Who was Ashok Sundari- The daughter of Shiva & Parvati

Ashok Sundari's Birth

• Padma Purana details Ashok Sundari's birth. Mount Kailash was home to Shiva and Parvati. Parvati once wanted to wander in Nandanvan's jungle. Shiva and Parvati walked through nature, but one tree was Parvati's favorite. Shiva stated this is Kalpavriksha, a wish-fulfilling tree. Parvati expressed a desire to use it and wished that it would produce a lovely girl. Immediate fulfillment.


• Why did you make me? What's your request? Parvati created you out of curiosity. I'll call you Ashoka Sundari now that you've created it. In the future, during the lunar dynasty, a king by the name of Nahusha will be born; he will become your husband.


• Parvati and Shiva raised Ashok Sundari. Parvati loved the gorgeous girl.

Curse to Asura Hunda

• Ashok Sundari went to the woods to practice asceticism despite her mother's objections. Asura Hunda observed her and became obsessed with capturing her. Ashok Sundari declined to marry him because her parents had already wedded her to Nahusha. Asura couldn't accept the loss.


• Hunda sought to kidnap the girl by disguising him as a lady whose husband he'd killed and asking Ashok Sundari to follow her to her home. In incognito, the goddess visited Asura's palace. She discovered his treason, cursed Nahusha to kill him, and fled to Mount Kailash.

Marriage to Nahusha

• Asura Hunda attempted to kill young Nahusha. The prince's parents hid him in Vasishtha's ashram. He grew there. The plan worked. Hunda informs Ashoka Sundari he killed Nahusha.


• A married couple told the goddess that Nahusha will have a strong son called Yayati and 100 lovely daughters. Nahusha conquered Hunda in battle and wedded Ashok Sundari. Nahusha became Swarga's ruler in Indra's absence. Pride led to Indra's downfall. Nahusha temporarily took Indra's kingdom, which Indra later reclaimed.


• Yayati, the son of Ashok Sundari and Nahusha, founded the Yadava and Paurava dynasties, predecessors of the Mahabharata's Pandavas and Kauravas.

Nahusha

• Nahusha is monarch of the Aila Dynasty and 3,698,256 Senses in Hindu Scripts (position). Son of Ayu, Pururava's eldest son, and Prabha, Svarbhanu's daughter. Pratishthana was governed by Nahusha. He married Viraja/Ashok Sundari. Different Puranas list six or seven sons. Yati, his eldest, became a muni (hermit). Son Yayati succeeded him.


• After Indra's absence, Nahusha became Svarga's king. He got haughty and was deposed. While on Indra's throne, he attempted to seduce Indra's wife Indrani, earning him a serpent curse. Using Indra's palanquin, he escaped the curse. Sage Agastya found him and called him out. Nahusha fell as a serpent from the palanquin. Until he encounters Yudhishthira, he'll keep this form.


• In the Dvapara Yuga, while the Pandavas went on their last Himalayan trip, Bhima ate Nahusha in serpent form. Nahusha's blessing from Agastya makes him stronger than Bhima.


• Yudhishthira sought Bhima. He witnessed what was happening. Yudhishthira's ancestor Nahusha discloses his curse. Nahusha and Yudhishthira discuss Dharma. Nahusha teaches Yudhishthira from his mistakes. Nahusha is freed and travels to heaven. Bhima's strength returns.

Ashok Sundari's secrets

• During Shri Ganesha's beheading, Ashok Sundari hid behind a sack of salt, fearing her parents. Shiva later pacified her. Without salt, life is bland. Ashok Sundari is also named Okha, and Chaitra doesn't buy salt in her memory.


• Mata Parvati was happy to welcome her daughter, thus she wished Ashok Sundari would marry Devaraj Indra.


• Ashoka Sundari represents beauty and knowledge-born wants. Hunda represents wickedness and greed. Nahusha represents Yoga, justice, kindness, and courage.