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Preface
This story is an attempt to shed light on the Legend of the Amshavatars of Lord Vishnu. Amshavatars means semi-avatars or semi-incarnations. Within these pages I hope to make clear the secrets that led to the birth of these divine beings, their wonderous deeds and legendary stature from tales, centuries old, to what is left of their memories in the present day. Their legend is not common outside the people of Kerala and few outsiders have ever known of their existence, but their's, I believe, is the greatest folklore of Kerala.
The true origin of this legend began generations before the birth of the divinties and none could have actually comprehended the sequence of events that were to take place.......
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Chapter - 1
Around 355 A.D., in ancient India, there was a dense forest that grew around the great city of Ujjain. A narrow river flowed through the forest and into the mighty river that passed through the city. It was evening, and the dense forest looked darker than ever. Through the rustling leaves, the hollow chirps of the birds could be heard as they flew to take rest in their nests. In the cold waters of the river, a lone brahmin was taking his evening snanh. The weary traveller dried himself and packed his few belongings into a bundle. His eyes were restless. They wandered hither and thither as if seeking something. He walked towards a banyan tree beside the river and laid down to sleep for the night. The noises from forest did not seem to disturb him. Soon, he was fast asleep.
High above, in the branches of the banyan tree, a Brahm Rakshas sat fascinated by the sight of the young brahmin. His initial instinct told him that he ought to go down and devour the young human. But his curiosity got the better of him.
As a Brahm Rakshas, he had great knowledge and wisdom. In fact, only learned brahmins who have led an evil life or have not performed their earthly duties become cursed to transform into a Brahm Rakshas upon their deaths. Brahm Rakshasas are powerful fiery demons who are known to eat humans and cause terror and havoc. They possess great powers and can grant boons to those they are pleased with. A Bramh Rakshas is both a brahmin and a rakshas at the same time and so, possess knowledge of the Vedas, Puranas and of their past lives. Yet, all this knowledge did not seem to provide the answer to the question that plagued the Brahm Rakshas right now. What was a brahmin doing in the middle of the forest at this untimely hour? Surely, he could have rested himself in the nearby city of Ujjain. There would have more than one household who would happily agreed to entertain a brahmin for a night's stay. Who was this young brahmin and what is it that led him in this forest?
The magnificent dawn broke through the high canopies. Bright beams of sunlight peeked into the forest floor below. The forest was once again bustling with life. The young brahmin was awoken. His weary eyes reflected the same dissatisfaction that was present in them before. He stood up and said a silent prayer.
"Who are you, young brahmin?"
The praying lips stood still. The hoarse voice seemed to boom down from up the tree. The brahmin stood still for a while. He turned his head towards the branches seeking the face behind the voice. The penetrating sun rays blinded him. He could not see anyone or anything among those lofty branches. The Brahm Rakshas had hid himself among the branches lest his gory figure frightened the brahmin. "Who are you, young brahmin?", came the voice again.
"Who is this who addresses me?", demanded the brahmin. His voice showed no signs of fear or bewilderment.
"I am a Brahm Rakshas", said the voice. "This tree is my abode. Now, answer me, young brahmin. Who are you?"
The brahmin fell silent for a moment and almost as if out of anguish answered,"I am Samudragupta."
The forest was silent again.
Preface
This story is an attempt to shed light on the Legend of the Amshavatars of Lord Vishnu. Amshavatars means semi-avatars or semi-incarnations. Within these pages I hope to make clear the secrets that led to the birth of these divine beings, their wonderous deeds and legendary stature from tales, centuries old, to what is left of their memories in the present day. Their legend is not common outside the people of Kerala and few outsiders have ever known of their existence, but their's, I believe, is the greatest folklore of Kerala.
The true origin of this legend began generations before the birth of the divinties and none could have actually comprehended the sequence of events that were to take place.......
================================================================
Chapter - 1
Around 355 A.D., in ancient India, there was a dense forest that grew around the great city of Ujjain. A narrow river flowed through the forest and into the mighty river that passed through the city. It was evening, and the dense forest looked darker than ever. Through the rustling leaves, the hollow chirps of the birds could be heard as they flew to take rest in their nests. In the cold waters of the river, a lone brahmin was taking his evening snanh. The weary traveller dried himself and packed his few belongings into a bundle. His eyes were restless. They wandered hither and thither as if seeking something. He walked towards a banyan tree beside the river and laid down to sleep for the night. The noises from forest did not seem to disturb him. Soon, he was fast asleep.
High above, in the branches of the banyan tree, a Brahm Rakshas sat fascinated by the sight of the young brahmin. His initial instinct told him that he ought to go down and devour the young human. But his curiosity got the better of him.
As a Brahm Rakshas, he had great knowledge and wisdom. In fact, only learned brahmins who have led an evil life or have not performed their earthly duties become cursed to transform into a Brahm Rakshas upon their deaths. Brahm Rakshasas are powerful fiery demons who are known to eat humans and cause terror and havoc. They possess great powers and can grant boons to those they are pleased with. A Bramh Rakshas is both a brahmin and a rakshas at the same time and so, possess knowledge of the Vedas, Puranas and of their past lives. Yet, all this knowledge did not seem to provide the answer to the question that plagued the Brahm Rakshas right now. What was a brahmin doing in the middle of the forest at this untimely hour? Surely, he could have rested himself in the nearby city of Ujjain. There would have more than one household who would happily agreed to entertain a brahmin for a night's stay. Who was this young brahmin and what is it that led him in this forest?
The magnificent dawn broke through the high canopies. Bright beams of sunlight peeked into the forest floor below. The forest was once again bustling with life. The young brahmin was awoken. His weary eyes reflected the same dissatisfaction that was present in them before. He stood up and said a silent prayer.
"Who are you, young brahmin?"
The praying lips stood still. The hoarse voice seemed to boom down from up the tree. The brahmin stood still for a while. He turned his head towards the branches seeking the face behind the voice. The penetrating sun rays blinded him. He could not see anyone or anything among those lofty branches. The Brahm Rakshas had hid himself among the branches lest his gory figure frightened the brahmin. "Who are you, young brahmin?", came the voice again.
"Who is this who addresses me?", demanded the brahmin. His voice showed no signs of fear or bewilderment.
"I am a Brahm Rakshas", said the voice. "This tree is my abode. Now, answer me, young brahmin. Who are you?"
The brahmin fell silent for a moment and almost as if out of anguish answered,"I am Samudragupta."
The forest was silent again.
What a way to begin!! :) Looking forward to reading and getting to know lots of stuff.. :)
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