Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Somadatta 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 Somadatta
A King of the Kuru dynasty.
General information.
This King was the son of Bālhīka and the grandson of King Pradīpa. Three sons named Bhūri, Bhūriśravas and Śala were born to Somadatta.
Other details.
(i) Somadatta and his sons were present at the Svayaṃvara marriage of Draupadī. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 185, Verse 14).
(ii) Somadatta had participated in the royal consecration sacrifice of Yudhiṣṭhira. (Mahābhārata Chapter 34, Verse 8).
(iii) This Somadatta was present at the Svayaṃvara of Devakī. At that time there occurred a hand to hand fight between Śini and Somadatta. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 114, Verse 14).
(iv) The defeat from Śini being unbearable, Somadatta did penance to get power to vanquish him and Śiva appeared before him. Somadatta made the following request:— "God! May I be granted a son who would be powerful enough to kick down the son of Śini in his palace." Śiva granted his wish. Bhūriśravas was the son born in conformity with this boon. He grew up and defeated the son of Śini and kicked him in the palace of the King. This story occurs in Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva, Chapter 144.
(v) Somadatta fought against Sātyaki and Bhīmasena in the battle of Bhārata and fell down unconscious. (Droṇa Parva, Chapter 157, Verse 10).
(vi) In the battle which followed this, Sātyaki killed Somadatta. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 162, Verse 33).
(vii) It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Āśramavāsika Parva, Chapter 11, Verse 17, that Dhṛtarāṣṭra performed the sacrifice of giving offerings to the spirit of Somadatta.
(viii) Somadatta was one of the spirits which appeared on the surface of the Ganges when invoked by Vyāsa. (Mahābhārata Āśramavāsika Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 12).