KANDA PURAANAM - ASURA KAANDAM
2 (#20 b). VILVALAN AND VAATHAAPI.
Vilvalan performed a terrible yaagam by cutting the body of Vaataapi with a sword and offering his blood and parts of his body in the fire.
Brahma took pity and appeared before them. They asked for a boon,
“Even when cut into several pieces and killed several times, Vaataapi must regain his original shape and come back alive!”
Brahma granted this rare boon.
The two brothers went to Soorapadman and boasted about their rare boon. They had made a fool-proof plan to get rid of the rushis without creating any suspicion.
They built a spacious house at the junction of four roads. Whenever any rushi would walk by, they would prostrate to him and invite him to take food in their place.
Vaataapi would be cut and cooked by Vilvalan. After the rushi had eaten, Vilvalan would call out the name of Vaataapi.
Vaataapi would resume his original form, and emerge after tearing open the stomach of the rishi. Then the two brothers would feed on the rushi’s body. This went on for a very long time and several rushis got killed in this manner.
2 (#20 b). VILVALAN AND VAATHAAPI.
Vilvalan performed a terrible yaagam by cutting the body of Vaataapi with a sword and offering his blood and parts of his body in the fire.
Brahma took pity and appeared before them. They asked for a boon,
“Even when cut into several pieces and killed several times, Vaataapi must regain his original shape and come back alive!”
Brahma granted this rare boon.
The two brothers went to Soorapadman and boasted about their rare boon. They had made a fool-proof plan to get rid of the rushis without creating any suspicion.
They built a spacious house at the junction of four roads. Whenever any rushi would walk by, they would prostrate to him and invite him to take food in their place.
Vaataapi would be cut and cooked by Vilvalan. After the rushi had eaten, Vilvalan would call out the name of Vaataapi.
Vaataapi would resume his original form, and emerge after tearing open the stomach of the rishi. Then the two brothers would feed on the rushi’s body. This went on for a very long time and several rushis got killed in this manner.