Ashokasundari

Ashokasundari, also known as Bala Tripurasundari, is a Hindu goddess of beauty and luxury. She is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The story of Ashokasundari is mentioned in the Padma Purana. There are no other references to her in the Hindu scriptures. She is a lesser-known goddess and became popular after some episodes about her life in the popular Hindi TV series Devon Ke Dev Mahadev. She is mainly worshiped in Gujarat and South India.

The Meaning of the Name Ashokasundari:

The name Ashokasundari comprises of two words, viz. Ashoka and Sundari. Ashoka means sorrowless, and Sundari means a beautiful woman. Therefore, Ashokasundari literally means “a beautiful woman with no sorrows”.

The Story of Ashokasundari and Nahusha in the Padma Purana:

The story shown in the TV series Devon Ke Dev Mahadev is different from the one in the Padma Purana

Ashokasundari Curses Demon Hunda:

Once a demon named Hunda entered Nandanavana and saw Ashokasundari playing there. Mesmerized by her beauty, he proposed to marry her. Ashokasundari rejected his offer by saying that she was destined to marry Nahusha, who would be the king of heaven in the future. Even though Nahusha was not yet born, she considered herself his wife and hence told him to look for another woman.

Hunda then tried to convince and lure her into marrying him, but Ashokasundari was firm on her decision. Therefore, Hunda had to leave her for that time, but he did not abandon the thought of marrying her and decided to win her by trickery.

The next day, he assumed the form of a beautiful woman and returned to Ashokasundari. She (Hunda) spoke very sweetly and inquired about her. Ashokasundari did not recognize his disguise and told him everything about her. The lady then said, “O respectable lady, you are a loyal wife, you are engaged in good vows. Your character and behavior are good, your actions are pious, and you are a very chaste lady. O good lady, I am a loyal wife, and am devoted to my husband. I, a great chaste woman, am practicing penance for my husband. That wicked Huṇḍa also killed my husband. For his destruction, I am practicing severe penance. Come to my holy hermitage. I stay on the bank of the Ganges.”

Convinced by her words, Ashokasundari agreed to go with her. Hunda then brought her to his beautiful city which was full of palaces, pitchers, staffs, and chowries. When Ashokasundari inquired about the city, he revealed himself before her and again proposed to her for marriage. Shocked by the deceit, Ashokasundari got very angry and cursed him, “Formerly, I, who had practiced a severe penance with a desire for (obtaining) a groom, will again, desiring your destruction, practice a hard penance. I shall then go to my husband, when I shall see you, killed by the magnanimous Nahusha with sharp arrows like a thunderbolt and resembling serpents, (and see you) the sinner, fallen on the battlefield, with your hair loose, and with blood (oozing from your body).”

Then she practiced penance in a forest to bring about the death of Huṇḍa.

Nahusha Kills Hunda:

Then Lord Indra appeared there with other gods and gave him many divine weapons and a chariot. Nahusha then reached the city of Hunda, where Hunda was ready with his army to fight with him. Hunda was a brave warrior and put up a good fight against Nahusha but was killed in the end.

Nahusha Becomes A King:

Nahusha then went to Ashokasundari and took her to the hermitage of Vashishtha where they got officially married. They both then went to Ayu and Indumati who were over joyous after seeing them. King Ayu then consecrated Nahusha on his throne. Thus, Nahusha became a king.

Yayati, the ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas, was the son of Nahusha and Ashokasundari.

The Worship of Ashoka Sundari:

The worship of Ashokasundari is less common. She is mainly worshipped in the form of Bala Tripura Sundari, the daughter of the Mother Goddess Tripura Sundari and Lord Kameshwara (Lord Shiva), in South India. She is also worshipped in Gujarat in the month of Chaitra. There are many temples of Bala Tripura Sundari in South India.