35) BHARATA VARSH

Agnighra–the ruler of Jambudweepa was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He had nine sons– Nabhi, Kimpurusha, Harivarsha, Ilavrata, Ramaya, Hiranyaman, Kuru, Bhadrashva and Ketumal. Agnighra appointed Nabhi the king of Hemakhya. Similarly, Kimpurusha, Harivarsha, Ilavrata, Ramaya, Hiranyaman, Kuru, Bhadrashva and Ketumal were given the kingdoms of Hemakoot, Naishadh, Meru, Neelachal, Shwet, Sringavarsh, Malvan and Gandhamoodan respectively. After this, Agnighra renounced everything and went to do penance.

Merudevi was Nabhi’s wife and the mother of Rishabh. After growing up Rishabh got married and became the father of no less than one hundred sons. Among them Bharata was the eldest. When Bharata grow up, Rishabh appointed him as his successor and after renouncing everything went to the forest.

Bharata went on to become a great king and ruled over the whole territory southwards  of Himalaya. Our country derives its name from  him. Bharata had  a son  named Sumati who succeeded his father as a king.

 

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