अनुशासनिक पर्व — जमदग्नि की कथा

I should certainly, O king, tell you everything about the circumstance for which, O monarch, I came hither for exterminating your race.

This is wellknown, o king, that the Kshatriyas should always have the help of the sons of Bhrigu in the matter of sacrifices. Through an irresistible decree of destiny, the Kshatriyas and the Bhargavas will quarrel,

The Kshatriyas, o king, will kill all the descendants of Bhrigu. By an ordinance of fate, they will root out the race of Bhrigu, not sparing even infants in their mothers wombs.

There will then be born in Bhrigu's race a Rishi of the name of Urva. Gifted with great energy, he will in splendour certainly resemble fire or the sun.

He will cherish such anger as will be sufficient to consume the three worlds. He will be competent to reduce the whole Earth with all her mountains and forests into ashes.

For a little while he will put out the flames of that fiery rage, throwing it into the Mare's mouth that wanders through the ocean.

He will have a son of the name of Richika. The whole science of arms, O sinless one, on its embodied form, will come to him, for the extermination of the entire Kshatriya caste, through a decree of Destiny. Receiving that science by inward light, he will, by Yogapower, communicate it to his son, the highly blessed Jamadagni of purified soul. That foremost of Bhrigu's race will bear that science in his mind.

O you of righteous soul, Jamadagni will marry a girl, taking her from your race, for spreading its glory, O chief of the Bharatas.

Having obtained for wife the daughter of Gadhi and your granddaughter, O king, that great ascetic will beget a twiceborn son gifted with Kshatriya accomplishments.

In your race will be born a son, a Kshatriya gifted with the virtues of a Brahmana. Possessed of great virtue, he will be the son of Gadhi. Known by the name of Vishvamitra, he will in energy come to be considered as the equal of Brihaspati himself, the preceptor of the celestials.

The illustrious Richika will grant this son to your race, this Kshatriya who will be endued with high penances. Two women will be the cause in the matter of this exchange of sons.

All this will take place at the command of the Grandfather. It will never be otherwise. The status of Brahmanahood will attach to one who is third in descent from you. You shall become a relative of the Bhargavas!

Bhishma said Hearing these words of the great ascetic Chyavana, king Kushika became filled with joy, and answered as followएवमस्त्विति धर्मात्मा तदा भरतसत्तम॥

Indeed, O best of the Bharatas, he saidSo be it! Gifted with high energy, Chyavana once more addressed the king, and urged him to accept a boon from himself. The king replied, Very well. From you, O great ascetic, I shall obtain the fruition of my wish.

Let my family become invested with the dignity of Brahmanahood, and let it always set its heart upon virtue. The ascetic Chyavana, thus solicited, granted the king's prayer, and bidding farewell to the king, started on his intended sojourn to the sacred waters. I have now told you everything, O Bharata, relating to your questions, viz., how the Bhrigus and the Kushikas became connected with each other by marriage.

Indeed, O king, everything took place as the Rishi Chyavana had said. The birth of Rama (of Bhrigu's race) and of Vishvamitra (of Kushika's race) happened in the way that Chyavana had said,