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V. MYTHOLOGICAL ALLUSIONS IN THE
DVYAŚRAYAKĀVYA
Hemacandra is a past master in mythological aullsions. While illustrating grammar, he moulds his examples so as they become an adjective of a mythological personality and by a simile adjusts the allusion in the peom. He transforms mythological characteristics either into adjectives or similizes them to a king. Thus, his allusions have become a part and parcel of the poem aud donot appear to be superfluous.
Most of his mythological allusions are derived from the Rāmāyaṇa, the Mahābhārata and the Purāņas. The depiction of mythology below is based on the Dvyäśrayakāvya.
AGASTYA : Agastya is presented as a deity in the poem (IV. 89). He was born in a pitcher (VIII. 83) and killed the demon Vātāpi (III. 46). Another demon Devāpi was killed by him but the source of the name Devāpi is not known. In some of the stories, the name llvala is found instead of Devāpi. Agastya blesses the king and the subject in the form of thunder (III. 31).
ADITYAS: They are referred to in the poem (1. 70). Abhayatilakagani has specified them as : 1. Dhāts. 2. Aryaman 1. Cf. Abbidbānacintāmaņi, Devakāņda Verse 122.
अमस्त्योऽगस्ति: पीताब्धिर्वातापिद्विड घटोद्भवः । Also Cf. Kādambarī, Ed. Śrīdivāsa Šāstrī, 1964, p. 76.
जठरानलजीर्णवातापिदानवस्य । 2. Dv. XI, 57. Abhayatilakagaņi remarks :
यदि पुनर्देवाप्यगस्त्येन जितः कश्चिदैत्योऽभूत्स मम न प्रसिद्धः । In the Mahābhārata (Ādi. 94,61-62) Devāpi is referred to as a king.
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