Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Amsha 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 Aṃśa
A sage of the family of Marīci.
Genealogy.
He was descended from Viṣṇu through Brahmā, Marīci and Kaśyapa.
Birth.
Marīci was one of the six sons, all ṛṣis, of Brahmā. These six sons, born parthogenetically of Brahmā, were: Marīci, Aṅgiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. Marīci had a son named Kaśyapa. Kaśyapa married the thirteen daughters of Dakṣa. The eldest of them, Aditi, gave birth to twelve sons Dhātā, Aryaman, Mitra, Śakra, Varuṇa, Aṃśa, Bhaga, Vivasvān, Pūṣan, Savitā, Tvaṣṭā and Viṣṇu. Aṃśa is one of these twelve sons who have been called the twelve Ādityas. (See Chapter 65 of Ādi Parva of the Mahābhārata).
Events.
The Mahābhārata says (Śloka 66, Chapter 123) that Aṃśa was present at the time of Arjuna’s birth when several devas had come there to see the infant. In Śloka 34, Chapter 45 of Śalya Parva it is said that Aṃśa was present on the occasion of the Abhiṣeka of Skandadeva. Aṃśa is said to have presented to Skandadeva five good warriors: Parigha, Vaṭa, Bhīma, Dahana and Dahati.