Showing posts with label Panchakanyas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panchakanyas. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Why are Ahalya, Draupadi, Kunti, Tara and Mandodari called the Five Panchakanyas?

 

  • Panch Kanya: Ahalya, Draupadi ,Kunti, Tara and Mandodari are among Panch Kanya- five sacred women whose name nullify effects of sins.
  • They have been eulogized in a famous sanskrit shloka- “अहिल्या द्रोपदी कुन्ती तारा मन्दोदरी तथा पंचकन्या स्वरानित्यम महापातका नाशका”
  • (Meaning: Ahalya,Draupadi, Kunti, Tara and Mandodari are five pious women ;whose sacred names, if chanted daily ,can nullify sins.)
  • Ahalya: Ahalya was a pious and extremely beautiful spouse of Sage Gautam whose virginity was violated by King Indra and her husband in her anger cursed her to turn into a stone.
  • The moment, Lord Rama stepped on it;she regained her human form.
  • Draupadi: Draupadi was wedded to five mightiest Pandava princes ;but she served them all with equal love and respect. Her pious behavior, endurance and selflessness is admired by all
  • Kunti : Kunti was mother of five Pandavas . She lost her husband young but endured twists of life with serenity.
  • Although,she was queen mother; but She steadfastly devoted her life to Lord and served every one with equal love and care.
  • Tara: Tara was wife of King Vali- the monkey king of Kishikindha . Ramayana admires her for intelligence, loyalty and courage.
  • Mandodari: According to a folk legend; Mandodari was a celestial nymph .She was adopted by demon King Mayasura and his wife Hema .
  • Right from her childhood; she was known for her chastity, righteousness and wisdom .
  • Conclusion: These five women reflect different aspects of divinity.
  • Pic credit: Google
  • Ram Ram Ram Jai Shri Ram Jai Badri Vishal !

Footnotes

[1] http://www.manushi-india.org/pdfs_issues/PDF%20141/03%20panchakanya%204-12.pdf