Saudasa

Quick Facts

About Saudasa

Kalmashapada of the Ikshvaku line, king of Kosala, cursed on a narrow forest path into the life of a man-eater and made in that shape to devour all hundred sons of Vasishtha. Utanka met him in a deserted wood, bearded and smeared with human blood, and bargained a stay of his own execution out of him in exchange for the jewelled earrings his queen Madayanti wore. The king kept the bargain exactly, sent Utanka to her with a token, and went back to his curse.

In Their Words

Ask her in my name and she will give them. I may not look upon her at this hour.

Saudasa

Traits

• cursed
• kingly
• truthful
• wretched

Story Appearances

• The King Who Became a DemonThe king who became a demon❧ 10 min
• The Earrings of MadayantiThe man-eater who kept his word❧ 19 min

Stories Featuring Saudasa

One further tale on this site names Saudasa.

• The Princes the Earth HidWhat was left of the Kshatriyas after the axeShanti Parva ‧ 17 min

Character Arc

1. 1The Narrow PathA blow given on the road, and a curse taken up
2. 2The Hundred SonsVasishtha's line eaten by a king wearing a demon's shape
3. 3The Earrings GrantedA cannibal keeping faith with a brahmana who asked

Key Relationships

• Husband➝Madayanti
• Devourer of his sons➝Vashishtha
• Benefactor➝Utanka
• Father➝Asmaka

Places in Saudasa's Story

Drawn from the stories Saudasa appears in.

• Forest Hermitageवन आश्रम
• Kosalaकोसल
• Nagalokaनागलोक
• Kurukshetraकुरुक्षेत्र
• Surparakaशूर्पारक
• Kshira Sagaraक्षीरसागर
• Banks of the Gangaगङ्गा तट

Related Characters

Others counted among the Sages & Others.

• ✦Sage Kanva
• ◎Eklavya
• ★Shukracharya
• ♛Vrishaparva
• ♛Yadu
• ✧Princess Amba