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Priyavrata wanted to spend his life in worship. Manu wanted him to become king. Brahma then explained the concept of Varnashram to the reluctant prince.
Priyavrata’s DilemmaSwayambhav Manu’s elder son, Uttanapada, easily accepted the role and duties of kingship. Though Manu had earmarked a separate domain for Priyavrata, the younger son, Priyavrata was reluctant to rule. Priyavrata was a spiritual person engaged at all times in devotional activities. He felt that the duties of governance would divert him from worship and prayers. At the same time he could not disobey his father’s wishes outright. Hence he voiced his dilemma as diplomatically as he could. At that time Priyavrata was taking spiritual instruction from sage Narada on the hill of Gandhmadana. Both Manu and Narada tried to explain to the prince that it was his duty to accept the throne. However they were not able to counter Priyavrata’s questions. It was then that Brahma decided to step in. Riding his vahana, the great swan, he landed on Gandhmadana. Brahma Discourses on Varnashram TheoryNarada, Manu and Priyavrata received Brahma with due courtesy. Brahma then expounded the principles of Varnashram, which all living beings and especially humans were bound to follow. Varna signifies the divisions of society according to the nature of duties and ashram signifies the life stages. A person’s varna and ashram together specify the duties he or she has to follow at a given time. A person’s varna is usually decided by birth often depending on his karma of his past lives, but not necessarily so. It can change as a result of upbringing or even a change of disposition. The Brahmins extend spiritual knowledge, the Kshatriyas provide protection to the people, the Vaishyas are engaged in the generation of wealth and the Sudras in activities of maintaining the society. If everyone decided to leave his duty and devote himself entirely to worship chaos would reign. Brahma addressed Priyavrata, “You are not only born as a Kshatriya but also brought up as one. Further you are from the royalty and hence your responsibilities are all the more essential. You cannot shirk your duties of providing governance. This has been ordained by the Lord. Your Brahmacharya ashram is now complete in which you received your education. You are now to enter Grahasta ashram, the second stage of life, in which you must enjoy conjugal bliss and material benefits of family life. You also have the responsibility of ensuring continuity of your family. You should continue with your devotional activities, but you cannot forsake your other duties. Later on when you enter Vanaprastha ashram you will have ample time to focus only on devotional and spiritual activities. But it is time for your father to enter into his Vanaprastha ashram so take charge of your share of the kingdom and let him go.” Priyavrata was convinced and promised to follow the guidance given by Brahma. His work complete, Brahma returned to his abode. Grahasta Ashram Life of PriyavrataPriyavrata then entered family life by marrying Barhismati, the daughter of Viswakarma. She gave birth to 10 radiant sons named Agnidhra, Idhmajihva, Yajnabahu, Mahavira, Hiranyareta, Ghritaprishthha, Savana, Medhatithi, Vitihotra and Kavi after the various epithets of Agni the demi-God of Fire. Barhismati then gave birth to a beautiful daughter, who was named Urjasvati. King Priyavrata then gave Urjasvati in marriage to Shukracharya, the preceptor of the Asuras. They had a daughter named Devyani, who has an interesting chapter to herself in Hindu mythology. Priyavrata had another wife as well. She gave birth to three sons named Uttama, Tamasa and Raivata. Each of them later became a Manu in different epochs. Please check my course on Hindu Mythology Please check my articles on Mythology from India
The copyright of the article Priyavrata’s Dilemma in Hinduism is owned by Harsh Nevatia. Permission to republish Priyavrata’s Dilemma in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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