Baka-dālbhya
By Swami Harshananda
Baka-dālbhya literally means ‘Baka, a descendant of Dalbha’.
Baka-dālbhya has been mentioned in three different manners in several ancient scriptures. It is unclear whether these references pertain to a single person or to multiple people.
Baka-dālbhya as per Chāndogya Upaniṣad[edit]
The Chāndogya Upaniṣad mentions one Baka-dālbhya, as a sage who had realized the prāṇa[1] through the singing of the udgītha (a part of the sāma hymn). He was the udgātṛ priest in the sacrifice performed by the Naimiśīyas and successfully got them what they wanted[2].
Baka-dālbhya as per Jaminiya Upaniṣad Brāhmana[edit]
The Jaminiya Upaniṣad Brāhmana states that Baka-dālbhya restrained Indra from harming the Ajakeśins (members of a particular family)[3].
Baka-dālbhya as per Vāmanapurāna[edit]
The Vāmanapurāna gives the story of a sage Baka-dālbhya who was about to destroy, the kingdom of a ruler, Dhṛtarāṣṭra by name, through a sacrifice. Dhṛtarāṣṭra meanwhile realized his mistake of slighting the sage once. He then made amends to rectify for the mistake and pleased the sage and got back all that he had lost[4] .
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore