Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Gada 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 Gada
A brother (Yādava) of Balabhadrarāma.
General.
Vasudeva had, besides Devakī, seven wives called Rohiṇī, Bhadrā, Mālinī, Madirā, Ilā, Rocanā and Pauravī, and out of the seven Rohiṇī had six sons called Balabhadrarāma, Gada, Sāraṇa, Durdama, Vikala and Kṛta. (Bhāgavata, Navama Skandha).
Other details.
(1) Gada was present at the svayaṃvara of Draupadī. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 185, Verse 32).
(2) On the marriage of Arjuna with Subhadrā, it was Gada who brought the dowry of Subhadrā from Dvārakā to Indraprastha. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 220, Verse 32).
(3) When Śrī Kṛṣṇa came to Dvārakā Gada received him with embraces. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 2, Verse 35).
(4) Gada also was present on the occasion when the Pāṇḍavas first stepped into the beautiful palace built for them by Maya at Indraprastha. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 4, Verse 39).
(5) Along with the other Yādavas Gada too was present at the rājasūya yajña of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 34, Verse 16).
(6) Gada held a prominent position among the Yādavas deputed to guard Dvārakā against the onslaught of King Sālva. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 15, Verse 9).
(7) Gada also accompanied Śrī Kṛṣṇa to the Aśvamedha yajña performed by Yudhiṣṭhira. (Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 86, Verse 9).
(8) Śrī Kṛṣṇa felt uncontrollably angry when Gada was attacked during the mutual fighting with iron rods by the Yādavas which climaxed in their total annihilation. (Mausala Parva, Chapter 3, Verse 45).