Secondary Tales of the Two Great Epics

Author(s): Rajendra I Nanavati
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Rama's contemporary, two indexes-30: BK-UK later, UK still later, Kraunca-vadha, Gaṇeśa-preface-story of MBh-31; artisticity of these sargas, contradiction: four wives necessary for Asvamedha-performer, Rama's monogamous (!) ideal-32; Pariplava-cycle of tales-33; possibilities-34;
(2) The Rsyasraga Episode
Sumantra's narrative-34; Rsyaśṛnga performs Putresti, Aśvamedha itself a fertility rite, why Putresti 7-35; commentators, 'brahmicide', Sravans-episode-36; contradictions in Tilakettka's explanation-37; Putreşti-Rsyairaga-episode spurious-38; Budhist versions, Unicorn-39; European versions, motifs of seduction and strong chastity-40; Rşyasṛnga - phallic symbol, indigenous parallels-41; Kasyapa-Vibhaṇḍaka-Rsyaśynga-genealogy, seduction-mimetic magic for rains-42: fertility rite mythified, Indra the penancebreaker, unfailing procreative energy of sages, examples-43; Kasyapa-VibhāṇḍakaRsyairnga-44; implications: Puranic genealogies doubtful, role of Indra and Śramana. attitude-45; Eros and laughter, Rayaárga Atharvanic Bhrgu-element-46; Tale of Genesis, incarnation-theory, Vaisnava influence-47; propriety of Kṛṣṇa as incarnation-48;
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(3) The Entourage Tales
Visvamitra, fetches princes, equips them, Vasistha neglected, princes retaliate demons-48; history of weapons, place-tales, etymological stories-49; tales of Kusanabha, Gangavataran 1-50; birth of Kartikeya, ocean-churning, Maruta's birth, Ahalya -51; nature of her punishment, punishing an unchaste woman, Parasurama beheads mother-52; Cirakarin, Subrahmanya litany-53; epithets of Indra, tales in Brahmaṇas -54-5; Indra Mesa-vrsane, Ahalya-myth interpreted-56; Subrahmanya litany and Visvamitra tales-57; no one of Ahalya-tale historical, Visvamitra's genealogy-58; entourage tales connected with heroes, comparing tales of Jarasandha-Siśupala-59; pilgrimage tales of MBh and Canterbury Tales' compared-59-61; three-fold purpose of tales-61;
(4) The Visvamitra Story Cycle
Five episodes-61; their significance-62; good relations with Solar kings, Hariyappa's observations-63; relevance, proper viewpoint, cultural interpretation -64: Vasistha-Visvamitra-controversy in Rgvedic background-64-65; epic stories concretised philosophical concepts-65; Viśvāmitra responsible for Rama's prowess and marriage, Vasistha consistently neglected-66; work of Visvamitra-redactors ?-66-7;
(5) The Parasurama Episod,
Rama bending Parasurama's Vaisnava bow, incident not in MBh (Crit. Ed.) play on similarity of names, Ksatriya superiority over Brahmins-67; Parasuramateacher of the losing Kaurava leaders, Visvamitra best teacher for Rama-68; Rama -the Vaisnava incarnation, divinity not implied in Viśvämitra sections-69; stagesauthors of interpolations, Parasurama incarnation because of this episode (1)-70;