Story of Sādhya

General.

A Gaṇadevatā. These Devatās often used to play an important role in Purāṇic movements and incidents. The Sādhyas were born from the seed Virāṭ Puruṣa. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 1, Verse 35). But according to Viṣṇu Purāṇa (Part 1, Chapter 35) the Sādhyas were the grand-children of Dakṣa-prajāpati. Of the sixty daughters of the Prajāpati by his wife Asiknī, ten were married by Dharmadeva; The Viśvadevas were the sons of Dharmadeva by his wife Viśvā and the Sādhyas were his sons by Sādhyā.

Other information.

(i) The Sādhyas fought with Garuḍa, who went to Devaloka for Amṛta and got defeated. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 16).

(ii) The Sādhyas feared Viśvāmitra. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 71, Verse 39).

(iii) Sādhyagaṇas participated in the birthday celebrations of Arjuna. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 122, Verse 70).

(iv) Sādhyas took their place in planes above the palace of Drupada to witness Draupadī’s wedding. (Ādi Parva Chapter 186, Verse 6).

(v) They were present at the Devayajña conducted at Naimiṣa forest. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 195, Verse 3).

(vi) They were present with various Kinds of arrows at the battle between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna on the occasion of the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 226 Verse 38).

(vii) They live in Indra’s court. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7, Verse 22).

(viii) They go to the court of Brahmā also and worship him. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 44).

(ix) In the battle between Subrahmaṇya and Tārakāsura they fought on the side of the former. (Vana Parva, Chapter 231, Verse 71).

(x) Once they made a prayer to Dattātreya muni. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 36, Verse 3).

(xi) On the occasion of the battle between Karṇa and Arjuna at Kurukṣetra the Sādhyas wished success for the flatter. (Śalya Parva, Chapter 44, Verse 29).

(xii) They served as store-keepers at the yajña performed by king Marutta. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 29, Verse 22).

(xiii) They remain on Mount Muñjavān worshipping Śiva. (Āśvamedhika Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 1).