In his former life, he was a demigod in Kailasa, Nandaka by name, and used to wash the feet of gods who came to see Maheshvara. As a servant, he became a source of amusement. The gods passed time by pulling out hair from his head. Soon he became hairless and was miserable.
Very distressed Nandaka went to Mahesha with folded hands, 'O lord, give me that kind of boon by which I may not become a laughing stock again!' and added 'Whomsoever I point out with my finger may fall dead'. Mahesha taking account of his servants devoted service, replied, 'So be it.'
Gods who came to see Mahesha misbehaved with Nandaka as before and dropped dead as soon as he pointed a finger at them. There was terror among the gods and they went quickly to see the Lord and sought protection!
The lord, the compassionate, instantly thought of Narayana. When Narayana presented himself, Shiva said, 'Protectest thou the gods after conquering Nandaka.' Narayana replied, 'So be it, O Ishvara!' Narayana then assumed the fascinating form of a Nymph, approached Nandaka and played with him enticingly and Nandaka overcome by Cupid, longed for a union with the nymph. The Nymph said 'Let us dance'. And while dancing pointed her finger at the lower part of her body! Nandaka acted in the same manner without thinking and broke his lower part.
Narayana thus weakening him, got ready to kill Nandaka. Nandaka having realised that he had been cheated, accused Narayana, 'You have done wrong to me deliberately. Even being Narayana, you have resorted to the most despicable path in the world.'
Narayana hearing these words said, 'If you think so! I will lay down the following: In the next birth you will be born with ten heads and twenty arms, and I shall be born with two arms and one head. In that condition I shall fight with you and kill you.'
Having spoken to him in soothing terms Narayana kills Nandaka. Accordingly Nandaka became Ravana in his next birth and Lord Narayana was born as Rama.
I am sure this narration would entertain my young grandchildren, it is amazingly simple and childlike. It also shows how a story mutates and changes as it travels. I thought gods could not be killed, obviously it applies only to the supreme gods. The story I am sure would be a funny cameo in a dance drama of Ramakien.
I always enjoy trying to guess the original Indian Sanskrit origins of Thai names, but it is a hit and miss thing. "Totsa" is probably "Dasha", was "kan" an abbreviation of "Kantha", with Ravana referred to as "Dashakantha"?
This story seems to be a variation of the classic "Mohini-Bhasmasura" story, there seems to be a lot of changes in the migration from India to Thailand. Also recall reading somewhere that the Ramakien is closer to the South Indian versions, especially Kamba Ramayana, perhaps the reference to Kalaikoti was a result of the Tamilian influence.
I think you are right about Ravana. Good logic!
I am not very sure of it being educative, but would surely be entertaining!
Yes the story gets more local color as it travels!
I have been thinking of bringing in Kamba ramayana, will look for a good
translation. Friends are asking me 'what about Valmiki Ramayana?'
It is going to be a challenge of a different type if I want to combine very
dissimlar versions. I dare not touch other versions!
English spellings of West Indian names also seeem odd to us, http://www.thelionhouse.com/FSLH.HTML lists people on the maternal side of VS Naipaul, with names like Kalawtie, Droapatie, Bissoondath (Vishnudatt?), etc. But names do get twisted around in India itself in colloquial use, Rama Charita Manasa and Hanuman Chalisa being written in the vernacular language Awadhi - Vajra Anga Bali becomes Bajarangabali.
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