Sumada and Kāmākshā
When Śatrughna’s Aśvamedha horse came to the city of Ahicchatra, his minister Sumati showed him a splendid temple of Kāmākshā Devī. Sumada, the king of the city, had raised it through his devotion. Kāmākshā, pleased with his worship, had promised him that he would see the lotus-like face of Rāma.
The account is told in the Pātāla Khaṇḍa of the Padma Mahā Purāṇa.
The city of Ahicchatra
The Aśvamedha horse passed through the Pāñcāla country and came to Ahicchatra. It was a rich city with mansions and gate-towers of crystal and gold. Heroes loyal to their king Sumada lived there in great contentment.
Near the city was a fine park full of punnāga, nāgacampā, aśoka, pāṭala, mango, mandāra, jambū, kadamba, campaka, bakula, māllika and yūthī trees. The horse entered the park, and Śatrughna’s procession followed. (Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 12)
The temple of Kāmākshā
In the park Śatrughna saw a wonderful temple. It was set with sapphires, lapis lazuli and emeralds, and it had golden pillars. It looked like a peak of Mount Kailāsa. Śatrughna asked his all-knowing minister Sumati: “Whose is this temple? Which devī is honoured here?”
Sumati said: “O hero, this is the great seat of Kāmākshā. By seeing her, everything is gained. By praising and saluting her, devas and asuras have won all their glory. She gives the four purushārthas: dharma, artha, kāma and moksha. She is kind to her devotees. Long ago King Sumada of Ahicchatra prayed to her. She removes the sorrow of her devotees, lives here, and does everything for them. O Śatrughna, salute her. When you have saluted her, you will quickly gain a purity that even devas and asuras find hard to reach.” (Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 12)
Śatrughna then honoured the Devī at her temple with due pūjā.
King Sumada’s devotion
King Sumada heard that Śatrughna had come, and he went to receive him. When they met he spoke of Rāma with deep devotion: “I hope Rāma, the crest-jewel of the whole world, who came down to protect his devotees, is happy. The people who always drink the lotus of Rāma’s face with the cups of their eyes, and are glad, are blessed. All my wealth, my whole family, my land and my possessions are blessed.”
Then he told Śatrughna of the great grace he had received: “Long ago Kāmākshā, tender with kindness, showed me favour. She said to me: ‘With your family you will see the lotus-like face of Rāma.'” (Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 14)
Sumada joins the Aśvamedha
Sumada hosted Śatrughna for three nights and spoke of the glory of Rāma. Then he made his son king of Ahicchatra in his place. He joined Śatrughna’s procession with his ministers, warriors, elephants, horses and chariots, and went with the Aśvamedha horse on its way.
In this way Kāmākshā’s promise was kept, that he would see Rāma’s face. He was among those present when Rāma appeared on the battlefield near Vālmīki’s āśrama. (Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 14)
Sources
- Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapters 12–14