Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s8.51

v2.c4.s8.51

1. Śakti is said in the Jaiminīya Brāhmaṇa¹ to have been the son of Vasiṣṭha, and to have been cast into the fire by the Viśvāmitras. According to Ṣaḍguruśiṣya,² who appears to follow the Śāṭyāyanaka,³ the story of Śakti is as follows: Viśvāmitra, being defeated in a contest by Śakti, had recourse to Jamadagni, who taught him the Sasarpari; later he revenged himself on Śakti by having him burnt in the forest. The Bṛhaddevatā⁴ relates the first part of the tale only. Geldner⁵ sees in the Rigveda⁶ a description of the death struggle of Śakti, but this interpretation is more than doubtful.⁷