Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 9

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'Nimi [see 9.6: 4], the son of Ikshvâku, planned a sacrifice and appointed Vasishthha to be the priest. But he said: 'I am already engaged by Lord Indra, oh Mahârâja. (2) When I have finished that sacrifice I will return. Wait till then'. Nimi remained silent and Vasishthha performed the sacrifice for Indra. (3) When the guru did not return for a long time Nimi thought: 'Life is but short' and inaugurated the sacrifice with another self-realized soul as the officiating priest.

(4) Having finished the ceremonies the guru upon his return discovered that his instructions were ignored and so he pronounced a curse: 'May the embodiment of Nimi who thinks he is such a great pundit, fall down!'

(5) Nimi in his turn cursed the guru who had lost his way with: 'And may your embodiment, that with your greed is so poorly aware of the dharma, fall down too!'

(6) Nimi, fully conversant with the spiritual knowledge as he was, thus had to give up his body. Vasishthha, the great-grandfather [died also but] took with [the seed of] Mitra and Varuna [again] birth through Urvas'î [the heavenly courtesan whom they saw, see also 6.18: 5-6]. (7) Preserving Nimi's body in fragrant substances, the great sages in conclusion of the Satra sacrifice [a longstanding Soma sacrifice, see sattra] addressed the gathering of demigods as follows: (8) 'If you are content with us, then please, if you can, make the body of the king come alive!' After the demigods had responded in confirmation Nimi [as a spirit] said: 'Do not bind me to a physical frame! (9) Afraid to be falsely united, sages do not wish to be in touch that way. Absorbed in thoughts about the Lord, they are [to their opinion sufficiently] of devotional service at the lotus feet [see bhajan]. (10) I do not wish to assume a material body that inevitably dies again, for such a body is everywhere - like it is with fish living in the water - the cause of distress, lamentation and fear [see also 1.13: 47 and B.G. 9: 3].'

(11) The demigods said: 'Live as you like without a material body and be, with your presence in a spiritual body, in the eyes of the normally embodied human being, then manifested or not manifested to your desire.'

(12) Afraid that for the common man this would result in a state of chaos, the great seers churned the deceased body of Nimi and thus a son was born [compare: 4.14: 43 and 4.15: 1]. (13) Because of his uncommon birth he was called Janaka, because he was born from Videha [from Nimi who was without a body] he became known as Vaideha ['free from a body'], because he was born from the churning he was called Mithila and because of this the city he founded was called Mithilâ. (14) From him there was a son named Udâvasu, from him Nandivardhana was born, he had a son named Suketu and Devarâta was his son, oh great ruler. (15) Devarâta begot Brihadratha, Mahâvîrya was his son and he fathered Sudhriti who had a son named Dhrishthaketu. He got Haryas'va as his son who was succeeded by Maru. (16) Maru's son was Pratîpaka and Kritaratha was born from him. Devamîdha was his son who had one called Vis'ruta who fathered Mahâdhriti. (17) Kritirâta followed and from him there was the son Mahâromâ whose son Svarnaromâ begot a son called Hrasvaromâ. (18) S'îradhvaja [also called Janaka] was born from him. He for the performance of sacrifices plowed the earth with the front part of his plow [or s'îra] and thus the daughter Sîtâdevî was born [the wife of Râma, Sîtâ means 'furrow']. That was why he was known as S'îradhvaja. (19) Kus'adhvaja was S'îradhvaja's son and his son was king Dharmadhvaja who had two sons named Kritadhvaja and Mitadhvaja. (20-21) Kritadhvaja had a son named Kes'idhvaja and Mitadhvaja's son was Khândikya, oh King. Kritadhvaja's son was an expert in the science of transcendence and Khândikya was an expert in Vedic rituals. Khândikya fled because he feared Kes'idhvaja. From Bhânumân, Kes'idhvaja's son, there was the son S'atadyumna. (22) S'uci was his son and from him the son Sanadvâja was born. Ûrjaketu, his son, fathered Aja who got a son called Purujit. (23) He also had a son, Arishthanemi. From his son S'rutâyu there was Supârs'vaka who fathered Citraratha whose son Kshemâdhi became the king of Mithilâ. (24) His son named Samaratha had one named Satyaratha. He fathered Upaguru who begot Upagupta. Upagupta was a partial expansion of Agni [the god of fire]. (25) His son Vasvananta had a son called Yuyudha. He had a son called Subhâshana and his son was S'ruta. He begot Jaya and Jaya fathered Vijaya. Vijaya's son was Rita. (26) His son was S'unaka, then Vîtahavya was born who had a son called Dhriti. Dhriti begot the son Bahulâs'va and from him there was Kriti who had a son called Mahâvas'î. (27) Oh King, these kings are the descendants of Mithila who by the grace of the Lord of Yoga were all true knowers of the soul. They all found liberation from the worldly duality, even though they stayed at home.'

S'rî S'uka said: 'Nimi [see 9.6: 4], the son of Ikshvâku, planned a sacrifice and appointed Vasishthha to be the priest. But he said: 'I am already engaged by Lord Indra, oh Mahârâja.

