Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.88

c4.88

Once the Gods had to accept defeat at the hands of the Asuras (Demons) and they approached Agastya and said thus : Oh, hermit, since we have been defeated by the Asuras, our prosperity is at an end. There is none to help us but you." Hearing this Agastya became angry and began to burn the Asuras to death, by the merits of his penance. Many of them fell down on the earth and some fell into Pātāla (the nether world). The asuras who thus fell were not killed by Agastya. Thus the menace of the Asuras in heaven was warded off, and the Gods lived in peace and prosperity. (Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 155, Verses 1 to 13).