The Markandeya Purana

by Frederick Eden Pargiter | 1904 | 247,181 words | ISBN-10: 8171102237

This page relates “vivimsa’s exploits” which forms the 119th chapter of the English translation of the Markandeya-purana: an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with Indian history, philosophy and traditions. It consists of 137 parts narrated by sage (rishi) Markandeya: a well-known character in the ancient Puranas. Chapter 119 is included the section known as “conversation between Markandeya and Kraustuki”.

Canto CXIX - Viviṃśa’s exploits

[1]

Kṣupa emulated a more ancient king of the same name and enriched the brahmans—He was succeeded by his son Vīra; and Vīra by his son Viviṃśa whose was a prosperous reign.

Mārkaṇḍeya spoke:

Now Khanitra’s son Kṣupa on receiving the kingdom protected his people, while delighting them in righteousness, even as his father had done. That king was by disposition liberal of gifts, and a sacrificer of sacrifices; he was just alike both to foe and friend in the path of the administration of justice and so forth.

One day the king, while at his own residence, O muni, was addressed by his bards,—“As was king Kṣupa of yore, so art thou, sir.”[2] Of yore there was a king Kṣupa,[3] Brahmā’s son; as had been the exploits of this king, such that one indeed endeavoured to achieve.

The king spoke:

I wish to hear of the exploits of the most high-souled Kṣupa. If such can be accomplished by me, I will perform them.

The bards spoke:

That king made cattle-keeping brāhmans[4] multitudes of yore, O king; and with the tribute of the sixth portion that high-souled king performed a sacrifice on the earth.

The king spoke:

Who like me will follow those high-souled kings? Nevertheless, may he be strenuous after the exploits of those kings of exalted exploits! Hear then the promise which I now make—I will imitate the great king Kṣupa’s exploits. I will perform sacrifices three and three on the present and future[5] gathering of the harvests on the earth which has four streams—this promise I have made. And the tribute which cattle-keeping brahmans gave to that king of yore, the very same I will restore to the brāhmans and the cattle.

Mārkaṇḍeya spoke:

Having thus pledged his word, Kṣupa performed it accordingly. He, best of sacrificers, offered three sacrifices on the appearance of the crops. And the very tribute which a cattle-keeping brāhman gave to kings before, of that same quantity gave he other wealth to the cattle-keeping brāhman.

He had a son, Vīra,[6] of Ms wife Pramathā, a blameless prince, by whose majesty and valour kings were brought into subjection. And his dear wife was a Vidarbha princess named Nandinī; he, the lord, begat a son Viviṃśa[7] of her.

While Viviṃśa was ruling the earth, as a king of great vigour, the earth became densely populated with men. Parjanya rained in due season, and the earth abounded with harvests, and the harvests were most fruitful, and the fruits were full of juice, and the juices gave nourishment, yet the nourishment caused no outrageous behaviour; nor did the stores of riches become causes of debauchery among men. His enemies were cowed by his energy, O great muni. The people, who were all a band of friends, desire good health; the citizens desire mirth. After performing very many sacrifices, after protecting the earth well, he met his death in battle and departed hence to the world of Indra.[8]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Canto cxx in the Calcutta edition.

[2]:

For tathābhavat read tathā bhavān as in the Poona edition.

[3]:

It must apparently be this Kṣupa to whom reference is made in the MahāBhārata (Śānti-p. clxvi. 6164-65 and 6192-93) where it is said that after the sword was fashioned Manu gave it to Kṣupa for the protection of the people, and Ikṣvāku got it from Kṣupa.

[4]:

Go-brāhmaṇān. The compound occurs again in verses 10 and 12. It does not seem to mean “cattle and brāhmans,” for this meaning hardly suits the verb used, and the compound occurs twice in the singular in verse 12. In that verse the Poona edition varies in reading go-brahmaṇāh, plural, but both editions agree in reading go-brāhmaṇāya, singular.

[5]:

Sasyāpāte gatāgote; = śasya-prāptau jātāyām ajātāyāṃ vā (commentary)

[6]:

This king is called Viṃśa in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. (IV. i). Between Kṣupa and Viṃśa a king Ikṣvāku is inserted in the genealogy given in MahāBhārata Āśvam.-p. iii. 65-68.

[7]:

The Viṣṇi Purāṇa. calls him Viviṃśa or Viviṃśati (IV. i).

[8]:

For śatru-lokam read śakra-lokam, as in the Poona edition.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: