The ethereal ambiance of Brahmalok was saturated with radiant energy and an air of anticipation enveloped the sacred space. The gods along with several Rajarshis had come to pay homage to Brahmadev.
As each deity arrived, they prostrated themselves before Brahmadev, showcasing their utmost respect and devotion.
However, amidst this celestial assembly, a Rajarshi named Mahabhisha stood out from the crowd. This lord of earth, was born in the Ikshvaku lineage, had performed a 1000 Ashwamedh yagya and 100 Vajpeyas, hence earning his place in heaven.
While the rest were bowing down to Brahmadev, Mahabhisha busy staring at the holy river goddess, Ganga, who too had arrived to pay her respect to the creator god.
The Rajarshi was enamored by the ethereal beauty of the river goddess, and couldn't help but gaze at her with ardor. He was spellbound by her radiant presence. His heart pulsed with a mixture of admiration, longing, and fascination.
And then, as if responding to the subtle stirrings of fate, a sudden gust of wind surged through the divine hall, its invisible touch causing the delicate white fabric of Ganga's upper garment to flutter away in the breeze.
The masses of gods immediately lowered their heads and gaze, with divine modesty and respect for Ganga's dignified presence.
Yet, the unwavering gazes of the enamored king held no bounds. Mahabhisha continued to peer at her unapologetically, his fascination undeterred by social decorum or the presence of the Brahmadev, himself.
Ganga, feeling the intensity of Mahabhisha's unwavering gaze, met his eyes. There, in that captivating moment, time seemed to halt. She, frozen in time, felt a peculiar connection with the audaciously charming king. Her graceful countenance reflected a mix of emotions; surprise, confusion, and a hint of curiosity.
It was as if their souls had intertwined in that fleeting moment, understanding each other's desires and secrets, locked in a gaze that defied conventional boundaries.
However, witnessing this painfully inappropriate interaction, the anger within Brahmadev surged forth like fire.
"Rajarshi Mahabhisha !" He exclaimed, displeased by the King's blatant disregard of manners and modesty.
At that, Mahabhish got startled and so did Ganga, both of them came out of their trance like state.
"Kya mrityu ke upraant tum prithvi par sikhi mariyada bhul gaye ho ? Kya deh tyaagne ke baad tumne apne sanskaro ka bhi tyaag kar diya ?" Brahmadev asked.
Mahabhish couldn't utter a word, he joined his hands and lowered his gaze, apologetically.
"Tumhara janm punah prithvi par hoga ! Aur uske baad tumhe parlok praapt honge." Brahmadev cursed.
His voice echoed through the halls, and then silence took over the place. Mahabhisha quietly accepted his fate, uncertain of what was to come, but assured that it was for the greater good.
And after thinking about all the kings of earth, Mahabhisha requested, "Yadi prithvi par mera janm hona hai, toh mere Pita, Maharaj Pratipa ho."
"Aisa hi hoga." Brahmadev said.
A sigh escaped the lips of Mahabhisha, as he thought about how he has to suffer the nuances of earthly life once again. And seeing him lose his composure like so, Ganga went away. But still her thoughts were occupied by him.
Along her path, she saw 8 among the 33 koti gods, the revered Vasus. They looked crestfallen with their destroyed forms, the eighth and best among them, Dyou, looked especially dark with dispair. Seeing them in such a condition, Ganga couldn't help but inquire.
"Swargvasio, aap ki yeh durdasha kyu ? Kya karan hai aapke dukh ka ?" She asked.
"Devi, humari ek udandata ke karan, Brahmarishi Vasisth ne hume ek bhishma shraap diya hai. Uske karan hum swarg ke vasi nahi rahe." Prithu, the eldest one said.
"Kaisi udandata ? Kaisa shraap ?" Ganga asked.
-- FLASHBACK --
The Vasus with Prithu at their head were roaming in the forest of mount Meru with their wives, revelling in each other's company, making love in the l mountains and woods.
There the wife of one of the Vasus, saw a cow of Vasisth, grazing the grass near Vasisth ashram. The cow was well fed and yielded plenty of milk. It had a beautiful tail and handsome face. It had all the qualities and was supreme in its conduct.
