Essay name: Vaishnava Myths in the Puranas
Author:
Kum. Geeta P. Kurandwad
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies the Vaishnava Myths in the Puranas by exploring the significance of the ten principal incarnations of Lord Vishnu as depicted in various ancient Indian texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas. The research also investigates the social, political, philosophical, and religious impact.
Conclusion
5 (of 7)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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PÄtÄla, yet bestowed upon him the crown of Indra in the next
Manavatara. Although ParaĹurÄma incarnate personality has covered
not as wide portion as other incarnates, He levelled wide spread
cruelty and pride, resorted to unrighteous warrior kings on the
earth. More the more, both RÄma and KášášŁáša incarnates of Lord Viᚣášu
have occupied unique place in the Vaiᚣášava purÄášas. At the time of
their incarnations, adharma, himsa and other evil traits were dancing
due to RÄvaáša and Kaášsa respectively. Both RÄma and KášášŁáša by
destroying those evil embodiments upheld the practical ethics which
promoted peace and harmony in the society by favouring socio-political
equillibrium. During their reign, each class was considered as the best
in its own field and as attaining the highest perfection by discharging
its dharma conscientiously. And the purpose of their incarnations
reached the climax in the creation of maximum efficiency, progress,
harmony and welfare in the society at large. These points are quite
evident particularly in the Visášu PurÄáša and the BhÄgavata PurÄáša.
Generally both Viᚣášu, BrahmÄ and Ĺiva could be traced back to
Vedic literature and BrÄhmaášas; and these three gods have been
regarded as the representations of creative, the preservative and
destructive principles. Yet, it may be pointed out on the basis of
PurÄášic references that Viᚣášu often carries off the palm of
Supremacy. Whenever the world is overwhelmed with evil, Lord
Viᚣnu is represented to have rescued it from utter extinction in
different incarnations.
A brief sketch of the development of BhÄgavatism during the
first two centuries of pre-christian era and its subsequent development
