L ak s h mi

D U RGA ’

S a r a s va t i
G K
. .

an e s a .
ar t i k e ya .
H IN DU M YT H O LO G Y ,

VED I C AND P U RAN I C .

V
w J W I LK I N S
. .
,

LON D ON M I S S I O N A R Y S OC I E T Y ,

C A L C U TTA .

[ L L US TA A TE D
’
.

C ALC U TTA

A C K EK E
H HN K ék C O q G O VER N M E N T IEA C E .

BO M BAY : T H A C K E R co .
,
LI M ITED .

L O ND O N : W . T HA C KER C0 .
, 87, N E W GA T E S T R E E T .

1 882 .
 LON D ON
PRI NT ED BY W I LL I A M C LO W ES A N D SO N S L I M I T ED
, ,

S T A M FO R D S T R EET A N D C H A R I N G C ROS S .
 P R EF A C E .

O N my a r r iv a l in I n d i a o n e o f my fi r st i nqu i r ies was for so me

,

ful l an d t r ustworthy a ccount of the m ythology o f the H in d us ;

bu t though d i r ecte d to v a r ious wo r ks i n which so m e info r m a
tion o f the kin d d esi r e d w a s t o be foun d I sought in v a in for
,

a co m plete a n d system a tic work o n this subj ect S ince then

“

two cl a ssic a l d iction ar ies o f I n d i a h a ve been publishe d o n e in

,

M a d r a s a n d o n e in Lon d on ; bu t though m ost u sefu l books o f

r efe r ence they d o n o t meet the w a nt th a t this book i s inten d e d
,

to su pply Fo r some ye a r s I h a ve been m a king notes with the

.

i ntention o f a r r a nging the m in su ch a w a y th a t a n y o n e with

o u t m uch l a bour m ight g a in a goo d gener a l i d e a o f the n a mes ,

ch ar a cte r a n d a ctio n s o f the p r incip a l go d s o f H in d uism I t

, .

shoul d be notice d th a t this work d oes not p r ofess to cont a in

n e w t r a nsl a tio n s o f the H i n d u S c r iptures n o r to give very m uch
,

info r m a tion th a t is not to be foun d sc atte r e d in m a ny othe r

books I n a few c a ses origin a l extra cts h a ve been m a d e ; bu t
.
,

gene r a lly spe a king m y wo r k h as been t o collect a n d a r r a nge

,

t r a nsl a tions r e a d y to h a n d I t h as been m y e a rnest en d e a vou r to

.

give a fa i r an d i m p ar ti a l a ccount o f these d eities a s fa r a s possible

,

in the ve r y wo r d s o f the s a c r e d books ; such a n a ccount a s I

shoul d expect a n honest min d e d H in d u t o give o f G o d a n d H is
-

wo r ks fr o m a c ar efu l stu d y o f the B ible I h ave honestly st r iven

.

t o keep m y m in d fr ee fr o m p r ej u d ice a n d theologic a l bi a s an d ,

wishing to let the s a c r e d books spe a k fo r themselves h a ve r e ,

fr a i n e d fr om co m menting o n the p a ss a ges quote d excepting,

a 2
 vi i i P R EF A CE .

in c a ses whe r e some expl an ation see m e d necess a ry I h ave .

n o t selecte d those texts whic h d esc r ib e t h e d a r ke r si d e only

o f th e H i n d u go d s n o r h a ve such been a ltoget h e r supp r esse d
,
.

Th o ugh I m u st c o nfess the r e w a s m uc h m e t with th a t coul d

n ot be r ep r o d uce d I m ay a sse r t with co n fi d ence th a t a n
,

ho n est e ffo r t h as been m a d e to give a t r ut h ful a ccou n t o f the

thi n gs co m monly believe d by m illio n s o f o u r H i n d u fellow
subj ects .

I n o r d er to r en d er the wo r k m o r e inte r esting a n d inst r uctive ,

a n u m be r of illust r a tio n s o f t h e p r incip a l d eities h a ve bee n

i n t r o d uce d M ost o f t h e m h a ve bee n C opie d fr o m pictures d r a wn
.

by the H in d us the m selves a n d whic h m ay be see n in the ,

houses of the people N o a tte m pt h a s bee n m a d e to i d e a lis e

.

the m they a r e wh a t they p r ofess to be f a i thf u l r epr es en ta t i on s

, ,

of t/ i e d ex igm of H i n d u a r t i s t s Fo r thei r ki n d n ess in m a king

.

t h ese d r a wi n gs fr o m the o r l gi n al h ighly colou r e d pictu r es I a m ,

ve r y g r e a tly i n d ebte d to m y fr ien d s th e Rev A j B a m fo r d . . .

,

B A a n d M ess r s H T O t t e w i ll a n d C A A n d r ews B A
. .
,
. . . . .
, . .

By t h e i n tro d uction o f a fu ll i n d ex it is to be hope d t h a t this

wo r k will se r ve a s a cl a ssic a l d iction a r y o f I n d i a ; whilst the
cl a ssific a tion o f t h e go d s wi ll en a ble the stu d ent to obt a in a
ge n e r a l V iew o f H i n d u m yt h ology a n d o f the r el a ti o n i n whic h
,

o n e d eity st a n d s to othe r s A n d a s m a n y lege n d s a r e given a t

.

s o m e le n t h t h e book c an h a r d ly fa i l t o be interesting t o the

g.
,

gener a l r e a d e r who m ay not h a ve ti me o r O ppo r tu n ity to refe r

,

to the s a c r e d w r itings fr o m w h ic h t h ey a r e t a ke n .

A wo r d of expl a n a ti o n r especti n g t h e cl a ssific a tion o f the

d eities is c al le d fo r I t wil l be notice d th a t so m e o f those
.

d esc r ibe d as belongi n g to th e Ve d ic A ge a ppe a r u n d e r the s a m e

o r othe r n a m es i n the Pu r i n a s whi lst othe r s spoke n of a s belo n g
i n g to t h e P u r a n ic A ge h a ve thei r o r igi n t r a ce a ble i n d ee d with ,

d i fficulty in so m e c a ses i n t h e Ve d a s T h e Ve d ic go d s a r e t h ose

,
.

w h o se d esc r iption is cfi i efly to be foun d i n t h e Ve d a s a n d w h ose ,

wo r shi p w as m o r e ge n e r a l in the Ve d ic A ge the Pu r anic a re those

who a r e m o r e fully d esc r ibe d in the Pu r a n a s a n d whose wo r shi p ,

w a s m o r e ge n e r a l in the Pu r anic A ge A n y ve r y r igi d c la s s i fi c a

.

tion it wou l d b e i m possible t o m ake .

 “ W “ .

The followi n g a r e the p r incip a l wo r ks fr o m which m a teri a ls fo r

this vo lu m e h ave bee n t a ken
O r igin a l S a nsk r it Texts
‘

5 vols j M ui r LL D .
’
. .
,
. .

Lo n d o n 1 8 6 8 , .

The Vishnu Pu r an a
‘
H H Wilson Lon d o n 1 8 40
.
’
. . .
,
.

T h e Ra m ay a n a o f V a l m iki
‘
R T H G r i ffiths Ben ar es .
’
. . . . ,

1 8 70 .

‘
I n d i a n Wis d o m M o n ie r Willi a m s Lo n d o n 1 8 7 5
.
’
.
,
.

A ncient a n d H in d u Mythology C ol Kenne d y Lon d o n

‘ ’
. . .
,

1 83 1 .

‘
AView of the H ist or y R eligion a n d Lite r a tu r e o f the , ,

H in d u s .Rev W W a r d S e r a m po r e 1 8 1 8
’
. . .
,
.

H i n d u P a ntheon C o l Moo r .
’
. .

M a nu a l o f Bu d d hism
‘
R ev R S H ar d y Lon d on 1 8 5 3
.
’
. . . .
,
.

C l a ssic a l D ictio n a r y o f I n d i a
‘

J G a r r et t M a d ras 1 8 7 1 .
’
. .
,
.

C l a ssic a l D iction ar y o f H in d u Mythology & c

‘

j oh n ,
.
’

D owson Lon d on 1 8 7 9
.
, .

C h a mb e r s s C yclop aed i a P r of G o ld s t ii ck e r s A r ticles

’ ’ ’
. . .

w J w
. . .

C A L C U TT A ,
Febr u a ry 1 882 .
 CO N T EN T S .

PA R T I
.
— T H E VEDI C D E IT I E S .

P A GE
C HAP . I .
—TH EVE D A S
I I — TH E V E D I C G O D S G E N E RA LL Y
I I I —D YA U S A N D P R I T H IVI
.

I V — A D I TI A N D T H E A D I I YA S
.
' ‘

V— A G N I
.

V I — S U N OR L I G H T D E ITI E S
.

I . S U RYA
2. P USHAN
3 . M I T RA A N D V A R U NA
4 T H E A S VI N S
.

5 U S H A S
V I I —T H E S T O RM D E ITI E S
.

1 I ND RA.

2 I ND RAN I
.

3 P A RJ A NY A
.

4 V AY U .

5 TH E . M A R U T S
V I I I S O MA
— .

I X —T V AS TR I O R VI SVA K A RNIA
’

X . YA M A
-

PA R T 11 — . T H E P UR A N I C D E IT I E S .

C H AP . I — . TH E P U RAN A S
I I B RA H M A
.
-

I I I — B RA H M A
.

S A RA SVA TI
x ii C O N T EN TS .

C HA P . I V V I SH N U
.
-

LA KSH M I
V— T H E I N C A RN A TI O N S OR AVAT AR A S O F V I S H N U
.

T H E M A T S Y A O R F I S H A V A T AR A
I .

2 TH E K I I R M A O R TO R T O I S E A VA TARA
.
‘

3 TH E
. V A RA H A R O R BO A R A V A T A RA
4 TH E N R I S I N GH A O R M A N L I O N A V A T AR A
.
-

5 TH E V. AM A N A O R D W A R F A V A T ARA
6 TH E P A R A S U RAM A A V A TARA
.

7 TH E RAM A C H A ND RA A V A T ARA
.

8 TH E KR I S H N A A V A T ARA
.

8 4 TH E B A L A RAM A A V A T ARA
.

9 TH E
. B U D D H A A V A T AR A

10 TH E KA LK I A V A TARA
.

J A G A NN AT H
C H A IT A NYA .

KAM A D EVA

V I — S IV A
.

P A N C H AN A N A
V I I — U MA
.

P ARVA TI
D U R GA
THE C HIEF F O RM S OF D U R GA
1. D U R GA
2. D A SA B H U J A
S I N G H A vA I I N I
'

3 .

4 . M A H I S H A M ARD I N
5 .
1A GA D D H AT R 1 .

6 . KALI
7 . M U K T A K ES I
8 . T AR A
9 . C H I N N A M U STA K A
I O .
J A G A D GA U R 1
1 1. P RA T YA N GI R A
1 2. A NN A PU RN A
1 3 . G A N ES AJ A N A N I
1 4. K R I S H N A K RO R A
V I I I —S ONS
. S IVA A N D P ARVA TI
OF
I G A N E SA
.

2 K A R TI K E YA
.

IX — TH E P U R AN I C AC C O U N T O F T H E C R E A TI O N
.

X — TH E P U R AN I C D IVI S I O N S O F T I M E
.
 C O N T EN TS . xiii

P A RT I I I —
. T H E I N F E RI O R D E IT I E S .

C HAP . I — TH E
. D IVI N E R I S H I S
I . B E R I GU
2 . P U L A ST YA
3 P U LA H A
4 . KR A T U
5 . A N G I RA S
6 . M A RI CH I
7 . ATRI
8 . D A KSH A
9 . VA S I S H T H A
IO . N ARA D A
I I K U VE R A
.
—

I I I — TH E D E M I GO D S
. OF T H E R AM AY A N A
1 . S U G R I VA
H A N U M AN
I

2. .

3 . N A LA
4 . N I LA
5 . S U S H EN A
I V —T H E D E M I GO D S O F T H E M A H AB H AR A T A
.

V— T H E P L A N E T S
.

I R AVI O R S U RY A
.
,

2 C H A N D RA O R S O M A
.
,

3 M A N GA LA.

4 B UD HA .

5 V RI H A SPA T I
.

6 S U K RA .

7 . SAN 1
R AH U A N D K ET U
8 .

V I — TH E A S U RA S
.

J A LA N DH A R A
V I I S AC RE D A N I MA LS A N D
-
B I RD S
GA RU D A
J AT AY U S AN D S A M P AT I
V I I I — GA N GA
.

I X — S ACRED T RE E S
.
 C O N T EN TS .

P A GE
C HAP . X .
—M I SC ELL A N E O U S M I N O R D E ITI E S
1. S H I T A LA
2. M A N A SA
S AST I
''

3 .

4 . TH E S H AL G RAM A
5 . TH E D H EN KI
6 . KA ? W HO ?

X I — S UP E R H U M A N ,
. T HO U G H N OT D IVI N E B EI N GS
I A P S A R A S A S G A N D H A RV A S A N D
.
, ,
KI N N A RAS .

2 R AK S H A S A S
. .

I N D EX
 LIST OF I LLUST RATIONS .

P A GE
D U R G A A N D O T H E R D E ITI E S F r o m a n at i v e p i c tu r e .
( Fr ou tzlvp i et ej
A GN I F r o m M o o r s H i n d u P a n th e o n ’
.

S U RVA .

V A RU N A . F r om a n at i v e p i c t u r e
I ND RA .

V AY U .

YA MA .

B RA H M A .

S A R A SVA TI .

V I SH N U .

LA KSH M I .

T H E M A T S Y A A V A T AR A .

TH E K UR M A A VA TAR A .

T H E N R I S I N G H A A V A T AR A .

TH E VAM A N A A V A T ARA .

TH E PA R A S U RAM A A V A T AR A .

T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A V A T AR A .

R AV A N A .

TH E KR I S H N A A V A T ARA .

KR I S H N A S L A Y I N G B A K AS U R A .

KR I S H N A HO L D I N G U P M O U N T G O V A RD
D HA N A .
1 74
R AD H A W O R S H I PP I N G KR I S H N A A s K ALI 1 77

B A LA RAM A . 185

B U D D H A D r a w n fr o m an i ma g e i n C e yl o n by R e v A J B a m fo r d B A
. . . .
, . . 1 88

B U D D H I S T T E M PL E A N D D A GO BA A T K E LA N I YA C E Y L O N O r i g i n a l , .

s k e t ch by R e v A J B a mfo d B A . . . r . .
1 89

B U D D H A D w f o m i m g e i C e yl o n by R ev A J B am for d
. ra r an a n . . .
,
B A
. . 1 94

K A L KI . F om t i v p i ct r a na e ure 2o 5

J A G A NN AT H . 2o8

K AM A D EVA . 2 13
x v1 L I ST OF I L L U STR A TI O N S .

S IVA S LA YI N G K AM A D EVA . Fr om a n at i v e p i ct ur e

S IVA .

S IV A T E M PLE AT B ENA RES . Fr om a ph o t o g a ph r

H AR H A RI
-
. Fr om a na ti ve p i ct ure

S IVA S L A Y I N G AN AS U RA .

P A N C H AN A N A .

S IV A A N D
P ARV A TI W O R S H I P P I N G T H E L I N G A . Fr om M oo s H ir
’ ‘
n du P an t he o n
’

D A SA BH U J A . Fr om a na ti v e p i ct u e r

J A G A D D H AT R L
KALI .

K ALI D A N C I N G ON S I vA .

A N N A P U RN A .

GA N E SA . F r om M oo r s
’
H i n du P an t h
eon
’

K A RTI KE Y A . Fr om a na t i v e pi ct r e u

D A KSHA .

S U G RI VA .

M O N KE Y S CO N ST R U C TI N G T H E B R I D G E A T L A N K A .

H A N U M AN . F o m M o o s H i d u P n th e o r r
’
n a n
’

A RJ U N A S HOO TI N G A T T H E F I S H F om at i v e p i c t . r a n u re

B ATTLE O F T H E K U RU S A N D T H E P A N D AVA S .

GA RU D A . F o m M o o s H i d u P th e o r r
’
n an n

J A T AY U S . F o m a n at i v e
p i c t e r ur

GA N GA .

S H I TA LA . F m a t i v e p i ct e ro a n ur

M A N A SA .

S A STI .

S A C R E D T R E E S D aw n fr o m N t u r e by t h e R e v A J B a m d B A
. r a . . . r , . .

S o m pl t a an

T h e T l si u

T h e Bé l
B y an an T r ee

Fi g T r e e
The L o tu s
The N im
P i p l L vesa ea

Th e t a i l p
-
i e ce s ar e t a / en
e
mn d r a w i ngs of H i n d u t emp les a n d d ecor a t i on s
r

in M e w ar /es of RA M R A z , R AJ EN D R A L AL A M I T R A , F E R G U S S O N , a n d
o t ner s .
 P A RT I .

TH E VE D I C DE I T I E S .
4 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

t h e B r ah m a ns A s e a r ly as M a n u ( 7 00 B C ) it w a s r eg a r d e d a s
. .

a m o st g r a ve offence fo r a single wo r d o f these d ivinely given

w o r ks t o be h e a r d by a m an o f a l o we r c a ste .

The Ve d a s a r e fo u r i n n u m be r : of t h ese th e Rig Ve d a is -

p r ob ably t h e ol d est then t h e Y aj u r Ve d a the n t h e S i m a Ve d a

,
-
,
-
,

a n d l a st of a ll the A t h a r v a Ve d a E a ch o f t h ese Ve d a s consists

-
.

of t wo m a i n p a r ts : a S a n h it a o r collection o f m a nt r a s o r hy m n s ; ,

a n d a B r ah m a n a o r r itu a listic p r ecept ,

a n d il lu st r a tio n which ,

st a n d s i n so m ewh a t the s a m e r el a ti o n to th e S a nhit a a s the

T a l m u d to the L aw A tt a ch e d to e a ch B r ah m a n a is a n U p a n i
.

s h a d co n t a i n i n g sec r et o r m ystic a l d oct r i n e T h e S a n hit a a n d

,
.

B r ah m a n a a r e fo r m e n gene r a l ly ; the U p a n ish a d s a r e fo r t h e

m o r e philosophi c a l i n qui r e r s O f these S a n hit a s the Rig Ve d a .
,
“ -

S a n h it a cont a i n ing o n e t h ous a n d a n d seve n teen hy m n s is t h e

, ,

o l d est a n d m ost impo r t a nt ; whilst the A t h a r v a Ve d a S a nhit a is - -

ge n er a lly hel d t o be the m ost r ecent a n d is pe r h a ps the mos t

"

i nte r esting M o r eove r these a r e the only two Ve d ic hy

. m n —books
,

wo r thy o f being c a l le d sep ar a te o r igin a l col lectio n s t h e othe r s

bei n g a l m ost enti r ely m a d e u p of ext r a cts fr o m the Rig Ve d a -
.

The S a nhit a s of t h r ee o f the Ve d a s a r e s a i d to h a ve so m e

pecu li a r ity I f a m a nt r a is m et r ic a l a n d i n ten d e d fo r lou d
.
“
,

r ecit a ti o n it is c a lle d R i en fr o m r i en p r a ise whe n ce the n a m e

, ( ) , ,

Rig Ve d a ; i e the Ve d a co n t a ini n g such p r a ises I f it is p r ose

-
. . .

a n d the n it m ust be mutte r e d in a u d ibly it is c a lle d Yaj u s (yaj

( ) , ,

s a c r ifice hence lite r a lly the m e a n s by whic h s a c r ifice is effecte d )

, , ,

the r efo r e Y aj ur Ve d a sig n ifies the Ve d a cont a ining su ch V

—
j
a as .

A n d if it is m et r ic a l a n d inte n d e d fo r ch a n ti n g i t is c a lle d ,

S an za n [equ a l ] h ence S a m a n Ve d a m e a ns the Ve d a cont a ini n g

‘

such S an t a n s The a utho r of the M a ntr a o r as the H i n d us

/
.
, ,

woul d s a y the inspi r e d S ee r who r eceive d it fr o m the D eity is

, ,
’

te r m e d its R i s ni ; a n d the obj ect wit h which it is conce r ne d is its

d eva ta — a wo r d which ge n e r a lly me a ns a d eity bu t the m e a n
’

i ng of which in its r efe r ence to ma n tr a s m ust not a lw a ys be

, ,

t a ke n lite r a l ly a s the r e a r e hy m ns i n whi ch not go d s o r d eifie d

,

bei n gs but fo r inst a nce a s a c r ifici a l post we a pons & c invoke d

, , , , ,
.
, ,

I n d i an W i s d om p
,
’
.
9 .
 THE V EDAS .
5

ar e consi d e r e d a s the d eva ta It is gene r a l ly believe d t h a t

” *

the B r a h m a n a s a r e m uc h m ore r ecent th a n the S a n h it a s .

The Ve d a s h a ve not co m e d ow n to t h e p r esent ti m e wit h out

consi d e r a ble d ispute a s to the text A s might h a ve bee n
'

expecte d whe n this te a chi n g w a s given or a lly d isc r ep an cies

, ,

a r ose . O n e a ccou nt m e n tio n s n o less th a n t w e n ty o n e sc h ools -

( S akhas ) o f the Rig Ve d a : a n othe r giv es five of the Rig Ve d a

- -
,

fo r ty two of the Y aj u r Ve d a m e n tio n s t welve o u t of a th o us a n d

- -

of the Sa m a n Ve d a a n d twelve of t h e A t h a r va Ve d a A n d a s
-
,
-
.

e ac h sch o ol bel ieve d t h a t it possesse d t h e t r ue Ve d a it a n at h e ,

m a t i z e d those who t a ught a n d followe d a n y ot h e r ve r sio n The .

Rig Ve d a S a n hit a th a t h as co m e d own to the p r ese n t a ge is th a t

-

o f o n e scho o l o nly t h e S ak a l a ; the Y aj u r Ve d a is t h a t of t h r ee

, '
-

scho o ls t h e S i m a Ve d a is th a t o f pe r h a ps two a n d t h e A t h a r va
-
,

Ve d a o f o n e o n ly .

The h ist o r y o f th e Y aj u r Ve d a d iffe r s in so far fr o m th a t of -

the other Ve d a s a s it is ma r ke d by a d isse n si o n between i t s own

,

sc h o o ls fa r m o r e i m port a nt th a n the d iffere n ces which sep a r a te d

the sc h ool o f e a ch [of th e ] othe r Ve d a s I t is k n ow n by the .

d isti n cti o n between a Y aj u r Ve d a c a lle d the B l a ck —a n d a n othe r -

'

c a lle d t h e White — Y aj u r Ve d a T r a d iti o n especi a lly t h a t o f-

.
,

the Pu r i n a s r eco r d s a lege n d to a ccou n t fo r it Va i s a m péi ya n a

,
.
,

i t s a ys t h e d iscipl e of V
, y as a who h a d r eceive d fr o m h i m
,
t h e
Y aj u r Ve d a o n ce h a vi n g co m m itte d a n offe n ce d esi r e d h is
-
, ,

d isciples to a ssist h i m i n t h e pe r fo r m a nce of so m e expi a to r y a ct .

O ne of these h o weve r Yaj n a v a lky a p r opose d th a t he shoul d

'

, , ,

a lo e
n -pe r fo r m the whole r ite ; upo n which Va i s a m p aya n a ,

en r age d a t wh a t he co n si d e r e d t o be the a r r o g a n ce o f Y atjn a

v a lk ya utte r e d a c u r Se on h i m the effect o f whic h w a s t h a t
, ,

Y aj n a v a lky a d isg o r ge d a ll the Y aju s texts h e h a d le a r n e d fr o m

Va i s a m p aya n a The o the r d isciples h a ving been m e a n w h ile
.
,

tr a n sfo r m e d i n to p a r t r i d ges ( t i tt i r i ) picke d u p these t a inte d texts ,

a n d r et a i n e d the m H e n ce these texts a r e c a ll e d T a i t t i r i ya s

. .

B ut Y aj n a v a lky a desi r ou s o f obt a ini n g Yaju s texts d ev o u tly

, ,

G o ld s t uck e r , ar t.
“
V ed as ,
”
C h amb er s
’
s Cy l p
c o ae d i a .
6 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

p r a ye d to the S un a n d h a d g r a nte d to h i m his wis h

,
to p o ssess
s u c h texts as we r e n o t k n o w n t o his te a che r A n d thus .

t h e r e a r e two Y aj u r Ve d a s to this d a y ; t h e B l a ck b ei n g c o n
-

s i d e r e d the O l d e r of the two .

A s to t h e d a te of the Ve d a s the r e is nothing ce r t a i n ly know n

,
.

T h e r e is no d o u bt th a t t h ey a r e a m ongst the ol d est lite r a ry

p r o d uction s i n the wo r l d ; b u t a s to when they we r e co m pose d
a ll is conj ectu r e C oleb r ooke see m s to S how fr o m a Va i d i c k
.

C a len d a r th a t t h ey m ust h a ve bee n w r itte n befo r e the 1 4 t h

,

ce n tu r y B C S o m e a ssign t o the m a m o r e r ecent so m e a m o r e

.
,

a n cient d a te .

G o ld s t u c k e r , ar t .
“
V ed as,
”
C h a mb e r s
’
s C y cl po ae d i a .
 C H A PT E R I I .

TH E VED I C G O D S G E N E RA L L Y .

Y ASK A ( p r ob ably the ol d est C omm ent a to r o n the Ve d a s ) gives

the fo llowing cl a ssific a tio n o f the Ve d ic go d s The r e a r e th r ee
d eities a cco r d i n g to the expou n d ers o f the Ve d a s A g n i whose
, ,

pl a ce i s on the e a rth Va yu o r I n d r a whose pl a ce i s in the a i r ,

an d S u rya whose pl a ce i s in t h e sky ; These d eities r eceive

,

sever a lly m a ny a ppell a tions in conseque n ce of thei r g r e atness ,

o r o f the d iversity o f thei r functions I n the Rig Ve d a itsel f ”

-
.

t h is nu mber is inc r e a se d to thi r ty three : Agni t h e wise go d - “

,
-
,

len d s a n e a r t o his wo r shippe r s G o d with t h e r u d d y s te ed s .

,

w h o lovest p r a ise b r ing hithe r those th r ee —

,
a n d thirty T his is -
. .
'

the nu mbe r co m m on ly mentio n e d though it is b y ri o m e a n s , ,

e a sy to d eci d e which a r e the thi r ty th r ee i n t e n d e d as the lists -

, ,

o f t h e go d s v a r y co n si d e r a bly whi lst in a nothe r ve r se it is s a i d ‘

th a t three hun d r e d th r ee thous a n d thi r ty a n d nine go d s h ave

, ,
- -

wo r shippe d A gni .
”

These d eities a r e spoken o f a s i m mort a l but a r e not s a i d t o ,

be self existe n t beings ; in fa ct th ei r p a r ent a ge i n m ost c a ses

-
,

is given though the v a r ious a ccou n ts o f t h ei r o r igi n d o n o t

,

a g r ee with e a c h othe r a s foun d i n d iffe r ent p a r ts of t h e Ve d a s

,
.

A gni a n d S a vit r i a r e s a i d to h a ve co n fer r e d i m m o r t a lity u p o n

the go d s ; whilst it is t a ught th a t I n d r a obt a ine d t h is boon by
s a c r ifice A n i n te r esting a ccount is given in the S a t a p a t h a
.
‘

B r ah m a n a To f t h e m e a ns by which the g o d s obt a ine d i mm o r

’

t a lity a n d su pe r io r ity ove r the A su r a s o r D e m ons A ll t h e

,
.

Muir O ,
. S T
. .
,
V p . . 8 .
1
“
I bid . i v 5 4—6
.
8 T H E VEDIC D E ITI E S .

go d s we r e a like m ort a l a ll we r e equ a l in powe r a ll we r e a l ike

, ,

sons o f P r aj ap a ti t h e C r e a to r Wishi n g to be i mm o r t a l they

.
,

o ffe r e d s a c r ifices libe r a lly a n d p r a ctise d the seve r est pe n a nce

, ;
b u t n o t u ntil P r aj ap a ti h a d t a ug h t the m to offe r a p a r ticu l a r
s a c r i fice co u l d they beco m e i m m o r t a l They followe d his .

a d vi ce ,
an d g a ine d the d esi r e d boo n Wishing to beco m e .

g r e a te r t h a n the A su r a s they bec a m e t r uthfu l

,
P r eviously .

they a n d the A su r a s spoke t r uthfully o r fa lsely a s they tho u ght

fit ; but g r a d u a lly they ce a se d fr o m lying W hi lst the A su r a s ,

bec a m e i n c r e a singly fa lse : the result w a s th a t the go d s a fte r ,

p r ot r a cte d st r uggles g a i n e d the victo r y O f the go d s o r igin a lly .

, ,

a ll w e r e a like in powe r a ll a like

,
goo d ; but t h r e e of the m
d esi r e d to b e supe r io r to the r est vi z A gni I n d r a a n d S ury a ,
.
, ,
.

T h ey co n ti n ue d to offe r s a c r ifices fo r this pu r pose u n til it w a s

a cco m plishe d . O r igin a lly the r e w as no t in A gni the s a m e
fl a m e a s the r e is now H e d esi r e d M a y this fl a me b e in m e
.
,
“
,
”

a n d offe r e d a s a c r ifice for the a tt a in m ent o f this blessing a n d ,

o bt a ine d it . S o I n d r a i nc r e a se d his ene r gy an d S ury a his ,

b r ight n ess .

It will b e notice d th a t e a ch o f the go d s in turn is r eg ar d e d by b

the wo r shipper a s supe r ior to a ll the othe r s ; a n d i n the Ve d a s

this superl ative l a ngu age I S e m ploye d a n d the i d e n tic a l epit h ets ,

a r e g i ve n i n d isc r i m i n a tely P r ofesso

. r M ax M u11e r s a ys :
“
When these in d ivi d u a l go d s a r e i nvoke d they a r e n o t c o n ,

c e i v e d a s limite d by the powe r o f othe r s as s u pe r io r o r infe r io r ,

i n r a nk .
E a ch go d to the m in d o f the s u pplic a n ts is a s goo d
, ,

a s a ll the go d s .H e i s felt a t the ti m e a s a r e a l d i v inity a s ,

sup r eme a n d a bsol ute i n spite o f the li m it a tions which to o u r

, ,

m in d a plur a lity o f go d s m ust ent a il o n eve r y single go d

,
A ll .

the r est d is a ppe a r fo r a m o m ent fr o m the V isio n o f the poet a n d ,

he o n ly who is to fu lfil their d es i res st a n d s i n full lig h t befo r e

the eyes o f the wo r shippe r s I t woul d be e a sy to fi n d i n
.
,

the nu m e r ou s h y m ns of the Rig Ve d a p a ss ages in which a l m ost

-
,
"

eve r y single go d i s r ep r ese n te d a s sup r e m e a n d a bsolute .

T h e wi ll o f t h ese go d s is sove r eign ; no mo r t a l c a n thw a r t

thei r d esigns They exe r cise a ut h o r it y o ve 1 a ll C l e at u r e s I n
.
.

t h e i r h a n d s is the life of m o i t a ls T h ey know the thoughts a n d

.
 T H E V E D I C G O D S G ENE R A L L Y .
9

i ntentio n s of m e n ; a n d whi lst they r ew ar d t h ei r wo r s h ippe r s ,

they punish those who neglect the m .

P r ofes s o r Wi lli a m s s a ys th a t the d eifie d fo r ces a d d r esse d

,
" “

in the Ve d ic hy m ns we r e prob a bly not rep r esente d by i m a ges

or i d ols i n the Ve d ic pe r io d th o ugh d oubtless the e a r ly ,

worshippe r s clothe d their go d s with h u ma n fo r m s in thei r o w n

i m agin a tions P r ofesso r M a x M ii lle r Ts pe a ks m o r e positively
.
”

“
The r eligion o f the Ve d a knows of no i d ols The wo r shi p o f .

i d ols i n I n d i a i s a sec on d a r y fo r m a tio n a l a te r d eg r a d a tion of the ,

m o r e p r i m itive worship o f i d e a l go d s The g u a r d e d l a n g u a ge ”

.

o f P r ofessor Willi a m s see m s to b e better su ite d t o the f a cts a s ,

fa r a s they ar e kno wn fo r D r B o lle n s e n j; spe a k s qu ite a s ,

.

st r o n gly o n the othe r si d e H e writes : F r o m t h e co m mo n .

“

a ppel l a ti on o f the go d s a s d i n e n a r a s men o f the Sk y o r

’
‘

si m ply n a r a s men a n d fr o mthe epithet n r ipes a s h avi n g the

, ,
’

, ,

fo r m of m e n we m ay concl u d e th a t the I n d i a n s d i d not m e r ely

,

i n i m a gin a tion a ssign hu m a n fo r m s to thei r go d s b u t a ls o ,

r ep r esente d the m i n a sensible m a n ner Thu s a p a inte d i m age .

o f Ru d r a
( Rig Ve d a ii 3 3 9)
-
i s d esc r ibe
,
d with. strong ,
li m bs ‘
,

m a ny fo r me d a wfu l b r o wn he is p a inte d wit h shining colo u r s

’
-
.
, ,

“
Stil l cle a r er a ppe a r s the refe r ence to represe n t a tions i n the
for m of a n i m a ge I now pr a y to the go d s o f these
.
‘

H e r e it seems t h a t the M a ruts a r e d istinguishe d fr o m t h ei r go d s ,

i e. . thei r i m a ges
‘
The r e is i n the ol d est l a ngu a ge a wo r d
.
“
,

S a n d r i s which p r o p e r ly d e n o t e s a n i m a ge o f the go d s
’
/

‘ ’
.
,

We sh a l l now p r ocee d to the co n si d e r a tion in d et a i l o f the

d eities as d esc r ibe d i n the Ve d a s .

I n d i an Wi sd o m, ’
p . 1 5 .
‘
r Chi p f s ro m a G er man Vo r k Sh O
V
p ,
’
i 38 . .

r Mu i r , o . s T v
. .
,
.
45 3 .
I0 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

C H A PT E R III .

D YA U S AN D PRITH I VI .

T H E genera l opinion r especting D y a us ( H e a ven ) a n d P r ithivi

( E a rth
) is th a t t h ey a r e a m o n gst the most a ncie n t of the A r y a n

d eities hence they a r e spoken of i n the hy m ns o f t h e R ig Ve d a -

as the p ar ents o f the othe r go d s They a re d esc r ibe d a s

.
*

g r e a t wise a n d e n e r getic those who p r o m ote r ighteousness

, , ,
”
a n d l a vish gifts u pon thei r wo r shippe r s A n d i n a nothe r pl a ce
.

they a r e s a i d to h a ve m a d e a ll cre a tures a n d th r ough thei r

“
,
”

fa vou r i m m o r t a lity is co n fe r r e d u pon their offsp r ing

“
N ot .
”

o n ly ar e they the c r e a to r s but a lso the p r ese r ve r s of a ll

,

c r e a tu r es ; a n d a r e b e n e fi c e n t a n d ki n d to a ll I n othe r .

p a ss a ges H e aven a n d E ar th a r e s a i d to h ave b e en fo r m e d by

I n d r a who is d ecl a r e d t o t r a n scen d the m i n g r e a tness who m
, ,

t h ey foll o w a s a c h a r iot follows the ho r se

“
They a r e d e .

sc r ibe d a s bowi n g d own before h i m a s t r e m bli n g with fe a r on

a cco u n t o f h i m ; a n d a s bei n g subj ect to his cont r ol A g a in .

they a r e s a i d t o h a ve been fo r m e d by So m a ; a n d i n othe r

ve r ses othe r d eities a r e s a i d to h a ve m a d e the m This con .

fusio n of tho u ght r especting the o r igi n o f these go d s le d ve r y

n a tu r a lly to t h e question bei n g a ske d in other hy m n s H o w ,

h a ve they been p r o d uce d W h o of the s a ges knows P

The r e see ms to be c o n si d e r a ble g r oun d fo r th e opi n io n th a t
I n d r a g r a d u a lly supe r se d e d D y a u s in the wo r s h ip of the H in d us
so o n a fte r t h ei r settle m e nt i n I n d i a A s the p r a ises of the
‘

newe r go d we r e su n g the ol d e r one w a s fo r g o tten ; a n d in

,

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
v . 23 .
1 2 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

d esce n d a nts are c a lle d

unto this d a y T h e co r pse w as
N i sh i d is .

now pu r e a s a ll s i n h a d left it in t h is bl a ck b o d y
,
T h e r ig h t .

a r m w a s t h e n r u bbe d a n d fr o m it the r e c a m e a be a utiful s h i n i n g

,

p r i n ce w h o w as n a m e d P r i t h u a n d r ei gn e d in t h e pl a ce of h i s
, ,

fa th er N o w d u r ing h is r eig n t h ere w a s a fa m i n e E a r t h wo u l d

. .

n ot yiel d h e r fr u its a n d g r e a t d ist r ess p r ev a i le d , Pr i t h u .

s a i d I will sl a y t h e E ar t h a n d m a ke h e r yiel d h er fr uits

,
“
, .
”

Te r r i fi e d a t t h is thre a t th e E a r t h a ss u m e d th e fo r m of a cow
, ,

a n d w a s pursue d by P r i t h u th r ough sp a ce even to the he aven ,

of B r a h m a A t le n gth we a ry with t h e ch a se sh e tu r n e d t o
.
, ,

Pr i th u a n d s ai d K n ow you not the s i n o f killing a fe m a l e th a t

“
,
”
you t h u s t r y to sl y a m e ? T h e ki n g r eplie d t h a t whe n the ,
“

h a ppi n ess of m a ny i s secu r e d by the d est r uction o f o n e m a lig

n a n t being the d e a th of th a t being is a n a c t of vi r tu e
,
B ut ,

s ai d the E a r th if i n o r d er t o p r o m ote the welfar e of yo u r

,
“
,

subj ects yo u put a n e n d to m e w h e n ce best of m o n a r chs

’

, , , ,

will t h y people d e r ive th ei r suppo r t Ove r co m e a t length t h e ,

E a r th d ecl ar e d t h a t a ll veget a bl e pro d ucts we r e o ld a n d d e ,

‘

st r oye d by h e r bu t t h a t a t t h e ki ng s co mm a n d she wou l d resto r e

,
’

”
the m a s d evelope d fr o m h er m ilk
“
D o yo u t h e r efo r e for the .
,

be n efit of m a n kin d give m e th a t c a lf by which I m a y be a bl e

,

to sec r ete milk M a ke a l so a ll pl a ces l evel so th a t I m ay c a u se

.
,

m y m ilk t h e see d o f a ll veget a tio n to flow eve r yw h e r e a r ou n d

, , .

P r i t h u a cte d upon t h is a d vice o f t h e E a r t h B efo r e h is “

ti m e t h e r e w a s no c u ltiv a tio n n o p a stu r e n o a g r i cultu r e no , , ,

h ighw a y fo r m e r c h a nts ; a ll t h ese thi n gs ( o r a ll civiliz a tio n )

o r igin a te d in t h e r eig n o f P r i t h u Whe r e the g r o u n d w a s m a d e .

level t h e king in d u ce d his subj ects to t a ke u p thei r a bo d e

,
.

H e the r efo r e h a ving m a d e S w a ya m b h u va M a n u th e c a lf

, , ,

m ilke d t h e E ar th a n d r eceive d t h e m ilk i n to his own h a n d fo r

'

, ,

the benefit o f m a nki n d The n ce p r o cee d e d a ll ki n d s o f c o r n .

'

a n d veget a bles u po n wh ich people n o w subsist By g r a nti n g .

l ife to t h e E a r th Pr i t h u w a s a s h e r fa the r a n d S h e t h ence

, ,

d e r ive d t h e p a t r o n y m ic a ppell a ti o n P r ith i v i

”
.

I n a n ote P r o fesso r Wilson t h e co m m e n t a to r obse r ves

‘
Vi h s nu Pur i n a,
’
p . 1 04 .
 D YA U S AN D P RITHI V I .
3

th a t by the c a lf o r M a n u i n th a t ch a r a cte r is typifie d t h e

“ ‘
,
’

p r o m ote r of the mu ltiplic a tio n o f p r o ge n y M a n u a s will be ,

see n i n t h e a ccou n t of the C r e a tion being r eg a r d e d by s o m e of

,

the Pu r a n a s a s the fi r st p a r e n t o f m a n ki n d This lege n d with

.
,

c o n si d e r a ble v a r i a tio n is fou n d in m ost of th e P u r i n a s ; S o m a

, ,

I n d r a Y a m a a n d ot h e r s t a ki n g the pl a ce o f M a n u as t h e c a lf ;
,

w h ilst P r i t h u 5 pl a ce as th e m ilke r is t a ken by t h e Ris h is M it r a , ,

&c . I n the s a m e n o te P r ofess o r Wilson s a ys These ar e a ll“

p r ob ably subsequ e n t mo d ific a tio n s of the o r igi n a l si m ple a lle

gory which typifie d the e a r th a s a cow w h o yi el d e d to eve r y
, ,

cl a ss of beings t h e mi lk th a t t h ey d esi r e d o r th e obj ect of

,

t h ei r wishes.
”

It shou l d b e notice d th a t l a te r o n i n the Vish n u P u r i n a

,
‘
,
’

P r ithivi i s s a i d to h a ve sp r ung the foot of Vishnu .

1 4 T H E VEDI C D E I TI E S .

C H A PT E R IV .

AD ITI AN D T H E AD I T Y A S .

\
A D ITI the honou r o f being a l m ost the only go d d ess
h as
m entione d by n a m e i n the Rig Ve d a a s the m othe r o f a n y o f -
,

the go d s ; b u t i t is by n o me a n s a n e a sy t a sk to d eline a te her

ch a r a cte r a s the most cont r a d icto r y st a te m ents a r e m a d
conce r ning her S he w a s invoke d a s the bestowe r of b lessi n gs
.

o n chil d ren a n d c a ttle ; a n d she is cl e a r ly d ecl a re d to b e the

mothe r o f V a r u n a a n d othe r d eities so m eti m es eight s o m eti m es

, , ,

twelve in nu mb e r S he is suppose d to be the i m pe r so n a tion o f

.

“
i n finity especi a l ly the bou n d less n ess of h e a ve n i n opposition
,

to th e fi n iteness o f e a r th A nothe r su pposition I S th a t A d iti is

.
”

the pe r so n ific a tion o f u nivers a l a ll e m b r a ci ng n a tu r e o r B ei n g ,

-
.

This l a tte r i d e a see m s to be th e m o r e correct fr o m the followi n g

ve r ses whe r e a m an a bout to be i m m ol a te d s a ys O f whic h
,
"e
,
“

g o d ,
now of which ,
of t h e i m m o r t a ls sh a ll we i n v o ke the a m i a ble

n a m e w h o sh a l l give u s b a ck to t h e g r e a t A d iti th a t I m a v
, ,

D e h o ld m y fa the r a n d m y m othe r P Wh a teve r m a y h a ve been

inten d e d by t h e poets to be e xpresse d by this n a m e o r wh a teve r ,

m a y h a ve been the p r ecise powe r personifie d by A d iti she i s ,

connecte d wit h the fo r giveness of s in Thu s : M a y A d iti m a ke .

u s si n less A d iti be g r a cious if we h a ve co m m itte d a n y s i n

.
”
,

a g a i n st you Wh a teve r offence we h a ve O A g n i th r o u gh

.
, ,

o u r folly co m m itte d a g a inst you oh m ost yout h fu l go d m a ke u s , , ,

free fr o m si n s a g a i n st A d iti Wh a teve r s i n we h ave co m m itte d

.
”
,

m ay A d iti seve r u s fr o m it T .

M uir, O . S T
. .
,
v .
45 .
1
“

I bi d v. .
46 , 47 .
 A D ITI AN D TH E A D ITY A S . 1 5

I n the a cco u nt of the C r e a tio n gi ven i n the Rig Ve d a A d iti -

,

is s a i d to h ave sp r u ng fr o m D a ksh a a n d in the s a m e ve r se ,

D a ksh a is c a lle d h e r s o n The r e is a lso a r efe r ence to h e r other

.

sons I n the Vishnu P u r ii n a we h a ve n o less t h a n th r ee so m e

.
‘ ’

wh a t d i ffe r i n g a ccounts of th e o r igin o f D a ksh a the fa the r o f ,

A d iti I n the fi r st a ccount D a ksh a s n a m e a ppe a r s a m ongst

’
.
,

t h e m in d bo r n sons Of B r a h m a ; a n d i n t h is c o n n ection he i s
-

s ai d t o h a ve h a d t w e n ty fou r d a ug h te r s b u t A d iti i s n o t m e n
-
,

t i o n e d a s o n e of t h e m I n the secon d a cco u n t of D a ksh a A d iti

.
,

is s a i d to h a ve been o n e of h is sixty d a ughte r s a n d w a s give n i n ,

m ar r i age t o K a sy a p a by who m s h e h a d twelve so n s the A d ity a s

, , .

E lse w h e re we r e a d t h a t Vis h n u w h e n i n c ar n a te a s t h e D w a r f , ,

w a s a result o f this m a r r i a ge I n the thi r d a ccou n t o f D a ksh a

.
,

A d iti is a g a in m enti o ne d a s h is d a u g h te r a n d the mothe r of ,

Vi va s at ( t h e S un ) The sons of A d iti a r e te r me d

.

TH E A D ITYA S .

This n a m e signifies si m ply the d escen d a nts o f A d iti I n o n e .

p a ss a ge in the Rig Ve d a the n a m es of six a r e give n : M it r a

-
"
,

A r ym a n B h a g a V a r un a D a ksh a a n d A m s a
, , ,
I n a not h e r , .

p a ss a ge t h ey a r e s a i d to be seven in nu m be r tho u gh thei r ,

n a m es a r e n o t given I n a thi r d ve r se eight i s the n u m ber

.

give n ; but of the eight sons of A d iti who we r e bo r n fr o m h e r

“

bo d y s h e a pp r o a che d the go d s with seve n a n d c a st o u t M art

, ,

t éi n d a ( the eighth ) T A s the lists o f n a m es of these s o ns give n

.

i n d iffe r e n t p a rts o f t h e Ve d a s d o n o t a g r e e with e a ch o t h er it ,

is d i ffic u lt to know w h o w e r e o r igi n a lly r eg a r d e d a s A d ity a s .

J u d ging fr o m th e n u m be r o f hy m n s a d d r esse d to t h e m so m e ,

o f t h ese d eities occ u pie d a co n spic u ous p o sitio n in the Ve d ic

P a nt h eo n ; whilst o t h e r s a r e n a m e d o nce o r twice o n ly a n d ,

the n i n con n ecti o n with t h ei r m o r e ill u st r i o u s b r et h r en I n t h e .

S a t a p a t h a B r a h m a n a a n d t h e P u r a n a s the n u m be r o f the
‘ ’

, ,

A d ity a s is incr e a se d t o twelve I n a d d ition to t h e S i x w h ose .

M uir, O . S T . .
,
V .
54 .
T Ibid . v .
49
 1 6 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

na m es are given a bove the followi n g a r e a lso d esc r ibe d i n so m e

,

h y m n s of t h e Rig Ve d a a s t h e offsp r i n g of A d iti S u r y a a s a n

-
,

A d ity a i d e n tifie d wit h A gni is s a i d to h a ve been pl a ce d by t h e ,

go d s i n t h e S avit r i a n d I n d r a t o o is i n o n e p a ss a ge , ,

a d d r esse d a s a n A d ity a a lo n g with V a r u n a a n d t h e M oo n In .

t h e T a i t t i r i ya texts t h e following eight a r e d esc r ibe d a s

,

A d ity a s — M it r a V ar u n a A r y a m a n A m s u Bh a g a I n d r a a n d
, , , , , ,

Vi vas vat ( S u r y a ) .

P r ofesso r Rot h s ays Tof these d eities : I n the h ighest he a ve n “

d well a n d r eig n t h ose go d s who be a r i n co m m o n the n a m e o f

A d ity a s . We m u st h oweve r i f we wo u l d d iscove r t h eir e a r liest
, ,

c h a r a cte r a b a n d on the conceptions w h ich i n a l a te r a ge a n d

, ,

eve n i n th a t o f t h e he r oic poe m s we r e e n te r t a ine d r eg a r d ing ,

these d eities A cc o r d i n g to t h is concepti o n they we r e twelve

.
,

S u n go d s the r e bei n g evi d ent r efe r e n ce t o the twelve m o n ths

-
, .

B u t fo r t h e m ost a n cient pe r io d we m ust hol d fa st to the p r i m a ry

sig n ific a n ce of t h ei r n a m es T h ey a r e i n viol a ble i m pe r ish a ble.
, ,

ete r n a l thi n gs A d iti E te r nity o r The E t er n a l is the element

.
, , ,

which s u st a ins the m o r is s u st a i n e d by the m The ete r n a l a n d

, .

i nviol able element in whic h the A d ity a s d we ll a n d which for m s ,

thei r essence is th e celesti a l light The A d ity a s the go d s o f

,
. , ,

this lig h t d o n o t the r efo r e by a n y m e a n s coinci d e with a n y of

,

t h e fo r m s in which light is m a n ifeste d in the unive r se They a r e .

neithe r t h e s u n n o r m o o n n o r st ar s n o r d awn but the ete r n a l

, , , ,

sust a i n e r s of this lu m i n o u s l ife which exists a s it we r e behin d ,

these phe n ome n a .

A s n otice d a bove the text o f the Rig Ve d a s s a ys I O f th e

,
-
,
“

eight so n s who were bo r n fr o m the bo d y of A d iti she a pp r o a che d ,

the go d s with seve n but c a st a w a y th e eighth , I n the c o m .

”

m e n t a r y the fo llowing expl a n a tion o f thi s ci r cu m st a nce is given

,

T h e eighth son w a s d efo r m e d H is b r othe r s seei n g h is d e .

,

fo r m ity i m p r o ve d his a ppe a r a nce

,
H e w a s a fte r w a r d s known .

as V i vas v a t ( the S u n ) F r o m the supe r flu ous flesh c u t o ff his

.

bo d y a n elep h a n t w a s fo r me d hence the p r ove r b Let no m an ,

M uir, O . S T . .
,
V .
54 .
1
”
I bid V . .
56 .

T I bid v
g

. .
49 .
 A D ITI AN D TH E A D ITY A S . 1 7

c atch an eleph a nt for the eleph a nt p a rt a kes

,
of the n a ture of
ma n .

A cco r d ing t o a p a ss a ge qu ote d in C h a pter I I fr o m the .

*

S a t a p at h a B r ah m a n a A gni I n d r a a n d S u r y a obt a ine d supe

‘ ’

, , ,

r i o r i t y over the othe r go d s by m e a ns o f s a crifice By wh a teve r .

me a ns this position w a s a tt ai ne d it is cert a in th a t these we r e

,

the most popu l a r d eitie s o f th e Ve d i c A ge A gni st a n d s i n

.

a cl a ss by hi mself ; b u t with I n d r a a n d S u r y a the r e a r e

othe r d eities clo s ely a ssoci a te d a n d possessing ve r y simil ar
,

a tt r ibutes . N e a rly th e w hole o f the mo r e conspicuous Ve d ic

d eities m a be cl ssifie d fol lows — I A gni the o d o f F ire
y a a s g .
,

I I S un Go d s o r go d s o f Light a n d I I I S torm Go d s o r those

.
,
.
,

a ssoci a te d with I n d r a .

P ge
a 8 .
1 8 T HE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

C H A PT E R V .

AG NI .

A GN I the go d of F ire is one o f the most prominent o f th e

,
*
,

d eities of the Ve d a s W ith t h e single exception o f I n d r a m o r e

.
,

h y m n s a r e a d d r esse d to h i m t h a n to a n y othe r d eity P r ofessor .

Willi a m s gives the fo l lowing spi r ite d d escription of A gni :

B i ght v
r ,
y d g d h w m i f ld th y h p e s
se e n -r a e o ,
o an o s a

R v l dt
e ea e th y v t i o us w we e th o ar e s no se ee

W i th b d y ll f g l d
o d adi t h i
o o an ra an a r

F l m i g f m th e t i fi h d
a n ro d m o th
re er r c ea s , an u s,

Wh b i g j w
ose d t th d v
urn n ll t h i g s
a s an ee e ou r a n .

N w w i th
o th d gl w i g h
a d
o u s an w o n or n s , an no

F l hi g th y l t f m th
as n d ye
us re ro a ou s an e s,

Th t bou r
’
t w d orn ei g ld o h i t ar s us n a o en c ar o ,

I m p ll d by w i d
e e d d w by d d y s te d
n s , an ra n ru e s,

M ki g th y
ar n de t ti v c w i th bl k e
car s
’
s ruc e ou r s e ac n ss .
T

V ar ious a cco unts a r e given o f the o r igin o f A gni H e is s a i d t o

‘
.

be a s o n o f D y a u s a n d P r ithivi he is c a lle d the son o f B r a h m a ,

a n d is then n a m e d A b h i m é n i ; an d h e i s r eckone d a m ongst the

chil d r e n o f K a sy a p a a n d A d iti a n d hence o n e of the A d ity as , .

I n the l a te r w r itings he is d escribe d a s a son of A u gi r a s king o f ,

t h e Pit r is ( fa the r s of m a nkin d ) a n d the a uthorship o f severa l ,

h y mn s is a sc r ibe d to h im I n pictu r es he is r ep r esente d as a .

r e d ma n h aving th r ee legs a n d seven a r m s d ar k eyes eye

, , ,

B ih p ti d B hm
r as ap ti an ge lly g d d b i g i d t i c l
ra an a s a ar e n er a re ar e as e n en a
w i th A g i N e ly t h
n .m p i th e t s
ar ppl i d t t h e m w i t h t h i d
e sa e e ar e a e o ,
. s a
d i ti l
ona — f p idi g v
one p y o lth o gh i s o m e fe w p as s g s t h y
res n o er ra er a u n a e e
ar e a dd d p t d i t i es
resse as se ar a e e .

T I di Wi d m p 1 8
‘ ’
n an s o , . .
20 T H E V ED I C D E ITI E S .

a cco m plishe r a n d the p r otecto r of a ll ce r emonies W h o en a bles

, ,

m e n t o se r ve the go d s i n a co r r ect a n d a ccept a ble m a n ner in ,

c ases w h e r e they co u l d n o t d o this with thei r own u n a i d e d skill .

H e is a swift m esse n ge r m ovi n g between he a ven a n d e a r th

, ,

co mmissione d both by go d s a n d m e n t o m a int a in thei r m utu a l

c o mm u n i c a t i o fi fgt o a nnounce to the i m m ort a ls the hy m ns an d to ,

convey to t h e n f t h e obl a tio n s of thei r worshi ppe r s ; o r to b r ing

’
’

t h e m ( the i m m o r t a ls
) d own fr o m the sky to the pl a ce of s a crifice .

\
H e a cco m p a nies t h e go d s when they visit the e a rth a n d sh ar es
'

i n the r eve r e n ce a n d a d o r a tion which they receive H e m a kes .

the obl a tions fr ag r a nt ; without h i m the go d s experience no

s atisfa ction! ,
r

A g n i is the lor d p r otector ki n g o f me n

, i H e is the lor d o f
, .

the house d welli n g i n eve r y a bo d e H e is a guest in eve r y

,
.

ho m e ; he d espises n o m an he l ives in eve r y fa m ily H e is , .

therefore consi d e r e d a s a m e d i ato r between go d s a n d m e n an d ,

a s a witness o f th eir a ctions ; hence to the p r esent d a y he is

w o r shippe d a n d his blessing s o ught 0 11 a ll solemn occ a sions a s

, ,

a t m ar ri a ge d e a t h & c
,
I n these o ld hy m ns A gni is s p o k e n o f a s
,
.

d welling in the t wo pieces of woo d which bei n g r ubbe d togethe r ,

p r o d uce fire ; a n d it is n o tice d a s a r e m a rk a ble thing th a t a

l ivi n g being shou l d sp r i n g o u t o f d r y ( d e a d ) woo d S t r a nge to .
"

s ay ,
s ays the poet th e chil d a s so o n as b o r n b e gi n s with
, , ,
‘

u n n a tura l vor a city to consu m e his p a r ents W on d e r ful i s his .

growt h seei n g th a t he is b o r n of a m othe r who c a nnot nou r ish

,

h i m ; but he is nou r ishe d by t h e obl a tio n s of cl a r ifie d butte r

which ar e pou r e d into his m outh a n d which he c o n su m es ,
.

The hig h est d ivine fu n ctions a r e a sc r ibe d to A g n i A lthough in .

so m e pl a ces he is spoke n of a s the son o f he a ven a n d e ar th in ,

othe r s he i s s a i d to h ave st r etche d t h em out ; to h a ve fo r m e d /

the m a n d a ll th a t flies o r w a lks o r st a n d s o r moves l H e fo r m e d

, , .

t h e s u n a n d a d o r n e d t h e he a ven with st a rs M en tremble a t

,
.

h is m ig h ty d ee d s a n d his o r d in a n ces c a nnot be r esiste d E a r t h

,
.
,

h e ave n a n d a ll t h i n gs obey his co mm an d s A ll the go d s fe a r

,
.
,

a n d d o h o m a ge to h i m H e knows the sec r ets of mo r t a ls a n d

.
,

he a r s t h e i n voc a tions th a t a r e a d d r esse d t o him .

The wo r shippe r s o f A gni p r ospe r a r e we a lthy a n d live long , ,

.
 A GNI . 2 1

H e w a tches wit h a thous a n d eyes ove r the m a n who b r ings h i m

foo d a n d nou r ishes h i m wit h o bl a tions N o m o r t a l ene m y c a n
,
.

by a n powe r g a in the m a ste r y ove r h i m who s a c r ifices

a lso co n fe r s a n d is the gu a r d i a n o f i m m o r t a lity .

gni is a ske d to w a r m with his he a t the

p ar t o f the d ece a se d a n d i n his a uspiciou s ,

fo r m to c a r r y i t to the wo r l d of the r ighteous H e c a r r ies m e n .

a c r oss c a l a m ities a s a ship ove r the s e a

,
H e co m m a n d s a ll t h e .

r ich es i n e a rth a n d he a ven hence he is i nvoke d fo r r i c h es foo d , ,

d elive r a nce a n d i n fa ct a ll te m po r a l goo d

,
H e is a lso p r a ye d to .

as the fo r giver o f sins th a t m a y h a ve been co m m itte d th r ough

folly A ll go d s a r e s a i d to b e comp r ehen d e d in h i m ; h e s u r

.

ro u n d s the m a s the ci r cu m fe r ence o f a wheel d oes the spokes .

The m a in ch ar a cteristics o f th i s d eity a r e t a ught i n the

following verses by D r M u i r .

G r e at A g
h o u gh t h i n e e s s e c e b e b u t o e
ni, t n n ,

T h y fo m s e th ee
r a s fi e t h o u b la e s t h e e
ar r r z r ,

A s l i gh t i g fla s h e s t i n t h e t m o s ph e r e
n n a ,

I n h e av e n t h ou fla m e s t a s t h e g o l d e n s un .

I t w a i h e v e n t h o u h a d s t t h y pi m l b i t h
s n a r a r

B y t o f s g e s s k i ll ed i n s a c e d l o e
ar a r r

T h ou w s t d w d o w t o h u m h e t h s o f y o
,
a ra n n an ar r e,

A n d t h o u a b i d s t a d e i z e o f e ar t h
’
n n .

Sp g f o m th e my ti c p i Tby p i e s t ly b d s
r un r s a r, r an

In w ed l o ck j o i e d fo th fl a s h e s A g i b i ght
n ,
r n r

Bu t oh
, y he ve s e d e r t h I t e ll yo
a i gh t
n an a ,
u r ,

Th e unn t l ch i ld d ev o s t h e p e t b r a d s
a ura ur ar n n .

“ ‘
Bu t A gn i is a go d we mu s t n ot d e em
Th at he c an er r , o r d ar e to co m p r eh e n d
H is a ct s ,whi ch f o u e s o n s g a p t ar r r a
’
r s r a n s c en d

He b es t c an j u d g e wh t d e e d s a go d b e s e e m
a .

h
A n d ye t t i s o r ph e d an h i ms e lf s v i v e s
go d ur

A t ou l h gh
his h pl e a m o t h e s o o e xp i e s
ss r n r ,

An d c an n o t e th e b b e a s b b e
nurs eq i es a a r u r ,

G r e at A g ni, w o d r ou s i f t g ow s n d th i v e s
n n an ,
r a r .

M uir, O . S T ,
. . v . 22 1.

T Th e t wo p i e ce s of w o o d fr o m whi ch fir e i s p r o d u c ed .
22 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S . 1

S m ok e b e e d A g i go d w i th c a ckl i n g v o i c e
- an n r n ,
r

A d fl am i g h i
n wh e th ou d s t p i e c e t h e gl o o m
n a r, n o r

A t e ly d w ar d ll t h e w o l d i ll m e
a n , an a r u ,

B o th h e v e an d e a th d g o d s n d m en ej o i c e
a n r an a r .

In v e y h o m e th o u t a w el co me g u e s t
e r ar ,

Th e h o e h l d t t e l y l o d
us s on o u ar r ,
a ,

A f th e m o t h
a b o th e ll i o e
r, er, r r, a n n ,

A f i e d by wh o m t h y f i thf l f i e n d s
r n e bl e s t a u r ar .

“
w f wi ged
A S i t- n m e s s e n g er , h
ll e s t d w
t ou ca o n

F om he v e
r a n to cr o w d o u h e th s t h e c e d i v i n e
r ar ra ,

T o taste ou r fo o d , o hy m n s t o h e b e i g
ur ar , n n,

An d all o u r fo n d est a s pi t i o s c o wn
ra n r .

Th ou , g i t o p r i e s t d i v i n ely w i s e
A n ,
ar ur ,

I n h o ly s c i e c e v e s e d t h y s k i ll d e t e c t s
n r ,

T h e f l t s th t mau o i te s mi t ke s c
a ar ur r ,
s a o r r e ct s ,

A n d all o u r a c t s c o m pl e t e s an d s n ct i fi e s a .

Th ou a r t he s t o th e s k i e s
th e c or d t h at s t r e t c ,

T h e b i d ge th t s c
r s t h e c h s m p o fo u d a d v a s t
a an a ,
r n n ,

D i v i d i g e t h f o m h e v e o e wh i ch t l a s t
n ar r a n,
’
r a

T h e g o o d s h ll s fe ly p as s t o P a d i s e
a a ar .

But wh e g n, h i n e wf l a g er gl o ws
r e at o
g ,d t a u n ,

A d tho
n e v e ale s t t h y d e s t
u r y i g fo c e ro n r ,

A ll c e a t e s fle e b e f e t h y f i o s c o s e
r ur or ur u ur

A s h o s t s a e c h a s e d by o v e p o w e i g fo e s
r r r n .

T h l v ll
ou e e e s t a ll h ou t o ch e s t fo e s t s v s t
t u r a

Th h e ou s ar s
’
t l i ke b e
,
d s wh i c h b r b e s
ar z or s h av e s a r
’
ra

T h y wi d n -dr i v e fl mes o
n l o d s o c e s w av e s
a r ar u a an
’
,

An d a ll th y t r a c k i s bl c k wh en t h o u h s t p a s t
a a .

Bu t th o u g e t A g i d o s t n o t lw y s w e
,
r a n ,
a a ar

T h t d i e f l fo m t h ou t h e lo v s t t o s h i e
a r u r ra r
’
n

U p o o h e th w i t h m i l d e fl a m e b e i g
n ur ar s, r n n,

A n d c h e e t h e h m e s wh e e th o
r t u s e d w i th o r u ar n r c ar e .

Ye s t ho
l ght e s t ll th o s e m t o bl e s s
u de i a en

W h o t o i l nw e i e d t o s u pply t h e fo o d
u ar

Wh i ch th o s l o v e s t —l g s o f w ell d i e d w o o d
u o o -
r ,

A n d h e p s o f b t t er b r i n g t h y fav o r i t e m es s
a u ,
u .
 A GNI . 2 3

T h gh I
ou n o c ow p o s s e s s a d h av e n o s t o e ,
n r

Of b t te u r, n or a e f esh wood t
n ax cle ve r o a ,

Th g ou ,
ra ci o go d w i l t m y p o o g i ft e c e i v e
us ,
r r

The f w d
se e s t i c k s I b i n g —I h ve n o mo e
r a r
ry .

P r es er ve
l or d th y f i thfu l s e v n t s s av e
u s, a r a

F o m ll t h e i ll s by wh i ch o bl i s s i s m e d
r a ur arr

T o w e l i k e n i o w all o u r h o m
r a es to g r n d u ar ,

A n d all t h e b oo s b e s t o w o h e t s c n c av e
n ur ar a r .

An d wh e n aw y o u r b i e f e x i s t e c e w n e s
a r n a ,

Wh e w e at l en g th o e thly h o m e s m s t q u i t
n ur ar u ,

A d o n f e e d s o l s t o w o l d s k o w S h ll fli t
ur r u r un n n a ,

D o t h o d e l g e t ly w i t h o u c o l d e m i s
u a n r r a n .

An d t he g a c i ou s fo m s s mi g g i d e
n, th y r r a u n ,
u

O u bo
ur p a t a cr o s s t h e d k by s s
n rn r ar a

A l o ft t o r e l m s s e e e o f l i gh t
a d bl i s s r n an ,

Whe e r i gh t e ou s m en a m on g t h e g o d s a b i d e
r .

I n a celeb r a te d hy m n o f the R ig Ve d a a tt r ibute d t o Vi s i s h -

,

t h a I n d r a a n d the othe r go d s a r e c a lle d upon t o d est r oy the

,

K r avyé d s ( the fl esh e a te r s ) o r Raksh a s ene m ies o f the go d s

-
, ,
.

A gni hi m self is a K r a vyad a n d a s such t a kes a n entirely d i ffe r ,

ent ch a ra cter H e is r ep r esente d u n d e r a fo r m as hi d eous a s the

.

beings he i n com m o n with the othe r go d s is c a lle d u po n to

, ,

d evou r . H e sh ar pens h is t w o i r on tusks puts his ene m ies i n t o ,

h i s m outh a n d d evou r s the m

,
H e he a ts the e d ges o f his sh a fts .
,
”
an d sen d s the m into the he a rts o f th e Raksh a s a s .

I n the M ah é b h é r a t a A gni is r ep r esente d a s h aving exh a ust e d

,

his vigour by d evouring t o o m a ny obl a tions a n d d esi r ing t o ,

consu m e the whole K h zTI n d ava forest a s a m e a ns o f r ecruiting his ,

st r ength H e w a s [at first] prevente d fr o m d oing th is by I n d r a

.

but h a ving obt a ine d the a ssist a nce o f K r ishn a a n d A rj un a he ,

b a ffle d I n d r a a n d a cco m plishe d h i s o b je c t T

, _
.
”

A ccor d i n g to the Ra m ay a n a i n o r d e r to a ssist Vishnu when ,

inc ar n a te a s Ra m a A gni bec a m e the fa ther o f N il a by a m onkey

,

mothe r a n d a cco r d i n g to the Vish n u P u r i n a he m a r r ie d S wah a ,

’
,

by who m h e h a d th r ee sons — Pava k a P ava man a a n d S uchi , , ,

.

D o w s on , D i ct i on ar y of H i n du My th ol o gy T D o w s on
’
.
,
s .
24 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

A gni h as m a ny n a mes ; those mo r e genera lly k nown

fol lowing :
Y ah u i
,
He eceives the ne w o r bu r nt s a c r ifice
who r , .

Vi t i h o t r a H e who s a n ct i fi e s the wo r shipper

‘

,
.
”

D h a n a nj ay a H e wh o conqu ers ( d est r oys ) riches

, .

”
J i v a lan,
a H e who burns .

D h fi mk e t u ,
H e whose S ign is smoke
“
.

C h h Aga r a t h a H e who r i d es o n a r a m
,
.

S ap t aji h va ,
H e who h a s seven tongues .
 C H A P T E R VI .

SUN O R LI GHT D E I T I E S .

I S U RY A
. .

S U RY A a n d S avit r i a r e two n a m es by wh ich the S un i s

a d d r esse d in the Ve d ic hy m n s Someti mes the o n e n a m e i s
.

use d exclusively so m eti m es they a r e use d interch a nge a bly

, ,

a n d s ometi m es they a r e use d a s t h oug h they r epresente d quite

d is tinct obj ects I t is su ppose d t h a t S a vit r i r efe r s to the su n

.

when invisible whilst S u r y a r efe r s to h i m when he i s visible to

the wo r shippe r s T h is a t a n y r a te giv es s ome r e a son fo r the two
.

n a m es b eing e m ploye d though it m ay not expl a in the c a se

,

s a tisfa ctorily in eve r y inst a n ce .

A lthough th e hy m ns i n w h ich S u r y a i s a d d r esse d a r e not ve r y

nu m erous his w o r ship w as m o s t co m mon in the ol d e n ti m e a n d
, ,

h a s continue d t o the p r esent h ou r : I t i s to h i m th a t th e

G a y a t r i the m ost s a c r e d text o f the Ve d a s is a d d r esse d a t hi s
, ,

r isi n g by eve r y d evout B r ah m a n Si m ple in i ts ph r a seology

.
,

this sho r t ve r se i s su ppose d to exert m agic a l powe r s I t i s .

as fol lows

Le t us m e d i t at e on t h at e x ce ll en t gl o r y o f t h e d i v i n e Vi vi fi e r

M ay h e l i ght e n ( o
en r s ti m l t e) ou
u a n d e st
r u d i gs r an n .
”

A s a speci men o f th e l a ngu a ge e m ploye d i n so m e of the l a te r

w r itings i n r efe r ence to this ve r se r e a d the fo llowing few li n e s
,

fr o m the Sk a n d a Pu r an a N othing in the Ve d a s is supe r io r

to the G ayat r i N o i n vo c a t i o n is equ a l to the G a y a t r i a s no city
.
,

I n d i an Wi sd o m, ’
p . 20 .
2 6 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

i s equ a l to K a si ( Ben a r es ) The G a y a tri is th e m oth e r o f

.

the Ve d a s a n d o f B r ah m a ns
,
By r epe a ting i t a m a n is s a ve d
. .

By the powe r o f the

G a y a t r i the K s h e t r i ya
( W a r r io r c a ste ) Vis h
va m i t ra b e ca m e a
B r ah m a r s i ( Brah m a n
s a int ) a n d even o b ,

t a i n e d su c h powe r a s
to be a ble to c r e a te a
n e w wo r l d Wh a t is .

t h e r e in d ee d th a t ca n
not be effecte d by the
G a y a t r i ? Fo r t h e
G a ya t r i i s Vi s h n u ,

B r a h m a an d S iv a a n d , ,

the three
With p r o m is e o f su ch
blessing it is n o t t o be ,

won d e r e d a t th a t the
w o r s hi p o f S u r y a
sho u l d conti n ue .

The fol lowing t r a ns

U RY A
la t i o n To f hymns fr om
S .

the R ig Ve d a gives
-
a fa i r specimen o f the l a n gu a ge use d in
a d d r esses to S u r y a :

B ho ld
e th e ra ys of D a w n l i k e h e r a l d s l ead
,
h i gh , on

Th e S th t me
un , m a y s e e t h e g e t ll k o w i g go d
a n r a a -
n n .

T h e s t s s l i k o ff l i k e t h i e v e s i n o m p
ar n y w i th N i gh t ,
c an ,

B e fo e t h e ll s ee i g e ye who s e b e m e v e l h i s p e s e
r a - n , a s r a r n ce ,

G l m i g l i k e b i ll t fl m e t
ea n r i an ti ft e
a tio s, o na on a r na n.

W i th s p e e d b e y o d t h e k e o f mo t l s tho O S
,
n n r a ,
u, un

D ost eve t vel o r ra co p i c o s t ll

n, ns u u o a .

T h d o s t c e t e t h e l i gh t d w i th i t d o s t i ll m e
ou r a ,
an u

Ken n edy s ’
Hi ndu My th o l ogy p ,
’
.
3 45 .

T I n d i an W i s d om ,
’
p 19
. .
 2 8 T H E V ED I C D E ITI E S .

the r epetition o f the G ay a t r i he is wo r shippe d o n ce a ye a r by ,

t h e H in d us gener a lly on t h e fi r st S u n d a y in t h e m o nth o f

,

Magh ; a n d i n se a sons of sick n ess it i s no u n co m m on t h i n g fo r

t h e low —c a ste H i n d u s to e m ploy a B r ahm a n to repe a t so m e ve r ses
i n ho n ou r o f S ury a in the hope t h a t the d eity thus propiti a te d
,

wi ll effect thei r r ecove r y .

I n the Vishnu Pu r a n a we fi n d the following a ccount of S u r y a

‘
.

H e m a r r ie d S a ngna the d a ughte r of Vi s va k a r m a ; who a fte r

, ,

be a r ing h i m th r ee chil d r en w a s so opp r esse d with his b r ightness

,

an d glo r y th a t she w as co m pelle d to le a ve h i m Befo r e h e r

,
.

d ep ar tu r e she left C h h aya ( Sh a d ow) i n h e r pl a ce

,
Fo r ye a r s .

S u r y a d i d not notice this ch a n ge of wife B ut o n e d ay in a fit .

,

o f a nge r C h h aya p r onounce d a cu r se upon Y a m a ( D e a th ) a chil d

, ,

o f S a n gn a s a n d this cu r se took effect S u r y a knew th a t no

’
.
,

mothe r s curse coul d a ffect h e r offsp r ing a n d won d e r ing h o w it

’

, ,

w a s th a t C h h aya s cu r se w as not h a r m less h e c a m e to know th a t

’

his wife h a d fo r s a ken h i m le aving this othe r wo m a n i n h e r pl a ce

, .

Th r ough the power o f m e d it a tion S u r y a foun d S a ng ri a i n a forest ,

i n the fo r m o f a m a r e ; a n d i n o r d e r t h a t he m ight e n j oy h e r ,

society ch a nge d hi m self into a ho r se A fte r a few ye a r s they

,
.
,

g r ew ti r e d o f this a r r a nge m ent a n d r etu r ne d in p r ope r fo r m to ,

thei r o w n d welling But in o r d e r th a t his presence m ight be

.

be a r able to his wife his fathe r i n law who w a s the a r chitect o f

,
- -
,

the go d s g r ou n d the S un upon a stone a n d by thi s m e a ns r e

, ,

d u ce d his b r ightness by one eighth The p a r t th u s g r ou n d fr o m

-
.

S u r y a w a s not w a ste d F r o m it we r e p r o d uce d th e won d e r

.

wo r king d iscus of Vishnu the t r i d e n t of S iv a the l a nce o f , ,

K a rtikey a ( the go d o f w a r ) a n d the we a pons o f Kuve r a ( the ,

o d of r iches
g ) .

The Bh av i s h ya P u r an a s a ys Bec a use the r e is n o n e g r e a te r

‘
,
“

t h a n he ( i e S u r y a) n o r h a s b een n o r will be t h e r efo r e he is cele

. .
, ,

b r a t e d a s th e sup r e m e sou l in a ll the Ve d a s A g a in th a t ” “

.
,

which is the s u n a n d thus c a l le d light o r effulge n t powe r is

, ,

a d o r a ble a n d m ust be wo r shippe d by those who d r e a d succes

,

sive bi r ths a n d d e aths a n d who e age r ly d esi r e be a titu d e

,
In .
”

B ook I I I h p . c a . ii .
 S UN OR L I GHT —
D E ITI E S S U RY A . 29

the B r a h m a P u r an a is a p a ss age in which the sun is al lu d e d

to u n d er twelve n a m es with epithets pecu li ar to e a ch a s though
, ,

they we r e twelve d istinct sun d eities -

“
T h e first fo r m o f the sun is I n d r a the lor d o f the go d s a n d , ,

the d estr o yer of their e n e m ies the secon d D h a t a t h e c r e a to r o f , ,

a ll t h ings the t h i r d P a rj a ny a resi d ing in the clou d s a n d Sh ow

, , ,

eri n g r a i n o n the e a rth fro m its be a m s the fourth T W a s t a who , ,

d wells i n a ll co r pore a l fo r m s the fifth P us h a n w h o gives , ,

nut r i m ent to a ll beings th e si xth A r y a m a who brin gs s a c r ifices , ,

to a successfu l conclusion ; the seve n th d e r ives his n a me fr o m

a l m sgivi n g,
a n d d elights m en d ic a n ts with gifts ; the eight h i s

c a lle d Vi va s va n who ensu r es d igestion the ninth Vis h nu wh o

, , ,

const a ntly m a n ifests hi m self fo r the d est r u ction o f the e n e m ies

o f the go d s the te n th A m s h u m an who p r ese r ves the vit a l
, ,

o rg a ns in a soun d st a te t h e eleventh V a r u n a who r esi d ing in , , ,

t h e w a te r s vi v i fi e s t h e u nive r se ; a n d t h e t w elft h M it r a who

, , ,

d wells i n the o r b of the m oon fo r the benefit o f t h e three worl d s

, .

T h ese a r e the twelve splen d ou r s o f the sun the sup r e m e spi r it , ,

w h o th r oug h t h e m perv a d es the u nive r se a n d i r r a d i a tes the ,

in m ost sou ls o f m e n .

S u r y a 1 s s a i d to h a ve A run a ( R o s y) t h e D awn a s his ch a r iotee r ;

, ,

who w as the s o n of K a sy a p a a n d K a d r u .

A cco r d ing to the Ramay a n a S u gr i va the king o f the m onkey

, ,

host w h ich a ssiste d Ra m a in his g r e a t expe d ition W as a son o f ,

S u r y a by a m onkey : a cco r d ing to t h e M a habha r a t a the he r o ,

K a r n a a lso w a s t h e son of t h is d eity ; a n d when he w as in t h e

fo r m o f a ho r se h e bec a m e fa the r of the A svi n s a n d co mm u ni
, ,

c a t e d the white Y aj u r Ve d a - .

When spe a ki n g of t h e pl a nets S u r y a wil l b e notice d a g a in ,

u n d e r t h e n a m e of R a vi .

A m o n g t h e m a ny n a m es a n d epithets by which this d eity is

know n the following a r e t h e m ost com m on
,

D iv a k a r a The M a ke r of t h e d a y
,
“ ”

B h ask a r a T h e C r e a to r o f lig h t
,
“
.

Vi vas w a t The R a d i a n t one

,
“
.

Ke n n ed y s ’
Hi n du M y th l gy p o o ,
’
.
3 49 .
3 0 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

M ih ira ,
H e who w a te r s th e e a r t h i e h e d r aws u p th e
“
. .

m oisture fr o m the se a s so th a t the C lou d s a r e fo r m e d .

G r ah a pa t i The Lo r d of the st a r s
,
.
”

K a r m as ak s h i The witness o f ( m en s ) wo r ks
,
“ ’
.

”
M ar t a n d a A d escen d a nt o f M r i t a n d a
,
“
.

2 . P U S HA N .

Push a n is the n a me o f a sun go d t o who m some hymns a r e -

a d d r esse d exclusively an d w h ose p r a ise a t othe r ti m es is sung

,

i n connection with th a t o f I n d r a & c I n these hy m ns the ,

.

ch a r a cte r o f this d eity is not ve r y cle a r ly d efine d H e is s a i d to .

behol d t h e enti r e unive r se is a d d r esse d as th e gui d e o f t r a velle r s

a n d the p r otecto r o f c a ttl e H e is c a lle d upon to p r otect his
.

se r v a nts in b a ttle an d to d efen d the m a s of o ld H e is invoke d

, .

in the m a r r i a ge ce r e m oni a l a n d a ske d to t a ke th e b r i d e s h a n d

,
’

to le a d her a w a y an d to bless her in h e r conj ug a l r el a tions H e

,
.

i s s a i d a lso to con d uct the spirits o f th e d e p a r t e d fr o m this wo r l d

to the next I n one text he is c a lle d the nou r ishe r a s Vishnu
.
,
”

i n l a te r ti m es w as c a lle d the p r eserve r By far the g r e a te r

“
.
”

nu mber o f p r a ye r s a d d r esse d to h im see m to r efe r to h im a s th e

gu i d e a n d p r otecto r of t r a velle r s both a long th e or d in a r y j ou r
,

neys o f life a n d i n the longe r j ou r ney to the othe r wo r l d ; a n d

a s he i s s a i d t o be const a ntly t r a velling a bout h e i s s a i d to know ,

wel l the r o a d by which they h a ve to go .

The following is a speci m en o f the hy m ns a d d r esse d to

Pu sh a n in the Rig Ve d a -
C on d u ct u s Push a n ove r o u r , ,

r o a d ; re m ove d ist r ess son o f th e d elivere r ; go o n befo r e us

, .

S m ite a w a y fr om befo r e u s th e d est r uctive a n d inj u r ious wolf

which seeks a fte r us D r ive a w a y fr o m o u r p a th t h e w ayl aye r
.
,

t h e t h ief a n d the r obbe r T r e a d with thy foot u pon the bu r ning

.

we a po n s of th a t d eceitfu l w r etch whoeve r he be O won d er ,

.

wo r ki n g a n d wise Push a n we d esire th a t help o f thine whe r ewith

,

t h o u d i d st fa vour o u r fa t h e r s O go d wh o b r ingest a ll blessings , ,

M uir O ,
. S T
. .
, V . 17 1 ff .
 LI GHT D E ITI E S — M IT R A V A R UN A
S UN OR AN D .
3 1

an d ar t d istinguishe d
by thy gol d en spe a r m a ke we a lth e a sy o f ,

a cquisition ! C onvey u s p a st o u r opponents ; m a ke o u r p a ths

e a sy to t r a vel ; g a in st r e n gth fo r u s here Le a d u s ove r a .

count r y of r ic h p a stu r es ; let no n e w t r ouble ( beset o u r ) p a th .

Bestow s a ti a te g r a nt sti m ul a te u s ; fill o u r belly We d o n o t

, , , .

rep r o a ch P ush a n we p r a ise h i m with h y m ns a n d we seek ric h es

,
”
fr o m the won d er wo r king go d -M a y we O P ush a n ! m eet .
“
,

with a wise m a n who wi ll st r a ightw a y d i r ect u s an d s ay It is ,

‘

this M a y Push a n follo w o u r kine m ay he p r otect o u r horses

.
’

m ay he give us foo d C o m e hithe r g lo wing go d the d elive r e r , ,

”
m ay we m e e t T .

I n the Pu r an a s Push a n occupies a fa r less ex a lte d position .

I t see m s a l m ost like a burlesqu e to see h i m who in the Ve d a s

is r eve r e n tly a pp r o a che d a s the give r of goo d t o his wo r shi ppe r s ,

d escribe d a s being oblige d to fee d upon g r uel bec a u se his teeth ,

h a ve b een kn ocke d o u t o f his m outh The e a r liest fo r m o f the .

legen d d escribing this event is foun d i n the T a i t t i r i ya S a nhita .

Ru d r a not bei n g i nvite d t o a g r e a t s a c r ifice t h a t D a ksh a hi s ,

fa the r i n law wa s celeb r a ting shot a n a r r ow which pie r ce d the

- -
, ,

s a c r ifici a l victi m P ush a n at e p a rt o f this victi m a n d it broke

.
,

his teeth I n d escribing

. a fu ll a ccount of this s a c r ifice

wi ll be given I n the Vishnu P u r an a P ush a n a ppe a r s a s o n e

.
‘ ’

of the A d ity a s .

3 . M I TR A AN D VA R U N A .

These t w o d eities a r e most fr equently n a m e d together in the

hy m ns V a r un a is often a d d r esse d a lone but M it r a ve r y sel d o m , .

The i d e a of the ol d e r co mm e n t a to r s w a s th a t M it r a r ep r esente d

a n d ru le d ove r the d a y whilst V a r un a w a s r u le r o f the night , .

“
V a r un a is someti m es visib le to the g a z e of his wo r shippe r s ;
he d wells in a house h a ving a t h ous a n d d oo r s so th a t h e i s eve r ,

a ccessible to m e n H e i s s a i d to h a ve goo d eyesight fo r he

.
,

M ir O
u , . S T . .
,
v . 175. T I bid . v . 1 77.

I: P art III h p . c a . 1.
3 2 T H E V EDI C D E ITI E S .

knows wh a t goes o n in the he a r ts o f m e n H e is king o f go d s

.

an d men is m ighty a n d te r r ible ; n one c a n r esist his a uth o r ity

.

H e is sove r eign r u le r o f th e unive r se I t i s he who m a kes

“

the sun to S hine in he a ven ; the win d s th a t blow a r e b u t his

b r e a th ; he h a s hollowe d o u t the ch a nnels of the rivers which

VARU A
N .

flow at his com m a n d an d he h as m a d e the d epth s o f the s e a

,
.

H is o r d in a n ces a r e fixe d a n d u n a ss a il a ble ; through their oper a

tio n the m oon w a lks in b r ight n ess a n d the st a r s which a ppe a r
, ,

i n the nightly sky v a nish in d a yl ight T h e bi r d s flying in the

, .

a i r the r ive r s i n thei r sl eepl ess fl ow c a nnot a tt a i n a knowle d ge

’

, ,

of his power a n d wr a th Bu t he knows th e flight of th e bir d s

.
 S UN OR LI GHT D EI T I Es — V A R UN A .
33

in the sky the cou r se o f the fa r t r a velling win d the p a ths of

, ,

ships o n t h e oce a n an d behol d s a ll the sec r et t h ings th a t ,

h a ve been or sh a l l be d o n e H e witnesses men s truth a n d .

’

”
fa lsehoo d .

The following is a m et r ic a l ve r sion o f one o f th e hymns o f t h e

Rig Ve d a as given by D r M ui r : T
-
.

T h e mi gh ty l o d r on h i gh
h d espi es ou r d e ed s as if at an

Th e g d s k ow
o ll m d o t h o gh m e n w o l d f i t h e i d e e d s d i s g u i s
n a en ,
u u a n r e

d s w h o e e m v e s o r s t e l s f o m pl ce t o pl c e
’ ’
W h oe e s t r an ,
r o ,
a r a a ,

O h i d e s h i m i h i s s e e t c e ll t h e g o d h i s m v e m e t s t ac e
r n cr ,
s o n r .

Whe ev e t wo t o g e th e pl o t d d ee m the y e al o e
r r r ,
an ar n ,

Ki g V a
n i s the e
run a th i d nd ll t h e i s ch e m e s
r , e k ow
a r ,
a a r ar n n .

T h i s e th i s h i s t o h i m b e l o g t h o s e v a s t a d b o d l e s s k i e s
ar ,
n n un s ,

B o th s e as w i th i h i m s t a d ye t i th t s m ll p o l h e l i e
n re ,
n n a a o s .

Wh o ev er f b e y o n d t h e s k y s h o l d th i k h i s w y t o w i
ar u n a n,

H e c o l d n o t th e e e l d e th e g s p o f V r u n t h e k i g
u r u ra a a n .

H i s s p i e s d e s ce d i g f o m t h e s k i e s gl i d e ll t h i s w o l d
n n r
o d a r ar un

T he i t h o u s d e y e s ll s c i n g s w e e p t o e th s em t e s t b o d
r an ,
a an n ,
ar
’
r o un .

What e e e x i s t s i n h e v en d e th wh t e e b e y o d th e s k i e s
’
r a an ar ,
a
’
r n ,

B e fo e t h e eye o f V a
r th e ki g f l d ed l i esrun a n un o .

T h e s e c e t w i k i g s ll h e c t s o f e v e y m o t al s e y e s
’
r n n a ou n r r

H e w i e l d s th i s i v e s l f me g me t e th o w s h i s d i c e
un r a ra as a s r r .

Th o s e k o tt ed o o s e wh i ch t h o fl i g t 0 go d t h e b ad to s n e
n n s u n
’
s ,
ar ,

A ll l i r s le t t h e m v e t k e b t ll t h e t u thf l s p a e
a o r a ,
u a r u r .
”

P r ofesso r R oth s a ys o f this hymn The r e is no hymn in the ,

whole Ve d ic liter a ture which exp r esses the d ivine o m niscience in

such fo r cible te r ms an d ce r t a inly it wou l d not be a n e a sy t a sk
to fi n d in a n y l ite r a ture a p a ss age t o su r p a ss it in thi s r espect .

The a ffa irs o f m e n a r e u n d e r his cont r ol ; he is a ske d to

p r olong life to puni sh t r a nsgresso r s ; a n d a hope is hel d out
,

th a t the r ighteous sh a l l see h i m reigning i n the next wo r l d i n

conj unction with Y a m a the r u le r o f the spi r it wo r l d V a ru n a ,
-
.

in fa ct h as a tt r ibutes a n d functi ons a sc r ibe d to h i m in the Ve d a s ,

of a h igher m o r a l ch a r a cte r th a n a n y othe r of the go d s ; a n d

the r efo r e m e n c a ll upon h i m fo r p a r d on a n d pu r ity Re .
“

le a se u s t h ey s ay fr om t h e sins of o u r fa the r s an d fr o m
, ,
“
,

M u i r, O . S T . .
,
v .
58 ff .
T Ib i d . v . 64 .

D
34
~T H E V E D I C D E ITI E S .

th o se w hich w e h a ve co m m itte d i n o u r o w n pe r sons And .

a g a in B e g r a cio u s O m ig h ty go d be g r a ciou s I h ave sinne d

, ,
.

t h rough w a nt o f powe r be g r a cious .

I n t h e hy m n s a d d r esse d to M it r a a n d V a r u n a togethe r a l m ost ,

t h e s a m e te r m s a r e e m ploye d a s w h en V a r u n a is a d d r esse d a lon e .

Both a r e spoken o f a s r ighteo u s a n d a s the p r o m oters of religion , .

They a r e s a i d to a venge sin a n d fa lse h oo d .

I n t h e Ve d ic lite r a tu r e though V a r un a is not r eg a r d e d ch iefly

,

a s the o d o f the oce a n a s h e is i n the l a ter writings b ut r a th e r

g , , ,

a s t h e a bove hy m ns S how a s one of t h e go d s o f light yet the r e , ,

a r e p a ss a ges whic h d esc r ibe h i m a s being connecte d with the

w a te r s of the a t m osp h e r e a n d on t h e e a r t h which a ffo r d so m e ,

fo u n d a tion fo r the l a te r conceptions o f h is king d o m Thus fo r .

,

inst a nce we r e a d M ay the w a te r s w h ich a r e celesti a l a n d those

, , ,

whic h flow ; those for whic h ch a nnels a r e d u g a n d t h ose which ,

a r e self p r o d u ce d
-
those w h ich a r e p r ocee d ing to the oce an a n d ,

a r e b r ight a n d purifying preserve m e ! M a y those (w a te r s ) in

,

th e m i d st o f wh ich King V a r u n a goes p r ese r ve m e In

othe r pl a ces he i s s a i d to d wel l in the w a te r s as S o m a d oes
i n the woo d s P r ofessor Roth gives a p r ob a ble expl a n a tion a s
.

to the m a n n er in w h ic h V a ru n a wh o w a s o r igi n a lly th e go d ,

o f the h e a vens c a m e to be r eg a r d e d a s t h e go d of the oce a n

, .

H e s ays : T Whe n o n t h e o n e h a n d the conception o f V a ru n a

“
, ,

a s the a ll e m b r a cing h e a ve n h a d bee n est a blis h e d a n d on the

-
, ,

o t h e r h an d the obse r v a tion o f t h e r ive r s flowi n g tow a r d s the

,

en d s o f the e a r t h a n d to the s e a h a d le d to the co n j ectu r e

t h a t t h e r e existe d an oce a n enclosing t h e e a r th in its boso m ,

t h en the w a y w a s tho r oughly p r ep ar e d fo r connecti n g V ar un a

wit h t h e oce a n .
”

I n th e B r ah m a n a o f t h e Rig Ve d a Tis a n i n teresting legen d -

S h o wi n g th a t p r ob a bly h u m a n s a c r ifices we r e a t on e ti m e offe r e d

to V ar un a A ce r t a i n ki n g n a me d H a r isch a n d r a h a d no son
. .

Being g r e a tly d ist r esse d o n th is a ccou n t a s a son is necess a ry ,

to t h e d u e pe r fo r m a n ce of t h e fu n e r a l cere m onies the king o

, ,

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
v .
73 .
T I bi d . V .
75 .

T I n d i an W i s d om p ,
’
. 29 .
3 6 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

were speci a l favou r ites o f In d ra ; a ll ho r ses s a crifice d to h i m

h a ving this peculi a r ity The B r ah m a n is s a i d to h a ve p r opiti a te d
.

V a r un a the go d o f the oce a n who g ave hi m the thous a n d stee d s

, ,
,

by m e a ns o f whic h he wa s a ble to obt a in t h e p r incess i n m a rr i a ge .

V a r un a is r ep r esente d i n pictu r es a s a white m a n s itti n g upon

a fa bulous m a r ine m onste r c a lle d a ni a k a r a This a n i ma l h a s .

the he a d a n d legs of a n a ntelope a n d the bo d y a n d t a il o f a fish, .

I n his r ight h a n d he c a rr ies a noose H e is wo r shippe d in .

se a sons of d r ought a n d by fishe r m en as they c a st thei r n e ts but

, ,

now a d ays no i m a ges of h i m a r e m a d e .

T h e followi n g lege n d is foun d i n the P a d m a Pu r a n a On .

one occ a sion Rav a n a w as t r a vel ling to his ho m e in C eylo n ,

c a r rying with h i m a stone Zi nga the e m blem o f S iv a , H e was .

d esi r ous of setti n g up the wo r ship o f S iva there a n d w a s t a ki n g ,

this i m age fr o m the H i m a l a y a s fo r th a t pu r pose But the .

go d s fe ar i n g he wou l d g r ow too powe r ful through his d e

,

v o t i o n to S iv a wishe d t o frust r a te his pu r pose

, S iv a in giving .

this stone to Rav a n a m a d e h i m pro m ise th a t whereve r it fi r st

tou che d the g r ou n d a fter le a vi n g S iv a s a bo d e i t shou l d the r e
,
’

,
’

re m a in A w a r e o f t h is fa ct the go d s t r ie d to i n d uce hi m t o
.
,

r est it u pon t h e e a r th before he r e a che d C e lo n A l st it '

y t a f

w a s a gree d th a t V a r u n a shou l d e n te r Rav a n a s bo d y so th a t

’

, ,

in a tte m pting to fr ee hi m self fro m h i m h e m ight be co m pelle d , .

t o loose his ho ld o f th e Zi nga A ccor d ingly V ar un a ente r e d

.

Rav a n a a n d c ause d h i m such intense p a in th a t he coul d

,

sc a r cely be a r it When he w as thus su ffe r ing I n d r a in th e fo r m

.
, ,

of a n o ld B r ah m a n p a sse d by a n d offe r e d to t a ke hol d of the

, ,

stone N o sooner d i d R av a n a ent r ust it to h i m t h a n h e let it

.
,

fa ll to the g r ou n d I t is s a i d th a t it s a nk th r ough the e a r t h

.
,

t h e top o f it being visible a t B a i d y a n ath i n Bi r bhu m to thi s d ay .

The r ive r K h u r s u is s a i d to h a ve t a ken its r ise fro m Va r un a

when he left Rav a n a a t this pl a ce ; a n d a s a res u lt the H in d us ,

wil l n o t d r i n k o f its w a ters .

A ltho u gh V a run a is d esc r ibe d in the Ve d a s a s a holy being ,

a cco r d i n g to the te a c h ing o f the P u r an a s h is he a ve n is a pl a ce ,

: i: ‘
W ard on th e H i ndoos ,
’
i .
57 .
 S UN OR L I GHT D EI T I Es — T H E A SVI N S .
37

of sensu a l d elights H e s its with his qu een V a r un i o n a throne

.

o f d i a mon d s S a m u d r a ( the s e a) G a ng a ( the G a n ges ) a n d the , ,

go d s a n d go d d esses o f d iffe r ent r ive r s l a kes sp r ings & c for m , , ,

.
,

his cou r t A n d sto r ies a r e tol d of con d u ct the ve r y opposite o f

.

wh a t woul d be expecte d in o n e who o n ce w a s a d d resse d i n su ch

l a ngu age a s is a d d r esse d to h i m in th e Ve d ic hymns H e is .

s a i d conj ointly with S u r y a to h a ve been en a moure d o f U rv a s 1

, ,

a ny m p h o f In d r a s he a ven by who m they h a d a son n a m e d

’

A g a sty a o n e o f the m ost eminent o f H in d u a scetics

,
.

V a r un a is a lso known as Pr a ch e t a s the wise ; J a la p a t i the , ,

lo r d of w a te r ; Y ad a p at i the lo r d o f a qu a ti c a ni m a ls A mb u r aja
, ,

the king o f w a te r s P a s i th e noose c ar r ier ,

-
.

4 . TH E A SV I N S .

F r o m th e hymns a d d resse d t o these d eities it is n o t a t a ll e a sy

to know who o r wh a t they ar e Yask a the comment a tor o f the .
,
”
Ve d a s d e r iving the n a m e fr om a root me a ning t o fi ll s a ys
,
“
,

they a r e c a lle d A svins bec a use they pe r v a d e everything the o n e ,

wit h light the othe r with moisture A nother co m ment ato r s ays
,
.

they a r e c a lle d A svins bec a use they ri d e u pon ho r ses S ome .

s ay th a t by th e m he a ven a n d e a r th ar e i n d ic a te d ; othe r s th a t
’

they a r e d ay a n d night othe r s a ga i n t h at they a r e the su n a n d , ,

~

m oon . P r ofessor R oth s a ys They hol d a pe r fectly d istinct

,
“

position i n the entire bo d y o f the Ve d ic d eities of light They .

a r e the e ar liest b r inge r s o f light in the morning sky who h a sten ,

” "6
o n in the clou d s befo r e the D a wn a n d p r ep a re the w a for h er
y .

I n so m e hy m n s they a r e s a i d to be sons o f the sun (wi d e S u r y a)

in o the r s a r e c a lle d chil d r en o f the sky ; in others a g a in a s the , ,

o ffsp r i n g o f the oce a n They s ee m to r ep r esent the t r a nsitio n

.

fr om n ight to mo r nin g — night when it is p a ssi n g into d ay .

The A svins a r e s a i d to h ave h a d S u r ya the d a ughte r o f ,

S avit r i a s t h ei r co m m on wi fe S he chose them a s h e r life w a s

, .
,

ve r y lonely H er fa the r h a d inten d e d her to m a rry S o m a ; but

.

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
v . 235.
3 8 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

'

as the go d s w e r e a nxious to obt a in so be a utifu l a b r i d e it w a s ,

a g r ee d th a t they sho u l d r u n a r a ce S urya bei n g t h e p r ize of t h e ,

winne r . The A svi n s we r e successfu l an d s h e a scen d e d thei r ,

c h a r iot
.
*
In a nothe r p a ss a ge S o m a is s a i d to h a ve been h e r
h usb a n d the A svins bei n g fr ien d s of t h e b r i d eg r oo m .

T h e A svins a r e r eg a r d e d a s t h e physici a ns o f the g od s a n d

a r e d ecl a r e d to be a ble to r esto r e to he a lt h the bli n d the sick ,
,

the l a m e a n d t h e e m a ci a te d a m ongst m o r t a ls They ar e the

, .

speci a l gu a r d i an s of t h e slow a n d b a ckw a r d the d evote d fr ien d s

of el d e r ly wo m en who a r e un m a r rie d They a r e s a i d to p r esi d e .

over love a n d m ar r i a ge a n d a r e i m plo r e d to b r ing togethe r ,

he a rts th a t lo ve T .

A nu m be r of legen d s a r e foun d i llust r a ti n g the powe r o f t h e

A svi n s in he a li n g t h e sick a n d a ssisting those in t r ouble fr o m ,

which w e le a r n t h a t they cou l d r esto r e youth a n d vigou r t o t h e

a ge d a n d d ecrepit
; they rescue d a m a n fr o m d r owning a n d ,

c ar r i e d h i m in s a fety to his h o m e The leg o f Vi s p ala th a t w a s .

cut off in b a ttle they repl a ce d by a n i r on one A t t h e r equest

,
.

o f a wolf they r esto r e d sight to a m an w h o h a d been bli n d e d

,

by his fat h er a s a punish m ent for sl a u ghtering a h un d r e d a n d

,

o n e sheep a n d giving the m to the wolf to e a t They r estore d .

,

sight a n d power to w a lk to one w h o w a s blin d a n d l a m e A s .

a r esult of t h ese a n d othe r si m i l a r legen d s the A svins ar e ,

invoke d fo r offsp r ing we a lth victo r y d est r uction of ene m ies

“
, , , ,

the p r ese r v a tion o f the worshippe r s t h e m selves o f thei r hou ses ,

a n d c a ttle
”
.

T h e following legen d of the cu r e t h ey effecte d o n C h ya va n a ,

fr om the S a t a p a t h a B r ah m a n a T wi ll illust r a te the pecu li a r

‘
,
’

fe a tu r es of the wo r k o f the A s vins — C h yava n a h avi n g a ssu m e d ,

a sh r ivelle d fo r m w a s a b a n d one d by h is fa m ily S ar yat a with .

,

his t 1 ibe settle d I n the neig h bou r ho o d ; when h is so n s seeing the

bo d y o f C h yava n a but not knowi n g t h a t it w a s a h u m a n bei n g
, ,

pelte d it with stones C h ya va n a n at u I a lly r esente d t h is a n d

.
,

s o we d d isse n sio n a m o ngst the fa m ily o f S a r yat a U n a ble to .

le ar n the c a use o f this S a r yat a inqui r e d o f t h e shep h e r d s n e a r

,

M uir, O . S T
. .
,
v . 2 3 6. T I b i d V . . 2 34.
I I bi d v. . 250 .
 S UN OR LI GHT D E ITI E S — T H E A SVI N S
.
.
39

if t h ey h a d seen a nythi n g th a t coul d a ccount for i t ; they tol d

h i m th a t his sons h a d insu lte d C h ya v a n a S a r yat a k n owi n g .

t h a t it w a s the R ishi who h a d c a use d the qu ar r els a m o n gst

h is sons took h is d a u ghte r S u k an ya in h is c h a r iot a n d a polo
, , ,

g i s i n
g for wh a t h a d been d o ne g a ve h is d a ughte r as a pe a ce
,

o fferi n g
.

N o w the A svins were in the h a bit o f w a n d e r ing a b o u t

the worl d pe r fo r m ing cu r es a n d seei n g S u k a n ya they we r e
, , ,

d elig h te d with her a n d wis h e d to se d uce h e r T h ey s a i d W hat .

,
“

is th a t shrivelle d bo d y by which you a r e lyi n g ? le a ve h i m a n d

follow us . S he r eplie d t h a t w h ilst h e live d she wou l d n o t
”

l e ave the m an to who m her fa the r h a d given h e r When the y .

c a me to h e r a secon d ti m e a cting on h e r h usb a n d s suggestio n

,
’

she s a i d You spe a k contemptuously of m y husb a n d w h ilst yo u

,
“
,

a r e i n co m plete a n d i m pe r fect you r selves a n d only o n con d ition

”
, ,

th a t they m a ke h e r h u sb a n d young a g a in will she co n sent to tell ,

the m in wh a t r espect they a r e i m pe r fect a n d inco m plete U po n .

this they tell h e r to t a ke h e r husb a n d to a ce r t a in pon d a fte r

b a thi n g the re he c a m e fo r th with his youth r enewe d S u k a n ya
, .

tells t h e A svins t h a t t h ey a r e i m pe r fect bec a use they h a ve

n o t been invite d to j oin the other g o d s in a g r e a t s a crifice th a t

w a s to be celeb r a te d a t K u r u k s h e t r a The A svins p r ocee d to .

this s a c r ifice a n d a ski n g to b e a llowe d to j oin in it a r e tol d

, , ,

th a t they c a n n ot d o so bec a use they h a ve w a n d e r e d fa m ili a r ly

,

a m ong m e n perfo r m ing cu r es I n r eply to this the A svins

,
.
,

d ecl a r e d th a t th e go d s we r e m a ki n g a he a d less s a c r ifice The .

go d s inqui r i n g how t h is ca n b e the A svi n s r eply I n vite u s to

, ,

j oin you a n d we wil l tell you

,
To this the go d s conse n te d
. .

I n a nothe r a cc o unt o f this legen d it is s a i d th a t a s the A svins , ,

we r e phys ici a n s they we r e consequently uncle a n ; hence n o

,

B r ah ma n m ust be a phys i ci a n o r h e i s the r eby u n fi t t e d fo r t h e

,

wo r k of a p r iest but a s the wo r k o f the A svins wa s necess a r y

‘
,

they we r e pu r ifie d a n d then a llowe d to j oin with go d s T h ey

,
.

the n restore d the h e a d o f the s a crifice .

P r ofessor G o ld s t ii ck e r s ays T h e m yth o f the A svins is o n e

,
“

C h a mb e r S
’
s C y cl po ae d i a .
’
4 0 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

of th a t cl a ss o f m yt h s i n w h ich two d isti n ct ele m e n ts t h e ,

c o s m ic a l a n d the hu m a n o r h isto r ic a l h a ve g r a d u a lly beco m e ,

ble n d e d i n to one The h isto r ic a l o r hu m a n ele m ent in it

.
,

I believe is r ep r esente d by those legen d s which r efe r to the

,

wo n d e r ful cu r es effecte d by the A svins a n d to t h ei r pe r fo r m ,

a u ces o f a kin d r e d so r t the cos m ic a l ele m e n t is th a t r el a ting to

t h ei r lu m inous n a tu r e The l ink w h ich con n ects both see m s to
.

b e t h e m yste r iousness o f th e n a tu r e a n d effects o f l ig h t a n d o f

the he a ling a r t at a r e m ote a ntiquity I t wou l d a ppe ar t h a t .

th ese A svins like the Ribhus were o r igin a lly r enowne d mort a ls
, , ,

w h o in the cou r se of ti m e were t r a nsl a te d into the co m p a nion

, ,
”
s h ip o f the go d s .

5 . U SHA S .

This go d d ess r ep r esent a tive of the D aw n is a fa vou r ite obj ect

, ,

o f celeb r a tion with t h e Ve d ic poets a n d the h y m ns a d d resse d “

,

—
to h e r a r e a mong t h e most be a utifu l i f n o t t h e m o st be a utiful
i n the enti r e coll ectio n S he i s d esc r ibe d a s t h e d a ughter o f
t h e Sky h a s N ight fo r her siste r a n d is r el a te d to V a r u n a S h e
, , .

is a t ti m es spoke n of a s th e wife o f the S un ; a t othe r ti m es

A g n i is give n a s her love r the A svins a r e h e r fr ie n d s I n dr a is .

a t o n e time r eg a r d e d a s h e r c r e a to r ; a t a nothe r ti m e h e a ssu m es

a hostile position a n d even crushe

,
d h e r ch a r iot with h is
’
t h u n d e r bolt .

U s h a s is s ai d Tto t r avel in a shini n g c h a r iot d r a wn by r u d d y

ho r ses o r cows Like a be a utiful m a i d en d r esse d by h e r m other
. ,

a d a n cing gi r l cove r e d with j ewels a g a ily a tti r e d wife a ppe a r ing

,
-
’

befo r e h e r husb a n d o r a be a utifu l gi r l co m i n g fr o m h e r b a th

, ,

s h e s m ili n g a n d c o n fi d i n g i n the i r resistibl e power o f h e r a t

,

t r a ctions u n fol d s h e r boso m to the g a ze o f the be h ol d e r s S he

,
.

d ispels t h e d a r kness d isclosing the t

,
r e a su r es it co n ce a le d She .

i llu m i n a tes t h e wo r l d r eve a ling its most d ist a nt ext r e m ities

,
.

S h e is t h e l ife a n d he a lth o f a ll t h ings c a u sing the bi r d s to fly ,

fr om thei r nests a n d l ike a you n g housewife a w a king a ll h e r

, , ,

M u i r, O . S T . .
, v . 181 . T I bid . v . 1 94 .
 S UN OR L I GHT D E ITI E S — U sH As .
4 1

c r e a tu r es sen d s the m fo r th to the pu r suit o f thei r v a r ie d occup a

,

ti o n s S he d o es goo d se r vice to the go d s by c a using t h e w o r

.
,

s h ippe r s t o a w a ke a n d the s a c r ifici a l fi r es to be lig h te d S h e is

,
.

a ske d to a r ouse only the d evout a n d libe r a l w h ile S h e a ll o ws ,

t h e nigg a r d ly to sleep o n S he is young being bor n eve r y d ay .

,

a n d yet she i s o ld being i m m o r t a l we a r i n g o u t t h e lives of suc

, ,

c e s s i v e gene r a tions which d is a ppe a r one a fter a nothe r whilst she

, ,

conti n ues un d ying Th e souls o f the d ep ar te d a r e s a i d to go to

.

h e r a n d to t h e sun .

I n the following lines will be foun d the m a in te a ching o f the

Ve d a s r especting this go d d ess
H i l d dy U sh s g old e go d d es s b o n e
a ,
ru a ,
n ,
r

U p o t h y s hi i g c
n th o u me t l i ke n n ar , co s

A l v e ly m i d e by h e m o t h
o d e ck e d
a n r er ,

D i l o s i g c yly ll t h y h i d d e n g c e
sc n o a ra

To o d mi i g ey e s
ur a o l i k e w i fe r n r a

U v e i l i g t h e l o d w i t h c on s c i o i p i d e
n n o r r ,
r s r ,

B e t i e whi ch s h e g z e s l v i gly
au s ,
a a o n ,

S e e m f e h e f i e e ch s e e d i g m o
r s r, a r r a ucc n rn .

T h gh y e s d y e th o u h t l i v e d o n d ye t
rou ar an ar s as ,
an

Th o t eve yo
u r
’
g T h o ar t t h e b e t h n d l i fe
r un . u r a a

Of ll th t b e th e s n d l i v e a w k i g d y by d y
a a r a a s, a n a a

M y i d s of p o t t e s le e p e
r a s f o m d e th
r s ra rs, a r a ,

C s i g t h e b i d t fl tt e i th e i e s t
au n r s o u r n r n s,

A d o s i g m e t o ply w i t h b s y fe e t
n r u n n u

T h e i d i ly d u ti e s d pp o i t e d t s k
r a an a n a s,

T o i li g fo w e lth o pl e s e
n r e ow a ,
r a ur ,
or r n n .

I n the following verses by D r M uir Twe h a ve a still m o r e vivi d .

pictu r e o f this go d d ess a s r ep r esente d in the Ve d ic hy m ns

H i l U h d ght e f th k y
a ,
s as, au r o e s ,

W h b p t h y hi i g o, or n e u on s n n c ar

B y d d y t d f m lm f ru s ee s ro r ea s a ar ,

A d v e l i gh t i g d w t i gh
n e r en n ra es n

T h s w e et ly m i l t g d d f i
ou s es ,
o es s a r,

D i l i g ll t h y y t hf l g sc os n a ou u r a ce ,

Th y b m b i gh t t h y d i t f c o so r ,
ra an a e,

A d l t e f th y g l d
n h i us r o o en a r

‘
I n d i an W i s d om p ,
’
. 20 .
T Muir, O . S T . .
,
v . 1 96 .
4 2 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

Sh e S i n es h g b i de
a fo n d an d wi nnin r ,

W h o ro b e s h e fo m i b i ll i t g i s e r r n r an u ,

A d to h e l d d mi i g ey e s
’
n r or s a r n

D i pl y s h e c h m s w i th c s c i ou s p i d e
s a r ar on r

Or v i g i by h e m o th e d e k d
r n r r c e ,

W h o gl y i g i h e b e
,
ty sh ow s
or n n r au ,

I e v e y gl
n ce h e p ow e sh e k ow s
r an r r n

All e y e s t o fix ll h e t s bj e t ,
a ar su c

Or a c tr e s s , by k i ll i n s o g
wh o s n

A n d d an c d g c e f l g e s t e s l i gh t
e , an ra u ur ,

A n d m an y c l o e d v e s t e b i gh t
- o ur ur s r ,

En c h a n t s t h e e g er g a z i g th o g
a ,
n r n

O r m a i d wh o , wo nt h er i m l b s to l ve a

In so me co ld s tr e a m a mo g th e w oo d s
n

Wh e e e v e v lg eye i t
r n r u ar n ru d es,

E me ge s f i e f m th e w ve
r a r r ro a

Bu t l
ly by th e m o ou s S
c ose
‘

a r un,

P ed a d v
u r su q i he d i n an u s n th e r a ce ,

T h o s o o t l o ck e d i h i
u n ar n s e mb r a c e
A d w i t h h i m bl e d e t i t o o
n n s n n e.

F a i r U s h as
h o gh th o gh y e s t o l d
,
t u r u ar un

T h o h s t l i v d o ye t t h o t b o
u a e n ,
u ar rn

A ew e c h s cc e e d i g m o
n on a u n rn ,

A d So t h o a t b o t h y o
n g a d o ld
u r un n .

A s i n th y fate d c e a s e e s s c o u r s e l
Th i t o u r ses on u s d ay by d y a ,

T h w a t ll ou e res a our l i ve s w y a a

W i th i l t v w s en ,
e er - a sti n g fo c e r .

Th ei r r o u n d ou r g e n er at i o n s r u n

Th e o ld de p a r t , an d h e i pl c e
in t r a

S p i gs r n e ven u p a y ge oun e r r ac ,

W h i l s t th ou , i mm o r t l l o oke t
a ,
s on.

A ll t h o se wh o w at c hed fo r t hee o f o ld

Are g on e, an d n o w
’
t i s w e wh o g zea

O n th y a pp r o ac h in f u tu r e da y s

Sh all o th e r m en th y b e a ms b eh o l d .
44 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

ght g o d d e s
B ri s, g
le t t h y e n i a l ra ys
To s b i g u r n s tor e o f en i ed v w e l th a

I ki e n d n an steed s , an d so w i t h h e al th
ns ,

A d jo y o f h e
n ar t , a n d l e gt h f d y
n o a s.

I n the l a te r w r iti n gs we fi n d m e r ely th e n a m e of U sh a s The .

people lost m uch o f t h ei r poetic fi r e ; hence the m o r e h u m a n

a n d p r a ctic a l d eities c a u se d the m o r e poetic a l ones to p a ss into

o blivio n . S o m e of the figu r es in the p r ece d ing extr a cts a r e m ost

be a utifu lly d r a wn T h e ch a n gi n g colou r s o f t h e d a wn a r e c o m
.

p a r e d to the m a n y colo u r e d r obes o f the d a ncing gi r l t h e g o l d en

- -

tippe d clou d s th a t a ppe a r e r e t h e s u n s h i n es in h is st r engt h a r e ,

like the j ewels o f a bri d e d ecke d fo r h e r hu s b a n d ; whilst the

q u iet m o d esty o f the d awn h e r self is like a shy m a i d en conscious ,

i n d ee d o f h e r be a uty ente r ing society un d e r the p r otection o f

,

h e r mothe r . A n d fr o m th e l a st four li n es o f the met r ic a l sketch

it will be notice d th a t she w a s believe d t o be a ble t o besto w
,

u p o n h er wo r shippe r s c a ttle ho r ses sons h e a lth j oy a n d length

, , , , ,

o f d a ys
.
 ( 45 )

C H A PTER VI I .

