Durvasa grants Kunti a mantra for summoning gods
As a young girl in her father's house, Kunti serves the formidable sage Durvasa with perfect devotion. Pleased, and foreseeing a future distress, the sage gives her a secret mantra that can summon any god to grant her a son.
Her name was Pritha, and her beauty was matchless on earth. She was the daughter of Shura, chief of the Yadus, but had been given as a favour to his childless cousin, King Kuntibhoja, to raise. In her father’s house, she was appointed to honour the gods and guests.
One day, the sage Durvasa came. He was fearsome, rigid in his vows, and learned in the secret mysteries of dharma. Kunti was tasked with attending to him. She did so in every way, with a devotion that was flawless and complete. She pleased the self-controlled sage.
Durvasa possessed foresight. Through it, he knew this girl would one day face the dharma that is indicated for times of distress — a time of need and difficulty. Moved by her service and seeing her future, he decided to give her a means to navigate it.
He gave her a mantra. He told her, "Whichever gods you summon through the use of this mantra, will grant you sons through their grace."
Having been told this by the Brahmana, Kunti was left alone with the secret knowledge, and with a growing curiosity.