Viramāṇi and the Aśvamedha Horse

Devapura was the city of King Viramāṇi, at the Vindhya mountain. When the Aśvamedha horse of Bhagavān Rāma came to Devapura, Viramāṇi’s son Rukmāṅgada seized it. His father did not fully agree and asked Śiva for counsel, but he stood by his son when Śatrughna’s army came. A great battle followed. Śatrughna was made unconscious by Viramāṇi, and Hanumān too fell. Bhagavān Rāma himself then came to the field, and Viramāṇi gave in and returned the horse. This episode runs from Chapter 39 to Chapter 46 of the Pātāla Khaṇḍa.

The city of Devapura

Devapura was built like svarga (heaven). The houses of even ordinary people were made of silver. Gateways of rubies were ringed with many-coloured gems, and every home had floors of crystal. Pleasure hills made of sapphires stood inside the city. The peacocks there took the sapphire buildings for rain-clouds and danced in hope of rain.

The city stood at the holy Vindhya mountain, where Śiva had made his home. Its king was Viramāṇi, called the best of righteous kings. He ruled a large kingdom full of every comfort. His son was Rukmāṅgada, brave and strong.

Rukmāṅgada seizes the horse

Rukmāṅgada was playing in a lovely forest with his companions. These were women with graceful bodies, whose anklets and bracelets made a sound that drew even the deva of love’s attention. He walked in the forest singing, and the Aśvamedha horse came into it.

His companions saw the horse with the golden note tied to it. They said: “O darling, who is this great horse, marked only with the golden note? Seize him with your strength.”

Rukmāṅgada took the horse easily with one hand. He read the golden note and said, in royal pride: “On earth there is no one like my father in courage and wealth. How can King Rāma treat him with such disregard? Let my mighty father perform the Aśvamedha yajña. Let this horse go to our stable.” He led the horse to his father’s palace with great joy.

Viramāṇi asks Śiva

King Viramāṇi did not fully approve of what his son had done. He saw that taking Rāma’s horse for the yajña was like a thief’s act. He went to Bhagavān Śiva, his protector and the deva his family honoured, and told him what had happened.

Śiva gave him wise advice: “Śatrughna is Rāma’s brother. Do not fight him without need.”

Viramāṇi did not follow it. He was bound by the pride of a warrior king and by loyalty to his son. He chose to stand by Rukmāṅgada and face the coming battle.

The great battle

Śatrughna’s army arrived, and the battle began on a vast scale.

• Rukmāṅgada fought Pushkala. In the end Pushkala was beaten and taken, and Campaka held him prisoner.
• The asuras Lakshminidhi and Suketu joined the main battle against Śatrughna’s forces.
• Śatrughna fought Viramāṇi face to face. The fight was fierce and long. In the end Viramāṇi’s greater power made Śatrughna fall unconscious on the field.

With Śatrughna and Pushkala both down, the whole army of Rāma was thrown into disorder.

Hanumān at Droṇa mountain

The news that Śatrughna and Pushkala had fallen reached Rāma’s camp. Hanumān was sent to the Droṇa mountain to bring the divine herbs (mahaushadhi) that restore life. Hanumān found the herbs and came back. During his return he too was made unconscious.

Rāma comes and Viramāṇi gives in

Bhagavān Rāma himself then came to the battlefield. His coming changed everything. Viramāṇi saw Rāma’s divine form. Rāma’s feet are adored by devas and asuras. His name alone destroys all pāpa (sin). He is Bhagavān Vishṇu come as an avatāra. Viramāṇi was filled with awe and love, and his pride melted.

He gave himself up to Rāma. He returned the horse for the yajña and laid his kingdom at Rāma’s feet. Pushkala, Śatrughna and Hanumān were all freed, and Rāma brought back to life those who had fallen.

Sources

• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 39
• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapters 41–43
• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 44
• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapters 45–46