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Friday, December 04, 2015

Tilottama

"The kurus are victorious". Hearing this from Vidura, Dhritarashtra was elated. Dhritarashtra's sons had gone to Draupadi's swayamvar, to win her hand in marriage. He thought one of his sons was victorious. He asked for Duryodhana to be brought before him along with Draupadi.

It was then that Vidura corrected him, saying Draupadi had been won by Arjuna, and she was now a Pandava wife, and thus part of the Kuru clan. Vidura also told the king that the Pandavas now had the support of Drupada and his clan. Hearing this, Dhiratarashtra agreed to welcome the Pandavas home.

The village of Khandavaprastha was given to the Pandavas, and they set up their kingdom there.

With Krishna on their sides, they were happy and content. One day they were visited by the sage, Narada. He asked them not to go the way of Sunda and Upasunda. Curious, the Pandavas wanted to know more.

In olden days,a demon Nikumbha had two sons called Sunda and Upasunda.  When they grew up, they went to the Vindhya mountains to meditate, please the Gods and get boons. Such severe was their penance that the heavens trembled. Brahma then appeared before them and asked the asuras to ask for a boon. The asuras wanted to be immortal, but Brahma did not agree. They then said let us not die from any one's hands, unless we try to kill each other. Brahma granted this, and the asuras went back to their kingdom.

Desirous of sovereignty over all the worlds, the asuras attacked all, leaving no God or demon till they had conquered all. They did leave the Rishis and spoiled their sacrifices.

The Rishis then prayed to Brahma and try to do something to end the onslaught of the asuras. Brahma called Vishwakarma and asked him to build a maiden who was capable was captivating all hearts. Vishwakarma went about collecting all things that were beautiful. Then using these he started the process of his creation. The result was a maiden whose beauty was unparalleled. Created part by part, with all things beautiful and supreme, she was called Tilottama.

She wanted to know the purpose of her creation and she was told to bring about the downfall of the asuras Sunda and Upasunda. When the damsels moved about, Mahadeva looked around, and in each direction they sprung a head each, to see her.



Meanwhile the Asura brothers having been in constant battle, were tired and were resting, when Tilottama appeared before them. Filled with desire for her, Sunda wanted her for himself. Upasunda also wanted her, they began quarreling among themselves for her. They then began fighting and eventually killed each other.

Ending the tale Narada told the Pandavas to make agreements among themselves to ensure that when one was with Draupadi, he was undisturbed. Also they should be careful and should not fight among themselves over Draupadi.

The Pandavas then made a rule that whenever one of the brothers was with Draupadi, no one disturb them. If any of the brothers did so, he would have to face exile for twelve years.





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