take holy bath and thus, the divine beings facilitated the sacred bath of the great goddess.

The sacred ocean of milk also appeared and handed over a rosary of full blossoming lotus flowers and the great artisan Visvakarma bejeweled each part of body of holy goddess with several ornaments. Thus, the goddess, the consort of lord Vishnu, took bath with the angelic water of Ganges and many rivers, dressed up in beautiful divine clothes adorned with celestial ornaments, came out and then, looked intimately at the gods and the goddesses, moved to sit at the holy seat situated in the breast of lord Vishnu.

~*~

Interestingly, one learns about the blessings of goddess Laksmi on lord Indra and one knows about the story of Laksmi’s birth.

Goddess Laksmi sanctified the gods with divine darshana, and thereafter, ensconced comfortably in the heart of beloved consort lord Vishnu. The scenario filled gods with feelings of ecstasy. The demons -daityas did not enjoy glimpses of Laksmi walking elegantly to the divine seat. They felt jealous and enraged, as the goddess did not give proper darshana, and so, negative feelings, languor and apathy irritated demons.

Therefore, the opponents of Vishnu like Viprichiti and other daityas were quite disturbed and exasperated. An indifferent and casual attitude of Laksmi infuriated the mighty daityas, and therefore, they snatched the container of holy nectar from Dhanvantri. In fact, lord Vishnu disguised as the most beautiful woman cast a magic spell on the daityas and as he spread of maya - the delusory potency, he snatched kamadalu of nectar from the daityas.

An appropriate divinely offered opportunity arrived to bless the gods. Lord Indra and other gods drank nectar and deprived the daityas of the agreed share as settled before the churning of ocean. The daityas were very angry and so, they picked up weapons, attacked the army of gods and in a very hasty resolve, committed a blunder. They perhaps ignored the truth and fact that the gods were immortal after they had taken nectar, and thus, when a fierce war broke out, the gods easily killed and defeated the powerful army of daityas, who lost many lives in a dreadful war. Now, it was a question of life. The army of daityas ran for protection of life and some of them ran away to the underground land - patala loka. After conquering the mighty demons, the gods appeared before lord Vishnu generally adorned with conch, discus and mace, paid respects and began to govern heavenly lands as they used to do earlier.

~*~

Now, the movement of the three worlds turned back to the original status, for nobody strong enough lived to disturb the equilibrium. Therefore, under the influence of brilliance and power of time, the sun god, the planets and the stars took the route as the great Power had assigned. The lord of fire emitted divine illumination and from that time onward, all created beings were solemnly inclined toward life of dharma. All the three worlds were now happy and prosperous, and the victory over demons adorned lord Indra with the original magnificence and slender, and thus, he regained lost status. Later on, lord Indra went to heaven, occupied the kingdom of gods praised movingly goddess Laksmi with divine lotus flower in hand and sang hymns of glory to please the holy goddess, for she had blessed the gods with victory.

Now, lord Indra got back original glory and grandeur and so, greatly delighted he felt obliged to the celestial souls, who had rescued him from an imminent ignominy. In euphoric moments, he said, “I salute you O holy goddess, who is the mother of three worlds with lotus like eyes and is always seated in heart of lord Vishnu. I offer deep salutation to goddess Laksmi again whose living place is lotus that adorns her hands. She loves lotus flowers and her eyes appear like a bunch of holy lotus flowers. I bow before the holy goddess.  O goddess, you are siddhi incarnate. You are swadha, swaha, sudha, and you sanctify the three lokas -the three worlds. You are sandhya, the evening and the evening prayer and you are the night, the morning, vibhuti, medha, shradha and the holy Sarswati, the holy wisdom.”

Lord Indra generously praised the virtues of goddess Laksmi.   After a pause, he said, “O goddess, you are an embodiment of knowledge of yajna, karma kanda, mahavidya or upasana -meditation and tapa and the secret knowledge –the treasure of illusory and delusory potency one can never comprehend easily.  You are the image of the knowledge of soul and bestow fruit of moksa.”

Lord Indra finds in goddess Laksmi the fortune of the obvious and the secret knowledge. Nothing is unknown and one finds nothing not known to goddess. Every particle of knowledge springs forth from the goddess he says. In anger and calmness, she holds the world and no other woman in the three worlds can have the benign shelter of Vishnu.

“Without you O goddess, the three worlds look almost devastated and in truth, you give life to the worlds again.” He praised in eloquent words.

“O goddess, living beings get women, sons, homes, wealth, prosperity and benevolent people because of the generous glances you spread around.” Grace and divine glances of the goddess bestow healthy body, luxuries and material comforts on men, and the skill to wipe out the enemy the lord tells.  He calls goddess the mother of the worlds and tells that Sri Hari is the father. The entire cosmos breathes because of Vishnu and Laksmi.

Thereafter, he prayed before the goddess, “O goddess, the most sacred mother, kindly ensure that you do not discard indispensable fortunes and wealth, cowsheds, houses, joys and delight, bodies and women.”

In other words, he wants that she provides luxuries and pleasures of life and keeps the created beings evermore happy.

Later on, Indra told, “O goddess, if you leave hearts of people, then the unfortunate men are devoid of the power of virtues, truth, clean conduct and graciousness.”

Generous nature of the goddess provides qualities of sattva -truth and righteousness, wealth and various luxuries and even if a man is bereft of these qualities, the goddess endows if she showers mercy. Goddess’s grace and magnanimity are essential for making life meaningful but Indra also wants that a man requiring mercy, ought to be a pure man.

The goddess is the storehouse of wisdom, niceties of life and if generous and merciful, she lavishes might and glory. The holy goddess is the patron of generosity on human beings if she finds them true and dedicated. Evils do not enter the aura of goddess Indra exhorts and so indirectly wants all to lead a life of purity and grace, truth and devotion.

“O goddess, if people get acclaim and eulogies and are also full of virtues, they also possess wealth and enjoy prosperity because you are kind and benevolent.”

“If the goddess is angry with anyone, it is the end of a life of prosperity and health.”

 He spoke at last indulgently, “O goddess, you are a storehouse of virtues and grandeur, an embodiment of dharma, beauty of body and soul. Even Supreme Creator cannot fully describe your nature and virtuous qualities. Where do I stand? O lotus eyed goddess, please be happy and kindly bless with a boon that you would never abandon me.” Thus, Indra bowed before the goddess, the consort of Vishnu.

Goddess Laksmi was immensely pleased with the hymns of glory, sublime and holy praise of lord Indra. She, after sometime, looked at the gods and then, said to Indra, “O lord of gods, Indra, I am very much happy with the tributes. Whatever appears most appropriate to you, you ask as a boon. I came to bless.”

Indra bowed in reverence and said, “O goddess, if you wish to bless and think that I am eligible to get a boon then, I implore you not to desert the three worlds. That is what I want. O daughter of the samundra-sambhave -the Ocean, you should never discard a devotee, who sings hymns of glory and praises, and it is the second boon that I beseech.” Extremely polite and humble Indra deeply enchanted the goddess of plenty and grace.

She blessed Indra and said, “O the greatest among the gods Indra, I shall never abandon the three worlds -Trilokas. Greatly pleased with expressions of tributes I bless you. O lord Indra, I shall forever bless people and spray blissful glances, who sing hymns of glory devotedly.”

In ancient times, goddess Laksmi was immensely pleased with the devotion, hymns and words of praise of lord Indra and after fully satisfied, she blessed with the boons he so earnestly desired.

Goddess Laksmi related an interesting history of birth. Earlier, she was born to Khyati through sage Bhrigu, and thus, was daughter of a sage, who put to test the greatness and might of Trinity. Ages after, during the time of churning of milk of ocean in which the gods and the daityas struggled to procure nectar, she appeared on the surface of Ocean. Therefore, whenever, lord Vishnu descends on earth in different incarnations, goddess Laksmi also takes birth to grant relief to the suffering. When Sri Hari was born as Aditya, she took birth as Padma from Padam, and later on, when he was born as Parusrama, she took birth as Prithvi.

Sage Prasara narrated the tale of Sri Hari and Laksmi, after the curse of sage Durvasa, the defeat of Indra and churning of the ocean and consequent victory of lord Indra …and Indra’s persuasive and endearing praise of Laksmi.

After a pause, he looks benignly at the gathering of monks and said, “O great souls, goddess Laksmi is eternal and omniscient. Later on, she took birth as Sita when Vishnu descended on earth as Rama in the house of Dasratha. She was Rukmani, the consort of Krishna. In all incarnations of lord Vishnu, she accompanied the lord and rendered divine assistance to the great lord in the realization of objectives.  In fact, the presence of Laksmi eradicates diseases and poverty, and thus, brings peace and harmony to homes where people worship the great goddess.

11-Oct-2025

More by:  P C K Prem

 https://www.boloji.com/articles/54969/legendary-muchukunda-of-ikaswaku-dynasty         

14 September 2025

 

                                        Legendary Muchukunda

                                     (The great king in the dynasty of Ikaswaku)

 

                                                          P C K PREM

 

A Page from Ancient Literature

 

 

Kalayavana -yavana is amazed and stunned when he witnesses a miracle. Krishna emerges out of Mathura and appears a scintillating and radiant phenomenon. Wonderstruck at the divine dazzle and sparkle, he pursues the lord hurriedly without notice. Yavana is intensely philosophical and chases the lord but fails to keep pace and lags behind. Earlier, Krishna is armoured and the next moment, he finds the lord without weapon and a wish for a duel with the lord arises in the mind. Krishna is not aware that someone is pursuing and wishes to have a fight. Yavana, despite swiftness and keenness to take hold of the lord, fails.

Yavana finds Krishna is not visible and therefore laments and feels embittered. He utters unpalatable and uncharitable words but fails to provoke the lord. Finally, he observes the lord entering a cave of a huge mountain.

Yavana enters cave in search of the lord and to his surprise, he finds a man sleeping inside unconscious of the world outside. Yavana is angry and infuriated. He is baffled and confused and thinks the sleeping man as Krishna. He thinks Krishna is teasing him. He knows not the ambiguous conduct of the lord that an unexpected revelation is sure to shock. He disturbs the sleep of a man. The man opens his eyes, looks terribly angry and the fiery eyes reduce Yavana to ashes.

