Lakshmana (Krishna's wife): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox deity
{{Infobox deity
| image = Mysore painting.jpg
| image = Mysore painting.jpg
| caption = Ashtabharya with [[Krishna]] - 19th Century [[Mysore painting]] depicting Krishna with his eight principal consorts
| caption = Lakshmana and the other Ashtabharya, Mysore painting.
| spouse = [[Krishna]]
| spouse = [[ Krishna ]]
| name = Lakshmanā
| name = Lakshmana
| type = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| texts = [[Vishnu Purana]], [[Bhagavata Purana]], [[Harivamsa]], [[Mahabharata]]
| texts = [[Vishnu Purana]], [[Bhagavata Purana]], [[Harivamsa]], [[Mahabharata]]
| abode = [[Dwarka]]
| abode = [[Dvaraka]]
| dynasty = [[Yaduvansh]] by marriage
| dynasty = [[Yaduvanshi dynasty|Yaduvamsha]] (by marriage)
| other_names = Dwarkeshwari, Madri, Charuhasini
| other_names = Madri, Charuhasini
| affiliation = [[Ashtabharya]]
| affiliation = [[Devi]], [[Lakshmi]], [[Ashtabharya]]
| member_of = [[Ashtabharya]]
}}
}}
'''Lakshmana''' or '''Lakshana''' is seventh of the ''[[Ashtabharya]]'',<ref>{{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers | year = 1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> | isbn = 978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani|page = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/62 62]}}</ref> the eight principal queen-consorts of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Krishna]], an [[avatar]] of the god [[Vishnu]] and the king of [[Dwarka]] - in the [[Dvapara Yuga]] (epoch).
'''Lakshmana''' ({{Langx|sa|लक्ष्मणा|translit=Lakṣmaṇā}}) or '''Lakshana''' is the seventh of the ''[[Ashtabharya]]'',<ref>{{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers | year = 1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> | isbn = 978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani|page = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/62 62]}}</ref> the eight principal queen-consorts of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Krishna]], an [[avatar]] of the god [[Vishnu]] and the king of [[Dvārakā|Dvaraka]] in the [[Dvapara Yuga]] (epoch).


