Sudeshnavati (Mahabharata)
Sudeshnavati is the wife of Vikarna, the third-most reputable of the Kauravas. Her references are mentioned in Mahabharata like her marriage with Vikarna, etc. She supported Vikarna during the Kurukshetra War. She was very loving to Vikarna but at the same time she was a arrogant woman. She is mentioned in Shanti Parva and Stri Parva and sometimes, her sister Indumati was a favourite of Vikarna. Thus, this marriage ended with happiness.
| Sudeshnavati | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Affiliation | Kuru Queen |
| Family | Vasantraja (father) |
| Spouse | Vikarna |
| Children | Jyotsyana (daughter) |
| Home | Trilokapura (by birth), Hastinapura (by marriage) |
In the Mahabharata, Vikarna's wife is mentioned thrice, she was a beautiful lady with hips that Gandhari had mentioned. She was the beautiful daughter in law of Dhritarashra and queen Gandhari but her case was like sister, Mayuri or like Bhanumati because she was kidnapped by Vikarna forcefully from her kingdomand took her with the help of his elder brother, Duryodhana.
Hence, Sudeshnavati had agreed to marry Vikarna and married him in the Hastinapura.
Textual sources and development
Sudeshnavati is never described directly in the Mahabharata as she is described in the other versions. Gandhari described her too many times but still her beauty was finally described by her. Some adaptions of Mahabharata say that Princess Bhanumati is the first daughter of Shalya, Princess Tejashree is the second daughter and Sudeshnavati is the third. In Indonesia traditions, her name is changed and is mentioned as "Sudisinawati". But her name in Hindu traditions remains Sudeshnavati only.
Shalya's wife Avantini was the mother of three sons but stories mentions two wives of Kauravas that is - Bhanumati and Sudeshnavati as their daughter.
Marriage with Vikarna
Narada narrates the story of Vikarna and Sudeshnavati in the Baalkanda, a story that had described the marriage of Duryodhana and Mayuri and Bhanumati. This story also describes the another epic "Ramayana" about the marriage of Rama and Sita. In the Trilokapura Kingdom, Vasantraja had organized a swayamvara for his daughter, Sudeshnavati when she came with a beautiful garland in her hand, she rejected Vikarna bur he didn't accept her rejection and kidnapped her without her wish. Sage Narada narrates the story without taking the name of the princess. She was originally unnamed— in the epic but her references are added in the other versions.
Bhanumati and Sudeshnavati's complexion were same but as compared to Indumati, she was less arrogant and was shy. In the folktales, Sudeshnavati used to play hide and seek as a aunt to Laxman Kumara, Lakshmanaa loved her mother, Mayuri as Bhanumati was ill in some other versions. Duryodhana was very sad but Karna's choice was Mayuri, whom she married Duryodhana and took care of Laxman Kumara.
Friendship with Bhanumati
Her friendship with Bhanumati was a complex as her beauty attracted Vikarna and that's how their love story began in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Bhanumati had many friends including Padmavati, Vrushali, Geeta and her so called sister, Mayuri.
She was a favorite of Vikarna and there is no mention thar she married a another man but acceptionally, she loved Vikarna at the bottom of his heart. She wanted to marry Yudhishthira but unfortunately, she married Vikarna. She had no complaints about him and adjusted. Vikarna told his beautiful life, i.e his wife -
My dear Sudeshnavati, you are the miracle of my heart, I'll never think of ever leaving you alone. Your love with my sister-in-law, Bhanumati was a sister like feeling
— Vikarna, Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Regional folklores or folktales
The dice match with Karna
Earlier, folktales used to describe Bhanumati playing with Karna, but now the version has changed and now they describe Sudeshnavati playing with Karna. Vikarna had asked Karna to take care of his dearly wife, Sudeshnavati. Instead of taking care, Karna and Sudeshnavati started playing the dice game.
Meanwhile, Vikarna returns after his work was done. When Vikarna almost came in the room, Sudeshnavati went running. But, Karna pulled her pallu that is the saree drape. Her necklace fell down but Vikarna had no injustice against his wives and his elder brother's friend. He gave the necklace to his wife in a mannerly way. Bhanumati used to talk with Sudeshnavati often when their husband's were not there, Mayuri too joined in their discussion.