Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3880

c9.3880

Śakaṭāla felt great respect for Vararuci. Hiraṇyagupta, the son of Yoga Nanda, went for hunting. His horse ran fast and he was separated from his army and got into a deep forest far away. He ate some fruits and plums and got on a tree to rest for the night. At that time a lion chased a bear, which climbed on the same tree. The prince trembled with fear. The bear said “Do not fear. I am your friend.” Both talked for a while and became fast friends. Shortly, the prince began to sleep. The lion asked the bear to push that man down. The bear said that he would not deceive his friend. The disappointed lion sat under the tree. Then the bear slept and Hiraṇyagupta sat awake. The lion asked the prince to push the bear down. Thinking that he could save his life by complying with the request of the lion, he pushed the bear down. Fortunately the hold of the bear was firm and so it did not fall. The bear cursed Hiraṇyagupta. “May you become mad.” The king was very sorry when his son returned a mad man. The king repented that he had killed Vararuci. For this was the time when the king needed him most.