Eponym

Eponym can be translated into Sanskrit as naama-daataa. One who gives his name to something.  It does not mean that someone gives his name by his own accord. The name generally gets applied  by custom for which no permission is sought or given.

 

Naarada -  a person who conveys information from one to another which may result in a discord between them. He is depicted as traveling in the sky having a veena and always chanting   “Naaraayana” “Naaraayana”. There is a saying – naaradah kalahapriyah. He would carry news from one person to another when there was no newspaper, postal service, telephone, television or radio. Before writing Ramayana Valmiki met Narada and asked him to tell him of a person with many qualities.

 

Durvaasa - literally one who is shabbily dressed.  He is noted for getting angry instantly.  If he does not get attention he will deliver a curse.  He would also give a redemption if requested.

 

The instances where his instant anger are mentioned are –

 

He visits the hermitage of Kanva.  He sees Sakuntala sitting in a pensive mood thinking of Dushyanta and not giving any attention to him. Durvasa curses her that the person whom she was thinking of would not remember her and goes away. Sakunthala’s friends

follow him and request him to redeem Sakuntala of the curse.  Durvasa relents and tells them that Dushyanta would remember her after seeing an abhijnaana –an identification -- the ring given to her by Dushyanta. 

 

Karna – applied to any person who donates whatever he has without a second thought.

 

Vaamana  – Mahavishu came in the form of a dwarf (kullan) and duped Mahabali taking away all his land and sent him to Paataala. There is a saying in tamil –kallane nambinaalum kullane nambaathe.

 

Harischandra – is well known for his honesty and truthfulness.  If someone doubts the truthfulness of a person he would ask him – are you a Harischandra?

 

Thrisanku – was a king whom sage Viswamitra wanted to send to heaven bodily after performing many yajnas or sacrifices.  When he was half-way to heaven (deva-loka)

Indra who is the lord of heaven did not allow him to go up.  Viswmitra at that time stopped him midway without falling due to his powers.  Afterwards this heaven is

known as Thrisanku-swarga.   This word is nowadays used to mean “neither here nor here”.

 

Viswamitra Srishti –  In the above story Viswamithra created in the thrisanku swarga so many plants and creatures one can find on earth in a miniature form. These are referred to as Viswamitra Srishti.  I myself has seen a miniature jackfruit which is claimed as a

Viswamaitra Srishti.

 

Manthara – (Kuuni in Tamil). It was Manthara the maid servant of  Kaikeyi who instigated her to ask Dasaratha for two pending boons by which Rama was to go on excile for 14  years and  her son Bharata be made the king of Ayodhya. She was a hunchback called Kuuni in tamil.  People are advised to be careful with hunchbacks.

 

Sakuni – Kauravas’s maternal uncle.

He is also called in local language as Sakuni Mama.

Anyone who suggests wicked schemes to trouble any relative is called a Sakuni.  He was authorized to play for Duryodhana against Pandavas whom he defeated on every play by his tricks.

 

 

Baka- the voracious eater.

 

He  is a demon mentioned in Mahabharatha.  He was a voracious eater. Pandavas with their mother Kunti were staying in Ekachakragramam. As per an agreement with Bakasura, it was the turn of the family with whom the Pandavas were staying to send

cartloads of food to Baka on one day.  Baka would not only swallow the food but also eat the messenger taking the food. Kunti comforted the family that her son Bhima will go to Baka instead of the son of the family.   Bhishma delayed in reaching Bakas place. Not only that –he himself  ate the food  meant for Baka.  This infuriated Baka. In the ensuing fight Baka was killed by Bhima.  Now there is saying that he eats like a Baka.

 

 

Kumbhakarna – the notorious sleeper. If anyone is continuously sleeping he would be called a Kumbhakarna.  The story is that Kumbhakarna was engaged in rigorous penance which made Brahma appear before him. He wanted to ask a boon “nirdevatvam” meaning annihilation of all Devas.   By a mispronunciation he asked for “nidraavatvam” being always sleepy.   After this he would sleeping continuously for about six to nine months and when he gets up he consumes all missed meals immediately and again go to sleep.  When Ravana was fighting with Rama, he wanted Kumbhakarna’s help. Then Kumbhakarna had  gone to sleep only a few days back.  To wake him up they had to make so much noise and shake him violently and keep so much food and drink ready for him to consume.  Valmiki Ramayana describes in one sarga how difficult it was to wake

him up.