https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=MenakaMenaka - Revision history2026-08-26T02:31:20ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Menaka&diff=423844&oldid=prevAjay Kumar: Created a new article2023-08-31T07:23:23Z<p>Created a new article</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Otheruses}}<br />
{{Infobox deity<br />
| image = File:Menaka Vishwamitra by RRV.jpg<br />
| alt = Menaka<br />
| caption = Menaka seduces [[Vishvamitra]], painting by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]<br />
| type = Hindu<br />
| abode = [[Svarga]]<br />
| children = {{ubl|[[Shakuntala]] from [[Vishvamitra]]|Pramadvara from Vishvavasu<ref>PC Roy Mahabharata link: http://www.holybooks.com/mahabharata-all-volumes-in-12-pdf-files/</ref>}}<br />
| affiliation = [[Apsara]]<br />
| spouse = <br />
}}{{short description|Apsara in Hinduism}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}<br />
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'''Menaka''' ({{Lang-sa|मेनका|lit=incomparable|translit=Menakā}})<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-16 |title=Menaka, Menakā, Menake: 19 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/menaka |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> is a [[apsara]] (heavenly nymph) in [[Hindu Epic|Hindu literature]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine|page=67|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co|author=Devdutt Pattanaik|year=2000}}</ref><br />
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==Legends==<br />
Menaka was born during the [[Samudra Manthana|churning of the ocean]] by the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] and [[Asura|asuras]]. She is one of the most mesmerising [[apsaras]] (celestial nymphs) in the three worlds, with quick intelligence and innate talent, but desired a family.<br />
[[File: Raja Ravi Varma - Mahabharata - Birth of Shakuntala.jpg|left|thumb|Menaka shows Shakuntala to Vishvamitra]]<br />
[[Vishwamitra|Vishvamitra]], a prominent Hindu sage, frightened the devas and even tried to create another heaven - [[Indra]], frightened by his powers, sent Menaka from heaven to earth to lure him and break his meditation. Menaka successfully incited Vishvamitra's lust and passion when he saw her beauty. She succeeded in breaking the meditation of Vishvamitra. However, she fell in genuine love with him and a baby was born to them, who later grew in Sage Kanva's ashram and came to be called [[Shakuntala]]. Later, Shakuntala falls in love with King [[Dushyanta]] and gives birth to a child called [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]], who in [[Hindus|Hindu]] tradition, lent his name to the country.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sattar|first=Arshia|date=2017-06-22|title=The ultimate male fantasy|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/analysing-the-episode-of-apsara-menaka-and-sage-vishwamitra/article19125560.ece|access-date=2020-09-05|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
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When Vishvamitra realized that he had been tricked by Indra, he was enraged. But he merely cursed Menaka to be separated from him forever, for he loved her as well and knew that she had lost all devious intentions towards him long ago.<br />
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In the [[Mahabharata]]'s Pauloma Parva, it is stated that Menaka had a daughter with the [[gandharva]] Vishvavasu. She was ashamed of giving birth to the child, so she left her in front of sage Sthulakesha's hermitage. The sage adopted the child and named her Pramadvara, who later married Ruru, a descendant of [[Bhrigu]].<ref>Pauloma Parva, Section VIII, PC Roy Mahabharata link: http://www.holybooks.com/mahabharata-all-volumes-in-12-pdf-files</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
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==External links==<br />
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}<br />
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{{Hindu apsaras}}<br />
{{HinduMythology}}<br />
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[[Category: Characters in the Ramayana]]<br />
[[Category: Apsara]]</div>Ajay Kumar