The Mahabharata has a story on how umbrellas and slippers came about. Once Jamadagni found Surya’s heat insufferable. He asked Renuka to get his quiver and aimed an arrow at Surya. He fired several at Surya who was unable tod efend himself and started burning Renuka’s feet and head even more. She grew tired, and rested under a tree, but resumed her duty in a short while. When Jamadagni asked her the reason for delay, she said that she had become tired due to the heat. Jamadagni became even more angry and continued firing arrows at the sun god. Surya appeared as a brahmin and told Jamadagni that it was impossible to bring down the sun and that he should desist. Jamadagni replied that he would bring the sun down when it stood still at noon. Surya admitted defeat and gave him slippers and umbrella and that was how they started being used by humans. This gifting of umbrella and slippers continues as a custom as per Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapters 95,96.
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Copper
When Shiva’s seed entered the Ganga, Subramanya was born. In addition to the child several other things were formed including gold, silver, tin and copper as per Ramayana Balakanda Sarga 37.
Chenkanna
See Jambukeshwara
Chooli
A sage. Somada, daughter of the gandharvi Urmila, used to serve him and Chooli granted her a child with his spiritual energy. He was named Brahmadatta. He later became the king of Kambilya and married the 100 daughters of Kushanabha as per Ramayana Balakanda Sarga 33.
Dice
A game. Scriptures suggest that it holds the power to destroy a man’s life like liquor, women and hunting.
Once the Ashwinis were banned by Indra and were not allowed to consume soma. They approached Chyavana for help, and he conducted a yajna to help them get it. Indra didn’t appreciate this and aimed his vajra at the sage, but he froze Indra’s arms and an asura named Madan arose from the sacrificial fire. Indra begged for mercy and the sage split Madan into four parts and put one part each into dice, women, hunting and liquor as per Devibhagavata Saptamaskanda.
Chudala
The learned wife of Shikhidhwaja. When he left to the forests to meditate, she advised him to come back as per Yogavasishta Chapter 77.
Chudamani
See Sita
Chudakarna
A mendicant in the Panchatantra.
Churakka
When Pridhu ruled over the world and Bhumi took the form of a cow and everyone milked her, the nagas got poison out of her and it was stored in a vessel named Churakka as per Harivansh Chapter 6 verse 27.
Chuchuka (2)
A region in ancient India as per Mahabharata Udyogaparva Chapter 110 verse 26.