Dilipa is the son of King Amsuman and father of Bhagiratha, who brought Ganga down to the earth. Dilipa is said to be of heroic might with great height and looked like Meru. He was noble hearted and possessed a generous soul. All his followers admired King Dilipa. They gladly paid the annual tax to the king.
Legend of Dilipa
King Dilipa had a lovely queen named Sudakshina, but did not have a child. So, to get a child Dilipa decided to seek his holy guide Sage Vasishtha. After a deep meditation, the sage described him the reason behind his lack of any child. The sage informed that the king had once unconsciously omitted to pay respect to a holy cow, Kamadhenu which was lying under a celestial tree near the falls of the Ganges. So, Kamadhenu had cursed him that he will not have son without serving her children.
Nandini cow is daughter of Kamadhenu. She lives in the ashram of Sage Vasishtha. The sage advised that Dilipa and his queen should now lean a cow called "Nandini" in a nearby sacred wood. And when they gain the love of this descendant of the affronted cow, the curse will be removed. The queen of Dilipa started worshipping the cow by walking round her and scattering grain. They served Nandini with great diligence and care for a month.
Once, a lion captured Nandini in his mouth near a waterfall. King Dilipa tried to kill the lion and released the cow, but was unsuccessful because the lion was a devotee of Lord Shiva. King Dilip requested the lion to eat him instead of the cow. Lion suggested to king that the king should not have to sacrifice life for a cow. But King Dilipa was consistent on his word. Lastly, the lion accepted to leave the cow in return of him. Nandini got pleased of king"s devotion towards guru and religiousness. Then the queen and the king Dilipa drank the pure milk of Nandini with thirst that rises from the soul. Thereafter, a son was born to the king Dilipa and his queen Sudakshina in due time.
