Page:On the Coromandel Coast.djvu/315

Rh former days the mountains flew about in flocks and obscured the light; but one of the gods cut off their wings with a diamond sword, and since then the hills have been stationary. In their fall they buried Rakshas, dwarfs, men, and all kinds of creatures, some of whom are still alive, and may be heard to groan, or even move, when the earth quakes.

Some of the Rakshas escaped, and as soon as the mountains settled down they took up their abode in the rocks. They preyed upon men and animals, devouring them until not a living creature was left in the vicinity. There were two Rakshas, named Illavan and Vatapi, who devastated the whole countryside round a certain hill in the south. At last they were reduced to preying upon travellers who chanced to come that way. Their method was to invite them to supper. Being of a supernatural constitution, death had no terrors for them. Illavan retired with his brother to the cook-room, and there he killed him and made a savoury dish of his flesh. As the villages were deserted the unsuspicious travellers were glad to avail themselves of the invitation given, and they partook heartily of the excellent curry served up by Illavan. As soon as the travellers started on their journey Illavan called to his brother to return. Instantly he came to life, rending and tearing those who had eaten him so that they died; and no one knew how the unfortunate travellers came by their death.

There was a Tamil pundit, named Agastyan, who journeyed into far countries to learn wisdom. He was returning from Tibet full of knowledge to take up his residence upon a mountain in Tinnevelly, near Courtallum. He intended to devote his life to the instruction of the young men of the south of India in medicine, astronomy, and the worship of Siva. His way led him near the hill where the Rakshas lived. Among other things he had