MAHA BHARAT – ARANYA PARVA – FOURTH CHAPTER

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MAHABHARAT

ARANYA PARVA

FOURTH CHAPTER

(UPTO THE PORTION WRITTEN BY NANNAYA).

 

Ugrasra Vasu (the sooti) continued to say the story of Maha Bharat

to Sounaka and other sages and saints.

 

Dharmaja and other pandavas along with Droupadi spent some

days at the place where Nara and Narayana performed Tapassu.

 

One day, Dharmaja told to Bheema, Nakula and Sahadeva:

 

" Arjuna left us about five years back. He acquired innumerable

Divine Astras. At any moment, he may return. We have to receive him " .

 

Then they proceeded towards north and reched Mount Malyavanta.

 

One day, Droupadi and Bheema went out and enjoying the beauty of the

mountains around Malyavanta. At that time, a flower with five

colours was flying and fell near Droupadi. She was admired. She

requested Bheema to fetch such flowers. Bheema went in search of

those flowers.

 

While going in search of flowers, he reached the palace where Kubera

was living. It was surrounded and guarded by Yakshas and Raakshasas.

 

When Bheema tried to gain entrance into the palace, the Yakshas and

Rakshasas obstructed him. There was a big fight between Bheemaa and

the guards. In that fight, one Manimanta, the Chief of the Army and

also a best friend of Kubera died in the hands of Bheemaa. Bheemaa

also killed number of Rakhasas and Yakshas. The remaining guards

fled away and reported the matter to Kubera.

 

In the meanwhile, Droupadi informed Dharmaja about Bheema going in

search of flowers. Dharmaja along with his brothers and Saint Romasa

went in search of Bheema.

 

They reached the palace of Kubera. In that vicinity, they found

the dead bodies of Manimanta and other Yakshas and Rakshas and they

also saw Bheema standing there in a fierce mood.

 

On hearing what had happened, Kubera came down to Dharmaja and

received them with due honors.

 

" Dharmaja! You need not worry about the death of Manimantha, my

friend at the hands of Bheemaa. Manimanta died only due to a Saapaa

and nothing else. You need not worry. You can stay here for a period

of fifteen days. My people will make all arrangements for your

comfortable stay. You can stay in the Ashram of Aarshti ShENaashram.

 

There is a good news for all of you. Arjuna is at present in Indra

Loka. I saw Arjuna along with Devendra. He is ready to return back

to you. " said Kubera.

 

On hearing this news, Dharmaja was very happy. As per the request

of Kubera, Dharmaja along with his brothers and Droupadi stayed

there for some time.

 

One Day Dhoumya explained Dharmaja about Mount Meru and Mount

Mandhara.

" Dharmaja! That is the holy mountain Meru. On eight sides of that

Mountain, Dikpaalakas are living. Around Mountain Meru, daily Sun,

Moon and other stars are revolving. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are

staying on this Mountain " explained Dhoumya.

 

One day, Arjuna on the chariot driven by Matali, the divine chariot

driver, arrived at the place where Dharmaja was staying. Arjuna

bowed before ROmasa, Dhoumya, elder brothers Dharmaja and Bheemaa.

Following Arjuna, Devendra also arrived there.

 

" Dharmaja! Here is your affectionate brother, Arjuna. Arjuna is a

great man. He acquired many diving astras. He killed the Rakshas,

Nivaata and Kavaca and helped Devatas. We cannot forget his help "

said Devendra. Then he returned back to Devaloka.

 

Then Dharmaja curiously asked Arjuna " Arjuna! Devendra told me that

You have pleased Lord Siva, Indra, Varuna and Agni and other Devatas

and acquired many divine Astras. Why cannot you tell us in detail

about it as a feast to our ears " .

 

" My dear brother, as ordered by you, I proceeded towards Himalayas.

Devendra appeared before as a brahmin and advised me to do Tapassu

about Lord Siva.

 

I accordingly did Tapassu. Lord Siva, having satisfied with my

Tapassu, appeared before as a hunter. He picked up quarrel with me

on the pretext of killing a pig. Not knowing about his original

form, I fought with Siva.

 

Siva was pleased with my vigour and valour. He gave me the divine

Astra viz., Paasupata Astra. Later, Indra and other Devatas came

down to congratulate me and they also gave me several Diving Astras.

 

Then I went to Devaloka, with this human body, on the invitation of

Devendra. Devendra also gave me several Divine Astras. In return, he

requested me to fight with two Demons, Nivatha and Kavacha who were

constantly causing harm to Devatas. Devendra also gave me Devadatta

(a conche) as a gift.

 

Then I went upon Nivata and Kavas on the chariot driven by Divine

Chariot Driver, Matali. The Rakshasas, Nivatha and Kavacha, were

living in a palace underneath the sea. I blowed my conche

Devadattam.

 

On hearing the sound of my conche, they came upon me. There was big

fight between us. In that fight, Matali fainted and lost

consciousness. I myself drove the chariot and continued the fight.

