Animal Kingdom (Tiryak) in Epics

by Saranya P.S | 2019 | 51,616 words | ISBN-10: 8190396315 | ISBN-13: 9788190396318

An English study the Animal Kingdom (Tiryak) in Epics.—The present thesis is based entirely on Ramayana and Mahabharata although an attempt is made to analytically compare the Animal kingdom with Mriga-pakshi-shastra—‘The ancient Indian science of of Animals and Birds’....

Chapter 2.5 - The origin of the flora and fauna in the Puranas

The origin of the flora and fauna in Garudamahapurana [Garudapurana]

The names of the wives of Kashyapa are: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Manu, Kala, Simhika, Muni, Kadru, Sandhya, Ira, Krodha, Vinata, Surabhi and Khaga.[1] Here Tamra is not mentioned as a wife of Kashyapa. But her children are Shuki, Shyeni, Bhasi, Sugrivi, Uluki and Gridhrika.[2] Shuki gave birth Shukas, Shyeni was the mother of Shyenyans, Bhasi gave birth to Bhasas, Gridhri to Gridhyans and Uluki to Ulukans. The birds that hover about water are the issues of Sugrivi.[3] From Tamra’s lineage come horses, camels, donkeys, etc.[4] Garuda and Aruna are the sons of Vinata.[5] Surasa had serpents and Kadru had Nagas as their children. Here Surasa is not mentioned as a wife of Kashyapa.

The origin of the flora and fauna in Matsyamahapurana [Matsyapurana]

Here the wives of Kashyapa are Aditi, Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha, Ira, Kadru,Vishva and Muni.[6] From the semen of Kashyapa, Tamra gave birth to six virgins. They are Shuki, Shyeni, Bhasi, Sugrivi, Gridhika, and Shuki.[7]

From Shyeni were born kites and from Shuki were born parrots and owls. From Bhasi were monkeys. Vultures, doves, Brahmani goose and pigeons were born from Gridhra. From Shuki were born birds that move about in water like swans, ducks and love birds. Goat, horse, sheep, camel and ass were born from Sugrivi. Vinata had Aruna and Garuda as her sons. Surasa gave birth to serpents and Kadru to nagas.[8]

The origin of the flora and fauna in Brahmamahapurana [Brahmapurana]

Here Aditi, Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Khasa, Surabhi, Vinita, Tamra, Krodhavasha, Ira, Kadru and Muni are mentioned as the wives of Kashyapa.[9] Tamra’s daughters are: Kraunci, Shyeni, Bhasi, Sugrivi, Shuki and Gridhrika. Kraunci gave birth to owls and crows, Shyeni to vultures, Bhasi to chicken, Gridhri to kites and Shuki to birds that move on water, Sugrivi to horses, camels and asses.[10] Vinata’s children were Aruna and Garuda.Surasa had serpents and Kadru had snake as their children.[11] Surabhi gave birth to cows and she-buffaloes.[12]

The origin of the flora and fauna in Vishnumahapurana [Vishnupurana]

Here the wives of Kashyapa are Aditi, Diti, Danu, Surabhi, Ira, Muni, Svasa, Arishta, Kadru, Vinata, Krodhavasha, Surasa and Tamra.[13] Tamra’s daughters are Shuki, Shyeni, Bhasi, Sugrivi, Shuki and Gridhrika.[14] Shuki gave birth to parrots, owls and crows. Shyeni produced kites, Bhasi chicken, Gridhri vultures, Shuki water birds, Sugrivi, horses and donkeys.[15] Vinata had Garuda andAruna as her sons. Kadru had serpents and Surasa had snakes as their children.[16] Surabhi had cows and buffaloes, Krodhavasha had water creatures and land-birds that were carnivorous.[17]

The origin of the flora and fauna inBrahmandamahapurana [Brahmandapurana]

Here the wives of Kashyapa were Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kashta, Arishta, Anaya, Khasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Muni, Krodhavasha and Kadru.[18] Surabhi had two daughters Rohini and Gandharvi. Rohini got four daughters. Among them, Kamadukha gave birth to cows, Hamsakali to buffaloes, Bhadra to Avijatis. Noble and high quality horses are the issues of Gandharvi.Surabhi had an issue called ‘Prabhan’, a buffalo.[19]

Vinata got two sons–Aruna and Garuda. Kadru had serpents as her children.[20] From Krodhavasha twelve virgins were born. Of these: Mrigi had deer, mrugas, rabbits, fallow deer, ettadiman, black deer, and spotted deer as her sons. Mrigamanda had bears, yaks, buffaloes, camels, pigs, hippopotamuses and gauramukhans. Haribhadra had lions, golangulas, monkeys, Kinnaras, Mayukkal, tigers, leopards, crocodiles, cats, rats, frogs and mongooses.[21]

Shveta had monkeys[22]. Iravati had elephants like Airavata.[23] Sarama had dogs.[24] Damshtra gave birth to lions, tigers and bears and other carnivorous animals.[25] Risha had fives daughters. Among them Mina gave birth to whales, and crocodiles. Amina gave birth to Madgurar, Shankukkal, Ugrar and Shimshumarar. Parivarta had swallows, wath, and leeches. Anuvrita gave birth to frogs.[26]

Kashyapa children were like their mother from their birth. They were all similar to their mother in morals, wisdom, habits, patience, strength, form and shape. Depending on the measure of ‘satvarajastamas’ they were just or unjust.[27]

Tamra’s six daughters are Gridhri, Bhasi, Shuki, Kraunci, Shyeni and Dhritarashtri. Of these Gridhri is known as the wife of Aruna and the remaining are the wives of Garuda.[28] Jatayu and Sampati were the sons of Gridhri.[29] Bhasi’s children are Bhasas, owls, crows, chicken, peacocks and peahens, ‘kalavinkas’, pigeons, taithiris, Brahmani goose, hippopotamus, kites, swallows and cranes.[30] Dhritharashtri gave birth to swans, kalahamsas, Brahmany geese, and water birds.[31] Shuki gave birth Shukas and love birds. Shyeni produced kites. In Mahabharata and Ramayana, Shyeni is said to be the mother of Jatayu.[32]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Garudamahapurana (Garudapurana) Purvakhanda, Part I.6 p. 48

[2]:

Ibid p. 50

[3]:

Idem

[4]:

Idem

[5]:

Idem

[6]:

Matsyamahapurana (Matsyapurana) 6, p. 43

[7]:

Ibid p. 44

[8]:

Idem

[9]:

Brahmamahapurana (Brahmapurana) I, p. 90

[10]:

Ibid p. 92

[11]:

Idem

[12]:

Ibid p. 93

[13]:

Vishnumahapurana (Vishnupurana) Ch. 21, p. 87

[14]:

Idem

[15]:

Idem

[16]:

Idem

[17]:

Ibid p. 88

[18]:

Brahmandamahapurana (Brahmandapurana) Middle Part, 3, p. 234

[19]:

Ibid p. 235

[20]:

Ibid p. 252

[21]:

Ibid p. 261

[22]:

Ibid p. 262

[23]:

Ibid p. 268

[24]:

Ibid p. 270

[25]:

Ibid p. 277

[26]:

Idem

[27]:

Ibid p. 280

[28]:

Ibid p. 279

[29]:

Idem

[30]:

Idem

[31]:

Idem

[32]:

Mahabharata Adiparva. 66. 71, Ramayana Aranya. 14.32

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: