Sunday, June 6, 2010

Chakravarti Rajah Pratapbhanu

Yagyavalk Muni asked Bharadwaj Muni to listen to that old tale, that Shiva had narrated to Parvati. He said, that once there was a country by the name of Kaikai which was ruled by a king named Satyaketu. He was powerful, very religious, kind, good hearted and lived by the rule of the sword. He had two sons who were courageous, full of good qualities, and very brave in the battlefield.

Pratapbhanu the older son was the heir to the throne, while the younger son Arimardan had very strong muscles, and could stand like a rock in war. Both the brothers loved each other dearly, and had no malice between them. As the King grew old, he relinquished the throne to the older son, and proceeded to the woods to lead a pious and holy life.

When Pratapbhanu became king, his popularity spread fast. He ruled with a strict discipline, following the rules of government, propounded by the Vedas. There was not even a speck of evil and vice in his kingdom. The king had a minister by the name of Dharmruchi who was extremely wise, and worked for the king's good at all times. In this fashion, with a wise minister, and a mighty and brave brother the king became strong and famous. With all this, and their powerful standing army, that was ready to die in battle if need be, the king was very pleased, and he ordered the marching band to blow their horns and get prepared.

The King found an auspicious day, and with great fanfare, he set out with his army, to conquer the whole world. He had small skirmishes, but won all the kingdoms with his might. With his great valour he soon had brought the seven continents under his wing. He would make those kings pay their dues and taxes and then let them go.

So, at one time Pratapbhanu was the one and only Chakravarti (monarch) king of the whole world. After bringing the whole world under his kingdom, he came back to his city and started enjoying the privileges of power.

With his conquests, the earth in turn became very fertile, and started giving back whatever the people asked for. In Raja Pratapbhanu's reign everybody was very happy, nobody was sad, and there was no evil. Most of all no man or woman was ugly, there was beauty all around.

The minister Dharmruchi, was a devotee of Shri Hari, and he constantly advised the king on the day-to-day administration of his government. The king always respected his guru, his elders , saints and his forefathers. He performed all the functions that a king is supposed to do. He donated to charity regularly, and heard the stories of the Puranas and the Shastras daily.

He beautified his kingdom by building parks, gardens, wells, lakes, homes for the Brahmins and lofty Mandirs in different pilgrimages. He performed all the yagyas listed in the Vedas a thousand times over. The king had no desires left. He was a very wise and a learned king. Whatever act the wise king thought of in mind, by speech or by deed, he always surrendered to Bhagwan Vasudev first, before he performed them.

Don't you wonder how come this king was so perfect, what will happen next? We will of course soon see. JAI HO!

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