Śamba
SAMBA.
[Source:
Dowson's Classical Dictionary
of Hindu Mythology] A son
of Krishna by Jambavati, but the Linga Purana names Rukmini as his mother.
At the swayamvara of Draupadi he carried off that princess, but he was
pursued by Duryodhana and his friends and made prisoner. Balarama undertook
to obtain his release, and when that hero thrust his ploughshare under the ramparts
of Hastinapura and threatened it with ruin, the Kauravas gave up their prisoner,
and Balarama took him to Dwaraka. There he lived a dissolute life and scoffed
at sacred things. The devotions of the three great sages, Vishvamitra, Durvasas,
and Narada, excited the ridicule of Samba and his boon companions. They dressed
Samba up to represent a woman with child and took him to the sages, inquiring
whether he would give birth to a boy or a girl. The sages answered, "This is
not a woman, but the son of Krishna, and he shall bring forth an iron club
which shall destroy the whole race of Yadu,. and you and all your people shall
perish by that club." Samba accordingly brought forth an iron club, which Ugrasena
caused to be pounded and cast into the sea. These ashes produced rushes, and
the rushes when gathered turned into clubs, or into reeds which were used as
swords. One piece could not be crushed. This was subsequently found in the belly
of a fish, and was used to tip an arrow, which arrow was used by the hunter
Jaras, who with it unintentionally killed Krishna. Under the curse of Durvasas,
Samba became a leper and retired to the Panjab, where by fasting, penance, and
prayer he obtained the favour of Surya (the sun), and was cured of his leprosy.
He built a temple to the sun on the banks of the Chandrabhaga (Chinab), and
introduced the worship of that luminary.
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Modern
Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D.
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October 16, 2007 12:22 PM
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