Puranic Encyclopaedia - by Vettam Mani, in English 1975(First edition)

The first volume of my 'Puranic Nighantu' was released in

February 1964
The Puranas along with the Great Epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, have for centuries, profoundly
influenced Indian life and Culture. The well-known definition of a Purana as a work having five
characteristic features purdnam, pancalaksanam namely, primary creation, secondary creation, the
genealogies, the ages of Manu, and the dynastic account hardly does justice to the full significance of these
works. They are much more than that. While their genealogies and the dynastic account form the bed-rock of
the political history of ancient India, they throw a flood of light on all aspects of Indian Culture its religion,
social practices, art, literature and sciences. They serve as the key to the proper understanding of the various
aspects of Hinduism its beliefs, its modes of worship, its mythology, its festivals, feasts, and fasts, its sacred
shrines and places of pilgrimage, its philosophy and ethics and its theogony. Truly it has been said that a
Brahmin was not really wise if he did not know the Puranas. The study of ancient Indian history, and culture
particularly religion is impossible without a proper knowledge of the Puranas. As a matter of fact, it is
virtually impossible to understand not only ancient Indian culture and life, but also the literature in modern
Indian languages, as it largely draws upon the ideas and ideologies as embodied in the contents of the
Puranas and the epics.
(Theogony: the theogony is a poem by Hesoid that is entirely about the gods. it is important
because it is an account of the creation of the universe and the generation of the gods,)

The literary writings in all Indian languages are indebted to the Epics and the Puranas in more than
one way their form, content, ideas and ideologies are all influenced to a greater or lesser extent by these
ancient works. Direct and indirect allusions to Puranic episodes, characters, events, are frequently to be met
with in the literary writings of all Indian languages. Teachers engaged in imparting instruction
in the literature in modern Indian languages must therefore be conversant with the contents of the Puranas
and Epics in order to be able to explain these allusions wherever they occur in the writings in modern Indian
languages. However, it is well nigh impossible for an average teacher to go through the whole of this vast
literature. Thus the need for a handy work of reference like the present Encyclopaedia is apparent.
1. (well nigh: Almost) (allusion: an expression designed to call something to mind without
mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

I am deeply indebted to them for bringing my work before a much wider circle of readers. The onerous task
of translating the work into English was entrusted to a committee of five scholars :
1. Mr. P. Rajaram Menon, Professor of English, Basel mission College, Kottayam;
2. Mr. K. R. Atchutan Nayar, retired Professor of English, C.M.S. College, Kottayam;
3. R. K. Kartha, ex-Chief Editor, Deshbandhu, Kottayam;
4. P.I.John, Retired Headmaster, Kurichi ; and
5. Mr. P. N. Menon, Ollur.
I need hardly point out that these members of the editorial committee are highly qualified for this work and I
must gladly acknowledge the fact that they have more than amply justified the trust placed in them.

Finally, I cannot adequately express my feelings of deep gratitude to Shri Puthezathu Rama Menon, the
doyen of Malayalam literature, for writing an excellent introduction to the original Malayalam edition of the
work. I am also beholden to many scholars and the reading public who have been pleased to extend a most
generous welcome to the Encyclopaedia.

Kottayam
22.2.1975 VETTAM MANI

I feel flattered and consider it to be great privilege to have been asked by Shri Vettam Mani to
contribute a foreword to his Puranic Encyclopaedia, a really magnificent literary production,
massive in size and rich and invaluable in contents. This is the first attempt in Malayalam and for
the matter of that in any Indian or foreign language, so far as I know, to produce a comprehensive
and well-nigh exhaustive book of study and reference with regard to episodes, incidents, characters
etc. occurring in the many Puranas and such other works in Sanskrit. In the field of mythology, with
regard to variety and contents as also sheer bulk, Greece stands first. Egypt comes only next. But
Indian mythology the epics and the puranas far exceeds and excels both Greek and Egyptian mythologies
put together in merit and size.

Even the preparation of a complete list of characters mentioned in our epics, puranas etc. will be a
stupendous and well-nigh impossible task calling for the combined efforts of a number of scholars. But,
fortunately for us, each and every such name, one need not necessarily know or be acquainted with.

At the same time there are great names which compel attention and should not escape a proper study. And,
such names are legion, and Shri Mani has not omitted mention of even one such name in his great work. I
looked up the encyclopaedia for a few such random names, and was really surprised to find detailed
treatment of the same in the book.
Moreover, with reference to really important names, incidents and episodes connected with them and the
whole genealogy are given. Everything is fully documented and quite authoritative. And, deep, extensive
and exhaustive study, patient and untiring research and above all absolute dedication to the cause are so very
patent on every page of the book. Literally and in effect Shri Mani's is a unique contribution, the first and
foremost book, in the magnificent spheres of religion, culture, scholarship and history all put together. As
the pioneer in the field he can justly feel happy and proud about his rare achievement, and he deserves in
ample measure the unstinted praise and appreciation of all lovers of learning and culture.

Shri Mani has already earned well-deserved reputation as a teacher, especially in Malayalam, and also as a
diligent student of literature and author of talent. He evidently possesses a flair for research. All such
distinguished talents and attainments of his have been fully and quite successfully commissioned in the
preparation of this marvellous encyclopaedia.

He has put every lover of learning and knowledge everywhere, under an eternal debt of gratitude by the
publication of this noble work.
P.R. MENON
Retired Judge, Chief Court, Cochin and
Ex-President Keral Sahitya Academy.