The mystifying man of spiritual power is from the dynasty of Ikaswaku, a distinguished son of Mandhata. Later on, people know him as Muchukunda, a devotee of Brahma and a man of truth, an unconquerable king of vast prudence of that age. At that time, lord Indra faces a lethal threat from daityas, who are a superior power.

Gods of heavens deliberate for a long time and feel incapable of defeating the powerful daityas. Muchukunda offers to help gods and provides security and protection for an unspecified long period.

After ages, the gods are able to secure the service of Guha -Karteykeya, a son of lord Shiva. Now, the gods go to Muchukunda and express gratitude for the protection he ensured to gods. They also reveal the truth that ages have gone into oblivion and no one from his dynasty lives on earth.

The gods ask him to ask for a boon and blessing but do not assure of Kaivilaya Moksa -self-realization i.e. the true self, an area of control of lord Vishnu. Muchukunda listens to gods but does not say anything. After ages, he feels tired, terribly fatigued, and only wants to sleep, after tireless work of guarding the gods of heavens. One of the gods tells him if any stupid fellow disturbs him, the mere look will turn him into ashes.

At this moment, Krishna appears before Muchukunda and greatly enjoys ecstatic moments of a lifetime. He recognizes the lord and praises but wants to know the mystery. Lord tells him of the terror daityas create on earth, and therefore, to end the brutalities, he takes birth in the house of Vasudeva, a family of Yadu to get rid of the atrocious demons. Muchukunda is stunned and after serious reflections on life, existence, tapa and penance, devotion- bhakti and moksa, he speaks of the glories of the lord but is disinclined to live a life of three Gunas and so, seeks refuge in the Supreme Person, the Pure Consciousness. The lord is delighted at the devotion and so blesses him, “You will attain me, the Absolute, O Muchukunda.

Sri Suka continued.

 

 

The mystical time of joys abundant appeared infinite and inexhaustible. When Krishna emerged from the main gate of the city of Mathura, Kalayavana -Yavana was startled to witness a wonderful phenomenon. He appeared as if a rising moon, most dazzling and charming to the eyes. Endowed with four massive long arms, he was dark brown in appearance, gracefully and enchantingly attired in yellow silk with a white curl of hair around the neck, and the neck appeared brilliantly gem-adorned.

Yavana was lost in the glory and dazzle of the Supreme lord steadily coming out of the city of Mathura. He observed the lord minutely, looked into the eyes and face, and felt enchanted as the divine expressions appeared as fresh blossoming lotuses. He was thrilled as he looked at the ever beautiful and splendid cheeks while the divine smiles adorned with brilliant alligator-shaped earrings. The celestial sage had already described the divine beauty and gorgeous figure of Krishna.

Yavana was now, profoundly reflective. He thought long over the entire situation. Yavana followed him for a long time with the intent to overtake. However, he found it quite difficult to keep pace with the Supreme Lord. He observed the son of Vasudeva Krishna, who was fully armoured and the weapons dazzled the eyes. Next moment, the lord walked on foot he saw and was amazed to see him without weapons. He deliberated again and resolved to challenge him but did not reveal the purpose. Because the lord was unarmed, it would look apt if he had a fight he thought. He prepared himself for a duel with a defenseless person without a proper chariot or horse and pursued Krishna with the objective to outdistance Krishna while he walked with quick steps.

He was ready for an encounter with the lord, who was without weapons. He deliberated for some time as he swiftly chased lord Krishna, and resolved again and wanted genuinely an equal fight without prejudice or discrimination. Now, he was at the back of the lord. However, Krishna never looked back that someone was pursuing him with the objective to kill or defeat. Yavana failed to understand the mysterious play of the Supreme Person.

                                                ****

Great Lord appeared beyond reach. Possibly, the lord was beyond reach even for those, who were masters of yoga. Yavana did not understand Maya -delusory potency of the Supreme Lord. However, the lord did not indulge in deceptive acts or waywardness and so was quite simple and unassuming in conduct Yavana thought. The Knower of minds of all, the Supreme Spirit, the Lord of lords, Sri Krishna without inkling, tempted and lured the lord of Yavanas and took him far away to a great mountain cave. Unconsciously, he moved promptly to the door of a huge cave but he never allowed a feeling in the mind of Yavana to creep in that he had walked very fast. Every time, Yavana thought to catch hold of Krishna, the lord appeared within grip but still he slipped away and so Yavana eager for a combat with the great lord, failed to minimize the distance.

He continuously pursued Krishna but was unable to reach and hold him. Quite desperate he was when he told, “O Yadu, it is not good for you. You are born in the great dynasty of Yadus, and to run away without even a meet-up, is quite wrong.”

He had failed to keep pace with the lord as evil lurking in the mind fuelled his ego and obsession to defeat the lord. On the other hand, the mysterious destiny not only guided him to the imminent collapse but also waited and prepared the background for the ultimate fall. Therefore, it prevented him from touching the sacred feet of the lord. He also failed to provoke the lord even as he uttered offensive and unpalatable words.

