Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2567

c9.2567

2) The city of Sukeśa fell on the ground. Sukeśa pleased Śiva by penance. Śiva made him invincible and gave him a city which travelled through the sky. Because of these boons, the Rākṣasa became righteous and pious. He lived in the city with other Rākṣasas. Once Sukeśa went to the forest Māgadha and visited the hermits there. He asked them about the means to attain prosperity in this world and the other worlds. The hermits gave him long exhortations. They told him about the various hells given to sinners. Thus Sukeśa became righteous-minded and saintly. He returned to his city and called together all the other Rākṣasas and spoke to them about what he had learned from the hermits. He said: "The hermits taught me the means to attain heaven. They are Non-killing, Truth, not stealing, cleanliness, control of all outward going energies, liberality, kindness, forgiveness, abstinence, good usages etc. So it is my order that all of you observe these good things." The Rākṣasas were pleased at the words of Sukeśa. They began to lead a righteous life. In this way they got wealth and prosperity. Their radiance increased to such an extent that the Sun and the moon and the stars found it difficult to continue their travels.