Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Chapter VII - Soumini and Madayanti at Gokarna Namdharak- "Swami, will you tell me who were benefited by visiting this holy place of Gokarna?" Shri Siddha- "Just listen. Formerly there lived a brave king in the family of Ikshwaku. He knew all the Shastras. He was considerate, strong and kind. Once he went on hunting and seeing a demon like a flame of fire, he aimed an arrow and the demon fell on the ground senseless. The brother of the demon wept bitterly in grief. Before dying, the demon asked his brother to take revenge of his death. The brother approached the king in human form and sought his service and was engaged as a cook. On the anniversary day the king had invited Rishis like Vasishta and others. When Vasishta and others were seated on their seats, the new cook served human flesh in the plate of Shri Vasishta. Being enraged, Vasishta cursed the king that he would become a Brahmaraksha. The king was also annoyed to see that he was being cursed for no fault of his. He therefore, took water in his hand and intended to curse Shri Vasishta in return, Maharani Madayanti hastened to the king and entreated and prevented him from cursing his Guru. She requested him to pray Vasishta for `Usshap' (blessing to nullify the effects of the course). Being pacified, the poured the water in his hands on his own feet, whereby after being a Brahmaraksha, he was called ~Kalmashpad'. Madayanti bowed to Vasishta and prayed for Usshap for the king. Vasishta was also cooled by this time. He assured her that the king would attain human form and return from the forest on completion of 12 years. Kalmashpad lived in a dense forest. Once he saw a young Brahmin couple passing by. He clasped the Brahmin youth with the intention of devouring him. The young wife of the youth wept bitterly and requested Kalmashpad with folded hands, saying, `kindly release my young husband who is well versed in Vedas and thus give me my Sowbhagya. By doing this you will add to your virtues. Treat me as your daughter. If I beget a son I shall give him your name.' But the demon did not listen to her and killed the youth and ate his flesh. The wife of the youth collected the bones of her husband, arranged a pyre and set fire to it. Before burning herself in the same pyre, she cursed the demon, `You will die instantly, when after 12 years you become king and touch your wife.' The king returned to his city after 12 years. He told his wife Rani Madayanti all about the curse of the Brahmin's wife. Madayanti was much grieved to hear it. She exclaimed, `Even after staying in the forest in hardship for 12 years you are not relieved of the evil effects of your evil actions! There is no son in our family. What should we do now? The king called the old priest and told him `I have killed a Brahmin when I was a demon and was staying in the forest. How can I be relieved of its evil effects?' The priest said, `you should visit all the holy places and then all your sins will be wiped off' The king then started to visit all the holy places one after the other. He performed sacrifices, gave money in charity, served meals to the Brahmins and the poor and did other virtuous acts. Still the sin of Brahma-hatya followed him like a shadow. Accidentally he met Goutam Muni. He bowed to the Muni respectfully. Goutam asked, `When you have your own state (kingdom) why are you wandering from place to place and why are you so much worried?' To Be Contd... Devotees Can Read This Book from The Book Section of www.Saileelas.org/books/ShriGuruCharitra.doc India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new. Click here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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