Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Vipracitti 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 Vipracitti
General information.
A Dānava (asura) born to Prajāpati Kaśyapa, by his wife Danū. Danū had given birth to thirtythree notorious asuras (demons). Vipracitti was the eldest of them. His younger brothers were Śambara etc. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva Chapter 65, Stanza 25).
Other details.
(i) Siṃhikā was the wife of Vipraoitti. This Siṃhikā was the sister of Hiraṇyaka ipu and Hiraṇyākṣa and the daughter of Kaśyapa and Diti. (Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Aṃśa 1, Chapter 15).
(ii) It was this Vipracitti who took rebirth later as Jarāsandha. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 67, Stanza 4).
(iii) Vipracitti stays in the palace of Varuṇa praising and glorifying him. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 9, Stanza 12).
(iv) When Mahāviṣṇu took the form of Vāmana and began to measure the three worlds, Vipracitti with some asuras surrounded Vāmana. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Dākṣiṇātya pāṭha, Chapter 38).
(v) In Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 31, Stanza 12, a statement occurs to the effect that in days of old, Mahāviṣṇu took the form of Indra and killed Vipracitti.
(vi) In the war between Devas and asuras, Vipracitti was killed by Indra. (Mahābhārata Śānti Parva, Chapter 47, Stanza 11).