Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3530

c9.3530

7). Other information.
(i) It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 8, Stanza 20, that Uparicaravasu was famous as a member of the council of Yama. He was a friend of Indra, a devotee of Viṣṇu and a righteous and diligent man who loved and esteemed his father, Because of the grace of Śrī Nārāyaṇa, he secured an empire. He consecrated everything before god. Once Indra gave him half of his seat. (M. B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 355). Because of the grace of Bhagavān (Lord), Garuḍa made him a traveller of the sky. (M. B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 337, Stanza 37). (iii). In Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Chapter 337, Stanza 38, it is mentioned that finally Uparicaravasu entered the world of Brahmā. (iv). Once a controversy arose between Indra and the hermits, whether cow-slaughter during sacrifices, was desirable. At this time Uparicaravasu happened to come there. As he was a man of truth, he was asked to make a decision. Uparicaravasu stood on the side of Indra and gave his opinion in favour of slaughter. The hermits who were against cow-slaughter got angry and cursed Uparicaravasu to go down to the world of Pātāla (netherworld). (Matsya Purāṇa, Chapter 152). This story is seen with slight difference in Mahābhārata Śānti Parva, Chapters 322-324.