Śatadhanu
SATADHANU.
[Source:
Dowson's Classical Dictionary
of Hindu Mythology] A king
who had a virtuous and discreet wife named Saibya. They were both worshippers
of Vishnu. One day they met a heretic, with whom Satadhanu conversed;
but the wife "turned away from him and cast her eyes up to the sun." After
a time Satadhanu and his wife ascended his funeral pile. The wife was born
again as a princess with a knowledge of her previous existence, but the husband
received the form of a dog. She recognized him in this form and placed the
bridal garland on his neck. Then she reminded him of his previous existence
and of the fault which had caused his degradation. He was greatly humiliated
and died from a broken spirit. After that, he was born successively as a jackal,
a wolf, a crow, and a peacock. In each form his wife recognized him, reminded
him of his sin, and urged him to make efforts for restoration to his former
dignity. At length, "he was born as the son of a person of distinction," and
Saibya then elected him as her bridegroom; and having "again invested him with
the character of her husband, they lived happily together." When he died she
again followed him in death, and both "ascended beyond the sphere of Indra
to the regions where all desires are for ever gratified." "This legend," says
Wilson, "is peculiar to the Vishnu Purana, although the doctrine it inculcates
is to be found elsewhere.
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Modern
Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics. Laura Gibbs, Ph.D.
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October 16, 2007 12:22 PM
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