"Mandodari, wife of Ravana, king of asuras (demons), in her previous birth, had been a celestial damsel (apsara) named Madhura. Madhura went to Kailasa to worship Shiva, having observed a special vow, the Somavara vrata [Monday Ritual]. When Madura reached Kailasa, Parvati, Shiva’s wife was not there. Madura worshipped and praised Shiva. But they were attracted to each other and made love. When Parvati returned to Kailasa, she saw Madhura’s breast smeared with the ash from Shiva’s body. Parvati went into a great fury and cursed Madhura to live as a frog for twelve years. Shiva was grief struck. He consoled Madhura that after twelve yaers she would become a very beautiful woman and would be married to a great king. Madhura became a frog in a well. Maya, an asura, born to Kasyapa and Danu, was married to Hema, but also wanted a daughter. For twelve years they prayed to Shiva for one. One day as Maya and Hema were worshipping Shiva, they heard a cry from a nearby well. They found a beautiful young woman in the well. They adopted her and named her Mandodari."