In spite of provocations and objections he raised, Yavana could not get at Krishna. Soon, the lord approached the opening of a mountain, entered a cave while Yavana followed the lord stealthily. He felt worn out but condemned and criticized, and at the same time, tried to measure the immensity of the power of the lord within. In the meantime, he continued the vigorous chase. When Yavana entered, he saw a different man sleeping inside the cave. An astonished Yavana stood perplexed, still and silent. An inactive and snoozing man also raised curiosity and many questions raised heads within but he failed to find answers of the divine mystery. He was incapable of fathoming the hidden desires of the lord, and therefore, deliberated seriously.

Yavana thought and whispered, “Look at this. He brought me to such a place after treading a long distance as if he were unaware of anything. Now, he was asleep like an innocent man.”

Thus, mystery of a long chase was still incomprehensible to Yavana. Yavana thought deep, and was baffled. As if he were a foolish man, he thought that it was Krishna, who slept inside the cave after a long run. Without restraint, he struck him with the foot. He did not know that a revelation of a great secret awaited him. Like an impudent and confused man, he disturbed a man, who was in deep sleep and eagerly awaited the reaction.

                                                   ****

The unknown man in deep sleep, felt a bit agitated and slowly messaged his eyes and face, and after a few moments, opened eyes. He looked around and saw Yavana, who stood nearby and appeared stubborn and impudent. He was obviously quiet but within exasperation and anger distressed. He got up, observed the situation and appeared annoyed, and therefore, when he looked at Yavana, he emitted terrific fire and reduced Yavana to ashes.

The strange and mysterious man was a man of immense spiritual prowess. He was born in the dynasty of Ikaswaku, and was a distinguished and well-known son of Mandhata. Later on, the people knew him as Muchukunda. He was devoted to Brahma in letter and spirit, was a man of truth, and was true to the promises he made. He was an invincible king of understanding and judiciousness.

Once, lord Indra scared of the demons desperately tried to seek protection from different quarters. Lord Indra found it difficult to save life and the kingdom, therefore, ran about frantically to escape from the clutches of the mighty daityas. He covered nearly all the regions and directions but failed to find appropriate shelter. However, the fierce demons chased him fully equipped with lethal and mystical weapons. Lord Indra appeared before king Muchukunda and beseeched for a refuge.

He wanted protection for the gods of heavens terribly afraid of the demons. Bighearted king Muchukunda, known for firmness of word uttered, might and integrity, agreed to grant security to the gods for a long time. It was a long time and none could measure it but the mighty Muchukunda protected the gods of heavens. Celestial beings did not know the time limit but in terms of celestial years, it was indefinite.

                                                 ****

After a long time, the gods of heavens appeared before Guha -Karteykeya, the younger son of lord Shiva -the destroyer and requested him to protect the gods. Karteykeya agreed to become the guardian of heavens and the general of the army of gods. The gods felt assured and satisfied.

            All gods went to king Muchukunda and said, “O king, you made efforts to protect us from the demons, and therefore, we lived happily. You served the gods of heaven for many ages. During a long period, you faced challenges and suffered. Now, you may kindly take rest. O, crown of the brave, you left your kingdom on earth -a mortal plane where you nearly eliminated all enemies. You also left wealth and pleasures of life for the protection of gods. Now, it is more than a lifetime of many ages. It appears many ages have rolled on during the long unmeasured time. Now, the sons, the queens, the relatives, the friends, the learned men of the court, the ministers and the people of your time and age have died and none lives now. All are lost in the womb of death.”

The divine souls compassionately looked at the king as if blessing the mighty soul in mortal frame.

After a moment, the lord of gods said gently, “O king, the Time-Spirit is mightier than the mighty. It is immortal. It is the Almighty and the eternal lord. O wise king, a herdsman drives away animals to the final destination at the end of day. Similarly, the Almighty sweeps away created beings -the animate or the inanimate to their ultimate destiny as if he were playing. O king, we pray for you. God bless you. You may ask anything other than Kaivilaya Moksa - It is stage in life when human beings attain enlightenment. The divine illumination leads to Moksa -salvation in a lifetime with cessation of Karmas because only the Imperishable lord Vishnu, the sole authority grants deliverance to the created beings, the ultimate self-realization.”

King Muchukunda listened to the gods attentively. He was tired after a long time of arduous work of protection and security of gods.

            He went around the gods, prayed, worshipped, and then said to gods, “I am fatigued. I want to sleep.” A wish none could refuse to gift.

The gods granted the boon and blessed. He returned and entered a mountain-cave and went to sleep. However, before taking leave of gods, one god told him, “O noble king, if some unintelligent or unwise man disturbs you during sleep, you will reduce the foolish man to ashes the moment you will open eyes and look at him.”

That was how the great man of tapa Muchukunda reduced Yavana to ashes, for Yavana disturbed deep sleep of a person, who had gained enormous power through the virtue of dedication and service to the gods of heavens. He was the only man from the mortal world, the great earth, capable of granting protection to immortal gods whose life was in danger because of the ferocious daityas’s continuous threat, chase and dreadful infliction of injuries on gods in terms of loss of life, land and property. When Yavana turned to ashes, Krishna appeared before the great saintly king Muchukunda and delighted him with the sacred darshana -glimpses.

