Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.904

c5.904

2) Reign and Birth of Son. Dilīpa is counted as one of the noblest kings. His reign was extremely popular. But even after a long period of married life; he had no issue. His queen was Sudakṣiṇā, the princess of Magadha. In order to get Vasiṣṭha’s advice, Dilīpa and Sudakṣiṇā went to the sage’s āśrama. After hearing about their grievance, Vasiṣṭha meditated for a little while and described why the royal couple were not blessed with children:—“Long ago, Dilīpa had paid a visit to Indra. While returning after the visit, he passed by Kāmadhenu who was lying under the shade of Kalpavṛkṣa. He paid no heed to her, as he did not see her. The divine cow (Kāmadhenu) took this as a personal slight to her and cursed the King that he would not have children until he served and propitiated her daughter, Nandini. Neither the King nor his charioteer was aware of the curse. Kāmadhenu has now gone to Pātāla (underworld) to attend a sacrifice of Varuṇa. Therefore Dilīpa and his queen should attend on and propitiate her daughter, Nandini.”