[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.4526 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.4526 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.4526 - **Language:** English ### [c9.4526.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.1) (i) This Virāṭa, the King of Matsya was born from a portion of the Marudgaṇas. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 67, Stanza 82). (ii) King Virāṭa had two sons named Uttara and Śaṅkha. It was with these sons that he attended the Svayaṃvara marriage of Draupadī. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 185, Stanza 8). (iii) In the regional conquest conducted by Sahadeva, before the Imperial consecration-sacrifice of the Pāṇḍavas, Virāṭa fought with him and was defeated. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 31, Stanza 2). (iv) King Virāṭa attended the Rājasūya (sacrifice of imperial consecration) of Yudhiṣṭhira. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 44, Stanza 20). (v) Virāṭa gave as a gift to Yudhiṣṭhira two thousand tuskers adorned with gold chains. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 52, Stanza 26). (vi) The name of the wife of King Virāṭa was Sudeṣṇā. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 9; Stanza 6). ### [c9.4526.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.2) (vii) During the incognito-life of the Pāṇḍavas, King Virāṭa sheltered them in his palace. He took Yudhiṣṭhira as a court-favourite, Bhīmasena as the over-seer of his dining hall, Arjuna as the dancing master, Nakula as the head of the stables, and Sahadeva as the head of the cow-herds. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Chapters 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12). (viii) The first wife of King Virāṭa was Surathā, the princess of Kosala. A son named Śveta was born to Virāṭa by Surathā. After the death of Surathā, he married Sudeṣṇā the daughter of Sūta, King of Kekaya. To Sudeṣṇā two sons named Śaṅkha and Uttara and as the youngest, a daughter named Uttarā were born. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Dākṣiṇātya Pāṭha, Chapter 16). (ix) It is stated in Mahābhārata, Virāṭa Parva, Dākṣiṇātyapāṭha, Chapter 26, that King Virāṭa had ten brothers. (x) Virāṭa had two brothers named Śatānīka and Madirākṣa. Sūryadatta is another name of Śatānīka. He was the commander of the army of Virāṭa. Madirākṣa was also called Viśālākṣa. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Chapters 31 and 32). (xi) At the time of the theft of the cows, King Virāṭa engaged in combat with Suśarmā. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 32, Stanza 28). (xii) Suśarmā caught hold of Virāṭa alive. (M.B. Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 33, Stanza 7). (xiii) Virāṭa was one of the seven prominent commanders of the army of Yudhiṣṭhira. (M.B. Udyoga Parva, Chapter 157, Stanza 11). ### [c9.4526.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.3) (xiv) On the first day of the battle of Bhārata there was a combat between Virāṭa and Bhagadatta. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 45, Stanza 49). (xv) Virāṭa attacked Bhīṣma. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 73, Stanza 1). (xvi) In the fight between Virāṭa and Droṇa, Śaṅkha was killed. With that Virāṭa ran away. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 82, Stanza 14). (xvii) There was a combat between Virāṭa and Aśvatthāmā. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 110, Stanza 16). (xviii) Virāṭa combatted with Jayadratha. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 116, Stanza 42). (xix) Virāṭa fought with Vinda and Anuvinda. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 25, Stanza 20). (xx) In the fight with Śalya, Virāṭa fell down unconscious. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 167, Stanza 34). (xxi) In the battle which followed, Droṇācārya killed Virāṭa. (M.B. Karṇa Parva, Chapter 6, Stanza 6). (xxii) Mention is made in Mahābhārata, Strī Parva, Chapter 26, Stanza 33, that the funeral ceremony of Virāṭa was conducted in a befitting manner and in Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Chapter 42, Stanza 4, that Yudhiṣṭhira performed offering to the Manes for him. (xxiii) After death, Virāṭa entered heaven and joined the Marudgaṇas. (M.B. Svargārohaṇa Parva, Chapter 5, Stanza 15). (xxiv) The synonyms used in Mahābhārata for Virāṭa are, Matsya, Matsyapati, Matsyarāṭ, Matsyarāja etc. VIRĀṬA (M). The country called Matsya. King Virāṭa was the ruler of this country. (See under Virāṭa). VIRĀṬANAGARA. The Capital of Matsya. ### [c9.4526.