Once Lopamudra desired for jewels, so in order to please her, Sage Agasthya approached a few kings for money. But this effort proved futile. Then he went to a rich demon called Ivvalan. Ivvalan was holding a grudge against the brahmins and he wanted to annihilate all of them. So to achieve this, he used to turn his brother Vathapi into a goat, cut and cook him as a meal. He used to serve this food to the brahmins. After they finished eating, he used to call "Vathapi, come out" and his brother used to tear the brahmins' stomach and come out. Thus the brothers managed to kill many brahmins.

When Sage Agasthya came to see Ivvalan for money, Ivvalan as usual turned Vathapi into a goat, cooked him and served the sage. After Agasthya finished eating Ivvalan called out to his brother. But Agasthya caressed his stomach and said ''Vathapi, jeerano bhava'' meaning that he is digested. Ivvalan realised Agasthya's power, got scared and gave him a considerable sum.

Once Naradha came to Vindhya mountain and started praising mount Meru. Feeling jealous, Vindhya raised her peaks and touched the sky. Due to this act the rising of the Sun and Moon got obstructed. Everyone, including Lord Indra requested mount Vindhya to lower her peaks but the mountain refused to comply. The Devas approached Sage Agasthya for help. Agasthya and his wife left Kasi and came to Vindhya mountain. The mount bowed to the sage as a mark of respect. Agasthya told the mountain that he and his wife were travelling southwards and that its peaks should remain at the same level till they returned home. The mountain acceeded to his request and remained at the same level.

Agasthya, who reached the southern part of India, built an ashram in the Malaya mountains and started living there with his wife. He never returned to the northern part of India. So Mount Vindhya which was waiting expectantly for the sage was unable to raise her peaks again. In Sanskrit 'Aga' means mountain. As mountain Vindhya lowered its peaks to accommodate the sage he was called Agasthya. (Devi Bhagavatham -10th skandham ).

(to be continued)

By AV Sugavaneshwaran
Tr. by Radha N.

Published by Kala Nilayam
Ramakrishna Mutt Road,
Mylapore, Chennai - 4