[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c4.938 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.938 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c4.938 - **Language:** English ### [c4.938](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.938) Vijayadatta sat near the fire and warmed himself. In the meanwhile he was talking to his father. He said, "Father, what is that round thing seen in the middle of the fire?" "That is the head of a dead body burning" said his father who was standing close by. He took a burning faggot and hit at the head. The head broke into pieces and some viscous stuff from the head fell into his mouth. There occurred a sudden change in Vijayadatta. He became a fearful giant with huge tusks and hair standing erect on the head. Somehow or other he got a sword also. That giant took the burning head from fire and drank up all the viscous liquid in it. With his tongue which looked like blazing fire he licked the bones. Then he threw away the skull. Then he approached his father with open mouth to swallow him. "You ! giant, Don't kill your father, come here !" a voice shouted to him from the burial-ground. Thus Vijaya became a giant and disappeared. "Oh dear ! my child ! my son ! Vijayadatta !", cried his father and came away from the burial-place, and went to the shelter of the tree and told his wife, son and others everything that had happened. Stricken with grief they all fell on the ground. All those who came to worship in the temple gathered round them and tried to console them. Among them was a merchant named Samudradatta, a native of Kāśī. He consoled Govindasvāmī and his family and took them to his house in Kāśī. He showed hospitality and gave them a separate place to live in. Noble men are kind to those who are in distress. The great hermit had said that their son would come back in due course. Hoping that such a time would come soon Govindasvāmī and his family dragged on their time. At the request of that wealthy merchant they stayed there on. Aśokadatta got his education there. When he grew up to a youth, he got physical training. He became such an expert in wrestling and other modes of fighting that nobody on earth could overcome him. During a festival there was a contest in wrestling. A renowned wrestler had come from the south to take part in the contest. In the contest which took place in the presence of Pratāpamukuṭa, the King of Kāśī, the wrestler challenged every wrestler in the country and had overthrown each one of them. Having heard from the merchant Samudradatta, the King sent for Aśokadatta and put him against the wrestler from the south. A very serious fight began between the two. They grappled each other with firm and resolute grips. The audience was struck with wonder at the variety of the modes of grappling and twisting and turning they exhibited. Applause came from everywhere. The fight lasted for a very long time. Finally Aśokadatta threw the other to the ground, and got much presents from the King. Gradually he became a favourite of the King, and consequently became wealthy. One day the King went to a temple of Śiva, a little away from the capital to observe fast on the fourteenth night of the Moon and while returning he passed by a burial-ground and heard a voice saying, "Oh Lord ! The judge had ordered me to be hanged, for a charge of murder, merely out of personal grudge and without any proof, and this is the third day since I was put on this scaffold. My life has not yet departed from the body. My tongue is dried of thirst. Have the kindness to give me a little water.” - [Previous: c4.937](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.937) - [Next: c4.939](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.939) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.938](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.938) · Pramāṇa