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
220 (of 234)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
362
mace, riding on Garuda. Prostrating themselves before him, they
addressed him, and said, "Have compassion upon us, O Lord,
protect us, who have come to thee for succour from the Daityas.
They have seized upon the three worlds, and appropriated the
offerings which are our portion, taking care not to transgress the
precepts of the Veda. Although we, as well as they, are parts of
thee, of whom all beings consist, yet we behold the world impressed
by the ignorance of unity, with the belief of its separate existence. 288
When the mighty Visnu heard their request, he emitted from
his body an illusory form, which he gave to the gods, and thus
speak "This deceptive vision shall wholly beguile the Daitays, so
that, being led astray from the path of the Vedas, they may be put
to death; for all gods, demons, or others, who shall be opposed to
the authority of the Veda, shall perish by my might, whilst
exercised for the preservation of the world. Go then, and tear not:
let this delusive vision precede you; it shall this day be of great
service into you, oh gods!.
After this, the great delusion, having proceeded to earth,
beheld the Daityas engaged in ascetic penances upon the banks of
तमूचुः सकला देवा� प्रणिपातपुरःसरम् �
[tamūcu� sakalā devā� praṇipātapuraḥsaram |
] 288 प्रसी� दे� [prasīda deva] ! दैत्येभ्यस्त्राहित� शरणार्थिनः �
त्रैलोक्यं यज्ञभागाश्� दैत्यैर्ह्रा� पुरोगमैः �
हृतं नो ब्राह्मणोऽप्याज्ञामुल्लङ्घ� परमेश्वर� � �
यद्यप्यशेषभूतस्य वय� ने� तवांशकाः �
तथाप्यविध्याभेदे� भिन्नं पश्यामहे जगत् � �
[daityebhyastrāhiti śaraṇārthina� |
trailokya� yajñabhāgāśca daityairhrāda purogamai� |
hṛta� no brāhmaṇo'pyājñāmullaṅghaya parameśvara� | |
yadyapyaśeṣabhūtasya vaya� neca tavāṃśakā� |
tathāpyavidhyābhedena bhinna� paśyāmahe jagat | |
] Ibid III.17.36-38 P.486
