Long, Long ago in one of the forests of southern India lived an Asura named “Vatapi”, along with his brother, “Ilvava”. The asura, Vatapi was endowed with a unique ability to magically transform into any other living form.
The brothers were notorious for entrapping unsuspecting travellers into their den, luring them with the pretext of serving lunch. The hungry travellers, who were passing through the thick forest were easy prey and would often agree to the asura’s proposals, with a hope of some food and relaxation.
Vatapi, using his skills would magically transform himself into a goat. His brother Ilvava would offer the meat of the goat for lunch. However, when the travellers would have eaten the meat, Ilvava would call out to his brother, “Vatapi, please come out”. Upon hearing these words, Vatapi would return to his original form and would come out tearing open the belly and thus killing the traveller in the process. The asura brothers killed several travellers this way and had thus instilled terror in the minds of the people of this kingdom.
This happened for several years until one day, the renowned Sage Agastya was passing through the same forest. As always Ilvava tried to lure the sage into their hut with a promise of food and some rest. The Sage, however was no ordinary man and immediately saw through their false narrative. He however went with Ilvava to their place. Like all the other occasions, he was offered the meat of the goat, which was nothing but Vatapi in disguise. Sage Agastya consumed the meat that was offered and before Ilvava could say anything, he stroked his belly and muttered “Vatapi Jeernobhava”. With these words Vatapi was immediately digested and could no longer be revived. The Sage, with his yogic powers had put an end to the tyranny of the asura brothers and thus brought back peace to the forest & the kingdom.
In later years the kingdom prospered under the rule of the Chalukyas and the place was later renamed as Vatapi. The temple of Lord Ganesha in this town of Vatapi later gained prominence. The deity also became the subject of a song composed by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, titled “Vatapi Ganapatim”. The song is one of Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s most prominent compositions and is very frequently sung at Carnatic music performances (Read: The Significance of Vatapi Ganapati)