The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.68

v2.c17.68

[68] At first sight it might appear that this tale is not opposed to that of the *Kapila Saṃhitā*; for it may be argued that it does not openly deny Śiva's having originally come to know of the existence of the Mango Tope from Nārada, and having obtained permission from Viṣṇu to dwell in it ; but it simply makes Śiva impart a knowledge of it to Pārvatī to gratify her curiosity. It should be noticed, however, that according to the Kapila version of the story, Śiva goes to Viṣṇu along with Pārvatī, and the goddess could not therefore be ignorant of its existence, and of the pledge given by her lord to abide there along with her, and consequently the question to her lord and its reply cannot be in accord with her previous knowledge. It is to be noted further that the *Śiva Purāṇa* is not even in accord with itself for, in direct contradiction of the above story, elsewhere it gives a different version of how Pārvatī came to know of the place. There it is Brahmā, and not her lord, who gives her the information. Curious to know, as all loving wives are, the secret retreats of her husband, she asks Brahmā for information, and is informed of the whereabouts and of the merits of the sacred spot. The stories are of no value, and are of interest only as illustrating the different ways in which the Hindus have attempted to sanctify for their purpose a Buddhist locality.