The gods grew frightened and approached Agastya for help. The Sage stood before
the mountain which bent low in reverence before him. Then he blessed it saving: "May
you ever remain thus", and so the mountain stretches low and long even now. So goes
the story.
Two raakshasas, Vaataapi and Ilvala, gave
much trouble to the rishis. The former had obtained a boon that no matter into how many
pieces his body was cut up, they would all reunite and his body would be whole and strong
as before. IIvala, disguised as a braahmana, would go to the aashrama of one rishi after
another and say, "O Learned One! Go over to my humble home and oblige me by accepting
the consecrated food prepared for my manes." |
