How Ashok Sundari was born, know the mysterious story related to it
The world knows of two sons of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, but you might be surprised to learn that Mother Parvati and Lord Shiva also had a daughter. While everyone is familiar with the stories of Kartikeya and Ganesha, fewer know of their sister, Ashok Sundari, mentioned in the Padma Purana. Devi Ashok Sundari is primarily worshipped in South India as Bala Tripurasundari. She was born from a wish-fulfilling tree, the Kalpavriksha.
Birth story of Ashok Sundari
Mother Parvati was a bit restless, eager for adventures, while Lord Shiva was known for his calmness and composure. The story goes that one day, Parvati insisted on a trip, challenging Shiva to accompany her. To fulfill his wife's wish, Lord Shiva took her to the Nandana forest. There, Mother Parvati became attached to a Kalpavriksha, a wish-granting tree. She brought it back to Kailash and planted it in a garden.
One day, while Lord Shiva was lost in meditation, Parvati, feeling lonely, wished for a daughter. Recalling the Kalpavriksha, she approached it and expressed her desire. The Kalpavriksha, fulfilling her wish, granted her a beautiful daughter, whom she named Ashok Sundari, meaning "beautiful one."
Ashok Sundari cursed Asura Hunda
Delighted, Mother Parvati bestowed a boon on her daughter: she would marry a prince as powerful as Indra. It was prophesied that Ashok Sundari would marry Nahusha, the grandson of Yayati. One day, while strolling in the Nandana forest with her friends, Ashok Sundari encountered a demon named Hunda, captivated by her beauty. He proposed marriage.
Marriage of Ashok Sundari
Ashok Sundari informed him of her betrothal to Nahusha. Enraged, Hunda imprisoned her and took her to his abode. Ashok Sundari, in turn, cursed him, decreeing that his demise would come at the hands of her husband. She returned to Mount Kailash. Hunda, meanwhile, kidnapped Nahusha, who was a child at the time.
A maid of Hunda's managed to rescue the prince, taking him to the hermitage of Rishi Vishisht for safekeeping. Years later, the prince grew into a formidable warrior. He vanquished Hunda, and with the blessings of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, he married Ashok Sundari. Later, she bore him valiant sons and beautiful daughters. Indra's arrogance led to his downfall, and Nahusha temporarily assumed his throne, only for Indra to reclaim it later.
