Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient IndiaA - B - C - D - E - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - P - R - S - T - U - V - Y |
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NARMADA . [Source: Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology] The Nerbudda river, which is esteemed holy.
The personified river is variously represented as being daughter of a Rishi named Mekala (from whom she is called Mekala and Mekala-kanya), as a daughter of the moon, as a 'mind-born daughter' of the Somapas, and as sister of the Nagas.
It was she who brought Purukutsa to the aid of the Nagas against the Gandharvas, and the grateful snake-gods made her name a charm against the venom of snakes.
According to the Vishnu Purana, she had a son by Purukutsa who was named Trasadasyu. The Matsya Purana gives Duhsaha as the name of her husband. The Harivansa is inconsistent with itself. In one place it makes her wife of Purukutsa and mother of Trasadasyu; in another it makes her the wife of Trasadasyu.
She is also called Reva and Purvaganga, and, as a daughter of the moon, Induja and Somodbhava.
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Modern Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D. The textual material made available at this website is licensed under a Creative Commons License. You must give the original author credit. You may not use this work for commercial purposes. If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under a license identical to this one. No claims are made regarding the status of images used at this website; if you own the copyright privileges to any of these images and believe your copyright privileges have been violated, please contact the webmaster. Page last updated: October 16, 2007 12:22 PM |