Chapter 42 of 51 · Uma Samhita · Overall chapter 356 of 464
The Power of Ancestors Continued
The seven chakravakas' prophecy comes true in their third and final birth as the brahmana king Brahmadatta and his learned brothers in Kampilya, who - unlike their deluded companions reborn separately in poverty - retain full memory of their past lives and ultimately achieve the supreme destination through devotion to Shiva.
Bhishma asked
Markandeya, wise one, foremost among those devoted to the ancestors, please be kind and say what happened next.
Markandeya replied
The seven birds went on roaming Lake Manasa, living on air and water and wasting their bodies in yoga. The king, after long pleasure with the women of his household, like Indra in his garden Nandana, went home with his wives. His son Anuha was wholly devoted to dharma. He set his son Vaibhraja on the throne, went into the forest, joined the birds as a companion and began austerities, eating nothing and living on air like those great ascetics. Because the forest shone, it came to be called Vibhraja; it became famous and bestows success in yoga. The four birds who kept to yoga laid down their bodies there, and so did the three who had strayed from it. Led by Brahmadatta, all four great souls, now free of sin, were born in the city of Kampilya. Four remembered their former births and three were clouded. Svatantra was reborn as the very energetic Brahmadatta. Chhidradarshaka and Sunetra, learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, were born to a learned brahmana and remembered their past lives. Panchala, who knew many Rig Veda hymns, became a teacher. Pundarika knew two Vedas and metre and served as an adhvaryu priest. Seeing his son Brahmadatta flawless, the king crowned him and reached the supreme goal. Panchala and Pundarika settled their sons at home, entered the forest and reached the supreme goal there. Brahmadatta's wife Sanniti, utterly devoted to him, shared his pleasures. The remaining chakravakas were born in Kampilya as companions, sons of a learned brahmana in a poor household. Chhidradarshaka had four sons: Dhritimat, Sumahatma, Tattvadarshi and Nirutsuka. They gave themselves to Vedic study and yoga and all became siddhas. They parted from one another, bowed at Shambhu's lotus feet and went their ways. Some brave souls do not wish to be born again, and, to destroy their sins, they take their highest refuge in Shambhu's spotless feet. Markandeya added that anyone who has sinned in thought, word or deed should read this account with devotion and faith. The moment the names of Shiva, lord of the gods, are chanted, one is freed from every sin; sins are committed, but the heap of them drains away like water from an unfired pot. Japa of his name calms sins at once, so everyone should do it faithfully to gain what he wishes. One who studies, reads or hears this for prosperity is freed from all sins and moves, without doubt, toward liberation.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.