Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3025

c9.3025

SVAYAÑJĀTA. A son born to a man by his own wife. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 119 Verse 33). SVAYAMPRABHĀ. A daughter of Maya, an asura. Two daughters named Svayamprabhā and Somaprabhā were born to Mayāsura. From birth Svayamprabhā became a celibate. Nalakūbara the son of Vaiśravaṇa married Somaprabhā. Svayamprabhā, the celibate, became the maid of Rambhā. (For the rest of the story, see under Rāma Para 25). (Kathāsaritsāgara, Madanamañcukālambaka, Taraṅga 3). SVAYAṂVARA I. A sub-section of Ādi Parva in Mahābhārata. This sub-section comprises Chapters 183 to 191 of Ādi Parva. SVAYAṂVARA II. A Kṣatriya custom of princesses selecting their husbands themselves. There are three kinds of Svayaṃvara. These three types are stipulated for Kings only. The first type is Icchāsvayaṃvara, the second one is Savyavasthāsvayaṃvara and the third is Śauryaśulkasvayaṃvara. No condition is attached to Icchāsvayaṃvara. Anybody may be chosen as husband according to the wish of the bride. Damayantī Svayaṃvara is an example of this. In the second it will be stipulated that the bridegroom will have to possess certain qualifications. In Sītā-Svayaṃvara Śrī Rāma drew the bow of Tryambaka, and Sītā. This is an example of the second type of Svayaṃvara. The third type is meant for adventurous heroes. Arjuna's marrying Subhadrā is an example of the third type of Svayaṃvara. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 3). SVEDAJA. An asura (demon). (See under Raktaja). ŚVETA I. A King in ancient India. By his moral and spiritual power he was able to restore his dead son to life. He did not eat meat. Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 15 mentions that he was one of the few Kings who deserve to be remembered with reverence at dawn and dusk. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 1, Verse 233; Śānti Parva, Chapter 153, Verse 68; Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 115, Verse 66).