Meru and Mandhatra

"In Harivamsham, there is a reference to the fight between Krishna and Jambuvantha comparing it to a fight between Meru (the mountain) and Mandhatra (the great Ikshvaku king venerated in Rig Veda). Can you tell me where this fight occurs in our mythology and where is it mentioned?" I asked him while he was leaving, deeming him very a knowledgeable person after his discourse on Indian Mythology and some anecdotes on his lengendary father.

"I dont think the author refers to a real fight between Meru and Mandhatra-- he only means a hypothetical fight--had that fight happened, it might have been of the same ferocity as that between Krishna and Jambuvantha". He replied. We were not convinced though.. but we let it be.

Once upon a time during my sojourn in Houston with the invincle Holy one of Medak (whom some people audaciously call by name), he took me along for an avadhanam session. Nagaphani Sarma was the avadhani. As a typical news-paper headline in the middle-page might put it, he "enthralled the crowds" by his avadhanam "snippets". He also performed a mini-avadhanam (not even ashta-avadhanam!)-- there were neither brilliant prucchakas, nor intelligent enough audience, but there was a lot of money! Also ,since I (one of the not-so-knowledgeable audience members) didnt know about the concept of "aprastuta prasangi", I blurted out "cant someone keep him quiet for a while?? the guy is trying to think!". And the elders smiled and told me about the concept "Oops!"

After that, Vishvanatha Pavani Sastry spent some time on the dais elucidating some interesting topics on Mythology, and narrating some anecdotes regarding his father Vishvanatha Satyanarayana (glorifying even his ego). He had come there to promote some of the lesser-known works and some republished limited editions of the critically acclaimed works of his father. I bought a 4$ book called "telugu samethalu" (Telugu Proverbs) from him which he signed for us.

As I was cruising through the channels on TV this weekend (I was at home), I saw a news item that Vishvanatha Pavani Sastry died suddenly due to heart failure on saturday (April 1st 2006) .


Kedar.