The Story Of King Chitrabhanu

In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma, whilst resting on the bed of arrows and
discoursing on Dharma, refers to the observance of Maha Shivaratri by King Chitrabhanu. The
story goes as follows.
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HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS
LORD SHIVA
Om Namah Shivaya
Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of
Jambudvipa, was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage
Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.
The sage asked, “O king! why are you observing a fast today?”
King Chitrabhanu explained why. He had the gift of remembering the incidents of his
previous birth.
The king said to the sage: “In my past birth I was a hunter in Varanasi. My name was
Suswara. My livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. One day I was roaming the forests in
search of animals. I was overtaken by the darkness of night. Unable to return home, I climbed a tree
for shelter. It happened to be a bael tree. I had shot a deer that day but I had no time to take it home. I
bundled it up and tied it to a branch on the tree. As I was tormented by hunger and thirst, I kept
awake throughout the night. I shed profuse tears when I thought of my poor wife and children who
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SHIVARATRI
were starving and anxiously awaiting my return. To pass away the time that night I engaged myself
in plucking the bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
“The day dawned. I returned home and sold the deer. I bought some food for myself and for
my family. I was about to break my fast when a stranger came to me, begging for food. I served him
first and then took my food.
“At the time of death, I saw two messengers of Lord Shiva. They were sent down to conduct
my soul to the abode of Lord Shiva. I learnt then for the first time of the great merit I had earned by
the unconscious worship of Lord Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. They told me that there was a
Lingam at the bottom of the tree. The leaves I dropped fell on the Lingam. My tears which I had
shed out of pure sorrow for my family fell onto the Lingam and washed it. And I had fasted all day
and all night. Thus did I unconsciously worship the Lord.
“I lived in the abode of the Lord and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages. I am now reborn as
Chitrabhanu.”