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 →
Sanatkumara’s upadesha to Shuka
Brahmaputra Sanatkumara Paramarshi with the intention to guide Shuka Paramarshi arrived at his hermitage. When Shuka Muni saw the radiant eternal Sage, he rose up and offered him his pranaams. Bhagawan Sanatkumara asked, "Mahabhaga! Vyāsaputra! What are you doing?" To which Shuka replied, "Brahmakumara! I am at this moment studying the Vedas. I... Continue Reading →
Shuka’s visit to Mithila and conversation with Janaka Rajarshi
Sanandana Paramarshi narrates an incident to Narada Devarshi about the time when Shuka Paramarshi went to his venerable father, Veda Vyāsa Maharshi and asked him about moksha and dharma. "'Bhagawan! I offer my salutations to you. You are an exponent in the subject of moksha and dharma. Please give me such an upadesha (instruction) where my mind will... 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 →