Monday, October 12, 2026

Who are some great female characters from the Purana, Ramayana and Mahabharata, apart from Sita & Draupadi?

Kumudvati

Kumudvati was a Naga Princess of Sarayu river and she was sister of Naga King Kumud. She married Kusha, son of Shri Ram and became his Chief Queen. Their marriage was a peace treaty because she had mistakenly taken Kusha's Golden arm-bracelet when he was sporting in the river with his wives. He thought Nagas took it and decided to annihilate them but Kumud returned it and offered her hand in marriage and Kusha accepted it. During their marriage, celestial flowers rained which meant Devas blessed the union. Kumudvati was a very docile girl and an exceptionally beautiful princess. In Ananda Ramayana she is credited to have saved the imperial lineage of Raghu because his first wife Champika didn't have any sons but daughters.

Kusha and Kumudvati’s son Atithi became the next King after Kusha died in a battle after slaining demon Durjaya. Kumudvati followed her husband in death and they reunited in the heaven forever. They are eternal consorts in heaven.

Devika

Devika was the Princess of Shibi Kingdom and she was daughter of King Govasana. She chose Yuddhisthir in her Swayamvara and became his second wife and the Empress was Draupadi. Yuddhisthir and Devika had a son named Yaudheya. Nothing much is known about Devika as Draupadi was the Empress.

Champika

Champika , the daughter of Maharaja Bhurikirti (King of the lands east of Ayodhya) and she chose Kusha , son of Shri Ram in her Swayamvara and became his first wife. She gave nine beautiful daughters to Kusha but Rishi Agastya made prophecy to Shri Ram that she won't be having sons and when Shri Ram had left for Vaikuntha, Kusha would get a second wife named Kumudvati and have sons with her. She is mentioned only in Ananda Ramayana. Her love for Kusha and her sacrifices for royal lineage are praised. It's said that Kusha and Champika lived happily ever after, after his marriage with Kumudvati hinting that she didn't lose the respect in royal house.

Sulochana

Sulochana was a Naga Princess (in folklores she was daughter of SheshNaga) and her mention is in Ananda Ramayana. When she saw the cut hand of her husband it wrote to get his head back from Shri Ram. She took permission from Ravana and Mandodari and went to meet Shri Ram. Seeing her Vanara Sena became curious and Shri Ram knowing why she was there offered her to revive Meghnad as she intended to follow her husband in death. But she refused the offer, took her husband's head and then followed him in death, then Meghnad and Sulochana left for Vaikuntha. Sulochana is known in Ananda Ramayana and other folklores as a chaste and loyal wife.