Vishnupurana 5.28.p6

5.28.p6

"In ancient time, a Brāhman, named Ashtāvakra, was pursuing his religious penances, standing in water and meditating on the eternal spirit for many years. On account of the overthrow of the Asuras there was a great festival on the summit of Meru; on their way to which Rambhā, Tilottamā and hundreds of other beautiful nymphs praised and hymned him for his devotions. They bowed unto him and eulogised him when he was immersed in water up to his throat, his hair twisted in a braid. They sang in honour of him whatever they thought would be agreeable to that most eminent of Brāhmanas. Ashtāvakra at last said to them:—'I am well pleased with you, illustrious damsels; ask of me whatever you wish and I will give it however difficult it may be of attainment'. Thereupon all these nymphs, Rambhā, Tillottamā and others mentioned in the Vedas, replied:—'It is enough for us that thou art pleased, what else need we say, O Brāhman?' But some amongst them said:—'If you are indeed pleased with us, O illustrious sire, thou grant us a husband, the best of men and sovereign of Brāhmanas'. Thereupon saying 'so be it,' Ashtāvakra came up from the waters. When the nymphs observed him coming out of the water and saw that he was very ugly and crooked in eight places they could not restrain their merriment and laughed aloud. The Muni was very angry and imprecated them with a curse, saying 'Since you have been so impertinent as to laugh at my deformity, I denounce upon you this curse; through the favour I have shown unto you, you shall obtain the first of males for your husband; and on account of my curse, you shall afterwards fall into the hands of thieves'. When the nymphs heard this imprecation they tried to appease the Muni, and they so far succeeded that he told them that they should finally go to the region of the celestials. It is on account of the curse of the ascetic Ashtāvakra that these women, who were the wives of Kesava, have fallen into the hands of the barbarians; and there is nothing for you, Arjuna to regret it in the least. All this destruction has been brought about by the lord of all, and your end is also near at hand, since he has withdrawn from your strength, splendour, valour and pre-eminence. Death is the doom of every one who is born; fall is the end of exhaltation; union terminates in separation and growth tends only to decay. Knowing all this, wise men are neither subject to grief nor joy; and those who know these ways are equally free from pleasure or joy. Do you therefore, most excellent prince, understand this truth and along with your brothers relinquish everything and repair to the holy forest. Go now and say from me to Yudhishthira that he, to-morrow with his brethren, will tread the path of heroes".