==Family and names==
==Family and names==
The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' mentions Lakshmana, who is endowed with good qualities, as the daughter of an unnamed ruler of the kingdom of [[Madra]].<ref name="chap10">{{cite web|url=http://vedabase.net/sb/10/58/57/en|title=Bhagavata Purana 10.58.57|author=Prabhupada|author-link=Prabhupada|publisher=[[Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]]}}</ref> The ''[[Padma Purana]]'' specifics the name of the king of Madra as Brihatsena.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers | year = 1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> | isbn = 978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani|page = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/448 448]}}</ref> Lakshmana describes Brihatsena to be a good [[veena]] player in a dialogue.<ref name="BegamudrePōtana1988">{{cite book|author1=Rakosh Das Begamudre|author2=Pōtana|title=Amrutha of Sreemad Bhagavatha: adapted and translated from the Telugu original of Kavi Bammera Pothana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e_IcAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=7 February 2013|year=1988|publisher=Rakosh Das Beegamudre}}</ref> Some texts give her the epithet ''Madri'' or ''Madraa'' ("of Madra").<ref name="10.61.15">
The ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' mentions Lakshmana, who is endowed with good qualities, as the daughter of an unnamed ruler of the kingdom of [[Madra]].<ref name="chap10">{{cite web|url=http://vedabase.net/sb/10/58/57/en|title=Bhagavata Purana 10.58.57|author=Prabhupada|author-link=Prabhupada|publisher=[[Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]]|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-date=20 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920104704/http://vedabase.net/sb/10/58/57/en|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''[[Padma Purana]]'' specifics the name of the king of Madra as Brihatsena.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mani | first = Vettam | title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature | url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publishers | year = 1975 <!-- | location = Delhi --> | isbn = 978-0-8426-0822-0 | author-link = Vettam Mani|page = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/448 448]}}</ref> Lakshmana describes Brihatsena to be a good [[veena]] player in a dialogue.<ref name="BegamudrePōtana1988"/> Some texts give her the epithet ''Madri'' or ''Madraa'' ("of Madra").<ref name="10.61.15">
{{cite web|url=http://vedabase.net/sb/10/61/15/en|title=Bhagavata Purana 10.61.15|author=Prabhupada|author-link=Prabhupada|publisher=[[Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]]}}</ref><ref name="Wilson1870"/> However, the ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'' includes Lakshmana in the Ashtabharya list, but mentions another queen Madri, who is explicitly mentioned as the princess of Madra. The lineage of Lakshmana is not alluded to in the text. The text also calls her ''Charuhasini'', one with a lovely smile. The ''[[Harivamsa]]'' also calls her Charuhasini, but is not associated with Madra and another queen called Madri or Subhima is mentioned like the ''Vishnu Purana''.<ref name="Wilson1870">{{cite book|author=Horace Hayman Wilson|title=The Vishńu Puráńa: a system of Hindu mythology and tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RO8oAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=21 February 2013|year=1870|publisher=Trübner|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RO8oAAAAYAAJ/page/n84 81]–3, 107–8}}</ref><ref name=Harivamsha>{{Cite web|url=http://mahabharata-resources.org/harivamsa/vishnuparva/hv_2_103.html|title= Harivamsha Maha Puraaam - Vishnu Parvaharivamsha in the Mahabharata - Vishnuparva Chapter 103 - narration of the Vrishni race|accessdate=25 January 2013|publisher=Mahabharata Resources Organization}}</ref>
{{cite web|url=http://vedabase.net/sb/10/61/15/en|title=Bhagavata Purana 10.61.15|author=Prabhupada|author-link=Prabhupada|publisher=[[Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]]}}</ref><ref name="Wilson1870"/> However, the ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'' includes Lakshmana in the Ashtabharya list, but mentions another queen Madri, who is explicitly mentioned as the princess of Madra. The lineage of Lakshmana is not alluded to in the text. The text also calls her ''Charuhasini'', one with a lovely smile. The ''[[Harivamsa]]'' also calls her Charuhasini, but is not associated with Madra and another queen called Madri or Subhima is mentioned like the ''Vishnu Purana''.<ref name="Wilson1870">{{cite book|author=Horace Hayman Wilson|title=The Vishńu Puráńa: a system of Hindu mythology and tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RO8oAAAAYAAJ|accessdate=21 February 2013|year=1870|publisher=Trübner|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RO8oAAAAYAAJ/page/n84 81]–3, 107–8}}</ref><ref name=Harivamsha>{{Cite web|url=http://mahabharata-resources.org/harivamsa/vishnuparva/hv_2_103.html|title= Harivamsha Maha Puraaam - Vishnu Parvaharivamsha in the Mahabharata - Vishnuparva Chapter 103 - narration of the Vrishni race|accessdate=25 January 2013|publisher=Mahabharata Resources Organization}}</ref>
==Marriage==
==Marriage==
Lakshmana's father had organized a ''[[Swayamvara]]'' ceremony, in which a bride chooses a groom from assembled suitors. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' and ''Garuda Purana'' mentions that Krishna abducts Lakshmana from the swayamvara, just like the bird-man [[Garuda]] had stolen the jar of the elixir of life (''[[amrita]]'') from the gods.<ref name=Krishna>{{Cite web|url=http://krsnabook.com/ch58.html|title=Five Ques married by Krishna|accessdate=25 January 2013|publisher=Krishnabook.com}}</ref><ref name="10.61.15"/>The [[Sharanga]] bow of Vishnu which was the most poweful bow after [[Vijaya]] and [[Pinaka]] was kept and whoever managed to lift the bow was victorious,unlike Draupadi Swayamawara where the test was to hit the fish eye.The bow was 1000 times heavier than the bow used in Draupadi Swayamawara as it was the personal bow of Lord Vishnu.This swayamwara was more flamboyant than that of Draupadi and was considered the toughest swayamwara contest of the era.It resembled the swayamawara of Sita in Treta Yuga.10000 wrestlers and infantry-men were called to transport the bow to the spot of Swayamwara.Kings of the entire Bharata even from outside India like the kingdom of Sri Lanka and some of the devas were also present there tripling the kings present as that in Draupadi's Swayamwara and everyone there wanted the hand of Lakshamana.This was the grandest swayamawara and it was said that Lakshamana was dark-skinned and was more beautiful than Draupadi.All the kings tried their luck including Jarasandh,Shalya,Duryodhana,Susharma who were the major kings of that time and even devas failed in lifting the bow of Lord Vishnu.Bhima and Arjuna had lifted it but could hold the grip for a long time and failed.Finally,Karna who could lift any bow in the world as he possessed the strongest bow of Shiva, the [[Vijaya]].Karna sighed at Lakshamana,bowed down in front of Lakshamana's father. Karna lifted the bow single-handedly and broke the bow of Vishnu in front of all the kings of the 3 worlds,the universe trembled with fear as Lakshamana was destined to marry Krishna. All the kings,devas bowed in front of Karna.The kings roared and applauded the brave feat of Karna. Krishna abducted Lakshamana in front of the awe-struck court and signalled Karna that it was him who wants to marry her and that is what is destined. Karna understood the signal of Krishna and didn't wanted to break pact with him but the other kings attacked Krishna where all were defeated and then Krishna married Lakshamana in [[Dwarka]]
Lakshmana's father had organized a ''[[svayamvara]]'' ceremony, in which a bride chooses a groom from assembled suitors. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' mentions that Krishna abducts Lakshmana from the svayamvara, just like the demigod-eagle [[Garuda]] had stolen the jar of the elixir of life (''[[amrita]]'') from the gods.<ref name="Krishna">{{Cite web|title=Five Ques married by Krishna|url=http://krsnabook.com/ch58.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322132816/http://krsnabook.com/ch58.html|archive-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Krishnabook.com|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="10.61.15"/> Another tale describes how Krishna wins Lakshmana in the svayamvara, by acing an archery contest. The kings [[Jarasandha]] and [[Duryodhana]] miss the target. The [[Pandava]] prince and Krishna's cousin [[Arjuna]], described as the best archer at times, missed his aim knowingly at the target with the arrow so that Krishna could win the hand of Lakshmana. Arjuna's brother [[Bhima]] refused to participate in deference to Krishna. Ultimately, Krishna wins by hitting the target.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/45238|title=The Ashta-Bharyas|last=Aparna Chatterjee|date=December 10, 2007|work=[[American Chronicle]]|accessdate=21 April 2010|archive-date=6 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206024252/http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/45238|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Krishna and his queens once visited [[Hastinapur|Hastinapura]] to meet the Pandavas and their common wife, [[Draupadi]]. The proud and shy Lakshmana tells Draupadi that her marriage was also very exciting like Draupadi’s and narrates its tale.<ref name="BegamudrePōtana1988">{{cite book|author1=Rakosh Das Begamudre|author2=Pōtana|title=Amrutha of Sreemad Bhagavatha: adapted and translated from the Telugu original of Kavi Bammera Pothana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e_IcAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=7 February 2013|year=1988|publisher=Rakosh Das Beegamudre}}</ref>


