Kala-Nemi

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Kala-Nemi is said as the uncle of Ravana. Ravana promised him half his kingdom if he would kill Hanuman.

Kala-Nemi accordingly assumed the form of a devotee and created a magic hermitage on the mountain Gandhamadana.

Hanuman reached the mountain and saw Kala-Nemi seated like a devotee upon a deer skin with various rosaries round his neck. Kala-Nemi was absorbed in meditation. Hanuman was mistaken and thought he saw a follower worshipping the Linga.

Kala-Nemi welcomed Hanuman as his guest. However Hanuman refused food and drink and would only bathe in the pond which was near. When he dipped his foot in the water of the pond he was suddenly attacked by a crocodile. Hanuman killed the crocodile. From the dead body of the crocodile a beautiful `apsara` arose. She told Hanuman how she had offended the sage Daksha and had been cursed to become a crocodile until she would be delivered by Hanuman.

The Apsara thanked Hanuman for her release and alarmed him to be aware of Kala-Nemi. In the meantime Kala-Nemi thought that Hanuman was killed by the crocodile. Suddenly Hanuman appeared before him and said that he came to know that Kala-Nemi was a hermit in disguise. Hanuman seized Kala-Nemi by the feet, whirled him round and suddenly let him loose. Hanuman flew through the air to Lanka to the utter surprise of Ravana and his councilors.

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