Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.568

c7.568

H (ह). This letter has two meanings: (1) Understanding (2) Rudra. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 348). HĀHĀ. A Gandharva, the son of Kaśyapaprajāpati by his wife Pradhā. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 122, Verse 59). *Other Information.* (1) Hāhā was present at the birth-day celebrations of Arjuna. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 122, Verse 59).
(2) He lives in Kubera's assembly. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 10, Verse 25).
(3) Hāhā welcomed Arjuna in the Devaloka when once he visited the place. (Vana Parva, Chapter 43, Verse 14). HAIHAYA. A King, the son of Vatsa, born in the dynasty of Śaryāti. He was the founder of the Haihaya dynasty. He became a brahmin by the choosing Sage Bhṛgu as his Preceptor. He was also known as Vitahavya. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 30, Verses 54-57). HAIMAVATA. A region north of the Himālayas made famous in the Purāṇas. Śukabrahmarṣi on his way from Mahāmeru to Mithilāpurī crossed this region. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 325, Verse 14). HAIMAVATĪ I. A synonym of river Śatadru, (See under Śatadru). HAIMAVATĪ II. A wife of Viśvāmitra. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 13). HAIMAVATĪ III. A wife of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. When Kṛṣṇa was cremated Haimavatī also ended her life in the funeral pyre. (Mausala Parva, Chapter 7, Verse 73). HAIRAṆYAVATĪ. A river which flowed along Hiraṇmaya, a Purāṇic region. (Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 5). HALADHARA. A synonym of Balarāma. (See under Balabhadrarāma). HĀLĀHALA (S) A sect of asuras, who were the first creation of the Trimūrtis, when they also possessed the power of creation. The Hālāhalas, who became very powerful within a short period of time earned from Brahmā all the boons they wanted, and they then conquered the three worlds. At last they barricaded Kailāsa and Vaikuṇṭha also, and Hariharas (Viṣṇu and Śiva) defeated them after a fierce fight lasting for a thousand years. The Hariharas returned to their abodes and spoke about their achievements. Their wives laughed at the bravado of their husbands. At this Mahāviṣṇu got angry with Lakṣmī and Śiva with Pārvatī, and in protest the Devis left their husbands. From that day onwards Viṣṇu and Śiva began losing their power. Brahmā, who divined the reason for the growing weakness of Viṣṇu and Śiva persuaded Lakṣmī and Pārvatī to return to their husbands so that they might regain their former power. Yet, Brahmā told them that in future he alone would handle the work of creation. Thus was Viṣṇu and Śiva divested of their right to creation. (Devī Bhāgavata, 7th Skandha).