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…
In the age of kings and sages, Vasu, the righteous monarch, performed the grand festival of Indra with such splendour that the Lord of Heaven himself descended in joy. Indra, gratified by his devotion, bestowed upon him a celestial chariot capable of soaring across the skies. From that day, the king often traversed the realms…
The venerable narrator Ugrasrava unfolds the sacred chain of events with dignity and order. King Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, brought the serpent-sacrifice to a halt without transgressing the etiquette of ritual, yet with a noble spirit he bestowed abundant gifts and charities upon priests, assistants, and invitees. With folded hands, he then turned to the…
When King Janamejaya learned from Sage Udanka that his father Parikshit had perished by the venomous bite of the serpent Takshaka, he summoned his ministers. He demanded to know how so grievous a calamity had come to pass. The ministers recounted in solemn words the noble lineage of his father, scion of dharma, son of…
By fate’s decree, the serpent race was denied the nectar of immortality; their near grasp of Amrta slipped away, and in that loss the worlds were preserved. Among them, the noble Ādiśeṣa, wearied of his mother’s wrath and his brothers’ misdeeds, departed in despair. He left them behind, mounting Gandhamādana and wandering to holy shrines—Gokarṇa,…
In ages primeval, when destiny wove its complex patterns, Kadru and Vinata, the two wives of sage Kashyapa, entered into a wager that would stake their very freedom. The contest concerned the celestial horse Ucchaihśravas, born of the churning of the ocean. Returning home, Kadru summoned her serpent sons and commanded them to coil around…
