Once, king Manu and his wife Shatrupa became frustrated with worldly matters and went to Naimisaranya to stay in a hermitage. In their hermitage, the couple led a very strict life, each standing on one leg, and inhaling no air. They remained in this state of meditation for ten thousand years. Their bodies had become simply skeletons. Impressed by their strict penance, God appeared before them and asked them for boons. Hearing the God’s voice, they again became healthy and beautiful figures, appearing as fresh as if they had just arrived from the royal palace. Both prayed to get the glimpse of the Lord, in the same form as He takes, residing in the heart of Shiva. Thus the Lord appeared before them. Both Manu and Shatrupa were content to have the beautiful form of the Lord, and they lost their own bodily sense. Lying prostrate at the feet of the Lord, Manu prayed to get a son like him. This wish was granted as the Lord assured that Manu would become the king of Ayodhya, and Shatrupa would become his wife, Kausalya and Rama would take birth as their son.
MANU AND SHATRUPA
