Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4301

c9.4301

VIDYĀSĀGARA. Father of Bhartṛhari. See under Bhartṛhari. VIDYĀTĪRTHA. A holy place in India. It is mentioned in Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 34, Stanza 52, that those who bathe in this tīrtha (bath) would get knowledge. VIDYOTA. The son born to Sage Dharma, by his wife Lambā, the daughter of Dakṣa. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 6). VIDYOTĀ. A celestial maid of Alakāpurī. Mention is made in Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 19, Stanza 45, that Vidyotā took part in the dance performed in honour of Aṣṭāvakra, the hermit. VIDYUDDHARA. A Deva Gandharva. (See under Nahuṣa). VIDYUDRŪPA. A Yakṣa who was the favourite of Kubera. This Yakṣa married Madanikā, the daughter of Menakā. Once when these two were sitting on mount Kailāsa and drinking liquor the bird Kaṅka born of the family of Garuḍa came there. Vidyudrūpa killed Kaṅka after a small fight. Hearing about the death of Kaṅka, his brother Kandara came to avenge the death of his brother. A fierce battle ensued between the two, in which Vidyudrūpa met with death. After this Madanikā accepted Kandara as her husband. (Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, 2, 4, 28). VIDYUDVARCAS. An eternal god concerned with offerings to the manes. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 31). VIDYUJJIHVA I. A Rākṣasa (giant). This Vidyujjihva was a friend of Ghaṭotkaca. He was killed by Duryodhana in the battle of Bhārata. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 91, Stanza 20). VIDYUJJIHVA II. Husband of Śūrpaṇakhā. A son named Śambhukumāra was born to the couple. As this son Śambhukumāra was standing like a young tree in the forest Daṇḍakāraṇya, Lakṣmaṇa cut it down by his sword. Thus Śambhukumāra died. (Kamba Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇya Kāṇḍa). VIDYUJJIHVA III. One of the important Rākṣasa followers of Rāvaṇa. This giant, by his sorcery and witch-craft, showed Sītā, the head cut off from the body of Śrī Rāma and his broken bow, to make her consent to become the wife of Rāvaṇa. He repeated this stratagem on several occasions. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Uttara Kāṇḍa, Sarga 12). VIDYUJJIHVA IV. One of the sons born to Viśravas by his wife Vākā. Mention is made in Vāyu Purāṇa that this Rākṣasa lives in the city called Arvāktala in Pātāla (underworld) known as Mahātala. VIDYUNMĀLĪ I. A son of Tārakāsura. He was one of the Tripuras. (For details see under Tripura). VIDYUNMĀLĪ II. A mighty and brave Rākṣasa who was a friend of Rāvaṇa. After the death of Rāvaṇa, this asura, who lived in the Pātāla (underworld) stole the sacrificial horse of Śrī Rāma to avenge the death of Rāvaṇa. Śatrughna killed Vidyunmālī and redeemed the sacrificial horse. (Padma Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa). VIDYUTĀ. A celestial maid of Alakāpurī. It is stated in Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 19, Stanza 45, that this celestial maid performed a dance in honour of the hermit Aṣṭāvakra.