Vashishta agreed to conduct a Yajna for King Nimi but the King completed the Yajna with Rishi Gautama. Vashishta was enraged at this and cursed Nimi that his soul and body would be separated. Nimi cursed Vashishta back. Mitra, Varuna and Urvashi gave birth to Vashishta (and Agastya).

Nimi's soul still did not get a new body. Sages offered to create a body for him. But he declined the offer saying, "body is the root cause of all sorrows and I do not want a body for myself. But I will live on the eyelids (nimi) of all the creatures.”

Sages churned Nimi’s body out of which Mithi was born. Janakas were descendants of Nimi and were named so because they were born out of churning. They were also called Videhas meaning not born from a body.

Lakshmana asks Rama why Nimi cursed Vashishta though he is only a King. Rama replied that not everyone is endowed with patience and that is what happened.

Picture Credit: Unknown, probably Vajrakhya Devi Dasi

Yayati was married to Devyani, Shukra’s daughter as well as Sharmishta. He was more attached to Sharmishta so Shukra cursed him that he will suffer from old age. Yayati asked his sons to swap their young bodies with his old body. One son refused but the other son, Puru, agreed. Yayati enjoyed the youthful body for several years, returned it to Puru and then appointed him as King. The kuruvamsa originates from Puru.

The story of Yayati is far more detailed and fascinating.

Picture Credit: Nityam Bhagvata Sevaya

Sage Kanchana requested Rama to kill Lavana, son of Madhu. Madhu had obtained a spear from Lord Shiva. The one holding the spear can never be killed. Madhu requested that he be able to bequeath it to his children. Shiva agreed that it can pass to one generation only.

Lavana had starter terrorizing the Rishis. Rama asked his brothers who would like to kill Lavana. Shatrughna came forward and said: " Bharatha looked after the kingdom for you and Lakshmana came with you and served you. I could not serve you so far and I request you to let me do this."

Rama advised Shatrudhna to challenge Madhu when he returns from his morning hunt and has not yet taken hold of the spear.

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Shatrughna engaged Lavana after a fierce battle. Shatrughna used the arrow Rama had given him. That hit the Rakshasa and cut his head off.

Shatrughna cleaned Madhuvan off all the Rakshasas and made it into a magnificent city. There were forts, trenches, and towers around the city of Mathura, and it was shining better than the Amarapuri of the Devas. Rama later on told him to take care of Mathura. Shatrughna lived in Mathura, reigning his small kingdom.

Picture Credit: Dreamland Publications

Agastya narrates several stories to Rama when they meet in Uttara Kanda.

The Rishi narrated the story of Shwetan to Rama. The Rishi saw Shwetan descend from heaven and eat a dead body near a lake. When asked, Shwetan said while he was a King he got fed up of royal duties. He handed over the kingdom to his brother and did Tapas to get a better afterlife.

Though he reached heaven he did not get food or water there. Brahma explained to him that he had not done any annadhana in his life and just took care of his own body. He cursed him to eat his body every day for twelve years till Rishi Agastya releases him. He then says that it is not easy to know the dharma and adharma, appropriate for different situations.

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Rama noticed that the Danda forest did not have any animals. He asked Agastya who narrated the story of Ishvaku’s son Danda. Ishvaku knew that Danda would contract a disease in his life and so made a country for him in Vindhyas. Danda once met the beautiful daughter of his Guru Shukra and touched her without her permission. An enraged Shukra cursed that ash will rain on his kingdom and the entire kingdom will become ashes.

Shukra arranged for the exit of sages and Brahmanas from Danda. The whole area became a thick forest in no time, known as Dandaka Forest.

Picture Credit: Instagram

Rama decided to conduct Ashwamedha Yajna and described its importance to Lakshmana.

Vritra did a Tapas to win over his enemies. Indra wanted to stop him and prayed to Vishnu. Vishnu told Indra that Vritra is a great devotee and that he cannot kill him. He advised Indra to try fighting with Vishnu’s spear Shakthi. He also told Indra to obtain a bone from Vritra’s body with which he can make a spear. Indra prepared the spear and killed Vritra cunningly. Since Vritra was a devotee, the murder caused Indra to incur a Brahma-hatya level sin and Indra was unable to sleep or eat. He conducted an Ashwamedha Yaga to get rid of his sin.

Picture Credit: Bhagvatam, 1916 Tamil Book

In Ramayana Kilippattu, Rama narrates another benefit of Ashwamedha Yajna to Lakshmana.

The King Ila reached a place called Ilavrita, which transforms anyone entering it into a lady. Buddha saw the transformed Ila and was infatuated. The King prayed to Shiva and Parvati to regain his manhood. Parvati granted him the relief but said she can only provide half relief. Therefore Ila will alternate as a man and a woman every month.

Pururavas was born to Buddha and Ila and became the first and famous king of Surya clan. Ila later on performed Ashwamedha Yaga to please Shiva and got rid of the curse.

Picture Credit: Gita Press, Gorakhpur