Alaka
Alaka(Sanskrit:अलका,romanized:Alakā), also calledAlakapuriorAlkavati,is a city featured inHinduism.It is the home ofKubera,the king of a race called theyakshasand the god of wealth.[1]TheMahabharatamentions this city as the capital of theyaksha Kingdom.This city is said to rivalAmaravati,the capital ofIndra,the king of thedevas,in its architecture, opulence, and overall splendour. It is quoted in theSanskritlyrical poemMeghadūta[2]byKalidasa.
Description[edit]
After losing his kingdom ofLankato his half-brotherRavana,Kubera founds a new capital nearKailasha,establishing his rule over the yaksha race.[3]
Alaka is sometimes referred to as the most splendid city in the world, under the rule of Kubera. The yakshas of the city are stated to guard it, wielding javelins and swords.[4]
In theBhagavata Purana,Dhruvais described to have once attacked this city, slaying thousands of yakshas in vengeance for the death of his brother at the hands of a yaksha. He ceased when his grandfather,Manu,intervened and convinced him to cease his bloodshed.[5]
TheBrahmanda PuranadescribesParashurama'svisit to Kailasha, observing Alaka along the journey. The text describes the city to be alluring due to it being filled with mansions and palaces, which were spangled with numerous varieties of jewels. The yakshas of the city are stated to have assumed various forms, which were decorated with marvellous ornaments. The city boasted groves, parks, and gardens, all of which were replete with various species of trees. Enormous lakes and tanks are stated to be present in the city. The river known asAlakanandā,a branch of theGanges,is described to surround its perimeter. Elephants, despite the fact that they experienced no thirst, consumed its waters, and turned lawny in hue. This is stated to be due to the fact that saffron is mixed into it when theapsarasbathe in it. Music is heard in the city, composed by thegandharvasas well as the apsaras.[6]
References[edit]
- ^(Kramrisch, Stella). 1994.The Presence of Siva,p.137
- ^Meghadūta
- ^Satyamayananda, Swami (2019).Ancient Sages.Advaita Ashrama (A publication branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math). p. 190.ISBN978-81-7505-923-8.
- ^Bane, Theresa (10 March 2016).Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology.McFarland. p. 125.ISBN978-1-4766-6355-5.
- ^Swami, Bodhasarananda (2 March 2016).Stories from the Bhagavatam.Advaita Ashrama. p. 39.ISBN978-81-7505-814-9.
- ^wisdomlib.org (21 June 2019)."The narrative of Bhārgava Paraśurāma (e) [Chapter 41]".wisdomlib.org.Retrieved6 January2023.
