Table of Contents
- The Naga Princes' Tale
- The Prince at the Ashram
- Ritadhvaja Stands Guard
- The Boar's Appearance
- The Chase Begins
- In Underworld
- A Solitary Encounter
- Madalasa
- Prophecy Fulfilled
- Kundala's Parting Wisdom
- Preparing to Depart
- Confrontation
- Return Home
- The King's Blessing
- Philosophical Symbolism
- Relevance in Today's World
- Call to Action
- Conclusion
The Naga Princes' Tale
The Naga princes continued telling their father what had happened to Ritadhvaja.
The Prince at the Ashram
It was evening when prince Ritadhvaja and Sage Galava reached the sage's ashrama. The ashrama was a beautiful place. Galava led him through the ashrama. He introduced the prince to the other inhabitants.
Ritadhvaja Stands Guard
The next few days were quiet. Ritadhvaja remained vigilant. In the day he would scour the neighbouring areas. He spent the free time maintaining his weapons. In the night, he stayed awake. Even when he slept, it was in short intervals. When awake, he would sit still, listening to see if could make out any signs of an intruder.
The Boar's Appearance
One mid-day, the prince was walking around the ashram when he felt something move nearby. Instinctively his hand went towards his bow. Suddenly a form came out from the dense bushes. It was a boar, huge in size and jet black in colour with huge tusks. The ashram residents started shouting "Daitya! Rakshasa! Danava!" as soon as they realized that the boar was there. The animal, unconcerned, stood there, watching. Kuvalaya stood ready. The horse did not flinch in fear. Instead, he neighed. He lifted a foreleg, pawing the earth, watching the beast.
The Chase Begins
Ritadhvaja vaulted onto Kuvalaya's back. His bow was already in hand; the quiver tied to his back. The boar suddenly realized the prince was there. It turned around and jumped back into the bushes. "Chase, Kuvalaya!" Ritadhvaja screamed. The horse responded instantly. Through the woods, they ran chasing the boar. Ritadhvaja knew he had to stop the Daitya, before it could unleash its powers. With trained movements, the prince let go of the reins of his horse and chose an arrow with a crescent-shaped head, He fitted that arrow onto his bowstring. Soon, they came close. Ritadhvaja raised his bow. Taking aim, the prince released the arrow.
The arrow struck the boar. The animal let out a scream. Wounded, it staggered for a moment. The arrow was stuck firmly in its flank. It regained its balance and plunged deeper into the forest, with the prince hot on its chase. The wounded boar scraped its body violently against trees trying to dislodge the arrow. With a crack, the arrow broke, its fletched end snapping and falling off. Unable to bear the pain, it increased its speed.
In Underworld
Chasing the boar, the prince never realized how far he had travelled. Suddenly the boar vanished. Before Ritadhvaja, there was now a chasm in the ground, wide enough for a mountain to pass through. The boar had jumped into that chasm. Ritadhvaja reined in Kuvalaya. The horse neighed and the prince pressed his heels. Without hesitation they jumped into the big gaping hole.
The plunge was a freefall. Ritadhvaja clung to Kuvalaya, holding onto the reins. He pressed his body against the horse’s neck. Soon a pinprick of light appeared below them, slowly growing larger. Soon they landed with Ritadhvaja still mounted on Kuvalaya's back. The horse stood stable on what was solid ground. They had landed in the underworld - Patala. It was extremely bright, unlike anything Ritadhvaja had ever seen. It cast no shadows was illuminating everything. The boar was nowhere in sight, it seemed to have vanished somewhere. Ritadhvaja blinked adjusting his eyes to the brightness.
As his eyes adjusted, Ritadhvaja saw he was in front of a beautiful city. It was a city surrounded by huge protective walls. These walls rose to impossible heights. This looked as Vishivakarma had replicated Indra's Amravati here in Patala. Ritadhvaja saw the city gates open and entered. He was surrounded by palaces. They were all shining brightly but nothing was casting a shadow here. The streets were paved with bright polished stone.
