A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2132

c5.2132

The Māha-bhārata and the Rāmāyana tell the story of Viswāmitra’s amour with Menakā. His austerities had so alarmed the gods that Indra sent this Apsaras to seduce Viswāmitra “by the display of her charms and the exercise of all her allurements.” She succeeded, and the result was the birth of Sakuntalā. Viswāmitra at length became ashamed of his passion, and “dismissing the nymph with gentle accents, he retired to the northern mountains, where he practised severe austerities for a thousand years.” He is said also to have had an amour with the nymph Rambhā.