Ramakian Tales: Pra Ram meets Kumpala

Continued from "Nok Sadayu Saves Siidaa"
Kumpalayaksa
There Was a Yaksa Giant called Kumpala; Kumpalayaksa was cursed by Pra Isworn* to have only a torso, arms and head, but no legs. He had to stay motionless in the same place on the stump of his torso. His mouth was open wide and large as a cave, his eyes red and bright as the sun. His curse forced him to only be permitted to eat the animals which came within the reach of his arms.

Pra Ram Meets Kumpala
When the blazing heat of day lessened and the cool evening dusk arrived, Pra Ram and Pra Laks left the shade of the mangrove trees and stumbled into the reach of Kumpalayaksa's arms.
The hungry Asura** was delighted at this, as he had not eaten human flesh since a long time, and so thought to catch both of them and eat them. But however fearless and treacherous he might be, he was filled with a strange premonition that this was the Avatar (incarnation) of Pra Naray (Vishnu), born to raze the world of the Yaksa race. So he decided to ask a few questions first from the two Princes to determine if this was the case. "Who are you people?, where are you going?" he asked - "And why are you travelling through my Kingdom?, and why are you Princes ordained as Ruesi Hermits?".

Then Pra Ram told him of all the events that had come to pass and of Totsagan stealing the Lady Siidaa, and how he was on Totsagan's tail to retrieve his love and to kill him. He then asked Kumpala if Totsagan had passed by, which way Totsagan had gone. He also asked the way to Langka. In addition, Pra Ram enquired as to why Kumpala had only a body and no legs.

Once it was clear to see that Pra Ram was the Avatar of Pra Naray, Kumpala bowed in reverence to the two Princes, and introduced himself "I am Kumpalayaksa, and have been cursed by Pra Isworn" "I used to be the servant of Pra Isworn, but one day i was overcome with naughtiness and trapped and teased Nang Nilamalee." "When Pra Isworn heard of my deed, he was enraged and threw his chakra disc weapon and cut my body in half and cursed me to be trapped in this place and only be able to eat what i can catch within the reach of my hands".

Kumpala then told Pra Ram that Totsagan had flown past with Nang Siidaa in a Southwesterly direction and had returned to Langka.. Pra Ram asked for the directions to langka and how far it was. Kumpala answered that it was difficult to say how far due to the magical nature of it's location, but that however near or far it may be, that the way would be extreme and full of hardships. Kumpala told them that when they had reached the cities of Kheed Khin and Chompoo, they should ask the ruler of the two Vanora cities, Pali, for help. They would then recieve support from the monkey armies of both cities, enabling them to reach the city of Langka. Then Kumpala asked Pra Ram to help him to end his curse and be reborn as the servant of Pra Isworn once more.
Pra Ram felt sorry for Kumpala and thus rose his bow and Brahmasastra arrow and shot him; Kumpala died from the shot and his spirit was sent back to the heavens to serve Pra Isworn again.

*Pra Isworn is the Thai name for Shiva

**Yaksas are of the Asura classification of sentient beings in both the Buddhist and Hindu belief systems. There are 6 general realms of beings; 1.Hell beings 2. Hungry Ghosts (Petas), 3. Animals, 4. Humans, 5. Asuras (monsters) and 6. Heavenly beings (these are then subdivided into further sub-classifications, such as the Deva realm, the Brahma realm..)

Next Chapter - Asamukhee kidnaps Pra Laks >>>>>

Back to start