Ilvala

Ilvala () and Vatapi were rakshasas and brothers. Legend has it that both were vanquished by the sage Agastya.

Rakshasa

They ruled from Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, named after rakshasa king Vatapi. According to the Mahābhārata, Vatapi ruled the area along with Ilvala.

Once Ilvala hosted a tapasvi Brahmin with reverence and asked him to grant a boon. He desired to have a son equal to Indra. But the sage did not oblige. Following this, his anger turned to hatred against all Brahmins and mendicants. Ilvala and Vatapi took a grudge against all sages.

Vatapi knew the art of transformation and had the power to change into any life form. Ilvala knew the ‘Mritasanjivani’ mantra to bring back the dead. They used these powers to loot and kill. Ilvala invite a brahman to a feast and Vatapi would turn himself into a Goat.

The Bhagavata Purana mentions that Ilvala had a son named Balvala, who used to disturbed the sages present at Naimisha forest when the sages heard the narration of various Puranas from Sauti. Later, Balarama during his pilgrimage kills him.Bhagavata Purana Skandha X Chapter 78.38-40, 79.1-7, Motilal Bansaridass Publishers Book 4 pages 1747, 1748

Encounter with Agastya

Ilvala is said to have invited one of the Saptarishis, the great sage Agastya, and received him with reverence and honour. Vatapi transformed into a goat and was prepared as a meal and served to Agastya. Sage Agastya, with his divine power, understood the evil intention of his hosts and decided to put an end to their reign of terror. Agastya ate the mutton served to him. As soon as the sage finished eating, Ilvala called,"Vatapi atragacha" (Vatapi come here). Immediately, Agastya passed his right hand over his stomach and said,"Vatapi Jeernobhava" (Vatapi got digested). Vatapi could not come out of Agastya's stomach, and that was the end of the demon. Ilvala was terrified. He kept shouting, "Vatapi atragacha", but to no avail. Agastya then said, "Oh, you wicked Ilvala, you wanted to kill me, but your brother Vatapi cannot come out! He is already digested". Ilvala decided to avenge Vatapi's death at the hands of the great sage and attacked Agastya. With the power of his ''tapas'' ( penance), Agastya reduced Ilvala to ashes.

This incident is believed to have occurred in the southernmost state of Tamil Nade, in a place called Konnur. The present-day name of the place has been changed to Villivakkam in Chennai. And the burnt place is Kolathur in Chennai. Both places have Shiva temples constructed by Agastya.

In Villivakkam Sage Agastya is said to have built a Shiva temple, called Arulmigu Sri Agatheeswarar Temple, to forgo his pavam and started his tapasya or penance for lord shiva. And after his long penance, lord Shiva is said to have appeared before him in the Tamil month of Aadi, called Aashada in Sanskrit, on the first Tuesday. After that, he is said to have received the blessings of lord Shiva, and all his sins were cleansed. This place is considered to be one of the oldest and most important Shiva temples in Chennai. People from across India visit this temple in Villivakkam during the month of Aadi/Aashada to pay respects to the sage and the god.

References

{{HinduMythology

Rakshasa
Danavas