[The âgavataPurâtrue history of the origin of the three Vedas is thus given in veiled words. They originated in the strong desire of men in Treta Yuga for the possession of heavenly things. This gives us about two millions of years at the present day. The origin of the Vedas must not be confounded however with their existence in the present form. For that we must refer to the sacrifice of Haris Chandra, the adoption of Sunah sepha by Visvâmitra and the division amongst the Madhu Chandas brothers.]
Purûravas _m_. Urvasi | --+-----------+-----------+----------+---------+----------+-- | | | | | | Âyus Srutâyus Satyâyus Raya Vijaya Jaya | | | | | Vasumat Srutanjaya Eka Bhima Amita | Kânchana | Hotraka
Hotraka | Jahnu (He swallowed up the | Gangâ in her downward | course and let her out | though his thighs). | Puru | Balâka | Ajaka | Kusa | --+-----------+---+----+-----------+-- | | | | Kusâmbu Tanaya Vasu Kusanâbha | Gadhi | Satyavati
Rishi Richika asked for the hand of Satyavati. Gadhi did not consider him to be a fit husband for his daughter. He therefore wanted to put him off and said: -- "Give a dower of one thousand horses, with the lustre of moon all over their body and with one of their ears dark-coloured (Syama). For we are sons of Kusika."
The Rishi went to Varuna and got the horses. He gave them to the king and married Satyavati.
Satyavati and her mother both asked Richika to prepare _Charu_ for the birth of a son to each. (_Charu_ is an oblation of rice, barley, and pulse, boiled together. It is offered to Devas and Pitris). Richika prepared two charus and consecrated one with Brâhmana Mantra and the other with Kshatriya Mantra. The Rishi then went to bathe himself. In the meantime, the mother thought, the daughter's Charu must be superior to hers. So she procured that from her daughter and the daughter partook of her mother's Charu. When the Rishi returned and learned what had taken place, he said to his wife: -- "What an improper thing you have done by this exchange of Charus! You shall have a fierce and terrible son, while your brother shall be the greatest in divine wisdom."
Satyavati prayed to her husband, saying "Let it not be so." The Rishi then said, "Then your grandson shall be all that."