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Shankhaasur
From Padm Puraan, Uttar Kaand

Its fish incident resembles with Bhaagvat Puraan's story of king Satyavrat or Matsya (fish) Avataar; while its Shankhaasur killing incident is quite different from Krishn's killing of Shankhaasur in sea when He and Balaraam went to bring their Guru's son back.

In earlier times there was an Asur named Shankhaasur (he was called Shankhaasur because he was in the form of a Shankh (conch). He was so much mighty that he was capable to destroy Trilok. He was the son of Samudra (sea). He defeated all Devtaa in battle and sent them away from Swarg and took control of all the Lords of directions (Indra, Varun, Kuber and Yam). Poor Devtaa had to take refuge in the caves of Meru Parvat.

Shankhaasur thought, "Since Devtaa are mighty because of the power of Ved Mantra, so let me take away Ved. This will make them weak." So he went and brought Ved with him.

Brahmaa Jee went to Vishnu along with Devtaa and worshipped Him. Vishnu said - "I am very pleased from your worship. I will fulfill your all desires. There is "Prabodhinee" Ekaadashee in the Shukl Paksh of Kaartik Maas. On that day when one Prahar night remains, who will sing my praise with instruments like you have done now, they will come to me. Shankhaasur has taken Ved in sea. I will bring them after killing him. From today, Ved along with Mantra, Beej and Yagya, will always reside in water every year in Kaartik Maas. And from today I will also be living in water in Kaartik Maas. You have awaken me on Ekaadashee, that is why this Tithi (day) will be very dear and respectable to me. If somebody keeps fast on this Ekaadashee in Kaartik Maas, then he will come to me."

After saying this, Bhagvaan Vishnu fell in the Anjulee (a cup formed by two hands joined together) of Kashyap Jee in the form of a fish. Muni kept that fish in his Kamandal, but the Kamandal was small for it. So Muni kept it in a well. Later when it grew so much that the well also became small for it he kept it in a pond, but there also it outgrew soon. At last Muni had to transfer it in the sea. There also Vishnu expanded His body and then He killed Shankhaasur. Carrying his body (the conch) He went to Badrik Aashram, called all Rishi there and ordered them to search for Ved which were scattered in water, and bring them to Him. Till then He stayed in Prayaag (now known as Allahabad in UP) along with Devtaa.

Then all Muni went to the sea and brought those Ved from water. Now who got whatever number of Mantra of whatever Ved, he became the Rishi of that part of Ved. Then they all went to Bhagavaan Vishnu and handed over them to Him. Brahmaa Jee became very happy to get Ved. He then, along with all Devtaa, did Ashwamedh Yagya in Prayaag. Since then Prayaag became known as Brahm Kshetra.

Vishnu said - "Raaja Bhageerath of Soorya Vansh will bring Gangaa here and she will meet Soorya's daughter Yamunaa here."

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