Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Pavanapuresha-Series

Pavanapuresha series Part 2: The story of Janamejaya

Janamejaya was the son of Parikshit, the son of Abhimanyu. We know Abhimanyu was Arjuna's son. Janamejaya was thus Arjuna's great grandson. Parikshit, while on a hunting trip got separated from his group. Thirsty, he wandered around and came upon the ashram of Rishi Samika. He asked the rishi for water, but the rishi being absorbed in deep meditation did not respond. Angry, Parikshit picked up a dead snake lying nearby with his arrow, & placed it around the neck of the rishi and left. The Rishi's son Sringi, on returning to the ashram, saw the insult done to his father, & said - 'He who has insulted my father thus shall die of a bite by the snake king Takshaka within 7 days'. Parikshit, on hearing of the curse was horrified. Narada advised him to spend the last 7 days of his life listening to the glories of Sri Krishna. Thus, Parikshit attended a Srimad Bhagavata Saptaham conducted by Sri Sukadeva, the son of Maharshi Vedavyasa. On the last day, Takshaka bit him and Parikshit's soul left his body. As a result of listening to the Srimad Bhagavatam in his last days, Parikshit attained the Lord's lotus feet.

Years later, Janamejaya vowed to conduct a huge Sarpa Bali or snake sacrifice, in order to avenge his father's death. Innumerable snakes perished as a result. Janamejaya was affected by severe leprosy as punishment for sacrificing innocent snakes. Sri Dattatreya narrated the glory of Guruvayur to Janamejaya & asked him to visit the temple. Janamejaya duly obeyed and stayed at Guruvayur, eating only the temple prasadam, drinking only the holy teertham, bathing in the temple pond & constantly chanting the name of the Lord. One night while he was asleep, he felt the lotus hand of Guruvayurappa pass over his body. The next morning Janamejaya woke up to see himself cured completely. Such is the greatness of the Lord. May Sri Pavanapuresha bless one and all. Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna