#lopamudra

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - The Masterlist I

This is a compilation of the women who appear in different versions of the Mahabharata as well as the folkloric literature that enriches it further.

Written versions being actively covered so far are Vaishampayana Mahabharata (considered the mainstream original), Harivamsha (appendix to the Vaishampayana version), Vishnu Puran (written around the same time and hence considered as a supplementary narrative), and Jaimineya Mahabharata (only from the Ashvamedha Parva that still survives).

I sometimes also supplement interesting information about these women if I find them in other purans.

Other sources occasionally used/planned for future: Bhasa's plays, Kabi Sanjay's Bangla Mahabharat, Kashiram Dash's Bangla Mahabharat and the Bheel Mahabharat.

To be added if I find good translations: Souther Recension of Mahabharata, Javanese and Balinese Kakawins, Sarala Mahabharata, Jain and Jataka versions. I might also add more here if I find more versions to be excited about.

Link: Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Shataroopa

Devahooti

Prasooti

Aditi

Diti

Danu

Kadru

Vinata

Simhika

Danayu

Kaala

Pradha

Muni

Kapila

Khyati

Dhata

Vidhata

Lakshmi

Mohini

Sura

Surabhi

Gaandharvi

Saraswati

Mrityu

Shibaa

Chandrani Rohini

Gargi Vachaknavi

Sulabha

Svaha

Anasuya

Arundhati

Lopamudra

Puloma

Shubha

Sinivali

Devasena

Daityasena

Kavyamata

Shachi

Upasruti

Mamata

Pradveshi

Sudeshna (Bengal)

Aushinari

Suneeta

Tara

Svetaketu's Mother

Sujata

Ila

Urvashi

Sukanya

Indumati

Keshini

Viraja Ashokasundari

Jayanti

Urjasvati

Devayani

Sharmishtha

Ghurnika

Shandili

Madhavi

Bindumati

Yadavi

Iravati

Sumati

Kunigarga's Daughter

Vaidisheyi

Kausalya

Shooraseni

Paushtri Madhavi

Mishrakeshi

Sauviri

Ashmaki

Varangi

Haiheyi Bhanumati

Kaikeyi Sunanda

Sushrava

Maryada

Aangi

Suyajna

Kaama

Karambha

Maryada Vaidehi

Sudeva

Jvala

Kalingi

Rathantari

Sammata

Menaka

Shakuntala

Pramadvara

Sunanda Kaushalya

Vijaya Dasarhi

Suvarna

Yashodhara

Sudeva Dasarhi

[fisherken]

Rugged !! by Lopamudra Barman Via Flickr: Taken in Ladakh Himalayas, India

[arjuna-vallabha]

Agastya and Lopamudra-Agathiyar temple, Tamil Nadu

[avani008]

An Alphabet of Legendary Ladies - ल for लोपामुद्रा/Lopamudra, for @worddiva179

Father has many daughters, but it is she who the sage requests; she who he draws close and calls Lopamudra, created from all that was most lovely in the world. She is little accustomed to thinking of herself so, she who is never quite right, never enough; but with time, and steady patience, she lets her heart begin to believe.

Years later, it is that same Lopamudra who challenges her husband to bring her wealth to win her; she knows her own worth now, and she will not let anyone take it from her.

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - Kaveri

She is the daughter of Yuvanashva, the king of Ayodhya. She was born from Ganga after Yuvanashva cursed her. She was married to the king Janhu, who Ganga proposed marriage to but was rejected.

She is noted, in her river form, as one of the mothers to the Agni tribe. She is also known as dakshina-Ganga on account of her prominence in the southern part of the Indian peninsula. Sometimes she is identified with Lopamudra.

Her son with Janhu is named Sunaha.

[sambhavami]

Women in Mahabharata - Lopamudra

Her story is one-of-a-kind in holding up women's desires in Indian literature. As an acknowledged contributor to the Rig-veda, she holds a special place as being one of the few women who weren't afraid to speak their minds.

Even when her story has been watered down greatly in Mahabharata, we still see glimpses of the early-Vedic headstrong woman in several other legends associated with her.

The only problematic part of her story is Agastya, being her husband, 'making' her from various elements. Now, I would choose to look at this as a case of early marriage, her husband acting more like a teacher than a partner, and the resulting power imbalance.

It is however nice to see her achieve some notoriety despite that, and her husband being supportive in the end.

We see that later she accompanied Agastya when he was sent to the south of the subcontinent to colonize those areas.

[fisherken]

The line of action !! by Lopamudra Barman Via Flickr: Water channel in dried up Wular lake in Kashmir Himalayas, India