S'rî S'uka said: 'Nimi [see 9.6: 4], the son of Ikshvâku, planned a sacrifice and appointed Vasishthha to be the priest. But he said: 'I am already engaged by Lord Indra, oh Mahârâja. (Vedabase)

Text 2

When I have finished that sacrifice I will return. Wait till then'. Nimi remained silent and Vasishthha performed the sacrifice for Indra.

When I have finished that sacrifice I will return. Wait till then'. Nimi remained silent and Vasishthha performed the sacrifice for Indra. (Vedabase)

Text 3

When the guru did not return for a long time Nimi thought: 'Life is but short' and inaugurated the sacrifice with another self-realized soul as the officiating priest.

When the guru did not return for a long time Nimi thought: 'Life is but short' and inaugurated the sacrifice with another self-realized soul as the officiating priest. (Vedabase)

Text 4

Having finished the ceremonies the guru upon his return discovered that his instructions were ignored and so he pronounced a curse: 'May the embodiment of Nimi who thinks he is such a great pundit, fall down!'

Having finished the ceremonies the guru upon his return discovered that his instructions were ignored and so he pronounced a curse: 'May the embodiment of Nimi who thinks he is such a great pundit, fall down!' (Vedabase)

Text 5

Nimi in his turn cursed the guru who had lost his way with: 'And may your embodiment, that with your greed is so poorly aware of the dharma, fall down too!'

Nimi in his turn cursed the guru who had lost his way with: 'And may your embodiment, that with your greed is so poorly aware of the dharma, fall down too!' (Vedabase)

Text 6

Nimi, fully conversant with the spiritual knowledge as he was, thus had to give up his body. Vasishthha, the great-grandfather [died also but] took with [the seed of] Mitra and Varuna [again] birth through Urvas'î [the heavenly courtesan whom they saw, see also 6.18: 5-6].

Nimi, fully conversant with the spiritual knowledge as he was, thus had to give up his body. Vasishthha, the great-grandfather [died also but] took with [the seed of] Mitra and Varuna [again] birth from Urvas'î [the heavenly courtesan, see also 6.18: 5-6]. (Vedabase)

Text 7

Preserving Nimi's body in fragrant substances, the great sages in conclusion of the Satra sacrifice [a longstanding Soma sacrifice, see sattra] addressed the gathering of demigods as follows:

Preserving Nimi's body in fragrant substances, the great sages in conclusion of the Satra sacrifice [a longstanding Soma sacrifice, see sattra] addressed the gathering of demigods as follows: (Vedabase)

Text 8

'If you are content with us, then please, if you can, make the body of the king come alive!' After the demigods had responded in confirmation Nimi [as a spirit] said: 'Do not bind me to a physical frame!

'If you are content with us, then please, if you can, make the body of the king come alive!' After they had responded in confirmation Nimi said: 'Do not bind me to a physical frame! (Vedabase)

Text 9

Afraid to be falsely united, sages do not wish to be in touch that way. Absorbed in thoughts about the Lord, they are [to their opinion sufficiently] of devotional service at the lotus feet [see bhajan].

Afraid to be falsely united, sages do not wish to be in touch that way. [Being] absorbed in thoughts about the Lord, they are [to their opinion sufficiently] of devotional service at the lotus feet [see bhajan]. (Vedabase)

Text 10

I do not wish to assume a material body that inevitably dies again, for such a body is everywhere - like it is with fish living in the water - the cause of distress, lamentation and fear [see also 1.13: 47 and B.G. 9: 3].'

I do not wish to assume a material body that inevitably dies again, for such a body is everywhere - like it is with fish living in the water - the cause of distress, lamentation and fear [see also 1.13: 47 and B.G. 9: 3].' (Vedabase)

Text 11

The demigods said: 'Live as you like without a material body and be, with your presence in a spiritual body, in the eyes of the normally embodied human being, then manifested or not manifested to your desire.'

The demigods said: 'Live as you like without a material body and be, with your presence in a spiritual body, in the eyes of the normally embodied human being then manifested or not manifested to your desire.' (Vedabase)

Text 12

Afraid that for the common man this would result in a state of chaos, the great seers churned the deceased body of Nimi and thus a son was born [compare: 4.14: 43 and 4.15: 1].

Afraid that for the common man this would result in a state of chaos, the great seers churned the deceased body of Nimi and thus a son was born [compare: 4.14: 43 and 4.15: 1]. (Vedabase)

Text 13

Because of his uncommon birth he was called Janaka, because he was born from Videha [from Nimi who was without a body] he became known as Vaideha ['free from a body'], because he was born from the churning he was called Mithila and because of this the city he founded was called Mithilâ.

Because of his uncommon birth he was called Janaka, because he was born from Videha [from Nimi who was without a body] he became known as Vaideha ['free from a body'], because he was born from the churning he was called Mithila and because of this the city he founded was called Mithilâ. (Vedabase)

Text 14

From him there was a son named Udâvasu, from him Nandivardhana was born, he had a son named Suketu and Devarâta was his son, oh great ruler.

