Appendix B - Vidyadharas (Wisdom-holders)

In the various stories from Kathasaritsagara many semi-divine beings such as Vidyasharas, Gandharvas, Nagas, Guhayakas, Kimmaras, Vetalas, Siddhas, Yakshas, Daityas etc. are often mentioned. But since Kathasaritsagara itself is a tale of a Vidhyadhara, the Vidyadharas occupy a prominent place throughout the book. According to Hindu mythology Vidyadharas are 2011-mi supposed to have magic power and are considered as semidimi Hemi geils divine beings. They have in them a contamination of the old ideas of the Gandharvas with notions derived from the mysterious powers of Hindu seers and ascetics and Buddhist saints (Keith A.B. History of Sanskrit Literature, p.270). But according to Jain tradition mentioned in Vasudeohindi (Jamkhedkar A.P., Culture History from Vasudeohindi, p.620, a thesis submitted for his Ph.D.to Poona University), we have got a reference to the story of their origin in dim and distant past. Dharna Dharna, the serpant lord, we are told, is said to have bestowed upon Nami and Vinami lores which enabled them to fly through the air. The number of their followers (Vidyadharas) afterwards increased. Therefore for their residence 48 or 49 cities (nikayas) (s) were constructed on the slopes of the

553 various unaccessable peaks of the Himalaya mountain and the various mantras that enabled them to fly through the air that and gave them mysterious powers were taught to them. Curiously enough the abodes of most of the Vidyadharas of Kathasaritsagara are also on the Himalayan peaks. According to the tradition mentioned at the begining of Kathasaritsagara, "Siva while residing on the mountain Kailasa is said to have told the extraordinary and wonderful adventures of seven Vidyadharas to Parvati in private] (1-1-51). It is believed that Gunadhaya wrote all these seven stories in Paishachi language, the bulk of which contained in all seventy lakk's stanzas. It was known as Brihatkatha. Unfortunately, as, the story runs, only one out of these seven stories, has survived and come down to us which has been faithfully translated into Sanskrit by Somadeva which he designated as Katha saritsagara". } Kathasaritsagara, therefore, itself is a tale of the Vidyadharas. Naravahandatta is the hero of this story and his marriages with the various princesses and the exploits he undertook to finally become the paramount over-lord of the Vidyadhara world, forms the main theme of the work (8.1.12-13). Vidyadharas The are therefore elaboratly described as regards their forms, abodes and palaces, pecularities, magical sciences etc. in Kathasaritsagara They are also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain mythology.

Their Residence 554 As mentioned above the Vidyadharas from Kathasaritsagara are said to live on the high peaks (7-1-20) of the Himalaya mountain in big cities like Muktapura (7.7.1 onwards), Vakrapura (14.3.138), Kanakapura (5.3.40), Kamchana Sringa (7.1.22,28). Govinokuta (12.23.8,9), Himaan (4.2.17), Pushkaravati (7.3.22-23), Ashadhapura (14.1.66) etc. These cities are always mentioned as of gold and silver and many precious and semi-precious stones of various colours are used in their construction (5.5.3, 5.3.44). The residences and palaces in these cities had walls of gold (Sauvarmabhitti) and their windows and door-frames had costly curtains often decorated with strings of pearls (12.19.91,92, 8.2.22.28). It also had costly mosaic pavement on which luxurious couches and splendid thrones of gold that were studded with jems were placed (17.4.13- 14). The pillars of these palaces are always mentioned as studded with diamonds and other precious stones (17.4.13.14 Many gardens were attached to these palaces in which a wishing-tree (kalpavriksha) bearing flowers of diamonds, emeralds and rubies grew (4.2.18). The lakes in these gardens had steps made of semi-precious stones of various colours that always gleamed in bright sun-shine (6.2.51-53) Each city probably had its own government which is similar to that of the great cities on earth. They had their emperors, kings, viziers, queens and princesses. The Kathasaritsagara mentions an assembly of the Vidyadharas over which

