Ṛtavāka and Revatī

This narrative is told in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Chapter 72. The ṛshi Ṛtavāka had a son who was born at the last pāda (quarter) of the Revatī nakshatra (lunar star). The son grew up wicked, although his parents were holy. Ṛtavāka cursed the Revatī nakshatra itself, and it fell from the sky. Where it broke on the earth, it became the Kumuda mountains. Raivata then arose and became the fifth Manu. He took his name from Revatī.

The wicked son

The ṛshi Ṛtavāka had great tapas (austerity) and flawless conduct. Yet his son, born of holy parents in a righteous home, became wholly wicked. He did one of the gravest acts of adharma: he stole the wife of another ṛshi.

Ṛtavāka was crushed with grief. He asked how a son of righteous parents could fall so low. He asked what flaw in dharma, in the family line, or in the world itself could explain it.

Garga’s explanation

Ṛtavāka went to the ṛshi Garga. Garga told him that the fault lay not with the parents, not with the family line and not with the upbringing. The son had been born at the last pāda of the Revatī nakshatra. This is the exact meeting point of two nakshatras, and it is known to be deeply inauspicious. Birth at that moment had shaped the boy’s whole character beyond change, even though his origin was holy. Garga taught that the stars at the moment of birth carry a force that no righteous surroundings can fully turn aside.

The curse on Revatī

Garga’s words were true, but they gave Ṛtavāka no peace. Grief and anger rose together in him. He thought that if the nakshatra had spoiled his son, then the nakshatra must bear the result. Ṛtavāka had gathered tapas over many years. He now let loose the full force of his śāpa (a curse): “Let Revatī fall!”

The curse of a great ṛshi struck the nakshatra. It lost its place in the sky and fell to the earth. Where it broke on the ground, it became the Kumuda mountains.

The birth of Raivata Manu

The fall of Revatī had effects on the order of the Manvantaras (the ages of the Manus). Through it, Raivata arose. He was named after the fallen nakshatra, Revatī, and was set up as the fifth Manu, to rule over the Raivata Manvantara.

Sources

• Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Chapter 72