"Nath ?" The slender waisted lady, approached her husband.
"Kahiye Devi." Dyou, he eighth Vasu smiled at her.
"Woh dekhiye." She pointed at Vasisth's cow, "Woh kiski gaaye hai ?"
"Woh Varun-putra Vasisth ki Kaamdhenu gaaye hai, jo iss van ke swami hai. Iss gaaye ka dugdh peene se vyakti 10,000 varsh tak jeeta hai aur uska yauvan kabhi samaapt nahi hota." Dyou said.
Listening to her husband's words, she became extremely delighted.
"Nath, mai yeh gaaye ka dugdh apni sakhi, Ushinara Maharaj ki putri, Jinavati ko dena chaahti hu. Meri iccha hai ki aap yeh gaaye aur uska bachda mere liye laaye, jisse mai inhe apni saheli ko de saku, jisse woh vridhavasta aur bimaariyo se bachi rahe." She said.
Hearing the words of the goddess, Dyou wished to please her and stole the cow with the help of Prithu and his other brothers. But did not think about the great ascetic powers of the rishi who owned her. He failed to consider the consequences.
In the evening, when Vasisth returned to the hermitage with the fruit he had collected. He did not see the cow and her calf in his ashram.
He began looking for them in the forest. But though he searched, the sage could not find her. Through his divine sight, he then found that she had been stolen by the vasus.
His anger arose and he cursed, "Vasuo ne aisa neech kukritya kiya hai, jiske karan unhe awashya manushya yoni mei janm lena hoga !"
After that Vasisth returned to perform his austerities.
As soon as the Vasus came to know that they had been cursed by the Brahmarishi, they went to the hermitage of the great-souled one. The vasus tried to pacify him, but they failed to obtain his grace.
"Tum sabhi ko shraap Dyou ke karan mila. Iss liye tum sab janm lete hi shraap-mukt ho jaoge. Parantu Dyou nahi, use Bhulok mei lambe samaye tak vicharan karna padega. Woh dharm ka gyata aur shashtro mei nipurn hoga, woh apne Mata aur Pita ke sukh ka karan banega. Lekin uski koi santaan nahi hogi. Woh stree ke dwara diye sukh se vanchit rahega." Vasisth said.
-- FLASHBACK --
"Devi, Bhulok mei aisi koi stree nahi jo hume janm dene ke yogya ho. Ganga, aap sabhi nadiyo mei sarvashresht hai. Kripiya aap hume janm de, aur fir apne nadi mei pravah kar hume mukt karde." Prithu said.
"Yadi mai aapki Mata bani, toh aapke Pita kaun honge ?" Ganga asked, she herself had someone in mind who will be worthy to be their father, yet wished to know their wish.
"Maharaj Pratipa aur unki patni Maharani Sunanda ko jaldi hi ek putra ki praapti hogi. Woh Shantanu naam se prasiddh honge. Wahi humare Pita banenge." Said Dhara, another Vasu.
Ganga smiled, "Mere man mei bhi yahi baat thi. Mai woh karungi jo unhe aur aap sabhi ko priya ho. Aapko mai shraap mukt awashya karungi, parantu yadi aap sabhi janm lete hi Bhulok ka tyaag karde, toh mera aur Shantanu ka milan vifal reh jaayega."
"Devi, Vasisth ke shraap ke karan Dyou lambe samaye tak prithvi par rahega. Aap chintit na ho, aapka aur Shantanu ka milan vifal nahi hoga." Prithu assured.
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
A/N
Mahabhisha takes birth as Shantanu
And Dyou becomes our dear Pitamah Bhishm ✨✨✨
Btw next chapter is last 🌝✨
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HARIHARESHWARI 13 : DVOU PADOU VRISHABHAH
Historical FictionThe age of Treta yug has ended, Vedas and sacrifices went into a decline and the lifespans of humans decreased, with the advent of Dwapar, the third yug. Now humanity is not plagued by external threats from demons or other supernatural forces but fr...
