Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Lomasha Maharshi, "Bhagawan! Why did the radiance of Parasurāma get depleted and how did he regain it? Please narrate this incident to us." Lomasha Maharshi replied, "O king! Listen from me the story of Shree Rāma, son of Dasaratha and Parasurāma, scion of the Bhrigu vamsha. In the olden days, Bhagawan... Continue Reading →
Agastya Maharshi kills the daitya brothers Ilval and Vātāpi
Lomasha Maharshi after thinking for sometime decided to narrate a very important incident to Dharmaraja Yudhishtira. "O scion of the Kuru dynasty! Listen to me. In the olden days, in this Manmatīnagar, there lived a daitya named Ilval. Vātāpi was his younger brother. One day, the daitya Ilval asked a tapasvi Brahman, "Bhagawan! Please bestow upon me... Continue Reading →
Lord Indra asks for Karna’s kavach and kundal
Karna stood in the water at noon to perform the obligatory sandhyāvandanam to Bhagawan Diwakara. Many Brahmans seeking wealth had assembled there. Indra also arrived there as a Brahman asking for bhikshā. Karna greeted him with honour but failed to see through his disguise and read his mind. Karna bowed respectfully and said, "O venerable... Continue Reading →
Bhagawan Surya comes to warn Karna in his dream
From the moment, Dharmaraja Yudhishtira saw Karna adorned with the celestial kavach and kundal, a great fear entered his heart. He knew that Karna was more than a match for Arjuna. He constantly worried about the prowess and dexterity of Karna never voicing his views to his brothers. However, the pious Lomasha Maharshi was well-aware of... Continue Reading →
Sāvitrī and Satyavān
"Exactly one year from now, Satyavān will meet his end. This is tragically his only flaw." said Narada Devarshi to Raja Asvapati, king of Madradesh about Sāvitrī's decision to marry Satyavān, son of Dyumatsena. Sāvitrī knew the words of a Rishi can never be untrue. But she remained firm on her decision to marry... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 10 – Maitreya Maharshi curses Duryodhana
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “O Wise Sage! Whatever you say, is right. I also think this is right and my courtiers and people think the same. O Sage! You also think that is best which is in the interest and advancement of the Kuru vamsa. O Sage! This same thing has been said to me by Vidura,... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 9 – Vyāsa Maharshi narrates the episode of Surabhi and Indra
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, "Bhagawan! Even I do not approve of this game of dice. O Rishi! I think that the Supreme Being has forcibly dragged me into this matter. Bheeshma, Drona and Vidura also did not approve of this game of dice. Even Gandhari did not wish that it was played; but I pushed everyone to... Continue Reading →
Aranya Parva – Chapter 8 – Vyāsa Maharshi advises Dhrutharashtra to stop Duryodhana and the injustice
Vyāsa uvācha, "O Wise Dhrutharashtra! Listen to me, I will reveal to you that which is in the best interest of the Kauravas. O brave one! I do not like that you have sent the Pandavas to the forest. Duryodhana and others used deceit to defeat them in the game of dice. O... Continue Reading →
Tirthayatra Parva: The description of innumerable tirths around Kurukshetra
Pulastya Brahmarshi uvācha, "Hey King! Then one should visit Kurukshetra that has been praised by Rishis, whose mere darshan will liberate one from all sins. One who always says, 'I will go to Kurukshetra, I will reside in Kurukshetra' will be liberated from all sins. If the mud from Kurukshetra brought by the wind touches the body,... Continue Reading →
Tirthyatra Parva – Narada Devarshi visits Yudhishtira and explains the benefits of pilgrimage quoting the conversation between Bhishma and Pulastya Brahmarshi
Vaishampayana uvācha, "Janamejaya! Dharmaraja Yudhishtira became sad on hearing the words of anxiety expressed by Draupadi and his brothers towards the well-being of Dhananjaya. As he was pondering over this, Mahatma Narada Devarshi arrived in his midst. Mahatma Narada Devarshi was resplendent with the Supreme Radiance like the fire that rises in all its glory when ghee... Continue Reading →
The importance of Payoshni River, Vaidurya Parvat and Narmada River
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira and his brothers, Lomasha Maharshi and the servants left for the sacrosanct Payoshni River that had been worshipped by the ruler of Vidarbha. The divine ambrosia Somarasa of the yagnas was mixed in its waters. They arrived at the bank of the river and drank its water. They decided to stay here singing... Continue Reading →
The birth of Ashtavakra and his entry into the court of Raja Janaka
Lomasha Maharshi uvācha, "O Yudhishtira! We are here in the sacrosanct ashrama of Shvetaketu, son of Uddalaka who is said to be exceedingly proficient in mantra-shastra. See all the trees here are laden with fruits. Shvetaketu has had the darshan of Saraswati Devi in this ashrama in all her glory and said thus to the Divine Mother who... Continue Reading →
Bhagawan Bala Mukunda reveals Himself to Markandeya Maharshi
