This chapter corresponds to Bd.P. 2.3.59; only verse numbers from that chapter are quoted in notes.
The Sages said:
2. Please narrate (to us) in proper sequence the condition of the races of the kings of unmeasured splendour as well as valour. We implore you.
3-4. Thus entreated, Sūta Lomaharshana an expert in the narration of tales and proficient in the art of speech, (observed) the desire of the sages to hear the story and spoke these words:
Hear and understand as I recount in the manner the sage recounted to me.
5. Even as I recount, listen, and understand the state and position of the dynasties of the kings of unmeasured splendour, in the proper order and their prowess.
6. Varuna’s wife was the daughter of the ocean and was called “Shunodevi”. She had two sons Kali and Vaidya and a daughter Surasundari.
7. Kali had two very powerful sons (namely): Jaya and Vijaya. Vaidya too had two sons of great strength, viz. Ghruni and Muni.
8. When the subjects became desirous of eating, they ate each other. Devouring each other, they perished.
9. Kali begot of Surā (a son). That son of his is remembered as Mada. Himsă, the daughter of Tvashtr, was the eldest wife of Kali. She was known as Nikruti (too).
10. She bore four other man-eating sons to Kali, viz. Nāka, the famous Vighna, Sadrama and Vidhama.
11. Among them Vighna was devoid of head; Nāka had no body; Sadrama was single-handed; and Vidhama had a single foot.
12. Sadrama’s wife was remembered as Pūtanā. She had Tämasic qualities. Revati was the wife of Vidhama. Their sons were in thousands.
13. Shakuni was the wife of Naka and Ayomukhi was the wife of Vighna. Råkşhasas of huge heads roaming about at dawn and dusk (were born of them).
14. The sons of Revati and Pūtană are remembered by the name of Nairrutas. All these Rakşhasas were evil demons known as Grahas. They particularly harassed children (by haunting them). With the permission of Brahma, lord Skanda became their overlord.
15. Bruhaspati’s sister was a noble lady (named) Yogasiddha. Observing celibacy and being detached, she roamed over the whole universe.
16. She became the wife of the eighth of the Vasus, viz. Prabhāsa. Viśhvakarmă, the creator of arts and crafts was born as her son.
17. (He was known as Tvaşhtr. He created many forms. He was the grandson of Dharma. He was liberal-minded. He was the creator of thousands of arts and crafts. He was the Architect of Devas.
18. He made aerial chariots for all the Devas. Human beings maintain their livelihood by following the craftsmanship of that noble soul.
19. Tvaşhtr’s wife was the famous daughter of Prahlada and was the sister of Virochana and the mother of Trishiras.
20. Maya, the son of the intelligent preceptor of Devas in craftsmanship of all kinds, is remembered as Viśhvakarmà also.
21. His younger sister, the daughter of Tvashtr (originally) famous by the name of Sureņu, became the wife of the Sun and was well known as Samjñā.
22. With the power of her penance, she bore the eldest son Manu to Vivasvān (the Sun-god). Then she gave birth to the twins Yama and Yamunā.
23-24. Assuming the form of a mare, the noble lady went to the land of Kurus. The blessed lady bore two sons to the Sun who had assumed the form of a horse. She gave birth to them through nostrils. They were the twin gods, the Ashvins, Näsatya and Dasra. Both of them were the sons of Mártanda (the Sun-god).
The Sages enquired:
25. Why is (the Sun) called Mårtanda by learned men? Why did she, in the form of a mare, give birth to them through the nostrils? We wish to know this. Please explain this to us who ask you.
Suta said:
26. For a long time, the egg did not break (did not get hatched). It was broken open by Tvaşhtr. On seeing it, Kaśhyapa became sad as he feared that the foetus was killed.
27. When the egg was broken into two parts, he looked into it and said to Tvashtr, “This is certainly not an ordinary) egg”. (Then to the child he said) “O Sinless one, be Märtanda”.
28. The father affectionately said “Indeed this (child) in the egg is not dead”. On hearing his words, the relevancy of the name has been understood.
29. Since he was addressed by the father, “Be born of the dead (broken) egg”, when the egg was broken, Vivasvān is called Mártanda1 hy those who know the Purăņas.
