ASWAMEDHAYANJA CONDUCTED BY KING YUDHISTIRA-PART 2( Last part) Continuedfrom Part 1
Manushya mrigaincident The "Manushya Mriga" (more accurately known inregional folklore and Puranic traditions as the Purusha-mriga, meaning"human-beast" or "man-deer") incident is a famous legend associated with Bhima andYudhishthira during the preparation for the Ashvamedha Yanja. It is a popular tale deeply embedded in South Indiantraditions, folklore, and temple iconography. The Request for the Yanja When King Yudhishthira decided to conduct a grand sacrifice (Yanja)to cement his sovereignty, it was decreed that the sacred,half-human, half-deer creature known as Purusha-mriga must be invited toattend. Thisbeast was an absolute devotee of Lord Shiva and lived deep within the remotenorthern forests nearKubera's kingdom. Because of the creature's immense spiritualpurity, the Yanja could not be completed successfully without its presence. Bhima, renowned for his unmatched strength, volunteered tojourney into the treacherous wilderness to locate the beast and invite it backto the capital. The Encounter and the Race Before Bhima set out, he encountered his spiritual brother,the monkey god Hanuman (or in some versions, Lord Krishna). Foreseeing thedanger ahead, Hanuman plucked strands of hair from his own tail and handed themto Bhima, advising him to drop a strand whenever he was in grave danger. Bhima tracked down the Purusha-mriga deep in the forest andpresented the invitation. The proud and fierce creature agreed toattend, but only under a deadly condition: "I will follow you to your kingdom. However, we willrace. If you can outrun me and cross the border of your kingdombefore I catch you, I will bless your Yanja. But if I catch you while you arestill in the forest, I will kill and eat you. "Bhima accepted and immediately took off sprintingtoward the kingdom. The Magical Shiva Lingas Because the Purusha-mriga possessed divine speed, it closedthe distance rapidly and was on the verge of capturing Bhima. Remembering thewarning, Bhima dropped thefirst strand of Hanuman's hair. The moment the hair touched the forest floor, it instantlytransformed into thousands of sacred Shiva Lingas. Beingan unrelenting, devout worshipper of Shiva, the Purusha-mriga could not bear topass a Linga without stopping to pay its respects, perform rituals, and offerforest flowers. This bought Bhima a head start. However, as soon as thecreature finished its prayers, its lightning speed allowed it to catch upagain. Bhima was forced to drop successive strands of hair, eachtime creating vast fields of Shiva Lingas that temporarily delayed thecreature. The Judgment ofYudhishthira The final chase culminated right at the boundary line of thePandava kingdom. Bhimaleaped across the border, but he was a fraction of a second too late—thePurusha-mriga lunged forward and snatched Bhima's heel. A fierce dispute brokeout: Bhima argued that he wassafe because his torso and hands had successfully crossed the border into his kingdom. The Purusha-mriga arguedthat because it hadphysically caught Bhima's foot while that specific part was still dangling overthe boundary line, Bhima was legally its prey. To resolvethe deadlock fairly, they agreed to let King Yudhishthira arbitrate the matter. Known as the ultimate embodiment oftruth and righteousness (Dharmaraja), Yudhishthira evaluated the situation impartially,even though the verdict involved his own brother's life. Yudhishthira declared:"Since half of Bhima's body hadsuccessfully crossed the border, that half belongs to the kingdom. However,because his leg was caught on the other side, the Purusha-mriga has a rightfulclaim over that half of Bhima's body. The beast may eat the half that remainsin the forest. "The Resolution Bhimawillingly prepared to sacrifice half his body to honour his brother's righteousjudgment. Stunned anddeeply humbled by Yudhishthira's absolute adherence to truth and unflinchingsense of justice, thePurusha-mriga smiled. The beast declared that Yudhishthira's fairness proved thePandavas were truly worthy of a successful kingdom. It released Bhima unharmed, granted its divineblessings, and happily attended the Yanja, which brought immense fortune and spiritualsuccess to the entire empire Details of Anugita The Anugita: Re-establishing Spiritual Wisdom. The Anugita(literally meaning "Following" or "Subsequent" Gita) spans 36 chapters within the AshvamedhikaParva. Before the Ashwamedha Yanja, Arjuna admitted to Lord Krishnathat the terrifying chaos of the Kurukshetra War had caused him to forget thesupreme knowledge imparted to him on the battlefield. When asked to repeat it, Krishnaexpressed light disappointment, stating that the original BhagavadGita was spoken in a state of high, divine yogic absorption (Yoga-yukta) whichcould not be casually re-created verbatim. Instead, out of deep affection, Krishna delivered theAnugita using ancient fables, histories, and dialogues. Core PhilosophicalDifferences-Bhagavad Gita vs. Anugita: While the original Gita was spoken on a tense, activebattlefield to spur a warrior into action, the Anugita wasspoken in a peaceful, quiet palace setting (Indraprastha). The Path to Liberation: The Bhagavad Gita champions NishkamaKarma (disinterested, selfless action). In contrast, the Anugita leansheavily toward Jnana (gnosis/knowledge), deep introspection, and an abstractunderstanding of the Self. It heavily explores the intricate workings ofthe three primal forces of nature (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas) and introduces structuralallegories, such as the conversation between a realized Brahmin and his wiferegarding the senses. The fierce encounterKrishna had with the ascetic Utanka on his journey back to Dwarka after the Yanjna. After the Ashvamedha yanja Krishna stopped his chariot in thedesert on his way to Dwarkaand met the sage Utanka. When Utanka learned of the war's devastation and realizedKrishna allowed it to happen, he was consumed by rage and threatened to curse him. Here are the details of their intense exchange, found in the Ashvamedhika Parva of theMahabharata: The Confrontation: Utanka accused Krishna of failinghis divine duty. He argued that as the Supreme God, Krishna hadthe power to stop the Kauravas, prevent the bloodshed of millions, and forcethe dice rolls to maintain peace. The Revelation: Krishna calmly endured the sage's anger.To reveal the ultimate truth of the cosmic order, Krishna bestowed upon Utankathe divine vision and manifested his Vishwarupa (the awe-inspiring cosmicform). The Boon: Humbled and enlightened by thevision, Utanka begged for a boon: Water whenever he grew thirsty in the scorching desert.Krishna granted it, and legend dictates that the specific rain cloudsappearing in the desert to quench his thirst are called "Utanka clouds". The Test: Shortly after, Utanka was thirsty. Indra, sent by Krishna, approached him in the guise of a dirt-coveredhunter offering a pot of Amrit. Indra appeared, dressed in filthy rags,covered in mud, and surrounded by hunting dogs. The man offered Utanka waterfrom a crude leather pouch. Bound by his Brahminpride, Utanka rejected the water because of the hunter's low appearance. BecauseUtanka judged by external appearances and caste, he failed the test and missed out on immortality,settling instead for the ability to manifest rain clouds—known thereafter as "Utanka's Clouds"—whenever he prayed for water. Krishna later informed him that hisego cost him the nectar of immortality. Was the Aswamedha yanjafully successful The Ashwamedha Yanja wasfully successful from both a political and administrative standpoint, though it concluded with a profoundspiritual lesson about the true nature of success. The epic records its success across three specific outcomes: 1. Political Consolidation-The primary geopolitical objectivewas completely fulfilled. The sacrificial horse roamed unchallenged for a fullyear across Bharatavarsha. Everykingdom either voluntarily allied with Hastinapur or was integrated after beingsubdued by Arjuna. Fragmented and leaderless territories leftvulnerable after the Kurukshetra War were successfully brought under a single,stable, and unified system of justice (Dharma Sthapana). 2. RitualCompletion-Unlike other historical attempts that failed due to the horsebeing stolen or killed, Yudhishthira'shorse returned safely to the capital after 365 days. The ritual wascompleted exactly to scriptural standards under Sage Vyasa. Under LordKrishna’s instructions, it achieved its goal without animal slaughter, ending with the divine manifestation of the Yanja Purusha to bless theroyal family. 3. Economic and SocialHealing The yanja successfully served as a massive post-warhumanitarian and reconstruction project. Yudhishthira utilized the immense gold discovered nearMount Meru to fund wide-scale welfare: Building infrastructure and rest houses for travelers acrosskingdoms. Disbursing lifelongpensions to war widows and orphans. Giving away unmatched quantities of food, clothes, and wealthto citizens of all strata. The Spiritual Caveat:The Mongoose's Lesson While the ritual was a flawless material and politicalsuccess, the text notes a sudden philosophical twist at the very end. When the court was celebrating it as the greatest sacrifice in humanhistory, the half-golden mongoose appeared. The mongoose pointed out that while the yanja achieved itsearthly purpose, it did not possess the ultimate spiritualpurity of a starving Brahmin family who gave away their only meal out of pure,selfless love. This final event didnot mean the yanja failed; rather, it kept the Pandavas humble, ensuring that theirsuccessful military and political unification of the earth did not turn intopersonal pride (Ahankara). What happened to theYudhisthra kingdom after the Yanja Following the completion of the Ashwamedha Yanja, the Mahabharatamoves into its final acts, coveringthe Golden Age of Yudhishthira’s rule, the retirement and death of theelders, the tragicdestruction of Dwarka, and the final spiritual ascent of the Pandavas.The sequentialprogression of events after the sacrifice unfolds across specific chapters(Parvas) of the epic: The Peaceful 36-YearGolden Age (Ashvamedhika & Ashramavasika Parvas) Following the political unification achieved by the yanja, Yudhishthira ruled the empire asEmperor for 36 prosperous years. The Administration: Supported by his brothers, hesuccessfully rebuilt the economy, patronized the