Agastya Muni and the Salvation of His Forefathers
The Forefathers’ Plight
Once, while walking through the forest, Sage Agastya came across a tree where many persons were hanging upside down. When he inquired, they revealed that they were his forefathers. They lamented, “We suffer in this condition because you have no son and are not perfectly self-realized. Either you get a son who can perform śrāddha for us and deliver us, or you must achieve full self-realization.”
Agastya’s Quest for a Wife
Determined to save his forefathers, Agastya approached a king and requested his daughter for marriage. The king, however, had no children. Agastya warned him of his forefathers’ plight and called forth all the beauty of the universe into one place, which became a baby girl. He gave the girl to the king, saying, “Raise her, and in one week she will mature. Then I will return to take her as my wife.”
The Girl’s Maturity and Conditions
As promised, the girl matured within a week. Agastya returned, married her, and took her to his ashram. When he proposed having a child, she expressed her desire for a life of suitable opulence, as she had been raised in royal luxury. She offered to serve him as a brahmacāriṇī if the ashram life continued.
Seeking Wealth
To fulfill her request, Agastya sought charity from various kings. The first king he approached had no surplus wealth as he spent it all on his people’s welfare. This pattern repeated with several kings, leading Agastya to a fourth king who suggested seeking the wealth of two demon brothers, Ilvala and Vātāpi, known for their immense but ill-gotten riches.
Defeating the Demons
Agastya, accompanied by the four kings, approached Ilvala’s house. Ilvala, unaware of Agastya’s intentions, served them a meal, which was actually Vātāpi transformed into meat. Agastya consumed the meal, and when Ilvala called for Vātāpi to emerge, Agastya commanded, “Vātāpi, be digested!” Vātāpi could not come out, and Illvala was terrified.
Gaining the Wealth
Agastya, with fiery eyes, declared punishment for Illvala’s sins. Illvala pleaded for mercy, offering anything in return. Agastya demanded all of Illvala’s wealth to be given to the kings. Using his mystic power, Agastya transported the wealth and the kings to his ashram in the Himalayas.
Fulfilling the Purpose
Upon seeing the wealth, Agastya’s wife consented to have a child. A son was born, fulfilling the condition for the salvation of Agastya’s forefathers. With his duty fulfilled, Agastya Muni left his wife and returned to his life of renunciation.
Moral of the Story
This story highlights the importance of fulfilling one’s duties towards ancestors and the power of dedication and determination. It also emphasizes the value of renunciation and self-realization in the pursuit of spiritual goals.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
PS: I humbly request all devotees to please forward and share these moral/instructive stories they hear so that everyone can be benefited by hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