1. The Vedic word is Martanda ‘born of an (apparently) dead egg’. Mārtanda is a later Purăņic form, though the derivation is the same.
30. Henceforth I shall mention the progeny of Mārtanda Vivasvān. Formerly three children were born of his wife Saṁjña to Savitri.
31. (Later) the younger Manu Săvarņi and Shanaiśhchara were born to the shadow) Samjña and the twin gods Ashvins to (the real) Samjña. These seven are remembered as the children of Mårtanda.
32. Vivasvan of great fame, was born of Kaśhyapa and a daughter of Daksha. The noble lady, the daughter of Tvaşhtr be came the wife of Vivasvān. Originally she was well known by the name Sureņu and later came to be known as Samjñā.
33. The wife of lord Märtanda of excessive splendour was a woman of great beauty in the prime of youth. She was dis satisfied with the dazzling form of her husband.
34. The dazzlingly brilliant person of Mārtanda, the son of Aditi, coming into contact with her body was not very pleasing to her.
35. Being unaware, Kaśhyapa said out of affection, ‘Indeed this (child) in the egg is not dead”. Hence he is called Märtanda.
36. The brilliance of Vivasvān increased day by day where by he, the son of Kaśhyapa, scorched the three worlds.
37. Ravi (the Sun-god) begot of Samjñā three children, two sons of great prowess and the daughter Kalindi (Yamunā).
38. Manu was the eldest son of Vivasvan. He was a Prajāpati and known as Shraddhadeva. Yama and Yami were born as twins.
39. On seeing the whetted brilliance of Vivasyan and unable to endure it, Samjñā created her own shadow of the same complexion as hers.
40. That woman of earthly form, born of her shadow came to her humbly with palms joined in reverence and spoke to Samjña:
41. “Tell me, what should be done by me?” Samjñā spoke to her: “Welfare unto you. I will go back to my own father’s house.
42. You must remain in my house without any hesitation. These two sons of mine and this daughter of splendid complexion (should be looked after).
43. This (arrangement) should not be mentioned to the lord, my husband”.
Thus addressed, the earthly form of Samjñā spoke to Samjñā:
44. “O noble lady, until the hair is caught hold of, I will never speak your secret idea. O noble lady, go back to your own house”.
45. After consoling Samjñā, she said, “So be it”. She, the woman in a pitiable condition, went near Tvaşhtras though greatly ashamed.
46. On seeing her come back, the father became angry and spoke to Samjña: “Go back to your husband. Do not hate Divakara (the Sun-god).”
47. Though urged thus by her father and compelled (to go) again and again, she lived in her father’s house for a thousand years.
48. “Go to your husband’s house”. When insisted upon again and again thus, that uncensured (praise-worthy) lady concealed her real form and assumed the form of a mare. She went to the northern Kurus and began to graze grass.
49. Considering that she (the shadow of Samjñā) was the real Samjñā, the Sun begot of the shadow, the second Samjña, two sons of the splendour of Aditya (the Sun).
50. The sons were Shrutaśhravā, the knower of Dharma, and Shrutakarman. Both of those lordly ones were equal to Manu the eldest-born.
51. Shrutaśhravas will become Savarni Manu. The planet Shanaiśhchara (Saturn) is to be known as Shrutakarman.
52-53. It is known that Săvarni became Manu. The earthly form of Samjñā was affectionate only towards her (own) sons and not towards the earlier born ones. Manu bore it patiently, but. Yama did not brook it.
54-55. On being insulted many times (by the step mother) out of spite, Yama became distressed and threatened Samjñā with his leg. Out of anger or childishness or the force of the inevitable destiny, that lady, having the same complexion as his mother, cursed Yama out of anger.
56. “Since you are threatening the renowned wife of your father, this leg of yours will undoubtedly fall off.”
57. With his mind deeply afflicted due to that curse, Yama of virtuous soul reported everything to his father, along with Manu (i.e. accompanied by him.)
58. “I am much distressed due to the fear of the curse (taking effect). I have been defeated (?) by the statement) words of Samjña. (This mistake is) due to my childishness or delusion. Sir, please protect me.
