Secondary Tales of the Two Great Epics

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

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B. UTTARA-KANDA
(1) The Ravana-Katha-Cakra
Brahma's boon, Vedavati's promise, Anaranya's curse-71: Nalakübara's curse-72; popular treatment of complex characters-73; curse-motif undermines human interest, various persons pronouncing curse-74; curse waste of tapas, never fails, retaliation for injustice corrolary of Karma-phala theory-75; higher characters do not curse, forbearance Buddhist influence ?, victories villain in making, his two defeats, political wisdom in Vall's removal first-76; devotee of $ nkara-77; tales afford sectarian and higher-leavel interpretations-78-9;
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(2) The Other Tales
Hanumat-tales, motivations and logic-80; does not corroborate Agriculture myth theory, Ravana-'ircivan' (Tamil) 81; Lav.na destroyed by Satrughna-82; the miserly king Sveta, Danda- Araja-episode, two Aivamedha Aithavada-episodes-83; Ramopăkhyāna in MRh, Sita's fire-ordeal-84: authorship of UK Shende's view examined-85;. non-Bhargava elem:nt, collective authorship suggested-86;
Arrangment of tales compared ascendo in BK-87; no logical system in UK-88;
III. THE TALES IN MAHABHARATA
Unwieldy mass of tales method of functional grouping adopted-89;
(1) The Sarpasatra of Janamejaya
Tales illustrating obedience to preceptor, of Udalaka Aruni etymological, of Upa.nanyu humorously instructive-90; Uttanka brings earrings for gurupatni, none of these found in Vedic literature-91; all fictitious, two tale-groups introductory-92; second of Bhargava tales, all fictitious-93; Why two? Edgerton's thesis (in SabP) adapted-94-5; Janamejaya in Vedic literature-95; in MBh, in Brahmanas-96; many details similar, Sarpasatra and Nagapriest!-97; Winternitz's discussion-98-9; comments thereon-100; contradictions as to the place of sacrifice, serpents are Nägatribals-101; Taksaka- a family name ?, always thereatend with fire-102; Indra closely associated with Nagas, confusion about Naga names, Indra and Sankara-103; Tantra, are Kauravas themselves the Nagas ?-104; no epic character found in Vedic literature -105; Parikşit and Janamejaya non-historical 7, recapitulating-106: M8h embodies. som: Naga-tribal-myth- 107: other theories about MBh-107;
(2) Tales of the Heroes
First tales interpolated, peculiar popular sense of propriety, stories of Bhima-108; reveal his great blind strength, condition for obtaining Draupad! symbolic. Arjuna the Prince Charming-109; but not Casanova-110; incognito of Arjuna and others thoughtful, two episodes of Yudhisthira-111; their pattern, riddles, other tales with