THE SHUDRAS : WHO WERE THE SHUDRAS ? 123
Gungu. [1] There was a war between Turyavana and Divodasa and his allies Ayu and Kutsa. The victory went to Turyavana. [2]
It seems that at one time Indra was against him particularly in the battle of Turyavana. His purohita was Bharadvaja, [3] to whom Divodasa gave many gifts. [4] Bharadvaja seems to have played the part of a traitor by joining Turyavana against Divodasa. [5]
There is no reference to the mother of Sudas. But there is a reference to the wife of Sudas. His wife’s name is given as Sudevi. [6 ] It is said that the Ashvins procured her for Sudas.
III. Sudas was a king and his coronation ceremony was performed by the Brahma-rishi, Vasistha.
The Aitareya Brahmana gives the following list of the kings who had the Mahabhisheka ceremony performed and the name of the Purohita who officiated at it. [7]
“With this ceremony Sharyata, the son of Manu, was inaugurated by Chyavana, the son of Bhrigu. Thence Sharyata went conquering all over the earth, and sacrificed the sacrificial horse, and was even at the sacrificial session held by the gods, the house-father.”
“With this ceremony Samasushama, the son of Vajaratna, inaugurated Shatanika, the son of Satrajit. Thence Shatanika went conquering everywhere over the whole earth up to its ends, and sacrificed the sacrificial horse.”
“With this ceremony Parvata and Narada inaugurated Ambashthya. Thence Ambashthya went conquering everywhere over the whole earth up to its ends, and sacrificed the sacrificial horse.”
“With this ceremony Parvata and Narada inaugurated Yudhamasraushti, the son of Ugrasena. Thence Yudhamasraushti went conquering everywhere over the whole earth up to its ends, and sacrificed the sacrificial horse.”
“With this inauguration ceremony Kashyapa inaugurated Vishva-karma, the son of Bhuvana. Thence Vishvakarma went conquering everywhere over the whole earth up to its ends, and sacrificed the sacrificial horse.”
“They say that the earth sang to Vishvakarma the following stanza:
‘No mortal is allowed to give me away (as donation). [8] O, Vishva-karma, thou hast given me, (therefore) I shall plunge into the midst of the sea. In vain was thy promise made to Kashyapa.’”
“With this ceremony Vasishtha inaugurated Sudas, the son of Pijavana. Thence Sudas went conquering everywhere over the whole earth up to its ends, and sacrificed the sacrificial horse.”
1 Rig Veda, X. 48
2 Rig Veda, I. 53, 8; VI. 18. 13
3 Rig Veda, I. 116. 18.
4 Rig Veda,VI. 16. 5.
5 Rig Veda, VI. 18. 13.
6 Rig Veda, 1. 112. 19.
7 Martin Haug, Vol. II, pp. 523-524.
8 The king had promised the whole earth as gift to his officiating priest.