Vatapi and Rishi Agastya!

                                                ( Vana Parva- Tirthayatra Parva.)

King Yudhishthira accompanied by Rishi Lomasha, with his three brothers and Krishnaa set off for  Tirtha Yatra. While moving around, they reached Rishi Agastya’s Ashram. Beholding the beautiful hermitage of Rishi Agastya, King Yudhishthira asked Rishi Lomasa as to why Agastya had killed Vatapi there.

Being asked this question by Yudhishthira , Lomasha rishi narrated the story of Vatapi——-

There was a city named Manimati. A demon named Ilvala and his younger brother Vatapi were living there. Ilvala and Vatapi were very powerful and treacherous. One day, Ilvala went to a high souled Brahmana and said, ‘O exalted one! Give me a son who would be equal to Indra.’

As the Brahmana failed to give, he got angry and thereafter started killing Brahmans without having mercy. Ensued with power of illusions, Ilvala turned his brother Vatapi into a goat. After the goat (Vatapi) was cooked, that food was served to the Brahmans. Once his (Vatapi) meat was eaten, Ilvala summoned his brother by calling his name, ‘Vatapi, come on. O Vatapi, come!’ That powerful, wicked Vatapi used to come out ripe, opening the sides of these Brahmanas. And the Brahmins were killed! Thus, they became the destroyer of the Brahmins.

In the meanwhile, Agastya rishi once saw his ancestors hanging in a pit with heads downwards. Looking at their miserable condition, Agastya rishi asked, ‘Who are you? Why are you suffering in this condition?’

His ancestors told him, ‘O son! We are your ancestors. We are suffering because you (Agastya) have no offspring!’ They requested him to beget offspring, so that they would get pitriloka! Beholding their miserable condition, rishi Agastya assured them to give moksha by begetting offspring. Agastya had never thought of marriage. But, for the sake of his ancestors, he agreed to get married! 

He searched for a bride who could match him. Having failed to get such a suitable woman, he applied his yogic power and made a girl collecting the most beautiful parts of many beings. An extraordinarily beautiful girl was formed who was named as Lopamudra. Meanwhile, the king of Vidarbha drastically wanted to have a child! Knowing this,  rishi Agastya gave Lopamudra to the king who adopted her as his daughter. The king happily spent his time with his adopted daughter Lopamudra.’

Time flew so fast and Lopamudra reached her marriageable age! She was extremely beautiful! She was looking like a blazing fire! Surrounded by one hundred maid servants she was looking like Rohini (star) in the sky! Endued with excellent manners, and good conduct she won over the hearts of everyone! The king was in a deep thought to whom he could give the marriage of his beloved daughter!

In the meanwhile, Rishi Agastya came to know about the wide spread news of king Vidarva! The Brahmin rishi approached the king to marry his daughter. The king didn't like to give his daughter to an  ascetic, but he was afraid of the great power of the rishi. When the royal couple were in a dilemma, Lopamudra resolved their problem! Thus, the blessed lady married Agastya. 

Lopamudra gave up all her costly robes and ornaments. Dressing herself in bark, skin and rags, she began her journey to the forest with her husband- rishi Agastya! The beautiful damsel sacrificed her luxurious life for the sake of her ascetic husband! Agastya was very much pleased with her conduct and devotion. They both spent their time happily in austerities and vows.

Once, looking at the beauty of Lopamudra, the rishi desired her company. When he expressed his wish, Lopamudra told him, ‘O Lord! Certainly I shall act as you wish! But, you should come to me on a bed like the one in which I used to lie in my royal palace! I wish you to be adorned with a garland of flowers and myself with all the ornaments! O lord! I can't come to you with this ascetic rags!’

Agastya could get enough wealth by his merits as she wished but he hesitated to destroy his yogic power. Thus, he asked her to wait and set off in search of wealth. He went to the king Shrutarvana. Knowing the arrival of the great rishi, the king with joined hands asked him the reason for his coming. Agastya rishi said, ‘Give me a portion of your wealth according to your ability.’ After paying proper homage and giving the account of his income- expenditure, the king said, ‘O rishi! Take the wealth as much as you please!’

The noble rishi could understand his ability and refused to take it. Thus he approached the other kings and received the same response! At last, with all those kings, rishi Agastya arrived at the frontier of the kingdom of Ilvala- the great Ashura king! The Asura king welcomed them with great hospitality! Asura entertained them with the cooked meat of his brother- Vatapi! Knowing his crooked intention, the royal sages were overwhelmed with grief! Rishi Agastya convinced them not to worry. He sat on an excellent seat and ready to eat. Ilvala became very happy to see that his purpose was going to be fulfilled! Thus, laughing loudly he served the food to the hermits. 

Once the rishi finished his food, Ilvala called his brother loudly! But, lo! There was no response! He called his brother again and again, ‘Vatapi, O Vatapi, come out.’ But, no more Vatapi! The foremost of Rishi's said, ‘O Ilvala! How can Vatapi come out? I have already digested him! When Ilvala saw the condition of his brother, he was shocked and terrified. With joining his hands, the Asura king asked, ‘O exalted one, what for have you come here? And how can I serve you?’

Then Rishi Agastya told him with a smile, ‘We know you have enormous wealth and great power! Give me the wealth as per your ability without injuring anyone!’

Asura king Ilvala was bound to obey the hermit. 

From this story, we learn ——

Excessing anything is bad! The Asura king killed the Brahmins mercilessly! It became too much!

If you do wrong, you have to pay for it. The Asura king Ilvala tortured the innocent Brahmins and he lost his brother Vatapi forever! 

Lopamudra was the symbol of sacrifice and devotion!