Bhānumatī of Siṃhala
Bhānumatī, “the radiant one”
Bhānumatī was the one daughter of King Parīkshit of Siṃhala-dvīpa, at the end of the Tretā Yuga, and she was devoted to the Sūrya vrata. Bhagavān Sūrya himself came to marry her in the form of the brāhmaṇa Savitā, and with him she attained Sūryaloka. Bṛhaspati tells this account to Devendra.
Each day in the palace she performed ārādhanā of Bhagavān Sūrya and offered him bhoga. Pleased with her bhakti, Bhagavān Sūrya came there every midday and accepted the naivedya.
One Sunday she went to the Nalinī-sāgara to bathe. Nārada Muni reached that deserted place and made known his wish to marry her. She said this was improper. Devarshi Nārada was ashamed and was seized by disease, and he went to Bhagavān Śaṅkara and told him all.
Bhagavān Śaṅkara pleased Bhagavān Bhāskara by ārādhanā, and Bhagavān Sūrya appeared and made the Devarshi’s body free of disease. Bhagavān Śaṅkara then told Bhagavān Sūrya to become a brāhmaṇa named Savitā, go to the mṛtyuloka and marry Bhānumatī, and he did so.
Savitā with Bhānumatī performed ārādhanā of Bhagavān Sūrya and attained Sūryaloka, and he began to shine in the sky in the month of Pausha.
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Pratisarga Parva, Khaṇḍa 4, Chapter 9