Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Pishaca included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Piśāca
(Devil, Satan)
Origin.
A malevolent being which is the very manifestation of evil. Everybody, everywhere in the world, from the very birth of this universe believed in the presence of such a wicked soul. According to Hindu Purāṇas, Piśāca is a creation of Brahmā. In the beginning Brahmā created the eighteen prajāpatis headed by Dakṣa, the Yakṣas, the Gandharva and the Piśācas. (Chapter 1, Ādi Parva). This wicked being is called in English a 'Devil'. This word is derived from the Greek word 'diabolos'. People of the West and East equally believe that Piśāca (Satan) is an enemy of men and gods alike.
Bible and the Piśāca.
It is not clearly stated in Bible how Satan was born but it is being referred to at several places as a wicked soul which leads men to evil.
The Bhāratīya Saṅkalpa.
Pisāca, the creation of Brahmā, has taken important roles in the Purāṇic stories. Though Piśāca is the instigator of all evils its manifestation appears in many contexts in the Purāṇas:—
(i) Piśāca lives in the court of Kubera and worships him. (Śloka 16, Chapter 10, Sabhā Parva).
(ii) Piśāca lives in the court of Brahmā and worships him. (Śloka 49, Chapter 11, Sabhā Parva).
(iii) Piśāca lives in the Gokarṇatīrtha and worships Śiva. (Śloka 25, Chapter 85. Vana Parva).
(iv) Piśāca is the head of all evil spirits. Marīci and sages like him have created many evil spirits. (Śloka 46, Chapter 272, Vana Parva).
(v) The bhūtas (evil spirits) made Rāvaṇa their king. (Śloka 88, Chapter 275, Vana Parva).
(vi) The food of Piśāca is flesh and its drink, blood. (Śloka 9, Chapter 50, Droṇa Parva).
(vii) In the battle af Bhārata, the horses attached to the chariot of Alambuṣa were Piśācas. (Śloka 38, Chapter 167, Droṇa Parva).
(viii) The Piśācas fought Karṇa acting as helpers to Ghaṭotkaca. (Śloka 109, Chapter 175, Droṇa Parva).
(ix) Arjuna conquered the Piśācas at the time of Khāṇḍavadāha. (Śloka 37, Chapter, 37; Karṇa Parva).
(x) The Piśācas were present during the fight of Arjuna with Karṇa (Śloka 50, Chapter 87, Karṇa Parva).
(xi) The Piśācas worship Pārvatī and Parameśvara doing penance on the top of the mountain Muñjavān. (Śloka 5, Chapter 8, Āśvamedhika Parva).
(xii) During the time of Mahābhārata many Piśācas incarnated as kings. (Śloka 6, Chapter 31, Āśramvāsika Parva).