Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)

Mayuri
File:The another spouse of Duryodhan, described to the fairest of all.jpg An illustration of Mayuri
Information
Affiliation	Kuru Queen
Family	Vasantraja (father), Vaishali (mother), Matrasena (brother), Shweta, Lata, Sudeshnavati, Indumati (sisters), Bhanumati (so called sister)
Spouse	Duryodhana
Children	Lakshmanaa and Laxman Kumara
Home	Trilokapura (by birth), Hastinapura (By marriage)

Mayuri also known Mayurī is the wife of Duryodhana and mother of Laxman Kumara and Lakshmanaa in folklores. She is one of the antagonists of the epic Mahabharata and she is the daughter in law of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. She is a good friend of Vrushali Karna's wife.

Mayuri is a prominent character in the epic Mahabharata. She is known basically as the wife of Duryodhana and she is the only one understands Bhanumati's problems. She is the only one who is a mother caring for Laxman Kumara and his sister Lakshmanaa.

Information

She is mentioned in the Shanti Parva about her marriage and kidnappings and in Stri Parva Mayuri and Bhanumati both lose Duryodhana, as Mayuri was the favourite wife of Duryodhana, she cared about Bhanumati also. She accepted Bhanumati as her elder sister, and both Bhanumati and Mayuri led a long and happy life with Duryodhana. After the death of Duryodhana, Bhanumati and Mayuri together being sisters committed Sati.

Marriage of Duryodhana and Mayuri

Story

King Vasantraja had held a Swayamvara in which warriors like Duryodhana, Karna, Veerasena, Ashwayudha, and many other warriors were invited. The princes began to laugh at Duryodhana and thought that Princess Mayuri will only put the garland on them. The princess came with a beautiful garland in her hand and was choosing a man who will be suitable for her but when she came to Duryodhana, she refused to marry him. Duryodhana refused to accept her rejection and forcefully held her hands and put the garland in his neck and kidnapped her. All the prince's were about to attack him but Karna said to Duryodhana that I'll handle these warriors and so on, after defeating the princes, Karna and Duryodhana came on the chariot and took Princess Mayuri to Hastinapura and the poor princess accepted to marry Duryodhana. Their marriage was celebrated with Peace and Harmony. This story echoes Mayuri's so called sister Bhanumati's marriage.

In the Mahabharata

She was described by her mother-in-law Gandhari to Duryodhana (same incident like Bhanumati),Duryodhana loved his two wives Mayuri and Bhanumati so much. Laxman Kumara's main mother is considered as Mayuri and the second mother Bhanumati. Mayuri was not jealous of Bhanumati or nor Bhanumati was of Mayuri. Both were antagonists and learned women. Gandhari describes her daughter in law to Krishna,

Behold, the beloved wife of Duryodhana and mother of Lakshmanaa and Laxman Kumara, the Queen of Hastinapura, the women who was with Bhanumati, the friend of Vrushali, who is the beautiful princess of Trilokapura, The Daughter of Vasantraja and Vaishali, the women who was sorrowing for her husband, Duryodhana, the woman who committed Sati with Bhanumati,who mourned for her husband and son who died during the war, Mayuri fell on her heroic spouse, Duryodhana's breast, the king of Hastinapura

— Gandhari, Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli

With Bhanumati

Mayuri's character is portraits a general character having good behavior and Bhanumati also. After the marriage of Duryodhana, Bhanumati immediately wanted help from Mayuri, But Mayuri solved the problem and the two wives spent with their husband a happy life.