Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1568

c8.1568

Father, you would please hear about the reason why I became dumb and idiotic. In my previous life I was born in a noble family, my father being called Vṛṣākapi and mother Mālā. My father taught me all the Śāstras and the Vedas. I became conceited over my unique learning and erudition and began doing evil acts. Conceit led to avarice, and I lost all my scholarship. I became indiscreet. Having thus become a fool, I began committing sins. I had to hang myself to death on account of my association with others’ women and stealing others’ money. I, therefore, fell into the Raurava hell. After a thousand years some sin remained attached to me as a result of which I was born as a tiger, and a King trapped and took me to his city. When I was caged Śāstras about Dharma, Artha and Kāma came up in my mind.