Essay name: Vasudevahindi (cultural history)
Author:
A. P. Jamkhedkar
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute Pune
This essay is an English study of the Vasudevahindi reflecting cultural history and traditions of the life of people in ancient and medieval India during the 6th century. The Vasudevahimdi is a romantic and religious tale that revolves around the wanderings of Vasudeva (a former Jain monk) and religious teachings in the guise of love stories, a common theme of poetry in Jainism.
Chapter 5 - Religion and Philosophy
148 (of 153)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Madhumathana form of Visnu : 602 Eight maidens have been described as eight arms
of Madhumathana'
1 The Goddess of Pulimdas: Durga :
Accimaliṇi, a Jakkhini, appeared before the Pulimdas
in the form of their goddess to rescue Vasudeva from them.
The goddess had eight arms in which sword (asi), axe (parasu).
trident (sula), savvala (?), mace (gadā), a crooked club
(bhimdimāla) and a golden pitcher 2. The goddess as the
description reveals, was probably Durga.
Ghosts :
A belief in ghosts (Vedala) and black magic is also
revealed in the story of Vayuvega, a Vijjādhara in the Vh(M).
1. The Ms. reads mahuramahana;Vh(M), 1.52a.
Madhusudana
is one of the 39 incarnatory forms of Visnu given in the
Satvata Samhita; Banerjea, Op.cit.,Þ.391.
2. Vh(M), II.24a. Durga was worshipped by Pulindas.
Depiction
of Durga Mahisasuramardini with eight arms is to be noticed
in the sculptures of Aihole (6th-7th Cent.A.D.) and Haripur.
See Banerjea, Op.cit., P.492, 499.
