Mandhata

Long ago there was a great king in our country. His name was Mandhata.

When Mandhata was born, there was no one to give him milk.

Indra, the king of heaven, took pity on him. He gave him his thumb to suck. It was full of amrita. The boy grew very healthy and strong.

Thus amrita springs up in the thumb of every child.

That is why children suck their thumbs.

Mandhata studied the sastras deeply. He was also skilful in war.

He brought the whole world under his rule.

He did a hundred raja-suya yagas. He gave away money to the poor.

He beat the asuras. He became a great friend of Indra.

Hindumati was Mandhata’s queen.

Muchukunda, Ambareesha and Purukutsa were their famous sons.

There are many great stories about them.

Once there was no rain in Mandhata’s land. So there was a great famine.

Then Mandhata prayed to God long and hard. God blessed the land with rain.

The world became happy again.

(From Culture

Course-BVB)