Bhagawan Bala Mukunda uvācha, "O Venerable One! Even the devathas do not know My form satisfactorily and in reality. I will tell you the manner in which I create this universe because of your love and affection. Brahmarshi! You are a devotee of the ancestors and you have sought refuge in Me and you have... Continue Reading →
Markandeya Maharshi’s darshan of Bhagawan Bala Mukunda at the time of Maha Pralaya
Vaishampayana uvācha, "Janamejaya! Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Chiranjeevi Markandeya Maharshi this question - Mahamune! You have seen the Mahāpralaya that occurs after thousands of yugas. I do not see any man who has lived as long as you have in this universe. O Maharshi! You are the best among all the knowers of Brahman! There is no one besides... Continue Reading →
Yudhishtira receives the Akshaya Patra from Bhagawan Surya
Raja Yudhishtira was deeply troubled about the arrangements for the customary feeding of the Brahmans who had accompanied them on their exile. He went to his family priest Dhaumya Maharshi to seek his advice. Dhaumya Maharshi contemplated over the matter for a little while and remembered the upadesha (instructions) that he had received from Narada Devarshi... Continue Reading →
Yānasandhi Parva – Sanjaya conveys Arjuna’s message – Chapter 48 – Slokas 1 – 109
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “Sanjaya! I ask you in the midst of all these kings what message has been sent to us by the large-hearted generous/saintly Arjuna who has been at the helm of many battles and who brings about the ruin of miscreants?" Sanjaya uvācha, “Hey King! I will now convey what the saintly Arjuna... Continue Reading →
Yānasandhi Parva – Sanjaya enters the Kaurava Sabha after meeting the Pandavas – Chapter 47 – Slokas 1 – 17
Vaishampayana uvācha, “Janamejaya! King Dhrutharashtra passed the whole night in conversation with Paramarshi Sanat Sujatha and the wise Vidura. After the night had passed and dawn arrived, all the kingsmen came to the royal court to see sutaputra (son of a charioteer) Sanjaya with great joy. Dhrutharashtra as well as all the Kauravas... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 40 – Slokas 1 – 32
Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! When one who receives veneration/respect from gentlemen engages in measures of artha as per his capability without attachment, then that exemplary man will attain fame quickly; because when a saintly person becomes pleased with one, then he always remains happy. One who forsakes immense sum of money acquired/earned through adharma even before he becomes interested in... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 39 – Slokas 1 – 85
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “Vidura! This man is not independent in his acquisition of wealth and prosperity and in his ruin/doom. Like a puppet tied to a string/thread, Brahma has made him subservient to his prarabdha karma; hence, you keep speaking, I am sitting here listening to you patiently/with forbearance.” Vidura uvācha, “Bharata! If Brihaspati also speaks something contrary/opposed... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 38 – Slokas 1 – 47
Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! When any esteemed elderly man comes near, then the prana (life-force) of a youthful man moves upwards; when he stands up to receive the elderly man and offers pranaams, then the prana (life-force) returns to its true place. It is imperative for a resolute man that when a saintly person comes to his house as a... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 37 – Slokas 1 – 64
Vidura uvācha, “Rajendra! Vichitraveeryanandan! It has been said that Swayambhu Manu has these seventeen types of men in space – those who use their fists to deliver blows/knockout, those that cannot be made to yield/made to submit, those who attempt to subjugate the Indradhanush (bow of Indra) in the rainy season and those trying to capture the rays of... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 36 – Slokas 1 – 74
Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! People quote the ancient historical example of the conversation between Dattatreya and Sādhyadevathas in this matter; I have also heard about it. It is a matter of ancient times, Maharshi Dattatreya, the supremely intelligent and observer of superlative vows and pious austerities was wandering about in the form of a swan... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 35 – Slokas 1 – 77
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “O Intelligent One! You speak again of matters of dharma and artha. I am not satisfied even now after hearing it. You are speaking about stupendous things with regard to this subject.” Vidura uvācha, “Hey King! These two namely taking a dip/bath in every teertha and behaving softly towards all animals and beings are considered to be equal but... Continue Reading →
Vidura Nīti – Conversation between Dhrutharashtra and Vidura – Chapter 34 – Slokas 1 – 86
Dhrutharashtra uvācha, “Hey Wise One! I am burning with anxiety and still awake at this late hour; please tell me what action/act you think is in my interest that I must do because only you are proficient in the knowledge of dharma and artha among us two. O magnanimous Vidura! Please think and contemplate with your intelligence and give... Continue Reading →
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