Bhagiratha, a king of the Solar Dynasty ascended the throne after the early retirement of his father. He was physically very weak and frail during the early years of his life. It was only after the benediction of the learned sage Ashtavakra that his weakness was gradually cured and with time he became physically very strong. Legend has it that he was marked as one of the five great emperors of ancient India. He was a very religious, judicious, learned, courageous emperor. It is said that after Mandhata, it was only him to whom all other kings of India bowed. His imperial sacrifice and horse sacrifice (Ashwamedh Yagna) marked his lordship over the other rulers. So great he was that he even refused to take any tribute from the subdued kings. He gifted others in abundance with slave girls, chariots, elephants, horse, cattle, goats, and sheep. He even willingly fulfilled the wishes of his people. His immense popularity made him rule for about forty years. Later he himself withdrew from the throne and left his kingdom in the hands of his able ministers. Bhagiratha repaired to the source of the Ganges in the north of the Himalayas. He wished to have offspring hence with his queen he retired to the Ganges. After some time to his delight a son was born to him. Legend has it that Bhagiratha is credited with bringing down the Ganges from the north to the Indian plains. It was said it was incorrect as at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, kings like Varuna, Soma and others performed various sacrifices. The Indus and the Saraswati were sacred to the Vedic Aryans and the Sarayu was sacred to the people of Kosala. Henceforth Bhagiratha declared the even Ganga would be sacred to all.
After Bhagiratha his son Prince Srutasena ascended to the throne. He was placed by the sages, people and the ministers during 1835 BC.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com
(Last Updated on : 17/05/2011)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in History of India
|
|
|
| • | Wali
Walis or Sufi Saints are those who have established a connection with the universal consciousness. They are closely connected to God to the extent that some of them remain cut-off from the real physical world as in the case of the condition of Wilayat Awwal. There are different levels of Wali depending on the extent of love and unity with the Almighty that they feel and exhibit in their behaviour.
| | | • | Village Administration of Rashtrakuta Empire
Village administration of Rashtrakuta Empire was headed by the village headman. Villages were divided for efficient governance.
| | | • | Suddhi Movement
Suddhi Movement aimed at purifying those Hindus who were converted to other religions in the nineteenth century.
| | | • | Sikandar Lodi
Sikandar Lodi was the second ruler of the Lodi dynasty and became Sultan after the death of his father Bahlul Khan Lodi on July 17, 1489.
| | | • | Shamsuddin Habib Allah
Shamsuddin Habib Allah was another great Sufi saint having a liberal attitude towards various religions. Also known as Mirza Zanzana, he was a Master of the four Tariqats- Naqshbandia, Qadiria, Suhrawardia and Chishtia Orders. He was killed by unknown persons and died a martyr and his mausoleum, situated near Jama Masjid in Delhi, is called the `Shahid Sahab ki Mazar`.
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