T H E STORM DEITI ES .

I I N DRA
. .

A S wa s notice d p r eviously In d r a togethe r with A gni a n d S u r y a

, , ,

by m e a ns o f s a c r ifice obt a ine d s up r e m a cy over the othe r go d s

a n d if we m a y j u d ge fr o m t h e

nu mbe r of hymns a d d r esse d

to hi m in the Ve d a s he w a s
,

the m ost popul a r d eity .

H e is the go d o f the fi r m a
m ent in whose h a n d s a r e the
,

thun d e r a n d th e lightning ; a t
whose comm a n d the r efr eshing
showe r s fa ll to r en d er t h e e a r th
fr uitfu l When it i s bo r ne i n
.

m i n d th a t i n I n d i a fo r m onth s
togeth er the e ar th is expose d
t o t h e sco r ch i n g r a ys o f the
su n so m eti m es without a si n gle
,

s h owe r so t h a t it is i m possible
,

fo r the fiel d s to b e ploughe d o r

the see d to be sow n it will n o t
,

be r eg a r d e d a s won d e r ful th a t
,

t h e go d w h o is suppose d to I N RA D .

bestow r a in S hou l d fr eque n tly

be a ppe a le d to a n d t h a t the most l a u d a to r y so n gs shou l d be
,

a d d r esse d to h i m. To the poetic min d s of t h a t age the clou d s ,

4 6 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

th a t the win d s b r ought u p fr o m the o ce a n we r e ene m ies who

h el d t h ei r t r e a su r es in t h eir fa st e mb r a ce u n til conque r e d by ,

I n d r a they we r e fo r ce d t o pou r t h e m u pon the p a r c h e d soil

,
.

A n d ve r y n a t u r a lly w h e n in a nswe r to t h e c r y o f h is wo r shippe r s

, ,

the geni a l r a i n s d esce n d e d a n d t h e e a r t h w a s the r eby ch a n ge d ,

fr o m a wil d e r ness to a g a r d e n songs of t h a n ksgivi n g a n d p r a ise , ,

c o uc h e d i n t h e st r ongest te r m s we r e a d d r esse d to h i m Th e ,
.

a tt r ib u tes a sc r ibe d to h i m r efe r p r incip a lly to h is p h ysic a l supe

r i o r i t y ; a n d the blessi n gs s o u g h t fr o m h i m a r e chiefly o f a

te m po r a l r a the r th a n a spi r it u a l ch a r a cte r .

I n d r a is n o t r eg a r d e d a s a n u n c r e a te d d eity I n so m e hy m ns .

h e is spoke n of a s t h e twi n b r othe r o f A g n i a n d t h e r efo r e the -

,

s o n of H e a ve n a n d E a r t h ; w h ilst i n o t h e r hy m n s he a ven a n d , ,

e a r t h a r e s a i d t o h a ve been fo r m e d by h i m A lt h oug h his .

p a r e n ts a r e o ften r efe r r e d to it is but sel d o m t h a t they a r e ,

n a m e d ; a n d when they a r e n a m e d it is not a lw a ys th a t t h e ,

s a m e p a r e n t a ge is given H e is t h e ki n g of t h e g o d s ; a n d i n
.

post Ve d ic ages it is t a ug h t th a t his r eig n exte n d s fo r a hun d r e d

-
,

d ivi n e ye a r s only ; a t t h e e n d o f w h ic h ti m e h e m a y be supe r

s e d e d a s king by so m e othe r of t h e go d s o r even by m a n if a n
y , ,

be a ble to pe r fo r m the seve r e pen a nce necess a r y to obt a in this

ex
r e s I n d r a is r ep r esente d a s a m a n with fou r a r m s a n d
,

h an d two h e h ol d s a l a nce in the thi r d a t h un d e r bolt , ,

w h ils fou r t h is e m pty H e is ofte n p a inte d with t w o a r m s .

o n ly , h avi n g eyes a ll ove r h is bo d y is then c a lle d S a h a s ,

r ak S/h a t h e t h o u s a n d eye d H e is ge n e r a lly d epicte d a s ri d ing

/ ( ) -
.

u p On the w o n d e r fu l elep h a n t A i r a va t a w h o w a s p r o d uce d a t the

,

c h u r n i n g of the oce a n c a r r yi n g a t h un d erbolt i n h is r ig h t h a n d

”
,

a n d a bow i n his left I n the Ve d ic A ge his wo r s h ip w a s far

.

m o r e pop u l a r th a n it is a t p r ese n t H e is no lo n ge r the p r i n .

’
c i p a l d eity b u t c h ief of the i n fe r io r go d s o n ly
, .

T h e position a n d a tt r ibutes of I n d r a a s t a ught by the Ve d a s

will be see n fr o m the followi n g d esc r iption a bb r evi a te d fr o m ,

t h a t give n by D r M ui r : T .

S
ee P art II . cha p . iv . p . 1 09 .
T M ui r, O . S T . .
,
v . 1 26 .
 T H E S TOR M D E ITI E S — I ND RA .
47

C o me, I n d r a, c o me , t h ou m u ch i n v o k e d ,
Our p ote hy m th y s t e e d h s y o k e d
nt n s a .

F ie d I
r d f m th e k y d e s c e d
n n r a, ro s n ,

Thy c p o p i ti h i th e b d
ou r s e r ou s r en .

B t I d u th gh o f s t h o th i k e t
n ra, ou u u n s ,

A d ou l i b t i o
n gl d ly d i k e t
r a ns a r n s ,

W m t l m
e, c or aly s h e en , an on ar

A h m bl e p t i o
u f th y c e or n o ar .

W e k w h o w m y p ote t t i e s
no an n

En ch i th e i t h y p a n di se e n ar a .

T h ou h s t t h m e l o v e ly i fe
a a o a W ,

Th e ch m d s o l e f t h y l i te
ar an ac o .

Th h t e e l e o d o f joys
ou as a c as ss r un

Wh i ch ll t h y c i l i g h o s m pl y s
a rc n ur e o

J y s ch s g d s i mm t l k o w
o s u a o or a n ,

U g ne d by m o t l
uess h e e b el o w r a s r .

Being invoke d by m o r t a ls I n d r a is bo r n T h e Sky an d t h e ,

.

E ar th t r e m ble d a t h is a ppe a r a nce a n d t h e Sky e x cl a i me d ,

Thy fath er wa s a s ta lw ar t W i gh t
Of m o s t co n s u mm ate s k i ll w as h e,
T h e go d wh o se ge n iu s f hi
as o n ed t hee .

I mme d i a tely a fte r his bi r th the go d g ave un m ist a k a ble

evi d ence of his d ivinity G r a sping h is we a pons he crie d
.
, ,

Wh e e m o th e d w ll t h o e w i
r ,
r, e s ar r o r s fie rc e ,

Wh o s e h gh t y h e t s t h e s e b o l t s
au ar mu s t p i er ce ? ”

Bo r n e i n h is ch a r iot ,
h a ste n e d by th e p r a ye r s of his people ,

t h e go d a ppe a r s.

Ye t f m l
n ot o n e h be s or a on e e ar ,

B t v i
u . sh p e o f gl o y w
ar ou s s a s r e ar ,

H i s s p e ct ch a g i g t h i w i ll an n a s ,

T s m t e d ye t e pl e d t t i ll
r an u ,
r s n en s .

I w l i k e mbl c e e h i m t n d
n ar se an e s s a ,

R e d l i gh t i g s w i l d i g i h i s h
n n d e n n an .

Re a d y p r ep ar e d fo r h i m is a fea st the pri ncip a l a tt r a ction o f

,

w hic h is t h e S o m a I n d r a w a s p a r ticu l a r ly fo n d of t h is

See c h p vii i
a . .
4 8 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

intoxic a ti n g d r i n k . I t is a m ost st r a n ge ci r cu m st a n ce th a t ,

w h ilst t h e H in d us o f t h e present d a y a r e p r o h ibite d fr o m t h e

u s e of i n toxic a n ts I n d r a is d esc r ibe d a s being a d d icte d to t h e
S o ma w
,

h ilst the d r ink itself is d eifie d a n d w o r shippe d a s a go d .

I n d r a o n his a r r iv a l is invite d to qu a ff the i nvigo r a ting cu p

T ho I d u, ft f ld h t q
n r a, o ff d o o as ua e

W i th k e d l i ght en S m d gh t
e ou r o a r au .

A ll g d t h l c i
o s S m l v
e us ou s o a o e,

B t th
u ll th
ou a g d b v o er o s a o e.

T h y m th k w h w w ll th i j i c
o er ne o e s u e

W as fitt d f h i f t e ore er n an
’
s us .

I tn o a cu p h h d th s pe cr u s e e sa ,

Wh i h t h d i d t i p p h e l p
c ou s S u on r a .

Y es,I d n th y t l m r
r a, on na a o n,

Th v y he er th t th w tb
ou r a ou as orn ,

T h d i d t th e j v i l t t d i pl y
ou s os o a as e s s a ,

Wh i ch t i ll vi v e i S t e g th t d y
s su r n r n o- a .

I n d r a a fte r si n ging the p r a ises of the S om a j u ice d r inks the

, ,

p r offe r e d cup a n d a s a r esult is m ost g r a ciously d ispose d to

,

w a r d s the wo r shippe r s r e a d y to give wh a teve r t h ey as k Whe n

, .

t h us st r engthe n e d by the d r a ught he goes fo r th to m eet the ,

g r e a t ene m y he c a m e to co n quer This enemy is Vr i t t r a .

D r ought A n d in the co n flict a n d victory a r e see n t h e peculi a r

( )
.

blessings to the e a r t h a n d m a n th a t I n d r a is a ble to g r a nt .

Vr i tt r a is t h us d esc r ibe d
H e wh o m gi p w se a c o er s

F m
ro t h w i thh l d t h e g
e ar i l h w s o en a S o er

O f m t l m th f m li g
or a en e oe a n,

A d i v l f th
n r a divi
o e r ace ne

Wh d m h t f m g t ge
o se e on os s ro a e o a

W i th I d w n e
ra i g w g ar u n c as n a e

W h ti m
o, mb d
es u n n u h ed d l i ere cr u s an s a n

I v
s e wly b
er n e g i or n a a n,

A d v m
n e er ew th t if
or e r e n s e s r e

I wh i h g i h f f i t l i f
”
n c a a n e or e s e .

The b a ttle is d escribe d a t length i n which we h ave a g r a p h ic

d esc r iption of the co mm e n ce m e n t of the r a iny se a son with t h e ,

seve r e t h u n d e r sto r m s which usu a lly a cco m p a ny th is ch a nge of

t h e se a sons A t l a st the conflict i s ove r :
.
 THE STOR M D E ITI E S — I N D RA .
49

An d k e ll o f Vi t t s d o om
s oon th e n r ra
’

W a s s ou n d e d by t h e c l g an d b o o m an

O f I d r a s i r on s h o we
n
’
r.

P i e ce d c l o v e c r s h ed w i th h o r r i d y e ll
r ,
n, u , ,

T h e d y i g d e m o n h e a d l o g fe ll
n n

D o w fr o m h i s c l ou d b u i l t t o we
n - r.

As esu lt o f this victory

a r of the o
g ,d the r a ins d escen d , an d

the e a rth is m a d e fr u itfu l

N ow b u d by S sh
o n p ell o m o e u na s s
’
n r ,

T h e l o d d i ch g e t h e i l i q i d s t
c u s s ar r u or e

A d ln g by t i d
on b e ms b k d orr s un a a e

T h e pl i s by c p i o
a n sh owe ol ked us r s ar e s a

T h e i v e s s w e ll
r rd w d we p ,
an s ea ar s s e

T h ei t b i d t
r ur ts b d d de p
or r en r oa an e .

T h e pe s t v i e w w i t h d ee p d e l i gh t
a an s ,

A d th
n kf l h e t th e s p i ci s s i ght
an u ar ,
au ou .

H i l e fles s fi ld s s e
s a d ed s, o er an sa ,

W i ll s w i th w av i g c p s b e l d
o on n ro c a

A d m th e E t h n o w b o w
n o r d b e
ar ,
r n an ar ,

A o b e o f b i ll i
r t g e w i ll w e
r an r en ar .

A fter this blessing h as been r eceive d the sun shines a n d e a r th , ,

a g a in is b r ight the go d s come wi t h t h e i r cong r a tu l ations to thei r g

king a n d m e n present thei r th a nksgivings

,
.

S uch w as I n d r a i n a ncient times a n d though wo r shippe d still ,

he occupies a ve r y infe r ior position in the p r esent a ge A s .

mentione d p r eviously a ccor d ing to the te a ching o f the l a te r

,

bo oks his r u le ove r the go d s continues fo r a hun d re d d ivine

,
*

ye a r s a t the expi r a tion o f whi ch ti m e he m a y be supe r se d e d by

a nother go d o r even by a m a n
,
The Pu r an a s te a ch th a t i n .
,

e a ch age o f the wo r l d a d i ffe r ent being h a s enj oye d this p o sition

, .

I n the Vishnu Pu r an a Ti s the following sto r y o f a m a n r a ising

‘ ’

himself to the thro n e o f I n d r a .

The r e w a s a w a r between the go d s a n d d emons both p ar ties

inquire d o f B r a hma w h ich woul d be victo r ious B r a hma replie d
,
.
,

Th a t si d e fo r which Raj i ( an e ar thly king) S h a ll t a ke u p ar ms .

”

S ee P ar t I I ch a p x
. . .
T B o ok IV h p . c a . ix .

E
5 0 T H E V EDI C D E ITI E S .

The d emons first c a lle d upon Raj i to invoke his a i d H e .

p r o m ise d to a ssist t h e m p r ovi d e d t h ey woul d m a ke him their

,

I n d r a They r eplie d th a t they cou l d not p r omise this as P r a h

.
,

la d a w as I n d r a a l r e a d y The s a m e con d ition w a s p r opose d to

.

the go d s to which they conse n te d a n d Raj i bec a m e thei r I n d r a

, ,
.

H e then fought for the m a n d conque r e d U pon this I n d r a

,
.
,

bowe d d own befo r e h i m a n d pl a cing Raj i s foot u pon his he ad

, ,
’

s a i d Thou h a st p r eserve d me fr om a g r e a t d a nger I a cknow

,
“
.

l e d ge thee a s my fa ther : thou a r t king over a ll I a m thy son .

Raj i h oweve r w a s contente d to re m a in a s king o n e a r th an d

, , ,

a ppointe d I n d r a to co n ti n u e a s h is rep r esent a tive o n the t h rone

o f he a ven O n the d e a th o f R aj i hi s sons wishe d to become

.
,

kings o f he aven This I n d r a O ppose d but w as co m pelle d t o

.
,

yiel d A fte r a ti me being s a d bec a use d ep r ive d o f his sh ar e in

.
,

t h e s a c r ifices o f mo r t a ls I n d r a m e t with his spi r itu a l p r eceptor

Vr i h a s p at i a n d a ske d h i m fo r a m o r sel o f the s acrifici a l butter
,

.
,

T h e te a che r r eplie d th a t h a d I n d r a a pplie d to h i m e a r lier he

, ,

wou l d n o t h ave been r e d uce d to su ch str a its ; but a s it is h e “

,
”

s a i d I will reg a i n you r sove r eignty i n a few d ays

, U pon this .

he co mm ence d a s a c r ifice with t h e speci a l pu r pose o f obt a ining

,

powe r fo r I n d r a The r esu lt o f this w as t h a t Raj i s sons were

.
,
’

le d into sin ; they bec a m e ene m ies o f the B r ahm a ns d espise d ,

the Ve d a s a n d neglecte d t h ei r r eligious d uties When thu s

, .

we a kene d I n d r a fel l u pon a n d sle w the m

, .

The m ost e ffectu a l w ay by which a m o r t a l cou l d obt a in the

positi o n o f In d r a wa s by th e s a c r ifice o f a hun d r e d ho r ses an d
as will be seen in the a ccou n t o f G a nga I n d r a d i d not obj ect to ,

pl a y t h e p a r t o f a t h ief s o as to p r event the co m pletion of the

,

s a c r ifice by w h ich he w a s to be d ep r ive d o f his sove r eig n ty .

The m ost co mm on a n d ge n e r a lly successfu l m et h o d by which

these a m bitious m o r t a ls we r e fr u str a te d i n t h ei r d esig n w as by ,

his se n d ing d own so m e celesti a l n y m phs c a lle d A ps a r a s w h o , ,

by thei r be a u ty d ist r a cte d the t h oughts o f the d evotees a n d so ,

r en d e r e d the m unfit to offer t h is g r e a t s a c r ifice .

I n the Vis h n u ‘
the r e is a legen d o f a g r e a t conflict

B oo k V ch p xxx
. a . .
 5 2 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

r equest these we r e c h a nge d fr o m thei r origin a l fo r m i nto eyes ;

w h ic h by the igno r a nt we r e r eg a r d e d as a n in d ic a tion o f his
o m n iscie n ce .

The h e a ven o f In d r a must not be p a sse d ove r without notice ,

as it is t h e r e th a t the goo d o n e ar th hope to go for a ti m e a s a ,

r ew a r d of thei r holy lives T o go to S wa r g a a s his he a ven is .

,

n a m e d is not the highest h a ppiness a m a n c a n obt a i n bec a use

, ,

h e c a nnot r e m a in there fo r eve r When his a llotte d ye a rs o f .

.
.

h a pp m e s s the r e a r e ove r he m ust r etu r n t o e a r th a n d live othe r ,

lives until he beco m es pe r fect a n d fit to enj oy the highest felicity—

,
u

a bso r ptio n into the D ivine B eing The Vish n u P u r an a s ays : ‘

.

“
N o t in hel l a lone d o the sou ls o f the d ece a se d u n d e r go p a in
t h e r e is no cess a tion even in he aven fo r its te m pora r y inh abit a n t
i s eve r to r m ente d with the p r ospect o f d e s cen d ing a g a in to e a r th .

A g a i n must he be born u pon e ar th a n d a g a in m ust h e d i e

\
, .

Vh at e ve r i s pro d uce d th a t is m ost a ccept ab le to m a n beco m es

a see d whence springs th e t r ee o f sor r o w .

The ho m e o f I n d r a is situ a te d o n M ou nt M e r u T I t h a s .

be a utiful h ouses for its inh a bit a nts to i n h a bit a n d the splen d ou r
o f its c a pit a l i s unequ a lle d in the u nive r se I ts g a r d ens a r e .

stocke d with t r ees th a t a ffo r d a gr ate fu l sh a d e yiel d the most ,

l usciou s fr uits a n d a r e a d orne d with be a utifu l a n d fr a g r a nt

,

flowers M ost be a utiful nymph s ( A ps a r as ) ch a r m the h a ppy

.

in h abit a nts whilst cho r iste r s a n d m usici a ns un r iv a lle d in the

, ,

u nive r se d iscou r se sweet m usic The city Wa s built by Vi s va

,
.

k a r m a It is eight hun d r e d m iles in ci r cu m fe r ence a n d fo r ty

.
i
,

m iles high I ts pill ar s a r e d i a mo n d s ; its p a l a ces th r ones a n d

.
, ,

fu r nit u r e pu r e go ld T ,
. .

I n Beng a l this d eity is wo r shippe d o n e d ay in e a ch ye a r H is .

B k VI h p v oo . c a . .

T M i f b l
er u m o t i pp s a s d t a b t h e e
u ou s t e f th th It
u n a n , su o e o e c n r o e e ar .

i b li v d t b
s e m wh e t o t h
e e th
o f th H i m l y
e so e T h h ve er f e n or o e a a as . e ea ns o

th th
e o g d i t t ed
er m wh o i s i t v i i i ty
ar e s F om t h e f t th t
ua so e er e n s c n . r ac a

th y e g d e d h v t o b e e th i f m h m i t w l d e m t h t t h
re ar ea en n ar e r or er o e, ou se a e

I d o A y s t i e d pl
n - r ant c ll ti o s
re a n f th pl e wh e e th y
e as an re o ec n o e ac nc e

mig t d ;ra e p e h p t h i c c i b i l i t y f th e s e m t i w s
or r a s e
e na ess o ou n a n s a a r a s on

f
or h v b i g pl e d th e i
ea en mm t e n ac on r su i s .

I M h abh a t q ot ed by W d i i 3 6 ’
a r a a, u ar ,
. .
 THE S TOR M D E ITI E S — I N D R AN I .
53

i m age is m a d e o f m u d p r ettily p a inte d o n the d ay a fter it h as

,

been wo r shippe d it is c a st into the rive r A t the co m m encem e nt .

o f a s a c r ifice t o o he i s invoke d in the hope th a t he will convey

, , ,

the pra yers a n d o ffe r i n gs to the d eity speci a lly wo r shippe d a t

th a t ti me o r th a t he wi ll con d uct the d eity i n to the presence o f
,

the wo r shippe r s I n se a sons o f d r oug h t speci a l offe r i n gs ar e

.

m a d e to hi m i n so m e p a r ts o f the count r y th a t th r ough h is ,

powe r the clou d s m ay pou r their st r e a ms upon the p a r che d

country .

The more com mon o f I n d r a s other n a m es a r e the following ’ :

—S a k r a t h e abl e o n e D i va a t i the lo r d o f the go d s B aj ri he

, p , ,

wh o wi el d s th e thun d e r bolt ; V r i t r a h a the d est r oye r o f Vr i tr a ; ,

M e gh a vah a n a h e who r i d es o n the clou d s M a hen d r a Sw ar g a

,

p a ti the lor d o f he aven

, .

2 . I N D R AN I .

O f I n d r ani the wife o f I n d r a ( c a l le d a lso S a chi ) ve r y little is

, ,

s a i d I n t h e Rig Ve d a we re a d A mong a ll fem a les I n d r ani i s

.
-
,
“

the m ost fo r tu n a te for h er husb a n d sh a l l not at a n y future ti m e

”
This m a y be expl a ine d by the fa ct t h at I n d r an i
’

d i e o f O ld a ge .

is wife to a ll who m ay successively a tt a i n to t h e thron e of I n d r a .

There is a lw a ys som e o n e r u ling in he a ven t h e o ffice is pe r petu a l ,

a n d as she is the wife o f the r e i n i n king whoever he m ay be

g , ,

h e r husb a n d can neve r d i e o f Old a ge T h ough ki n gs m ay come .

a n d go she continues queen

, S he is s a i d to h a ve a son C hit r a
.
,

gupt a by n a m e who w a s born o f a c o w ; fo r owi n g to a cu r se

, ,

p r onounce d by U m a none o f the go d d esses coul d beco m e a

,

mothe r S he p r a cti se d a u ste r ities i n o r d e r th a t she m ight not

.
,
-

be chil d less ; a n d by m e a ns o f this expe d ie n t her d esi r e w as '

g r a tifie d A t the bi r th of this chi l d the r epute d m ot h e r su ffe r e d

.
,

a ll the p a ins a tten d a nt o n chil d bi r th a n d w as a ble to nu r se the

,

chil d when bo r n .

O . S T . .
,
V . 82 .
54 T H E VEDIC D E ITI E S .

3 . P A RJ A N Y A .

The r e a r e a few hymns a d d r esse d to this in the R ig Ve d a d eity -

but fr o m the c h ar a cte r an d fu n ctions a sc r ibe d to h i m it is ,

“
d i ffic u lt to see whe r ei n he d iffe r s fr om I n d r a P r ofesso r R oth i
.

s ays T aki n g a r eview o f t h e wh ole we fi n d th a t P arj a ny a is a

,
“
,

g o d w h o p r esi d es ove r the lightning the thun d e r the r a in an d

, , ,

t h e p r oc r e ation o f pl a nts a n d l ivi n g cre a tu r es B u t it is by .

no m e a ns cle a r w hethe r he is o r igin a l ly a go d o f the r a in o r ,

”
a go d o f t h e t h u n d e r I n a n other ess a y he s a ys P a rj a ny a
.
,

i s t h e go d o f t h e thun d e r sto r m s a n d r a in th e gene r a to r a n d

“
,

nou r is h e r of pl a n ts a n d livi n g c r e a tu r es S eeing th a t the hymns .

a d d r esse d to this d eity a r e so very si m il a r to those sun gt o

I n d r a m ay not P a rj a ny a ( whose n a m e signifies o n e a cting fo r
,
”
‘
a nothe r be m e r ely a nothe r n a me fo r In d r a ? I n these
hy mn s a r e t h e following p as s age s Ta ll o f which ar e in pe r fect ,

h a r m ony wit h t h ose i n honou r o f I n d r a L a u d P a rj a n y a “

,

wo r ship h i m with eve ence th e p r oc r e a tive a n d sti m u l a ti n g

r r —

fr u ct i fi e r . H e splits the t r e e s ; h e d est r oys th e R a ksh a s a s

( clou d d emons who withhol d the r a ins The whole c r e a tion i s

a fr a i d o f his m ighty st r oke even th e innocent m a n flees before

the vigo r ous go d when P a rj a ny a tnu n d er i ng s m ites the evil
,

d oe r s Like a ch ar ioteer u r ging forw ar d his ho r ses with a whip

.
,

the go d b r ings i n to view his showe r y scouts F r o m a fa r the .

,

lions r o a r ings a r ise when P a rj a ny a ch a r ges the clou d s with r a in

’
.

T h e wi n d s blow the lightnings fa ll the pl a nts shoot up the

, , ,

h e a ven fr u ct i fi e s ; foo d is p r o d u ce d for a ll cre a te d things when

P a rj a ny a thun d ering r eplenishes the e ar t h with m oistu r e
, , .

R a ise a loft t h y v a st w a te r vessel a n d pou r d own showers ; let -

,

t h e d isch a r ge d r ivulets r ol l o n fo r w a r d moisten the he a ve n a n d ,

e a rt h with fa tness ; let the r e be well fi lle d d r inking pl a ces fo r - -

t h e cows .

I n a ll this t h e r e is not a single i d e a th at w a s not exp r esse d i n

M uir, O . S T
. .
,
v . 1 42 . T I bi d . v . 1 40 .
 T H E S TO R M D E ITI E S — V AY U .
55

the hy m ns to I n d r a notice d previously I n the Puran a s I n d r a is .

gene r a lly style d the k ing o f the go d s whilst P a rj a ny a is spoken

o f a s the r u le r o ve r a n d a s d wel ling in th e clou d s
, , .

4 . V AY U .

A nother the sto r m go d s is Vayu the go d o f the win d s

of -
, .

H e is often a ssoci a te d with I n d r a a n d is r eg a r d e d equ a lly , ,

with h i m as r ep r esenting o r r uling ove r the a tmosp h e r e

,
He .

wo n th e r a ce fo r the first d r a ught o f the S o m a j u ice ; a n d a t ,

I n d r a s r equest a llo we d h i m to h a ve a qu a r ter o f it H e d oes not

’

, .

occupy a ve r y p r o m inent position i n t h e Ve d ic hymns I n o n e .

p a ss a ge we re a d The t wo worl d s ( he aven a n d e a r t h ) ge n e

"
,
“

r a te d hi m for we a lth This m ay be inten d e d to te a ch his

.

p a r ent a ge ; a n d D r M uir s a ys .

th a t he is not a w a re o f a n y other
p a ss a ge whe r e his p a r ent a ge is
d ecl a r e d H e i s s a i d t o be t h e
.

son i n la w o f T va s t r i but he r e
- -

d i fficu lty occu r s only o n e

’
a

d a ughte r o f T va s t r i ( Vi s va

k a rm a) is m entione d a n d a s w a s ,

notice d i n the a ccount o f S ury a ,

h e w a s s a i d to b e husb a n d o f
this gi r l .

Vayu is d e s cr i b e d T a s be 1 ng
most h a n d some in fo r m o n e who
m oves n oisily i n a shining c a r ,

d r a wn by a p a i r o f r e d o r pu r ple
horses A t ti m es the nu mber o f horses is i ncre a se d to ninety
.

nine a hun d r e d o r even a thous a n d

, , Thi s l a tter n u mber .

wou l d prob a bly be e mploye d d u r ing a cyclone H e is sel d o m .

mentione d i n connexion with M a r uts ( stor m d eities ) though in -

,

M u i r, .
o s T . .
, v . 1 40 . I bi d v. . 1 43 .
5 6 T H E VED I C D E ITI E S .

one pl a ce he is s a i d to h a ve begotten the m by the r ive r s o f

h e aven .
A n other n a m e for Vayu in the Ve d a s is Vat a Th e p r a ise .

of Vat a is s u n g in the fol lowing h ym n z ( I celebr a te

) the
" “

glo r y o f Vat a s ch a r iot his noise co m es r en d ing an d r esoun d ing

’
.

T o u chi n g t h e sky h e m oves onw a r d m aking a ll thi n gs r u d d y ;

, ,

a n d h e co m es p r opell i n g the d ust o f the e a r th The gusts o f .

a i r r u s h a fte r h i m a n d congreg a te upon h i m a s women in a n

,

a sse m bly S itting a long with t h e m o n the s a m e c ar the go d

.
,

[ I n d r a] who is ki n g of t h is unive r se is b or ne a long H a sting .

fo r wa r d ,
he neve r r ests F r ien d o f t h e w a te r s fi r s t born
.
,
-
,

h oly i n w h at pl a ce w a s he bo r n ? H is soun d s h ave been he a r d

, ,

but h i s fo r m is not
I n a l a te r a ge when it w a s thought necess a r y to connec t the
,

h e r oes whose exploits a r e sung with the go d s Vayu o r P a v a n

, , , ,

a s h e is then c a l le d is s a i d to h a ve h a d a s o n H a nu m a n by a
, ,

m onkey mothe r H a nu m a n pl a ye d a most conspicuous p a rt in

.

Ra ma s expe d ition i n se a r ch o f S it a I n the M a hab h a r a t a Bhim a

’
.
,

( t h e St r ong
) o n e o f th e b r a vest o f the w a r r iors whose history is
,

give n the r e is a lso s a i d to be a son o f Vayu Kunti the moth er

,
.
,

o f Bhi m a h a d a boon g r a nte d a s a rew a r d o f h er d evotion th a t

, ,

she coul d obt a in a chil d by a n y o f the go d s she m ight wish .

A s h e r husb a n d owing to a cu r s e cou l d not beco m e a fa ther

, , ,

s h e e m ploye d this ch arm a n d so Vayu bec a m e the fa the r o f

,

Vay u o r P a v a n ( the Pu r ifier ) i s represe n te d i n pictures a s a

white m a n ri d ing u pon a d ee r a n d c a r r i es a white flag i n his ,

h a n d I n the P u r a n a s h e is s a i d t o b e son o f A d iti

. .

Ot h e r n a m es by w h ich this d eity i s known a r e the following

A n il a b r e a th M a r ut a i r th a t is necess a ry to life
, , S p ar s an a he ,

w h o t o uc h es G a n d h ava h a he who c a r r ies o d ou r s , .

Mui O r, . S T
. .
,
v . 1 46.
 T H E S TOR M —
D E ITI E S T H E M A R U TS .
57

5 . T H E M A R U TS .

I n o n e p a ss a ge in the R ig Ve d a these go d s a r e s a i d to b e -

one hu n d re d a nd eighty in n u m be r ; i n a nother text twenty ,

seven is the nu mbe r given ; whilst i n the Pu r an a s they a r e

‘

s a i d to be fo r ty nine I n th e Ve d a s they a r e c a lle d the sons

-
.

o f R u dra .They a r e th e comp a nions o f I n d r a ; a t ti m es they

worship him a n d thu s a cknowle d ge his supe r iority a t ot h e r s t h ey
,

s eem to a ssert their inhe r ent powe r a n d r emin d I n d r a of the a i d ,

they h a ve given hi m They a r e a d d resse d i n the following

.

st r a in Spe ar s r est upon your shou l d ers ye M a ruts ; ye h a ve

“
,

a n klets o n your feet gol d en orn a ments o n your b r e a sts lust r e i n

, ,

your e a rs fi e r y lightnings in you r h a n d s a n d gol d en hel met s

, ,

pl a ce d o n you r he a d s They a r e a r me d with gol d en we a pons

.
”

an d lightni ngs d a r t thun d e r bolts gle a m like fl a mes o f fire a n d , ,

ar e borne a long with the fury o f boiste r ou s win d s They split .

Vr i tr a ( D rought) to pieces a r e clothe d with r a in cre a te d arkness, ,

d uring the d a y w a te r th e e a rth a n d a vert he a t

,
They c a u se ,
.

the e a rth a n d the m oun t a ins t o qu a ke They were a ccusto m e d .

t o th e u se o f the som a ; a n d were a ppe a l e d to t o b r ing he a ling ,

’

r eme d ies which a r e d escribe d as a bi d ing in the r iver S in d hu the

, ( ) ,

s e a s a n d the hills
, .

I n the Vishnu P u r an a Twe fi n d quite a d i fferent a Cco u n t o f

‘ ’

the M a r uts They a r e s a i d to b e the sons o f K a sy a p a a n d D iti

. .

D iti h aving lost h e r chil d r en propiti a te d h e r husb a n d who , ,

p r omise d her a boon She a ske d th a t she might h a ve a son o f

.

ir r esistible prowess a n d v a lou r who sho ul d d est r oy I n d r a The ,

.

M uni promise d to g r a nt this requ est o n o n e con d ition You .

“

sh a ll be a r a son he s a i d who sh a ll sl a y I n d r a i f with thoughts

, ,
“
,

wholly pious a n d pe r son e n ti r ely pu r e yo u ca r e fu lly c a r r y th e

, ,
.

b a be i n you r womb fo r a hun d re d ye a rs D iti a ccepte d the .

”

boon with this con d ition I n d r a he a r ing o f this t r ie d hi s best to

.
,

d istr a ct h er min d a n d so p r event t h e birth o f this won d erfu l

,

M u ir O , . S T . .
,
v . 1 47 ff
.
T B oo k I ch ap. . xxi.
5 8 T H E V ED I C D E ITI E S .

c h il d When ninety nin e ye a r s h a d p a sse d a n opport u nity

.
-
,

offe r e d itself D iti r eti r e d to rest o n e night without h avi n g

.

w a s h e d h e r feet a n d thus viol a te d a ru le o f ce r e m oni a l p u ri t y

,
.

I n d r a a v a ile d hi mself o f this neglect a n d w a s a ble to a eco m

,

li s h his pu r pose With his thun d e r bolt h e cu t the e mb r yo

p .

i n to seven p ar ts The chil d thus mutil a te d crie d bitte r ly ; a n d

.

tho u gh In d r a trie d he w as un a ble to consol e it Being i n cense d

, .

a t their obstin a cy in c r yi n g he cut e a ch o f these seven p ar ts i n

,

seven a n d thus fo r m e d the forty nine M a r uts Thei r n a m e w as

,
-
.

give n to the m fr o m the wor d s m a r o d i h ( weep n o t ) use d by

“
,

I n d r a when t r ying to quiet them a n d they bec a m e subor d in ate

d eities — t h e a ssoci a tes o f the wiel d er o f the thu n d erbolt .
 60 T H E V EDI C D E ITI E S .

Th e l f o m e th t o h e v e h e l i ft s
s ou r ar a n

S o g e at d w nd o
r a e h i s g i ft s
an o r us r ,

M e fe e l th e go d w i th i n th e i v e i s
n r n ,

A d c y i n l o d e x l ti g t i s
n r u u n s ra n

W e v e q ffe d t h e S o m b i gh t
’
ua a r ,

A d a e i mm o t l g o w
n r r a r n

W e v e e t e e d i t o l i ght
’
n r n ,

A d ll t h e g o d s h v e k o w n
n a a n .

Wh t m o t l ow c h m
a r a n an ar ,

O fo e m rve s mo e ? an x u r

T h o gh th e e b ey o d l m
r u ,
n a ar ,

I mm o t l go d w e s o a r a ,
r.
’

F r o m the Ve d a s the following a ccount

o f S o m a is d e r i v e d T I n so m e p a ss a ges .

the pl a nt is s a i d t o h ave been b r ought

fr o m a m ou nt a i n a n d given to I n d r a ; i n
othe r s King S o ma I S s a i d t o h ave d welt
,

a m ongst the G a n d h ar v a s a r a ce o f ,

d e m i go d s th a t fo r m the c h oi r in I n d r a s
’
-

he a ven The go d s knowing the V irtu es .

,

o f this king o r pl a nt — fo r the two te r ms

see m to be i n d isc r imin a tely a pplie d

wishe d to obt a in it N o t knowing how .

to get it V a ch (the go d d ess o f speech ) ,

s ai d The G a n d h a r v a s a r e fon d o f
,
“

wo m en let m e go a n d I wi ll obt a in it °

_ ,

fo r yo u The go d s s a i d H o w ca n we
.
,

sp a r e yo u ? She r eplie d Obt a in the ”

,
“

SO M A P LA T
- N .
g o d ; a nd I will then r etu r n to you ,

wheneve r yo u m ay w a nt m e .
”

A nothe r a ccount of this a ffa i r is th a t whilst the go d s were ,

livi n g o n e a r th S o m a wa s in the sky Wishing to possess it

,
.
,

t h ey se n t Gay a t r i (a n a m e o f B r a h m a s wife o r d a ughte r ) to ’

fetch it She went i n the fo r m o f a bi r d a n d w as r etu r n i n g with

.
,

it w h en t h e G a n d h a r v a s sei ze d it a n d o n ly g ave it u p when the

, ,

g o d d ess V a ch went a m ongst the m as n a r r a te d a bove .

M ui r
, o s T
. . .
,
v . 1 30 .
1 Ibid . v. 2 6 3 ff .
 S O MA . 61

When S o ma w a s brought t o th e go d s the r e w a s a d ispute a s ,

to who shou l d h ave the first d r a ught I t w as d eci d e d th a t a r a ce .

shoul d be r u n ; the winner to h a ve the first t a ste Vayu fi r st .

r e a che d the go a l I n d r a being secon d In d r a trie d h a r d to win

,
.
,

a n d w h e n n e a r to Vayu p r opose d th a t they shoul d r e a ch the go a l

‘

togethe r Vayu t a king two thi r d s o f the d r ink Vayu s a i d N o t

,
-
.
,
“

”
so I will be the winne r a lone Then In d r a s a i d Let u s co me i n .
,

,
n —
together a d give me o n e fourth o f the d ra ught d ivi n e l Vayu
consente d to this a n d s o the j u ice w as sh ar e d between the m
, .
*

S om a is s a i d t o h a ve h a d thi r ty three wives the d a ughte r s o f -

,

Pr aj ap ati of these Rohini wa s the favourite Being d iss a tisfie d .

with the p a r ti a lity shown to thei r s iste r the other wives returne d ,

to thei r fa ther S om a a ske d th a t they might retu r n to hi m ;

.

the fa ther consente d to restore them provi d e d S om a wou l d ,

promise to t r e a t them a ll a l ike S om a pr omise d t o d o this ; but .

,

fa iling t o keep his pro m ise w a s smitten with consu m ption fo r ,

b r e a kin g his wo r d .

I n the ve r ses d escriptive of o r songs i n pr a ise o f S o m a the , ,

a ctu a l j uice a n d the d suppose d to d well i n it a n d t o be m a ni

, go

fe s t e d by it a r e n o t a t a ll d istinct
,
A ll the go d s d r i nk o f it ; .

a n d Som a the go d in the j uice is s a i d t o clothe the n a ke d an d

, ,

h e a l the sick M a ny d ivine a tt r ibutes a r e a sc r ibe d to h i m H e

.
‘

is a d d r esse d as a go d in the highest st r a ins o f a d ul a tion a n d

“

vene r a tion A ll powe r s belong to hi m ; a ll blessings a r e b e

.

”
sought o f h i m a s hi s to bestow ,
H e is s a i d t o be d ivine .
,

i m m o r t a l a n d a lso t o confer i m m ort a lity o n go d s a n d m e n

,
In .
“

a p a ss a ge whe r e the j oys o f p a r a d ise a r e m ore d isti n ctly a ntici

p ate d a n d m o r e fe r vently i mplo r e d th a n i n most other p a r ts o f

the Rig Ve d a S o m a is a d d resse d a s the go d fr o m who m the gift
-
,

o f futu r e felicity i s expecte d Thu s it is there s a i d P l a ce m e .

, ,

O puri fie d go d in th a t everl a sting a n d i mpe r ish able wo r l d

, ,

where the r e is etern a l light a n d glo r y O I n d u ( S om a) flow fo r .

,

I n d r a ! M a ke m e im m o r t a l i n the worl d whe r e Va i va s va t a lives ,

whe r e is the univers a l sphe r e o f the sky where those gre a t ,

w a te r s flow T .
”

Mui O r, . S T . .
,
V . 1 44. T I b i d V 2 66
. . .
62 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

I n l ate r ye ar s the n a m e S o m a w a s a n d still is given to the , ,

m oon . H ow a n d why this ch a n ge took pl a ce is not known but .

in th e l a te r o f the Ve d ic hym n s the r e is so m e evi d ence of th e

t r a nsition I n the following p a ss a ge S o m a see m s to be use d in
.

both senses — as go d of th e intoxic a ting j uice a n d as th e moon

, ,

r u l i n g th r ough the night By S o m a the A d ity a s a r e strong ; .

“

by S o ma t h e e a r th is g r e a t a n d S o m a is pl a ce d i n th e mi d st o f
t h e st a r s Whe n they c r u sh the pl a nt he who d rinks reg a r d s i t
.
,

a s So m a Of h i m whom the p r iests reg ar d a s S o m a ( the moon )

.

n o on e I n a nothe r p a ss a ge this p r a ye r is foun d

M a y the go d So m a h e whom they c a l l the M oon free m e , ,
.

”
A g a in ,
So ma is the m oo n the foo d o f the go d s
“
The su n ,
.
“

h a s the n a tu r e o f A g n i the m oon of S o m a

”
.
,

I n the Vishnu P u r an a T we r e a d S om a w as a ppointe d

‘ ’

,
“

m on a r ch of the st a r s a n d pl a nts o f B r ahm a ns a n d o f pl a nts o f , ,

s a Cr i fi c e s a n d o f pen a nce I n this P u r a n a we h a ve qu ite a .

d iffe r ent a ccount o f the o r igin o f S o m a but it m ust be borne in

m i n d th a t in this a ccount S o m a r efers only to the m oon
,
At .

the ti m e the Vishnu P u r an a w as w r itten intoxic a nts were

‘ ’

st r ictly fo r bi d d en ; he n ce S o m a a s the go d o f the So m a j uice , ,

w a s no longer known a n d p r a ise d A cco r d ing to th a t Pu r an a i .

,

S o m a w as th e son o f A t r i the son o f B r a h m a H e perfo r m e d , .

the R ajas u ya s a c r ifice a n d fr o m the glo r y thence a cqu i r e d , ,

a n d the i m m ense d omi n ion with which h e h a d been investe d

,

bec a m e so ar r og a n t a n d licentiou s th a t he c a r r i e d off Ta r a the

wi fe o f Vr ih as p at i the precepto r o f the go d s I n v a in Vr i h as pat i
, ,

, .

so u ght to recover his b r i d e ; i n v a i n B r a h m a co mm a n d e d a n d ,

the holy s ages r e monst r a te d I n consequence o f this there .

w a s a g r e a t w ar ; the go d s with I n d r a o n t h e o n e si d e t r ying t o

r ecove r T ara So ma with the d e m o n s o n th e other A t length .

she a ppe ale d to B r a hma fo r p r otection who t h e r eupon com ,

m a n d e d So m a to resto r e h e r On her r eturn Vr i h a s p at i fin d ing .

,

she w a s p r eg n a nt refuse d to receive her unti l a fte r the bi r th o f

,

the c h 1 1d I n obe d ie n ce to his o r d e r s the chil d w a s i mm e d i ately

.
,

M ui O r, . S T
. .
,
v .
T B o ok I ch p xx i i
. a . .

00 k IV . ch ap . VL
 S O MA . 63

bo r n who being won d e r fu l in be a uty a n d powe r both Vr i h as p a t i ,

a n d S om a cl a ime d h i m a s their s o n Ta r a being r efe r r e d to .

,

w a s t o o much a sh a me d to spe a k The chil d w as so i n d ign a n t .

a t this t h a t he w a s a bou t to cu r se h e r s ayi n g U nless yo u

, , ,
“

d ecl ar e who is my fa the r I will sentence you to such a fa te a s

,
f

s h a l l d eter eve r y fe m a l e fr o m hesit a ting t o spe a k the truth On .

”

this B r a h m a a g a in inte r fe r e d p a cifyi n g t h e chi l d an d s a ying t o

, ,

Ta r a Tel l me my chil d is this t h e chil d o f Vr i h a s p at i o r

,
“
, ,

S om a O f S om a she s a i d blus h ing A s soon as she h a d

,
”
,
.

spoke n t h e l o r d o f the constell a ti o ns h I S counten a nce being

, ,

b r ig h t e m b r a ce d his son a n d s a i d Well d one my b o y ; ve r i ly

, ,
“
,

thou a r t wise a n d hence his n a m e w as B u d h a .

*

T hi s B dh
u S o m a n d r e g e t o f t h e pl an e t M e c u y m u s t o t
a, s on of a, n r r , n

b e c o fo n d e d w i th B d d h
un t h e t e ch e r wh o s e t e n e t s a e h e l d by t h e
u a, a r

B d d hi s t o f t h e p e s e t d y T h e t w o b e i g s h v e o t h i g i n c o m m o ;
u s r n a . n a n n n

an d t h e am e s e i d e n t i c a l o n ly wh e n o n e o
n ar o th e o f th e m i s m i s s p el t o r
r r

m i s p o o u n ce d
r n .
64 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

C H A PT E R IX .

T VA S T R I O R VI S VA K A R M A .

T VA S T RI , or a s he is c a lle d i n the l a ter wo r ks Vi s vak ar ma i s , ,

t h e a r chitect a n d wo r k m a n o f the go d s — the H in d u Vu lc a n .

T h e he a venly p a l a ces we r e fo r m e d by h i m a n d th e w a rlike go d s ,

a r e i n d ebte d to h i m fo r thei r wo n d e r wo r king we a pons H e -

.

s h a r pe n s the i r on a x e o f Brah m a n a sp a ti ( A gni ) a n d fo r ges the ,

t h un d e r bolts o f I n d r a H e i s m o r e i nti ma tely a ssoci a te d with

.

m e n he fo r ms husb a n d a n d wife fo r e a ch other fr o m th e womb ,

a n d blesses the m a r r ie d couple with offsp r ing This a ccounts .

fo r the fa ct th a t the wives o f th e go d s a r e his most const a nt

co mp anions H e m a d e the worl d a n d a ll th a t is in it a n d he is
.

t h e p r otector o f the c r e a tures h e h a s m a d e H e s h a r es with the .

o the r go d s i n the s acrifices offe r e d by m o r t a ls fi

‘

T v a s t r i is in seve r a l p a ss a ges connecte d with the R IB H U S .

These we r e sons o f a m a n n a m e d S u d h a n va n ; who owing t o ,

t h ei r g r e at skill in wo r ki n g obt a ine d i m m ort a lity an d d ivine

,

h o n o u r s The Ribh u s m a d e I n d r a s ch a riot a n d horses ;

.
’

a ls o by thei r g r e a t a u ste r ities r esto r e d their p a re n ts t o youth .

T h ey a r e sp o ken o f a s t h e pupils of T vas t r i I t was through .

t h ei r m a ki n g i n to fou r a si n gle s a c r ifici a l cup th a t T va s t r i h a d

m a d e th a t they bec a m e d ivin e
, This exhibition o f ski ll w a s
.

m a d e a t t h e co m m a n d o f the go d s a n d ex a lt a tion to d eity w a s

,

t h e p r o m ise d r ew a r d T va s t r i w a s ve r y a ng r y a t their success

.

a n d a s h a m e d o f being seen h i d hi m self a m ongst th e women

, It
, .

is s a i d t h a t he even t r ie d to sl a y his pupils A cco r d ing to othe r .

M ui O
r, . S T . .
,
V . 2 24 .
 TVA S T RI OR VSV KI A A RM A . 65

a c co i m ts he ad m ire d their skill

ple a se d at its result an d w as .

T vas t r i w a s the fa the r i n law o f V

,

i va s v a t ( the S un )
- -
.

I n d ra is occ a sion a l ly d esc r ibe d a s being i n a st a te o f hostility

tow a r d s T va s t r i a n d h is son Vi s v a r fi p a a n d u lti m a tely c a use d ,

the d e a th o f both This Vi s va r fi p a h a d th r ee he a d s c a l le d r e

.
,

s e c t i ve ly the S o m a d rinker th e Wi ne d r i n ke r
-
a n d the F oo d -
p , , ,

e a ter H e d ecl a re d i n public o n o n e occ a sion th a t the s a crifices

.
,

shoul d be sh a re d by the go d s only ; but i n priv a te he s a i d the

A sur a s ( d e m ons ) shoul d sh ar e them too A n d as it is custo m a r y .

only to keep p r o m ises th a t a r e p r iv a tely m a d e I n d r a w a s a fr a i d ,

th a t the A su r a s obt a ining a sh a r e o f the s a crifices woul d be so

, ,

st r engthene d by them a s to be a ble t o ove r throw his king d om ;

h e therefo r e cut o ff the he a d s o f Vi s var fi p a with his thun d erbolt .

The three he a d s were tu r ne d into bi r d s : the S o m a d r inke r bec a m e -

a Fr a n c o li n e p a rt r i d ge for S om s o f a b r own
a K a i n ja la
p ( ) a w a ,

colour ; the Wine d rinke r bec a me a K a lavi n k a ( sp a rrow) b e

-
,

c au se when m e n a r e intoxic a te d they m ak ea noise like a sp a rrow

the F oo d e a ter bec a me a T i t t i r i ( p ar t r i dge ) which consequ e n tly
-
,

h as a g r e a t v a riet y o f colour fo r its bo d y a ppe a rs to be sp r inkle d ,

with gnz a n d honey T va s t r i enr a ge d bec a use I n d r a h a d sl a in

'

.
,

his son m a d e a l ib a tion to the go d s but d i d n o t i nvite I n d r a to

, ,

p a rt ake o f it I n d r a noticing this slight took by fo r ce the vessel

.
, ,

cont a ining the S o m a j uice a n d d r a nk it B ut he took mo r e th a n ,

.

w as goo d fo r h i m T va s t r i bei n g a ng r y broke o ff the s a crifice

.
, , ,

a n d use d the few d rops o f S om a l eft to give e ffect to a cu r se .

H e employe d the r ight fo r mul a to a ccomplish the d e a th o f

In d r a but unfortun a tely l a i d st r ess u pon the wrong wor d
,
He .

s a i d Thou of who m I n d r a is the enemy flourish

,
“
A s he use d , .
”

the wo r d s a ccente d s o a s t o p r o d uce t h is sense I n d r a slew h i m ,

.

”
H ad h e sai d F lou r ish ene m y o f I n d r a he wou l d h ave s l a in
, , ,

I n d r a inste a d of being sl a in by
,

I n the Pu r an a s T va s t r i a ppe ar s un d er the n a me o f Vi s vak ar m a

, .

I n the Vishnu P u r an a he is styl e d the a utho r o f a t h ous a n d

‘ “

a r ts the mech a nist o f the go d s the fa b r ic a to r o f a ll o r n a m ents

, , ,

th e chief of a r tists the c onst r u cto r o f the self m oving ch a r iots o f

,
-

M u ir O ,
. S T
. .
,
v . 23 2.
66 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

t h e d eities by w h ose S kill m e n obt a i n subsistence Though not

,
.

n a m e d a s a n A d ity a i n the Ve d a s he is gene r a l ly recko n e d a s

,

o ne in the Pu r an a s . I n othe r pl a ces he is c a lle d a s o n o f

B r a h m a I n pictu r es he is r ep r esente d a s a white m a n wit h
.

t h r ee eyes I n h is r ig h t h a n d he c a r r ies a club H e we a r s a

. .

c r o w n a n d is a d o r ne d with a neckl a ce a n d b r a celets of gol d

,
.

H e is wo r s h ippe d o n ce twice th r ice o r fou r ti mes e a ch ye a r

, , , ,

a cc o r d i n g to the d evotion of his wo r shippe r s N ow a d ays no

.
,

i m ages of this d eity a r e set up ; e a ch m an wo r ships t h e i mp le

m e n ts of his t r a d e a s the r ep r esent a tives o f V
,
i s va k a r m a The .

c a r pente r bows d own to h is h a m m er s aw & c the b r ickl a ye r t o

, ,
.

h is t r owel th e pe a s a n t to his plough the stu d ent to his book s ;

the cle r k to his pen When the wo r ship is ove r the d ay is spent
.
,

i n fe a sting a n d e n j oy m ent .
68 T HE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

Y a ma w a s the fi r st of mort a ls who d ie d a n d h aving d iscove r e d , ,

t h e way to t h e othe r wo r l d i s the gui d e o f t h ose who d ep ar t this

,

life a n d is s ai d to con d uct the m to a home which is m a d e secu r e

,

fo r the m fo r eve r H e is a king a n d d wells i n celesti a l lig h t in

.
,

t h e i n n e r most s a nctu ar y of h e aven H e g r a nts b r i ght ho m es to .

the pio u s who d wel l with h i m .

"6

I n the Rig — Ve d a Y a m a is nowhe r e rep r esente d ( a s he is i n

,

t h e l a te r mythology ) a s h avi n g a nything to d o with the punish

m e n t of the wicke d N eve r theless he i s sti ll to so m e a n obj ect
.

of te r r o r H e is s a i d to h a ve two ins ati able d ogs with fou r eyes

. ,

a n d w i d e nost r ils which gu a r d the r o a d to his a bo d e a n d which

, ,

t h e d ep ar te d a r e a d vise d t o hu r r y p a st with a ll possible spee d .

These d ogs a r e s a i d to w a n d e r a bout a m ong m en a s m essenge r s ,

n o d oubt for the pu r pose o f su mm oni n g the m to the p r esence o f

thei r m aste r who in a nother pl a ce is i d enti fie d with d e a th a n d

, ,
”
is d esc r ibe d a s se n d i n g a bi r d as the he r a l d of d o o m T .

When the r e m a ins of the d ece a se d h a ve been pl a ce d upon

the fu n e r a l pile a n d the process o f c r em a tion h as co mm ence d
, ,

A g n i the go d o f F i r e is p r a ye d not to sco r ch o r consu m e the

, ,

d ep a r te d n o t to te a r a sun d e r his skin o r his li mbs but a fter the

, , ,

fl a mes h ave d one their wo r k t o co n vey to the fa thers the mort a l ,

w h o h a s bee n p r ese n te d to h i m a s a n offe r ing Le a ving behin d .

o n e a r th a ll th a t i s evi l a n d i m pe r fect a n d p r ocee d i n g by the ,

p at h s which the fa the r s t r o d investe d with a lust r e like th a t o f ,

t h e go d s it so a r s to the r e a l m s o f ete r n a l light i n a c a r o r o n

, ,

w i n gs a n d r ecove r s there its a ncient bo d y in a co m pl ete a n d

,

g l o r ifie d fo r m m eets with the fo r efa the r s who a r e living i n

festivity with Y a m a ; obt a ins fr o m h i m wh en recognise d by h i m ,

a s o n e o f his own a d elect a ble a bo d e a n d ente r s u pon m o r e

, ,

pe r fect life which i s c r ow n e d wit h the fulfil m e n t o f a ll d esi r es

, ,

p a sse d i n the p r esence o f the go d s a n d e m ploye d in the ,

fu l fi l me n t o f thei r p le a s u r e T .
”

I n this ki n g d o m ove r which Y a m a r eigns fr ien d s meet with

, ,

e r d a r r —
t h i ep te f ien d s husb a n d with wife chil d r en with p a r e n ts
d , , ,

M ui r , o s T
. . .
,
v . 2 84 .
1 I bi d v
.
,
.
30 0 .

T -l b i d .
,
v .
3 0 2 ff
.
 YA M A . 69

an d togethe r live in a st a te o f blesse d ness fr ee fr o m a ll the evi ls ,

a n d i n fi r m i t i e s th a t belong to the p r esent life A n d a s the go d s .

a r e d esc r ibe d a s enj oying a ll the ple a su r es th a t a r e co m m on to

m e n on e a rth there i s t h e cle a r est evi d e n ce th a t the king d o m o f

,

Y a m a the a bo d e o f the d ep a r te d is n o t a t a ll less sensu a l th a n

, ,

th e p r esent wo r l d ; a n d when mo r t a ls h a ve been p r ivilege d t o

ente r this h a ppy l a n d they b eco m e obj ec t s o f vene r a tion t o
,

their d escen d a n ts still living a n d j oyfu lly p a r t a ke o f th e o b ,

la t i o n s they o ffe r to the m .

I n the following lines D r M u i r h as given a n epitom e o f the

.

te a c h i n g o f the Ve d a s respecting Y a m a
To g r e at Ki n g Y a m a
h o m a g e p ay ,

W h o w a s t h e fi s t o f m e n t h at d i e d r ,

T h at c o s s ed th e m i ght y g lf n d s p i e d
r u a

Fo m o t l s o t t h e h e av e n w a d w ay
r r a u r .

>1
= >1< a:

By i t o ur f th e
ah av e p as s ed
r s a ll

A d t h t s am e p a t h w e t o o s h a ll t r a c e
n a ,

A d e v er y e w s c c e e d i g r c e
n n u n a

O f m o t l m en whi l e t i me s h ll l a s t
r a ,
a .

T h e go d s s e mbl e s o u d h i s t h o e
a r n r n

A g o w i n g t h r o g t h e g o od an d w i s e
r n ,

A ll t h o s e wh o m s c a n n e d w i t h s e ar ch i n g e y e s
, ,

H e r e co g i s e s a s h i s o wn
n .

D e p t e d m or t l s p e e d fr om e th
ar a ,
ar

B y th o s e o ld w y s th y s i r e s h a v e t r o d a

A s c e n d b e h o l d t h e e xp e c t a t go d
,
n

W h o c ll s t h ee t o
a h i gh er b i th a r .

>l<

An d l mly p a s s w i th ou t a l ar m
ca

T h e fo u r e y e d h o n d s t h at g
-
r d t h e r o ad u ua

Wh i ch l e a d s t o Y m a s b i ght a b o d e a
’
r

T h e i m a s t e s f i en d s the y d e n o t h ar m
r r
’
r ar .

A ll i m p e fe c t i o s l e a v e b e h i d
r n n

A s s me th i e
u c i en t f me o n ce m o r e
n an ra ,

E ch l i mb a d s e s e t h o h ad s t b efo e
a n n u r ,

F r o m e v e y e thly t a i n t r e fi n e d
r ar .

Mu ir O , . S T . .
,
v .
3 27 .
T

o T H E V EDI C D E ITI E S .

An d w i th h e av e ly gl o y b i ght
n ow n r r

W i th l i fe i n t en s e n o bl e bl es t r, r, ,

W i t h l g e c a p ci t y t o t s t e
ar a a

A f ll e m e a s r e o f d l i gh t
u r u e ,

T h th e o ce m o e e ch w e ll k ow f
ou re n r a -
n n ace

Sh l t e f th s e th l v d t h e
a se o o ou o e s re

Thy p t s w i fe d hi l d e d e
a r en , ,
an c r n ar ,

W i th p t e h l t th o o e mb ce
ra ur s a u s on ra .

Th e f h l t t h o u b eh o l d
a th e r , too, s a ,

T h e h e o e s wh o i n b att l e d i e d
r ,

T h e s a i t s a d s a g e s gl o r i fi e d
n n ,

Th e pio s bo t e ou s k i g s o f o ld
u ,
un n .

Th eg o d s who m h e e i n h mbl e w i s e r u

T h o w o s h i pp e d s t w i t h d o b t d w e
u r u an a ,

Sh all th e e t h e i mp er v i o s v ei l w i thd a w
r u r

Whi ch h i d th e i gl o r y f o m t hi e e y e sr r n .

Th e g o o d wh i ch th o o e t h h s t w u n ar a r ou gh t ,

E ch s cr i fi ce e ch p i o s d ee d
a a ,
a u ,

Sh ll th e e r e c e i v e i t s m pl e m e ed
a r a

N o w o r t hy a c t s h a ll b e fo r g o t .

In th o s e f i r r e al m s o f c l ou d l e s s d y
a a ,

Wh e e Y am e v e r y joy s u ppl i es
r a ,

A d e v e r y l o n g i g s at i s fi e s
n n ,

T h y bl i s s s h all n e v e r kn o w d e c a y .

I n the Pu r an a s Y a ma i s c a lle d th e j u d ge o f men an d is s a i d ,

to r ule ove r the m any hells i n which th e wicke d a r e m a d e to

s u ffe r Thus the P a d m a Puran a s a ys Y a m a fulfils the office
.
“

o f j u d ge of the d e a d a s well as sove r eign o f t h e d a m ne d a ll th a t

,

d i e a ppe a r ing befo r e h i m a n d bei n g confr onte d with C h it r a gu pt a

,

t h e r eco r d e r by who m thei r a ctions h ave been registe r e d The

,
.

vi rtuous a r e then conveye d to Sw a rg a ( I n d r a s he a ve n ) whi lst th e ’

wicke d a r e d r iven to the d iffe r ent regions of N a r a k a In

t h e Vish n u Pu r an a the n a m es of the d iffe r ent hells a r e given a n d
‘

it is the r e st a te d th at the r e a r e m a ny othe r fe a rfu l hells which a r e

“

t h e a w fu l p r ovinces o f Y a m a te r r ible w ith i n st r u m e n ts of to r t u r e

,

‘
Vi h s nu P u r an a ,
’
p . 2 0 7 . n o re .
 YA M A .
7 I
.

an d fire I n the s a m e P u r an a it i s s a i d th a t a ll men a t the

.

e n d o f thei r existence ( life ) become sl a ves to the power o f Y a m a ,

by who m they a r e sentence d t o p a infu l punish ments I nqu iry .

”

i s then m a d e as to h o w m e n c an be fr ee fr o m his a utho r ity The .

a nswer is th a t Y a m a is th e lor d o f a ll men excepting t h e w o r ,

s hippers o f M a d h u s fi d an ( Vishnu ) W o r ship hi m i n o n e o f his .

m a ny fo r m s an d Y a m a ca n exe r t n o a uthority ove r you

,
.
”

A cco r d ing t o the popu l a r i d e a s n o w prev a iling Y a m a is ,

rep r esente d a s a gr e e h m a n clothe d in r e d g a r m ents H e h a s a

,
.

crown o n his he a d a n d a flowe r i n hi s h a i r ; is a r me d with a

,

club a n d r i d es upon a bu ffa lo H e i s regu l ar ly wo r shippe d once

,
.

a ye a r ; a n d d a ily a little w a ter is pou r e d o u t to h i m Fo r a .

whole m onth e a ch ye a r u nm a r r ie d gi r ls p r esent offe r ings to h i m

i n t h e hope th a t h e wi ll p r ovi d e them with a husb a n d a n d th at ,

h aving g r a nte d this boon h e will not r ec a l l his gift a n d le a ve

, ,

th em wi d ows I n his p r esence the goo d a n d evil d ee d s o f t h e

.

d ep a rte d a r e weighe d : a cco r d ing t o the tu r n o f the sc a le t h e ,

sou l goes t o he a ven o r hell The sou l i s believe d t o re a c h Y a m a s

.
’

a bo d e in fou r hours a n d fo r ty minutes ; consequ ently a d e a d

bo d y c a nnot be bu r ne d u ntil th a t time h a s p a sse d a fte r d e a th .

I n th e Bh avi s h ya Puran a the following legen d o f Y a m a s

‘ ’ ’

m ar r i age is foun d H e w a s excee d ingly ple a se d with a gi r l

.

n a me d Vij a y a a Brah m a n s d a ughte r When fi r st sh e s a w h i m

,
’
.

she w as g r e a tly a l a r m e d both at his a p pe a r a nce a n d o n his

,

telling h e r wh o he w as A t length h e a ll a ye d h er fe a rs ; a n d
.

a lthough h e r b r othe r trie d to d issu a d e her she consente d to ,

beco m e his wife O n her ar riv a l at Y a m a s a bo d e he p a r ticul ar ly

.
’

c a utione d h e r a g a ins t going i nto the southe r n qu a r ter o f his

king d o m A fte r a ti m e thinking he must h a ve a nothe r wife
.
,

th e r e h e r cu r iosity ove r powere d h er a n d she went into t h e

, ,

fo rbi d d en region a n d w a s gre a tly d ist r esse d a s she s a w the

, ,

w icke d su ffe r ing g r e a t to r ment A mo n gst othe r su ffe r e r s w a s

.

h e r o w n m othe r M eeting Y a m a the r e she t r ie d t o O bt a i n h e r

.
,

m othe r s rele a se Y a m a d ecl a r e d th a t t h is coul d n o t be g r a n te d

’
.

unless some o n e t h en living o n e a r th wou l d perfo r m a ce r t a in

Vi h s nu P u r an a ,
’
p . 2 86 .
7 2 T H E VEDI C D E ITI E S .

s a c r ifice a n d tr a nsfer the m e r it o f the act to the poo r wo m a n

,

t h e n suffe r i n g A fte r so m e d ifficu lty some o n e w as fou n d willing

.
,

pe fo this of self Y m s m othe i l w

’

t o r r m a c t s a c r i fi ce a n d a a r- h a
,
- -

r ele a se d .

Sto r ies a r e tol d in the Pu r an a s to the e ffect th a t the wo r ship

pe r s of Vis h n u if o n ly t h ey h ave r epe a te d the n a m e o f t h a t
,

d eity d u r ing thei r lifeti m e though it be m erely whe n te a chi n g ,

it to a p a r r ot o r in d e a th m e r ely utter it when the r e m ay be

, ,

n o thoug h t o f wo r ship a r e fr ee fro m the powe r o f Y a m a ; th a t

,

m esse n ge r s fr o m t h is d eity will r escue the m fr o m the power o f

t h e ki n g of h ell a n d convey the m to h a ppie r wo r l d s
,
.

I t is ve r y st r an ge to n otice how the ch a r a cte r o f Y a m a s ru le ’

a n d king d o m h as enti r ely ch a nge d in the conceptio n s o f the

H in d us A cco r d ing to the Ve d a s the pu r e a n d goo d went with
.
,

gl a d ness to Y a m a s r e a l m o f light ; now a s t a ught in the

’

Pu r an a s i t is the wicke d who a r e sent to h i m fo r punish m ent

,
.

I n the M a habha r a t a i s a m ost inte r esting story showing

*
,

th a t so m eti m es Y a m a is p r opitious to p r a ye r a n d will a llow ,

t h ose w h o h ave ente r e d his a bo d e to r etu r n to e a r th .

A p r i n cess n a m e d S a vit r i love d S at yav an the son o f a n o ld ,

he r mit bu t w as w a r ne d by a seer to ove r co m e h e r a tt a chment

, ,

a s S a t a van w as a d oo m e d m a n h a ving only o n e ye a r to live

y ,
.

S avit r i r eplies :
W he th r h i s y e s b e few o m a y b e h e g i ft ed w i th ll g
'

e ar r n a r ac e
,

O r g c el e s s h i m my h e a t h th c h o e
ra
, d i t ch o o s e t h
r a s n , an n ot a g ai n .

They we r e m ar r ie d a n d the b r i d e st r ove to fo r get the

,

p r ophecy ; but a s the l a st d a y o f the ye ar a pp r o a che d h e r ,

a nxiety bec a m e i r r ep r essible S he exh a uste d he r self in p r a ye r s

.

a n d pe n a n ces hopi n g to st a y the h a n d o f the d est r oye r yet a ll

, ,

t h e w h ile d a r e d n o t r eve a l t h e fat a l sec r et to h e r husb a n d A t .

l a st the d r e a d e d d ay a r r ive d a n d S a t yav an set o u t to cut woo d ,

i n the fo r est H is wife a ske d le ave to a cco m p a ny hi m a n d

.
,

w a lke d be h i n d h e r husb a n d s m ili n g b u t with a he a vy he a r t , , .

S a t ya van soon m a d e the woo d r esoun d with his h a tchet when

,

‘
I n d i an Wi s d o m, ’
p .
395 .
 YAM A .

su d d e n ly a th r ill of a gony s h ot th r ough his te m ples ,

an d, feeling
h i m self fa lling c a lle d o u t to his wife to su ppo r t h i m
,
.

The n s h e r e cei ved f

g h u s b an d i h e r a m s a d s t h e s elf
h er ai n ti n n r ,
n a r

O th e col d gr o
n d d g e t ly l a i d h i s d r o o p i g h e d p o h e l p
un ,
an n n a u n r a

S o o w i n g s h e c ll e d t o m i d t h e s ag e s p o ph e c a d e c k o e d p
rr ,
a n
’
r y ,
n r n u

T h e d ys a d ho
a A ll i an i s t
n t s h e b eh e l d
u rs . wfu l h p e n n an an a s a

S t d i g b e fo e h e d e s s e d i bl o o d e d g m e t s w i th gl i t t e i g c o w n
an n r r, r n - r ar n ,
a r n r

U p o h i s h e a d h i s fo m t h o gh gl o w i g l i k e t h e S
n w s ye t o b s c e
r ,
u n un , a ur ,

A d e y e s h e h d li k e fl m e s a n o o s e d e p e d e d f m h i s h
n a ad a d he ,
n ro an n

W a s te i bl e t o l o o k p o
rr s by h e h s b d s i d e h e s t o od
u n ,
a r u an
’
s

A n d g z e d u p o h i m w i th fi e y gl an c e Sh d d e i g s h e s t a t e d p
‘

a n a r . u r n r u ,

A d l i d h e d y i g S ty v an u p o t h e g o
n a r n d d w i th h e h
a a ds n r un ,
an ,
r an

J o i ed e v e e tly s h e t h s w i th b e t i g h e t d d e s s e d th e s h p e
n r r n ,
u a n ar a r a

S e ly t h o u a t a go d s c h fo m s th i e m s t m o e t h n m o t l b e
ur r u r a n u r a r a

T e ll m e th ou go d l i k e b e i n g wh o th o t d wh e e fo e t th o h er e P
,
-
,
u ar ,
an r r ar u

Th e figu r e replie d th a t he w a s Y a m a king o f the d e a d th a t ,

h e r husb a n d s tim e w as co m e a n d th a t he must bin d a n d t a k e

’

his spi r it .

T h f m h e h s b d s b d y fo c d h
en ro r t d fi m ly w i th h i c o d
u an
’
o r e e ou ,
an r s r

B o d d d t i e d t h e p i i t c l th ed i f m l g t h
un an e a n th mb s r , o n or no ar er an a u .

F thw i t h t h e b d y e ft f v i t l b i g d d e p i v e d o f b e t h
or o ,
r o a e n an r r a ,

L o t ll i t g ce d b ty
s a s d b e c m e gh t ly
ra d m ot i
an le s e au ,
an a as an on s .

A fte r bin d ing the spi r it Y a m a p r ocee d s with it tow a r d s the ,

qu a ter o f which he i s gu a r d i a n the south The fa ithfu l wife

r —
,
.

foll ows h i m closely Y a m a bi d s h e r go ho m e an d pe r fo r m th e .

fune r a l r ites ; but sh e pe r sists i n fo llowi ng til l Y a m a pl e a se d , ,

with h e r d evotion g r a nts her a n y boon she ple a ses except th e

, ,

l ife o f h e r husb a n d Sh e chooses th a t h e r hu sb a n d s fa the r wh o is

.
’

now blin d m ay r ecove r his sight Y a m a consents a n d bi d s h e r

,
.
,

n o w r etu r n home Still she pe r sists in following T w o othe r

. .

bo ons a r e g r a nte d in the s a me w ay a n d stil l S a vit r i follows ,

closely o n the heels o f the king o f d e a t h A t l a st overco m e by ,

.
,

h e r const a ncy Y a m a g r a nts a boon withou t exception

,
The .

d elighte d S a vit r i excl a i m s

N ght m i ght y k i g t hi t i m e h t t h o e x e p t e d let my h s b d l i v e

ou , n , s as u c u an

W i th t h i m I d e i
ou t h pp i s ev h v i t lf
s re n o a n es ,
n or en ea en se

W i th t h i m I m t d i
ou S b i t f i t hf l w i f us pl i e d th e k i g f d e th
e.
’
o e ,
a u e, r e
’
n o a

T h s I l e as e h i m
u re d w i th t h t h e l o o s e d t h e co d t h t b an d hi o l a r a ou n s s u .
74 THE V E D I C D E ITI E S .

A mo n gst the m a ny n a m es by which Y a m a known

followi n g a r e the m ost co mm o n
D h a r m a r aja Ki n g o f r ighteousness
,
“
.

”
Pi t r i p a t i Lo r d of the fa t h e r s
,
“
.

S a m avu r t i H e who j u d ges i mp ar ti a l ly

,
.

K r i t an t a ,
The fi n ishe r
“
.

”
S a ma n a The leveller
,
“
.

Kal a Ti m e
,
.
”

D an d a d h a r a H e who c a r ries the r o d

,
.

S r a d dh a d e va Th e go d o f fune r a l ce r emonies
,
“
.

Va i va s va t a T h e son o f Vi va s va t a
,
“
.
”

A n t ak a,
H e w h o puts a n e n d t o l i fe
“
.
 T H E P U RA N I C D E ITI ES .

C HA PTE R I .

TH E P U R AN A S .

T H E chief sources o f i nfo r m a tion r especting the popul a r fo r m s

of H in d uis m a r e the t w o g r e a t E pics — the Ra m ay a n a a n d th e
M a h abha r a t a— a n d the P u r an a s o r O ld t r a d itio n a l sto r ies
,
“
,

eighteen i n nu m be r I t is bel ieve d th a t t h e E pics we r e o r igi n a l ly

.

compose d n o t l a ter th a n B C 5 0 0 though the Ra m ay a n a w a s

.

p r ob a bly c a st i nto its present fo r m a bout B C 3 00 a n d the M a h ab .

,

har a t a a bout B C 2 00 E a ch o f t h ese books is o f i mm e n se bulk

. .
,

a n d the s a m e sto r ies re a ppe a r in the m a g a in a n d a g a in Yet to .

this d ay they ret a in a fi r m hol d o f the fa ith a n d vene r a tion of the

m a ss o f the people o f I n d i a N o r is t h is to be won d ere d a t when
.

we r e a d such wor d s a s these often r epe a te d in these wo r ks

,
He
w h o r e a d s a n d repe a ts this holy life giving Ra m ay a n a [o r the
-

M a habha r a t a] is l ibe r a te d fr o m a ll sins a n d ex a lte d wit h a ll his

, ,

poste r ity to the highest he a ve n .

”

Though it is d i fficult t o d ete r m ine the d a te o f the Pu r an a s it is ,

bel ieve d th a t h one o f the m a r e ol d e r th a n t h e 8 th centu r y A D .

T h a t they a r e consi d e r a bly l a te r th a n the two g r e a t E pics is

evi d ent fro m the fa ct th a t m a ny who a r e d esc r ibe d in t h e E pics
a s m e n a n d he r oes only in the Pu r an a s a r e s a i d to be d ivi n e
,

beings These books d iffe r l a r gely fr o m the Ve d a s i n t h is r espect

.
,

th a t whilst the Ve d a s t r e a t o f the r eligion co m m o n to t h e H i n d u s

of th a t perio d a ll o f who m wo r shippe d the s a m e d eities e a c h
, ,
7 8 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

P u r a n a is conce r ne d with some o n e go d whose excellences a r e

extolle d whilst othe r s a r e spoken o f in a d ep r eci a to r y m a nne r
,
.

G e n e r a lly a ce r t a in m e a su r e of r espect is shown to a ll t h e go d s

o f t h e P a nt h eon ; yet the p a r ticul a r d eity to whose p r a ise the

Pu r an a is d evote d is s a i d to be sup r eme ; the othe r s being ,

r eg a r d e d a s e m a n a tio n s fr o m o r inc a r n a tions o f this o n e N ow .

B r a h m a n o w S iv a now Vishnu o r so m e o f his m a ny inc ar n a

, ,

tions is the gre a t go d whose w ill i s th a t a ll m e n shoul d w o r

, ,

ship h i m .

T h e P u r an a s m ay be cl a ssifie d a s follows :
I Those which a r e d evote d to the p r a ise o f B r a h m a Vi z the
. .

B r a h m a the B r ahm a n d a the Br ah m ava i v a r t a the M ar k a n d e ya

, , , ,

t h e Bh avi s h ya a n d the V a m an ,
.

I I Those which r el a te to Vis h nu ; viz the Vishnu the

. .
,

B h ag a v at a the N a r a d i ya the G a r u d a the P a d m a a n d the

, , , ,

Va ah r a .

I I I Those w h ich a r e chiefly connecte d with S iv a ; vi z the

. .

S iv a t h e Ling a t h e Sk a n d a th e A gni the M a tsy a the K ar m a

, , , , , .

Fo r the A gni Pu r an a a nother c a lle d th e Vayu is so m eti m es

substitute d .

These Pu r an a s a r e the a uthority fo r ne a rly the whole o f th e

p o pul a r H in d uis m o f the p r esent d ay They a r e l ar gely r e a d by .

t h e people P a rts o f so m e a n d the whol e o f othe r s h a ve been

.

tra n sl a te d into the ve r n a cu l a rs fr o m the S a nsk r it ; a n d where

t h e peopl e c a n not re a d it is a co mm on p r a ctice for thei r Gu r n o r
,

Te a che r to r e a d to them a few lines a n d expl a in it to the m a t ,

h is pe r io d ic visits By th is m e a ns the contents of these books.

a r e wi d ely known .

T h e fa ct th a t e a ch Pu r an a is d evote d to the p r a ise o f some

speci a l d eity who a cco r d ing to its te a ching i s su p r e m e whilst
, , , ,

d eities d esc r ibe d in other P u r an a s in e qu a lly e x t r a va ga n t l a ngu a ge

a r e slig h te d a n d in so m e c a ses even thei r wo r shi p i s forbi d d en
, ,

p r o ves th a t these books m ust h ave been w r itten a t d i ffe r ent

ti m es a n d p r ob a bly by those who were igno r a n t of wh a t others
h a d w r itte n A n d yet the popul a r belief is th a t they we r e a ll
.

the wo r k o f the g r e a t s age Vyas a the a rra nge r of the Ve d a s an d ,

the M ahabha r a t a .
 T H E P U R AN A S .
79

The i d e a l P u r an a— a n d t he Vishnu P u r an a a pp r o a ches m o r e

—
ne a r ly to this i d e a l th a n a y other S hou l d tre a t o f five chief
n

topics I The cre a tion o f t h e unive r se ; I I Its d estruction

. .

an d r e c r e a ti on ; I I I
-
The gene a l ogy o f go d s a n d p a t r i a rchs ;
.

IV The r eigns a n d perio d s of t h e M a n us ( r u lers ove r long perio d s

.

o f time ) a n d V T h e histo r y o f the t w o g r e a t r a ces o f kings the

.
,

S ol a r a n d the Lun a r The P u r an as a s a t p r esent known d o n o t

.
”
, ,

gener a lly a pp r o a ch to this i d e a l so m e t r e a ting o f so m e o f these

subj ec ts only; ot h e r s cont a i n ing muc h ext r a neous m a tter G r e a t .

d isc r ep a ncies t o o a r e foun d i n t h e d iffe r ent ge n e a lo gi e s T

, ,
.

I n d esc r ibing the P uranic d eities I sh a ll fol low the co mm on ,

o rd er . The H in d us spe a k o f t h e th r ee g r e a t go d s Br a h m a -
,

Vishnu S iv a These fo r m wh a t is often spoken o f a s the H in d u

,
.

T r i a d A fter giving a n a ccount o f e a ch o f these d eities a n d their

.

c o nso r ts I sh a ll d esc r ibe those who a r e r eg a r d e d as thei r i n ca r

,

n a tions o r d escen d a nts ; a n d then p r ocee d to s p e a k o f thos e

,

who h a ve n o t a n y fo r m a l connection with a n y o f the m I t wil l

‘

be seen th a t m ost o f the p r incip a l d eities ar e connecte d with o n e

o r othe r o f these three .

Wi l s on s
’
f
p r e ac e t o th e s nu
‘
Vi h
u r an a P .
’

T Fo r an l
o u t i n e o f t h e c o n t en ts o f th e d i ffer en t P u r an as , s ee I n t r o d u ct i o n

to Wi ls o n s
’
V hi s n u u r an a P ’
.
80 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

C H A PT E R I I .

B RA H M A .
*

B R A H M A is r eg ar d e d a s th e S up r e m e B eing th e G o d o f go d s of ,

who m B r ah m a Vish n u a n d S iv a a r e m a n ifest a tions I t is t r u e

, ,
.

t h at in so m e ve r ses of t h e Ve d a s a tt r ibutes th a t a r e a sc r ibe d to

, ,

h i m a r e a lso a sc r ibe d to othe r d eities a n d i n so m e p a r ts o f the ,

Pu r a n a s ce r t a in i n c a r n ations a r e s a i d to be i d entic a l with the

sup r e m e B r a h m a ; neve r theless it is ce r t a i n th a t B r ah m a i s
r eg a r d e d by the H i n d us ( fo r which O pinion the r e i s abun d a n t
au tho r ity in thei r S c r iptu r es ) a s the S up r e m e G o d — the o r igin o f ,

a ll the ot h e r s a n d o f who m they a r e m a nifest a tio n s

,
Thu s we .

r e a d in the A t h a r va
‘
A ll the go d s a r e i n ( Br a h m a) “

a s cows in a cow h ouse I n the begin n ing B r ah m a w a s t h is

-
.

[ unive r se
] . H e c r e a te d go d s H a vi n g c r e a te d go d s he pl a ce d
.
,

t h e m in these wo r l d s vi z A gni in t h is wo r l d Vayu in the ,

.
,

a t m osp h e r e a n d S u r y a in the sky

,
A n d in the wo r l d s whi c h .

ar e yet highe r he pl a ce d t h e go d s w h ich a r e stil l highe r

,
The n .

B r ah m a p r ocee d e d to the highe r sp h e r e [ which is expl a i n e d by

t h e co mm ent a to r to m e a n the S a ty a lok a the m ost excellent a n d ,

l i mit of a ll the wo r l d s ] The go d s we r e o r igi n a lly m o r t a l ;

.
“

but w h e n they w e r e pe r v a d e d by B r ah ma t h ey bec a m e i m ,

”
mo rt a l I n the T a i t t i r i ya B r a h m a n a it is s a i d : B r ah ma
‘ ’ “
.

ge n e r a te d t h e go d s B r a h m a ( gene r a te d ) t h is e n ti r e w o r l d
,
.

Wit h i n h i m a r e a ll these w o r l d s Withi n h i m is this e n ti r e .

l t w i ll b e t i d th t t h e fi l v w e l i
no ce a na o n t h e n a me o f t hi s d e i ty i s s /z e r t,
wh l t th t f h i fi t i
i s In a o n ti it i ls rs n c ar a on s on
g .

T M i O S T v 3 8 7 ff
u r, . . .
,
. .
 B RA H MA . I

u n ive r se I t is Br a hm a who is the g r e a test o f beings W h o

. .

c na vi e with h i m ? I n B r a h m a the thi r ty th r e e go d s ; in ,

-

B rah ma I n dr a an d
,
in Br a h m a a ll thi n gs a r e con
t a i n e d a s in a ship .

Pro f M onier W illi a ms s ays

. O nly a few hymns of the
Ve d a s a ppe a r t o cont a in th e si m pl e conception o f one d i vine
se lf— e x istent o m nipresent being ; a n d even i n these the i d e a ,
,

of on e g o d p r esent in a ll n a ture is somewh a t neb u lou s a n d

un d efine d F urther o n h e s a ys
.
”
I n the Purush a S fi k t a o f the “

R ig Ve d a the o n e spirit i s c a lle d P urush a The mo r e com m on

-
,
.

n a m e in the l a ter system is Br ah m a n neute r ( n o m Br a h m a) ,

.
,

d e r ive d fr o m the root br i n to exp a n d a n d d enoting t h e unive r

‘ ’

, ,
i

sa lly exp a n d ing essence o r univers a lly d iffuse d subst a nce Of th e

,

u nive r se Br a h m a n in th e neuter being si mple infinite being ’

, ,

- the only re a l etern a l essence— wh ich when it p a sses i n to a ctu a l ,

m a nifeste d existence is c a l le d B r a h m a ; when it d e velops itself

i n the wo r l d is c a l le d Vishnu ; a n d wh e h it a g a in d issolves itself
,

into si m ple being i s c a lle d S iv a ; a ll th e othe r innu mer a ble go d s

,

an d d emi — go d s being a lso mere m a nifest a tions o f th e neu te 1

”
Bra h m a n who is etern a l
,
.

I n the Vishnu P u r an a T Br a h m a l s t r a nsl a te d a s a bst r a ct

‘ ’ “

s up r eme spi r it L a ter o n !? the question is a ske d H ow c a n

.
,

cr e a tive a gency be a ttribute d to B r a hm a who [ as a bst r a ct spi r it ] ,

is wit h out qu a lities il li m it a ble a n d free fr o m i m pe r fectio n

,
?
,

The a nswe r is th a t the essenti a l properties o f existe n t things

,
“

ar e obj ects o f obse r v a tion o f w h ich no fo r ek n owle d ge is ,

a tt a in a ble ; a n d cre a tion a n d hun d r e d s o f p r operties bel o n g to

B r ah m a a s insep a r a ble p a rts o f his essence a s he a t is inhe r e n t ,

i n fire .
”
Th e Pu r an a goes o n to s a y th a t c r e a tion i s effecte d
th r ough the a gency o f B r a h m a th e fi r st m a nifest a tion o f ,

B r a h m a a n d then d ecl a r es th a t Vishnu 1s o n e with B rah m a .

A g a in this Puran a ! s a ys :
,
There ar e two st a tes o f this “

B r ah m a —one with a n d o n e w i t h o u t sh a pe o n e pe r is h a ble o n e

'

, ,

i mpe r ish a ble which ar e inherent in a ll bei n gs The i m pe r is h a ble .

‘
I n d i an Wi d s o m, ’
p . 12 .

T B o ok I . ch p a . iii .
82 T HE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

i s t h e s u p r e m e being ; th e pe r is h able i s a ll the wo r l d The .

bl a ze of fi r e b u r n i n g in o n e spot d i ffuses lig h t a n d he a t a r oun d

s o t h e wo r l d is not h i n g m o r e th a n the m a n ifeste d e n e r gy o f the

s u p r e m e B r a h m a ; a n d in a s m uc h a s t h e lig h t a n d he a t a r e
st r o n ge r o r feebler as we a r e ne a r t o t h e fi r e o r fa r off fr om it ,

so t h e e n e r gy o f the sup r e m e is mo r e o r less i n te n se i n the

bei n gs t h a t a r e less o r m ore r e m ote fr o m h i m B r ah m a Vishnu .
, ,

a n d S iv a a r e the m o st powe r fu l ene r gies o f G o d next to t h e m

a r e t h e i n fe r i o r d eities ; then t h e a tten d a nt spi r its ; the n m e n ;

t h en a n i m a ls bi r d s i n sects veget a bles ; e a ch beco m i n g mo r e

, , ,

and m o r e feeble a s t h ey a r e fa r the r fr o m thei r p r imitive

f
’
s o u r ce

T h e Vis h nu Pu r an a
‘
gives the followi n g d e r iva tion o f the
w o r d B r ah ma — I t is d erive d fr o m t h e root vr i /i a (to i n cre a se )
“
,

bec a u se it is i n fi n ite ( spi r it ) a n d bec a use it is t h e c a use by

,
”
w h ic h t h e Ve d a s ( a n d a ll thi n gs ) a r e d evelope d T h en fol lows .

t h is hy m n to B r a h m a Glo r y to B r a h m a w h o i s a dd r esse d ,

by t h a t m ystic wo r d ( Oi n ) T a ssoci ate d ete r n a lly wit h the t r ipl e

,

u n ive r se ( e a r th sky a n d he a ven ) a n d who is one with the fou r

, , ,

Ve d a s G lo r y to B r a h m a who a like in t h e d est r u ction a n d

.
,

r e n ov a tio n of t h e wo r l d is c a lle d the g r e a t a n d m yste r ious c a u se

o f t h e i n tellectu a l p r i n ciple wh o is without li m it i n ti m e o r

;
sp a ce a n d exe m pt fr o m d i m i n ution a n d d ec a y
,
H e i s the .

i n visible i m pe r ish able B r a h m a ; v a ryi n g in fo r m inv a r i able in

, ,

s u bst a n ce ; t h e chief p r i n cipl e self engen d e r e d ; who is s a i d to

,
-

i ll u m i n a te the c a ve r ns of the h e a r t ; who is i n d ivisible r a d i a n t , ,

u n d ec a yi n g m u ltifo r m T o th a t sup r e m e B ra h m a be fo r eve r

, .

a d o r a tio n .

I n pe r fect h a r m ony with this te a ch i ng of the Vish n u Pu r an a

’

is t h e co m m o n belief o f the H in d us N o ph r a se is m o r e co m m o n ly .

u se d by t h e m w hen spe a k i n g o f the d ivine being th a n this :

P a ge 273 .

T Th i s w o rd o ccu r s at mm e n c e m e n t o f p r a y e r s a n d r e l i g i o u s
th e co
c e re mo n i e s I t i s s o s a c r e d t h a t n o n e m u s t h e a r i t p r o n o u n ce d
. O r i g i n ally
.

t h e th r e e l e tt e r s ( a u 712 o f w h i c h i t i s fo r m e d t yp i fi e d t h e t h r e e V e d a s
) ;
a ft e r w a r d s i t b e c a m e a m y s t i c a l s y m b o l o f t h e t h r e e d e i t i e s — B r a h m a,
V h is n u, S iv a.
84 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

C H A P TE R III .

B RA H M A AN D S A R A S VA T I .

B RA H M A .

B R A H M A the first o f three g r e a t H in d u go d s is c a lle d the

,
,

C r e a to r ; he is the father o f go d s a n d m e n P r aj ap a ti the lor d , ,

o f cre a tu r es A s ne ar ly a ll t h e .

s a cre d w r ite r s see m to r eg a r d it

a s a d uty to d escribe the wo r k of

c r e a tion a s pe r fo r me d by this
od a n d as e a c h a ccou n t d iffe rs
g ,

i n d et a il fr o m the others i t is a ,

pe r fectly hopeless t a sk to a ttempt

to give a h a r m onise d st a te m ent
g a the r e d fr o m the m a ll I sh a ll .

t h e r efo r e give M a nu s a ccou nt o f ’

it which is l a r gely fou n d e d u pon

,

t h e te a chi n g o f the Ve d a s though ,

consi d e r a bly m i xe d u p with m o r e

m o d e r n views .

This u n ive r se w a s envelope d

“

i n d a r k n ess — unpe r ceive d un d is ,

t i n gu i s h a b le u n d iscove r a ble u n , ,

RA H A
B M .
kn o w a ble a s it we r e enti r ely sunk , ,

i n sleep The i r r es stible self . i

existent l o r d u n d isce r ne d c r e a ti n g t h is u nive r se w ith t h e five

, ,

ele m e n ts a n d a ll ot h e r t h i n gs w as m a n ifeste d d ispelli n g the

, ,

gl o o m H e w h o is beyon d t h e cog n iz a n ce of the se n ses subtile

.
, ,

D h ar m a Sh a s t r a h ps i —
V, w bo
‘ ’
,
c a . . . r i tt e n a ut 8 00
 B RA H M A .
5

u n d isce r nible ete r n a l who is the essence of all things a n d i n

, , ,

conceiv a ble h i m sel f sho n e fo r th ,

H e d esi r i n g seeking to .
, ,

p r o d uce v ar ious c r e a tures fr om his o w n bo d y fi r st c r e a te d

‘

t h e w a te r s a n d d eposite d in them a see d This ( see d ) bec a m e

,
.

a gol d en egg r esplen d e n t as t h e sun in which h e hi m self

, ,

w as bo r n as Br a h m a the progenito r o f a ll wo r l d s The w a te r s

,
.

a r e c a l le d n ar an bec a use t h ey a r e the o ffsp r ing o f N a r a ; a n d

,

s i n ce they were for m e r ly the pl a ce o f h is m ove m e n t (aya n a ) ,

h e is the r efo r e c a l le d N a r ay a n a Being fo r m e d by th a t F i r st .

*

C a use un d iscernible ete r n a l which is both existent a n d n o n

, , ,

exi stent th a t m a le is known in th e wo r l d a s B r a h m a Th a t

,
.

lo r d h a ving conti n ue d a ye a r i n t h e egg d ivi d e d it into two ,

p a rt s by h is m e r e th o u gh t T In the M a h abha r a t a a n d so m e .
”
,

o f th e Pu r an a s B r a h ma is s a i d to h a ve iss ue d fr o m a lotu s th a t

sp r ung fr o m the n avel of V

,

ish n u .

The egg r efe r r e d to a bove is thus d esc r ibe d i n th e Vi shnu ‘

P u r an a z T I ts womb v a st a s the mount a in M e r u w a s c o m

’

, ,

pose d o f the m ount a ins a n d t h e m ighty oce a ns we r e the w a te r s ,

which fi lle d its c a vity I n th a t egg were the co n tine n ts se a s a n d .

, ,

m ount a ins the pl a net s an d d ivisions o f the unive r se ; the g o d s ,

t h e d emons a n d m a nkin d B r a h ma is s a i d to be bo r n ; a fa m ili a r .

ph r a se t o signi fy his m a nifest a tio n This won d e r ful egg a fte r .

,

the C r e a to r h a d inh abite d it fo r a thous a n d ye ar s bu r st op en , ,

a n d B r a h m a by m e d it a tion com m ence d the work o f cre a tion .

S eeing th a t t h e e a r th w a s su n k bene a th t h e w aters he a ssu m e d ,

the fo r m of a bo a r ! a n d d iving r a ise d it upon his tusks A fte r

, , ,
.

this B r a h m a continue d th e work o f cre ation

, .

A c c or d i n t o t h eB ah m a P a
g o th e m e Ap v (wh o p tr ur n a,
’
an r na ,
a a s or s o n

th e w g v B h m a wh i ch h
a te r s ) , i s i en i mil th gh t ra id ti l ,
as a s ar , ou no an en ca

a ppl i t i w i th N a ay
ca on Ap v c d i g t th t P a
r di vi d d h i m
an a. a a, a cor n o a ur n a, e
se lf i t tw o p t m l n d f m l e f m wh m p e d e d V i h wh i
n o ar s , a e a e a ro o roc e s nu, o n

ted V
,

hi t s u rn i aj w h
cr e a b gh t t h fi t m i t t h e w l d W i l
r , o r ou e rs an n o or . s on
sa y s ,
Ac d i g t th c m m t t
co r n thi po g th e fi t t g w t h
e o en a o r o n s assa e, rs s a e as e

cr e a ti o f Ap v
n o Vi h i t h Vi j by V i h th gh t h e g cy f
a a, o r s s a, or ra s nu, r ou a en o
B h ; d t h n ex t w t h c e t i
ra m a an ef M by V j Z) w
i — as e r a on o an u ra .
”
o s 0n ,

s. Ap a n e. T M i O S T iv 3 1 TP g 18 u r, . . .
, . . a e .

I l t e w i t i g V i h u i n a p eci al i n c n ti n i s s i d t h v e
n a r r n s s n ,
S ar a o ,
a o a

ac c o mpl i s h e d t h i s w o k r .
86 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

In pictu r es B r a h m a is r ep r esente d a s a r e d m an with four

h e a d s thoug h i n the Pu r a n a s he is s a i d to h a ve h a d o r igin a lly
,

five H e is d r esse d i n white r a i m e n t a n d r i d es u pon a goose

. ,
.

I n o n e h a n d he c a r ries a st a ff i n t h e othe r a d ish fo r r eceiving ,

a l ms A lege n d i n t h e M a tsy a P u r an a gives the fol lowi n g ‘ ’ *

.

a cc o u n t o f the fo r m a tio n o f h is n u m e r ou s h e a d s B r ahm a

n ext fo r m e d fr o m h is o w n i m m a cul a te s u bst a nce a fe m a l e who

is celeb r a te d u n d e r the n a m es o f S at a r u p a S avit r i S a r a sv a ti , , ,

G ay a t r i a n d B r a h m a ni
,
B ehol d ing hi s d a ughte r bo r n fr om h is .
,

b o d y B r ah m a bec a me woun d e d with the a r r ows of love a n d

, ,

excl a i m e d H ow s u r p a ssi n gly lovely she is

,
‘
S a t a r u p a turne d
t o t h e r ig h t si d e fr o m his g a ze ; but a s B r a h m a wishe d to

l o ok a fte r h e r a secon d h e a d i ssue d fr om h is b o d y A s she

,
.

p a sse d to t h e left a n d behi n d h i m to a voi d his a m o r o u s gl a n ces

, , ,

two othe r he a d s successively a ppe a re d A t lengt h S h e sp r a ng .

i n t o t h e sky ; a n d as B r a h m a w a s a nxious to g a ze a fter h e r

t h e r e a fifth h e a d w a s i mm e d i a tely fo r m e d B r a h m a t h en s a i d
, .

t o h is d a ughter Let us p r o d uce a ll ki n d s of a n i m a te d beings

, ,

m e n S u r a s ( go d s ) a n d A su r a s ( d e m ons )
,
H e ar i n g this s h e
, .
,

d esce n d e d a n d B r a h m a h a vi n g esp o use d h e r t h ey wit h d r ew to a

, ,

seclu d e d spot whe r e they d welt togethe r fo r o n e h u n d r e d d ivine

ye a r s ; T a t the expi r a tion o f whic h ti m e w as born M a n u who i s ,

a lso c a lle d S w a a mb h u va a n d V
”
y i r aj T .

T h e following legen d ! occ u r s with so m e v ar i ations in se , ,

ve r a l Pu r an a s showing why B r a h m a w a s d ep r ive d o f hi s fift h

,

h ead
“
O n ce when they we r e a sse mble d o n the t o p o f M e r u th e ,

h o ly s a ges h avi n g s a lute d B r a h m a r equeste d h i m to d ecl ar e the ,

t r u e n a t u r e of t h e go d he a d ; but the C re ato r i n fl uence d by the ,

H i d M y th o l o gy p 3 1 7
Ke n n ed y s ’ ‘
n u
,
’
. .

TS P t II h p x
ee ar . c a . .

T T h e i l ag v t P an s y s th e e w s o th e s on f om th i m a r i g e
’
i a a a ur a a r a an r r s r a ,

na m d P iy v t
e B e i g d i s s t i s fi e d w i th t h e w o k o f t h e S n b e c a e h e
r a r a a. n a r u us
il l m i t d ly e h lf o f th w o l d t t i m e h e f llo w e d h i m s e v e t i m e
u na e on on -
a e r a a ,
o n s

i n a fl m i g c h i t o f e q l v e l o c i t y l i k e o th e r s u
a n ar o d th s t
ua e d n i gh t , an n , an u urn
i t d y
n o B h m a s t pp d h i m T h e t s m d e by h i s c h a i o t wh e el s b e
a . ra o e . ru a r
ca me t h e s e v e d th t h e s e v e n c o n t i en t s w e r e ma d e — D aw s on
n o ce an s an us n .

K e n e d y s H i n d u M y th o l o gy p 2 7 3
’ ‘ ’
n . .
,
88 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

B r ah m a w a s d ep r ive d of his fifth he a d U pon th is Vis h n u a n d .

B r a h m a p r a ise d S iv a .

In a n o the r p a r t of the s a m e Puran a is a nother l egen d giving ,

a so m ew h a t d iffe r ent a ccount o f this circu m st a nce

F o r m e r ly a ll thi n gs m ov a bl e a n d i mm ov a bl e h a ving been

d est r oye d nought re m a i n e d bu t o n e boun d less oce a n ; nor fi r e
, ,

n o r a i r n o r sun nor a t m osphe r e n o r st a r s n o r pl a n ets nor light

, , , , , ,

n o r e a r th n o r he a ven n o r go d s n o r d emons existe d then

, ,
a n d a ll

w a s i n volve d in i m pe n et r a ble d a r k n ess O ne being a lone M a h a .

,

Kal a ( S iv a ) pe r v a d e d a ll sp a ce ; who being d esirous o f cre a tion

, ,

c h u r n e d his l eft a r m with his r ight forefinger ; when issue d a

bubble which i n c r e as mg i n S i ze bec a m e a n egg rese mbling gol d
,
.

T h is egg M a h a Kal a d ivi d e d with his h a n d ; o f the u pper p a r t

h e fo r m e d the he a vens a n d o f the lowe r h a lf the e a rth a n d
, ,

i n t h e cent r e of it a ppe ar e d B r a h ma with five he a d s a n d four

a r m s t o w h o m M a h a Kal a thus s a i d Th r ough my fa vour e ffect ‘
, ,

cre a tion h a ving t h us spoken h e d is a ppe a r e d , .

“
B r ah m a h avi n g then consi d ere d in wh a t m a nne r h e cou l d
a cco m plish this obj ect p r opiti a te d this lo r d Bh a v a with a
,

seve r e tapa s ( m e d it a tio n ) a n d i n consequ ence receive d fr o m h i m

,

t h e fou r Ve d a s a n d w a s thus en able d to beco m e the C r e a tor

, .

But a s S iv a h a d not r eve a le d hi m self B r ah ma co n tinu e d h i s ,

tap a s i n o r d er th a t he might behol d th a t go d S iv a w as ‘

, .

p r opiti a te d ; but stil l invisible thus s a i d O Br ah m a choose

, , ,
‘
,

w h ateve r boon thou choosest B r ah m a cr a ve d t h a t S iv a woul d

beco m e his son S iv a replie d : P r opiti a te d by thy piety I will
.
‘
,

bec o m e t h y son u n d e r the fo r m o f R u d r a ; but as thou h a st

c r ave d a boon which ought not to h a ve been a ske d I sh a l l o n ,

this a cc o u n t he r e a fte r cu t o ff o n e o f thy h e a d s N eve r thel ess .

,

though thou sh a lt a fte r wa r d s possess but four he a d s yet a s thou ,

h a st been fo r m e d by m e fr o m my own subst a nce whic h is th a t

,

B r ah m a s h a lt thou i n r e m embra nce o f this ci r cu m st a nce be

,

d e n o m i n a te d B r a h m a A lso fr o m m y beco m i n g thy son sh a lt

.

th o u be c a lle d Pi t am ah a ( th e g r e at fa the r ) .

“
B r a h m a h avi n g obt a i n e d both a boon a n d a curse procee d e d , ,

K e n n ed y s Hi ’
n du My th ol ogy p ,
’
. 2 7 6.
 B RAH MA .
9

in o r d e r to e ffect cre a tion to s a c r ifice to th a t fi r e which h a d ,

sp r u n g fr o m his o w n effulgence a n d fr o m the h e a t pe r spi r a tion ,

collecte d on h is fo r ehe a d I n wiping this o ff with a s m a ll piece

.

of woo d a d r op of bloo d fell into the fi r e fr o m which by th e

, ,

will of S iv a sp r a ng Ru d r a o f a d a r k hu e with five h e a d s ten , , ,

h a n d s a n d fifteen e yes ; h a vi n g a serpent for h is B r a h m a n ic a l

,

th r e a d we a ring twiste d locks a n d the m oon o n his he a d a n d

, , ,

clothe d in the skin o f a lion H a ving seen suc h a son B r a h m a .

,

wa s d elig h te d an d bestowe d o n h i m v a r ious a ppell a tio ns

,
.

B r a h m a h aving c r e a te d v a r ious cl a sses of beings they a ll a d o r e d ,

h i m except Ru d r a to who m B r a h m a s a i d
,
Why d ost thou not ,

also a d o r e m e ? R u d r a r eplie d I wo r s h i p none other t h a n t h a t

’ ‘
,

e ffulgence fr o m which I sp r a n g H a ving thu s S poken he ,

d ep ar te d to S iv a s a bo d e B ut B r a h m a fr o m the i m pu r ity o f h is
’
.

n a t u r e bec a me im m erse d in spi ri tu a l d a rkness a n d thought th a t ,

it w a s by his o wn powe r a lone th a t he h a d e ffecte d c r e a tion a n d ,

the r e w a s n o other go d equ a l to h i m H is fifth he a d a lso h aving .

re a d the Ve d a s whic h the othe r four he a d s h a d d elivere d

, ,

a cquire d a splen d ou r which neither S ur a s ( go d s ) n o r A suras

( d e m o ns
) co u l d en d u r e .
”

The P a d m a P u r a n a
‘
thus concl u d es this s t 0 1y : U n able
’ * “

t he r efo r e to a pp r o a ch o r behol d it t h ey d ete r m i n e d to a pply t o ,

S iv a fo r r el ief B eing p ropiti a te d by them S iv a g r a nte d their

.
,

r equest a n d p r ocee d e d with them to whe r e B r a h m a r e m a i n e d i n

, .

fla t e d with p r i d e On seeing S iv a B r a h m a d i d n o t p a y h i m t h e
.
,

custom ar y honou r s S iv a seeing B r a hma s fifth he a d inflicting

.
,
’

d ist r ess on the unive r se by its e ffulge n t be a ms b r ighte r th a n a ,

th ous a n d suns a pp r o a ch ed hi m a n d s a i d Oh this he a d shin es

, ,

wit h too m uch splen d ou r a n d imme d i a tely cut it o ff with the,

’

n a i l o f his left thu mb with as much e a se as a m a n cuts o ff th e

,

ste m o f a pl a nt a in tree .
”

( The M a habh a r at a s a ys th a t S iv a d i d not a ctu a lly cut o ff

B r a h m a s he a d on this occ a sion but w as o n ly preve n te d fr o m
’

d oi n g this th r ough t h e inte r cession of the go d s I t w a s bec a u se .

o f his a ttempting to se d uce his o w n d a ughter th a t S iv a d ec a pi

K en n ed y s ’
Hi n du My th l o gy p
o ,
’
. 2 76 .
90 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

t at e d h i m This c r i m e w as a tte m pte d when i n a fi t o f intoxic a

.

tio n ; h e n ce B r a h m a pro n ounce d a cu r se upon t h e go d s wh o

shoul d he r e a fte r d r ink spi r its .

I n t h e p a ss a ges j u st quote d B r a h m a i s r ep r esente d a s ,

wo r s h ippi n g S iv a fo r his o w n S peci a l benefit ; in the Vishnu ‘

P u r an a ,
h e is d esc r ibe d a s j oi n i n g with go d s a n d m e n i n t h e
’

wo r s h ip of this s a m e d eity a n d a s o ffici a ti n g as p r iest o n th a t ,

o cc a si o n A n d i n a n othe r p a r t of the Pu r a n a Tis the following

.

h y mn a d d r esse d to Vish n u by B r a h m a Thou a r t the co m m on

ce n t r e o f a ll the p r otecto r of the wo r l d a n d a ll t h i n gs exist i n
, ,

thee A ll t h a t h a s bee n o r wi ll be t h ou ar t The r e is nothing

.
, , .

else but t h ee O lo r d nothing else h a s been o r will be Thou

, ,
.

a r t i n d epen d e n t a n d without begi n ni n g The obj ect of thi s ”

.
,

l a u d ati o n w a s to in d uce Vishnu to s a ve the e ar th fr om its lo a d

o f so r r ow ; in a n swe r to it Vis h n u a ppe a r e d on e a r th a s K r is h n a ,
.

A t the p r esent ti m e B r a h m a is n o t l a r gely wo r shippe d by the

H i n d us .The B r ah m a ns in thei r m o r n ing a n d eve n i n g wo r ship
“

r epe a t a n i n c a nt a tion cont a ining a d esc r iption o f the i m a ge of

B r a h m a ; a t n o on they p r esent to h i m a single flower ; a t the

ti me of b u r n t offe r i n g g/zz is p r ese n te d to h i m I n the m onth o f
-
,
'

M ag h a t the full m oo n a n e a r t h en i ma ge of h i m i s w o r shippe d

, , ,

with t h a t of S i v a on his right h a n d a n d Vis h n u o n h is le ft i ,

.
”

B r a h m a a s C r e a to r is supp o se d to h a ve finishe d his wo r k hence

excepti n g i n o n e pl a ce vi z at P u s h k a r a i n Ajmi r the r e is no
,
.
,

te m ple t o this go d now existi n g It is evi d e n t th a t fo r ce n tu r ies .

the wo r s h ip o f B r a h m a h as not been co mm on fr o m t h e fa ct t h a t ,

i n t h e Sk a n d a Pu r a n a ! is a n in d elic a te legen d i n which the

‘ ’

ch a r ge o f fa lseh o o d is p r ove d a g a inst h i m a n d is given to ,

a ccount fo r the fa ct th a t h is wo r ship h a d ce a se d I t co n c lu d es .

a s follows Si n ce thou h a st c h il d is h ly a n d with we a k un d e r

st a n d i n g a sse r te d a fa lseh oo d let no on e h e n cefo r t h perfor m ,

wo r shi p to t h ee .

T h e M a h ab h ar a t a s ays th a t B r a h m a s he aven is eight hu n d r e d ’

m iles lo n g fo u r h un d r e d wi d e a n d fo r ty h ig h
, N a r a d a d ecl ar e d ,
.

Pa g e 10 2 T P age 4 96
T\
. .

Va r d ,
i i 30
. . Ke n n ed s’
y H i n d u My th o l ogy p ,
’
. 27 1 .
9 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

S ar a sv a ti h a ving been pro d uce d fr o m B r ah m a w as r eg a r d e d as ,

his d a ughte r ; hence her union with h im w as s a i d to b e c r i mi n a l

by the other go d s S o m eti m es sh e .

is c a lle d the wife o f Vishnu but ,

t h is d i fficulty is expl a ine d by a

S a r a sv a ti by th e st an ,

d a r d mythologic a l a uthorities i s
t h e wife of Br a h m a The V a ish .

n a v a s o f B eng a l h a ve a popul a r
legen d th a t she w a s the wife o f
Vishnu as W ere a lso L a ksh m i a n d
,

G a nga The l a d ies d is agree d

.
,

S a r asv a ti like the other type o f ,

le a r ne d l a d ies M ine r v a being , ,

someth ing o f a te r m a g a nt ; a n d
Vishnu fin d ing t h at o n e wife w a s
,
'

as much as even a go d coul d

m a n a ge tr a nsfe r re d S ar a sv a ti t o
,

B r a hma a n d G a nga t o S iv a a n d ,

V
S A RA S AT I .
contente d h imself with L a kshm i

a lone .

S ar a sv a ti is a go d d ess o f so m e though not o f very g r e a t i m

po rt a n ce i n t h e Ve d a s Sh e is celebr a te d bot h as a r iver a n d
.

a go d d ess S he w a s p r im arily a r ive r d eity as h e r n a m e t h e ‘

.
, ,

w a te r y cle ar ly d enotes an d in this c a p a c ity she i s celeb r a te d

,
’

in a few sep a r a te p a ss a ges A l lusion is m ad e in the hymns as

.
,

wel l a s i n the B r ahm a n a s to s a c r ifices being pe r fo r me d o n th e

,

b a n ks o f this r iver a n d o f the a dj oining D r i s h ad va t i ; a n d t h e

,

S a r a sva ti i n p a r ticul ar seems to h a ve been a ssoci a te d with the

r eput a tion for s a nctity which w as a scribe d to the whole r egion
ca l le d B r ah mava r tt a lyi n g be tween these two s m a l l st r e a ms
, ,

a n d situ ate d i mm e d i a tely to the westw a r d o f the J u mna The .

S ar a sv a ti t h us a ppe a rs to h ave been to th e e a r ly I n d i a ns wh a t

the G a nges ( which i s only twice n a m e d i n t h e R ig Ve d a) is to -

t h eir d escen d a n ts . When once the r ive r h a d ac qu i r e d a di vine

W i ls on s W o k s
’
r . 1 1. 1 8 7 .
 S A R A S VA TI .
93

ch ar a cte r it w a s qu ite n atu r a l th a t sh e shou l d be re gar d e d as

,

t h e p a t r oness of ce r e m oni es which we r e celeb r a te d o n the m a r gin

o f h e r holy w a te r s a n d th a t h e r d i r ection a n d blessing shoul d
,

be i n voke d a s essenti a l to thei r p r ope r pe r fo r m a nce a n d success .

The con n exion i n to which s h e w a s thu s b r ought with s a c r e d r ite s

m ay h a ve le d to the fu r the r step of i m a gining h er t o h ave a n
influence o n the composition of the hy m ns which fo r m e d so
i m po r t a nt a p a r t o f the p r ocee d ings a n d of i d entifyi n g h e r wit h ,

Vach the go d d ess o f speech A t le a st I h a ve no other e x pl a n a

,
.

tion to offe r to this d ouble ch a r a cter a n d i d entific a tio n "

“
S a r a sv a ti is fr equently i n vite d to the s a c r ifices a long w ith
seve r a l other go d d esses who h owever we r e never like h e r r iver
, , , , ,

nymphs but p e r s o n i fi cat i o n s o f s ome d ep a rt m e n t o f r eligious

,

wors h ip o r s a c r e d sci e nc e S h e is fr equ ently invoke d a long with

,
.

other d eities .

“
I n m a ny p a ss a ge s where she is celeb r a te d her origin a l ch a ,

r a c t e r is a s I h a ve inti m a te d d istinctly prese r ve d

,
Thus in two
, .

pl a ces she is mentione d a long with rivers o r ferti li zing w a ters : Ye ,

opulent w a ters c o m m an d riches ; ye possess excellent power

,

a n d i mm ort a lity ye a r e m istresses of we a lth a n d p r oge n y m ay

S a r a sv ati be s tow this vit a lity o n her worshippe r A n d she is .
’

m entione d with the othe r well know n st r e a m s which a r e the r e

-

n a m e d the S in d hu G a nga & c I n a nother pl a ce she is s a i d to

, , ,
.

surp a ss a ll other rive r s a n d to flow pu r e fr o m t h e m ou n t a ins to

,

t h e s e a I n othe r pl a ces sh e is c a lle d u pon to d escen d fr o m the

.
’

sky fr o m the g rea t m o u nt a in to t h e s a c r ifice a n d is supplic a te d

,

to co mb ine with th e spouses o f the othe r go d s to a ffo r d secu r e ,

p r otectio n to the wo r shippers : I t i s d i fficult to s a y whethe r in

an
y o f t h e p a ss a ges in which S a r a sv a ti is i n voke d even i n those ,

whe r e sh e a ppe ar s a s the p a t r oness o f holy r ites h e r ch ar a cte r as ,

a rive r g o d d ess i s e n tirely left o u t o f sight .

“
I n the l a te r m y t h o lo g y a s is well known S a r a sv a ti w as
, ,

i d entifie d with Vach a n d bec a m e un d e r v a r iou s n a m es the spou s e

,

o f B r a h m a an d th e go d d e s s o f wis d o m a n d eloque n ce
,
an d i s ,

i nvoke d a s a M use I n the M a habha r a t a sh e is c a lle d the

.

