Pandu, humble by nature and ever obedient to his elder brother Dhritarashtra, lent him support in wealth and power. Under Dhritarashtra’s reign, a hundred Ashvamedha sacrifices were performed, with boundless charities to Brahmins and scholars, so that his fame spread in all directions. Yet it was Pandu who shone in the hearts of citizens, vassal…
In the quiet groves of Naimisharanya, where the sacred fires glowed and the fragrance of samidhas rose heavenward, Ugrasrava, the son of Lomaharshana, began his narration to Saunaka and the assembled sages. The spoke of the Kuru race, how under the vigilant guardianship of Bhishma, the sons of Vichitravirya—Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura—were reared in the…
After the marriage of Satyavati with King Shantanu, the kingdom of Hastinapura resounded with joy. Bhishma, resplendent as the sun, received homage from all assembled, while felicitations poured upon the king and his new queen. Shantanu, rejoicing at the favourable turn of destiny, embraced Satyavati with affection and praised his son’s noble sacrifice, though he…
King Śāntanu, mindful of his father Pratīpa’s counsel, consented to wed the maiden of unknown origin who came to him with the stern condition that he should never question her actions nor intrude upon her movements. Bound by promise and desire, he accepted her hand and for a time their life together seemed tranquil, though…
The chaste and truthful words of Shakuntala were affirmed by a celestial voice from the heavens, and the entire court bowed in reverence before her. Then King Dushyanta, stirred in heart yet bound by regal restraint, declared that in the hermitage of Sage Kaṇva, he had indeed wedded her with pure love and tender devotion….
The undisputed Vedic order records that when the disciples of Sage Kanva found the child Shakuntala in a frightened state, they assured her safety and raised her as their own. In this way, Sage Kanva became her father and guide, for she grew beneath his patronage and instruction. Thus, by every standard, Kanva was indeed…
The sage Mathinarā performed a twelve-year sacrifice upon the banks of the sacred river Sarasvatī, upholding with steadfast discipline the eternal order of rites. With mind and soul poured into every act, he conducted the sacrifice with faultless devotion. The river, long observing his austerities, was moved to favor him, and, assuming human form, became…
In the evening of his reign, when the burden of kingship was laid aside, Yayāti retired into the forest. Sustained at first by fruits and roots, he gave himself wholly to austerity. In time he cast away even that gentle diet, living only upon water, and for thirty years continued in unbroken penance. Later still,…
Kacha, illustrious son of Brihaspati, having mastered the secret of mrityusanjivani and many hidden sciences, stood radiant with the reward of scholarship. Pleased at his brilliance, Sage Shukracharya granted him leave to return to his father’s celestial abode. With gentle affection Kacha conveyed this glad news to Devayani and sought her assent for his departure….
In the great narration of the sage Ugraśravāsa, the origins of incarnations—celestial, ghostly, and demonic—are revealed in wondrous order. In the Yadu lineage was born Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the first-born of the universe, son of Vasudeva and Devakī, the incarnation of Viṣṇu himself. Alongside him descended Śeṣa, who, to destroy ruthless demons such as Pralamba, took…
