Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Apantaratamas included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Apāntaratamas
1) General. A Maharṣi (Great Sage). He was born out of the sound 'bhu' uttered by Mahāviṣṇu. The sage is also known as Sārasvata and Apāntaratamas. Because he was absolutely free from inner darkness or ignorance he was called Apāntaratamas. The sage, who was cognizant of the past, the present and the future divided and systematized the Vedas as ordered by Viṣṇu.
2) Vyāsa was Apāntaratamas reborn. Mahāviṣṇu ordained that in the Dvāpara age he be born as the son of Parāśara and once again divide and systematize the Vedas, and so was he born as Vyāsa. (Śrī Śaṅkara’s Muṇḍakopaniṣad and Brahmasūtra Bhāṣya).