Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Gunasharman 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, 鈥榯he five characteristics of a Purana鈥�).
Story of Gu峁嘺艣arman
A character of the 笔耻谤腻峁嘺蝉 well versed in all arts and sciences. He was the son of the brahmin 膧ditya艣arman of 鲍箩箩补测颈苍墨. The birth of Gu峁嘺艣arman bears a story. Once 膧ditya艣arman went to the forests and by his spiritual powers made 厂耻濒辞肠补苍腻, a celestial nymph, to merge with him. A son was born to them and he was named Gu峁嘺艣arman. 膧ditya艣arman became a deva. Even from boyhood he became very erudite. Once Indra came to see 膧ditya艣arman. 膧ditya艣arman who was in deep thoughts did not see Indra and so did not rise up when Indra came. Indra felt insulted and cursed him to be born again on Earth. 膧ditya艣arman prostrated before Indra and asked for pardon. Indra then said that it would be enough if his son was born on Earth in his stead. So Gu峁嘺艣arman was born on Earth to bear the curse of his father.
At that time 鲍箩箩补测颈苍墨 was being ruled over by a King called 惭补丑腻蝉别苍补. He had a very beautiful wife named A艣okavat墨. Gu峁嘺艣arman became gradually an intimate friend of the King. Knowing that Gu峁嘺艣arman was well versed in all arts the King and queen asked him to give them a performance in dancing. The dance was so excellent that the King engaged Gu峁嘺艣arman to teach dancing to A艣okavat墨.
Once a royal attendant tried to give poisoned food to the King and Gu峁嘺艣arman finding it out saved the King. From that day onwards the King loved him more. When once 惭补丑腻蝉别苍补 was imprisoned by his enemies Gu峁嘺艣arman by his magic powers released him. In return for this help the King gave Gu峁嘺艣arman a thousand villages.
Then to the misfortune of all A艣okavat墨 fell in love with Gu峁嘺艣arman. Gu峁嘺艣arman bluntly refused her love. Embittered at this A艣okavat墨 started talking ill of Gu峁嘺艣arman and the King at last sent Gu峁嘺艣arman out from the palace. The servants of the King tried to capture him and put him into prison but Gu峁嘺艣arman escaped from the royal servants by his magic powers.
He then went and stayed in the house of a brahmin named 础驳苍颈诲补迟迟腻 and married his daughter, Sundari. Then on the advice of the brahmin Gu峁嘺艣raman did penance to propitiate 厂耻产谤补丑尘补峁噛补 and got many more powers from him. Guna艣arman equipped with these additional powers conquered 惭补丑腻蝉别苍补 and his country and became King there. He then sent 惭补丑腻蝉别苍补 and his wife A艣okavat墨, out from the country. (S奴ryaprabh膩la峁僢aka, 罢补谤补峁単补 6, 碍补迟丑腻蝉补谤颈迟蝉腻驳补谤补).
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