Guardians of Fire (Part III)

 

Guardians of Fire (Part III)

This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods.” Sanskrit text has been removed as it is not readable on this page. The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

 

 Long Livers Known to have Lived Through Four Eras

 

If the narrations about kings, rishis, munis and sages in the Puranas are to be believed as genuine and true, and also trusting that they really lived all through the Four Eras and even beyond, then also keeping in mind the humanely possible length of time that a mortal may have, it must be acknowledged that the length of the Four Eras must also be redefined.

Even in olden times, one who lived hundred years was believed to be blessed and lucky. It is mentioned in Manu Smriti that one despite having no auspicious signs about himself, but one who is morally sound, has good conduct, keeps faith on religious shastras, one who is not in the habit of unduly finding faults in others may live for hundred years.[1] The life for hundred years is prayed for and said to be the access for moksh and the fulfilment of life.[2] In Agni Puran many Ayurvedic formulae have been shared that may, in certain cirumstances, may prove helpful in prolonging the age of a person even beyond four hundred years.[3]

In Brahmvaivart Puran, Radha is informing Uddhav about some of the long-livers who attained exemplary long life. Sanat Kumars are always youthful like children. Markandey, son of Mrikandu, Vodhu, Panchshikh, Lomash and Aasuri have age of many Kalpas. Parshuram son of Jamdagni, Hanuman, Bali, Vyas, Ashwatthama, Vibhishan, Kripacharya are Sapt-chiranjivi.[4] Jambvaan, Prahlad, son of Hiranyakshipu are also victorious over death.[5] Hanuman lived through all the four Yugas.

Bhardwaj begged for the fourth age from Indra that he politely declined. Vasisth was another very long-lived rishi. But there is always a limit to the humanly possible legth of the time that one may live.

Brihaspati lived till the end of Mahabharat war, his death is documented well in Mahabharat by Vedvyas himself.

Markandey was one of the few survivors after the event of great flood (Naimitik Pralaiy) that happened prior to Krit Yug. He was a witness to the great deluge. Markandey lived even after Kalki exterminated Mallechh at the fag end of Kali Yug, and into next Krit Yug. He narrated the legends of Kalki and Narsinh to king Sahsraneek.[6]

Bhrigu was considered as the spiritual-son of Brahma and lived till past Kali Yug. He died while narrating about the virtues of worshiping Narsinh to Sahsraneek who was the fourth descendant of Abhimanyu.

 

Humanly Possible Limit of the Age

 

Howsoever long one may have lived, but one should never forget that there is always a humanly possible limit to the age even in olden times. If it is believed that exceptionally long livers really lived through Chaturyug, the Four Ages, then it should also be concluded that the conceivable length of this period may not go beyond rational acceptance. In any case, age of any mortal being, and by implication the period of Four Ages, may never have exceeded at most 300 years, given extreme latitude to our wildest of imaginations.

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[1] Manu Smriti, Adhyay 4, Shlok 158.

[2] Dharmshashtra Ank, Gita Press Gorakhpur, Adhyay 69, p. 167, ref. Tanday Brahman and Shatpath Brahman.

[3] Agni Puran, Adhyay 285-286.

[4] Vedkatha Ank, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, p. 28.

[5] Brahmvaivart Puran, Shri Krishan Janam Khand, Adhyay 96.

[6] Narsinh Puran, Adhyay 32-33.