Atonement

Biswamitra and Kalmashapada

Who is kalmashapada ?

Ans: Kalmashapada, also known as Saudasa, Mitrasaha, and Amitrasaha, was a monarch from the Ikshvaku lineage within Hindu scriptures. He suffered the curse of transformation into a rakshasa, a malevolent demon, as a consequence of a curse issued by the sage Vashishtha. This historical figure is recognized as an ancestral figure in the lineage leading to Rama, the revered incarnation of Vishnu and the central character of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

The story:

"I aspire to attain the esteemed status of a Brahmarshi," Biswamitra conveyed to his wife as they embarked on a journey southward, seeking her assistance during his penance.

With her consent, they began their journey, and during Biswamitra's rigorous penance, four virtuous and powerful sons were born to them. Eventually, Brahma himself appeared before Biswamitra and conferred upon him the title of Rajarshi. However, Biswamitra's thirst for spiritual attainment remained unquenched, and he set his sights on achieving the highest rank of rishis – Brahmarshi. His penance intensified.

In another tale, a conflict unfolded between King Kalmashapada and Shakti rishi on a narrow path where only one person could pass at a time. This dispute escalated, leading to King Kalmashapada striking Shakti rishi with his horse-whip in a fit of rage. As a consequence of this assault, Shakti cursed Kalmashapada, transforming him into a flesh-eating Rakshasa.

Biswamitra, passing by and recognizing both the king and the rishi, seized the opportunity to exact revenge on both King Kalmashapada and Bashishta. Having wanted the king as their disciple in the past, neither Biswamitra nor Bashishta had succeeded. Biswamitra facilitated the instant manifestation of Shakti's curse by summoning an evil spirit named Kinkara to possess Kalmashapada, giving the Rakshasa control over his body.

Kalmashapada, now under the influence of the Rakshasa spirit, encountered a Brahmin beggar on his way back to his palace but ignored the pleas for food. Upon returning to his palace, he ordered his cooks to prepare a ghastly mixture of human flesh and rice, which he forced the Brahmin to consume. Realizing the horrifying nature of the food, the Brahmin cursed the king, dooming him to become a man-eating Rakshasa.

Returning to the place of his initial curse by Biswamitra, Kalmashapada crossed paths with Shakti once again, this time succumbing to his hunger and devouring the rishi. Biswamitra then manipulated events to compel Kalmashapada to consume the hundred sons of Bashishta, leaving the sage heartbroken. Despite possessing the power to retaliate, Bashishta chose not to harm Biswamitra, adhering to his principles of using his spiritual abilities only for benevolent purposes.

In a subsequent encounter, Kalmashapada attempted to consume Bashishta himself, prompting the sage to release the Rakshasa spirit from Kalmashapada's body and ultimately forgiving him.