Tapati is originally mentioned in the
Mahabharata two dozen times, as the wife of
Samvarana and the mother of
Kuru (the founder of the
Kuru dynasty and the
Kuru kingdom). The story of both characters has also been found in other Hindu texts such as the
Bhagavata Purana. According to these texts, Tapati's home is situated on the banks of river Tapati. The text extols the goddess with the statement that no one in the
three worlds could match her in beauty, having perfect features, and severe religious self-discipline. In the
Mahabharata,
Arjuna asks a
gandharva about the origin of the name Tapatya. The gandharva tells him that the sun once had a beautiful daughter named Tapati, for whom he wished to find a suitable husband. An early Kaurava king named Samvarana worships the sun and is selected as her husband. One day, while out for hunting, the king's horse dies. While wandering, Samvarana sees Tapati bathing in the sunshine and is mesmerised by her beauty. When he asks Tapati about her identity, she immediately disappears. The king falls unconscious, but when he stirs, he sees that Tapati has returned. He declares his love for her, and begs her to be with him. Tapati informs him that she is smitten with him as well, but refers him to her father for his approval for their marriage. The king starts to meditate upon the sage
Vasishtha for two weeks, who appears and gathers that the king had fallen in love with a goddess. Vashishta ascends to the sky, asking Surya to approve the marriage of Samvarana and Tapati. Surya agrees to it, and the two promptly get married. According to some Hindu texts,
Yami is the elder sister of Tapati, and she has two brothers,
Shani and
Yama. ==Worship==