Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Puranjana 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 ʳܰñᲹԲ
A king. The story of this king was told to king ʰ峦īԲ by 岹 to illustrate the truth that those who kill ⲹñ cows on earth would surely suffer its consequences at one time or another.
ʳܰñᲹԲ once started on a tour after killing a few ⲹñ cows. His aim was to build a new palace. After walking alone for a long time he reached the neighbourhood of ᾱⲹ. While wandering in the forests he saw a beautiful garden and by its side a big castle with nine tower-gates. It was the residence of the Gandharva lady ʳܰñᲹī. She had innumerable girl companions and her castle was guarded by a five-hooded cobra called Prajāgiri.
ʳܰñᲹī fell in love with ʳܰñᲹԲ at first sight and their greetings and subsquent talks ended in their marriage. Thus ʳܰñᲹԲ became the husband of ʳܰñᲹī and they lived happily an erotic life for a hundred years. Then one day the king went for hunting alone. Even that separation for a little while from ʳܰñᲹī was unbearable to ʳܰñᲹԲ and he returned to his palace soon. ʳܰñᲹī did not come to receive him. On enquiry her companions informed the king that ʳܰñᲹī was lying on the floor with grief unable to bear the separation from the king. ʳܰñᲹԲ consoled her and they lived again for many years in perfect happiness. Then one thing happened.
had a daughter named kanyakā who lived a very wicked and vicious life. She wanted to get married but nobody wanted to be her husband. Śhe went about in search of a husband. ū became her husband for some time but she was soon divorced by him. She approached a Yavana king named Bhaya who had a brother called Prajvara. Bhaya did not want to take that woman as his wife and so sent her back with a boon that she could stand in hiding and enjoy all men she liked. He sent his brother Prajvara for her help. She roamed about like that for some time and came back again to Bhaya. kanyakā, Bhaya and Prajvara joined together and gathering a strong army attacked ʳܰñᲹԲ. A grim battle followed which lasted for several years in the end of which ʳܰñᲹԲ was defeated and taken captive. While he was being taken as a prisoner a herd of wild cows attacked ʳܰñᲹԲ and he was killed. After that he was born as a princess named ղ岹ī. Malayadhvaja, king of ṇḍⲹ, married her and got seven celebrated sons. Agastya married the daughter of Malayadhvaja. (4th Skandha, 岵ٲ).