Shunashepa sold for sacrifice

Classical

A boy saved from human sacrifice by the Rig Vedic hymns his uncle taught him.

King Ambarisha's ritual animal is stolen by Indra; priests say a human substitute will do. Ambarisha offers a hundred thousand cows and riches to sage Ricika for one son. Ricika refuses the eldest, his wife the youngest, so the middle son Shunashepa offers himself. Tied to the post, he chants two hymns taught by his uncle Vishvamitra to Indra and Upendra; the gods are pleased and Indra grants long life.

Who: Shunashepa, Ambarisha, Ricika, Vishvamitra, Indra

Bound to

Vishvamitra covets Vashishtha's wish-cow Shabala mirror

Places: Pushkar (traditional)

Where this comes from

valmiki · Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (valmikiramayan.net translation) sargas 61-62
valmiki · Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (valmikiramayan.net translation) sarga 62

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