A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature / by John Dowson.

Dowson, John, active 1913.

Date:: 1879

Credit: A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature / by John Dowson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$MARUTTA—MA TAAGA. MARUTTA. I. A descendant of Manu Vaivaswata. He was a Chakravarti, or universal monarch, and performed a celebrated sacrifice. “Hever,” says the Vishmi Pura?za, “was beheld on earth a sacrifice equal to the sacrifice of Marutta. All the im- plements and utensils were made of gold. Indra was intoxicated with the libations of soma juice, and the Brahmans were en- raptured with the magnificent donations they received. The winds of heaven encompassed the rite as guards, and the assembled gods attended to behold it.” According to the Vayu Puraraa, IManitta was taken to heaven with his kindred and friends by Samvarta, the officiating priest at this sacrifice. But the ]\Iar- ka7^^feya PuraTza says he was killed after he had laid down his crown and retired to the woods. 2. A king of the Solar race, who was killed by Vapushmat, and fearfully avenged by his son Dama (q.v.). MATALL Charioteer of Indra. MATAHGA. ‘An elephant.’ A man who was brought up as a Brahman but was the son of a Chantfala. His story, as told in the Maha-bharata, relates that he was mercilessly goading an ass’s foal which he was driving. The mother ass, seeing this, tells her foal that she could expect no better, for her driver was no Brahman but a Cha?^^ZaJa. Matanga, addressing the ass as “ most intelligent,” begged to know how this was, and was in- formed that his mother when intoxicated had received the embraces of a low-born barber, and that he, the offspring, was a Cha«c?ala and no Brahman. In order to obtain elevation to the position of a Brahman, he went through such a course of aus- terities as alarmed the gods. Indra refused to admit him. He persevered again for a hundred years, but stlh Indra persistently refused such an impossible request, and advised him to seek some other boon. Nothing daunted, he went on a thousand years longer, with the same result. Though dejected he did not despair, but proceeded to balance himself on his great toe. He continued to do this for a hundred years, when he was reduced to mere skin and bone, and was on the point of falling. Indra went to support him, but inexorably refused his request, and, when further importuned, “ gave him the power of moving about hke a bird, and changing his shape at will, and of being honoured and renowned.” In the Ramayawa, Rama and Sita visited the hermitage of Matanga near itishya-muka mountain.$