From him there was a son named Udâvasu, from him Nandivardhana was born, he had a son named Suketu and Devarâta was his son, oh great ruler. (Vedabase)

Text 15

Devarâta begot Brihadratha, Mahâvîrya was his son and he fathered Sudhriti who had a son named Dhrishthaketu. He got Haryas'va as his son who was succeeded by Maru.

Devarâta begot Brihadratha, Mahâvîrya was his son and he fathered Sudhriti who had a son named Dhrishthaketu. He got Haryas'va as his son who was succeeded by Maru. (Vedabase)

Text 16

Maru's son was Pratîpaka and Kritaratha was born from him. Devamîdha was his son who had one called Vis'ruta who fathered Mahâdhriti.

Maru's son was Pratîpaka and Kritaratha was born from him. Devamîdha was his son who had one called Vis'ruta who fathered Mahâdhriti. (Vedabase)

Text 17

Kritirâta followed and from him there was the son Mahâromâ whose son Svarnaromâ begot a son called Hrasvaromâ.

Kritirâta followed and from him there was the son Mahâromâ whose son Svarnaromâ begot a son called Hrasvaromâ. (Vedabase)

Text 18

S'îradhvaja [also called Janaka] was born from him. He for the performance of sacrifices plowed the earth with the front part of his plow [or s'îra] and thus the daughter Sîtâdevî was born [the wife of Râma, Sîtâ means 'furrow']. That was why he was known as S'îradhvaja.

S'îradhvaja [also called Janaka] was born from him. He for the performance of sacrifices plowed the earth with the front part of his plow [or s'îra] and thus the daughter Sîtâdevî was born [the wife of Râma, Sîtâ means 'furrow']. That was why he was known as S'îradhvaja. (Vedabase)

Text 19

Kus'adhvaja was S'îradhvaja's son and his son was king Dharmadhvaja who had two sons named Kritadhvaja and Mitadhvaja.

Kus'adhvaja was S'îradhvaja's son and his son was king Dharmadhvaja who had two sons named Kritadhvaja and Mitadhvaja. (Vedabase)

Text 20-21

Kritadhvaja had a son named Kes'idhvaja and Mitadhvaja's son was Khândikya, oh King. Kritadhvaja's son was an expert in the science of transcendence and Khândikya was an expert in Vedic rituals. Khândikya fled because he feared Kes'idhvaja. From Bhânumân, Kes'idhvaja's son, there was the son S'atadyumna.

Kritadhvaja had a son named Kes'idhvaja and Mitadhvaja's son was Khândikya, oh King. Kritadhvaja's son was an expert in the science of transcendence and Khândikya was an expert in Vedic rituals. Khândikya fled because he feared Kes'idhvaja. From Bhânumân, Kes'idhvaja's son, there was the son S'atadyumna. (Vedabase)

Text 22

S'uci was his son and from him the son Sanadvâja was born. Ûrjaketu, his son, fathered Aja who got a son called Purujit.

S'uci was his son and from him the son Sanadvâja was born. Ûrjaketu, his son, fathered Aja who got a son called Purujit. (Vedabase)

Text 23

He also had a son, Arishthanemi. From his son S'rutâyu there was Supârs'vaka who fathered Citraratha whose son Kshemâdhi became the king of Mithilâ.

He also had a son, Arishthanemi. From his son S'rutâyu there was Supârs'vaka who fathered Citraratha whose son Kshemâdhi became the king of Mithilâ. (Vedabase)

Text 24

His son named Samaratha had one named Satyaratha. He fathered Upaguru who begot Upagupta. Upagupta was a partial expansion of Agni [the god of fire].

His son named Samaratha had one named Satyaratha. He fathered Upaguru who begot Upagupta. Upagupta was a partial expansion of Agni [the god of fire]. (Vedabase)

Text 25

His son Vasvananta had a son called Yuyudha. He had a son called Subhâshana and his son was S'ruta. He begot Jaya and Jaya fathered Vijaya. Vijaya's son was Rita.

His son Vasvananta had a son called Yuyudha. He had a son called Subhâshana and his son was S'ruta. He begot Jaya and Jaya fathered Vijaya. Vijaya's son was Rita. (Vedabase)

Text 26

His son was S'unaka, then Vîtahavya was born who had a son called Dhriti. Dhriti begot the son Bahulâs'va and from him there was Kriti who had a son called Mahâvas'î.

His son was S'unaka, then Vîtahavya was born who had a son called Dhriti. Dhriti begot the son Bahulâs'va and from him there was Kriti who had a son called Mahâvas'î. (Vedabase)

Text 27

Oh King, these kings are the descendants of Mithila who by the grace of the Lord of Yoga were all true knowers of the soul. They all found liberation from the worldly duality, even though they stayed at home.'

Oh King, these kings are the descendants of Mithila who by the grace of the Lord of Yoga were all true knowers of the soul. They all found liberation from the worldly duality, even though they stayed at home.' (Vedabase)