Story of Sudarśana

The son born to god Fire by his wife Sudarśanā. (Sudarśanā was the daughter of Duryodhana (Nīla) of the dynasty of Ikṣvāku. For the story of her marriage see under Sudarśanā). Sudarśana, the son of Fire, married Oghavatī the daughter of Oghavān. That story is given below:—

Oghavān had two children a daughter named Oghavatī and a son named Ogharatha. Oghavān gave his daughter in marriage to Sudarśana who was wise and learned. The couple lived in Kurukṣetra. Once Sudarśana said to Oghavatī thus:— "You should honour guests in all ways. If it is the desire of a guest, you should not draw back from giving even your body. Whether I am present here or not a guest should not be insulted." Oghavatī promised to obey the order of her husband to the letter. Sudarśana had been trying to become victorious over Mṛtyu (Death) and so Death had been waiting to find out some vulnerable point in Sudarśana’s life. While Sudarśana had gone to cut firewood, a brahmin entered the hermitage and said to Oghavatī:— "If you do observe the duties of a house-holder show hospitality to me." Hearing this, Oghavatī welcomed the brahmin and performed the usual hospitality and asked him "What shall I do for you?" "Give yourself to me", was the answer. Seeing that the guest was not contented with the usual hospitalities and remembering the words of her husband, Oghavatī gave herself to the guest. Both of them entered the interior of the hermitage. At this moment Sudar ana returned with firewood, and looked for Oghavatī and called her aloud, several times. He got no reply. Then the Brahmin who was lying inside called out:—"Hei! Son of Fire! A guest has come. Your wife showed all kinds of hospitality. But I was not contented with them. Now she is offering herself to me."

These words did not seem to make any change in Sudarśana. Dharmadeva was much pleased, as Sudarśana had come out victorious in all these tests. He came out and appeared in his own form and blessed Sudarśana. Due to the blessing of Dharmadeva, half of the body of Oghavatī flowed as the river Oghavatī and the other half was dissolved in the soul of her husband. Sudarśana thus earned victory over Mṛtyu and obtained prosperity.