==Children and death==
==Children and death==
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' states that she had ten sons: Praghosha, Gatravan, Simha, Bala, Prabala, Urdhvaga, Mahashakti, Saha, Oja and Aparajita.<ref name=Genealogy>{{Cite web|url=http://krsnabook.com/ch61.html|title=The Genealogical Table of the Family of Krishna|accessdate=5 February 2013|publisher= Krsnabook.com}}</ref> The ''Vishnu Purana'' says that she has many sons headed by Gatravan.<ref name="Wilson1870"/>
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' states that she had ten sons: Praghosha, Gatravan, Simha, Bala, Prabala, Urdhvaga, Mahashakti, Saha, Oja and Aparajita.<ref name=Genealogy>{{Cite web|url=http://krsnabook.com/ch61.html|title=The Genealogical Table of the Family of Krishna|accessdate=5 February 2013|publisher= Krsnabook.com}}</ref> The ''Vishnu Purana'' says that she has many sons headed by Gatravan.<ref name=" Wilson1870"/>


The ''Bhagavata Purana'' records the wailing of Krishna's queens and their subsequent leap in Krishna's funeral pyre immolating themselves (see ''[[Sati (practice)|sati]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vedabase.net/sb/11/31/20/en |title=Bhagavata Purana 11.31.20 |author=Prabhupada |author-link=Prabhupada |publisher=[[Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613194505/http://vedabase.net/sb/11/31/20/en |archivedate=13 June 2010 |df= }}</ref> The ''[[Mausala Parva]]'' of the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' which describes the death of Krishna and end of his race declares that only four committed, others kill themselves by burning themselves alive after being attacked by robbers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m16/m16007.htm|title=Mahabharata|accessdate=18 March 2013|publisher=Sacred-texts.com|author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli|author-link=Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}</ref>
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' records the wailing of Krishna's queens and their subsequent leap in Krishna's funeral pyre immolating themselves (see ''[[Sati (practice)|sati]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vedabase.net/sb/11/31/20/en |title=Bhagavata Purana 11.31.20 |author=Prabhupada |author-link=Prabhupada |publisher=[[Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613194505/http://vedabase.net/sb/11/31/20/en |archivedate=13 June 2010 }}</ref> The ''[[Mausala Parva]]'' of the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' which describes the death of Krishna and end of his race declares that only four committed, others kill themselves by burning themselves alive after being attacked by robbers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m16/m16007.htm|title=Mahabharata|accessdate=18 March 2013|publisher=Sacred-texts.com|author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli|author-link=Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 16:14, 31 January 2026


