Marutta's challenge

Thousands of years ago, there lived a king called Marutta. There is not much that we know about his kingdom or his period of reign except that it marked a particularly prosperous time for his subjects. Marutta ruled with compassion and fair play and his people conferred upon him a greatness far beyond his mortal status.

Indra, king of the gods, was envious of Marutta’s growing popularity. And when he found out that Marutta was planning a yagna fit for the gods, he blew a trumpet. Marutta’s kula guru and the priest of the gods, Brihaspati, was to perform the yagna. But Indra warned Brihaspati that if he did take on the task, he would lose his priestly privileges with the gods.

Brihaspati valued his heavenly status far more than his kula guru duties and he informed Marutta accordingly. A distraught Marutta knew of none other who could do the yagna. He despaired at the thought of failing as a king as the yagna was meant to bring rain and a good harvest for his people.

In desperation, he sought to end his life. But Narada stepped in, just in time.

There was someone who could stand in for Brihaspati, he said. His brother, Samvarta. Plotted against by Brihaspati who was jealous of his brother’s abilities, Samvarta had left his home and had become a Naga Sadhu (naked sadhu). Narada advised Marutta to travel to Varanasi and wait outside the cremation grounds with a corpse. The naked sadhu who walked away from the body would be Samvarta, he said.

Marutta did that and as soon as he saw a thin wiry old sadhu make his way hastily away from the corpse, he knew he had his man. He followed Samvarta who was rude, abrasive and told Marutta that he wished to have nothing to do with man or god any more. Marutta persisted and finally Samvarta agreed. The condition was that Marutta would not go back on his word. Terrible times would be inflicted on the king for his decision to go against the word of Indra but, if he abandoned his venture, there would be a curse worse than hell coming his way.

Preparations for the yagna began. Marutta invoked Shiva with his tapasya and when he appeared, sought his support and blessings. With Shiva on his side, Marutta grew in confidence. Still he was ill prepared for what Indra would unleash. The weather turned against him, his people suffered, and every attempt was made to draw him away from his yagna.

The people grew weary and the gods, wary. For Indra was a mean foe and with Brihaspati on his side, there was havoc to be wrought.

As the day drew close, Marutta sent out his invitations. All gods were on the list; even Indra. The king’s advisors asked him to keep Indra away from the yagna but that would have rendered the yagna incomplete said Marutta.

The day of the yagna, all the gods arrived. Even Indra, but Brihaspati stayed away. With their wives, their vahanas and in all their heavenly splendour, the gods took their places around the fire. As Samvarta recited his mantras, the gods found themselves drawn into their spell. The yagna was a success as the offering made by the king was accepted and the gods participated in the great sacrifice.

Samvarta found his place in the world and Indra and Marutta, it is believed lived in peace thereafter.