Description of Minor Deities in the Kathasaritsagara

1. Dakshaprajapati It was originally the art of sacrifice. But in later mythology he is personified as a sage who performs sacrifices. He is only once mentioned in Kathasaritsagara The mythological story of Siva who, because of his wearing a necklace of skulls (kapalamalin), was not invited to attend the sacrifice of Daksha and therefore destroyed the same, is referred to in 272 Kathasaritsagara Chitragupta (The Scribe of the Lord of Death) People in the lower strata of the society probably r worshipped him. We have a reference of a robber worshiping him with devotion and when Chitragupta was pleased, granted 273 him immunity from death. Dharma 274 He is a minor god only once mentioned. He is personified and referred to as the sou-in-law of Dakshaprajapati 271. Nirnaya Sagar 9.3.108-112, 2.1.8. 272. Ibid. 111.34-39. 273. Ibid. 12.5.325-331. 274. Ibid. 1.1.35.

500 Yama (The God of Death) He is also mentioned. His two fearsome (bhayanaka) messengers with erect hair on their heads, red eyes and having dark complexion and with nooses (pasam) in their 275 hands are described in details. Madana (The God of Love) He has been mentioned at many places by such 277 276 279 names as Smara (cupid), Sayaka (the arrow of love), Kamadeva 278 (god of love) and Manobhava (mind-born). He possesses 280 arrows (Ishus). The mythological story of Kama attempting to attract the attention of Siva and afterwards reduced to ashes by him by a single glance of his third eye is mentioned. In this connection it may be noted that he (kamadeva) has used the perspiration of the body of Parvati as his Varunastra 281 to quell the fire from the eyes of Siva. But Siva when embranced by his beloved (Parvati) is mentioned as trembling embrance 282 at his feet. Worship of Kamadeva seems to be prevalent during the days of Kathasaritsagara at least in certain parts of northern India. His temples (Kamadevasya mandiras) in the cities of Vishala Vishakha respectively are mentioned. At Vishala he was kept 275. Nirnaya Sagar 10.10.24-26. 276. Ibid. 2.3.48. 277. Ibid. 3.1.2. 278. Ibid. 11.1.16. 279. Ibid. 1.1.41. 280. Ibid. 2.3.48. 281. Ibid. 2.1.1. 282. Ibid. 3.1.2.

501 in a temple of Mothers (matrudeva takula) and was being worshipped by the girls of that city on the day of their 283 marriage. Again at Vaishakho, his lovely (sringaramayam) temple in which his worship was established by men of old 284 times, is also mentioned. Minor Goddesses 1. Karali Karali is yet another name of Parvati who was born as power (sakti) of Siva. In this form she is mentioned as guarding the northern entrance of Siva's cave named Trisirsha 285 in the Himalaya mountains. It is interesting to note from the Kathasaritsagara that when the ocean was churned Karali was originally created by Vishnu to tear to pieces the chief of the Danavas, who wished to steel the heavenly drink (amrita) and was, afterwards placed 286 by Siva at the above place. In the above legend she is also mentioned as Mohini, 287 ri and Chandika. Kalaratori Kalaratri In her most furious form Gauri or Parvati, as the Power (sakti) of Siva, is called the invincible Chandika, 283. Nirnaya Sagar 13.1.128. 284. Ibid. 11.1.16. 285. Ibid. 15.1.89-92. 286. Ibid. 287. Ibid. 11 " 11

502 the Kalaratri who guards the southern opening of the cave 288 Trisirsha with Kali, in the Himalaya mountains. Naravahanadatta is said to have worshipped this angry Kalaratri with the following speech: " Thou art the power of life (pranavakruti), skillful in directing the discus to the head of her foes, thou animate tufan all creatures (prana saktir jantumah), thou art the loving nature (jivani) whose trident and other weapons are streaming with the blood of the demon Mahisa that is flowing from his neck, who had assured the three worlds in the form of Durga (asvasita tribhuvana-durgarupe), victorious, dancing with a skull full with the blood of Ruru (rururaktabhruta), thou art the goddess beloved of Siva, thou hast a skull in they hand (kapalahasta), with uplifted eyes and with that skull surmounted by a lighted lamp thou shine as if with the sun 289 and moon. Gayatri Gayatri is referred to only once. With a rosary of Aksha beads (akshasutra) and an ascetic pitcher (kamandalu) she is stated as appearing before Asruta who was on the point of committing suicide. She is also mentioned as merciful 290 to her votaries. 288. Nirnaya Sagar 15.1.70. 289. Ibid. 5.1.99-102. 290. Ibid. 14.1.30, According to Hindu mythology she is the mother of the Vedas and the Brahmanas, Watkins W.J. Op. cit., p.93.