555 a Vidyadhara King presided and solved a dispute that was brought before him (14.2.163-175). Kathasaritsagara mentions the following emperors and kings of the Vidyadharas that ruled over the above cities during various ages (yugas). They are, They are, Amrataprabha (14.3.121), Trikutasana (8.3.115), Suryaprabha (8.1.54), Shaktivega (5.1.9), Srutasharma (8.1.12), Chandavikrama (5.3.179), Shaktitejas (10.9.221), Padmashekhara (17.1.25), Vajradamstra (10.9.72), Saktideva (5.3.267), Shaktikhandapada (5.3.269), Sphatikayasas (10.3.9,10), Saktikhanda (5.3.1), Madanavega (12.20.7), Manasavega (6.7.180), Jeemutaketu (4.2.24), Sumeru (8.2.8), Padmakuta (10.3.86), Simhavikrama (1033.124- 125), Padmavega (10.3.58), Jeemutavahana (4.2.24,12.23.6,7), Simha (14.1.37), Pingalagandhara (14.2.73), Vayupatha (14.4. 153-154), Hemaprabha (7.1.22,28), Mandaradeva (14.3.68), Vajraprabha (8.1.5), Gaurimunda (14.3.70), Chandraketu (17.2.24), Taravaloka, Sarvadamana, Reshabha, Bandhujeevaka, Vishvantara and Indivaraksha (16.3.6-10,15.1.61-64), etc. It is stated that they remain in their positions such time till they act righteously, else they fall on the earth (16.3.6-10). mjcevaka, Their form etc. The Vidyadharas are generally beautiful. Their bodies are of yellow colour (7.1.20, 14.2.74). They are mentioned as of the colour of gold as well (3.4.217-27). They are

556 dressed in fine precious and costly dress and were ornaments of gold studded with various jewels (12.1.8). They are young. They often charm human beings and are always eager for amorous sports with the mortals they love (8.3.181) Thus, it is stated, that Madanavega duped Kalinga sena (6.7.195-96). 'Kirita-Kundala-dhari Vidyadhara' ascending from heaven is a typical feature of many a Vidyadhara stories from Kathasaritsagara (6.7.178, 5.1.9). We often come across over elaborate discriptions of the delicate and exceedingly beautiful Vidyadhara ladies wearing precious and lusterous ornaments in many stories from Kathasaritsagara These ladies sing melodious songs (4.2.10). Their bodies also are of yellow colour (7.1.20, 14.2.74) and these ladies are mentioned as experts in magical sciences (7.3.201, 12.19.160, 14.2.86, 7.1.136). It is mentioned that Anuragapara kept her lever concealed under her breast by such a magic power (7.3.225). The Vidyadharas and their couples are always mentioned as flying through the air with hands on the shoulders of their partners (4.2.56, 5.2.291, 4.2.167, 5.1.9, 4.2.144, 14.2.43, 14.1.78). Their Pecularities cul/faritie As mentioned above the Vidyadharas possess very great knowledge especially in magical sciences (9.1.21-22, 14.3.11, 6.7.196, 12.1.67, 14.3.70, 6.5.37-38, 17.4.116,

8.5.122). They could assume any form they wish/ 557 This quality of these aerial spirits has been mentioned by A. Denielou, (Hindu Polytheism, p.213, 302). Because of their hold over various magical lores, probably got by propitiating god Siva (6.7.168-130) (9.2.403), they are described as accomplishing many feats which were difficult for human beings (10.3.128, 143, 7.1.136, 141, 4.3.5, 3.4.218). It is mentioned that the Vidyadhara Alamkarashila by his magic science produced water in his palm and after sprinkling it on the ground there rose golden alter, heavenly cloths and a pavalion made of jewels (9.1.220). Also Rankumalin by his magical power used to assume the form of a bee and hum and suck the juice from Jambhula flowers (10.3.128,43). A Vidyadhari named Manovegavati also by such a power used to roam in gardens, forests, mountains and even to distant islands (Panzer, Ocean of stories, Vol.II p.147-149). They move in the air always in golden chariots (6.3.49-50, 9.2.6), and thus could carry another person who was unable to do so. They could change their form and deceive a human being (6.7.195-196). They sometimes leave their original bodies behind in the world of their own and create new bodies out of magic (maya) (9.2.63,5.2.267, 17.6.191, 9.2.403, 17.5.34-35). Suryaprabha is mentioned as taking many such forms at one and the same time and enjoy all his wives by a charm. In spite of their ability to change their form, the Vidyadharas, while sleeping, had to

