Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c28.s2.t6.1

c28.s2.t6.1

Lastly may be noticed Devāpi Ārṣiṣeṇa,¹ the author of hymn x, 98, whose story is often told.² He was apparently the eldest grandson of king Pratīpa, and Śantanu a younger grandson (p. 165). He was an excellent prince³ but had a skin disease,⁴ and so was excluded from the throne by the opposition of the people which was led by the brahmans,⁵ or he declined it in Śantanu’s favour.⁶ So Śantanu became king. Devāpi departed to the forest in his youth⁷ and became a muni, a teacher of the gods.⁸ But a twelve-year drought occurred, which was attributed to the supersession, so Śantanu offered him the kingdom;⁹ but he declined it, became Śantanu’s purohita instead,¹⁰ and composed Rigveda x, 98.¹¹