A sacred forest called Naimisaranya. It is located in present-day Uttar Pradesh. Once upon a time, a sage named Shaunaka decided to perform a great fire sacrifice to please the Lord, in this best part of the forest.
One day, after lighting the Yajnakunda, finishing the morning duties, and offering the seat of honor to the Sauti who had come as guests, Sage Shaunaka asked the Sauti to explain about the incarnations of the Supreme Lord. This Sauti is prominent in narrating mythological stories to sages. His other names are Ugrasava and Suta Goswami.
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| Suta narrates stories to other rishis. |
The first story Sauti tells is about the heinous act of Ashwatthama, son of Drona.
The battle of Kurukshetra was over. Dhritarashtra's son, Duryodhana, was struck by Bhima's mace and lay with broken bones. To please him, Ashwatthama went into the dark to fetch the heads of the Pandavas and cut off the heads of the sons of the Pandavas who were sleeping in their huts. Due to this, Duryodhana became even more distressed.
Draupadi, seeing the death of her children, began to cry loudly. Trying to console her, Arjuna said he would cut off Ashwatthama's head and wipe away her tears.
Ashwatthama, seeing Arjuna rushing towards him from a long distance, fled in a chariot to save his life. After traveling a long distance, Ashwatthama, son of Drona, finding his horses tired, unable to run further, and seeing no other way, decided to use the most powerful Brahmastra. Touching the water to become pure, he chanted the Brahmastra mantra and shot it. But, he didn't know how to take it back.
The light emanating from Brahmastra spanned all directions. Brahmastra traveled aiming for Arjuna. Now Arjuna, realizing that his life was in danger, went to Krishna. In return, Krishna advised him to shoot another Brahmastra. After Arjuna circumambulated Lord Sri Krishna, he threw his Brahmastra. The rays of the two Brahmastras converged in the sky, producing a bright light. There was chaos in the world. Sensing the danger, Krishna told Arjuna to take back his Brahmastra. Arjuna did accordingly. But Ashwatthama did not know this mantra. Instead, he diverted it and caused it to enter the womb of Uttara, the pregnant wife of the dead Abhimanyu.
Then Arjuna, as per the word of Lord Krishna, bound Ashwatthama and dragged him to his camp. Lord Sri Krishna angrily told Arjuna, "Just because Ashwatthama a Brahmin, don't hesitate to kill him. He has killed sleeping innocent boys. So, show no mercy on him.” However, Arjuna did not feel like killing Ashwatthama, his guru's son.
After they reached their camp, Ashwatthama was dragged to Draupadi's abode. She was there crying for her sons. Draupadi saw Ashwatthama and felt pity. “He is the son of the master who taught you the martial arts. Release him.” She asked Arjuna.
Maharaja Yudhishthira agreed to this. Except for Bhima, the others also agreed. Now that everyone could agree, Lord Krishna said, "There is a gem on Ashwatthama's forehead. If it is removed, he will be dead even if he is alive." He ruled that. Ashwatthama cut off the gem from his forehead and offered it to the Pandavas and walked away.
After some time, the news of Brahmastra entering Uttara's womb came to the Pandavas. Krishna immediately exerted his Sudarshana Chakra and disabled the Brahmastra in Uttara's womb. Undaunted, Uttara had a baby boy. This is King Parikshit.
The beginning of Kaliyuga
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| Kali |
It was during the reign of Parikshit Raja. Lord Krishna already had left his human body. Parikshit married the daughter of the king of Uttara and by her had four sons, including Janameyajaya. His guru is Kripacharya. As commanded by his guru, the king performed the Ashwamedha Yaga and set out to conquer the world in his chariot.
Thus on his way, he saw an ugly man beating a cow and an ox with his stick and swords. Immediately he stopped the chariot, raised his bow, and marched that way. Seeing the king, the ugly man stopped beating.
Parikshit Maharaja got angry and said, "Who are you scoundrel?, why are you in my kingdom torturing innocent animals? You should not be alive anymore", and went to kill him.
Then the ugly man trembled with fear and said, "I have done wrong, O king. Do not kill me, but give me a chance to live in your kingdom." He surrendered at his feet.
The king's heart did not agree to kill the one who surrendered to him. "Who are you? Why are you doing this? What kind of place do you need shelter?" He asked.
The ugly one replied, "My name is Kali. This white bull symbolizes virtue (Dharma). This cow is our earth. In places where I choose to live, there should be drinking, gambling, prostitution, theft, and animal slaughter. And of metals, gold should be my abode."
"So be it," said Parikshit, mounted the chariot, and departed from there.
Then, keeping in mind the words of Kali, Parikshit ruled without exploiting the land and doing no harm to the virtue.
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