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Sudhanvaa

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Sudhanvaa

Sudhanvaa was the son of Maharshi Angiraa. His story comes in MBH Sabhaa Parv, G-3-Youth/32.

When Dushaasan disrobed Draupadee in the Dice court in front of everybody, she asked a question with the elders sitting there, but nobody answered it. Seeing their silence Vidur Jee said - "O kings, Draupadee put up a question and is weeping helplessly but nobody is answering her. If any afflicted person comes to an assembly of moral people and does not get any answer [it is not good]. Vikarn gave some answer according to his level, but if somebody, in spite of knowing the answer, does not answer, it is also equal to lie. Otherwise also if he answers wrongly that is also equal to lie. Learned people quote the story of Prahlaad and the son of Angiraa Sudhanvaa." And he told the following story of Sudhanvaa there....

Sudhanvaa and Prahlaad
There was a Daitya King named Prahlaad. He had a son named Virochan. Once Virochan quarreled with the son of Angiraa, Sudhanvaa, for a bride. They both said - "I am superior, I am superior". After quarreling for some time they decided they should go to Prahlaad to decide their case. So they went to Prahlaad and presented their case and asked him to tell them truth that who was superior between the two.

Prahlaad got scared at this quarrel and cast his glance at Sudhanvaa. Seeing his look, Sudhanvaa filled with rage and said - "If you speak either false, or do not answer at all, your head will be split into hundred pieces by Indra's Vajra." Hearing this from Sudhanvaa started trembling like leaf of a fig tree. He thought for a while and went to Kashyap Jee for consultation. Prahlaad Jee said to him - "You know everything, please guide us all - the Devtaa, Asur and Braahman. I am in a great difficulty regarding my duty, please help me. I wish to ask you if somebody does not answer or answer a question falsely on asking, which regions does he go to."

Kashyap Jee said - "It is not good for a king to do injustice. Who does injustice he goes to such and such lower Lok and suffers." Prahlaad came back and said - "My son, Sudhanvaa is superior to you, as his father Angiraa is superior to me. Even his mother is also superior to your mother, so O Virochan, now Sudhanvaa is the Lord of your life." Hearing this Sudhanvaa said - "Since you have spoken the truth without caring for your son's life, I bless him with 100 years."

Thus Vidur continued - "Therefore who are sitting here should answer the question of Draupadee truthfully." Vaishampaayan Jee said - "Even after hearing Vidur, all people sat there silently, did not speak a word...."

Sudhanvaa and Virochan
Vishnu Puraan, Chapters 35-49 describes the story of Sudhanvaa, Prahlaad, and Virochan. Prahlaad was married to Dhriti. They had a child named Virochan. After Virochan had finished his education, Prahlaad announced him as the heir of his kingdom. To celebrate this occasion Virochan goes for hunting. Dhriti and Kayaadhu object it but still he goes. In the forest Virochan is trapped because of storm and rains.

There he meets Sudhanvaa, the son of Maharshi Angiraa, who is buried under an uprooted tree. Both are hurt to save each other and look for a shelter. Then they meet the daughter of Rishi Vats, Deepaavalee. She helps them to recover. Both of them fall in love with her and leave that place with a heavy heart. When Prahlaad does not see Virochan for some time, he looks for him in the forest. 

Both Virochan and Sudhanvaa now wish to marry Deepaavalee, so both Virochan's Guru Shukraachaarya and Sudhanvaa's father Angiraa send the proposal to Deepaavalee. She is unable to choose one and asks her father to decide. Virochan refuses to wait and takes her away to his Guru's Aashram.

Prahlaad feels bad hearing that his son has abducted Deepaavalee. He brings Deepaavalee to his palace. Since her father is also unable to choose one of them as her husband, it is up to Prahlaad to make this decision. Sudhanvaa trusts Prahlaad's decision. Now Prahlaad is in a flux, he has to choose between his love for his son and the justice being the king.

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 5/27/03
Contact: sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 03/29/13