When Revati fell from heaven:

When Revati fell from heaven – Long, long ago there lived a sage named Ritavak. He was childless for a long time. When he was blessed with a son finally, Ritavak was overjoyed. But his happiness was short-lived. Despite all his teachings, his son grew up to be a good-for-nothing fellow – lazy and unprincipled and wicked. Unfortunately, after his birth, his family suffered several misfortunes. His wife caught an incurable and painful disease, and the sage suffered from a variety of ailments.

Sage Ritavak was unhappy and puzzled. He went to Sage Garg for advice.

When Revati fell from heaven

“What do you think could be the reason for all these things happening to me? I can’t think of any wrong that I have committed to deserve such unhappiness.

Sage Garg closed his eyes and meditated silently for a while.

“Your suffering is not due to any of your actions, Ritavak. It is because your son was born under an unlucky star, Revati.”

“But that was not my fault! What can I do to save the situation?” cried Ritavak.

‘It’s very unfortunate is all I can say,” said Garg.

“A mere still has no right to ruin my life,” said Riravak. “especially when I have done nothing to deserve this.”

Ritavak was seething with rage. He cursed Revati. The unlucky star to fall down from the sky. Ritavak was great sage so his curse carried tremendous power Revati fell from the sky and landed on top of the Kumud mountain. Its light lit up the entire mountainside and all the forests, caves, rocks and waterfalls around it. Part of the light rolled down to the valley below and turned into a crystal-clear lake. A beautiful girl was born from the water of the crystal lake.

Sage Pramucha, who had his hermitage in the Kumud valley, discovered the baby girl. Surprised to see so much light all of a sudden, he went to the mountainside to see what had happened. When he saw the baby lying on the bank of the newly created lake, he took her home. The sage brought up the child like his own daughter and named her ‘Revati’ after the fallen star.

Revati grew up to be a radiantly beautiful girl. Pramucha loved her dearly and was worried about where he would find her a worthy husband. He could think of no one who seemed good enough for her. Finally, he put the question to Agni, the fire god.

‘Do not worry about Revati, Pramucha,” said Agni. “The great King Durgam, who is perfect in every way, will come to your hermitage some day and will marry her. Wait patiently for the day and all will be well.”

Pramucha was very happy and returned home.

A few days later King Durgam was out on a hunting trip. He was passing that way and decided to drop in at Sage Pramucha’s hermitage, just as Agni had predicted. Revati was picking flowers in the garden when he arrived. “Is Sage Pramucha in?” Durgam asked Revati. “I would like to pay him my respects.”

“Please wait, and I shall tell Father that you are here,” said Revati.

“Are you Sage Pramucha’s daughter?” asked Durgam, struck by her radiant beauty.

“Yes, I am,” replied Revati and she went inside the cottage.

Pramucha had heard them talking and came out at once. His joy knew no bounds when he discovered that it was none other than King Durgam himself. He called Gautam, his chief disciple, and said, “Gautam, arrange for a special welcome ritual. King Durgam is not just my guest today; he is also my future son-in-law. So I must welcome him properly.”

King Durgam was astonished at Pramucha’s words. He touched the sage’s feet and said, “My Lord, what did you mean by saying that I am your future son-in-law? I know nothing about it and have no marriage plans.”

“My dear, I should have explained before,” said sage Pramucha, smiling at him. “You have seen my daughter Revanti, haven’t you?”

“It is destined that you should wed her. Agni, the goddess, has said so, and I know she is worthy of being queen. She is as good as she is beautiful. You have objections, do you?”

“No, my Lord. I would be honoured if Revati married me. ‘She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,’ replied King Durgam.

The inmates of the hermitage rejoiced at the news, for Revati was very dear to them all. They got busy preparing for the wedding.

Sage Pramucha called Revati aside and asked, “I hope you are happy with my choice, Revati? Actually, it was God Agni who had told me that King Durgam would marry you. I think you are a very lucky girl!”

“I have nothing to say about your choice, Father, but there is a special request that I should like to make. I hope you will grant me my wish.”

“Of course,” said Pramucha unhesitatingly. “What is it, my daughter?”

“I would like to be married under the Revati star,” said Revati. “Good heavens, what a strange thing to ask for!” exclaimed sage Pramucha. “But it is not possible, my dear. Revati is no longer a star and is no longer in the sky.”

“Why not?” asked Revati, amazed. “It fell down from heaven because of sage Ritavak’s curse. It came crashing down on Kumud Mountain, which has been called Ratvatak ever since.”

“But, Father, I had taken a solemn vow to wed only under the star,” said Revati obstinately. “I cannot marry otherwise.”

Sage Pramucha looked worried. “My child, you have placed me in a strange problem. I have already promised King Durgam to wed you. I face him or anyone else if I do not keep my word.”

“But Father, you promised to grant me my wish too,” said Revati.

“Why are you so insistent about the Revati Star? There are plenty of others, far better in every way; I shall choose a really good star for your wedding.”

“I don’t want any other star. I want the Revati,” said Revati in a determined voice.

‘I really don’t know what to do,’ said Sage Pramucha, losing his patience. “I never imagined you could be so disobedient!”

But why should it be such a problem, Father?” asked Revati. “If Sage Ritavak could knock it off the sky, could you not put it back once again? I don’t think you are less powerful than Sage Ritavak.”

A sudden smile lit up Sage Pramucha’s face. “You are quite right, Revati. I didn’t think of that. Of course I can put the star back where she belongs.”

Pramucha sat down to Pray and the power of his tapasya was strong enough to put Revati back amidst the other stars.

Revati, the daughter of Pramucha, and King Durgam were married and they left for their new abode.

Revati, the star, became a part of the original constellation, shining bright once again!