Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Bhaga 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 Bhaga
General.
One of the twelve Ādityas born as sons of Kaśyapa prajāpati by his wife, Aditi. Viṣṇu, Śakra, Aryaman, Dhātā, Tvaṣṭā, Pūṣā, Vivasvān, Savitā, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṃśu and Bhaga—these are the Dvādaśādityas, and they were Devas famous as Tuṣitas in the last Cākṣuṣamanvantara.
Other information.
(1) Bhaga married Siddhi, and the couple begot three sons called Mahiman, Vibhu and Prabhu and three daughters called Suvratā, Varārohā, and Āśīs.
(2) Bhaga participated in the birthday celebrations of Arjuna. (Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 122, Verse 66).
(3) At the time of Khāṇḍavadāha (burning of the Khāṇḍava forest) Bhaga, as a supporter of Indra, who was fighting Arjuna and Śrī Kṛṣṇa, sprang upon the enemies with sword in hand. (Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 236, Verse 36).
(4) Bhaga shines forth in Indra’s assembly. (Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7, Verse 22).
(5) Bhaga was also present at the installation of Subrahmaṇya as commander of the fighting forces. (Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 45).
(6) After Devayuga (Deva age), the Devas asembled together and decided upon the share of yajñas due to each of them, and in thus fixing shares they left out Rudra. Enraged at this neglect Rudra made a bow and fought against the Devas. During the fight Rudra, with the point of his bow, extracted the hands of Savitā, the eyes of Bhaga and the teeth of Pūṣā. Ultimately the Devas satisfied and pleased. Rudra, who returned to Bhaga and others the eyes etc. which had been extracted. (Mahābhārata, Sauptika Parva).