Puranic encyclopaedia

by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222

This page describes the Story of Kimpurusha 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 Kimpuruṣa

General.

A King called Agnīdhra was born in the dynasty of Priyavrata, son of Manu. He became lord of the Jambū island, and married an apsarā woman named Pūrvacitti. To them were born nine sons called Nābhi, Kimpuruṣa, Hari, Ilāvṛta, Ramyaka, Hiraṇmaya, Kalva, Bhadrāśva and Ketumāla. Agnīdhra partitioned the kingdom among the nine sons. The land Kimpuruṣa ruled over was known as Kimpuruṣa or Kimpuruṣavarṣa. It lay to the south of Hemakūṭa mountain. It was here that Hanūmān spent his last days worshipping Śrī Rāma.

"The son of the wind God (Hanūmān) lives in the country called Kimpuruṣavarṣa in the worship of Śrī Rāma." (Bhāgavata, 5th Skandha).

According to the Sabhā Parva (Chapter 23, Verses 1, 2) Kimpuruṣavarṣa guarded by the sons of Druma is situated to the north of the Himālayas facing the Dhavala mountain, and this country was once conquered by Arjuna.

Other information.

(i) Kimpuruṣas were the sons of Pulaha Prajāpati. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 66, Verse 8).

(ii) They witnessed Agastya drinking up the ocean dry. (Vana Parva, Chapter 104, Verse 21).

(iii) They guard the lotus ponds kept by Kubera to sport with his beloved ones. (Vana Parva, Chapter 15, Verse 9).

(iv) In his conflict with Rāvaṇa, Kubera left behind him Laṅkā and his Puṣpaka Vimāna, escaped towards the north and settled down on mount Gandhamādana with the help of the Kimpuruṣas. (Vana Parva, Chapter 275, Verse 33).

(v) Yakṣa women were their mothers. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 207, Verse 25).

(vi) They were present at the aśvamedha of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 88, Verse 37).

(vii) Śuka Brahmarṣi reached Bhārata, crossing Kimpuruṣavarṣa. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 325).

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