Mandhata
King Yuvanaswa was born in the dynasty of Ikshaku. He performed many sacrifices, including thousand horse sacrifices and gae away abundant wealth. However he had no sons. He gave his kingdom to his minsters to manage and became a dweller in the woods. He also indulged in ascetic practices. Once he was observing fast and did not even drink water. His inside was perched with thirst and he was suffering from pangs of hunger. Under this condition he entered the hermitage of sage Bhrgu. On that night the great sage had officiated in a sacrifice of king Saudyumni i.e. son of Sudumna, i.e. Yuvanaswa himself, that a son should be born to him. At that spot of the ashrama stood a large jar of water consecrated with the recital of sacred hymns and the water was vested with magic power that the wife of the king Saudyumni or Yuvanaswa, on drinking the sacred water, would beget a powerful son. The king Yuvanaswa was very feeble with hunger and thirst and since all the residents of that hermitage was sleeping after a night’s work of officiating in the sacrifice, they did not hear his cry for help. On seeing the water jar, Yuvanaswa, as he was very thirsty, drank from the pot. When the inmates of the Ashrama woke up, they first enquired as to where the water had gone and then Yuvanaswa truthfully admitted that it was he who drank it being very thirsty. The sages did not take offense but was concerned. Bhrgu said that the water contained special power of his austerities and one who would drink that water would conceive a child who would be as mighty and valiant as the king of gods. There was no way that the boon could be withdrawn and hence the king would have to bear a child, although it was actually meant for his queen. But the sages would make it such that the king did not have to undergo any labour pain. Then after a prolonged period a valiant son was born to Yuvanswa who came out by piercing the left side of the king. Yuvanaswa did not die. Indra, god of kings came to pay him a visit and gave his thumb to the child for sucking. The celestials then named the child as Mandhata (Me he shall suck). The boy became very powerful, learnt the vedas and acquired the skills of all weapons. He got the bow named Ajagava, a number of shafts and an impenetrable coat of mail. He was placed on the throne by Indra himself and he conquered the three worlds by his power and valour. He got much wealth and conducted many sacrifices and donated much to the Brahmins. When there was drought for twelve years, the mighty king caused rain to fall in torrents even when the rain god Indra watched his feat. He got the rare privilege of sitting beside Indra. He slew the might ruler of Gandhara who had wounded him in a fierce battle. By his virtuous life and piety the earth became very prosperous.
King Yuvanaswa was born in the dynasty of Ikshaku. He performed many sacrifices, including thousand horse sacrifices and gae away abundant wealth. However he had no sons. He gave his kingdom to his minsters to manage and became a dweller in the woods. He also indulged in ascetic practices. Once he was observing fast and did not even drink water. His inside was perched with thirst and he was suffering from pangs of hunger. Under this condition he entered the hermitage of sage Bhrgu. On that night the great sage had officiated in a sacrifice of king Saudyumni i.e. son of Sudumna, i.e. Yuvanaswa himself, that a son should be born to him. At that spot of the ashrama stood a large jar of water consecrated with the recital of sacred hymns and the water was vested with magic power that the wife of the king Saudyumni or Yuvanaswa, on drinking the sacred water, would beget a powerful son. The king Yuvanaswa was very feeble with hunger and thirst and since all the residents of that hermitage was sleeping after a night’s work of officiating in the sacrifice, they did not hear his cry for help. On seeing the water jar, Yuvanaswa, as he was very thirsty, drank from the pot. When the inmates of the Ashrama woke up, they first enquired as to where the water had gone and then Yuvanaswa truthfully admitted that it was he who drank it being very thirsty. The sages did not take offense but was concerned. Bhrgu said that the water contained special power of his austerities and one who would drink that water would conceive a child who would be as mighty and valiant as the king of gods. There was no way that the boon could be withdrawn and hence the king would have to bear a child, although it was actually meant for his queen. But the sages would make it such that the king did not have to undergo any labour pain. Then after a prolonged period a valiant son was born to Yuvanswa who came out by piercing the left side of the king. Yuvanaswa did not die. Indra, god of kings came to pay him a visit and gave his thumb to the child for sucking. The celestials then named the child as Mandhata (Me he shall suck). The boy became very powerful, learnt the vedas and acquired the skills of all weapons. He got the bow named Ajagava, a number of shafts and an impenetrable coat of mail. He was placed on the throne by Indra himself and he conquered the three worlds by his power and valour. He got much wealth and conducted many sacrifices and donated much to the Brahmins. When there was drought for twelve years, the mighty king caused rain to fall in torrents even when the rain god Indra watched his feat. He got the rare privilege of sitting beside Indra. He slew the might ruler of Gandhara who had wounded him in a fierce battle. By his virtuous life and piety the earth became very prosperous.
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