Vishnupurana 1.15.16

The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition 1.15.16

Language: English

1.15.16

The twenty-seven daughters of the patriarch who became the virtuous wives of the moon were all known as the nymphs of the lunar constellations, which were called by their names, and had children who were brilliant through their great splendour. The wives of Arisht́anemi bore him sixteen children. The daughters of Bahuputra were the four lightnings. The excellent Pratyangirasa Richas were the children of Angiras, descended from the holy sage: and the deified weapons of the gods were the progeny of Kriśáśwa.

1.15.16.n1

The Nakshatra Yoginis, or chief stars of the lunar mansions, or asterisms in the moon's path.

1.15.16.n2

None of the authorities are more specific on the subject of Arisht́anemis' progeny. In the Mahábhárata this is said to be another name of Kaśyapa. The Bhágavata substitutes Tárksha for this personage, said by the commentator to be likewise another name of Kaśyapa. His wives are, Kadru, Vinatá, Patangi, and Yáminí, mothers of snakes, birds, grasshoppers, and locusts.

1.15.16.n3

Enumerated in astrological works as brown, red, yellow, and white; portending severally wind, heat, rain, famine.

1.15.16.n4

The Richas, or verses, thirty-five in number, addressed to presiding divinities, denominated Pratyangirasas. The Bhágavata calls the wives of Anginas, Swadhá and Satí, and makes them the mothers of the Pitris and the Atharvan Veda severally.

1.15.16.n5

The Śastra devatas, 'gods of the divine weapons;' a hundred are enumerated in the Rámáyańa, and they are there termed the sons of Kriśáśwa by Jayá and Vijayá, daughters of the Prajápati; that is, of Daksha. The Bhágavata terms the two wives of Kriśáśwa, Archish (flame) and Dhishańá; the former is the mother of Dhúmaketu (comet); the latter, of four sages, Devala, Vedaśiras, Vayuńa, and Manu. The allegorical origin of the weapons is undoubtedly the more ancient.

Linked texts (1)

Viṣṇupurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit