KING VENA, BIRTH OF PRITHU

Sage Markandeya then goes on to describe about the splendours of Sthanu Tirtha- Surya was Manu‘s father. Vena was Manu‘s grandson. He was wicked and always criticised the Vedas. Being displeased by his irreligious son, Vena’s father left for the forest to do penance where he attained salvation.

 

In course of time, Vena’s tyranny spread across the length and breadth of the earth. In a very short time, he became the lord of whole earth. He had strictly warned his subjects against worshipping any other deity except him. Sages became furious by his irreligious stricture and tried to change his mind but their efforts went in vain. Ultimately, Vena was killed by the angry sages. After his death, the sages churned his left hand, which resulted in the manifestation of a dwarf. The sages considered him to be unfit to become a ruler and churned Vena’s right hand for the second time. This time, a divine entity manifested, who had all the auspicious signs on his

body. The deities crowned this divine entity as the king and named him Prithu. Prithu proved to be a just king and his subjects were satisfied by his rule.

 

One day, sage Narada arrived at Prithu’s court. Wanting to grab the opportunity, he asked Narada how his father could be liberated from his sins. Narada told him that his father was presently living among the Mlechchas and was suffering from diseases like consumption and leprosy. “He would be cured of his diseases if he is taken to Sthanu Tirtha and made to take a dip in the holy Sanihitya Sarovar”, said Narada.

 

He went to the site and found his father living among the Mlechchas. After taking the Mlechchas’ permission, he brought his father to Sthanu Tirtha. His effort of helping his father to take a bath was resisted by the deity- Vayu who said- “The waters of Sanihitya Sarovar would get polluted if such a lowly sinner took a bath in it. First of all, you must go on a pilgrimage and visit all the sacred places to make your father pure. Only then he will be entitled to take bath here”.

 

Prithu accompanied by his father went on a pilgrimage and visited all the sacred places. When both of them returned to Sthanu Tirtha, his father had become pure by this time. Vena took his bath and became liberated from his sins. He worshipped Lord Sthanu and eulogised him with total devotion.

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