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long even now. So goes the story.
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Two Rakshasas, Vatapi and Ilvala,
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gave much trouble to the rishis. The
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former had obtained a boon that no matter
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into how many pieces his body was cut
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up, they would all reunite and his body
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would be whole and strong as before.
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IIvala, disguised as a brahmana, would go
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to the ashrama of one rishi after another
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and say, "O Learned One! Go over to my
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humble home and oblige me by accepting
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the consecrated food prepared for my
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manes."
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On no account, according to ancient
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rule, could one refuse such an invitation.
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The rishis therefore had to accept the
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invitation. To them Ilvala served as food
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his brother Vatapi cut up and cooked
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lusciously
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and
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after
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the
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unsuspecting
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guests had eaten the meat, the host would,
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according to custom, ask the guests, "Are
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you satisfied?" The answer would be
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"Yes. We are content." Then, Ilvala would
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shout, "Vatapi Come out!" And at the call
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of Ilvala, Vatapi reunited into life would
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come out tearing the bowels of the guests.
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Many rishis had to die in this way.
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One day, Ilvala tried to play this trick
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on Agastya. As usual, Vatapi entered
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Agastya's entrails as meat. Agastya of
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course knew this, but he was a devotee of
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Ganapati and had obtained the power to
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digest the Rakshasa.
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"Are you satisfied?" asked Ilvala.
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"Yes,
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I
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am
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satisfied,"
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answered
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Agastya.
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IIvala shouted, "Vatapi, come out."
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Agastya, laughing, said, "Vatapi has
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been digested, my host!"
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"What?" cried Ilvala. "Have you killed
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my brother?" And he rushed against
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Agastya.
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The
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Sage
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opened
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his
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eyes
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in
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indignation and the rakshasa was reduced
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to ashes. No rakshasas would thereafter
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come near Agastya and he protected the
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other sages also. Rama first went to the
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ashrama of Agastya's younger brother and
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obtained
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his
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blessings
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before
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visiting
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Agastya himself. Proceeding south and
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approaching
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Agastya's
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place,
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Rama
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noticed the brightness of the whole region,
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the
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birds
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and
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animals
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playing
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about
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without fear and brahmanas gathering
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flowers for worship.
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He told Lakshmana to go in advance
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and announce him to the sage. Lakshmana
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met one of the disciples of the sage and
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sent word through him: "Ramachandra,
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son of Dasaratha, has come with his
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brother and wife to seek the great sage's
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blessings.
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Agastya warmly welcomed the princes.
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He said: "I heard of your having come to
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dwell in Chitrakuta, and I was looking
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forward to your visit. The end of your
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exile is approaching. Stay here during
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what remains of it in peace. This place is
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free from the fear of rakshasas."
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Rama answered: "I am happy to
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receive your blessing and I thank you for
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your
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gracious
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