Knowledge Bank

Why Kubera was cursed by sage Agastya?

Kubera was going to Kushavati through the sky with his attendant, Maniman, for a chanting of mantras organized by the Devas. On the way, Maniman spat on Agastya’s head while he was meditating by the Kalindi River. Angry, Agastya cursed them. He said that Maniman and Kubera’s army would be killed by a man. Kubera would grieve over their deaths but would be freed from the curse after seeing the man who killed them. Later, Bhimasena went to Mount Gandhamadana to find the Saugandhika flower. There, he killed Maniman and the soldiers. After this, Bhima met Kubera, and Kubera was freed from the curse.

Why is Ahalya called Panchakanya?

Even though Indra seduced her and her husband Gautama Maharshi cursed, she didn’t lose her purity. Indra came disguised as Gautama. She didn’t realize this when she had a relationship with Indra. That is why she is considered as a sacred virgin or one among the pancha kanyas.