Priyavrata and Bharata

Maitreya told Parashara, “Sage, I have learnt that Manu had two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada. You have already told me about Uttanapada’s son Dhruva. But what about Priyavrata?” And this was Parashara’s reply.

Priyavrata married the daughter of Kardama and had ten sons. Their names were Agnidhra, Agnivahu, Vapushmana, Dyutimana, Medha, Medhatithi, Bhavya, Savana, Putra and Jyotishmana. medha, Agnivahu and Putra were not interested in becoming kings, they became sages. The world is divided into seven regions or dvipas. Priyavrata gave each of the remaining seven sons a dvipa to rule over. Agnidhra got Jambudvipa, Vapushmana Shamalidvipa, Dyuti-mana Krounchadvipa, Medhatithi Plakshadvipa, Bhavya Shakadvipa, Savana Pushkaradvipa and Jyotishmana Kushadvipa. King Agnidhra had nine sons. Nabhi, Kimpurusha, Ilavrita, Ramya, Shashtha, Hiranvana, Hari, Kuru and Bhadrashva. Jambudvipa was divided up by Agnidhra among these sons. Nabhi got the region that was to eventually became Bharatavarsha. Nabhi had a son called Rishabha. Rishabha had a hundred sons, the eldest of whom was Bharata. It is after Bharata that the country was called Bharatavarsha.

“What boon do you desire, Prahlada?, asked Vishnu.

“That I may be forever faithful to you.”

“Granted,” said Vishnu. “What else to you want?”

“That my father’s sins be forgiven.”

“Granted,” said Vishnu.

Prahlada returned to Hiranyakashipu and the father relented and embraced his son. Eventually, Vishnu adopted the form of a man-lion (nrisimha) and killed Hiranyakashipu. Prahlada became the king of the daityas and the ruled well and wisely. He had many sons and grandsons. One of Prahlada’s sons was Virochana and Virochana’s son was Vali.

I have told you that the Vishnu Purana has six major sections. This is where the first section ends.