The âgavataPurâgreat churning was justified. The Devas asserted themselves for the good of humanity. The Rishis got the revelation and helped men to place themselves in active relationship with the Devas. Men learned to regulate themselves and to give up the wantonness of material life. And they had a strong inducement to do so in the prospect of eternal life in Svarga. The great actor in this Vedic movement was Rishi Visvâmitra, (Hallowed be his name!) Others followed him in quick succession, and there was a brilliant combination of Vedic Rishis who propounded the whole of the Karma Kânda of the Vedas, as it was revealed to them by the force of Kâlpic necessity.
At all times there have been two parties, one following the current of evolution, and another going against it. At all times there have been cavillers and sceptics.
The Haihayas and Tâlajanghas were confirmed materialists and great sinners. They ridiculed the Brâhmanas, who performed Vedic Karma, and often set themselves in opposition to them. They were very troublesome to the Brâhmanas. King Sagar wanted to extinguish the race, but he was prevented from doing so. Possibly Atlantis was the country inhabited by these races and Nature helped the cause of evolution by dragging down the continent itself under water. The sacred Gangâ also flowed at this time, spreading purity over all lands lying on her banks.
The Haihayas however still flourished; and they had a great leader in Kârta-Viryârjuna. Then came one of the great Avatâras, Parasurâma. He extirpated the Haihaya Kshatriyas, and went on killing the Kshatriyas till Râma appeared, and it was then that he thought his mission was over.
If there were some Kshatriyas who disregarded the Vedas, there were others who found transitoriness, even in Svarga Loka, and honestly thought that the complete wisdom was not to be found in the Karma Kânda. They were for further revelations At first, the Brâhmanas did not look with favour upon these Kshatriyas. But when it was found that the Kshatriyas got real light, they were soon joined by the Brâhmanas. The foremost of these Kshatriyas was Janaka, and the foremost of the Brâhmanas was Yâjnavalkya. The further revelations were called the Upanishads.