MAARKANDEYA presents MAHAABHAARATHAM

The CH in the alternative name is pronounced like 'ch' in 'much'. )

Vasu was the king of the Chedi provinces. He was a friend of Indra himself. Indra awarded an unfading garland, a powerful and magical staff and a flier to him. As Vasu often flew to the higher abodes by that fler, he was referred to as 'Uparichara Vasu'(=Vasu, flying above). He had five sons, Brihadratha, Manivaahana,Soubala,Yadu (do not confuse with Yayaathi's son Yadu)and Raajanya.

A river named Shukthimathi was flowing near his capital. A mountain named Kolaahala obstructed her and forced her to please him with pleasures. The river gave birth to a son Vasupada and a daughter Girika. King Vasu kicked the mountain away with his foot and saved the river from the trouble. He married Girika and appointed Vasupada as his general.

Later, it so happened that Vasu's semen was received by a divine damsel Adrika who was in the form of a fish in the river Yamuna. The fish was caught and given to Daasha, the chief of fishermen. When it was cut, a boy and a girl were found in its stomuch. The boy became known as Mathsya and became king of Mathsya provinces. The daughter was named Sathyavathi ( or Mathsyagandhi who later known as Yojanagandhi). Daasha kept her at a ferry on river Yamuna's bank, to serve the passers by in crossing the river. Sathyavathi later gave birth to the ever great sage Vyaasa . Thus king Vasu was a very important person in Mahaabhaaratham.

During Mahaabhaaratham times, Shishupaala was the ruler of Chedi kingdom. He was killed by Krishna during Raajasooyam sacrifice of Paandavas. After the war, Sharabha, son of Sahadeva and grandson of Shishupaala was ruling Chedi province.

In Ashvamedha parva, it is mentioned that Shukthimathi was capital city of Chedi kingdom. Later, in the same parva, it is mentioned that once Vasu, the Chedi king inappropriately decided a dispute between indra and the sages about usage and sacking of live scapegoats in the sacrifices, thereby falling into the nether world.

"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."