[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.3605 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3605 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.3605 - **Language:** English ### [c9.3605](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3605) 2) \*The reason for the curse of the eight Vasus.\* Once the Aṣṭavasus (Vasus eight in number) came to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, with their wives. The wife of Dyau, one of the Aṣṭavasus, saw the cow ‘Nandinī’ in the hermitage. She and the daughter of Uśīnara were intimate friends. She wanted to get Nandinī, so that she might give it as a present to the daughter of Uśīnara. According to her wish the Aṣṭavasus caught hold of the cow and took her home. At that time Vasiṣṭha had been away. When he returned, he knew about the theft of the cow and cursed the Aṣṭavasus to take birth in the wombs of women on earth. It was according to this curse that the Aṣṭavasus took birth in Gaṅgādevī the wife of Śantanu. See under Bhīṣma. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 2). - [Previous: c9.3604](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3604) - [Next: c9.3606](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3606) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Linked texts (1) - [Devībhāgavatapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.upa.sakta.devibhagavata) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3605](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.3605) · Pramāṇa