Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 9 Chapter 2:1-15

Book 9: Chapter 2

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 9: Chapter 2: Verses 1-15
The posterity of Karusa and other four sons of Vaivaswata Manu
[1]

Sri Suka resumed : On his (only) son, Sudyumna, having thus left (for the forest), Vaivaswata Manu, desirous of (getting) a son, practised asceticism on the banks of the Yamuna for a hundred years. Then the (said) Manu worshipped the almighty Lord Sri Hari for the sake of progeny and got (in consequence of that worship) ten sons, resembling himself, the eldest being lkswaku. (Of these,) the Manu's son, Prsadhra, however, who had been made a cowherd by his preceptor (the sage Vasistha), tended cows at night, full of vigilance and keeping awake as a rule in a standing posture, sword in hand. On one occasion at night, while it was raining, a tiger entered the cowpen and the cows, that were (all) resting, started up and, full of panic, ran about in the pen. The powerful beast seized one (of them) and, stricken with fear, the cow uttered a piercing cry. Hearing that scream of the cow, Prsadhra, it is said, rushed forth with impetuosity, taking his sword, and unwittingly cut off the head of the red-brown cow, mistaking it for the tiger, in that dark night (when the stars had totally disappeared due to clouds). The tiger too, that had been struck with the end of the sword and had one of its ears severed, escaped from that place in extreme fear, dropping blood on the way. Prsadhra, the slayer of hostile warriors, who believed the tiger to be dead, was filled with grief when he saw at the close of night the cow killed by himself. On him, even though he had unintentionally committed the sin (of slaying a cow and ought to have in the ordinary course been asked to undergo an expiatory rite), the sage Vasistha (the preceptor of his race) uttered the following curse:-"Due to this (sinful act) you shall no longer remain (even) a vile Ksatriya, but shall become a Sudra (outright)." Cursed by his preceptor in these words, the hero (Prsadhra) silently accepted the imprecation with joined palms and, remaining a lifelong celibate, observed a vow of (strict) continence, which is (so) dear to ascetics. Friendly and alike to all created beings, he exclusively fixed his mind through devotion on the supreme Lord Vasudeva, the universal Spirit, (who is) free from all blemish. Having entirely given up attachment (to all sorts of enjoyments) and fully controlled his senses, nay, having no possession worth the name (beyond the bare necessaries of life) and maintaining his body by means of food etc., got by chance, he fixed his mind on the Self, and roamed about on this earth, tranquil of mind, sated through wisdom and fully composed though presenting the appearance of a stupid, blind or deaf fellow. Conducting himself in this manner and withdrawing to a forest (one day), Prsadhra (who had taken a vow of strict silence) saw a wild fire raging. (Entering it,) he allowed his body to be consumed by it and attained oneness with the transcendent Absolute. Kavi, the youngest (son of Vaivaswata Manu), who was free from (all) craving for the pleasures of sense, quitted his kingship as well as his kinsfolk while tender of age; and, installing in his mind on the self-effulgent supreme Person, he retired into the forest and entered the Supreme.

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References

  1. Vide verse 32 above

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