Rukmangada

"The practice of Ekadashi [Eleventh day of the lunar calendar] by the king [Rukmangada] and his people throughout his kingdom made the inhabitants healthy and long lived."

"In order to break the pious practice of Ekadashi, Brahma sent an enchantress Mohini, who won Rukmangada's affection. The king forgot his responsibilities as a ruler and spent his time with Mohini. He obeyed her wishes in all respects except one, and that was in breaking the Ekadashi fast. Mohini forced him repeatedly, in desperation the king agreed to grant any wish of hers except the breaking of his fast. Mohini angrily demanded the head of his son. Rukmangada's son readily agreed to keep the word of his father and put his head on the block. In the nick of time Vishnu appeared and saved Rukmangada's son. He blessed the king and all the inhabitants of his kingdom."

"...King Rukmangada visited the great sage Vachaknavi. The king was virtuous and so handsome that the rishi's wife, Mukundaa, was smitten. She told the king of her desire. Rukmangada was horrified and rejected her with anger and disgust. But, Indra, the king of the gods, seized the opportunity. He descended to earth disguised as Rukmangada and lay with Mukundaa, to whom a son was born. The boy grew to manhood, in rectitude and righteousness. And then one day he discovered his illegitimacy. Grutshmada was devastated and grief stricken He prayed to Ganesha at Bhadra kavana, now called Mahad, and begged him to absolve the sins connected with his birth. Moved by his fervent prayers, Ganesha in his manifestation as Varadavinayaka granted his wishes and Grutshmada was liberated from the sin of his parents."

"He [Ratnagada] who was ruling in the city of Amrita] had two sons Rukmangada and Hemangada — both wise and good and dearly loved of their father. Of them Rukmangada was well versed in the Sastras and Hemangada was a jnani of the highest order. On one occasion both of them went out on a hunting into a dense forest, followed by their retinue. They accounted for many a deer, tigers, hares, bisons etc., and being thoroughly exhausted rested beside a spring."

"Rukmangada was informed by some persons that there was a Brahmarakshas (a species of ghoulish spirit of a learned but degenerate Brahmin) close by, who was very learned, accustomed to challenge pandits for discussion, vanquish them and then eat them."

"Since Rukmangada loved learned disputations, he went with his brother to the ghoul and engaged him in argument. He was however defeated in the debate and so the ghoul caught hold of him to devour him. Seeing it, Hemangada [came to his rescue] said to the ghoul, 'O Brahmarakshas, do not eat him yet! I am his brother..."

"Rukmangada has assumed command of Ahichchatra with the consent of the citizens it seems, I have heard he is a virtuous man. He even conducts religious discourses."

"Rukmangada, who had ascended the throne after Bhadrayu's death, was admittedly a religious man. The news that Ayodhye had vanquished both Kashi and Shravasthi at the same time was a bitter one for him...Just then Rukmangada was engaged to be married. His bride was king Panchala’s elder daughter. Queen Keshini hoped that through this liaison her younger brother would become the king of Ahichchatra and the prince of Panchala and would go on to found the Kurupanchala empire."

"He then uttered in Sanskrit the salutations that the queen of Ayodhye had sent Rukmangada. Rukmangada was proficient in Sanskrit."

"Whatever be the people of Ayodhye, it is gratifying to note that even among them there are people who know Sanskrit. We have a scholarly meeting this evening.The human gods should come."

"She will remember till her dying day this help of yours. She will keep a flame forever glowing in your name in the Vasanthikadevi temple. Rukmangada's face grew serious. With an evil thought striking, a smile played on his face."

"King Rukmangada arrived exactly at the appointed auspicious hour, performed a pooje for Nageshaswami before throwing the last offering into the sacrificial fire. Then he began to take out the playing-tokens from the golden jar that had been placed in front."

"He somehow managed to finish the well-wishing invocation amidst sobs that day. The assemblage grew grim. One doesn't know whether it was premeditated or Rukmangada was inspired by Simha Bhatta's behaviour, King Rukmangada got up and headed over up to the door, shored King Purukutsa holding him by the other arm, and walking the king slowly and steadily, had the emperor of Hastinapura garland him."

"Oh, My Lord! I am freed today from the sin that Sagara committed. The taint of incarcerating you unjustly for eighteen years is erased with the holy mercy of Nageshaswami."

"The wish of Rukmangada and his elder sister wasn't fulfilled. Their dream was to unite Ahichchatra and Panchala to found the larger Kurupanchala Empire. That this shouldn't happen was the decision of the neighbouring kings. In this war of attrition, the Panchala king died. His grandson Tilanjala was crowned the king. Rukmangada was the prince of Panchala did not have any such wish. Nor did he feel disappointed that he did not become the king. He said that it was enough for him if a few people gave their consent."