Mui O r, . S T
. .
,
v .
3 39 .
94 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

m othe r of the Ve d a s a n d the s a m e is s a i d o f Vach in the T a it

,

B r a h whe r e she is s a i d to be the wife of I n d r a to c o n t a i n within

, ,

he r self a ll wo r l d s a n d to h a ve been soug h t a fte r by the Ris h is

,

who co m pose d the Ve d ic hy m ns a s well as by t h e go d s throug h ,

a u ste r ity
”
.

I n t h e P u r a n a s S a r a sv a ti i s S poken o f un d er other titles

,
A .

ve r se i n the M a tsy a Pu r an a gives a utho r ity for the belief th a t ’

o n e go d d ess only is i n ten d e d though S h e is c a lle d by seve r a l ,

n a m es : B r a h m a next for m e d fr o m his o w n i m ma cul a te

“

subst a nce a fe m a le w h o is celeb r a te d u n d er t h e n a m es o f

,

S a t a r u p a S a vit r i S a ra sv a ti Gay a tri a n d B r ah m a n i I n the ”

.
, , , ,

following legen d fr o m the S k a n d a P u r an a Tthough by S a vit r i ,

’

S a r a sv a ti i s inten d e d Gay a t r i r ep r esents so m e othe r pe r son who

,

bec a m e a s econ d wife of B r a h m a Isw a ra ( S iv a ) is a d d r essing .

D evi ( P a r v a ti )
“
Listen O D evi a n d I wil l tell you how S avit r i fo r sook
, ,

B r a h m a a n d he in consequ ence espouse d Gay a t r i The Ve d a s

,
.

h ave d ecl a r e d the g r e a t a d v a nt a ges which a r e d e r ive d fr o m

s a c r ifice by which the go d s a r e d elighte d a n d the r efo r e bestow
, ,

r a in upo n the e ar th To secu r e therefo r e the ve r d u r e a n d

.

vit a lity o f the t h r ee worl d s I pe r fo r m s a c r ifices ; a n d i n , ,

i mit a tio n of me s a c r ifices a r e pe r fo r m e d by go d s a n d m e n Fo r

, .

the s a m e pu r pose Br a h m a a n d his wife S avit r i the i m mo r t a ls , ,

a n d the h oly s a ges rep a i r e d to P u s h k a r a ; but whe n a ll the

p r ep a r ati o ns h a d been m a d e with a ll d u e rites an d ce r e m onies , ,

fo r pe r fo r m ing the s a c r ifices S a vit r i d et a ine d by so m e house , ,

h o l d a ffa i r s wa s not in a tte n d a nce A p r iest a cco r d i n gly went

,
.

t o c a l l h e r ; but she replie d I h a ve n o t yet co m plete d m y ‘

,

d r ess n o r a r r a n ge d seve r a l a ffa irs

, L a ksh m i a n d Bh a va n i a n d .
, ,

G a n g a a n d S v ah a a n d I n d r ani a n d t h e wives O f th e othe r go d s

, , ,

a n d o f t h e holy s a ges h a ve n o t yet a rrive d a n d how the r efo r e

, ,

c a n I ente r the a sse mbly a lo n e ?

’

“
T h e p r iest r etu r ne d a n d thu s a d d r ess e d B r a h m a : S a vit r i
,

i s e n g age d a n d wil l n o t co m e ; but witho u t a wife wh a t a d va n

t a ge c an be d e r ive d fr o m these r ites ? The go d i n cense d a t ’

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
v .
337 ff .
T Ke n n edy , Hi ndu My th l ogy p
o ,
’
.
3 20 .
9 6 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

consequence o f Bh r i gu s cu r se be bo r n a m o n gst men a n d sh a lt

’

, ,

e n d u r e the a gony o f h avi n g t h y wife r a vishe d fr o m thee by thine

enemy ; a n d long a lso sh a lt thou w a n d er t h e hu m ble keeper o f ,

c a ttle ! To R u d r a she s a i d : By the cu r s e o f the holy s a ges

’
,

s h a lt thou be d ep r ive d o f thy m a nhoo d ! To A gni : M a yest ’

thou be a d evou r e r o f a ll things cle a n a n d u ncle a n ! , To the ’

p r iests a n d B r ahm a ns : H e n cefo r th sh a l l ye perfo r m s a c r ifices

‘

solely fro m the d esi r e o f obt a ining the usu a l gifts ; a n d fr o m

covetous n ess a lone sh a ll ye a tte n d temples a n d holy pl a ces ;
,

s a tisfie d only sh a ll ye be with th e foo d o f othe r s a n d d iss a tisfie d ,

with t h at of you r o w n houses ; a n d in qu est o f r iches sh a l l ye

un d uly pe r form holy r ites a n d ceremonies
H aving pronou n ce d these cu r ses S a vit r i left th e a sse m bly , ,

a n d w as a ccomp a nie d for a sho r t d ist a nce by L a ksh m i a n d the

othe r go d d esses when they a ll d ecl a r e d thei r in t e n tion o f r etu r n

,

ing O n he a r i n g this S a vitri wa s incense d a n d thus a d d r esse d

.
, ,

t hem : S ince yo u n o w fo r s a ke m e O L a ksh m i ! m ayest thou

‘
,

never r e m a in st ation ary i n o n e pl a ce a n d m a yest thou a lw a ys

a bi d e with the vile the i n const a nt the contemptible the sinfu l

, , , ,

t h e c r uel the foolish a n d th e b ar b a r i a n !

, ,
A n d I n d rani when , ,

I n d r a i n cu r s the guilt of B r ah man i c i d e by sl a ying T va s t r i s s o n ’

t hen sh a ll N a h u s h a a cqui r e his king d om a n d d esi r ous of obt a in , ,

i n g thee sh ll excl i
,
a a m A m I not n d r a
,
“
I ? why then d oes not
th e you g n a n d lovely In d r ani w a it u po n m e ? If I d o not
obt a in her I wi ll sl a y a ll the g o d s
,
Thou o n le a rn ing his wishes
.
”

sh a lt r e m a in i n thy house i mm e r se d in grief a n d bo r ne d own by ,

the weig h t o f m y cu r se S a vit r i then p r onou n ce d this cu r se on

the wives of the go d s collectively : M a y you a ll r e m a in b a r r en
‘

a n d m ay you neve r e n j oy t h e ple a su r e of h a ving chil d ren !

Vishnu the n t r ie d i n v a in to a ppe a se h e r .

”

A fte r S avit r i s a ng r y d ep a r tu r e fr om the a ssembly Gay a tri

’

m o d ifie d the cu r ses t h a t h a d been pronounce d S he promise d .

a ll k in d s of blessing inclu d ing fin a l a bs o r ption into h i m to a ll

, ,

t h e wo r shippe r s o f B r a h m a T h ough I n d r a be bou n d his son

. ,

shoul d r ele a se h i m Though Vishnu lost his wife he shoul d

.
,

L ak shmi i s th e g o dd e s s of fo r tu n e.
 S A R A S VA TI .
97

r eg a in h e r Though R u d r a be d ep r ive d of his m a n h oo d t h e

.
,

Ling a a s his rep r esent a tive shou l d be unive r s a lly wo r shippe d .

Though m e n m a d e gifts to the Brah m a ns it woul d be bec a use ,

they r evere n ce d them as go d s A n d though the go d d esses cou l d

.

not h ave chi l d r en o f thei r o wn this fa ct woul d not c a use them

,

r egret .

Th e P a d ma Pu r an a gives a h a ppi er ter m i n a tion t o this story .

Vishnu a n d L a kshmi a t B r a h m a s r e qu est followe d S avit r i whe n

,
’

she left the a sse m bly a n d in d uce d her to re t u r n O n r e e n te r i n g

,
.
-
,

B ra h m a a ske d wh a t she wishe d h i m to d o with Gay a t r i S avit r i .

w a s too b a shful to spe a k w he r eupon Gay a t r i threw herself a t her

feet S avitri r a ise d h er a n d e m b r a cing h e r s a i d A wife ought
.
,

to obey the wishes a n d or d e r s o f her h usb a n d fo r th a t wife who

r ep r o a ches h e r husb a n d who is co m pl a ining an d qu a r r elso m e
, ,

a n d inste a d o f bei n g his life d ep r ives h i m by her co n d u ct o f

,

lengt h o f ye a rs sh a ll W hen she d ies m ost a ssure d ly go to hell

, , ,
.

C onsi d e r ing this the virtu ou s wife will d o nothing d isple a sing to
,

h e r husb a n d therefo r e let us both b e a tt a che d to B r a h m a .

S o be it s a i d Gay a tri ; thy o r d e r s wil l I a lways obey a n d

,
”
~“
,

esteem thy fr ien d ship precious a s my life Thy d a ughte r a m I .

,

O go d d ess D eign to protect me

I n a legen d i n the V a r ab a Pu r an a S a r a sv a ti is a d d resse d as
‘
,
’

Gay a tri S ar a sv a ti M ah e s h va r i (one of the n a mes o f P a r v a ti )

, , ,

an d a lso S a vit r i H er m ost com m on n a me is S ar a sv a ti by

.
,

w hich n a me a s the go d d ess o f l e a rning she is r egul a r ly wor

, ,

shippe d once a ye a r .
98 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

C H A P T E R IV .

VISH NU AN D LA K S H M I .

V I SH N U
VI SH N U is c lle d the secon d pe son
a the H in d u T r i m u rt i o r
r of ,

T r i a d : but t h ough c a lle d s econ d it m ust not be suppose d th a t

,

h e is r eg ar d e d as in a n y w ay i nferio r to B r a h m a in so m e books
B r a h m a is s a i d to be the fi r st c a use o f a ll things i n othe r s ,

it is a s st r ongly a sse r te d th a t Vish n u h as this honou r ; w h ile

i n othe r s it is cl a i m e d fo r S iv a A s Br a hm a s speci a l wo r k
’
.

is c r e a tio n th a t o f Vishnu is preserv ation I n the following

,
.
"

p a ss age fr o m the P a d m a P u r an a it is t a ught th a t Vishnu is the

,
’

s u p r e m e c a u se an d a lso th a t h is S peci a l wo r k is to pr es er ve
,
In
the begi n ning o f c r e a tio n the gre a t Vishnu d esirous o f c r e a ting
, ,

the whole wo r l d b ec a m e threefol d C re a to r P r e s e i v e r D estroye r

, , , .

I n o r d e r to c r e a te this worl d the S up r e m e S pi r it p r o d uce d fr o m

,

the r ig h t si d e of his bo d y hi m self a s B r a h m a ; the n in o r d e r to ,

p r ese r ve the wo r l d he p r o d uce d fr om his left si d e Vish n u a n d

,

i n o r d e r to d estroy the wo r l d h e p r o d uce d fr om the m i d d le o f

,

h is bo d y the ete r n a l S iv a S o m e wo r ship B r a h m a othe r s

.
,

Vish n u others S iv a but Vishnu one yet th r eefol d c r e a tes p r e

, , , ,

se r ves a n d d estroys the r efo r e let the piou s m a ke no d iffe r e n ce

,

betwee n the th r ee .

The essence o f the te a ching o f the Vishnu Pu r an a i s given ‘ ’

i n a few lines .
"
Listen to the co m plete co m pe n d iu m o f the
P u r an a a cco r d ing to its tenor The wo r l d w a s p r o d uce d fr o m
.

Vis h n u it exists in h i m he is th e c a use of its co n ti n u a nce a n d

cess a ti o n he is the wo r l d I mm e d i a tely a fte r w a r d s is a hy mn
.

‘
V h is nu P u r an a ,
’
p . 60 7 .
1 oo T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

r ive d fr o m the r oot n i s

( to ente r
) ente r ing in o r perv a d ing the

u n ive r se a g r ee ably to the text of the Ve d a s : H a ving c r e a te d

,

t h at ( w o r l d ) he t h e n a fte r w a r d s e n ters into it

,
A cco r d ing to .
’

t h e M atsy a Pu r a n a the n a m e a llu d es to his ente r i n g into the

‘
,
’

m u n d a ne egg a cco r d i n g t o the P a d m a Puran a to his ente r ing

’

,
”
into o r co mbi n i n g with P r a k r iti a s P u r u s h o r spi r it ,
.

I n the Bhag a v a t a P u r an a T is the following legen d to show

’

t h e s u pe r io r ity of Vishnu Once when the holy s ages were per

fo r mi n g a s a c r ifice on the b a n ks o f the S a r a sv a ti a d ispute a r ose ,

a m ongst them as to which o f the th r ee go d s w a s g r e a test They .

se n t Bh r i gu the son of B r a h m a to a sce r t a in this point H e fi r st

, , .

went t o t h e he aven o f B r a h m a a n d d esi r ous o f d iscove r i n g the , ,

t r uth e n te r e d h is cou r t wit h out p a yi ng h i m the usu a l honou r s

,
.

I n ce n se d a t this d is r espect B r ah m a glowe d with a n ge r but r e ,

collecting t h a t it w a s c a use d by his own son he a ssu a ge d the

'

fi r e o f w r a t h w h ich h a d r isen in his m in d Bh r i gu t h en p r o .

c e e d e d to K a il a s a ; a n d when M a h e s h w a r a ( S iv a ) gl a d ly h a stene d

to e mb r a ce h i m a s a b r othe r he tu r ne d a w a y fr o m the p r offe r e d,

e mb r a ce E n r age d a t such m iscon d uct the go d sei zing his

.
, ,

t r i d e n t p r ep ar e d to kill the d ivine s a ge ; but P a r v a ti fell at hi s

,

feet a n d by h e r wo r d s a ppe a se d the a nger o f h e r lo r d Bh r i gu

,
.

n ext went to Vish n u s he a ven a n d kicke d the go d s b r e a st a s he

’ ’

, ,

la y slu mbe r i ng in the la p of L a ksh m i The lo r d r ising fr o m his .

,

co u ch a n d bowi n g r espectfully to Bh r i gu thu s a d d resse d hi m ;

, ,

‘
Welco me to thee O B r ah m a n ! B e se a te d fo r a little an d
, ,

d eig n to excuse the fa ult which th r ough igno r a nce I h a ve com

m i t t e d [ i n n o t pe r fo r m ing d uties d u e to a guest ] a n d the hu r t ,

w h ic h yo u r te n d e r feet m ust h a ve receive d ! H aving thus ’

s p o ken h e r ubbe d the feet of Bh r i gu with his own h a n d s a n d

, ,

ad ded To d ay a m I a hig h ly hon o u r e d vessel si n ce thou O

‘
-
, , ,

lo r d ! h a st i m p r inte d o n m y b r e a st the d ust of thy sin d ispelling -

feet .
’
W h e n Vish n u h a d finishe d spe a king Bh r i gu w a s so ,

a ffecte d by t h ese be n evolent wo r d s th a t h e w a s un able to ,

r eply a n d d ep a r te d i n sile n ce whilst te a rs of d evout emotion

, ,

‘
Vi h s nu P u r an a ,
’
p 3 ote
.
,
n .

1 Ken n ed y Hi n du M yth o l o gy p ’
, , . 2 40 .
 VISH NU . 101

r ushe d fro m h is eyes On his n a rr ating his a d ventures to the .

s a ints o n the b a nks of t h e S ar a sv a ti their d oubts we r e i m m e ,

d i a t e ly d ispelle d ; they believe d Vish nu to be the g r e a te st o f

the th r ee go d s bec a use he w a s exe m pt fr o m i m p a tience a n d
,

p a ssion .
”

”“
I n the P a d m a P u r an a‘
S i va is r ep r esente d a s a d m itting
Vishnu s su pe r io r ity t o hi m self A d d r essi n g h is wife he s a ys :
’
.
,

“
I will a cqu a int thee with the r e a l essence a n d fo r m of Vishn u
know then th a t h e is in t r uth N aray a n a the S upre m e S pi r it
t

, ,

an d P a r ab r ah ma ( the g r e a t B r a h m a ) without beginni n g o r ,

end o m niscient a n d omnipresent ; ete r n a l u nch a nge a ble a n d

‘

, , , ,

sup r e m ely h a ppy H e is S iv a H i r an ya ga r b h a a n d S ury a ; he

.
, ,

is m o r e excellent th a n a ll the go d s even th a n I m yself Bu t , .

i t is i m possible for me o r B r a h m a o r the go d s to d ecl a r e , ,

th e gre a tness o f Vas u d ev a the origin a tor a n d lo r d o f the ,

”
universe .

I n the Va r ah a r P u r an a T the speci a l wo r k o f Vishnu a s

‘ ’

preserver is d esc r ibe d : The su p r e m e go d N a r ay a n a h a vi n g

“

conceive d the thought o f c r e a ting this universe consi d e r e d a ls o ,

th a t it w as necess a ry th a t i t S houl d be p r otecte d a fte r it w a s

c r e a te d ; but a s it is i mpossible fo r a n incorpo r e a l being to
‘

exert a ction let m e pro d uce fr om m y o wn essence a co r po r e a l

,

being by me a ns o f whom I m ay p r otect the wo r l d

,
H a vi n g .
’

thus reflecte d the p r e existing N aray a n a cre a te d fr o m his own

,
-

subst a nce a n ungener a te d a n d d ivi n e for m o n whom he b e ,

stowe d these blessings B e thou the fr a m er o f a ll thi n gs O ,

Vishnu B e thou a lw a ys the p r otecto r o f the th r ee wo r l d s a n d ,

the a d ore d o f all m e n B e thou o m niscient a n d a l m ighty ; a n d

.

d o thou a t a ll ti m es a cco m plish the wishes o f B r a h m a a n d the

’

go d s T h e S up r e m e Spi r it then r esu m e d his essenti a l n atu r e

.
’
.

Vishnu a s he m e d it a te d o n the purpos e fo r whic h he h a d been

,
‘

p r o d u ce d s a n k into a myste r iou s slu m be r ; a n d a s i n his sleep

,
-

he i m a gine d the p r o d u ction o f v a r iou s things a lot u s sp r a ng ,

fro m his n a vel I n t h e cent r e o f this lotus B r a h m a a ppe a re d ;

.

a n d Vishnu behol d ing the p r o d uction o f his bo d y w a s d elighte d

”
.

K en n e d y , H i n du My th o l o gy p ,
’
. 2 46 .
T I bi d .
102 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

In pictu r es Vish n u i s r ep r esente d a s a bl a ck m a n with fou r

a r m s : in o n e h an d h e hol d s a club ; i n a nothe r a shell ; in a thi r d
’

a c h a k r a or d iscus with which h e slew his enemies

, ,
a n d i n the

fo u r th a lot u s H e r i d es upon the bi r d G a r u d a a n d is d resse d

.
,

in yellow r obes .

The following d escription o f Va i k u n t h a the he a ven o f Vishnu , ,

is fr o m the M a h abha r a t a I t is m a d e enti r ely o f gol d a n d is

"
,

m iles in circu m ference A ll its buil d i n gs ar e m a d e o f

.

j ewels The pill ar s a n d o r n a m ents o f the buil d ings a r e of

.

p r ecious stones The c r yst a l w a te r s o f the G a nges fa ll fr o m th e

.

h ighe r h e avens on the he a d o f D r uv a ; fr o m thence into the

h a i r o f the seven Rishis a n d fro m thence they fa ll a n d for m a
r iver . H ere a r e a lso five pools cont a ining blu e r e d a n d W hite , ,

lotuses O n a se a t glo r ious a s the meri d i a n sun sitti n g o n wh ite

.
,

lotuses is Vish n u ; a n d o n his right h a n d L a ksh m i who shi nes

, ,

like a continue d bl a ze o f lightning a n d fro m whose bo d y the ,

fr ag r a nce o f the lotus exten d s 8 00 miles .

This d eity is wo r shippe d not only un d er the n a me a n d in th e

fo r m of Vishnu but a lso i n o n e o f hi s m a ny inc a r n a ti ons
,
.

Wheneve r a n y gre a t c a l a m ity occur r e d i n the wo r l d o r the ,

wicke d ness o f a n y o f its inh a bit a nts prove d a n unbe a ra ble

n u is a nce to the go d s Vishnu a s P r ese r ve r h a d to lay a si d e his
, , ,

invisibility co me to e ar th i n so m e fo r m a n d when his work w a s

, , ,

d o n e r etu r ne d a g a i n to the skies

,
The r e is no ce r t a inty a s to .

the nu mbe r of ti mes he h a s beco m e inc a r n a te S o m e Pu r an a s .

d escribe ten A va t ar a s ; some m e n tion twenty four ; a n d so m e -

ti m es they s ay they a r e innu m er a ble Ten is the co m monly

, ,
.

r eceive d nu m be r a n d these ce r t a inly a r e the most i m po r t a nt

,

ones They will be consi d e r e d i n o r d e r O f these ten n ine

. .
,

h ave a l r e a d y been a cco m plishe d ; o n e t h e K a lki is still futu r e , , .

So me of these A vat ar as a r e o f a n enti r ely cos m ic a l c h a r a cte r ;

o th e s
r
howeve r a r e prob ably b a se d o n historic a l eve n ts the
, , ,

le a d i n g pe r so n age of which w as g r a d u a lly en d owe d with d ivi n e

a tt r ib u tes u ntil he w a s r eg a r d e d a s the inc ar n a tion o f the d eity
,

”
itself I n the M a tsy a Pu r an a Tis the following legen d which
.
’

W ard, ii . 14 . T K en n e d y , H in du My th o l ogy p ,
’
. 2 44.
1 04 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

be fo r the a d v a nt a ge o f the wo r l d a n d for the restor a tion o f ,

j ustice .
’

It is i n te r esting to know th e ch a r a cter o f the tapas ( pen a nce )

by which S uk r a hope d to g a in power ove r the go d s H e w as to .

i mbibe the s m oke of a fire o f ch a ff with his he a d d ownw ar d s fo r

a thous a n d ye a rs H e a cco m plishe d this d i fficult fe a t a n d by it
.
,

so ple a se d S iv a th a t h e g a ve h i m m a ny boons inclu d ing th a t o f

, ,

supe r io r ity over the go d s B ut the A sur a s d i d n Ot profit long

.

by this pen a nce o f their p r ecepto r a s they we r e d eceive d by ,

t h e p r ecepto r of the go d s who a ssu m ing S u k r a s form g ave

, ,
’

,
”
the m b a d a d vice which they followe d to their hurt
,
.

I n t h e Vishnu Pu r an a the benefits to b e hope d fo r fr o m the

‘ ’

wo r s h ip of Vishnu a r e t a ught The question is a ske d Bywh a t

.
,

a cts ca n m e n fr ee themselves fr o m Y a m a The r eply given is

th a t w h ich w a s once tol d by a holy M u n i w h o r ecollecte d his
fo r m e r bi r ths a n d by who m wh a t w a s a n d wh a t wi l l b e w as
,
“
, ,

a ccu r a tely tol d Y a m a behol d i n g one of his se r v a nts with a

”
.
,

n oose in his h a n d s whispere d to h i m a n d s a i d

,
Keep cle a r o f ,

t h e wo r shippe r s o f M a d h u s u d a n a ( Vishnu ) I a m lor d of a ll .

m e n the V a ishn a v a s ( worshippers o f Vish n u ) excepte d

,
I w as .

a ppointe d by B r a h m a to r est r a in m a nkin d an d regul a te the ,

consequences o f goo d a n d evi l i n the u n iverse But he w h o .

wo r ships H a r i is i n d epen d ent o f m e H e who th r ough holy .

k n owle d ge d ilige n tly a d ores the lotus foot of H ar i is r ele a se d -

fr o m a ll t h e bon d s o f sin a n d you m u st a voi d h i m a s yo u woul d

,

fi r e fe d wit h oil A n d a g a in H e who ple a ses Vishnu obt a ins

’
.

a ll ter r est r i a l enj oy m ents he a ven a n d a pl a ce in he a ven ; a n d

, ,

w h a t is best o f a ll fin a l libe r a tion wh a te ve r h e wishes an d to

, ,

w h a teve r extent whethe r m uch o r l ittl e he r eceives it when

, ,

A c h yu t a ( t h e u n d ec a ying one ) is c o n tent with h i m

’
.

T h e m e a ns by whic h the fa vour of thi s go d is to be O bt a ine d

a r e t h en expl a i n e d T h e sup r e m e Vishnu is p r opiti at e d by a
m a n w h o obse r ves the i n stitutions o f c a ste o r d e r a n d p u r i fi cat o r y , ,

p r a ctices ; n o other p a th is the w a y to ple a se h i m H e w h o .

offe r s s ac r ifices s a c r ifices to h i m he who m u r m u r s p r a yer p r a ys

, ,

Pp . 287 —2 90 .
 VI SH N U . 1 05

to h im he who inj ures living cre a tu res inj ures h i m fo r H ar i is ,

t

a ll things K e s av a is most ple a se d with hi m who d oes goo d to

.

othe r s who never ut ters a buse c a lu m ny o r u nt r uth who n eve r , ,

covets a nother s wife o r a nother s we a lth a n d who be a rs ill wil l

’ ’

,
-

tow a r d s none who neve r be a ts n o r sl a ys a n y a nim a te o r in a nim a te

thing ; w h o is ever d iligent in the s ervice o f the go d s ; o f the ,

Brah m a ns a n d o f his spi r itu a l preceptor ; who is ever d esirous o f

,

the welfa re o f all cre atu r es o f his chil d ren an d o f his o wn sou l
, ,

i n whose pure he a r t n o ple a sure is d e r ive d fro m the i mp e r fe c

tions o f love an d h a tre d The m a n who conforms to the d uties.

enj oine d by scriptu ra l a uthority fo r every c a ste a n d con d ition o f

”
life is he w h o best worships Vishnu the r e is n o other m o d e .

O f a ll the d eities n o w reve r ence d in In d i a Vishnu in his m a ny ,

for m s h as pe r h a ps the l a r gest nu mber o f wo r shippers a n d the

a ccount o f his li fe an d the pr a ises presente d to h i m occupy a

ve r y l a r ge po r tion o f the l a te r H in d u S c r iptu res Th is pre .

eminence w as ce r t a inly not r ecognise d in the Ve d ic A ge as the ,

following p a ss a ge wi ll show
“
I n t h e Rig Ve d a a r e th e following verses
-
M ay the go d s
preserve u s fr om the pl a ce fr om which Vishnu st r o d e ove r the
seven r egions o f the e ar th Vishnu stro d e over this [universe] in .

th r ee pl a ces \he pl a nte d his step [the worl d o r his step] wa s

envelope d in his d ust Vishnu th e unconqu e r abl e p r eserve r
.
, ,

stro d e th r ee I n these ve r ses there is p r ob a bly the

ge r m o f the D w a rf Inc a r n ation a n d a lso o f the a tt r ibute o f ,

P r eserve r The inte r p r et ations o f two com m ent a to r s o f the

.

th r ee st r i d es o f Vishnu ar e a s fol lows —O ne reg ar d s h i m as

a go d who i n wh a t ar e c a lle d his three stri d es i s m a nifeste d
, , ,

i n a threefol d fo r m a s A gni o n e a r th a s I n d r a o r V a yu in the ,

‘

a t m osphe r e a n d a s the S u n i n he a ven ; T the othe r interp r ets

’
,

Vishnu s th r ee st r i d es a s the r ising culmin ation an d setting o f

’ ‘
, ,

the sun T .
’
.

Vishnu in th e R ig Ve d a i s s a i d to h a ve est a bl ish e d th e

,
-
,
“

he a vens a n d the e arth ; to cont a i n a ll the wo r l d in his st r i d es

to h ave with In d r a m a d e the a t m osphe r e wi d e st r etche d out th e
, , ,

Muir O , . S T . .
,
i v 63
. .
T I bi d . iv 78
. ff
.
T I bi d .
1 06 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

wo r l d s p r o d u ce d the S u n t h e D a wn a n d F i r e to h a ve r eceive d
, , ,

the h o m age o f V ar un a whilst his g r e a tness is d escribe d a s

h a ving no li m it withi n the k e n o f p r ese n t o r future bei n gs The .

a tt r ibutes a sc r ibe d to Vis h nu in so m e o f these p a ss a ges a r e su c h ,

th a t if t h e la tter stoo d a lo n e i n the Rig Ve d a they m ig h t le a d -

,

u s to suppose th a t this d eity w a s r eg a r d e d by t h e Ve d ic Ris h i s

a s the chief of a ll the go d s Bu t I n d r a i s a ssoci a te d with Vishnu
.

eve n i n so m e of those texts in w h ich the l a tte r is m ost highly

m a g n ifie d n a y in o n e pl a ce the power by which Vishnu t a kes
, ,

h is th r ee st r i d es is d esc r ibe d as being d e r ive d fr o m I n d r a ; in

a nothe r text Vish n u is r ep r esente d a s celeb r a ting I n d r a s pr a ise
’

whilst in a nothe r ve r se Vis h nu is s a i d to h a ve been ge n e r a te d

,

by So m a It is a lso a fa ct th a t the hy m ns a n d ve r ses which a r e

.

d e d ic a te d t o the p r a ises of I n d r a A gni & C a r e ext r e m ely , , .

,

nu m e r ous whilst the entire hy m ns a n d sep a r a te ve r ses in whic h

,

Vishnu is celeb r ate d a r e much fewe r Vishnu is intro d uce d a s

the subj ect of l a u d a tion a m ong a c r ow d o f othe r d ivinities fr o m ,

which he is the r e in n o w ay d istingu ishe d a s bei ng i n a n y r espect

supe r io r F r om th is fa ct we m ay conclu d e th a t he w a s r eg a r d e d
.

by those w r ite r s a s o n a footing o f eq u a lity with the othe r d eities .

F u r the r the Rig Ve d a cont a ins n umerous texts in which the

,

Rishi s a sc r ibe to In d r a V a r un a a n d other go d s the s a me high

, , ,

a n d a wfu l a tt r ibutes a n d fu n ctions which a r e spoken o f i n othe r

hymns a s belonging to Vishnu I f then we look to the l a rge

nu mber o f texts in which so m e o f the othe r go d s a r e celeb r a te d ,

a n d to the co m p a r a tively s m a l l nu m be r o f those i n which Vishnu

is exclusively o r p r ominently m agnifie d we sh a l l co m e to the ,

conclusion t h a t the l a tte r d eity occupie d a so m ewh a t subo r d in a te

pl a ce in the esti ma tion a n d a ffections o f the a ncie n t R ishis .
”

A m ongst the t h ous a n d n a m es o f Vish n u the following i n , ,

a d d ition to those a l r e a d y given a r e m ost co mm only known

,

M a d h u s u d a n a t h e d est r oye r o f M a d hu a n d K a i t a b h aji t the

, ,

conque r o r of K a i t ab h a T h ese two d e m ons spru n g fro m Vish n u s

.
’

e a r as h e la
y sleep on the se r pent S esh a a t the e n d o f a K a lp a T
a
,

a n d we r e a bout to d est r oy B r a h m a who w a s o n the lotus which

,

M u ir, O . S T . .
,
i v 98
. .
T S ee P ar t I I ch p x
. a . .
 1 08 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

S ri the wife of N a r ay a n a the go d o f go d s

, ,
The qu estion is .

a ske d It is co m m only s a i d t h e S r i w as born fr o m t h e s e a o f

“
,

m i lk wh en i t was ,

ch u r ne d fo r a m brosi a ;
how then c a n you s a y
that she was the
da ughter o f B h r i gu
an d K h yat i ? In ”

a nswer to thi s ques

tion a m ost el a bo r a te ,

a ccount of h e r virtues

is given : S ri th e ,

b r i d e o f Vishnu the ,

m other of the wo r l d ,

i s ete r n a l impe r ish able ,

as h e is a ll pe r v a d i ng -
,

so she is o m nipresent .

Vishnu is m e a ning she ,

is speech ; H ari is
polity she is p r u d ence ; ,

Vishnu is u n d e r st a n d
ing she is i n tellect he ,

is r ighteou sness she is ,

LA K H M IS .
d evotion ; S r i i s the
e a r th H ar i is its su p ,

po r t In a wo r d of go d s a ni m a ls a n d m e n H a r i is a ll th a t is
.
, , , ,

c lle m a le ; L a ksh m i is a ll th a t is ter m e d fe m a le ; the r e i s

a d
”
nothi g else th a n they
n L a te r o n we r e a d H e r first bi r th
.
"
,

w as a s the d a ughter o f B h r i u an d K h at i it w as at a s u b s e
g y ;
quent pe r io d th at she w a s p r o d uce d fr o m the s e a a t the chu r ning ,

o f t h e oce a n by the d e m ons a n d the go s

d .

T h e a cco u n t o f the c h ur n ing of the oce a n to which fr equent ,

r efe r ence is m a d e i n the H in d u S criptures is fou n d in the ,

Ra m ay an a a n d seve r a l of the Pu r an a s though the r e a r e so m e

,

d isc r ep a ncies they a g r ee in the m a in

, Th e r e a son fo r this g r e a t
.

V i sh nu P u r an a ,
’
p . 80 .
 L A KS H M I . 1 09

a ct is a s follows ale
—A
s a int n a m e d D u r var a s a po r tion o f S iv a , ,

w as t r a velling when he met a celesti a l nymph with a sweet

,

smelling g a rl a n d which a t his r equest she g a ve to D u r var a s

,
.

E xcite d with the scent h e w as d a ncing when he met I n d r a , , ,

se a te d o n his el eph a nt To ple a se the m ighty go d the s a int .

,

p r esente d him with th e g a r l a n d who pl a ce d i t u pon his eleph a nt s ,

’

he a d The eleph a nt i n his tu r n beco m ing excite d seize d the

.
,

g a rl a n d with his trunk a n d th r ew it upon the groun d D u r var a s .

,

s eeing his gift sli ghte d cu r se d the go d in his a nge r a n d tol d h i m

, ,

th a t his king d o m shoul d be ove r whel m e d with ru in F r o m th a t .

ti me I n d r a s powe r beg a n to w a ne ; fo r though he sought for

’

n e s s the B r ah m a n s a nge r w a s not t o b e a ppe a se d s the

’

g i v e ,
A .

effects o f the cu r se we r e expe r ience d by the go d s they fe a r ing , ,

they shoul d be ove r co m e by the A sur a s fle d t o B r a h m a for help , .

H e tol d the m he co u l d not a ssist them th a t Vishnu a lone coul d

d o this who m he a d vise d the m to seek
,
B r a h m a con d ucte d .

the m t o Vish n u ; a n d h aving l a u d e d Vishnu c a use d hi m to , ,

l en d a wi lling e ar to their r equ est I n the followi ng li n e s T .

,

put into verse fr om the Vishnu P u r an a we h a ve thei r pr ayer

,
‘
,
’

Vishnu s a d vice a n d its r esult :

’

Th e g o d s ad d e s s e d t h e m i ght y V i s h t h u s
r nu ,

C o q e e d i b tt l e by t h e e v i l d e mo
n u r n a n s,

W e fly t o t h e e for s u c c o u r s o l o f a ll u ,

P i t y d by t h y m i ght d e l i v e r u s
an

H i t h e l o d c e t o o f th e w o l d
ar , r ,
r a r r ,

T h s by th e g d s i m pl o e d ll g c i o s ly
u o r ,
a ra u

R e pl i e d Y o r s t e g th s h ll b e e s t o e d ye g o d s
,
‘
u r n a r r , ,

O ly a c c o m pl i s h wh t I o w c o m m d
n a n an

U i t e y o s e lv e s i p e c e f l c o m b i n t i on
n ur n a u a

W i th th e s e y o r f e s c ll e ct ll pl an t s d h e b s
u o o a an r

O f d i v e s e k i d s f o m e v e y q t e c s t t h em
r n r r u ar r a

I t o th e s e o f m i lk t ke M d
n a a an ar a ,

Th e m t i n fo
oun a ch i g s ti ck
,
d Vas k i
r a urn n ,
an u ,

T h e s e p e t for ope n t o g e th e c hu n
,
r a r r r

T h e c e n t o p o d c e th e b e v
o a ger u er a

S o e f ll t e g th a d i mm t al i t y
urc o a s r n n or

T h e e c k on o n m i e i d I w i ll t k e c e
n r n a a ar

Vi h s nu P u r an a ,
’
B k I ch p
oo . a . ix .
T I n d i an Wi s d o m,
’
p .
499 .
I 10 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

Y o u r fo e s s h all s h a r e y o u r t oi l ,
but n ot p ar t a ke
I n i ts w d o d i k th i m mo t l d ght
re ar ,
r r n
’
r a r au .
’

T h s by t h e go d o f g o d s d v i s e d th h o s t
u a ,
e

U i te d i
n ll i c e w i th t h e d em o s
n a an n .

S t i ght w y th e y g th e e d v i o h e r b s a d c a s t th e m
ra a a r ar us ,
n

I t o t h w t e s th e t h e y t o k t h e m ou t i
n e a r n o n a n

T o s e v e s c h u n i g s t ff
r a d n e xt th e s n ke
r n -
a ,
an a

T o s e v e s c o d a d i th e o c e s mi d st
’
r a r ,
n n an

H i h i ms elf p e s e t i t o t o i s e f m
ar ,
r n n r or ,

B e cam e p i v o t fo th e c hu n i g t ff
a r r n -
s a .

T he d i d they ch n th e s e o f m i lk ; an d fi s t
n ur a r

O t f t h e w t s o s e th e s c e d c ow
u o a er r a r

G o d w o h i pp e d S
- rs b h i — ete l f t in ura rn a oun a

Of m i lk d o ffe i n g o f b t t e n e x t
an r s u r ,

Wh i l e h ly S i dd h s w o d e e d a t t h e s i ght
o a n r ,

W i th y e s ll o ll i g V a i p o s e
e a r n ,
ru n u r

G d d e s o f W i e T h e f m t h e wh i lp o o l s p r a g
o s n . n ro r n

F i P a ij at t e e o f P
a r r d i s e d e l i gh t
a, r ar a ,

Of h e av e ly m i d e w i th i t s f g t bl o s s o m s
n a n s, ra r an

P e f mi g t h e wh l e w o l d T h A p a s s
r u n o r .
’
s ar a ,

T o p o f ce l e s t i l y m ph s m t chl e s s i g ac e
ro a n ,
a n r
,

P e fe c t i l ov e l i e s s w e e n e x t p o d c e d
r n n ,
r r u .

T h e f m t h e s e p o s e th e c oo l y e d mo o
n ro a u r -
ra n

Wh i ch M h ad e v s e i z e d t e i fi c p o i s o
a a rr n

N x t i ed f om t e w t s thi s t h e s k e g o d s
e ssu h e — r a r na -

C l i m e d t h e i o w T h e s e at e d o l o t u s
a as r n . n n a

B e t y b i ght g o d d e s s p e e l e s s S i o s e
au
’
s r ,
r r ,
ar

O t o f t h e w av e s
u d w i th h e ob ed i wh i t e an r, r n ,

C m e f th D h v t i t h e g o d phy s i c i
a or an an a r ,
s
’
an .

H i gh i n h i h d h e b o e t h e c u p o f e ct a
s an r n r

L i fe g i v i g d a ght — l o g e d fo by g o d s an d d emo s
- n r u n r n .

O n S r i s a ppe a r a nce the s ages were en r a ptu r e d the h e avenly

’

cho r iste r s s a ng h e r p r a ises a n d the celesti a l nymphs d a nce d ,

befo r e h e r G a n ga a n d the othe r s a c r e d st r e a m s followe d h e r

.
,

a n d the h e a venly elep h a nts took up thei r pu r e w a ters in gol d e n

vessels a n d pou r e d them upon h e r The s e a of m ilk p r e .

se n te d h e r wit h a w r e a th o f u n fa d ing flowe r s a n d the a rtist o f

the g o d s d eco r a te d h e r with lovely o r n a m ents Thus b a the d .
,

a tti r e d an d
,
a d o r ne d the go d d ess i n the p r esence o f the
, ,

g o d s c a st he r self u pon the b r e a st o f H a r i a n d r eclining

, , ,

t h e r e g a ze d upon the go d s who we r e enr a pture d with h e r

, ,
1 1 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

L a ksh m i is known a lso by the following n a mes

H ar i p r i ya The belove d of H a r i
, .
”

”
P a d ma The Lotus an d P a d m alaya S he who
,
“
, , d wells on a

lotus .

J a la dh 1j a
,
The oce
“
a n born -
.

C h an ch a la The fickle one

,
“
.

L o k a m at a The mothe r o f th e worl d

,
“
.
 C H A PT E R V .

T H E I N C AR NAT I O N S OR A VA T AR A S OF VISHNU .

I TH E M A TSY A O R F I S H
. A V A T AR A .

THE e a r liest a ccount o f w h a t w a s a fte r w a r d s r eg a r d e d a s a n i n

c a r n a tion o f Vis h n u i s fou n d i n t h e S a t h ap at h a B r ah m a n a It .
’

will be noti ce d th a t thoug h in this p a ss a ge a won d e r fu l fis h is ’

d esc r ibe d it is n o t s a i d to h a ve been a n inc a r n a ti on of a n y o f the

,

go d s The M a habha r a t a s a ys th a t B r a hm a a ssu m e d this fo r m

.

whilst the Pu r an a s te a ch t h a t the fish he r e spoken o f w a s

Vis h n u This t r a n sfe r o f wo r k fr o m o n e d eity to a nothe r is n o t
.

a m a tte r of m u c h su r p r ise as we r e m e m ber how fr equently it is ,

d ecl a r e d t h a t a ll the v a rious go d s a r e bu t fo r ms o f o n e su p r e m e

being . I t shou l d b e notice d th a t the M a nu here r efe r r e d t o i s
“

r eg a r d e d a s a r o e n i t e r o f the hu m a n r a ce a n d is rep r ese n te d

p g ,

as co n cili a ting the S u p r eme Being by his piety in a n a ge o f

unive r s a l d ep r a vity H e r e is the p a ss a ge r efe r r e d to a bove
.

T he li v ed i re i e t t i me h ly m n an c n a o an

C ll d M a ewh by p an u , s d p ye o, e n an c e an ra rs,

H d w a th fv f th l d o f h v
on e a ou r o e or ea en .

O d y th y b
ne ght h i m w t e f b l t i
a e rou a r or a u on

Th h w hed h i h
en , as d e li ttl fi h
as s an s, a e s

A pp e d d p k i h m
ar e ,
an t th
s o e n u an a c c e n s us

T ke ‘
a fm d I w i ll b t h y
c ar e o vi e , an e sa ou r .
’

F m wh t w i l t th p
ro ve m ? M
a k d ou r e ser e
’
an u a s e .

T h fi h e pl i d
e A fls rd w i ll w p w y e ,
oo s ee a a

A ll c e t I w i ll
r a u r es th e e f m t h t r e s cu e ro a .
’

B t h w h ll I p
u o v th e S aM id r es er e e an u s a .

Th fi h j i ed S l g w
e s re o n m ll , o on as e ar e s a ,

I n d i an Wi sd om p ,
’
.
1 14 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

W e ar e in c o n s t an t d an ge r of

d e s t r u ct i o n ,
Fo r fi s h e at fi sh so keep m e i n

a j ar .

Wh e I n out gr o w t h e j ar , t he n dig
a tr en c h ,

An d pl c m e t h e e ; wh e n I
a e r

t g o w t h e t r e ch
ou r n ,

T he t k e me t o th e o e — I
n a c an ,

S h ll t h a en

Be t o f r e a ch of d ge ’
ou an r.

H v i g th s a n u

I t u ted M
ns r c st gh t w y an u , r ai a

p i d ly
ra

T h e fi s h g e w l g er ; t h e he r ar n

p ke g i
s a a a n
‘
I s
n h d ch a y e t h e
uc an su ar

fl od w i ll c o m e
o

T h e ef e c s t u c t s h i p a d
r or on r a ,
n

p y m e h m ge
a o a .

Wh e t h e fl o o d r i e s e t e th o
n s ,
n r u

th e s hi p ,

A d I w i ll th e e
’
n esc e So r u .

M did
an u

A s h e w s o d er e d ad p e s e ved r ,
an r r

th e fi sh ,
Th e n c ar r i e d it in s a et f y to th e
o ce an

T HE M AT Y A AVAT AR A
S .
An d in th e ve y ye
r ar th e fish
j
e n oi n e d

He b i lt s hi p d p i d t h e fi s h s p e ct
u a ,
an a re ,

A d t h e t o k e f g e wh e t h fl o o d
n er o rose u n e ar .

S o e h i m s w m th e fis h
o n n ar d to i ts ho a ,
an rn

M m d e f t t h e c bl e f h i v
an u a as el a o s es s .

Th d w l o g th e w t
us ra n aM p s ed
n a er s , an u as

B y o d th
e n th m t i
e n or The th e fi sh
ern ou n a n . n ,

Ad d e i g M r id
ss n I h v e p e s e v e d th e
an u , s a ,
a r r e

! i c kly tt ch t h e h i p t o y o d e t e e
u a a s n r r

B t le t th e w te
u , s i k f m d e th e
a rs s n ro un r e,

A f t s th e y s b i d
s as a s o f s t s h l t th u s e, a a ou

D s c e d t h e m o t i g e t ly ft e th m
e n un a n n a r e .
’

T h h d e c e d d f o m t h e n o th e m t i
us e s n e r r rn ou n a n .

Th fl e d h d w p t a w a y ll l i v i g c e t e
oo a s e a n r a ur s

M l e w s l e ft
an u a on a .
’
1 1 6 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

s ion e by the sleepi n g B r a h m a whence his c r e a tu r es i n d i ffe r ent

d ,

wo r l d s were d r owne d in a v a st oce a n B r a h m a bei n g incline d to .

slu m be r d esi r ing r epose a fte r a l a pse o f a ges the st r ong d e m o n

, ,

H a ya gr i va c a m e ne a r h i m a n d stole th e Ve d a s which h a d flowe d , ,

fr o m h is lips .

When H a r i t h e p r ese r ve r o f the u niverse d iscove r e d this d ee d

, ,

o f the p r ince o f the D an a v a s he took the S h a pe o f a m i n u te fish , ,

c a lle d S aph a r i A holy king n a m e d S a t yavr at a then r eigne d

.
,

a se r v a nt o f the spi r it which m o ve d on t h e w a ves a n d so d evout ,

t h a t w a te r w as his only susten a nce H e w a s the chil d o f th e .

S u n a n d in the p r esent K a lp a is investe d by N a r ay a n a with

"
,

t h e o ffice of M a nu (i e the p r ogenito r a n d lo r d o f m e n ) by t h e

. .
,

n a me o f S r a d d h ad e v a o r t h e go d o f obsequi es One d a y a s he
,
.

w a s m a ki n g a lib a tio n i n t h e r ive r K r i t a m ala a n d h el d w a te r in ,

t h e p a l m o f his h a n d he pe r ceive d a s m a ll fish m ovi n g i n it

, .

T h e King o f D r avi r a i m me d i a tely d r oppe d the fish i n to t h e r ive r ,

togethe r with the w a te r which he h a d t a ken fr o m i t when the ,

S aph a r i thus a d d r esse d the benevolent m on a r ch : H ow c a nst

thou O k ing who s h o w e s t a ffection to the O pp r esse d le a ve m e
, , ,

i n t h is r iver w a te r whe r e I a m t o o we a k to r esis t the m onste r s

,

o f the st r e a m w h o fill m e with d r e a d ? H e n o t k n owi n g w h o ’

, ,

h a d a ssu m e d the fo r m o f a fish a pplie d h is m i n d to the p r eser ,

v ation o f the S aph a r i both fr o m goo d n a tu r e a n d fr o m r eg a r d to

,
-

h is o wn sou l a n d h avi n g he a r d hi s ve r y suppli a nt a d d r ess he

, ,

ki n d ly pl a ce d it u n d e r his protection i n a s ma ll v a se ful l o f w a te r ;

but in a single n ight its bu lk w as so i n c r e a se d th a t it cou l d not ,

be cont a ine d in t h e ja r a n d thus a g a i n a d d r esse d the illust r ious

,

p r ince : I a m n o t ple a se d with livi n g m ise r a bly i n t h is little

‘

v a se m ake m e a l ar ge m a nsio n whe r e I m ay d well in co m fo r t , .

’

T h e k ing r e m ovi n g it thence pl a ce d it i n the w a te r o f a ciste r n

, ,

b u t it g r ew th r ee c u bits i n less th a n fifty m inutes a n d s a i d O ‘

, ,

ki n g ! it ple a ses m e not to st a y v a inly in this n a r r ow ciste r n ;

si n ce thou h a st g r a n te d m e a n a sylu m give m e a sp a ciou s h a bi ,

t atio n H e then r e m ove d i t a n d pl a ce d it in a pool whe r e

.
’

, ,

h avi n g a mple sp a ce a r o u n d its bo d y it bec a m e a fish o f consi d e r ,

S ee P art II . c h p x
a . .
 T H E M A TSY A OR F ISH A VA T AR A . 1 1 7

a ble size This a bo d e O king is not convenient fo r me W h o

.
, , ,

must swi m a t l a r ge in the w a te r s exe r t thyself fo r my s a fety ,

a n d r e m ove m e to a d eep l a ke ! Thus a d d r esse d the piou s

’

m on a r ch th r ew the suppli a nt into a l a ke a n d whe n it g r ew of , ,

equ a l bulk with th a t piece of w a te r he c a st the v a st fish i n to the ,

s ea. W h en the fish w a s th r own into the w a ves he thu s a g a i n ,

spoke to S at yavr at a : H e r e the ho r ne d sh a r ks a n d othe r

‘

m onste r s o f g r e a t st r ength wil l d evour me ; thou shoul d est not ,

O v a l i a n t m an le a ve m e i n this oce a n
,
.
’

“
Thu s r epe a te d ly d elu d e d by the fish w h o h a d a d d resse d h i m ,

with ge n tle wo r d s the king s a i d Who a r t thou th a t b e gu i le s t

, ,

m e i n th a t a ssu me d sh a pe N ever befo r e h a ve I seen o r he ar d

o f so pro d igious a n in h a bit a nt o f the w a te r s who like thee h a s , , ,
'

fille d u p in a single d ay a l a ke a hun d re d le a gu e s i n ci r cu m

fe r ence S u r ely t h ou a r t Bhag a v a t who a ppe a r s befo r e m e ;
.
,

the g r e a t H ar i whose d wel l i n g w a s o n the w a ves a n d who now

, ,

in co m p a ssion to thy se r v a nts be a rs the fo r m of the n a tives o f

,

the d eep S a lut a tion a n d pr a ise to thee O fi r st m a l e the lo r d o f

.
, ,

c r e a tion o f p r ese r v a tio n o f d est r uction ! T h ou ar t t h e highest

, ,

obj ect the sup r e m e r u ler o f us thy a d o r e r s who piously seek

, , ,

thee A ll t h y d elusive d escents i n this wo r l d give existence

.

to v a r ious beings ; yet I a m a nxious to kno w fo r wh a t c a use

th a t sh a pe h as been a ssu m e d by thee Let me not O lotu s .
,

eye d a ppro a ch in v a in the feet of a d eity whose pe r fect bene

,

v o le n c e h a s been exte n d e d to a ll whe n thou h a st shown u s to

o u r a m a ze m ent the a ppe a r a n ce o f other bo d ies not in re a lity ,

existing b ut successively exhibit ed

, .
’

“
T h e lo r d o f the unive r se lovi n g the pious m a n w h o t h us
,

i m pl o r e d h i m a n d inten d ing to p r ese r ve h i m fr o m the s e a o f

,

d est r uction c a use d by the d ep r a vity of the a ge thus tol d h i m ,

how he w a s to a ct : I n seven d a ys fr om the p r esent ti m e O ,

thou t a m e r of ene m ies ! the three wo r l d s will be plu n ge d in a n ”

oce a n o f d e a th ; but in th e m i d st o f the d est r oying w a ves a

, ,

l a r ge vessel sent by m e fo r thy use s h a ll st a n d befo r e thee .

Then thou sh a lt t a ke a ll m e d ici n a l he r bs a ll the v a r ieties o f ,

see d s a n d a cco m p a nie d by seven s a i n ts enci r cle d by p a i r s o f

, ,

b r ute a ni m a ls thou sh a lt enter the sp a cious a r k a n d continu e in

, ,
 1 1 8 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

it sec u r e fr o m the floo d o n one i m m e n se oce a n without light

, ,

except t h e ra d i a nce o f thy h o ly co m p a n io n s W h e n the shi p .

s h a ll be a git a te d wit h a n i m pet u ou s win d thou sh a lt fa ste n it ,

wit h a l a r ge s e a se r pent on m y h o r n ; fo r I will be ne a r thee ,

d r a wi n g t h e vessel with t h ee a n d t h y a tte n d a n ts

,
I will r e m a i n .

o n t h e oce a n O c h ief o f m e n until a nig h t of B r a h m a sh a ll be

, ,

c o m pletely e n d e d Thou sh a lt the n k n ow m y t r u e g r e a tness

. ,

r ightly n a m e d t h e S up r e m e G o d he a d ; by m fa v o u r a ll t h y
y
questions s h a ll be a nswe r e d a n d thy m in d a bu n d a ntly inst r u cte d
,
.
’

H a r i h a vi n g thus d i r ecte d the m o n a r ch d is a ppe a r e d ; a n d

, ,

S a t ya v r at a h u m bly w a ite d fo r the ti m e which t h e r u le r o f o u r

se n ses h a d a ppoi n te d T h e pious ki n g h a vi n g sc a ttere d tow ar d
.

the e a st the poi n te d bl a d es o f the g r a ss d a r ona a n d t u r n i n g his ,

fa ce tow a r d s the n o r th s at m e d it a ti n g o n th e feet o f t h e go d

, ,

who h a d bo r n e the fo r m o f a fish The s e a ove r w h el m i n g its .

,

sho r es d e lu ge d the whol e e ar th a n d i t w a s soo n pe r ceive d to be

, ,

a ug m e n te d by showe r s fr o m i m m ense clou d s H e still m e d i .

,

t ating on the co mm a n d o f Bhag a v a t s aw th e vessel a d v a n cing , ,

a n d e n te r e d it with the chiefs of B r ah m a ns h a vi n g c a r r ie d i nto

,

it the m e d icin a l pl a n ts a n d co n fo r m e d to the d i r ections o f

,

H a r i T h e s a i n ts thus a d d r esse d h i m : O k ing m e d it a te o n

.
‘
,

K e s a va ; who will s u r ely d elive r us fr o m this d a n ge r a n d g r a nt ,

u s p r o spe r ity The go d bei n g i n v o k e d by t h e m o n a r ch a p

’
.
,

e a r e d a g a in d istin ctly on t h e v a st oce a n in the fo r m o f a fis h

p ,

bl a zing like gol d exte n d i n g a m illi o n of le a gues with o n e

, ,

st u pen d ous ho r n ; o n whic h the king as he h a d been befo r e ,

co mm a n d e d by H a r i tie d the sh ip with a c a ble m a d e of a v a st

,

se r pe n t a n d h a ppy in h is p r ese r v a tion stoo d p r a isi n g the d e

, , ,

st r o ye r of M a d h u Whe n the m o n a r ch h a d finis h e d h is hy m n

.
,

the p r i m ev a l m a le B h ag a v a t w h o w a tche d fo r h is s a fety o n t h e

, ,

g r e a te r exp a n se o f w a te r sp a ke a lou d to h is o w n d ivi n e essence

, ,

p r o n o u n ci n g a s a c r e d P u r a n a [ the M a tsy a Pu r an a which c o n

‘

t a i n e d the r ules o f the S a nkhy a philosophy ; but it w a s a n i i i

fi n i t e m yste r y to be co n ce a le d with i n the b r e a st of S a t ya vr at a
who sitti n g i n the vessel with the s a ints he ar d the p r inciple o f
, ,

S ee P ar t I I ch p x
. a . .
1 20 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

d r ive n by his b r e at h tow a r d s his t a il refr eshe d the go d s by

,

vivifyi n g s h owers I n t h e m i d st of the m ilky s e a H a r i h i m self

. , ,

in the fo r m o f a to r toise ,

se r ve d a s a pivot for th e
m ount a in a s it w a s whi r le d
,

a roun d The hol d e r o f t h e

.

m a ce a n d d iscus w a s p r ese n t
in othe r fo r m s a m ongst th e
go d s a n d d e m ons a n d a ssiste d ,

to d r a g the m on ar ch o f the
se r pe n t r a ce a n d in a nothe r
v a st bo d y s a t u pon the su m
m i t o f the m ount a in With .

on e po r tion o f his ene r gy ,

unseen by go d s a n d d e m ons ,

he sust a ine d the se r pent

king ; a n d with a n othe r i n
fuse d vigou r unto the go d s .
”

S uch is the a ccount o f this

inc a r n ation o f Vishnu a s
t a ught by the P u r an a s ; but
i n the e a rlie r books whe r e ,

the p r ob abl e o r igin o f this

legen d is fo u n d it is B r a h m a , ,

a n d not Vishnu th a t i s s a i d , .

to h a ve a ss u m e d the fo r m o f
a to r toise I n the S a th a ‘
.

T HE KG AVAT AR A
RM A .
p at h a B r ah m a n a a r e these
’

wo r d s H a vi n g a ssu m e d
“

t h e fo r m o f a to r toise P r aj ap a t i ( B r a h m a ) c r e ate d offsp r ing

, .

Th a t which h e c r e a te d he m a d e ; hence the wo r d K i i r m a

,
‘

K a sy a p a me a ns to r toise ; hence m e n s a y A ll c r e a tu r es a r e
,

d esce n d a nts of K a sy a p a This to r t o ise is the s a m e a s A d ity a

. .

A s the wo r ship of B r a h m a bec a m e l ess p o pu l a r whilst th a t o f ,

Vishnu inc r e a se d i n its a tt r a ction the n a m es a tt r ibutes a n d

, , ,

w o r ks of the one d eity a ppe a r t o h ave been t r a nsfe r re d t o the

o the r .
 THE V A R AH A R OR B O A R A VA T AR A . 1 2 1

3 . TH E VA R AH A R OR BO A R A V A T AR A .

There is the s a m e co n flicti n g a ccount o f this as o f the t w o

p r ece d ing inc a r n a tions — the ol d e r b o oks a n d so m e o f the mo r e ,

m o d ern ones d esc r ibing it a s a n A v a ta r a of B r a h m a a n d som e

,

o f the m o d e r n bo o ks a n d popul a r bel ief r eg a r d i n g it a s t h e wo r k

o f Vish n u The r e is howeve r this d istinction th a t in the

.
, , ,

fo r m e r the t r a n sfo r m a tio n of th e d eity into a bo a r h a s a pp a

,
”
r e n t ly a pu r ely cos m ic a l ch a r a cter the e a r th being i mm e r se d in ,

the oce a n B r a h m a the C r e a to r i n th e s h a pe o f a b oa r r a ise d

.
, , ,

it on his tusk ; whe r e a s i n the l a tte r it a lt o gethe r r ep r esents

“
, ,

the ext r ic a tio n of t h e worl d fr o m a d eluge o f iniquity by the

”

”
r ites o f r eligion .

The fi r st m ention o f this i n c a r n a tion is i n the T a i t t i r i ya ‘

S a n h i t a T a n d is as fol lows Th e u nive r se w as fo r m e r ly

’
,

w a t e r flu i d
, ,
O n it P r aj ap a ti ( B r a h m a ) beco m ing win d m ove d
.
,
.

B eco m ing a bo a r he took it u p I n h a r m ony with this is a ve r se

,
.
”

in t h e T a i t t i r ya B r ah m a n a This u n ive r se w a s for m e r ly w a te r ,

flui d With th a t ( w a te r ) P r ajap a ti pr a ctise d a r d uous d evotions

.

( s a ying
) H ow sh
,
a l l this u nive r se be
( d evel ope d ) H e behel d
a lotus le a f st a n d ing H e tho u ght The r e is so m ething o n which
.
,

this r ests H e a s a bo a r h a ving a ssu m e d th a t fo r

.
’
— m — pl unge d
bene a th tow a r d s it H e fou n d t h e e a r th d own below B r e a king
. .

o ff a po r tio n o f h e r he r o s e to t h e su r fa ce I n t e ”
( ) h S
,
at h a pa t h a .

B r ah m a n a T the r e i s a si m il a r r efe r e n ce b u t the r e the bo a r is

’

c a lle d Em u s h a F o r m e r ly the e a r th w a s only o f the si ze o f a

.
”
.

sp a n A bo ar c a lle d Em u s h a r a ise d h e r u p
. .

D r M ui r ! gives t w o a ccounts o f t h is i n c a r n a tion fr o m two

.

r ecensi o n s o f the R a m ay a n a I n o n e whi c h h e co n si d e r s the .

,

ol d er it is s a i d th a t B r a h m a a ssu m e d the fo r m o f a b o a r ; i n t h e
,

othe r Vish n u i n tnef or i n of B r a nn za is s a i d to h ave a cc o m plishe d

,
/

this wo r k The a lte r a ti o n of t h e text is ve r y notice a ble

. A ll .
“

w a s w a te r only i n w h ic h the e a r t h w a s fo r m e d
,
The n c e a r ose .

G o ld s t ii ck e r , C h a m b e r s
’
s C y l p di c o ae a, s. Vi h s nu

T uir, M S T , i 52 O . . . . . I bid i v .
,
.
33 .
1 22 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

B r a h m a the self existe n t with the d eities

,
-
H e then beco m ing
,
.

a b o a r r a ise d u t h e e a r th a n d c r e a te d the w h ole wo r l d with t h e

, p ,

s a i n ts h i s so n s S o fa r the p r ob a bly ol d e r r ece n si o n

.
”
I n the .

l a te r o n e we r e a d A ll w a s w a ter o n ly th r ough w h ich the e a r th

,
“
,

w a s fo r m e d Thence a r ose B r a h m a the self existe n t the i m

'

-
.
, ,

pe r ish a ble Vish n u H e the n bec o m i n g a b o ar r a ise d u p this

.
, ,

e a r t h a n d c r e a te d the whole wo r l d .
”

I n the fo ll o wi n g a cco u n t fr o m t h e Vishnu Pu r an a it will b e ”"

n otice d th a t as in t h e l a st qu o t a ti o n fr o m the Ra m ay a n a it w a s
, ,

Vish nu i n the fo r m of Bra h m a who bec a m e a bo a r A s t h e .

e a r lie r w r ite r s h a d d ecl a r e d this to h a ve been B ra hm a s work i t ’

w a s n ecess a r y to i d e n tify Vis h n u with h i m .

“
Tell m e h o w at t h e co m m e n ce m e n t o f t h e p r esent a ge N a r a ,

y a n a wh o is n a m e d B r a h m a c r e a te d a ll ex isti n g thi n gs A t t h e
, ,
.

cl o se of the l a st a ge t h e d ivi n e B r a h m a en d owe d with the qu a lity

, ,

o f go o d n ess a woke fr o m his night of sleep

,
a n d behel d the u ni ,

ve r s a l voi d H e t h e s u p r e m e N a r ay a n a
. .
,
i n veste d wit h th e ,

for m of B r a h m a c o n clu d ing th a t within the w a te r s lay th e

,

e a r th a n d being d esi r ous to r a ise it u p c r e a te d a nothe r fo r m fo r

, ,

th a t pu r pose A n d a s i n t h e p r ece d i n g a ges he h a d a ssu m e d the

.

S h a pe of a fis h o r a t o r toise so i n t h is he took th e fo r m o f a
, ,

b o a r H a vi n g a d opte d a fo r m co m pose d of the s a c r ifices of the

.

Ve d a s fo r the p r ese r v a ti o n o f t h e w h ol e e a r th t h e eter n a l , ,

s u p r e m e a n d u nive r s a l so u l plu n ge d i n to the oce a n

,
In a .

n o te on thi s p a ss a ge i n the Vish n u P u r a n a by P r ofesso r Wilso n ,

’

i t is st a te d t h a t a cco r d i n g to t h e V ayu Pu r a n a the fo r m of a

,
’ ‘
,
’

bo a r w a s chose n bec a use it i s a n a n i m a l d elighting i n w a te r ; bu t

i n o t h e r P u r a n a s a s i n the Vish n u it i s s a i d t o be a type of t h e
, ,

r itu a l of the Ve d a s fo r w h ic h r e a s o n th e elev a tion of t h e e a r th

,

0 11 t h e tusks o f a b o a r i s r eg a r d e d a s a n a llego r ic a l r ep r esent a tion

o f the ext r ic a tio n of the wo r l d fr o m a d eluge of s i n by t h e r ites ,

of r eligi o
T h e e a r th bowi n g wit h d evout a d o r a tio n a d d r esse d the bo a r
, ,

a s he a pp r o a che d i n a h y m n o f g r e at be a u ty i n w h ic h sh e ,

r e m in d s h i m th a t she sp r a ng fr o m h i m a n d is d epen d e n t on h i m , ,

P gea
‘

27 ff .
 1 24 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

re-bo r n as son of D iti When the e a r t h sunk i n the w a te r s

a .
,

Vis h n u w a s seen by t h is d e m on in the a c t o f r a isi n g it .

H i r a n yak s h a cl a i m e d the e a r th a n d d efying Vishnu th ey fought

, , ,

a n d the d e m on w as sl a i n .

N ow fo llow the hy m n s to the Va r ah a r a s su ng by the s a ints

T r iump h lor d o f lo r d s sup r e m e ! K e s ava sove r eign o f the
, , ,

e ar th c a use of p r o d uction d est r uction a n d existence Tnou a r t

, .
,

O go d the r e is n one ot h e r s u p r e m e co n d ition th a n t h ou Thou .

,

lo r d a r t the pe r son o f t h e s a c r i fice thy feet a r e the Ve d a s t h y

,

tusks a r e the st a ke to which t h e victim i s bou n d thy teeth ar e

the o ffe r ings ; thy m outh is t h e a lt a r ; thy tongue i s t h e fi r e ;
a n d the h a i r s o f thy bo d y a r e th e s a c r ifici a l g r a ss Thy eyes .
,

O o m n ipotent ! a r e d ay a n d n ight ; thy he a d is the se a t o f a ll

t h e pl a ce o f B r a h m a t h y m a ne is a ll the hy m ns o f the Ve d as
t h y n ost r ils a r e a ll obl a tions O t h ou whose snout is th e l a d le of
.
,

obl ation ; whose d eep v o ice is the c h a nti n g o f the S a m a Ve d a ; -

w h ose bo d y is the h a l l o f s a c r ifice whose j oints a r e the d i ffe r ent

ce r e m onies a n d whose e ar s h a ve th e p r ope r ties o f both volu m
t a r y a n d oblig a to r y r ites d o thou who a r t ete r n a l who a r t i n , ,

size a m ou n t a in be p r opitious ,
r a i se u p th is e a r th fo r the
h a bit atio n o f c r e a te d bei n gs
The su p r e m e bei n g thu s eu logise d u ph ol d i n g the e a r th , ,

r a ise d it qu ickly a n d pl a ce d it o n t h e su mm it o f the oce a n whe r e

, ,

i t flo a ts like a m ighty vessel a n d o n a ccount of its exp a nsive

, ,
”
su r fa ce d oes n o t si n k b ene a th the w a ters
,
This see m s r a the r .

to co n t r a d ict the co mm on n otion o f the H i n d us th a t the e ar th ,

r ests u po n the b a ck o f a to r t o ise a n d th a t e a r th qu a kes a r e the

r esult of t h e to r toise ch a nging the foot o n which h e st a n d s when

,

we a r y .

4 . T H E N RI S I N G H A OR MAN -
L IO N A V A T AR A .

I n the a ccou n t o f the prece d ing i n c a r n a tion it w a s st a te d ,

th a t Vishnu e r e he r a ise d the e a r th o n h is tusk slew a d e m o n

, ,

n a m e d H i r a n yak s h a This D a ity a h a d a b r othe r n a m e d

.

H i r a n ya k a s i p u who th e Vay a P u r a n a s a ys h a d obt a ine d a

‘ ’

, , ,

boon fr o m B r a h m a th a t he shoul d not be sl a in by a n y cre a te d

,
 T H E N RI S I N G H A OR M AN LIO N A VA T AR A
-
. 1 2
5

being ; th e K ar m a Pu r an a a d d s excepting Vishnu When the r e

‘ ’

, .

fo r e his p r i d e foste r e d by his suppose d i m m unity fr o m d a n ge r

, ,

h a d le d hi m t o gre a t excesses so th a t his d e a th wa s d esi r e d bot h

,

T H E N RI S I N G H A AVA T AR A .

by go d s a n d m e n Vishnu d escen d e d i n the fo r m o f a livi n g

,

being h a lf m a n a n d h a lf li o n a n d so neithe r m a n nor a n im a l

,
- -
, ,

a n d sle w h i m By the a ssu m pti o n of this fo r m the letter o f

.

B r a h m a s p r om ise w as kept A s the sto r y o f t h is d e m o n s

’
.
’

h a t r e d o f Vishnu a r isi n g fr o m the fa ct t h a t th a t d eity h a d sl a i n

,

his b r othe r a n d o f the won d e r fu l e ffic a cy o f t h e wo r s h ip o f

,

Vishnu is o n e o f the m ost inte r esti n g n a r r a tives in the P u r an a s

, ,
1 26 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

i t is give n at so m e le n gth . I t is t a ke n m ostly fr o m t h e Vishnu ‘

P u ran a .
’

H i r a n ya k a s i p u t h e son of D iti h a d for m e r ly b r o u ght th e

, ,

t h r ee wo r l d s u n d e r his a utho r ity c o n fi d i n g in a b o on bestowe d ,

upo n h i m by B r a h m a H e h a d us u r pe d the sove r eignty o f .

I n d r a a n d exe r cise d hi m self t h e fu n ctions of the s u n of a i r of

, , ,

the lo r d of w a te r s of fi r e a n d o f t h e m oo n H e hi m self w a s
, ,
.

the go d o f r iches ; he w a s the j u d ge o f the d e a d ; a n d h e

a pp r op r i a te d to hi m self without r ese r ve a ll th a t w a s o ffe r e d i n

s a c r ifice to the go d s The d eities t h e r efo r e flyi ng fr o m t h ei r .

, ,

se a ts in he a ve n w a n d e r e d th r oug h fe a r of the D a ity a u pon th e

, , ,

e a rth d isgu ise d in m o r t a l sh a pes H a ving co n quere d the th r ee

,
.

wo r l d s h e w as i n fl a te d with p r i d e a n d eu logise d by the G a n d

, , ,

b ar v a s e n j oye d wh a tever he d esi r e d

”
.
,

This d e m on h a d a son n a m e d P r a h lad a who w as a most ,

d evout wo r sh ippe r o f Vishnu who m his fa the r h a te d m ost ,

i n te n sely O n o n e occ a si on P r a h lad a c a m e a cco m p a nie d by

.
“
,

h i s te a che r to the cou r t o f his fa the r a n d bowe d hi m self befo r e

, ,

his feet a s he w a s d r i n ki n g H i r an ya k a s i p u d esi r e d his p r ost r a te .

s o n to r ise a n d s a i d to h i m ,
Repe a t in s u bst a nce a n d a g r ee a bly ,

wh a t d u r i n g the pe r io d o f you r stu d ies you h a ve a cqu i r e d '

.
’

P r a h lad a s a i d I h a ve l e a r ne d to a d m i r e h i m w h o is without
,
‘

beginni n g m i d d le o r e n d i n c r e a se o r d i m inutio n ; the i m pe

, , ,

r i s h a b le lo r d of t h e wo r l d the u nive r s a l c a use o f c a u ses O n ’

.
,

he a r i n g t h ese wo r d s th e sove r eig n of t h e D a i t ya s h is eyes r e d

, ,

with w r a th a n d lips swollen with i n d ig n a tion tu r n e d to the ,

p r ecept o r of h is son a n d s a i d Vile B r a h m a n ! w h a t is t h is , ,

‘

p r ep o ste r o u s co m m en d a tion of m y foe th a t i n d is r espect to m e , ,

you h ave t a ught t h is boy to utte r T h e precept o r d e n ies the

ch a r ge a n d Pr a h lad a h i m self r eplies Vishnu is the inst r ucto r o f
, ,
‘

t h e w h ole wo r l d wh a t else shoul d a n y one le a r n o r te a ch s a ve ,

h i m t h e s u p r e m e spi r it ? Bl o ckhe a d ! excl a i m e d the ki n g ’ ‘ ’

, ,

w h o is t h is Vishn u whose n a m e you thu s r eite r a te so i m

‘

pe r ti n e n tly befo r e m e w h o a m the sove r eign of the th r ee ,

wo r l d s ?
T h e glo r y of Vish n u r eplie d P r a h lad a is to be
’ ‘

,
’

,
‘

P g a e 1 26 ff .
 1 2 8 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

be h a lf p r o misi n g eithe r to te a ch h i m to r ec a nt his e r r ors o r to

, ,

fi n d so m e m e a n s o f a cco m plishing his d e a th ; but i nste a d of

p r ofiti n g by t h ei r i n st r uctions he spen d s his ti m e i n spe a ki n g
,

to a ll a bout h i m o f th e glo r y of Vish n u a n d t h e h a ppiness o f his

wo r s h ippe r s They i n fo r m e d t h e ki n g of thei r fa ilu r e to b r ing
.

t h e p r i n ce to a r ig h t st a te of m in d ; whe r e u po n the cooks a r e

o r d e r e d to m i x poiso n wit h his foo d B ut t h is expe d ient w a s .

futile a s t h e ot h e r s h a d been
,
The B r ah m a ns n o w re a son with
.

h i m a n d t r y to show h i m th a t it i s the chief d uty o f a son to

,

h o n ou r h is fa the r ; but thei r sophist r y is u n successful They .

r e mi n d h i m t h a t t h ey h a d p r o m ise d to u se inc a nt a tions t o

a cco m plis h his d e a t h T h is men a ce h e meets with these wo r d s
.

‘
W h a t livi n g c r e a t u r e sl ays o r is sl in
a ? Wh a t living cre a tu r e
p r ese r ves o r is p r ese r ve d ? E a ch is his o wn d est r oye r o r p r e ,

se r ve r as he follows evil or goo d E n r a ge d by this reply t h ey

.
’

n o w p r o d uce a m a gic a l fe m a le figu r e e n w r e a the d in a fl am e of ,

fi r e w h ose t r e a d p a r c h e d the e ar th a n d who st r uck P r a h lad a

, ,

upo n the bre a st H e r blow fell h ar m less upon h i m but turning

.

tow a r d s t h e B r ah ma ns she sle w th em a ll a n d d is a ppe a r e d

, , .

I n a ns wer to t h e p r i n ce s p r a ye r they we r e howeve r restore d

’

, , ,

to life a n d h avi n g blesse d P r a h lad a t h ey d ep a r te d a n d tol d t h e

, , , ,

king a ll t h a t h a d h a ppene d .

“
H a ving se n t for his son H i r a n ya k a s i p u i n qu ire d a g a in by
, ,

w h a t m a gic a l a r t he w a s a ble thus to p r otect hi m self Pr a h lad a .

s a i d th a t it w a s n o t by m a gic a t a ll but s i m ply by the i n ,

d welling o f Vis h nu th a t he w a s a ble to w a r d off evi l ; a n d

furt h e r t h a t the s a m e powe r w a s within the r e a ch o f a ll who
woul d t r ust h i m The king enr a ge d at this a vow a l c o m
.
, ,
‘

m an d e d h is a tten d a n ts to c a st his s o n fr o m the su mm it o f the

p al a ce w h e r e he w a s sitti ng a n d which w a s m a ny Yoj a ns i n
,

heig h t d own upon the to ps of the m ount a ins where his bo d y

, ,

woul d be d a s h e d to pieces a g a inst the rocks A cco r d ingly the .

D a i t ya s h u r le d t h e boy d own but a s he fell cherishing H a r i i n

,

his h e a r t E a r th t h e nu r se of a ll c r e a tu r es r eceive d h i m gently

, , ,

in h e r la p thu s e n ti r ely d evote d to K e s a va t h e p r otecto r of t h e

, ,

wo r l d .

H i r a n ya k a s i p u seeing th a t this fa ll h a d not inj u r e d his son i n

,
 T H E N RI S I N G H A OR M A N LIO N A VA T ARA
-
. 1 29

an y wa y, a sks S a m v a r a the m ightiest of ench a nte r s to t r y his

, ,

h a n d ; but thoug h h e p u ts fo r th a ll his skill , the boy r e ma i n s

unhu r t A fte r this the p r ince goes a g a in to h is p r ecept o r s
.
,
’

house whe r e he is inst r ucte d i n politics

,
When his e d uc a tio n .

in this science w a s co m plete d he is t a ken to the ki n g fo r ,

ex a m in atio n ; but o n being questione d a s to his m o d e o f

gove r n m e n t h e a d m its th a t though he h a s been i n st r ucte d i n
“

these subj ects h e d oes not a pp r o ve o f wh a t his te a c h e r s h a d

,

s a i d a n d a g a i n si n gs the p r a ises of Vish n u H is fa the r bu r n ing

, .
,
“

with r a ge excl a i m e d Bin d h i m wit h st r ong b a n d s a n d c a st h i m

, ,

into the oce a n D e a th is the j ust r etribution of the d isobe d ient

. .
’

The D a i t ya s bou n d the p r ince with st r ong b a n d s a s thei r lo r d ,

h a d co m m a n d e d a n d t h r e w h i m into the s e a
,
A s h e flo a te d on .

the w a te r s t h e oce a n w a s convu lse d th r oug h out its w h ole extent

, ,

a n d rose in m ig h ty u n d ul a tions th r e a te n ing to sub m e r ge th e

,

e ar th When H i r a n yak as i p u obse r ve d this h e com m a n d e d t h e

.
,

D a i t ya s to hurl r ocks into the s e a a n d pile the m closely o n o n e ,

a nother bu r ying bene a th thei r i n cu mbent m a ss hi m wh o m fi r e

,

coul d n o t burn H ere since h e c a nnot d i e let h i m l ive fo r

.
, ,

thous a n d s o f ye ar s a t the botto m o f the oce a n ove r whel me d by ,

m ount a ins This wa s d one But P r a h lad a w as u ni n j u r e d

’
. .

H is m in d w as fille d with thoug h ts o f H a ri an d he c a m e to ,

r ecognise his r e a l i d entity with Vishnu A s soon a s Pr a h lad a . .

,

t h r ough t h e force o f co n templ a tion h a d beco m e o n e wit h ,

Vishnu t h e b a n d s with which he w as boun d bu r st inst a n tly

,

a su n d e r P r a h lad a a fte r hy m ning the pr a i ses of Vis h n u a g a in

.
, ,

r etu r ns to his fa ther who no soo n e r s a w h i m th a n he kisse d

, ,

h i m o n the fo r e h e a d e mbr a ce d h i m a n d s h e d te a rs a n d sa i d
, , , ,

D ost t h ou live m y s o n ,

Fo r a ti m e the r e w a s co m plete r eco n cili a ti o n betwee n the m .

A n d o n ly i n a ve r y cu r so r y m a nne r d oes t h e Vishnu P u r an a

a llu d e to t h e d e a th o f H i r a n a k a s i u A fte r spe a ki n g o f t h e
y p .

r econcili a ti o n between the fa the r a n d son wit h out a n inti m ti n

y a o ,

of fu r the r d ispute it goes o n to s a y : A fte r his fa the r h a d

,
“

been put to d e a t h by Vishnu in t h e fo r m o f the m a n li o n -

,

P r a h lad a bec a m e the sove r eign o f t h e D a i t ya s I n the Bh ag a v a t .

w e a r e tol d t h a t P r ah lad a h a d s a i d th a t Vishnu w as i n h i m i n ,

K
1 3 0 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

h is fa the r ; i n fa ct w a s eve r ywhe r e H i r a n ya k a s i p u s a ys Why .

,
‘
,

if Vis h n u is eve r yw h e r e is he n o t visible i n this pill r a ,

? Being ’

t ol d t h a t Vis h n u t h o ug h u n see n w a s r e a lly p r esent there he

, , ,

st r uck t h e pill a r s a ying Then I will kill h i m ,

I m m e d i a tely
,
‘
.
’

Vis h n u i n t h e fo r m of a bei n g h a lf m an a n d h a lf lio n c am e

, ,
- -
,

fo r t h fr o m t h e pill a r l a i d hol d o f H i r a n ya k a s i p u by the thighs

,

w it h h is teet h a n d to r e h i m up t h e m i d d le B r a h m a s boon to ’
.
,

t h is D a ity a ki n g a s a r ew a r d o f h is religi o us O bse r v a nces w as

, ,

t h a t 11 0 co m m o n a n i m a l shou l d d est r o y h i m th a t he shoul d d i e ,

n eithe r in the d a y n o r night in e a r th or i n he a ven by fi r e by , , ,

w a te r o r by the swo r d
,
T h is p r o m ise w a s kept i n the lette r
.
,

fo r it w a s eve n i n g when Vishnu slew h i m ; a n d this is neithe r

d a y n o r n ight I t w as d o n e u n d e r the d r oppings o f the th a tch
. ,

a n d t h is a cco r d i n g to a H in d u p r ove r b is o u t o f the e a

,
r th a n d , ,
”
h e w a s n o t kille d by a m a n o r a n y com m on a ni m a l .

5 . TH E VAM A N A OR DW AR F A VA TA R A .

The fou r A v at ar a s th a t h a ve been d esc r ibe d ar e s a i d to h ave

o cc u r r e d i n the S a ty a y u g a o r a ge o f T r ut h co r r esp o n d i n g wit h
-
, ,

t h e gol d e n a ge o f cl a ssic w r ite r s ; it w a s i n the T r et a yug a o r -

,

s e co n d a ge t h a t this i nc a r n a tion is suppose d to h ave occu r r e d

,
.

I t is not e a sy to see how this belief cou l d be fo r m e d fo r

ce r t a inly if t h e sto r y of Pr ah lad a be r eg a r d e d a s a t r u e picture
,

o f t h e S a ty a y u g a it w a s not ve r y fa r s u pe r io r to the p r ese n t

-
, ,

the l a st a n d wo r st of a ll .

This inc a r n a tion a s a d w ar f w a s u n d ert a ken to r eg a in he ave n

to t h e go d s B a li t h e g r a n d so n of P r a h lad a w a s king of t h e
.
, ,

t h r ee w o r l d s V i sh n u a ppe a r s befo r e h i m a s a d w a r f a n d a sks a ,

b o o n The ki n g g r a n ts h i m wh a t h e a sks —a ll the l a n d he c a n

.
,

step o ve r i n t h r ee st r i d es Vis h n u pl a ces o n e foot i n h e a ve n .

,

a n d o n e o n t h e e a r t h a n d a t o n ce r eg a i n s t h e w h ole fo r the go d s
,
.

T h e Sk a n d a P u r a n a Tgives the following legen d a s the r e a so n

‘ ’

o f t h is i n c a r n a tio n .

\
Vd ar ,
l l. 7, 8 .
T Ken n edy s
’
Hi n du My th o l o gy p ,
’
.
3 63 .
1 3 2 THE P U R AN I C D E I TI E S .

bec o m e h e r s o n t h a t th r oug h h i m t h e go d s m i g h t be r esto r e d

,

to he ave n .

A s t h e o r igin of this inc a r n a tion is p r ob a bly fou n d in the

m et a p h o r ic a l l a n gu a ge of the Ve d a s it wil l be wel l to consi d e r
b ,

the te a c h ing of t h e H in d u S c r iptu r es a s fa r as poss ible i n

ch r o n ologic a l o r d e r .

I t see ms cle a r th a t t h e l ege n d j ust qu ote d fr o m the Sk a n d a

P u r a n a w as w r itte n a s a n a nswe r to t h e q u estio n w h y Vis h n u
’

h a d a ppe a r e d in this fo r m I n the Rig Ve d a the ge r m o f the .

-

sto r y is fou n d : Vis h nu stro d e ove r this [ u n ive r se ] ; i n th r ee

“

pl a ces h e pl a n te d his step This p a ss a ge i s inte r p r ete d by the

.
”

co mm e n t a to r s in v a r ious w a ys O n e thought th a t t h e t r ipl e .

“

m a n ifest a tion o f the go d i n t h e fo r m o f fi r e o n e a r t h o f lightni n g ,

i n the a t m osphe r e a n d o f the sol a r light in the sky w a s i nten d e d

,

i n t h is h y m n A n othe r u n d e r st a n d s t h e th r ee steps of Vishnu

.

to r ep r esent the d iffe r e n t positio n s of the s u n a t h is rising his

“
,

”
cul m in ation a n d his setting ,
A cco r d ing to h i m the r efo r e , ,

Vishnu is simply the sun F r equently in the Rig—Ve d a the te r m .

wi d e stepping is a pplie d to Vishnu a n evi d e n t a l lusion to his

“ -
,

th r ee steps .

I n the S at h a pat h a B r ah m a n Tthe si m ple st a te m ent r especti n g

‘
,
’

V i s h n u s st r i d es a ssu m es a l a r ge r fo r m
’
The go d s a n d the .
“

A s u r a s who both sp r ung fr o m P r aj ap a ti st r ove togethe r

,
Then ,
.

t h e go d s we r e wo r ste d a n d the A su r a s s a i d T h is wo r l d is now ,

Ce r t a i n ly ou r s ! Let us d ivi d e t h is e a r t h a n d let u s subsist ,

t h e r eon .The go d s he a r d o f it a n d s a i d The A su r a s a r e

’

,
‘

d ivi d ing the e a rth : co m e we will go to the spot whe r e t h ey a r e ,

d ivi d i n g it Pl a cing a t thei r h e a d Vishnu t h e s a c r ifice they p r o , ,

ce e d e d
[ thithe r
] an d s ai d Put u s
,
with you r selves i n possession
,

o f t h is e ar th ; let us h a ve a sh a r e o f it T h e A s u r a s gr u d g ’
.

i n gly s a i d We will give you a s m uch a s this Vis h n u c a n lie upo n ’

.
,

N o w Vish n u w a s a d w a r f The go d s d i d n o t r ej ect t h is offe r

. .

T h ey pl a ce d A gn i in the E a st a n d thu s they we n t o n toiling ,

a n d w o r s h ippi n g By this m e a n s they a cqui r e d the wh o le e ar th

. .

T h e n ext fo r m o f t h is lege n d is th a t o f t h e Ra m ay a n a .

M u i r, O . S T . .
,
i v 63 — 1 5 6
. .
T l b i d .
 THE VAM AN A OR D W A R F A VA T AR A . 1 33

Vi v
s ami t r a s a ge a d d r essing R a m a tells hi m the sto r y
,
a , , .

F o r m e r ly B a l i the son of Vi r o c h an a a fte r conque r ing the chief

, ,

of the go d s enj oye d the e m pi r e o f the t h r ee wo r l d s i n toxic a te d

, ,

wit h the inc r e a se of his powe r When B a li w as celeb r a ting a .

s a c r ifice I n d r a a n d the othe r go d s a d d r esse d Vish n u in this

,

h e r m it a ge [s a ying ] Th a t m ighty B a l i i s n o w pe r fo r m ing

,
‘

s a c r ifice he who g r a nts the d esi r e o f a ll cre a tu r es th e

p r ospe r o u s lo r d of the A su r a s Wh a teve r su ppli a nts w a it upon
.

h i m he bestows o n t h em wh a tever [ they wis h ] D o thou t a ke .

the fo r m o f a d wa r f a n d b r ing a bout o u r h ighest welfar e

, .

[ K a sy a p a now a ppe a r s a n d a fte r pr a ising Vishnu a sks a boon

, , , ,

th a t Vis h n u will be born a s th e s on of A d iti a n d himsel f ] Thus

a d d r esse d by the go d s Vish n u took the fo r m of a d w a r f a n d a
, p , ,

p r o a ch i n
g the son of V i r o c h a n a begge d th r ee o f his o w n p
,
a ces .

H a vi n g obt a i n e d th r ee p a ces Vishnu a ssu m e d a m ir a cu lous fo r m

, ,

a n d with th r ee p a ces took possession o f the worl d With o n e .

step h e occupie d th e whol e e ar th ; with a secon d the ete r n a l ,

a t m osphe r e a n d with a t h i r d th e sky H aving a ssigne d to the

,
.

A su r a B a li a n a bo d e in P atal a ( the i n fern a l r egion ) he g a ve the ,

e m pi r e o f the wo r l d to I n d r a .
”

The n otice o f this A v a ta r a in the M a h abh ar a t a is n o t lengthy .

Vishn u l s rep r esente d a s fo r etelling it to N a r a d a The g r e a t .

“

A su r a B a li sh a l l be in d est r u ctible by a ll beings inclu d ing go d s , ,

A su r a s a n d Raksh a s a s
,
H e sh a l l oust I n d r a ; a n d w h en the
.

t h r ee wo r l d s h a ve been t a ken by B a li a n d I n d r a put t o flig h t , ,

I sh a l l be bo r n in the fo r m o f the twelve A d ity a s th e s o n o f ,

K a sy a p a a n d D iti I will then r esto r e his king d o m to I n d r a

.
,

r einst a te the go d s i n thei r sever a l positions an d pl a ce B a li i n ,

P atal a .
”

The Vis h nu Pu r an a b a rely notices this event but i t is fully

‘ ’

d esc r ibe d in t h e Bhag a v a t a The question is the r e a ske d Why

.
,
“

d i d H ar i t h e lo r d of c r e a tures a s k like a poo r m a n t h r ee pieces

, , , ,

o f l a n d fr o m B a li A n d why when h e h a d obt a ine d h is O bj ect

, ,

d i d h e bi n d h i m ? A n d why w a s a n i n n ocent being bou n d by

t h e lo r d o f s a c r ifice ? T h e a nswe r g i ven i s as follows — A fte r
B a li h a d been kille d by I n d r a he w as restore d by the B r a h m a ns
,

of the r a ce of Bh r i gu who consecr a te d h i m fo r sup r e m e d o m i n ion

, ,
 1 34 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

an d pe r fo r m e d a s a c r ifice to obt a in it fo r h i m H e then sets out .

fo r A m r a v a ti a s befo r e n a r r a te d ; a n d I n d r a is t o l d when h e ,

a pplies to his p r ecepto r fo r a d vice th a t B a li h a d obt a ine d this ,

p o w e r by vi r tue o f the B r ah m a n s s a c r ifice

“
a n d th a t s a ve
’

by H a r i he is u n co n qu e r a ble
,
H e now r e a ps the fr uit of .
“

B r a h ma n ic a l powe r ; th r ough conte m pt of these s a m e B r ah ma n s

”
h e s h a ll pe r is h with a ll his d escen d a nts .

The go d s fo r s ake thei r c a pit a l whic h is occu pie d by B a li ,

.

A d iti t h e m othe r of the g o d s i s d i st r esse d a s sh e sees the con d i

, ,

tio n of h e r chi l d r e n a n d a cting u pon the a d vice o f her h u sb a n d ,

p r opiti a tes Vish n u who s a ys : I sh a l l with a portio n o f m yself

,

beco m e t h y s o n a n d d el ive r t h y chil d r e n W a it u pon thy

,
. .

h usb a n d the si n less P r aj ap a ti vi r tu ou s fe m a le m e d it a ti n g u pon

, , ,

m e w h o i n t h is fo r m a bi d e within h i m A d iti followe d t h e

”
.
,

a d vice o f the o d ; a n d K a sy a p a knew by m e d it a tion th a t a

g
po r tion of H a r i h a d ente r e d into h i m I n d u e ti m e th e son w a s .

bo r n a n d bec a m e a d w a r fi s h Bra h m a n ic a l stu d ent

, .

A s the Bh r i gu s a r e pe r fo r m i n g a s a c r ifice fo r B a li o n the b a nks

o f the N a r m a d a r ive r this d w a r f visits B a li a t I n d r a s he aven ’
.
,

“
A cqu a i n te d with his d uty B a li pl a ce d u p o n h is h e a d t h e
,

a u spicious w a te r wit h which th e B r ah m a n s feet h a d bee n ’

w a she d a n d s a i d Welc o m e to thee O B r a h m a n ! W h a t c a n

, ,
‘
,

we d o fo r thee A s k o f m e stu d ent w h a teve r tho u d esi r est

, , .

S o n o f a Brah m a n I concl u d e t h ou a r t a suppli a nt a s k a cow

, ,

pu r e gol d a n e mbellis h e d hou se fo o d a n d d r i n k a B r ah m a n s

, , ,
’

d a ug h te r flou r ishi n g vill a ges h o r ses eleph a nts a n d c a r r i a ges

”
.
, , , ,

T h e d w a r f co n clu d es a speech with the se m bl a n ce o f m o d er a tion

a s fo llows : I a s k fr o m thee a sm a ll po r tio n o f g r o u n d th r ee
“
,

p aces m e a su r e d step by step I d esi r e n o m o r e fr o m thee A

. .

w ise m a n i n c u r s n o s i n when h e a sks o n l m uch h e

”
, [ y] a s a s

n ee d s .T h e king th o u gh a sto n ish e d a t the s m a l l n ess o f the

,

r eq u est t a kes a vessel of w a te r i n h is h a n d a n d is a bout to c o n

, ,

fi r m the gift w he n his p r ecepto r seei n g t h r oug h Vi s h n u s d evice ,

’

t r ies t o d issu a d e h is pupil I n a lo n g speech he t r ies to show th a t

.

r a the r t h a n be left h o m eless it wo u l d be bette r fo r h i m to b r e a k

h is w o r d B u t t h e ki n g pe r sists i n fulfilli n g h is p r o m ise ; even

.

t h o ug h cu r se d by h is p r ecepto r fo r d oi n g so With two steps .

 1 3 6 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

a utho r ity o ve r the B raTwe n ty o n e ti m es Ra m a is

h m a ni c a l .
-

s ai d t o h ave c le a r e d the e a r th o f these m e n but by v a r ious ,

m e a ns so m e few we r e p r e
se r ve d who we r e a ble to
pe r petu a te the r a ce It .

will b e notice d th a t the

scene o f Vish n u s exploits ’

in t h is A v a tar a a n d in ,

those a lso w h ich follow it ,

w a s t h e e ar t h a n d not a s ,

in those p r ece d i n g the ,

a bo d e o f the go d s .

The followi n g legen d o f

the bi r th of P a r a s u r am a is
fr o m t h e Vish n u
A m a n n a m e d G a d hi who ,

w a s hi m self a n inc a r n a tion

of I ndra h a d a d a u ghte r ,

n a m e d S a t yava t i Rich .

ik a a d escend an t of ,

Bh r i gu T d e m a n d e d her in ,

m a r r i a ge T h e ki n g a ske d .

fr o m the d ec r epit o ld
B r ah m a n a tho u s a n d fleet
white h o r ses e a ch h a ving
o n e bl a ck e a r a s a w e d d i n
g ,

p r esent These h o r ses .

we r e O bt a i n e d by the help ,

o f V a r u n a a n d the ,

B r ah m a n r eceive d the h a n d
o f the p r incess .

PA A AVAT AR A
RA S U R MA
I n .
o r d er t o e ffect the
bi r th of a s o n R i ch i k a p r e ,

p a r e d a d ish of r ice b a r ley a n d pu lse with butte r a n d m ilk fo r

, , , ,

i s g o o d r e a s o n fo r t h e b e li e f t h a t i n th e o ld e n t i me no suc h i deas of th e
i
d v i n e o r i g i n o f c a s te p r e v a i l e d
.

P g a e 400 .
T S ee P ar t III . ch a p . i .
 T H E PA RA S U RAM A A VA T AR A . 1 37

his wi fe to e a t a n d a t her r equ est co n sec r a te d a si m i l a r m ixtu r e

, , ,

for her m ot h e r by p a r t a king of w h ich she shou l d give birth to a

,

p r ince o f m a r ti a l p r o w ess Le a vi n g both d ishes with h is wife .

,

a fte r c a r efully d esc r ibing which w a s for herself a n d w h ich fo r

h e r m othe r the s a ge W ent a w a y into the fo r est

,
When the .

ti m e fo r e a ti n g t h e foo d c a m e t h e queen s a i d to S at ya v at i , ,

D a ughter ! a ll ch il d ren wish t h ei r chil d ren to be possesse d

o f excel le n t qu a lities a n d wou l d be m o r tifie d to see the m
,

su r p a sse d by the m e r its o f thei r m other s b r othe r Give m e ’

.
,

the r efo r e the m ess you r husb a n d h a s set a p a rt fo r you a nd you

, ,

e a t th a t w h ich w as i n te n d e d fo r m e The son which it is i n .

te n d e d to p r ocu r e fo r m e i s d estine d to be t h e m on a r ch o f ,

the whole wo r l d ; wh ilst th a t wh ich you r d ish wil l give you

m ust b e a B r ah m a n a like d evoi d of a fflue n ce v a lou r a n d
, , ,

powe r . S a t ya v a t i conse n te d to this propos a l a n d they ex ,

ch a nge d m esses .

On R i ch i k a s r etu r n pe r ceivi n g wh a t his wife h a d d one he

’

, ,

s a i d S infu l wo m a n ! wh a t h a st t h ou d o n e ? I see thy bo d y

,
“

o f a fe ar fu l a ppe a r a nc e Thou h a st e a ten O f the consec r ate d,

foo d th a t w a s prep ar e d fo r thy m othe r thou h a st d o n e wrong .

I n th a t foo d I h a d i n fuse d t h e p r operties of powe r a n d st r ength , ,

an d herois m ; in thine the qu a lities suite d to a B rah m a n ,

gentleness knowle d ge a n d r esign a tio n

,
I n consequence o f
, .

h a ving r eve r se d m y pl a ns thy son sh a ll follo w a w a r r io r s ,

’

p r opensities an d use we a po n s a n d fight a n d sl a y Thy mothe r s

, , ,
.
’

son sh a ll be bo r n with the inclin a tions o f a B r ah m a n a n d be ,

a d d icte d to pe a ce a n d piety S a t ya v a t i he a r i n g this fell a t h e r

”
.
,

h usb a n d s feet a n d a ske d th a t s h e mig h t not h a ve su ch a son as

’

he h a d d esc r ibe d ; but if such t h e r e m u st be let it be m y

“
,

g r a n d son a n d n o t m y son
,
Th e M u n i r elente d a n d s a i d S o.
”
, ,

be it .
”
A ccor d ingly i n d u e ti m e she g a ve bi r th to a son
n a m e d J a m a d a gn i who m a r r ie d R e n u k a a n d h a d by h e r the
, ,

d est r oye r o f the K s h a tt r i ya r a ce P a r a s u r am a w h o w a s a portio n , ,

of N a r ay a n a the spi r itu a l gui d e o f the u n ive r se

,
.

This is a ll we fi n d a bou t P a r a s u r ama s wo r k in the Vishnu ’ ‘

Pu r an a T h e sto r y o f his exploits is tol d a t length twice over i n

.
’

the M a h abha r a t a a n d is fou n d in t h e Bhag av a t a P a d m a a n d

, , ,
1 3 8 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

A gni P u ra n as . The following a ccount is fro m the M a hab

h a r at a .
*

J m a a d a g (
n i the s o n o f R i c h i k a whose bi r th w a s j ust d esc r ibe d
) ,

h a vi n g m ar r ie d R e n u k a con d ucte d the p r i n cess to his h e r

“
,

m it a ge a n d she w a s contente d to p a r t a ke i n his a scetic life

,
.

T h ey h a d fou r sons a n d the n a fift h who w a s J a m a d a gn ya , ,

r a s u r am a t h e l st bu t n o t the le a st O f th e b r eth r e n Once

( P a
) a , , ,
.

when h er so n s were
bsent g a the r i n g the fr u its o n which t h ey
a ll a

fe d R e n u k a w h o w a s ex a ct in t h e d isch a r ge of a ll h e r d uties
, , ,

we n t fo r t h to b a the O n h e r w a y to the st r e a m she behel d .

C h i t r a r a t h a t h e p r ince o f M r i t t i k ava t i with a g a r l a n d of l o tuses

, ,

o n h is neck sp o r t i n g wit h h is q u een i n t h e w a te r a n d she felt

, ,

e n vio u s o f t h ei r felicity D e fi le d by unwo r thy thoughts wette d .

, ,

but n o t p u r ifie d by the st r e a m s h e r etu r ne d d isquiete d to the ,

h er m it age Be h ol d i n g h e r fa llen fr o m h e r pe r fection a n d sho r n

.
,

o f the lust r e of h e r s a nctity m a d a n i rep r ove d h e r a n d w a s

J a
g , ,

excee d i n g w r o th .

“
U pon this her sons c a m e fro m the woo d a n d e a ch a s h e
, ,

e n te r e d w a s su ccessively co m ma n d e d by h i s fa t h e r to put his

m othe r t o d e a th ; b u t a m a ze d a n d infl uence d by n a tur a l a ffe c ,

tio n neithe r o f the m m a d e a n y r eply ; the r efo r e J a m a d agn i

,

c u r se d the m a n d they bec a m e i d i o ts L a stly Ra m a r etu r ne d

, .

to the he r m it a ge when the m ig h ty a n d holy J a m a d agn i s a i d

,

to h i m Kill thy m o the r who h a s si n ne d ; a n d d o it without

,
‘
,

r epi n i n g R am a a cco r d ingly took u p h is a x e [ this w a s the

’
.

P a r a s u o r a x e which S iv a h a d given h i m] a n d st r uck O ff h is

, ,

m o the r s he a d whe r e u po n t h e w r a t h o f J a m a d a gn i w as a ssu a ge d

’

and ple a se d with his son s a i d : S i n ce t h o u h a st obeye d my

, ,
‘

co mm a n d s a n d d o n e wh a t w a s h a r d to be pe r fo r m e d d em a n d
,

fr o m m e wh a teve r blessing thou wilt a n d thy d esi r es sh a ll be ,

fu lfille d R am a begge d these boo n s : the restor a tio n of h is

.
’

m o the r t o life with fo r getfu lness of h a vi n g been sl a in a n d

, ,

pu r ific a ti o n fr o m a ll d e fi le m e n t ; th e r et u r n o f his b r othe r s t o

t h eir n a t u r a l c o n d iti o n ; a n d fo r h i m self i n vi n cibility in si n gl e ,

c o m b a t a n d length of d a ys A ll these d i d his fa the r bestow

, . .

i sh n u l ’
u r an a
,
’
n o te p .
40 1 an d M u ir, O . S T . .
,
i 4 47
. .
1 4 0 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

to a ve n ge his d e a t h a tt a ck e d th e h e r m it a ge o f J a m a d agn i when

,

Ra m a w as a bsent a n d slew the pi o us a n d u n r esisti n g s age w h o

, ,

c a lle d r epe ate d ly b u t fr u itlessly u po n h is v a li a nt s o n

,
Ra m a , .

d eeply l a m ents his fa the r s d e a th pe r fo r m s the l a st obsequies

’

, ,

a n d lights t h e fu ne r a l pile H e then m a d e a vow th at he wou l d

.

exti r p a te the whole K s h a t t r i ya r a ce I n fulfil m ent of whic h he .

,

with r e m o r seless a n d fa t a l r a ge singly d est r oye d the so n s of ,

K ar tt a v i r ya an d a fte r t h e m wh a teve r K s h a t t r i ya s he e n
, ,

co u n te r e d R am a sle w Th r ice seve n ti m es d i d he cl e a r the

, .

e a r th o f the K s h a t t r i ya c a ste A fte r he h a d cle a r e d the wo r l d .

of K s h at t r i ya s thei r wi d ow s c a m e to the Br ah m a n s p r a ying fo r

, ,

offsp r i n g The r eligi o u s B r ah m a n s fr ee fr om a n y i m pulse o f

.
,

lust c o h a bite d with these wo m en who in consequ ence bro u ght

, , , ,

fo r th v a li a nt K s h a t t r i ya boys a n d gi r ls .

I n a n o the r p a ss a ge in the M a habh a r a t a it i s t a ught th a t it w as

in consequence o f the curse of a s a ge n a m e d A p ava th a t R am a ,

w a s a ble to kill K ar t t a vi r ya The ki n g h a d pe r m itte d A g n i to

.

d evou r the he r m it a ge o f this Rishi who i n r evenge d ecl ar e d ,

t h a t h is thous a n d a r ms s h o u l d b e cut off by P a r a s u r am a .

I n the Ra m ay a n a is a n i n te r esting legen d in which P a r a s u r am a ,

hi m self a n i n c a r n a tion o f Vish n u is d esc r ibe d a s m eeting with ,

Ra ma C h a n d r a the following a v a ta r a o f this s a m e d eity a n d in

, ,

which the su pe r io r ity of Ra m a C h a n d r a is d e c la r e d T A s King .

D as a r a t h a w a s r eturn ing to his c a pit a l with Ra m a ( Ch a n d r a ) ,

h e w a s a l a r m e d by the ill o m e n e d sou n d s utte r e d by c e r t a in -

bir d s T h e a la r m i n g eve n t in d ic a te d w a s the a r riva l O f P a r a

.

su r a ma H e w a s fe a r ful to behol d brilli a nt as fi r e a n d bo r e his

.
, ,

a x e a n d a b o w on h is s hou l d e r B ei n g r eceive d with honou r .

,

h e p r ocee d e d to s a y to Ra m a the son o f D a s a r a t h a th a t he h a d , ,

he a r d of his p r o wess i n b r e a king th e bow p r o d uce d by J a n a k a ,

an d h a d b r o u ght a nothe r which he a ske d Ra m a to ben d ,

T h e r e a s o n w h y P a r a s u r am a h a d t o er o rm h i s or s o man p f
t i me s w k y
w as th i s — S
o me K s h a t t r i a c i d r e n
y e r e i d d e n hl r o m h i s r a w
e am o n s t h f g g
h
t h e o t e r c a s te s , an d i n t i me re w u
p t o b e g
ar r i or s I t w as e n h i s w . wh
w kor w a s e e c tu a ff
a cc o m lly pl h
i s e d , a n d t e r e w a s n o t a s i n e K s h a t t r i ya h gl
l f h h w w
m a n e t t a t t e i r i d o s r e s or t e d t o t h e r a m a n s , a s n o ti c e d a o e
, B h b v .

M
T u i r, O S T , W 175 . . . . .
 T H E P A R A S U R AM A A VA T AR A . I41

an d to fit an ow o n the string ; a n d offe r e d if he s uc

ar r ,

ceeded in d oing so t o e n g a ge with h i m in si n gle co m b a t

, .

P a r a s u r am a went on to s a y th a t the b o w Ra m a h a d b r oken w a s

S iva s but th a t the o n e he now b r ought w a s Vish n u s The
’ ’
.

go d s t h en m ad e a request to B r a h m a d esi r i n g to fi n d o u t t h e ,

st r e n gth a n d we a k n ess of S iv a a n d Vis h nu B r a h m a c r e a te d .

en m ity bet ween the t w o A g r e a t fight ensue d S iv a s bow

. .
’

o f d r e a d fu l powe r w a s r el a xe d a n d t h e th r ee eye d M a h a d ev a
,
-

w a s a r reste d by a m utte r ing T h e go d s we r e a ppe a se d a n d

.
,

j u d ge d t h a t Vis h n u w as superio r P a r a s u r am a t h e n s a i d This

.
,
‘

bow I offe r you t o ben d i s Vishnu s A g a in c h a llenge d

’
.
’

by P a r as u r am a R a m a sn a tc h es t h e bow be n d s it a n d fits
, , ,

a n a r r ow t o t h e st r ing ; but tell s his ch a llenge r t h a t a s he is

a B r a h m a n he wi l l not sl a y h i m but t h a t h e wil l eithe r t a ke

,

a w a y h is supe r hu m a n c a p a city of m o ve m e nt o r d eprive h i m o f ,

t h e blesse d a bo d es h e h a d g a i n e d by a uste r ity P ar a s u r am a .

e n t r e a t s t h a t his powe r of m ove m e n t m a y not b e t a ke n fr o m

'

h i m b u t conse n ts t h a t h is b lissfu l a bo d es m a y be d est r oye d

,
.

‘
By be n d i n g t h is bow h e s a i d I r ecog n ise thee to be t h e
,
’

,
‘ *

i m peris h able sl a ye r o f M a d hu the g r e a t lo r d

,
Ra m a shoots t h e .
’

”
a rrow a n d d est r oys P a r a s u r am a s a bo d es
’
.
,

The only expl a n a tion o f this st r a nge legen d see m s to be the

o n e th a t is co mm o n ly r eceive d by O r ient a l schol a rs th a t the ,

p a ss a ges i n the E pic poe m s which spe a k o f R ama a s a n i n

c a r n a tio n o f Vishn u a r e inte r pol a tio n s of a l a te r d a te th a n the
o r igi n a l poe m ; a n d this i n te r view o f P a r a s u r am a w ith Ra m a
w a s i n t r o d u ce d fo r the pu r pose of givi n g a qu a si d ivine s a nction -

to the te a ching o f these interpol a tions I f P a r as u r am a a n .

,

a d m itte d inc a r n a tion o f Vish n u a cknowle d ge th a t Ra m a w a s

,

supe r io r to hi m self wh a t st r onge r p r oof cou l d be g i ve n th a t

,

Ra m a too w as d ivine
 1 4 2 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

7 . THE RA M A C H A N D RA A VA TA R A .

In N o r the r n I n d i a this is pe r h a ps the m ost popu l a r o f a ll the

inc a r n a tio n s of Vis h nu a n d cert a inly t h e Ra m ay a n a in w h ic h
, ,

h is histo r y is fo un d co n t a ins so m e o f t h e m ost be a utifu l l egen d s

,

T ii E R AM A H A N R A A VA I A
C D
’

RA .

in the whole O f the s a c r e d w r iti n gs o f the H in d us The .

Ra m ay a n a is ve r y l a r gely occ u pie d with the sto r y o f Ram a s ’

life a n d the I n d i a n poets h a ve fou n d in its lege n d s s u bj ects fo r

,

t h ei r m ost a tt r a ctive poe m s A whole volu m e m ight e a sily be

.

w r itten givi n g a biog r a phy of t h is m ost pop u l a r he r o ; we

,
1 44 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

to the w a nt o f a s o n the h a ppiness o f king a n d subj ects w a s

,

inco m plete . T h e s a c r ifice t h e r efo r e w a s d ete r m i n e d o n th e ,

pl a ce o f s a c r ifice fixe d the ho r se set fr ee a n d the ki n g being e n

, ,

c o u r a ge d by the B r ah m a ns to p r ocee d with t h e ce r e m o n y the ,

n eighbo u r ing p r inces we r e i n vite d to a tte n d a n d g r e a t p r e

ar ati o n s m ad e A t le n gt h t h e s a c r ifice w a s co m plete d a n d t h e
p .
,

p r esi d ing B r ah m a n s a i d to D as a r a t h a :
F o u r s on s ,
O m o n a r ch , s h ll b e th i
a ne,

U ph o l d e r s of th e ro y l li
a n e.
*

t:
a >l<

h e i t e w i ll I b e g i
A n ot r r n,

Wh i ch s h ll t h e s th o a
c vest wi on s u ra n,

Wh e ll th i g s s h ll b e d ly p d
n a n a u s e

A d fi s t A th v t e x t b e e d T
n r ar a s r a .

The go d s we r e a ll a sse m bl e d as the s a int pe r fo r m e d this r ite ,

t o w h o m he s a i d

Fo r yo u h a s D a s a r a t h a l i s a n

T h e v ot i ve s t e ed a s o t g i ,
n o a n

S t p e c e i te t h ki g h
ern n an r s e n as tr i ed ,
A d i fi m f i th
n n ryo l i ed a on u re .

A d n w w i th
no d i m i i hed c un n s are

A s e co d i t e w nld ow p e p
r ou n r ar e .

B t O y g d s co s e t t g
u ,
e o ,
n n o r an t

Th e l g i g o f y o s p pli t
on n ur u an .
”
T

The go d s ple a se d with t h e B r ah m a n s p r aye r le d by I n d r a

,
’

, ,

we n t to B r a h m a a n d pou r e d fo r th i n his e a r t h ei r u n ite d

,

petition in which t h ey m e n tion th e g r e a t wo r k t h ey W i s h e d

,

Ra m a a s one of D a s a r a t h a s sons to pe r fo r m :
,
’

O B h ma m i gh t y by t h y g e
ra , rac ,

R av wh l th g i t c
an , o ru es e an ra e,

T m t s i hi
or en s u s ele p ide n s s en ss r

A d pe
n e l vi g s i t
n an c be id -
o n a n s s e .

F th or w ll pl e e d i d y s o f ld
ou, e -
as n a o ,

G v t th e b
a es th t m k e h i m b l d oon a a s o ,

Th t g o d
a d m e s h o l d k i ll
s n or e on s
’
er u

H ch
is m d lif f ar t h y w i ll
e e, or s o .

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R am ay a n a,
’
i 81. .
T I bi d . i 82
. .
T I bid . i 83
. .
 T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A VA T AR A . I 4S

W e, h on o
g th t h i gh b eh e s t
urin a ,

B e ll h i s g e t h ou gh s o e d i s tr e s t
ar a ra ,
r .

T h t l r d o f g i t fi e c e d fe ll
a o an s, r an ,

S c o g e s th e e t h d h e av e n a d h e ll
ur ar ,
an n .

M d w i th th y b o o n h i s i m p i o s
a ge ,
u ra

S mi tes s i n t a d b d d g d d s ge
a n ar ,
an o an a .

Th e s h i m elf w i thh o l d s h i s gl w
un s o ,

T h e w i d i fe fo r b e s t bl o w
n ,
n a r, ar o

T h e fi e e s t i s h i s w o n t e d h e at
r r ra n

Wh e r e s t d s th e d e d e d R av s fe e t
an r a an
’
,

A d n e c kl c e d w i t h t h e w an d e i g w a v e
,
n a r n .

T h e s e b e fo e h i m fe s t o a v e
a r ar r .

K v e a s s e lf i
u r d d e fe t
’
,
n sa a ,

I s d i v e f o m h i s bl i s s f l s e a t
r n r u .

W e s e e w e fe e l th e g i
, t s m i gh t ,
an
’

A n d w o e c o m e o e u s a d ff i gh t
’
s r n a r .

T o t h e e O l o d t h y s u ppl i
, ts pr y r ,
an a

T o fi d s o m e c u e t h i s pl g e t o s t a y
n r a u .

To this request Br ah m a m a kes a nswer

ly w ay I fi d
On e on n

T o s l y th i s fi en d of e v i l m i n d
a .

H e p y e d m e o n c e h i s l i fe t o gu a d
ra r

F o m d e m o go d
r d h e v e ly b d
n, ,
an a n ar ,

A d : s p i i t s o f t h e e th a d i
n r ar n a r

A n d I c o s e t i g h e d h i s p ay e
, n n n ,
ar r r.

B t th e p o d gi
u t i h i s s co
r u an , n rn ,

R e c k ed n o t o f m n of w o m n b o n a a r .

N on e e l s e m ay t ak e h i s l i fe w y a a ,

B t o ly m a t h e fi e d m y s l y T
u n n n a a .

U pon this Vishn u a ppe a r s i s gl a d ly welcome d by ,

a sse m bl e d go d s a n d a sks wh a t r equ est t h ey h a ve to m a ke

,

K i n g D a s ar a t h a t h u s c r i e d , t he y ,

F er v en t i n p en an c e m an y a d a y,
Th e s a cr i l i fi ci l a s te e d h as s a n ,

L o g i g f s o s b u t ll i v i n
n n or n ,
a n a .