arts, and establisheduniversal peace across Bharatavarsha. Respect for Elders: Despite the bitter memories of the war, Yudhishthira treated the blind uncleKing Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari with the utmost royal dignity, reportingto them on state matters and ensuring they wanted for nothing. The Departure of the Elders (AshramavasikaParva) Fifteen years after the war, the household dynamic shifted.Bhima’s lingering, voiced resentment over the past deeds of Duryodhana madeDhritarashtra feel unwelcome. Forest Retirement: Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Kunti (mother of the Pandavas),and the wise minister Vidura chose to renounce palace life and retire to aforest hermitage for penance. The Forest Fire: A few years later, Vidura passedaway by absorbing his soul into Yudhishthira. Shortly after, amassive, uncontrollable forest fire consumed Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kuntiwhile they sat calmly in deep meditation. The news deeply shattered thePandavas. The Destruction of Dwarka(Mausala Parva) At the 36th year mark ofYudhishthira's reign, the devastating curse of Gandhari andthe sages bore fruit. The Departure of Krishna: After witnessing the end of his clan, Balarama departed viayoga, and Lord Krishna was accidentally shot in the foot by a hunter namedJara, leaving his mortal shell. Arjuna rushed to Dwarka but was powerless tostop the ocean from completely submerging the city. Renunciation and CrownSuccession (Mahaprasthanika Parva) Realizing that the Dvapara Yuga had ended and the dark age ofKali Yuga had begun with Krishna's departure, Yudhishthira decided it was timeto renounce the material world. The New Lineage: Yudhishthira abdicated the throne and crowned Arjuna’sgrandson, Parikshit, as the new Emperor ofHastinapur. He also appointed Vajra (Krishna’s surviving grandson) asthe king of Mathura. The Final Journey: The five Pandavas and Draupadi cast off their royal robes, put ontree-bark attire, and began their final walking pilgrimage (Mahaprasthana) toward MountMeru in the Himalayas to ascend directly to the heavens. Only Yudhishthira, accompanied by a mysterious stray dog thathad followed them from the beginning, reached the gate of heaven intact. Thedog revealed itself to be Lord Dharma, testing Yudhishthira's loyalty. Afterpassing a final illusionary test regarding his brothers in the afterlife, Yudhishthira shed his physical bodyand achieved complete, eternal liberation. The Origin of the EpicJaya (Mahabharatha) It was during a pausein this very snake sacrifice that the sage Vaisampayana (a disciple of Vyasa)narrated the entire Mahabharata to Janamejaya son of Parikshith. This means the epic weread today was originally recited directly to a Pandava descendant in his royalcourt. Here ends thedetails of the Aswamedha Yanja and installation of Parikshith as king and thegreat journey. My note- The lineage of Pandavakingdom and it’s defeatby Magadha Dynasty is told in nutshell for interesting readers. Continuation of the Kuru Lineage Janamejaya was a highly capable ruler who expanded thekingdom and performed multiple Ashwamedha Yanjas of his own. The royal Pandava bloodline continued through his descendantsfor centuries: Janamejaya was succeeded by his son Satanika. Satanika was succeeded by Aswamedhadatta. The lineage continued down through several generations,including kings like Adhisimakrishna and Nichakshu The Shift to Kausambi The kingdom did not collapse, but its capital eventually changed due to anatural disaster. Duringthe reign of King Nichakshu (the great-great-grandson of Parikshit), a massive, catastrophic flood of the GangesRiver completely destroyed the historic city of Hastinapur. Nichakshu successfully evacuated the population and moved thecapital of the Pandava kingdom southwest to Kausambi (near modern-day Prayagraj/Allahabad),where the dynasty thrived for many more generations. The kingdom only faded outmuch later in history as the ancient dynasties slowly dissolved into the era ofthe Mahajanapadas(historical republics and kingdoms of ancient India), passing the mantle ofleadership to new historical eras. Last king of Pandavalineage The last king of the direct Pandava lineage was King Kshemaka. According toscriptural records found in the Puranas (such as the SrimadBhagavatam and the Vishnu Purana), he was the 27th generation descendant ruling down from Emperor Parikshit. The End of theLineage The Prophecy: The Srimad Bhagavatam (9.22.45) explicitlystates: "In thisKali-yuga, Kshemaka will be the last monarch [of the Kuru/Pandava dynasty]. Magadha dynasty King Kshemaka ruledfrom the secondary capital of Kausambi (established after Hastinapur wasswallowed by floods). He was born 29 generation after King Yuddhisthira . Around the 4th century BCE, he was defeated and dethroned byMahapadma Nanda, the founder of the powerful Nanda Empireof Magadha. The Aftermath: With Kshemaka’s defeat, the mainKuru-Pandava royal lineage officially ended, and regional hegemony shiftedentirely to the Magadhaempire. Compiled from websitesand Google QA and posted by R. Gopalakrishnan on 11-06-2026 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1142047418.233570.1781189457112%40mail.yahoo.com.
