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| In the Rigveda we find a dialogue between Pururavas and Urvashi, however, the other particulars of the legend are summarily put together from other sources such as Brhaddevata (7.147-152) and puranic references. <blockquote>पुरुरवसि राजर्षाव् अप्सरास्तूर्वशो पुरा । न्यवसत्संविदं कृत्वा तस्मिन्धर्मं चचार च ॥१४७॥ (Brhd. Deva. 7.147) </blockquote>In ancient times, Urvashi the celestial dancer lived with Pururava, the Rajarshi, faithfully following the rules of the world. Indra became jealous that Urvashi, leaving the Devaloka, was leading a happy life with Pururava. He was also afraid that Brahma liked Pururava and Indra equally. Indra sent Vajra to break up the happy couple. Vajra using his maya successfully separates the Rajarshi and Urvashi. Mad in her love Pururava wanders in search of Urvashi. Soon he finds her near a lake with five other damsels and implores her to return to the palace with him. Here they have a conversation where Urvashi refuses to return along with him and asks him not to have any faith in women.<ref name=":0" /> | | In the Rigveda we find a dialogue between Pururavas and Urvashi, however, the other particulars of the legend are summarily put together from other sources such as Brhaddevata (7.147-152) and puranic references. <blockquote>पुरुरवसि राजर्षाव् अप्सरास्तूर्वशो पुरा । न्यवसत्संविदं कृत्वा तस्मिन्धर्मं चचार च ॥१४७॥ (Brhd. Deva. 7.147) </blockquote>In ancient times, Urvashi the celestial dancer lived with Pururava, the Rajarshi, faithfully following the rules of the world. Indra became jealous that Urvashi, leaving the Devaloka, was leading a happy life with Pururava. He was also afraid that Brahma liked Pururava and Indra equally. Indra sent Vajra to break up the happy couple. Vajra using his maya successfully separates the Rajarshi and Urvashi. Mad in her love Pururava wanders in search of Urvashi. Soon he finds her near a lake with five other damsels and implores her to return to the palace with him. Here they have a conversation where Urvashi refuses to return along with him and asks him not to have any faith in women.<ref name=":0" /> |
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− | According to Puranic references, Urvashi was once cursed, "Go and be born on the earth." It is stated in the Devi Bhagavata that it was Brahma who cursed Urvashi and in Bhagavata it was the Mitravaruna who cursed her. Urvashi had heard about the fame of Pururava and had felt love for him. Pururava asked her to be his wife. However, she laid down the conditions that he has to take care of her two lambs and never appear naked except during their union. As they spent their time happily, Indra started to notice her absence in the Devaloka. He sent Gandharvas to bring her back to Devaloka. The Gandharvas stole the two lambs and while the Raja was in the harem with Urvashi. She heard the lamb cries and reviled Pururava for not capable of taking care of them. Hearing these words he stood up in anguish forgetting his nudity. At that time, the Gandharvas flashed the lightning such that Urvashi saw him nude. Achieving their cause, the Gandharvas left the lambs. As her conditions were not kept, Urvashi leaves Pururava to go back to Devaloka. After wandering all over the country, Pururava finds her at Kurukshetra. He asks her to return to the palace. Seeing his grief Urvashi tells him to worship the Gandharvas. She asks him to return to the same place and that she will give him his child. After one year, Urvashi gave him a beautiful child and vanished. According to Kathasaritsagar, Pururavas was also cursed by Tumburu to suffer from the pangs of separation from Urvashi.<ref name=":0" /> | + | According to Puranic references, Urvashi was once cursed, "Go and be born on the earth." It is stated in the Devi Bhagavata that it was Brahma who cursed Urvashi and in Bhagavata it was the Mitravaruna who cursed her. Urvashi had heard about the fame of Pururava and had felt love for him. Pururava asked her to be his wife. However, she laid down the conditions that he has to take care of her two lambs and never appear naked except during their union. As they spent their time happily, Indra started to notice her absence in the Devaloka. He sent Gandharvas to bring her back to Devaloka. The Gandharvas stole the two lambs and while the Raja was in the harem with Urvashi. She heard the lamb cries and reviled Pururava for not capable of taking care of them. Hearing these words he stood up in anguish forgetting his nudity. At that time, the Gandharvas flashed the lightning such that Urvashi saw him nude. Achieving their cause, the Gandharvas left the lambs. As her conditions were not kept, Urvashi leaves Pururava to go back to Devaloka. After wandering all over the country, Pururava finds her at Kurukshetra. He asks her to return to the palace. Seeing his grief Urvashi tells him to worship the Gandharvas. She asks him to return to the same place and that she will give him his child. After one year, Urvashi gave him a beautiful child and vanished. According to Kathasaritsagar, Pururavas was also cursed by Tumburu to suffer from the pangs of separation from Urvashi.<ref name=":0" /> |
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| == Pururava and Urvashi Samvada == | | == Pururava and Urvashi Samvada == |
− | In the Rigveda, Mandala 10, Sukta 95, the dialogue between Pururava and Urvashi is given in 18 mantras. Rshi and devata for these mantras are Pururava and Urvashi, and the Chandas is trishtup. | + | In the Rigveda, Mandala 10, Sukta 95, the dialogue between Pururava and Urvashi is given in 18 mantras. Rshi and devata for these mantras are Pururava and Urvashi, and the Chandas is trishtup. It should be noted that none of the above given particulars of the legend are adverted to except the past cohabitation of the Raja and Apsara in this Sukta. |
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| + | Pururava: O heartless lady! generate affection in your heart for me. Let us engage in a discourse. If we keep silence at this time both of us cannot be happy in the future. |
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| + | Urvashi: O Pururava! We cannot accomplish anything through such discourse. I am as hard to hold as Vayu. I swiftly passed away from you like Ushas (dawn). Return to your palace. |
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| + | Pururava: O Urvashi ! I am distressed due to separation from you so much so that I am unable to cast even an arrow from my quiver. I am no longer able to fight in the battlefield to bring home an uncountable number of cows. I have deviated from the duties of a Raja and hence even my warriors no longer have any work. |
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| + | Urvashi says that she feared no competition from any co-wives as she was fully satisfied with his company at all times. |
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| === Esoteric Meaning === | | === Esoteric Meaning === |