Stories of the Brahma Purana Part-XI

**Story of Sage Vriddhagoutama**

In ancient times, there lived a sage named Goutama, who had a son named Vriddhagoutama. Vriddhagoutama, despite being a sage, was afflicted with an unusual deformity - he had no nose from birth and was extremely ugly. This deformity caused him great shame, preventing him from studying the sacred Vedas and Shastras with other sage children. However, Vriddhagoutama compensated by knowing incantations (mantras) and devoutly worshipping the god Agni.

As he grew older, Vriddhagoutama embarked on a journey to explore the world, unable to find a partner due to his appearance. His travels eventually led him to the mountain named Shitagiri, where he stumbled upon a cave. To his surprise, an emaciated old woman resided within the cave. This frail woman had been practicing severe tapasya (austerities) for many years.

Vriddhagoutama, out of respect, attempted to bow before the old woman, but she stopped him, declaring that he was her guru and gurus do not bow to disciples. Perplexed, he questioned her, unsure of how this could be true, considering he had never met her before.

The old woman, sensing his confusion, began to recount her extraordinary story. She revealed that she was the daughter of a brave prince named Ritadhvaja, who had once entered the same cave where she now resided and married an apsara named Sushyama. Sushyama gave birth to their daughter in the cave and instructed her never to leave. She was to marry the first man who entered the cave. Vriddhagoutama now found himself in the position of becoming that man.

The old woman explained that she had remained in the cave for ninety thousand years, as the reigns of Ritadhvaja and his son passed by. Now, it was her turn to marry, and Vriddhagoutama was her chosen husband, as per her mother's decree.

Vriddhagoutama hesitated, considering himself unworthy due to his deformity. However, the old woman threatened to end her life if he refused. She claimed to have gained the blessings of goddess Sarasvati and god Varuna through her intense tapasya, ensuring that he would become both handsome and learned. Vriddhagoutama agreed to the union under the condition that he would marry her once he became handsome and learned.

As promised, Vriddhagoutama's appearance transformed, and he acquired knowledge. They lived happily together in the cave. However, their happiness was later marred when young and immature sages, visiting the couple, mocked Vriddhagoutama for his youthful appearance and his aged wife. This ridicule left the couple feeling ashamed.

In search of guidance, they approached the sage Agastya, who advised them to bathe in the sacred Goutami Ganga river. With faith, they followed his counsel, praying to Vishnu and Shiva. Astonishingly, the old woman was rejuvenated, regaining her youth and beauty. This miraculous transformation took place at a place by the river, later known as the tirtha named Vriddhasangama.

**Story of Pippalada**

In ancient times, there lived a sage named Dadhici, whose hermitage was situated beside the holy river Ganga. His wife was Lopamudra, and her sister Gabhastini also resided with them. Dadhici possessed immense spiritual powers, which deterred daityas and danavas from entering his hermitage, ensuring its sanctity.

During a battle between the gods and demons, the gods emerged victorious. Grateful for Dadhici's blessings, they approached him with a request. They sought a safe place to store their weapons, as they no longer needed them with the demons defeated. Dadhici, honoring his word, agreed to store the gods' weapons in his hermitage, although Lopamudra expressed concerns about accepting responsibility for others' property.

Over a hundred years passed, and the gods did not return to retrieve their weapons. Dadhici, not knowing how to preserve their energy, washed the weapons with holy water, causing their energy to dissolve into the water. He then drank the blessed water, while the weapons themselves faded away.

When the gods finally returned, they requested their weapons back, revealing that their enemies had grown powerful again. Dadhici explained that he had consumed the weapons' energy but offered a solution. He suggested using his meditation (yoga) powers to relinquish his life, allowing the gods to craft excellent weapons from his bones. Despite their reluctance, the gods had no alternative, and Dadhici's sacrifice paved the way for the creation of the remarkable weapon named Vajra by Vishvakarma.

During this time, Lopamudra was away, and upon her return, she discovered her husband's death. Grief-stricken, she desired to immolate herself but couldn't due to her pregnancy. After giving birth, she ended her life, leaving her baby under the care of a pippala (fig) tree. The boy was named Pippalada, and Chandra, the lord of all trees, provided amrita to the tree, granting Pippalada strength.

As Pippalada grew, he learned the tragic story of his parents and harbored resentment towards the gods for their demise. Seeking revenge, he turned to Chandra for guidance. Chandra advised him to become learned and skilled in warfare first. He suggested going to the forest of Dandakaranya, praying to Shiva, and believed Pippalada's wishes would be fulfilled.

Pippalada followed this advice and pleased Shiva through rigorous tapasya. Shiva offered a challenging condition: Pippalada's wish would be granted the day he could see Shiva's third eye, located in the middle of his forehead. Pippalada persisted in his meditation for years until he finally beheld Shiva's third eye.

From Shiva's third eye, a demon resembling a mare was born, and Pippalada sought its help to destroy the gods. However, the demon turned on Pippalada, explaining that his body was created by the gods, and it intended to kill him as well. Fleeing from the demon, Pippalada sought refuge with Shiva, who designated a safe area in the forest where the demon couldn't enter. Pippalada dwelled there, protected from the demon's wrath.

Meanwhile, the gods approached Shiva, seeking salvation from Pippalada's anger. Shiva persuaded Pippalada that vengeance would not bring his parents back and that it was better to control his anger. Pippalada agreed but wished to see his parents once more. At Shiva's behest, Vimana descended from heaven, carrying Dadhici and Lopamudra. They blessed Pippalada and advised him to marry and have children.

As for the demon, it transformed into a river, merging its essence with the holy Ganga, thereby ending its threat. Pippalada's journey from vengeance to reconciliation with the gods ultimately brought peace to his life and closure to his parents' story.