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Once there lived two Rakshasas. Soudasa killed one and did
not kill the other. The surviving Rakshasa, bent on taking revenge,
entered the service of Soudasa as a cook. When the king entertain-
ed Vasistha, he gave him human flesh to eat. The Rishi became
angry and caused Soudasa to become a Rakshasa. When he learned
however it was the doing of a Rakshasa, he reduced the king's
Rakshasa life to 12 years. The king also held out water for the ex-
ecration of Vasistha. His queen prevented him. So he threw the
water at his own feet. His feet became black with sin. While living
as a Rakshasa, the king saw a Brahmana and his wife in their privacy,
and he attacked the Brahmana. The wife reminded the king of his
former birth and requested him not to deprive her of her husband at
the time of enjoyment. The king heeded not her words but devoured
the Brahmana. The Brahmana woman cursed Soudasa so that he
should meet with death whenever he had female connection. On
the expiry of 12 years, Soudasa reverted to his former birth, but for
fear of the curse he had no connection with women. Vasistha at the
request of Soudasa produced a son by his wife, Madayanti. The
conception lingered for 7 years. Vasistha struck the womb with a
stone (As"man) and the son was hence called As"maka. The son of
ASmaka was Balika. He was the surviving kshatriya, after the ex-
tirpation of that caste by Parasurama. Hence he was called Mulaka
also (the root of a race).
Soudasa
I
As"maka
Balika or Mulaka
Das"aratha
Aidavidi
Visvasaha
I
Khatvanga
Khatvanga was a very powerful king. He killed Daityas as
a friend of the Devas. The Devas offered him a boon. The king
wanted to know how much longer he was to live. Learning it was a
Muhurta only, he returned forthwith to his place and concentrated
his mind on Bhagavan. He attained Mukti.
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