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Index Page
by Jayaram V
Literally speaking adi means primitive, earliest, primary, first in
time and
beginning. It is usually used as an adjective and in conjunction with
other words to denote similar meanings. Indra, the king of the heavens
is also described as adi-dev and Brahma, the creator god as adi-kartha.
The epic Ramayana is known as adi-kavya, the highest supreme self
Brahman as adi-purusha and the Mother Goddess as adi-shakti. Some of the
derivative words of adi are adim (first man or Adam), aditi, the mother
of gods and adityas, the solar deities.
Adi is also the name of asura or demon, son of Andhak or Andhka.
Andhaka, meaning he who is dark, ignorant or blind, was the son of Diti
and Kashyapa, the progenitor of mankind. According to Kurma Purana,
Andhaka tried to molest Parvathi, the consort of Siva and met his end in
the hands of Siva. Adi wanted to take revenge for his father's death by
killing Siva. But Siva was extremely powerful and invincible. Adi
thought that if he also could gain invincibility somehow, he would be
able to kill Siva and achieve his goal. He performed severe austerities,
with the sole purpose of seeking a boon from Brahma that would make him
invincible. For the demons spiritualism is just like any other tool,
which they can use to gain some personal end, not salvation. Adi
was no exception.
When Brahma finally appeared before him, he could not convey his
request clearly. This happened with the asuras on more than one
occasion, as they were not habituated to speak fluently in Sanskrit, the
language of the gods. Brahma took advantage of the ambiguity in his words and
granted him the boon, but with a twist that made him invincible only
when he was in the form of a demon, not in any disguise. Adi was unaware
of this limitation. He thought he was ready to face Siva and kill him.
Armed with the new power he got from Brahma, he went to Kailash, the
abode of Siva in the guise of a snake. Since snakes were usually allowed
to enter Kailahs freely, he managed to gain entrance into Kailash
easily. He then tried enter into the presence of Siva in the guise of
Parvathi. Siva recognized who he was and killed him instantly.
Suggested Further Reading
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