09.052
Library: Reason why the Kurukshetra field was ploughed by the noble Kuru.
The sages spoke:
The northern altar of Prajapati is known as the eternal Samantapanchaka, O Rama. It is the place where the gods once gathered, bestowing great boons through their sacrifices.
Long ago, the wise and illustrious royal sage Kuru, with his immeasurable splendor, made this place excellent for many years; hence, it became renowned here as Kurukshetra.
Rama said:
O ascetics, I wish to hear the reason why this field was ploughed by the noble Kuru.
The sages spoke:
Once upon a time, indeed, Kuru Rama was constantly engaged in ploughing. Indra, having descended from heaven, approached and inquired about the reason.
"What is happening here, O King, with such effort by another? O royal sage, what is the intention behind this cultivation of the earth?"
Kuru said:
In this place, the men who fall in battle, O Indra, will ascend to the virtuous realms untouched by sin.
With a smile, Indra then returned to heaven, the lord of the gods. Meanwhile, the royal sage, undeterred, continues to till the earth.
Indra, repeatedly coming and mocking him, without losing heart, asked again and again and then departed.
When the king, through intense penance, pulled the earth, Indra then spoke to the gods about the intentions of the royal sage.
Upon hearing this, the gods addressed Indra, saying: "O Indra, if it is possible, let the royal sage be pleased by a boon."
If indeed the deceased go to heaven without offering sacrifices to us, then our share will not exist.
Upon arriving, Indra then addressed the royal sage, saying, "Enough of your distress; please heed my words."
O king, humans who either abandon their bodies without food and fatigue, or are slain in battle, even if they have gone astray, are considered noble.
The king Kuru, addressing Indra, expressed his wish that they may become enjoyers of heaven, to which Indra agreed, acknowledging the king's great wisdom.
Then, having joyfully permitted him, the destroyer of enemies quickly returned to heaven.
Thus, O best of the Yadus, this land was once ploughed by the royal sage and approved by Indra, making it sacred for those who are departing from life.
Indra, the lord of gods, himself sang a song here in Kurukshetra. Listen to it, O Halayudha.
Even the dust particles from Kurukshetra, carried by the wind, can lead a person who has committed evil deeds to the highest spiritual destination.
The best of gods, the foremost of Brahmins, along with Nriga and other chief kings, worshipped Narasimha with grand sacrifices and offerings, and after renouncing their bodies, they attained an auspicious state.
The space between the two doers crossing and the lakes of Rama and the wheel is known as the northern altar of Prajapati at the five regions surrounding Kurukshetra.
This is a highly revered and auspicious merit among the gods, endowed with heavenly qualities. Therefore, all the kings of the earth, even if they are slain, will attain the path of the great souls.