 

                                          ****

Beholding the lord attired in yellow silk as usual, was like a dark brown cloud and bore mark of a white thread on His sacred breast, and irradiated an eternal divine glow. Endowed with four arms, splendidly decorated with sylvan flowers, he wore a smiling and lovely, cheerful and heavenly countenance. A divinity incarnate lord stood before Muchukunda. Thus, the lord captivated a human being and enlivened him with loving smiles and endearing glances. He felt extremely blessed and so for some time, stood befuddled and thunderstruck, and therefore, for a long time, Muchukunda immensely enjoyed ecstatic moments of a lifetime.

A divine luster overwhelmed king Muchukund. After a short pause, he said humbly, “Who are you? O divine man, tell me. You are radiant, and dazzle eyes. Why do you wander in this thorny forest with lotus-like tender feet? What is the objective of arriving at this particular cave? Are you the sun god or the moon god or lord Indra -the lord of gods of paradise and the guardian of heavens and various other specific spheres? Are you the Effulgence (an incarnate of the Effulgent)? Kindly enlighten me O lord.”

He was desperate to find a cogent answer to the inquisitiveness taking birth. After a few moments, he spoke again, “I consider you no other than lord Vishnu, the Supreme Person out of the three most revered gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer respectively. You appear to be the most glittering and you…

You dispel darkness of the cave as well as the darkness of ignorance that engulfs a mind. You are the effulgence incarnate. O jewel among the men, if it pleases you, tell me about your birth and pedigree, karmas or family name. If you wish to know about me then I may tell you I am a Ksatriya from the family of Ikaswaku, and one of the sons of king Mandhata.”

He stopped for a moment and then said, “I am Muchukunda.”

He was silent, thought for a while and resumed, “I was extremely exhausted and weary because I was not only vigilant and but also protected and guarded the sacred abodes – the heavens of the gods and goddesses for many ages without respite or sleep. I cannot really measure the time and age. O great Soul, I granted protection to the gods of heavens against the atrocious and deadly invasion of the demons on noble gods. I did not sleep for ages. When Kartekeya, a son of lord Shiva became the guardian and General of the Army of the gods, I was relieved of the onerous responsibility. Later on, I entered the cave and slept. Some unknown person disturbed me only a few moments ago and a gaze of angry eyes reduced the stupid man to ashes. Because of the sins, he met an unfortunate end. Afterward, I noticed you.”

A persistent probing continued and then, after a long pause, the glorious lord told, “No one can count his descendants, exploits and appellations.”

He, the eternal, now disclosed the truth about the king’s unfathomable past, present and future. No one could reach last part of His descendants and doings. The lord told of many incarnations, divine powers and the plans of creation, preservation and destruction.

At last, He said to the monarch, “Hear from me as I tell. Long ago, prayers to Brahma, the great Creator bore fruit. For the vindication of virtues and dharma of life and existence and for finding a solution to the menace of demons was essential.

The powerful demons were proving a threat to the gods and the goddesses in all the directions and regions. The daityas were making lives of human beings and the created beings miserable and swiftly converting the great earth into hell, and therefore, I decided to appear in the house of Vasudeva from Yadu dynasty to get rid of the atrocious demons.”

“Earlier, people gave me different names.” The Effulgent Being revealed the truth.

He told about the various demons and the ultimate death they met. He talked of Yavana, whom the pious king had just reduced to ashes. Again, he revealed many secrets of creation to the saintly king. After revealing the celestial plan of the truth of life and existence of the created beings, the Supreme Lord asked him to have a boon and blessings.

At this moment, the king recalled words of sage Garga, who had told that the Supreme would take birth in the family of Yadus. That truth stood materialized before him. For, the Effulgent was no one else but the Supreme God he realized.

                                           ****

 

A great truth stood revealed to the king that delighted and he learnt that the pleasures of transitory life are unreal and short-lived.

“The eternal, the great lord’ is the embodiment of happiness and bliss. After talking about enjoyment, contentment, abundance of wealth whether material or physical on earth, a man suffers notwithstanding devotion and dedication because all material joys are ephemeral.” He told.

Therefore, after offering a critical analysis of life and consequent sufferings, king Muchukunda said, “O lord, what is hidden from you. I do not wish to covet any boon other than an everlasting service at your sacred feet. A supreme blessing is worth converting into truth of life, an ecstasy divine. In the mortal world, men own nothing even if they assert they possess wealth, power and pleasures.

 

Even nursing possessive instincts is a waste…therefore, O lord I reject blessings and pleasures associated with the qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas such as religious virtues or merits, worldly pleasures, prosperity and wealth, and the annihilation of enemies. Therefore, I seek refuge in you, the Supreme Person, a Pure Consciousness free from the taint of Maya - deluding potency and, who is above the three Gunas (modes of Prakriti).”

The king emitted a divine glow as the truth of the Supreme Spirit enveloped when he said, “You bestow and bless supreme knowledge, O Supreme Lord…. and while a man is at your lotus feet, bless him O lord, so that he is divorced from the worldly fear and grief. O Supreme Spirit, I pray, kindly protect, distressed as I am.”

Thus, a great king attained salvation. He had a rich life of truth and dharma even as he lived a mortal existence.

 Finally, the great lord said, “O king, with your mind set on me, you should wander around the whole world in extreme delight and joy and be free from any worry or anxiety. Your devotion would continue uninterrupted forever, for divine blessings would infuse you with the eternal glow. As a Ksatriya, you protected not only the people, the gods and the goddesses but you were also engaged in the killing and hunting.

