The Kathasaritsagara mentions that Tumburu's curse was responsible for the separation of the couple – King Pururavas and the apsara Urvashi. Pururavas was once visiting heaven, when Rambha was performing before her preceptor, Tumburu. Pururavas insulted her by finding a fault in her dance. When Tumburu questioned Pururavas's knowledge of the divine dances of heaven, the king responded that his wife Uravashi had taught him more than what Tumburu knew about the subject. Agitated, Tumburu cursed the king that he would be separated from Urvashi, till he performs a penance to Vishnu. The gandharvas then kidnapped Urvashi, resulting in the fruition of the curse.
