Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Dhenuka included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana�).
Story of Dhenuka
General information.
A fierce ¸éÄå°ìá¹£a²õ²¹ (giant) with the figure of a donkey. He lived in the forest of °Äå±ôÄ« (°ÕÄå±ô²¹). People did not dare to pass by that way fearing this giant. Hearing about him, ÅšrÄ« °á¹›á¹£á¹‡a and his elder brother Balabhadra ¸éÄå³¾²¹ went to the forest. There were several palm trees in the forest, the fruits of which they shook with force. Hearing the noise Dhenuka ran to them. Balabhadra and ÅšrÄ« °á¹›á¹£á¹‡a beat the giant to death.
Other details.
(1) In µþ³óÄå²µ²¹±¹²¹³Ù²¹, Skandha 10, it is stated that Pralambaka, °äÄåṇūr²¹, °ÕṛṇÄå±¹²¹°ù³Ù²¹, ²Ñ³ÜṣṾ±°ì²¹, Ariá¹£á¹aka, °±ðÅ›¾±, Dhenuka and others were the followers of °²¹á¹ƒs²¹.
(2) In µþ³óÄå²µ²¹±¹²¹³Ù²¹, Skandha 10, there is another story that while Balabhadra ¸éÄå³¾²¹, ÅšrÄ« °á¹›á¹£á¹‡a and the other cowherds were looking after the cows an asura entered into the midst of the flock, in the shape of a cow (Dhenu). ¸éÄå³¾²¹ and °á¹›á¹£á¹‡a saw him, struck him against a tree and killed him.