Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/197

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ADI PARVA
183

race bave been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called Manavas. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshattriyas, and others have been descended, and are therefore all called Manavas. Subsequently, O monarch, the Brahmanas became united with tbe Kshattriyas. And those sons Manu that of were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study of the Vedas. And Manu begat ten other children named Vena, Dhrishnu, Natishyan, Nabhaga, Ikshakus, Karusha. Saryati, the eighth, a daughter named Ila, Prishadhru the ninth, and Nabhagarishta, the tenth. They all betook themselves to the practices of Kshattriyas. Besides these, Manu had fifty other sons on Earth. But we heard that they all perished, quarrelling with one another. The learned Pururavas was born of Ila. It hath been heard by us that Ila was both his mother and father. And the great Pururavas had sway over thirteen islands of the sea. And, though a human being, he was always surrounded by companions that were superhuman. And Pururavas intoxicated with power quarrelled with the Brahmanas and little caring for their anger robbed them of their wealth. Beholding all this Sanatkumara came from the region of Brahman and gave him good counsel, which was, however, rejected by Purura vas. Then the wrath of the great Rishis was excited, and the avaricious monarch, who intoxicated with power had lost his reason, was immediately destroyed by their curse."

"It was Paruravas who first brought from the region of the Gandharvas the three kinds of fire (for sacrificial purpose). And he brought chence, the Apsara Urvasi also. And the son of Ila begat upon Urvasi six sons who were called Ayus, Dhimat, Amavasu, and Dhridhayus, and Vanayus, and Satayus. And it is said that Ayus begat four sons, named Nahusha, Vriddhasarman, Rajingaya, and Anenas, on the daughter of Swarbhanu. And, O monarch, Nahusha, of all the sons of Ayus, being gifted with great intelligence and prowess ruled his extensive kingdom virtuously. And king Nahusha supported evenly the Pitris, the celestials, the Rishis, the Brahmanas, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the Kshattriyas, and the Vaisyas. And he suppressed all robber-gangs with a mighty band. But he made the Rishis pay tribute and carry him on their backs like beasts of burden. And, conquering the very gods by the beauty of his person, his asceticism, prowess, and energy, he ruled as if he were Indra bimself. And Nahusha begat six sons, all of sweet speech, named Yati. Yayati, Sanyati. Ayati, and Dhruva. Yati betaking himself to asceticism became a Muni like unto Brahman himself. Yayati became a monarch of great prowess and virtue. He ruled the whole Earth, per. formed numerous sacrifices, worshipped the Pitris with great reverence, and always respected the gods. And he brought the whole world under