01.091
Mahabhisha’s fall and the pact between Ganga and Vasus.
Vaiśampāyana said:
There was a king named Mahābhiṣa, born in the Ikṣvāku lineage, a lord of the earth, renowned for truth in speech and valor.
He performed a thousand aśvamedha and a hundred vājapeya sacrifices, pleasing Indra, and thus the mighty king attained heaven.
Then once, the gods assembled to worship Brahmā, where many royal sages were present, including King Mahābhiṣa.
Then Gaṅgā, the supreme river, approached Brahmā; her moon-like radiant garment was lifted by the wind.
Then all the gods turned their faces away in modesty, but Mahābhiṣa, the royal sage, gazed unashamed at the river goddess Gaṅgā.
Mahābhiṣa was condemned by Brahmā and told, “Being born among mortals, you shall once again attain the heavenly worlds.”
That king, reflecting on all the great and ascetic kings, chose the radiant Pratīpa to be his father.
Seeing Mahābhiṣa, the king who had lost composure, the best of rivers fixed her mind on him and turned toward him.
As she went along the path, she saw the Vasus — gods of heaven — whose forms were ruined and brilliance diminished by sin.
Seeing them in such a ruined state, the best of rivers asked, “What is this? Have you lost your forms? Is all well with the gods?”
The Vasus said to her, “We are cursed, O great river, by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha, out of wrath, for a minor offense.”
We, being deluded, once intruded upon the great sage Vasiṣṭha, who sat hidden in twilight, unaware of who he was.
Thus, out of anger, he cursed us: “Be born in the womb.” What is declared by a knower of Brahman cannot be undone.
Therefore, become a human woman and bear the Vasus as your sons on earth, for we do not wish to enter the inauspicious wombs of mortal women.
Thus addressed, Gaṅgā replied to the Vasus, “So be it,” and asked, “Among mortals, who shall be the best of men to become your father?”
The Vasus said:
Śantanu, the righteous king and son of Pratīpa, shall be born in the human world—he will be our father.
Gaṅgā said:
O sinless gods, my view is also the same as yours. I shall do what pleases him and fulfill your desire as well.
The Vasus said:
You should cast your newborn sons into the waters, O Gaṅgā of the three worlds, so our atonement may come swiftly.
Gaṅgā said:
I shall do accordingly. Let a son be ordained for him, and let our union not be in vain—for the sake of that son.
The Vasus said:
Each of us will give a fourth of our power. With that strength, your son shall be born — desired by you and by him.
His lineage shall not continue among mortals; therefore, though your son, he will remain without sons—yet he shall be powerful.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, having made the agreement with Gaṅgā, the Vasus departed with joyful hearts, directly according to their intent.
