The Tale of Sunda and Upasunda

Once upon a time, there were two mighty demon brothers, Sunda and Upasunda, who were as close as brothers could be. United in their ambition and power, they unleashed terror upon the world, bringing chaos and destruction wherever they went. Such was the devastation they caused that the gods themselves grew concerned.

Brahma, the creator, realized that these brothers could only be defeated by a power greater than their bond. So, he devised a plan with the help of Vishwakarma, the divine architect. Together, they decided to create a woman of such mesmerizing beauty that she would capture the hearts of both brothers and cause a rift between them.

Thus, the stunningly beautiful Tilottama was created. Her charm was so powerful that even the gods were captivated by her radiance. When she appeared before Sunda and Upasunda, both brothers immediately fell deeply in love with her. They each desired her for themselves and refused to yield to the other.

Fueled by their infatuation and blinded by jealousy, the two brothers began to quarrel fiercely. Their once unbreakable bond shattered as they drew weapons against each other, determined to win Tilottama’s hand. In the end, the brothers killed each other in their frenzied fight, fulfilling the curse that they would meet their doom by each other’s hand.

With the death of Sunda and Upasunda, peace was restored, and the world was free from their tyranny. Tilottama returned to the heavens, her beauty serving as a reminder of the power of desire and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

**Moral of the Story:** Uncontrolled desire and jealousy can destroy even the strongest bonds. When one’s ambitions lead to greed and conflict, it often brings about one’s own downfall. The tale of Sunda and Upasunda serves as a warning against allowing desires to overcome loyalty and wisdom.