Myths from the Mahabharata : Vol. 3: Probe in Early Dim History and Folklore

by Sadashiv Ambadas Dange

The book forms the third and final part of the plan of studying the Mahabharata, from a different point of view,

• Vol. 1 being – Myths from the Mahabharata – Quest for Immortality
• Vol. 2 being – Myths from the Mahabharata – Study in Patterns and Symbols.

In this volume are unearthed through myths come iti-ha-asa records, which shed light on the facts and incidents of the hoary past, as yet shrouded in mystery. The iti-ha-asa records through myths, such as those gathered round the sage Agastya and those of the advent of the river Ganga, can be taken as breathing the ‘true history’ from the modern day point of view.

Some iti-ha-asa records in the Mahabharata as seen through the tales of "metamorphosis" and the "miscellaneous tales" lead us to the study of ‘patterns’ and are a help to explain many a myth. The appendices serve as searchlight on some myths and folktales.

Contents:

1. Preface.
2. Introduction – "open sesame" to the Itihasa-cave
3. Myths in dim history (supra-mortals) :
   1. The daughter of the sun-god.
   2. Agastya :
      1. Destruction of Vatapi and Ilvala.
      2. Checking the mountain Vindhya from growing.
      3. Drinking of the ocean.
      4. The marriage of Agastya :
         1. The ancestors in the garta (canyon).
         2. Agastya and the creation of the girl.
         3. The simple wife getting assertive.
      5. Agastya in the Rgveda.
      6. Lopamurda in the Rgveda
4. Myths and early history :
   1. The sons of Sagara and the ocean :
      1. The birth of the sons of Sagara.
      2. Destruction of the sixty thousand.
      3. Kapila.
      4. Quarter-elephants.
   2. B. The advent of the Ganga; her human relations :
      1. Bhagiratha.
      2. The river; fire and the husband.
      3. Jahnu.
      4. Ganga, Santanu and Bhisma.
      5. The eighth Vasu.
      6. The hand of Santanu.
      7. Ganga as Jahnu’s ‘daughter’.
      8. Myths about other rivers.
      9. Vadhusara
5. Metamorphosis :
   1. The frog-princess.
   2. Arjuna and the five nymphs.
   3. Cyavana and Asvins (homomorphism).
   4. The old maiden.
   5. Change of sex :
      1. Ila-Ila.
      2. Sikhandi-Sikhandini.
      3. Bhangasvana.
   6. Metamorphosis in beast-tales :
      1. The sage and the dog who changed forms
6. Miscellaneous tales and mythical ‘caps’ :
   1. The Pandavas :
      1. Killing of Bakasura by Bhima.
      2. The killing of Hidimba – the demon.
      3. The bringing of golden lotuses.
      4. Bhima poisoned.
      5. Tears, golden lotuses and Draupadi.
   2. Facets of death :
      1. The tender death.
      2. The god of death and Naciketa.
   3. Didactic tales :
      1. Pigeon’s sacrifice.
      2. Lomasa and Palita.
      3. The Heron Pujani and the King Brahmadatta.
      4. The jackal and the tiger.
      5. The tale of the Swan and the crow.
      6. The Bidala Vrata.
      7. The tale of the clever jackal (Kanika-Niti).
      8. The tale of Sunda and Upasunda.
      9. The tale of Matanga.
      10. Tales praising various virtues.
      11. Survarnasthivi.
   4. Appendices :
      1. Assimilation and integration in the epics (a probe through myths)
      2. Metamorphosis and the ‘Swan-maiden’ type of tales.
      3. List of parallel tales.
7. Bibliography.
8. Index.