Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Sarama 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 Saramā
General.
Bitch of the Devas. Śyāma and Śabala, sons of Saramā, were two prominent messengers of Yama and they possessed four eyes each. The offsprings of these dogs are called Sārameyas. The Ṛgveda and Mahābhārata contain a story about Saramā cursing Janamejaya. (For details see under Śrutaśravas III).
Other information.
(i) Saramā worships Brahmā in his court. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 40).
(ii) Saramā is a graha (Evil spirit) of Subrahmaṇya which enters the womb of pregnant women and steals the babies. (Vana Parva, Chapter 230, Verse 34).
(iii) Saramā after having once drunk milk from dasyus lied about it to Indra, and he punished her. (Varāha Purāṇa).
(iv) Indra once deputed Saramā to find out the place where the Paṇis had hidden the cows on condition that he would feed her children. Saramā found out the place and informed Indra about it thus earning for her children their livelihood. (Ṛgveda, Maṇḍala 1, Chapter 5).