Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.789.2

c9.789.2

A country in ancient India. Mention is made about this country in Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 57. ŚAIVACĀPA. Śiva’s bow. It was made by Viśvakarmā. He made a Vaiṣṇavacāpa and a Śaivacāpa for the purpose of a battle which was fought once between Viṣṇu and Śiva. (See the 7th sub para, 7th para under the word Viṣṇu). Long ago when Śiva set out to break up Dakṣayāga, he was armed with this bow. After defeating the enemy and breaking up the yāga, Śiva cooled down and presented the bow to his devotee, the king of Videha. The king took the bow to his palace, kept it in his armoury and used to offer due worship to it. His descendants also continued to worship it. (Kamba Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa). ŚAIVĀLA. A town in India. There is a reference to it in Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 52, Verse 18. ŚAKA. A particular sect of caste. The following information about the Śakas is gathered from the Śakas. (i) Śakas were born from the breast of Nandinī, Vasiṣṭha’s cow. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 147, Verse 36). (ii) Bhīmasena, during his triumphal tour of the eastern regions subjugated the Śakas. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 14). (iii) Nakula conquered them. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 32, Verse 14). (iv) King of the Śakas participated in Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 51, Verse 32). (v) The Pāṇḍavas invited them to take part in the great war. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 4, Verse 15).