  Therefore, you look upon me as an asylum and with a concentrated mind, should get rid of aberrant propensities. I tell you again that you should take recourse to asceticism and tapa, devotion and dedication, and then, you would take birth as a Brahmin, the foremost of the twice born, and the most beloved of all the created beings in next incarnation. So you will attain me, the Absolute.”

Muchukunda thus, became a realised soul, and merged with the Supreme Spirit. There is nothing more sacred and eternal than the holy name of the great lord. Worldly wealth and prosperity are transitory and illusory, and drive a man to the web of modes of Prakriti, and therefore, a man becomes a slave to three Gunas, which do not lead him to salvation.

While the great king performed earthly duties with devotion and dedication, he earnestly deliberated on the sanctified feet of the Supreme Lord. Only at the feet of the great god, a man gets deliverance. If it happens in contemporary times, it would lead man to freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth if only he surrenders with faith and devotion at the feet of the great lord.

Devotion and dedication toward an objective guides a man to success and glory.

 

                                   

 

https://www.boloji.com/articles/54983/origin-of-kurus-dynasty          September 21, 2025

 

 

Origin of Kuru's Dynasty

by P C K Prem

A Page from Ancient Literature

Tapti, the daughter of Sun God and King Samvarana

‘Sanctity and might’ of Samvarana is legendary. The ancient tale speaks of a great dynasty. Goddess as Katyani, Durga, Ambika and Sarswati took birth for the wellbeing of created beings and killed asura Sambha at a later stage. Birth of goddess carries an interesting backdrop. Ages back, lord Sankara married holy daughter of Himvana, Uma. Out of Uma’s womb, goddess Kaushiki took birth. The will of Supreme lord wished it. Kaushiki enjoyed sanctified force and energy of created beings of diverse nature as she took birth at the most auspicious moment. She went to Vindhya to undergo tapasya. At the mountain, a great battle ensued between Kaushiki and mighty demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. After a violent battle, Kaushiki eliminated dreadful demons.

Astonishing revelations…in a yajna of Daksa, Sati –Parvati feels humiliated and commits immolation that ultimately intensifies the antagonism of Shiva

Now, questions about Daksa’s daughter Kaushiki and demons -Sumbha and Nisumbha arise because ‘origin and birth’ makes interesting revelations.

Ages back, goddess Sati, a daughter of Daksa abandoned mortal frame and this singular act, distressed lord Rudra. He was shelter less and as a widower, he roamed about in agony and anguish. He was deeply repentant of his conduct that drove Sati to commit immolation. Rudra adhered to principles of celibacy -brahmcharya and wailed, bemoaned and wandered about in various regions of the world. Later on, Rudra also chief of the forces of gods, decided to undergo tapa and penance, who years back subdued, crushed and destroyed ego, arrogance and self-importance of daityas whenever required.

Now, he relinquished image of Rudra, transformed into the figure of lord Shiva. Engaged in tapa and meditation, he abandoned status of leader of the forces of gods forever, and as such, the gods of heavens did not have any army general.

Daitya Mahishasura, learnt about vulnerable statues of gods, and therefore, invaded the triple world and after a fierce war, threw out the gods, the goddesses and the celestial beings from heavens, and thus, extended unchallenged authority and put his under control all the worlds.

Thus, in ancient time, the created beings witnessed unique event when mighty people and the gods lived and confronted one another.

It is not an encouraging development for gods, who feel let down…and therefore, go to Sri Hari, and seek shelter in the grave crisis of survival…prayers of gods before Maina

Whenever daityas -demons or danavas or asuras defeated and humiliated gods and celestial beings, gods sought refuge at the feet of Sri Hari -the lord of gods, the Supreme lord of White Island. It was time for the gods to seek refuge again.

The Supreme lord envisaged agony of gods and therefore, smiled and said, “I know that a vicious spirited Mahishasura defeated you, and therefore, you came to seek guidance. O gods, I tell you a little that benefits you. If you listen to guardedly and conscientiously, you will gain definite victory over daityas.”

All the gods stood silent and listened to the words of wisdom and guidance. After a pause, lord Vishnu said, “O gods, Agniswata is a prominent pitra. He has a daughter Maina. O assembly of gods, you meditate on Maina with devotion and shradha on the occasion of amavasya and follow principles of prayer and worship, and then, request the holy woman to become wife of Himalaya.”

After a short while, he resumed, “After sometime, out of Maina’s womb, a captivating and beautiful daughter will take birth through Himalaya, who had sacrificed her life in the previous birth after she had got angry with Daksa because Daksa had not invited Shiva and Sati to the great yajna, which later became a lethal cause of enmity. With the blessings of the lord and natural radiance, Maina will give birth to a son, who would later, destroy daityas, Mahishasura and the entire army.”

He said looked around and then said again, “O gods, therefore, you go to Kurukshetra, the most precious, sacred and generous place where another tirtha Prithadaka is situated. At Prithadaka, you chant the name of pitra Agniswatas and worship. If you really wish defeat of daityas, you forget everything else, go to Prithadaka on Amavasya, and complete the sacred work as I told. Only devotion and bhakti help.”

