Mainaka

Mainaka

Mainaka

Mountain deity in Hindu texts

Mainaka (Sanskrit: मैनाक, IAST: Maināka) or Mainaka Parvata, is a mountain deity from the Hindu epic Ramayana, the son of Himavan and Mena.[1] He is the brother of the goddess Parvati.[2] Mainaka is an ally of Hanuman, having helped the deity on his journey to Lanka.[3]

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Legend

According to the Brahmanda Purana, in the ages of yore, the mountains had wings, and used to ascend and descend towards the earth as they liked. Due to the fears of the populace, Indra made the mountains stand in a row, and cut off their wings. During this time, the god of the wind, Vayu, took away his friend Mainaka and granted him safety in the ocean. Mainaka and the ocean became close allies. Hanuman, who was the son of Vayu, became the friend and saviour of Mainaka. Owing to this, Mainaka gave refuge for Hanuman on his way to Lanka.[4]

References

  1. [1]
    Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. p. 803. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
  2. [2]
    Bhattacharji, Sukumari; Sukumari (1998). Legends of Devi. Orient Blackswan. p. 42. ISBN 978-81-250-1438-6.
  3. [3]
    Mani, Vettam (2015-01-01). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 468. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
  4. [4]
    Venkatesananda, Swami (1988-05-11). The Concise Rāmāyana of Vālmīki. State University of New York Press. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-4384-2282-4.
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