59. O lord of the worlds, foremost one among those who blaze, I have been cursed by mother. May your grace protect us from this great danger.’’
60. Thus implored, lord Vivasvān spoke to Yama: “O son, undoubtedly there will be a great reason behind this (incident).
61. That was why anger took possession of you who are the knower of virtue and the speaker of the truth. The words of your mother too cannot be falsified.
62. The worms will take away your flesh and go to the earth. Then you will regain your foot. O intelligent one, you will be happy again.
63. In this way, your mother’s words will be true and effective. By removal of the curse, you will also be saved.”
64. Aditya then spoke to Samjña, “When the sons are all equal, why is more affection shown by you towards one?”
65. Avoiding (the necessity of disclosing the secret) she did not say anything to Vivasvān. But by means of his Yogic power and concentration, the Sun found out the truth.
66. The infuriated Sun-god was about to curse her bringing about her destruction. She then confessed factually everything to Vivasvan,
67-68. On hearing it, Vivasvan was enraged and hastened to Tvaşhtr. Tvashtr honoured with due formalities the Sun-god who wanted to burn down everything. He pacified him slowly saying: “Your present form which is excessively dazzling, is not attractive.
69. It is because she could not endure it that Samjña is wandering in the forests and meadows. You will see your wife of auspicious conduct today itself.
70. O lord of rays, by using your Yogic power, you will see your praiseworthy wife superbly endowed with youthful charm. Everything will be favourable if my condition is accepted.
71-74. O suppressor of enemies! At the outset, I shall change your personal form into an excellent one”. The form of Vivasvān, then, was sideways, upwards and below (i.e. the rays were diffused everywhere). Hence Divaspati (the Sun-god) was ashamed of that form. So the deity of great penance praised the wheel of Tvaşhtr. Tvashtr was then permitted to change the form. With the concurrence of the Sun- god (Martaņda Vivasvan), Tvaşhtr mounted him on the wheel and whetted his brilliance. Then the brilliance had pleasant refulgence due to reduction in dazzle.
75. The refulgence became very pleasing to behold. What was inauspicious before shone splendidly. Then (the Sun) made use of Yogic power and saw his wife in the form of a mare.
76. She had been invisible to all living beings due to her brilliance and observance of rites. In the form of a horse, Märtanda approached her and declared his love.
77. In the physical activity of sexual intercourse, she suspected him to be someone other than her lord. She therefore discharged the semen virile of Vivasvăn through her nostrils.
78. From that semen were born the twin gods Ashvins, the excellent physicians, Näsatya and Dasra. They are remembered as Ashvins,
79. They are the sons of Mārtanda, the eighth Prajapati. Bhāskara (the Sun-god) showed his beautiful form to her.
80. On seeing him the wife was satisfied and fascinated. Yama was much afflicted in the mind due to that curse.
81-83. He pleased (all) by means of his Dharma. Then he became known as Dharmarāja. By means of his auspicious activity, he became extremely refulgent and attained the lordship of Pitrus and guardianship of the quarters. Såvarni Manu of great fame shall become the Manu in the Savarnika Manvantara. Even today the holy lord performs penance on the beautiful ridge of the Meru mountain.
84. Their brother Shanaishchara attained the status of a planet with the (chopped off) brilliance (of the Sun) Tvaşhtr made Vişhnu’s discus.1 It was unobstructed (irresistible) in battles to check Dänavas.
1. The creation of Vişhnu’s discus Sudarshana from the pruned part of the Sun-god is mentioned in VP. III. 2.11.
85. Their younger sister Yamuna of great fame, became the excellent river Yamunā, the purifier of all the worlds.2
2. This story of the Sun-god, his wife Samjñā and Chāyā, his children from them, pruning of the Sun-god’s excessive lustre, his approach to his wife Samjña (who was in a mare’s form) and birth of Ashvin gods—these are traditional accounts found in Mbh. Adi 76, Anushasana 150, VP. III. 2 and other Puranas.
86. I shall now narrate the details of Vaivasvata Manu who was the eldest among them. He had great splendour and his creation is current (and he presides over the present Manvantara).
87. He who listens to or reads the origin of Devas, the seven powerful sons of Vivasvan, shall be released, if he attains misfortune. He shall attain great glory.