MALINI – A Brahmin woman

This story has interesting implications about karma and rebirth. A brahmin woman was mentioned in the Skanda Purana for her bad character and equally bad deeds. Consequently, she was reborn as a dog. But during that lifetime she was able to observe a vow of purification (Sukladvadashi vrata) and was reborn next as an apsara (celestial damsel)—the famed Urvasi. It was Urvasi who was attracted to Arjuna during his time as a dance instructor. It was also Urvasi who was cursed by Mitra and Varuna for exciting them.

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