Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 87 



the condition was serious, for, if such things continued, the Rak- 

 shasas would be so increased that the gods would not be able to 

 live. 



The three gods then told Renuka that the solution of the diffi- 

 culty was to induce the sexless Rakshasas to propagate in the 

 same way that men do. They would then lose their power of un- 

 limited increase; their progeny would be comparatively small; 

 and victory would be easy. Renuka informed them that to bring 

 about such a happy result was not in her power, and they must 

 undertake it. 



Still disguised as Brahmans, the gods now took the usual 

 articles and books for reading the horoscope, and went to the 

 abode of the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas saw them and sent one 

 of their number to enquire who were those Brahmans coming to 

 their abode. They sent back the reply, " We are Brahmans, come 

 to read your horoscope, and we can give you much valuable in- 

 formation." The Rakshasas asked what things they could tell, 

 and the Brahmans responded, " We have heard that you have no 

 offspring. If you have offspring you will increase yet more and 

 more." This pleased the Rakshasas and they asked how such a 

 boon could be secured. The Brahmans showed them a tree by the 

 tank and told them to bathe and embrace the tree. 



The three gods then became a peepul tree. Siva formed the 

 roots, Vishnu the trunk, and Brahma the branches. One only of 

 the Rakshasas came at first and did as commanded. Upon em- 

 bracing the trunk of the tree, which was Vishnu, it became a 

 female and conceived. She returned and reported to the other 

 Rakshasas and two more came, and later one hundred more. All 

 of these conceived and brought forth children, one hundred and 

 two girls and one boy. 



When the chiefs of the Rakshasas heard' of this, they ordered 

 that the children should be killed. They were thrown into a well, 

 but the three gods went to the well and drew them out. One 

 could not be found, so there were one hundred and one girls and 

 one boy. They took these to Renuka and told her that the girls 

 should be Saktis who would be set free in the world to get their 

 living by troubling people, but that they should be her servants. 



87 



