This story was narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) Mandhata King Yuvanashva was born in the Ikshvaku clan. That protector of the earth performed many sacrificial rites noted for magnificent gifts. He performed a thousand times the ceremony of sacrificing a…
This story of Parashurama was narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) Parashurama There was a great ruler of the Haihaya clan. He was endued with a thousand arms; and by the favour of Dattatreya he likewise had a celestial car made…
This story of Rishyashringa was narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) Rishyashringa Rishyashringa, of dreaded name, was born as a son to Vibhandaka, who was a Brahmana saint, who had cultured his soul by means of religious austerities, whose seed never…
This story of Ganga’s descent was narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) King Bhagiratha brings Ganga to fill the empty ocean There was born in the family of the Ikshvakus, a ruler of the earth named Sagara, endued with beauty, and…
This story of Sukanya is narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) Sukanya Chyavana is married to Sukanya A son was born to the great saint Bhrigu, Chyavana by name. And he, of an exceedingly resplendent form, began to practise austerities by…
This is the story of Agastya as narrated by Rishi Lomasha to Yudhishthira during the latter’s pilgrimage (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Tirthayatra Parva) Agastyopakhyana: The story of Agastya Agastya marries his own creation Lopamudra Once, the illustrious Agastya beheld his deceased ancestors hanging in a pit with heads downwards. He asked…
This story was narrated by Rishi Brihadashva to Yudhishthira during the latter’s exile in the forest (Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Indralokagamana Parva) Nalopakhyana: The story of Nala There was a king named Nala, the son of Virasena. He was strong, handsome, well-versed in the knowledge of horses, and possessed of…
Saubhavadhopakhyana appears in Kairata Parva of Vana Parva of Mahabharata (Critical Edition). When Krishna visits the Pandavas in Kamyaka, after hearing about their defeat in the dice game and the subsequent exile, Yudhishthira asks him where Krishna was at the time of the dice game. Krishna replied that he was…
This story is narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya when the latter asks why the Fire failed to burn the Saranga birds while the Khandava forest was in such a blaze (Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Khandavadaha Parva) Sarangopakhyana: The story of Saranga birdsThere was a great Rishi known by the name of…
This story was narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya when the latter asks why Agni was suffering from indigestion, for the treatment of which he wanted to consume the Khandava forest. This story is not included in the BORI Critical Edition of Mahabharata, but appears in Khandavadaha Parva in Adi Parva…