PARURAU (PURURAVAS or PURU) The sage Durvasas, the king Pururavas (or king Puru) and the sage Angiras sang the praises of Guru Nanak Dev. (Swayye Mahle Pahle Ke, p. 1390) The word Parurau may be considered with reference to two kings, who are the descendants of the sage Atri, who is generally reckoned among the seven rishis (sages). The genealogy beginning from the sage Atri is as follows : LUNAR RACE : >> The sage Atri >> Soma (or Chandra) the moon >> Budha (or Mercury) married Ila, daughter of Ikshwaku >> Pururavas (or Aila) married the nymph Urvashi >> Ayus >> Nahusha >> Yayati (husband of Sarmishtha and Devayani) The king Pururavas was the son of Budha and Sadyumna (Ila).
He was a beneficent pious prince. He is the hero of Vikramorvashi Natak of Kalidasa. His actual name was Vikrama. He fell in love with Urvashi, a nymph from heaven, who gave birth to his eldest son Ayus. Puru was the sixth king of the Lunar race and the youngest son of Yayati and Sarmishtha.
He and his brother Yadu (see the above genealogy) were founders of the two great branches of the Lunar race. The descendants of Puru were called Pauravas, and of this race came the Kauravas and Yadavas. Among the Yadavas or descendants of Yadu was Krishna.
References :
1. Kohli,Surindar Singh ed,Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib 1993
Pururavas, sometimes referred to as Parurau, is a legendary figure in Hindu mythology. He is celebrated as the founder of the Lunar Dynasty (Chandravansha) and is prominently known for his romantic tale with Urvashi, a celestial Apsara. His story, mentioned in texts like the Rigveda, Mahabharata, and Puranas, weaves themes of love, mortality, and the pursuit of the divine.
Key Aspects of Pururavas:
Lineage:
- Pururavas is the son of Budha (the deity of the planet Mercury) and Ila (sometimes regarded as a male-female figure due to a gender transformation myth). This lineage connects him to both the Solar and Lunar dynasties.
- As the progenitor of the Chandravansha, his descendants include numerous legendary figures, such as the Pandavas and Kauravas from the Mahabharata.
Love Story with Urvashi:
- Urvashi, a celestial nymph, fell in love with Pururavas after being cursed to live on Earth. She agreed to marry him under the condition that she would leave if he broke specific promises, such as not letting her see him naked except in private.
- The Gandharvas (celestial beings) orchestrated events leading to Pururavas inadvertently breaking his promises, resulting in Urvashi’s departure.
- This tale reflects the transient nature of earthly attachments and the longing for permanence in divine love.
Symbolism:
- Pururavas represents the mortal’s quest for union with the divine, as his story with Urvashi mirrors the interplay between worldly desires and spiritual aspirations.
- His character embodies themes of longing, impermanence, and the challenges of balancing material and spiritual pursuits.
Contributions to Vedic Tradition:
- Pururavas is credited with introducing the practice of worshiping the sacred fire (Agni) to Earth, establishing it as central to Vedic rituals.
Legacy:
- His descendants, forming the Chandravansha, play critical roles in Hindu mythology, including the stories of the Pandavas, Lord Krishna, and other luminaries.
- Pururavas’s story is seen as an allegory for human struggles with desires and the ultimate realization of the eternal.
Pururavas’s tale continues to resonate for its profound exploration of the human condition and the delicate balance between love and duty.
