Puranic encyclopaedia

by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222

This page describes the Story of Devadatta included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).

Story of Devadatta

A famous brahmin boy whose story is described in the Kathāsaritsāgara.

Devadatta was the son of the Brahmin, Haridatta of Kambukapura. Though as a boy Devadatta learnt all the arts and sciences when he grew up to be a youth he became a very wayward fellow. Dice-play became his main job. One day in a game of dice he lost even his clothes, and being afraid of his father, he left the place without returning home.

Devadatta roamed about, and during one such trip he saw a deserted temple, and a muni called Jālapāda engaged in reciting mantras. Devadatta prostrated before the muni and told him all the details about himself. The muni accepted Devadatta as his śiṣya and promised to secure vidyādharahood for him.

Next night Jālapāda led Devadatta to a burning ghat, nearby the temple. After conducting Pūjā in the shade of a fig tree with offerings of Pāyasa and Vaiśvadevabali the muni told Devadatta thus: "You should come here daily and perform pūjā like this, and pray at the close of it, 'Oh! Vidyutprabhā! please accept my pūjā.'

Devadatta acted according to the above advice of the muni, and one day, at the close of his pūjā the tree broke open into two and a beautiful female who appeared from it took him with her saying that her mistress wanted him. He was thus taken to a house studded with gems wherein he saw a noble lady seated on a cot. She caught Devadatta by his hands and after seating him alongside said to him: "I am Vidyutprabhā, daughter of the Yakṣa king Ratnavarṣa. I am a virgin girl. Muni Jālapāda has worshipped me so much that I have decided to fulfil his desire. I am in love with you and you will please wed me."

Accordingly Devadatta married Vidyutprabhā and lived there with her. In due course she conceived, and Devadatta met Jālapāda and told him about the whole affair, and the muni, to achieve his personal object asked Devadatta to cut open the abdomen of Vidyutprabhā and take to him the child found therein. Devadatta did not at all relish the idea. Yet reluctant to disobey his preceptor he returned to his wife. She permitted him to carry out the directions of the muni, yet his mind did not approve of the action. Then Vidyutprabhā herself cut open her abdomen, took the child out of it and placing it before her husband told him thus:—"He who eats the child will become a Vidyādhara. Take it. I was a Vidyādharī turned into a Yakṣī by a curse, and to cut open my abdomen and take out the child like this was the redemption promised me from the curse, and now I go to the Vidyādhara world; we shall meet there." And she disappeared.

In great sorrow Devadatta brought the child to Jālapāda who, after sending him out on the pretext of his (Jālapāda's) performing Bhairavapūja, ate up the child. Devadatta returned and when he knew of the action of his preceptor he was overcome with rage. But the latter rose up to the skies assuming the form of a Vidyādhara. Devadatta made up his mind to anyhow take revenge upon Jālapāda, and he also went to Vidyādharaloka with the help of a Vetāla whom he befriended by offering human flesh. And, there he saw Jālapāda drunk with pride at his Vidyādharahood sitting on a throne of gems in a mansion. Meanwhile Vidyutprabhā who was now once more a Vidyādharī had turned down the advances made by the erstwhile Jālapāda for her love. But, at the sight of Devadatta her face flushed with love for him while, in fear, the sword fell down from the hands of Jālapāda who now fainted. Devadatta prevented the Vetāla from killing Jālapāda and he (Vetāla) at the instance of Devadatta took Jālapāda to the burning ghat and cremated him there.

Kātyāyanīdevī at this time appeared before Devadatta and pleased with his courage appointed him as chief of the Vidyādharas. He wedded Vidyutprabhā and lived happily. (Kathāsaritsāgara, Caturdārikālaṃbakaṃ, Taraṅga 3).

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