The Nagi Ratnaprabha listened to the king attentively and was silent after the king had finished.
Finally she nodded at the king. “Your dream would be relevant only when a child is born to you. I suggest that you go to the Skanda, the son of Lord Shiva and pray for a son.”
The king nodded and Ratnaprabha continued. “It is not easy to get a boon from Skanda. I will enter your body and give you inner strength when you face the trials imposed by Lord Skanda on you.”
The next day, the king went to his ministers and asked them to take care of the kingdom. After that the king went alone and performed severe penance.
The Nagi Ratnaprabha entered the king’s body.
As the king performed penance, rain fell on his like thunderbolts. But with the help of Ratnaprabha’s power, the king was able to withstand it.
Then a terrible serpent appeared before the king, but the king did not fear the snake and continued with the penance.
Then the serpent bit the king, but the king did not back away. The Nagi Ratnaprabha helped him counter the last attack.
The king continued with his penance and this time he even sang praises of Skanda.
Finally Lord Skanda appeared before the king. “You are a very resolute man.” The God told the king. “I am pleased with you. So ask me any boon that you want and I shall grant it to you.”
“I want a son born to me, a son should have your blessings.”
Skanda smiled at the king. “One of my Gana called Hiranyavarsha will be born on earth as your son.”
Skanda nodded at the happy king. “Come to my inner shrine now.”
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
No comments:
Post a Comment