Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Asitadevala 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 Asitadevala
Main details.
(1) He is one of those who spread the story of Mahābhārata to the public. Vyāsa wrote the Mahābhārata into a lakh of books and first taught the great epic to his son, the sage Śuka. He later expounded it to many other disciples. Nārada spread the story among the devas, Devala among the Pitṛs, Śuka among Gandharvas and Yakṣas and Vaiśampāyana among men. (Ślokas 107 & 108, Chapter 1, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).
(2) He was present at the Sarpasatra of Janamejaya. (Śloka 8, Chapter 53, Ādi Parva, Mahābhārata).
(3) He attended the coronation of Yudhiṣṭhira along with Nārada and Vyāsa. (Śloka 10, Chapter 53, Sabhā Parva, Mahābhārata). See under Devala for more information.