Many years passed since Urvashi had disappeared and King Pururava kept wandering around the earth looking for her. Whenever the rain poured, he saw her in the raindrops. Whenever the flowers bloomed in spring, he saw her in that bloomed flowers. Whenever cold wind touched his body, he felt her warm touch. He saw her in the flowing river. But still she wasn’t there. He embraced trees and cried hisheart out just to find her somewhere. But there was a time when Urvashi’s heart couldn’t see him enduring the unbearable pain.
At last, Pururava came on Gandhmadan Hills where he and Urvashi had spent delightful days. He was walking toward the valley in despair. The night had bloomed in its full glory and the stars were glittering brightly. Suddenly he saw a beautiful woman sitting on the rock. He knew who she was. He could never forget her. His eyes were flowing tears and his heart bloomed with a new ray of hope.
“Urvashi,” he gasped.
Urvashi stood up as soon as she heard Pururava. She turned around. She glanced at him. His entire body had become weak. His unstoppable tears had ruined his face. His lips were shuddering. She could see him dying for her. And then, tears rolled upon her cheek too.
“What have you done to yourself?” she asked in shaken voice.
“Where have you gone?” he asked.
“I was helpless. It was our curse. Don’t you remember?” she said. “We saw each other in our pure form. Therefore I had to leave you.”
“But now you’ve returned. That curse must have been lifted,” Pururava said.
She kept quiet for a moment. Perhaps she didn’t want to snatch that hope.
“No, your majesty,” she gasped.
“What? Can’t you live here?”
“No, I can’t.”
“But why?”
“Because I’m a nymph and you’re a human. We can’t stay together forever. We’re never meant to,” her voiced broke down. After a long moment, she added, “But Lord Indra has given me an option. Though I can’t stay with you forever, I’m allowed to stay one day per year on the earth. With you.”
“One day a year!” Pururava frowned.
“Until your death,” she nodded.
He had endured enough pain in his entire life. But still, there was a hope that he could spend one day every year with her. Of course, it wasn’t enough. Even his entire life wouldn’t be enough. But still for one day, he could forget his sorrow. For one day, he could love. For one day, he could live. It was tough, but it was the only way to see the love of his life. He had no other choice. Eventually, he accepted it.