A Solitary Encounter
He urged Kuvalaya forward, stepping onto streets. The city was breathtaking. As he rode deeper, he observed something strange. There was no one around. He did not see anyone in the city. Where was everyone? Suddenly he felt a presence. Someone was walking. Without a word, Ritadhvaja dismounted Kuvalaya. He guided the horse beside a building. Then he drew his sword and held it ready, poised.
The person walking was getting closer. Ritadhvaja figured out something else. A jingle reached his ears. These were the sound of anklets. He peered out from behind the building where Kuvalaya stood concealed. His eyes caught sight of the person walking. It was a woman with her back towards his hiding place. She was moving, seemingly unarmed, towards one of the buildings. Tightening his grip on Kuvalaya's reins, Ritadhvaja began to follow, keeping his distance. This was the only living being he had encountered so far. Suddenly the woman turned and he saw her. She was not very young, beautiful, fair and graceful. He ran towards her and said, "Tell me, beautiful one," he said. "What place is this? I do not see anyone in this city and suddenly I see you walk by. As you are the first person I am seeing I am asking you. Please answer me. Who are you?"
The woman remained silent and continued walked. She did not reply to the prince's questions. Determined to get an answer, Ritadhvaja began following her. She continued her walk. Ritadhvaja kept a distance, Kuvalaya trailing behind. Out of the many palaces, she went towards the most magnificent of them all. She walked and climbed the staircase and entered the palace. with the prince behind her. Ritadhvaja found a pillar near the entrance. He secured Kuvalaya's reins to it, tethering the horse there. Inside of the palace was even grander than its exterior. The woman moved across halls, gliding from one hall after another. There were no attendants and no guards. The silence within the palace was broken only by the sound of her anklets. Finally, she came to the entrance of a room. Ritadhvaja saw that the room's door was already open. From his position in the hall outside, he could clearly see inside the room.
Madalasa
He saw an extremely large couch. Its surface was intricately carved. It had velvet cushions on it and was lined with brocade. On this couch, a young maiden was lying down. As Ritadhvaja saw her, he gasped. She was lying facing him, eyes closed. She was fair and he had never seen anyone as beautiful as her. She was too perfect to be real. It looked as if this was goddess Rati herself, lying there.
The woman sat up and slowly opened her eyes. She saw the prince in front of her, looking at her. She had never seen any outsider there before. And now standing in her line of sight was this handsome person. He was handsome and muscular. She blushed. She tried to get up and leave the place. Ritadhvaja walked in and tried to comfort her saying, "I am sorry for suddenly coming here like this. I mean no harm. Please do not be scared." The woman, whom Ritadhvaja had followed came there. She was holding a fan made from palm leaves. She started fanning the woman on the couch gently. Pointing to a small seat nearby, she asked the prince to sit there. She then began speaking.
"In the heavens lives the king of Gandharva called Vishvavasu. He has a beautiful daughter called Madalasa. The woman that you see here, lying on the couch is Madalasa. In Patala, lives a fearful Daitya called Vajraketu. He has two sons - Patalketu and Talketu. One day Madalasa was in a garden, alone, picking flowers. There she was spotted by Patalketu, who for some reason had gone to the heavens. Seeing Madalasa, he wanted her as his wife. He conjured an illusion. The skies became dark. Madalasa looked around in confusion. How could it become dark so soon? She decided to leave the garden. As soon she had stepped out, Patalketu appeared there. Before she could cry out or call upon her guardians, Patalketu lifted her and flung her on his shoulders. He then brought her here and made her captive.
