page_title: Kalmashapada
section_title: Shakti's curse
hierarchical_section_title: Kalmashapada / The curse / Shakti's curse
caption_attribution_description: English: Author: Ramanarayanadatta astri Volume: 1 Publisher: [Gorakhpur Geeta Press] Possible copyright status: NOT_IN_COPYRIGHT Language: Hindi Call number: AAO-3248 Digitizing sponsor: University of Toronto Book contributor: Robarts - University of Toronto Collection: robarts; toronto Full catalog record: MARCXML [Open Library icon]This book has an editable web page on Open Library.
context_page_description: In Hindu mythology, Kalmashapada, also known as Saudasa, Mitrasaha, Amitrasaha and Kalmashanghri, was a king of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who was cursed to be a rakshasa by the sage Vashishtha. He is described as an ancestor of Rama, the avatar of the god Vishnu and the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Many texts narrate how Kalmashapada was cursed to die if he had intercourse with his queen, so he obtained a son from Vashishtha by niyoga, an ancient tradition whereby a husband can nominate another man to impregnate his wife. Kalmashapada's story is narrated in various works including the classic epic poems Mahabharata and Ramayana, and the Puranas.
context_section_description: The Mahabharata narrates: Once, Kalmashapada was roaming the forest for hunting. He encounters the sage Vashishtha's eldest son 
  Shakti on a narrow path. As a kshatriya (member of the ruler class), Kalmashapada does not make way for Shakti, a brahmin (priestly class). Nevertheless, Shakti refuses to budge. Finally, an enraged Kalmashapada hits Shakti with his whip. In turn, the sage curses the king to wander the forest for 16 years. The sage Vishwamitra, the arch-enemy of Vashishtha who desires to have Kalmashapada as his disciple, sends a rakshasa to possess the king's body. Vishwamitra plots to destroy his enemy's family with the help of the king. Under the influence of the rakshasa, the king serves human flesh to a Brahmin, who sets vasishta's curse into effect. The king turns into a cannibalistic rakshasa.
caption: Shakti curses Kalmashapada (right). Scene from the Mahabharata.
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