N ow t th e cr y o f s f lo
,
a u or rn ,

I c n te s h i s e ed b e b o
n ar a a s rn .

T h ee q e en s h s h e e ach l v ely
r u a o d am e
Li k e B e ty M o d e s t y o F me
au , ,
r a .

G r i ffi t h s ’
s
‘
R am ay an a ,
’
i 83 . .
T I b i d . i . 84 .
 T HE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

D i v i d e t hy s e lf i n fo u r ,
an d be
H is o ffs p
g by t h e s e o bl e t h r ee
r in n

M an s t e t k e d s l y i figh t
’
n a ur a ,
an a n

R av n w h o l a gh s t h e v e ly m i gh t
a ,
u a a n

T h i s c mm o n s c g e t h i s
o kl i g th o n
ou r ,
r an n r ,

Wh o m t h e t h e w o l d s t o o l o g h av e b o
re r n r n e.

Vishnu a sks why h e i s necess a r y to e ffect thei r d el ive r a nce .

Being tol d o f B r a h ma s p r o m ise t o R ava n h e consents to be

’

bo r n a s m a n a n d p r omises t o sl a y the gi a nt a n d his fa m ily

,
.

N ot lo n g a fter this a m essenger comes from Vishnu l a d e n

, ,

with a gol d en v a se o f nect a r whi c h he gives to the ki n g ; a t the ,

s a me time telling h i m to give it to h is qu eens a n d a ssu r ing h i m ,

th a t
T h y t h e p i c ely s o Sh ll b e
e r n ns a ar ,

L o g s o ght by n i fi ce d p ye
u T s a cr an ra r.

To ! ueen K a u s a lya the king g a ve h a l f the nect a r who ,

through it bec a m e the m ot h er o f R a m a ; th e othe r h a l f he g a ve

to his othe r wives who i n consequen ce b ec a m e mothe r s too
, ,

K a i k e ya bo r e Bh a r a t a n d S u mi t r a g a ve birth to L a kshm a n a n d
,

S a t r u gh n a .

B efo r e le a ving he aven Vishnu a ske d th e go d s fo r whose , ,

benefit he w a s a bout to u n d ert a ke this wo r k to a ssist hi m a n d , ,

t h ey d i d so
H e lp s i w t l e d h i m i d n ar o n a ,

I f m t h t chn or g t will sy d a an e a ar r a e

E h go d acch s g b me s i e ,
ea a e eca a r ,

E ch m i t e l f t h e h e v e ly q i
a ns r o a n u re,

E ch f u o f Ch i ld e
a t o g
a d g d T
n, r n s r n an oo .

The n a mes o f some o f the le a d ers who a ssiste d

a nswe r to his p r a yer to the go d s ru n a s follows

B l i t h e w o od l d h t s w h l d
a , an os o e ,

H i gh M h e d as l fty h e d
a n ra s
’
o a ,

W I d
as ch i l d
n T h t bl t
ra s
’
. a no es fir e
Th S w s g e t S g iv si e
’
e un, a r a u r a s r .

G r i ffi t h s R amay a n a T I bid T I bid

’ ‘ ’
s ,
i 85
. . . i . 89 . . 1 .
93 .
1 4 8 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

b athi n g a n d whic h w e r e so to a ffect

,
h im th a t he shoul d h a ve n o
eq u a l i n he a ve n o r hell
N on e w o l d w i th th e e s h ll v i e
i n th e r a ,

O i les s o e i
s n p t ply n ,
n a re ,

I k n wl d g e f t
no wi t
e d t ct , or un e, ,
an a ,

W i s d o m t o pl a d s k i ll t o c t n , an a .
”

O n t h ei r j ou r ney to the he r mit age they visit v a r iou s pl a ces o f

i m po r t a n ce a n d Vi s va m i t r a beguiles the time with nu m e r ous
,

lege n d s ; he a lso bestows on Ra m a v a r ious a r ms a n d powe r s .

O 1 1 r e a c h i n g the e n d o f thei r j ou r ney fo r six d a ys a n d n ights ,

they h ave to w a tch fo r the d e m o n s ; when the s a c r ifice w a s

a b o u t to e n d t h ese d istu r be r s o f th e he r m it a ge a ppe ar a n d
, ,

a r e co n que r e d by Ra m a a n d thei r a tten d a nts by L a kshm a n ,

.

The s a i n t a d d r essing R a m a s a ys
, ,

My jo y O p i c e i s o w c m pl e te
,
r n ,
n o

T h o h s t o b e y e d my w i ll
u a

P e fe t b e fo e th i s c l m e t e t
r c r ,
a r r a

I s o w m o e p e fe c t s t i ll T
n r r .

N ext m o r ning
the he r m its tell Ram a th a t King J a n a k a of
M i t h i la Th a s a r r a nge d fo r a s a c r i fice to which they a r e invite d .

Ra m a i s a ske d to a cco m p a ny the m a n d is i n d uce d to d o so by ,

t h e m ention of a won d e r fu l bow in possession o f the king which ,

no o n e wa s a ble to ben d The bow w a s a gift fr o m S iv a a s a .

,

r ew a r d fo r s a c r ifice O n th e w a y to M i t h i la they p a ss th r oug h

.

a g r ove i n w h ich unseen by go d s a n d m e n A h a lya the w ife o f

, , , ,

G a ut a m a the s a ge h a d been u n d e r goi n g pe n a nce fo r countless

,

a ges on a ccount O f h e r a d ulte r y with I n d r a

,
Thoug h the go d .

c a m e to h e r i n the fo r m o f h e r h u sb a n d she s a w t h r ough h is ,

d isg u ise yet d i d n o t r esist h is ove r tu r es

,
H e r hu sb a n d con .

d e m n e d h e r to l ive unknown in the fo r est u nti l Ra m a shoul d

l ibe a te
r h e r H e r hou o ele a se h a d now co m e
r . f r — Ra m a sees
h e r t o u ches h e r feet a n d the cu r se being a t a n e n d h e r h u s b a n d
, , , _

r eceives h e r b a ck .

G r i ffi t h s R an i aya n a , i T I bid i T T i rho o t

’
‘ ’
s . 1 25 . . . 1 56 . .
 T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A VA T A R A . 1 49

I n d u e ti m e t h ey re a ch M i t h i la The p r inces a r e i n t r o d uce d .

to the king w h o gives the m a he a r ty wel co m e an d n a r r a tes t h e

, ,

histo r y of the w o r l d fa m e d bow t h ey h ave co m e t o see H e tells

-
.

t h e m it w a s the bow with which Siv a w h en a n g r y a t n o t bei n g ,

invite d to D a ksh a s s a c r ifice w r oug h t suc h h a voc a m o n gst t h e

’

a sse m ble d g o d s I t w as hel d by successive m on a r c h s of h is l i n e

.

a s a m a r k o f sovereignty a n d a s a m e a ns o f d efence a g a in st ,

thei r foes .

Thi g m f b w s e o o s,

T h t f d th G d f g d f m w e a ree e o o o s ro o s,

S t d by g e t f f th l y
or e ou r r a or e a er s , a

A t d p id f y r ea su r e an a r e or a e.
”

One d ay a s J a n a k a w a s ploughing a n infa nt sp r a ng fr o m t h e

, ,

g r oun d w h o m he n a m e d S it a ( a fu r r ow) o n a ccount o f h e r sec r et ,

bi r t h I n the U tt a r a K a n d a Tis a l egen d t h e O bj ect o f w h i ch i s

.
,

to S h ow th a t S it a i s a not h e r fo r m of L a ksh m i a n d t h a t it w a s ,

she who wishe d to a cco m plish the d e a th o f Rav a n a R av a n a .

in the cou r se o f his w a n d e r ings co m es to the H i m al a y a s whe r e ,

he m eets with a young wo m a n of m a r vellou s b e a uty n a m e d

Ve d ava t i d r esse d i n a scetic g a r m ents a n d living t h e li fe o f a
,

, ,

d evote e H e spe a ks of l o ve ; bu t s h e in d ign a n tly r ej ects his

.

ove r tu r es s a yi n g th a t i t wa s h e r fa t h e r s wish sh e shou l d w e d

,
’

Vishnu a n d t h a t she h a d w e d h i m with h e r h e ar t Rav a n a

, .

p r esses h is s u it a ssu r ing h e r t h a t he i s s u pe r io r to Vishn u S h e

, .

s a ys t h a t no n e but h e w o u l d co n te m n th a t d eity R av a n a r eplies .

by touchi n g h e r h a i r B eing ve r y in d ig n a n t a t this she d ecl a r es

.
,

th a t she wi ll ente r t h e fi r e ( d i e ) befo r e his eyes B efo r e d oi n g .

so she s a ys S i n ce I h a ve bee n i nsu lte d i n the fo r est by thee

, , ,

who a r t wicke d he a r te d I sh a ll be bo r n a g a i n for thy d est r u ctio n

-
, .

Fo r a m a n o f evil d esign c a n not b e sl a in by a wo m a n ; a n d the

m e r it o f m y a u ste r ity wou l d be l o st if I we r e to l a u n ch a c u r se
a g a i n st yo u B u t if I h a ve pe r fo r m e d o r bestowe d o r s a c r ifice d
.
, ,

a ug h t m a y I be bo r n a vi r tuous d a ug h te r — not p r o d uce d fr o m

,

m —
t h e wo b o f a r ig h teou s m a n S he then ente r e d th e bl a zing .
’

fi re . I t w a s s h e w h o w a s bo r n a s t h e d a ug h te r o f Ki n g J a n a k a .

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R am ay an a ,
’
i . 278. TM u ir, O . S T . .
,
i v 45 8
. .
1 5 0 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

The m o unt a in like ene m y ( Rav a n a) who w a s vi r tu a lly d est r oye d

-
,

befo r e by h e r wr a th h as n o w been d est r oye d by h e r a fte r she

, ,

h a d a ssoci a te d he r self with Vishnu s supe r h u m a n ene r gy

’
.

Reg a r d ing the C hil d thus m yste r iously fou n d to be othe r th a n

o f m o r t a l bi r th to a ll suito r s fo r h e r h a n d J a n a k a g ave one
,

r eply

I g i v e t th i my d ght e s h e
no s au r

P i z o f h i c w th h ll b
r e er o or s a e.
”

S he w a s to be th e wife o f h i m who coul d ben d the won d er

wo r king b o w M a n y of t h e neighbou r ing p r inces h a d t r ie d but
.
,

fa i le d A n d n o w J a n a k a s a ys
.

T h i h v e ly b w x e d i g b i gh t
s ea n o ,
e ce n r ,

T h y th h ll
es e O ou h it s s a see, an c or e .

T h i f y g R am h d
en oun t i g a s
’
an can s r n

T h b w t h t b ffl d l d
e o d ki g a a e or an n ,

T h i m I give
o I h ve w ,
as a s orn ,

My S i t t fw m b
a, n o T o o an oru .
”

The bow i s b r ought a n d R a m a is invite d to t r y his st r ength

,
.

H e t a kes it u p e a si ly i n h is h a n d a n d a s h e w a s d r awing the ,

st r i n g it sn a ppe d in t wo to the won d er a n d fr ight o f the

, ,

behol d e r s Ra m a thus becomes the successful su ito r o f S it a

.
,

and m essenge r s a r e d esp a tche d to invi te his fa ther to the

we d d ing H is two brothers a lso co m e ; a n d n o t on ly Ra m a
.

a n d S it a a r e u nite d but his th r ee b r othe r s a r e we d d e d to th r ee

,

d a ughte r s o f J a n a k a They then return h ome a n d live i n

.

h a ppiness an d p r ospe r ity .

A fter a ti m e K ing D a s a r a t h a wishes to a b d i c a te i n fa vou r o f

R a ma his fi r stbo r n When he h a d fixe d u pon a suit a ble ti m e
.
,

the o ld m an sen d s fo r his s o n a n d enj oins h i m to p r ep a re him ,

self fo r the g r e a t event by p a ssing the night in holy exe r cises

,
.

When the people he a r o f the ki n g s inte n tion they a r e d elighte d ’

the city is illu m in ate d a n d they spen d the night i n festivities

,
.

I n the m e a nti m e a se r v a n t goes to K a ik e ya the m other o f ,

Bh a r a t a a n d succee d s i n exciting h e r j e a lou sy of Ram a to su ch

,

G r i ffi th s
’
s
‘
R amay a n a ,
’
i . 2 79 .
T I bid . i . 2 80.
1 5 2 THE P U R AN I C D E I TI E S .

D a s a r a t h a d ies
of g r ief a sho r t ti m e a fte r thei r d ep a r tu r e a n d ,

t h e C ity is a g a i n floo d e d with te a r s Bh a r a t a seeks the exiles .

,

w ith the i n te n tion of bringing R am a ho m e to occu py th e th r o n e ,

but to t h is Ra m a will not conse n t Bh a r a t a t h e r efo r e co n tin ues .

t o r ule in Ra m a s ste a d who m he a lw a ys r eg a r d s a s the rightfu l

’

k ing a n d t a kes with h i m a p a i r o f Ra m a s shoes which a r e

,
’

expose d to V ie w on st a te occ a sio n s to in d ic a te th a t Bh a r a t a i s ,

a cti n g only a s Vice r oy .

The th r ee m eet with m a ny a d ve n tu res i n the fo r est a s they ,

l ive the life o f a scetics O ne d a y they see a n i mm ense gi a n t

.
,

n ame d V i r a d h a clothe d in a tige r s skin a n d

’

, ,

Th r ee lio n s, ti g e fo rs ur, te n d eer ,

He c ar r i e d o n h i s i r on s pe ar .
”

This gi a nt t a king S it a a si d e th r e a tens to kill a n d e at h e r ;

, ,

but a fter a ti m e C h a nging his m in d p r oposes t o keep h e r a n d

, , ,

thinki n g th a t he is a cting gene r ously tow a r d s Ra m a o ffers to ,

a llow h i m to go o ff u n h a r m e d A t le n gth t h ey fight but as the .

gi a n t is proof a g a inst thei r we a pons he t a kes u p Ram a a n d ,

L aksh m a n u pon h is shou l d e r s a n d runs a w a y with them ,

fr o m which positio n they e a ch succee d i n cutting O ff o n e o f

,

h is a r m s ; when th e gi a n t fa lls we a k fr o m loss o f bloo d ; a n d ,

seei n g th a t thei r we a pons c a nnot d ep r ive h i m O f life they bu r y ,

h i m a live A fte r this a d ventu r e t h ey r e a ch a h e r mit a ge ; a n d

.
,

R a ma beco m es the p r otecto r o f he r m its th r oughout th e d istrict .

Whe n t e n ye a r s o f his fo r est l ife w a s p a st Ra m a sets off fo r th e ,

h e r m it a ge of A g a sty a a m a n wh o h a d g a i n e d g r e a t m e r it by h is
,

a uste r ities whe r e they buil d a cott a ge but a r e not a ble to live in
, ,

pe a ce l o ng A s R am a a n d S it a a r e sitti n g t o gethe r u n d e r a tree

.
,

a gi a n tess n a m e d S u p a r n a k h a the s ister o f Rav a n p a sses by , , ,

a n d fa lls m a d ly i n l o ve with R a m a .

S h e, g ri m o f e ye a n d f l
ou of f
a ce ,

Lov e d h is s w e et gl an ce a n d f
ore he ad s
’
g r ace

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R amay a n a ,
’
iii .
5 .
 T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A V A T AR A . 1 53

Sh e l v e ly fig e h i m
of u n o ur ,

O f s t t e ly f m d h p ely l i m b
a or an s a

S h e wh s e d i m l o c k d i s d e e d h
o g s or r un ,

H i m wh o s e b i gh t h i o h i gh b o w s c l
r g a r n r un .

The gi a n tess questions Ra m a a s to the re a so n o f his being i n

th e fo r est ; he gives her a full a ccount o f hi m self a n d S it a a n d ,

then i n qu ires w h o she m ay be S he s ays sh e is R avan s siste r

’

.
,

a n d openly a vows h e r l ove

Thi p s o or m i s s h a pe n
S i ta l e ve a ,

A n d m e t h y w o th i e b i d e e ce i v e r r r ,
r .

L o o k o n my b e t y
,

d p e fe r au ,
an r

A s p o s e m e m e e t th
u o e li ke h er
or an n

I ll e t t h at i ll fo m e d w o m t h e
’
a -
r an er

T h y b o t h e t o o h e f t e h ll h e
r r, ,
r a s a s ar .

B t c m e b e l v e d th o s h lt r o m
u o ,
o ,
u a a

W i t h m e th o u gh ll o u r w o o d l d h o m e
r a an .
T

Ra m a smiling tol d h e r th a t a s he w a s m a r r i e d he C oul d not

, ,

a ccept her kin d o ffer b u t a d vise d h e r t o t r y h is brother

,
She .

a cts u pon this a d vi ce ; but L a ksh m a n sen d s her b a ck t o R a m a .

Thinking th a t S it a was the chief obst a cle t o the a tt a inment o f

h e r wish es sh e w a s a bou t to sl a y her ; R a m a p r evente d h e r fr o m
,

d oing this a n d L a ksh m a n cu t o ff h e r nose a n d e a r s

,
S he then .

fle d t o h e r b r other K h a r a whose a nger she r ouse d by the t a le o f

,

h e r m u ti l a tion wh o sent fou r teen gi a nts givi n g them st r ict

, ,

o r d e r s to kil l R a m a S it a a n d L a ksh m a n T h e s e a r e quic k ly

, ,
.

sl a in by Ra m a K h ar a is te r r ibly an g r y as h e h e a r s of the
.

d e a th o f his gi a nts ; a n d qu ickly r a ising a n a r m y o f ,

w ar riors goes a g a inst his foes Ra m a single h a n d e d d est r oye d

, .
,
-
,

the m ne a r ly a ll .

O ne o f these gi a nts n a m e d A k a m pa n r ushe d o ff t o in for m

, ,

Rav a n o f the c a t a st r ophe R av a n i n t e n sely a ng r y a sks

.
, ,

W h o i s th e w r e t ch h ll v a i ly t y s a n r

In ear th h e v,
a h e ll f o m m e t o fly ?
en ,
r

Vi a sra v I d Vi h H e
an , n r a, s nu,

W ho ru l e s th e d e d m s t eve e c e m e
a ,
u r r n

G r i ffit h s R am ay an a T I bi d
’
s
‘
,
’
i i i 80
. . . iii 82
. .
1 54 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

Fo r n ot the m i gh t i e s t l o r d o f th e s e
C an b ve ra m y w i ll , an d l i v e a t e a s e
\
.

V i th e s i t e d i fl e n c e I
unr s n u ,

C an fo ce e e D e th h i m s elf t o
r
’
n a die .

H e then a sks p ar ticu l a r s o f the fight a n d d ete r m i n es to go ,

h i m self a n d a ve n ge his sister The messenge r i n fo r m s h i m th a t .

it is u seless fo r h i m to a tte m pt to conquer Ram a by fo r ce a n d ,

a d vises h i m r a the r to c a r r y o ff S it a fo r ,

R e ft of h i s d ar i n l g w i fe ,
be sure

B i f d ys
r e a th e m ou r n er w i ll en du re. T

R av a n o r d e r s his ch a riot st a r ts o ff a lone to M a r ich a an d a sk s

, ,

h is a ssist a n ce who d issu a d es hi m fr o m a tte m pting to fight wit h

,

Ra m a but s o on a fte r w a r d s S u p a r n a k h a with h e r m util a te d fa ce , ,

a r r ives a t L a nk a a n d a ppe a r ing befo r e Rav a n a g a in a rouses his

, , ,

in d ign ation A s h e s at o n h is th r one he i s thus d esc r ibe d

.

A s cor e o f a r ms, ten n e c ks ,

h ad h e,
H is roy l ge w s b v e t o s e e
a ar a ra

H is st t
a ure l i ke m o n t i n h e i gh t a u a ,

H is a m s w e e s t o g h i s t e e th w e
r r r n ,
re wh i t e .

‘
T en t ho u s an d ye ar s th e gi an t s pe nt

On di e
r au ster i ti e s i n t en t
An d of his he d s a o ffe i g l
an r n ,
ai d

B f
e ore th e S e lf e x i s t e n t m d e
-
,
a .
”
T

The gi a ntess r etells h e r t a le which excites h e r b r othe r s a n ge r ,

’

a fr esh . H e i mm e d i a tely sets fo r th a g a i n fo r the hermit a ge o f

the fien d M a r ich a a n d a sks h i m to a ssist h i m in his exploit by
,

a ssu m i n g the fo r m of a gol d e n d ee r with s ilver spots by which ,

Sit a s a tte n tio n wo u l d be a tt r a cte d

’
.

D o ubt n ot th e l d y wh e
a ,
n sh e sees

The wo nd rou s mo n g th e tr ee s ,
d e er a

W i ll b i d h er l o r d a n d L a k s h m a n t ak e
The c r e at u r e fo r i t s be au t ys ’
sa ke .
”

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R am ay a n a ,
’
iii . 1 43 . 1 I bid .
1 I bid . iii . 1 48 .
 1 5 6 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

M a r ich a a ssu m es t h e fo r m of a d ee r a n d p r ocee d i n g t o t h e , ,

vici n ity o f t h e h e r m it a ge a tt r a cts the a ttention o f S it a w h o

, ,

beco m es a nxious t o possess it R a m a le a ving L a ksh m a n to .

,

gu a r d the ho m e g o es i n pu r su it a n d shoots it A s the fien d

, ,
.

w a s d ying a ssu m i n g Ram a s voice h e crie d out lou d ly e n ough

’

, ,

to be he a r d by his wife a n d b r othe r H o S it a ! H o L a k s h , , ,

man ! They i m a gini n g th a t so m e evil h a d co m e to Ra m a ,

L a ksh m a n hur r ie d tow a r d s the S pot whence the c r y p r ocee d e d

whilst Rav a n who w as w a iting ne a r sei ze d the oppo r tu nity to
, ,

c a r r y o ff the d efe n celess S it a Th e d e m on d i d his best to in d uce

.

her to yiel d h e r s e lf a n e a sy prey ; but though she st r uggle d h ar d ,

a n d c r ie d for help to a ll who c a m e ne a r no n e we r e a ble to d eliver ,

h er H el d in his m a gic a l c a r they re a che d L a n k a wh ere she

.
, ,

w a s pl a ce d i n o n e of R ava n s p a l a ces H e t r ie d both by kin d

’
.

wo r d s a n d fe ar ful th r e a teni n gs to W i n h e r love bu t kin d ness a n d

c r uelty we r e eq u a lly ineffective T o co m fo r t h e r B r a h m a sent .
,

In d r a who m a n a ge d to elu d e the vigil a nce o f h e r gu a r d s a n d

, ,

a ssu r e d h e r of the sy m p a thy o f the go d s a n d o f the fa ct th a t a ll ,

woul d yet be wel l with h e r husb a n d a n d he r s elf .

Whilst this w as h a ppening a t L a nk a Ra ma w a s a lmost m a d ,

with g r ie f When L aksh m a n c a m e to h i m a fte r the d ee r w a s

.

sl a in he fe a r e d s o m e g r e a t evi l h a d h a ppene d ; a n d o n thei r

,

r eturn to the cott a ge as S it a w a s not to be foun d his a ngu ish

, ,

wa s i n tole r a ble H e w a n d e r e d a bout c a ll i n g u pon the trees

.
,

m ount a ins a n d r ive r s to tel l hi m wh a t h a d h a ppene d to his love d

,

one ; but they we r e silent a s the g r a ve A vu ltu r e a t the point .

of d e a th wh o h a d fo u gh t w i t h R av a n o n S it a s be h a lf info r m s
, ‘
’

hi m o f h e r c a ptu r e by the g r e a t fie n d ( S ee P a r t I I I c h a p vii ) . . . .

I n t h ei r w a n d eri n gs the b r oth e r s m eet with a gi a n t n a m e d

,

K a b a n dh a wh o owing t o a cu r se h a d to we a r th e hi d eou s fo r m
, , ,

i n which he now a ppe a r e d u ntil Ra m a sho u l d cut o ff h is a r m s

, .

A s he w a s r un n ing a w a y with the b r othe r s th ey fulfille d t h is con ,

d ition o f the cu r se a s t h e r e w a s n o othe r w a y o f e s ca p e fo r the m

,

but on le a r n i n g w h o t h ey we r e he w a s d elighte d a n d a ske d them

, ,

to bu r n h is bo d y i n o r d e r th a t he m ig h t r eg a i n h is p r ope r fo r m
a n d a scen d to he a ve n A s they co mm itte d h i m t o th e fl a m es h e
.
,

a ssu me d a h e a venly sh a pe an d when i n the a i r tol d the m whe r e ,

, ,
 T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A VA T AR A . 1 57

S it a w a s t a ken a n d a d vise d them to seek the hel p o f S u gr i va

, ,

t h e King of t h e Van a r ( M onkey ) t r ibes a s only t h r ough his a i d "

,

coul d they r ecove r her A cting u pon this a d vi ce t h ey procee d .

,

to P a m p a S u gr i va s ho m e ; whe r e the sight o f the be a uty o f

,
’

the l a ke c a uses Ra m a s l a m ent a tions to bu r st forth a fresh ’

B y i gh t s l i k e t h e e f j y
s s o o an d pe ace,

M Y P g o f h p el e s s l v
an s o o e i n cr e a s e .
”
T

When S u gr i va s aw the brothers i m a gining them t o be fr ien d s ,

o f his b r ot h er B ali by whom he h a d been d eprive d o f h i s ,

thro n e he w a s g r e a tly a l a r m e d a n d sent H a nu m an to le a rn

, ,

who they we r e a n d why they h a d co m e Whe n H a nu m an

, .

l e a r ns the obj ect of their visit knowing they wo u l d a ssist his ,

m a ster to reg a in h is king d om h e prom ises S u gr i va s help a n d ,

’
, ,

t a ki n g t h e m upon h is shou l d ers hu r ries O ff with the m i n to the ,

presence of t h e Van a r king A le a gue is m a d e i m me d i a tely a n d .

,

a fter Ram a h a d p r o m ise d th a t the usurpe r B ali shou l d fa ll th a t

d ay S u gr i va s a ys of S it a
,

Ye a, t h ou gh i n h e av e l ad y d well
n th e ,

Or p i s o ed i r n n t h e d e p t h s o f h e ll ,

M y f i e d ly cr n ar e he w y s h ll t c k
r a a ra ,

A d b i n g thy n s o m e d d a l i g b ck
”
n r ra T r n a .

S u gr i va pro d uces a robe b r a celets a n d a nklets th a t fel l , ,

fr o m S it a a s s h e w a s being c a r r ie d O ff by Rav a n ; the a nklets

S iva h l d t h t R am a w o l d o b t ai t h e i d o f t h e m o k e y s for
ad fo r eto a u n a n

th e d e s t ct i o o f R av a
ru wh en t h e d e m o n w s t v e ll i g i n t h e H i m al y s
n n, a ra n a a .

S i v a pp e ed t o h i m as d w f d t i e d t o p e v e t h i m f o m t r v ell i g
a ar a ar ,
an r r n r a n
a lo g c t i n
n a d
er a R av n d i s e g d e d t h e p oh i b i t i on
r oa . d c o t e m p t o s ly
a r ar r ,
an n u u
a s k e d wh o S i v w s t gi ve o de
a th t a o o e s h o l d p s s t h at w y
o an he r r a n n u a a
,
a sl o i d i c l e d t h e m o k e y —l i k e pp e a n c e o f th e d w f N n d e s h w a a
r u n a ra ar . a r

( S i v ) e pl i e d t h at m o n k e y s i n a pp e
a r , ce a d powe w o ld b e pr od ce d t o ar an n r u u
d e t o y R av
s r d h i s f m i ly
an a n I d e r t o s h o w h i s p o w e R av
a r i s ed
. n or r, an a
th e mo n t i n i u hi a m s ; b t S i v a p r e s ed i t d w w i t h h i s t o e
n s ar d u s o n ,
an
cru s h e d R av n i h a ms a n ti l h e c i ed
n t w i th p i
is r d ot ti l h e h d
u r ou a n , an n un a
,

p o p i t i t e d S v fo t h
r a id y e s d i d h e el
a r a e him d wh e h e e
o u s an ar r eas an n r

l e s ed h i m h e s i d t h t h i s am e s h o l d b e R av n fr o m t h e c y ( R av )
a , a a n u a ,
r a

whi c h h e t te e d u r .

T G i ffi t h s s R amay an a i v 6 1 I bid iV 37
’ ’
r . . . °
,
1 5 8 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

Ra ma r ecognises a s h avi n g b elonge d to his wi fe a n d is gre a tly ,

co m fo r te d a s S u gr i va tells h i m th a t though a t p r esent u n a bl e to

inform h i m whe r e S it a h a s been t aken h e wi l l cert a inl y be a bl e ,

to O bt a in this info r m a tion a n d a ssist him i n h is a ttempt to rescue

,

h er . S u gr i v a then n a r r a tes the story o f his qu a rrel with his

brothe r B ali but e r e h e bel ieves th a t Ra m a c an m ate r i a lly
, ,

a ssist him tests the won d e r ful bow o f the he r o an d w a s

,

g r e atly a stonishe d a s h e s aw an a rrow R a m a d isch a r ge d pie r ce

th r ough seven p a l m t r ees in li ne p a ss through a hil l behin d
-
,

the m a n d a fter t r a versing six subte r r a ne a n wo r l d s retu r n to

, , ,

the quive r The Van a r king seeing h e h as no co mm on a lly

.
, ,

goes forth fe ar lessly a g a inst his b r othe r a n d in the fight when ,

S u gr i va w as getti n g wo r ste d R a m a sen d s an a r row which sl a ys ,

B ali This w as reg a r d e d by the d ying m a n a s a n a c t of g r oss

.

inj ustice bec a use R a m a slew h im without informing h i m who

,

h e w a s h a d this been d one h e woul d gl a d ly h ave a ssiste d h i m ,

in his quest fo r S it a .

S u gr i va o n the fa ll o f his brothe r r e a scen d s the thron e but

, ,
-
,

is so fully occupie d with th e ple a sures o f his position a s to fo r get

the pro m ise o f help he h a d given R a m a by whose prowess his ,

d o minion h a d been reg a ine d u ntil H a nu m an ever fa ithfu l to ,

Ram a s c a use re m in d s h i m
’

Th e l m i s w o n t h y n a me d v an ce d
rea ,
a ,

T h e gl o y o f t h y h o s e e n h
r ced u an

A d o w t h y fo r e m o s t c e s h o u l d b e
n n ar

T o a i d t h e f i e d s wh o s cc o r e d t h e e
r n u u .

But this r emin d e r o f his d uty is insufficient to a rouse the k ing

fr o m his selfish enj oyment ; i t w a s not u ntil Ram a sen d s a
st r ong m ess age by L a ksh m a n th a t he is ful ly a l ive to his d uty .

Whe n howeve r he d oes m ove it i s to collect a mighty a r m y

, , , .

O f the troops collecte d for this enterprise it is s a i d

Tho u s an d s , ll
ye a , m i i o n s s a t h ll h e re be
Ob di e en t to h i k g
t e r i n s d ec r ee
’
.

G r i ffi th s
’
s R amay a n a ,
’
iv . 1 49 .
1 60 T H E P U R AN I C D E IT I E S .

atte m pt o f Rav a n to in d uce his lovely c a ptive to fo r get h e r

h u sb a n d a n d beco m e t h e b r i d e o f her c a pto r
,
R av a n s p a rting .
’

w o r d s to S it a o n this occ a sion we r e not ve r y love inspi r i n g he -

d ecl a r e d th a t u nless within two m onths she consente d to beco me

h is b r i d e ,

M y ok h ll m i c e th y l i mb w i th t e el
co s s a n s s ,

A d e ve th f nmy m s i g me l
r ee or or n n a .
”

When sh e is a lone H a n u m an a d d r esses her A t fi r st o n

, .
,

he a r ing a m o n key spe a k she i m a gines h e r self d r e a ming ; bu t

,

t h e sight o f h e r husb a n d s r ing convi n ces h e r t h a t the st r a n ge

’

messenge r is a fr ien d a n d she is d elighte d to he a r a ll h e h as to

,

tel l :
Th b i g t m h i d g i ou r n es
’
e, s e cr e a a n,

A m i gl d d ght f bl i s d p in n e r au o s an a

B li s th t h e w s m i h i h t
s a e ar e n s ear ,

P i th t h e w k e d weep
a n p t T a a s an s a ar .
’ ”

Though H a nu m an h a d foun d S it a a n d offe r e d to c a rry her 0 11 ,

his shoul d e r s to her long lost hu sb a n d a d i fficu lty a r ose ; she -

,

fe a r e d th a t i n rising to the height which so long a le a p necessit ate d

she m ight be gi d d y a n d feel it to b e necess a r y to la y hol d O f
,

h i m but of her o wn fr ee will she wou l d on no a ccou nt wh a teve r

so m uch a s touc h the limbs o f l ivi n g m a n except those o f h e r
husb a n d I nste a d the n o f a v a iling h e r self o f the m onkey s
.
, ,
’

offe r she p r efe r s to r e m a in where she is for t h e present a n d

, ,

si m ply sen d s b a ck a ki n d m ess a ge to Ra ma with a ge m to ,

a ss u r e h i m th a t sh e h a s r eceive d his H a n u m an d oes not c a r e .

to r etu r n wit h o u t h aving effecte d so m e i n j ury o n his foe ; he

t h e r efo r e d est r oys the g r o ve a n d a te m ple an d sl a ys seve r a l of ,

R ava n s he r oes A t length h e is m a d e c a ptive When t a ken

’
. .

befo r e Rav a n a he confesses t h a t h e is a m essenger fr om Ram a

,

t o S it a a n d e a r nestly a d vises h e r r esto r a tion

,
This s o ex .

a spe r a tes the gi a n t th a t he wou l d h a ve sl a in h i m but fo r the

fa ct th a t a n e n voy s life is s a c r e d S o m e o f R avan s people

’
.
’

h o weve r s e t fi r e t o his t a il fr o m which he d oes n o t expe r ience

, ,

a n y p a in b u t m a n a ges t o set fi r e to the city in seve r a l pl a ces

, .

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R am ay a n a ,
’
iv 3 34
. .
T I b i d i v 3 65 . . .
 T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A V A T AR A . 1 61

When H a n u m a n h a d Co m plete d his wo r k i n L a nk a he m a d e ,

a r etu r n le a p to I n d i a pl a ce d S it a s ge m i n Ram a s h a n d a n d
’ ’
, ,

tol d h i m a ll th a t h a d t r a n spi r e d in R ava n s c a pi t a l Th e p r i n ce ’

.

w a s d elig h te d a s he h e a r d of his w i fe s co n st a ncy but a s ’

the d iffic u lty of t r a n sfe r r ing a n a r m y fr o m t h e m a inl a n d o ver a

h u n d r e d le a g u es of s e a see m e d i m possibl e to su r mou n t he w a s ,

al m ost in d esp a i r o f seei n g h e r a g a in S u gr i va m o r e p r a ctic a l .

,

a n d fu lle r of resou r ce s a ys ,

Thy t k m t b e as us

T
o cas t b idg a th r e a cr o s s e s e a,

T h e i ty f
c f t e
o h ou r oe o r ac ,

T h t w t h m t i by th b h
a cro ns e ou n a n e e ac

A d wh
n fe t th t i l h ll t d
en ou r e a s e s a rea ,

R j i e d d ee m t h y f m d d
e o c an oe an ea .
”

The a r m y wh ich h a d r e m a i n e d so m e d ist a nce a w a y now

, ,

m a r c h es to t h e s e a sho r e a n d R a m a is ve r y cu rious to le a rn by
-
,

wh a t m e a ns so v a st a b r i d ge c a n be built H e in his a nguish .

c a lls u pon the s e a t o with d r a w a n d a ll ow his followe r s to m ar c h

a c r oss a s on d r y l a n d but a lth o ugh the O ce a n will not gra nt t h is
p r a ye r h e d oes a ssist with his a d vice a s he tells h i m to e n list
, ,

the se r vices o f a tribe o f D a sy a s ( se r v a n ts ) who togethe r with , ,

the m o n key host construct a b r i d ge in five d a ys N O soone r is

, .

t h is co m plete d th a n the t r o o ps m a r c h a c r oss R a m a being ,

c a r r ie d by H a n u m an a n d L a ks h m a n by A n g a d ; a n d t h oug h
,

Rav a n he a r s o f t h ei r a pp r o a ch a n d the spies h e sen d s te r r ifie d

, ,

a t the a ppe a r a nce of the inv a d ing a r m y cou n sel h i m to yiel d , ,

h e obstin a tely r efuses a n d a t l a st the a tt a ck upon his city

,

is m a d e .

A fte r fie r ce fighting with co n si d e r a ble loss o n both si d es

, ,

Ra m a a n d L a ksh m a n a r e d a n ge r o u sly wou n d e d by I n d r aji t a ,

s o n o f Rav a n ; but on so m e won d e r fu l he r bs being a pplie d to

the m by G ar u d a the m a r vellous bi r d of Vish n u t h ey a r e

, ,

r esto r e d . A secon d ti m e they fa ll a n d a r e a g a in r esto r e d by ,

he r bs which H a n u m an fetche d in a n i n cre d ibly sho r t sp a ce of

ti m e fr o m the H i m al ay a s A t l a st R am a a n d Rav a n m eet fa ce
.

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R amay a n a V ,
’
.
3 .
1 62 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

to fa ce w h en Ra m a s d estructive ’
ar r ows see m to h ave me t with
a foe a s won d e r fu l a s the m selves

St gh t t o i t s m k t h e a o w s p r a n g
r ai ar rr ,

A d f o m th e g i t s b o d y sh e d
’
n r an r ,

W i t h t e ch t s t e e l t h e m o t o s h e
r n an ,
ns r u ad .

T h e e m i ght t h e t i pl e w o l d b eh o l d
r r r

T h e s e v e e d h e d d o e d w i th g l d
r a a rn o .

B t wh e
u ll e y es w e e b e n t t o v i e w
n a r ,

Sw i ft i n i t s s t e d o the g e w a an r r .
”

A cting 0 11 the
vice O f M at a li Ram a ti r e d o f this fr uitless
ad , ,

toil l a unche d a n a r r ow whose fire w a s kin d le d by the A lmighty

,
“

Si r e which pierce d the gi a nt s he a rt a n d l a i d hi m d e a d a t his

,
” ’

feet whereupon H a nu m an is sent to a ssu r e S it a of th e d e a th o f

,

h e r c a pto r a n d i n a few hours S h e is sent Ca r efu lly in a litte r by

,

Vi b h i s h a n the b r othe r a n d successo r o f Rav a n This litte r

, .

Ra m a c a uses to be O pene d th a t the Van a r s may see his wife s ,

’

face as he s ays
,

A w om g d i s t h e b owe ’
an s u ar no r r

T h e l o ft y w ll t h f d t w a ,
e e n ce o er

H d t i h e be t d f
er con uc s r s e en ce ,

A d t k i g m g i fic e e T
n no a n
’
s a n nc .
”

This speech struck ter r or in the he ar ts o f a ll a r ou n d a n d ,

especi a lly is a l m ost he a r tb r oken a s inste a d o f the w a r m ,

l o ving welcome she h a d a nticip a te d he coolly tells her ,

L d y t l g th m y t k i d e
a ,
a en as s on ,

A d th th p i z of w
n t wo
ou, e r e ar , a r n.

I f f m my h m m y q ee w s ft
ro o e u n a re ,

T h i s m h th w e ll v g d t h th e ft ;
ar a a en e e

A d i th fi ld h
n n wi p d w y e e as e a a

T h e bl t th t my h o l y a on on o u r a .

Bu t,l d y tw s a ,
’
a n ot l o ve fo r t h ee

T h t led m i e
a n ar my o er
’
th e s ea .

a: a:

I b t tl a ed to a ve gen t h e c au s e
Of h on ou r an d i n s u ted l l wsa .

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R am ay an a , ’
v . 254 .
T I bi d . V . 27 1.
 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

p o s e t b v e th e
T h y qu e e n , t h y s u o ra fir e
v b y t t h e py
A n d gi e h e r o d o re

D t tho
os o t ye t S p e m e ly W i s
u n ,
u r e,

T h y h e v e ly a t e e c o g i s
a n n ur r n e

R a ma fr a n kly confesses th a t he believes hi m self t o be on ly a

mo r t a l B r ah m a t r ies to e n lig h te n h i m a s h e a ssu r es h i m th a t h e ,

is Vis h n u i n c a r n a te fo r th e pu r pose of sl ayi n g R av a n a n d th a t ,

S it a who m his c r uel co n d uct h a d d r ive n into the fi r e w a s n o

, ,

o t h e r t h a n L a ksh m i his celesti a l spo u se

,
I n co n fi r m a tion of .

t h is A g n i a ppe a r s i n the fi r e a n d t a king S it a by th e h a n d

, , , ,

con d ucts h e r t o h e r husb a n d a n d d e c la r e s h e r to be pu r e a n d

, ,

sp o tless Ra ma r eceives h e r w ith t h e g r e a test jo y a n d st a tes

.
,

t h a t he w a s ce r t a i n of h e r innocen ce a ll a lo n g but th a t a s othe r s ,

m ig h t h a ve d oubte d h e r h e h a d c a use d h e r to p a ss th r ough this

,

o rd e aL

D as a r at h a the fa the r of Ram a now d escen d s fro m he a ven a n d

, , ,

tells h i m t h a t eve n i n th a t h a ppy pl a ce he h a d been s a d to

w it n ess the so r r ows of his belove d son In d r a next a ppe a r s a n d .
, ,

a t Ra m a s req u est b r ings b a ck to life the m a ny V an a r s who h a d

’

pe r ishe d in his c a use ; a n d t h e n othe r go d s t h a nk R am a fo r the

r elief he h as given t h e m by the d e a th o f R av a n When t h ese .

c o ng r a t u l a tions a r e ove r Ra m a S it a a n d L a ksh m a n mou n t a

, , ,

m a gic c a r lent h i m by V
,
i b h i s h a n i n which i n a si n gle d ay they ,

t r a vel fr o m L a n k a to his o w n city O n a rriving n e a r it H a n u .

,

m an is sent to info r m Bh ar a t o f t h ei r retu r n ; a n d the j oy t h is

i n tel lige n ce gives to the fa it h fu l Bh a r a t w h o h as co n ti n u e d to ,

r eig n a s vice r o y a n d n o t a s k i n g a n d to the citizens ge n e r a lly , ,

is i n d esc r ib a ble Ra n i a q u ickly a ss u m es his position a s ki n g

.
,

a n d t h e pe o pl e enj o y u nex a m ple d p r o spe r ity :

Ten t h ou s an d ye ar s A yo d h a , bl e st

W it h R am s a
’
ru e,l h ad p e a ce a n d r e s t .

No w id w m
o ou r n ed h e r m u r d e r ed m ate ,
N O h o u s e was e v er deso l a te .

The h p py l
a and n o i n u rrain k w ne ,

The fl k
oc s and h e rd s i n c r ea se d an d g w
re ,

R am ay a n a V
’
’
G r i ffi t h s s , . 2 7 8.
 T H E R AM A C H A N D R A A V A T AR A . 1 65

Th e h h e r k i d ly f i t s s ppl i e d
e ar t n ru u ,

N o h v e s t f i l e d n o ch i ld e d i e d
ar a ,
r n .

U k w we e w t di se se
n no n r d c
an ,
a ,
an ri me ,
S o c a l m s h ppy w s t h e t i m e
”
o a a .
,

T h is st a te o f u n ive r s a l h a ppi n ess d oes not continue fo r eve r .

’
l e O p le i n the city h a ve d oubts r eg a r d i n g th e pu r ity of their
q u ee n w h ich a t le n gth re a ch the e a r s o f Ra m a w h o t a k i n g a d
, , ,

v a nt a ge o f a wish of S it a to see once ag a i n a he r m it a ge se n d s h e r ,

to live a n a scetic life When h e r twi n so n s bo r n the r e co m e of

.

a e she se n d s the m to t h ei r fa t h e r s cou r t w h o o n seei n g the m

’

g , , , ,

d eeply feels t h e inj ustice h e h a d d one their m othe r a n d d ete r ,

m ines a t a n y cost to reinst a te her a s h is queen On h e r a r r iv a l .

he a sks h e r to a sse r t her i n n oce n ce befo r e the a sse m ble d cou r t

but eve n S it a coul d not be a r this S he c a lls to the e a r th which .

g a ve h e r birth to give her a ho m e the e a rth O pene d h e r a r m s a n d ,

r eceive d h e r into h e r boso m Ram a a fte r this g r ows tire d o f life

.

when Ti m e visits h i m a n d info r m s h i m th a t his wo r k is d one .

H e a r ing this th e goo d ki n g goes to the b a n ks o f the s a c r e d st r e a m

,

whence fo r s a king his bo d y he a scen d s to his home i n he a ven

, ,
.

Ra m a t o a v a st nu m be r o f H in d u s I s not m e r ely the King of

, ,

A yo dh a whose histo r y is so p a thetic a lly tol d in the Ra m ay a n a

,

n o r the B enefa cto r o f Go d s a s h e slew thei r ene m y Rav a n

,
but ,

i s th ei r S a viou r a n d F r ie n d A s the d e a d a r e c a r r ie d t o t h e
.

r ive r si d e to be
-
bu r ne d the fr i en d s repe a te d ly c r y : Ra m a
,

Ra m a S a ty a N a m a
, i e Ra m a Ra m a the t r ue n a me
. .
, ,
.

P r ob a bly this is owing to the fa ct t h a t in his life his powe r o f

i nte r cession fo r the d e a d w a s g r e a t whilst his kin d ness t o a n d
c a r e fo r his fo llowe r s we r e such a s to encou r a ge men t o t r ust i n
him . H e is s a i d to h a ve t a ken t h e whole o f the i n h a bit a n ts o f
his belove d city A yo d h a t o B r a h m a s he a ven witho u t t h ei r su ffe r ’

ing d e a th A t his intercession R ava n s S p i es we r e s a ve d ; a n d

.
’

the Va n a r h osts t h a t h a d fa llen we r e r esto r e d to life H e .

entre a te d his fa the r D a s a r a t h a to r e m ove the cu r se which he h a d

p r on ounce d upon K a i k e ya the m other of Bh ar a t a th r ough whose
, ,

unkin d ness R a m a h a d been exi le d .

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R amay a n a V ,
’
.
3 14 .
1 66 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

8 . TH E KRI SH N A A V A T AR A .

P r ofessor G o ld s t ii c k e r s a ys th a t this is the m ost inte r esting

“

inc a r n a tion o f Vis h nu b o t h on a cco u n t of th e oppo r tunity w h ich

,

it a ffo r d s to t r a ce in H in d u a ntiquity the g r a d u a l t r a nsfo r m ation

of m o r t a l he r oes i nto r ep r esent a tives o f a go d ; a n d on a ccount
fl “ )

T ii E K R I H N A AVAT AR A
S .

of the nu m e r ous l egen d s co n n ecte d wit h it a s wel l a s the i i i ,

flu e n c e which i t exe r cise d on the V a ish n a v a cu lt I n th e .

M a habhar a t a K r ishn a — w hich l ite r a lly m e a ns the bl a ck o r d a r k

,
‘

o n e — is so m eti m es rep r esente d a s r en d e r ing ho m a ge to S iv a ,

C h a mb e r s
’

s C y cl p
o ae d i a , s .
1 68 T H E P U R AN I C D E I TI E S .

me n to worship Ra ma a n d com m a n d i n g the m to r everence S iv a

,

a n d his ty r a n n y a t le n gth bec a m e s o u nbe a r a bl e th a t the e ar th , ,

a ssu m i n g t h e fo r m of a cow we n t to I n d r a a n d co m pl a i n i n g of a ll
, ,

this s a i d
,
E vi l spi r its h ave beg u n to co m m it g r e a t c r i m es i n t h e
“

w o r l d i n d re a d of who m Religion a n d J ustice h a ve d ep a r te d a n d

i f you will pe r mit m e I t o o will a b a n d on t h e wo r l d a n d d escen d
, , , ,

i n to the lowe r r egions I n d r a he a r ing t h is went i n co m p a ny

.
”

with t h e ot h e r go d s to B r a h m a to see wh a t r e d r ess cou l d b e ,

a ffo r d e d B r a h m a co n d ucte d the m to S iv a who in his tu r n con

.
, , ,

d u cte d the m to Vishnu a n d r e m in d ing h i m of the d elive r a nce he

h a d a ffo r d e d to go d s a n d m e n in his p r evious m a nifest a tions they ,

i n d u ce him a g a in to beco m e a m an for the d est r uction of K a n s a

T h e go d s a n d g o d d esses d elighte d a t t h is a ssu r a n ce o f help , ,

p r o m ise a lso to fo r s ake thei r he a venly ho m es th a t they m ay be

his co m p a n ions d u r i n g his e a r thly soj ou r n a n d Vish n u h i m self
a r r a nges th a t L a ksh m a n who i n the Ra m a inc a r n a tion h a d been
,

his b r othe r a n d const a nt a n d m ost fa it h fu l co m p a n ion an d ,

B h a r a t a a lso a n d S u t r a gh n a shoul d a cco m p a ny h i m ; a n d th a t ,

S it a u n d e r the n a m e o f R u k m i n i shou l d be his wife

, ,
.

T h e Vishnu ‘
fr o m which m ost of t h e fo ll o wi n g legen d s
a r e t a ke n gives a so m ewh a t d i ffe r ent a ccount of Vishn u s reply
’
.
,

K r ishn a w as t h e i n c a rn a tion of a p a r t of a pa r t o f the sup r e m e “

bei n g . W h en ent r e a te d to beco m e i n c a r n a te t h e su p r e m e

”
,
“

lo r d plucke d o ff two h a i r s o n e white a n d o n e bl a ck a n d s a i d to

, ,

t h e go d s These m y h a i r s S h a ll d escen d u pon t h e e a r th a n d sh a l l

,
‘
,

r elieve h e r of th e bu r d en of h e r d ist r ess The white h a i r w a s

i m pe r so n a te d a s B a l a r a ma a n d the bl a ck a s K r is h n a The
,
.
“

A su r a s s h a l l a ll be d est r oye d T h is m y bl a ck h a i r sh a l l be .

i mpe r s o n a te d i n t h e eight h co n ception of D ev aki the w i fe of ,

V a su d ev a who is l ike a go d d ess a n d sh a ll sl a y K a ns a who is

, , ,

the d e mo n K ala n c m i T .

Bo o kv .

T It s h ldou h t c o m me t t o s y
be n o ti ced he re t a a n a r a s on t hi s p as s a g e th at

th t t m
e s a e t th t t w h i
en f Vi h
a be me i
o a rs o s nu ca n c a r n a te mu st n ot be t k a en

l i t lly b t th t t h e w k t b e d
e ra ,
u a by h i m
or th i o one on s o cca s i o n was so s ma ll
th t i t
a ld
cou i ly h v e b e e e ffe t e d by t w o h i s
eas a n c a r . In Kr i sh n a ,
Vi h s nu

h i ms e lf w s m i f t d
a an es e .
 THE K RISH N A A V A T AR A . 1 69

When V a su d ev a a n d his wife D ev a ki we r e bei n g d riven by Ki n g

K a ns a in a C h ar iot a voice in the sky sou n d i n g lou d a n d d eep
, ,

like thun d e r a dd r essi n g K a ns a s a i d F ool th a t you a r e the

, , ,
‘
,

eighth chi l d of t h e d a m sel you a r e now d rivi n g s h a ll t a ke a w a y

you life
r ! K a ns a he a r i n g this d rew his swo r d a n d wa s a b o ut to ,

sl a y D ev a ki but V a su d ev a interpose d s ayi n g Kill n o t D ev aki , ,

“
,

g r e a t w ar r io r ! S p a r e h e r life a n d I wi ll d elive r to you eve r y

,

c h il d S h e m a y b r i n g fo r th K a n s a bei n g a ppe a se d wit h t h is

.
,

p r o m ise sp a r e d the l a d y but to p r event a n y m ist a ke pl a ce d a

, ,

g u a r d by d ay a n d nig h t ove r thei r a p a r t m e n ts ; a n d a s chil d

a fte r chil d w as bo r n it w a s given u p to h i m a n d sl a i n
,
.

K a n s a w as un d e r the i m p r ession th a t h e h a d d est r oye d

D ev a ki s chil d r e n but t h is w a s not the c a se t h ese c h il d r e n we r e
’

re a lly ot h e r s ( chil d r en o f H i r an ya k a s i p u w h o m Vish n u sle w as ,

the M a n Lion ) b r o u g h t fr o m t h e nethe r r egio n s a t Vishnu s

-
,
’

co mm a n d by Y o ga n i n d r a t h e g r e a t ill u so r y ene r gy o f Vish n u

,
“
,
”

an d lo d ge d in D ev a ki s wo m b in o r d e r t h a t t h e cruel K a n s a
’

m ight be ove r r e a c h e d Vis h nu s a i d to t h is go d d ess Go N i d r a

.
,

( S leep ) ,to the n et h e r r egions a n d by m y co m m a,

n d c o n d u ct

s uccessively six of their princes to be co n ceive d by D ev a ki .

W h en these sh a ll h a ve been pu t to d e a th by K a ns a t h e sevent h ,

co n ception s h a ll be fo r m e d o f a po r tion o f S es h a ( t h e se r pent

d eity ) w h o is p a r t o f m e a n d this o u sh a ll tr a n sfe r befo r e t h e
,
y
ti m e o f bi r th to Rohini a nothe r wife o f V a su d ev a who resi d es
, ,

a t G o k u la This c h il d w a s B a l a r a m a
. The r epo r t s h a l l r u n .
“

t h a t D ev a ki m isc a rries I will m yself beco me i n c a r n a te in h e r

.

eig h th conceptio n a n d yo u sh a ll t a ke a si m il a r C h a r a cte r a s t h e

e m b r yo offspring o f Y a s o d a (wife o f a he r d s m a n n a m e d N a n d a ) .

I n t h e night of t h e eighth o f the d a r k h a lf o f the m o n t h N ab h a s

I sh a ll be bo r n ; a n d you wil l be bo r n o n t h e ni n t h I m pelle d .

a n d a i d e d by m powe V su d ev s h ll be m to t h e b ed of
y r a a a
,
a r e

Y a s o d a a n d you to the b e d o f D ev a ki
, K a n s a s h a l l t a ke you .

a n d hol d you up to d a sh you a g a i n st a sto n e but o u sh a ll

; y
esc a pe into t h e sky whe r e I n d r a s h a l l m eet a n d d o h o ma ge to
,

you t h r ough r eve r ence o f m e .

”

When D ev a ki gives birt h to h e r eighth s o n V a su d ev a t a kes ,

th e chil d a n d elu d ing the vigil a nce o f the gu a r d s h u r r ies

, , ,
1
7 0 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

t h r ough t h e city with t h e se r pent S es h a following O n r e a ch

, .

i n g t h e r iver Y a m u n a w h ich he h a s to c r oss though o r d in a r ily

, ,

i t w a s bot h wi d e a n d d eep it a ssists h i m in his flig h t t h e w a ter

, ,

o n ly r isi n g t o his knees J ust a s h e r e a ches N a n d a s house

.
’

Y a s o d a h a d give n bi r th to h e r C h i l d wh ich V a s u d ev a seizes , ,

an d ,
l e avi n g D ev a ki s C hil d i n its pl a ce r etu r n s to h i s p r ison
’

h o m e a n d m a n a ges to r e ente r u nobse r ve d

,
-
S oon a fte r this .

—
the c r y of t h e n e w bo r n chil d bei n g h e a r d by th e gu a r d K a ns a ,

is q u ickly i n fo r m e d of its bi r t h a n d r u shing into t h e roo m, , ,

seize d a n d d a she d it a g a inst a sto n e B ut fa te w as too st r o n g .

fo r h i m I m me d i a tely t h e chil d t o u che d th e grou n d it r ose

.
,
“

i n to the sky a n d exp a n d ing into a gig a ntic figu r e h avi n g eight
, , ,

a r m s e a c h wiel d i n g so m e fo r m i d a bl e we a pon l a ug h e d a n d s a i d
, ,

to K a ns a W h a t a v a ils it thee to h a ve hu r le d m e to the groun d

,
?

H e is bor n t h a t sh a ll kill thee th e m ighty o n e a m ongst th e

,

go d s w h o w as fo r me r ly thy d estroye r
, The refe r e n ce of t h e .
’

l a st sente n ce a s t a ught by ot h e r Pu r an a s is to t h e fa ct th a t
,

K a ns a w a s no ot h e r th a n K alan e mi who m Vis h n u h a d sl a i n ,

w h en inc a r n a te a s Ra m a .

G r e a tly a l a r m e d by t h e u nexpecte d fr ust r a tion of his pl a ns ,

K a ns a c o llects his fr ien d s a n d a d d r essing t h e m s a i d : Th e

, , ,
“

vi le a n d co n te m ptible d eni ze n s o f h e aven ar e a ssi d uously

plotting a g a inst my life ; they d r e a d ing m y p r owess I h o l d ,

t h e m of n o a ccou n t H a ve I not seen the k ing of the go d s

'

.
,

when he h a d ventu r ed i n t o t h e confl ict r eceivi n g my sh a fts u pon ,

his b a ck an d not b r a vely upon hi s b r e a st ? N o w it is m y

, ,

d ete r m i n a tio n to i n fl ict stil l d eeper d eg r a d a tion u pon these

evil m i n d e d a n d u n p r i n ciple d go d s Let t h e r efore eve r y m an
-
.

who is n o t o r i o us fo r libe r a lity ( i n gifts to go d s a n d B r ah m an s ) ,

eve r y m a n w h o i s re m a r k a ble fo r h is celeb r a tion of s a c r ifices ,

be p u t t o d e a t h ; t h a t th u s the g o d s sh a l l be d eprive d o f the

m e a n s by w h ic h t h ey subsist T h e go d d ess w h o h as been bo r n
.

a s t h e i n fa nt c h il d o f D ev a ki h as a nnounce d to m e t h a t he is

a g a i n a live w h o i n a fo r m e r bei n g w a s m d e a t h Let the r efo r e

y .

a ctive se a r c h be m a d e fo r wh a teve r you n g c h il d r en the r e m a y

be u po n e a r t h a n d let eve r y boy in w h o m the r e a r e S ig n s of

,

u nus u a l vig o u r be sl a in w it h o u t r e m o r se S oon a fte r this a s .

”
,
 1 7 2 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

t r yi n g to fr ee hi mself fr o m this d r a gge d it u n til it bec a m e

,

w e d ge d fa st betwee n two A rj un a t r ees a n d wit h a st r ong pu l l ,

t h e t r ees we r e up r oote d T h e pe o ple a sto n ishe d bec a use the

.
,

t r ees fell w h e n n o sto r m w a s blowi n g t h ought t h e pl a ce m ust

,

be u n l u cky a n d m ove d a w a y to Vr i n d avan a T h e B h ag a v a t a .

s a ys th a t these t r ees were t wo sons o f Kuve r a the go d o f r iches , ,

who owi n g to a cu r se O f the s a ge N a r a d a were thus m e t a mo r

, ,

h o s e d a n d t h a t it w a s fo r th e pu r pose o f libe r a ting the m th a t

p ,

K r ishn a a cc o m plishe d
this fe a t K r is h n a a n d .

B al ar a ma the gu a r ,
“

d i a n s of the wo r l d we r e ,

keepe r s of c a ttle i n th e
cowpens o f V r in d a
v a n a u n ti l they we r e ,
”

seven ye a r s o f a ge ,

d u r ing which ye a r s a c ,

co r d i n g to the Bhag a ‘

v a t a P u r an a t h e boys ,
’

we r e full o f c h il d ish
t r icks : ste a li n g butte r
fr o m the n eighbou r i n g
cowh e r d s a ppe a r s to
h a ve been thei r fa vou r ite
p a sti m e .

I n the B li aga v a t a
P urana there are ’

lege n d s a lso of a tte m pts

be i n g m a d e by K a ns a
to r i d hi m sel f o f his
d r e a d e d fo e One d a y .

a d e m o n w a s se n t who

hope d to su r p r ise h i m
when w a n d e r i n g with
LA
“ R 'S ’ M S R
M “ “ K
th e c a ttl e i n the woo d s
“ "A '

but the b o y seei n g th r o ugh his d isguise sei ze d h i m by the foot

, , ,

swu n g h i m r oun d h i s he a d a n d d a she d h i m so V iolently 0 11 th e

 THE K RI SH NA A VA T AR A . 1 73

g r ou nd th a t he i mm e d i a tely d ie d The n ext d ay a nothe r .

,

d e m on a ssu m i n g the fo r m of a n i mm ense c r a ne seize d K r ishn a

, ,

with hi s bil l bu t h e bec a m e so hot t h a t the c r a ne i mm e d i a tely

r el e a se d h i m : K r ish n a then c r ushe d its be a k u n d e r his fo ot .

Yet a nothe r c a m e as a n i mm ense se r pent a n d sw a l l o we d K r ish n a ,

a n d so m e of his comp a n io n s th e cowhe r d s with thei r cows

, b ut ,

he w as no soon e r in the r ept ile s sto m a ch t h a n h e exp a n d e d

’

hi m self a n d bu r st ope n his p r ison

,
K r ish n a w a s not a lw a ys
.

d efe n d i n g h i m self ; O ften h e g r e a tly benefite d h is co m p a nio n s .

When Br a h m a stole s o m e c a lves a n d c a r rie d o ff the boys who ,

ten d ed the m K r is h n a m a d e ot h e r c a lves a n d othe r boys so th a t

'
, ,

the t h eft w a s neve r known by the cowhe r d s .

We now r etu r n t o the n a r r a tive of the Vishnu P u r an a Th e .

’

r iver Y a m u n a w a s the h o m e of the se r pe n t K a l iy a who m a d e ,

its w a te r s boil with the fi r es o f p a ssio n so th a t th e l a r ge trees ,

o n its b a nks we r e blighte d by its fu m es a n d bi r d s we r e kille d ,

by its h e a t Krishn a seeing how his fr ien d s a t Vr i n d ava n a we r e

.
,

i n co n venience d by this plu n ge d into t h e stre a m m uc h to the

, ,

d is m a y of the cow h e r d s a n d a fte r ch a llengi n g the se r pent to

, ,

fig h t w a s a bou t to sl a y h i m but m ove d by the i n te r cessio n o f

, ,

th e l a d y se r pents a llowe d h i m to live o n co n d itio n t h a t h e

a n d his fa m ily fo r sook t h e Y a mun a a n d took u p their a bo d e ,

i n th e s e a .

On one occ a si on K r is h n a wishe d t o a nnoy In d r a S eeing .

th e G o p a s ( cowhe r d s ) p r ep a ri ng to wors h ip the giver of r a i n he ,

d issu a d e d t h e m fr o m it a n d u r ge d the m to wors h ip i n ste a d the

,

m ount a in th a t s upplies their c a ttle with foo d an d thei r c a ttle ,

th a t yiel d the m m ilk A cting u pon this a d vice t h ey p r ese n te d

.
,

to th e m ou nt a in G o va r d d h a n a cu r d s m ilk a n d fles h
‘
“
This , ,
.
”

w as m e r ely a d evice by wh ich K r ish n a hi m self d ive r te d the w o r

s hip of I n d r a to h i m self ; fo r upon the s u mm it of the m oun
“

t a in K r is h n a p r ese n te d hi m self s a yi n g I a m t h e m ou n t a in
, ,
‘

a n d p a r took of m uc h foo d p r esente d by the G o a s whilst in his

p
o w n fo r m a s K r is h n a h e a sce n d e d t h e h il l a lo n g with t h e cow

h e r d s a n d wo r shippe d his ot h e r self

,
H a vi n g p r o m ise d the m .
”

m a ny blessings t h e m ount a in pe r son of K r is h n a v a nis h e d

,
-
.

I n d r a being g r e at ly incense d a t th e d is r eg a r d sh o w n h i m by
,
1 74 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

N a n d a a n d othe r s sent g r e a t floo d s to d estroy the m a n d thei r

,

c a ttle ; but K r is h n a r a ising the m ou nt a in G o var d d h a n a a loft o n

,

o n e h a n d hel d it a s a n u mb r ell a a n d shelte r e d his fr ien d s fr o m

,

KRI HNA HOL I G

S D N UP MOUNT GO VA R D D H A N A .

the st o r m fo r seven d a ys a n d nights I n d r a then visite d K r ishn a

.

a n d p r a ise d h i m fo r w h a t h e h a d d one
; a n d his wife I n d r ani
ent r e a te d K r ish n a to be a fr ie n d of t h eir son A rj u n a .

K r ish n a d id n o t by a n y m e a ns co n fi n e h is a ttention t o the

w a nts of t h e cowhe r d s a m ongst who m he spent his e a r ly d ays .
 1 7 6 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

m a d ly in love wit h K r ishn a A s he a n d B a l a r a m a pl a ye d the .

fl u te they c a m e to pl a y a n d d a nce with the m ; b u t a s a ll these

,

wo m en coul d n o t h o l d K r ish n a s h a n d a s they d a n ce d he m u lti ’

plie d h i mself i n t o a s m a n y fo r m s a s the r e we r e wo m e n e a c h ,

wo m a n believi n g s h e h el d the h a n d of the t r ue On

o n e occ a sio n h e w a tc h e d the Gopis as they went to b athe in t h e
Y a mu n a r iver a n d ste a li n g t h ei r C lothes s a t in a t r ee a n d r e
, , ,

fuse d to r esto r e t h e m u p until e a ch c a m e i n the fo r m of a suppli a nt

w ith u plifte d h a n d s to fetch t h e m The B h ag a v a t a te a ches th a t .

t h ese wo men i m pelle d t h ough t h ey we r e by p a ssion to seek

,

K r ish n a O bt a ine d t h r ough h i m fi n a l e m a n cip a tio n fr o m sin

,
.

I n wh a teve r w a y a m a n m a y wo r s h ip h i m he will obt a i n d elive r

a nce S o m e knew a n d sought h i m a s a son so m e a s a fr ien d
.
, ,

so m e as a n e n e m y some a s a love r bu t i n the e n d a ll obt a ine d

, ,

the blessi n g of d elive r a nce a n d e m a ncip a tion .

A m o n gst a ll these wo m en K r is h n a s fa vou r ite w as R a d ha th e

’

w ife o f A ya n a go s h a H e r siste r i n la w seeing the m togethe r

.
- -
, ,

tol d h e r b r ot h e r of his wife s m isco n d u ct a n d Ra d h a w a s i n fe a r

’

l est he shoul d m u r d e r h e r when h owever she com m unic a te d h e r

fe a r s to h er love r he r e a ssu r e d h e r a s he tol d her t h a t when h e r
, ,

h u sb a n d c a m e he ( K r ishn a ) woul d t r a nsfo r m hi m self into K ali

, .

a n d h e r h usb a n d i n ste a d o f seei n g her with a lover woul d fi n d

, ,

h e r e n g a ge d i n w o r shippi n g a go d d ess H e r h u sb a n d h a ppening .

t o co m e soo n a fte r this a n d fin d ing h e r so e m ploye d j oine d

, ,

wit h h e r in the wo r ship o f K r ish n a i n the fo r m o f Kali I t .

is Ra d h a wh o se n a m e is eve r a ssoci a te d with K r ish n a in

hy m n s so n gs p r a ye r s a n d pictu r es ; a t this d a y a ll the wives
, , ,

o f t h is d eity a r e fo r gotten but Ra d h a is wo r shippe d a long

,

wit h h e r l o ve r .

A s K r is h n a w a s d a ncing o n one occ a sion with these wo m e n ,

a d e m o n n a m e d A r i s h t a i n t h e fo r m o f a fie r ce bu ll
,
s av a gely ,

a tt a cke d h i m K r ish n a q u ietly w a ite d its a pp r o a c h a n d seizi n g

.
, ,

h i m a s a n a llig a t o r wo u l d h a ve d o n e hel d h i m by t h e ho r n s ,

w h ilst he p r esse d h is si d es with his k n ees ; he then w r u ng h is

h
I t i s t i s i n ciden t i n K r i sh n a ’
s h i s to y wh i ch
r is ce e l b r a te d y e ly
ar at th e
R as aja t t r a .
 THE K RIS H N A A VA T AR A . 1 77

th r o a t a s i f it h a d been a piece o f wet C loth a n d a t l a st te a r ing

,

o ff his ho r ns be a t him t o d e a th with them .

A fter some ye a r s K a ns a is infor m e d o f K r ishn a s existe n ce

’

RA HA “
D O RS H I P P I N G KRI H A
S N As mi n .

an d, as we h ave notice d a bove sent v a rious d emons to sl a y h i m ;

,

but a s these effo r ts fa ile d th e king d ete r m ine d o n a g r a n d

,

sche m e by which he hope d to r i d himself of his d r e a d e d fo e .

H e a cco r d ingly sent A k r u r a o n e o f the fe w goo d m e n i n h is

,

ki n g d o m with a m ost polite invit a tion to K r ishn a a n d B a l a r am a

,

to visit hi m a t his c a pit a l to witness some a t h letic spo r ts a n d

, ,
 1 7 8 T H E P U R ANI C D E I TI E S .

i n the hope th a t they being o ff th eir gu a r d woul d fa ll a n e a sy prey ,

o r d e r e d a d emon n a m e d K esin in the for m o f a ho r se t o a tt a ck

, ,

t h e m o n the ro a d B ut K r is h n a is m o r e th a n a m a tch for the fien d

.

h e m eets th e ho r se a n d fe a r lessly th r usts his h a n d i n its m outh ,

a n d c a using it to swell
,
bursts t h e horse into t w o p a rts hence
,

o n e o f K r ishn a s m a ny n a m es is K e s a v a the sl a ye r of Kesin

’

, .

A k r u r a h a ving tol d K r ishn a o f the i ll feeling o f K a ns a a n d o f

,
-

th e plots th a t h a ve been m a d e a g a inst his life a n d being g r e a tly ,

e n co u r a ge d with the a ssu r a n ce th a t i n th r ee d ays K a ns a a n d his

a d he r ents woul d be sl a in t a kes his le a ve o f the gu ests when
,

they a pp r o a ch t h e city o f M a thu r a E nte r ing the city un a tten d e d .

,

a n d d r esse d a s p oo r count r y peopl e they m eet wit h a w a she r m a n ,

o f K a ns a a t wo r k whom they fi r st a n n oy by throwing the clothes

,

on t h e g r oun d a n d when he expostu l a tes with them kill him

, , , ,

a n d r obe t h emselves i n so m e o f K a ns a s a rm ents S eeing the ’

g .

g a ily d r esse d st r ong a n d goo d looking young m e n a flowe r

-
, ,
-
,

selle r presents them with so m e o f his choicest flowe r s ; fo r h is

ge n e r osity K r ishn a bestows rich blessings u pon h i m in this life
a n d pro m ises he a ven a fte r d e a th A fter this they m eet with a .

d efo r me d gi r l n a m e d K u bja c a r r ying ointments a n d pe r fu m es t o

,

the p a l a ce ; who when a ske d by K r ishn a gives h i m some a t

, ,

once fo r which kin d n ess h e r d efor m ity is cu r e d a n d sh e is m a d e

, ,

be a utifu l a n d then invites the b r othe r s to h e r ho m e .

The d ay following w a s fixe d for the spo r ts they h a d come to

w itness The lists we r e p r ep a r e d the tru m pets sou n d e d a n d t wo
.
, ,

fie r ce w r estle r s we r e co m m a n d e d by fa i r m e a ns o r fou l to sl ay
K r is h n a a n d h is brothe r a n d i n c a se they shou l d fa i l to d o this ,

a n e n o r m ou s eleph a nt w a s i n re a d iness to t r a m ple the m to d e a t h .

B ut w r estlers a n d el eph a nt we r e the m selves S l a i n S eei n g his .

g r a n d sche m e so sign a lly fa il th e king lost his temper a n d c a lle d

,

o u t lou d l to his gu r d s to sl a y th e youths i n ste a d o f this how

y a ,

eve r K r ishn a r u she d u pon a n d slew th e ki n g i n the m i d st o f t h e

,

a sse m bly a n d fa lli n g a t the feet of his fa the r a n d m othe r V a su

, ,

d e va a n d D ev a ki pl a ce d U gr a s e n a K a ns a s fa ther u pon the

’

, , ,

t h r o ne a n d with h is b r othe r took u p his abo d e a t M a thu r a

,
.

K r ishn a i s o f i mm ense service to t h e peopl e o f M a thu r a fo r ,

ve r y soon a fte r his a r r iv a l there J a r as a n d h a K a ns a s fa th e r i n law

, ,
’
- -
1 80 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

he s h uts the m u p i n his o w n p a l a ce H e h as t a ken a w a y .

V a r u n a s u mb r ell a the celesti a l nect a r d ropping e a r r i n gs O f m y

’

,
-

m ot h e r A d iti a n d now d e m a n d s m y eleph a nt Krishn a a t o n ce "

.
,

co n se n ts to help m a r ches off to meet t h e king conque r s a ll his

,
.

fo r ces sl a ys N a r a k a a n d obt a ins t h e stolen p r ope r ty fo r which

, ,

o n its r esto r a tion h e r eceives th e th a nks o f its owne r s I n the .

wo m en s a p a rt m e n t he fi n d s
’
d a m sels a n d a t a n a uspiciou s ,

mo m ent r eceive d the h a n d s of a ll a cco r d ing to t h e r i t u al i n , , ,

sep a r a te h o uses ; w as the n u m be r o f the m a i d e n s a n d ,

into so m a n y fo r ms d i d th e foe o f M a d hu m u ltiply hi m self ; so

th a t e a ch o f the d a msels thought h e h a d we d d e d h e r i n his
single pe r son an d he a bo d e seve r a lly i n the d welling pl a ce o f
,
-

e a ch of h is wives I t w a s a s a p r esent fr o m U m a the wife o f

.
,
”
S iv a t h a t h e r eceive d t h ese wives
,
.

The r e w as o n ce a seve r e co n flict between K r ishn a a n d S iv a .

A n i r u d d h a a g r a n d so n of K r is h n a w a s e n a m ou r e d of U s h a a
, , ,

d a ughte r of B an a o n e o f S iv a s wo r shippe r s who m h e sec r etly

’

, ,

visite d Being c a ught o n o n e o f these s ec r et visits by B a n a s

.
’

gu ar d t h e p r i n ce w a s i m p r isone d a n d a s t h e ki n g wou l d n o t
, , ,

r ele a se h i m K r is h n a a tt a cke d h i m
,
but S iv a a n d h is s o n
K a r tikey a fought fo r B an a A fter seve r e fighti n g a s S iv a s at .
,

d own we a r y in h is ca r a n d K a r tikey a h a d fle d fr o m t h e fiel d

, ,

K r is h n a ti r e d of using o r d in a ry we a pons let fly h is won d e r fu l

, ,

d iscus w h ich n eve r fa ile d of a cco m plishing his wis h a n d cut o ff

, ,

t h e h u n d re d a r m s of Ban a A s he w a s a bout to th r o w i t a seco n d

.

ti m e S iv a c a m e a n d inte r ce d e d fo r the life o f his fr ien d to w h o m

, ,

i n g r a nti n g his r eq u est K r ishn a s a i d You a r e fit to a pp r e h en d “

,

t h a t you a r e not d isti n ct fr o m m e th a t whic h I a m t h ou a r t ,

.
”

A s K r is h n a w a s m a r chi n g tow a r d s S o n i t a p u r a the city i n ,

w h ich his g r a n d son w a s confi n e d a s n a r r a te d a bove a st r a nge , ,

e n e my m e t h i m F eve r a n e m a n a tion fr o m M a h e s h w a r a ( S iv a )
.
“
, ,

h a vi n g th r ee feet a n d t h r ee he a d s fought d espe r a tely wit h ,

K r is h n a i n d efe n ce of Ba n a B a la d e va ( B a l a r a ma ) upon w h o m
.
,

h is a s h es we r e sc a tte r e d w as sei ze d wit h bu r n i n g h e a t a n d h is

, ,

eyeli d s t r e m ble d but h e O bt a i n e d r elief by clingi n g to the bo d y

o f K r is h n a C o n te n d i n g t h u s with the d ivi n e hol d e r o f t h e b o w
.
,

t h e F eve r e m a n a ti n g fr o m S iv a w a s qu ickly expelle d fr o m the

 THE K RI SH N A A VA T AR A . 1 8 I

bo d y o f K r ishn a by F eve r w h ich he hi m self engen d e r e d

,
.

B r a h m a behol d ing the i m pe r son a te d m a l a d y bewil d e r e d by t h e

, ,

be a ting inflicte d by the a r m s of the d eity ent r e a te d the l a tter to .

d esist a n d th e foe o f M a d h u refr a ine d a n d a bso r be d i nto hi m self

, ,

the F eve r he h a d c r e a te d T h e riv a l F eve r then d ep a r te d s a yi n g

.
,

to K r is h n a “
Those w h o c a ll t o m e m o r y t h e comb a t bet wee n u s
”
sh a l l be exe m pt fr o m feb r ile d ise a ses .

K r ishn a w as not witho u t a r iv a l A m a n n a m e d P a u n d r ak a

.

p r ofesse d th a t h e w a s the t r u e inc ar n a tion o f Vishnu a n d th a t ,

Vasu d eva ( s o n o f V a su d ev a ) w as a p r eten d er T h e King o f .

B en ar es w as in d uce d to believe i n this fa lse K r ishn a a n d a t his ,

r equest sent a n o r d e r fo r K r ish n a to co m e a n d d o h i m h o m a ge ,

a n d a t t h e s a m e ti m e to b r ing with h im his d iscus a n d a ll

i nsig n i a o f office K r ishn a d i d not hesit a te for a mo m ent S et
. .

ti n g o ff next d ay he d estroye d the a r m y o f his r iv a l in a m o m ent

, ,

a n d a d d r essing P a u n d r a k a hi m self s a i d Y o u d esi r e d me by your

envoy to resign to yo u a ll my insigni a : I n o w d eliver t h e m t o
you H e r e is my d iscus here my m a ce he r e is G a r u d a ; l et h i m
.
, ,

m ount u pon thy st a n d a r d The d iscus d i d its wo r k the ene m y

.
,

O f K r is h n a w a s cut to pieces ; bu t a s th e R aj a o f B en ar es
continue d t o fight his he a d w a s cut O ff a n d fell in the C ity Th e
, ,
.

people c r ie d in their d ist r ess to S iv a a nd i n a nswe r a fie r ce , , ,

fe m a le fo r m c a m e fro m h i m to thei r help but t h e d iscu s ,

obe d ient to K r ishn a s co m m a n d pu r sue d her i nto the city whe r e

’

, ,

it w a s a tt a cke d by the w h ole a r m y ; its r a d i a ncy u nfo r tun a tely , ,

w a s such t h a t it consu m e d the whole city in w h ich the m a gic

fo r m o f S iv a h a d h i d h e r sel f .

When K r ishn a h a d finishe d his wo r k o n e ar th when he h a d ,

d est r oye d d e m ons a n d wi cke d m en especi a lly K a ns a th e ti m e, ,

c a m e fo r h i m to r etu r n to he a ven ; but before his d ep ar t u r e ,

owing to a cu r se p r onounce d by so m e B r ah m a ns it w a s n ecess ar y ,

th a t the Ya d a v a r a ce fro m which h e sp r a ng shou l d p a ss a w a y .

This cu r se w a s the result o f a n insult o ffe r e d by so m e Ya d u

boys to N a r a d a a n d ot h er Rishis when eng a ge d with thei r
d evotions .
These boys a s a j oke d r esse d up a s o n o f K r ishn a
, , ,

n a m e d S a mb a as a wo m a n a n d t a king h i m to th e Ris h is a ske d

, , ,

Wh at chil d wi ll this fe ma le give birth to ? The R ishis bei n g ”

1 82 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

an g r y s a i d She will b r i n g fo r th a club w h ich sh a l l crush th e

,
“

w h ol e Y ad a v a r a ce A ccor d i n g to t h is wo r d o f the Ris h is a

”
.
,

cl u b c a m e fr o m S a mb a s bel ly which King U gr a s e n a o r d e r e d to

’

be g r o u n d to pow d er a n d t h r own i n to th e s e a B ut the d ust .

t h a t fel l o n the sh ore bec a m e rushes a n d a s m a ll p a r t o f the ,

cl u b like a l a nce he a d coul d not be broken : this p ar t when

, , ,

t h r ow n i n to the s e a w a s sw a ll owe d by a fish which w a s c a ught

, ,

by a fis h e r m a n a n d the l a n ce he a d w as m a d e into a n a r r ow
,

point by a h u n ts m a n n a m e d J a r a .

A m esse n ge r fr o m t h e go d s n o w visite d K r ishn a telling h i m ,

th a t a s hi s wo r k w as d one h e shou l d a sce n d to his ho m e t h is h e

, ,

w a s q u ite willi n g to d o ; but wishi n g to s ave his r a ce fr o m the

t h r e a te n e d d est r uction a d vise d t h e Ya d av a s to fo r s a ke their
,

C ity a n d go to P r a b h as a By this a d vice he u nintention a lly

.

h a stene d t h ei r e n d for o n r e a ch ing the s e a sho r e they in d ulge d -

i n liqu o r a n d beg a n to fight a m ongst the m selves a n d fo r a rms ,

seize d the r ushes whi ch S p r a ng fr o m t h e d ust o f th e fa t a l C lub

t h a t c a m e fr o m S a m b a K r ishn a a n d B a l a r a m a trying to m a ke
.

pe a ce between the co mb a t a nts only le d to their swifte r d e

st r uction u n til a t l a st th e two brothe r s we r e l eft a lone o f thei r
,

r a ce . Whilst sitting a n d t a lki n g on the b a nks o f a r ive r a .

,

se r pent cr awle d o u t of B a l a r a m a s m outh — the se r pent S esh a o f ’

w h ich he w a s a n inc a r n ation a n d so his e n d w a s co m e K r ishn a , .

,

left a lo n e w as me d it a ting wit h his foot u pon his knee when the
, , ,

h unter J a r a a r m e d with the fa t a l a r r ow p a sse d by a n d t a king

, , ,

K r ishn a for a d ee r shot h i m a n d thus his d e a th w a s unwittingly

, ,

c a use d by th e l a st p art o f the cu r se d club J a r a seei n g h is .

,

m ist a ke fel l a t Kris h n a s feet a n d a ske d forgiveness to whom

’

, ,

K r is h n a s a i d F e a r not thou in the l e a st G O hu n te r th r ough .

, ,

m y favou r to he a ven the a bo d e o f t h e go d s I mm e d i a tely a ”

.
,

celesti a l c a r a ppe a r e d in w h ich the hu nte r a scen d e d to he a ven ;

,

a n d K r is h n a a b a n d one d his m o r t a l bo d y .

I n t h is a ccou n t of K r ishn a we h a ve fol lowe d the Vishnu ‘

l u r an a with whic h t h e Bhag a v a t a a g r ees t h ough the l a tte r h a s

’ ’

m a n y a d d itio n a l legen d s s i m il a r to t h ose given a bove,

The .

w r ite r s o f these Pu r an a s h a ve no d o u bt reg a r d i n g his d ivinity ;

a l a r ge p a r t o f these books being occupie d with pra ises a n d
1 84 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

o ffences — h e h a s n o w offen d e d m o r e th a n a hun d r e d ti m es an d

t h e n t h e n eve r fa ili n g d iscus d i d its wo r k I n other p a ss ages of

-
.

t h e M a h ab h ar a t a S iv a p r a ises K r is h n a in a l m ost a s ext r a v a g a nt

,

l a n gu age a s th a t e m ploye d by K r i sh n a to hi m ; but this a tti

t u d e of K r is h n a i s so tho r oug h ly oppose d to h is ge n e r a l position
th r oug h out t h e poe m the r e c a n be little d oubt th a t these
,

p a ss a ges w er e int r o d uce d w h en t h e wo r s h i p o f K r ishn a h a d to a

l a r ge exte n t su pe r se d e d th a t of S iv a .

K r ish n a a s d esc r ibe d i n t h e M a h abh a r a t a w a s not a bove

, ,

e m pl o yi n g d eception a n d le a d i n g ot h e r s to d o it t o o
, On on e .

occ a sio n d u r ing the g r e a t w a r between t h e Ku r us a n d Pan d av a s ,

the Pa n d av a s we r e in gr e a t d ist r ess o wing t o the br a very a n d ,

skil l o f a Ku r u C hief n a m e d D r o n ach arjya This chief h a d a .

son who m h e d eeply l ove d n a m e d A s h w at t h a ma ; a n d it w a s,

thought th a t if a r epo r t cou l d be spre a d to th e e ffect th a t thi s

,

son w a s sl a in h is fa th e r wo u l d b e t o o d istresse d to fight

, .

D r o n ac h arjya a t l a st h e a r d th e ru m ou r but r efuse d to believe i t ,

u nless Y u d i s h t h i r a confi r m e d it A t fi r st th e goo d king refu se d

.

to spe a k a n unt r uth ; but a t K r ish n a s suggestion he r epe a te d ’

t h e wo r d s A s h w a t t h a m a i s d e a d m e a ni n g i n his o wn m in d a n
“
,
”

eleph a n t o f th a t n a m e yet wishing the fa ther to u n d e r st a n d

,

the m of h is son Th e t r i ck succee d e d b ut the king a s a

.

pu n i s h m e n t fo r hi s p r ev a ric a tion h a d to en d ure the S ight o f th e

lost i n hell a s he w as bei n g con d ucte d to he a ven
, .

A m ongst K r i shn a s m a ny n a m e s th e following a r e the m o st

’

co mm on
G o p al The C owh e r d
,
“
.
.

G o p i n a th T h e Lo r d of th e M ilk m a i d s
,
“

M a t h u r an a t h The Lo r d o f M a t h u r a
,
“
.

8A . TH E B A L A R A M A A VA TA R A .

A cco r d i n g to so m e a ccou nts o f Vi sh n u s i nc a rn a tio n s ’

B a l a r am a i s th e e ig/z t/c ; K r ish n a i n t h a t c a se n ot being c a lle d

a n i n c a r n a ti o n b u t a n a ppe a r a n ce o f the d eity hi m self ; whilst
, ,

a cc o r d ing t o othe r s the two brothe r s together fo r m the eight h

, ,
 T H E B A L A R AM A A VA T AR A . 1 85

Krishn a h aving been p r o d uce d fr o m a bl a ck a n d B a l a ra ma fro m

a white h a ir o f Vishnu A s they were const a nt co m p a nions .

d u r ing t h eir st a y o n e a r th m a ny ,

of the exploits in which B a l ar a ma

sh ar e d h ave a l r e a d y been n a r r a te d
in spe a king o f K r ishn a There .

ar e a few howeve r r e ,

fe r r ing chiefly to B a l a ra m a .

B a l a r a m a i s a n inc a rn a tion o f
the se r pent S e s h a T who hi m self ,

w a s p a r t o f Vishnu a n d thus is ,

”
s a i d to be a p ar t of a p a r t o f“

th a t d eity When a ppe a le d to by

.

the d ist r esse d go d s to a ppe a r o n

e a r th t o s a ve the m fro m th ei r
opp r esso r K a ns a Vishnu a ye a r ,

befo r e his o w n bi r th t r a nsferre d by ,

m e a ns o f Y o gan i n d r a the e m bryo ,

o f B a l ar a m a fr o m D ev a ki to R ohini ,

a not h e r wife o f V a su d ev a r esi d ing ,

at G o k u la to s a ve it fr om the
,

c r uel a n ger a n d fe a r o f K a ns a who ,

h a d or d ere d the d est r uction of

A L A R AM A B .

D ev a ki s chil d r en as soon as they

’

were bo r n th r ough whose eighth son it h a d been pre d icte d th a t

,

h e wou l d m eet wit h his d e a th W hen a bout a ye ar o ld this .

,

C hil d w as pl a ce d u n d er the c a re o f a her d s m a n n a me d N a n d a

a n d his wife Y a s o d a the r epute d p a r ents o f K r ish na th a t th e

, ,

two boys m ight be b r ought u p togethe r ; V a su d ev a o n the night ,

Vi h s nu P u r an a ,
’
B kV oo .

TS h (
es a ( l
t h e e n d ) , o r A n an t a
) t h e s e p e n t d e i t y h as t h o s d en d ess ,
r ,
a u an

h e d s a d f m s t h e c o c h o wh i ch V i h
a ,
n or epos e ud i g th e i t e v l o f
n s nu r s ur n n r a s

c e ti o
r a T h e wo ld i s s i d to e st
n . r th e h e d o f S e s h a wh o s t d s po a r on a a, an u n

t o t oi s e
r wh e t h e e fo e t h e t o t o i s e m v e s h i s fe et o S e s h y w s e th
n, r r ,
r o ,
r a a n ,
ar

q ak e s e s l t I t w thi s s e p e t t h t fo m e d th e p e t t h e c h i g o f
u r u . as r n a r ro a urn n

t h e o ce and by fi e s t h t i s s e f o m h i s b o d y t h e w o l d i s d e t y e d t
an r a u r r s ro a

t h e e d of e ch
n ge o K lp a H e i s s o me t i m e s c ll e d
a ,
r s on o f K s y p
a a. a a a a a

an d K d a d
a g h te of D ksha
ru, au r a .
1 86 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

of K r is h n a s bi r th h aving c a r r ie d h i m to the house o f N a n d a

’

, ,

a n d substitute d h i m fo r the infa nt d a ughte r of th es e peopl e .

B a l a r a m a w a s secon d only to K r ish n a in the possession o f

m i r a culou s powe r s O n e d a y a s he w as with th e you n g cow
.
,

keepe r s in a woo d his co m p a nions a ske d hi m to sh a ke so m e

,

fr uit t r ees belo n ging to a d e m on n a m e d D h e n u k a t h a t they might ,

enj oy t h e fr uit A s h e w as complyi n g with this r equ est th e

.
,

d e m o n in t h e fo r m of a m onste r a s s a ppe a r e d
,
a n d a s he t r ie d ,

to kick B a l a r a ma the he r o sei ze d h i m by h is hin d legs swung

, ,

h i m r ou n d his h e a d a n d t h r ew h i m to the groun d with su ch fo r ce

,

t h a t he d ie d i m m e d i a tely : the d e a d bo d y B a l a r am a th r ew to th e
top o f a p a l m t r ee a n d the d emon s r el a tives who c a m e ,
’

to his r escu e receive d si m il a r tre a t m ent a t his h a n d s A fte r .

D h e n u k a s d e a th his o r ch a r d bec a m e a fa vou r ite s pot o f the

’

cowhe r d s W hilst the boys were pl a ying the r e a d e m on n a m e d

.
,

P r a la mb a c a m e i n th e fo r m o f a boy a n d j oi ning the m in their , ,

g a m e pe r su a d e d B a l a r am a to get u pon his shou l d e r s N o soone r

,
.

h a d he mounte d th a n th e d e m on r a n O ff with h i m a n d feelin g ,

the he r o t o be he a vy h e incre a se d h is bu lk u n til he bec a m e like

a m ou n t a in i n s ize c a usi n g B a l a r a m a to t r e m bl e with fe ar a n d
, ,

to c a l l upon Krishn a fo r help K r ishn a r e m i n d ing h i m o f his .

,

d ivi n e n a tu r e s a ys : C a lling to m e m o r y who thou a r t O being

, ,

o f illi m it a ble might d est r oy the d emon you r sel f ,

S u spen d ing a .

”
while you r m ort a l ch a r a cter d o wh at is r ight B a l a ra m a a cting
,
.
,

u po n this a d vice squeeze d t h e d emon with his knees a n d

, ,

po m melle d h i m with h is fists so fie r cely th a t h e fel l d own

d ead When boxing with K a ns a s w r estle r i n the lists a t ’
.

M a thu r a he m a n a ge d e a sily to sl a y his a nt a gonist

, .

A fte r B a l a r a m a h a d d wel t for so m e ti m e in D war a k a a city ,

K r is h n a h a d p r o vi d e d fo r the s a fety o f t h e people of M a thur a ,

K r ishn a se n t h i m to Vr aja to see their o ld fr ien d s the he r d smen ,

with w h o m th ey h a d bee n b r ought u p a s boys D u r ing his st a y .

the r e V a r u n a a d d r essing V a ru n i his wife s a i d : Thou M a d i r a

, , ,
“
, ,

a r t eve r a ccept a ble to the powe r ful A n a n t a S esh a go the r efore

( )
a n d p r o m ote his enj oy m ents Thu s o r d e r e d by h e r husb a n d
”
. ,

she took u p her a bo d e i n a K a d a m b a t r ee i n th e forest o f

Vr i n d ava n a B a l ar a ma in h is w a lks s m elling the ple a s ant
.
,
 1 88 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

g r ee d y of w e a lt h ! I a ckn o wle d ge no b r othe r hoo d with you .

H e r e lies m y p at h ; go whit h e r you ple a se I h a ve d o n e with ,

you w it h D wa r a k a w it h a ll o u r h ou se I t is o f no use to seek

, ,
.

to i m pose o n m e wit h thy pe rj u r ies B a l a r a m a p r ocee d e d .

to Vi d e h a whe r e fo r th r ee ye a rs he r e m a ine d the guest o f

,

Ki n g J a n a k a u n ti l his a nge r w a s a ppe a se d whe n a cknow

, , ,

le d gi n g th at he h a d m isj u d ge d his b r othe r he r etu r ne d to ,

h is ho m e a t D w a r a k a .

Whe n K r is h n a s wo r k on e ar th w a s d one a n d except the

’

, ,

two b r othe r s thei r w h ole r a ce h a d in fu lfil m ent o f a cu r se been

,

d est r oye d a s they we r e t a lking un d e r a tree a se r pe n t gli d e d

, ,

fr o m B a l a r am a s m o u th a n d m a d e its w a y to the s e a l e aving

’

the bo d y lifeless w h ilst K r ishn a soon a fte r w a r d s fel l pie r ce d

,

by the a r row of a hu n tsm a n who mistook h i m fo r a d ee r .

9 . T HE B U D DH A AV A T A R A .

This inc a r n ation o f Vishnu is

o r igin a lly fo r eign to the cycl e o f
t h e A va t ar as o f Vishnu a n d the r e ,

fo r e is only b r i efly a llu d e d to in

so m e o f th e P u r a n a s Whe r e this .

is d one the i ntention m ust h a ve

,

been to effect a c o m p r o m ise between

’

B r ahm a nis m a n d B u d d his m by ,

t r ying t o rep r esent the l a tte r r e

li gi o n a s not i r r eco n cil a bly a nt a
g o n i s t i c to the C olone l
K e n n e d y To n the oth e r h a n d a r gues
, ,

th a t th e B u d d h a of th e Pu r an a s
an d B u d d h a the fou n d e r of the
B u d d hist syste m o f religio n h ave
nothi n g in co mm o n but the n a m e ,

a n d th a t the a tte m pte d i d e n t i fi c a

B UD H A
D . tion o f these two is si m ply th e

G o ld s t u c k e r , C h a m b e r s ’
s C y cl p
o ae d i a .
T
‘
Hi ndu My th p .
’
. 2 48 .
 T H E B U DD H A A VA T AR A . 1 89

wo r k o f E u r ope a n schol a r s who h a ve not been su fficiently c ar e

,

ful to collect info r m a tion a n d to weigh the evi d ence they h ave
,

B UDD H I T E M P L E
S T AND D AGO A
B AT K E L A I Y A E YL O
N ,
C N.

befo r e the m There c a n b e littl e d oubt th a t C olonel

'

h ad .

Kenne d y s V iew is unten abl e S eeing the bitter a nt a go n ism t h a t

’
.
 1 9 0 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

existe d between th e a d voc a tes o f t h e r iv a l syste m s it nee d ,

occ a sion no su r p r ise t h a t fu l l a ccounts o f B u d d h a ar e not to be

foun d in B r a h m a ni c a l books n o r th a t t h e m e a g r e a ccou nts th a t ,

a r e the r e s h oul d t r y to r ep r esent hi m a s a mos t d espic able

ch a r a cte r The B r ah m a n ic a l w r ite r s we r e fa r too sh r ew d to
.

a d m i t th a t o n e who cou l d i n fluence m e n a s B u d d h a d i d coul d be

othe r th a n a n i n c a rn a tion o f d eity ; a n d a s his i nfl uence w a s i n

fa vou r o f te a ching O ppose d to thei r o wn which w a s fo r a ti m e ,

p r ohibite d th r oughout t h e count r y they cleve r ly s ay th a t it w a s ,

to m isle a d the ene m ies of the go d s t h a t B u d d h a p r o m ulg a te d

h is d oct r ine th a t they beco m i n g we a k a n d wicke d th r ough thei r
, ,

e r r o r s m ight fa ll a n e a sy p r ey
,
.

The P u r anic a ccount o f B u d d h a wi ll be given su pplemente d ,

by fu r the r p a r ticu l a r s o f his life an d wo r k fro m B u d d hist

w r iti n gs .

I n the Bhaga v a t a P u r an a
‘
a r e only four sh o r t p a ss a ges
r especting B u d d h a A t the co mm enceme n t o f the K a li yug a
“
-
.

will Vishnu beco m e inc a r n a te in K i k a t a un d er the n a m e o f ,

B u d d h a the son o f J in a fo r the purpose o f d elu d ing the e n e m ies

, ,
”
o f the go d s The U n d isce r nibl e B eing h aving a ssu m e d a
.
“
,

m o r t a l fo r m p r e a che d h e r e t i c a l d o c t r i n e s i n t h e th r ee cities
,

foun d e d by M ay a ( a n d i n K asi ) fo r t h e pu r pose o f d est r oying , ,

by d elu d i n g the m the ene m ies o f the go d s ste a d fa st i n t h e

, ,

r elig i on p r escribe d by the Ve d a s P r a ise to th e pu r e B u d d h a .

,
”
the d el u d e r of the D a i t yas a n d the D an a v a s By his wo r d s .
“
,

a s Bu d d h a Vishnu d elu d es the he r etics

”
, .

I n the S k a n d a Tthe legen d o f whic h th e Bhag av a t a gives but

, ,

th e m e r est outli n e is mo r e ful ly given T h e r e w as a d i r e

, .

fa m ine i n the e a r th owi n g t o the fa i lu r e o f the r a ins fo r six

,

successive ye a r s ; o n this a ccou nt B r a h m a i n g r e a t d istress

V isite d a p r i n ce n a m e d R i pa n jaya a n d tol d h i m th a t i f he ,

wo u l d beco m e ki n g t h e go d s wou l d se r ve h i m a n d his n a m e

, ,

sho u l d be C h a nge d to D i vo d as a O n a ski n g why he is chosen .

befo r e a ll o the r s B r a h m a tells h i m : A ll othe r ki n gs a r e wicke d

, ,

a n d the go d s wil l n o t shower r a in u pon the e a r t h u nless you

H i n d My th p u .
’
. 2 50 .
T I bid . p .
42 3 .
1 9 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

ple asu r es ; a s the bo d y m u st d ec a y let us befo r e it beco m es , ,

d ust enj oy the ple a sures which i t gives

,
The d istinction of .

c a stes h as been v a i n ly i m a gine d A s L a ksh m i g a ve n u m e r ous

.

boons to her d isciples h er influ ence w a s gre a t a n d h e r te a ching

, ,

spre a d wi d ely .

A s a result of the d isse m i n a tion o f these d oct r ines i n the

city D i vo d as a bec a m e d i s p i r i t e d t o who m Vish n u in the
, p

fo r m o f a B r ah m a n n o w a ppe ar e d a n d he a r s fr o m h i m a n ,

a ccount o f his t r oubles a n d t h e exp r ession o f a wish to r esig n

,

his crown The king m ention s a nu m be r of c a ses i n whic h

.

vi r tuous men h ave h a d to suffe r owi n g to the powe r o f the go d s

, ,

a n d i nqu i r es how he c a n obt a in fin a l be a titu d e Vishnu info r m s .

h i m th a t he h as a cte d u nwisely i n co m pelling S iv a to fo r s a k e

K asi a n d a d vises h i m to consec ra te a n i m a ge o f S iv a by
, ,

wo r shipping which he wil l obt a i n t h e fulfil m e n t o f his d esi r es .

D i vo d as a follows this cou nsel in a ugu r a tes his son a s king a n d

, , ,

a s he is wo r shipping th e Li n g a he h a d set up S iv a a ppe ar s a n d ,

con d ucts h im to K a il a s a ( S iva s he a ven ) I t is the common

’
.

belief of the people in the west o f I n d i a th a t when Vishnu h a d ,

e ffecte d the a post a sy o f D i vo d as a h a ving been prev a ile d u po n

,

to te r m in a te t h e prop a g a tion o f his he r etic a l opinions he d i s ,

a ppe a r e d in a d eep wel l a t G ya .

The following lege n d fr o m t h e S iv a Pu r an a gives a nothe r ‘

e
r a son fo r the r ise o f B u d d hism A -fa m ous Rishi n a m e d G a u
.

t a ma with h is vi r tuou s wife n a m e d A h a lya pe r fo r m e d d u r ing

, ,

a thous a n d ye a rs a seve r e tapa s ( pen a nce ) i n the southe r n

count r y n e a r the mount a in Br a h m ad r i D u r i n g this ti m e the r e
.

w a s a seve r e d r ought to r e m ove which G a ut a m a wo r shippe d

, ,

V a r un a for six mo n ths with g r e a t fe r vou r when the d eity , ,

a ppe a r ing p r o m ise d to g r a nt a n y boon th a t shou l d be a ske d

,
.

G a ut a m a a ske d fo r r a i n but V a r un a s a i d H ow c a n I t r a nsg r ess

, ,

the d ivine co m ma n d A s k so m e boon which it is in m y powe r

to g r a nt G a ut a m a then a ske d t h a t V a r u n a woul d c a u se a
.
”

su r p a ssingly be a u tifu l he r m it a ge to a ppe a r s h a d e d fr o m the ,

su n by fr a g r a nt a n d fr u it be a r i ng t r ees w he r e holy m e n a n d
-
,

Ke n n ed y ,
Hi ndu My th p .
’
. 25 3 .
 T H E B U DD H A A VA T AR A . 1 93

wo m en by holy m e d it a tion sh a ll be libe r a te d fr o m p a in so r r o w , ,

a n d a nxiety ; a n d as thou a r t lor d o f w a te r l et it enj oy a ,

pe r enni a l fount a in .V a r un a g r a nte d this r equ est a n d the ,

he r m it a ge o f G a ut a ma bec a m e the lov e liest o n the te r r es

“

tri a l o r b .
”

One d ay as the d isciples o f G a ut a m a went to the fou nt a in so m e

B r ahm a n wo m e n t r ie d to prevent the m from d r a wing w a te r until
they h a d fille d thei r o w n pots A h a lya going herself wa s sub
.

j e c t e d d a ily to the s a me a nnoy a nce : the B r ahm a n wo m en

woul d not a llow h e r to d r a w w a ter before they h a d the m selves
obt a ine d a ll they requ ire d Thes e women not s a tisfie d with
.
,

a nnoying th e a scetics co m pl a ine d t o thei r husb a n d s o f the

,

unkin d tre a t m ent they a llege d they h a d receive d fr om A h alya .

Their husb a n d s reso r te d to G a nes a fo r a d vice who bein gple a se d ,

with their d evotion p r omise d a boon they a ske d th a t G a ut a m a

might be m a d e to l e a ve his her m it a ge without thei r incur r i ng
the sin o f d r iving him a w a y T o this G a nes a r eluct a n tly
.

consente d a n d in or d e r t o e ffect this obj ect G a nes a t r a nsfo r m e d

hi m self into a poo r d ebilit a te d cow a n d w a lke d i nto a fiel d of
,

rice whe r e G a ut a m a wa s st a n d ing a n d b eg a n to e at the gr a i n

-
.

The s a ge knowing n othing o f th is d isguise took u p a st r a w a n d

, ,

trie d to d r ive the cow a w a y n o soone r d i d he touch it th a n it ,

fell d own d e a d H a ving incu r re d the enor m ous guilt o f killing

.

a cow the poor m a n h a d to l e a ve the neighbou r hoo d

,
.

G a ut a m a a n d his wife re m ove d to a d ist a nce ; but u nti l he

h a d expi a te d his sin they cou l d n o t perfo r m a n y a ccept a bl e
,

wo r ship G a ut a m a seeks the B r ah m a ns a n d a sking how he c an

.
,

be free fr om his c r i m e is tol d to w a lk rou n d the m ount a in of

,

B r a h m a a hu n d r e d times ; b a the in the G a nges a n d co n sec r a te ,

a n d wo r ship ten m il lion i m a ges O f S iv a A s he is wo r shippi n g

.

S iva the d eity d elighte d with the m a n s e a r nestness a ppe a r s

, ,
’

, ,

infor m s h i m o f the t r ick by which G a n es a h a d d r iven h i m

fr o m t h e her m it a ge a n d brings the G a nges so ne a r th a t he c a n
,

b a the i n it e a sily Tr ad ition s a ys th a t G a ut a m a w a s so

.

d isguste d with the con d uct of the Bra h m a ns th a t he sep a r a te d

himself fr o m their co mm u n ion a n d est ablis h e d a new syste m of
,

r eligion which fo r a ti m e eclipse d B r a h m a nis m

,
.
 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

The fol lowing ext r a cts giving a n a ccount of Bu d d h a a r e fr o m

, ,

the L a lit a a B u d d hist wo r k fr o m which M B a r th ele m y .

S t H il a i r e h as t a ken the m a te r i a ls
.

fo r his work La Bou d d a et s a

Religion .
’

Bu d d h a o r m o r e co r rectly The
“
,

B u d d h a— for B u d d h a is a n a ppel
l a tive m e a ni n g enlightene d w as —
,

bo r n a t K a p i lav a s t u t h e c a pit a l ,

of a king d o m o f th a t n a m e ,

situ ate d at t h e foot o f t h e m ou n

t a ins of N ep a l no r th o f the p r ese n t ,

O u d e H is fathe r the Ki n g of
.
,

K a p i la v a s t u w a s of the fa m ily o f ,

the S ak yas a n d belo n ge d to the ,

cl a n of the G a ut a m a s H is .

m othe r w as M ayad e vi d a ughte r ,

o f King S u p r ab u d d h a a n d nee d ,

we s ay th a t she w a s be a utiful as
UDD H A
,
B .

h e w a s p o w e r fu l a n d j u s t ?

B u d d h a w as the r efore by birth o f the K s h at t r i ya or w a r r io r c a ste , ,

a n d h e took t h e n a m e o f S aky a fr o m h i s fa m ily a n d th a t o f ,

G a u t a ma fr o m h is cl a n C l a i m ing a kin d of S pi r itu a l r el a tio n shi p

,

with the honou r e d r a ce o f G a ut a m a s Th e n a m e o f B u d d h a o r

.
,

T h e Bu d d h a d ates fr om a l a ter pe r io d o f his life a n d so p r ob a bly

, ,

d o es S i d d ha r th a ( he whose obj ects h a ve been a cco m plishe d ) ,

t h o u g h we a r e tol d th a t it w a s given h i m i n his C hil d hoo d H is .

m othe r d ie d seven d a ys a fte r his birth a n d the fa the r confi d e d ,

t h e c h il d t o the c ar e of h is d ece a se d wife s sister wh o howeve r ’

, , ,

h a d bee n his wife even befo r e the mot h e r s d e a th T h e chil d ’

.

g r ew u p a m o st be a utiful a n d m ost a cco m plishe d boy w h o soon ,

kne w m o r e th a n his m a ste r s cou l d te a c h h i m H e r efuse d to .

t a ke p a r t i n t h e g a m es of his pl a y m ates a n d n eve r felt so h a ppy ,

as w h e n he coul d sit a lone lost i n m e d it a tion i n t h e d ee p

,

s h a d o ws o f the fo r est I t w a s t h e r e th a t his fa t h e r fou n d h i m

.

M ax M ll e u r,
‘
C hi p s,
’
vo l. i . p . 2 10 ff .
 1 9 6 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

on his stick h e i s h a r d ly a ble to w a lk stu mbling a t eve r y step

, , .

I s the r e so m ething pecu li a r i n his fa mily o r is this the co mm on ,

lot o f a ll c r e a te d beings ? ’

S i r r eplie d the co a chm a n

,
’
th a t m an is sinking u n d er o ld ,
‘

a e his senses h a ve beco m e obscure su ffe r ing h a s d est r oye d his

g , ,

strength a n d he is d espise d by his rel a tions H e i s without

,
.

su ppo r t a n d useless an d people h ave a b a n d one d him l ike a

, ,

d e a d t r ee in a forest B ut t h is is not pecu li a r to his fa m i ly I n

. .

eve r y c r e a tu r e youth is d efe a te d by o ld a ge You r fa ther your .

,

m other a ll your rel a tions a ll your frie n d s will come to the s a me

, , ,

st a te this is the a ppointe d e n d of a ll cre a tures .

’

A l as r eplie d th e p r ince a r e cre a tu r es so ignor a nt so we a k, ,

a n d foolish a s to be p r ou d o f the youth by whic h they a r e i n

,

t o x i c a t e d not see ing t h e O ld a ge whic h a w a its the m

,
A S fo r m e ,

I go a w a y C o a chm a n tu r n m y ch a r iot quickly Wh a t a m I the

.
,
.
,

—
future p r ey o f o ld a ge wh a t h a ve I to d o with ple a sure ? an d ’

the you n g prince returne d to the city without going t o t h e p ar k .

“
A nother ti me the p r i nce w as d r ivi ng th r ough the S outhern
g a te to his ple a sure g a r d en when he perceive d i n the ro a d a ,

m a n su ffe r ing fr om i llness p a r che d with fever hi s bo d y w a ste d

, , ,

cove r e d with m u d without a fr ien d without a home h a r d ly a ble

, , ,

to b r e a the a n d frightene d a t the sigh t o f hi m self a n d th e

,

a pp r o a ch o f d e a th H a ving questione d his co a ch m a n a n d

.
,

r eceive d fro m h i m the a nswe r which h e expecte d the young ,

p r i n ce s a i d : A l a s h e a lth is but th e sport o f a d r e a m a n d the

‘
,

fe a r of su ffering m u st t a ke th is fr ightfu l fo r m Whe r e is the wise .

m a n who a fte r h a vi n g s een wh a t he is cou l d a n y longe r think o f

, , ,

j oy a n d ple a sure The p r ince turne d his ch a r iot a n d r etu r ne d ,

to the city .

A thi r d ti m e he w as d r iving to h is ple a su r e g a r d en th r ough -

the Weste r n g a te when he s a w a d e a d bo d y on the r o a d lying o n

, ,

a bier a n d cove r e d with a cloth The fr ien d s stoo d a bout crying .

,

sobbing te a r i n g thei r h a i r cove r ing thei r he a d s with d ust

, , ,

S t r iking thei r b r e a sts a n d utte r ing wil d c r ies ,

The p r ince a g a in .
,

c a lli n g his co a ch m a n to witness this p a i n fu l scene excl a i m e d : ,

Oh ! woe to yout h which m ust be d est r oye d by o ld a ge ! Woe

,

to he a lth which must be d est r oye d by s o m a ny d ise a ses !

,
 T H E B U DD H A A VA T AR A . 1 97

W oe this life where a m a n m ust r e m a i n fo r so S ho r t a ti m e

to ,

Then betra ying for the first ti m e his inte n tions th e young p r i n ce ,

s a i d Let u s tu r n b a ck I must think h o w to a ccomplish d elive r a nce

,
‘
,
.
’

A l a st m eeting put a n e n d to his hesit a tion H e w a s d r iving .

through the N orthe r n g a te o n the w a y to his ple a su r e g a r d ens -

,

when he s a w a m en d ic a n t wh o a ppe ar e d outw a r d ly c a l m sub d u e d , ,

l ooking d ownw a r d s we a r ing wit h an a i r o f d ig n ity his r eligiou s

,

vest m ent a n d c ar r ying an a l m s bowl -

.

Who i s thi s m a n a ske d the prince

‘
. .

S i r repl ie d t h e co a ch m a n this m an i s o n e o f those who

’ ‘
, ,

a r e c a lle d o ni /es nu s o r men d ic a nts H e h a s renoun ce d a ll ple a .

sures a ll d esires a n d le a d s a life o f a uste r ity H e t r ies to conque r

, , .

hi m self H e h a s beco m e a d evotee Withou t p a ssion without

. .
,

envy h e w a lks a bou t a sking for a l ms

, .
’

“ ‘
This i s goo d a n d wel l s a i d replie d the p r ince The l ife ,
’
.
‘

of a d evotee h a s a lw a ys been p r a i se d by the wise I t will be .

m y r efuge a n d the r efuge o f a ll othe r c r e a tu r es

,
It will le a d u s .

t o a r e a l life to h a ppi n ess a n d i mm o r t a lity With these wo r d s ’

.
, ,

the young p r ince tu r n e d his ch a riot an d retu r ne d t o the city .

“
A fte r h a ving d ecl a re d to hi s fa ther a n d his wife his intentio n
of r eti r ing fr o m the wo r l d Bu d d h a left his p a l a ce o n e n ight when
,

a ll the gu a r d s th a t were to h a ve w a t che d h i m we r e a sleep A fte r .

t r avel ling the whole night he g a ve his ho r se a n d hi s o r n a m ents ,

to his g r oo m a n d sent h i m b a ck to K a pi lava s t u

,
A m onu m ent .
‘
,
’

r e m a rks the a uthor o f th e L a lit a Vi s t a r a is stil l to be seen o n - ‘

t h e spot whe r e the co a ch m a n turne d b a ck H i o u e n T h s an g s aw .

the s a m e m onu m ent a t the e d ge o f a l a rge fo r est on his r o a d t o ,

K u s i n a ga r a a city n o w i n rui n s a n d S itu a te d a bout fifty m iles

, ,

E S E fr om G o r a k p o r e
. . .

B u d d h a fi r st we n t t o Va i s a li a n d bec a m e the pupi l of a ,

fa m ou s B r a h m a n who h a d g a there d r ou n d h i m 3 0 0 d isciples

l

, .

H a ving le a r nt a ll th a t the B r a h m a n cou l d te a ch h i m B u d d h a ,

went a w a y d is a ppointe d H e h a d not foun d the r o a d to s a lv a .

tion H e th en t r ie d a n othe r B r ah m a n a t Raj a g r ih a the c a pit a l

.
,

o f M a ga d h a or B e h ar who h a d
7 00 d isciples a n d there too h e
, , , ,

l o oke d i n v a in fo r the m e a ns o f d elive r a nce H e left h i m followe d .

