Tribes in Ancient India c45.18

c45.18

Every third night thenceforth the king took the shape of a rākṣasa, and strolling about the forest, used to kill human beings. One night he ate a Brāhmaṇī’s husband, and the Brāhmaṇī cursed him, saying, ‘You will die at the time of union with your wife’. After twelve years, the king was duly freed from the curse of Vasiṣṭha. He desired an heir, but recollecting the Brāhmaṇī’s curse, requested Vasiṣṭha to act as his proxy. Queen Madayantī conceived, and a son was born to her after the lapse of seven years. According to the legend, the boy was named Aśmaka because his mother smote her womb with a stone (aśman) before he was born, in order to hasten delivery. Aśmaka’s son was Mūlaka,¹ and his great-grandson is said to have been Dilīpa, the forefather of Rāma. Thus a connection is established between the Ikṣvākus and the Aśmakas.²