Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Adiparvamu - Anukramanika

Vyasa is like a vast Garden. In this garden Mahabharata is a Kalpa Vriksha( Wishing Tree). The stories are like branches, the meanings of Vedas are the shadows of the leaves, Dharmartha Kamamoksha (Principles of Dharma (Righteousness), Artha( Noble Goal), Kama ( Sensual Pleasure), Moksha( Salvation)) are flowers. The lovely songs appreciating Krishna and Arjuna are fruits. This Kalpa Vriksha provides haven for all kinds of people raning from Kids to Old people, Pandits to Ignorant, such is the greatness of this wonderful tree Mahabharata.

It is said that he completed the great epic in three years. And for publishing this great epic he sent Narada to Deva Loka ( The Land of Gods), Devala to PitruLoka ( The land of forefathers), Suka to Garuda , Gandharva, Yaksha and Rakshasa Loka, Sumantha to Naga Loka. To Publish in Nara Loka(in human society or on the planet earth) he sent Vaisampayana. Ugrasravana said that he overheard it when Vaisampayana was narrating it to Janamejaya.

Like there was the Devasura war during the end of Kritha Yuga, Rama Ravana war in Treta Yuga, there was a Kuru Pandava war at the end of Dwapara Yuga. Bhishma fought for ten days, Drona fought for five days, Karna two days, Selya half a day, Duryodhana for another half day. There was seven Akshoni Army for Pandavas and Kauravas has eleven Akshoni of Army. These eighteen Akshoni Army fought fiercely in Samanthaka Panchaka. These eighteen days the whole world was horrified in fear.

If one hears the great epic whole heartedly, then it is equivalent to listening to the four Vedas, the eighteen DharmaShastras, the eighteen Puranas and the secrets of Moksha Shastras. The Munis asked Ugrasravana to detail them with Mahabharata. They asked questions like “ What is Samathaka Panchaka? What is an Akshoni?

Ugrasravana continued “This is from the times of Thretha Yuga and Dwapara Yuga. Parasurama was angry on Kshatriyas ( The Kings). He invaded then and plundered their kingdoms twenty one times. He slew each and every Kshatriya that came to his sight with his saw. He created five ponds with the blood of Kings. He offered prayers to his forefathers with that blood. Seeing this his forefathers asked him to calm down and prayed him to stop the slaughter. The place that he created ponds of blood was called as Samanthaka Panchakam.

A conglomeration of one Chariot, one Elephant, three horses and five soldiers is a Sainyam Patti (Army Unit). Three such Units form a SenaMukha. Three SenaMukhas form a Gulmam. Three Gulmas form a Gana. Three Ganas form a Vahini. Three Vahinis form a Pruthana. Three Pruthanas form a Chamuvu. Three Chamuvus for a Aneekini. Ten Aneekinis form an Akshoni. A total of Twenty one thousand eight hundred and seventy Chariots, Elephants in equal number as Chariots, sixty five thousand six hundred and ten Horses, One lakh nine thousand three hundred and fifty Soldiers form an Akshoni.



“A huge Army of eighteen Akshonis fought fiercely for eighteen days in Kurukshetra” said Ugrasravana. He has also heard of King Janamejaya performing a Yagna which is supposed to bring prosperity to people. There was a puppy wandering in from of the Yagnasala (place where Yagna is performed). King Janamejaya’s brothers Sruthasena, Bhimasena and Ugrasena beat the puppy and sent it away. The puppy was Sarameya, who was the son of Goddess Sarama. The puppy was beaten so bad that it had wounds and was suffering from severe pain and it went and told its mother. Sarama was extremely angry by the behavior of the King. She came to Janamejaya and scolded him for the abuse of her baby boy. Sarama said “Your brothers have caused so much of pain and suffering to my son, they lost their senses and behaved like beasts beating a helpless creature. My son was not at fault. Those who ill treat the poor and needy and who are the cause of pain and suffering to the helpless will definitely get their share of sin one day”. Janamejaya was alarmed. Yagna had come to an end. The Emperor reached Hasthinapura. But he could not forget what Sarama had said. He wanted to perform Shantis (acts of peace to help alleviate curses). He started searching for a good priest who could perform these rituals. After a lot of search, he found Somasravasa, the son of SruthaSravasa. He was utterly divine and righteous person who had done great penance to obtain such divine virtues. He was born to a NagaKanya (snake woman) when Sruthasravasa was bitten by her. Janamejaya treated him with all rituals and made him his priest.

Janamejaya performed all the rituals that SomaSravasa asked him to do for Shanti. He also performed many Yagnas. He pleased many gods by performing Homas. He pleased the Bramhins by doing charities. Like his forefathers, he followed the path of Dharma and always wanted the welfare of his people. The people were very happy with him.

1 comments:

Sri Ram said...

Dear Writer,
Wonderful and noble cause giving you an excellent experience leading to the truth.

What is your conclusion after this great effort? If you are still searching, please feel free to contact by mail.

Thanks and Regards