Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1018

c8.1018

At that time Muktāphalaketu went to see a Maharṣi named Tapodhana. Disregarding the objections of the disciple Dṛḍhavrata who stood guard outside the āśrama Muktāphalaketu entered the āśrama with his friend. Dṛḍhavrata followed them. When they entered the āśrama they found the āśrama empty and at once Dṛḍhavrata cursed them both to be born on earth as men. Padmāvatī fainted when she heard the news. When she regained her consciousness she started practising austerities sitting in a temple devoted to Gaurī, wife of Śiva. She meditated on her husband Muktāphalaketu in his life on earth and performed penance to propitiate Śiva. By the grace of Śiva Muktāphalaketu got his original life and he married Padmāvatī and led a happy married life. (Taraṅga 2, Padmāvatīlambaka, Kathāsaritsāgara.)