Introduction
We already have come across Yayati in a separate story in Samskruthi. He was the father of Puru and Yadu, the former being the ancestor of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas and the latter, of
It is worth mentioning the importance of the last king of the sixteen, Pruthu. Chronologically, he should have come much earlier. He was so famous that the earth itself got the name “the daughter of Prithu (Prithvi)”. Other epics like the Mahabhagavata describe how he approached “the earth” and requested her to provide nourishment to the living beings. The response of the earth was that the she would, in the form of a cow, let the king to milk her, provided the king approached her with a suitable calf. It is said that Pruthu made the mountain “Meru” as the calf and milked all the nourishments, like the grass, corn vegetables and fruits, required by various living beings from the cow, which was the earth.
11. Yayati
He had won over the entire world. Then, he performed so many of the famous sacrificial rituals in which he donated mountains of gold to Brahmins. He divided the earth into parts and handed them over to his sons. But, he made Puru his true follower and retired to forest in due course.
Yet,
He died, Srinjaya, who was four fold
As meritorious as you are
Even more blessed than your son
Do not feel sad for your son
12. Ambareesha
This king was born as the son Nabhaga who was the brother of Ikshwaku. Thus, he may not be considered of the Ikshvaku dynasty, but, is certainly of the solar lineage.
The king performed thousands of sacrificial rituals and made such generous gifts that the people said that there was none like him earlier or later.
Yet,
He died, Srinjaya, who was four fold
As meritorious as you are
Even more blessed than your son
Do not feel sad for your son
13. Sasabindu
Sasabindu (SaSabindu) was the son of Citraratha and belonged to the Yadava dynasty of the lunar lineage. He had innumerable number of children from his thousands of wives. All his sons were great warriors. He performed great sacrifices and offered gold covered elephants, horses and cows in thousands as gifts to the Brahmins who participated in them.
Yet,
He died, Srinjaya, who was four fold
As meritorious as you are
Even more blessed than your son
Do not feel sad for your son
14.
He was the son of a king named Amoortarayasa .
Yet,
He died, Srinjaya, who was four fold
As meritorious as you are
Even more blessed than your son
Do not feel sad for your son
15. Ranteedeva
He was the son of Sankrutya (sankrutya) and belonged to the lunar lineage of dynasties. He won a boon from Indra that he would never fall short of food and there would always be visitors to his land for him to feed. As a result there were always guests who arrived in thousands in his palace and he made generous gifts to them all. It is said that so much of meat was offered to his guests that the remains flowed as a river with the name Carminvati (carmiNvati).
Yet,
He died, Srinjaya, who was four fold
As meritorious as you are
Even more blessed than your son
Do not feel sad for your son
16. Pruthu
Pruthu was born into the family of Dhruva as the son of Vena. He was so powerful that the rivers and even the seas offered no resistance on his way. The farmers could make rich harvests even without tilling when he ruled. There was plenty of everything in the land and no one fell sick. It is said that Pruthu offered gifts that formed into twenty one hillocks to Brahmins.
Yet,
He died, Srinjaya, who was four fold
As meritorious as you are
Even more blessed than your son
Do not feel sad for your son
The story of the sixteen kings concludes here.
