Tripura Rahasya

Sage Dattatreya

There was formerly a king by name Ratnangada ruling in the City of Amrita on the banks of the Vipasa. He had two sons Rukmangada and Hemangada — both wise and good and dearly loved by their father. Of them, Rukmangada, was well versed in the sastras, and Hemangada was a Jnani of the highest order. On one occasion both of them went out on a hunting expedition into a dense forest, followed by their retinue. They accounted for many a deer, tigers, hares, bisons, etc., and being thoroughly exhausted, they rested beside a spring. Rukmangada was informed by some persons that there was a Brahmarakshas (a species of ghoulish spirit of a learned but degenerate Brahmin) close by, who was very learned, accustomed to challenge pandits for discussion, vanquish them and then eat them. Since Rukmangada loved learned disputations, he went with his brother to the ghoul and engaged him in argument. He was however defeated in the debate and so the ghoul caught hold of him to devour him. 

Seeing this, Hemangada said to the ghoul: O Brahmarakshas, do not eat him yet! I am his younger brother. Defeat me also in argument so that you may eat us both together. 

The ghoul answered: I have long been without food. Let me first finish this long-wished-for prey, and then I shall defeat you in debate and complete my meal with you. I hope to make a hearty meal of you both. Once I used to catch any passer-by and eat him. A disciple of Vasishta, by name Devarata, once came this way and he cursed me, saying: May your mouth be burnt if you indulge in human prey any more. I prayed to him with great humility and he condescended to modify his curse thus: You may eat such as are defeated by you in debate. Since then I have been adhering to his words. I have now waited so long for prey that this is very dear to me. I shall deal with you after finishing this prey.

Saying so, he was about to eat the brother; but Hemangada again interceded, saying: O Brahmarakshas, I pray you kindly accede to my request. Tell me if you would relinquish my brother if other food were found for you. I will redeem my brother in that way if you will allow it. 

But the ghoul replied, saying: Listen, King! There is no such price for redemption. I will not give him up. Does a man let his long wished for food slip away from his hold? However I shall tell you now a vow which I have taken. There are many questions deeply afflicting my mind. If you can answer them satisfactorily, I shall release your brother.

(To be continued)