There was also a temple of Shiva on the shore of the lake, Kapinjala also saw a sage who worshipped Shiva in the temple. The sage lived only on dry leaves so that his physique resembled that of a skeleton. The lotuses that emerged from the teardrops were collected by the sage and offered to Shiva’s image. After these offerings were made, the sage danced and sang hymns in praise of Shiva. Then he sat down and cried.

“Father, what is this strange mystery?” asked Kapinjala. “Who is the beautiful woman and why does she cry? And who is the sage and why does he worship Shiva? Do you know the answers to these questions?”

“I do,” replied Kunjala.

Shiva and Parvati

Shiva and Parvati lived on Mount Kailasa. There was a beautiful grove known as nandanakanana and, one day, Parvati expressed a desire to visit that grove.

Shiva gladly took Parvati to the grove. The grove was full of all kinds of wonderous tress and Parvati admired them all. But there was one particular tree which seemed to be superior to all the others.

“What tree is this?” asked Parvati.

“This is known as a kalpavriksha,” replied Shiva. “That means that this tree will furnish whatever object one wishes for.”

“Is that really true?” said Parvati. “Let me try it out.”

Parvati wished that the tree might provide a beautiful woman. As soon as she expressed this wish, a beautiful woman emerged from the tree. She was so pretty that no description can do complete justice to her.

The woman paid her respects to Parvati and asked, “Why did you create me? What are your orders?’

“I had actually created you to satisfy my curiosity,” answered Parvati. “But now that you have been created, let me name you Ashokasundari. There will be a king named Nahusha who will be born in the lunar line. He will be your husband.”

Ashokasundari started to live in nandanakanana.

Hunda

There was a danava (demon) named Viprachitti and he had a son known as Hunda. Hunda happened to go to nandanakanana and meet Ashokasundari. He promptly fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. But Ashokasundari flatly refused to marry Hunda. She had been told by Parvati that King Nahusha would be her husband, and she would marry no other.

Hunda however was not one to give up so easily and he resorted to an artifice. Demons are skilled in the usage of maya (illusions). Through maya, demons could also transform themselves into some other form. Hunda adopted the form of a beautiful woman and appeared before Ashokasundari.