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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

Page:

33 (of 234)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


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175
Viṣṇu is also earth's husband. The Kūrma is also able to exert
fertilizing influences. In accordance with the nature of the animal
Kasyapa, 'the tortoise' enters the earth. It is considered as the father
of all creatures, and Prajāpati in craeting assumed the form of this
reptile. The tortoise with its nature of drawing within itself all its limbs
stands in later times, as a representative of the man who wishes to
repress all his emotions and to restrain the activities of his senses.
Kurma in Vedic Literature :
In the Vedas, the tortoise has acquired semi-divine position. In
the Sukla Yajurveda it is spoken of as 'Lord of waters', and in the
Atharva Veda it is called 'Kasyapa' identifying with Prajāpati. Also
it receives the epithet of 'Svayambhu', 'self existent'. In the
Satapatha Brāhmaṇa Prajāpati is said to have changed himself into
tortoise when reproducing all creatures. This transformation came to
know in Hindy mythology as the tortoise incarnation of Viṣṇu.
Specifically the Kūrma designated as 'Kasyapa' appears in the
Vedic texts quite often. It is glorified with much adoration "as the
regulator of Sun," thus here he is connected with Sun.62
62. यत� ते चन्द्र� कश्य� रोचनाव� यत� संहितं पुष्कल� चित्रभान� �
यस्मिन्सूर्य� अर्पिताः सप्त साकं तस्य देवस्य �
क्रुद्धस्य� तदाग� � एव� विद्वांस� ब्राह्मण� जिनाति �
उद वेपय रोहि� प्रक्षिणीहि ब्रह्मज्यस्य प्रतिमुञ्च पाशान् �
[yat te candra� kaśyapa rocanāvada yat saṃhita� puṣkala� citrabhānu |
yasminsūryā arpitā� sapta sāka� tasya devasya |
kruddhasyai tadāgo ya eva� vidvāṃsa� brāhmaṇa� jināti |
uda vepaya rohita prakṣiṇīhi brahmajyasya pratimuñca pāśān ||
]
Atharva Veda XIII.3.10.

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