Ancient Indian Historical Tradition c23.51

c23.51

Next come the stories that introduce confusion. The Bṛhaddevatā says Vasiṣṭha Vāruṇi’s hundred sons were slain by the Saudāsas, or by Sudāsa who in consequence of a curse had been transformed into a Rakṣas.⁶ The Liṅga says that a Rākṣasa instigated by Viśvāmitra possessed king Kalmāṣapāda Saudāsa and in consequence of Śakti’s curse devoured Śakti and all Vasiṣṭha’s hundred sons; and Śakti’s widow Adṛśyantī bore Parāśara afterwards.⁷ The Mahābhārata amplifies the tale greatly.⁸ Kalmāṣapāda had a dispute with Śakti and struck him and was cursed by him. Viśvāmitra, who coveted Vasiṣṭha’s position, caused a Rākṣasa to possess the king, and the king then offered human flesh as food to an indigent brahman and was cursed by him. The king became a Rākṣasa,⁹ a cannibal¹⁰ maniac, and killed Śakti and all Vasiṣṭha’s hundred sons.¹¹ Vasiṣṭha without seeking revenge tried to destroy himself, but in vain, and Śakti’s widow Adṛśyantī then bore Parāśara. After twelve years Vasiṣṭha cured the king and they were reconciled. Vasiṣṭha then begot Aśmaka of the queen Madayantī.¹ Manu says ‘Vasiṣṭha swore an oath to Paijavana’, and the commentators explain (turning the story round) that before king Sudās Viśvāmitra accused Vasiṣṭha of being a Rakṣas or Yātudhāna and eating his (the king’s) hundred sons, and Vasiṣṭha took an oath denying the charge.²