Chapter 14 - The birth of Jalandhara and his marriage

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vyāsa said:—

1. O omniscient Sanatkumāra, son of Brahmā, obeisance be to you. This wonderful story of Śiva, the great soul, has been heard.

2. O sage, when the brilliance born of the eye in the forehead had been cast off into the briny ocean, O dear sir, what happened? Please narrate it quickly.

Sanatkumāra said:—

3. O dear one of great intellect, listen to the extremely wonderful sport of Śiva, on hearing which with faith a devotee attains the goal of Yogins.

4. The brilliance of Śiva born of the eye in the forehead and cast off into the briny sea^[1] immediately assumed the form of a boy.

5. At the confluence of the river Gaṅgā and the ocean, the boy of terrific features cried loudly.

6. At the sound of the crying boy, the earth quaked frequently. The heaven and the Satyaloka became deafened at the noise.

7. All the worlds were frightened. The guardians of the quarters became agitated in the mind.

8. O dear holy one, O great brahmin, the entire world including the mobile and immobile quaked at the cries of the boy.

9. Then the distressed gods and the sages immediately sought refuge in Brahmā the grandfather and preceptor of the worlds.

10. After going there, those sages and the gods including Indra bowed to and eulogised Brahmā and spoke these words.

The gods said:—

11. “This mysterious sound has arisen. O lord of worlds, O lord of gods, we are frightened. O great Yogin please quell it.”

Sanatkumāra said:—

12. On hearing their words, Brahmā the grandfather of the worlds wished to go there. He was perplexed as to what it was.

13. Then Brahmā descended from Satyaloka to the Earth along with the gods. Then he went to the ocean desirous of knowing what it was.

14. When Brahmā the grandfather of the worlds came there, he saw the boy in the lap of the ocean.

15. On seeing Brahmā coming, the ocean assuming the form of a god bowed to him and placed the boy in his lap.

16. Then the surprised Brahmā spoke these words to the ocean—“O ocean, tell me quickly about the parentage of this boy.”

Sanatkumāra said:—

17. On hearing the words of Brahmā, the ocean was delighted. After bowing to and eulogising him with palms joined in reverence he replied to Prajāpati Brahmā.

The ocean said:—

18. “O Brahmā, O lord of the worlds, this boy was suddenly seen in the confluence of the river Gaṅgā. I do not know about the origin of this boy.

19. O preceptor of the universe, you perform the postnatal rites for this boy. O creator, let me know your predictions about his future according to his horoscope”

Sanatkumāra said:—

20. Even as the ocean said these words, the son of the ocean caught hold of the neck of Brahmā and shook it several times.

21. In due course tears came out of the eyes of Brahmā, the creator of all the worlds, afflicted by the joggling and jolting.

22. Brahmā somehow extricated himself from the grip of the son of the ocean by means of his hands and spoke to the ocean.

Brahmā said:—

23. “O ocean, listen, I shall narrate the future as predicted from the horoscope, entirely. Be attentive please.

24. Since he was able to make my eyes water let him be famous in the name of Jalandhara.

25-26. He will become a youth now itself. He will become a master of all sacred lores, very valorous, courageous, heroic, invincible and majestic like you. Like Kārttikeya he will be the conqueror of all in battles. He will shine with all sorts of prosperity.

27. This boy will become the emperor of Asuras. He will conquer even Viṣṇu. He will face defeat from no quarter.

28. He cannot be slain by any one except Śiva. He will return to the place from where he sprang up.

29. His wife will be a chaste lady who will increase good fortune. She will be exquisitely beautiful in every limb. She will be an ocean of good conduct and will speak pleasing words.

Sanatkumāra said:—

30. After saying so he called Śukra and performed his coronation. Brahmā then took leave of the ocean and disappeared.

31. Thereafter the ocean with blooming eyes saw the son, took him to his abode joyously.

32. With a joyous heart he nurtured the boy with diverse great means. The boy grew into a beautiful youth of exquisite limbs and wonderful splendour.

33. Then the ocean invited the great Asura Kālanemi and requested him to give his daughter named Vṛndā in marriage to his son.

34. O sage, the heroic Asura Kālanemi,^[2] foremost among the Asuras, intelligent and efficient in his activities, welcomed the request of the ocean.

35. He gave his beloved daughter to Jalandhara, the brave son of the ocean, in marriage performing the nuptial rites according to the Brāhma style.^[3]

36. O sage, great festivities were held in the marriage. The rivers and Asuras were happy.

37. The ocean too became extremely happy seeing his son united to a bride. In accordance with the rules he made charitable gifts to the brahmins and others.

38. Those Asuras who had been formerly defeated by the gods and had sought shelter in Pātāla came fearlessly to the Earth and resorted to him.

39. Kālanemi and other Asuras were pleased after giving the daughter in marriage to the son of the ocean. In order to defeat the gods they resorted to him.

40. The heroic son of the ocean, Jalandhara, foremost among the Asura warriors, received a very beautiful lady as his wife and he ruled over the kingdom with the support of Śukra.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The ocean of salt (lavaṇāmbhodhi) stands to the west of Bhāratavarṣa and is identical with the Arabian sea. The confluence of the Indus and this ocean (Sindhu-Sāgara-saṅgama) is the place where Jalandhara was born.

[2]:

Kālanemi, the great Asura, was the son of Virocana and the great-grandson of Hiraṇyakaśipu. His daughter Vṛndā was married to Jalandhara.

[3]:

Cp. Maitrāyaṇī-saṃhitā iii. 27.