SANESWAR BHAGAWAN OF MANDAPALLI

THE ASWARTHA & PIPPALA EPISODE

The Sthalapurana grows eloquent over this Aswartha and Pippala episode and cites evidence in the form of deities worshipped in the temple now. According to the legend, there lived in this region two dreadful demons-Aswartha and Pippala in the dim past. They were the favorite sons of Kaitabha, notorious for ruthlessness. The two developed taste for human flesh and turned cannibals, first and last. In order to appease their irresistible fancy for flesh, they resorted to an obnoxious method of killing humans in an odd way. The elder assuming the form of Aswartha tree was swallowing the devout bhaktas who visit to circumambulating it and offering prayers; for according to the scriptures it is the best among the trees and the Lord abides in it. The brahmin community who invariably worship regularly fell victim to the evil design of the elder. The younger adapted, yet another wicked practice. He was posing as, a preceptor and eating away the brahmins who sought and accepted him as preceptor. In course of time, the Brahmin community dwindled. 

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