Indian Antiquary Vol 35

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 59

FEBRUARY, 1906.)
TALES OF THE TELUGU VAISHNAVAS.
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hair a big reservoir, the whole firmament became covered with it. Then Ganga descended into this reservoir with great force, while Siva remained holding all the water on his head, without letting a drop fall down, so that from that day forward he was called Gangadhara. But Bhagiratha, seeing that he was no better enabled to procure the water than before, besought Siva to allow the water to flow, whereupon Siva let loose the water in three streams; one flowed to Svarga, one to Patals, and the third to the earth. Then was Bhagiratha greatly rejoiced, and mounted his car and proceeded to the place of the ashes of his ancestors, the stream following him. Arrived there, it flowed over the heaps of ashes, purifying them all. Then the souls were liberated and went to Svarga. From that day forth the river is considered to be able to wash away all sins.
The Sibi King and the Bird. The Sibi King ruled over the whole world, and was very charitable, and always kept his word. He would do all that he possibly could for everyone. But the Dêvas wanted to put him to the test. So Indra, Agni and Varuna consulted together, and Agni agreed to take the form of a bird, and the others the forms of two hunters. These proceeded to chase the bird, which took refuge in the King's arms. Then the hunters came up and demanded the bird, but he refused to give it ap, and offered them anything else in exchange. After some discussion, they finally consented, on condition ke let them out a piece of flesh from him equal to the weight of the bird. The King consented and allowed them to cut the flesh, which they placed with the bird on some scales. During the process, the bird began gradually to increase in weight, so that to make up the weight they went on cutting off nearly all the flesh from the King's body; but he endured it all to the end without flinching, or showing any signs of pain. Then Indra was amazed at his steadfastness, and be, Agni and Varuņa appeared in their true forms and all said they had never before seen such constancy and fortitude. Indra then sent for the Asvins and told them to heal the King's wounds.
VII.
King Bharata and the Deer. King Bharata ruled over all the world, and his wife was Pandrajapi. She was a true companion to him. He offered good sacrifices, as his ancestors had doue with vrutas, and be regarded the whole world as the manifestation of the Supreme Spirit. He worshipped God in the form of Vishnu, and was full of devotion. He ruled the earth for one hundred thousand years, and had five sons, amongst whom he divided all his kingdom, and went at last into the forest of Pulahasrama near the river Gandak, where he remained alone, making pilja to dlagramas. His worship consisted of offering fresh flowers, tender leaves, tulasi roots and fruits and lotus flowers, and he never grew weary. So he increased in vairágya, and controlled all his senses. And there being none to hinder him, he was able to continue uninterruptedly in God's service, and in solving all the problems of religion. In this way he remained often in extasy, and became merged in the sea of bliss. He wore deer skins and bathed three times a day, and let his hair grow. He worshipped Vishna also in the sun, which had a gold body. He found in that being his only refuge, that being who cherishes those who are engaged in his service, who is omnipresent and full of bliss.
One day Bharata was bathing in the river, and remained under the water for about two hours, meditating on God throngh Pranava (Om), when he suddenly heard a lion roaring, and saw a deer, which was about to give birth to a fawn, flying before the lion and jumping over the river. Whilst jumping she gave birth to the fawn, and fell on the other side and died. Then Bharata saw the little helpless fawn struggling in the water, and being moved with compassion, he took hold of it And saved it, and carried it home and reared it, and began to love it, and became attached to it: so that little by little he was neglecting his services to God. But he was unconscious of this, and said