Lakshmana
Member of Ashtabharya
Lakshmana and the other Ashtabharya, Mysore painting.
Other namesMadri, Charuhasini
AffiliationDevi, Lakshmi, Ashtabharya
AbodeDvaraka
TextsVishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Harivamsa, Mahabharata
Personal information
SpouseKrishna
DynastyYaduvamsha (by marriage)

Lakshmana (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) or Lakshana is the seventh of the Ashtabharya,[1] the eight principal queen-consorts of Hindu god Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu and the king of Dvaraka in the Dvapara Yuga (epoch).

Family and names[edit | edit source]

The Bhagavata Purana mentions Lakshmana, who is endowed with good qualities, as the daughter of an unnamed ruler of the kingdom of Madra.[2] The Padma Purana specifics the name of the king of Madra as Brihatsena.[3] Lakshmana describes Brihatsena to be a good veena player in a dialogue.[4] Some texts give her the epithet Madri or Madraa ("of Madra").[5][6] However, the Vishnu Purana includes Lakshmana in the Ashtabharya list, but mentions another queen Madri, who is explicitly mentioned as the princess of Madra. The lineage of Lakshmana is not alluded to in the text. The text also calls her Charuhasini, one with a lovely smile. The Harivamsa also calls her Charuhasini, but is not associated with Madra and another queen called Madri or Subhima is mentioned like the Vishnu Purana.[6][7]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Lakshmana's father had organized a svayamvara ceremony, in which a bride chooses a groom from assembled suitors. The Bhagavata Purana mentions that Krishna abducts Lakshmana from the svayamvara, just like the demigod-eagle Garuda had stolen the jar of the elixir of life (amrita) from the gods.[8][5] Another tale describes how Krishna wins Lakshmana in the svayamvara, by acing an archery contest. The kings Jarasandha and Duryodhana miss the target. The Pandava prince and Krishna's cousin Arjuna, described as the best archer at times, missed his aim knowingly at the target with the arrow so that Krishna could win the hand of Lakshmana. Arjuna's brother Bhima refused to participate in deference to Krishna. Ultimately, Krishna wins by hitting the target.[9] Krishna and his queens once visited Hastinapura to meet the Pandavas and their common wife, Draupadi. The proud and shy Lakshmana tells Draupadi that her marriage was also very exciting like Draupadi’s and narrates its tale.[4]

Children and death[edit | edit source]

The Bhagavata Purana states that she had ten sons: Praghosha, Gatravan, Simha, Bala, Prabala, Urdhvaga, Mahashakti, Saha, Oja and Aparajita.[10] The Vishnu Purana says that she has many sons headed by Gatravan.[6]

The Bhagavata Purana records the wailing of Krishna's queens and their subsequent leap in Krishna's funeral pyre immolating themselves (see sati).[11] The Mausala Parva of the Hindu epic Mahabharata which describes the death of Krishna and end of his race declares that only four committed, others kill themselves by burning themselves alive after being attacked by robbers.[12]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
  2. Prabhupada. "Bhagavata Purana 10.58.57". Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 448. ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Rakosh Das Begamudre; Pōtana (1988). Amrutha of Sreemad Bhagavatha: adapted and translated from the Telugu original of Kavi Bammera Pothana. Rakosh Das Beegamudre. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Prabhupada. "Bhagavata Purana 10.61.15". Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Horace Hayman Wilson (1870). The Vishńu Puráńa: a system of Hindu mythology and tradition. Trübner. pp. 81–3, 107–8. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  7. "Harivamsha Maha Puraaam - Vishnu Parvaharivamsha in the Mahabharata - Vishnuparva Chapter 103 - narration of the Vrishni race". Mahabharata Resources Organization. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  8. "Five Ques married by Krishna". Krishnabook.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  9. Aparna Chatterjee (10 December 2007). "The Ashta-Bharyas". American Chronicle. Retrieved 21 April 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. "The Genealogical Table of the Family of Krishna". Krsnabook.com. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  11. Prabhupada. "Bhagavata Purana 11.31.20". Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010.
  12. Kisari Mohan Ganguli. "Mahabharata". Sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 18 March 2013.