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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
intrigue of Sagara, the king of Saketa. After his death he became Mahākāla deva. He wanted to take revenge upon Sagara. He met Parvataka and introduced himself as Sandilya, a friend of the father of Parvataka. He promised to propagate Parvataka's view on 'aja'. He spread epidemic in Śuktimati. Parvataka propogated animal-sacrifice. Thereby the disease was stopped. He spread epidemic in the country of Sagara. The latter sent for Parvataka. He preached animal-sacrifice there too and Mahākāladeva by the power of his maya exhibited that the sacrificed animals attained heaven. Sagara then performed many animal-sacrifices. Narada prevented Sagara from killing animals, but the latter was so much influenced by Parvataka and Mahakaladeva that he could not realise as to where lay his own good. Therefore he attained hell. Sandilya thus popularised his teachings which were incorportated into a book called Anarya Veda.
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The Uttarapurana (67.212) states that the animal-sacrifice was started by Mahakalasura. The story agrees with Vasudevahindi with minor changes. Vasu is said to be the son of Visvavasu of Suvastikāvati and Śrīmati. Parvataka is turned away by the monks when he explains 'aja' as a goat. Here Vasu does not decide the controversy. Parvataka meets Mahākāla and propagates animal-sacrifices. Sagara is entangled. A monk tries to prevent Sagara but in vain. Viśvabhu, the minister of Sagara is also involved. Here Narada appears and tries to interpret the right meaning of 'aja' but Parvataka intervenes and opposes him, Then they go to Vasu who tells a lie. Viśvabhū again starts animalsacrifices. Parvataka and Viśvabhu go to hell. Mahākāla reappears and confesses his guilt.
The MP (69.23) mentions that Vasu was the prince of Śrāvastipura. therwise it follows the UP. The TSP (IV. 143) mentions Abhicandra as the father of Vasu and ruler of Suktimati. Parvataka is said to have explained the reference to 'aja' in the Ṛgveda as 'meşa' a goat. Then the account follows the VR. Thereafter the Asura prompts Parvataka to propagate drinking, establishing of illicit relations in the Gosava sacrifice, flesh-eating and animal-killing. The RPS (6) mentions that Vasu belongs to Suvastikāvatipura. Further it follows the UP up to the acceptance of monkhood by Kṣirakadamba. Then it follows the version of the PCV upto the death of Vasu. Thereafter with the assistance of Mahasura, Parvataka prepares many counterfeit hymns and inserts them into the Vedas. He instigates Sagara to perform animal-sacrifices. The advice of a monk to abstain from animal-sacrifices is believed by Mahasura. Sagara takes to animal-sacrifice and goes to the seventh hell,