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.4) Mention is made in Mahābhārata, Virāṭa Parva, Chapter 30, Stanza 28, that once the Kauravas and the Trigartas attacked this country. VIRĀṬAPARVA. A prominent Parva (section) in Mahābhārata. VIRĀVA. A horse. The two horses yoked to the chariot given to Agastya by the giant Ilvala, were called Virāva and Surāva. (M.B. Vana Parva, Chapter 99, Stanza 17). VIRAVARMĀ I. A child born to King Tāladhvaja by Nārada, when he assumed the form of an illusive woman of beauty. (For further details see under Tāladhvaja I). VIRAVARMĀ II. A King who ruled over the city of Sārasvata. His chief queen was Mālinī, who was the daughter of a Yakṣa. Viravarmā stopped the sacrificial horse of the Pāṇḍavas. When Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna got ready to fight with Viravarmā to recover the horse, Viravarmā, with the help of Yama fought with them. At last Kṛṣṇa entered into a treaty with Viravarmā and got the horse back. Viravarmā had five sons named Subhāla, Sulabha, Lola, Kuvala and Sarasa. (Jaimini, Aśva : 47 : 49). VIRAVRATA. A King born in the family of Bharata. To Viravrata who was the son of Madhu, two sons named Manthu and Amanthu were born. (Bhāgavata, Fifth Skandha). VIRIṆI (VIRAṆI). See under Viraṇi. VIROCANA I. ### [c9.4526.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.5) 1) \*General information.\* An asura. He was the son of Prahlāda and the father of Mahābali. Three sons Virocana, Kumbha and Nikumbha were born to Prahlāda by his wife Dhṛti. Virocana, though an asura, performed rites and rituals carefully. He was kind towards Brahmins. His son Bali became famous and got the name Mahābali. (M.B. Ādi Parva, Chapter 65, Stanza 19). 2) \*Other details.\* (i) Once there was a controversy between Virocana and Sudhanvā. (See under Sudhanvā II). (ii) During the time of emperor Pṛthu, when the asuras milked the earth Virocana stood as the calf. (M.B. Droṇa Parva, Chapter 69, Stanza 20). (iii) Virocana is included among the ancient Kings of prominence. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 227, Stanza 50). ### [c9.4526.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.6) (iv) There is a story about the quest for knowledge about universal and individual souls, by Indra and Virocana, in Chāndogyopaniṣad, as given below. Once the Devas and the asuras approached Prajāpati to learn about Brahman, the impersonal God. Prajāpati told them: "Ātman (soul) is the first tattva (Essential being) which is sinless, eternal, desireless and unimaginable in the earth." Having heard this philosophy about the soul, the Devas selected Indra, and the asuras selected Virocana and to know the details, they sent them to Prajāpati as his disciples. Indra and Virocana stayed with Prajāpati for several years to know more about Ātman. But Prajāpati did not reveal to them the secret about Brahman. At last to test them Prajāpati said "Your reflection that you see in water or mirror is the Ātman (soul)." Virocana, who mistook what the Prajāpati said as truth immediately took his bath, put on costly dress and ornaments and stood near water and saw his reflection in water. After that, taking the reflection for soul, he spread this doctrine among his people. With this the asuras accepted body as soul. But the Devas did not recognize this philosophy. They accepted the doctrine that Ātman is that essence of Nature which is alien to body and mind and which is pure. (v) There are two different statements about the death of Virocana in the Purāṇas. ### [c9.4526.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526.7) (1) In the battle with Tārakāsura, Virocana was killed by Devendra. (M.B. Śānti Parva, Chapter 99. Brahmāṇḍa 1.20.35; Matsya: 10: 11; Padma Purāṇa, Sṛṣṭi Khaṇḍa 16). (2) The Sun God was pleased with Virocana and had given him a crown. The sun told him that death would come only if that crown was removed from the head by some body. Because of this boon Virocana became arrogant. So Mahāviṣṇu took the form of a beautiful woman and enticed Virocana towards him and taking away the crown killed him. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa 2, 29). According to Nārada Purāṇa, Mahāviṣṇu took the form of a Brahmin and reached the palace of Virocana. There changing the righteous wife of Virocana into a mad woman he killed Virocana. (vi) Virocana had two wives called Viśālākṣī and Devī. Two children, Bala and Yaśodharā were born by them. The wife of the famous Tvaṣṭā was this Yaśodharā. (Brahmāṇḍa. 3: 1: 86; Nārada Purāṇa 2: 32 : Bhāgavata, Skandha 9). (vii) Virocana had five brothers named Kumbha, Nikumbha, Āyuṣmān, Śibi and Bāṣkali and a sister named Virocanā. (Vāyu Purāṇa. 84, 19). --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.4526) · Pramāṇa