"After a while the Asura rose again and a great battle followed. Vaali, son
of Indra, pounded the Asura to death. And he flung the dead buffalo so that it fell on the
ground at the distance of a yojana.
"Drops of blood from the Asura's body
were carried by the wind and fell on the aashrama of Matanga. The sage was wroth and soon
found out who was responsible for this contamination. He saw at once that Vaali in his
pride had flung a bleeding carcass and desecrated the holy spot. The sage pronounced a
curse, 'If this Vaali enters the precincts of this aashrama, he will lose his life.' That
is why, O Raama, with my friends I am living here in safety. Vaali dare not approach this
place for fear of the curse. Look at these sal trees. He can pluck one of them and just
shake all the leaves off as one dusts a jacket. Such is his strength. How could I, having
incurred this terrible brother's enmity, feel secure?" |
