Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1002

c4.1002

3) Rebirth of Aṣṭavasus. The Aṣṭavasus were pondering over the curse and were thinking of how to bear it without hardship when Gaṅgādevī appeared before them and they then appealed to her: "Devī, if you become the queen on earth of some noble King we shall be born as your sons and you must throw us into the river as soon as we are born". Gaṅgādevī accepted their request. Once there was a King called Pratīpa in the Candra dynasty. One day when this ascetic King was worshipping Sūrya on the banks of the river Gaṅgā a beautiful damsel arose from the waters and sat on the right thigh of the King. Surprised the King told her thus, "Oh beautiful maiden, who are you? Do you realise what unrighteous thing you have done? I am not one who goes after women and it was a bit daring of you to have taken me as a beau. Please understand that the right thigh is intended for a daughter and daughter-in-law. You can claim this right when you become the wife of my son." The beautiful girl was none other than Gaṅgādevī herself and she disappeared soon on receiving the rebuke.