Mitrasaha Redemption Through Ganga

Dadi**: "Guddu, can a curse be a blessing in disguise?"

Guddu**: "How can something bad be good?"

Dadi**: "Let me tell you about King Saudasa, also called Mitrasaha, who was cursed to become a demon but eventually found redemption."

Guddu**: "A king became a demon?"

Dadi**: "It started with a hunt. King Saudasa killed a demon in the forest, but the demon's brother escaped. Thirsting for revenge, this brother plotted something terrible."

Guddu**: "What did he do?"

Dadi**: "He disguised himself as the royal cook. When the king's preceptor, the great sage Vasishtha, came for a meal, the demon served him human flesh!"

Guddu**: "That's horrible!"

Dadi**: "When Vasishtha discovered this, he was furious! Not knowing the king was innocent, he cursed Saudasa: 'For this improper act, you will turn into an ogre!'"

Guddu**: "But the king didn't do it!"

Dadi**: "Vasishtha later learned the truth and felt terrible. He limited the curse to twelve years. But the king was so angry that he tried to curse Vasishtha in return!"

Guddu**: "What happened?"

Dadi**: "His wise queen Madayanti stopped him. She said, 'The curse-water in your hand is powerful. If you throw it on the ground, it will destroy crops. In the air, it will ruin rains. In any direction, it will harm living beings.'"

Guddu**: "What could he do?"

Dadi**: "In frustration, the king threw the curse-water on his own feet. His feet turned black and white, giving him the name Kalmashapada - 'pied feet.'"

Guddu**: "He cursed himself!"

Dadi**: "Transformed into a demon, he wandered the forests. Once, he seized a Brahmin to eat. The Brahmin's wife begged: 'Don't kill my husband!' But the demon was hungry."

Guddu**: "Did he eat the Brahmin?"

Dadi**: "Yes. And the widow cursed him: 'You will die the moment you try to have intimate relations!' This curse later prevented him from having children, even after returning to human form."

Guddu**: "So many curses!"

Dadi**: "But here's where the Ganga enters. According to the Narada Purana, after twelve years of demonic existence, Vasishtha brought waters of the holy Ganga to Mitrasaha."

Guddu**: "The Ganga freed him?"

Dadi**: "When the sacred waters were sprinkled over him, the curse broke. He transformed back into the righteous king he once was."

Guddu**: "He was saved!"

Dadi**: "But the widow's curse remained. He couldn't have children with his queen. So Vasishtha himself fathered an heir with Queen Madayanti - continuing the Solar dynasty."

Guddu**: "That's complicated!"

Dadi**: "Ancient stories often are. But the message is clear: even the most terrible transformations can be healed. The Ganga represents divine grace - able to purify even demonic stains."

Guddu**: "So nothing is permanent?"

Dadi**: "No curse, no sin, no transformation is beyond redemption when we seek divine grace. Mitrasaha spent twelve years as a demon. Yet through the sacred waters, he was reborn as a king."

Guddu**: "The Ganga is that powerful?"

Dadi**: "The Ganga represents God's mercy flowing into the world. When we bathe in it - physically or spiritually - we wash away what no longer serves us. Now sleep, and may the Ganga of peace flow through your dreams."