Sambodhi 2002 Vol 25

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 62

Vol. XXV, 2002
PRTHU VAINYA EPISODE... He is the celestial musician (Rv. X-123-4-5). He roars like Buffalo (X. 123-4). He is the lover of Apsarā (X- 123-5). .
Vena is connected with Moon (Rv. IX-21-5, VIII-63-1). He remains in the heaven of the Sky.
The Puranic literature has developed the story on the basis of the Prthu's Cow-milching episode of the Av. Legend and Prthu Vainya episode of the Mahābhārata.
On Completion of the Golden Age (Kęta yuga) Lobha, Moha, Kāma and Krodha gradually increased among the people. This unhappy situation moved the Gods. They requested Prajāpati who compiled a Code of law. The Gods approached Visnu who appointed his mind-born Son Virajas. Virajas, his Son Kirtiman and his grand Son, Kardama were not interested. His great grand Son, Anga succeeded. He proved him a great protector of the subject according to the political science (Dandanīti). But his Son Vena, born of Sunithā, a daughter of death (Mộthyu) was full of vices. He acquired all the heritage of evil qualities of his maternal grand father. He stopped the practice of sacrifice and religious vows. He ordered to worship him and him only. The sages advised him to rule according to the rules laid down by Dharmaśāstra and Arthaśāstra. In order to save the people from the blinding dust of the unrule they tried to find out unifying influence of a benevolent centrally governing power. The sages churned the left arm or the left thigh of the dead body vigorously according to the two different versions. There arose a dwarfish man with exceptionally short limbs and red hair, and "the complexion of a charred stake". He bowed low and, being frightened“, said to the sages, "what shall I do ?” They ordered to sit down (Nisida) and therefore he became known by the naine Nişāda. He acquired terrible sins of Vena and thus the wickedness of the dead ruler was extracted. Then the sages began to churn Vena's right arm or a right thigh. As a result of this act the good king Pșthu was born to whom the sages laid the responsibility to restore life and orderliness among the people.
Looking to the pitiable condition of his subjects Pșthu concluded the Earth herself as the root of the whole affliction i. e. want of the nourishing food. His great anger became ready to suit the earth with a single arrow. The earth, in the form of a cow flew away to find some refuge but she could not save herself from pursuing king Pệthu. Then she approached him, appealled by flattering his knowledge, Dharma, graciousness and kindness and she requested not to kill the only support of all the created beings.