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.
Chapter 4 - Significance of Vaishnava Myths
127 (of 234)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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269
The incarnation of Parasurāma, is available however, in the
Bhāgavata Purāṇa, but with much bravity. Only two chapters of the
nineth skandha of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa describe this myth. Moreever,
in similitude with the Mahābhārata, the Bhāgavata Purāṇa does not
give any special element. Therefore, the portion of the Bhāgavata
Purāṇa wherein this myth is described has not been taken here for
consideration.
Of the Mahapurāṇas, the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa is the sole text that
abounds in the description of Paraśurāma incarnation with more
details as it almost covers twenty-four chapters in the third section
of the Brahmaṇḍa Purāṇa. The description of this incarnation begins
with the dialogue between Aurva and Paraśurāma. Being very much
desirous of seeing his grand father and mother Paraśurāma went to
them and started performing severe penance to please Lord Siva or
the Himalayan mountains, as suggested by his grand parents. As a
result he acquires the knowledge of many Astras from Lord Śiva.
Thereupon, the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa reads an incident of
Paraśurāma's protecting a boy from tiger which forms the subject
matter of twenty fifth chapter. Once Paraśurāma entered a cave in
the Himalayan mountains in a dense forest, there he saw a boy, the
son of Brāhmaṇa crying like one who was extremely frightened as he
was chased by a tiger. He was holding his vital airs with great difficulty.
On seeing him, Rāma had his heart overhelmed with sympathy and
� तान्भ्राष्टराज्यान्कृत्व� वै मातामहकुलोद्भवान� �
� हत्व� मनुवंशांस्तान्रामो नृपकुलान्तकः � ७६ �
[tānbhrāṣṭarājyānkṛtvā vai mātāmahakulodbhavān |
na hatvā manuvaṃśāṃstānrāmo nṛpakulāntaka� || 76 ||
] Ibid., VI.241. 69-76, p. 838-839.
