Bhanumati (wife of
Duryodhana)
Bhanumati is the wife of Duryodhana, the main antagonist of the
epic MahaBharatam. Bhanumati's children
are Lakshanakumara and Lakshnakumari.
In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana's wife is mentioned thrice. In the book
SantiParva, Duryodhana abducted king Chitrangada's daughter from her Svayamvara
(Self-choice) with the help of Karna. Later, she is described by her
mother-in-law, Gandhari, in the book Stri Parva.
In thebook Salya Parva, Duryodhana expresses his sorrow over the fate of
the mother of his son, Lakshnakumara. In the
Stri Parva, Gandhari (mother of Duryodhana) mentions her
daughter-in-law. In Santi Parva, the sage Narada narrates a story about the
friendship of Duryodhana and Karna. Here, Karna helps his friend in abducting
the daughter of Kalinga king Chitrāngada from her Swayamvar. As Duryodhana's
wife is unnamed in the epic, her name is provided by the folktales.
Duryodhana's marriage is found in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. The
tale of the svayamvara of Chitrangada's daughter is narrated by Narada, the
divine sage. The text never mentions the name of the princess but states that
she is fair and beautiful.
Duryodhana was invited to the Svayamvara of the daughter of King
Chitrangada of Kalinga. Duryodhana went to the city of Rajapura, taking along
his friend Karna. Many rulers like Sisupala, Jarasandha, Bhishmaka, Vakra,
Kapotaroman, Nila, Rukmi, Sringa, Ashoka, Shatadhanvan and others attended the
ceremony.
After the commencing of the ceremony, the princess entered the arena
with a garland in her hand, surrounded by her nursemaid and bodyguards. As she
was being informed about the names of the participants and their lineage, she
walked away from Duryodhana. Duryodhana refuses to accept her rejection and
already smitten by the princess, took her away on his chariot challenging other
suitors to beat him and Karna. Karna successfully battled with the rest of the
suitors to protect his friend. Karna easily defeated the pursuing Kings and the
other royal suitors abandoned their pursuit after seeing Karna's fighting
prowess. On reaching Hastinapura, Duryodhana justified his act by giving the
example of his great grandfather Bhishma abducting three princesses of
Kasi for his stepbrother, Vichitraveerya. Finally, Bhanumati consented and married
Duryodhana.
Bhanumati was depicted as devoted wife or typical pativrata in the play Venisamharam written by Narayana Bhatta in Sanskrit, based on the plot of Mahabharatam. As contrasted with Draupadi, Bhanumati is considerably mild. Even for understanding a vow calculated to secure the safety of her husband, Bhanumati would stand in need of Duryodhana’s permission (आर्यपुत्र, अभ्यनुज्ञातायाः त्वयास्ति मे कस्मिन्नपि नियमेऽभिलाषः।)
From
what Sahadeva says, it is also possible, that but for her husband’s evil
influence, Bhanumati would not have displayed any crookedness. He says that indeed the minds of women like
those of their husbands on account of association. “मधुरापि
हि मूर्च्छयते विषविटपिसमाश्रिता वल्ली” The creeper though sweet, being
surrounded by a poisonous tree makes people fall in swoon. Had it not beenfor Duryodhana’s influence one
wonders whether Bhanumati would have taunted Draupadi with the words “अयि याज्ञसेनि पञ्च ग्रामाः प्रार्थ्यन्त इति श्रूयते। तत् कस्मादिदानीमपि ते
केशाः न संयन्ते”. Her concern for her husband’s
success, Bhanumati also expresses, but in her own tame way and when Duryodhana
turns a deaf ear to her caution, she keeps quiet.
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