Rambha (apsara)

Viswamitra sees Rambha and curses her.

In Hindu legends, Rambha is frequently asked by the king of the Devas, Indra to break the tapasya of sages so that the intensity of their penance is tested against temptation, and also that the order of the three worlds remains undisturbed by any one's mystical powers. Once, she tried to disturb the penance of Rishi Vishwamitra, who wanted to become a Brahmarishi. Long before, the sage was seduced by Menaka, another nymph. When Vishwamitra realized that Indra had sent another nymph to lure him, he cursed Rambha to become a rock for 10,000 years till a Brahmin relieves her from the curse.[2][3]

Rambha is seen by Ravana

Rambha is the wife of Nalakuvara, Kubera's son. When she visited Kailash to meet her husband, Ravana saw her. He was captivated by her beauty and dragged her into the bushes. She pleaded with Ravana to release her but her efforts could not save her from being raped. Rambha laying on the ground saw Ravana going back to his kingdom. Later Nalakuvara reached and saw his wife. In grief and anger, Nalakuvara cursed his uncle, Ravana to burst into seven pieces if he ever forced a woman. Other versions state that Rambha herself cursed Ravana. Ravana later kidnapped Sita forcefully and Sita was saved from Ravana's lust only due to the curse. His kidnapping of Sita later leads to his death at the hands of Lord Rama. [4][5]

• Mani, Vettam (1 January 2015). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
• Pattanaik, Devdutt (September 2000). The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. ISBN 978-0-89281-807-5.