The Horse Sacrifice

Introduction

We are on the first chapter, “of Horse Sacrifice (Aswamedhika parvam)” in the book titled nearly the same, ‘The Horse Sacrifice (Aswamedha parvam)”.

We may recollect in this context that Yudhishthira had conducted a similar ceremony called “Rajasooyam” just before the game of dice. In fact, the successful conclusion of the grand Rajasooyam ritual was part of the reason why Duryodhna wanted to get rid of the Pandavas at any cost.

The four brothers of Yudhishthira had been on a victory march right before the Rajasooyam. That was an important step to ensure that the senior Pandava established himself as an emperor ahead of the ritual. Then, all the vassal kings were invited for the ceremony. But, there was no horse as part of the victory march. If anybody dared to challenge the king, he would simply try to harness the animal which would result in a great battle. The present ritual is different as we shall learn in the subsequent episodes.

Yudhishthira’ Sorrow

The newly crowned Pandava king continued to feel dispirited after the death of Bhishma. He performed the last rites for the grand father and for all other relations killed in the war in the river Ganga in the company of Dhritarashtra and his brothers. At the end Yudhishthira just collapsed in the river because of the intense sorrow. Krishna asked him to get up and leave all sorrow behind. That did not help the situation.

Dhritarashtra, then, spoke. “Son, why do you lose yourself to so much sorrow? There is good reason for me and my wife to feel agonized after losing all our one hundred sons in the war. For what reason are you feeling sorry?”

Thoughts on Horse Sacrifice

Krishna and Veda Vyasa tried again to give courage to the Pandava. Vyasa said. “What you need to do is to perform the horse sacrifice (aswa medham).You shall regain peace of mind as a result”.

Yudhishthira thought that made sense. But, he said. “Though I accept what you say, the horse sacrifice requires wealth in abundance for various gifts (dakshina) to those who conduct the rituals. My coffers are empty after the war. There is no king on the whole of earth who I can approach for the purpose. If there is any who has survived the war, then he will be in the same situation as I am with no money to spare.”

To that Vyasa said. “King Marutta had acquired gold in abundance for his sacrificial rituals. A lot of it has been left behind on the mountain Meru, north of the Himalayas. You can go and get as much as you want from there.”

The Yajna of king Marutta

We have briefly covered the story of king Marutta in the beginning of “the sixteen kings (shodaSa rajakeeyam)”. The king wanted to perform the rituals for which he had approached Brihaspati, the priest of gods, for conducting. But, Indra prevented him from undertaking the task. The king, then, went to Samvarta, the younger brother of Brihaspati who was roaming about holy places as a mad mendicant. It was sage Narada who had suggested Samvartta to the king. Narada also had given hints about the place to look for and the way to identify him.

King Marutta did as he was told. The Brahmin was willing to undertake the task. But, he wanted the full commitment from the king that he would not turn back later whatever may be the temptations. The king agreed.

Samvarta, then, asked the king to approach Lord Siva for all the money (wealth) needed for the gifts and other expenses. Marutta prayed to the god and got gold in abundance with His blessings.

The king, then, started elaborate preparations for the ritual. When Brihaspati came to know that a grand ritual was going to be successfully conducted by his brother he became jealous. It must somehow be stopped as his prestige was at stake. Else, he must, himself, be the chief priest. He approached Indra with such a request.

Indra sent, though somewhat reluctantly, the god of fire (agni) to tempt and even to threaten Marutta. But, the king stood firm who was protected by Samvarta with his tremendous powers from long penance. The threatening pose of the god of fire did not work on the Brahmin. Samvarta said that he could burn the god (of fire) to ashes with the power of his austerities!

Indra tried to send a Gandhrava by name Dhritarashtra (with the same name as that of the blind Kaurava king) with renewed threats. But, that did not work either. The sacrificial ritual went ahead in full swing. The king of god thought that it was better to co-operate than to make an issue of his defeat. Finally, he arrived at the ritual with other gods and happily accepted the offerings. He even asked the Gandharvas to sing and the Apsara women to dance to add colour to the festivities. The Yajna of Marutta was a grand success.

The chapter ‘of the horse sacrifice’ ends here, though the actual sacrifice of Yudhishthira is described at the end of the next chapter.

Bhishma Ascends to Heaven

We have already skipped over the largest of the books, the Book of Peace, in Mahabharata. We are now, again, skipping over most of the next “Book of Instructions (anuSaasana parvam)” and are coming to the last chapter in it called “the Ascension of Bhishma to Heaven (bhishma swargaarohaNa parvam)”. The only reason for this is that these two books contain only some advices (though very important) and make very little progress with the main story. We may catch up with the side stories appearing there through Samskruthi.

