Sage Parasara was born to Sage
Shakthi, son of Sage Vashishta. Sage Sakthi
and his hundred brothers were killed by a demon Rudra. Sage Vashishta and his chaste wife Arundhathi
was aware of the verity that one has to go through the happiness and sorrow
in their life, the death of Sage Shakthi created severe anguish in the
couple. They grieved over the death of
their children, worried about the lack of progeny to hold the values of the
family. Adhrushyanthi, wife of Sage
Shakthi comforted her parents-in-law by saying that she is pregnant with her
husband before his sad demise and promised them that the child born would be
highly intellectual and will keep up the values of the family. Surprisingly, Adhrushyanthi carried the child
in her womb for twelve years. Once, Sage
Vashishta was passing Adhrushyanthi, he suddenly put a halt to his walk
thinking that somebody was following him chanting Veda, enquired his daughter-in-law who was that
following him chanting Veda exactly like his son Sage Shakthi. Adhrushyanthi replied that it was the unborn
in her womb chanting the Vedas and she was also quite familiar with the voice
of the child, she delightfully commented that it was the appropriate age for
the child to perform Upanayanam/Brahmopadhesham and the child learning Vedas by
himself from the womb. Sage Vashishta
was in a state of bliss thinking of his grand child and the child was in
mother’s womb for twelve years and born as an adolescent. Sage Vashishta named the child as Parasara,
the child who is capable to win over his enemies with the power of austerities
immediately after its birth. Parasara
treated Sage Vashishta as his father and addressed him in the same manner, but
Adhrushyanthi was unhappy about it.
Later, Adhrushyanthi revealed the truth to her son, about his father
Sage Shakthi along with his hundred brothers was devoured by a demon Rudra. Parasara was exasperated at the tragic
incident, decided to vanquish the demon Rudra and his clan. Parasara conducted a huge Yaga, he created
sacrificial fire with the power of his austerities. The demons in the whole world were in a threat. Sage Pulasthya intervened and requested
Parasara to bring an end to this Yaga, it was not a righteous deed to annihilate
a clan for the mistake of a demon and strongly criticized that it was immoral
to kill the innocents. Sage Pulastya
narrated the incident of the death of Sage Shakthi to Parasara.
King Kalmashapadha went on a hunting
expedition to woodland. On his way back,
while travelling through the narrow pathways Sage Shakthi appeared before
him. King Kalmashapadha was tired of
hunger and thirst, Sage Shakthi stood before the King without leaving space and
ordered him to move away. King Kalmashapadha
who was always treated with high reverence and honored by its people was
shocked at the inappropriate attitude of Sage Shakthi. King Kalmashapadha was exasperated; he
forcefully spanked the Sage with the belt used to drive horse. Sage Shakthi withered in pain, cursed the
King to become a demon. The demon Rudra
devoured the Sage Shakthi and his hundred brothers; Sage Pulasthya stated that
the pathetic incident happened was a destiny.
Parasara was deeply moved after listening to the elderly Sage Pulasthya,
Sage Pulasthya advised Parasara that it was unreasonable to blame the demon for
all the happenings. Parasara changed his
mind and put an end to the Yaga, he fallen at the feet of Sage Pulasthya, he
blessed Parasara to work for the betterment of the Universe. Sage Parasara was composed many Vedic Scriptures
like Vishnu Puranam, the sacred text containing the quintessence of Veda and
Parasara Smrithi. Manu Smriti, Gautama
Smriti, Shankha Smriti were pertinent to Satya Yuga, Thretha Yuga and Dwapara
Yuga respectively. Parasara Smrithi is
relevant to Kaliyuga, it endorses all the philosophies to improve the life of
people in this Yuga. Parasara Smrithi
delivers the knowledge about conduct and expiation in twelve chapters such as
Conduct, Conduct suitable for a class, Conduct of a Brahman/Viprakarma,
Hospitality, Alms & Donations, Conduct of Kshatriya, Conduct of Vaishya,
Conduct of Shudras, Norms of Married life, Purification from the effects of
birth and death, Expiation for the sins, Duties of a married woman, Duties of a
husband, Purification from the mishap, Sins & expiation, Purification of
water bodies, Expiation of sins committed unknowingly, Expiation for Go Hathya,
Expiation for illicit relationship, Expiation for intake of stale food from
Shudra, Nightmares & Expiation, Study of Veda by undeserved people,
Prohibition of Brahmin’s association with Shudra, Norms of dining, Norms of
earning wealth and Sins which lacks
expiation.
Sage Parasara travelled extensively
through the sacred lands arrived on the river banks of Ganga, on that night
Sage Parasara accepted the hospitality of King of fishermen clan. The very next day Sathyavati, maiden daughter
of King of fishermen clan was appointed to take Sage Parasara on a ferry to
cross the river, while Sathyavati was rowing the boat, Sage Parasara enquired
her about the strong fishy smell was coming from; Sathyavati honestly replied
that it was her body secrete the strong smell of fish. Sage Parasara named her Matsyagandha, later
Sage Parasara felt pity on her and provided a boon that her body would release
attractive fragrances that would reach far and wide. The arresting scent emanated from the body of
Sathyavati was enthralled Sage Parasara, he approached Sathyavati with an
yearning and advised her that the child born from their relationship will be righteous
and strive for the betterment of the Universe, also promised that Sathyavati will remain virgin after the birth of the
child. The child born to the couple was
Maharishi Veda Vyasa/Krishna Dwaipayana, the child immediately left for penance
assuring his mother that he will be present before her whenever she desired. Sathyavati returned to her home, later she
was married to King Shanthanu of the Kingdom of Hasthinapur.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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