503 Mari (Disease goddess or Goddess of pestilence) Mentioned only once, the cult of the disease-goddess 291 is connected with Uma-or Parvati in one of her fearful forms. 292 She is mentioned as all destroying (sarva samharini) Mari. She entered the house of a merchant named Guhachandra of 293 Pataliputra. Hari (Siva) is to be approached and worshipped 294 for protection against her. Dakani (Witch, mermaid or ogress) Don They are the female imps, eaters of raw flesh. These demons are mentioned to be the attendants of Siva, Kali and Durga. The cult of worshipping these 'dakinis', which people believed gave them magical-powers, was popular with the common people. The Kathasaritsagara mentions dakinis such as Bhadrarupa, 296 Somada, 297 295 Sukhshaya and Bandhavimochini. Kalaratri is a 298 famous dakini of Ujjayini. Yakshanis They are the wives of Yakshas who are connected with the science of magic and shower wealth on men. They move during night and are said to become powerless at clock-crow 299 (suryo daya). They generally habit in trees and lonely places. 291. Hopkins E.W. Op. cit., p.234. 292. Nirnaya Sagar 2.4.178. 293. Ibid. 3.3.90. 294. Ibid. 2.4.178. 295. Ibid. 7.3.110. 296. Ibid. 7.3.1 bl. 297. Ibid. 7.3.153,162,163. 298. Ibid. 3.6.137. 299. Ibid. 7.3.80.

504 The Kathasaritsagara mentions many stories of the yakshanis such as Vidyutprabha, Vidyutmala, Chandralekha, Sulochana, Sringotpatani etc. In these stories we often come across mendicants and Brahmanas muttering charms and performing sacrifices to get these yakshanis under their power and get magical power. Vityutmala was thus obtained by a Brahmin named 300/ Aditya sharma. Another Brahmin named Pavitraka of Trigarta country won over a yakshini by a charm taught to him by 301 his religious teacher. Also a wandering hermit is mentioned to have brought a yakshani named Vidyutmala in his power. She came in a golden chariot with her beautiful maidens and 302 had a sweet vocie. Nishayadatta is also mentioned to have ✓ adatta 303 a talk with a yakshani. Yakshanis showered heaps of wealth in the land of King Sushana, he being the husband of their 304 friend Rambha. in Kathasaritsagara A curious story of the yakshani Sringotpatini appears Dancing in a Siva temple with a lute of bones in her hands she bewildered a Pasupata ascetic and when he failed in the blazing fire she dragged him half hurt and devoured 305 him with delight. The yakshanis from Kathasaritsagara are mostly connected with the cemeteries wherein they are found eating human flesh 300. Nirnaya Sagar 8.6.181-182. 301. Ibid. 12.6.22,25. 302. Ibid. 8.6.163-165. 303. Ibid. 7.3.80. 304. Ibid. 6.2.65. 305. Ibid. 7.3.64-67.

505 during night. Bhairava appears to be their chief. Genii 1. Vetalas (Vampires) They are the foremost among the supernatural beings. Vetalas are the vampires that animate the dead bodies and are connected with black-magic who generally wander during 306 307 night. Their abode is the cemetery. They are cruet, ugly looking and make furmons and terrible noise. It is mentioned that the body of a Vetala is made up of limbs of many 308 Vetala animals. These vampires can fly through the air and have immense magical power. A Vetala who was under the control of Vikramakesarin, a minister of King Mrigankadatta has been described as of a black hue, with a neck like a camel, of elephant face and with legs like a bull. His eyes were like an owl and he had ears of an ass and by the order of Siva he was unable to enter the city of Ujjayini. He carried Vikramakesarin 310 through the air and placed him at the feet of his master. A cemetery, outside the city of Ujjayini, in which many vetalas lived, has been described. The cemetery was difficult to penetrate and was filled with darkness. Vetalas made a terrible music in it by the clapping of their hands; 306. Nirnaya Sagar 5.3.240. 307. Ibid. 3..4149, 2.4.48. 308. Ibid. 9.5.134. 309. Ibid. 9.5.135. 310. Ibid. 12.35.18-19. 12.32.54.

506 it was lighted by the funeral-pyre-flames, and jackals had 311 scattered evening human flesh oblation in it. In yet another cemetery cries of vultures and witches were swelled by the flames of funeral-pyres and reinforced by the fire in the 312 mouth of demons. Maha-Kala (furious form of Siva) has been mentioned 313 as the king of the Vetalas (Vetalapati). 314 The ritual (vetalasadhana) connected with the granting of magical power by the Vetalas was performed in the cemetery generally at Night-fall on the fourteenth day of the black 315 moon. In it a person used to chant many incantations (mantras) and an oblation of human flesh which gratified the Vetala 316 was offered. When pleased the Vetala would appear before the person and could be summoned and ordered to do anything for the person. Devadatta, Srisena, Vikramakesarin, Kanakavarsha, an ascetic Jalapada king Trivikramsena and many others propitiated Vetalas, got magical powers from them and 317 had control over them. The widely popular 'Tales of Vampire' (Vetalapanchavimsatika) has occupied a bulk of the stories from the Kathasaritsagara 311. Nirnaya Sagar 5.2.134-135. 312. Ibid. 3.4.147,2.4.48., 313. Ibid. 8.5.124, Harivamsa mentions a Vetalajanani as_ the mother of skanda, and also various kinds of Vetalas, Hopkins, E.W. Op.cit., p.46. 314. Nirnaya Sagar 5.3.237. 315. Ibid. 12.6.278, 7.4.54-55. 316. Ibid. 5.3.240,254, " 11 317. Ibid. 18.31,69, 12.35.18,19, 9.5.135, 5.3.237, 12.6.278, 18.2.40.

