The lost king of Chedi (Bundelkhand) and birth of Ved Vyasa

The thirst for knowledge about his ancestors grew even stronger in King Janamejaya. He expressed his desire to Vaisampayana, requesting a detailed version of the Mahabharata story, as opposed to the shorter narration shared earlier. He was very keep to know about the birth of his ancestors especially the birth of Ved Vyasa. Vaisampayana agreed, but he cautioned King Janamejaya to ensure sufficient time to listen, as this epic was composed with immense detail by Rishi Vyasa, a sage of immeasurable mental power. Vaisampayana also highlighted the numerous benefits of reading the Mahabharata, emphasizing its spiritual and moral lessons.

The Story of King Uparichara

Vaisampayana began his narration with the story of King Uparichara, also known as Vasu, who conquered the kingdom of Chedi under the divine guidance of Lord Indra. King Uparichara was a just and valiant ruler whose prowess in battle was unmatched. After establishing peace and prosperity in his kingdom, he sought a higher purpose and decided to retire to a secluded place to perform severe austerities.

However, his penance caused concern in the heavens. Lord Indra, alarmed by the growing power of King Uparichara’s virtue, appeared before him. Worried that the king might aspire to challenge the gods or become their ruler, Indra engaged him in a conversation. The Lord praised the king’s dedication but persuaded him to abandon his ascetic practices, emphasizing his duty as a ruler.

Having won King Uparichara’s confidence, Lord Indra gifted him a celestial crystal car—a vehicle that only divine beings could use. Additionally, he gave the king a bamboo pole as a symbol of his authority to uphold justice and law. This bamboo pole became an emblem of righteousness. To honor Lord Indra, King Uparichara planted it during his coronation, a practice that became a ritual for future monarchs.

The Dynasty of King Uparichara

King Uparichara and his queen, Girika, had five sons—Vrihadratha, Pratyagraha, Kusamva, Mavella, and Yadu. These sons were known for their exceptional energy and skill in battle. The king entrusted each of them with the governance of five provinces within his kingdom, ensuring that the realm was well-administered and prosperous. Over time, these princes established their own dynasties, which flourished and became renowned across the land.

The River Suktimati and Girika

While traveling in his celestial car, King Uparichara encountered a peculiar sight. The river Suktimati, struggling against the mountain Kolahala, seemed to be obstructed in its flow. Kolahala, personified as a mountain, was driven by lust and refused to let the river pass. Using his divine powers, King Uparichara subdued Kolahala, striking the mountain and creating an indentation that allowed the river to flow freely.

This act of liberation resulted in the birth of two children from the union of the river and Kolahala. One child became a general in King Uparichara’s army, while the other, a beautiful maiden named Girika, became the king’s wife. Their union was destined to shape the future in ways no one could have foreseen.

The Unusual Birth of Satyavati

One day, as King Uparichara and Girika prepared to conceive a child, the king was called away by his ancestors, known as pitris, to perform a sacred ritual. Torn between his duty to the pitris and his longing for his wife, the king devised a plan. He entrusted a hawk to carry his seed to Girika, ensuring the lineage would continue despite his absence.

As the hawk flew towards Girika, it was attacked mid-air by another hawk, mistaking the seed for food. The two birds battled fiercely, causing the seed to fall into the river Yamuna. In the river lived Adrika, an apsara cursed to live as a fish. Upon swallowing the seed, Adrika’s destiny took a turn.

Ten months later, fishermen caught the fish, and from its stomach emerged two human children—a boy and a girl. The boy grew up to become the famed monarch Matsya, while the girl, named Satyavati, was raised by the fishermen. Though born amidst unusual circumstances, Satyavati’s destiny was intertwined with greatness.

Satyavati’s encounter with Rishi Parasara and Birth of Ved Vyasa

Satyavati grew into a stunningly beautiful woman, though she carried a distinct fishy odor due to her unusual birth. As a fisherman’s daughter, she ferried passengers across the Yamuna River. Her beauty and grace caught the attention of many travelers, but her life changed forever when she met Rishi Parasara.

The sage, captivated by her charm, expressed his desire to unite with her. Satyavati, however, was hesitant. She reminded him of societal norms and her duties to her father. Rishi Parasara, understanding her concerns, used his divine powers to create a dense fog, ensuring their privacy.

To further ease her apprehensions, he granted her two boons. The first allowed her to retain her virginity even after their union, protecting her reputation in society. The second transformed her body’s odor into a divine fragrance akin to blooming flowers. From that day onward, she became known as Gandhavati.

Their union bore fruit the same day, resulting in the birth of a son named Krishna-Dwaipayana, later known as Ved Vyasa. The child’s birth on an island in the Yamuna gave him the epithet “island-born.” In future, this child became the arranger of Vedas and the great tutor of great sages like Sumanta, Jaimini, Paila, Suka (Son of Paila), Vaisampayana. He taught them Vedas and the great Bharata published by him.

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