Tuesday 4 February 2014

Sabha Parvam !! Kunthi’s return to Hasthinapur !!

 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






The great epic Mahabharath was composed by Maharishi Veda Vyasa/Krishna Dwaipayana, son of Sage Parasara and Sathyavati, a woman from fishermen clan.  Mahabharath describes the legend of Bharatha Dynasty.     It was written in 18 Parva such as Adhi Parva, Sabha Parva, Vana Parva, Virada Parva, Udhyoga Parva, Bhishma Parva, Drona Parva, Karna Parva, Shalya Parva, Soupthika Parva, Stri Parva, Shanthi Parva, Anushasana Parva, Ashwamedha Parva, Ashramavasika Parva, Musala Parva, Mahaprasthanika Parva and Swargarohana Parva and each Parva has divided into many Upaparva and has chapters in detail.    Adhi Parva depicts the life of King Dushyantha and his wife Shakunthala and their son Sarvadhamanan, who was famously known as Bharatha, a righteous ruler of Bharatha empire.

 
 

Lord Brahma created deities, Sages and Prajapathis.  It was the beginning of the growth of human race from the sixty daughters of Daksha Prajapathi.  Pururavass,  Yayathi, Puru,  Dushyantha,  Bharatha, Shanthanu were born in the family of Dithi, one of the daughters of Daksha Prajapathi. 

 
 

King Janamejaya, son of King Pareekshit conducted a grand Yagna to please serpent Gods.  There were a huge number of Rishis & Sages were present in the magnificent Yagna, Maharishi Veda Vyasa along with his disciple Rishi Vaishampayana and Sage Ugrasrava Sauti was also amongst them.   Rishi Vaishampayana narrated the stories of Kuru Dynasty to King Janamejaya at the time of Naga Yagna.  Later, this anecdote was described to the Sages and Rishis assembled in Naimisharanya by Sage Sauti, son of Sage Romaharshana/Lomaharshana, disciple of Maharishi Veda Vyasa.

 
 

Rishi Vaishampayana narrates the return of Kunthi with her five children to the Kingdom of Hasthinapur.  The great Rishis and holy men lived in the woodland conducted a congregation to discuss about the further proceedings after listening to the heartbreaking incident, the death of the righteous King Pandu.  They collectively decided that the blameless King Pandu ascended to heaven leaving a great task before them and it is their responsibility to safely entrust Kunthi and her children to the Kingdom of Hasthinapur.  Rishis and Sages proceeded to Hasthinapur with the residual of King Pandu and Madri, their five children and Kunthi in order to assign them in the custody of Bhishma Pithamaha and Drutharashtra.  It was indeed a tiresome journey for Kunthi and her children mentally as well as physically.  Finally, they arrived at the main entrance of the Palace of Hasthinapur and it was duly informed to King Drutharashtra and Bhishma Pithamaha.  The people of entire Hasthinapur gathered to witness the congregation of great Rishis and Sages.  It was the time of sunset, the people and their families were flown from different parts of Hasthinapur, huge number of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras were assembled to witness the event.  It was certainly a calm assembly of the people; the whole atmosphere was filled with holiness to receive their revered King Pandu’s children and his wife.  Shortly, Bhishma Pithamaha, son of King Shanthanu, Somadatta/Valhika, Drutharashtra, Vidura, Sathyavati, Princesses of Kasi, Gandhari, hundred sons of Drutharashtra followed by royal household appeared before them.  The priests of Hasthinapur received the Sages and Rishis with utmost reverence.  The elderly Rishi narrated the incidents happened in the woodland,  spoke highly about the virtuous of King Pandu who has adopted the Vanaprasthashrama with his two wives after abandoning all the worldly pleasures, lived a life of an ascetic.  These couples had five children of celestials due to the indispensable purpose of Almighty.  The elder one is Yudhishtira with the righteousness of Lord Dharmaraj,  Bhima with the mightiness of Lord Vayu, Arjun possessed benevolence and marvelous skill in Archery as Lord Indra and Nakula& Sahadeva born to Madri from Ashwini Kumaras.  These five children has possessed virtues and obtained vast knowledge in Veda Sastra that will provide greatest pleasure to all.  The blameless King Pandu left his mortal coil seventeen days before; his wife Madri sacrificed her life in the funeral pyre of Pandu.  The Rishis and Sages advised the enlightened members of the assembly to perform whatever rites remaining for the benefit of the departed soul and offered the residue of Pandu and Madri, instructed them to receive the children of Pandu and his wife with all honors.   Further, the initial rite of Pandu was performed in the woodland, the virtuous Pandu who was the powerful enthusiast and the pride of Kurus requires the performance of annual Sapindakaranam/Shradhha that would install him properly in the Pitru Loka.  The Rishis and holy men after the gracious lecture to Kurus, instantly disappeared from the very sight of the people.  The people of Hasthinapur amazed at this sight and returned to their homes.  

 
 


Jai Sriman Narayana !!