The Curse of Five Apsaras by Arjun

In Dwapar Yug there were five holy places in the name of Kumaresh, Stambhesh, Warkareshear, Mahakaleshwar, and Siddhesh in South India. Once Arjun, one of the five Pandav brothers decided to go for a pilgrimage for twelve years.

After visiting and taking a holy bath at some holy places he reached South India. There he came to know that no hermits were staying in those five holy places. He asked the hermits the reason for leaving the holy places. They told him that there were five crocodiles in the sea of five places and the crocodiles used to pull the people into the water whoever tried to take a holy bath. No pilgrims had ever returned back.

Despite the warning of the hermits Arjun decided to go to take bath in those five places. At first, he entered the sea at Kumaresh to take bath and was pulled into the deep water by a crocodile. But with his enormous strength, Arjun pulled the animal out of the sea, and to his astonishment, it transformed into a beautiful lady adorned with ornaments.

On being asked by Arjun, the lady explained to him that her name was 'Warcha' and she was an Apsara (nymph) from heaven. Once she was roaming in a deep forest in the earth with her four Apsara when they saw a yogi doing penance. Out of the power of austerity, his body was radiating bright light. They wanted to test his austerity and seduced him. For a long time, they failed to disturb his concentration. But they didn't stop trying.

Eventually, the yogi got distracted and sensed their wrong intention. As a result, he cursed them that they would become crocodiles within some time. Realizing their fault the five apsaras begged forgiveness before the yogi. The yogi explained to them he can't take back his curse. But seeing their misery he told them that when a pure and truthful human being would pull them out of the water they would get back their original form back. They expressed their respect and gratitude to the Yogi and left the forest. Now they needed a place for each of them to reside.

They saw Devarshi Narad coming towards them. They ask for his help. Devarshi Narad advised them to go to Kumaresh, Stambhesh, Warkareswar, Mahakaleshwar, and Siddhesh. The great Arjun was about to come to those places to take a holy bath and he possessed all the qualities to liberate them from the curse. They followed his advice. The moment they entered the water they turned into crocodiles. Within a few days, Arjun arrived there. At the request of 'Warcha', he released the rest of the four apsaras from the curse as well. After the liberation of those apsaras, people again started visiting the five holy places.

Source- Skand Puran

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