,

by five o f his fellow stu d ents a n d fo r six ye a r s r eti r e d i n to s o li

-
,
1 9 8 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

t u d e n e a r a vill age n a m e d U r u vi lva s u bj ecti n g h i m self to the

, ,

m o st seve r e pe n a n ces p r evious to his a ppe a r i n g in t h e wo r l d a s a

,

te a che r A t the e n d o f t h is pe r io d howeve r h e a r r ive d a t t h e

.
, ,

convicti o n t h at a sceticis m fa r fr o m givi n g pe a ce o f mi n d a n d

,

p r ep a r i n g t h e w ay t o s a lv a tion w a s a sn a r e a n d a stu m bling

,

block i n t h e w a y of t r uth H e g ave u p his exe r cises a n d w a s a t

.
,

o n ce d ese r te d a s a n a post a te by his five d isciples Left to h i m .

sel f h e now beg a n to el a bo r a te h is o w n syste m H e h a d le a r ne d

,
.

t h a t neithe r t h e d oct r ines n o r the a uste r ities o f the B r ah m a ns

w e r e of a n y a v a il fo r a cco m plishing the d eliver a n ce o f m a n a n d ,

fo r fr eei n g h i m fr o m the fe a r o f o ld a ge d ise a se a n d d e a th A fte r , ,

.

l o n g m e d it ations a n d ecst a tic V isions he a t l a st i m a gine d th a t he

,

h a d a r r ive d a t th a t t r ue k nowle d ge which d iscloses the c a use a n d ,

t h e r eby d est r oys t h e fe a r of a ll the c h a n ges inhe r ent in life I t

,
.

w a s fr o m th e m o m e n t when h e a r r ive d a t this knowle d ge th a t he

cl a i me d the n a m e of Bu d d h a t h e enlig h tene d Bu d d h a hesit a te d .

fo r a ti m e w h et h e r he shoul d keep his knowle d ge to hi m self o r

c o mm unic a te it to the wo r l d C o m p a ss io n fo r th e su ffe r ings of
.

m an p r ev a ile d a n d the young p r i n ce bec a m e the fou n d e r of a

,

r eligi o n which a fte r m o r e th a n 2 0 0 0 ye a r s is sti ll p r ofesse d by

,

o f hu m a n beings .

T h e fu r t h e r h isto r y of the new te a cher is ve r y simple H e .

p ro cee d e d t o B e n a r es w h ic h a t a ll ti m es h as been t h e p r incip a l se a t

,

o f l e a r n i n g i n I n d i a a n d t h e fi r st co n verts he m a d e we r e the five

,

fell o w st u d e n ts who h a d left h i m whe n he th r ew O ff the yoke o f

-

t h e B r a h m a n ic a l O bse r v a nces M a ny othe r s followe d but as the

.
,
‘
L a lit a Vi s t a r a b r e a ks o ff a t B u dd h a s a r r iv a l a t Ben ar es we
-
’ ’

h a ve n o fu r t h e r consecutive a ccou n t of the r a pi d p r og r ess o f his

d o ct r i n e F r o m wh a t we c a n g a the r fr o m sc a tte r e d notices in
.

t h e B u dd hist c a non h e w a s invite d by the King of M a ga d h a

, ,

B i mbis ar a to his c a pit a l R aj a grih a M a n y of his l ectu r es a r e

, , .

r ep r ese n te d as h avi n g been d elive r e d a t t h e m on a ste r y o f

K a la va t a k a with which the king o r so m e r ich m e r ch a nt h a d
,

p r ese n te d h i m o the r s o n t h e Vultu r e Pe a k o n e o f the five hills ,

w h ic h s u r r o u n d th a t a ncient c a pit a l .

T h r ee of his m ost fa m o us d isciples — S ar i pu t r a K at yaya n a , ,

a n d M a u d a l a a n a— j oine d him d u r ing his st a y i n M a a d h a

g y y g ,
O
I THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

B h l d t g p t t i g wh i h t gh t
e e s r an e or en s , s ns c au

Th wi th t th t
e pi i ti m
se a a au s c ou s e

H d wit a d me ev t bl i m en es se so en su ,

W i th iv l bl i g f gh t
un er s a ess n r au .

Th e w i th j o yf l g o d s w s th o g ed
sk y u a r n

H e h e d t h i v i c e w i t h gl d c c l i m
ar e r o a a a

Re d i g l o d ly B d d h s me
’
s ou n n u u a na ,

Wh i l e e ch o e s cl e th e i s h o t s p ol on g e d ar r u r .

Th e xpl o i g f n d w i d e
c au s e e r n ,
ar a

The ge s v i i o
sa g e d w i th w e
’
s n r an a ,

W i th i n c d l e l i d h e s w
a ra a ,
a

F o ff t h e b b e t h e S ak y s p i d e
ar a , a
’
r .

W i t h l o g i g e i z d t h i ch i l d t v i w
n n s e s o e

At h d d l p an d h m g p y
,
an c as ,
an o a e a ,

A thw t t h e k y h t ar k hi w y s e oo s a

B y m g i t d w l i k flew
a c ar ,
an s an - e

An d ca me to Ki n g
S u d dh Od a n s g a t e s
’

A n d e n t r an c e c r a v e d G o , r oyal p ag e ,
A n d t e ll t h y l o r d a n an c i e n t s a g e
To s ee th e ki g pe n r mi s s i on w ai t s .
’

Th e p g e ob ey e d n d j o i ed h i s h d s
a ,
a n an

B ef e th e p i ce d s i d A s ge
or r n ,
an a a

O f s h i v e ll e d fo m d b o w e d w i th ge
r r ,
an a ,

B e fo e t h e g t e m y s o v e i g s t a d s
r a ,
re n, n ,

An d h mbly s k t o ee t h e k i g
u a s s n .
’

T o wh o m S d d h Od c i ed W e g eet u an r r

A ll ch w i th j y
su w i th h o o m e e t o n ur

T h e h o ly m b e fo e s b i g an r u r n

The b e i d e t h e m o ch s t
s ai n t s n ar o od ,

A d p k h i bl e s s i g
n s Th i
a e s n ne b e h ea t lh ,

W i th l e g th f l i fe d m i gh t
n o ,
an ,
an d w e l th a

A d e v e s e k t h y p pl e s g d
’ ’
n r e eo oo .

W i th a ll due f or ms and meet res p e ct

Th e k i g e i v d t h e h ly m
n r ec e o an

A d b d h im it
n a d th e b g
e s an n e an
‘
G e t s g e I d n t e co ll e c t
r a a , o o r
 T H E B U DD H A A VA T AR A . ! OI

T h t I t h y v e e bl f
a n ra e ac e

H ve v a b e f e ll w
e er s een or a o

T h t I i q i wh t b i g th
a n u re a r n s ee n o w

F m t h y f d i t t d w ell g pl
ro ar s an in -
a ce .
’

To s eeb ab e th e s i t e pl i e s
th y ,
’
a n r ,

I c om e f o m H i m al y s t e e pr a a
’
s s.
’

T h e k i g ej o i s M y i f t s l ee p s
n r n ,
n an

A m ome t w i t u t i l h e i s e
’
n a n r .

S hg
uc r e at o n e s n e er ,
’ ’
th e R i sh i p ke s a ,

I n t or p l g the i
or on r s en s e s te e p
s ,

N or s o ft ly l o v e l x u u r i ou s slee p

Th e in f t p r i c e w i ll
an n s o on a w ke a .
’

Th e w o n d r o s Ch i l d l e t t o i e
u ,
a r r s ,

A t w i ll h i s s l m b e s l i ght d i s p e ll e d
u r .

H i s f th e s m s t h e i f t h e ld
’
a r ar n an

B e fo r e t h e s g e s l o g i g e y e s
a
’
n n .

Th e b ab e b eh ol d i g p s s i n g b i ght n ,
a r ,

M o e gl i ou th t h e r c e d i v i e
r or s an a n ,

A d m k e d w i t h e v e y o bl
n ar ig r n e S n ,

T h e s i t w a s wh e l m e d w i t h d e e p d e l i gh t
a n

An d yi n g Locr i f t g ced an n an ra

W i t h e v e r y ch m f fo m I g e e t ar o r r

H e fe ll b e fo e t h e B d d h f t r u a s
’
ee ,

W i th fi g e s j o i e d d o d h i m p
n r n ,
an r un ac ed .

N xt e r ou n d th e b be h i s
a ar ms h e w ou n d ,
’
s ai d , of
‘
An d On e , he t w o c ar e e r s
Of f m e wi t s i c o m i g y e
a a a n n ar s

T h e ch i l d i n wh o m t h s e s i g s e n ar e fo und .

If su c h h ome b i d e
an o n e a t a ,

H e h ll b e c o m es k i g wh o s e s w y
a a n ,
a

S p e m e m i gh t y m e d
u r ya ar arr a

O e t h s h ll s t bl i h f
n ar a d wi d e
a
’
a s ar n .

If p
,
s g w o l d ly p o m p v i
u rn in r as a n,

H e cho o s e t o l e d t q i l l i fe a a r an u ,

A d w n d e f th f m h m
n a d w i fe
r or ro o e an ,

H e t h en B u d d h s k h ll g i
a a
’
r an s a a n .
’
202 THE P U R AN I C D E I TI E S .

He p ok e d o t h e i f t g a z e d
s ,
an n n an ,

Wh e t e s s ff s e d h i g e d e y e s
n ar u u s a

H i s b o o m h e v e d w i t h h e vy s i gh s
s a a

T h e n K i g S d d h Od n sked am z d
u an a ,
a e

h o ly m wh t m k e s th e e w e e p
S a y, an , a a

A d d e e ply s i gh ? D o e s
n f
y te an a

M l i g t h e ch i l d w i t ?
a n a a

M y h e v e ly p o w e s m y i f n t k e e p
a a n r n a

Fo r t h y fa i r i n fa n t s w e a l n o fe ar s ’

D i s t u r b m e k i n g , t h e R i s h i c r i ed
’
,

N o i ll can su c h a c h i ld b et i d e
My o wn s a d lo t co mm an d s m y tear s .

In v e y g c e c o m pl e t e th y s o n
e r ra ,

O f t t h s h ll p e fe c t i s i ght g i
ru a r n a n,

A d f s bl i m
n f m e tt i
ar u er a a a n

T h e v e l wg i v e h w o
an r a r as n.

He h wh e e l o f s c r e d l o e
su c a a r

Sh ll s p e e d o e th t o o ll
a n ar r ,

A ye t h t h
s v e b e e i m ot i o n
a ne r n n set

B y p i e s t s g e o go d f y o e
r ,
or a ,
r o r .

Th e w o ld r g d t o bl e s s
of men an d o s ,

T h e w ay o f e s t d p e ce t t e ch r an a o a ,

A h ly l w t h y s o s h ll p e c h
a on a r a

A l w o f s t i l e s s i gh t e
a ess
a n r ou s n .

By h i m ll s ffe i g m e b e f e e d
sh a u r n n r

F om w kn e r i ck s p i
ea ss, s ne s, a n , an d g rie f;
F m ll t h e i ll h ll fi d e l i e f
ro a s s a n r

Wh i c h h t d l o v e i ll i b e e d
a re , ,
u s on r .

H is h an d s s h ll l o o
a se th e ch i a n s o f a ll

W ho g i e roan n ar thly b d on s co n fi d ne

W i th h l i g t ea n ou c h th w e ou n d h ll b i
s s a nd

O f th o s e w h m p i o a n s sh
’

p ar arro w g ll s a .

H is w p w e h ll p t t o fl i gh t
ord s of o r s a u

T h d ll e y f l d Cl d
u ar ra o ea en ou s

\Vh i c h h lpl m t l V i i o n s h o
e ess or a s
’
s r uds

A d le
n t h i i t e ll
c ar t l i gh t e r n ec ua s .
 2 04 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

Bu d d his m the syste m o f religion t a u ght by Bu d d h a st a r ts

, ,

wit h t h e d oct r i n e co m m o n to it a n d H i n d uis m o f t h e t r a ns m ig r a

ti o n of souls I t t h e n goes o n to s a y th a t p a i n a n d ple a su r e a r e
.

S i m ply the r esult o f K a r m a ( wo r ks ) no notice wh a teve r being ,

t a ken of the existence o r non existe n ce o f G o d I t a ssu m es t h a t

-
.

existe n ce is a n d m u st be mise r able a n d th a t the highest c o n ce i v

a ble goo d is to obt a i n e n ti r e exe m ption fr o m existe n ce D e at h .

d oes not necess a r ily b r i n g this exe m ption ; it m a y be but a n

ent r a n ce into a worse fo r m o f it th a n is a t p r esent en d u r e d .

Bu d d h a s fou r S ubli m e ve r iti es cont a ining the ge m o f his

’ “
,

syste m a r e a s follows The fi r st is th a t p a in exists the secon d

,
—
,

th a t d esi r e is t h e c a u se of p a in the t h i r d th a t p a in c a n be en d e d ,

by N i r va n a o r exemption fr o m existe n ce a n n ihil ation the fou r th

, ,

s h ows t h e w a y th a t le a d s to N irva n a T h e g r e a t thing is to get .

r i d of d esi r e a n d when th is is a cco m plishe d the so u l is r e a d y fo r

, ,

co m plete N i r van a a n d a m an d yi n g i n t h is st a te wil l n o t a g a i n

,

be bo r n H e t a ugh t th e evi l o f c a ste d istinctions a n d a ll w h o

.
,

e mb ra ce d his tenets bec a m e m e m be r s of a g r e a t b r othe r hoo d .

I n ste a d O f the p a inful m o r t i fi ca t i o n s a n d costly s a c r ifices by which

t h e H i n d us we r e co m pelle d to m a ke expi a tion fo r s i n he t a ught ,

th a t c o nfessi o n a n d p r o m ise o f a m e n d m ent were a ll th a t w a s

necess a r y I ts m o r a l co d e i s o n e o f th e most pe r fect i n the
.

w o r l d a n d t h e sp r i n g of a ll vi r tu e is M a it r i w h ich c a n only be ,

t r a n sl a te d a s ch a r ity o r l o ve I t d oes n o t exp r ess fr ie n d shi p

.
“
,

o r the feeli n g o f p a r ticul a r a ffectio n w h ich a m a n h a s fr o m o n e

or m o r e of h is fel low c r e a tu r es but th a t unive r s a l feeling

-
,

w h ic h i n spi r es u s w ith goo d will tow a r d s a ll m e n a n d co n st a nt

-

wil li n g n ess t o h elp the m .

”

The r e i s one peculi a r ity o f t h e followe r s of Bu d d h a as c o m

p a r e d with the H in d u s vi z t h e p r ese r v a tio n of a n d ve n e r a tion
,
.

fo r r el ics of thei r fo u n d e r Wit h the exception o f a legen d

.

st a ti n g th a t K r ish n a s bo n es we r e p la ce d in the i ma ge o f
’

J a g a n n at h a n d a n o the r te a chi n g th a t Vish n u c u t t h e d e a d bo d y

,

o f S a ti i n to fi ft
y o n e p a r ts e a ch of which i s now e n s h r i n e d in a
-
,

te m ple we h ave n o r eco r d o f r elics bei n g p r ese r ve d by t h e H in d us

, .

B u r n o u f, q u ote d by M ax M ll u er ,
‘
Chi p s,
’
i . 222 .
 THE K A L KI A VA T A R A . 20
5

But the B u d d hists p r ofess to h ave mo st c a r efully p r ese r ve d p ar ts

of thei r gre a t le a d er a n d i t w a s to ensh r i n e these th a t D a gob a s
,
‘

we r e built ; a r epresent a tio n o f one o f the m os t celeb r a t ed o f

t hese i n C eyl on is give n a t p a ge 1 8 9 O n e o f B u d d h a s teeth is
’
.

believe d to be p r ese r ve d in it ; in othe r s a si n gle h a i r is s a i d to

b e p r ese r ve d These D agob a s a r e n o t the m selves use d a s
.

temples though in so m e c a ses they fo r m p a r t o f bu il d ings

,

th a t h ave been use d fo r worship .

IO . TH E K A L K I A V A T AR A .

This inc a rn a tion unlike those a lre a d y d escribe d h a s yet to

, ,

be m a d e ; it i s the exp r ession o f a hope th a t he who h a s so

fr eque n tly visite d the e a r th to
r es to r e o r d er a n d h a ppiness wi ll

co m e a g a in to in a ugur a te a
r eign of u n ive r s a l goo d ness ,

pe a ce a n d prospe r ity When

,
.

Vishnu i n th e for m o f K r ishn a

re a scen d e d to he a ven the F ourth ,

o r Kali Yug a co mm ence d which , ,

a s its n a m e i m plies is a n age,

of i m pu r ity a n d d issension I n .

the Vishnu Pu r an a the ch a ra cte r

‘ ’

o f this a ge is vivi d ly d escribe d

in wo r d s th a t see m prophetic .

A t its te r m in a tion Vishnu is ex

p e ct e d to co m e a g a in be a ring ,

the n a m e K a lki to put a n e n d

,

t o wicke d ness a n d est a blish a

,

king d o m of r i gh t e o u s n e s s s i m i la r
’

K A L K I
to the F i r st o r K r i t a Y u g a— the
.

a e of T r uth These four a ges i th e s m e or d er d with the

g . n a,
a n

s a m e ch a r a cte r istics wi l l a g a i n a n d a g a in be expe r i e n ce d u n ti l

,

the fin a l e n d o f all things sh a l l co me The following ext r a ct .

2 06 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

fr o m t h e Vish n u Pu r a n a will give a n i d e a o f the evi ls of the

p r esent a ge w h ich K a lki is to r e m ove .

I n M a ga d h a a sove r eig n n a m e d V
,

i s w a s ph a t i k a will est a blish

t r ibes ; exti r p ate the K s h at t r i ya r a ce ; elev a te fishe r m e n b a r ,

b a r i a n s B r ah m a n s a n d othe r c a stes to po w e r ; whilst S u d r a s

, , ,

outc a sts a n d b a r b a r i a n s wi ll be m a ste r s of the In d us D a r vi k a

, , ,

C h a n d r a b h aga a n d K a sh m i r The ki n gs wi ll be o f c h u r lis h ‘

.
,

spi r it V iole n t te m pe r a n d eve r a d d icte d to fa lsehoo d a n d

, ,

wicke d n ess T h ey will i n flict d e a t h on wo m e n c h il d r e n a n d

.
, ,

cows ; t h ey will seize the p r operty of s ubj ects be of li m ite d ,

powe r a n d will fo r the m ost p a r t r a pi d ly r ise a n d fa l l ; thei r

, , ,

lives will be s h o r t their d esi r es i n s a ti a ble a n d they will d ispl a y

, ,

but little piety The pe o ple of v a r iou s cou nt r ies i n te r m ingling

.

wit h t h e m will follow thei r ex a m ple ; a n d the b a r b a ri a ns being

powe r fu l in the p at r on a ge o f p r inces whilst pu r e r t r ibes a r e ,

n eglecte d the people wil l pe r ish

,
We a lth a n d piety wil l .

d ec r e a se d a y by d ay until the wo r l d S h a ll be wholly d ep r a ve d

,
.

P r ope r ty a lone will co n fe r r a nk we a lth wi ll be the o n ly source ,

o f d evotion p a ssio n will be the sole bon d of union between t h e

,

sexes fa lsehoo d wi ll be t h e only m e a ns of success i n litig a tion

, ,

an d wo men will be obj ects m erely o f sensu a l g r a tific a tion .

E a r th will be vene r a te d o n ly fo r its m ine r a l tre a su r es ( i e n o . .

spot wil l be pecu li a r ly s a c r e d ) ; the Brah m a nic a l th r e a d will

c o n stitute a B r a h m a n ; exte r n a l types will be the only d i s t i n c
tions o f t h e seve r a l o r d ers of life d ishonesty will be the univers a l ,

m e a ns of subsistence we a k n ess will be the c a u se of d epen d e n ce

, ,

m en a ce a n d p r esu m pti o n will be the subte r fuge fo r le a r ning ,

l ibe r a lity wil l be d evotion si mple a blution wi ll be pu r ific a tio n

,

i e gifts will be m a d e fr o m t h e i m p u lse of or d in a ry feeling not

(. .
,

i n c o n nexio n wit h r eligious r ites o r a s a n a c t o f d evotio n a n d ,

a bluti o n will be pe r fo r m e d fo r ple a su r e o r co m fo r t n o t r eligiously ,

wit h p r esc r ibe d ce r e m o n ies a n d p r a ye r s ) M ut u a l a sse n t will .

be m a r r i age fi n e clot h es will be d ignity a n d w a te r a fa r o ff will

, ,

be estee me d a holy S p r i n g T h e people u n a ble t o be a r the .

h e avy bu r d ens i m p o se d u p o n t h e m by t h ei r a v a r icious sove r eig n s

P g
a e 62 2 .
 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

J A G A N N AT H .

This d eity is n o t reckone d a s o n e of the A va t ar a s o f Vishn u

i n t h e P u r a n ic lists ; b ut though t r a d ition d ecl a r es h i m to be
a n a ppe a r a n ce of Vis h n u h i m self a n d n o t the inc a rn a tio n of a
,

po r ti o n of his esse n ce t h e r e i s consi d e r a ble r e a so n fo r d oubti n g

,

whet h e r o r igi n a lly J a g a n n ath — the Lo r d o f the Wo r l d — h a d a n y

c o nnexio n wit h Vis h nu ; the p r ob a bility being th a t he w as the
loc a l d ivi n ity o f so m e now u n
known t r ibe whose wo r ship w a s ,

e n g r a fte d into H in d uis m a n d the

new go d when a d m itte d i n to t h e
P a n theo n w a s r eg a r d e d a s a nothe r
m a nifest ation o f Vishnu The r e a r e .

seve r a l lege n d s p r ofessing t o a c

cou nt fo r the for m in which he is
wo r shippe d a n d fo r the peculi ar
,

s a nctity o f Pu r i the c h ief pl a ce o f ,

his worship The r e is a pecu li arity

.

too in the ph r a seology e m ploye d

by the people who visit his shri n e
t h ey spe a k o f going to s ee J a g a n
n at h not to wo r ship h i m a n d i t
, ;
“
GA N N M H, is the sight of the i m a ge a s he is
being b a the d o r d r a wn in his ,

p o n d e r ous c a r th a t is so e a ge r ly d esi r e d as a m e a ns by which sin

,

i n the wo r shippe r is d est r oye d .

P r ofess o r G o ld s t ii ck e r gives the following legen d fro m t h e

"

A i n i A kb a r i i n which so m e o f the o r d in a r y notions of the

- -
,

pe o ple r especti n g J a g a n nath a r e d esc r ibe d A king d esi r ous o f .

fo u n d i n g a city se n t a le a r n e d B r ah m a n to select a p r ope r site .

T h e B r ah ma n a fte r a lo n g se a r c h r e a c h e d the s e a s h o r e a n d -
,

t h e r e s a w a c r ow d ivi n g into the w a te r whic h h avi n g w a s h e d its

,

b o d y m a d e obeis a n ce to t h e s e a U n d e r st a n d ing the l a ngu a ge

.

C h a mb e r s
’
s C y cl p o ae d i a , s . v .
 J G A NN ATH
A . 20
9

of bir d s h e le ar ne d fr om the c r ow th a t if h e r e m a ine d the r e a

,

sho r t ti m e h e wou l d comp r e h en d th e wo n d e r s o f the la n d The

, .

ki n g a pprise d of t h is occu r rence bu ilt a l a r ge city with a te m ple

, , , ,

o n the spot ne a r whe r e t h e c r ow h a d a ppe a r e d O n e nig h t the

Raj a i n a d re a m he ar d a v o i ce s a yi n g to h i m O n a ce r t a i n d a y
c a st thi n e eyes o n the s e a sho r e when the r e will a r ise fr o m t h e
-
,

w a te r a piece o f woo d 5 2 in lo n g a n d 1 8 in b r o a d this is the t r u e

. .

fo r m o f the d eity t a ke it u p a n d keep it hi d d en i n thine ho u se

seven d a ys a n d i n w h a teve r sh a pe it sh a ll then a ppe ar pl a ce it
, ,

in the te m ple a n d wo r ship it Th e Raj a a cte d upon the a d vice

.
”

given to h i m i n this d r e a m a n d w h en he h a d set u p t h e i m a ge ,

r eceive d fr o m the s e a c a lle d it J a g a nnath which pe r fo r m e d m a ny

, ,

mi r a cl es a n d bec a m e the obj ect o f worshi p o f a ll r a nks o f people

,
.

W a r d gives a so m ewh a t fu ller a ccount W hen K r i s h n a w a s .

a cci d ent a lly s h ot by the hu nte r J a i a his bones we r e left by h i m ,

t o r o t u n d er the t r ee whe r e h e d ie d u ntil so me pious pe r son ,

collecte d the m a n d pl a ce d the m i n a box whe r e they r e m a ine d , ,

u nti l I n d r a dh u m n a a king who w as e a r nestly st r iving to p r o

,

i t i a t e Vishnu w as d i r ecte d t o fo r m a n i m a ge a n d pl a ce in it these

p ,

bones with the a ssur a nce th a t he wou l d a fte r w a r d s obt a in a r ich

,

r ew a r d fo r his religious d ee d s When I n d r a dh u mn a wishe d to .

follow h is a d vice h e p r a ye d to Vi s vak a r m a to a ssist hi m by

, ,

m a king the 1 m a ge ; the a r chitect of th e go d s co n sente d t o d o

this but w as m ost c a r efu l in expl a ini n g to the king th a t i f a n y
,

o n e looke d a t h i m o r i n a n y w a y d ist u rbe d h i m whilst he w a s a t

,

wo r k h e wou l d i mm e d i a tely d esist a n d le a ve the i m a ge i n a n

, ,

unfinishe d st a te The ki n g at once p r o m ise d to obse r ve t h i s

.

con d itio n a n d Vi s va k a r m a co mm ence d his wo r k I n o n e night

,
.

he r a ise d a g r a n d te m pl e i n the blue m ou nt a i n s o f O r iss a ; a n d

w a s working a t the i m a ge i n t h e te m ple w h en a fte r r est r a i n ing ,

h is i m p a tience fo r fifteen d a ys the king foolishly t r ie d to se e t h e ,

g o d a t wo r k who a t once d isco n ti n ue d a s h e h a d s a i d a n d the

, , ,

i m a ge w as left with a m ost ugly fa ce a n d wit h out h a n d s o r feet ,

.

The ki n g being excee d i ngly g r ieve d a s h e s a w the resu lt o f his

,

cu r iosity went in h is d ist r ess to B r a h m a w h o co m fo r te d h i m with

, ,

v01 i i . . 1 03 .
3 10 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

t h e p r omise t h a t he woul d ren d e r th e i m a ge fa mou s in its present

fo r m The king invite d the go d s to be p r esent a t its i n a ugu r a
.

tio n ; B r a h m a h i m self o ffici a te d as p r iest g a ve eyes a n d a sou l ,

to t h e go d ; a n d t h u s the fa m e o f J a g a nn ath w a s co m pletely

est a blis h e d T h e o r igin a l i m a ge o f this d eity is closely copie d i n
.

othe r pl a ces besi d es P u r i by his si d e there i s gene r a lly a n i m age

o f K r ish n a s fa vou r ite b r other B a l a r a m a a n d his siste r S u b h a d r a
’
.
,

T h e fol lowi n g is t r a nsl a te d fr o m a B eng a li a ccount of J a g a n

n at h z — N aray a n a (Vishnu ) a n d his wi fe h aving t a ken u p their
a bo d e in t h e blu e mou n t a ins of O riss a whe r e he w a s known by ,

t h e n a m e o f N i lm ad h av a w a s visite d by g r e a t nu m be r s of go d s
,

a n d m e n a n d t h e neighbou r h oo d obt a i n e d the n a m e of M o k s h ya

,

k h e t t r a ( the fiel d o f e m a ncip a tion fr o m bi r ths ) A king n a me d .

I n d r a d h u m n a a son o f the S un a d evou t worshippe r o f Vishnu

, , ,

bei n g a n xiou s to p a y a visit to N i lm adh av a befo r e st a rting , ,

se n t Vi d ya p at i th e b r othe r o f his fa m ily p r iest to le a rn the

, ,

w a y to O r iss a th a t he m ight a c t a s gui d e ; who o n his r etu r n

,

g a ve such a n a ccou nt of a ll th a t h e h a d seen th a t the ki n g w as

m o r e a n xiou s to go th a n eve r H a ving m a d e h is a r r a n ge m e n ts
.
,

t aki n g his fa m i ly with h i m the king went u n d er the gu i d a nce o f

,

Vi d a pa t i but w a s m ost grievously d is a ppointe d to le a r n o n his

,

a r r iv a l the r e th a t the o d h a d wit h d r a wn hi m self fr o m public

, g
g a ze A s h e c r ie d with so r r ow a n d vex a tion a voice fr o m the
.
,

sky r e a che d h is c a r : A s yo u c a nnot see N i lm ad h a va m a ke a

“
,

woo d e n i m age a n d wo r ship th a t ; N aray a n a wil l inh a bit it a n d ,

by the sight of th e i m age you a n d ot h e r s will obt a in fi n a l e m a n

cip ation .
”
Th e k i n g followe d t h is a d vice ; a s he w a s p r ep a r ing
t o m a ke the i m a ge N a r ay a n a h i m self i n the fo r m of a n o ld
, ,

B r a h m a n n a m e d Vi s va k a r m a c a m e a n d O ffe r e d to fo r m t h e
,

i ma ge in fi fteen d ays The offe r w a s a ccep t e d a n d withi n the

.
,

s pecifie d ti m e th e i m a ge of J a g a nnath with t h ose o f his b r othe r ,

a n d siste r w a s m a d e
, .

The pec u li a r ity of the wo r sh ip o f J a g a n n ath is th a t his i m age

i s n o t o n ly wo r shippe d i n its p r ope r te m ple b u t t h r ee d a ys e a ch ,

ye a r is exp o se d to public V ie w O 11 the fi r st of these d a ys .

,

c a lle d the S u a n ja t t r a ( Ba t h i n g F estiv a l ) the i d ol is t a ken fr o m ,

its sh r ine a n d on a l ofty pl a tfo r m in sight of v a st m u ltitu d es

, , ,
2 1 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E I TI E S .

bo r n a t N a d iy a a sho r t time befo r e C h a it a ny a C h a it a ny a s .

’

fa the r w a s a B r ah m a n n a m e d J a g a n n ath M is r a ; h is m othe r s

,
’

n a m e w a s S u c h i ; thei r fi rst s o n Vi s v a mb h ar a w as a religio u s

, ,

m en d ic a nt . When thei r r enowne d s o n w a s bo r n hi s m othe r ,

w a s r a the r o ld ; a n d a s h e r chil d seeme d we a k in a cco r d a nce ,

wit h a custo m which p r ev a ile d i n th ose ti m es he w a s hung in a ,

b a sket o n a t r ee to d i e A d a i t ya h a ppening t o p a ss by th e
.

h ouse a s the c h il d lay i n th e b a sket a n d i m a gining th a t h e ,

m ight b e the inc a r n a tion o f d eity he w a s expecting a n d which ,

h e h a d fo r etol d w r ote with his foot in the soft e a r t h th e i nc a n

,

t a t i o n e m ploye d a t the initi a tion o f a d isciple into the m yste r ies

o f the wo r shi p o f K r ish n a Th e m other r eceivi n g this inc a nt a

.

tion took th e chil d d own fr o m the tree w h o i m m e d i a tely took ,

ki n d ly to his foo d wh ich h e h a d befo r e neglecte d a n d showe d

, ,

S ig n s o f st r ength a n d vigou r .

C h a it a ny a m a d e gre a t p r ogress i n l e a r ning ; a t s ixtee n he

m a r r ie d Vi s h n u p r i ya with who m he live d u nti l h e w a s fo r ty
,

fou r ye a r s of a ge when he w a s persu a d e d by A d a i t ya a n d othe r

,

m en d ic a nts to r e n ou n ce his p oi ta ( B r ah m a nic a l th r e a d ) a n d j oi n

t h e m i n thei r religiou s life Le avi n g h o m e p ar ents a n d W ife
.
, ,

he we n t to B en a res a n d m a n y thou ght h i m gu ilty o f a g r e a t

,

c r i m e i n fo r s a ki n g a l a r ge fa m ily th a t w a s d epen d ent u pon h i m

fo r su pport . O n his a r r iv a l a t th a t city h e beg a n to fo r m a new ,

sect o r pe r h a ps it wou l d be m o r e co r r ect to s a y th a t a s h e sti ll

, ,

c a lle d t h e m V a is h n a v a s o r the fol lowers o f Vishnu he i n d u ce d

, ,

those who we r e followe r s o f othe r go d s to j oi n in the wo r shi p o f

K r ishn a T h e m a i n te nets o f h is te a c h ing we r e these th a t m e n
.

s h o ul d r e n o u n ce a secu l a r life a n d spe n d thei r ti m e i n visiti n g

,

sh r i n es ; a b a n d o n the d isti nctio n s o f c a ste a n d e a t fr eely with

all who jo i n e d t h ei r sect wh a teve r their c a ste m ight be h onou r
,

t h e n a m e o fi Vish n u a n d exe r cise olza et i ( o r t r ust ) in th a t go d

,

a s the me a ns o f s a lv a tion H e a llowe d wi d ows to r e m a r r y ;

.

fo r b a d e t h e e a ti n g o f flesh a n d fish a n d the wo r shi ppi n g o f those

,

d eities to who m a ni m a l s a c r ifices we r e offe r e d ; a n d fu r t h e r ,

t h a t his d is c iples shou l d not hol d fellowsh ip with th ose who

o ffere d such s a c r ifi ces I t is a cu r iou s coi nci d ence t h a t a bou t
.

the s a m e ti m e th a t Lu th e r wa s p r e a ching s a lv a tion by fa ith i n

 K AM A D EVA . 2 1 3

E urope C h a it a ny a i n I n d i a w a s giving p r o m i n ence to the t r ut h

,

th a t s a lv a tion w as to b e obt a ine d th r ough fa ith ( é /za le ti ) i n K r ishn a .

F r o m B en a res C h a it a ny a went to P u r i t h e g r e a t sh r ine o f ,

J a g a nnath where he p r ocl a i m e d h is d octrines to the m a ny

,

pilg r i m s he met the r e ; a n d whi lst there it is s a i d th a t h e ,

obt a ine d fou r a d d ition a l a r m s A d a i t ya a n d N i t ya n a n d a r e

.

m a ine d fo r so m e ye a r s in B en a r es d oing si m il a r wo rk but a fte r

a time they retu r ne d t o the secul a r st a te a n d thei r d escen d a n ts ,

ar e gre a tly r especte d by th e me m be r s o f this sect It is .

reckone d th a t a bout one fi ft h o f the H in d u s o f B eng a l ar e

-

followers o f this te a cher I mm o r a l women g ene r a l ly p r ofess t o

.

be his d isciples a s being expelle d fr o m thei r o wn c a ste it i s

, , ,

only by th is m e a ns t h a t they ca n O bt a in fu ne r a l r ites .

K A M A D EVA .

K am a d e va, the I n d i a n C upi d is gene r a l ly r eg a r d e d a s the ,

son o f Vi sh n u a n d L aksh m i u n d e r the fo r m s o f K r ishn a a n d

,

R u k m i n i but he i s a lso d esc r ibe d

,

i n s o m e pl a ces a s a son o f B r a h m a .

The l a tte r a ccou nt o f his o r igin

a r ises prob a bly fr o m the followi n g .

I n th e Rig K a ma i s d e
‘

sc r ib e d a s the fi r st m ove m ent th a t

a r ose i n th e On e a fter i t h a d co m e,

into l ife th r o ugh the powe r o f

fe r vou r o r a bst r a ctio n I n the .

A t h a r va Ve d a this K a m a o r d e
‘ ’
-
,

si r e not o f sexu a l enj oy m ent but

, ,

o f go o d i n gene r a l is celeb r a te d
'

a s a g r e a t powe r supe r io r to a ll
A V K M AD E A .
t h e go d s a n d i s su pplic a te d for
,

d elive r a nce fr o m e n e m ies A ccor d ing to o n e hy m n i n the Rig

.

Ve d a Ka m a i s worshippe d a n d s a i d to be u nequ a lle d by t h e

,
’

Mui O r, . S T
. .
,
V .
40 2 .
2 1 4r THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

go d s ; a cco r d i n g to a n o t h er he is the go d of sexu a l love like

, ,

t h e E r o s o f t h e G r eeks a n d C u pi d of the L a ti n s
,
I n the l a tte r .

a spect h e i s th u s a d d r esse d M a y K a m a h a vi n g wel l d i r ecte d

“
,

t h e a r r ow w hich is wi n ge d with p a i n b a r be d with l o n ging a n d

, , ,

h a s d esi r e fo r its sh a ft pie r ce t h ee i n th e he a r t A n d it i s in

”
.
,

this c h a r a cte r th a t he a ppe a r s i n the Pu r an a s .

K am a i s known in H i n d u Mythology a s the victi m o f S iv a s ’

a n ge r A d e m on n a m e d Ta r a k a h a vi ng g r e a tly d istresse d the

.
,

S i vA S LA Y I N G K AM A D EVA .

g o d s i t w a s s a i d th a t only a s o n o f S iv a cou l d d elive r t h e m ;

,

bu t in c o n seq u e n ce of h i s i n te n se g r ief a t the loss o f h i s w ife

S a ti S iv a h a d beco m e insensi b le to love T h e go d s t h e r efo r e
, .

i n stig a te d K am a t o wo u n d h i m with h i s a r r ows a n d a t l a st his ,

e ffo r ts p r ove d s u c c e s s fu l u s t a s P ar v a ti S ti in fo rm
, j ( a a n e w )
w a s n e a r w h o a t o n ce c a ptiv a te d th e st r icken d eity
,
A n gry .

wit h Ka ma fo r his p r esu m pti o n he c a use d a fl a m e to is s u e fr o m

,

h is t h i r d eye wh ic h consu m e d to a shes the go d wh o h a d

,
2 1 6 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

W h ilst t h e w a s won d e r i n g w h o this cou l d be a n d h o w it c a m e ,

t h e r e N a r a d a c a m e to s a tisfy h e r cu r i osity a n d s a i d to th e
, ,

g r a cefu l d a m e : T h is is the son o f h i m by w h om t h e who le

“

w o r l d is c r e a te d a n d d est r o ye d ; th e son of Vis h nu who w a s ,

st o le n by S a m b a r a fr o m the lyi n g i n ch a mbe r a n d tosse d by -

,

h i m i n to t h e s e a whe r e h e w a s sw a llowe d by the fis h

,
H e is .

n o w i n thy powe r ; d o t h ou be a utifu l w o m a n te n d e r ly r e a r th e

, ,

j ewel of m a nkin d T h u s cou n sel le d by N a r a d a M ayad e vi took

.
”
,

ch a r ge of the boy a n d c a r efu lly r e a r e d h i m fr o m chil d hoo d being

, ,

fa sci n a te d by t h e be a uty o f his pe r son The a ffectio n bec a m e .

still m o r e i m p a ssione d when h e w a s d ecor a te d w ith t h e b loom

o f a d olesce n ce . The g r a cefu lly m oving M ayad e vi then fixing -
,

h e r he a r t a n d eyes upon th e h igh m in d e d P r a d yu m n a g a ve hi m -

, ,

w h o m she r eg a r d e d a s he r self a ll her m a gic a n d illusive a r ts ,

.

Obse r vi n g these m a r ks o f p a ssion a te a ffection the s o n o f ,

K r i sh n a s a i d to t h e lotus eye d M ayad e vi Why d o you in d u lge

-
‘

i n feeli n gs so u nbeco m ing the ch a r a cter of a m othe r ? T o wh ic h

’

s h e r eplie d : Thou a r t not a son o f m ine ; thou a r t the son of

‘

Vish n u who m Kal a S a mb a r a c a r r ie d a w a y a n d t h rew into th e

,

s ea ; th o u w a st sw a llowe d by a fish b ut w a st r escu e d by me ,

fr o m its belly Thy fon d m othe r is still weepi n g fo r t h ee When

. .
’

t h e v a li a n t P r a d yu m n a he a r d this he w a s fi lle d with w r a th a n d , ,

d efie d S a m b a r a to b a ttle I n th e co n flict the son of M ad h ava

.

sle w the hosts of S a mb a r a S even ti m es he fo ile d the d elusio n s

.

of the e n ch a n te r a n d m a king h i m self m a ster o f the eig h t h

, , ,

tu r n e d it a g a inst S a m b a r a a n d kille d h i m By th e s a m e fa cu lty .

h e a sce n d e d i n to the a i r a n d p r ocee d e d to h is fa the r s h ouse

,
’

w h e r e h e a lighte d a lo n g with M ayava t i in the inne r a p a r t m e n ts

\
.
,

Vh en the wo m en be h el d P r a d yu m n a they thought i t w a s

,

K r is h n a h i m self R u k m i n i her eyes d i mm e d with te a r s spoke

.
, ,

t e n d e r ly t o h i m a n d s a i d
, H a ppy i s she who h a s a son like this ,

i n t h e bloo m of yo u th S u ch woul d be t h e age o f my P r a d yu m n a

.
,

i f h e we r e a live Who i s the fortun a te mot h e r a d o r n e d by t h ee

.

A n d ye t fr o m thy a ppe a r a n ce a n d fr o m the a ffection I feel fo r ,

thee t h ou a r t a ssu r e d ly the son o f H a r i

, .
’

“
A t t h is m o m ent K r ishn a a n d N a r a d a a r r ive d a n d the l a tte r

s a i d to R u k m i n i : Th is is thine o w n s o n wh o h a s come hither

‘
,
 K AM A D EVA . 2 I 7

a fter killing S a m b a r a b y who m when a n i nfa nt h e w a s stolen

,
.

This is the V i r tuous M ayava t i his wife a n d not the wife o f , ,

S a m b a r a H e a r the re a son W h en M a n m a th a ( K am a ) t h e
. .
,

d eity o f love pe r is h e d the go d d ess o f be a u ty d esi r ou s to secure

, , ,

his r eviv a l a ssu m e d a d elu sive fo r m a n d by h e r ch a r m s fa scin a te d

, ,

the d e m on S a m b a r a a n d ex h ibite d h erself to hi m i n v a r iou s

,

i llusory e n j oy m ents This thy s o n i s the d escen d e d K am a ; a n d

. t

this is the go d d ess R a ti his wi fe .

’

K a m a i s u su a lly r ep r ese n te d a s a be a utifu l youth hol d ing i n ,

his h a n d s a b o w a n d a r r ows o f flo we r s H e t r avels a bout .

th r ough t h e three wo r l d s a cco m p a ni e d by hi s wife R a ti th e ,

'

cuckoo the hu m m ing bee sp r ing pe r sonifie d a n d gentle b r eezes

,
-
, ,
.

A lthough in B eng a l n o i m a ges a r e m a d e to r ep r esent h i m he is ,

wo r shippe d a t the ti m e of m a r r i a ge an d h a ppiness in the m a r r ie d ,

st a te a n d o ffsp r ing a r e sought fo r fr o m h i m A n d p ar t of the .

h y m n r efe r re d to a bove fr o m the A t h a r va Ve d a is cont a i n e d ‘

-
’

i n the H in d u m a r r i a ge r itu a l .

K a m a h as m a ny n a m es in d ic a tive o f the influence he i s

s uppose d to exe r t a m ongst m e n A m ongst othe r s m ay be .
'

m entio n e d
M a d a n H e who intoxic a tes wit h l ove
,
“
.

M a n m a t h a H e w h o a git a tes the m in d

,
“
.

M a r a H e who wou n d s
, .
”

P r a d yu m n a H e w h o conque r s a ll
, .

A ma ng a H e who is withou t a bo d y
,

K u s h u me s u H e whose a r r ows a r e flowers

,
.
2 1 8 T H E P U RAN I C D E ITI E S .

C H A PT E R VI .

S I VA .

S I V A is the thi r d pe rso n the H in d u T r i a d A s B r a h m a w as

of .

C r e a tor Vishnu P r e ,

se r ver i n o r d er to
,

co m plete the syste m ,

a s a ll things a r e sub

ject to d ecay a ,

D estroye r w a s meces
s ar y ; a n d d est r uction
i s r eg a r d e d as the
pecu li a r wo r k o f S iv a .

This see m s sc a r cely

in h a r m ony with t h e
fo r m by w h ich this
d eity i s rep r esente d ,

but it m ust be r e
m e m bere d th a t a c ,

co r d i n g to the te a ch
ing of Hinduism ,

d e a th i s n o t d e a th i n
t h e sense of p a ssi n g
i n to non existen ce -
,

bu t si m ply a c h a n ge
i n to a n e w fo r m of
life H e w h o d est r oys
.
,

t h e r e fo r e c a u s e s
I VA
S .

beings to assume
n e w p h a ses of existe n ce — th e D est r oyer i s r e a lly a r e C r e a to r -
;
h e n ce the n a m e S iv a the B r ight o r H a ppy O ne i s given to
, ,
2 20 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

h im ,
whic h ce r t a inly wou l d not h a ve been t h e c a se h a d he bee n
r eg a r d e d a s the d est r oye r i n the o r d in ar y m e a n i n g o f th a t te r m .

I n t h e l a te r H i n d uis m a s t a ught i n the E pics a n d P u r a n a s

, ,

S iv a pl ays a m ost i m po r t a nt p a r t seve r a l books h aving been ,

w r itten fo r the speci a l pu r pose o f celeb r a ting his p r a ise ; yet

hi s n a m e even a s t h a t o f a go d d oes not occu r i n the Ve d a s
, ,
.

B ut in o r d e r to g a i n fo r h i m g r e a te r r eve r ence a m o n gst m e n he ,

i s d ecl a r e d to be the Ru d r a o f t h e Ve d a s I n so m e p a ss a ges .

i n t h e Ve d a s Ru d r a is i d entifie d with A g n i ; yet t h e d isti n ctive

“
,

epit h ets a pplie d to R u d r a i n the Rig Ve d a a ppe a r su ffi cie n tly -

t o p r ove t h a t he w a s gene r a lly d isc r imin a te d from A gni by his

”
e a r ly wo r s h ippe r s .

“
Betwee n t h e texts fro m th e B r ah m a n a s rel a tive to Ru d r a ,

a n d t h e e a r liest d esc r iptions o f the s a m e d eity wh ich we d iscove r

in t h e E pic poe m s a wi d e ch a s m i nte r venes which a s fa r as I

, , ,

a m aw a r e no genui n e a ncie n t m a te r i a ls exist for b r i d gi n g ove r

, .

T h e Ru d r a o f t h e M a h abha r a t a is not i n d ee d ve r y d iffe r ent i n

h is ge n e r a l ch ar a cte r fr o m t h e go d of t h e s a m e n a m e wh o i s
po r t r aye d in the S a t a r u d r i ya bu t i n t h e l a te r lite r a tu r e his i m
,

po r t a nce is i mm ensely i n c r e a se d his a ttributes a r e m o r e cle a r ly,

d efi n e d a n d the conceptions ente r t a ine d o f hi s pe r son a r e

,

r e n d e r e d mo r e d istinct by the a d d ition of v a r io u s a d d ition a l

fe a t u r es a n d illust r a te d by nu m e r ous legen d s I n ste a d o f r e .

m a i n i n g a s u bo r d i n a te d eity a s he w a s i n th e Ve d ic A ge Ru d r a
, ,

h a s th r ow n A gni Vayu S u r y a M it r a a n d V a r un a co m pletely

, , , ,

i n to t h e sh a d e ; a n d a lt h ough I n d r a sti ll occu pies a p r o m ine n t

pl a ce i n the E pic legen d s he h a s su nk d own i n to a subo r d in a te
,

p o siti o n a n d is qu ite u n a ble to c o m pete in powe r a n d d ig n ity

,

with R u d r a w h o togethe r with Vishnu n o w e n g r osses the a l m ost

, , ,

excl u sive w o r shi p o f t h e Brah m a n ic a l w o r ld T .

”

I n t h e fo ll o wi n g texts fr o m the r efe r r ing to R u d r a ,

wil l be see n t h e ge r m s of so m e of the legen d s foun d i n the l ate r

b o o ks c o n ce r n i n g S iv a Wh a t c a n we u tte r to Ru d r a the ,

i n tellige n t the st r o n g t h e m ost bou n tiful which sh a ll be m ost

, , ,

ple a s a n t t o his h e a r t th a t so A d iti m a y b r i n g Ru d r a s he a li n g

,
’

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
i v 40 4
. . I bid .
1 I bid iV 2 99 ff
 S I VA . 22 1

to o u r c a ttle a n d m e n a n d kine a n d chil d re n ? We seek fr o m

, , ,

Ru d r a the lo r d o f songs the l o r d of s a c r ifices who possesses

, , ,

he a li n g re m e d ies his a u spicious fa vou r ; fr o m h i m who i s

,

b r i lli a n t a s the s un who shines like gol d who is the be st a n d

, ,

m ost bou n tifu l o f the go d s W e invoke wit h obeis a nce the

”
.

r u d d y bo ar of the sky with spi r a lly b r a i d e d h a i r a b r illi a n t

, ,

for m . Fa r be fr o m u s t h y cow sl a ying a n d m a n sl a ying

“ - -

we a pon I n t h e s a m e hy m n Ru d r a is c a lle d the fa t h e r of the

.

M a ruts o r S to r m go d s to expl a in whic h t h e co mm e n t a tor

-

i n t r o d uces a legen d o f a l a te r d a te which is fo u n d i n the a ccount

o f the M a r uts P a r t I c h ap V I n not h e r hy m n Ru d r a i s
( i i.
) a . . .

t h us a d d r esse d : Thou fi t ly h ol d est a r r ows a n d a bow ; fi t ly

“

thou [w e a r e s t ] a glo r iou s n e ckl a ce o f eve r y fo r m [o f be a uty] .

The n a m e S iv a m ay h a ve been connecte d with Ru d r a fr o m a

ve r se i n the Vajas a n e yi r ece n sion of the white Y aj ur Ve d a ‘
,
’

w h erein Ru d ra i s thu s a d d r esse d : Th o u a r t gr a cious ( S iv a ) “

by n a me O t h e r epithets which a r e a fte r w a r d s exten d e d into

.
”

legen d s a r e seen in a pra yer i n the s a m e Ve d a : S h ine u pon

,

u s d wel ler in th e mou n t a in with th a t blesse d bo d y o f thine

, ,

which is a uspiciou s T M a y h e who gli d es a w a y blue necke d .

” “
,
-

a n d r e d co lo u 1 e d be g r a ciou s u n to us Revere n ce to the blu e ’

n ecke d to the t h ous a n d eye d to the bountiful a n d t o the lo r d

, , ,

o f spi r its a n d to t h e lo r d o f t h ieves

”
,

I n t h e followi n g a ccou nt o f Ru d r a s bi r th h e is i d entifie d with ’

A gni . T h e lo 1 d o f bei ngs w a s a househol d e r a n d U sh a s ( The ,

D a wn ) w a s his wife A boy w a s bo r n ( to the m) m a ye a r The. .

boy wept P r aj ap a ti s a i d to h i m B oy w h y d ost thou weep

.
,
‘
, ,

since t h ou h a st been bo r n a fte r toil a n d a u ste r ity ” T h e b o y

s a i d : M y evi l h as not been t a ken a w a y a n d a n a m e h as not ,

been given to m e Give me a n a m e P r aj ap a ti s a i d T h ou a r t

. .
’
,
‘

Ru d r a I n a s m uc h a s he g a ve h i m th a t n a m e A gni bec a m e his

.
’

for m fo r R u d r a is A gni H e w as Ru d r a bec a use he wept ( fr om

, .

r zm
’
,
to This a ccount o f the bi r th of Ru d r a a g r ees
with th a t of the Vishnu a n d M ar k a n d e ya P uran a s a n d to some ,

extent with th a t o f othe r s .

Mui r, O . S T
. .
,
iv 322 . .
f
"
I bi d p . .
326 .
1 I bid . i v 341
.
222 T H E P U R AN I C D E IT I E S .

I t is i m possible to give a con n ecte d a ccount o f th e l ife o f thi s

d eity .
H is c a r ee r h as n o t a d efi n ite ch a r a cte r like a n A v a ta r a
o f Vishnu w h e r e i t w a s possible to give a h isto r y o f his bi r t h
, ,

l ife a n d d e a th ; t h ough h e often a ppe a r e d o n e a r th i n hu m a n

,

fo r m a n d d welt fr eq u e n tly a t h is fa vou r ite city B en a r e s his home

, , ,

being a t K a il a s a o n the H i m al a y a s A ll th a t c a n be d one i s to .

give a few of the m a ny lege n d s fou n d in t h e s a c r e d books i n w h ich ,

h is c h a r a c t e r a n d wo r ks a r e d esc r ibe d by which we m a y le a rn ,

t h e i d e a of the age in whi ch they we r e w r itten r especting S iv a .

R u d r a a cco r d ing to the Ra m ay a n a m a r r ie d U ma the d a ughte r

, , ,

of D a ksh a who a ppe a r s in v a r ious st a ges o f th e life o f S iv a a s

,

P a r v a ti D u r ga Kali & c F e a r i n g th a t t h e chil d r en of suc h

, , ,
.

p a r ents woul d be m ost d a n ge r o us to live with the go d s e n t r e a te d ,

S iv a an d U m a to live a l ife o f ch a stity : to this they co n sente d ,

but the request c a m e too l a te to p r eve n t the bi r th of K a r tike y a .

U m a t hen d ecl a r e d th a t the wives o f a ll the go d s s h o u l d be

c h il d less Ru d r a took a p r o m inent position a m ongst the
.

go d s a t the chu r n ing of the oce a n ; h e d r a n k t h e poison a s

n ect a r th a t w as p r o d uce d befo r e the A m r it a wh ich c a use d ,

h is n eck to beco m e d a r k colou r e d — he n ce o n e o f h is n a m es is

-
,
”
N i lk an t a the blue n eck ed
,
“ -
.

A s U m a w a s sitting with h e r hu sb a n d in thei r home o n M ou nt

K ail a s a seei n g t h e go d s p a ss by in t h eir ch ar i o t s s h e w a s tol d
'

, ,

t h a t t h ey we r e p r ocee d i n g a t h e r fa t h e r s invit a tion to t a ke p a r t

,
’

i n a g r e a t s a c r ifice th a t h e w a s a bout to m a ke A s S iv a h a d .

o ffe n d e d h i m he w a s n o t i n vite d by his fa the r i n law T h e

,
- -
.

‘
B h ag a v a t a Pu r an a gives the ca u se of this slig h t u pon S iv a
’

O n one occ a sion the go d s a n d Rishis we r e a sse m ble d a t a

s a c r ifice celeb r a te d by the Pr aj ap a tis O n D a ksh a s entr a nce .
’

a ll r o se t o s a lute h i m excepting h is fa ther B r a h m a a n d M a ha d ev a

( S iv a) D. a ks h a a fter m a ki n g h is obeis a n ce to B r a h m a s a t d own

, ,

by his co m m a n d but w a s offen d e d a t the t r e a t m e n t h e r eceive d

,

fr o m S iv a Seei n g h i m p r eviously se a te d D a ks h a d i d not b r ook

.
,

this w a n t of r espect b u t looki n g a t h i m obliquely wit h his eyes ,

a s i f c o n s u m i n g h i m thus sp a ke H e a r m e ye B r a h m a n Ris h is
. , ,

M u i r, o s T . . .
,
iv 378
. ff
.
2 24 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

l iq u o r s a r e the d eity H e a r ing this i m p r ec a tion S iv a a n d his

.
’

fo llo w e r s left the a sse mbly while D a ks h a a n d the othe r P r aj a ,

p a tis celeb r a te d fo r a thous a n d ye a rs the s a c r ifice i n whic h

"

”
Vish n u w as t h e obj ect of ve n e r a tion .

The en mity th u s co mm ence d between S iv a a n d D a ksh a con

ti n n e d ; a n d i n consequence a t the g r e a t s a c r ifice m a d e when ,

h e w a s a ppointe d chief of the P r aj ap a tis by B r a h m a S iv a w a s ,

n o t i n vite d a n d U m a w a s g r e a tly g r ieve d as h e r h u sb a n d tol d

, ,

h er ,
The fo r me r p r a ctice o f the go d s h a s been t h a t in a ll
“

s ac r ifices no po r tion shou l d b e d ivi d e d to me By custo m .

,

est ablishe d by the e a r liest a r r a n ge m e n t the go d s l a wfu lly a llot ,

m e no s h a r e in the s a c r ifice T h e M a h ab h ar a t a then s a ys th a t ”

.

“
Siv a g o es wit h his a tten d a nts a n d puts a n e n d to th e s a c r ifice , ,

w h ich t a ki n g t h e fo r m o f a d ee r is fol lowe d by S iv a i nto th e

, ,

sky A d r op o f pe r spi r a tion fa lls fr o m his fo r ehe a d fr o m which

.
,

a fi r e p r ocee d s o u t o f which a fo r m i d a bl e being i s bo r n J v a r a

, ,

( F eve r
) whic h bu,
r ns u p the othe r thi n gs p r ep a r e d fo r the
s ac r ifice a n d puts to flight the go d s B r a h m a now a ppe a r s to
,
.

S iv a p r o m ises th a t the go d s sh a ll he n cefo r th give S iv a a sh a r e

,

in t h e s a c r ifices a n d p r oposes th a t J va r a sh a ll be a llowe d to

,

r a n ge o ve r th e e a rth .

The B h aga va t a l gives a mo r e lengthy a n d d iffe r e n t a ccou n t

''

of the te r m in a tio n of D a ksh a s s a c r ifice S a ti ( U m a) w a s m ost ’

.

a n xious to a tten d h e r fa the r s s a crifice a n d though h e r husb a n d

’

t r ie d to d issu a d e h e r she d is r eg ar d s his w a r n ing a n d goes but

,
“
,

bei n g slighte d by h e r fa the r r ep r o a ches h i m fo r his hostility to ,

h e r h usb a n d a n d th r e a ten s to a b a n d on h e r co r po r e a l fr a m e by
,

which she w a s co n n ecte d with her p a r ent S he then volu n t a r ily .

gives u p t h e g h ost S eeing this S iv a s a tten d a nts who h a d .

,
’

fo llo we d h e r r ush on D a ksh a to sl a y h i m

, This is prevente d .
”
,

a n d S iv a s fo llowers a r e put to fl ight ; bu t whe n S iv a he a r d o f

’

S a ti s d e a th being g r e a tly a n ge r e d fr o m a lock of his h a i r

’

, ,
“

w h ich h e t o r e o u t a gig a ntic d e m on a r ose ( n a m e d Vi r a b h a d r a )

,

w h o m h e co m m a n d e d to d est r oy D a ks h a a n d his s a c r ifice .

The P j ap
ra ve
a ti s , s e n, ten , or t w e ty n -
one in nu mb e r , ac c o r d i n g to v ar i o u s
aut h ori ti e s , a r e t h e f th e s
a r of th e h u man r a ce .
“
1 M u ir, O . S T . .
,
iv 3 82
. .
 S I VA . 2 2 5

This w as cco m plishe d ; for h e plucke d o u t Bh r i gu s be a r d to r e

a
’

out B h ag a s eyes k n ocke d o u t P us h a n s teet h a n d cut o ff

’
,
’

D a ks h a s he a d I n t h eir d ist r ess the go d s r esorting to Bra h m a

’
.
, ,

fo r a d vice a r e a d vise d to p r opiti a te S iv a to a cco m plish whic h

, ,

they r eso r t to K a il a s a whe r e t h ey se e S iv a c a r r yi n g t h e li n g a

,
“

d esi r e d by d evotees a shes a st a ff a tuft o f h a i r a n a n telope s

’

, , , ,

skin a n d a d igit o f the m oon his bo d y s h ining like a n evening

, ,

clou d ”
. S iv a i n p a r t r elents a n d a llows D a ks h a to h ave a go a t s ,
’

h e a d : the s a c r ifice is co m plete d a n d Vis h n u gives a n a d d r ess ,

in which he s h ows t h a t he i s the s up r e m e d eity a n d t h a t t h e ,

troubles o f his wo r shippe r s a r ise fro m i m agini n g t h e m selves t o

be d i fferent fro m h i m D a ksh a wo r s h ips S iv a a n d U m a w h o.
, ,

h a d volunt a r ily given up h e r self to th e fl a mes a n d thu s beco m e ,

a S a ti w a s r e born a s P arv a ti bei n g the d a ughte r of H i m a v a t

,
-
, ,

the go d o f the H imal a y a s a n d M ena .

S iv a a d opte d th e g a r b a n d live d the life o f a n a scetic a n d , ,

though g enera lly worshi ppe d u n d er the fo r m o f th e Ling a h e ,

“
i s represente d in h u m a n fo r m living in the H i m al a y a s a lo n g ,

with P a r va ti so m eti m es i n th e a ct o f tr a m pling o n o r d estroyi n g

,

d e m o n s we a r i n g r oun d h is bl a ck n e c k a s er pe n t a n d a neckl a ce
,

of sku lls a n d fu r nishe d wit h a whol e a pp a ra tus o f exte r n a l

,

e m ble m s such a s a white bul l o n w h ich he r i d es a t r i d ent tige r s

, , ,
’

skin eleph a nt s ski n r a ttle noos e & c H e h a s th r ee eyes one

,
’

, , , .
,

being in his fo r ehe a d in a llusion eith e r to t h e t h r ee Ve d a s o r

, ,

ti m e p a st p r esent a n d futu r e H e h a s a c r escent on his fo r e h e a d

, , .
,

t h e m oon h avi n g been given to h i m a s his sh a r e o f t h e pr o

d ucts o f the c h u r ning o f t h e oce a n A g a i n M a h a d ev a o r t h e g r e a t .
,

d eity S iv a is so m eti m es con n ecte d wit h hu m a n ity in a not h e r p e r

,

s o n i fi ca t i o n ve r y d iffe r ent fr o m t h a t j u st n ote d v i z th a t o f a n a u s

, ,
.

te r e a scetic wit h m a tte d h a i r l iving in a forest an d te a ching m e n

, ,

by his o wn ex a m ple fi r st the powe r to be obt a ine d by pe n a n ce

, ,

apa s ) m o r t i fi c a t i o n o f the bo d y a n d supp r essio n o f t h e

( t , p a s ,

sions a n d secon d ly t h e g r e a t vi r tu e o f abstr a ct m e d it ati o n a s

,
‘
, ,

l e a d i n g to the loftiest spi r itu a l knowle d ge a n d ulti m a tely to u n 1on ,

o r a ctu a l i d e n tific a tio n wit h the g r e a t spi r it of t h e u n ive r se

”
.

I n d i an W i sd o m p ,
’
.
3 5
2 .
2 26 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

The followi n g legen d fro m the Vama n a Pu r an a d esc r ibes the ‘

o r d i n a r y life of S iv a a s a n a scetic D evi ( Pa r v a ti ) opp r esse d .

,

w it h violent he a t th u s a d d r esse d h e r lo r d O Ish a ! the he a t “

,

i n c r e a ses i n violence : h a st thou no h ouse to w h ich we m ight

r ep a i r a n d ,
the r e a bi d e p r otecte d fro m t h e win d the he a t the
, , ,

col d S a nk a r a r eplie d I a m O lovely One wit h ou t a shelte r “

, , ,
”
a co n st a nt w a n d e r er i n fo r ests H a ving thus spoken S a nk a r a .
,

w it h S a ti r e m a ine d d u r ing the h ot se a son u n d e r t h e sh a d e of

t r ees ; a n d w h en it w as p a sse d the r a iny se a so n wit h its d a rk ,

cl o u d s succee d e d O n behol d ing whi ch S ati s a i d to S iv a :

.
,

H e a r t a git a ti n g wi n d s d o blow O M ah e s h w a r a a n d r ush

-
, ,

i n g to r r e n ts r o a r ; let m e e n t r e a t thee to buil d a hou se o n

K a il a s a w h e r e I m a y a bi d e with thee i n co m fo r t
,
S iv a replie d .

O m y belove d I h ave no r iches fo r the e r ection of a house n o r

, ,

am I possesso r o f a ught else th an a n elep h a nt s skin fo r a ’

”
g a r m e n t a n d se r pe
,
n ts fo r m y orn a m e n ts Th e sou l o f S iv a .
,

h a ving he a r d these h a rs h wo r d s see m ingly t r ue but d evoi d of , ,

t r ut h w as a l a r m e d a n d looking on the g r oun d with b a shfu l n ess

, ,

a n d a nge r s a i d : T h e n s ay O S a mb h u h o w c a n we p a ss i n
“
, , ,

c o m fo r t the r a iny se a son un d e r th e sh a d e o f t r ees ? S iv a

r eplie d : With ou r bo d ies cove r e d with a clou d O lovely O n e
“
, ,

s h a l l t h e r a iny se a so n p a ss without a n y r a in fa lling o n thy te n d e r

fr a m e .H aving thus sp o ken H a r a ( S iv a) stoppe d a clou d a n d , , ,

w it h the d a ug h te r o f D a ks h a fixe d his a bo d e within it a n d , ,

h e n ce h a s he si n ce been celeb r a te d i n he a ven u n d e r the n a m e of

] i m u 1a Kitu (-he whose b a n ne r is a clou d ) When the r a ins we r e .

o ve r they took u p t h ei r a bo d e o n M ount M a n d a r a

,
.

The h o m e l ife of S iv a a n d his spou se d oes not a ppe a r to h a ve

b ee n of t h e h a ppiest A s they cou l d e a ch bestow gifts u po n
.

t h ei r wo r s h ippe r s it so m eti m es h a ppe n e d t h a t the o n e w a nte d to

,

bless those w h o m the ot h e r wishe d to c u r se I n the Ra m ay a n a .

a n d M a h ab h ar a t a Tis a n a cco u n t of a d isp u te betwee n the m i n ~

c o n n exion with t h e st r uggle between R ama a n d Rav a n a I n .

t h e e a r l ie r p a r t o f the co n test Ra ma bei n g u n able to o ve r t h r ow ,

h is ene my bec a u se of the a ssist a n ce a ffo r d e d h i m by S iv a the ,

‘
H md u M yt lr ,
’
p . 2 93 .
”
1 W a rd , ii I 79
228 T H E P U RAN I C D E ITI E S .

a co r pore a l fo r m wit h five h e a d s ( B r a h m a ) Then a lso w a s p r o .

d u c e d fr o m the qu a lity of d a r k n ess a nothe r fo r m wit h th r ee eyes

a n d twiste d locks a n d be a r i n g a r os a r y a n d a t r i d ent
,
B r ah m a .

n ext c r e a te d A h a n k a r a ( consciousness of in d ivi d u a l existence ) ,

w h ic h i m me d i a tely perv a d e d the n a tu r e o f both go d s a n d un d e r

its i nflue n ce Ru d r a s a i d to B r a h m a S ay O lo r d h ow c a m est ,
“
, ,

t h ou hit h e r a n d by w h om we r t thou c r e a te d ?
,
B r ah m a a sks ”

i n r etu r n A n d w h e r e h a ve you co m e fr o m ?
,
“
The r esult i s a ”

te r r ible qu a r r el in which S iv a i n fl a m e d with a nge r cu t off th e

, , ,

fift h he a d o f B r a h m a which h a d u ttere d t h e bo a stfu l wo r d s

, .

But when S iv a t r ie d to throw t h e h e a d to th e g r oun d it wou l d ,

not fa ll but r e m a i n e d in his h a n d

,
B r a h m a then c r e a te d a .

gi a nt to sl a y S iv a in his we a kene d st a te c a use d by t h e sin o f ,

i nj u r ing B r a h m a th e fa ther of B r ah m a ns to esc a pe fr o m whom

, ,

S iv a fle d to Ben a r es T h e p articu l a r s a nctity o f B en a r es a r ises

.

fr o m t h e fa ct th a t it w a s the r e th a t S iv a bec a m e a bsolve d fr om

h is sin a n d w as the r efo r e fr ee d fr o m th e d issevere d he a d o f
,

B r a hma w h ic h a s a pen a nce h e w as d oo m e d to c a r r y with hi m

,

w he r ever h e went I t wa s in his a tte m pt to get fr ee fr o m the

.

s i n of B r ah m a n i c i d e t h a t S iv a bec a m e a w a n d e r ing m en d ic a nt .

The o r d i n a r y n a m e by w h ich S iv a 1 5 k n own I S M a ha d ev a the ,

g r e a t go d the o r igi n o f this is t a ught i n the M a h ab h a r a t a

,
.

The A su r a s h a d a boo n bestow e d on the m by B 1 ah m a th a t they ,

shoul d h ave t h r ee c a stles w h ich s h ou l d be d est r uctible o n ly by

t h e d eity who sho u l d be a ble to ove r t h row c a stles by a single
a r r ow Owi n g to this d efence they beco m e m ost h a tefu l to t h e
”
.
,

o t h e r go d s who in thei r d ist r ess we n t to B r a h m a who con d ucts

, , , ,

t h e m to M a h a d ev a S iv a tells the m t h a t h e a lo n e c a nnot

.

d est r oy t h ese c a stles but th a t wit h t h e a i d of h a lf h is st r engt h

, , ,

t h ey t h e m selves woul d be a ble to ove r co m e thei r e n e m ies T h ey .

a n swe r e d t h a t t h ey c o ul d not sust a i n h a l f h i s st r ength bu t p r o ,

pose d t h a t h e s h oul d u n d e r t a ke t h e wo r k a i d e d by h a lf t h ei r
st r e n gt h M a h a d ev a conse n te d t o this a n d by this m e a ns b e
.
,

c a m e st r o nge r t h a n a ll t h e go d s a n d wa s t h encefo r w a r d c a lle d ,

M a h ad ev a N o twit h st a n d ing this i n the a ccount of P a r a s u r am a

.
,

M u ir, O . S . T .
,
iv .
 S I VA . 229

a legen d is given in which Vishnu s supe r iority to S iv a i s shown

’

whilst in t h e P u r an a s d evote d to S iv a s p r a ise it is d istinctly

’

a ffi r m e d th a t B r a h ma a n d Vishnu a r e i nfe r io r to h i m .

The u n ity o f th e v a r ious d eities is t a ught in the followi n g

—A s L a ksh mi a n d D u r ga we r e sitting togethe r in the

H A R- HA R I .

presence o f S iv a L a ksh m i conte n d e d th a t h e r hu sb a n d ( Vishnu )

,

w a s g r e a te r t h a n S iv a bec a use S iv a h a d wo r shippe d h im

,
As
.

W ar d , ii . 1 90 .
2 30 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

t h ey we r e conve r sing Vish n u hi m self a ppe a r e d a n d i n o r d e r to , ,

co n vince h is wife th a t h e a n d S iv a we r e equ a l ente r e d the bo d y ,

of S iv a a n d they bec a m e o n e A nothe r fo r m of t h is sto r y is

,
.

fou n d in t h e S k a n d a S iv a a ske d Vishnu o n one

‘

occ a sion to a ssu me th e fo r m of a be a utifu l wo m a n as he d i d ,

a t the ch u r ni n g o f the oce a n to a tt r a ct the a tte n tio n o f the ,

A su r a s w h ilst t h e go d s d r a nk t h e A m r it a Vish nu co n senti n g .

to d o t h is S iv a bec a m e excite d a n d so u ght to e m b r a ce h e r

,
.

A s Vishnu r a n a w a y S iv a foll o we d a n d thoug h Vishnu r esu m e d

,

his p r ope r fo r m S iv a cl a spe d hi m so ti ghtly th a t t h ei r bo d ies

,

bec a m e one a n d t h e n a m e H a r H a r i is given to t h e d eities thus

,
-

u n ite d .

S iv a is a lw a ys r ep r esente d a s h aving a th ir d eye situ a te d i n ,

t h e m i d d le of his fo r ehe a d the r e a son o f this peculi a r ity is give n

i n the M a h abhar a t a ] A s S iv a w a s se a te d o n the H i m al a y a s ,

w h e r e h e h a d been eng a ge d i n a u ste r ities U m a a tten d e d by h e r , ,

co m p a n io n s a n d d r esse d a s a n a scetic c a m e u p be h in d h i m a n d ,

pl ayfu lly put h e r h a n d s ove r hi s eyes Th e effect of thi s w a s .

t r e m e n d ous S u d d enly t h e wo r l d bec a m e d a r kene d lifeless a n d

.
, ,

d estitute of obl a tions The gl o o m h oweve r w as a s su d d e n ly d i s

.
, ,

p e lle d by,
a g r e a t fl a m e which bu r st fr o m M a h a d ev a s fo r ehe a d
’

i n whic h a t h i r d eye l u mi n o u s a s the s u n w a s fo r m e d ,

By the ,
.

fi r e of this eye the m ount a in w as sco r che d a n d eve r ything upo n ,

i t cons u m e d U m a he r eupon stoo d i n a s u b m issive a ttitu d e

.

befo r e h e r husb a n d whe n in a m o m ent the H i m al a y a h e r fathe r

, , , , ,

w a s r esto r e d to his for m e r con d ition .

E a c h go d i s r ep r esente d a s h a vi n g speci a l fon d ness fo r so m e

bi r d o r a m i n a l o n which he i s s u ppose d to tra vel a n d w h ich
, ,

t h e r efo r e is c a l le d his Vah a n o r vehicle The b u l l is S iv a s a n d .

’

t h e i mage of N a n d i is seen i n fr ont of m a ny of th e shri n es s a c r e d

to M a h a d ev a Owi n g p r ob ably to this ci r c u m st a nce a cu r iou s
.
,

custo m prev a ils si m il a r in m a n y r espects to t h e setting lo o se o f

,

the sc a pego a t by the Is r a elites A t the d e at h of a followe r of .

S iv a if his fr ie n d s a r e piou s a n d c a n a ffo r d it t h ey set a b u llock

, ,

l o ose a n d a llo w it to w a n d e r a t will By the H i n d us ge n e r a lly

, .

W ar d , ii . 1 90 .
T Muir O , . S T . .
,
iv . 2 69 .
 2 3 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

P ar v a ti fa ste n e d h is m a tte d h a i r r ubbe d h is bo d y over with

, ,

a s h es a t e a l ar ge qu a n tity o f hemp
,
sw a l low wo r t a n d tho r n ,
-
,

a pple ; a n d we a r ing a B r ah m a nic a l th r e a d compose d o f wh 1t e

S I VA S LA Y I N G A N ASU RA .

s n a kes cl a d in a n elep h a n t s hi d e with a neckl a ce of be a d s a n d

,
’

a g a r l a n d o f sk u lls r i d i n g u pon N a n i
, d a cco m p a nie d by ghosts , ,

go blins spect r es witches i m ps sp r ites a n d evi l spi r its Bh o lo n at h

, , , , ,

c a m e fo r th O n his fo r ehe a d w a s the moon ; he pl a ce d the

.
 S I VA . 23 3

G a nges his he a d a n d his eyes were ve r y r e d H is most

on ,
"
.

d est r uctive we a pon was a t r i d ent : with this he slew the foe who
w a s obnoxio u s to his followe r .

Though S iv a s a ppe a r a nce is r epe a te d ly d esc r ibe d i n the

’

P uran a s a n d in pictu r es h e i s often r ep r esente d i n the hu m a n

,

fo r m i t is by t h e Li n g a th a t he is a l m o st u n ivers a lly wo r shippe d

,
.

This i m age fr o m its a ppe a r a nce d oes not suggest a nyt h ing
, ,

o ffensive to thos e u n a cqu a inte d with its sy m bolic m e a ning ; a n d

though some w r ite r s spe a k o f its being i nnocu ous to the H in d us .

the m selves i t is i m possible fo r a n y o n e a cqu a inte d with the

,

le en d s which a ccount fo r its being th e r ecognise d sy mbol o f

g

S iv a t o see a n d wo r ship i t wit h out i m pu r e thoughts being

,

suggeste d by it it being inten d e d to rep r esent both the m a le

,

a n d fem a le repro d uctive org a ns .

S eve r a l legen d s a r e give n to expl a i n how the Ling a c a me to

be the rep r esent a tive o f S iv a ; the p r ob a bility is th a t it w a s a n
obj ect o f wo r ship of some a bo r igin a l tribe i nco r po r a te d i n to ,

H in d u is m T h e P a d m a Pu r an a Tte a ches th a t it w a s the r esu lt

.
’

o f a cu r se p r onounce d by B h r i u When B h r i gu w a s se n t by the

'
g .

s a e s t o d iscover wh o o f the th r ee go d s w a s th e g r e a test he c a m e

g ,

t o S iv a s a bo d e a n d wi shing a t once to e n te r w a s p r eve n te d fr o m

’

d oing so by a d oo r keepe r who info r m e d h i m t h a t a s his m a ste r

, ,

w a s with D evi his wife it w a s i m possible fo r h i m to ente r a t

,

p r esent A fte r w a iting for so m e ti m e the s age s p a tience being

.
,
’

exh a uste d he s a i d : S i n ce thou O S a nk a r a ! h a st tre a te d m e

,
“
,

w ith conte m pt i n p r efe r r i n g the e m b r a ces of Pa r v a ti your fo r ms

, ,

o f wo r ship sh a ll be th e Ling a a n d Yoni

”

The Vaman a i m a kes it the r esu lt of a cu r se pronounce d by a

.

n umbe r o f s a ges W h en S ati d ie d a t D a ks h a s s a c r ifice S iv a

.
’

w a n d e r e d a bout fr o m pl a ce to pl a ce like a m a d ma n m ou r ning ,

h e r a bsence H e tr a velle d fr o m he r m it a ge to hermit age but

.
,

coul d fi n d no rest When the he r m its wives s a w h i m they fel l in

.
’

love with hi m a n d followe d him fr o m pl a ce to pl ace their husb a n d s

S ee Gan ga P ,
ar t I I I h p vii i
. c a . .

1 K en n e dy Hi ndu p 30 1
”
. .
,

1 I bi d . p 2 99
. .
3 34 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

bei n g i n ce n se d this c u r se d t h e go d a n d by t h is m e a n s d e
at , ,

r i v e d h i m o f h is m a n ho o d A g r e a t co m m otio n th r o u gh t h e
p .

w o r l d fo ll o we d s o t h a t B r a h m a a n d Vish n u i n te r ce d e d with th e
,

h e r m its on h is be h a lf w h o co n se n te d to with d r a w thei r cu r se o n

,

co n d itio n th a t S iv a sho u l d be r ep r ese n te d by the Li n g a ; a n d

th u s i t bec a m e a n obj ect of w o r s h i p to g o d s a n d m e n .

A s a speci me n of the lege n d s by which t h e wo r ship of S iv a

u n d e r t h is fo r m is inculc a te d I give t h e follo w i n g ext r a ct fr o m
,

t h e S iv a
‘
A R aksh a s n a m e d B h i m a h a vi n g obt a ine d ,

i nvi n cible m ig h t a s a boon fr o m Ra m a co mm e n ce d exe r ti n g h is ,

n ewly a cq u i r e d
-
p o we r by a tt a cki n g the Ki n g of K am r u p a .

H a vi n g co n que r e d t h e king a n d sei ze d his ki n g d o m a n d r iches

, ,

h e pl a ce d h i m in ch a ins i n a s o lit a r y p r ison The ki n g bei n g .

,

e mi n e n tly pi o us not w ithst a n d ing h is co n fi n e m e n t co n tinue d

, ,

d a ily to m a ke cl a y figu r es of t h e Li n g a a n d to wo r ship S iv a ,

with a ll the p r esc r ibe d r ites a n d ce r e m o n ies M e a n while the .

Raksh a s conti n ue d his co n q u ests a n d eve r ywhe r e a bolishe d ,

r eligious O bse r v a nces a n d wo r ship e n j oi n e d in the Ve d a s Th e .

go d s bei n g r e d uce d by h is p o wer to g r e a t d ist r ess a ppe a le d to ,

S iv a fo r help a n d p r opiti a te d h i m by the w o r ship of cl a y Ling a s

,
.

S am b h u a ssu r e d the m th a t he wou l d effect t h e d est r uctio n o f

t h ei r e n e m y by m e a n s of t h e K i n g of K amr u pa the n a p r iso n e r , .

A t this ve r y m o m e n t this ki n g w a s e n g a ge d i n p r ofou n d me d i

t a t i o n befo r e a Ling a when o n e o f t h e gu a r d s seei n g h i m thu s
, ,

o cc u pie d ,
went a n d i n fo r m e d the Raks h a s th a t the p r is o n e r
w a s pe r fo r m i n g so m e i m p r o pe r ce r e m o n ies i n o r d e r to i n j u r e h i m .

H e a r i n g t h is the m o n ste r en r a ge d sei ze d his sw o r d a n d h a sten

, , , ,

i n g to t h e p r is o n thus a d d r esse d t h e ki n g : S pe a k the t r ut h “

, ,

a n d tell m e w h o it is t h a t thou w o r s h i pp e s t a n d I will n o t sl a y ,

t h ee ; o t h e r wise I will i n st a n tly pu t thee t o d e a th !

T h e k i n g pl a ci n g fi r m r eli a n ce o n t h e p r otection o f S iv a u m
, ,

d a u n t e d ly r eplie d : I n t r ut h I wo r ship S a n k a r a ; d o the n wh a t

“
,

tho u ple a sest ! The Raksh a s a ske d : Wh a t c a n S a nk a r a d o

” “

to m e I k n o w h i m well t h a t h e w a s o n ce o blige d t o beco m e the

,

se r v a n t o f m y u n cle ( Rav a n a ) ; a n d th o u t r u sti n g i n his powe r , ,

Ken n edy ,
‘
Hi ndu 3 10 .
o
t
)
0
h
C T H E P U RAN I C D E ITI E S .

P A N C H AN A N A .

This is a fo r m o f S iv a in w h ich he is rep r esente d a s h is n a me ,

te a ches with five fa ces ; th e a ppe a r a nce o f his bo d y a n d t h e

,

a sceti c s d r ess bei n g the s a me a s i n his or d in a r y fo r m s I t is

’
.

u n d er this n a m e th a t p r a ye r s fo r recove r y fr o m sickness a r e

PA N C H KN A N A .

add r esse d to S iv a a s th e physici a n o r he a ler I n pl a ces whe r e

.

the r e i s no te m ple o r i m a ge o f t h is d eity worship is o ffe r e d to

,

h i m befo r e a sh a peless sto n e p a i n te d r e d pl a ce d un d e r a t r ee

, , .

This is a ve r y co m mo n for m of worship in the vi ll ages o f Beng a l .

 P A N C H AN AN A . 2 37

The r e are so m e sh r ines o f P a n c h an an a th a t h a ve a cqui r e d c o n

s i d e r a b le celebrity to w h ic h wo m en r eso r t to obt a in t h e gift o f
,

chil d r en a n d other blessi n gs I n ti m es o f sickness offe r ings a r e

.

m a d e to this d eity wit h out sc r u ple though the suffe r e r i s n o t

,

o r d in a r ily a wo r shippe r o f S iv a. I n c ases o f epilepsy it is the

co m mon belief th a t the victi m is possesse d by P a n ch an a n a a n d ,

o fferings ar e m a d e to in d uce h i m to d ep a r t ; a n d it is believe d

th a t r e covery is the resu l t of th e go d s d ep a rtu r e

’
.
)
l
s
(
)
a
0
0 THE P U R AN I C D E IT I E S .

C H A PT E R VI I .

U MA .

UMR is the n a m e by w h ich t h e conso r t of S iv a is fi r st known .

I n t h e v a r ious s a cre d books she a ppe a r s in m a ny fo r m s a n d is ,

k n o wn by m a ny n a m es ; b u t a s t h e r e a r e lege n d s givi n g t h e
ci r cu mst a n ces connecte d with the n a m es a n d fo r m s m o r e ge n e
r a lly known these will be give n a s fa r a s possible i n ch r ono
,

l o gic a l o r d e r
\
.

Vhe n D evi (t h e go d d ess ) a ppe ar s a s U m a s h e i s s ai d to be

/
,

t h e d a u g h te r o f D a ksh a a s o n of B r a h m a H e r fa the r w a s a t
, .

fi r st ve r y u n willi n g th a t his d a ug h te r shou l d m a r r y a m en d ic a nt ,

b u t h is sc r uples we r e ove r co m e by the pe r su a sion of B r a h m a .

A s S iv a i s style d M a ha d ev a U m a is fr eq u e n t ly c a lle d si m ply

,

D evi A t this pe r io d of h e r existe n ce s h e is a lso c a l le d S a ti i n

.
,

a ll u sio n to the fa ct th a t when h e r fa t h e r slig h te d h e r h u sb a n d by

n o t i nviti n g h i m to t h e g r e a t s a c r ifice h e m a d e she volu n t a r ily ,

e n te r e d t h e s a c r i fici a l fi r e a n d w a s b u r ne d t o d e a th i n t h e
p r ese n ce o f th e g o d s a n d B r ah m a n s ; o r a cco r d ing to a n o t h e r ,

a cc o u n t w a s u n der ,
t h e s a m e ci r cu m st a n ces co n s u m e d by h e r
, ,

o w n gl o r y T h e n a m e S a ti m e a n s t h e t r u e o r vi r t u ou s w o m a n
“ "
.
,

a n d is given to t h ose wi d ows w h o e n te r t h e fu n e r a l pile o f t h ei r

h u s b a n d s a n d u n d e r go a volu n t a r y d e a t h by bei n g bu r ne d w it h
, ,

h is c o r pse A m bik a a n ot h e r n a m e of U m a i n o n e o f t h e e a r liest

.
, ,

b o ks is s a i d to be t h e siste r of R u d r a a n d yet i n t h e l a te r o n es
o ,

s h e is d ecl a r e d t o be h is wife .

T h e e a r liest wo r k s o fa r a s I a m a w a r e i n w h ic h the n a m e o f
, ,

U m a a ppe a r s is t h e T a la va k ar a o r Ke n a U p a n ish a d
, ,
I n th e .

t h i r d sectio n of th a t t r e a tise it is m entio n e d t h a t on one occ a sio n

2 40 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

H i m a v a t t h e chief of m ou nt a ins th e g r e a t m ine o f m et a l two

, , ,

d a u ghte r s we r e bo r n in be a uty u n equ a lle d u pon e a r th Th e .

d a ughte r of M e r u M e n a by n a m e th e ple a si n g a n d belove d

, ,

wife of H i m av a t w a s t h ei r slen d e r w a iste d m ot h e r O f h e r w a s

,
-
.

bo r n G a nga the el d est d a ug h te r of H i m a v a t a n d his seco n d

, ,

d a ug h te r w a s U m a who r ich i n a uste r e O bse r v a nces h a ving

, , ,

un d e r t a ken a n a r d uou s r ite fu lfille d a cou r se of seve r e a uste r ity , .

This d a ughte r U m a d isti n gu ishe d by seve r e a uste r ity a d o r e d

, ,

by the wo r l d s t h e chief of the mount a ins g a ve to the m a tchless

,

Ru d r a These were th e two d a ughte r s o f the ki n g o f the

.

m ount a i n s ; G a nga th e m ost emi ne n t of r ive r s a n d U m a the

, , ,
”
m ost excel le n t of go d d esses .

The H a r i van s a m e n tions three d a ughte r s o f H i m a v a t a n d

"

M e n a but G a n ga i s n o t a m ongst the m

,
Thei r ( Pit r i s ) ment a l .
“

d a u ghte r w a s Mena the emi n e n t wi fe o f the g r e a t m ount a i n

,

H im av a t T h e king o f the m ount a ins beg a t th r ee d a ughte r s

.

upon M ena vi z A p ar na Ek a p a r n a a n d Ek a p at a la These

,
.
, , .

th r ee pe r fo r m i n g ve r y g r e a t a uste r ity such a s cou l d n o t be ,

pe r fo r m e d by go d s o r D an av a s d ist r esse d [w ith a l a r m] both the ,

st a tion ar y a n d t h e movi n g worl d s Ek a p ar n a ( o n e le a f) fe d .

upon o n e le a f Ek a p at ala took only o n e pat a l a ( Big n oni a ) fo r

.

h e r foo d . O ne ( A p a r n a) took n o su ste n a n ce ; but h e r m othe r ,

d istresse d t h rough m a te r n a l a ffecti on fo r b a d e h e r d issu a d ing , ,

h e r with h e r wo r d s a 77252 ( 0 11 d on t ) The be a u tifu l go d d ess ’

.
,

pe r fo r m ing ar d uou s a u ste r ity h avi n g been thus a d d r esse d by ,

h e r m othe r bec a m e known i n the th r ee wo r l d s a s U m a

, In .

t h is m a n n e r t h e co n te m pl a tive go d d ess bec a m e r eno wne d un d e r

th a t n a m e A ll these t h r ee h a d m o r tifie d bo d ies we r e d i s
.
,

t i n gu i s h e d by the fo r ce o f co n te m pl a tio n a n d we r e a ll ch a ste , ,

a n d expou n d e r s o f d ivi n e knowle d ge U m a w a s the el d est a n d .

m ost excelle n t o f t h e t h r ee D isti n guis h e d by the force d erive d

.

fr o m d eep conte m pl a tio n she obt a in e d M a ha d ev a [fo r h e r ,

h u sb a n d ] .

S eve r a l o f the n a m es u n d e r w h ich U m a i s now known an d

wo r shippe d a r e to be foun d i n the ol d e r w r iti n gs o f th e H i n d us ,

M u ir, O . S T
. .
,
i v 43 2
. .
 P AR VA TI . 241

though a t th a t ti m e they d i d not r efe r to S iv a s wife U ma a s ’

.
,

we h a ve a l r e a d y seen w a s Wis d o m A mbika w a s a siste r o f

,
“

R u d r a ; D u r ga in a hymn of th e T a i t t i r i ya A r a n ya k a i s a n
epithet of t h e s a c r ifici a l fl a m e ; a n d Kali a w o r d w h ic h occu r s ,

i n the M a n d a k a U p a nish a d is the n a m e of o n e o f the seven

,

flicke r ing to n gues o f A gni the go d o f ,

U m a i s ca lle d the m othe r of K a r tikey a a n d in a ce r t a in se n se o f ,

G a nes a too but it is not a t a ll cle a r whethe r it w as r e a l ly a s U m a

o r i n h e r succee d ing bi r th a s Pa r v a ti th a t she h a d t h ese c h il d r e n .

Th e K u r m a Pu r an a Th as a n a ccou n t o f U m a s c r e a tion which

’ ’

t a kes us a st a ge a nte r io r to her bi r th a s a d a ug h te r o f D a ksh a .

Whe n B r a h m a w as a ng r y with his sons for a d opting a n a scetic

life [a n d r efusing to pe r petu ate the hu m a n r a ce] a fo r m h a lf
]

m a le a n d h a lf fe m a le w a s p r o d u ce d fr om th a t a nge r to who m ,

B r a h m a s a i d D ivi d e thyself a n d t h en d is appe a re d The m a le

, ,
’
.

h a lf bec a m e Ru d r a a n d the fe m a le a t the co m m a n d of Br ah m a

, , ,

bec a m e the d a ughte r o f D a ks h a u n d er the n a m e o f S a ti a n d ,

w a s given i n m a r r i a ge to Ru d r a ; a n d w h en she subseq u e n tly

g a ve u p h e r life o n being t r e a te d with d is r espect by h e r fat h e r ,

s h e w as bo r n a secon d ti m e a s the d a ughter o f H im a v a t a n d

'

M ena a n d n a m e d Parv a ti
,
.
”

It sh oul d be notice d th a t a lthough U m a is c a lle d the w zf e o f

S iv a it is u n d e r stoo d th a t she r ep r ese n ts the ene r gy o r a ctive
,

powe r of th a t d eity ; she a ssu m e d a bo d y i n o r d e r t h a t she

m ight be u n ite d to h i m i n d u e fo r m : in like m a nne r Vishnu s
’

ene r gy bec a m e inc a r n a te i n L a kshmi S it a 81 C , ,

.

P AR VA T L
The go d d ess in this fo r m is the const a nt co mp a nio n o f h e r
h usb a n d but few i n d epe n d ent a cti o ns a r e a sc r ibe d to h e r I n
,
.

t h e Pu r an a s S iv a a n d Pa r v a ti a r e gene r a lly r ep r ese n te d as

e n g age d in m a ki n g love to e a ch othe r o r ( r a t h e r a si n gul a r ,

c h a n ge ) a s se a te d on M ou nt K a ilas a d iscussing t h e m ost a bst r u se

G o ld s t u c k e r , C h a m b e r s C y l p aed i
'

s c o a, s . U ma .

1 K en n e d , y H‘
in du t My h p 3 9
.
’
. 2 .
2 42 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

questions of H in d u philosophy Occ a sion a lly howeve r qu a rr els

.
, ,

a r ose between the m a s a w hen S iv a repro a che d h e r fo r th e

, g .

bl a ckness o f h e r skin This t a u nt so incense d h er th a t she left

.

S I VA A ND P XRVA T I .

an d rep a i r ing to a d eep fo r est pe r forme d a m ost severe

, ,

cou r se o f a u ste r ities u n ti l B r a h m a g r a nte d h e r a s a b oon th a t

,

h e r co m plexion shoul d be gol d en a n d fr om this ci r cu m st a n ce

,

she is k n own a s G a u r i "

K e n n ed y , Hi ndu My th p .
’
.
3 34 .
2 44 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

ros ar y in her h a n d an d g lowing with splen d our b r ight a s ,

bu r nishe d gol d N o soone r d i d h e s ee the lifeless fo r m of h is

.

spouse th a n t h r ough grief fo r h e r loss his senses fo r sook h i m

, , , .
”

W h en he revive d g a zing o n h e r be a utifu l counten a n ce with

, ,

te a r s i n hi s eyes an d so r r ow in hi s voice h e thus a d d resse d h e r : ,

“
A r ise a r ise O m y belove d S a ti ! I a m S a nk ar a thy lo r d ; look
, , ,

the r efo r e o n m e who h a ve a pp r o a che d thee With thee I a m

, .

a l m ighty the fr a m er o f a ll things a n d th e give r o f eve r y bliss ;

, ,

but wit h out thee my ene r gy ! I a m like a co r pse powerless a n d

, ,

i nc a p able o f a ction : how then m y belove d c a nst thou fo r s a ke , ,

me ? With s m iles a n d gl a nces of thi ne eyes s a y so m ethi n g ,

sweet a s 41 77277 761 a n d with the r a in of thy gentle wo r d s sp r inkle

,

my he ar t w h ich is sco r che d with g r ie f F o r m e r ly when thou

,
.
,

d i d st see m e fr o m a d ist a nce thou wou l d st g r eet m e with the ,

fon d est a ccents why then to d ay a r t thou a ng r y a n d wilt not -

,

spe a k to m e th us s a d ly l a m enting
, O lor d of m y sou l ! a r ise .

0 mothe r o f the unive r se ! a r ise D ost thou not see m e he r e .

weeping ? O be a uteou s O ne ! thou c a n st not h a ve expi r e d .

Then O my fa ithfu l spouse ! why d ost thou not honour m e

,

as usu a l ? A n d why d ost thou thus d i sobe d ient to my voice , ,

i nfri n ge thy m a r r i a ge v o w ?
“
S iv a h aving thus spoken r a ise d the lifeless bo d y a n d in
, , ,

the a nguish o f sep ar a tion p r esse d it to his boso m a n d kisse d it ,

a g a in a n d a g a in Li p to lip a n d b r e a st to b r e a st S a nk a r a
.
, ,

cl a spe d th e co r pse of his belove d ; a n d a fter fr equ ent fa intings , ,

a rose a n d
,
p r essing S a ti closely to his boso m r us h e d forw a r d
, ,

m a d d ene d with g r ie f Like a man d ep r ive d o f his senses the .

,

p r ecepto r o f the unive r se w a n d ere d ove r the seven d w zlpczs u nti l , ,

exh a uste d by fa tigu e a n d a nguish he fel l d own i n a swoon a t t h e ,

foot o f a b a ny a n tree The go d s seei n g S iv a i n this st a te we r e .

, ,

g r e a tly a stonishe d a n d a cco m p a nie d by B r a h m a a n d Vishnu

, , ,

h a ste n e d to the spot where he la y Vishnu pl a ce d the he a d of .

the fa i n ting S iv a o n his boso m a n d wept a lou d ; a fte r a little

ti m e h e e n cou r a ge d his fr ien d by s aying O S iv a ! r ecove r thy ,
‘

senses a n d listen to wh a t I s a y Thou wi lt ce r t a i n ly r eg a i n

,
.

S a ti si n ce S iv a a n d S a ti a r e a s i nsep ar a ble a s col d fr o m w a te r

, ,

h e a t fr om fire s m el l fr o m e a r th o r r a d i a nce fr o m th e su n !
’

, ,
 P ARVA TI . 2 45

H e a ring these wo r d s S iv a fa intly opene d his eyes be d ewe d

, ,

with te a r s a n d s a i d : O fo r m o f splen d our ! who a r t t h ou ?

,
‘

Who a r e these th a t a cco m p a ny thee W h a t is thy n a me a n d ,

wh a t a r e thei r n a mes ? W h o a m I a n d whe r e a r e my a t ,

t e n d an t s ? Where a r t thou a n d these going ? Whe r e a m I ,

an d whe r e p r ocee d ing ? A s Vishnu he a r d these wo r d s h e

’

wept a n d his te a rs u niting with those o f S iva forme d a l a ke

, , , ,

which hence bec a me a fa m ous pl a ce o f pilgri m a ge Vishnu a t .

length c a l me d S iv a who d elighte d w ith his wo r d s behel d S a ti

, , , ,

P REVA T I W O R S H I PPI N G T HE L I N GA .

se ate d befo r e him in a ge m a d o r ne d c a r a ccomp a nie d by

-
,

nu m e r ous a tte n d a nts a rr a ye d i n costly g a r m ents r esplen d ent

, ,

with o r n a m ents h e r pl a ci d fa ce being i r r a d i a te d with a gentle

,

s m ile The a n guish of sep a r a tion ce a se d a n d j oy fille d his s ou l

. ,

as S a ti thus a d d r es s e d h i m : B e fi r m O M a h a d ev a ! Lo r d o f
‘
,

m y sou l ! I n wh a tever st a te o f m y bei n g I m a y exist I sh a ll ,

n eve r be sep a r a te d fr o m m y lor d ; a n d n o w h a ve I b e e n born

the d a ughter o f H i m a v a t in o r d e r to beco m e a g a in thy wi fe :

the r efo r e n o longer g r ieve o n a ccou nt o f o u r sep a ra tion H avi n g
'
’
.

”
thus console d S iv a S ati d is a ppe a re d
,
.
2 46 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

In another ch a pte r of the s a m e P u r an a we h a ve a n a ccou nt o f

thei r S ati soon obt a ine d a nothe r bi r th in the womb
of H i m av a t s wife ; a n d S iv a collecting th e bones a n d a s h es
’

fr o m h e r fu n e r a l pile m a d e a neckl a ce o f the bones a n d cove r e d

, ,

h is bo d y with the a shes a n d thus p r ese r ve d the m a s m emo r i a ls

,

of his belove d N ot l ong a fter this S a ti w as bo r n a s t h e d a ughte r

.
,

of M e na excel ling in be a uty a n d vi r tu e a ll cre a te d beings a n d

, ,

she g r ew up in h e r mount a in ho m e like the you n g m oon i n cr e a s

i n g to its full splen d ou r Whilst stil l a gi r l she he ar d a voice fr om
.
,

he a ven s a ying P e r fo r m a seve r e cou r se o f a usterity 1n or d e r to

, , ,

obt a in S iv a fo r a husb a n d a s he c a nnot othe r wise be obt a ine d

, .
’

P a r v a ti prou d o f h e r youth s m iling d is d a i n fully at this i n s t r u c

, ,

tion thought within he r self : Will he who on a ccount o f th e

,
‘
,

grief he felt for m y h aving for m erly consu m e d m yself not a ccept ,

m e a s his spouse when re d olent o f life A n d h o w ca n d isj unction

exist between those who h a ve been pre d estine d fr om thei r fi r st
bei n g to be husb a n d a n d wife C onfi d ent in her youth love ,

li n e s s an d nu m e r ous a ttr a ctions a n d persu a d e d th a t o n the

, ,

fi r st m ention o f h e r n a me S iv a woul d be a nxious to espouse h e r ,

P a r va ti d i d not seek to g a i n h i m b y the pe r fo r m a nce o f a uste r ity ,

but night a n d d ay g a ve herself to j oyous spo r ts with h e r com

p a nions H e r hopes howeve r were d is a ppointe d
.
,
S he h a d to
, .

pe r fo r m most s eve r e pen a nce before she w as r eunite d to h e r

husb a n d a n d it w as only by th e a ssist a nce o f K ama d e va who , ,

a t t h e i nstig a tion of the go d s wou n d e d hi m with his a r r ows

,

a s he w a s e n g a ge d in me d it a tion wh ilst P a r v a ti w as se a te d in
,

fr ont o f h i m th a t her wish w as g r a tifie d S iv a a t fi r st w a s

,
.

a n ythi n g but g r a tefu l fo r th is inte r fe r ence ; he rew a r d e d Ka m a

by d est r oying h im with a fl a m e o f glo r y th a t issue d fr om his

t h i r d eye .

I n a Be n g a li a ccount o f D u r ga a l egen d is given fr o m a l a te r ,

book t h a n t h e P u r an a fr o m whic h t h e a bove ext r a ct w a s t a ke n ,

to the following effect z S iv a beg a n t o d a n ce i n a m ost fr a n tic

—

m a n ne r when h e r a ise d the d e a d bo d y o f S a ti in his a r m s The .

e a r t h tremble d bene a th t h e weig h t o f suc h a lo a d ; w h en

K e n n ed y ,
‘
H indu My th p
.
’
.
3 34 .
2 48 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

fa vou r o f B r ah m a obt a ine d his blessing a n d g r ew so mighty

, ,

th a t h e conque r e d the th r ee wo r l d s a n d d et h r one d I n d r a a n d ,

t h e o the r go d s H e co m pelle d the wives o f t h e Rish is to si n g

.

his p r a ise a n d se n t the go d s fr o m h e a ven to d wel l i n the forests

, ,

a n d by a m ere n o d su mm one d the m to r evere n ce him He .

a b o l ishe d r eligiou s ce r emo n ies ; B r ah m a ns th r ough fe a r o f h i m

g a ve up the r e a d ing o f the Ve d a s r ive r s ch a nge d thei r cou r se
fi r e lost its ene r gy a n d the te r r ifie d st a r s r eti r e d fr o m sight
,
He .

a ssu m e d the sh a pe o f the clou d s a n d g a ve r a in whe n eve r h e ,

ple a se d ; the e ar th th r ough fe a r yiel d e d a n a bun d a nt h a r vest

a n d the trees flowe r e d an d g a ve fr uit o u t o f the prope r se a son .

The g o d s in thei r d ist r ess a ppe a le d to S iv a I n d r a their ki n g .

, ,

s a i d H e h a s d eth r on e d m e !
,
“
S u r y a s a i d H e h a s t a ken
”
,
“

”
m y ki n g d o m ! S iv a pitying the m d esi r e d Pa r va ti to go a n d
, ,

d est r oy this gi a n t S he a ccepting the co m m ission willi n gly

.
, ,

c a l m e d the fe a r s of the go d s a n d fi r st se n t K ala r at r i ( D a r k

,

n ig h t a fe m a l e whose be a uty bewitche d the i nh a bit a nts o f the

) ,

th r ee wo r l d s to o r d e r th e gi a nt to resto r e things t o t h ei r a ncie n t

,

o rd er . The gi a nt ful l o f fu r y sent so m e sol d ie r s to la y hol d

, ,

o f K ala r at r i but by the b r e a th o f her m outh she r e d uce d the m

to a shes D u r g a then se n t
. othe r gi a n ts who we r e such ,

m onste r s in size th a t they cove r e d the su r fa ce of th e e a r th At .

the sight o f th ese gi a nts K ala r at r i fle d th r ough the a i r to Pa r v a ti

, ,

foll o we d by the gi a nts D u r g a with . ch a r iots , ,

eleph a nts swi ft foote d h o r ses a n d

,
-
,

i n n u m e r a bl e sol d ie r s we n t to fight Pa r v a ti o n the m ount a in

, ,

Vin d hy a A s soon a s the gi ant d r ew ne a r Pa r v a ti a ssu m e d 1 0 00

.
,

a r m s a n d c a l le d to h e r a ssist a nce d i ffe r ent bei n gs a n d p r o d uce d

, ,

a n u m be r o f we a pons fr o m h e r bo d y a lo n g list of these is give n

(
i n the Pu r an a ) The t r oops o f th e gi a nt po u r e d thei r a r rows o n
.

P ar v a ti sitti n g on the m ou nt a in Vin d hy a thick a s the d r ops o f ,

r a i n i n a sto r m ; they even to r e u p the t r ees m ou nt a ins & c , , .

,

a n d h u r le d the m a t the go d d ess who th r ew a we a pon which ,

c a r r ie d a w a y m a ny of t h e a r m s o f t h e gi a n ts D u r g a hu r le d a .

fl a m ing d a r t a t t h e go d d ess which sh e tu r n e d a si d e ; a nothe r

,

bei n g se n t she stoppe d it by a hun d re d a r ro ws

,
H e then sent .
 D U RG A . 24
9

a n ar row a t Pa r v a ti s bre a st ; this too she r epelle d a n d a lso two

’

oth e r we a po n s a c lub a n d a pike A t l a st Pa r va ti seize d D u r g a

,
.

a n d set h e r l eft foot o n h is b r e a st but he d iseng agi n g h i m self, , ,

r enewe d the fight .

T h e beings who m Pa r v a ti c a u se d to iss u e fr o m h e r bo d y the n

d est r oye d a ll the sol d ie r s o f t h e gi a n ts I n r etu r n D u r g a se n t a .

d r e a d fu l showe r o f h a il the e ffect of which Pa r v a ti co u n te r a cte d

,

by a n instru m e n t c a lle d S o s u n a The gi a nt now a ssu m e d the .

sh a pe o f a n elep h a n t a s l a r ge as a m ou n t a i n a n d a pp r o a c h e d the ,

go d d ess but s h e tie d h is legs a n d w ith her n a ils which we r e like

, , ,

sci m it a r s tore h i m to pieces H e then a r ose i n t h e fo r m of a

, .

bu ffa lo a n d with his ho r ns c a st st o nes trees a n d m ou n t a ins

, , , ,

te ar ing u p the trees by th e b r e a th o f his nost r ils Pa r v a ti next .

pie r ce d h i m with her t r i d ent when he r eele d to a n d fr o a n d r e

, ,

n o u n ci n
g the fo r m o f a buf fa lo a ssu m e d his o r igi n a l bo d y a s a

gi a nt w ith a thous a n d a r m s a n d we a pons i n e a ch A pp r o ac h ing

, ,
.

Parv a ti she seize d h i m by his thous a n d ar m s a n d c ar r ie d him i n to

, ,

the a i r whence sh e th r ew h i m to the g r oun d with fe a r fu l fo r ce

,
.

S eeing th a t this fa ll h a d not inj u r e d h i m she pie r ce d h i m i n the ,

b r e a st with a n a r r o w w hen bloo d iss ue d fr o m his mouth i n

,

st r e a m s a n d he d ie d
,
The go d s we r e d elighte d a n d soo n
.
,

r eg a ine d their fo r m e r splen d ou r .

A n othe r a ccount o f the o r igin o f D u r ga is fo u n d i n the

C h a n d i a p a rt of the M ar k a n d e ya
,
‘
M ahis h a king of ,

the gi a nts a t o n e ti m e ove r c a m e the go d s in w ar a n d r e d u ce d

, ,

the m to such a st a te o f w a nt th a t they w a n d e r e d t h r ough t h e

e a r th a s begg a r s I n d r a con d ucte d the m t o B r a h ma a n d the n
.
,

to S iv a ; but a s these go d s coul d r en d er no a ss ist a n ce t h ey ,

tu r n e d to Vishnu who w a s so en r a ge d a t t h e sight of t h ei r

,

w r etche d ness th a t st r e a m s o f glo r y issue d fr o m his fa ce fr o m

, ,

which t h e r e c a m e fo r th a fe ma le fig u r e n a m e d M a ha m ay a
a n othe r n a m e o f D u r ga St r e a m s o f gl o r y issue d a lso fr o m
( ) .

the fa ces of t h e othe r go d s which ente r e d M a ha m ay a i n con

,

sequ e n ce of which she bec a m e a bo d y of glo r y like a m o u n t a i n ,

W ar d , ii 88
. .
2 5 0 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

of fire The go d s then h a n d e d thei r we a pons to th is fe m a l e

.
,

who with a fr ightfu l scre a m a scen d e d i nto the ai r slew the gi a nt , ,

a n d g a ve r e d r ess to the go d s .

A nothe r a ccount d i ffe r ing in some d et a ils i s fou n d in the

, ,

‘
Vam an a P u r an a When the go d s h a d sought Vishnu in thei r
’
.

d ist r ess h e a n d a t his co mm a n d S a n k a r a Br a h m a a n d the

, , , ,

othe r go d s e m itte d such fl a m es fr o m their eyes a n d counten a nces

,

th a t a m ount a in o f e ffulgence w as fo r me d fr o m which bec a me ,

m a nifest K a t yayi n i r efulgent a s a thous a n d s uns h a ving th r ee

, ,

eyes bl a ck h a i r a n d eig h t een a r m s S iv a g a ve her his t r i d ent

, ,
.
,

Vishnu a d iscus V a run a a conch shell A gni a d a r t Vayu a b o w

,
-
, , ,

S u r y a a quive r full o f a r r ows I n d r a a thun d e r bolt Kuve r a a , ,

m a ce Br a h m a a r o s a r y a n d w a te r pot K a l a a shiel d a n d swo r d

,
-
, ,

Vi s vak a r ma a b attle a x e a n d othe r we a pons Thu s ar m e d an d

-
.
,

a d o r e d by the go d s K a t a i n i p r ocee d e d to the Vin d h y a hills

y y ,
.

Whilst there the A sur a s C h a n d a a n d M a n d a s aw her a n d bei n g ,

c a ptiva te d by h e r be a uty they so d esc r ibe d her to M a hish a their ,

king th a t he w a s m ost a xious to obt a i n her O n a sking fo r h e r

,
n .

h a n d she tol d h i m s h e m ust be won in fight

, ,
H e ca m e an d .
,

fought ; a t le n gth D urga d is m ou nte d fr o m her lion a n d sp r a ng ,

u po n the b a ck of M a hish a w h o w as i n the fo r m o f a bu ffa lo , ,

a n d with h er te n d er feet so s m ote h i m o n the he a d th a t he fell

t o the g r oun d senseless when she cut o ff his he a d with h e r

,

swo r d .

I n pictu r es a n d i m a ges D u r ga is r ep r esente d a s a gol d en

colou r e d wo m a n with a ge n tle a n d be a utifu l cou nten a nce S he
,
.

h a s ten a r m s in o n e h a n d she hol d s a spe a r with w h ich sh e i s ,

pie r cing the gi a nt M a hish a wit h one of h e r left h a n d s she hol d s

the t a i l of a serpe n t with a not h e r t h e h a i r o f the gi a nt whose
,

b r e a st the sn a ke i s b i t 1 n g ; her ot h e r h a n d s a r e fille d with v a r ious

we a pons H e r lion le a n s a g a i n st her r ight leg a n d the gi a nt
.
,

a g a i n st h e r left The i ma ges of L a ksh mi S a r a sv a ti K a r tikey a

.
, , ,

a n d G a nes a a r e fr equently m a d e a n d wo r shippe d with th a t o f

D urga The fr ontispiece i s a rep r esent a tion o f D u r ga a n d the

.

K en n ed y ,
‘
H i n d M y th p
u .
’
.
335 .
 2 5 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

( se a te d o n a l ion ) she fought with R a k t a v ija ; 4 A s M a hisha .

m a r d ini ( d estroyer o f a buffa lo ) she slew S u mb h a i n the fo r m !

o f a bu ffa lo ; 5 A s j g
a a d d h a
.t r i ( the m othe r o f th e worl d ) sh e
ove r c a m e the a r m y o f t h e gi a nts 6 A s Kali ( the bl a ck wom a n ) .

she slew R ak t a vija ; 7 A s M u k t ak e s i ( with flowing h a i r ) sh e

.

ove r c a m e a nothe r of th e a r mies of the gi a nts ; 8 A s Ta r a ( th e .

'

s avi ou r ) sh e slew S u mb h a i n hi s o wn p r oper sh a pe ; 9 A s C hi n .

n a m u s t ak a
( the he a d less
) she ki lle d N i s u mb h a ; 1 0 A s J a ga d .

g a u r i ( th e gol d en colou r e d l a d y renowne d th r ough the wo r l d )

-

she receive d the pr a ises a n d th a nks o f t h e go d s ? “

The gre a t co n flict fo r success i n whic h D u r ga a ssu me d s o

m a ny fo r m s is d esc r ibe d a s follows in th e M ar k a n d e ya P u r an afi
‘
,

A t th e close of the Tret a A ge t w o gi a n ts n a m e d S u mb h a a n d , ,

N i s u mb h a pe r fo r m e d religious a u sterities fo r
,
ye a rs the ,

m e r it o f which a ction b r ought S iv a fr o m he a ven wh o d iscovere d ,

t h a t by these wo r ks o f extr a o r d in a r y d evotion th ey sought to

, ,

obt a in the blessing o f i mm o r t a l ity S iv a r e a sone d long with .

them a n d v a inly en d e a vou r e d to pe r su a d e t h e m to as k for a n y

,

o the r blessing th a n i mm ort a lity B ei n g d enie d they ente r e d .

,

u pon m o r e seve r e a u ste r ities which th ey continue d for a nothe r ,

thous a n d ye a r s when S iv a a g a in a ppe a r e d but refuse d to g r a nt

, ,

wh a t they a ske d fo r T h ey now suspen d e d the m selves with thei r

.

h e a d s d ownw a r d s ove r a s low fi r e till th e bloo d st r e a m e d fr o m ,

thei r h e a d s a n d conti n ue d thu s fo r 8 0 0 ye a r s

,
The go d s .

beg a n to t r e m ble lest by pe r for m i n g such r igi d a cts o f holiness

, , ,

they shou l d be s u ppl a nte d o n thei r thrones The ki n g o f th e .

go d s c a l le d a cou n ci l a n d i m p ar te d to t h e m h is fe a r s ; they
,

a d m itte d th a t the r e w as g r e a t g r oun d fo r fe a r but a ske d wh a t ,

w as t h e r e m e d y .

“
A cti n g u pon the a d vice o f I n d r a K a n d a r p a ( the go d o f love ) , ,

with R a mbha a n d T i la t a m a the m ost be a utifu l of the celesti a l ,

ny m phs were sent to fil l t h e m i n d s o f the gi a nts with sensu a l

,

d esi r es K a n d a rp a letti n g fly his a r r ow woun d e d the m both ;

.

u pon which a w a king fr om thei r a bs o r ptio n a n d seei n g two

, ,

be a u tifu l wo m e n they we r e t a ken i n the sn a r e a n d a b a n d one d

, ,

W d ii 1 1 ar , . 0 .
T I b i d p 98 . . .
 D U RG A . 2 53

thei r d evotions With these wo m en they live d for 5 000 ye a r s

.

a fter which t h ey b eg a n to t h i n k of th e folly o f r enouncing thei r

hopes of i m mo r t a lity fo r the s a ke o f sensu a l gr a t i fi cat i o n s They .

suspecte d th a t this m ust h a ve been a cont r iv a n ce of I n d r a ;

a n d d riving b a ck th e ny m phs to h e a ven r enewe d thei r d evotions
, , ,

cutting t h e flesh off thei r bones a n d m aking bu r nt o fferi n gs of it

,

to S iv a T h us they co n tinu e d fo r 1 0 00 ye ar s till t h ey bec a m e

.
,

enti r e skeletons w h en S iv a a g a i n a ppe ar e d a n d bestowe d u pon

—
them t h is blessing th a t in r ic h es a n d strength they shou l d excel
the go d s .

