Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 83 



cave. Renuka learned of her father's plight by means of a vision, 

 and determined to go herself against the Rakshasas and rescue him. 

 She went first to her mother-in-law to secure leave to go, but con- 

 sent was not given. Her mother-in-law said that she had no desire 

 to help Dhandigiri, even though he was her own brother, and at 

 the same time father of her daughter-in-law,^^ for he had been 

 cruel to her in times past. But she told Renuka that she might 

 ask her own husband, Jamadagni, and that perhaps he would give 

 the desired permission. 



Renuka now started on the journey to her husband, who was 

 living far away in a forest, doing penance as a rishi. She carried 

 on her head seven pots, in which were rice and water mixed. Her 

 purity was so great that, as she walked along, the water in the 

 pots began to boil without the aid of fire. 



As Renuka was going along Vishnu began to talk with Narada 

 about her purity, and at Narada's request Vishnu suggested a 

 plan to destroy her virtue. In accordance with this plan Narada 

 appeared in the way before Renuka as a beggar and asked her 

 for food. She had compassion on him and gave him a little from 

 the pots on her head. A little further on Narada again appeared, 

 this time as a charming little child with rattling ornaments. When 

 Renuka saw the child she burst into merry laughter. 



Jamadagni considered that these were wicked acts because he 

 was doing penance, and he determined that his wife must be pun- 

 ished. He thought of his eldest son, and immediately the son 

 stood before him. His father addressed him affectionately, and 

 asked his son what should be done if anyone were found guilty 

 within their premises. " Forgive him thrice," answered the son. 



" But suppose the offender commits a sin beyond forgiveness, 

 what would you suggest ? " asked the father. 



" Why, father, if such a one is found, you must certainly remove 

 his head from his body," answered the son. 



" Well, my dear son," said his father, " look now ! Your mother 

 is coming. She laughed at that little boy as she came toward our 



13 That is, Renuka and her husbands were cousins. This cousin-mar- 

 riage is a very common and favorite arrangement. 



83 



