Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Elu 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 Elu
This word in Malayālam means 'Seven'.
(1) The seven qualities which would enhance prosperity are the following: Dhairya (courage), Śama (forbearance), Dama (control of the sense), Śucitva (cleanliness), Dayā (compassion), Mṛduvāk (geniality of speech) and Ahiṃsā (not giving injury to your friends).
(2) The seven divisions of Kerala are Venāṭ, Pūlināṭ, Karkanāṭ, Cītanāṭ, Kuṭṭanāṭ, Kuṭanāṭ and Malayamanāṭ.
(3) The seven Cittaśalyas are Daylight Candra, Woman past the prime of life, a pond without lotuses, a lovely person without learning, a lord greedy of wealth, a virtuous but poor man and a cruel royal attendant.
(4) Seven Karmas: Bravery, skill, courage, resourcefulness, non-withdrawal from war, magnanimity and commanding power.
(5) Seven solemnities: Māmmodīsa, Mūron, Kurbāna, Kumbasāra, Vivāha, Paṭṭatva and Tailābhiṣeka of the sick.
(6) Seven Cirañjīvis (People who never die): Aśvatthāmā, Bali, Vyāsa, Hanūmān, Vibhīṣaṇa, Kṛpa and Paraśurāma.
(7) Jīvāvasthās: Ajñāna, Āvaraṇa, Vikṣepa, Parokṣajñāna, Aparokṣajñāna, Anarthanivṛtti and Ānandaprāpti.
(8) Seven islands: Jambudvīpa, Plakṣadvīpa, Puṣkaradvīpa, Krauñcadvīpa, Śākadvīpa, Śālmaladvīpa, and Kuśadvīpa.
(9) Seven Dhātus: Rasa, Rakta, Māṃsa, Medas, Asthi, Majjā and Śukla.
(10) Seven rivers: Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Godāvarī, Sarasvatī, Narmadā, Sindhu and Kāverī.
(11) Seven Nāḍīs: Iḍā, Piṅgalā, Suṣumnā, Muṣā; Alaṃbuṣā, Asthijihvā, Gāndhārī.
(12) Seven wives of Vasudeva: Devakī, Śrutadevā, Yaśodā, Śrutiśravā, Śrīdevā, Upadevā and Surūpā.
(13) Seven mountains: Himavān, Niṣadha, Vindhya, Mālyavān, Pāriyātra, Gandhamādana and Hemakūṭa.
(14) Seven Pātālas: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Nitala, Ṭalātala, Rasātala, and Mahātala.
(15) Seven holy places: Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Māyā, Kāśī, Kāñcī, Avantī and Dvāravatī.
(16) Seven Maruts: Āvaha, Saṃvaha, Pravaha, Udvaha, Vivaha, Parivaha and Parāvaha.
(17) Seven Vargas: King, Minister, Country, fort, treasury, army and strength of friends and relatives.
(18) Seven colours: White, black, red, green, yellow, blue and violet.
(19) Seven forests: Kāmyaka, Aditi, Vyāsa, Phalkī, Sūrya, Madhu and Śītā.
(20) Seven doṣas (defects): Laziness, arrogance, ignorance, profligacy, Hauteur, pride and selfishness.
(21) Seven vices: Hunting, dice, womanising, drinking squandering, harshness of speech and cruelty.
(22) Seven seas: Lavaṇa, Ikṣu, Surā, Sarpiṣ, Dadhi, Kṣīra and Śuddhodaka.
(23) Seven notes: Ṣadja, Ṛṣabha, Gāndhāra, Madhyama, Pañcama, Dhaivata and Niṣāda.