Jump to content

Draft:Anga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anga' was a mythical king who was a descendant of Manu. He was the father of Vena and grandfather of Prithu and Nishada. He played a significant part in the story of Vena.

Anga
AffiliationKing
Genealogy
ParentsKuru (father)
Santati (mother)
SpouseSunitha
ChildrenVena

Genealogy

[edit]

He was descended from Vishnu in the following way: Vishnu-Brahmā-Manu-Uttanapada-Dhruva-Śiṣṭi-Ripu-Cākṣuṣa Manu-Kuru-Aṅga.[1].

Anga's Ashwamedha Yajna and Marriage

[edit]

Once, he conducted an Ashwamedha Yajna to bring prosperity to his kingdom. When he poured his offering into it, the Devas refused to collect it. So, his advisors told him it was because of his lack of progeny. Therefore, he married Sunitha, the daughter of Mrityu, the personification of death[2].

Retirement

[edit]

Sunitha was a cruel woman who used to trouble sages. A Gandharva cursed her, saying, "You wicked girl! When you become a house-holder and join your husband, you will get a son who will be a scoffer of Devas and Brahmins and an all-round sinner"[3]. Soon, the couple had a child named Vena. Unlike his righteous father, he turned out to be cruel and used to whip all of his playmates. Saddened by this, Anga left the kingdom to his son and went to the forests to meditate[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopedia. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
  2. ^ "4.13". Bhagavata Purana. Anga conducted an Ashwamedha Yajna to bring prosperity to his kingdom.
  3. ^ "Anushasana Parva". Mahabharata. Sunitha was cursed by a Gandharva due to her cruel behavior towards sages.
  4. ^ "1.13". Vishnu Purana. Anga was a descendant of Manu through a lineage of kings, eventually becoming a king himself.