[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c8.1311 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1311 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c8.1311 - **Language:** English ### [c8.1311](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1311) There was a Gandharva called Citraketu, who performed penance on the banks of the Puṣkara lake to propitiate Śiva for a child. Śiva appeared and blessed Citraketu to the effect that Nārada, the son of Brahmā, would be born as his son. Accordingly the wife of Citraketu delivered a son whom the family priest named Upabarhaṇa. The boy grew up as a devotee of Viṣṇu. Bṛhaspati taught him the worship of Hari (Viṣṇu). Upabarhaṇa lived on the slopes of the Himālayas performing penance. While Upabarhaṇa was one day engaged in Samādhi fifty daughters of the Gandharva called Citraratha passed that way, and they fell in love with Upabarhaṇa, who was in Samādhi. He awoke from Samādhi on hearing the melodious songs of the fifty damsels who stood there with palms joined in reverence. Upabarhaṇa too fell in love with them, and he married all the fifty girls. He returned with them to the palace and lived there for thousands of years. Once the Gandharvas and the Apsaras were invited to sing the story of Viṣṇu in Brahmaloka. Upabarhaṇa accompanied them. He became lustful towards Rambhā. The Prajāpatis, who noticed it got angry, and Upabarhaṇa well-nigh dead due to their curse returned home. He told his wives all that had happened to him. He spread a darbha grass on the ground and lay on it and died. Mālatī, the eldest of his wives, got ready to curse Brahmā, Yama and Mṛtyu. In great consternation they sought refuge under Viṣṇu, who comforted and sent them back to Mālatī. They saluted her. Then a brahmin, who went there questioned Brahmā about the death of Upabarhaṇa. The brahmin told him that, according to previous decision, life for another thousand years remained for Upabarhaṇa, but he died in the meantime on account of the curse of Prajāpati. Immediately the brahmin assumed the form of Viṣṇu. The brahmin blessed Upabarhaṇa who woke up from death rubbing his eyes. He lived happily at home with his wives. He was blessed with children and grandchildren. Knowing that his end was near Upabarhaṇa and Mālatī spent their time in austerities on the banks of the Gaṅgā. At last Upabarhaṇa expired, and Mālatī ended her life in his funeral pyre. (Bhāgavata, 7th Skandha). - [Previous: c8.1310](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1310) - [Next: c8.1312](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1312) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8) ## Cites (1) - [Bhāgavatapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.bhagavata) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1311](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1311) · Pramāṇa