Mohini asking Rugmangada to kill his own son Raja Ravi Varma Oil Paintings Picture Images Gallery

Mohini asking Rugmangada to kill his own son Raja Ravi Varma Painting

Background : The story of a devotee of Vishnu, his troubles with an enchantress and how his unwavering devotion finally pays off.

Rugmangada was a devotee of Lord Vishnu who strictly observed the Ekadasi (the 11th day from the full and the new moon) day, sacred to Vishnu. Jealousy overtakes the demigods and they decide to test Rugmangada. They send an enchantress, Mohini, to test Rugmangada. The play begins here.

The heavenly enchantress captivates the king with her beauty and promises to be his mistress if he will grant her all her desires. The king agrees to do so. It becomes the topic of conversation.

Then, on one ekadasi day, Mohini approaches Rugmangada and attempts to embrace him. Repulsed, she reminds him of his promise. But it is ekadasi day. For her nothing doing - promise is a promise. The only way she would release him from his promise is by Rugmangada killing his son, Dharmangada, while lying in his mother's lap. That too, without shedding a tear! Mohini is adamant and shows no mercy.

Dharmangada hears his father's plight. He appears at the scene, with his mother, Sandhyavali. He would gladly give up his life to let his father keep his promise. After much mental torture, Rugmangada decides that he would rather kill his son than break the observance of ekadasi. He raises his sword. At that point Vishnu appears and tells Rugmangada not to kill his son and that Mohini was a creation of Brahma to test his devotion. Mohini is dismissed, Dharmangada is crowned king and Vishnu takes Rugmangada to his abode, Vaikunta.