Vashishtha Secures Tapati as Wife for Samvarana
Consumed by love for the sun god's daughter Tapati, King Samvarana performs austerities and sends his preceptor, the sage Vashishtha, as an emissary to formally ask for her hand. Vashishtha's prestige and diplomacy succeed where the king's longing alone could not.
King Samvarana was possessed by love for Tapati, the daughter of the sun god. He performed austerities and worship, and then sent the great sage Vashishtha as his emissary to ask for her hand.
Vashishtha approached the sun god, who is also called Vibhavasu, Savitri, Divakara, and Tapana. The sage spoke on behalf of the king. “O Vibhavasu! On Samvarana’s behalf, I have come to ask you for your daughter Tapati, Savitri’s younger sister. He is a mighty king with great deeds. He is great-souled and is well versed in dharma and artha. O traveller in the sky! Samvarana is a fit husband for your daughter.”
Hearing these words, the sun god decided to give her. He saluted the Brahmana and said, “O sage! Samvarana is the best among kings and you are the best among rishis. Tapati is the best of women. Why give her somewhere else?” Thereupon, Tapana himself gave the unblemished and perfect Tapati to the great-souled Vashishtha, for Samvarana’s sake.
The maharshi accepted Tapati and, taking his leave, returned to where the bull among the Kurus waited. The king’s heart was fixed on her. He became extremely glad when he saw Vashishtha leading the divine maiden with the beautiful smile toward him. The illustrious rishi came to the king when he had completed the twelfth night of his vows.
Thus, Samvarana obtained his wife through his own austerities and worship, and through Vashishtha’s energy. That bull among men accepted Tapati’s hand on that supreme mountain, frequented by gods and gandharvas, in accordance with the prescribed rituals.