507 2. Bhutas, Pishachas and Brahmaraksha sas (Ghosts, Spirits, Goblins, Wandering-Souls etc.) The supernatural beings such as ghosts, spirits, goblins and others are often mentioned in the various stories from Kathasaritsagara These spirits haunt trees, ponds, fields, deserted 318 houses and even men. They are supposed to be the souls of 319 r 320 people who die a violent death. People worshipped them by various offerings and got control over them and magical powers as well. They are night wanderes and their science does not work against a divine being. It seems that the 14 th night of the black-fortnight (Krishnachaturda=shayam) has a special significence in the world of Rakshasas. At one place we get the description of a goblin (Brahmarakshasa) "He was black as soot, his hair yellow as lightening, he had a sacred thread of hair, had terrible projecting tusks, was eating the flesh from a human head, was drinking blood 321 out of a skull and uttered a horrible loud laugh. Another Brahmarakshasa had occupied the sacrificial fire and seized 322 the son of a Brahmin Yet another goblin named Yogeshwara Yogeshyara who was devoted to Yogandharayana had power to remain 323 • concealed. Again a ghost was won over by charms to get a wound healed. Also a Brahmin who propitiated a ghost and 318. Nirnaya Sagar 18.2.40. 319. Ibid. 6.7.100-101. 320. Ibid. 5.2.180, 3.4.11. 321. Ibid. 12.27.68-70. 322. Ibid. 12.5.158, 323. Ibid. 6.6124-25, 2.4.69.

324 508 thereby became rich is mentioned. A warrior named Simhabala is mentioned to be dwelling in a cemetery and his chariot 325 drawn by ghosts. At one place we get a full description of the rite, which is performed with muttering of forms of words with hands full of rice and keeping them where four roads meet, 326 to get the help of a spirit (pishacha). 3. Rakshasas Rakshasas are the formidable beings that form a prominent feature of Hindu legends. They are all Brahmins yet described as canniblas. They had the power to assume any form. They are generally terrifying and monstrous. They eat human flesh. It is at night that they prawl about the burning-grounds in search of corpses and humans. It is stated that the Rakshasas, Yakshas and Pishachbayas had no 327 power in the day and hence they delight in the night. They bestow riches on those they favour. In the Kathasaritsagara Siva-Bhaira 328 is mentioned as their head. Many famous stories connected with the Rakshasas 329 are referred to in the Kathasaritsagara The story of Banasura 330 331 332 Sundopasunda, Khara and Dushana, Sumbha and Nismbha mentioned in the Kathasaritsagara The story of Rakshasa Agnishikha 324. Nirnaya Sagar 6.3.170-171,163, Also see 6.2.162. 325. Ibid. 8.5.112-113. 326. Ibid. 6.2.162-167. 327. Ibid. 1.7.35. 388. Ibid. 6.3.139. 329. Ibid. 6.5.11 to 32. 330. Ibid. 6.1.66-67. 331. Ibid. 6.3.133. 332. Ibid. 9.1.1.

509 and his brother Dhumashikha is an interesting story of 333 the Raskshasa services that appear in Kathasaritsagara Another Rakshasa named Yamadamstra is said to have carried Vidushaka through 334 the air. Again a Rakshasa named Bhutivarman is said to 335 A Rakshasa with upstanding hair possess heavenly insight. and lances of teeth is described as eating raw human-flesh 336 n in a cemetery. At one place a Rakshasa framed Talajangha is 337 called as Bhutadhipati. Many Rakshasas lived in the cemetery 338 outside the city of Ujjayini. 4. The Asuras, Danavas The Asuras and the Danavas are the enemies of gods. 339 very frequently visiting the earth. The Kathasaritsagara mentions many Asuras and Danavas such as Maya Suryaprabha Andhaka sura, and 340 The the mind-born son of Parvati, is also mentioned. popular story of the two Danavas namely Ghata and Nighata 341 is also referred to. The Asuras are said to possess supernatural power of 342 entering another body. Asura ladies with their attendants 343 are also mentioned. 333. Nirnaya Sagar 12.12.31, 7.5.84. 334. Ibid. 3.4.347, 351. 335. Ibid. 1.7.34. 336. Ibid. 4.1.29. 337. Ibid. 14.4.90. 338. Ibid. 5.2.100. 339. Ibid. 8.2.113,342,343, 8.2.4,48,49, 8.1.36,8.3.37,38. 340. Ibid. 17.1.78,80, 2.2.39,40. 341. Ibid. 18.2.229. 342. Ibid. 8.2.113. 343. Ibid. 9.6.221.