“
Being thu s ex a lte d a bove the go d s they beg a n to m a ke w a r ,

upon t h e m A fter v ar iou s successes on both si d es the gi a nts

.
,

bec a me eve r ywhe r e victorious an d I n d r a a n d t h e go d s r e d uce d ,

to a m ost d eplo r a ble st a te of wretc h e d ness s o licite d the inte r ,

ference o f B r a hma a n d Vishnu They r efer r e d the m t o S iv a .

,

who d ecl a r e d th a t he coul d d o nothing for them When how .

,

eve r they re m in d e d hi m th a t th rough his blessing t h ey h a d

,

been r uine d he a d vise d the m to perfo r m r eligious a uste r ities to

,

D u r ga Th ey d i d so ; a n d a fte r so m e ti m e t h e go d d ess a p
.

p e a red g,
a ve the m h e r blessing an d d isgu isi n g h e r self like a
, ,

co m m on fe ma le c a rrying a pitcher o f w a ter p a sse d t h r o u g h ,

the a sse mble d go d s S h e then a ske d them whose p r a ise they

.

we r e c h a n ti n g Whilst spe aki n g s h e a ssu m e d h e r prope r fo r m

.
, ,

a n d replie d They a r e celeb r a ti n g m y p r a ise ’

.
,

T h is new go d d ess n o w d is a ppe a r e d a n d a sce n d e d M ou n t

‘

H i m al a y a whe r e C h a n d a a n d M a n d a two o f S u mb h a a n d
, ,

N 1s u mb h a s m essenge r s r esi d e d A s these m esse n ge r s w a n d e r e d

,
.

ove r the m ount a in they s aw the go d d ess a n d bei n g excee d ingly

, ,

st r u ck with h e 1 c h a r m s w h ich they d esc r ibe d to thei r m a ste r s

, ,

a d vise d them to e n g a ge the a ffections of t h is fe m a le even i f ,

t h ey g a ve her a ll the glo r iou s things w h ich t h ey h a d obt a ine d i n

plun d e r i n g t h e h e a vens o f t h e go d s .

S u mb h a sent S u gr i va a s m essenge r to the go d d ess to info r m ,

h e r t h a t t h e r iches o f the t h r ee worl d s we r e i n h is p a l a ce t h at

a ll the o ffe r i n gs w h ic h use d to be p r esente d t o the go d s we r e now

o ffe r e d to h i m a n d th a t a ll these offe r ings r ic h es & c w o u l d be

, , ,
.
,

he r s if s h e wou l d come to h i m The go d d ess replie d t h a t t h is

‘

, .
2 54 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

o ffe r w as ve r y l ibe r a l but th a t she h a d r esolve d th a t th e pe r son

,

who m she m a r rie d m ust fi r st conque r her i n w ar a n d d estroy h e r ,

p r i d e S u gr i va unwilli n g to r etu r n u n s u c ce s fu l still p r esse d fo r

.
, ,

a fa vou r a ble a n swe r p r o m ising t h a t he wou l d eng a ge to conque r

,

h e r i n w a r a n d sub d ue h e r pri d e a n d a ske d in a n a ut h o r it a tive

,

st r a in : D i d s h e know his m a ste r befo r e who m none o f th e

‘
,

i nh abit a nts o f the wo r l d s h a d been a b le to st a n d whether go d s , ,

d e mo n s o r m an ,
H o w then cou l d s h e a fem a le think o f r e s i s t i n g , ,

h is offe r s ? I f his m a ster h a d o r d e r e d h i m h e woul d h ave c o m ,

l to go into his p esence i mm e d i tely She g ee th t ’

p e l e d h e r r a a r d a .

this w a s ve r y co r r ect but th a t s h e h a d t a ke n her resolution a n d

, ,

exho r te d h i m the r efore t o persu a d e his m a ster to co me a n d t r y

, ,

his st r e n gth with her .

“
The m essenger went a n d r el ate d wh a t h e h a d he a r d from
this fe m a le O n he a r ing his a ccount S u mb h a wa s fille d with
.

r a ge a n d without m a king a n reply c l le d for D h m l h his

, y a u o c a n a ,

co mma n d e r i a c h ief a n d g a ve hi m o r d ers to go to H i m al ay a a n d

- -
,

seize a cert a in go d d ess ( giving h i m p a r ticu l a rs ) an d b r ing h e r ,

to h i m a n d if a n y a tte m pte d to rescue h e r utterly to d estroy

, , ,

the m .

“
The co mm a n d e r went to H imal a y a a n d a cqu a inte d the go d ,

d ess with h is m a ster s o r d e r s S he s m iling invite d h i m to

’
.
, ,

execute them O n the a pp r o a ch o f this he r o she set u p a

.
,

d re a d ful r o a r by which he w a s r e d uce d to a shes

, A fter which .

she d est r oye d the a rmy o f the gi a nt le a ving only a few fugitives ,

to com m unic a te the ti d ings S u mb h a a n d N i s u mb h a infu r i a te d .

, ,

sent C h a n d a a n d M a n d a who o n a sce n d i n g the m ou n t a in p e r ,

c e i ve d a fe m a le sitting o n a n a s s l a ughing O n seeing t h e m ,

.

she bec a m e en r a ge d a n d d r ew to h e r ten twenty o r thi r ty o f thei r

, , ,

a r m y a t a ti m e d evou r ing the m like fru it ,

She next seize d .

M a n d a by th e h a i r cut o ff his he a d a n d hol d ing it over her

, , ,

m outh d r a nk th e bloo d
,
C h a n d a on seeing the othe r co m m a n .
,

d e r sl a in i n this m a nne r c a m e t o close qu a r te r s with th e go d d ess

,
.

But she m ou nte d o n a lion sp r a ng o n h i m a n d d esp a tching h i m , , ,

a s she h a d d o n e M a n d a d evou r e d p a r t o f his a r my a n d d r a nk

, ,

the bloo d o f t h e sl a in .

“
The gi a nts no soone r he a r d this a l ar ming news th a n they
2 5 6 T H E P U R AN I C D E I TI E S .

S i d d h a S enani ( ge n e r a le s s of the S i d d h a s ) the noble the d welle r

-
, ,

o n M a n d ar a Ku m a r i ( P r i n cess ) Kali
,
K a pali K a pila K r i sh n a , , , ,

ping a la Reve r e n ce to thee Bh a d r a k ali r eve r e n ce to thee M a h a

. ,

Kali C h a n d i Ch a n d a Ta r i n i ( d elive r ess ) Va r ava r i n i ( be a utifu l

,

, , , ,

colo u re d ) O fo r tun ate K alyaya n i O K a rali O Vij a ya O

.
, , ,

J a ya ( victory ) you n ge r siste r of the chief of cowhe r d s ( K r ishn a )

, ,

d elig h ting a lw a ys i n M a h i s h a s bloo d ! O U m a S a k a mb h a r i ’

, ,

thou white o n e thou bl a ck o n e ! O d est r oyer of K a i t ab h a ! O f

,

sciences thou a r t the scie n ce o f B r a h m a ( or o f the Ve d a s ) th e

, ,

g r e a t sleep o f e mbo d ie d beings O mothe r o f S k a n d a ( K a r tikey a) .

,

d ivine D u r ga d wel le r in wil d ernesses ,

Thou g r e a t go d d ess a r t , ,

p r a ise d with a pu r e he a r t By thy fa vou r let m e ever be .

victo r ious in b a ttle I n a n othe r ve r s e o f this s a m e book she i s

.
’

s a i d to d well pe r petu a lly in the Vin d hy a hills an d to d elight i n ,

“

spi r itu ous liquo r s flesh a n d s a c r ifici a l victi m s

, , .
”

The st ate m e n t t h a t D u r ga wa s the younge r sister of Krishn a

r efe r s to the fa ct t h a t it w a s she who took K r ishn a s pl a ce i n
’

D ev a ki s wo mb a fte r V a su d ev a h a d c ar r ie d the i nfa nt K r ishn a t o

’

N a n d a a n d who m K a n s a a tte m pte d to d estroy by d a s h ing h e r

,

a g a inst a stone i m m e d i a tely a fter her bi r th K r ishn a p r o m ise d .

,

i f she wou l d t a ke hi s pl a ce a s D ev a ki s chil d bec o m i n g a ssimi ’

,
“

l ate d to h i m in glo r y she woul d ob ta in a n ete r n a l pl a ce i n ,

the sky be inst a l le d by I n d r a a m ongst th e go d s obt a in a p e r

, ,

e t u a l a bo d e o n the Vin d hy a mount a ins w h e r e m e d it a ti n g u pon

p ,

h i m ( Vishnu ) sh e woul d kil l two d e m ons S u mb h a a n d ,

”
N i s u m b h a a n d wou l d be wo r shippe d with a n i m a l s a c r i fices
,
.

THE C H I EF F O R M S O F D U RG A .

1 D U RG A r eceive d C h a n d a a n d M a n d a the m essenge r s of

.
,

the gi a nts ; they st r uck wit h h e r be a uty spoke so r a ptu r ously

, ,

o f h e r to thei r lo r d s th a t S u m b h a se n t h e r a n offer o f m a r r i a ge

by S u gr i va .

D A S A B H U J RJ the ten h a n d e d d est r oye d S u m b h a s a r m y

’
-
2 .
,

u n d e r the co m m a n d e r i n chief D h u m lo ch a n a O f these t r o o ps - - .

M uir, O . S T
. .
,
i v 34
. .
T S e e i ll u s t r a t i o n , p . 25 1 .
 THE C H I EF F OR M S OF D U RG A . 2
57

o n ly a few fugitives esc a pe d to c a r r y the news o f thei r d efe a t to ,

thei r m a ste r .

3 . S I N G H A V A H I N I ( r i d i n g o n a lion
) fought with C h a n d a an d

M a n d a a n d h a s fou r a r m s only She d r a nk the bloo d of t h e

,
.

le a d ers a n d d evou r e d a l a r ge p ar t of t h ei r t r 0 0 ps
, .

4 . M A H I S H A M A R D I N I ( t h e sl a ye r o f M a h ish a
) slew S u m b h a

a s h e a tt a cke d h e r i n the fo r m of a bu ffa lo She h a d eight o r .

,

a cco r d ing to othe r a ccou n ts t e n a r m s T h e r e i s little to d istin

,
.

guish the a ccou n t o f t h is for m from t h a t of D urga .

5 J
. A G A D D H A T R I ( the m othe r of the worl d
) d estroye d a n

other a r my o f the gi a nts ; i s d resse d in r e d g a rments a n d ,

s ea te d o n a lion S h e too h a s .
, ,

fou r a r m s only a n d is ve r y ,

si m il a r to S i n gh avah i n i ; the
d i ffe r ence bei n g i n the we a po n s
she wiel d s A s S i n gh avah i n i
.
,

she c ar r ies a swo r d a n d spe a r ,

an d wit h two h a n d s i s e n
co u r a gi n g h e r worshippers as

J ga a d d h a t r i s h e c a r r ies a
,

conch shell d iscus bow a n d

-
, ,

a r r ow . I n a ll t h e a bove fo r m s
she i s r ep r esente d a s a fa ir ,

be a utifu l gentle looking l a d y

,
-
.

6 K AL I ( the bl a ck wo m a n )
.
,

or a s s h e is m o r e commo n ly
‘

c a lle d Kali M a the bl a ck ,

m other wit h th e a i d o f C h a n d i
, ,

slew R a k t avija the pr i n cip a l ,

le a d e r o f the gi a nt s a r m y ’
.

S eeing his me n fa ll he a tt acke d ,

J R A GA D D H T RL

the go d d ess i n person ; when

fr om eve r y d r o p o f bloo d th at fel l fr o m h is bo d y a thous a n d
gi a nts equ a l i n power to hi mself a r ose A t this crisis a not h e r .

fo r m o f the go d d ess n a m e d C h a n d i c a m e to the rescu e A s

, ,
.

Kali d r a nk the gi a nt s bloo d a n d p r evente d the fo r m ation o f

’

new gi a n ts C h a n d i slew the m o n ste r he r self

,
.
2 5 8 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

Kali is r ep r esente d a s a bl a ck wo m a n with four a r m s ; in

o n e h a n d she h as a swor d in a nothe r the he a d o f the gi a nt she
,

h a s sl a in with t h e other two she is encou r aging h e r wo r shippe r s

,
.

Fo r e a r r ings she h a s two d e a d bo d i es ; we ar s a neckl a ce o f

skulls h e r only clothi n g is a gi r d le m a d e o f d e a d m e n s h a n d s ’

a n d h e r tongu e p r otru d es fr o m her mouth H e r eyes a r e r e d a s .

those o f a d r unk a r d a n d her ,

fa ce a n d b r e a sts a r e b e
sme a re d with bloo d She .

st a n d s with o n e foot o n the

thigh a n d a nothe r o n the ,

b r e a st o f her hu sb a n d This .

positio n of Kali is a ccounte d

fo r by the fa ct th a t when h e r ,

victo r y o ve r the gi a n ts w a s
won s h e d a n ce d fo r j oy so ,

fu r i ously th a t t h e e ar th
t r emble d bene a th h e r weight .

A t t h e r equest o f the go d s
‘

S iv a a ske d her to d esist bu t ,

a s owing to h e r excite m ent , ,

she d i d n o t notice him he lay ,

d own a mongst the sl a i n She .

conti n ue d d a ncing u nti l she

K K
c
LI .
a u ght si ht of her husb a n d
g
u n d er h e r feet ; i m m e d i a tely
s he th r u st o u t her tongu e with sh a m e a t the d is r espect she
h a d shown h i m .

I n the A dh ya t m a R am aya n a T i s a legen d givi n g qu ite a

‘ ’

, ,

d iffe r ent origi n of Kali ; th e obj ect o f the w r ite r evi d ently bei n g
t o e n h a nce the glo r y of S it a by s h owi n g th a t K ali w a s but a
,

fo r m th a t she h a d a ssu m e d O n Ra m a s r etu r n fr o m the d e

.
’

st r uction of Rav a n a h e w a s bo a sti n g of his p r owess whe n S it a

, ,

s m ile d a n d s a i d : You r ej oice b ec a u se yo u h ave sl a in Rav a n a

“

with ten he a d s but w h a t woul d you s a y to a Rav a n a with a

,

Th e re are fo ur r e ce e n s i o n s of th e R amay an a : V l m i k i Vy
a
’
s, a s a d e va s ,
’

th e A d h u t a, an d t h e A d h ya t m a .
T W d ii 1 16
ar ,
. .
2 60 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

hi m self a lone a n d i m agi n i n g th a t a ll h is fo r ces we r e d est r oye d

, , ,

beg a n to weep S it a l a u g h i n g at h e r husb a n d a ss u m e d t h e

.
, ,

te r r ific fo r m of Kali a n d fu r iously a tt a cke d t h e thous a n d h e a d e d

,
-

Rav a n a T h e co n flict l a ste d ten ye a r s but a t le n gth she slew

.
,

t h e gi a nt d r a nk his bloo d a n d beg a n to d a nce a n d toss abou t

, ,

t h e li mbs of his lifeless bo d y H e r d a nci n g s h ook t h e e a r th .

to its cent r e ; but n o t u n til S iv a la y on t h e g r ou n d a n d h e r ,

a ttention w a s c a lle d to the d is r espect she w a s s h owi n g h i m ,

co u l d she be p r ev a ile d u pon to d esist Thu s S iv a s ave d t h e .

u n ive r se ; a n d S it a a ssu m ing h e r p r ope r for m went ho m e wit h

, ,

R a m a a n d his b r othe r s
The Sk a n d a P u r an a expl a ins th a t C h a n d i w h o c a m
.

‘ ’
e to the ,

r esc u e a n d a ssiste d Kali i n t h e d est r u ction o f R a k t a vi a w a s a

j ,

fo r m o f D evi a ssu m e d o n a noth e r occ a sion fo r the d est r uctio n o f

,

C h a n d a I t is i n te r esting to see t h a t t h ese le a d e r s o f S u m b h a s

.
’

a r m y r e a ppe a r a lthough t h ey we r e sl a i n a n d thei r bloo d w a s

, ,

d r u nk by S i n gh avah i n i Two A s u r a s n a m e d C h a n d a a n d
.
,

M a n d a th r ough a boon r eceive d fr o m the d ivi n e m othe r s b e

, ,

c a m e so powe r fu l a s to sub d ue the th r ee wo r l d s The go d s b e .

soug h t D evi w h o a ppe a r e d to t h e m u n d e r the fo r m o f Ch a n d i

, ,

to d elive r the m ; s h e r eplie d th at s h e cou l d d o nothing fo r ,

“

t h e m u ntil s h e h a d propiti a te d S iv a To a cco m plish thi s she .

”

r eti r e d to a fo r est a n d w h ilst eng a ge d in wo r s h ip S iv a fi r st a

, p
e a r e d u n d e r the fo r m o f a v a st Li n g a a n d t h e n i n a nswe r to
p , , ,

Ch a n d i s p r a ye r r eve a le d h i m self a n d i n a n swe r to h e r p r a ises

’

, ,

t h u s a d d r esse d h e r : O go d d ess ! T h ou a r t celeb r a te d in the

“

th r ee wo r l d s a s P a r as ak t i ( the e n e r gy o f t h e su p r e m e being ) .

W h ereve r t h ou a r t t h e r e a m I ; a n d whe r ever I a m t h e r e is

, ,

C h a n d ika The r e is no d iffe r ence between us Wh a t sh a ll I d o

. .

fo r you Ch a n d i replies F o r m e r ly I slew Ch a n d a a n d M a n d a

i n b a ttl e b u t they h ave been b o r n a g a i n as m ighty A su r a s a n d ,

h a ve opp r esse d t h e t h r ee wo r l d s I t is the r efo r e to be e n able d .

t o d est r oy t h e m t h a t I seek t h y p r otectio n S iv a p r o m ises ”

.

h is h elp a n d sen d s h e r i n the guise o f a m essenge r to c h a lle n ge

,

t h e m to fig h t They a ccept the ch a l le n ge a n d a r e sl a in by S iv a

. .

Ken n ed y ,
Hi ndu p .
3 38 .
 THE C HI EF F OR M S OF D U RG A . 261

The Li n g a Pu r an a seems to te a ch th a t Kali though p r o ,

d u c e d by Pa r v a ti w as yet d istinct fr o m h e r ,
F o r m e r ly a fe m a l e .

A sur a n a me d D ar u k a h a d through d evotion O bt a ine d such powe r

th a t she consu me d like fire the go d s a n d Brah m ans But a s s h e .

w a s a tten d e d by a host o f fe m a le A sur a s Vishnu a n d the go d s ,

fe a re d to a tt a ck h e r lest they shoul d be guilty of the g r e a t sin

,

of sl a ying a wo m a n S iv a is t h en a ppe a le d to who a d d ressi n g

.
, ,

D evi s a i d : Let m e requ est O lovely O ne ! th a t thou woul d st

,
“
,
”
e ffect the d est r u ction o f this D ar u k a Pa r v a ti h a ving h e ar d .
,

these wo r d s c r e a te d fr o m h e r o wn subst a n ce a m a i d en o f bl a ck
,

colou r with m a tte d locks h a vi n g a n eye in h e r fo r ehe a d be a r i n g

, , ,

in h e r h a n d a t r i d ent a n d a S kull she w a s of a spect ter r ible to

behol d w a s a r r a ye d i n celesti a l g ar m ents a n d a d o r ne d with a ll
, ,

kin d s o f o r n a me n ts O n behol d i n g this te r r ific fo r m of d ar kness

.
,

the go d s r et r e a te d i n a l ar m P a r v a ti the n cre a te d innu m e r a ble .

ghosts goblins a n d d emons a tten d e d by these Kali in obe

, , , ,

d i e n ce to her o r d e r a tt a cke d a n d d estroye d D ar u k a

, .

M a u r 1ce Tgives a nother a ccount o f Kali The o r igin o f this

si n gul a r d eity is pe r fectly in u n ion with h e r life a n d histo r y .

A r r a ye d i n complete a r m ou r she sp r a ng fr om t h e eye o f the ,

d r e a d fu l w a r bre d go d d ess D u r ga th e v a nquis h e r of d e m o n s a n d

-
,

gi a nts a t the ve r y inst a nt th a t s h e w a s sinking un d e r thei r

,

u n ite d a ssa u lts K ali j oining h e r ext r a o r d in a r y powe r s to those

.

o f h e r p a rent they r e n ew the co m b a t a n d r out thei r foes with

,

gre a t sl a ughter .
”

The M ar k a n d e ya P uran a i m a kes Kal i t o be a pro d uction o f

‘ ’

L aks h m i The o r i gin o f a ll thi n gs is M a ha L a ks h m i who

.
,

visibly o r i n visibly pe r va d es a n d d wells in a ll th a t is S ep ar a ti n g .

fr om he r self the qu a lity o f d a r kness she g ave o r igin to a fo r m ,

bl a ck a s night with d r e a d ful tusks a n d l a r ge eyes a n d hol d ing

, ,

a swo r d a goblet
, a he a d a n d a shiel d a n d a d o r ne d with a
, ,

neckl a ce of skulls She is d isti n guis h e d by the n a mes of .

M a hakali Ek avi r a K ala r at r i a n d othe r si m il ar a ppell a tions

, , ,
.

Then fr om the qu a lity o f pu r ity she p r o d uce d S a r a sva ti A s .

Ke n n e d y ,
‘
Hi n du p 3 37 . . T I di
n an An ti qu i ti es ,
’
ii . 1 8 4.
K en n e d y H i n d u ,
p 21. 0.
2 62 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

soon a s they we r e fo r m e d M a ha L a ksh m i thus a d d r esse d ,

M a h akali a n d S a r a sv a ti : Let u s fr o m o u r own fo r m s p r o d uce

”
twin d eities S he then gener a te d a m a le a n d fe m ale n a me d
.
‘

B r a hma a n d L aksh m i ; in the s a m e m a n ne r M a hakali p r o d uce d

S iv a a n d S a r a sv a ti a n d S a r a sv a ti p r o d u ce d G a u r i a n d Vish nu
,
.

M aha L a ksh m i then g a ve i n m a r r i age S a r a sv a ti t o B r a h m a ,

G a u r i t o S iv a a n d L a ksh m i to Vish nu
,
.

The r e ca n be no d oubt th a t hu m a n s a c r ifices we r e fo r m e r ly

offe r e d to Kali though n o w they a r e forbi d d en both by B r itish
,

la w a n d the H in d u S c r iptu r es the prohibition i n H in d u books ,

howeve r is i n a m ore recent cl a ss o f books th a n those in

,

which they we r e or d a ine d I n the Kalik a P uran a fr o m wh ich

.
,
’

t h e following ext r a cts a r e m a d e nothing cou l d be cle a r er th a n ,

the instruction reg a r d ing this c r uel p r a ctice S iv a is a d d r essing .

his sons the Bh a i r av a s initi a ting the m in these ter r ible myste r ies
,
.

“
The fl esh o f the a ntelope a n d the rhinoceros give my belove d
( Kali ) d elight for five h un d r e d ye a r s By a hu m a n s a crifice .
,

a tten d e d by the for m s l a i d d own D evi is ple a se d for a thous a n d,

ye a rs ; a n d by the s a c r ifice o f th r ee m e n a hu n d r e d thous a n d ,

ye a rs By hu ma n flesh Ka m akhya C h a n d ika a n d Bh a i r a va

.
, , ,

who a ssu m e m y sh a pe a r e ple a se d a thous a n d ye a rs A n o h

,
.

l a ti on o f bloo d which h a s been ren d ere d pu r e by holy texts is ,

equ a l to a m b r osi a the he a d a n d flesh a lso a ffor d m u ch d elight

to C h a n d ika B loo d d r a wn fr o m the offe r er s o w n bo d y is looke d
.
’

u pon a s a p r ope r obl a tion to the go d d ess C h a n d ika .

“
Let the s a cr i fic e r repe a t the wo r d Kali twice a n d s ay H a il , , ,

D evi ! go d d ess o f thun d er ; h a il i r on s cept r e d go d d ess ! Let ,

-

h i m then t a ke the a x e i n his h a n d a n d a g a in i nvoke the s a me ,

by the K ala r at r i text a s follows : Let the s acr i fi ce r s a y H r a n g

, , ,

H r a n g ! Kali Kali ,
O ho r ri d toothe d go d d ess Ea t cut d est r oy
-
, ,

a ll the m a lign a n t ; cut with this a x e bin d bin d ; seize seize ;

; , ,

d r ink bloo d S p h e n g s ph e n g ! secure secu r e

,
S a lut a tion to ,
.

Kali The a x e being invoke d by this text c a lle d the K ala r at r i

.
’

M a nt r a K ala r at r i he r self p r esi d es over the a x e u plifte d for t h e

, ,

d estruction of the s a c r i fi ce r s ene m ies

’
.

M oor s ’ ‘
H i n du P an t he o n,
’
1 44 ff
.
2 64 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

7
. M U K T A K ES I ( h a vi n g flowi n g h a i r
) d est r oye d a n othe r p a rt

o f the gi a n t s fo r ces I n a ppe a r a nce the r e is little to d istin

’
.

g u is h h e r fr o m Kali : she h as fou r a r m s ; hol d s a swo r d a n d

a hel m et i n h e r left h a n d s a n d with h e r r ight she is bestowi ng
,

a blessi n g a n d d ispelling fe a r She too is st a n d ing upon the.

, ,

bo d y o f h e r h u sb an d .

8 T aRA ( the s aviou r ) slew S u m b h a a n d hol d s his he a d in

. ,

o ne h an d an d a swo r d in a nothe r H e r a ppe a r a nce too i s .

, ,

si mil a r to th a t of Kali S he m ust not be confou n d e d with

.

Ta r a t h e wife o f Vr i h as p at i ; or Ta r a th e wi fe o f B ali the

, , ,

A s u r a ki n g .

9
. C H I N N A M U S T A K A ( the behe aded
) slew N i s u mb h a the ,

o t h e r gi a n t It is evi d e n t fr o m h e r a ppe a r a nce th a t sh e foun d

.

h e r t a sk r a t h e r d ifficult fo r h e r he a d is h a lf seve r e d fr o m her

,
-

bo d y She is p a inte d a s a fa i r wo m a n n a ke d a n d we a r ing a

.
, ,

g a r l a n d o f sk u lls st a n d i n g u pon t h e bo d y o f her h usb a n d

,
.

1 0 j A G A D G A U RI
.
( the yel low w o m an
[ r enowne d
] th r ough the

w o r l d ) r eceive d the th a n ks a n d p r a ises of th e go d s a n d m e n

fo r the d elive r a nce she wrought ; in h e r fou r h a n d s she hol d s a
c o n c h s h ell a d isc u s a club a n d a lotus
-
, , ,
.

I m a ges a r e m a d e of D u r ga at d iffe r ent se a sons o f the ye a r

i n ne a r ly a ll of these t e n fo r m s a n d v a r iou s blessi n gs a r e sought ,

fro m h e r by h e r wo r shi ppe r s I n a d d ition to these she is w o r.

s h ippe d u n d e r othe r n a m es so m e of th e m o r e genera lly k n own

will n o w be give n I t sho u l d be n o tice d th a t the H in d us
.

w h o wo r ship D u r g a in so m e o f h e r for m s a n d the othe r fe m a le ,

d eities whe n they r ep r esent the S a kti o r e n e r gy o f thei r

, ,

h u sb a n d s a r e c a lle d S a kt a s a n d fo r m a cl a ss d istinct fr o m
, ,

t h e H i n d u s ge n e r a lly A n exception howeve r must be m a d e

.
, ,

i n r espect t o S a r a sv a ti L a ksh m i a n d t h e a utu m n a l w o r ship

, ,

f D u rga ; this p a r ticul a r fo r m of wo r ship bei n g co mm o n to

a l m o st a ll I li n d u s .

P R A T Y A N G I R A the well p r opo r tione d o n e O f this fo

1 1
.

( ) -
rm .

o f D u r ga no i ma ges a r e m a d e bu t a t night the o ffici a ti n g ,

p r iest we a r ing r e d clothes offe r s r e d flowe r s liquo r s a n d bloo d y

,
, , ,

W ar d, i i . 1 0 1 —1 1 7 .
 THE C H I EF F OR M S OF D U RC A
. 2 65

s a c r ifices The flesh of a ni m a ls d ippe d i n so m e intoxic a ting

.

d r i n k is bu r ne d ; the worshi ppe r believi n g th a t the fles h of the

ene my fo r whose inj u ry the ce r e m ony is pe r fo r m e d w ill swell a s ,

the flesh o f the s a c r i fice swells i n the fi r e .

12
. A N N A P U R N A ( she w h o fills with fo o d ) is r ep r esente d a s
a fa i r wo m a n st a n d ing o n a lotus I n one h a n d she hol d s
,
.

a r ice bowl an d ,
in the
other a spoon u se d fo r
sti r ri n g rice when it is
being boile d S iva a s a .
,

m e n d ic a nt is r eceivi ng
,
.

a l m s fr o m her She is the.

gu a r d i an d eity o f m a ny
H in d us who h a ve a p r o
,

ve r b to the effect t h a t a
S ince r e d isciple of this
d eity will neve r w a n t r ic e .

I t i s i n connexion with
this form of D u r ga th a t
the Ling a Pura n a gives ’ i"

a legen d expl a i n ing a n

i m a ge c a lle d A r d h a nari
s h war a ,
which r epresents
S iv a a n d D u r ga a s to
gethe r f o r m ing one bo d y .

S iv a a s a m en d ic a nt sup
po r te d h is wife a n d chil
d r en by beggi n g ; but o n
o n e occ a sio n owing to his,

u se of intoxic a ti n g he r bs ,

he w a s un able t o go his
A N N A P U RN A
r oun d s D urga tol d h i m
.

the r e w a s nothi n g in the house to e at ; h a lf the p r eviou s d a y s ’

cont r ibutio n s they h a d e a ten ; G a n es a s r at an d K a r t i k e ya s ’ ’

pe a cock h a ving fi n ishe d the r est S iva the n went o u t to beg a n d

.
,

W ar d, 11
. 1 87.
2 66 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

D u r ga st a r te d fo r her fa t h e r s house with th e chil d r en b ut w a s

’

me t by N a r a d a who a d vise d h e r a s A n n a pu r n a t o la y a n e m
, , ,

b a r go o n a ll t h e foo d of the houses whe r e S iv a a ske d for a l m s .

The r es u lt o f this w a s t h a t n o o n e w o ul d give h i ma n yt h ing N a .

r a d a m eeti n g with Siv a a d vise d h i m to go h o m e ; A n n a pu r n a

m e t h i m a t t h e d oo r a n d s o ple a se d h i m by givi n g h i m foo d th a t

, ,

h e p r esse d h e r to his b r e a st with such fo r ce th a t they bec a m e

one bo d y .

13. G A N ES A J A N A N I ( t h e m othe r of G a nes a ) i s wo r shippe d

with h e r infa n t i n h e r a r m s .

14. K RI S H N A K R O R A ( S h e wh o hol d s Krish n a o n h e r b r e a st ) .

W h e n K r is h n a fo ught with the se r pent K a liy a i n the r iver

Y a m un a he w a s bitte n a n d i n p a in c a lle d u pon D u r ga fo r help
, , .

She h e a r d his c r y a n d by suckli n g h i m fr o m h e r b r e a st r esto r e d

, , ,

h i m t o he a lth .

This list m ight be a l m ost in d efinitely e n l ar ge d F ro m th e .

n u m be r of h e r n a m es , it is evi d ent S h e is l a r gely wo r shippe d in

N o r th In d i a ; a n d fr om the nu mber o f H in d u s be a ri n g so m e o n e
o r othe r o f h e r n a m es it is ce r t a in th a t she is m ost popu l a r
,
It .

i s a co mmo n custo m fo r th e H in d u s to give thei r ch il d ren n a m es

i n d ic a ti n g the go d o r go d d ess th r ough whose fa vou r they a r e
believe d to h ave bee n give n a n d ce r t a inly D u r ga see m s to h a ve
,

h a d a p a r t i n th e bestow a l o f a ve r y l a rge p r opo r tion of t h e

c h il d r en in Beng a l By the fa vo u r o f Kal i o r D u r ga o r Ta r a
.
“
, , ,
”

is exp r esse d i n the n a m es of m u ltit u d es a n d eve r y d a y witnesses

,

t h e p ayme n t of vows m a d e to this go d d ess when so m e d esire d

goo d is gr a n te d o r t h r e a tene d evi l a ve r te d
,
.
 2 68 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

ej ac u l a ti o n to h i m m ight be m ultiplie d with e a se F ew bo o ks .

a r e beg u n wit h o u t t h e w o r d s S a l ut a tion to G a n es a a n d he ‘

,

is fi r st i n voke d by B r ah m a n s who con d u ct th e t r i a l by o r d e a l ,

o r pe r fo r m the ce r e m o n y of th e ho m a o r s a c r ifice to fi r e M ”
. .

S o n n e r a t r ep r ese n ts h i m a s highly reve r e d o n the co a st o f

C o r o m a n d el whe r e a cco r d i n g to h i m the I n d i a n s woul d not o n
, , ,
“

an
y a ccount bu il d a ho u se without h a ving pl a ce d on the g r ou n d

a n i m a ge of this d eity wh ich they sp r inkle with oil a n d a d o r n,

eve r y d a y with flowe r s They s et u p h is i m a ge i n a ll their .

te m ples i n t h e st r eets i n the high r o a d s a n d i n the open pl a i n s

, , ,

a t t h e fo ot o f s o m e t r ee so th a t pe r so n s of a ll r a n ks m a y i n voke
,

h i m befo r e t h ey u n d e r t a ke a n y busi n ess a n d t r a velle r s wo r s h ip ,

h i m befo r e they p r ocee d o n a j ou r ney W h a t is t r u e o f the ”

.

C o r o m a n d el co a st is t r u e of most p a r ts o f I n d i a so far a s the

,

wo r s h ip o f th is d eity i s c o n ce r ne d .

G a nes a is the H i n d u go d o f P r u d e n ce a n d Policy H e is the .

r ep u te d el d est s o n of S iv a a n d Pa r v a ti the P a d m a P u r an a a lo n e
(
‘ ’

d ecl a r es th a t he w a s the a ctu a l chil d o f these d eities ) a n d is r e ,

p r ese n te d wit h a n eleph a n t s he a d — a n e m ble m o f s a g a city— a n d ’

is fr eq u e n tly a tte n d e d by o r is r i d ing upon a r a t H e h as , , .

”
ge n e r a lly fou r h a n d s b ut s o m etimes six o r eight o r only two
, , ,
.

H e i s a lw ays d esc r ibe d a s bei n g very co r pule n t an d pictu r es o r

i mages of h i m a r e seen ove r the d oo r s of m ost shopkeepe r s It .

is n o t e a sy to see why G a nes a h a s beco m e so unive r s a lly

w o r shippe d as there a r e few if a n y legen d s i n the P u r an a s
,

a ttesti n g his d ivine powe r .

The B r a h mava i va r t a P u r an a T gives the foll o wi n g a cco u nt

‘ ’

o f his bi r t h Pa r v a ti a fte r h e r m a r r i a ge with S iv a being wit h

, ,

o u t a chil d a n d ve r y d esi r ou s to obt a i n o n e i s a d vise d by h e r

,
,

h u sb a n d t o pe r fo r m the P a n yak a vr at a This is th e worship o f .

Vis h n u t o be begun on the thi r teent h d ay o f th e b r ight fo r t n ig h t

,
-

o f M ag h a a n d c o n tinue d fo r a ye a r 0 11 eve r y d a y of which

,
,

fl we r s fr u its c a kes vessels ge m s gol d & c a r e to be p r esente d

o , , , , , , .
, ,

a n d a th o u s a n d B r ah m a ns fe d a n d the pe r fo r m e r of the r ite is

t o o bse r ve m ost c a r efully a life of inw a r d pu r ity a n d to fix his

,

M oor ’
s Hi ndu l ’
a n th e o n
,
’
p . 1 69 .
T W il s o n s Wo rk s
’
,
iii . 1 03 .
 G A NE S A . 2 69

m in d on H ar i Pa r v a ti h a ving with the a i d o f S a n a t ,

Ku ma ra as d i r ecting priest a cco m plishe d the cere m o n y o n th e

, ,

b a nks o f the G a nges r etu r ns a fte r so m e inte r v a l in which S h e

, ,

sees K r ishn a fi r st a s a bo d y of light a n d a fte r w a r d s as a n o ld

, ,

B r ah m a n come to her d welli n g Th e r ew a r d o f her religiou s

,
.

z e a l bei n g d el aye d she is plunge d in g r ief when a viewless voice

, ,

tells h e r to go to h e r a p a r t m ent whe r e sh e wil l fi n d a son who ,

is the lo r d o f Golok a o r K r ish n a th a t d eity h a ving a ssu m e d the

, ,

se m bl a nce of her son as a r eco m pense fo r her d evotions .

“
In co m pli ment t o t h is occ a sio n a ll the go d s c a m e to con ,

g r a tu l a te S iv a a n d Parv a ti a n d we r e sever a lly a d mitte d to see the ,

infa n t A m i d st the splen d i d cohort w a s S a ni the pl a net S a tu r n

.
, ,

who a lthough a n xiou s to p a y his ho m a ge to th e chil d kept his

, ,

eyes ste d fa stly fi xe d o n the g r ou n d Pa r v a ti a sking h i m the .

r e a so n of this he tol d her th a t being i mm e r se d in m e d it a tion

, ,

upon Vish n u he h a d d is r eg a r d e d t h e c a r esses o f his wife a n d

, , ,

in r esent m ent of his neglect S h e h a d d e n ounce d u pon h i m the ,

cu r se th a t whomsoeve r he g a z e d upon he S hou l d d est r oy To .

obvi ate the evi l consequences of this i m prec a tio n he a voi d e d ,

looki n g a n y o n e in the fa ce Pa r v a ti h a ving he a r d his story .

, ,

p a i d n o r eg a r d to it but ; co n si d e r ing th a t wh a t m ust be m u st

,

h e g a ve h i m per m ission to look o n her son

,
S a ni c a lling D h a r m a .
,

to witness his h avi n g le a ve took a peep a t G a ne s a o n which the , ,

chil d s he a d w a s seve r e d fr o m his bo d y a n d flew a w a y to th e

’

he a ven of Krish n a where it r e u nite d with the subst a nce o f h i m

,
-

of who m it fo r m e d a p a r t .

“
D u r ga t ak i n g the he a d less t r u n k i n h e r a r m s c a st he r self
, ,

weepi n g on the g r ou n d a n d the go d s thought it d ecent to follow ,

h e r ex a m ple a ll except Vishnu who m ounte d G a r u d a a n d flew

, , ,

o ff to the r ive r P u s h a b h a d r a whe r e fin d i n g a n eleph a n t a sleep

p , , ,

he took o ff his he a d a n d flying b a ck with it cl a ppe d it on to th e

, , ,

bo d y o f G a nes a ; hence th e bo d y o f th a t d eity is crow n e d with

its p r esent u ncouth c a pit a l O n the r esto r a tion o f G a nes a t o .

life v a lu a ble gifts we r e m a d e t o the go d s a n d B r ah m a ns by the

,

p a r ents a n d by Parv a ti s fa t h e r the pe r sonifie d H i m al ay a The

,
’

,
.

u nfo r tun a te S a ni w as a g a in a n a the m a tize d a n d in consequence , ,

of Pa r v a ti s cu r se h a s li m pe d eve r si n ce
’

,
.
2 7 0 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

In a nothe r p a r t of this s a m e Pu r an a fu rthe r p a rticul ar s ar e ,

given s o mewh a t a t v a r i a n ce with the a bove S iv a offen d e d with .

,

A d ity a ( t h e s u n ) slew h i m a n d a lthough he r esto r e d h i m to life

, ,

i n cu r r e d t h e w r a t h o f the s a ge K a sy a p a who d oo m e d hi s ( S iv a s ) ,
’

s o n t o l o se his h e a d The eleph a nt w hose he a d w a s pl a ce d u pon

.

G a n es a s b o d y w a s I n d r a s eleph a n t which w a s d ec a pit a te d

’ ’

bec a use I n d r a th r ew ove r his neck the g a r l a n d o f flowers which

the s a ge D u r vas as g a ve h i m a n d t h e d is r espect of which with, ,

t h e c o n sequent d eg r a d a tion o f I n d r a is notice d i n v a r ious ,

Pu r a n a s a lth o u gh i n a ll othe r r espects with d i ffe r ent results

,
.

I n d r a w a s n o lose r of a n eleph a nt by this t r a ns a ction a s Vishnu , ,

m o ve d by the p r a ye r s of his wife g a ve hi m a nothe r in pl a ce o f ,

th a t w h ich he took a w a y .

“
G a nes a h a s o n ly o n e tu sk a n d hence is c a lle d Ek a d a n t a,
.

The r e a so n of this i s a s follows z— Pa r a s u r am a who w a s a ,

fa vo u r ite d isciple of S iv a we n t to K a il a s a to visit his m a ste r

,
.

O n a r r iving a t the inne r a p a r t m ent his ent r a nce w a s oppose d ,

by G a nes a a s h is fa the r w a s a slee p P a r a s u r am a nevertheless

,
.

u r ge d his w a a n d a fter a lo n g d i a logue the two c a m e to blows

y , , ,
.

G a n es a h a d a t fi r st the a d v a n t a ge sei zing P a r as u r ama i n his ,

t r u n k a n d giving h i m a twi r l th a t left hi m sick a n d senseless

, .

O n r ecove r ing Ra m a th r ew his a x e a t G a nes a who r ecog n ising i t , ,

a s his fa the r s we a po n — S iv a h a ving give n it to P ar a s u r am a

’

r eceive d i t with a ll hu m ility u pon o n e o f h is tu sks which i t i m ,

me d i a tely seve r e d a n d hence G a n es a h a s but one tusk

,
Par .

v a ti w a s highly i n ce n se d a t this a n d w a s a bout to cu r se Ra m a , ,

whe n K r ish n a o f who m he w a s a wo r shippe r a ppe a r e d a s a boy

, ,

a n d a ppe a se d h e r i n d ig n a tio n B r a h m a is s a i d to h a ve p r o m ise d

.

th a t h e r son shoul d be wo r shippe d befo r e the othe r go d s This .

r esult o f his c o n test with Ra m a w a s in consequence o f a curse

p r o n o u n ce d u p o n h i m by t h e s age Tul a si with who m he h a d ,

qu a r r elle d .

We h ave qu ite a d iffe r e n t a ccount of the o r igin o f G a n es a in the

M a tsy a l u r an a ’
Whe n Pa r v a ti w a s b a thing she took the o i l ,

a n d o i n t m e n ts use d a t t h e b a th togethe r with the i m purities th a t

,

Ke n n ed y ,
Hi n du p .
35 3 .
2 7 2 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

shippe d a n d i n voke d the first o n a ll occ a sions o r otherwise the ,

obj ect a n d p r aye r s o f h i m who o m its to d o S O sh a ll fa il .

’

Th e o r igin a n d purpose o f G a nes a s existence a r e mo r e ful ly ’

t a ught in the S k a n d a S iv a a d d r essing Pa r v a ti s a ys

"
D u r ing
the twiligh t th a t inte r ve n e d between th e D war p a r a a n d Kali
Yug a s wo m e n b ar b a r i a n s S u d r a s a n d othe r wo r ke r s o f S i n
, , , ,

obt a ine d entr a nce to h e a ven by vi siting the celeb r a te d

shri n e of S o m e s w a r a ( S o m nath ) S a c r ifices a scetic p r a ctices .
, ,

ch ar it a ble gifts a n d a ll the othe r presc r ibe d or d in a nces ce a se d

, ,

a n d m e n th r onge d only t o the tem ple o f S iv a H ence o ld a n d .

young those skille d in the Ve d a s a n d those igno r a nt o f them

, ,

a n d eve n wo m en an d S u d r a s a scen d e d t o he a ven u n ti l a t lengt h

, ,

it bec a m e c r ow d e d to excess The n I n d r a a n d the go d s .

,

a fflicte d bec a use thu s ove r co m e by m e n sought the protection ,

of S iv a a n d thus a d d resse d h i m
,
O S a nk a r a ! by thy favo u 1 ‘

he aven is c r ow d e d with m e n a n d we a r e ne a r ly expelle d fro m ,

it These m o r t a ls w a n d e r whe r eve r they ple a s e excl a i m ing I

.
, ,

a m the g r e a test I a m th e g r e a test d D h m Y m

, ; a n a r a r aja ( a a ) ,

behol d i n g the r egiste r o f their goo d an d evil d ee d s is l ost i n ,

a stonis h m ent The seven h ells we r e i nten d e d fo r thei r r e

.

ce p t i o n ; but h a ving visite d thy shrine thei r sins h a ve been

, ,

r e m itte d a n d they h a ve a tt a ine d to a m ost excellent futu r e !

’

S iv a r eplie d : S u ch w as m y p r o m ise to S o m a n o r ca n i t be
‘
,

infr i n ge d a ll m e n the r efo r e wh o visit the te m ple o f S o m e s wa r a

, ,

m ust a scen d to h e aven ; but supplic a te Pa r v a ti a n d she wil l ,

co n t r ive so m e m e a n s for ext r ic a ting yo u fr o m this d istress .

’

T h e go d s then invoke d Pa r v a ti i n l a u d a to r y st r a ins

“ °

P r a ise be t o thee O s u p r eme o f go d d esses

,
S u ppo r te r o f the
u nive r se p r a ise be t o t h ee w h o c r e a t e s t a n d d est r oyest
, ,
G r a nt
u s thy a i d a n d s a ve u s fr o m this d ist r ess H a ving he a r d the
,

p r a ye r o f I n d r a a n d the go d s thou O go d d ess ! we r t move d , ,

wit h co m p a ssion ; a n d gently r u bbi n g thy bo d y the r e w a s ,

p r o d uce d a won d r ous being with fou r a r m s a n d a n eleph a nt s ’

he a d a n d t h e n thou d i d st thus a d d r ess th e go d s : D esi r ous

,
‘

of you r a d v a nt a ge h ave I c r e a te d this being who will occ a sion

, ,

K en n ed y ,
‘
H indu p .
354 .
 G A NE S A . 2 73

obst a cl es to m e n a n d d elu d ing the m wi ll d ep r ive the m o f the

, , ,

wish to visit S o m n at h a a n d thus sh a ll t h ey fa ll i nto hell

, .
’

H e a r i n g this the go d s r etu r ne d to thei r ho m es d e lighte d

, .

“
The E leph a nt fa ce d then a d d r essi n g D evi s a i d C o m ma n d
-
, , ,

O lovely go d d ess ! wh a t S h a ll I now d o ? Thou d i d st r eply : ’

Oppose obst a cles to m e n s visiti n g S o m n at h a a n d entice the m

’

to give u p such a pu r pose by the a llu r e m ents o f wives c h il ,

d r e n possessions an d we a lth
, ,
B u t fr o m those who p r opiti a te
.

thee with the following h ymn d o t hou r e move a ll obst a cles , ,

a n d en a b le the m to obt a i n t h e fa vou r of S iv a by wo r shipping ,

at his Sh r in e a t S o mn at h a — O m I p r a ise thee O lor d o f “

, ,

d i fficulties ! The belove d spouse of S i d d h i ( knowle d ge ) a n d

B u d d hi ( un d e r st a n d ing ) G a n a p a ti invincible a nd the give r o f , ,

victo r y the oppose r of obst a cles to th e success of men who d o

not wo r ship thee ! I p r a i s e thee O G a nes a ! The d re a d fu l ,

son o f U m a but firm a n d e a sily propiti a te d ! O Vi n a ya k a !

, ,

I p r a ise thee ! O eleph a nt fa ce d w h o d i d st for m erly protect-

,

t h e go d s a n d a ccompl ish their wishes I p r a ise thee !

,
Thus , ,
’

continu e d Pa r v a ti sh a lt t h ou be p r a ise d a n d wo r s h ipp ed A n d

,
‘
.
’

whoeve r p r eviously invokes th e go d Vi n a ya k a no d i fficulties ,

sh a ll i m pe d e t h e a tt a in m ent of his p u r p o s e d o bje ct a n d a m ost ,

be n efici a l result sh a ll he d erive fr om s a c r ifices pilg r i m a ges a n d , ,

a ll othe r d evotion a l a cts .

The following ext r a ct from the G a n a p a ti U p a nish a d is a ‘ ”‘

speci m en o f t h e a d d r esses to G a nes a us e d by the G a n a p a t ya s : T

“
P r a ise to thee O G a n es a ! Thou a r t m a nifestly t h e t r uth ;
,

thou a r t u n d oubte d ly the C r e a tor P r ese r ve r a n d D est r oye r , , ,

the S up r e me B r a h m a the ete r n a l S pi r it I spe a k wh a t is r ight

,
.

an d t r u e p r ese r ve m e the r efo r e w h e n spe aking listeni n g givi n g, , , ,

possessing te a ching le ar ni n g continu a lly protect m e everywhere

, ,
.

By thee w as this u n iverse m a nifeste d fo r thou a r t e a r th w a te r , ,

fi r e a i r an d et h e r
,
Thou a r t B r a h m a Vishnu a n d Ru d r a We
.
, ,
.

a cknowle d ge t h y d ivi n ity O Ek a d a n t a ! a n d m e d it ate on thy

,

counten a n ce ; e n lig h ten the r efo r e o u r u n d e r st a n d ing H e who

, ,
.

Ke n n ed y , H ind u p .
49 3 .

T H i n du s o f wh o m G an e sa 15 th e s u p r e me o bj ect of w or sh i p .
2 74 T H E P U R ANI C D E ITI E S .

continu a lly m e d it a tes upon thy d ivine fo r m co n ceivi n g it to ,

be wit h one t o ot h fou r h a n d s be a r ing a r a t on thy b a n ner o f

, , ,

a r e d h u e with a l a r ge belly a n oi n te d with r e d pe r fu m es a r r a ye d

, , ,

in r e d g a r m ents wo r shippe d with O ffe r i n gs o f r e d flowe r s

, ,

a bou n d i n g i n co m p a ssio n the c a use of this unive r se i m pe r is h a ble

, , ,

u n p r o d u ce d a n d un a ffecte d by c r e a tion beco m es the m ost ex ,

c e lle n t of Yogis P r a ise t h e r efo r e be to thee O G a n a p ati

.
, , ,
.

Whoeve r m e d it a tes u po n t h is fig u r e o f t h e A t h a rva S i r a s ‘ ’

the n a m e of the U p a nish a d of which the G a n a p a ti fo r m s a p a rt )

(
n eve r will be i m pe d e d by d i fficu lties wil l be libe r a te d fr o m the ,

five g r e a t sins a n d a ll lesse r ones ; a n d will a cqui r e r ic h es the

, ,
”
obj ects of his d esi r es vi r tu e a n d fin a l be a titu d e .

G a n es a is s a i d to h a ve w r itte n t h e M a h abhar a t a a t Vyas a s

,
’

d ict a tio n . I n the A d i p a r va of th a t book it is s a i d th a t w he n the

s age w as a bo u t to co m pose th a t g r e a t w o r k B r a h m a a d vise d ,

h i m to a s k G a nes a to beco m e his a m a nu ensis Vyas a g ave a .

few d i fficu lt sente n ces to pu z zle h i m w h ich to this d a y the ,

co m p o se r only a n d his d iscipl e S uk a h a ve been a ble to u n d e r

st a n d A s G a nes a p a use d occ a sio n a lly to think o u t the m e a ni n g
.

of w h a t he w a s w r iting Vyas a co m pose d othe r d i fficult p a ss a ges

,
.

I n r ece n t ti m es the r e h a s bee n a su ppose d i n c a r n a tion o f

G a n es a wh o se d escen d a n t an d r ep r ese n t a tive w a s visite d by
,

C a pt a in E M oo r d u r i n g the p r esent centu r y The followi n g is

. .

his a cco u nt o f th a t visit : — M u r a b a G o s e yn w as a B r a h ma n

" “

o f Poo n a w h o by a bstinence m o r t i fi ca t i o n a n d p r a ye r m e r ite d

, , ,

a bove o the r s the fa vour a ble r eg a r d s o f the A l m ighty G a n a p ati .

a cc o r d i n gly vo u chs a fe d to a ppe a r to hi m a t C h i n c h o o r i n a

visi o n by n ig h t d esi r e d h i m to a r ise an d b a the ; a n d w h ilst in ,

t h e a c t o f a blutio n to sei ze a n d hol d s a c r e d to the Go d he a d t h e

,

fi r st t a n gible su bst a n ce th a t his h a n d e n counte r e d The go d .

cove n a n te d th a t a po r tio n of h is H oly S pi r it S houl d pe r va d e the

pe r s o n th u s fa vou r e d a n d be c o n tinue d as fa r a s the sevent h
,

ge n e r a ti o n t o his see d who we r e to bec o m e successively,

h e r e d it a r y g u a r d i a n s o f this s a c r e d subst a nce which p r ove d to ,

be a st n e i n w h ich t h e go d w a s u n d e r st o o d a s m ystic a lly

o
,

A s i a ti c R e s e ar ch e s ,
vi i . 8
3 1 .
2 7 6 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

Thus eg on a p a r ticu l a r night S houl d he rem a in in pe a cefu l

, , ,

r epose n a tion a l r epose is p r e d icte d shou l d his slu mbe r s o r his

,

w a king moments b e d isturbe d n a tion a l c a l a m ities a r e expecte d

, .

I f he st ar t w il d ly fr o m his se a t sei z e a swo r d o r m a ke an y

, ,

w a r like movement w a r is expecte d

,
.

2 . K A RT I K E Y A .

K a rtikey a th e go d o f w a r a n d gen er a lissi mo o f the a rmies o f

, ,

the go d s though c a lle d the younger son of S iv a a n d Parv a ti

, ,

a cco r d i n g to most o f the

Puranic l egen d s i s thei r son ,

o n ly in the se n se th a t they
fo r m e d h i m B r a h m a a r r a nge d .

fo r his bi r th in a n swer to the

pr a ye r s o f the go d s for a c o m
petent le a d er o f thei r forces .

The Ramay a n a s ays W hile

Siv a the lo r d o f the go d s w as , ,

pe r fo r m ing a uste r ities the othe r ,

d eities we n t t o Br a h m a a n d
a ske d for a gene r a l in the roo m

o f M a ha d ev a who it see m s h a d , , ,

fo r m e r ly a cte d in th a t c a p a city .

H e s a i d they whom thou ‘

,
’

,
‘

d i d st fo r me r ly give a s a le a d e r
o f o u r a r m ies ( M a ha d ev a
) is ,

n o w pe r for m ing g r e a t a u ste r i

ti es a long with U ma Br a h m a ,
.
’

s ays th a t in consequence o f the

cu r se o f U m a no son coul d be
K A RT I K EY A .
born o f a n y wives of th e go d s ,

but th a t A gni shoul d h ave a

”
son by th e r ive r G a nga who shoul d be thei r gener a l
,
.

M uir, O . S T . .
,
i v 3 64. .
 K A RTI K E Y A .
7

I n the following ext r a ct fr o m the M a habha r a t a is a n ex "

pl a n a tion of the st a te m ent in the p r ece d ing p a r a g r a ph th a t A gni

w a s to be the fa the r o f this go d K ar tikey a h as j ust bee n .

i nst a lle d a s genera l when the go d whose b a nner is a bu ll ( S iv a )

, , ,

a r r iving with h is go d d ess p a i d hi m honou r well ple a se d '

, , .

B r ahm a ns c a l l A gni R u d r a consequently h e ( K a r tikey a) i s ,

the s o n o f Ru d r a H a ving seen h i m thus honou r e d by Ru d r a

.
,

a ll the d eities consequently c a l l him w h o is the m ost ex ,

c e lle n t o f the gifte d the son o f Ru d r a

,
Fo r this chil d w a s .

p r o d u ce d by R u d r a when he entere d into fi r e S k a n d a ( K a r .

t i k e ya ) t h a t m ost e m inent d eity being bo r n o f A gni [who w a s ]

, , ,

Ru d ra an d fro m S vah a ( U m a) [a n d ] t h e six wives [o f the R ishis ]

, ,
”
w a s th e s o n o f Ru d r a .

This quot a tio n will be more intel ligible a fter r e a d ing w h a t

prece d es it I n d r a being d istresse d at the d efe a t o f th e a r m ies
o f the go d s by the D an a v a s is me d it a ting o n this subj ect when
, ,

he he a rs th e cr y o f a fe m a le c a lli n g fo r help a n d a ski n g fo r a ,

husb a n d to protect her I n d r a sees th a t she h a s been sei ze d by

.

the d e m on Kesin with wh o m he re m onst r a tes but the d emon

,

h u rls his club a t I n d r a who howe v e r spl its it with his thu n d e r
, , ,

bolt Kesin is d i s a ble d i n the next st a ge o f the comb a t a n d

.
,

goes o ff In d r a then fin d s out fr o m the fe m a le th a t h e r n a m e

.

is D e vas e n a ( a r m y o f the go d s ) th a t she h as a siste r n a m e d ,

D a i t ya s e n a ( a r m y o f the D a i t yas ) a n d th a t they a r e b Ot h ,

d a ught er s o f P r aj ap a ti S he wishes I n d r a to fi n d fo r h e r a
.

proper husb a n d who sh a ll be a ble to overcome a ll the enemies

,

o f th e go d s I n d r a t a kes D e va s e n a with h i m to B r a h m a a n d
. ,

d esi r es h i m to p r ovi d e her with a m a r ti a l husb a n d a n d B r a h m a

p r o m ises th a t a helpm a te o f th a t d esc r iption sh a ll b e bo r n .

I t h a ppe n e d th a t Va s i s h t h a a n d othe r Rishis h a d been o ffe r i n g

a s a c r ifice whither the go d s he a d e d by I n d r a p r ocee d e d to
, , ,

d r i n k the S o m a j u ice -
A g n i too being invoke d d esce n d e d fr o m
.
, , ,

t h e r egi o n o f the sun entere d i nto the fire r eceive d the obl a tions
, ,

o f the Rishis a n d prese n te d the m to th e go d s

,
.

Issu ing fo r th [ fr o m the fi r e ] he behel d the wives of these ,

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
iv 3 50 . .
2 7 8 T H E P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

g r e a t [ Rishis] r eclining in thei r o wn he r m it a ges a n d sweetly ,

sleeping rese mbling gol d en a lt a r s pu r e a s be a m s o f t h e m o o n

, ,
‘
,

like to fl a m es O f fi r e a ll won d e r fu l a s st a rs P e r ceiving th a t his

,
.

se n ses bec a m e a git a te d behol d ing the wives o f the R ishi s A gni , ,

w a s ove r co m e with d esi r e A g a in a n d a g a i n he s a i d I t i s not ‘

.

prope r th a t I shou l d be th us a git a te d ; they a r e not i n love with

me . E n te r ing i n to th e d omestic fi r e I sh a l l g a ze upon the m ,

close a t h a n d E nte r ing the d o m e stic fi r e tou ching a s it we r e

.
’

, , ,

with his fl a m es a ll o f the m a n d behol d ing the m h e w a s d e

, , ,

l ighte d D wel ling thus the r e fo r a long ti me fi xing hi s a tten

.
,

tio n o n these be a utifu l women a n d en a mou re d o f them A gni , ,

w as overco m e .

A g n i fa iling to obt a i n the Brahm a ns wives r esolve d to

“ ’

a b a n d on his co r pore a l for m an d we n t i nto the fo r est Then ,

.

S vah a the d a ughte r o f D a ksh a fi r st fel l in love with h i m

,
This , .

a m o r ous a n d bl a meless go d d ess fo r a long ti me so u ght for h is

’

w e a k point bu t cou l d n o t fi n d an y
,
B u t b e i n g a w a r e th a t he .

h a d gone into the woo d a n d th a t he w a s r e a lly d istu r be d by ,

d esi r e the a m orous go d d ess thu s reflecte d

,
I wh o a m d ist r esse d ‘
,

with love wil l t a ke the fo r m s o f the seven Rishis wives a n d will

,
’

cou r t the a ffection o f A gni By d oing so he wil l be ple a se d .

,

a n d I S h a ll obt a in my d esi r e A ssu m ing fi r st the form o f S iv a

’
.
,

the wife o f A n gi r a s the h a n d so m e go d d ess went t o A gni a n d

, ,

thus a d d r esse d h i m A gni thou oughtest to love m e wh o a m , ,

d istu r be d with love fo r thee ; i f thou wi lt not d o so look u pon ,

me a s d e a d A g n i I S iv a the wife of A n gi r a s h a ve co m e sent

.
, , , , ,

by vi r t u ou s wo m en A gni r eplie d : H ow d ost thou a n d how

.
’ ‘
,

d o the othe r b e lo v e d w w e s o f the seve n R ishis know th a t I a m

'

d ist r esse d wi th l ove

A gni w a s not a ble to resist th e te m pt a tion A fter th e inter .

view lest the wives o f the Rish is S hou l d be bl a m e d for thei r

,

m isco n d uct i f sh e h a ppene d to be seen in thei r fo r m she a ssu m e d ,

the figu r e of G ar u d a the bi r d of Vi shnu a n d u nnotice d , a s she

, ,

thought fl ew fr o m the fo r est S he visite d A gni a s econ d ti m e

, .
,

a s the wife of a nothe r Rishi a n d so o n u n ti l sh e h a d p a i d si x

,

visits The germs obt a ine d fr o m A gni she d eposi te d i n a gol d en

.

r ese r voi r which being worshippe d by the R ishis gener a te d a

, ,
“
,
2 80 THE P U R AN I C D E ITI E S .

a m bitious O pp r essive H e fo r ce d B r a h m a by his pen a nce

an d .
,

a n d a uste r ities t o p r o m ise h i m a n y boon th a t he sho u l d d e m a n d

,
.

A m o n g his a u ste r ities he we n t th r ough the following se r ies ,

e a ch of the eleven specific m o r t i fi ca t i o n s co n ti n u ing 1 00 ye a rs

1 . H e stoo d o n o n e foot hol d ing the othe r a n d both h a n d s u p ,

tow ar d h e a ven with his eyes fixe d on the sun 2 H e stoo d o n

,
. .

o n e g r e a t toe 3 H e took only w a te r as suste n a nce

. .
4 He . .

l ive d S i m il ar ly o n a i r 5 H e r e m a ine d in w a te r 6 H e w a s . . . .

bu r ie d in the e ar th but co n tinue d a s u n d er the l a st infliction in

, ,

i n cess a n t a d o r a tion 7 The s a m e in fi r e 8 H e stoo d o n his . . . .

he a d 9 H e h ung o n a t r ee by his h a n d s 1 0 H e bore the

. . . .

weight of h is bo d y on o n e h a n d I I H e hung o n a tree with . .

his h e a d d ow n w ar d s .
*

S uch m e r it w as ir r es istible a n d I n d r a a n d a host of d emi go d s ,

-
,

a l a r m e d lest thei r sove r eignty sh o ul d be u su r pe d through t h e

potency o f t h is pe n a nce r esorte d to B r a h m a fo r co n sol a tion ,

.

B ra h m a howeve r s a i d th a t a lthough he cou l d not resist such

, , ,

a uste r ities he wou l d a fter rew a r d ing the m by g r a n ting the boon
, ,

d e m a n d e d d evise a m etho d o f r en d e r i n g it u lti m a tely i noffensive

,

to the m .

The d em a n d by Ta r ik a w a s th a t h e shoul d be u n r iv a lle d i n

st r e n gth a n d th a t n o h a n d shoul d sl a y h i m bu t th a t of a son of
,

M a ha d ev a H e now bec a m e so a r r og a nt th a t In d r a w a s fo r ce d
.

to yiel d to h i m the white eight he a d e d h o r se U k h i s r ava ; Kuve r a -

g a ve up his thous a n d s e a horses the Rishis we r e co m pelle d to -

r esign the cow K a m d h e n u th a t yiel d e d eve r yt h i n g th a t cou l d be

,

wis h e d The S un in d r e a d g ave no he at a n d the m oo n i n te r r o r

.
,

r e m a i n e d a lw a ys a t full The win d s blew a s h e d ict a te d an d in .

, ,

sh o r t he u su r pe d th e enti r e m a n a gement of the u nive r se

, .

N a r a d a p r ophesie d th e m a r r i a ge w hence s h ou ld a r ise the

“

d elive r e r of the w o r l d ; but a t first M a ha d ev a co u l d not be

i n fl u ence d with t h e p a ssion of love I n d r a pe r su a d e d Kam a to .

lie i n a m bu sh a n d cont r ive d th a t Pa r v a ti shoul d be seen by S iv a

,

while eng a ge d i n the a m i a ble a n d g r a cefu l a ct of g a the r ing

M y an of t h es e f
or ms of p e n a n ce a r e r e s o r ted to , W i t h so me m o d i fi c a t i o n s ,
at th p e res e n t t i me ; t he se de v o te es ma y b e s e en at Be n ar e s , an d ot her
sl m nes .
 K A R T I K EY A . 2 81

flowe r s whe r ewith to d eco r a te his i m a ge Ka m a a cco m p a nie d

,
.
,

by his wife R a ti ( D esire ) a n d his boso m fr ie n d Va s an t u ( the ,

S pri n g) took h is a i m a n d l au nche d a n a r r ow a t M a ha d ev a who

, , , ,

e n r a ge d a t the a tte m pt ( to i n ter r upt his d evotio n ) r e d u ce d Ka m a ,

to a s h es by a be a m of fi r e th a t issu e d fr om h is t h i r d eye A t .

length howeve r by a r d ent d evotion a n d a uste r ities Pa r v a ti p r o

, , ,

i t i a t e d S iv a a n d the d eity consente d to espouse his pe r seve r i n g

p ,

d evotee .

Fo r so m e ti me a fte r their m a r r i a ge a s the r e w a s n o chil d bo r n ,

to the m the d istresse d a n d d is a ppoi nte d d eities who h a d bee n

,

a n xiously e xpecting a d eliverer r e n ewe d thei r l a m ent a tions a n d ,

co m pl a ints .

“
A g n i a r r ive d i n the p r esence of M a ha d ev a h a ving been ,

d epute d to exp r ess the d esi r es o f the othe r go d s th a t he wou l d ,

p r ovi d e the m with a s o n who shoul d d est r oy Ta r ik a S iv a h a d , .

j ust left h i s wife a n d A gni a ssu m ing the fo r m o f a d ove receive d

, , ,

fro m M aha d ev a the ge r m fr o m which K a r tikey a a r ose U n a ble .

to c a r r y thi s furthe r he let it fa ll into the G a nges o n the b a nks

, ,

of which rive r a rose a b o y be a utifu l a s the m oon a n d b r ight a s , ,

the sun who w as c a l le d A gn i b h u v a ( p r o d u ce d fro m A gni )

, ,
”
Sk a n d a K a r tikey a fir e
, ,
.

“
I t h a ppene d th a t six d a ughte r s ( the Plei a d es ) of a s m a ny
R aj a s co m ing to b a the s aw t h e boy a n d e a ch c a lle d him h e r
, , ,

s o n ; an d o ffe r i n g the b r e a st the chil d a ssu m e d to h i m self si x

, ,

m ouths a n d r eceiv ed n u r tu r e fr o m e a ch ; w h ence he is c a lle d

,

S a s t h i m at r i ya ( h a ving si x m othe r s ) B u t in fa ct the chil d h a d .

no m othe r fo r h e c a m e fr o m his fa the r a lo n e I n cou r se o f ti m e

,
.

a co n flict ensue d between K a r tikey a a n d Tarik a i n which the ,

d e m on w as sl a in
”
.

A sto r y i s tol d showing h o w K a r tikey a w as outwitte d by his

b r ot h e r G a nes a A S the two b r ot h e r s fell i n l o ve with t w o
.

l a d ies n a m e d S i d d hi a n d B u d d hi it w a s a g r ee d th a t whoever ,

sho u l d fi r st t r a vel r o u n d the wo r l d shoul d h ave the m G a n es a .

p r ove d by his logic a l t a le n ts a n d a ptness a t quot a tio n th a t h e

h a d d o n e this a n d obt a i n e d the p r ize lo n g befo r e h i s b r othe r
,

r eturne d fr o m h i s w e a r y pilgri m a ge t o the d isquiet of bot h ,

fa m ilies when G a nes a s S ophist r y w a s d iscove r e d ’

.
2 82 T H E P U R AN I C D E IT 1 E S .

We h a ve still anothe r a ccou nt o f the o r igi n o f K a r tikey a

S iva e m itte d sp a r ks o f fi r e fr o m his eyes which being th r o wn , ,

i n to the l a ke S a r ava n a bec a m e six infa nts who we r e n u r se d by

, ,

t h e wives o f the Rishis who a r e seen i n the sky a s the Plei a d es

,
.

When P ar v a ti s aw these chil d r en sh e w a s tr a nspo r te d with thei r

,

b e a uty a n d e m br a ce d a ll o f the m togethe r so fo r cibly th a t thei r

,

si x bo d ies bec a me o n e ; whi le thei r six he a d s a n d twelve a r m s

r e m a ine d
”
.

K a r tikey a is better k n own in S outh I n d i a u n d e r the n a m e

o f S u b r a m a n ya Th e S k a n d a P uran a gives a full a ccount o f
.
‘

his w a r with S u r a a n d r el a tes how h e w a s sent by his fa ther to

,

i nte r r upt D aksh a s s a c r ifi ce a n d how a t the instig a tion o f th e

’

l atte r he w a s d el a ye d on his j ou r ney by be a uti fu l d a msels who

, ,

ente r t a i n e d hi m with d a n ce a n d song H e n ce i t is the p r a e .

tice fo r d a nci n g gi r ls who a r e a tt a che d t o th e p ago da s to be ,

bet r othe d a n d m a r r ie d to h i m a n d though a llowe d to p r ostitute

,

themselves c a nnot r e m a r r y
,
-
.

G ar r e t t ’
s Cl i l
as s ca D i ct i on ar y of I i
n d a.
’
2 84 T H E P U R AN I C A CC O UN T

This hy m n cont a ins pe r h a ps the e a r liest specu l a tions o f the

H i n d us r especting the c r e a tion th a t h ave co m e d own to us a n d :

the wise c o nclusion w a s a r r ive d a t th a t G o d a lo n e knew how the

wo r l d c a m e i n to being B u t a s ti m e went o n this co n fession o f
.

ig n o r a nce d i d not s a tisfy t h e c r a vings o f th e hu m a n m i n d : h ence

succee d ing a ges sought by its co n j ectu r es which a r e given with ,

t h e a ssu r a n ce o f ex a ct knowle d ge to th r o w light u pon th e ,

u n know a bl e .

The next qu o t a t i o n i s fr o m the P u r u sh a S a kt a o f th e Rig

'
‘ ’

Ve d a which fr o m its thought a n d l a ngu a ge i s gene r a lly believe d

,

t o be o f m uch l a te r o r igi n th a n the prece d ing hy m n .

P u r ush a h a s a thous a n d he a d s a th ou s a n d eyes a thou s a n d , ,

feet . O n eve ry S i d e enveloping th e e a r th he ove r p a sse d ( it ) by ,

a sp a ce o f ten finge r s P u r u sh a hi m sel f is this whole ( unive r se )

.
,

wh ateve r h as been a n d wh a teve r sh a ll be H e i s a lso l o r d o f .

i m m o r t a lity since ( o r wh e n ) by foo d he exp a n d s A ll existences

, .

a r e a qu ar te r o f h i m a n d th r ee fou r ths o f h i m a r e th a t which i s -

i m m o r t a l i n t h e sky With three qu a rte r s P u r u sh a m

,

. o u nte d -

u pw a r d A qu ar te r o f h i m w a s a g a in pro d uce d here F r o m

. .

h i m w a s born V i r aj a n d fr o m V i r aj P u r u sh a When the g o d s ,

.

pe r fo r m e d a s a c r i fice with Pu r u sh a as th e obl a tio n th e sp r i n g

, ,

w a s its butte r the su mm e r its fuel a n d the a utu m n its ( a e co m

, ,

p a nyi n g ) offe r ing F r o m th a t u n ive r s a l s a c r ifice we r e p r ov i d e d

'

cur d s a n d butte r F r o m th a t u nivers a l s a c r ifice sp r a n g the Ric h

.
‘

a n d S a m a n ve r ses the m et r es a n d th e Vaj u sh ; fr o m i t sp r a n g

,

horses a n d a ll a n i m a ls with two r ows of teeth kine go a ts a n d , ,

S heep .When ( the go d s ) d ivi d e d Purus h a into how m a ny p a r ts ,

d i d they cu t h i m u p ? The B r ah m a n w as his m outh the ,

R aja n ya w a s m a d e h is a r m s the being ( c a lle d ) V a isy a w a s ,

his thighs a n d th e S u d r a S p r a n g fr o m his feet The mo r n

,
.

sp r a ng fr o m his sou l ( m a n a s ) the sun fr om his eye In d r a a n d , ,

A gni fr om his m outh a n d Vay a fr o m his b r e a th ,

F r o m his .

n a vel a r ose th e a i r fr o m his he a d the sky fr o m his feet the e a r th

, , ,

fr o m his c a r the ( fou r ) qu arters ; i n this m a nne r ( the go d s )

fo r m e d the wo r l d s .

M u ir, O . S T
. .
,
i 9
. .
 OF TH E C R E A TIO N . 2 85

N ow follows a n e xtr a ct fr o m the S at a p a t h a Brah m a n a ,

’

which gives the wo r d s u se d a t the c r e a tion ( U tte r i n g) .

‘
bh ab P r aj ap a ti ge n er a te d this e a rth ( U tte r ing ) b h u va h h e
,
’
.
‘
,
’

gener ate d the a i r ; a n d ( utte r ing) s vah he gene r a te d the sky ‘

,
’
.

This u nive r se is c o extensive with these wo r l d s -

S a ying .

bh ab P r aj ap a ti genera te d the B r ah m a n ; ( s a ying) b h u v a h he

,
’ ‘
,
’

ge n e r a te d th e K s h a tt r a ; ( a n d s a ying ) sv ab h e ge n e r a te d th e ‘
,
’

Vis A ll thi s worl d i s a s m uch a s the B r a h m a n K s h at t r a

.
, ,

a n d Vis S a ying P r aj ap a ti gene r a te d hi m self ; s a ying

( ) ( )
’
. b h fi h ‘
,

b h u va h he gene r a te d o ffs pr i n g ; ( s a ying ) sv a b he ge n e r a te d

‘ ’ ‘ ’
, ,

a ni m a ls Th is worl d is so m uc h a s self o ffsp r ing a n d

.
, ,

The T a i t t i r i ya B r ah m a n a s a ys Thi s entire ( universe ) h as

‘ ’

,
”
been c r e a te d by B r a h m a a n d gives a n a ccount o f the c r e a tion ,

o f the A su r a s Pitris o r fa thers an d go d s Pr aj ap a ti d esi r e d

( , ) ,
.

M ay I prop ag a te H e p r a ctise d a usterity H is b r e a th bec a m e

.
’
.

a l ive .With th a t bre a th ( a s u ) he c r e a te d A su ra s H avi n g .

cre a te d th e A su r a s h e r eg a r d e d hi m self as a fa the r A fter th a t

,
.

he c r e a te d the fa the r s ( pitris ) Th a t constitutes the fa the r hoo d .

of the fa the r s H a ving cre a te d th e fa thers he r eflecte d A fte r

.
,
.

th a t he cre a te d m en Th a t constitu tes th e m a nhoo d of men . .

H e who knows the m a nhoo d o f m e n beco m es intelligent To .

h im when h e w as cre a ting m e n d a y a ppe a r e d i n the he avens

, ,
.

A fter th a t he cre a te d the

The S at a p a t h a B r ah m a n a r el a tes the cre a tion o f men a n d ’

a ni m a ls P r aj ap a ti w a s fo r merly this ( unive r se ) only He

“
. .

d esi r e d Let m e c r e a te foo d a n d be p r op a g a te d H e for m e d ’

.
,

a n im a ls fr om h i s b r e a ths a m an fr o m his soul a horse fr o m his , ,

eye a bu ll fr o m his bre a th a sheep from his e a r a go a t fr o m his

, , ,

voice S ince he fo r m e d a ni m a ls fr o m his b r e a ths therefore m e n

.
,

s ay , The b r e a ths a r e a ni m a ls The sou l i s the first o f b r e a ths

‘
.
’
.

S ince he fo r m e d a m an fr om his sou l the r efore they s ay M a n , ,

‘

is the fi r st o f the a nim a ls a n d the st r ongest The sou l is a ll the .

’

b r e a t h s ; fo r a ll the b r e a ths d epen d u pon the soul S i n ce he

‘

fo r m e d m a n fr o m his sou l t h e r efore they s ay M an is a ll the , ,

‘

a ni m a ls fo r a ll these a r e m a n s i
’ ”
.

Muir , o . S . T .
,
i . 1 7. 1 I bid .
,
1
. 23 .
1 I bi d .
,
1 . 24 .
286 T H E P U R AN I C A CC O UN T

I n a nothe r p a ss a ge this B r ah m a n a gives qu ite a d ifferent

a cco u nt . P u r u s h a a s th e sou l o f the u nive r se w a s a lone
, ,
.

H e n ce he d i d not e n j oy h a ppiness H e d esi r e d a secon d H e

“
. .

c a use d this s a m e self to fa ll a sun d er i n to two p a r ts The n ce .

ar ose a husb a n d a n d wi fe F r om the m m e n we r e born She

’

. .

reflecte d H o w d oes he a fter h a ving pro d u ce d m e fr om himself , ,

coh a bit with m e Ah let m e d is a ppe a r ! S he bec a m e a cow ’

,

a n d the othe r a bul l fr o m the m kine were p r o d uce d Th e o n e .

bec a m e a m a r e th e other a st a llion the one a she as s the other

,
-
,

a m a le as s F r o m the m the cl a ss o f a ni m a ls with u n d ivi d e d hoofs

.

w a s pro d uce d The one bec a m e a s h e go a t the othe r a h e gOat

.
-
,
e

the o n e a n ewe the oth er a r a m F r o m the m go a ts a n d sheep

,
.

we r e p r o d uce d I n this m a n n e r pa irs o f a ll c r e a tu r es wh a tsoeve r

.
,

d own to a nts we r e c r e a te d
”
.
,

A g a i n this B r ah m a n a s a ys : P r aj ap a ti c r e a te d livi n g beings “

.

F r o m h is u ppe r vit a l a i r s he c r e a te d the go d s ; fro m h is lowe r

vit a l a i r s mo r t a l cr e a t u r e s T
,
.
”

M a nu s a ccou nt of the c r e a t ion most p r ob a bly follows th e

’

p r ece d ing o n e i n o r d e r o f ti m e ; a n d it will be notice d th a t h e

h as d evelope d so m e germ s o f thought exp r esse d the r e He ‘
.

( th e self-
existent ) h a vi n g felt d esi r e a n d wi lli n g to c r e a te v a r iou s ,

livi n g beings fro m h is o w n bo d y fi r st c r e a te d the w a ters a n d , ,

th r ew into the m a see d Th a t See d bec a m e a gol d en egg o f .

,

lustre equ a l to the S un ; i n it h e hi m self w a s bo r n a s B r a h m a ,

the p a r ent of a ll the worl d The w a t e r s ~a r e c a l le d n a r a h fo r .

,

they a r e sp r ung fr o m N a r a a n d a s they we r e his first sphe r e o f

m otion ( a y a n a p a th ) he i s the r efo r e c a lle d N a r a y a n a P r o d u ce d
-
, .

fr o m the i m pe r ceptibl e etern a l existent a n d non existent c a use , ,

-
,

th a t m a le ( pu r ush a ) is celeb r a te d in t h e worl d a s B r a h m a A fte r .

d welling fo r a ye a r i n the egg th e glo r ious bei n g by his o w n , ,

co n te m pl a tion , split in tw a i n H a ving d ivi d e d his o wn bo d y .

into two p a rts t h e lo r d ( B r a h m a ) bec a m e with t h e h a lf a m a le

, , ,

a n d with the h a lf a fe m a le a n d i n h e r he c r e a te d Vi r aj Know .

,

O m ost excelle n t twice bo r n m e n th a t I w h o m th a t m a le Vi r aj -

, ,

h i mself c r e a te d a m the c r e a to r of a ll this wo r l d

,
.

M uir, O . S T . .
,
i . 26 .
T Vi h
s nu P u r an a ,
’
p .
31 .
2 88 THE P U R AN I C A CC O UN T

r ule r H a r i ( Vis h nu ) of his o wn will h a ving ente r e d i n to m atter

,

a n d spi r it a git a te d t h e m ut a ble a n d i m m ut a ble p r inciples

,
the ,

se a so n of c r e a tion h a ving a r r ive d i n the s a m e m a n ne r a s fr a ,

g r a n ee a ffects t h e m i n d fr o m its p r oxi m ity m e r ely a n d not fr o m ,

a n y i m m e d i a te ope r a tio n u pon m i n d itse lf ; so the s u p r e m e

”
i n fl u e n ce d the ele m e n ts of c r e a tio n .

A fte r giving a n a c c o n n t of the c r e a tion o r r a the r the evol u tio n ,

o f t h e ele m ents the Vishnu P u r an a Tgoes on to s a y : The n ’ “

,

( t h e ele m ents ) ethe r a i r light w a te r a n d e a r th s eve r a l ly unite d

, , , ,

with the p r ope r ties of sou n d a n d the r est existe d a s d isti n guish ,

a ble a cco r d i n g to their qu a lities a s soothi n g te r r ific o r stu pify , ,

i n g ; but p o ssessing v a r iou s e n e r gies a n d bei n g unconnecte d , ,

t h ey c o u l d n o t without co mbi n a ti on c r e a te l i ving beings not ,

h avi n g ble n d e d with e a ch other H aving co m bi n e d therefo r e .

, ,

w ith o n e a not h er they a ssu m e d th r ough thei r m utu a l a ssoci a

, ,

ti o n the c h a r a cte r of one m a ss of enti r e unity ; a n d fr o m the

,

d i r ecti o n o f spi r it with the a cq u iescence o f the i n d iscrete

,

p r i n ciple intellect a n d the r est to the g r o ss ele m e n ts inclusive

, , , ,

fo r me d a n egg whic h g r a d u a lly exp a n d e d like a b u bble o f w a te r

, .

This v a st egg co m poun d e d of the ele m ents a n d r esti n g on the

, ,

w a te r s w a s t h e excel le n t n a tu r a l a bo d e of Vish n u i n t h e fo r m
,

o f B r a h m a ; a n d the r e Vishnu the lo r d of th e u n ive r se whose , ,

esse n ce i s i n scrut able a ssu m e d a pe r ceptible fo r m a n d even h e

, ,

h i m self a bi d e d i n it i n the C h a r a cter o f B r a h m a Its wo m b .

,

v a st a s the m ount a i n M e r u w as co m pose d of the m ount a ins ; ,

a n d the m ighty oce a ns we r e the w a ters th a t fill e d its c a vity .

I n th a t egg we r e t h e continents a n d se a s a n d m ount a ins the ,

pl a n ets a n d d ivisio n s o f th e unive r se the go d s d emons a n d , , ,

m a n ki n d .

“
A ffecti n g then the qu a lity o f a ctivity H a r i th e lor d o f a ll , ,

h i m self bec o m i n g B r a h m a eng a ge d i n the cre a tion o f the ,

u n ive r se Vis h n u wit h the qu ality of goo d ness a n d of i m

.
,

m e a s u r a ble p o we r p r ese r ves c r e a te d thi n gs th r ough successive

,

a ges u n ti l t h e cl o se o f the pe r io d te r m e d a K a lp a
, ; w h e n the
s a m e m ig h ty d eity i n veste d wit h t h e qu a lity o f d a r kness
, ,

V h
is nu l ’
u r an a ,
’
p . 13 .
T Pa g e 18 .
 OF TH E C R E A TIO N . 289

a ssu m es the a wfu l fo r m o f R u d r a an d sw a llows u p th e unive r se ,

.

H a ving thu s d evou r e d a ll t h i n gs a n d conve r te d the wo r l d into ,

o n e v a st oce a n the sup r e m e r eposes upon his m ig h ty se r pe n t

,

couch a m i d st the d eep : he a w a kes a fter a se a son a n d a g a in a s , ,

B r a h m a becomes the a uthor o f cre a tion

, .
”

The P u r an a next gives a n a ccou nt o f the c r e a tion i n the

p r ese n t K a lp a o r a ge This is a Secon d a r y c r e a tion fo r w a ter
.
,

a n d t h e e a r th a lso ar e a l r e a d y i n existence
; it is not c r e a tion
i n its p r ope r signific a tion but t h e c h a nge o f pre existing m a tte r
,
-

i nto t h e for m s we n o w see Vishnu knew t h a t the e a r t h lay .

hi d d en in the w a te r s he therefore a s su m ing the for m o f a bo a r , ,

"

r a ise d i t u pon his tusks .

I n a nswer to a r equest fo r a ful l a ccou n t o f the c r e a tion o f

go d s a n d other beings the following p a ss ages occur T C r e a te d
,

beings a lthough they a r e d est r oye d ( i n t h ei r o r igin a l fo r m s ) a t

,

the perio d s o f d issolution yet being a ffecte d by the g o o d o r evil

, ,

a cts o f fo r m e r existence a r e neve r exe m pte d fr o m t h ei r con

,

sequences ; a n d when B r a h m a c r e a tes the wo r l d a new they a r e ,

the p r ogeny o f h i s will i n the fourfol d con d ition o f go d s m e n

, , ,

a ni m a ls a n d i n a ni m a te things
,
B r a hma then being d esi r ou s o f .
,

c r e a ting the four o r d e r s o f beings — terme d go d s d e m ons p r o , ,

genito r s an d men — collecte d his min d i nto itself

,
.

“
Whilst thus concent r a te d th e qu a lity of d a r k n ess perv a d e d ,

his bo d y a n d the n ce the d e m ons ( the A su r a s ) we r e fi r st bo r n

, ,

i ssuing fr om hi s thig h B r a h m a then a b a n d one d th a t fo r m which

.

w a s compose d o f th e r u d i m e n t o f d ar kness a n d which bei n g , ,

d eserte d by h i m bec a m e n ig h t
, C o n tin ui ng to c r e a te but a s . ,

s u m i n g a d i ffe r ent sh a pe he experience d ple a su r e a n d t h ence

, ,

fr o m his m outh procee d e d th e go d s The for m a b a n d one d by .

_

h i m bec a m e d ay in which the goo d qu a lity pre d o m in a tes ; a n d

,

h ence by d ay the go d s a r e most powe r ful a n d by night the ,

d e m ons . H e next a d opte d a nother perso n ( fo r m) i n which the

r u d i m ent o f g o o d m e n a lso prev a ile d a n d thi n king of hi m self

a s the fa ther o f the w o r l d the p r oge n ito r s o r Pit r is ) were b o r n

( ,

fr o m his S i d e The bo d y when h e a b a n d one d it bec a m e t h e

.
, ,

S ee a m e, ‘
p . 1 21 .
T
‘
V i sh nu P u r an a ,
’
p .
39
U
 2 9 0 THE P U R AN I C A CC O UN T

S a n d h y a o r eveni n g twilight B r a h m a th en a ssu m e d a nothe r

,
.

pe r s o n pe r v a d e d by t h e q u a lity o f foulness ; an d fr o m t h is m e n
, ,

i n w h o m fo ul n ess ( o r p a ssio n ) p r e d o m i n a tes we r e p r o d u ce d , .

u ickly a b a n d o n i n g t h a t b o d y it bec a m e the d a wn A t h e

! t , .

a ppe a r a n ce o f this lig h t of d a y m e n feel m ost vigou r whilst t h e

p r o ge n ito r s a r e m ost powerfu l in the eve n ing .

“
N ext fr o m B r a h m a i n a fo r m c o m pose d of the qu a lity of
,

fo u l n ess w as p r o d u ce d hu n ge r o f who m a nge r w a s bo r n ; a n d

, ,

t h e go d put fo r th i n d a r k ness bei n gs e ma ci a te d with hu n ge r of ,

h i d e o u s a spect a n d with long be a r d s These beings h a stene d .

t o t h e d eity S u c h of the m a s excl a i m e d Oh p r ese r ve u S were

.
, ,
’

t h e n ce c a lle d Raks h a s a s ( fr o m R a ksh a to p r ese r ve ) ; othe r s who ,

c r ie d o u t Let u s e a t were d eno m in a te d fr om th a t exp r essio n

,
‘
,
’

Y ak s h as ( fr o m Y a ksh a to e a t ) Behol d ing the m so d isgusting

,
.
,

t h e h ai r s of B r ah m a we r e sh r ivelle d u p a n d fi r st fa lli n g fr o m his ,

h e a d we r e a g a i n r enewe d upo n it fr o m thei r fa lling they bec a me

se r pe n ts c a lle d S ar p a ( S r i p to c r eep ) fr o m thei r c r eepi n g a n d
, , , ,

A h i ( fr o m H a to a b a n d on ) bec a use they h a d d ese r te d the he a d

, , .

T h e c r e a to r of the wo r l d bei n g ince n se d then c r e a te d fie r ce

, ,

bei n gs who we r e d eno m in a te d gobli n s Bh u t as m a lign a n t fien d s

, , , ,

an d e a te r s o f fles h The G a n d h a r v a s ( cho r iste r s ) we r e next

.

b o r n : i mbibi n g m elo d y d ri n king o f the go d d ess o f S peech they

, ,

we r e b o r n a n d h e n ce thei r a ppell a ti o n
, .

“
The d ivi n e B r a h m a i n fl uence d by their m a teri a l ene r gies
, ,

h avi n g c r e a te d t h es e bei n gs m a d e othe r s of hi s own will Bir d s , .

h e fo r m e d fr o m his vit a l vigou r ; sheep fr o m his he a r t ; go a ts

fr o m his mo u t h ; kine fr o m his belly a n d si d es ; a n d ho r ses ,

elep h a n ts s ar a b h a s g a y a ls d ee r c a m els m ules a n telopes

, , , , , , ,

and o the r a n i m a l s fr om his feet : whilst fro m the h a i r s o f

his b o d y sp r a ng h e r bs roots a n d fr uits I n this m a n n e r
, , .

a ll t h i n gs a r e s a i d to h ave sp r u n g fr o m B r a h m a ; t h ey we r e
w ith h i m i n the egg : h e n ce this is a n a ccount of evol u ti o n ,

r a t h e r t h a n o f c r e a tion The c r e a tio n of m a n a s d ivi d e d i n to

.
,

fo u r c a stes is d esc r ibe d i n th is Pu r an a in si m il a r te r m s to th o se

, ,

in Manu .

Fo llowi n g this is the a cco u n t of the m in d bo r n so n s of B r a h m a -

—llh r i u D a ksh a a n d othe r s — ni n e i n nu m be r who bec a m e the

g , , ,
o
t
O
0
1 T H E P U R AN I C D I V ISIO N S OF T IME .

C H A PT E R X .

T H E P U R AN I C D IVI SI ONS OF TIME .

THE th r ee m a i n d ivisio n s of ti m e e m ploye d i n the H in d u

S c r iptu r es a r e Y U G A S M A N V A N T A R A S a n d K A LP A S
,
These
, ,
.
*

will n o w be d esc r ibe d .

T h e r e a r e fou r Yug a s which together exten d to a zw m

’ ’
’
,

e rs Thei r r espective d u r a tion is a s fol lows

y a .

T h e Kr i t a Yu ga div i ne ye ar s .

The Tr e ta Yu ga
Th e D vapa r a Y u g a
Th e K al i Y u g a

One ye a r o f mo r t a ls is equ a l to o n e d ay o f the go d s .

3 6 0 is t a ken a s the nu m ber o f d a ys i n the ye a r

T h e Kr i ta Yu ga x 3 60 ye ar s o f m o r t al s .

The Tr eta Yu ga x 3 60
The D v apa r a Y u g a x 3 60
The K al i Y u ga x 3 60

O n e M a h ayu ga inclu d ing a ll the fou r lesser Yug a s

,
or a
g ,
e ,

the r efo r e bei n g

, d ivi n e ye a r s ye a r s o f
”
mo rt a l s . A thous a n d such M a h ayu ga s a r e a d a y o f B r a h m a
“
,

a n d h is n ig h ts a r e o f equ a l d u r a t io n ; a K a lpa therefo r e o r , ,

D a y o f B r a h m a exte n d s ove r o r d in a r y ye a r s .

Wit h i n e a ch K a lp a 1 4 M a n us r eign ; a M a n v a n t a r a o r perio d ,

o f a M anu t h e r efo r e i s consequently T p a r t of a K a lp a o r '

, , T ,

d a y o f B r a h ma .

See
‘
Vi h
s nu l n r an a ,
’ ’
B k
oo i . c h p
a . iii .
,
an d B k vi h p
oo . c a . i .

T M u rr , O S
. . T , i 43
. . .
 T H E P U R AN I C D I V ISIO N S OF T IME . 293

In the p r esent K a lp a six M a n u s o f whom S w ya mb h u va w a s , ,

the first h a ve a l r e a d y p a sse d a w a y the p r esent being Va i vas a t a

,
.

I n e a ch M a nv a nt a r a ( pe r io d o f a M a nu ) seven Rishis cert a i n , ,

d eities a n I n d r a a n d a M a nu a n d th e kings h is sons a r e cre a te d

, , , ,

a n d pe r ish A thous a n d s yste m s o f the fou r Yug a s occur coi n

.

c i d e n t a lly with thes e fourteen M a nv a nt a r a s a n d consequ ently , ,

a bout 7 1 syste m s of four Yug a s el a pse d uring e a ch M a nv a nt a r a ,

a n d me a su r e the lives o f the M a nus a n d the d eities of the pe r io d .

A t the close o f this d a y o f B r a hm a a coll a pse o f the u n ive r se ,

t a kes pl a ce which l a sts th r ough a night o f Br a h m a equ a l i n

, ,

d ur a tio n to his d ay d uring which pe r io d the three worl d s a r e

,

co n ve r te d i n to o n e g r e a t oce a n when the lotus bo r n go d ( B r ah m a ) ,

-
,

exp a n d e d by his d eglutition o f the universe a n d conte m pl a te d ,

by the Yogis a n d go d s in J a n a lo k a s leeps o n the se r pent S esh a ,

.

A t the e n d o f th a t night he a w a kes a n d c r e a tes a new .

A ye a r o f B r a h m a is compose d o f the prope r nu m ber o f such

d ays a n d nights a n d a hun d re d o f such ye a rs constitute his
,

whole life Th e pe r io d of h i s life is c a lle d P a r a a n d the h a lf o f

.
,

it P a r d r a a aa o r the h a lf o f a P a r a On e P a r ar d dh a o r h alf o f
’ ’
,
.
,

Br a h m a s ex istence h as n o w expire d t er min a ting with the g r e a t

’

, ,

K a lp a c a lle d the P a d m a K alp a The n o w existing K a lp a o r

,
.
,

d a y o f B r a hma c a lle d V a r ah ar or th a t o f the bo a r

, ( ) is the fi r st ,

o f the secon d P a r ar d d h a o f Br a h m a s existence The d issolutio n ’

.

which occu r s a t the e n d o f e a ch K a lp a or d a y o f B r a h m a is c a l le d , ,

”
inci d ent a l occ a sion a l o r conti n gent , ,
.

The d issolution o f existing beings is o f th r ee kin d s : inci “

d ent a l ele m ent a l a n d a b s o lu t e T The fi r st is

”
.
, ,

o cc a sion a l i nci d ent a l o r B r ah m ya a s occ a sione d by the inte r v a ls

, , ,

o f B ra h m a s d ays ; t h e d est r uction of cre atures though not o f

’

the substa nce o f the wo r l d occu r r ing d u r ing th e night The ,

.

seco n d is the genera l r esolution of the ele m ents into thei r

pri mitive sou r ce o r Pr a k r iti the Pr ak r i t i k a d estru ction a n d
, ,

occurs at the e n d o f B r a h m a s life The thi r d t h e a bs o lute o r

’

.
,

fin a l A lya n t i k a is i n d ivi d u a l a nnihil a tion M oksh a exe m ption fo r

, , , ,

ever from future existence .

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
i 45. .
T
‘
V i sh nu P u r an a ,
’
p . 6 30 , n ot e.
 2
94 THE P U R AN I C D I V I SIO N S OF TIME .

T h e p r ocess of d est r uction is d esc r ibe d as follows

A t the e n d o f a thous a n d pe r io d s o f four ages the e a r th is fo r
t h e m ost p a r t exh a uste d A tot a l d e a th then ensu es which l a sts .
,

a h u n d r e d ye a r s a n d in consequence of the fa ilu r e o f foo d a ll

,

bei n gs beco m e l a n gu i d a n d ex a ni m a te a n d a t l a st entirely pe r ish , .

T h e eter n a l Vishnu then a ssu m es th e ch a r a cter o f R u d r a the ,

d est r oye r a n d d escen d s to r eunite a ll his c r e a tu r es with hi m self

,
.

H e e n te r s into the seven r a ys o f the sun d r inks u p a ll the w a te r s ,

o f t h e gl o be a n d c a u ses a ll m oistu r e wh a teve r in living bo d ies o r

, ,

i n the soil to ev a po r a te thu s d r yi n g u p th e whol e e a r th The

, , .

se a s the r ive r s the m ou nt a in to r r e n ts a n d sp r i n gs a r e a ll exh a le d

, ,
-
, ,

a n d so a r e a ll the w a te r s o f Patal a the regions below the e a r th , .

Thu s fe d th r ough his inte r vention wi th a bun d a nt moistu r e

, , ,

the seve n sol a r r a ys d il a te to seven su ns whose r a d i a n ce glows ,

a bove belo w a n d o n eve r y si d e a n d sets the th r ee wo r l d s a n d

, , ,

Patal a o n fi r e The th r ee wo r l d s consu m e d by these suns beco m e

.
, ,

r ugge d an d d efo r m e d througho u t the whole exte n t of their

m ou n t a ins r ive r s a n d se a s ; a n d the e a r th b a r e o f ver d u r e a n d
, , ,

d o f m oistu r e a lone rem a ins rese m bling i n a ppe a r a nce the

' estit te
u , ,

b a ck of a tortoise The d est r oye r o f a ll thi n gs H a r i in the for m

.
, ,

o f Ru d r a who i s the fl a m e o f ti m e becomes th e sco r ching b r e a th

, ,

o f the se r pe n t S esh a a n d thereby re d u ces Patal a to a shes ,

The .

g r e a t fi r e w h e n it h a s burnt a ll th e d ivisions o f Patal a procee d s

, ,

t o the e a r th a n d consu mes it a lso A v a st whi r lpool o f e d d ying .

fl a m e the n sp r e a d s t o the r egion of th e a t m osphere a n d th e sphe r e

o f the go d s a n d w r a ps them in r uin
,
T h e th r ee sphe r es S how like .

a fr yi n g p a n a m i d st the surroun d ing fl a m es th a t p r ey u pon a ll

-
,

m ov a ble o r st a tio n ar y thi n gs The inh abit a nts o f the two u ppe r .

sp h e r es h a ving d isch a r ge d thei r functions a n d being a nnoye d by

,

t h e h e a t r e move to the sphe r e a bove or M a h a r lo k a When th a t

, ,
.

bec o mes he a te d its ten a nts who a fte r the full pe r io d o f thei r
, , ,

st a y a r e d esi r ous of a scen d i n g to highe r r egions d ep a r t for the

, ,
”
j a n a lo k a .

The ‘
Vayu P u r an a
’

T gives m o r e explicit te aching on this

s u bj ect .

‘
Vi h s nu l
’
u r an a ,
’
p . 63 1 .
T I bid . p . 632, n ote.
2 9 6 THE P U R AN I C D I V I SIO N S OF T IME .

G a n d h a r v a s Y ak s h as ,
Raksh a s a s n o r P a n n a ga s n o buyi n g a n d
, ,

selling we n t o n no effo r ts we r e m a d e by m e n the fr u it ( of the

,

e a r th w a s obt a i n e d ) by thei r m e r e wish ; r ighteousness a n d

a b a n d on m e n t of the wo r l d p r ev a ile d ) O d ise a se o r d ecline
( N .

of t h e o r g a n s of se n se a r ose th r ough th e infl uence of a ge ; the r e

w a s n o m a lice weeping p r i d e o r d eceit ; no conte n tion n o
, , , ,

h a t r e d c r u elty fe a r a ffliction j e a lousy o r envy H ence the

, , , , , .

S up r e m e B r a h m a w a s the t r a nscen d ent resort o f these Yogins .

Then N a r ay a n a the sou l o f a ll bei n gs w a s white I n th a t a ge

, , .

we r e bo r n c r e a tu r es d evote d to thei r d uties They we r e a l ike .

i n the obj ect of thei r t r ust in obse r v a nce a n d i n thei r knowle d ge , ,

.

A t th a t pe r io d t h e c a stes a like i n t h ei r fu n ctio n s fulfille d thei r

, ,

d uties we r e u n ce a si n gly d evote d to o n e d eity a n d use d o n e fo r

, ,

mul a ( m a n t r a ) o n e r u le a n d one r ite They h a d but o n e Ve d a

, . .

“
U n d e r st a n d n o w the T r eta i n which s a c r ifice co mm ence d , ,

r ighteous n ess d ecre a se d by a fou r th Vish n u bec a m e r e d ; a n d ,

m e n a d he r e d to t r uth a n d we r e d evote d to a righteousness ,

d epe n d e n t on ce r emonies Then s a c r ifices p r ev a ile d with holy

.
,

a r ts a n d a v a r iety o f r ites I n the T r eta m e n a cte d with a n .

obj ect in view seeking a fte r rew a r d fo r thei r r ites a n d thei r gifts
, ,

an d n o l o nge r d ispose d to a uste r ities a n d to l iber a lity fr o m ,

a S i m ple feeli n g o f uty I n this howeve they we re

( ) d g
a e r .
, ,

d evote d t o thei r o w n d uties a n d to r eligious ce r e m onies .

“
I n the D vap ar a a ge r ighteousness w a s d i m i n ishe d by two
qu a r te r s Vi shnu bec a m e yellow a n d the Ve d a fourfol d S ome
, ,
.

stu d ie d fou r Ve d a s so m e th r ee othe r s two a n d so m e none a t

, , ,

a ll . The S c r iptu r es being thus d ivi d e d ce r e m onies we r e cel e ,

b r a t e d i n a g r e a t v a r iety of w a ys ; a n d th e people bei n g occu pie d ,

with a uste r ity a n d the bestow a l o f gifts bec a m e full of p a ssion ,

Owi n g to ig n o r a n ce of the o n e Ve d a Ve d a s were ,

m u ltiplie d A n d n o w fr o m the d ecli n e of goo d ness ( S a li va )

.
, ,

fe w o n ly a d he r e d to truth When m e n h a d fa llen a w a y fr om .

go o d n ess m a ny d ise a ses d esi r es a n d c a l a mities c a u se d by

, , , ,

d estiny a ss a ile d the m by which they we r e severely a ffl icte d

, , ,

a n d d r ive n to p r a ctise a u ste r ities O the r s d esi r i ng enj oyme n ts .

,

and h e a ve n l y bliss o ffe r e d s a c r ifices Thus when they h a d .

, ,

r e a c h e d the D va a r a m e n d ecline d th r ough u n r i h t o u s n e s s

p , g .
 T H E P U R AN I C D I V ISIO N S OF T IME . 297

I n the K a li r ighteous n ess re m a ine d to th e extent of o n e

,

fou r th o n ly A r r ive d in th a t a ge o f d a rkness Vish n u bec a m e

. ,

bl a ck pra ctices enj oi ne d by the Ve d a s wo r ks of r ighteousness , ,

an d r ites —
O f s a c r ifices ce a se d C a l a m ities d ise a ses fa tigu e
.
, , ,

fa ults such a s a nge r & c d ist r esses a nxiety hunge r fe a r p r e

, ,
.
, , , , ,

v a ile d A s the a ges r evolve r i ghteousness a g a i n d ecli n es whe n

.

this t a kes pl a ce the people a lso d ecline Whe n they d ec a y the

,
.
,

i m pulses which a ctu a te t h e m a lso d ec a y The p r a ctices ge n e r a te d .

by this d eclension of the Yug a s fr ust r a te m e n s a i m s S uch i s ’

.

t h e K a li Yug a which h a s existe d fo r a s h o r t ti m e Those who

,
.

”
a r e long live d a c t in co n fo r m ity with the ch a r a cter o f the a ge
- .

I n th e Bh i s h m a pa r va n the r e i s a p a r a g r a ph i n whi c h it is s a i d
’

th a t F our t h ous a n d ye a r s a r e S pecifie d a s t h e d ur a tion o f life

.

i n the K r i t a Yug a th r ee thous a n d i n the T r eta a n d t w o thou s a n d

, ,

fo r m th e pe r io d a t p r esent est a b lishe d on e a rth i n the D vap ar a .

The r e is no fixe d m e a su r e in t h e T i s h ya
I t shou l d be notice d th a t the i mm ense d u r a tio n o f t he a ges a s
qu o te d a bove fro m the Vish n u Pura n a is pecu li a r t o the P u r an a s ,
’
.

I n the text o f the M a h abha r a t a no m ention is m a d e o f th e “

ye a r s co m p r ising the d iffe r ent Yug a s being d i vi n e yea r s T

[
,

though the e ar lie r books cert a inly favou r fa r mo r e ext r a v a g a nt ’

notio n s o f ch r onology th a n those with w h i ch W e s t e r n n a tions a r e

fa m i h ar .

M ui O r, . S T
. .
,
i . 148. T I bi d .
T HE T U LS I .
 TH E I N FE R I O R D E ITI ES .

C HA PTE R I .

THE D IVINE RISH IS .

I . B H RI G U .

W H E N B r a h ma wi she d to popul a te the wo r l d h e cre a te d ,

m in d bo r n sons like hi m self

-
Vi z Bh r i gu P u las t y a P ul a h a .
, , ,

K r a tu A n gi r a s M a r ich i D a ksh a A t r i a n d Vas i s h t h a : these a r e

,

, , , , ,
”
the nine B r a h m as o r B r ah m ar i s h i s celeb r a te d in the P uran a s .

O r igin a lly seven were m ention e d in the M ahabha r a t a ; but the

lists foun d in d i fferent p a rts o f th a t E pi c d o n o t a g r ee with
e a ch othe r These seven ar e s u ppose d t o b e visibl e i n the G r e a t
.

Be a r a s thei r wives shine i n the Plei a d es These B r a h m ar i s h i s

, .

a r e a lso c a lle d P r aj ap a tis lor s o f o ffsp r ing B r a h m aputr a s ( sons

( d ) ,

o f B r a hma an d B r ah m a n a s The Vishnu P u r an a te a ches t h a t

)
‘
, .

Bh r i gu m ar r ie d his niece K h yat i a d a ughte r o f D a ksh a w h o bo r e , ,

to h i m S r i o r L a ksh m i but a s it w a s t h e co m mon belief th a t S h e

'

w a s o n e o f the p r o d u cts of the chu r ning o f the oce a n the r ecite r ,

o f the P u r an a is a ske d to expl a in thi s d isc r ep a ncy The subst a nce .

o f his a nswe r w a s th a t of go d s a ni m a ls a n d m a n H a r i is a ll
“
, , , ,
”
th a t is c a lle d m a le L a ksh mi is a ll th a t is te r me d fe m a le
,
.

I n his a ccount o f th e c r e a tio n M a nu m entio n s t e n M a h a rishis ,

a s h a ving been c r e a te d by hi m self o n e o f who m is Bh r i u who

g , ,

i n his tu r n cre a te d seven othe r M a nus fro m who m a ll th a t is h a s ,

s pr u n
g T The. M a h abha r a t a s a ys S ix g r e a t R ishis a r e k n ow n

V i sh nu P u r an a ,
’
p .
49 .
T M u i r O , . S T
. .
,
i 36. .
3 0 2 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

as th e m i n d bo r n sons of B r a h m a ; bu t Bh r i gu is not n a me d
-

a m o ngst the m I n a n othe r p a ss a ge i t d esc r ibes h i m a s a son

.

of V a r un a but B r a hm a is the r e i d e n tifie d wit h V a r un a A t a

,
.

s a c r ifi ce a t wh ich B r a h m a offici a te d a po r tion o f V a r un a w a s ,

t h rown i nto th e s a c r i fici a l fi r e whe n ce the r e a r ose th r ee m e n,

e n d owe d wit h bo d ies Bh r i gu sp r a ng fi r st fr o m M 7 276 ( the

.

bl a zi n g o f the fi r e ) A n gi r a s fr o m the C in d e r s a n d K a vi fr o m
, ,

a he a p o f a shes The go d c a lle d M a ha d ev a V a r un a a n d

.
, ,

P a v a n a cl a i m e d these three a s h i s o w n A gni a n d B r a h m a

,
.

a lso cl a i m e d I t w a s a g r ee d th a t Bh r i gu w a s V a r u n a s ’

son A gni r eceive d A n gi r a s a n d B r a h m a took K a vi I n

.
,
.

a n othe r p a r t o f th a t poe m it is s a i d : We h a ve he ar d th a t “

the g r e a t a n d ve n e r a ble Rish i B h r i gu w as p r o d u ce d by B r a h m a

fr o m fi r e a t the s a c r ifice o f V a r un a T The Bhag a v a t a Pu r an a .
”

s ays th a t he sp r a ng fr o m the skin o f the C r e a to r ; a n d the

“ ”

M a habha r a t a in a n o the r ve r s e d ecl a r es th a t the ven er a ble

, ,
“

B h r i gu h a ving split B r a h m a s h e ar t issu e d fo r th

’

, ,
.

A t the g r e a t s a c r i fice o f D a ksh a to whi ch S iv a w a s n o t ,

i nvite d Bh r i gu o ffici a te d a s p r iest ; a n d bec a use he r evile d th a t

,

g o d a n d his followers a n d j ustifie ,

d D a ksh a in S lighti n g him he ,

su ffe r e d the loss of his be a r d .

The M a habha r a t a gives a legen d o f B h r i gu cu r si n g I n d r a ,

.

Th e I n d r a o f th at a ge n a m e d N a h u s h a being fille d with p r i d e

, , ,

l ost the benefit of his p r eviou s goo d wo r ks a n d i n his p r e s u m p ,

tion c a use d t h e R i s h is to c a r r y h i m a bout Whe n it c a m e to .

A g a sty a s tu r n to c a r ry h i m B h r i gu s a i d to h i m Why d o we
’ “
, ,

m
sub it the insu lts o f this wicke d king o f the go d s
t o ? A g a sty a
r eplie d th a t n on e o f the R ishis h a d c u r se d N a h u s h a bec a u se he ,

h a d r eceive d a s a boon the po wer to subj ect to his se r vice a n y

on w ho m he fi xe d hi s eye ; but th a t a t the s a m e ti m e he w a s
q uite r e a d y t o a c t u po n a n y s u ggestion B h r i g u m ight m a ke .

B h r i gu t h en tol d hi m t h a t he h a d been sent by B r a h m a to t a ke

ve n ge a nce o n N a h u s h a w h o woul d th a t ve r y d a y a tt a ch A g a sty a
,

to his c a r a n d kick h i m b u t incense d a t this ins u lt he ( B h r i gu ) ,

wou l d by a cu r se con d e m n t h e opp r essor to beco m e a se r pe n t .

M uir , o . S . T .
,
i 44 5
. .
1 I bi d .
3 4
0 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

co n se n te d to m o d ify h i s cu r s e by s aying th a t a s the S un by , ,

“

h is lig h t a n d he a t pu r ifies a ll n a tu r e so A gni shoul d pu r ify a ll ,

”
t h a t p a sse d th r oug h h i m .

B h r i gu is s a i d to h ave pe r fo r m e d a most won d e r fu l d ee d ; the

t r a nsfo r mi n g o f a K s h a t t r i ya ki n g i n to a B r ah m a n The .

M a hab h a r a t a gives t h e following a ccount o f t h i s uniqu e wo r k

"

D i vo d as a King of Kasi ( B en ar es ) w a s a tt a cke d by the son s o f

, ,

Vi t ah a vya a n d a ll his fa mily s l a in i n b a ttle The a fflicte d

,
.

m o n a r ch the r efo r e r eso r te d to the s a ge B h a r a d vaja who p e r ,

fo r me d fo r h i m a s a c r ifice in consequ ence of which a son n a m e d ,

P r a t a r d a n a w a s bo r n to hi m P r a t a r d a n a beco m ing a n a eco m.

,

li s h e d w a r r io r w a s sent by his fa the r to t a ke venge a nce o n the

p ,

Vi t ah a vya s Vi t ah a vya h a d now to fly t o a nothe r s a ge B h r i gu

.
, ,

w h o p r o m ise d his p r otection The a venge r P r a t a r d an a howeve r .

, ,

fo llowe d a n d d e m a n d e d th a t the r efugee shou l d be given up

,
.

B h r i gu the m ost e m inent of r eligiou s men fille d with co m p a ssio n

, ,

s a i d : T h e r e is no K s h at t r i ya he r e ; a ll t h e s e a r e B r ah m a n s
‘
. .

H e a r ing this t r u e a sse r tio n of Bh r i gu Pr a t a r d a n a w a s gl a d a n d , , ,

gently touching the s age s feet rej oine d : E ven thus O glorious ’

,
‘
,

s a int I h ave g a i n e d m y obj ect for I h ave co m pelle d this king

, ,

t o r eli n quish his c a ste This Vi t ah a vya by the m ere wo r d of

.
’

B h r i gu bec a m e a B r ah m a n Ris h i a n d a n u tterer o f the Ve d a s

”
.
, ,

The n a m es of nineteen Bh r i gu s a r e given in th e M a tsy a ‘

P u r a n a who a r e s a i d to b e co m pose r s of hy m ns Bh r i gu hi mself

,
’

bei n g one of the n a r r a to r s o f the M a habha r a t a P r ofesso r R o t h T .

s pe aks of the Bh r i gu s as a cl a ss o f mythologic a l bei n gs wh o ,

bel o n ge d to t h e a e r i a l o r m i d d le cl a ss of go d s They we r e the .

d isc o ve r e r s of fi re a n d b r ought it to m e n H e a d d s th a t this

-
.
,

r a ce h a s a ls o a co n n exion with histo r y a s o n e of t h e chief ,

B r a h ma n ic a l fa milies be a r s this n a m e a n d a llusions a r e m a d e to ,

t h is fa ct i n the h y m n s o f the Rig Ve d a -

.

I n t h e Ra m ay a n a the r e a r e not m a n y r efe r ences to B h r i gu ;

h e is t h e r e c a lle d a M a h a r is h i ; a n d Ra m a i s i n d uce d to sl a y a
fe ma l e d e mo n by the r e me m b r a n ce th a t Vish n u slew Bh r i gu s ’

wif w h e n S h e a spi r e d t o I n d r a s th r o n e H e i s th e s a i n t who m

e
’
.

M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
i . 22 T I b i d i 4 42
. . .
 P UL A S T vA .
3 5
0

the chi ld less wives of S ag a r wo r shippe d in o r d e r to obt a i n a s o n

an d he g a ve to one l a d y o n e to the othe r sixty thous a n d , .

P a ra s u r am a w a s o n e o f his most i llust r iou s d escen d a nts .

2 . P U L A S T YA .

P u las t ya, nother o f B r ah ma m in d bo r n sons is r eve r e n ce d

a
’
s -
,

bec a use it w a s th r ough hi m th a t the Pu r a n a s were m a d e k n own

to m e n The r e a son o f his being r eg ar d e d a s th e Reve a le r o f
.

S c r ipture is t a ught in the Vish n u whe r e the n ar r a to r

‘

Pa r as a r a in a nswe r t o a question a d d r esse d to h i m by his d isciple

,

M a it r ey a s ays : Y o u r ec a ll to my m i n d w h a t w a s o f o ld n a r r a te d
,
“

by my fa the r s fa ther Vas i s h t h a I h a d he a r d th a t my fa t h e r

’
.

h a d been d evou r e d by a R aksh a s e m ploye d by V i s va m i t r a ,

violent a nge r sei ze d m e a n d I co m m ence d a s a c r ifice fo r the

,

d est r uctio n o f the Raksh a s a s ; hun d r e d s of the m we r e re d uce d

to a shes by t h e r ite w h en as t h ey we r e a bou t t o be enti r ely e x t i r
, ,

p a te d m y g r a n d fa ther Va s i s h t h a thu s sp a ke to m e : E n oug h

,
‘
,

m y chil d ; let t h y wr a th be a ppe a se d ; the R aksh a s a s a r e n o t

culp a ble thy fa the r s d e a t h w a s the wo r k o f d estiny
’
.
’

P a r as a r a ce a se d fr o m his s a c r ifice a n d his g r a n d fa t h er w a s ,

ple a se d ; then P u las t ya co m ing s a i d t o h i m S ince in the vi o ,

lenee o f a n i m osity yo u h ave listene d to the wo r d s o f you r p r o

,
“

genitor a n d e x ercise d cl e m ency yo u sh a ll beco m e le a r n e d i n

, ,

eve r y science S ince you h ave fo r bo r ne even though ince n se d

.
, ,

to d est r oy m y poste r ity I will b estow o n yo u a n ot h e r boon yo u

,

sh a ll beco m e the a utho r o f a su mm ar y o f the P u r an as S h a ll k n ow ,

the t r u e n atu r e o f th e d eities a n d yo u r u n d e r st a n d ing th r ough

,

m y fa vou r sh a ll be perfect a n d fr ee fr o m d oubts

”
P a r as ar a .

r el a tes th e P u r an a a s tol d hi m fo r merly by Vas i s h t h a a n d the “

wise P u las t ya .
”

P u la s t ya m a rrie d P r i t h i a d a ughter o f D a ksh a by who m he

, ,

h a d a son the s a ge A g a sty a ; the Bhag av a t a c a l l s his wife

,

H av i s b h u whose sons we r e A g a sty a an d V

,
i s r a va s the fa t h e r o f ,

Kuve r a Rav a n a an d other Raksh a s a s

, ,
.

P ge 4
a .
3 0 6 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

The r e a so n o f P a r as ar a s a tt a ck u pon the Raksh as a s is give n

’

i n a lege n d i n t h e M a hab h a r a t a King K a lm as h a p a d a m eeti n g .

,

with S a kti ( P a r as a r a s fa the r ) i n a n a r r ow p a th i n a fo r est

’

wishe d h i m to get out of h is w ay This t h e s a ge r efuse d t o d o .

whe r e u po n t h e ki n g th r a she d h i m with his w h i p ; i n r etu r n S a kti

c u r se d h i m a n d he bec a m e a c a nnib a l Raksh a s When in this
,
.

fo r m t h e ki n g kille d a n d a t e S a kti a n d a ll t h e ot h e r sons o f

,

Vas i s h t h a S a kti s wife bei n g pr egn a nt a t the ti m e o f his d e a th

.
’

P a r as a r a w a s bo r n soon a fte r a n d b r o u ght u p with h is g r a n d

fa the r When h e g r ew u p h e co mm ence d th e sl a ughte r of the
.

Raksh a s a s but w as r est r a i n e d by Va s i s h t h a P u las t ya a n d othe r s

,

.
, , ,

3 . P ULAHA .

This Rishi d oes not figu r e l a r gely i n H i n d u mythology H e . .

m a r r ie d a d a ughte r of D a ksh a n a m e d K s h a m a ( P a tience ) by ,

who m h e h a d th r ee sons .

4 K R AT U .

K r a tu is n o m o r e wi d ely k n ow n th a n P u l ah a H e m a r r ie d .

S a n n a t i ( H u m ility ) a not h e r d a ug h ter o f D a ksh a by w h o m h e

, ,

h ad sixty thous a n d B alak h i lya s pig m y s ages n o bigge r t h a n

“
,

t h e j oint o f the thu m b ch a ste pious a n d resplen d ent a s the r a ys , ,

of t h e s u n .
”

5 . A N G I RA S .

A n gi r a s is fa me d a s t h e a ut h o r of seve r a l hy m n s of th e Rig
Ve d a H e fi r st m ar r ie d S mriti ( M e m o r y ) by who m h e h a d fo u r
.
,

d a ug h te r s a n d a fte r w a r d s h e m a r r ie d S w a d d h a ( Obl a tio n ) a n d

,

S a ti a l so D a ks h a s d a u ghte r s H is s o c a lle d d a ug h te r s t h e
,
’
.
-
,

P r a t ya n gi r as a R i c h a s a r e t h i r ty fi ve ve r ses a d d r esse d to p r esi d ing

,
-

d ivi n ities .T h e r e is so m e a mbig u ity i n t h e u se o f his n a m e ; it

c o mes fr o m t h e s a m e r oot a s A g n i o f whic h d eity it is use d a s a n ,

epit h et it is a lso u se d o f A g n i s fa the r a n d is t h e n a m e of a s o n ’

of A
g yn e a A g n i s d
,
a u g h te r
’
A n i r a s is su ppose d to h a ve bee n
g .

a ss o c i a te d wit h B h r i u in i n t r o d u ci n g fi r e wo r s h ip into I n d i a
g
- .

‘
Vi hs nu P u r an a ,
’
p . 83 .
3 0 8 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

m a r rie d A n a s fi ya who bo r e h i m D u r vas as the s a ge who w a s

, ,

slighte d by I n d r a S o m a the m oon is s a i d to p r ocee d fr o m the

.
, ,

eyes of his fa the r A t r i .

Whe n this s age a n d his wife were Old they r e ceive d a visit ,

a t thei r he r mit a ge fr o m Ra m a S it a a n d L a ksh m a n who we r e , , ,

t h en w a n d e r ing fr o m pl a ce to pl a ce
He ca me t o Atr i
’
s pu r e r e tr e at,

P ai d r e ve r en ce to h i s h o ly fe e t ,

An d f om th e s i n t s
r a u ch w e l c o me w o n

a fo d f t h e r g ve s
”
As n a 1 his s on .

A tri , i n i nt r o d ucing his wi fe to his i llust r iou s guests thus ,

d esc r ibes h e r

Ten t h ou s an d y e ar s thi s v o t a e s s b e n t r ,

O s te e s t i te s o f p en n ce s p en t
n rn r a ,

S h e wh e n t h e c l o u d s w i t hh e l d t h e i
, ai n r r ,

A n d d o gh t t e y e a s c o n s m e d t h e pl a i n
r u n r u ,

C a s ed g at e f l o o t s d f i t s t o g r o w
u r u r an ru

A d o d e e d G n g a h e e t o flo w
n r r a r

S o fr o m t h e i r c e s t h e s a i n t s s h e f ee d
ar r ,

N o le t t h e s e c h e c k s t h e i r i gh t s i m p e d e
r r .

S h e w o gh t i n h e v e n s b e h alf d m de
’
r u a ,
an a

T e n n i gh t s o f o n e t h e g o d s t o a i d T ,
.
”

A n a s fi ya then j oins with her h usb a n d i n welcoming the exiles

t o thei r he r m it a ge a n d d elighte d with the princess tells h e r to
, , ,

a s k a boon A s howeve r S it a a ppe a r e d to w a nt nothi ng p a r

.
, ,

t i c u la r the a ge d s a int s a i d
,

My g i ft t o d y - a

T h y s w e e t c o n t e n t m e t s h ll r e p y n a a

A c ce p t t h i s p ec i o s o b e t o w e rr u r a ,

O f h e v e n ly f b i c r i c h d e
a a r , an r ar

T h e s e g e m s t h y l i mb s t o o n m e n t r a ,

Th i s p eci o s b l s m s w ee t o f s c en t
r u a a .

O M i th i l d m e t h i s g i ft o f m i e
a a n

Sh ll m k e t h y l i mb s w i th b e a t y s h i n e
a a u ,

A n d b e th i g o e t h y f a m e d i s p e n s e
,
r a n
’
r r ,

I t p e n d l a s t i g i fl e ce
s ur a n n u n .

G r i ffi t h s ’
s
‘
R amay a n a ,
’
11 468 . .
”
1 I bid . i i 47 3
. .
 IDA K S H A .
3 9
0

Thi b l s f i li mb s S p e d
a sa m, on th y a r r a ,

N ew r d i ce o t h y l o d s h ll s h e d
a an n r a

A s L ksh mi s b e ty len d g ce ’
a au s a ra

T o V i sh cel e sti l f ce
”
’
s ow nu n a a .

8 . DAKSHA .

D a ksh a , the father o f U m a the conso r t o f S iva h a s a tt a ine d , ,

pre eminence a mongst h is b r ethren l a r gely th r ough th e g r e a t

-

n ess of his son i n law - -

.

H e t o o is a m in d — bo r n s o n
'

o f B r a h ma ; o r a cco r d ing
,

to other a ccou nts sp r a ng ,

fr o m th e thu m b o f his
fa t h er H e i s o n e o f th e
.

chief P r aj ap a tis B efo r e

.

spe a king o f D a ksh a a s th e ,

te r m P r aj ap a ti is o f fr e
quent occur r ence it wil l ,

n o t be o u t o f pl a ce here

t o d esc r ibe the position o f

these beings .

The te r m P r aj ap a ti
m e a ns a lo r d o f c r e a tu r es
th e P r aj ap a tis therefore
, ,

a r e reg a r d ed a s th e r
p o

genitors o f m a nki n d The .

wo r d is u se d i n m uch the DAK HA S ,

s a m e m a nne r a s P a t r i a r ch
in t h e C h r isti a n Sc r iptu r es S ometi m es B r a h m a a lone is inten d e d
.

by th e ter m P r aj ap a ti he is fire lo r d o f c r e a tu r es so m eti m es “ '

it is e m ploye d fo r the fi r s t fo r m e d m e n fr o m who m th e hu m a n

-

r a ce sprung . The wo r d w a s origin a ll y e m ploye d as a n epithet o f

S avitri a n d S o m a a s w e ll a s o f H i r a n yaga r b h a o r B r a h m a I t
'

.
, ,

a fte r w a r d s
,
however c a me to d enote a sep a r a te d eity who
, ,

G r i ffi th s
’
s R am ay a n a ,
’
i i 474
. .
3 10 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

a ppe a r s i n th r ee pl a ces i n t h e Rig Ve d a P r aj ap a ti is so m eti m es -

.

i d e n tifie d with th e u n ive r se a n d d e s c r 1 o e d ( i n the s a m e w a y a s ,

B r a h m a o r e n tity o r n o n —entity a r e in othe r pl a ces ) a s h a vi n g

, ,

a l o n e e x iste d in the begi n n ing a s th e so u r ce o u t of whic h c r e ,

a ti o n w a s evolve d 6g P r aj ap a ti w a s th i s u n ive r se V a c h w a s
“
,

a sec o n d t o h i m S he bec a m e p r eg n a n t s h e d ep a r te d fr o m h i m
.
, ,

s h e p r o d u ce d these c r e a tu res She a g a in e n te r e d into P r aj a .

p a ti .
”
Yet a t the s a m e ti m e he i s so m eti mes d esc r ibe d a s “

o n ly a secon d a r y o r subo r d in a te d eity a n d t r e a te d only a s o n e of ,

t h i r ty t h r ee d eities
-
.

By the ti m e M a nu w r ote c r e a tion h a d co m e t o be r eg a r d e d a s ,

t h e speci a l wo r k of Br a h m a hence the te r m P r aj ap a ti is a ppl ie d ,

t o h i m i n the D h a r m a s a st r a a n d i n the l a ter w r itings it is given ,

t o those w h o spr a n g fro m h i m a n d c a r rie d o n his wo r k of p o p u ,

l a ti n g t h e wo r l d .

T h e M a h ab h ar a t a gives two d istinct a ccou nts o f th e origi n o f

D a k s h a zT— D a ksh a the glo r ious Rishi t r a nqu il in spi r it a n d
“
, , ,

g r e a t in a u ste r e fe r vour s p r a ng fr o m th e r ight thu m b of Br a h m a ,

.

F r o m the left thu mb sp r a n g the g r e a t M u ni s wife by who m h e ’

,
”
bego t fifty d a ughte r s B o r n with a ll splen d ou r like th a t o f
.
“
,

t h e g r e a t Rishis the ten sons of P r a ch e t as ( a not h e r P r aj ap a ti )

,

a r e r epute d to h a ve been virtuous a n d holy a n d by the m th e ,

gl o r i o us bei n gs ( t r ees pl a n ts & c ) we r e fo r me r ly bu r nt u p by fi r e

, , .

sp r i n gi n g fr o m thei r m outh F r o m t h e m w as bo r n D a ksh a .

P r ac h e t a s a ; a n d from D a ksh a th e p a r ent o f the worl d ( we r e , ,

p r o d u c e d ) these c r e a tu r es C oh a biting wi th Vi r i n i the M uni .

,

D a ksh a beg a t a thous a n d so n s like h i m sel f fa m ou s fo r thei r ,

r eligi o u s O bse r v a n ces I n the H a r i va n s a Vishnu is i d e n tifie d

.
”
,

with D a ksh a A t the e n d o f a t h ous a n d Yug a s the B r a h ma n s

.

o f a p r eviou s a e perfect i n knowle ge co te m pl tion

“
g d a
, n d n a ,

bec a m e i n v o lve d i n th e d issolution o f the wo r l d Then Vis h n u .

sp r u n g fro m B r a h m a r e m ove d beyon d th e sphe r e of sense , ,

a bs o r be d i n conte m pl a tio n bec a m e th e P r aj ap a ti D a ksh a a n d , ,

fo r m e d n u m e r o us c r e a tu r es T .

F u lle r p a r ticul ar s of D a ksh a s o r igin we fi n d i n the Vishnu ’ ‘

M ui r
,
O . S T . .
,
v .
3 90 .
T I bid . i . 2 24 .
T I bid
. . i . 153
3 I 2 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

bestowe r of goo d a tt a ins u n d oubte d ly the O bj ec t o f h is d esi r es

,
”
t h e r e is no othe r m o d e .

A s th e sons we r e i mm e r se d in the oce a n intent o n the ,

w o r ship of Vishnu th a t d eity a ppe a r e d to them a n d he a r ing

, , ,

t h ei r r equest s a i d ,
Receive the boon you h ave d esi r e d fo r I ,

the give r of goo d a m content with yo u ,

Whilst the Pr ach e t as as .
”

w e r e a bso r be d i n thei r d evotions the trees g r ew a n d ove r “

,

sh a d owe d t h e unp r otecte d e a rth the people pe r i she d the win d s

.

, ,

cou l d not blo w the sky w a s S hut out fr om view by the boughs
, ,

a n d m a n kin d u n able to l a bou r fo r ten thous a n d ye a r s When .

the s ages s aw this win d ( which to r e u p the trees ) a n d fl a mes

,

( which t h e n consu m e d the m

) issu e d fr o m thei r m ouths a n d the ,

fo r ests we r e soo n cle a r e d a w a y S o m a the sove r eign o f th e .

,

veget able wo r l d seeing n e ar ly a ll the t r ees d est r oye d went to

, ,

t h e p a t r i a r chs a n d s a i d : Rest r a in you r i n d ign a tio n a n d listen ,

to m e I will m a ke a n a l l i a nce between you a n d the t r ees

. .

P r escient o f futu r ity I h a ve nou r ishe d this m a i d en the d a ughte r

, ,

o f t h e woo d s She is c a lle d M a r isha a n d a s you r bri d e she

.
, , ,

S h a ll be the m ultipl ie r o f the r a ce o f D r uv a F ro m a po r tion o f .

you r a n d my l ust r e the p a tri a rch D a ksh a sh a ll be b o r n wh o , ,

e n d owe d wit h a p ar t o f me a n d co m pose d o f your vigour S h a ll ,

be r esplen d ent a s fi r e a n d sh a l l m u ltiply the hu m a n r a ce

, .
’

S o m a then info r m s th e b r othe r s r especting M ar i s h a s o r igin ’

.

T h e r e w a s fo r m e r ly a s a ge n a m e d K a n d u eminent in wis d o m ,

and a uste r ity on the b a nks o f the Go m a ti I n d r a sent th e

, .

n y m ph P r a m lo c h a to d ivert th e s a ge fr o m his d evotions : they

live d together fo r 1 5 0 ye a r s d u r ing which ti m e the M un i wa s ,

give n u p to ple a su r e The ny m ph a t th e close o f this pe r io d

.

a ske d le a ve to d ep a rt but th e M uni ent r e a te d her to continu e

,

w ith h i m . A n d though a t th e e n d o f sever a l centu r i es she

p r efe r r e d the s a m e r equ est a g a in a n d a g a in she wa s a ske d to
,

re mai n .

“
On o n e occ a sion a s the s a ge w as going forth fr o m thei r
,

c o tt a ge i n a g r e a t hu r r y the ny m ph a ske d whe r e he w a s going

,
.

‘
T h e d a y he r eplie d is d r a wi n g fa st t o a close I m ust
,
’

,
‘
.

pe r fo r m t h e S a n d hy a w o r ship o r a d uty will be neglecte d ,

.
’

T h e n y m ph s m ile d m i r thfully as she r ej oine d : Why d o yo u ‘

 D A KS H A .
3 3
1

t a lk g r ave s i r o f this d ay d r a wing to a close your d a y is a d ay

, ,

o f m a ny ye a rs a d ay t h a t m ust be a m a rvel to a ll ,
expl a in wh a t
this m e a ns Th e M uni s a i d : F a i r m a i d en you c a m e t o t h e
.
’ ‘

r ive r si d e a t d a wn
-
I behel d yo u then a n d yo u ente r e d th e
.
,

he r mit a ge I t is now the revol u ti on o f eveni ng a n d the d a y is

.
,

gone Wh a t i s the m e a ning o f this l a u ghte r ? Tell m e the

.

t r uth Pr a m lo ch a a nswe r e d You s ay rightly vener able B r ah

.
’

m a n th a t I c a m e hither a t m o r ni ng d a wn but seve r a l h un d re d

, ,

ye a r s h a ve p a sse d since the ti m e o f my a r r iv a l This is th e .

t r uth She i n fo r m e d h i m th a t they h a d live d together n in e

.

h u n d re d a n d seven ye a r s S i x m onths a n d th r ee d a ys Th e , ,
.

M uni s ees n o w th a t the ny m ph m u st h a ve been s e n t by I n d r a

pu r posely to i n terr u pt his d evotions a n d d ep r ive h i m o f th e ,

d ivine knowle d ge h e h a d d esi r e d A n d though very a ng r y with .

h e r a t first h e bi d s her d ep a r t in pe a ce a s he s a ys
,
The sin is , ,
“

”
whol ly m ine .

“
Thus a d d resse d by the M u ni Pr a m lo ch a stoo d tre m bling , ,

whilst big d rops o f p er spi r a tion st a r te d fr o m eve r y pore til l h e ,

a ng r i ly crie d to h er B egone begone S he then r ep r o a che d

‘
, , ,

by h i m went forth fr o m his d welli n g a n d p a ssing th r ough the

, , ,

a i r wi pe d th e pe r spi r a tion fr o m h e r pe r son with the le a ves o f

,

t h e t r ees The ny m ph went fr o m tree to tree a n d a s with

.

d usky shoots th a t c r o w
,

ne d t h ei r su mm its she d r ie d her l i m bs ,

which we r e cove r e d with m oistu r e the chil d sh e h a d conceive d ,

by the Rishi c a m e fo r th fro m the po r es of h e r S kin in d r ops o f

pe r spi r a tion The t r ees r e c e 1ve d the living d ews a n d th e win d s
.
,

collecte d them i n to o n e m a ss This s a i d S o m a I m a tu r e d by .

‘
,
’

m y r a ys a n d gr a d u a lly it incre a se d in S ize till th e exh a l a tion

, ,

th a t h a d reste d o n the tree tops bec a m e the lovely gi r l n a me d -

M a r isha The trees wi ll give her to yo u P r ach e t a s as ; let you r

.
,

i n d ign a tion be a ppe a se d S he is the p r ogeny o f K a n d u the chi l d .

,

o f P r a mlo c h a the nu r sling o f the t r ees t h e d a ug h t e r o f the win d

, ,

a n d m oon
’
.

S om a then infor m s the P r ach e t as a s th a t M a r isha in her ,

previous bi r th w as the wi d ow o f a p r ince bu t left chil d less

,
‘

, .

S he the r efore e a r nestly worshippe d Vish n u w h o t o l d h e r to ,

d esi r e some boon S he replie d : I pr a y thee th a t in succee d

.
“
 3 14 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

ing bi r t h s I m a y h ave h o n ou r a ble hu sb a n d s a n d a s o n equ a l to ,

a pat ri ar c h amo n g me n a n d m a y I be bo r n o u t o f the

,

o r d i n a r y c o u r se Vishnu p r o m ise d h e r : I n a nothe r life you

.
” “

s h a ll h a ve t e n h u sb a n d s of m ighty p r owess a n d r enow n e d fo r ,

glo r i o us a cts a n d yo u sh a ll h a ve a s o n m a gn a n i m ous a n d v a li a n t ,

d isting u ishe d by the r a n k of a p a t r i a r ch fr o m w h o m the v a r iou s ,

r a ces of m e n s h a ll m u ltiply a n d by whose poste r ity t h e u n ive r se

,

s h a ll be fille d Y o u vi r tuous l a d y sh a l l be of m ar vellous bi r t h

.
, , ,

a n d d elig h ti n g the he a r ts of m e n Thu s h a ving spoken th e ”

. ,

d eity d is a ppe a r e d a n d S o m a info r m s his he a r ers th a t it w a s this

,

p r incess who w as bo r n a s M a r is h a .

So m a h a vi n g concl u d e d the P r ach e t as as took M a r isha a s h e

, ,

h a d e n j o ine d t h e m r ighteously to wife r elinqu ish i n g thei r i n

, ,

d ig n a tio n a g a i n st the t r ees a n d u po n h e r they begot the e m i n ent

,

p a t r i a r c h D a ksh a who h a d ( i n a fo r m e r life ) been bo r n a s the

,

s o n of B r a h m a This g r e a t s a ge fo r t h e fu r the r a nce o f c r e a tion

.
,

a n d t h e i n c r e a se o f m a n kin d c r e a te d p r oge n y Obeying the ,

.

co mm a n d of B r a h m a he m a d e mov a bl e a n d i m mov a bl e t h ings ,

bipe d s a n d qu a d r upe d s a n d subsequ ently by his wi ll g a ve bi r th

,

to fe m a les t e n o f who m h e bestowe d o n D h a r m a thi r teen o n

, ,

K a sy a p a a n d twenty seven wh o r egul a te the cou r se o f ti m e o n

,
-
, ,

So m a ( the m oo n ) O f these the go d s the Tit a n s the sn a ke go d s

.
, , ,

c a ttle a n d bi r d s the S i n ge r s a n d d a n ce r s of th e cou r ts of he a ven

, ,

t h e S pi r its o f evil a n d ot h er beings we r e bo r n F r o m t h a t ,

.

pe r io d fo r wa r d livi n g c r e a tu r es we r e e n ge n d e r e d in a n o r d i n a r y
m a n n er ; befo r e the ti m e of D a ksh a they we r e v a r iously p r o ,

a a t e d by t h e will by sight by to u c h a n d by the i n fluence

p g , , ,

o f r e ligi o us a uste r ities by d evout s a ges a n d holy s a ints

”
.

D a ksh a s fi r st a tte m pts a t popul a ting t h e wo r l d we r e u n

’

successfu l A thou s a n d sons we r e bo r n to h i m by A s i k n i but

.
,

t h ese we r e i n d uce d by N a r a d a not to p r op a g a te offsp r i n g A .

t h o us a n d o the r so n s by th e s a m e wife we r e bo r n who a lso we r e ,

a d vise d by N a r a d a not t o be t r o u bl e d with chil d r en T h e Pr a .

j p a t i i n ce n se d cu r se d N a r a d a a n d p r ocee d e d to cre a te sixty

a , , ,

d a u ghte r s by A s i k n i who m he g a ve to v a r io u s husb a n d s by

, ,

who m t h ey h a d chil d r e n A t length when a ti m e o f pe a ce a n d

.
,

p r ospe r ity p r ev a ile d on the e a rth a n d the go d s h a d thei r prope r ,

 3 6
I T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

s a m e ki n g who w as cu r se d by Vas i s h t h a s s o n S a kti t o become a ’

Raksh a s a n d who when i n th a t st a te d evou r e d th e s a ge who

, , ,

cu r se d h i m .

Va s i s h t h a a lso cu r se d a king n a me d N imi A s this king w as .

a bout t o com mence a s a c r ifice th a t w a s to continu e fo r a t h o u s a n d

ye ar s he sent to a s k Vas i s h t h a t o o ffi c i at e a s p r iest bu t as the

,

M uni w a s enga ge d in a si m il a r wo r k for I n d r a h e coul d n o t ,

a ssist N i m i fo r the next five hun d r e d ye a r s When however .

, ,

Vas i s h t h a left the cou r t the king p r ocee d e d with his s a crifice
, ,

eng aging G a ut a m a a s p r iest A s soon as h i s eng agement w a s .

over with In d r a th e s age coming to con d uct N i mi s s a c r ifice

, ,
’

foun d a n ot h e r priest h a d been a ppoi n te d a n d w a s s o a ng r y th a t ,

h e cursing the king d ecl ar e d th a t he S houl d ce a se t o exist i n a

, ,

bo d ily fo r m O n le a rni n g wh a t w a s d one th e king pronounce d

.
,

a si m il a r cu r se upon th e s a ge Both cu r ses took e ffect ; but as .

Va s i s h t h a s spirit bec am e u nite d t o the spi r its o f M it r a a n d

’

V a ru n a when these d eiti es we r e s mitten with th e be a uty o f

,

the ny m ph U r va s i the spi r it Of the s age fel l fro m them an d

. ,

he bec a me a g a in i n corpor a te d th r ough A verse i n the

Rig Ve d a a scribes Va s i s h t h a s bi r th to M it r a a n d V a r un a
-
’
,

i n h a r m ony with the legen d j ust quote d : Thou O “

,

Va s i s h t h a ar t a son o f M it r a a n d V a run a born a B r ahm a n

, ,

fr o m th e S ou l of U r vas i A ll the go d s pl a ce d in the vessel .

thee th e d rop which h ad fa llen th r ough d ivin e contem

,

p la t i o n .

There stories o f gre a t qu ar rels between th is s a ge a n d

ar e

Vi s va m i t r a who w a s a nxious t o obt a in the position o f priest t o

,

S a u d as a which w a s h el d by V
, as i s h th a A t a nother ti m e wh en .
,

he w as p r iest to H a r isch a n d r a h e w a s so g r e a tly incense d a t the ,

t r e a t m ent the king h a d r eceive d a t Vi s va m i t r a s h a n d s th a t h e ’

cu r se d h i m a n d h e bec a m e a c r a ne H is riv a l r etu r n e d th e

, .

c o m pli m ent a n d he too bec a m e a bi r d I n this for m the s a ges

, .

fo ught s o viole n tly th a t i t w a s necess ar y fo r B r a h m a to co m e t o

p acify the m The g r e a t c a use o f u nple a s a ntness w as th e fa ct
.

th a t Vi s va m i t r a w a s a K s h at t r i ya by bi r th who by pen a nce a n d , ,

Vi h
s nu P u r an a ,
’
p .
3 88 .
 N AR A D A .
3 7 1

va rio us r ites h a d obt a i ne d a d mission into the B r ah m a nic a l c a ste

, .

P r eviou s to his ex a lt a tion he w as a gre a t king ; a n d bei n g d e

,

s i r o u s of possessing a won d e r fu l cow th a t belonge d to V as is h th a ,

wh ich h a d the power t o g r a nt wh a tever her owner d esi r e d a s ,

h e cou l d n o t ove r co m e the B r ahm a ns owing to t h ei r s u perhu m a n ,

powe r he sought to r a ise h i m self to equ a lity with the m an d at

, ,

length his e fforts we re crowne d with success .

IO . N AR A D A .

N ar a d a n a me is n o t foun d in the l ist o f B r ah ma s son s i n the

’
s
’

‘
Vishnu Puran a y e t h e is gene r a lly reg a r d e d a s o n e though
,
’

, ,

a ccor d ing to so m e a u tho r ities h e h a d a d i ffe r ent o r igin H e is , .

th e messenge r o f the go d s a n d i s often d escribe d a s i m p a rting

,

in fo r m a tion th a t W a s only known to them I t w a s h e w h o p e r .

s u a d e d th e sons o f D a ksh a not to b eget o ffspring a n d w h o w as ,

a ccor d ingly curse d fo r his interference it w a s h e wh o i nforme d

K a ns a o f the a ppro a ching birth o f Krishn a which le d th a t king ,

t o sl a y th e chil d ren o f V a su d ev a : hence his co m mon n a me i s

K ali k ar a k a the st r ife m a ke r a n d i n m o d ern pl a ys he i s int r o
,
-
,

d u c e d as a spy a n d m a rplot The n a me N a r a d a is employe d .

a s a te r m o f a buse a s d escriptive o f a qu a rrelso m e me d d ling

, ,

pe r son .

“
A d istinguishe d s o n o f B r a h ma n a m e d N ar a d a whos e , ,

a ctions a r e the subj ect o f a P u r an a be a rs a strong resembl a nce , _

t o H erm es o r M e r cury H e w a s a wise legisl a tor gre a t in a r ts

.
,

a n d a rms a n eloqu ent messenger o f the go d s

,
either t o o n e ,

a nother o r to fa voure d mort a ls a n d a m usici a n o f exqu isite ,

s kill . H is inventing the vi n a o r I n d i a n lute is thus d escribe d in , ,

the poe m entitle d M agh a N ar a d a s a t w a tch ing fr o m ti m e to

time his l arge vi n a which by the impu lse o f the breeze yiel d e d
, , ,

n otes th a t pierce d successively the regions o f his e a r an d p r o ,

c e e d e d by m usic a l interv a ls The L aw T r a ct suppose d t o h a ve ’

.
,

been reve a le d by N ar a d a is a t this hou r cite d by Pun d its a n d

, ,

we c a nnot therefore believe hi m t o h a ve been the p a t r on o f

thieve s though an innocent th e ft o f Krishn a s c attl e by way o f
,
’

,
'
3 8 1 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

p u tti n g h i s d ivi n ity to t h e test he str a n gely i m pute d in the , ,

‘
B h ag a v a t a P u r a n a to his fa the r B r a h m a
,
’
.
”

T h e a ccou n ts of N ar a d a s o r igi n v a r y consi d e r a bly A cco r d i n g

’
.

t o t h e B h ag a v a t a he w a s the thi r d i n c a r n a tion o f Vish n u

,
M a nu .

d ecl a r es th a t he w as one of th e M a h a r ishis who m he c r e a te d a t

t h e begi n n i n g o f the a ge M o o r Tq u otes a s follows : B r a h m a .
“

s a i d : Rise u p Ru d r a a n d fo r m m an to go v e r n the wo r l d
‘
, ,
.
’

Ru d r a o beye d ; b u t the m e n h e m a d e we r e fi e r c e r th a n tige r s ,

h avi n g nothing but the d est r uctive qu a lity i n thei r co m position .

A n ge r w as thei r o n ly p a ssion B r a h m a Vishnu a n d Ru d r a .

, ,

the n j oine d thei r d iffe r ent p owe r s a n d c r e a te d t e n m e n whose ,

n a m es we r e N a r a d a 81 C The S iv a Pu r an a te a ches th a t N a r a d a
,
”
.
‘ ’

sp r a n g fr o m the thigh o f his fa the r : B r a h m a in view o f “

,

peopli n g the wo r l d p r o d uce d fou r beings who being refr a ctory

, , , ,

c a u se d thei r p a r ent to weep To co m fort h i m S iv a in the .

, ,

ch ar a cte r of Ru d r a issue d fr o m a fol d i n his fo r eh e a d with five

,

he a d s a n d ten a r m s a n d en d owi n g B r a h m a with a d d ition a l

, ,

might he ( B r a h m a ) p r o d uce d B h r i gu a n d th e seven Rishis a n d

, ,

a fte r th a t N a r a d a fr o m his thigh

”
i .

I n a not h e r bi r th N a r a d a wa s the son o f K a sy a p a ! a n d a

d a ughte r of D a ksh a D a ksh a w a s g r e a tly incense d when he
.

d issu a d e d t h e P r aj ap a ti s so n s fr o m peopling the wo r l d a n d

’

d ecl a r e d t h a t h e shou l d not h a ve a resting pl a ce ; h ence his -

w a n d e r ing n a tu r e .

O n o n e occ a sion N ar a d a w a s cu r se d by his o w n fa the r a n d ,

a lso c u r se d B r ah m a in r etu r n B r a h m a exho r te d his s o n “

.

N a r a d a to t a ke a wi fe a n d a ssist in peopling the wo r l d , .

N a r a d a who w a s a vot a r y of K r ishn a bec o m es a ngry a ffir m s

, , ,

t h at d ev o tion to t h a t go d is t h e sol e w a y to a tt a in felicity a n d ,

d e n o u n ces h is fa t h e r a s a n e r r i n g inst r u ct o r B r a h m a i n reply .

, ,

c u r ses N a r a d a a n d d o o m s h i m to a li fe o f s ens u a lity a n d

, ,

s u bj ectio n to wo m en N a r a d a p ays b a ck the i m p r ec a tion a s

.

fo ll o ws : V Vr e t ch ! beco m e no obj ect of a d o r a tion : h ow sh a l l

‘

an o n e be d evote d to t h e fo r m s o f thy worship ? Thou sh a lt

y

S ir \
VJ . ones,
‘
As . i . 2 64 .
T
‘
Hi d P n u an t heo n,
’
p .
91 .

Moor , l li n d u P an t h eo n,
’
p .
78 . Vi h l s nu
’
u r an a ,
’
p . 1 18 .
3 20 T H E I NFE RI OR D E I TI E S .

in the p a w s of a be ar w h en it e m itte d sou n d s fa r sweete r th a n

,

those of t h e m i n st r elsy of the m o r tifie d m usi ci a n K r ishn a .

pl aye d m a n y p r a ctic a l j okes o n his fr ien d ; o n o n e occ a sion he

went so fa r a s to m et a m o r ph ose h i m i nto a wo m a n "

G r e a t honou r is give n to N a r a d a bec a use he is s a i d to h ave

r eve a le d to V a l m iki the Ra m ay a n a which opens a s follows ’

To s ai n t ed Na d p ra ,
ho s e
r i n ce o f t
Whos e l e
'

o or i w d
n r s of wi sd om flow s,

\Vh o e c o t t c s n s an ar e d ch i e f d e l i gh t s
an

We e s c i pt e d s ceti c i t e s
r r ur an a r ,

T h e g o d V l m i ki fi t
o d b est a ,
rs an

Of h e m i t s i t s t h e s e w o d s d d e s s e d
r a n ,
r a r

I ll t h e w l d I p y t h e e w h o
n a or ,
ra ,

I s v i t o s he oi c t e
r u u ,
r ,
ru

F i m i h i v o w s o f g t e fu l m i d
r n s ,
ra n ,

T o eve y c e t e g od r d ki d ?
r a ur o an n

B te o
ou n d h ly j s t d wi se
u s an o ,
u an ,

A l o e m o s t f i t o a ll m e s e y e s ?
’
n a r n
>l< >l<

G r an t ,
b oo n I sk
s ai n t d i vi n e , th e a ,

Fo t h e e I w e en n e s y t s k
r , ,
a a a ,

T o wh o m t h e p o w e r i s g i v e t o k n o w n

I f s ch m n b e t h e s h e e b e l o w
u a a r a r .

T h e n N a d cl e b e fo e wh o s e e ye
ra ,
ar r

T h e p ese t p st r d f t e li e n ,
a ,
an u ur ,

M d e e ad y s w e r
a r T an

N ara d a procee d s to n a r r a te the life of R a m a to V a l miki who

feels th a t the t a sk of writing d own wh a t w a s tol d h i m is too
g r e at a wo r k for his powe r s u nti l B r ah m a hi mself a ppe a rs an d , ,

encou r ages h i m to p r ocee d

Th en c o me , 0 b e s t o f s e e r s , r e l a te
The i l fe o f R am a , g o o d an d g r e a t

T h e t l e th t s a i n t ly N a a d t o l d
a a r

I n ll i t s gl o r i o s l en g t h fo l d T”
a u un .

Mo or, Hi ndu P ant heon p ,

’
. 20 5 .

T G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R am ay a n a ,
’
i 3 . .
;t I bid . i . 22 .
 ( 3 2 1
)

C H A PT E R I I .

K U V E RA .

K U V E R A the go d o f r ich es d oes not occu p y a very conspic u ous

, ,

position in the mythology of t h e H in d us N 0 i m ages o r pictu r es .

o f h i m a r e t o be h a d , t h ough h e is fr equ e n t ly refer r e d to i n the

R a m ay a n a a s the lo r d o f gol d a n d we a lth B r a h m a h ad a .
“

m ent a l son n a m e d P u la s t ya who a g a in h a d a ment a l son n a m e d

,

G a vi p u t r a V a i s r a va n a
( Kuver a
) The
. l a tte r d ese r te d his fa t h e r ,

a n d went to B r a h m a who as a rew a r d m a d e hi m i m m o r t a l a n d

, ,

a ppointe d h i m to be the o d o f r iches with L a n k a fo r his c a pit a l

g , ,

a n d the c ar P u s h p a k a fo r his This c a r w a s of i m m ense

si ze th a t m ove d a t its ow n er s wil l a t a m ar vellous spee d ;
,
’

Rav a n a took it by fo r ce fr o m K uve r a a t whose d e a th it w a s ,

resto r e d by Ra m a to its o r igin a l possesso r .

P u la s t ya bei n g incense d a t this d ese r tion ( of his s o n Kuve r a )

r epro d uce d the h a lf of h i m self in t h e fo r m o f Va i s r ava s w h o ,

looke d u pon Va i s r a van a with in d ign a tion The l a tter st r ove to .

p a cify his fa the r a n d with t h is view g ave h i m t h ree eleg a nt

,

R ak s h as i s to a tten d on h i m : P u s h p o t k a t a who h a d two so n s ,

Rav a n a a n d K u mb h ak a r n a ; M ali n i w h o bo r e Vi b h i s h a n a ; an d
,

Raka w h o bo r e Kh a r a a n d S fi p a r n ak h a These so n s we r e a ll
,
- .

v a l i a nt ski lle d in the Ve d a s a n d o bse r ve r s o f r eligiou s r ites

bu t perceiving the p r ospe r ity o f Va i s r ava n a we r e fille d with
, ,

, ,

j e a lou sy E xcepti n g Kh a ra a n d S fi p ar n a k h a th ey beg a n to

.
,

p r a ctise a uste r ities to p r opiti a te B r a h m a a n d a t t h e e n d of a ,

thous a n d ye ar s Rav a n a cut o ff his Ow n h e a d a n d th r ew it a s a n

M h abh a at a
a r M ui O r, . .
, i v 48 1
S T. . .
3 23 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

o bl atio n i n to the fi r e B r a h m a a ppe a r e d to put a stop to their

.

a u ste r ities a n d to offe r t h e m boo n s ( except th a t o f i mm o r t a lity )

,
.

H e o r d a i n e d t h a t Rav a n a shou l d h ave h e a d s a n d S h a pes a t wil l

a n d be i n vi n cibl e except by m e n ; th a t K u mb h ak a r n a shoul d
,

e nj o y a lo n g sleep H a vi n g obt a i n e d these powe r s R av a n a

.
,

expelle d Va i s r avan a fr o m L a nk a K uve r a retire d to G a n d a .

mardan a .
Rav a n a h avi n g been i n st a lle d a s king a n d begun to ,

exe r cise h is powe r t yr a n i c ally the R ishis resort to B r a h m a w h o , ,

p r o m ises th a t a s Rav a n a coul d not be ki lle d by go d s o r A su r a s

, ,

the fo u r a r me d Vish n u the chief o f w a rrio r s S houl d by his

-
, ,

ra h ma s ) a ppoi n t m ent d escen d to e ar th fo r his d est r uction

’ ”

( B .

T h e Ra m ay a n a ( U tt a r a K an d a ) Tm a kes Kuvera the g r a n d son ,

n o t t h e s o n of P u la s t ya
,
I n the K r i t a Yug a the pious P u las t ya
.
,

being te a se d with t h e S inging a n d d a ncing o f d ifferent d a m sels

p r o cl a i m e d th a t a n y o n e o f the m whom he s aw ne a r his her m it a ge
s h o u l d bec o m e a m othe r This thre a t h a d not been he a r d by .

the d a u ghter of T r i n a vi n d u wh o c a me ne a r the he r m it a ge a n d , ,

i n cu r r e d P u las t ya s th r e a tene d punish m ent

'

H e r fa the r o n .
,

le a r n i n g her con d ition g ave h e r a s wife to P u las t ya a n d S h e

, ,

b o r e h i m a son n a m e d Vi s r ava s who becoming a s a ge m a r r ie d , ,

a d a ug h te r o f the M uni Bh a r a d v a a whose son Br a h m a n a m e d

j ,

Va i s r a va n a ( Kuve r a ) H e perfo r m e d a us t erities fo r thous a n d s

.

o f ye a r s a n d r eceive d a s a boon fr om B r a h m a th a t he sh ou l d be
,

the go d of r iches a n d one of the gu ar d i a ns of the wo r l d A t

,
.

t h e s u ggestion of his fa the r Vi s r ava s h e took possessio n o f ,

L a n k a fo r his a bo d e whic h w a s for m e r ly bu ilt by Vi s vak a r m a

,

fo r the R aksh a s a s who th r ough fe a r o f Vishnu h a d recentl y

,

fo r s a ke n it .

A R ak s h a s p r ince n a m e d S u m a l i who h a d been d r iven t o

l atal a h a ppe n ing to visit the e a r th s aw Kuver a t r a velling in
’
, ,

h is c h a r i o t to visit h is fa ther Thi s l e a d s h i m to d evise a pl a n .

by whic h h e m ight r eg a i n h is fo r m er positi o n H e sen d s his .

d a u g h te r K a ik a si to woo V i s r a v as ; she is kin d ly receive d an d

b ec o m es the m o the r o f Rav a n a K u mb h ak a r n a S fi a r n a k h a a n d
p
Vi h h i s h a n a W h e n K a ik a si s a w the splen d ou r of Kuve r a she
, ,

.
,

‘1
M u i r, O . S T
. .
,
v .
48 3 . T I bid . i v 48 8
. .
3 24 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

i n eq u alities d enote d by the wo r d s best wo r s a n d inte r ‘

,
t,
‘

m e d i a te n o r a n y ch a nge r esu lting fr o m th e su ccession O f t h e

’

fo u r Y u g a s The r e is neither g r ief we a r iness a nxiety hu n ge r

. , , , ,

n o r fe a r . The peopl e l ive in pe r fect h e a lth free fr o m eve r y ,

”
su ffe r i n g fo r t e n o r twelve thous a n d ye a rs
,
A s S u gr i va w a s .

se n d i n g fo r th h is a r m ies to se a rch for S it a h e thu s s pe a ks of ,

this g a r d en to S at ab a l the le a d e r o f th e a r m y o f the N o r th

,

P y r w dw y dh t
ursu e ou on ar a ,
an as e

T h gh t h d i h r ou f th e w te
e re orr o r s o as ,

U t i l t i m ph
n t w i th d l i gh t
r u an e

Y h K i l a gl i t t i g h i gh t
ou r eac a sa s
’
er n e .

Th t d p l c d k d w i th g l d
er e s an s a a a e ec e o ,

F Ki g K ve or w o gh t f ld
n u ra r u o o ,

A h m th h v o ly t i t pl
e e d ea en ar s an n e ,

A d f hi n d w i th h i
as i g h
on e d s cu n n n an .

Th e l t er d th e fl
o u ses a d or n oo

\V i th f ll bl w fl w u d p
-
oi g b dn o er a n O en n u ,

Wh e s w d m ll d fl t
re an s an d g y a ar s oa ,
an a

Ap T m d w t pl y
s ar a s a s co e o n o a .

T h e K i g Vi v er n lf t h l d a sra an s s e
’
,
e or

B y ll t h iva e d ed e un er s a or ,

W h g ol d g i ft t m t l e d
o en s o or a s s n s,

L i v w i t h th G h y k Th i
es e u a as s

A s Ram a a n d L a ksh m a n were w a n d ering in the forest they ,

we r e a tt a cke d by a gi ant n a m e d Vi r ad h a ; but a s they co u l d n o t

sl a y h i m with thei r w e a pons they bu ri e d h i m alive a n d a s a , ,

r es u lt he r eg a i n e d his p r oper fo r m F orme r ly Kuve r a h a d .

c u r se d h i m fo r lovi n g R a mb h a s ch a r m s too well to a ssu m e

,
“ ’

t h e h i d eou s fo r m in which Ra m a m e t with him a n d the only ,

r elief Kuve r a woul d give h i m w a s

\ Vh R am D en th a, a s ar a
’
a s s on ,

D t y th e s ro d t h figh t i w
s ee, a n e s on ,

T h y p pe h p ro m r s m a e o n ce ore assu e

A d h v n g i h ll g i v th
ea en a ma n S a e ee r oo .

W h e n Rav a n a h a d r is en to the s u m m it o f h is powe r he m a d e ,

t h e g o d s pe r fo r m v a r i o us offices i n his hou s e : thu s I n d r a p r e ~

h g v
B a a a t a l u r an a ’
M u ir
,
O . S T , i 49 2
. .
T m . s of a r ad i s e
. N y ph P .

1 ( w a r dia n s o f t r e as u r e s . G r i ffi t h s s lx am aya n a , i v 2 4
’ ’

. .

ll l l) 1d 1 n 1 4
. . .
 K UVE RA .
3 5
2

p a r e d g a rl a n d s A gni w as his cook S u r y a g ave light by d a y

, ,

a n d C h a n d r a by night a n d Kuve r a b ec a m e his c a sh keeper

-
.
,

K uve r a m a r r ie d Y a kshi o r C h a r vi ; a n d two of his Sons ,

th r ough a curse o f the s age N a r a d a bec a me t r ees in which

, ,

con d ition they r em a ine d u nti l K r ishn a when a n i nfa nt u proote d

the m N a r a d a m e t with t h em i n a forest b a thing with t h ei r
.
'

wives in a st a te of intoxic a tion Th e wives a sh a m e d of them

,
.
,

selves fel l a t N ar a d a s feet a n d soug h t for p a r d on but a s thei r

,
’

husb a n d s d isreg a r d e d the presence of the s age they su ffe r e d the

,

full e ffects o f his curse .

 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

C HA PTE R III .

THE D EM I GOD S O F THE R AM AY A N A .

I . S U G RI VA .

OVER mighty le a d ers the M onkey rmy a ssoci a te d with

a

R am a i n th e d estruction o f
R av a n a w a s King S u gr i va .

W hen Vishnu before le a ving ,

he a ven t o becom e i nc a rn a te a s
Ram a a ske d the go d s to
,

M k e h e lp s
a ,
i n wa r t o l en d h im
ai d ,

In fo r ms t h at ch a n ge at w i ll
y ed
ar r a ,

O f w i z d s k i llar h e o m i gh t
an d r ,

s o f t h e w i n d i n fl i gh t
”
O u t s t r i pp e r ,

they consente d a n d begot in ,

“

countless sw a rms bra ve sons

d isguise d in sylv a n forms Of .

S u gr i va it i s s a i d ,

T h t obl e s t fi e a n r ,

Th e Su w s g e t S g iv s si e T
n, a r a u r a
’
r .
”

hen R a m a fin d s this King

W
o f the M onkeys h e wa s a n ,

S U G RI VA .
exile h aving been d riven fr o m
,

his th r one by his b r other B ali .

G r i ffi th s
’
s R amay an a ,
’
i 92
. .
T I b i d i 93 . . .
o
t
T H E I N FERI O R D E ITI E S .
 S U G RI V A. 3 29

An d th o gh t n o t o f a s t g e s bl o w
u r an r
’
.

B t o w thi e ev i l h e a t i s s h o w
u n n r n,

A y w i n g w e ll w i t h g s o e g o w
’
a n ,
ra s r r n .

T hou w e e s t v i t e s b d ge b t g i le
ar r u
’
a ,
*
u u

e s t s i n t h y s ou l d e fi le
”
A d me
n an T .

R am a re m in d s B ali th a t F a te h a d o r d a ine d h is d e a th a g a inst ,

which it w as useless to conten d with which st a te m ent B al i ,

a g r ees a n d with d r a wi n g a ll his u nkin d wo r d s a sks fo r Ra m a s

’

, , ,

fo r give n ess .

On the d e at h o f B ali S u gr i va is a g a in inst a lle d a s King o f

,

the Van ar s a n d Ra m a gives h i m fou r m onths for the e n j oymen t

,

o f h i s long lost wife a n d king d o m A t its expi r a tion a s S u gr i va .

,

a ppe a r e d to be s o a bso r be d with ple a su r e as to fo r get h is eng a ge

[

m ent to a ssist R a m a L a ksh m a n r e m in d s h i m of his d uty i n n o

,

m e a su r e d te r m s A t length the o r d er i s given to collect th e

.

fo r ces when a n a r m y o f cou ntless n u m bers o f monkeys be a rs

, , ,

81 0 go forth in se ar ch o f S it a who it is d iscove r e d is som ewhe r e

, , , ,

in th e southe r n d ist r ict ove r whi ch H a nu m a n i s su ppose d t o

r ule ,
w h o a fter d iligent i nqui r y l e a rns h e r w h e r e a bo uts The .

a r m y m a rches to the s e a sho r e ; a b r i d ge co n n ectin g th e isl a n d

-

o f L a nk a C eylon with th e m a inl a n d is e r ecte d by N a l a

( ) an d ,

the a tt a cking a r m y su r r oun d s the city N o sooner were they in .

sight o f th e city o f th e foe th a n

Up s p
g S g i v f o m t h e g ou n d
r an u r a r r ,

A d e ch e d t h e t u e t t a b o
n r a d rr a un .

U te i fied th e V
n rr a r s t od na o ,

A d w o t h w i t h w on d o s h d i h o o d
n r ,
r u ar ,

T h k i g i b i tt e r w o d s d d e s e d
e n n r a r s ,

A d th
n h i s s co
us d h a t e e xp e s s e d
r n an r

K i g o f th e g i a t c e i n m e
n n ra ,

Th e f ie d r d s l a v e o f R am s e e
n an a .

L d o f th e w o l d h e gi v e s m e p o w er
or r ,

T o s m i t e t h e e i n t h y fe c e d t o w e r n .
’

Whi l e th u gh t h e i h i s ch ll e g e r a g
ro a r a n n ,

A t R av s f ce th e V a pr g
’
an a n ar s an ,

S n t ch e d f o m h i h e d t h e k i gly c o w
a r s a n r n,

A d d s h e d i t i n h i s fu y d w
n a r o n .

T h e d r es s of a he r mit .
T G r i ffi t h s s R amay an a,
’ ’
iv 91
. .
33 0 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

S tr ai gh t t h i s fo e t h e g i an t fle w
a ,

H i s m i gh t y a r m s a o u d h i m t h e w r n r ,

W i th s t e gth r e s i s t l e s s s w n g h i m ou n d
r n u r ,

A n d d s h e d h i m p a t i g t o th e g o n d
a n n r u .

U h ar m e d a m i d t h e s t o r m o f bl o w s
n ,

S w i ft t o h i s fe et S g i va o s e u r r .

A g i n i n fu i o u s figh t t h e y m e t
a r

W i th s tr e m s o f bl o o d t he i r l i m b s w er e wet
a ,

E a ch g a s p i n g h i s o pp o n e n t s w a i s t
r
’
.
”

They continu e t o fight with uncert a i n result u ntil R ava n a c a ll s

t o his a i d his m a gic a l a r ts

B t b ve Sug iv u s w i ft t o k o w
ra r a, n

T h e gu i l e f l p p e o f h i s f e u ur os o ,

G i e d w i th l i gh t l e p t h e pp e ai r
a n a u r ,

A d b e th n d s t e g thr d s p i i t th e e
a ,
an r n , an r r

T h j o y o s s fo v i ct y w o
en , u a r or n,

R et e d t o R gh s
urn y l s on T a u
’
ro a :
”

In the course o f the gre a t fight a gi a nt n a m e d Ku mbh a ,

k a rn a a brother o f R av a n a c a m e forth fro m the city a n d d i d

, ,

g r e a t execu tion a mongst th e Van a r host d evouring his victims ,

a s fa st a s they were sl a in though nu m be r e d by thou s a n d s , .

S ome i d e a o f the si z e o f this monste r m a y be g a ine d fr om

the fa ct th a t
T h e e w s o p i te th e r p se
a n res n, no au

F st g p ed d l s d h i h ll l i k j w s
a a an c o e s e -
e a

Y e t p i o e d i t h t gl o m y c v
r s n n a o a e,

S o m e Va s t i ll t h e i l i v e ld s ve
n ar s r s c ou a

S m th gh h i o t il f
e d r ouw y s n os r s ou n a a ,

S o m t h o gh h i s e
s s o gh t t h e d y
r u I e ar re u a .
”

B ali s son A ng a d t r ie d to r a l ly the Van a r host b ut he was soon

’

d a she d senseless o n the groun d H a nu m an h a d a lre a d y been ”

.

seve r ely woun d e d by the monster A n d n o w he a tt a cks S u gr i va .

,

who hu r le d a hill a t him b ut ,

Th e g i an t s c h e s t
’
th e t k e e p e ll ed
s ro r .

This compli ment the monster returns by th r owing his spe a r ,

G r i ffi t h s s R amay an a v T I bi d v
’ ‘ ’
, . 12 1. . . 1 22 .

1 I
bid . v 1 97
. . I bid . v . 1 98 .
 33 2 T H E I NFE R I OR D E ITI E S .

ii
S u gr i va , r s n g t o t h e bl o w ,
R a i s e d h i s h u g e h an d a n d s m o t e h i s fo e ,
A n d i n t h e d u s t th e gi an t lay,
G a s pi n g in bl o od his s ou l aw y a .

S u gr i va a n d his he r o i c a r m y continue d fa ithfu l to their king s

’

p r o m ise u nti l Ra m a s victo r y w as won , though d e a th h a d con

’

s i d e r a b ly thinne d thei r r a nks ; but this loss w a s m a d e goo d a s ,

in ns we r to Ra m a s pra ye r Y a m a g a ve u p the whole o f the

a
’

Van a r s who h a d d ie d i n the st r uggle W hen Ram a w a s .

a bout to r eturn ho m e i n the m a gic ca r S u r i va a ske d th a t he

g ,

an d th e Van ar chiefs m ight a cco m p a ny hi m to h is c a pit a l .

Their r equest being g r a nte d they took p a rt i n th e inst a ll a tion,

o f Ra m a a s king an d r eceive d fr o m th a t g r a tefu l mon ar ch

,

r ich p r esents a s a rew a r d fo r their fa ithfu l service .

2 . H A N U M AN .

H a nu m an o n th e whol e the m ost u seful o f the M onkey le a d e r s

,

o f the expe d ition to C eylo n w as th e son o f Vayu by a Van a r , ,

o r m onkey m other H is bi r th is thu s d esc r ibe d

.

An A p s s t h e f i e s t fo d
ar a , a r un

O f y m ph s fo h e v e ly c h a m s e n o w n e d
n ,
r a n r r ,

S w e e t P u ji k t h la b e c m e
n as a ,
a

A o bl e V
n a s w ed d ed d me
n ar
’
a .

H e h e v e ly t i t l e h
r a n d o mo e e ar n r ,

A j
n an aw th e me sh e bo e
as na r ,

Wh e c s d by g d s f o m h e v e n s h e fe ll
n, ur e o ,
r a

In V a fo m o n e th t o d w e ll
n ar r ar .

>l=

In y hf l b e t y w d o s f i r
ou t u au on r u a ,

A c owr f fl we s b
n o t he h io r a ou r a r.

I s i lk e
n b e s o f i ch e s t d ye
n ro r ,

S h e o m e d t h h llS t h t k i s s t h e s k y
r a e l a .

O c e i h t i n t ed g m t s d e s s ed
n n er ar en r
,

S h e s t d po th e m
oo u t i c e t
n ou n a n r s .

G r i ffi t h s ’
s R am ay a n a ,
’
v . 22
 H A N U M AN .

T h e go d o f i n d w
b es i d e h er c me a ,

b h
A n d r e at ed u p o t h e l o v e ly d m e n a

A d s h e f n ed h e r b e
n a an i de r o as ,

T h e wo d o s be n ty th t h e e y e d
r u au a ,

In r o d ed li e s of b e s t a d li mb
un n r a n ,

A n d n e c k n d s h o l d e s av i h e d h i m
a u r ,
r s

A d c p t u e d by h e p e e l e s c h m s
n a r r r s ar ,

He s tr ai n e d h er i n h i s a m or ou s ar ms .

HA U MA N N.

Th en g
t o t h e e a e r go d s h e c r i e d ,
In bl g
t r em fi
i n a c c e n t s , t er r i ed
Wh o s e i m p i s l ove h wr o ge d s p ou s e
ou as n a

S o c on t t t o h e r n pti l V
s an ow u a s

H e h e rd a d th s h i s
,
s we
an m de u an r a

O h b e o t t r o bl e d
,
n o f id u ,
n r a ra .

B t t st
u ru d t h ou s h l t k n o w e e l on g
,
an a r

My l o v h s d o e th e e s w e e t o w o g
e a n , ,
n r n .

So st o g r nd b
n v e n d w i s e s h all b e
. a ra ,
a

T h e gl o i o s s o I g i v e t o t h e e
’
-

r u n o
3 34 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

M i gh t s h ll b e h i s th at n ou gh t c an t i e
a ,
r ,

A d li mb s t o s p i g s s p i gs h i s s i e
’
n r n a r n r .

T h s s p ok e t h e go d t h e c o q e e d d me
u n u r a

R ej o i c e d i n h e a t or fe ar e d t h e s h m e
r n a .
”

At length the son w a s bo r n W hen a chil d seeing the su n .

,

rising a n d th inking it t o be t h e fr uit of a t r ee h e s pr a ng u p

, ,

three hun d r e d le a gues t o clutch it O n a nother occ a sion I n d r a .

let a bolt fly at h im which c a use d h i m to fa ll violently o n a rock .

The fa ll S h a ttere d his cheek a n d hence the n a me H a nu man , ,

the lo n g j a we d o n e w a s given to hi m H is fa ther seeing this

-
,
.

bec a m e a ng r y a n d the b r ee z es ce a se d to blow unti l the go d s

, ,

in ter r o r c a m e t o a ppe a se Vayu : Br a hm a promise d th a t this

boy S houl d not be sl a in in b a ttle a n d I n d r a d ecl ar e d th a t his ,

bolts shou l d neve r inj u re hi m more .

This M o nkey le a d er ren d e r e d most v a l u a b le service t o R am a .

I t w as he who d iscovere d S it a s a bo d e a n d c a r rie d a m ess a ge ’

to h e r fro m R a m a I t w a s he w h o set fire to L a nk a a n d c a use d

.

fe ar to enter th e he a rts o f the R aksh a s a s d welling there I t .

w a s he w h o bore R a m a o n his S hou l d ers a s he crosse d ove r

fr om I n d i a t o L a nk a H a nu man thus spe a ks o f h is won d r ous
.

power
S p g f m t h t gl i o F the I
run ro a or us a r,

I p w n d p d w i th h i m m y v i e
o er a n s ee a .

A th d tim w i th i y l p
o u s an es, a r ea ,

C ci l l ft i e t M
an rc e te p o s eru s s
’
e

W i t h my fi e c m c s t i t h s e r e ar s an r e a

T i ll f m th e i b d s th e w t fle
ro r e a er s e,

A d h t my m m d t d w
n rus a co an o ro n

T h i l d w i th g v
s an d t w d t w ro e an o er an o n.

I th gh t h e fi el d s f i
r ou pi g o a r c an s r n

F s w i ft e t h
ar t h e fe t h e d k i g
r an a re n ,

A d l p b f e h im
n ea h fli e or as e es

O o d i g pi i
n s un th gh th e s k i e s
n n on s r ou .

I p e th
can L o d f L i gh t
ur s u e r o

U p i i g f o m thr s n ste h i gh t
r e ea rn e ,

A d h h im
n hi
r e ac be p d ere s c ou r s e s e ,

W i th b i g b ms e ga l d d T
u rn n ea n r an e .
”

G r iffit h s
’
s R amay an a ,
’
iv . 2 7 2. T I bid . iv
. 275 .
33 6 IFH E I N FER K H < IDEKH ES .

m onkeys me a su r el ess seeking to a cqu i r e gr a m m ar looking u p

, , ,

to the sun b e nt o n inqu i r y went fr o m the m o u nt a in whe r e the

, ,

su n r ises to th a t whe re he sets a pp r eh en d ing the m ighty ,

collecti on The ch ief of the m o n keys is perfect no o n e equ a ls

.

h i m I n the S hast r a s in l e ar ning a n d i n a sce r t a ining the sense o f

, ,

the S c r iptu r es I n a ll sciences in th e r ules o f a usterity h e r iv a ls

.
, ,
”
the p r eceptor o f the go d s .

Ra m a hi m self th u s spe a ks o f H a nu man s knowle d ge o f the ’

S c r iptures when he c a m e t o the exile as S u gr i va s envoy

,
’

O e wh e w d s w eet ly fl w
n os or s o s o ,

T h e wh l R i g V e d ds m t k w
o e a n ee us no ,

A d i h i w e ll t i n d m em y t e
n s -
ra ne or s or

Th e Y j h d t h e S am l ’
a us an an s ore.

H m t h ve b t h i f i t hf l e
e us a en s a u ar

A ll g m m v i d l t h ’
ra ar s ar e ru es o e ar .

F h i l g p e h h w w ll h
or s p ke on s ec o e e s o

I ll i t l g t h n l h b ke
a s en n o ru e e ro .
”

To this H a n u m an is r eg a r d e d a s d ivin e a n d in some

d ay ,

p a r ts o f I n d i a is l a r gely wo r shippe d Living m onkeys a r e .

r eg a r d e d a s his r epresent a tives : h e n Ce m a ny temples sw a r m with

the m a n d it is r eg a r d e d a s a m erito r io u s a ct to fee d the m a n d

, ,

a s a c r ilegious ac t to inj u r e the m .

3 N A L AT
N al a ,
nother o f th e monkey chiefs wa s a son o f Vi s va k ar m a
a ,

a n d a s the son of the a r chitect o f the go d s the bu il d e r of thei r ,

be a utifu l cities a n d th e fo r ge r of thei r won d er wo r k ing we a pons

,
-
,

a s might h a ve been expecte d his wo r k w a s o f a si m il a r n a tu r e ,

to t h a t fo r which his illust r ious p a r e n t w a s celebr a te d When .

t h e a r my re a che d the s e a a n d the d ifficu lty o f c r ossing to ,

G r i ffith s s R am a a n a , i v 2 5 y
’ ‘ ’
. .

TTh N l is a a mu s t n o t b e c on o u n d ed t an ot er f wi h
e r s o n o f t h e s a me h p
wh
n a me , h y gv
ose i s to r i s i e n i n th e a a ar a t a M h bh
a a o f t h e M a h ab h a . N l
r a t a wa s Ki n
g o f N i s h ad h a, t h e u s an d o f D ama an t i , h b
o m h e o t a i n ed y wh b
g l h gh I
i n mar r i a e , a t ou n d r a, A n i , a r u n a , a n d Y am a g V
e r e a mon s t th e w g
h
s u i t o r s fo r h er an d .
 N ALA .
7

L a nk a presente d itself a s Ra m a w a s p r ep a r ing to s h oot o n e o f

,

his m ighty a r r ows to d r y u p the oce a n th e S e a D eity p r e ,

sente d hi m self a m i d st a g r e a t co m m otion o f the ele m e n ts a n d

,
‘

thu s a d d resse d h i m
Ai r , et he h w te t e
r, fir e, e ar t ,
a r, ru

T o N t e s w i ll t h e i c o e p
’
a ur su ,
r urs ur e

A d I
n s an c i en t l w s o d i n
,
a a r a ,

U fo d bl e m s t s t i ll e m i
n r a u r a n .

Y e t R gh s s o
,
my c o
a u l he ’
n, un se ar

I e e fo l o v e o r h o p e o fe
n
’
r r , ,
r ar ,

W i ll p i l e m y w t e s o f a h e p a r a ,

A d le v e
n p thw y t h o gh t h e d e e p
a a a a r u .

S t i ll h ll my c e fo t h e e p o v i d e
s a ar r r

A e s y p a s s g e o e th e t i d e
’
n a a r ,

A d li ke i ty s p ve s t e et
’
n a c a n r

Sh ll b e th e o d b e e th t h y fe e t
a
”
r a n a .

H is fi r st wo r d o f a d vice w a s this th a t Ra m a inste a d o f , ,

shooting at th e s e a S hou l d d i r ect his a r r o w tow a r d s the N o r t h

, ,

to d est r oy a r a ce o f d emons who we r e h a tefu l to h i m a n d the n ,

he went o n t o s a y
N w l t wo d s t k h e d e
o e a n r ou as on

B y N l Vi v k m a a, s a ar
’
a s s on ,

W h b o, fo f Va or n o
e ne o n ar r a c
,

I h i t by h i f th e s g e
n er s s a r
’
r ac

A h e f hi
s arel ti l t o s c es a ar .

C ll N l t p e f m h i p t
a a a o r or s ar ,

A d h
n d i vi ly ta ght d k i ll e d
e, ne u an s ,

A b i d g e t hw t t h e
r h ll b i ld
a ar s ea s a u .
”
T

N a l a d ecl a res th a t he h as th e wi l l a n d power to a ccomplish

this g r e a t a n d necess ar y work ; a n d as a n encou r a ge m ent t o ,

Ram a to believe th a t h e will co m plete it s a i d ,

M y m o t he e r e s h e b o e h e s o r, r r n ,

T h i b o o f o m Vi s v k a m a w o n
s n r a r

O M d i t h i s ch i l d s h ll b e
an ar ,
a

s k i ll a n d gl o y n e x t t o m e
’
I n r .

G r i ffi th s
’
s
‘
R am ay an a ,
’
v . 66 .
3
2
8 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

Bu t w h y u n i d d e n s o u d I b h l fill
Th i n e ear it w hp i
r a s e s o f my k ll ? S i

C mm o an d th V a h ts t l y
e n ar os o a

Foun da ti o f th e b i d ge t o d y
ns or r -
a .

R ama t r u sts N a l a s skill ’

,
an d o r d e r s the Van ar s to b r i n g
ma te r i a ls fo r t h e b r i d ge

Up s p r an g
f o m th e i e s t th e Va n ar s r r r

The m d te o f th e k i g o b ey e d
an a n ,

A d s o gh t t h e fo e s t m i gh t y s h d e
’
n u r s a .

U p o t e d t ee s t o e th t h y t h e w
ro r ar e r .

A d t t h e s e t h e t i mb e d e w
n o a r r .

\
V i th m i gh t y g i e p i l e s of s to e en n s n

A d s e t d h i ll s w e e o v e t h o w n
n a e r r r

I m p i s o e d w at e s p g o h i gh
r n rs r an n ,

I i d ce d i g f o m th e sk y
n ra n es n n r

A d o ce n w i t h o a d s w e ll
an a r ar n

H e v e d w i l d ly wh e t h e m o t i n s fe ll
a n un a .

T h e t h e g e t b i d g e f w d o s s t e g th
n r a r o on r u r n

“
7
b i l t h n d e d l e g e s i l en g th
as u ,
a u r a u n .

R ck s h ge as t m n c l o d s b o d f t
o ,
u au u u ,
un as

W i th c o d g e f o m t h e s h o e w e e c s t
'

r a r r ,
r a ,

A d f g m e t s o f e a c h i v e h i ll
n ra n r n ,

A d t e e wh o s e fl w e s d o e d t h e m s t i ll
n r s o r a rn

\
.

V i l d w s t h e t m l t 1 nd t h e d i
a u u ,
0 n,

A s po d e o o ck s w
n t th u d e i g i n
r us r en n r n .

E h set f ac s o t i l e d e ch c e w
o sun, o a r ,

T l e g e s d fo u th e s t ct e g e w
en a u an r ru ur r

The l b f th e s e c
a d d y
ou r s o on a

G v e t w e t y m o e f e ad y w ay
a n r o r ,

A d o t h e fifth wh e s
n n k th e s n ,
n an u ,

T h wh le t p e d o s w o k w s d o e
e o s u n u r a n .

O e th b o d w y th e V a a s s ped
’

r e r a a n r ,

N w y e d i t w i th th e i c o t l e s s t e d T
or s a r un r a .
”

( i r i ffl t h s
’
s R am ay a n a ,
’
v . 68 .
T I b id
'

.
2
4 0 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

Ou r fe e t by t h y c o mma d h v e t c e d n a ra

Th e t gl d t h i ck e t d t h e w s te
an e an a ,

A d de s
n d d i gl e h a d t o p s s
n an n s r a

F c e e p i g pl t s
or r d m tt e d g
n s an an a ras .

T h o u gh they coul d n o t le ar n th e ex a ct spot whe r e S it a w a s

h i d d en t h ey d iscove r e d th a t she h a d been c a r r ie d tow a r d s the
,

So u t h t h e qu arte r u n d er H a nu m an s speci a l ch a r ge a n d thus

,
’

c o n si d e r ably n a r r owe d th e sphere o f t h e quest I n the g r e a t .

e n c o u n te r wit h the foe S u s h e n a d i d goo d se r vice ; for when

,

R ama a n d L a ks h ma n we r e ove r come by I n d r aji t s m a gic a l noose ’

S u gr i va a n d his co m r a d es were g r e a tly d ist r esse d The Van a r .

ki n g h oweve r bei n g a w a re th a t G a r u d a cou l d rele a se t h e m

, ,

fr o m t h e spel l by which they we r e boun d tol d S u s h e n a whe n , ,

t h ey r eg a ine d thei r strength a n d senses t o fly with the m to ,

K i s h k i n d h a h e r m it a ge whe r e they cou l d d wel l i n s a fety whilst

, ,

h e h i m self fought a g a inst Rav a n a a n d rescu e d the r oy a l l a d y , .

T h en S u s h e n a a s the physici a n s a i d
, ,

m e ye t He ar

Wh e n g o d s a n d fi en d s i n b at tl e m e t,
S o fi e r c e ly fo u gh t t h e d e m on c r e w ,
S o w i l d a s t o r m o f ar r o w s fle w ,
T h t h v ly w i
a ea enf i t w i th p iar r o r s , a n a n,

S k m i tt e by t h e el e
an s n i e c as ss ra n .

Vi h p t i w i th h b d p ll
r as a ,
er an s e ,

C d t h e o e w d f t h e w h fell
u re s r ou n s o os o ,

A d k i ll d i
n ,
s t th t h
e l d vn ar s a ea an sa e,

N w lif
e d e an
e d vi g g ve
s en s an ou r a .

F t h e m i lky h ’
ar , on o c e an s s or e,

S ti ll g w th s e h b i b d l es s s t o e
ro o er s n ou n r

L t w i ft t V
e s a th i t h e
es p ed n ar s r s e

A d b i g th e m f
n r n tm t e ed or ou r u os n .

L t P
e d S mp ti b i g
an as an a a r n ,

F w ll t h w d
or e l v th y k w
e on r ous ea es e no

Th t h l h w d d lif be t w
a ea e ac oun an e s o .

B i d th t
es e wh i h h
a d of y e
s ea, c ,
c urn e or ,

T h Am i t
e it r f ce b o e on s sur a r ,

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R amay a n a ,
’
iv . 2 2 4.
 S U S H EN A .
34 1

Whe e th e wh i t e b i ll o w s l s h t h e l n d
r a a ,

C h d s f i h e i gh t a d D o n a s t an d
an ra
’
a r n r .

P l t ed by g o d s e ch gl i tt e i g s t e e p
an ,
a r n

L o o k s d o w n p o n t h e m i lky d ee p
u .

Le t fl ee t H m an b r i g u s t h e n c e
an u n ,

T h o s e h e b s o f w o n d o s i n flu e c e
r r u n .
”

These pl a nts were brought by H a nu m an ; the woun d e d re

covere d a n d fought with renewe d vigou r .

G r i ffi th s
’
s R am ay a n a ,
’
v . 1 5 .
2
 ( 34 2 )

C H A PT E R IV .

TH E D EM I GOD S O F T H E M A H AB H AR A T A .

AS t h ese h e r oes a r e so inti m a tely connecte d with ea ch other a ,

sep a r a te a ccount of e a ch wou l d necessit a te fr equent r epetition ;

t h ey wil l therefo r e be notice d together i n a brief outli ne o f th e ,

m a i n sto r y of the
I n the fifth gener a tion from S o m a ( the M oon ) th e progen itor ,

o f t h e Lu n a r r a ce who r eig n e d at H a stinapu r c a m e t wo sons

, , ,

P u r u T a n d Y a d u ; fr om who m p r ocee d e d t w o b r a nches o f the

Lun ar line I n the a ccou nt o f Krish n a a n d B a l a ra m a who
.
,

we r e bo r n in the Y a d u tribe we h ave seen the e n d o f th a t ,

b r a n ch o f the fa mily S ixtee n th fr o m P u r u th e foun d er o f the.

,

o th e r b r an c h c a me Bh a r a t a fr o m who m I n d i a t a kes its n a me

, , ,

Bh a r a t va r s h a ( the count r y o f Bh a r a t a ) i n t h e present d a y ,

.

Twenty thi r d fro m Bh a r a t a c a m e S an t a n u This S an t a n u h a d

-
.

two so n s Bh i s h ma by the go d d ess G a nga ( th e G a nges ) an d

, , ,

Vi ch i t r avi r ya by S at ya va t i T S a t ya va t i h a d a s o n n a me d
, .

Th i M h abh a at i s t k en i an bb e v i t ed fo m al mo s t
s a cc o u n t o f th e a r a a n a r a r
e t e ly f
n 1r m L e ct e X I I I o f M o n i e W i lli a m s
ro ur I d i a W i s d om
. r
’
s n n
’

TA i t sti g st
n y i t ol d o f P u
n e re n H i s f t h er Y yat i m
or s i ed D ev a ru . a ,
a ,
ar r

y a i d gh t o f S k t h p e ce p t o o f t h e D i ty s H e r h s b an d l o v i g
n , au er u r a, e r r a a . u n
her s v t S mi s t h a l s o P u w b o
er an ar th e i y ou n g e s t s on T h e w i fe
a ,
ur as r n as r .

b i g h i ghly i d i g
e n t t th e f i thf l e s s o f h e r h u s b d e t n i g t o h e
n n an a un a u n an ,
r ur n r

f th h me s o e x c i t e d th e O ld p i e t t h at h e c s e d Yayat i w i th o ld ge
a er s
’
o , r s ur a
b t ft w d c o e t e d t o w i th d w t h i c s e p r o v i d e d o e o f h i s s o s
u a er ar s ns n ra s ur n n

w ld b
ou it f him
ear T h e y ll e f s e d t o d o th i s e x c e pt i g P r u A s
or . a r u n u . a
re w d f h i p i e t y h i s f th e d i s i n h e i t e d h i s o th e s o s n d m ad e P u
ar or s , a r r r n ,
a ur
so l e h i t h i d o mi i
e r o s n on s .

T S t y v t i w s t h d gh t e r o f an A p s a r s n a m e d A d i k a w h o w s
a a a a e au a r ,
a
co n d m d to l ive
e ne e th i t h e fo m o f on fi h P ar sa a a s g n m et r a s ar a r a e,

gh te r a s h e w s c o s s i g t h e r i v e r Y a mu n a a n d Vyas w a s t h e e s l t
.
,
h er d au a r n a r u .
,
3 44
T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

K u n t i b h oja .
This befo r e h e r m ar r i a ge p a i d
P r i t h a,
“
one d a y, ,

suc h r espect a n d a ttention to a powe r fu l s a ge n a m e d D u r vas as ,

a guest in h e r fa the r s house t h a t he g a ve h e r a ch ar m a n d

’

, ,

t aug h t h e r a n inc a nt ation by vi r tue o f wh ich she might h ave a ,

c h il d by a n y go d S h e l ike d to c a l l i n to h e r p r esence O ut o f .

cu r i o sity she invoke d the S un by who m she h a d a s o n w h o w a s

, ,

bo r n clothe d in a r m ou r B ut Pr i t h a fe ar ing the censu r e o f h e r

.
,

r el a tives d ese r te d h e r offsp r ing a fte r exposing it in the r iver

,
It ,
.

w a s fou n d by A d h i r a t a a ch a r iotee r a n d nu r tu r e d by his wife

, ,

Ra d ha ; whe n ce the chil d w as a fte r w a r d s c a lle d R ad h e ya ,

t h oug h n a me d by his foste r p a r ents Va s u s h e n a When h e w as -

.

g r own u p the go d I n d r a co n fe r r e d u p o n hi m eno r mous st r ength ,

H e i s a lso c a lle d Va i k a r t a n a
,
”
a n d c h a nge d his n a m e t o K a r n a .
,

bei n g t h e son of Vi k a r t a n a ( the S u n ) .

Pa n d u a t his u ncle Bh i s h m a s r equest next m ar r ies M a d ri

,
’

,
'

siste r of S a ly a King o f M a d r a S oon a fte r this m ar r i age Pan d u

,
.
,

u n d e r took a g r e a t c a m p a ign an d exten d e d h is king d om to th e ,

d i m ensions it h a d r e a che d in the ti me o f his g r e a t a ncesto r

Bh a r at a H e then with his two wives r eti r e d to t h e woo d s th a t
.
, , ,

he m ight i n d ulge i n his p a ssion fo r hunting The blin d D h r i t a .

r as h t r a with B h i s h m a a s r egent rule d in his ste a d

, ,
.

Dh r it a r asht r a h a d a hu n d r e d s o n s The sto r y o f thei r bi r th is .

a s follows O ne d a y the s a ge Vyas a w a s hospit a bly entert a ine d

,

by ! ueen Gan d ha r i a n d i n r etu r n g r a nte d h e r a boon Sh e

, .

c h ose to be the m othe r of a hun d r e d sons A fte r two ye a r s .

s h e p r o d uce d a m a ss o f flesh which w a s d ivi d e d by Vyas a into ,

a hu n d r e d a n d one pieces as big a s th e j oint of a thu m b ,

Fr o m .

these in d u e ti m e the el d est D u r y o d h a n a w as bo r n

, ,
Th e , ,
.

m i r a culous bi r th o f the r em a ining ninety nine occu r r e d i n d u e -

c o u r se The r e w a s a lso o n e d a ughte r n a m e d D u h s a la

. These ,
.
”

s o ns o f D h r it a r asht r a a r e gene r a lly c a lle d The Ku r us o r “

,
”

Ii a u r a va s .

l’
an d u s chil d ren we r e o f d ivine o r igin Th is C i r cu mst a nce
’

h a ppe n e d in the followi n g m a n n e r z— P an d u a s notice d a bove , ,

w a s a d d icte d t o h u n ti n g On e d a y h e t r a nsfixe d with five .

,
“

a r r o ws a m a le a n d fe m a le d ee r These tu r ne d ou t to be a .

ce r t a i n s a ge a n d his wife who h a d a ssu me d the form o f these ,

 TH E D E M I GO D S OF TH E M A H AB H AR A T A .
3 45

a ni m a ls The s a ge cu r se d P an d u a n d p r e d icte d th a t h e woul d

.
,

d i e in the e m b r a ces of one o f his wives I n consequence o f th is .

cu r se Pan d u took the vow o f a B r a h m ach a ri g a ve a ll his p r ope r ty

, ,

t o t h e B r ah m a n s a n d bec a m e a he r m it
,
.

U pon t h is P r i t h a his wife with his a pp r ov a l e m ploye d the

, , , ,

ch a r m a n d inc a n t a tion gi ven t o h e r by D u r vas as a n d h a d th r ee ,

chil d r en by the go d D h a r m a Y u d h i s h t h i r a by Vayu Bh i m a ; , ,

a n d by I n d r a A rj u n a M a d ri the oth e r wife o f P an d u wa s

,
.
, ,

n ow a n xiou s t o h a ve chil d r en a n d a cting on the a d vi ce o f , ,

P r i t h a she thought o f the A svi n s w h o a ppe a r e d to h e r a c

, ,

co r d ing to h e r wish th r ough who m she bec a me the m other

,

o f twi n sons N a kul a a n d S a h a d ev a S oon a fte r this P an d u

,
.
, ,

fo r getti n g the curse o f th e s a ge d ie d i n the e m b r a ces o f ,

h is w ife M a d ri who w as bu r ne d w it h the d e a d bo d y o f her

,

husb a n d .

P r i t h a a n d th e five chi l d r en gener a lly k n own a s th e P an d u s , ,

o r P an d a v a s now r etu r ne d t o H a stinapu r an d i nforme d D h r i t a

, ,

r as h t r a o f the d e a th o f his b r othe r ; he seeme d t o b e d eeply

m ove d by the event a n d the P an d u s we r e a llowe d to live with

,

h is o w n sons the Ku r us ,
.

B ut eve n when th e cousins we r e chi l d r en enmity a rose a n d , ,

o n o n e o cc a sion the j e a l ou sy o f D uryo d h a n a w a s excite d t o su ch

a pitch th a t he t r i e d to poison B h i m a a n d w h en un d er its e ffect , , ,

threw h i m into the w a te r Bh i m a however w a s n o t d rowne d

.
“
, , ,

but d escen d e d to the a bo d e o f th e N ag a s ( o r serpe n t d e m ons ) ,

who free d hi m fr om the poison a n d g a ve hi m a li qu i d t o d r i n k ,

which en d ue d h i m with the st r e n gth of ten thou s a n d N ag a s .

”
F rom th a t m o m ent he b ec a m e a seco n d H e r cule s S eve r a l .

s che m es we r e forme d for th e d est r uction o f the P an d u s bu t ,

without success .

“
The ch a r a cte r s o f th e five Pa n d a v a s a r e d ra wn with much
a rti sti c d elic a cy o f tou c h a n d m a i n t a ine d w i t h ge n e r a l co n s i s
’

ten e y th r oug h out the poe m The e l d est Y u d h i s h t h i r a ( the son.

,

o f D h ar m a vi r tu e ) is the H in d u i d e a l o f excellence — a p a tte r n

, ,

o f j ustice c a l m p a ssio n less composu re chiv a lrou s honou r a n d

,
”
col d herois m A s the n a m e i m plies ( fi r m i n b a ttle )
. h e wa s ,
“

prob a bly o f co mm a n d i n g st a tu r e a n d i m posing presence H e .

34 6 T H E I NFE RIOR D E I TI E S .

i s d esc r ibe d a s h aving a m aj esti c lion l ike g a it with a Welling -

,

t o n like p r o file a n d long lot u s eyes

- -
.

“
Bhi m a ( the son o f Vayu ) is a type o f b r ute cou r a ge a n d
st r ength he i s o f gig a ntic st a tu r e i m petuous ir a scible so m e wh a t , , ,

vin d ictive a n d cru el even to the verge o f fe r ocity m a king him

, , ,

a s h is n a m e i m plies terrible I t woul d a ppe ar th a t his gre a t ’

.
,

st r ength h a d to be m a int a ine d by plentifu l supplies of foo d as ,

his n a me Vr i k o d ar a wol f stom a che d i n d ic a tes a vo r a ciou s

, ,
-
,
’

a ppetite ; a n d we a r e tol d th a t a t the d a ily m e a ls o f the five

b r othe r s h a lf of t h e whole d ish h a d to be given to Bh i m a B ut

,
.

h e h as the c a p a city fo r w a r m unselfish l ove an d is a r d ent i n his , ,

a ffection for h is m othe r a n d b r othe r s .

“
A rj u n a ( th e son o f I n d r a ) r ises more t o the E u r ope a n
st a n d a r d o f pe r fecti on H e m ay be r eg a r d e d a s th e r e a l h ero o f
.

th e M a h abha r a t a of u n d a u nt ed b r a ve r y gene r ous with r efine d

, , ,

a n d d elic a te sensibil ities ten d e r he a rte d fo r gi ving a n d a ffe c

,
-
, ,

t i o n a t e a s a wo m a n yet o f supe r hu m a n st r ength a n d m a tchless

, ,

i n a r m s a n d a thletic exe r cises N ak u l a a n d S a h a d ev a ( sons o f

.

the A svi n s ) a r e both a mi a bl e noble h e a r te d a n d spi r ite d ,

A ll -
,
.

five a r e a s u n like a s possible t o the h u n d r e d sons o f D h r i t a

r as h t r a who a r e r ep r esente d a s m e a n spiteful d ishonou r a ble a n d
, , ,
,

vicious . K a r n a ( the s o n o f th e S u n ) though h a lf b r othe r o f ,

-

these five P an d u s i n the g r e a t conflict is a v a l u a ble a lly o f the

,

Ku r us ; t h ough in ch a r a cter he is enti r ely thei r opposite He .

exhibite d in a high d eg r ee fo r titu d e ch iv a l r ou s h onou r sel f , ,

s a c r ifice a n d d evotion E speci a lly rem a r k a ble for a liber a l a n d

, .

gene r ous d isposition h e neve r stoope d t o ignoble p r a ctices l ike

, ,

h is fr ien d s the K u r u s who we r e e m ph a tic a l ly b a d men

, , .
”

T h e cousins we r e e d uc a te d together a t H a sti n apur by a

B r ah ma n n a m e d D r on a a ll we r e i n st r ucte d in a r ms b ut A rj un a , ,

“
by the help of D r o n a wh o g a ve h i m m agic a l we a pons excelle d
, ,

a ll. Bot h Bh i ma a n d th e Ku r u D u r yo d h a n a l e a r n t the u se o f

the club fr o m t h ei r cousin B a l a ra m a ; P r i t h a Bhi m a s m othe r ,
’

w a s a siste r of V a su d ev a a n d th e r efo r e a u n t o f K r ish n a

,
When .

t h ei r e d u c a ti o n w a s co m plete d a tou r n a m ent w a s hel d in which , ,

t h e youths d ispl a ye d thei r skil l i n a r che r y ; in th e m a n age m ent

o f ch a r iots h o r ses a n d eleph a nts ; i n swor d spe a r a n d cl ub
, , , ,
T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .
 THE D E M I GO D S OF T H E M A H AB H AR A T A .
3 49

i nfo r me d them th a t D r a u p a d i the d a ughte r o f D r u pa d a King o f

, ,

P a nchal a w a s d estine d to be their co m m on wife T h is gi r l in a

,
.
,

fo r m er bi r th w a s the d a ughter o f a s a ge a n d h a d pe r fo r m e d a
, ,

m ost seve r e pen a nce i n o r d er th a t she m ight h a ve a h usb a n d .

S iv a was ple a se d with her d evotion a n d s a i d : You sh a ll h a ve ,

five husb a n d s ; for five ti mes yo u s a i d Give me a h usb a n d ,

‘
.
’

When the b r othe r s retu r ne d fr o m D r au p a d i s S vaya m b a r a ( a ’

tou r n a m ent i n which t h e p r incess chose fo r he r self a husb a n d )

, ,

A rj un a h a ving been selecte d fr o m a mongst m a ny su ito r s o n a c

cou nt o f his skill i n a r che r y thei r m other he a r ing t h ei r footsteps
, , ,

a n d fa ncying they we r e b r inging a l m s s a i d

,
D ivi d e it a m ongst
, ,

y ou r selves . The
”
wor d o f a mother cou l d n o t be set a si d e s o ,

Vyas a showe d the m th a t it w as a ppointe d th a t D r a u pa d i shoul d

be the wife o f e a ch A t this tou r n a m ent A rj u n a d ispl a ye d
.

his gre a t skil l i n the use o f the b ow by piercing a fish ,

th a t w as suspen d e d i n the a i r without looking d i r ectly a t the

,

obj ect ; he s a w its i m age only reflecte d i n a p an o f w a ter o n

the g r oun d .

Vyas a seei n g the d isc r ep a ncy between thi s con d uct o f the
,

five brothers h aving a wife in co mmon a n d th a t which p r ev a ile d

in his d ay expl a ins it by the fa ct that A rj un a w as r e ally a
,
.

po r tion o f t h e essence o f I n d r a a n d a ll his brothers po r tions o f

,

the s a m e go d whi lst D r a u p a d i h e r sel f w as a fo r m o f L a ksh m i

,

a n d therefo r e a s the five brethren we r e p a rts o f I n d r a the r e w a s

, ,

n o i mp r opriety i n their h a ving but o n e wife I t is a fa ct t o be .

notice d th a t to this d ay poly a n d ry p r ev a i ls a mongst some o f

,

the hil l t r ibes o f I n d i a D r a u p a d i is s a i d to h a ve h a d a son by

-
.

e a ch o f th e brothe r s a n d the brothe r s h a d othe r wives besi d es

,

D r a Up a d i I t w a s notice d a bove th a t Bh i m a m a r r ie d H i d i mb a
. .

A rj un a m a rrie d Krishn a s sister S u b h a d r a a n d a lso a serpent

’

, ,

nymph n a me d U lu d i a n d C h i t r an ga d a d a ughte r o f the King o f

, ,

M a n ipur a .

When the P an d u s by their m a r r i a ge with D r a u p a d i h a d a llie d

, ,

themselves with the Ki n g o f P a nch al a they th r ew o ff thei r ,

d isguise a n d their u ncle D h rit a r ashtr a d ivi d e d th e king d o m : t o

,

h is sons he gave H as t i n ap u r ; to the P an d u s a d ist r ict ne a r the

_

Y a mun a ( J u m n a) c a lle d K h an d avapr a s th a

,
H e r e they bu ilt .
3 5 0 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

I n d r a p r a st h a ( D elhi ) a n d un d er Y u dh i s h t h i r a their king d o m

, , ,

gre w .

A rj u n a w a n d e r e d i n the forest a lone fo r twel v e ye a rs i n ,

fu lfil me n t of a vow a n d the r e met with K r ishn a who invite d h i m , ,

to D war a k a whe r e h e m a r r ie d S u b h a d r a K r ishn a w a s invite d

,
.

to a g r e a t festiv a l i n honour o f the in a ugu r a tion o f Y u d h i s h t h i r a

a s sove r eign A cti n g o n N ar a d a s a d vice B h i s h m a p r opose d th a t
’
.
,

a n obl a ti o n shoul d be m a d e to th e best a n d st r ongest person

p r esent who m he d ecl a re d K r is h n a to be S i s u pala obj ecte d

,
.
,

a n d a s he r evile d K r ishn a openly K r ishn a s t r u ck o ff his he a d

~
, ,

with h is d iscus .

A fte r this a festiv a l w a s hel d a t H a stinapu r to wh ich the

, ,

Pan d u s we r e invite d Y u d h i s h t h i r a w a s in d uce d to pl a y ; a n d

.

h aving st ake d his ki n g d o m his possessions a n d l a st o f all , , , ,

D r a u p a d i lost eve r ything ,

A comp r o m ise w as effecte d D u r yo . .

d h a n a w a s m a d e ruler ove r the whole king d om fo r twelve ye a rs

whilst the P an d u s with D r a u p a d i we r e t o live i n the fo r est fo r
t h e s a m e pe r io d a n d to p a ss th e thi r teenth ye a r u n d e r a ssume d
,

n a m es in v a r ious d isguises Whilst enj oying th is fo r est life

, .
,

A rj un a went to the H i m al a y a s t o pe r fo r m seve r e pen a nce in

o r d e r to obt a i n celesti a l a r m s A fte r some ti m e S i va t o r ew a r d .
, ,

h i m a n d p r ove his b r a ve r y a pp r o a che d a s a Ki r ata o r wi l d , ,

"

m ount a inee r a t the m o m ent th a t a d emon n a me d M ak a in the

, ,

fo r m of a bo a r a tt a cke d him S iv a a n d A rj un a shot togethe r a t

,
.

the bo a r which fell d e a d a n d both cl a ime d to h a ve h it him fi r st

, ,
.

This se r ve d a s a p r etext fo r S iv a to h a ve a b a ttle with h i m .

A rj u n a foug h t long wit h the Ki r a t a but cou l d n o t conque r h i m , .

A t l a st h e r ecognise d the go d a n d th r ew hi mself a t hi s feet

V
, ,

when S iv a ple a se d wit h his b r a ve r y e h i m the celeb r a te d

, g a ,

w e a po n l as u p a t a to en a ble h i m to conquer K a r n a a n d the Ku r u

’
,

p m
rc e s in war .
”

I n t h e t h i r teenth ye ar o f exile the Pan d u s j ou r neye d to the

c o u r t o f Ki n g Vi r at a a n d ente r e d his se r vice in d isguise , .

we fo R a ma y a n a hey
I

f h e lx i r a t a s m o u n t a i n ee r s ,
7 0
0

I n th e
v

re or r es ter s . t
a re d e sc r i ed as b “
is l an d ers , wh o e at r aw fl e sh l v
,
i e i n th e w a t er s , an d ar e
m e n- ti g e rs .
”
l

U
!
I T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .
 THE D E M IGO D S OF TH E M A H ABH ARA T A .

F r esh negoti a ti o n s were co m m ence d a n d K r ish n a h imself went ,

a s m e d i a t o r t o t h e Ku r u s ; but a lthough in the a sse m bly h e

a ss u m e d h is d ivi n e fo r m a n d B r a h m a a p p e a r e d i n h i s fo r e h e a d
, ,

R u d r a o n h is b r e a st the gu a r d i a n s o f t h e wo r l d issue d fr o m his

,

a r m s a n d A g n i fr o m h is m outh — a lt h ough t h e ot h e r go d s we r e
”
, ,

visible in a n d a bout h is pe r son his a tte m pt a t r econcili ation fa ile d

, .

W a r w a s d ete r m ine d on between t h e cou si n s B h i s h ma w a s .

m a d e the co mm a n d e r i n —chief of t h e Ku r u a r m y a n d D h r i s h t a
-

d yu m n a son o f D r u p a d a w a s le a d e r o f the P an d u s
, ,
Vyas a .

o ffe r e d t o give sig h t to Dh r it ar asht r a t o en a ble hi m t o witn e ss the ,

conflict but a s the bli n d m an d ecline d the o ffe r Vyas a g a ve to

, , ,

h is c h a r iotee r S a nja ya t h e fa c u lt y o f knowing everyt h ing th a t

'

, ,

took pl a ce m a d e h i m i n vul n e r a ble a n d bestowe d o n h i m the

, ,

powe r to t r a n spo r t h i m self by a t h ought to a n y p a r t o f t h e fiel d

o f b a ttle .

The a r m ies m e t on K u r uk s h e t r a a pl a in t o the no r th west o f ,

-

the m o d e r n D el h i a n d we a r e tol d th a t m onst r ous ele ph a nts

,
“

c a r ee r ove r t h e fiel d t r a m pling o n m e n a n d ho r ses a n d d e a ling

, , ,

d est r uction with thei r huge tusks e n o r m ous clubs a n d i r on

m a ces cl a s h toget h e r wit h t h e noise o f thun d e r ; r a ttling ch a r iots
d a s h a g a i n st e a c h ot h e r ; t h ous a n d s of a r r ows hu r tle i n the a i r ,

d a r ke n i n g the sky t r u m pets kettle d r u m s a n d h o r ns a d d to t h e

, ,
”
up r o a r confusion c a r n age a n d d e a t h a r e eve r ywhe r e
, ,
.

T h e P an d u s ar e d esc r ibe d a s pe r fo r m ing p r o d igies o f might .

A rj u n a kille d five hu n d r e d w a r r io r s si m u lt a neou sly cove r e d the ,

pl a in wit h d e a d a n d fille d r ive r s wit h bloo d : Y u d h i s h t h i r a

,

sl a ug h te r e d a hu n d r e d m e n in a m e r e twink le : Bhi m a ”

a n ni h il a te d a m o n st r ou s elep h a n t inclu d i n g a ll mou nte d u p o n i t

'

, ,

a n d fou r teen foot s o l d ie r s besi d es

-
wit h o n e blow o f his club :
,

N a ku l a a n d S a h a d ev a w h en fig h ti n g fr o m t h ei r ch a r iots cut o ff
, ,

h e a d s by t h e t h ous a n d a n d sowe d them like see d upon the

,

g r o un d O f t h e we a pons e m ploye d a bout a hun d r e d a r e

.
,

n a me d ; a n d t h e con ch shell which se r ve d as the t r u m pet o f

’

e a c h le a d e r h a d its d istinct n a m e a s h a d a lso t h e we a pons o f ,

e a ch of t h e chiefs .

The fi r st g r e a t S ingle co mb a t w as between Bh i s h m a a n d

A rj u n a w h ich r esu lte d in Bh i s h m a being so t r a nsfixe d wit h a r r ow s
,

2 A
354 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

t h a t t h e r e w as not a sp a ce of two finge r s b r e a d th o n his

“
’

w h o le b o d y unpie r ce d B h i s h m a fa lli n g fr o m his c h ar iot h is

.
,

b o d y c o u l d n o t to u c h t h e g r oun d su r r oun d e d a s it w as by ,

c o u n tless a r r ows r ecli n ing a s it we r e on an a r r owy couch H e

,
.

h a d r eceive d fr o m his fa t h e r the powe r o f fixi n g the ti m e o f h is

o w n d e a th a n d n o w d ecl a r e d th a t he i n ten d e d r et a i n ing life til l
,

t h e s u n e n te r e d t h e su m m e r solstice A ll the w a r r io r s o n both .

si d es ce ase d fighting t h a t t h ey m ight view this won d e r fu l sight

a n d d o ho m a ge to t h ei r d ying r el a tive As he lay o n h is ar r owy .

b e d h is h e a d h a ngi n g d ow n he begge d fo r a pillow w h e r eu pon

, , ,

t h e c h iefs b r ought h i m soft suppo r ts which the h a r d y o ld sol d ie r ,

ste r n ly r ej ecte d A rj un a m a d e a r est fo r h i m wit h th r ee a r r ows

.
,

w h ich B h i s h m a quite a pp r ove d ; a n d soon a fte r wa r d s a ske d

A rj u n a to b r i n g h i m w a te r A rj u n a st r uck the g r ou n d with a n
.

a r ro w ,
an d fo r t h with a pu r e sp r i n g bu r st fo r th which so ,

r efr es h e d B h i s h m a t h a t he c a l le d fo r D u r yo d h a n a a n d begge d ,

h i m befo r e it w a s too l a te to r esto r e h a lf t h e ki ng d o m to t h e

, ,

Pa n d a v a s
”

D r o n a t h e tuto r o f the p r inces is a ppointe d to t a ke the

, ,

c o m ma n d of the K u r u a r m y a fte r the fa l l of B h i s h m a ; a n d a

n u m be r of S ingle co m b a ts ar e d esc r ibe d Bhi m a s son by the ’
.

R ak s h a s i H i d i mb a is sl a in by K a r n a ; D r u p a d a s son D h r i s h t a ’

d yu m n a the le a d e r of the P an d u s ove r co m es D r on a ; D r on a

, ,

b e i n g a B r ah m a n whe n ove r powe r e d by his foe volunt a r ily l a i d

, ,

d ow n h is life a n d is co n d ucte d to he a ve n
, in a glitte r ing sh a pe “

”
like t h e sun to s ave D h r i s h t a d yu m n a fr o m the eno r m ou s c r i m e
,

o f killi n g a B r ah m a n K a r n a w as now m a d e le a d e r o f t h e
.

Ku r us i n pl ace of D r on a B h i m a next slew D u h s as a n a a n d.

, ,

r e m e mbe r i n g how this p r ince h a d i n su lte d D r a u a d i he d a k

p r n ,

t h e bl o o d of h is fa l le n foe A rj u n a next slew K a r n a a n d S a ly a

.
, ,

Ki n g o f M a d r a w as a ppointe d to fil l the v a c a nt post Bh i m a

, .

c h a lle n ges S a ly a a n d the fol lowing is the a ccou nt o f thei r

,

e n c o u n te r
S n h e w h i s ch i o t e e s t r u c k d o w
oo as sa ar r n,

S t i gh t w y t h e M d m o a ch g s p e d h i s
ra a a ra n r ra m a ce ,
A d l i ke a m
n nt in fi m d moti o l e s s
ou a , r an n ,

A w i te d t h e t t c k T h e w a i o r s fo m
’
a a a . rr r
35 6 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

t a ki n g r efuge in a l ake by his m a gic a l powe r suppo r te d it so a s

,

to fo r m a c h a mbe r r oun d h is bo d y T h e P an d u s d iscove r e d his

.

r et r e a t ; b u t w h en t a u n te d by t h e m he tol d them to
,
t a ke the
ki n g d o m a s h is b r othe r s h avi n g a ll bee n sl a in h e h a d n o
, , ,

ple a su r e i n life A t l a st en r a ge d by t h e s a r c a s m s o f h is cousins

.
, ,

h e c a me fo r t h a n d foug h t wit h B h i m a fr o m who m h e r eceive d ,

h is d e a t h wou n d T h e r e m a ini n g th r ee Ku r u chiefs left thei r

-
.

w o u n d e d co m p a n io n an d took r efuge in a fo r est .

W h ilst r esting u n d e r a t r ee a t nig h t A s va t t h am a n seeing a n , ,

owl a pp r o a ch ste a lthily a n d kil l nu m be r s o f sleepi n g c r ows the ,

t h o ug h t occu r r e d to h i m th a t i n t h is m a nne r he might d est r oy

t h e Pa n d u a r m y A cco r d i n gly he quietly ente r e d t h ei r c a m p
.
,

le a vi n g K r ip a a n d K r i t av ar m a n t o w a tc h the g a tes U n d er .

cove r o f d a r kness they slew the w h ole o f the ar m y : t h e P a n d u

p r i n ces a n d K r ish n a h a ppe n ing to be st a tio n e d outsi d e the
,

c a m p a l o n e esc ape d These t h r ee then r etu r n to D u r yo d h a n a

,
.
,

a n d tel l h i m wh a t they h a d d on e H e a r ing thei r n a r r a tive h is

.
,

spi r it r evive d fo r a m o m ent ; he th a nke d them b a d e the m fa r e ,

well a n d expi r e d
,
.

T h e fu n e r a l obsequies of this chief a r e pe r fo r me d a n d ,

Y u d h i s h t h i r a is i n st a l le d as K 1 n g of H a sti n apu r B u t he is m ost .

u n h a ppy as he t h i n ks of the g r e a t sl a ughte r th a t h a s t a ken pl a ce .

A cti n g o n K r is h n a s a d vice he a n d his b r othe r s visit B h i s h m a

’

, ,

w h o w a s still linge r i n g o n h is spiky b e d Fo r fi ft y eight n ights.

-

h e h a d l a i n t h e r e a n d e r e his d ep a r tu r e g a ve utte r a nce t o a

,

se r ies o f most le n gt h y d i d a ctic d iscou r ses a fte r which his spi r it ,

a sce n d e d to t h e skies .

A s Y u d h i s h t h i ra w a s ente r ing the c a pit a l i n t r iu m ph a n ,

i n ci d e n t o ccu r r e d to lesse n his j oy i n victo r y A R aksh a s .

n a m e d Ch a r v ak a d isgu ise d a s a B r ah m a n met h i m a n d r e

, ,
,

p or a ch e d h i m f o r t h e sl a ughter h e h a d c a use d ; but th e

B r ah m a n s d iscove r ing the i m postu r e consu m e d the R aksh a s
, ,

t o a h e s with t h e fi r e of thei r eyes

s Yet even now the spi r it
.

o f t h e ki n g is n o t a t r est H e the r efo r e a fte r a little ti m e

.
, ,

r esig n s h is ki n g d o m a n d together with his b r othe r s a n d

, ,

D r a u pa d i st a r ts o n his j ou r ney tow a r d s I n d r a s he a ven o n M ou nt

’

M e ru .
 T H E D EM I G O US OF T H E M A H ABH AR A T A .
35 7

Wh e th e fo r b o th e s k e w t h e h i gh e s olv e o f K i g Yu d h i s h th i r
n u r r n r n a,

F o th wi t h w i t h D
r
p d i t h e y i s su e d fo t h
r au a d ft e t h e m d og r ,
an a r a

F o ll o w e d t h e k i g h i m s e lf w en t o u t t h e s e v e th fr o m t h e o y l c i t y
n n r a ,

A n d ll t h e c i t i z e n s n d w o m e n o f t h e p l ac e w lk e d b e h i n d
a a a a

B t n o e c o ld fi n d i t i n th e i h e r t t o s y u t o th e k i g
u n u Ret
r a a n n , urn .
’

A n d s o a t l e n g th t h e t i n o f c i t i z e s w e t b c k b i d d i g d i e
”
ra n n a ,
n a u.

These went bent o n ab a n d on m ent o f worl d ly thin gs ; their

,
“

he ar ts ye a r ni n g fo r u nion with t h e I nfinite I n thei r j ou rney .

” ‘

they r e a ch t h e s e a an d there A rj u n a c a st a w a y his bow an d quive r

,
.

A t l a st t h ey c a m e in sight o f M ou n t M e r u a n d D r a u p a d i l o st ,
“

hol d of h e r high hope a n d fa lt e r i n g fel l u pon the e a r th O ne

’

.
,

by one the othe r s fa ll u nti l on ly Y u d h i s h t h i r a B h i m a a n d t h e d o g

, , ,

a r e left B h i m a c a nnot u n d e r st a n d why su ch pu r e beings s h ou l d

.

d i e : when h is b r othe r i n fo r m s h i m t h a t D r a u p a d i s fa l l w a s t h e
’

r esu lt o f h e r excessive a ffection fo r A r j u n a th a t S a h a d ev a s d e a t h ’

w a s the r e s u lt of p r i d e i n h is o w n knowle d ge ; t h a t N a ku l a s
’

pe r son a l v a nity w a s his r u m a n d th a t A rju n a s fa u lt w a s a ,

’

bo a stfu l confi d ence i n his powe r to d est r oy his foes Bh i m a .

n ow fa lls an d is tol d th a t the r e a son o f his d e a th is his

,

selfishness p r i d e a n d t o o g r e a t love o f enj oy m e n t Y u d h i s h t h i r a

, ,
.
,

left a lone w ith the d o g is w a lking o n : ,

Whe n,w i th a s u d d e n s o u n d th at a g t h o gh e th n d h e av e t h e r n r u ar a n,

m i gh t y go d
C a m e t w r d s h i m i n a ch r i o t n d h e c i e d A s c e n d O es ol t e p i c e
o a a ,
a r , ,
r u r n .
’

T h e d i d t h e k i n g l o o k b a c k u p o h i s f ll en b o t h e
n d a d d e s se d n a r rs , an r

T h e s e w d s nt o t h e T h o s d e y e d i a n g u i s h Let my b ot h e s h e e
or u u an -
n r r r

C o m e w i th m e W i th t th e m 0 go d o f g o d s I c o l d n o t w i s h t o e n te
. ou , ,
u r

E e he ve n
’
n n d yo d e
a ten d e pr i ce s s D
a n u p a d i t h e fa i t hfu l w i fe
r r n ra , ,

W o thy o f e n d l e s s bl i s s le t h e c o m e to
r I n me c y h e r my p y e
,
r o. r a ra r.

I n d r a info r m s h i m t h a t the spi r its o f D r a u p a d i a n d his b r othe r s

a r e a l r e a d y i n h e a ven but th a t he a lone is pe r m itte d to enter
,

h e a ven i n bo d ily fo r m Th e king a sks t h a t the d o g m ay .

a cco m p a ny hi m B ut a s this is r efuse d h e d eclines to go a l o n e

.
,
.

I n d r a s ays Y o u h a ve a b a n d o n e d you r b r othe r s ; why n o t

“

fo r s a ke the d o g ? Y u d h i s h t h i r a r eplies :
”
I h a d no power to “

b r ing t h e m b a ck to life how c a n t h e r e be a b a n d onment o f t h ose

w h o n o longer live ? It now a ppe a r s th at the d o g was no othe r
”
35 8 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

t h a n h is fa t h e r D h ar ma i n d isguise ; who a ssu m ing his p r ope r

,

fo r m e n te r s h e ave n wit h h i m
,
.

O n ente r ing h e a ven tho u gh D u r yo d h a n a a n d his cou sins a r e

,

t h e r e as he d oes not see A rj u n a a n d the r est h e d eclines to

, ,

r e m a i n without them . A n a ngel a cco m p a nies h i m to the h el l .

w h e r e they a r e suppose d to be a n d h e the r e he a r s thei r voices

,

c a lli n g u pon h i m fo r help H e the r efo r e bi d s t h e a ngel d ep a r t

.
,

p r efe r r ing r athe r to su ffe r with his b r et h r en t h a n t o be in he a ven

w it h out the m . A s soo n a s his r esolution is t a ken the scene ,

s u d d enly c h a nges a n d it a ppe a r s th a t this w a s si m ply a t r i a l o f

,

h is fa ith H e b a t h es in the he a venly G a nges a n d i n he a ven

.
, ,

with D r a u p a d i an d his b r oth e r s he fi n d s the r est a n d h a ppiness

,

t h at we r e un att ain abl e o n e a r th .

”
3 6 0 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

in w i d th ; of Bu d h a a gol d en bow t w o finge r s i n b r e a d th ; o f

,

V r i h a s at i ,
p a piece like a lotus ; o f S u k r a a squ ar e piece o f ,

silve r ; of S a ni a n i r on sci m it a r ; o f Rahu a n i r o n m a k a r a

, ,

a fa bu lous a ni m a l h a lf st a g a n d h a lf fi s h ) a n d o f Ketu a n i r on
( , ,

”
sn ake .

1 R A V I ( the S un ) hence R avi b ar a ( S un d ay ) is the s o n o f

.
, ,

K asy a p a a n d A d iti Though a s S u r y a he is d a ily wo r shippe d . ,

a s R a vi he is only wo r shippe d a t the g r e a te r festiv a ls The “

.

a g r e a t wo r k o n a st r ology s a ys th a t if a pe r son
’
‘

Jy o t i s h t at wa -
, ,

is bo r n u n d e r the pl a net R a vi he wi l l possess a n a n xiou s m i n d , ,

be subj ect to d ise a se a n d othe r su ffe r ings be a n exile a p r isone r , , ,

a n d suffe r the loss o f wife chi l d r en a n d p r ope r ty ” T , ,

.

2 C H A N D R A o r S O M A hence S o m avar a ( M on d ay )
. If a , .

pe r son be bo r n u n d e r the pl a net So m a he wi ll h a ve ma ny fr ien d s ,

will possess elep h a nts ho r ses a n d p a l a nqu ins be honou r a bl e , ,

a n d powe r fu l ; will live u pon excellent foo d a n d r est o n supe r b ,

couches A r a ce o f ki n gs a r e s a i d to be the d esce n d a nts o f

.
”

So ma by his wife Rohi n i ( the H y a d es ) w h o a r e c a lle d the

, ,

chil d r en o f the m oon .

3 M
. A N G A L A hence M a n ga lavar a ( Tues d a y ) is r ep r esente d a s
, ,

a r e d m a n with fou r a r m s r i d ing o n a sheep ; he we ar s a r e d

neckl a ce an d clothes o f the s a m e colou r I f a pe r son be bo r n .

un d e r the pl a net M a n g a l a he wil l be fu l l o f a nxiou s thoug h ts , ,

w oun d e d with offensive we a po n s i m p r isone d O pp r esse d with , ,

fe a r of r obbe r s fi r e 81 0 a n d wil l lose his l a n d s t r ees a n d goo d

, , , , ,

n a me This d eity is i d entic a l with K a r tikey a

. .

4 B U D H A T hence B u d h av ar a ( We d nes d a y ) w a s the son o f

.
, ,

S o m a by Ta r a t h e wife o f Vr i h a s p at i the p r ecepto r o f the go d s

, ,
.

A t his bi r t h on the confession o f his m ot h e r t h a t he w a s S o m a s

,
’

son h e r husb a n d r e d uce d h e r to a shes

, B r a h m a a fte r w a r d s .

r a ise d h e r to life a n d bei n g pu r ifie d by t h e fi r e h e r husb a n d

, , ,

r eceive d h e r b a ck S a mu d r a ( the S e a) i n cense d a t his son fo r

.
,

t h e g r e at c r i m e of d ishonou r ing his p r ecepto r s wi fe d isin h e r ite d ’

\
V ard , ii 7 1
. .
T P a ge 72 .

T Thi s B h u d a mu s t n ot be f
c on ou n d ed w i th B udd h a, th e I i
n c ar n a t o n o f
IS] mu .
 T H E P L A N E TS .
3 6 I

h i m ; but, owing t o his siste r L a ksh mi s infl uence p a r t o f his

" ’

sin w as r e m ove d , an d he b e c a me b r i gh t a s the m oon when th r ee/

d a ys o ld a n d th r ough h e r inte r cessio n with Pa r v a ti he w a s

, ,

r esto r e d to he a ven by being pl a ce d on S iv a s fo r ehe a d who thu s

’

, , ,

o r n a m ente d went t o a fe a st o f t h e go d s Vr i h a s p at i o n seeing

,
.

C h a n d r a a g a in i n he a ven w a s g r e a tly incense d but w a s a ppe a se d ,

o n B r a h m a s d ecl a r ing t h a t the l a scivious go d shou l d be exclu d e d

’

fr o m he a ven a n d pl a ce d a m ongst the st a r s ; a n d t h a t the s i n

which h a d obscu r e d hi s glo r y shou l d re m a in fo r eve r If a
'
“
.

pe r son be bo r n u n d e r th e pl a net B u d h a he wi l l be fo r tu n a te , ,

obt a in a n excel lent wife & c ,

.

