The childless Ramba and Karamba, sons of Danu Asura, started performing penance to please Agni, the God of Fire, at Panchanadha to obtain progeny. Ramba meditated in the midst of fire and Karamba in water.

The devas, afraid they would succeed, had Indra assume the form of a crocodile and kill Karamba. Grief-stricken Ramba decided to end his life, but Lord Agni emerged and offered a boon: "You will have a son endowed with the qualities requested, through the first female you desire."

Ramba, devastated by his brother's loss, decided to procreate with the first living being he encountered—a she-buffalo where yakshas resided. He took the form of a male buffalo and copulated with it. This buffalo became jealous and fought him, but Ramba did not fight back and succumbed to peaceful death, having inseminated his offspring.

To understand who Mahishi is, we must trace her origins back to the previous birth of Mahishimukhi—through the incarnations of Datta and Leelavati.

Indra, having regained his power, grew arrogant and attempted to lay siege to Mount Kailasa. Enraged, Nandikesvara struck him down and the asuras invaded Swarga.

Lord Shiva summoned Sage Durvasa to humble Indra. Durvasa encountered a celestial nymph who offered him a garland blessed by Parashakti. Carrying this sacred garland, Durvasa presented it to Indra. However, Indra, blinded by arrogance, disrespected the divine gift.

Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to lose their divine powers and become ordinary beings. Seizing this opportunity, the asuras captured Amaravati.

Sage Narada arrived at Kailasa and narrated the events following the churning of the Ocean of Milk, including the emergence of Mohini. Hearing this, Mahadeva, accompanied by Parvati, went to the Ocean of Milk to congratulate Mahavishnu.

During their visit, Shiva expressed a desire to behold Vishnu's enchanting form as Mohini. Lord Vishnu suddenly disappeared, and the surroundings transformed into a beautiful garden filled with fragrant blossoms.

At that divine moment, the energies of Lord Shiva and Mohini united, giving rise to a self-manifested, wondrous child, bliss personified and radiant with divine effulgence. Thus, Sree Bhuthanadha manifested—this child was destined to be the protector of dharma, the fulfiller of divine purpose, and the culmination of great austerities.

Adored by His parents, Parvati and Parameshwara, and lovingly cherished by His brothers Ganapati and Subrahmanya, He was devoutly worshipped by ganas such as Nandi and Bhringi. Lord Shiva Himself became His Guru and instructed Him in the Vedas, Agamas, and all arts and sciences.

One day, Lord Shiva summoned Sastha and said:

"The slaying of Mahishi and the granting of moksha to her is one of the foremost purposes of your avatara. Having conquered the three worlds, Mahishi has laid siege to heaven. Only you possess the power to bring about her end. Proceed to the Matanga forest in the southern region. Assume the form of an infant, lie upon the ground, and cry aloud. King Rajashekhara of Padmadala will find you and raise you as his son. At age twelve, circumstances will arise for you to slay Mahishi."

After bidding farewell to all, Sastha worshipped Akasha Ganga and said:

"O divine Ganga, you are another form of my mother. I request you to assume the role of my mother and nurture me."

Akasha Ganga replied:

"A portion (amsa) of mine flows on earth as the sacred river Pampa in the southern region. Descend into that holy stream and manifest yourself there as an infant. I shall care for you as my own son."

Thus, Dharma Sastha descended to earth through the flow of the Ganga and manifested Himself in the Matanga forest, on the banks of the sacred Pampa river, assuming the form of a divine child. He lay upon the ground and began to cry, while gandharvas, ascetics, and bhutas joyfully gathered and paid homage to the Lord.

King Rajashekhara of Padmadalapura, while on a hunting expedition, reached the banks of the sacred Pampa river. There, he heard the cry of an infant. Drawn by compassion, he discovered the divine child.

Overcome with wonder and devotion, he took the child back to his kingdom and raised Him as his own son. As Manikantan, also revered as Ayyappan, grew and attained the age of twelve, a situation arose.

The queen, feigning severe illness, claimed that only the milk of a tigress could cure her condition. Accepting this as his duty, Manikantan set out into the forest. During this divine mission, He fulfilled the true purpose of His avatara—the slaying of Mahishi. By destroying her, He relieved the suffering of all the worlds and restored cosmic balance.