Supreme lord counseled in simple words. Gods were curious to know about tirtha and sacred places, and therefore, asked, “O lord, please tell about the origin of Kurukshetra tirtha and tirtha at Prithadaka. Tell about the most apt time of pray and worship when one should go and pray before pitras - divine and dead souls, after one makes proper efforts?” Supreme lord did not wish to disillusion the gods in hours of crisis and was determined to annihilate evil and demoniac forces.

Vishnu visits past and reveals truths as a divine beauty captivates Samavarana…he enjoys glimpses of a godly daughter when he goes to the ashrama of sage Vasistha

Vishnu realized genuine curiosity of gods, thought deeply and said, “In the beginning of Satya Yuga -the Age of Truth, a great King Riks of Soma’s dynasty governed a vast country. He had a great son, a man of dharma Samavarana. Riks’s son Samavarana was still a child when the king praised him eloquently. Later on, the king coroneted prince Samavarana after holding consultations with the learned men of statecraft, confirmed him as the king. Samavarana was a devotee, and therefore, concentrated at my feet of the Supreme with feeling of dedication and surrender. He was a great bhakta, O gods. A son of Varuna, Vasistha was the purohit -the royal priest. Vasistha imparted knowledge of the Vedas, Upvedas and various scriptures.”

Vishnu said, “O gods, once it was a holiday. Samavarana performed essential kingly duties and obligations, and then, went to the ashrama of sage Vasistha -a storehouse of tapa, to pay obeisance at sage’s feet. He did not desire it deliberately but it was a sheer chance. Before he arrived at the hermitage, Samavarana frantically went for a chase in the forest but he did not get any prey. It disturbed the prince. He continued to wander in the forest in pursuit of a suitable kill, and after intense hunt entered a deserted forest of Vaibhraj. Excitement filled the young prince when he beheld the magic beauty of the forest, and consequently, he enjoyed its natural beauty -an embodiment of divine qualities.

Flowers of different seasons grew in the ashrama throughout the year and emitted fascinating fragrance. Lonely forest of divine virtues captivated but he was not satisfied. Out of curiosity and inquisitiveness, he went around and beheld the beauty of a strange forest in various directions. Amazing forest was full of white, red, yellow and blue lotus, kumud and divine excitement and thrills filled. He continued to enjoy its abundant loveliness and charisma.”

Vishnu said again, “O gods, many apasaras and daughters of gods used to visit the forest for joy and delight. Nymphs and daughters of gods felt delight at the charm and beauty of forest, and at the divine moment, the young king saw a good-looking girl.”

“Passion and love excited the prince as he looked at the divine girl…”

Vishnu was silent. After a moment, he resumed, “As the prince was deeply beset with the arrows of love and infatuation of Kamadeva, the lord of love, she also looked intensely at Prince Samavarana. Beauty and vigour of prince captivated and enthralled, and intensity of passions overwhelmed her. Terrible assaults of love and affection drove the young prince and the beautiful girl to a state of unconsciousness. Very soon, they were in deep love with each other. The king rode a horse at that time and when he saw a divine beauty, he slipped from the saddle and fell on the ground.”

“Prince’s mental frame and physique was wretched and nobody around looked at a lifeless king, a young prince. Gentle and kindly gandharavas, who enjoyed powers to transform ‘the selves’ into any figure and shape as desired, arrived in the forest, and therefore, saintly gandharavas took care of Samavarana and sprinkled water on the face. Soon, the prince regained consciousness and got up. At that time, apasaras the beautiful celestial beauties, also arrived and healed the young man -a love-smitten king with loving words. After sometime, they requested the prince to return and so, presented him to King Riks.”

A sense of enormous charity exhibited kindness of gandharava and nymphs.

Samavarana recovers and again goes out of the capital, Tapti expresses love for the prince…later, sage Vasistha visits the aura of Surya and requests for the hand of his daughter Tapti for prince Samavarana

Samavarana felt healthier now, without loss of time, mounted a swift horse and went to another famous city Paidan like a god, who easily goes very happily as desired to mountaintop of Meru. Samavarana noticed a daughter of Sun god Tapti in the forest of a mountain and Tapti’s incredible beauty charmed. He was unable to eat anything on that day and at night. Sleep escaped and so he was disturbed. Magic face of Tapti worried. Yogi Vasistha knew everything, and through eyes of yoga, knew everything visible and invisible. He was able to read disquieting thoughts of anyone. A man of supreme tapa Vasistha observed prince in agony and distress, whom feelings of love for the divine girl troubled deeply and so, he flew up in the sky. Situating in the middle of the sky, he entered the area and aura of Surya, and thereafter, cherished darshana of the lord of dazzling rays Surya dev -the great Sun god.

When lord Surya saw a great brahmin sage Vasistha, he bowed and saluted. Sage responded, offered respects to Sun god, climbed, and then sat on the chariot of Sun god. As he sat beside Surya, sage Vasistha’s hair shone brilliantly like blazing flames. It added beauty and brilliance to the divine powers of sage Vasistha.

Vishnu continued, “O gods, after greeting a guest sage in a royal way, Surya dev inquired about the purpose of arrival.”

