Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 128

[MAY, 1923 Aditya-hrdaya and Surya-kavacha, the Sun who is hailed as the Varita 'sender of clouds,' is aptly referred to as the averter of calamities like famine, etc. The Subramania Sahasra Namapali calls the god Subramania the rain-giver, "Kshamavargita "(famine averter). In the Praises to the Nine Planets there is a story that Saturn being once offended caused a famine extending over twelve years to devastate the kingdom of Daçarata. The Lalita Sahasranamavali, Vishnu Sahasranamavali, Siva-Sahasranamavali contain similar references.
A study of the Bhagavatam reveals a similar state of affairs. In the Third Skandam and the Seventh Skandam there are references to famines. At the conclusion of the Bhagavatam the sage Sukra predicts that famines will frequently figure in the annals of the Kaliyuga. The Sri Devi Bhagavatam also metions several famines. O bright-eyed lady! say how you were able to pass those terrible years of famine. By whom were these children supported in the absence of food-stuffs? Listen, O best of sages! how this cruel famine-time was tided over by me, etc.' (Skanda VII, Adhyaya 13, slokas 7 and 30.)
"Famines lasting 10, 5, and 9 years visited the land as a result of the Karma of the inhabitants. Owing to the prevalence of a terrible drought, there arose famine causing untold havoc. The people were emaciated. The heavy toll of lives in every house made it scarcely possible to count the number of corpses. (S. 12 A. 9, s. 1 and 2.)
"Owing to the absence of rain every thing was parched up; on the surface of the earth there was no water, etc. This drought O king, lasted for 100 years." (S. 7, A. 28, c. 21 and 22.)
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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
The Puranas, when properly studied, will yield abundant information on ancient Indian famines. I shall confine myself entirely to the Vishnu Purana, which has been excellently translated by H. H. Wilson. In chapter IX, page 231, the importance of rain is emphasized: The water which the clouds shed upon earth is in truth the ambrosia of living beings, for it gives fertility to the plants which are the support of their existence. By this all vegetables grow and are nurtured and become the means of maintaining life. With them, again, those men who take the law for their light, perform the daily sacrifices, and through them give nourishment to the gods; and thus sacrifices, the Vedas, the Four castes with the Brahmanas at their head, all the residences of the gods, all the tribes of animals, the whole world, all are supported by the rains by which food is produced.'
The Vishnu Purdṇa contains several references to famines. According to the Vishnu Purana even the Indra-lôka was not immune from famine; for it is said in the Durvasas-Indra episode (ch. IX, page 71) that 'all vegetable products, plants, and herbs in the Indra-lôka were withered and died; and Indra was divested of prosperity and energy.' It is related in ch. XIII, page 102, that on the death of King Vena, who was deposed by the Brahmans, famine and anarchy raged throughout the land. "His subjects approached Pṛthu (Vena's successor), suffering from the famine by which they were afflicted, as all the edible plants had perished during the season of anarchy. In reply to his question as to the cause of their coming, they told him that in the interval in which the earth was without a king, all vegetable plants had died, and consequently the people had perished. Thou,' said they, 'art the bestower of sustenance on us; thou art appointed by the Creator the protector of the people; grant us vegetables, the support of the lives of the subjects who are perishing with hunger.'" Similarly on the death of Kaçyapa, anarchy ensued and famine raged throughout the land, Elsewhere, ch. xiii, p. 431, it is related that from the moment of Akrura's departure from Dwaraka various calamities, portents, snakes, famine, plague and the like made their appearance. On this Andhaks, one of the elders of the Yadu race, thus spoke :