Who is this King Bhavya who lived on the banks of Indus?

Question

Rig Veda Book 1 Hymn 126 is dedicated to a king who has given a lot of gifts to a certain Kakshivan in a sacrifice:

1 WITH wisdom I present these lively praises of Bhāvya dweller on the bank of Sindhu; For he, unconquered King, desiring glory, hath furnished me a thousand sacrifices.

2 A hundred necklets from the King, beseeching, a hundred gift-steeds I at once accepted; Of the lord's cows a thousand, I Kakṣīvān. His deathless glory hath he spread to heaven.

3 Horses of dusky colour stood beside me, ten chariots, Svanaya's gift, with mares to draw them. Kine numbering sixty thousand followed after. Kakṣīvān gained them when the days were closing.

4 Forty bay horses of the ten cars' master before a thousand lead the long procession. Reeling in joy Kakṣīvān's sons and Pajra's have grounded the coursers decked with pearly trappings.

5 An earlier gift for you have I accepted eight cows, good milkers, and three harnessed horses, Pajras, who with your wains with your great kinsman, like troops of subjects, have been fain for glory.

I want to know if there are more details or any other stories about this king who lived on the banks of the Indus in any commentary or any other scripture?

Answer 1

I am herewith providing more details of the story of King Bhavya or King Swanaya mentioned in Rig-Veda mandala 1- Sukta 126. The story is present in both this as well as in previous sukta i.e. RV. 1.125.

King Bhava or Bhavayavya was a king who lived on the banks of the Indus,whose son was King Swanya Or Bhavya.

The Rishi of the Sukta 1.125 is Kakshivan Dharghatamas and Devata is Swanay Danastuti.

The Rishi of the Sukta 1.126 is Kakshivan Dharghatamas , Swanaya Bhavaya & Romasha and the Devata is Swanaya Bhavya .

Both Sukta 1.125 and 126 is mentioning the story. And the story is mentioned by Sayanacharya in his Rig-Veda bhashya translated by H.H.Wilson.

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Now let's see what is the story mentioned by Sayana.

Brief of the story - Kakshivat is a Vedic sage . He was the son of Dirghatamas and Usij. He was also called Pajriya, because he was of the race of Pajra, means strong. He is the seer of hymns RV. 1.125 -126 he praises on the liberality of King Swanaya. Kakshivat, finished his vedic study, took leave of his guru and left home. As he journeyed night came and he fell asleep by the roadside. In the morning he was awaken by king Swanaya, who, was impressed by his appearance, treated him in friendly way and took him home. After knowing Kakshivat's worthiness, he offered his ten daughters to Kakshivat in marriage. The king presented Kakshivat at the same time with a hundred nishkas of gold, a hundred horses, a hundred bulls, a thousand and sixty cows, and eleven chariots, one for each of his ten wives, and one for himself, each drawn by four horses. In return Kakshivat praise King Swanaya in a Vedic hymn.

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Sayana's introduction Of Hymn RV.1.125 -:

This Hymn is supposed to be recited by Kakshivat , in the acknow-ledgment of the liberality of Raja Swanaya ,whose gift is therefore considered as the divinity of the hymn , or the object addressed.

Sayana's details about the story mentioned in RV. 1.125 .

The legend which is cited by Sayana and which is told to the like purport in the "Niti-Manjari" relates that Kakshivat , having finished his course of study and Kakshivat, took leave of his preceptor , was journeying homewards , when night came on , and he fell asleep by the road-side: early in the morning , Raja Swanaya , the son of Bhavayavya , attended by his retinue, came to the spot , and disturbed the Brahmanas slumbers : upon his starting up , the Raja accosted him with great cordiality , and being struck by his personal appearance , determined ,if he was suitable rank and birth , to give him his daughters in marriage . After ascertaining his fitness , he took Kakshivat home with him and there married him to his ten daughters , presenting him at the same time with a hundred nishkas of gold , a hundred horses , a hundred bulls , one thousand and sixty cows , and eleven chariots , one for each of his wives and one for himself , each drawn by four horses. With this present Kakshivat returned home , and placed them atthe disposal of his father Dirghatamas , reciting this Hymn in praise of Swanaya.

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And here is what he says about Bhavya in RV.1.126

Bhavya is here identified evidently with Swanaya his son.

So Bhavya or Swanaya was the son of Bhava or Bhavayavya. His full name King Swanaya Bhawayabya . Romasha was said to be the daughter of Brihaspati and the wife of King Swanaya or Bhavya. .