She tried to escape but was not successful. The Daitya told her he would marry her against her wishes and set a date. Madalasa hearing this tried to kill herself when Surabhi, the holy cow appeared before her and asked her to stop, saying, 'Do not worry. The Daitya will not be able to marry you. One day, he will go to earth, taking the form of a wild beast. There he will be wounded by arrows and will try to escape. That person who would shoot the arrows is destined to be your husband. In the heavens there is a great Gandharva called Vindhyavan, whose daughter was called Kundala. She was married to a Gandharva called Pushkaramali. Pushkaramali as killed by the asura called Shumbha. I am that daughter of Vindhyavan, Kundala. I was going from one pilgrim place to another after the death of my husband. I have the powers to travel between worlds, and came here to be with Madalasa when I got to know she had been brought here. She was all alone so I told her I would stay her for some time and comfort her and take care of her. I have heard that Patalketu took the form of a boar and tried to attack some sages when a human prince shot and wounded it. He is not dead but is hiding somewhere here. My friend, when she saw you lost her heart to you. As per the prophecy she will be married to the one who shot the boar. She is not sure what to do. Should she follow her destiny and be with that person or go with you. I have told you who we are. Now tell us who you are. Humans cannot come here, so far from earth. Are you a god or a Gandharva?"
Ritadhvaja heard all that Kundala had to say and then said, "I am the son of King Shatrujit. My name is Ritadhvaja. My father was approached by sage Galava for help from a Daitya who was attacking his ashrama. To help the sage and protect his ashram, my father sent me along with the sage. I was also given a horse, Kuvalaya, by the sage which can travel in all worlds. I spent some time with the sages, guarding the ashrama. One day a huge wild boar attacked. I chased the boar and shot it. I saw the animal escape down a chasm in the ground and I followed it. I lost sight of the boar and landed in this city. I saw you and spoke to you. You did not say anything and I followed you. That is my story."
Prophecy Fulfilled
Madalasa was very happy to hear this. Too shy to say anything, she looked at Kundala. Kundala understood what Madalasa was feeling and said to the prince, "I believe you. What you have told us must be true. If Madalasa is supposed to marry the one who will kill Patalketu, why would she lose her heart to you, both are different people? And the divine cow, Surabhi, will not say something which is not true. You must be the chosen one. You have wounded Patalketu and I am sure you will eventually kill him. Take Madalasa. Before the Daitya can come and forcibly marry her, you do the honours. Take her as your wife."
Ritadhvaja was wondering what to do. He wanted to consult his father. Was this right thing to do? Marry the Gandharva princess without consulting his family? When he was thinking, the Gandharva sage Tumburu arrived there. Kundala had summoned him and hearing that he was needed, Tumburu had arrived there. He heard everything and said it was fine to marry Madalasa. The prince gave his consent. Tumburu said he would perform the ritual of Gandharva marriage. He lit a fire and poured oblations into it and uttered some mantras, A quick marriage ceremony was performed. As soon as the ceremony was over, Tumburu blessed the couple and left.
Kundala's Parting Wisdom
Kundala knew she would have to leave now. Her role of taking care of Madalasa was over. She spoke to Madalasa and said, "You should be happy now. You have married the person who was destined to be your husband, who also happens to the same person whom you lost your heart to. I am happy that I was there with you and was able to hand you over to that person. My role here is now over. I shall leave this place and dedicate myself to penance. I plan to roam around and visit pilgrim sites. Doing so< i will wash off all my sins. I will then be free, purified and I will renounce the world."
She then turned to the prince who was listening to Kundala. To Ritadhvaja, she said, " You are a brave and wise prince. You have learnt from the best of sages. How can an elderly Gandharva woman give you advice? Yet, I feel attached to Madalasa. Having taken care of her and as her acting guardian, please listen to me. A husband should always care for and protect his wife. A true marriage is when both husband and wife uphold each other’s vows. Without a wife, a husband is incomplete. Likewise, without her husband, a woman too cannot fulfil her dharma. Through a wife, a man will have children which will carry his name forward. A woman without her husband cannot fulfil her destiny. It is only through becoming a couple that the goals of life can be achieved. I have shared what I wanted to. I have performed my duty and now I will take leave. May you prosper and have a great and meaningful life.
Preparing to Depart
Having said this, Kundala embraced Madalasa and bid her farewell. She then bowed down before the prince and bid him goodbye. She then closed her eyes and using her powers, she transported herself away from this world. Ritadhvaja then told Madalasa it was time to leave this world. Holding her hand, he brought her out of the room and the palace. Asking her to wait, he rushed down the stairs and fetched Kuvalaya. He then guided Madalasa and made her sit on the horse.