After a thought, sage Vasistha said to Surya dev, “O extremely radiant lord of gods, I came to ask for the hand of Tapti for the son of Riks, king Samavarana. Please give Tapti in marriage. They would make an ideal couple of divine attributes.”

“O gods…” Vishnu said again, “After he heard from the mouth of sage Vasistha, Surya dev came home and offered the hand of daughter Tapti and so he marries off Tapti to prince Samavarana without further questions.

After lord Surya consented, sage Vasistha returned to the ashrama with Tapti. Tapti daughter of Surya arrived at the hermitage. She kept in mind Riks’s son Samavarana, and with folded hands, she said deferentially to sage Vasistha, “O holy man, when I wandered in the forest of divine beauty and charm, I saw a graceful, handsome and brave man. At that time, I enjoyed and played with maidservants, apasaras and daughters of gods. When I looked at the man closely, I realized that he was prince of a kingdom. Grand attributes of prince adorned him as I found signs of disc, mace and sword engraved on man’s feet, whose arms and legs appeared like a striking trunk of an elephant.”

She spoke eloquently of Samavarana as the sage looked on at Tapti. She said further, “O holy man, the waist of the prince is like the waist of a lion. Three great powers give strength to him. The central portion of body is quite thin and slim and neck looks like a conch. Arms are solid, strong and long. Signs of lotus flower on kartal - back of palms beautify. The forehead is like a crest. Prince’s hair is black and curly, and ears look fleshy. Nose is solid and strong and teeth look white.” She was enamoured of prince.

She described physique of prince quite warmly and eulogies confirmed her love for the prince.

Prince is a man of divine attributes Tapati tells…Tapti reveals inner feelings and tells that it is difficult for her to think of any other man…only prince Samavarana can be an ideal husband

Eloquence in portrayal of beauty and grandeur of prince captivated and after a few moments, she was silent. After a pause, she again spoke of prince’s attractive and impressive forehead, broad shoulders, cheeks, waist, breast, arms and legs. She spoke of solidity and strength of different limbs of prince. She talked about the naval of handsome man and divine features of prince’s physique in totality. She spoke of the enchanting figure of prince, who attracted so much. She talked about the arms and undkosha, and the three parts that looked long and strong.

She further told the holy man that the eyes, the lips, the hands and the feet were beautiful, and the red colour of nails appeared fascinating. Thus, charming Tapti gave in-depth sketch of each limb and organ of Samavarana. She spoke excitedly about the prince’s hair, the eyebrows, barauni, the hair of eyes and various parts of eyes, the white teeth and the mouth. Tapti sense of evaluation was genuine and marvelous. She was deeply absorbed in unfolding the beauty and charm of the prince and so, forgot everything else as sage Vasistha listened to Tapti with care, love and affection.

At last, she said, “O lord of sages, I deeply deliberated over the issue and therefore, I have already accepted the prince from the earth as husband. O great sage, please forgive. Prince is a man of virtues, tapa and penance and perfectly meets requirements of an ideal man. I want him as husband. He rightly fits into the ideals of a perfect man and virtuous husband. Great saints opined that a girl, who desires a particular man, should not see any other. I cannot dream of any other man as husband.”

Tapti made inner desires and intentions clear. That she was already in love with Samavarana was no secret. She told Vasistha that if he nursed any other desire, he must not coerce her into a relationship she would not like to establish. However, the holy man affectionately smiled, for he knew the destiny of the prince and the writ of Supreme Lord.

Wise and straightforward talk of Tapti impresses Vasistha…Samavarana arrives

Sage Vasistha listened to Tapti patiently and after she finished, he was quiet for some time and was in deep meditation as if. He knew that the beauty and grandeur of prince had mesmerized the divine beauty. Therefore, he said cheerfully, “O dear daughter, the prince you met earlier and enjoyed blissful darshana and who you desire as a husband and about whom you spoke so fervently now, he is prince Samavarana, a son of King Riks.”

After a pause, he said happily, “O Tapti, he will come to the ashrama today.”

Later on, Samavarana arrived at the hermitage of sage Vasistha. He looked at sage Vasistha, reverently bowed, saluted and sat majestically on an offered grand seat and then, looked at Tapti. She was a beautiful girl of large eyes blooming like lotus flowers. Prince thought and looked at the beautiful girl. Possibly, he recalled, he had seen Tapti somewhere earlier. He could not resist inner disturbing temptation, and therefore, asked, “O great sage, who is the beautiful woman?”

Sage Vasistha smiled and said softly, “O King, she is Tapti, a daughter of Surya. I visited Surya and begged her for you only. Surya was generous and offered Tapti to me so that I get her married to you. Therefore, O great king, get up, carry out religious ceremonies well and accept Tapti as spouse.”

Prince Samavarana heard sage Vasistha - a son of Varuna and appeared very happy and indebted. He married Tapti, returned to the capital and thus, the royal couple lived happily. He was like lord Indra for Tapti. Afterward, the young prince governed the empire for a long time with authority of truth, dharma, love, charity and justice. Blessings of the divine on a sanctified and grand relationship between a celestial beauty and earthly might brought peace, harmony and prosperity to the kingdom.

20-Sep-2025

                                                   ****