Ch - 34 Sri Guru Charitra

Rajkumar and Mantrikumar devotees of Shri Shiva

Parashara further said, `The monkey has taken birth as your son and the cook has become the Mantri Kumar. Due to the training of the previous birth both are `Dnyanis' and devotees of Shiva. 

Hearing this the king asked, `you have narrated the account of the previous births of these Kumars, but what is their future?' 

Parashara: `You ask about the future of your son, but you will be grieved to know the same.' 

The King: Kindly tell me the truth. If it gives me grief, kindly suggest the means to get rid of it.' 

Parashara: `Your son will live for two years. He will die on the eighth day from today. For this you worship Umakant (Shri Shiva), the Guru of the Universe, with Rudra sukta. The significance of this Rudra sukta is very great. This will save the life of your son. 

`The four Vedas came out of the four mouths of Brahmadev. Yajurveda contains this Rudra sukta. Brahmadev told this Rudra to Maricha, Atri etc. These Rishis taught this to their disciples. Thus it has come on this earth from generation to generation. By reciting Rudra all the sins are wiped off. You invite a hundred learned Brahmins and have ten thousand Rudra-Abhisheks on Shri Shiva Shankar. This will enable your son to live a long life.' 

The king invited Brahmins as instructed and Rudrabhishek was started ceremoniously. On the eighth day at midday the Rajkumar all of a sudden fell on the ground senseless. Abhishek teerth was sprinkled on his body and the Brahmins also threw enchanted `akshat' (rice) of Rudra on the same. Due to this, Yamadoot did not dare to come near the Rajkumar who soon awoke from the swoon. His death was thus averted. 

The king and the people were very much delighted. The king spent much in charity. In the meantime, Narad Muni came there and said, `Oh king, while Yamadoots were taking away your son, Shivadoots attacked them and freed your son. The Yamadoots fled away to Yama and complained. Yama went to Shri Shankar and asked, `why did your doots attack my doots?' Shri Shankar said, `when Rajkumar was granted long life why did your doots go to snatch him without consulting Chitragupta (record-keeper of lives of all beings)? They ought not to have gone, When record of Chitragupta was checked, it was found that though the Kumar’s life was twelve years at first, he was granted ten thousand year's life later on. Seeing this Yama repented and went away. Your son got long life by virtue of Rudra-Jap. His death is averted. Such is the great power of Rudra sukta.