Panch Kanya-5 Virgins of Ancient India? Written By- Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee
It is accepted that only thought of these ladies -Ahilya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara, and Mandodri can disperse sins. These are considered Panch-Kanyas or Akshatkumaris. In ancient Hindu texts and sacred writings, these females are mentioned as young girls and not women. Surprisingly, these all are married and even had relations with other men moreover. Let’s know if they were married, then why are they called Virgins?
Draupadi is considered as one of the Panch-Kanyas or Five Virgins, is one of the most important female characters in the epic, Mahabharata. Draupadi was born out of the fire of the Yagya performed by King Drupad, of Panchal.
Arjuna won Draupadi’s hand by completing a difficult and skillful archery competition at the Swayamvar.
She had won over by Arjun, but because of some misunderstanding between the five brothers and their mother Kunti, she had to be the wife of five Pandavas. She sacrificed her desires to keep the bond strong between 5 brothers.
Draupadi was an early feminist because she was the woman with her own opinion and not the one to follow her husbands. She speaks for herself. Draupadi was smart, bold, and would often lead her husbands’ into action. Pandavas frequently rely upon her for decision making.
Lord Krishna protected her dignity when she was dragged and humiliated at the court of Hastinapur.
Draupadi is angered by the Pandavas’ inability to protect her. She was desperate for revenge on Kauravas who harmed her and her family.
Draupadi was Occupied with a sharp mind and a clever tongue. After her humiliation, when Dhritarashtra asked for the boon; She desired the liberation of her husbands’ and succeeded.
Draupadi was so devoted to her husbands’ that she followed them into exile and gave up the comforts of palaces. Draupadi was Practical and Argumentative. In various ways, she was equivalent to her husbands and frequently commanded Pandavas.
Draupadi was far ahead of her time. Because of her pious behavior, fearlessness, and uncompromising nature she became an icon in the history of world literature.
Gautam Rishi’s wife Ahilya was very beautiful. When the God Indra was roaming around close by the spot she lived with her husband. Indra, at that point, saw Ahilya and got fascinated by her charm. One day in the absence of Gautam Rishi, Indra came at their hermitage in the disguise of Gautam Rishi. Ahilya adored her husband a lot. Indra who was transformed into Gautam Rishi through enchantment took the advantage of his absence and got intimated with Ahilya.
At the point When they were getting intimate, the genuine Gautam Rishi stepped in, and after seeing his better half in an objectionable position with someone else, Gautam Rishi angered. He cursed Ahilya and changed over her into a stone.
Ahilya was extremely faithful to her husband however as Indra betrayed her she needed to confront the terrible punishment for the sin she never committed. The moment, Lord Rama stepped on it; she regained her human form. That is why she is considered a virgin.
3) Tara-
According to the Ramayana, Tara is the Queen of Kishkindha and spouse of the monkey (Vanara) King Vali. After being widowed, she turns into the wife of Sugriva, Vali’s brother. She was an Apsara who rises from the churning of the milky ocean. After Vali is assumed dead in a fight with a demon, his brother Sugriva becomes ruler and accepts Tara; however, Vali returns and recaptures Tara and outcasts his brother, blaming him for betrayal. When Sugriva challenges Vali to a duel, Tara cleverly advises Vali not to accept because of the previous’ alliance with Rama. Vali imagined that Tara is supporting Sugriva so he abandoned her. He battled with Sugriva and was killed by Sri Rama. His last words to Sugriva were to follow what Tara says. She always wanted good for her husband even after he abandoned her.
Mandodari was beautiful as well as intelligent. After getting attracted by her beauty, Ravana married her. Mandodari was the daughter of the demon king Mayasura. Hema was the mother of Ravana’s wife Mandodari. Being the daughter of Apsara, Mandodri was very beautiful. Due to the boon of Lord Shiva, Mandodri was married to Ravana. Mandodri sought a boon from Lord Shiva that her husband would be the most learned and powerful on earth. The Ramayana depicts Mandodari as beautiful, pious, and righteous. She is praised as one of the Panch-Kanyas (Five Girls), the recital of whose names is believed to Destruction of sins.
Yaduvanshi king Surasena had a daughter named ‘Pritha’ and a son named Vasudeva. Surasena gave over her to Kuntibhoja, his cousin brother who was childless. Kuntibhoja named this girl Kunti. In this way Pritha i.e. Kunti stayed away from her real parents. Kunti was very beautiful and intelligent. She was the wife of King Pandu of Hastinapur. She is often considered as one of the protagonists of the Mahabharata.
Along with Karna, Kunti had three more sons named Yudhishthira, Arjun, and Bhīma. Nakul and Sahadev were the sons of Madri, Pandu’s second wife. Kunti is an intelligent mother and woman who is capable of analyzing situations and making the right decisions. Kunti faced difficulties throughout her life. We discovered her fine intellect when she inspires her sons for the war. Hence her fearless spirit, her responsible behavior, her patience of facing all odds can be a motivation for the current generations.
Originally published at https://indianculturecivilization.blogspot.com on September 20, 2020.
