The love story of Chandravanshi King Pururava and Urvashi, the celestial apsara of heaven, is well-known in ancient lore. One day, while traveling to Earth, Urvashi became enchanted by the planet’s beauty. She stayed there for a while with her companions. When she finally began her journey back to heaven, a demon attacked and abducted her.
At the same time, King Pururava happened to pass by and witnessed the kidnapping. He immediately chased the demon in his chariot and fought him fiercely. After a battle, he rescued Urvashi. It was the first time a human had ever touched her, and both were instantly drawn to one another.
Though they had fallen in love, Urvashi had to return to heaven. They parted with heavy hearts, unable to forget each other.
Urvashi’s Curse
Sometime later, a play was organized in heaven. Urvashi was playing the role of Goddess Lakshmi. While performing, instead of taking Vishnu’s name as her divine beloved—as required by the script—she accidentally uttered Pururava’s name.
This angered the director of the play, Sage Bharata. Furious, he cursed Urvashi, saying that because she was attracted to a mortal, she would have to live on Earth and bear human children.
The curse, however, turned out to be a blessing for Urvashi, who longed to reunite with Pururava. She descended to Earth again, met Pururava, and confessed her love.
Urvashi’s Three Conditions
When Pururava proposed marriage, Urvashi agreed but put forward three conditions:
1. He must always protect her two pet goats.
2. She would consume only ghee.
3. They could only see each other naked during intimacy — never at any other time.
Pururava accepted all three conditions, and the two married. They lived joyfully for many years.
The Gods Intervene
But the gods in heaven were displeased. Heaven had lost its radiance without Urvashi, and they wanted her back. So, they devised a plan to separate the couple.
One night, Gandharvas stole Urvashi’s goats. Hearing them cry, Urvashi asked Pururava to rescue them. At that moment, Pururava was undressed. In a hurry, he rushed out naked to save the goats. The gods flashed lightning from the sky, illuminating everything — and the couple accidentally saw each other nude outside the permitted moment.
The condition was broken. The moment it happened, Urvashi was compelled to return to heaven. Both were heartbroken. Urvashi took their son with her but later returned near Kurukshetra to hand the child over to Pururava. In later years, she visited Earth several times, and more children were born from their union.
Another version of the tale says that once, during a dance performance in King Indra’s court, Pururava became mesmerized by Urvashi, causing her rhythm to falter. Angered, Indra cursed both to live on Earth.
The Lineage of Pururava (Paurava Dynasty)
Pururava and Urvashi had several sons — including Ayu, Vanayu, Kshatayu, Dridhayu, Ghimant, and Amavasu.
From their descendants emerged major royal lineages:
Yadu - Yadava dynasty
Turvasu - Yavana lineage
Drihuyu - Bhoja lineage
Anu - Maleccha lineage
Puru - Paurava dynasty
The Paurava lineage produced powerful rulers, including King Yayati, Yadu, Bharata, and eventually the Kuru dynasty, from which Pandavas and Kauravas descended.
Through a long line of kings — including Dushyanta, Shakuntala, Bharata, and Hasti — the dynasty eventually led to Kuru, after whom the Kuru clan was named.
King Shantanu, Bhishma, Chitrangada, and Vichitravirya also belonged to this lineage, forming the foundation of the Mahabharata era.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is based on beliefs and information only. Always consult a concerned expert.