The Book of Instructions has only two chapters. The first one is huge, on the ‘duty to do charity (daana dharma parvam). At the end of it Bhishma asks Yudhishthira to return to his palace and come back to him when “the sun turns north (uttaraayaNa)”. Bhishma concluded his days of advice with the words- “now you return to your palace. There is no need to feel sorry for what happened. Engage in charities and perform various sacrificial rituals. Serve your subjects well. Come back to me in time for my death”. Accordingly, Yudhishthira went away with his brothers, Krishna and Dhritarashtra.

The return to the death bed of the grandsire

The last chapter of the book titled “the Ascension of Bhishma to Heaven” gives details of the Pandavas returning to the grandsire in time of his death. Yudhishthira spent those days in Hastinapura engaged in various charities as asked by the grandsire. When he realized that the time had come to return to the grandsire he started the journey with all preparations for the fitting cremation for the Kaurava hero. The group consisted of all the Pandavas and the surviving Kaurava royals including Dhritarashtra. Krishna was also with them.

They had gathered various fragrant materials like sandalwood for the cremation. An abundant quantity of ghee (clarified butter) which was an essential part was also carried along. It was going to be the last rites for the greatest of the Bharata heroes. So, they made sure that decorative materials like flowers and garlands were also well stocked. The fire for the funeral pyre, itself, was carried ceremoniously ahead of all.

When the royal troupe started from Hastinapura Veda Vyasa arrived with other sages like Narada, Devala and Asita. They all reached the bed of Bhishma in due course and paid their respects to the hero who was breathing his last.

Yudhishthira spoke first, in a gentle tone. “Grand father, hope you can hear me. Please order me with whatever I need to do. I have come with the fire for your cremation. The priests are all ready for the ritual. Your son, Dhritarashtra, is also here with his ministers. Please open your eyes, if you can and see us all.”

Bhishma’s last words

Bhishma heard him and opened his eyes with some effort. How courageously and serenely the grandsire greeted his own death showed the greatness of Bhishma. He his right arm which was once powerful enough to bring any enemy that faced him. This time, it was to greet all those who came for his cremation. He, then, addressed Dhritarashtra and said. “Good that you have come in time. You are well versed in all the four Vedas. Do not grieve. The sons of Pandu are yours also. They will do as you order them.”

The son of Santanu, then, turned to Krishna and spoke thus. “Krishna, I bow to you. I had repeatedly advised Duryodhana to make peace with the Pandavas, reminding him that the victory shall be where you are. But, being foolish, he did not listen to my words. I have done my duty and now I ask your permission for departing from this world”.

He spoke the final words addressing all present. “I ask for the permission from all of you to breathe my last. You all must remember that truthfulness is the greatest strength. Hence, try to live holding fast to truth”.

The end of Bhishma

Bhishma stopped with those words. All present, then, could observe life departing from each limb of his body, one by one. Finally, they could witness the extraordinary sight of the breath (praaNa) of the heroic Bhishma break through the crest of his head. They watched in great wonder a light ascending to the sky, like a meteor, believed to be the life (jeeva) of the grandsire. That is how people with great Yogic powers end their life. The body of Bhishma became completely lifeless from that moment.

There was music played in heaven at that time and showers of flowers fell from the sky. Great sages who were present around Bhishma and even those who stood watching he scene from heaven commended on the remarkable way Bhishma lived and finally ended his life.

The Cremation

A funeral pyre had been prepared, meanwhile, with fragrant wood in which a lot of ghee was poured as per the custom. The body of Bhishma was placed on that while the priests stood chanting hymns from the Vedas. The body was covered with garlands of sweet smelling flowers. The son of Vidura, Yuyutsu, held a royal umbrella over the body as a sign of respect to the departed Kaurava. Bhima and Arjuna fanned the body with royal fans, one made of the tails of the Camara deer (caamara) and the other, of peacock feathers (vyajana). Soon, the fire engulfed and consumed the body of the greatest of the warriors who fought the war of Mahabharata.

The funeral rites

Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira and other Pandavas, then, proceeded to the river Ganga and offered handfuls of the holy water (tarpaNam) to the departed soul of their grand father as per the custom. It is said that at that time (the guardian angel of) Ganga rose from the river and started lamenting for her departed son. Ganga shed tears for her heroic son who defeated all kings single handedly at the time of the wedding of the princesses of Kasi and even remained unbeaten by Parasurama. Yet, he was felled by the arrows of Sikhandi who stood no match for him. Krishna consoled her reminding her that it was the arrows of Arjuna and not of Sikhandi that brought her son down. In fact, even Arjuna would not have succeeded in his mission, if Bhishma did not will so. Her son on earth was, in fact, the chief of the Vasus in heaven and he decided that it was time for him to return to his original abode.

Then all the Pandavas and Kauravas returned to Hastinapura taking permission from the heavenly Ganga. Thus ends the chapter concluding the remarkable life of Bhishma on earth. The “book of instructions” also ends here.

Indra kills Vritra

Please find the brief story of the demon Vritra, how was cleverly killed by Indra, the king of gods in Samskruthi (www.kunjunny.blogspot.com)