Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.712

c9.712

Subāhu and Yādavī did not have a child for long. But, as a result of many yajñas conducted for the gift of a child, Yādavī conceived. While she was in the seventh month of her pregnancy her co-wife administered poison to her with the result that she did not further advance in pregnancy and deliver in due time. Thus she continued as a pregnant woman for seven years. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapter 16). The King became an old man. During this period Tālajaṅgha, king of Hehaya, attacked Ayodhyā with his army, and Subāhu, despite his old age, fought back. But the fighting grew fiercer. Subāhu found that he would not be able to defeat Tālajaṅgha and he escaped into the forest with his wife Yādavī. They took shelter in the āśrama of sage Aurva. Subāhu expired there due to old age and Yādavī got ready to follow him in his pyre. The Muni prevented her from doing so by pointing out to her that the child in her womb was a very fortunate one and would become emperor of the seven islands when he grew up to manhood. Yādavī delivered shortly. As the poison (gara) given to her by the co-wife had immobilised her pregnancy for so long Aurva named her child Sagara. (Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Chapters 16 and 17).