Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Mleccha 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 Mleccha
A tribe of people of ancient India. This tribe was born from the tail of the celestial cow Nandinī, kept by Vasiṣṭha for sacrificial purposes when there was a fight between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha. Mahābhārata gives the following information regarding them.
(1) The mlecchas who sprang up from the tail of the celestial cow Nandinī sent the army of Viśvāmitra flying in terror. (Śloka 38, Chapter 174, Ādi Parva).
(2) Bhīmasena defeated the mlecchas living in the coastal regions and took from them several valuable diamonds as tax. (Śloka 25, Chapter 30, Sabhā Parva).
(3) The mlecchas living in the coastal area were once defeated by Sahadeva, one of the Pāṇḍavas. (Śloka 66, Chapter 31, Sabhā Parva).
(4) Nakula also once defeated the mlecchas. (Śloka 16, Chapter 32, Sabhā Parva).
(5) Bhagadatta was the King of the mlecchas. (Śloka 14, Chapter 51, Sabhā Parva).
(6) Bhagadatta accompanied by the mlecchas living on the coasts attended the Rājasūya of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Śloka 14, Chapter 51, Sabhā Parva).
(7) Different tribes of mlecchas will be born on earth at the beginning of the era of Pralaya. (Śloka 34, Chapter 188, Vana Parva).
(8) Kalkī, the incarnation of Viṣṇu, will destroy the mlecchas who are found everywhere in the world. (Śloka 97 Chapter 190, Vana Parva).
(9) Karṇa during his world campaign conquered many mleccha countries. (Śloka 19, Chapter 254, Vana Parva).
(10) A place of habitation in Bhārata is called Mleccha. (Śloka 57, Chapter 9. Bhīṣma Parva).
(11) Aṅga, a mleccha warrior was killed in the battle by Bhīmasena. (Śloka 17, Chapter 26, Droṇa Parva).
(12) Once the mlecchas attacked Arjuna with arrows. Arjuna killed the hairy soldiers. (Śloka 43, Chapter 93, Droṇa Parva).
(13) Sātyaki killed many mleccha soldiers in the great war. (Śloka 43, Chapter 119, Droṇa Parva).
(14) Nakula killed Aṅga, a mleccha King. (Śloka 18, Chapter 22, Karṇa Parva),
(15) Arjuna had to face a great army of mlecchas to protect the Yāgāśva. (Śloka 23, Chapter 73, Aśvamedha Parva).
(16) The wealth that remained in the Yāgaśālā of Yudhiṣṭhira after the distribution as gifts to brahmins was taken away by the mlecchas. (Śloka 26, Chapter 89, Aśvamedha Parva).
(17) The mlecchas drove angered elephants on to the army of the Pāṇḍavas. (Śloka 10, Chapter 22, Karṇa Parva).