Śiradhwaja’s son was Kuṣadhwaja. His son was Dharmadhwaja. Dharmadhwaja had two sons Kṛtadhwaja and Mitadhwaja. Kṛtadhwaja had a son Keśadhwaja. He was Self-realized. Mitadhwaja had a son named Khānḍikya who was an expert in the knowledge of Vedic rituals. Fearing his elder brother Keśadhawaja he ran away from home.

Khānḍikya’s son was Bhānumanta. His son was Śatadhyumna. Śatadyumna’s son was Śuci whose son was Sanadvāja. His son was Urjakētu. Urjakētu’s son was Aja. Aja’s son was Purujit.

Ariṣṭanemi was the son of Purujit. Ariṣṭanemi’s son was Śrutavāyu. His son was Supārśvaka whose son was Citraratha. Chitraratha begot a son Kṣemadhi who became the rule of Mithila. Kṣemadhi’s son was Samaratha whose son was Satyaratha. His son was Upaguru. Upaguru begot a son Upagupta, who was a partial incarnation of the Fire-god.

Vaswananta was the son of Upagupta. His son was Yuyudha and his son was Subhāṣaṇa. Subhāṣaṇa’s son was Śruta. His son was Jaya. Jaya’s son was Vijaya whose son was Ŗta. Ŗta’s son was Śunaka. His son was Vitahavya. His son was Dhṛti. Dhṛti’s son was Bāhulāśva. His son was Kṛti and Kṛti begot a son named Mahāvaśi.

All of these are descendants of Mithila dynasty. With the blessings of supreme accomplished saints such as Yājnavalkya and others, all of them could establish in Self-knowledge. For this reason, even though they remained as house-holders, they were beyond the dualities such as likes and dislikes.

With this the thirteenth chapter of the ninth canto comes to an end.

Ninth Canto Chapter Fourteen

In this chapter, the story of Urvashi and Pururava is explained.

Maharishi Śuka said, “O Emperor Parikshit! Until now I have explained the Sun dynasty. Those who understand this lineage and who remember them will obtain mental purity. All those who have listened to the details of this dynasty will be blessed with mental purity. What I am now going to explain will also cause auspiciousness. Now I shall explain the Moon dynasty. In this dynasty Kings such as Aila and others are of pure reputation.

From the pond called the navel of the Supreme Lord who possesses infinite heads, a lotus emerged. From this lotus emerged Lord Brahma. Maharishi Atri is the son of Lord Brahma. In qualities he is at par with his father.

From the tears of joy which flowed Maharishi Atri’s eyes, the Moon, who is the form of nectar, was born. Lord Brahma appointed Moon-god as the ruler for all Vedic scholars, for the trees and creepers as well as for all star constellations.

After conquering the three worlds, the Moon-god performed the Rājasuya yāga. He had become extremely conceited and hence he abducted Tāra, the wife of Guru Brihaspati. In many ways Guru Brihaspati pleaded with Moon-god to release Tāra.

However the Moon-god who had become extremely arrogant due to his success paid a deaf ear to these pleas. As such Tāra became the cause of a war which broke out between the Devatas and the demons.

Śukrachārya was filled with vengeance towards Brihaspati. He therefore grabbed this opportunity and with the permission of all the demons, joined hands with Moon-god.

Angirasa was the Guru of Rudra, the leader of all the bhoota-ganas. Brihaspati was the son of Angirasa. Rudra supported Brihaspati not only because he was his Guru’s son but also because of his affection towards him. Together with all the Devatas, Lord Indra also supported Brihaspati.

In this war, which took place for Tāra, many Devatas and demons were killed. Angirasa reported to Lord Brahma about this war and of the deaths that took place on account of it. Lord Brahma then threatened the Moon-god. He ensured that Tāra was handed over to Brihaspati.

However by then she was pregnant. With this Brihaspati was angry. He said, “You are wicked, foolish woman! Terminate that pregnancy right now! In this lies your well-being. Even though you are a sinner, I shall not burn you to ashes since you are a woman and since I desire to beget a son through you”.

Ashamed of her behaviour, Tāra immediately delivered a son who was glowing with golden hue. Both Brihaspati and Moon-god who were enraptured by his beauty desired to own him. A fight ensued between them both with each claiming, “He is my son”.

All the Maharishis and Devatas questioned Tāra as to whose child he truly was. Tāra who was ashamed of herself could not reply. With this the child was now angry with his mother Tāra. He demanded, “O unchaste woman! Reply to this question!”

Lord Brahma arrived there and took her aside and enquired. She replied slowly and softly, “He is the son of the Moon-god”. Moon-god took custody of this boy. Lord Brahma named him Budha. This was boy exceptionally intelligent. Moon-god enjoyed the company of his son.

Budha’s wife was Ila. Their son was Purūrava. Nārada Maharishi once went to the assembly of Lord Indra. There he described elaborately the beauty, handsomeness, magnanimity, noble qualities, good character, splendour, prosperity and valour of Purūrava. Urvaśi, the celestial maiden, who was present in that assembly was immediately attracted by Purūrava. She left heaven and approached Purūrava. The curse of Mitra-Varuna also became a cause for her descent from heaven. Due to this curse Urvaśi had gotten the habits of human beings.

Purūrava, the best among humans, was as handsome as Manmatha (the Lord of love). Having heard of his enchanting beauty, Urvaśi left heaven for him. Purūrava was greatly elated when Urvaśi approached him. His eyes sparkled and his body experienced horripilation. In great jubilation he addressed her and said,

“O beautiful one! Welcome. Please be seated. Please tell me how I can help you. Together with me you can enjoy here. Let us wander here freely for a very long period of time”.

Urvaśi replied, “O handsome king! Any woman will be attracted and will fix her mind only upon a man who is as handsome as you! The mind is eager to spend time in your company. O King, you protect the interests of others. We, the celestial apsarasas accept only a supremely renowned person of your stature as our husband.

Look here. These two lambs belong to me. I am leaving them in your custody. Kindly ensure they are adequately protected. Only if you promise to look after them well, I will stay here with you.

O Valarous one! I only consume ghee for my food. Moreover, barring the time of enjoying conjugal bliss, I should never see you naked”.

These were the conditions laid down by Urvaśi. Purūrava gladly accepted these conditions. His heart overflowed with happiness. He said to her, “Your enchanting beauty will captivate this human plane. Your expressions and your behaviour cause astonishment. Aha! When a celestial asprasa comes on her own accord, which human being will refrain from accepting her?”