Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Shesha 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 Śeṣa
(ĀDIŚEṢA). Ananta. (q. v.)
Additional information
(i) Ananta is the reposing bed of Viṣṇu. It is this Ananta who dislodged Mandara mountain at the time of Kṣīrābdhi mathana (churning of the ocean of milk) (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 18, Verse 8).
(ii) Ananta is the noblest of the nāgas. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 35, Verse 2).
(iii) When there were mutual dissensions among the nāgas, Ananta visited holy places such as Puṣkara. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 36, Verse 3).
(iv) Ananta obtained from Brahmā the boon to be able to stand firmly on Dharma. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 36, Verse 17).
(v) Ananta carries and supports the earth at the behest of Brahmā. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 36, Verse 18).
(vi) Ananta’s father is Kaśyapa and his mother is Kadrū. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 65, Verse 41).
(vii) Balabhadra Rāma was born from a portion of Ananta. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 67, Verse 152).
(viii) At the time of Tripuradahana, Ananta served as the axle of Śiva’s chariot. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 202, Verse 72).