Once upon a time there lived a great king by name of Citravarma. He was famed to be as good a king as Raja Harishchandra and King Neela. He was victorious in battle and his fame of being a generous king was spread far and wide in the neighbouring kingdoms also. He had many sons, and each was as glorious as their father.
But he and his Queen always longed for a daughter. So, after many years of austerities, by the blessings of Lord Shiva, the Queen gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. They named her Simantini. The King invited astrologers to foretell the future of the baby girl. All the famed astrologers concluded that the girl would growup and be the Queen of a prosperous and happy kingdom and that she would rule by the side of her husband for ten thousand years.However, one learned scholar of astrology predicted that the young princess would be widowed at the age of fourteen. On hearing this, the King felt as if someone had removed the ground from under his feet. He felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. The astrologer then predicted that she would however regain her husband three years after loosing him, by the mercy of Lord Shiva. The King then bestowed riches on the astrologers till all of them had been satisfied.
Fourteen years had passed and Simantini had grownup to be a beautiful young girl. She was wise as she was beautiful. Her father, King Chitravarma had not told her of what the astrologer had predicted. He thought of his dear daughter becoming a widow and this gave him a lot of grief and he had lived with this grief for the past fourteen years. She however found out of this from her friends who had heard the story from someone. She was angry with her father and was immensely saddened and confused on what needed to be done. She then decided to meet Maitreyi, the wife of Sage Yagnavalka.
Mother Maitreyi was a very wise woman and she consoled the young Simantini who had told her the entire story. Maitreyi advised her to worship Lord Shiva and follow the Somavar Vrat. She was to feed brahmins, worship married couples and give them garments and ornaments in charity. She was to chant the "Panchakshari Mantra", "Om Namah Shivai" and worship Lord Shiva during the night. Under even the most dire circumstances was she to follow the vrata. Infact, Maitreyi told her that she was to follow the vrat even if her husband died.
The Kingdom of Naishada had been ruled by a king named Nala. His son was Indrasena who was the current ruler of Naishada. He was married to Queen Lavanyavati. They had a handsom young son who was named Chitrangada. Both Chitrangada and Simantini were married to each other in a ceremony that lasted for over four days. Simantini had continued with her vrat.
As was the custom, King Chitavarma had insisted that his new son-in-law stay with his in-laws to celebrate the festivals of Dushera and Diwali. The young prince and his entourage had one day gone hunting. It was a very hot day and they came the river Yamuna. At the bank of the river, they saw a beautiful boat. The young prince sat in the boat with his friend and they rowed upto the middle of the river. Just then, the river turned violent and capsized the boat. A rescue operation was mounted but the young prince was not to be seen anywhere. It was eventually assumed that he was dead and news was sent of this to his parents, King Indrasen and Queen Lavanyavati. Both mourned the loss of their only son, their pride and joy. What was to become of their new daughter-in-law ? Simantini was struck with grief. The propehecy had come true and she was widowed. Had all her effort at appeasing Lord Shiva had failed.
But, she remembered the words of Maitreyi and continued with her vrata. She would worship eleven hundred couples in eight days and offer them garments and ornaments and feed brahmins. She would stay awake worshipping Lord Shiva in the night and engage in Shiva Kirtan to glorify Lord Shiva.Taking advantage of the morose atmosphere in the Naishada kingdom, the neighbouring king, Papamati annexed Indrasen's kingdom. The King and Queen fled into the forest but were soon captured and imprisoned.It was truly the worst of times for both the kingdoms.
Meanwhile, Prince Chitrangada found his way to the Netherworld where the Nagas lived. Nagas were divine serpents who could assume human form and had magical powers. There were beautiful women in this place and precious gems could be seen scattered on the ground as pebbles on a road. It seemed to have comforts that could parallel those in heaven. He was taken before King Takshak, the famed king of the serpents. King Takshak asked Chitrangada how he had come to find himself in Patala Loka (The Netherworld). Chitrangada told him what had happened. King Takshak then asked him about his worshippable deity and learned that Chitrangada, like himself, was a devotee of Lord Shiva. King Takshak was very pleased with the young prince and asked him to stay. The prince said that he would love to but was anxious to see his wife and parents. King Takshak then granted him the strength of twelve thousand serpents and gave him many magical gems and jewels. He then wished him all the best and arranged for him to be escorted to the surface of the river Yamuna.
It had been three years since Chitrangada had drowned and Simantini had diligently followed the Somavar Vrat. She wore the garb of a widow and had become frail as she did not eat well because of grief. Just then, Chitrangada appeared out of the water. He had changed a lot in appearance and Simantini did not recognise him but she felt that she had a special bond with this mystical stranger. Chitrangada told them that he was a mystic who travelled the three worlds. He then took Simantini's hand into his own and acted as if he was reading her palm. He then predicted that her husband would return in three days and that she was to keep this news to herself and not share it with anyone.She agreed though it was difficult to keep such glorious news to herself. She promised to herlself that if the Mystic's words came true, she would worship and serve eleven thousand couples, offer eleven thousand ghee lamps and offer eleven thousand bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. Chitrangada then told her that he would now tell her in-laws of their son's return and left for his own kingdom.
The evil king Papa Mati had been ruling Naishada. On the outskirts of the capital, Chitrangada invoked a Naga messenger and asked him to deliver a message to the evil king that the rightful prince had returned to claim his rightful kingdom. Out of fear of the Nagas, the evil king returned the kingdom to Indrasen and Lavanyavati. Chitrangada then revealed himself to his parents. The entire kingdom was overjoyed. Messengers were sent out in all directions and ambassadors were sent to Chitravarma. The King was overjoyed to learn that Lord Shiva had returned his son-in-law and his daughter had been saved from a life of widowhood. The prophecy had been completely fulfilled. He loudly chanted "Jai Jai Shiva Umanath".
Prince Chitangada and Princess Simantini were married again and gifts were distributed to all. After some years, King Indrasen handed the kingdom to his son and after performed many austerities which ensured that he reached Shiva Loka (abode of Lord Shiva) after death. Queen Simantini performed Somavar Vrat, Pradosh Vrat and Mahashivratri with great faith. She had eight sons and ruled with her husband for ten thousand years just as the astrolgers had foretold.
Women who listen to this story are granted long lives for their husbands, lost husbands come back again, widows can remarry good husbands. In addition, a lost son will return home again, fortune, health, knowledge, wisdom are gained, death is avoided, obstacles are removed and enemies are defeated.
Namah Parvati Pataye, Har Har Mahadev.
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