 

The Rakshasas launched an Astra which caused complete darkness. I

could not see anything. I launched the Astra of Light, given by

Devendra, which caused Divine Light. Then I fought with the

Rakshasas. Most of the Rakshasas died along with Nivata and Kavacha.

 

With great victory, I returned to Devaloka. On the way, I saw a town

called Hiranyapura.

 

" Arjuna! This is Hiranyapura ruled by two Rakshasas, Pouloma and

Kaalakeya. They will not be killed of Devatas. You may try " said the

Divine Chariot Driver, Matali.

 

I proceed towards Hiranyapura. The Rakshasas mistook me as

Devendra. They surrounded me and fought with me. They were doing a

miracle war. They along with their town, Hiranyapura, flew to sky

and were fighting from space. Then I launched Paasupata Astra given

by Lord Siva and killed all the Rakshasas along with Pouloma and

Kaalakeya.

Then I returned back to Devaloka and told Mahendra what had

happend. Devenra was very happy.

 

" Arjuna! I am very thankful to you for killing the Rakshasas and

helped Devatas. Your brothers and wife are eagerly waiting for your

arrival and hear your victorious deeds " . said Devendra. Then Matali

brought me here in the divine chariot " completed Arjuna.

 

Dharmaja and his brothers were very happy. They praised Arjuna for

his vigour and valour.

 

.. " Arjuna! Kindly show us all the Astras given by Devatas and also

launch them as experiment " asked Dharmaja.

 

Arjuna was making arrangements to launch the Astras. Having come to

know about it, Divine Saint, Narada hurriedly arrived there.

 

" Arjuna! What are you doig? Stop the launching operations. They are

Divine Astras. You should not launch them without fixing the

target. Otherwise, they will destroy the entire world " said Narada.

 

Arjuna immediately stopped all the operations. Dharmaja stayed

there for a period of ten months. Then ROmasa, the divine saint,

went back to Devaloka.

 

Dharmaja along with his brothers and other followers returend back

to Badarika vana and Subaahu Pura and sent back Ghatotkacha and his

followers who were waiting there, to their original place. They

spent one year in the vicinity of Himalayan Mountains. One day,

Bheema went out for hunting.

 

 

While he was searching for animals, a great python living on that

mountain caught Bheema. Bheema's enormous strength and vigour was of

no use before that python. Bheemaa was astonished.

 

" Who are you? How you got this enormous strength even to bind a

mighty personality like me in your clutches? Have you got any divine

power? " asked Bheemaa.

 

In reply, that python, in human voice said: " Bheemaa! I was an

Emperor. My name was Nahusha. I belong to your dynasty. One great

saint gave me Saapaa to become a serpant. " Nahusha was repenting for

his misdeeds.

 

In the meanwhile, Dharmaja was worried about Bheemaa. He went into

the forest in search of Bheemaa. Dharmaja saw Bheemaa in the

clutches of a python.

 

" Oh what a wonder! A mighty personality like Bheemaa is caught by an

inferior serpant and is unable to move. Fate is great " thought

Dharmaja.

 

" Oh Python! Who are you? Are you a Rakshasa or Divine personality?

Please tell me. I am the son of King Pandu. My name is Dharmaja. If

you caught my brother Bheemaa only for the sake of flesh, I will

provide you any amount of flesh as food. Please relieve him " asked

Dharmaja.

 

Python in human voice replied " O Dharmaja! My name was Nahusha. I

was born in your Dynasty. I was equal to Indra. With the wealth and

power I got, I became pride and arrogant. I insulted Brahmins by

making the Brahmins to drive my chariot. For that Agasthya grew

angry. He cursed me to become a great and fiercest serpant. In view

of that Saapaa, I am lying here. Though I learnt Vedas, though I

performed one hundred Asvamedha Yagas, though I was enthroned as

Indra, but I lost my discretion, virtues and I became pride,

arrogant, and insulted brahmins, as a result, fell down to this

stage.

 

I prayed Saint Agasthya to relieve me of this curse and also to

retain my original senses as Nahusha. Agasthya was pleased to

bless me and said that whoever will give apt replies to my

questions, I will be relieved of this curse due to that great man. I

am waiting for that great man. If you are capable of giving replies

to my questions, you can do so and get your brother relieved of my

clutches. " said Nahusha in the form of python.

 

" O Nahusha! Only Brahmins who are learned can give suitable answers

to your questions. Anyhow, I will try to give replies. What are

those questions? " asked Dharmaja.

 

Nahusha, in the form of python, asked the following questions and

Dharmaja answered them.

 

1, What are the qualities of a Brahmin? What he should learn

from elders?

 

Ans: Truth, forbearance, kindness, clenliness, penance, charity,

virtues are the prime qualities of a Brahmin. He should first learn

how to behave equally both in happiness and sorrow.

 

2. If the above qualities appear in a Sudra, can he be called

as Brahmin? If it is so, why there should be division of people by

caste? Are we misunderstanding people by dividing them as upper

caste and lower caste?

