[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1632 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1632 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1632 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1632](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1632) SATA-DHANU. A king who had a virtuous and discreet wife named Saibyā. They were both worshippers of Vishnu. One day they met a heretic, with whom Sata-dhanu conversed; but the wife “turned away from him and cast her eyes up to the sun.” After a time Sata-dhanu died and his wife ascended his funeral pile. The wife was born again as a princess with a knowledge of her previous existence, but the husband received the form of a dog. She recognised him in this form and placed the bridal garland on his neck. Then she reminded him of his previous existence and of the fault which had caused his degradation. He was greatly humiliated and died from a broken spirit. After that, he was born successively as a jackal, a wolf, a crow, and a peacock. In each form his wife recognised him, reminded him of his sin, and urged him to make efforts for restoration to his former dignity. At length “he was born as the son of a person of distinction,” and Saibyā then elected him as her bridegroom; and having “again invested him with the character of her husband, they lived happily together.” When he died she again followed him in death, and both “ascended beyond the sphere of Indra to the regions where all desires are for ever gratified.” “This legend,” says Wilson, “is peculiar to the Vishnu Purāna, although the doctrine it inculcates is to be found elsewhere. - [Previous: c5.1631](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1631) - [Next: c5.1633](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1633) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Cites (1) - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1632](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1632) · Pramāṇa