THE SLAYING OF BAKASURA

The kshatriya ruler of this country has fled to the city of Vetrakiya and is unable to protect us. This rakshasa formerly used to issue from his cave whenever he liked and, mad with hunger, indiscriminately kill and eat men, women and children in this city.

The citizens prayed to the rakshasa to come to some sort of stipulation in place of this promiscuous slaughter. They prayed: 'Do not kill us wantonly at your whim and pleasure, Once a week we shall bring you sufficient meat, rice, curds and intoxicating liquors and many other delicacies.

We will deliver these to you in a carriage drafwn by two bullocks driven by a human being taken from each house in turn. You can make a repast of the rice, along with the bullocks and the man, but refrain from this mad orgy of slaughter.'

The rakshasa agreed to the proposal. From that day, this strong rakshasa has been protecting this kingdom from foreign raids and wild beasts. This arrangement has been in force for many years.

"No hero has been found to free this country from this pest, for the rakshasa has invariably defeated and killed all the brave men who tried. Mother, our legitimate sovereign is unable to protect us.

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