Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Shakti 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 Śakti
General.
Son of Vasiṣṭha by Arundhatī. He was the first-born among the hundred sons of Vasiṣṭha. Kalmāṣapāda, the Rākṣasa captured and ate Śakti and his pregnant wife Adṛśyantī spent her days in great grief with Vasiṣṭha. Parāśaramuni, father of Vyāsa, was Adṛśyantī’s son. (For details see under (Adṛśyantī).
Other information
(i) It was Śiva, who incarnated himself as the son of Vasiṣṭha.
(ii) Gopāyana, Bharadvāja, Āpastamba and Arṇodara belong to the line of disciples of Śakti. (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 6).