Part 10: Reason for the death of sons

“Once upon a time a congregation composed of very wealthy laymen like partners of Śrīda and Śrī, started out to make a pilgrimage to holy places. At evening the congregation arrived at a village in a barbarous country and passed the night in a potter’s house. When they saw this wealthy congregation, all the village-people, delighted, carrying staffs, bows, and swords, started out to rob them. The potter, who was compassionate, enlightened the village-people by flattering words resembling nectar and hindered them. At the importunity of the potter, all the village-people released the congregation, like a bhūta a meal that has been obtained.

One day the village with children and adults was burned like an enemy’s country by the king because of one thief living in it. Warned by a friend, the potter went to another village and was the sole survivor of the fire. Always the good prosper. Then in course of time he died and became a merchant in the Virāṭa-country, like another Kubera. The villagers became countrymen in the Virāṭa-country. For the land of people who have equal karma is equal. After death the potter’s soul became a king there, and after death again he became a god of the highest power. After falling from heaven, he was born as you, Bhagīratha, and the villagers, after wandering through births, were born as Jahnu and the others. They were reduced to ashes simultaneously because of the act in the form of violence against the congregation which was committed in their minds. Jvalanaprabha was the instrument. But you, because of the good action in restraining them, were not consumed in this birth as well as the former one, noble sir.”