Confrontation
Just as Ritadhvaja was about to climb his horse, he was spotted by an asura. He shouted, "The woman who was brought here by Patalketu is being take away. "
Within moments an army of asuras and Daityas came there. Patalketu came there, leading the army. He recognized the prince as the one who had wounded him earlier. "Let the prince not leave this place alive. Ensure that no harm comes to the woman. Anything happens to her and I will kill you myself. This prince had tried to kill me earlier. Surround him. Let him not escape."
Daityas rushed forward brandishing their weapons. Ritadhvaja was ready. He shot arrows and killed many Daityas. Seeing this more Daityas rushed forward. The prince looked at Madalasa. She looked scared. There was no point delaying this any longer. He thought of a divine weapon that had been built by the architect Tvasta. The same Tvasta who created Vritra to kill Indra. The weapon came to him as soon as Ritadhvaja recited the mantras. As soon as the prince had nocked the weapon, it seemed to draw energy from the Daityas. Ritadhvaja released the weapon. Flames shot out and all the Daityas standing there were burnt to death, including Patalketu. With its target achieved, the weapon vanished. Lying there was a heap of ashes.
Return Home
Madalasa was still scared but knowing that Patalketu was dead, she tried to smile faintly.
Ritadhvaja got up on Kuvalaya. Kuvalaya leapt forward, soaring upward—carrying them back to earth. From there, the prince went back to his city, with newlywed.
People were very happy to see their prince after many days. They wondered who the woman was with. She was extremely beautiful and looked divine.
The king got the news that his son had arrived. He had been informed by sage Galava that the prince had left the ashram chasing Patalketu. He was happy that his son was back.
The King's Blessing
He heard what the prince had to say and then said. "My son, you have saved me. You helped the sages and upheld dharma. I had been told you were no ordinary boy, when you were born. You have proved that. You are an excellent one who has expanded the name of our family. You entered the world of the Daityas and killed them there. I am blessed as my name will be remembered because of your greatness. I bless you, my son. Let your prosperity never diminish. Always take of care of Madalasa. She has been brought to our world and she is your responsibility. Go ahead and begin your life with the beautiful Madalasa."
The young prince and his bride moved to their own palace. They lived a life of joy and righteousness. He would take breaks from the court and leave the city along with Madalasa and spend time with her. They would roam around in gardens, forests and nearby mountains. Madalasa was very happy in her new role as the wife of Ritadhvaja.
Philosophical Symbolism
Descent into Patala is the descent of the self into the unconscious. Just as the prince dives into the underworld to confront the Daitya, we must confront our own inner demons.
Kuvalaya is no ordinary steed. It represents the vehicle of discernment gifted by sage Galava to help the prince travel across worlds. It is symbolic of how divine guidance and mental purity allow us to journey across layers of existence—physical, mental, and spiritual.
The Daitya in the form of a wild boar is inverse of Varaha Avatara of Vishnu. Instead of saving the Earth, this creature drags Madalasa (purity) down into darkness. It represents lust, ego, and abduction of dharma.
Madalasa is Shakti, the inner joy, wisdom, and spiritual grace trapped by lower desires. Her liberation by Ritadhvaja is the union of the soul with inner wisdom.
The Gandharva marriage, performed without family consultation but sanctioned by sages and destiny shows that true relationships are not always arranged by society but often orchestrated by divine will.
Relevance in Today's World
Ritadhvaja is symbolic of a leader who is brave, disciplined and devoted to upholding righteousness.
The Daityas here are not just foes. In the psychological sense, they represent toxic mindsets, violent impulses, and manipulative forces that seek to abduct our inner peace (Madalasa).
Call to Action
This tale from the Markandeya Purana is a blueprint for living with purpose. As readers and seekers, we are called to:
- Uphold dharma, irrespective of results.
- Be vigilant. Protect people, ideals and traditions.
- Honour sacred love, rooted in virtue, and accept destiny.
- Balance power with compassion
- Balance leadership with spiritual insight.
Conclusion
Be like Ritadhvaja and lead life with clarity, courage, and compassion.
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