 

Ans: If for any reason, there occurs intermixture of castes, to

identify who belongs to which caste, Svaayambhuva Manuvu laid down a

test to be followed in future. Even if a Sudra attains the virtues

like Truthfulness etc., he can utmost become a best Sudra but how

can he become a brahmin? Likewise, if a Brahmin lost his virtues

viz., Truthfulness etc., he cannot be called as a Brahmin.

Therefore, to determine the caste of a person, his virtues and

character are most important and play a dominant role. If one

person attains good character and virtues, he can become more

virtuous person. If a person has no virtues or goodcharacter, he

will never become a virtuous person. Therefore, it is the prime duty

of a human being to preserve his virtues and good character than

to preserve his moneys and wealth.

 

3. If a person is a dangerous and harmful character and even if

he is a liar, but if he practises non-violance strictly, he will

attain Punya Lokas. How non-violance was placed at such an highest

pedestal than all virtues?

 

Ans:Charity, helping others, always telling truth, practising non-

violance are the four good qualities. Amongst them, non-violance

attained more importance. After death, a human being will attain his

next birth as divine body, or human body or animal body. If a human

being is a charitable person and also follows non-violant path, he

will take his next birth as divine body. If one ignores non-violance

and always indulge in violant activities, will born as an animal.

Therefore, non-violance was considered to be a most adaptable

Dharma.

 

On hearing these answers, Nahusha was very much satisfied and left

Bheemaa. He was also relieved of his serpant form and got a divine

form. Dharmaja along with Bheemaa returned to his place of stay.

 

 

While Dharmaja along with pandavas and Droupadi and others were

spending time in forests, the hot summer passed away and rainy

season started. In Saradrutuvu, there was a pleasant weather. The

moon was shining in the sky and was spreading pleasant moon light

throughout the sky like the fragrance of flowers.. It is like this:

 

Saardoolam:

Saaradaraatru lujvala lasattara taaraka haara panktulam

jaaru tarambu layye vikasannava kairava gandha bandhurO

daara sameera sourabhamutaalchi sudhaamSuvikeeryamaaNa ka

rpoora paraaga paanDu ruci pooramu lambara pooritambulai.

 

As all of you know pretty well, originally Mahabharat was written in

Sanskrit by Veda Vyaasa. It was translated into Telugu by Nannaya

Bhattaraka in verse form. The above is the last verse written by

Nannaya.

 

King Raja Raja Narendra was ruling the Andhra Area during 1022 A.D.

from Rajahmundry as his capital. Nannaya Bhattaraka was a minister

in the name of " Kula Brahmana " . Nannayya belongs to Aapasthambha

Sootra and relates to Moudgala Muni Gotra.

 

At the request of King Raja Raja Narendra, Nannayya translated

Sanskrit Maha Bharat into Telugu during 1054-61 AD. The writing

went on for four years. Nannaya wrote Aranya Parve upto the above

verse. Then he died.

 

Upto two hundred, nodbody touched Maha Bharat. During 13th

century, Tikkana Somayaji who was living in Nellore started the work

of translation of Sanskrit Maha Bharat into Telugu. But he did not

complete Aranya Parva. He commenced from Fourth Chapter(Viraata

Parva) and completed the remaining 15 chapters.

 

For 200 more years, Aranya Parva remained incomplete. In the earlier

part of 14th Century, Yerra Praggada who was residing at Gudlur

completed Aranya Parva. Therefore, it is evident that the

translation of entire Mahabharat went on for about 300 years.

 

Yerra Praggada lived during 1280-1364 A.D. He also wrote Ramayan,

Nrusimha Purana, Hari Vamsa besides the remaining portion in Aranya

Parva. He belongs to Aapastambha Sotra, Sreevatsa Gotra and he was

the son of Potamaamba and Sooranna.

 

Even though, Yerra Praggadda completed the remaining portion of

Aranya Parva, he did it in the name of Nannaya Bhattu but not in his

name. This shows his respect and devotion towards earlier poets like

Nannayya. Yerra Praggada was such a humble man.

 

(The above particulars are taken from the preface written to the

mighty publication of Sreemadaandhra Mahaa Bhaaratam by Tirumala

Tirupati Devastaanams. My heartful thanks to Tirumala Tirupati

Devastaanams).

 

Now let us read the first verse written by Yerra Praggada.

 

Campaka Maala:

sphuradaruNaamSu raaga ruci bompirivOyi nirasta neeradaa

varaNamulai daLatkamala vaibhavajRumbhaNa mullasilla nu

ddhuratarahamsaarasa madhuvrata nisvanamul selamgagaa

garamu velinge vaasara mukhammulu Saarada vELa cooDagan.

 

(Now Let us continue to read the remaining portion of Mahabharat –

Aranya Parva written by Yerra PraggaDa)

 

MAHA BHARAT – ARANYA PARVA –

FOURTH CHAPTER – UPTO THE PORTION WRITTEN BY NANNAYA IS COMPLETE.

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