558 bear their original form. Their magical power is also suspended during sleep. Because of their superiority in magic science and over human beings, Vidyadharas took liberty with women from the human world (8.3.159,4.2.136, 12.20.7, 8.1.56,57, 7.3.211). Ittaykhaya is mentioned to have carried Madanamanjari (16.2.9) and again Madanavega is said to have carried a beautiful Branmin lady from Varanasi and gone through the sky (12.20.7). They also acted as benefactors and helped human beings. This quality is mentioned in the epics. They had a divine power to find out the future things (5.1.6). The Vidyadharas from Kathasaritsagara are always mentioned as remembering their former state of existance (jatismara) (1.4.34, 12.23.8-9, 9.2.150, 4.2.53). They possessed heavenly might (6.7.199). They generally are seen worshiping god Siva and Durga (7.1.23, 8.7.126-128) 15.1.61-74, 6.7.170, 7.1.23) for boons and magic powers. According to Keith their only function is to rain flowers down on the warriors as they fight with one another (Keith Mythology of all Races-Indian Iranian Vol. VI, p.144, also see Mahabharata 2.408). A.B., Cursed Vidyadhara A Vidyadhara has to abide by certain rules failing which he was crused to suffer a decline at the hands of Indra or Siva, his overlord, and be among the mortals till a certain period at the end of which he was restored to his original position. Innumerable examples of such cursed Vidyadharas are found throughout the book (9.2.63,150,5.3.263,

559 291, 267, 271, 10.10.137, 10.5.319-220, 16.2.196 etc.). It is interesting to note that a defeated person is always compared to a Vidyadhara who has lost his magic knowledge. The Rites to attain the position of a Vidyahdara. Many such rites are referred to in various stories from Kathasaritsagara It was believed that the eighth-month-embroyo of a Vidyadhara lady if cooked and eaten bestowed immortality: and the person remained young for ever and then attained the position of a Vidyadhara. Such foeticide stories are mentioned in Kathasaritsagara In the story of Haridatta, Jalapada and the Vidyadhara lady Vidyutprabha, it is stated that the Vidyadhari herself took out the embroyo from her womb and made Jalapada to cook and eat it since she was pleased with him. By such an act her curse was to come to an end and she be restored to her original position in heaven and Jalapada obtained the rank of a Vidyadhara, and became immortal (5.3.210-232). It is also mentioned that an ascetic got the power to fly through the air by eating the embroyo, cooked with rice, of a nymph who was his wife (14.4.76). The story of Saktideva and the Vidyadhara lady Bindumati is another example of this type. The rank was also obtained at times through a goblin. It is said that a certain mendicant named Bandhumati obtained the rank of a Vidyadhara by making the goblin his servant (vetala sadhana) (9.5.207-208). But the over-lordship of the Vidyadharas was obtained by King Vikramaditya of Pataliputra by killing an ascetic named

560 Santisila who had performed certain debased rites on a corpse in a circle in the cemetery (12.8.20). Also if a Vidyadhara intermarries a human being then he as well Denielon becomes a Vidyadhara (A., Hindu Polytheism, p.213). Another typical feature of many a Vidyadhara stories from Kathasaritsagara is that, whenever a Vidyadhara, who is caused to be born a mortal, remembers an act performed by him in his previous birth, his curse immediately comes to an end and then he goes to the world of the Vidyahdaras (14.4.76,17.6. 191, 9.2.63, 5.3.271, 5.2.293). Extraordinary valour in excellance and sacrifice, deeds of highest type of righteousness and the worship of god Siva enabled many kings like Vajravega, Mrigankadatta Kamchanavega, Muktasena, Saktideva, Amitagati and others to attain the rank of a Vidyadhara over-lord (5.3.288, 14.3.67, 16.3.11). The stories of Jeemutaketu and Jeemutwahana are stock examples of this type (4.2.53, 18,21 12.23 the full story). -