Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Shasta 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 Śāstā
The presiding deity (idol installed) in the Śabarimala temple.
Birth.
Śiva fell in love with Mahāviṣṇu in his assumed form as Mohinī and Śāstā was the result of their union. (Kambarāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa). This story occurs in the 8th Skandha of Bhāgavata and the Asura kāṇḍa of Skanda Purāṇa, but only the Skanda Purāṇa refers to the child by name Śāstā.
Other information.
(i) In the battle between Indra and the asura called Śūrapadma the former deputed Śāstā for the protection of Śacīdevī. (Skanda Purāṇa, Asura Kāṇḍa).
(ii) Śāstā is supposed to have two wives called Purāṇā and Puṣkalā and a son called Satyaka. (Aṣṭottaraśatakam about Śāstā; also see under Śabarimala).