5. V R I H A S PA T I hence Vr i h a s
, p a t i v ar a
( Thurs d a y ) w a s the ,

p r ecepto r o f the go d s a n d is r eg a r d e d a s i d entic a l with A gni a s

, ,

a l m ost the s a me epit h ets a r e a pplie d t o bot h i n the Ve d ic hy m ns .

I n l ater ti mes he is s a i d t o be a R ishi a son of A n gi r a s If a ,

.

pe r son be bo r n u n d e r this pl a net h e wil l be en d owe d with a n ,

a m i a ble d isposition possess p a l a ces g a r d ens l a n d s a n d be rich

, , , ,

i n m oney a n d co r n H e wi ll possess much religiou s merit a n d

.
,

h ave a ll his wishes g r a tifie d B r ah m a ns h oweve r wi ll n o t be s o

.
, ,

fo r tu n a te a s those o f other c a stes fo r Vr i h a s pat i being a B r ah m a n

,

d oes not wish to ex a lt those o f his own c a ste

”
.

6 S U K R A hence S u k r a v ar a ( F r i d a y ) w a s the son o f Bh r i gu

.
, ,
.

H e w a s the p r eceptor a n d p r iest o f the d e m ons a n d blin d i n o n e ,

eye T h e r e a son o f this a ffliction is tol d in the following legen d

.

When Vishnu in th e D w a r f I nc a rn a tion we n t to B a li King o f

, , ,

the D a i t ya s to solicit a blessing S u k r a a s B a li s p r ecepto r

, , ,
’

fo r b a d e t h e king to give hi m a nything T h e king being d e .

t e r m i n e d to give w h a t w a s a ske d it w a s the d uty o f the p r iest ,

t o r e a d the custo m a r y fo r m u l a a n d to pou r out w a te r fr o m a

vessel a s a r a tific a tion of the gift S uk r a a n xious to p r eve n t his .
,

m a ste r fr o m giving wh a t w a s a ske d a s h e fo r es a w th a t it woul d ,

p r ove his r u in ente r e d the w a te r i n a n invisible fo r m a n d by his

, ,

m a gic a l powe r s p r evente d it fr o m falli n g Vis h nu a w a r e of the .

,

d evice put a st r a w into the vessel whic h ente r ing S u k r a s eye

’

, , , ,

S o m (t h e M oon ) L a k s hm i w er e p r o d u ced g h th e c hu n in g
'

a an d to e t er at r

of th e o cean .
7
3 6 2 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

g a ve h i m so m uch p a i n th a t he cou l d r e m a in the r e no longer ;

so t h e w a te r fell t h e gift w a s r a tifie d a n d S uk r a lost a n eye
, ,
.

“
I f a pe r son be bo r n u n d e r the pl a net S uk r a he wi ll h a v e the ,

fa culty of knowing thi n gs p a st present a nd futu r e H e will , , .

h a ve m a n y wives a kingly u m b r el l a ( a n e m ble m o f r oy a lty ) a n d

, ,
”
ot h e r ki n gs wil l wo r ship h i m .

S uk r a is s a i d to h a ve possesse d the power of r a ising the d e a d ,

a s the fo ll o wing lege n d shows D e vajam the d a u ghter o f S u k r a

—
, ,

was d eeply i n love with K a ch a the son o f Vr i h a s p at i a n d a ,

pupil of h e r fath e r w h o h a d been sent t o S uk r a fo r the exp r ess

h

pu r pose o f le ar ni n g fr o m h i m the inc a nt ation fo r r a isi n g the d e a d .

One d ay D e vajan i sent K a ch a to g a t h e r flowe r s fr o m a woo d

belongi n g to so m e gi a nts who h a d o n p r eviou s occ a sions e a ten
,

h i m but S uk r a by t h e a bove i n c a nt a tion h a d resto r e d h i m t o

, ,

life The gi a nts n o w r esolve d to m a k e S uk r a hi m self e at the

.

boy ; fo r w h ic h pu r pose when they c a ught hi m i n th e fo r est

, ,

they cut h i m into s m a ll pieces boile d h i m i n spi r its a n d i nvite d , ,

S uk r a to a n ente r t a in m ent A s K a ch a d i d n o t r etu r n with the

.

flowe r s D e vajan i with m a ny te a r s tol d h e r fa the r t h a t if h e d i d

, ,

not r esto r e h e r love r s h e wou l d ce r t a inly d est r oy he r sel f S uk r a

, .

le a r ne d by t h e powe r of m e d it a tion th a t he h a d e a ten th e b o y

but d i d not k n ow how to r esto r e h i m to life withou t the a ttem pt ,

bei n g fa t a l to hi m self A t length whilst the boy w a s in his

.
,

sto mach he r esto r e d h i m to life a n d then t a ught him the

, ,

i n c a nt a tion he w a s so wishfu l to le ar n K a ch a te a r ing open .

,

S u k r a s sto m a ch c a m e fo r t h a n d i m m e d i a tely u si n g the won d er

’

, ,

fu l inc a nt ation r esto r e d his te a che r to life .

7 S A N I hence S a n i var a ( S a tur d a y ) i s s a i d to b e the s o n o f

.
, ,

Su r y a a n d C h h aya the serv a nt who m his wife S ava r n a sub

, ,

stitute d for he r self ; o r a cco r d ing to other a ccounts he spr a ng

, ,

fr o m B a l a r ama a n d R e va t i H e i s r epresente d a s a bl a ck m an
.
,

clothe d in bl a ck g a r m ents ri d ing o n a vu ltu r e with fou r a r ms

, , .

I f a pe r son be bo r n u n d er the pl a net S a ni h e wil l be sl a n d e r e d , ,

h is riches d issip a te d his son wife a n d fr i en d s d est r oye d h e wi ll

, , ,

live a t v a r i a nce with others a n d en d u r e m a ny su ffe r ings M a ny .

”

W ar d , ii 7 1
. .
 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

C H A PT E R VI .

TH E A S U RA S .

the P u r a n a s a n d othe r of t h e l a te r writings o f th e H in d us ,

a nd a ls o i n the pop u l a r m i n d the A su r a s a r e powe r fu l evi l ,

beings i n t r a n sl a tions t h e wo r d is r ep r ese n te d by such terms a s

d e mons gi a n ts 8 e ,
A s t h e S u r as we r e t h e go d s th e A su r a s
,
t
.
,
-

w e r e not g o d s a n d the r efo r e the e n e m ies o r opponents o f the

-
,

o ds I n t h e Ve d a s the n a m e A su r a is a pplie d m o r e fr equently

g .

t o t h e g o d s t h e m selves th a n to thei r e n e m ies whilst it i s a lso ,

us e d ve r y m u c h i n t h e s a m e m a n n e r a s in the l a ter w r itings I n .

t h e Rig Ve d a V a r u n a is a ccoste d a s follows

-
,
King V a run a “

h a s ma d e a h ig h w a y fo r the s u n to go ove r O thou wise A su r a .

a n d ki n g l o o se n o u r si n s ! A g a in : Th e a ll knowing A su r a ” “
-
,

est ablis h e d t h e he a ve n s a n d fixe d th e li m its o f the e a r th H e , .

s a t a s t h e s u p r e m e r ule r o f a ll wo r l d s These a r e th e wo r ks o f .

Va r u n a A s u r a st a n d s fo r the S u p r e m e S pi r it
.
“
i n a n other ,

v e rs e a n d a ls o a s a n a ppell a tive fo r P r aj ap ati o r c r e ation s

“ ’

l o r d T A g a i n a n d a g a i n V a r u n a a lo n e a n d a lso i n co n j u nction
.
,

w it h M it r a is c a lle d a n A s u r a , A ll th e Ve d ic go d s h a ve sh a re d .
“

t h e s a m e t itle n o t excepti n g even g o d d esses

, Var u n a was .
“

t h e a ll k n wi n g A s u r a P r aj ap a ti t h e S u p r e m e Bei n g
- o I n d ra
; ,

t h e M a r u t s T va s t r i M 1 t r a R u d r a A gni Vayu P u sh a n S a vit r i

, . , , , , , ,

l a rja n ya t h s a c r ifici a l p r iests we r e a ll A s u r a s I n fine D ev a

’
, e .
, ,

( g d ) a n d A s u r a we r e sy n o n y m ous exp r essions i n a m ultitu d e

o

T
"

o f t e x ts .

O r i gi n a lly the S u ras w e re a l

c ass of
i n fe r i o r d e i t i e s c o n n e c t e d w i th
S u ry a a ft e r wa r d s t h e te r m w a s e m
p o e d to s i n i l y
th e od s en era g fy g g lly .

T l) r . lla n e rj c a , g l
Be n a M a g , A r i 1 8 8 0 ’
p l 1;
. id Ib .
 T H E A S U RAS . 6
3 5

O n the othe r h a n d i n the Rig Ve d a I n d r a is the d est r oye r o f

,
-
,

A su r a s . The s a m e Ve d a w h ich S pe a ks o f the A s u r a s a s

“

celesti a l bei n gs supplies its r e a d e r s a lso with the M a n t r a s by ,

me a ns o f which D ev a s ove r c a m e A su r a s T h e texts which a r e .

co n d e m n a tory of the A su r a s a s i m pu r e a n d u n go d ly a r e fa r less

i n nu m be r th a n those which r ecognise the te r m as a pplic able t o
go d s a n d p r iests D r B a n e rj e a in the m ost i n te r esti n g a n d
. .
,

i ngenious a r ticle fro m which t h e a bove ext r a cts a r e m ad e ,

sug g ests a m e a ns o f reconcili n g t h ese cont r a d icto r y uses o f the

wo r d A su r a
“
Befo r e the In d o A r y a ns a r r ive d in I n d i a they
.
”
-
,

h a d live d i n close proxi m ity to the Pe r si a ns the o r igin a l w o r ,

shippe r s o f fi r e W h a t coul d be m o r e n a tur a l he a sks th a n

.
“
, ,
“

th a t t h e A su r a P r ach e t a o r A su r a Vi s wa ve d a o f the o n e b r a nch

-
,
-
,

w a s bu t the t r a nsl a tion o f t h e A hu r a M a z d a ( the Wise Lo r d -

,

a cco r d i n g t o the Z en d A vest a ) o f t h e othe r b r a nch a n d th a t

’
-

t h e wo r d A hu r a w h ich t h e o n e use d i n a d ivi n e sense woul d

‘
,
’

beco m e a house h ol d wo r d i n the othe r b r a nc h i n the s a m e ,

sense t h e wor d A h u r a being ch a nge d into A su r a i n a w ay

“ “
,

com m on to m a n y othe r wor d s H e then goes o n to s ay th a t a s

.
,

A ssu r w a s the te r m use d in A ssy r i a fo r the S u p r e m e Lor d

“ ”
,

a n d the A ssy r i a ns we r e fo r so m e ti m e the r ule r s of the Pe r si a ns ,

it w a s n a tu r a l t h a t this wo r d sh o u l d fi n d its w a y into Persi a the

only ch a n ge being this th a t t h e Pe r si a ns a d d e d M a z d a ( wise o r
,

goo d ) to t h e te r m A ssu r a n d the I n d o A r y a ns r eceive d it fr o m

“
,
”
-

the m So mu ch fo r the goo d u s e o f the te r m A s u r a

. .
”

B ut the wo r d A ssu r w as not only use d fo r the S up r e m e

“ ”

Lo r d it a lso r ep r ese n te d the A ssy r i a n n ation his wo r s h ippe r s

, , ,

who we r e m ost c r uel i n t h ei r t r e a t m ent o f t h ei r foes ; a n d a s ,

l a te r o n the bitte r est h at r e d is known to h a ve existe d between

,

t h e I n d o A r y a ns a n d the Pe r si a ns t h e followe r s of A hu r a M a z d a
-
,
-
,

D r B a n e rj e a conclu d es t h a t owing to the c r uelties pe r pet r a te d

.

by the A ssy r i a ns on the o n e h a n d a n d the h a t r e d c h e r ishe d ,

tow a r d s the m by t h e Pe r si a ns o n the othe r t h e b r a nc h o f t h e ,

A r y a n fa m ily th a t m ig r a te d i n to I n d i a b r ought with them very

bitter feeli ngs tow ar d s A ssu r ( the A ssy r i a n people ) a n d A hu r i
( the belo n gi n gs of A hu r a ; a n d thus the te r m
) A su ra which at
“
,
”

o n e ti m e w a s consi d ere d a beco m ing epithet for the S up r e m e

 6 6 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S
3
.

B e i n g bec a me d esc r iptive only o f those wh o we r e the ene m i es

,

o f t h e go d s .

W a h teve r be t h e c a u se o f it the r e I S no d oubt th a t a t th e ,

p
s
re e n t d a y a n d t h r o ughout,
the l a ter w r itings of the H i n d us the ,

t e r m A s u r a is use d o n ly fo r the e n e m ies o f the go d s I n

“ ”
.

t h e T a i t t i rya S a n h it a
‘ ”
we read th a t t h e go d s a n d A su r a s " “

c o nt n d d t o get h e r a n d t h a t the for m e r being less nu m erou s

e e , ,

t h a n t h e l a t t e r t o ok s o m e b r icks a n d pl a ci n g the m i n a
, ,

ro pe r positi o n to r eceive t h e s a c r ifici a l fi r e with the fo r mu la

p ,
”
,

‘
T h ou a r t a m u ltiplie r t h ey bec a m e nu m erous I n the S at a ,
’
.

p at h a B r ah ma n a Tit is s a i d th a t the go d s a n d A sur a s both ’ “

,

d esc e n d a n ts of P r ajap a t i T obt a ine d thei r fa the r s inhe r it a nce

’

, ,

t r ut h a n d fa lse h o o d T h e go d s a b a n d o n i n g fa lsehoo d a d opte d .

, ,

t r uth t h e A s u r a s a b a n d o n i n g t r ut h a d opte d fa lse h oo d

,
S pe a k ,
.

i n g t r u t h excl u sively the go d s bec a m e we a ke r but in th e e n d , ,

bec a me p r o spe r o u s the A su r a s S pe aking fa lse h oo d excl usively , ,

”
bec a me r ic h but i n t h e e n d succu mbe d ,
Th e go d s t r ie d to .

s ac r ifice b u t t h ough inte r r upte d a t fi r st by the A sur a s a t length

, ,

succee d a n d so bec a m e supe r io r to the A su r a s A nother legen d

, .

i n the s a m e b o o k te a c h es t h a t the A su r a s when offe r ing s a c r ifices , ,

pl a ce d t h e obl atio n s i n thei r o w n m ouths whilst the go d s ,

g ave t h ei r o bl a ti o n s to e ach othe r ; a t length P r aj ap a ti giving

h i mself t o t h e m s a c r ifice which supplies the go d s with foo d , , ,

b e c a me t h ei r s .

A lt h o u g h t h e r e we r e fr equent w a r s between the go d s a n d

A su r a s t h e Su r a s we r e not a ve r se to r eceive th e a i d o f the
,

A s u ra s a t t h e c h u r n i n g o f the oce a n ; a n d some of the A su r a s

we r n o t i n fe r i o r i n powe r a n d skil l to the go d s
e B a li o n e o f .
,

t h e i r n u mbe r is w o r shippe d by the H in d us o n their bi r th d a y ;

,

and
J a l a n d h a r a c o n que r e d i n b a ttl e eve n Vishnu h i m self
; In d ra
and th e t h e r g o d s fle d befo r e h i m a n d S iv a un a i d e d cou l d not
o
, , ,

dest r y h i m o R ah u is a n A su ra a n d it w as to d est r oy so m e o f
.
,

t h e s e mi gh ty b i n gs w h o d ist r esse d the go d s th a t D u r ga a n d

e
,

M u i r, S T ,
( 1 . . . v . 15 .
T I bid . i v 60
. .

1 l he M a h a h h zi r a t a ys t h e As u r a s w e r e th e el d e g y ou n ge
‘

sa r, th e o d s th e r,
Gl \l c
 6 8 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S
3
.

w h ose bi r t h t h e e a r t h t r e m ble d a n d wept a n d t h e th r ee wo r l d s ,

r eso u n d e d wit h n o ise B r a h m a co m i n g to i n qui r e the c a use o f

.

t h i s co m mo ti o n a n d a ski n g to see the chil d G a n ga l ays it i n his

, ,

la p ,
w h e n it seize d h is h e a d a n d wou l d n ot lo o se it u nti l its
,

fa t h e r O pe n e d its h a n d B r a h m a a d m i r ing the chil d s st r engt h

.
,
’

s a i d F r o m h is h o l d i n g so fi r m ly let h i m be n a m e d j a la n d
.
“
,

h a r a a n d besto w e d upo n h i m t h is boon t h a t h e shou l d be

,
,
“

u n co n q u e r e d by t h e g o d s a n d enj oy t h e t h r ee wo r l ds .

a n d h a r a s boy h o o d w a s ful l o f wo n d e r s B o r ne u p by the

’

J a l .

wi n d h e fle w o ve r t h e o ce a n h is pets we r e li o n s w h ich h e h a d
,

c a u g h t ; a n d t h e l a r gest bi r d s a n d fis h es we r e subj ect to h i m .

\Vh e n h e g r e w up to m a n h oo d a t S u k r a s r equest his fa the r ,

’

wit h d re w t h e s e a fr o m j a mb a d w i p a t h e r esi d e n ce o f holy m e n , ,

w h ic h bec a m e h is h o m e a n d be a r i n g his n a m e h a s beco m e ,

celeb r ate d M ay a t h e a r ch itect o f the A sur a s the r e buil t h i m

.
‘
, ,

a be a u tifu l city h is fa t h e r i n st a lle d h i m a s ki n g a n d S uk r a g a ve

, ,

h i m t h e c h a r m by w h ic h he coul d r a ise the d e a d to life He .

m a r r ie d V r i n d a t h e d a ughte r o f a n A ps ar a s n a m e d S wa r n a a n d
, ,

so o n a fte r his we d d ing m a d e wa r u pon t h e go d s .

I n o r d e r t o le a d t o a co n flict he se n t a messenge r to In d r a , ,

w h o m h e fo u n d su r r o u n d e d by t h r ee hu n d r e d a n d thi r ty th r ee
“
-

milli o n s o f d eities to d e m a n d the r esto r a tion of the m oon t h e

, ,

A m r it a ele ph a n t h o r se ge m t r ee a n d ot h e r things o f which h e

, , , , ,

s a i d I n d r a h a d r o bbe d h i m a t t h e chu r ni n g o f his u ncle t h e S e a , ,

o f M ilk a n d a lso t o r esig n S wa r g a A S I n d r a r efuses to a cce d e .

t o t h is r equest j a la n d h a r a r a ises a n a r m y o f w a r r io r s h a vi n g t h e
,

h e a d s o f h o r ses elep h a nts c a mels c ats tige r s a n d lions with

, , , , , ,

wh ic h I n d r a s a b o d e is s o o n su r r o u n d e d The g o d s i n thei r
’

e xt r e m ity r es o r t t o Vis h n u fo r a i d .

O n Vis h n u s a r r iv a l t h e b a ttle co mm ences M u ltit u d es a r e

’

s l a in o n b t h si d es but t h e go d s whe n woun d e d

o , r eso r t to the , ,

mo u n t a i n s w h e r e t h ey fi n d h e r bs which q u ickly r esto r e the m

, .

A t l e n gt h t h e g r e a te r g o d s a n d the le a d e r s o f t h e D a i t a s
y
r s n a lly e n g a g e
p e o
; w h e n I n d r a fa l ls i n se n sible Ru d r a is t a ken ,

ri s n e r a n d K u ve r a is l a i d lo w by a blow of a m a ce A fte r
p o , .

The p resen t J u llu n d e r .

 —
T H E A S U RA S ] A L AN D H A R A . 6
3 9

this the ti d e tu r ns in fa vou r o f the go d s When I n d r a st r uck

,
.

B a li the most costly gems d r oppe d fr o m his mout h he t h e r efo r e

,

a ske d fo r his bo d y a n d with his t h u n d e r bolt cut it i n to m a n y

,

p a r ts . F r o m the pu r ity o f his a ctions the p a r ts o f h is bo d y

“
,

bec a me the ger m s o f the v a r ious ge m s F r o m h is bo n es c a m e .

d i a mon d s fr o m his eyes s a pp h i r es fr o m his bloo d r ubies fr o m

, , ,

his m ar r ow e m e r a l d s fr om his flesh c r yst a ls fr o m his tongue

, ,

co r a l a n d fr om his teeth pe a r ls
,
.
”

I n d r a being in his tu r n a tt a cke d by j a la n d h ar a Vishnu co m es ,

to the r escu e ; a n d though the A su r a s a tt a ck h i m i n i m m ense

nu m be r s a n d the S k y is d a r k with thei r a r r ows Vishnu ove r
, ,

th r ows the m a s if they we r e le a ves O ne o f thei r n u m be r n a m e d .

,

S h a i la r o m a losing his he a d sei ze d h ol d o f G a r u d a w h e n

, , ,

i mm e d i a tely the seve r e d he a d r ej oine d his bo d y ; G a r u d a seei n g

this won d e r fu l event flew o ff wit h his m a ste r J a lan d h a r a w as
,
.

p r eve n te d fr om fol lowing hi m fa r a s he h a d to c a l l in the a i d of ,

S uk r a to r esto r e his w a r r io r s to life .

H e a r ing th a t the sol d ie r s o f the go d s we r e a lso r esto r e d to life

th r ough using he r bs obt a ine d fr o m a n isl a n d c a l le d D r on a ,

situ ate d in the S e a o f M ilk he a ske d his u ncle to sub m e r ge it

, .

Being d ep r ive d o f this m e a ns of r esto r a tion they a ppe a le d to ,

Vish n u w h o a tt a cking J a la n d h ar a w a s l a i d lo w by t h e D a ity a

, , , ,

a n d woul d h ave been sl a in but fo r L a ks h m i s i n te r cession with

’

h e r cousin I n r etu r n fo r his life Vis h nu p r o m ise d to r em a in ne a r

.

the S e a o f M ilk j a la n d h a r a h aving now co n que r e d t h e go d s

.
, ,

enj oye d pe ace a n d h a ppi n ess .

T h e go d s howeve r being expel le d fr o m he ave n , a n d d ep r ive d

, ,

o f s a c r ifices a n d t h e A m r it a d i d n o t long r e m a i n co n te n te d with

,

thei r lot They went toget h e r to B r a h m a who co n d ucte d t h e m

.
,

to S iv a w h o m they fou n d se ate d o n a t h r o n e a n d a tten d e d by

,
“

my r i a d s o f d evote d se r v a n ts n a ke d d efo r m e d cu r ly h a i r e d , , ,
-
,

with m a tte d locks a n d cove r e d wit h d ust O n B r a h m a st a ti n g .

the c a se fo r the go d s S iv a d ecl a r e d t h a t if Vis h n u h a d been

, ,

u nsuccessfu l in fig h ti n g t h e d e m o n it w as i m p o ssible t h a t he ,

a lone cou l d ove r co m e h i m he the r efo r e a d vise d t h a t the go d s

S hou l d u n ite to fo r m a we a po n by which thei r c o mm o n e n e m
, ,

y
'

might be d est r oye d A cting o n this a d vice t h e go d s glowing

.
, ,

2 B
 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S
7 0
.

w it h an ge r d a rt e d fo ,
r t h v o lu m es o f fl a m es to w hich S iv a a d d e d ,

t h e co n s u mi n g be a ms o f h is thi r d eye Vishnu too w h en s u m .

, ,

mo u d e a ,
d d e d h is fl a m e o f a n ge r a n d a ske d S iv a ,
to d est r oy
the D a ity a excusi n g h i m self f r o m t h e t a sk o n the g r ou n d th a t
V
,

a la n d h w el tive of L ksh m i i s v a k a r m a a d the

J a r a a s a r a a n .

eities we e l m e d t h ey w t h e glowi n g m a ss ; b u t S iv a
d r a a r a s s a ,

pl a ci n g h is heel o n it whi r le d r o u n d with it a n d fo r m e d it into

, ,

the d isc u s c a lle d S u,

d a r s a n a whic h sent fo r,
th such fie r y be a m s
h t t h e g s c ie ou t P ese ve u s B h m a s be
’

t a o d r d r r
“
r a ar d w a
. s

s c o rc h e d a s h e t o o k it i n to his h a n d su ch is the r esult o f ,

o ffe r i n g a gift to a block h e a d but Siv a h i d it u n d e r his a r m .

N a r a d a i n fo r m e d j a la n d h a r a o f the inten d e d a tt a ck of S iv a ,

a nd enl a r gi n g 0 11 Pa r v a ti s be a uty excite d h i m to a tt a ck h e r

,
’

h u sb a n d t h a t h e m ig h t win h e r W ith t h is obj ect he se n t Rahu .

a s a n a m b a ss a d o r t o su mm o n S iv a to sub m ission ,
O n his a r r iv a l .

a t t h e cou r t t h e e n v o y d elive r e d his m a ste r s m ess a ge to S iv a

’

i n t h e fo r m o f P a n c h an a n a who d i d not d eign to spe a k ,

but the
s n ake Va s u k i fa lli n g to the g r oun d fr o m h is h a i r beg a n to e at
, ,

G a n es a s r a t Seei n g t h is K a r t i k e ya s pe a cock m a d e such a n

’ ’

.
,

a w fu l n o ise th a t t h e s n a ke d isgo r ge d the r a t a n d r etu r ne d to

h is p r o pe r pl a ce L a ksh m i t h e n e n te r e d the a sse m bly with a
.

vessel o f A m r it a wit h w h ich s h e r esuscit a te d B r a h m a s fifth he a d ’

t h at w a s in Siv a s h a n d t h e he a d r ol ling o n t h e g r ou n d utte r e d

m st b o a stfu l l a n gu a ge u ntil m y r i a d s o f hi d eou s fo r m s fr om
o ,

Si v a s l o c ks q u iete d it Ra h u seei n g a ll t h is a ske d S iv a to fo i

'
.
, ,

s a ke h is wife a n d c h il d r en a n d live a m en d ic a n t s life A t a sign

’
.
’

fr m Si va N a n d i t h e b u ll s h owe d h i m the d oo r ; this w a s the

o , , ,

a n s we r v u c h s a fe d to h is illust r ious m a ste r s d e m a n d

’
o

\
.

Va r bei n g d ete r mi n e d o n J a la n d h a r a m a r c h e d fi r st to ,

K a il as a ; b u t fi n d i n g t h a t S iv a h a d fo r s ake n it a n d t aken u p a
p o siti on n a m o o u n t a in ne a r L a ke M a n a s a he su r r o u n d e d t h e ,

m u n t a i n wit h h is t r o o ps
o N a n d i m a r ches a g a inst the m a n d
.
,

s r e a d d st r u cti o n like t h e w a te r s of t h e d el u ge ; r ese r ves

p e
,

h wev r bei n g b r o u g h t u p the a r m y of t h e g o d s su ffe r s loss

o e , , .

I ar va t i h e a r i n g t h a t h e r s o n s G a n es a a n d K a r tikey a a r e h a r d ly
’
,
, ,

p r esse d u r
g d h r h u sb a n d t o go in pe r so n a n d put fo r th his
,
e e

e n r y t h u g h n o t t o expose hi m self u n n ecess a r ily Befo r e

e
g ,
o .
 3 7 3 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

j h e a r i n g of his wife s
a la n d h a r a , d
’
eception an d d e a th w as,

m a d w it h r a ge ; a n d le a ving the neighbou r hoo d o f Pa r v a ti s

’

h o me r et u r n e d to t h e fiel d of b a ttle By S u k r a s powe r his d e a d

,
.
’

h e r o e s we r e r esto r e d t o life a n d a g r a n d fi n a l ch a r ge w a s m a d e
, .

A t le n gt h Siv a a n d j a la n d h a r a pe r s o n a lly fight a fte r a d espe r a te

e n co u n t e r i n w h ic h t h e D a ity a e m ploys v a r ious m a gic a l powe r s
, ,

Siva c u ts o ff h is h e a d but it i s no soone r seve r e d th a n it r esu m es

,

i t s pl a ce S iv a i n h is ext r e m ity su mm ons to his a i d the fe m a le

.

f r ms o r e n e r gies o f t h e g o d s B r ah m i Va i s h n avi a n d t h e r est

o , ,
.

w h o d r i n k u p t h e bl o o d of t h e gi a nt a n d with thei r a i d S iv a
,

s ucce e d s i n d est r oying h i m a n d the go d s r eg a in their king d o m

,

a n d possessio n s .
 ( 3 73 )

C HA PTE R VI I .

SA C RE D A N I MAL S AN D B I RD S .

S O M E of the a ni m a ls r eg ar d e d as s a c r e d h ave a lre a d y been

mentione d in connexion with the d eities to who m they a r e
speci a lly d e ar a n d i n whose wo r s h ip they p a r ticip a te They a r e
, .

r eg a r d e d a s t he V ah a n s o r vehicles u pon whic h th ese go d s a n d

, ,

go d d esses t r a vel Thus I n d r a r i d es u pon the elep h a nt A i r ava t a

.

Siv a o n the bul l N a n d i ; Y a m a o n a bu ffa lo ; D u r ga a s S i n g ,

h av ah i n i o n a lion a s D u r ga o n a tige r ; A gni o n a r a m Va yu

, ,

on an a ntelope G a nes a o n a r at a n d S a sti o n a ca t Vi r ab h a d r a

’

, .
,

the e m a n a tion of S iv a which d est r oye d D a ks h a s s a c r ifice r o d e ’

o n a do a n d K am a d e va tr a vel le d either o n the m onste r M a k a r a

‘

g ,

o r a p a r r ot . The j a ck a l is r eg a r d e d a s a r ep r esent a tive o f D u r ga ,

who in this fo r m a ssiste d in p r ese r ving K r ishn a o n the n ight ,

o f his bi r th fr o m K a ns a s a nge r M onkeys a s r ep r esent a tives

’
’
.
, ,

o f H a nu m an a r e ve r y co m monly wo r shippe d ; the d o g thoug h

, ,

wo r shippe d by so m e by othe r s is r eg a r d e d a s uncle a n

,
.

A m ongst bi r d s the goose is t h e Vah a n o f B r a h m a t h e

, ,

pe a cock th a t o f K a r tikey a S ani r i d es u pon a vultu r e ; the

,

B r ah m a ni kite is s a i d to be a fo r m o f D u r ga a n d t h e Kh a nj a n a , ,

o r w a g t a il r ep r esents Vishnu bec a use the m a r k o n its th r o a t is

-
, ,

thought to r ese m ble the S h algr am a the o w l t o o is wo r s h ippe d , ,

a t the festiv a ls o f K a r tikey a B r a h m a a n d L a ksh m i ,

G ar u d a .
,
,

the Vah a n o f Vishnu a n d J a t ayu s a n d S a mpat i the vu ltu r es

, ,

w h o a ssiste d R a m a wil l be d esc r ibe d sep a r a tely

,
.

T h e cow thoug h not r eg ar d e d a s the Vah a n o f a n y d eity i s

, ,

wo r shippe d too B r a hm a is s a i d to h a ve c r e a te d cows a n d

.

B r ah m a ns a t the s a me ti m e ; the B r ahm a n to o ffi ci a t e a t

wo r ship an d the co w t o p r ovi d e mi lk gni 81 0 as offe r i n gs
, , , , ,
 3 74 T H E I NFE RIO R D E ITI E S .

w h ilst c o w d u n g is
- n ecess a r y fo r v a r ious pu r ifying ce r e m onies .

Re gu l a r w o r s h ip o f t h e c o w t a kes pl a ce ye a r ly a t which si m i l ar ,

c e r e mo n ies a r e pe r fo r m e d to t h o se which a r e e m ploye d a t the

w o r s h ip o f i ma ges ; t h e h o r n s a n d bo d ies o f the cows a r e p a inte d ,

1 n d t h ey a r e t h e n b a t h e d i n the r ive r s S o m e people a r e s a i d to

.

w o r ship t h e cow d a ily .

GAR U DA .

G aru d a S upe r n a is a m ythic a l being h

or a n d h al f ,
a —
lf m a n
e a gle t h e Va h a n of Vis h nu Though not st r ictly d ivine he
,
.
,

a ppe a r s fr equently i n a ll Vishnu s

’

exploits a n d bei n g wo r shippe d , ,

toget h e r with his lo r d it is meces ,

s a r y to give so m e d esc r iption o f

J I
‘ “

his bi r th a n d d ee d s .

When D a ksh a s sons r efuse d ’

to people the wo r l d he p r o d uce d ,

sixty d a ug h te r s thi r tee n o f who m ,

h e g a ve to K a sy a p a t h e s age ; o f
these two co m e into p r o m inence ,

i n connexion with G a r u d a .

Vin ata bo r e h i m two celeb r a te d

sons G a r u d a a n d A r un a : the
,

fo r m e r a lso c a lle d S u pe r n a w a s
, ,

the ki n g o f t h e fe a the r e d t r ibes ,

a n d t h e r e m o r seless ene m y of the

”
se r pent r a ce A r u n a bec a m e .

fa m ou s a s t h e ch a r i o tee r o f the
Sun The p r ogeny o f K a d r u
.

( the ot h e r si ste r we r e a th ou s a n d
)
p o we r fu l m a ny h e a d e d sn a kes o f -
,

i m me 1s u r a b lt n u gh t s u bj ect to , The mothe r o f

( i 1 r u d a 1s s a i d t
.
l1 1 ve l a i d a n egg ; he n ce her son a ssu m e d a
o

l i 1 d lik e f i m
1 -
o .

A n t h r l e g e n d m a kes
o e G a r u d a the s o n of K a sy a p a a n d D iti .

‘
Vi h
s nu l ’
u r an a ,
’
p . 1 1 9.
37 6 T H E l N FER I O R D E ITI E S .

co n d itio n t h at h e r s o n G a r u d a shou l d b r i n g t h e m C h a n d r a
h M oo n ) w h se b ig h t sp ts e fille d w it h A m r it a Befo r e
( t e o r o a r .
,

st a r tin g o n t h is expe d itio n h e w e n t to h is m othe r fo r foo d who ,

a d vis d h i m t o go t o the s e a s h o r e a n d g a the r wh a teve r he coul d

-
e

fi n d b u t e n t r e ate d h i m t o be m o st c a r efu l n ot to e a t a B r a h
,
‘

ma n ; a d d i n g S h o ul d you a t a n y ti m e feel a bu r n i n g se n s a
“
,

t i o n i n yo u r st o m a c h be su r e yo u h a ve e a te n a B r a h m a n
,
.

A fte r r ceivi n g t h is w a r n i n g h e set o ff o n his j ou r ney

e ,
.

l a s si n g t h r oug h a count r y i n h a bite d by fishe r m en he a t o n e

’
,

i n s pi r ati o n d r e w i n h o u ses t r ees c a ttle m e n a n d ot h e r a ni m a ls

, , , ,
.

But a mo n g t h e i n h abit a nts sw a l lowe d o n e w a s a B r ah ma n w h o ,

c a use d s u c h a n i n t o le r able bu r n ing i n h is stom a ch th a t G ar u d a ,

u n a bl t o be a r it c a lle d i n the g r e a test h a ste fo r h i m to co m e

e ,

o ut . T h e B r ah ma n r efuse d u nless his wife a fi s h e r m a n s ,

’

d a ug h te r mig h t a cc o m p a ny h i m
,
To t h is G a r u d a conse n te d . .

l u r s u i n g h is j o u r n ey G a ru d a met h is fa the r K a sy a p a ( he
’
,

s h i n es a s t h e P o le St a r ) who d i r ecte d h i m to a ppe a se his h unge r

,

a t a ce r t a i n l ake whe r e a n eleph a n t a n d to r toise we r e fi ghting .

T h e t o r t o ise w a s eighty m iles lo n g a n d the eleph a nt one hun d r e d ,

a n d sixty G a r u d a with one cl a w seize d the eleph a nt with th e

.
,

ot h e r t h e t o r toise a n d perche d with the m on a t r e e eight h u n d re d

,
'

m iles hig h But the t r ee w a s u n able to be a r the pon d e r ou s

.

w eig h t a n d u n h a ppily t h ous a n d s of pig m y B r ah m a n s were then

, , ,

wo r s h ippi n g o n one o f its b r a n c h es T r e m bli n g lest h e shou l d .

d e st ro y a n y o f t h e m he t o ok t h e bo u gh in his be a k continu ing

, ,

t o h o l d t h e eleph a nt a n d to r toise i n his cl a ws a n d flew to a ,

mo u n t a i n in a n u n i n h a bite d country whe r e h e fi n ishe d his rep a st ,

o n t h e to r t o ise a n d elep h a nt .

G a r u d a h a vi n g su r m o u n te d a stonishing d a ngers a t l a st sei z e d ,

t h e m n a n d c o n ce a le d it un d e r his wing O n his retu r n

oo .
,

h o we ve r bei n g a tt acke d by I n d r a a n d t h e go d s he ove r c a m e a ll

,
, ,

e xce t ing Vis h n u li ve n Vish n u w a s so severely put to it in

p .

t h e c n t e st t h a t h e c a m e t o te r m s with G a r u d a m a d e h i m
o
,
,

i n n n r t a l a n d p r o m ise d h i m a highe r se a t th a n h is own

o , while
n h is t G r u d a bec a m e t h e Vah a n o r c a r r ie r o f Vishnu
o
p a r a .

Sin c e t h e n ; Vis h n u r i d es u pon G a r u d a while the l a tter i n the ,

a
h u pe f a fla g sits a t the t o p of Vishnu 5 car
o
, .
 GA R U DA .
3 77

I n the Ramay a n a G a r u d a is rep r esente d a s d oi n g gre a t service

to Ra m a a n d his followe r s a n d his powe r s a n d pecu li a riti es a r e ,

r epe a te d ly refer r e d to Thus i n th e d esc r iption of H a nu m an it

.
,

is s a i d th a t
,

L i k e th d b l t i f m e w h un er o n ra as e,

A d w i ft s G lf o l d fle e ’ ”
d n s a ar u s se c u .

I n l ike m a nne r
it is s a i d o f two he r oes
S g iv ff p i g o f t h S
u r a, o s r n e un ,

A d B li I d mi ght y ’
n e a ,
n ra s on ,

T h y b th e d w ed w i th G d m i gh t
e ,
o n o ar u
’
s ,

A d k i ll d i ll t h e
n t f figh t
s e n a ar s o ,

W d di m th f e t t h
an gh
er e n ar s e or s r ou

A d lio d ken d ti g e s l w T
n s an sn a s an r s e .

When A n s u m an fou n d the a shes o f the sixty thous a n d sons o f

S ag a n i who owing to K a pil a s cu r se h a d been d est r oye d an d
,
’

, ,

w a s in d istress bec a use he cou l d obt a in no w a te r w ith which to

o ffer obl a tions fo r the d e a d he sees their u ncle ,

Ki n g b es t b e y o d c o m p e
G ar u d , n ar ,

O f b i d s w h o w i g th e fi e l d s o f i
r n a r.

T h en t h s t o t h e w e e p i g m
u un n an

Th e o f V i at a b e g
s n o n an

G i e v e t 0 h e o f t h e i r f ll
r no ,
r ,
or a ,

d e a t h a pp o v e d o f ll
’
W h o d i ed a r a .

G a ru d a then tells A n s u m an th a t if he c an su ccee d in in d ucing

G a nga to d escen d fr om he a ven an d with h e r st r e a m s t o touch ,

t h ese a shes th e d e a d sh a l l retu r n to l ife a n d fin a lly a scen d to

, ,

I n d r a s he a ve n
’
.

I n the d escription o f the city o f A yo d h a when R am a h a d gone ,

i nto the fo r est is a r efe r ence t o G a ru d a s a ntip a t h y to sn akes

,
’

T h e i ty w e c or

N l oo k f b ty o b f o e au as e or e

Li k d ll i v l ke
e a u r er on a a

d o bb d f v e y ke H ”
BY G ar u r e o e r sn a .

I n the followi n g lines is an a ccou nt of G a r u d a s resting ’

on a

G r i ffit h s
’
s R am ay a n a ,
’
i 94. .
1 I b id . i 96. . II: S ee G an g a .

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R am ay a n a ,
’
i 1 86
. .
‘

I bi d . i i 1 67 . .
37 8 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

t ree w h e n he w a s c a r r ying o ff the el eph a n t an d the t ortoise a s

n a r r a te d a bove Rav an a i m pelle d by the a ccounts o f S it a s
’

. ,

be a uty goes to see h e r a n d on his j ou r ney

, ,

H e s aw a l ke a clo d
fig t r e e i
- u ,

m i gh t y b ch e s e t hw r d b o w e d
r an ar a .

l t s t e t he d
r h d ed l e g e s d m ad e
c a un r a u ,
an

F h e mi t b d s w e l co m e s h d e
or r an a a .

Th i th e t h e f th e e d k i g f y o r e
r ea r n o

A l ph t d t o t o i e b o e
n e e an an r s r ,

A d l i gh t e d o
n b o gh t o e t n a u a

T h e c pti ve s o f h i s t lo
a d fe e t a ne .

Th b e gh ou bl e t o s s t i
,
una u a n

The c h i g w e i gh t d s dd e s t i
rus n an u n ra n,

L d e d w i th S p y s d l e v e s o f s p mg
oa ra an a r ,

G ve w y be
a at h t h e fe th e e d k i g
n ea a r n .

:1
: >1= >1
<

T he fe th e ed m o
a r n ar c h r ai s ed th e w ei gh t
O f t h e h g b o gh u e u ,
an d bo re a w y a

The l e ed l o d
oos n a an d c pta ur ed p ey r .

>l<

H is s ou l c o n cei ved th e h i gh e mp r i s e
To s n atc h th e A mr i t f
ro m th e s kies .

He rent fi st
t h e n e t s of i r on r ,

T h th gh t h e j e w e l c h m b e b
en rou a r u r s t,

A d bo
n th e d i k o f h e v e
re w y r n a n a a

T h t w t ch e d i I d s p l ce l y
a a n n ra
’
a a a .
”

In the g r e a t c o n fl ict with R av a n a a s R a m a a n d his brother ,

w e r e w o un d e d a n d wel l n ig h d e a d owing t o a flight o f se r pents

-
,

s e n t by I n d r aji t G a r u d a a ppe a r e d to r esto r e the m a n d th us

, ,

e n able d the m t o c a r r y o n the w a r H is a ppro a ch a n d wo r k a r e .

thus d esc r ibe d

Th h i g w i d g w lo d e rus n n re u ,

R d l i gh t i g fl h d f m b
e n n k f cl d
s as e ro an s o ou .

Th m e t m
oun ah k th e w i ld w ve s s oo , a s ro se,

A d
n ,
mi tt
s by i tl bl w en res s es s o s,

Up t d f ll
roo e h t t ly t e eac s a e re e

Th t f i g d t h m g i f t h e
a r n e e ar n o e s a

A ll l i f w i th i t h w t
e f dn e a e rs e are

Th e n , asth Va g z d ppe d n a rs a e ,
a e ar e

G r i ffi t h s R amay a n a
’
‘
iii 1 62
’
s ,
. .
0
T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

m ig h ty v u ltu r e o f
,
si z e a n d strength u n p a r a l lele d St r uck wit h .

h is a ppe a r a n ce R am a i n qui r e d who h e w as when J a t ayu s i n

, ,

fo r me d t h em o f h is p a r ent a ge an d offe r e d to be thei r fr ien d :

,

Thy r e ad y h lp e w i ll I
e r be
And g u ar d th y h ou a g ee
h ou s e, i f t r

t h ou a n d L k hm na s g e t h e ch
a ur ase,

By S i t a s s
’
id e s h a ll b e m y pl c e a .

j A T Kv u s .

This w as a ccepte d a n d when R am a s aw the st a g which

R av a n a se n t to a tt r a ct h i m fr o m his home h e went a fter it with ,

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R am ay a n a ,
’
i i i 68
. .
 j AT Avu s AN D S A M P AT I .
3 8 1

the gre a ter sense o f secu r ity bec a use j at ayu s w a s the r e to gu a r d
his wife W hen R av a n a sei z e d S it a she crie d out to J a t ayu s
. ,

Oh s ee, k i n g wh o r l e s t h e a ce
th e u r

O f g i t s c r u el fi e ce n d b s e 1
an , ,
r , a a

R av t h e S p o i l er b e
an , s me he ce ,
ar n ,

T h e h e lpl e s p r e y f v i o l e n ce
”
s o .

j a t ayu sfi r st t r ies by r e a soning to le a d Rav a n a t o restore S it a

to h e r ho me a n d w a r n e d h i m th a t d e a th woul d r esult fr o m his

,

a ct o f violence W h en howeve r neither a d vice n o r th r e ats

.
, ,

a v a i le d h e p r ep a r e d to fight
,

W i th l h c as an d din fu r i ou s bl o w s
an d

O f m de ur r ou s b tt l e met t h e fo e s
a
>1
= >1
=

Th en fie r ce th e d r e ad f l
u co mb a t ra ge d ,

As fi en d b i d i w e g ag e d
an d r n ar n ,

A s i f two wi ge d m o t i s s ped
n un a n

T o d i e e n c o n t er o v e h ea d 1
” ‘

r u r .

J a t ayu s s u ccee d e d in b r e a king Rav a n a s ’

b o w, but
A s e con d b ow s o on ar m ed h i s h a n d ,
Wh e n ce p oi n t e d a r r o ws s w i ft an d tr u e
In h hou s a ”
u n d r ed s , ye a , i n t n d s, fiew .
i

T h e gi a nt s ar rows wou n d e d th e vultu r e the vultu r e in r etu r n

’

th r ew d a r ts which i n j u r e d Rav a n a st r u ck the stee d s o f the ,

ch a r iot a n d b r oke the c h a r iot itself w h ilst with his be a k a n d

,

cl a ws he to r e the co a ch m a n to pieces Rav a n a d escen d e d fr o m .

h is ch a r iot a n d fought o n foot ; but g r a d u a lly the st r engt h of

j a t ay us who ,
w a s we a k with a e g a ve w a
g y R av a n a the r efo r e , .
, ,

r e a scen d s t h e ch a r iot a n d is a bout to fly th r ough the a i r when

-
,

th e vu ltu re a secon d tim e i n te r cepts h is flight a n d ,

S w o o p e d d o w p o t h e g i t b ck
n u n an
’
s a

D w t o th e b
o n th e t l s w t on e a on en

W i th m y w d t h e fl e s h w e
an a ou n as r n t.

G r i ffi t h s
’
s
‘
R am ay an a ,
’
i ii . 2 30 .
1
“
I bi d . iii . 2 3 6. 1 I bid . iii . 237 .

I bi d . i ii . 2 40 .
 8 2 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S
3
.

j a t ayu s wa s ble t o te a r off t h e t e n left a r m s o f R av a n a bu t

a ,

unfo r t u n ately o the r s g r ew to r epl ace t h em A t lengt h Rav a n a .

se iz e s h is swo r d a
,
n d a fte r givi n,
g the vultu r e a m o r t a l blow ,

h u r ries o ff wit h S it a to L a n k a .

Wh e n Ra m a a n d L a ks h m a n co m m ence thei r se a r ch fo r S it a ,

t h ey co m e u po n t h e d yi n g bi r d a n d seei n g the m a r ks o f bloo d

, ,

U po n h i m a t fi r st t h i n k t h a t h e h a s bee n g u ilty ; but a fte r he a r

, ,

i n g fr o m h i m t h e sto r y of Rav a n a s visit a n d flight they see the

’

bi r d expi r e a n d pe r fo r m h is fu n e r a l r ites .

I n t h ei r se a r c h r e a c h ing t h e s e a s h o r e but stil l igno r a nt o f

,
-
,

Sit a s w h e r e ab o uts so m e o f t h ei r m o n key followe r s see a n i m

’

me n se vult u r e w e a k w it h a ge w h o he a r ing t h e m menti on j a t ayu s

’

, , ,

n a me ,
i n q u i r es o f h is welfa r e W h e n tol d th at he h a d bee n
.

sl a i n by Rava n a t h e vultu r e info r m s t h e m t h at this victi m o f

,

t h e gi a n t w a s n o ot h e r t h a n h is own b r o t h e r ; a n d i n r evenge
a ssists t h e m by i n fo r m ing t h e m whe r e Rav a n a a n d Sit a we r e a t
,

t h a t mo me n t H e t o l d t h e m th a t h e h a d G a r u d a s powe r to see
.
’

i mme n se d ist a n ces a n d m ou n ti n g i nto the sky s aw L a nk a a n d

, , , ,

t l d t h e Va n a r c h iefs t h a t the obj ect of t h ei r se a rch w a s the r e

o .

l le a r i n g t h is H a n u m a n w a s d esp a tche d to co mm unic a te with

,

S it a a n d t o a ssu r e h e r of Ra m a s co m i n g to rescue h e r
’
. .
~
34 THE I NFE RIO R D E I TI E S .

M e a H i m al y s d l i g g c e d
n a a
'

ar n ,
ra

\t
,

V i h b e t y f h d i
au t y w i s t o er a n a .

G g a
an w e l d e b t h
as c m e r- orn en a

f k w m m
’

Th i e a r one b y U a e no n s na .

Th ll t h g d
en a f h ve i e d
e o s o ea n, n n e

O f G g a h e lp th i v w s t o p e d
an
’

s e r o s e ,

T g e t H i m al y c m e
o r a d p y ed a a a an ra

T he m t i k i g t y i l d th e m i d
oun a n n o e a .

He t ,
g d l e s o f t h we l
no re ar s e a

O f t h th e w o l d s w i th h o ly z e l
e re r ,
a

Hi d sght e t t h e I mm t l s g v e
au r o or a a

G g a wh s e w t e l e e d v e
an o a rs c an s an sa ,

\
,

Vh o o m t pl e r ae f i d f ee
s a asu r ,
a r an r ,

P g i g ll i
ur n s to th e s e a
a s nner ,
.

T h th e e p th e d G
e r g a th s o b t i ed
-
a an u a n ,

T h g d s t h i h e v e ly h o m e s g i ed ’
e o e r a n re a n .

The s age next tel ls Ram a th a t the r e w a s a m ighty of

Ay o d h a n a m e d S a gar a r who being c h il d less a n d m ost a n xious ,

’
,

h ve p piti te t h e s int i g ( cco d ing to the

‘

to a a s o n r o a d a B h r
,
u o r a r o r ,

a cc oun ts h is g r a n d so n )
,
by pen a n ces exten d ing ove r a h un d r e d
y a r s A t le n gt h t h e s a int ple a se d wit h S agar s wo r ship s a i d
e . ,
’

Fro m h e O S ag bl m el e s s k i g
t e ,
ar , a n ,

A m i gh t y h s t o f s s s h ll s p i g o on a r n ,

A d th
n h l t wi gl o u s m e
ou s a n a ri o na

\
,

Vh i c h O ch i e f b t th s h l t c l a i m
n on e, ,
u ou a

( i r i ffi t h s R am ay ’

i 17 1
s
‘
an a,
’
. .

b th w p al H i s f th e r B ah K i g o f A yo d h a
’
t
T s aga r a s ir as su e rn a u r . a u, n ,

w asx p ll d f m h i k i g d o m T h e m o th e o f S ag
e e e ro s n cco m p n i ed . r ar a a a

h er h b d t t h f t b t owi g t
us an o e p i on o res d g h vi g bee
,
u ,
n o a o s ous ru a n n

g i v h en b y i ver l w i f h e c a l d r t b ai g f t h h e s
e, s w i t h wh om ou no r n or r on,

s h h d be a p g t
ee n f v y re Wh nan e h e h b d
o r se d i ed s h e w i s h e d
en ears . n r us an ,

t ob b ed w i th h i b d y b t th i w
u rne p e v e t d by s ge me d A v
s o u s as r n e a a na ur a,

wh o d h th t h e
as s u 1 c w l d ye t b e b o
er a d g ow p t b
r son m i gh t ou r n , an r u o e a y

ki g W h h w b
n . en A v g v h i m th e
e as m S ag
orn , (S th
ur a a e na e ar a a, W i ,
”

d g
an a ra , A v h i m lf w ls o b i ur e t o dm
a
y se as a orn n an x ra r ar

m a n ne rA k mg . m d K i t vi y w s v y l i b na el t t h e Bh i g s r d a r a a er e ra o r u ,
an

th gh
ro uh i l i b l i t y t h
s y b m e ra i h H d e c d e t b e i g po eca t h y e r c . ts s en an s n or, e

t k d h l p f t h Bh i g
s e
e o O th i b e i g f d th e m t h y m d e
e r us . n s n re u se
,
e a an

o ns l gh t ni th B ah m o n f th i f m i ly l y i g ll t h e y c o l d fi d e v e
e r an s o s a ,
s a n a u n ,
n

t o l ld e u i th w mb O e w m c
re n n e l d h
o .bo ch i l d i he
n o an o n cea e er un rn n r

t h i gh T h K h tt i y
. e h i g f th i t r i d t l y h i m b t h e i s e d f o m
s a r as , e ar n o s, e o s a ,
u s u r

m th t h gh w i th h l t th t h bl i d d h i p
'

h i s o er s i suc c to s A d us re a e n e s e rs e u r . n

b c m h w s b
e a e f m t h t h gh ( m ) o f h m th e h w s c ll ed A v
e a o rn ro e 1 a is o r, e a a ur a .
 GAN GA . 8
3 5

On e of th y q
h ll b ear u ee n s a s on s a ,

M ai n t ai n e r o f t h y ce a n d he i r ra

A d o f t h e o t h e t h e e s h ll b e
n
'

r r a

S o me s i x t y th ou s an d b or n t o t h ee .
9 9’ s:

H e ar ing this the wives ar e a nxiou s to k n ow which o f the m

,

is to h ave the o n e s o n a n d which th e mu ltitu d e ; but this the

,

B r a h m a n le a ves the m t o d eci d e Kesini wishes for the o n e son .

a n d S u ma t i is ple a se d with the p r ospect of h a ving sixty thous a n d .

T i me p a s s ed ) Th e e ld e r co n s or t b ar e
A s on c a ll e d hei A n s u m an , t h e r.

T he S m ti th e y o g e g v e
n u a ,
un r, a

B i t h t o a g o d O h e o b av e
r ur ,
r r ,

Wh o s e i d wh en b s t d c l e ft i n two
r n ,
ur an ,

G v e s i x ty th o s an d b ab e s t o V i e w
a u .

A ll t h e s e w i t h c a e t h e r ses l i d r nu a

I j s o f o i l an d t h e e th e y s t y e d
'

n ar r a ,

T i ll yo u thf l age an d s t e g th c o m plete

,
u r n ,

F o r th s p e e d i n g f o m e ch d k r e t e at r a ar r ,

All p ee s i n v a l o u y e s a n d m i gh t
r r, ar , ,

T h e s i x t y t h ou s n d c a me t o l i gh t 1 a .
“

A fte r time King S ag ar a d ete r mine d to m a ke an A s va me d h a

a

o r horse s a c r ifice Prep ar a tions for this a r e a cco r d ingl y m ad e

.
,

a n d P r ince A n s u m an the s o n o f the el d e r wife is a ppointe d

, ,

by the king to follow the ho r se s et a p a r t fo r the s a c r ifice ;

fo r a cco r d i n g t o the r itu a l the ho r se w as t o be set fr ee an d
, , ,

a llowe d for a whole ye ar to w a n d e r whe r eve r it woul d I n d ra .

knowing the g r e a t m e r it th a t S ag ar wou l d obt a in by this

s a c r ifice a n d fe ar ing th at he might even lose his c r o wn
, ,

V e i l i g h i f m i d em g i e
n s or n on u s ,

C me d w p t h pp i t ed d y
a o n u on e a o n a ,

A d d o v e t h v i ct i m h o e w y 1
”
n r e rs a a .

The offi ci ating priest being a w ar e o f this c r ies , ,

ou t

H t ki g o w le t t h e t h i e f b e
as e , n l i n s a n

B i g t h t h e ch g e b k g i
r n ou ar r ac a a n

Th c ed i t p v e t ed th s
e sa r r e re n u

B i g s c th e d w o e t o ll f
r n s a an a o u s.

G r i ffith s
’
s
‘
R am ay an a ,
’
i . 1 74 .
1
'
I bid . i . 175 .
1 I bi d . i . 1 77.

2 C
3 8 6 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

Ki n g S ag a r incite d by t h e B r ah m a n u r ges h is sons to se ar ch

, ,

u n t il t h ey fi n d t h e st o le n h o r se :

B v
ra e s on s o f mi n e, Ik w no n ot h ow
Th ese d e mo n s ar e s o m i gh t y n ow

The p b eg t h e i t e s w e ll
r i e sts an r so ,

A ll s c t i fi d w i th p
an e ye d S p e ll ra r an .

I f i t h e d e p th s o f t h h e h i d e
n e ar ,

O l k b e e th t h e o c ti d e
’
r ur n a e an s ,

P u rs u e, de o s th e
ar s o bb e s t a c k
n ,
r r
’
r

Sl y h i m d b i g t h e ch g e b c k
a an r n ar r a .

T h e wh l f t h i s b o d e t h e xpl o e
o e o r a ar r ,

Se g la- d d f o m s h o e t o s ho e
a r an e r r r

Y ea, d ig h e p w i t h m
r u i gh t d m i n an a ,

U ti l y s e e t h h o s e g ai n
n ou e r a .
”

T h e s o n s co m m ence thei r se arch E a ch d igs a le agu e i n .

d ept h a n d by t h is m e a n s t h ey re a ch the cent r e o f the e ar t h ;

,

b u t c a n n o t see t h e h o r se A l a r m e d a t thei r d est r uctive wo r k

.
,

t h e go d s r ep a i r to B r a h m a a n d tel l hi m wh a t is h a ppening,
.

He c h ee r s t h e m wit h the i n fo r m ation th a t Vishnu in t h e fo r m ,

o f K a pil a will p r otect t h e E a r th his b r i d e a n d th a t these so n s

, , ,

o f Sag a r wil l be co n su m e d to a shes The go d s encou r age d .

,

by these w o r d s r ep ai r to thei r ho m e a n d p a tiently w a it fo r

,

d e live r a n ce.

A fte r d iggi n g sixty thous a n d le a gues into the e a r th wit h out o b

t a i n i n g a n y ti d i n gs of t h e h o r se the p r inces r etu r n to thei r fathe r
, ,

a s ki n g w h a t c a n be d o n e S ag a r co mm a n d s the m to d i g o n a n d
.
,

c o n ti n ue t h ei r se a r ch u n til t h e ho r se is foun d A t lengt h they .

S aw Va
v a ( V i s h ) s t d i g th e e
s ud e nu an n r ,

I K pi l f m h l v e d t w e
’
n a s or e o o ar
;
A d n th v l s ti g G o d
n ear e e er a n

T h v i ti m h g
e c c o pp d t h e s o d
c ar er r e .

Th y w w i th j y d e g e ey e s
e sa o an a r

Th f ci d e anbb ed th e p i z e
ro er an r ,

A d n h im on hed t h f i b d
rus e u r ou s an

C y i g l d S t d v i ll i ! S t d
r n a ou ,
‘
an , a n an

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R amay a n a ,
’
i . 177.
3 8 8 T H E I NFE RI OR D E ITI E S .

Bh a gi r a t h h a d son H e in o r d e r to obt a in this boon a n d

no .
, ,

a lso t o fr ee h is ki n s m e n fr o m thei r s a d fa te p r a ctise d m ost ,

se ve r e a uste r ities unti l a t length B r ah ma s ai d

,

Bl e st gl o r i o s r a ce
mo n a r ch , of a u ,

T h y fe v e t r i t e s h v e w o n m y g a c e
r n a r .

W e ll h t th w o gh t th i e wf l t s k
as ou r u n a u a

S o me b o o n i n t u n 0 h e m i t a s k r ,
r ,
.
”

T o wh ic h Bh a gi r a t h r eplies
fol lows as

i ve f m m e
’
L t S ag
e o e ar s s ns r ce ro

Li b tia th t th y l o g t
on s e a e n o s e.

L t G
e g a w i th h h ly w v e
an er o a

Th h s of th e he
e as e l ve roes a ,

Th t my k i m m y e d
a so ns en a asc n

T h e v e ly bl i th t s h ll e
’
o a n ss a n e er a n d.

A d gi ve I p y O g d
n ,
ra ,
o ,
a s on ,

N le t my h o s e b e ll
or d u a un on e .

To this t h e go d r eplies
h o p r ay e st i t s h all b e
As t u ,
.

G g a wh e w v e s i S w g ( H e a v e n )
an ,
os a n ar a flo w ,
I d
s gh t e o f t h e L o d o f S n o w
au r r .

W i S i v th t h i
n ai d b e le t a s a n

T o h o l d h er i n h e m i d d e s c e t r n ,

Fo r e th l o e w i ll e v e b e a
ar a n n r r

T h e s e t o r e t s h l e d f o m u pp er a i r T
r n ur r .

Bra h m a t h en r e a scen d e d to the skies ; but

-
Bh agi r a t h re

ma i n e d fo r a w h o le ye a r

W i th m p i e d f s i g e t
ar s u ra s ,
re u n r s ,

Whi l w i th o t th
e t h h e p es t ne oe e e ar r .
”

Siv a ple a se d with this d evotion p r o m ise d to sust a in the

, ,

s h o ck o f t h e d esce n t of the w ate r s o n his he a d ; but G a nga

wa s n o t a t a ll ple a se d w h en co mm a n d e d to d escen d to e a r th

He m e , i n h e r w r a th s h e c r i e d ,
ll ’
ca s

A n d a ll m y fl o o d s h a ll s w e e p
A n d wh i r l h i m i n i t s wh e l m i n g t i d e
To h ll p f
e
’
s ro o u n d est d ee p .
’ ”
1

G r i ffi t h s
’
s R amay a n a ,
’
i . 1 90 .
1 I bid .
1 I bid . i . 1 93 .
 GAN GA . 8
3 9

S iv a howeve r w a s a m a tch fo r the w r a thfu l d eity H e hel d

, , .

h e r in the coils o f his h a i r until h e r a nge r a b a te d a n d then s h e ,

fell into t h e Vi n d u l a ke fr om whence p r ocee d the seven s a c red

,

st r e a ms o f I n d i a This l a ke is not known ; a n d of the seven

.

st r e a ms m entione d t wo o n ly a r e fa m i li ar to geog r a phe r s t h e

, ,

G a nges a n d the I n d us One b r a nch o f this st r e a m followe d

.

Bh agi r a t h whe r eve r h e went O n the w ay the w a te r s floo d e d .

t h e s a c r ifici a l g r oun d o f J a h n u a s a int In his a nge r he d r a nk , .

up its w a te r s a n d Bh agi r a t h s wo r k see m e d to be fr uitless Bu t

,
’
.

at t h e inte r cession o f t h e king a n d B r a h m a t h e s ai nt a l lowe d ,

t h e w ate r s to flow fr o m his e ar s F r om this fa ct o n e o f t h e .

m a ny n a m es o f G a nga is j ah n avi o r d a ughte r of j ah n u A t ,

.

le n gth Bh agi r at h re a che d the oce a n a n d d escen d ing to t h e ,

d ept h s whe r e S aga r s sons we r e lying G a nga followe d u nti l h e r

’

w a te r s touche d t h e a shes when , ,

S oo n as th efl o o d th e i d u s t b e d e w e d r

Thei r s p i i t s g i ed b e ti t d e
r a n a u ,

An d a ll i n h e v e ly b d i e s d e s e d
a n o r s

Rose t o th e s k i e s e te l est ’
rn a r .
”

As a r ew a r d for his m e r ito r ious wo r k B rah m a s a i d , to h i m

L on g as t h e o c e an
’
s fl o o d s h ll a s t an d

U p on bo de th e r r of th e l d an ,

S o l o n g s h ll S ag s s o s e m a i
’
a ar n r n,

A d g d li ke
n ,
k i n he v e et
o -
,
r an a n r ai n .

G g a t h i n e e l d e s t ch i l d s h all b e
an ,

C all e d fr om th y m e na

As a consequence o f fa ith in this legen d o n e o f t h e m ost ,

fr equente d pl a ces o f pilgri m age i n In d i a is S ag ar I sl a n d t h e ,

pl a ce w h e r e the r ive r G a nges a n d oce a n m eet .

I n a d d itio n to the G a nges the r e a r e m a ny ot h er r ive r s ,

r eg ar d e d a s s a c r e d by the H i n d us ; t h e wo r shi p o f these a nd ,

b a t h ing in the m being p r o d uctive of a lmost a s gre a t blessi n gs

,

a s ar e to be obt a ine d fr o m G a nga he r self S o m e o f t h ese a r e .

consi d e r e d as m a les a n d some a s fe ma les The followi n g is n o t .

R amay an a T I bid i
’

i 1 96
‘ ’
G r i ffi t h s s ,
. . . . 1 97 .
3 9 0 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S .

a co mplete list but it co n t a ins the n a m es of the r ive r s m ost

,

g e n e r a lly k n ow n .

M a le r ive r s — T h e S o n a a n d the B r a h m a put r a ‘

Fe ma le r ive r s — T h e Go d av a ri t h e Kave r i t h e A t r e yi the

, , ,

K a ra lo ya t h e B a h u d a t h e Go ma ti t h e S a r a yu the G a n d a k i
, , , , ,

t h e Va r a h i t h e C h a r m a n w a ti t h e S h at a d r u the Vi p as h a t h e
, , , ,

C o n t a mi t h e K a r m a n as h a t h e A i r ava ti t h e C h a n d r a b h aga the

\i t a s t a the Sin d h u t h e K r ishna t h e Ve t r avati the Bh a i r ava
, , , ,
'
”
.
, , , ,

W ard, ii . 2 17 .

T HE
 3 T H E I NFE RIOR D E ITI E S
39
.

T h e Va t a B a n y a n o r I n d i a n F ig T r ee ( Fi cu s
,
a lso
"

s a c r e d to Vis h n u .

T h e Vilv a o r V Vo o d a ppl e o r Bel T r e e r ( fi g/e M a r u zelos )

,
-
,
’
,

s ac r e d t o Siv a .

T h e Va k u la ( fli z n zu s opx E/eugi )
’

T h e H a r itaki ( Te/7 11 271 0 150

T h e A ma lak i o r Ema/1 C Myr obu /mzs
°

T h e N i m b a o r N i m T r e e i ( M um
,

T h e T u lsi ( Ocz mu m gr a fzs s zmu m or s a n ctu m)

’ ' ’

T h e T u lsi is ve r y co m m only wo r shippe d by the followe r s o f

Vis h n u ; a n d t h e pl a n t is m ost c a r efu lly ten d e d as h is r e p r e
s e n t a tive E ve r y mo r ning the g r oun d ne a r it is cle a ne d w it h
.

c o w d u n g a n d w a te r ; a t night a l a m p is hung ne a r it
-
D u r i ng .

t h e two h ottest m o n t h s of the ye a r a vessel o f w a ter is hu n g ,

o ve r it s o t h at it c a n co n st a ntly r eceive m oistu r e When the .

p l a n t d ies it is c a,
st i n to t h e r ive r as a n i d ol which h a s been ,

wo r s h ippe d wo u l d be when t h e wo r ship is conclu d e d Whe n a .

p e r s o n is d yi n g it is a co mm on custo m to pl a nt a sp r ig o f Tulsi
,

n e a r h is he a d T h e o r igin o f the wo r ship of the Tu lsi is s a i d

.

t o be t h e fo llo w i n g A wo m a n n a m e d Tu lsi e n g a ge d in
z —

r li i o u s a u ste r ities fo r a lo n g p e r io d a n d a ske d a s a boon

e
g , ,

t h a t s h e migh t beco m e the wife of Vish n u L aksh m i he a r ing o f .

,

t h is cu r se d h e r a n d c h a n ge d h e r into the pl a nt whic h be a r s

, ,

h e r n a me Vis h n u h oweve r co m fo r te d his fol lowe r with the

.
, ,

a s s u r a n ce t h a t h e wo u l d a ss u m e the fo r m of the
Sh algr ama a n d
’

c o n ti n u e n e a r h e r ” T h e Vayu a n d the P a d m a Pu r an a s te a ch
.

t h at t h e Tulsi wa s o n e of the p r o d ucts o f the chu r ni n g of t h e

o ce a n .

I n a d d iti o n t o these t r ees sh o ul d be m entione d the D u m a

( m /1s lz u ea r zs ) a n d K u s a g ra ss ( P m
A
' ’ '

g ra ss e r

wh ic h f r m pa r t o f t h e o ffe r i n gs m a d e to the go d s ; a s d o a ll
o

t h e l e a ves o r fl o we r s o f mo st o f the t r ees p r eviously mentio n e d .

Th e h a s a lege n d a cc o u n ting fo r the s a c r e d n ess of

th e K u s a g r a ss W h e n G a r u d a b r oug h t some o f the A m r it a
.

See p 1 S ee p 39 .
0 I S ee p 41 1
\
.
. . .

S e e p 40 0 . . V ar d , ii . 2 0 4.
 S A C R E D T R EE S .
3 93

fr om the m oon to give to the N ag a s o r se r pent d eities a s the

, ,

p r ice to be p a i d fo r h is mothe r s r ele a se fr o m se r vitu d e I n d r a

’

t r ie d to in d uce h i m not to give it to the m lest they beco m ing ,

i mm o r t a l S h ou l d oust h i m fr o m his th r o n e G a r u d a wou l d not

,
.

consent t o t h is a r r a nge m ent but tol d I n d r a t h a t a fte r it w a s

,

given to the sn a kes he co u l d ste a l it fr o m the m G a r u d a the r e .

fo r e pl a ce d t h e A m r it a i n a vessel o n t h e g r a ss a n d w hilst t h e ,

N ag a s we r e b a thing I n d r a stole it T h ey thinking th a t t h e

,
.
,

a m b r osi a m ust be o n the Ku s a g r a ss licke d it the S h ar p g r a ss

‘

slit t h ei r tongues a n d hence t h e se r pents tongues a r e fo r ke d ;

,
’

a n d the g r a ss h a ving been touche d by the A m r it a is holy

, , .

T H E FI G T R EE .
 M I S C EI L A N EO U S M I N OR D E ITI E S
3 94
.
.

C H A PT E R X .

M I S C E LL A N E O U S M I N O R D E I T I E S .

SH I TALA .

S H I T A LA is t h e Beng a li n a m e the
fo r m
s l l pox
a -
a n d fo r
, the
d eity w h o is s u ppose d to h a ve c h a r ge of t h a t d ise a se The .

m e a ni n g of t h e w o r d is She
w h o m a kes col d This go d
.
”

d ess is r ep r esente d a s a gol d

en— c o m plexio n e d w o m a n S i t
ting o n a lotu s o r r i d ing o n ,

a n a s s d r esse d in r e d clothes
,
.

Befo r e a n i m a ge o f this ki n d ,

o r m o r e co mm o n ly a an o f
p
w a te r m e r ely S h i t a la i s w o r
,

s h ippe d i n t h e h ope th a t s h e
w i l l p r ese r ve h e r wo r shippe r s
fr o m t h is d i r e d ise a se .

I n the S p r i n g of the ye a r t h e
H in d us we r e i n t h e h abit o f
i n o cul a ti n g thei r c h il d r en who
w e r e a b o u t two ye a r s of a ge
S H I T A LA .
o n w h ic h o c c a s i o n t h e B r ah m a n

w h o pe r fo r m e d t h e O pe r a ti o n
ma d e p rese n ts t o r e n d e r S h i t a la p r o pitious a n d p r o m ise d in c a se
,

t h e w r k w a s s u ccessfu l t o give stil l g r e a te r gifts

o A t t h e close
.

o f the e r ati n t h e fl o we r s t h a t we r e p r esente d to t h e go d d ess

p o o

w r pl a c e d i n t h e h a i r o f t h e c h il d a s a c h a r m
e e .O n beh a l f o f
th a fflicte d w it h s m a ll p o x o ffe r i n gs a re m a d e d a ily
; an d
o se -
,
39 6 M 1 S C EL LA N EO U S M I N OR D E ITI E S .

to e n te r t h r o u g h a c r evice bit on his,

which him we d d ing d ay -

an d c a use d h is d e a t h t o o H is wi d ow howeve
. r , , esc a pe d a n d
,

we n t w eepi n g t o h e r m othe r i n law w h o with the n eighbou r s - -

, , ,

va i n ly t r ie d t o i n d u ce Ch a n d a to p r opiti a te the go d d ess t h r ough

11 h o se i n fl u e n ce s o m u c h evi l h a d co m e to t h e fa mi ly ; M a n a sa

h e r self u r ge d h is fr ie n d s to p r ev a i l upon h i m not to r em a in

s o h o stil e t o h e r A t l a st h e so fa r yiel d e d to thei r wishes as
.

t o t h r ow a si n gle fl o we r wit h h is left h a n d tow a r d s h e r i m a ge ,

wh ic h s o d elig h te d h e r th a t she r esto r e d his sons to life a n d ,

fro m t h a t ti me a s me n c a m e to know o f h e r powe r her wo r ship

, ,

”
h a s b ec o me celeb r a te d .

T h e M ah ab h a r at a gives the fol lowing p ar ticul a r s r eg ar d ing

h e r ma r r i a ge j g
a a t a k ar u h e r husb a n d
. w a s a n e m i n e n t s a ge
, , ,

w h o h a d p r a ctise d g r e a t a uste r ities b a t h e d i n a ll t h e holy t a nks , ,

a bst a i n e d fr o m m a t r i m ony a n d a s a r esu lt of his pen a n ce a n d

, ,

fa sti n g h a d a d r y a n d s h r ivelle d bo d y I n t h e cou r se o f his

,
.

wa n d e r i n gs c o mi n g to a pl a ce whe r e h e s aw a nu m be r o f m e n
,

h a n gi n g fro m a t r ee wit h t h ei r he a d s d ow n w a r d s ove r a d eep

a b yss wit h a r a t g n awing a t t h e r ope by which they we r e su s
,

pe n d e d h e le a r n e d t h a t t h ey we r e h is o w n a ncesto r s d oo m e d t o
, ,

e n d u r e t h is m ise r y bec a use thei r chil d r en bei n g d e a d they h a d

t h e m ( i e by pe r fo r mi n g ce r t a in r eligiou s
, ,

no o n e to r ele a se . .

c re mo n ies ) a n d h e who by h aving a son m ig h t h ave set t h e m

e ,

fre e wa s given u p to a life o f a uste r ity a n d r efuse d to m a r r y

, .

W h e n t h ey a r e t o l d t h a t j a ga t a k ar u i s t h e m a n t h r ough whose
a b s ti n ence t h ey a re su ffe r i n g t h ey e n t r e a t h i m to m a r r y a n d
,

s e cu r e t h ei r d elive r a n ce H e co n se n ts to d o so on co n d ition t h a t
.

th a r n ts o f t h e gi r l h e m a r r ies give h e r to h i m wi lli n gly

e
p e

Va s u k i h e a r i n g o f t h is offe r s h is siste r to the s age who m a r r ies

.

, ,

h r a n d h a s a s n n a me d A sik a
e o This s o n effecte d t h e d elive r
.

anc e f h is a n c st o r s a n d a lso r en d e r e d g o o d se r vice to the

o e ,

se r
p n t e r a ce i n s a vi n g the m fr o m d est r u tion whe n
j a n a m e j y
a a c

ma d a g r e a t s a c r ifice o f s n a kes a n d w a s wis h fu l to exte r m in a te

e
,

the m .

\
V a rd , ii . 1 42 .
 S A ST I — T H E S H AL G RAM A .
397

3 . S A ST I .

S a sti is peculi arly the go d dess o f m a r r ie d wo m en she is the

give r o f chil d r en a ssists a t chil d bi r th a n d is the gu a r d i a n o f
, ,

young chil d r e n S h e is r e
.

p r esente d a s a gol d en co m -

le x i o n e d wo m a n with a c h il d
p
i n h e r a r m s r i d i n g u pon a c a t
,

hence no H in d u wo m a n wou l d
un d e r a n y ci r cu mst a nces inj u r e
t h a t a ni ma l lest she S hou l d
,

o ffen d this go d d ess a n d be

m a d e to su ffe r fo r it S i x .

ti m es a ye ar festiv a ls in honou r
o f S a st i ar e hel d ; in a d d ition

to which wo m en who h a ve
,

lost a ll thei r chil d r en by

d e a th wo r s h ip h e r m onthly .

When a chil d is six d a ys o ld ,

the fa the r wo r ships h e r ; a n d

when th r ee weeks o ld the ,

mothe r p r esents offe r ings to

h er. The o r d in ar y r ep r ese m
t a t i ve of S a st i is a stone a bout A TI S S .

the si ze o f a m a n s he a d pl a ce d
’

u n d e r a B a ny a n tree which i s d eco r a te d with flowe r s a n d

, ,

o ffe r ings o f r ice fr uit & c a r e m a d e to

, ,
.
,

4 . TH E S H AL G RAM A .

By the wo r shippe r s o f Vishnu the S h algr am a is reg a r d e d as a ,

m ost s a c r e d obj ect I t d oes not d e r ive its s a c r e d ness fr o m

.

ce r t a in co n sec r a ting r ites as i m ages a n d othe r r ep r esent atives o f

,

d eities but i s believe d to be inhe r ently holy

,
I t is a bl a ck .

W ar d ,
ii . 1 43 .
 8 M M I N OR D E ITI E S
39
.

am m o n ite t h o u g,
h t h e H i n d u s d ecl a r e it is a stone fou n d in ,

M o u n t G a n d a k i i n N ep a l T h e popul ar belief i s t h a t i n this .

m nta
o u i n t h e r e a r e m u ltitu d es of insects w h ich pe r fo r a te the
ston e s a n d t h ey w h e n pe r fo r a te d fa l li n g into t h e r ive r G a n d a k a , ,

a re t a k e n o u t by m e a n s o f n ets T h e m o r e co m m o n ones .

a r e a b o u t t h e size o f a w a tc h a n d t h ei r p r ice v a r ies a cco r d ing t o ,

t h e i r size h ollow n ess a n d i n si d e colou r i n g a cco r d i n g to w h ich

, , ,

p e c u li a r ities speci a l n a m es a r e give n F o r the r a r e r ki n d s a s m uch .

as Rs 2 000 a r e give n
.
a n d w h en it is r e m e m be r e d t h a t it is believe d

t h a t t h e possesso r of o n e o f t h ese a m m onites a n d a S hel l c a l le d ,

D a k s h i n ava r t a ( i e a s h e ll w hose co n volutions a r e tow a r d s t h e

. .

ri ht c a n n eve r be p o o r it is n o t to be wo n d e r e d a t th a t l ar ge
g ) , ,

r ic e s s h o u l d be p a i d fo r t h e m A S it is a lso believe d t h a t in
p .

p a rti n g w it h t h e m t h ey i n vite m isfo r tune it is n a tu r a l th a t those ,

o ss e ssi n g s h o u l d wis h to r et a i n the m ; to sel l the m f o r gai n

p
is re g a r d e d a s a m ost d ishonou r able d ee d .

A r e a so n fo r t h e s a c r e d n ess o f the S h algr am a is fou n d in the

B h ag a v a t a Pu r a n a S a ni co mm ence d his r eign wit h a r equest
.
’

to B r ah m a to bec o m e s u bj ect to h i m ; B r a h m a r efe r r e d h i m to

\1s h n u wh o a ske d h i m to c a l l u pon h i m the next d ay Whe n
, .

h e c a lle d fi n d i n g th a t Vishnu h a d t r a n sfo r m e d hi m self into a

,

mount a i n h e bec a m e a wo r m n a m e d V
, ajr a k i t a a n d a fflicte d ,

i s h n u fo r twelve ye a r s A t the expi r a tion o f t h a t ti m e Vishnu

.

r es u me d h is p r o pe r s h a pe a n d o r d e r e d th a t he n cefo r t h the stones

,

o f t h is mo u n t a i n ( G a n d a k i ) S hou l d be wo r s h ippe d a s r e r e s e n
p
t a t i ve s o f h i m s e lf .
"E

T h e B r ah m a n s usu a lly wo r ship Vishnu i n this fo r m in thei r

d a ily ! m y! : a t ho m e I n the hot se a son a vessel of w a te r i s
.

s us en d e d ve the S h algr am a a n d the w a ter continu a lly

p o r
,

d r o p pi n g 0 11 it keeps it c o ol ; a n othe r vessel is pl a ce d un d e r i t

t o c atc h t h e w a te r which is d r unk in the eve n i n g by the w o r
,

s hi
pp e r The m a r ks O f it a r e shown to m e n when d yi n g i n the
.

b li e f th a t the c o n ce n t r a tio n o f the m i n d on t h e m a t this ti me

e

w ill e n s u r e the s o u l a s a fe p a ss a ge to Vish nu s he a ve n ” ’

Fo r a no t h a cc o u n t o f th e o r igi of th e w o sh i p S h algr am a ,
e
r n r o f th e s ee
t h e ac c o u n t o f 1 11 15 1, c h p a . 1x .
1 W ar d , i i 2 2 1
. .
 M IS CE LL A NE O U S M I N OR D E ITI E S
40 0
.

P an ini ( t h e g r e a t g r a m m a r i a n ) this wo r d h a d a cqu i r e d such

,

le gitim a cy a s to c all fo r a sep a r a te r ule expl a ini n g its fo r m ation .

T h e co m me n t a to r he r e expl a i n s K a by B r ah m a n A ft e r this .
,

we c a n h a r d ly wo n d e r th a t i n the l a te r S a n sk r it lite r a tu r e o f the

Pu ra n a s K a a ppe a r s a s a r ecog n ise d go d with a ge n e a logy of
. ,

h i s o w n pe rh a ps eve n a wi fe
,
a n d t h a t i n t h e l a ws of M a nu o n e

o f t h e r ec o g n ise d fo r m s of m a r r i a ge gene r a lly known by the

,

n a me of t h e P r aj ap a ti m a r r i a ge occu r s un d e r the m onst r ous

,

t itle o f I n t h e M a habhar a t a K a is i d entifie d with

D a ks h a a n d i n the B h ag a v a t a Pu r an a it is a pplie d to K a sy a p a
,
‘

p r o b ably o n acc o unt of t h ei r S i m il a r ity to Pr aj ap a ti .

M ax M ulle q
r, u o te d i n D o ws o n
’
s Cl as s i cal D i c t i on r y
a ,
’
r . 7f . Ka ? ”

THE L OT U S.
 C H A PT E R XI .

S U P E RH U MAN T H O U GH ,
N OT D IVINE BE I N GS .

I . A P S A R A S A S, GA N D H A R VA S ,
AN D K I N N A RA S .

T H E A ps ar a s a s a r e ny m phs the G a n d h a rva s singe r s o f I n d r a s ,

’

he aven a n d t h e K i n n ar a s h u m a n beings with ho r ses he a d s who

,
’

for m t h e b a n d in th a t o f Kuver a The A p s a r a s a s a r e n o t .

p r o m inent in the Ve d a s but U r va s i a n d a fe w othe r s a r e ,

m entione d I n M a nu t h ey a r e s a i d to b e the c r e a tions o f the

.

seven M a n us I n the E pic poe m s t h ey becom e p r o m inent a n d

.
,

the Ra m ay a n a a n d the Pu r an a s a tt r ibute thei r o r igin to the

churning o f the oce a n I t is s a i d th a t when they c a me fo r t h .

fr om t h e w a ters neithe r the go d s n o r the A su r a s woul d h a ve

,

the m fo r wives so they bec a m e co m mon to a ll They h ave the

, .

”
a ppell a tions wives o f t h e go d s a n d d a ughters o f ple a su r e , .

T he f m th gi t t d d e p p S p g n ro e a a e e u r un

T h e l gi f Ap s e m d on o s ar a as , s o n a e

T h t t t h w t y l m t th y w d
a o e a er e e en e o e

T hei b i g M y i d w e th y b r e n d lls r a s er e or n , a n a

I ve t h e v ly l d d h v e ly g m
n s u r es a en c a , an ea n e s

Y e t m e d i v i e th e i t i v e e m bl
or ce i h n r na s an ,
r c

W i th ll th g i ft o f g f y th
a d b e ty s r a ce , o ou an ea u .

A t i i m s f ll w d
ra n ye t t h
nnu fi er ou o o e us a r,

N o go d d em r ght t h ei w d d ed l v e
n or
'
o n s ou r e o

T h R ag h v ! th y t i
u s, ll e m i — th i h ma a e s r a n e r c ar s

Th e m mo t f t h e h st of h e ve
co n r eas u r e o o a n.
”

I n the P uran a s v a rious g a nas o r cl a sses o f the m ar e m e n

t i o n e d ; the Vayu P u r an a enu me r a tes fourteen the H a r i V
‘ ’ ‘ ’
an s a ,

seven They ar e a g a i n d isti n guis h e d as being d u zw é u d ivine or

' ’
’
.
, ,

la u /ezk u wo r l d ly T h e fo r m e r a r e s a i d to be ten in nu m be r
’
'
‘
.
, ,

a n d the l a tte r thirty four a n d these a r e the he a venly c h a r m ers

-
,

2 D
4 0 °
S U P E RH U M A N ,
THO U GH N OT D I V I NE B E I N GS .

w ho fa sci n a te d he r oes a s U r v a s i a n d a llure d a,

ustere s a ges fr om ,

t h ei r d evotio n s a n d pe n a n ces a s Me n a ka a n d R e m b h,
a The .

‘
Kasi Kh a n d s ays t h e r e a r e thi r ty fi ve m illions o f them b ut
’
-
,

o n ly o n e t h o u s a n d a n d sixty a r e t h e pri n cip a l The A ps a r a s a s .

,

t h e n a r e fa i rylike bei n gs be a utifu l a n d voluptuous They a r e

, ,
.

t h e wives o r mist r esses of the G a n d h ar v a s a n d a r e not p r u d is h ,

i n the d ispe n s a tion of thei r fa vou r s Thei r a mou r s o n e a r th .

h ave bee n n u me r ous a n d they a r e the r ew a r d s i n I n d r a s ,

’

a r a d ise h e ld out to he r oes who fa ll i n b a ttle They h a ve the

p .

p o we r o f ch anging thei r fo r m s a n d give goo d luck to w ho m they

fa vo u r .
”

The Vish n u P u r an a T s ays th a t the G a n d h a rv a s we r e the

‘ ’

o ffsp r i n g of B r a h m a Th e G a n d h a r v a s we r e n ext bo r n i m
“
.
,

bi b i n g m elo d y ; d r i n ki n g of the go d d ess o f speech they we r e ,

b o r n a n d the n ce thei r a ppell a tion (gam d h ayan t ah d r inki n g

, ,
‘

s peech T h e s a m e P u r an a i m a kes the m the d escen d a n ts o f

K a sy a p a a n d A r i s h t a a n d Bra h m a is s a i d to be thei r g r a n d si r e
, .

T h e P a d m a Pu r a n a S pe a ks o f t h e m a s the chil d r en o f V a ch A c
‘ ’
.

c o r d i n g to t h e Vish n u Pu r an a the G a n d h ar v a s c a lle d M a u

‘

,
’ ‘
,

n e as
y ( o r so n s of the M uni K a sy a p a
) w h o we r e sixty m illions ,

i n nu m be r h a d d efe a te d the N ag a s o r sn a ke go d s a n d sei ze d

, ,

u pon thei r m ost p r ecious j ewels a n d usu r pe d thei r d o m inion .

T h e s n a kes res o r te d to Vish n u fo r help wh o info r me d the m th a t ,

h e w o u l d ente r i n to P u r u k u t s a a n d then d est r oy the G a n d h ar v a s .

T h e N ag a s sent thei r siste r N a r m a d a the pe r sonifie d r ive r ,

N e r bu d d a to a s k the a i d of P u r u k u t s a w h o su ccee d e d in her

, ,

w o r k a n d the G a n d h arv a s we r e d estroye d A S a rew ar d the

, .

N ag a s g a ve t h is powe r to N a r m a d a th a t whoeve r wo r shi ppe d ,

h e r a n d c a lle d u p o n h e r n a m e shoul d be s a fe fr o m the poison of

sn a kes a n d a ll o the r poiso n too .

I n t h e S a t a pa t h a B r a h m a n a a n d the P u r an a s is a sto r y o f
‘

,
’

I u r ar a va s a n d th e A ps a r a s U r va s i which wi ll give so m e i d e a o f
’

the c h a r a cte r o f t h ese bei n gs in H in d u Myth o logy U r va s i w a s .

c m pelle d t o le a ve he a ve n owi n g to the i m p r ec a tion of M it r a

o

a n d Va r u n a S h e w a s see n a n d love d by P u r ar ava s the son o f

.
,

D o ws o n ,
s . v .
T P ag e 41 .
1 P ge a 1 50 °
4 4
0 S U P E RH U M A N ,
THO U G H N OT D I V I NE B E I N GS .

i n cl u d e d I n t h ei r d ist r ess they a ppe a le d to B r a h m a who c a use d

.
,

S a r a svati t o e n te r K u mb h ak a r n a a n d i n d uce h i m to a s k a s a
bo on t h at h e m ig h t sleep ete r n a lly This pl a n w a s successful . .

Bu t t h e fr ie n d s o f the Raks h a s a s we r e not ple a se d with the

r es u lt a n d a ske d B r a h m a th a t h e might a w a ke fo r a d a y a t t h e
,

e nd of e a c h h a lf—ye a r a n d e a t a s m uch a s he wishe d This .

r equest w a s a cce d e d to H is house in L a nk a is s a i d to h a ve

.

bee n m iles long ; but L a nk a itself a cco r d ing to the ,

”
Ra m ay a n a w as o n ly 8 00 m iles in ci r cu m fe r ence
,
.

T h e Raks h a s a s h ave bee n cl a ssifie d a s o f t h r ee so r ts o n e a s

“
,
”
a set o f bei n gs like t h e Y ak s h a s o r supe r n a tu r a l a tte n d a nts o n
,

,
—
Kuve r a t h e go d of we a lth t h ese we r e h a r mless a n d i n o ffe n ,

sive bei n gs a n othe r a s a so r t o f Tit a ns o r enemies o f the go d s ,

a n d l a stly in the co m m on a ccept a tion o f the te r m d e m ons a n d

, ,

fie n d s wh o h a u n t ce mete r ies d istu r b s a c r ifices h a r a ss d evout , ,

me n a ni m a te d e a d bo d ies d evou r hu m a n bei n gs a n d vex a n d

, , ,

a fflict m a nki n d i n a ll so r ts o f w a ys T h ese l a st a r e t h e .

Raks h a s a s of who m Rav a n a w a s chief a n d a ccor d ing to so m e

,

a ut h o r ities t h ey a r e d escen d e d like R av a n a hi m self fr o m

, , ,

Pu la s t ya A cco r d i n g to othe r a utho r ities they sp r a ng fr o m

.
,

B ra h m a s fo ot T h e Vis h nu Pu r an a m a kes the m d escen d a nts of

’
.

K a sy a p a a n d K h a sa a d a ughte r o f D a ksh a th r ough thei r son

, ,

Raks h a s a n d t h e Ra m ay a n a st a tes th a t when B r a h m a c r e a te d

t h e w a te r s h e fo r m e d ce r t a in beings to gn aw the m who we r e

,

c a lle d Raks h a s a s I t is thought th a t t h e R aks h a s a s o f t h e

.

l i pic p o e m s we r e t h e r u d e b a r b a r i a n r a ces o f I n d i a who we r e ,

s u b d u e d by t h e A r ya n s T
T h e n a me B h ut a i s given to a si m il ar cl a ss o f beings who a r e
t h e a tte n d a n ts o f S i va hence Bhut a N ath a Lo r d o f S pi r its i s one , ,

f Siv a s m a n y n a m es an d t h e te r m Pisach a s is a pplie d to a cl a ss

’
o

if po ssi b l e mo r e o ffe n sive th a n the Raks h a s a s d esc r ibe d a bove .

W a rd , ii 1 48 1 D ow s on , s . v.
‘
. .
 I N D EX .

p
A s u r as , t h e d i s u t e b e t e e n th e m a n d w
th e S
u r as o r
go d s , 1 3 2 d e s cr i p t i o n o f ,

3 64 or d w
u s e d i n d i ffe r e n t s en s e s ,
A D I K A VI , a n am e o f r ah m a, 9 1 B 3 6 5 ; W h y th i s d i ffe r e n ce o f m e an i n g,
A d i ti , ch ar a ct e r an d a tt r i b u t e s o f, 1 4 ; 3 66
r e s o r t e d t o fo r p
ar d o n , 1 4 o r i gi n o f, A s vam e dh a , o r h or s e s acr i c e 3 8 5 fi ,

I5 h e r d i s t r ess a t th e affli c t i on o f th e v
A s i n s , t h e , d e s cr i p t i on o f, 3 7 ; m ar r y
go d s , 1 3 4 ; th e m o th er o f V
i s h n u as S yu r a, 3 7 y
p h s i ci an s o f th e go d s , 3 8
th e Dw f
ar , 1 3 4 le ge n d s o f c u r e s b y t h e m , 3 8
y
A d i t as , t h e , 1 5 d e s cr i pti o n o f, 1 6 A tm ab h u , a n am e o f r ah ma, 9 1 B
A gn i , d es cr i pt i o n o f, 1 8 ; o r i gi n o f, 1 8 ; A t r i , a s o n o f r ah ma, 3 0 7 B
V e d i c a t t r i b u t e s o f, 1 9 ff a . R k
a sh as ,
2 3 ; c o n s u m e s a fo r es t , 2 3 th e fa t h e r
of Nl
i a an d o th e r s , 2 3 ; t h e r e pu t e d B
K ky
.

fat h e r o f ar t i e a, 2 7 8 ; cu r s e d b y
Bh r i gu , 3 0 3 Bj a ri, a n a me of I n dr a, 53
f
Ah alya, th e W i e o f au tam a th e G a ge ,S B l a ar a m a, i n c ar n at i o n of Vi sh n u , 1 8 4 ff .

s e d u ce d b y I
n d r a,
5 1 l
r e e as e d r om f a l S so of e sh a , 1 8 5
-
’
h e r h u s b an d s cu r s e , 1 4 8 B l i th D i ty k i g l i by V i h
a , e a a n , s a n s n u as

I ’
l
A i r ava t a, n d r a s e e ph an t , 3 73 th d w f e 3 ff m k y hi f
ar , 1 0 . a on e c e , a
k
A mb i a , a n am e o f U m a, 2 3 8 fI d
son o 47 A nhi f l i r a, 1 an sur a c e s a n

A m b u r aja , a n am e o f V
aru n a, 3 7 by I d 3 69 n r a,

v l I
A m r a a t i , th e cap i t a o f n d r a s h e a e n ,
’
v B ali Va, k i g th
a
’
p f
n ar n , e u su r er o

I
34 S u gr i va s t h r o n e , 1 5 7
A n an ga , a nam e o f K amad e va, 21 7 Bh a d r ak ali , a n am e o f u r ga, 2 5 6 D
A n an t a , a n am e o f V
i sh n u , 1 0 7 B v
h aga a t a, a n a m e o f i a , 2 3 5 Sv
A n as fi ya, th e w i fe o f A t r i , 3 0 8 Bh ar at a , th e b r o th er o f am a , 1 4 7 R
B
A n gi r as , a s o n o f r ah m a, 3 0 6 B k
h as ar a , a n am e o f u r a , 2 9 S y
l
A n i a, a n am e o f a u , 5 6 Vy B V
h i m a, a s o n o f ayu , 3 4 5 ch ar act er o f,
l
A n i m a s , s a cr e d , 3 74 3 46 ; co n fli c t s o f, 3 5 4
A n n a pu r n a, a n a m e o f u r ga, 2 6 5 D Bh i s h m a , a s o n o f a n ga, 3 43 G
co m ‘

S
A n s u m an , a s o n o f agar , 3 8 5 ff . m an d e r -i n -ch i e o f th e f
u r u ar m , 3 5
3 K y
A n t ak a , a n am e o f a m a , 7 4Y Bh r i gu , a s o n o f r ah ma, V B
i s i t s h e av e n ,
A p ava, a n a m e o f r ah m a, 8 5 B 1 00 o r i gi n o f, 3 0 1 p r i es t a t ak sh a s
’
D
A p s ar as as , t h e , 40 1 s ac r i c e , 3 0 2 fi cu r s e s n d r a, 3 0 2 a so I l
A r dh an ar i sh w ar a, a fo r m o f i a an d Sv A gn i , 3 0 3 ; ch an ges a K h s at tr i ya i n t o
P ar a t i u n i te d , 2 65
v a B
r ah m an ,
3 04
j I
A r u n a , s o n o f n d r a, 3 4 5 c h ar a ct e r o f, Bh u t a , 40 4
3 46 fi gh ts i th i a, 3 5 0w Sv Bh u t e s w ar a, a n am e o f i a, 2 3 5 Sv
4 0 6 I NDEX .

B r ah ma th e s u pr e m e d e i t y 8 0 ; d iv
,
er a Dh j y
a n an a a, a n am e o f A gn i , 24
Y
,

t i o n o f th e n a m e , 81 h ym t 8 n o, 2 D h m aj
ar ar a, a n a m e o f ma , 74
a

B r ah ma th e C r e a to r , 84 ; ll d N a a ca e r D h ata , a na me of B r a h m a,
91
V N
,

y an a , fo r ma t 1o n o f h i s fi ve h e a d s
85 D h e n k i , th e ah a n of ar a d a, 3 99
86 w h y d e p r i e d o f h i s v t h h e ad , 8 6 fif D h e n u k a , an A s u r a s ai n b y a l B l ara ma ,
w o rs h i ps Sv
i a , 90 ; h i s o r sh i p n o w w 1 86

c e as e d , 90 ; cu r s e d b y h i s s on ar a d a , N D h r i t ar ash tr a, th e fath e r o f th e K u r u s,

3 18 3 44
B r ah man a , d e n e d , 4 fi D h am k e tu , a n am e o f A gn i , 2 4
B ra h man as pa t i , a n a m e o f A gn i , 1 8 D i ga mb ar a , a n am e o f i a , 2 3 5 Sv
B r i d e , b u i d i n g o f t h e , t o L an a , 3 3 8
g l k D V
i s cu s o f i s h n u , h o w fo r me d , 2 8
B r i h as a t i , a n a m e o f A gn i
p 1 8 ,
D i ti , t h e w K y
i fe o f as ap a , 5 7
B u dd h a i n c ar n a t i o n o f
,
i sh n u , 1 8 8 ; V Dvk
i a ar a , a n am e o f u r a , 2 9 S y
w as t h i s B
u d d h a th e ou n d e r o f B u d f I
D i vapa t i , a n am e o f n d r a , 5 3
d h i s m ? 1 8 8 ; P u r an i c acco u n t o f, 1 9 0 k B
D i vo d as a, th e i n g o f e n ar e s m i s e d b y l
. V
ff ; L a i ta - t s t ar a a c co u n t o f, 1 9 9 ff ;
l . V i sh n u a s B
u d d h a, 1 9 1

l
r e i cs o f B
u d d h a pr e s e r e d , 2 0 5 v D r au p a d i , t h e wf
i e o f th e P an d u s , 3 49
B u d h a, o n e o f t h e
p an e t s ,
3 60 l D r o n a, th e p p
r e ce t o r o f th e u r u s an d K
P an d u s , 3 46
D u r a, a d e m o n S a i n b
g ly u r ga, 2 48 D
D u r a, 2 4 8 ff
g ; h en
. w or sh i w
ed, 2 5 1 pp
h e r n am es , 2 5 6
D y
u r o dh an a , t h e r u er o f l
as ti n a u r , H p
y
C h a i t a n a , i n c a r n a t i o n o f i sh n u , 2 1 1 V Dy
35 0
au s an d P r i th i vi th e mos t an ci e n t of
C h a n c h a la, a n a m e o f L a s h m i , 1 1 2 k ,

C h an d a , a d e mo n s ai n b y u r ga, 2 5 0 l D th e V edi c
go d s , 10 Dy au s s u p er s ed e d

f
C h a n d i , a o r m o f D u r ga, 2 5 5
b y I n d r a, 10 ; P u r an i c a cco u n t of

C h an d r a , o n e o f t h e p an e ts , 3 60 s ee l P r i th i i , I I
v
a sol S o ma .

C h a n d ra s h e k ara , a n am e o f i a, 2 3 5 Sv
C hh aga r a t h a, a n am e o f A gn i , 2 4
E.

C hh aya , 2 8
C h i n n am u s t ak a, a n a m e o f u r ga, 2 64 D Ek ad an ta, a n am e o f G an e s a , 2 70
C h i t r a gu p ta , s o n o f n d r an i , 5 3 I Ek avi r a, a n am e o f K al i , 2 6 1
S
C h ya va n a , a a ge cu r e d b y th e A s i n s , 8
3 v
t z ati o n , o r i i n o f
g ,
12
C o w o f p e n t , th e, 1 39l y
C r e a t i o n , t h e , M a n n s a cc o u n t o f 8 6
’

;
V 3 ; P u r an i c, 2 8 7 ff
,
e d i c, 2 8

Fl
.

o o d, th e , fro m M ah ab h a
a cc ou n t o f,

r at a, 1 1 3 ; a cco u n t o f, r om ha a f B g
v a t a, 1 15

D k a s h a, a s o n o f B r ah ma, 3 09 ff
V
.

D a m o d ar a , a n a m e o f I S h n u 1 0
, 7
D a n d ad h a r a , a n a me o f a m a,
74 Y G an d h ar v as , th e , 4 0 2
D as a b h uja, a n a m e o f u r a, 2 6
g 5 D G a n d h a vah a, a n am e o f a u , 5 6 Vy
D as a r a t h a , t h e fa th e r o f am a 1
, 4 3 ff R G an e s a , 2 6 7 ; b i r th o f, 2 6 8 ff ; o b ec t j
D y
.
.

as as , a t r i b e w h o a s s i s t e d t o b u 1 l
d th e of h i s b i r th , 2 7 2 ; h mn t o , 2 7 3 ; y
b r id ge t o an k a, 1 6 ! L w r i t e r o f th e
'

M
a h ab h ar a ta , 2 74 ; r e
D a t t a t r e ya , a a e , 1
g 39 S ce n t i n c ar n a t i o n o f, 2 74 ; ou t i ts w
k
D e va i , mo t h e r o f K r t s h n a 1 68 ff
, .
K ky
a r ti e a , 2 8 1
D e vi , a n a me o f U ma 2 8
, 3 G a n e s ajan an i , a n ame o f u r a, 2 66 D g
 0 3 I NDEX
4
.

K ar t ta vi rya ,
a K s h a t t r i ya k i n g l
s ai n by M h ab h a
a r a ta, th e g r e at war of th e ,

Par as u r ama 1 39 353 F f .

K y as a
pa a S
,

age , t h e fa th e r of G ar u d a , M h ad va m e o f i a, 2 2 8
e a, a n a Sv
37
,

M ah ak ala , a n a m e o f i a , 2 3 5 Sv
K a tyayi n i a n a me o f u r ga , 2 5 0 D M a h am ar i , a n am e o f a i , 2 6 3 Kl
R e s a va a n a me o f i s h n u , 1 0 5
,

V M y
ah ama a , a n a m e o f u r a, 2 49
g D
Ke tu th e
,

d e s ce n d i n g n o d e , 3 76 see M a h e n d r a , a n am e o f n d r a,
53 I
Sv
,

l R
a so ah u M ah e s h w a r a , a n a m e o f i a , 2 3 5
M l D
.

ah i s h a , a d e m o n s a i n b
K i n na r as t h e , 40 1 y u r ga, 5 2 0
D
,

Kra t u a s o n o f r a h ma, 3 0 6 B M ah i s h amar d i n i a n am e o f u r ga, 57 ,

2

V M a th g dd k
,

Kris h na i n ca m a t i o n o f i s h n u , 1 66 ; a n as , e 395 o ess o f sn a es,

M d d m l i b y D ga 5 ff
,

r e as o n o f t h i s A v a t ar a 1 67 sa ed by , v an a, a e on S a n ui
'

,
2 0 .

V as u d e a 1 69 ; d e s t r o s P u t an a, 1 7 1
v y M gl an a a, f th pl t 36
on e o e an e s , 0 : s ee

l K ti k y
,

l
r e e as e s t h e s o n s o f u er a rom a Kv f a so ar e a.

curs e , 1 72 d e s t r o ys t h e B ak as u r a , M m th
an m
a f K am d
a, a n a 7 e o a e va , 2 1

1 73 out i ts n d r a 1 7 3 w r e s to r e s th e I ,
M an u ,Vi i t d b y B h m a s e fi h ra as a s ,

j wl
e e S ya ma n tak a , 1 7 5 ; b e o e d b y l v 3 1 1

the G O pi s 1 76 p r o t e ct s a d h a, R M v tan an a r a , 2
9 2
Ma
,

1 76 ; s a s A r i s h t a , ly 1 76, e s i n , an d K m
r a, a n a f K am d 7 e o a e va , 21

K an s a 1 7 8 ; r e i e e s ,
a th u r a , 1 79 ; l vM M ih ar c h mi t wh
a, a i t d R av
er o as s s e an a ,

q
co n ue rs a r ak a , 1 80 ; N g h ts wi th fi 5 4 ff
I .

S i va 1 80 ; d e s t r o s
,
e er, 1 8 1 o er y Fv v M i hi
ar c f B h ma 3 7
,
a s on o ra , 0
c o me s a r i a r i s h n a, 1 8 1 vlK
h i s d e at h , Ma t d r an m fS y 3
a, a n a e o ur a, 0
1 8 2 ; r e fe r e n ces t o 11 1 m i n t h e ah a M Ma t ru m , f V ay
a na
56 e o u,

b h ar a ta 1 8 3 ; a d e ce i e r , 1 8 4 ; v i s i ts
,
v M t th 5 7
ar u s , e, .

H as t i n a u r , 3 5 2 ff
p . M th a th m
u r an a fK i h , 84 a na e o r s n a, 1
K r i s h na k r o r a a n a m e o f u r ga, 2 66 , D M t y A v ta t h
a s a 3 a r a, e, 11
K ri tan t a a n a m e o f a m a , 7 4
, Y M gh ah
e av m fI d an a , 53 a na e o n ra ,

K u mar i a n a m e o f , u r ga, 2 5 6 D M ih m
i r a, f S ya na 3 e o ur a, 0
K u mb h ak a r n a a ak s h as 4 0 3 , R ,
Mit d V
r a an
3 ar u n a , 1
K an n a, i n ca r n a t i o n o f i sh n u , 1 1 9 V M it j y
r un a m f Siv 35
a, a n a e o a, 2
K u rti s t h e s o n s o f D r i t a r as h t r a , 3 44 ff
, . M kt k i
u a m es f D ga , 64 a na e o ur ,
2
K i t s h u me s u , a n a m e o f K am a d e va , 2 1 7 M k du un m f Vi h
a,
7
a na e o s nu, 10
K v
u e ra t h e
go d o f r i c h e s , 3 2 1
,

L
Nk l f th A v i
.

a
3 45
u a, a s o n o e s n s,
Lak s h man ,
th e
b r o th e r o f ama , 1 4 7 R N l th b i ld f th b i d g t L k
a a, e u er o e r e o an a
L ak h m i
s o ri
gi n o f 1 0 7
, t he ch u rn i n g o f , 3 36
th e o ce a n 108 ; the
p r o d u c ts o f t h i s
, N d t h f t f th
an a, f K i h e o s er - a er o r s n a,
wo r k , 1 1 0 d e s c r i pti o n o f L a s h m i k 7 ff
1 0 .

fr o m t h e ama a n a 1 1 1 R y , N d i S i v b ll 3 73
an , a s
’
u
K v
,
Lan ce o f u e ra , h o w fo r m e d , 2 8 N ar a d a , B 1 a h ma, 3 1 7 ff ; h i s
a s on of
I a i k a mat a a n a me o f L a s h m i , 1 1 2 k
.

, a
pp e ar an ce a t th e c o u r t o f Y u d h i s h
Lo k e s h a , a n ame o f r a h ma, 1
9 B th i i a , 3 5 0 ; h i s a d i c e t o
J alan dh ar a v
3 70
N a ay r an a, a na me of B r ah m a, 8 5 ; a sol
ofV i sh n u ,
99
Ni l a, a son o f A gn i , 3 3 9

\
N i lm ad h ava , a n a m e ot Vi sh n u , 2 10
Id a an
'
1 na me o f Kamad e va 2 17 N i s u m b h a , a gi a n t l by D u r ga,
\
.
, S ai n
M ad h a va a n a me o f
'

, 1s h n u ,
107 252
M ad h u s u d a n a 1 06 N i
r s in h
,
g a A va tar a, th e , 1 24
 I NDEX .
40 9

R am C h a a n d ra A v a t ar a , th e , 1 42 ff ;.

w h y t h i s i n c a r n at i o n w a s m a d e , 1 44 ;

O c e an , th e ch u r n i n g o f th e , 1 0 8
v
h i s d i i n e a s s i s t an t s , 1 4 7 r e e as e s l
A h alya fr o m a cu r s e , 1 4 8 m ar r i e s
Om, e xpl an at i o n o f th e w ord, 82
S i ta , 1 5 0 i s tau gh t t h a t h e i s d i i n e v
B
b y r a h ma, 1 64 ; o r sh i p e d
p w u r ga, D
P 25 1.
.

R ti w i f f K am d
a , e o a e va , 2 1 5 ff .

P a d ma a na me of L ak sh mi 1 12 R av R ak h
an a , a s as , 1 4 3 h i s d e s tr u c t i o n
t ld b y S i t
, ,

P a d malaya, 1 12 f or e o a, 1 49 h i s b i r th ,
P an ch an an a , a fo r m o f i a, 2 3 6 Sv 32 1
P an d u , th e fat h e r o f th e P an d u s , 3 4 5 ff R avi , 3 60 l S y
s ee a s o ur a.
w i f f B l am
.

P an yak i r ti , a n am e o f ar u d a, 1 9 1 G R e va t i , e o a ar a, 1 8 7

P ar am e s th i , a n ame o f r ah ma, 9 1 B Ri bh u s, e u t h p pi l
s o fT
vas t r i 64 ,

P ar a s ak t i , a n am e o f ur ga, 2 60 D R i ch i k a , gr a n d fath er o f P ar a su r ama ,

v
P ar a s u r am a A atar a , t h e , 1 3 5 ; h i s b i r th , I 36

1 3 7 ; me e t i n g i th w R
am a h an d r a , 1 40 C Rvi e r s , th e s acr e d , 3 90
j
P ar i at a tr e e , t h e , 5 1 R u d r a, h i s
qu ar r e i th l w r ah ma, 87 ; B
j y
P a r a n a, a s t o r m d e i t , 5 4 y o r i gi n o f, 8 9 s ee i a Sv .

P ar at i , i e o f i a, 2 4 1 h ow sh e
v wf Sv wf K
Ru k mi n i , t h e i e o f r i s h n a, 1 68
b eca me fai r , 2 4 2 wh y s h e r e a p ear e d p
o n e a r th , 2 43

P asi , a n am e o f ar u n a , 3 7 V
P a an , a n am e o f a u , 5 6
v Vy
P e n an ce , fo r ms o f, 2 8 0
P i s ach as , th e , 404 s agar a, A svam e d h a o f, 3 8 4 ff .

P i tamvar a , a n am e o f i sh n u , 1 0 7
Pi t r i p at i , a n a m e o f ama , 74
P an ets , th e , 3 5 9
l S k
P r ach e t as , a n a me o f ar u n a , 3 7
V S v
ah a d e a , a s on o f t h e A s i n s , 3 4
5 v
Y S ak am b h ar i , a n am e o f u r ga, 2 5 6 D
a r a , a n am e o f n d r a ,
53 I
V S ly
S
a a , a e a d e r i n t h e P an d u w a r , 3 5 4

a m ari a, a n a m e o f
l
Y
P r ach e tas a s , th e r e u t e d p
ar e n t s of p am a , 7 4

Dka sh a,
3 1 1 S a m avu r t i 74
P r a d yu mn a, a n am e o f K ama d eva , 2 1 5 S am b h u , a n am e o f i va, 2 2 6 S
P r ah lad a, t h e s o n o f H i r an yak a s i pu , 1 2 6 ff .
S ampa ti , 1 5 9 , 3 79
j p
P r a a ati , th e t e r m e ai n e d , 3 0 9 xpl S am va r a , 1 2 9 ; a d e mo n th at car r i e d o ff

P ri thi , w i fe o f P u las tya , 3 0 5 K am a d eva , 2 1 5

P r i th i i : s ee
v Dy
au s a so as l
s r un g p S w
an gri a, i fe o f u r a, 2 8 S y
f
r o m t h e fo o t o f V
i sh n u , I 3 S fi
an h i t a , d e n i t i o n o f a , 4

P r i th u , fa th e r o f P r i th i i , 1 2 v S pl
an i , a a n e t, 3 62

P u ah a, a s o n o f r ah ma, 3 0 6
l B S k
an ar a , a n a m e o f i a , 2 2 6 ffSv .

P u las tya, S an t an u , fa th e r o f Bh i s h m a , 3 4 2
305
P u r an a s , th e , 7 7 S ap taji h va , a n am e o f A gn i , 2 4
P u r u s h a , a n a m e o f i sh n u , 1 0 7V S v
ar a s a ti , t h e w
i fe o f r a h ma, 9 1 if B .

P u r u s h o ttam a , 1 07 S as ti , 397
P u sh an , a s u n go d , 3 0 S at i , a me
U m a, 2 3 8
na of

S at r u gh n a , t h e b r o th e r o f am a , R 1 47

S a tya van , a h e r m i t r e sto r e d t o li f e by

Y m 72 a a,

S vi t i w i f
a r ,
e of S a tyavan , 7 2 a na me of

R ah u, th e a s ce n d i n g n o d e ,
3 63 ; a m S ti
a r a s va , 94 l S y
s ee a s o ur a.

b a s s ad o r t o S iv a fo r J alan d h ar a , 3 70 S avi t r i p at i , a na me of B h ma ra , 91
Rj a i , a n e ar th ly ki n
g wh o b e c am e n d r a , I S es h a, th e s e r pen t d i ty
e 69 ;,
1 i n car n at e
49 in B l
a a r am a, 1 8 5

R ak h s as as , th e , l
c ou d d e mon s , 5 4 ; d e S h algr am a , t h e , 3 9 7
i p ti
s cr o n o f, 40 3 S h i ta la, 3 94
 I NDEX .

S i dd h S a- e n an i , a n a me of D ur
ga, 256 T r ees, s a cr e d , 3 90
S i ng h a vah i n i , 25 7 T r i den t of S iv a, th e , h o w p r o d u ced , 28

S t a , o r i gi n a n d b i r t h o f,
re vi ou s 1 49 T r ya m b ak a , a n am e o a, f Siv 235
i p
j e c te d b y h e r h u s b an d , 1 6 3 ff : s ee T l
u s i , a s acr e d p a n t , 3 9 2 l
V
re .

R am a .
T vas tr i o r i s va k ar ma, 64
S iv w a, o r s h i pp e d by B r ah m a, 9 0 ; f ore

t e lls t h e d e s t r u ct i o n o f R av an a , 1 57 ;
o v e r c o me by K de
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