India has hundreds of legends associated with her geographical -the oceans, mountain ranges, rivers and lakes. Very often a well known person is the central figure of these legends. The following legend is connected with the mountain range known as Vindhyachal. Its central figure is Agastya, one of the great sages who lived in ancient times.

Agastya was the son of Varun, god of the sea. From his earliest days he had lived the life of an ascetic, deep inside a forest. He wore the bark of trees and ate only wild roots and fruit. But he studied the Vedas with great single-mindedness. In time he became one of the wisest men in the country.

For a long time Agastya was content with his life. But then something happened to disturb his peace. He had a dream in which he saw the spirits of his ancestors wandering about restlessly in the air. Agastya asked them why they were not in heaven. He said that why were not in heaven inspite of being good people. They were supposed to reside in heaven amidst peace and plenty.

The spirits replied that they had come back to earth because they were worried. For the time being Agastya is there and he is offering sacrifices in the name of his forefathers to ensures their peace in the other world. But what happens when he is not there. Moreover Agastya was not married and had no son to take over his duties to his ancestors after him. Thus they entreated Agastya to get married and raise a family so that they could have someone to perform the duties.

At this point Agastya suddenly woke up. He had never before wished to get married. But now, out of a sense of duty to his ancestors, he decided to take a wife. By then Agastya had earned renown as a sage. People came to him from far and near to ask for boons. One such person was the king of the country of Vidarbha. He was childless and came to Agastya so that he could be blessed with a child. Agastya heard the king`s request and sat in meditation for a long time. Finally he announced to the king, who was waiting anxiously that he would be blessed with a beautiful girl child and the girl would be given in marriage to the sage himself (Agastya).

The sage`s prophecy came true. Soon after, the queen of Vidarbha gave birth to a girl who was named Lopamudra. With the passing years she grew into a maiden of such exquisite beauty that her fame spread among all the royal households of the country. But no prince dared ask for her hand in marriage because Agastya wanted her for his wife and the princes were afraid of Agastya.

A few years later, Agastya came to the court of Vidarbha and asked for the hand of Lopamudra in marriage. Now the king had promised that this would be done. But when the time came, he was most unwilling to do so. His daughter had been brought up in the lap of luxury. She was a beautiful, delicate girl. The king was worried as he did not know how his princess could lead her life in an ashram. Lopamudra realized that something was wrong. She begged to be told the truth. And when she finally learnt the truth, she gladly agreed to marry the sage.

Naturally, her parents were surprised. But they were also greatly relieved, and, in due course, the marriage was celebrated. The time came for Lopamudra to go to the forest with her husband. Like any royal bride, she was dressed in fabulous silks and laden with priceless jewels. But such finery had no place in the life of an ascetic. Agastya told his wife to give it all away and she did so with a smile. Covering herself with a deerskin and garments made of bark, she gladly accompanied the sage to his ashram.

Agastya and Lopamudra spent many years in prayer and meditation at a place called Gangadwar. They were very happy together and there developed between them a strong and abiding love. But in course of time Lopamudra got tired of life in an ashram. She began to long for a home of her own and at least some of the luxuries that she enjoyed in her father`s house. When she mentioned this to Agastya he smiled and said that he cannot provide her these luxuries as he had no money. In fact they were like beggars living in the forest.

Lopamudra insisted that Agastya had all the powers of a great yogi and if he wished he can accumulate the wealth of the whole world in a single moment. But Agastya relented saying that he would not use his yogic powers to collect a trifling thing like wealth. If he did so his powers would be lost forever. His wife was not convinced and insisted that other men go out and earn and she would like Agastya to do the same for a comfortable life.

In those days Brahmins like Agastya imparted education to young boys. They performed religious ceremonies and gave spiritual guidance to kings and commoners alike. In return it was the duty of every citizen to look after the physical needs of Brahmins. Thus there was no shame attached to a Brahmin seeking alms. Agastya now set out to do just that. He went to a king who was said to be very wealthy. Agastya told the king to give him what wealth he can spare.

The king told the sage the exact income of his state and also the exact expenditure. Agastya was surprised to find that there was very little balance left. Agastya then decided to look elsewhere.

The story goes that the king also accompanied Agastya on his mission. They visited two more kingdoms and in both places, they found the same state of affairs. Agastya was surprised to find that the powerful Kshatriya kings were unwise enough to spend all the revenues of the state and not bother to save anything. He also realized that it was no use seeking alms from kings. So he decided to go to the rich but the wicked Ilvala and try his luck there.

Ilvala and his brother Vatapi were fearsome demons who had a special dislike for humans. They loved to trap and kill humans and their method of doing so was quite novel. Ilvala would climb a tree and wait for someone to pass underneath. As soon as Ilvala saw a person approach, he jumped off the tree, took on the shape of a humble householder and threw himself at the man`s feet. He would then beg the man to step into his home and ask to share a meal with him.

Many men fell for this kind of flattery and happily followed Ilvala home to his cave. Once inside the cave, Ilvala chanted a spell that converted Vatapi into a goat. Those days eating meat was quite common. So while the guest was waiting, Ilvala slaughtered the goat and turned the meat into a fabulous meal. The poor, unsuspecting guest ate his fill, wondering at this stroke of luck. As soon as he had finished, Ilvala chanted another spell that brought Vatapi back to life. Out came Vatapi, tearing his way through the victim`s stomach. He was all in one piece but the guest fell down dead. In this way, many innocent men had lost their lives.

When Ilvala learnt that Agastya had come to that part of the country and was making enquiries about him, he was delighted. Agastya was a distinguished sage and here he was, all ready to walk into the trap. So Ilvala hurried to welcome Agastya. Knowing the sage`s powers, he did not take on human form but remained a demon. Then he approached the sage and asked him to have a meal with him.

Agastya followed Ilvala to the cave. As usual, Ilvala turned Vatapi into a goat, killed the goat and lay on a splendid feast. When Agastya had eaten his fill, Ilvala repeated the magic spell and shouted aloud to Vatapi to come out. But Agastya smiled, rubbed his stomach gently and said that Vatapi would be digested in his stomach for the peace and good of the world.

Ilvala was getting anxious about the safety of his brother. He shouted again to Vatapi to appear. But nothing happened. Frantic by now, Ilvala shouted a third time, with no result. And Agastya explained why. Vatapi had simply been digested. Ilvala`s evil plan was finally defeated. He bowed to Agastya and surrendered to him all the wealth that the sage required. Agastya came back to Lopamudra and was at last able to provide her with the comforts that she desired.

The legend goes on to say that at one time the Vindhyachal Mountains became jealous of Mount Meru, the abode of the gods, which is in heaven. The Vindhyas began to grow in height so they could be taller than Mount Meru and blot out the sun, moon and stars. The gods realized the danger and begged of Agastya to help.

The sage went to the Vindhyas and requested the mountain to stop growing as he was on his way and had to cross the Vindhyas.

Agastya was so highly respected that the Vindhyas listened to him. He crossed them on his way to the south, but never returned north again. Instead, he settled down in the south. The Vindhyas waited for him indefinitely. And that is exactly why they did not grow any taller.