Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.749

c8.749

At that time, one day, an Apsarā woman, Madhurā, after observing Somavāra Vrata, came to Śiva and did obeisance to him. Pārvatī was not at home at the moment. Fascinated by Madhurā's charm, Śiva embraced her. Pārvatī who came to know of it, cursed Madhurā and turned her into a frog. But she said that after twelve years, the curse would be lifted and she would become a woman again. It was in a well near the place where Maya and Hemā were performing tapas that Madhurā fell as frog. After twelve years, the frog recovered her former shape as a woman. At that time Maya saw her, and taking her to be the daughter given to him by Śiva, took her with him to his palace. He gave her the name "Mandodarī". It was this "Mandodarī" whom Rāvaṇa married later.