Bala Kanda –Sarga 41

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Om Asmadgurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

The sons of Sagara did not come back for a long time, so he said to his grandson

Amsumanta, "you are brave, knowledgeable and you are equal to your elders in

your power. Your forefathers went in search of the horse, you too follow them in

search of the person who stole our ritual-horse and get it back after

recognizing the thief. There are very powerful monsters reside underneath the

earth. Take powerful bow and arrows and a sword with you to eliminate those that

are obstructing your task. Recognize and worship holy people and get back the

ritual-horse to complete the Yagna." After listening to Sagara's words,

Amsumanta along with his weapons started his journey on the same path that his

forefathers took and reached the bowls of the earth. First he saw a

dazzling/radiant elephant (diggajam) on his way. He prayed to the elephant and

explained about his journey. Elephant was pleased with Amshumantha's manners and

devotion, and blessed him that he will be successful in his quest and will

return with the horse. Amsumanta took blessings from all the other elephants

along his passage. He reached a place where his forefathers were burnt to ashes.

He lamented looking at their ashes and was in deep sorrow and distress over

their death. In the same place he also saw the ritual horse. He decided to

perform final rites to his forefathers and went in search of water and he

couldn't find any water nearby. Meanwhile Amsumanta saw Garuthman (divine

eagle), the maternal uncle to his deceased forefathers. Eagle consoled Amsumanta

and said, "Oh! Great one Amsumanta, don't be sad. Death of your elders was good

to the world. They were burnt to ashes by the great and skillful Kapila. Your

forefathers were very powerful and courageous people. You shouldn't perform

final rites for them with the water available on earth. Himavantha's eldest

daughter Ganga, Her water is ideal for this. Go and bring that holy water, and

perform the last rites, so that your forefathers can get Moksha. Without grief

take that horse back to your kingdom and complete your grandfather's (Yaga)

ritual." After listening to Garuthman's words, Amsumanta went back to his

kingdom with the horse and King Sagara, was waiting to complete the Yagna who

listened to His grandson's narration of the prior events. With great sorrow,

Sagara completed his Yagna. Then Sagara started thinking about how to bring

Ganga to earth, but he couldn't come up with a solution. King Sagara ruled the

country for over 3000 years before his death. (Contd…)

 

Jai Srimannarayana

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