Story of Lord Vishnu's sword Nandaka?

Question

According to Annamayya Telugu Movie, Lord Venkateswara sends his sword NANDAKA to take birth as Tallapaka Annamacharya to compose Telugu songs for Him, at request of Padmavathi Devi. I know Sudarshana Chakra (discus), Gadha (mace) and conch but never heard about his sword.

Do any Puranas mention about Vishnu's sword Nandaka?
What's the story of Vishnu's sword Nandaka?
Is it mentioned in any scriptures that Annamayya (Tallapaka Annamacharya) was an avatar of Nandaka?

I'm not sure about Annamacharya, but Sri Vaishnavas believe that Peyalwar, whom I discuss in this question, was an incarnation of Vishnu's Nandaka sword: http://hinduism.stackexchange.com/q/6867/36 — Keshav Srinivasan, Nov 14 '15 at 15:32
Wiki states both were avatars of Nanadaka. Which scriptures says Peyalwar was avatar of Nanadaka? Is that scripture authentic? — The Destroyer, Nov 15 '15 at 04:52
Agni purana mention about Nandaka sword. But I do not know any scripture that say Annamayya is the incarnation of Nandaka. — Triyugi Narayan Mani, Jul 22 '16 at 06:52

Triyugi Narayan Mani · Answer 1 · 2016-07-22T11:30:46.393

4

Agni Purana, Chapter 245 describes the story of Nandaka sword as:

Lord Brahma performed a sacrifice on the banks of celestial Ganges on the peaks of the Meru (mountain). When he was contemplating at the sacrifice he saw the demon Loha (that causes) obstruction. As he was thinking about that, a great mighty form appeared from the fire in front of him. He bowed down to the lord (Brahma) and the celestials greeted him with joy. Lord Hari took the sword (called) Nandaka from the demon as requested by the celestials. The lord seized it slowly and it became unsheathed. The sword was blue (in colour) with gem (studded) handle. Then the demon became (endowed with) hundred hands. That demon mad the celestials run away in the battlefield by means of the mace. the body of the demon was cut by lord Hari with the sword and (the parts of) the body fell on the earth and all of them became pieces of iron on account of their contact with the (sword) Nandaka. After having killed him lord Hari gave him a boon (saying) "Your holy body would become (the material) for weapons on the earth."

Hindi translation is trying to say that the great mighty form which appeared from the fire is known as Nandaka.

Update

Now, I have found the good translation of story which is:

The god bowed down to Brahman and all the gods humbled themselves before him as well. The god Hari took the sword Nandaka from the hands of Fire-god, and the whole haven was jubilant.

edited Jul 22 '16 at 11:30

answered Jul 22 '16 at 08:06

Triyugi Narayan Mani

23,836
7
100
158

Thanks! But i am interested in origin of Sword also. – The Destroyer Jul 22 '16 at 08:15
@TheDestroyer When I am reading the hindi version of this story then "a great mighty form appeared from the fire" is known as Nandaka. So, Nandaka was originated from Lord Brahma yagna. – Triyugi Narayan Mani Jul 22 '16 at 08:26
@TheDestroyer If you want the I can post Hindi translation also because I suppose English translation has messed. – Triyugi Narayan Mani Jul 22 '16 at 08:39
@TheDestroyer edited and added the screen-shot. – Triyugi Narayan Mani Jul 22 '16 at 09:04
Read that Hindi Story. I think English version will have this story too. – The Destroyer Jul 22 '16 at 09:28
@TheDestroyer dspace has only one version of english translation. I think I have to look into some other website. What do you think? – Triyugi Narayan Mani Jul 22 '16 at 09:34
Yes. IndianScriptures site doesn't have Agni Purana. English version is only available now on Dspace Westbengal. – The Destroyer Jul 22 '16 at 09:40
@TheDestroyer Yes and that version is slightly different from Hindi translation. – Triyugi Narayan Mani Jul 22 '16 at 09:41

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Jul 26 '16 at 09:03

1

End of kali yuga Lord Vishnu comes in a white horse with Nandaka the sword and destroys the evil forces in a lightning manner.

The Vishnu Purana says that Nandaka, "the pure sword" represents jnana (knowledge), which is created from vidya (translated variously as wisdom, knowledge, science, learning, scholarship, philosophy), its sheath is avidya (ignorance or illusion). The Varaha Purana describes it as the destroyer of ignorance. - wikipedia

Every ornament and weapon relates to the alwars in which Peyalwar is the sword Nandaka.

edited Jul 26 '16 at 09:03

Ankit Sharma

6,586
6
40
82

answered Jul 22 '16 at 13:28

Parthasarathy Raghavan

4,885
3
22
58

3

Please give reference of Vishnu Purana where it states Nanadakas as Jnana. – The Destroyer Jul 22 '16 at 13:32
2

You copied the last two lines from Wikipedia and didn't mention the source. Plagiarism is not encouraged on SE sites. – The Destroyer Jul 23 '16 at 14:54
For now i have fixed for post from next time own-wards remember to mention the source of information you provide in your answers. – Ankit Sharma Jul 26 '16 at 09:04
@Ankit-- Please be clear in your English---what you have fixed for post I don't understand. There is no word own-wards. – Parthasarathy Raghavan Jul 26 '16 at 10:07
@ParthasarathyRaghavan This doesn't answer my question completely Though you answered my first question, you didn't cite Vishnu Purana. And you didn't answer my second part. Good for comment rather than answer. – The Destroyer Jul 26 '16 at 11:02
@ParthasarathyRaghavan What Ankit did was to make clear that what you said was copied and pasted from Wikipedia, rather being your own words. – Keshav Srinivasan Jul 26 '16 at 15:14

Story of Lord Vishnu's sword Nandaka?

2 Answers2