The Descent of Ganga - I

Yadavi did not want to live alone. She prepared to immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre. But the sage intervened. "You are carrying in your womb a human life. This rash act of yours would not only be suicide but also murder and I will not allow that. Besides, your son is destined to be powerful and famous. You must live if only for his sake." Vahu's funeral rites were completed and Yadavi went to live in Sage Ourva's ashram.

In due course Yadavi gave birth to a healthy boy. In order to ensure that the poison does not harm her baby, Yadavi had stored it separately in her womb and had not allowed it to mix with her body fluids. The poison was ejected separately during the childbirth. But the memory of the poisoning would remain with the boy for ever. The sage named him Sagara. In Sanskrit 'sa' means with and 'gara' means poison. Sagara means one who has been born along with poison. Ourva took charge of the prince's education. He was taught the scriptures, the art of warfare and the duties of a king. Sagara grew up to be honest, wise and valiant.

It was not long before Sagara asked the inevitable question, the one his mother was dreading. He wanted to know who and where his father was. Reluctantly Yadavi narrated the sad tale of the rise and fall of Vahu. There and then Sagara swore revenge on his father's enemies. He went to Ourva for blessings and guidance. Ourva told the young prince that the Sage Vashishta was the family priest of the Solar dynasty. Sagara should seek out Sage Vashishta and seek his blessings. Vashishta blessed Sagara and gave him a bow with four divine arrows. The arrows belonged to Indra, Brahma, Agni and Varun. Sagara was now invincible.

Sagara then attacked his father's enemies and defeated them. The kings fled and sought refuge in Sage Vashishta's hermitage. Sagara followed them there and asked permission to kill his enemies. "They tried to kill me by poisoning my mother and hence do not deserve to live," he argued. Vashishta calmed him down and explained, "These sinners will have to answer before God. Why do you want to taint your hands with their blood?" Sagara meted out token punishments to the errant kings and let them go. Vashishta the crowned Sagara king with due ceremony and pomp.

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