Performing of Asvamedha sacrifice of Janamejaya

Suta said — О Saunaka, thus assuring the king Janamejaya, variously Maharsi Vedavyasa, who was well versed in the events of the past, present and future, spoke the words which were heard by all the countries present in the royal assembly.

The speech of the great ascetic was like te flow of the nectar and delighted their mind like the moon rays, which had pleased the ears of all.

The pleasent talk which emphasised on dharma, artha and kama was filled with compassion and enhanced delight, and was heard by the entire assembly.

Tears started flowing from the eyes of some of the people, several of the people were overpowered with meditation. Maharsi Vyasa, placed the future history of mankind over his palm.

Thereafter the great sage, Vyasa, getting leave of those present there, went round all of them and started from that place saying, "we shall meet again."

The ascetics present there at that time, followed the sage Vyasa, who was the best of the orators of the world.

With the departure of the sage Vyasa with other Brahmarsis, the other yajna priests and the kings also returned to their respective places.

Taking revenge of the terrific serpents, the king Janamejaya disowned the poison, like the departing serpent, disoning the anger and departed from his city.

Saving the life of the serpent Taksaka, whose head had been warmed up with the fire of yajna, the sage Astika also retired to his asrama.

The king Janamejaya, having been surrounded by his relatives, departed for Hastinapur from there, and ruling delightfully, kept the people happy there, protecting then at the same time.

After some time, the king Janamejaya, who gave enormous daksina in the sacrifices, appropriately received diksa for the performance of the Asvamedha - sacrifice.

The horse that was killed in the sacrifice, the chief queen Vapusta, the daughter of the king of Kasi, slept with the horse according to the scriptures.

During those days the beautiful queen was desired by Indra as well. Therefore, he entering into the body of the horse, united with the queen.

Because of the appearing of a defect in the horse, which when known by the king, he addressed the yajna priest thus, "Let you meet with destruction. Look here, this horse is not yet dead.

The Brahmana priest possessed the divine knowledge and he narrated the misdeed of Indra, accordingly. Then the king pronounced a curse on Indra.

Janamejaya said — In case I have gained some force with the performing of the sacrifices, or in case I have earned merit in protecting the people, then with the strength of these merits, let my words come trues, which I am going to speak out. All of you should listen.

From today on wards, the Ksatriyas, shall not adore the fickle minded Indra — the lord of gods, with the performing of the Asvamedha sacrifice. О Saunaka, thus, a curse was pronounced by the king on Indra.

Thereafter, the king having been filled with rage, said to the Brahmana priests, my yajna has been destroyed because of your weakness.

Therefore, none of you should stay in my kingdom. You should leave this place with your kiths and kins." At these words of the king, the Brahmanas were enraged and left the place deserting the king.

Though the king Janamejaya was highly religious minded one, still he spoke to Vapusta who was seated in the harem with other women.

This Vapusta is an evil women, drive her out of my house. With this evil deed she has placed her dirty foot over my head.

This sinful women has destroyed my glory. She has blemished my glory as well as the grace. I do not want to see the face of this woman who is like the faded out flower garland.

The one who lives with his wife defiled by other man, he does not enjoy the tasteful food, nor can he enjoy sleep in a lonely place. He therefore should not cohabit with the said wife (used by others) who had earned blemish by sleeping with other men like the left over of the fire sacrifice licked by a dog."

Thus when the king Janamejaya was speaking loudly in anger, Visvavasu, the king of Gandharvas spoke to the king.

Visvavasu said — "O king, you have performed three hundered sacrifices so far. Therefore Indra is unable to tolerate your glory. Therefore he turned one of his apsaras in the form of Vapusta — your chief queen.

The one who was being treated by you as Vapusta — the daughter of the king of Kasi, she was none else than Ramba herself, being an apsara. Therefore Vapusta is the gem of the women and is worth enjoying. You must make use of her.

Observing some shortcoming in the sacrifice, Indra had created this obstruction for you. О best of the Kuru race, you are the performer of the sacrifice and are comparable with Indra in glory. They are afraid of you lest, you might overcome Indra with the reward of your yajna. Thus thinking, he is afraid of you. and has created an obstruction in the sacrifice.

Finding some shortcoming, Indra who was desirous of creating some obstruction, created this illusion. Finding the horse having been killed, Indra entered the caracass and united with Rambha, who was taken you as Vapusta.

On the one hand you pronounced a curse on your preceptors, who had performed three hundered sacrifices for you. Thus you and your Brahmanas were fallen from the strength like Indra.

You are the one, who had performed three hundered sacrifices, being on immensely valorous warriors. Indra was always afraid of you and the — Brahmanas. Therefore, he alone, using his illusion, has now overcome both the types of danger.

How could Indra, desirous of victory commit a sin, which was never committed by others. How could he rape the wife of his grand son?

The type of excellent dharma, intelligence, excellent self control and the enormous fortunes have been possessed by Indra. All these qualities are also possessed in a terrific warrior like you.

Therefore you can not find fault in Indra, your preceptor, the priest or your own self or even the cheif queen Vapusta, because of the moves of destiny can never be averted.

No doubt Indra, while entering your heart had created anger in your mind, therefore, the people desirous of comfort should behave according to the desire of the gods.

As it is difficult to swim against the current of the river, similarly it is difficult to overcome the adverse gods. Your queens is sinless and is the gem among the women. You should enjoy her without any worry.

О king, in case the sinless women is disowned, then they also shall start desowning the sinless husbands. The ladies are usually faultless and are possessed of the divine feelings.

As the ray of the sun, the flame of fire, the scrifice altar, and the offering of homa cannot earn blemish with the touch of others, similarly the ladies also in case they are not attracted with other man, do not earn blemish with the forceful touch of others.

The chaste ladies are like Laksmi, for the people with wisdom, they are loveable, always adorable, respectable and fit to be honoured.

Here ends chapter — 5, of Bhavisya Parva of the Harivaiiisa Purana, a supplement of Mahabharata relating to the performing of Asvamedha sacrifice by Janamejaya. (CVrs. 1-40, P.T. = 10,008)

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