Alambayana
alambayana; Originally the name of a spell taught to an ascetic by a Garuda king who had unwittingly torn up by its roots a banyan tree which grew at the end of the ascetics walk.
The ascetic taught it to a poor brahmin of Benares who had gone into the forest to escape his creditors and who ministered to the ascetic.
The brahmin became known as Alambayana after he learnt the spell.
Having learnt it he left the forest and was walking along the banks of the Yamuna, when he came across a host of Nagas, sitting, after their sports, round the Naga gem which grants all desires.
The Nagas, hearing the man repeat the charm, fled in terror, believing him to be the Garuda, and he took possession of their jewel.
Soon after, Alambayana met an outcast brahmin with his son, Somadatta, and on their agreeing to show him the Naga King, Bhuridatta, he gave them the jewel.
With the help of his spell Alambayana tamed Bhuridatta and went about giving exhibitions of the Nagas skill.
Bhuridatta was finally rescued by his brother Sudassana and his sister Accimukhi.
In the contest of skill which Alambayana had with Sudassana, Accimukhi assumed the form of a frog and let drip three drops of poison on her brothers hand, and these were allowed to fall into a hole specially prepared and filled with cow dung.
A flame burst out and Alambayana was smitten with the heat.
His skin changed colour and he became a white leper.
The story is told in the Bhuridatta Jataka (J.vi.179-97).
The name Alambayana appears also as Alambana and as Alamba.
