In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important accord that Sage Naarada is narrating, with regards to Parasurama and Sage Vishwamitra. As Sage Naarada was narrating all these accords, the Paandavas led by Yudishtra have already begun their “Teertha Yatra” and are proceeding to each and every place as per Sage Naarada’s instruction and guidance. Sage Naarada is also accompanying them for a few important places, however, Sage Dhoumya takes the centre-stage here as well. We’ve already witnessed Sage Dhoumya’s association with Yudishtra and Co. earlier as well – When the Paandava brothers were proceeding towards the Drupada Desha for Draupati’s “Svayamvara” event, Sage Dhoumya got introduced to them, and subsequently, wherever the Paandavas travelled to, Sage Dhoumya was always with them at every occasion. Hence, while witnessing all these accords about various great sages, rivers and “Punya-Kshetras”, we should understand here that along with Sage Naarada’s main accord, Sage Dhoumya also gives his own inputs on these places and people. Sage Dhoumya himself was a great scholar and his knowledge on these subjects were excellent. Thus, in this context, Yudishtra is being apprised of Sage Vishwamitra and Parasurama. We’ve witnessed earlier that Sage Vishwamitra had a definitive role to play, both in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata times, which means that he was living right through the Tretha Yuga and the Dwapara Yuga as well!
All these “Charitras” come up when Yudishtra and Co. meet a sage by name Sage Akritavrana. The entire caravan of Yudishtra and Co., along with Sage Dhoumya and many other sages, including Sage Naarada at different points are travelling to various places and now they have come to Sage Akritavrana’s ashram. From there, Yudishtra is seeking guidance to reach Parasurama’s ashram, so as to pay his respect to the great sage. As Yudishtra asks thus, Sage Akritavrana replies back – “Oh Yudishtra! I’m so glad that you’ve come all the way to meet all of us! However, you should understand here that meeting Parasurama isn’t that easy, even though he resides somewhere amidst this dense forest area only. He comes out in visibility to others only during the “Chaturdasi” (Fourteenth day of every month) day. Hence, you should wait till the “Chaturdasi” day to meet him and obtain his divine “Anugraha”. Till that time, you stay here in this forest itself!”
Saying thus, Yudishtra asks Sage Akritavrana – “Oh great Sage! We shall obey your instructions by staying here itself till the next “Chaturdasi” day arrives. But till then, I would like to understand a detailed accord on the history and significance of Parasurama. Of course, Sage Naarada had earlier given an accord on him in brief. Now since we have a lot of time, I would like to understand Parasurama in detail!” As Yudishtra asks thus, Sage Akritavrana replies – “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve asked an important question. Now let me give you the details. Once upon a time, there was a king by name Gaadhi. He had a daughter by name “Satyavati”. As Satyavati grew up, he wanted to get Satyavati married to a great Brahmana Rishi. Thus, he found out Sage Richeeka and got his daughter married to this sage. As the marriage happens, Satyavati and Sage Richeeka were living happily thereafter together. One day, King Gaadhi and his wife wanted to pay a casual visit to his daughter’s house. As Satyavati was talking with her mother, both of them exchanged their wish to each other that they wanted to have a son. Satyavati’s mother opined that even though she had a daughter, she wanted to have a son. Similarly, Satyavati too wanted to have a son with Sage Richeeka. As this happens, Satyavati’s mother comes up with an idea and proposes it to her daughter thus, “Oh Satyavati! Do one thing – Go to your husband and explain our wishes to him. Tell him that you want a son and your mother also wants a son. He is a great Brahmana Rishi, isn’t he? Maybe he can give a solution to this!”
Thus, Satyavati goes to her husband, Sage Richeeka and proposes this idea to him. Immediately, Sage Richeeka is very happy with the idea and creates two cups of “Paayasams” – One for his wife and the other for his mother-in-law. The reason why he gave two separate cups of “Paayasams” is that, the son who should be born to Sage Richeeka and Satyavati should be a Brahmana Rishi and the son who should be born to King Gaadhi and Satyavati’s mother should be a “Kshatrya prince”, since King Gaadhi is a “Kshatrya” himself. With this intention, Sage Richeeka prepared two separate cups of “Paayasams” and gives to Satyavati.
Thus, the instruction is very clear – One designated cup should go to Satyavati and the other should go to her mother. So for today, let Satyavati have both the cups of “Paayasams” in her hands and in tomorrow’s episode, we shall witness what happens to these “Paayasams”! An interesting accord awaits us tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 